Daisy McDare and the Deadly Art Affair

by K. M. Morgan

  At the same time, she knew ruffling feathers was what needed to happen to make a break in this case. The detective said it himself—they had no fingerprints or hard evidence to work with. If none turned up, the only choice was getting a confession or coming up empty.

  As Daisy parked her car in the driveway, she saw Luke’s spoiled daughter Bridget on the side of the house fawning over the gardener she was blackmailing. Bridget then leaned in and gave Matthew a deep kiss.

  It was clear from Matthew’s body language that he wanted to be anywhere else but there at that moment. Bridget meanwhile pulled back from the kiss with a huge smile on her face.

  Matthew then backed away and pointed at his gardening tools, clearly trying to suggest it was time for him to get back to work.

  Bridget gave Matthew one last kiss, then held up her cell phone and mouthed “call me later.” She then started walking over the garage.

  Daisy meanwhile got out of her car and smiled as she looked at Bridget and Matthew respectively, making it clear that she’d seen everything that had just occurred.

  When Bridget saw Daisy staring at her, she quickly looked down at her phone and picked up her pace heading to the garage.

  Daisy wasn’t going to let Bridget just scamper off. There was the issue of blackmail to talk about. Not to mention a number of other lingering questions.

  ***

  Daisy confronted Bridget in the garage just as she was trying to jump into her car.

  “What’s the hurry?” Daisy asked.

  Bridget grimaced, clearly wishing she’d gotten to her car faster. She was in no mood for Daisy’s questions.

  “I have a nail appointment I need to get to,” Bridget said.

  “Really? You don’t think it might be worthwhile rescheduling that considering your father was just murdered this morning?” Daisy asked.

  That put Bridget back on her designer heels. She went with the first answer she could think of. “We all deal with grief in our own way.”

  “And your way is a mani/pedi?” Daisy deadpanned.

  Bridget realized she just dug herself a deeper hole. She tried to find the quickest exit to this conversation. “Look, I’m running late. I really need to be going.”

  “Oh really? It looked like you were in no hurry to stop kissing Matthew a minute ago,” Daisy replied.

  Bridget’s fuse was getting shorter. “That’s none of your business.”

  Daisy pulled out the big guns. “You’re right. It’s none of my business who you kiss. Who you blackmail is another story entirely.”

  Bridget’s face went white. She tried to play dumb, but stammered while doing it. “What are you talking about?”

  “I overheard your conversation earlier. The one where you promised to keep corroborating his alibi with the police as long as he took care of your—romantic needs.”

  Bridget narrowed her eyes. “You were listening in on our conversation?”

  “No. I was just going to the bathroom and happened to overhear the conversation. Much like I overheard Matthew flirting with Kara just yesterday.”

  Bridget looked queasy. The image of her hunky crush flirting with the step mom she hated was enough to make her lose her lunch. “Are you serious?”

  “Oh yeah. Matthew has it bad for your step mom,” Daisy insisted.

  Bridget gritted her teeth and started to glare.

  “Hardly makes the blackmailing seem worth it, doesn’t it? It only makes you want to reconsider corroborating Matthew’s alibi, doesn’t it?”

  “Why are you telling me this?” Bridget barked.

  “You telling the police that Matthew was in bed with you at the time of the murder was the only thing that kept him from being arrested. We both know that story isn’t truth true though. And now that you know the woman Matthew really wants in the Longwell family is your step mom, you have no reason to back his story, do you?” Daisy asked.

  Bridget wasn’t so sure. “Except, why should I believe you?”

  “Look into my eyes. I have no reason to lie to you.”

  Bridget stared at Daisy. She could tell Daisy was being truthful.

  That’s when Daisy flipped things around. “The question is, do you have any reason to lie to me?”

  Bridget played dumb again. “What are you talking about?”

  “You don’t seem all that eager to tell the police you were lying about being in bed with Matthew this morning—even now after finding out he’s attracted to Kara instead of you. Why? Unless you were so quick to verify Matthew’s alibi this morning because you didn’t have anyone to corroborate your alibi either.”

  “That’s a wild accusation,” Bridget said.

  “Is it? Where were you this morning at the time of the murder?” Daisy asked.

  “I was sleeping,” Bridget insisted.

  “Not with Matthew you weren’t. The fact is, you have no one to back up your story. What you did have was a big reason to want your father dead. That inheritance was your lifeline. It allowed you not to work for a living. To go shopping and get mani/pedi’s in the middle of the day. It let you live in the lap of luxury. But your father was about to take all that away and send you out on your own. Talk about a motive,” Daisy explained.

  Bridget looked as nervous as could be. She struggled for words, but couldn’t find any.

  Daisy felt like she had her on the ropes. Bridget seemed to be on the verge of cracking.

  Just then, Bridget’s brother Eric came up behind Daisy with a bone to pick.

  “There you are. You have some serious explaining to do Daisy,” Eric demanded.

  Daisy couldn’t believe it. What awful timing. Just when it seemed like she was finally getting somewhere.

  Daisy tried to keep Eric at bay for the moment.

  “I’m in the middle of something,” Daisy said.

