“How well do you know this bartender?” Sam and Nell were on their way to Wausaukee in Sam’s white Crown Vic to see if they could glean any local gossip about the Nell Norton murder.
“Fairly well. We both attend the Tavern League meetings. I’ve been to his bar and he’s been to mine. He seems like a good guy. Another divorced bar owner.” Sam took a sharp curve, but Nell hardly felt it in such a smooth riding car.
“Do you think he’ll open up to you? Will he be comfortable telling you any juicy tidbits that he’s heard?” Nell knew she was prodding, but couldn’t help herself.
“Juicy tidbits?” Sam chuckled. “I don’t know if I would use that term. It all depends on how busy he is, the mood he’s in, and for that matter, if he’s working today. There is also the possibility that Chet knew this woman or her husband and doesn’t want to discuss any of it.” Sam looked over at Nell.
Sam stopped the car in front of an old brick building that sported the sign “Beer Here.”
“Is that the name of the bar?” Nell looked askance at Sam. Since it was off the main drag, Nell had never been here before.
“It is. I think it’s clever. See the neon lights that say “Fine dining and cocktails?” Sam pointed at the sign. “That’s so people know there is a lot more here than just beer.”
“If you say so. The name makes me think it’ll be a dive. If Chet is there, I’ll let you bring the murder up and maybe interject when I see an opening.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
* * *
Sam held the door open for Nell. As she walked in, she immediately fell in love. In love with the place, that is. There was nothing she liked better in a drinking establishment than a beautiful back bar. Beer Here had one of the finest she’d ever seen. Three wooden arches encased the huge mirror behind the spotless, sparkling glassware on the counter. Antique brass foot rails proudly held a place in front of the bar itself. Marble baseboards encircled the entire room with wainscoting trailing up the walls. Nell continued looking around and spotted an old cigar humidor, ice box, and wooden liquor cabinet, all beautifully refinished. She peeked up and saw a coffered tin ceiling. The whole place exuded the expert craftsmanship and good taste of long ago. Why hadn’t she heard about this place?
“Oh, Sam. I’ve never seen anything like this anywhere around here before,” Nell squealed with delight.
“I thought you’d like it. I bet this bar would receive a good rating for its décor,” goaded Sam. Nell only smiled sheepishly in return.
There were a few patrons seated at the bar. Nell and Sam took plush, comfortable stools and sat down.
“Sam! They finally run you out of Marinette? Good to see you, big guy!” The tall and lankly bartender walked over to them with purpose.
“Afternoon, Chet. I finally took a day off to check out my competition,” Sam said with a smile.
“Competition? My guess is that your day off has more to do with the lovely lady sitting next to you than with worrying about me or my humble joint.”
“Nell, this is my friend Chet. Chet, this is Nell,” Sam said. “We just wanted to take a little ride and go somewhere Nell hasn’t been before.”
“Nice to meet you, Chet. I’m really impressed with the decor.” Nell reached over the bar to shake his hand. ”I love your place and especially the back bar. It takes me back to a different era. Are those arches made of mahogany?”
“Thanks, Nell. And yes, it is mahogany.” Nell caught Chet winking at Sam. “This one is a keeper. I like a woman who loves a bar! What’ll you have?”
“I’d like a beer here,” Nell quipped. “I see you have Blue Moon on tap.”
“And she’s funny, too.” He started to pull the tap with a laugh. “Sam?”
“Do you have Hinterland’s Luna Stout?”
“I sure do,” Chet walked over to the cooler. “It’s one of my favorites.”
Nell made her way to the rest room to give the two men a chance to chat. She was pleased, but not surprised, at the cleanliness of the whole place. Everywhere she looked glistened.
Nell stopped and looked at the dining room on the way back to the bar. It was beautifully decorated, almost elegant. The smell coming from the kitchen was enticing. Nell thought she’d be in favor of eating here tonight. If the food was anywhere close to as impressive as what she’d noticed so far, she had found her next excellent review.
When she returned, Chet was taking care of other customers so Sam and Nell talked for several minutes. Chet came back and the two of them discussed some Tavern League business. After they were almost finished with their second beer, Sam found an opening.
“Your fine village has been in the news lately with that murder.”
“Can you believe such a thing happened in our little burg? I know the whole family. They used to come in for Friday Fish Fry almost every week. I know her folks and her brother, Pete.” Chet shook his nearly bald head as he poured them each a refill. “Terrible thing. Just terrible.”
