Chocolate Covered Murder Part 14

"But, Lucy, thanks for everything you did," he added, wrapping the scarf around his neck. "That was good work."

Watching as he hurried out the door, Lucy had the urge to grab the ends of that scarf and strangle him. "You know," she said to Phyllis, as she logged off her computer, "sometimes I understand what drives people to kill."

Phyllis adjusted the harlequin reading gla.s.ses that had slipped down her nose. "We might want to, but we don't. It's a big difference."

Driving home and thinking about lunch, Lucy realized she'd only worked four hours, which didn't amount to much money at all. Certainly not enough to compensate her for what she'd been through. She'd found a body, she'd been physically sickened and emotionally ravaged, and how much would she actually clear after taxes? It was enough to make you think about signing on to work nights at the big box megastore that had recently opened out by the interstate-if they'd have her.

Pulling into the driveway, she climbed out of the car and sloshed through the slush, noticing that the paint on the porch trim was peeling, revealing gray patches. Now that she was really looking she noticed the entire house could use a coat of paint. Oh, well, she told herself, as she climbed the steps, if the economy didn't pick up by spring, Bill would have plenty of time to paint. There was a bright side to everything.

Libby certainly thought so, greeting her with ecstatic wiggles and tail wags. Lucy gave her a handful of dog treats and considered her lunch options while she took off her coat and boots. It was definitely a day for comfort food, she decided, scuttling her diet and reaching for the peanut b.u.t.ter and jelly.

After polis.h.i.+ng off a huge sandwich and a big gla.s.s of milk, she decided she'd better get cracking on the dessert she had promised to make for Sue's contest. Chocolate was obviously out of the question. Just the smell would make her sick, not to mention the look of the stuff. s.h.i.+ny and brown and fragrant, no, she wasn't going there.

Opening the fridge and standing there, just like the kids did when they were looking for a snack, she noticed a tub of cottage cheese and a couple of bars of cream cheese. Cheesecake! Why not? She had an easy, delicious recipe. And, suddenly inspired, she remembered the blueberries she'd frozen last summer. What if she topped the cheesecake with blueberries, cooked with a little maple syrup for sweetener? Soon she was busy, happily mixing and stirring and remembering sunny summer days when she and the girls had picked the tiny blueberries that grew at the far end of the yard, where the woods began.

Looking out the window now, she saw a dismal view. The yard was filled with gray slush, the sky was gray, the trees were bare of leaves. Even the pointed balsams were black in the dim winter light. But here in her kitchen, the dog was snoozing on her plaid cus.h.i.+on, yipping every now and then as she chased rabbits in her dreams. The refrigerator door was covered with colorful photos of friends and family; many were of little Patrick, her grandson. The curtains were blue-and-white check, her beloved regulator clock was ticking, and the gas hissed as the oven heated. She was warm and busy and all around her was evidence she was loved and appreciated: a colorful pottery pitcher Elizabeth had sent from Florida "just because I knew you'd love it," the wooden bread box Bill had made for her, the KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON tea towel Sue had given her after their trip to England last year.

Suddenly she seemed very fortunate and she thought of Tamzin, killed and laid out in a gruesome display, objectified and ridiculed. Lucy hadn't liked her, but she didn't deserve that. n.o.body did, she thought, stirring an egg into the cheese mixture, not realizing she was crying until a hot tear fell on her hand. And then another and another, as her body was wracked with tears of rage and regret. First Max and now Tamzin, both killed so horribly. It was more than she could stand.

Chapter Fourteen.

Sat.u.r.days sure weren't what they used to be, thought Lucy, as she loaded the dishwasher with last night's snack dishes and this morning's breakfast crockery. She remembered lazy mornings when she and Bill slept late, then made plans for the rest of the day over a leisurely breakfast. Later, when the kids were little, they used to let them watch Sat.u.r.day morning cartoons while they lingered in bed until the kids got bored and came in for a midmorning romp. That all ended, however, when the kids became teenagers. Now she and Bill were at the mercy of sports schedules and coaches, AP exam coaching sessions, and part-time jobs. This morning she not only had to make sure Sara got up and was fed and dressed, but she had to drive her and Renee to work because Frankie usually had open houses on Sat.u.r.days. Revising her original thought, she added Realtors. Like all the parents of teenagers, they had to adjust their schedules to accommodate the demands of others.

