It was then that I remembered her saying that she would never move back to Parson's Cove.
It wasn't until about a week later that Charlie finally came out with some information that I wished he'd told me sooner. It seems she was meeting a realtor so they could check out one of the cabins along the lake for a friend. A friend? Maybe the old gal had made a few friends in her new town. Wait until they discovered the real Esther.
Chapter Forty One
Captain Maxymowich dropped by the house a few days later.
“I take it all the loose ends are tied up and you’re on your way home,” I said.
The Captain smiled. “It’s been a pleasure working with you again, Mabel.”
I almost said, ‘the pleasure was all mine,’ but somehow, that sounded a little tacky. Instead, I said, “Don’t mention it. If you ever need help solving a case, you know I’m ready and willing.”
(Later, when I told Flori what I’d said, she felt that I sounded very presumptuous.)
It was almost nine. If it were any weekday but Monday, I’d have been late for work. However, because it was Monday, I was still in my housecoat and pajamas. My housecoat isn’t a thing of beauty. It’s faded cotton and only comes down to the tops of my knees. Knees, in case you didn’t know, are not pretty when they’re old..
Maxymowich, standing outside on my step and looking slightly uncomfortable, said, “If you’d like to get dressed, Mabel, I can wait. Perhaps, you have a few questions about the case you’d like answered. I know I’d sure appreciate a cup of your coffee.”
“Of course, Captain.” I ushered him into my kitchen, sat him down at my table, and I rushed upstairs to dress. Three cats had snuck out the door while we were talking but I was sure the others could entertain him.
About ten minutes later, we sat at the table together. I’d pulled on my jeans and a clean white cotton shirt, brushed my teeth, and rinsed my mouth. The only socks I could find were animal print, black and white.
“I don’t suppose,” he said, “that you have any homemade muffins to go?”
“I think I might find a few in my freezer. I can pack some up to take with you if you like. Reg has been over quite often the past few days. I guess I don’t have to say anything more, do I?”
He laughed. “No, I guess not.”
We sat in silence for a few minutes, drinking our coffee. The Captain didn’t seem to be concerned. We were almost finished our first cup and I wondered if this was it; would he finish his coffee, take his muffins, leave, and not say another word?
“Captain,” I said, “what’s going to happen to Ralph?”
He placed his cup on the table and slouched a little more in his chair.
“I would think he’ll be behind bars for quite a few years.”
“Sally?”
“Not much we can do with Sally. She’ll testify at the court case and then she’ll be on her way. There isn’t any proof that she told Ralph to kill Andrea Williams and she didn't steal the money.”
“On to find another sucker, I guess.”
“We can’t do anything about that, Mabel.”
“No, I guess not. Reg didn’t think Stella would be in too much trouble.”
He smiled lazily. “I think her embarrassment is enough punishment for her.”
“You think it will bother her conscience?”
“Oh yes, I think so.”
“What did Ralph and Sally say about Stella?”
“Sally claimed that Stella was innocent and Ralph says that he didn’t have anything to do with it at all, that it was a conspiracy between Stella and Sally to frame him.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I was never more serious.”
“Will he get away with that?”
“Only if the jury is psychiatrically disordered.”
I wasn’t quite sure if he was serious when he said that but since he didn’t smile, I decided not to laugh. Let’s face it; half the world’s population is psychiatrically disordered.
“What about Andrea Williams? Do you know what happened after I left the house on P ½?”
Now, there was a definite twinkle in his eye.
“Oh yes, the house on P ½. That seemed to be a very busy street, didn’t it?”
“Probably the busiest in Yellow Rose!”
He shoved his cup towards me. “Since I'm taking my muffins to go, I’ll settle for another cup of coffee.”
While I was pouring it, Flori burst through the door.
“Mabel, you’ll never believe this…” She paused when she saw the Captain. “Oh, Captain Maxymowich, I didn’t even notice you.” Her hand went instinctively up to her hair and she gave it a fluff.
“Flori,” I said. “I’m sure you noticed the police car in my driveway.”
