Monday Evening
Olde Towne Tavern
Molly took a deep breath and rubbed her sweaty palms on her jacket before pushing open the door of the Olde Towne Tavern, a local bar and restaurant that had occupied the same corner overlooking the Ohio River for over one hundred years. She’d almost canceled. It had been years since she’d been on a real date. Her last date night had been with Danny before he was deployed that last time. Of course, she’d attended work events with colleagues, but not a picked-up-at-the-door kind of date. She’d been asked out, but she’d never accepted until now. Though she doubted tonight could be classified as a proper date—just two friends catching up. Right?
Elise had threatened her with physical harm and humiliation if she didn’t follow through on this date with Rick Owens, even though, according to Elise, he had a creepy job. “What’s the big deal?” she’d said. “You’re only committed to drinks. Dinner is optional.” After approving her outfit and touching up her makeup, Elise pushed her out the door and ordered her to have a good time.
Molly stopped at the wooden podium-style hostess stand adorned with a small bouquet of fresh flowers. The bar on the left was usually noisier and had a piano player or a guitarist on the weekends. Mondays were generally quiet, and today was no exception. Rick hadn’t said bar or restaurant, so she glanced into the bar but didn’t see him.
“Are you here for Richard Owens?” The hostess wore a black dress and a welcoming smile.
Molly nodded, and the young woman directed her into the main dining room, where Rick sat at a four-top table, head down, reading the menu. He glanced up, caught her eye, and stood, his face breaking into a huge grin. She couldn’t help but notice his sense of style as he’d changed into fashionable jeans and a blue designer sweater. Molly returned the smile and slid into the chair across from him. He was so different from how she remembered him in high school.
“I was afraid you’d stand me up,” he said.
Molly’s eyes widened. “I’m not that late, am I?”
He sat. “No. It was that deer-in-the-headlights look on your face when you left my office this afternoon.”
“I’m sorry. I haven’t been out like this in a long time.”
“Then I’m honored you accepted my invitation.”
She opened the menu and relaxed—a little. His easygoing demeanor and warm smile helped to put her at ease.
The server, a woman barely out of her teens with Britney on her name tag, approached the table to take their order.
Rick looked up from the menu. “I’m super hungry. The flatbreads here are delicious and fairly large. Will you share one with me? Your choice; which one?”
“I like the Margherita flatbread.” Molly’s stomach growled. “Include a salad, and that sounds great.”
They added beers to their order. Britney’s long, dark ponytail brushed her shoulders as she reached for the menus. “You’re Molly Harrington.”
Molly raised her eyebrows. “Guilty.”
“My mother was at that book party thing at your place. She couldn’t stop talking about what an awesome time she had.”
“I’m glad she enjoyed herself.”
“Too bad about that author guy.” The girl shook her head, her pony swinging from side to side. “Mom was all broken up when she heard the news. She keeps rubbing his autograph in her book. I told her she was going to rub it off. Like, she really needs to snap out of the funk she’s in.” Britney rolled her eyes and stepped away to place their order.
“Have you been getting that a lot?” Rick asked. “‘What a great party. Too bad about the murder’?”
Molly raised her hands, palms up. “How long will this go on?” she asked, looking over at him. “The news vans are swamping my street with reporters doing live broadcasts out front, and they’re calling me nonstop. It’s not like I can ignore the phone.”
Britney returned with their beers and plates.
“It’ll blow over soon,” Rick said. “Especially after the police arrest whoever is responsible.”
“I hope so.” Molly sipped her beer and then set the glass on the table. “Do you like working at the coroner’s office?”
“Yes, I do. I worked in a big pathology lab after I passed my medical boards. Then, after I received my death investigator’s certification, I got the job at the county coroner’s office.”
“You’ve come a long way from our freshman chemistry lab.”
“I heard about your fiancé,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” She cupped the glass between her hands, rubbing her forefinger over the condensation. “People don’t mention him because they don’t know what to say. So, I appreciate you saying that.”
They filled the awkward silence with beer and discussed the music being piped into the dining room.
Rick straightened. “Tony Shannon just came in.” He stood and waved him over.
“Hi, Rick.”
Rick shook his hand. Tony glanced toward Molly. Momentary surprise crossed his face, but he recovered quickly. “Hey, Molly.”
Her heart was in her throat, so a barely audible, “Hi,” was all she could muster. Just my luck, she thought. Both of them.
Rick glanced at Molly and back at Tony. “Join us. We just ordered.”
“I don’t want to horn in on your date.”
“No problem,” Molly said, not meeting his eyes but gesturing toward the vacant chair between them. “Please.”
Rick motioned for another round of beers and a menu. Tony removed his black leather jacket and hung it on the back of his chair.
After the server delivered the beers, Tony said, “Thanks for the preliminary autopsy report.” He took a sip.
Molly had zoned out, but Tony’s comment caught her attention.
Rick nodded. “Nothing surprising, though. Blunt force trauma to the head.”
Molly’s eyes darted between the men. “Is the champagne bottle the murder weapon?”
Rick and Tony exchanged glances, and Tony nodded.
As much as Molly wanted to continue this conversation, she could tell that Rick and Tony were reluctant to discuss the case with her any further. In fact, Tony looked like he was sorry he had brought up the autopsy report. Both men looked away. She didn’t care—she would ask her questions, anyway. “Tony, you asked me if Aubrey may have taken drugs. What about the tox screen and blood alcohol?”
Rick glanced at Tony as if asking permission to answer the question. Tony gave a one-shoulder shrug and took another drink of beer.
Rick leaned forward. “The tox screen was clean, and the alcohol level was .07, under the legal limit for driving. It merely establishes that he had been drinking. The murder seems a spontaneous action.”
“The bottle was a weapon of opportunity,” Tony added.
“A crime of passion,” Molly said. “His late-night visitor?”
Tony shrugged and took a long drink of beer.
Molly heard a familiar voice and glanced toward the door. Could this evening get any more awkward?
“Hey, sis.”
Kevin led the way into the dining room. Behind him, Elise shook her head and mouthed, “Not my idea.” Molly shot Kevin an “I will get you for this” look.
Molly gestured toward the newcomers. “Rick, this is my brother Kevin and Elise, our chef. This is Rick Owens. He’s the death investigator on Aubrey’s case.”
Rick motioned for Britney. “Please join us. We can pull the tables together.”
Molly stood, sidled up to her brother, and pinched his arm. “What the hell are you doing here?” she whispered. “Spying on me?”
“Ouch, that hurt.” He rubbed the spot. “Sorry, but I wasn’t in the mood for the Mud Scutter, and this is the only other decent place in town open on a Monday night.”
“We’re sorry,” Elise said. “We were hoping to sneak into the bar without you seeing us. Too bad they seated you so close to the door.”
“Yeah. Just my luck,” Molly muttered. With Kevin and Elise there, there was no way she’d get more information about the case that night.