by Cindy Bell
“They think Brent is involved. I knew they would, as soon as I heard about it.” She shook her head. “I told him to settle things with Connor, to put all of this behind our families, but you know how stubborn my brother is.”
“I do.” Ally laughed a little.
“Still, he may be a little difficult, but he's not a murderer, Ally.” Amelia met her eyes. “You know that, don't you?”
Ally realized she was on the spot. Amelia was there to find out if Ally had provided the detectives with any evidence against Brent.
“I wouldn't think so, Amelia. I really wouldn't.” She frowned. “I'm sorry you and your family are going through this.”
“Me too. I thought maybe we were finally done with law enforcement being involved in our lives, but I guess that is not the case.” She shook her head. “Anyway, I'll take a box of those delicious peanut butter chocolates. They're Brent's favorite. I thought it might cheer him up a bit.”
“What a sweet idea.” Ally began putting together a box of the chocolates.
“I really hope that Julian isn't going to let this case get out of control. It's like people are guilty until proven innocent now.”
Ally was quiet as she put the lid on the box. As much as she agreed with Amelia, she also didn't want to say too much. She didn't want to put herself or her grandmother into a bad position with the police or the people of the town.
“I hope it all gets straightened out fast, Amelia.” She handed her the box. “I hope Brent will enjoy these.”
Amelia nodded. She paid for the chocolates, then walked towards the door. “Thanks for your support, Ally.”
The words hung in the air as the door swung shut behind Amelia. Did Brent have her support? Ally wasn't sure.
“Who was that?” Charlotte stepped out of the kitchen just in time to see Amelia disappearing out the door.
“Amelia Nissle.” Ally raised an eyebrow. “Brent's little sister.”
“Oh boy. What did she want?” Charlotte peered out the front window as Amelia walked past.
“She wanted Brent's favorite chocolates. She's trying to cheer him up. I guess the detectives talked to both of them this morning as well,” Ally said. “She seems pretty torn up by it all.”
“The whole town is.” Charlotte sighed. “Let's call it a day. I don't want to hear anymore gossip about what happened to Connor.”
“Good idea.” Ally nodded. As Charlotte walked towards the door to turn the lock, a shadow fell across the glass. She took a slight step back. “Are you okay?” Ally rounded the front counter as the front door swung open. Luke made his way inside the shop.
“Are you closing?”
“Yes.” Charlotte seemed a little flustered.
“Your hours say you're open until five.” Luke pointed to the list of hours on the front door.
“Well, given what happened to Connor, we thought it might be best to close up.” Charlotte glanced over at Ally. Ally paused beside her grandmother.
“Is there something we can help you with, Detective?” Ally met his eyes with a determination not to be intimidated by him.
“Actually, I brought something that belongs to you.” He drew his shoulders up and looked between the two women. “Something I thought you might be missing.”
Ally resisted a glare. She had a feeling that Luke was up to something.
“What is it then?” Charlotte asked. A touch of annoyance sharpened her voice.
“Your delivery van. The police are done processing it. Julian felt it should be returned to you right away.” He held out the keys. “I guess that's how things are done around here.”
Charlotte took the keys from him. Ally noticed her grandmother's hand tremble as she grasped the keys.
“Thank you,” Charlotte said quietly.
Ally placed her hand on her grandmother's back and rubbed a slow circle. She knew that it had to be hard for her to know that Connor had been out on a delivery for her shop when he was killed.
Luke nodded at both of them and then left the shop. Ally and Charlotte stood close to each other with the keys between them.
“I guess we better go take a look.” Charlotte sighed.
“I can do it if you want, Mee-Maw.” Ally looked at her grandmother with sympathy.
“No, it's okay. I should be there, too.”
The two women walked out through the front door and around to the side parking lot. The small delivery van looked stoic framed by the empty asphalt.
“It's unsettling isn't it?” Charlotte stared at the van.
“Yes,” Ally agreed. She knew that it had to be even more troubling to her grandmother who was used to seeing Connor driving the van.
“I keep thinking there had to be some kind of mistake,” Charlotte said. “You know I've faced a lot of loss in my life, but it never makes sense to me.”
“I guess it's the one thing that never will make sense.” Ally walked towards the van. “I'll take a look inside. Maybe the flowers and chocolates are still in there.”
“Oh dear, the delivery. I never really thought about that. Thanks Ally.” Charlotte stepped back beneath the awning of the side entrance. Ally walked to the front of the van and took a look inside the driver's side window. The window was still rolled down. She thought that was a little odd. Most people were careful enough to roll up a window when they were going to be away from a vehicle for some time. Not only that but the van had air conditioning, so it wasn't really necessary for Connor to have it rolled down, but maybe he just wanted some fresh, country air. It occurred to her that perhaps the police had rolled it down during their inspection of the vehicle.
Ally opened the driver's side door. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the interior. Ally did notice there was some dirt beneath the pedals, but that was to be expected since so many of the driveways were still unpaved in the town. Hanging from the rearview mirror was a tiny rabbit's foot. Ally smiled at the sight of it. She had given it to her grandmother as a gift when she was a young girl. She had hoped that it would bring her grandmother luck. Her smile faded as she realized that had not turned out to be the case at all. She ducked her head back out of the front of the van and closed the door. Charlotte watched as she walked around to the back of the van.
