Chocolate Heart Murder (A Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Book 11) Page 9

  Hawk rounded the corner and ducked behind a desk. They were next to the interview room where John had been held and could hear voices from inside. The desk was across from the door to the interview room and its bulk provided good cover. Hawk held up his hand and motioned Nikki to follow him. Nikki moved quickly and quietly beside him and crouched behind the desk. Hawk looked over the desk carefully and scanned the interview room. He ducked back down behind the desk. He told Nikki that the deputies who had been guarding John were tied up in a corner. John was seated in a chair. The gunman had the deputies’ weapons beside him on the ground. The gunman could not see Hawk and Nikki, but they could hear what he was saying to John.

  “I finally have you,” he said, pacing in front of John.

  “Who are you?” John asked.

  “You know who I am. I am the one who scared off the villagers around your little clinic in Mexico. Those people were moving my drugs. You were in my way. You tried to get rid of me, but you failed. I lived in the village for years before you came along. Don’t you understand how the world works? The villagers all knew who I was – they all worked for me, and in return, I did not kill them. I used them as mules to get my drugs across the border. Some of them made it, and some did not. Those who made it back received a bonus. They were my favorites. They could slip past the border patrols and the customs inspectors and deliver the goods to California. Your former wife, Alexa, was one of my best mules.”

  John tried to get up, but the gunman pressed his weapon into John’s head at the temple, forcing him back down into his chair.

  “What are you talking about?” John asked him angrily. “My wife was not a drug mule.”

  The gunman laughed. “Oh, yes she was. Because no one suspected her, she got away with it. She fit in with the crowd of tourists and vacationers. She seemed so sweet and innocent, yes?” he leered. “She was anything but.”

  John tried to move again. The gunman warned him with another cruel gesture to stay still.

  “How could you know my wife? She never mentioned you. She would have told me if she had been running drugs. I found drugs in our house…but it was a single dose. If she was running them, there would have been more. My wife died of an accidental drug overdose,” said John, his voice half desperate and half angry.

  “Really? Is that what the medical examiner told you?” sneered the gunman.

  “Yes. I found her stash the night before she died. When I got home the next day, she was dead.”

  “She did not die accidentally. Believe me, it was no accident when I injected that heroin into her neck. She struggled, but like all good junkies, she enjoyed it before she passed out and died.”

  “What are you talking about?” John yelled. “Why would you do that?”

  “I did it because I found out you were working undercover for the cops. I told Alexa, but she refused to believe me. After Alexa met you, she refused to run any more drugs. Even when I told her you were working with the police, she refused to listen. I planted those drugs for you to find. I thought you would kick her out and finally knock some sense into her. If you had, she would still be alive. She would have come running back to me. But no, she insisted she was in love. I could not have my best mule living with an undercover cop.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m a psychologist! I ran a clinic in Mexico. I am not a cop. Alexa and I were happy together. We just wanted to be married and live in peace,” John insisted, pleading again.

  “What? You don’t think I have proof? You think I would kill Alexa on a suspicion? When I suspected something was not right, I had my men follow you. They took pictures of you meeting with the American DEA and the task force from the Mexican government. Here, I’ll show them to you.” The gunman pulled out a stack of pictures from his front jacket pocket, never taking his gun off of John. He threw the pictures in John’s lap. “Pick them up and look at them. Tell me I am wrong.”

  John looked down at the pictures and turned pale. He did not pick them up.

  “But Alexa’s death wasn’t enough of a warning for you, was it? After you left Mexico, they raided my warehouses. They took everything from me. I evaded capture and ran from the police. You thought you’d escaped scot-free and left me to hang for my crimes, but I swore I would track you down and have my revenge. I found you and took the life of your new woman. She was pretty when I found her, all dolled up for the wedding. That pink dress. Her pretty hair. What a shame.”

  “You killed Kim?” John yelled. “I will kill you,” he threatened the gunman.

  “No. You won’t kill me. You will die here tonight, I promise. Then you can be with both the women you loved,” the gunman threatened.

  “How did you kill Kim?” John asked.

