24

“Krissy? It’s your turn.”

“Huh? Oh. Sorry.” I drew a tile from the pile, looked at it, and then found a spot where I thought it fit. Nearly the entire coffee table was already full of tiles creating cities of varying sizes, roads that went nowhere, and in one corner, a dragon just waiting for the right tile to be drawn so it could move.

Yolanda, Avery, and a woman I’d just met, Tyra, sat around the table with me. When I’d arrived at Death by Coffee for my peppermint cappuccino, Yolanda had asked if I’d join them for a game of Carcassonne. I’d agreed, not realizing how massive the game was, especially with the expansion boxes Yolanda had added.

I picked up a little red man and considered. “I’m not sure where to put the thingy.”

“The meeple,” Tyra corrected for about the tenth time since we’d started.

“The meeple.” I’d already claimed the city I’d just added to, but there was a small road piece leading from the tile I’d placed which, for now, wasn’t worth much. “It’s my last one.”

“You can always save it,” Yolanda said. “That city is going to take a while to finish. And over here . . .” She motioned toward where most of my little guys were located. I’d apparently made a mistake. and now, most of them were trapped until I found just the right piece from a rapidly dwindling supply.

“Maybe I should.” I eyed the road, and then placed the meeple anyway. “But I won’t.”

The door jangled open, drawing my attention from Tyra’s turn. Donnie Cooper entered and made straight for the counter where his sister, Pooky, was busy cleaning up after her shift.

“Excuse me a moment,” I said, rising from the couch with a popping of knees. A quick glance at the clock told me hours had passed and it was indeed time for Pooky to go. The time stated on the side of the Carcassonne box had said it would take less than an hour to play, yet two hours had passed, and we still had a lot of tiles left to draw.

“Do you need me to carry anything?” Donnie asked Pooky as I approached. “Or what about your coat? Are you sure it’s warm enough? Here.” He started to shrug out of his own massive coat, which would have buried Pooky beneath its bulk if he’d tried to put it on her.

“I’m fine, Donnie,” she said. “My car is right outside.”

“I know, but I don’t want you to get cold. And I thought if I could help . . .”

“That I’d let you move back in?” She sighed. “Look, Donnie, we tried it. It didn’t work.”

“I’ve changed. I swear, Cla—Pooky.” He grimaced at the use of her preferred nickname. “I just need a few months to get things set to rights.”

“That’s what you said the last time.”

“Yeah, but it’s Christmas.”

I could see his words strike her like a slap. I stepped in.

“Hi, Donnie,” I said. “I didn’t expect to see you today.”

He stiffened, but kept his smile. “Hello. I’m just here to help Claire.” He held up a hand as his sister sucked in a breath. “Sorry. Pooky.”

“That’s nice of you,” I said. “Do you need help?” I asked her.

“I’m all right.” And from her tone, I caught her double meaning.

“Great. I’ll see you after Christmas?”

“I’ll be here.” Pooky flashed me a smile, pulled her coat on over her shoulders, and with her things in hand, made for the door.

“Ah, come on. Let me help!” Donnie followed her outside, voice pitched in a whine.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and Death by Coffee would be closed until after Christmas. That meant I wouldn’t know for days if Pooky caved to her brother’s pleas. Turning a family member down was hard enough. Doing it during the holidays was near impossible.

Upstairs, the three women had stood and were stretching and talking amongst themselves. I hurried back up to join them.

“Sorry,” I said. “Is it my turn?”

“I think we’re going to call it,” Yolanda said. “You’re closing early today, right?”

I nodded. “In an hour, but I’m not working.”

“I know. The game’s just taking a while and I’m not sure if we’ll be done by then.”

“I’ve got to get back home,” Tyra said. “Dinner will be expected.”

“Are you sure?” I felt bad, like my slow play and constant distraction was the reason they were quitting.

“We’re sure,” Yolanda said, while Avery nodded. “We can still score everything now and see who won.” She turned to the mass of tiles. “Let’s start with Krissy. This city here is worth . . .”

The next thirty minutes were spent calculating the value of every meeple controlled point. Avery won by a landslide, with Yolanda and Tyra coming in with near identical scores next. Me? Let’s just say I don’t think Carcassonne is my type of game.

Once the game was packed away and the three women were gone, all that was left was me, a single older man sipping a black coffee by the window, and Eugene and Jeff, who were lounging behind the counter, waiting out the last fifteen minutes.

