Better Off Thread, page 6
“That’s a nice story.”
“Uh-huh.” His tone was still a little patronizing, so I wasn’t about to let him off the hook quite yet. “It’s more Mom’s anecdote than mine, but it’s my Limoges angel.” I pointed toward myself. “Because I was an angel in McDonald Murphy’s big brown eyes, mister.”
“Maybe so. But you’re my Inch-High Private Eye.” He swung me up into his arms and kissed me.
“Do you think I should tell Mom about Captain Moe?” I asked. “I haven’t spoken with her since I called her on Thanksgiving Day.”
“That’s up to you. He hasn’t been charged yet, and I know you wouldn’t want to worry her for no reason. But, then, if he’s charged—”
“Do you think he will be? Have you heard something?”
“I haven’t heard anything. And I thought we were forgetting about our troubles for the time being.” He picked up a cross-stitched bear in a round frame and grinned. “Who gave you this teddy bear? Was it Elvis? Did he sing that teddy-bear song while rocking you to sleep or something?”
I smiled. “No. No one gave me that bear. It was the first cross-stitch ornament I ever made.”
He held it up and looked at it more closely. “You did a good job. How old were you?”
“I was eight.”
Ted put the bear on the tree, and I lifted a Marilyn Monroe ornament out of the box. The porcelain piece depicted Marilyn in the subway-grate scene in The Seven-Year Itch.
“I just got this one last year after opening the Stitch,” I said. “I thought it was a fitting memento.”
“Indeed it is. We should bring Jill here on Christmas Day so she can enjoy it.”
I laughed. “That would be downright creepy.”
“Wouldn’t it, though? We’d leave the room, and when we’d come back she’d be in a slightly different spot. We’d wonder if we imagined it or if she really had moved. It’d be like we were in the Twilight Zone.”
“Will you stop it? You’re gonna make me afraid to go back to the shop!”
Ted was still laughing when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get that. Get your next ornament and story ready.”
When Ted returned to the living room, Todd and Audrey were with him. Audrey was a tall, athletic redhead who was a deputy on the police force. She and Todd seemed to be a good match.
“Hey, we’re just in time to help decorate the Christmas tree,” said Todd.
“At the rate we’re going, you could’ve come this time tomorrow and still had time to help decorate the tree.” Ted winked.
I made a squeak of protest. “I thought you wanted to hear the stories that go along with my ornaments.”
“I do, darling. I do.” He began pointing out ornaments to Todd and Audrey. “This one was a gift from the pope. This one came from Queen Elizabeth . . . or was it Princess Diana?”
I playfully slapped his shoulder. “Fine. I’m not telling you another thing about my ornaments. Todd, Audrey, would you like something to drink?”
“I’d love some coffee if you have some,” Audrey said. “It’s getting chilly out there.”
“Come with me to the kitchen and we’ll make some.”
“Let my boy Angus in!” Todd called. “He was looking at us over the back fence all sad and dejected because he’s being left out of the merriment!”
“He can’t come in until after the tree is decorated!” I called back.
Once we got to the kitchen, I asked Audrey if she wanted regular or decaffeinated coffee.
“Regular, please, if that’s all right with you.”
“It’s fine with me.”
“Do you really have an ornament from the pope?” she asked.
“No. Ted was just teasing. I told him about the ornament McDonald Murphy gave me, and now suddenly every ornament I have has a pedigree.”
She smiled, then glanced over her shoulder to make sure the men weren’t coming to join us. “Todd told me about Captain Moe, so I called my friend at the TCPD today. She doesn’t really know anything that you guys don’t already—at least, according to what Todd told me—but she says she’ll keep me updated on any new developments.”
“Thanks.”
I filled the carafe with water and poured it into the top of the coffeemaker. As the water heated and filtered through the coffee, the kitchen filled with the rich scent of the dark-roasted beans.
“Have you ever met Captain Moe?” I asked Audrey.
