by Lyndsey Cole
“Oh, they aren’t all for me. I’m heading to Golden Living and I’ll share over there.”
“Any new leads?” Annie asked without much expectation that Christy would share anything. She counted out the hot cross buns into a bag.
“Possibly. Do you know a guy named Sean that lives there?”
The hairs on Annie’s neck rose. “Sean Woodman?”
“Yeah, that’s his name.”
“I met him yesterday, why?”
“He thinks someone might have broken into his apartment. He thinks something is missing.” Christy took the bag and stared at Annie. “You were there yesterday, weren’t you?”
“I brought my neighbor, Thelma Dodd, over to visit with a couple of her friends. Sean was someone she knew when they were younger.”
“And she was in his apartment?”
“Yes. Sean invited her in.” Annie had no intention of admitting she was also in Sean’s apartment unless she had to. Was she on Sean’s radar as the thief?
“How about you? Did you go in, too?”
“Roxy and I went in to get Thelma when I finished visiting with some other people. They had a muffin and then Thelma, Roxy, and I left. He wasn’t very friendly.”
Christy laughed. “Tell me about it. I hope one of these buns will soften him up a bit. He probably just misplaced what he thinks he lost but I have to go through the motions.”
“How about the other, ah, event? Any more leads there?”
“Nice try. We’re following everything that turns up but you know I can’t give you any details.” Christy started to walk away.
“Christy? Have you heard any complaints about how Golden Living is run? How they manage their payments and that kind of thing?”
“That’s an interesting question. There has been some chatter, why?”
“I think it could be related to the,” Annie mouthed the word ‘murder’, “Wednesday night.”
“The victim didn’t live at Golden Living.” Christy’s eyes scrunched up like she was trying hard to make a connection. “Do you know something you should be telling me?”
“Nothing concrete, but there does appear to be overlap that I find is more than coincidence.”
“Let’s talk more about this when you aren’t working. I’ve got to run now.” Christy chatted with Leona when she paid and took a detour to the table where Martha, Sylvia, and Marvin were finishing their coffees before she left the café.
Martha ushered Sylvia and Marvin out the door and returned to the pastry display alone. “I’ll take a half dozen blueberry muffins to go. I think Sylvia will need something to cheer her up after the detective’s little visit.”
“What happened?” Annie had been dying to ask Martha what Christy’s chat was about but hadn’t had a second of free time. She counted out the blueberry muffins into a bag for Martha and listened to the ominous warning.
“She was friendly, probably too friendly in my opinion. She wanted to check if Sylvia would be back at her apartment for,” Martha put her fingers up in quotes, “a few questions. Of course, Sylvia is more nervous than a bunny in a wide open field surrounded by a fox family wondering what questions are coming at her.”
“You can keep her company all day?” Annie asked.
“That’s my plan. And Marvin, with all his complaining and weirdness, actually patted Sylvia’s hand. I think those two are developing an odd friendship.”
“Good. I’d rather have Marvin on my side than sneaking around behind my back. As soon as the rush is over here, I’ll swing by Golden Living with Thelma and Roxy. I have a few questions to ask too, and I don’t think Dawn Cross will like them.”
19
Annie jammed as much as possible into the pastry display, boxed up all the telephone orders, and, at the last minute, decided to bring a coconut layer cake with lemon curd filling with her. No one needed more sweets but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t want more.
Roxy managed to drag herself off the couch when Annie got home. “Is all the socializing wearing you out?” Annie asked her loyal companion. “We aren’t done yet.” She jotted her stuffed zucchini recipe on an index card in case she bumped into Gloria, pocketed a handful of dog biscuits, grabbed Roxy’s leash, and got back in her car with Roxy for the short ride to Thelma’s house.
Annie didn’t know if Thelma would be up for another visit to Golden Living or would prefer to sit in her peaceful screened-in porch with a cup of tea working on her crossword puzzle. Annie hoped she was up for another visit because Thelma was her in to get into Dawn’s office and ask some important questions.
