A Murderous Misconception

by Lorraine Bartlett

  He let out a long breath. “Okay, yes. She gave me the photographs. I didn’t ask for them, and I shoved them in my bottom desk drawer,” he said. “I told her I was in love with you, and that there would never be a her and me.”

  “You kept them? You still have them?” Katie accused.

  Andy groaned. “It’s not like that. I put them in the drawer so no one else would see them. And, frankly, I forgot about them until now. I’ll get them out and destroy them.”

  He could say that, but would he actually do it? Considering he and Erikka were just ‘friends,’ should he have been embarrassed for her and immediately given them back?

  “Do you believe Erikka really was pregnant?” Katie demanded.

  “Why would she lie about that?” Andy asked, sounding clueless.

  “You tell me.” But Andy didn’t reply. Unable to stand his awkward silence, she said, “I’ve had a long day.”

  “Yeah, me, too,” he admitted, sounding weary.

  “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” Andy said flatly.

  “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Sunshine.”

  Katie ended the call. For long seconds, she wasn’t sure what she felt or what she could do. Then she grabbed her laptop. Although she desperately wanted to give Andy the benefit of doubt and believe his slip-up with Erikka had been a one-time occurrence rather than a full-blown affair, she’d heard the pain in his voice when he’d spoken about how hard it would be for Angelo’s employees to work while grieving Erikka’s death. Of course, he’d mourn the loss of his coworker and friend—Katie imagined all her coworkers would do the same—but was Andy bereft over a woman he liked or a woman he loved? He claimed to love only Katie and that he’d only slept with Erikka during one night of drunken passion. But had Andy fallen in love with Erikka but denied his feelings because he felt bound to Katie?

  She logged onto her favorite social media site and went to Erikka’s profile page. Scrolling through the feed, Katie saw that the sonogram was the last thing Erikka posted. Other people had posted their condolences and memories, but she noted Andy hadn’t.

  Prior to the sonogram photo, Erikka had posted a photo of a cinnamon bun Andy had made at the pizzeria. It looked delicious—he wasn’t called the Cinnamon Bun King of Victoria Square for nothing. She’d captioned the photo: The second-best thing at Angelo’s. Of course, she could’ve meant the pizza, but Katie doubted it.

  In a post from a few weeks earlier, Erikka made a vague comment about being stalked. That was worth looking into. Katie wrote down the comment and the date it was made.

  Erikka had only mentioned “stalking” once. Otherwise, there were memes, inspirational quotes, selfies—the usual social media fodder—but there wasn’t anything specifically referencing Andy. Was that telling in itself? Or was Katie looking for damning evidence where there was none and should she ask Andy about it?

  When she scrolled past photographs of a newborn baby, Katie stopped and went back to the post. Clicking through to see all the images, she learned that they were of Erikka’s nephew. Her sister’s name was highlighted, so Katie visited her page. There were posts documenting the baby’s growth over the past three months, pictures taken at the time of the child’s birth that were similar to those on Erikka’s page, and photographs of Erikka’s pregnant sister. Katie could definitely see the resemblance between the two women.

  And then there it was—the sonogram photo Erikka had posted on her own page. It looked a lot like the picture her sister had posted many months before. Could it have been the same one?

  Chapter 8

  With so much turmoil enveloping her thoughts, Katie found it hard to sleep that night. The next morning, she dragged herself out of bed at seven o’clock, showered, dressed, and headed over to Tealicious to start her day. She let herself in the front door and went into the kitchen to see what Brad was cooking up for the day. Although it was early, Katie could hear the sound of hammering in the apartment above. She and Brad weren’t the only early birds.

  Standing at the counter creaming butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl, Brad was absorbed in his task. He started when he turned and saw her there. “God, don’t scare a guy like that.”

  Katie laughed. “Sorry.”

  He smiled. “Good morning. How’s your head?”

  It took a moment for Katie to remember what he referred to. “Surprisingly enough, it’s fine.” She was glad she’d stopped at two glasses of wine. “I didn’t see Nick taking off for a run this morning, though.”

