Chapter Seven
If Caprice could take Lady with her, she would. But of course, she couldn’t. Not to Shape Up, Kismet’s popular gym. Caprice didn’t like exercise. Oh, she walked Lady. But as far as machines and jogging, she didn’t particularly like to sweat. That’s why swimming suited her. She knew the best time to hit the pool was when the fitness center wasn’t too busy. There always seemed to be a lull between eleven and noon. Today, as soon as she walked in the locker room, she ran into Marianne Brisbane, who probably had the same idea she did. Marianne was a reporter for the Kismet Crier and had helped Caprice on a couple of cases.
Now Marianne greeted her with, “I like getting wet better in the summer than in the winter, don’t you?”
Caprice laughed. “At least I don’t have to dry my hair in the summer. Are we going to race?”
“Maybe for the first five laps, but then I just need to work out all the muscles that cramped up sitting at my desk. Actually, I was going to give you a call today.”
“You were?” She wasn’t exactly sure what was on Marianne’s mind, but she could guess. Marianne had sources and contacts who kept her up-to-date on the most recent developments in Kismet. Murder was a recent development.
“Video footage crossed my desk yesterday,” Marianne said.
“What video footage?”
“I have a contact at the police station who phoned me that someone had put video on their social media page about Drew Pierson’s murder.”
“Witnesses?” Caprice’s heart started thumping.
“No, not in the way you mean. You and your sister Nikki were on the video.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. It was cell phone footage captured by a bystander. When Detective Jones found out about it, he made the guy take it down. But you and Nikki were standing outside the house. The footage showed a patrolman leading you one way and Nikki another. Split up for questioning, I would guess. Did you find the body?”
“Nikki did, but I was right behind her. I went in to see if there was anything we could do, and she called nine-one-one. So, this video is no longer spreading around the fact that we were there?”
“Nope. The police handled it. I went over it with a fine-toothed comb but couldn’t find anything important. It didn’t start until the police were already on the scene. Are you going to try to investigate this one?”
“I might have to. The detectives will be looking at Nikki, and I want her in the clear.”
“If I had a sister, I’d want her in the clear too. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
Taking a stab in the dark, Caprice asked, “Do you know Jeanie Boswell, Drew’s sister?”
“Can’t say I do.”
“How about Larry Penya or Bronson Chronister? They were friends of Drew’s.”
“Bronson Chronister. I’ve been hearing that name batted about lately. He’s become influential in Kismet. He’s good-looking, has family money and business sense. I think he’ll be the next Chamber of Commerce president.”
Caprice turned to the lockers, opened one with a key she’d picked up at the desk, and plopped her duffel bag on the bench. “Drew’s grandmother is the only one who’s given me any information. I don’t want to push and prod her right now. She has enough to deal with. But I need to learn more about Drew’s background, even his younger years.”
“I graduated a year before your sister Nikki. I think Drew graduated the year after you did, didn’t he?”
“I really hadn’t thought much about that,” Caprice answered. “But that would be easy to find out. The library has old yearbooks.”
Marianne closed her locker door. “There’s somebody working out in the gym you might want to talk to if you want to know about Drew’s teenage years.”
“Who?” Caprice really hadn’t paid any attention to the members who were working out when she’d entered Shape Up.
“Louis Fairchild was on the treadmill when I came in. He was the shop teacher when we were in high school, wasn’t he?”
Caprice thought about it. She remembered the shop teacher with his red hair, freckles, and friendly green eyes. He’d been well liked. She hadn’t crossed his path in years.
“He left teaching, didn’t he?” she asked Marianne.
“He did. Rumor had it he wanted to make more money doing something else. He crafted the most beautiful furniture. I think he opened a store for a while. But he ended up as an insurance salesman. I don’t know if learning what Drew was like in his classes would help, but he might be a good source.”
Caprice glanced toward the door that led to the pool entrance, then back to the door that led out to the gym. “I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes. I’m going to see if I can talk to him, if he’s still here.”
Louis Fairchild was in the gym area. His red hair was almost all gray now, but he still had freckles. He’d beefed up a bit since she’d known him. That’s what working out would do. He was wearing black sweatpants and a white T-shirt. His jowls were a bit more saggy than she remembered, and he didn’t seem quite as tall. But she knew that was an illusion. She’d been a kid when she’d walked the halls of the high school. Back then, adults had just seemed taller, she supposed.
When she approached him, he held up a finger. “One more minute, then you can have it.” Sweat beaded his brow, and he had a towel slung around his neck.
She didn’t try to explain she didn’t want the machine. She just waited.
