A Murderous Misconception

by Lorraine Bartlett

  “Why would I do that?” Katie frowned. “He’s probably too busy to bother with it. Plus, he’s a chef. What would he know about apartment renovation that I wouldn’t?”

  Shrugging, Ray said, “Well, I imagine he’ll be spending a lot of time there...”

  “Downstairs in the tearoom.” Her eyes widened. “You were still spying on me last night, and you saw Brad and me leaving Tealicious!”

  “I saw you, but it wasn’t because I was spying on anyone. I’d stopped by Wood U. Trust me—I couldn’t care less what you were doing last night.”

  Katie stood on her tiptoes and got almost nose to nose to Ray. “Is that right?”

  “Don’t strike that match unless you’re ready for it to burn,” he warned.

  The intensity in his eyes disarmed her and the electricity between them crackled. She lowered herself back to her normal height. “Brad saw a light on at Tealicious and stopped to make sure everything was all right. I hadn’t eaten at the restaurant and didn’t want to invade Nick and Don’s kitchen, so I stopped at the tea shop. No big deal.”

  He nodded.

  Was that a smile? If so, he hid it too quickly to be sure.

  “You’re more than welcome to come do the walk-through with me,” she said.

  “Fine,” he said and offered his hand, but Katie was perfectly capable of making her way through the Alley and onto the tarmac outside without the help of a man—any man. And she was damned if she was about to let Ray bully her into feeling like a damsel waiting for rescue.

  “Follow me,” she said and strode past him and into the vendors’ lounge.

  Ray obediently traveled in her wake.

  Chapter 14

  Katie and Ray headed up the covered stairwell to the private entrance to her new apartment positioned at the side of the building. While John and his team had done a wonderful job building the staircase, he hadn’t yet put up the handrail. Naturally, Ray immediately complained about it.

  “I hope you never suffer vertigo,” he grumbled. “And what about these steps in the winter or when you’re carrying groceries in? They need treads.”

  Katie blew out a breath, resisting the urge to smack him in the head. “Mr. Healy is working as quickly as he can. He’ll have the handrail installed by the time I move in.”

  “I’d hold up my crossed fingers, but I’m afraid I might fall.”

  “Is your balance that bad?” Katie challenged. “Rose might know of some senior exercise classes you could take.”

  “Ha, ha,” Ray deadpanned.

  The door at the top of the landing was open and Katie greeted the contractor upon entering the apartment.

  “Hey, Katie.”

  “John, this is my friend Ray Davenport. He wanted to do the walk-through with me,” she said. “Is that all right?”

  “Fine by me.” Healy shook Ray’s hand. “Where would you like to start?”

  “You do have the handrails for the staircase made, don’t you?” Ray asked.

  “I sure do. We’ll be putting them up as soon as Roger gets back.”

  “I didn’t have a chance to inspect the latest improvements in the kitchen when I was here yesterday,” Katie said.

  Healy extended an arm toward the galley kitchen. “After you, m’lady.”

  Katie advanced to her galley kitchen. “The tile in here is beautiful,” she said, admiring the blue-and-white flooring. “It looks even better than I’d imagined.”

  Healy smiled at her appreciation of his work. “Thank you.”

  Ray went to the refrigerator and opened the door. He checked the temperature in both the refrigerator and the freezer. He then turned on the faucets in the kitchen.

  “What’re you doing?” Katie asked.

  “Checking the water pressure and how long it takes the water to get warm.” He plugged the sink, filled it with water, and then let the water go down the drain. Nodding, he said, “Drains quickly—that’s good. John, have you got a phone charger?”

  “I do. I’ll get it for you.”

  When John left the room to get the charger, Katie hissed, “Can’t you wait until you get back to Wood U to charge your phone?”

  “I’m not charging my phone,” he said.

  “Then what are you doing?”

  “Here you go,” Healy said, returning to the kitchen with the charger.

  Ray took out his phone. “I’m afraid this charger won’t fit my phone. Could I borrow yours?”

