Cruel Candy

by Mildred Abbott

  Strange.

  “Carl! Get one of the dog bones,” she called out over her shoulder and then refocused on Watson. “And hurry quick. You’ve simply got to meet this one!”

  Dog bones. Of course. How he did it, I had no idea. Though he was smarter than me, obviously. I should’ve realized he wasn’t looking for clues, just a snack.

  The woman seemed to remember I was there, looking up at me again once more. “I should’ve asked; is it okay if he has a doggy bone?”

  “Yes. It is. Thank you.” I motioned toward a hall tree made from nothing but antlers. “Your store has quite… unusual things.”

  “We try. Many of our items are one of a kind. Just because Estes Park has countless houses and cabins doesn’t mean they should all be decorated the same.” She gave Watson another quick rub, then placed her hands on her knees so she could stand. “You must be visiting. I’m certain I would’ve remembered this little guy. What’s his name?”

  “This is Watson.” I held out my hand. “I’m Fred.”

  “Oh goodness, I’m so bad about that. I’m so sorry. I should have introduced myself. I see a dog and just get all wrapped up.” She quickly shook my hand. “I’m Anna. And welcome to town. How long are you visiting? Where are you from?” She rattled off the questions without any real interest. She probably asked them a billion times a day to every customer who walked through the door.

  That might be me soon enough.

  “I actually just moved to town. Into one of those cabins you’re speaking of.”

  Her blue eyes brightened with interest. “How wonderful! Cabin and Hearth can be your one-stop shop. If you have something in mind you don’t see in our store, we can order it or have it custom-made for you.”

  Just then a man carrying a dog bone emerged from the back of the store. He was short and wide, nearly the exact same build as Anna. The hair lacking on the top of his head was compensated for by his fuzzy white beard. Between the smell of cider and the cute chubby couple, I felt like I was meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

  Anna snatched the dog bone out of his hand and waved it around as she spoke, causing Watson’s head to whip back and forth. “Carl, this is….” Her eyes narrowed in a look I knew too well. “Fred, you said?”

  I nodded.

  She shrugged and kept going. “She just moved into town. Has a little cabin and is looking for a…. What are you looking for, dear?”

  “Sorry to say, I’m not looking for anything at the moment. All of my things are being shipped from back home. I’ll have to get rid of things the way it is. Downsizing and all.”

  Both of their faces fell.

  “But I love your store. I’m sure once I get everything arranged, there’ll be something I’m missing. From looking around, it looks like there’s an entire log cabin lifestyle I wasn’t aware of.”

  “That’s true.” Anna only looked partially satiated. “You might want to reconsider having your things delivered. I always say, when starting a new life, there’s no reason to bring all the things from your old one with you.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “You know, my mother was telling me something similar just last night.”

  Another sweep across the room with the doggy bone. “Sounds like a smart woman. Bring her in, I’m sure she’ll help you figure out what you need.”

  Watson whined.

  “Oh, look at me. I’m so sorry, sweetie!” She bent slightly and offered a familiar-looking dog bone to Watson. “These are made locally, right across the street at Healthy Delights. Goodness knows, you won’t find much else good there, but dogs definitely love Lois’s baking, poor dear.”

  “Anna!” Carl spoke for the first time. Squeaked, rather. “What a thing to say!” He gave me an exasperated look, and though his tone softened, he still sounded rather like a mouse. “Lois is a lovely lady. And if you’re looking for healthy alternatives to sweets, that is exactly the place to go.” He patted his belly. “The missus and I obviously aren’t prone to such sacrifices.”

  It looked like Anna was going to argue, so I jumped in. Plus, it seemed like the perfect segue. “This will actually be Watson’s second bone from Lois. And you’re right, he loves them.” I pointed to the window. “I’m getting ready to open a little bookshop where Heads and Tails used to be. I met Lois when I arrived in town a couple of days ago.”

  “You?” Like I predicted, it was all the encouragement Anna needed. She let out a gasp and clutched her hands over her breasts. “I heard someone was moving into that shop.” Her eyes widened once more, and her tone grew scandalized. “And what a way for you to enter town. I heard you found Opal, not to mention that drug den growing in the basement.”

