by K. M. Morgan
“If you’re looking to get a rise out of me, it’s not going to work,” Jackson insisted, barely keeping himself together.
“No. I’m trying to tell you that you aren’t alone. I know what it is like to give my heart to someone and have them break it,” Daisy explained.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“You keep wondering where you went wrong. What you could have done differently.”
Jackson stared off into the distance. “I don’t wonder that. I did everything I could.”
“Yet it wasn’t enough. All you could do was sit here and watch the love of your life slip through your fingers. That has to be one of the worst feelings in the world.”
“You’re not making me feel any better.”
“But look, now that she’s gone, maybe you can finally move on,” Daisy suggested.
Jackson tried to change the subject. “Was there something you wanted from me, other than to rub my face in my break up?”
“Jackson, you do realize you have to move on, right? It’s over between you two.”
“What do you know? You don’t get to decide that.”
Jackson looked like he was about to become unhinged. He wiped tears from his eyes. He was unraveling right in front of Daisy’s eyes. If Daisy thought she was a mess over her own break up with Brent, it was nothing compared to how crazed Jackson was.
“I’m just trying to help you. It’s not healthy hanging on like this. It’s a tough thing to have to deal with, but eventually you have to move on,” Daisy explained.
Jackson wiped his eyes as he fought back more tears. “I think you should go back to work.”
“Suit yourself, but I know I wouldn’t want to be hung up on a murderer.”
Jackson’s face completely changed. He looked in shock. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh come on. Think about it. Chloe was Max’s assistant. She made him coffee constantly. And she loved the man like no other. So when he spurned the idea of getting a divorce from his wife, it lit a fire under her. You have to admit, there’s nothing stronger than a broken heart,” Daisy said.
“That may be true, but Chloe didn’t do this. She’s not like that. She doesn’t have it in her.” Jackson insisted.
“How do you know?”
“Trust me, I know her,” Jackson sniffled again.
Jackson was back on the brink again. His emotions were about to boil over. He was a one man emotional wrecking crew.
“I guess I’ll have to take your word for it. You knew her better than anyone here…other than Max that is,” Daisy said.
Jackson’s eyes opened wide at that statement. But while he was a volcano of emotions on the inside, he struggled to keep his cool on the outside. He glared at Daisy while he searched for the right words to reply with.
Just then, Peter Simpson came out of his office.
“Daisy, I need to talk to you in my office,” Peter said.
“Just one second,” Daisy replied.
“This really can’t wait,” Peter insisted.
Daisy sighed and walked over to Peter’s office while Jackson stewed at his desk.
***
Peter was all business and didn’t look the least bit happy. He stared Daisy down. A sense of dread came over her when she thought about why. Amber no doubt told him about the discussion they had earlier.
Peter surprised her by bringing up a completely different topic. “How is the redecorating going?”
“Good,” Daisy answered.
Peter’s eyes opened wide. “Oh really? Have you gotten much done today?”
Daisy stammered as she answered. The truth was, she’d done very little decorating today. The bulk of her day so far was spent sleuthing. “Not exactly.”
“That’s what I thought. Which is rather surprising to hear, considering that is the only reason you have to be in the office.”
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I’ve just had a lot going on.”
“I know. What I don’t understand is what you think you’re doing sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“Amber told you about our conversation, didn’t she?” Daisy asked.
“Ms. McDare, I suggest you get back to work and finish redecorating this office. Otherwise, I might have to cut your work short. Do you understand?”
Just when Daisy thought it was safe to rule Peter out as a suspect, he did something like this. Peter’s defensive tone did him no favors. Nor did the all too cold look in his eyes.
“What’s the matter? Are you afraid of what I might dig up?” Daisy asked.
“Don’t test me. I won’t think twice about kicking you out of this office.”
“I know you won’t. And if you do, I’ll head right over to the police station and spill my guts. It’s not like you and Amber aren’t without motives--or secrets for that matter.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, I’m just stating the truth. If you and Amber are innocent, you have nothing to worry about. As a matter of fact, you should welcome me poking my head around,” Daisy explained.
“Why should we do that?” Peter asked.
“Because the real killer is still out there. I know it in my heart. And there’s no telling who they could be coming for next.”
Peter stared Daisy down. She could see the red in his eyes.
“I think we should both be getting back to work now,” Peter said. His eyes bored into her.
“That man has ice in his veins instead of blood,” she thought as she left his office.
Chapter Seventeen
The rest of the day Daisy kept a low profile and focused on redecorating the office. She still kept her eyes and ears open for clues however. Besides, she had practically given everyone at the office the once over.
There was still one person that Daisy needed to talk to, but she had to visit that person at home. So when her work day was over, Daisy did just that.
“What are you doing here?” Chloe asked.
As Daisy stood on Chloe’s front doorstep, she saw a woman at rock bottom. Chloe looked like she hadn’t gotten out of her pajamas all day. There was a chocolate stain on her top and alcohol on her breath.
