Peggy Dulle - Liza Wilcox 02 - Apple Pots and Funeral Plots

by Peggy Dulle

  “She’s with me. Jimmy had to go over to the carnival. There was some incident between a couple of the teenage boys. Do you want me to bring her back to the inn?”

  “No, we’ll stop by and get her.”

  “Great, she’s in the office with me.”

  I handed the phone back to Tom. “Can we stop and get Shelby?”

  “Of course.”

  I gave Tom directions to Bill’s place and we were there in a few minutes. As soon as we drove up, Bill and Shelby came out of the front door. She went directly to Tom and jumped up on him. He bent down and pet her. She ran around him, barked, and then wanted to be petted some more.

  I walked over to Bill. “Thanks for taking care of Shelby.”

  “You’re welcome, Liza.” He glanced over at Tom and Shelby. “She started whining as soon as his tires hit the gravel.”

  “I know, she has this thing for him.” I laughed.

  “Well, he must be a good guy, if Shelby likes him.”

  “He is.”

  Finally, Shelby ran over to me and barked. “So, now you want to say hello to me. What am I, your second choice?”

  She barked, again.

  Tom came over and I introduced him to Bill. They shook hands.

  “Thanks for getting Liza out of her car and taking such good care of her since she’s been here.”

  Bill nodded. “You’re welcome.” He glanced at me. “She does tend to get into trouble easily, doesn’t she?”

  Tom laughed and shook his head. “Oh, yes.”

  “Hey! Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.” I said in mocked anger.

  Both men laughed.

  “Men! Well, I’m going to go back to the inn. I’ve had a trying afternoon.” I put the back of my hand on my forehead and leaned my head back, playing like a dramatic weak damsel.

  Tom rolled his eyes. “I thought I was going to get you some dessert.”

  “Oh, yeah.” I sighed. “I almost forgot.”

  “Her? Forget a meal? Never!” Bill insisted.

  Tom looked at Bill. “You do know her well.”

  Tom and Bill laughed again. I was glad they were getting along so well, even if it was at my expense. I whistled and Shelby came over to me. “Let’s go, girl.” Then I glanced back at Tom. “Are you coming?”

  Tom’s smile broadened and his eyes sparkled. “Of course.”

  We got back into the patrol car. Shelby took her usual spot in the back seat. I glanced at the back. “Still no harness?”

  “I keep telling you that patrol dogs don’t wear a harness. I open the door. They jump out and catch the bad guys. That wouldn’t work if I had to un-harness them and then send them out.”

  “It still isn’t safe.”

  “I thought we agreed to disagree on this issue.”

  “I know.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “You’re in a feisty mood, Liza.”

  “I know.”

  “And I know exactly what to do with all that energy.” He smiled and brushed the back of his hand across my cheek.

  If he didn’t touch me, I could keep up my feistiness. He doesn’t play fair. The warmth from his hand traveled all the way down to my toes. It had been several weeks since we had seen each other and I had missed him too. The closer we got to the inn, the higher my pulse raced and the shallower my breathing felt. I wish I had better control around him. The only satisfaction came from knowing he felt exactly the same way. I couldn’t see it on him because he was good at hiding any outward appearance of his emotions. I guess that’s what made him a good cop. But he’d show it as soon as I closed the door to my room.

  “Which room?” he asked.

  “Second floor, last one on the left.” I pointed to the end of the inn.

  “Great.” He winked at me.

  I was about to explode as we walked toward my room. Shelby ran behind us barking and then ran in front of us and to the door.

  I handed the key to Tom. He opened the door and moved back so I could enter. I stepped through the door, followed by Shelby and then Tom.

  As soon as the door closed, Tom spoke to Shelby, “Go lie down, girl.”

  She immediately lay by the bathroom door, away from the bed.

