A Caffeine Conundrum

by Angela Ruth Strong

  Tandy sent Connor an apologetic smile. He hadn’t wanted Marissa investigating anymore, and here Tandy was, running in with clues. Though she wasn’t going on any fancy cruise. Marissa had purposely avoided the question of attire for the event.

  “Take it to the deputy,” Connor suggested to the woman trying to shove him out the door.

  Tandy nuzzled Cocoa, considering their options. Connor didn’t know Marissa’s secret. He didn’t know her legacy was a fraud. Would it make a difference if he did? Nah. He’d likely be more concerned about Marissa’s safety than her reputation.

  Tandy hadn’t cared yesterday, but that was before she’d seen Marissa’s fall from grace with her very own eyes. Before she’d heard about how Marissa’s parents set such high expectations she could never live up to them. Before she’d woken up that morning feeling a connection to another woman who struggled with friendships.

  “I’ll go to the police station right now.” Tandy’s offer shocked the other two into silence. Marissa stood upright, releasing Connor. She would be even more shocked to learn that the reason Tandy was offering was so she could get the diary out of her glove compartment. She’d let Marissa decide whether to give it to authorities or not. Tandy just wanted to see if there was anything else in it about Joseph Cross. Because the diary was what had sent them his way in the first place.

  The couple both stared at Tandy. Marissa with the fear Tandy really would go find Lukey, and Connor with the fear she wouldn’t.

  Connor was right to be afraid. Thus, Tandy had to get rid of him.

  “Hey, Connor.” She pointed to the mistletoe above his head in the doorframe.

  “That’s cruel,” Billie murmured. Obviously the older woman could read her intent and knew she was setting Connor up for rejection. But how else would Tandy get rid of him so she could talk to Marissa?

  Connor and Marissa glanced up. Marissa jumped back and crossed her arms. Connor’s face lowered slower, a mischievous smile sliding across it.

  “Not a chance,” Marissa bit out.

  He stuck his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Honey, if I’d wanted to kiss you under the mistletoe, I could have done so yesterday.

  Could he really, though? It sounded like he might have tried.

  “This isn’t for me.” Connor continued, aiming a thumb Tandy’s direction. “It’s for them. Billie hung the stuff, and Tandy caught us standing under it. How would it be fair to them if we didn’t kiss?”

  Marissa sent Tandy a glare fiery enough to roast chestnuts.

  Tandy’s grin spread. She really did believe that one day Marissa would realize what a fool she was to turn down such an opportunity, but until then, her little attitude ensured Connor would soon be making a swift exit.

  “Just a goodbye kiss?” Tandy prompted.

  Marissa didn’t even pause to consider. She turned her back on Connor and strode away. “I already kissed him goodbye.”

  Connor’s smile slipped. He locked gazes with Tandy as if to tell her she was wrong about Marissa coming around. Then he pushed out the door, more resigned than angry.

  Tandy watched him go, her success tasting about as sweet as dark roast coffee beans, ground too fine and brewed too long.

  Marissa’s purposeful steps faltered as she stumbled over nothing and caught herself on the counter. She wasn’t even wearing heels today. At least she didn’t knock anything to the ground this time.

  She pushed herself upright and tossed her hair as if it had never happened. “Did he see that?” she asked.

  Tandy checked again on the man trudging away, head down. “No.” Though if he had seen Marissa trip, he would have only adored her more for it.

  “Good.” She took a deep breath before widening her eyes at Tandy. “Did you come over here specifically to ruin my day? Is going to the police with my sordid family history not enough? You have to practically shove me into the arms of the man I’m trying to avoid?”

  Forget beauty queen. Marissa was a drama queen.

  Billie sipped her cider. “It was a simple kiss, Marissa. What are you afraid of?”

  “Afraid?” Marissa spun on her. “I’m actually afraid for your life, Billie. That’s why I’m here. I think if Lavella is after the diary, she might find out you had it and come after you.”

  Billie set down her China cup with a clink. “I’m in danger?”

  “By Lavella?” Tandy made a face. Marissa had mentioned the other woman last night, but that was before Tandy discovered how Cross lied to them.

