Murder without Mercy Read online

  “Oh, shoot!” I exclaimed, looking down at myself. “I invited her to lunch, and I’m a mess. What time is it?”

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket, careful to only touch the corners of the case. I’d learned the hard way that varnish did not come off a screen easily.

  “It’s already one o’clock!” I said, grabbing a rag and heading to the front door. I got there and flipped the lock right as she reached for the knob.

  “Hey, girl, come on in,” I said, stepping back to allow her entrance.

  She looked around and grinned when her gaze landed on the Coke clocks. “Oh my gosh! You’re still making those?”

  They’d been one of my very first upcycle projects, and she’d sat and talked to me while I made them at the farm before I was fancy enough to have a shop.

  “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” I replied, smiling. “Those are still some of my top sellers. I’ve raised the prices on them because it’s getting hard to find the signs. I think I’ve cleaned out every barn, estate, and yard sale in the tri-county area.”

  She wandered around, checking out some of the custom furniture and funky accent pieces I’d made.

  “Are those old bed springs?” she asked, motioning to a set of candle holders.

  “Yup,” I said. “Where others see junk, I see potential.”

  That part was true. In rural parts of the state, it wasn’t uncommon for people to chuck mattresses, box springs, old washers and dryers, tires, and all sorts of garbage over the nearest hill. Some folks didn’t even bother with the dump. It made me nuts, so whenever I got the chance, I did my best to prevent that. Shoot, maybe even somebody else saw my ideas on my website and made the decision to turn that old box spring into some extra cash instead of tossing it out at the nearest turn.

  “They’re adorable! I wish I had your creativity. Maybe then I wouldn’t be stuck working for Booger Bob.”

  I laughed. He’d been stuck with that nickname because he’d been a chronic nose picker in grade school. That was the downside of everybody knowing everybody. Once you got famous—or infamous—for something, it was tough to shake.

  “That’s actually one of the reasons I invited you to lunch. Give me five minutes to clean the goo off my hands and we’ll get going.”

  Now I felt even better about what I was about to do. She got a better job, Bobbie Sue got a good worker, and Louise and Sarah could stop breaking their backs taking up slack. And I got to eat a cheeseburger at the Cat while I told her all about it.

  If it happened that I also scored an extra morning or two a week to sleep in because she was willing to take the apartment, then that was the cherry on top.

  Chapter 17

  Monty, the guy who owned the Cheshire Cat, stood behind the bar polishing glasses when we walked in. The place was cool and dim like always, and the smells of frying burgers, wing sauce, and lemon wood polish brought back many happy memories. A wide grin split his cheerful face when he clapped eyes on us, and he flung the bar towel over his shoulder to reach for the glass chiller.

  “Well ain’t you two a sight for sore eyes,” he said when we reached the bar.

  I climbed onto my usual stool and hung my purse from the hook underneath the bar, and Kristen followed suit.

  “Are we havin’ beer or tea, ladies?” he asked, his hand hovering over the cooler.

  “Beer for me, for sure,” I said.

  “I’ll just have water,” Kristen said, though she looked wistfully at the taps.

  Understanding drifted over me. I remembered the days when I’d had to order water because my wallet was empty.

  “Have a beer if you want. I invited you, so my treat. I have a business proposition for you. Well, a couple, actually, so we’ll consider this a meeting.”

  She grinned. “Then I’ll have my usual, Monty.”

  “You two haven’t been around lately,” he said while he poured two drafts.

  “Yeah, I’ve been slam busy between the farm and work,” I replied, then tried to remember when I’d last been in. I usually ate there a couple of times a week, but thinking back, it had been nearly two weeks. “I’ll make it a point to not make myself so scarce.”

  He grinned and slid the beers in front of us. “I was beginnin’ to think maybe you gave up drinkin’ and food. I don’t think you’ve ever gone that long without at least poppin’ in to say hi. You want your regular?”

