Yvette's Death (Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery Book 3) (3 page)

Chapter 7

Cara was at the town hall the minute it
opened the next morning. She told the woman on reception what she wanted. She
also told the woman that the council website wasn’t very reliable. The woman
laughed and said, “I know! It’s awful!”

Cara shook her head as she walked away.
The council seemed a law unto themselves. She soon found the planning
department but it took a lot longer to find the actual plans. Cara muttered a
thank you to the man who finally delivered the plans to her. He had looked at
her suspiciously since the moment she’d asked for the plans.

Cara took the plans to a table and sat
down. She looked through them. Yes, there was the proposed tramline. Everything
seemed in order.

Cara was about to give the plans back
when she saw someone familiar enter the room. It was Mr Banks and his squashy-nosed
friend. Cara turned her back on them and pretended to be engrossed in the
plans.

She heard a man saying, “Ah! Mr Banks,
thank you for coming in.”

Cara had heard Mr Banks talk to Sol the
previous day so she knew what he sounded like. He now spoke, “I hope the matter
is now sorted.”

The other man said, “No, I’m afraid
not. I can’t force Sol Lewis to rent the corner retail unit to you. You can
still have the other three.”

“I will have the other three, and I
will have the corner unit.”

There was a sound of papers shuffling,
then the first man spoke again, “I believe that unit is being rented by Mrs
Yvette Carter. You could speak to her about the unit.”

Mr Banks said, “Oh, I am going to have
a chat with Mrs Carter, don’t worry about that.” There was a pause. Then he
said, “I’ll be bringing a lot of money into this town. I shall remember who has
helped me, and who hasn’t. How’s your wife, Janet? And your two girls? They
grow so fast, don’t they? It’s hard to keep them safe all the time, it’s a
dangerous world out there. Goodbye, Mr Temple.”

Cara felt the fear trickle down her
back. What must Mr Temple be thinking after that implied threat? She waited a
moment as she listened to Mr Banks and his friend walking away. She turned and
looked at Mr Temple. The poor man was white, his hand shook as he wiped his
brow with a handkerchief. Cara felt a flicker of annoyance. How dare Mr Banks
speak to someone like that? With his implied threats and cold tone! Who did he
think he was?

Cara grabbed her things and left the
town hall. She drove straight over to Olivia’s Wool Shop and parked across the road.
She marched into the shop.

There were a handful of customers in
the shop, none of them were Mr Banks and his friend. Yvette waved to her from
behind the counter. Cara walked over and said, “I wasn’t expecting to see so
many customers.”

Yvette grinned. “Me neither! And it’s
all due to your website! When you left last night I started to get emails from
people. A lot of them didn’t know there was a wool shop here, and some of them
were old customers who didn’t realise that this shop is still going. Isn’t it
amazing! I can’t thank you enough.”

Cara shrugged. She glanced at the death
line around Yvette, it was definitely thicker today. Cara said, “I thought I’d
take some internal photos to put on your site. Would you mind if I did that
now? I could even ask some of your customers for their opinions on the shop,
it’s always helpful to have reviews.”

Yvette clasped her hands together. “You
are an angel, an absolute angel.”

Cara shrugged again and took her camera
out of her handbag. The customers were more than happy to give Cara their
views, the problem was getting them to stop giving her their views.

The shop soon became crowded and it was
lovely to hear the happy chatter and laughter.

Cara stiffened as the chatter abruptly
stopped. She looked over to see what had caused the silence.

Mr Banks stood at the door, his hands
clasped behind his back, his squashy-nosed friend at his side. Mr Banks looked
slowly from left to right, a smile on his face. It reminded Cara of a shark’s
smile, the one it had before it attacked its prey.

“Ladies,” Mr Banks said. “Good morning
to you all. Is there a Mrs Carter somewhere?”

Cara let out a little snort. As if he
didn’t know that Yvette was here! He’d followed her yesterday, he knew what she
looked like.

