It Cannoli Be Murder

by Karoline Barrett

  POLICE ALLEGEDLY THINKING RECENT DEATHS COULD BE MURDER-SUICIDE

  According to an unnamed source, our town’s most recent murders could be a murder-suicide. Senator Rachael Rydell, and her twin sister, Melanie Stewart were found dead Friday night. They were both in town for the Mellon School for Girls Benefit. My unnamed source alleges that Ms. Stewart killed her sister, and then committed suicide. The police allegedly collected a suicide note at the scene of the home that Ms. Stewart had rented for a few days. She apparently planned to stay in town for a little while. The police will not confirm nor deny that they are treating this as a murder-suicide.

  A murder-suicide? I hadn’t thought of that. Bobby was certainly throwing the word ‘allegedly’ around a lot. I wondered if he’d get in trouble for printing this. It sounded more like a fishing expedition to me, and who was this unnamed source? I finished reading the rest of the paper and tossed it on the counter. The conversation with my mother last night replayed in my head. I hated that she was feeling guilty, but I couldn’t very well just waltz into the Destiny Police Department and demand to see what they had collected so far regarding Rachael and Melanie’s deaths.

  A glance out the kitchen window above my sink told me the sun was already blazing. It was shaping up to be a good beach day. The dogs had followed me to the kitchen and were both looking to be walked and fed. I threw on some clothes, and we set out and explored the neighborhood. We were a stone’s throw from home when I knew what the answer was. Not only would it give me a legitimate way to snoop around, but maybe I really could help Alex and the Destiny PD.

  “Come on guys, let’s get home and get you fed. I’ve got to run out.” We hustled back home and I dropped kibble in their bowls. I made myself a protein shake with egg whites and some tropical frozen fruit. As they chowed down, I made a call to Alex. I was a little surprised when he told me he had a little time within the next hour and he was willing to see me.

  ###

  An hour later, looking presentable, I was seated on a metal folding chair in front of his desk.

  “You want me to do what?” he asked after I’d laid out my plan. I knew it was a little out there, but he didn’t have to react as if I’d suggested we go on a state-wide bank robbing spree together.

  “It can work,” I told him. “I’m good with people, I can get them to open up to me, plus I’m not exactly a stranger to the murder-solving business.”

  He leaned back and crossed his right ankle over the opposite knee. “Only you would come up with a plan like that. I’m not going to put you in danger.”

  “There’s no reason for me to be in danger.” I quickly switched subjects. “Alex, are you the one who told Bobby Crandall it was a murder-suicide? I was shocked when I read that in the paper this morning. That was quick. You must be working around the clock.”

  His face tightened into a scowl. “I suspect one of our over-zealous officers talked to Bobby Crandall. I hate when they do that.”

  That explained it. “He has a way of getting people to talk, I’ll say that much for him. He’s good. So, there was a note? Do you really think it’s a suicide?”

  “I can’t discuss that with you.”

  I kept talking. “My mother, your favorite Aunt Anne, feels guilty that this happened at the benefit. That’s why I think my plan is pretty brilliant. Plus, it’s awful what happened to those women. I didn’t know them, but it happened in our town. It’s a black eye until their deaths are avenged.”

  “I agree, it certainly is awful, but there is no reason for Aunt Anne to feel guilty. That’s ridiculous.”

  “I know that. But she’s not going to feel better until whoever did this is arrested.” I leaned forward, hoping to convey my earnestness in wanting to help. “Alex, we need the killer, or killers, brought to justice.”

  “I’m aware of that, that’s what we police strive for, generally,” he replied, his tone dryer than the Sahara Desert.

  “Sean can’t give his full attention to this case, he told me you’re basically in charge. Don’t you want some help?” I verbally charged ahead, before he could give me the resounding ‘No!’ that I was sure was on the tip of his tongue.

  “It’s a great idea. The Destiny Divas, that’s the name of the book club I belong to, once read a mystery where the main character, a detective, was in a coma. Yada, yada, yada, the chief of police ended up deputizing his wife so she could help. She had this knack for connecting with people.

  “You know, like me. It worked. She rooted out the killer, her husband came out of his coma, and all ended well.”

  I stopped talking and held my breath because I could see he was seriously giving my idea merit. Or maybe he just had a little burp to get rid of.

  “That’s fiction, Molly. Not real life.”

  “You weren’t here then, but I was instrumental in solving our last two murders. I’m sure you heard about it.” That may have been stretching the truth a tad more than slightly, but I had a feeling I could help Alex, and the Destiny PD, find the killer. I couldn’t stand to think of someone getting away with snuffing out the lives of two viable human beings. And I didn’t want to let my mother down.

  “I know you were, and that’s great, but I have misgivings.”

  “I have a list of suspects. I’ll be happy to go talk to them. They won’t be so threatened by me. I’m nice. And I make cupcakes.”

