M
olly and Liam were still in bed when Gran got up on Wednesday morning. It had been a long time since she’d been this excited about something. Even though she wished her granddaughter wouldn’t get mixed up in these murders, she couldn’t hide how proud she was of her. And asking for her help? That was even better.
Her appointment with Henry Pierce wasn’t until half-past ten. She wanted to go over her notes before she met with him. She also needed to come up with a strategy for Bud Tyson. Luna and Sandy greeted her as she walked out of her bedroom. She let them outside and then added water to the electric kettle and turned it on. Once it was ready, she poured the boiling water over the tea leaves and let it steep.
After letting the dogs back in and feeding them breakfast, she thought about what to make for the humans in the house. Pulling out the notebook where she kept all her special recipes, she decided on cinnamon rolls. She got out all the ingredients and set them on the counter, going over today’s agenda in her mind. Meet with Henry Pierce about Otis Smith. Drop by the garage and talk to Bud Tyson. But why would I do that? I know! I can tell him something’s wrong with my car, and have him look at it. Now, what about the others? Victor Hall works for the Garda station. Oh, that’s easy. I’ll just contact Callum and set up a time to drop by when Victor’s working. Grace Wilcox works at City Hall. Who do I know that works there? Sadie Webster’s daughter does, I think. She made the cinnamon mixture and set it aside, then rolled out the cinnamon rolls. Ten minutes later, they were in the oven. She washed her hands and looked at her watch. It was seven, and she knew Sadie was an early riser, so decided to call her.
A few minutes later, she disconnected the call with a smile on her face. She was meeting Sadie for lunch at half-past eleven at the cafe. After checking on the cinnamon rolls, she took a quick shower and dressed in a nice pair of brown pants, a brown and white striped blouse, with a brown cardigan. She added the pearls her loving departed husband Joseph had bought her for their fiftieth wedding anniversary and went back out to the kitchen and wrote her schedule for the day down in her diary, which she then tucked in her purse. Sitting at the breakfast nook, she was very thankful Molly had asked her to live with her. The house she shared with her husband was too large for her to stay in, and the alternative was a senior home or live with her daughter Deidre up in the manor house. She loved her daughter, but there was no way she could live with her. Living with her granddaughter had been the perfect solution.
Thinking about Molly made her smile. The Kennedy women were all strong, with special abilities that went back generations to Mary Dunbar, the last woman to be accused of being a witch in Ireland’s history. Molly was just beginning to understand her special abilities, and helping her figure it all out has been a great pleasure. She whipped up the icing and set it aside.
She had just pulled the rolls out of the oven when she heard the bedroom door open, and her granddaughter appeared in her warm turquoise robe and fluffy slippers. As she stooped down to say good morning to the dogs, Gran poured her a cup of tea.
“Good morning, dear.”
She took the cup. “Good morning to you, too. Thank you.”
“I’ve got warm cinnamon rolls, too. Would you like one?” I smiled at the silly question.
“Of course.”
“It will just be a minute. I have to add the icing.”
Gran spent the next few minutes icing the rolls. By the time she’d finished, Liam had joined them.
“I thought I smelled cinnamon.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Would you marry me, Colleen?” He grinned.
She smiled back. “You bet I will. Sorry, Molly. You’re out of luck. Liam’s mine now.” She laughed.
Molly gave Liam a sly smile. “So, all this time, I’ve been concerned about your next-door neighbor when I should have been worrying about my grandmother.” She took a sip of her tea.
Gran smiled at Molly as she handed her a plate with two rolls. “How many times have I told you, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?” She handed another plate to Liam and then took one for herself. They all sat down at the breakfast nook to eat.
Molly swallowed and then took a sip of her tea. “How about we share him?” She smiled. “I’ll have him during the non-eating hours of the day, and you can have him for meals?”
Gran laughed. “Sounds good to me.”
“Hey! What about what I want?” Liam laughed.
“Nope. You don’t get a vote.” Molly kissed him on the cheek.
“I guess I shouldn’t be complaining. I get the best of both worlds.” He laughed again.
Molly looked at Liam. “I asked Gran to help us with the five people we think were being blackmailed.”
He picked up his teacup and looked at Gran. “Are you sure about that? It could be dangerous.”
Molly explained to him what they’d found the night before. “The only one I’m concerned about is Bud Tyson. Maybe you can go with her?” Her eyebrows raised.
“Sure. What time?” He glanced at his watch.
“I’m not sure yet.” She told them both her plans to meet Henry at half-past ten, and lunch with Sadie Webster. “I thought I might contact Callum about Victor Hall. Maybe pretend to stop by when Victor’s working. What do you think?”
Liam set his cup down. “How about I check up on Victor Hall, and we meet up at the bookstore after your lunch and head over to Bud’s garage?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
# # #
Gran arrived at Moore Plastics at twenty-five minutes past ten. She smiled at the young lady at the desk and a few minutes later, the elevator deposited her on the top floor where Henry’s office was located.
The door was open, so she walked in, surprised to see Imogen, Henry’s wife, at the desk. Short with dark hair, dressed in a black pant suit with a crisp, white blouse, she smiled when she looked up.
