The Tea Shoppe Mysteries

by Darlene Franklin

Sawyer clamped his lips together. Seeing that I wasn’t going to back down, he sputtered, “It’s the only copy of my father’s will, and the police won’t let me into the office to get it. We can’t finalize anything without this will. My father didn’t keep a copy at home or with the lawyer. He felt his office was the only safe place in this town. I asked Phyllis to get it because she’s the only one who knew where he kept it. She didn’t touch anything else in the office, right?” He looked at her, and she nodded.

  I sighed, and Mathew released his grip. I held the will up to the light so I could read the first few lines. It was definitely Mayor Dalton’s will.

  “I think that sounds plausible,” Mathew answered, but his eyes were on mine. “We can leave it up to Detective Rawls. He’s looking for Phyllis right now.”

  Phyllis actually hissed at him. “I can’t believe you, Pastor. Why don’t you and Nancy Drew stay out of my business? I didn’t think giving this poor man his father’s will was wrong.”

  Mathew tilted his head. “I’m sure you thought you were doing what’s best, and you can explain that to the detective. We didn’t want to get you in trouble, but remember, Georgina’s tea shoppe is still shut down. The longer it takes for the police to discover who the murderer is, the worse things could be for her business.”

  With a hand on her hip, Phyllis asked, “How did you know I had the folder?” She was looking at me, but Mathew answered.

  “I saw you coming out of city hall carrying a file. I felt it looked suspicious,” he explained.

  Phyllis straightened up and pulled at the bottom of her coat. In a rude tone, she said, “I’m sure you thought you were doing the right thing. But now the suspicion of the mayor’s death will be focused on Sawyer or me, and the true culprit has even more time to get away.”

  I had to agree with Phyllis, but Mathew had already started the wheels in motion when he called Detective Rawls.

  I faced Mathew and placed my hand on his arm. “Is there anything we can do?”

  He shook his head. “Phyllis and Sawyer will have to explain things to Rawls. We did what seemed necessary.” I could see the regret in his eyes.

  Just then, a police car pulled into the parking lot nearby. The door opened, and Detective Rawls unfolded from the front seat. Mathew stepped away from me and moved closer to Sawyer. In a forced whisper, he encouraged the young man, “Just face this thing head on, Sawyer. That’s the best way to handle it.”

  Sawyer’s shoulders drooped. “Yes, Pastor.” He turned and made his way toward Rawls. Phyllis swung her head back and forth as if looking for an escape, then gave me one last long glare and scurried to catch up with Sawyer.

  “They’d never turn themselves in if they were the murderers.” My voice trembled from all the excitement. “I think they would’ve run.”

  “I only hope Detective Rawls isn’t too upset with them and believes their story,” Mathew added.

  I shivered, and Mathew put an arm around me and pulled me close to his chest.

  “Are you cold?”

  “No, but I think the whole episode with Phyllis and Sawyer frightened me. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.” It was true, but I still turned my head and laid it on Mathew’s chest for several seconds.

  In the distance, we heard Robert Casey’s voice booming over the sound system, doing the countdown. At zero, the area was flooded with sparkling lights from the Christmas tree. It was breathtaking even from where we were standing.

  There was a long moment of awed silence throughout the entire park, which was finally interrupted by Robert Casey’s voice. “This tree lighting is in honor of our beloved and missed Mayor Dalton. I’m sure he would want this festival to be the best one ever, so please continue to enjoy yourselves.”

  This was followed by a round of applause, and then the crowd began to meander away from the tree. Mathew and I walked back to the Tea by the Sea booth. There was nothing more for either of us to say. I picked up a basket and handed it to the next customer with a forced smile on my face.

  Mathew slipped away, and I didn’t see him again until it was time for him to take me home. Even then, the ride was silent.

  “Georgina, all you were supposed to do was sell baskets and help save the tea shoppe’s reputation, not get more involved in this murder.” Gran’s voice raged through the phone, which was sitting on my lap set to speaker. I was resting on my couch in a sweatshirt and a pair of fluffy pajama pants, staring at the powder-puff-looking house slippers on my feet.