Annie knocked on Thelma’s door. There was no answer so she turned the knob quietly and poked her head in, wondering if Thelma might be taking her afternoon doze in her comfy chair. Roxy darted through the partially opened door before Annie could stop her.
“Hello, Roxy. Did you figure out how to open the door or is Annie with you?”
“I’m here, Thelma. Are you up for visitors?” Annie found Roxy with her head on Thelma’s knee and Thelma’s hand stroking Roxy’s head.
“Can you pour some tea and sit down for a bit? I have some interesting information from last night’s conversations.”
Annie turned on the kettle, found the tray with tea cups, and listened to Thelma talk to Roxy. She could use some company, and after seeing her the night before with Smokey and Snowball curled in her lap, Annie had an idea.
“You know, Thelma,” Annie said as she carried the tray into the porch, “I’ve been thinking that Snowball might like to be back in a home where he can get spoiled without any competition. He was an only cat where he came from, and he’s adjusted okay to living with Roxy and Smokey, but he might be happier with you.” Annie handed Thelma her tea.
“He is a super friendly cat and he would make it a bit less lonely here if you think he would like the change.”
Annie nodded. “I think he’d love to keep you company and not have to share a lap with another cat.”
“Okay then. Bring him over sometime and we’ll give it a try.” She took a dog treat from the jar next to her table and held it out for Roxy who took it gently. “Last night was interesting.”
“Martha told me that Marvin had a few complaints.”
Thelma chuckled. “He did, but he’s harmless and he doesn’t bother me. Sylvia, on the other hand, is the one I’m worried about.”
“Oh?”
“Don’t get me wrong, Annie. I don’t think she killed that young man but I think she might be in danger. What with all the clues pointing in her direction, it seems that someone is out to get her out of the way. I have to get back to see that manager and find out what her angle is. ”
Annie was happy to hear that Thelma was up for another visit with Dawn Cross. “Did Sylvia talk to you about her finances at all?”
“Only the same thing you already told me about losing her apartment at the end of the month. I don’t know how that could happen.” She shook her head with disbelief.
“Well, I don’t either, but if I can get ahold of her bank statements, I might be able to check them for discrepancies against the paperwork I took yesterday, which means another trip to Golden Living. Are you coming with me today?” Annie stood.
A grin spread across Thelma’s face. “What kind of question is that? Of course I’m coming. Who knows, you’ll probably need another diversion. I think the three of us—Roxy, you, and I—are the tricky trio. Who at Golden Living would suspect a therapy dog, a beautiful young woman, and a little old retired school teacher to be working on uncovering a scam?”
Annie laughed. “You, Thelma Dodd, are one of a kind.” She helped Thelma to her walker and they made their way outside to Annie’s car.
“What’s in that Black Cat Café box?” Thelma pointed to the box on the passenger seat before Annie picked it up and set it in Thelma’s lap after she sat down.
“A surprise weapon—to be used in an emergency, or to bribe someone for information.”
Thelma op
ened the box. “Oh my. This is one of my favorites, coconut cake with lemon filling. How do you stay so slim working around all the delicious pastries? I’d eat up all the profits and then I wouldn’t fit through the door.”
“I do sample the goods but I don’t have time to eat too many. Plus, Leona runs a tight ship. I had to sneak this out when she wasn’t looking.”
“That makes it all the more tempting. I hope Sylvia can enjoy a piece. She didn’t eat a thing this morning before she left. She said her stomach was in knots.”
“Martha bought her a blueberry muffin, but I don’t know if she ate it or if Marvin did. His sweet tooth is a bottomless pit.”
When Annie reached the center of town, a siren sounded behind her and she pulled her car to the side as an ambulance raced by.
“I wonder where he’s off to,” Thelma said as she tried to hide the worried look on her face.
As Annie pulled into the Golden Living parking lot, they didn’t have to wonder for long. The ambulance was parked at the front entrance. She had a bad feeling as she saw Detective Christy Crank close the ambulance door and say something to Martha.
