The Milburn Big Box Set

by Nancy McGovern

  Both Tina and Kim looked at her eagerly. “Yes?”

  “Why?” Nora asked. “If he was released a year earlier, why kill Zoey now?”

  “Maybe he was trying to reconcile and, when she wouldn’t have it, his frustration boiled over,” Kim suggested.

  “Maybe,” Nora agreed. “Only…did Zoey talk about her ex to you at all? Did she say he was harassing her?”

  Kim sighed. “Well… no. But she did look funny this last week. I don’t know how to explain it.”

  “I mean, maybe Zoey didn’t exactly want to talk to her employers about her ex-husband, you know?” Tina said. “We should find out who Zoey’s friends were, her real friends, and go talk to them. That way, we can dig up some proof and catch the guilty party.”

  “Which reminds me,” Nora turned to Kim. “You were at my party the other day, weren’t you? We didn’t get a chance to talk then.”

  “Oh, yes.” Kim laughed. “We dropped in only for a few moments. Perry said he had an offer for Harvey. And you were so deep in conversation with others while we were there that I didn’t want to interrupt you. But a belated happy birthday to you, Nora. So sorry we couldn’t wish you one then. We were in a rush.”

  “Thanks.” Nora smiled. “Did you happen to bump into Zoey at the party?”

  “Zoey?” Kim looked puzzled. “No. Why? Did you invite her? I didn’t see her.”

  “Never mind.” Nora shook her head. “She was at your house earlier that day though, wasn’t she?”

  “Yes, she was always over on Wednesdays and Saturdays.” Kim nodded. “Why?”

  “Did she seem disturbed in any way?”

  Kim shook her head. “I wouldn’t know. I’m always at the clinic when she comes over. She knows where the key is. I mean, she knew. She’d slip in, do the work, and I’d come home to a clean house. It was a good arrangement.”

  “But Perry was at home, wasn’t he?” Tina asked. “He must be home on Saturdays.”

  Kim frowned. “Maybe…I didn’t really discuss it with him. He probably wouldn’t have talked to her anyway. He’d be watching football or napping. The man’s lazy as a bear in hibernation on his days off.”

  “Ask him, would you?” Tina looked excited. “In fact, ask him if she mentioned anything about a silver jacket!”

  Kim looked astonished. “A what?”

  Nora elbowed Tina in the ribs. “Never mind.”

  “A silver jacket?” Kim looked from Tina to Nora. “Why would Zoey care about a silver jacket? What do you guys know?”

  “We—” Tina was about to speak, but Nora stamped on her foot this time, a little harder than she should have.

  “Nothing much,” Nora said. “It’s just something we heard here and there.”

  Kim waited, but it was plain that neither of them were going to talk. She pouted a little. “I shared my gossip with you and now you two are playing mum. What’s up with that?”

  “Sorry, Kim. We’ll let you know as soon as we find out more about it,” Nora said. “Just forget it, won’t you?”

  “Fine.” Kim sighed. “By the way, at your party, I had a chance to talk to your daughter, Hazel,” Kim said. “Lovely girl you’ve got there.”

  “Thanks.” Nora’s smile was brighter this time.

  “She worked for Perry’s landscaping company last summer, you know. Tell her a job’s open for her anytime she wants it.” Kim fluffed her hair. “To be honest, Perry needs her back. It’s so hard to find reliable workers these days. We had to fire one of our employees recently and, my oh my, did he lose his temper when he got the news.”

  “Anyone we know?” Tina asked.

  “I don’t think so. His name’s Matt Whitman. But I doubt you’d hang out with his type.” Kim wrinkled her nose a little. “The man was positively furious at Perry. He was shouting and swearing and promising to take revenge. It was a big scene.”

  “Really? You should take precautions. You never know who’ll turn psycho these days,” Tina said. “Have Sheriff Ellerton write up a report. The added benefit will be you’ll give him some of that paperwork he hates so much.”

  “Hang on.” Nora raised her hand. “Matt Whitman? Did you say Matt Whitman worked for you?”

  Kim nodded. “It’s a pity we had to fire him, too. He was so good at his job. But his temper...”

  “Did Hazel know him? I mean, did she work with him?” Nora interrupted.

