“Now ya’ll, for the grand prize winner. Number 11, Miss Willow Crier.”
Willow let out a yelp. “I won? Really?” She ran up the stage completely forgetting about her little tirade of jealousy a moment before. She won! “Oh Molly, I won. I won.” She briefly thought about sticking her tongue out at Annabelle then reconsidered. She would be the grown up.
Chapter 13
Embry waited until her mother had the trophy in her hand before screaming for help. They had planned a diversion so her mom and Janie could quickly search the entrants’ stations. It was the only solution they came up with to be able to physically search the work stations.
The screaming started as soon as Willow stepped off the stage.
Everyone ran for Embry, who was obviously upset and in need of help. She’d been playing with Clover and her diamond engagement ring had fallen off. She was in tears. Everyone was down on their hands and knees, crawling around on the ground searching for the missing diamond. Willow just shook her head. They would never find it because there wasn’t one. None the less, Willow and Janie started running from station to station, hoping to find something. Anything.
Steve started for Embry then caught sight of Willow and Janie. He joined the two women. “What do you think you two are doing?”
Willow didn’t have time to stop and talk. “What does it look like? Go look at Annabelle’s station then see if you can find Molly’s purse.”
The chief stood still. “Willow, I cannot be illegally searching anyone’s things. I think I’ll go look for the engagement ring and leave the snooping to you and Janie.”
She didn’t even take the time for eye contact. “Suit yourself.” Then she ran to Annabelle’s station. She figured they each had about ten minutes to find something before the search party became wary and wandered back to load their chili and take it to the park. She had a lot of ground to cover and not enough time to do a thorough job. Something was better than nothing. From Annabelle’s station she moved to Beau’s.
Somehow Beau had left his phone behind. She took a cursory glance at the screen and recognized a number. Who do I know that he would be texting? She read the portion of the message that was visible. She committed the number to memory so she could look in her phone for the same number. She replaced the phone then moved on. It was the only clue she found.
Janie found a big fat zip. Nothing.
***
Steve helped Willow load up her chili into his truck then drove the short distance into town while she was searching her phone for recognizable numbers. She knew that number in Beau’s phone. She was sure of it.
“Ah ha! There it is.” She looked at the chief. “Do you know how Molly and Beau Lovett know one another? He has a text message from her on his phone. I could only read the little bit that was on the front notices, but it was definitely from her. And she asked him if he found it.”
Steve looked at her as he was parking. “Found what?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I have no idea. But she certainly wanted to know.” She thought back to the cook off. “You know what? Earlier tonight, I saw Molly come out of the house looking guilty about something then a few minutes later I saw Beau do the same thing. I wonder what is up with those two.”
People were already mingling in the park. It seemed as if the whole town came out to support the cook-off. Or maybe it was just an excuse to get out of cooking for the evening. Either way, Willow was just thankful for the support. A week ago she was wondering if she would have to leave town with her tail between her legs. Now, it seemed she was in the town’s good graces again. People had been buying tickets all week for the chili dinner.
Molly was thrilled. She had taken a hit for the cook off expenses and wasn’t able to recoup her investment. This was putting her back in the black.
Even Cookie had shown up and helped out. She had big pans of cornbread to accompany the chili. Willow’s part timers had chopped enough onions and dished up enough grated cheese and sour cream for everyone to top off their bowls as they saw fit. Willow had opened her shop and offered a discount on ice cream cones for dessert. Someone had set up a temporary stage and a local band was playing country music. The night couldn’t have been more perfect. Well, it could have. If Willow had found the murderer. That would have made the evening perfect.
She sidled up to Molly who had just taken a long sip of sweet tea. “How are you? I’ve hardly got to say two words to you all evening.”
Molly jumped. “Goodness, you scared me. Do you always sneak up on people like that?” She regained her composure. “Happy as a dead pig in the sunshine. Turns out this idea of yours was a sure thing. Thank you. You saved my hide.”
Why in the world would a dead pig be happy in the sunshine? “Um, okay. You’re welcome then.” Willow was quiet for a moment. “I’m not sure people really came out to commemorate Delonda, but that’s okay. We had fun anyway.”
“I think you’re right. Most people who knew her didn’t really like her at all.” Molly looked around. “I invited her mother but I guess she had better things to do. She didn’t show up. I’m fixin’ to give her a call later. Tell her we missed her. Bless her little heart.”
“Yes, if Delonda’s own mother wasn’t interested in honoring her child, I guess there wouldn’t be too many other people who cared either. Which is just sad. Everyone should have someone who cares about them.” Willow skillfully changed the subject, or so she thought. “Was that you and Beau I saw leaving together earlier out at the ranch?”
Molly stumbled over her words. “Me and Beau? Together? Oh, Honey, no. You must be mistaken.”
“Oh, for some reason I thought I saw you two together. Must have been someone else.”
Willow watched Molly excuse herself for the restroom. Molly pulled out her phone as she was walking. Willow wished she could see who she was texting. But she had a pretty good guess.