Ally opened up the two heavy doors and looked inside. As she did she smelled the sweet scents of flowers and chocolates. The refrigerated cargo area of the van was completely empty.
“It's not here, Mee-Maw. He must have already made the delivery.”
“We don't know that for sure.” Charlotte walked over to her. “Maybe whoever hurt Connor took the flowers and chocolates, too.”
“Why would they bother to do that?”
“Maybe just to cover their tracks in some way. Or maybe they were hungry.” Charlotte peered inside. “It looks clean as a whistle in here.”
“Is that unusual?” Ally asked.
“Not really. I make sure that Connor cleans the van each night since we transport food in it.”
Ally thought about the dirt she had seen in the front seat. If Connor had climbed into the back to get the gift basket to deliver it, wouldn't he have tracked some of that dirt into the cargo area? Maybe he had left the basket close to the doors so he didn’t have to climb in? She swept a fingertip along the floor of the van. There was not a trace of dust or dirt on it.
“I think you might be right, Mee-Maw, maybe he didn't deliver the basket after all. We should find out for sure.”
“I have some of the chocolate roses left so we can put together another basket with a few other chocolates and some of the flowers in the shop and we can take it over. Just in case the first was not delivered.” Charlotte headed for the door of the shop. Ally lingered beside the van. She wished there was a way to know for sure what had happened to Connor. One thing that really worried her was that Luke and Julian wouldn’t investigate the crime the way they should. Luke didn't have any personal ties to the town or to Connor. Julian's mind was already set on the idea that Br
ent was responsible. However, Ally had a feeling that there was something much more to the crime than a case of a simple feud.
Chapter Seven
Once the gift basket was ready they loaded it into Ally's car. It felt too strange to take the van just yet and the weather was quite cool so the flowers and chocolates would stay fresh without being refrigerated. As Ally drove through Blue River towards the house of the family that had placed the order she noticed that the sidewalks were surprisingly bare.
“Where is everyone?”
“Likely filling up the bingo hall.” Charlotte looked out the window. “Everyone wants to know what's happened. The bingo hall is the place to go to find out.”
Ally and Charlotte spent the rest of the drive to Mainbry discussing new chocolate flavor combinations that they could try. Once Ally pulled into the driveway of the home in Mainbry they had decided to try a mocha and caramelized hazelnut milk chocolate. They weren’t sure if it would work, but it would be fun making it. Just like most of the houses in Blue River and Mainbry, the driveway was dirt. Ally parked right beside the front door. When she and her grandmother reached the front door Charlotte raised her hand to knock, but the door was pulled open before she could.
“Charlotte, I didn't expect you to come.” The red-faced woman smiled at Charlotte. Ally found her vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place who she was.
“Maureen, I wanted to see if you had received your order, I know you needed it to give it as a gift tonight,” Charlotte explained.
“Oh, well, no we didn't.” Maureen shook her head. “I didn't really expect to though, after I heard what happened to Connor, that poor boy.”
“It’s not exactly what you ordered, but we brought you a basket.” Charlotte gestured to Ally.
Ally held up the basket.
“Oh, you two dears. You really didn't have to do that. Come inside please, I've just put some tea on.”
Charlotte and Ally moved inside the house. The front hall was narrow and crowded with small shoes. Ally could hear children running back and forth above them. Charlotte followed the woman all the way to the kitchen. Ally dawdled a little as she studied the home. It reminded her of a closet the way it was narrow and tall. She looked for any sign that Connor had been in the house.
“So, the delivery never came?” Charlotte sat down at an octagon shaped table. Ally stood near the doorway of the kitchen. The kitchen was large compared to the rest of the house, with wide windows that overlooked the backyard.
“No, I'm afraid it didn't. But this is just beautiful. Thank you so much. I'm very sorry to hear about what happened to Connor. In Blue River? It's hard to imagine.” Her lips tensed. “I guess it really is going downhill around here.”
“I wouldn't say that. But it is a terrible thing that has happened. I'm sure the detectives working on it will solve the case.” Ally knew that Charlotte spoke with more confidence than she felt.
“Oh yes, they've already been here. I guess they got the address off the order. Julian was so sweet, but that other guy.”
“Luke,” Ally chimed in as she joined them at the table.
“Yes, he's a bit strange, isn't he?” She shook her head. “I remember when you and Julian would splash each other in the baby pool, Ally. Do you remember that?”
“Huh?” Ally shook her head. “No. When was that?”
“Oh, you two must have been about three. I was watching you both.” She paused and lowered her eyes. “Before your mother passed, when I was still living in Blue River.”
Ally was very surprised. She had no idea that she had ever been watched by this woman, or that Julian had been part of her daily life.
“No, I'm sorry I don't remember.” Ally glanced over at her grandmother, who nodded.
“Oh, of course you wouldn't, you were too young. But you were quite mature for your age when it came to romance.” Maureen giggled. “You were always trying to tackle Julian and kiss him.”
Ally's cheeks burned with blush. “Really?”