“Todd took me to eat at his diner once. The food was wonderful, but I can’t do that very often without gaining a ton. Todd introduced us, and he seemed like a really nice guy.”
“He’s a sweetheart.” I took some cookies from the freezer, put them on a plate, and warmed them in the microwave. “I know he’s innocent. I just wish the case was with your department instead of theirs. I trust Ted and Manu much more than detectives Bailey and Ray.”
“How do you know detectives Bailey and Ray?”
“I’ve dealt with them on a couple of occasions—once when an elderly woman named Louisa Ralston died in my shop, and again when Mom was a suspect in the murder of that movie star a few months ago.”
“I remember that. The film crew was working on the outskirts of town, weren’t they?”
I nodded. “So it was their jurisdiction rather than Ted’s and Manu’s.”
“My friend speaks highly of those two detectives. What did they do to destroy your faith in them?”
I thought about that for a moment. “The main thing is that they just aren’t Ted and Manu. But they also went after me—hard—and if Ted, Manu, and I hadn’t been doing our own detective work, they’d have arrested me instead of the real criminal in both instances.”
She smiled. “Give them a chance. They’ll do right by Captain Moe.”
I put the coffee, sugar, creamer, mugs, and cookies on a tray and took it into the living room. Ted and Todd had sat down and were discussing the Ducks—the college football team, not actual waterfowl.
I placed the tray on the coffee table and allowed everyone to help themselves.
“Did we miss anything?” I asked.
“Nope,” said Todd, stuffing a cookie into his mouth. “We were waiting for you.” He chewed and swallowed before picking up a wooden reindeer. “I want to hear about the Tibetan monks who carved this for their precious little Marcy.”
I anchored my fists to my hips. “I’m going to kill you both. And then Audrey is going to have to arrest me.”
“Nah, we’ll take ’em out back and bury them, and then we’ll come back in here and eat cookies and finish decorating this tree.” She smirked at Todd.
“Gee, it’s nice to be so highly thought of,” he said.
“And, for your information, that particular ornament was whittled for me by Gary Cooper.” I snatched the reindeer from him and hung it on the tree.
“Really?” he asked.
“No, not really. My seventh-grade boyfriend made it for me.”
“Oooh, Wyatt Earp, you have some competition.”
“I’m not worried,” Ted said. “I could make a better reindeer than that with one hand tied behind my back.”
Before I could respond, Audrey’s phone rang. She took it from her pocket, glanced at the screen, and said she needed to take the call.
As she stepped out to the foyer, we all got serious. When police officers get calls that they have to take, it’s rarely good news.
I tried to make light conversation while Audrey was speaking in hushed tones ten feet away. “Todd, do you have your tree up yet?”
“The one in the pub is up, but not the one at home. My mom always comes over and, um, helps me with that.”
“You mean, you watch her put your tree up?” Ted teased.
“Pretty much,” said Todd.
Audrey came back into the living room, her face grim. “That was my friend with the TCPD. The warrant just went out for Maurice Patrick’s arrest.”
It took me a millisecond to register the fact that Audrey was talking about Captain Moe. “What? That can’t be!”
Ted got up and put his arm around my shoulders. “What new evidence did they uncover?”
“The victim had DNA beneath her fingernails,” said Audrey. “When Captain Moe was questioned the other day, he agreed to allow the police to take a DNA sample. It was a match.”
Chapter Eight
After Audrey gave us the news, Ted made a few phone calls.
“The Tallulah County Police Department called Riley, and she was able to accompany Captain Moe to the police station, where he turned himself in. He was processed and is being held until his arraignment tomorrow morning at nine.”
“Processed?” I asked. “What does that mean?”
Ted put his arms around me. “Fingerprinted, photographed.” He kissed the top of my head. “He’ll be all right, babe.”
“How can you say it’ll be all right? They’ve found solid evidence against Captain Moe! It has to be a mistake! I told you those detectives were incompetent!”