  After the festival, Mathew had brought me straight home. I took a quick shower and slipped into my favorite lounging clothes. I even indulged in a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows in an attempt to warm myself all the way through. I knew Gran would want to know how well we did selling the baskets, but I knew I also had to tell her about the incident with Phyllis and Sawyer before someone else did. That set her off on a twenty-minute rampage.

  By the time she allowed me to hang up, I was utterly exhausted. I turned off the Christmas tree lights, trudged to my bedroom, and flung myself onto the bed. After a quick prayer, with the promise of a more in-depth one in the morning, I was soon in a dreamless sleep.

  Gentle flakes were falling from the sky when Mathew picked me up the next day. I didn’t think it would accumulate, but it would mean a cold festival day. At the last minute, I grabbed the bag with the boots I’d bought for Helen Cranz. Perhaps I’d try to take them to her sometime during the day.

  We hadn’t heard anything from Detective Rawls after he took Sawyer and Phyllis away the previous night. Knowing the man’s stoic attitude, we probably never would. I only hoped he hadn’t arrested either of them.

  Mathew dropped me off near the booth then went to park his truck. I was looking forward to a pleasant day and planned to avoid thinking about the mayor’s murder and suspects for the whole day. The Bible Study Ladies were already at the booth. When I slipped behind the counter, Charlotte handed me a cup of steaming coffee, and Florence tied the Victorian apron around my waist.

  “I like my coffee black, but I put some of that caramel stuff you young people like in it.” Charlotte guffawed.

  “Charlotte, it’s pretty cold out today. Are you sure you should be here?” I didn’t think she was bundled up very well for a seventy-eight-year-old woman. In fact, it probably wasn’t good for any of the Bible Study Ladies.

  Charlotte waved a hand as if swooshing away a fly. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ve lived here for the past twenty years. I’m used to the cold. You, on the other hand, are looking blue around the lips. Are you going to be warm enough to hand out baskets all day?”

  I shivered and took a long sip of the hot coffee. “I’ll be okay.” I tried to sound convincing, but my cheeks were saying otherwise. At least my toes were warm. Gran’s suggestion for new boots had been a great idea, even if I’d had the same idea on the same day. I looked at the brown bag beneath the counter. Helen Cranz needed boots, and I didn’t want to wait any longer to give them to her.

  “Good morning, Georgina.” The words interrupted my thoughts. I lifted my head and met Don Johnson’s eyes. He gave a huge grin. “Yep, it’s me.”

  “Don, how good to see you.” I smiled. “Stop by for some of our delicious scones?”

  He eyed the baskets. “My preference is your petit fours.” He actually had the gall to chuckle.

  “Um, we thought, well, with the mayor’s death, we thought it best to put the petit fours on the back burner for now. Perhaps bring them back for Valentine’s Day.”

  He leaned closer to look over the baskets. “Probably a wise call.” He straightened and looked at me. “So, I’ve decided to go ahead and run for mayor after all. Even if there isn’t another candidate, I still have to win fair and square. Do you think Tea by the Sea will be able to cater a campaign event?”

  I was surprised by his request but wasn’t about to pass up what was sure to be a large order for the shop. “I’m sure we can do that. Why don’t you let us know how many people you exp
ect, and we can write up a proposal.”

  He shook my hand. “I want to tell you, I appreciate how you and Pastor visited me the other day. It helped me get a new perspective on the situation.”

  I grinned. “I’m just glad to see you smiling.”

  After a few more pleasantries, Don strolled away. I watched as he disappeared in the crowd.

  It seemed that everyone was getting over the mayor’s death and moving on with their lives. I still couldn’t see Sawyer, Don Johnson, or Robert Casey as the murderer, nor could I imagine Phyllis going to such extremes. However, Sawyer may have wanted his inheritance early, Robert Casey was getting to act as mayor, which, although he’d denied it before, could still have been something to make him want to kill the mayor for, and Don Johnson was going to become the next mayor without any competition.

  I rubbed my temples, wondering if this murder would ever be solved. Since beginning our investigation, Mathew and I had decided all of our suspects were innocent, but I just reminded myself of how at least three of them could still be guilty.

