A Solitude Noel

by Saundra McKee

  “I was betting on arsenic,” said Dana. “That’s always the form of ‘inheritance powder’ used in most mystery novels. So do you have any theories?”

  “Not yet, but keep me in the loop. Miss you but not the snow. Give my love to Fannie.”

  The next morning Dana and Fannie met in front of Doris Beam’s quilt shop. There was a “Be back in 5 minutes” sign on the door of the attractively decorated store. Dana told Fannie about Sharon’s call. They also made plans to attend the memorial service together later in the day. There was freezing rain in the forecast, and they speculated how that could affect the turnout of mourners.

  Doris, perpetually chubby, came bustling down the sidewalk juggling several small boxes and envelopes. “Hi girls. I wondered where you two have been. Thelma and I are still reeling over Sunday’s events. We’re betting that you’ll figure out who killed Geoff before the police do. Know why? People talk to you. They see the cops coming and they clam up. Come in, I have some coffee on and some fresh cobbler.”

  The women gathered around a small table in the back of the store. Dana and Fannie admired the colorful greens and lights and holiday quilts displayed throughout the building as Doris sorted through the mail.

  “Oh dear God!” shrieked Doris as she opened an envelope containing a Christmas card. “I don’t believe it. Look at this. It’s from my exes brother Dex. I knew there was something familiar about how those crazy reindeer moved.”

  Fannie and Dana looked intently at the card. It was a photograph of two people dressed in reindeer costumes identical to the ones seen at the scene of Geoff’s death. Beneath the photo it said, “May Your Reindeer Games Be Merry and Bright. Happy Holidays”.

  The women looked at Doris for an explanation as she read the note inside the card. “Dex and his partner are into that Furry movement. You know dressing up like animals. Nothing he does surprises me. But he’s pretty harmless.”

  Fannie looked confused. “Don’t they live in Pittsburgh? Why haven’t they come forward and straightened this out?”

  Doris rolled her eyes. “They took off to visit the German Christmas markets on Monday and know nothing about what happened to Geoff. Those boys have more money than they know what to do with it. Says he’ll maybe see me over the holidays. We only see each other a couple times a year. I guess he does visit Bill in prison from time to time.”

  “Wow,” breathed Dana. “This changes everything. Geoff wasn’t likely poisoned by the cookie that the reindeer handed him. That means that it may well have been in the hot chocolate or something else he ate. The pastor’s wife thinks that Mandy’s husband Dave handed Geoff his drink.”

  Doris nodded. “Geoff looked kinda of green. I thought it was from the bumpy sleigh ride. Dave got drinks for both of them. Dave is such a gorgeous hunk. But do you think he might have had it out for Geoff?”

  Dana said, “I have no reason to think so, but it will need to be checked out. Maybe the police already have. They seem to be interviewing everyone who was at the bridge that day.”

  “Well I always thought Mandy and Geoff were pretty chummy. Maybe they were having a fling and Dave was jealous. It’s happened before.”

  “I hope not, but you never know,” said Dana. “What are you thinking Fannie?”

  “That I wish I was at home quilting. But we really need to speak with Geoff’s wife. Maybe after the service and her family heads home, we can spend a little time with her. Wives usually know more than anyone. I’m thinking she may have some useful insights.”

  Doris nodded. “Well it’s almost always the spouse who is the killer on those reality television shows. Maybe she and Dave were both angry.”

  “I just don’t understand why people don’t just get divorced,” said Dana.

  Doris who’d had experience with cheating spouses shook her head. “It all comes down to greed. They think if they can just quietly eliminate the spouse, they get to keep their money and reputation.”

  Chapter 9

  The memorial service at the Methodist Church was crowded as expected despite the miserable weather. County officials, family, friends and strangers that Geoff had touched over the years were in attendance. Fannie and Eli sat near the back with Larry and Dana. Dana pointed out Geoff’s family members to Fannie as the organist played familiar hymns in preparation for the service.

