Give fudge a chance, p.9
Give Fudge a Chance, page 9
I glanced at my phone. “When exactly is ‘after lunch’?”
“Why, after we meet them downstairs and take them to lunch, of course,” Jenn said. “I was thinking the Viking Club.”
There weren’t many fancy restaurants on the island, but the Viking Club and the yacht club were two options. Mackinac was a hiking and biking island full of family fun but limited on highbrow culinary options.
“Wouldn’t it be better for them to try some of the café food instead?” I asked. “To get a real feel for the island?”
Jenn pursed her lips and tapped her chin. “I hadn’t thought of that. You know what? You’re right. We can go to the Nag’s Head instead.”
“Why don’t you go without me,” I suggested as I studied the inventory. “I’ve got some work to do if they want to take up some of my afternoon time.”
“They want to get to know you,” Jenn said, “so you have to come.”
I looked up from the computer. “Are you sure this is a big deal? I mean, it’s a podcast.”
“A viral video podcast,” Jenn said. “They got Chef Gordon Ramsay—think of how big that makes them.”
“I bet they had to go through his agent and set up a time with him,” I grumbled.
“Oh, I’m certain of it,” Jenn said brightly. “But you don’t have an agent. Well, I could be your agent. I do give you some of your best ideas. And, as your new agent, I say you should get up off that chair and go out to lunch with two very nice gentlemen who want to know all about you.”
“Sounds like a blind date,” I grumbled but stood.
“We are going to have so much fun! ” Jenn’s face lit up as she took my arm in hers. “This might be your best day ever.”
I hung up a clean chef’s jacket and hat on the hooks beside the back door and went with Jenn to meet Evan and Dwayne for lunch. As we walked out the door, I heard my name called.
“Yoo-hoo, Allie!” It was Carol and Irma power-walking through the crowd toward us.
“Hi, Carol,” I said. “Jenn, why don’t you guys go on without me. I’ll meet you there in a moment.”
“Oh, no,” Jenn said and grabbed my arm. “You aren’t getting out of this that easy.”
“What do these fine ladies want to talk about?” Evan asked and motioned for Dwayne to start taking video.
“It’s nothing, really,” I said. “Probably just about our book club.”
“Oh, you mean the ‘murder club’?” Jenn said with a wink.
“Are you telling me you get together with a book club to solve murders? That sounds so interesting. Tell me more,” Evan said.
“Allie,” Carol said as she came up to me full-speed. “I’ve come across another new clue.”
“A clue?” I asked.
“Who are these two handsome gentlemen?” Irma asked.
I made introductions all around. “They are filming for their podcast.”
“Oh, I follow their Instagram,” Irma said. “They are quite famous.”
“They are, indeed,” Carol said. “What do you want to know about Allie? We have all the scoop.”
“Carol!”
“What?” Carol said in a false-surprised tone. “We know you as well as anyone on the island.”
“We were heading to the Nag’s Head to grab lunch,” I said. “We can talk later. I’m sure you two ladies have to finish your power walk.”
“We sure do,” Irma said. “But for Evan Tailor, we can stop now and talk while you eat lunch.”
I tried hard not to roll my eyes. What was it with everyone and this guy? I guess I really wasn’t into pop culture as much as everyone else.
“That sounds great,” Evan said. “The more the merrier.” He put his arm around Carol and started walking. “Now, you were saying something about a new clue? Is that to the recent murders?”
I blew out a long breath and followed behind. It was going to be an interesting day.
Chapter 13
“Do you still have cameras following you?” Rex asked as I opened my back door and let him into the kitchen.
“They went to their rooms for the night,” I said. I noted that he was uncharacteristically out of uniform, wearing a tight black T-shirt and a pair of well-worn jeans.
“How do you feel about all of this?” He had a look of concern. “I know you are a private person.”
I handed him a glass of wine and walked to the couch to sit down. “I’m not certain, really. But Jenn said it would be good for business, and so far, she has been right about everything.”
