Hot Coffee Iced Santa (Roasted Love Cozy 2)

By morning, my anxiety was back as I focused on Jason Miller. Above all, I wanted to bring him up to Police Chief Donald Hayes. I also called the school to ask when classes let out for the afternoon.

I pushed thoughts of the teenager out of my mind. If I spent too much time thinking about him, my anxiety got worse. I needed to meet with him, and I didn't really want to after thinking about his threats to Steven and Frank.

I knew a visit with Chief Donald Hayes would come first. I told Jacob I wanted to take some Christmas cookies down to the police station.

"I think it is a good thing to keep on the good side of the cops, don't you?" I said.

"That's always the case. But I have a feeling you have more of a motive than goodwill in this case. What are you really after, Laila?"

I didn't realize I was that transparent. "I want to talk to them about Frank Duvall's murder. They are looking at Steven Landers and I think there could be another suspect. And, yes, I do want to get on the Chief's good side. I promised Daniel I would do everything I could to help prove Steven's innocence."

"What does Daniel have t

o do with it all?"

"He and Steven are best friends. It goes way back. Daniel is convinced he is innocent."

"I know how well you like to play Sherlock Holmes when it comes to solving a mystery, but please, do be careful. Not everyone can be trusted."

Jacob went on to warn me about ruffling the wrong feathers, as he put it. He and I both knew there wasn't much that would hold me back from getting to the bottom of a crime. West River wasn't exactly the murder capital of the world, so it shouldn't be too hard to track down Santa's murderer.

On my break I picked up the box of cookies Eddie packed for me. I could feel the warmth coming from the box and the smell of peppermint reached my nostrils.

"I hope you added some of those sugar cookies with frosting," I said to Eddie.

"You have shapes of mittens, stars, snowflakes and Christmas trees, all decorated. Because I like you, I threw in some cheesecake truffles."

Jacob smiled and waved me from the kitchen. "If that doesn't butter the Chief up, nothing will," he said. I opened the door to face the bitter cold.

When I got to the precinct, the receptionist directed me to Chief Hayes' office. The door was slightly open. I knocked lightly and he told me to come on in. Folders were neatly stacked in two areas on his desk. One large file lay open in front of him. The rest of the office displayed several tables and the tops of them were in stark contrast to the Chief's neat desk.

"Roasted Love has sent goodies to you and your department," I said. I set the box on the edge of his desk. I was sure I saw his mouth watering as he opened the box.

"This is quite a holiday gift," he said. "Did you come down here just to tempt us all with the sweets?"

Chief Hayes was familiar with my sleuth activities. I'm sure that once he knew who I was in the Steakhouse kitchen that fateful night, he put two and two together.

I smiled my best holiday smile and sat down without being invited. "Okay, I admit it. I'm here to talk to you about the murder of Frank Duvall. Of course, I hope you enjoy the cookies, too. And, don't overlook the cheesecake truffles."

He pulled the box toward him and reached for the delicacy. "What do you want to know? I may be able to give you something." He leaned back, and after ripping a paper towel from the roll on his credenza, he took a bite of truffle. I doubted the rest of his staff would get to try any of the delicacies. In spite of his enjoyment of sweet morsels, Donald Hayes was top of the line when it came to leadership of his department. West River was lucky to have him. It was easy to like him, too. He had that kind of personality.

"I want to find out if you have any suspects yet," I said.

"We have one very viable one. We're looking at others, but most of the ones we have talked to have been cleared."

I knew his one was Steven. "What makes you think Steven Landers is the killer?"

"Did I say Steven Landers?" The twinkle in his eyes told me we both knew who he meant.

"I know he must be your prime suspect. Personally, I think you have the wrong person. Do you know if Frank was having money problems?"

The grin that spread across the Chief's face told me I may be on the right track. "We have looked into his financial situation. I'll tell you what we have found out, but it can't leave this room. If you talk to Landers, don't tell him anything of our conversation. Is that clear?"

I nodded yes. "It's not like Steven Landers and I are best friends, anyway. I'm only looking into it all for Daniel's sake. He is so worried about Steven being accused that he is having a hard time enjoying the holidays with his family."

"All right, then. We found out that Frank Duvall was putting substantial funds into his account at the bank. He deposited large amounts the first of every month for several months. At first, he deposited $1000.00 each month and then $2000.00 in the months after.”

"What was the date he started the first deposits?" I wanted to see if the date coincided around the same time he told Cassie he no longer needed her tip money.