As she was telling herself not to be ridiculous and that she was definitely not going to prison, there was a rap on her door. Katie put the cats down and decided that if either Andy or Ray was dumb enough to show his face here tonight, she wasn’t going to let him in.
“Who is it?” she demanded.
“Nick.” He paused. “Who are you expecting?”
“No one.” She opened the door. “Thank goodness, it’s you.”
Stepping inside and arching one brow, he said, “I brought the gift of salted caramel,” he said, holding up a bag that held a container of premium ice cream. “Sorry Don and I couldn’t make it to the meeting. We had a future bride come by to look our place over.”
“I was afraid it might be Andy or Ray knocking on my door.” She filled him in on the debacle that was the Merchants Association meeting as they filled their bowls and sat down on the love seat to eat it. Two curious cats milled around, no doubt hoping to lick the bowls clean.
“I’m sorry I missed it,” Nick said. “Sounds delightful.”
Katie frowned. “Trust me. It wasn’t.”
Nick grinned. “I imagine Nona Fiske would beg to differ. It’ll be interesting to see your suitors’ faces tomorrow. I’m thinking cinnamon buns for breakfast and a trinket from Wood U would be a bright start to my day.”
“Very funny.” Katie gouged a big hunk of caramel from her ice cream and ate it. “For your information, I have no suitors.”
Nick raised an index finger. “And again—Nona would disagree.”
“Well, Nona is wrong,” Katie grumbled, flopping back against the back of the love seat.
Nick spooned up some ice cream. “Is she? Tell me how you feel about Messrs. Rust and Davenport.”
Katie rested her head against the top of the love seat and stared up at the freshly painted ceiling. “Up until very recently, I loved Andy. I was happy with him and thought we had a future together.”
“And now?” Nick prompted.
“Now I realize I was living a lie. Andy wasn’t the man I thought he was.” She raised her head to look at Nick. “He actually told me he was stringing Erikka along in order to have a backup since Ray and Brad are apparently such a big part of my life. He even referred to Brad as a GQ model of a chef.”
“Was he justified in being afraid you might stray? Maybe not physically but in your heart?”
“Of course not!” Katie cried.
Nick raised a hand in defense. “I’m just playing devil’s advocate.”
Katie glowered at him. “Sure, Brad is gorgeous, and we work well together, but we’re just friends.”
“And what about Ray?”
Rolling her eyes, Katie asked, “What about him?”
“You have a soft spot for Papa Bear.” Holding up a hand to further fend off her protests, he asked, “Had it been one of the boxing bachelors on your doorstep instead of me, which one would you have preferred it to be?”
“Ray,” she answered grudgingly. “But only because I’d like to make sure he’s all right. And I’m not angry with him. We don’t have the turmoil Andy and I have between us right now.”
“Uh-huh. You don’t care whether or not Andy is okay?” he asked. “I imagine Ray can still pack a wallop.”
“Of course I hope Andy is okay.” She rubbed her forehead. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’d rather not discuss Ray or Andy right now.”
Nick merely shrugged.
“Have you spoken with Seth?” Katie asked quietly.
Nick lowered his gaze. “Yeah. You really should’ve told him about the ring.”
“I know. Believe me, I know. Do you think he’ll ever forgive me?”
“He will.” He scratched his head. “In time. You need to leave him alone for a day or two.”
“I don’t want to leave him alone. I want us to fix this.” She took Nick’s hand. “Please tell me how to make this up to him.”
“Katie, you can’t. You found something that could be potential evidence, you didn’t trust him with that information—”
“I do trust him!” she interrupted.
“But you didn’t trust him with that,” Nick said. “You trusted Ray. Ray, who’s in love with you. Ray, a former homicide detective who thought damning evidence might’ve been placed in your apartment and got rid of it.”
She sighed. “We don’t even know for sure it was Erikka’s ring.”
“I’m not getting in the middle of your argument with Seth but take it from someone who knows him better than most people, give him a couple of days to cool off before reaching out to him. Otherwise, you’ll only end up making it worse.”
“But you do feel that ultimately things will be all right between us?” She desperately wanted Nick to give her hope that Seth would forgive her.
He nodded, but Katie still didn’t feel terribly hopeful. Not reaching out to Seth would be a challenge.
“What about the photograph?” she asked. “Were you able to pull it from Erryn’s social media page and print it out?”
“Yes. Did you doubt me?” he asked.
“Doubt you? Never. Doubt the Internet? Yes.”
He marched over to the kitchen counter and retrieved a kraft envelope from the bag the ice cream had come in. He returned to the love seat and handed it to Katie.
Katie pulled out the papers, spread them onto the coffee table and studied them. “Are you kidding me?” she whispered.
“What is it?” Nick asked.
She tapped the man in the sliver of the frame. “That’s Schuler.”
Leaning closer to the image, he asked, “Are you sure?”
Katie’s eyes narrowed. “Absolutely positive.”