She should’ve turned slightly pink but she didn’t. Instead, she giggled and said, “The driveway? Oh, I guess I did notice a car there.” With that, she walked over to the Captain, shook his hand, and told him how nice it was to see him again. Then, she settled into the chair across from him and asked me to bring her a cup of coffee.
This was definitely not my humble friend but afterwards she told me that she was trying to be extra courteous, in case I was in trouble for leaving the hotel after he’d told me not to leave. Flori is always thinking of others.
It’s a good thing she told me this afterwards because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing when she said, “So, Captain Maxymowich, I’m sure everyone on the Force is grateful to Mabel for solving this murder case.”
If the Captain reacted in any way, I missed it.
“Yes, Mrs. Flanders, we’re very grateful to Mabel. She’s a natural crime-solver. We wish more on the police force had her instincts.”
“Really?” I said. I was standing behind Flori with the coffee pot in my hand. He looked up at me and winked. Now, I would never be sure, would I?
“By the way, Mabel,” he said, “you were wondering about Andrea Williams?”
“I was. And her husband. What’s with that? Is he a real cop or not?”
He bent over to pour cream into this cup and stirred. Flori waited until he was finished and then she fixed her coffee: as much cream as she could put in without spilling it on the table, and three teaspoons of sugar. We both waited and watched while she leaned over and slurped some up.
“Well,” he said, “Andrea is now incarcerated. She and Hatcher were arrested for smuggling drugs and stealing money from the casino.”
“How did they steal that money?” I wanted to know. “I was there, Captain, and there were so many security guards around, I don’t see how anyone could steal anything.”
“The cops arrested two people who were working the tables too. They were stealing chips and passing them on to Andrea and Grace. Apparently, it was quite a complex setup. Grace was on that case for almost two years.”
“I told you, Mabel,” Flori said. “I knew that’s what they were doing.” She looked at Maxymowich. “Not that I gamble but my husband used to. Once in awhile. He hasn’t lately at all.”
“It’s okay, Flori. I’m sure Captain Maxymowich isn’t too concerned about Jake’s involvement in the gambling ring. I was wondering about Ben though, Andrea’s husband.”
“He was collecting evidence. He’s a good cop.”
“But what about his wife? I mean, how can he be good and his wife be a crook?”
He shrugged. “I guess that’s what happens sometimes. The money was too hard for her to resist. Police officers don’t make that much, you know. Especially in small places like Yellow Rose. She thought she could make some on the side. Besides, she could get information from her husband and use it. Apparently, that was her downfall. Ben started to get suspicious. She was asking too many questions.” He absentmindedly stirred his coffee.
I knew Flori would find this upsetting. She has definite viewpoints about the sanctity of marriage.
“So,” she said, “what will become of their marriage?”
&nb
sp; “I think Ben has already filed for divorce.”
“That is so sad,” Flori said.
“Flori,” I said, “don’t worry about them.” I turned my attention back to the Captain. “There’s a couple of things that still bother me.”
“Ask away, Mabel. Maybe I’ll know the answers.”
“Well, when we were parked behind Ben and Andrea’s house, someone pushed a woman out of the house and into a car. We thought it must’ve been Sally but now I realize Sally was locked up at Stella’s place. Do you know what was happening there?”
“As far as I know, it was a woman coming for drugs. Andrea made sure no one ever came to the house but I guess this one was desperate. You do have a connection with her though, Mabel.”
“I do?”
“She works at the Gulf Motel and told Andrea that someone had been around asking questions. Guess she thought she’d be rewarded with a few freebies for telling her.”
“You’re kidding! Somehow, I knew there was something familiar about her but I never would’ve guessed who it was.”
"And the other question?"
"Where's the money?"
He smiled a lazy smile. "Always comes down to the money, doesn't it? Most of it was retrieved from the trunk of Ralph's rental car. The only amount missing was what he'd given to Stella and she gladly returned it. She hadn't spent any of the cash. That’s it? No more questions?”
“I have to say I’m kind of curious, wondering who that Mexican man was; you know, the big boss.”