  “Yes.” Marissa glanced furtively about then leaned forward. “She stole my crown when she tripped me, and now she’s trying to discredit me by revealing the way Cross rigged my Grandmother’s win. Or maybe they are working together, I don’t know. Since Cross lied about his boats, he has to be involved somehow. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

  “How does that possibly make sense?” Tandy held out her hands. Like usual, Marissa was making this all about herself. “What connection is there?”

  “She’s a special guest on his Christmas Cruise tonight.”

  Oh. Tandy’s lips parted as she considered the implications. She’d wanted to get her hands on the diary to find more info on Cross, but if he and Lavella were in cahoots, there was definitely a chance Billie could get hurt. Like Tandy had gotten hurt in the car accident.

  Cross or Lavella might have caused the rockslide in the road to try to get the diary, but their plan had been thwarted when she and Marissa had survived and called the cops.

  Time to call the cops again. Yeah, Officer Woodward was off investigating the jewel heist, but now that Griffin suspected said heist to be connected to a possible murder, Woodward should make it a higher priority.

  “Marissa, I know you don’t want your grandma’s name dragged through the dirt, but we have to tell Griffin what’s going on.” Tandy wrapped her arm behind Billie who had gone eerily silent. “For this grandma right here.”

  The harsh lines in Marissa’s face softened. “I want to protect Billie too, but I doubt Griffin will believe me. Especially after my suspicion of Randon last night.”

  A good point. Whether they needed the police’s help or not, there was no guarantee the police would actually help. “I’ll give him the diary.”

  Marissa clutched her heart. That had to be the last thing she wanted to happen, but she didn’t argue. Maybe she wasn’t completely selfish after all. Maybe she was learning to value what she had in front of her over what she wished she had.

  Billie placed a hand on Marissa’s arm. “I believe Cross when he said he wasn’t involved, but in case it’s anyone else after me or the journal, I can go stay with my daughter in Cincinnati. That way I’ll be safe until Virginia’s killer gets caught, and you wouldn’t have to turn over the diary.”

  “Yeah, do that.” Marissa nodded emphatically.

  Okay then. Marissa had only been looking for a way to get what she wanted without coming across as a spoiled Grinch.

  Tandy clicked her tongue. “You want Billie to go to Cincinnati? Where Lavella lives?”

  Marissa spread her palms wide. “It’s a big city.”

  Tandy swung her backpack over her shoulders and scooped Cocoa into her arms. “Stay here to make sure Billie is safe, and I’ll go get the diary from impound to take to Griffin.” She turned to go, but Marissa followed her out into the arctic air on the street, the overhead bell announcing that somewhere an angel was getting his wings. Somewhere other than Grace Springs, where the citizens could all use a little more heavenly guidance.

  Marissa scrambled to get in front of her then gripped Tandy’s forearms to either stop her or keep from slipping. “What if Billie is actually the killer, and you’re leaving me here to die?”

  Nice stall tactic. Marissa was the one who’d argued for Billie’s innocence in the beginning. “Billie wouldn’t even hurt the mouse from The Night Before Christmas.”

  Marissa refused to release her. “I didn’t think she would, but remember how Virg
inia wanted Cross to help her rig the holiday decorations contest? Had that happened, Billie would have lost. Connor’s mom told me today Billie is tough to beat.”

  Tandy rolled her eyes. That was the stupidest reason she’d ever heard for killing someone. Besides… “Virginia’s decorations were pathetic.”

  “Billie killed her before she could finish.”

  “Go back inside, Marissa.” Tandy pulled her arms free. “You can’t just accuse people of murder to get your way. You can’t claim Lavella is after Billie one minute then Billie is after you the next. You’re here to protect her, and that’s the same reason I’m going to hand over your grandmother’s diary.”

  Marissa looked in through the window of Grandma’s Attic as if afraid for her own life. “Billie knew we went to the retirement center and could have caused the rockslide to stop us from returning. Maybe she gave us the diary so she could do just that.”

  Tandy followed her gaze to watch the elderly shop owner wrap up the apple pie she’d set out on the refreshments table for the decorations judges. Yeah, there was the image of a cold-blooded killer. “If you’re so worried that Billie killed Virginia with coffee, then don’t drink any of her cider, okay?”