  “Neither did I. I’m guessing he slept in.”

  She peeped over his shoulder and breathed in the scents of vanilla and lime. “What are you making? It smells heavenly.”

  “Key lime cookies. Once I mix the dough, I’ll have to put it in the freezer for half an hour or so to ensure it’s properly chilled.”

  “I’d better let you get to it then. If you don’t need me for anything at the moment, I’m going to run upstairs and see how the apartment is coming along.”

  “Is there anything special you’d like to have for dinner tonight? I don’t mind taking over Sassy Sally’s kitchen again.”

  “I’m having dinner with Andy this evening,” she said, lowering her eyes.

  “All right. If that’s what you want.”

  Katie didn’t like the resignation she heard in Brad’s voice, but she understood it. “I haven’t forgiven him. I only promised to have a meal with him and hear him out.”

  Raising his hands, Brad said, “I know. I’m not judging. I just don’t want you going through what I did with my ex.”

  Katie felt a pang of sympathy and reached out to pat Brad’s shoulder. The heartache his ex-girlfriend had caused led him to end up in rehab for alcohol abuse. “No breakup is ever easy.”

  Brad raised an eyebrow. “Are you broken up?”

  Katie merely shrugged.

  Slogging up the stairs to the apartment, she wondered if she and Andy really were now over. She hated to think so—they’d been through a lot together, and she thought she loved him. But because of his loyalty to Erikka, he’d been willing to risk their relationship more than once, and that was before Katie even knew about the cheating. Not so long ago, Katie had been livid when Andy had created a full-time position for Erikka so she wouldn’t leave Angelo’s for another job. He’d been desperate not to lose the woman, no matter how Katie felt about the situation. And then he’d slept with Erikka. Katie’s gut tightened. How could their relationship possibly survive that kind of betrayal?

  The pounding continued and Katie guessed her contractor, John Healy, was putting down the hardwood flooring today. As she strode into the living room, however, it was Roger, Andy’s part-time employee, she saw working diligently.

  Katie knew Roger enjoyed apprenticing with Healy and planned to work with him full time as soon as he finished high school.

  She waited for a pause in the hammering to call, “Good morning. Brad’s making key lime cookies. I’ll have him save you some if you’re interested.”

  The young man looked up at her and grinned. “I’d be more interested in chocolate chip cookies.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” She crouched beside him. “This is looking great.”

  “Thanks. Glad you’re happy with it. John had an errand to run this morning and will be here later. He asked me to get started.”

  Katie wasn’t sure how to approach the subject of Erikka’s death and finally just decided to come out with it. “I’m so sorry about Erikka,” she said softly. “It must be hard on all of you at Angelo’s. I think it’s good Andy closed the pizzeria for a couple of days.”

  Roger looked away, nodded, placed another board in line. “You don’t…” He didn’t finish his thought.

  “I don’t what?”

  Not meeting her gaze, he mumbled, “You don’t think he did it. Do you?” His last sentence conveyed his uncertainty.

  “I don’t think who did what?” Katie thought Roger was
talking about Andy—and Erikka’s murder—but she wasn’t positive, and she certainly wasn’t going to plant that thought in his mind if he’d been asking about something else.

  Roger glanced at her. “I don’t believe Andy would’ve ever hurt Erikka. Do you?”

  Katie shook her head; but before she could say anything, Roger resumed talking.

  “I mean, yeah, they’d begun arguing a lot lately, but that’s what people who care about each other do, right? My sister Regan and I fight all the time, but we love each other. I feel like that’s how it was between Andy and Erikka.” His eyes widened. “Not that they loved each other—I know he loves you—but….”

  “I understand what you’re saying,” Katie interrupted, giving him a wan smile. “And, no, I don’t think Andy would’ve hurt Erikka in any way.”

  Roger let out a breath and looked away. “Yeah, me, either.”

