by Lyndsey Cole
Annie nodded.
“He says he ate something you brought. He couldn’t remember if it was the coffee cake or the cookies.”
“That’s a pile of you-know-what,” Annie said with total disgust. “Did you have a look in his kitchen? I’d be surprised if that was the first time he had food poisoning.”
“Yeah, well, that’s what I think too. I got samples of the coffee cake that was still on his cutting board but all the cookies were gone. You don’t even want to know what other germs were there.” Christy twisted her nose and mouth into a grimace. “Absolutely disgusting.”
“So what do you need more coffee cake and cookies for?”
“I plan to interview a few people and I want to offer them something to eat.”
Jason laughed. “I get it. You’re looking for a reaction—who will take it and who wrinkles up their nose.”
“Right. It’s not scientific, but people reveal a lot with their first reaction and body language.”
Annie hooked her fleece jacket on the coat rack next to the door. “Leona will be at the Black Cat Café soon. You can stop in and have her wrap some up for you. Who are you interviewing?”
“Nice try. Can’t tell you that, but I’m sure you can figure it out. Will your mother be at the café, too?”
Annie’s eyes narrowed. “Is she on your list?”
“She has to be. Can’t play any favorites.” With that comment she headed to the door and waved without turning around.
Annie turned the tea kettle on. “I think I need some peppermint tea after all the food I ate at the Inn.”
“Make that two.” Jason powered on his computer. “I found some interesting stuff about Marty Fleming.”
“Interesting bad? He gives me the creeps. Just like his father.” Annie carried the tea to the table and sat next to Jason.
“Did you know he was married?”
“Was? He’s divorced?”
“No. Widowed. His wife was found dead about a year ago. The police suspected foul play but they’ve never arrested anyone.” Jason pulled up a newspaper article about Nancy Fleming’s death.
Annie quickly scanned the information as she blew on her steaming tea. “Head injury? Did you read that part?”
“Uh huh. It was ruled a suspicious death and Marty was a suspect in the beginning of the investigation. He had an alibi.”
“What about Edwin?”
“He was home. Alone. But there was no evidence to link him to Nancy’s death.”
Annie held her cup with both hands and sipped carefully so as to avoid burning her tongue.
“There’s more,” Jason said. “Marty got a sizeable life insurance settlement when Nancy died. I think he received the money recently. The insurance company must have been dragging their feet, waiting to see if he was arrested for murdering his wife.”
Annie let that information settle. “You know what I think? Alice owed money to Marty. He invested in her failing business, maybe with the expectation that he would own it at some point, but she wasn’t getting out of the way quickly enough.”
“Yes, I think you’re right about the money part, but I’m not sure what the motive was. Why would Marty want the bookstore?”
Annie jumped up. “Not the bookstore. The space. That’s what Sheila told me—Marty wanted the space for something. What does he do for a living?”
“He’s recently retired. My guess is that the insurance money helped him make that decision. He was an insurance broker.”
Annie paced around the room. “He knew how to scam the system. How to hide his tracks to get the life insurance money.”
Jason rubbed the back of his neck with both hands. “That would only work if he didn’t get arrested. Maybe he didn’t kill his wife.”
“Maybe he didn’t, but maybe he did and got away with murder. We’ve got to figure out what he’s up to so he doesn’t get away with a second murder by pinning it on my mother.”
Jason reached out on one of Annie’s trips around the table and pulled her into his lap. “Slow down, Sherlock. This is all interesting speculation but it’s time to let Tyler and Christy do their job. Christy would have dug up the information about Marty’s wife’s suspicious death.”
“Should I tell Tyler my theory?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she felt Jason’s arms tense and she knew it was the completely wrong question to ask him. “No. Forget I said that. They’ll know where to look to get to this conclusion. With all this talk about Marty, what about Phyllis and Sheila? Did you find out anything about those two?”
