A Case of Bier Read online

  “Because the Buick with the Iowa plates is parked two cars back. It’s a good thing this rental has tinted windows, so the Odells can’t see us.”

  “Oh, lordy!” Renie cried. “Now I feel like a spy in a bad B movie. Where’s my beat-up trench coat and slouch hat?”

  Judith ignored the comment. Five minutes passed, but there was still no sign of the Odells. Renie was growing restless.

  “Maybe they confessed,” she said hopefully.

  “How would you like to explain the Stokeses’ plan for Codger’s send-off? It’d take some time. Although,” Judith went on more slowly, “they might leave out the zany part.”

  “That’d spoil all the fun,” Renie asserted. “Not to mention the novelty. Even you haven’t come across a homicide like this one. It’s occurred to me that you’ve gotten a bit blasé the last two, three times you found a dead body.”

  Judith glared at her. “That’s a terrible thing to say! I’m never blasé when some poor soul meets a violent end. You’re always telling me I’m too sympathetic, even too softhearted.”

  Renie was unmoved. “You omitted my earlier remark—too easygoing.”

  Judith opened her mouth to respond but saw the Odells come out of the police station with two uniformed officers. Adela, Norman, and the twins went to their Buick; the officers got into a cruiser.

  “Do we follow them?” Renie asked.

  “No. At least not yet. We know where they’re going. Let’s see if we can find a bakery,” Judith said as she pulled into traffic on Lynx Street. “We can get a little something there. Or are you starving?”

  Renie thought about it. “Starving’s at least an hour away. Doughnuts will do.”

  At the next corner, Judith spotted a bakery sign to her left. “Two bakeries. We’re in luck.”

  “Wild Flour!” Renie exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat. “I like the name. Let’s go there.”

  The cousins also liked the coffee and the ambience. Judith ate a brownie and Renie devoured a chocolate croissant, a cinnamon twist, and a sugar doughnut. Half an hour later, they were back in the car.

  “This,” said Judith, pulling away from the curb, “is when I could hate you. I have to watch my weight while Little Pig gobbles up everything in sight and never gains an ounce.”

  “So you’ve mentioned,” Renie replied wearily. “It’s metabolism. Some pigs got it, some would-be pigs don’t. Get over it.”

  “I try to,” Judith said. “It’s still galling.”

  “Then resume sleuthing. You’re very good at that.”

  “I intend to. The police should have gone over the crime scene by now. But they probably haven’t taken the body away. I assume they’re questioning the suspects. I prefer not to get involved, but merely observe.”

  “Oh, good grief!” Renie cried. “You are involved. Did you touch anything when you got a look at Codger’s body?”

  “No. Do you think I’m crazy?”

  “The family saw you go to the tent and Teddy went partway with you,” Renie reminded her.

  Judith thought back to the scene. “True, but I’m not a suspect. Codger was already dead.”

  “Okay,” Renie said. But she looked worried. That wasn’t like her usually blasé cousin.

  It made Judith worry, too.

  When they approached the campsite, the first thing they noticed was that the family members were behaving in an uncharacteristic manner. Unlike the relatively calm scene Judith and Renie had witnessed earlier, most of them seemed agitated or at least upset. Except Ada, of course. She simply sat and stared.

  The taller, dark-haired RCMP officer was focused on Ma and Pa Stokes, while his red-haired, freckled companion seemed to be searching the ground.

  “They’re looking for something,” Judith murmured. “More blood? Footprints?”

  Renie shrugged. “Don’t ask me. I’m just here to enable you.”

  “Don’t say that,” Judith scolded. “You make me sound like a . . . ghoul.” She looked more closely at the scene in front of her. “Something’s missing. What is it?”

  “Party hats?” Renie shot back.

  “Get serious. Think what we saw the first time we came here.”

  “There was a big—”

  “Bier!” Judith cried—and quickly put her hand over her mouth. Fortunately, no one seemed to have heard her. “I wonder.”

  “So do I,” Renie agreed. “Go get ’em, coz.”

  They approached the picnic table. Judith addressed Pa Stokes. “Excuse me, but what’s going on? What are the police looking for?”