  “Of course.” John handed over his phone.

  “I’m sorry,” Katie said to John. “I have no idea what he’s doing.”

  John grinned. “He’s checking the power outlets. You should be happy he’s looking out for you. I’d do the same thing for my daughter.”

  Ray’s cheeks flushed, but he ignored the comment. Katie couldn’t suppress a smile and impishly chose not to correct Healy’s assumption.

  Thirty minutes later, after Ray had flushed the toilet, made sure the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors worked properly, checked the windows for drafts, and inspected the locks, the walk-through was complete.

  As Healy escorted Ray to the apartment door, Katie glimpsed something gleaming in the corner of the living room windowsill. Looking down, she saw it was a gold butterfly ring. A chill ran through her as she picked it up and slipped it into her pocket. She’d seen it before on Erikka Wiley’s hand. What was it doing in her newly renovated apartment?

  “Katie?” Ray called.

  “Coming.” She paused on the landing as Healy outlined the rest of the minor jobs that still needed his attention. “We’ll make your timeline with no problem,” he assured Katie.

  “Thanks. I can’t tell you how happy I am with your work and how beautiful it turned out. I can’t wait to move in.”

  “It’s been my pleasure,” Healy said, nodded, and went back inside.

  Katie followed Ray down the stars. They walked onto the tarmac and paused to gaze up at the building’s second floor that Katie would soon call home.

  “Do you wanna tell me what you slipped into your pocket up there?” Ray asked.

  “Not particularly.” Katie sighed and jerked her head toward Artisans Alley. “At least not here. Let’s talk about it in my office.”

  Ray shrugged. “Fair enough.”

  She should’ve known Ray’s eagle eyes would’ve caught her palming the ring. Once they were seated in her office and Katie was munching on a peppermint, she removed the ring from her pocket and placed it on the desk between them.

  “I’m guessing this isn’t yours,” he said, picking up the ring and examining it more closely.

  “No. And I don’t think it belonged to the teashop’s previous owners either.” She swallowed. “I believe it was Erikka’s. I recall seeing her wear one like it.”

  “Erikka’s?” He frowned. “When—and why—would she have been in your apartment?”

  “That’s just it. I can’t think of a reason she would have been.”

  “Then who has been in your apartment who could’ve had access to this ring?” Ray asked.

  Katie shook her head. “I suppose it’s possible Roger found it at Angelo’s and took it with him to return to Erikka later…”

  “What about Andy?”

  “He hasn’t been there.” She rubbed her forehead. “Knowing what I now know, I wouldn’t have put it past him to have a tryst with Erikka there, but John Healy and his crew have been working here since before I left the apartment over Angelo’s.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He’d spoken so softly Katie hadn’t understood what he’d said.

  She looked up into his eyes. “Excuse me?”

  “I said I’m sorry. I never dreamed Andy would hurt you the way he has. You deserve better.”

  “Thank you.” She blinked back the tears that threatened, embarrassed to be so weepy. “I’ll survive.”

  “I know. We just need to keep you on this side of a jail cell.” He held up the ring. “I’m betting this ring is a deliberate pl
ant.”

  “You think so?”

  Ray nodded. “And as such, you don’t need to be found with it in your possession. Why don’t I hang onto it?”

  “That’s not a bad idea. It would be just my luck for Schuler to find a murdered woman’s ring in my apartment.” She drew in a breath. “But, wait, what about you?”

  “He isn’t looking at me for this one,” Ray said. “I’ll put the ring somewhere safe.”

  “You mean, you’ll hide it.”

  He grinned. “Well, I’m not going to go waving it around the Square.”

  “But how do I find out why the ring was in my apartment?”

  “If it’s important, someone will ask you about it. Trust me. That’s why investigators always keep something about a crime scene from the public.”

  That sentiment didn’t bring Katie any comfort.

  After Ray left her new apartment, Katie sat at her shabby, ancient desk and wished she had a nice one for her new apartment. Francine, from whom she’d bought the tea shop, had left a desk upstairs—the space had served as her office—but it was small and chipped and ugly. Katie had instructed Healy to dispose of it when he began the renovations. He’d yet to do so.

