Chapter Eleven
The Seaview Diner was alive with the sound of clinking cutlery, muffled conversations, and the occasional hiss of the coffee machine.
Jill sat across from Mason in a red leather booth, scanning the room for their witness.
Tanya, a slight young woman with long, dark hair that framed a nervous face, slid into the booth without waiting to be invited.
“You must be Tanya,” Jill said, smiling warmly.
Tanya rolled her eyes. “Yeah, thanks to my mom, who doesn’t know how to mind her own business. Look, I didn’t want to get involved in any of this. I didn’t even want to call you, but then, of course, like she does, my mother went behind my back and called you anyway. Sometimes I can’t stand her!”
“She just wants you to do the right thing,” Mason interjected.
Tanya seemed to notice him for the first time. Her eyes brightened. “Hello. Who are you?”
“Officer Mason Dooley,” Mason said with a nod.
“You certainly are!” Tanya cooed.
Jill’s tone softened. “I understand how you feel, Tanya. But your mother’s right. If you saw or heard anything that could help us solve Chips Hogan’s murder, it’s important to share it. Justice doesn’t work without people like you stepping forward.”
Tanya sighed heavily, leaning back. “Fine. Whatever.”
As she spoke, Katty Caulfield, the diner’s cheerful waitress, approached, flipping open her notepad. “What can I get you all?”
Tanya glanced at the menu and started rattling off items faster than Katty could write them down. “Let’s see … pancakes, ooh the ones with chocolate chips, a cheeseburger with fries, a grilled cheese sandwich, onion rings, a side of hash browns … Oh, and pie. Do you have pecan?”
Katty blinked, her pen hovering over the notepad. “Uh, yeah, we have pecan.”
“Great. A slice of that too.” She looked at Jill and Mason. “Do you guys want anything?”
Mason raised an eyebrow, and Jill quietly ordered two coffees. As Katty shuffled away, Tanya smirked.
“Stress eating,” she explained. “This is your treat, right? I mean, since I’m a key witness and all.”
Jill’s lips tightened, but she nodded. “Of course.”
Tanya turned to Mason, her demeanor instantly more animated. “So, a week before Chips’s murder, I saw him arguing with Waldo. They were outside the Thirsty Gull. It was pretty heated.”
“What were they arguing about?” Mason asked, leaning forward.
Tanya shrugged. “I don’t know. I wasn’t really paying attention.
I was on the phone with my boyfriend—well, now ex-boyfriend.
Caught him cheating on me. Can you believe that?
After everything I did for him? I practically emptied my savings to buy him a hot-looking leather jacket last Christmas.
What an ingrate. And he gave me mittens!
He didn’t even buy them. He had his grandmother knit them for him.
My friends told me not to trust him, but did I listen?
No. I’m always following my heart instead of my head. Stupid, right?”
Jill attempted to redirect. “Tanya, about Chips and Waldo—”
But Tanya waved her off, her eyes glued to Mason. “I’m serious, though. I need to find a guy who’s got his act together. Someone with a good head on his shoulders, a decent job …” Her gaze lingered on Mason, who visibly blushed, stuttering as he tried to think of a response.
“I, uh … well …” Mason began, his ears turning bright red.
Tanya leaned in with a playful smile, clearly enjoying his discomfort. “You’re cute, but I bet you already know that.”
Unable to endure any more flirting, Jill stood abruptly. “Thank you, Tanya. Your information will be very helpful. We’ll be in touch if we need anything else.”
As they left the diner, Mason groaned. “That was … mortifying.”
Jill smirked. “What can I say? You’re a ladies’ man.”
“Please stop,” Mason muttered, covering his face with his hands. “I’m begging you.”
The county courthouse was quiet when they arrived. District Attorney for the County Mark Haskell’s office was at the end of the hall, its door slightly ajar. Jill knocked once before stepping inside. Mark, a tall man with sandy hair and a disarming smile, stood behind his desk.
“Jill,” he said warmly. “And Mason. Good to see you.”
“Mark,” Jill said curtly. “We spoke to that witness. Don’t get too excited. She’s not exactly a slam dunk. She doesn’t even remember what Chips and Waldo were fighting about.”
Mark nodded, gesturing for them to sit. “We’re going to need a hell of a lot more than that.”
Jill raised an eyebrow. “Are you worried about the trial?”
“Yes. Oliver’s already working angles for reasonable doubt. And believe me, there’s no shortage, and you know how good your brother is.”
Jill’s jaw tightened. “Don’t remind me.”
Mark leaned forward. “If you can find more concrete evidence, something irrefutable, it would make my job a whole lot easier.”
“We’re on it,” Mason said eagerly.
Jill’s tone turned sharp. “Speaking of jobs, why haven’t you filed charges against my brothers for the brawl at the Thirsty Gull?”
