A Caterer's Guide to Valentines and Violence (Caterer's Guide to Crime Book 1) by Jessica Thompson

Author:Jessica Thompson [Thompson, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bittersweet Mysteries
Published: 2024-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

“I’m sorry. I never should have brought you.” Whitehouse looked down, shaking his head. “I didn’t know he would start antagonizing you like that.”

“It’s okay. I’m okay,” Violet said. She took a long, calming breath and rubbed hand sanitizer out to her fingertips, wincing when it stung her knuckles. “Did I help at all? Did we learn anything?”

“We had some things … confirmed,” Whitehouse said, rubbing his buzz cut as they both got into his car. “They were definitely hiding something, and they are definitely involved in my original case.”

“What original case? Is that what brought you to the Dining Out in the first place?” Violet turned in her seat.

“I … probably shouldn’t say.” Whitehouse didn’t sound convinced.

“Well, how am I supposed to help you if I don’t know what we’re looking for?” Violet raised her eyebrows. “I mean, the two cases could be related, right? At least on TV, crime begets more crime.”

“Okay, but maybe don’t let on that you know,” Whitehouse said, winking. “I was there to investigate a possible prescription drug ring that seems to be operating out of that unit.”

“Oh wow!” Violet exclaimed and her eyes flew wide. “I don’t know what I was expecting but not that!”

“There has been a lot of prescription drug abuse lately on the base and in the area around the base. Evidence from the bottles have led me to the patients being treated in the areas of the hospital where this unit works, but I haven’t been able to narrow it down any more than that.”

“Do you think Captain Shoenthal was involved?” Violet asked.

“On the surface it’s unlikely, but you never know what someone is capable of.”

“Do you think someone in the drug ring is responsible for beating up the captain?”

“No.” Whitehouse glanced at Violet, then down at the diamond ring she wore. “Unfortunately, I still think your fiancé did that.”

“No way! Wait, does that mean you think he’s in on this prescription drug ring?”

“Actually no,” Whitehouse sighed. “I checked his financial records and there haven’t been any unexplained payments—in or out. He spends every cent he makes, but it’s his normal Army pay. Nothing extra.”

“Is he spending it on booze?” Violet winced.

He nodded. “There are some big receipts from various liquor stores, but also one very expensive trip to the jeweler’s. I won’t say more and spoil the surprise, but it looks like you’re going to have a very happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh no,” Violet sighed.

“What?”

“I … I’ve told Derek a hundred times that I’m not a jewelry person, especially with how much I wash my hands, but he doesn’t want to hear it.” Violet shrugged. She tried to feel grateful at the prospect of receiving a fancy and expensive gift, but the corner of her brain had the intrusive thought: But it’s something Derek wants to get credit for giving, not something he knows I’d like to receive.

“Maybe you can tell me—does Lieutenant Valentine ever act strangely?” Whitehouse said, watching Violet out of the corner of his eye.

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