Treachery on Tap Page 6

  “There isn’t. Follow me and I’ll buy you a cup of coffee too.”

  I led us out of the Chicken and we walked across the street, through the protesters, to the sandwich shop. The owner Velma Harris spotted us as we entered. She waved. “Ginger, haven’t had you in here in a while. But Lord knows, you’ve been a busy girl lately. And those protesters have been a handful for sure. But glad to have ya.”

  “Good to see you, too, Velma. This is Tyler Fells, he’s one...”

  “I know who he is. The whole world knows the hosts of The Ghost Hounds. Hello and welcome to my sandwich shop Mr. Fells. So sorry about Zach.”

  “Thanks. And call me Tyler. And it’s nice to meet you Velma.”

  I asked. “Velma, you have a fresh pot of coffee on?”

  “No. But I will brew a new one just for you too.”

  “Thanks. Can we grab a booth?”

  “Sure. Sit wherever you like.”

  I smiled at her in thanks, then I took the booth that gave us the best privacy. I didn’t waste any time after we sat. “So, what do you think the blue blobs were the other night?”

  Tyler leaned back. “To be honest, I think it was an apparition. But I need more data to confirm it.”

  “Did you tell my father that?”

  “No, of course not. I don’t like making statements until I’m sure. You seem level headed so I don’t mind discussing it with you. But I have yet to draw a conclusion.”

  “That’s very nice of you. I appreciate you being open with me.”

  “Now can you tell me something. Why don’t you believe in the ghost chicken? It’s clear you don’t. But all the stories I’ve heard and things I’ve seen in the short time here tell me something unusual is going on inside your pub.”

  I chuckled. “I’ve heard all the chicken ghost stories growing up and the Grumpy Chicken is a big part of my life. And I’ve seen and heard some strange things, yes. But there always seems to be another possible explanation. So like you, I just don’t want to jump to false conclusions which could scare off customers.”

  Tyler smiled. “Seems we think alike.”

  Our coffee showed up and Velma bubbled at another chance to talk to Tyler. “I saw that one episode where you used that fancy equipment to document the spirit presence in that prison cell. It was so amazing.”

  Tyler smiled, but I could tell it was forced. “Thanks. A lot of people liked that episode.”

  Velma put the cream and sugar on the table and smiled. “Let me know if you need anything else.” She then left, looking back over her shoulder one more time.

  Tyler put some sugar in his coffee, but skipped the creamer. He continued, “Can you keep a secret?”

  “There seems to be lots of secrets with your show. But sure.”

  “We staged that scene Velma just mentioned. Zach insisted on it. He was a spoiled little brat about things, but the producers and directors knew he had a nose for the dramatic. And it was good for ratings. Zach told me when we argued about staging the prison cell scene that it would make for one of the most remembered moments in the TV show’s history. I hate to admit it, but he was right. More people mention that one shoot than any other.”

  “You clearly didn’t like the showmanship aspect. But, you also sound like you miss Zach, maybe a little?”

  “I do. We argued all the time, but that is what made it all work. Zach was all showmanship; I’m all science. Neither stands on its own with a show like this, so we provided balance to each other and made it work.”

  “So what are you going to do now?”

  “I don’t know. Cecil thinks he’ll take Zach’s place now. But that’s not going to happen. Cecil doesn’t have the talent.”

  “Or the looks!”

  We both laughed and drank a little of our coffee. I asked, “Do you know Denise well?”

  “Sure. We’ve worked together for a while now.”

  “You know she gave the vial of powder to Zach that killed him?”

  “Yes. And that is why I have been thinking about it a lot.”

  “So have I. You have any thoughts on how a powder that could kill got into that vial?”

  “Someone had to change it. Denise is a lot of things. But not a murderer. She has a kind heart and would never hurt a fly. Even a fly that she hates.”

  I played a little with my spoon. “I’m starting to understand that. But did you know she dated Zach for a while?”

  “Sure. Everyone knew.”

