I woke up rather late the next morning. Chance wasn’t in bed beside me, but I could smell coffee. I hurried through my shower, hoping he was still downstairs.
The kitchen was empty, but he’d left a note on the counter saying he’d gone to work and would pick me up at six-thirty for the chamber dinner tonight. I grimaced. I’d almost forgotten that. I hated dressing up for those, but as a small business person in town, I needed to put in my appearance and Chance had offered to escort me. Good public relations for both of us.
I made myself a couple of eggs and toast, then headed off to my first job of the day. Lois at Johnson’s Realty had made an appointment to have the outside door locks changed on the Old Town Bank building, which had now been empty for a month. She apparently had someone interested in buying it.
She and her client were waiting at the front door when I arrived. Lois was a tall, thin woman about forty years old. She had blonde hair pulled back in a barrette at the back of her head and wore a neat blue business suit. She introduced me to the man with her. “Cassie, this is Harold Simms, who’s interested in this building to see if it will work for his office project. Cassie’s our local locksmith, Mr. Simms.”
I returned his greeting and handshake, then asked Lois, “Did you bring the keys?”
She flushed and stammered, “Well, you see, that’s our problem. It seems all the partners had to turn in their keys when the regulators did their work. And then the new bank had control until everything was moved. Somehow, in the mix-up, all the keys went missing. So, I need you to open it for us.”
I looked at her in disbelief. “All three partners claim they don’t have a key?”
She shrugged. “Well, John Wattmore is missing and his wife says she never had a key. Lou Bale and Roy Lonn say they never got their keys back. No one at the new bank seems to know who has them. But June and John own the building, and she wants to sell it as soon as she can locate John, since they no longer have it leased. And without John’s salary, she can’t afford the mortgage on it, you know.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, we need to get inside so I can show it today.”
I shrugged. “Okay, I’ll try to pick it. If I can’t, we may have to drill it open.”
Lois smiled. “Whatever it takes. I need you to change the locks today, anyway, okay?”
“Sure. Just the back and front doors? Or are there other outside doors?”
“I think those two are it on this building,” Lois said.
I set to work with my picking tools. Picking a lock is not as easy as the TV shows make it look. Luckily, I had it open in a few minutes. They went inside, while I set to work taking out the door locks and going inside to a small table in the lobby where I began re-pinning the locks.
I heard her begin her sales pitch about the building. She explained the central heating and air-conditioning systems. I heard her opening various office doors as she led Mr. Simms around the area, showing him the offices, breakroom and restrooms. “These offices are quite small, but you could easily change these dividers to make the rooms any size,” she told him.
Then they went downstairs and I could only hear an occasional murmur.
I finished the front door lock and put it back in, then began working on the back door. I’d just taken it apart to begin the re-pinning when I heard loud screams in the basement.
I dropped the lock pieces on the table and dashed to the stairway, wondering if Lois had fallen or was being attacked. As I opened the basement door, the horrible odor hit me and I knew what all the screaming was about. I’d smelled that very distinct stench before and I knew it could only be one thing--a dead human. Still, I called down the stairs, “What’s the matter?” as I pulled out my cell phone and dialed 9-1-1.
“Oh, my God!” Lois screamed up at me. “There’s a dead body in the vault! Call 9-1-1!”
“I’m on it,” I yelled to her, then stood back as a white-faced Lois and Mr. Simms rushed up the stairs.
“It was okay until I opened the vault door and now it smells horrible down there!” Lois exclaimed, holding her hand over her mouth as she ran to the bathroom.
I stared at Mr. Simms. “What did she mean, she opened the vault door? Wasn’t it locked?”
“No,” he said, grimacing. “We were talking about how I could have the vault removed if I wanted to, and she just pulled on the door handle and it came open. And there he was! And the stink!”
By the time Lois came back out, still looking pretty shaken, several police cars had arrived, Chance among them.
He did not look pleased to see me. “Must you always be involved in my cases?” he asked, a scowl on his face.
“Hey, I didn’t find the body this time,” I said, knowing he was referring to the body in the antique trunk that I’d found a while back. “Lois and Mr. Simms did.” I waved a hand at where they stood with Sheriff Ben, already answering his questions.
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Chance,” I said, waving a hand at the table full of lock parts and tools in front of me. “You know Lois Wilks, of Johnson’s Realty, don’t you? She called me to get her and her client inside this building so she could show her potential buyer the office space. I stayed up here changing locks.”
Chance scowled. “But you called it in, didn’t you?”
