The next morning Nell opened all the windows to let in the fresh air and to hear the pleasant morning chirping of the birds. Her heart was light with a carefree feeling she hadn’t experienced in weeks. The sun was behind the trees just beginning its climb. What a beautiful morning! She pulled herself together and took the boys out for a nice morning walk. Everything about the day seemed fresh and cheerful. She knew most of it was because her attitude was so much better.
It’s easy to be positive when you know your stalker, who happened to be a killer, was being brought to justice. Nell took a moment to make a quick call to Elena at work and fill her in on the good news. Hanging up, she began to wonder why Detective Kirby hadn’t called her with word that Jim Hanson had been arrested. She gave him the information two days ago. It wouldn’t be smart to delay arresting a murderer once you had the goods on him. She’d give him a call when she got back to the house.
After a successful walk where George and Newmie saw two squirrels and a cat, they were barked out, ready for fresh water, and anxious for a nap. When the trio entered the house, the boys headed straight for the water bowl. Nell gave them water and food and then made the coffee. In an effort to be healthy she ate a peach while she waited for the coffee to brew.
Cup in hand, Nell wandered into the living room where she found both the boys on the couch, curled up and sawing logs. They’d had a big day already.
Nell had Detective Kirby’s card with her and gave him a jingle.
“Kirby.”
“Hello, Detective, this is Nell Bailey. I’ve been wondering what you’ve found out about Jim Hanson. Is he behind bars?” A pause. “Detective Kirby?”
“Mrs. Bailey, I’m not at liberty to tell you the details of the investigation.” The detective’s voice was cold.
“Detective. I’m the one he’s been stalking. I need to know. Am I safe to relax?” Nell pleaded.
“I really shouldn’t tell you this, but Jim Hanson is not a suspect at this time. Your tip didn’t pan out. Most of the tips we get don’t lead anywhere.”
“Not a suspect? You’re kidding! He has to be. Everything adds up.” Nell clutched her stomach as a sudden wave of nausea overwhelmed her.
“Actually everything did not add up, Mrs. Bailey. He had an alibi.”
“What’s his alibi?” Nell’s head started throbbing and she could hardly get the words out.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not at liberty to say. You’re not privy to police information. I’m sure you’re safe. Mr. Hanson is not the killer.” Detective Kirby was ineffective in his effort to reassure her.
“I am just as bad off as I was before. Not privy to police information! Someone is still trying to kill me and now I have no idea who it is.” Nell’s sick feeling was quickly turning to anger.
“We’re working on it, Mrs. Bailey. Just let us do our job.”
Hanging up the phone, Nell screamed in frustration. Unfortunately, her two dogs jumped down from the couch, started barking, and ran to the sliding glass door. “It’s ok, boys. Mama’s a nut.”
Nell was usually not much of a crier. But ever since this Northwoodsman thing, the tears had flown often. She sat down and sobbed.
Soon, she had two little guys on her lap, trying to make her feel better. And before long she did.
Nell didn’t believe Jim Hanson was innocent. Having an alibi meant next to nothing. Criminals in movies and on crime shows always had made up alibis. Just because the police were done with Hanson, didn’t mean he was off the hook. Not while she still breathed. Nell needed to continue to do her own investigating just as she did when this whole thing first started.
She pulled the website up for J and J’s Jams and Jellies on her laptop. Sure enough their phone number was listed. Without taking the logical step of thinking about an action before doing it, she gave them a call. Jim thought he killed the right woman so she should be safe.
“J and J’s Jams and Jellies. How can I help you?” A woman’s voice: it must be his wife, Jill.
“I am interested in your operation. Do you give tours?” Nell challenged.
“Well, no. We’re not equipped to give a tour. I’m sorry.” Jill’s voice seemed full of regret, but then she went on cheerfully. “If you’d like to place an order, I’m more than happy to package it up and send it to you.”
“I’m a food blogger and would like to mention your business in one of my posts. In order to do that, I really need to meet the owners and see for myself how everything is prepared. I’m sure you can understand,” explained Nell.
“Nell? Is this Nell of Noshes Up North?”
Nell was stunned that Jill guessed her identity. That was not part of her plan, although she didn’t really have a plan. “Yes, it is.”
