diner coffee. “Ray’s a good friend and a really sweet person. I just can’t believe he had anything to do with this.”
“The murder, you mean? Why is that?”
Candy sighed. “Well, you’d have to know Ray. He’s a gentle sort. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“So you think he’s innocent?”
“I
The ends of Sebastian’s wide mouth arced up in a smirk. “Really? That sounds quite noble of you. And how do you plan to do that?” He watched her in amusement as he scooped up the last of the mashed potatoes and gravy on his plate.
Candy wasn’t put off by his condescending tone. “By finding out who really murdered Sapphire, of course,” she said simply.
“So you’re a private investigator?”
Candy snorted. “Far from it. I’m not nearly anything as important sounding as that. I’m just a private citizen trying to do her civic duty.”
“Well, that’s commendable.” Sebastian placed his knife and fork on the empty plate and pushed it toward the end of the table, then picked up the napkin, which he dabbed at mouth and beard. “And how is the investigation progressing?”
Candy arched an eyebrow. “Just between you and me, I’ve turned up a few curious clues that so far haven’t added up to much.”
Sebastian grinned conspiratorially as he put his arms on the table and leaned forward. “I love a good mystery. Care to share what you’ve learned so far?”
“Not yet,” Candy said enigmatically, “but if I uncover anything particularly troublesome, I’ll let you know.”
“I’d be glad to lend a hand any way I can, of course. I’m quite adept at unraveling mysteries. I’ve been known to regularly figure out those mysteries on TV long before the third commercial break.”
“Oh my. A real pro.” Candy feigned an impressed tone, then looked at him catlike as she saw an opportunity. She leaned closer too. “Well, if you really want to help, there
“What would that be?”
“Well, there’s a rumor going around town that one of the judges was bribed by Sapphire-so she could win the crown. I don’t suppose you’d know anything about that?”
As she asked the question, she saw, just for an instant, a look of surprise flash through his eyes. “Bribery?”
“That’s the scuttlebutt.”
“Scuttlebutt?” He laughed, at ease again, though it seemed a bit forced. “That’s a strange word. You learn that in the military?”
“Actually, from Doc. He was in the Navy back in the sixties. Went through college on the G.I. Bill. So?”
But before Sebastian could answer, Maggie huffed up to the table and in a flurry of movement slid into the booth beside Candy. “Hi, honey, made it! Sorry I’m late! It’s just been a hectic week.”
“Oh, hi, Mags.”
As Maggie settled herself, she cast an appraising eye at Sebastian. “So… I’m not barging in on anything, am I? I’d hate to break up a romantic rendezvous.”
“Maggie!” Candy yelped, offended.
“Candy and I were just having a pleasant conversation,” Sebastian said diplomatically.
“Is that what they call it these days?” Maggie gave him a wink.
“If you must know,” Candy said archly, “I was just asking Sebastian about the rumors that Sapphire had bribed one of the pageant judges.”
“Ooh.” Maggie rubbed her hands together excitedly. “Sounds like I made it here just in time.” She looked pointedly at Sebastian, as did Candy. “So?”
For a few long moments Sebastian J. Quinn stared back at them with something approaching disbelief in his eyes. Then he laughed as he signaled for the check. “Ladies, ladies, you know I can’t talk about anything like that. I’m sworn to secrecy. Besides, I think you’re barking up the wrong tree. Perhaps the rumors are wrong. Perhaps Ms. Vine won the pageant fair and square.”
Candy tilted her head thoughtfully, sharpening her gaze on him. “That’s what Herr Georg said. Sounds like we have a conspiracy on our hands.”
“Then you also have quite an investigation on your hands,” Sebastian said as he slid from the booth and reached into a pocket, pulling out a wad of bills. He dropped a ten onto the table. “I wish I could continue this delightful conversation, ladies, but I have a few poems to write. If you’ll excuse me…”
After he left, Maggie slipped around to the other side of the booth. “I guess we chased him off.”
“Think he’s hiding something?”
“No doubt about it. He knows something, that’s for sure.”
“Maybe he knows how Sapphire won that pageant.”
“He’s probably covering up for someone,” Maggie said as she pulled a menu out from its place between the plastic bottles of ketchup and mustard at the end of the table. “I’m telling you, that whole thing was rigged.”
“That’s what Mrs. Pruitt thinks too.”
“Mrs. Pruitt?” Maggie looked surprised. “You talked to her?”
Candy nodded. “About an hour ago.”
“What! And you didn’t tell me?”
“You just got here.”
“Well, what are you waiting for? Get talking, girl. And don’t you dare leave out a single tidbit. I want to know
So as they ordered-a grilled chicken salad with extra alfalfa sprouts and tomatoes for Maggie, a veggie burger with mushrooms and onions, and coleslaw on the side for Candy-the topic of conversation focused on Candy’s visit with Mrs. Pruitt. That led to a discussion of Candy’s red-handled hammer theory, which was still under development-that somehow Ray’s hammer had become mixed up with another one, which had been the actual murder weapon.
“It’s the only explanation,” Candy said as she took a bite of her veggie burger. “Ned even told me that his hammer is missing, which I find incredibly suspicious. I know the answer to this whole mess has something to do with those damned hammers.”
“Have you asked Ray about it?”
“Yeah, Doc and I talked to him this morning, but we got nowhere. He was too much of an emotional mess to tell us much of anything. I doubt he’s told the police much either.”
“Have they charged him with anything yet?”
Candy shook her head. “I didn’t think to ask.” After a moment, she added, “How do things like this work? With the police, I mean?”
“Well,” Maggie said thoughtfully as she munched on her salad greens, “after the perp has been arrested, he’s booked and there’s an arraignment, I think, and a bail hearing. And then I think he’s formally charged, probably at the county courthouse in Machias. Or something like that.”
“How long does all that take?”
Maggie scrunched up her nose. “A couple of days, I think?”
“Hmm.” Candy’s mouth twisted as she thought. “There’s not much time left then. I’ve got to figure this thing out pretty quickly, or Ray’s going to be in a heap of trouble.”
“News flash, sweetie. He’s already in a heap of trouble!”
“That’s true, isn’t it? Guess I’ve got to do some more digging to see if I can get to the bottom of this whole mess. Speaking of digging, did I tell you that I was in Sapphire’s office yesterday? And that I got a job offer? From Ben Clayton?”
“What?” squeaked Maggie. “No, you didn’t! You little weasel! You know you’re supposed to tell me these things the moment they happen! Why didn’t you call me? When did all this take place?”
“Yesterday afternoon, right after I left your office.”
“Did he rescue you from that rainstorm?”
