Toxic Troubles (An East Pender Cozy Mystery Book 11)

by Leona Fox

  When they had finished talking to all of them, Andy and Kelly walked out of the mill and Andy shook his head.

  “She's sure got her work cut out for her,” he remarked, as the workers of the mill were an insular group and Emily was an outsider.

  As they had walked around the mill they had heard comments and mutterings about the fact that Emily was now in charge, and she would have to show a great deal of authority to master them. They went back to the car and both of them sighed with frustration. Although they had spoken to a great many people there was not any more hard evidence. It was exactly as Billy had said; many of them had grievances with Ray but they certainly weren't enough for murder.

  “I really thought we would have found something here,” Kelly said.

  Scampy rested in the backseat as the car drove off, back to East Pender where they had nothing but speculation waiting for them. Still, as they drove away from the mill Kelly couldn't help but think that someone was hiding something. Remembering what Ellen said about trusting her instincts, she kept in mind everything she had heard that day and vowed to explore it further.

  “It'll just take a little more time,” Andy said, but both of them knew time was in short supply. The longer they took to find the real killer the longer Ellen was going to have to stay in jail.

  Meanwhile, The Chrome Cafe was closed and, as a result, Maggie's was growing in popularity. People gathered there had been Ellen’s customers and they were getting used to the place. Much of the gossip in the cafe was of the recent death and Maggie was eager to encourage the theory that Ellen had been responsible. People couldn't believe it, and she saw for herself the loyalty and respect that Ellen had engendered over the years. It would take a great deal of time to completely erode the goodwill that Ellen had built up over the years, but while she was unable to defend herself, and the longer she stayed under arrest, the more people began to wonder if there was not some truth to it.

  Meanwhile, Ellen remained in her cell, trying to keep her mind clear of all troubled thoughts. She lay on her bed with her eyes closed, trying to work her way through the crime as well. She did not have the information about the mill that Andy and Kelly had, nor did she know that Emily was back in town. She did know one thing for sure, though. She was not the murderer, which meant that someone out there wanted Ray dead. But why, and who? These questions lingered on in her mind as the long hours passed and night turned into day. She knew that at some point she would be cleared and then she would be let loose on the criminal, and she would make them pay for what they had done.

  Chapter 6

  Andy was sitting in his office in the police station with his jacket hanging over the back of his chair and his shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He was reviewing the autopsy report again, trying to see any clues he may have missed. There had not been another murder. He had looked at recent crime reports to see if there had been any similar crimes in the area but there had been none. So this was definitely a case where Ray had been a specific target, either because the murderer intended on killing him or because he happened to be the unlucky random customer dining at Ellen's cafe.

  While Andy was alarmed there were no strong suspects yet, he did not think it likely that Maggie was the culprit because the plan was convoluted. However, he couldn't deny that business was booming for her while Ellen was absent from The Chrome Cafe. So she certainly was benefiting from the crime.

  Iris entered the office, and seemed surprised at Andy's casual appearance, although she did not comment on it.

  “I looked into Ray like you said but I couldn't find anything. He had a daughter who lived away from town and she's been notified of the death. He didn't have much in the way of money. He didn't have much in the way of anything really...” she said, her voice trailing off as she handed Andy the official report.

  “Thanks for doing that,” he said, then leaned back in his chair.

  “I was thinking, sir, I know you went to the mill but I wanted to ask you about Emily. I tried to think who would benefit from Ray’s death. And it would seem that Emily has decided to take control of the mill. Perhaps she realized she would rather be in control of the mill after all this time than to have someone else manage things?”

  “I know you're annoyed at the little struggle you two had,” Andy said with a wry smile, “but I hardly think Emily is the type to murder someone. Especially because she owns the mill. If she wanted control she simply could have fired or demoted Ray. Let's not make this case more complicated than it already is, but well done for coming up with theories. I'd like you to work with Kelly. She seems convinced Maggie had something to do with this case. I'm not so sure, but go with her and see what you can find out.”

  “Are you sure sir? I mean, she is only a consultant after all,” Iris said.

  “You need to know one thing now. Consultants are a valuable asset and just because they are not police officers does not mean they have nothing to offer. They often can see things we can't and they also can devote all their resources to a case, while we still have to work on other things. You can learn a lot from Kelly. It's always good to have multiple sources of research,” he said, then looked at her expectantly.

  Iris was about to question him more, for she was unsure about the value of consultants, but she did as her commanding officer said and gave Kelly a call. The two of them met outside Maggie's cafe.

  “How do you want to play this?” Iris asked, trying to hide the skepticism from her voice.

  “For now I think we just should observe. Let's sit in there and see what Maggie does. Maybe she'll say something to give herself away, maybe...hell...maybe we'll get lucky,” she said grimly and pushed the door open, entering the cafe. Iris followed.

  They were greeted by a lively atmosphere. The place was packed. They had to sidle through a number of crowded tables until they found one that was empty. Kelly picked up Scampy and carried him, then sat him on her lap so he would not be harmed by the forest of legs.

