Mallory heard rustling inside and a couple seconds later, the door opened and Pike stepped back to allow them in.
“I’m afraid Hatti’s occupied for the moment,” Pike said. “The police searched next door and then they came over here. I have no idea what they’re looking for.”
“How’s Hatti?” Nana asked.
Pike shook her head. “Not good. The only thing I’ve been able to get her to eat was a half a cinnamon bun, and that was this morning.”
“Is she talking much?” Eve asked.
“She’ll answer if asked something,” Pike said, “but sometimes I have to touch her before she realizes I’m speaking to her at all.”
Nana nodded. “You’re a saint to look after her like this.”
Pike gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you, but it was Juniper’s idea. She and Hatti have become close since Christmas, but she’s got the Gothic Inn to run while Jack’s finishing up a reno out of town, and now I’ve got to get back to the café. Juniper and I have been taking turns staying with her. It’s just so sad, Elsa was the last of her family.”
“Well, you need a break,” Eve said. “It’s rough on the heart to sit in a house of mourning, especially without company.”
“Yes,” Pike agreed. “The Mabels are coming this evening so their gossip should take her mind off things. They even threatened to stay the night,” Pike said with a chuckle.
Nana patted her on the back. “Go on to work, then, and feed the people of Bohemian Lake. Hatti will be looked after.”
Pike gave them all quick hugs, then headed out. They heard voices and Mallory assumed Cody and Hatti were at the back of the house. Nana set out down the hall, and they found Cody sitting at a kitchen table, talking to Hatti. He looked up as they walked in, first a bit surprised, then Mallory saw a flash of irritation that he quickly tried to mask.
Hatti’s expression was almost blank, like her entire face had gone slack. She looked toward the doorway when they entered, but Mallory didn’t think she really saw them. It looked as if she was acting on instinct but actually staring right through them. Her face was pale, and she had dark circles beneath her eyes. Mallory noticed her hands shook slightly.
Eve went over and squeezed Hatti’s shoulder. “We’re so sorry,” she said. “Pike needed to get back to the café, but we’ve brought you all the fixins for pulled pork sammies. We’ll be in the living room when you’re done in here.”
Hatti managed a slight nod but didn’t speak or even look up at her.
“I can trust you ladies not to go next door, right?” Cody asked.
Nana gave him a dirty look. “Of course.”
They set the food on the counter and headed back into the living room.
“Does he think we’re idiots?” Eve asked.
“No,” Mallory said. “He thinks we’re interfering.”
“Of course we’re interfering,” Nana said. “But that’s none of his beeswax.”
“Well, it sort of is…” Mallory started to say but stopped short when Nana swung around.
Nana walked to the far side of the living room and looked out the window. “I wonder,” she said.
“About what?” Eve asked.
“Elsa’s house is lined with caution tape, but there are no officers posted outside. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Nana asked.
“That the BLPD is seriously underfunded, Eve said.
“No.”
“That we’re about to get arrested,” Mallory added.
“Closer. I wonder if the doors are unlocked,” Nana said.
Eve raised one eyebrow. “I like where your head is at.”
“Do you think she knew her killer?” Mallory asked, “Since Elsa lived alone, and there was no sign of a break-in …”
“Maybe,” Nana said, “It wouldn’t be the first time someone has let their killer in the front door.”
“Or the back door,” Eve said.
“Maybe once Cody is gone, we can find out some of the details from Hatti.”
Eve shook her head. “It didn’t sound as if she was overly chatty, and she looks awful.”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and she’ll decide she needs to talk it through while we’re here,” Eve said.
“If she doesn’t talk,” Mallory said, “I don’t know how this is going to do any good.”
“I want to look next door,” Nana said.
“I doubt you’re going to get in,” Mallory said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Cody plans to sit right here and watch that front door until we’ve left.”
“She’s right,” Nana sighed. “Cody knows better than to trust us. Hell, he barely trusts Penny.”
