A VENEER OF MURDER (Mrs. Fix It Mysteries Book 3)

by Belle Knudson

  The place wouldn’t be the same without Meghan, and Kate’s heart hurt at the idea. Life went on, but grieving had to be done. She hadn’t grieved for Greg, and it was probably about time.

  She sipped her coffee then walked to Scott’s office. He was once again knee-deep in paperwork. She sat with her coffee, waiting until he finished what he was writing. The bill was tucked into the pocket of her overalls.

  He’d nodded at her when she sat. She watched his movements, his forehead wrinkled from thinking. He was a handsome man. Rugged. Not the intellectual that Greg was, but just as smart. Had her marrying Greg been a reaction to having been with Scott? Had she been looking for someone completely different? She couldn’t have picked anyone more different than Scott.

  If Greg were here, would Scott turn her head? He would be polite, but he wouldn’t be so blatant about his feelings toward her. There would be no way to do that to another man’s wife. Scott had more class than that. Which meant that he didn’t consider her another man’s wife.

  “Hey,” he said, finally looking up. He looked harried. More stressed than she’d seen him since he’d come back to Rock Ridge.

  “Hi. Busy morning?”

  “You don’t know the half of it.”

  “Tell me.”

  It was about time she at least returned his friendship. He’d been good to her. She needed to be good to him. Even if they were never romantic, they could be friends. She trusted him and he must trust her.

  They spent a lot of time together for not dating.

  “You sure you want to hear it?”

  She nodded. He studied her. “You look different.”

  “Oh?”

  “Like you made a decision.”

  “I did, but tell me about your morning,” she said.

  “Okay. We’ve had threats. Actual threats about Founder’s Day. Nothing we can trace to a specific person yet, but we’re working on it. Keep that to yourself.”

  “Mum’s the word,” Kate said.

  She leaned back in the chair, holding her coffee with two hands. She did want to hear this. Even if it meant that Rock Ridge wasn’t as safe as she wanted to believe. Most of her life didn’t seem to be how she wanted to believe it had been.

  “I’m pretty sure it’s that group outside of town, but we can’t find actual evidence that would hold up in a court of law. Anarchist Freedom Network is what they call themselves.”

  “That’s sucks. I’m sure you will in time. Don’t you always tell me that criminals are not smart?”

  “They aren’t, but sometimes they are. This group has a legitimate branch.”

  “What do you mean by legitimate?”

  “They have charitable status with the federal government, but when I talk to my FBI contact, he thinks one funnels money to the other. They just haven’t been able to pick up the trail of that money.”

  “Wow. So they aren’t just anarchists. They’re businessmen. Why target Founder’s Day?”

  “Because they are targeting events like this across the United States. Each event won’t be disruptive on a large scale, but the sum of them will. People won’t feel safe in small towns. Besides, small towns are easier to target.”

  “People are more trusting. They don’t think these things can happen in a small town.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But if people don’t feel safe, won’t they turn to the government for help? Wouldn’t that leave the door open for the government to put stricter controls on things? Wouldn’t that be the opposite of what an anarchist would want?”

  “They are going to target government officials. Cops and firefighters, too.”

  “Yikes.”

  “Exactly. I’m supposed to keep a parade safe that has the mayor as grand marshal and a whole bevy of fire apparatus in it.”

  “Yikes again.”

  “Right.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “Thanks for listening.”

  “Not a problem.”

  “Did you come here to bring me something?”

  “I did.” She pulled the bill out of her pocket. “I was cleaning out Greg’s office last night.”

  “Cleaning out his office?”

  “Yes, I know. It’s a step.”

  Scott’s grin was huge.

  “A big step. Do you finally think he isn’t coming back?”

  “I’m getting there, yes.”

  As much as she hated to admit it, Greg probably wasn’t coming back. She had to face that. She must move on with her life. Scott took the bill from her.

  “What’s this?”

  “It’s a credit card bill for a credit card I knew nothing about.”

  He studied her then looked at the bill. “A MasterCard.”

  “Yes, not for work. There’s a charge on there I can’t figure out.”

  “From a glance, I don’t know, but I’ll have to get back to you,” Scott said.

  “That’s fine. I know you have to worry about Founder’s Day. I have to figure out when I’m going to do those bleachers. Not as life threatening as your job, but stressful for me.”

  “Your business has picked up that much?”

  “Yes and now people call me for emergency stuff also.”

  “I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well.”

  She rose then smiled. “Thanks, Scott.”

  “Next time, bring me coffee?”

  “In the morning or anytime?”

  “Anytime. The coffee here is crud. I can barely choke it down.”

  “I don’t have a French press coffee maker.”

  He waved his hand, the smile making his eyes twinkle. “It’s still better than what is here.”

  She’d had the station coffee. She couldn’t swallow it, either.

  “Kate?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m proud of you. Not just because I hope to benefit from your taking steps to get over Greg, but because I’m happy to see you moving on. For your sake. It’ll be better.”

  “I’m hoping it’ll be better. I don’t want to wander through life anymore. It’s no way to live. Meghan’s death showed me that life is too short.”

  “You want me to go to the funeral with you?”

