Chapter 26 Mina
Mina
“Steve!” I called out the name on the extra-tall cup of house brew and set the cup on the pickup counter. Without waiting for the man to come claim his drink, and eager to get through the Monday morning rush, I spun around to make the next order.
And looked straight into Ozzie’s scowling face. He stood between the order line and the pick-up station.
“Hi.” I offered him a curious frown and a half smile, unsure why he felt the need to give me a dark look. I also couldn’t help but wonder why he was here so early. Claire had been in not long ago and bought coffee for him and for herself.
“Hi. You and I need to talk.”
My half smile died, but my frown stayed in place, deepening. “Can it wait until the rush dies down a bit?” I tipped my chin to the line behind him.
“No.” Not waiting for an answer, he stepped around the counter and headed for the kitchen.
This was not what I needed.
Groaning, I turned to my closest barista, Kayla. “I’ll be right back.”
At her nod, I hurried after Ozzie, who was already standing in front of the door to my office.
Fishing out my keys, I unlocked the newly repaired door and let us inside.
“What’s so important it couldn’t wait? Did you see my line out there?” I gestured past him through the open door.
“I did. I promise not to take long. Claire brought me coffee. She mentioned you told her you spoke to Rich Stevenson the other day.” He crossed his arms. “Care to tell me what was said? And”—he held up a finger—“why you didn’t tell me about it sooner?”
I let out a soft groan and scrubbed my hands over my face.
It had totally slipped my mind. “With everything that’s happened lately, I forgot to tell you.
It was last Thursday. I stopped at the grocery after work to get some things, and he was there.
He recognized me and stopped to talk. Did you know Moira was pregnant? ”
Ozzie’s gaze sharpened. “What? No. Was it Stevenson’s?”
I nodded. “He said they were happy about it, and that he planned to ask her to marry him once he saved up enough money for a ring.”
“What else did he say? Did he point the finger at anyone?”
I tipped my head side to side. “Not exactly. He asked me if it was true that she was found at the antique store. When I said yes, he said he’d secretly hoped all these years that she just ran away.”
Ozzie’s brows dipped. “Ran away from what? Him?”
“I don’t think so, no. He said no one else knew about the baby, but that if her parents found out, they’d be really upset. He also said she told him she was having some issues at work just before she disappeared.”
That sharp look returned to his face. “What issues?”
I shrugged. “He didn’t know. I know you’re not interested in gut feelings or anything except facts, but I really don’t think he killed her.”
Rather than immediately agree that he wasn’t going off gut feelings, like I thought he would, he paused and studied me for several moments. “Why not?” he finally asked.
I blinked. He really wanted my opinion? “Well, I—” I stopped, brows twitching into a frown as I thought about what to say.
“He just seemed really broken up about her death. Like, with the discovery of her body, he’s mourning her all over again, you know?
” I lifted one shoulder. “He seemed genuinely upset to find out she was dead and not just missing.”
“It wasn’t guilt manifesting as him being upset?”
Pulling the corner of my bottom lip between my teeth, I thought about my interaction with Rich. Slowly, I shook my head. “No. I think he truly loved her and didn’t have anything to do with her death.”
Ozzie softly clicked his tongue, glancing away for a moment. “All right. Did he say anything else?”
“He just wanted to know how she died and if she suffered. I told him there wasn’t much left of her body to be able to tell him that.”
“Did you tell him about anything we found on or with her body?”
“No.”
“Okay. Keep it that way if you speak to him again.”
My head bobbed. That was fine. I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the investigation. “I will.” I held up my hands. “You can tell him whatever you think you need to.”
A crooked smile lifted one side of his mouth. “Yep. He and I are going to have a talk in just a little while. Have you heard anything else about Shuman or Moira around town? I know people like to gossip.”
“Not really, no. People talk, but it’s all been speculation about what happened.” I narrowed my eyes, sensing he knew more than he let on. “Why? Have you?”
Wariness crept into his expression, and I knew my instincts were right.
I quirked an eyebrow and crossed my arms. “You might as well spill. I might be able to point you toward more information. At the very least, I can keep my ears open for someone who might know more.”
His mouth pursed. After a couple of seconds, he responded.
“Ellis mentioned that a couple of the old-timers down at the docks remembered hearing about a young woman asking questions about some waterfront property way back when. I’m not sure if they’re just making stuff up or if Moira was actually going around asking things.
