Serving Up Suspects Read online

  “Now, keep your fingers crossed that my car makes it,” I said to Lily as we quickly locked the cafe, “and hope nothing slides around or tips over on our way to Sue Ellen’s house.”

  Lily held out both hands showing her crossed fingers before she got in the passenger seat. “Not that I believe in that nonsense, but it can’t hurt.”

  “What a day, huh?” I looked at my friend as I turned the key in the ignition. “Sue Ellen sucks all the air out of a room and poor Judith can barely stand to be in her own shadow.”

  “She’ll come around once she figures out her marriage,” Lily predicted.

  “What’s wrong with her marriage?”

  Casually, Lily said, “Judith moved in with Sue Ellen. That’s why she’s so involved with the auction.”

  “Oh,” I said, feeling a bit foolish. I prided myself as having my finger on the pulse of all the gossip in Misty Harbor. “I didn’t get the memo.”

  Lily didn’t dwell on my embarrassment. “She certainly is capable, if her work polishing all the details for tonight’s quilt auction is any indication of what she can do.”

  “You worked with Judith on the quilt that’s being auctioned off, didn’t you?”

  Lily nodded. “It was a pleasure, too. I’m a novice when it comes to quilting, but I learned a lot from everyone else. Judith brainstormed the whole design. I’m happy to say that the Little Dog Diner made it onto the quilt—a work of art if I do say so myself.”

  “No point in being modest, Lily. Your quilting talent is top notch.” I drove slowly and checked the rearview mirror to make sure the boxes stayed put.

  Lily smiled. “Thanks for your praise, Dani. I can sew squares or strips together, but these other women are way beyond my basic skills.”

  I turned into the long circular driveway leading to Sue Ellen’s estate, barely having time to swerve to the side as the Misty Harbor Spirits delivery truck barreled past us.

  “Oh no,” Lily said as the boxes of pastries slid around in the back of my car.” She looked over her shoulder. “They moved but I don’t think anything tipped over.

  “At this point, there’s nothing we can do if a few desserts get squished,” I said, feeling more resigned than optimistic. I parked under an old maple tree on the crushed stone driveway and squinted through the windshield at a car parked close to the front door. “Whose car is that, I wonder. The auction doesn’t start for hours.”

  “Judith’s,” Lily said, unbuckling her seatbelt and climbing out onto the wide parking area. “Sue Ellen is counting on her to have everything in tip-top shape for tonight.” She tugged her t-shirt down and tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ears. Lily looked as good after a long day at the café as she did when she arrived for work in the morning.

  “That makes sense,” I said. “Sue Ellen’s worried about the quilt being hung properly. She doesn’t want it to slip off and land on anyone. I think it’s Judith’s job to check it.” I chuckled. “I’m not sure if Sue Ellen is worried more about the quilt being damaged or being sued if someone is injured.”

  “Probably being sued,” Lily said with a smirk. “She has a lot to lose.” Lily reached for one of the boxes. “So do we, if we don’t get this show on the road. Delivery and setup weren’t part of the deal when Sue Ellen ordered everything. If I want to look presentable for the actual fun part tonight, I need to get home and perform some magic.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s gonna take a lot of magic, too.”

  I didn’t even respond to that comment. Lily could show up in ripped jeans and a t-shirt and still look beautiful. I grabbed another box. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if these desserts sprouted legs and walked in by themselves?”

  Lily snorted. “I can see it now, a line of chocolate brownies marching up the path like good soldiers followed by the cookies and whoopie pies.”

  “If only, but until that day comes, put your arms out and I’ll load you up with another box. The only ones marching up Sue Ellen’s path today are the two of us.”

  Lily ended up balancing three big boxes in her arms and I stacked the rest of the boxes and lifted them out of the car, then headed along a cobblestone walkway lined with hostas and ferns up to a side door.

  “We have to use the servant entrance?” I said, feeling slightly offended.

  “It looks like it, doesn’t it?” Lily said eyeing the huge mansion. “Especially after Rose agreed on a rock bottom price for everything with the understanding that Sue Ellen would pick it all up at the diner. It’s a fundraiser for the library so I guess we shouldn’t grumble too much.”

