by Jenny Kales
Callie was relieved that Emma’s mood was brightening. It must be horrible to be stranded so far away from your place of business while it was undergoing a crisis. On the other hand it wasn’t so great to be stuck in town with yet another killer. But she kept that thought strictly to herself.
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries and ended the call. Callie put on her turn signal and was about start driving home again when she saw a car speeding towards her on the opposite side of the street. It was a large SUV. Callie squinted at it, sure that she had seen it somewhere before. The thickly falling snow made it difficult to be certain.
Horrified, Callie watched as the SUV began weaving from side to side as it grew closer to her car. Suddenly, it veered directly towards her. Callie screamed, but the vehicle lurched in the other direction just before it would have hit her and kept going down the road at a fast pace.
Callie sat for a minute, trembling with fear at the near-miss. The worst part of all was that she’d recognized the other driver: Mrs. Dayton. What was she doing out here, driving like a bat out of hell?
* * *
The next day dawned bright and sunny, the snow sparkling like sugar spilling out of a bowl. Callie got to work early, still slightly shaken about the incident with the out-of-control car the previous evening. She’d debated calling Sands to report Mrs. Dayton’s erratic driving right after it happened, but in the end she decided it was wiser not to make an enemy of the woman. It was only today that she regretted not reporting it. Mrs. Dayton could have killed someone.
Max wasn’t coming in until later that afternoon, so Callie was alone but for customers seeking out breakfast breads and lunches to take to work. She decided to work on some prep for the Lexy Dayton holiday party, scheduled for only a few days away. She wasn’t sure what she would do when she encountered Mrs. Dayton at the party but one thing was for sure – she definitely wouldn’t get in the way of her moving car.
As Callie rolled out cookie dough, stirred soup and started another pan of pastitsio, the good cooking smells soothed her as always. Stopping for a moment, she inhaled deeply. A mélange of appetizing scents swirled through the kitchen – butter, cinnamon, cooking meat and the sweet/sour tang of lemon. Call Yankee Candle Company: Callie’s Kitchen scent would be a hit.
The bell over the door jingled and Callie looked up in surprise. “Sweetie!” she greeted her relative. “It’s so nice to see you. What are you doing here so early?”
“I bored,” Sweetie said, joining Callie behind the countertop. “I no can sleep, I only bake so much. George and I no eat all I cook. So George asks me to come here, see if you need any help. He drop me off just now.”
“Oh!” Callie said, unable to hide her surprise. If George wanted to give Sweetie something to do, she wondered why he didn’t insist on her joining him at The Olympia. Could it be that family togetherness had its limits? And why hadn’t he stopped in to say hello to her? It was almost as if he were avoiding her.
Maybe, Callie thought with a sinking feeling, he doesn’t want Sweetie to know how often he’s seeing Kathy. He mentioned that Kathy visited his diner, The Olympia, quite a bit. Also, if he didn’t see Callie, then she couldn’t ask him about his new love interest.
Never mind. She’d put Sweetie to work and with her help, she could finish food prep before Max arrived for his later shift, giving her time to visit Melody Cartwright once again and offer to host a book launch party.
“Sweetie, I was thinking of making spanakopita but I think the phyllo dough is still frozen. I’ve got spinach, eggs, feta cheese, and onions – all the good stuff. Do you think you could make something with that?”
“You kidding?” Sweetie asked, a broad smile showing off the dimple in her left cheek. “I have just the thing. I call it lazy spanakopita. You will like.”
“Go for it. I trust you.”
Sweetie put a blue-and-white Callie’s Kitchen apron on over her dark sweater and skirt and went to the back room to create her dish. Soon, the delectable scent of melting butter wafted through the shop.
Callie turned back to the Lexy Dayton party menu and got to work on the prep, but inwardly, she was fretting about the revelations from Lexy and Nick’s fight the previous evening. Lexy certainly didn’t seem like someone who was ready to be married and Nick, well. She hadn’t wanted to say anything to upset Lexy, but he seemed to be preoccupied, albeit tolerant of Lexy’s up-and-down moods. Could he have been in love with Natalie – and was he now coping with a broken heart?
