Flames, Frames, & Murder Page 2

  My heart fluttered. While I was distraught over hearing about the fire, I was also scared about Mike charging head-first into the action. I knew it was his job, but it didn’t make it any easier.

  “There’s one more thing,” Mike said.

  “What more?” Jax asked.

  “Depending on how the wind shifts,” he said, “the fire could eventually move down into Napa county.”

  Mom gasped. “I have to call Dad and Tillie.”

  As if on cue, Mom’s cell rang. “Dad, what’s going on? Are you okay?”

  I couldn’t make out what was being said, but I could hear my Gramps’ low growl. Duke heard it too, because he suddenly perked up and listened in. Mom made a couple non-committal sounds then ended the call.

  “Dad says he and Tillie are going to see how it goes this morning, but they may start back this evening. There’s already worry where he’s staying that the fire may spread their way.”

  “Do we have anything to worry about here?” I whispered.

  Mike and Trevor exchanged glances.

  “Not right now,” Mike said. “If it gets closer to Traveler’s Bay, I’ll let you know.”

  “I’m working on upgrades over at Declan Manor,” Trevor said. “If there is a problem, and we need to evacuate, I can be available here in a matter of minutes.”

  “Thank you, Trevor,” Mom said. “That’s comforting.”

  “Are you leaving now?” I asked Mike.

  “Yes. I’ve already been warned that cell service is spotty at best…absolutely no service in other areas. So if you don’t hear from me, don’t panic.”

  I snorted. “Right. I’m always going to panic.”

  Mike gathered me close. “It’ll be okay.”

  Walking him out to his truck, the reality of the situation began to sink in. He must have sensed my impending implosion, because he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me. When we broke apart, I ran my finger down the slight bend in his nose. A couple months ago we’d been in a serious car accident and his nose had been broken.

  “I’ll text or call every chance I get,” Mike promised.

  “I know.”

  “I expect you to not get in trouble while I’m gone,” he teased.

  “I know.”

  Grinning, he gave me one last kiss.

  I waved and walked back inside. Mom, Jax, and Trevor sat around the kitchen table, while Duke snored at Jax’s feet. Pouring another cup of coffee, I dropped down next to Mom.

  “Think Gramps and Tillie will come back a few days early?” Jax asked.

  Mom nodded. “I do. No way can your Gramps sit still at a time like this.”

  “I need to run,” Trevor said. “I’ll check in throughout the day.”

  He gave Jax a quick kiss then bolted out the door. The clock on the wall said it was barely six. Even though it was early, there was no way I could go back to sleep.

  “I need to head over to the bakery,” Jax said. “I’m sure it will be packed today.”

  “I guess we might as well get around too,” I said to Mom. “I’m sure Gone with the Whiskey will be teeming with worriers and gossips.”

  Jax left for her bakery, Sinfully Sweet, around six-thirty, while Mom, Duke, and I waited until seven to open Gone with the Whiskey. I didn’t flip the sign to open, but most people knew if there was a crisis happening, they could meet at my place.

  Samantha Varner and her mom, Vicki, were the first to stop by around eight. They ordered coffees, but it was obvious they wanted to know if we’d heard anything new. According to Samantha, word around town was Mike and a couple other cops were in Santa Rosa helping out, along with a handful of firemen and two fire trucks. Even one of our two ambulances was being used in Santa Rosa.

  “Mike hasn’t contacted me yet,” I said. “I’m hoping to hear from him by lunchtime.”

  “Just a shame,” Samantha said. “I heard nearly every house in Fountaingrove will be lost.”

  The bell above the door sounded, and Heidi and Bridget rushed in, the wind slamming the door open. Duke let out a bark of greeting before falling back to sleep.

  “We figured you’d be open,” Heidi said. “Heard anything?”

  “Nope,” I said. “Mike stopped by around five this morning to let me know he was being sent to Santa Rosa, but I haven’t heard from him since.”

  “This is horrible,” Bridget said. “I hear they don’t even have a tiny percentage of it contained yet. It’s still burning out of control.”

