The Cure For What Ales You Read online

  I understood his concern. As far as I was concerned, Nitro was likely one of the safest places I could be. “But what about breakfast? What about our guests?” I motioned to the pan of cinnamon rolls.

  “What about them? Kat can serve them and throw together some fruit or eggs. Breakfast is the least of our worries right now. We’ll take care of everything.” Garrett set his jaw and held his chin high. “Sloan, you have to focus on you.”

  “You’re reacting the same way Mac did.”

  “Good. This is one time I’m happy to be in alignment with Mac. You’re sure he’s got Alex?”

  “Positive. They’re both working at Der Keller this morning and then I told him to keep Alex occupied this afternoon. Not to let him out of his sight.”

  “You didn’t tell Alex?”

  I shook my head. “I haven’t told anyone. Except for you and Mac.”

  Garrett scowled. “Sloan, listen, I understand that you’re a very private person and this is your life, but you’re making a huge mistake. This isn’t the time to shrink into yourself. This is the time to rally the troops. Do you know how many people in this village love you? You’ve been there for everyone else; now it’s time for people to show up for you. Otto, Ursula, Hans, Kat, even April, you name it. Everyone needs to know. Everyone needs to be part of protecting you.”

  “But…” For the first time in my adult life, I couldn’t come up with a retort.

  “No, I’m not going to argue with you on this one.” Garrett moved toward me and nudged me to the door. “I’m right, and we both know it. If you don’t want to call in the armada, I will. I don’t care if you quit. I don’t care if you don’t talk to me for the rest of my life. Well, that’s not true—this place would crumble without you. But you get my point. We need help. We need you surrounded by everyone who loves you.”

  “Okay.”

  “Okay?” He sounded shocked. He gave his head a quick shake. “Okay, then. I’ll start making some calls. You go find the chief. Bring her back here, and we’ll formulate a plan.”

  I started to walk away. Then I stopped. “Thanks, Garrett. I think I needed to hear that.”

  “You did.” He met my gaze as we stood in the doorway together. I could smell his minty toothpaste and musky soap. Our foreheads bent toward each other. “You don’t need to thank me or anyone else who shows up. You know why, Sloan Krause? Because you’ve saved everyone in this village. I’m not exaggerating when I say Nitro would be nothing without you. I would be completely lost. Remember how I hadn’t even thought of serving anything other than a bowl of nuts or chips when we opened? You came up with the idea of pub fare. You made this place look amazing. I know you’ve worked countless hours on your own time on recipes, buying groceries for your incredible farm breakfasts for our guests and never turning in receipts. You’ve made Nitro so much more than a brewery. You’ve created a welcoming space where everyone feels at home.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and leaned in close. His voice was filled with passion as he continued. “Sloan, you’ve changed me. I’m not just a geeky brewing dude anymore. I’m part of this community, thanks to you. This nanobrewery experiment has wildly exceeded my expectations because of you. I can’t tell you how much you mean to me as a business partner and friend.”

  For a minute that felt like an eternity, I thought he might lean in close enough to kiss me.

  He released my shoulders. “Sorry. I’m being dramatic because I need you to know how we all feel about you, okay? You’ve taken care of everyone in the village, now it’s your turn to let me and everyone who loves you repay the debt we owe you.”

  Salty tears spilled down my cheeks. “Okay.”

  Garrett brushed my tears away with the tip of his finger.

  He had seen me emotional before, but something shifted between us with his impassioned speech. I could feel my body pulling into his with the force of a magnet. I couldn’t tear myself away. I wanted to collapse in his arms and pretend that this had been a bad dream. Garrett cradled my chin. “We’re going to keep you safe, Sloan.”

  I gulped.

  His forehead tilted toward mine. Our lips were inches apart.

  Was this happening? Now?

  “Mrs. Krause, is everything okay?” Officer Downs’s voice broke the moment.

  Garrett smiled and shook his head—in disappointment? I couldn’t be sure.

  “I’m fine,” I called to Officer Downs.

