by Vikki Walton
The landscapers had planted the primary trees, so that large project was out of the way, and the group could get to work on the bushes and flowers. Kandi had wanted to take part and chose to set up a table with snacks, drinks, and items for lunch. Aly had helped her for a bit, but when Anne looked again, she found Aly with a group helping Ben and James. Jennifer had shown up looking like she’d stepped out of a fashion model shoot for a ladies-who-garden spread. But she got to work along with the rest of the group, adding in flowers to the gaps in the growing floral landscape. The only one who hadn’t made an appearance was Brian, and that wasn’t surprising after the fight he’d had with Ben.
Kandi called out that lunch was ready, and everyone lined up to grab a turkey or veggie wrap, some homemade pickled cucumbers and onions, along with a mustard potato salad. Dessert was a choice of fruit, cookies, or cupcakes. Homemade lemonade and iced mint tea completed the offerings. Everyone found a spot of shade and sat on the grass or on the edge of the new retaining wall, chatting and eating.
“Kandi, thanks so much for doing this.” Anne gave her a hug. “It’s much appreciated.”
“I know I’m not good at gardening, but I can at least make sure everyone’s fed and watered.”
Kandi waved at Aly, who walked over and joined them. The pair began chatting about a show they’d been watching, so Anne left them to it. Looking around, Anne spied a nice spot in the shade provided by the house. Taking a bite of the peppery potato salad, she surveyed the garden taking form. It would be just as beautiful as she’d envisioned. With so many people coming out to help, they may even be done by late tomorrow or early the following day. When she’d requested volunteers, she hadn’t realized so many would show up. It illustrated how much they had cared for Billie.
She looked around and realized Kim had left. Maybe she’d decided to go home and rest for a while. Even with all the helpers, the sun had been beating down on them, and it was still a lot of work. Dusting off her capris, she gathered up her plate and headed toward the garbage bins. Slugging back the rest of her sparkling water, she opened the recycle bin. What looked to be papers from an office were scattered inside. Some with computer typing and spreadsheets and others with notes. Looking to see that no one was watching, Anne scooped up a to-do list in Billie’s handwriting. Lots of normal things on the list such as pick up prescriptions, make appointments, but one line stood out. Talk to Jess about discrep—. The rest of the sentence was smeared. Anne folded the note and stuck it in her pocket just as another worker came up to her.
She opened the garbage bin for them to put in the trash. “Here you go. Are you part of the garden club?”
The woman nodded and pulled floral gloves from a pocket on her cargo pants. “I just joined. So sad about Billie.”
“Did you notice anything unusual, um—”
The woman squinted. “Leah. Wait. What do you mean? I thought it was an accident. Hold on! Aren’t you the one who found her?”
Anne nodded. “Yes, sadly. It’s very tragic.”
Leah pulled one glove on. “I think you were the speaker at the SIG, right?”
“Yes. Sorry, I don’t remember seeing you there.”
Leah shook her head. “No, I couldn’t make it that day. So, did Billie talk to you about it?”
“About the talk? I think Kim said something about me talking to the main group.”
“No, that’s not it.” She pulled the ponytail holder off and used her hands to wipe her hair back before knotting it up in a messy bun on top of her head. Leah continued, “I’d gone to see her a few weeks before, and she told me she was looking forward to you coming. She said if anyone could solve the mystery, it would be you.”
“Mystery?”
“Yep. That’s what she said. When I asked what she meant, she said she’d rather not talk about it, but she hoped she was wrong.”
“She said nothing to me.” Anne thought back. Had Billie invited her to go over the plans again as a ruse to get her there, but she really wanted to speak with her about something else? “You don’t recall anything about what she might have meant?”
“Sorry. I know when I first showed up, she’d been looking at something on the computer and I could tell she was pretty upset.”
“Did you see what it was?”
Had Billie found out about the affair and discovered some online communication?