  “Sure. They were on the same team. I think they became good friends, too. It’s not really a large operation, you know. Perry just keeps it because it’s a good revenue stream and helps manage the landscapes in his bigger real estate developments.”

  Nora wasn’t really listening. So that’s how Hazel knew Matt Whitman. She’d worked with him before. Somehow, in that time, they’d grown pally and Hazel had helped set him up with Zoey.

  The bell over the door tinkled and Tina got up as more customers began to come in.

  “I have to go take care of business,” Tina said. “But Kim, ask Perry all about what Zoey was like that day, will you? We really need to know.”

  “Only if you fill me in on this silver jacket business,” Kim said. “I’m intrigued.”

  “Sure, sure.” Tina waved her off and went behind the counter, leaving Kim with Nora, who was still thinking about Hazel.

  Even if Hazel was twenty and an adult, Nora’s protective instincts were still very strong around her daughter. If Matt Whitman was involved in Zoey’s death in any way, she wanted to know, and she wanted Hazel far away from him. Hazel was still young and so naive, seeing only the best in everyone. Of course, Nora realized she had to be a bit subtle about it. Forbidding Hazel from talking to the man would only complicate things, and it wasn’t like Hazel was in a mood to listen right now.

  Sighing, Nora wondered if things would ever get easier with her daughter. Maybe when she was Mrs. Mullally’s age.

  *****

  Chapter 9

  The Knock

  Nora rubbed her eyes, feeling strangely exhausted. It was only 5pm, but she felt like she was coming down with a fever. Her body was aching a little, and her eyes felt heavy. Just great — what else could go wrong?

  She pulled into her driveway, hoping she’d be able to catch a nap. Making dinner was out of the question today, she’d just order some pizza. Or maybe Harvey could get takeout on the way home…

  Entering the house, she was greeted instead with the wonderful fragrance of garlic and onions sizzling on the stove. She heard a voice humming in the kitchen, singing an old Fleetwood Mac song. Entering silently, Nora spied Hazel, whose back was turned to her. She was stirring something on the stove, with her blonde hair piled up in a bun on top of her head.

  ‘”I didn’t know you liked that song,” Nora said, wondering why her throat suddenly felt tight. “Landslide. Kinda sad.”

  “Mom.” Hazel turned around, startled.

  “Hey,” Nora said. “I tried calling, Hazel.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I just needed some time to get my head straight.” Hazel bit her lip. Her shoulders were trembling slightly and the long wooden spoon in her hand left a stain on the side of her jeans.

  “Sweetie, I’m sorry. The way I just dropped Zoey’s death in your lap…I don’t know what came over me. It was cruel and insensi—”

  “I know you didn’t mean it that way. It was just the shock of it all.” Hazel waved it away. “Anyway, I want to apologize, too. I thought I’d make dinner tonight — and clean up — to give you some rest. I guess I’ve been grumpy and on edge lately, and more than a little snappy. I felt like a huge stone rolled off my chest once I told you about college. I’ve been keeping it in for too long.” She still looked wary, though, and it broke Nora’s heart a little that Hazel was more than a little scared of her mother’s reaction. In that way, she was still her little girl — Nora could tell a big part of Hazel wanted hugs and validation from mom.

  “I talked it over with your dad, and we both think you’re old enough to make your ow
n decisions,” Nora said. “If it’s not college, then I’m sure you’ll find some other path. Just as long as you’re working hard and are happy, it doesn’t matter what that path is.”

  Hazel’s eyes brightened with tears, and her smile widened. “Thanks, Mom. I’m actually—” Something crackled on the stove and she jumped, turning to stir the pot.

  “What are you making anyway?” Nora asked.

  “Spag bol,” Hazel said. “I’m just browning the meat now. Then I’ll throw in the tomatoes and it can simmer away for an hour or two, just in time for dinner.”

  “You’ve always loved cooking, haven’t you?” Nora smiled. Harvey really was brilliant. Hiring Hazel would be the best decision the diner ever made. A win-win situation all around.

  “Not really,” Hazel said, surprising Nora. “It’s Grace you’re thinking of. I’ll be lucky if I don’t burn this sauce.”

