A Murderous Misconception Read online

  Katie wasn’t fooled. The officers were friendly and flirty with Erikka because she was gorgeous.

  “I’ll ask the staff to see if any of them know anything about who Erikka might’ve been dating,” Andy said.

  “Thank you,” Katie said. “I’m following up on every lead I can find. I mean, Erikka indicated on social media that she was being stalked and told Moonbeam she was dating a cop—I’m trying to find anything or anyone who’ll make us appear less likely to have killed Erikka. I even went to Greece to talk with Luke Stafford.”

  He blinked. “You did what? You know what a hot head that guy is! Erikka said he was physically abusive to her when they dated. Why in the world would you go see him?”

  “Because I’m trying to save our butts,” Katie said. “Luke denies any knowledge of Erikka’s recent activities. He says he’s engaged to someone else and hadn’t seen Erikka in ages. Still, while you’re talking with your employees, would you mind checking to see if anyone might’ve seen a guy matching Luke’s description hanging around?”

  Andy nodded. “Of course. It would certainly make our lives a lot easier if Schuler could arrest Luke Stafford for Erikka’s murder.”

  “Only if Luke is guilty,” Katie pointed out.

  “Yeah, but who would have more motive to kill Erikka than a jealous ex-lover?” he asked.

  She grimaced. “According to Schuler, we do.”

  After Andy went back to work, Katie stayed behind to finish packing up a few things she’d left in the bedroom. On the nightstand was a photo of her and Andy in happier times. She couldn’t even remember who’d snapped the photo—Rose, maybe?—but Katie and Andy were lovingly gazing into each other’s eyes. It had been taken during the Square’s Independence Day celebration the year before—a bright, beautiful summer’s day filled with laughter, good food, and afterward sailing on Seth’s boat on the lake, and fireworks. Lots of fireworks.

  Andy spoke from the doorway, startling her so badly that she dropped the photograph. Luckily, the frame didn’t break.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I thought you heard me come back in.” He held up a box. “Thought you might need this.”

  “Yeah…thanks.” She tried to wipe her eyes without his noticing, but that was impossible.

  He came over and picked the photo up off the floor. He smiled. “I remember this. It was a terrific day.”

  “It was.”

  Placing the photograph back onto the nightstand, Andy asked, “So…will you be displaying this picture in your new apartment?”

  “No. Right now it’s a painful reminder of what we’ve lost.”

  “We could have it back again,” he said. “And maybe even be stronger for weathering this storm.”

  Did he honestly believe she could ever trust him knowing how many times he’d lied to her? Betrayed her? Not wanting to argue, she said nothing and began packing items into the box.

  Andy kissed the top of her head and left.

  She resumed packing, including the photograph from the Independence Day celebration but placing it face-down in the box.

  Within minutes, she heard a knock on the door. She sighed. Couldn’t Andy just leave her in peace to finish packing away the remnants of their life together? She didn’t move to answer it. After all, he had a key. Why didn’t he simply come on back in as he had earlier?

  The pounding became louder and more insistent. Maybe it wasn’t Andy after all. But, who? The movers? No, they weren’t expected until the next day.

  Katie went to the door and looked through the peephole.

  Schuler. Great. That’s just who I needed to brighten up my day.

  Opening the door, Katie said, “Good afternoon, Detective. How can I help you?”

  He held up a piece of paper. “We have a warrant to search these premises, your office at Artisans Alley, and your residence above Tealicious.”

  “Wh-what?” It was only then that she noticed the other deputies standing behind Schuler.

  Shoving the paper toward her, he said, “Here. It’s all in there. Read it. Now, move aside.”

  Before Katie could adequately move out of Schuler’s and the other deputies’ way, Andy was muscling his way inside.

  “What the hell is going on here?” he thundered, putting his body between Katie and the advancing herd of law enforcement officers.

  “Ask your girlfriend.” Schuler looked around Andy to Katie, a sneer curling his lip. “That is if you can still call her that. She’s got the search warrant. It’s up to her whether or not she lets you read it. But, for now, I need to ask you both to step outside.”