  I’d pegged Anna as loving a good story, but I hadn’t thought she’d be aware of all those details already. Maybe the stereotype of living in a small town wasn’t all hype.

  Before I could think of what to say, Anna grasped my hand. “Tell me all about it. I heard she was hit on the head with one of those meat tenderizers. Gladys told me that yesterday. But I told her it didn’t make any sense. What use would a candy maker have for a meat tenderizer?” I marveled at Anna’s apparent ability to not need a breath. “I mean maybe she used it to pound nuts or something, but that doesn’t seem very efficient for operating the business. Not that I would put much stock in anything Opal Garble does. Or did, God rest her soul. The murderous tramp.”

  “Anna!” Carl’s squeak caused Watson to let out another whine, despite still chewing on the dog bone. “The woman was murdered. Don’t say such things!”

  Anna’s tirade had been so frenzied, I barely had a chance to take it all in, and before I could consider what to say, she launched in yet again.

  “Don’t you get me started, Carl Hanson. Just because the woman is dead, doesn’t mean she was a saint.” She pointed a ring-encrusted finger in my direction, as if I’d been about to take her husband’s side. “Believe me, she had it coming for a long, long time. Why, to tell you the truth, I can’t believe it didn’t happen years and years ago.”

  Carl tsked and cast an irritated glance at Anna, then refocused on me. “Please excuse my wife. It’s a small town, and there’s not a lot to do here. Sometimes she can get a little caught up in the rumors floating around about people.”

  Anna planted both fists on her hips and glared. “Don’t you dare act innocent. Wasn’t it you, just last night, telling me about Peter Miller—” She glanced my way interjecting with a mock whisper, “He owns a glassblowing shop in between downtown and the national park, and is a happily married man and father of three.” Then she turned back to her husband and continued at full volume. “—and how you caught him sneaking around with Gentry Sawyer?” She paused to suck in a quick breath and offered another stage whisper my way. “Gentry owns the Christmas shop, which is close to the glassblowing place. He is also a happily married man and a father of one. He also has a very cute beagle named Snoopy. Not very original as far as beagle names go, if you ask me, but adorable nonetheless.” Then back to full volume and addressing Carl. “So don’t you talk about me being the one to get caught up in rumors. Not when you’re the one making them.” With the last few words, she tapped against her husband’s chest.

  At the look of scandal across his face, and Anna’s heavy breathing, it was all I could do to keep from laughing. I decided to milk it and play along. Swiping a page out of Anna Hanson’s playbook, I took a step toward them and lowered my voice. “Since you brought it up, I must admit, I did meet Opal the other day as well. She struck me as rather… abrasive.”

  “Abrasive?” Proving everything his wife just said was true, Carl’s soft-spoken voice lilted and slipped into hyperdrive as he did a complete one-eighty. “I’d say that’s a gracious word for Opal.” Anna nodded along. “The woman was evil. Pure evil. And a murderer.” Unlike his wife, Carl didn’t bother with pretending to whisper for effect. “She was known as the black widow around here. She’s been married three times.”

  “Three times!�
�� Anna bugged her eyes out. “Three. What kind of respectable woman gets married three times, I ask you?”

  “As if that’s the point, Anna.” Carl cast her an annoyed glance for her interruption. Then back to me. “All three of those husbands? Dead! Every single one. A heart attack here, a car crash there. Black widow, I’m telling you.”

  “Like I said. Opal Garble had it coming.” Anna crossed her arms and lifted her chin.

  With his frenzy spent, Carl looked suddenly remorseful. “Well, I still say it’s a step too far. One shouldn’t speak such things about the dead.” He stretched out pudgy fingers and lightly touched my hand that gripped Watson’s leash. “What else did you notice when you met Opal the other day?”

  I needed to figure out a way to inquire about what happened without becoming known as a town gossip. Although with these two, I doubt it mattered what I said. They’d probably tell any story they wanted about me. So I decided to go for it. “Not much. Just that she was rather rude to Katie, the girl who works for her, and a little dismissive of Lois. Not sure if that’s the right word for it. Though I’ve heard she was the one supporting Lois, so I suppose it makes her not all bad.”

