Meringue and Murder Read online

“No, thank you. I think I will stick with coffee for now,” said Margaret. When the waitress stopped by, David asked for a carafe of coffee and two mugs. The waitress brought them over and David poured the coffee.

  “So what have you found out?” asked Margaret.

  “Are you asking as a detective or my friend?” asked David.

  “Can’t it be both?” asked Margaret.

  “I think this case is too close to you,” said David.

  “I think I can decide what is too close and what isn’t,” Margaret quipped.

  “Calm down,” said David. “I’m not trying to make you angry or insulted. I was simply stating a fact.”

  “Well, one fact you may have forgotten is that I helped you solve a few cases since I’ve moved here,” said Margaret.

  “I have not forgotten,” said David calmly. “I appreciate all of your help. Listen, I will tell you what I know, but I don’t want you investigating this.”

  “I can’t make that promise,” said Margaret. “And if you don’t tell me anything I will find out on my own anyway.”

  “I suppose you will,” said David, sighing.

  “So, will you at least tell me what you know?” asked Margaret.

  “I will if you promise not to do any investigating until tomorrow,” said David. “I want you to sleep on it before you start a case. You don’t have to investigate this crime. That is not your job. It is my job and I know it will be difficult.”

  “Fine, I will sleep on it. Now, what do you know?” asked Margaret.

  “Not too much right now. There was some bruising on the body, underneath his clothes, and I’m not sure what caused it. The body has been taken to the morgue for further analysis. Shall I go on?” asked David.

  “Of course,” Margaret replied.

  “You look a little pale,” said David, taking Margaret’s hand. Margaret snatched it back. I am not a delicate flower, she thought.

  “I’m fine. Did you find anything else at the scene?” asked Margaret.

  “Not really,” said David. “I wish there was more to tell you.”

  “That’s okay,” said Margaret. “I appreciate you sharing what you know.”

  “Hey, where is Zach going?” asked David. Margaret looked out the café window. Zach was walking down the sidewalk talking intensely on his phone. He seemed to be speaking in a low voice. Zach looked around to make sure no one was watching and then ducked down the alley between the café and Simone’s antiques store. Margaret frowned and was about to get up.

  “I’m sure it’s nothing,” said David. Margaret turned to him.

  “He’s probably meeting some of his friends. The store doesn’t seem too busy today,” David said.

  “Yes, I suppose Patty can handle the customers,” Margaret replied, settling back down.

  “What kind of candies are you making?” David asked.

  Margaret told him about the assorted Thanksgiving candies and then said, “I am going to put some in a cornucopia that I will raffle off. The proceeds will go towards the animal shelter.”

  “That’s a great idea,” said David. “What made you think of that?”

  “I forgot to tell you,” said Margaret. “Zach and I looked at dogs yesterday.”

  “Really?” asked David.

  “Yes,” said Margaret. “In fact, that might be where Zach is going. I totally forgot about the promise he made to Sylvia.”

  “What promise was that?” asked David.

  “Sylvia told Zach if he wanted this one dog Zach would have to come out and play with him every day for a week. That way Sylvia would know that Zach was committed to owning the dog,” said Margaret.

  “That sounds reasonable,” said David.

  “Yes, except I forgot all about it after what happened,” said Margaret, sighing. She thought about the alley and shivered.

  “Well, Zach remembered and that is all that matters,” said David.

  “I should get back to the shop and give Patty a hand,” said Margaret.

  “Remember what you promised,” said David.

  “I know. No investigating tonight,” said Margaret.

  “Right,” said David. “I’ll call you later.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” said Margaret. “I know you will have Ariel tonight. Just concentrate on her.”

  David frowned. “Just because I’m with Ariel doesn’t mean I am not thinking about you,” he said.

  Margaret gave him a small grin. “Well, okay then,” she said, getting up from the table. She almost ran into Stacy.

  “Here, this is for you,” said Stacy, handing a bag to Margaret.

  “What is this?” asked Margaret.