Alone upstairs, I decided to make a call.

“Hey, Buttercup,” Dad said by way of answer. I could hear voices in the background. “What’s up?”

“I’m just checking in,” I said. “Sounds like you’ve managed to get Laura out of the room?”

“Yeah, we saw there was going to be a Christmas play tonight and decided to go. You can join us if you’d like? We’re out shopping right now.”

My mind flashed on another shopper, one in black clothing and with a wallet chain. Any Christmas spirit I might have had faded.

“No, that’s all right,” I said. “You two have fun. I’m going to make a Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow. Paul’s coming. We’d love it if the two of you would join us?”

“You’re cooking?” Dad sounded incredulous.

“Ha-ha. Funny. Yes, I’m cooking.”

He chuckled. “Of course, we’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Great. I’ll let you go. Tell Laura hi for me.”

“Will do. I’ll see you tomorrow, then?”

“I’ll let you know what time. Have fun!”

I clicked off and tapped my phone against my chin. The old man in the dining area rose and left the store. Eugene quickly turned the sign to CLOSED and went to wipe down the vacated table. We were officially done until after Christmas.

I helped finish closing everything down, but my mind wasn’t on the work. I kept thinking of Jacob and the night Death by Coffee was targeted. Jacob was at Caitlin’s. He was seen outside the bookstore café that night. His car never moved. I could have missed Boo picking him up.

It just wasn’t lining up. Why Jules, when he never targeted Jacob like Andrew and Lee had? How could Jacob slip out unnoticed? What about Andrew and Agnes’s relationship? Lee was too big to be mistaken for Jacob, but he did carry around a sharp object that fit as the murder weapon.

“See you, Ms. Hancock.” Jeff waved as he exited, with Eugene close behind.

“Merry Christmas!” I called after them.

The door closed, and silence fell inside Death by Coffee. I closed my eyes and attempted to settle my mind.

Jacob could be guilty. If he was, that meant Jules was safe.

In my mind’s eye, I saw a shadowy figure lurking on the sidewalk. Light reflected off metal at the figure’s hip. Jacob.

But something was wrong.

I tried to force my brain to pick up on whatever my subconscious was trying to tell me, but it steadfastly refused to resolve itself. I was missing something, something important. I didn’t know if it would prove Jacob’s guilt, or if it would instead prove him innocent.

But standing around an empty Death by Coffee wouldn’t prove anything one way or the other.

I double-checked to make sure all the machines and lights were turned off, and then left, locking up behind me. A damp, cold wind blew in, causing me to shiver. I climbed into my vehicle, considered going home, and then found myself driving slowly down the street, toward the two locations I’d started the day wanting to visit.

No one was inside Andrew’s Gifts. The store was closed up tight, the lights off, like they’d been the night Andrew had been murdered. It was already getting dark outside, which meant most of the store was cast in shadow.

I drove by, almost relieved no one was there. The church across the street was busy, and I noted Doris’s car in the lot. I wondered if she was having another meeting, or if the church was having holiday services. It was definitely the time of year for them.

I was worried I’d find Heavenly Gate closed when I drove past Phantastic Candies and saw that Jules had also closed early. But when I pulled up, a light was on inside. Agnes Komph had her coat on, that tiny handbag of hers thrown over her right shoulder. She was standing at the counter, and at first, I thought she was waiting for Lee. After a few moments, she heaved a sigh, and turned off the lights.

I met her just outside the door.

“What do you want?” she demanded, scowling into the wind.

“Just to talk,” I said.

“I’m not standing in the cold talking to you.” She started for her car, but I stepped in front of her.

“It won’t take long,” I said. “Please. Jacob Callahan was taken into custody today.”

The chain of Agnes’s handbag slipped from her shoulder and dangled at her hip as she jerked to a stop. She had a firm hold on the handbag itself, or else it would have fallen.

“You don’t say?” she said. “That’s good news, indeed.”

“You think he killed Andrew?”

“It seems obvious, doesn’t it? That man was a nuisance.”

I wasn’t sure if she meant Andrew or Jacob, and realized she likely was referring to both.

“The police believe Jacob was outside Death by Coffee the night someone tried to lure Jules from Phantastic Candies to there.” I didn’t know where I was going with that, but it was still bothering me. Why Jules?

Agnes nodded slowly. “I do recall seeing him that night.”

I blinked. “Jacob? You saw him?”