  Mathew appeared suddenly, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Sold many baskets today?”

  “It’s been slow so far, but last night we sold almost half the baskets. I’m wondering if I’ll need to make a few more before this thing is over. I’ll call Gran later and ask if she has any more supplies.”

  “I think the ladies can handle the morning crowd. Would you like to stroll through the festival grounds with me? You didn’t get to see much last night.” He put his hand lightly on my shoulder. I could feel a warmth spread through me.

  “Sure, that would be nice.” After a word to Charlotte, I stepped out from behind the booth and placed my hand in the crook of his arm. We began walking. Almost every business in Sea Side was represented. Many were giving out small incentive gifts or flyers. Only a few were selling their merchandise, but overall, I could see our baskets were probably the best.

  “I called Detective Rawls this morning. He wasn’t happy to hear from me, but he did tell me he didn’t arrest Phyllis or Sawyer. Nothing else in the mayor’s office had been disturbed, so for now he believes they were just after the will.”

  I sat down on a bench and looked up at Mathew. “I’m surprised Sawyer was worried about it. I’m sure he gets everything.”

  Mathew shook his head. “I’m not too sure about that. The mayor was pretty upset Sawyer wouldn’t live with him and behave like a good citizen. He may have cut Sawyer out of the will. If that’s the case, then Sawyer won’t have any say over Dalton’s estate.”

  I glanced at my gloved hand and picked a few pieces of fluff off my fingers. “I hope he didn’t cut his son out of the will. Sawyer really loved his dad. He said he just wanted his father to behave like a father, but if Sawyer thought he was still the beneficiary of the will, he may have decided to kill his father.”

  Mathew lowered his head. “I hope not.”

  Several flakes landed on my gloves. It was getting a bit colder out, which reminded me I wanted to take the new boots to Helen Cranz, so Mathew escorted me back to the booth.

  “Want me to drive you to Helen’s?” Mathew took my hand in his.

  “Yes, I’d like that. I don’t know where she lives though.”

  “I’ll look it up.” Mathew pulled out his cell phone and pressed a few buttons. “She lives in the Sunset Apartments.”

  I wasn’t surprised. She’d told us she lived close to city hall. I wondered how the apartment project would affect her. From what I’d heard, the mayor had offered new housing to everyone so Helen would benefit from that, I thought.

  CHAPTER 13

  As we were about to pass city hall, I put my hand on Mathew’s arm. “Stop. There’s Don Johnson. He’s going into city hall.”

  Mathew cocked his head. “That’s strange, what does he need in there?”

  “Maybe we’d better see what he’s doing.”

  Mathew pulled the truck to a stop in front of the building. “I’ll let you out here and go park, but wait just inside the door for me.”

  I slid out of the front seat and began to walk toward city hall. I hoped the front door was unlocked. I was actually surprised when it opened. I pushed with one hand, because before hopping out of the truck I had, without realizing it, grabbed the bag with the boots.

  The sack crinkled in my hand as I stepped inside. I saw Don down the hallway, heading in the direction of the mayor’s office. Ignoring Mathew’s instructions, I began following him at a distance.

  When I reached the mayor’s office, I saw the door was ajar, so I slowed down and glanced inside. No one was in the outer office, but through the other door that led into the mayor’s office, I could see a figure bent over near the desk.

  Could Don Johnson be going through the mayor’s papers?

  I moved closer, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. When the person straightened, I gasped.

  “Helen! What are you doing?” I was actually dumbfounded to find her in the office, and not Don. I scanned the room, wondering if he was in the office as well, but aside from Helen, the room was empty.

  She straightened, pulling something out of the garbage can. Her eyes locked with mine, but there was no smile on her face.

  “What are you doing here?” she growled, which surprised me. The last time I saw her she wasn’t exactly nice, but she didn’t seem angry.

  I held up the bag with a smile. “I bought you some boots. I wanted to stop by your place, but I saw Don Johnson come into the building, and well, I followed him.”

  She placed a hand on her hip. “He isn’t here.”

