Murder and Food Porn: A Northwest Cozy Mystery (Northwest Cozy Mystery Series Book 8)

by Dianne Harman

  “Thanks,” she said, starting to munch. By way of explanation she added, “Photography’s a hobby of mine. I’m nowhere near as good as Toni was, obviously, but we both learned at the same time when we took a photography course together. Toni made a business out of it, and I take my own pictures for my real estate listings. The food porn thing of taking photographs of various food items is addictive.”

  “I can see you’ve got an eye for setting up a shot,” Cassie said. “You know…” She trailed off, checking herself. “Sorry, never mind.”

  Hillary sipped her coffee. “Please, go on. I won’t be offended.”

  “I’m not sure if you’re aware of it,” Cassie said, “but Toni and I were collaborating on a charity cookbook, using recipes from local chefs. Toni was taking the pictures. If yo—”

  “I’ll do it.” Hillary’s face broke into a smile. “I’d be honored and humbled to be involved.” She reached out to Cassie and grabbed her hand. “Thank you. This means so much to me, you have no idea. To be a part of Toni’s legacy. Oh no, I think I’m going to cry again.”

  Cassie handed her a tissue. “Here, take this. Don’t worry, I came prepared.” She nodded at the packet of Kleenex behind the coffee pot.

  Hillary sniffed and blew her nose. Red came trotting over to her side and licked her hand. She gently stroked his fur as she spoke to Cassie. “I’ve decided I need to keep busy. Sitting around here crying isn’t going to do anyone any good, and it’s not going to help catch whoever killed my sister. As well as making the arrangements for Toni’s funeral and sorting out her affairs, I can make myself useful for as long as I’m here.”

  “Good for you.” Cassie thought for a second. “You know, it would do you a lot of good to talk to Luke. He works for my husband, and he’s also my daughter’s boyfriend. His fiancée was murdered not that long ago, and he’s coped extremely well. One of the things he said that helped him was taking action. It was a huge effort for him to move on with his life instead of living in limbo. But ultimately, he didn’t want the killer to win by succeeding in taking away his life as well.”

  “That sounds like a good attitude,” Hillary said. She downed the last of her coffee and straightened up. “I’m going to go to Al’s office and volunteer my services in the investigation. Can I ask a favor?”

  “Of course.” Cassie smiled, anticipating Hillary’s question with a sense of déjà-vu.

  “Would it be alright if I take Red with me today? I could do with the company, and we get along really well together.”

  “I think Red would like that a lot. Oh, and if I bag up some cookies would you take them with you to Al’s office? His assistant Rob has a sweet tooth, and Luke never refuses a home-baked treat either. My daughter, Briana, doesn’t have a culinary bone in her body.” Cassie rose from her seat and started to walk into the kitchen.

  “I know the feeling.” Hillary jumped up and followed her inside, Red not far behind.

  CHAPTER 12

  Al pulled into the parking lot of the building where Toni’s Food Porn Photography business had been based since she’d moved to Bainbridge Island several years earlier. It was a dockside block of units in a quiet commercial area overlooking Eagle Harbor. Although many local businesses had moved to the new business center on the island that had created a lot of buzz with its co-working spaces, trendy interiors, and discounted leases for new tenants, Al much preferred this waterfront location with its view of the boats and the skyline of Seattle in the distance.

  Not dissimilar to the area where Jake’s private investigation office was situated, it was tucked away from the bustle of downtown Winslow while still being within walking distance to the bank, post office, shopping areas, and the ferry terminal.

  He stared out the window while he was waiting for Luke to wrap up a call with Rob. “Sure, we can wait,” Luke was saying. “Tell Hillary to come on over. We’re only a couple of minutes away. Al’s just casing the joint.”

  Al grunted. “I’m admirin’ the vista.” He pulled the key from the ignition and opened the car door, climbing out and looking around.

  Luke got out of the passenger side and grinned. “And checking all possible entrance and exit routes, if I’m not mistaken?”

  “Kerrect-a-mentay. Yer’ learnin’.”

