PoisonBuried Punch (Black Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery Series Book 6) Read online

  Jason had already shed his costume and it only took Annie a minute to reappear in her comfy clothes. “Let’s go.”

  Jason, Annie, and Roxy followed Tyler’s police cruiser to the mostly deserted Cove’s Corner parking lot.

  Annie couldn’t help but feel the dread settle in the pit of her stomach. She and Christy hadn’t always been friends, and only a few months earlier she wouldn’t have thought twice about Christy’s problems. But that was then and this was now.

  Christy was the first out of Jason’s car, turning her head back and forth. She pointed to a dark corner. “That’s where Eddie fell.”

  Roxy pulled against the leash, dragging Annie to the spot Christy pointed out—a shaded corner under tree branches away from the lights. A bag of trash rustled in the breeze and an empty beer can rolled along the pavement.

  But there was no body.

  The empty bag blew against Annie’s leg. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it was Christy’s favorite brand of roasted pumpkin seeds. She stuffed it into her pocket and dashed after Roxy who made a beeline through the trees to the water’s edge. Roxy finally eased up the pressure on her leash.

  Christy and Tyler followed. Their flashlights blazed and Jason jogged to catch up.

  “Did Roxy find something?” Tyler asked.

  Christy moved the beam of light slowly along the rocks at the edge of the lake, then back again, going a little farther out over the water. The flashlight stopped. She moved it back a few feet, illuminating a mound of something. “Is that a body?”

  Tyler added his light to Christy’s, and they could see the outline of a round boulder with water lapping at the edge.

  “I’m going to search in a wider circle,” Tyler said before walking into the darkness.

  Jason took Christy’s flashlight and left in the opposite direction.

  Christy covered her face. “You must think I’m crazy, saying I stabbed someone and now we can’t find a body. It feels like I’ve entered the twilight zone. Everything around me is normal but I’m going crazy. That’s always what happened when I had anything to do with Eddie.”

  Annie took Christy by the arm and led her to the deck outside the Black Cat Café. Solar lights along the railing gave a muted glow. She pulled out a chair for Christy and sat across the table from her. “What happened between you and Eddie?”

  “What didn’t happen is more like it,” Christy said, with her elbows on the table and her chin resting on her hands. She sighed. “I pride myself on being an in-charge kinda person, but Eddie always threw me off my game.”

  Annie pulled her sweatshirt tighter and waited. Roxy’s nose was in the air, sniffing the breeze. The night was filled with the distant voices of conversations, laughter, and music.

  “We met in high school. He was the popular guy, the guy every girl had a crush on. He chose me, and he was so nice, considerate, caring. I fell head over heels in love with him, expecting the happily-ever-after story.” She paused, gazing into the darkness over Heron Lake. “It’s not something that’s easy for me to talk about.”

  “So, it was perfect until it wasn’t. Did something happen?” Annie asked.

  “Not something, more like everything. We got married after I graduated from the police academy. Our honeymoon was fantastic and Eddie surprised me with a puppy when we got home. Blue melted my heart the minute I held him. That’s when Eddie’s heart flopped to the dark side and his jealousy took over. He couldn’t stand for me to be out of his sight.” She stared at Annie. “How could I do my job with him always stalking me and accusing me of meeting other men? I was lucky I left when I did even though it meant leaving Blue behind.”

  Footsteps sounded across the gravel. Christy clutched Annie’s arm. Jason’s flashlight lit his face and the two women giggled, relieving some of the tension. He sat down between Annie and Christy.

  “I walked along the shore for about a quarter mile. Nothing unusual. Did Tyler find anything?”

  “He’s not back yet,” Annie answered.

  “I thought he was dead. Someone must have moved him,” Christy said, repeating her earlier comment. “There has to be a blood trail. Tomorrow, when it’s light, we should be able to find it.”

  A dog barked.

  Christy jumped up. “Blue?”

  A big black lab bounded onto the deck. With his paws reaching to her shoulders, Christy stumbled backward, nearly falling over.

  “How did you get here, you big galoot?” Christy wrapped her arms around the slobbery dog, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  A woman stepped out of the shadows. “I brought him.”