“I’ve been hoping you’d contact me. This is Jill. Remember I talked to you that day at The Hideout? I’ve been on pins and needles ever since. You sounded interested in our business and I just knew you’d call. I’m so excited and yes, of course, you can come.” Jill sounded so happy and trusting that Nell felt horrible this woman’s husband was a murderer.
She also had forgotten that Jill was one of the women from Green Bay that Elena talked to that day. How could she meet her now? Jill thought Elena was Nell. Elena would just have to go with her on the tour and pretend to be Nell.
“Yes, of course I remember, I’m anxious to meet with you and your husband and interview you about your business. Can we arrange a time where I can talk to you both?”
“Sure. Jim and I work here six days a week, so just pick a day and we’ll be here.”
She was very accommodating and seemed to be sure of where her husband was at all times. Could Nell be wrong about Jim? She had been wrong about Sam when she was so positive he was the killer.
“Thanks, Jill. I may need to juggle my schedule around a little, but is there any possibility I could come either this afternoon or tomorrow?”
“You bet. Just let me know and we’ll show you around.”
As soon as she ended the call with Jill, Nell considered the situation. The police no longer were looking at Jim Hanson as a suspect. She was still suspicious, but wasn’t sure. Oh, my gosh. Nell definitely didn’t want to put Elena in danger by going up to J and J’s Jams and Jellies. And now that she had made that call, Hanson would realize that Nell of Noshes Up North was still alive! She should have considered the situation before making the call. Too late now. Nell really wanted to go to Green Bay and get a bead on him. Surely, he wouldn’t dare try anything with Elena with both Nell and Jill there. Plus if the police were right, there was no danger.
She called Elena.
“The Dining Room, Elena speaking.”
“Elena, do you think you could get Julie or someone else to work for you this afternoon? I want us to go to Green Bay and meet Jim and Jill Hanson.” Nell had her fingers crossed that it would work out.
“Are you nuts, Nell! Didn’t you just tell me Jim Hanson was the killer?” Elena almost shouted. “I thought he’d be in jail?”
“Detective Kirby said he had an alibi and isn’t a suspect. I’m still suspicious, though, and extremely upset. I want to meet and just check him out. Will you come with me, Elena?” Nell wheedled.
“Just for the record, I think you’re crazy, but I’m happy you asked. It would’ve been like you to go off by yourself and do this. I’ll find someone to mind the store and if I can’t, I’ll close it for the rest of the day. I don’t want you to go alone. Besides if the police said Hanson’s no longer a suspect it shouldn’t be dangerous.”
A big pang of guilt went through Nell. She better fess up. “Actually, I need you to go with me as Jill thinks you are me. Remember, you told the women at The Hideout that you were Nell to get them away from me?”
“Oh, yes. Now this sounds a little more like you. And, yes, I’ll still go.”
Nell picked Elena up at her shop at 11:30. Luckily her daughter was able to fill in for her. Elena had sweetened the pot by suggesting that Julie arrange to go out to eat and a movie with friends that evening and she would stay with her grandchildren. As Elena liked to go to bed early, she would just spend the night.
Green Bay was about a forty minute drive to the south. Nell planned to take Elena out for lunch and then thought they’d head over to meet with Jill and Jim Hanson. She had Elena call Jill on Nell’s cell phone and tell her that she’d arrive sometime between 1:30 and 2:00. She hoped Jill didn’t realize it was a different voice.
“Did you let that detective know you’re meeting the Hansons?” Elena asked as she buckled her seat belt.
“Of course not,” Nell scoffed, a little perturbed at the question. “He’d tell me not to go and that I’m interfering with his investigation, or some such nonsense. Somebody needs to look into Jim Hanson and if Detective Kirby refuses to do it, I will.”
“Even though the police think he isn’t a suspect, I’m still a little nervous,” Elena confessed in a tight voice.
“I’m sorry, Elena. I really don’t like bringing you into this. That was the reason I wouldn’t have called you about it, if I didn’t have to. I don’t want to put you in danger.”
“I know that, Nell. Have you thought about what we’ll tell the Hansons?”
“You keep pretending to be me. It said on their website that they sell at the Green Bay Farmers’ Market on Broadway. Maybe ask some questions about that and if they sell at festivals in neighboring communities. Try to keep Jill busy and I’ll talk to Jim. I want to get a handle on his personality. I’ll watch him very closely and see how he reacts to you. If Nell of Noshes Up North is a potential victim, I’m sure he’ll tip his hand at least a little in meeting you.”