  As my eyes adjusted to the dark office, I realized Helen was holding something. My legs began to tremble.

  “I was coming to see you at your home,” I murmured. My eyes froze on the red folder in her hand.

  A bitter laugh bubbled from her lips as she held up the folder. Across the top, in bold black lettering, it read, SUNSET APARTMENT DEMOLITION PLAN. “My home! My home! Did you know the mayor wanted to destroy my home?” She shook the folder.

  My mouth dropped open at the sound of her spiteful words.

  “I’m sorry.” My words sounded flat and untrue.

  “But I couldn’t let him do that, now could I? Not my home!”

  I wasn’t sure what she was trying to tell me. She was obviously very upset.

  “I heard the mayor was going to find homes for all the residents of the apartments. I’m sure it would’ve been a nice upgrade.”

  “How can anyone find a home for someone who doesn’t want to move? I grew up in those apartments. I didn’t want to move, but they said I would have to. But now without a mayor, without these plans, they’ll forget all about it. Only His Majesty wanted to tear down my home. No one else cared.”

  Helen took a step toward me. I wasn’t sure why, but her movement frightened me.

  “Why did you have to stick your nose into my business?” Her voice trembled with raw emotion.

  “Your business? I haven’t …” My voice faded as I suddenly realized what she was talking about. Helen was the one who’d called me on the phone, the one who’d sent the letter, and the one who’d killed the mayor. My investigating was definitely getting into her business.

  I took another step backward, but her eyes were locked on me.

  “I see you understand me now.” She looked down at the desk, picked up a letter opener, and held it in her hand.

  I gulped. “Helen, I’m sure you didn’t mean to kill the mayor. It was an accident.”

  She chuckled. “Poison? Not many people have accidents with poison. Oh, I thought about using this letter opener, but I’d just finished washing the floors in here and didn’t want to get any blood on them.” She glanced around the room. “After his son left, I tried to talk to His Majesty about my home. I explained how much it meant to me, but the sot just laughed at me. He dared to tell me my home wasn’t worth a wooden nickel. So I went home and got my bottle of herbicide. It’s very poisonou
s. I waited for him to go to the men’s room, then I slipped into his office. I’d overheard the secretary tell him the samples from the tea shoppe were on his desk, so I opened the sample tray and stuffed the poison in the bottom of one of those little cakes. I stayed near the office and waited. I wasn’t sure if he’d eat that one first, but as luck would have it, when he returned from the men’s room, he opened the tray and tossed the thing into his mouth. I had the satisfaction of watching him die, begging me to get him help.”

  My stomach turned. For a moment, I thought I was going to throw up, but I took a few gasps of air. I needed to get out of the office and away from Helen. If I could slip out of the room, I could run for help, but she kept moving closer with the letter opener, poised to strike.

  For a moment, I was paralyzed with fear. I had no weapon, and she looked crazed. I moved slowly, not wanting to alarm her. I was just barely able to slip out of the mayor’s private office before she caught onto what I was doing and rushed straight to the door of the outer office before I could reach it.

  “Poor little tea shoppe girl. Everyone believes you were the one who poisoned the mayor. Once I kill you, I’ll tell everyone you admitted it. I’ll say I had to kill you in self-defense because I figured out how you murdered him. All I have to do is hide the poison in the tea shoppe pantry. I’ll make sure to press your fingers on it after I wipe my fingerprints off.” She kept hooting with laughter as if what she was saying was a funny joke.

  “Now, just stand still, Missy, and I’ll be real quick about it.” She lifted the letter opener once more and lunged at me. The only thing I could think to do was throw the bag with the boots in it at her. The bag hit her in the face. She let go of the letter opener, but she lunged at me, knocked me to the ground, and got on top of me.

  I squirmed under her weight, but with a strength I would never have guessed she had, she grabbed my hair and pulled my head back. I saw her reaching behind, feeling for the letter opener. I was trying to get out from under her, and I kept praying, Lord Jesus, help! My heart was pleading, although I was too frightened to speak out loud. She had the advantage over me, and I wasn’t able to get up.