  “I have been watching you both for a couple of weeks. I heard about her friend’s wedding, and I decided that I would take advantage of the festivities. When I heard there was a rehearsal dinner, I found a waiter’s uniform. I slipped into the back of the venue when everyone was dancing. I told her there was a phone call for her. Silly, naïve girl. She believed me. She followed me down the hall. I pulled her aside and took her out to my van. She put up a bit of a struggle, but I got the injection in her right away. A massive dose. I waited until the heroin had kicked in enough to make her seem drunk, and I led her back to the party. I let the drugs do their work. No one saw me. Everyone was too busy working or having fun. Her friends thought she had been drinking and was rambling nonsense, and they stuck her at a table. I knew better. It was not long after that when she passed out. I knew she would be dead within minutes, so I left. It was easy.”

  John tried to get up again, but the gunman held him down with an arm across his chest. The gunman put his gun to John’s head and cocked the trigger. Nikki looked at Hawk. She whispered, “We have to do something.” Hawk nodded. Nikki felt along the edge of the desk and brought her hand back down. She was holding a pen. She motioned throwing it, and Hawk smiled and nodded.

  Nikki tossed the pen behind the gunman. He turned to look where the noise was coming from. Before he could turn back, John jumped out of the chair and tackled him. Nikki and Hawk jumped up and Hawk leaped over the desk to help take down the gunman. John hit the gunman in the face and slammed the gunman’s hand on the tile floor. The man dropped the gun, and Nikki kicked it away. Hawk had the man on his stomach, his hands wrenched behind his back, in mere seconds. He cuffed the gunman and hauled him to his feet. With one respectful nod at John, Hawk took the gunman down to a jailcell before letting the chief and the others know everything was clear.

  Nikki freed the deputies and turned to John. “Was all that true?” she asked in disbelief.

  “Yes. I worked for the DEA in Mexico. We tried to take down his operation, he was part of a big cartel that controlled the whole coastline. I was so distraught over Alexa I had to leave before the takedown was even finished. The DEA asked me to set up a clinic here to try and make progress tracking the cartel’s distributions in the states. I agreed and was making some progress right before Kim died. I think I have enough on him to put him away for good now. The DEA will come and get him soon, I suppose.”

  The chief had come inside.

  “Good work, Nikki,” he said. “Hawk told me what the gunman said, John. Is there a number I can call to verify that you worked with the DEA?”

  John gave the chief his contact name and number. The chief called the number and verified the information. When the chief got off the phone, he shook hands with John and apologized for ever doubting him.

  “The DEA said they would send someone over to pick up the gunman. They should be here in about half an hour,” he informed John.

  “Thank you. I understand why you took me in. If I was in your shoes, I would have doubted me, too. I never wanted anyone to get hurt. I opened the clinic here to work with the local addicts and dealers. We were trying to bring down the cartel once and for all. I couldn’t compromise my identity.”

  “Was Kim aware of w
hat you were really doing?”

  “Yes, and she supported me. She knew the risks, but she wanted to be with me anyway. She was a very strong woman.” John sat down. He looked exhausted and wiped out. The chief handed him some coffee. Hawk returned from locking up the gunman, and Nikki filled him in. Hawk apologized to John and shook his hand.

  Nikki and Hawk were both astounded by the evening’s events. Seth joined them in Hawk’s office and told them he was psyched to see justice in action. Law enforcement was one of his career interests. Nikki hugged him and was glad he had gotten the rare chance to see another branch of law enforcement doing their job, and during a hostage situation no less. She felt badly for John, though. No one should lose the one they love like that, she thought.

  “So, would you like to stay at my place?” Nikki asked Hawk. “You’re my ride home, but you’re welcome to stay. It’s so late now. You are welcome to come along, too. We have a guest bed,” she offered to John. John thanked her but said he just wanted to go home and get some rest. He said he would wait for the other agents to pick up the gunman. The chief said he would see that John got back home safely. Nikki nodded in understanding.

