Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches

by Karen Rose Smith

  * * *

  Daisy sat in the school auditorium, so proud of her younger daughter that she had tears in her eyes. Jazzi had sung “Over the Rainbow,” a tune she’d said meant a lot to her. After her dad had died, she’d seen a rainbow when they went to the cemetery. After that she looked for rainbows, considering them a sign that her dad was watching over her.

  She looked spectacular tonight and older than her fifteen years. Daisy had helped her pick out a royal blue dress that had a sweetheart neckline, short sleeves, and sequins on the bodice. She’d worn heels, the gold locket necklace her dad had given her, and a pair of Daisy’s drop gold earrings. Daisy had French braided small braids over both of Jazzi’s temples and fastened them together in the back with a gold clip. Her long black hair was gleaming, and those high heels were what made her look older.

  The high school’s music teacher was about to announce the winners for the talent show. Daisy’s mom and dad sat on one side of her and her aunt Iris, Vi, and Foster on the other. Yesterday, Daisy had filled in her aunt on Vi’s pregnancy and the couple’s plans. It had just seemed right to confide in her aunt. Always supportive, Iris had added with fondness that she’d be glad to babysit.

  Tessa was in the audience too. When Daisy glanced at her family and friends, they seemed to be holding their breaths as the music teacher took center stage to give out first-, second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-place trophies.

  Mrs. Portman announced the fifth- and fourth-place winners first. Neither of them was Jazzi. Jazzi’s smile was wide as she realized she would be in the top three.

  Mrs. Portman announced the third-place winner. That was Jazzi’s friend Stacy. Daisy had given her okay for Jazzi to go to Stacy’s house for a party after the talent show. Daisy was acquainted with Stacy’s mom and knew that the girls would be safe without any liquor there.

  After Mrs. Portman smiled at the audience, she looked at Jazzi and announced, “Our second-place winner is Jasmine Swanson. Congratulations, Jazzi.”

  The entire audience was clapping. Daisy was so pleased for her daughter that she didn’t even hear Mrs. Portman announce the first-place winner. After the trophies were presented, the winners came down into the audience to find their parents.

  Jazzi accepted congratulations and hugs from everyone who was there for her. After Daisy hugged her, Jazzi handed her her trophy. “Will you take it home, Mom?”

  “Sure, I will.”

  “Did you know Jonas was in the audience?”

  Daisy kept herself from turning around to see. “No, I didn’t.”

  “He was with another man. I’ve never seen him before.”

  “Good to know,” Daisy remarked, wondering who the other man was.

  “You can probably catch him in the lobby.”

  “We’ll see,” Daisy said enigmatically. She gave Jazzi another hug. “You have fun at the party. I’ll be waiting up to hear all about it.”

  “You can trust Stacy’s mom and dad.” Jazzi must have felt that Daisy needed to be reassured.

  Jazzi waved at Stacy and her parents, then blew a kiss to Daisy, and ran off in their direction.

  Daisy’s family and Tessa were talking among themselves. Daisy told them, “I’m going to catch somebody in the lobby.”

  In the lobby, it didn’t take long for Daisy to spot Jonas. There was another man with him. They were standing near the bulletin board, and Jonas was pointing out something. The guy looked to be around Jonas’s age with blond hair and a lean physique. Daisy couldn’t leave without speaking with Jonas. She cared about him deeply, and she couldn’t ignore him.

  She felt a bit awkward as she approached him. He was turning to say something to his friend when he saw her. He stopped mid-sentence.

  “Hi, Daisy,” he said casually. “This is Zeke Willet. He’s a detective who’s going to be working with Detective Rappaport in the Willow Creek Police Department.”

  Although they had once been friends, she knew that he and Zeke weren’t friends now. It was a shame Jonas had lost his friendship as well as the woman he’d loved. She could see the pain of that now in Jonas’s eyes as he looked at Zeke.

  Zeke shook her hand. “So you’re known as Daisy?”

  Jonas blushed a little. “This is Daisy Swanson. She owns Daisy’s Tea Garden. We’ll have to stop in there some time. She makes the best scones.”