  “Chicken soup, it’s good for the soul,” Stacy replied. When Margaret started to protest, Stacy added, “This is not up for discussion. You need food. I have extra soup. Enjoy.” Margaret thanked her, and David followed Margaret back to the shop.

  “Take care and I will call you soon,” said David outside the candy shop’s door. He kissed her on the cheek.

  “I will,” said Margaret, squeezing his arm. She went into the shop. Patty was waiting on a customer and there was no one else who needed attention. Margaret took the soup to the back and sat down. She looked around. Zach had finished the fall balls for Margaret, so Margaret decided to eat some of the soup.

  Patty came back to check on her.

  “How was lunch?” asked Patty.

  “Okay. Would you like some soup?”

  “No, thank you,” said Patty. “You eat that.”

  “Where is Zach?”

  “He told me he was done with the candy and he had an errand to run,” said Patty. “I told him I could hold down the fort.”

  “Okay,” said Margaret. “Did Zach mention the animal shelter?”

  “No, he didn’t,” said Patty.

  “Okay,” said Margaret. “I think I will run to the shelter if you don’t mind. I want to talk to Sylvia about the raffle.”

  “That’s fine,” said Patty. “If it gets too busy, I’ll call you.”

  “Great. Thank you,” said Margaret, finishing her soup. She grabbed her purse and coat and walked out to her car. Margaret got in and drove to the animal shelter. Zach’s car wasn’t there. I must have missed him, Margaret thought, although she hadn’t seen him driving back the other way either. She parked her car and got out. She could hear the dogs barking up a storm. Sylvia was just coming out of a kennel.

  “Hello, Margaret,” Sylvia said. “Are you here to see the girls?”

  “No,” said Margaret. “I thought Zach had stopped by.”

  “Not yet,” said Sylvia. “That’s okay. He still has plenty of time to play with them. What can I do for you?”

  “Actually, you know what? I would love to sit and play with the girls for a while,” said Margaret. “I also wanted you to know about a fundraiser I am doing for the shelter.”

  “Really? That’s wonderful,” said Sylvia. “Let me get the girls and I will meet you by the play area.”

  “Okay,” said Margaret. She walked over to the play area and waited for Sylvia. Sylvia returned shortly with the dogs. She put them in the play area and they ran around. Margaret and Sylvia went into the area and sat at a bench inside. Margaret grabbed a Frisbee and threw it. The dogs bounded after it. Margaret laughed.

  “That’s the first time I have laughed today,” said Margaret.

  “I heard the news about Mr. Stewart. That is awful,” said Sylvia. “I really liked him, and he was so good to the dogs.”

  “Mr. Stewart was the reason I wanted to do a fundraiser,” said Margaret. “His grooming your shelter dogs inspired me to raise some money for you.”

  “It is amazing how kind he could be,” said Sylvia.

  “Yes. The first time I met him I thought he was a grouch,” Margaret admitted.

  “Yeah, he had that effect on most people,” said Sylvia.

  “He was like a jawbreaker though,” said Margaret.

  “How so?” asked Sylv
ia.

  “Well, people are like jawbreakers; everyone has layers. You shouldn’t judge someone just because of the top layer. Just wait it out and you’ll see the next layer soon,” said Margaret.

  “I like that,” said Sylvia. She grinned. “Trust you to make use of a candy analogy.”

  Margaret grinned too. The dogs came back and Margaret petted them and tossed them another toy.

  “So what was that fundraiser you were talking about?” asked Sylvia.

  Margaret told Sylvia what she planned. The women talked for a while and the dogs romped happily in the play area.

  Later that day, after Margaret got back to the shop from seeing Sylvia, Zach appeared.

  “Where have you been?” asked Margaret.

  “I went to take care of the dogs,” said Zach. “Sylvia told me you were already there.”

  “Yes. I stopped by to tell her about the raffle. How does this poster look?” asked Margaret. Zach looked over her shoulder.

  “I like it,” said Zach.

