5. Claire
CHAPTER 5
Claire
“ K nock, knock.”
Mina’s sing-song greeting and the quick rap of her knuckles on the door brought my head up.
“Mina. Hi.” My shoulders sagged as I realized why she was here. “I’m so sorry. I forgot about lunch.” I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was just after one-thirty.
“I figured, so I thought I’d come down and bring you an afternoon pick-me-up.” Mina held up the two paper cups in her hands, an oversize purse hanging from the crook of her elbow as she walked in and sat down across the desk. “One white chocolate mocha with a shot of caramel.”
“Oh, bless you.” I accepted the cup and took a sip. “Mmm, yum. Thank you.” My adrenaline—and caffeine—high from this morning had worn off, and now I struggled to stay awake. Who would have guessed finding a body could make a person so tired.
“Okay, what’s that look?”
My forehead wrinkled. “What look?”
“The one that says you’ve had a terrible day. The last time you looked like this, Adam Nielsen dumped you and you lost out on a sale to Miranda Bennett in the same day.” Mina tipped her chin down to pin me with a look. “I know there’s no man in your life to dump you, but Miranda? What did she do?”
I sighed. “It wasn’t Miranda.” I actually hadn’t had many dealings with the other realtor lately, thankfully. I couldn’t stand that woman. “You really don’t know why I look like I had the worst day ever?” I raised a hand and drew a circle in the air by my face with one finger.
Mina shook her head, a curious frown now lighting her face. “No. Should I?”
My eyebrows lifted, and I nodded. “Yeah.” I figured the gossip mill would have been in full swing by now. “So, I went to the Hammond house on Autumn Creek Road this morning to meet Lynne for staging.”
“Right. I remember you mentioning that over the weekend,” Mina said, lowering her cup after taking a drink. “I take it that’s why you blew out of my coffeeshop like a house afire. Did something happen? Was Lynne not there?”
“No, Lynne was there, but something did happen.” I felt tears press at the backs of my eyes again and took a quick breath. “I don’t know how you don’t know about this, but I found Mrs. Hammond on the floor in the master bedroom. She’d been murdered.”
Mina gasped. “What? Oh my gosh! After the morning rush, I closeted myself in my office to get some work done. I had no idea.”
It still surprised me she didn’t know. Gossip flew through The Cozy Cup faster than a peregrine falcon.
“You’re sure she was dead?”
“Considering she was in a pool of blood, her skin was the color of chalk, and they brought her out in a body bag, yes, I’m sure.” I pressed a hand to my belly, willing the nausea away as I remembered Mrs. Hammond’s appearance.
Mina winced. “Sorry. I’m just surprised. Do the police have any leads?”
“I don’t know. I gave my statement, then left. I haven’t talked to the detective since then.”
“Hmm.” Mina stuck a nail between her teeth and looked to the side, then dropped her hand. “Who’s handling the case?”
“Detective Quartermaine.” I rolled my eyes. “I hope he’s a better detective than he is people-person.”
“Quartermaine? He’s the new guy. I don’t know much about him, other than he likes his coffee as black as his hair and makes every woman in my shop stop and stare when he comes in—me included.”
“Yes, well, handsome doesn’t mean nice.”
“What do you mean? He’s always polite when he comes into the shop.”
I lifted a shoulder. “Then maybe it’s just me. He wasn’t very pleasant to deal with.” I took another drink of her coffee, trying to keep the frown off my face.
It was Mina’s turn to shrug. “I don’t know. He’s always been nice. Maybe it was the situation.”
I hummed, not buying it. He’d been rude this morning too. “Could be.” I didn’t want to dwell on Detective Jerkface, though.
“So, are you okay? That had to be a shock. Why are you here and not at home?”
“I’m okay. I needed to stay busy, so I came in to work. It’s helped keep my mind off things. Helped the spinning, you know?” I twirled a finger near my ear.
“Understandable. You sure you’re all right, though?”
“I’m fine, Mina. Just wondering what happened. And where Mr. Hammond is. He’s not answering his phone. I’ve tried his cell and the number they left for their hotel.”
