A Caffeinated Crunch: A Cozy Mystery (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book 2) (6 page)

“And the lack of sleep doesn’t help,” Hildie remarked. “Especially with your other aunt. She loses beauty sleep and the bear comes out to play the next day.”

I nodded. That was certainly the truth. I hoped Essie got a nap in and a full restful sleep tonight or she’d be a typhoon waiting to blow us all to kingdom come tomorrow.

Eli was at the police station door to greet us when we walked in. He ushered us towards the back of the station into a small room where a box lay on a table.

“Hildie I wanted to see if you recognized this.”

Eli pulled a plastic bag from the box. Within the bag was a tiny piece of cloth. It appeared jagged on one side, like it had been ripped.

Hildie took the bag and examined the piece of cloth inside. “It looks like scarf material.” She handed it to me to look at. “Doesn’t it?”

I looked at the cloth closely. “Yes it does.” The pattern in the material, even as small as it was, looked vaguely familiar. It was a paisley pattern. Perhaps I’d seen someone wearing it, but I couldn’t think who.

“So this isn’t yours?” Eli asked Hildie.
 

Hildie shook her head. “No, I don’t have anything that would match that pattern.”

“That’s what I needed to know,” Eli said as he sat on the edge of the table. “We found the piece in my Dad’s golf cart after the murder. It was caught in the seat and it appears that when someone pulled it, it ripped.”

“Maybe someone who was in a hurry to get out of the golf cart and had to leave it behind?”

“Exactly,” Eli stated. “But first I had to make sure it wasn’t yours Hildie. I knew Dad drove you to the fundraiser.”

“No dear, it isn’t mine. And I wasn’t wearing a scarf that evening either.”

“Eli, I know you can’t give us the evidence, but could you take a photo of it and then print it out. Maybe we’ll recognize it.”

Eli stood up. “Sure. That’s not a bad idea. If you ladies will wait I’ll do just that.”

After he left Hildie said, “That material does look familiar but I can’t place it.”

“Neither can I. But having an image of it may help if we see someone walk into the shop wearing a scarf with that same pattern.”

Eli provided us with a couple of photos of the evidence. As we were leaving Eli took me aside. “I was wondering if perhaps you might want to go out for dinner next weekend. You know, like a real date, without any dead bodies.”

I swiped his arm. “Oh Eli, you’re such the charmer!”

We both laughed and I, of course, agreed. He was so easy to talk to, plus those dimples made me melt. I hoped there was something about me that made him weak in the knees too. As you can tell, I have low self confidence. I look in the mirror and wonder who would be interested in me, especially someone as gorgeous as Eli. But as my aunts try to pound into my head, looks only carry someone so far. Not that I’m an ogre or anything, but I’ve always been 20 pounds overweight, stringy hair, and a lackluster complexion. Enough to make me feel down about myself, yet not enough to hide from the men folk. I just wish I could get rid of the little devil that keeps popping into my head to irritate me with jabs that I’m not good enough for the likes of Eli. I could feel the fiend tossing digs at me this very moment that I was a charity case for Eli. I swiftly zapped him into oblivion and accepted Eli’s date. I had no time to deal with insecurity. Besides, I needed to make a hair appointment.

I dropped Hildie off and told her to get some rest and I’d do the same. After fixing myself a turkey sandwich for dinner, I curled up in my lounge chair and studied the photo of the piece of cloth we received from Eli. It looked so familiar. I must have seen someone wearing it that night. It’s the only thing I could think of. I called Jules to tell her what transpired at the station, and of course my next date with Eli.

“He definitely likes you,” Jules cooed.

“You don’t think he’s taking pity on me because of what happened at the fundraiser do you?”

“Are you serious?” Jules asked. “Men don’t do anything because they feel pity. Now women might…but men…nope.”

“Okay. I’ll quit analyzing it then. Hey, do you want to get a pedicure with me on Thursday. I made an appointment to get my hair done and now I’m thinking a pedicure too.”

“Sure,” Jules said. “These toes are looking mighty scraggily…I think it’s time for some pampering. Oh, you know the dress I wore to the fundraiser? The hem is falling out of it. I’m going to take it by Lucille’s tomorrow since it’s my day off and see if she can stitch it up. Do you want to come with?”

I told her I would and that I’d bring the photo along for her to look at and see if she remembered anything about it. As I crawled into bed, images of the cloth kept peppering my thoughts until I fell into a deep sleep. During the night I dreamed of the piece of cloth, only this time it was a long scarf that kept blowing in my face. I tried to grab hold of it, but it kept slipping out of my grasp. My subconscious was trying to tell me something, but what?

Chapter Six

The next day we were all well rested and in a better humor. Even Essie waltzed around the Coffee Cabana with a smile on her face. Made me wonder what she was up to. But she said a good night’s sleep was all she needed. I asked if Hildie showed her the picture of the piece of cloth taken from Harvey’s golf cart.