  “Be safe, Sloan,” Garrett said softly. “I’m going to start fortifying this place while you’re gone.”

  I brushed residual tears from my face and sniffed twice before telling Officer Downs my plan. He followed me to the police station, which was actually more like a welcome center, with its wooden POLIZEI sign and pink and purple flower baskets. Chief Meyers and her small staff maintained a presence in the village. They were typically tasked with keeping the peace during busy festival weekends, giving directions, and offering to take photos for tourists. Crime was rare in Leavenworth. A fact that none of us took for granted. Part of life in the village meant looking out for our friends and neighbors. Our small size and remote location meant that it was nearly impossible to stay disconnected. Lately, I had come to appreciate the idea that my fellow business owners knew what I was up to on a daily basis. Garrett was right. It was time to ask for help.

  “Is Chief Meyers in yet?” I asked the officer seated at the front desk when I stepped inside. Officer Downs stayed outside on the porch.

  “She’s on her way. Should be here in five or ten minutes. You can wait.” She pointed to two chairs next to the water cooler.

  I took a seat and leafed through a map of area wineries. Eleanor’s vineyard was listed as one of the map’s passport participants, as was Hawks, Russ’s vineyard. The concept of a wine passport had come to fruition a few years ago when the local wineries had banded together to promote regional tourism. Visitors picked up tasting maps here in Leavenworth and received a stamp for each vineyard they visited. Once they had stamped their entire passports, they returned them to the chamber of commerce to be added to a monthly drawing for hotel stays and restaurant gift certificates.

  The idea had taken flight. From spring through early fall, when the mountain roads were passable, wine lovers spent the weekend traveling from vineyard to vineyard, sipping regional varieties, picnicking on lush lawns, and wandering through rows and rows of organic grapevines.

  I thought about last night’s tasting. The chemistry between Russ and Eleanor had to have been evident to everyone in the room. The way Russ had followed her every move and their brief physical exchanges—a touch on the shoulder, Eleanor constantly taking on and off her wedding ring—made me confident that they were an item. What was puzzling was whether their affair had anything to do with Sara’s death. The same was true for Bozeman and Vienna. I wondered if they had really been arguing about something work related. Vienna had sounded upset.

  And what about Marianne? She had vanished after her abrupt change of heart.

  “Sloan, what are you doing here?” Chief Meyers interrupted my thoughts.

  I returned the map to its spot on a stand of brochures and stood up. “I was hoping for a minute of your time.”

  “Of course.” She pointed to the back of the room where her desk was located. The office wasn’t exactly private.

  “Do you think we could take a walk?”

  Her brows arched together for the briefest of moments. She quickly recovered. “Let me put my things down, and I’ll be right with you.”

  I waited for her on the porch, where Officer Downs tried to look inconspicuous. He scanned the village with a subtle stoic shift of his head. Not an inch of his solid body moved as he surveyed our surroundings. A minute later, the chief returned outside.

  “Morning, Downs. You have us covered?”

  His only response was a quick nod.

  “How are you, Sloan?” she asked, matching my stride as we walked to the gazebo. She had a file folder tucked under one arm. Alth
ough Front Street Park was quiet at the moment, the signs of the festivities remained, tent canopies and spring banners flickering from lampposts. The gazebo was decked out with garlands of miniature roses, topiaries with golden twinkle lights, and hanging baskets dripping with eucalyptus and begonias.

  “Not great, to be honest.”

  “Let’s talk about it.”

  I appreciated her approach. She had never been overly effusive, and yet I knew that she cared by the way she intently listened and took careful note of everything I said.

  “It’s the situation with Marianne and Forest,” I began. “At first, I guess I blew it off a bit.”

  “Hmmm. I disagree. I’ve never known you to blow anything off,” she responded, motioning to the cedar bench in the center of the gazebo that was flanked with fragrant spring blooms. “Should we sit?”