  “B-but what—? What are you looking for?” Katie asked.

  “Evidence to prove your connection to the murder of Erikka Wiley.” Schuler’s tone was smug. Katie wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d smiled at her when he said it. He must’ve practiced saying that with a straight face in the mirror before he drove there.

  “I need my phone,” she said. “It’s in the bedroom.”

  “I’ll go with you to ensure that’s all you take,” Schuler said.

  “I’ll go, too.” Andy drew himself up to his full height, shaking with rage. Schuler looked much less intimidating when compared to Andy…or he would have had he not had the authority—and the obvious desire—to throw Katie in jail.

  “This is ridiculous,” Katie said as she strode to her bedroom with both the men in tow. “You know I didn’t hurt anyone.”

  “Let’s hope the evidence bears that out, Ms. Bonner.” And then Schuler did have the nerve to give her that smug smile he’d been repressing.

  “What exactly are you looking for?” she asked.

  “Evidence—that’s all I can tell you.” He nodded toward the bed. “There’s your phone. You may take it with you outside, but do not go farther than the parking area around this building and attempt to go to Artisans Alley or Tealicious. Officers have been placed on those premises to ensure you don’t enter and try to destroy evidence.”

  “There’s no evidence to find, much less destroy!” Andy shouted.

  “I must warn you, Mr. Rust, you will keep your voice down and won’t impede my investigation, or I will have you removed from the building—and that includes the pizza parlor.”

  Katie put her hand on Andy’s arm. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs and call Seth.”

  As soon as they got to the bottom of the stairs, Andy let out a growl of frustration. “It was all I could do not to punch that self-satisfied smirk right off that bastard’s face.”

  “I can’t imagine what he hopes to find.” Katie’s knees felt weak. “Could we sit down somewhere please?”

  “Yeah. Let’s go into my office.”

  Trying to ignore the curious stares of staff and patrons alike, Andy and Katie went into his office at Angelo’s. By the time he’d closed the door behind him, Katie had Seth on the phone.

  “Seth, Schuler is in the apartment over Angelo’s, and he has a search warrant for Artisans Alley and Tealicious too. What do I need to do?”

  “Sit tight,” Seth said. “I’m on my way.”

  Chapter 16

  As they sat in the two chairs in front of Andy’s desk—they heard the bell over the pizzeria door ring.

  “I’ll see if that’s Seth,” Andy said, giving Katie’s hand a squeeze before leaving the office.

  Katie’s mind was whirling. Thank goodness she and Ray had found Erikka’s ring earlier that day and that she’d given it to him for safekeeping. But how had it gotten into her apartment over Tealicious? She didn’t want anyone—besides Ray—to know about the ring just yet. Seth, probably, but not Andy. She’d tell Seth later, when it was just the two of them. She wasn’t quite ready to examine her reasons for not wanting Andy to know she’d found the ring.

  Andy returned to the office with Seth in tow. Katie stood when the men entered the room, and the attorney gave her a quick, reassuring hug. Unfortunately, it did little to comfort her under the circumstances.

  Stepp
ing back, Seth said, “Let’s see that search warrant.”

  Katie handed it over, and Seth sat at Andy’s desk to examine it. Andy tried to take Katie’s hand as they took their seats in the guest chairs, but she shook him off.

  “Well?” Katie asked when she couldn’t handle the suspense any longer. “Is what Schuler’s doing legal? Is the search warrant valid?”

  “I’m afraid so.” Seth sighed and lowered the document. “It says that an anonymous source provided information to Detective Schuler and that the source’s name has been made available to the judge privately in order to protect the informant’s safety. Do either of you have any idea who or what this could be referencing?”

  Katie shook her head before looking at Andy.

  “No,” he said. “I have no clue.”