“Mrs. Kennedy!” She got up from her desk and gave Gran a hug. “May I take your coat?”
Gran took off her coat and handed it to her. “What are you doing here, Imogen?”
“Henry’s assistant had to cut her hours because of her sick mother, so I fill in on the days she can’t be here.”
“How lovely for you! I know Henry is quite busy, and I appreciate him taking time to speak with me.”
“We always have time for you and your family. If it weren’t for Molly, Henry might not be here today.” She glanced at his door and then picked up the phone.
“Henry, Mrs. Kennedy is here to see you.” She paused. “I’ll send her right in.” She hung up the phone and got up from her seat.
“Henry will see you now. Can I bring you a cup of tea?”
“I’ve had plenty already, but thank you.” Imogen led her into the immense office, Henry sitting in the center like a king on his throne. He stood up as they walked in.
“Mrs. Kennedy. It’s so lovely to see you.” He came over and kissed her on the cheek. “Did Imogen offer you tea?”
She smiled. “Yes, she did, but I declined, but please, have some yourself. I just drank too much already this morning.”
“I’m fine. Please sit down.” He motioned to a comfortable chair sitting in front of his desk.
Gran sat down and took a notebook out of her purse.
“Thank you so much for seeing me, Henry. I’m here on behalf of Molly. You know how she gets involved in things she shouldn’t.”
He smiled. “Aye. I have firsthand experience and am very grateful since she saved my life.”
Gran smiled. “She’s gotten herself involved with the murder of Herb Weston.”
He leaned back in his executive chair. “I didn’t know him very well, so I’m not sure how I can help.”
“Oh, I’m not here about him. Do you know a man by the name of Otis Smith?”
“Otis? Why, yes. He retired shortly after we moved the business here to Dooley. As a matter of fact, he was in a horrific car accident a few years ago while visiting Dublin, and is now in a wheelchair. What on earth could he have to do with Herb Weston’s death?”
Gran frowned. “A wheelchair? That poor man.”
“Yes, a sad thing. He was one of our best employees, but he wanted to retire to enjoy the grandchildren. His son works here now. Lovely young man.”
Gran stood up. “Thank you for your time. I wasn’t aware of his circumstances. I really appreciate it.”
Henry stood too. “Ah. You thought he might have had something to do with Herb’s death, is that it? And him being in a wheelchair makes him no longer a suspect.”
Gran smiled. “Yes, something like that.”
He walked beside her and opened his office door. “If there is anything else, I can help you with, please call.”
“I will. Thank you again.”
Imogen was on the phone as she walked out, so she waved and left the building. She got into her car and let out a sigh. So much for Otis Smith. Why on earth didn’t Fiona find that out? She looked at her watch. She still had thirty minutes before she was to meet Sadie for lunch, so she stopped by the post office to purchase some stamps, arriving at the cafe with ten minutes to spare.
Gran sat at a booth facing the door. A few minutes later, Sadie arrived. She’d known Sadie almost her entire life. Gran had met her husband through Sadie at a party all those years ago. She smiled at the memory.
“What are you smiling about?” She asked as she sat down.
The server arrived and took her drink order. “Coffee please.”
“Just remembering old times and how you introduced me to James.”
Sadie smiled. “That was a long time ago, wasn’t it? I know we’re on the wrong side of eighty, but I sure don’t feel like it.” She picked up the menu.
Gran laughed. “Me either. Probably because I’m living with my granddaughter these days. She helps keep me young.”
“That’s great. For me, it’s the grandkids. I love to spoil them and send them home!” She laughed.
The server came and delivered their drinks and then took their order. After which, they handed over their menus. Sadie looked at Gran.
“Colleen, not that I don’t love to see you, but I got the impression you wanted to see me about something specific.”
Gran sat back and smiled. “You’re right. Does Chloe still work at City Hall?” Gran picked up her tea and took a sip.
She smiled. “Yes. She was just promoted to Cecil Green’s staff. Do you know who he is?”
Before Gran could say anything, she continued.
“He’s the village manager! She quite likes the job, but she doesn’t really care for his assistant, Grace.”
Gran’s ears perked up. “Really? Why not?”
Sadie leaned in and lowered her voice. “Chloe thinks she’s having an affair with Cecil, that’s why. And married for less than a year! Can you believe that?”
Gran leaned in as well. “Really? What makes Chloe think that?”
“Chloe wouldn’t tell me how she knew, but I got the impression she may have walked in on the two of them, but don’t quote me on that.”
We spent the rest of lunch catching each other up on our lives. After we’d both finished a piece of delicious cherry pie, we made a promise to not let so much time pass before we did this again, and we parted ways.
She went next door to The Book Nook, which was quite busy. She didn’t see Liam, so she perused the mystery section of the bookstore, picking out a book from one of her favorite authors. Liam walked in the door as she was getting in queue to pay. He bent down and kissed her cheek.
“Your parents did a good job with you, Liam. Such pleasant manners.” She smiled.
“I’ll tell them you said that. They think I’m a disgrace to the family because I joined the Garda.”
