by Rosie Sams
“I take it you didn’t sleep like a rock?”
“No, I couldn’t really sleep. I want to get in early and check on the lab results. They didn’t call yet.”
“I feel sorry for those women, knowing one of them is going down for Francine’s murder.”
“This sort of thing happens a lot. I mean, there’s no doubt that they also put up with a lot from Francine, but people snap. They can only take so much. It happens. Both of them had a lot to lose if she sold that shop.” He dropped a kiss on her head. “Go get ready, I’ll drop you and Smudge off at the bakery on my way to the station.”
About an hour later, Alvin arrived at the station after dropping Melody and Smudge off at Decadently Delicious. Wilbur was already there, going over the case files.
“Did the lab reports come in yet?”
“Not yet, Sheriff.”
“Alright, I’m going to take another stab at Harriet. Pull her from the pen and put her in a room, will ya?”
Wilbur nodded.
An hour into a fresh interrogation, Harriet would not budge. Her story stayed the same, and she insisted she had nothing to do with the murder.
“Wilbur, did the results come back yet?”
“No, Sheriff. Not yet.”
“Alright. Put Tara in the other room, will ya?”
“You got it.”
Now, Alvin had both women, each in a room. He went back and forth, questioning them over and over again. He rephrased questions trying to trip them both up and even threatened each of them that the other was about to rat. Tara merely cried that she missed her mother. Harriet continued to rejoice in Francine’s demise but insisted her only wish was that she would have done it herself. He was getting nowhere.
“Sheriff,” Wilbur said as he slowly opened one of the interrogation room doors. He motioned for Alvin to join him outside.
“You got the results?”
“Yes, unfortunately, none of the leather samples are a perfect match to the piece left behind on Francine, and her DNA is not on Tara’s jacket either. Maybe we should do another sweep?”
“I don’t think that would help. Either one of them could have tossed the murder weapon anywhere. It could be at the shop, the restaurant, or anywhere in between – even in the gutter.” He shook his head, dejectedly.
“Are you convinced it’s one of the two women that did it?” Wilbur asked cautiously. Wilbur handed him a cup of coffee. “You look like you need this.”
Alvin took it gladly. “You’re starting to sound like Mel, now.” He paused to take a sip of the coffee and thought on his next move. “I don’t know. Maybe I should trust her more. She seems to have a sixth sense for this.”
“What if it is Hiram or Otto? Up until now, we haven’t really considered either of them a serious suspect.”
“Alright, let’s get them both in here again, but not today. I want to make one more pass at the shop and see if there’s anything we missed.”
“I’ll have a couple of techs go through the trash again, too. Just in case.”
“Thanks, Wilbur.” Alvin patted him on the shoulder, then disappeared back into the first interrogation room again, for one more rally between the two women. Thankfully, this time, he was armed with coffee.
Chapter Two Hundred Thirty
Melody pulled a batch of muffins from the oven. As she turned over the hot tin, letting the muffins bounce on a clean cutting board, she groaned and glared at them.
“Is there a reason why you are giving those muffins the evil eye?” Kerry asked. “You know they didn’t do anything to deserve it. They are just sweet little cutie muffins.” She grinned as she plucked one of the muffins from the board for herself.
“I forgot to add the chocolate chips. I’ve baked this recipe nearly every day for the last, oh, I don’t know, five years. How could I have forgotten one of the most important ingredients?” She was frustrated by her lack of concentration.
Kerry took a bite of her stolen muffin. “They still taste great. Just sell them as a new flavor, Chocolate Chipless.”
Melody looked over her shoulder and smirked at Kerry. “Witty.”
“What’s bugging you that you can’t concentrate?”
“It’s the Francine Leeson murder. Alvin and I had our first real fight over it. It wasn’t pleasant. He idolizes Otto Kelshaw.”
Kerry looked confused for a moment. “Francine’s boyfriend? Well, I guess he’d be her ex-boyfriend now.”
Melody could tell Kerry was trying to work out the semantics in her head.