  Suddenly Vi and Foster were by her side, as if she was the one who needed moral support. They greeted each other and were introduced to Zeke. Jonas congratulated Vi on her pregnancy.

  Vi put her finger to her lips in a shhh motion. “Not too loud. We’re telling Gram and Gramps tomorrow at Easter dinner.”

  “We’re engaged too,” Foster added. “No ring yet. It might be a while until I can get her one. But we’re going to get married soon.”

  Jonas clapped Foster’s shoulder. “I wish you all the best.”

  Zeke explained, “I came to the talent show just to get a taste of the school, meet the principal, learn my way around a little bit. But I need to cut out now. I’m still unpacking.”

  He added, “It’s good to meet you all.” Although he addressed that to everyone, his blue eyes were targeting Daisy. She didn’t know what to make of that.

  Jonas took a step closer to Daisy. “How would you like to get a cup of coffee?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” She wanted to, but should she?

  Violet nudged her elbow with her own. “Go ahead, Mom. Jazzi’s going to that party, and Foster and I are going to go visit his dad. You came with Aunt Iris, so there’s no problem with a car.”

  Daisy looked up into Jonas’s very green eyes. “All right, let’s get a cup of coffee.” She asked Vi, “Will you tell Gram and Gramps and Aunt Iris where I went?”

  Once they were outside, Daisy touched the arm of Jonas’s suit coat. “It’s silly to go to a coffee shop. Why don’t we just go to my place?”

  His look was sober when he asked her, “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  On the drive to Daisy’s house, they were quiet inside the vehicle until Daisy asked, “Are you sure you want to come in?”

  Jonas cut her a quick glance, looking away for a moment from the rural road. “I’m sure. Are you sure you want to invite me in?”

  Daisy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Everything’s so complicated right now.”

  “And you’re afraid I’ll run at the least complication.”

  “You’re the one who wanted to slow down after New Year’s Eve. That’s what you said.”

  “Yes, that is what I said, and it was a dumb thing to say. We never know how our circumstances are going to play out, and I was trying to shut the door before I made any mistakes. But I was wrong, and I told you that. And the weekend with my friends . . . I’d never asked a woman to come meet them and get to know them before.”

  “Not even Brenda?”

  “No, not even Brenda. We kept our relationship a secret. With both of us on the job, that’s the way we thought it had to be.”

  “Jonas, do you know what you’re stepping into? I’m planning a wedding with Violet and renovating the top of the garage for an apartment for the two of them. There will be a baby and diapers and crying, and I don’t know how much I’m going to be involved in that.”

  “You worry about everything at once, don’t you?” There was a bit of amusement in his tone that could have made her angry, but it didn’t. He was right.

  “I’m trying to see ahead for you,” she said softly.

  “No, you’re trying to see ahead for you, so that you don’t get hurt. Believe me, I understand that. But I’m going to prove to you that I’ll stick around because you’re worth it.”

  She was still emotional over Jazzi’s performance, and she figured that’s why tears came to her eyes again.

  * * *

  Once she and Jonas were in her house, Daisy brewed tea. Marjoram and Pepper trotted in, apparently eager to see Jonas. Marjoram sat on his foot while Pepper wo
und about his legs.

  Daisy believed the cats were good judges of character. They’d liked Jonas from the first instant they’d met him. She knew he was a good man. But could she count on him?

  She’d wait and see.

  Jonas, familiar with her cupboards, pulled out mugs and plates. She took chocolate whoopee pies with peanut butter filling from the refrigerator. They were Vi’s favorite, so she’d stocked up on them.

  As she and Jonas sat at the island fixing their tea, a Silver Needle variety called Snowbud, Jonas asked, “Where are you concerning Derek’s murder investigation?”

  “There are more suspects than I know what to do with.”

  “The same is true for Rappaport. Maybe now that he has a partner, it will go faster,” Jonas said without expression.

  Daisy decided to let that subject go for right now. “A new suspect popped up—Leonard Bach. He’s another food critic. Apparently, he and Derek were rivals. Clementine told me they even had a scuffle in public.” She paused, then added, “But I still think the best clue lies in Derek’s background. There’s a secret between June and Harriet that kept them apart for thirty-five years.”