I nodded. “Lois and Mr. Simms had gone to see the basement. She was screaming and told me to call. She got sick and ran to the restroom to vomit, I guess.”
“I see. Well, stick around, we may have more questions,” he said, and moved to Sheriff Ben. They talked a bit, then headed to the basement.
I asked Lois, “You still want the locks changed, I assume?”
“Ah, sure. We don’t have keys to the old locks, so go ahead and finish. Though I suppose now, you’d better make some extra keys. We’ll need to give the police a key until they finish their investigation.”
“Okay. I can do that. The BCA guys will probably want one, too.”
“BCA?”
“The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. They do the forensics stuff.” I sighed and went back to my little table to finish.
“I think I’ll go. I’m no longer interested in buying this building,” Mr. Simms said, mopping his dripping brow with a white handkerchief.
“No, you can’t go yet,” I said hurriedly and Lois nodded agreement. “The detectives will have more questions and they’ll want you to sign a statement, too.”
“Oh,” he said, and sank into a nearby chair in the lobby. He looked pretty green, like he’d definitely rather be somewhere else.
I glanced at Lois. She looked dejected as well. She was probably thinking about the lost commission on this sale.
Soon the forensics team from the BCA arrived. Finally, Chance came back upstairs and, using one of the offices, separately questioned first Lois, then Mr. Simms. I was last.
Before Chance could blurt out the first question, I repeated I only knew secondhand information because I hadn’t been to the basement. He squinted and asked anyway, so I answered as best I could. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to ask. “Do you know who the dead person is?”
Chance looked uncomfortable. “I can’t be sure until the Medical Examiner makes his report.”
I frowned at him. “It’s John Wattmore, isn’t it?”
Chance shrugged. “I think so. The body’s very decomposed.”
“No ID?”
“No. No billfold, watch, rings, nothing.”
“Maybe a robbery, then?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. Sheriff Ben went to tell June we think it’s John, but have to wait for the official report to be sure.”
I closed my eyes, remembering June’s sad face when I’d changed locks for her the other day. “She’s going to be so upset.”
“I suppose, but it can’t be helped. It’s better for us to tell her than to let her find out over the TV or the grapevine. Let’s go over this one more time, okay?”
By the time we finished, theM. E. had arrived. It was almost noon, so I handed Chance and Lois keys and headed off for my lunch date with my friend, Darcy.
***
The grapevine had already been active, since several police cars racing to an empty business building is obviously a sign of something unusual happening in our little town. Canton, Minnesota, doesn’t have all that much excitement, so anything like that sends the gossip flying around town, from one cell phone to the next.
When I arrived at The Flame restaurant, Darcy had already secured us a back table and a pot of coffee.
“You’re still in your nurse’s uniform?” I asked, dropping into the chair opposite her.
She sighed. “Yeah. Had to work extra hours again.” She picked up the coffee pot and filled my cup.
I grabbed the cup, sipping the hot brew gratefully. “Thanks, Darcy. You’re a life saver.”
She grinned. “That’s what RNs are for, isn’t it?”
“I guess. So how was work today?”
“Never mind my work, what’s going on with you? I hear you were at the old bank building and they found a body there.”
I sighed and shuddered. “That’s right. Actually, the Johnson’s Realty agent, Lois, and her client found the body. I didn’t see it, myself, thank goodness.”
“So, was it John Wattmore?”
“What makes you think that?”
Darcy signaled the waitress, and told her, “Our usual order, please.” She nodded and headed for the kitchen to put in our order for seafood salads. We eat here often and are pretty predictable.
“A police car went to June Wattmore’s house a while ago. I assume it was to let her know about the body they found.”
Cassie laughed. “I might have known that would get around. True, that’s why they went there, but they can’t be sure of the body’s identity until the autopsy’s done.”
Darcy made a face. “That bad, huh. He must have been dead for a while, then.”
Cassie shrugged. “I don’t know. But he smelled pretty bad.”
“Let’s not talk about that when we’re eating.”
“Good idea. Tonight’s the Chamber dinner. I have to wear a dress.”
Darcy laughed. “Good for you. It won’t hurt for Chance to see you dressed up for a change, you know.”
“Hey, I wear something nice whenever we go out for dinner.”
“But it’s usually a pantsuit, isn’t it?”
“I suppose.”
“So, wear a dress when you have an excuse, just to show him what you look like in one.”
Cassie sighed. “I suppose I could.”
Darcy laughed. “You’re such a tomboy.”