“Otto used to be Alvin’s boss. When he retired, Alvin became the sheriff. He and that whole station house worship the guy. They think he’s this saint of a man, and maybe he is, but there’s something I don’t trust about him.”
Kerry nodded like a good listener and took another bite of the chocolate chipless muffin. She motioned for Melody to go on. “Go ahead, work it out.”
“Well, he’s supposed to be this honest upfront guy, but when Francine went back on the deal, Otto took her side even though he supposedly knew she was wrong.”
Kerry listened, still knowing Melody wasn’t finished. She knew her friend well.
“Then, he goes and leaves his girlfriend at his own party? What kind of man does that?”
“You know what I think?” Kerry asked.
“Let me guess. You think I’m getting really worked up over nothing, and I’m probably reading into things, and I’m probably going to get into another fight with Alvin over this whole mess.”
“No. I think you should go get your favorite little soul in the world, who makes you incredibly happy and take her for a nice long walk. You need to go clear your mind with a dose of good old fashioned nature.”
Melody slumped her shoulders and stomped her foot without realizing how childish she looked. “But I don’t want to go for a walk. I want to figure out the murder!”
“That does it, out – now. Smudge, come take your mistress for a walk!”
Smudge poked her head out of the office, her ears were up and alert. She knew the magic word, and Kerry had said it. Quickly she ran to Melody and nudged her legs.
Melody looked down at the little Frenchie, who stared back up at her with those soft chocolate eyes. She never could say no to her, but suddenly Melody had an idea. “Alright, girl. Let’s go! I know just the place for us to take our walk.” She quickly prepared a small box of cookies and grabbed a handful of butter ones for Smudge. “We’re going on a little adventure. Don’t tell Alvin.” Smudge yipped as Melody clipped her leash on, then guided her out the door.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Otto’s house, there was no car in the driveway. She and Smudge paced the block a few times, keeping an eye on the house. It looked all closed up. “This stakeout is a bust.”
Smudge whined. Melody gave her a butter cookie to cheer her up. She waited a few more minutes, then feeling brave, she walked right up to the front door and knocked. Silence. Smudge barked, and still nothing. It was safe to assume he wasn’t home.
She cupped her hands around her eyes and peeked through the window. “Well, we can’t very well break in, now can we?” Smudge huffed and watched the street. “Don’t tempt me, Smudge. Alvin will definitely divorce me if I do that.” With her hands on her hips, Melody looked up and down the block. “What do you think our next move should be?” Now, Melody didn’t really expect Smudge to answer, but the dog tugged forward. Clearly, she wanted to walk some more. “Fine, lead the way.”
Giving in, Melody let Smudge pull her along. Normally, she wouldn’t let the dog lead, but given that she was at a complete loss, she let the little pup enjoy her moment.
Smudge sniffed her way down the streets, occasionally stopping to let her little black nose twitch in the air. A few times, she changed direction, until ten minutes later, she stopped in front of a little cape cod style home. Melody didn’t recognize the place, but she noticed two cars in the narrow driveway. One of them was a vintage black mustang. “That�
��s Otto’s car. Good work, Smudge!” She rewarded her with another cookie.
Melody checked to see if there was a name on the mailbox. “Leeson. So, this is Francine’s house.”
Smudge yipped, but not too loudly. It was if the little dog sensed it was important for her to use her “inside bark.”
Melody thought she caught sight of Otto through the open front door. Smudge growled low at the same time Melody spotted him. ” It’s now or never.” she said.
“Hi, Mr. Kelshaw! Do you remember me? I’m Alvin’s wife, Melody.” She offered him a broad, friendly smile as she held up the little box of cookies.
It was probably a gut reaction, but Otto seemed less than pleased to see her. As if he realized it, he changed his expression quickly, offering a forced smile. Melody noticed he was wearing his jacket indoors.
“Oh, yes!” His eyes darted along the street before falling back on Melody. “It’s... it’s good to see you. What brings you around? Do you live nearby?”
