The morning after the accident, Motts woke up feeling about a hundred years old. Her neck and back had tightened up, and she had an impressive bruised strip going across her front from the seat belt.
Motts wanted to hide from the world again. She knew from experience doing so would only make going out harder the next time. Like Moss, pulling into her shell and staying in the cottage for weeks on end wouldn’t be healthy.
“Coffee. Coffee and a croissant.” Motts carefully measured out Cactus’s breakfast. She’d brave the outdoors to feed her cravings. And worst-case scenario, she could sneak into the kitchen at Griffin Brews to eat. “Maybe Callie and Ashby can meet me there. Neutral territory.”
Meow.
“I’m sure Leena will have treats for you.” Motts rubbed his ears. “You behave yourself. Take care of Moss.”
Meow.
“I hear the rain.” Motts finished clearing out Moss’s terrarium. She made sure Cactus’s sleeping blanket on the windowsill was appropriately fluffed up. “I won’t take too long. We can venture into the garden once it stops drizzling.”
Motts grabbed her wellies, coat, and umbrella. She loved her rain boots. Vina had bought them for her on a shopping trip to London. They were the perfect shade of blue, with sailboats all around.
Stepping outside into the softly falling rain, Motts wandered up the path to look over the cliffs to the sea. Gloomy skies. Rough seas. Salty air. She loved walking outside during a gentle summer shower.
Tourists tended to stay indoors, for one. The downside of a steady drizzle was how slick the steps became. She carefully managed to get down the stairs into the village.
“Morning, dear.” Doc waved from the doorway of the post office. “Enjoying the morning rain?”
Motts tilted her umbrella to see him. “It’s lovely, isn’t it?”
“Beautiful. If I were a young man, I’d be hiking the coastal path this morning. Nothing like a Cornish summer rain.” He winked at her. “My Elys would want me to tell you not to catch your death of cold. So, there, I’ve said it. Now you run off and enjoy jumping in puddles on my behalf, since I can’t.”
In London, Motts had never gotten to know her neighbours. She’d been too afraid. Another reason she’d never move back to the big city.
“Hello, love.” Marnie jogged across the street to walk beside her. She ducked under Motts’s umbrella. “Rumour has it Amy O’Connell’s turned on her sons. She suggested to your inspector that her Jasper and Mikey conspired. Conspired.”
“Did she?” Motts stopped so suddenly Marnie kept going and had to turn around to come back. “Not surprised. What do you mean rumour has it?”
“Overheard my Perry chatting with Inspector Herceg last night.” Marnie grinned. “Oh, must run, someone’s outside the shop. Come by later.”
Motts could only stare at the bridal shop owner in bemused silence. “Bye then.”
Continuing down the street, Motts went around the corner and across to Griffin Brews. She smiled at Nish, who was writing out the daily specials in chalk on the board set up in the window. He pushed open the door for her.
“Morning.” She accepted the quick hug from Nish. “How’s River? He never texted me last night.”
“Sore. Bruised. He’s going in for a massage on his neck and back. His car is completely wrecked. Not sure they’ll be able to fix the thing.” Nish looped his arm around hers. “His mum brought over a boatload of food.”
“Mums.” Motts had no doubts Auntie Lily would keep a close eye on her only son. “I’m glad my mum hasn’t heard about it yet. I’ll never hear the end of how dangerous Cornwall can be.”
“Trust Motts to venture out into the rain after being in a car accident.” Vina stepped up to the counter. “Drop your brolly in the bucket by the door. No dripping on the floors. I’ve already mopped up once. No dripping.”
Motts handed her umbrella and raincoat to Nish when he held his hands out. She frowned when both Vina and Nish broke into giggles. “I won’t ask. I already know whatever made you two cackle like hyenas is either gross or sexual. Maybe both.”
“Mum and Nish made a new flavour.” Vina wisely changed the subject. “Cardamom and caramel latte. It’s almost like a spiced brown sugar coffee with cream. Delish.”
“Perfect on a rainy day. We’d planned to keep it for autumn, but today’s a brilliant day for it.” Nish slipped behind the counter to make a large mug for her. “We’ve also got a batch of salted pistachio and chocolate croissants.”
“You’ll want several. Trust me.” Vina plated up three of them. “Your usual table or the one in the kitchen?”
“Usual. For now.” Motts retreated to the round table in the far corner of the café. “Callie and Ashby might be joining me later.”
“Oh?” Vina lifted one perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “Are they? Why?”
“Mysterious metals mingled.” Motts bit into her first croissant. “Magnificent.”
“None of those words make sense together. But I’ll take the compliment on my creation.” Vina preened.
“Callie brought me a piece of intrigue last night.” Motts finished chewing, brushed her fingers on a napkin, and pulled her phone out to show Vina the image of the necklace. She scrolled over to the close-up of the clasp. “Think it might’ve been Nadine O’Connell’s.”