He sighed and relaxed. “Those two have had a hot and cold relationship. More cold than hot over the last few months. What I did discover is that Phyllis has been quietly buying up property in Catfish Cove. The last piece she needs to connect all the small pieces, is Sheila’s building. I don’t know what her angle is, but she’s a shrewd businesswoman. And she usually gets what she wants.”
“That’s exactly what Sheila said to me when she warned me about taking over the book club. And, Phyllis won that battle but I expect it will be short lived.”
“I don’t like the sound of where this is going.”
Annie stood up and walked to the fireplace. She stirred the ashes and put on another log. “I have to say, I came up with a brilliant plan.”
“This is sounding worse and worse.”
“With that attitude, I won’t invite you to our first event. We’ll be reading a mystery and Leona will make a recipe from the book. Get it? Chat and chew?”
A groan escaped through Jason’s lips. “I suspect there will be more chewing than chatting if Leona is making the treats. How does Phyllis fit into this picture?”
“Phyllis gets to take over Alice’s position as president of the Catfish Cove Book Club like she wanted, but most of the women at the Christmas party already told me they plan to sign up for my new and improved book club.” Annie smiled with satisfaction.
“Be careful what you wish for. You will have to deliver.”
“Of course I will. I like mysteries so it should be easy. Maybe I’ll develop it into a murder mystery dinner party.”
“Okay. That’s going a bit too far. You’re too obsessed with the murder mystery stuff for my liking. How did Phyllis take to your competing book club idea?”
“Not well.”
A loud knock on the door made Annie and Jason both turn at the same time. “Are you expecting anyone?” he asked.
Annie shook her head as she walked to the door. “Nope. Leona and Mia should be at the café getting ready for the shower. They’re usually the ones to pop in.”
She opened the door.
Tyler stood in the cold but didn’t make a move to enter. “Edwin Fleming is pressing charges about the food poisoning. You need to come to the station to answer some questions.”
“Are you serious? I’m supposed to be at my shower in an hour.”
“Better hurry up then so you don’t miss it.”
Chapter 17
Annie followed Tyler outside. She stomped her feet and kicked at some loose gravel on the path. “Tyler Johnson. You know I didn’t poison that old man.”
Tyler opened Annie’s car door for her. “It doesn’t matter what I think. We have to get your statement for our records. Let’s get it over and done with so you can get to your bridal shower.”
Crisp, finger-tingling cold filled Annie’s car as she slid onto the icy seat. She inhaled deeply and exhaled the bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Did Edwin Fleming give himself food poisoning so he could pin it on her? Just like he pointed his crooked finger in Mia’s direction after Alice was found dead? Was someone out to get them?
Annie drove behind Tyler. At least she didn’t have to go in his police cruiser. Maybe she could discuss her theory about Phyllis with Tyler. Jason couldn’t be mad about that since it wasn’t like she made a special trip to see Tyler. She settled in her seat for the rest of the drive and decided to make the most of her conversation with him.
Annie made a quick scan of Tyler’s office when they arrived. The usual pile of folders was stacked on the only extra chair, which he emptied before sliding the chair closer to his desk. Tyler sat and opened his laptop once Annie was seated. “I just have a few questions.” He raised his eyes to meet hers. “Did you bring cranberry coffee cake to Edwin Fleming on Friday afternoon?”
“Yes.”
“Did Mr. Fleming eat it?”
“He told me he didn’t like cranberries but to put it in his kitchen.” Annie shrugged. “To answer your question, I didn’t see him eat any.”
“Where did you put the coffee cake when you brought it into his kitchen?”
Annie rubbed her chin and leaned forward. “The kitchen was a mess. He has an island in the middle and I put it on a cutting board. He used a knife to poke out all the cranberries but I’m positive he didn’t eat any while I was there. He just left the mess and went to sit in his chair.”
“Are you sure he took out the cranberries?”
