by Joyce Tremel
“Yes, I did,” she said. “You’ve done so much for me—letting me put my museum down here. It was the least I could do.”
“If anything, I’m the one who owes you,” I said. “If it hadn’t been for you, I never would have known any of this existed.” I smiled again. “Plus, I accused you of murder once. I definitely owe you.”
“Well, I didn’t have very nice things to say to you, either. Let’s just call it even.”
“Agreed.” We chatted for another minute or two and she showed me some of the other displays she’d been working on. I couldn’t wait for the public to have a look at some of this. When we finished, I took my gift upstairs and got back to work.
• • •
I hadn’t been in the pub for long when Jeannie pushed through the door of the kitchen. “Got a minute?” she asked.
“Always for one of my favorite cooks.” I put down the spray bottle of disinfectant cleaner I’d been using.
“We need you in the kitchen for a minute,” she said.
Uh-oh. I hoped there wasn’t a problem. “Is something wrong?”
Jeannie smiled and my fears were eased. “Nothing at all. We have something for you to try, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I think I was annoying Jake because I kept asking when you’d be stopping in. He finally suggested I come and get you.”
I smiled back. “It must be something good then, if you’re that anxious for me to try it.” I quickly rinsed the cleaner off my hands and followed her. In the kitchen, the aroma of onions, bacon, and German sausages was unmistakable. For a brief moment I was transported back to Germany. “Oh, wow,” I said.
Jake grinned. “It’s a little preview of the Oktoberfest offerings. I was trying to hold off until lunch, but Jeannie couldn’t wait.”
I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was just before eleven. “I’d say it’s close enough to noon.”
Kevin had three kinds of sausage on the grill. He cut samples for all of us and put them on plates. There was a pan on the range and Jeannie spooned out some German potato salad and placed it on the plates.
I must have been hungrier than I thought because I cleared my plate in record time. “What did you do to the wurst?” I asked Jake. “It was delicious.”
“Marinated it in your brown ale,” he said.
“We tried it in the lager first,” Kevin chimed in, “but the ale gave it more flavor.”
“These are going to be a big hit. Maybe we should consider adding them to the menu full time.” I put my plate in the sink. “I’d better go finish up before we get busy.”
Jeannie put a hand on my arm. “We have one more thing.”
Jake opened one of the refrigerators and lifted something out. It was a round plate with a tall stainless steel cover over it. I couldn’t see what it was. He placed it on the counter.
“Dessert?” I said.
“An Oktoberfest dessert,” Jake said. He lifted the cover.
It was a beautiful Black Forest cake.
Jake said, “It’s Kurt’s recipe.”
“Oh, my.” I couldn’t get any other words out. Tears filled my eyes. This was the dessert Kurt had been trying to perfect when he’d been murdered. I thought about arriving at the pub that night and finding a bowl of cherries and whipped cream on the counter. About how I’d been angry with him because he hadn’t been here after he’d called me to come down because he knew who had been vandalizing the brew house. He would have loved seeing his finished product. I found my voice. “It’s gorgeous.”
Jake put his arm around me. “I hope you’re okay with it. I thought since you were brewing Kurt’s Oktoberfest beer, it was appropriate.”
I smiled up at him through my tears. “It’s wonderful. I wish I’d thought of it. Thank you.”
Jake leaned down and kissed me.
Kevin cleared his throat. “Do you want to take that somewhere else? Between that and the cake, it’s a little sickeningly sweet in here.”
We all laughed at that.
Jake squeezed my shoulder. “I guess we’d better get back to work. Can’t let the boss see us slacking off.”
“I think I’ll let it slide this time,” I said. I left the kitchen with a smile on my face.
• • •
I was beginning to get nervous when I hadn’t heard from Candy by two o’clock that afternoon. I called her cell phone but hung up when her voice mail picked up. I considered calling my dad to see what was going on, but he wasn’t likely to know much since it wasn’t his case. I hoped she had told Mitch everything. And that he believed her. If I hadn’t known her so well, I’m not sure I would have believed that story coming from a woman who looked more like someone’s grandma than a former secret agent.
I was putting some glasses away behind the bar a half hour later thinking about calling her again, when she and Tommy came through the door. I waved to them and pointed to two empty stools at the end of the bar. They crossed the pub and Tommy held the back of one of the seats for Candy, then took the other seat. They both looked tired—especially Candy. Tommy was still dapper despite the circles under his eyes. He wore the same suit as last night minus the bowler hat and umbrella. Candy was dressed in her usual black and gold, but she’d toned it down for her interview with the police—plain black pants, pale yellow blouse, and a black blazer.
I was dying to hear what happened, but I played the good hostess first and asked them what they wanted to drink. I asked them if they were hungry and they both told me no.
After I drew a stout for Tommy and an iced tea for Candy, I said, “I’ve been trying to call you.”
“I’m sorry about that,” Candy said. “I only noticed a little while ago my phone was out of juice.”
“How did everything go?”
“It’s hard to say,” Candy said. “I answered a million questions—more than once, I might add—and I got a strong reprimand.”
“So you’re in the clear?” A feeling of relief washed over me.
