1 Chocolate Worth Dying For (7 page)

Then there's pictures and stuff that obviously have sentimental value even if they're not in photo albums so we put those in a second pile. Along with baby clothes and children's toys. We thought probably they were from when her children was young." She hesitated for a moment. "There's a whole pile of men's clothes. Everything from a suit and tie to worn out jeans and work shirts. Those are probably her husbands but I thought he'd been dead for a while."

Ellie sighed. "That may be but she hasn't been able to let them go. She may not have a choice now but let me talk to her when she gets home. Maybe we can do something to preserve the memories without having to have every item of clothing he ever wore kept indefinitely."

Maxine looked at her grandma Ellie. "You really think you can talk her into that?"

"I don't know," Ellie said simply. "It's hard losing someone you love." For a moment she seemed lost in time, remembering her own husband, her own loss. Maxine yearned to be able to take away the hurt both for her grandma and for Bernice. But no one could stop the passage of time.

"For now," Ellie said firmly. "We'll put them back in the closet when it's cleaned out.

"And the third pile?" Maxine asked.

"Junk, pure and simple," Marcus said." Everything from worn out dishrags and old pots and pans to used plastic bags and paper towels. No way you can say they've got sentimental value."

"Good. We can get those hauled away then," Maxine said, relieved. "How's the house?"

"We're washing down the walls in the living room and bedroom." Heath said.

I've already vacuumed and I thought we'd rent a steam-cleaner as soon as we've finished the walls." Marcus said.

She looked at the three of them. They looked exhausted. "Have you had a break yet today?

They shook their heads. Heath stepped forwards. "But if we can steam-clean the carpets tonight and get them cleaned we can get Bernice back home sooner."

Maxine shook her head, tears coming to her eyes. "It's too much. I can't pay you for this."

"We volunteered," they said in unison. Marcus shrugged. "She kinda reminds me of my own gran. One day. It's no big deal."

Ally stepped forward. "Really. We just want her to be able to stay in her own home."

Maxine felt herself tearing up. "All right. If you're willing we'll get everything ready for her to come home."

It was midnight before they had the rugs cleaned and everything back in place that could be put back before the carpets dried Ellie was at the kitchen table going through photographs. What good that would do, Maxine had no idea.

Maxine cleaned the spotless display case filled with chocolates once again. Not that there was much point to it. The display case remained untouched much like the chocolates within.

Gorgeous glossy chocolates filled with rich creams, caramels and nuts. Along with her English toffee bars rolled in almonds, peanut butter cups and marshmallow bars made from freshly made marshmallow. Lazy turtles lay unloved along with Wobbly walruses and Otter loves.

Even the tourists seemed to be staying away in droves since Rae-Ann's death. She sighed deeply. They couldn't continue like this. And she didn't know what to do to change things around. So she was almost happy to see Wendy Carr approaching her shop, teetering on high heels and carrying a large tote out of which peeked her little dog Toto's head.

Normally she would have reminded her that pets were not allowed in the shop. Health regulations and all. But today she chose to bend the rules reluctant to throw out the only living, breathing customer without at least hearing what it was she wanted. Besides as long as Wendy kept Toto in his carrier she really couldn't see what harm he could do.

"Hi Wendy."

Wendy smiled at her. It was a brittle smile, but a smile none the less. "I just came in for….a cup of coffee and one of your delicious chocolates." She seemed nervous and ill at ease as she looked at the various chocolates displayed before settling on a vanilla cream.

She took a seat in the corner away from the window overlooking the water. Maxine eyed her dog, Toto, in the carrier bag. At home she loved nothing more than to borrow her neighbors' chocolate lab and take him for a walk. She'd have loved to get her own but reasoned working such long hours would be unfair to any pet she chose to have. However the last thing she needed right now was to be shut down for allowing a dog in her chocolate shop.

Wendy placed the bag on a chair, sheltering Toto with her body and stopped briefly to pet him and talk doggy talk , "well, you are just the best behaved little doggy, yes you are. And Mommy's got a treat for you. Yes she does. What does Mommy have for you?" From out of nowhere seemingly Wendy pulled a small dog biscuit and Toto gave a small, sharp yip. And then blessedly, dog biscuit in mouth she dropped down and out of sight, the better to enjoy her biscuit.