“Except now they are caught up in your investigation.” He sat down next to me, his warm presence comforting.
“I thought you didn’t like me investigating.”
He sipped his wine and studied me. “What I don’t like is you not being safe. I can’t keep you safe if you keep trying to do my job. Can you imagine me rushing into your kitchen to make fudge with no training?”
I laughed. “You would make a fine mess of it at first, I’m sure.”
“Oh, I’d probably hurt myself.” His eyes twinkled at me.
“They promised not to get in the way,” I said. “I told them I have work to do and that my hobby of following clues is sort of sporadic. They said they have to edit and write and such, so they won’t be following me every boring minute of my day.”
He frowned. “They said you were boring?”
“Oh, no, I added that.” I sipped the cabernet. It was warm on my tongue. “I tried to tell them to follow you, because you are actively investigating. I’m just poking around, but Jenn convinced them otherwise.”
“I heard Carol had another clue to share,” Rex said. “Another connection between Mike and Hazel?”
“You know, I was thinking about that.” I shifted to look into his eyes. “Both Hazel and Mike had ties to Mackinac, but that doesn’t mean anything. The island population is so small, we all have ties to each other.”
“Thank you for that,” he said.
“Did you have a chance to review the video of the town council meeting where Isabel and Hazel got into it?”
“I did,” he said. “It was pretty heated.”
“I’ve been skimming the transcript,” I said. “Kurt Ford was as vocal as Isabel about it. I can’t figure out why?”
“Kurt owns the Lavender Hotel on the other end of Main Street,” Rex said. “I can see why he was worried about people jumping around rooftops becoming a thing.”
“Well, it certainly has upped my insurance,” I said. “Even though her death isn’t listed as accidental, because of the rooftop deck the carrier thinks I’m a higher risk.”
“Was that Carol’s next clue?” Rex asked.
“What?”
“Is Kurt our newest suspect?”
I was quiet for a full moment. “Kurt was seen arguing with Hazel the morning before she was murdered. But we have no proof he was anywhere near the McMurphy at the time of her death.”
“You have no proof anyone was with Hazel at the time of her death,” Rex pointed out. “Whoever was up there was aware of your camera systems.”
“Do you think it was premeditated?”
“It’s hard to say,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve got no motive for either death.”
I sat back. “I’m sorry. I haven’t a clue about motive, either, beyond Isabel and Kurt’s anger about the rooftop parkour. Have you gotten any further on Mike’s death?”
“No.” He grimaced. “I’m still waiting on lab results. There were some smudged fingerprints on the body, but with no murder weapon and no motive, all I can do is keep investigating.”
“I saw they took down the carnival,” I said. “Word has it the haunted house went back into storage for the rest of the year. They usually bring it out for fall festivals in the Lower Peninsula, but with Mike’s death, Carol said Paul just shut it down for the rest of the season.”
“That’s probably for the best,” Rex said.
“Carol said Paul stores it in a barn on his parents’ property along with other outdoor gear for their businesses. I’m surprised they don’t store it in the Lower, where storage might be cheaper.”
“There’s nothing cheaper than your own barn,” Rex pointed out.
“Maybe we’re looking at this all wrong,” I muttered.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said. He gave me a look, and I shrugged. “How about we talk about something else besides murder? I’d hate to think our relationship revolved around other people’s deaths.”
“You have a point,” he agreed and put his arm around me. “How about we talk about you and me?”
I leaned in to kiss him. “That’s a great idea.”
* * *
The next morning, I got a text from Harry asking me to get a coffee with him. I agreed. It was after my 10 a.m. fudge demonstration. Evan and Dwayne had gotten up at 5 a.m. to film me opening up and making fudge for the day. They both looked exhausted and had headed for the coffee bar.
“I’m off to meet a friend for coffee,” I said. “I don’t think you need to film that.”
