Maple Hills Mystery Box Set 3

by Wendy Meadows

  Next Nikki asked Becky to come in. She entered, and they talked for a few minutes. She, too, had an alibi for the day. She was either with Susan all day or one of the bridesmaids or Susan’s mother all day long. They told her she could return to her room. After that, they questioned the rest of the bridal party one by one. They were all cleared and told to go back to their rooms. Afterward, Hawk and Nikki called the chief.

  “Everyone in the party has been vetted,” said Hawk. The chief said he had questioned Kim’s friends as well, and he had no suspicions of any of them.

  “Maybe we should talk to the wedding planner and the wait staff again,” suggested Nikki.

  “That is a good idea,” said Hawk. He told his father they were headed to the venue. Nikki was certain the wedding planner would be there. By then, it was seven in the morning and light was beginning to spread across the little town, but it was still frosty and cold.

  As they approached the building, Nikki told Hawk to park in the back by the service entrance. Sure enough, there were cars in the parking lot. Nikki and Hawk entered and found the staff setting up for the wedding reception. Nikki asked a young man carrying chairs where to find Madeline.

  “She is in the foyer. I think she is overseeing the guest cards,” the staff member replied. Nikki and Hawk went to the front of the building and found Madeline instructing an assistant on how to arrange the cards on the table. Nikki and Hawk walked up to her and Hawk cleared his throat. Madeline turned around and told the young woman to continue what she was doing, and she would come by to check it later.

  “What can I do for you?” she asked Nikki and Hawk. “Are you here to set up your table?” she asked Nikki. Nikki panicked for a moment. She had forgotten the table she was supposed to set up. She took a deep breath and told herself to calm down. She could get through this. Meanwhile, Hawk cut in to inform Madeline that they needed to question the staff.

  “Again?” asked Madeline a bit sharply. “I am on a tight schedule here. I do not have time to be answering questions.”

  “I understand that you are busy,” replied Hawk. “I promise this should not take long. We will interview people one at a time. Nikki can arrange everything and make sure we do not miss anyone. They can keep working before and after we question them.”

  “Okay,” Madeline said, though she did not sound reassured. She knew there was no use arguing with the detective. “Who do you want to talk to first?” she asked.

  “Why don’t we start with you?” Hawk answered.

  “Of course,” Madeline said smoothly. “Fire away.”

  “Can you give me a list of workers?” Nikki asked Madeline. “That way I can get people organized while Hawk is questioning you.”

  “Okay. It is here in this folder,” Madeline answered Nikki, handing her a manila folder. Nikki thanked her and started reading down the list. Hawk took Madeline into a small room and shut the door. Nikki walked around and checked to make sure everyone was there and gathered phone numbers and addresses to save time during the questioning. Nikki explained that Hawk had some follow-up questions and that they would be called in alphabetical order. A few of the staff members looked at each other, and Nikki wondered if some of them had been traumatized by the events last night. They went on working and waited to be called.

  When Hawk sent Madeline out after questioning, Nikki told her how she would be calling the staff. Madeline agreed and went back to the foyer to continue supervising the guest cards while Nikki ushered the next person in. Luckily, the whole process went just as smoothly as it had with the wedding party. Nikki wondered what Hawk was going to find, however. When he was done with everyone, they found Madeline and thanked her.

  “So, why are you still questioning people?” she asked. “I thought I heard people say she died of alcohol poisoning. It’s so sad, she’s so young.”

  “I am not at liberty to discuss the case right now,” said Hawk. “I will ask that you and your staff be ready for more questions as needed. We have your contact information.”

  Madeline sighed and agreed. She went back to work and Hawk and Nikki returned to the parking lot.

  “Everyone is clear,” said Hawk once they were outside. “No one stands out as a suspect.”

  Just then, Hawk’s phone rang. “It’s the chief,” he told Nikki. He talked to him for a few minutes and then hung up.

  “What did he say?” asked Nikki.

