by C A Phipps
She was beside him as he pointed at Owen. “How can you tell?”
“His cheeks are pink.”
“Okay?”
Ethan went to the back doors and pulled them open, then fanned them. “When someone has a heart attack they turn a little blue around the mouth and their cheeks are pale. With gas, a protein called myoglobin causes the skin to look pink creating a false image of good circulation rather than one starved of oxygen, like a heart attack victim. Stand back. The gas must be stronger here because my head is already aching.”
She moved away a little and pulled the neck of her blouse over her nose and mouth. “So it was accidental?” she asked through the fabric.
“Maybe.”
“But it could have been something else?”
“Yes.”
Maddie was used to his monosyllabic replies when he was working on a case. She found it frustrating and interesting in equal measure. To figure out what he was thinking and imagine what had happened was intriguing—something she had definitely inherited from her ex-army-grandfather.
In her mind, judging by the evidence so far, and what Ethan said, it was likely carbon monoxide that had killed him. Yet, Owen had never appeared to be someone who had issues. Then again, people could hide their feelings from even their loved ones and she and Owen had not been that close.
But, if Owen hadn’t killed himself, then how had he died? As well as teaching her to drive her grandfather had passed on more than a working knowledge of cars so that the likelihood of her being stranded on country lanes without a good chance of getting home was minimalized.
She knew it would take a lot of gas to kill a person quickly, so that they didn’t have time to escape. A slow leak wouldn’t do it in a vehicle.
Her grandfather had also taught her to trust her instincts.If it wasn’t an accident, and she didn’t see how see how it could have been, then someone must have had a hand in his death.
Gran would not be impressed with some of the other things he had taught her. Things that had helped her get out of sticky situations and might help here.
She went to Ethan’s car and grabbed tissues from her bag, and then a large stick she found under a maple tree close by, while Ethan called for back-up. She came back and handed him a wad of tissues, keeping the rest for herself.
“Do you have any spare gloves?” she asked when he’d finished.
He raised an eyebrow, shook his head once more, and handed her another pair from his pocket. She slipped them on and with the stick grasped firmly in her hand she climbed onto the rear bumper of the van. Using the stick she hooked the rubber mat which covered most of the empty floor. It folded back easily, given its weight, to reveal a large hole in the floor.
“That hole was cut recently.”
Ethan leaned over her shoulder. “How can you tell.”
“Look at the edges. They’re shiny. Unprotected, metal will always get grimy and eventually rust.”
He squeezed her shoulder. “Great pick up. Anything else?”
“There was something in here recently. Something rectangular, heavy, and in cardboard.”
He leaned in further. Their shoulders brushed against each other. His musky cologne, in the confines of the rear of the van, was very distracting.
Ethan pointed along the mat. “I can see the dents, and the fragments of boxes or, as you so rightly said, cardboard. And they were tied to the brackets at the sides, judging by these remnants of string.”
Sirens sounded nearby and they climbed down in mutual agreement. A few minutes was long enough to spend in the lingering fumes which had made her head pound.
The paramedics were followed by Deputy Jacobs who pulled up outside the gates to allow the ambulance to get through. Soon Ethan was relaying all the information in more detail. She noticed he kept their conjecture to himself.
The sound of the sirens had also made it known to the whole Sunny Days retirement community that they were on site, and there had been an incident. The gathering onlookers, getting bigger by the minute, weren’t shy about asking questions. Since Ethan was unavailable, apparently, Maddie was the next best thing.
Mavis was first. “Is he dead then?”
The sheet over his face might have made this obvious, but Maddie didn’t point that out.
“Unfortunately, yes he is.”
“The poor man. He was having trouble with his van, maybe that’s what gave him the heart attack?”
It was as much a statement to her co-villagers as it was a question to Maddie.
“The sheriff isn’t sure how he died, so it’s better that we don’t guess at this stage.”
The woman nodded emphatically. “Of course not. Owen. That’s his name, isn’t it Maddie?”
“Yes.”
“You know him well, don’t you, dear?” Mavis pressed.
“Not well, but I’ve met him a few times.”
This was all information anyone could easily find out, so Maddie didn’t feel like she was stepping on toes, though she didn’t want to be seen as a spokesperson for the police. Mavis wasn’t done, and everyone else seemed content to let her have the floor.
“He was your delivery man.”
Maddie was finding it hard not to snap at the sweet, if persistent, woman. “He was a delivery man.”
“Seems like you always know the person who dies lately,” Nora intoned in that deathbed way she had.
“It’s a small town. We all mostly know the people who die here.” Mavis nodded at her own wisdom.
Nora shook her head. “I don’t know this man at all, and neither did you until you spoke to him yesterday.”
“Well, he seemed nice, and he spoke highly of Maddie’s bakery.”
“I hope the cookies on sale at the center today will be of a similar quality.” Nora droned.
“Are you both going this afternoon?” Maddie asked, encouraging the change of subject.
Mavis nodded her head eagerly. “Yes we are. Sunny Days is supplying the coach to take us there and back. Bernie’s driving.”
“He better not speed this time.”