Eve pulled out her phone and started tapping on the screen. “Then we just have to be smarter than Cody.” She paused and Mallory heard a text come in. She tapped again, then smiled. “It’s taken care of. Just give her a few minutes to get the ball rolling.”
“Who?” Mallory asked.
“Mabel, of course,” Eve said. She walked around to the couch, grabbed a knitting magazine, and plopped down.
“I’ll be right there,” Cody’s voice sounded tense from behind Mallory, and they turned to look at him. “I’ve got a call. I have no problem with you guys staying here. I think she needs someone to watch her, but I don’t want anyone going next door.”
“How is she?” Eve asked.
“Completely broken up,” Cody said. “I can’t begin to imagine… anyway, Penny said to let her know if Pike can’t stay tonight and she’ll be happy to do it.”
“Tell her thank you,” Eve said. “And we’ll let her know if we need her.”
He nodded, then glanced at Nana and Mallory before heading out the front door. Mallory looked out the window. “He’s driving away.” Then Mallory remembered Eve’s text to Mabel. “What did you do?”
“I asked Mabel to get him out of here for a bit,” Eve said.
“And how did she do that?” Mallory asked.
Eve shook her head. “I assume she pretended to rob the drug store again.”
Nana walked to the window and looked out. “Oh no.”
“What?” Mallory asked. Based on her expression, it was nothing good.
“Detective Bones just pulled up.”
“Kaden?” Mallory’s voice squeaked as she said his name, and she automatically licked her lips and smoothed down her hair. “Is he coming in?”
Eve eyed her suspiciously and grinned.
“No, he’s just sitting in his car… watching Elsa’s house. I have a feeling they don’t trust us,” Nana replied.
“The nerve of them two,” Eve added, then she smiled. “Of course, we could always send Mallory out as a distraction.”
* * *
It took some doing, but Eve finally coaxed Hatti into eating some pulled pork. Once the dishes were cleared, Nana gave them a nod, signaling that she was going to see if she was up to a chat.
“We’re all very upset,” Eve said. “I can’t imagine how hard this is for you. Let’s go into the living room so we can get a little more comfortable.”
Hatti barely glanced up as Eve helped her to her feet. Her eyes and nose were red from crying, and she limped into the living room as though all the energy had been sapped out of her. She plopped down on a recliner that had seen its better days and Mallory heard it creak in protest. Eve and Nana took seats on the couch next to the recliner, and Mallory sat on a stiff antique-looking chair that turned out to be just as it appeared.
Hatti nodded. “Elsa was all the family I had left.”
“She was a sweet lady,” Nana agreed.
Mallory watched Hatti’s face closely as Hatti’s jaw tightened so briefly that if she hadn’t been paying attention so well, she might have thought she’d imagined it.
“I can’t imagine,” she said, “who would do such a thing. Everyone loved Elsa.”
Mallory watched her aura change. She was lying, but about which statement? Either she had an idea who might have killed her cousin, or
she knew someone or more than one person who didn’t think Elsa was as great as the rest of them did.
Nana nodded and looked at Hatti. “Elsa never mentioned a client or a co-worker she was frightened of, did she?”
Hatti frowned. “I don’t think so. She did look a little more wound up than usual when she got home from work. I was gardening at the time and she just hurried past me inside.” Hatti paused. “Usually she has a tea with me. It just doesn’t make any sense.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t believe this happened. I can’t believe she’s gone.”
She collapsed into tears and Mallory looked over at Nana and Eve, completely at a loss. Eve reached over and put her hand on Hatti’s arm. “Everything will be all right,” she said. “Cody is a smart young man. He’ll figure out what happened and the person who did this will pay. It won’t change the way things are, but it should bring you a small amount of peace.”
“What about a lover? Did she have a new friend or boyfriend in her life?” Eve asked.
