Evil Eclairs (12 page)

“Teen Angel,”
he said with a grin. His troupe enjoyed going against expectations, and they did a really good job on every project they tackled. I’d especially enjoyed their version of
Romeo and Juliet,
and looked forward to seeing this production, as well. What I loved was their Sunday matinees, which allowed me to get off work in time for the show and still not miss my early bedtime. I had to take culture where I could get it, given my crazy work schedule.

“Thanks,” he said. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Glad I could help,” I said as I relocked the door.

Grace popped her head out of the kitchen. “Is he gone?”

“Don’t worry, it’s safe now.”

“What did he want?” she asked.

I noticed Emma was listening, as well. For once, her iPod earbuds were out while she was doing dishes.

“Donuts,” I said simply.

“Is that
all
he wanted?”

“Grace, it doesn’t matter, because that was all he was going to get, and we both knew it. Now, if we’re finished talking about this, grab a rag and start bussing tables. The sooner we get our work finished, the quicker we can get out of here.”

Emma finished the last rack and drained the water. “Does that mean I can go, Suzanne?”

“Sure,” I said. “What’s going on? Do you have a big date this afternoon?”

“I wish,” she answered wistfully. “I can’t remember the last time I went out with someone.”

Grace laughed. “I’m sure it’s been weeks. What a tragedy. However do you stand it?”

She sighed heavily. “I know this drought can’t last forever. And it’s been eleven days, for your information. I’m willing to bet you’ve gone out more recently than that.”

“Then you’d lose,” Grace said, still smiling.

“You don’t seem to be all that upset about it,” Emma said, and then she must have realized how impertinent she sounded. “I’m sorry. Strike that. It’s none of my business.”

Grace smiled at her. “Don’t worry about it. There’s nobody here but us girls. To be honest with you, I’m kind of enjoying my break. It gives me a chance at a little perspective, you know?”

“I don’t see how,” Emma admitted.

“Me, either, but it sounds good, doesn’t it?”

“If you two are finished commiserating,” I said, “there’s still work to do.”

“I thought I could go,” Emma protested.

“That was before you stuck around distracting us. One more chance, and then it’s back to work.”

“Bye,” she said as she bolted for the door.

Grace and I were both laughing as I locked it behind her. I studied my friend for a few seconds, and then went against my own better judgment. I had a policy of not getting involved in her love life, but I couldn’t help myself. “Would you like me to ask Jake if he’s got any single friends?”

“Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think so.”

“What’s wrong with Jake?”

She started wiping down tables as she said, “No offense, but I’ve seen what dating a police officer has done to you. If I ever have a boyfriend again, I want him around a little more than yours seems to manage.”

“He’s on vacation now,” I said, finding it odd to have to defend Jake to her.

“Where did he go, Hawaii?”

“He’s still in town,” I admitted.

“And you worked today? Why don’t you shut the place down and have a little fun?”

“Thanks, but I’ve already had that particular lecture from my mother.”

Grace nodded. “Enough said.” As she finished the last table, she asked, “Are you ready to go to city hall?”

“What makes you think our fair mayor is there?”

“I was at the Boxcar having a late breakfast,” Grace said, “and I heard his honor ordering lunch to be delivered at his desk. If we hurry, we might make it before he gets to his dessert.”

“I’m game if you are,” I said as I put the last plate away. The kitchen was in good shape, and the front was clean. There was just one more task I had to accomplish. “Once I get the register checked and the deposit made up, we’re good to go.”

“That’s going to take forever,” Grace said. “We can’t wait that long.”

“You haven’t seen my receipts today,” I said. “It’s not going to take nearly as long as you might think.”

I entered the sale to Max, counted my money, and ran the report off the cash register. Four minutes later, I had the deposit in my bag, and we were ready to go. It was lucky that things balanced out so perfectly, but I had to wonder if it might have had something to do with the fact that there hadn’t been all that much to count.

I’d worry about that later. The only way I’d be able to fix it would be to get my customer base back, and I had a hunch that meant solving Lester Moorefield’s murder. As I locked the door after we walked out onto the sidewalk, Grace asked, “Wasn’t George supposed to meet us here, or did he already come by?”

