A Clue in the Stew (A Soup Lover's Mystery) (4 page)

Chapter 9

E
LIAS SLID HIS
desk drawer open and stared at the small velvet-covered box. He reached in and pulled it out, lifting the lid to stare at the jeweled ring. An antique diamond in an old-fashioned square setting nestled inside. He touched his finger gently to the gem. Then he closed the box and replaced it in the drawer. He took a deep breath and told himself he wasn’t nervous. There was nothing wrong with sliding the drawer open and looking at the ring—only a few times today. He wasn’t exactly sure why he had brought this to his office at the Clinic. Perhaps because this spot was a few yards closer to the By the Spoonful Soup Shop and Lucky Jamieson. He had finally worked up his courage and decided that this was the right time to propose and he wanted to do it properly. He was sure he wasn’t nervous. It needed a romantic setting, dinner and candlelight. Was that too mundane? Maybe at the top of the mountain overlooking the village? No. Too chilly and damp still. A special weekend out of town perhaps? New York? A hansom ride in Central Park? Now, that would be something to think about. He pulled his calendar closer to him on the desk and tried to calculate dates. Next weekend might be a possibility, if he could talk Lucky into taking a few days off. He knew things were tight at the Spoonful. She had been trying to find a replacement for Janie, but maybe he could talk to Sage and Sophie and enlist their help. They would certainly understand and keep a secret. Perhaps Sophie would be willing to cover for Lucky for a couple or three days. He checked his calendar again. No, that would never do. He had three patients scheduled for upcoming surgery and he’d need to see them over that weekend. It wouldn’t be right not to check in on them. Two were elective surgeries that could be rescheduled, but the third was rather serious. He didn’t want to leave his patients in the lurch, wondering why he hadn’t made his rounds.

Frustrated, he took a deep breath. He really had no idea what Lucky’s answer would be. There was no doubt in his mind that she was the right person for him, and no doubt that she loved him. But would she say yes? He had been wanting to pop the question for months, but somehow the timing was never right. And then, of course, they had had that dustup over a year ago when he was sure it was all over between them. It was his own stupid fault that had happened. But Lucky had reacted strangely. He had been sure she would understand the situation and sure she would know there couldn’t be anyone else in his life but her, yet she had bolted like a frightened colt. He wasn’t at all sure if her answer would be yes, but it was time. It was high time. He didn’t want to spend the rest of his life rattling around an empty house alone. He wanted them to be together, to make a home, to build a life together. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He’d just have to find the right spot and the right moment. He wanted everything to be perfect and romantic. Something they could look back on years from now and reminisce over.

The buzzer on his phone jolted him from his daydream. He pressed the button. “Yes?”

Rosemary’s voice filled the room. “Mrs. Cartwright’s in three.”

“I’ll be right there.” He tucked the tiny jewel box under some loose papers at the very back of the drawer. Then he stood, buttoned his white coat and headed for examining room three.

•   •   •

L
UCKY FLIPPED OVER
the sign at the front door. The Spoonful was closed. Meg had spent most of the afternoon showing Nanette the ropes, and to the woman’s credit, she seemed to catch on quickly to the restaurant’s routine. She had been kept too busy to flirt with Jack, who had spent most of the day behind the cash register. Lucky would glance at her grandfather occasionally, aware that his eyes were following Nanette’s progress around the tables. Sage had gone home, as had Meg. And hopefully, now that Nanette had been hired, Meg would be in better spirits. Lucky peered through the glass panes of the front door. Nate’s cruiser pulled up in front of the restaurant. She opened the door and waited for Snowflake’s chief of police to climb out.

“Hi, Lucky. How are you doing?” he asked as he walked through the door.

“Good, Nate. Come on in. I’ll fix you something.” Lucky locked the door behind him.

“Thanks. I sure could use a bite. I doubt Susanna’s had a chance to fix anything for dinner. She’s been on the phone all day calling everyone about this mystery writer who’s coming to town.” Nate shook his head. “Meanwhile, I’ve got a real mystery on my hands. I’ll just visit with Jack for a while.” Nate sat heavily in the chair at Jack’s table.

Lucky warmed a bowl of chili in the kitchen microwave and fixed a half sandwich of chicken breast and sprouts with mayonnaise for Nate. She arranged the dishes and silverware on a tray and carried it back to the table where the two men sat. She was hoping Nate would fill them in on the discovery of the dead woman at the pond that morning.

“We heard a little bit about it, Nate.” Jack said.

Nate smiled gratefully as Lucky placed the dishes on the placemat. “Thanks.”

