Dying for the Truth (A Rockcrest Cove Cozy Mystery Book 4) (4 page)

“Oh thank you, Bailey,” she exclaimed, holding the book close to her heart.

“Still, Gran,” Bailey said. “That little book will mean nothing if we don’t get to finding out the truth about how Evan was murdered.”

Maddie responded accordingly. She went to her seat behind her desk and looked again at the box of love letters. “So,” she said. “What do we do with this information?”

“Well, I think we should take it to the police,” Bailey asserted.

Maddie mused over the idea. “I think it’s too soon,” she said. “You know Connors. He’s not just going to launch an investigation until he has something more concrete.”

“But look at what all this could mean,” Bailey protested.

“Oh Bailey, I agree with you,” Maddie interjected. “But it’s all just mere speculation. We need to find out more about this relationship and who knew about it before we go to Connors. We need solid proof, not possibilities.”

“So, what should we do?” Bailey asked.

“We need to talk to Kelsey Orlando,” Maddie suggested. “Maybe you can arrange a meeting.”

Both Maddie and Bailey were surprised to find that Kelsey was more than happy to meet with them. They had agreed to meet at the diner just across from the Rockcrest Cove Hotel for lunch. This was the place where everyone in Rockcrest eventually went for lunch or dinner.

Kelsey had been most amiable and didn’t seem surprised to hear from the two ladies at all. The three women met early and were seated in a corner booth of the town’s most popular diner. Maddie and Bailey were both surprised when they arrived and found Kelsey already waiting for them, seemingly eager to talk.

Kelsey sat in quiet expectation as she waited for Maddie and Bailey to place their orders. Maddie noticed the strained lines on her face and took note that she never took off her sunglasses, even when inside the restaurant. It spoke volumes about her state of mind.

“Kelsey, I’m so glad you were able to meet with us today. I know how busy you must be,” Maddie began.

“Well, Maddie, to be perfectly honest, I was expecting your call.”

Maddie’s eyes shot up, and then she knitted her eyebrows together in an unspoken question mark. “Why’s that?”

“Well, it’s no question that you’ve been able to solve several murder cases in the past. So when I heard that you were accused of Evan’s murder, I naturally assumed that you would be investigating your own case.”

“Still, I didn’t expect you to know that I was aware of your relationship with Evan.”

“Of course not,” she agreed. “But I knew it would just be a matter of time before you found out. It wasn’t entirely a secret.”

“Really?” Bailey interjected. “How many people knew about your relationship?”

“My guess is just about everyone at the bakery.” Kelsey thought about it for a while. “Those who worked with my husband, and possibly a few others at the club where we used to meet.”

Maddie shook her head as if to get the cobwebs out. “I’m confused,” she said. “You weren’t hiding the affair.”

“No, we weren’t,” Kelsey confirmed. “My husband and I have been married only in appearances for quite some time now. If he wasn’t in office, we would have been divorced quite some time ago. But we agreed that as long as he stayed in office, I would remain with him. Once his term is over, we’ll proceed with the divorce as planned.”

Maddie and Bailey both looked on at the casual way she explained her situation. Speechless for a moment, it was hard to argue with that reasoning.

“So, your husband knew about the affair?”

“Of course he did. He has had his own flings on the side, you know.”

There went their idea of a jealous husband or of someone trying to blackmail them, Maddie thought. “And how did you feel when you heard the news about Evan?”

“Naturally, I was devastated,” Kelsey said honestly. “I went through a wide range of emotions, I guess.” She spoke as if she was analyzing her reactions for the first time. “I was shocked at first, then I was angry, and maybe even felt a little sorrow and regret too. I thought about all of the things we could have done had I just left my husband sooner.”

“I suppose so,” Maddie said. “I’m not sure how I would have reacted to the news.”

Kelsey took a tissue from her bag and dabbed the corner of her eyes without removing her sunglasses. Bailey was impressed at her skill in such refined grieving. She didn’t think she would have been so ladylike if in the same situation.

“What do you plan to do now?”

“I don’t know. This whole thing has blindsided me, you know? I don’t know what to do.” A long exhale came from her lips as Kelsey lowered her head in order to regain some semblance of composure.

“You know,” she continued after a few minutes, “I was planning a party this weekend. Evan was going to cater it for me.” She gave a little wry smile as she thought of him. “He had such good ideas.” Another long exhale escaped her lips, like air rushing from a balloon. “The sad thing is that it’s too late to cancel, but I’m not sure I can deal with all the preparations, now.”

Maddie reached out and put a gentle hand on Kelsey’s. “I can help you with that,” she offered.

Kelsey didn’t answer right away. She almost appeared to not have even heard the offer. Her head slowly rose up and met Maddie’s eyes. “Excuse me?” she said. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

Maddie gave her a gentle pat on the arm. “Let me help you with the party,” she said. “Just give me the details and I’ll take care of everything for you. That way you won’t have to worry about anything you don’t want to.”

The muscles in Kelsey’s face began to relax. “That would be so wonderful,” she said, a noticeable lift in her voice. Her whole body posture seemed to relax at the news of getting help for her party.