  Pa shook his head and looked away. Ma glared at Adela, who was standing off to one side with Norman.

  “Busybody,” Ma hissed. “She thinks she’s so smart just because she got a college degree. Adela never could keep her mouth shut. We told her to leave well enough alone, but oh no! She had to call in the police!”

  Judith was taken aback. “I’m confused. Don’t you want to find out who stabbed Codger?”

  Pa took a corncob pipe out of his shirt pocket. “Don’t matter. He was a goner anyhow. And now he’s . . . gone.”

  “You mean . . . on the bier?”

  Narrowing his eyes, Pa stared at Judith. “Not exactly. We ditched the bier. We heard them cops were getting curious-like. Now they’re asking a bunch of questions about things that are none of their beeswax.”

  For once, Judith was at a loss for words. Renie, however, was looking impatient. “Come on, coz,” she said. “There’s nothing we can do here. Let’s go.”

  “Fine,” Judith muttered.

  They’d barely moved when the dark-haired Mountie called to them. “Pardon, ladies, but are you family members?”

  “Are you kidding?” Renie retorted. “We don’t even belong to the same species.”

  He nodded faintly. “I’m Sergeant Brewster, RCMP.” He gestured toward the younger red-haired Mountie, who was entering the big tent. “That’s Constable MacRae. If you’re not with this party, then I must ask you to leave. It’s a crime scene.”

  “We’ve seen too much, if you ask me,” Renie blurted as she grabbed Judith’s arm. “We’re going now. Come on . . .”

  Brewster interrupted. “If you’ve seen so much, ma’am, could you tell us where the alleged victim is? A Mrs. Odell reported a possible homicide, but we can’t find a body. If you know, please tell us.”

  Judith and Renie both looked blank.

  Chapter 7

  Since Renie had opened her big mouth, Judith decided that it was up to her cousin to explain. Surprisingly, she responded in a reasonable manner.

  “As I mentioned, we aren’t related to the victim’s family, and we hardly know them. Mrs. Odell is a relative, and if she reported a homicide, you should ask her what she thinks happened to the victim. If you have any further questions, we’re staying at the Banff Springs Motel. So, in fact, are the Odells.”

  “Very well,” Brewster said. “Give me your names.”

  The cousins complied. Judith reluctantly followed Renie back toward the motel.

  “I’m trying to figure out if you just did us a favor,” she said. “I’m also wondering why Codger’s body disappeared.”

  “Why?” Renie echoed. “How about where?”

  “That’s the easy part,” Judith replied as they neared the motel entrance. “They granted his wishes and sent him down the river on the bier.”

  Renie laughed. “Of course! I should’ve realized that.”

  “I should hope so,” Judith agreed. “Let’s have a drink at the motel. I could use a Scotch about now.”

  Renie agreed. In the lobby, they greeted Niall and Trixie, who were both behind the counter. Judith told them they were headed for the bar.

  “Changing shifts,” Niall said cheerfully. “Trixie usually tends bar at night, but Jenny’s working in the office, so Trixie’s filling in.”

  The girl’s pert, pretty face lit up. “I’m new at it. Be patient with me.”

  “We will,” Judith
assured her. “I tended bar in the evenings when my first husband owned a café.” Her mind veered back to those not-so-happy nights when she’d go from her day job at the public library to The Meat & Mingle to help Dan keep the place afloat. But the enterprise was as doomed as the Titanic, eventually sinking off the shores of the city’s rough and rowdy Thurlow District. Dan had never worked again.

  Trixie smiled, revealing perfect teeth. “It’s more fun serving cocktails than waiting on tables. People are much more cheerful when they’re drinking.”

  “Not always when they haven’t yet been served the first one,” Judith said, smiling back.

  With a little wave at Niall, Trixie came out from behind the desk and was leading the way down the hall to the bar. “Oh,” she said as she opened the door and let the cousins go in first, “Niall and I heard sirens a while ago. We figured it was an accident out on the highway, but they stopped nearby. Do you know what that was all about?”

  Judith hesitated, but realized that the news would be all over town soon enough. Still, she decided to soften her response. There was no need to cause unnecessary panic. “An elderly man died at a campsite by the river near here.”