Now that Sara had her driver's license, she could drive herself except for the fact that Lucy needed the car later to take Zoe to her volunteer job at the Friends of Animals shelter. And there was always the possibility that Ted would call with a last-minute a.s.signment, which often happened when a big story like Tamzin's murder was unfolding. It would be nice if they could afford a third car for Sara, she thought, straightening up and stretching her back, but that wasn't possible these days. Simply adding Sara as a driver had pushed their insurance premium so high that it was straining the family budget.

Glancing at the clock, Lucy realized they were running late. "Sara!" she yelled up the steep back stairway that led from the kitchen to the upstairs bedrooms. "I'm going out to start the car!"

Sara yelled back. "I'm almost ready!"

Lucy checked the thermometer that hung on the porch post and learned it was ten degrees outside. A mite nippy, she thought, but at least the sun was s.h.i.+ning. Yesterday's slush had frozen solid overnight, so she put on her boots, reminding herself to watch her step and to expect icy patches on the road. She'd have to drive slowly and leave plenty of time for braking.

"Sara!" she yelled once more, pulling her knit beret over her ears and pulling on her gloves. "We've got to go!"

There was a huge clatter as Sara crashed down the stairs and landed in the kitchen, where she paused to pull her hair back into a ponytail. "No sense fussing with my hair since I have to wear those ugly shower cap things."

"Dress warm, it's freezing," Lucy advised, picking up the carefully wrapped cheesecake she intended to drop off at the contest and going out to warm up the car. Moments later, Sara popped out of the house, coat and scarf flapping.

"Brrrrr," she said, hopping into the car beside Lucy. "You weren't kidding."

"The sun's out, I think it will warm up," said Lucy, switching on the radio. "Might even get up to twenty."

"I think Elizabeth had the right idea," said Sara. "While we're freezing up here, she's working on her tan in Florida."

Lucy was backing out, humming along to a Beatles tune. "I don't think she gets too much time to lie around the pool-she's not a guest, she's the hired help."

"She gets plenty of time off," said Sara, in a sour tone. "And she doesn't have to wear a shower cap when she's on the job!"

Lucy chuckled, picturing her oldest daughter in the tailored Cavendish uniform with an embroidered "C" on the blazer pocket, as she made the turn into Prudence Path and pulled up at the La Chance house. She gave the horn a little toot and looked over at her son Toby's house, hoping to catch a glimpse of Patrick. "I thought Toby and Patrick might be playing outside but I guess it's too cold," she said, disappointed.

"I bet they're watching cartoons," said Sara. "I used to love Sat.u.r.day mornings."

Lucy smiled, remembering how she and Bill took advantage of the kids' pa.s.sion for cartoons to indulge in a little pa.s.sionate activity of their own.

The song had changed and the Rolling Stones were singing "Gimme Shelter" when Renee ran out of her house and hopped into the back seat.

"Wow, it's cold," she complained, fastening the seat belt.

"I don't know why you girls refuse to zip your jackets," said Lucy. "They put zips and b.u.t.tons on them for a reason."

Sara rolled her eyes. "We don't want to look like dorks."

"So you look like popsicles instead," retorted Lucy, as the song ended and commercials began to play. Lucy was driving slowly, wondering who could possibly be interested in an adjustable mortgage after the recent financial crisis and how exactly did Dr. Myron Bush reverse baldness, at the same time keeping an eye out for that tricky black ice. She'd made it to the end of Red Top Road when the news came on.