  “And you are?” Christy demanded in a cold, hard voice.

  “Where’s Eddie?” The woman asked, ignoring Christy’s question but taking in her blood splattered clothes.

  Annie stood up next to Christy. “What are you doing here, Samantha?” Her voice was firm but friendly.

  “My friend, Eddie, asked me to meet him here with his dog. I’m supposed to be working at the Halloween party but I told him I’d take my break and bring his dog over. Something about giving the dog back to his ex-wife.” She looked at Christy and Blue. “You must be the ex? The new detective in town?”

  “And I’m still trying to figure out who you are and why you had Blue.” Christy stared at Samantha with her legs spread apart, one hand on her hip and the other possessively on Blue’s head.

  Annie explained to Christy as Tyler hustled onto the deck, “Samantha works at the Catfish Cove Pub. That helps answer who she is, but not why she had your dog.”

  Samantha put her hands out, palms up. “What’s going on here?

  Tyler surveyed the scene. “Samantha? Maybe you’d better sit down so we can try to get to the bottom of this. Do you know Eddie Crank?”

  Samantha continued to stand, scowling. “Eddie and Blue stayed with me for a few days. What’s going on? You all are creeping me out.”

  “How do you know him?” Jason asked—not unkindly, but expecting a response.

  “It’s not really any of your business.” She glared at Tyler before adding, “We met at the Mixed Drinks Bartender School.”

  Christy squinted her eyes. “You’re the one he used to talk about? His stalker?”

  Samantha waved her hand. “All a big misunderstanding.”

  “We’ll continue this discussion later. Follow me,” Tyler said. He turned around and walked off the porch, heading toward the water, lighting the way with his flashlight.

  Annie waited for Jason to catch up with her and they stayed in the back behind Samantha.

  Samantha hesitated, glancing at Annie and Jason. “What are all of you doing here?”

  “Looking for Eddie. You’d better follow Jason.”

  Annie held Jason back and whispered to him, “Stalker? What was Eddie doing staying with her? And how did he find out Christy was working here in Catfish Cove?”

  They continued in silence except for the sound of feet shuffling along the sand and the occasional distant laughter that carried over Heron Lake. Lights dotted the shoreline, like eyes watching the small group of people trudging on the wet sand.

  Roxy lurched, pulling as far as the leash would allow. Blue, not on a leash, dashed past her. Tyler stood still ahead of everyone else, his light beam aimed at something partially submerged.

  “That is not a rock,” Christy said. She waded into the water and turned a body over, face up.

  “Samantha, take a look. Is this your friend Eddie?” Tyler asked.

  Samantha inched forward, looking between Christy and Tyler. Christy aimed her flashlight on Samantha’s face, which reflected beads of sweat. Annie shivered and moved closer to Jason.

  Christy grabbed Samantha’s arm, yanking her closer to the body. “The police chief asked you a question. Is this your friend Eddie?”

  Samantha’s eyes were big and round as her head nodded up and down.

  Tyler was already on his phone calling an ambulance and more backup officers to the scene.
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  Christy raised her five foot three inches higher on her tiptoes, almost staring into Samantha’s eyes. “How did he get over here?”

  Samantha’s head shook back and forth and she shrugged. “I have no idea,” she finally managed to whisper.

  Chapter 3

  Samantha’s body sagged and Tyler caught her as she swayed, breaking her fall to the ground. He leaned her against the cement wall a few feet back from the water.

  Christy pulled her hair into a ponytail, all signs of any weakness long gone with her detective persona firmly back in place. She herded Annie and Jason away from the body. “What do you know about Samantha?” she asked.

  Annie shrugged. “Not too much. She’s lived here for at least a year with a guy named Kyle Bishop. They both work at the Catfish Cove Pub. Kyle switches between cooking and bartending, and Samantha’s a bartender. Not friends of mine, but I’ve seen them around town.”

  Christy jotted in her notebook. “She’s a bartender, huh? That’s interesting. Eddie must have stayed in touch with Samantha after the class ended.”