“Who’re you going to say that you are?” Elena asked, giving Nell a curious look.
“Marcy Grainger—home chef extraordinaire,” Nell replied with confidence. “I’ll say I like their products and am looking to start buying in larger quantities.”
“Nell, you’re just loving all this undercover stuff, aren’t you?” Elena couldn’t help chuckling.
“I am. I have to admit it,” Nell agreed with excitement.
Elena was in the mood for a burger so they stopped at Burger Mania. Nell hadn’t been to the spot before, but Elena had and liked it. The sign showed a giant burger overstuffed with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions. All the extras dripped down the sides and made a puddle at the bottom. Nell couldn’t decide if it looked appetizing or sickening.
Walking into the restaurant, they were assaulted with a plastic replica of the same burger that was on the sign. It must have been three feet tall and was placed on a table so it towered over the two of them. Nell started to reconsider ordering a burger. The hostess took them to a table and they were given menus with . . . a picture of the same burger on the front. This was too much.
“Are you going with a burger, Elena? I see they have a lot to choose from.” Nell didn’t share her misgivings with Elena. She didn’t want to ruin Elena’s enjoyment of her lunch.
“I’m going to get the Bleu Burger. I love bleu cheese on a burger.” Elena was so delighted about the burger that her face shone. “Last time I ordered the Western Burger. It had a delicious tangy barbecue sauce. There are several more I’m interested in trying, too. How about you?”
“I think I’ll try one of their other sandwiches.” Nell didn’t have the heart to tell Elena that the idea of one of those oozing burgers almost turned her stomach. “I’m in the mood for a tuna melt. We don’t have to split the sandwiches this time. I know you don’t care for tuna.”
Elena eyed Nell suspiciously. She had never been in the mood for a tuna melt before.
The waitress took their orders and they discussed a little more of the game plan with the Hansons. Before much time had passed, their sandwiches were served along with a healthy serving of French fries.
Nell had to admit Elena’s Bleu Burger looked out of this world and smelled heavenly. It was tidy with no puddle of cheese at the bottom of the plate. On the other hand, her tuna melt (served open faced) paled in comparison. She could probably devour the whole thing in three bites. In order to make it last, Nell took a tiny bite. It tasted okay, like a sandwich she could make at home.
“How’s your burger?” Nell hoped Elena didn’t catch her drooling.
“Absolutely delicious. How about your tuna melt?”
“It’s average. Nothing about it stands out.” Nell’s disappointment was evident.
“I’m sorry, Nell. We should’ve gone somewhere else.”
“Not at all. I should’ve ordered a burger in a burger spot with a name like Burger Mania. This is not the place to order a tuna melt. And I will NOT blog about this meal. Remember how criticizing a salad and veggies at a Sam’s Slam got me into this mess to begin with? Not going to do it.”
“Is this whole experience going to stop you from honestly reviewing places that serve you a bad meal?” Elena looked at her questioningly.
Nell thought about it a moment. “I hope not. If that turns out to be the case, then I’m not much of a reviewer.” She dragged a fry through some ketchup. “No, I have to write what I think, but my point is that I need to order what a place is known for before I review it. I can also order other entrees at different times, which is no doubt a good idea, but I need to give each place an opportunity to show their signature dish and why they’re so special.”
“That sounds about right. Let me cut off a piece of my burger for you.”
The bite of Bleu Burger melted in her mouth. “This is exceptional. I’ll be back. How about you? Do you want to come back with me?”
“I like the sound of that,” Elena happily agreed.
They pulled up to the address that Jill had given her for their business. “This house is pretty small, Elena. Do you see a stand-alone building in the back?” Nell strained her neck to get a better look.
“No. There is no obvious attached segment to the house. They don’t have a sign to advertise their spot either. They must not want people to come here.”
“Maybe they have cats crawling all over the counters or dog feces everywhere.”
“Nell, yuck.” Elena had scrunched up her face so much Nell almost laughed out loud.
“I already think he is a murderer and that’s a lot worse than being a slob,” Nell pointed out.
“Do we have our story straight?” Elena started to get out of the car.
“Yes. Before we go in, Elena, I want to thank you for being such a good friend to me. I have always been able to count on you. You mean the world to me.”
“Stop being so nice, Nell. You’re scaring me.”
“Okay then. Let’s roll.”