Georgia Peach Truffle Murder (A Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Book 5)

by Wendy Meadows

  Chapter Fourteen

  After the ambulance left the house and the cops pulled away, hauling Matting, Packard, and Norris off to jail, Hawk and Nikki began walking up the rainy street, back toward Hawk's jeep. “Just a minute,” Dellington called out.

  Hawk and Nikki stopped walking, with his hand on Nikki's shoulder, he turned and looked at Dellington. Haim walked to the limousine and waited. “What do you want?”

  Dellington approached Hawk the way a snake slithers up to a weak animal. “If you value your life and the life of this woman, forget everything that was told to you. Haim and I have the situation under control. Matting, Norris, and Packard will take full responsibly for what has happened. Your only duty is to leave and never look back.”

  “You import illegal immigrants as if these people are nothing more than a tool to use and discard,” Nikki told Dellington, staring directly into his eyes. Ignoring the falling rain and the threat to her life, she continued. “You have no soul, Mr. Dellington. Someday, you will pay for your crimes against humanity.”

  Dellington leaned close to Nikki. “Ms. Bates, my business is making money. I do not care about people. I never have and I never will. People serve one purpose, and that is to work for men like myself. Yes, I hire men to bring me workers... people you call illegal immigrants. These people save me billions in labor costs. And that is the bottom line, Ms. Bates. It's all about money. Money is power. I have the power to let you live or to end your life. I am offering you a chance to live. Of course, if you refuse, I can simply send someone to pay a visit to your son, Ms. Bates... and men to say hello to Chief Daily, Detective. Or perhaps I can send men to pay a visit to your friends Lidia and that sweet girl Tori. Oh yes, we know all about them.”

  Nikki balled her hands into tight fists. “You make me sick.”

  “Go home, Ms. Bates,” Dellington replied with a wave of his hand, “and forget about what you know. If you refuse, I will ensure you suffer a great deal before I end your life. The same applies to you, detective.”

  “We can't fight you,” Hawk admitted, “and I'm sure you can and will carry out your threat. Nikki and I are going home. We have no interest in this case anymore. But know this, you lousy scum bag, there are still good men in this world, and someday, you're going to face off with one of them and that man is going to bring you and Haim to justice.”

  Dellington smiled at Hawk. “Until then,” he said and turned to walk away. “Go home and dry off,” he called over his shoulder.

  “Come on,” Hawk told Nikki.

  Nikki stared at Dellington, as she felt all of her strength leave her exhausted body. Too tired to speak, she took Hawk's hand and walked away into the rainy night wondering what she and Hawk had really accomplished? Dellington and Haim won the battle. She and Hawk lost. That was life, though, Nikki concluded. You didn't always win a case. In the end, people lived, people died, some bad guys went to jail, others remained free, and the heroes walked away into a rainy night.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Two weeks later, Nikki walked into the kitchen of her cabin wearing her pink, fuzzy robe. Yawning, she made a fresh pot of coffee. Hearing someone knock on the back door, she called out: “Door is open, Hawk. Come on in.”

  Hawk opened the back door and walked in carrying a box of donuts and a newspaper. Smiling from ear to ear he hurried to the kitchen table and sat down. “I have to show you something.”

  “Oh honey,” Nikki complained, “it's too early in the morning for me to see you wearing that bright, orange jersey. Show me anything but that.”

  “Funny,” Hawk told Nikki opening the newspaper. “Sit down, Ms. Pink Bunny.”

  Nikki glanced down at her robe. “I guess we do make quite the fashionable pair,” she told Hawk. Before sitting down, she kissed Hawk on his forehead.

  “What was that for?” Hawk asked staring up into Nikki's eyes.

  “Just because, you big lug,” Nikki smiled and sat down. “So what is so important?” she asked, opening the box of donuts. Examining the contents, she decided on a simple glazed donut.

  Hawk drew in a deep breath of the brewing coffee. “Well,” he smiled showing Nikki the front page of the newspaper, “read and you will see.”

