The Full Cup of Murder: Cozy Murder Mystery (Full Cup Mysteries Book 1) (4 page)

“Hush...” She said. I could tell she had already heard details through the grapevine. “Where are you heading. To the Full Cup?”

“Ya they have finally released it to me so I can open tonight.” I smiled. “I am having Lisa and Jim runs it from six on.”

“Ok where are you staying?”

“With Jason.” She whipped her head around and looked at me. “Officer Jason? Our Jason?” She asked smiling wickedly.

“Yes.” I smiled back.

“Get in I will give you a ride you can fill me in. I knew this was going to happen eventually. I knew it!”

“Oh? “ I laughed. “Is that so?”

“Jason loved you even when his wife was alive. God everyone loves you Alison.”

“Funny, I always thought you were the one every guy wanted. Pretty, popular, sweet…”

“Naw. They just wanted Daddy’s money,” We both laughed, as that was always a joke between us for years. I was going to win men by getting them drunk. She was going to keep them by paying them when they sobered up. “Seriously though. Jason is a doll. He must be finally done mourning. About time!”

“Jenna!” I laughed. “You are terrible.” It felt good to giggle with her. It almost made me feel as carefree as we were when we were teenagers.  Suddenly the tears were streaming down my face. Jenna had just pulled into the parking lot.

“Aww sweetie.” She stopped the car and hugged me. It felt good to finally cry. The tension has been crazy and I have kept a lot in. I told Jenna everything the FBI, Dan and the police had come up with in the last few days. I really was not supposed to talk about it at all but the tension was overwhelming. As great as Jason is, well I had things to vent about there too. Like was I doing the right thing. Reese who was turning out to be nothing that I thought he was and even more so then what I could even begin to imagine had just dumped me. We walked into the Full Cup. I turned all of the lights on. Put the jukebox on auto play, Jenna, and I got the place picked up. We were sitting out the bar when we heard a loud crash.

“What was that?” Jenna looked up.

‘”It sounded like it was out back. “ I told her heading towards the back room. Jenna jumped off the bar stool and followed me. We opened the back door and there was no one in the alley. “Now that is odd.” We walked back in but I felt that familiar feeling that we were being watched. I did not say anything to Jenna but I could feel it. When we walked back in Lisa and Jim were there.

“Ali!” Lisa cried and walked over to me and hugged me. “Are you ok?”

“Ya we just heard something outside but there was nothing.”

“I will go check.” Jim told us as he walked back.

“So the bar is ready. You guys are all supplied up and the money bags are full. I am not sure what kind of business you will have with everything going on.”

“I have a funny feeling we will be busy. Everyone is going to want information. Just tell them Ray’s funeral is Saturday at two. We have no information other than that.”

“Ok.”

“I can’t discuss what is going on so it is just best I stay away for a couple of days. I know everyone is going to want to know what is up but I cannot talk about it. A few people will be in the bar tonight. They are FBI agents. They will be here for a few days so I kind of feel good about that.”

“FBI? Really?” Lisa asked.

“Yes, I can’t say much but it will all come out pretty soon I am sure.” The door opened and a couple of locals came in. They came over and asked how I was but then sat down and just talked amongst themselves. I went into the back office and pulled out all of the bills. I had to balance the checkbook and send some payments out. I was in there for about an hour when I heard a knock at the door. The door opened and it was Jim.

“Sorry to bother you, Ali but Shanna is out here and would like to speak with you.”

“Sure. Bring her back and I will talk with her.” I said as I scooped up my papers and piled them next to me. I could not even imagine what Shanna would want. Jim brought her in. “Shanna…” I got up to hug her.

“Hi Ali. How are you holding out?” She asked. She looked nervous. Even with the door closed, she would still look at it expecting to see someone show up at it.

“Shanna. Are you ok?”

“No.” She suddenly broke down and sobbed.

“What is going on?”

“Well Riley came to me today. Asked me how well you and I knew each other. Honestly I almost felt like he wanted to date you he asked so many questions. I wasn’t even sure what to think at first but it’s not that.”

“Why are you so upset about it?”

“I am not sure to be honest.” She said. “But he at the same time told me I should lock all of my doors. Let him know if people were following me. I don’t even understand it.”