  “So where do you go next?”

  “Taking a different course than Detective Rappaport probably is. I think I’m going to talk with Vanna Huffnagle, the church secretary. She’s the same age as Harriet and a friend of hers, so she might know what happened way back then. If it’s a dead end, it’s a dead end. But I have to try.”

  Jonas took her hand. “I suspect you’re a woman who doesn’t give up.”

  His eyes were caring, and there was something else there, too, something else that made an electric charge zip through her. She hoped he was a man who didn’t give up . . . because she might be placing their romantic future in his hands.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Daisy, Jazzi, Vi, and Foster had just entered the kitchen in her mom and dad’s home on Easter Sunday, when her mother and Aunt Iris came rushing in from the living room. Rose gave Daisy, Jazzi, and Vi a hug and then stood in front of Foster. “Daisy told me you’d be coming along today. Your father didn’t want you at home on the holiday?”

  Daisy groaned inwardly and exchanged a look with her aunt. She could see how this day was going to go. Foster would wish he had gone to his dad’s for dinner . . . and for supper.

  “Vi and I will be going to my dad’s for supper, Mrs. Gallagher. Instead of a big meal, he’s going to barbecue outside. Ribs and burgers.”

  “A barbecue on Easter?” Rose asked with astonishment in her voice.

  “That’s the kind of cooking Dad does best. And since the weather is cooperating, he thought it would be a good idea. So do I.”

  “So do I,” Violet repeated, looking at Foster with the love in her heart. “We sure wouldn’t want to have two ham dinners.”

  Rose laughed, then waved everyone into the living room. “Sean is already starting on the hors d’oeuvres. You’d better get some before he eats them all.”

  Daisy’s dad called, “Breakfast was a long time ago.”

  Her parents had gone to an earlier church service than Daisy and her girls. Her mom wanted to take her time to make sure the table was set just so . . . and everything was cleaned to a sparkling finish. Daisy had often told her “perfect” simply didn’t matter, but, as she’d learned years ago, her mother didn’t listen to her.

  When her dad had last phoned her, he’d told her he and her mom were having a date night every week. And every week he’d brought up a new aspect of what they should think about for the future. It was working to a certain extent, though her mother was fighting changes.

  What would she think of Violet’s big change?

  Sidling up to Daisy, Vi said, “Should I tell her before dinner or after dinner? If I tell her before, then maybe we can all eat and enjoy dinner. If I tell her during dinner, we all could end up with upset stomachs.”

  Daisy couldn’t help but smile. “You and Foster have to do what you think is best. Think about it while we nibble hors d’oeuvres.”

  They’d been seated about ten minutes, talking among themselves, nibbling on cheese spread and crackers, celery and carrot sticks.

  Jazzi was having a conversation with her grandfather about the talent show, when Daisy noticed Vi glance at Foster. Foster nodded. The look they exchanged was obvious. Daisy almost felt that she needed a life vest for what was to come, though she could only imagine what Vi and Foster were feeling.

  Rose and Sean were seated on the sofa with Jazzi next to them. Aunt Iris sat in a side chair and appeared as nervous as Vi. Daisy was seated in an arm chair. Violet had plopped into the recliner, and Foster leaned against the arm. When he hung his arm around Vi’s shoulders, Daisy knew it was time.

  Foster cleared his throat. “Can I have your attention? Vi and I would like to make an announcement.”

  Iris smiled with encouragement, but Rose was already looking disapproving. Daisy knew that wasn’t a good sign. Her dad just looked curious.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher, Vi has something she wants to tell you.”

  Daisy watched as Foster squeezed Vi’s shoulder in a sign of encouragement.

  Rose turned to look at Daisy and asked in a low voice, “Do you know what this is about?”

  Respecting Vi’s and Foster’s wishes, Daisy simply said, “You’ll know in about a minute.”

  With a resigned expression, Vi straightened her shoulders and sat up with the most correct posture Daisy had ever seen. Her daughter told her grandparents, “I’m pregnant. And Foster and I are getting married.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” Rose protested. “You shouldn’t even think about marriage.”

