by Jinty James
Sympathetic murmurs of support ensued.
Autumn turned to Maddie and Suzanne. “I don’t suppose there’s any coffee?” she looked at them hopefully. “Perhaps that will help us all to focus better.”
“Of course.” Maddie nodded. “I’ll get it started right away.”
“I’ll come with you.” Suzanne followed Maddie and Trixie out of the room.
“What are we going to do, Mads?” Suzanne asked when they were alone in the kitchen. “This has turned out to be a mess – just like our first catering job.”
“Trixie says I’m not jinxed.” Maddie tried to cheer up her friend.
“Mrrow!”
Suzanne stared at the two of them. “But maybe I am!”
“Broomf!”
“I think Trixie just disagreed with you,” Maddie said.
“Thanks, Trix.” Suzanne gave the Persian a wan smile.
“Let’s get this French Roast going.” Maddie heated the water and scooped coffee into the pot.
Her phone rang just as the water finished boiling.
She checked the screen – Luke! Her pulse raced as she took the call.
“I’m fine,” she told him. “We’re fine.” She glanced at Suzanne. Oops. Technically she, Trixie, and Suzanne were fine. Hailey was not.
“Really?” She nodded, although she knew Luke couldn’t see her. “Yes, that’s why I couldn’t get a signal last night. Okay, will do.” Heat touched her cheeks. “I’ll see you then.”
“Well?” Suzanne asked impatiently. “What did my brother say?”
“He was worried when I didn’t call him last night, but he couldn’t get through to me either. The storm hit Estherville as well.”
“I hope Ramon got home in time.” Suzanne looked concerned.
“I’m sure he did.” Maddie tried to reassure her friend. “But didn’t he ask you to call him this morning, anyway?”
“That’s right.” Suzanne brightened and dug out her phone from her pocket. “Did my brother say anything else?”
“He’s invited me over to his place for dinner Monday night.” Maddie knew her blush hadn’t faded.
“Ooooh!” Suzanne grinned. She looked down at Trixie and then back at Maddie. “Is Trixie invited too?”
“Mrrow?” Trixie looked up hopefully.
Maddie knew Trixie liked Luke, which was a relief. She couldn’t see herself dating anyone her cat disapproved of.
“I think it’s people food only, Trix.” She tried to let her familiar down gently.
“Broomf!” Trixie’s mouth settled into a pout.
“I guess that means it won’t be an overnight date.” Suzanne’s tone was mischievous.
“Suzanne!” Maddie mock-punched her friend. “We’re not up to that stage.” Now she felt guilty that she hadn’t told Luke about Hailey. But she hadn’t wanted him to worry.
“Knowing how slowly you and my brother move, I might be eighty by the time you two decide to get married.” Suzanne giggled, then quickly sobered. “Let me call Ramon, and then I’ll help you carry in the coffee.”
After Suzanne’s short phone call to Ramon, she looked a lot happier as she pushed the phone back into her pocket.
“He’s fine.” She loaded up the tray with cups.
“I’m glad,” Maddie said, suddenly wondering if she’d even be able to have dinner with Luke on Monday. Would they be allowed to go home by then? Or would the sheriff’s department expect everyone to stay in this house while they investigated Hailey’s death?
She shivered.
“I didn’t tell Ramon about the – about Hailey,” Suzanne confessed.
“I didn’t tell Luke either.”
They exchanged an unhappy glance, then took the loaded-up coffee tray into the great room.
“OH, AUTUMN.” AS SOON as Maddie entered the great room, she remembered an important question she needed to ask. “Do you have keys to all the bedrooms?”
Maybe she should have waited until she had a moment alone with the other woman, but she was already scolding herself for not asking sooner.
“Yes.” Autumn looked puzzled. “Why?”
“We should lock Hailey’s room,” Suzanne said.
“Mrrow.”
Maddie scanned the room. Everyone seemed to be present – Autumn, Linda, Brenda, Edith, and Jenna.