  Seth took his cell phone from his jacket pocket and called his secretary. “Hey. Could you please reschedule my remaining appointments for this afternoon and then call J. P. Trammel’s office to see when Katie and I can get in to see him? Thanks. Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  After ending the call, Seth assured Katie that he’d stay with her until after Schuler had completed his searches.

  “You don’t have to do that,” Katie said. “I don’t want to ruin your entire day.”

  “You’re not ruining anything, and I want to be here. Once the searches have been concluded, we’ll know what we need to do next,” Seth said.

  “You don’t think… I mean, they’re not going to arrest Katie, are they?” Andy asked.

  “We won’t know that until after the searches have been completed.” Seth had spoken quietly, but his voice seemed to echo in Katie’s ears.

  She swallowed hard. I could actually be arrested today! For murder!

  “But why is Schuler targeting Katie?” Andy demanded. “She’d never hurt anyone.”

  Seth merely shrugged.

  Andy’s expression darkened. “What if…what if I confess? Tell Schuler I did it just long enough to get him off Katie’s back,” Andy said. “I can take it back later, right?”

  “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” Katie said. “Who knows what Schuler would do with a false confession? It might wind up making me look even worse! It would appear that you were so worried about my being convicted that you tried to throw law enforcement off the track.”

  “I didn’t think of that,” Andy mumbled.

  “She’s right.” Seth leaned forward. “It’s better to stick with the original stories you gave the police—that is,” he said and eyed Andy critically, “if those accounts were factual.”

  “Absolutely,” Katie said. She turned her gaze back to Andy. “What we need to do is discover what evidence Schuler has—or thinks he has—against us.”

  Andy wouldn’t meet her gaze. “I guess.”

  Katie was feeling increasingly annoyed with Andy. He’d glibly lied to her about his relationship with Erikka, and now he was willing to lie again. Who was this man she’d given her heart to? Yes, he had many good qualities. He’d help rehabilitate a score of teenage boys at risk…but did he lie to them as well? Was he as good a role model as everyone seemed to think?

  Ezra Hilton had not trusted Andy because he’d stolen and destroyed his painstakingly restored prize Porsche. He’d never forgiven Andy for it. When Katie had learned of Ezra’s prejudice, she had judged the old man harshly. Now she wondered if she’d been wrong with that assessment. Andy claimed to love her…but had he told Erikka the same thing? And even if he hadn’t, he’d had sex with the woman—a second time—in a fit of pique when Katie had promised to stay with Ray’s daughters when he’d been tossed in jail for a crime he hadn’t committed. Talk about a childish reaction on Andy’s part.

  Seth reached to touch Katie’s arm. “What are you thinking about, love?”

  There was no way Katie would voice her thoughts—not in front of Andy. Not at that moment. Would she have to do so in the not-too-distant future?

  Yes. And she wasn’t looking forward to the conversation.

  Chapter 17

  After a round of Andy’s cinnamon buns, a copious amount of coffee, and a distinct lack of conversation later, a brisk knock sounded on the office door. Captain Robert Spence swung it open, stepped into the room, and closed the door behind him. His eyes swept the room. “Hey, Seth Landers! Nice to see you…although I’m surprised to see you here. I didn’t think criminal law was your forte.”

  “Katie’s a friend,” Seth explained. “I’m here to help until we can get her more suitable representation…should she need it.”

  Captain Spence nodded. He then addressed Katie. “Our searches have concluded. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to repack most of the belongings you had boxed up in the apartment upstairs. We tried not to leave your office at Artisans Alley and your residence at Tealicious a mess, but you’ll have some straightening up to do at those places too.”

  “I’m not concerned about that, Captain,” Katie said. “Am I going to be put under arrest?”

  “No, ma’am…not at this time. We found nothing connecting you to the murder of Erikka Wiley.” He spread his hands. “That doesn’t mean you won’t be charged if and when sufficient evidence comes to light.”

  Seth cleared his throat. “Do you feel Katie should retain a criminal attorney at this time?”

  “It wouldn’t hurt,” Spence replied. “And that sentiment applies to both Ms. Bonner and to Mr. Rust. Obviously, you’re the legal expert here, but if it were me, I would…and I’d do it today.”