“The screen went blank pretty soon after I arrived. But I think it was something like a spreadsheet.” Leah bent down and tied her tennis shoe. “Wait, I saw that there was an invoice for the gloves on the desk. I don’t know if that helps.”
“I’m not sure but thanks for telling me.” Anne looked up, and Ben was motioning to her. “Excuse me. Nice meeting you, Leah.”
“You too.” Leah went off and joined another group of ladies chatting.
“What do you think so far?” Anne motioned to the progress.
He took out a bandanna and wiped his face with it. “It looks nice. This has been helpful for me to get out here and do some manual labor.”
“Great. If we have the same or more volunteers tomorrow, I think we can finish sooner than expected.” She gazed up at Ben. “Was Billie worried about anything lately?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, but—”
“Not you too. I’m sick and tired of defending myself over something that never happened.”
Anne held her hand up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ben. I meant something to do with money.”
He shoved his hands down into his pants pockets. “If you only knew what I’ve had to deal with. Accusations. Was it an accident? The husband’s the most likely suspect. I’m having an affair. The list of innuendos goes on and on. I’ve had it up to here.”
He made a swiping motion over his head.
“No, this was more to do with a—” The word flew to her mind. “Discrepancy.”
“Oh, are you talking about the gloves invoice?”
Anne didn’t know if the invoice was what this was all about, so she didn’t interrupt him.
“Billie said that the actual invoice she’d approved for payment was different than the invoice that she found in the box containing the gloves. I think she was going to talk to Kim to see if she’d gotten them an extra discount or which amount was correct. Kim’s a whiz with numbers. She’s one of the best things that has happened to that group. She’s even gone after grants though they’re still waiting to see if they get those.” Ben looked to where James was calling him to help. “I need to go help James. Anything else?”
“No. That’s all.”
Anne looked around to see Kim had returned and was staring at her. Had she overheard her conversation with Ben?
CHAPTER NINE
The next morning, everyone met at the Whitmans’ again to finish the primary planting. There would be few more things to add in, but the structure of the beds was complete. Anne spoke with Ben and noted that she would come a day or two before the reception he had planned for after the funeral. That way, the flowers would be at their peak.
That night, the effects of the last few days resounded with sore muscles, so an Epsom salts bath was in order. After dinner, Spencer headed to his room, and she retreated to the master suite. After turning on some soft music, she poured the salts into the hot bath. She felt the tension in her back releasing and allowed the water to soothe her tired muscles and the melody to soothe her mind.
She laid her head on the back of the soaking tub and let her mind drift. Like the day before, there seemed to be an undercurrent you could sense with many in the group. Mercy had arrived to help this morning and had given a perfunctory condolence speech to Ben. Yet she still seemed to believe Ben had been cheating on his ill wife. After Jennifer had arrived with Brian in tow, Anne had expected all you-know-what was about to break loose. Instead, Brian offered his hand in apology, and the two men restored their relationship—though it still looked a bit shaky. She needed to find out what their
argument had been about. Brian had a bandage on his hand but other than that looked little affected from the scuffle. After seeing Mercy arrive, Kim had made a beeline to the woman, and the tone of their whispered conversation suggested they weren’t seeing eye-to-eye on whatever they were discussing.
When the group took a break, Mercy addressed them. “As you all know, I had only planned to take over for Billie for a short while. As it is customary that we choose our new board in a few months, I suggest we move it up to next month. Can you give me a show of hands what you all think and if we should move forward with this? If so, I’ll send out an email blast to the entire group.”
She looked at Kim, whose lips were pursed, and her cheeks reddened by controlled anger.
“All in favor, please raise your hand.”
Anne noticed a large group of hands go up.
“Those opposed?” Mercy turned to Kim, who raised her hand, along with a few others. “Kim, would you like to say a few words about it?”