Mavis rolled her eyes at Nora. “Bernie never goes over the limit.”
“Then the limit’s too high. I’d like to arrive in one piece.”
Maddie let their voices wash over her as she watched Ethan work. They created a distraction for the other residents who had come by to watch and at least this conversation didn’t seem to require her input.
Eventually, when Ethan and Rob had staked out an area around the van and they had taken pictures, the ambulance was allowed to take Owen away. Then Ethan came over to Maddie and the residents.
“I’d appreciate it, folks, if you stayed away from this area and let the deputies work. We’ll let you know what happened, when we know,” he assured them. “Right now there’s nothing more to add, so you can get back to what you were doing, please.”
Slowly they dispersed, with Nora muttering her doom and gloom and Mavis chattering away like a small bird.
Ethan gave Maddie a wry smile. “Thanks for keeping them occupied and I’m sorry Maddie, but I’ll have to renege on brunch.” Ethan’s focus was already shifting back to the van and Owen’s mysterious death.
“That’s okay. We can catch up tomorrow night like we’d planned.”
He nodded. “Definitely. I better get back. The detective will be here soon.”
“Detective Jones?
“You remembered him?”
“He’s hard to forget, even if he doesn’t talk much.”
Steve Jones was a somber man, as tall as Ethan and rather good looking. He had a quiet way of studying people and his surroundings that could be a little unnerving. He also didn’t seem inclined to get too close to the people of Maple Falls.
“That’s true, but he’s the best detective assigned to the county that I’ve ever worked with.” Ethan assured her.
“Then, he must be good.” She gave a small smile. “As much as I don’t want to, I need to get to the co
mmunity center. It’s nearly time for the afternoon tea that I promised to help with.”
“I understand, and there’s nothing for you to do here. I need to stay and wait for Jones, but Jacobs can drop you off on his way to the station. Thanks for being here with me and for your insights.”
They stood looking awkwardly at each other for a moment, and she wondered if he was thinking about that kiss. Despite Owen’s death, she certainly was. She hoped that didn’t make her a bad person.
A cough from behind startled them. Jacobs stood there, unsuccessfully trying to hide a grin. Ethan gave him a warning look then explained about Maddie needing a ride.
“Sure. There are plenty of deputies to help now and my car’s outside the gate.”
“Thanks, Rob.” She gave Ethan a small wave as she walked with Rob to his car. “I could have caught a ride with Bernie, but if you’re going my way . . .?
He opened the car door for her. “I’m working on another aspect of the case so I have to get back to the station. Is this a special afternoon tea, or something you do every week? I was under the impression Tuesday was the day for the get together?”
She laughed. “You’re well informed. Gran runs it on a Tuesday and has done so for years. I like to help when I can, dependant on any catering bookings I have, but Saturday’s is a new thing starting today.”
Maddie told him about the twins and their money making enterprise.
“I know what a fantastic cook Gran is but I bet they love your baking at the center just as much. I know I do. And, as far as the boys are concerned, I’m glad it’s your place and not mine they’re using to bake in. I hope you’re heavily insured.” He laughed at his joke, then gave her a horrified glance. “Don’t tell the Sheriff I said that.”
Maddie smiled, but wasn’t quite so amused. She had faith in Luke, and Owen’s death was far more important, yet her fingers involuntarily crossed in the hopes that the bakery would be no worse for wear by the time she got back to it.
Chapter Eight
They arrived at the community center with a little time to spare. Maddie had sampled the cookies and they tasted good. Not to Maddie’s standard for selling in the bakery, but she suspected Luke had done more than oversee them to ensure they had come out as well as they had.
Rob hung around for a little while, even helping put out the tables and chairs. He had looked around the kitchen, greeted Luke, the boys and Beth, but kept a watch on the door.
Maddie had a feeling he was hoping a certain red-head would stop by. Eventually, he left to get back to the office, looking disappointed.
She was looking through the window when Bernie pulled the Sunny Days transit van into the parking lot. He waved to her as he opened the doors for Mavis and her friends. Maddie waved back and ran outside to catch Mavis before she came inside.
“That’s a lovely blouse, Mavis. Can I have a private word with you.”
“Thank you, dear,” she preened. “It’s one of my favorites.”
“I was wondering if you could do me a favor and not talk about what happened this morning? At least while Jesse and James are around.”
“Why, of course. We don’t want to upset them, do we?”
Maddie breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that she’d managed to subvert what would have been a morbid topic for the twins and not appropriate right now.
It was a little difficult to concentrate with thoughts of poor Owen and what might have happened, or rather how it had happened. It was no accident. They might not have ruled out suicide, but an hour later it still felt unlikely. She wished she knew more about Owen and why someone might want to harm him.
“Are you okay?”
Gran was making tea and coffee and had frowned as soon as Maddie had come back into the kitchen. It was hard to hide anything from her grandmother, but she didn’t want to drag everyone down with sadness.
“I’ll tell you later.” She motioned to the boys and Gran nodded her understanding.
Maddie helped her with the drinks, while Beth put the cookies on plates and Luke, with the help of the boys, created a pile of the boxes on a separate table.