As Willow was turning to the ice cream shop, she noticed a lone figure standing off by himself. A tall, dark, handsome man who seemed to be watching the major players in the suspect pool.
Chapter 14
The next day Willow caught up with Richard Sutton. He had skipped the chili dinner in the park, saying he was needed at his restaurant. Whether or not he was telling the truth, she didn’t know. He’d made his appearance. If he was the killer, then he didn’t consider leaving early a statement of guilt.
She decided she was in the mood for some real southern barbecue. She drug Embry along for good measure. “Let’s watch Mr. Sutton in action, shall we?”
Willow didn’t want to make Richard mad. She had already seen what he was capable of. She didn’t want to be banned either, especially if the barbecue was as good as it was rumored to be. She ordered a pulled pork barbecue sandwich and an order of sweet potato fries. Embry decided to try their barbecue chicken and garlic mashed potatoes. Both were delicious.
Richard Sutton was a genius as far as Willow was concerned. The stuff she was rolling around on her tongue could have been the best barbecue she had ever eaten. She’d had some good barbecue in her day. She could understand why he was so upset with Delonda and her accusations. He passed by their table and she called out to him.
“Mr. Sutton. Hi, it’s me, Willow, from the chili cook-off.”
He seemed a bit distracted and looked nervously toward the door. He said hi just as the door opened and Beau and Molly walked in the door. At first the pair smiled and waved at Richard, until Richard pointed out Willow, then their demeanor changed. Especially Molly’s.
Molly turned seven shades of red and immediately backed out of the front door, her eyes never leaving Willow’s.
Willow turned to Embry. “Things are about to get interesting.”
Beau marched over to her table. “What are you doing here?” He demanded.
“I heard Richard’s barbecue was the best around and I just had to see for myself.” She wiped her mouth with her napkin. “I also know somet
hing fishy is going on with you—three.” She thought it was only Beau and Molly, but now, she was certain Richard had his hand in whatever was going on as well. But what? Did they all three plot Delonda’s murder together?
Beau stormed out of the restaurant. Willow presumed after Molly. He probably wanted to make sure she didn’t do anything stupid, like confess. Willow shook her head. She had really liked Molly. What had she been thinking? And then to lie on top of it all. Molly really should reconsider attending Bible study. Or maybe not. Bible study was probably the best place for murderers and liars.
Just as Willow was turning back to her sandwich, she noticed the same man seated near her who had been quietly observing at last night’s chili in the park. It was no coincidence, of that she was sure. She had to find out who he was. She stood up as if to go the restroom then turned and seated herself at his table.
“Who are you?” She demanded without introducing herself.
She should have given Embry a heads up, but decided to just go for it. Her daughter would probably have tried to talk her out of it.
The young man looked to be around 30. He had dark, ebony skin and a large hands with delicate long fingers. She would guess a piano player. She waited for his answer.
“Why do you want to know?”
“Because I saw you out at the chili picnic and now here you are at the restaurant of one of the judges. I think you’re up to something.”
He nodded. “I’ve been watching you too. I have the same goal in mind, to find out who murdered my girlfriend.”
Willow’s mouth dropped open. “Delonda was your girlfriend?”
“Yes, she was.”
Willow started to react then remembered he was probably grieving. At least she hoped he was. She would hate to add another suspect to her already mind numbing list. “I’m sorry for your loss.” He genuinely looked upset. She was relieved.
He nodded, accepting her condolences.
Then she continued. “Do you have any leads? Any information to help us catch a murderer?”
“I only know what Delonda told me. Someone had been threatening her, leaving messages on her cell phone, sending her threats at the newspaper. But, that stuff had been happening for a long time.” He shook his head in doubt. “I don’t think it’s the same person. No, I think the murderer is someone entirely different.”
She happened to agree with him. She already knew of the threats, of which there had been many. Steve had filled her in on those. No, this was someone who was taking their revenge to another level altogether.
He ran his hand over his barely there hair. “I know Delonda was a difficult person. I know she had made more enemies than most people put together. But that was her persona. That was who she was in public. It was part of her branding, as she liked to call it. In private she was caring and loving.”
Willow highly doubted the lovey dovey bit, but, hey, the guy was obviously living in a dream world. Even her mother saw Delonda for who she was, a manipulative, conniving, self-serving, woman who would step on anyone and anything to get what she wanted. Willow figured someone finally got sick of her antics and put a stop to it. This person was a doer. A person who followed through. Not someone who made idle threats.
“I’m Willow, by the way.” She finally decided to use some manners and introduce herself.
“I know who you are.” He extended his hand. “I’m Tayven.”
Willow shook his hand, very carefully. She didn’t want to hurt those piano hands. If he didn’t play piano, he should.
Tayven was still talking. She hoped she didn’t miss anything.
“Like I said, I’ve been trying to figure this thing out. I’m at a dead end. I just don’t know if the person who did this is ever going to pay for what they did.”