Annie had to wait for several long minutes until the ambulance left. A spot was open near the entrance and she took no time parking there.
“What’s going on?” Annie asked Martha as soon as she was out of her car.
“Sylvia fainted and hit her head on the wall. She probably has a concussion.” Martha twisted her hands together. “I should have seen it coming. She didn’t eat anything all day and said she wasn’t feeling well.”
“What was Detective Crank doing here?” Annie glanced at her car to check on Thelma who had her door open and her feet on the ground.
“She had questions for Sylvia but it never even got that far. Sylvia took one look at the detective in the doorway and down she went.”
Annie got Thelma’s walker and helped her out of the car. Roxy jumped from the back seat to the front and stayed close to Thelma as she maneuvered toward the entrance of Golden Living. Annie almost forgot the cake but ran back to the car and grabbed it.
“I’ve got Sylvia’s keys so we can go to her apartment,” Martha said, leading the way.
Annie’s mind raced. Should she search Sylvia’s apartment for her financial statements or wait until Sylvia returned?
“Mrs. Dodd, you must be feeling better.” Dawn stepped from her office and put her arm around Thelma. “Would you care to continue our conversation from yesterday?”
“Yes, of course, but first I’m having tea and coconut cake with my friend.”
Dawn’s smile stayed frozen on her face. “What friend would that be?”
“Hurry up,” Marvin shouted from down the hall. “What’s taking you so long?”
Dawn’s eyes flickered to Marvin. She leaned close to Thelma. “Be careful around that one, he really can’t be trusted.”
“You don’t say. I’ll have to count my silverware when I get home and see whether he stole anything last night.” Thelma turned away from Dawn and headed straight for Marvin. Annie heard a quiet twitter come from Thelma.
Once they were all safely inside Sylvia’s apartment, Thelma said, “You know who can’t be trusted? Someone that tries to stir up fear with vague statements. I’m more determined than ever to find out what that Dawn is up to. What can we do Annie?”
“I’ll look through Sylvia’s desk to see what I can find. I don’t think she’ll mind.” Annie pulled a drawer of Sylvia’s desk out and began a methodical search through the papers.
Martha had the tea kettle heating up.
Marvin eyed the Black Cat Café box. “What’s in there?”
“Haven’t you had enough sweets today?” Martha scolded. “You finished your other two hot cross buns on the way here.”
“But that was this morning. I could use a little pick-me-up with the tea.”
Annie found a stack of bank statements neatly clipped together with a paper clip. “This might be just what I need.” She sat at Sylvia’s table and quickly scanned the withdrawals. “Right here.” She underlined an entry with her finger. “This looks suspicious—fifty thousand dollars transferred just a week ago.” She flipped some more pages. “Another one a week before for ten thousand dollars.” Annie looked at Martha. “Do you have any explanation for this? Did Sylvia talk to you about her finances?”
Martha shook her head. “She only mentioned that her bank balance was dwindling but she didn’t say why or ask me for any advice.”
“Marvin. It’s time for you to share some of your secrets.” Annie opened the cake box and cut a big slice. “Cake for information. It’s your choice.”
He reached for the plate. “I don’t know about any money transfers, but I do know that Shady Sean spends time in Dawn’s office at night.” He took a forkful of cake, chewed, and swallowed. “When he thinks no one is watching.”
Thelma finished her tea.
Marvin had a second piece of cake.
Roxy kept her head on Thelma’s knee.
Annie and Martha studied Sylvia’s papers.
“Maybe it’s time to head over to see Dawn. Are you coming with me, Annie?” Thelma asked.
“Yes. Then we should make a stop in Sean’s apartment, too. Martha, are you going to the hospital to check on Sylvia? I think someone should stay with her, especially if Detective Crank starts asking her questions.”
“I’ll go too,” Marvin said. “We can take turns so she’s never alone.” He looked at the three women.
“That’s an excellent idea, Marvin,” Martha said.
“Should we bring her some cake?”
