I pulled into my garage and let Yummy out of the powder room. He’s the best little dog, but he gets lonely. I try to take him everywhere I go, but sometimes he needs to stay home. He seems to enjoy the smaller space of the powder room. If I leave him the full run of the house, he’ll find whatever he can of mine and drags it under a table or into a corner and cuddles until I get home. In the powder room, he has his blanket and food plus a few toys. It seems to make him happy.
When I took him outside to place him in his puppy run, I saw Aunt Irene setting food on her picnic table and Mr. Colroy, I mean Lyle, firing up the grill.
Aunt Irene waved. “Come over and have dinner with us.”
That sounded wonderful.
Mr. Colroy smiled. “Irene made a batch of chili. I’m grilling burgers and dogs. We’re going to make chili burgers and chili dogs. What would you like?”
“A burger, thanks.”
I walked over to the picnic table and saw all sorts of fixings for both the burgers and dogs. Aunt Irene had cheese, chopped onion, fresh tomatoes, and a cucumber/carrot salad. I shook my head.
“Are you two going to eat all of this and chili? You’ll be up all night with heartburn.”
“Nonsense,” Mr. Colroy said as he flipped my burger. “You’re only young once and Irene and I decided not to get old. This food is just the beginning.” He winked at my aunt.
Oh goodness gracious. I don’t want to know more. I hope he doesn’t share any of this with his daughter. That girl will have a breakdown.
I sat down and shared a delicious meal with my aunt and Lyle.
After we ate, I told Aunt Irene about my afternoon with Georgie. She was excited. Everyone is excited, and I’m terrified.
“Do you have a date?” Aunt Irene asked?
“Not yet, I’m going to discuss it with Clark the next time he calls.” I sighed. “I wish he were here now.”
“I know dear, but when he gets back he’ll be home to stay.” Aunt Irene flashed me a sincere smile.
I know she’s trying to get me to relax. She changed the subject, but it didn’t help my mood.
“Did you hear about Barbara’s funeral?” She asked.
I shook my head.
“There’s a visitation at church Wednesday night,” my aunt continued. “Then there will be a private burial on Thursday. Do you plan on going to the visitation? If you are, you can go with Lyle and me.”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. I’d like to give my condolences to the family, but Claudine will be there. She’s spreading rumors around town that I killed Barbara.” I placed my elbow on the table and dropped my cheek onto my palm.
Aunt Irene’s quick intake of air let me know the news shocked her.
“That’s ridiculous,” Lyle added. “You’re one of the sweetest, most helpful people in town, Annie. You wouldn’t hurt anyone much less kill them.”
“Thanks, Lyle.” I tried to smile, but the thought of Claudine running around town talking about me dampened my spirits more than I thought.
“Let me help you with these dishes before I go home,” I said. I was tired and wanted a shower and my bed.
“You look tired, go home. We have this,” Aunt Irene said.
Thanks,” I said. I turned to leave, but turned back and asked. “Did you find any help for Lyle today?”
Lyle spoke quickly, “We sure did. You wouldn’t believe how much help there is out there for us old folks. We made a lot of calls and everyone is going to send us information.”
“That’s fantastic.” I waved and continued to my patio door. Yummy barked at me from the puppy run. “Oops, can’t forget you.”
Peanut whined when I picked up Yummy. Peanut was the Norwich Terrier, mini-Dachshund mix my aunt adopted from the shelter earlier this spring.
“Don’t worry, Peanut, Yummy can play tomorrow,” I said as I shut my patio door and set Yummy down on the floor.
~ * ~
After a long shower, I slipped into some comfy sweats and lay on the sofa to watch a little TV. Yummy cuddled up next to me. When my cell rang, he began to bark and jump off the sofa. I’m not sure what it is about my phone, but it seems to excite Yummy. It excited me, too when I saw the number was blocked. It could be a telemarketer, but in my heart I knew it was Clark.