  “Geoff’s wife Val is the tall blonde in the black dress with the gray scarf. She’s so thin. That must be her sister holding her arm. They could be twins. The man beside them must be her brother-in-law. I guess they left the children at home. Probably for the best. The older man is Geoff’s uncle and Lynn’s brother Paul. I think he’s from Vermont, a retired minister. The redhead in the gray suit is Geoff’s older sister from Baltimore. Of course his sister Caroline is still in prison. Her daughter’s Kate and Susan look so grown up. I guess they’re out on their own. I wonder where Caroline’s son is? Oh boy, I don’t believe it. Dana nodded at a handsome older man making his way down the aisle. That’s Geoff’s father, Geoff Senior. I think he is on his fifth or sixth wife. What a loser. I never could see what Lynn saw in him. I think he lives somewhere in Montana now. I guess it’s nice that he came for this. He was never there for the kids when they were growing up.”

  Pastor Robert’s remarks were moving and heartfelt, and many in the audience shed tears freely. Several in attendance stood and made comments about the positive ways Geoff Gruber had impacted their lives. Dana noticed that both Mandy Turk and Val Gruber were crying uncontrollably. She recalled the pain of losing a husband at a young age and prayed for the young widow.

  Only about half of those in attendance stayed on for the dinner. Dana spotted Val Gruber standing alone and went over to express her condolences. “I’m sorry I missed you when I stopped by your house the other day. I’m so sorry. You know how much I thought of Geoff. His mother and I were close friends.”

  Val nodded through a fresh batch of tears. “Geoff loved you too. He said you drove him crazy at times with your sleuthing, but that being around you made him feel closer to his mom. I’d love to talk sometime. I want whoever did this punished. If you have any ideas or know any way I can help, just let me know. I’ve heard that you and Fannie are going around town asking questions.”

  Dana hugged Val. “I think the police will find his killer, but Fannie and I are digging around too. Maybe we can come up with something useful that will move the investigation forward. This whole community has suffered a great loss. I think we all felt safer when Geoff was in the D.A.’s office. Have they named a replacement?”

  “Not yet. I think one from a neighboring county is handling things until someone is named. Then I think there will be a special election in the spring. I really haven’t paid much attention. The kids are so young, but they know their daddy is gone. He was a workaholic, but still found time for them every day. We’ll all need some grief counseling.”

  “Would it be okay if Fannie and I stopped by and picked your brain tomorrow?”

  Val nodded. “Of course. The police have been there several times. I don’t think I’ve been all that helpful, but maybe you can make some connections that they can’t. My parents and sister will be leaving in a few days. Come by anytime.”

  Dana noticed Detective Divins speaking quietly with Geoff’s father near the men’s room. She wished she were privy to what the police knew about the case but knew that they wouldn’t share much with her or Fannie.

  Dana and Larry strolled home through the falling snow. “I guess there’s little doubt that we’ll be having a white Christmas. I’ll always take snow over freezing rain,” said Larry. “Feel like decorating the tree yet?”

  Dana smiled, “Sure, why not? The pastor’s message reminded me that life is for the living. We can grieve Geoff, but need to cherish each day. We never know how many more hours, days, weeks or hopefully years we have together. I guess we shouldn’t waste them.”

  Larry put his arm around Dana. “My thoughts exactly. I called my daughter
today. It’s the first we’ve spoken in months. I feel ready to forgive her for what she did. I’m not ready to invite her for Christmas yet, but maybe next year.”

  “Oh, Larry. I’m glad to hear that. We’ve got to let go of our anger. It’s the only way we can heal ourselves.”

  Chapter 10

  Dana and Larry spent the next day decorating the house, wrapping gifts and signing holiday cards. They laughed, joked and enjoyed each other’s company and Shalom’s antics as the snow fell outside. By evening, they were decorating Christmas cookies and feeling better than they had in some time. “We really needed a day just for us,” said Dana. “You know what would be the perfect ending?”

  Larry grinned. “I was thinking of the bedroom, but I imagine you’re thinking of sleigh ride in the moonlight. I’ll get things ready.”