“How’d you hear?” he said, his mouth full with his first bite.

“Guy Bessette came in with Tommy right after it happened. I guess he wanted to cheer the kid up when their fishing excursion got cut short.”

“Yup. Guy did a good job keeping the boy away from it all. He waited until I showed up. I had to keep them there for a while to get all the details. Then he took off with Tommy. Bad scene.”

“I can imagine,” Lucky said. “It’s so frightening! Have you been able to identify this woman yet?”

“Not yet, but I’m sure we will. No purse with the body. Looks like she was dumped there. We’re looking at vehicle tracks and footprints. Going through missing persons lists, all that stuff.” Nate shook his head. “Feels like there’s no place safe anymore. Guy tries to take a little kid fishing and what does he find?”

“He said he saw a ligature mark around her neck. He thought she was strangled.”

“Most likely, he’s right. That’ll probably be the cause of death. We found a length of plastic cord nearby, but it may not be related to the crime scene.” Nate took a bite of his sandwich.

Lucky shuddered. “Guy told me about Tommy finding the shoe. How was the woman dressed?”

“Well dressed, but sort of casual, maybe what you’d call business casual. Nice clothes. Almost new shoes. Probably works somewhere around, or maybe close by . . . Lincoln Falls or Bournmouth. Clothing didn’t seem to be disturbed.”

“How old do you think she was?” Lucky asked.

“My guess, maybe mid-forties.”

“Any idea how long she’d been there?” Jack asked.

Nate shook his head. “Hard to say, but I’d guess about a day . . . maybe longer. And whatever happened, I don’t think it happened there. I think whoever did this thought it’d be a safe place to hide the crime.”

Lucky shuddered involuntarily. “It’s so beautiful up at the pond. I’d hate to think this would spoil things for all the people who go there.”

“I agree with you. With luck, we’ll get her identified in the next day or so, and better yet, we’ll find out how she got there and who did this to her.”

Chapter 10

L
UCKY FINISHED LAYING
placemats along the countertop, then unlocked the front door and flipped the sign over. The Spoonful was open for the day. She heard voices in the hallway. Meg and Nanette were chatting. The door to the closet gave its customary squeak as they opened it and pulled out fresh aprons. The Spoonful’s aprons were yellow to match the gingham café curtains at the front window. Lucky’s mother, Martha, had created the design of a steaming bowl of soup outlined in blue on the front of the aprons. It matched the yellow and blue neon sign her dad had hung in the front window.

The bell jingled as Miriam Leonard bustled in. Her face was flushed and she seemed excited. “Lucky! I just heard last night. Susanna Edgerton called me. I couldn’t believe it.”

“What’s that?” Lucky asked. Lucky only saw Miriam occasionally now that Miriam’s daughter Janie, the same Janie who had worked at the Spoonful, had left for school.

“Hilary Stone! I couldn’t believe my ears. Hilary Stone is coming to Snowflake! She’s such a celebrity! Are you a fan?”

Lucky shook her head and laughed. “I’ve been hearing all about her, but only since yesterday. Marjorie first told me. I guess everybody in the world knows who she is except me. I must be in the minority not to have heard of her book.”

“Oh, that’s terrible,” Miriam exclaimed. “I’ll loan you my copy if you like. It’s a fantastic book. Couldn’t put it down. No wonder she’s such an overnight sensation. It’s a real thriller.”

Lucky leaned over the counter. “You know, I heard from Elizabeth that she’s planning to buy a home here, somewhere in Snowflake. And of course, I’m sure you’ll be going to the book-signing event.”

“Absolutely. And I’ve been calling everyone I could think of too. It’s tomorrow evening. What a lot of excitement this is for us,” Miriam exclaimed.

“I bought
Murder Comes Calling
a few months ago though. Do you think she’d sign a book that’s already been purchased?” Marjorie asked.

“I’m sure she would,” Lucky offered. “Can’t see why not.”

Miriam’s face was wreathed in smiles. “I’m looking forward to this. Since Janie went away to college, it’s been rather lonely for me. I just don’t have enough to fill my days. Before, I used to do a lot of cooking, but now with Doug gone”—she smiled ruefully, referring to the death of her husband—“there’s no point unless Janie’s heading home for a weekend. Maybe I should think about doing something with myself. Volunteering or getting a job doing
something
 . . . anything.”

Lucky’s ears perked up. “Are you serious about taking a job?”

“I guess.” Miriam smiled ruefully. “I don’t have any real skills except housekeeping and cooking, but maybe I could find something.”

