100 Reasons for Murder by Maxwell Mary

Author:Maxwell, Mary
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2022-05-09T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

That afternoon when I finished the last delivery for Sky High Pies, I went to Branigan Office Supply. The company was located in Greenfield Acres on the east side of town. Despite sounding like a gated community, it was actually a business park with eight identical buildings: black glass windows, brown concrete exteriors and large street numbers mounted above the front entrances.

After finding a visitor parking spot near the Branigan building, I went inside and asked the security guard at the reception desk for Barry Tremblay. He was the company president and son of the founder, a man named Jedediah Tremblay who had once been the mayor of Crescent Creek.

“I have an appointment,” I added. “My name is—”

“I know who you are, Katie!” the guard said enthusiastically. “My wife takes yoga with your chef. We’re both big fans of your bakery. If I was on death row and they offered me a final meal, I’d ask for two chocolate coconut meringue pies fresh from your kitchen.”

It was nice to hear that people liked our sweet treats, but the man’s revelation left me speechless for a moment. I’d never heard death row and chocolate coconut meringue in the same sentence. While I gathered my thoughts, I checked the name tag hanging on a lanyard around his neck: Rowan Ryder.

“Well, thank you, Rowan.” I smiled. “What’s your wife’s name?”

“Not my current wife,” he said. “That’s Annabelle. I should’ve said my ex-wife takes yoga. Her name is Tess. Our marriage didn’t make it but we’re still good friends. Although I can’t stand her new husband. Not even a little bit. He was my high school nemesis. This one time right before graduation, he told me that he’d—” Rowan slapped the palm of one hand to his forehead. “And there I go again—TMI, right? I’m sorry about that, Katie.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “Things happen.”

He chuckled. “Sometimes twice! But anyway, Barry’s waiting for you on the third floor.” He pointed at a nearby elevator. “Go up to three. Take a left when you get there and it’ll be the door at the end of the hallway marked Training Room.”

“Thanks again, Rowan,” I said. “I appreciate the help.”

When I stepped off the elevator a moment later, I saw a man standing in an open doorway.

“Mr. Tremblay?” I gave him a wave. “I’m sorry about being a few minutes late. There was a broken water main on Juniper so I had to take a little detour and then loop back around.”

“You’re fine, Katie,” he said as I made my way down the hall. “It gave me time to return a few phone calls.”

“Well, I don’t like to be late,” I said.

Tremblay smiled. “Hey, if that’s the worst thing that happens today, I’d say you came out ahead.” He motioned over the threshold. “Come on in and take a seat wherever you’d like.”

The room smelled of shoe polish and cologne. It contained a rectangular table, eight chairs and a large, framed print of dogs playing poker.

“Ah, the Coolidge painting,” I said.

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