Death Frames the Editor: Lizzie Crenshaw Mystery, #10

Chapter One

Usually, eating alone was something to be savored. For once, no one wanted anything from me. My daughter, Cassiopeia, was spending time with my mother and stepfather, and they made it clear that my presence was not required. Kind of reminded me of when I was a kid and my grandparents said the same thing to my mother. I guess I’ll do the same thing one day.

Trixie Greene Roosevelt, my best friend for eons, and I weren’t on speaking terms right now. For the past four months, she had been trying to get me to go out with Rex Sinclair, the new man in town. Frankly, I didn’t like him and or trust him. But she figured it was just because I didn’t know him very well. She even had the nerve to set us up on a blind date a couple of times. I finally reached my breaking point and told her off. She stopped talking to me after that.

Even Gladys Norwell, my nemesis, was too busy nowadays to bother me, but I was sure that wouldn’t last long. She was sitting at her usual table, eyeing me suspiciously.

Why are you sitting here by yourself? Jake Mathias said as he slid into the seat across from me.

Enjoying the peace and quiet for once.

Or moping because Trixie still won’t talk to you, and you miss Cassie.

My problems with Trixie have been off and on since Owen died. And of course I miss my daughter.

"Our daughter," he corrected me.

Our daughter, I repeated.

You two won’t stay mad at each other forever, you know, Jake said, snatching a French fry off my plate.

She can hold a grudge longer than anyone, I told him. You have no idea.

Well, it probably didn’t help that you decided to tell her off in the middle of the town square during the Fourth of July celebration, he pointed out.

She wouldn’t shut up about me going out with Rex Sinclair! I said, totally exasperated with the conversation. Could we talk about something else?

Like what? He snatched another fry.

For starters, getting your own food.

Maddie Reynolds, the café owner, brought over a double cheeseburger, fries and a glass of sweet tea, and placed it down in front of Jake. Here you go, handsome. I hate to see a man wasting away from lack of food.

Jake grabbed her hand and kissed it. You’re a lifesaver, Maddie. I love you.

You only say that when I bring you food.

Because no one cooks like you, food angel.

She rolled her eyes and looked at me. Are you having dessert today? I made a fresh pecan pie this morning that has your name written all over it.

Sure, why not?

Let me twist your arm, why don’t ya? she laughed and walked away.

You’re a bit grumpy today. What’s wrong?

I’ll tell you what’s wrong with her.

I groaned and rolled my eyes. I told you she would get around to me eventually. He was talking to me, not you, Gladys.

This shameless hussy, Gladys said, ignoring me, was at a rather expensive restaurant last night with Rex Sinclair. What’s wrong with her is a hangover. She was drinking like a fish and hanging all over that man.

I stared at her, my mouth hanging open. Gladys Norwell, you’re a liar.

People in the café gasped.

I am not, Elizabeth Crenshaw. I know what I saw.

I was on the phone last night, conducting an interview with a woman who wants to open a boutique in one of the empty storefronts on the square.

Gladys scoffed. A likely story. You were wearing a green silk shirt and black pants. Your hair was down around your shoulders, and you were flirting with Mr. Sinclair like he was the last eligible bachelor on the planet.

I don’t have to verify my whereabouts to you, Gladys, but I will make an exception in this case. If you would like the name of the woman I talked to, come by my office later. Not only will I give it to you, I will call her while you are standing there, and then after I hang up, you can apologize in private. Unless you prefer groveling and being humiliated in public. Now, if you don’t want to wear my sweet tea, I suggest you get out of my sight right now.

I know what I saw, and I can prove it. She stomped over to her table, grabbed her phone and came back. Swiping left a couple of times, she held out her phone to me. See? I have proof. That’s you sitting there with Mr. Sinclair.

Jake snatched the phone from her before I could look at it. You can’t even tell that’s her, Gladys. All you see is the back of the woman. This could be anybody.

He called her Lizzie.

I’m not the only Lizzie in the world, Gladys, I said, resisting the urge to call her an idiot.

Jake tapped on the screen a few times before he handed the phone back to Gladys. She looked down at it, then back at him. What did you do? The pictures are gone.

Are they? he said innocently. I must have hit the wrong button. I’m sorry.

It doesn’t matter. I sent them to Charlene and Iris. I’ll just get them to send them back to me. We’ll see how you feel about being publicly humiliated for a change instead of me. She spun on her heels and went back to her table.

I swear she is the devil incarnate at times, I said.

Well, I have to admit, Lizzie, I saw the pictures, and it looks a lot like you, at least from the back.

Jake, I swear to God I wasn’t out with Rex Sinclair last night. I haven’t seen him in two weeks!

He held up his hands. Don’t get mad at me! I’m just telling you what it looks like. I believe you, trust me. I know you’d never go out with the guy.

Thank you.

The bell over the door rang, but I ignored it because Maddie brought over a big piece of pecan pie at that moment. But as she left, I noticed Jake was looking toward the door, so I turned to see what he was looking at, and immediately wished I hadn’t.

Rex Sinclair had just walked in the door.

Right behind him was Ethan Winthrop.

Chapter Two

The entire café went silent as Rex and Ethan stood just inside the door, looking for a place to sit. Unfortunately for them, there wasn’t a single place to sit. I hoped this would discourage them and they would leave. And for a moment, it looked like I was going to get my wish.

Then Rex glanced in our direction and waved. Tugging on Ethan’s arm, he led him to our table.

Everyone watched them walk the length of the café. Gladys shot me a look of sympathy before looking at Ethan like she wanted to rip his heart out.

Jake stood up and moved to stand next to me. His right hand closed in a tight fist. I knew that if he were given half a chance, he’d punch Ethan. Repeatedly.

