Poison Me (4 page)

Jake coughed to hide a laugh. How many times had he seen that fake smile when Grandma was ready to let him have it?

Mrs. Smelter assumed what she must have thought was a stern expression, but on her cherubic face it didn’t fit. “Now dear, everyone present Thursday night explained to you that Anne had succumbed to her respiratory illness. It’s hard to fight disease when you’re old. The police found no evidence of foul play. I found no evidence that she didn’t die of natural causes. I’m sorry for your loss.” She patted Ruby’s shoulder and sidestepped to greet the next person in line.

Ruby’s grip tightened on Jake’s arm, and he lifted his eyebrows. The mortician had better be careful next time she encountered Grandma. It would not be a good experience for Mrs. Smelter. Not at all.

Jake’s eyes shifted from his boiling-mad grandma to the front of the redbrick church. The retirement center’s new activities director descended the steps, Ellie and Marissa hovering on each side of her. The round-shouldered ladies on her flanks emphasized Chanel’s stately beauty. A white rayon shirt complimented her trim torso, and a black skirt swirled around well-defined calves. Jake wondered why any woman with legs like that wouldn’t show them off a little more. Her dark eyes squinted against the intense rays of the sun.

Ellie spotted him and Ruby and dragged Chanel in their direction. Marissa trailed behind. Jake couldn’t take his gaze off Chanel. She met his stare and her face darkened. The birthmark on her temple became more pronounced, giving her an exotic look and enhancing her eyes.

“Where were you two sitting?” Ellie demanded. “Why didn’t you save us a spot?”

Ruby exhaled, clenching Jake’s forearm until it stung. “It wasn’t a social event, Ellie.”

Marissa sniffed and placed a lace handkerchief to her nose. “No. Our dear Anne. Cut down in her prime.”

Ellie’s mouth twisted. “Hardly her prime, and we don’t know she was cut down.”

Ruby started to protest. “I know she was murdered, and you should know too. I can’t believe you, Ellie. You were with me—”

Ellie dragged her finger across her lips, commanding Ruby’s silence. “Anne is gone and there’s nothing we can do about that. The service was beautiful. Let’s end it on a good note.”

Ruby’s eyes opened wider. Jake prayed they wouldn’t have one of their renowned battles on the church’s front lawn.

“We understand, Rubes.” Ellie patted her hand. “We know how much you loved Anne and how you want to justify her death. Of course we’re all sad and look forward to seeing Anne on the other side.” Tossing her head back, Ellie stared at Ruby. “Now please stop tarnishing our friend’s memory with speculation about a murder that may or may not have been committed.”

Michael approached the group. Ruby clamped her lips and glared at him.

“Hello, Michael.” Ellie shaded her eyes with a black-gloved hand and tipped her head up to smile at him. “Wasn’t that a nice service?”

“It was.” Michael nodded. “Anne has a great family.”

“Oh, yes,” Marissa said. “Her son’s talk brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful tribute. And those darling granddaughters singing that song…” Her head bobbed. “What a bunch of dolls.”

Everyone murmured agreement. Jake cast a glance at Chanel. A soft smile played on her lips, and she seemed to be working to avoid his gaze.

Michael focused on Ruby. “How are you holding up?”

Grandma Ruby pursed her lips, not answering.

Marissa shook her head. “Sad as can be.”

Ellie swung her purse, rocking from heel to toe. Her lips drooped into a soft pout. “That’s right. We might need a big, strong man to comfort us.”

Jake held in a laugh. Aunt Ellie must’ve been something when she was young. Her petite body, perfect style, and feisty attitude probably drew in many a man. He searched Chanel’s face, interested in her reaction. She met his stare, amusement in her dark eyes.

Michael reached for Ruby’s hand. “How are you, Ruby?”

Her gaze was cold, and Jake wondered what Mr. Trapper had done to warrant such rudeness from his sweet grandma.

“I’ve been better.” Ruby shook her hand from his grip. “Will you excuse us, please?”

Michael nodded, said goodbye, and walked away with a stiff back. Within seconds he was surrounded by several women from the retirement center. Jake stifled a grin. Apparently Michael was more desirable than the chocolate pound cake the women always raved about. He looked at his grandma. She glowered at Michael’s backside. Jake wished he dared ask why she disliked Mr. Trapper so much.

Ellie clucked her tongue, watching him walk away. “Fine man.” She turned to face the group. “Now, I’m sweating and hungry, and neither work for me. Let’s go find some air conditioning and good food.”

