Jessica Beck - Killer Crullers

ST. MARTINS PAPERBACKS TITLES BY JESSICA BECK

Glazed Murder

Fatally Frosted

Sinister Sprinkles

Evil clairs

Tragic Toppings

Killer Crullers

CHAPTER 10

We got to the construction company after one wrong turn, and as we pulled into a spot in front of the large corrugated blue building, Grace asked, How should we approach her?

We give her donuts, I said as I spotted a lone woman on a bench to one side eating a takeout meal. Unless I miss my guess, Katies right there.

There may be more than one woman working here, Grace said.

I got out, grabbed the box of donuts that Allen had turned down, and said, She looks just like the girl in the photograph, so unless she has a twin, thats got to be Katie. When I saw that Grace wasnt making a move, I asked, Arent you coming?

Id love to, but we dont want her to feel like were ganging up on her. Ill stay here and make some calls while you two talk.

I nodded, shut the door, and then approached Katie with my best smile.

Excuse me, but are you Katie Wilkes?

I could see that she was short even though she was sitting down, and petite enough to make me envious of her figure.

Who wants to know?

She was guarded, but not openly hostile. Maybe Allen hadnt called her after all.

I handed her the donuts, which she took without another thought. I knew Desmond Ray, and I wanted to offer you my condolences.

If she was going to react badly, now would be the time. In a numb voice, she said, I still cant believe hes gone. The tough attitude was gone completely, and her features softened in an instant.

I looked into her eyes and saw that shed been crying. Im so sorry, I said. I understand you two had just broken up.

Katie shook her head. Thats not true at all, she protested. We were taking a little break to collect our thoughts about the future of our relationship, but Desmond and I both knew that we were destined to be together.

That wasnt anywhere close to the way Id heard it, but it didnt seem the best time to contradict her. Im surprised youre at work today.

She shrugged. I probably wouldnt be if I had a choice, but I need the money, and besides, staying home dressed in black isnt going to help him. I had to get out of my tiny apartment, so I figured I might as well come here.

It was time to ask the big question. Where were you when he died?

I was taking a long walk, she said wistfully. I love it when it gets brisk. Desmond used to walk with me sometimes, and strolling through town made me feel closer to him somehow while we were on a break. It gave me time to think, and realize that we belonged together.

Were you alone? I asked.

Its hard to collect your thoughts if someones talking to you, she said.

I couldnt just let it go. Did you see anyone, stop to chat, or anything?

The second I saw her reaction to my prodding, I realized that Id pushed her too far. Why do you want to know? Just who are you?

I told you already. Im just an old friend of Desmonds, I said.

She looked at me suspiciously. Are you one of the tarts he went out with sometimes?

No, we never dated, I said. It was an interesting fact to pick up that Katie had rivals for Desmonds affection, and I added it to my mental file.

Do you have a name?

Im Suzanne. Suzanne Hart, I admitted.

Funny, Desmond never mentioned you, Katie said. How good a friend were you?

He came to my donut shop a couple of days ago, I admitted.

Youre the cruller lady, Katie replied, a look of illumination on her face.

I prefer to be known as a donut distributor, I said, trying to get a smile and ease some of the tension between us.

He wasnt a big fan of yours, Katie said.

How could you possibly know that? Did you speak with him the day before yesterday?

She hesitated just a second before she denied it. Like I said, we were on a break. We were going to discuss getting back together tomorrow, but thats not going to happen now.

Before I could ask her anything else, she began to cry, maybe in earnest and maybe not, and a heavyset man with dirty jeans, soiled flannel shirt, and thick work boots came out of the building. He towered over her as he leaned down and asked softly, Katie, are you okay?

Im fine, Chet, she said through her tears.

Is this woman bothering you? he asked as he studied me.

Yes, she said through her sniffles. I dont want to talk about Desmond, but she wont stop asking me questions.

Chet took a step toward me, and I could feel the force of his presence radiating like sunlight toward me. In a calm and still voice, he said, You should leave.

We were just chatting, I said. I didnt mean to upset her.

But you did, Chet replied, and took one more step toward me. I had to wonder if he would have tried to intimidate Jake that way if hed been with me, but if Chet had had the audacity to try it, I knew my boyfriend wouldnt have backed down. I wasnt a state police investigator, though, and I really didnt have any justification for being there other than digging into Desmonds murder on my own.

Fine, I was just going, I said. As I started toward Graces car, I turned back to Katie and said, If you want to help me find out who killed him, call me at Donut Hearts in April Springs any morning before eleven.

Chet wasnt impressed with my statement, but he stopped moving toward me, which was a very good sign.

I figured the best thing I could do at the moment was retreat.

Drive, I said when I got in the car. At least Grace was off the telephone.

What happened? she asked me as she started the engine.

Ill tell you as soon as we get out of the parking lot. I looked back and saw Chet watching us intently.

I didnt take another breath until Grace drove out of the parking lot. I had a feeling that if I needed to approach Katie again, it wouldnt be at her place of work. Chet hadnt threatened me, but Id still felt intimidated by his presence, whether because of his size, or the way he spoke, I couldnt say.

After I brought Grace up to speed on my conversations with Katie and Chet, she said, It sounds as though hes a little overprotective of her.

Hes more than a fellow employee, Id say, but Im not sure how much more.

Are there any other folks you want to rile up while were in town? Grace asked.

No, I think thats it for now.

As we drove back home, Grace asked, Did you believe Katie when she said that she and Desmond were on a break?

Either she was lying to me, or to herself, I said. Im not sure which answer Id prefer, but either way, her name stays on our list.

Grace nodded. So, it seems that both of our suspects had a reason to want to see Desmond dead.

Hey, you know how this works. You get as many facts as you can, and then you go from there.

* * *

I wasnt looking forward to comparing notes with George. Grace and I hadnt added much to our knowledge in our quest to find information about who might have killed Desmond Ray.

Grace and I chatted aimlessly on the drive back, and as we entered the town limits of April Springs, I said, I might as well go ahead and give George a call.

You dont have to, Grace said as she pointed to a bench in front of the courthouse. I looked and saw George sitting there alone, resting in the sun and rubbing his bad leg. Id thought he was fine now, but it appeared that his leg was still giving him some trouble.

Grace parked her car and we got out. We werent being particularly quiet, but we didnt even startle George until I asked, Is your leg hurting again?

He opened his eyes, and then made a point to stretch, as though hed been napping. How bad must it be if he was willing to let me think hed nodded off instead of admitting to the pain? What? I didnt hear you come up. I must have fallen asleep in the sunlight.