The Full Cup of Murder: Cozy Murder Mystery (Full Cup Mysteries Book 1) (3 page)

“No. We cannot find any broken windows. None of the locks have been picked.” Linden told me as he walked in. “How are you Alison?”

“I am ok. I just do not understand all of this. My life seemed so normal not even twenty four hours ago and then I find out for the last twenty years things were happening right under my nose!” I cried. Reese sat next to me and put his arms around me. It felt good to have him finally be with me and have him hold me. It made me feel the safest that I have felt since this all happened.

“Ok!” Holbrook came in with another man. “Alison, this is George Motley. He is in charge of all of our surveillance programs.”

“Hi Alison.” George said gently. “I know you are stressed out. I do these all of the time and I know that ninety percent of our clients are nervous. First, we do not have cameras in your bathrooms or bedroom although there is a camera in your bedroom but only you can turn it on and off. That is to protect your privacy. There are also bugs in every room and this does include your bedroom and bathroom. We have your business phone, your home phone and your cell phone all set up as well.” I looked over at Reese. Although he looked concerned for me, he still looked very upset about all of this surveillance.

“Ok.” I said. They went over more things with me but I could not help but let my mind wander off. How did these people get into my home? Thank god, they did not hurt Carl. It took awhile but eventually everyone left. Reese closed the door and sat down. “What?” I asked. I saw him breathe in deep.

“Alison, I think you are an amazing woman. I cannot believe anyone would put you through this. I lead a very quiet life style…”

“Stop.” I said. “It is ok. Reese I do understand. You do not have to say another word or defend what you feel is best for you.” We hugged and he quietly got up and left. Carl sauntered out of the bedroom now that everyone was gone and as if on cue he knew I needed comfort, jumped in my lap, and laid on his back waiting for his belly to be rubbed as he has done when he was just a kitten. I picked up the phone and dialed Jason’s number. I told him Reese left me.

“Are you kidding? Why?” He asked.

“I think this is just way too much for him.” I sighed. “I certainly cannot blame him. It is for me too. I do not have the option of leaving my own life.” I said bitterly.

“Do you want me to come over Ali?”

“No. You have been so busy taking care of me since this all happened. You have a life of your own.”

“Not really.” Jason’s wife, Linda, left him and took the kids about two years ago. He is seeing the kids now but not dating yet. It stung him pretty bad. Therefore, as town rumors are, I had learned he did major over time at the station. “I get off of my shift at six. I will come over.”

“Ok.” I finally agreed. I really did not want to be alone tonight and I did not want to go to Jenna’s tonight. We said our goodbyes and hung up. I called up Jenna and rescheduled and assured I was totally fine with mine and Reese’s break up but disappointed to find he would be the type to just run when things got tough but Jenna was right. Better, he do it now then later down the road. I decided to get into the shower. When I got out, I heard my home phone ringing.

“Hello!” I said grabbing it. I had wrapped myself in a towel but I will still dripping wet.

“I will make this quick as I know I am being recorded.” The familiar voice said to me. “Watch your back Alison. You have gone too far now.” He hung up. A knock at my door nearly made me jump out of my skin. I looked and saw it was Jason. I looked at the clock on the wall. It was only six thirty.

“Ali are you ok?” He asked when I opened the door. He could tell right off that I was upset. I closed the door behind him. I turned and looked at him. It was as if all of a sudden we both realized I was standing in my living room, dripping wet and wrapped in just a towel. Jason was someone that I never considered a romantic prospect. Other then the fact he was married, he is also ten years older than I am and we just never considered the fact I guess.

“No.” I finally said. “I will go get dressed first. Can you start some coffee?”

“Why don’t I take you out to go get something to eat?” I had not eaten today with everything going on so it made perfect sense.

“Ok.” I agreed. I went into my bedroom. I looked into the mirror and realized I looked and felt flushed. It had to be because of everything going on. Jason and I. I just could not see it but the feelings I felt in the living room was defiantly making me wonder. I picked out my denim skirt and a white loose sweater. Boots or heels, I wondered. I threw on my high heel boots and grabbed my black pull over.