“I did.” Agnes pulled the chain back up onto her shoulder. “He was hanging around outside Heavenly Gate that night, watching us. Lee made sure he didn’t try anything. I imagine that’s why he moved on to easier targets.”

That didn’t make sense. “What time did you see him?” I asked. Why would Jacob come to Heavenly Gate when the lure was meant for Jules and Death by Coffee?

“Seven, perhaps?” Agnes shrugged. “Maybe eight. I wasn’t watching the time. It might have been earlier. Maybe a little later. Lee was working on one of his projects, so we stayed here rather late.”

Seven? That couldn’t be right. Even eight wouldn’t work. He was at Caitlin’s by then.

“Are you sure it was Jacob you saw?” I asked.

“As sure as I can be,” Agnes said. “It’d be hard to mistake him for someone else with how he looks.” The wind picked up, causing Agnes to shiver. “I’m sorry, I have somewhere to be.”

She walked around me. I didn’t try to stop her. I was lost in my own head, trying in vain to make the timeline work. Either Agnes was lying to me or someone was out there pretending to be Jacob Callahan.

But who?

My mind went back to the gifts. Andrew, Jules, and Lee had all received one. These gifts were very much like the reminders of faith Doris gave people who were straying from her flock. None of the men would have received one of those.

But the women?

Erin.

I returned to my Escape, trying to fit the odd Jacob-shaped piece into the puzzle of Doris’s crew and just couldn’t do it. I pulled out my phone, looked up the Carvers’ address, and then I was on the way, hoping I wasn’t about to bother a widow for nothing.

A single light was on in the house Erin had once shared with Andrew. The curtains were parted, showing me the living room. Erin was sitting on the couch, a tablet sitting forgotten in her lap. She looked lonely, sad even. She might have thought her husband was cheating on her with someone who’d once been her friend, but that didn’t mean she’d celebrate his death.

She looked toward the window when I pulled into the driveway and parked. She rose and met me at the front door.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” I said. “I have one quick question and then I’ll let you go.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. The makeup around her eyes was matted, telling me she’d been crying.

“You said you received the reminder of faith from Doris, that you were looking at it because of how the gift Andrew received made you think of it?”

“It did,” she said. “I already told you this.”

“You also said you saw Andrew with Agnes. Here.” I nodded toward the living room behind her. “And they were close, almost as if it was a romantic encounter. But then they were arguing at Andrew’s Gifts later.”

She nodded. “Is there a point to this?”

“Agnes and Lee received a gift, one like Andrew’s. Did you know that?”

Erin paled. “No, I didn’t.”

“Do you truly think they are connected?” I asked. “The gifts and Doris’s reminders?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “They could be.” Her brow furrowed. “But . . .”

I waited her out.

“Doris talks a lot. She knows how to hurt you with her words, how to cut you the deepest.” She met my eye. “I can see her leaving these gifts, especially if what’s inside would hurt those receiving them. But killing someone?” Erin shook her head. “As much as I don’t like her, I just don’t see it.”

I thanked Erin and returned to my Escape. Dad had said nearly the same thing; Doris didn’t seem like the type to kill. Badger and insult and threaten? Sure. But that was all talk. Stabbing someone was vastly different, more personal. You couldn’t just walk away from that.

Through the window, I saw Erin return to her seat. She collapsed there, as if her strings had been cut.

My eyes moved from her to the front door.

I tried to imagine Jacob walking up to that very door in his black clothing, his wallet chain smacking his left leg. He wouldn’t have walked all the way here to deliver the gift. He’d have driven. His car sounded like a jet engine. Someone would have noticed his arrival.

My phone rang, causing me to jump. I tapped the screen on my dash to answer, pleased to note the name that appeared.

“Hi, Paul,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound guilty for talking to suspects in the murder investigation. “I was just thinking about you.” A lie, but a good one.

“Really?” There was a hint of playfulness in his voice. “I was thinking about you too. Susie is all patched up and I’m done with work for the day.”

Oh? “And what do you think you might want to do with your newfound freedom?” I asked, already imagining it.

“Well, that’s up to you. Are you home?”

“I can be,” I said. “Do you have plans?”

“I can’t talk about them over the phone,” he said. “How about I show you?”

I squeaked something that might have been “Okay.” My brain was too busy supplying all the possibilities in agonizingly slow motion.

“See you at your place in ten?”

“Oh, I’ll be there.”

And in record time, I was.