The Full Cup of Murder: Cozy Murder Mystery (Full Cup Mysteries Book 1) (2 page)

“Ali dear.” She grasped my hand. “Oh I worried about you all night. Such horror has come into our town. I have told these people this town is changing…” she went on and on. I imagine it is hard to be living here for so long and see all of the changes going on. Almost like, you sit still while progression just takes place all around you. I assured her I was ok and told her I needed to get inside. She hugged me and I walked up the steps pausing and still feeling like I was being watched.

“Ali!” I saw Jason walk around the corner. “How are you dear?”

“I am ok” I said. “How is Dan? “ I followed Jason through the building into the police station. It was a pretty busy day today. I was actually kind of amazed watching how life just goes on no matter what happens around you. We went into a conference room and I saw two men sitting at the table. They stood up as we approached.

“Ali,” He gestured towards the two men. These men are from the FBI out of DC”

“FBI?” I said as I sat down. Why was the FBI involved? Was this not a simple bar room argument that turned bad?

“Hello Ali. My name is Brody Linden and my partner Shane Holbrook.” The first one said. Brody was about my age. Not a bad looking guy. He looked uncomfortable in his suit but carried himself very well. Shane was older. I would say in his sixties. “We came down because we have discovered things about the victim. Raymond James Chiffer.” My mind kind of raced a little. Ray was a quiet guy. I went to school with his sister, Annabella, but Ray was five years younger then I. Always a very gentle person who never got into trouble like most of his friends. He got the job with Jeff Younger in his early twenties so he spent most of his time fishing on the water. We all knew he wanted to go to college but money and time was defiantly not in his favor.

“Did you know that Mr. Chiffer was involved with the Malanta Family in Redwood?” Shane Holbrook finally spoke up.

“Well no.” I said. Redwood was fifty miles away. It was a pretty rough town. A lot of drugs, gambling, and prostitution. “I knew Ray and he came into the Full Cup practically every day but never caused any troubles. Who is the Malanta family?”

“The Malanta family goes back to the 1920’s,” Holbrook told us. “They have been very involved in the underground activity.”

“Oh come on!” Jason spoke up. He sat up in the chair and I could tell he was having a hard time like I was, believing any of this. “This is a sleepy town. I have known Ray since he was a young boy. So has Alison. Everyone has. I cannot even start to believe this is true”

“Officer Lawlor. Linden spoke up. “Are you aware your grandfather was investigating the link between Malanta and some of the activity going on here?”

“No…” Jason sat back shocked. “Grandpa used to leave town a lot on assignment but we never really knew why.”

“It has been said that some of the fishermen have been helping smuggle drugs and fire arms into your town to be transported to Redwood. It has also been rumored that Ray and his boss, Jeff Younger, Captain of the Sea Smell, was a big part of it along with two other fishing vessels.” I turned and looked at Jason. I could not even believe we had this kind of thing going on in our small town. “It is also being said your bar is a part of it as well.”

“I don’t think so!” Jason started to sit up again and his voice rising.” I have known Alison all of her life. There is no way….”

“We know that!” Linden interrupted. “That is why we are talking with you.”

“I had a weird call this morning.” I finally said when I found my voice. All three men looked at me.

“Ali...why...” Jason started to say.

“I haven’t said anything because I have not had a chance,” I told Jason. “It was not too bad, but it was threatening. Someone out there seems to think I may know a lot more then I actually do to. “

“We have to put extra patrol by your house.” Jason stood up and abruptly left.

“We will get that protection for you, Ali. I do need to know what you do know though.” Linden turned back to me.

“I don’t know anything.” I cried.

“Yes we know you are not involved but why would they even imply that you are, is what we do not understand at all. Did you date Ray at anytime?”

“No. He was always like a little brother. He would joke with me all of the time. I believe he did like me but I just could never think of Ray in any way but a kind neighborhood boy I grew up with.”