Mark looked taken aback. “Lester refused to press charges.”
“That’s because Cord bribed him with new Little League uniforms,” Jill shot back.
Mark sighed. “Jill, it’s not favoritism. Without Lester’s cooperation, there’s no case.”
“Convenient,” Jill said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’ve always had a knack for making things easier for Oliver.”
Mark’s brow furrowed. “I thought you’d be relieved.”
“Relieved? That my brothers constantly get to act like they’re above the law? Hardly.”
Mark leaned back, his arms crossed. “Do you always have to be this stubborn?”
“Do you always have to play favorites?”
Mason shifted uncomfortably as Jill stormed out, and he caught up to her in the hallway.
“I know this is none of my business, but you and the DA, do you two have a history?” he ventured.
Jill shot him a warning glance. “Why would you say something like that? You’re way off base.”
Mason smirked. “Sure. Right, sorry. But I’m just saying, back there, it sort of felt like sexual tension.”
Jill stopped in her tracks, fixing him with a glare. “Let’s make a deal. I won’t make jokes about you being a chick magnet, and you’ll never say the words sexual tension in front of me ever again.”
Mason held up his hands. “Deal.”
Jill nodded firmly. “And for the record, there is none of that with me and Mark. Got it?”
“Yup.”
“Good.”
Later that evening, Jill stood in front of her bedroom mirror, inspecting her reflection. Her blouse hugged her frame in just the right way, and her dark jeans highlighted her legs. She tilted her head, debating whether to let her hair down or keep it in its usual ponytail.
Her ex’s voice echoed in her mind. You’re pretty enough, but not stunning. The words had burrowed deep, even though she’d tried to shake them off. She squared her shoulders. He doesn’t get to live in my head anymore. I look good. I am good.
Downstairs, she heard the sound of dishes clinking. Audrey was rummaging through the fridge when Jill entered the kitchen.
“You’re here?” Jill asked, surprised.
Audrey shrugged. “Nana’s at her book club, even though she didn’t read the book, only the jacket cover, but they’re serving Cosmos, so she wasn’t going to miss out.
Isabella’s got a date, and I’m bored. Thought we could have dinner and watch a movie.
But you’re dressed to go out. You look nice, by the way. ”
Jill hesitated. “Thank you. I can cancel my plans …”
Audrey waved her off. “No, you should go.”
“You sure?” Jill pressed. “I don’t mind—”
“Mom, go. Seriously. Who are you meeting anyway?”
“Just some friends,” Jill said vaguely.
Audrey raised an eyebrow. “Which friends?”
Jill fumbled. “You know, Mary … and, uh, Sarah.”
“I saw Mary at The Chowder House yesterday. She said she was going to drive down to Portland tonight for some retail therapy,” Audrey said flatly.
“Well, I’m not sure who’s going to make it,” Jill replied quickly. “It’s just a casual thing.”
Audrey crossed her arms. “Mom, do you have a date?”
“No!” Jill said, a little too loudly. “I don’t have a date.”
Audrey smirked. “If you did, it’d be fine, you know.” She paused. “Awesome, in fact.”
Jill gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Eat something. Hang out. Watch some Netflix. I’ll be back later.”
Jill parked her car in front of a charming house just outside of town. It was a classic New England style, with white clapboard siding and dark green shutters. A wraparound porch hugged the front, dotted with Adirondack chairs and hanging flower baskets under the soft radiance of porch lights.
She took a deep breath as she stepped out of the car and walked up the cobblestone path to the front door. The faint sound of music drifted through the air, and there was a scent of wood smoke. Jill hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.
When it opened, Mark Haskell stood there, a towel slung over his shoulder and a warm smile on his face. “You made it,” he said, his voice rich with warmth.
As she stepped inside, the warm glow of candles lit the dining room, and the smell of her favorite dish, shrimp scampi, wafted through the air.
“You’ve outdone yourself,” Jill said, taking in the romantic setup.
Mark grinned. “You deserve it.”
Jill’s smile faltered. “Audrey’s suspicious. She’s already asking questions.”
Mark set the table and walked over to her. “Why do we have to keep this a secret?”
“You know why,” Jill said, pulling away. “My family would make it a circus.”
“You worry too much,” Mark said, leaning in to kiss her, but she stopped him.
“And this isn’t … It’s not a relationship. We’re just … dating, “Jill said, trying to sound convincing. “Early stages.”
Mark leaned in again. This time she didn’t stop him, and he kissed her softly. “If you say so.”
“Mark, I’m serious. I’m not ready …”
“I know …” He kissed her again, cutting her off.
Jill sighed, half-annoyed, half-swayed. “You’re impossible.”
Mark smirked. “And you’re beautiful.”
She finally gave in, kissing him back. “Just don’t burn the shrimp scampi,” she murmured against his lips.
Mark grinned. “Oh, dinner can wait.”