  “She had access to the vial. And she was a former girlfriend. And she seems to wear clothes and jewelry beyond her means. Makes her a pretty strong suspect.”

  “Sure. It looks that way. But if you were going to frame someone to get suspicion away from you, wouldn’t you make sure it looked like that person really did it? Denise is being framed to keep attention away from the real murderer. I’m sure of it.”

  I sipped my coffee and gazed at Tyler, studying his eyes. The eyes speak even when the lips are still. And what his eyes were telling me was that Denise did not do it.

  Chapter Nine

  After finishing my coffee with Tyler, I returned to the office to find Ida still working. I told her what I learned from Tyler and Denise.

  Ida exhaled. “Well, it sounds like you think Tyler and Denise are no longer tier one suspects.”

  “I don’t.”

  “So that leaves Scooter and Cecil as tier one suspects.”

  “Yep. But what about Kenny and Cory? They seem to have been lost in the shuffle.”

  “Oh! I didn’t tell you? I don’t think they knew Zach very well. I think you were right. The Sheriff talked to them that night, simply at random. They were just part of the crowd.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  Ida snorted. “Lily and Edith. They saw the Sheriff and just asked him. He told them that he was pretty sure they didn’t do it.”

  “But that still leaves Stan the director?”

  “Yeah, but Stan has not been the director all that long. Seems the show goes through a lot of directors and there is no motive I can find for Stan.”

  “So Scooter and Cecil it is.”

  I closed my eyes and thought. Then it hit me. “Ida, Denise said she put the vial in a paper bag. Do we know if it’s still here?”

  “What? How would I know that? What are you talking about and where was what?”

  “On the table Denise was using. The paper bag she hid the vial in. It may be too late, but let’s go see if it’s still there.”

  “Why?”

  “Aunt Mae.”

  Ida shrugged. “Okay. Be weird. I can handle it.”

  I left for the dining room and Ida followed. I made my way to the spot I remembered seeing Denise working. And a paper bag with the pharmacy’s logo was sitting on the floor in a dark corner near the table where Denise had been.

  I said, “Ida, maybe the Grumpy Chicken was looking out for us. I can’t believe we were this lucky. Can you get some tongs and a clean plastic bag from the kitchen.”

  Ida sighed and threw her hands in the air. “See, that’s bossy.”

  “Just do it. Please?”

  “Oh, since you said please, no problem me lady.” She made a half curtsy and left to get the items.

  I studied the floor and the table. I was hoping to also find a receipt. But I waited to do anything else as I didn't want to touch anything. Ida returned and I took the tongs. I used them to pick up the paper bag and looked inside. And I could see there was a receipt from the pharmacy. I tried to see what was listed on the receipt but couldn't see well enough. So I took the receipt out with the tongs and read the list of items; there was only two, seltzer tablets and food coloring. I placed the paper bag along with the receipt into the clean plastic bag with the tongs.

  Ida said, “OK. I see we’re playing TV detective. But why place a common paper bag into another bag.”

  “Aunt Mae said it the other day. The state labs can look for DNA. Maybe the killer touched the paper bag or receipt
when they swapped the powder and left us some DNA as a clue.”

  “You Nancy Drew’d me! Well aren’t you full of surprises. So you going to give that to Mae?”

  “Sure. I’m not sure how we all missed it. But we got a new piece of evidence now and the police should take a look at it.”

  Ida laughed. “You said it yourself. Maybe the grumpy chicken kept it hidden for you to find.”

  I glared at her. “I hope you’re joking.”

  “Of course I am. I couldn’t resist after setting up a webcam to look for its ghost. And it rials you up whenever someone blames the ghost fowl.”

  I chuckled a little. “There’s the Ida I know.” I looked at the plastic bag with its contents. It didn’t matter how it happened. The fact was we now had a new, important piece of evidence.

  I needed to bring the new find to Mae so the state labs could test it for DNA. I also knew she would want to know about what I saw in the video, so it was time to visit the police station and have a chat with my aunt.