The rest of the afternoon took on a much lighter tone as the three of them set about making plans for her party. After several hours, the tensions were much more relaxed all the way around. There was even a little laughter to enjoy throughout the afternoon. As they walked out of the restaurant into the bright sunlight, Bailey squinted her eyes and immediately started to dig in her bag for her sunglasses. Maddie and Kelsey stood at the steps waiting for her.

“You know, Maddie,” Kelsey said, “I know that this party is short notice, so don’t feel like everything has to be perfect.”

“Perfection is my business,” Maddie explained. “I can’t afford not to put out the best.”

“Yeah, I know,” Kelsey commented. “But I’ll understand if you can’t put it all together in such a short time. I mean Saturday is just a day away.” She gave that inaudible gasp that revealed that she had an idea. “I tell you what,” she suggested. “Why don’t I come to your shop to help you with some of the preparations.”

Maddie flinched visibly and immediately hoped that Kelsey had not noticed her reaction. She didn’t know what to say, but the whole suggestion sent alarm bells ringing in her head. The last time she let anyone come in to help her, she got half of her recipes and ideas ripped off. Now this near stranger was offering to help once again. “Oh, that’s not necessary, Kelsey,” she started to explain.

“No. Really,” Kelsey interrupted. “It’ll keep me busy and my mind off of things. I think it’s the perfect solution. And I promise I won’t get in the way. Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it.”

Maddie heard the lilt in her voice and felt the energy of her enthusiasm. She couldn’t resist. “All right, I guess,” she said reluctantly.

“Oh that’s great! How about I come by your store around two in the afternoon? Or is that too late?”

“No. I think that’s fine,” Maddie said. “It’ll give me enough time to deal with my regular customers first.”

“Ok. I’ll see you then,” Kelsey said and began to walk away. “I can’t wait,” she said and turned toward her car, her steps leading away from Maddie with a rapid staccato rhythm as they faded in the distance.

“Wow! What got into her?” Bailey said as she approached with her sunglasses on.

“I guess I just made a friend, a coworker, and a … I don’t know.” Maddie finally said.

“A coworker?”

“Apparently she’s going to be helping me cater her own party.

“You’ve got to be kidding. A possible murder suspect.”

“Tsk, tsk. Kelsey didn’t kill Evan.”

“Gran, how can you be so sure?”

“I could hear her grief in the tone of her voice, I saw it in her body posture, and I just could tell.” Maddie took a breath as she watched Kelsey walk away. “I think she really loved him, even if it is a little weird.”

“But, Gran.”

“I know it seems a little suspicious, but I really don’t think we have anything to worry about with Kelsey.”

Bailey just gave her a sideways look and said nothing more. Once her gran got an idea in her head, there was no way to dissuade her. She’d just have to be there to keep an eye on things.

~~~

The night of Kelsey’s party was a busy one. Maddie had to juggle a lot of things to pull off the occasion on such short notice. She was thankful for the work though. It kept her from worrying about the case and how it was going. Both Bailey and Kyle had been doing their own investigative work and hadn’t given her much feedback. Maddie wanted to resist the urge to think the worst of the situation. In the back of her mind, their reluctance to tell her anything meant that they didn’t have much good to say or they weren’t making much progress. Either way, it left her feeling anxious about everything.

But the last two days working on Kelsey’s party was enough to keep her mind fully engaged. For a while she had even forgotten about the accusations that were hovering over her head. She had pulled all of her workers out of the restaurant for the event save for two who were left to run the store on their own. She actually was beginning to feel like her old self again.

But when she saw two deputies coming in the door, all of her feelings of foreboding came rushing back. She watched them closely by the door speaking with Kelsey, and when she saw Kelsey pointing in her direction, her heart literally sank to her knees. All of her fears and anxieties came rushing back with a vengeance.

She recognized Deputy Fellows as he approached. “Ms. Maddie,” he said, as usual. He was one of the more respectful members on Connor’s team that she had met so far. “I’m sorry to bother you now. I know you’re busy.”

“That’s quite all right, Fellows,” she told him, trying to hide her trepidation.

“Connors would like to see you at the station,” he said almost apologetically.

“Now?” Maddie asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m busy taking care of this affair. I can’t get away right now,” Maddie said indignantly.

“I know, ma’am.” A rush of red came flooding into Fellow’s face.

“Am I under arrest again?” Maddie asked.

“Oh no, ma’am. Nothing like that at all. Chief just has some questions that he’d like to ask you.”

“Then it can wait until tomorrow,” Maddie quipped. “Tell the Chief I’m busy trying to make a living. And after that, I’ll be talking to my lawyer. Once all of that is done, I’ll come by to talk to him,” she quipped.

Fellows stood there, not sure what to do. The red in his face deepened as he tried to think of something to say. “Shall I tell him you’ll come in tomorrow then?”

“Maybe,” Maddie said, clearly irritated. “It’ll all depend on what my lawyer has to say.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Fellows said. “I’ll tell him.” He turned and beat a hasty retreat.

Bailey came up to Maddie almost immediately after he had left. “What was that all about?”