Death at the Day Lily Cafe (28 page)

“I'm just happy to see you.” I grabbed four plates and spread them out on the counter.

He peered over at me. “How is Annie?”

“She's going to be okay, Custer. You should be proud of her. She fought back.”

He nodded slightly.

“Okay,” I said. “This one gets a salad, French toast, and fruit.”

Custer began to move as if he had just snapped out of a spell. He slid a spatula under a piece of French toast and dropped it on the plate. I added a serving of salad and grabbed the lavender honey. Custer scooped out the fruit. “We're getting low on cantaloupe.”

“Okay. Let's get these orders out, and I'll get on it.”

He cracked some eggs into a bowl and whisked them with finesse. “Do I still have a job?”

“I'm giving you a raise.”

 

F
ORTY
-
SEVEN

At eleven thirty we were back in our groove. I was making coffee drinks again and seating patrons. I checked on Custer and was amazed how he had organized the food.

“You have a system.”

“Yes, boss.”

“How is your nose? It looks painful.”

“I'll get it checked out after work.” A cantaloupe fell open as he sliced it down the middle with a large knife.

“Custer?” I rolled my shoulders back. “The sheriff said he found your dad's truck out in the country. It was empty.” I hesitated. “Can I ask?”

“You already know I started going after my dad last night. I had to. I still can't believe what he did to Annie.”

“Oh.” I crossed my arms, containing the fear rising up my throat. “What happened?”

“He was long gone. I went to a few places I thought I might find him, and then I just started to ride. Got all the way to the Delaware shore. Sat on the beach and smoked all night.”

“And?”

“‘Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear.'” A peaceful smile appeared on his face. “‘If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go.'”

“That's lovely.”

“I realized sitting there on my own that you people are important to me. You've done nothing but treat me with respect. And I was about to leave you in the lurch.”

“What's important is that you came back.”

He looked up at me. His green eyes glistened. “You all are better than any family I've ever known.”

When I returned to the dining room I noticed Jackson at the bar. I walked over and said, “Hello, stranger. How have you been?”

“Couldn't be better. And I'm looking forward to this brunch you got going on here. I don't suppose you have any Bloody Marys?”

“I do indeed. Old Bay Bloody Marys. Sound good?”

“What are you waiting for?”

I filled a glass from the pitcher and added a celery stick. I set the glass in front of Jackson and watched as he took his first sip.

“Mmm. Pepper vodka?”

“Yes. I had to do a lot of research on how to make a good one. But I'm open to suggestions.”

He munched on the celery. “Let me think on that. Although this one here is pretty perfect.”

“So where have you been? Did you get tired of the food here?”

He rolled his eyes. “No way. But I was stressing pretty bad about not having any work, so I took some R and R.”

“You and your wife?”

“Ah, Rosalie, you heard what Butch said the other day. Yeah, I tried to defend her honor—or maybe I was defending mine—but the wife and I don't really get along all that well. She really does call me a dog. She's been doing it for years. She put me out of the bedroom one night, and I haven't been back since.” He finished off the celery. “Not sure I deserved it but”—he shrugged—“then again, maybe I did.”

I studied him. His face was tanned. I noticed a solid-gold chain around his neck I had never seen before. He picked up his drink with his left hand. A brand-new Rolex encircled his wrist. “Well, the rest seems to have agreed with you. Is that a tan I detect?”

“Yeah. I got me a little color. Hides the rosacea a little, don't you think?”

“Absolutely. Where did you go? Ocean City?”

“Even better. I got a friend who keeps his boat down in the Caribbean. He let me stay down there for a few days.” He drummed his thumbs on the bar. “Do you know how blue that water is?”

“I think the right word is
azure
.”

“Yeah. That's it on the button.”

Crystal appeared. “Can you hand me three champagne glasses?”

I picked up the glasses and set them on a tray. She lingered for a moment, then gave her head a quick shake and walked away.

“You must be happy to have your job back.”

“Heck yeah. I got the e-mail yesterday. It's been a good week.” Jackson wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Did you hear CJ Fiddler is the one who stole the money?”

“I did. And the sheriff is pressing charges against Lori Fiddler for killing him. Seems all the mysteries in this town have been solved at last.” I narrowed my eyes, watching him closely.

He frowned, deep in thought. “Now that, I did not know. So the sheriff has enough evidence to convict her?”

“Enough to press charges.”

“Who would have thought? Little old Lori Fiddler. You know what, Miss Rosalie? I think I'll switch to the sparkling. I got lots to celebrate. Right? I'll be getting my job back. And when you get a minute, I'm ready for some grub. I'll take one of everything. Charge me triple.”

*   *   *

A loud
pop
resounded through the café as a cork ricocheted off the ceiling. “Heads up,” Crystal shouted. The diners cringed until it landed in a young girl's water glass with a
plop
. The girl began to giggle and covered her mouth with her small chubby hands.

“Oops,” Crystal said, looking sheepish. “That one got away.”

“Brava!” an older gentleman called out. He lifted his hands and began to clap, his palms slapping together enthusiastically. The ovation was contagious, and soon the café thundered with applause. When the raucous celebration at last died down, Crystal pulled out the edges of her apron and curtsied.