“Yes, I would.” She took a breath and composed herself. “This has been a horrible tragedy. Mercy is doing a good job in the interim, and I have been able to continue as secretary and treasurer with no issues. We should stick to our normal timeframe and wait until the fall. By then, we’ll most likely have new members, and this will allow us to use this time to spend with our grief without trying to change things up.”
A woman spoke up. “I agree. I’m changing my vote to wait.”
Another woman next to her also nodded.
“Considering Kim’s statement, let’s redo the vote. All in favor, please raise your hand.” Though a few had changed their vote, most still decided on doing a new vote at the first meeting next month.
“I’ll send out an email to the group. I will not be staying on as president, so please let us know if you would like to be in that role.” She turned to Kim. “Will you want to continue in your role?”
“Possibly.”
A man rose from his spot and spoke up. “She can’t. This is her second term. Someone else will have to take over. She might run for president if she wants, but I’ll have to read the bylaws on that.”
Murmurs went around as people began discussing who might run for president, as well as if secretary and treasurer should be separate roles. Kim stalked off, and Anne overheard her telling Ben she had to leave, but she’d see him again at the funeral. As she left, Anne watched Mercy’s eyes on the woman. Did Mercy suspect Kim of having the affair with Ben?
She picked up her gloves, and that reminded her of the gloves for the group. Some wore the new floral gloves while most of the men had stuck to their leather work gloves. Mercy pulled a pair from her back pocket and put them on. Anne sidled up to Mercy. “Not wearing your new gloves?”
“What? Oh, these. Habit. I left my other ones at home. I keep these in the car, so they’re always at hand. Plus, they’re broken in.”
She wiggled her fingers, which had two fingers taped with duct tape.
“They’re not attractive, but for major jobs, these are better than those cotton types. Not really sure why Kim went with that type. They’re fine for planting small things but not for big projects like this. They’d be torn up after the first job.”
“Mercy, I’m going to be blunt here. Do you believe there’s something between Kim and Ben?”
The woman spun towards her. “What?” She glanced over her shoulder at Ben. “No, I can’t see that. I mean, I guess—no, the more I think about it, no. Well, maybe. Why?”
“I’d heard a rumor. At first, I was thinking Jennifer and Ben—”
Mercy pushed back her head and laughed. “While I wouldn’t put anything past that woman, she’s way too old for Ben.”
Anne furrowed her brow. “Too old?”
Mercy didn’t reply but simply tilted her head. Anne followed the motion and found Ben speaking to a group. He put his hand on his head, and the woman beside him reached up and laid a hand on his arm. It was Aly.
Anne turned back to Mercy, who gritted through her teeth, “Disgusting. Billie didn’t deserve—I’m thankful she doesn’t have to be hurt by him anymore.”
A woman joined them, and Mercy swiveled away from the trio and stalked off.
The woman laughed. “Was it something I said?”
“No, she noted she needed to get back to work. What’s up?”
“I believe Spencer is helping to build raised beds and put in drip irrigation. I was wondering if I could have you over to give me a quote.”
“Sure. Be happy to. Just call me.”
“Great.”
The woman waved and strode off to join a group, picking up some gardening tools. Anne watched Aly, and the look on the young woman’s face clarified her feelings were more than friendship for Ben. She reflected on some things Aly had said earlier. Was it a simple crush, or was there more to it? Anne shook her head. She was only going off of Mercy’s anger. Most likely, Aly had one of those empathetic spirits that made you reach out and care for others. Or else…
Those words again. With Billie out of the picture, it might be a way to get closer to Ben. As someone had told her once before, ‘It may only be puppy love, but it’s sure real to that puppy.’ Certainly, Ben was an attractive man. She’d seen women stealing glances at him when he wasn’t looking. With his own allegedly thriving business and a nice home, Anne wondered how long before vultures started circling the widower to comfort him.
She was glad that she wouldn’t have to go back to the Whitmans’ for at least a few days. Anne’s thoughts came back to the present moment when her phone rang in the bedroom. She stepped from the bath and grabbed a large terrycloth wrap before padding to the table and answering the phone. It was Carson.