  She thought about that for a moment. It would be okay to lean on someone. “Yes, I’d like that.”

  His smile widened. “Good.”

  “It isn’t a date, Scott. It’s a funeral.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You’re still beginning to let me in. I only need that door opened a little, Katydid.”

  She knew that. He would have her walls down and her doors opened in no time. For once that didn’t seem all that bad. He was a good guy. She knew this. He’d been pleasant and patient with her. He’d always been there for her since he’d returned to Rock Ridge. She’d have to give him a chance, but not yet.

  He made her day. Always. She felt better after having talked to him. He was one of the good guys. “Have a good day, Scott.”

  “You too, Katydid.”

  She left the police station, her steps that much lighter. She’d finished her coffee in Scott’s office, but she wanted more. Next stop would have to be the coffee shop.

  Chapter Eight

  Kate parked in front of Bean There. The day seemed just a little bit brighter than it had before she spoke to Scott. A little bit of weight had lifted off of her shoulders. She almost whistled as she entered the café. Almost. No one needed to hear her off-key version of anything. She hadn’t been blessed with musical talent.

  Kendall was there, but she didn’t seem to notice Kate who stood in line behind her. Kate could look at her phone and pretend not to notice. Nope, not even Kendall was going to bring her down. The woman was muttering to herself.

  Kate decided to ignore her. No reason to invite trouble.

  Then Kendall’s phone rang. The ringtone was a rap song. Rap song? Kate didn’t recognize it, but she wouldn’t. Kendall fumbled in her big purse to find her phone. She finally came up with it.

  “Yes?”
<
br />   Kate could hear a male voice on the other end, but couldn’t make out the words. No reason to snoop. She didn’t really want to know what was going on in Kendall’s life. She had nothing to do with Meghan’s murder and less to do with Greg’s disappearance. Those were the two major items on Kate’s plate that morning.

  Oh and some repair work. That thing she did for money. She had to look at the calendar page she’d printed out. She had no idea who her first repair was. She just knew she wasn’t due there for another half hour.

  “No, this isn’t a good time.”

  Kendall’s breathing stepped up. Kate could hear it. “No, we shouldn’t meet.”

  Kendall listened.

  “No, he isn’t my problem. He’s yours. If he talks you’ll be sorry…. Are you threatening me?”

  Kate’s ears perked up, but she still couldn’t hear the person on the other end. Kendall tucked her phone into the back pocket of her skinny jeans then ordered her coffee. She’d never said good-bye. She just disconnected the phone call. Her phone rang again, but she turned it off.

  Interesting, but still not enough for Kate to want to get involved.

  Clara brought the coffee. Kendall still hadn’t noticed Kate. She walked out without acknowledging her. It was sort of a relief. Kendall could bring so much drama to a conversation. She tired Kate out.

  Kate got her coffee then stepped outside into the sunshine. Kendall was still shaking her head as she walked down Main Street. Kate glanced at her phone, realized she had a few minutes, and then followed Kendall. She didn’t really like the woman, but she didn’t wish her ill will.

  Kendall ducked into an alley between two buildings. Kate looked around the corner when she reached it. Kendall was just disappearing to the right. Kate strode down the alley then poked her head out. Kendall was behind the liquor store. No one else was in the alley other than the man she must have been talking on the phone to.

  He was a rough-looking man. Kate thought she knew him, but couldn’t remember from where. Then it hit her. He was the man who had been staring at her while she was walking to meet Meghan. Should she tell Scott he was here?

  Was he Meghan’s murderer? Kendall’s voice rose an octave.

  “He isn’t my problem. You let him loose. I’m not being held responsible for him.”

  Kate couldn’t hear the man’s voice. He leaned in close to Kendall, who tried to move away. He grabbed her arm.

  “You’re hurting me,” she said.

  Kate stepped out of the alley. “Do you need help, Kendall?”

  Kate’s heart raced. She had Scott on speed dial. She only had to punch one number and he’d answer. He always answered her call.

  Kendall smiled at Kate, but the expression didn’t reach her eyes. “No, I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine. Is he hurting you? I can call the police,” Kate said.

  She stepped a little closer, but the pair was still ten feet away. Kendall didn’t look that nervous.

  Kendall shook her head. “No, it’s fine.”

  The man grunted then walked away. Kate watched him go in his ripped jeans. Kendall brushed her clothing off as if she’d spilled some crumbs, not threatened by a dangerous-looking man.

  No one else was in the alley. There would have been no one else around to save Kendall had something happened to her. Good thing Kate chose to be nosy.

  “Who was that?”

  Kate looked Kendall over to make sure she wasn’t hurt. Today she wore red skinny jeans and a purple halter top. Once again, her breasts were front and center.

  Kendall glanced in the direction that the man had gone. He’d turned a corner so Kate couldn’t see him anymore. “He’s my brother.”

  “What did he want?”

  She cleared her throat and crossed her arms. “A family matter.”

  “Who aren’t you responsible for?”

  She’d heard Kendall say that to her brother. Had they been arguing about a family member that was in trouble?

  Kendall frowned. “This is a family matter, Kate. None of your business.”

  “Then why was he threatening you?” Kate said.