“You look nice.” Jason smiled. I could feel myself blushing again. We got into his car and we drove to Mario’s a small local pizzeria. “Is this ok or do you want something a little better.”

“Oh no this is fine.” I smiled. We walked in, ordered, and sat down. Jason reached across the table and grabbed my hand.

“I listened to the recording and forwarded it to the FBI.”

“Good but you know what. I sighed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Ok.” He smiled. We looked at each other and began to laugh. Finally, we relaxed and enjoyed our evening with a lot of old stories told. He told me a little bit about the kids. I talked to him a little bit about the restoration changes that I wanted to make at the Full Cup. We left and went back to my house. When we got to the door, I turned around.

“Jason, do you mind staying over.”

“Um yes of course I will.”

“I mean you can sleep on the couch. I am just so spooked by all of this and the phone calls.” I opened my door and both of us stopped short. My house was trashed. I just stood there not even believing what I was seeing. “Oh my god!” I yelled. “Where is Carl?” I started to go towards the bedroom.

“Wait!” Jason said as he drew his gun. “Just wait right here Alison.” He walked towards the back of the house. I thought for sure I was going to throw up I was so nervous and upset. Jason came back out, picked up his cell, and called the station to have them send out some officers on duty and to have the FBI come. I started to walk towards him. “Don’t Ali.” He called to me. I walked into the bedroom and just started screaming. Lying on the bed was Carl. Someone had killed my Carl; they put a note lying next to him. I went to reach for it when I felt Jason pulling at me. I kept hearing screaming and realized it was me. Jason put his arms around me and held me. In minutes, it felt like officers and the FBI once again invaded my house.

“They killed my cat,” I kept crying repeatedly.

“Alison, we have to get you to a safe place.” Linden was saying.

“I will take her to my house.” Jason told them.

“This is getting very serious now.”

“Well what have you found out?” I asked. I was very upset and I know my voice had gone almost to a shrill pitch but I had had enough. Jason had some of my stuff packed and he guided me to his car. When we got to his house and we settled on the couch he updated me on everything Holbrook and Linden told him.

“The Malanta family is very much involved with this Alison. We believe as well that Reese may have a part of this too.” I looked at him.

“Are you kidding? No way. Just because he didn’t want to be directly involved with me Jason, does not mean he is involved.” I was very upset.

“I called Linden when you told me Reese had left. They put a tail on him sweetheart. He went and directly met with Riley Malanta.” I could not believe what I was hearing.

“No. No way.”

“I know. I don’t believe it either.”

“Well he may be involved but I doubt very highly that he is involved with trying to scare me. I mean it just does not make sense. He loved Carl. I cannot even imagine him even wanting to hurt him. None of this makes sense!” I leaned over and Jason put his arms around me. I sobbed on his chest. I just could not believe everything that was happening around me. All within forty-eight hours. I felt Jason’s arms tighten around me. When I looked up his lips where right near mine and I felt him gently kiss me. I responded and I was amazed how comforting it was. We started to kiss more passionately. I knew I wanted him. I was surprised out how strong the feeling was. I allowed his hands to travel all over my body. All of a sudden, I just wanted to forget everything and it was as if Jason felt that. He picked me up and carried me into the bedroom. As he removed his own clothing, he gazed down at me with so much desire I could feel myself blushing in the darkness. He came to me and he unclothed me and did not leave one part of my body untouched with his lips, his hands. After we lay spent in each other’s arms. It was amazing out of all that was going on around us we found this needing and wanting for each other. We fell asleep and I actually slept better than I had had in a long time.

I woke up to the smell of coffee and I could hear Jason moving around in the kitchen. I laid there looking up at the ceiling wondering if we did the right thing. I guess it really did not matter. We were both single.  Jason emerged in the doorway with a cup of coffee.

“Good morning.” He came over and I took the coffee from him and smiled.

“Good morning. Thank you. This is nice.”

“Ali,”

“Don’t,” I said.

“No I really hope you don’t think I took advantage of you or what is going on.”

“Don’t be silly. “ I said sipping my coffee. “Unless…” I looked over the rim at him. “Unless you regret it.”