He was going to try to get more out of them, but he’s the new kid on the block, so they don’t open up to him the way they do others. ”
“Well, if anyone can get them to talk, it’s him.” Ozzie’s brother, Ellis, recently left the Coast Guard to take up the role of commercial fishing boat captain. He was also quite the charmer. “Maybe tell him to talk to the men’s wives.” I grinned.
Ozzie chuckled. “That’s not a bad idea.” With a small jerk of his head, he indicated we should exit the office. “Can I get a couple cups of coffee to go?”
I arched an eyebrow as I headed for the door. “Buttering Rich up, are you?”
A full-fledged grin broke out on his face. “Possibly. You catch more flies with honey, you know.”
I chuckled. “I’ve said for a long time that coffee is the nectar of the gods.”
“That’s the truth. It’s a cop’s saving grace too.”
“For cops and for a lot of other people.” I pushed through the swinging door to the main shop.
The line was still stretched to the door.
Quickly, I filled two coffee cups and snapped lids on them before slipping them into sleeves and sliding them across the counter to him.
“Here you go. Now scram so I can get back to work.” I smiled, softening my words.
His mouth tipped up as he passed me a ten-dollar bill. “Keep the change. And keep your ears open.”
Nodding, I put the money in the tip jar, which would get divvied up amongst my employees at the end of the day. It wasn’t worth making the change for the coffee. And heaven knew Ozzie and Claire already spent enough of their money in my coffeeshop.
Lifting a hand in farewell, Ozzie left.
The moment he disappeared, I dove back into filling orders, helping Kayla and the others deal with the rush. It took another thirty-five minutes until only one customer remained in line.
Ready for a break and a drink of water, I pasted what I hoped was a sunny smile on my face and stared up at the imposing man at the register. “Toren, right?”
Surprise lit in his dark eyes for a moment, then he nodded. “Yes. You have a good memory.”
“You’re a hard man to forget.” My cheeks colored as I realized how that sounded. “Sorry. I just meant you’re, well…” I trailed off, gesturing to his size.
An amused smile lifted his full lips, turning him from handsome to gorgeous. If I weren’t already half in love with Luke, I’d probably flirt my heart out.
“I get that a lot,” he said.
I chuckled. “I bet you do. So, what can I get you? Black coffee is what you ordered last time, right?”
“Yes. But I think this time I’d like to try your cappuccino. A large, please.”
I nodded once. “Coming right up.” I tapped the register screen and read off his total. He tapped his card on the reader. Once the sale was complete, I turned away and grabbed a cup, then started the espresso.
“So, you’re the lady who found the body in the wall next door, aren’t you?”
My heart sank. Was he just another gossiper, looking for the latest juicy details? “I am,” I said, my voice curt.
“Who’s handling the case? Is it just the local PD? I’m new to the area, so I don’t really know anyone.”
Brows knitting together, I glanced back. Why would he ask that? “We have a detective on the force. He’s in charge. Why?”
Toren pulled the corner of his mouth between his teeth and glanced out the window for a long moment before turning back to me.
“I’m a hunting guide. I was out scouting locations this past week and came across a camp.
Some old man was there, and—” He stopped, glancing away again before shaking his head and continuing.
“I don’t know. He—something just seemed off.
I don’t spend a lot of time here in town, but I’ve heard the rumors about what happened next door.
I know the cops are looking for the old guy who owned the place.
It could be nothing, but I figured I’d still bring it to their attention.
” His expression darkened and his black brows drew down over his eyes.
“If that were someone I loved in the wall, I’d want people to do everything possible to find her killer. ”
The anger that simmered in his voice spoke of something deeper than just a desire for justice. I’d bet my favorite coffee mug someone he loved had died a violent death.
Picking up the little pots of espresso, I dumped them in the paper cup.
“Go to the police station and ask for Detective Quartermaine. I’m not sure he’s there right now, but you can leave a message for him or get his direct number and call.
” Opening the little fridge below the counter, I grabbed the milk carton and poured some into the steamer pitcher.
“I’ll do that, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Tossing him a quick smile, I finished his drink and handed it over.
“Thanks.” With a quick tap of his fingers to his temple in salutation, he left.
I watched him go, my thoughts a jumble as I silently kicked myself for not asking more questions. People camped in the wilderness all the time, especially this time of year. It was probably nothing. But I would like to know what the man looked like and where the camp was.
Not that I would venture out there.
That was dumb and a good way to end up dead. Even if it wasn’t Walter, the man could still be dangerous.
I let out a soft huff.
Dang it. Now I had more questions.