Mina snorted. “Maybe that’s because he did it.”
I frowned. “What do you mean? You think Mr. Hammond killed his wife?”
Mina’s eyes widened. “You don’t? Claire, spouses are the first suspects in homicides. You watch enough crime dramas, you should know that.”
“I know. I mean, I do, but…” I trailed off and shook my head. “I just can’t see him doing it. He seemed so nice.”
“Ted Bundy seemed nice too.”
I rolled my eyes. “Mr. Hammond is not a serial killer. I don’t think he’s a killer of any kind. He and his wife seemed pleasant toward each other when we met to discuss selling their property. Maybe a little strained, but what they were planning was a huge life change.” I frowned, thinking more about their attitudes toward each other. I truly didn’t remember any animosity between the couple. “I am curious about what happened to him, though. I hope he’s okay. That he’s not hurt somewhere.”
“Do you have any other numbers you can call to reach him?”
I started to shake my head, then stopped, my brows dipping. “Wait. Maybe.” Shifting, I pushed the contracts I’d been reviewing to the side and pulled my keyboard closer. “I have their banking and employment history on file. I could call his office and see if anyone has heard from him. Or knows how to reach him.” I paged through the scanned records until I found his paystub. The name and phone number for his company were at the top.
Lifting the receiver on my desk phone, I dialed the number.
The receptionist picked up after the second ring. “Hello, Crandall and Crandall Investments. This is Alicia.”
“Hello, this is Claire Holmes from Homes by Holmes Realty. I’m trying to reach Warren Hammond.”
“Oh, he’s not in today. He and his wife went to Boston. May I take a message?”
Clearly, Detective Quartermaine had not been to Mr. Hammond’s office to break the news of Mrs. Hammond’s death. “It’s rather urgent that I speak to him. Do you have a way to contact him other than his cell phone? He’s not answering.”
“Hmm, did you try his wife?”
“I did. She’s not answering, either.” I was not about to tell this woman she was dead. The police could do that. “I tried their hotel as well. The Four Points in Newton?”
“Oh, actually, they’re staying at The Whitney Hotel in Beacon Hill.”
My eyebrows knit together. “Oh, I must have the wrong information, then. Do you have a room number?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t give out that information.”
“Oh, right. Yes, of course. I’ll just call the hotel and have them connect me. Thank you for your help.”
“Of course. I hope you reach him.”
“Thank you. Goodbye.”
“You’re welcome. Bye.”
I set the phone down and stared at it for a moment, then looked at Mina.
“What?”
“The Hammonds lied about where they were staying. They told me they were at The Four Points, but the receptionist said they’re at The Whitney.”
Mina’s eyebrows rose. “That sounds like an expensive place.” She took her phone from her pocket and opened her internet browser.
“I know. I wonder why they lied.”
“Or how they could afford it.” She let out a low whistle. “I was right. It’s not cheap.” She looked up. “Autumn Creek Road isn’t the ritziest part of town. This is definitely not a hotel I’d expect someone who lives there to stay at.”
I hummed, thinking. “They both work. And he is a financial investor. I’ve seen their finances. They mostly live off of her income. Most of his gets socked away into their savings.”
Mina raised a finger. “That’s the way to do it when you get married if you can swing it.”
“Yeah. And they don’t have children, which makes it even easier.”
“How old are they?”
“Early forties.”
“Wow.” Mina shifted uncomfortably in her chair, her frown returning. “Makes you think, doesn’t it? We’re not far off from that, and I don’t think I have the kind of savings they do.”
It did. I grimaced and nodded. “Yeah, me either.” I picked up the phone again.
“Who are you calling now?”
“The Whitney Hotel.”
“Wait.” Mina leaned forward and put a hand over the keypad. “Do you think that’s wise? What if he’s there and you get him on the line? What are you going to say to him? He might not know about his wife yet. I know if it were me, I wouldn’t want someone—especially someone who’s not law enforcement or someone I know well—telling me my spouse is dead. And definitely not over the phone.”
Crap. Mina was right. Scrunching my nose, I replaced the receiver. “Yeah.”