  Knowing she wouldn’t get anything done the rest of the day for thinking about finding Erikka’s ring, Katie took her small tape measure and informed Vance that she was going to the big antique arcade in the next town.

  “Call me if you need me for anything,” she told him.

  “Will do.”

  Was it her imagination, or did Vance’s spine stiffen ever so slightly and his chin come up a fraction at being left in charge? She smiled to herself. He was an excellent assistant manager. Sure, he’d been known to throw his weight around on occasion, but he really was indispensable.

  As Katie drove the four or five miles along the back roads, her anxieties began to lessen, and she heaved a sigh of relief upon entering the store. She’d loved vintage furniture for as long as she could remember. Even as a little girl, she’d preferred to read on Aunt Liz’s Victorian fainting couch as opposed to the well-worn easy chair. This store, with more than ninety vendors, was chock full of unique items.

  As Katie wandered around the store, she wished her new apartment was bigger so that she could decorate it the way she truly wanted.

  One day.

  For now, a pretty little desk would have to suffice. She rounded a corner, and there it was—a secretary made of meranti wood and featuring a top door that folded down to create a desktop.

  She walked over and gingerly lowered the door. Behind it, there were four cubbies and two adjustable shelves. Below the drawer were three doors.

  Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

  She could imagine the desk set she’d store on one of the shelves, the stamps and stationery she could tuck into a cubby… But would it fit into the space she’d allotted?

  Biting her lower lip, she measured the length. It was thirty-six inches long. And now, the width. She measured twice to ensure the desk wasn’t more than eighteen inches wide.

  Yes! It would fit in the space she had in mind. And she could use one of the chairs from the breakfast set when she sat at the new-to-her desk.

  Katie couldn’t keep the smile off her face. This desk was so beautiful. It would serve several practical purposes—the least of which was additional storage space—and it was one new piece of furniture that held no memories of Chad, Andy, or anyone else.

  She started when she heard a voice behind her ask, “Have you found something you like?”

  Turning, Katie saw one of the apron-clad workers standing nearby. “Yes. I’ll take it.”

  After paying for the desk and giving the shop her address for delivery, Katie was about to leave when she spotted a young woman with a baby in a carriage heading toward the building. She hurried to open the door.

  “Thank you!” The woman looked up at Katie with a smile of relief. “I—” Whatever she’d been about to say died on her lips as her smile faded. “You!”

  At that moment, Katie recognized her as well. Though she’d never met the woman, she’d seen Erryn’s profile picture…and the sonogram her sister Erikka had used to trick Andy into thinking she was pregnant.

  “I’m—I’m so sorry for your loss,” Katie said softly.

  “Are you?” Erryn demanded.

  “Yes, I truly am.”

  “Detective Schuler seems to think you had the motive, means, and opportunity to…to—” She broke off, looking down at her baby boy, who’d started to whimper. “I can’t do this right now.”

  “I assure you that I did not harm your sister in any way. I wasn’t her biggest fan, but—”

  “No, because you just couldn’t let go of Andy Rust, could you? How pathetic that you kept hanging on when he was obviously in love with my sister?” She picked the baby up out of the stroller and bounced him on her hip.

  “It wasn’t like that,” Katie said. “Andy never tried to break things off with me. He told me he still loved me, not Erikka.”

  Erryn’s black eyes narrowed to slits. “You got rid of her so you could have him back. Admit it!” She practically spat the words in Katie’s face.

  “You’ve got it all wrong.” Katie’s voice was soft but firm. She could understand why Erryn was directing this venom in her direction, but she certainly didn’t deserve it. Still, Katie had compassion for a grieving sister. “Excuse me.”

  Erryn didn’t move. “Admit it!” she screamed.