She looked at him, her eyebrows raised. “Really? Well, if I ever meet them, I will tell them how proud I am to have you in our family.”
He laughed. “Technically, I’m not in your family.”
She patted his arm. “You will be someday.”
Just then, the queue moved, and Gran put her book on the counter. Molly smiled at her. “Gran, what are you doing?”
“What does it look like? I’m paying for my book.” She got out her wallet.
“Gran…”
“Molly, I will pay like everyone else. Now, how much do I owe you?”
Molly sighed and rang up the book. “Seven euros. I gave you the family discount.” She smiled.
Gran gave her a dirty look, but paid and accepted the brown paper bag with the bookstore’s logo on it.
“Fine, but I’m taking your boyfriend.” She smiled and waved as the two of them left the store.
They walked out onto the sidewalk, the brisk wind hitting their faces, and Liam chuckling. “You two are wonderful, you know that?”
“We are.” She laughed too. She put her gloved hand through his arm. “Let’s take my car, shall we? I thought using the excuse it needed some work would give us a valid excuse for visiting a garage.”
“Sounds good.”
She looked up at the tall man. “Liam, you don’t mention your family much. Were you serious about them not wanting you to be in the Garda?”
She felt him shrug. “My father’s a physician. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps. I had no interest in medicine, and it hurt his feelings. I’m not sure if he’s disappointed in me because I’m a cop, or because I’m not a doctor.”
“I’m so sorry. The only expectation James and I had was for them to attend University and receive a degree. What they did after that was up to them.”
“How many children do you have? I’ve only met Molly’s mother.” By this time, they’d arrived at her car. She unlocked it and they got in.
“Three, actually, and ten grandchildren. I have a son older than Deidre who lives in County Clare, and my daughter, who is younger, in Cork. I go and visit them, but they’re busy with their own lives, so it’s been a while since the entire family has been together. Hopefully, everyone will be able to make it to Dillon and Reanna’s wedding.”
“Providing she says yes.” Liam laughed.
“Oh, I think she will. I’m more worried about Dillon being too nervous to ask her.” She laughed.
They drove toward the edge of town to Tyson’s Garage. Set back from the street, the brick building had a large window in front advertising a sale on tires. There were two garage bays, the doors closed to keep out the cold. Gran parked in the first available parking spot and turned off the car.
Neither Gran nor Liam moved to get out of the car. “How do you plan on finding out anything?” asked Liam.
Gran looked over at him. “I’m not sure. I suppose I could just come out and ask him.”
Liam looked through the window to the counter inside where a large man was standing, talking on the phone. He nodded toward the window. “Colleen, if that’s him, he’s a big guy. He could hurt you.”
“He won’t hurt me in such a public place. Besides, that’s what I have you for.” She opened her door.
Liam opened his as well and followed her inside. The lobby was small. A wooden counter where the man we viewed earlier through the window stood. His shirt had the name of “Bud” embroidered on the right breast, so this was the guy they were looking for. Gran tuned in to him and shivered. This was not a nice man.
As soon as he was off the phone, he asked, “What can I do for you?” His gaze bypassed Gran and went to Liam.
Gran glanced back at Liam, who looked at Bud, but nodded toward her. She stood as tall as she could at five feet two. “I need my car looked at. It’s making a funny noise.”
Bud’s gaze moved from Liam to Gran. “What kind of noise?”
“Don’t I know you?” Gran asked.
He gazed at her closer. “I don’t think so. Why?”
“You look familiar. Aren’t you a friend of Herb Weston’s?”
His face turned red. “I’m no friend of that weasel. Now, what kind of noise is it making?”
“I’m certain Herb told me you were nice enough to pay a couple of his bar bills. Why would you do that if you weren’t friends?”
The man’s face went a deeper shade of red. “Look lady. I ain’t no bloody friend of Weston’s. Now either tell me what you want, or get the heck out of here.”
Liam took a step up, but Gran held on to his arm. “Well, if you’re going to act like that, I’ll take my business elsewhere.” They both turned around and left. We were almost at the car when she realized she’d lost a glove. “Liam, you go ahead to the car. I think I lost a glove in there. I’ll be right back.”
She walked into the office, now bare of people, and sure enough, her glove was lying on the floor. She bent over to pick it up when she heard two men shouting behind the door. She paid little attention until she heard the word “Herb”. She spun around and left, and ran back to the car.
“Did you find it?” Liam asked as he fastened his seatbelt.
“I did. Now let’s get out of here.”
“I agree. That is one angry man.”
“When I went back inside, I heard yelling coming from the garage, and someone said Herb’s name. I just grabbed my glove and left.”
“They didn’t see you, did they?”
Her eyes widened. “I don’t think so.”
He patted her leg. “That’s good. If they had something to do with Herb’s death, they wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you too.”
“This is all theory, though. How do we find out for sure?” Gran asked as she pulled back into traffic and they made their way back to the bookstore so she could drop off Liam.
“Why don’t you drop me off at the station. I want to speak to Callum, and maybe get him to tell me if they’ve found out anything else about the case.”
“How will you get your car?”
He smiled. “It’s only a couple of blocks. I can walk.”