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My shift at Roasted Love did't start until eleven the next morning, so I went to Maxfield Correctional Facility very early and waited until visiting hours started.
Once again, Steven Wilkins sat facing me behind the glass. The guard stood nearby. I was allowed a much shorter time with him today, so I knew I'd have to hurry.
"I've still got some questions that we didn't have time for yesterday," I began. He looked me in the eye and nodded for me to go on. "I’m wondering about Linda Henson. I understand she was once married to John. Maybe you already know that she and Ronald Larch come into Roasted Love sometimes."
Steven leaned forward and folded his hands in front of him. "Yeah, that was a real sore spot with John. He and Linda got married while John was in his second year of college.
"Ronald Larch was a year behind John in school. About six months after his marriage to Linda, John found out that she was seeing Larch behind his back. It wasn’t long afterwards that Linda left him and filed for divorce."
He shrugged. "The last I heard, Larch was still involved with Linda. Of course, that was maybe four years ago. I didn’t know they were still together now."
I nodded, glancing down at my notes. "Yeah, it looks that way. I guess that whole thing must have upset John pretty bad."
"Oh, it did. He was crushed. He fell into such a slump that I wasn’t sure he'd ever get over it. He had it out more than once with Larch, but ended up sinking into a real bad depression.
"That whole thing caused him to quit college. It got to the point where he couldn’t hold down a job because of his anger issues. Then he couldn’t pay rent, and that’s how he ended up on the streets."
"That’s quite a story. When I knew John, he always had a positive attitude. He must have been depressed at times, but I didn’t see that in him."
"He worked on a positive attitude. Some time after, I guess what he was going through sort of affected me and I started using. I think that’s what triggered him to switch his mindset to me. Once he got into helping others, he started coming out of his depression."
I nodded, trying to think. All of this could explain why I hadn't seen Linda Henson come in by herself to Roasted Love. She probably couldn’t handle seeing John sitting outside on the sidewalk, or inside the shop. As for Larch, I was sure he only came in to lord it over his rival.
"Have you thought any more about who could have planted the drugs in your apartment?" I asked.
Steven shook his head. "No, I have no idea. I wish I'd paid closer attention to John when he told me he thought someone was tailing him. He never said anything more about it to me, but now I sure wish I'd pushed a little harder."
Once again, we were interrupted by the guard and Steven had to go. I'd missed my chance to ask about the last name of Collins.
Chapter Eighteen
When I pulled into my parking space in the lot beside Roasted Love, I noticed more cars there than usual for eleven in the morning. I clocked in and then went to find Jacob. "Hey, what's bringing in this crowd?"
He glanced up from shoveling big scoops of coffee into the machines. "Some of the merchants on the Piazza are running sales, but mostly it's from Carpenter campaigning over here. Do you have any ideas on how we can be as generous as the other shops are, and get some of that business in here?"
"I guess we should have advertised something special. How about giving a cookie or two to everyone, along with their coffee?"
"Sure. That’s good. Tell Lily, will you?"
Lily breathed a sigh of relief when I got to the front. "Glad you're here! All of a sudden, I’m swamped!"
I pitched in and saved some running for her. Then, just a few minutes after I'd started work, I saw Ronald Larch come in.
I did a double-take when I noticed that same DEA man with him. Ronald caught my eye briefly, as did the DEA man, and then they both made their way to a table.
I returned to the espresso machine. Lily took their orders for two espressos and fruit scones. I handed her four cookies.
We were plenty busy for the next hour. I didn’t see Larch or the DEA man leave. Obviously they were good friends, since I'd also seen them out together at the Bistro when I'd gone to dinner with Anna.
And as if there wasn't enough excitement in Roasted Love today, the next person to walk in was the candidate himself. His little entourage followed close behind him. Carpenter waved to me as he made his way to a table, which took a while because he shook hands and greeted everyone in the whole place.
I hurried into the kitchen. "Hey, Jacob! Can you spare Eddie to take the espresso machine for a few minutes?" I called out.
Jacob placing some cream cheese scones on a tray. "Sure, sure. Just take these to the case out front."
"Got it. Thanks Jacob." I picked up the tray and started back out to the counter. Eddie followed me. I thought I heard him mutter something about how he'd rather work in the kitchen, but I ignored him. I knew he didn’t like being in the front where the customers were, because he was kind of shy in front of strangers.
But right now, I needed him there. Lily handed him two orders for cappuccinos and I started at the opposite side taking orders.