Police have made an arrest in the Chanticleer Chocolate murder case. Dora Fraser, 38, of Tinker's Cove, was arrested late yesterday, according to state police. Fraser, who works at a rival chocolate shop, is accused of strangling Tamzin Graves and then coating her nude body with chocolate in what police have termed "a bizarre ritual slaying." In other news....

The newscaster continued his report but n.o.body in the car was listening. They were sitting, silent and stunned, trying to absorb what they'd heard.

"Do we go to work?" asked Sara.

"I can't believe it," said Renee.

"I was afraid of this," said Lucy.

Sara's head snapped around. "You were?"

"Do you think she did it?" asked Renee, leaning through the gap between the two front seats.

"No. Of course not. I wouldn't let you work for a murderer, now would I?" said Lucy, cautiously making the turn onto Main Street. "It's because of her wicked sense of humor, the way she's always joking."

"The police must have more than that," said Sara. "You can't be arrested for making jokes."

"You're right," said Lucy, wondering what evidence the cops had found that incriminated Dora. She also wondered how long it would be before they charged her with murdering Max, too.

"Mom, do you really think the store will be open?" asked Sara.

"Only one way to find out," said Lucy, hoping she'd learn more about Dora's arrest at the shop.

When they pulled up in front of the familiar storefront, with its red-and-white-striped awning and curtained windows, the OPEN sign was prominently displayed on the door. Lucy led the way, marching right in, followed by the girls, who hung back reluctantly.

"Come on in! I won't bite!" said Flora, in her usual bossy tone. She looked the same as always, with her short salt-and-pepper hair and pink poly pantsuit. Her eyes didn't have their usual sparkle, however, and she looked pale and drawn.

"We heard the news about Dora," said Lucy. "The girls weren't sure... ."

"It's business as usual," said Flora. "I'm manning the counter and you girls can go on back and start filling the mail orders."

When they stood in place, she made a little shooing motion with her hands. "Go on. I'm not paying you to stand around gaping."

The girls shuffled off through the curtained doorway and Lucy approached the counter, adopting a sympathetic expression. "I can't believe the police suspect Dora," she began.

"It's nonsense," said Flora.

"I know Dora likes a good joke but she'd never kill anybody," prompted Lucy.

"Of course not."

Flora was known for being close-mouthed, but Lucy was hoping distress would make her a bit more talkative. So far this was tough going. "Did they say what sort of evidence they've got against her?"

"Nope."

"They just came and arrested her?"

"Yup."

"When was that?"

"Last night, around eight o'clock. They came to the house." Flora paused. "Good thing she hadn't put on her pajamas like she usually does to watch TV."

Lucy could just imagine the scene. Police rus.h.i.+ng into the cozy old Victorian, guns drawn, upsetting potted plants and knocking over tables. "That must have been terrible."

"They were very polite, I'll say that for them."

Lucy realized she'd let her imagination run away with her. "Even so, it must have been very upsetting. How are Lily and Fern?"

"They're not crying into their milk, that's for sure. They're checking out lawyers; we want to get the best for our Dora."

"Of course," said Lucy, struck with the woman's brisk efficiency and determination. The police probably hadn't gotten Dora into the cruiser before Flora was organizing the family and a.s.signing jobs. "Let me know if I can do anything."

Flora gave her a look. "Lucy Stone, I've known you forever and I like you fine, but I know you work for the paper so don't be thinking I'm going to tell you anything I don't want to see in print."

Lucy felt as if she'd been slapped across the face, but she had to admit the woman had a point. "I understand," she said, turning to go. At the door, she paused and turned. "The offer to help still stands, and I won't print anything you tell me is off the record."

Flora narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms across her chest. "Hmph," she said.

Typical Mainer, thought Lucy, leaving the shop.

The dessert contest was taking place at the Community Church so that's where Lucy went next. The parking lot was a slick sheet of gla.s.s so she walked slowly, keeping her weight forward and praying she wouldn't slip and drop the cake. Sue was inside the bas.e.m.e.nt fellows.h.i.+p hall, instructing her husband, Sid, where to set up tables.