  Lily led the way, then stopped abruptly, causing me to twist to one side to avoid a catastrophic collision. “What are you doing?” I tightened my grip on the boxes in my arms. “All these desserts just about landed in the hostas.”

  “Wait a minute. Remind me why we’re here if Sue Ellen was supposed to pick up the order?” Lily asked.

  I rolled my eyes and nodded my head toward the door to get Lily moving again. “Sue Ellen can talk the frosting off a brownie with all her excuses about every unexpected problem. She might meet us here. But to tell you the truth, we’ll be able to get the desserts unloaded more quickly without her.”

  “That’s probably true.” Lily balanced her load on her hip and pushed the doorbell. We waited a minute or two but after no answer, she knocked hard, and again, no one came to the door. “Sue Ellen’s not home but Judith’s here.” She tried the door. “It’s unlocked,” she said. “What do you think?”

  The muscles in my arms had started to give way. “Either get us inside,” I said, “or I’m going to drop these pastries on the walkway.”

  She opened the door, and I said. “Go ahead inside, you’re carrying more than I am, but hurry. These boxes are heavy.”

  I followed her into the biggest, fanciest state-of-the-art kitchen I’d ever seen; including Rose’s kitchen at Sea Breeze. My eyes popped wider than a whoopie pie inside one of the boxes I held in my hands. “Wow,” I said, unnaturally speechless for a moment. Before even putting my boxes of desserts down, I slowly turned in a circle taking in the gigantic space.

  “Right? Money is no object when Sue Ellen wants something. That’s for sure.” Lily leaned close to me and lowered her voice. I don’t know who she thought might be listening. “Wait ‘till you see the room where she’s holding tonight’s auction. That one room is probably bigger than my whole house.”

  The island in the center of the kitchen, with at least ten cases of champagne, still had plenty of space, so I happily unloaded my boxes next to the bubbly. “I don’t see any platters for the desserts. Please don’t tell me Sue Ellen forgot to provide elegant serving trays.”

  Lily set her boxes next to mine and said, “Maybe Judith is in charge of that detail.” She grabbed my arm. “Let’s take a look at the quilt and ask her where to find serving platters.” She pushed through the swinging door leading into a hallway. “It’ll be in the living room. This way. And wait until you see it.”

  I resisted as Lily pulled me forward, but let my curiosity override my common sense. I hoped we weren’t overstepping our role.

  Chapter Three

  Soft piano music drifted from speakers when we poked our heads into a formal dining room. I turned to Lily trying to keep my jaw from hitting the floor. “This table could seat the whole town of Misty Harbor,” I said. “You’ve been here before?”

  Lily, a few steps ahead of me, said over her shoulder, “Yeah, the quilt committee met here a couple of times.”

  I jogged to catch up to Lily, and nosy as ever, I pushed open one of the doors. “What’s in here?” I said. I got my answer as a flood of light and orchids almost blinded me. “Just what I need,” I joked to Lily, “Marble on the walls of my powder room.”

  “Keep up with me.” She laughed. “Or you’ll get lost.”

  Before the hallway opened into the light-filled, elegant living room, we came to an oak-paneled library. “I’m not sure if Sue Ellen even reads much but do
esn’t that window seat look inviting?” Lily asked. The view gave a glimpse of a well-tended flower garden with a fountain. “Take a look,” she said. “It’s heavenly.”

  I put my knee on the soft cushion and leaned forward to scan the scenery that spread in front of our eyes. “Look.” I pointed to a male cardinal singing his heart out on a branch of one of the sugar maples that shaded the driveway. “You can’t miss that red.”

  “Kind of like Sue Ellen’s entrance this morning in that red dress.”

  We both chuckled.

  The hallway ended, and finally we arrived at the pièce de résistance. The living room with its cathedral ceilings and a wall of windows. Lily had not exaggerated. The room was enormous. Maybe it looked bigger because Sue Ellen had strategically placed the chairs and tables along the walls and cleared the center of everything but some vibrant Persian rugs.

