Death by Tea (15 page)

I knew my fears were an overreaction, but with how things were going, I couldn't help but worry. I wouldn't have been surprised if she would have told me that the coffee I'd drank was laced with poison and I only had a few minutes to live.

“Do you think you could close for me tonight?” she asked. “I know you just spent a horrible night locked up and are scheduled to work only until three, but the auditions for that play I was telling you about are tonight. I really want to go, but if you don't feel up to it, I can skip it.”

“No,” I said. “You should go. I can handle this.”

“Are you sure?” She gave me a sympathetic look. “I tried to call Mike in, but he already has plans. And you know how I like having one of us here at close. . . .”

“It's okay.” I gave her a genuine smile. I was glad Vicki was finding her footing here in Pine Hills and was getting involved in something that didn't involve dead people. I could learn a lot from her. “I'll be fine.”

She stood and gave me a quick hug. “Thank you. Lena will be here, and she does a great job closing up. You won't have to do much if you don't want to.” She started for the door.

“Hey, wait,” I said, standing. “I have a question for you.”

Vicki turned and gave me a curious look. “Hmm?”

“Well . . .” I felt stupid for what I was about to ask, but I really needed to know. “So, you and Mason?”

Vicki beamed. “I know! Isn't it amazing? He's such a great person, and we have so much more in common than I thought we ever would.” Her hand absently rose to smooth down her hair, as if she thought he might walk through the door at any moment and wanted to look her best.

“But he's Brendon's brother.” And Brendon had been a no-good cheat who was murdered because of it.

Vicki cocked an eyebrow at me. “So?”

“So, do you think it's safe?” I regretted the words the moment they were out of my mouth.

Vicki stared at me a moment, her always pleasant demeanor slipping just a little. “He's not his brother.”

“I know, but . . .”

“No,” she said. “There are no buts here, unless you count you, you butthead.” She gave me a faint smile, as if telling me the last was a joke. Something in her eyes said that my doubts had actually hurt her, so maybe it wasn't so far from the truth. “I like him and he likes me. That's all that matters.”

And really, wasn't it? As long as he treated her better than his brother treated women, what was wrong with Vicki finding happiness? With all the craziness lately, we all deserved some of that.

I knew I was projecting my own frustrations. Between Paul's seeming indifference and my fear of saying or doing the wrong thing around Will, who was I to judge someone else's love life?

“I'm sorry,” I said. “I'm just worried about you.”

This time her smile was genuine. “There is absolutely no reason to be.” She opened the office door. “We best get back to work.”

I followed her out, feeling oddly lighter. Maybe it was knowing that at least someone I knew was having a good day that did it. Maybe it was Vicki's bubbly personality. Whatever it was, I felt just about as good as I could get considering the circumstances.

Lena was busy cleaning the tables, so I went about brewing some fresh coffee. Things weren't as bad as they seemed. I had a job, a business even. I had friends here, and maybe, if I could figure out what was going on with both Paul and Will, a possible boyfriend.

And tonight, when the book clubs arrived for their meeting, I would have someone to talk to. I might not have a hot date, but my life wasn't completely empty. I could talk to them, learn more about David and his murder.

And if I came up with some new clue, well then, maybe, despite how it started, it wouldn't be such a bad day after all.

15

The Pine Hills book club was the first to arrive. Rita came through the doors of Death by Coffee like a queen returning to her palace. Her chin was held high, even as she nearly tripped over her own two feet stepping over the threshold. The other members of the group came in behind her, as if they were her court.

I was standing by the table near the door, rag in my hand, when they came in. Rita's eyes fell on me immediately, and I had just enough time to think, “Oh crap,” before she was hurrying over to where I stood.

“I'll be right up,” she called over her shoulder as she took me by the arm and led me to the back of the store where no one was currently sitting. “Oh, my Lordy!” she said a little louder than necessary. “I've heard a rumor that you were arrested! How can that be?”

Apparently, Rita had gotten over my stealing Cardboard Dad, because she was looking at me in a way that said she couldn't believe anyone would dare arrest the daughter of her beloved favorite author. I was simply an extension of my dad, and if anyone laid a hand on me, it was a crime committed against him.

“It was nothing,” I said. “I got angry. Officer Buchannan didn't like it.” I shrugged helplessly. “I got arrested.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth opened into an “O” that would have been comical if it hadn't been expected. “Did he hurt you? If so, you could get him on police brutality. I know of a lawyer who would take your case like
that
.” She snapped her fingers before leaning in closer. “I hear John Buchannan likes to drink down at Beers and Rears when he's off duty.”

I stared at her blankly before managing a weak, “Beers and Rears?”

“Oh yes.” She waved a hand in my face. “It's one of those bars where the girls wiggle their booties in front of men's faces while they get drunk. The men get drunk, not the women.” She chuckled.

