A Crusty Murder Page 9

  “Mmm, yes, I bet he’s handy,” Graham murmured as he glanced at the cardboard covered window again. “You’d better have this repaired right away or the Health Department could close you down, or fine you heavily.”

  I agreed, made the call to a local handyman, and then returned to Graham. He seemed lost in thought as he paced the room. He glanced up and said, “You seem to trust this Aidan Sinclair. How well do you know him?”

  I shrugged. “He’s been to a couple classes. We’ve had a drink together. Nothing more.” I refused to admit to buckling knees, hot kisses, and all that accompanied those things. No, sirree, not saying a word.

  “That’s all?” Graham asked, his keen stare glued to my face.

  “Mmm, that’s it,” I lied. Could he tell I was lying? What business was it of his, anyway?

  His thoughts and expression unfathomable, I watched Graham make a few notes on his pad and tuck the letter in the evidence bag he pulled from his jacket pocket.

  “I’ll get back to you on this.” Graham patted his pocket. “Don’t go anywhere alone, day or night. The same goes for your grandmother and also for your friend BettyJo.”

  “Sure thing. I’ll tell her when she pops in later. Thanks for coming by so quickly. I appreciate it, Detective Graham.”

  “Jack, you can call me Jack,” he said with a slight smile as I handed him a wrapped muffin.

  “Fine, Jack. “

  “You’ll be sure to have somebody check out the parking lot during the evenings, then?” I asked.

  “A patrol car will pass through the area occasionally. It could be the killer is just waiting for another chance at one of you. Be careful, Melina.”

  I assured him I’d taken his words to heart and watched as he left the shop and drove away. Seanmhair stood behind the counter, wiping down the glass countertop.

  “You had a long chat. Anything I should know about, Melina?” Seanmhair asked as Aidan swung through the door, followed by BettyJo.

  They both asked at once, “Was that Detective Graham?”

  I laughed at their voices in unison and admitted it was Graham and that I’d given him the letter. Before BettyJo could ask, I explained the letter and its contents. Now that Graham, uh, Jack, wasn’t planning to haul me off to jail, I was confident in telling Seanmhair of the threat hanging over me.

  Seanmhair’s hands were on her hips. “You should have told me straight away, Melina. You need a bodyguard.”

  I heaved a sigh. “I’m not getting a bodyguard. Definitely not. I’ll have to be more careful and aware of my surroundings, is all.”

  Aidan grinned. “I’d take that job on, lass, if I weren’t up to my neck in meetings. I did want to stop in and tell you though, that I’ll be here for longer than I initially thought. We’ll see more of one another, yeah?”

  I could feel the heat in my face. The three faces before me held knowing smiles. Crap. Was I that transparent? Apparently so.

  “Why not, I’d enjoy seeing more of you. Oh, uh, I meant seeing you more often, not seeing more of you . . . ,” I trailed off as laughter swelled and my embarrassment deepened.

  “Right, I understand, lass. No worries,” Aidan said with a sparkle in his eyes.

  Seanmhair headed toward the kitchen, BettyJo hot on her heels. I was alone with Aidan.

  He checked the time and said, “I’ve got to go. I’ll be by later and we can have dinner? I’ll come for you around six?”

  “Great, sex, uh, six, it is. See you then,” I muttered, blushing as he left. With clouds beneath my feet, I floated into the kitchen. BettyJo and Seanmhair studiously busied themselves with muffins and tea.

  I laughed at the two of them. “You listened at the door, right? Admit it.”

  Both women denied having done so until I remarked that Aidan would pick me up at seven.

  Seanmhair corrected me, as I knew she would. “No dear, at six.”

  I pointed a finger at her. “Aha, caught you. You did listen at the door. Were you also eavesdropping when Jack was here?”

  “Jack? It’s Jack, now? My, my,” BettyJo teased.

  I gasped. “He asked me to call him that. I didn’t do so on my own.”

  BettyJo cleared the table while Seanmhair began to wash it down. “What did Jack think of the letter?” BettyJo asked.

  I rolled my eyes at her pronounced use of his name.