  “Where else did you go?” asked Margaret.

  “You know. Here and there,” Zach said.

  Margaret frowned but decided to let it go.

  “Did Sylvia like the fundraising idea?” asked Zach.

  “Yes, she did,” said Margaret, closing the laptop. She pulled the thumb drive out and told Zach she needed to go and make some copies.

  “I can do that,” said Zach.

  “I don’t mind,” said Margaret. “Don’t forget to lock the store after you leave.”

  “I won’t,” said Zach.

  Margaret walked the few blocks to the library and made some copies of her poster. Then she took them around town and asked some of the businesses if they would hang them in their shops. The owners all agreed and some of them even offered to help sell tickets. Margaret thanked them and said she would bring some around the next day. After distributing the posters, Margaret got in her car and drove to the craft store. She needed a cornucopia for the raffle. Margaret searched and found the perfect one. She bought it and took it home. Zach was there, and he had dinner ready.

  “What smells so good?” asked Margaret.

  “Spaghetti and meatballs,” said Zach.

  “Yum,” said Margaret. “My favorite.”

  “I know,” said Zach. “David called me. He said he was worried about you and wanted to make sure you were eating.”

  Margaret rolled her eyes.

  “Did he tell you he didn’t want me investigating the case?” she asked.

  “No, but I’m not surprised,” said Zach while setting the table. Margaret grabbed a couple of napkins and sat down. Zach brought over two bowls and sat across from her.

  “I didn’t say I agreed with him,” said Zach.

  “No?” Margaret looked up.

  “Look, I have supported you one hundred percent with your private investigator work,” Zach continued. “I am all for you investigating Mr. Stewart’s death as long as you feel that you can. I don’t want you getting hurt emotionally.”

  “I feel worse not knowing what happened to him,” said Margaret. “His death seems so pointless.”

  “I agree,” said Zach. “Now all you have to do is convince David.”

  Margaret sighed. She knew that was going to be an uphill battle. Sitting at the table, Margaret came up with a plan. After dinner she called David.

  “Hi. Would you be able to meet for lunch tomorrow?” Margaret asked David.

  “Of course I will,” said David. “Ariel will be with her mother, so I am free. What do you have in mind?”

  “Meet me at the shop and I’ll drive you to lunch,” said Margaret.

  “Okay,” said David. “I will see you tomorrow around noon.”

  “Perfect,” said Margaret, smiling as she hung up the phone.

  “What are you up to, Mom?” asked Zach.

  “Changing David’s mind,” said Margaret.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning Margaret and Zach went into work. Zach had offered to stay and help Patty with the store while Margaret went to lunch with David. Margaret got her cornucopia ready and set it on a table near the door. Zach and Patty had raffle tickets to sell and Margaret said she was going to take some around to the other merchants.

  “I also have to pick up some things for lunch,” Margaret told Zach. Margaret left the shop and walked over to the café.

  “Hey, Margaret, how are you today?” asked Stacy.

  “I’m okay,” said Margaret. “I brought some tickets for the raffle. Would you be willing to sell them?”

  “Sure,” said Stacy. “Put them on the counter and I’ll take care of them.”

  “Thank you,” said Margaret. “I am going to walk around and distribute these. Would you be able to have a couple of sandwiches and some tea ready to go by noon?”

  “Absolutely,” said Stacy.

  “Great, thank you,” said Margaret. She left the café and went around the street dropping off raffle tickets. By noon she had distributed all of them. She went back to the café and picked up the sandwiches. As she left the café she almost ran into David.

  “Good afternoon,” said David.

  “Hello,” said Margaret. David held open the door to the candy store for Margaret. She went inside and told Zach and Patty she would be gone for a bit. David walked over to the cornucopia.

  “This looks fantastic,” David said. He turned to Zach. “I’ll take ten tickets.”

  “I told Mom you would buy the most tickets,” said Zach. David laughed.

  “Are you ready?” asked Margaret, appearing by David’s side.

