Cast Iron Motive (The Cast Iron Cooking Mysteries Book 4) (14 page)

“Have the police managed to dig up any more leads?” Annie asked him.

“About that. I’ve been meaning to discuss that with you. I shouldn’t have said anything about what they found down the path. I got ahead of myself.”

“We didn’t say a word to anyone, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I said.

“I’m sure that you haven’t,” he replied, though he really had no reason to believe that, “but Chief Cameron is playing this one pretty tight to the vest, and he’s warned me not to talk to you about it anymore.”

“You’re the mayor, Davis,” Annie said. “Can he do that?”

“I may be his boss on paper, but he runs the show when it comes to law enforcement here, and besides, he’s not entirely wrong. We need to work together, not against each other. Anyway, I just thought I owed you an explanation as to why I wouldn’t be sharing any more information with you about the case.”

“But he still believes that the flashlight was the weapon that precipitated her drowning, right?” I asked him.

“Pat, I just told you I couldn’t talk about that.”

“This isn’t new; it’s about something you already told us,” I countered. “Was the flashlight used to knock her out or not?”

“I hate myself for having to say this, but you aren’t giving me in any choice,” Davis said. “No comment.”

“That’s a first,” I said with a wry smile. “You must be the only newspaperman to ever give that response to a question from someone who’s not writing a story.”

“Don’t kid yourself. It happens all of the time. You’d be amazed at how many civilians meddle in police investigations.”

“Was that a direct shot at us?” I asked him coolly. The mayor’s tune had changed quite a bit since the day before, and I wondered what kind of leverage Chief Cameron was using on him.

“It applies wherever it applies,” he said. “Let’s talk about more pleasant things, shall we? What smells so good?”

“We’re having rubbed pork baby back ribs, caramelized onions, green peppers, and carrots.”

“Wow, my mouth is watering already. When do we eat?”

“It will be at least half an hour,” she said. “Pat, go ahead and add the last batch of briquettes to the top.”

I did as she suggested, and then it was just a matter of waiting for the meat to brown up. Patience wasn’t necessarily my strong suit, but Annie had acquired a great deal of it, at least when it came to cast iron cooking. The best results were generated from low and slow cooking, and she’d learned from experience not to try to rush the process.

“I’m going in and talking to Della,” he said. “I’ll see you two later.”

After he was out of earshot, I asked, “Should one of us go in with him?”

“You can go. I’m watching the ribs,” Annie said.

“Fine,” I replied as I put down the last piece of wood I’d been ready to add to the fire. “I may not be as diplomatic as you are, but I’ll give it a shot.”

“On second thought, I’ll go,” Annie answered. “Rotate the lid every seven minutes so we get an even browning.”

“I can do that,” I said, happy that I didn’t have to go back into the kitchen with Della and Davis. I was usually a pretty levelheaded fellow, at least in my own estimation, but I was off my game, and Annie knew it. I was going to have to give up the resentment I felt toward Della for abandoning my mother all those years ago once and for all, apparently like Annie and Kathleen had already managed to do. After all, I’d done some pretty stupid things in my past. How would I feel if folks continued to hold it against me so many years later? Though the betrayal still felt fresh to me, it had happened a long time ago, and Della was clearly remorseful for her past behavior. It was time to grow up a little and let it go, and the best way I could start to do that was to drop this ridiculous insistence that I not call her my aunt. She was family, and I was doing a disservice to my mother by continuing to hold a grudge against her.

Sometimes it amazed me that no matter how grown up I felt most of the time, there were times when I could still act like a petulant little kid.

Chapter 16: Annie

I
was glad that I’d volunteered to take Pat’s place inside. I knew that my brother was perfectly capable of watching our meal, but I still wasn’t so sure that he would have been all right in the house with Aunt Della and Davis. He’d come around soon enough; I knew that without the slightest doubt. My brother was a fine and good man, someone who made me proud to be so closely related to.

“Della, they need to go,” Davis said as I started into the kitchen where the two of them were having a whispered conversation. Neither of them had seen me, so I quickly ducked back into the corridor.

“Davis, they’re my family. I can’t just ask them to leave, especially after I abandoned them and their mother all those years ago. It wouldn’t be right, and I’m not going to do it.”

“They’re stirring up trouble here for you,” the mayor said. “Do you want all of your neighbors and friends turning on you?”

“I don’t see how Annie and Pat are causing that,” Della said.

“I’ve already had several complaints about them,” the mayor said. “Cam’s on my back to make them disappear, and I can’t say I blame him this time. How’s he supposed to investigate Cheryl’s murder if they keep mucking around in his business?”

That was interesting. I would love to know which citizens of Gateway Lake in particular had complained about us. Maybe if I stayed quiet long enough, I’d find out.

“Need I remind you that I asked them to come here? Someone’s been trying to kill me, and I believe that without the twins’ presence here, I’d already be dead.”