“Yes I looked at it, but I’ve never seen that pattern anywhere.”

“I know I’ve seen it somewhere but I can’t remember exactly.”

Hildie came out of the back room with a stack of coffee filters. “It looks familiar to me, but with my addled brain I can’t think where.”

We became busy, but I continued to look for anyone wearing a scarf that came in. Which ended up being zero. So much for that. Harvey and Toe came in for their usual morning break and they also appeared well rested.

“Eli says I can get my golf cart back this afternoon,” Harvey said as he took a bite of his chocolate chip muffin.

“That’s good Harvey,” Hildie said.

“I’m sure Miss Pickles will be thrilled,” Essie remarked sarcastically.

Harvey didn’t recognize the sarcasm. “Yes she will. I’ll have to take her on a long ride and then bring her by the shop.”

Essie cringed and I giggled. Miss Pickles was Essie’s nemesis. She hated how the cat flirted with the male clientele in the shop. Miss Pickles would gently touch a man’s face with her paw and look deeply into their eyes. Yes, it was true. My aunt Essie was jealous of a cat and I couldn’t be more tickled when Miss Pickles strutted into the shop.

After Toe and Harvey left, more customers came and went. By early afternoon it was the normal stragglers. I was in the back going through my various tea flavors, making sure I had enough of the wild orange blossom and strawberry lemonade flavors when I heard Hildie say, “Well there’s Mildred. Where have you been?”

I walked out from the back of the shop to see Mildred sit down on a stool at the counter. “Can I have cup of that spiced Mandarin tea?”

“Coming right up Mildred,” I said as I placed a few tea bags into a cup and poured hot water over them to steep.

“Gladys is looking for you,” Essie said. “She came in here and said if we saw you to let her know.”

“I believe she’s worried about you dear,” Hildie said, giving Essie a stern look. Hildie didn’t like spreading innuendo and she didn’t want Essie or me to either. I brought Mildred her tea and asked if she’d like some cream in it.

“No, that’s fine dear…thank you.”

“Well, are you going to tell us where you’ve been?” Aunt Essie was so respectful..Ugh!

“Essie, that’s none of our business,” Hildie chided Essie. “We’re just glad you’re alright Mildred. Gladys had us worried.”

Mildred took a sip of her tea. “That’s just what I needed Lily. It’s so tasty.”

Essie was done. She turned and walked into the back.

Mildred didn’t seem to notice or care that Essie left. “Girls I’ve been on a self awareness journey today. After what happened to Carl and thinking of the way he treated me…well, it was just too much. So I drove to Orlando to visit my 89 year old aunt who lives in an assisted living apartment. I swear, she gets around like she’s half that age and is smart as a whip. I knew if anyone could talk some sense into me, it was her. And I was right.”

“So you went to see your Aunt then?” I asked. “Did you turn your phone off?”

Mildred nodded. “Yes I did. I know I should have told Gladys where I was going, but I didn’t want to talk to her, or anyone else for that matter, and I don’t know how to text a message. I’m lucky I know how to turn the contraption on and off. Anyway, I spent yesterday with my aunt and today until it was time for her afternoon nap.”

“So did it help to talk with her?” Hildie asked.

“Oh yes, it did. She’s so wise, but not one to mince words. She told me I’d wallowed in self pity long enough. That what was done was done. Stop looking back and start looking forward. Well, that was the gist of it anyway.”

“Sounds like a smart woman,” Hildie remarked.

Mildred nodded as she sipped her tea. “Always has been. She lived through some tough times and has no patience for self pity. I knew it was something I needed to hear and that’s why I went. Especially after arguing with Carl the night of the fundraiser and then him ending up murdered.”

I stopped what I was doing and looked at Mildred. “You talked to Carl the other night?”

“Yes,” Mildred answered as she continued to sip her tea. “I was upset to see Carl there with his wife so I excused myself several times and the last time I went outside. While I was out there Carl came out as well and tried to talk to me. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say, especially since he took that money from him. I pushed him away and walked back inside to one of the vacant rooms. I didn’t want to go back to the party. I just wanted some time alone. After a while Gladys found me and that’s when we heard the screams.”

Essie had been listening behind the door and she popped her head out. “So no one knows where Gladys was during that time?”

“I thought she was at the table in the reception hall and then she came looking for me,” Mildred said.

“I notice she left only a few minutes after you did,” I remarked. “Seems she was gone for a while herself.”

“Mildred, did you see anyone else out in the parking lot with you and Carl?” I asked.

Mildred shook her head. “No…well, perhaps. I can’t say for sure because I was upset. I might have seen a shadow, like movement, but it may have been nothing.”

I took the paper photo of the piece of cloth out of my purse and showed it to Mildred. “Does that look familiar? Have you seen anyone wearing a scarf with that pattern?”

Mildred studied it. “No, can’t say that I have.” I put the paper back into my purse.

“You might want to tell Eli what you told us,” Hildie said. “He’d be interested to know that you may have been the last person to talk to Jefferies.”

