by Cam Larson
Sweat had drenched my pajamas and my heart beat faster than I had ever known it to before. The bedside clock read two a.m. I changed pajamas and stretched out hoping to go back to a more peaceful sleep. The last thing I saw before finally drifting off was Thor sitting upright next to my bed, on watch.
Chapter Twenty Two
Before I left for work the next morning, I dialed Jason Devine, Jacob’s lawyer. He answered on the second ring and I told him I needed to see him after I closed Roasted Love later. He agreed to meet me at the coffee house.
When Janie arrived after, she looked more relaxed. The exception was when someone walked into the coffee house. Separately, we both hoped James Simms would not choose to be a patron that day.
"Is Eddie coming in to help out?" she asked me.
"Yes, I told him to come every afternoon for the rest of this week. I have an interview set for today with someone who wants a job."
"Will you need me later than two?" she asked.
"No, since Eddie will be here you can go on home when your time is up." I looked at her. She wasn’t offering much conversation. "Are you all right? Has James Simms talked to you again?"
"I’m fine and, no, he hasn’t. He gives me the creeps. I hope he doesn’t come in today."
"You and me both," I said. "I can’t figure out why he is hanging around so much, can you?"
She shook her head in the negative. "Beats me. Maybe he has found out we have better coffee than Sunrise ever served."
"What blows my mind is, why is he not working at the job he was elected for?"
"I guess all politicians have it pretty easy," said Janie.
She picked up the cappuccinos and placed them on the tray. I watched as she served the customers. Her smile was as contagious as ever. Janie was good at her job. She managed bigger tips than any of us. Our patrons liked her. I hoped she hadn’t done anything to jeopardize her position here.
I gave Thor a short run at a few minutes before one before leashing him again. The day was sunny and warm. I was ready for a walk and a change of scenery for my lunch. Mary Lynne was sweeping her stoop in front of Beads and Bangles when I came along.
"I haven’t seen you lately," she said.
"I’ve been busy at Roasted Love. Now I’m ready for one of Sam’s watercress sandwiches."
She smiled at me and told me change was always a good thing for me. Bending to her task she said, "Beware of those in power and those not so high."
"What do you mean?"
Without another word she went into her shop. The sunny day became muddled with questions in my mind. I shook my head knowing Mary Lynne lived in a world all her own. I saw Daniel standing outside Sam’s. I joined him and we headed for my favorite spot.
"It’s about time you came in here," called Sam. "I thought maybe you had found a way to copy my watercress sandwiches."
It was good to feel I was in a normal world again. I tried not to picture Jacob for the moment. Daniel and I sat down and ordered. He chose a Reuben this time. I varied a little with baked garlic chips on the side and opted for a diet coke.
Today I really didn’t want to talk about Michael Simms’ untimely death. I told Daniel my intentions and that I would let him know what Jason Devine had to say after I met with him that evening.
"Okay, let’s just talk about something else then," said Daniel.
"Agreed," I said. "I have someone coming in for an interview for a job today."
"I did notice Roasted Love is getting busier than ever," he said. "I hope whoever it is works out for you."
We talked about his work and how he almost failed his final exam before passing to paramedic status. I asked him if he had brothers and sisters.
"I have one sister who lives in Oregon. She went to college out there, met the love of her life and got married. They were both from New York but loved Portland so much they decided to stay. What about you? Are there any sibling Rooks?"
"No, just me. I came a year after my parents married and I guess I was enough for them. They still live in Atlanta. We moved there for my father’s job when I was around three years old. I was born in Long Island but grew up a southerner."
"I thought I detected a slight accent on occasion," said Daniel.
"I’ve been back in New York since college so I guess I’ve lost most of my southern accent. I found out in college that some people here had no idea what I was talking about so I had to relearn English."
We both laughed and I couldn’t believe how comfortable Daniel made me feel. I told him about my nightmare the night before.
"You sure can dream some fantastic stuff," he said. "I didn’t think info about belladonna would make such an impact on you."
"I didn’t know that either but my dream world sure took over."
Lunch with Daniel passed quickly. I had one hour before the interview. I reached for the ticket.
"It’s my turn," I said when Daniel protested.
"O.K., but I want to hear what Jason Devine has to say when you tell him about the things you found by your trash can."
"I won’t forget."
He offered me a ride but I had time to walk back to Roasted Love and took advantage of the exercise. When I passed Beads and Bangles I saw Mary Lynne at her counter in the middle of a transaction. At Roasted Love there were three cars parked in front. In the kitchen Eddie was donning an apron and tackling the dishes. Janie was getting ready to clock out for the day.
I took over with Lily in the front. A few minutes after Janie left I saw Senator James Simms pull up in front of Sunrise. The realtor’s car parked behind him. Leticia Simms got out of the passenger side of James’ car and the realtor stepped aside for a couple who got out of his SUV.
The fact that Leticia was there didn’t make sense to me. Sunrise did not belong to her so what was her interest? All of them were inside for almost thirty minutes. In the meantime, the customers in Roasted Love had increased in numbers and once again all eyes were glued to Sunrise.
