A Tiny Bite of Murder Read online

  Daisy did not take this well. She screeched and shook her head no. I asked, “Mr. Reid, do you mind if we talk with you for a moment?”

  “So you know my name now. This must be about last night.”

  Jaxon said, “We’re sorry to intrude, really. But if you could answer a couple of questions...” Daisy stuck her tongue out at Jaxon. “I know you want your tea time Daisy, but this important. Please?” Daisy stared at him, then turned her head away. “How about if we have tea with you, too?” Daisy nodded yes to the idea.

  I laughed. “You been working on monkey training in your spare time? That was well done.”

  Jaxon sat and said, “Nope, we think on the same level.”

  Grandma brought some tea for Mr. Reid and placed it on the table.

  Oliver laughed. “I can tell you’re not a cop. So why do you want to ask me some questions?” He took a sip of the tea.

  I sat too, and answered for Jaxon. “We want to make sure I didn’t overlook something last night at dinner that might help the police. You were there, too, and knew Holly. So we thought you might know or saw something.”

  Jaxon leaned back, folded his arms, and his eyes bore into my forehead. “Well, so much for subtlety. Okay, might as well just jump right in with both feet.”

  Oliver sighed. “I know Holly was a go-getter and made lots of enemies, but I wasn’t one of them. She did me wrong, yes. But it wasn’t a reason to want to harm someone. After the TV show fiasco, I was put on indefinite leave without pay. All I wanted from her was to tell the resort that my food was fine and her display was part of the show. It would help me get back to work if she told them that I represented the resort well. I needed her cooperation, and the last thing I wanted was for her to get hurt.” Oliver took another sip of his tea and Daisy held out a napkin for him. “She is really sweet if you let her just be herself.” He laughed as he realized that statement was vague. “Daisy I mean, not Holly.”

  Jaxon smiled at Oliver. “Did you by any chance know Holly was allergic to sesame seeds or oil?”

  “No, I was as shocked as anyone. But when I saw what happened, I did remember we were not allowed to use anything with sesame or peanut during the contest. Now I know why.”

  I asked, “Did you see anyone tamper with her salad?”

  Oliver frowned at me. “You are much prettier, but you sound just like the detective I spoke with this morning.”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t believe I was there and didn’t notice a thing. Someone must have seen the oil added to her plate. I guess I’m just a little frustrated.”

  Oliver played with his teacup. “I’ve worked in kitchens for decades. They are busy places and accidents happen all the time. People get knocked over, bruised, burned, cut...I’ve even seen people collapse from sheer exhaustion. Things happen in a busy commercial kitchen. It was probably an accident; it would be very easy to make that kind of mistake. And like you, young lady, I saw nothing that indicated the salad was spiked with sesame oil.”

  Jaxon tilted his head. “Are you sad she is gone?”

  Oliver eyed him back, and his jaw hung, just for a second. “Yes, I’m not sure how you knew that. I wished her no harm. She was a way for me to get back to work, and now she is gone. I don’t know what to do.”

  I sighed. “How do we confirm it was an accident?”

  Oliver pinched his lips. “First, you should confirm the kitchen had sesame oil. And almost every commercial kitchen does.”

  I shot a glance to Jaxon. He made a note. Turning back to Oliver, I asked, “And then what would be second?”

  Oliver shrugged, “I haven’t got that far, because if you get the first done, there is nothing else to confirm. If sesame oil was present, anybody could have dressed the salad. Especially if the container wasn’t properly marked.”

  Jaxon sat up straight. “Does that happen in a professional kitchen?”

  “Too much. It’s one of the things I always had to watch. Most ingredients are bought in bulk, in large containers. So the cooks transfer smaller amounts to bottles, jars, whatever works for that ingredient. And I constantly scolded the employees who didn’t make the effort to label bottles or jars they transferred an ingredient to. It cost the resort money when you added salt, you thought was sugar, to a recipe and then had to throw the whole thing out. Or even worse, you served something that tasted horrible to a guest. That rarely happened, because we constantly taste in the kitchen before serving. But on rare occasions...”