Candy and Tommy exchanged glances.
“Not quite,” Tommy said.
I didn’t like the sound of that. The relief I’d felt seconds before disappeared. “What do you mean?”
“Detective Raines said I was free to go,” Candy said. “He didn’t come right out and say so, but I got the impression I shouldn’t leave town.”
“You can’t be serious,” I said. “What did he say when you told him about Felix?”
They looked at each other again and Tommy spoke up. “Candace and I decided that it was better to keep Josef’s identity to ourselves for the moment.”
“That’s ridiculous. Why would you do that?” I said to Candy. “Felix or Josef or whatever his name is, is probably the person who killed Doodle. The police need to know this wasn’t a random act and they certainly need to know you had nothing to do with it. Doodle was targeted because he knew too much. You should have told Mitch everything.”
Candy rolled her eyes. “Don’t have a conniption, Max. You’re right that Josef might have killed Doodle, but if I told Detective Raines everything I told you—and by some miracle he actually believed me—he’d bring Josef in.”
“Of course he would,” I said. “That’s what he’s supposed to do.”
“We don’t want that to happen,” Tommy said. “Not until we know why Josef is here and why he killed that man. If he is taken into custody, we’ll never learn the truth.”
I didn’t believe that. “You don’t know that. If he killed someone, he belongs in jail. And what about your safety, Candy? Don’t forget that Felix recognized you. He could be coming after you as we speak.”
Tommy downed the last of his stout. “We’ve taken precautions.” He patted my hand. “I won’t let anything happen to Candace. You have my word.”
He sounded sincere, but I didn’t know how he could possibly be sure of that.
“You’d better be right.” I shook my index finger at him. “If you let anything happen to Candy, you’re going to have to answer to me.”
Tommy grinned, and Candy laughed and said, “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”
I didn’t think it was funny. “I’m serious.”
Candy leaned over the bar and gave me a one-armed hug. “I know you are and I appreciate it. There’s nothing for you to worry about. I will be perfectly safe. You’re still having that meeting tonight, aren’t you?”
I nodded.
“Good. We’ll tell you all about our plan then.”
I watched them leave. Despite their reassurances, I was still worried. If Felix killed a man just for knowing too much, nothing was going to stop him from going after the woman who had shot him. Tommy may have been good at his job, but that was years ago and he was only one person. He was going to need help. He didn’t know it yet, but Candy’s friends were going to give it to him.
CHAPTER NINE
“Let’s get this show on the road,” Elmer said.
It was ten minutes after eight and Kristie, Daisy, Elmer, and I were sitting at a table in Jump, Jive & Java waiting for Candy and Tommy. Jake had gone to play pickup hockey, but I had promised to fill him in later.
“You know what Candy would tell you, Elmer,” Kristie said.
“Yeah, she’d tell me we waited long enough.”
Kristie shook her head. “Nope. She’d say, ‘Keep your shirt on.’”
I grinned. “And Tommy would say, ‘Don’t get your knickers in a twist.’” I knew it didn’t mean be patient, but it’s all I could come up with that quickly. At least my British accent wasn’t all that bad.
Daisy got into the act, too. “I have one. Hold your horses.”
We continued in that vein with each suggestion becoming more and more ridiculous, and when Candy and Tommy entered a few minutes later, we were laughing so hard I had tears running down my cheeks.
“What’s so funny?” Candy looked at Tommy, then back at us. “On second thought, I don’t want to know.” They each pulled out a chair and sat down. “Let’s get this show on the road,” she said, which was the same thing Elmer had said that started this whole thing. It was several minutes before we could control ourselves.
I wiped my eyes with a napkin. “Sorry about that. And you’re right—you don’t want to know.”
Candy introduced her ex-husband to everyone, and before we knew it, Tommy and Elmer began exchanging stories. Candy nudged Tommy with her elbow. “You and Elmer can compare notes later. We have more important things to discuss right now.”
“Bossy woman,” Elmer said. “I see now why you two ain’t married anymore.”
I interrupted before things got any more out of hand. We’d wasted enough time already. Even though I’d given the others the basics, I asked Candy and Tommy to bring them up to date. Each time Elmer interrupted, he got the look from Candy and promptly shut up. They didn’t go into quite as much detail as they had last night with Jake and me, but they made their point—Felix/Josef was dangerous. When they’d finished, I asked how we could help.
Candy tapped her fingernails on the table. “I don’t want you to do anything other than keep your eyes open. Call me if you see Josef. It’s only a matter of time before he realizes he really does know me, if he hasn’t figured it out already.”
I knew that’s what she’d say. There was no way I was going to let her and Tommy deal with this situation themselves. It was much too dangerous. I was still a little put out that she’d held back the information about her past and what happened with Felix when she met with Mitch Raines. If she had told him everything, we wouldn’t be in this position at all. The police would be handling it.
“No dice,” Elmer said. “You’re always butting into everyone else’s business, it’s about time we butt into yours.”
“Elmer!” Daisy said.