  They both nodded, but this time it was Anna who spoke. “I have to agree. It was her one redeeming quality. Lois is such a sweet, gentle lamb. Again, her candy making is only fit for… well….” She cast a glance down at Watson. “But even so, Lois deserved a kinder sister. I’d say Opal knew Lois was the one good thing in her life. And the only one who would love her despite her horrid personality. But yes, she was good to Lois, even if it was self-serving.”

  A gust of cool air swept through the store as the front door opened and a family entered.

  Though she looked irritated at being interrupted, Anna raised her voice, sounding cheerful once more. “Welcome to Cabin and Hearth. We’ll be right with you. Feel free to look around.” When she turned back to me, her smile remained. “Sorry to cut this short, Fred.” She bent to pat Watson on the head, but he backed away, his ulterior motive now achieved. “Well, anyway. Welcome to town. It’s good to know someone will be taking over the taxidermy shop. Wait, no, you said you’re opening a bookshop, didn’t you? That’s a much better choice. Just remember, we’re right across the street. We’ll keep an eye out for you. Just let us know if there’s anything at all you need. And bring your mother in. We’d love to help you get your cabin in tip-top shape.” She looked over at Carl as if suddenly remembering he was there. “Good grief, what are you still hanging around for? We just got that new shipment of decorative pillows in the back. They’re not going to unbox themselves.”

  Carl gave me a little nod, his gaze not meeting mine, before he walked away.

  “Nice to meet you again, dear. I hope you and Watson will be very happy in our little town.” Anna offered another smile and a little wave before she headed toward the family.

  As we stepped back out onto the sidewalk, the day had grown brighter but no warmer. “If I didn’t need a coffee before, I sure do now.” I smiled down at Watson. “And you most definitely earned yourself another treat. Granted, those two need a whole bucket of salt to go along with anything they say, but nice choice, Mr. Watson. Nice choice.”

  I wouldn’t have pegged Opal as a murderer, but if all three of her husbands had died unexplained deaths, maybe that had led to her being bludgeoned. If nothing else, it was a different angle than the edible business she was running. And about as far away from Barry as I could get.

  After a large dirty chai and a cranberry-orange scone, I felt ready to go again. The Black Bear Roaster hadn’t had dog treats, but I’d given Watson a couple bites of my scone. He’d more than earned it.

  Not only had the time inside the coffee shop given me a chance to warm up, but after replaying some of the conversation I’d had with Anna and Carl, I was feeling hopeful. Maybe I actually could do this. I didn’t have any real hope of solving Opal’s murder, but I was beginning to feel more confident that I could at least get enough leads to punch holes in Barry being the main suspect.

  Rebundled against the cold, Watson and I stepped outside, then hurried across the street and began to walk back up the other side of shops. Finding out about Opal’s three dead husbands was unexpected, but it didn’t narrow down which shops might offer the best leads. I hadn’t seen a casket shop among the bunch. Where did one go to find out who was angry about dead husbands? I turned it over to Watson again. But he didn’t stop anywhere, just dipped his head and trudged past countless shops. Until we arrived in front of Heads and Tails. At least that was where I thought we were stopping, figuring that Watson recognized our shop. Instead he came to a pause in front of Healthy Delights.

  I glared down at him. “Seriously? A huge dog bone and nearly a fourth of a scone, and this is what you have in mind? Granted, I agree, the scone was a little dry and could have used some more white-chocolate chips, but still.”

  I glanced in the window. The store was dark, just like Sinful Bites. No sign of Katie or Lois, nor did I hear any commotion from inside my shop either that would lead me to believe the police were still there. But I’d been given strict instructions not to enter until I’d received an all clear.

  “Sorry, buddy. Your favorite shop is closed.” I motioned forward. “Lead on. Where to next?”

  Watson simply blinked up at me, then returned his attention to the door of Healthy Delights.

