Marissa’s chin jutted in shock. “What?” What had gotten into Tandy? Marissa was supposed to be the dramatic one.
Lukey strode to the center of the room. “I have Officer Woodward meeting us at the dock to question passengers, but I’m going to start with you all. Every one of you is going to tell me where you were when the engine exploded.”
“Gangplank,” Connor deadpanned.
“Not your smartest move,” Lukey admonished unnecessarily. Unless he thought Connor was in on sending Marissa for a swim.
But Connor had rescued her. She may not trust him after tearing down Grandmother’s house, but that was partly a result of his unyielding moral compass.
Connor leaned back in his chair. His grim expression told the cop he’d be punishing himself for the mistake far greater than the law ever could. “Agreed.”
Lavella fluffed her hair. “I was looking for my date, though apparently, I was looking on the wrong side of the boat.” She twisted to glare at Connor.
He shielded his eyes with a hand to avoid eye contact. Marissa totally understood his desire. However, she couldn’t keep from shooting Lavella a smug smile. The other woman certainly hadn’t won everything.
Lukey blew out his cheeks. “I’ll confirm with passengers by the paddlewheel.”
Lavella nodded, not looking guilty enough.
“I was stargazing on the top balcony,” offered Billie.
“With Cross?” Lukey glanced up from where he made notes on his phone.
“Well…” Billie motioned toward Cross.
Cross cleared his throat. “I had to run back to the helm to verify our speed and course.”
So neither of them had alibis either.
Lukey’s gaze flicked between them. “I’ll double check your story with the captain.”
Randon sighed. “I had a minor issue on one of my apps that I had to fix, so I was sitting right over there.” He nodded toward a spot near the bow of the boat that would have given him a great view of the gangplank. “I’m not sure who saw me because I was busy on my phone.”
“Easy enough to follow up on.” Lukey’s gaze settled on Tandy. “And you were in the bathroom?” His tone indicated he found her story the most unbelievable.
Tandy bit her lip. “I was. Where were you, deputy?”
Lukey stared. “I was taking care of Jenn.”
Randon rubbed his patchy attempt at a beard. “You weren’t with Jenn when you walked by my table.”
Lukey jolted. Was he lying? Had he thought Randon too preoccupied to notice? “She got teary eyed and escaped into the restroom down here for a few moments to gather her composure, which thanks to your outburst outside, Ms. Brandt, I’m sure she’s having to do again.”
Tandy’s chest rose and lowered. “So you don’t have an alibi?”
“I’m an officer of the law. I went to get my ex-girlfriend a pain killer for her headache, but I didn’t rig any explosions, and I certainly didn’t kill her mother. Why would you even think that?”
Cross wrapped an arm behind Billie’s chair. “Probably because Marissa’s grandmother’s diary was missing from her car when she went to pick it up at the police station. She tried to blame me, but you would have the most access.”
Marissa sucked in a breath. Her whole goal for helping investigate was to keep the diary out of public knowledge. If Lavella truly wasn’t aware of it, and she found out about it now…
Lukey blinked. “Why would I steal a diary?”
Marissa stood, her aching bones momentarily forgotten in her panic. “I don’t think you would, Lukey. That’s ridiculous. Tandy probably looked in the wrong place or…”
Lukey’s eyes cleared. “Or perhaps she stole it?”
No. That didn’t make sense. Marissa closed her eyes to focus despite the confusion. Her brain seemed to be in slow motion. Perhaps from her rogue float trip. Could they just go home and continue the discussion tomorrow when she could think fast enough to keep the diary out of their discussion.
Tandy stood from her seat, eyes on the deputy. “You stole the diary to frame Cross and hide your crime. If you don’t stop now, you’re going to make this worse for yourself.” She moved toward Lukey, her voice softening. “I don’t think you meant to kill Virginia though. I think you only replaced her coffee grounds with instant granules to send her to the hospital. Then you could have stepped in and been the hero you wanted Jenn to think you are.”
Marissa bit her lip. Was Tandy right? Had this all started with an accident, and everything since had been about Lukey cleaning up his mess?