  Daisy admired Foster as he kept his cool. “I intend to take responsibility for this baby. I love Vi.”

  “But how are you going to pay your bills?” Rose asked. “Where are you going to live?” She looked at Daisy. “Certainly not with you.” She turned back to the couple. “Are you going to live with Foster’s dad?”

  Iris remained silent, probably so her sister wouldn’t realize Daisy had confided their plans.

  Daisy kept quiet, too, which seemed to aggravate her mother. “Seriously? Do either of you have a backup?”

  Vi sat forward on the recliner and gazed at her grandfather rather than her grandmother. “Mom is going to fix up the second floor of the garage so we have a little apartment. She’s going to let us live there rent-free for the first year.”

  Daisy’s dad was pensive. “You said you wanted to finish that space into an apartment so the girls could use it someday . . . or you could rent it out. That’s a fine idea. I suppose congratulations are in order.”

  “Thank you, Gramps,” Vi said, her voice catching.

  “How can you afford to pay for all of this?” Rose asked Daisy.

  “I had a talk with the bank manager. My house is paid for and the tea garden brings in an income. He advised me to open a line of credit and told me I wouldn’t have any problem securing it.”

  “Not that it’s any of our business,” Sean reminded his wife.

  “You mean you did all of this without telling us first that Vi was pregnant? We could have advised you.” Rose stared at the young couple with raised brows.

  “Mrs. Swanson has been advising us,” Foster responded. “And she did a good job of it, within the reality of what we are doing. And we’re going ahead in the best way possible. We’ll have a small wedding. And then we’ll start getting ready for the baby.”

  Rose was shaking her head. “Are you going to quit school?” she asked Vi.

  “For now,” Vi said with a nod. “I’m going to work until the baby comes. We won’t make any other decisions until then. If I could find bookkeeping work to do for small businesses, I could work at home. I’ve been doing Mom’s books for years.”

  Daisy considered the fact that it was time she step in and put an end to her mother’s disapproval. There was only one way to do that. “Mom, I understand how this news has ro
cked you. It rocked me. But they’re in love and they’re determined. So Gavin and I are going to support them in any way we can.”

  “Is he putting up half of what you’re investing in the garage?”

  “No. But he’s going to buy the furnishings and, as contractor, he’s going to wave his fees. I called Reverend Kemp yesterday. He’s going to let us have an evening celebration in August.”

  Rose murmured, “This is all happening too fast.”

  “It is happening fast,” Daisy agreed. “But there’s one thing you have to remember—the baby’s growing and you’re going to be a great-grandma. If you want, I’m sure Vi and Foster will let you babysit.”

  For the first time since they’d started this discussion, Rose appeared to accept the news. “A baby. Our first great-grandchild.” Then she stood and motioned to Vi. “Come here, honey, and let me give you a hug. When you need more advice, just come to me and we’ll talk about weddings and babies. I’m still worried you’re so young. But your grandfather and I will certainly welcome a little new life into this family.”

  Daisy’s dad stood and extended his hand to Foster. “Welcome to the family.”

  Daisy and Vi exchanged small smiles. Maybe they wouldn’t be getting indigestion at dinner after all.

  * * *

  Daisy had enjoyed the weekend with her daughters and Foster. She, Foster, and Jazzi were going to video conference with Vi this evening. Dinner with her parents hadn’t been fun, but Daisy knew they’d love a great-grandchild as much as they loved Jazzi and Vi.

  Mid-morning the Tuesday after Easter, Daisy called Vanna at the church’s office. Vanna told her to come on over to the church. The minister was visiting members of the congregation, and she was caught up on her work.

  Taking her lunch break early because they didn’t have an overabundance of customers, Daisy parked in the church’s back lot, then walked around to the side entrance. A member of the congregation must have planted snapdragons along the walk. There was a list where churchgoers could sign up for many of the things that needed to be done around a church.

  Daisy rang the bell and, after a minute or so, Vanna opened the side door. The front door to the church was always open, but the back section with the minister’s office and Vanna’s as well as the Sunday school rooms were usually locked, unless some activity was planned there.