“Hello,” I said tentatively just in case I had to hang up on the telemarketer.
Clark’s deep voice came through my phone, “Hello, gorgeous.”
I smiled and curled back up on the sofa. I put the phone on speaker and lay it next to me on my pillow.
“How are you? I miss you more than I can say.”
“I’m okay just missing you, too,” Clark’s voice came through the speaker and Yummy barked at my phone. Clark laughed, and Yummy barked louder.
“Do you know when you’ll be home?”
I heard Clark sigh. “I think at least two weeks, maybe three.”
“I was hoping you’d get home before Laci came home from school.”
“Maybe it’s better if the two of you have some time alone before I’m around.”
“Maybe.” I agreed. “I guess I can find some way to keep busy and not miss you as much. Georgie and I have started to make wedding plans. I wish you were here. After all, it’s our wedding.”
“Yes, it is. Tell me the plans so far.”
“Okay, since we both want to keep it small and have it soon the venue is a problem. I’d like to have the wedding at the mansion. It’s perfect, and weather permitting we could get married right on the beach. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful. I’m counting the days.”
“How can you be counting days when we haven’t picked a date?” I asked.
Clark laughed again, and Yummy barked. “You’re right. Any ideas?”
“I’d like two months to get all the details right and my dress finished. How about the end of June? A Sunday afternoon wedding would be lovely.” I rolled on my back and stared at the ceiling envisioning the lake and Clark standing next to me.
“I guess I can wait that long. Last Sunday in June is the 28th. Should we pick that date?” His voice sounded sexy.
“Perfect,” I said. “Sunday June 28th at the mansion in the afternoon. We can pick the exact time later.”
“Sounds good. Tell me about your dress. I can’t wait to see you in it.”
“Nope, never gonna happen until the 28th. You want to ruin everything?”
Clark laughed again. This time Yummy just stared at me.
“Okay, I won’t ask. I don’t have a lot of time so I need to change the subject although I’d love to talk about the wedding all night. How are you holding up after finding Barbara and helping Mr. Colroy?”
“I’m good. It was a shock, but the worst part is Claudine going around town telling people I killed Barbara. Lucas is going to get her to stop. Mr. Colroy is fine. His daughter wanted to take him home and find him a nice apartment in a retirement community. Aunt Irene stepped forward to help him, and she brought him home for the night. They found out ways for him to stay in his home, but he’s at her cottage again tonight. Lyle winked at her. There might be something going on.”
“Good for him,” Clark said. “You’re sure you’re okay? I was concerned when I received Clifford’s message.”
“I’m positive. I still don’t think it’s fair he can get through to you when I can't.” I pouted even though Clark couldn’t see me.
“It won’t be long, Annie. Hang in there and if you need me tell Clifford. I’ll find out, I promise.”
“Okay.”
“I love you, Annie more than you know.” His voice was soft, and I thought it might be cracking.
No, Annie no. Be brave. Don’t cry until you hang up. It isn’t fair to Clark.
“I love you, too. I love you more than I can say.”
“I know, sweetheart. I have to go. Stay out of trouble.”
“I will.”
“Bye. Sweet dreams.”
“Bye.”
I heard his
phone click off, and I pressed the end button. Tears flowed down my face, and Yummy jumped back on the sofa next to me and licked my cheek.
I brushed the tears away long enough to see my phone’s screen and texted Georgie:
“Wedding June 28th.”
She answered back with a smiley face. I knew she was busy helping Paul get ready to close the Grille. She spent the afternoon with me, and Paul didn’t mind, but I knew he’d need her help this evening. I clutched my phone to my chest and drifted off to sleep.
~ * ~
The sun streaming through the patio window woke me along with Yummy’s “I need to go out” bark. I placed him in the puppy run, and he immediately ran up to Peanut who seemed to be waiting impatiently for him to come out and play. I was groggy, but it finally dawned on me that if Peanut was in the run then Aunt Irene was outside. I glanced at her cottage, and sure enough she was at the picnic table with Lyle. They were drinking coffee, laughing, and oblivious to the fact I was watching them.