“Yes, not too far. I was walking my dog, Smudge,” she said. “I’m sure you remember her from the station. I wanted to offer my condolences. Sometimes, when I’m helping Alvin, I forget that there’s a bigger picture. You lost your love, and that’s terrible.”
Smudge whined softly.
Since he wasn’t inviting her inside quick enough, Melody took matters into her own hands. “Would you mind if we came in and I gave her some water? She’s a bit thirsty, and I brought you some cookies from my bakery.”
Otto hesitated at first but then resigned to letting them inside.
“Yes, of course. Come on in.” He stepped back, granting them entrance.
“I really appreciate it. Thanks so much.” She stepped through the door, but Smudge resisted. Melody looked back at her and gave her a little tug, but Smudge backed up, almost slipping out of her collar. “Sorry, she gets a little anxious in new places.” Melody scooped her up and put her in the house.
Smudge whined when she put her down.
Otto shut the door behind them.
“Melody Marshall’s phone, ugh, I mean, Melody Hennessey’s phone!” Kerry answered with a sing-song voice.
“Hey, Kerry. Is Melody there?” Alvin asked.
“No, she forgot her phone. She and Smudge went for a walk… about 30 minutes ago, maybe a little longer.”
“That’s a long walk. Do you know where she went?”
“No, but she took a box of cookies with her. I guess she was going to visit someone.”
“Tell her to call me as soon as she gets back,” he said with a level of urgency in his voice, but he was already grabbing his car keys before he disconnected the call. He had a sinking feeling in his gut that he knew where she was.
Chapter Two Hundred Thirty-One
“She is housebroken, isn’t she?” Otto asked.
Melody waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, yes. That little Frenchie is a perfect houseguest.”
“I’ll get that water. I just made a pot of coffee, how about a cup to go with the cookies?” Otto asked, taking the box from her.
“Yes, that would be great. Thanks.”
Melody watched him disappear into the kitchen with the cookies. It was toward the back of the house. “That’s a hot little car you got there.”
“Francine bought it for me. It’s a classic, one that I’ve always wanted.”
“It looks brand new.”
“Yes, well, it’s new to me.”
Melody remembered that Tara told her that her mother had bought Otto a new car. It seemed odd that Francine would buy anyone such a lavish gift, considering how frugal everyone claimed her to be.
“Have you spoken with Alvin recently?” she asked as she watched Smudge position herself between her and the kitchen. Her ears were up in high alert. She was growling low.
“No, I’m afraid not. Do you know if there’s been a break in the case?” he asked from the kitchen.
When he emerged, he had a plate in his hand with the cookies on it. Smudge started growling louder, her hackles were up. As Otto took a step closer, Smudge switched from growling to barking.
“Smudge, what is it?” Melody asked, concerned.
“What’s wrong with that dog?” Otto asked snidely.
“I’m not sure…” She looked around to try to figure out what was triggering Smudge, just in case it could be anything else – besides Otto.
“Well, make her stop.” His tone was firm. Now, the hairs on the back of Melody’s neck stood on end. Suddenly, she felt afraid and wished she had waited for Alvin.
“She’s probably just tired from the walk. I’ll see if I can get Alvin to pick us up.” She reached for her phone, her stomach flipped when she realized she had left it back at the bakery.”
Smudge growled at him again. This time, she showed her teeth.
He took a step closer, but it was one step too close for the pup. She jumped up and pushed him back!
Otto dropped the plate, sending the cookies flying, but they didn’t distract Smudge from protecting Melody. As small as she was, she was mighty, and by hitting his knees, she shocked him enough to cause him to step back. She jumped at him again, snarling, and he backed up once more, right into the kitchen! He lost his footing but grabbed a nearby chair to steady himself. But, in losing his footing, he had revealed something. His jacket had fallen open, and Smudge dived for him.