"Lily, let’s start taking orders or these people will think they are here just to watch the show."
We both picked up our pads and pens. Several spectators gave their orders absently. I thought they didn’t really care what they asked for. By now, they knew they couldn’t sit there for free. At least, not with Lily and me pressing them to decide. I went back to the kitchen and asked Eddie to get some more cheese scones ready for the front.
"We need bagels, too," called Lily.
At the same time, a slender young woman approached me. She stated her name was Claire Sexton and she was here for an interview. I quickly told Lily she was on her own for about twenty minutes. When she realized I was going to interview a new server, she readily agreed knowing help was on the way.
Claire told me she was in college and needed a part-time job. She hoped to work full time once holidays came along. She handed me the necessary references. While she filled out initial paperwork, I went to the front to check to see if things were under control.
"It’s thinning out some," said Lily. "The show across the street ended a few minutes ago."
I went back and sat down with Claire who was finishing up the application form. She was personable. I thought she would get along well with everyone just from her first impressions. Her good looks weren’t lost on Eddie who stared at her when she left through the front door.
"She isn’t hired yet, Eddie," I said. "Don’t get your hopes up."
His face turned a shade deeper when I gave him a knowing look and laughed. Of course, it hadn’t dawned on him that once I hired someone he would go back to his former hours. We had discussed that when I gave him extra time but Claire was someone who seemed to take all reason from him.
After closing I brought Thor inside while I waited for Jason. The lawyer arrived right on time and I let him in the front door. Thor ate his dinner in the outer room off the kitchen while we talked.
"I found things that belonged to Michael Simms," I said to Jason. "They were found on the
ground next to Roasted Love’s trash bin. I think whoever took the trash to our bin meant for it to land inside. Maybe whoever it was, was in a hurry and didn’t realize they missed."
"Did you check inside the bin for anything else unusual?"
"I didn’t look but the trash was picked up early as usual. They come around five a.m. My dog actually found the sack on the ground. He tore it open to get a bagel."
At Jason’s request I handed plastic gloves to him. I waited while the dark-haired man bent over the items. Thick hands spread everything on the tabletop. Finally he sat back in the chair and looked at me.
"Laila, you should have given all of this to me before now."
"I haven’t had them long. I called you, didn’t I? Besides, I found the syringe and bottle after the other stuff."
He made me feel like a child who was guilty of getting into the cookie jar and hiding the crumbs. I could only imagine what he did to witnesses on the opposite side in a courtroom. With that thought, I was sure Jacob had chosen the right man for the job.
Jason didn’t feel bad about chiding me. Without apologizing to me, he stood and gathered the evidence. He carefully placed it all into the new bagel bag I provided.
"What will you do with it?" I asked.
"I’ll have it all tested, of course, for DNA and anything else that can be found on it." He flashed a quick smile. "You should be glad your dog went for the bagel in the sack. He may have solved this crime for us."
He shook my hand with a firm grip and I locked the door behind him. Thor was happy to see me. I let him run a few minutes without the leash and he raced back, ready to go home.
"That would be something, Thor, if Jason discovers something important from that trash. You may have found clues to who poisoned your master."
I felt his panting breath on the back of my neck as I put the car in gear. When I glanced at him in the mirror, I thought I saw him beam with pride.
Chapter Twenty Three
"I just saw James Simms talking to Eddie down the street," said Janie. Her eyes were huge. "When they saw me, they walked away in opposite directions."
She had pulled me into the kitchen just after she arrived at Roasted Love and clocked in. The sun was just beginning to peek through the darkness. Somehow the thought of a teenager getting up before dawn didn’t seem like a reality. I knew Eddie had morning classes but not until nine. Lily told me he had enough credits so no classes in the afternoon.
"Are you sure it was Eddie?" I asked Janie. "Was anyone else there?"
"I’m sure. There was a lady in the Senator’s big car across the street. I couldn’t tell who she was."
This was getting more and more complicated. What did Eddie have to do with James Simms? Jacob had never locked his office door. He told me once that locking his file cabinet with important items was enough. The cabinet he talked about was the one in the corner. If Eddie had planted evidence I couldn’t figure out when he had done that. On rare occasions he and Lily closed together at the end of a day. I could probably count on one hand how often that had happened. I decided to ask Eddie some casual questions when he came in later that afternoon.
"I’m sure it isn’t important," I told Janie. "I don’t really care what that was all about."
"You aren’t a little curious about James Simms and Eddie Thornton having a conversation on the street before sunrise?" She stood in front of me. "Are you going to ask Eddie how he knows the Senator?"
The gleam in her eye was accusing. "I may ask him, but I don’t see how that has anything to do with me. I asked you because James has been hanging around here," I said. "Don’t forget I witnessed him talking to you right here in this coffee house. He wasn’t very happy, if you recall."
Janie picked up a tray of bagels and headed to the front. She did not talk to me for the next few hours except to give me her orders at the espresso machine. I could tell Lily wanted to find out what was going on between us but didn’t ask.
"Did you hire Claire?" asked Lily.