  Mom’s cell phone dinged. Picking up her phone she read the text. “It’s Andrew. He said he’s heading our way around one. He can’t stand the thought of us being up here alone.”

  “Do you think the Colonel and Tillie will come home early?” Heidi asked.

  Mom nodded. “I do. These winds are horrific. All it would take is a slight shift, and Traveler’s Bay could be in serious trouble.”

  Everyone looked at each other wearily. No one wanted to believe that what was happening in Santa Rosa could happen in Traveler’s Bay just as quickly.

  “On that note,” Vicki said, “we better head back home and pack some items. Just in case.”

  I waved Samantha away when she tried to pay for the coffee. It was the one thing that would be flowing freely today. In times of stress, people appreciated the smallest gesture, and more times than I could count, the citizens of Traveler’s Bay had come through for me and my family. Free coffee was the least I could do.

  “We better go open up too,” Heidi said.

  “Not that we expect a lot of customers,” Bridget added. “But it gives us something to do.”

  There was a steady stream of pretend customers the rest of the morning. Fear and disbelief were the prevailing emotions. Randy came in around ten to help out. He’d sent his wife, Darlene, to help cover Jax. When Mike finally called around noon, I could hear the despair in his voice.

  “It’s moved down into Coffey Park,” he said. “The fire has taken homes, businesses, and even a hotel. It’s pure devastation here. These families are escaping with only the clothes on their backs. Most don’t even have shoes on.”

  “Are shelters set up yet?” I asked.

  “Some,” Mike said. “But we’re a long way from that yet. Right now we’re just trying to get families out and make sure they know to evacuate.”

  Tears fell from my eyes. I had no idea what it was like to experience something so horrific, but I could empathize. Just thinking about all the family pictures of my dad we had at Mom’s house, and how I’d feel if we lost the only tangible memories of him we had made my heart ache.

  Mike promised to try and call back later, and with a watery goodbye, I hung up the phone.

  “Mom.” I waved her over to the counter. “Do you think we should start hauling pictures and important documents out of the house?”

  Mom shook her head. “Not yet. No sense panicking if there’s nothing to panic over.”

  I snorted. “Spoken like the Colonel.”

  Mom grinned. “Speaking of. He called and said they should be here around five or six. Highway 101 and all the other small highways like 12 and 116 were either partially closed or jammed packed with people trying to flee. But he has the Hummer, so he’s sure he can get around most of the blocks and get here by tonight.”

  I grinned and shook my head. “Finally, Gramps has a legitimate reason to go off-roading with the Hummer.”

  Mom nodded. “Andrew doesn’t have a Hummer, and he’s coming from Petaluma, so it will be a long commute for him.”

  Around two, Sophia Brockman waved as she breezed through the door. I’d just finished handing Buzz Hider a Kaboom cupcake and Irish coffee, so I was free to move through the crowd to greet her.

  “It’s packed in here,” Sophia observed.

  “I expect this to die down around dinnertime.”

  “What’s the latest you’ve heard?” she asked.

  “Coffey Park and Fountaingrove are pretty much gone,” I said. “Hiram Gardner sai
d he heard there’s still a zero percent containment. No one can get hold of this fire.”

  “I heard that, too,” Sophia said. “I also heard they’re evacuating hospitals.”

  “Not good,” I said.

  “Speaking of not good,” Sophia said, “the air quality outside from all the smoke is starting to get really bad.”

  Tears filled my eyes. “I feel like all I’ve done today is cry. That’s not like me.”

  “I know I said I wanted something else to think about until Victor gets home on Sunday, but I didn’t mean this.”

  I gave her a hug. “I know. Keep me posted on what’s going on there.”

  “I will. The more I think about it, the more I realize there has to be a reasonable explanation. I know Victor. I’ve been married to him for over twenty years. He’s never once given me a reason not to trust him.”

  “Good for you,” I said. “If you find yourself bored, stop on by tonight. Hopefully Gramps and Tillie will be here, and so will Andrew.”

  “Maybe I will. Right now I need to head back to my place and see how Wyatt is coming along. He thought he might be completely finished with the front and side yards and can move to the backyard by this weekend.”