“Well, we do believe at least money has been exchanged at your establishment and more than likely a common place for meetings and arrangements to take place.” I sat there listening to them fill me in on what the FBI has known for a while. I was shocked. All of this going on right under my nose at the Full Cup. In our small town. With people, I had known all of my life. I knew Jeff too and although he was a burly, loud and funny guy, he was far from any kind of trouble or the kind to be doing illegal things. He is a family guy. His wife, Susie was a part of the PTA. It just did not fit in my head. Jason walked back in with his grandfather, Dan. Dan looked tired and a little lost.

“Hi Ali.” Dan sat next to me. I hugged him.

“Now, Mr. Jones.” Linden began.

“Detective Jones. “ Dan corrected quickly. “I may be retired but I put in years of service to earn the right to be called that.”

“I apologize.” Linden said. He shifted a little and I could tell he felt uncomfortable. “We need a little bit of what you know so we can further this investigation.”

Frightening History

Dan looked at Jason and Jason shook his head.

“Go ahead Gramps. I have Lena coming in to write a report as well.” Just then, Lena Anderson our court secretary came in. I liked Lena. She was a tall thirty-year-old single mother. Polite, sweet and very good at her job.  Lena sat down. She smiled at all of us and then shook her head indicating she was ready to record.

“Back in 1982,” Dan began, “My partner, Brooklyn Dyer and I stumbled across Justin Malanta as we stopped him for drinking and driving. He had just left your place.” He said looking at me. “When we got him out of the car to do the sobriety test, Brooklyn found 10 kilos of cocaine. Justin went through the court system and served a little bit of time but Brooklyn and I decided through our superior to investigate a little. We came to find out over the years that the Malanta family was using our fishing ports to have drugs smuggled in and brought over to Redwood. Justin had just closed out a deal. He admitted to going down to the docks, picking up the small shipment on that particular night then headed to the Full Cup to meet the supplier to pay him. We have not figured out who the supplier is nor how the Malanta family is making this work. We do think the Coast Guard has a small part in it as obviously some of the local fishermen.” I sat there in shock. I knew we had had a few drug problems but I had not even realized it was going on right under my nose in my own bar. I was upset and angry.

“Don’t you think it would have been nice to let me know?” I asked. “I mean am I under investigation?”

“At first,” Dan admitted “but I know your family Ali. I have known you forever. I knew but we had to check.” I was indignant. Almost angry but Jason was shaking his head gently.

“I think you should have at least let Alison know you were investigating her place.” Jason said lightly.

“Yes, perhaps but in the 80’s you did what you needed to do. “

“Ok. So who are the big players?” Linden asked to get the conversation back on course.

“Well Grand Dad Malanta is definitely the purse strings. Me and old George go back a long ways.” Dan said almost smiling. “His son Jonah and daughter Leanna are good kids. They grew up. They have families and careers. His son Riley though I have a funny feeling is the main man.” Even in our little town, we knew Riley Malanta. He ran one of the biggest dance clubs in Redwood and a few little businesses as well. He owned the biggest house and was driven around all of the time. He had a friend, Shanna Williams here in our town and she dated him from time to time so that was the connection for him in our town. Shanna ran the beauty parlor next to the bank. She was a good girl. Stayed out of trouble but mostly kept to herself. She was occasionally seen riding around with Riley but mostly could be found in her little shop just trying to make a living like the rest of us. I found it a little hard to believe Shanna was involved but I would not put past Riley to use her shop right behind her back for his activities. I began to fear for Shanna’s safety.

“We need to formulate a sting.” Holbrook stated.

“Definitely.” Linden agreed and he turned and looked at me. “Alison you will be the center of this sting.”

“I am not too sure I am even happy with that.” Jason interrupted. “She has received one threatening call already.”

“Alison will be safe. That is pretty much why I do want to do this.” Holbrook explained. “For her safety. If we put a surveillance on Alison then she will have a team of local and the FBI in her pocket per say.” I could tell my life was about to change and I am not really sure I was ok with it. Just because these people chose my bar to do their dealings. My livelihood. I have to say I was not too impressed with any of this. As I listened to the men, make a plan and basically dominate and take over my life I was growing a little angry and resentful.

“Ok Ali.” Jason asked. “Ali?”

“Oh oh I am sorry. I guess I was deep in thought.” I replied. They were all looking at me. “I am fine. I am just not used to people being around me all of the time.”