Yvette called out, “I’m here! Behind
the counter! How can I help?”

Customers parted as Mr Banks strode
forward, still smiling. Everyone was silent and still, you could have heard a
knitting needle drop.

Mr Banks faced Yvette and said, “What a
lovely shop you have, it’s in a wonderful position.”

“Thank you,” Yvette said. Cara could
see that her smile was becoming forced.

Mr Banks waved a hand at the shop.
“This would make a perfect café, there would be a lot of profit. I know about
making a profit.”

Yvette’s smile faltered. “This isn’t
going to be a café, it’s a wool shop.”

“For now,” Mr Banks said. “I’d like to
take your lease over. I’d pay you more than it’s worth, you could set up a
little wool shop somewhere else.”

Yvette’s smile disappeared altogether.
“I don’t want to sell my lease, I’m happy here.”

“Hmm, happiness doesn’t last, money
does. Think of the holidays that you could go on with Jake and little Ryan. I’d
like you to reconsider, Mrs Carter. I don’t like taking no for an answer. Give
me your bank details and I’ll buy the lease from you right now.”

Yvette folded her arms. “The lease
isn’t for sale.”

Sol picked that moment to enter the
shop. He immediately took in the atmosphere and his ready smile dropped. He
joined Yvette and Mr Banks at the counter. “Good morning, Mr Banks, I’ve got
your lease ready for you to sign.” Sol looked at Yvette and pulled some papers
from his jacket. He handed them to Yvette and said, “And here is your lease. I
meant to drop it off earlier.”

Mr Banks said, “The lease? Do you mean
that Mrs Carter hasn’t signed the lease yet?”

Sol forced a smile and said, “It’s just
a formality.”

Mr Banks’ fake smile dropped. “That
changes everything.” He looked at Yvette and said, “I don’t need to waste my
time with you.” He fixed his eyes on Sol. “We need to have a talk, Mr Lewis.
Now.” Mr Banks put his arm around Sol and marched him out of the door. His
squashy-nosed friend followed.

As soon as the door closed there was an
explosion of conversation amongst the customers.

“Well I never! A gangster! He’s a
gangster! Right here in our town!” an old woman declared.

“I thought he was going to shoot
Yvette! I didn’t see a gun but I bet he had one!” another cried out.

Cara walked over to Yvette and said,
“Are you alright?”

“I’m not sure. Did that just happen?
Did that man threaten me?”

Cara said, “I think he tried to. He
wants this shop for some reason.”

“Well, he’s not having it!” Yvette
opened up the papers that Sol had given her and straightened them on the
counter. With a shaking hand she signed and dated the agreement. She looked at
Cara and said, “No one is taking my shop away from me!”

“Good for you,” Cara said, a slight
wobble in her voice. Yvette’s death line had grown even thicker.

Chapter 8

Cara made herself look busy as she took
photographs and talked to customers. She was planning on staying as close as
possible to Yvette.

Yvette had other plans. At 1 p.m. she
called Cara over and said, “Would you mind nipping out for a sandwich for me? I
normally lock the shop up and go myself.” She laughed. “But I can’t throw my
customers out for the sake of a sandwich, can I? I feel cheeky asking you, say
no if you like! The sandwich shop is a two minute walk away.”

Cara nodded, she could hardly say no.
She took Yvette’s order but refused her money. Cara walked briskly out of the
shop and down the hill to the nearest sandwich shop. She was practically
jogging by the time she arrived. Of course, there would be a queue! She sent a
silent prayer out for Yvette to be kept safe whilst she was gone.

Cara announced her order to the
assistant and handed some money over. When the sandwich was ready Cara grabbed
it and told the assistant to keep the change. She set off at a run up the hill
which suddenly seemed steeper. A sudden pain shot through her side and she
yelped. Now was not a good time to get a stitch. She stopped and caught her
breath.

Robin appeared at her side. His hand
shot out and he grabbed Cara’s arm. He yelled, “Quick! Yvette’s being
attacked!”