  I asked, “I think I know the answer, but would you taste an individual salad, like what Holly ate?”

  Oliver laughed. “No. And you sound like a detective again.” Daisy lit up when Oliver laughed and stood on her chair, then did a little dance.

  “Daisy! Be a lady, this is a tea room, not a dance floor.” I could not hide my laughter as I scolded her. Daisy was cute, and I loved her antics.

  Jaxon said, “No, Raine is right. That’s s good question. Is a salad tested before it is served from a busy kitchen?”

  Oliver nodded. “So your name is Raine, it’s pretty. And like I said, everything is tasted. A salad is usually tossed in large batches, tasted, and if it’s good, then individually plated. So the batch is tasted, but not each serving.”

  Jaxon smiled again at Oliver. “You have been very helpful, thank you. Are you staying in town?”

  “Yes, I have to. The detective asked me to stay a few days until he gets a chance to check out the accident.”

  I pointed out. “If it was an accident.” I collected my thoughts and asked, “Where are you staying?”

  “The inn.”

  I added, “Let me know if I can do anything for you in the mean time.” Daisy stood again but this time patted her chest. I laughed. “Yes, and Daisy will help too if she can.”

  Oliver smiled at me. “You have a nice place here. And I’m growing fond of Daisy. But I really want to get back to work. If you prove this is an accident, you think Emery Rumbold would help me return to work at the resort?”

  I stared at Jaxon and he said, “I don’t know. That is a question for Mr. Rumbold.”

  Oliver sighed. “I guess I might get the chance to ask him. We are both stuck here in Sinking Springs for a while, at the request of Detective Lambert. It’s worth asking him if I get the chance. But first I need to prove this was an accident, or Emery might still suspect I had a hand in this. You looking for a junior detective to join your team?”

  Jaxon laughed. “No. Look, you have been very helpful, and I appreciate that, thank you. We know where you are staying and will contact you if we need anything else.”

  “How do I get a hold of you if I need to? Aside from coming to the tea room to find Raine. A good relationship is a two way street.” Oliver stared at Jaxon to emphasize the point.

  Jaxon took out a card and slide across the table. “Call my cell whenever you need me. Anytime. Thanks again.”

  Daisy once again became antsy. I said, “Jaxon, give her a card, too, She feels left out.”

  Jaxon glared at me. “Are you serious? These cost money.”

  “Yes, don’t be so cheap. She is very sensitive, you know that. What happened to the monkey trainer in you?”

  He laughed. “Here you go sweetie. Don’t let that out of our possession, those phone numbers are valuable.” In response, Daisy put the card in her mouth. Jaxon chuckled. “Well, no one but Daisy is going to want that card now. I think it’s safe.”

  Daisy nodded yes.

  Chapter Six

  Jaxon was in town for two hours and that was long enough to show me the difficulties of being a private investigator. We had an informative conversation with Oliver Reid, but we needed actual clues, not hearsay, to make progress.

  I had to admit, investigating a crime, well, a maybe crime, was quite exciting. I always loved reading mysteries, trying to figure out the bad guy, but never thought it would happen in real life. Reading books was my escape. My mother and father divorced when I was young, and I was basically raise
d by my Grandmother and her sister Mabel. My mother was busy galivanting around Europe and my father....he just left. Not that I'm complaining....I feel very much loved and have accepted my parents for who they are.

  After Jaxon collected his belongings, he and I left the tea room. As we walked to his car I asked, “How were we going to gain access to the kitchen and see if they had sesame oil? It would be nice to inspect that place with our own eyes.”

  “I was thinking about that too. It’s a problem, do you have any friends at the restaurant or favors to call in?” Jaxon glanced at me sheepishly, hoping to hear a yes.

  “No.”

  He hung his head. “Well, we should talk about the gray area then. You know about the gray area?”

  I was just about to open the passenger door, but leaned on the roof of the car instead. “Yes. And I don’t like where this is going.”

  “Alright, then you have a better idea?”

  I grinned. “Actually, I might.”

  He opened the driver’s door, leaned on the roof, and locked eyes with me. “Why are you holding out on me.”