Pat suspected that as well, and I had no reason to dispute it. It was nice seeing our aunt sticking up for us, given the vehemence of the mayor’s pleas.

“Are we really going to go over this again? I told you before they even showed up that the snowman falling from the roof and the parade push were both just accidents. Who was there to catch you when you nearly fell? I was standing right there, and I didn’t see a soul try to push you in front of that fire truck.”

“What about the poison at the supper?” she asked him.

“Della, you got some bad food,” he said. “It could have happened to any of us.”

“But it didn’t, did it? It happened to me. You’re not forgetting Cheryl Simmons, are you? She was murdered in my jacket coming from my house at night. How could that possibly be a coincidence?”

“Cheryl had enemies of her own,” Davis said.

“None that I know of,” Della said, the shock and surprise clear in her voice. “Who could possibly want to hurt her?”

“I’m not at liberty to discuss that, but rest assured, the police chief has his suspects,” Davis said. “You’re going to have to take my word for it. If you’d let Chief Cameron handle the situation, nobody will bother you again.”

“I didn’t realize that the two of you had gotten so close all of a sudden, Davis,” she told him.

“We haven’t always seen eye to eye, it’s true, but I have big plans for this small town, and Cam is finally on board now. He wants to see this area grow just as much as I do, and if we work together, we’ll make it happen. What we don’t need, neither one of us, is a black spot on Gateway Lake’s image right now. As soon as Cheryl’s murder is solved, the police chief and I are going to get busy with our plans, and we won’t forget who helped us, either. This could be good for you as well, Della.”

I could feel her wavering as she said, “Honestly, Davis, I don’t know what to do. When I speak with the twins, I think one thing, but when I talk to you, I start to have my doubts that this isn’t all just in my mind.”

It was time to step in before Aunt Della decided to send us away. I had a feeling in my gut that if Pat and I left town without finding the person who was trying to kill her, we’d never see her alive again. “Hey, there,” I said, doing my best to sound happy about interrupting them.

“How long have you been standing there?” Davis asked me, trying to be nonchalant as he asked the question.

“I just came in. Why, what did I miss?” I looked at him impishly, hoping to get some kind of rise out of him, but he was too good a politician to let anything slip.

“We were just talking about how excited we were to taste those ribs of yours,” he said. “Isn’t that right, Della?”

This was the moment of truth. Depending on what my aunt said next, I’d know whose side she was really on. “Actually, the mayor was just urging me to send you and your brother away,” she said, her face flushing as she did so.

“Honestly, it wasn’t anything as dramatic as all of that,” Davis said, backpedalling quickly. “I just mentioned that the police chief is having trouble getting folks to discuss the case with him after you two got them all stirred up.”

“Who exactly did we stir up?” I asked sweetly.

“They were his words, not mine,” Davis was quick to add. “If you want anything more specific than that, you’ll have to talk to him about it.”

“Oh, believe me, we will,” I said. I took my aunt’s hands in mine as I said, “There’s something you should know. We’re not leaving until we get to the bottom of this, and that’s a promise. Nobody else in town might believe you, but Pat and I do.”

“That’s all I need to know,” she said.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I just remembered some work I have to do back at the office that’s rather pressing,” the mayor said.

“Does that mean you won’t be coming back for dinner?” I asked him with a smile. Maybe I was gloating about my victory a little, but who cared?

“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll do my best to make it,” he said, and then he beat a hasty retreat.

After he was gone, I said, “Thanks for having our backs, Aunt Della.”

“That’s what family’s all about,” she said. “It took me a long time to realize that, but it’s etched in my heart now. I just wish I could ask your mother for her forgiveness.”

“Mom would have given it freely, and you know it, but allow me to do it by proxy. On behalf of the Marsh clan, we all forgive you.”

Were there tears in her eyes? I couldn’t tell as she asked, “Even Pat?”

“He’s coming around,” I assured her.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that. Maybe with Davis bowing out, we’ll have enough food, at any rate.”

“Do you think he’s not really coming back?” I asked her.

“Who knows? I’ve long given up any hope of figuring out what goes on in a man’s mind.”

I laughed, and then I said, “If it’s any consolation, Pat feels the same way about us. Now, what can I do to help you in here?”

“Shouldn’t you be out tending your food?” she asked.

“Pat’s more than capable of handling things out there,” I replied. “Besides, I wanted to spend a little time alone with you.”

“That would be delightful,” she said. “Grab some plates and cutlery and set the big table, if you don’t mind.”

“That’s why I’m here,” I said. As I did as I was told, I thought about the mayor’s urgent pleadings that we leave town. Had that really come from the police chief, or did the mayor want us gone for his own reasons? Either way, it wasn’t going to happen. I’d close the Iron’s grill for good if I had to, but I’d meant what I’d said.

Pat could go back if he wanted to, but I was staying put until this mess was over, one way or the other.