  I made the walk to the station and it took a little longer than usual. The protesters had grown in number and getting through the crowd gathered on Main Street was tedious.

  I entered the police station and found Eunice on the phone, as usual. She waved at me and pointed towards Aunt Mae’s desk. I waved in thanks and knew the way. I found her at her desk. She was hard at work but stopped when I appeared and leaned back in her chair. “Well, sweetie, so nice to see you. I'm almost afraid to ask, but what brings you down to the station?”

  “Hello Auntie. I have two things for you. First I looked at the video and learned two things. One, Zach was playing around and thought he was playing a prank. Two, Zach snorted the powder in the vial. So he didn’t use his own powder or commit suicide. So the question now is, who put the slush powder in the vial and when?”

  “The state labs had a body language expert look at the video. He came to the same conclusion. Zach was fooling around. You have a pretty good eye for this.”

  “Well, to be honest, it was obvious. And Zach loved himself far too much to kill himself.”

  “Some of the crew told me the same thing, almost verbatim.”

  “Well, the other thing is this.” I put the plastic bag with the paper bag and receipt inside on her desk.

  Mae studied it a moment. “What’s that?”

  “The bag Denise hid the vial in just before the shoot. It could have DNA from someone if they touched the bag when they switched the powder.”

  Mae noted, “If someone switched it.”

  “Well, I don’t think Denise did it. She likes her life on the show too much and enjoys the perks. Also, she doesn’t seem like someone who would hurt another living thing. She seems to want to please people, not hurt them. So, I think it is more probable the powder was switched.”

  “There you go again. If it was switched.”

  “Yeah. But Denise said she bought seltzer tablets and food die at the pharmacy. The receipt here confirms what she said.”

  “We were hoping to find that receipt. Where did you find it?”

  “In the corner of the dining room.”

  Mae went white. “How in the world did we miss that?”

  “I’m not sure it was easy to see. Plus, the dining room is dark and everyone has been focused on the vial and the kitchen area. The paper bag she used to hide it before the prank was not really on the radar.”

  “We were looking for a receipt, not a paper bag. How did you find out she hid it in a bag.”

  “I just asked her.”

  Mae smiled. “So did we. But she seems to have been more open with you. Denise told me she put the vial under her script, or something. I guess the something was the paper bag.”

  “I guess. I need to ask you one more thing. If Denise did put seltzer and food coloring in the vial like she said, shouldn’t there have been some residue? Did the lab find any seltzer residue in the vial?”

  Mae stared at me then answered. “You can be too smart for your own good!” She took a deep breath, then laughed. “Yes, they did. I was afraid that was what you were going to tell me. Why you thought Denise switched the powder. But that would also mean you broke into the lab’s computers, which is a crime by the way. I’m relieved you came to that conclusion on your own and not by hacking the state police. That Ida is going to get herself, and maybe you into trouble one day. Be careful with her, sweetie.” She touched my cheek to let me know she worries about me. “But seems this all indicates the powder was switched and the bag could be an important clue. Good work Ginger. Thanks for bringing it to me.”

  “You’re welcome. But you know, it’s what we do in a small town like Potter's Mill.”

  “Yes it is.” She smiled and picked up the plastic bag, studying its contents. “Did you touch this?”

  “Nope. Used clean tongs. And I isolated the area around the table and corner where I found it so you can take another look.”

  “I’ll get someone from the state labs to come over to scour the area. And I need you to fill out a statement and chain of custody for this piece of evidence. I don’t like you getting involved in police business. I want you to know I’m cutting you some slack because I know you need your kitchen back.”

  “And the protesters gone. No one wants to fight through the crowd to come in and have a beer. And I certainly don’t like having my father or the pub blamed or associated with Zach’s death.”

  Mae looked at the ceiling for a few seconds. “You know, the protesters have been bothering me. Why are they protesting? Why do they blame the pub?”

  “I was wondering the same thing. It’s odd.”