The deputy watched Tandy move toward him, his eyes hard with fear. In one quick motion, he swiped something from his holster and pointed it her direction. “Stop.”
Lavella screamed and ducked. Mr. Cross wrapped Billie in his arms. Randon froze, mid phone tap. Connor’s arm and torso leaned in front of Marissa as a shield. And Tandy stood there, a regal sitting duck in her slim dress and high heels. Is that the outfit she would be buried in?
Except Lukey wasn’t holding a gun. He was holding handcuffs.
“Tandy Brandt, you are under arrest for the murder of Virginia Pierce. Nobody but the killer would know why Virginia had so much caffeine in her system.”
Chapter Seventeen
Cold, metal handcuffs snapped around Tandy’s wrists before she could even comprehend the fact she was being arrested. This is what she’d been afraid of, and ironically, the whole reason she hadn’t gone to Griffin in the first place. Though it was worse than she’d imagined, because not only was she being falsely accused, but it was likely the real killer was right in that room and had possibly set her up. The murderer was going to go free—was going to continue on as part of the little town that ignorantly considered itself safe.
“No.” Marissa wobbled toward her. A symptom of hypothermia or her normal clumsiness? “Tandy knew about the instant coffee granules the day we met with Virginia. She saw the package in the garbage. She expected you to figure it out eventually, and she was afraid you’d suspect one of us since we were there.”
Deputy Griffin yanked Tandy upright. “Well, she was right about that.”
Tandy’s heart sank. As great as it was that one person believed in her, it obviously wasn’t going to help. Especially if the man who’d cuffed her was the man who’d caused Virginia’s death.
Marissa steadied herself with fingertips on a table and motioned for Connor to back her up.
Tandy eyed Connor. He hadn’t been much help earlier. Besides Tandy having the means to kill Virginia by being physically at her death and knowledgeable about the weapon, she would now also be considered to have more of a motive. The revelation that she’d been fired from her last job surely made her seem desperate to start her own coffee shop. And as they saw it, desperate enough to kill.
Connor didn’t meet her gaze. “Marissa, as I’ve been saying all along, the best thing you can do is let the police investigate.”
He’d been saying that because he cared about Marissa. And obviously he only cared about Marissa.
It was a good thing Tandy hadn’t spent her savings on buying Hidden Treasures before Virginia died because she was going to need every penny for a lawyer. Of course, if a lawyer couldn’t prove her innocent, then she wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore. The state would take care of her in prison. But not Cocoa.
She yelped. “Cocoa.”
Marissa placed a chilly hand on her arm. “If you give me your keys, I’ll pick him up and take care of him.”
Tandy’s heart quivered. Was it with concern for her pet or gratefulness for the devotion of her only friend?
“I thought you weren’t a dog person.” She glanced at Connor to remind him of the night before when they’d encouraged each other in friendship with Marissa. Would he take what he could get and leave her behind?
Connor shifted his jaw like she’d landed a punch under his chin.
Marissa squeezed. “If you can wear a dress for me, then I can take car
e of Cocoa for you.”
Tandy’s heart quivered again. For the friend who could have been badly hurt that night. And also with fear because if the police only suspected Tandy, the killer was still out there free to hurt Marissa for whatever reason they hadn’t figured out yet. “I’ll pray Cocoa takes care of you too. Be safe.”
Marissa’s right cheek dimpled. “You’re not going to be in jail for long. I’ll figure this out.”
Exactly what Connor told her not to do. Tandy narrowed her eyes at Connor, daring him to try to stop Marissa. Not that she wanted Marissa to get hurt. She wanted the opposite. She wanted Marissa safe from whoever it was that had caused their pain these past couple of days.
Maybe going to jail would give Tandy the extra time needed to figure this mess out.
Marissa cranked the heat up even higher in her Jeep. After Officer Woodward arrived at the dock and played another round of twenty questions, she’d endured a full physical with that cute EMT who’d checked Tandy out the day before. Then Connor had insisted on following her to Tandy’s apartment to pick up Cocoa.