The cookies were pounced on as soon as they were handed around. Luke was extolling Beth’s help in the clean-up at the bakery and Maddie was impressed that she’d made the plates look so good using some of Maddie’s edible flowers to decorate them. It was a nice, thoughtful touch.
Beth stayed in the kitchen, making fresh tea, while Luke and the twins worked the room. Maddie had made sure they had a small float of coins to begin and soon the container she’d put them in was overflowing with dollar bills and more coins.
She had also donated some takeaway boxes for any that didn’t get eaten, which proved unnecessary, since by the time they had finished there wasn’t one cookie left apart from the pre-packaged boxes.
Layla walked in just as they were cleaning up the kitchen and Gran was stacking plates away.
“How did it go?”
The boys jumped up and down around her.
“So cool! We made change and we were polite.”
Jesse hugged Layla while James shook the container of money in her face.
“We sold every single one, mom.”
“Well done. You must have had one great teacher,” she smiled at Luke as the boys moved to the corner of the kitchen to count their money.
“Thanks, but they listened and worked really hard, and Beth helped.”
Beth, who’d had the spirit knocked out of her by her ex, who was languishing in jail, stood shyly at the sink, shoulders hunched as if waiting for something detrimental to be said.
Layla went over to her and gave her a gentle hug, which caught Beth off guard.
“Thank you for helping these rascals. I should really pay you and Luke for babysitting, never-mind the baking. With their uncle tied up at work, I don’t know what I would have done today. It’s worked out well.”
Beth gave a nervous laugh. “Oh, I don’t mind at all. In fact, I love kids.”
Layla raised her eyebrows. “Really? Even mine?”
“Especially yours. They’re so funny,” Beth said, with an enthusiasm which hadn’t been evident since her troubles had become known.
Luke nodded. “They really are.”
“Hmm. Let’s see if they’re still funny when they’ve been with you a few times.”
“That’s okay with me. If you need time out or you have a date, Beth and I could babysit?”
Layla laughed at his suggestion, but had a flush to her cheeks Maddie hadn’t seen before. Was there someone she was interested in?
“I’ll keep that in mind, should the need arise. Come on boys, let’s get you home and cleaned up. I’d better look after that,” she took the container from James, tucking it under her arm as she ushered the protesting pair out the door. “Thanks everyone.” She waved behind her.
Gran smiled at Beth, Luke, and Maddie. “Well, wasn’t that nice. It feels like everyone ’s a winner today.”
Maddie thought of Owen, who’s day had not turned out so well. She could see Mavis and Nora holding court at the far end of the room.
“I know that look. Don’t try to distract me again. Mavis has been very cagey, but she looks set to burst, so you may as well tell me what’s happened?”
Maddie made a mental note to have a talking to with herself about developing a poker face. It seemed everyone could tell when she had news and she just hoped she did a better job than Mavis who kept glancing her way, as did the other residents from Sunny Days.
“There’s been a death,” she said quietly, but not quietly enough.
Beth gasped. “Another murder?”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Right now there’s no evidence to say it was anything sinister.” As she spoke she had the thought that she was beginning to sound like Ethan.
“Who was it?” asked Luke
Maddie sighed. It still seemed surreal, even though she had seen him for herself. “Owen Kirk.”
Gr
an put a hand to her chest. “The delivery man?”
“Yes, I’m sorry to say.”
“That is a shame. He seemed a very nice man in the short time I’ve known him.”
“I thought so too, Gran. I couldn’t say anything before with the boys here and I don’t like to upset any one.”
She needn’t have bothered with her concern. Nothing could stop the community center gossip mill once it was set in motion. When they left the kitchen the discussion over Owen’s death was rampant and loud with everyone wanting to voice an opinion.
Mavis jumped up from her seat, managing to catch the plate that had been perched on her lap but shooting crumbs from it all over the floor.
“Here’s Maddie, she was right there when the Sheriff found poor Owen. Any news, dear?”
“Nothing more, I’m sorry.”
She could hear a stiffness to her voice and Mavis picked up on it, looking worried.
“We didn’t talk about it in front of the children, but they’re gone now, aren’t they?”
“Thanks, Mavis. Yes, they’re gone.”
“Then it’s okay to discuss now?”
Maddie nodded, unsure why Mavis needed her approval and knowing that there was no point in trying to stop the flow of a lava cake, once the spoon had dipped into its enticing center. Besides, quite a few of this group lived at Sunny Days, so they would have seen the commotion with emergency services for themselves. It was a miracle that they had managed to hold off until now.
Mavis smiled. “Is Ethan stopping by here?”
“He said he might, but he’s terribly busy right now, as you can imagine.”
“To question us?” Mavis asked with barely concealed glee, ignoring the fact that it wasn’t a given Ethan would show at all.
“He’ll no doubt have a chat with everyone from Sunny Days at some stage.”
“I guess he’ll have to make an arrest if it’s murder,” Nora sighed.
Gran tutted. “Maddie already said that they don’t know the cause, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Now, is everyone done here? I’d like to finish putting away the tea things.”
“We should wait for the Sheriff.” Mavis said, with uncharacteristic firmness.