Melody shrieked when she saw Smudge lunge for Otto, but the little dog wasn’t attacking him! She had grabbed hold of his belt and was pulling one way and then running over his legs to pull the other way, all the time Otto tried to hit the little dog. At last the belt came loose. As Smudge pulled back, Otto sat up and the belt pulled free. Once, she’d got what she wanted, she ran back to Melody with it. There she sat in front of melody with the murder weapon in her mouth – it was a belt! It’s color matched the evidence found under Francine’s nails. Melody took it from Smudge and popped it in an evidence bag, chuckling a little despite the dire circumstances. What sort of woman, always had an evidence bag in her pocket?
“It was you! You murdered your own girlfriend!” she said.
“I wish you hadn’t done that, mutt. I was leaving tonight, and this would have all been over. Now, I have two more problems to take care of before I get away with murder.” Otto steadied himself on his feet, cracking his knuckles.
Melody suddenly second-guessed her decision to visit Otto, alone.
Chapter Two Hundred Thirty-Two
“Do you think you and your nosy dog can walk into my house and cause trouble?” He reached for a broom that had been leaning against the wall behind him. He swung it at Smudge, trying to knock her away from Melody, but she darted away from it.
Melody kept her eyes on him but started to walk backward toward the door. “Smudge, come!”
The little bulldog was in full protection mode! She growled at the broom as it swung toward her again!
“You know, Melody, it’s your fault this little mutt is in danger. What were you thinking, bringing her here? I’ll make you a deal,” he said as he lifted the broom over his head then swung it down at the dodging pup. “You come over here to me, and I’ll spare the dog. In fact, I think I’ll keep her. I’m sure I can take better care of her anyway.”
“Like you took care of Francine?” Melody took another step back, but at that moment, her heart soared! She heard sirens approaching. She just needed to keep Otto talking and distracted before he hurt her or Smudge. “So, answer me this — did you choke her from behind like a wuss, or did you stare into her eyes while her life slipped away?”
Otto growled at her. “She gave me no choice!” He was distracted! Smudge took advantage of the opportunity and locked her jaws around the broomstick, engaging Otto in a full-scale match of tug-o-war!
Suddenly, Alvin busted through the door, his gun drawn!
Otto dropped the broom and threw his hands up at the sight of the firearm.
Smudge dived toward Otto’s ankle and sunk her teeth into
his pant leg and yanked, He lost his balance and fell to the floor hard.
“Don’t you move! Smudge, get back!” Alvin shouted.
Otto shifted his weight as if he was about to get up from the floor, but Smudge growled loudly. The brave little Frenchie positioned herself in front of her mistress, guarding her. The little hero made Otto think twice about getting up.
Deputies swarmed the house around them. Alvin pulled Melody to him. He squeezed her so tight she could hardly breathe. “Have you lost your mind coming here alone? What were you thinking?” It wasn’t anger in his voice, but rather fear.
Smudge was barking like crazy as the deputies handcuffed Otto and lifted him to his feet. They threw him into a chair, then read him his rights.
Melody clung to Alvin. “How did you know we were here?”
“I called you. Kerry said you went for a thirty-minute walk, but my gut just told me you were doing something crazy.”
Then, he let go of Melody only to lift Smudge into his arms. “My two crazy girls are superheroes.” He pulled Melody in close. “Don’t ever do that again,” he whispered against her ear. “I wouldn’t be able to live without you.” Melody pressed her forehead to his, holding him and Smudge tight.
As the deputies dragged Otto out of the house, Alvin glared at him. They locked eyes for a moment, but Otto had to look away. It was clear he was ashamed. The man was idolized by many of the men that were now sieging his house. He’d have some serious explaining to do down at the station.
“Alvin,” Melody said as she held the belt up triumphantly.
Alvin’s eyes went wide. “Well, will you look at that? Melody Hennessey, I do believe I owe you a prize to be named at a later date.”
Smudge barked.
“Don’t worry, Smudge, you’ll get a prize, too. Good work!”
Back at the station, Otto sat chained to the table in Interrogation Room A. “I never thought you would have suspected me,” he said.