She squinted at the numbers on the buildings before noticing a balcony lit up by a Snoopy lawn decoration. That had to be Tandy’s unit. And Marissa had thought her tough when they’d met.
Tandy might have to learn to be tough if she was going to prison. Though Marissa wouldn’t let that happen. She wouldn’t even let Tandy spend Christmas Eve in jail. She had to figure something out.
Connor parked beside her under a carport and met her at the bottom of a staircase. On the second floor she recognized Tandy’s apartment by the doormat. She pointed it out to Connor.
Never mind the dog, beware of the owner.
Connor frowned.
Marissa slapped him. “She’s all bark, and no bite.”
An actual bark came from inside the building, interrupting any response from Connor.
“It’s me, Cocoa,” Marissa called, sliding the key in the lock.
She swung the door open to the pungent smell of coffee beans and a site that caused her heart to jolt. Though she couldn’t make out the mess inside without the light on, it looked like the place had been ransacked. If all the murder suspects were on the boat, who had broken into the apartment?
Connor motioned Marissa back with an arm and flipped on the light switch.
She blinked at the brilliance, hoping the intruder had been blinded as well if he was still there. But then the large shapes all over the floor took form, and she realized Tandy’s house wasn’t a mess. She’d simply been storing decorations for her coffee shop.
Bags of coffee beans. Tables made of reclaimed wood. An espresso maker.
“Looks like she really was desperate,” Connor mused.
Marissa ran her hand over the nubby texture of the bags. She didn’t appreciate coffee, but she appreciated Tandy’s passion for it. “She’s a dreamer. And if we don’t help, her dream will never come true.”
“Even if she doesn’t go to jail, hon, how can her dream come true? Are you going to give up your dream of starting a teahouse to let her buy Virginia’s old shop?”
Marissa looked away. She wasn’t ready to deal with either the question or the endearment Connor used. She should scold him, but she was too tired to fight. And if she wanted his help, she probably shouldn’t keep pushing him away. He’d failed her, but he’d also rescued her. Twice.
Cocoa peered from around the corner, and Marissa realized the tiny rumbling sound she heard had been coming from him this whole time. Not exactly a guard dog.
Connor squatted down and grabbed a squeaky green rubber bone with a red rubber bow. He tapped it on the ground a couple times then tossed it towards Cocoa.
Cocoa bounced to claim it.
Connor patted the carpet. “Come here. Here, boy.”
Cocoa stood with the squeaky toy in his mouth, eyes watchful.
“You know what? I’m used to people playing hard to get.” He grinned up at her.
Marissa looked away in mock disdain but had to look back when she heard plastic crinkle. The man actually carried dog treats in his pocket.
“Come on, Cocoa. I’ve got something for you.”
Cocoa bounded over, his allegiance apparently lying with whoever held the treats.
Connor pulled the rubber bone away, rewarded the dog, then repeated the game of fetch.
Marissa bent down next to Connor. It looked like if they were ever going to get out of there, she’d have to pick up Tandy’s pet. “Hey, Cocoa. You get to come home with me, boy.”
Connor handed her a treat so Cocoa would acknowledge her presence. Had it only been yesterday when she’d tripped over him and called him a varmint? She still wasn’t a fan of the licking, or even the meaty scent of dog treats, but Tandy was, and Marissa was doing this for her.
Connor watched her wipe another wet spot from her cheek. “How about I take Cocoa to my house, and you keep Ranger at your place? It would make me feel better.”
She studied him, not appearing quite as stiff in his suit now that he’d lost the tie and loosened the collar. It had always been a good look on him, though it was his concern for her wellbeing that made her want to pretend they’d never been at war.
Wait. Why was he concerned if he thought Tandy was guilty? She straightened in victory. “You don’t really think Tandy did it, do you?”
Connor stood a little slower. “I didn’t say that.”