  Al strolled over to the harbor edge and spent some time surveying the boats bobbing on the water. A large sailboat caught his eye. “Look at that beauty,” he called to Luke, pointing at the sixty-five-footer. At the sound of panting and feeling a familiar weight brush against his leg, he looked down with a smile.

  “Hey, Red. Yer’ just in time, buddy. It’s a 1968 Derecktor Ketch. Imagine the adventures we could have on that, huh? We’ll come back and look at it a little closer another time.” He turned to see Hillary walking towards them.

  “You must be Luke,” Hillary said, shaking Luke’s hand. “I’m Hillary Adams, Toni’s sister.” She turned to Al. “I met Rob back at the office, and he said I’d find you both here. Have you been inside yet?”

  Al shook his head. “No, let’s go.” He turned and began to walk towards the entrance. “We’ll meet the staff and take a look around, got it? Jes’ follow my lead.” When they reached the door, Al stopped and gave a command to Red. “On guard.” Looking up at Hillary, he winked. “Anyone tryin’ to get outta’ here in a hurry ain’t gonna get far with Red blockin’ their way.” He stood back. “Do ya’ want to go in first? They know ya’.”

  Hillary nodded, and stepped inside through the glass entry. At the reception desk, a pretty teenager with curly bangs was talking to a woman in her thirties with scraped-back hair and acne-scarred skin. The women looked over in surprise when they saw Hillary and her companions enter.

  Al observed the young girl’s face crumple. She jumped up from behind the desk and ran across the lobby. “Hillary, I…”

  Hillary met her with outstretched arms, and both women began to sob. “Oh, Angela,” Hillary said, stroking the girl’s hair. “Just let it all out.”

  The other woman’s eyes narrowed. She gave Al and Luke a frosty look and a curt greeting. “Hello, I’m Barrie Jones. I take it you’re both friends of Hillary’s?” She said Hillary’s name like it left an unpleasant taste in her mouth.

  Al stared at her through his sunglasses. As soon as they walked in, Al could tell she was a plain woman with a rough edge from the way her eyes had narrowed and her lip curled up. He sized her up in a few seconds, having known many others like her over the years. Regardless of whatever her position in life was now, it was obvious to Al that she’d had a hard start in the world. He stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets and looked around the lobby. She glared at him, jutting her chin out, and he paused a while longer before replying.

  Let her sweat, he thought to himself. What’s she hidin’?

  When he decided he had let her squirm for long enough, he spoke up. “I’m Al De Duco, and this here’s Luke Robertson.” He motioned his head towards Luke, then cleared his throat. “We’ve been retained by Hillary in connection with the investigation into the murder…” His words hung in the air, and Hillary and Angela also turned to listen. “Of her sister, Toni Adams.”

  Barrie swallowed. “I see.” She forced a nod at Hillary. “It’s terrible news, we’re all devastated. You have my utmost sympathy.” Her tone was businesslike as she continued, “In fact, it’s good you’re here, since we weren’t sure how to proceed. In the absence of any direction otherwise, I’ve instructed everyone to carry on as usual. I’m sure that’s what Toni would have wanted. We have a shoot this afternoon at one of the Seattle magazines that’s doing a special on the best dishes in Seattle. Don’t worry, I have it covered.”

  Hillary remained silent and looked to Al for direction.

  “Tell ya’ what,” Al said. “How about we all have a little staff meetin’? That way, Hillary can tell ya’ herself what Toni woulda’ wanted, don’tcha think?”

  “Very well,” Barrie said, coming out from behind the desk. “
Please, follow me.” She led them to a bright conference room with a table in the center surrounded by a half a dozen chairs. There was a whiteboard on the wall, and dirty cups on the table from a previous meeting. Barrie made no attempt to clear the cups, and stood with her arms folded while Luke, Hillary, and Angela sat down.

  Al remained standing beside Barrie, towering above her. “Is Hector here today?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “No. He called in sick.”

  “Fine,” Al said. “Anyone else?”

  “No,” Barrie said. “We have two temporary staff members, but I’m meeting them in Seattle later for the shoot.”

  Al pulled out a chair and sat down. All eyes were on Barrie.

  “Whaddya waitin’ fer?” Al asked, pointing to the seat beside him. Wordlessly, she sat down.