“I am not! Just because I like to work with my hands instead of sitting at a desk all day…”
“Okay, okay. Just sayin’.”
***
Taking Darcy’s advice, I stopped at Marion’s Dress shop to see what she had. Marion is a good friend of mine and I trust her judgment in clothes more than my own. She loves to dress up and is always a walking advertisement for her shop.
Today, the shop was empty for a change, so as soon as I walked in, I had her attention. When I told her I needed something attractive and special to wear to the Chamber dinner tonight, she grinned. “I know just the thing,” she said, disappearing into her backroom. She came back out with a lovely dress over her arm. “I just got in a new shipment. When I saw this one, I thought of you and it’s just your size. It has clean lines, is simple, yet so elegant.”
“But it looks expensive,” I protested. My van needed new brakes and I always seemed to be one step behind on my bills.
“Just try it on,” Marion said, smoothing down the silky peach skirt. “And you know I always give you a big discount on the price.”
“Okay.” I glanced at the price tag and gasped. But when the sleek lines of the dress slid over my body, I couldn’t help smiling at myself in the three-way mirror. It fit like it was made for me. The skirt swirled around my legs as I turned to look at myself from the side and the color made my hair look more of a chestnut shade than usual. And somehow, my hazel eyes looked more green. I knew Chance would like it. I’d skimp on something else this month.
I walked out to show it to Marion, spinning around to show it off for her.
She clapped her hands and nodded. “I just knew it would look great on you.”
I smiled and said, “I’ll take it.”
***
When Chance arrived to pick me up and saw me in it, his eyes lit up and he smiled. “Wow, you outdid yourself, tonight, honey.” He gave me a kiss.
I grinned. “Thanks. I do wear a dress once in a while.”
“I love it. But it’s chilly out tonight. Better wear a coat.”
When Chance and I arrived at the nice restaurant where the Chamber dinner was held, a crowd of people were already standing around the dining room, drinks in hand. The discovery of the body in the old bank vault was the talk of the evening.
Chance went to the bar to get us drinks while I headed for Darcy, who was talking to a group of people I knew. The long tables were all set up with white tablecloths and maroon napkins folded into a Fleur-de-lys design and tucked into each water goblet. Several crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and light sparkled from their many facets.
Before I got to Darcy, someone grabbed my arm. “Oh, Cassie,” Mrs. Wilks, Lois’ mother, said beside me, “Lois tells me you were there today, too. Do tell us all about it.”
I reluctantly turned to see Lois Wilks standing nearby, looking green and embarrassed by her mother’s excitement. I sent her an apologetic smile and said, “Really, Lois and Mr. Simms found the body. I stayed upstairs, so what I know is only second-hand information. You’ll have to get the details from Lois.”
I turned back and hurried over to Darcy, just as Chance brought me a glass of white wine. “The gossip is going full speed,” I murmured to him. “I think they’re all surprised you’re here tonight.”
“Yeah, I know. I was hoping to get some info from various people’s reactions. We’ll see if I do or not. I need to mingle, Cassie.”
“Of course, Chance. Go ahead.” He handed me the wine, nodded and moved back toward the group where several of the bank employees and their wives were chatting.
Darcy eyed me and commented, “Oh, I like that dress, Cassie. Is it new?”
I smiled. Pleasing Darcy isn’t always easy. “I’m glad you like it. Yes, it’s new. I broke down and went to see Marion this afternoon. She’d just gotten in a new shipment. Said she’d thought of me when she unpacked this one and set it aside.”
“Ah. It’s nice to have a friend who owns a nice dress shop, isn’t it? She’s done that for me a time or two, too. I usually find that the ones she picks are good choices for me.”
“She has excellent taste,” I agreed, sipping my wine. I saw Marion standing with several other women a short distance away. She’d obviously heard Darcy’s excited comment and smiled. I sent her a little wave and smiled back.
Behind us, a man’s rough laugh caught my attention. Then he said, “Good riddance, I say. That damn Wattmore cost me a bundle when he foreclosed on me last year. Wouldn’t hear of giving me a bit more time. Good thing I got another loan from an online bank, or I’d be out of business for sure.”
Not wanting to turn around, I whispered to Darcy, who was facing me and could thus see who was talking, “Who said that?”
“I don’t know his name, but he’s the guy who’s building several houses on top of the hill. Where they just paved some new streets last year, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Joe something, I think. Sounds like he’s happy to know John is gone.”
“I guess so. And a couple of other construction guys with him agreed,” Darcy said. “Do you suppose any of them were angry enough to kill him?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea. But people can get very emotional about money.”
