Home Sweet Murder

by Eliza Brookes

  Allegra sat back in her chair and felt Greta give her a sympathetic glance. She felt too ashamed to admit that she had no home to go back to.

  Chapter Twelve

  Allegra left the Chief’s office feeling thoroughly exhausted. He was not one to mince words, and since she wasn’t being charged, he decided to punish her by giving her a lecture. She felt emotionally exhausted, and a little like a teenager again. This used to be a regular part of her visits here. She waved glumly to an equally exhausted looking Jason and Greta who slinked off to go home. All their ears were ringing, and they were a little disheartened by the news that their efforts were in vain.

  Allegra walked out the police station and into the cool night air. Most of the town square was eerily dark and quiet since everyone else was at home. She pulled at her black jacket and kept her head down as she made her way to the Inn. Llewes Cove was a safe town but walking alone at night is generally a disconcerting experience. A slight breeze washed over the square, causing Allegra to shiver. The sounds of the ocean made their way through the town, providing a soundtrack for her walk. Crickets chirped but went silent as she walked past. She felt uncomfortable for some reason, so she quickened her pace. The hairs at the back of her neck prickled and she turned around abruptly, scanning the square. Everything was dark and quiet.

  A few street lamps lit up the sidewalks in front of the storefronts, but the square itself was dark. She cursed herself for taking the shortcut and continued her walk. She only had a few more steps before she made it back to the light. She focused on the ground, listening carefully to what was happening around her. The breeze picked up again. The waves filtered through. Everything was normal, except for her growing feeling of unease. Five more steps until the light.

  Allegra had to force herself not to run, convincing herself that she would look ridiculous if she did. She shook her head as if clearing all her thoughts and focused on her steps and the sounds around her. Breeze, waves, normal. Something was bothering her. A sound was missing. She heard the footsteps just as she realized what it was. The crickets weren’t chirping.

  She only had two more steps until she reached the sidewalk, so she broke out into an all-out run. As she reached the light, she turned to see who was following her. A shadowy figure quickened its pace to catch up to her, and she nearly started running when a voice cried out from the darkness.

  “Wait!” a slightly breathless man called.

  She stopped in her tracks and squinted at him, “Pastor Rob?”

  The Pastor jogged slightly to make it through the square, he wore a slightly sheepish expression along with light blue jeans and jogging shoes. He looked like a small-town Pastor who held youth groups and sang off-key to an out of tune guitar. She took in his slightly chubby frame and stared at him thoughtfully, wondering if she should yell at him.

  “I’m not a stalker,” he defended suddenly, taking a step back and putting his hands in his pockets. He looked awkward and wouldn’t look her in the eye. He seemed to be staring at the space above her head.

  “All right?” she said uncertainly, also taking a step back.

  “No,” he explained, removing one hand from his pocket and gesturing, “you just looked scared. I should have said something, you must have been scared.”

  She nodded sheepishly, there was no denying that he had scared her. He had seen her run up to the light and glare at him. Allegra put her hand in her pocket, holding onto her phone. The police were not investigating him, but he might be the murderer.

  “That would have been simpler, yes,” she admitted slowly, wondering what he wanted. If he was angry, he would have yelled at her already. She tried to unlock her phone, but the touch screen was pressed against the fabric of her jacket pocket. If she wanted to use it, she would have to take it out of her pocket, but that would involve alerting a possible murderer to the fact that she was suspicious of him.

  “I’m sorry,” he apologized, looking at his feet and shuffling slightly. She nodded again, and he continued looking at his feet. She glanced longingly at the Inn and wondered if she could leave yet. It was very late, and she was tired.

  “That’s okay,” she said, breaking the silence, “I’m sorry for breaking into your house.”

  “It’s all right,” he said soothingly, smiling kindly at her. She smiled back awkwardly and took a step back.

