“Nah,” Kara said. “I wouldn’t want the responsibility of running the shop. I don’t even like taffy all that much.”
“Thank you for coming in to talk with us,” Lydia said, rising from her seat. “We’ll be in touch soon.”
“Cool,” Kara said. She departed the office, taking her cell phone out as she went to begin texting.
Lydia turned to Trina who was taking one of the taffy pieces out of the seashell candy dish on her friend’s desk.
“And thank you for stopping me from acting crazy with accusations.”
Trina shrugged as she unwrapped her taffy. She said playfully, “I’ve been rewarded for my work.”
“And I feel good about that interview. I got the sense that she’s not a killer.”
Trina chewed furiously to finish her taffy quickly. Then she exclaimed, “You’re not thinking of hiring her, are you? Liddy, she might not be a killer, but she’s not much of a worker either. I understand why you brought her in because you were giving her the benefit of the doubt and thought that her changes in employment were due to accommodating her studies. But she was late, she only wants to work her to focus on her tan, and she doesn’t even like taffy!”
Lydia sighed and sat back down in her chair dejectedly. “Of course, you’re right. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I consider the subpar applicants because I think they’re upfront about their motives. I scare away the good potential hires because I’m afraid they’ll betray me.”
“I understand that this is hard. You were almost killed before. That’s nothing to sneeze at.” She gave her friend a hug and then said, “Maybe we should back away from this new case? I don’t know if it’s good for you.”
“I appreciate the concern, but I can’t stop looking into the surfer’s drowning. Not unless I’m thoroughly convinced that it was just an accident. Or that Leo was willing to entertain the possibility of foul play.”
“So, Leo thinks it was an accident, and you don’t. Why is that? Let’s spell it all out and move from there.”
“I find it suspicious that everyone who knew Chase has trouble believing that he drowned. I think it’s strange that he had his phone and wallet in his pocket when he went into the water. The cuts on the back of the man’s heels also strike me as odd.”
“Plus, there’s that Hawaiian vacation and the chance at big money that someone else is going gain because Chase The Waves is dead.”
“I want to know where Chase was before he ended up in the ocean,” said Lydia. “Who saw him that night? Did he say anything about going to the beach? Was he drunk?”
“You might be able to find out some answers if you went to Buoy’s tonight,” Trina said. “I wish I could go, but I can’t cancel on Carl. He’d be hurt.”
“I wouldn’t want you to do that. And I’m not sure that Chase’s friends would want to talk to me. Sadie knows that my brother is a detective now. They would probably think I was spying on them if I just showed up alone.”
They left the office and headed into the main area of the taffy shop. Kelsey had arrived for her shift and was assisting a family at the register. Jeff was sweeping some sand off the floor but paused when he saw Lydia.
“Any luck?” he asked.
“With the new hire? Or discovering what happened to Chase The Waves Harris and whether he was murdered?” asked Lydia. “Either way I think the answer is no right now. I don’t think I’ve had much luck finding an answer to either problem.”
Jeff leaned on his broom. “It’s all such a bummer. I don’t like to think that Chase did something to make someone so angry that they wanted to kill him. I also don’t like the idea of a killer running around on the loose. That wasn’t fun last time. But at the same time, I don’t like that he could have just made a mistake on the water and drowned. If that could happen to him, it could happen to me too. I haven’t been out in the water since I found out about his death.”
“But you love surfing,” said Lydia. “You love it more than taffy. And that’s a lot.”
“His death shook me. I don’t know how to get over it,” Jeff said glumly.
“Hopefully, I can find out some answers about Chase, and that should help,” said Lydia. “And I know it takes time to get over a fear after something awful happens. I’m dealing with that myself, and I know it’s affecting my hiring process. But you have to try and face it. I’d hate to see you stop doing something you love forever.”
Jeff nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe I should just go out there and being on my board will remind me of the way I used to feel about it. Instead of dwelling on how easy it would be to fall and drown and never wake up and never do anything ever, ever again… to never get to eat another piece of taffy…”
Lydia patted him on the back. “You don’t have to do it today. Maybe take some baby steps to get back to where you were.”
“Baby waves,” Trina agreed.
The door to the shop opened, and Daniel walked inside. As soon as he saw Lydia, he headed right towards her. Jeff resumed sweeping and moved away.
“Do you have any news?” Daniel asked.
“I did talk to my brother. He and his partner don’t consider the death to be suspicious, but they are being thorough following up a few things.”
“Do you believe that he’ll find the killer if there is one?” asked Daniel making eye contact.
Lydia hesitated. She believed that her brother was a good detective and was very capable at his job, but she also knew how headstrong and stubborn he could be. Right now, he didn’t think there was a case.