  Tom grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. Then he turned me around and backed me against the door. With one hand he started unbuttoning my shirt and with the other he took off all of his hardware and set it on the table. With his mouth he kissed me on the neck and then explored the rest of my body as he removed my clothes. He stopped a few times when he’d get to one of my bruises, kiss it gently, and then move on. The urgency I’d felt in the car was definitely apparent in him.

  When we were both undressed, he picked me up and carried me to the bed. As he stood at the end of the bed, he whispered in my ear, “Are you still really sore from the accidents?”

  “Not really, I’m fine.”

  “Great. First fast, then we can take it slow. I’ve missed you, honey.” He buried his face into my long red hair.

  I kissed his cheek. “I’ve missed you too, love.”

  He was true to his word. Our first round was like a runaway freight train – fast and furious. The second and third were slower and more tender. It was a glorious evening, even though I never got my dessert!

  Chapter 21

  Afterwards, we both fell fast asleep, exhausted from our lovemaking and the stress of the day.

  It was wonderful to wake up in the morning and have my legs intertwined with Tom’s. I still had my eyes closed, but awoke to Tom stroking my arms with his fingertips. Every caress sent a wave of sensations through my body. It was nice that he had come up, but how had he known I had been arrested? Who finked on me? Nobody knew Tom’s name. Bill knew I had a boyfriend who was a sheriff, but that was all.

  Tom leaned closer and whispered in my ear, “I can hear you thinking, Liza.”

  I turned, smiled, and kissed him on the nose. “Who me?”

  “Yes. What’s on your mind?”

  “I know why you started up here, but how did you know that I was arrested?”

  “Officer Farrell called me.”

  “Who?”

  “The officer I first talked to about Danielle’s death. I gave him my name and number. I told him it was just in case something happened on the case. He said he’d call me if they came up with any more leads.”

  “I’m a lead?”

  “No. He told me that a lady was in town asking questions about Danielle’s death.” He raised his eyebrows and stroked the side of my face. “And that she’d been arrested for shooting up the town.”

  “I did not! How dare they think that I…”

  He put his finger over my lips. “Shh. He said it was a bogus arrest but thought I’d be interested.”

  “How’d he know to call you? That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What’s his first name?”

  “Timmy or Jimmy, or something like that.”

  “I bet it’s Jimmy.

  Tom shrugged. “Could be.”

  “Jimmy is Bill’s brother. He’s only been an officer here for a few months. I like him. He seems to really care about Danielle’s murder. Not like those other idiots.”

  He leaned over, nibbled on my neck, and whispered. “Honey, let’s not call the local cops names unless we have the evidence to prove that.”

  “I don’t need proof, I’ve got my gut telling me that they’re morons,” I said, ignoring the way my body reacted to his breath on my neck. “Besides, the lieutenant threatened me.

  Tom pulled his head back quickly and frowned. “What?”

  “Yeah, he told me I’d better be careful at night or something might happen to me. I wonder if he’s the one that pulled me into that hole.”

  “Wait a minute.” He sat up straight and his frown deepened. “You said that was an accident.”

  “At first, I thought I felt someone pulling on my shirt before I fell.”

&
nbsp; “Who do you think it was?”

  “I don’t know. I really didn’t see anyone.”

  Tom pulled me close to him. “Well, I’m glad that you’re okay. Maybe it’s your overactive imagination getting the best of you.”

  “You always say my imagination is what makes me a good investigator.”

  “That’s true. You can image the wildest scenarios for things.” He shook his head and laughed. “I never would have suspected those clowns of kidnapping, murder, and all the other things we finally charged them with.”

  “Well, I think someone in this town is responsible for four murders.”

  “Four? I thought you were here looking into only Danielle’s death?”

  “I am, but there are three other deaths that seem suspicious to me.”

  “What do the local cops say?”

  I blew out a long breath. “Those idiots…” He raised his finger to put it over my mouth again, but I frowned and he pulled it back. “The local police department said the three other deaths were accidents.”

  “Could they have been?”

  “No.”

  “Tell me about them.”