  Monty’d owned the Cat for as long as I could remember. Uncle Calvin used to bring me here when I was just a kid, and we’d have cheeseburgers and just hang out.

  “Yup. And I’ll take one for Hunter to go, but not until we’re about ready to leave.”

  “I’ll do a Philly,” Kristen said.

  “Extra mushrooms, right?” Monty asked, and she nodded.

  “How on earth does he keep everybody’s stuff straight in his head?” she asked as he walked away.

  “I doubt he does for everybody, but I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and I order the same burger almost every time I come in. That, or wings. Since I’m usually here a couple of times a week, I’m probably easy to remember. You used to come here a lot, too.”

  “Yeah,” she said, sighing. “Back when I had a good job and things were goin’ better.”

  “About that,” I said. “I don’t mean to butt into your business, but I know you’re in a bind. I think maybe I can help.”

  She laughed. “By all means, if you have something better than a barely part-time job at a gas station makin’ minimum wage, butt away.”

  “It just so happens, I do. Bobbie Sue’s having a dickens of a time findin’ a waitress that’ll actually show up and work. I worked for her for years and she’s a fair boss. Louise, the manager, and Sarah, the lead waitress, are both awesome. It’s not easy work, but it’s not too hard, either. And the money’s decent. Bobbie Sue insists on payin’ minimum wage on top of your tips, so you know you got at least that comin’ in.”

  She huffed a resigned breath out through her nose. “Yeah, I remember you made decent money workin’ there, but I don’t have a lick of experience waitin’ tables. I’m sure I’d be a hot mess tryin’ to remember what each person at a table wanted.”

  I flapped my hand. It’s a piece of cake. And I already talked to Louise and Bobbie Sue about it. They both said they’d be willing to train you. They’re desperate for a reliable worker, so teaching you the ropes wouldn’t be a problem. Trust me; you can do it.”

  “How many shifts would they need me? Booger’s not willing to work around another schedule, and right now he pretty much just schedules me whenever he wants, so there’s no way for me to try to set a schedule for somethin’ else.”

  “They need you full time if you’re willing to do that. I mean, you wouldn’t have to quit the GrabNGo, but I would if I were you. You’ll make twice or three times the money at Bobbie Sue’s with none of the hassles.”

  She searched my face. “Are you serious? Like, when could I start?”

  I shrugged and took a sip of my beer. “I’m not sure, but I assume pretty much right away. Sarah and Louise are workin’ themselves to death doin’ the work of three people. You probably won’t make much in tips your first few shifts since you’ll be in training, but you’ll still have your regular pay.”

  Her eyes were shining. “Then I’ll go straight from here to talk to them. Thank you so much!”

  I smiled, my heart warming at being able to make her happy.

  “But wait! There’s more!” I said in the dramatic tone of an infomercial voice-over.

  She grinned. “How could there be more? You just made my day.”

  “Well, remember how you said the psychic told you one person was going to come to you with a solution to both your problems?”

  She nodded, transfixed, and I scrunched my nose and raised my hand. “It looks like I’m that person, maybe. If you’re interested.”

  “I’m all ears,” she said, brows raised.

  “You know Matt moved out of the a
partment above the barn, right?”

  Kristen nodded, taking a long pull off her beer.

  “Well, if you want it, it’s yours.” I named off a rent I thought was fair. “And if you’re willing to help with feeding, turning out, and cleaning the stalls, I’ll either take it off your rent or off Bones’s board, whichever. Six of one, half a dozen of another. That’s not a condition of renting the apartment, though.”

  She squealed and pulled me into a hug. “Yes!! Yes, yes, yes!! When can I move in?”

  I laughed, hugging her back. “Matt left the place spotless when he moved out, so pretty much anytime you want.”

  “It’ll take me a couple of weeks to come up with the rent. Is that okay?”

  “It’s fine with me,” I said, shrugging. “I don’t mind if you start moving in whenever. It’s not like there’s anybody living there now. Then just start paying rent on the first.”

