Софи Келли - A Case Of Cat And Mouse

“Oh,” I said. I wasn’t sure what counterargument to make against all of that. “But you didn’t arrest him just because of those fingerprints.”

I guessed that he was rubbing the space between his eyebrows or swiping a hand over his stubbled chin right about now. “Elias was in the building.”

“But I don’t remember seeing his name in the book when I signed in. And why didn’t he come when I was yelling for help?” Both Hercules and Owen seemed to be listening to my side of the conversation.

“That’s because Braeden let himself into the building via another door, which was supposed to be locked.”

“Okay, that’s not good,” I said.

“No, it isn’t, and then add in the fact that Braeden told more than one person how much he regretted hiring Kassie Tremayne but that he was stuck with her now . . .” He let the end of the sentence trail off.

I could see why the prosecutor had pushed for an arrest. There was more than enough evidence to take to court.

“Look, I’m still asking questions. The investigation isn’t over yet. There are things we’ve discovered that I don’t even know whether they’re important.”

“Like,” I said. I wasn’t sure he’d tell me.

“Like she changed her name,” Marcus said. “Kassie Tremayne was Kelly-Anne Sullivan, daughter of Sean Sullivan, a politician and businessman with some dubious connections. He’s a boxing promoter and he owns a gym in Chicago among other things. His nickname for his daughter was Kassie from her initials, K, A, S. She wanted to distance herself from her father, but not too far, it seems.”

Marcus had said he had to go where the evidence points. And that the investigation was continuing. He hadn’t said he thought Elias Braeden was guilty.

“Do you think the name change is important?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Probably not. I do know that Sean Sullivan and Elias Braeden are acquainted with each other.”

“So maybe Elias was doing Kassie’s father a favor by hiring her.”

“Maybe.”

I heard a squeak, which told me Marcus was sitting at his desk. No matter what he’d tried he couldn’t seem to get his desk chair to stop squeaking.

“I am sorry Ruby is caught up in all of this.”

He couldn’t see me, but I nodded just the same. “Me too.”

“Before I forget, have you seen that key-chain knife I have?” Marcus asked. “I kept it in the car and now I can’t find it anywhere.”

He’d found the key-chain knife at a flea market in Red Wing. The tiny folding knife, shaped like a house key, had a very sharp blade and had been useful on occasion.

“I haven’t seen it,” I said, “but I’ll look around here.”

“I probably stuck it in a drawer somewhere at home. I’m getting forgetful in my old age.” Again, he turned away from the phone to speak to someone. “I have to go,” he said when he came back. “Be careful, and if you find out anything, promise you’ll let me know.”

Marcus knew I was going to try to figure out whether Elias was guilty or if someone else had killed Kassie, I realized. “Promise,” I said. “I love you.”

“You too,” he said and I could hear the smile in his voice.

I ended the call and set the phone back on the table.

I looked down at my two furry cohorts. It was time to get started.

chapter 8

Friday morning Elias called a meeting in the community center’s gym for everyone involved with the show. A judge had granted bail and he had only spent a few hours in custody. He stood in the middle of the room and we all gathered around him, most people with a travel mug or a take-out cup of coffee.

Elias looked around. “Is everyone here?” he asked. We all looked at one another. I was standing with Eugenie and Russell. Maggie and Peggy were across the circle from us. Rebecca and Harry were next to them, talking earnestly about something. I saw the rest of the bakers standing around—Caroline, Kate, Ray, Charles and Stacey. If some of the crew was missing, I couldn’t tell.

Thorsten was on the far side of the room by the main doors to the gym, which had been propped open when we arrived. Elias nodded. Thorsten flipped up the metal kickstands at the bottom of each door. They swung closed and he stood in front of them.

Elias raised a hand but the buzz of conversation continued around us. Suddenly a piercing whistle cut through the chatter. Everyone stopped what they were doing; stopped talking, stopped drinking coffee, stopped swiping through their phones. Eugenie dropped her thumb and forefinger from her mouth and smiled at Elias.

“Thank you, Eugenie,” Elias said with a smile. He looked around the ragged circle of people. “Thank you for coming in so early. I’ll get right to the point. Yesterday I was arrested for killing Kassie Tremayne.” He didn’t need a microphone. His voice carried throughout the space.

I didn’t think there was anyone who hadn’t heard about his arrest but hearing Elias say the words so plainly out loud obviously made us all feel a little uncomfortable. Around me people shuffled their feet, ducked their heads, studied their shoes.

“I didn’t kill Kassie. And I don’t know who did. But it is my intention to find out, not just to clear my name, which yes, is my priority, but also to bring the real killer to justice. Since I did nothing wrong, and I have nothing to hide, I will be continuing in my role as executive producer of The Great Northern Baking Showdown .” The words had probably been written by his lawyer.

I realized that Elias was looking directly at me now. I met his steady gaze with my own, wondering if Ruby had told him about her conversation with me last night. I wasn’t surprised that he was continuing to work on the show. The man had a level of confidence that bordered on arrogance.

“If you remember anything ,” Elias said. “If you saw anything the night Kassie was killed, if you overheard a conversation, if you saw her arguing with someone, please talk to the police. Don’t let some misguided loyalty to the show or to me keep you from speaking up. If the police want to talk to you, please cooperate and answer all of their questions.” His eyes finally flicked away from mine. “As far as The Great Northern Baking Showdown is concerned, it’s business as usual. Thank you for your time, everyone. Let’s get back to work.”

After a moment’s hesitation, people began to move toward the doors, which Thorsten was propping open once again. Elias closed the distance between us. “Kathleen, do you have a minute?” he asked. Since it was Friday and I didn’t go into the library until lunchtime, Eugenie and I were planning to work a little more with Peggy since they would be filming her first episode on Saturday.

Eugenie touched my arm. “We’ll be in my office,” she said.

I nodded.

Russell winked at me and the two of them left together. Elias waited until the room was empty before he spoke. “I know what Ruby asked of you last night.”

I didn’t say anything. It wasn’t as though he’d asked me a question. I waited for him to tell me that he didn’t need my help.

“I’ll pay you whatever fee you want to set,” was what he said instead.

I looked at him, dumbfounded. “I’m not an investigator, Elias,” I said. “And I know you probably don’t think so right now, but the police are very good at what they do. They will find out who really killed Kassie.”

He smiled but there was no real warmth in it. “So you don’t think I killed her?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. Shoving someone’s head in a bowl of whipped cream doesn’t strike me as your . . . style.”

Elias laughed. “Don’t believe everything you hear about me, Kathleen.” He adjusted the cuff of his suit jacket. “I saw what you did in the case of Simon Janes’s father. And I know you were also involved in catching the person who murdered Agatha Shepherd. I’m serious. I’ll pay whatever dollar amount you name to find the person who killed Kassie.”