Tragic Toppings (13 page)

Jake paused, and then said, “Actually, my boss doesn’t want to see me or hear from me for the next four days, so that’s not a problem. As for the police chief, I’ll talk to him. When I’m finished, he’ll think I’m working for him. I’ve got a feeling that if I give him all of the credit once we find the killer, he’ll be more than happy to take my help. What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Are you okay with not getting the kudos if we catch whoever murdered your friend?”

“To be honest with you, I’d just as soon not get any more public acknowledgments for a while about my crime-solving skills.” Emma’s dad had written about a few of my exploits in his paper, and it had brought me some unwanted attention in our community. As an amateur sleuth, I was better off keeping a low profile at the moment.

“Then it’s a deal. So, if we can’t meet at Napoli’s, where can we grab an early dinner? I’m starving, and I’m too tired to do much else but grab a bite and hit the sack.”

“How about at my house?” I asked. “Momma and I can whip something up for us.”

“Thanks for the offer, but why don’t we make it the Boxcar instead,” Jake answered.

“What’s the matter? Don’t like my cooking?”

“It’s not that,” he said with a laugh. “I just don’t want to share you with anybody just yet, including your mother.”

I laughed. “That’s a very good answer; I’ll have to give you that one.” I thought about it for a few seconds, and then said, “Tell you what. I’ll get a few things to go from Trish if you’ll tell me when you’re getting close to town, and we can eat at the park.”

“You aren’t a little spooked to go back there?” he asked, his voice suddenly full of concern.

“It’s a part of my home, and my heritage,” I said. “I can’t let one murder keep me away from it, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather picnic with than you. Honestly, this might be just what I need to replace that bad memory with a nice fresh one.”

“If you’re sure, then it’s a date,” he said. “Give me forty-five minutes, and then get the food. I should be there in an hour with no problem.”

I was glad for the delay, even if it meant that I had to wait to see Jake. His timetable gave me time to go home, shower and change, and still make it to Trish’s before he showed up. “That sounds wonderful. Jake? I really can’t wait to see you.”

“Right back at you,” he said, and then hung up.

I must have still been smiling when I walked into the house three minutes later. Momma was standing near the front door when I came in, and it was clear that she noticed my good mood immediately.

“What was that all about?” she asked.

That could cover so many situations, I wasn’t about to confess to anything until I had more specific details. “What do you mean?”

“Helen Crenshaw just called me and said you were broken down on the side of the road. I was just coming out to look for you.”

“I was on a telephone call,” I said, “so I thought I’d better pull over so I could take it without any distractions. If you ask me, Helen has an overactive imagination.”

“She was concerned about you, as am I,” she answered. When Momma continued, there was a slight smile on her lips. “Was it Jake, by any chance?”

“It was indeed,” I said. “I’m going to grab a quick shower, and then we’re having a picnic in the park.”

Momma smiled brightly. “Good for you.”

“Would you like to join us?” I asked suddenly. “We’d love to have you.” It wasn’t Jake’s first choice, but I hated leaving Momma to her own devices.

“Thank you, but I’m not quite sure that’s what your young man has in mind for a homecoming meal. I think I’ll heat up that minestrone soup I made the other night. It was delicious, wasn’t it?”

Suddenly I wasn’t feeling quite so sorry for her. I’d been hoping to get in on the last of that soup myself. “It was outstanding, above and beyond your usual fare, and that’s saying a lot. Save some for me,” I said.

“Sorry, but there’s just enough for one.” She must have seen the expression on my face, because she smiled as she added, “Don’t pout, Suzanne. I can always make more.”

“I’m holding you to that,” I said.

As I started up the stairs, she asked, “Jake really makes you happy, doesn’t he?”

“You know he does,” I replied. “It’s wonderful having him in my life. Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” she answered. “I just like seeing you like this.”

I smiled broadly at her. “Well, get used to it. He just told me that he’s staying in town for a few days.”

“Excellent.” Momma glanced at the clock, and then she added, “Now go take that shower. You don’t want to keep him waiting.”

“Why not? You’ve kept the police chief on the hook for a month,” I said.