“What?” Cara huffed.

Robin pointed up the hill. “In her
shop! Quick, Cara!”

Cara ignored the stabbing pain in her
side and raced up the hill. She dashed through the shop door and skidded to a
halt.

The customers were still in the shop
but they had huddled into a protective group at the far side. Cara’s eyes
widened as she saw a well-built young woman holding a large knitting needle
against Yvette’s neck.

Cara threw the sandwich at the young
woman. It hit her on the head and the woman stumbled slightly, her hand that
held the knitting needle dropped. She turned towards Cara and snarled, “Stay
out of this! This is between me and this thieving witch here!”

Cara ran at the woman, her hands
outstretched. She pushed the woman away from the counter. The woman fell
backwards and Cara grabbed the needle from her hands.

“What the hell?” the woman steadied
herself. Cara gulped as she saw the muscles in the woman’s arms. Was it normal
for a woman to have such big muscles?

Cara held up the knitting needle and
shouted, “Who are you? How dare you come in and threaten Yvette! And look at
the customers, you’ve frightened them!”

A look of guilt flashed across the
woman’s face as she noticed the cowering customers. “I didn’t see them there.”

Cara lowered the needle, and in a
calmer voice, she said, “Explain who you are, and what you’re doing here.”

The woman folded her thick arms and
said, “I’m Becky Webb, I run a website called Becky’s Yarn Supplies. And I had
a good business until she …” Becky jerked her head towards Yvette, “decided to
set up online too. My sales dropped off last night and I soon found out why.”
She unfolded her arms and pointed at Yvette. “Take your website down! I was
online first!”

Cara said, “I saw your website online,
it’s terrible.”

Becky’s head snapped towards Cara, her
lips moved into a snarl. “What did you say?”

Cara stood a bit straighter. “I said
it’s terrible. The colours clash, the order page takes forever to load. And the
contact email is invalid.”

Becky’s expression changed to
confusion. “Is it that bad? I thought it was okay.”

Cara took a step forward and said, “I
can help you with it, I design websites.”

Becky’s eyes narrowed. “Did you design
her website?” Her thumb jerked towards Yvette.

Cara nodded.

Becky looked at Cara for a moment too
long. Cara felt sweat forming on her brow. Becky said calmly, “And I suppose
you’d have to charge me if you sorted my website out?”

“Of course, my fees are reasonable.”

“I knew it!” Becky exploded. She wagged
her finger between Cara and Yvette. “You’re trying to ruin my business with
your fancy website. And you want me to pay you good money so I can compete with
you. I don’t think so! I know how to deal with losers like you!” She slammed
her fist on the counter. Cara thought she heard the wood crack. Becky looked
directly at Yvette and said, “I wouldn’t get too attached to that website if I
were you.”

Becky turned and glared at Cara as she
left the shop.

“Well!” one of the customers said from
the back of the shop. “This is better than the telly! What’s going to happen
next?”

Cara ran around the counter and placed
her arms around Yvette who was now crying. Cara held her until the tears
subsided.

Yvette sniffed and said, “What’s
happening to my life? I was so happy when I woke up and now look at me. What
have I done to upset so many people? Can my day get any worse?”

“Not if I can help it,” Cara muttered.

Chapter 9

Cara stayed as long as she could at the
wool shop. The customers had rallied around Yvette as soon as Cara had released
her. They offered her food and words of comfort. One of the older woman
threatened to ‘take out’ Becky, whatever that meant.

Yvette’s tears soon dried and she
promised the women that she wouldn’t let Mr Banks take over the shop, and she
wouldn’t let Becky force her to take down her website.

Cara kept an eye on Yvette as she made
some adjustments to Yvette’s website. With Yvette’s agreement she added an
order page and the new photos that she’d taken that day. She also added the
comments that the customers had given her.

Yvette came over to her side later and
looked at the website. She said, “It’s wonderful, truly wonderful. You must
send me your invoice, and I won’t take no for an answer! Isn’t it time you went
home, Cara?”