The two agreed, and I went up to my apartment, quickly changed, and put Mal on her leash. Harry wouldn’t mind my pup coming along, and I felt better bringing her, since I felt as if I’d been neglecting her of late. Mella rushed out the door with us to make her daily outdoor rounds, and I closed and locked my apartment, taking in the late summer warmth and sunshine.
“Good morning, Allie,” Mr. Beecher said as he walked down the alleyway. “Going for a walk?”
“Hi, Mr. Beecher,” I said as Mal leapt up and did a ballerina twirl for her treat. The old man pulled a small, bone-shaped treat from his pocket and gave it to her. “How are you doing?”
“I’m well,” he said and leaned against his cane. “I do smell fall in the air.”
“It comes pretty early on Mackinac,” I agreed. “But it’s my favorite time of year, so I’m excited for it.”
“How’s the investigation going?”
I shrugged. “No motive, no murder weapons.”
“Mike was always running around dreaming up new business ideas,” Mr. Beecher said. “He didn’t have much time to make enemies.”
“Did you know Mike well?” I asked.
“I watched the boy grow up,” Mr. Beecher said. “I think he and Paul were in love. They met in first grade and had been inseparable ever since.”
“Well, that’s an interesting thought,” I said. “If that’s the case, I’ve neglected telling Paul how sorry I am that he lost Mike. I thought maybe Paul would be in danger of being the next murder victim, but Rex said the police have him covered.”
“It never hurts to go visit a person who’s just lost their best friend,” Mr. Beecher advised.
“Thanks for the reminder,” I said. “Come on, Mal, we’re late for our coffee date.”
“Have fun.” Mr. Beecher continued his walk down the alley.
Mal and I met Harry at the Coffee Bean. He had a nice outside table waiting for us. At the sight of us, he stood and came around for a hug. “I’m glad you had time to meet me today,” he said.
“Of course,” I said. “It’s always good to visit with a friend.”
“And I figured you’d bring Mal with you.” He pulled a dog treat out of his pocket. Mal sat and held out her paw for a shake. He gave it a quick shake and handed her the treat. “I had them bring out a bowl of water for her, too.” He pointed to the dainty porcelain bowl near the base of the table. “I’d have ordered you a coffee, but I didn’t know what you wanted. What will you have?” He pulled out my chair, and I sat.
“A latte is fine,” I said.
“Great, be right back.”
I watched him walk away. He was dressed in jeans and a pullover and was just as handsome on the backside as the front. I sighed a little and leaned my right elbow on the table. “Well, Mal, what a great guy.”
She sat up and put her paw on my thigh as if to agree.
He came back five minutes later with a paper cup filled with a warm latte. “Helen said to tell you hi.”
Helen ran the Coffee Bean. “Thanks,” I said and took a sip. “It’s delicious as always.”
“I hear you have a camera crew following you around,” Harry said with a warm twinkle in his eyes.
“It was the strangest thing,” I replied. “They just showed up yesterday, and Jenn and Liz went crazy over them. They seem to be some viral podcasters or something.”
“I’ve heard of Evan Tailor,” he said. “His podcast is doing quite well. They consider him an influencer.”
“Would you let him follow you around?”
He sat back in his chair. “I would, yes. I think any publicity is good publicity.”
“Speaking of publicity, how’s your bed-and-breakfast doing?”
“Quite well,” he said and sipped his coffee. “Thanks to your advice.”
“Oh, please, I didn’t tell you that much. You are a natural businessman. I’m sure you could sell tea to a tea farmer.”
He grinned, and my heart did a little pitter-pat. “I do have a talent for getting what I want.”
“I can see that.”
He leaned forward with his elbows on the table and spoke low. “What I want is a date with my favorite fudge maker.”
I swallowed hard and felt the heat of a blush rush over my cheeks. “A date?”
“Yes, a real, dressed-up, romantic dinner kind of date. What do you say?”
“Harry, you know I like you—”
“Then do it,” he pushed. “Let me take you out for an evening cruise on the straits. I’ll have nice wine and a catered dinner.”