“I’ve got a great idea that might help with everything,” Trina said, piping up and saving Lydia from answering. Trina winked at her friend and then smiled at Daniel. “How would you like to take Lydia out for a drink tonight?”
“Trina!” Lydia cried as she felt color rise to her cheeks. However, then she realized that her friend wanted to help with the case as well as with her dating life. “Actually, that is a great idea. We should go to a place called Buoy’s.”
8
A Toast and Tribulations
After she closed up the taffy shop for the day, Lydia rushed home to change into something more appropriate for her stakeout / date. Sunny had been no help in choosing an outfit and had actually fallen asleep on a pile of discarded clothes options that Lydia had pulled out of her closet. However, she thought that the little black dress that she finally decided on was suitable for the occasion.
When Daniel greeted her at her door, she was pleased to hear him say, “You look nice.”
“So do you,” said Lydia. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you out of that lifeguard shirt.”
He was wearing a button down shirt and jeans. She could also see something of the chain he always wore around his neck.
Daniel smiled. Lydia looked down. She knew that she shouldn’t confuse this with a real date. They were going to observe Chase’s surfer friends and look for signs of a guilty conscience to see if a killer was amongst them. That wasn’t especially romantic.
Also, Lydia still didn’t know very much about the man. She wasn’t even completely sure that he was single. This was a point that was apparently hotly discussed at Trina’s hair salon.
“I’m sorry I don’t know exactly what time Chase’s friends will be there,” said Lydia. “But Sadie said that they would be at Buoy’s tonight.”
“I don’t mind if we’re early. And I really would like to thank you for looking into this matter for me.”
“Well, it’s the least I could do after you saved my life.”
“You don’t have to thank me for that,” Daniel said seriously. “It’s my job to help people in the water. And I was glad to make sure that you were all right.”
“Because the taffy I make is so good?” Lydia joked.
Daniel laughed. It wasn’t often that she saw this quiet man show joy, and she was happy. However, then their conversation started to turn towards the drowned surfer. As they made their way to the bar, Lydia recapp
ed everything that she had learned so far. Daniel was glad that she also thought there were some suspicious elements to what happened.
They arrived at Buoy’s, and Lydia was surprised to see the bar was still afloat. It definitely wasn’t a place that catered to tourists. It was dingy inside, and there didn’t seem to be much to the menu. However, the people who were there seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Lydia noticed Sadie’s bright hair as they entered. Sadie was at a table with several other people who all looked downcast.
Lydia nodded to Daniel, and they chose a crummy booth nearby where they had a clear view of the gathering and would hopefully be able to hear what was going on.
“How about we begin with a toast?” Sadie suggested. “Logan?”
The tan man with an earring nodded. He played with his beer bottle absentmindedly as he struggled to find the right words.
“Chase was my best friend. And there wasn’t a better friend that you could wish for. We grew up together. We learned to surf together. And even when Chase started moving toward becoming a champion, he never let it go to his head. I wish I were as good a friend as he was,” Logan’s voice cracked as he spoke and he began to hurry up his ending. “He was a good guy. Let’s drink to his memory.”
The others around the table raised their glasses and took a drink. One woman who was wearing glasses began to cry. Sadie handed her a napkin to use as a tissue.
The group was silent for a few moments. Lydia and Daniel kept an eye out for suspicious actions, but everyone looked truly sad.
“It might be easy to pretend to miss someone in a group,” Daniel whispered. “We should see who makes a move to take his place in the competition.”
Logan set his drink down and looked around the table. “I guess we need to discuss who is going to represent Ocean Point now.”
The woman who had been crying began to shed more tears. “I’m sorry. Chase was just so excited about going. It’s not fair.”
“It’s not,” Sadie agreed. “I think he could have won, Jenna.”
Crying Jenna nodded. “Logan, you should probably go in his place. You trained with him, and you’re his best friend.”
“It’s because he was my best friend that I can’t do it. You guys know that I choke under pressure. And it would be even worse if I thought I had to win it for Chase. I’d fail. You could do it, Jenna. He was special to you too.”
“Sadie is better than me,” she replied.
“I’m not as good as Chase was,” Sadie protested. “He was better at taking risks.”
Jenna patted her eyes with the napkin and tried to stop her tears. The table continued to discuss who should represent Ocean Point, but everyone seemed reluctant to be the one to do it. Excuses ranged from not having a babysitter to a fear of flying. They all claimed not to be as good as Chase, and they seemed hesitant to let his memory down if they wouldn’t be able to win.
At their table, Lydia and Daniel frowned.
