Carson drew in another deep breath. Something he did a lot around her, she’d noticed. “I think you’d better come down to the station and give an official statement.”
“Fine.” Liam agreed with more confidence than she felt. “Nat, grab your coat, bag and keys.”
“Don’t worry, Nat. The Ladies Amateur Detective Society have been itching for a new case. We’re here for you. We’ll figure out who did him in. We’ll get you out of jail!” Alice called after her.
“Lovely. Now Miss Marple and her knitting circle are on the case along with Barney Fife here. My murder should be solved in no time,” Lionel said with a dramatic eye roll, proving he did indeed understand sarcasm.
“She doesn’t answer anything without her lawyer,” Alice shouted at Carson. “Nat, I’ll call Dee Flanders and tell her the fuzz have you in the hoosegow. She’ll come bail you out.”
“Natalie doesn’t need a lawyer. She’s not under arrest, Alice,” Carson said with a weariness in his tone.
“Don’t even think about roughing her up. I’ve got you on video, Bekker,” Alice said with her cell raised in front of her in one hand as the ninety-year-old punched the air with her other fist while shouting, “Attica! Attica!”
Even Liam’s arm around her shoulder as Carson led them out the door didn’t keep her from feeling like she was about to pass out. And it definitely didn’t quell the feeling that calling the sheriff’s office had been a big, huge, mistake.
Caught between tears and laughter at the ridiculousness of it all, Natalie glanced up at Liam as they loaded into her car while Carson got into his own.
Holding her door open for her, Liam shook his head. “Don’t say it, Nat. I know.”
“Know what?” she asked, lowering into the passenger seat on shaking legs.
“You were right. We shouldn’t have called.”
Liam was admitting she was right? And she hadn’t even had to say I told you so first. At least that was something…
Chapter Fifteen
The news must have spread like wildfire. The group of women, young and old, rushed Natalie as soon as she opened the car door. It made her extra grateful that Liam had insisted they stop for a nice leisurely breakfast on the way home from the sheriff’s department.
Fueled with food and caffeine she could face the mob waiting for her. Maybe. But the couple of hours wait for her to return probably really riled them up into a frenzy.
On the up side, it looked like Jules had taken the initiative and come in and opened up the shop. Natalie guessed she’d heard the whole story, probably from Harper via Alice by way of Agnes. The Mudville gossip chain was a complex system.
In any case, the lights were on inside and the sign on the front door flipped to Open, which she only got a glimpse of past the group gathered.
The one good thing about so many people clustering there in front of her shop was that the hustle and bustle might attract attention and bring in some customers. But besides that possibility, Natalie could have done without the mob and their questions.
So many questions…
“Did Carson really haul you down to the sheriff’s department?” Harper’s Aunt Agnes asked. “That boy needs a good swat in the behind for this. He was raised better than that.”
“Did Bekker read you your rights? It doesn’t count if he didn’t read you your rights,” Alice reminded her.
“You’re back. I’m so glad you’re back. But uh oh. I didn’t place the wine order when the salesman called. In case…well, you know.” Jules cringed. “Should I call him back now?”
“Bethany texted to say that Brandon knows a really good defense attorney from the city and he’s willing to take your case. Should I get the phone number for you?” Harper asked.
“I also contacted every member of the LADS, but I didn’t call a meeting. Should we enact the phone tree? Get them all over here now?” Alice asked.
Her wine supplier thought she was in jail. Bethany’s boyfriend was interviewing lawyers on her behalf. Alice and Agnes were ready to take on the local deputy for bringing her in. The last thing she needed was more people here, especially the old ladies of LADS, who imagined themselves amateur sleuths worthy of their own television series.
“No.” Natalie somehow managed to get in the word while being peppered with questions.
But it was Liam who took control of the situation. With his palm splayed on her back, offering her support even as he propelled her toward the door, he said loud and clear, “Ladies. Let’s get Natalie inside and give her a minute. Then she’ll answer your questions. All right?”
He managed to get her inside, and of course her friends followed. She hadn’t expected anything less.
As she stood inside the shop, wondering what to do first, Liam stepped forward. “Jules, call and place that wine order. Harper, would you mind going back to the apartment and putting on the kettle for tea for everyone? Alice, Agnes, do either of you know how to start the fire in the fireplace in the meeting room?”