I couldn't imagine a town like Pine Hills having something like that. This wasn't a big city. It wasn't even a medium city, to be honest. Back home in California, there were more than enough nudie bars or strip clubs to satisfy all the men in the world, but here? I could hardly imagine it.

Then again, with how most of the men were treating me lately, I had no problem thinking of them all as pigs. Maybe it wasn't so far-fetched after all.

“I see,” I said, already plotting how I might use this information against Buchannan the next time he accused me of something. He wasn't the saint he pretended to be; not by a long shot.

“He's been known to take his wife, too,” Rita added, hand placed beside her mouth as if sharing a deep, dark secret. “I don't think she enjoys the shows themselves, but she likes what it earns her afterward, if you know what I mean.”

I took a step back and shook my head, trying to dislodge the thought. I didn't even want to think about Buchannan with a woman, his wife or otherwise. Ever. Never, ever.

“But it's just a rumor,” Rita said with a flippant wave of her hand. She just about clipped me on the nose. “It's probably why he has such a thing for you, really.”

“Wait? What? What thing?”

“You are the closest thing we have to a celebrity here. I've seen the way he looks at you. Like most men, he undresses you with those eyes of his.”

I'd seen Buchannan looking at me before, and he sure wasn't undressing me with his eyes; not unless he was replacing what I was wearing with an orange jumpsuit. But he
had
gone through my underwear drawer when the object of his search was right there.

“It's all blown out of proportion,” I said. “And I'm sorry about taking the cardboard cutout.” I hoped bringing up Cardboard Dad might deflect the subject away from Buchannan and anyone else I'd rather not see losing their clothes.

“That's old news,” Rita said. “I just hope I get him back soon.” She heaved a sigh of longing. “I never should have loaned him to you in the first place. The bedroom does get lonely at night without him.”

I was
so
done with this conversation. “I best get back to work.” I quickly extracted myself before she could reply.

Rita didn't seem to mind. She patted me on the arm as I walked past before she headed up the stairs to where the rest of the group waited. I joined Lena at the counter and watched them, both of us with frowns on our faces.

“Crazy, isn't it?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Death by Coffee had died down to just a trickle of customers here and there, meaning there would be a lot of standing around and waiting until close, which was only an hour away. The book club would stay an hour after that, meaning I'd be forced to hover until they finally left and I could lock up.

“Having the meetings still.” Lena shook her head. She ran her hand through her purple hair, pushing it back from her face. “A guy died. I just can't imagine going on like nothing happened the way they are. It's almost obscene.”

I watched as Rita giggled at something Cindy said. Andi, as was her custom, gasped and covered her mouth with her hand as if shocked by whatever she'd heard.

“They don't seem too upset by it, do they?”

“Neither do they.”

I followed Lena's nod toward the door, where the Cherry Valley book club was coming through. Albert paid me only a cursory glance before heading for the stairs with Vivian, Orville, and Sara close behind. The door started to swing closed but was caught at the last minute by a man I didn't know. He was about five seven, one hundred sixty pounds or so, and his hair was combed to the side. It seemed to bounce as he walked, like it was fused together. I couldn't tell if it was real or glued on.

I was prepared for him to come over and place an order, but instead he followed the group up the stairs to where Rita and the others waited.

“Huh,” I said, watching him. He seemed at ease with the others. He put a hand on Sara's back as he talked to the group, gently rubbing in comfort, before they all took a seat.

Dan perhaps? It was the only thing that made sense. If they were indeed going to go through with the book club competition, then it seemed reasonable that they'd call in someone who knew the rules to fill in the empty spot.

I immediately became suspicious. The man I believed to be Dan was smiling and talking with the others as if nothing had happened. I noted him glance toward where the police tape still hung, but outside a slight tightening of his smile, he didn't seem fazed by it.

If this man was who I thought he was, I really needed to get him alone to talk to him.

A couple of customers came in over the next hour. Lena and I served them, though I did so distractedly. I kept finding my gaze traveling to the meeting. Each group remained separate, despite how close they were sitting, talking amongst themselves. Many had my dad's book in hand, though I didn't see anyone open their copy. Eyes darted suspiciously around, as if each member was afraid someone from the other group would overhear what they were saying and use it against them somehow.

I couldn't understand why they didn't have separate meetings in different places. Why sit so close together if you're only going to whisper to your own group?

Then again, why did Rita and her crew do anything? I was quickly learning not to question her motives too much, lest I drive myself bonkers trying to make sense of them.

I really wanted to go up and eavesdrop on the conversations, but I held off until the last customer walked out the door. I cleaned off all the tables as Lena switched the sign on the door over to C
LOSED
.

“I'm going to see how everyone is doing,” I told her. “Go ahead and clean up the kitchen. You can leave after that. I'll finish up with the tables and deal with the money later.”

“Got ya,” Lena said with a wink. She knew what I was doing, always seemed to. She was perceptive like that, something I hoped to take advantage of someday.