“That’s different, and you know it. Our love lives are completely different situations. Go on, now.”

I did as she asked, not because I was giving up pushing my mother to start dating again, but because I really didn’t want to be late for my rendezvous with Jake.

*   *   *

“Perfect timing,” I said as Jake walked through the park to where I’d set up our picnic dinner. “I just got here myself two minutes ago.”

Jake was tall and lean, and his sandy hair was getting a little long for his usual short-cropped taste. I watched as his glance went quickly to the Patriot’s Tree, but then it came back to me as I stood and wrapped my arms around him. After we greeted each other with a kiss, I pulled back a little, but I stayed in his arms when he didn’t release his hold on me. “If you don’t let me go, our food’s going to get cold.”

“Let it,” he growled, and then kissed me again.

There was something to be said for cold burgers and fries after all.

After we ate and threw our trash away, Jake asked, “Why don’t you bring me up to speed on the case? What have you found out so far?” He was in full-on investigation mode now, and I could see the cop in him coming out. It was as if he had two faces; one professional, and one just for me. At the moment my boyfriend was gone, and the state police investigator was there and ready to dig into the case.

“Should I brief you before you talk to Chief Martin?” I asked as we walked back to my house.

“Already taken care of it. We spoke on my drive here,” Jake admitted. “It turns out that he’s all in favor of me pitching in.”

I didn’t doubt that for a second; Chief Martin knew how good Jake was at his job. “Did you mention that I was looking into the murder as well?”

Jake grinned, and my heart melted just a little. “I may have glossed over some of the details when I mentioned you, but to be honest with you, I think he’s just happy to have a helping hand. He gave me a little information about what he’s been doing, but I want to hear from you first.”

“You’re not going to share?” I asked. “What good is it having you as a boyfriend if I can’t get the inside scoop?” I asked as I gave him a gentle nudge

“I think we can come up with a few reasons,” he said with a smile. “But not right now. Go on, I’m listening.”

After I told him what Grace and I had been able to find out, and what George was up to, he stared at the sky and appeared to consider it. “So far you’ve done a great job, given the limited time and resources you have at your disposal.”

I did my best teen imitation as I replied, “Well, I know I’m just a girl and all, but I’m trying real hard, mister. Honest, I really am.”

The ditzy-girl act wasn’t lost on him. Jake smiled as he said, “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. You’re just intentionally trying to tweak me now.”

“Just as long as you admit that I’m not entirely without skills here.”

“I admit it,” he said as he held his hands up in surrender.

I was eager enough to accept it. “Good. Now, I’ve come clean with you. It’s your turn to tell me what you know.”

“Less than you’d think,” Jake said. “The chief believes that the killer is a man because of the strength it had to take to hoist Tim’s body up into that tree. I’m not so sure, but if I try to tell him otherwise, we’re going to tangle.”

“So, you believe the killer could be a woman?”

He thought about that for a moment, and then said, “I’d be sexist not to keep it in mind, wouldn’t I? Who knows? Maybe two of the ladies Tim was playing got together and pulled at the same time. One’s thing’s certain; we can’t ignore the women you’ve collected as suspects, and that includes Angelica, no matter how much we don’t like it. For now, I think the best thing we can do is split up.”

“The caseload, you mean,” I said.

“Suzanne, that’s the only part of me that you’re going to get rid of.”

I smiled up at him. “Good. What did you have in mind?”

He said, “If you’re okay with it, I think I’ll help George. We can deal with the men, and you and Grace can keep focusing on the women. Do you think George would be upset if I butted onto his turf?”

“Are you kidding me? He’s a retired cop. He’ll love hanging out with you so you two can swap old war stories.” I leaned forward and kissed Jake soundly after I said it.

“What was that for? Not that I’m complaining.”

“One, for not scolding me about looking into Tim’s murder, and two, for volunteering to help out with the case.”

He smiled at me. “The way I figure it, I should get two kisses, then, right?”

“You can have as many as you want, after you answer one question.”

He laughed. “There’s a fee now? When did that happen? Whatever it is, I’ll gladly pay it. Go on, ask away.”

