Diva Runs Out Of Thyme

Ambrose snickered. “Oh, yeah. His wife had this kitten she couldn’t get rid of and it was driving her nuts. She’d been bugging him to take it to the pound, but ol’ Otis had a soft spot for the little guy. Said he’d found a lady who could give it a good home but she didn’t know it yet.”

“He targeted me? He wanted me to have Mochie? Why? He didn’t know me.”

Bernie threw me a smug look.

Ambrose stared into his empty beer mug like he was searching for one last drop. “Ole Otis knew a lot about people who didn’t know him. He was good at his game. He was only sorry it had taken him so long to figure out how to make big money at it.”

“Oh, no.” Humphrey kicked me under the table and motioned with his head.

I looked up.

Wolf was heading straight for us. His demeanor grim, he said, “Sophie, I need a word with you, please.”

Like a twelve-year-old at my first dance, I scooted around the table and imagined that he might lead me to a cozy nook for another kiss. I couldn’t suppress a smile and I was glad I’d listened to my mom and worn a sexy sweater.

Wolf escorted me out of the pub. “I want to apologize for my behavior.”

I melted. He realized he’d been abrupt and gruff. I admired men who could see their flaws and knew when to apologize. I stepped toward him and was about to place my hand on his coat when he said, “I never should have kissed you. That was inexcusable and unprofessional.”

So much for that. Even my sexy sweater hadn’t made a difference. I consoled myself with the thought that maybe he did murder his wife. “There are a few things I should tell you. I should have done it earlier but well, I took off too soon,” he continued. A chilly breeze penetrated my sweater. In spite of his obvious inattraction to me, my heart raced. I was afraid of what he was going to say.

“You were probably right about the turkey trophy being the murder weapon. We found traces of blood on the tail, as you said, and according to the medical examiner it’s consistent with Simon’s injury.” I stood up a little straighter. I’d been vindicated on one tiny item but it felt good. At least he knew I didn’t make it up.

“What about the soup?” I asked.

“We found the poison in only one soup bowl. That doesn’t clear you or implicate you.”

“Wolf, I’ve been wondering about blood spatter. You interviewed all of us right away. If one of us had been the killer, wouldn’t he have had blood spatter on his clothes?”

Wolf’s head jerked back. Apparently my question surprised him.

“I’m always underestimating you, Sophie. But it’s not unusual for blood spatter to be absent in cases where the victim is killed by a single blow to the head. That’s what we think happened to Simon.”

But I hadn’t known that and the killer might not have, either. He might have worn a dark shirt and rushed to wash it—just in case.

“We’ve been a little slow processing everything because of the holiday. I’m sure they’ll get to your clothes next week.”

I’d forgotten all about them. “How about my car? My folks will be going home soon and I’ll need transportation for work.”

“Better rent one. I doubt they’ll turn it over to you until the perpetrator is in custody.” He focused on the door of the inn and said softly, “And that could be a while. What are you doing here?”

“Asking questions.”

“Suspect everyone, trust no one,” said Wolf.

“That’s a terrible attitude. Your suspects are my family and friends. I’m not turning on them.”

Wolf flexed his fingers while he thought. “Sophie, this would be so much easier for everyone if you would tell me what you’re hiding.”

The same old tune again. “I don’t have any secrets. Believe me, Mars did not hire Otis to have me tailed and I’m not in a relationship with Humphrey.”

“Look, Sophie, I’ve seen the tapes from the grocery store—”

“Then you know I didn’t do anything.”

He studied me in silence before saying, “I know that Otis approached you in the parking lot and that you waved your hands at him and ran away, into the store.”

“Because he was trying to pawn Mochie off on me.”

“And I know that when you came out, you scanned the parking lot like you were looking for him.”

“Because of Mochie. I changed my mind while I was shopping. I wanted to take him to Nina to be sure he’d get a decent home.”

“That’s not how it looks on the tapes.”

This was ridiculous. “I can’t help that. What about the film in the rear of the store? Doesn’t it show the killer?”

“There aren’t any cameras on the rear of the store. All we know is that you ran from Otis and then looked for him nervously when you left. Did he threaten you?”

“Only with a kitten.” I flung open the door and stalked back into the pub. There was no point in subjecting myself to more of that nonsense. Wolf obviously didn’t want to believe me.

I wondered if I’d said too much. I couldn’t incriminate myself because I hadn’t done anything, but Mars and my dad were probably right about getting a lawyer. I should have done that from the beginning. I’d wanted to cooperate with Wolf because I found him attractive. How stupid of me.