“Maybe you should just call Detective Quartermaine and tell him what you found out.”
I scrunched my nose harder. “Do I have to?”
Mina gave me a look.
I sighed. “Fine.” Reaching into my desk drawer, I rummaged inside my purse for his card. Finding it, I picked up the phone and dialed.
It rang six times, then rolled to voicemail, which made me happy. I didn’t have to talk to him and listen to him tell me to stay out of things.
“Hi, Detective, it’s Claire Holmes,” I said after the beep. “I wanted to let you know that the Hammonds were supposed to stay at the Four Points Hotel in Newton, Massachusetts, but the receptionist at Crandall and Crandall, where Mr. Hammond works, said they were staying at The Whitney in Beacon Hill in Boston. No, I didn’t call the hotel. I just wanted to see if anyone had spoken to him today. I’m worried. I also didn’t tell the woman on the phone that Mrs. Hammond is dead. Anyway, that’s it. Bye.”
I replaced the receiver and looked at Mina. “Happy?”
She grinned. “Yep.”
“Good. Now tell me what you wanted to talk about.”
“Oh, that.” She set her coffee on the desk, then leaned sideways and dipped a hand into her bag, producing a folder. “Read this and tell me what you think.” She set it in front of me.
With a curious frown, I slid the folder closer and opened it. After the first few lines, I could tell it was a business plan.
I glanced up at her, shock making my eyes round. “You want to expand the coffeeshop?”
Giving me a bright smile, she nodded. “Mr. Shuman is moving out of the space next door. I want to turn The Cozy Cup into a café.”
Quickly, I read through her plan. It was sound. “I like it. You’re sure that’s the price you can get for his space?”
“Yes. He contacted Miranda Bennett to give him a selling price.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “I wanted to tell him he should call you, but I didn’t want there to be any argument of favoritism shown, so I kept my mouth shut.”
I chuckled. “Good move. I can’t say for sure without seeing the space in more detail, but this price seems fair for that location. Do you want me to represent you as your buyer’s agent?”
“Yes, please.”
“All right. I’ll get a contract drawn up. Is this what you want to offer him?” I pointed to the number on the page.
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll get on it.”
Mina clapped softly. “Awesome. I’m ready. I have so many plans. I’m going to completely revamp the coffeeshop space.”
“What’s wrong with it?” I liked the way it looked. “Can’t you just keep the theme and add tables for the café?”
“I could, but it’s a little dated. I want to lighten it up a bit. Make it more farmhouse cozy instead of the nautical cozy it’s got going on right now. You know I didn’t do much to it when I bought it five years ago.”
“I know. But you realize this is an ocean town, right?”
“Yes. But I think a lighter color palette and a lot of greenery will go over well with the patrons. And I want to ditch the driftwood decorations.”
I frowned. “You’re keeping your counter, though, right?” Her hand-hewn checkout counter was gorgeous.
She gave me a horrified look. “I’m not crazy. That thing is a work of art.”
A smile crossed my face. “Good. I think the townsfolk would riot if you did. And I’d lead the charge.”
Mina laughed. “You would.”
Grinning, I closed the folder, then tapped it with one hot-pink fingernail. “Can I keep this for now?”
“Yep. I was hoping you’d jump onboard. That copy is for you.”
“Perfect. I’ll work on the paperwork later this afternoon.”
“Great.” Mina gathered the handles on her bag and picked up her coffee. “I’ll let you get to work. I know you’re behind because of what happened this morning.”
My nose wrinkled at the reminder. “Yeah. I just hope they find Mr. Hammond safe and sound, and that he had nothing to do with his wife’s death.”
Mina shrugged. “The spouse is always the most likely suspect.”
“I know. But I just didn’t get that vibe from them, you know?” I lifted a shoulder and blew out a breath. “I don’t know. It’s all crazy.”
“It is. But please do what Detective Quartermaine suggested and let him handle it?”
I held up my hands. “I’ll behave.” But mentally, I crossed my fingers. I had no intention of sticking my nose into the middle of the investigation, but if information happened to come my way, well, I would be more than happy to ask a few questions.