  “He assured me that my alibi was rock solid and he took the letter for fingerprint dusting. He wasn’t hopeful that there’d be identifiable prints, though. Jack advised we never go out alone, any of us, until the murderer is caught.”

  I glanced toward the rear door as the local handyman raised his knuckled fist to rap. I scooted over and let him in, explaining what needed to be done and asked if he could fix the damage today. He nodded and peered at the gaping hole behind the cardboard.

  BettyJo and Seanmhair watched and waited until I was finished with my instructions. The handyman got to work, I rejoined the women, and the three of us went to wait on the customers who’d entered the shop.

  Before long, Seanmhair had placed the closed sign on the front door. Bags of bread and rolls for delivery to Martin Mason’s shelter lay on the glass countertop. BettyJo had meandered off to get her shop in order for the slew of readings she’d scheduled for the evening.

  “Seanmhair, I’d like you to ride to the shelter with me. When we return and you go home, I want you to call me when you arrive. Safety is a major factor for all of us. Do you mind?”

  “If you feel it’s necessary, I will.” Seanmhair gave me a long look and said, “I’m sorry for my actions, Melina. I was being rash and foolish. You have enough going on without worrying about me, too.”

  “I’m not going to say I told you so, but . . . ,” I said with a smile. “Lesson learned?”

  Seanmhair nodded and helped me load the car for delivery. Our short ride continued through our historic section of Providence. I parked at the curb and we brought the goods into the shelter by way of the rear door.

  Martin greeted us with a wave and a smile. How the man remained cheerful in the face of such devastated lives was amazing. I handed over the packages and said my goodbyes. Seanmhair gaped at the families and others who stood in line for a meal. Her expression alone showed how the sight affected her. She turned to Mason. “Is this what it’s like every day?”

  “Sometimes more, sometimes less, but always a crowd. There are many in need,” Martin answered.

  “Have you enough staff? I could help serve if you’d like,” Seanmhair offered.

  Martin’s face crinkled as he smiled at my grandmother. “You do enough by donating this food for us to share. You’ll never know how grateful I am for that. Thanks for offering. I appreciate it.”

  Seanmhair nodded, gave him a sweet smile and told him to call if he changed his mind.

  Speechless at her offer, I waited until we reached the car before I said, “You mean you’d give up your card game to work at the shelter?”

  “Did you see those children? It’s disheartening to see them living such a difficult life. I’d gladly give up my free time to help out,” she answered.

  I muttered under my breath about turning over a new leaf, but left it at that.

  Chapter 13

  The mirror doesn’t lie. It just doesn’t, no matter how much you want it to. Crap. I’d changed clothes, one outfit after another, but the result remained the same. I wasn’t fat, I was a might fluffy. There was no doubt about it.

  I ended up with a black pants suit, a red scarf that set off my skin and dark brown hair color to perfection, and donned black sparkle covered pumps. My jet earrings glittered when the light struck them. All in all, I didn’t look too bad. I dabbed a bit of lipstick on my lips and considered my look complete.

  When Aidan came to the back door, I waited, ready to go. His smile and the look in his eyes told me what I wanted to know. I’d chosen wisely. There was no denying that it certainly felt good to be appreciated by a handsome man.


  “You’re looking fine, lass. Shall we go?” Aidan held out his arm, crooked at the elbow. I tucked my hand into it and we left for dinner. Where, I didn’t know or care. I just wanted to be with him.

  Our time together passed far too quickly. In a trance-like state, I ate the plate of veal Marsala placed before me while Aidan described his life in Scotland, the Border collie named Jock, he had as a pet, and the family he’d lost in a tragic boating accident off the coast. A momentary sadness filtered across Aidan’s features. He glanced at me and then smiled.

  “Were you close to your parents?” I asked.

  “Aye, they were the best a boy could have. My mother was beautiful. She had a sunny nature. My father was what you Americans call a man’s man.

  I smiled when I realized our commonality. We’d both lost parents and we’d become stronger for it. His attentive behavior extended far beyond the usual treatment I’d received from American men. I could get used to this, really used to this. That’s when I brought my wandering mind up short. I didn’t need a man to take care of me, one who’d try to control my every breath, a man who’d make demands and want me to stay home catering to a gaggle of kids rather than be the bread maker extraordinaire that I’d become. I snapped out of my reverie and released Aidan’s hand as we walked.