  “I'll go grab us a couple of drinks, you hold the table,” Iris said, and she went off to the counter where she ordered a couple of coffees.

  In the meantime, Kelly examined the scene before her. She recognized almost everyone in the cafe and they noticed her too, lowering their voices as they spoke about Ellen and the situation. Kelly was filled with bitterness, for all of these people should have been in the cafe with Ellen. Instead they were here and none of them seemed to care that an injustice had been done. All they cared about was having a place to swill their drinks.

  “You look angry,” Iris said as she returned to the table.

  “I feel like I'm betraying my friend just by being here,” Kelly replied, but she took a sip of coffee all the same, knowing it was for the greater good.

  “Do you really think she did it?” Iris asked in a low voice, gesturing to Maggie. Kelly shrugged.

  “I don't know. All I know is Ellen isn't guilty, so somebody else did it, and right now Maggie obviously is the one benefiting from Ray's death.”

  “Okay, I have to ask. I know she means a lot to you and Andy,” Iris began, “but why is Ellen such a big deal around here? Wherever I've gone people have been talking about the case and at the station all the officers are offering their opinions. Most of them can't believe the chief put her in that cell. But why? She's just a consulting detective.”

  At this Kelly merely smiled, amused by Iris’ naiveté. “Ellen is far from just a consulting detective. She has this way of looking at crimes differently than most people. I don't know what it is about her, but it's like she has this sixth sense. She's helped so many people since she came back to the town but it's more than that. She's just...she's there for people. If you ever needed advice or just someone to listen, then Ellen would be there. I know I'm more than slightly biased because she's my best friend, but she is my best friend for a reason. She's always ready to greet people with an open mind. Like me, now, I'm aware that I can be a little ditsy and I get distracted a lot of the time. A lot of peo
ple don't like this and they just didn't really have much time for me. They just thought I was the crazy artist and I was better left alone, but Ellen actually took the time to talk to me. Of course, it probably helped that at the time she just had moved back from the city and was desperate for company given what was going on with her parents. Yet she put up with me when no one else did and I'm not really sure what I would have done without her. She was maid of honor at my wedding as well and, quite frankly, she's the best person I know.”

  “But I still don't get why the chief wanted her help in the first place? I was taught consultants are a bad idea. A lot of them go beyond the law and take matters into their own hands.”

  “Ellen isn't like that. And I don't know if he'd want me to tell you this or not, but at first Andy shared your concerns. He didn't like working with us either, but the crime happened at the cafe and Ellen wasn't going to sit by and do nothing. It turned out we were instrumental in helping him solve the case. After that Andy was convinced and we've been working with him ever since.”

  Iris nodded, impressed because she knew how difficult it was to make Andy change protocol. She found herself wondering what Andy had been like before Ellen came along, for he rarely spoke of his past. However, that was a question that would need to wait for Maggie came over and interrupted their conversation.

  “I'm surprised to see you here. Given up on your friend already?” Maggie said. Scampy growled at her, but she took no notice. Kelly did the human equivalent.

  “Of course not, but it's a free country. Figured we'd see what this place has to offer while we talk about the case.”

  “I don't know that there's much to talk about. You should just lock up Ellen properly and throw away the key. That's what she gets for trying to ruin my opening night.”

  “Do you really believe that or are you just that stupid?” Kelly said, letting her anger get the better of her. Iris reached out a hand to try calming down Kelly, and looked at Maggie worriedly, but Maggie merely shrugged.

  “I don't really care either way. Look around, business is booming. You think all these people are going to just up and leave even if The Chrome Cafe opens again? Things are changing around here and from what I can tell they're changing for the better. I don't particularly care if Ellen is guilty or not, but if she isn't then she's got a fight on her hands to get people to come back to her. Enjoy your drinks,” she said, giving them a false smile. Kelly boiled with anger and felt the urge to throw her hot coffee all over Maggie.

  Seeing this intention in her eyes, Iris said, “Whatever you're thinking, don't. I'll have to arrest you if you attack her.”

  This made Kelly smile. “You know, you're not so bad after all,” she said. Iris looked a little surprised.

  “Who said I was bad?”

  “Word gets around. A new person comes into town, there's bound to be some talk. People just like to wonder, you know?”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “But anyway, you can't tell me after all that that you don't think Maggie is involved somehow?”

  “I'm not saying she isn't, but just because she's not a very nice person doesn't mean she's a murderer, and the timing of it could have been a coincidence.”

  Kelly looked across the cafe at Maggie, who was laughing heartily with a couple of guests. “Yes, well, if she is guilty I will enjoy putting her away.”

  However, despite her dislike for the owner of the cafe, Kelly had to admit the coffee was good. Maggie got her supply from a local source and it was a rich flavor, although she instantly felt guilty for enjoying herself so much.

  “Come on, let's get out of here. I've had enough of this place. I don't think we're going to learn any more than we already have. We need to find a different lead. There's got to be something that can free Ellen.”

  “The full toxicology report should be filed soon. That should shed some new light on the crime,” Iris said.