  “I can’t wait to drive out to your place and see it,” I said. “Oh, wait. Isn’t Wyatt from Santa Rosa? Didn’t you say you met him there?”

  “Yeah. I asked him this morning if he needed to take the day off and see about his place, but he said he lives in Marin county. He just happened to be doing work for a lady in Santa Rosa when I met him.”

  “Good,” I said. “I’d hate to think his place might be in jeopardy.”

  I walked her to the door, weaving around customers who were watching live coverage of the fire on their phones in between chatting with each other. Sophia stepped outside then gasped.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  She didn’t say anything, just pointed.

  I looked where she was pointing and my heart tripped inside my chest. Leaning against her car was Carl Baxton, and he didn’t look happy.

  Chapter 3

  “What’re you doing here?” I called out. “Why’re you leaning against Sophia’s car?”

  Carl pushed himself up off the side of the car and adjusted a blue bandana over his head. “Free country. Reckon I can stand anywhere I want.”

  “Get away from my car,” Sophia said. “You don’t scare me.”

  Carl folded his arms across his chest and snorted. “Funny, you look scared to death. Like a frightened little rabbit about to keel over.”

  “You heard her, Carl.” I had no idea where my sudden bravado came from. “Go on and get.”

  He took a menacing step toward us, and I suddenly wished Gramps was here. One look from the Colonel would send this guy running…of course, one glimpse of the blade Tillie keeps strapped to her outer thigh would also have him running and screaming. Mostly from pain because the woman never missed her mark.

  “I’ll be going.” Carl glared at Sophia. “You have a safe drive home. I’d hate for something to happen to you out there on the open road.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a sneer. “Or at that lovely house you have out on Prairie Lane Road.”

  I gasped then glared at Carl. “Don’t worry, Sophia, the minute Gramps gets here, I’ll make sure to tell him about Carl. He can take care of it.”

  Carl snorted.

  “Thanks, Jaycee.” She patted my arm.

  I kept an eye on Carl as he stepped farther away and Sophia rounded the hood of her car and slid behind the wheel. Turning my back to him, I gave Sophia a reassuring smile. With a small wave to me, she pulled out and sped away. I turned to glare at Carl again…but he was nowhere around.

  I wasn’t sure if I should call the police or not. Carl hadn’t really said or done anything threatening, it was more implied. Deciding Mike would know more about what to do, I sent him a quick text, letting him know I needed him to call or text at his earliest convenience. Shoving the phone back down inside my apron, I squared my shoulders and walked back inside Gone with the Whiskey. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this tired.

  Around five, people finally started clearing out. I’d completely sold out of the monthly special, and I was running dangerously low on all the other boozy desserts from Jax. News regarding the fire hadn’t gotten any better as the day went on. There was still zero percent containment, and every hour reports came out with added damages.

  “I can probably handle it from here,” I told Randy. “Why don’t you go home and get some rest.”

  “I don’t mind staying,” he insisted.

  “I’m really surprised Gramps and Tillie aren’t here by now,” Mom said.

  I snorted. “I heard from a customer that it’s bumper-to-bumper on both sides of the freeway and that they are telling people to turn back around and go home. It’s gridlock and chaos.”

  “I think I will head on home,” Randy said. “I’ve been able to talk to Lorna Ann, so I know she’s okay. Her house is about three miles from the fires, but it’s still scary as heck.”

  “That’s right!” I exclaimed. “I totally forgot Lorna Ann and her husband and kids moved out that way last year. I’m so sorry, Randy.”

  He held up a hand. “Think nothing of it. Like I said, she’s fine, just scared.” He untied his apron and stuck it under the counter. “But I think I will go collect my wife and head on home. See you tomorrow.”

  There were only about ten customers left. Usually that would be considered a packed house, but after today, it was small potatoes. Mom and I made sure the customers were doing okay and then went and sat down at a table. We hadn’t been there for two minutes when the front door burst open and Gramps and Tillie barreled inside.

  “Gone for only a few days, and already you’re sitting on your butts,” Gramps joked.