  Hillary began to speak, her voice soft and calm. Looking at Barrie and Angela in turn, she gave them a reassuring smile. “Barrie, I think you’re right. We have to be professional. Toni wouldn’t want to let anyone down, so if there are photography jobs already booked, I’d be grateful if you could cover them with the other staff members you have on call.

  “However, if that’s not possible, I’m sure clients will understand under the circumstances. If that happens, we need to make sure any monies are reimbursed for deposits that have already been paid. Who looks after the bookkeeping and banking?”

  “I do,” Barrie snapped.

  If Hillary was bothered by Barrie’s hostility, she didn’t show it. “I’ll need the computer passwords and access to all of the business records and files. You have my personal word that everyone’s wages will continue to be paid as usual. I don’t want anyone worrying about money. And I’d like the key to Toni’s office, so I can remove her personal effects.”

  Barrie glared at Hillary. She fished in her pocket before pushing a key across the table to Hillary with a scowl. “Listen, let’s cut to the chase. I have a question, and I’d like a straight answer,” Barrie said with obvious concern in her voice.

  “Of course,” Hillary said.

  “Is the business being sold, or what are your plans? You can’t leave Angela, me, and the others just standing by, wondering about the future. If I’ll be getting my notice, I’d just as soon leave now. On the other hand, if the business is for sale, I might be interested in making an offer.”

  Al straightened in his seat, fascinated by the turn the conversation had taken. Barrie’s words were feisty, but her body language was saying something else. Under the table, he could see her sweaty hands fidgeting.

  Hillary didn’t skip a beat. “Barrie, no decisions have been made, but when they are, you’ll be the first to know. And if the business is being sold, I’d be happy to give you first refusal at the market price.”

  “You would do that?” Barrie’s eyes widened. “Thanks Hillary, I really appreciate it.”

  Hillary nodded, turning to Angela. “If you need some time to process this, why don’t you go home, sweetie? That’s if Barrie can spare you.”

  Angela shook her head. “It’s okay. I’ll stay. I’d like to help in any way I can. Whatever I can do, just let me know.”

  Hillary reached over and squeezed her hand. “Good girl. How about you show me Toni’s office and then make all of us some coffee?”

  Al interrupted. “Good idea. Luke, you go with Hillary and Angela. Barrie and I will just finish up in here.”

  Luke nodded, and Al watched the three of them leave the room. When they’d gone, Barrie bit her lip and looked at the door.

  “Considerin’ makin’ a run fer it?” Al chuckled. “Ya’ can try, but I wouldn’t advise it.”

  He cracked his knuckles. “Now then, let’s do story time. ‘Cuz there’s somethin’ I think yer’ not sayin’, and I don’t like it when people try to hold things back from Uncle Al.”

  Barrie shifted awkwardly in her seat. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  Al smiled. “I’ll start.” He folded his arms. “Once upon a time, there was a mean, nasty woman by the name of Barrie Jones. She was jealous of her boss, Toni Adams, a popular woman who everyone loved. Do you want to finish the story, Barrie, or shall I?”

  Barrie’s face crumpled, and she began to cry.

  *****

  In Toni’s office, after Angela had brought them coffee and left again clicking the door closed, Hillary turned to Luke. “What now?” she whispered. “Toni’s everywhere. I feel like she’s about to walk through the door any second and say ‘Surprise!’”

  Food pictures and framed magazine covers lined the walls. Dotted around the room on the desk and on the computer were yellow and pink sticky notes with memos scribbled on them with a black Sharpie. ‘Call Jace’. ‘Buy peanut butter.’ Hillary unpeeled one from the top of a pile of cookbooks on the desk, her eyes filling with tears. “Hillary birthday card,” she read aloud. Slumping into Toni’s chair, she buried her head in her hands. “I don’t think I can do this,” she moaned.

  Luke took control. “Sure, you can, Hillary. I know it’s hard, but there might be something here that will lead us to Toni’s killer.” His eyes scanned the room. There was a filing cabinet in the corner, and some shelves containing a stack of file boxes. He walked over and picked up one of the file boxes, emptied out its contents, and handed the box to Hillary. “You can use this for any of Toni’s personal effects that you want to take with you. I’ll take a look at the computer, then make a start on the paperwork.”