“Yes, you’re right. I didn’t even think of that. I simply wanted to get away for a few days. I will stop by the police station on my way home.”

Essie ushered Hildie and me into the back of the shop while Mildred finished her tea. “Are you both thinking what I’m thinking?” Essie asked.

“Are you wondering about Gladys?” I asked.

She pointed her finger into the air. “Bingo! There’s just something about that woman. Pointing the finger at Mildred and all.”

Hildie sighed. “She didn’t point any finger at Mildred. She simply said something about not being able to find her.”

“As good as pointing the finger I say.” Essie was like a dog with a bone. She wasn’t about to let loose of her prediction of Gladys being a murderer.

“But what would she gain from it?” I asked, then another thought entered my mind. “Unless she was seeing Jefferies too?”

Essie pushed me so hard I almost fell back through the door. “That’s it! I bet she was seeing him on the sly and then found out about all these other women. In a fit of rage she mowed him down.”

“Boy, you are really rooting for her to be the culprit,” I said. “What about his wife or that blond bimbo that was mentioned. Maybe it was one of them.”

“No one saw the blond at the fundraiser,” Hildie said. She had a point. Someone that young would stand out in a mostly senior crowd. “I think his wife would have more reason to get rid of him than anyone. And she was the one who found him.”

“You have a point,” Essie grumped.

“You all are giving me a headache,” I said rubbing my temples. “Listen, I’m leaving early to go with Jules to Lucille’s to have her dress rehemmed. Can you two close for me?”

My aunts said no problem as we walked back out into the shop. Mildred had finished her tea and was heading out. “I’m stopping by the police station on the way home to tell them what I know. I’ll see you soon.”

As Mildred walked out Jules came in. “Is Mildred doing okay? I wondered how she was holding up after the other night.”

“She seems to be better now,” Hildie answered. “So your dress came unhemmed?”

Jules nodded as I gathered my bag. “I snagged it on something at the fundraiser, and now it’s unraveling. I thought it best to let an experienced seamstress like Lucille fix it than for me to try to. I’d just make it worse.”

We headed out and over to Lucille’s boutique which was only a few blocks away. When we entered the shop, we were the only ones there. Jules carried the dress to Lucille who was behind the register.

“Here’s the dress I called you about,” Jules said.

Lucille studied the loose hem and said, “I can sew that right up in a jiffy girls, if you want to wait for it.”

“Are you sure Lucille?” Jules asked. “I can always come back and pick it up.”

“No sense in that,” Lucille answered. “I’ll only be about five, ten minutes at the most.”

Lucille headed to the back of the shop and we were left to look around. Jules walked over to me where I was admiring some antique pins. “I thought she looked awfully tired, that’s why I told her I’d pick it up later.”

“Really?” I asked, still looking at the pins. “I didn’t notice.” Jules and I separated as she moved towards the dresses and I walked over towards the gloves. As I browsed through the accessories I saw something familiar out of the corner of my eye. I glanced over, and there they were…the scarves with the paisley blue and gold pattern. I immediately grabbed the paper out of my purse to compare the pattern. It was a dead on match.

“Jules get over here,” I said still looking at the scarves as they hung from a hook.

“What?” She asked still perusing through the dresses.

“Get over here now,” I said with more urgency.

I heard the clip clop of her heels as she walked towards me. I pointed to the scarves when she reached my side. “Oh my gosh! That’s it!” Jules exclaimed.

“Maybe Lucille knows who might have bought this scarf in the last few weeks,” I said. “Let’s go find her.”

We walked towards the back of the shop. Lucille didn’t have a door separating the front and the back of shop. Only a long piece of black fabric separated the two areas. I poked my head around the material. “Lucille?” I looked around but didn’t see anyone. I opened the curtain and walked into the back with Jules following me. “Lucille?” Still no answer.

“Oh, I bet her sewing machine is upstairs in her apartment,” Jules said. “That’s probably where she is.”

Jules was likely right. Lucille owned the building her boutique was in and lived in the apartment above it. We decided to wait downstairs for her.

“Oh look,” Jules said as she walked over to a rack filled with new dresses. “She said there was an order of new dresses coming in.”

I looked over at the counter and noticed a few new jewelry pieces as well. As I walked over to them I stopped short. There, sitting by a bracelet with red baubles, laid the scarf. But this one had been torn. You could see the jagged edge on one end. My heart leapt into my throat and at first I couldn’t find my voice. Finally I croaked, “Jules, please come here.”

I think she could tell by my voice something was wrong as she was at my side within seconds. “What the…”

I took the paper I still held in my hand and placed it next to the jagged edge. Although it was hard to tell from the picture, it looked like a perfect match.

“What are you girls doing back here?”

Both Jules and I jumped as I shoved the paper back into my purse. We turned and Lucille stood in the doorway holding the dress. “I don’t like customers coming back here. I prefer they stay up front.”