A Cup of Murder

by Cam Larson

  By the time we were cleaning up for the day, Jen Perry came in to Roasted Love. We were five minutes from locking up. Her face was drawn and her appearance wasn’t as meticulous as usual. In fact, it looked like she had slept in her jacket. A minimum of make-up was dabbed on her face. I looked at her as she sat at the first table.

  "What can I get for you?" said Lily.

  The look on the server’s face said ‘make it a bagel and get out of here.’ Jen’s look said to me ‘I need to talk to you.’

  "I know you are closing," she said. "How about a glass of water?"

  She reached into her purse and pulled out a couple of ones and placed them on the table. Lily and I didn’t protest her gesture. I glanced at my watch.

  "I’ll close up, Lily," I said. "You and Eddie can go on home."

  The coffee house grew quiet. The water was untouched. "The cops had me down at the precinct again over Michael’s death." At least I was spared a flood of sobbing tears. "They didn’t say who, but I’m sure it was Leticia or James who swore they saw me go back into Sunrise late the night Michael was poisoned. That’s why I was called back in." I waited. "Michael once told me he thought the two of them had a thing going between them. It would be like them to try to pin it all on me."

  "Did you tell the cops that?" I asked.

  "Sure I did, but they brushed it all off. They said I had motive since Michael was breaking off the affair with me. I had access to Sunrise. Laila, I’m more than nervous. I think it’s time for me to get an attorney."

  "What about all the so-called evidence they found here at Roasted Love?" I asked her. "I can tell you that Jacob had nothing to do with the murder. Someone planted those notes where the cops would find them. Did you have anything to do with that?"

  I couldn’t tell if the stunned look was genuine or not. "How would I get into Roasted Love after it was locked up for the night?"

  I didn’t have an answer to that. "Are you a friend to anyone who works here?"

  "No. Janie lives in the same apartment building I do, but I can’t say we are friends."

  "What about Lily and Eddie? Do you know either of them well?"

  "I know who they are. Eddie’s apartment is in the building next to the one Janie and I live in. I see him coming in and out sometimes. I know Lily from working here in Roasted Love."

  The once neatly folded napkin next to her was crumpled. Her fist tightened around it. I wished Daniel was sitting here. He could sift through it all and try to make sense of what Jen was saying. She looked sincere and her eyes didn’t waver from mine.

  "Michael was dying from terminal cancer," she stated. "He was so angry about that. I think that’s why he acted like he did toward everyone. He felt cheated." She unfolded the napkin as best she could. "I don’t think he planned to mend his marriage at all. I think he was shutting everyone out, including me."

  My cell rang. It was Daniel. I picked it up.

  "Hey," I said. "Could you come down here to Roasted Love? I need your help with something."

  "Sure," he said. "I was hoping you'd ask. I could use a cream cheese danish."

  "We don't have any of those."

  "A bagel?" he asked.

  "Nope," I said. "We sold them all. You know how the crowds have been."

  "How about a kiss then?" he asked.

  "Hmm, I might be able to do that."

  "I'll be there in a few minutes," he said as he hung up his phone. I turned to Jen.

  "That's my friend," I told her. "He's a paramedic and I trust him."

  She nodded but I could tell she didn’t want to involve anyone else. When Daniel tapped on the front door a few minutes later I let him in. I remembered Thor was still outside and I brought him in the back door, gave him his dinner and joined Jen and Daniel.

  Jen rehashed what she had told me. Daniel’s eyes never left hers. When she finished, he told her to get a good lawyer. She agreed and I locked up behind her when she left.

  "She didn’t do it," said Daniel. "The motive that cops think she had is no motive at all. She understood Michael shutting everyone out. He wanted to just die and get it over with. He didn’t want anyone there to see his ending."

  I didn’t answer. Daniel and I left with Thor by my side. If not Jen Perry, then who committed the murder? Marianne Andrews was the only one left. I wondered if she knew Michael had terminal cancer. Or was it one last gotcha by Michael himself?