Wendy looked up. "I know this is unusual. And I apologize for bringing Toto but I did want to speak to you and…" she glanced around the shop briefly, "I hoped you could make an exception just this once."

Maxine sighed. "I love dogs but rules are rules. Just this once I don't think it will hurt though."

Wendy smiled. "I knew you could be reasonable. Do you have a minute to talk?"

"Always," Maxine said, joining Wendy at the small table.

Wendy drummed her fingers nervously on the table while Maxine waited, patiently. Whatever this was had to be good. This was a Wendy she'd never seen before.

"You're trying to find Rae-Ann's killer aren't you?" she finally blurted out.

Maxine shot her a surprised look. "Along with the police, of course."

"I talked to the police. They don't take me seriously," Wendy said impatiently. "I'm hoping maybe you will."

"Are you saying you know who killed Rae-Ann?" Maxine leaned forward.

"Not for sure. But I think she'd found something out. I just, I wanted them to check it out but they didn't want to listen to anything I had to say." She reached into her purse and pulled out a small notebook.

Small enough to fit in a purse it was a common, garden variety notebook, black in color, with absolutely nothing to make it stand out. Wendy, however, was viewing it as if it were the lost treasure of Atlantis.

"Rae-Ann's?" Maxine said hazarding a guess.

Wendy nodded. "The one she was carrying the day she died."

"But how do you have it?"

"She was looking at it just before she went to the washroom. She started to show me something, Arnold started talking and so she left it out. Then she went to the washroom." Wendy's eyes started to tear up. "She was my best friend. I have to know who did this!"

Maxine reached out covering her hand with her own as Toto popped her head up. "Of course you do. We all do. But is there anything in there that…"

Wendy shook her head. "I can't see anything. That's why I'm giving it to you. I thought maybe you could."

"You really should have given it to the police," Maxine said even as she felt a rush of adrenaline. She held the book in her hands trying not to appear too excited.

"I mentioned it to them. They didn't seem interested and Bill doesn't want me involved. You're my only hope." There was a forlorn tone to her voice which tugged at Maxine's heart.

"I'll look at it and see if there's anything," Maxine said, trying to sound as if she wasn't excited and failing miserably. This book could be the key. "Did you see anything that seemed odd?"

"Nothing," Wendy said. "Unless she was giving me a coded message with the grocery list."

Maxine laughed but it was a hollow sound. Nobody deserved to be killed as Rae-Ann had been. And while she'd never been overly fond of Wendy she knew her emotions today were real. She'd lost a friend and she was hurting.

She gently took the plain black notebook in her hands. "I'll take good care of this. I promise," she said softly. "Has a date been set, for …"

"Rae-Ann's funeral?" Wendy said. "It's next Wednesday. I would've thought you'd know."

"It's really only been a few days and I didn't want to pry. I – how's David doing?"

Tears started to run down Wendy's cheeks while Toto struggled to get out of his bag, giving yips of frustration at not being able to get to his mistress sooner. Maxine bent down and freed him, setting him in Wendy's lap where he feverishly started licking at her face.

She gave a strangled sob-laugh, "it's OK Toto. Mommies' OK." She petted him and he snuggled into her literally quivering in relief. She looked up at Maxine as she grabbed a Kleenex box from behind the counter and re-joined them.

"I'm sorry. It's just … they were such a good couple. She absolutely adored David and … and," her voice wobbled. "He hasn't even stopped working. It's like losing her doesn't matter!" Her voice went up higher. "And, and for me … I feel as if my whole life's been shattered. I, I wake up and start thinking about the day. Most days we got together for coffee or we talked on the phone. And now…"

"It's OK," Maxine said. "I'd feel the same way." Someone poked their head in the shop and Maxine waved them away. "I know they've got support groups… for people who, who have lost someone. My grandma went to one…"

"For husbands and lovers, not, not…"

"For anyone," Maxine said firmly. "Grandma Ellie said it was a huge help to her. And friends. You and Rae-Ann had lots of friends. What about Carly?"

"I love Carly, I really do. But I just can't take her positive outlook right now. She always tries to find the good in things and I swear to God." She broke off stifling a sob. "If she tried to make something good out of Rae-Ann dying her I'd strangle her."

"Maybe not her then, but…"

Three quarters of an hour and two potential customers later she eased Wendy out of the shop with a promise she'd guard Rae-Ann's notebook with her life and do her best to find the killer.