“Sounds fantastic.” I tried not to sigh. “But I’m dating Rex right now.”
He nodded. “Then you two are exclusive?”
I paused. Had we ever talked about being exclusive? Not really, and Rex did still have one ex-wife on the island.
“You paused,” Harry said, and his grin widened. “I’ll take that as a no.”
“I’m exclusive,” I said quickly before things got too awkward. “I’m just a one-guy-at-a-time kind of woman. I’m sorry. But you make the offer very tempting.”
“I hope this doesn’t mean you won’t still get coffee with me or be my friend.” He reached out and took my hand in his. “I’m patient. I can wait while you work through this thing with Rex.”
I studied him out of the corner of my eye. “You are patient,” I said. “And very, very tempting.” He rubbed his thumb along my hand, giving me goose bumps. “But Rex and I have a history.”
“I heard you were dating someone else when Rex came into your line of sight. I don’t see what you have in common with him. He’s been married twice. He’s a cop. On the other hand, neither of us have been married before. We both run inns. And we’re both considered outsiders on the island.”
“My family has been here for over one hundred years,” I protested.
“But you didn’t grow up here, go to school here,” he said. “I know you’re doing your best to be involved. I’ve kept track of how many committees you’re on, and I know why. In fact, I’ve volunteered for a few committees myself.” He studied me. “I think we have much more in common.”
“We did both survive our first winters on the island, didn’t we?”
“We did.” He pulled my hand up and kissed my fingers. “I also wouldn’t ever tell you to stop investigating. I know you do it for the people you love.”
“Rex is trying to keep me safe.”
“Right,” Harry said. “But I would be able to keep you safe and still let you do what you love.”
I had to admit, his offer was very tempting. He was right. He ticked all my boxes as far as having things in common and not riding me about the investigations.
“How’s that going, by the way?”
“How’s what going?” I asked and gently pulled my hand back to grab my coffee and take a sip.
“The investigation,” he said with a soft smile.
“It’s not going very well,” I said. “So far, no motive and no murder weapon, and whoever killed Hazel did a Houdini act on my roof. We have no proof anyone else was on that roof with her at all.”
“I can help you with that,” he said.
“Really? How?” I leaned in closer to him. Mal jumped up on my lap, and I sat back to pull her close.
“I have an idea of how it might have happened, and I’d love to be able to demonstrate it to you, if you’re game.”
“Oh, brilliant,” I said, my excitement rising. “I’m game.”
“It was around ten p.m. when it happened, right?”
“Yes,” I said and petted Mal’s soft curls.
“Then I promise if you meet me on your rooftop deck tonight at ten, I’ll show you.”
“That sounds like a proposition,” I teased.
“Only if you want it to be.” His grin widened. “But seriously, I’ve been thinking about it, and I might have an answer.”
“Then I need to meet you there.”
Chapter 14
So far none of the clues we had made any sense. There was a connection, but it was only passing. The book club ladies wanted to meet, but I put them off a day so I could find out what Harry thought he knew about Hazel’s death.
The podcast crew spent the rest of the day taking shots around the island and interviewing people. I knew they were champing at the bit to get to a book club meeting and seeing how the ladies helped investigate.
Frankly, I wasn’t looking forward to putting those two groups together.
I stared out at the lake from my rooftop deck, hugging a sweater close because the wind had a chill to it that still smelled of fall.
“Allie, I’m glad you could meet me here.”
I turned and saw Harry hopping down from the roof of the Old Tyme Photo Shop next door.
“That’s a four-foot gap,” I said and went over to where he’d jumped. I glanced down at the gap between the McMurphy and the shop. “Was it hard to get here? I mean, Hazel seemed to make it look easy, but unless the killer was into parkour, I don’t see how they got here.”
“Getting to the roof of the photo place was easy,” he said. They have a fire escape, and I simply went through the alley, up the escape, and across the roof to here.”