“Well, Shanna. He is a Malanta. People are going to be suspicious of him.” I tried to pass it off.

“Are you dating Riley behind my back?” She asked me straight out.

“What? “ I asked surprised.

“Well I heard through the grapevine Reese left you. Then he comes to the house while Riley is visiting me. They spent two hours talking outside. Reese looked upset and Riley even looked mad. I could not even understand why Riley would be upset. I thought maybe…” Shanna started to cry. “I just thought, I am sorry Ali. I know you wouldn’t…”

“It is ok, Shanna.” I stood up and went to her. “I am sure whatever they talked about had nothing to do with me. As far as Reese leaving me. We were not together that long. It was also his choice. I have not seen Riley since I saw you both at the fair a few months ago. I promise you. I am not doing anything.”

“I know. I am sorry.”

“It is ok. Maybe you and Riley just need some time together. Alone. Do something fun.”

“Ya, you are probably right.” There was a knock at the door. It was Jason.

“Well hello Shanna!”

“Hi Jason.” He walked over and kissed me on the cheek. Shanna’s eyes got big and then she smiled.

“No, I imagine you are right.” She stood up and looked at both of us. “You two must come over sometime.” She hugged me and smiled at Jason and left.

“Everything ok?” Jason asked as we watched her leave.

“Yes she just thought Riley and I might have something going on.”

“Really?”

“Ya, Reese went over to her house after we split up. She said they talked for a while outside. She said Riley got pretty upset.”

“Well that is interesting.”

“Yes very. Are you off duty?”

“I am and I thought we could go to the grocery store. Get some food and I would cook for you. I had John Wilson and Mike Harlan go over and get you clothing, toothbrush and all of your personals.”

“Aww that is so sweet. I am not ready to go back to the house.” I looked at the picture of Carl that I had sitting on my desk. I was pretty sure it would not take long for the regulars to figure out that Carl was not there. I was not ready to talk about my cat’s murder yet.

“Let’s do this. How about I will go get some food. You finish up here and then meet me at my place.”

“That would be wonderful Jason.” I smiled. He hugged me and I felt so suddenly safe and warm. Matter of fact I was feeling many things that I had never felt before while being with Jason. I liked it.

After he left I finished up the bills. When I walked back out to the bar, there were many people in there. I was very pleased. I visited with some of the local regulars and then got ready to leave. Lisa and Jim promised to take care of everything so I walked out into the parking lot. Pulling in in his shiny gray car was Riley Malanta. I walked over to my car. I could see him parking and getting out and walking towards me with a small smile. My heart started racing.

“Hello Ali!” He said as he walked up to me. I was fumbling with my keys. I could feel myself shaking and I was hoping he could not tell how nervous I was. I suddenly saw movement in a red van parked a couple spaces over from my car and I realized it was the FBI. I suddenly felt a lot better.

“Hi Riley.” I said carefully.

“How are you?”

“I am ok, considering all.” I smiled.

“If there is anything I can do please let me know. It is a terrible thing. I told Shanna she must be careful. I mean what if this is a serial killer or something.” I smiled to myself. “No I am serious. You cannot take these things lightly”

“I know. Thank you so much for caring.” I said as I opened the door of my car.

“Well that is our job.” He said leaning closer to me. The look on his face frightened me. It was almost as if he was trying to see into me. See what I may know. “The men in this town have to take care of the women folk.” He shut my door, gave me one more smile and headed into the bar. I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked over at the van and then started to drive towards Jason’s. I got about a mile down the road when my cell phone rang. I put it on speakerphone.

“Hello.”

“Alison. How are you?” The same man’s voice had called me the last couple of times.

“What do you want?” I asked. “Why do you keep bothering me? I do not know anything. I do not want to know anything. Please stop calling me.” The phone went dead. I drove quickly to Jason’s. As I pulled in, I noticed that Jason’s truck was not there yet. I went to the back door and found the key Jason had told me about and let myself in. It was quiet. I went into his room, grabbed my bag, and headed to the bathroom so I could shower. I looked at the tub. I changed my mind and decided to take a bath. As I filled the tub, I found candles, the radio and got everything set up. As I lowered myself into the tub, I could feel the hot water and bubbles ease my stress away. I closed my eyes and it just felt so good. Suddenly I heard footsteps outside the bathroom door.