“Positive. At first I thought he wasn’t even going to take the cake when I offered it to him. He’s a strange man.” Annie cocked her head. “How come he thinks it’s the coffee cake that made him sick? I brought Christmas cookies the day he actually got sick and he ate all of them. Besides, that kitchen of his had more old food stuck on every surface than the inside of a compost bin.”
Tyler flipped a pen between his first and third fingers. “Interesting. The sample of coffee cake we took from his house had cranberries in it. And the cutting board it was on was contaminated with raw chicken. We didn’t find any cookies.”
Annie gagged. “No wonder he got sick. There’s no way he can pin his food poisoning on me.”
“I agree.”
“But why did the sample have cranberries if he took them out? Did someone else bring some? Leona’s cranberry coffee cake has been really popular. Everyone buys it. But it doesn’t make sense that Edwin would have bought any for himself if he doesn’t like cranberries.” Annie leaned toward Tyler. “Why did you bring me in here if you already found his food was contaminated with raw chicken?”
“I still wanted to hear your version of the events. And,” Tyler looked away, “I know you must have some ideas about what’s going on. I want to hear them. Away from Jason.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Listen, Annie, Jason worries about you and he doesn’t want you getting in the middle of any of this. But I know you. You can’t stay away. You’ve already proven that to be true by going to Edwin’s house at least three times already. What are you looking for? If we talk here, in my office, about the coffee cake you brought, you can share anything else you know without getting Jason upset.”
Annie was wary of Tyler’s motive but she also needed a sounding board for her ideas. She chewed on her lower lip. “Okay. Here’s what I think.”
Tyler must have been holding his breath since a big sigh escaped through his parted lips. The tension in his shoulders relaxed. “Do you want some coffee?”
Annie saw the coffee pot sitting on the top of the filing cabinet. At best, it was made fresh first thing in the morning. She shook her head. “No thanks. I told you on Friday that Edwin didn’t see my mother go into or out of Alice’s house. He was on the phone.”
“We confirmed that. He was on the phone and we traced the number to his son’s cell phone.”
“Edwin was talking to Marty? On a cell phone? Marty could have been anywhere, even in the house next door—Alice’s house.”
“That is possible. But why?” Tyler asked.
“Did you look into Marty’s past? You know, how his wife died?”
“I’m aware of it, but Marty wasn’t on our radar for Alice’s murder. Was he here when she was murdered?”
Annie stood up. “Geez, Tyler. Do you have my mom as your prime suspect so you’re blind to anything else? Do your homework. Find out where Marty was before I talk to you about anything else.”
They stared at each other. Annie clenched her hands into fists. Tyler opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it. “Thank you for coming in. We’re done. For now.”
Annie left before her mouth uttered something that her brain couldn’t stop. Something she would most likely regret. Was there even a slight possibility she was the one who was blind to the evidence and her mother did kill Alice Wolfe?
Annie shook that thought out of her head. Impossible. If that were true, why was Marty trying to pin the food poisoning on her? Was she getting too close to discovering important information about him?
Before she knew it, her car slowly drove by Edwin Fleming’s house. Of course, she drove the car but her curiosity controlled her actions. She stopped. Was he home? The front door opened and Sheila Sherwood scooted out the door, glanced over her shoulder, and pulled it closed. She hurried to her car and sped away.
Annie had to find out what that was about. She knocked on Edwin’s front door and waited. Silence. Did Sheila break into his house for some reason? Did she break in and kill Edwin?
Annie pounded louder on the door. Nothing. She backed down the step away from the house until she was at an angle to see into the big picture window. Edwin was in his chair. Annie couldn’t tell if he was asleep. Or dead.
She texted Tyler to come as soon as possible and she returned to the front door and tried the doorknob. It turned. Annie’s hands shook. Should she go in or wait for the police to arrive? She knew the answer as to what she should do, but time could make a difference if Edwin was in some sort of medical trouble. She entered. Snowball jumped off his comfy chair and landed with a thump, tail straight up. Edwin’s head tilted from one side of the head rest to the other and a loud snort broke the silence. He wasn’t dead.