  “I won’t.” Marissa pouted.

  Cocoa leaped from Tandy’s arms as if impatient to get on with their trip, but once his paws hit the frigid cement, he shivered. “Also, can I take your Jeep?”

  It was a good thing the Sheriff’s department was only a few blocks away since Marissa wouldn’t let Tandy drive. She almost walked past the quaint, two-story brick building that looked more like it belonged to a cobbler in 1800s Boston than law enforcement. It was the sight of her beat up Bug behind a chain link fence that informed her she’d reached the right location. She entered the inset white door below the inset white windows. The place smelled like old wood and warm coffee. Both musty and inviting at the same time. Kind of like Virginia’s shop would have smelled had Tandy been able to turn it into a coffee house.

  The interior of Grace Springs PD was not as appealing with metal desks, filing cabinets, and bulletin boards. A receptionist about Tandy’s age sat at the front desk, and behind her, Griffin spoke with a curly haired woman who looked familiar. Tandy’s heart dropped upon recognition of Virginia’s daughter.

  Was Tandy going to have to talk to Griffin in front of Jenn Pierce? Definitely not. She didn’t want to make the woman’s mourning process any more difficult.

  The receptionist, dressed in a hot pink Santa hat, set down her phone. “May I help you?” she asked in a friendly way. She must not have known Griffin questioned Tandy about the circumstances of Virginia’s death.

  “Yeah. Hi.” Tandy’s voice drew Griffin’s attention, but she ignored his glance. She needed him to finish up doing whatever he was doing with Jenn before she spoke to him. What was the victim’s daughter doing here anyway? Was there a morgue upstairs or something? “I was in a car accident, and my car has been impounded, but I forgot to get something out of it.”

  The woman grabbed a lone folder on the side of her desk and flipped it open. Besides Virginia’s death and the museum robbery, Grace Springs must truly be a sleepy little town being that her car accident was the only file on the receptionist’s desk.

  “Tandy Brandt?” The woman set the folder down to shake hands. “I’m Kristin Shipley. Nice to meet you. I’d ask for your I.D., but your swollen lip is ID enough.”

  Swell.

  “Here are your keys. You can go right through that back door there. And check with me on your way out. I need to make a note of your visit and anything you take with you.”

  Tandy nodded then shot one more look at Jenn Pierce whose shoulder slump made Tandy glad the other woman never looked up. If Griffin had discovered Virginia’s caffeine levels and traced it back to the instant coffee in her pot, he could be telling Virginia her mother’s death had been a homicide.

  With her head down, Tandy rushed Cocoa through the back door. The snow hadn’t been plowed, and her pup practically disappeared into a drift. She scooped him up and high stepped her way in a fresh set of tracks to her passenger door. After opening the only door still operable, she let Cocoa loose to run around the interior.

  Her stomach clenched as she angled a smaller key into the slot on the glove box. Had someone really killed for the book that lay inside? Did a stupid beauty pageant matter that much? Marissa sure seemed to think so.

  Tandy turned the key until she heard a click then cupped her fingers underneath the handle. Her pulse picked up speed. Why was she so nervous? She paused and looked around as if expecting Joseph Cross to be lurking with a sniper rifle. Ridiculous. If he was going to shoot her, he could have done it already. The only murder committed in Grace Springs had been done through coffee granules. By now Tandy had probably developed immunity to caffeine overdose, much like the Dread Pirate Roberts did to iocane powder in The Princess Bride.

  With a breath deep enough to make her ribs sting, she snapped the console open and stared at her insurance card, registration, and owner’s manual. Where was the diary? She grabbed the materials and lifted to be sure. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Coal in her stocking.

  It had been there. It had been locked in there. It couldn’t simply disappear like a melted snowman.

  She dropped the papers and sat back, mind whirring. Had Marissa taken it? No, because she’d chased Tandy down the night before, asking about it. Had Joseph Cross scaled the fence like a ninja? Her eyes went on alert, scanning the barbed wire along the perimeter. Unbroken. He would have had to drop in on a helicopter ladder, but even then he would have needed her car keys.