  “Do you think he knew you were living here?” Jason asked.

  Christy tapped her lips with the top of her pen. “Uh huh, I definitely think that.” She glanced back toward Samantha.

  Tyler approached with a worried expression pasted to his face. He looked at Christy, then Annie and Jason. “Listen, Christy, I know you want to be part of this investigation but it’s off limits for you. You admitted to stabbing Eddie. Is there anything else you should tell me?”

  Christy’s eyes narrowed into slits. Her mouth opened then closed. Her hands curled into tight fists.

  Tyler turned back toward Annie. “You two may as well leave. It’s going to be crazy around here for a while.”

  “What about Blue?” Annie gently touched Christy’s shoulder to get her attention. Blue sat quietly next to Roxy. “I can take him back to my apartment with Roxy if you aren’t going home.”

  “Yeah. Good idea. I’ll know he’ll be safe there. Thanks.” Christy walked away.

  Annie sensed Christy’s anger.

  Jason held Annie’s hand as they made their way through the darkness toward the solar glow on the deck of the Black Cat Café.

  Annie asked what was on her mind and she assumed on Jason’s too. “Do you think she killed Eddie?”

  “Time will answer that fifty million dollar question,” Jason said. They continued in silence before Jason changed the subject. “We can drop the dogs off and see what’s happening at the Halloween party.”

  “Do I have to put that hideous costume back on?” Annie knew Jason was trying to distract her from Christy’s woes.

  “No. It’s probably winding down by now anyway. Maybe we can talk to Kyle and get some more information about Eddie.” Jason glanced over his shoulder. “There’s more to why Eddie was here in town than Christy let on about. I think she’s hiding something.”

  They walked past the deck of the Black Cat café before Annie responded. “Hiding what?”

  Jason moved his arm around Annie’s shoulder. “If I knew that, we wouldn’t have to go on a fishing expedition, would we? What did Christy tell you about Eddie?”

  They were almost to the car when Annie stopped. “She said he went from being nice, caring, and considerate in high school to a jealous stalker after the honeymoon. How can someone flip like that?”

  He got Annie moving again and opened the car door for her. “That’s what we’re going to find out. I think Christy might still be in trouble, but I’m not sure if she’s aware of the danger. Yet.”

  Jason opened the back door for the dogs. Blue followed Roxy onto the back seat and sat leaning against the white terrier.

  “I hope Blue is okay with cats. Smokey will be curled up on the couch and won’t be happy about a big slobbery intruder.”

  Jason pulled out of the parking lot and headed up the hill to Cobblestone Cottage. “By the looks of him, I don’t think much of anything bothers that dog.”

  Annie took the steps two at a time to her apartment over the garage and opened the door for the dogs. Smokey hissed and stood up with his back arched. Blue looked at him, then at Annie, as if to say ‘what’s wrong with that little guy?’ She patted his head. “Don’t worry about the cat. He’s all talk.”

  Annie dumped food into two bowls for the dogs and carried Smokey into her bedroom, just in case. No need to tempt a conflict.

  When Annie climbed back into Jason’s car, he handed her the crown. “We can compromise with the costume and wear our king and queen crowns. It’s better than nothing. And here’s something to snack on.”

  After she parked the crown on her curls, Annie lifted the foil to see a generous slice of her pumpkin pie smothered with whipped cream. “Ooh, good choice.”

  She dipped a piece of the crust in the cream and stuck it in her mouth. “Do you want a bite?”

  “You bet. Your pumpkin pie is my favorite.” He opened his mouth so Annie could feed him. They hit a bump and most of the pie ended up smushed around his mouth instead of in it. Using his tongue, Jason cleaned off the mess. “Delicious, even if you’re making me work for my treat.”

  Annie took a big bite for herself with plenty of cream. “Did someone clean up the rest of the food?”

  “Yup. The food was put away and the dishes washed. I can’t complain.”

  The street in front of the Catfish Cove Pub was jam packed with cars. “We’ll have to walk a bit. Do you mind?” Jason asked Annie.

  “Not at all. The longer it takes to get inside, the happier I am.”