  When his mother lost it, the baby did, too. His face crumpled, and in seconds he was red-faced and wailing. His mother began to sob as well. The saleslady who’d handled the desk transaction for Katie was headed in their direction to see what the commotion was about. Katie merely brushed past Erryn and the child and left the shop. The desk was paid for. The store would deliver it, even if they now suspected Katie of murder.

  As soon as she got into her car, she took out her phone. Hands shaking, she punched in Andy’s number. He answered on the first ring.

  “We have to meet and talk,” she said, “and right now!”

  Chapter 15

  Katie and Andy agreed to meet at the apartment over Angelo’s. Despite him working directly beneath in the pizzeria, Katie arrived before he did and was doing a final walk-through of the apartment to ensure that she had everything packed and ready to be moved. It was strange seeing the large cardboard boxes marked Kitchen and Living Room. She’d been eager to start on this new chapter of her life for months—but she’d never dreamed her leaving would include closing the book on her relationship with Andy.

  Well…that wasn’t entirely true.

  As if conjured by her thoughts, her former “beloved” walked through the kitchen door and immediately put his arms around her.

  “Sunshine, are you all right? You sounded so upset over the phone.”

  She wriggled out of his embrace. “I was upset. I am upset!” She explained about seeing Erikka’s sister and the scene she’d made. “Apparently, Detective Schuler has convinced her that I killed Erikka.”

  Andy raked a hand through his hair and paced through the kitchen into the living room. “That’s utter nonsense. The man is grasping at straws, and he knows it. I’m going to talk with him.”

  “And say what?” Katie demanded. “Are you going to tell him you know I didn’t do it because I’m such a great person? Like that’ll sway him.”

  “I’ll tell him you were with me that night—all night.”

  “But it’s not true, and it contradicts what we’ve both previously told the man. That will just make it appear that we’re both guilty and that we’re using each other as alibis.” Katie stalked into the living room and sat on the love seat. “We have to be rational.”

  He sat beside her and reached out as though he wanted to touch her but then dropped his hands onto his lap. “Tell me what to do, babe. I’ll do anything to make this right.”

  She wasn’t sure whether he was talking about solving Erikka’s murde
r or repairing their relationship, but she wanted to avoid the latter. As far as she was concerned, their relationship was irrevocably broken. Their main, shared concern should be to prove themselves innocent of Erikka’s murder.

  “We know Schuler is either convinced of our guilt, or he merely wants to pin this murder on the two of us,” Katie said. “The fact that Erikka lied about being pregnant dampens our motive, but I doubt that either Schuler or a jury would see it that way.”

  “Wait.” Andy’s jaw dropped. “Erikka wasn’t pregnant? A-are…are you sure?”

  She hadn’t meant to blurt out the news about Erikka’s misconception—at least, not now…not like this—but she had. And it was best that Andy knew the truth. He’d hurt her and she was furious with him, but she still cared enough about him not to want him possibly grieving for an unborn child who’d only been a fantasy in Erikka’s twisted mind.

  “I’m positive,” she said softly. “Erikka used her sister’s sonogram for her social media announcement.”

  Andy slumped against the love seat in obvious relief. “Thank God. It was breaking my heart to think my son had been murdered. I-I mean, I didn’t intend to get Erikka pregnant—and obviously, I didn’t. It’s just…I do want kids someday—our kids.” He squeezed Katie’s hand.

  She pulled her hand back. “Please, let’s get back on track. Neither of us will have a future to worry about if Schuler has his way. Now focus, Andy—we have to determine who killed Erikka…and why.”

  He merely nodded, probably too relieved that Erikka wasn’t pregnant to think about much else at the moment. But Katie had to get through to him. She had to persuade him to help her.

  “Moonbeam Carruthers told me that Erikka told her she was dating a cop,” Katie said. “Did you notice any cops coming into Angelo’s on a regular basis?”

  “Sure.” He shrugged. “Sheriff’s deputies come into the pizzeria all the time—I give them a discount.”

  “Were any of them particularly friendly with Erikka?”

  “They all were—she was…” He faltered before ending the sentence with “nice to them.”