“They don’t have evidence that he murdered Sandra Vincent,” he said. “Only that . . .”
They must’ve been exchanging looks over my head, because Ted, Audrey, and Todd all began speaking at once.
“They made physical contact,” said Ted.
“Maybe Captain Moe killed the old broad in self-defense!” This came from Todd.
Audrey said, “We all pass along DNA every day. Still circumstantial.”
“But this DNA was under the victim’s fingernails and it was strong enough evidence for Bailey and Ray to make an arrest,” I said, feeling deflated.
“Hey, there’s nothing we can do to help Captain Moe tonight,” Ted said. “Why don’t we finish decorating the tree?”
“We could help,” Audrey said.
“At least, we can until I have to get back to the Brew Crew.” Todd picked up a Santa Claus ornament that was older than I was and looking a little worse for wear. “Dang. This is the saddest Santa I’ve ever seen.”
“I imagine you could find a sadder one at the Tallulah County jail about right now,” I said.
Needless to say, the rest of our tree decorating was kind of a downer.
* * *
The next morning, Ted picked me up at eight thirty. It was drizzling rain, so I left Angus inside while Ted and I went to the Tallulah County courthouse. I promised the reproachful-looking hound that I’d be back to get him before going to work.
Ted and I sat in the back of the courtroom. I squeezed his hand when the bailiff led Captain Moe out to the table to sit beside Riley. They conferred quietly for a moment before the judge called Captain Moe’s case. Riley pled not guilty on Captain Moe’s behalf, explained the importance of his being able to run his business while awaiting trial, and requested bail. Bail was set and paid.
We waited for Riley and Captain Moe in the lobby of the courthouse. When they came through the double doors, it was all I could do not to launch myself right at them.
Instead, I hovered and waited for them to approach Ted and me. While we waited, I spotted detectives Bailey and Ray walking in our direction. I glanced back toward Riley and Captain Moe, wondering whether or not the Tallulah County homicide detectives would be inclined to stop and chat with Ted and me. They were.
“Well, Ms. Singer and Detective Nash,” said Detective Ray, a square-bodied, white-haired detective with a gravelly voice. “Why am I not surprised to see you here?”
“You’re not surprised, Ray, because anytime a denizen of Tallulah Falls is involved in any sort of trouble, you can bet that Ms. Singer’s pert little nose will be right there.” Detective Bailey planted his hands on his hips and rocked back on his brown leather loafers. “Right, Ms. Singer?”
Bailey was the younger of the two, was tall, and had thinning dark blond hair and a thick mustache.
“That’s uncalled for, Bailey,” Ted said. “Marcy and I are here as friends of Maurice Patrick. We’re concerned about him—that’s all.”
“We can appreciate that,” said Bailey. “Just make sure your concern doesn’t translate into your meddling in our investigation.”
I lifted my chin. “And you make sure you find the person truly responsible for Sandra Vincent’s death. Captain Moe is innocent.”
“You’re sure?” Detective Ray asked. “You were with Mr. Patrick at the time of the murder?”
“No, but—”
“Stay out of our way and let us do our jobs,” said Detective Bailey. “If Patrick is indeed innocent, then he and his attorney have the opportunity to present evidence to attest to that. But if he’s guilty, he’s going to prison for life.”
Ted stepped forward. “Look, Bailey, you need to—”
“Hi, guys!” It was Riley whose appearance and bright greeting interrupted Ted.
“Hey, Riley,” he said.
“If you’ll excuse us, we need to get back to the precinct,” said Detective Ray. “Ms. Singer, give your mother our regards.”
As soon as the detectives had walked away, Riley said, “I’m sorry for interrupting like that, but it appeared your discussion was getting heated. I didn’t want you guys to get into trouble.” She smiled. “My caseload is kinda heavy at the moment.”
Captain Moe waited for the detectives to leave to approach us.
“Are you all right?” I asked him. “Did they treat you well?”