  Seth thanked him, and Spence nodded to the trio respectfully before leaving the room.

  After sitting in shocked silence for a moment, Katie stood. “Well, I suppose I’d better get back upstairs and repack before the movers get here.”

  “I’ll help you,” Andy offered.

  “No, thank you. You have your own business to attend to.” She managed a shaky smile at Seth. “Please let me know when Mr. Trammel can work me in.”

  “I will. Call me if you need anything.” With a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, he left.

  “Are you sure you don’t need my help?” Andy asked. “I could leave Roger in charge.”

  “No. I think it’s more important for you to find out if anyone on your staff knows who—or, rather, who else—Erikka might’ve been dating.” She narrowed her eyes. “Did you ever take her to my apartment—either of them—for a tryst?”

  “Of course not! I’d never disrespect you like that!”

  But you’d disrespect me by cheating on me.

  She blew out a breath. “I’m just trying to figure out why the police would think I have anything in my possession that would lead them to believe I murdered her.” She wasn’t about to mention the ring she’d found in her new apartment. After all, she could no longer count on Andy as someone she trusted. Someone had placed it there for Schuler and his team to find. She was not about to mention it to anyone…at least, not yet. Would that make her look even more guilty? It was a gamble she was willing to take—for now.

  “Yeah, I don’t know either.” Andy ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll let you know what I find out about any officers or anyone else Erikka might’ve been involved with.” He brightened. “And, hey, if any law enforcement officer Erikka might’ve been dating is taking part in the investigation into her murder, his involvement would be a conflict of interest and render the whole thing void, right? The court would have to throw out any evidence found!”

  “Maybe…I’m not sure how that works.”

  Andy obviously read the concern etched on Katie’s face. “No, I mean…you know…if Schuler is trying to skew the evidence to implicate us, then this officer could be his downfall.”

  “Yeah, right.” She jerked her head toward the door. “I’d better hop to it. I dread seeing what kind of mess Schuler has left me upstairs.”

  Andy reached for her, but she brushed him aside and exited the pizzeria. As she climbed the stairs to the apartment, she tr
ied to deny the mammoth seed of doubt that had been planted in her mind about Andy’s innocence. She didn’t think he would have killed Erikka on purpose, but could he have done it accidentally?

  Katie opened the door to her apartment and her heart sank at the devastation before her. The boxes she’d so neatly stacked for the movers had been dumped onto the floor with her belongings scattered everywhere. How would she ever get the boxes filled again—much less, tidily—before the movers arrived?

  As she was going through her dishes to ensure none had been broken, someone knocked on her door. She’d been so distracted she hadn’t heard footsteps on the stairs. Ray looked past her as she opened the door.

  “Yup,” he said. “I figured this place would be a disaster area and that you could use some help tidying up.”

  “Thank you, but I’ve got this,” she said, dispirited.

  “Didn’t you say the movers would be here this afternoon?” He looked pointedly at his watch.

  “Yeah, they will.” She sighed. “I guess I could use the help, if you don’t mind. Besides, we need to talk—”

  He quickly placed an index finger over her lips and mouthed, Not here. “I agree. We do need to talk. Let me buy you dinner this evening.”

  She frowned. “Okay.”

  “Trust me,” he whispered.

  Katie swallowed, considering how in just a short space of time the pool of people she had considered trustworthy had shrunk. She answered truthfully. “I do.”

  By the time Katie had time to take a breath and look up at the clock that evening, it was after six p.m. She was supposed to meet Ray at a restaurant outside of McKinlay Mill at six-thirty. There was no way. In just a few hours, she had repacked her belongings at the apartment over Angelo’s; tidied her office at Artisans Alley; gathered what few things she had at Sassy Sally’s—including, of course, Mason and Della; and moved into her new apartment. All she wanted was to ease her aching body into a tub of hot water and Epsom salts and soothe away the day. Talking with Ray would have to wait.