Chapter 28
When she sat up in bed the next morning, Katie’s head was throbbing. Spending the night tossing and turning while wondering what to do with the knowledge that Schuler was in the photograph’s background on Erryn’s page had not been conducive to restorative rest. While she hadn’t come to any definitive conclusion, and although she was adamant about not turning to any of the men in her life, Katie did wonder if asking Seth’s advice might get her back in his good graces.
On her way to the kitchen to wash down a couple of pain relievers and feed the cats, she decided not to heed Nick’s warning about giving Seth a few days before getting in touch with him. Seth, however, must not have wanted to speak with her because he didn’t answer her call.
She sent him a text saying: Nick brought over a photograph from Erryn’s social media account last night. He’d printed out an original and one with the section I wanted to examine enlarged. We agree the man in the photo is Detective Schuler. Please let me know if I should contact Mr. Trammel with this information.
There—he could do with that whatever he chose. If she didn’t hear from him by the end of the day, she’d contact Trammel anyway and ask for his exorbitantly priced advice.
After dressing and tidying her tiny apartment, Katie went down the interior stairs to Tealicious.
“Good morning,” Brad said, with a smile. “I have fresh-from-the-oven caramel apple scones. Want one?”
“Oh, my goodness, yes.” She closed her eyes and inhaled the wonderfully sweet aroma. “May I?”
“You bet.” Picking up a pair of tongs, he placed one on a small plate for her and even garnished it with a Granny Smith apple slice.
“Wow. You’re spoiling me.” Katie poured herself a cup of Earl Grey tea from the pot he’d already made.
“I figure you could use a bit of spoiling. You’ve been through a lot in such a short time. Are you okay?”
Sinking onto a stool by the counter, she said, “I’m holding my own. Could I use a tropical vacation? You bet. But I’m taking everything else day-to-day.”
“Good.” He smiled slightly. “I heard you had quite the productive meeting of the Merchants Association last night.”
“It’s unreal how fast good news travels.” She bit into the scone and moaned in delight. “Oh, Brad, this is delici
ous.”
“Thank you. It’s my own recipe.”
“You could sell it and make a mint,” she said, but then sobered. “So, what did you hear about the meeting?”
“Eh, not much. You know…the usual. Problems were addressed, notes were taken, motions were made, quorums were met, punches were thrown…”
“You were obviously misinformed.” Katie enjoyed another bite of her scone. “There were no notes taken or quorums met. I suppose one problem was addressed, but many more arose. And the only motions made were the punches thrown.”
He grinned. “At least, it wasn’t boring.”
“It certainly was not. I expect membership to increase exponentially. Business will boom here on the Square just so entrepreneurs may join our elite group.” Taking a sip of her tea, she added, “That is unless Del’s Diner sues us for disturbing the peace of his other customers. I don’t think any property was destroyed, but I can’t be a hundred percent sure of it. I’m going to email him as soon as I get to Artisans Alley and offer to reimburse him for any damage.”
“I heard what caused the fight—Nona’s accusations,” Brad said. “I want to assure you she’s alone in her belief that you could’ve harmed Erikka.”
“She didn’t say she thought I could’ve done it.” Katie sighed. “She said I was being accused of it—and I am. But I simply can’t understand why the police are fixated on me rather than—”
“Rather than Andy?” Brad asked.
Inclining her head, she said, “Him or anyone else who is taller and stronger than I am. I believe Erikka was overpowered from behind. I like to think I’m a tough woman, but I’m not stout enough to sneak up on and strangle a woman five inches taller than me with her own scarf.”
“I suppose the killer did have the element of surprise,” Brad mused. “But why was Erikka alone in that deserted warehouse, anyway? Had she gone there to meet someone?”
Katie stood so quickly she nearly dropped the plate she’d been holding. “You’re right! Surely the police have obtained her phone records. I should get my attorney on that immediately.” She gave him a quick hug. “Thank you.”
“Serving up great advice and even better food,” Brad said with a smile. “That’s what I’m here for.”
Katie used Artisans Alley’s back entrance hoping to avoid any and everyone. Joking about the meeting with Nick and Brad was one thing. Having other vendors or merchants smirking or whispering as she walked by was another.
First things first, Katie decided as she walked into her office and closed the door: damage control.
She booted up her computer and found an email address for Del’s Diner on the restaurant’s website.
Dear Del:
Sighing, she wondered how to begin.
I apologize for the commotion wrought at your diner last evening by the Victoria Square Merchants Association. As president of the group, I take responsibility for any damages or losses you might’ve suffered. Please send me an itemized list, and I will reimburse you.
Hopefully, she wouldn’t live to regret that last sentence.
I’m sure you realize this was an anomaly and hope that you’ll continue to allow us to meet at your establishment. Del’s Diner is a favorite among the people of McKinlay Mill, and we’d hate to lose your support.
There. That should do it. Surely, she didn’t need to remind Del that it was he who was being supported by the Merchants Association—both during meetings and on a regular basis by the individuals who made up the group. She and Andy had met for lunch there at least twice a week for a year before…well, before.
Dismissing the pain that thought caused her, she signed and sent the email. Now, on to the next one.
As she was taking the folder Janey had given her from her tote, Rose knocked at the door before poking her head inside.