"I am going to call her today. Her references checked out. I hope she can start tomorrow."
I reminded Lily that Eddie’s hours would have to be cut back as before. She was just happy that she would get some relief in the front of the shop.
"Does Eddie know the Simms family?" I asked Lily after Janie left for the day.
"I think he met the Senator once at his school. It was General Assembly Day and he was invited to talk to the juniors and seniors. I believe it was about careers in politics or something like that. Eddie told me he met him when it was over and shook his hand."
"That must have made Eddie feel good."
Lily was caught up with pride in her son who got to meet a real politician. I was glad she didn’t ask me about my question. I returned to the kitchen when I heard Eddie come in.
"This will be your last day with longer hours, Eddie. I’m going to hire Claire."
He told me he understood and he grabbed an apron. Eddie was a good worker. Unlike a lot of teenagers, he got right to work when he came in.
"Did you know Michael Simms very well, Eddie?" I asked.
"Mostly, I knew him to be Jacob’s number one enemy. I never met him. He wasn’t exactly someone I was dying to know."
"Your mother told me you met the Senator face to face. What was that like?"
Eddie got busy soaking pans. "It was great. Just a few of us were invited to sit down with him for a few minutes. We were picked before he got to the assembly that day. We had to prepare our questions ahead of time. He was nothing like Michael. I mean he was pretty nice."
"Have you ever seen him again?"
"Just from a distance and on TV, of course."
It could have been my imagination but Eddie seemed to be banging pans more than usual.
"Janie thought she saw you and the Senator early this morning a couple of blocks from here.
"Really? It must have been someone that looks like me. I don’t get up any earlier than I have to."
My cell phone rang. It was Daniel Jenkins. My heart skipped a beat and I hoped my voice was steady.
"Laila, will you have a break soon?"
"I can take a short one now. Are you in the neighborhood?"
"I’m a half block from Roasted Love. Meet me outside in the back."
I told Lily I was going to take a short break. Taking my apron off, I looped it on the hook by the back door. Daniel and I met just as he came around to the back. I let Thor off his leash and he happily walked along the alley with us.
"I want to tell you something I learned about Michael Simms," said Daniel. "Did you know he had terminal cancer?" The look on my face told him I did not. "He was in stage four with lung cancer."
"I wonder if whoever killed him knew that," I said.
Daniel shrugged his shoulders, "I doubt that, since the murderer would have just waited for Michael to die of the disease if he knew he was terminally ill." Daniel watched me in a way that confused me.
"Is there something else you know about all of this?" I asked him.
"I was told it was a matter of weeks before it would have gotten him."
"What? He didn't even appear the slightest bit ill," my head was spinning. "That seems like something his family would know. And that means that two of my suspects are probably eliminated. It doesn't make sense that James would have had a reason to hurry his death along," I reasoned. "I haven't even figured out a reason why he'd want him dead."
"Or what about Michael's wife, Leticia?" I continued. "I had her on my list, too. At least she had a motive. But, surely, if she wanted him dead, she could have waited a couple weeks for him to die naturally rather than poisoning him and risk getting caught."
Marianne Andrews flashed in my mind. She could easily have had motive. Michael paid her off for some unknown reason. And he left his business to her. Maybe she was greedy. She may have killed him if she thought he was responsible for her son’s death.
Or my other suspect, Jen Perry. She had motive and mea
ns.
"I can see that private eye mind whirling," said Daniel.
I told him what I was thinking.
"Where would Jen Perry get belladonna?" he asked.
"Where would any of our suspects have gotten it?" I countered. I could be as good a devil’s advocate as him.
A new sudden thought crept into my mind. "Do you think it's possible that Michael committed suicide, and as a last act of revenge, tried to frame Jacob?
"I don’t know. I’m a paramedic, not a detective." The laughter in his eyes wasn’t lost on me. "I talked with my cop friend. He is impressed with your work so far."
"Don’t tease me. I’m trying to get Jacob back home."
"I’m not teasing you. He really is impressed."
"I’ll take that for now. See you later?" I had to get back to work.
"I’ll give you a call."
Daniel’s praise was enough to get me through the rest of the day. Thor headed for his leash. What dog would be so willing? He deserved a dog biscuit. I returned to work with so much stuff in my head it was hard to concentrate on frappes and cappuccinos.
"Looks like you and that paramedic are becoming very good friends," said Lily.
Eddie looked up and grinned at me. Mother and son had a sense of humor.
"Okay, he is a nice person and easy to talk to. That’s all there is to it."
I picked up more sugar packets and creamers. Ducking my head to hide the glow of pink, I took them to the front for purposes of refilling. To my chagrin, the containers were already packed.
"Thanks for not telling me you had already filled the bowls," I said to Lily.
Her melodious laugh spread across the room. "Yeah, Daniel must be special."
I slapped her on her shoulder. Her mood was contagious. Several customers smiled at the joke between us. At times like that, I missed Jacob’s presence more than ever. He and Lily would have carried on for much longer in their teasing. Jacob would have been so bold as to let the patrons in on it all.