  Katie remembered Erikka’s Instagram post mentioning stalking from a few weeks before. “Did Erikka ever mention having any kind of trouble?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Just something she posted on Instagram but it was only the one time.”

  Roger shook his head. “Nope.”

  Katie nodded and straightened. “I appreciate all the hard work you’re doing. Thanks again.”

  Roger muttered something about being happy to have the opportunity to make this place her home, but Katie wasn’t really paying attention. She was already moving toward the staircase in a daze. Did she truly believe what she’d told Roger—that she didn’t think Andy would’ve hurt Erikka? Or was she lying to him and to herself? She didn’t know anymore. But for now, she had to put that possibility out of her mind and get back to work.

  Before leaving Tealicious, she returned to the kitchen to tell Brad about Sophie Davenport volunteering to help out at the tea shop over winter break. “I’m sorry I forgot to mention it to you earlier.”

  “Do we need or want an incompetent in our kitchen during what promises to be our busiest season?” he asked.

  “You’ll be pleasantly surprised by Sophie,” Katie promised. “She’s an excellent cook, a smart girl, and she’s willing to work hard. For free.”

  Brad shrugged. “Okay, I’ll give her a chance.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  “But if she doesn’t work out, she goes—deal?”

  “Deal.” Katie jerked her thumb toward the staircase and smiled. “Somebody hopes you’re making something with chocolate chips for today’s menu, by the way.”

  “As it happens, I’ve already made oatmeal chocolate chip bars with coconut and caramel and have put some aside for Roger,” Brad said. “That boy knows I don’t take requests, but today he happens to be in luck.”

  “Uh-huh.” Katie knew Brad had a soft spot for the kid or else he wouldn’t have already set aside cookies for him. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

  When she stepped out onto the asphalt, Katie saw the lights come on in Ray’s shop, Wood U. She hadn’t consciously decided to drop in, but she felt herself moving in the shop’s direction.

  Upon entering the gift store, Katie saw that an older man was standing at the counter yammering at Ray. Whether he was a customer or merely someone shooting the breeze, she didn’t know. He must’ve followed Ray inside as soon as Ray unlocked the shop.

  Katie browsed the shop while waiting for the man to leave. It wasn’t until she nearly knocked a carved elk off a shelf that she realized her hands were trembling.

  This was a bad idea. A very bad idea.

  Realizing she wasn’t going to get to have a private conversation with Ray, Katie headed for the exit.

  “Hey, Kate, wait.”

  She halted and turned to look at Ray. He’d called her Kate only one other time that she could recall. They’d been arguing because she wanted to help him prove his innocence of a murder Detective Schuler was trying to pin on him.

  Now Ray addressed the man leaning on the counter. “It’s been nice talking with you, Walter, but I need to get to work.”

  “Oh, sure,” Walter said. “And I need to get back to my walk. See you later.” He gave Katie an affable nod as he left the building.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled.

  “Don’t be.” Ray moved to stand in front of her. “I’ll put the closed sign on the door if you want me to.”

  Smiling slightly, she shook her head. “That’s all right.”

  “I don’t think you’re all right.” He placed his large, calloused hands on her shoulders. “What’s going on?”

  “You…you don’t think—” She couldn’t finish her thought.

  “I do once in a while.” He gave her a lopsided grin that made her laugh.

  Then she was serious again, determined to ask Ray’s opinion—his professional opinion—before she lost her nerve. “Do you think Andy could have killed Erikka?”

  Ray’s mouth drooped. “No.”

  “Truly? You’re answering as a former detective?”

  “Yes.” He lifted a thumb to caress her jawline. “Don’t you realize I’d have told you immediately if I suspected that man for an instant? And do you think I would’ve let him anywhere near you if I thought he was a murderer?”

  Katie closed her eyes and expelled a breath of relief.

  “What brought this on?” Ray asked.

  “Roger—the young man who works for both Andy and the contractor renovating my apartment. He said Andy and Erikka had been arguing a lot in the past couple of weeks.”

  Dropping his hands, Ray moved toward the coffee maker. “Care for a cup?”