“Do the cops have any speculation about suspects, or have you heard any rumors or anything?” Sam prodded.
“Being a bar owner yourself you know a place like this is a hotbed of rumors.” Chet nodded knowingly at Sam. “From what I hear, Nell and her husband, Ken, had financial trouble and marital problems to boot. I’ve heard he had a girlfriend and I’ve also heard she had a boyfriend. Is there any truth to either story? Your guess is as good as mine. One thing that hasn’t been in the paper or on the news is the meat thermometer.”
“Thermometer? I thought she was killed with a meat cleaver?” Nell couldn’t refrain from asking.
“Oh, the weapon that killed her was a cleaver alright. That bit of news was in the paper. The meat thermometer was inserted somewhere else, if you get my drift.”
“Holy shit!” Sam bellowed. “That guy is one sick puppy.” He looked over to check Nell’s reaction.
The color drained right out of Nell’s face. She put her hands under her stool to steady herself. That was exactly the sort of thing that happened in the mystery stories she read.
“He sure is,” Chet agreed. “There is speculation that it’s more likely to be someone she knew because the thermometer thing was so personal. I wonder if that thermometer helped the police decide on the time of death.” He looked out the window.
Nell rolled her eyes at his sick joke.
A large group of people came in the door and bellied up to the bar. It didn’t appear that this place was their first stop. Chet would probably be busy for quite a while.
“Are you interested in grabbing a bite here, Nell?” asked Sam softly. “The food is exceptional.”
“You know, Sam, a little while ago I was looking forward to eating here. Right now though, I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind to enjoy a relaxing meal.” Nell’s face was still pale. “I would like to come back another time. Do you mind?”
“I think that can be arranged. What do you want to do?”
“Well, I know I need to eat something, but I just want to go somewhere easy and quick.” Nell shakily stepped down from the stool. “How about a bar for a cheeseburger?”
Sam waved to Chet as they left.
“Thanks for stoppin’ in!” Chet called.
They drove to the other end of town and stopped at Hometown Inn. A woman with a beautiful mane of chestnut hair was tending an almost empty bar.
“Instead of going right to a table, let’s get a drink at the bar,” Nell said.
“You want another beer?” Sam raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“No, but maybe I can talk to the bartender.” Nell noticed a few people at the end of the bar.
They took stools, ordered a couple sodas, and asked to look at menus. The woman brought over their drinks and the food list. She seemed friendly enough. A patron called for Amy to get him another drink. Sam and Nell visited a bit and then she asked Sam to go to the rest room.
“Trying to get rid of me already?” Sam winked at her.
“No, but I may be able to get this Amy talking about the murder easier if you aren’t here. Don’t stay away too long though. Come back in the normal amount of time so it doesn’t appear odd.”
As soon as Sam left, Nell signaled to Amy. She came over. “We’ve been taking a little ride today and hitting some of the local spots. I read in the paper about the murder up here and today I heard some talk about a meat thermometer. Is that really true?”
“I’m not from around here, but that is what the locals say.” Amy started to arrange shot glasses behind the bar.
“Did you know her? Did her family come in to the bar?” Nell pried.
“The family didn’t, but Ken sure did. He was well known in all the area bars. He was a little too friendly, if you know what I mean.” Amy came closer and lowered her voice.
“Are you speaking from personal experience?” Nell asked. Amy was a good looking woman. Probably thirty-five with a trim figure.
“He tried to hit on me, but I’m happily married with two adorable kids. I work in a bar, but I’m not that kind of woman.”
“I don’t think there is any certain kind of woman that works in a bar. Just the ones that need a job,” Nell assured her.
“Thanks. I wish everyone felt that way. That guy over there sure thinks female bartenders are free and willing.” Nell glanced down the bar at the good looking fellow that had called to Amy to make a drink for him earlier.
“Did Ken Norton keep flirting with you?”
“He’d still flirt with me, but there wasn’t any seriousness behind it. There were plenty of others that would succumb to his charm,” Amy said with a sneer.
“Anyone in particular?” Nell saw Sam walking back.
“Look, are you some kind of cop or something? I’ve probably said too much already. I need this job.”
“No, just curious.” Nell looked up at Sam. “Are you ready to order?”