“Excellent idea.” Autumn burrowed into her capacious bag by her feet. It was made of leather patchwork in hues of purple and orange. She pulled out a large set of old-fashioned keys. “I think you’ll have to try each key until one fits. That’s what I did this morning.” Autumn passed the keys to Maddie.
“Thanks.” Maddie hurried up the stairs, Trixie by her side.
As she reached Hailey’s room, she looked over her shoulder. No one was in sight, and she could hear the attendees talking in the great room. Suzanne had stayed behind to serve the coffee.
“Now the room will be preserved,” she said softly to her familiar as she found the correct key and locked the door. “Unless ...” What if Autumn was the killer and Maddie gave the keys back to her? But surely the sheriff's department would take charge of the keys once they arrived.
If they arrived.
She glanced at her watch. It seemed ages since she’d reported Hailey’s death. Was the aftermath of the storm hampering their progress?
“Mrrow,” Trixie said softly.
Seconds later, there was a knock on the front door, so loud she could hear it on the second floor.
“Maybe it’s the sheriff,” she told Trixie as they ran down the stairs.
A male voice reached her ears. Surely it wasn’t ...
“Detective Edgewater,” she heard the stranger introduce himself.
A portly man in his sixties with hair more salt than pepper stood in the hallway talking to Autumn. He was dressed in plain clothes – a worn brown suit with a white shirt, and a navy tie slightly askew at the neck.
Suzanne came out of the great room.
“Detective Edgewater!”
“Suzanne.” He looked surprised to see her. Then his gaze flickered to Maddie and Trixie. “I should have known.” He did not look happy.
“We’re catering this retreat,” Maddie told him.
“And I suppose you two found the ... discovered what happened.” He glanced at Autumn.
“I believe so, detective,” she replied.
Maddie, Trixie, and Suzanne had been involved in a few murder investigations in the past, and Detective Edgewater had been assigned to each case. He was stationed in Estherville but Maddie hadn’t met him before the death of one of her customers several months ago.
“We’ll have to process the scene, but we won’t be able to take the victim away until we can get the tree removed from the drive,” he informed them. “I’ve called for an emergency crew to come out now, so hopefully the driveway will be clear later today.”
“Here are the keys to Hailey’s room.” Maddie held out the old-fashioned keyring to him.
“Thank you.” He glanced at it, then placed it in his pocket.
“Has anyone been in the room since you discovered what happened?” He looked directly at Maddie.
“Not that I know of,” she replied. “I was guarding the door, but I came downstairs when Autumn returned.”
“I think everyone was with me until just before you arrived, detective,” Autumn remarked. “Maddie and Suzanne were in the kitchen making coffee. Trixie, too.” She looked down at the cat and gave her a fond smile. “Then Maddie and Suzanne went upstairs to secure the room.”
“I don’t suppose you’d have some spare coffee?” Detective Edgewater looked hopeful.
“Of course,” Autumn replied. “I’m sure Maddie can make you a fresh pot.”
“It’s French Roast, detective,” Maddie told him.
“Not one of your cappuccinos?”
“No. But it’s organic.”
“Maybe I’ll pass.” He looked disappointed.
A sheriff’s deputy came up to
him. Detective Edgewater handed him the keyring, and the officer started up the stairs.
“Second door on the left,” Autumn called after him.
“Maddie and Suzanne, I’ll start with you.” Detective Edgewater turned to Autumn. “Is there a room where I can take statements?”
“There’s a study next door.” The group leader nodded to a closed door near the great room. “It’s not locked.”
Maddie, accompanied by Trixie, told Detective Edgewater everything she could think of.
“Did anything unexpected happen last night?” he probed.
Maddie cast her mind back, closing her eyes.
“Yes! Claudine was here.”
“Claudine Claxton?” He wrote something down in his notebook.
“Mrrow!”
“Yes. She was ...” Maddie hesitated “... upset that she wasn’t doing the catering.” She didn’t want to deliberately get her nemesis in trouble and didn’t think Claudine had anything to do with Hailey’s death, but Claudine’s appearance at the workshop was unusual.
“Hmm.” Detective Edgewater wrote something else down. “Anyone else here yesterday who’s not here now?”