Ruby’s mouth dropped. “You want to skip out on Anne’s funeral and go to lunch? How can you be so selfish? We need to go to the cemetery and see them bless the grave.”

“We saw the funeral. All you’re going to miss is another prayer.” Ellie rolled her eyes. “You really want to follow them all the way up to Mink Creek?” She harrumphed and gestured at the cars puttering into line behind the hearse, and the people still milling around the church’s lawn.

Jennalou walked down the steps of the church, wiping the handrail as she gingerly maneuvered the decline. Olivia, the redheaded florist, bounced behind Jennalou with armfuls of flowers.

Ellie pointed. “Look at all these people. Olivia’s going to make it all look beautiful. Jennalou even risked the germs or the police locking her up in a mental institution to make an appearance. Good heavens, they’ll never miss us. I’m craving a Big J’s shake.”

Jake hoped his grandma would listen to Ellie this time. He’d love to skip the graveside service. He could do without the handkerchiefs and sobbing family members. He’d experienced enough sorrow to sustain him through the century.

Ruby shook her head. “It’s not proper to miss the graveside service.”

Marissa smiled, tiny cracks appeared in her painted-on lips. She reached an arm around Ruby’s waist, squeezing her friend. “Since when did we worry about what was proper? We’ve already seen too many loved ones lowered into the earth. Think about our friend Anne. She would tell us to go to lunch.”

Ruby sighed but didn’t answer.

Jake looked at Chanel. She held his gaze with a soft smile.

“Chanel,” Ellie said. “You’re joining us for lunch.”

“I should be getting back to work,” she said, not glancing away from Jake.

“Oh, hogwash.” Ellie waved a white handkerchief. “You’re our activities director. You need to entertain us.” She linked her arm through Chanel’s. “Besides, Jake always pays for lunch, so you’d better not pass up on that gravy train.”

Chanel turned to Ellie. “Oh, I couldn’t let him pay for my lunch.”

Ellie shook her head. “What kind of a woman are you? I let every man I know pay for anything they’re willing to pony up for.” She held up three fingers. “My husbands. Buried ’em all. Married a richer one every time. The next sucker fish better be a billionaire, I tell ya.” She patted Chanel’s arm. “Now you take my advice and let the man buy you lunch. From the look in his eyes, he won’t mind at all.”

Jake was the one blushing now. “Watch it, Aunt Ellie, or I’ll make you pick up the tab today.”

She cackled. “Ha. We raised you to be a gentleman. After a comment like that, you’re going to have to take us to the nicest restaurant in town. Well, ladies, enough of this blubbering.” She kissed her fingers, waving them in the general direction of the hearse. “Love you, Anne, our dear friend. See you in the next life.” Ellie pointed toward the parking lot. “Let’s do this.” Plowing through the crowd, she dragged Chanel and Marissa to her car.

Jake turned to his grandma. “If you want to go to the graveside…”

Ruby shook her head, eyes red and sunken. “It’s okay, sweetie. It is a long drive. I’ll have you take me to visit the grave when there aren’t so many people around.”

“If you’re sure…” He left it dangling, but his voice was full of hope that she’d follow her friends. Ellie was right—no one would miss them at the graveside service. He’d gladly pay for everyone’s dinner if he could keep studying Chanel.

“I’m sure.” Ruby mustered up a smile and pivoted toward the street.

Jake tucked her hand through his arm and walked to his Chevy truck. After opening the door, he gently lifted his grandma off her feet and onto the seat.

She smiled. “Good thing you’re so strong or you’d have to get a different car.”

“You weigh nothing.”

They followed Ellie’s silver Cadillac to The Pizza Villa. “This is her idea of a fancy restaurant?” Jake asked as they exited the vehicle.

Ruby smiled. “There aren’t a lot of options in Preston.”

Jake focused on the beautiful woman Ellie leaned on. She walked up the concrete steps and entered the old redbrick house that had been converted into Preston’s most successful pizza parlor. Jake glimpsed her trim legs from the short split in the back of her skirt. He wished the split rose higher.

Ellie glanced back and caught him looking. She released Chanel’s arm and slithered to his side. “Girl covers up far too much,” she said loudly enough for the cars driving past to hear.

Chanel’s head swiveled. She caught Jake’s stare and quickly turned back around.

He shook his head. “Didn’t notice.”

Ellie chortled. “Yeah, right. About time I caught you checking out a woman.” She winked. “Starting to wonder if you were going to bat for the all boys’ team.”

