by Lyndsey Cole
Startled, Annie pulled her eyes away from Jason to see Stacey Jordan standing at the pastry counter. “Annie, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Annie followed Stacey outside away from all the people. “Leona didn’t fire Bree if that’s what you’re here about.”
“Fire Bree? Why would she fire Bree?”
Oops, Annie thought. Apparently, Stacey hadn’t heard about the boy drama yesterday. “Just a misunderstanding.”
Stacey was staring out over the lake with something on her mind. “Oh, good. I’m not here about my girls.” Her clear blue eyes stared at Annie. “I think I’m in trouble. Will you help me?”
Annie placed her hand on Stacey’s arm. “What kind of trouble?”
Stacey looked around before answering. “You heard about Robbie Benson?”
Annie nodded.
She sucked in a deep breath of air and exhaled before continuing. “He’s a diabetic and I was the visiting nurse scheduled to visit him yesterday to check his blood sugar.”
Annie waited for Stacey to continue.
“It’s a routine kind of thing, shouldn’t take long. I like when I get the visit so I can say hi to Robbie’s sister, Hazel. We’ve been friends ever since elementary school.”
Jason approached from behind Stacey and put his arm around Annie’s shoulder. “Fancy meeting you here. Are you on a break? Can I get you some lemonade or something?”
Annie hesitated. “Sure. Get one for Stacey too.” Annie lowered her voice and said to Stacey, “Maybe this isn’t the best time or place to discuss this. Once the lunch rush is over, I’ll try to get away. Can I meet you somewhere?”
“Never mind. I shouldn’t be bothering you with my problems.” Stacey started to walk away.
“Wait Stacey. I do want to help. Three o’clock at the town green?”
Stacey nodded. “I’ll be there.”
Jason carefully made his way back to Annie while balancing three glasses of lemonade. “Where’s Stacey?”
“She had to get back to work.” Annie took one of the glasses and gulped down the cool drink. “I promised to meet her later.”
“Sit down with me for a minute,” Jason said. “I ran into Tyler on my way here and told him about the book you found in your apartment.”
Annie rested her chin in the palm of her hand. “I got another one early this morning. It was creepy. Roxy heard the noise and woke me up but I never saw anyone, just another book on the floor stuffed through the cat door.”
Jason took Annie’s hand. “I don’t like the sound of this. What did this one say?”
“I’ll show you.” Annie went inside and returned with her bag. She pulled out the two books and handed them to Jason. “The one on top is the first one.”
Jason opened the cover and read the message. He put the second book on the table next to the first one and studied the words. Annie, Oliver knows what happened. Annie, check the trash. His eyes met Annie’s. “It looks like the same person wrote both the messages.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too, but neither message makes any sense to me.”
Chapter 7
Leona motioned for Annie to hurry back inside.
“The café is swamped. I’ll talk to you later,” Annie told Jason as she slid the two books into her bag which was hanging from the back of her chair.
A hand touched Annie on her shoulder as she stood up. “Annie?”
“Peter. How are you?” She studied the kind face of Peter Hayworth.
“Fine, thanks to you. I’m not sure what would have happened if you didn’t find me yesterday when you did.”
“Actually, it was Roxy who tracked you down.”
Peter looked around the bustling deck. “Where is that amazing dog of yours? I owe her a big treat the next time you stop by.” As if on cue, Roxy appeared and stuck her nose in Peter’s hand. He knelt down to embrace the dog.
“I have to get back to work but I’ll stop by the farm later. I’m sure Leona will be needing more blackberries. Come inside and I’ll send you home with a pie. That will give you a good shot of energy to get through the rest of the day.”
“Just bring it when you visit. I have a couple of errands before I head back to the farm. My kids are visiting for the holiday weekend so I’ll be around all afternoon. I stopped in here first to let you know I’m back to normal, thanks to your quick actions.”
When Annie finally pushed her way into the café, she couldn’t help but notice the long line waiting for breakfast orders. Leona’s clenched jaw also provided a good indication of her mood.