  She took a deep breath and I noticed she was crying.

  “Hey, now, none of that,” I said, nudging her with my elbow.

  Kristen swiped a tear away and laughed. “No, you don’t understand what you’ve just done for me. I was going home to put Bones up for sale tonight. Between my truck payment and what my mom and dad are asking me to pay in rent, payin’ his board just wasn’t in my budget.”

  “You better never!” I said, wagging a finger at her. “If you ever run into a bind like that, you come to me and we’ll work something out. That horse was meant for you.”

  She dabbed her eyes with her napkin and smiled at me. “They just don’t make very many people like you, Noelle Flynn. You’re good people, and I’ll work to make sure you don’t regret this.”

  I waved her off. “It was nothin’, really. Just a matter of the stars aligning. You need a job and a place, and Bobbie Sue and I had that. It’s what family does.”

  Monty showed up with our lunch. “Hey, now! What’s with the tears?” he asked. “No crying allowed. Whose knees do I need to break?”

  We laughed.

  “No knee-breakin’ necessary,” Kristen said. “These are happy tears.”

  “Okay,” he said, setting a bottle of ketchup between us. “Those are fine, then. What are we celebrating?”

  “I have a new job and a new place to live. Both oodles better than the ones I have now. Things are lookin’ up!”

  The happiness shining in her eyes almost made me cry.

  “Well then, eat up because dessert’s on me!” he replied.

  We ate and discussed the details of the whole living situation, and we were almost finished when a man pushed through the doors followed by a woman. They were arguing. Since the light was behind them, I couldn’t tell who they were until they were almost on top of us.

  I gasped when I recognized Frankie and ducked my head before she glanced my way. She was so wrapped up in her conversation with the guy that I needn’t have worried, though. They made their way to the back booth, and I chanced a quick peek. Luckily, she took the side with her back to me. That let me dodge her and get a good look at the man.

  He was a little older than I was and looked like somebody who came from money but didn’t have it anymore. His clothes were expensive but worn, and arrogance rolled off of him. I disliked him as soon as I had a chance to get a good look at him. Not because he was down on his luck but because I knew inherently that he was a jerk. I tried to listen in to see what they were arguing about, but they’d lowered their voices so that I could only pick out a random, useless word every other sentence or so. I did hear Mercy’s name more than once, though.

  “Noe?” Kristen’s voice snapped me back to the conversation. “Are you listening?”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, tuning back in to her. “I spaced. Can you excuse me for just a minute? I need to use the ladies’ room.”

  “Sure,” she said, confusion etched on her features. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” I said, smiling at her. “I just need to call for Addy, and I can’t exactly do it out here. I’ll explain in a sec.”

  “Oh, okay, then. I’ll hold down the fort.”

  I slipped off my stool and headed in the direction of the bathrooms which were, thankfully, in the opposite direction of Frankie’s booth.

  “Addy!” I hissed as soon as I made sure the stalls were empty. It only took a few seconds for her to pop in.

  “What?” she said, scowling. “I was in the middle of something. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” I said, taken aback a little by her tone. She didn’t usually get snappy when I called her, and it made me wonder what she’d been doing. I’d ask later, but right now, time was of the essence. “There’s a couple sitting out there in the back booth. It’s Frankie and some guy, and they’re arguing. Can you go figure out why and maybe find out who he is?”

  “Why didn’t you call Mercy?” she asked. “Wouldn’t she be the better one for this assignment?”

  To be honest, I hadn’t even thought of it.

  “Mercy!” she bellowed, and I cringed even though I knew I was the only one who could hear her.

  Sure enough, Mercy popped right in.

  “There,” Addy said, brushing her hands off, “you have the right ghost for the job. You two have a nice afternoon.”

  With that, she popped out, leaving me standing mentally slack-jawed.

  “Hey,” Mercy said. “What’s up?”