“No, I haven’t seen him all day. Let me give him a call.”

“Let’s at least get in my car first,” Grace said. “I don’t want anyone to overhear you.”

“I’ve talked to George in public before,” I said.

“Indulge me,” she answered.

I did as she asked, and the second we got to her car, I dialed George’s telephone number.

There was no answer, just four rings, and then it went to voice mail.

I waited for the beep, and said, “George, it’s Suzanne. Grace and I are leaving Donut Hearts. Hopefully we’ll catch up with you soon.”

“That’s odd,” I said as I hung up.

“What’s that?”

“George didn’t answer his phone.”

Grace shook her head. “He’s a big boy, Suzanne. George can take care of himself.”

“I hope you’re right.”

As we drove to city hall, I couldn’t help wondering what circumstances would keep George from touching base with us. Was he in trouble, or was he just involved in something at the moment that required his attention? Either way, I couldn’t wait to speak with him again. I relied on George’s advice and input, but most of all, I needed his heart. He’d believed in me in the past when everyone else had thought I was crazy, and I could use a little of that right now. I thought about calling Jake, but if he really was still asleep, I didn’t want to be the one who woke him.

*   *   *

“Ladies, it’s always a pleasure to see you.” Cam Hamilton stood as we walked in, and the politician in him made him shake hands with both of us before we could sit down. Cam had been a high school football star once upon a time, but in the twenty years since, he’d added fifty pounds to his leanest playing weight. His hair hadn’t changed, though, carefully cut and styled as always, and I doubted a trip through a wind tunnel would move a single hair out of place. Cam was a building contractor who specialized in small jobs. That left him plenty of time to pursue his passion of being our mayor, which was clear to anyone who knew him.

He frowned slightly as he said, “Funny, Polly didn’t tell me I had visitors.”

She hadn’t been at her post, so we’d decided to barge on in and, hopefully, catch him off guard. “No one was out front,” I said.

“That’s fine,” Cam said, though it was obvious it was anything but okay with him. “What can I do for you?” he asked once we were settled in.

“Lester Moorefield really went after you in an editorial not long ago, didn’t he?”

Cam looked a little startled by the abruptness of Grace’s question. I had planned on being a little smoother in bringing it up, but there was no going back now.

“We all know Lester was full of bluster,” Cam said good-naturedly. “He loved stirring things up.”

“What exactly did he say about you?” I asked. “I know it had something to do with where the new library is being built, but I was hoping you might be able to elaborate on what he said on the air.”

Cam’s smile faded, but only slightly. “Forgive me, but I’m curious why that concerns either one of you.”

“Just think of us as a couple of civic-minded individuals,” Grace said. How she kept a straight face, I’ll never know.

Cam nodded. “The fact that folks around town are under the impression you had anything to do with his demise notwithstanding.” He’d been looking directly at me as he’d said it.

“The question is still valid. There was a kernel of truth to everything Lester said in his editorials.”

“So, you admit that you sell poison?”

“Any treat is harmful in excess,” I said, weary of having to repeat that same argument over and over again. “It was some of the truth, just not all of it. What part of his editorial about you was true?”

Cam clearly didn’t like me turning the tables on him. “Not a single word of it. I had nothing to do with the library placement. Look it up. It’s a matter of public record.”

“How did you feel about him after his attack on you?” I asked. “You must have been even madder than I was.”

Cam tried to laugh it off. “Ladies, I get attacked all the time, and my motives are questioned as a matter of course. It’s one of the prices we civil servants pay for serving our communities.”

“Are you trying to tell us you didn’t talk to him after he lambasted you?” I asked. “Excuse me, but I find that hard to believe.”

“We spoke,” Cam reluctantly admitted. “What was said was between the two of us, though.”

“I’m sure Chief Martin would be interested to hear it.”

Cam sat up a little straighter in his chair. “Don’t kid yourself. After all, the chief works for me.”

“Funny, I thought we elected him.”

“Of course,” Cam quickly amended. “But he answers to me directly.”

It was clear Grace wasn’t going to let that go. “Do you believe that because of your position he’s afraid to question you about the murder? Have you intimidated him that much?”