  I thought of Jacob who was well into his second week behind bars. I knew what my next step was.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  The next afternoon I took my break in the visitor room at the jail. Jacob’s walk transformed to a shuffle. By the time I left I hoped his spirits would be lifted. I flashed a smile in his direction.

  "Laila, it is good to see you. How are things at Roasted Love?"

  I briefly told him about hiring Claire. "I have some good news for you, Jacob."

  "That will be a relief. My friends have been visiting, but all they’ve done is tell me to hang in there."

  "I think the police should question Janie," I blurted.

  His face fell in disappointment. "What could she have to do with Michael’s murder?"

  "Maybe plenty."

  I told him everything I knew so far, including Janie’s story about James Simms asking her for favors. I didn’t leave out Jen Perry’s visit at Roasted Love the night before or my suspicions about Marianne Andrews.

  "I think that when Janie told me she saw James talking with Eddie, she herself had actually met the Senator again. I don’t think Eddie is involved with James Simms at all. She just wanted attention put on someone else."

  I leaned back in satisfaction. With visible relaxation on Jacob’s face, I still felt he was afraid to get his hopes up too high. I added that Daniel knew his guilt was being questioned at the precinct. That perked him up.

  "They have been treating me a little better," said Jacob. "I thought it was because of my winning personality." A hint of the old Jacob came through.

  "I’ll be back, Jacob. Don’t give up. And, by the way, Jacob, don’t shuffle when you walk. It makes you look old."

  Before I left the building I stopped at the front desk and asked to see Daniel’s friend, David Singer, the cop. The receptionist caught him as he came from the Chief’s door. I introduced myself and asked if we could talk.

  "I finally get to meet the astute detective," he said. "I’ve heard a lot about you, Laila. We’ll go in here."

  He ushered me into a small alcove that I presumed was where criminals were interrogated. There was a dark wood table with nicks in it and two folding wooden chairs. It wasn’t a room intended for comfort. David was immediately likable. I spilled everything I had put together on Janie and her connection with James Simms. I let him know that I already knew about Michael’s terminal illness. I added that to let him know Daniel had told me everything David told him.

  "I think Janie should be questioned. She’s scared silly over something. I think James Simms is threatening her in some way."

  "I’ve wondered about the Senator. But what you are saying may be a hard sell with the Chief. James Simms has a lot of influence around the precinct."

  "Are you saying it is better to bring an innocent man to trial than ruffle a rich politician?" My voice rose. I didn’t want to come across as an out-of-control female. "I know Jacob Weaver did not murder Michael Simms." My voice had returned to an even tone.

  David quickly answered. "Of course not. I want to put together everything you have said so I can convince the Chief to take a different look. He is a fair man and I know the truth is everything when it comes to getting the right person. It doesn’t matter who that person is."

  "Okay," I said. "Please do convince the Chief. Jacob shouldn’t spend another night in this place. You have an innocent man locked up. Besides, we need him at Roasted Love, where he belongs."

  "Don’t worry, Laila. You’ve given me a lot of new insight into this mess. We questioned Jen Perry, too. She could e
asily have done it."

  "No, she didn’t. She knew Michael was dying of cancer. He broke things off with her because he didn’t want anyone around him. She understood that." I took a deep breath. "She was hurt for sure. After all, they had a good thing going. But she knew he was angry because of his illness and she backed off."

  "Daniel was right when he called you a real Sherlock. I’ll keep in touch but remember that whatever you and Daniel know didn’t come from me."

  "I’ll remember that. Just get Jacob out of here."

  When I got back to Roasted Love, Janie had already clocked out. It was two-fifteen. Lily was helping Claire at the espresso machine.

  "I hope I can learn this thing," said Claire.

  "It takes practice," said Lily. She looked up as I came in. "It’s about time. How is Jacob doing?"

  "He is doing as well as expected. I hope they’ll let him go soon. He has a lot of people behind him."

  "I hope so, too. Everyone misses him."

  Claire clocked out at six. Lily told me I hired the right person. "She catches on fast."