“I imagine there are a few bigger bosses over him but he was the kingpin in Yellow Rose. His cover was a restaurant. In fact, he was a highly respected businessman.”
“Don’t tell me he owned a Chinese restaurant.”
“Now, how would you know that?”
“Because the best Chinese restaurants in Yellow Rose are run by Mexicans, that why.”
“You learned a lot while you were there, Mabel.”
“But, what about Cecile? Is he really an undercover cop?”
Maxymowich burst out laughing. It was the first time I’d ever seen him laugh so hard.
“Mabel,” he said. “Cecile Tucker is the best undercover cop in America. After all, he had you fooled, didn’t he?”
I had to admit that he had. But then, so had Ralph.
“Mabel,” Flori said, “let’s stop talking about this case. It’s so depressing. Surely, there are other things to talk about.”
“You’re right. Captain Maxymowich asked for muffins and you know what, Flori? All I have are a few frozen bags in the freezer. I can’t believe I’ve gone through almost all the muffins. I’m going to go right down to Macy’s and get some flour and bake some more. From now on, I’ll make Mondays my baking day.”
“You forgot,” Flori said. “You can’t go to Macy’s and get flour today.”
“Why?”
“You know very well; you're the one who started it. All the stores are closed on Monday.”
Good grief!
The End.
Mabel's Muffins
Mabel’s secrets to fantastic muffins:
Proper mixing is the key. Do not over-mix!
Begin by thoroughly mixing the dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center. Mix liquid ingredients – egg, milk, melted fat or oil, and other seasonings or spices – until well combined. Add fruit, chocolate chips, etc.
Pour the liquid ingredients into the well in the dry ingredients and stir just enough to moisten. The batter should be lumpy but not have any areas with dry flour.
BANANA MUFFINS
1 cup white sugar
½ cup margarine
1 beaten egg
1 cup mashed bananas
1 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1 tbsp. hot water
½ tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
Bake @350* for 20-30 min
CARROT MUFFINS
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
14 oz. tin crushed pineapple (juice & all)
1 cup coconut
2 cups grated carrot
1 cup white sugar
½ cup oil
1 cup raisins
2 ¼ cup flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
Mix all in bowl
Bake @350* 25 minutes
ORANGE AND DATE MUFFINS
1 whole orange, unpeeled, cut in chunks with seeds removed
½ cup orange juice
½ cup chopped dates
1 egg
½ cup margarine
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
¾ cup sugar
Dash salt
Blend orange, juice, dates, eggs & margarine in blender
Put dry ingredients in large bowl and add blender ingredients; mix until moistened
Bake @400* for 15 minutes
RHUBARB PECAN MUFFINS
2 cups flour
¾ cup sugar
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp. salt
¾ cup pecans or walnuts
1 egg
¼ cup veg. oil
2 tsp. grated orange rind
¾ cup orange juice
1 ½ cups finely chopped rhubarb
Combine dry ingredients
Beat egg, oil, juice and rind and add to flour mixture; Add rhubarb.
Bake @350* for 25-30 min
SUNSHINE HEALTH MUFFINS
1 cup buttermilk OR 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp. vinegar added
¼ cup veg. oil
1 beaten egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
½ cup chopped nuts
3 tbsp. wheat germ
3 tbsp. sesame seeds
2 tbsp. poppy seeds
1/3 cup coconut
Combine wet and dry ingredients until moistened
Bake @375* for 20 minutes or until golden
CRUNCHY TOP CRANBERRY MUFFINS
2 cups flour
¾ cup sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. ground cardamom or cinnamon
½ cup plain yogurt
¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup veg. oil
2 eggs
1 ½ cups whole cranberries
TOPPING: ¼ cup sugar
1 Tbsp. grated orange rind
In large bowl whisk together dry ingredients
In separate bowl whisk together yogurt, juice, oil & eggs
Pour over flour mixture
Sprinkle with cranberries and stir until moistened
Spoon into muffin cups.
Combine sugar with orange rind and sprinkle 1 tsp. over batter in each cup
Bake @400* for 25-30 minutes or until tops are firm to the touch
Mabel, Murder, & Muffins Page 24