It was amazing to think how much her life had changed in the span of a week. Seven days ago, she was happily having an affair with Max Cash thinking he might leave his wife to be with her. Now she was heartbroken, out of a job, and smelling like cheap booze.
“I just wanted to say sorry for what happened to you,” Daisy replied.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine,” Chloe insisted.
What an ironic statement, coming from someone who looked like a complete train wreck.
“Are you sure about that?”
Chloe leaned in and drunkenly whispered to Daisy.
“I have a plan.”
Chloe was looser than Daisy had ever seen her before. The alcohol was doing a lot of talking for her. It seemed like the perfect time to pump her for information.
“What kind of plan?” Daisy asked.
Chloe snickered. “That’s for me to know, and Brooke Cash to groan about.”
Daisy got a pit in her stomach. Revenge was the peskiest of motives. It had a way of nagging at a person until it threw them over the edge. What that the case here?
“I’d be careful if I were you. I wouldn’t want you to do anything you’ll regret later.”
Chloe cackled. “Regret? I’m going to give Brooke what she has coming.”
Was Chloe unknowingly spilling the beans on her plans to kill Brooke Cash?
“What’s that exactly?” Daisy asked.
Chloe actually opened her mouth to answer. How drunk was she?
“I’m going to sue the pants off of her,” Chloe declared.
Daisy furrowed her brow, expecting a completely different answer. “Sue her? For what?”
“Wrongful termination. I hope she’s ready to open that diamond-encrusted wallet of hers, because I’m about to go diving for dollars.�
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“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
Chloe nodded. “I already hired a lawyer. And let me tell you, he loves money.”
“But you were having an affair with your boss. Don’t you think that muddies the waters a little?”
Chloe got a sour grapes look on her face. “Affair is such an icky word. The fact is, Max and I were in love. The kind of love that Brooke Cash can only dream about. She didn’t deserve him, not with her money grubbing ways.”
“Are you sure Max loved you as much as you loved him? Or when he told you that his wife had threatened him with divorce, did you instead learn that Max felt much different about you than you did about him?” Daisy pressed.
Chloe shook her head and snickered. “You still think I killed him, don’t you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I loved him too much to kill him. If anyone deserved to die, it was his wife who only wanted him for his wallet. I just wanted Max and me to be together.”
“What about Jackson? You know, he’s really broken up about all this,” Daisy said.
“Jackson loves me the same way I loved Max. Problem is, I don’t love Jackson—least not anymore,” Chloe explained.
“Why not?”
“Jackson and I had that kind of young puppy love. But when I met Max, I realized what real love was. That kind of all-consuming love. Jackson is a nice boy, but Max was a man. And once you’ve had a real man, you can’t go back. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have another drink calling my name, and I intend to answer,” Chloe slurred. She let out a big burp and slammed the door.
Daisy was left feeling stumped. She went over to Chloe’s house with a good feeling that she might be the killer. Chloe’s eyes exonerated her however.
Surprisingly, Daisy’s gut told her Chloe was innocent. In her tipsy state, Chloe’s guard was down. The alcohol was like a truth serum. If ever there was a time for a clue to slip out, it was when Chloe was goosed.
Yet there was no sign of a confession anywhere. She actually looked innocent of the murder all of a sudden. Chloe’s eyes were completely clear of guilt.
***
Suddenly Daisy had to go right back to the drawing board. She knew just the place to do it. Sweet Tooth was more than just a place to satisfy her chocolate cravings. It was also sleuth central. So while Daisy’s taste buds gushed over a chocolate cupcake, her mind contemplated the case.
That night she was eager to pick Granny Annie’s mystery-loving mind.
“Annie, have you still been burning through those mystery books?” Daisy asked.
“Actually, I was too busy to play Granny Gumshoe last night,” she answered.
Daisy was visibly deflated.
Samantha then stopped savoring her caramel truffle long enough to jump into the conversation.
“Tell Daisy where you were Granny,” Samantha insisted.
“Saul Silverman got a new hip and was eager to take it out for a test drive, so we went salsa dancing. Ay carumba, what a time we had,” Granny Annie answered.
Samantha smiled.
Daisy laughed. “I can’t believe your eighty year old grandmother has a more active social life than I do.”
“She has a more active social life than both of us combined. Thanks to my long hours here, most of my dates with Trevor are spent with us relaxing on the couch,” Samantha admitted.
Granny Annie had a different take. “Hey, you only retire once. What’s the point of spending your golden years doing anything but having fun?”
“I hope I’m as fun as you when I get to be your age,” Samantha said.
“Follow my lead and good times will follow,” Granny Annie replied.
“Hey Annie, I know you were busy with your salsa dancing, but I was wondering if you might have any more tips for me about solving mysteries,” Daisy wondered.
“Actually, Saul and I were talking about that during our nightcap yesterday,” Granny said.
“You were?” Daisy asked.
Granny nodded. “He wanted me to ask you if you’d looked into the tennis pro?”
“Annie, my job is at a law office, not a country club,” Daisy said.
“Oh, right. In that case, how about the crooked pizza delivery guy? They always smell so funny,” Granny Annie said.