“Not at all,” Cam said, clearly unhappy with the turn our talk had taken. He shuffled some papers on his desk, then said, “You’ll have to forgive me, but I’ve got some rather pressing business I need to take care of. Was there anything else?”

“Just one thing,” I said. “Where were you the night Lester was murdered?”

Cam grinned at me. “Good afternoon, ladies.”

I was all for sitting there until he answered our question, but Grace stood, and I had no choice but to follow suit. Once we were outside, I asked, “Why did we just give up so quickly? I could have stayed there all day if it meant getting an answer to our question.”

“That’s the problem, though. He wasn’t about to tell us. If the mayor’s going to give anyone his alibi, it’s going to have to be our police chief.”

“That doesn’t exactly comfort me,” I said. “Even if he gets one, the chief’s not about to share it with us.”

“We’ve given the mayor something to think about,” Grace said. “What more could we do?”

“I suppose you’re right,” I said reluctantly, “but I don’t have to like it. There’s something about that man I’ve never fully trusted.”

“Could it be that he’s a politician?”

“Maybe,” I replied. “He was lying; I’m sure of it.”

“Probably, since his lips were moving,” Grace said. “We need more information before we tackle him again.”

“Any idea where we might find some?” I asked.

“You’re the brains behind this group. I’m just a foot soldier.”

“More like an actress and an instigator,” I said.

“I’ve been called worse, believe me.” She hesitated when we got back to her car. “I mean it, Suzanne. You’re so much better at figuring things out than I’ll ever be. Where do you think we should go next?”

“The number of people who wanted Lester to come to harm is staggering, isn’t it? So far, we’ve got three people he went after on the radio, we’ve got his estranged wife, we’ve got former investors he robbed, and others still. I wonder why he was on the outs with that builder?”

“We could always find out,” Grace said. “Who knows the man?”

“We’ll have to ask Cara,” I said. “She produced all of Lester’s broadcasts.”

As we drove toward the radio station, my telephone rang. I’d had it set to laughter at one point, and then to a song I loved, but I’d grown tired of both of them, so for the moment, it was a simple ring, the same sound I’d loved growing up. That was before the telephone brought bad news into my life; as a child, I’d always wondered who was calling our home, and what news they were bringing.

“Hello,” I said.

“Hey, Suzanne.”

“Jake,” I answered, “I wondered if I was ever going to hear from you today. Boy, when you go on vacation, you really go all out, don’t you? Did you just get up?”

His voice wasn’t happy when he replied. “I wish. No, I’ve been up since eight. I got a call from my boss. He canceled my vacation. It turns out I’ve got a case.”

“That’s terrible,” I said. “I was looking forward to spending a little time with you.” It had taken me some time to come to terms with my boyfriend’s demanding schedule, but it wasn’t all that easy getting someone to put up with my odd hours, so I really couldn’t complain. “Where are you going, and how long will you be gone?”

“That’s the thing. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been assigned to Lester Moorefield’s murder investigation.”

CHAPTER 9

“What?” I asked incredulously. “Jake, I’m in this thing up to my eyebrows.”

“I know that,” he said. At least he was upset by it, too. “My boss was very specific. I’ve been ordered to give Chief Martin any assistance I can.”

“You’ve got a conflict, though,” I said. “Doesn’t your boss realize that?”

There was dead silence on the other end of the line, and something suddenly occurred to me. “He does know we’re dating, doesn’t he?”

“Suzanne, my supervisor could care less about my love life. Even if I told him about you, I doubt it would change anything.”

“You have to try, Jake.” Working on a case had brought us together, but it had also nearly torn us apart in the past. But maybe I wasn’t looking at this the right way. Jake was good at what he did, and I wasn’t above getting another helping hand. After all, I had no trouble with Grace and George pitching in. “You don’t have any choice. I can see that. Is there any way we can work together on the case?”

“You have to be reasonable, Suzanne,” he said, a request I’d never enjoyed hearing from anyone, let alone my boyfriend. “I’m working in my official capacity as an investigating officer. I can’t just feed you whatever I uncover.”