When he completed his time, he turned down the treadmill, took a few deep breaths as it slowed, then stepped off the machine. “It’s all yours.”
“Do you remember me?” she asked, knowing he probably wouldn’t. Fifteen years was a long time. He studied her for a few moments, from her straight brown hair to her jeweled flip-flops.
“Your picture was in the paper.” Then recognition dawned on his face and he snapped his fingers. “Caprice De Luca, isn’t it?”
“Right. I went to Kismet High when you taught there.”
He smiled at her. “That was a lifetime ago.”
“I was wondering if I could talk to you for a few minutes about Drew Pierson.”
A somber look stole over his face. “Drew. I can’t believe what happened to him.”
“I know. He wasn’t in my class, but my sister knew him.”
“Then or now?” Louis Fairchild asked, curious.
“Now.” Caprice motioned to a quiet corner of the gym. “Can we go over there?”
“Sure, but I don’t quite understand why you want to talk to me.”
“Nikki and I found Drew.”
He frowned. “I’m so sorry. That must have been a terrible experience.”
“It was. And what makes it worse is that the police are questioning my sister. She and Drew had rival businesses.”
“What kind of businesses?” Fairchild asked.
“They’re both chefs. Drew opened a catering company in competition with Nikki’s. So I’m guessing she’s on the detectives’ persons-of-interest list.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’m looking into Drew’s background. I know he was still friends with his high school buddies, Larry Penya and Bronson Chronister.”
“Those three were fast friends, and they could be hellions.”
“Drew’s grandmother hinted at as much. Can you tell me about them?”
“There’s not much to say, really. They were your typical guys who didn’t want to be in school. Anything and everything was more interesting. Shop interested them somewhat because I kept them busy, working with their hands.”
“Did they get into trouble at school?”
“They were ordered to detention now and then, never suspension or expelled. They got caught drag racing a couple of times, but they weren’t charged.”
“Why not?”
Fairchild looked as if he shouldn’t say, but then he shrugged. “It’s really no secret. Bronson’s dad knew the police chief back then. That’s the way it was before Chief Powalski took over as chief of police. Money talked. One of the other teachers claimed they cheated on tests, helped each other out somehow, but no one could ever prove it. They weren’t just drinking buddies. You know, beer out on top of Lookout Point on weekends. They were as thick as thieves.”
She realized that was just a saying, but she knew it was true. Until thieves turned on each other.
Were Bronson and Larry really Drew’s good friends now? Or had one of them turned on him for some reason?
Fairchild glanced at the weight stations, and she knew he wanted to continue with his workout. She should get to hers. Marianne would be about ten laps ahead of her by now.
“Thank you for talking to me.”
“No problem,” he said with a wry smile. “That article I read about you—it said you rescue stray animals.”
“They seem to find me.”
“It’s good work. My dog Nanook is a constant companion, a best buddy.”
“What kind is he?”
“Shepherd-husky mix. I rescued him from a shelter. Good luck with looking into Drew’s background. I hope you and the police can figure it out.”
She hoped they could too. Wouldn’t it be great if they could work together for a change? But she knew that wouldn’t happen. She was a civilian. Carstead and Jones wouldn’t let her near the info they collected. But if Grant kept his ear to the ground, maybe he could find out what was going on. At least, whether there was a hint that Nikki could be charged.
Caprice said good-bye to Louis Fairchild and headed for the pool. Twenty laps would clear her head enough so she’d know what step to take next.
* * *
After an early supper, Caprice was enjoying a cup of coffee and checking her list for the Nautical Interlude house staging with her pets nearby when Bella called her.
“I know Jeanie Boswell.”
“What do you mean, you know Jeanie?”
“She prepared the flower arrangements for the school’s Christmas pageant last year. I worked with her, positioning them on the stage, and hanging garlands, setting up fake candles. I think we should stop in her flower shop and have a chat with her. Posies is open until eight, and Joe said he’ll watch the kids for an hour.”
It was unusual for Bella to get involved in one of Caprice’s murder investigations, but they were all involved now because of Nikki.
“I want to go see her. But she might not even be at the shop,” Caprice mused aloud, thinking about the grief a sister would feel. “Unless she’s working at Posies to keep busy. I was just trying to figure out an angle for stopping in, and I didn’t want to tell Nikki, because I didn’t want her to go along.”
“Exactly,” Bella agreed. “Nikki needs to stay out of this. The police will just look on whatever she does as suspect. I know because of what Joe went through.”
When Joe was suspected of murder, his family and his life were in turmoil. Thank goodness he and Bella had gotten back on track. It had taken a lot of hard work and counseling with Father Gregory, but they were doing it.