  Hillary stared at the box and sighed. “What are you looking for?”

  Luke shrugged. “I have no idea. There might be an email, a sticky note with a phone number on it, a customer complaint…or there could be nothing here of any use to us at all. We never know until we check it out.”

  Hillary rubbed her forehead. “And if there’s nothing?”

  “Then we keep looking. At her house, at her gym, in her car. You name it. We speak to her friends, her clients, her hairdresser, the assistant at the grocery store, anyone whose path might have crossed with Toni’s in the period before her death. We don’t stop until we get a lead. And we will get one, I promise you. What I can’t promise is how long that might take.”

  Hillary opened one of the drawers on the side of Toni’s desk.

  Pens. A pack of gum. Headache pills. A bottle of perfume - Beach, by Bobbi Brown. She lifted the glass bottle and pulled off the lid, spritzing it into the air. Toni’s signature scent of sand jasmine, seaspray, and mandarin filled the room. Rather than finding it upsetting, it had a relaxing effect on Hillary and she replaced the lid, setting the bottle on its side in the file box. It was soon joined by a pair of silver earrings, a lipstick, a CD, some fluffy socks, and a journal.

  Reaching her hand to the back of the drawer to make sure she hadn’t missed anything, Hillary pulled out two envelopes. Both were opened and addressed to Toni in the same handwriting. She turned them over, hesitant to read her sister’s personal mail. Taking a deep breath, she pulled a folded page from one of the envelopes, opened it and scanned its contents. Her hand began to shake.

  “Hillary, are you all right?” Luke was staring at her with concern.

  She pulled the second letter from its envelope and read it in silence before handing both of them to Luke. Holding her hand over her mouth, she tried to hold back the bile that was burning the back of her throat. But her attempt was futile, and she bolted from Toni’s office and broke into a run towards the bathroom.

  CHAPTER 13

  Al was loitering down by the harbor with Red when he saw Luke approach, followed by a downcast Hillary.

  “I found these in the desk of Toni’s drawer,” Hillary said, handing Al the two envelopes. “They’re letters to Toni from our stepfather, Ethan Doyle. It seems he had designs on Toni’s affections and was trying to meet up with her.”

  Al turned the envelopes over in his hand. The first, dated over a month earlier, had a Florida postmark and return address. Although the second, dated only the previous week, had no return ad
dress, its smudged black postmark indicated it had been mailed in Seattle.

  “Okay if I read ‘em?” he asked Hillary, who was crouching down and stroking Red.

  She nodded. “Be my guest.”

  The letters were written in a scrawled hand. The first was almost poetic in its contents, and Al had to hold back a snort of laughter as he read it.

  “Who does this guy think he is, that famous poet, Robert Browning?” he said. “Ethan’s been stealin’ a few lines from him, even if he’s paraphrasin’. ‘I would not change one word, one look…you are perfect to me.’”

  “I think Ima gonna’ throw up.” He frowned as he continued down the page and began to shake his head before looking over to Hillary. “Is this dude for real?”

  “It’s all garbage,” she said. “All that stuff about ‘I know you feel the same way.’ Toni despised Ethan. She couldn’t bear to be anywhere near him. She moved to Washington to escape the pain of watching him ruin our mother’s life. It wasn’t because of any unrequited love on Toni’s part for Ethan, like he wrote.

  “I can tell you categorically that I know that man made her skin crawl. The worst thing was, Mom met Ethan online. Toni helped her set up her dating profile and showed her how to ‘wink’ at men she liked. Toni blamed herself for ever suggesting the online dating thing.”

  The first letter, although cringeworthy, was harmless enough in its contents. It begged Toni to consider meeting Ethan to talk about their ‘unfinished business.’

  “‘I swear I am devoted to you…’,” Al read aloud, “…‘and if you will just give me a chance, I will show you happiness beyond your greatest dreams. Please, do not be swayed by guilt. It was your mother’s dying wish for you to love and be loved. She made me promise to look after you, but I needed no encouragement. Please, set aside your doubts and follow your heart…’ Ugh.” Al made a face and opened the other envelope.