“Yes, it was the most adorable thing.” She sighed fondly. “You weren't with me for long, though. Your mother got you into a pre-K program and off you went.”
“Thanks for sharing that with me.” Ally smiled. She wondered if that was why she had such a crush on Julian when she was younger. Even though she didn't actively remember playing with Julian, she must have held onto some fond feelings for him.
“Anyway, I'm sure Julian will get to the bottom of it.”
“Let's hope so.” Charlotte finished her cup of tea. “I'm sorry that the delivery was late.”
“That's quite all right. I appreciate you bringing it.” She walked Charlotte and Ally back to the door. Just as they were stepping out, she leaned close. “Be careful, you two. It's so unsettling to think that there is a murderer on the loose.”
Ally looked at her with slight surprise. She honestly hadn't thought of the situation that way. What if she was right? Was it possible that whoever killed Connor would be on the hunt for another victim? Charlotte gave Ally's hand a squeeze.
“Thanks, we'll be careful.” Charlotte smiled.
***
As Charlotte and Ally drove back to the shop, Ally looked over at her grandmother. “Do you think there could be someone out there just killing for fun, Mee-Maw? I mean, could there be a serial killer?”
“Of course there could be. Blue River is a little town where nothing bad ever happens, so it's the perfect setting for a horror movie.” She laughed. “But I doubt that's what happened here. I think if the police thought it was a planned out murder they would be more concerned.”
“I remember that one of the detectives said that it looked like it was not premeditated. Sounded like it might have been violent.”
Charlotte nodded in agreement.
Once they returned to the shop they made some heart shaped caramel centered milk chocolates for an anniversary present. Ally found the process soothing as she dipped each chocolate.
Once the chocolates were decorated and in the fridge they closed up for the day. Ally's mind drifted to thoughts about the part of her childhood she had spent with Julian. Even then she must have seen something in him that she liked.
Chapter Eight
Around lunchtime the next day Charlotte received a phone call for a special delivery. As she hung up the phone, Ally could see the strain in her face.
“It's hard to get a call for a delivery.” She shook her head. “Normally I'd be right on the phone with Connor.” Her voice trembled a little. “I guess I'll take it.”
“No, Mee-Maw, let me do it.” Ally hugged her grandmother. “I know how hard this must be on you.”
“Thanks Ally.” She kissed Ally on the forehead. “It is such a help to have you here.”
Those words echoed through Ally's mind as she started the engine of the delivery van. She knew that her grandmother wanted her to stay, but Ally wasn't so sure it was the right choice. It felt a bit like running away or going backwards.
Ally knew just about every road in the town, the address on the order was familiar to her, but she couldn’t quite place exactly where the street was. She pulled out the GPS from the glove compartment, but before she could start entering the address she saw that she had to clear out the last destination. Ally presumed it was from the day that Connor was killed because the van had not been used since then. The address in the GPS was different from the address that they had delivered the chocolates and flowers to. The order should have gone to Marigold Lane. Connor had inputted Marietta Lane. Ally found that to be a little strange. Did Connor have another delivery? She didn’t think he had. Did he go to this address for another reason? Had Connor gone to the wrong address for the delivery? The thought weighed on her mind as she drove to the address for her delivery.
It was a small house on the outskirts of town. She parked her car and walked up the porch stairs. When she got to the top of the stairs there was a group of women gathered around a table in the center of the porch. Ther
e was a pot of tea in the center of the table. As Ally walked towards them with the boxes of chocolates, she heard the whispers begin. When she paused beside the group she could hear some of what was being said.
“Should we ask her?”
“How will we ever know if we don't?”
“It seems a bit rude.”
“Rude or not, she was the last person to see him.”
Ally's heart sank as she realized that they wanted to find out about Connor’s death.
“Here are the chocolates.” She set the boxes down on the table between all of them. All of the women grew silent. Ally felt scrutinized as she avoided looking at any of them. “Okay, I'll just be going.” She turned on her heel and began to walk away.
“Wait, please.” One of the women stood up from the table. “I'm sorry this must seem strange to you. We're not trying to be rude, but we love murder mysteries, and we're just so excited to have one in our own town.”
Ally stared at the group. “You can't be serious.”
“Oh, it's not as if we're asking for the gory details, just the facts.” Another woman stood up.
Ally shook her head. “This isn't a book, ladies. This is real. Connor grew up here, just like I did.”
“We know it's real, we just want some information! We want to help figure out what happened to him! What's so wrong with that?” The first woman looked directly at Ally. “How could it hurt to have extra eyes on the situation?”
Ally frowned. “I'm sorry, I don't have any information. If you want to know what's happening with the case you can always check in with the police department. Otherwise, enjoy the chocolates.”
This time she walked out without stopping. She felt a little angry. But more than anything she thought the women were right. Not that they should be studying Connor's death as if it were the book of the year, but that someone needed to find out the truth about what had happened to Connor.
As soon as she got back to the van she decided that she would go to the address that was plugged into the GPS. It was one place that she was almost positive the police hadn't looked. With her doubts about Luke's dedication to finding the truth, she didn't want to count on him or Julian to investigate it on their own.