“I’ll stay until you go.”

“I’m going now.” Yvette stifled a yawn.
“What a busy day it’s been, a wonderfully busy day. I think I’ll be collapsing
into bed as soon as I get home.”

Cara stood up and collected her things.
She said goodbye to Yvette and left the shop. She had no intention of leaving
Yvette alone, she was going to keep an eye on her from her car.

Cara got in her car and parked further
down the road. She didn’t want Yvette to come out and look directly at her.

After a few minutes, Yvette came out of
the shop and locked the door. She was yawning again as she headed for her car.
Cara ducked her head as Yvette drove past. She was just about to follow Yvette
when something caught her eye by the wool shop.

It was Mr Banks and Sol. Mr Banks was
smiling and talking to Sol on the pavement outside the shop. Sol looked
petrified.

Cara reached for the briefcase of
Gran’s gadgets and pulled out the listening device. She switched it on.

She saw Mr Banks grab hold of Sol’s
hand. Mr Banks said, “Let’s shake on the matter, make it official, Mr Lewis.”

Sol tried to move his hand away. “This
isn’t legal! You can’t force me to do this!”

“I think I already have, Mr Lewis. You
should have just agreed to give me this shop in the first place. You’ve put me
to so much trouble.”

Sol pulled his hand away. “You won’t
get away with this! I don’t care what you’ve told the council!”

Cara heard Mr Banks sigh with
irritation. “Mr Temple at the council agreed that I could have the lease for
this shop, he understood that things would become difficult for him if he
didn’t. And you, Mr Lewis, if you don’t let me have the lease, well, I think I
can convince Mr Temple to stop the plans from going ahead. So, you either let
me have this shop and then rake in the profits as this whole dump site is
renovated. Or, you refuse and the rejuvenation plans never go ahead. It’s not
much of a choice, is it, Mr Lewis?”

Sol took a step backward and wrung his
hands. “But I can’t let Yvette Carter down! This shop has been in her family
for years.”

“And now it’s going to be in my hands.
I know exactly what I’m going to do with it.” He let out a cold laugh. “You’d
be surprised how much some idiots will pay for an afternoon tea. I’ve got
café’s all over the place, I know what I’m doing.” He looked towards the shop
and placed his hand on the wall. “This is in a prime position, this is going to
be my best performing business.”

There was a beep from Sol’s phone. He
took it out of his pocket. Mr Banks whipped it from his hands and looked at it.
He waved the phone aggressively in Sol’s face and said, “What’s this? That
stupid woman has signed the lease!”

Sol reached out for his phone. Mr Banks
held it higher. Sol said, “You can’t do anything now, Yvette has signed the
lease, it’s all legal now.”

Mr Banks dropped the phone, grabbed
hold of Sol’s jacket and pulled him closer. Cara had to strain to catch his
quietly spoken words. “Mr Lewis, this changes nothing. I’ll deal with Yvette
Carter, I’ll make her tear up that lease. I’ll let her know how you betrayed
her. And you,” he released Sol, “you will work for me from now on.” He brushed
some imaginary dust from Sol’s shaking shoulders. “I won’t take no for an
answer, Mr Lewis. I never take no for an answer.”

Mr Banks gave Sol a pat on the shoulder
and walked away. Sol seemed to shrink in on himself as he watched Mr Banks walk
away. He retrieved his phone from the ground and slowly walked away, his shoulders
hunched.

Cara’s heartbeat was racing. She
couldn’t believe she’d witnessed that whole scene. She didn’t know that such
evil people existed. No, she knew they existed, she’d just never been so close
to such a person. And that person was out to get Yvette, possibly even kill
her.

Cara put her hands over her face. It
was her duty to stop Yvette being murdered. How was she, Cara Daniels, supposed
to stop a man like Mr Banks from killing Yvette?

Tears rolled down Cara’s cheeks. She
had never felt so alone and scared in her life.