“How did Callie get a gaudy bit of jewellery from Nadine O’Connell?” Nish peered over Vina’s shoulder down at the photo. “Ashby?”
“Got it in one.” Motts pointed at her nose. She grabbed for a second croissant. “These are going to sell like hotcakes.”
“Teo and Perry have been stopping by in the mornings for coffee. Think they’re working on the O’Connell case together. Innis saw them by the harbour and warehouse yesterday.” Nish got on with the owner of the fish shop better than Motts. “He’s keeping an eye out. I’ll try to distract them if they pop in. You know Teo will have questions if he sees you chatting with one of his suspects.”
Motts had no doubt Teo would find her presence at a table with Ashby suspicious. “I’ll tell him about the necklace. Eventually.”
While the twins returned to preparing for the morning rush, Motts eased her tablet out of her backpack. She wanted to make a few design notes for a new commission. She’d received a few emails from potential clients and wanted to get a head start on her ideas for them.
One of the messages had come from a friend of Marnie who’d wanted to remain anonymous. Strange, but Motts trusted Marnie. The person wanted a bouquet of peonies in a shadowbox frame.
Since her bouquets tended to be made of origami, Motts wanted the quilling work of peonies to be special. The messages had indicated the piece was a memorial for a beloved family member who had passed away. It had to be perfect.
“Mottsy.”
Motts lifted her head up slowly, struggling to switch her mind from creative mode to the real world. Vina waited patiently by her table. “What?”
“Your guests are here. I’ll bring you another coffee in a second.” Vina picked up the empty mug and plate. “Want another croissant?”
“Sure. You’ll bring them mid-conversation to satisfy your curiosity.” Motts knew her best friend well. “Croissants.”
“Yes, croissants,” Vina promised.
While Ashby and Callie got their order, Motts sat waiting. Anxiety built. She shoved her hands into her pockets to keep from scratching her palms raw.
“Morning.” Callie slipped into one of the seats around the small table while Ashby took the other. “I haven’t been here early in the mornings. I’m usually working or in a kayak at this time.”
Small talk.
Motts nodded. Why did I think I could manage this? I should’ve made Vina sit with me. “Right.”
“Well, we’ve covered the awkward greeting.” Callie stirred her coffee absently. She hadn’t taken a sip or touched her breakfast pasty. “Ash. You wanted to get the truth off your chest. Why don’t you start? We don’t need to hem and haw around how our day is going.”
“I….” He stared morosely down at his cup of tea. “She asked me to sell the necklace for her.”
“She?” Motts found the explanation far too simple and also impossible to prove. “I assume you mean the elder Mrs O’Connell.”
“Nadine. I used to camp in her garden on my hiking trips across Cornwall when she was healthy. Amy accused me of taking advantage of her mother. Tossed me out on my ear.” Ashby’s fingers curled around the handle of the cup tightly. “Poor old woman. She reminded me of my gran. I don’t care what anyone else says. She was always kind to me. I tried to help her. She wanted to hire a solicitor, for some reason.”
“A solicitor? Why give you a necklace, though?” Motts knew Amy could be vile, mistrusting, and possibly dangerous. She still wasn’t sure if she believed Ashby. “Why keep the necklace?”
“She went missing. Not two days after I saw her. I was frightened.” He shoved the tea away, causing it to slosh onto the table. He swiped at the mess with a napkin. “What would I tell the police? I’ve got this expensive jewellery from an elderly woman who’s disappeared? They’d never take my word for it. I had no proof.”
Not sure I believe you now.
Then again, if he killed her for it, why not sell the necklace?
“Do you not have any evidence at all? A text message or something?” Callie clearly had some of the same reservations as Motts. “What did the police say when they questioned you earlier in the week?”
“I didn’t tell them.” Ashby gathered up the soggy napkins. He twisted around, looking for a rubbish bin, and froze. “They won’t believe me.”
Before either Motts or Callie could respond, Ashby had rushed away from the table. He fled the café. The two women stared after him in silence.
“He does that a lot.” Motts noticed two familiar faces by the door. Ashby had obviously spotted the two detective inspectors and been scared. “Bugger.”
While Perry Ash queued up in the line by the counter, Teo headed directly toward her table. Motts shifted in the chair. She smiled when Vina popped over with a refill.
A distraction, a blatant attempt to eavesdrop, and a show of support.
“Well, I have a kayak tour to run. I better get home to Fowey.” Callie downed her coffee, snatched up the rest of her pasty, and fled out of the café.
Motts glanced from the now closed front door to Teo to Vina. Small talk. I can do this. “Good morning. Fancy meeting you here.”
“Motts.” Vina snickered.
“What? They say that in movies.” Motts pocketed her phone and put her tablet away. “I’ve been enjoying a rainy day and a cup of coffee. You should try the croissants.”
See.
I can do small talk.
Teo stared Vina down until she backed away from the table with a quick wave to Motts. His attention turned fully to Motts. “Why don’t you tell me about Ashby? And about the necklace?”
“Bugger.”