  “Dad said the mayor is hopping mad. He refuses to cancel the wedding and wants to know what is happening with the investigation. Dad did not want to tell him anything at first, but the mayor threatened to fire him. Dad figures he’s just upset, but he doesn’t want to risk his job. He told the mayor about the overdose. He said the mayor was shocked. He’s known his daughter’s friend for years and said Kim did not seem the type to use drugs. He badgered him for more details until he revealed that they suspected foul play.” Hawk paused a moment. “See, this is why my father is such a good police chief. He knows the mayor will never come in for questioning, but he might reveal a few details if he thinks he’s getting inside information.” Hawk smiled.

  “So what did the mayor say?” Nikki was tense.

  “The mayor went quiet for a couple of seconds. He said that Susan had appeared worried when he had talked to her last night, after it all happened. The mayor said she told him that Susan and Tim were worried that someone was out to get them. Of course, the chief asked him why Susan and Tim would think that. The mayor told him Susan said she just had a gut feeling. Susan still did not know about the overdose at that time, of course. The chief told him that he did not suspect Susan and Tim’s lives were in danger, but he could not rule it out. Well, that did it. The mayor is now demanding that the investigation be wrapped up quickly. He wants a suspect found before the wedding. The mayor authorized overtime and told us to mobilize as much manpower as we need. After all, Susan is his little girl and this will be her special day, by hook or by crook.” Hawk grimaced.

  “Well, I guess we’ve got our work cut out for us. Let’s head back into town,” suggested Nikki.

  “Okay,” agreed Hawk. “You can help me review the witness statements.”

  “I wish I could Hawk, but maybe later…I still need to finish up the chocolates for the wedding,” Nikki said.

  Hawk agreed to take her to the shop, and they drove into town. As they drove, Nikki looked at her phone. Seth had sent a message saying Tori had picked him up and driven him to the shop. They were already there with Lidia. He told Nikki not to worry, they had the shop covered. Yeah, but who has the wedding covered? she thought as they neared town.

  7

  Nikki was feverishly at work decorating a tray of chocolates when Hawk came in. He had gone to his office to check in and consolidate his notes. Nikki was finishing the icing on the strawberries. They all looked beautiful. Seth and Tori were helping her with the chocolates. They were putting some finishing touches on the other fruit. Hawk came into the kitchen, followed by Lidia, and said hello.

  “How are the chocolates coming? You ready to get back to the investigation? We still have plenty of time before the wedding later today,” he said.

  Nikki twirled the icing bag with a flourish and pulled it up. “Done,” she said. “All I have to do is cut the angel food cake, and we are ready to go.” She glanced desperately at the clock. “Oh no, is that the time? We’re supposed to deliver the chocolates right now!”

  “I can cut the cake,” Lidia offered.

  “Yes, and we can take everything to the venue,” Seth chimed in.

  “If they take the chocolates and come right back, I can run the store by myself for at least an hour if need be,” said Lidia.

  “This is our busiest day of the year,” argued Nikki, despairing.

  “Yes, but most of our customers have placed and picked up their orders already. I can handle the last-minute traffic, and it will not take Seth and Tori long to set up the table. They will be back before I know they are gone,” Lidia reassured Ni
kki.

  “Well, okay,” Nikki agreed.

  “Good,” said Hawk. “I’ll drive you home and meanwhile we can catch up about the investigation. I have been going over my notes and have not gotten any further. Maybe if we go over everything again together, we will think of another angle to investigate.”

  “Okay,” said Nikki. “Just let me clean up and get this apron off.”

  She washed her hands and hugged Seth, Tori, and Lidia. “Thank you for being such a great team,” she said.

  “The team is only as good as its leader,” remarked Lidia. Nikki smiled as she and Hawk left the shop.

  The town green was starting to become crowded with wedding guests and decorators. The center of town was transforming into a swirl of red and white. The tents and awnings were up and the chairs and tables were being arranged for the wedding. A man walked by carrying two tables, and Hawk and Nikki jumped out of his way.

  “Shall we head right for your place?” suggested Hawk.