  Nikki leaned forward and read the headline. “'Dellington and Haim die in jet crash',” she read aloud.

  Hawk beamed happily. “The article states the private jet those two vermin were flying in had crashed due to sudden engine trouble. They crashed and burned over the Rocky Mountains. Ironically, the two pilots lived. Only Dellington and Haim were killed.”

  Nikki sat back in her chair. “Hawk, do you think someone sabotaged their jet?”

  Hawk shook his head. “I don't think so,” he answered. Grabbing a chocolate donut, he stood up. “It's possible, but I really think the jet crashed due to actual engine problems. The pilots stated in the article that the engines suddenly lost power. The jet was flying through a storm.”

  “Poetic justice,” Nikki smiled up at Hawk.

  “Seems that way,” Hawk smiled back. “Anyway, now that our morning has begun on a positive note, I have some more good news for you. Since you have declined your position at the newspaper and have decided to begin writing books, I have made a decision.”

  “Oh?' Nikki asked intrigued. “Okay, you big lug, do tell.”

  Hawk munched on his donut. “Before you begin writing your book, I have decided that we need to take a trip. Remember, we still haven't sipped ice tea on a back porch watching lightning bugs play or explored your hometown, either. So I talked to Pop, and he's allowing me some personal time off.” Hawk finished off his donut, reached into his back pocket, and pulled out two plane tickets. “We leave this afternoon so you better start packing. I have the rental car all set and two rooms reserved at a hotel in your hometown for one whole week. Now before you begin fussing, I didn't pay a cent for the trip. This trip is compliments of Pop.”

  “Chief Daily... really?” Nikki asked, amazed.

  Hawk nodded. “I told Pop all about how you saved my life out on Long Island when you smacked William upside the head with that stick. He figures he owes you one.”

  Nikki couldn't believe her ears. Standing up from the kitchen table, she poured two cups of coffee. “I... well, please tell Chief Daily thank you for me, Hawk.”

  “What's the matter?” Hawk asked watching Nikki sit back down at the kitchen table and slide one cup towards him, wrapping her fingers around the other. “I thought you would be excited.”

  “Sit down,” Nikki told Hawk, patting the kitchen table. Hawk walked to the kitchen table and sat down. “Hawk, I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but I don't want to go back home right now. My son is coming here next week. I... I miss Georgia, I really do, but this is my home now. You, Lidia, Tori... Chief Daily... you guys are my home, now. Someday we'll visit Georgia, sip ice tea, catch a few lightning bugs... but for now, it's nice being home. You see, as much as I miss Georgia, I am looking forward to autumn in Vermont. I am excited about seeing the leaves change colors, taking walks on brisk autumn evenings, sipping hot apple cider, snuggling in front of the fireplace. I'm excited about covering my store with autumn decorations. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can always look back, but I also want to look forward to the life I have in Vermont now.”

  Hawk nodded. “Nikki, you are an amazing woman, do you know that? Here I was worried that you might move back to Georgia. I told Pop if you did, I would move with you.”

  “Really?” Nikki asked.

  Hawk rubbed the back of his neck and blushed. “Well, yeah... I... would miss you, Nikki.”

  “You big lug,” Nikki said affectionately. “Say, how about I make us a picnic? We can go up to the lake at the Elk Horn Lodge, eat, and take a paddleboat out on the lake. It's Labor Day. The store is closed. Lidia is with Herbert and Tori is antique shopping down state. It's just you and me.”

  Hawk picked up his cup of coffee. He began to think about what he told Nikki while they were tr
ying to solve their last case. He had told Nikki all he wanted to do was sit in her kitchen, drink coffee, and watch her make some of her famous Georgia peach truffles. And now, he was sitting in the kitchen with Nikki. The two of them were safe. Their enemies were dead. Life was good. “Okay,” Hawk said, “but only on one condition. After the picnic, we come back here. I want to sit right here at this table, drink coffee, and watch you make your famous Georgia peach truffles. Afterward, we can make popcorn and watch a movie.”