Glenn approached, a wide grin on his face. “The girl is a crowd pleaser.”

I was smiling, too. “It had to happen sooner or later.”

Glenn stood before the computer and punched in an order. “I've just received a text message from Gretchen. She and Annie are doing a jigsaw puzzle.”

“Oh,” I said. “That's absolutely perfect, Glenn.” I warmed at the idea of them together, just like my Aunt Charlotte and me.

“Therapeutic, don't you think?” Glenn tapped his index finger on the screen.

“What a relief to have Gretchen there with Annie. She misses my mother so much.”

Glenn finished typing and looked over at me. “Everyone is grieving in one way or another, trying to heal and carry on. How did I have the audacity to think it was worse for me?”

“Sometimes it feels unbearable. But it's not a competition.”

“No, it certainly isn't. And it helps to let others in. You've taught me that, Rosalie.”

“Thank you, Glenn. Say, you and I have some work to do.”

“Oh yes. We need to get cracking.”

 

F
ORTY
-
EIGHT

On Monday morning I rose early, gave Annie a kiss on the cheek, and went downstairs. I hadn't seen Tyler since Friday night and had lain in bed most of the night wondering what our next encounter would be like.

Bini was at the kitchen table. She looked up. “Hear about Butch?”

“Yes,” I said. “Do you know if he's shown up anywhere?”

“No word.”

I folded my arms tight against my chest. I hadn't been anticipating a conversation with Bini. I had been hoping it would be Tyler standing in my kitchen greeting me with a warm smile. And maybe even a kiss.

Bini dusted crumbs from her hands. She had grown fond of the leftover muffins I brought home from the café. “They'll find him, dead or alive.” She picked up her plate and carried it to the sink. “I don't think the Wells family will care much either way.”

I was about to go look for Tyler when I heard the front door open.

“Hope the coffee isn't gone,” Tyler said, and walked over to Mr. Miele. Dickens sauntered in after him, stopped briefly by my knees for a quick pat, and flopped on his bed. “I know you ladies like your morning brew.” He stood next to Bini while filling his mug. “How did he get in there?”

“It's crazy,” Bini said. “But I think he dug under the fence with his talons.”

“But how did he get the hen out of there?”

Bini looked up at Tyler, and said in a logical, emotionless voice, “I think he ate her right there in the pen. We're lucky he didn't eat more than one.”

So much for something between Tyler and me. All my anticipation of this moment was dashed. He hadn't even made eye contact. I'd been hoping to gaze into his eyes and feel a dazzling connection between us. “Did the hawk get another chicken?” I said, trying to shake the feeling of invisibility.

“He did,” Bini said.

“Show me where you're talking about,” Tyler said.

“Tyler,” I said, “I'm sorry about your brother.”

He looked over at me. No smile. No razzle-dazzle. Rats.

“Yeah,” he said. “Can't say I'm surprised.” He started to walk away. “He'll show up eventually.”

“At least Annie's okay,” I called after him.

He stopped. “Annie? What's wrong with Annie?” There. Eye contact.

“Butch tied her up on Saturday and wouldn't tell us where she was.”

“I'm sorry,
what
?”

“Yes. It was pretty traumatic.”

Tyler combed his hands through his hair. “Why didn't you tell me?”

“I haven't seen you. It's been a little crazy around here.”

“Tyler,” Bini said, “come on. We've got to fix this before the hawk comes back.”

Tyler was deep in thought. I willed him to look at me, but instead he popped his cap on his head and said, “I'll talk to Annie when she wakes up. I'm real sorry this has happened. She must be pretty shook up.” He picked up his coffee and headed out the door with Bini.

“So many predators,” I said under my breath.

*   *   *

I spent a little time on Facebook while waiting for Annie to rouse and learned Jamie Fiddler was in Las Vegas. It was clear from his photos that he was drinking and gambling and spending time with a lovely young woman. Why do people go to Vegas? To get away. To get drunk. And to spend money. Money. Did Jamie have the money?

Jamie was working through some serious emotional turmoil. Doris had said he'd learned CJ wasn't his father long before finding the yearbook. Cops have access to health records. How would that have impacted his relationship with CJ? Glenn had learned Jamie and CJ were both at the tavern the night of the murder. Had Jamie confronted CJ with news of his paternity?

We were narrowing it down. Four suspects were in the lineup: Jamie, Butch, Jackson, and Jake. It would have to be a process of elimination. Although I had no idea how to get more evidence from Butch now that he had disappeared.

I picked up my phone and texted Glenn.

I waited. The bubbles appeared.

I set my phone down and looked up. Annie was showered and dressed. “Do you mind if Custer comes over?”

“Of course not. How are you?” I stood and pulled her into a hug.

She patted my back and stepped back. “I'm pretty good.” She turned around and retied her ponytail. “Is it possible for an experience like I just had to make a person stronger? I mean, all my life I've wondered how I would react in a crisis. Would I fight or flee? You never really know until you're tested.”

“And you fought.”

“I sure tried. Have they found him?”