  The two women walked out of the cafe and into the empty, quiet streets. Scampy was let back on the ground again and he started walking in front of the women, sniffing the ground.

  “Why has it taken so long?”

  “Small towns like this don't have the facilities. The toxicology test had to done in the city and they're always backed up. It's hard enough to get it quickly when you're there and you can badger them. Cases like these, they get pushed aside. They're not a priority.”

  “I'll never understand how a man’s murder cannot be a priority.”

  “It's not the murder that's the problem, it's the place. People in the city just don't care about places like these. You see it all the time. Most cops who get assigned to small towns hate it, they feel like it's a punishment. Cities are where you get noticed. They are where all the major crimes happen. If you want to make a name for yourself that's where you have to be.”

  “What about yourself? Do you feel like you're being punished by being here?”

  Iris smiled and tossed her head to the side, as she did so a few strands of dark hair flashed across her face. “Not at all, but I'm still young. This is a good place to learn. I'm not going to be here forever. One day I'm going to be in the city and I'm going to be a big deal, but while I'm here I'm going to do the best job I can. I'm going to prove that you can get noticed in a small town.” She spoke with a fierce determination and Kelly could see the willpower of the woman glowing in her eyes. In some ways she reminded Kelly of Ellen.

  * * *

  The investigation was at an impasse. It would take a long time to question everyone at the mill properly but it seemed that was the only thing to do. Andy was sitting at his desk, looking at what little evidence they had but it wasn't enough to form any solid conclusions. Even if they did find out something from the workers it still would be a while before Ellen could be freed, and Andy wanted that more than anything. At the start of this he thought Ellen would be in just overnight, and there would be another suspect or some shred of evidence that would prove beyond doubt that she did not do it. Now he regretted taking her into custody. He probably could have worked out a way to keep her free. Even if she hadn't been able to work on the case, it would have been preferable to keeping her in a cell, but that damn Maggie had stirred up such a scene that he felt he had no other choice than to calm things down.

  Whoever had killed Ray was smart, and whether they had intended to frame Ellen or not, the fact that it happened at The Chrome Cafe had meant the investigation was not as focused as it could have been, or perhaps should have been. However, soon enough Andy got an e-mail from the city. The toxicology report finally was coming through. The rudimentary examination from the town's coroner had given them a little information but this was far more detailed. As he read the report his lips curled into a smile, and he pumped his fist in the air. He printed off the form, tore it away from the printer and ran through to the cell as quickly as he possibly could.

  He ran through the hallway, pushing past all his colleagues. Ellen had been sitting peacefully but cracked her eyes open when she heard the ruckus approaching. Her brow furrowed when she saw Andy barreling down the corridor, and she stood up close to the bars. He was clutching the toxicology report in one hand, and the cell keys in the other. He was so excited that his hands were shaking and it took him a few moments to find the lock, but when he did the key twisted smoothly and the door swung open. He held out his arms and Ellen walked into them. After being apart for so long she fell into his embrace and almost hadn't realized how much she had missed it. His hand stroked her back and they buried their heads into each other’s necks, hugging each other so tightly that everything seemed as though it was going to burst.

  But it only lasted a moment for there was a killer still on the loose and Ellen had some catching up to do. She glanced down at the paper in his hand.

  “You're in the clear. It shows that the poison was in his system for a few hours. It couldn't have been in the meal you prepared, and since you were at the cafe all day and everyone saw you there's no way you could have
committed the crime. Not that I believed you did anyway,” he added. Then, his face fell a little, “I'm really sorry for all of this,” he said.

  “You were just doing your job. It's fine,” she replied, and kissed him tenderly, a promise of what was to come later.

  The two of them walked back out into the station while Andy caught her up on everything they knew so far, which admittedly was little. As it happened they walked out at the same time as Kelly and Iris returned. As Kelly was stepping into the station she was beginning to feel a little worried because Scampy had sensed something and was hurtling across the floor. She went to chase after him then paused for a moment when she saw who he was running to, and she soon joined him.

  When she saw Scampy, Ellen bent down and caught him in her arms, hugging him tightly and kissing his head. Then she hugged Kelly.

  “It's good to see you out, but what happened?” Andy updated them on the report.

  “So all we have to do is find out who was around Ray on that day, who had the opportunity to poison him. I know for a fact that Maggie was going to and from her cafe as she got things ready. She still could be guilty,” Kelly said enthusiastically, but Ellen didn't seem convinced. Scampy was licking her face eagerly and while this usually tickled Ellen and made her happy, she spoke with a melancholy tone.

  “I've come to think that is unlikely. I doubt she could have known when the poison was going to strike, and it's not as if she could have known that Ray was going to be coming into my cafe anyway. If she wanted to make sure someone died in my cafe that night she would have had to poison a lot of people to increase her chances but only one man died. Besides, it doesn't seem like she needs any help in making her cafe a success,” she said.

  Kelly glanced at Iris, for they just had been to the cafe and seen how busy it was, but they did not mention this now. Ellen excused herself, saying she was wanted to get back home for a little while to change clothes and get started on the case.