“Well then I’m going to keep Cocoa with me the way I promised.” She turned in a circle in an attempt to look past Tandy’s mess to find Cocoa’s food and other pet supplies. What did dogs need? A brush? A bone? A black leash hung on the wall above the counter. “You think she’d mind if I got Cocoa a red leash? Black is so boring.”
“I’m sure she would.” Connor strolled after her. “But don’t let that stop you. In fact, get him a Santa suit to match. Then he can run with me in the Ho-Ho-Holiday run tomorrow morning.”
Marissa considered. Did they make Santa Claus costumes for dogs? “With those little legs, he’d probably slow you down.”
Connor lifted a shoulder. “I’m used to running with you, so it wouldn’t be much different.”
Marissa kept her back turned. She didn’t want Connor to see her sad smile. Last year she’d made him stop at Grandma’s Attic in the middle of the run to use the bathroom because she was afraid of using the Porta Potty at the finish line. Who would have thought so much would change in a year?
She took her time scanning the counter for other items that might belong to Cocoa as an excuse not to look at her ex. An old photo album sat open, displaying fading snapshots. Marissa recognized the setting of the old covered bridge in Grace Springs before she recognized a young version of Tandy. Young Tandy also wore a standard ponytail and had a dog by her side. But there was a boy with her too.
Marissa squinted. Tandy had mentioned hanging out with a kid her age when she used to come to town. Was this a kid Marissa knew?
“Hey, that’s Greg.” Connor pointed.
Greg? As in Greg St. James? Attorney Greg St. James?
A kind of strangled cry erupted from within as Marissa spun. Yeah, her hand landed on Connor’s chest, but only to get his attention. “We have to call Greg. He can get Tandy out of jail. He’d do it for an old friend, right?”
Connor didn’t move away. “Normally I’d say you need a Christmas miracle to get a lawyer to work for free, but…” He glanced down at the hand on his chest. “It’s miraculous what a guy will put up with for an old friend.”
Tandy woke early on the lumpy cot, still wearing a long, slim dress. The events leading up to her arrest replayed through her mind like The Nightmare Before Christmas, as this really was Christmas Eve. She stared blindly at the cement walls that would be her home for the holidays.
At least she was safe from physical harm, while Marissa continued to play dangerous reindeer games. What if the beauty queen got herself killed in the process? Either by the murderer or by tripping over her own feet w
hen giving chase. Connor would look after her, right?
It’s not like Tandy could be there for Marissa. She couldn’t even be there for herself. Deputy Griffin thought she’d killed Virginia, so he wasn’t going to follow up on any of the other suspects. Especially since she suspected him.
Someone was getting away with murder, and there was nobody who could possibly help release her from behind these bars.
A door clanged, and footsteps echoed down the hallway before a man appeared in a Santa suit. It took a moment to recognize Griffin’s smooth skin hidden by a full white beard.
He grunted. “I’m on my way to beat pretty boy Connor Thomas in the Ho-Ho-Holiday Run, but it looks like I’m delivering you an early gift first.”
Her pulse raced like she was the one about to cross the finish line of his fun run.
He unlocked the bolt on her bars.
Should she be hopeful or cynical?
“Marissa used her resources to get you a top-notch attorney rather than let you wait for a public defender.” Griffin swung the bars wide. “Which is good because you’re going to need the best.”
Tandy let her cynical side show in a fake smile, though hope welled from within. Her collarbones even tingled with it. This was what it was like to have somebody on her side. Even if the lawyer was paid to be here for her, he was still here. And Marissa had made it happen.
Griffin checked his watch. “Did you want to speak with him or not?”
She rose to her feet. “Sorry. I’m not used to having someone in this place actually wanting to listen to me.”
Griffin narrowed his eyes, the glare almost comical coming from a character who was supposed to be known for jolliness. If the real Santa was there, she’d sit on his lap and ask for a cup of coffee. Because seriously, how could she be anything but cynical without her morning pick-me-up?
Griffin led her towards the front of the old station, stopping at a door with a glass rectangle above the doorknob. “Like I said, I’ve got places to go, but I’ll give you fifteen minutes.”
A Caffeine Conundrum Page 17