Plum Deadly (16 page)

Or was Maggie just reading more into it?

Seeing the last customer out the door, Maggie put Jane’s card in the back pocket of her jeans then put out the Closed sign and locked the door.

Aunt Clara was exhausted after the long, difficult day. Maggie had her aunt sit down with a cup of tea as she began cleaning up.

“It was a good day,” Aunt Clara said. “And I hope we never have another one like it. I love my customers. I just don’t want to see all of them again at one time.”

Maggie laughed as she wiped down all the tables and chairs with disinfectant cleaner. “At least there were customers to see. I’m really glad about that. I’m so sorry about the house. We’ll have to think of some way to pay off that lien.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s good for people to realize that they have something to lose. You could see that today. If Pie in the Sky had closed permanently, people would have to go to Biscuitland for coffee.”

“Very true.” She told her aunt about her recent visit to Biscuitland. “It helped that I was there with Ryan. He makes everything seem better. I know that sounds silly.”

“I’m very happy about it. I think you and Ryan are just perfect together. I’d like to see our little family expand. That means nieces and nephews. They’re the closest thing I’ll have to grandchildren in this lifetime.”

“That’s a little further down the road. Maybe. Right now, Ryan’s father doesn’t think we should be together at all.” Maggie told her about seeing the father and son arguing.

“That will pass with the rest of this awful stuff you’ve been going through. Did you have any time to research on the computer like you wanted to?”

“Not much. Jane Isleb, Stan’s wife, came to see me. I’m not sure exactly why. I couldn’t tell if she was worried about what her brother might have said to me before he died or if she just wanted someone to talk to about it. Or she might not know what to think.”

“Maybe she thinks her husband took the money from the bank and killed her brother,” Aunt Clara said. “Maybe he sent her here to pump you for information.”

“I thought your favorite suspect was Albert Mann?”

“I don’t really have a favorite right now. I’d settle for any of them coming forth to clear their conscience. Wouldn’t that be nice? I’ll bet Detective Waters would like that.”

They both agreed on that—and that it wasn’t going to happen.

Aunt Clara put away the pies that were left for tomorrow. She admired the new refrigerator again for a while. Maggie gasped at the price Mr. Gino’s nephew had charged to take care of the problem.

The shop was clean and the trash ready to go out before the two of them turned off the lights and locked up.

Maggie stared at the closed door for a few minutes, trash in hand. The last time she’d taken the trash out after closing, Lou’s poor, lifeless body had been there. Finally
Aunt Clara came over and wrestled it open for her with a quick, “Don’t dwell on it, honey.”

Even so, they’d both looked out carefully before Maggie stowed away the trash and quickly closed and locked the back door.

On the sidewalk, going toward Aunt Clara’s house, Frank caught up with them. “Evening, ladies. Busy day, huh? Glad to see business wasn’t hurt by the unfortunate circumstances.”

Maggie noticed a police car following slowly along the curb beside them as they walked. “Are you following us?”

“If I was, you wouldn’t know it. I’m good at my job.”

“I would have brought you a slice of pie if I’d known you were going to be out here, Detective,” Aunt Clara said with a smile.

“Thanks, Mrs. Lowder.” He glanced at Maggie. “You know, you could learn a thing or two from your aunt here.”

Maggie wasn’t impressed. “If you’re not following us, why are you here?”

“I was wondering why Louis Goldberg’s sister visited you today.”

Maggie wasn’t sure she wanted to share information with him. They weren’t exactly friendly. Of course, he was probably her best bet for actually finding Lou’s killer.

“She wanted to know if her brother had any last words.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, Maggie decided. It was more a condensation.

“Really?” He sounded skeptical. “It seems odd to me that a man’s sister would want to talk to a person who might have killed him.”

“Detective Waters!” Aunt Clara said. “What a thing to say.”

He had the grace to shrug. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Lowder. It’s my job. Drives my wife crazy.”

“I guess she doesn’t think I killed her brother.” Maggie clenched and unclenched her teeth. This was really getting annoying. “She was more interested in how he died and why the police haven’t made any progress looking for Lou’s killer.”

“Come on now. That one hurt my feelings,” Frank quipped. “After all, we’re doing all we can. We don’t have enough money to send me to the Big Apple. Besides, I have a feeling the person we’re looking for is still right here in Durham. Not necessarily you, Maggie. Any ideas?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “If I did, I’d tell you so you could take the credit for it.”

“Thanks. I think we can figure it out.”

Despite the traffic on the road beside them, it was a pleasant night. It was quiet with no parties or sirens to take away from the peaceful, older neighborhood. The Laundromat next door was still open even though there were only a few people inside, and delicious scents from the Bombay Grill wafted toward them as they walked.

Maggie felt like they were an odd threesome with Frank walking between her and Aunt Clara. She kept her mouth closed and let Aunt Clara ramble on with Frank about various happenings around the city. She wasn’t in the mood to talk. Her brain was working overtime on things she could do to save Aunt Clara’s house and find Lou’s killer.

They walked across the street just before Aunt Clara’s
block. Once on the sidewalk, Frank said, “Just wondering what your boyfriend plans to put in his newspaper about the case tomorrow. Aren’t you a little curious about that? The other papers weren’t too kind to you, Maggie.”

“You should probably ask him,” she said.

He whistled then laughed. “You wouldn’t have believed the stink he put up yesterday when you and I were trying to have a conversation. He did everything but call in the National Guard. That Ryan’s got it bad for you.”

“You mean when you unlawfully detained her,” Aunt Clara said.

“Mrs. Lowder, I don’t know what your niece told you—our conversation was perfectly legal. We weren’t keeping her at the station against her will. We were just talking.”

Maggie was happy and excited that Ryan had stood up for her. It had been a long time since someone had fought for her like that. Probably since she’d left home the first time.