  Mom and I jumped up, screamed, and ran to the two of them. Hugging them both, feeling their strong bodies pressed against me, I once again felt tears roll down my cheeks.

  “Come now,” Tillie crooned as she wiped at my tears. “What’s this about?”

  “I missed you guys,” I sniffed.

  “Of course you did,” Gramps said. “Did you expect anything less?”

  Ruff! Ruff!

  “Duke!” Gramps bent down and gave the lazy bulldog a couple of pats to his thick sides. “Did you watch over my girls like I asked?”

  Ruff! Ruff!

  “Glad to hear it!” Gramps rubbed Duke’s neck vigorously, causing the bulldog’s sagging jowls to flop in the air.

  “Can I get you guys some coffee?” Mom asked.

  “Sure,” Gramps said.

  “I’d like something a little stronger if you don’t mind,” Tillie said. “My stomach is in knots. This was the scariest drive ever.”

  “I’ll get it,” I said quickly, motioning them to sit down at the table.

  “Thanks girl,” Gramps said.

  I pointed to myself. “Jaycee. I’m the oldest granddaughter.”

  It was a running joke between Gramps and me. He would refer to either me or Jax as “girl,” and I’d snarkily tell him which one I was…as if he could ever forget.

  “I know which one you are,” he grumbled. “Where’s your man? Did he finally come to his senses and run?”

  “Mike is in Santa Rosa,” I said. “He and about five other cops went there to help patrol areas. Traveler’s Bay also sent out fire trucks, firemen, and an ambulance.”

  Gramps nodded. “That’s good. I’ve been in touch with a couple of my Army buddies in Santa Rosa, and they say it’s not looking good.”

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” Tillie said. “Just last week we were happy and—well, okay, we solved a murder hours before the Colonel and I tied the knot, but other than that, it was a great week celebrating our upcoming marriage with family and friends. And now here we are. I don’t know about any of you, but I’m really scared.”

  Gramps put his arms around Tillie. “Nothi
ng is going to happen to any one of us. I will keep an eye on things, and if it looks like it might get out of control, I will load up the trailer and we will leave. I promise. I won’t put my family in danger.”

  I rang up two more customers and caught up on the latest update they had, when the front door opened again and Jax and Trevor walked in.

  Jax squealed and leaped in Gramps’ arms. Laughing, he caught her and gave her a big hug. “How’s my favorite baker?”

  “Better now that you’re back,” Jax said as he set her back on the ground. “Why didn’t anyone tell me you were back?”

  “They just walked in,” Mom said.

  I placed a carafe of coffee on the table, along with a bottle of Irish cream and mugs, and the last of the boozy brownies I had. “I’ve pretty much sold out of everything, Jax.”

  Jax groaned. “Me too. That’s why I just closed up shop. I’m so exhausted. And now I have to find the energy to go home and bake all night.”

  “We’ll help,” Tillie said.

  Mom reached over and patted Jax’s hand. “We’ll go back to the house and bake all night.”

  “And I’ll haul everything back to the bakery for you in the morning,” Trevor added.

  Jax grinned. “I like the sound of that.”

  Gramps took a drink of his Irish coffee then set it down on the table. “So, what have we missed?”

  I quickly filled him in on Sophia’s stalking problem and the weird standoff I had with Carl outside Gone with the Whiskey. “I’m a little worried for her. I’ve put in a call to Mike, but he’s already said he’ll be hit and miss for the next couple days.”

  Gramps’ face hardened. “I’ll make sure to take care of it if Carl Baxton returns. Don’t worry.”

  “Now that you’re back,” I said, “I won’t.”

  Gramps gave me a wink.

  “Anything else?” Tillie asked.

  Mom shook her head. “Not really. Outside of the fire, it’s been pretty quiet around here.”

  The rest of the customers filed out around seven, and we decided to go ahead and close shop. Not only had the sun already set for the day, but the air was thick with smoke blowing in from Santa Rosa. I didn’t figure many customers would want to venture outside this late. With everyone pitching in, cleanup didn’t take long.