“Go out and get a breath of fresh air. I’ll take over the grill.”
Leona visibly relaxed. “Thanks. The tourists shouldn’t be getting under my skin. I think it has something to do with Luke’s visit this morning. What was all that with Danny?”
Annie looked at Leona out of the corner of her eye as she flipped the egg and sausage sandwich. “Are you serious? You haven’t figured out that Danny has a crush on you?”
Leona’s mouth fell open and a slight blush crept up into her face. “We’re good friends. I never imagined it was more than that.”
“Why do you think he comes into the café every morning? It’s not to see me or Mia.” Annie piled home fries next to the sandwich and handed the plate to the waiting customer.
“What should I do?” Leona poured a yogurt, banana and strawberry breakfast smoothie into a tall glass, stuck in a sprig of fresh mint and handed it to the customer.
Annie’s hands kept busy, frying eggs and home fries. “Think carefully before you do anything. Danny’s a great guy in many ways. What you see is what you get. He has some baggage, and at this point he knows you like him as a friend. Don’t lead him on unless you mean it or you’ll destroy him.”
Leona nodded. “I’m going outside for a few minutes. You okay with this?” She swept her arm around the filled café.
“Yeah. Tell Mia to help me, and Ashley can hop between the cash register and the ice cream window.”
Morning merged into the lunch crowd without skipping a beat. There was a steady stream of tourists stocking up on delicious pastries, blackberry pies and books from the freebrary. Annie smiled to herself every time she saw someone beam with excitement after finding an author or title on one of the shelves.
Bree, Ashley and Kristen kept themselves busy and even looked ahead for ways to help out. At least while they were in the café they seemed to have gotten the message to put their petty differences aside.
As three o’clock approached, Annie told Leona she had to leave. Mia and Leona were busy making pies and pastries for the next day and Annie had refilled the granola containers and made a new batch of her lunch salads. She searched for her bag on her way out but it wasn’t where she usually left it. She smacked herself on her forehead when she pictured her bag hanging on the back of one of the outside chairs.
“Darn it. I’ve lost my bag,” she told her mother. “At least my camera is in here where it’s supposed to be, but now I’ll have to cancel my credit card and get a new license if it doesn’t turn up.”
“Don’t do anything until you have a good look around. Maybe someone moved it.”
Annie called Roxy and searched on the deck. Something black caught her eye near the wooden trash can. She picked up her wallet and was relieved to find all her items still inside, including forty five dollars. Why would someone leave money and take the bag? What else was in there, she wondered.
“Come on Roxy. We need to hustle over to the green to find Stacey.”
Main Street was teeming with tourists for the Fourth of July weekend. It was good for all the local businesses but Annie preferred the quieter times. Heron Lake was a beautiful place in the summertime and, of course, all the second-home owners thought the same thing. With so many activities scheduled for Friday and Saturday, the town was crawling with year-round residents, summer home residents and visitors looking for a good celebration.
As Annie got closer to the
green, she saw Stacey pacing in front of the gazebo. Annie waved but Stacey was checking her watch and didn’t see Annie until she crossed the street and stepped onto the green.
“There you are,” Stacey said. “I was worried you changed your mind and decided not to come.”
“I wouldn’t do that.” Annie patted Stacey’s arm.
“Of course not, but you might have been too busy.” She scribbled her phone number on the back of a business card. “Here, this is my personal cell phone number. You might as well have it in case you need to get in touch with me.”
Annie cocked her head and tucked the card into her pocket without looking at it. “What’s gotten you so jumpy?”
Stacey sat on one of the benches. “When I got to Robbie’s house, he was already unconscious. I called the ambulance but it was too late by the time it got to his house.”
“That’s not your fault.”
Stacey’s face relaxed slightly. “Are you sure?” She clutched Annie’s arm. “The police won’t think it’s my fault?”
“What did you do?” Annie asked.