  He’d worked magic on me. The evening wind off the bay suddenly cooled. I leaned against the rail bordering the Providence River that wended its way into Narragansett Bay. The steady breeze played across my face, ruffling my hair, and tossed the fine strands across my eyes. I’d been about to throw caution to the wind and ask Aidan back to my apartment and entice him into my bed. I’d only known him a brief time. I’d succumbed to his charm and wit without blinking an eye. Was I crazy? Probably. Horny? Definitely.

  He stood close, his arm around my shoulder as we watched the city lights flicker across the water. I admit it, I cared for Aidan more than I’d realized, but what good would come of it? I wasn’t a one-night-stand kind of woman. Romance was wonderful, but reality prevailed. I had no illusions concerning the Scot. Like so many men, he’d take whatever I gave. Then, when his business was finished here in the States, he’d return to Scotland with no regrets.

  I mentioned it was late and there was work to be done when I got home. Aidan peered at me, his face bland, and said, “Are you good, lass? You seem to have lost your spirit.”

  That could have meant many things, but I figured he realized the spell was broken and his charm had run its course. He was right. It had. I was left with an emptiness I thought I’d never feel, or maybe I’d read too much into his invitation. Aidan’s intention could have simply been to enjoy a meal and spend some time with one of the few people he knew in Rhode Island.

  I drew a deep breath. “Not at all, I’ve enjoyed our evening. You’ve taken my mind off things that have taken over my life and skewed my perception. Thanks for that.” I smiled, tucked my hand in his, and listened to his soft laughter.

  “Good enough. It’s been my pleasure.” Aidan drew me close, tipped my head back, and kissed me gently.

  This time, I wasn’t swept away by the delightfulness of his touch. Instead, I enjoyed the moment and his attention.

  We left the riverside and walked the cobbled sidewalk. I spoke of the States and how young America was compared to the rest of the world. We, as a nation were proud of our heritage and what it stood for. He smiled as I described how Rhode Island had come to be and how Roger Williams had played such a huge part in our independence.

  We’d arrived at my shop by the time I’d finished my history lesson. Aidan had been attentive and asked valid questions as we strolled along Wickendon Street.

  He took the shop keys from my hand and unlocked the door, opened it, and held it wide. I walked inside, switched the lights on, and stood in horror at the wreckage.

  I glanced at Aidan and found him as shocked as I was. When I’d have rushed into the kitchen, he held me back and pulled me out the door onto the sidewalk.

  “Better to call the police, lass,” Aidan whispered.

  I nodded, pulled my phone from my purse, and punched in the police department’s emergency dispatch number I’d come to know by heart. A dispatcher answered, told me to stay on the line and said an officer would be at my location shortly. Doing as I was told, I waited, tapping my toe on the sidewalk. What was taking so long? Why weren’t the police here already? It hadn’t occurred to me there might be other crimes to handle, or that I’d only been waiting mere minutes.

  Sirens and lights filled the street. Two officers parked their cruisers at the curb and approached.

  “What’s happened?” The taller officer asked me.

  “When I went inside, I found the shop ransacked and the glass cases were smashed. We stepped outside for fear the intruder was still here,” I answered. My voice wobbled, just as my knees did. I cleared my throat and drew a breath.

  “You didn’t touch anything?” the man asked.

  I shook my head and watched the two cops enter the store. One headed toward my kitchen while the other stood to the side of the swinging door and waited. Lights flicked on when he hit the switch before they entered the room.

  The first officer turned and nodded to his partner. When they returned, the tall policeman beckoned me inside.

  “There’s no one here. It’s safe for you to come in,” he said. “You’re the owner, am I right?”

  “Yes, I am.” I turned toward Aidan and introduced him as my friend. “I live upstairs. Would you take a look and see if the intruder is up there?”

  Both officers nodded and I showed them the way to my apartment. I waited by the staircase for their return. The kitchen resembled the shop. Disarray was rampant. Tables turned over, supplies littered the floors, and flour covered everything in a heavy white blanket. This act of vandalism hit me hard, stabbing me in the heart. I loved my job, my shop, but I felt violated.