Annie cut a couple of pieces and hunted around for foil. As a last resort, she opened the dishwasher to see if there was a clean container. She didn’t find what she expected but what met her eyes made her laugh. “I guess Sylvia’s dishwasher is broken?”
Martha leaned over Annie’s shoulder. “Huh. I guess you must be right but she’s resourceful by using it for storage.”
Annie took the foil out of the broken dishwasher and wrapped the cake. “Marvin, don’t forget to keep your ears and eyes alert at the hospital. If the detective shows up to ask questions, be sure to interrupt and tell her some of your interesting discoveries from your wanderings around here. I want her to start thinking that Forrest’s murder is connected to how Dawn runs this place.”
Marvin grinned. “I can do that. And then I’ll entertain her with how beans don’t agree with me.”
“Good.” Annie handed him the wrapped cake. “Remember, this is for Sylvia, not you.”
“What if she doesn’t want it?”
“No wonder you can’t sleep at night and you wander all over this place. You eat too much sugar,” Annie scolded.
Thelma stood, Roxy stayed at her side, and they all left Sylvia’s apartment to gather more information.
20
As Annie and Thelma approached Dawn’s office, the unmistakable sound of an argument drifted to her ears. Annie stopped dead in her tracks and held her hand out to stop Thelma while they were still out of view but within hearing distance.
“I found her first,” hissed Gloria. “The rule is that whoever signs a new tenant gets the commission.”
“You’re right. Whoever signs a new tenant, not whoever talks to a potential new tenant,” Dawn replied, her voice calm and measured.
“And what do you think the sly detective will think when I tell her you were still in the building when the Easter bunny met his maker?” Gloria said with an unmistakable hint of hatred.
Annie felt her mouth open and she looked at Thelma who was equally shocked.
“And how would you know that unless you were still here too, you fool. We have to keep our stories straight and let Sylvia take the fall. All the pieces are falling into place very nicely. Now, stay out of my way with Thelma Dodd and you can have the next one.” Annie couldn’t see Dawn’s expression but she could imagine that she had an evil glint in her eye.
They were
running out of time to help Sylvia.
A door slammed between Dawn and Gloria’s offices. Annie took Thelma’s elbow and they rounded the corner into Dawn’s office. Dawn stood with her back to the door and one hand rubbed her neck.
“Is this a bad time?” Annie asked in her friendliest voice.
Dawn whirled around. “Oh, I didn’t hear you come in. I guess my mind was on something else.”
Dawn’s mind certainly was on something else—how to steal Thelma’s money as quickly as possible, Annie guessed. She hoped Dawn didn’t suspect that her private and controversial conversation with Gloria might have been overheard.
Dawn held her hand out toward a chair. “Please. Have a seat, Thelma. Are you going to the sunroom with your therapy dog, Annie?”
Annie helped Thelma get settled in the chair. Roxy took up her position next to Thelma, Annie pulled another chair close to Thelma, and sat next to them. “No. I’ll stay here with Thelma.”
Dawn frowned and sat behind her desk. Her fingers flicked through several folders. She pulled one out and opened it. Annie could see Thelma’s name written in big black letters at the top. “I’ve taken the liberty of getting you into the system and now, to reserve a spot, all I’ll need is your signature.” She held a paper.
“Before we get to that,” Annie leaned slightly forward, “do you have any word on how Sylvia May is doing? We,” she glanced at Thelma, “were shocked when we got here to find out that she was in the ambulance.”
“Sylvia? No, I haven’t heard anything. Why don’t we—”
“What was Detective Crank doing at her apartment?”
“I suppose she had questions about the murder.”
Annie’s hand covered her mouth. “Sweet Sylvia? She’s a suspect?”
Dawn put the paper she was holding down. “You didn’t know? The gun you found?”
Annie nodded.
“It belonged to Sylvia. Of course, she made up some story about how it had gone missing but she never reported it, so…” Dawn shrugged.
“I would never have guessed.” Annie didn’t dare look at Thelma anymore or she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep up the fake surprise reactions to everything Dawn said.