I stared into his eyes, because I wanted him to know that I was serious. “Why the sudden change of heart, Jake? You’ve been upset with me in the past when I dig into murder cases around here.”

Jake rubbed my shoulder gently before he spoke. “Suzanne, I’m beginning to understand that trying to get you to do what I want is just going to frustrate us both. This is important to you, you don’t have to tell me that, and I happen to be free at the moment. If I can lend a hand without stepping on too many toes around town, why shouldn’t I? Isn’t that what boyfriends do? I have a particular skill set that you can use, and thanks to my boss, I have the time to pitch in.” He hugged me, and then added, “Besides, why should you have all the fun? I love what I do. Sharing it with you just makes it that much sweeter.”

“But there’s another reason, isn’t there?”

He wouldn’t meet my gaze when he finally answered. “Okay, I admit it. I have an ulterior motive. If I’m nearby, maybe I can keep you safe if something happens.” Before I could reply, he quickly added, “I know you are perfectly capable of handling yourself in ordinary circumstances, but you’re going after a killer here, and you could use the backup, whether you’re willing to admit it or not.”

“You’re absolutely right,” I said quietly.

Jake leaned forward. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch that. What did you say?”

I pushed against his chest. “You heard me. I’m not going to feed your ego any more,” I answered with a grin.

We were at my porch now, and I asked, “Would you like to come in for a few minutes? I’m sure Momma would love to see you.”

“Can I take a rain-check? I was up most of last night, and I’m dead on my feet. I’ll catch up with George in the morning, and we can come up with a game plan.”

He noticed my grin and asked me, “Why the smile?”

“Usually I’m the one going to bed early. It’s nice for it to be someone else for a change. Good night, Jake.”

I kissed him good-bye, and then watched him as he walked to his car and drove away. For more reasons than I could count, it was good having him back.

I only wished he didn’t have to go away again so quickly.

*   *   *

Momma was reading a new mystery when I walked in. “How’s your book?”

“Excellent,” she said as she put it aside, but not before carefully placing a bookmark at the page she was reading. Momma had raised me to believe that books were sacrosanct. There was never any underlining, highlighting, or worst of all, dog-earing book pages in our household. She had raised me to treat books with respect, and it was a lesson I’d learned well.

She frowned as she looked at the door and added, “Is Jake gone already?”

“He had a long night, so he’s going to Cam’s to get some rest.” Hotels had become too expensive for him on a regular basis since he was coming to April Springs so often, so Jake had found a place where he could sleep in town for a rock-bottom price. Cam Jennings was a retired bachelor who rented rooms on an extremely select basis, more for the company than the money, and he and Jake were fast becoming friends. I dreamed of the day when my boyfriend might actually live in April Springs full-time when he wasn’t on the road, but he hadn’t mentioned the possibility of moving to our town, and I wasn’t about to bring it up myself. For now, I was just glad he was here when he could manage it.

“Good enough,” Momma said.

“He sent you his regards,” I said, “and he asked me to tell you that he’ll see you soon.”

“I should bake a pie in the morning to celebrate his arrival,” Momma said. “What kind do you think he would like?”

“I’m sure he’d love anything you’d make for him. I know the police chief’s eyes lit up when I told him about your baking the other evening. By the way, when are you two going out again?” I hated to pass up any chance to keep her thinking about another date. After all, it was the only way she’d ever find out if someone was right for her.

“As a matter of fact, we’re going out tomorrow night,” she said. “Since Jake’s in town, I don’t have to worry about leaving you here all by yourself.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Hang on one second. You don’t have to wait until my boyfriend’s in town to go out on a date. I think I can manage on my own for one evening.”

“I know that,” she said. “It just makes sense this way.”

I knew it was probably not the best time to pick a battle with her. “It’s fine with me. Does that mean you’re going to make two pies, then? I expect each man would appreciate the gesture.”

“You know what? I might just do that,” Momma said with a slight smile. “I probably owe him one.”

“I’m sure Jake will love it, but you shouldn’t feel obligated to make him a pie.”

Momma shook her head. “I’m not talking about him, Suzanne, and you know it. I ended our date rather abruptly the last time, and I’ve felt guilty about it ever since.”