Sweet as Honey (Aster Valley 2)

Pim took my words into careful consideration. “We’re going to lay a trap, Mr. Sweet. And only the guilty party will feel the cold metal bite of its teeth when it snaps closed.”

If I’d felt like a player in an overly dramatic production of a stage mystery then, it was nothing compared to how I felt after we’d concocted our actual plan and Chaya had suggested using costumes, “In order to get the full effect.”

I really loved costumes, but now definitely wasn’t the time for them.

The one saving grace was everyone’s agreement to wait for Tiller and Sam to return from Breckenridge so we’d have some big muscle on our side in case things went wrong somehow. Like… if the Stanner brothers had conspired with Barney and were waiting in the wings to beat me up as soon as I’d gotten a confession out of Barney.

But then the plan went completely out the window when Solo casually mentioned boxing up a to-go order for Mr. Balderson, who was picking it up on his way out of town.

The four of us scrambled like idiotic coconspirators. Mikey called Tiller in a frantic rush as Pim wondered aloud whether or not to slip a sleeping pill into the man’s breakfast order. Chaya pointed out that might put other drivers in jeopardy when the man got on the interstate, and I simply sat there thinking a silent version of “Ack! Ack!” until I actually saw him come into the diner.

And then everything became crystal clear. I knew exactly what to do.

“Excuse me,” I said calmly to my lovably nutty friends before sliding out of the booth and making my way over to Barney. “Um, hi.”

He glanced at me and then back to the bag of food Solo had placed in front of him. “Hello, Truman. How are you feeling today?”

“Actually, not great. I mean… physically I’m fine, but…” I bit my lip and looked at him. “I was wondering if you might come up to the farm and talk to me for a few minutes before heading out of town. I’m confused about something, and I would like someone to help me sort through it. Would you mind?”

His eyes widened in surprise. “Of course not, sweet pea. My car’s right out front. Why don’t you let me take you home?”

I shook my head, trying not to get nervous. This next part was important if my plan was going to work. “No, I need to stop and get some gas on the way home. But I’ll meet you there in a little while? That okay?”

He studied me for a minute before smiling. “Tell you what. Why don’t you let me fill up the Subaru, and you can take my car. You shouldn’t have to get your hands dirty for something like that.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” I said with what I hoped was a shy grin. “Besides, I wanted to pick out a candy bar, and if you go instead, I won’t have an excuse.”

Barney winked at me and nodded. “Sure enough. See you soon.”

I started to turn away, but then turned back and brushed his arm. “Barney? Would you…? No, sorry. Never mind.”

“What is it, Truman?”

I sighed. “Would you mind running by the shop and seeing if there are any updates on the investigation? I want to know what they know, and no one will talk to me. Maybe they’ll talk to you.”

Barney nodded in understanding. “Of course.”

I had no idea if Dirk or Gail were at the shop today, but it didn’t matter. I only needed a little head start.

I waved goodbye to my friends, who all scrambled to follow me outside without looking like that’s what they were doing. Pim went out the back door, Mikey followed me, calling out about grabbing his jacket out of my car, and Chaya just threw up her hands and enigmatically called out, “Costumes, goddammit!”

“Go away,” I hissed. “I got this if you clowns don’t tip the man off.”

Mikey’s eyes widened before his face split in a grin, and I had to pause for a second to wonder who the heck I was in that moment. Meek, unassuming Truman Sweet would never talk to his friends that way before going off to confront his arsonist, attempted murderer, former almost-boyfriend.

But then again, that old Truman would never have considered these folks his friends, let alone confronted anyone.

I liked the new Truman way better.

Chaya narrowed her eyes at me. “I will be hiding in your goat shed. Bark twice if you need me.”

“Whatever,” I muttered, reaching for my door handle.

Mikey grabbed my elbow. “Wait for Tiller and Sam. They can help.”

“You know I can’t wait that long. He’s leaving town. It’s now or never, Mikey.” I gently pulled my elbow out of his grip. “I’ve got this. Trust me.”