Or was it even worse than that? Was mild-mannered Nick the killer?
Nine
Sweetie finished her “lazy spanakopita,” which consisted of a luscious spinach-feta-onion mixture bound together with a bit of flour and eggs, then baked into warm, flavorful squares. Callie decided to call the dish “Spinach Squares” and she praised George’s cousin to the skies before offering her a ride home. “Bless your hands,” she said in Greek, and Sweetie beamed. “Thanks – I’m sure my customers will love this.”
“You welcome,” Sweetie said, taking off her apron gratefully. “This cooking tiring. Maybe now I take nap.”
Max had already arrived, so Callie told him she was going out for a bit and bundled Sweetie into her car, looking carefully into the alley behind Callie’s Kitchen before walking past it. She no longer parked her car behind her shop after the events of just a few months ago – maybe she would be able to park there again, someday, but for now she felt safer out in the open. Her plan was to take Sweetie home and then stop by The English Country Inn for a tête-à-tête with Melody Cartwright about the possibility of hosting a book launch for her.
“How’s my Dad,” Callie asked casually as she and Sweetie powered over the snow-covered roads.
Sweetie gave a knowing glance to Callie. “You mean – he still with that woman?”
Callie felt her cheeks grow warm and attempted to laugh it off. “No, I really want to know how he is. He seems to be avoiding me.”
“I don’t know if he avoiding. But you two a lot alike. Strong. Stubborn.” Sweetie smiled to soften her words. “You know George, he proud man. He tell you what he think, when he ready.”
“Ha!” Callie said, steering her car around a snowbank. “I’m not worried about Dad telling me what he thinks. He does that very well already.” She was quiet a moment, focusing on her driving. “I’m so used to him checking on me, nagging me. I guess I just miss him.”
They pulled up in front of George’s cozy house, its roof covered with fluffy white flakes and his evergreen trees sporting big dollops of snow that looked to Callie like scoops of whipped cream.
Sweetie turned to Callie. “Stop by and see your Dad anytime. Or call him. He worry, you know. With a killer in town.”
“You’re right,” Callie answered. “I’ll check on him.” Maybe George was avoiding her, maybe he wasn’t. Either way, she would check on him – and soon.
Sweetie opened the door to George’s house, then turned around and waved. Callie slowly drove off in the direction of the inn, gathering her thoughts about what she would say to Melody.
* * *
As she navigated the icy roads, Callie found that she had to convince herself yet again that she was doing the right thing by helping Emma. The murder of Natalie had her well and truly spooked. All too soon, she was walking through the door of the inn and she had to suppress a shudder. The sound of Christmas music playing softly and a fully-decorated Christmas tree displayed in the lobby served as a great contrast to the recent tragedy staged there.
Callie scanned the hotel lobby, which opened up into the formal dining room of the hotel restaurant. The dining room had been re-opened but appeared nearly empty, while a couple of guests milled around the gift shop, a small nook to the right of the hotel lobby. No question about it, the hotel definitely lacked its usual “buzz.”
Melody was on the phone, talking quietly in anxious tones to someone but she hung up quickly when she noticed Callie standing there.
> “Hello,” she said, her smile a bit strained. “What can I do for you today? Or do you have more food for us?” Her tone was kind but a bit cool.
“Well, there’s actually something that I’d like to do for you,” Callie said brightly.
“Oh,” Melody asked, puzzled. “What’s that?”
“I’m so happy for you regarding your book launch. I was wondering if I could host a book launch party for you. I was thinking that Callie’s Kitchen would be the perfect spot. I could serve some food from your book and we could have a blast!”
“Why, I…” Melody’s cheeks flushed even deeper than the pink blush that she wore. “Thank you! Are you sure you have time? I know you must be busy. My publisher told me I should do a local launch, but I haven’t really planned anything yet.” Melody sighed. “This situation with Natalie has me stressed and frightened beyond belief. I’ve hardly had time to even think of the launch. There are so many things to do and, well – it’s just that not everyone is as supportive as they might be.” She frowned.