  “I’m thinking. Jessica is my best friend and her husband, Mike, has some, well, let’s say connections.”

  He stood straight and slapped his hands. “Now, we’re getting someplace. Let’s go talk to them.” He climbed into the driver’s seat.

  I got into the passenger seat. “Let me do most of the talking. This is a sensitive matter and we don’t want to be too pushy, or insensitive, with Jessica and Mike.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I buckled my seat belt and sighed. “Well, Mike and his brother have an unusual relationship. And his brother runs The Gilded Nickle’s kitchen.”

  “Holy sh...,” The train blared its horn as it navigated the crossroad and drowned out his voice.

  “Don’t use cuss words. You’re better than that. That train hauling grain even objected and cut you off.”

  He chuckled, “Yeah it did. And I’m sorry. I forgot and will do my best to speak properly, mi lady.”

  I chuckled and smacked his arm. He closed the car door and we waited for the train to pass. Jaxon said, “So let’s just go talk to Mike’s brother.”

  “Not so fast. It is complicated.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Mike’s bother can be temperamental and stubborn sometimes.”

  “What like that famous TV chef that is always swearing and throwing things?”

  “Hmm, it would be nice to have him that cheery. We should talk to Mike and Jessica first.”

  Jaxon chuckled, “I have to meet this guy.” The train passed and he started the car making our way to Mike and Jessica’s shop.

  The ride was short and we could have walked. But we needed to keep our options open; who knew where we would go next. Plus, Jaxon’s office was in his car and he felt naked without it.

  On entering the shop, Jessica’s son, Dennis, was busy at the check out counter, but he stopped working and jogged over to greet us, giving me a hug. “Hey, Aunt Raine. Mom isn’t here right now. She’s at the grocery store buying a cake. And ice cream!”

  Dennis and his sister knew me as their aunt, even though Jessica and I aren't related. It was understandable since we have been like sisters since we were teenagers. I replied, “Wow! So what’s the occasion that calls for cake and ice cream? I’m pretty sure no one is having a birthday.”

  Dennis snorted. “You don’t want to know. It’s a bribe.” He ran back to the counter to finish what he was doing.

  “For what?” I was aware that Jessica’ parenting methods were odd at times.

  The thirteen-year old boy waved his hand in front of his face. “Like I said, you don’t want to know.”

  Mike wandered into the showroom from the glass blowing shop. “Hey Raine. I thought I heard visitors. So what do we owe the pleasure? Jessica isn’t here right now.”

  I nodded. “I know. Dennis told us. But we’re here to talk with you, if you have minute.”

  He held up an index finger. “Give me a sec. I have to finish one thing and secure the kilns.” He scurried back into the shop.

  His twelve year old daughter, Susan came sprinting over when she spotted me and gave me a big hug. “Auntie, I missed you. Can you stay for a while. We’re going to have cake and ice cream.”

  “I heard. But I don’t know if we can stay, sweetie. We have work to do today. So we’ll see.”

  Susan tilted her head and studied Jaxon. “Who’s he?” Then she used a singsong voice. “Is he your boyfriend?”

  Jaxon replied. “That’s none of your business, young lady. And to be honest, I’m not sure myself.” His face was a mix of wounded and alpha male as he stared at me.

  Susan finished her analysis of my private investigator friend, then added, “When can we see Daisy again? We haven’t played with her in a while.”

  “Well, you’ll have to come over to the tea room. And Daisy misses you, too. When your Mom or Dad come to the tea room, she always looks for you and your brother.”

  Susan grinned. “She is so cute in her dresses.”

  Jaxon asked Susan, “Do you and your brother work here?”

  Susan lost the grin and groaned. “All the time.”

  Jaxon curled his mouth corners down and raised his eyebrows. “That’s very impressive.”

  Jessica burst through the front door with a cake and bag of groceries. Jaxon dashed over to help her. She glowed, “We have company!”

  He replied, “Hello to you, too.”

  Jessica waddled to the counter with her load and put the cake box down. “Let me guess. You’re still poking around about that terrible accident last night.”