  “No, thanks.”

  Ray poured himself a cup and added plenty of sugar. “I’d imagine they were arguing over the baby.”

  “That’s the other thing,” Katie said. “I don’t believe Erikka was pregnant.” She explained everything she’d observed—from the photographs to finding Erikka’s sister’s sonogram and realizing it was the same one Erikka had posted as her own.

  Placing his coffee cup on the counter and giving Katie an exaggerated blink, Ray said, “Hold up. Erikka gave Andy sexy pictures of herself, and he accepted them?”

  She slowly nodded. “And unless he got rid of them since last night, they’re still in his desk drawer at the pizzeria.”

  “That man is an idiot.” Ray held up a hand. “I still don’t think he’s a killer, but he has to be the biggest jerk I’ve ever known.”

  “Because he couldn’t tell from the photographs that Erikka wasn’t pregnant?” Katie asked.

  “No. In his defense, he might not have known when the pictures were taken. He’s an idiot because he wanted to have you both and thought he could get away with it.”

  “He told me they were only together—you know—one time.”

  “You don’t believe that, do you?” he asked accusingly.

  “Deep down, I guess I don’t.”

  Ray merely shook his head. She could tell there was more he wanted to say, but he restrained himself—and for that, she was glad.

  Changing the subject, she said, “There was something else I found on Erikka’s social media account. It was only one post, but it might be worth looking into. She indicated someone was stalking her.”

  “I hate to burst your bubble, but that might’ve been another ploy for attention.” Ray took a sip of his coffee. “But I’ll ask around.”

  “Thanks.” Katie nodded at the worktable. “I’d better let you go. You told Walter you needed to get to work, remember?”

  “You’re the exception.” He cleared his throat. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now. You’ve got a lot on your plate running two businesses and renovating an apartment, much less finding out about Andy’s infidelity and then discovering Erikka’s dead body.”

  She gave him a wry smile. “I’ll be all right. I’m tough, remember?”

  “I know you are. But at least as far as Andy is concerned, you deserve better; and I hope you realize it.”

  Did she? Katie wasn’t ent
irely sure.

  Chapter 9

  Katie studied the list of things she needed to do prior to the Harvest Festival when Seth knocked on her door. Smiling, she got up and welcomed him into her office with a hug.

  “This is a nice surprise.” But then she frowned. “Right? I mean, I hope it is.” She peeped behind him, half afraid Detective Schuler was waiting in the vendors’ lounge.

  “I’m only here to see how you’re doing,” Seth said, holding up his right hand as if he were being sworn to testify. “I promise.”

  Katie sat back down behind her desk and invited Seth to take the only other chair. “You haven’t heard anything from Schuler?”

  He shook his head. “You?”

  “No,” she replied. “I’d stick with the adage about no news being good news, but I’m afraid he’s digging to find something he hopes will incriminate me.”

  “Too bad. He’s not going to find anything.”

  She wished she felt as confident as Seth seemed to be. Searching his warm blue eyes, she didn’t see any evasiveness there.

  Seth reached out and took her hand. “Everything is going to be fine.”

  “Did you find a criminal attorney who’ll take my case—you know, if Schuler does arrest me?” she asked.

  He squeezed her hand before releasing it. “Don’t borrow trouble.”

  Biting her lip, Katie asked, “But you have someone in mind?”

  “Yes. Trust me.” He smoothly steered the conversation in a different direction. “How are the apartment renovations coming along?”

  “Great. I can hardly wait for you and Jamie—” Seth’s partner “—and everyone else—to see it.”

  “I know Nick would be delighted to help you plan a housewarming party,” Seth said with a smile.

  Nodding, she said, “That’s something I can look forward to when there’s no suspicion of murder hanging over my head.”

  “Why don’t you join Jamie and me for dinner tonight? I’m making risotto with roasted shrimp.”

  “Sounds amazing and I truly appreciate the invitation, but I have plans.” She examined the flashy nails on her left hand as she spoke. “I hope I can get a rain check.”