“It doesn’t seem like anyone wants to take his place,” Lydia said softly.
“Maybe I was wrong,” said Daniel. His brow furrowed as he considered it.
“This might only mean that he wasn’t killed for his place in the contest,” said Lydia.
“But if that wasn’t the motive, what other reason do we have for suspecting foul play?”
“I think we need to be able to ask some of our own questions more directly.”
“But how could we do that?” asked Daniel. “You told me that Sadie knows who your brother is and would be suspicious.”
“I have an idea,” Lydia said, rising from the table and dragging Daniel along with her.
The people at the table stared at them as they came closer. Daniel crossed his arms, feeling awkward.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you in your time of mourning,” Lydia said. “I met Sadie earlier, and she mentioned this gathering.”
“And you decided to crash it?” Logan asked.
“The truth is,” Lydia said sounding solemn. “That my friend here is the lifeguard who found Chase Harris. Though there was nothing else that he could have done to save him, he’s been feeling bad about it all. He feels connected to Chase now. I thought maybe he might be able to join you?”
“If you don’t think it’s out of line, I would like to raise a glass to his memory as well,” Daniel said.
“Of course,” Jenna said. “Please, join us. And thank you for trying to…”
She trailed off as she began crying, but the others welcomed him to the table. Logan brought Daniel a beer and Daniel made a toast as well.
“Chase, I’m sorry that I didn’t know you better. I remember seeing you surfing the waves like a pro. And I’m sorry the water finally claimed your life. From all accounts, you were a good man.”
The others at the table took another sip of their drinks respectfully.
“And I’d love to hear more about Chase,” said Daniel. “If that’s all right.”
“Did he go swimming late at night often?” asked Lydia.
“No,” Logan said. “He’d be embarrassed if I told you all this, but he was a little afraid of the dark.”
“Really?” asked Lydia. If that were the case, it certainly did seem like he hadn’t gone swimming in the water that killed him that night by choice.
“It’s true. He still had a nightlight in his room.”
“Let’s not share all his secrets, all right?” said Jenna. “We want to honor him.”
Logan and Jenna exchanged a heated look. Lydia wondered what it could mean, but Sadie was already trying to diffuse tension.
“We are honoring him. All of him. Fears and accomplishments.”
“Maybe Chase wasn’t afraid that night because he was with a friend on the beach,” Lydia suggested. “That usually makes me feel better when I’m scared. Did any of you see him that night?”
Everyone at the table shook their heads except Jenna who was crying again. Logan looked uncomfortable.
“Maybe we should sleep on it about who should take Chase’s place in the contest,” Logan suggested. “We still have a few days to decide on the replacement or forfeit. Maybe tonight we should just remember Chase.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Jenna agreed.
The others were agreeing when someone joined their table and caught all of their attention. A small woman with a tattoo on her arm marched up to them. Her fists were on her hips, and she had fire in her eyes.
“Was no one going to tell me about this?” she demanded. “You were having a memorial for Chase without me?”
“Maybe you weren’t wanted here, Nicole,” Jenna said evenly.
“Well, Chase wanted me. So I think he might have wanted me here.”
For a moment, it looked as if Jenna might throw her drink at the other woman. Instead, she stormed out of the bar.
Lydia gestured that they should follow her. She hoped that she might get some more insight on what had just happened if she and Daniel spoke to her away from the rest of the group. However, the upset Jenna had hurried away from the bar and was already in her car when they came outside. She started driving away before they could talk to her.
They headed back inside the bar, but the group was disbanding. The new woman, Nicole, was nowhere to be seen. Everyone was quickly paying their tabs and hurrying away. Sadie was the only one to say goodnight to Lydia and Daniel.
When they were alone, Lydia said, “Well, we might not have been able to ask all the questions we wanted. But if we know now that Chase was afraid of the dark, then we also know that his death in the dark ocean was most likely murder.”
9
A Key to the Case
Daniel walked Lydia up to her door. It had been a long time since a man had done that, and she smiled even though she knew it hadn’t been a real date.
“That was quick thinking to allow us to join their party,” Daniel said.
“If only we were quick enough to catch some of them after Nicole arrived and upset
everyone,” Lydia said, lingering on her porch. “We might have been able to turn up another motive for the murder besides the competition.”
“Maybe tomorrow we could question some of them?” Daniel suggested.
“I’d like that,” Lydia agreed. “I want to find out what happened to Chase Harris that night as badly as you do now. I think he really was murdered and he deserves justice.”
“It’s quite a mystery, but I’m glad you’re on the case. You’re good at this.”
Double Chocolate and Death Page 4