Fortunately the lack of customers gave her lots of time to comb through Rae-Ann's notebook. What it didn't give her was a reason for Rae-Ann's death. Would she be able to find anything in it though? Just as Wendy said there was a shopping list containing everything from soup to nuts and everything in between. If it was coded it was eluding her too.

There were notes to pick up things for her daughter's summer camp and son's track event. Notes on the dining room she was re-decorating and colour chips for the walls. But nothing. Absolutely nothing that she could see which screamed killer.

Sam entered from next door. He looked around. "Oh. This is bad."

"Tell me about it," she said tersely. "Apparently murder does stop people."

"The police must have something."

"It's a closely guarded secret then," she said pouring a cup of coffee for Sam. "How're you doing?"

He shrugged. "Can't complain. A couple from Seattle decided to buy my tree series."

"Sam! That's fantastic. They just walked in off the street and …"

"Saw it, loved it, bought it. Guys a software designer and she does something with computers too. They told me but I can't remember what. Anyway they spend ninety percent of their time staring at computer screens, they wanted pictures showing trees and green."

"Maybe you'll inspire them to go for a walk," she quipped with a smile. "Seriously Sam that's fabulous."

He grinned. "Care to celebrate with me?

"Oh Sam, you know I'd love to. But I …" But I have to solve two murders? As if. Grandma Ellie's words rang in her ears "life's for living. Have some fun."

"You know," she said. "Why not? It's not as if I'm turning away business." He grinned at her and her heart sped up.

"I'll pick you up at six does that work?"

"Yep," she replied. "You want me to meet you here?"

"Or I could pick you up."

For the space of a heart beat she hesitated. And then…"Sure." Why did she even question this? She didn't seriously consider Sam a suspect did she? She gave him her address telling herself she was crazy to even hesitate. Certainly she wouldn't have before this whole mess started.

Ellie just looked at her and shook her head when she told her how she'd reacted before giving him her address. "You're worried about dating. Besides I'll protect you if he gets out of hand."

Maxine couldn't help it. Even as she knew Grandma Ellie was being totally serious the idea of her grandmother saving her from a date gone bad had her bursting into laughter. And her grandmother joined her.

As the laughing ended though Grandma Ellie assured her once more, "I am trained in karate. If it comes down to it I can take him down."

Which had Maxine, along with her grandmother, in laughter again. And that was a whole lot better than the tears and sorrow she'd been party to lately. By the time Sam picked her up she'd changed into black jeans and a dressy top with some fancy earrings. Dressed up casual. It could take her almost anywhere in Victoria, particularly on a week night.

"Mm. Looking good," Sam said, his gaze sweeping over her approvingly so that she felt herself blushing as she took the pro-offered flowers he offered her and put them in water.

Later over dinner she told him about the notebook. "There's nothing there," she said frustrated.

"Maybe you're looking at it wrong," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"You see what you expect to," he said. "Look at it backwards, flip through it randomly. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes." He smiled at her. "Who knows, maybe it'll spark something."

But even as she laughed about it she didn't believe it would. It wasn't until much later as she got ready for bed that she thought about what he said. What could it hurt?

Lying there, with her legs up on the wall and moonlight streaming through the window she looked again. Turned it upside down and sideways. Looked at it again. Nothing. Flicked through it at the speed of light, flipped it in the air and turned it upside down. And watched in amazement as a slip of paper slipped out of a pocket she hadn't even noticed. It couldn't be that easy. It was nothing.

She opened the piece of paper. And read …why was Bill talking to K at the party? How come Tracey so upset at Devon? Use investment money for bridge. She sat bolt upright. Who was K? Had Kathy Sullivan been at the museum party? She didn't remember her but until the funeral she had no reason to.

Why was Tracey upset at Devon and why did they need bridge money? Her heart hammered in her chest. She wanted to get up and start calling people, asking them. The words about bridging said so long ago came back to her…

She was going to have to wait. Kathleen Sullivan hadn't exactly welcomed her with open arms on her last visit. And Tracey had been adamant there were no problems with the development. But the fact that it seemed closed down yesterday would make that a lie. And if she was lying about that what else was she lying about?

First thing tomorrow she'd give Patrick a call. Maybe he'd know something. And then maybe she could pay Kathy Sullivan a call. With or without Patrick. He hadn't exactly gone out of his way to give her any information.