Stacey didn’t meet Annie’s gaze. “I didn’t do anything. It’s strange. The room felt different somehow. Like someone else had been there. What do you know about Robbie?”
“Not much, but I don’t like him,” Annie answered.
“No one did. I’m friends with his sister, Hazel. Not close friends, but I’ve known her ever since we were kids. She was a shy thing back then and, well, I always felt a little sorry for her; stuck with Robbie for an older brother. She’s a writer and sometimes I wonder if her fantasy world is more real to her than the world around her.”
Annie nodded, wondering where this was all headed.
Stacey abruptly stood up. “You helped Leona when she was arrested for murder last Valentine’s Day. Will you help me if it comes to that?”
Annie kept her voice calm. “Listen, Stacey, I think you’re jumping to conclusions. Maybe he died of natural causes.”
Stacey shook her head and whispered. “I think Hazel might have done it. She told me she wished he was dead many times. Have you read any of her books?”
“No.”
“They’re all murders. And the real killer always gets away by carefully planting evidence to incriminate someone else.”
“You think she would actually recreate one of her stories?”
“I think it’s possible. That’s why I’m so scared. I’ve got two teenage daughters. I can’t go to jail. There’s no one else to take care of them. My whole career would be ruined if the police even suspect me of murder. Who would hire me to do home visits with that on my record?”
“I’ll help you,” Annie told Stacey at the same time she asked herself what the heck she was getting involved in.
Chapter 8
Stacey hugged Annie. “Thank you. I have to get back to work. Call me if you think of any questions.” She jogged to her car and sped away.
Annie stuck her hand into her pocket and felt the business card Stacey gave her. Pulling it out, she flipped it over and read Stacey’s cell number, written in red ink. Annie’s blood ran cold. That’s what was in her bag—the books. Did someone steal them or just throw them away and take her bag?
“What are you doing here Annie?”
Startled from her thoughts, Annie recognized Tyler’s deep voice.
“Are you all right? Your face is as pale as a ghost.”
Annie composed herself as much as possible before answering Tyler. “I was talking to Stacey Jordan.”
Tyler’s eyebrow rose. “I didn’t know you two were friends.”
Annie sat on the bench where Stacey had been a few short minutes ago. “More like acquaintances, and her girls work at the café. She’s having some trouble keeping her older daughter, Bree, out of trouble with the teenage boys.” Not a lie, even if it wasn’t what they were actually discussing. Annie hoped that explanation would satisfy Tyler.
Tyler nodded. “Did she say anything to you about Robbie Benson?”
Annie paused, knowing she couldn’t lie to Tyler. He knew her too well. “How was miniature golf with JC and Dylan last night?”
Tyler laughed. “We had a great time. Dylan hit the holes like a pro. I think he’s got some serious golfing in his future. I promised to take him fishing later.” He sat down next to Annie. “Stacey did tell you something, didn’t she?”
Annie nodded. “She’s petrified she’ll be accused of something she didn’t do.” Annie turned to face Tyler. “She’s a single mom. She’s afraid she might lose her job.”
Tyler leaned back with his arms behind his head and his legs stretched out in front. “She should be worried. Robbie died from an overdose of insulin.”
“Has that information been released?”
“Of course. Do you think I give you some special pre-info access?” he teased. “The new reporter for the Catfish Cove Chronicle hounded me all morning until I had the confirmed cause of death and gave her a statement.”
“Amber Taylor? Martha’s granddaughter?”
Tyler nodded. “Yup. There’s not one shy bone in her body and she doesn’t give up until she gets answers. I suspect she’ll be moving on to something bigger once she has some experience on her resume.”
They sat in silence for several minutes before Tyler asked Annie a question. “Jason told me you found a book in your apartment. When are you planning to fill me in?”
“Books. There’s been two now.”
“And?”
“And I lost them. Or someone deliberately stole my bag with the books inside.”
“So someone stuffed a couple of books through your cat door. Everyone knows you love books, maybe they were a gift?”