  “I’ll put some spiced hot cider in a thermos and put Shalom’s red and green sweater that Fannie knit on him. Meet you at the barn.”

  The lights of Solitude reflected in the deep snow and Christmas carols rang out from speakers placed along the main street as Dana and Larry rode out to the covered bridge. The full moon lit the way and cast dramatic shadows on the landscape. “I love this bridge,” sighed Dana. “I could look at it for hours. I don’t want to take the lights down. Look at how they twinkle and reflect on the snow.”

  The couple carried lanterns over to the bridge and stepped inside. They set their lanterns on a picnic table and poured the hot beverage while Shalom ran around in the snow.

  “You’re thinking about the murder, aren’t you?”

  Dana nodded. “I hate to think that someone we know is responsible for Geoff’s death, but it’s beginning to look that way. I was hoping it was some stranger in a reindeer suit. That would have been easier. I hate to think that any of the folks here that afternoon are capable of killing someone.”

  Larry shrugged. “Well if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that most of us can be driven to do some horrible things. We just seem to lose our humanity. Do you have any sense of who it might have been?”

  “No, I think part of it is denial. Fannie and I plan to speak to Geoff’s wife tomorrow.”

  “It’s often the spouse.”

  Dana nodded. “We’ll see. I don’t know Val well. She grew up in Erie. Fannie heard that she was in bad shape, but I think that she seems to be handling things pretty well. I think she was a trauma nurse before she and Geoff got married. I suppose she’s used to seeing tragedy and death. She might also know how to get her hands on poison.”

  “Yikes, Dana. Sounds like your mind is made up already. What’s the motive?”

  “Good question. I have no idea and am probably way off base. What do you think?”

  Larry shrugged. “Not a clue. It was a happy bunch of people by all appearances. I’d like to know if the cup of hot chocolate Dave handed Geoff was tainted. Maybe it was meant for Dave. Who knows? Thelma or Doris could have put the poison in it. They were ladling out the drinks.”

  “Oh surely not! I guess I have to look at them too. Maybe Fannie will have some ideas. She’s very intuitive. We just have to be very careful or we could ruin some valued friendships.”

  Chapter 11

  The next day Fannie and Dana met with Val Gruber in the living room of their stately home. “I didn’t know district attorney’s were paid so well,” whispered Fannie as Val got her kids settled in the den.

  “I hear her family has money,” whispered Dana.

  Val offered the women beverages but they declined. Val was in her early thirties with the looks of a high fashion model. She and Geoff had been married for five years. “Thanks so much for the food you guys sent over. My family really appreciated it. It’s nice to be surrounded by such kind people.”

  “Tell me, if this is too painful to discuss,” began Dana, “but we just wondered if you had any theories about who might have killed Geoff.”

  “Lots of ideas, no proof. He was into so many investigations and had sent many people to prison or even to death. He was loved by the good guys and hated by the bad. You never know who might be holding a grudge. I just can’t believe that any of those people who were on that sleigh ride could do it. Jeff had been at the office earlier in the day, maybe someone else did it. Poison can take a while to do its damage. We really didn’t discuss much of anything that day, it was so hectic. We’d planned on the sleigh ride with Mandy and Dave and the kids. Geoff rushed home and we piled in the car, then went on the sleigh ride. We’d talked about having Mandy and Dave and their kids over after the ride for pizza. Then we decided not to. Geoff had been fighting the flu all week. The kids and I had it the week before, so I wasn’t surprised when he started feeling lousy. But you know Geoff. He’d never take a sick day.”

  Fannie reached in her pockets for the photographs from the security camera. “Some people who were there recall Dave handing Geoff a hot chocolate. One of these pictures looks like Dave giving a cup to Geoff too. Were there any hard feelings between the two of them? Someone suggested that Geoff and Mandy were pretty close, and that he might have been jealous.”