  Hawk agreed to stay over, and he drove Nikki and Seth back home. Tori was waiting for them with some light snacks she had whipped up while they were gone. There were plates with sandwiches on them and some macaroni and cheese. It was very late and a chilly wind was blowing in the dark night as they hurried into the warm house. Nikki was glad to come home to some homemade food and a warm fire. “Tori, you’re a lifesaver,” Nikki said as she sat down in the den.

  “I hear you saved some lives tonight too, Nikki,” Tori commented, her eyes wide as Seth had shared the details as soon as they had returned.

  Hawk grinned and went into the kitchen to make a plate to share with Nikki. He carried it into the den with two forks and handed one to Nikki. Nikki thanked him and snuggled up with him on the sofa. Seth and Tori sat on the love seat, and they all watched the fire and enjoyed their meal. Nikki told Hawk he could sleep on the sofa, and Seth offered Tori his room. He said he would sleep in the den, since there was an extra air mattress in the closet.

  “It’s a sleepover party,” Nikki laughed. Everyone laughed with her. But her laughter turned quickly into a massive yawn, and Nikki stretched and announced she was going to bed. She helped Hawk make up the sofa while Seth changed his sheets for Tori. Seth brought down a blanket and sheets and set the air mattress up by the dwindling fire. Hawk took Nikki aside and hugged her.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said.

  Nikki smiled. “Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  N ikki woke up early the next morning. She had intended to be the first one up so she could make breakfast for everyone. When she got up out of bed, though, she smelled coffee and bacon already wafting up the stairs. She smiled. Instead of jumping out of bed, she decided to relax in the shower and then go downstairs. After she was dressed, she went down to the kitchen. Hawk was standing at the stove making eggs, bacon, and grits. The freshly-brewed coffee was sitting on the table in a carafe. Seth and Tori were in their pajamas, sitting at the kitchen table. Nikki looked out the window. It had stopped snowing, but the sun shone brightly on the sparkling white landscape. A cardinal flew by, and a squirrel hopped across the lawn. It was a peaceful morning. Nikki walked over to Hawk and gave him a hug and kiss.

  “Good morning,” she said.

  “Good morning to you,” Hawk replied. “Do you want something for breakfast? Or everything?”

  “Load up a plate,” she said. Hawk smiled and dished out the food. Nikki took the plate to the table and joined Seth and Tori. Hawk made himself a plate, and they sat down together.

  “I think I might open the shop a bit late today,” Nikki mused. Hawk’s jaw dropped. Nikki always had the store open first thing in the morning. It had been a truly unusual Valentine’s Day. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

  “I’ll get it,” said Seth. He hopped up and went to the door. Nikki heard him say hello, and she turned around to see Lidia walking in.

  “Good morning. I wanted you to know that I have made an official decision.”

  “What is it?” asked Nikki.

  “I have closed the shop for the day.”

  “What? Why?” asked Nikki.

  “Because, Nikki, you have done enough for this town this past week. You have worked non-stop, and you need a break. I have already put a sign on the door. Everyone who stopped by agreed with me, including the mayor.”

  “Well, if the mayor said to take a day off, who am I to argue?” Nikki asked. Everyone laughed.

  “Have some coffee and breakfast, Lidia,” Hawk offered.

  “Thank you, I will,” she replied, taking a seat at the table. Nikki smiled. She did deserve a break. The chocolates could keep for another day.

  Everyone relaxed and enjoyed Hawk’s delicious cooking. After breakfast, Nikki ordered Hawk to relax for a change. Tori and Seth cleaned up the dishes, and Nikki put them away. Lidia said she had to get back home. Her husband would be delighted to have her home for the day.

  “That or he will dread the honey-do list I come up with for him.” Nikki and Hawk laughed. Lidia said goodbye. Tori and Seth said they were finally going to go to that long-postponed movie. They asked if Nikki and Hawk wanted to join them. Nikki looked at Hawk.

  “I thought we could take a hike,” Hawk suggested.

  “Yeah, I think we will do that instead. Thank you for the offer, though,” Nikki said to Seth. Seth said he understood.