“Really?” Callie was taken aback. “I would imagine that everyone is very happy for you.”
“Not everyone,” Melody said, darkly. She composed her features and looked up at Callie. “I have a confession to make. I was considering asking Tea for Two if they wanted to host my book launch, considering I’ve written a book on tea parties. However, I don’t see why you can’t serve some food and Christy can bring the tea.” Melody smiled at Callie. “Would that be all right?”
“Sure!” Callie said agreeably. It might make it a little more difficult to uncover Melody’s secrets with Christy around, but she’d figure out something. She’d have to speak to Melody alone at some point, right? Anyway, it might be a chance to get to know the new proprietor of Tea for Two a little bit better.
“I think that sounds good. We can have the launch at either venue. But we’d better plan quickly. We want to make sure you have plenty of time to advertise.”
Melody chewed her bottom lip. “I know. I’ll…get back to you. I promise. Just let me figure out what I want to do. Once I get that settled, I’ll give you a call.”
Callie produced her business card and passed it across the counter to Melody, who took it and placed it in a drawer, out of sight.
She wasn’t lying about being stressed. Callie noticed that Melody’s normally perfect nails looked a bit chewed and in need of a manicure. Well, put that down to the last few days. Callie couldn’t imagine that Melody was having an easy time dealing with Natalie’s murder, even without a book launch hanging over her head.
Just then, Jack Myers, dressed in his usual flannel shirt, jeans and boots combo strode out into the lobby. His stubbled cheeks gave him a rakish air.
“All set, Jack?” asked Melody, giving him a big smile. Hmmm, Callie thought. Was prim and proper Melody flirting?
Jack returned her smile, albeit not as enthusiastically. “I think so. Per our previous discussion, everything seems to be a go.” He nodded at Callie. “Hi there. Hey, thanks for the food delivery the other day. Melody shared some stuff with me. Very good.” He gave Callie an appraising look. “A beautiful woman who can cook. Not a bad combo.”
“Uh, you bet,” Callie said looking from one to the other. “Thanks.” She felt her face growing warm. Even though she enjoyed Sands’ company – more than she wanted to admit – he was a little distant lately. It was nice to have some male attention. Immediately, Callie felt disloyal to Sands. You couldn’t fault him for being hard working.
A glance at Melody revealed an unhappy expression on her beautifully made-up face. Maybe I’m getting paranoid, Callie thought before the lightbulb clicked.
Could it be that Jack was the supplier that Melody had been complaining about the other day? That would definitely be enough to cause tension between the two of them. Not sure what to make of this unexpected insight, Callie decided to cover some different ground. “Has Bix been in yet today?” she asked, looking from one of them to the other.
Jack and Melody exchanged glances. “Yes,” Melody said. “He’s been here. He’s super busy. I think he’s working out near the boathouse. I know he was supposed to spread salt on the back entrance of the hotel, right behind the dining room. Some guests use that entrance and it’s pretty icy on the patio right now.”
“Oh my goodness,” Callie said, blanching. She didn’t want to revisit the scene of Natalie’s murder. No need to bother Bix right now.
“Thanks, I’ll catch him later.” She walked out before anyone could ask her why she wanted to talk to him.
On a whim, she turned around to wave to Melody and she noticed that Jack had joined the concierge behind her desk and was speaking softly and intently to her. Melody hung on every word.
Well, well, Callie thought. Was their tension truly about a financial disagreement…or was romance in the air for those two, as well? No wonder Melody looked unhappy when Jack complimented her. She wanted him for herself.
* * *
“Welcome, everybody, to Let’s Dance,” said the attractive, dark-haired young woman at the front of the large room. Located strategically, perhaps, for couples seeking dance training for their first wedding dance together, “Let’s Dance” was on the second floor of Bette’s Bridal Shop. The instructor’s hair was pulled up into a bun on top of her head and she wore a black dress with a full, swishy skirt.