“An odd gift since each book had a message written to me on the inside cover.”
Tyler sat up straight. “What did the messages say?”
“The first message was, Annie, Oliver knows what happened and the second message said Annie, check the trash.”
“Who’s Oliver?”
Annie held both palms up. “Beats me. The messages make no sense.”
“Anything else you noticed?”
Annie hesitated. “The messages were written in red ink.”
“Lots of people could have a red pen.”
“That’s true.” She turned the business card over showing Tyler the phone number written in red ink. “Stacey gave me this. I’m hoping it’s a coincidence.”
Tyler stood up. “Be careful Annie. Somehow you manage to get pulled into other people’s problems. Let me handle this, okay?”
“Of course, Tyler. Why would I get involved?” Why indeed, she thought. Not like she had a choice when information was dumped in her lap.
Annie watched as Tyler headed to his cruiser. She wanted to stay out of the drama but she also wanted to help Stacey if she was in any trouble. Who else did Stacey have to turn to? She would keep her eyes and ears open at the least.
“Come on Roxy. I promised Peter a blackberry pie today.”
Annie parked in front of Peter’s barn next to several other cars. As soon as she slid out of her car, she heard Peter’s booming voice.
“Annie. I’m glad you brought your hero with you.” He knelt down and wrapped his arms around Roxy’s wiggling body when she ran to him. She even honored him with a big lick up the side of his face.
Annie smiled. Peter lavished more attention on Roxy than he did on most people. “I brought you the pie I promised.”
“Good. Good. Do you have time to come in for some tea with me?” He cupped his hand around one side of his mouth. “My son and daughter are here, all worried about me, and I could use a distraction from them.”
“Sounds wonderful. I haven’t seen your kids in a long time. They probably don’t even remember me.”
“I always expected Kirk to be my partner on the farm but he doesn’t like to get his hands dirty, and Emily was too much of a girly girl to take all the chores seriously.” Peter held the kitchen door open fo
r Annie and Roxy. “Emily’s two kids will love Roxy.”
Sure enough, as soon as those words were out of Peter’s mouth, a boy about five years old followed by a chubby three year old with two pigtails coming out the sides of her head, rushed into the kitchen. They stopped abruptly then squealed with delight at the sight of Roxy.
“Grandpa, grandpa,” the small boy shouted. “Can we pet the doggie?”
Peter’s daughter poked her head around the kitchen door. “What’s all the excitement?”
Before she had a chance to ask if Roxy was kid friendly or not, the two children were all over her. Emily’s hand flew to her mouth and she moved quickly to grab her children but Roxy stood patiently with her tail wagging.
Annie saw the panicked expression on Emily’s face so she knelt down next to Roxy and the two kids. Talking to the children, but also for Emily’s benefit, Annie introduced the kids to Roxy and explained how to be gentle and the best places to pat her.
“We don’t have a pet,” Emily sputtered as she watched the interaction. “They love your dog. Maybe I’ll think about adopting a puppy for them.”
“If you make that decision, I have a good friend who runs an animal shelter here in town. It’s were Roxy came from. I could help you pick out a suitable puppy.”
The two kids started to jump up and down. Apparently, the little boy heard every word and he wasn’t planning to let his mother forget what she said.
“Okay, everyone. Annie brought a delicious blackberry pie from the Black Cat Café. It’s made with our own blackberries. I’m putting on a pot for tea and we can sit down and visit for a bit.” Peter filled his kettle and turned the stove on. “Emily, show Annie out to the living room.”
“Let me help you, Peter,” Annie offered.
Emily was already gone with Roxy and the kids trailing behind her.
“It’s a whirlwind when they’re visiting,” Peter whispered. “Here are plates and forks, if you can carry that out with the pie. I’ll be out with the tea pot and cups. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all. What’s your son’s name again?”
“Kirk. And I’d better warn you. He’ll bore you with his opinion that I’m too old to still be running this farm, especially after what happened yesterday.”