  We started the clean-up in the back. Only two more customers dropped in before closing. Eddie left with Lily. Thor and I went home. There was no BMW in sight.

  Thor and I made it home with no problems. As I dug for my house key, Thor’s warning growl made me turn around. The tall athletic figure I noted once before moved from the shadows of the Weeping Willow at the edge of the lawn.

  "It’s a good thing you have that monster," said James Simms.

  My knees weakened considerably. "What are you doing here?"

  Not a neighbor was in sight. Either all were not home yet or were in their kitchens getting ready to relax to dinners. I envied them and their security.

  "I’m warning you to let up on all of your investigating. You aren’t qualified to do the job of the police. Michael was poisoned by your boss, Jacob Weaver, and that is all there is to it."

  Thor’s growl increased. It was hard to restrain him from tearing apart the man who was too close for comfort.

  "I live in a free country. I can do what I want."

  "I’m warning you. Lay off it. Let Michael rest in peace."

  "Are you threatening me?"

  "I’m telling you I have a lot of influence. I can ruin you for life."

  I was tempted to let go of the leash and let Thor finish what he wanted to do.

  "If I see you here again, I’ll call the police and press charges for trespassing and harassment."

  His laugh was mocking. It held a confidence that told me I didn’t have a prayer with charging him with anything. He turned and sauntered away as if leaving me after a social call. Thor was pulling my shoulder from its socket. I dropped the key twice before I mastered getting it into the keyhole. When we got inside, Thor turned to the closed door. He stood stiff as a board, on guard. For now, he didn’t have dinner on his mind.

  I felt like throwing up. Senator James Simms was a powerful man in more ways than one. I wobbled from the door and leaned back in my favorite chair. It was a good twenty minutes before Thor left his post. He nuzzled his head on my knees. Never would anyone convince me dogs didn’t know what was going on when it came to emotions in people.

  "Come on, boy," I said, getting up. "You are ready for your dinner. I’m ready for a relaxing cup of tea."

  The night air had cooled down. For the first time, I thought of the seasons in West River, New York. Fall was definitely in the air. Thor ran around the yard. He picked up the ball twice before I gave in. The light physical activity helped to relax me. The Senator was a stalker. There was no doubt about that. He picked on Janie and now me. His cocky attitude was one of arrogance.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  I had made it my habit in recent days to drive to work. It made more sense after James Simms’ unwanted visit the night before. The air was crisp and more patrons arrived for our cinnamon rolls and hot coffee than ever. Without Sunrise in business, our tables filled up daily.

  It was mid-morning when I saw two cops park in the one spot that had just vacated in front of Roasted Love. One was David Singer. The other was one who had been there to question Jacob in his office. Both of them walked through the front and approached me. I told Lily to take over the espresso machine and Claire to take orders with Janie.

  Without a word, I motioned for the two cops to come to the back with me.

  "Which one is Janie Taylor?" asked David.

  "I’ll get her," I said. "If you decide to arrest her or take her to the precinct, will you take her through the back door? We have enough gossip going on over this case as it is."

  They agreed. "We just want to ask her some questions," said the tall Detective. His badge read William Stokes.

  I went to the front where Janie was giving Lily an order. I whispered to her that the cops wanted to ask her some questions. Her eyes filled with fear. She set her order pad next to the machine. Her shaking hand brushed it onto the floor. Lily bent to pick it up. None of the customers realized what was going on.

  "Tell them everything, Janie. If you don’t, you will be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life." She nodded.

  I left the three of them in Jacob’s office behind a closed door. I stayed busy at the sink preparing dishes for the dishwasher. When they came out, Detective Stokes looked at me.

  "We are taking her to the precinct for a formal statement," he said to me.

  David went out the back door and a few minutes later, he returned with the cruiser and parked in the alley. Janie looked smaller than ever. The last glimpse I had of her was a look of fear that was stark against an ashen face. She sat low in the back of the car. I hoped she had the courage to nail James Simms to the wall.

  Lily came to the kitchen. "Are they arresting Janie?" Her voice was one of disbelief.