  Trixie’s big blue eyes widened. “An elderly . . . man?” she gasped. “Who?”

  Judith was suddenly disconcerted. “He was called Codger. His last name was . . .”

  Trixie clapped both hands to her cheeks. “Noooo! My world has . . .” Her knees buckled as she collapsed onto the floor.

  Renie rushed off to alert Niall. Judith cautiously leaned over to speak softly to Trixie, whose eyelids were fluttering. “Can I get you some water?” she asked.

  Trixie groaned as she opened her eyes. “No. It was . . . death upsets me, no matter who died. I hope Niall doesn’t tell Mr. Barnes. I don’t want to get fired after such a short time on the job. He’s kind of a grump for being someone who deals with guests.”

  Renie returned alone. “Niall’s checking in some newcomers. Is Trixie okay?”

  Judith explained while she and Renie helped the young woman to her feet and into a chair.

  Trixie looked apologetic. “I worked as an aide in an old folks’ home,” she said. “I got so fond of those elderly darlings. And then they died. It made me so sad. I finally had to quit before I lost my mind.”

  “I understand,” Judith assured her. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like some brandy? You’re very pale.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Trixie asserted, sounding more angry than distraught. “I can’t help overreacting. I’d better tell Niall I’m all right. Then I’ll mix your drinks. Or do it yourselves.”

  As Trixie moved away at a surprisingly fast pace, the cousins exchanged puzzled looks. “Odd,” Judith remarked. “She goes from fainting to hard-boiled?”

  Renie shrugged. “You realize that people are very complex. Who knows what kind of grim experiences she’s had.”

  “Especially dealing with older people,” Judith said, going to the bar. “I wonder how she’d deal with my mother?”

  “Or mine.” Renie grimaced. “Damn! I was supposed to call her yesterday to make sure she knew we’d arrived in one piece. You know how she worries. I’d better do that now.” She dug her cell out of her big handbag.

  “I’ll make our drinks,” Judith said.

  “Good. I’ll need a stiff . . . Hi, Mom. I’m still alive . . . Yes, I’m sure. All of us are just fine . . . No, I don’t need an extra sweater . . . I didn’t bring a woolen cap. I don’t own a . . . Yes, it’s the Rockies, it’s summer, and you were here years ago . . . Climate change didn’t turn Banff into a deep freezer . . . It’s not global warning, it’s global . . . No, Mom. I haven’t worn supports in my shoes since I was twelve . . . She is? Then you go have a nice visit with her, okay? I’ll call you in a couple of . . . Mittens? Honest, it’s over seventy degrees here. Bye, Mom.” Renie signed off. “Mrs. Grumpus just stopped by. I can’t remember a day when Mom didn’t have visitors. Unlike Aunt Gert, she actually enjoys people, even the ones like the ever-gloomy Grumpus.”

  “My mother only likes them if they play cards with her,” Judith said, handing over a glass of bourbon and ice. “You want water back, right?”

  Renie looked at the ceiling. “I know it’s been a while, but have I changed so much since I talked to Mom? Yes, of course. Just put the glass on the counter. Where are we lunching?”

  “Wherever we can find a parking place,” Judith replied after taking a sip of Scotch. “We’ve been lucky so far. The town is full of tourists.”

  “Not everybody stops in at the police station,” Renie pointed out. “Who killed Codger? Your brain must be swirling with suspects.”

  “That’s the problem,” Judith said, joining Renie on the settee by the bar. “There are too many of them. One of the Odells could’ve sneaked out of the motel during the night. It could even be a random thing. But I doubt it.”

  They sat in silence for a couple of minutes. It was Renie who finally spoke. “Trixie never came back here. Do you think she’s still upset?”

  “Maybe,” Judith allowed. “Never having seen her before today, I have no idea what she’s like. Some people are overly emotional by nature.”

  “True.” Renie gulped down the rest of her drink. “It’s after two. Will anybody still be serving lunch?”

  “Probably. It’s a tourist town, remember?”

  “Stop saying that,” Renie said after they’d left their glasses on the bar and they were going down the hall. “I am a tourist. You are not. You’re a traveling ghoul.”