“Again, this case took place at law office, so there isn’t any crooked pizza delivery guy or shifty tennis pro.”
Granny Annie meanwhile checked her watch and untied her apron. “I’m just trying to help. Besides, a pizza could’ve been delivered to the office. See any pizza boxes there? Anyhoo, time for me to be heading out.”
“Another hot date?” Samantha joked.
“As a matter of fact, Saul is taking me a jazz club tonight. I have a feeling I’ll be boogying down all night. Don’t wait up for me,” Granny Annie said.
Granny then scooted out.
Samantha smiled to herself. “No rest for the retired.”
Daisy meanwhile was still caught up thinking of the case. If there was a suspect she hadn’t really grilled that much in the Max Cash murder, it had to be his wife. Brooke stood to gain the most. With Max alive, she had a contentious divorce trial ahead of her. With him dead, she inherited millions of dollars. Not to mention at the time of the murder she was hot and bothered about finding out her husband was having an affair with his legal assistant.
Ever since handing off the day to day operations to Peter Simpson, Brooke hadn’t shown up at the office. Maybe she thought she was safe to fade away into the background, having quietly gotten away with murder. Of course, it was just a theory, but it was one worth exploring.
Samantha had other things on her mind. “So, any update on the hunky dog park guy you met the other day?”
Samantha’s question pulled Daisy’s head out of the clouds.
“Actually, yes,” Daisy replied.
Samantha’s eyes lit up. “Did he ask you out?”
“Oh—no. Nothing like that.”
“Then why do you sound so excited?”
“Because, Gavin is helping me with the case,” Daisy answered.
Samantha was confused. “Wait a minute. You’ve been hopelessly single for months, then you finally meet a hunky guy, but instead of trying to get him to ask you out, you coax him into doing some ex-curricular sleuthing?”
“That sounds about right.”
Samantha scoffed. “Have you lost your mind?”
“No. Although I have caught it wandering off a lot lately,” Daisy joked.
“I’m glad you think this is funny. I mean all I’ve heard you talk about the last six months is how heartbroken you are.”
“Samantha, the man is a professional private investigator. He could be invaluable to solving this case,” Daisy said.
“I know that. I just thought you were more interested in finding someone who could solve the mysteries of your heart,” Samantha replied.
“I am. Don’t get me wrong, Gavin is definitely on my romantic radar.”
“What’s the problem then?”
“You know how much of a hot mess I was when Brent left me?”
“Of course.”
“I wasn’t any good to anyone. I was in no shape to start dating again. Mr. Right could have appeared on a white horse looking to ride into the sunset with me and I would have been too busy bawling my eyes out about Brent to notice,” Daisy explained.
“What does this have to do with hunky dog park guy?” Samantha asked.
“Gavin is still in that phase. And until he stops being an emotional grease fire, he wouldn’t even notice if I was the woman of his dreams.”
“It’s amazing what can happen when love goes wrong, isn’t it?” Samantha said.
“Tell me about it,” Daisy groused.
“Want another pastry? Samantha teased.
“There’s a reason you’re my best friend,” Daisy smiled.
Chapter Eighteen
Up until that point, Daisy had waited for the case to come to her. Sh
e knew it was time for her to come to the case. If Brooke Cash was going to play the silent partner in the law practice from now on, it would be hard to dig up any dirt on her at the office.
Social media however was a different story. Daisy knew Brooke loved shopping. She also apparently enjoyed bragging to her friends and followers on the internet where she picked up her latest purchases on her public page.
That night, she was apparently planning to shop until she dropped at the boutiques on Oak Street. She kept posting about all the deals she was getting as she went from store to store.
What was amazing was there was no indication from her posts that her husband had just been murdered less than a week before. As a matter of fact, she sounded downright cheery.
Daisy couldn’t imagine being so brazen or emotionally bankrupt. If anything, Daisy thought Brooke would be keeping a low profile, just for her image’s sake. This was either the behavior of someone who had nothing to hide, or something who was pretending to have nothing to hide.
Daisy decided to drive over to Oak Street on a hunch. She didn’t know what to expect exactly. Her gut was leading the way on this one.
Everyone at the office was on guard, but as Daisy’s conversation with Chloe proved, things were much different when away from work. As Daisy turned the corner onto Oak Street however, a surprise was waiting for her.
It didn’t take long for her to realize why her gut had brought her here. She spotted Brooke almost immediately. A woman wearing head to toe pink was hard to miss. But Brooke wasn’t alone.
Walking arm in arm with her was a shark in an expensive suit named Tom Timmons. He was an ambulance chaser, a man of unparalleled sleaze. Daisy had seen his ads on television. He referred to himself as “Top Dollar” Timmons and went by one simple motto—“No Case Too Small, No Settlement Too Big.”
Brooke sure had an odd taste in men. Apparently she had a thing for oily, morally bankrupt attorneys. Who knew?
Brooke and Tom walked down the street laughing with each other and seemed to be having a wonderful time. Then Tom leaned over and gave her a kiss.