Hatti took a deep breath in and blew it out, then began. “Actually, she did. She met him in some Facebook group for history buffs.” Hatti frowned and Mallory could see her heart chakra turning from green to sulphur which told her Hatti was jealous.
“What was his name?” Mallory asked.
Hatti’s expression shifted from frown to disgust. “Lucifer.”
“His name was Lucifer?” Eve asked. “What the heck kind of name was that?”
“A truthful one, apparently.” Nana shot back.
Hatti shook her head. “Sorry, that was just my nickname for him. I can’t remember his real name. It was something like Lucian or maybe it was Kristian.”
“Where did he work?”
“I’m not sure that Elsa asked,” Hatti replied, “She mostly gushed about his love for history and antiques—they had those in common. She mentioned he loved music, and he could play all sorts of instruments. I don’t think he told her much else. Truth is, I think she did most of the talking. She said he was the best listener she’d ever met. When you translate old documents and date antiques for a living as Elsa does… or rather did, most men don’t ask you about your day job. He definitely had a son though. One who lived around here. I think Hatti said his name was Shane.”
Mallory glanced over at Eve, who tilted her head.
“I can’t remember anymore details,” Hatti said. “She was supposed to meet him this week.” Hatti sniffed and rubbed her nose with her finger. “My gosh, do you think he did this? Do you think he or his son killed her?”
“I think you’re onto something,” Eve said. “This man seems very suspicious,"
“I told her not to meet with him,” Hatti said. “I said it could be dangerous. I mean, what if he was after her money?”
Her aura flared green and red.
“Did he ask for money?” Mallory asked.
“No, but he would have, I’m sure,” Hatti said. “They’d been talking every day for the last month and he’d even hinted at marriage. Of course, Elsa didn’t take him seriously, but I think he had her fooled.”
“Do you know how we can reach him?” Eve asked.
“I’m sorry but I don’t. I went online and joined the group this morning and tried to look for him to let him know what happened to her, but I couldn’t find him. I thought at first it was a mistake… that I was in the wrong group. So, I checked Elsa’s computer, and it’s as if she’d never spoken to him. All the pictures she’d saved, the screenshots she showed me, they were all deleted.”
Eve shook her head. “That is definitely suspicious Did you tell Cody?”
“No. You think I should have? I wasn’t sure if I was just being silly. I mean, Elsa accused me of being jealous when I tried to talk some sense into her. I’m ashamed to admit she had a point.”
“There is nothing for you to be ashamed about,” Eve said, turning to Nana. “We all feel that way sometimes. Hell, I wish I could gain weight like half the women I know. I need some more junk in my trunk.”
Nana shot Eve a look that said button it or you’ll get my boot up your trunk.
Meanwhile, Hatti cleared her throat. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll lie down for a bit.”
“Of course,” Eve said and jumped up from her chair. “Do you need anything, first?”
“Not right now,” she said. “But you needn’t worry about me. I’m used to being alone. Again, I appreciate the meal and the company, but I’d prefer some alone time before the next round of visitors show up. The Mabels take a lot of energy.”
Nana pushed to her feet. “They sure do,” she replied. “We’ll get out of your hair. Call us if you think of anything else,” Nana said, “even if you think it might not be true. Mailing address, email, his son’s name, Facebook account name, anything.”
10
T HEY stood outside the historical society’s glass doors. Mallory had dressed smartly today in her mother’s vintage white suit, hoping to get answers, she’d even put on some lipstick. She knew from experience that the Historical Society members could be difficult to work with.
“Now, Malhala, we need to watch how much we tell these people. If someone Elsa worked with was the one who poisoned her in order to keep this information from us, there’s no telling what they’ll do if we persist.”
Mallory nodded, and they stepped inside. To their right was a small gift shop, up the stairs were the administration offices and, ahead was a roped off area leading to the main section of the historical society. Usually Sharlene Spittle, one of the elderly docents was there to greet people, but today the place was a ghost town.
“Looks like an open invitation to me.” Mallory whispered.