  “Is there anything you wanted?” she asked, not unkindly. Allegra found that it was harder to be nice to someone when you were tired and hungry. How did one talk to a suspect? She suddenly felt very aware of her surroundings and how she was acting. She looked toward the direction of the Inn, calculating how long it would take her to get there. She noticed that the lights were on. Ray was there. Probably waiting for her to come in so that he could lock up. She had never been so happy thinking about Ray.

  “This belongs to you,” he said awkwardly, holding out a piece of paper. It was startlingly white against their surroundings. She reached out carefully to take the piece of paper. It was a copy of the clue she had found in his house.

  “Why are you giving this to me?” she asked curiously, frowning at the handwriting.

  “Dorothy gave it to me two days before she died,” he admitted, “I didn’t think about it much, but I should have given it to you sooner. Maybe then you wouldn’t have found my behavior suspicious.”

  “I didn’t…” Allegra began awkwardly but trailed off when he gave her a knowing look. “Thank you, I shouldn’t have broken into your house.”

  “There are easier ways of getting information,” he agreed, “I gave the original to the police, but you deserve a copy.”

  “Thank you,” she said sincerely, giving him a grateful smile.

  “You know,” he said thoughtfully, turning slightly to indicate he was about to leave, “she never came to church. Not once.”

  “I’m sorry about that,” she answered, feeling confused.

  “No, I was just saying that because you knew her well. I would have also been suspicious if I were you. She wanted me to visit for another reason.”

  “Yeah, why is that?”

  “I think she was lonely.”

  “But she had so many friends,” Allegra sputtered, feeling incredibly guilty, “you said so yourself.”

  “I don’t want you to feel guilty,” he said, looking concerned, “I’m just telling you that you need to look under the surface. Not everything is what it looks like.”

  ***

  “I’m sorry, Ms. Mitchells, but my hands are tied,” Mr. Carey said apologetically, looking slightly uncomfortable. He looked like he would rather be anywhere else in the world.

  “This should be enough evidence to prove that the will you read at the funeral is a forgery,” Allegra protested calmly, crossing her legs primly. Mr. Carey’s office was small and spartan. He had a desk, a few framed certificates and a table with a coffee pot on it. His receptionist had been allowed to decorate the entrance where her desk was, but Mr. Carey had drawn the line at his office. He sighed and began cleaning his glasses.

  “This would be enough to cast suspicion on the will, but unless you find a will that was made after the one I read or get someone to confess, I’m afraid that that is the one that is binding.”

  “This,” Allegra said, holding up the copy Pastor Rob had given her, “is a letter from Dot herself saying that she had written the will. She asked the Pastor to be a witness when she signed it in front of you.”

  “I know, what it says, Ms. Mitchells,” Mr. Carey said tiredly.

  “The will you read out was typed, and the Pastor wasn’t a witness,” Allegra pointed out, holding up a copy of the will. She held the two pages up for a side-by-side analysis.

  “I understand that it is suspicious, but as I said, my hands are tied.”

  “My great-aunt would not have cut me out of her will,” Allegra explained, “you can understand what I am trying to do. If we find out who forged that will, we can find who killed her.”

  “The p
olice have already been here,” Mr. Carey said sternly, giving her a chastising look over the rim of his now spotless glasses.

  “Mr. Carey,” his receptionist called, knocking politely on the door, “Mr. Vance and Ms. Smith are here.”

  “I’ll be there now, Karen,” Mr. Carey called out, pushing his chair back.

  “There has to be something we can do,” Allegra protested, standing up abruptly.

  “I can look things over,” Mr. Carey offered, “this is suspicious, so we could freeze all Dot’s assets until it is resolved. But many people won’t be happy. I will also need the original letter, and someone will have to prove that this is Dot’s handwriting. We would have to hire a professional. To be honest, Ms. Mitchells, it is going to be a lot of effort and it will take some time. There are people who won’t be happy with this. Least of all Mrs. Mathers and Ms. Smith who inherited Dorothy’s estate. Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “They asked the same thing when I insisted on an autopsy and look what happened. Surely the fact that Ashlee is a suspect in the murder is enough to investigate the will?”

  “A murder case is enough to investigate the will,” Mr. Carey admitted, “but there will be legal fees.”