  I told him about Sally and James’s deaths. How James had reinforced the house so that the timbers would never fall. Yet that’s how his wife died. And how he was an excellent spelunker and couldn’t have gotten trapped in a cave-in.

  Tom rubbed his face with his hand. “I can see how those deaths would bother you. You don’t like coincidences, and a husband and wife both dying in accidents would rub you the wrong way.”

  I sat up. “That’s right. And then the story of Danielle’s death.”

  “I know.” Tom smiled and traced his finger up my stomach and toward my chest. “Killed by a vagrant who conveniently left behind her purse with over two-hundred dollars in it.”

  I grabbed his finger before he got to my breasts. “Yes.”

  Tom’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute, that’s only three deaths. Who’s the other one?”

  “The dead body I mentioned earlier.”

  “The one I had to ignore to get the scoop on you and Bill?”

  “Yes.” I told him about finding the body, the laughable crime scene investigation, and the journal.

  He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. “But why? Why kill them?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know that yet.”

  “Well, usually the only things that makes people kill other people are revenge, a fit of anger, money, or to silence them.”

  “I don’t know of any reason someone would be angry at Danielle, or want revenge. And the only thing around here that makes any money are the apple pots.”

  Tom shrugged his shoulders. “That can’t be it. How much can anyone actually make on pots?”

  “Several million dollars.”

  “What?” Tom raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

  “Yes, they make millions selling the apple pots. And it’s getting more profitable every year.”

  “Apple pots?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve got to have one of those.”

  “You did promise me dessert. Although, I never got it.”

  Tom kissed me lightly on the lips and then started nibbling on my neck. I brought his face to mine and kissed him. “Okay, so I sort of got dessert, but not an apple pot.”

  “We could have it for breakfast?” Tom suggested.

  “That sounds good, let’s go.” I jumped out of bed and then looked back at Tom. “Tell me you’ve got a change of clothes. I’m not sure I want to wander around Clainsworth with a police escort.”

  “You know I always have a change of clothes and another uniform in the trunk.”

  “You are so efficient. Let me take a quick shower, get dressed, and I’ll go get your clothes.”

  He leaned back on the pillows. “I love a woman who waits on me.”

  I went into the bathroom and within seconds Tom was in the shower with me. It was nice to have someone clean those hard to reach places. It was almost an hour before we finally got out of the shower. My fingers were wrinkled into prunes, but my body glowed from the inside out.

  After I pulled on my blue jeans and t-shirt, I went outside to get the duffle bag out of his trunk. The weather was wonderful, warm with just a slight breeze. When I came in Shelby lay next to Tom and he stroked her head. She barked and her tail went a mile a minute. Bill was right. It’s hard not to like a man who my dog adores.

  Tom took his bag and went into the bathroom. I went over and sat at the table. It was covered in all of Tom’s hardware: gun, handcuffs, walkie-talkie, stick, and several items I couldn’t identify.

  He came out dressed in blue jeans and a tan polo shirt. I pointed to the table. “What are you going to do with all of this stuff?”

  “There’s a safe in here, isn’t there?”

  “Yes, but that’s where my gun was.”

  He started picking up the items from the table. “I’ve got a lockbox in the back of my patrol car. I’ll put them there.”

  “Good idea or they might be used in the next drive-by shooting.”

  Tom frowned at me and then went outside to his car. A few minutes later he was back. “Okay, all safely locked away. Do we need to drive or can we walk?”

  “The café is several blocks down, but let’s walk. Shelby needs to get out and stretch her legs, anyway.”

  “Okay. You’re the expert on Clainsworth.”

  I hooked Shelby up to her leash and we walked to the café. As we got to the front door, Tom asked, “Aren’t you going to tie Shelby up outside?”

  “No, she can go in as long as she stays under the table.”

  “I think that’s a health code violation.”

  “Nah, come on.”

  We went into the café and the hostess took us to a booth in the back. Shelby scooted under the table. Tom glanced at the dog and shook his head.