  “Sure.” I followed her. “Maybe that’s the wrong choice of words, but Marianne seems so unstable that I didn’t fully believe her. Now I’m wondering if that was a mistake.” I launched into everything that had happened in the last forty-eight hours, most importantly, what Hans had told me last night.

  After I finished, she didn’t speak right away.

  “I’m glad you came to me. I have to agree with your assessment, and I have some news from the state authorities that I think you’re going to want to see.” She handed me the folder.

  I opened it. Inside was a mug shot of a man identified as Forest. His photo sent a shiver down my spine. There was something sinister behind his light eyes. The words beneath his picture read ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

  CHAPTER

  SEVENTEEN

  “I DON’T UNDERSTAND,” I said to Chief Meyers, clutching the folder. “What does this mean?”

  “It means the authorities agree with Marianne. I still haven’t been able to find any trace of the files she claims were stolen from her room, but his police record is clear. He was released from prison, but broke his parole last week. He has an APB out on him and is considered armed and dangerous.”

  “Do you think that Marianne’s telling the truth about Sara’s murder? Could she have been killed by Forest?”

  “That I don’t know. It’s an open investigation. I can’t comment at the moment. I will say that there’s no firm evidence as of yet that the two are connected.” She pointed to the paperwork in my hands. “This, however, is tangible proof that you and your family are in danger, Sloan. A danger that I don’t take lightly. I’ve called in reinforcements from Spokane and Seattle. People with a higher rank and clearance than me. My entire staff has been alerted. That’s why I assigned you Downs and gave him strict orders to keep you in his sight at all times. We’re sending press releases to the media with Forest’s picture, asking for the public’s help in locating him. Flyers will be distributed throughout the village. In the next few hours, his face will be in every shop window. You won’t be able to walk five feet without seeing his mug shot. I’m increasing your protection and the protection around Nitro. Officers will be stationed at Der Keller. I know that you’re a private person by nature, Sloan, and I’m afraid that there’s no silencing this situation. I’m going to have to inform the Krause family. As for the rest of the village, I’ll try to keep things as tight-lipped as possible, but I can’t make any promises. You know better than anyone that gossip spreads faster than wildfire around here.”

  “It’s okay. I’m fine with that.” I nodded. Across the street, shop doors and shutters had begun to open. The smell of breakfast sausage and bacon sizzling on griddles wafted toward us. Soon breakfast crowds would gather. Tourists would fill shopping bags with trinkets and reminders of their getaway weekend before returning home.

  If she was surprised, she didn’t show it. She crossed one leg over the other and leaned back against the bench.

  “Things could ramp up around here. It’s not often that villagers see a squad of police officers on patrol. In good conscience, I have to warn you that we’re going to have eyes on you, but even so, that doesn’t put you completely out of harm’s way. Forest could have been holing up here in the village, plotting his attack for the last few days. I’m hoping that we’re out in front of this situation, but I have to warn you that we might be playing catch-up.”

  “I know. I get it.” I returned the folder to her.

  “Listen, there’s lots to be done. Sloan, I know that you have a sense of the danger, but I want to warn you that there’s much more to this file that’s classified. I asked for permission to share some of the details with you, but my request was denied. Let me say this much. Forest is a trained assassin. He hasn’t just killed before. He’s killed again and again. I wish there was more that I could say. I probably shouldn’t have even told you that much.” She stood. “Please stay on high alert.” For a moment, I thought she might hug me. Instead she gave me a pained smile. “Be careful, Sloan.”

  “I will.”

  Chief Meyers had ordered three additional officers, who had arrived at the brewery. “I want every entrance covered,” directed Officer Downs. “No one leaves their post, understood? I’ll be in touch within the hour.”

  I barely managed more than a wave to my fellow villagers and shop owners as Officer Downs escorted me into Nitro. I felt comforted by his lumbering steps, but I couldn’t focus.

  I wasn’t sure how to feel. My hands were clammy, my forehead tingly, and a strange sensation came over my entire body, as if I were watching events unfold from above.