She heard sirens approaching. Annie’s brain told her to get out of the house but her feet were glued to the spot where she stood just inside the door.
With a quick look around, she saw white cat figurines on the shelf that she didn’t think had been there the night before. The cats were arranged in pairs of a black and a white cat. Who did that?
An open laptop caught the corner of her eye. She hadn’t noticed it there before and it certainly didn’t seem like anything Edwin would have. But there it was. As Annie stared, her heart nearly stopped. Looking straight at her from the laptop screen was Marty Fleming. For an instant, Annie forgot that he couldn’t actually see her. Someone had the computer set up to monitor a room. Where was Marty and what was he doing?
Tyler stomped into the house. “What’s the problem?”
Edwin’s eyes flew open. “What’s all the racket in here?” He shook his head as if he was trying to dislodge some cobwebs.
Marty Fleming entered. His mouth was puckered into a tight thin line.
“Why are these people here, Marty? Are you up to no good again?” Edwin said with his eyes wide.
“Me, up to no good? How about Annie Fisher? What’s she doing in your house, Dad? Planning to finish you off since the cranberry crap she brought didn’t do the job?”
“Why are you here, Annie?” Tyler asked, glaring at her.
She knew why she was in the house. She thought Edwin was dead or at least in some type of medical emergency. But why did she come to his house to begin with? She couldn’t answer that question. “I, um, wanted to see how Mr. Fleming was feeling.” She knew her answer sounded lame but it was the best she could come up with.
Marty walked behind Annie and stopped with his back to the computer, effectively blocking it from anyone in the room. His eyes never left Annie. Her skin crawled under his stare. While Tyler calmed Mr. Fleming down and checked to be sure he was all right, Annie watched Marty’s hand slink behind his back. She heard the click of the laptop as it closed.
Who was he spying on?
Chapter 18
Annie waited at her car for Tyler to leave Mr. Fleming’s house. She had to tell him about the laptop and camera that Marty had set up. It had to be someplace nearby. Was it in Alice’s house? She couldn
’t think of any other possibility since he showed up in Edwin’s house almost immediately after she saw his face on the laptop screen.
“Annie. I thought you would be long gone. Aren’t you going to be late for your bridal shower?” Tyler asked as he walked across the street.
“Probably, but I don’t think they’ll start without me.” She smiled. “I need to talk to you about what I saw in Edwin’s house.”
He crossed his arms. “I’m dying of curiosity as to why you were even in his house.”
“Never mind about that. I guess it had something to do with the fact that I saw Sheila Sherwood leaving as I drove by. And, she acted spooked.”
“It didn’t occur to you to ask Sheila what was going on?”
Annie leaned against her car. “Actually, no. She didn’t know I saw her for one thing. After she left, I decided to ask Edwin what she was doing there.” Annie held up her hand to stop Tyler from interrupting her. “I know, it wasn’t any of my business, but I knocked on his door anyway. No one came so I peeked in the front window and saw him in his chair.” Annie lowered her voice. “I thought he was dead—that Sheila had killed him. That’s when I texted you to come. While I waited, I checked the front door and it opened.”
Tyler scowled. “No one invited you inside?”
She shook her head. “But I only took a couple of steps in. When Snowball jumped off the chair, his thump disturbed Edwin and his head moved and he snorted, so I knew he wasn’t dead.”
“Listen Annie, Marty and his father are furious that you called me to come investigate a false alarm. They even accused you of harassment.”
“But what if he wasn’t okay?” She flung her arms out in shock.
“They aren’t looking at it that way. They see you as a meddling, interfering, stalker. Stay away from them.”
“There’s more.”
Tyler rolled his eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
Annie ignored him. “I saw an open laptop and Marty’s face showed up on the screen. He must have some kind of camera set up to spy on someone. He shut it when he came in the house and he knows I was watching him.”