Lucky kicked herself. If only Miriam had stopped in the day before. She would have hired her on the spot. Instead, she had panicked and hired Nanette, whose voice and harsh laughter had already begun to grate on her nerves. Lucky only hoped Meg could manage to get along with Nanette.

“Well, I might hear of something. If I do, I’ll be sure to call you.” Lucky glanced over at the cash register, where her grandfather was making change for a customer. Nanette stood beside him, a proprietary hand on his shoulder. Jack’s cheeks were flushed. Lucky was sure he was enjoying all the female attention but her grandfather was eighty-six years old. Everyone loved Jack, his spirit, his outlook on life, but what possible attraction did he hold for a woman at the very least forty years younger? Lucky realized she was staring. Nanette must have felt the focus because she looked up quickly and glared across the room at Lucky. She pursed her lips in a scowl and moved away from Jack and the cash register.

Lucky took a deep breath. Something about this woman kept getting under her skin. Was it her familiarity with Jack? Her aggressive behavior, or just her bad taste in clothing? She wasn’t sure but Nanette was really rubbing her the wrong way. She caught Meg’s eye. Meg had also been watching the activity at the cash register and had spotted Nanette’s reaction. Meg’s expression was somewhere between a warning that she would quit if there wasn’t more help at the restaurant and at the same time confusion over Nanette’s overt gestures in Jack’s direction.

Miriam had followed Lucky’s gaze. She leaned across the counter. “Who’s that?” she whispered.

Lucky struggled to keep her voice neutral. “That’s Nanette. She’s a new hire . . . well, temporary for now.”

“Ah,” Miriam replied. Lucky was sure Miriam was too polite to comment on Nanette’s skintight and low-cut dress.

Lucky took a deep breath. “What can I get you, Miriam?”

“Well, I’d love to try that new tomato pepper soup and I’ll have a corn cake with that too, please.”

“You got it.” Lucky placed Miriam’s order on the hatch, where Sage grabbed it quickly. The counter was filling up and she busied herself taking orders, filling coffee cups and clearing away dishes. When Lucky looked up next, Eleanor Jensen was sitting at the end of the counter, waving to her.

Lucky moved closer. “What would you like, Eleanor? Coffee to start?”

“Yes, please.”

Lucky returned with a mug of fresh coffee. “Anything else?”

Eleanor smiled ruefully at her. “Yes. I’m here to beg.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m really desperate, Lucky. I’ll be showing properties to Hilary Stone’s publicist and assistant, but the venue I had arranged for her book-signing event just fell through.”

“At the church? What happened?”

“Pastor Wilson thought it was next month. That’s the first problem, but it would still be all right except the roof of the meeting hall has sprung a bad leak and he has workmen in there doing repairs. It’s a mess. The floor is covered with tarps. That space is out of the question now. I’m just praying you would please reconsider. I don’t know where else to turn.”

“Reconsider? I don’t understand.”

“Well, when I called yesterday, I was told you wouldn’t be willing to host it at the restaurant. But your space is the next best thing. The Pub is too dark and the space is broken up by the fire pit and the bar, and the library is way too small.”

Lucky raised her eyebrows. “You called here yesterday?”

“Yes. I spoke to someone. Maybe that new waitress you have.”

Lucky took a deep breath, “I see,” she replied darkly. She fumed inwardly. Nanette had taken it upon herself to make decisions about the restaurant and had not even bothered to give her the message. She would definitely have to have a word with the woman.

“I wouldn’t ask like this, but it’s just that I could possibly make a sale. Stone’s whole group is renting the entire second floor of the Drake House and Barbara Drake can use the business. They’re making very generous offers, so money isn’t a problem.”

“Well . . .” Lucky thought a moment. “We’d have to close the restaurant for the evening. When are they thinking of holding this?”

“Tomorrow evening. From six o’clock to nine. It’s been advertised in all the newspapers and they expect hordes of people. Our village is so small, it wouldn’t be a problem for anyone to find the event down the street from the church.”

Lucky stared off into space. “Tomorrow? Wow, that’s cutting it close,” Lucky came to a decision. “Well, I’d have to talk to someone, her assistant maybe, about renting the space, or you can negotiate for me. I’d be happy with that.” It wouldn’t hurt to give Sage or Meg a night off. She was sure it would be appreciated. They could set up coffee and tea urns and she and Jack could take care of that. “Okay. I’ll do it. I’ll have to post a sign outside that we’ll be closed tomorrow evening, but I think it would work.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you! I really appreciate this. I’m doing all that I can to let them know we will handle everything they need in the village. I really don’t want them giving their business to the Resort. And your restaurant would be lovely. It has such a warm homey atmosphere. And Barbara Drake will be thrilled to hear you said yes.”