  I shrugged. “That’s life in a small town.”

  “I live in a small town, Liza. We don’t let dogs in our eating establishments.”

  “Maybe you should.”

  The waitress came over and handed us each a menu. I gave mine back to her. “I’ll have an apple pot and a Diet Coke.”

  She looked at Tom and smiled. “And you, sir.”

  “I’m hungry. I didn’t get dinner yesterday.” He glanced at me and smiled.

  Tom ordered a three-egg ham and cheese omelet, four strips of bacon, country potatoes and an apple pot for dessert.

  The waitress looked at me. “Do you want your apple pot first or do you want to wait until he gets his?”

  “I’ll wait,” I said, smiling at Tom. “We should enjoy them together.”

  The waitress left and came back quickly with our drinks. A few minutes later Kate and Ted came into the café. They waved and then joined us.

  “Is this Tom?” Kate asked.

  Tom looked at me and then at the kids. “Did you tell everyone about me?”

  “No. Word just travels fast in this town.” I introduced Kate and Ted to Tom and asked them to join us.

  “Thanks,” Kate said as she took the seat next to Tom. “And you’re quite handsome.”

  “Thank you,” Tom replied and smiled.

  “You’re welcome.” Kate looked around Tom at me. “I hear the stupid cops picked you up.”

  “See?” I said to Tom. “Even the locals think the cops are stupid in this town.”

  He frowned and Kate laughed. “Cops, they always stick together.”

  I turned to Ted next to me. “You’re awfully quiet, today.”

  Before he could speak, Kate answered for him. “He’s still upset about being shot at yesterday.”

  “Oh my goodness! You were one of the kids that were shot at?”

  He nodded.

  “He’s fine,” Kate replied. “He just needs to get psyched up for the next eating contest and forget about the gunshots.”

  “That’s right,” I said. “It’s French fry day.”
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br />   “Yes. It’s not one of my favorite events. The fries get stuck in my throat sometimes.”

  “Ah,” Kate reached across Tom and me and slugged Ted. “You’re fine. How about I promise to go to the top of the hill with you after the contest?”

  Ted’s eyes lit up. “Would you?”

  Kate leaned over, kissed him gently on the cheek, and whispered loud enough for Tom and me to hear, too. “Of course.”

  “Great.” He glanced at his watch. “We better head over to the festival and get ready for the event.” He stood up and waved at us. “See you later.”

  “That’s my boy.” Kate got up and turned to Tom. “It was nice meeting you. Are you staying for a while?”

  He glanced at me and then back to Kate. “Probably.”

  Ted was already half way to the door and Kate strolled behind him.

  “What’s the top of the hill? Is it a local place?”

  “I don’t know. But I suspect it’s a make-out place.”

  “Ah.” Tom smiled. “I’d eat a ton of French Fries if you’d take me there.”

  I rolled my eyes. A few minutes later Tom’s food arrived. I helped him eat his potatoes. They weren’t as good as Rogan’s fries but they were okay if you put enough ketchup on them.

  A few minutes later, the waitress brought our apple pots. I pointed to Tom’s. “Here’s that million dollar apple pot.”

  “I can’t wait.” Tom ate his entire apple pot without saying a word. When it was empty, he put down his fork and leaned back. “Okay, I have to admit that’s the best apple cobbler I’ve ever eaten.” He picked up the pot and turned it around in his hands. “But a million dollars?”

  “Oh, that’s a cheap pot. The expensive ones have gold, silver, and jewels inlaid into the handles.”

  “How much do those cost?”

  “I don’t know. You can’t buy them.”

  “Wait a minute. You can’t buy them, but they sell them and make millions of dollars.”

  “Yes. They’re only distributed through wholesalers.”

  I sat back in the booth and picked up my apple pot. “Do you think there’s any way to smuggle something in an apple pot?”

  “Like what?” Tom asked as he took a sip from his Coke.