The definite scent of musk cologne or aftershave met my nose and the hair on the back of my neck rose. I glanced around, but couldn’t be sure who was wearing the scent. In this crush of people, all milling about, talking and laughing, it could be anyone. Or probably more than one person, since I knew it was a common scent for men’s aftershave.
Just then our host announced dinner was ready, so everyone moved to the tables. Darcy’s husband claimed her. Chance and I took places near the middle, trying to see as many people as possible.
I whispered in his ear, “I smelled musk cologne or aftershave.”
“On who?” Chance asked in a subdued voice.
I shrugged. “Not sure.”
“I did, too, but on several people, so that’s no help.”
“I suppose not,” I muttered back.
“What are you two whispering about?” Mrs. Wilks demanded from across the table.
Darcy grinned at us. “Now, Mrs. Wilks, let the lovebirds alone. You were young once, too, weren’t you?”
“Humph,” she said and turned to talk to her daughter.
Someone asked about finding the body, and Chance made a face and replied, “I can’t give out any information until we get the official autopsy report. Anyway, guys, please, no talk of unpleasant things while we’re eating.”
That brought out a ripple of nervous laughter around the table and the chatter moved to other things. After dinner the Chamber president held a lengthy business meeting where the problems of the upcoming summer Festival and parade were discussed in detail, with some members raising their voices in heated debate.
When that finally ended, everyone again wandered about with after-dinner drinks or headed for the restrooms. A few went for their coats and hurried out the door.
I headed for the ladies’ room and had to wait in line for a stall, finally getting one. A few minutes later I heard several women discussing finding John’s body. Everyone seemed to assume it was he, although theM. E. hadn’t yet confirmed it. After all, no one else in our quaint town was missing. Someone asked, “I wonder why the Bales aren’t here tonight?”
Another woman laughed and answered, “Maybe they had another hot party planned. Can’t miss those, you know.”
“Neither of the Lonns are here tonight, either,” the first woman said.
“I don’t think they’ve gone out very much since the divorce. Hate to answer questions, I suppose. Or take a chance on running into each other.”
“Ha. Irene’s probably still nursing her injuries.”
“I hope she has a good lawyer and takes him for plenty,” another woman commented.
I couldn’t help silently agreeing with those women.
The first woman said, “They’re both former bank partners of John Wattmore. Maybe they’re grieving his loss.”
“Ha,” came the reply. “I doubt they’re grieving over him after the way they treated him.”
“Well, he wasn’t the kindest loan officer, you know. Maybe he deserved it.”
“I doubt anyone deserves to be murdered.”
I couldn’t help agreeing with that sentiment. I heard them leave, so I left the stall, washed my hands and touched up my makeup, then went back to find Chance waiting for me, ready to leave. I glanced around the now almost empty room and realized we were among the few still here.
***
Later, we sat curled up together in my bed after a hot session of lovemaking. Chance was having a beer and I had propped a couple of pillows up against the headboard and sipped a glass of white wine while we compared notes on what we’d heard at the meeting. I pulled up the blue flowered blanket to warm my still naked body.
“Did you figure out who was wearing the musk scent?”
“No, though I’m pretty sure several people were wearing it including a couple of the construction guys.”
“They were pretty outspoken about not liking John.” I told him about the various construction guys’ comments. He’d heard several similar comments from two manufacturing owners who’d had problems with John.
“And I heard similar remarks from a couple of farmers at the coffee shop this afternoon. John apparently earned his reputation of being a hard businessman,” Chance said, trailing a finger down my arm. He pulled the blanket back to reveal my breast and began flicking his tongue against my nipple.
I squirmed in pleasure. “Do you think any of those people could have killed him?”
“Well, he didn’t lock himself in that vault,” Chance said with a laugh.
“He was locked in?” I asked and then a horrible thought occurred to me. “Oh, no, he wasn’t still alive when he was locked in?”
“Oh, no, with a couple of bullets in him, I’m sure he was dead before the door was even closed. Ugh.” He made a face. “I didn’t tell you that.”
I grinned. “Yes, you did.”
“Well, I didn’t mean to. So, don’t repeat it to anyone until they announce the autopsy results. I’m not supposed to be telling you anything.”
“And I’m not supposed to repeat gossip to you. But I do and leave it to you whether to investigate further.”
Chance smiled and kissed me. “Every little piece to the puzzle helps. I never know which one may be the last piece needed to figure out the whole picture.”