“Good morning,” I called and waved.
“Morning, Annie,” Aunt Irene answered. “Would you like some coffee?”
“No thanks, I need to get ready and open the store. Will you be out here for a while to keep an eye on Yummy while I shower?”
“Sure, sweetie, take your time,” Aunt Irene smiled at me.
I showered and dressed in twenty minutes. Running a bit late, I decided to let the air dry my shoulder length curls. If they became too unruly later in the day, I could pull my hair into a messy bun. It seems even if I blow my hair dry and put it up in an attractive bun, the curls have a life of their own, and the bun becomes a messy bun one way or the other. I learned to give up trying. Clark loves my messy curls, so all is well.
~ * ~
The bookstore was busier than usual, and most people bought murder mysteries. I would need to reorder some of the titles today. While they purchased the books, no one spoke to me about the murder or the fact that I found Barbara’s body. Maybe they don’t know what to say considering Claudine’s verbal attacks on me. It didn’t stop them from buying books or chatting with me. Everyone was friendly, and it was a typical Tuesday.
Georgie stopped by after the Grille’s lunch rush and brought two lattes and two chocolate filled donuts from the diner. Lou’s Heavenly Diner was as much a staple in Heavenly Corners as the bookstore. He carried donuts for his customers, but everyone knew they came from Betsy’s Bakery. His diner was a half-block from the bookstore, and I fought the daily temptation to walk down and buy at least one donut. The Bake Shoppe was a block and a half away which made it more difficult to get to while keeping an eye on the bookstore. It’s a good thing because Betsy made some incredible goodies.
I bit into the donut, and Georgie asked, “You talked to Clark right? That’s why you decided on June 28th.”
I nodded with a mouth full of donut. A sip of coffee washed the donut down.
“Last night. He called, and we couldn’t talk long, but he loves the idea of the mansion since it means we can get married sooner than later. I said I think I need two months, and we chose the 28th. Are you busy that day?” I giggled.
“I know he wants to get married soon, but what he wants is to burn that quilt between you.” Georgie laughed, and I know I blushed. I felt my cheeks heat.
Earlier this spring when Clark and I began dating, there were several threats against my life as I was trying to find out who killed Inga Kelleher. In her will, she left her mansion and entire fortune to the person who would care for her beloved Yorkshire Terrier named Yummy. At the time of her death, Inga thought I was the perfect person, so I inherited Yummy. I didn’t know I would soon own the mansion and inherit her vast fortune. Unknown to me, Clark was working with the State’s Attorney’s office to find out who the crooked cop was in our police force. When the threats began, he ended up staying at my place to protect me. One night after a bit too much dessert liqueur, Clark needed to help me to bed. I was afraid to stay alone, so Clark slept on top of my quilt while I slept under it. When we became engaged, I told him we could both sleep under the quilt, and he decided we’d wait until our wedding night. He’s old-fashioned. We’re both in our forties, have been married before, and have grown kids, but he said it would be romantic. When he grinned at me, I was sure he was teasing me once again, but I turned the tables and agreed. No wonder he’s counting the days.
“Annie, are you listening?”
“Uh, yeah sure, what did you say?”
Georgie rolled her eyes, a typical Georgie trait and said, “We also need to talk about the funeral. Dot says the body has been released, and there will be a visitation at the church tomorrow evening and a private burial on Thursday. Do you think we should go?”
“Of course we should go. The murderer will be there. They always show up. Besides, we might not have been friends, but Barbara was the mayor’s personal assistant. I think the entire town will attend. It wouldn’t be right to avoid the service. Besides, a funeral really is for the family. We need to offer condolences to Barry and their boys.” I bit into my donut again wishing Georgie brought more.
She picked up her latte, took a sip, and looked me in the eye. “Okay, but I’m not sure if Claudine will allow you in the doors.”