Maddie paused. “Ramon,” she said reluctantly. “He’s a masseur and has a salon in Estherville.”
Detective Edgewater nodded, then turned the page of his notebook, the paper rustling.
“And what time did he leave?”
“Just before dinner,” Maddie said. She racked her brains, but she wasn’t sure what time it had been and told the detective that.
The loud buzz of a chainsaw split the air. Maddie looked out the window. A man in a bright orange vest attacked the fallen tree.
“Good.” Detective Edgewater sounded satisfied as he, too, glanced out the window. “We should be able to get access soon.”
“How did you get to the house?” Maddie asked curiously.
“We had to park as close as we could to the drive and climb over the stone fence.” He grimaced.
The detective wrapped up the interview, reminding Maddie to let him know if she thought of anything else she’d seen or heard. Then he asked to see Suzanne next.
Maddie waited in the hall until Suzanne was finished.
“He inquired about Ramon.” Suzanne looked worried as she rushed up to her friend.
“I told Detective Edgewater he was here.” Guilt stabbed Maddie.
“It was the right thing to do,” Suzanne said in resignation. “One of the attendees or Autumn would have mentioned him being here, anyway,” she said. “But he didn’t do it, Mads!”
“I’m sure he didn’t,” Maddie soothed. What possible motive could Ramon, the sexy Spanish masseur have? Unless he was already acquainted with Hailey? But Maddie hadn’t noticed her around Estherville – which didn’t mean anything, she told herself. It’s not as if Maddie was able to keep track of everyone in Estherville, including visitors – nor did she want to.
“Should I call Ramon and warn him?” Suzanne asked, grabbing her phone out of her pocket.
“What did Detective Edgewater say?” Maddie asked.
“He didn’t say I couldn’t.”
“Oh!” Brenda came out of the great room. “I’m sorry. I wanted to get a glass of water.”
“I’ll get it for you,” Maddie offered.
“Have you two been interviewed yet?” the middle-aged woman asked curiously.
“Yes,” Suzanne answered.
“I’ve never spoken to a detective before,” Brenda told them.
“Detective Edgewater is fair,” Maddie replied. “Let me get that water for you.”
“I don’t mind getting it myself.” Brenda smiled. Then her expression drooped and she cast a glance back at the great room. “Jenna’s taking Hailey’s death very hard, poor thing. She said she doesn’t know how she’s going to break the news to Hailey’s husband and children.”
“Won’t Detective Edgewater do that?” Suzanne asked.
“That’s what I said.” Brenda nodded. “Or another officer. But Jenna said they’d be sure to have questions and would want answers, especially since she was there, so to speak.”
“That is awful,” Maddie murmured.
Brenda accompanied them to the kitchen, looking around with interest.
“I wouldn’t mind having a kitchen like this myself.” She made a face. “Right now I’m living in a two bedroom apartment, but I’m house hunting. Once I find the right place, I think I’ll get a cat.” The thought seemed to cheer her.
“Mrrow!” Trixie seemed to approve.
“You are so pretty.” Brenda smiled down at the feline.
Trixie preened and brushed against Brenda’s slacks, before padding out of the kitchen.
“I wonder where she’s going?” Suzanne crinkled her brow.
“I better go see.” Maddie handed Brenda a glass of water and hurried after her familiar.
Trixie reached the great room, turned her head to check if Maddie was following, then sauntered in.
Perhaps Trixie wanted Maddie to listen in on the conversation happening right now? She could hear voices, particularly Autumn’s and Jenna’s.
“Would anyone like more coffee?” Maddie asked. She noted that Trixie was sitting on the sofa next to Autumn.
“Not for me, dear,” Autumn replied. She looked around the room. “Anyone?”
Jenna and Edith shook their heads.
“Was talking to the detective scary?” Edith asked shyly. She wore similar clothes to the day before, a shapeless skirt and top, both in beige.
“No.” Maddie shook her head. “Just be honest with him.”
“I will.” Edith nodded.