  “Oh, nonsense. Of course you’re a good cook. Any child of mine is!” Nora went to the counter and leaned on it. “Look, your dad and I were talking and we thought, since you aren’t going to college anymore, and your…other option didn’t work out, maybe you could join the diner instead.”

  “What?” Hazel looked at Nora blankly, blinking.

  “You heard me. I can’t cook professionally anymore, but I could teach you some of my skills — all of my skills, for that matter — and I’m sure you’d be a great chef in no time. Or maybe you’d prefer to help your Aunt Tina manage the place. Either way, there’s a lot of opportunity for you there.”

  “You have a chef already,” Hazel pointed out. “Angela handles it just fine. Everyone loves her food. And Aunt Tina doesn’t need help, either.”

  “Yeah, but...”

  “But Angela isn’t your daughter so I get an automatic spot, is that it?” Hazel’s lips were pressed together, and her eyes narrowed. “Man, oh man. You and Dad really have the lowest possible opinion of me, don’t you?”

  “What are you talking about?” Nora was baffled. “Hazel, we’re trying to help.”

  “No. You’re trying to interfere!” Hazel exclaimed. “For your information, I already have a job. I talked to a friend of mine today and he and I are going to start a landscaping company together. This town sure could use a decent one.”

  “What friend?” Nora felt her blood run cold.

  “Nobody you’d know, I’m sure,” Hazel said. “His name is Matt and—”

  “And over my dead body will you go near him!” Nora’s temper snapped. “How could you be so foolish? You don’t know anything about the man and you’re ready to start a company with him!”

  “Me? You don’t know anything about Matt. He’s—”

  “Hazel. I absolutely forbid it. You aren’t going anywhere near Matt. In fact, I’d like you to delete his number from your phone. I don’t like that man.”

  “Mom. Do you even hear yourself?”

  “I know what I’m talking about. You are too young to do this!” More than the immediate anger coursing through her veins, Nora could sense an underlying panic. This would be the biggest mistake of Hazel’s life. She just knew it.

  “This is happening. Whether you like it or not,” Hazel said. She slammed the spoon on the counter. “What is your problem anyway?”

  “My problem? Matt Whitman is my problem. Don’t go near him. Don’t you get it? He might have been the one to poison Zoey!”

  Hazel stared at her and her jaw dropped open. She blinked, shook her head, then asked slowly, “Poison Zoey?”

  “It’ll come out tomorrow,” Nora said. “She was murdered. Her smoothie had some kind of poison in it.”

  “Zoey?” Hazel’s breath was shallow. She reached out and clutched the counter for support. “Poisoned?”

  “I’m sorry, honey,” Nora said. “I know you were close. But...”

  “But who could want to poison Zoey?” Hazel asked. “She was the sweetest woman alive. She was kind to everybody!”

  “That’s what we have to find out,” Nora said. “I mean, what the police have to find out.”

  “The police...” Hazel blinked again as though she were dreaming. “I can’t believe it.”

  Nora thought her daughter might be on the verge of fainting, her entire face having drained of color.

  “Why don’t you sit down?” Nora asked, taking her hand. Hazel shook it away. “No,” she said. “I need to talk about this, Mom. “You think Matt did it? But why?”

  “I don’t like the man,” Nora said. “He’s hiding something. I can feel it.”

  “Or maybe you’re judging him,” Hazel said. “Matt’s harmless. He would never. Besides, he really loved Zoey.”

  “Love’s been the cause of many a murder,” Nora said. “Just stay away from him, Hazel.”

  “Mom.” Hazel pulled Nora into a hug, holding her there for a few seconds. Nora took a breath, feeling some of her panic abate. When Hazel pulled back, her face was expressionless, but Nora already had a sinking feeling about what she’d say next.

  “Look, I know Matt. I’ve worked with him. Remember that landscaping job I had last summer? He’s a creative genius when it comes to landscapes and maintenance. Honestly. But he’s growing old, and his back’s giving out. It’s a perfect combination — he can be the brains and business head, plus he’s got contacts. I’ll do most of the hands-on work. It’s perfect. Right now, he’s working as a janitor in a job he hates, and I have no job myself. He said he has enough savings to cover the cost of equipment. All I need to do is show up. If things go right, I’ll be rolling in profits soon.”