  “Fine.” I stepped around him. “I suppose you’ve done enough this morning. We’ll see how I do.” I led Watson past a shop that did old-fashioned tintype photography, an ice cream parlor, a shop with nothing but cupcakes, and a pet store. The last one, I had to drag him away from. Doubtlessly, he could smell the dog treats inside.

  With none of the shops calling to me, we ended up across the street from the waterwheel. Directly in front of Victorian Antlers. I’d expected to drop in later in the day to say hello, but there was no time like the present. Plus, though not at Anna and Carl’s level, Percival and Gary could gossip with the best of them.

  We were barely ten feet inside the antique store when there was a squeal, and a tall thin man, wearing a deep-purple fur coat, rushed from behind the counter waving his arms in the air, then wrapped me in a huge hug. “I’ve been waiting for you to drop by!”

  I hugged him back. “Hi, Uncle Percival. It’s good to see you, as always.”

  He pulled away, holding me at arm’s length as he inspected. “Hair, gorgeous and flawless, as always. Eye makeup”—he waffled his hand—“better than when I saw you last year, but we need to work on a stronger cat eye. Good lip, though. I’m glad you remember it’s all about a dramatic eye and a subtle lip gloss.” His gaze traveled down my body, and he grimaced. “Still, Fred? Really? Do you really need another lecture? How you can share my genes and still think a broomstick skirt is ever appropriate, I simply can’t understand. I swear even Barry’s daughters have a more innate sense of style, and I’m fairly certain that man has tie-dye in his veins.” He picked a dog hair off my shoulder, and then a smile broke through, and he patted my cheek affectionately. “But nevertheless, you’re family, so I must love you despite your fashion taste.” His eyes narrowed. “At least tell me you’re not wearing cowboy boots under that monstrosity.”

  “Fine. I won’t tell you.”

  He let out a howl, and I couldn’t keep from chuckling.

  “That’s a lot of criticism from a man wearing a purple fur coat. What animal in the real world is purple, anyway?”

  He gasped. “Darling, it’s faux fur. I may live in the mountains, but I’m not a heathen. And the color is boysenberry, not purple.” Next to her older brother, my mom seemed the epitome of common sense and restraint. His brown eyes twinkled in affection as he looked at me, and he raised his voice once more. “Gary, baby, get out here! Our prodigal niece has returned to the fold!”

  A man the exact same height as Percival lumbered from somewhere in the bowels of the overly packed shop. Though he was the same height, the similaritie
s stopped there. At sixty, Gary was ten years younger, soft-spoken, somehow managed to retain his physique from his pro-football days, and was about as excitable as a possum playing dead. His dark face spread into a handsome smile as he pulled me into an embrace. “Good to see you, sweetness.” His deep baritone rumbled through me.

  They both said their hellos to Watson, who received them with familiar ease but not much more, and then they turned their attention back on me. Percival grabbed my hand and held on. “I talked to your mother earlier this morning. She told me all that was going on. And she said you were doing your own investigation.”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’m not investigating. I’m not pretending like I’m Dad or anything. But it’s ridiculous that they think Barry had anything to do with it. I figure I might as well find out anything I can if it helps clear his name.”

  “You always were your daddy’s girl.” There was such affection in Gary’s tone that I couldn’t help but smile at him as I tried to hold back the burn behind my eyes. Gary had gotten along with my father like gangbusters whenever they’d visited. Mom and Percival chatting about fashion and food and movies, while Dad, Gary, and I talked sports. I never cared all that much for sports, but knew if I waited long enough, Gary would get Dad to start talking about his open cases, and after a few beers, Dad always said a little more around me than he would’ve at other times.

  I decided to cut through the pleasantries. “What do you guys think about Bran…er… Sergeant Wexler?”

  “Branson, huh?” Percival’s brows shot up, always too quick for his own good. “I’d say he’s a handsome devil.”

  Gary rolled his eyes, but nodded. “He seems like a good man. We’ve not had too much interaction with him. He’s only been in Estes for the past three or four years. Seems like a fair guy, though.” He shrugged. “Unless, of course, he keeps Barry in there much longer. You just have to meet the guy for two seconds to know he’s not going to do anybody any harm.”