  Jason put his hand on Annie’s thigh. “Don’t like crowds much?”

  “Nope. And a loud costume-wearing crowd is the absolute worst, but I’ll survive.” She knew her smile was unconvincing.

  The noise from the party leaked from the pub and filled the air on Main Street. People in costumes spilled out the door, laughing and getting some fresh air.

  The ambulance drove past, in no rush to get to the hospital. Annie and Jason watched, knowing part of the story inside the vehicle, but everyone else carried on as if this night was just like any other.

  Jason held the door open and put his hand on Annie’s back to support her and give a little nudge of encouragement if necessary.

  The pub was packed wall-to-wall. Annie felt her heart rate increase. She scanned the room, wondering if the contest winners had already been announced. Jason helped himself to two drinks off the tray of a passing waiter before they wove farther inside.

  Annie elbowed Jason to get his attention, making the beer slosh over the rim of the mugs. “There’s Leona.” She pointed to a woman in an emerald green gown standing with a group of their friends in the back. “Come on.”

  Holding the mugs high enough to avoid any disasters, Jason followed Annie. Leona was trying to dance in the tiny space she had available.

  “Who won the costume contest?” Annie asked as she leaned in as close as possible to Leona’s ear.

  “It hasn’t been announced yet.” Leona hugged Danny. “Martha and Harry will be our closest competition for sure.” A furrow formed between Leona’s eyebrows. “Where’s your costume?”

  Annie touched her crown. “Ah, well, it’s a long story.”

  Leona’s hand went to her mouth and her eyes grew big and round. “Did you find the guy Christy stabbed?”

  “Eventually. It’s complicated.” Annie sipped her beer. “How well do you know Samantha and Kyle?”

  Leona wobbled her hand back and forth. “I see them when I’m in here. Why?”

  The deafening noise made it almost impossible to have a conversation. “Samantha is the connection to Christy’s ex.”

  “The dead guy?”

  Annie nodded.

  “Don’t look now, but here comes Kyle. Why don’t you ask him a few questions?” Leona suggested.

  Kyle stopped next to Leona. “Have any of you seen Samantha? She’s supposed to be helping here and she disappeared into thin air.”
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  Annie touched Kyle’s arm to get his attention. “What do you know about Eddie Crank?”

  Kyle’s jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. “That slimy creep? Why do you ask?”

  Annie took a long sip. “When’s the last time you saw him?”

  Kyle looked around the bar and shrugged. “Earlier? He’s been in town for a few weeks and he usually hangs out at the bar annoying everyone. Dennis threatened to ban him if he didn’t control his mouth. And his hands. I told Samantha she had to tell him to stop coming to our apartment.” He waved to someone across the room. “I’ve gotta run. If you see Sam, tell her I’m looking for her.”

  Jason managed to scrounge up a plate of chicken wings and a container of blue cheese for dipping. “This is all I could find. How much food have all these people gone through?”

  “Tons,” Leona answered. “It’s been a great party. So, where’s Samantha?”

  The DJ turned the music down and played a drum roll. “The time you’ve all been waiting for is here. The decision for best costume of the night has been made by popular vote.”

  The crowd hooted and hollered. “Who won? Who won?” rang out from across the pub.

  The DJ made a great fanfare opening the envelope. Another drum roll sounded, then he looked out over the crowd and smiled. “The barmaid, pirate, and parrot! Please make your way to me.”

  More clapping and whistling. Annie glanced at Leona and saw her downcast face. She squeezed Leona’s hand, knowing how much Leona loved this type of attention and how disappointed she would be not to win.

  The DJ held up his hands. “There’s a tie tonight …” he paused to let the tension build, “with the princess and the frog!”

  Leona’s face lit up as she grabbed Danny’s webbed hand and pulled him to the stage to stand next to Martha and Harry.

  Charlie, Harry’s parrot, couldn’t stop asking, “Wanna drink?” and the crowd roared for more.

  “Here’s Dennis to present the prizes,” the DJ announced as the owner of the pub made his appearance carrying two carved pumpkins. Candlelight glowed through the intricately carved designs.