I swallowed the bite of donut and answered, “Its church. She can’t keep us out. We only need to be there for a short time. Besides I’ve been thinking.”
“Uh oh.”
“Funny, seriously listen. I saw the body and the red mark on her throat. From all the books and shows I’ve seen, the mark appeared to have been made by someone taller than her. Barbara was five foot seven. The red mark went around the front of her throat and up the sides of her neck. That tells me someone strangled her from behind, and he’s taller than she was.”
“I agree,” Georgie answered. “That eliminates you and me. So we check out everyone over five foot seven?”
“No, taller. Unless she was sitting down, the person had to be taller to pull the scarf up. Several inches taller at least I think.” I took another sip and finished my donut.
“Hmm,” Georgie pondered. “Councilman Phillips is nearly six feet as is the mayor. Both were rumored to be having an affair with her.”
“True, and Barry is almost as tall as they are.” I mused.
“You think her husband killed her?”
“Don’t they always suspect the spouse first?”
“Yeah, I guess,” Georgie agreed. “What about the necklace? Do you suppose the killer has it?”
“I wish I knew, but let’s say he does. Maybe it fell off when she was killed and not after she ended up in the lake. That means the killer has to dispose of it, but how and where?”
Georgie looked at her watch. “Good question. I have to get back to the Grille. Let’s both think about it and we can brainstorm before the visitation tomorrow evening.
I hugged her and took Yummy for a walk in the back parking lot before opening the store for afternoon customers.
~ * ~
I locked the bookstore door Wednesday evening, placed Yummy’s carrier in the car, and headed home. I wasn’t looking forward to the visitation, but it is what neighbors and townsfolk do. We support each other in spite of differences. I hope Claudine feels the same way.
Barbara’s murder was on my mind all day. The key is the necklace. I’m sure of it. Find the necklace—find the killer. An idea struck me as I was dressing for the funeral. I quickly texted Georgie.
“Have an idea.
Bring a change of clothes.
Old clothes and shoes.”
She texted back she would and added a confused face emoticon.
I decided to wear a navy blue dress and flats. I pulled my hair into the neatest bun I could and left to pick up Georgie.
Georgie was still shaking her head and mumbling, “I’m not sure about this,” as I parked the SUV in the church parking lot. It was nearly full. I knew most of the town would attend.
“It’ll be fine. Come on,
let’s go in.”
We walked into the vestibule of the church and stopped at the table set up with a guest book. We signed the book and dropped a sympathy card into the box provided.
When we walked into the church, I was amazed by the amount of flowers that covered the front of the church. Barbara’s blue-gray coffin was surrounded by dozens of arrangements. Tears filled my eyes. While Barbara and I weren’t friends, no one should be murdered, and my heart broke for her family. We walked slowly toward the front of the church to offer condolences.
Georgie whispered, “Most of the men here are tall enough to be the killer including the pastor. How are we going to figure this out?”
Before I could answer, I heard Claudine scream.
She began to run up the aisle toward me, but her husband caught her around the waist. “Get out, get out you murdering witch. Haven’t you caused enough trouble? You dare to come here to rub our noses into what you have ripped from our lives.”
Claudine’s husband pulled her back to a front pew and Barry hurried toward me as I walked backward away from everyone in the church.
He extended his hand and thanked me for coming. I explained I just wanted to offer my condolences to him and the boys. He was grateful, but I agreed with him that considering Claudine’s mental state it might be better if Georgie and I left.
As Georgie and I walked back to my SUV, she asked, “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes, we’ll stop at my place and change first. It’s dark enough.”
Chapter Seven
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Georgie stammered as I put my SUV in Park.
“Of course and it has to be tonight. Tomorrow will be too late.” I opened my car door and slid out eyeing the cemetery fence that loomed in front of me. “Come on, the gates are still open.”
Murder, Trouble & Family Page 6