  “Aren’t there always,” Allegra muttered, “I’ll find a way to pay the fees, Mr. Carey. I just want to know who killed Grumpy Dot.” Mr. Carey nodded somberly and escorted her toward the door. “Thank you so much for all your help,” she said sincerely as they walked out into the foyer. Allegra turned to leave but stopped when she saw who was waiting on one of the couches.

  “Of course, you’d be here,” Ashlee sneered. Ellie shrunk back in her seat and a familiar looking man puffed his chest out. Allegra glared at the man, recognizing him as the man who accused her of trespassing. He returned her glare, clearly recognizing her too.

  “It is good to see you, Ashlee,” Allegra replied primly. Although she was being investigated for murder, Ashlee looked as poised as ever. Her suburban uniform was neatly pressed, and her hair was perfectly in place. Even her make-up was impeccable. It took more than suspicion and allegations to get to Ashlee Mathers.

  “Yes,” Ashlee said, pursing her lips, “if you’ll excuse us, we have some business to discuss.” She stood up and held her purse to her side like a shield, motioning for Ellie to go ahead of her.

  “It is good to see you all,” Mr. Carey interjected before anyone could enter his office, “but I have to inform you that the will is being contested. Until the matter is resolved, we cannot discuss it.”

  “What?” the man cried, jumping to his feet. “This is outrageous!”

  “Don’t worry, Reginald,” Ashlee said soothingly, “this is all just a misunderstanding.” She turned around and smiled sweetly at Mr. Carey, “What is this all about, Mr. Carey?”

  “Ms. Mitchells has filed a complaint with the police, and they will be investigating the authenticity of the will,” Mr. Carey explained in a deadpan voice.

  “I don’t understand,” Ashlee ground out, turning pale.

  “You will only receive what was left for you after we can prove that the will we read was not forged,” Mr. Carey explained, speaking more slowly, “that means that we have nothing to discuss today.”

  “This is rubbish,” Reginald exploded, going red in the face, “The property was left to these women. They want to sell it, let them sell it!”

  “You were going to sell Dot’s estate?” Allegra asked angrily, she clenched her fists and glared at the two sisters, a strange noise filling her ears.

  “It belongs to us!” Ashlee sneered, turning on her old enemy.

  “Not if you forged that will,” Allegra retorted, stepping forward. Ashlee gasped and raised her hand, but Mr. Carey had enough. He cleared his throat loudly and stepped between the two.

  “That is enough,” he said loudly, looking annoyed, “the will is being investigated and you will be notified when the matter is resolved. You may all leave.”

  Ashlee opened her mouth to say something but Mr. Carey shook his head and looked at the door. The group of adults deflated and made their way outside. The atmosphere was tense, and Allegra could feel two pairs of eyes drilling holes into the back of her head.

  “We should file a complaint with the police,” Ashlee began saying to Reginald. Allegra rolled her eyes and began walking up the sidewalk toward the newspaper building. Greta would be waiting for news. They had not seen each other since the previous evening’s failed break in.

  “I’m sorry about that,” Ellie said sincerely, matching her pace to Allegra’s.

  “I don’t get it, Ellie,” Allegra said stiffly, walking faster.

  “What do you mean?” Ellie asked, frowning slightly.

  “You say that you want to help. But then you try and sell Dot’s land. You know there’s something strange going on. Don’t you have a conscience?”

  “Grumpy Dot left us the house,” Ellie protested softly, turning red from embarrassment or emotion. You couldn’t really tell with Ellie.

  “The will was forged!” Allegra said loudly, turning to face her old friend. She felt hurt and betrayed. She could expect something like that from Ashlee, but not from her old friend. From the corner of her eye, she could see Greta pull up in Old George. Greta looked at the scene curiously, locking the car as she watched what was happening.

  “Grumpy Dot cared about us,” Ellie said, looking wounded, “maybe she really did leave us the house.”

  “I know,” Allegra conceded, “but she wouldn’t have done that if she knew what you’re doing. Reginald wants to tear it down!” Ellie took a step back, blinking rapidly.