  “Well, what’s the report?” Garrett asked. He had moved furniture in the tasting room and used empty kegs to barricade the brewery. Typically a small chain with an EMPLOYEES ONLY sign blocked off the space. He had taken it a step further by creating a wall of kegs. “I see that the chief has called in extra bodies. That must be a sign that she’s taking things seriously. Good.”

  “Yeah. There’s going to be even more.” I told him about police officers arriving from Seattle and Spokane and the chief’s plan to plaster Forest’s picture throughout the village.

  “Good. Let’s get this guy.” His voice cracked with anger. “I’ve made sure no one can get into the back and locked every window and door upstairs and downstairs.”

  Meyers’s words of warning kept echoing in my head. They were similar to what Marianne had told me. How many people had Forest killed? And why was his file secret?

  “Any other day, I’d tell you to get out of here and go home, but I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Garrett said. He had changed out of sweats into a pair of khaki shorts, Keen sandals, and a Nitro T-shirt.

  “No, you’re right. I think this is the safest spot for me, and I need to do something—anything. I’m going to start freaking out if I just sit around waiting for Forest to come find me.” The sweat pooling on my back was proof that I was already freaking out. I wondered if Garrett could tell.

  “Fair point.” He strummed his fingers on the bar. “What do you think? You want to work the taps or hide out in the back?”

  “Work the taps. No question.” I stared at the barrier of kegs. “How are we going to get into the kitchen with those stacked like that?”

  Garrett pressed his lips together and sucked in one cheek. “Good point. I didn’t think of that. I’ll make a narrow pathway. I was hoping that you would let us stow you away back there, but I had a feeling you would say you wanted to work the bar. I don’t know why I asked.” He swept his hands across the row of tap handles. “My lady, the bar, she is all yours.”

  I chuckled. It didn’t lighten the mood.

  “Kat is finishing breakfast cleanup. I gave her a rundown of the situation. The twins should be here in an hour. I’ll fill them in, so you don’t have to, okay? We have everything covered. Casey and Jack can prep lunch. They can work the patio. There’s nothing you need to do, got it?”

  Garrett had taken charge of the situation. Maybe he was picking up on the fact that I was teetering on the edge of a full-blown panic attack. Normally I prided myself on being a strong, independent wo
man, but I appreciated not having to do anything other than pour pints at the moment.

  “I suspect we’ll be busy right from opening, given how many people talked about coming back for growlers yesterday,” Garrett continued. “Although depending on how much they enjoyed last night, maybe they’ll forget about us.”

  “People never forget about beer.”

  Garrett gave me a slow nod. “Nice. I think that motto should hang next to our Nitro logo. That’s deep, Sloan. Real deep.”

  I knew that he was trying to keep my spirits up and my mind off Forest. What I wanted to tell him was that was an impossible task, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “I’ll take over inventory and bar prep.”

  “Cool. I’ll fix my beer keg fortress, then go check the fermenters and see if Kat needs any help.” He gave me a brief parting glance and nodded to Officer Downs, who was studying the Nitro menu like it was the most compelling novel he’d ever read. I knew he was trying to be discreet, but I also knew he had heard every word of our conversation.

  I was glad for the routine of the bar. Methodically checking off each task on our opening prep sheet felt like a massive accomplishment. At some point I vaguely remembered greeting the twins and chatting with Kat when she brought me bags of Doritos and mixed nuts for the bar, but if I was being honest with myself, nothing felt real. It was as if I was moving through molasses. Each movement took considerable effort. Every time I filled a bowl with pretzels or stacked pint glasses, I had to remind my brain to connect with my body. My waking-dream-like state didn’t bode well for managing a busy morning of growler fills. I knew that if I hid out in the back, I would collapse into myself, and I wasn’t going to let that happen.

  “Who’s ready to unleash the beast?” Garrett asked a while later. Time wasn’t functioning like normal, at least not in my mind. It felt like we had just made our plan a few minutes ago, and it was already time to open the doors.

  Garrett waited by the front door. The clock was about to turn to eleven. “Is everyone ready for one last mad dash?”