  “We’re having lunch in town after the movie, so don’t wait up for us, Mom.” Seth and Tori put on their coats and left.

  It was quiet in the house. The beautiful outdoors was calling. Nikki went up to her room and put on her hiking boots. She grabbed her parka and went downstairs. She put on her coat and hat, and Hawk wound her scarf around her neck, carefully tucking it in so she would be warm in the chilly February winds. He took her hand and they went outside. Snow started falling, but it was light and airy. It blew around the trail in front of Nikki and Hawk. Nikki loved this kind of snow. She stuck out her tongue and caught some snowflakes. Their coldness nipped at her tongue. Hawk laughed. They walked in the woods around Nikki’s house. There were worn trails from previous hikes that even the snow could not hide.

  The snow was lighter in the woods, sheltered by the branches of the trees. Nikki occasionally heard a snap and a large pile of snow would come down from the trees above. The wind picked up, and the snow whirled out of the trees and started to get behind Nikki’s scarf and freeze her neck. She felt the melting snow run down her back. After the third time this happened, Nikki looked at Hawk.

  “I think it is time to head back to the house,” she said. Her head felt clearer and lighter. She enjoyed being out in nature, and was glad Hawk was there to enjoy it with her.

  “Okay. Have you gotten enough snow for the day?”

  Nikki laughed. “Yes. My neck is starting to freeze.” Hawk laughed. He took Nikki’s hand. As they were walking back, he stopped her. He froze. Nikki looked at him and he put his finger to his lips. He pointed past one of the trees. Nikki looked and gasped. There was a deer about ten feet away. It was a buck, and he was majestic. He had been eating, but he stopped and looked at them, his antlers magnificent against the stark winter landscape. They held still. He started to pick his way slowly through the snow away from them. Nikki and Hawk watched him go. Nikki realized she had been holding her breath. She let it out and smiled. It was a magical moment.

  “That was incredible,” she said to Hawk.

  “It sure was,” he agreed. They walked back to Nikki’s house. When they got in, they took off their outer layers in her foyer. They carried their boots and jackets into the den and put them by the roaring fire. Hawk asked if Nikki wanted some more coffee.

  “How about I make some hot chocolate?” she suggested.

  “I will never say no to that
,” Hawk replied. Nikki made the hot chocolate while Hawk relaxed in the den. She also put a bag of marshmallows, a box of graham crackers, and some of her chocolates on a plate. She put the plate and mugs on a tray and added two skewers. She took the tray into the den.

  Hawk was sitting on the floor by the fire. He saw the tray and his eyes lit up.

  “S’mores,” he exclaimed. “I love s’mores.” Nikki smiled. She put the tray on the floor and joined Hawk. They both put marshmallows on a skewer and roasted them on the fire. When they were perfectly browned on the outside and melting on the inside, they slid the marshmallows onto the graham crackers with a piece of chocolate. They smashed another graham cracker on top and ate them. A little while later, Nikki was licking marshmallow off her fingers and sipping hot chocolate. Hawk was leaning back, watching her. He smiled.

  “This is so relaxing. I am glad Lidia made me take the day off,” Nikki said.

  “So am I,” said Hawk. There was a silence as they both contemplated the long, stressful week that had led up to this beautiful, peaceful day.

  “Do you think he is doing the right thing?” Nikki looked at Hawk.

  “Who?” asked Hawk, confused.

  “Seth. I know he wants to get into law enforcement, but after yesterday, I worry something will happen to him.” Hawk moved over and put his arm around her.

  “I understand you are worried. I am worried, too. But Seth is an intelligent young man. He will not put himself into any danger he cannot handle. I am sure of that. Remember yesterday when we told him to wait with the chief?” Nikki nodded. Hawk continued, “He did. If he had not waited and insisted on going into the building with us, I would be concerned.”

  “You are right,” Nikki agreed. “He did listen. I still just think of him as my baby boy sometimes. It is hard to watch him grow up so fast. Pretty soon he will move out and have a family of his own.”

  “Yeah, and then you will be a grandma.” Hawk ducked as Nikki threw a punch at him. They laughed.