“Does Joe want you involved in this?”
“Joe understands. We can stop in at Posies and tell Jeanie we need a bouquet of flowers for Nana. It’s true. Nana would like a bouquet of flowers.”
“Do you want me to pick you up?” Caprice asked her. “I have the Camaro back.” The police had released it.
“You know I think riding in that is as rad as Timmy does. Sure, I’ll save on gas. When can you be here?”
“I’ll let Lady out and be there in twenty.”
Lady wanted to go along, of course, but tonight Caprice thought it was better if she stayed home. She patted her on the head and ruffled her ears. “I’ll leave treats in your kibble ball. You can entertain Mirabelle and Sophia.”
Lady cocked her head and stared at Caprice with those huge brown eyes. Then she gave a little resigned “ruff” and went off to find Sophia and Mirabelle, who were taking their evening nap and were about to be bothered.
Caprice’s retro fashion sense seemed to irk Bella, but she didn’t let that bother her. Tonight she chose a sixties-style shift with vertical stripes in lime and fuchsia. She added white ballet flats, a white vinyl retro purse and was ready to go.
After Bella slid into the passenger side of the Camaro, she gave Caprice’s outfit a once-over and shook her head. “You’re an escapee from the past. Someday you’ll learn how to dress up-to-date.”
“I don’t want to learn. I have a whole history of fashion to choose from. Isn’t that more fun?”
Bella rolled her eyes. “I hate to think what you’re going to wear to Ace’s concert. Leather and rivets?”
“Maybe,” Caprice said with a laugh. “Grant might like that. I haven’t talked to him about it yet. I left a message, but we’ve been playing phone tag.”
Bella couldn’t help but break into a smile. “Yeah, he might like leather and rivets. My next-door neighbor’s going to babysit, so Joe and I are all set.”
“I’ll have to use a pet sitter to check on Lady and the felines.”
“Have you heard whether Uncle Dom has started pet sitting yet?”
“I don’t know if his whole bonding and insurance process has gone through, but he started Sunday night for a friend of Mom’s. He’ll be at the concert too, or I’d ask him. I hope pet sitting works for him.”
“I’m sure Mom and Dad hope that too,” Bella said wryly. “Any guest who stays as long as he has must cramp their style.”
“Their style?”
“You know, running around the house in a nightie, she and Dad going on a date night once a week and coming home to just watch a movie together. That kind of thing.”
Caprice remembered when her friend Roz had stayed with her during her husband’s murder investigation. Caprice had enjoyed having her there. But that was different.
In the summer, Kismet drew tourists from Gettysburg, Harrisburg, and Lancaster. They wandered in and out of the shops and helped the local economy. In spite of the increased traffic, however, Caprice found a parking space directly in front of Posies.
Twinkle lights surrounded the windows on both sides of the flower shop’s door. A summery display of silk flowers was arranged attractively in one window, and hanging baskets were displayed in the other. Inside the store, refrigerated cases held fresh arrangements and vases of roses, tulips, and lilies. The rest of the store was dotted with glass shelves displaying gifts and silk flower arrangements. Posies sold everything to do with flowers, as well as the trinkets and baubles to decorate them. One corner housed the balloon station, and several Mylar samples with printed sayings from Get Well to Congratulations to Happy Birthday bobbed near the ceiling.
“There she is,” Bella said, elbowing Caprice.
A woman around their age sat at the counter, studying the computer monitor before her. Caprice could see photos of flowers, and she guessed the page pointed to a website for ordering.
When they’d opened the door, a buzzer had sounded. At their footsteps, Jeanie Boswell looked up. She wore her brown hair pulled back into a low ponytail. She had a round face and wide-set eyes and didn’t resemble Drew at all. When she stood, she pursed her thin lips. She was wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt emblazoned with POSIES.
Her scowl almost made her look ferocious. “Your sister did it, didn’t she?”
Caprice was totally taken aback. Glancing at Bella, she saw her sister’s face was reddening, and Caprice knew that happened when Bella got angry.
“Why would you say such a thing?” Bella shot at Jeanie. Bella was always one to give as good as she got. She wasn’t particularly a peacemaker.
Caprice, on the other hand, tried to throw a wet blanket over conflict. Now she jumped in. “Jeanie, we’re sorry about Drew. So sorry. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose a brother.”
At that Jeanie backed up a step, but her face didn’t show any other expression. She was silent as she crossed her arms over her chest. Ignoring Caprice’s condolences, she said, “I call it as I see it. Your sister had the most to gain from Drew being taken out of the picture. With him gone, she doesn’t have any competition.”