  He looked anything but convinced. “Okay, I don’t know what being nice, and making cupcakes, have to do with anything, but solving crimes is not always about being nice. And what? You don’t like owning a bakery? You and Olivia are doing great.”

  “I love Bread and Batter. But this is important, too.”

  I could almost see his mind working: Should I? Shouldn’t I? I thought I’d lost my chance when he remained mute, but he eventually lectured in a stern voice. “If a citizen assisted with an investigation, it would happen only with approval of the County Attorney’s office and only with minimal involvement. And, there would be many restrictions placed on that citizen. In this case, you.”

  That all sounded terribly official, but I felt elated. I wondered if he had the entire police code memorized. “So, you’ll check with our county attorney?”

  I held my breath while he eyed me like he was still trying to make up his mind. “Yes, reluctantly. And only because Sean is using a lot of our manpower on the cybercrime case. Please note I’m not crazy about the idea.”

  “Noted.”

  “So far, the governor, or attorney general hasn’t issued an executive order to bring in the state police. And Chief Carly doesn’t want them involved, he’s more than confident we can handle it. But if you get in my way, or you don’t follow my direction, you’re out of it. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir.” I wanted to hug him, but it would be un-police like. “You’ll ask, right?” I wasn’t going to stop until I got a firm response. As in a definite yes.

  “I can’t promise Derrick Mahoney will approve, but I’ll ask.”

  Mahoney was our County Attorney. I wasn’t personally acquainted with him, but I hoped he would grant Alex’s request. I clapped my hands. “Thank you! No need to mention we’re cousins, I don’t want him to think you’re only asking because of that.”

  “Yeah, we wouldn’t want that.”

  I ignored his sardonic tone. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

  He grunted. “How about we talk about your minimal involvement?”

  I jumped up. “We can talk about that later. I need to get home to the dogs. We’re going to the beach. Thank you so much, Alex. We’ll talk soon.”

  He mumbled a couple of words in reply, but they were unintelligible. Just as well, I figured.

  I didn’t dare think of Sean’s reaction when I told him I’d be helping Alex as a deputized-ish civilian. I wasn’t sure what else to call it. Hopefully, he’d be too busy with his other responsibilities to care, or to notice, just in case I forgot to mention it at all. I hoped Chief Carly would also be too wrapped u
p in Destiny’s other criminal issues to put a lot of thought about my minimal involvement in all of this.

  I left the Destiny Police Department in high spirits. Luckily, I hadn’t run into Sean. I hadn’t thought of that detail when I’d rushed down here. I wasn’t ready to explain what I’d asked my cousin to do. I had to broach it with Sean in the right way. I made a quick stop at a small grocery store that specializes in organic and natural foods, picked up some items, then headed home.

  “How about we take a ride, guys?” I asked the dogs when I arrived back at my apartment. “How does the beach sound?”

  They wiggled and ran circles around my feet. I took that as a yes. They were as crazy about the beach as I was. They waited patiently while I changed into shorts and a Bread and Batter Bakery t-shirt. I packed snacks, doggy biscuits, a bottle of water, and we were off.

  We were headed for my car when my phone rang. We paused at the end of the staircase while I dug it out of my beach bag. Destiny PD. It was either Sean, which I doubted, or Alex.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey. It’s Alex. I have news from Attorney Mahoney.”

  My legs felt like jelly. “Already? Good or bad?”

  “Good for you. I don’t know how I feel about it.”

  “He said yes!” I squealed, making the dogs bark in excitement. “Shhh,” I told them.

  “Yeah. Derrick’s okay with it for some cockamamie reason. Up to a point at least. Apparently, people have faith in your abilities.”

  “Wow, that was quick! Thank you. You don’t have to sound as if you’re being forced to live in the Tower of London for the next ten years, you know.”

  “Live where?”

  “It’s not important. I promise everything will work out. What’s on the agenda? What do I do now?”

  “Weren’t you planning on going to the beach?”

  “We’re on the way now.”

  “Call me when you’re free. We can go over what you can and cannot do.”

  I ignored his emphasis on ‘cannot’. I was determined to make my mother proud of me. Not that she wasn’t already, but I know she’d be relieved to see the killer put away, as everyone in Destiny would be. “Sounds good to me.”

  I tucked my phone away and my little group continued to the car. It was already eighty-two degrees out. I opened the sun roof as far as it would go. The sun’s warmth felt heavenly on my bare arms.

  I was obsessed with finding out what, or who, was the common denominator in the murders, I realized as I made my way to Clam Point beach. Strange name, since the lake is clamless. It was our go-to beach since it was the only beach on the lake that allowed dogs. Could it have been someone at the party?

  I pulled into the large parking lot facing the lake. At this hour, it wasn’t too crowded yet. I gathered my bag and umbrella and got Beau and Noelle’s doggy goggles on to protect their eyes from the sun and sand, and struggled to keep their leashes untangled as we headed toward the beach.