  "They are taking her for questioning. She should be back soon. I’ll be back out there soon to help out. If anyone asks, tell them Janie wasn’t feeling well and went home."

  I knew Lily wouldn’t say anything about what had really happened. I dialed Daniel. I told him of the latest events at Roasted Love. "I hope Janie tells them more than she has told me. I know she knows more." I thought of her two children and the hard road she had.

  When things quieted down in the front, I settled in Jacob’s office and pulled out my laptop. I knew enough about James Simms but I knew very little about his wife, Sarah. The one thing I did know was she and John Andrews once had an affair going. That must have ruffled the Senator’s feathers.

  When I brought her up online I was surprised she had as much clout around New York City as her husband. She had graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cornell University. She then went on to get her masters in Biotechnology Research, specifically Biomedical Research.

  "That’s it!" I yelled. No one heard me since my remaining staff was in the front of the shop. I dialed Daniel.

  "I’ve got it. I know who had a resource for belladonna. I’m sure of it," I said as soon as he picked up.

  "Hold on. Tell me everything," he said. I pictured him sitting up straight in his chair.

  "Get over here. Better yet," I said, "meet me at the jail."

  I hung up before he could answer. I pulled the reserve bag of dog food from the corner of the office and asked Lily if she would look after Thor if I didn’t get back in time.

  "It’s only one-thirty. Where are you going?"

  "I can’t tell you right now but I’ll be back as soon as I can."

  It hit me that I was leaving Lily on her own more than usual, but this was important. I didn’t feel too guilty since Claire was there to help. Eddie wasn’t coming in today but I would be back to finish up. The dog food was just in case I was gone longer than I expected.

  When I got to the precinct, Daniel was parking his car. I told him what I had found out online about Sarah Simms’ qualifications.

  "I knew she had something to do with a lab some place but I never knew just what she did," said Daniel. "If Ja
mes had anything to do with Michael’s murder I guess she could have gotten the poison for him."

  I told him about my stalker the night before. "James definitely threatened me if I didn’t leave Michael’s death to the police. I’m taking all of this to David Singer."

  When we entered the front part of the jail, I asked to see David. The receptionist recognized me.

  "I’m sorry but he is interrogating someone right now. If you want to wait, take a seat. I’m not sure how long it will be."

  That didn’t matter. I was willing to wait for however long it took. Daniel glanced at his phone. "I’m going to have to leave you. I have a call to answer. Keep me posted on everything and I’ll see you tonight."

  He hurriedly wished me luck and raced out the door. I felt vulnerable without him but determined to make my case. I would see Jacob later. I didn’t want to miss David Singer.

  Two hours later, I heard a shuffling of folded chairs on a hard floor down the hall. David came to the front. He was surprised to see me.

  "We booked her for now. So there is no bail until she goes before a judge."

  I knew the possibilities of Janie’s incarceration were there. She must have spilled everything. The cell would be her best protection from James Simms.

  "I have something else I want to talk to you about," I said.

  Without a word he took my elbow and led me to another room similar to the one we had occupied once before. I told him I thought I knew where the poison came from. After he heard my story, he took me to the Chief’s office where I repeated what I had found out. I didn’t forget to report my stalker. This weighed more than what I figured it would. The Chief became very alert when I told him of James Simms’ threats to me.

  "You should have dialed 911 right away," he said.

  "I didn’t because that was part of his threat. He told me he had enough clout to ruin me for life if I tried to get him arrested."

  The Chief and David looked at each other. Apparently, I wasn’t the first person the Senator had threatened. I still couldn’t figure out what motive he had to kill his already dying brother. That is, if he was the one who poisoned him. Sarah Simms came to mind. She could have taken the poison and done it herself. With the hold her husband seemed to have over everyone, maybe he convinced her to meet Michael that night. No one would be able to prove that James was anywhere near Sunrise the night his brother was murdered. His political career would remain intact. As for his wife, he held power over others, so why not her? I realized the meeting with the Chief was over.