“Anyway,” Maggie said. “I don’t know what Ryan plans to say. It’s his newspaper. Why do you care?”

“I’ll tell you why I care. Sometimes the media gets information from privileged sources,” he replied a little heatedly. “Like you and your aunt here. It makes the police look bad and our captain doesn’t like it. So if there are any surprises coming my way, I’d like to know about it. You could do yourself a favor by giving me a heads-up.”

“I wouldn’t tell you if I knew,” Maggie replied with a grin. “Let’s just leave it that I don’t know. We’ll both find out tomorrow.”

“But aren’t you a little curious?”

They’d reached the house by then. Maggie was looking forward to leaving Frank on the sidewalk as they went inside. She’d had enough of everyone for the day.

Just as she was about to bid him a good night and good riddance, a man stepped out of the shadows and opened the back door to a shiny black car.

For a moment, a light came on, illuminating the interior of the car. Maggie distinctly saw Mark Beck’s anxious face inside the car as Albert Mann stepped out.

I
t was all
Maggie could do not to reach into the car and wring Mark’s handsome, charming neck. He’d been flirting and lying to her for weeks.

Not to mention spying on them the whole time for Albert Mann. All the sweet smiles and extra tips were nothing more than his way of insinuating himself into her good graces. She was angry about every time she’d brought him more coffee or looked for the freshest piece of pie. She’d bought into his act and now she felt like a fool.

Much as she’d have liked to assault him right there and
then, Maggie realized she was in enough trouble without attacking him with Frank looking over her shoulder. Anger built up inside of her anyway. She looked away. She’d have to find another way of dealing with it.

She wouldn’t make a scene in front of everyone. Let him hang himself. Now that she knew who and what he was, she’d be ready for him. She was pretty sure he hadn’t seen her looking at him through the car window. What a surprise that was going to be.

The closing of the car door broke her chain of thought.

“Mrs. Lowder . . . Clara.” Mann smiled and walked right up to Aunt Clara as though they were bosom buddies. “I’m so happy nothing terrible happened after you were forced to close the pie shop by the police. Especially after the sanctity of your home was destroyed with that horrendous breakin. What a tragic turn of events for you.”

Maggie stood beside Frank, choosing him over Mann anytime. At least the police only wanted to solve their case. Albert Mann wanted to put her aunt out of business.

“What are you doing here?” Aunt Clara demanded. “I’ve told you before to stop harassing me. You shouldn’t be at my home. I’m not selling the property to you. Go away.”

“I have a good offer for you, a better offer, in light of your recent difficulties,” Mann continued. “I spoke with your niece about this the first day the pie shop was closed. I assume she told you I was ready to increase the new sum I’m prepared to pay for the property.”

Aunt Clara didn’t even glance at Maggie to confirm or deny his statement. If he’d been trying to drive a wedge between them with that remark, it wasn’t working. “I don’t
care, Albert. I’m tired and I’m going inside. Leave me alone.”

“I’ll be glad to come inside with you and we can discuss it.” Mann smiled and took off his fedora.

“How many times do I have to say no?”

“At least hear me out, Clara.” Mann put his hand on Aunt Clara’s arm.

“I don’t think you’re listening to the lady.” Frank stepped into the fray. “I think you should leave now. She’s obviously not interested in hearing your offer.”

Albert Mann looked down his rather large nose at the police detective. It was a lot like looking at a scruffy brown dog attacking a large black bear.

“I think you should mind your own business. Are you the little paperboy? I’ve heard about you. You’re Maggie’s new boyfriend. So sweet. You’ll find there’s not much that goes on where my interests lie that I’m not aware of.”

Frank took out his badge and held it so the streetlight above them gleamed on it. “No. I’m the man who’s going to arrest you if you keep harassing Mrs. Lowder and her niece. It’s illegal to solicit on the streets of Durham without a permit. Do you have such a permit, sir?”

“Do you know who you’re talking to?” Mann demanded, shaking his cane. “I could take your badge. Get out of here before I notice your name.”

“It’s Frank Waters. Detective Frank Waters.” He almost stood chest-to-chest with the other man. They were both of equal height, but Albert Mann’s girth was much greater. “And my offer to run you in still stands. Go home, sir.”

Albert Mann glared at him then put his fedora back on his head. His driver opened the back door for him again.
“This won’t be the last of it, Detective. Count on hearing from my lawyers about this harassment. I am a legitimate businessman with standing in this community. I am also a personal friend of the mayor.”

Frank snarled at him. “I don’t care who you’re friends with. Get out of my face and off the street before I load your carcass into that police car right over there. You hear me?”

Mann got into the car and continued threatening Frank out of the side window as the driver pulled away from the curb.

Maggie was surprised at his childish behavior. He must want the property even more than she thought. She hadn’t realized the lengths he’d be willing to go to get her aunt to sign on the dotted line.

Too bad for him that Mark wasn’t smart enough to look up the unpaid taxes on the land. He could have had the property for cheap. She smiled, thinking about Mann’s wrath if he ever found out. Maybe she’d have to be the one to mention it to him the next time they saw each other. She was sure there would be a next time.

She wasn’t happy about how it had been done, but at least the pie shop was protected for now. Mann couldn’t touch it.

“How long has this been going on?” Frank muttered to Maggie.

“For a while. He’d been pressuring her to sell before I got back. He comes into the shop and skulks around all the time. Aunt Clara pepper sprayed one of his flunkies because he was so obnoxious.”

“Have you considered a restraining order? His behavior isn’t allowed by law. Your aunt could prevent it.”

“I don’t think she expected it to get this bad,” Maggie explained. “He’s stepped up his game a lot in the last few weeks. I think he might be getting a little desperate. He wasn’t very happy about the pie shop opening back up to such a crowd.”