  “Well, from what I see, only one person made accusations against the pub. Or more specifically, Tom.”

  I exhaled. “I know. Cecil. He keeps coming up on my radar. And did I mention, his reaction right after Zach died was strange. Now he thinks he is the new Zach for the show. You know, he might not be as clumsy as I thought.”

  Chapter Ten

  The Ghost Hounds crew returned at eleven o’clock that night and started prepping for a shoot in the dining room. I saw Cecil and went to have a word with him. But he saw me coming and held his hand up like a traffic cop signaling a stop. “I hear you’re going around asking lots of questions of lots of people. I have no interest in answering any more questions. The police have asked every possible question and it’s time to move on.”

  “I’m not trying to pester you or be an annoyance. I just wanted to talk to you. I need to get my kitchen open again and I was hoping you might help me do it.”

  Cecil eyed me, doubt in his dull green eyes. “You make me nervous. I don’t know why, but you do.”

  “What have I done to make you nervous?”

  “You’re his daughter for starters. Your father is the one who made us come out here. And if we didn’t come here Zach would still be alive.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “You heard him. Zach said it just before he died. The chicken that haunts this place choked him. If we didn’t come here the spirit wouldn’t have killed him.”

  “I’m not sure a ghost can kill. If there was a ghost. I lived here all my life and have never seen a spirit in here.”

  “But the stories everyone tells?”

  “Some jars breaking in the night? Some odd sounds every now and then? Not that unusual in an old building.”

  “This place is haunted. I know it. And your chicken killed Zach. He said so himself just before he died and it is on tape.”

  “I was told he plays pranks all the time. How do you know it wasn’t a prank?”

  Cecil paused. “I know it was the chicken.”

  I looked at him sideways. “I know you have work to do, so I’ll leave you to it. Thanks for taking a couple of minutes to talk.”

  Cecil didn’t speak. He just weakly waved his hand and turned to leave. The meeting with Cecil was odd, just like everything else about him. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself next, but I saw the g
ang had assembled around Lily and Edith’s table to watch the next shoot. So I went to join them.

  On the way over, I ran into Dad. “What are you doing talking to that bollix.”

  “Just thought I would ask him a few questions. But you’re right, Dad. He’s stubborn and unpleasant.”

  “That’s the nicest thing I could say about him.” Dad smiled as he went over to help Dixie bring a tray of drinks.

  I resumed my way over to be with the gang. As I was selecting a seat, Guardrail spoke as he looked at his old spot back at the bar. “I’m not sitting there, ever again.”

  Lily replied, “You don’t have to lie to us, dear. It’s okay if you want to sit here with us.” I sat with Piper and Ida at the adjacent table. Lily leaned over to whisper to Piper, “He’s not scared of the chicken spirit. I think he’s sweet on us now.” I think I saw Piper shudder in response.

  Dixie came over with the drinks and took a seat with us. “I can’t make a living with those protesters. No one in here drinking means no tips.” I looked at Dixie, intending to say something supportive but she assumed otherwise. “I’m sorry, Ginger. I wasn’t being selfish. I know this is hard for you too.”

  “No Dixie. It’s okay. This is hurting both of us. There’s no doubt about that. But I have an idea to throw a sort of concert Friday night when Star plays. Maybe we can have some drink specials to help draw more people, too. At least we can still sell drinks if people are willing to come inside.”

  Dixie nodded. “That sounds good. But we need to get rid of the protesters. How do we do that?”

  I sighed. “Simple answer, solve the crime.”

  Dog jumped in. “Don’t you mean potential crime?”

  “No, I am pretty sure this is a crime now. Zach snorted the powder from the vial and he clearly thought he was playing a prank. The video confirmed that. He didn’t think it would hurt him so it wasn’t suicide. That means someone put a lethal powder in that vial. And that is a crime.”

  Bones had been quiet for the last couple of days, but chose this time to pipe up. “I wondered about that, boss. Maybe it was just an accident and Denise thought she put seltzer in the vial?”