  Judith scowled at her cousin. “That’s a terrible thing to say!” She kept going, but paused by the front desk, where Niall had just ended a phone call. “Where’s Trixie?”

  Niall looked around to see if there was anyone else coming into the lobby. “She didn’t feel well,” he said, lowering his voice. “Nerves, maybe. This is only her first week on the job.”

  “Understandable,” Judith agreed. “By the way, where’s the Catholic church?”

  “St. Mary’s on Squirrel Street,” Niall replied. “A block up from the police station. Do you know where that is?”

  Judith said she had a vague idea. The cousins headed outside.

  Renie was chortling. “How come we didn’t see it? Were you too agog over another murder?”

  “No! The streets here go every which way at angles,” Judith replied. “It adds charm, but you can’t see very far.”

  “It reminds me even more of Scotland,” Renie said. “Uh-oh. Here come the twins. Maybe they’re heading for the bar again.”

  The young people paused to greet the cousins. “Have you been grilled by the cops, too?” Win asked.

  “Not really,” Judith replied. “They weren’t interested because we aren’t related to the victim’s family.”

  “We are, though,” Winnie said in a glum voice. “They threw all sorts of questions at us. It’s been a major bummer of a morning.”

  “The police have to do their job,” Judith pointed out.

  “Waste of time,” Win declared. “Why would anybody kill Codger? He was old.”

  “How old?” The question fell artlessly from Judith’s lips.

  The twins looked at each other. Win shrugged. “Who knows? I never asked.”

  “Really old,” Winnie put in. “At least seventy.” She punched her brother in the upper arm. “Come on, let’s get the tennis racquets. I need exercise.”

  They moved on to the motel entrance.

  Renie stared at Judith. “Seventy? That’s not so old!”

  “Not to us, but it is to them.” She frowned. “What if . . . ?” She shook her head and continued walking to the rental car. “Never mind.”

  “Don’t pull that on me,” Renie snapped. “Something’s flitting around in your brain.”

  “Get in the car,” Judith ordered. “The mosquitoes are doing their flitting and I just got bit again.”

  “Well?” Renie said after they were headed away from the motel.

  “
I may be crazy,” Judith began, “but I got the impression from what someone said that Codger was really ancient, as in almost a hundred. But what if he wasn’t?”

  Renie considered the idea. “You saw him, I didn’t. What was your reaction?”

  Judith sighed. “I never saw his face. He was lying on his stomach. Maybe he slept that way, or having been stabbed in the back, he’d fallen forward. His fingers were gnarled, and his hands callused, too, which indicated he was getting up there.” Stopping at an arterial, she glanced at Renie. “Well? Do you think I’m wrong to speculate about his actual age?”

  “No, but you like to speculate.” Renie grew thoughtful. “The old guy had worked the farm all his life. I’m no expert on agriculture, but I don’t think that what we’d call ‘modern’ farming came along until fairly recent times. Codger probably inherited the acreage, which means he started young. Heck, for all we know, maybe he never converted to high-tech farming.”

  “Yes, he did,” Judith said after a pause. “Pa Stokes has arthritis and his hands are kind of beat up, but Teddy’s aren’t. I’m guessing from Pa’s concern about commodity prices and such that he’s up-to-date on modern farming.”

  Renie smiled. “Your powers of observation have not been dulled by age.”

  “I can’t help it. I study people. I have to, because people are my job at the B&B.”

  “And they don’t stick around long enough for you to get tired of them. Hey, there’s a parking place! I see something called Earls a couple of doors down. I’ll bet it has edibles.”

  The café did have food, but at this time of day the cousins had to settle for soup and salad. Judith was relieved that Renie didn’t pout. The thought that they wouldn’t have to wait so long for dinner kept her in good spirits. Once they were seated, the conversation returned to the murder investigation.

  “Think about it,” Judith said. “How old is Pa? Fifty or so?” She saw Renie nod after spooning in some chowder. “Adela is his sister and I figure her for not much over forty. I doubt that Codger waited until middle age to get married and have his children.”

  “So what’s the point of saying he was older than dirt?” Renie asked. “An insurance scam?”