  She couldn’t get past that. Why would her brother manhandle her? Families shouldn’t treat each other that way. Not that Kate had siblings to understand the dynamic. Carly was an only also. Didn’t families do their best to get along?

  Kendall pressed her lips together. “Just mind your own business.”

  She couldn’t do that. The man was very scary looking and he had been holding on to Kendall. Kate was not one to walk away. No way. She wished she had a weapon. “I was afraid for you, Kendall.”

  “Bubba wouldn’t hurt me.”

  In that instance, Kate knew that Kendall wasn’t as blue blood as she talked. She was closer to how she dressed. Kate’s heart went out to her. Maybe she was in a situation that was over her head. Maybe she tried to be something she wasn’t.

  Kate wasn’t going to apologize for following Kendall and trying to defend her, even if that man had been her brother. “He looked like he wanted to hurt you.”

  She waved her hand, dismissing Kate’s statement. “He was angry. We fight. Brothers and sisters do that.”

  Kate took a step back. She knew that from Jason and Jared. They could fight over anything. “I get that, but he looked really angry.”

  “Kate, please let it go. I’m fine.”

  She sipped her coffee then brushed past Kate on her stilettos. Kate watched her walk down the alley. What had just happened? The man hadn’t looked anything like Kendall.

  Was she lying?

  Kate couldn’t figure it out.

  ***

  Kate dressed in her only black dress. Meghan would be buried today. The finality of it all took away Kate’s breath. At least she’d have Scott there to support her. She was still hesitant about depending on him. She’d been going it alone for a few years now, but she found it refreshing to have someone there. To have someone who cared.

  She applied some mascara to her lashes then a bit of dark lipstick to her lips. That was the best that was going to happen. Meghan would understand. She wouldn’t have primped any more for Kate’s funeral.

  With one last look in the mirror, Kate left the house. She sat on her porch, waiting for Scott. Her cell phone was on vibrate. She didn’t want to be interrupted by a client during this solemn occasion.

  Scott pulled into her driveway in his truck. For a city guy, he’d quickly readjusted to the country lifestyle. He’d traded in his luxury car for a pickup truck. It wasn’t a beat-up one. It was top of the line.

  Scott liked the best. She should probably consider that as a compliment since he liked her. He climbed out of his truck, stopping to look at her.

  “I know this is a funeral and that she was a friend of yours, but you look beautiful, Katydid.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t want to, but he looked handsome in his dark suit. “You didn’t wear your dress uniform?”

  “Always hated wearing a uniform. I only do it if someone holds a gun to my head.”

  “Which is likely to happen in your line of work.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  He held the car door for her, then closed it when she was comfortable. She put on her seat belt as Scott slid into the vehicle.

  “You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I’m with you all the way.”

  “Thanks.”

  The funeral was being held at the cemetery. Meghan would have appreciated what a nice day it was. A lump formed in Kate’s throat as she tried not to cry. She didn’t want to in front of anyone. She’d shed her tears for Meghan on the day she’d died.

  Today should be a tribute to her life. Not a reminder of her death.

  Scott held her hand in his and she let him as they walked to the gravesite. “I’m thinking about getting a divorce.”

  She wasn’t sure why she had to share that now, but she did. Scott’s steps fa
ltered, but he kept going. “I see.”

  “I don’t know why I blurted that out.”

  “Let’s talk after the funeral,” he said.

  She’d like that.

  The whole town had turned out for Meghan’s funeral. Her casket sat by the big hole in the ground, flowers on top of it. Carly had been busy the last few days. What a good friend to take time out and help her with Greg’s office, which still wasn’t done.

  She’d get it done eventually. It was her first step. The divorce, if it happened soon, would be the next one. She’d have to talk to her kids before she did it.

  Carly stepped away from Larry then hugged Kate. “You okay?”

  “I’ll be okay. You know I’m not a fan of these things.”

  “Nope.” She looked up at Scott. “You taking good care of her?”

  “As much as she’ll let me,” he said.

  Carly returned to Larry’s side. He took her hand and it warmed Kate’s heart. Carly was a great person. She deserved to be happy.

  Clem was up front by the coffin, dressed in a suit. He’d cleaned up well from what Kate could see. Celia was alone in the second row.

  “You want to find a seat?”

  “I’m not ready to sit yet.”

  “I think it’s starting,” Scott said.

  She let herself be led to a seat in the back. Kendall was there. She ignored Kate, and Kate hoped that it wasn’t the end of the woman’s business. She glanced over her shoulder toward the road. Two police cars were stationed there.

  “Are you thinking there will be a problem?” Kate said.

  “Shh.”

  The minister began to speak. How can one’s life be boiled down to a fifteen-minute speech? What would people say about Kate when she died? She had no idea. As much as she thought about what people would think of her and Scott, for the rest of the time, she didn’t really worry about what other people thought of her.

  The minister talked about Meghan’s service to the community as the librarian. He talked about how much she added to Rock Ridge and how many kids she’d taught to read. Kate’s mind wandered. She preferred to remember Meghan as the sweet friend she’d become. The late night teapots they shared in the library. The wicked sense of humor that Meghan had. She could turn anything dirty.