  Eric wasn’t about to be brushed off. “I don’t care. You have some serious explaining to do.”

  As Daisy turned around, she could see the fire in Eric’s eyes. She knew things could get ugly if she wasn’t careful.

  “Look, I know you’re upset about what I said to your girlfriend--”

  “Upset? I’m livid,” Eric barked.

  Daisy then heard a car engine turning on. She whirled back around to see that with the berating Eric was doing, Bridget had gotten into her car, and was now on the verge of getting away.

  Bridget put the car in reverse as Daisy called out.

  “Hey, we’re not done,” Daisy said.

  Bridget didn’t listen. She backed out of the garage, nearly running over Daisy’s foot in the process, then drove down the driveway.

  Daisy was frustrated beyond belief, not just because Bridget was getting away, but also because she now had Eric to deal with.

  Daisy had a feeling this moment would come. Sasha went so overboard earlier in the parking lot that it would inevitably get back to her boyfriend. At the same time, Daisy had also planned on talking privately with Eric anyway—although she was hoping the conversation would be on her terms, and not have such an incendiary start to it.

  Still, Eric had no idea what he was getting into. He thought he had the upper hand now, but Daisy was about to pull the rug out from under him. Daisy didn’t have anything to hide. She was pretty sure he couldn’t say the same for himself, and she was about to prove it.

  First, there was Eric’s indignance to deal with.

  “Why are you hassling my girlfriend?” Eric asked.

  “You can sit here and be as angry as you want, but have you stopped to ask yourself why your girlfriend went to visit your mother at work without bringing you along?” Daisy asked.

  “She told me she was asking my mother what would make a good birthday gift for me,” Eric replied.

  “Come on, do you really believe that story?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Your father was just murdered this morning. Doesn’t it seem odd then that the one thought at the forefront of your girlfriend’s mind was aski
ng your mother what would make a good birthday present for you?”

  Eric stammered, not having a good answer for that question. “I’m sure there’s an explanation.”

  “There could be. I was just trying to find out what it was. But when I asked your girlfriend a few simple questions, not only did she refuse to answer them, she completely freaked out instead. Does that seem like a woman with a clear conscience to you?”

  “Hey, people do crazy things when they’re under pressure.”

  “You mean like commit murder?” Daisy asked.

  Eric tensed up all of a sudden. He tried to deflect. “Where did that come from?”

  “Your girlfriend has no one to verify her alibi this morning. She could have been anywhere, doing anything. After all, it was no secret how much your dad disliked her, and her mom as well.”

  Eric got all bent out of shape again. “Sasha wouldn’t do that.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Trust me, I know she didn’t do it.”

  “There’s no way of knowing for sure. You couldn’t be a hundred percent certain of that. Unless the reason you know Sasha didn’t do it because you did,” Daisy reasoned.

  Eric was quick to backtrack. “Now you’re really talking crazy.”

  “Am I? You had a number of reasons to want your father dead. Not only did he hate the fact that you were dating Sasha, but he was on the verge of taking your inheritance away from you.”

  Eric was stammering now. “That doesn’t mean I killed him.”

  Daisy kept pressing. “Did you kill him?”

  Instead of answering the question, Eric shot back at her. “Who do you think you are, coming in here and making wild accusations?”

  “We’re in the middle of a murder investigation. The killer is still out there. We should all be asking questions.”

  “The police already asked plenty of questions. That’s their job. Your job is to decorate. So why don’t you get your decorating done and mind your own business?”

  “You know, only the guilty have something to hide,” Daisy said.

  Eric barked at her once again. “Stay away from me and my girlfriend. You hear me?”

  “That sounds a lot like a threat.”

  “Good. Because it is.”

  Things were getting all too heated. Unfortunately, a confession did not seem forthcoming. Instead, it appeared Daisy only had more threats to look forward to.

  The tension was growing. Neither Daisy nor Eric was ready to back down.

  Just then, Kara Longwell approached and rushed to Daisy’s defense.

  “Leave her alone,” Kara insisted.

  Eric glared at Daisy once more.

  “I’m telling you, stay away from me and my girlfriend. I mean it,” Eric said. He then turned around and started walking away, but not without giving a parting shot to his step mother first. “Your friend better learn to stay out of my business if she knows what’s good for her.”

  Daisy and Kara then watched Eric walk back into the house.

  Daisy breathed a sigh of relief. That got almost a little too hot under the collar.

  ***

  “Been making plenty of friends today, haven’t you?” Kara joked.

  “You know it. I’m about as popular as a tax audit today,” Daisy wise-cracked. “Thanks for stepping in. It was beginning to get a little dicey.”

  “I know Eric barks really loud, but I’m not sure how much bite he really has,” Kara said.

  “After what I just saw, I’d say plenty.” Daisy then transitioned to other topics. “Anyway, I should probably get back to decorating.”

  “Actually, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

  “Really?”

  “You’ve rattled some serious feathers. So for today at least, I think it might be best if you just head home and let things cool off around here.”

  “Are you sure? I mean, the killer is still on the loose. Are you going to be ok here by yourself?” Daisy asked.

  “Judging by how things are going today, you’re the one making new enemies, not me,” Kara commented.