  Beautiful vases filled with white lilies, blue delphinium, and a feathery greenery scented the room with a sweet summer aroma. I inhaled the delicious, almost overpowering fragrance.

  “Sue Ellen must be expecting a big turnout and some good bids for the quilt,” I said. “All the money goes to the library?”

  “Uh-huh,” Lily said, scanning the room. “She does some type of fundraiser every year. I have to admit, for all her drama and showboating, she’s a very generous woman. As long as you’re on her good side,” Lily added.

  “So, where’s the quilt? And where’s Judith?” I asked as I looked around the room. And so did Lily, turning her head this way and that.

  A door slammed closed somewhere towards the back of the house.

  “Did she—”

  “Oh no!”

  Lily’s shout drew my attention to the far end of the room.

  The quilt, the centerpiece of the auction, lay in a heap on the floor, tangled, and partially hidden by a gold Queen Anne chair.

  Sue Ellen’s fear; the quilt had fallen. “Where’s Judith?” I asked.

  Lily looked perplexed. “Maybe she went for help,” she said. “It won’t be possible to hang the quilt without a sturdy ladder and an extra pair of hands. I’ll see if I can find her before she has a complete meltdown with this problem to deal with at the last minute.” Lily hustled away in the direction of the slammed door.

  I stepped up to the quilt, so carefully you’d think I was afraid it might bite me. The colors—brilliant blues, purples, and greens with touches of reds, whites, and yellows—pulled me in like a magnet. The wall above the mess had only one hook in place. Did the second one simply fall out?

  I cocked my head and looked at the wall from a different angle. A chunk of the wallboard around the hook’s hole was missing. It didn’t make sense.

  “At least I can try to straighten the quilt, so it doesn’t get damaged.” My words echoed in the enormous, empty space, sounding eerie.

  After a gentle tug on one corner, I was surprised that the quilt wouldn’t budge. It had to be stuck on something. For fear of ripping the beautiful work of art, I slowly moved along the edge of the quilt and pulled what I could, working toward the center where it was bunched up.

  Something was anchoring the quilt in place. Something heavy. Something about five feet long.

  The hairs on my neck rose. My stomach twisted with fear. Of what? Should I look under the quilt? My hands trembled as I reached for the fabric.

  An irrational fear strangled my emotions. The room, so warm and bright moments ago, had suddenly turned into a silent icebox. I had an uncanny feeling that something was very wrong. Where was Judith? Or Lily, for that matter?

  I closed my eyes and lifted the quilt edge. One, two, three…I opened my eyes. The image in front of me brought on a bout of laughter, and the release of all the built-up tension brought me to my knees. What was wrong with me to let my imagination take over like that? I stood and wondered how an oak pedestal ended up under the quilt.

  As I gathered my wits together, a tap on my shoulder made my heart explode. I shrieked until Lily shook some sense into me.

  “Dani, are you okay?”

  “Goodness, Lil.” I patted my chest trying to calm myself. “I’m fine, just a little nervous tension. I had talked myself into imagining something creepy under the quilt.”

  “Under the quilt?”

  “Take a look.” I lifted the quilt so Lily could see the oak pedestal for herself. “For a second, my imagination got the better of me, and I was afraid it might be a body.” Lily laughed along with me. “Did you find Judith?” I asked.

  “No,” she said, and her mouth twisted into a frown. “It’s strange. Her car is still here, so she has to be around somewhere. Let’s do something about this quilt while we wait for her to return. It’s a mess. I hope it’s not torn. She’s going to need help getting it back up on the wall.”

  Together, we managed to free the quilt from the heavy pedestal. “There,” I said feeling satisfied with our effort. We looked it over and couldn’t see any damage from the mishap. I said, “Let’s just fold it neatly until Judith shows up, and we figure out how to rehang it.”

  I held two corners and Lily stretched the opposite corners tight. As we proceeded to stretch, smooth, and fold the quilt, the muffled sound of a phone ringing made us both jump.

  “What is it with this place? Is it haunted?” I asked, my voice a bit shaky.