  “Hey!” Ashlee yelled, pushing her sister behind her, “How would you know? You didn’t know Grumpy Dot!”

  “I knew her well enough,” she retorted, folding her arms and pushing away the feeling of guilt. She felt Greta’s presence behind her and immediately felt her support.

  “You were gone for ten years!” Ashlee reminded her, “you left in the middle of the night, like some criminal.”

  “There’s no need to keep bringing that up,” Greta said angrily, “she came back, and that’s what matters.”

  “Yeah, right,” Ashlee scoffed, rolling her eyes, “why don’t you tell us why you left?” Allegra took a step back and pursed her lips. Greta looked at her curiously but then focused on Ashlee.

  “That’s enough, we’re leaving.”

  “Tell us,” Ashlee nearly yelled, her eyes wild, “you pretend like you loved her so much. You’re a liar! Why are you here?” Ellie gasped and tried to calm her sister down, but Ashlee wasn’t having any of it.

  “Dot deserves justice,” Allegra answered, trying to calm down.

  “Liar!” Ashlee was spitting mad by this point. Ellie tried to calm her down with soothing words, but her sister pushed away, all her focus on Allegra. “You are a liar! Dot never loved you, that’s why she sent you away! She packed you up like a criminal and sent you away in the middle of the night. You’re here for revenge. To see what you can get from her, now that she’s dead!”

  Greta gasped and put her hands over her mouth, looking between the two women with wide eyes. Ellie hung her head in shame and covered her face with her hands, wishing that the ground would swallow her whole.

  Allegra felt the world go quiet around her. She was so angry that words failed her. Ashlee was looking like a cat who had caught the canary, she folded her arms and looked at Allegra challengingly. Allegra took a deep breath and counted to ten. Then she opened her eyes and took a step forward. Ashlee lifted her chin, bracing herself for a verbal onslaught.

  “We’re not teenagers anymore,” Allegra told her calmly. “I keep forgetting that when I’m around you. You may think what you want about me. Just try and be a little more mature about it next time.”

  Allegra turned around and started walking away. Greta jogged to catch up and the two of them made their way back to the car in silence.

  “I don’t know why Grumpy Dot sent me away,�
�� Allegra answered the question Greta hadn’t asked yet.

  “It’s okay…” Greta said soothingly.

  “No,” Allegra said, looking straight ahead, “I disappeared for ten years. And you just let me back in your life with open arms. You deserve to know the truth.”

  “I had a fight with my mom that night,” Allegra began, taking a deep breath, “she was marrying some guy and wanted me to come home. I didn’t know the man and I was having too much fun. I liked it here more than with her,” Allegra admitted softly.

  Greta said nothing but laid a comforting hand on her arm.

  “That was the night we snuck out to re-arrange the school sign.” Llewes Cove High School had a conveniently located sign board that used moveable letters to announce town activities. If you had a ladder and a little creativity, you could re-arrange the letters to announce whatever you wanted.

  “I remember that,” Greta said, smiling fondly, “the Chief caught us and escorted us home.”

  “When I got home, Grumpy Dot lost it. She was yelling at me and told me she was taking me home. She had already packed my bags,” Allegra said, her eyes misting up slightly. Greta frowned sympathetically but didn’t say anything. “She didn’t even wait for morning. She just took me to the bus stop, bought a ticket and left me there.”

  “Why would she do that?” Greta asked softly, “She never got mad about our pranks before.” Allegra shrugged and cleared her throat, she felt ashamed and a little vulnerable.

  “She said I wasn’t allowed to come back, so I didn’t.”

  “Why did you come back now?” Greta asked curiously.

  “She sent me a letter, asking if I’d come to visit. I was going to ask why she sent me away. Now I’ll never know,” Allegra said matter-of-factly.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Wait, you were serious?” Allegra asked incredulously. Ray was standing outside her bedroom with his arms folded over his chest. He nodded vigorously, which when paired with his long, thin neck made him look like a chicken.