  I smeared on half a bottle of sunscreen and after a nice long walk, we all got comfortable under the umbrella. I gave them some treats and they fell asleep immediately. I texted Sean just to say hi and then reached for my electronic reader and my bottle of water. My phone beeped an hour later, just as I’d decided a dip in the water was called for. I read Sean’s text.

  Hi babe. Super busy.

  Ok. Just wanted to say hi.

  Thanks. How’s your day going? Any plans on your day off?

  It took me about a second to decide. I knew in my heart I couldn’t hide what I was doing for long. I didn’t like to be dishonest, it wasn’t me. And what was he going to do? I was an adult with my own successful business, fully able to make my own decisions.

  At the beach with the dogs at the moment. Um, guess what? I have permission to be involved in the solving of Rachael and Melanie’s murders. In a sort of distant, not-too-involved way. I’m sort of deputized. It was my idea. I was speaking my message into my phone, using my fingers would take way too long. I was glad no one was close enough to hear me.

  Holding my breath, this adult braced herself for his reprimand.

  If anyone can help, it’s you. Good luck! Gotta run. xoxo

  What? I stared at his message for a second then gave him a couple x’s and o’s back. Okay, that wasn’t so bad. I was relieved that he wasn’t upset with me, or had taken the time to instruct me on staying away from murder investigations, but his casual reaction surprised me, nonetheless. I woke up Beau and Noelle and we took a dip in the lake.

  I dropped in on Alex late in the afternoon, without calling. He was at his desk, luckily. “You look wiped out. Everything okay? What exactly do you have on the murders? Or murder-suicide?”

  “This is where I let you know what you can and cannot do. I don’t mind if you ask questions, talk to people, come with me when I do interviews, but you cannot allow people to think you are part of the police department.”

  My head bobbed up and down. “I understand.” He’d neglected to answer my questions, I noticed. Surely, just an oversight on his part.

  His dubious expression clearly telegraphed that he didn’t quite believe me. “You don’t get a gun, you don’t do, or say, anything to tarnish the police department, you don’t talk to any reporters, even Mr. Crandall, and you don’t get to arrest anyone.”

  Phew. That was quite a list. “What about a citizen’s arrest?”

  “Forget it.”

  “Forgotten. Is that it?”

  “For now. Another thing. Don’t get in my way.”

  “Okay,” I promised. He was sounding awfully crabby. I had no intention of taking over, getting in his way, or shooting anyone, which would be difficult since I had no interest in holding any firearm. Even a toy one. “What will you call me since I’m not an officer of the law?”

  He cleared his throat. “I thought I’d go with Molly. You seem to answer to that.”

  I rolled my eyes. He had my mother’s side of the family’s humor. Like me. “I mean, am I your assistant, an associate, a consultant? I rather like consultant.”

  “We’ll think of something, Nancy Drew.”

  I grinned. Alex knew my Nancy Drew books were one of my prized possessions. I could find a worse role model. “So, tell me. Where are you in the investigation? Am I allowed to know that?” I figured if I played by the rules, and showed him I wasn’t going to try and usurp his leadership, Alex would grow to trust my instincts, and maybe loosen the reins a little.

  “Rachael Rydell was shot, which you know. According to the security footage from the hotel, it happened just before the Mellon School for Girls benefit started. I actually need you to look at the footage. Remember that woman who almost ran you down?”

  “Yes. She’s the killer?”

  “I’m not there yet. The woman on the tape fits the description you gave me the night of the shooting. The problem is, there are no security cameras in the atrium, nor in the banquet hall, where the benefit was held, and none in the bathroom where the murder took place. Here, you take a look.”

  I waited while he fiddled with his computer. I thought about Castle Shore Hotel. Other than a couple of large ballrooms, including the one where the Mellon School for Girls benefit took place, and some exotic looking plants, there was nothing in the atrium. Maybe that’s why there were no security cameras.

  “Here we go,” said Alex.

  I watched while the camera captured people strolling about in the hotel lobby. In no more than thirty seconds another figure appeared. “It’s the woman I saw running out!” I exclaimed. “It’s the same uniform I saw. And look at the sunglasses and scarf. It’s her!”

  I watched as she disappeared from the camera view. “That’s it?”

  “No. Wait,” Alex replied.

  Seconds later, she appeared again, pushing through the door that led to the outside of the building.

  I jumped up and pointed to the screen. “That’s definitely her! That’s the door she went out of and on the other side, you�
�ll find me. She could be the killer!”

  “Could be, or could not be.” The tape resumed with me hurrying along the outside of the building, then picking up the keychain off the ground, then trying to stop the woman hurrying away. We watched the tape as it showed her getting into a small car, slamming the door, and speeding away toward the other side of the hotel.

  “Can you zoom in or something so we can see the license plate?” My heart had lodged in my throat.

  Alex finished zooming in. “Unfortunately, because of the angle, it only caught the first three numbers of the license plate. FRB.”