  The policemen shuffled down the steps and into the kitchen. The tall officer, who had introduced himself as Patrolman Sykes, said there had been no sign of intrusion upstairs. I breathed a sigh of relief.

  A tap at the door caught our attention. Patrolman Sykes stepped forward, placed his hand on his holster, and pulled the door open. BettyJo stood outside in a silk nightgown and matching robe. Fluffy slippers, laden with huge gemstones, completed her attire.

  She hurried inside with a shiver. “What the hell happened, Melina?” she asked, her eyes huge and her face shocked.

  “As you can see, I’ve had a visitor while I was out with Aidan tonight.” I waved toward the shop and said, “The damage in there is extensive.”

  Patrolman Sykes wrote notes for his report and said the rooms would be dusted for prints. He noted BettyJo’s entrance with a slight smile at her attire and glanced at his partner who smirked and turned away.

  “The doors weren’t forced. Do you keep an extra key hidden somewhere?” Sykes asked.

  “Never. It would be easy to break in, though. A credit card would do it. This is an old building. These doors aren’t set up for major safety. I’d told the landlady time and again, to no avail. She must have had an inspector in her pocket, because every time there was an inspection, there weren’t any violations filed. At least, none that I know of.” I shrugged and ran a hand across my forehead. Could things get any worse?

  With a nod and a promise to have an officer here soon to check for prints, Sykes and his buddy left.

  “You can’t stay here, lass,” Aidan murmured.

  BettyJo stepped forward and laid her hand on my arm. “Aidan’s right, you’ll stay with me for the night.”

  “I’m fine. I should be here when the fingerprint tech arrives. Besides, Sykes said nobody had been in my apartment. Thanks for your concern.” I squeezed BettyJo’s hands as tears threatened to overflow. I’d held them back, but my emotions were raw.

  “I’ll stay, then, lass. You shouldn’t be alone,” Aidan insisted, a note of finality in his voice.

  “Then I’
ll stay, too,” BettyJo piped up.

  “I’m going to change my clothes and think you should do the same, BettyJo. This place needs a good cleaning, starting with the mountains of flour.” I just wanted a few moments to myself, couldn’t anybody see that? My store had been totaled, my life was in shambles, and someone had it in for me, big time. I left the two of them standing in the kitchen and rushed up the stairs mixing white footprints with those left behind by the policemen.

  Kicking my shoes off at the door, I ran into my living room, slumped on the sofa, and cried. Damn it all to hell, I’d never done a thing to bring this on. Why was I the victim of such foul deeds? I wiped my face and changed my clothes, sniffling all the while.

  I wiped the floor of white footprints where the men’s shoes had tracked flour. I’d managed to clean the steps as I went back down. When I reached the kitchen, I found Aidan and BettyJo using snow shovels to scoop flour into trash bags. I chuckled at the sight of them covered in white dust. Flour is difficult to control. Cleaning it up isn’t a chore for the lighthearted. I pulled the Shop-Vac from the closet and began to suck the white powder from atop my work surfaces, the ovens, and my office.

  A policeman, carrying a kit of sorts, arrived while we were hard at work. He added his measure of dust to the rest of the mess, pulled prints from wherever they surfaced, and then left without a word. I’d watched him work, his efficiency was impressive. Not even Law & Order, my favorite program, showed crime scene fingerprinting that was as good as his.

  Chapter 14

  The sun had begun to rise, and the sky had turned a light shade of gray by the time we’d finished with the kitchen. Our clothes were dusty white. The room, clean as a whistle. Now we’d move on to the front room. I dreaded the thought of all the work, and cost it would take to replace what was no longer usable. I heaved a sigh, fought another onslaught of tears, and replaced my bereft feelings with anger over the intrusion.

  “You need a break, Melina,” Aidan noted when I grumbled under my breath. “We all need one. I’ll make a pot of tea. BettyJo, you go get some breakfast, and we’ll have a rest.” He handed BettyJo some cash and sent her out the door. “You’ll need to call your insurance company, Melina,” Aidan advised me.