  “It’s not just about money, Hazel. Kim Morris said that he caused a scene when her husband fired him. If he’s got an unstable temper, I don’t want you near him.”

  Hazel snorted. “Oh, please,” she said. “Perry Morris has been shaving off Matt’s wages for years. He’d promised Matt a hefty bonus this time and, once again, made up some flimsy excuse for not giving it. Yeah, Matt lost his cool and ended up losing his job, but it’s hardly like he’s unstable.”

  “He said you set him up with Zoey.”

  “You met him?” Hazel looked amazed. “When?”

  “I went to his house yesterday,” Nora said. “I was asking around about Zoey. His house was a mess. Plus...” Nora bit off her next words. She didn’t know how Hazel would react to hearing her mother had snooped around. Probably not very positively.

  Hazel put a hand to her eyes. “Mom, honestly, I get it. He looks raggedy and his house is a mess. I admit he’s even a bit hard to like initially. But that doesn’t mean he’s a murderer. I’m telling you. He really loved Zoey and he’s had a hard life...”

  “Of course he’d have a hard luck story,” Nora said. “Hazel, you’re young, you’re naive, you don’t know men and you have no idea—”

  “Mom,” Hazel’s voice was firm, “I’m not giving up my business idea just because you suspect Matt’s a murderer based on the mess in his house. Okay? It’s not happening. So just forget about it and relax. I can handle things.”

  “No,” Nora said. “I’m putting my foot down about this, Hazel. I’m serious. You live in my house, under my roof and, if you want to continue doing so, you’ll give up this idea. There are thousands of other things you can do, your dad and I are supporting you so—”

  Hazel got a stubborn expression that Nora had seen on Harvey’s face many a times. She knew she wasn’t going to get through.

  “Fine,” Hazel said, her voice cold. “I’ll figure out a way to move out earlier than I planned. I’ll be gone by the end of the week.”

  “There’s no need to—”

  “Clearly, there is,” Hazel said. “You and Dad really thought I’d just say yes to some silly idea of becoming a chef and taking over the diner? It’s really just so…you guys think I’m a loser, don’t you? That I’d take my parent’s money and just roll over and be lazy.”

  “Now, sweetheart, we never said that!”

  “Yeah, but it’s true, isn’t it? Grace is always th
e good child. Grace is the one with the scholarships, Grace is the one you’re not worried about because she’s mature. As for me, you think I’m a screw-up.”

  “Hazel! Language!”

  “Whatever. I’m getting out of here. I’m tired of being treated like I’m ten.”

  “Then stop acting like it!” Nora exclaimed. “You’re making terrible decisions all over the place, Hazel!”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Hazel said. She started to walk away, then paused. She fished a can of tomatoes out of the fridge. Silently, she poured it into the pan, along with some beef broth. “Put that on to simmer when it boils and enjoy your dinner,” she snapped. “I’m not going to be home.”

  “Listen, wait.” Nora put a hand on her head, wondering how the conversation had spiraled away from her once again.

  “The brownies were delicious, by the way,” Hazel said, turning to look at Nora over her shoulder. “Bye, Mom.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Back to Amber’s,” Hazel said. “There’s a lot for me to—”

  There was a firm knock on the door and Hazel stopped. She looked at Nora for a second, then went to answer the door.

  “Yes?” Nora heard her say.

  “This Nora Nathaniel’s house?” a gruff voice asked.

  “Yeah. What’s this about?”

  “I wanted to talk to her. My name’s Brock Williams. I’m Zoey’s husband. Or rather, I used to be.”

  *****

  Chapter 10

  The Jacket

  Nora felt frozen for a second. Her instincts had gone haywire. On the one hand, she knew this man was a murderer and an ex-convict. On the other hand, he seemed so pleasant, so genuine. Not at all what you’d expect an ex-bank robber to be.

  In the photos she’d found on the internet, Brock Williams had looked half-mad, with hair sticking out in all direction and intense, wild eyes. But those photos were from years ago. The Brock in front of her now had a neat haircut, wore a suit three sizes too large for him but clean & pressed, and looked nervously at the ground instead of meeting her eyes. He looked up suddenly, and Nora knew that her caution was futile — her curiosity wouldn’t rest until she found out what he wanted.