  “Okay, we can have some coffee and talk about the case,” said Nikki. They headed for his truck.

  “That sounds good.” Hawk opened the passenger door for Nikki, and she stepped into his truck. She yawned.

  “Yes, we will definitely need some caffeine,” she said. Hawk laughed and they started for Nikki’s house. When they got to the house, Nikki brewed some coffee, extra strong. She looked in the freezer and found the extra batch of brownies she had made the week before.

  “These should still be good.”

  “I’ll take two,” Hawk insisted. She popped a few in the microwave to warm them up, craving a little sugar herself. Nikki plated them and poured the coffee. Caffeine and chocolate will get us through anything, she thought. Hawk opened his file and put his notes on the table. Nikki and Hawk sat in the kitchen and sipped their coffee perusing the notes. There did not seem to be anything they had missed.

  “So, we cleared the staff at the venue,” Nikki began.

  “Yes,” said Hawk.

  “And we cleared the bridal party.”

  “Yes.”

  “And we cleared the guests.”

  “Yes, yes, and yes,” replied Hawk, stretching. Hawk seemed a bit snippy, but Nikki knew it was because he was so fatigued and so concerned about the case. His father had to wrap this up quickly and with no leads, it looked like it would not be possible. They were both worn down after a night of barely four hours of sleep, but were determined to figure out what happened to Kim. Nikki poured Hawk some more coffee. She poured herself half a mug more. She did not want to get jittery from the sugar and caffeine rush.

  “Maybe we should talk to Susan again,” Nikki suggested.

  “I’m not sure about that,” said Hawk. “It is her wedding day. Her father would have a fit if he saw us bothering her.” Nikki agreed, and she did not want the chief to have to deal with the mayor again. However, they had no leads, and talking to Susan again might help. She had been Kim’s closest friend.

  “That’s true, but if I went alone, I bet I could talk to her,” said Nikki. “She should be at her parents’ house getting ready. I heard she was taking bridal party pictures there before the wedding. I don’t mind going there and talking to her.”

  “Okay,” said Hawk, “but if the mayor appears…”

  “I will smile and start talking about chocolates,” finished Nikki. Hawk smiled.

  On the ride to the mayor’s house, Nikki thought of how to approach Susan. She decided to feel out the situation and go from there. Nikki pulled up to the house and parked. The house was a two-story mansion in town. It had a circular driveway, and Nikki half expected to see a valet. Nikki walked to the front door and found it was open. Nikki walked in and saw someone who looked like a photographer’s assistant rushing past. “Excuse me, can you tell me where Susan is?” The woman pointed to the dining room. There were people running around, and the mayor’s wife was barking orders at everyone as they prepared for the photo shoot. Someone was carrying flowers and others carried trays of food. There was a person beside the mayor’s wife on a cell phone. She seemed to be the mayor’s wife’s personal assistant. In the middle of this storm, Susan was sitting at the dining room table sipping some tea. She looked happy but tired. Overwhelmed, just like any bride on her wedding day, thought Nikki. Susan perked up and gave her a happy wave. Nikki slid in and sat down next to Susan.

  “How are you holding up?” she asked Susan.

  “As well as can be expected,” Susan replied. “Would you like some tea?”

  “No thank you. I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions.”

  “Sure, but let’s go up to my room. It is too busy down here.” Susan got up, and her mother demanded to know where she was going. Susan explained that she just needed a little girl talk with Nikki in her room. Her mother opened her mouth to object, but Susan cut her off.

  “Mom, I just need a few minutes of quiet,” she said. Her mom made an exasperated face, but waved her away, turning to start barking orders at someone else.

  Nikki followed Susan up the stairs to her room. The stairs were wide and curved to the top with an elegant balustrade of wrought iron and carved wood. Susan’s bedroom was a suite with a sitting room and bedroom. There was a set of sliding doors that led to a balcony. Susan shut the door and sat on her bed. She motioned to Nikki to sit on a loveseat nearby. Nikki looked around at the flowered wallpaper and the chic miniature chandelier hanging above the fireplace. It was a gorgeous room befitting the mayor’s daughter.