“Not one bit!” Jason smiled. “I have liked you for a long time. Just never thought I would get the chance.” We heard his cell phone ringing. He went to answer it.  He came back in. “We have to go down to the station, Alison. Linden and Holbrook want to meet us there. Your bar has been released as well. You can open it back up at anytime.”

“Good.” I said getting up and starting to dress. I looked at him and he was standing there looking at me. “What? “ I asked.

“What do you want to do Ali?”

“Well, I want to get the bar back in order and well I need to figure out who is going to clean my place because there is no way I can go back there.”

“Well I have someone at the house right now cleaning it.” He told me.

“Aww Jason.”

“But I was actually talking about what happened here. Last night. With us. We have been friends for years Ali. I certainly want nothing to ruin that but in the same sense…”

“I really like you too” I said grabbing his hand and stopping him. “Let’s just see how this goes and just go with it. I am ok with it.” I smiled. He smiled wide and then leaned over to kiss me. We left his place and headed to the station.

 When we got there, I was surprised to walk into a room with Linden, Holbrook, a few of the FBI agents that were at my house and Reese and his lawyer. Reese did not even look at me. I looked over at Jason but he looked just as surprised if not more, than I did.  I sat down.

“What is going on? “ I asked when I finally was able to speak.

“Ok. Reese has agreed to come down with his lawyer as we have questions to ask that pertain to both of you, Alison. First, we found numerous finger prints that belong to Reese in your home.”

“Well of course you did.” I began to smile. “We dated.”

“Right up until yesterday, right?” Holbrook asked. I kind of blushed because when he put it that way and then knowing I had spent just last night with Jason. Well I know it would not look or sound good.

“Well yes.” I looked at Reese. He still would not look at me.” He chose to leave.” I stated coldly. If he was going to act this way. Well I could as well.

“Reese’s finger prints were found in the stall that Ray was found dead in.”

“I don’t find that odd.” Reese’s lawyer spoke up. “He dated Alison. He visited her at her home and he went to the Full Cup as well. Honestly, I do believe this is a waste of our time. Reese has firmly stated he has nothing to do with this other than a brief tryst with Alison.” I pulled my head back. A tryst? Really? That was all I was.

“What we find odd here is we also found his finger prints all over Alison’s cat’s collar as well.” We all looked at Reese. I started to shake. What was he trying to say? Jason reached over and took my hand. Reese stirred a little when he saw that but still did not look at us let alone look up from the table.

“On Carl’s collar?” I looked at Reese again. “Please tell me all of this is wrong Reese.” I begged him. He still did not react.

“I advised Reese not to speak at all during this meeting.” His lawyer spoke up. I stood up and leaned across the table.

“Alison” Jason stood as well and held my arm. I pulled it abruptly away.

“Reese!” He finally looked up but not quite at me. I went on. “If I find out you killed my cat I will press charges. Apparently, it is not this that you did not want to get involved with but it was me! I am hoping these men are wrong and you have nothing to do with this.” I turned and left. Jason came out behind me.

“Alison!” He called. I stopped tears streaming down my face. He caught up to me.

“Jason do you think Reese is behind this?”

“Well I am just not sure at this point anymore Alison.” He honestly answered me.

“I have to go open the Full Cup. I have lost enough money having it closed for two days.”

“Don’t you think you ought to go back to my place and maybe get some rest?”

“No. I am going to go crazy if I don’t get busy.” I kissed him gently on the cheek. “I will walk. Can you pick me up later and take me to go get my car after Lisa and Jim get there?” I asked. Lisa and Jim Volmart where basically my managers. Lisa bartended with me on the weekends and on Tuesday and Thursday nights so I could take time off. Jim was basically the handyman and my bouncer.

“Of course I will. I can’t wait to see you.” He kissed me on the forehead and turned around to head back to where the rest of the men were still meeting. I walked outside. It was beautiful. I just stood there and took a deep breathe. As I started walking the two blocks to the Full Cup, I saw Jenna pull up next to me.

“Hey babe!” She called over to me. I walked over and we hugged. “Are you ok? I am so sorry about Carl.”

“Ya the poor old thing. Oh Jenna you should of seen it.”