"After the judging we'll be selling portions of the desserts, as well as coffee and tea," she was saying, when she spotted Lucy. "Hi, Lucy. You're the first." Sue waved a hand at the large, empty room with a stage at one end and a kitchen at the other, separated by a serving counter. "We're not ready yet. You can put your entry on the kitchen counter. What did you make? Can I have a peek?" she asked, crossing the room.

Sid, a dark-haired man with a mustache, was lifting one of the big folding tables off the wheeled rack where they were stored. "Hi, Lucy," he called. "How's the family?"

"Everybody's fine," she replied, setting the cake on the counter. "It's cheesecake," she told Sue. "With blueberries."

Sue frowned, picking at the foil with one finger. "Cheesecake?"

"Yeah. What's wrong with cheesecake?" Lucy asked, defensively.

"Somehow blueberry cheesecake doesn't say Valentine's Day to me. It says summer, maybe at a clambake."

"Too bad," snapped Lucy. "Cheesecake's what I felt like making... ."

"Yeah, I can see how you didn't want to mess with chocolate, after finding Tamzin's body," admitted Sue. "I'm just telling you because I don't think the judges are going to love cheesecake."

"I like cheesecake just fine," said Sid, flipping one of the tables over and unfolding its legs. His tight T-s.h.i.+rt revealed his muscular build; he worked as a closet installer and stayed fit, carrying heavy prebuilt components upstairs and down and wrestling them into place.

"Did you hear the news?" asked Lucy. "Dora's been arrested for Tamzin's murder."

Sue put the cheesecake down. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. It was just on the news."

Sue was silent for a moment, absorbing this news. "Well, if you ask me, she did us all a favor. That woman was nothing but trouble."

"Meow," said Sid, grabbing another table.

"If it wasn't for the heavy lifting-and his spider-killing ability-I wouldn't keep him around," said Sue. "What about Max? Do they think she killed him, too?"

"The radio didn't say, but I wouldn't be surprised." Lucy leaned her back against the counter and pulled off her gloves. "The killings were similar, bizarre, and Dora does have an odd sense of humor."

"I can't say I miss Max, myself, and I bet I'm not the only one," volunteered Sid. "He'd beg you to help with a job and then if he paid you at all, he paid late."

"I dunno," said Lucy, thoughtfully. "From what I've heard, he was pretty popular, in spite of his money problems. And if there's one person in town I'd expect to really miss Max, it would be Dora. There was something going on between them, even if they were divorced."

"And Lily," added Sue. "He loved his daughter, and she loved him. You've got to give him that." She gave Lucy a look. "Why don't you take your coat off and help us out here?"

Lucy looked at the vast empty room and the waiting racks of tables and chairs; just looking made her back ache. "Uh, thanks for the irresistible invitation but I've got a bunch of errands to do."

"Be like that," muttered Sue.

Lucy ignored her. "How's Chris? Are she and Brad okay?" Lucy was feeling guilty about mentioning Brad to the police.

"I think they'll be just fine, now that Tamzin's out of the picture."

"I wonder," mused Lucy. "Did the cops question Chris? She had a motive, after all."

"They did," said Sue. "But she had an alibi. We were together Thursday night, working late, writing up student reports."

"How late did you work? She could've gone to the shop afterwards and knocked off Tamzin."

"No way. Brad took the SUV that day because of the weather, so she didn't have a car. He dropped her off in the morning and I drove her home that night." She paused, clearly remembering something. "In fact," she said slowly, "the lights were on at Chanticleer when we drove by and I remember thinking it was awfully late for anybody to be in the store, especially since they don't actually make the chocolates there. I even looked at the clock in the car. It was a little past nine." She shuddered. "Do you think that's when the murder took place? Isn't that creepy?"

"Yeah," said Lucy, wondering if the police had established a time of death for Tamzin's murder.