  “We have a situation,” I said. “Frankie’s sitting in a booth with some guy out there. They’re arguing, but I can’t hear what it’s about. Can you maybe listen in? Maybe you’ll know who he is, too.”

  “Sure,” she said, nodding, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if I don’t know him. Remember, I’ve been out of her life and away from all of that for more than three years.”

  “Okay,” said, taking the opportunity to wash the hamburger grease off my fingers while I was in there. “Even if you can figure out what they’re arguing about, that might help us figure out who killed you.”

  She popped out, and I hadn’t even reached for a paper towel when she popped back in. “That’s Felix!”

  That meant absolutely nothing to me. “Who’s Felix?”

  The expression on her face was thunderous. “Felix is my ex-fiancé. He looks like hammered crap though. I assure you, when we were together, he did not look like something the cat dragged in.”

  “Do you have any idea what he’d be doing here with Frankie? And by the way, did she come to see you before you died? You haven’t said.” I pulled a couple towels from the holder and dried my hands.

  “She did,” she replied. “As a matter of fact, that’s why I was late getting the booth open when you showed up. We had a great chat after I recovered from the shock of seeing her. We talked about several things, but the only thing that really stands out is that she warned me my brother and sister were looking for me.”

  “How did she even know where you were at?” I asked. “I thought you didn’t have any contact with her?”

  “That’s the weird part. You know how I told you I sent her a few postcards?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “But what does that have to do with anything?”

  “Well, she’s a data analyst. It’s sorta her job to pick out patterns and stuff. She was worried about me and wanted to make sure I was okay, so she took a couple of things I’d said in the postcard and then put them together with postcards from different places and made the leap that I was traveling with the carnival somehow. I don’t know exactly how, but her brain just works that way. She’s insanely good at what she does.”

  “Apparently,” I replied. “But what are they arguing about?”

  “Oh yeah,” she said, blushing. “I’ll go see if I can find out. I was so shocked to see her with him that I rushed straight back in here to tell you without listening to what they were saying.”

  “Okay, well I’m sitting at the bar with a friend, but we’ll be leaving soon. You can pop in on me, but if you do it when I’m driving, give me some warning, please. No m
atter how many times it happens, I can’t control my reflexes.”

  She gave me a lopsided smile. “Preachin’ to the choir, sister. I can’t even tell you how many glasses I’ve dropped or how many times I’ve almost driven into a ditch because a ghost just popped in randomly. I gotcha.”

  She popped back out, and I dialed Hunter. This would be a perfect time for him to bust them and find out what they were up to. It went straight to voicemail, so I left him a message to call me ASAP, then followed it up with a text before I returned to our table. Kristen raised a brow at me. “Everything okay? I’m used to things being a little kooky with you guys, but this was a little off the chain even for you.”

  I smiled. “Yeah. It’s sort of a long story, so I’ll explain once we leave.”

  Now that Mercy was listening in and I knew who the guy was, I didn’t mind if Frankie saw me. Maybe it would shake her up a little and convince her to be a little more honest with me.

  “Ready for dessert, ladies?” Monty asked, bustling back over to us.

  I’d intentionally left half of my burger uneaten so that I’d have room for dessert. He had a death-by-chocolate dish that would make your toes curl. Served in an oversized stemless wine glass, it had this amazing warm cake brownie with chunks of dark chocolate in the bottom, then hot fudge and hot caramel sauce, a layer of vanilla custard, a layer of chocolate mousse, and finally, homemade marshmallow with a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs to top it off that he toasted just a bit.

  My mouth watered as he slid one in front of each of us.

  “Wow,” Kristen said, eyeballing the glass of sheer perfection. “We could have shared one.”

  I curled my arm around mine and narrowed my eyes, and Monty laughed. “I’ve known this girl since she was barely able to pull herself onto that stool right there, and there’s no way I’d risk your safety by asking you to try to share a dessert with her.”

  I grinned. “He does know me well.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll end up taking half of this home, along with the other half of my sandwich I didn’t eat.”