  “I don’t think Sue Ellen would allow any ghosts in her house” Lily gave me a knowing side eye. “She’d tell them, in no uncertain terms—bless your hearts but you cannot stay here.”

  I chuckled at how well Lily mimicked Sue Ellen. “I suppose you’re right.” I placed the quilt on the Queen Anne chair, and the phone continued to ring. “Where is that coming from?” I looked around the room but didn’t see a phone on any of the tables.

  We both walked in the direction of the sound, zeroing in after each ring until we stood in front of a rolled up Persian rug. I’d seen it when we entered the room and figured Sue Ellen wanted to get it out of the way so folks at the auction didn’t trample it. She’d probably have someone take it to a storage room for the duration.

  Lily puzzled at the annoying ringing. “Maybe someone dropped their phone when they rolled up the rug. Should we take a look and see if it’s inside?”

  “Sure,” I said. What else did we have to do until Judith showed up? I knelt on the floor and pulled the rug toward me. It was heavy and awkward to move by myself. “Get on the other end. It’ll be easier if we do this together.” As the rug began to unroll and cover the marble floor, the ringing stopped. With only a few rolls remaining, I said. “Wait, I can see something near this end.”

  I reached my hand in and felt a smooth shape. “Got it.”

  But what I held up, was not a cell phone.

  Without thinking, I flung a sensible black shoe away from me. My earlier mention of a haunted house had just come true.

  I scooted backwards as fast as I could in an awkward crab-like shuffle, keeping my eyes glued to what now dangled out from the edge of the rug.

  When I looked at Lily, her face matched the white marble we sat on. She saw it, too, so it wasn’t my mind playing tricks on me. Without any words exchanged between us, I fumbled for my phone and punched in 9-1-1.

  Chapter Four

  Lily and I backed toward the hall leading out of Sue Ellen’s huge room. My eyes, glued to the still partially rolled Persian rug with a foot sticking out, which had no business being there. We turned, streaked down the hall to the kitchen, and ran out the door. After a mad dash to my car, we jumped in and slammed the doors shut—bang, bang.

  “What just happened?” Lily squealed. Her voice came out in a breathless question as soon as the door locks clicked.

  With my breathing barely under control, I could only respond with a shake of my head.

  “Do you think it is Judith wrapped in that rug?” Lily asked. Her voice trembled with disbelief mixed with horror.

  A tremor ran through my body at the memory of the slick feel of the shoe in my hand a
nd what it had been attached to.

  “I think so. Her car is here. I’ll never be able to erase that shoe from my memory bank. I’m sure Judith was wearing it this morning. Sue Ellen had those ridiculous five-inch stilettos on which contrasted with Judith’s sensible black pumps. I suppose we won’t know for sure until the police arrive and do their investigation, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”

  Tires crunching on the driveway stones made me look in the rearview mirror. “Oh no! It’s Sue Ellen. We have to stop her from going inside.”

  We scrambled out of the car and Lily rushed up to Sue Ellen’s big brand new, red passion, her Cadillac Escalade.

  “Are you finished already?” Sue Ellen asked casually, her attention focused on fetching her giant leather bag that rested on the passenger seat like it was her beloved companion.

  “Not exactly.” said Lily, who reached the driver side door before me.

  I jumped in with my advice, thinking this wasn’t the time to be subtle. “You can’t—”

  Sirens pierced the normally serene setting, drowning out my words. It seemed my emergency call had triggered every police car, fire truck, and volunteer in a twenty-mile radius to respond, and now they all clogged Sue Ellen’s circular driveway.

  She scrunched her eyebrows together and asked, “What’s going on?”

  From her more or less calm behavior, nothing about the first responder circus on her property had triggered Sue Ellen’s concern beyond her normal curiosity.

  “Does this have something to do with the auction tonight?” She looked from Lily to me for an answer before her eyes widened, and a light bulb seemed to go off. “Did something happen?” she asked, her voice now barely above a whisper.

  “Something horrible happened,” was all I managed to utter before Detective AJ Crenshaw strolled up to her side of the Caddy.