“Hello, you.”
“Hello you too. How’s the camping trip going?”
“Hold on.” He cleared his throat. “You know how campfires are. No matter where you sit, they always find you.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing to do with the cigars and whiskey you guys are partaking of each night.”
He laughed. “Caught me. I think I’m getting too old for it though. Last night, it was probably a lot more soda than anything else. How’s the gardening going at Billie’s?”
“Good. We almost finished it today. There are a few more things, but I don’t need the large group of volunteers like I’ve had the last few days. I’ll stop by to do some other items, but once I find out about Billie’s funeral, then I’ll go over and add the finishing touches.”
“About that. I spoke with Sam. They’ve called it an accidental death.”
“Oh, okay. So, was it the bookcase hitting her or a heart attack?”
He sniffed. “No. What killed her was the blow to the head. Though she most likely would have succumbed anyway, according to the coroner. From what he says, she really had little time left.”
A catch formed in her throat as she swallowed. “Well, at least that’s settled. I guess this means Ben can move forward with the funeral plans then. I guess it just seems weird—”
“Not again. It’s open and shut. It was an accident. Case closed.”
“But what about the wet soil? Plus, no peonies!”
“Huh?”
Anne explained about the conversation she’d had with Kim. “So, where were the flowers? Either Kim is not telling the truth about seeing Billie, or someone took the peonies, and why would they do that? Of course, there’s still the rumor that Ben was having an affair. If Kim was covering for him, then that explains it. Though Mercy believes there’s something going on with him and Aly. Which I can’t—”
“Whoa, there. Remember our conversation about facts?”
“Yes, but if it’s a fact that she’d cut peony buds, then where are they? And, when I cleaned up the house for Ben, there were two gloves of different sizes. It could also mean that someone came in, put on the wrong gloves, grabbed the pot, and killed Billie. In the heat of the moment, they grabbed two different glove sizes and didn’t realize it.”
“Either she or Ben must have put the watered plant back up on the bookcase and then, when it fell, it hit her. It’s a tragedy, but the facts corroborate with the coroner’s findings.”
Anne perched on the edge of the bed. “Something’s not right. I feel it. I tell you, I think Kim is either lying or hiding something. Plus, a lady today told me that Billie wanted to talk to me about solving a mystery. What do you think of that? Something was going on that had her upset. And it’s a fact because I asked Ben about it.”
“I’ll be home in a few days. Don’t do anything until I get there. I promise we’ll go over everything to settle your mind. Okay?”
“Fine.”
“Oh, no. Not the fine word. I’m not going to be fooled by that one.”
She laughed. “Okay, not fine. I will.”
“Before I forget, how’s Spencer doing? I meant to call, but it got late.”
“Great. He’s going to be raking in the dough over the summer with his jobs. He has someone helping him, so he can bring in more work. I think we have an entrepreneur on our hands.”
“I like the sound of that. Well, I better go swallow some more campfire smoke, so I can hack it up all night. Love you.”
“Love you too. Night.”
Anne paced around the room. Maybe it had been an accident, but people were still hiding things they didn’t want revealed. She got into pj’s and twisted her auburn hair up into a towel. She learned this method of creating curls and it worked with her hair to create soft waves. No more blonde hair cut or straighteners for her. She had accepted her more natural style and loved it. An idea came to her.
She texted Kandi.
YOU UP?
Yep. What’s up?
I want to do an experiment tomorrow. Do you have plans?
I’m covering at the inn tomorrow morning but can meet after that.
Okay. Say 1?
Got it.
Anne plugged her phone in and swept back the covers on her bed. Who stood to gain from Billie’s death? Or who stood to lose something? Tomorrow she would look at the pictures she’d taken and see if there was anything else that occurred to her from the scene. She hoped the idea she had would work with Kandi.
