AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Theodosia thanked Molly, then hung up. And wondered if she might be setting herself up for a fool’s errand. Maybe the look, the feel of the shop, had nothing to do with Helene’s murder. And maybe Helene’s murder had nothing to do with Josh Morro’s murder. Then again…she could be wrong. And if there was a minute possibility of figuring out these two murders, then she was willing to give it a shot.
Twenty minutes later, just a small luncheon crowd lingered and Beth Ann had returned with the key for Theodosia. It was a small brass key with the words do not copy printed on it. The small key hung on a pink carabiner that was attached to an oversized key fob in the shape of a funky pink metal key.
“Molly said the key’s for the front door,” Beth Ann said. “And that the alarm system probably isn’t turned on. But if it is, just punch six-two-five-one into the keypad.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Theodosia and Beth Ann cleared dishes, reset the tables, and served a few latecomers. In the kitchen, Haley put the finishing touches on their catering order for the Library Society. By three thirty the peach puffs, turtle cheesecake, and walnut-coconut bars were packed into airtight containers, then placed in large wicker baskets for easy transport.
That’s when Drayton walked into the kitchen and said, “Theo, do you want me to start loading these baskets into your Jeep?”
“That’d be a great help,” Theodosia said.
But before Drayton could hoist a single basket, Haley said, “That’s okay, Beth Ann and I can take this stuff over to the Library Society. After all, we’re the ones who are going to stay and help serve.”
“But you’ll need my Jeep,” Theodosia said.
“Beth Ann drove her dad’s SUV today,” Haley said. “We can use that.”
“For sure.” Beth Ann nodded.
“I guess that’s just about perfect,” Theodosia said.
Drayton picked up a basket and said to Haley, “Show me the way and we’ll get this party started.”
As Drayton loaded the final basket into Beth Ann’s SUV, as Theodosia was getting ready to lock up for the day, the phone rang. It was Riley.
“Apologies,” Riley said, sounding somewhat breathless. “But tonight’s dinner will have to be postponed. We’re on our way to pick up Craig Cole!”
“You’re kidding,” Theodosia said. “Why Cole? What have you found?”
“It was a fluke, really. Crime Scene didn’t expect to get any meaningful fingerprint evidence at the Sea Witch because it’s a retail operation and so many people had been in and out. But Cole’s prints came up nice and clean on one of the glass cases and on the phone in Helene’s office.”
“Maybe Cole was shopping there. Maybe he and Helene were friends.”
“Maybe. That’s what we’re about to find out.”
“You’re going to sweat him?” Theodosia said.
“We’re going to try. I’m just not sure how sweatable the man is.”
* * *
When Theodosia told Drayton about Craig Cole, he nodded sagely and said, “It’s over, then. Time for us to let it go.”
“It’s not over,” Theodosia said. “There’s a big piece missing. A huge piece. I can buy the idea of Craig Cole murdering Josh Morro because Morro was always so nasty about his scriptwriting. But why would Cole turn around and murder Helene? What possible motive could he have had?”
“Don’t know,” Drayton said. “Maybe the murders are unrelated after all.”
“We’ve tossed that idea around, but it still doesn’t feel right.”
“So you’re telling me you want to go ahead and check out Helene’s shop?”
“I need to take a quick look,” Theodosia said. “To at least settle things in my own mind.”
“A quick look and nothing else?” Drayton asked.
A thoughtful look stole across Theodosia’s face. “I suppose it all depends on what we find there.”