  “I think you’re right. That’s because I’m close to finding the killer. I can feel it.”

  “Well, you can continue with your decorator detective work tomorrow. In the meantime, have a safe trip home,” Kara said.

  “Alright. I’ll see you in the morning. Let’s hope it’s not as action packed as today,” Daisy replied.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The forty-five minute drive back to Cozy Creek worked up quite an appetite. It also gave Daisy plenty of time to think about the case. Unfortunately, her stomach did her mind no favors. When her blood sugar crashed, her brain was about as useless as pitching a tent in a hurricane.

  It didn’t help that there too many thoughts to juggle all at once. Until today, Daisy had never been threatened before. Now she had too many threats for comfort.

  With this spicy stew of emotions boiling over, there was never a better time to talk things over with Samantha. When Daisy arrived at Sweet Tooth dessert shop however, she was not greeted with a smiling face like she expected.

  “I’ve never been happier to see chocolate in all my life,” Daisy declared.

  Samantha Johnson looked up from baking and was surprised to see Daisy.

  “What are you doing here?” Samantha asked.

  Daisy sighed. “You wouldn’t believe the day I had.”

  Samantha gave her a quizzical look. “It’s about to get a lot better.”

  “You bet it will. Cupcake me.”

  Samantha shook her head. “Nice try.”

  Daisy seemed shocked that her best friend was being so stingy with the pastries. “Friends don’t tell friends they can’t have a cupcake.”

  Daisy had called Samantha at lunch to tell her about the murder. Given that, Daisy expected Samantha to be all too generous with the sweets. Instead, the opposite was the case. Samantha appeared desperate to get Daisy out of the dessert shop.

  “Look, I’m sorry about what happened. My heart goes out to Kara. That being said, you have a blind date to prepare for,” Samantha explained.

  Daisy’s eyes opened wide. “Date? That’s right. I completely forgot.”

  “It’s a good thing I’m here to remind you then. Now go home and change. Colin should be picking you up in just over an hour.”

  Samantha seemed far more interested in the date than Daisy did. If it were up to Daisy, the only thing on the menu for the night would be tasty treats and relaxation. A blind date seemed anything but appetizing.

  “I’m not really feeling it tonight,” Daisy said.

  “Oh no you don’t. I’m not letting you back out of this date.”

  “Samantha, let’s be honest. I’ve been investigating a murder case all day. Now isn’t the best time for a blind date.”

  “Or maybe it’s the perfect time. You said it’s been a doozy of a day. What better way to turn things around than with a love connection?”

  Daisy saw the look of determination in Samantha’s eyes. Samantha didn’t have quit in her when it came to this subject.

  “You’re not giving up on this, are you?” Daisy asked.

  “Of course not. This date took some serious planning. Colin doesn’t exactly have a lot of nights off work. Besides, I handpicked him myself.”

  Daisy mulled over her options. “You sure make it hard to say no.”

  “Then say yes. After all, what if Colin is the man of your dreams? You don’t want to pass that up. Now scoot,” Samantha insisted.

  Samantha did have a point. Daisy had been waiting for love to walk into her life. She didn’t want it to walk right past her.

  It also might benefit Daisy to step away from the murder investigation for a few hours. That distance from the case might let her come back with fresh eyes later.

  “Alright. But I still want a cupcake for the road,” Daisy said.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Colin is taking you out to dinner. Don’t g
o spoiling your appetite,” Samantha replied.

  It looked like Daisy would be going home hungry. The question was, would her appetite for romance finally be satiated?

  ***

  Despite her initial trepidation about the blind date, as the time came for Colin to pick her up, Daisy started to get excited. Samantha had good judgment. The odds of her picking out a dud date were low. They also weren’t zero.

  Daisy had no room in her life for a stinker of a blind date. She already had enough drama in her life. Having a negative mindset wouldn’t help her either. Thinking positively could only help matters.

  So Daisy let her mind wander towards warm and fuzzy romantic comedy-esque thoughts as she changed into a red dress. She’d always heard men had a thing for women in red. She figured she could take any advantage she could get.

  By the time seven o’clock rolled around, Daisy had worked up a healthy dose of nervous excitement. The only thing she seemed to be missing was her actual date.

  Colin Caldwell was either running fashionably late, or as far away from this blind date as he could. Daisy wasn’t sure which. All she knew was that he wasn’t on her doorstep where he should have been.

  The minutes starting ticking by excruciatingly slowly. Daisy couldn’t believe it. Was she being stood up for a blind date she had to be dragged into by her best friend in the first place?

  Then at seven thirty, just as Daisy was ready to turn to a chocolate bar for comfort, Colin showed up.

  Wow, he sure was something to look at—even hunkier than the picture Samantha had shown Daisy on her phone. Now if Colin had a convincing enough excuse for being late, maybe this date wouldn’t be so dead on arrival afterwards.

  Daisy couldn’t wait to hear what Colin had to say for himself. Instead of coming across as overbearing however, she decided to pepper her question with a joke to lighten the mood.

  “Nice of you to show up. I was worried you’d been eaten by jaguars,” Daisy joked.