A Whisker In The Dark

“It could’ve been. But I don’t think she’s the one who killed Bob because Seth said it’s one of those online documents that you sign electronically and it’s timestamped. Apparently, that’s why they didn’t go to the bank and did the dirty deed here in the gazebo.” Millie shoved the pan into the oven. “Carla already knew her family would be digging outside and that they wouldn’t be anywhere near the gazebo since that wasn’t built in Jed’s day. She figured it would be the perfect place to meet him without her family asking a lot of questions about where she was going. They’d all be focused on where they thought the treasure was and no one would be paying much attention to her. The timestamp is shortly before the time of death for Bob, so that gives both Myron and Carla an alibi. Seth said there was no way they could have gotten from the gazebo to the pond that quickly.”

“Unless they signed it while they were killing Bob. How does he even know they were actually at the gazebo?” I asked.

“GPS coordinates,” Millie said. “Besides, what motive would they have? Once the papers were signed Carla could buy the stock and it would all be out in the open anyway, so Bob telling on her was no threat. And Myron got to sell a loan so he wouldn’t care about Bob.”

“Good point, but the cats were specifically showing me…” I looked around the room. “Hey, where are the cats?” They usually ran in at the first sight of Millie.

“Probably napping somewhere or outside with their friends.”

I frowned remembering the cats I’d seen at the crime scene. Were Nero and Marlowe in some kind of cat gang?

“What were you saying about the cats anyway, dear?” Millie continued.

“Oh nothing. I just sort of thought that maybe they were pointing me toward Myron and Carla.”

“Oh, they might have been. Nero and Marlowe are very perceptive. They know things. And of course they see things that humans can’t see. But even if they were pointing you toward Myron and Carla, it could’ve been to tell you that you were on the wrong track,” Millie said wisely.

“Great. Well, this doesn’t help us clear Flora.”

“I know. That is a problem, but I’m sure she must have an explanation for all these things that appear to point to her. Things are not always as they seem, you know.”

The kitchen door opened and Mike strode in with my mom giggling behind him. He shot me an apologetic glance. “I found your mom dancing down at the beer tent. Seemed like it was a good idea to take her home.”

Mom slouched into a kitchen chair and hiccupped out a sentence. “Yeah. That Oyster Rock Brew sure has a kick to it.”

“New local beer,” Mike said by way of explanation.

Mom cradled her head in her arms on the table and Millie said, “I’ll make a pot of coffee.”

Mike smiled at my mom then turned his pearly whites on me. “This brings back memories, Sunshine. Like the time I found you drunk in a beer tent back in high school. I think that was the first time you went drinking. You acted a lot like your mom is now. Except when you—”

“Never mind that,” I cut him off. That day had not been one of my finest moments. I didn’t want to remember how Mike had saved my ass by dragging me out of that beer tent where I was holding court with a bunch of college guys.

Truth be told, I was grateful he’d barged in and pulled me away, but my memories of the actual events were a bit fuzzy. I had the ridiculous feeling that he’d kissed me that day, but I wasn’t a hundred percent sure. Even so, my cheeks burned and my heartbeat sped up when my gaze met his.

Was Mike’s memory of that day the same as mine? I saw something flicker in his eyes, then his gaze turned suspicious. “So, what were you guys up to down there?”

Millie’s expression was all fake innocence and sweetness. “Whatever do you mean? We were simply making sure the Oyster Cove Guesthouse table was set up properly.”

“Uh huh.” Mike looked like he didn’t believe a word. “And that’s why you needed to bring Paula? She’s upstairs passed out by the way. I drove her home with Rose.” He leaned against the counter nonchalantly, folding his arms over his chest. “And why were you over at Myron’s table with Paula and Sheriff Chamberlain?”

How did he know that? Had he been spying on us?

“They just happened to be there too.” Millie averted her gaze and pretended like she was checking on the loaf pan.

“Interesting. I just hope you aren’t up to something you shouldn’t be. The sheriff is perfectly capable of conducting an investigation.”

Millie sighed. “Of course he is. You don’t think we’re trying to figure out who killed Bob Biddeford on our own, do you? I mean if we were, we’d ask for your help.”

Mike didn’t look like he was buying Millie’s song and dance in the least.

“He should join forces with ushh and weed find the killers fashter,” Mom slurred. Her head was resting on her arms atop the table but she’d turned it sideways to look at us.

“Aha!” Mike said. “I knew it.”

“Knew what? We’re just baking a loaf cake.” I pointed at the oven. “She’s drunk. Doesn’t know what she’s saying.”