“We’re going to find them. Is there anything at all, anything you can think of, even something that doesn’t seem to make a difference in the grand scheme of things? Anything Delonda told you or might have hinted at?”
“You know, she kept talking about this one woman from years back. When she first got started on her column and before she started her vlog, about how this one woman was out to get her. She never did tell me her name. I wish she had. But, the thing is, she swore the woman had tried to kill her once before, by using peanuts in her baked goods. I think it’s too much of a coincidence now that the killer actually used peanuts to murder her. Delonda didn’t let too many people know about her allergy. In fact, if she hadn’t of had a mild reaction the morning of the cook-off, to the medications she was on, she probably would have lived. The medical examiner said the two combined just went into over drive and her body wouldn’t have recovered, even if she had recognized the signs and used her EpiPen.”
He swallowed a large gulp of tea. “I don’t understand why she didn’t even try. People said she didn’t even go for her epi. Why didn’t she? She knows when she is having an allergic reaction.”
Willow wished she had answers for him. And she hoped to soon. But, at the moment, she didn’t. All she could do is pat his hand and comfort him best she knew how. While doing so, her mind was stuck on the lady who had used peanuts to made Delonda sick once before. Who was she? She had to get to the bottom of this. She just had to.
Willow exchanged phone numbers with Tayven and promised to let him know if she figured anything out. He promised to call her if he thought of anything that might shed some light on who wanted his girlfriend dead.
Chapter 15
Willow dropped Embry off then headed to the shop. She had to play catch up. This murder business was keeping her from her tasks. She had to practice better time management skills. She tucked her phone in her pocket. No distractions. None.
She made three batches each of her banana bread and her world famous cinnamon rolls. Okay, they weren’t world famous. Yet. But, they were Turtle famous. She patted her thighs. She would know. She spoke to the gooey dough before her. “I have a love hate relationship with you, you know that, right?” Her mind drifted to the cinnamon treat and knew she’d be having one, or possibly two, of those for supper. If she got them finished.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She ignored it. She had to take care of business. A few minutes later, she heard pounding on the shop door. She washed her hands then went to the door. She opened the door to Molly, who was drenched in either tears or snot, or perhaps both.
“Molly, come in. I’m surprised to see you here.”
“I’m sorry, Willow. I really am. I’ve been a fool and I’ve got to get some things off my chest.” She blubbered some more.
Willow waited. She assured Molly that confession was good for the soul then sat down to hear her out.
“I know I’ve been acting kind of crazy lately.” She blew her nose on a cloth handkerchief. She wrung her hands together. “I’m nervous as a long-tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
Willow shuddered. Cloth? What happened to good old fashioned tissues? And what in the world does any of this have to do with cats and rocking chairs?
“I just didn’t know who I could talk to.”
“You’ve come to the right person. You can talk to me.” Willow listened intently as Molly began to tell the whole sordid story. She could just imagine the bitterness at having your café, your livelihood taken away from you by a woman on a mission. She even understood Molly wanting revenge…
“Willow, are you listening to me?” She dabbed her nose.
Willow shook her head. “Yes, I was listening. You said you killed Delonda because she took your café away, because she placed your entire family in financial devastation, because she ruined you.
“No, I didn’t say that. You weren’t listening.”
What? She didn’t confess? Willow leaned forward in her chair. “Didn’t you come here to confess? I thought you needed someone to talk to?”
“Yes, I did come to confess…
Willow cut her off. “See, I was listening.”
&nb
sp; “No, you weren’t. I didn’t come here to confess to murdering no one. I came to confess something altogether different. I lied to you the other night. I was with Beau in your house.”
Willow watched the waterworks start again. Who cares whether or not she was in the house if it doesn’t have anything to do with Delonda’s murder! “Spill it, Molly.”
“I’m trying…I am. I’m such a horrible person. Beau and I are starting a café together. He is helping me get back on my feet, and get my good name restored.”
Willow scrunched up her face. “That’s it?”
“You thought I was going to confess to Delonda’s murder? How could you think something like that?” Molly started crying all over again.
“You were slinking around. You were acting guilty.”
“No, I was trying to be considerate. I didn’t want people to think I was benefiting from her being gone. We thought it would be best to let things smooth over before we told anyone what we were up to. Richard is going in on it with us. And tonight, when you saw us, I knew I had to tell you. The guilt was eating me alive.”
Did Willow hear that right? The guilt over keeping their business venture a secret was eating her alive? Who thinks that way? “So, are you saying you didn’t kill Delonda Posey?”
“No, goodness, no. I would never kill anyone.”
“You came here to confess that you’re reopening your café? That’s it?”
Molly sniffed. “Well, there is one other thing.”
Willow perked up. “Ha! Tell me!”
“Beau and I started seeing each other, romantically that is. I just had to tell you. I’m so happy except when I’m trying to hide how I really feel. Now, I can be open and tell the world. I’m in love and I’m getting my business back.”
Willow watched Molly turn from a babbling cry baby into a joyful woman in love. Willow gave Molly a hug. “I’m so glad for you. You deserve to be happy.”