He’d never in a million years admit that he was fond of Candy, and this was his way of saying he wanted to help. “What he means,” I said, “is that you’re always the first to help any of us out, so we’re not going to let you do this alone.” Elmer didn’t correct me, so I knew I was right. “And there’s no point in arguing with me, or any one of us. It won’t do you any good. We’re helping, and that’s that.”
Candy leaned back and crossed her arms. “Well. I guess you told me.”
Tommy had been mostly silent until now. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “I know you all mean well, but I can’t allow it. As a matter of fact, I won’t allow it.”
“And who put you in charge?” Elmer said. “I don’t take orders from anyone. I’ll do what I want.”
“And that’s your right, mate. But Candace and I will not involve amateurs in this endeavor.”
Elmer leaned across the table toward Tommy. “Just who are you calling an amateur? I was jumping into enemy flak when you were in diapers. If it weren’t for the good old U.S. of A., you limeys would be speaking German right now.”
Candy slapped her hand on the table. “Oh, for goodness’ sake. Stop acting like five-year-olds. Both of you.”
Elmer sat back in his seat again.
“Sorry, love,” Tommy said. “But I stand by my reluctance to involve anyone else in this.”
“You need our help,” I said. “You can’t deal with this alone.”
Candy put her hand on Tommy’s arm. “Maybe we should rethink this. You don’t know my friends like I do. Max has found not one, but two murderers before the police did.”
“She’s right,” Kristie chimed in. “If you don’t accept our help, we’ll just go renegade on you.”
“Yeah. I kind of like that idea,” Daisy said with a grin. “Max’s Marauders go rogue.”
Tommy was quiet for a moment before he spoke up. “I must say, Candace, your friends are quite loyal. I see now why you speak so highly of them.”
“Does that mean you’ll accept our help?” I asked.
“With certain caveats,” Candy said.
I wasn’t sure what that meant exactly. “Do you have a plan?”
Kristie slipped out of her chair. “Before we start talking strategy, let me get everyone something to drink.” She took our orders and Daisy got up to help her while Candy and I listened to Tommy and Elmer try to one-up each other with their tales of danger. There was a lot of eye-rolling back and forth between Candy and me. Fortunately, Kristie and Daisy returned with refreshments before either one of us ended up with headaches.
Candy sipped her iced tea then leaned back in her seat. “While the menfolk were yapping, I did some thinking.”
I expected some kind of retort from Elmer or Tommy at this, but both were silent.
“Tommy and I had a plan but I want to change it slightly,” she continued. “First, we know that Felix or Josef is a member of the band Max has hired to perform at her pub in a little over a week. And we know that they’re now without a tuba or sousaphone player.” She looked at me. “Will they cancel because of that?”
I shook my head. “No. I don’t think so anyway. I called Bruce Hoffman to offer my condolences and he told me they were still planning on playing.”
“Good,” Candy said. “Since you already have an ‘in’ with them, maybe you could talk to him again. That will work better than me giving him a call. Find out where—or if—they’re performing somewhere this coming weekend.”
“I can certainly do that.”
Candy continued. “If they are, Tommy and I will show up at the venue.”
“Like hell you will,” Elmer said. “You two do that, and you give away the whole deal. He’ll recognize you for sure.”
“I suppose you have a better plan, old man,” Candy said.
“Darn tootin’ I do.” He pushed his cup aside and leaned on the table. “The band members know all of yinz, and th
at Felix fellow definitely knows you two. On the other hand, they’ve never seen me before.”
He did have a point.
“Max can find out where they’re going to be. I can go and talk to them on the pretense of wanting to hire them. I’ll get talking to Felix and buy him a drink or two. Your old pal won’t suspect an old geezer like me is trying to get information from him.”
It was a great idea. I wished I’d thought of it.
Tommy shook his head. “I don’t like it. It’s one thing you all wanting to help, but you can’t do this on your own. I won’t put civilians in danger.”
Candy put her hand on his arm again. “Tommy dear, we’re all civilians now.”
He sniffed. “I’m still a consultant. And I still have a security clearance. I haven’t been completely put out to pasture.”
“Like I have, you mean,” Candy said.
“That’s not what I meant, love. I mean that I’m still in touch with operatives all over the world. I can get help at a moment’s notice.”
Candy removed her hand from his arm. “You’re not the only one with contacts, you know.”
“Can you two have your lovers’ spat later?” Elmer said. “We have work to do.”
I took up the conversation. “I think Elmer’s idea is a good one. He’s right that if we all go in as a group, Candy is bound to get Felix’s attention again. And no offense, Tommy, but if he sees the two of you together, he’ll definitely make the connection.”
Candy nodded. “She’s right.”
“Perhaps,” Tommy said. “But I still don’t care for it.”
“It’s really the best option at the moment,” I said.
Tommy was silent again. Just when I thought he was going to refuse our help for the last time, he sighed. “It appears I’m outnumbered.”
Candy patted his hand. “You’ll get used to it.”
We spent the next hour discussing strategy and made our plans for the weekend. First thing tomorrow morning I’d call Bruce Hoffman and set things in motion. If all went as planned, we’d know why Felix was in town and maybe even know who killed poor Doodle.