After another quick look at Bella, who appeared ready to pick up one of the flower bouquets and toss it at Jeanie, Caprice decided a little bit of fire of her own might not hurt. “Don’t you have something to gain with Drew dead? You’ll be your grandmother’s only heir.”
Now Jeanie’s face pinkened. She blurted out, “I would never—”
Caprice held up her hand as if to try to stop the whole interchange. “Let’s start over,” she suggested. “We didn’t come here to accuse you of anything. I’m trying to figure out what happened to Drew.”
“Someone bashed his skull in,” Jeanie muttered.
“Nikki and I saw that firsthand. We’re trying to figure out who might have had a grudge against him, or something worse. Can you tell us who he hung out with the most?”
Standing and pushing her stool under the counter, Jeanie thought about it. “Drew knew a lot of people, but his best buddies were Larry Penya and Bronson Chronister. Bronson owns that Happy Camper Recreational Vehicle Center.”
It seemed everyone close to Drew knew about Larry and Bronson. “Your grandmother told us Drew was cooking and catering out of Bronson’s kitchen. Do you know anything about that?”
“You should see Bronson’s house,” Jeanie said as if she envied the man. “Drew took me over there once. Bronson’s got a state-of-the-art refrigerator. You know. The walk-in kind?”
Caprice did know, because Nikki had one.
Jeanie went on, “His kitchen is all that stainless steel and black granite, three ovens, with an island in the middle. It was perfect for Drew to work out of. And Bronson isn’t there all that much. He’s either working or traveling.”
“That sounds like a friend helping out a friend. He didn’t charge Drew rent?” Caprice asked.
Jeanie shook her head. “No, those guys are tight . . . or were tight. They helped each other whenever they needed it.”
Again Jeanie sounded wistful, as if she wished she had friends like that.
“Did he hang out with anyone else?” Bella asked.
“There was another chef he once worked with and toured restaurants with. You know, if a new place opened up, they’d go and try it. His name is Mario Ruiz.”
The name sounded familiar to Caprice, but she wasn’t sure where she’d heard it.
“They worked together at a high-class hotel in D.C.,” Jeanie continued. “But when the hotel cut staff, both Drew and Mario came back to Kismet. Mario works at a downtown York restaurant now, a little expensive bistro that I can’t afford. He and Drew catch up when they can.”
“I heard a rumor that Drew got into trouble in his teens,” Caprice prompted.
“So you know about the drag racing,” Jeanie commented.
Playing along, Bella said, “Just a little. Drag racing is serious trouble. You know I have a son. If he even thought about doing that, I’d lock him in his room.”
Jeanie gave a wry laugh. “There was no locking Drew up anywhere. He was stubborn and wild. Just ask any of his teachers. But then he seemed to get some sense when he went to chef school. He was different when he came back. I couldn’t believe it when he moved in with Gram after he left D.C.”
“You couldn’t believe Drew would do that, or you couldn’t believe your grandmother would want him to do that?”
“I’d never seen that side of Drew before,” Jeanie confessed. “Gram had broken her arm, was starting to have trouble seeing and getting around. So he said he’d help her out instead of getting a place of his own. He cooked her meals, bought groceries, drove her to doctors’ appointments when he could. I think he was trying hard to do what was right because it didn’t come naturally. Maybe he felt he wasn’t grateful enough for all those years she took care of us. On the other hand, he didn’t have to pay room and board, and he could save whatever he made. I think in the back of his mind, he nursed the idea that he wanted to open up a restaurant someday.”
That was new information. Had Drew changed his mind about that? Maybe he decided to go in a different direction after the barbecue sauce recipe sale?
“You’ve told us about Drew’s friends. Do you know if he had any enemies?” That was an important question in any investigation, Caprice knew.
Jeanie had to think about that. “I don’t know of anybody specifically. But Drew could rub people the wrong way without half trying. I don’t know anything about the staff he hired to help him cater.”
The buzzer on the door sounded, and a couple walked inside. They migrated to the refrigerated cases.
“Be with you in a minute,” Jeanie called to them. Then she asked Caprice, “Are we done?”
“For now,” Caprice said gently. “We really are sorry about Drew.”
“Thank you,” Jeanie mumbled.
“We’d like to buy one of those bouquets of sweetheart roses in the case,” Bella told her. “It’s for Nana. I think the yellow one would be great.”
Jeanie said, “I’ll wrap it up for you.”
Caprice was done asking questions for now. She really had no other choice. Jeanie had given her information to explore, even if she didn’t know about specific enemies Drew might have had. Caprice remembered how nasty he’d been with Nikki. Anyone who could be that nasty had to have enemies.
She just needed to find out who they were.