  “Yep, just let me put the winning ticket in my wallet,” David said, winking at Zach.

  Margaret and David walked outside to her car. It was a cute yellow sporty car that Margaret loved. David sat down, and Margaret got into the driver’s seat. They both buckled up.

  “Where are we going?” asked David.

  “You’ll see,” said Margaret, smiling.

  “It is good to see you smile,” said David. He looked out the window and Margaret drove down the road. After a while David broke the silence.

  “So how are you feeling today? Did you get any sleep last night?” David asked.

  “I tossed and turned, but I did manage to get a few hours in,” said Margaret. “Also, I have come to a decision.”

  “What is that?” asked David.

  “I want to investigate Mr. Stewart’s death,” said Margaret.

  “You know how I feel about that,” said David.

  “Yes, I do; however, I am an adult and I can make my own decisions,” said Margaret.

  “Okay, but why do you want to investigate Mr. Stewart’s death? He was a grumpy old man.”

  “He was grumpy, but he did help me solve my first case here,” Margaret reminded David. “And he became my good friend.”

  “Still,” said David. They drove along in silence for a few minutes.

  “So we have left the beach behind. Where are we going?” asked David.

  “We are almost there,” said Margaret. She turned down a driveway and David smiled. Margaret had driven them to the animal shelter.

  “What are we doing here?” asked David.

  “Do you know why I chose to donate the proceeds from the raffle to the animal shelter?” asked Margaret.

  “Because it is a good cause,” answered David.

  “Yes, but there is another reason,” said Margaret. “The day that Zach and I were here at the animal shelter, we saw Mr. Stewart drive up. He used to come here to give these dogs free grooming so they had a better chance to find their forever homes. He would also bring bags of dog food to help feed the dogs. Sylvia and I were talking about him yesterday.”

  “That was nice of him,” admitted David.

  “Mr. Stewart would also take the time to pick up trash off the street every morning. And do you remember those bowls behind his building?”

  “Yes, I do,” said David.

  “He
put them there so stray dogs would have food and water,” said Margaret.

  “I thought those were for his customers’ dogs,” said David.

  “That’s what he told everyone, but he confided in me about the stray dogs,” Margaret admitted. “Also, do you remember the secret tipper everyone was talking about a few months ago?”

  “Let me guess,” said David.

  “Yep, it was Mr. Stewart. He would put extra money in tip jars around town. When I confronted him about it he just winked at me. Later on, he said that small business owners put a lot of extra time and energy into their businesses and he wanted to help them out.”

  “Okay, I can see why you would want to find out what happened to him,” said David. “Now, why are we at the shelter?”

  “I wanted you to meet my potential new family members,” said Margaret, smiling. She got out of the car with their lunch and David followed. Margaret showed him the animal play area and gave him the food. Margaret told him to sit at the table and she would be right back. Margaret went into the kennels and reappeared with Sylvia and the two dogs. David smiled and was impressed with how well trained they were.

  “I figured they would jump up and grab our sandwiches,” David told Sylvia.

  “Well, they just ate so that might be helping,” Sylvia laughed. Margaret threw a ball and the dogs bounded after them.

  “I’ll leave you alone with the dogs and your lunch,” said Sylvia to Margaret and David.

  “Thank you,” said Margaret. She and David talked some more and played with the dogs. After about an hour David said he needed to get back home.

  “My ex-wife will be dropping Ariel off at my office soon,” he apologized to Margaret.

  “That’s fine,” said Margaret. She wrangled the dogs and she and David took them back to their pens.

  “I will see you soon, sweeties,” Margaret said to the dogs as they left the kennel. It broke her heart to hear them whimpering, but Margaret knew they were being taken care of. She and David drove back into town and he drove back to his office. Margaret walked into the candy shop.

  “So how did it go?” asked Zach.

  “It was fine. I convinced David to let me be on the case,” Margaret replied.

  “Great,” said Zach. “Do you mind if I leave in a few minutes?”