  “Deal,” Nikki smiled. Hearing the phone ring, she excused herself. “Hello? Oh, hi Lidia... what? Oh dear... of course, we'll drive right down! Hawk is here with me… we'll hurry...” Nikki hung up the phone.

  “What?” Hawk asked alarmed.

  “Herbert got mugged,” Nikki told Hawk in a dazed voice. “He was standing outside an antique store; a man walked right up in broad daylight and mugged him. Herbert resisted, and the man knocked him over the head with a gun. He's at the hospital now, getting a few stitches. Lidia wants us to drive down and be with her.”

  Hawk sighed. “Maybe someday we'll get to have some peace. Come on, we have friends who need us.”

  Nikki began to walk out of the kitchen when the back door opened. Chief Daily stepped into the kitchen, holding a cup of coffee. “I'm glad I caught you, too,” he said.

  “What's the matter, Pop?” Hawk asked.

  “Well, nothing so far. There was a prison break in upper New York. Twenty-four convicts escaped. Some of them might be heading our way.”

  “Maybe that's who mugged Herbert?” Hawk suggested to Nikki.

  “Herbert was mugged?” Chief Daily asked with a chuckle. “Old Herbert was mugged, now there's one for the papers.”

  “Pop, the guy got knocked over the head with a gun! He's at the hospital getting some stitches,” Hawk said, “it's not funny.”

  “Maybe not to you,” Chief Daily laughed. “Anyway, son, I'm afraid I have to cancel your vacation. I'm going to need you around town for now. Sorry.”

  Hawk looked at Nikki. “Still want me to be your big lug?”

  “Of course, I do,” Nikki beamed. “I'll go get dressed.”

  Walking into her bedroom, Nikki sat down on her bed. For a few minutes, she stared out of the bedroom window, thinking back to her life in Georgia. She missed her ex-husband, her old house, her old life, and her old friends. She missed chasing stories around Atlanta, finding trouble at every corner. Of course, it was then that she and her husband separated and eventually divorced, causing Nikki to leave Georgia and relocate to Vermont. “I came here to start all over. I have started all over,” Nikki whispered to her room. Smiling, she stood up from her bed and changed into a soft purple dress. “Alright, Nikki Bates,” she said, “let's go check on Herbert and see what kind of trouble we can get into now. As long as you don't give up the fight, you'll win.”

  Nikki walked back into the kitchen. She saw Hawk and Chief Daily talking. Chief Daily looked at Nikki. He smiled a warm, sincere smile at her. “Ms. Bates... Nikki... come here.”

  Nikki walked over to Chief Daily. Chief Daily gently put his right arm around Nikki's shoulder. “Please don't leave us, okay. I've grown fond of you. Yes, we didn't see eye to eye to begin with. I thought you were a black cat, to be honest. But I have come to see the goodness in you. I know I can be a stubborn old mule at times, but that doesn't mean I don't care. I hope you decide to stay, because if you leave, well, I'm afraid it might get a little too boring around here.”

  Nikki began to speak but the cell phone in Chief Daily's pocket rang. Chief Daily answered the call. “Be right down,” he said.

  “What is it Pop?” Hawk asked.

  Chief Daily patted Nikki on the shoulder. “A man just held up the bank. The man's description matched one of the escaped convicts. Ms. Bates, shall we go?”

  “Uh...” Nikki said and smiled. “Let me go be with Lidia first, and I'll meet you later. Hawk, you better go with Chief Daily.”

  Hawk kissed Nikki and hurried out of the back door. Nikki drew in a deep breath. If anything, her new life was certainly not boring.

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  About the Author

  Wendy Meadows is an emerging author of cozy mysteries. She lives in “The Granite State” with her husband, two sons, two cats and lovable Labradoodle.

  When she isn’t working on her stories she likes to tend to her flower garden, relax with adult coloring and play video games with her family.

  Get in Touch with Wendy

  @wmeadowscozy

  AuthorWendyMeadows

  www.wendymeadows.com

  wendy@wendymeadows.com