“Jason.” I called out. “Is that you?” I waited and heard nothing. I closed my eyes again when I heard more footsteps. I felt like my heart had stopped. I eased myself quietly out of the tub. I threw a towel around me. I wish I had brought my clothes in with me but the tub looked so inviting I just got myself in as quick as I could. I stopped and listened. I could hear movement on the other side. I looked around the bathroom. I could not find anything to use as a weapon. A knock sounded at the door and I just about passed out from fright.

“Ali.” I heard Jason’s voice. I opened the door quickly and hurled myself into his arms. “Sweetheart, what is wrong?”

“Why didn’t you answer me when I called out?”

“When?”

“I don’t know, maybe twenty minutes ago.” Jason let go of me. “What?”

“Stay here hunny.” He left me and came back in about ten minutes. He led me to the bedroom and I started to dress. “Alison. I was not here twenty minutes ago. I just got home and saw the bathroom door closed and knew you were in there.”

“But…”

“Ya someone broke into my house!” He said. I know I was turning pale. I know I was feeling sick to my stomach. Jason hugged me. “Maybe we should find a safe house for you.”

“I don’t want to be hidden away. I don’t want to be alone.” I cried.

“I know but Ali if they can find you here then apparently someone is watching everything you are doing.”

“The FBI is supposed to be watching me too.” It suddenly occurred to me. “Where are they?”

“They are on their way right now.”

“Yes but I thought they were going to watch out for my safety.”

“We will get to the bottom of this Ali. I promise you.” He held me. We made our reports. I went into the bedroom to get my stuff together. Jason came in after the FBI left. “I am taking some time off.”

“But …”

“No buts. I have some vacation time. I never do anything so I am going to take some much needed time off and be with you.” I hugged him.

“Thank you.” I smiled. Why did Jason and I not do this before? I thought to myself as I waited for him to get some stuff together. We always got a long but never tried dating or anything. Jason told me we were going to go to his Aunt and Uncle’s camp to stay a few days. It was about 40 miles away. No cell reception. There was a phone at the camp but not the greatest reception. It was a perfect idea. I called Lisa and Jim, and got everything set up with the bar, so I could feel comfortable leaving it for a little bit. I was so lucky to have them. About an hour later, we arrived at the camp.

“There is no way anyone will know where we are.” Jason said assuredly.

Stories We Never Knew

The camp was actually a beautiful 1970’s old log cabin. It had a beautiful kitchen with all of the most updated appliances. It had two bedrooms. A small one with a bunk bed in it and one with a king size bed in it. The whole country setting was just relaxing. Jason started some dinner and I went out onto the porch. The lake was beautiful. The mountain setting off in the distance. I sat down and looked out over the water. It was just so peaceful. I could hear Jason whistling to himself while he worked. I suddenly heard a snap of a branch in the woods next to us. I turned and looked but could not see all too well into the woods as it was just starting to get dark. I looked through the windows again and saw Jason still working. I did not hear any other noises. It had to be just be animals. Jason was right. We were too far away for anyone to find us. Lisa and Jim knew we were gone. I had called Jenna but did not tell any of them where we were going. I walked back inside.

“Hungry?” He asked me.

“I am actually.” I went up behind him and wrapped my arms around him. He stopped and put the knife down and grasped both of my hands. “This is the first time in days that I have felt relaxed.” He released my hands and spun around to face me.

“I believe that is the point, Ali. “ He pulled me to him. His heartbeat felt soothing and gentle on my cheek. “I don’t know how this happened. Us, I mean. I never in a life time thought that you and I would even be anything but close friends.” I pulled away, went to the island bar, and sat down while he continued his work.

“I agree. I will say I hardly ever thought you would be a cop when we were kids. I mean I know you are ten years older than me but I saw you a lot more then you think.”

“Oh? “ He turned around and smiled. “Thought about me, did you?” I laughed. It felt so good to laugh again.

“Yes but not like you think. I mean a decade between us.”