“Linda’s in with him now,” Autumn informed Maddie.
The harsh buzz of the chainsaw continued.
“After he interviews everyone, we’ll have to discuss what to do next,” Autumn continued.
“I can’t wait to go home. I don’t know how I can stay here any longer.” Jenna’s voice wobbled. “I can’t believe this has happened! Poor Hailey.” She buried her face in her hands.
Maddie looked at the soccer mom sympathetically until a raindrop splashing on the window caught her attention. The sky still looked overcast – was it darker than when she woke up that morning?
“Edith?” Detective Edgewater appeared in the doorway. “Come with me.”
Edith looked scared as she followed him out of the room.
“I’m glad that’s over with.” Linda plonked herself on the sofa.
“Where’s Brenda?” Autumn asked.
“In the kitchen with Suzanne,” Maddie told her.
“She’ll be the last person to be interviewed.” Autumn sighed.
Maddie wondered if it was a good idea that Brenda and Suzanne were alone. Suzanne had been interviewed and Brenda hadn’t. But she was confident Suzanne wouldn’t say anything to influence Brenda.
“Maybe we should all stay in the same room,” Autumn spoke. “Just in case.”
The unspoken words hung in the air.
Detective Edgewater hadn’t told Maddie whether it had been an intruder – or not. She supposed the crime scene techs hadn’t had a chance to process anything yet, or determine the point of entry – if Hailey’s death was the work of a stranger. The techs mightn’t have turned up at the house yet. Maddie hadn’t heard anything signaling their appearance.
She glanced at her familiar.
“Mrrow,” Trixie said softly, from her place on the sofa. It sounded like “No” to her.
Brenda appeared in the doorway, carrying a glass of water. Suzanne trailed behind her.
A short while later, Edith entered the great room, a relieved expression on her face.
“Brenda, Detective Edgewater asked for you to go in,” she murmured to the middle-aged woman.
“Okay.” Brenda got up reluctantly from the sofa.
“How was it, Edith?” Autumn asked sympathetically.
“Not as scary as I expected.” The girl sat down in an armcha
ir. “He was quite nice, really.”
“Good.” Autumn smiled.
Trixie jumped off the sofa and trotted over to Edith. She brushed against the girl’s legs a couple of times, then sat down next to Maddie.
The room was silent for a few moments. If it hadn’t been for the terrible fact that Hailey had died, it would have been quite peaceful, apart from the whiney buzz of the chainsaw outside.
Detective Edgewater entered the room, accompanied by Brenda.
“I’ve finished taking statements for now,” he told them.
“Can we go home?” Jenna jumped to her feet, as if expecting him to say yes.
“No.” He studied her tear-drenched face. “I’m sorry. Not yet.”
“Oh.” She slumped onto the sofa.
“When can we go home?” Linda asked.
“I may have some more questions later,” he informed them. He flipped open his notebook. “Since a couple of you live on the other side of Seattle, it would be a lot easier if you all stayed here for now.”
“But Hailey was murdered!” Jenna leaned forward in her seat.
“We won’t know that for certain until the medical examiner has given their expert opinion.” Detective Edgewater looked uncomfortable. “But the department is able to spare a deputy to stay here – for now.”
His cell phone rang. Excusing himself, he left the room.
A rumble of thunder sounded. Maddie looked out of the window. The sky had darkened and looked similar to yesterday before last night’s storm hit.
When Detective Edgewater came back into the room, he said, “I’m afraid I have to leave now. Something’s come up on one of my other cases. But the ME has arrived and the emergency crew has been able to remove the tree from the driveway.”
“Thank you, detective.” Autumn looked a little relieved. “But what about the workshop? You said we had to stay here a while longer. Should we continue the original workshop until tomorrow afternoon?” She looked around the room, as if assessing everyone’s reaction. “Or should we cut it short?”
“It’s up to you,” Detective Edgewater replied.
A crack of thunder sounded. Maddie realized the buzz of the chainsaw had stopped.
“But there could be another storm on its way,” the detective continued. “And I may need to speak to some of you again. So for now, please stay here.”