I’m so glad to see you two! Rex said when they got to our table. Do you mind if we join you for lunch? My treat.

You can stay, Jake replied, but he’s got to go. Now.

Rex looked at Ethan, then at Jake. Why? There’s room here for all of us.

But he’s not welcome here, Jake said. He glanced at Ethan. You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face around here again.

It’s a free country, Jake, Ethan said. Stepping around Rex, he smiled at me. It’s so good to see you again, Lizzie. How have you been? Gotten anyone killed lately?

Jake lunged at Ethan, but Rex stopped him from reaching his target. Whoa there, tiger, he said, shoving Jake backwards. Why all the hostility?

Why did you bring him here, Sinclair? Jake growled.

We’ve got some business to discuss and we were hungry. Ethan suggested we come here.

I’ll just bet he did, Gladys said.

I reached over and grabbed Jake’s hand. Calm down, I said quietly. People are staring at us.

He squeezed my hand and didn’t say anything.

Nice to see one of you is level-headed, Rex said. He sat down and slid over so Ethan could sit next to him.

I may be level-headed, but I would appreciate it if you would leave. Jake and I are in the middle of our own business discussion, so I’m afraid you can’t join us at this time.

Rex looked at me like he didn’t believe me. Surely you can put your conversation on hold for a little while so we can have some lunch.

I’m afraid not.

A bit unfriendly of you.

I’ve never been overly kind to you, I reminded him.

She’s the original ice queen, Ethan said. She’s very good at using a man to get what she wants, but cries wolf if a man shows any interest in her at all.

I let go of Jake’s hand, pushed my plate away from me and picked up my messenger bag. Jake moved out of the way so I could slide out of the booth. You are more than welcome to sit here, I said. We’ll conduct our business somewhere else.

No, you won’t, Maddie said. She looked directly at Ethan. As the owner, I have the right to refuse service to anyone. You are definitely at the top of my ‘never come here again in your lifetime’ list. You can leave voluntarily, or Sheriff Roosevelt will escort you out. Your choice.

I noticed T.J. standing behind her. Do you want to trespass one or both of them, Maddie? he asked.

Just the idiot, she retorted, pointing at Ethan. Don’t ever come back here again, Mr. Winthrop.

You heard her, Ethan, T.J. said. You need to leave. Now.

Rex jumped up. You can’t do that! He’s done nothing wrong.

He’s done more than you know, and more than he’ll ever tell you about, Jake said. I’ll bet he told you some fairy tale that Lizzie pursued him, but he rebuffed her first.

As a matter of fact, he did, Rex admitted.

That is as far from the truth as you can get, Maddie said.

From the first time he met her, he harassed her, Jake began.

I put my hand on Jake’s arm. Please don’t do this.

But Jake ignored me. He had been holding this in for quite a while, and he wasn’t about to let Ethan off the hook. He attacked her on the patio at a charity event, ripping her dress. He sent her flowers and gifts. When she sent the gifts back, he went to her office and assaulted her there. One of her best friends was killed in the line of duty trying to protect his sorry butt. He’s about as welcome here as a plague of locusts.

Rex looked at Ethan, and then at me. Is this true? he asked me.

Yes, I whispered.

So this is why you wouldn’t go out with me? Because I remind you of him?

You act in a similar fashion.

My apologies, Ms. Crenshaw. I did not mean to cause you any distress or discomfort. We’ll leave you to eat in peace. And I promise not to drop in on you again without calling first. Let’s go, Ethan.

Ethan started to say something, but Rex grabbed him by the arm and led him through the café and out the door. An audible sigh went up, as if everyone had been holding their breaths while the scene played out.

Sit back down, Lizzie, and eat your pie, Maddie said.

No, but thank you anyway, Maddie, I said. I’ve lost my appetite.

I’ll walk you back to the office, Jake said.

No, you won’t, I told him. I cannot believe you just did that.

Did what?

You told the entire café the one thing I have worked so hard to keep private. You had absolutely no right to just blurt it out. You had no right to tell anyone, period. What were you thinking?

I was just trying to make Rex realize that Ethan was a lying sack of…

I know what you were trying to do, but you had no right!

Jake put his hand on my arm. I didn’t mean to…

The next thing I knew, Jake was on the ground with blood gushing out of his nose, and I was rubbing my sore knuckles. But I meant to do that, I said. With as much dignity as I could muster, I made my way out the front door.

Chapter Three

A knock on the front door woke me up. I had come straight home after the scene at the café, closed all the blinds and locked the door. There was no way I could have gotten any work done at my office that afternoon; people would have been coming to my office, wanting more details.

I know you’re in there, Lizzie, Jake said. Open up.

I didn’t answer him.

Look, I know I crossed the line today, and I’m sorry. I was just so angry that Ethan had the nerve to show his face around here again after what he did.

No response from me, but Mittens growled at the door from her place at the end of the couch.

Come on, Lizzie, let me in. I heard him sigh. Call me if you want to talk or if you need anything.

I heard him walk off the porch, followed shortly by his Porsche firing up and gravel crunching under his tires as he backed up and drove away.

Jerk.

Swinging my legs off the couch, I stood up and stretched. My stomach made a rumbling noise, reminding me that I hadn’t finished my lunch. Babe looked up at me from her place on the floor. Come on, ladies, I’ll let you out.

Mittens ran to the door while Babe stood up and strolled, not a care in the world. Yeah, it’s a rough life, but one I wouldn’t mind right now. I opened the back door and they went rushing outside.

Hungry? T.J. said from one of the deck chairs. Maddie sent over a care package for you.

Did you come over here with the other idiot?

"If you’re referring to Jake,