  Val looked surprised. “No, no. We were all close friends. Geoff was such a boy scout. I never doubted his faithfulness, and Mandy is one of my best friends. I’d know if something had been going on. Mandy and Dave are crazy about each other.”

  You know, Geoff had mentioned that there were some irregularities with the finances at the Y. He was on their board. Dave works there as a trainer. But I can’t imagine he would do anything illegal. Dave’s a real straight arrow too.”

  Fannie nodded sympathetically. “Had Geoff received any threatening phone calls or letters?”

  “Not that I was aware of. If he had, he’d never tell me. He kind of kept his worries to himself. I loved him for protecting us, but now wish I’d asked him more about his work.”

  Dana said. “We heard that his laptop was missing. Did he leave it in the car when you went on the sleigh ride?”

  Val nodded. “Yeah I think so. He kept everything on it and we can’t find any back up, so who knows what was there. It might answer a lot of questions. Trouble is, we weren’t sure that we locked the car when we went on the sleigh ride. He thought that I had locked it and I thought that he had, in the confusion of getting the kids bundled up for the sleigh ride. Plus he wasn’t feeling well. So I don’t know if the disappearance of his laptop ties into his death or was just an unrelated theft. The car set there unlocked for a good while.”

  “Did you notice anyone else interacting with Geoff during the sleigh ride?” asked Fannie.

  “It’s such a blur. We were all having a good time. Geoff was already under the weather and didn’t carry on as much as the rest of us. I think he spoke to everyone on the ride at some point. He never forgot that he had to be re-elected and was always working a room. But it was all very pleasant. Then everyone seemed so concerned about him after he fell down. Larry was so good to help us out. What a thoughtful guy. If there’s nothing else I need to fix lunch for the kids. Sounds like they’re getting wound up.”

  “Thanks so much for your time, Val. Okay if we call if we have any more questions?”

  “Of course. Most people are giving odds that you two will figure this out before the authorities do. I have to be honest, sometimes Geoff hated that. No offense. He’d say those two and sometimes three neb noses with no formal training, no forensics lab, no data bases, no real authority, make my office and the police look like fools. He said he should put you on the payroll, then you’d probably not have such good luck.”

  Fannie blushed and Dana chuckled. “No offense taken.”

  Dana and Fannie stomped their feet of snow and got into Dana’s SUV. “So what do you think?” queried Dana.

  “She certainly threw Dave under the bus by interjecting the information about the YMCA. I guess we should check that out.”

  “Larry serves on the board there. He hasn’t said anything, but he seldom does. It makes sense that the ricin wa
s in liquid form. I read it dissolves in water. It could have easily been slipped into the hot chocolate.”

  “I guess we’d better take a closer look at Thelma too. I guess she was the one filling the cups while Doris sold plates of cookies.”

  Chapter 12

  The next morning Dana and Fannie met for coffee at the bakery. They each had a cranberry nut muffin.

  “Well Larry said that money problem at the Y was just a bookkeeping error, so there goes that idea,” said Dana. “Any ideas?”

  “Maybe, probably not though. Elizabeth and I stopped at that new fudge shop yesterday to get some of that tiger’s eye fudge. Linda Roberts was there. When she went in back to box and wrap our order, two women working out in the store were chatting. It was interesting. I’m pretty sure they were talking about the minister and his wife…called them Mitch and Lin. It must have been Linda’s sister who said that he was an ogre and had driven their kids away. She said that Linda had met someone and wanted a divorce but he refused to give her one. She implied that Linda was going to leave him after the holidays.”

  Dana looked stunned. “She said all that in front of you two?”

  Fannie nodded. “People do it all the time. I don’t know if it’s because we cover our heads with caps and bonnets and they think we’re deaf or because we’re Amish. Some seem to assume that we are so separate from them that nothing they say would be of any interest to us. Whatever. Did you know the minister and his wife had problems?”

  “Not really, but I wouldn’t want to be married to him. He’s so conservative and very controlling. She never seemed that joyful the few times she came to church events. I wonder whom she met. It’s not like there are a lot of eligible men in Solitude.”