  I nodded. “Yes. You know it’s been eating at me.”

  Jaxon bent over the cake box and peered at the writing through the plastic window. “Who’s Carmine?”

  Jessica huffed. “Have you ever tried to get a decent cake as a walk-in customer? You take what you can.” She took her coat off and hung it on a wall hook. “Honey, we were there, too. Just a couple of tables away. And we didn’t see anything either. It’s just an accident. And to make sure there was nothing funny going on, the police are investigating.”

  I folded my arms. “I know. Detective Lambert interviewed me, too. But he said no one saw a thing and he needed help. He left me his card in case I remember anything. So now, I’m helping.”

  Jessica checked the bag of groceries and scanned the cake one more time. “So, why are you here then? You sent me away just a while ago when I was excited about being a part of your investigation. Now you’re here, why?”

  “Mike’s brother Matthew works the kitchen. We were hoping to talk with him, maybe even see the kitchen.” I was surprised with the wobbly voice that came out of me.

  Jessica froze and tilted her head forward, looking over the top of imaginary glasses. “Are you kidding me? I thought you were smarter than that. Matt is hard to talk with when things are going good. After this, I’m not sure you want to be in the same room with him. Besides, it’s impossible. The police have Matt jumping through hoops right now. Investigators are tearing his kitchen to pieces and going through all kinds of paperwork to check if they had sesame oil in the restaurant.”

  I laughed. “I would actually like to see that. That confrontation must be two immovable forces colliding.”

  Jessica rolled her eyes. “That’s being kind to put it that way. Mike said one cop threatened to arrest Matt.”

  Jaxon cut in. “So is The Gilded Nickle open? And is Matt working?”

  “No.”

  He added, “Where is Matt now?”

  Jessica shrugged. “I’m not sure. This morning he was in the restaurant helping the police, but I don’t know how long they needed him.”

  Mike emerged from the workshop, his face black with soot. “Hey, honey!” He hugged Jessica and afterwards she swiped at the black smudges left on her clothes. Mike continued, “Those damn furnaces are acting up. It’s always something. So what ca
n I do or ya, Raine. You said you wanted to talk.”

  Jessica blurted out, “They want to talk with Matt.”

  Mike laughed. “You really don’t want to do that. He is worse than usual today with all the hullabaloo.”

  Jaxon spoke with a firm voice. “He runs the kitchen. So, yeah, we want to talk with him.”

  Mike shrugged. “Okay. It’s your funeral. He’s at home now, steaming mad that the police ransacked his kitchen.”

  I asked, “So you talked to him? Did the police find anything?”

  “Yeah, I talked to Matt. And the police found it is no fun to mess with Matt’s kitchen. But no sesame oil. Matt hates the stuff and doesn’t use it.”

  Jaxon tucked his hands into the front pocket of his jeans. “Now I really want to talk with him. Sesame oil appears on a salad in a fancy restaurant that doesn’t have the stuff. And a woman dies. No wonder a homicide detective is working the case.”

  I added, “We don’t know that for sure. I trust you Mike, but who knows what the police really found.”

  Mike laughed. “Matt does. He watched over them like a mother hen the whole time as they inspected the place. The police tried to keep him out, but that wasn’t happening.”

  Jaxon stated, “Well, then we need to talk with him. See what he has to say.”

  “I should go with you.” Jessica’s voice wavered a little.

  “No, Matt likes Raine. She will be just fine.” Mike scowled at his wife. “I know you want to get help, but Matt needs our support right now. If you show up poking around in this, he’ll think we doubt him. It’s best if Raine goes alone.”

  Jaxon stood straight. “I will be there too, Raine will be fine.”

  Mike chuckled. “I said it’s best if Raine went alone. That means without you.”

  I objected. “I asked Jaxon to help me. He knows what to look for.”

  Mike held up his hands. “You do what you want. But don’t complain to me when Matt clams up. Or even worse.”

  Jaxon chuckled, “How bad can it be?”

  Mike shook his head. “Do you know how to dodge a meat cleaver?”