“I’m Lina and this is my co-instructor and dance partner, Sean.” The instructor bobbed her head at the lithe, muscular young man standing next to her. “We’re going to teach you how to dance like you’ve been doing it all your life.”
Callie smiled at Sands, who stood next to her in a long- sleeved white shirt and casual trousers. Her plan to drag Sands to the dance class once attended by Bix and Natalie had been a success. Sleuthing aside, she was happy to be away from the stove and finally in the same room as Sands, even though the reason for the outing – investigating Natalie’s murder – was a grim one.
Sands smiled at Callie as the instructor spoke to them about leading, following, which foot to begin on and how to loosen up and find your “inner dancer.”
Callie watched with the rest of the class as Lina and Sean – a compact, muscular 20-something with astounding thigh muscles encased in rather tight black pants – demonstrated a few warm-up steps to get the class moving.
Callie took stock of the rest of her fellow dancers. The class was a mish-mash of old and young, single and partnered. Many of the couples appeared to be practicing for their wedding dance, but just as many seemed to be there as a result of such shows as Dancing with the Stars.
It was a relief to be out with people who were smiling and laughing. Maybe this crew wasn’t following Natalie’s murder as closely as some of the Callie’s Kitchen clientele was – she could hardly keep up with their requests for carbs. She was inclined to agree with Max’s diagnosis of stress eating.
Loud music disrupted her thoughts. “It doesn’t matter if you make mistakes,” Lina was shouting over the din. “What matters is that you have a good time. Nobody was born knowing how to dance!”
“What about John Travolta?” Sands said under his breath and Callie shook her head.
“Gentlemen, face your partners,” Sean announced. “Now, get in the ‘dance stance.’”
Sands placed his arm around Callie’s waist and took her hand. “We’re in the stance,” he joked.
“OK! 1-2-3!” Lina and Sean started swirling around the room and the class stumbled along as they followed suit.
Sands turned out to be a surprisingly smooth dancer. He held Callie in a firm grip and confidently steered her through the steps. She stumbled a bit at first but soon found her footing. Who would have thought that he would be such a good dancer – and why hadn’t he told her?
“Hello! Hello!!” a voice from the doorway startled Callie. She whirled around to view the source and stopped dancing abruptly, causing her and Sands to collide with another couple.
“Sorry!” Callie gaspe
d and Sands looked at her in concern. “Are you all right?”
He followed her gaze to the door and as he was still holding her firmly about the waist, she felt the rumble of laughter flow through him before she heard it. “You didn’t tell me we were to be chaperoned,” he chuckled. “Why, hello there, Mr. Costas!”
George nodded at Sands before turning to his daughter. “Callie! What are you doing here?” her father addressed her with a wrinkled brow. To Callie’s dismay, the music had stopped and the entire class was watching their exchange. In a distracted way, Callie noticed that her father’s curly, greying hair was carefully combed and he wore a sport coat and one of his nicer pairs of trousers.
Behind George was Kathy, who gazed upon the class with a demure smile. Callie noticed that she was dressed to the nines in a black, form-fitting sweater dress and high-heeled boots. How was she going to be able to move freely in that get-up? Callie wondered. But she had to admit, Kathy did look quite nice.
“I’m taking a dance class, Dad, same as you,” Callie said with dignity. She wouldn’t let George ruffle her feathers, but she was hurt that he had time for a dance class but apparently, had been AWOL as far as everyone else was concerned. “Hello, Kathy,” she said to the older woman who stood next to her father, a bemused look on her face.
“You look wonderful, dear. And who is your charming partner?” Kathy was smooth, no doubt about it.
“Detective Ian Sands,” he said holding out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
“I’m so sorry,” Callie said, addressing Lina. “This is my dad, George Costas and his friend, Kathy. I didn’t know they’d be joining us tonight.” She darted her eyes at Sands who looked as if he was holding back laughter.
“The more, the merrier,” the instructor replied, pursing her glossy red lips. “George, you and Kathy can get up to speed by watching us do our first step. Join in when you’re ready.” She nodded to her dance partner to turn the music back on and Callie was flooded with relief as Sands whirled her away.