  “It must be so strange to be having this special day without your friend. I’m sure you thought about postponing the wedding, right?” Nikki prodded.

  “No. This has been planned for quite some time. I am still getting over Kim’s death, but all our loved ones are already here, everything is prepared…I want to get married to Tim today.” Susan pulled out some tissues and wiped her eyes. She was keeping herself together – but barely.

  “I understand. I was concerned because your father mentioned you and Tim thought someone was out to get you.”

  Susan looked up as if she was a little surprised that Nikki knew this detail. “Well, since someone killed one of my bridesmaids at my wedding party, can you blame me?” Susan asked.

  “That makes sense,” Nikki replied. Nikki wanted to console her, but she knew she had to ask the hard questions. That was the only way she and Hawk would solve this case. “Do you know anyone who would want to hurt you or Tim?”

  “No, that is why I am so scared. We do not have any enemies. This is totally out of the blue,” Susan replied. Nikki could feel Susan getting anxious. “I mean, it happened at my rehearsal dinner. Was someone after us?”

  “That’s what we are trying to find out,” Nikki reassured her. “Do you know if Kim had any enemies?”

  “No. She was a sweet, loving person,” Susan replied.

  “Had she been acting weird?”

  “No. Not that I know of. Like I told you at the hotel – she’s a close friend, but we are not together all the time. I suppose there are others who might know more than me. You questioned her roommate already, I assume?” Susan said.

  “Was she at the rehearsal dinner last night? The roommate, I mean.”

  “No, it’s a he. He is, was, just her roommate,” Susan replied, catching herself using the wrong tense. “His name is John Hammer.” She gave Nikki his information and Nikki wrote it down. She felt a surge of adrenaline again as she recognized this as a significant lead. She knew that the friends of Kim’s who were questioned were all female, which meant no one had talked to John Hammer yet.

  “Is that all?” asked Susan. “I’m glad you came by…but I don’t have much time to sit and talk. My makeup artist is due here any moment and I’m booked all day leading up to the wedding.”

  “Of course. Absolutely,” Nikki said. “I appreciate you taking the time.” Just then, there was a knock on the door.

  “Susan, are you in there?” a woman asked.

  “Yes,
Mom. I will be back down in a minute.”

  “We are on a tight schedule, you know. And Jillian is here.”

  “Okay,” Susan replied, rolling her eyes. “That’s my makeup appointment.” Nikki smiled.

  “Well, thank you. I will be going now. If you think of anything else, please give me a call.”

  “I will,” promised Susan. Nikki left the room and swiftly went down the stairs. She made it out the door without running into the mayor. She got to her car and called Hawk.

  “Kim had a roommate,” she told him. “A male roommate.”

  “That is new,” Hawk replied. “What’s the roommate’s name?”

  “His name is John Hammer, and they lived on the other side of town. I’ll text you his address. Meet me there,” Nikki replied. Hawk agreed. Nikki got in the car and decided to call Seth to see how things were going.

  “Is everything coming together?” she asked.

  “Yes, we are getting all the ingredients for the chocolate fountain ready and all the trays of chocolates lined up.”

  “Good,” Nikki said.

  “How is the investigation coming?” Seth asked.

  “We have some new information that might help, but it’s too soon to tell.”

  “That’s good. You know, I met Kim a while ago. We have a friend in common,” Seth said. Nikki was surprised.

  “Why didn’t you tell me that?” she asked.

  “I guess it slipped my mind until now.”

  “Will you do me a favor?”

  “Yes,” Seth said.

  “Can you find out if Kim was dating her roommate? His name is John.”

  “Okay. I will call my friend and get back to you.”

  “Thank you,” Nikki replied. She hung up the phone and drove to the address Susan had given her. I wonder what John Hammer will be like, she thought as the trees rushed by her car. Nikki thought about the wedding, but then pushed that out of her mind. Seth and the others are taking care of things, she thought. Everything will be fine. She turned on the radio and hummed along with an old country song.