“Yoo-hoo. Is anyone home?” a woman’s voice called out from the front parlor. “Your front door was unlocked, so I let myself in.”

“No worries, Henrietta,” Della said, rolling her eyes a little so I could see it, but not her friend. “We’re back here.”

The older woman came in carrying a casserole dish covered in foil. “I brought my famous green bean surprise,” she said.

“Wonderful,” Della said. “Should we reheat it for you now?”

“Just put it in the warming oven, and it will be fine. I find that it’s better once it’s cooled and been reheated,” she said. “Della, may I use the powder room? I meant to go before I left the house, but then I forgot all about it.”

“You know where it is,” my aunt told her. After Henrietta was gone, Della said, “I don’t know why she keeps making this dish. The only surprise about it is that no one eats it, and yet she insists on showing up with it at the slightest provocation. The woman must buy green beans in fifty-gallon drums.”

“Is it really that bad?” I asked with a conspiratorial smile. It was nice to have another woman in the family to share inside jokes with besides my older sister.

“Try some for yourself, but don’t take more than a spoonful if you value your life,” Della said.

“Maybe that’s what really poisoned you at the dinner,” I said, realizing immediately that I’d gone too far. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”

“It’s fine,” Della said, but evidently the impact of what I’d just said went beyond offending my aunt.

“You were poisoned?” Henrietta asked from the doorway. “What happened, and why didn’t you tell me about it?”

I shot a look of apology at my aunt as she explained, “It wasn’t anything quite so dramatic. I must have gotten something a little off at the town supper that didn’t agree with me.”

“I thought you looked a little green around the gills,” Henrietta said. “That’s why I don’t like to eat anything that I don’t prepare myself.” She frowned for a moment before adding, “Not that I’m sure your food won’t be delightful.”

“I won’t be offended if you eat just your casserole,” I said, doing my best not to smile.

“If I did that, then I’d be depriving the others,” Henrietta said with a perfectly straight face. “I’ll make you a deal. You try my specialty, and I’ll try yours.”

“It’s a deal,” I said, trying not to show my reluctance at making the promise. “Now, if you two will excuse me, I’d better go check on Pat.”

Della just shook her head and smiled as I walked out the door.

“What happened in there?” Pat asked as he finished turning the lid on the Dutch oven a quarter turn. “I didn’t think you were ever coming back.”

“I thought you had this all handled,” I said, fighting the temptation to lift the lid and check on the progress of the ribs and veggies. Steam was an important part of the cooking process, which was why I’d added water in the first place, though broth, beer, or wine would have done nicely as well. Every time I lifted the lid, I slowed that progression, so it was important to let it go and trust the process.

“I do,” he said. “But I still want to know what took you so long.”

“Well, before I could walk in and announce myself, I heard the mayor trying to coax our aunt into throwing us out as soon as possible.”

“You’re kidding,” Pat said, and then he studied my expression for a moment. “You’re not kidding, are you?”

“No, sir. Evidently the police chief is putting pressure on him to make it happen.”

“So, it’s Chief Cameron who wants us gone, not the mayor.”

“If we can believe Davis,” I said. “What if he’s the one who wants us to leave town, but he’s using the police chief as an excuse? If what he said was true, the two of them are thick as thieves. Apparently they have big plans for this place, and now they’re working together.”

“That’s interesting,” Pat said. “Ultimately, that might mean that the police chief is innocent.”

“How’s that?”

“If he’s got big plans with the mayor, why would he plant evidence there that makes the man look guilty of murder?”

“Do we think that branch was planted there now?” I asked him.

“I’ve had some time to think about it, Annie. What I’m beginning to realize is that the killer could have thrown that stick anywhere, or even drop it on the ground right where he hit Cheryl with it. The only thing gained by stashing it under the deck is to frame the mayor for murder. I have a feeling that there’s going to be an anonymous phone call to the police tipping them off about the weapon any minute.”

“Let them search all they want to,” I said. “We both know where that branch is. Going on that reasoning, it actually narrows our field of suspects more than that.”

“How so?”

“Do you honestly think that Serena would set up the man she’s clearly in love with, no matter how much she denies it? If we’d found that branch here near Della’s backyard, it would make sense that she could have done it, but finding it under Davis’s deck means that whoever did it isn’t afraid to set him up for a fall, and that eliminates Serena.”

“It makes sense when you look at it that way,” he said. “If we’re right, then that takes Davis off our list, and Cameron and Serena, too. I like it.”

“I do, too. We might be wrong about it, but our reasoning makes sense to me. So, where does that leave us?”

“We still have Gary White’s name on our list, by the process of elimination. Funny thing is, he’s the only one
not
coming to our little dinner this evening,” Pat said with a smile.

“Our basic premise is still a mighty big stretch,” I told him. “We have to keep our eyes on the rest of them just in case, but I think we should focus on Gary for the time being. I never even considered the possibility that Davis was being set up. You have a devious mind, little brother.”