As I ascended the stairs, the two groups turned their chairs to face one another. Rita started to speak to the group as a whole, but I cut her off before she could start.

“Can I speak with Dan a moment?”

All eyes turned my way, and for an instant I thought that maybe I was wrong about who the new guy was. No one said anything at first. They just stared at me, and then almost in unison they turned to Rita. It was actually pretty creepy.

“Oh, well, I suppose you can,” she said. “But hurry. We have important matters to discuss, and Dan needs to catch up.”

Dan rose, looking mildly worried.

“I just want to introduce myself and get to know you,” I told him as I led him to the same aisle between the shelves where I'd talked to Jimmy the other day. “I hope that is okay, Mr. Jacobson.”

“Just Dan,” he said, crossing his arms. He looked annoyed to be singled out.

“I'm Krissy Hancock,” I said, holding out my hand. He took it and gave it a weak pump before crossing his arms again. “I was wondering if you are David's replacement in the book club.”

The look that rose in Dan's eyes was enough to melt steel. “I am,” he said.

I might be slow on the uptake sometimes, but I catch on to some cues quickly enough. “Not a fan, were you?” I asked, thinking back to what I was told about Dan and David's relationship.

“No, I was not.” He licked his lips. “David Smith was a foul human being. I didn't trust him and his ‘oh, I'm so sexy' voice.” He tried to mock a British accent at the last but failed miserably.

“He took your place in the group. They kicked you out, just so he could replace you. Why come back now?”

Dan shrugged. “It wasn't like I had anything else to do with my time.”

“How well do you know the group?” I asked. If he wasn't the killer, then perhaps he knew someone who might be. “Do you think any of them could have hurt David?”

Dan snorted. “I'm sure any of them could have for the right reason.” He sighed and seemed to sag in on himself. “Look, I'm not sure why I came back here after what happened. I was never truly liked by anyone. There's a reason they didn't want me back, even if I was their best asset in these things. David comes in, pretends to be interested, and I got kicked out. That's really all there is to it. I don't know anything else about any of this.”

I was surprised at how honest he was being. Few people admit to not being liked, especially when someone else has recently died. It is the undesirable who is often the first to be accused.

“If they didn't like you, then why come back at all?” I asked.

He smiled. “They needed me.”

There was something in his smile that put me off. I couldn't put my finger on what it was. I just didn't like it.

“Do you have any idea who might have wanted to kill David?”

Dan laughed and shook his head. “Look at you, acting the part of a detective. You know, I heard about you, about how you investigated some crime in your free time and solved the case with little in the way of help. Rita made sure to include it in the e-mail she sent everyone before this year's event.”

“Did she, now?” I felt my face grow warm.

“I didn't believe it at first. I even followed the links, yet I couldn't imagine some little coffee girl chasing after a killer.” He took a step closer to me. “But standing here, listening to you question me, I think I might have changed my mind.” Another step, followed by a deep breath. “It's intriguing.”

I cleared my throat. Standing this close, I could smell Dan's cologne and could see down the front of his shirt. There were muscles down there, muscles that flexed even as I watched.

I took a hasty step back, face flaming. At first glance, Dan Jacobson wasn't much to look at. With that hair, and the way he dressed, he could be just about any man, really. But up close, with his cologne washing over you, those muscles flexing, the knowing smile, and wild eyes, there was an animal magnetism to him. It wasn't something you could ever admit to anyone, let alone yourself, but it was there.

“I don't care what you think!”

Rita's shout saved me from having to cover my embarrassment with some mumbled words that would have only made things worse. Both Dan and I turned to find Rita and Albert on their feet, facing each other as if they were about to go ten rounds.

“This book isn't worth the paper it's printed on!” Albert fired back. “You are forcing us into reading it because you have the advantage here. It's no secret that you are going to use her to win!” His hand jerked back my way.

“Uh-oh,” Dan said with a grin.

“Great.” I hurried over to where the two were arguing. The rest of the group looked on with eagerness, as if this was the kind of thing they lived for.

“You know it's not like that,” Rita said. “The book was chosen ahead of time, agreed upon, and as you know is an important piece of crime fiction. Just because you are too dense to understand it doesn't mean it isn't worth reading!” She looked close to tears, as if anyone putting down a James Hancock novel was enough to break her heart.

Of course, I knew
Murder in Lovetown
well enough to know Albert had a point. Even my dad would rather forget the book existed. It wasn't one of his best works.

Albert shook his copy in her face. “I have half a mind to call this competition forfeit. Not only did you take advantage of resources the rest of us couldn't acquire, you made sure to remove one of our members in a vain attempt to cripple us!”

“What?” Rita's hand flew to her chest. “Well, I never!”

“Please,” I said, stepping between them. “Can we all just calm down for a minute? There's no need to fight.”