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THE FRONT DOOR TO MAUDE and Santi’s townhouse rattled. “That must be the younger detectives,” Maude said as she hurried to let in Ivy and Joan. She offered them the remaining omelet or coffee cake. They refused but helped themselves to Maude’s freshly brewed black coffee.
Ivy carried her mug over to get a better look at the whiteboard. She approved the timeline with one exception. “Before dessert, Vikki followed Mrs. Sky over to her table and talked with the husband for a few minutes. I remember spying her sitting with them as you unwrapped presents. I remember thinking it was kind of rude to ditch your party to hang out in the dining room.”
Joan backed up Ivy’s story. “I saw that, too. I just figured she knew the Skies already. Small towns are like that.”
Kat clicked her nails on the sides of her mug. “But Vikki isn’t from around here. She flew in with Harrison, right?”
Lydia tried to recall everything her family had told her about Vikki. Her emotions about Vikki’s odious nature skewed her picture. “I don’t think so. I think Calvin and Harrison flew in together. I think Vikki was here a couple of days before. Something about meeting a work associate.”
Maude interjected, “So it’s possible but highly unlikely she knew Mr. and Mrs. Sky before Lydia’s party. Though, in the lounge, she was all cozy with Mrs. Sky.”
Lydia’s phone jangled. She flinched. “Sorry,” she said. “It’s Ethan.” She left the kitchen and paced the hallway talking to her husband.
Maude’s phone rang. She tugged it from its charging nook and scrolled the screen. Lydia watched Maude’s expression fall and her eyes grow round in fear.
They both had received the same news.
***
THE GROUP OF WOMEN flurried. Kat tossed an arm of comradery around Ivy and Flora’s shoulders as they watched Lydia and Maude bundle up. “I’ll stay here,” Kat said. “That way, someone is here if Scooby returns.”
Maude thanked Kat. “Santi drove all the way across town looking for Scooby. We’ll be back as soon as we can,” Maude said. “This craziness needs to end tonight.”
The alarm company reacted slower than Ashton PD. Ethan had heard about the break-in at Con Fuego before Maude. Ashton Police received a phone call from someone inside the restaurant. The same person who had broken in was calling for assistance to get out.
Joan hurried to the vacation house and met them in the courtyard wearing a warmer coat. “You don’t have to come along,” Lydia told her daughter.
“I’m not missing out, this time,” Joan said.
“Where’s your father?” Lydia quizzed Joan as the three women speed-walked to Con Fuego.
“Charles called. Dad didn’t want to interrupt you. He went to the hotel to talk to him.”
“About his visit to the police station?” Lydia asked.
Joan shrugged. “That would be my guess.”
Crossing the slick and shimmering street was easy. Sunday night at eleven pm meant most of the city traffic was tucked into bed, dreading Monday’s arrival. Maude led Lydia and Joan to the back door, near the dumpster.
An officer welcomed the owner. “Right this way, please.” He guided the group over to a man sitting in a booth with a cold compress on his head.
There was no blood or obvious injuries. From all appearances, the man could’ve helped himself inside Con Fuego, developed a migraine, and lay down. Nothing untoward stood out. Until they got to the table. The hazy eyes of Mr. Sky locked on Maude’s surprised face. Maude brought a chair closer to the man and sat down.
“Are you okay, Eric?” the tiny chef asked.
Lydia was stunned to hear Maude use Mr. Sky’s first name. She’d never mentioned it before. But if they had really gone to counseling, together, she must have known it.
Eric Sky’s expression was bathed in shame when he met Maude’s face. The police officer excused himself to converse with a newly arrived medical team.
“Maude,” he pouted, “I’m sorry.”
“You promised. You and Laurie swore you’d never try to get us shut down again.” Maude crossed her arms.
“I know,” Eric said. “And there’s nothing I can say. Except old habits die hard.”
Joan groaned melodramatically and stalked behind Maude’s chair. Lydia shot a warning look to the justifiably frustrated girl. Joan turned away. Lydia sat in a chair behind Maude’s.
“Old habits? Why don’t you just tell me what you are doing here?” Maude asked.
Eric cried softly before explaining. The police officer returned and stood above the party. “Laurie and I were at it again. It’s true.”
Maude’s face flushed with disbelief. “Eric, you didn’t. Did you? I mean, you’re not responsible for that woman’s death on Friday?” The policeman shuffled and leaned down to listen. Eric trembled.
“No! No! Nothing like that. Nothing like that at all! I swear!” Eric said in desperation. He sat upright and immediately regretted it. His head swirled. “Ouch.”
Maude looked Eric up and down and waited for him to regain his composure. “Then tell me now.”
Eric cleared his throat. “I’m here because of Friday. Laurie and I heard, from a source, that a woman was poisoned here. Rat poison in her coffee.”
“That woman’s name was Vikki,” Lydia interjected softly. “And yes, Vikki was poisoned.”
Eric sobbed. “Laurie’s going to kill me.”
Maude leaned away from the odd reaction. She tossed her hands on her hips and glared at Eric Sky. “Maybe that would be justifiable. Or maybe I’ll beat her to it if you don’t start talking.”
The police officer ignored Maude’s frustrated barb. She was obviously growing impatient with Mr. Sky’s antics.
“We planted a rat. In your bathroom,” Eric said.
“A rat,” the cop said. He blinked in disgust.
“Yes, a rat. But that’s all.” Eric readjusted his ice pack. “Not any rat. Our pet rat, Tango.”
“Your pet rat?” Maude winced at the implication. “You were going to let your pet rat loose in my restaurant?”
Eric stuttered over his thoughts. “We thought you didn’t use poison in your traps. Laurie inspected them on a different visit. You have catch and release traps. But then we heard about that Vikki woman...”
“You broke in to rescue your pet rat?” Lydia had heard all kinds of weird motives and excuses. But this topped them all. “Breaking and entering for a pet rat that you planted in a restaurant, that used to be yours, that you want to see shut down?”
“I know it’s stupid,” the man said.
Maude stifled a giggle. “Beyond stupid. I can’t believe you risked Tango’s life to shut us down. I would never do that to my pet. Ramsey is safe and spoiled at home. Where he belongs.”
Lydia didn’t remember seeing a cage at Maude’s place. “You have a rat?”
Maude’s sternness faded when talking about her beloved pet. “No. Ramsey is a hedgehog. He was just waking up when we left.”
“Ramsey? Like Gordon?” Joan laughed as she caught the irony.
“The same. And I would never ever put his life in jeopardy. Especially to shut down another person's restaurant.” Maude shot a stern side-eye at Eric.
Eric whimpered. Lydia broke the awkward pause. “Did you find him?”
Eric nodded. “Yes. He’s alive. Barely. But the police won’t let me have him back.”
“Wait.” Lydia recalled her conversation with Ethan. “How did the police get here before the alarm company called you?” she asked Maude.
“I called them,” Eric said.