“I’m just wondering, Eleanor . . . wouldn’t it make more sense to hold this at the Drake House? They have that dining room for their guests.”

“Yes, but it’s not as large as your front room and Barbara has other guests staying there on the first level. She has to consider them first, even though renting her entire second floor is such a boon.”

Lucky nodded, “Okay. I understand. We’ll do it then.”

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” Eleanor reached across the counter and squeezed Lucky’s hand.

“You’re very welcome. Besides, I owe you. You found Horace and rented my parents’ house to him. That was a huge relief for me.”

“It’s settled then. I’ll stay in touch.” Eleanor waved as she hurried through the front door.

Meg stood on the other side of the counter, her eyes wide. “Did I just hear right, Lucky? The book signing is going to be
here
? At the Spoonful?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Meg’s face flushed a bright pink. “You mean I can actually get to meet Hilary Stone?”

Lucky raised her eyebrows. “Don’t tell me. You’re a fan too?”

“Oh, yes. You know I love mysteries.
Murder Comes Calling
is fantastic! I couldn’t put it down. Do you know where the title comes from?”

Lucky shook her head. “No idea.”

“It’s because”—Meg leaned over the counter and whispered—“because the victims all received anonymous telephone calls days before they’re killed. And they’re strangled with a telephone cord. Isn’t that clever?”

Lucky blinked, recalling Nate’s information about the crime scene. “Yes. Clever.”

“Lucky, do you think I could get the night off? I’ll be here, but I don’t want to have to work. I want to hear what the author has to say about her next book. And I want to get her to autograph mine.”

Lucky was sure Meg’s help wouldn’t be needed, and giving her the night off might compensate her a little bit for all the extra work she had been doing. “Sure, that’s not a problem. Enjoy the evening. Jack or Sage can help out if need be.”

“Thank you, Lucky,” Meg gushed. She pushed her glasses up her nose and headed for one of her tables.

Lucky turned when she heard raised voices in the kitchen. She peered through the hatch. Nanette stood at the worktable, her hands on her hips. Sage’s face was dark with anger.

“Ah’m just tellin’ you that the asparagus soup would be so much better with a lot more pepper added to it.”

Lucky could almost see the steam coming out of Sage’s ears. “If I ever want to serve tasteless crap from this kitchen, I will let you know,” he replied quietly.

Nanette shrieked, “How dare you speak to me that way! You’re nothin’ but kitchen help. You can be replaced like that.” Leaning across the worktable, she snapped pudgy fingers under his nose.

“Lucky!” Sage hollered.

Lucky rushed through the door to the kitchen, horrified that Sage would take anything this woman had to say seriously. “You”—she pointed her finger at Nanette—“in my office. Now!”

Nanette’s eyes widened. She turned and stormed out of the kitchen and down the corridor.

Lucky turned to Sage. “I’m so sorry. She had no right. I’m going to have a word with her right now.”

Sage shook his head. His face was beet red. “You better. Because I’m not putting up with this.”

Lucky groaned inwardly. First Meg and now Sage. She stomped down the corridor to the office and shut the door behind her as she entered. “Let’s get a few things straight, Nanette.” She took a deep breath in an effort not to lose her temper and throw the woman out the back door.

“Yes?” Nanette sat with her hands in her lap.

“Sage is the best thing that has ever happened to this restaurant. You are not . . . ever . . . to interfere or comment on anything he does in the kitchen.” She knew her face was bright red from anger. It was horrifying to think that Sage might get upset and leave. Sage never said anything, but Lucky was sure he had had offers from the Resort. Even so, he had always remained loyal to the Spoonful.

Nanette began to sniffle. Tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. I just thought Sage might appreciate my suggestions.”

“Well, he doesn’t. Nor does he need them. You’ve been hired to wait on tables, not to cook, not to criticize the chef and certainly not to upset him. Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am. I understand. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’ll go apologize to him right now.”

“No. Not a good idea. The damage has been done. Please go out to the front room and watch the counter for a few minutes until I can get out there.”

“Of course.” Nanette rose from her chair and hurried to the door.

“Oh. And one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“I understand Eleanor Jensen called here about renting the restaurant for an event. Not only did you not deliver the message to me, but you told her that wouldn’t be possible.”

“Well, I just figured you all are so busy that—”

Lucky cut her off. She wanted to reach across the room and throttle the woman. “Please do not take it upon yourself to make any decisions about anything at the Spoonful.”

“Well, I was sure you wouldn’t want to be closing up and losing all those customers . . .”