“Are you dating anyone, Alison?” Holbrook asked.

“Yes Reese Barter. He is a “transplant”. Not from around here. He really doesn’t know anyone but a few regulars at the bar and me.”

“Well we are going to have to speak with him as well.” Linden said. “Ok, why don’t you get some rest Ali? I, Jason and Holbrook will meet you at your house later today. Please have Mr. Barter there as well.” I thanked them all. Jason and Dan stayed to chat with them. As I was leaving the building I still felt that feeling, I was being watched. I drove over to the Full Cup. The CSI team was there. I let them in showed them around and then went to my office. The phone was ringing as I came through the door.

“Good Morning. “ I answered.

“SO, what did you tell them,” The same man’s voice that called me this morning only this time of the business phone. I realized whoever this was did follow me to the station this morning and to here as well. I hung up the phone fast. I dialed Reese.

“Good morning hun what is up?”

“Reese I got my second call this morning.”

“You got another one. On your cell?” He sounded very concerned, which made me even more a little nervous.

“No here at work which is why I am so upset? They knew I had just left the police station.”

“Ali, I am getting pretty concerned.” He said. I went on to tell him about my meeting with Jason, Dan, Linden and Holbrook. “You mean they are going to follow and watch you wherever you go?”

“Yes.” I could tell he was not happy. Reese was a very private and quiet person. In truth and reality, I really knew nothing about him. I mean nothing about his past. Every time I had tried to get him to tell me some memories, he avoided the whole subject. I did not pry but it did make me wonder at times. “They want you to meet with them when they come later to the house to wire it up.”

“Alison, I am not comfortable with this. Why are they involving me? I have nothing to do with this town at all. We have not even been together that long. I work at a school. I doubt very highly they will find me too interesting.” I kind of started to get a little upset.

“Well you are a part of me, Reese. I am sure they just want to let you know what their plans are and you can hear it first hand from them. I imagine they may want to even make sure you are going to be ok too.” I tried to explain.

“Alison, I have to go back to work. Lock the doors and carry your cell with you at all times.”

“Um…ok”

“I will be there later.” He assured me. We said our goodbyes but the whole conversation left me very unsettled. I did a few things around the bar. Cleaned a little, some paper work and finally was able to leave when the CSI crew was done. I drove back to my house. As I entered, Carl came out of my room. He wobbled over to me. As I bent down to pet him, I saw a small piece of folded paper attached to his collar. I plucked it off. All of a sudden, I felt an unbelievable chill. It read:

Alison,

What we do is no one’s business. Get the FBI off our tail or you will be the one to suffer.

My whole entire body shook. How did they even get this on to Carl? I walked around my house. All of the windows were still closed and locked, as was the back door. I opened the door to my cellar and walked down but all of the windows and bulkhead door was closed and locked as well. I heard a knocking upstairs so I went up and opened my door. It was my neighbor, Bonnie Litermen.

“Hi Bonnie.” I said a little annoyed. Bonnie liked to gossip. She came over a lot to fill me in on what was going on in the neighborhood. Came to my bar, talked with everyone, and gossip about him or her as soon as they would leave. I never cared for Bonnie but I kept the peace, as she was a neighbor.

“Ali. Are you ok?” She asked and she looked truly concerned so it rather gave me a red flag. “I saw a black car pull up early. They knocked on your door. A man and a woman. Then I saw them go in but did not see you open the door. Do they have a key?” I was stunned. I could not even imagine how they got a key to my door any more then figure out whom they were. “Ali are you ok?” I heard her ask as I slipped to the ground and all went black.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Reese and Jason standing above me.

“Sweetie?” Reese asked gently. “I think she is coming around.” They helped me sit up. I was lying on my couch. I remembered Bonnie coming over but after that, I was a little confused.

“You passed out.” Jason told me. I saw Linden and Holbrook in my dinette with a few other men. When Jason saw me looking at them, he started to explain. “They are wiring up the house.”

“Yes, “I finally managed to say. “ I guess it would be a good idea. Did they figure out how this couple got into my home?’