He smiled and gave me a hug. “Yes, Tink. I’m fine.”
Ted looked to make certain detectives Ray and Bailey had indeed left the courthouse before addressing Riley. “What do you think?”
“This additional evidence is circumstantial, but it’s huge. I’m calling in Campbell Whitting.”
Campbell Whitting was said to be the best criminal attorney on the West Coast. In fact, he’d helped Mom out with her case not too long ago. I pictured his steely glare and bushy gray hair and beard.
“What I can’t understand is how Sandra Vincent got your DNA under her fingernails,” I said to Captain Moe. “Did she attack you?”
He blushed and looked down at the floor. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. “Um, Tink . . . When I found Ms. Vincent in the conference room Sunday, that wasn’t the first time we’d seen each other that day. We’d had brunch together.”
I didn’t get it. “And that’s when she attacked you?”
His lips twitched. “She didn’t attack me. She kissed me. And when she did, she ran her fingers through my hair. I guess that’s when she got my DNA under her nails. Naturally, the police are refusing to believe that.”
I was literally dumbstruck. I just stood there slack jawed and rooted to the floor, gazing up at the man.
Ted finally put a finger beneath my chin to remind me to close my mouth.
“B-but . . . but . . . But you two hated each other!” I sputtered.
“We disagreed on some things,” said Captain Moe, “but we certainly didn’t hate each other. We’d been socializing for a couple of weeks. It’s how I became aware that the hospital was seeking a Santa.”
“But when I arrived on Saturday, the two of you were arguing.”
“As I said, Marcy, Sandy and I disagreed on some things—one of those things being that I wouldn’t give preferential treatment to one child in the presence of the others. But she was an attractive woman. Intelligent, too.” He shrugged. “I’m human. I like female companionship.”
“Well, yeah, but . . . her?” I shook my head. “I just don’t get it.”
“Babe, we’d better get you back to town,” Ted said. “Your customers are going to be wondering where you are. Riley, Moe, please let us know if there’s anything you need or anything we can do.”
They both said they would, and Ted got me out of there before I could say anything else derogatory.
Still, all the way home, I thought about—and talked about—how absurd the situation struck me.
“Captain Moe and her? I mean, yes, she was attractive, but she wanted him to kowtow to somebody named Carstairs. And Vera said the people at the hospital either hated her or loved her, but everyone loves Captain Moe. I just don’t get the attraction.” I turned to Ted. “Do you?”
“He said she was intelligent. Maybe she was someone with whom he could discuss the mysteries of the universe.”
“You don’t discuss the mysteries of the universe with somebody who has her hands buried in your hair.”
Ted rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Then maybe he just thought she was hot.”
I gasped. “Captain Moe is not that kind of guy.”
“What kind of guy? The kind who enjoys spending time with an attractive woman?”
“Okay, so I guess he is that kind of guy.” I slumped in my seat. “I just never thought of him in that way before. Was he ever married?”
“I have no idea, babe.”
“I wonder if he has children.” I slapped my hand to my forehead. “And I call this man my friend? I know nothing about him!”
“So, what? Now you’re thinking maybe he did kill Sandra Vincent?”
“Of course not! I’m thinking I’m a lousy friend.”
“You’re not a lousy friend,” he assured me. “You’re a wonderful friend. If you handed out questionnaires to potential friends, that’d be creepy.” He tried—and failed—to make his voice sound feminine. “Hi, I’m Marcy. Wanna be my friend? Then please answer the following questions: Have you ever been married? What’s your favorite color? Do you have children? Have you ever been convicted of a crime? If so, felony or misdemeanor?”
“Oh, ha ha. You’re hilarious.”
“Sorry.”
His smirk told me he was not sorry. He was amused. But I let the matter go.
* * *
Thankfully, Vera was the first person to step into the Seven-Year Stitch after Angus and I got there.
“Did you hear about Captain Moe?” she asked.