Jake rolled his eyes, then opened the door for the ladies and ushered them into the restaurant. Not being interested in women had never been his problem. No, it was his inability to forget what he’d done to Angela that prevented him from pursuing anything besides flirtations and an occasional first date.

***

Chanel swirled the lemon slice in her Diet Coke as the conversation flowed around her. She smiled and nodded at the appropriate times, but being this close to Jake Merrill made her speechless. She’d seen him several times at the Palace this past week, wearing a dress shirt, tie, and slacks. Clearly, he wasn’t comfortable in the attire—his tie was always loose and his shirt rumpled—but with his athletic frame he looked good in it. Chanel liked his dark hair and skin and the way his gaze seemed to linger on her.

He leaned across the vinyl tablecloth. “Chanel?”

She jumped. “Oh, sorry. Were you talking to me?”

Jake winked. “I was trying.”

“Sorry.” Her throat suddenly parched, Chanel took a sip of her soda. “What did you ask me?”

“Where did you move from?”

Four pairs of eyes zeroed in on her as everyone awaited her reply. She rubbed at her birthmark and murmured, “Las Vegas.”

Jake arched an eyebrow. “Really? What pulled you from party central to tiny-town Idaho?”

She smiled. “A job.”

“There aren’t jobs in Vegas?”

Chanel looked at Ruby, Ellie, and Marissa. She cared for them, but they didn’t need to feel sorry for her. “Nothing as fun as being around these gals.”

Ellie rolled her eyes.

“Did she just call us
gals?”
Marissa asked.

“Wish I could say you’d misunderstood.” Ellie poked at an ice cube with her straw.

Warmth crept up Chanel’s cheeks.

Ruby smiled softly. “Thank you, dear. We’re very glad to have you.”

“Whoa, whoa.” Jake held up a hand. “Don’t let her skirt the question with a comment like that, Grandma.”

Ellie chuckled, while Chanel stiffened. Ruby turned to glare at her grandson. “Where did I go wrong?”

“What?” He was the picture of innocence—a very fine-looking picture.

“I taught you manners. Now you put them to use, young man.”

Jake smiled at Ruby, then focused the force of that smile on Chanel. At that moment she would’ve told him anything he wanted—anything but the reasons she’d fled Vegas.

“I’m sorry, Chanel. I guess I can’t tease around Grandma Ruby. When you’re ready to let me in on your secrets, I’ll be here.”

Marissa leaned into Ellie. “Did he say they’re going to have a secret tryst in the chair?”

Ellie grinned. “I hope so. Do we get to watch?”

Ruby snapped her fingers at Ellie. “Stop.”

Chanel felt blood rush to her face. She rubbed at her birthmark. Jake winked.

Mercifully, the salads arrived and Ruby changed the subject. “How are we going to find Anne’s killer?”

Ellie groaned, dropping her fork into the wooden bowl. “And she brought it up—again.”

Ruby glowered at her.

Jake shook his head, drizzling ranch dressing onto his greens. “I’m sure the police are working on that, Grandma.”

Chanel took a bite of the lettuce mixed with Italian dressing and shredded mozzarella.

“No, Jake. The police most definitely are
not
working on it,” Ruby said. “You didn’t hear them that night. They kept saying, ‘Old people just die. Lucky woman went in her sleep.’” She stabbed a cherry tomato with her fork, then jabbed it around the table at each of them in turn. “She wasn’t a lucky woman. None of you saw it. Well, Ellie saw it, but she isn’t any help.”

“Hey,” Ellie protested.

“It was horrible,” Ruby said, shaking the tomato. “Horrible. She told me someone did it to her. A woman. Anne clearly said, ‘She poisoned me.’”

Chanel felt bad for Ruby but wished she’d let the subject drop. She’d talked to the building managers the morning after Anne passed. No one was going to investigate the death of an old woman. No one but Ruby even seemed concerned.

Silence cloaked their corner of the restaurant for several uncomfortable seconds. Then Ruby’s fork clattered to the table, and she folded her arms across her chest. “I’m going to find out who killed her.”

Ellie rolled her eyes, but she seemed to be enjoying her salad and for once kept her retort to herself. Chanel glanced at Jake. He raised one shoulder, his lips pursed.

Ruby straightened in her chair and grabbed Ellie’s arm.

“Ouch!” Ellie shook her off. “Enough about this killer business. Let me eat in peace or I won’t invite you next time your grandson takes us to lunch.”

“Do you think Jennalou could’ve done it?”