Read Online Death at the Day Lily Cafe by Wendy Sand Eckel - Free Book Online

Birdie’s for a couple of candy bars. So, yeah, I’ll take one if they’re as good as you say they are.”
    â€œLet’s go over to that bench away from the cranes. I’m a little concerned about my head.”
    He followed and sat down after me. The bench shuddered from his weight. I unwrapped the foil and pulled a napkin from my bag. I placed three muffins on it and held them out to him. He was such a large man, eating just one would be as satisfying as a Chiclet.
    He took a bite and chewed. “I see why Jackson likes you stopping by.” He peeled off the rest of the paper wrapper and finished the first muffin.
    â€œThanks. I’m also trying to drum up interest in the café.” I crossed my ankles. “I’m Rosalie, by the way.”
    He brushed his hand on his pants. “Name’s Calvin.” He grimaced. “Please call me Cal. My old man is Calvin, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
    I hugged my tote. “So, Cal, why did everyone get laid off? Did something happen?”
    â€œOh yeah. You could say that. Like a big lump of cash got stolen out of the trailer. Only people allowed in there are the foremen so they can get their payroll. And the only time they can go in is if the CFO is in there. Rest of the time it’s padlocked.”
    â€œSo why pay them in cash?”
    He peeled the paper from another muffin. “The cash is for the day laborers. We bring in all kinds of extra guys and pay them on a daily basis. They’re not on any payroll. When we start the drywall, landscaping, ductwork, all that kind of big stuff, we bring in temporary workers.”
    â€œWhy not cut them a check?”
    â€œYou ask a lot of questions.” His eyebrows dipped. “Let me just say this. Most of them don’t have bank accounts. You can use your imagination to figure out why.”
    â€œI see. But how can you be so sure it was a foreman? Was the lock broken?”
    He shook his head as he chewed. “Whoever it was must have memorized the combination. We changed it every week, but this guy got in there anyway. Boss has an alarm on there now.”
    â€œGood idea.” I thought for a moment. “Couldn’t it have been someone from within your company?”
    He laughed and wrapped the napkin around the last of the muffin cups. “Only one guy allowed to do payroll. He protects that money like it’s his firstborn. And he is none too happy that a whole lot of it is gone.”
    I looked up at him. “How much is a lot, Cal?”
    â€œWe think the guy got away with over five hundred K.” He smiled at me. “Sound like a lot to you?”

 
    T HIRTEEN
    I drove down the lane to my home with the convertible top down, a warm breeze ruffling my hair. I was exhausted but exhilarated as I reflected on another successful day. The lunch crowd had been even bigger than breakfast, and the special—falafel sandwiches, herbed red potatoes, and a Greek salad—had been a big hit.
    Dappled sunlight streaked through the canopy of tall cedar limbs over the drive, and I took in the scent of freshly mown grass. I slowed my breathing and reminded myself to savor this moment—my café had opened, and people showed up. A lot of people. And they liked it. Not to mention I just managed to glean some valuable information from a strapping young construction worker. I couldn’t wait to tell Glenn. I forgot how compelling it was to work toward righting a wrong.
    Later, refreshed from a shower, I was looking forward to putting my feet up and having one glass of wine to celebrate a successful day. I slipped into a tank and a pair of shorts and toddled downstairs, my wet hair already spiraling into ringlets. As I passed by the front door I noticed Tyler perched on the stoop. Oh, good, I thought. I could use a Tyler fix.
    â€œHey,” I said as I opened the door. I was startled to see a woman seated next to him.
    Tyler looked