“Hey, there. Are you okay?” the older woman asked. “Vance said there was quite a kerfuffle at the Merchants Association meeting last night.”
Katie groaned.
“Now, now. I’m not here to gossip,” Rose assured her. “I only wanted to tell you that no one—except maybe Nona—thinks you killed Erikka. Nona just likes to keep things stirred up.”
“Thank you.”
Rose held out her arms, and Katie stood and gave her a brief hug.
Rose gave her one last pat on the back. “I’ll be off now. But call me if you need me.”
Katie thanked her again. As she sat back down at her desk, the phone rang. Caller ID told her who it was.
“Hello, Seth,” Katie said timidly.
“Good morning.” His terse tone told her he still hadn’t forgiven her for the ring incident. “Would you please email me the photograph and the enlargement you mentioned in your text? Once I’ve taken a look at it, I’ll see what I can do.”
“At the very least, it should be enough to get Schuler thrown off the case, right?” she asked.
“I doubt it. Merely because two people are in close proximity doesn’t mean they know each other well or at all.” He paused. “Still, if the photo combined with Erryn’s testimony about the event can prove Schuler had a connection to Erikka, then we might be able to call his objectivity into question. But don’t get your hopes up.”
“I won’t.”
“Should you be served by Del’s later today, send that over to me as well,” Seth said. “I’ll bill you on a retainer.”
“Ha-ha,” she said flatly. She was happy he was extending an olive branch by giving her a glimpse of the Seth she’d always known. “Has everyone in McKinlay Mill been regaled with the misadventures of the Victoria Square Merchants Association meeting over their morning coffee?”
“Don’t underestimate your reach.” He had a side conversation with an imaginary third party. “Hey, turn on the TV, please. I want to see if Katie made the national news. No, no, no, not for murder—for turning Del’s Diner into the Pelican’s Nest.”
They both laughed, albeit a bit forced.
“I’ll take that over the other any day,” Katie said.
“I know,” he said softly.
A wave of shame passed over her. “I really am sorry, Seth. I’m scared, and when I’m scared, I can make very bad decisions.”
“I know. If you’re ever scared witless again, please, please trust me to help you out.”
“I will. I promise. Are we okay?” Katie asked, almost afraid to hear his reply.
“Yeah, we’re good,” he said grudgingly.
Katie heaved a sigh of relief. “I’m glad. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
“Me, too,” he said. “But I’m still going to bill you,” he said.
“Do I get the friends and family rate?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Thank you. And thanks for being such a good friend. Right now, I really need one.”
As soon as they ended the call, Katie used her printer to scan to photograph the images Nick had given her. The photographs probably weren’t as good as Nick’s copies, but Seth would be able to see what he was working with and call her if he needed to see the originals. She emailed them to him with yet another heartfelt thank you. They might not be back where they were yet, but she felt the two of them were on much firmer ground than they were the day before.
Turning her attention back to the Merchants Association email, she began by apologizing for allowing yesterday evening’s meeting to spiral out of control.
From now on, anyone who cannot behave in a civilized manner—whether by making derogatory remarks toward others or by acting inappropriately—
She thought that sentiment should let Nona, Ray, and Andy know where they stood.
—will be asked to leave immediately. Any conflict with any member of the group will be addressed on an individual basis outside of a Merchants Association meeting. Anyone who cannot abide by these rules will be asked to resign her or his membership.
How she’d love to tell Nona, “Bye, Felicia!”
And now to address
the issues meant to be discussed at our scheduled meeting. There was a misunderstanding about food being provided for the vendors’ party kicking off the start of this year’s Harvest Festival.
She reached for the folder so she could peruse Janey’s notes before setting forth the details of the party. Del’s was catering the food, and their agreement was on the top of the stack of papers inside the folder. Looking at the bottom line, Katie told herself there was no way Del’s would give the Merchants Association grief over what had happened there last night.
Flipping through the rest of the pages, she came upon something that stopped her cold: one of Erikka’s racy pictures. What was it doing in Janey’s folder?
Did it belong to Vance or VJ?
Chapter 29
Katie flipped the photo over to see if there was anything written on the back. The only notation was Matt Brady’s copyright. Why was this photo among Janey’s things? Had she found it among her husband’s or her son’s belongings and was waiting for the proper time to have a confrontation?
After debating for a few minutes, Katie called Janey Ingram.
“Hello!” Janey sang, sounding quite chipper. Katie would’ve considered hanging up had she not known her number had shown up on Janey’s caller I.D.
“Hi, Janey. I’m really sorry to bother you with this, but I found a photo in the file you brought me with the Harvest Festival party information.”
“What kind of photo?” Her voice had gone from chipper to wary in two seconds flat.
“It’s…it’s a lingerie picture of Erikka Wiley.”
“Oh, no,” Janey wailed. “I’m so sorry you found that! I don’t know how it got into that folder! I found it in VJ’s room and was going to ask him about it. I’d put it on my desk, and I must’ve picked it up with my other papers by mistake.”
“I’ll put it in an envelope and keep it here for you, if you’d like,” I said.
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