Nana winked and her shoes clicked on the hardwood floor as they crossed the lobby to the stairs that would bring them to the upstairs offices.
“I guess we’ll need to see the director. Hyena, I think her name is,” Nana said as they reached the second floor.
“Or we could go straight to Elsa’s office.” Mallory pointed to the directory on the wall. Elsa’s door was right there. “Come on, it’s practically gift wrapped for us.”
Nana wrinkled her brow. “Do you think they just left it unlocked? We don’t have Danior here to pick it.”
“Only one way to find out.”
“You know I think Eve is becoming a bad influence.”
“Is that a yes?” Mallory grasped the knob and turned, her heart skipping when the door opened.
She raised her brows at Nana who answered with a shrug and the two of them slipped inside, closing the door behind them.
The office was neat and orderly. Mallory felt a twinge of sadness at the thought of the dead translator, and she pushed aside the guilt over what they were about to do. It was critical they get the diary back.
“I guess the desk and bookshelf are the likely places. I’ll take the desk, you take the bookshelf.”
“I’ll do as I please, Bossy-Betty.”
Mallory rolled her eyes and scanned through the books, her heart sinking as she realized nothing was the shape, size or color of the diary. Behind her she could hear Nana rummaging through the drawers. The curses her grandmother muttered under her breath told Mallory that she wasn’t faring any better.
Mallory resorted to taking out each book to rifle through them, just in case Elsa had hidden the notes in a book. She was becoming mesmerized by the task when the squeaking of a door jolted her back to reality.
“Who’s that?” came a hushed whisper from Nana. Mallory turned around with a start, frozen in terror. Both Mallory and Nana whirled around in the direction of the second door near the filing cabinet just in time to see it crack open. Mallory was sure it was a man, but he closed it again so fast that she couldn’t be sure. She wasn’t sure if he had seen them or not. Her heartbeat kicked up the pace.
Nana and Mallory stood there staring at each other for several rib-thumping heartbeats.
“Who was that?” Nana finally broke the silence. “And why does
this office have a back entrance?”
“I don’t know but I’m sure we look suspicious thumbing through a dead woman’s things.”
Nana shut the drawer she had been searching and straightened up. “What? We have nothing to hide. We’ll just explain we’re clients of Elsa’s looking for our files.”
A loud voice in the main hall where they’d come through startled them.
“I want this office secured. Have you let anyone in here?” The familiar voice boomed into the office. Cody?
“No. Not since she … you know …” A woman’s voice, much lower.
Mallory’s heart jerked in her chest. It would look very suspicious if they were to be found in a dead woman’s office after finding her body at her house.
She turned toward the door she’d seen the man spying through—the one on the opposite side of the room from where the voices were approaching.
Mallory looked at Nana, raised her eyebrows and nodded at the back door. Cody and the woman were getting closer.
She couldn’t forget Nana’s words the night before about danger. Over the years Mallory had come to recognize that Nana’s cards usually turned out to be right and Mallory couldn’t shake that dark foreboding she’d felt when she’d heard.
The women hurried over to the door and slipped out into the hall, closing the back entrance behind them just in time.
The long, empty hallway stretched out on either side. Mallory looked for the spy, but he was nowhere in sight.
“Where’d that man go?” Nana’s eyebrows creased together. “We need to pump him for information.”
Mallory frowned, and they started down the hall in the direction of the main stairs. “I wonder if he ran away because he saw us or because he heard voices?”
“Good question.” Nana slid her eyes down the hall.
Mallory’s heart sank as she looked over her shoulder and saw a woman following them. “Look sharp, Nana, we’ve got company.”
“Excuse me. May I help you?”
A shiver of excitement rippled through Mallory as she turned. The only word Mallory could think to describe the woman was “prim”. A thin woman of about fifty, she stood ram-rod straight, her lips pressed together in a tight line.
Make-Believes & Lost Memories Page 5