  Tandy opened her fist to stare at the keyring in her palm. Who would have had the key?

  She slammed the box shut and ran a gloved finger over the lock. If someone had jimmied it, wouldn’t there be some scratches or markings? The steel slot remained shiny.

  Her Pomeranian’s little body leaped into her lap, and she jolted in surprise. He walked his front paws up her torso and licked her cheek before she could exhale her gasp. “What’s going on, Cocoa?” she asked.

  What were the options? Someone had obviously used her keys from the police station to steal Marissa’s grandmother’s diary. Either a civilian had come through unsuspectingly or a lawman was in on the crime.

  The fresh tracks. Those had to be from the thief. And she’d ruined them by stepping on top of them.

  Tandy suspected Cross.

  Marissa wanted to believe it was Lavella.

  Neither she nor Marissa would have ever suspected Luke Griffin. Though he certainly had suspected them. Had he known how the toxicology report would come back, and he’d wanted to make sure there were suspects other than himself?

  Tandy’s eyes focused on the harmless looking brick building, ready to duck should Griffin aim a gun through the window. He would have one.

  But why would he be involved? Could he have robbed the museum then murdered Virginia to try to pull Officer Woodward away from the case? That was a bit extreme.

  Was he in cahoots with Cross? Perhaps he was also a shareholder of the new company that owned the sternwheelers, and a scandal involving Cross would affect his investment too.

  Or if Marissa was right about Lavella, could he be in love with the beauty queen? He hadn’t seemed interested at all the night before, but that could have been a show.

  The options were endless, though at least now Tandy knew the diary truly was involved, and that theory wasn’t all Marissa’s melodrama. What Tandy needed to do was go back in and find out from the receptionist who all had come by the department since the Bug had been dropped off. Then she’d have a more accurate suspect list.

  She hoped the receptionist wasn’t taking an early lunch. What if Griffin had sent her home so he could get Tandy alone and finish what he’d started with the rockslide? He’d certainly made it to rescue them awfully fast that day…

  Clutching Cocoa, Tandy robotically stood and shut the door. “This is when I wish I had a b
ig dog to protect me.”

  Cocoa yipped as if in offense.

  “No, I don’t mean that. Just kidding, Cocoa. You’re all the dog I need.” He could be her last dog if she didn’t survive.

  She took a hesitant step forward then a second with more determination. She was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay. She was only making herself panic the way Marissa had the night before in the fireman’s bucket. Tandy wasn’t like that. She was as cool as the North Pole.

  She made it to the door in a blur. Peering through the glass, she didn’t see either Griffin or Jenn. Maybe he’d walked her out to her car. Maybe she’d left, and he was in the bathroom. Either way, this was her chance.

  Tugging the door open, Tandy darted to the front desk.

  Kristin looked up, eager to please. Could she have stolen the diary? Gah. That was as bad as suspecting Billie.

  “I’m just curious...” Tandy glanced out the front window, wondering how much time she had. Still no sign of Griffin. “With the robbery at the Historical Society and Griffin investigating Virginia’s death, has it been pretty busy in here? You know, lots of people in and out?”

  The receptionist shrugged a shoulder. “Not at all. Darrel—Officer Woodward—has been at the museum, and Luke has been out monitoring holiday events. He’s got the Ho-Ho-Holiday Run coming up on Christmas Eve where he dresses like Santa. Well, everyone does. That’s one of my favorite traditions.” She grinned.

  “Sounds…merry and bright.” Tandy pasted on a smile the way she’d learned from Marissa. She wasn’t ready to go back to the beauty queen empty-handed, and news about a festive 5K wasn’t what she would be waiting to hear. “You’re all alone to hold down the fort, huh?”

  “I wouldn’t say all alone.” A wrinkle formed between the receptionist’s straight eyebrows. “The other office manager took her kids to Disney World for Christmas vacation, but she’ll be back on Tuesday. And Officer Woodward checks in occasionally. Griffin is right outside. He used to date Jenn Pierce, so he’s really worried about her.”

  So Griffin had access and… Wait. Did Kristin say Griffin used to date Jenn?