Cozy Christmas Murder

by Summer Prescott

“Here, this is it. Should I take it off?”

  Vaughn’s face changed the moment he saw the necklace.

  “Yes, you should,” he growled. “Stay right here,” he ordered, then left the room abruptly.

  When the officer returned, he had a plastic evidence bag in his hand and held it out for her to drop the necklace into. Once she had, he sealed the bag and stared at Avery across the table.

  “Wanna tell me how you really got that necklace?” he demanded, his eyes steely.

  “I just did,” Avery was confused by his change in manner.

  He’d gone from coolly remote to outright hostile in a matter of seconds. He tapped his pen on the table, staring at her, then seemed to come to a decision.

  “Fine, let’s move on. What happened next?”

  “I went to meet a friend for dinner at the new Indian place downtown…”

  “Name?” he interrupted.

  “Umm…The Himalaya Grill,” she supplied.

  “The name of the friend,” Vaughn grimaced.

  “Linda. Linda Brown.”

  “The same Linda Brown with whom you were seen on the night of Rosanne Nelson’s murder?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was anyone else present?”

  “No. Well, I mean, there were other customers of course, but no one else was at our table, if that’s what you mean.”

  “Was anyone else invited?”

  “Yes,” she told him about Shelly and Janet and their excuses.

  “Did anyone else know about this dinner?”

  “Just my parents, as far as I know.”

  “How long were you in the restaurant?”

  “I’m not really sure. I got there a few minutes early,” Avery flashed back to when she caught sight of the man who looked like her ex-husband exiting the restaurant and grimaced slightly. Vaughn Marsh caught the fleeting expression and pounced.

  “What happened when you arrived?” his eyes narrowed, and she knew that her discomfort must’ve been written all over her face.

  “It’s silly really…” she hedged, embarrassed to admit her paranoia.

  Vaughn merely raised an eyebrow and waited.

  “Fine,” she sighed, looking down at her hands. “I thought I saw my ex-husband coming out of the restaurant with a bag of takeout and it threw me for a loop.”

  “Does your ex live here in town?”

  “No, he’s in Idaho.”

  “Have you had a recent conflict with him?”

  “Well…I mean, our divorce was just finalized…”

  “How long ago?”

  “Three weeks.”

  “Was it cordial?”

  Avery stared at the officer for a long pause, wondering what on earth her divorce had to do with the reason that she was being questioned.

  “No, not even remotely.”

  “Has he made any threats against you?”

  “No,” Avery mumbled, staring down at the table.

  “Walk me through what happened after dinner.”

  Vaughn’s tone sounded a bit less accusatory.

  “I left the restaurant and went into the parking garage. I turned on the flashlight app for my phone to check in the backseat, and…”

  “Is that a standard practice for you?” Vaughn interrupted.

  “No, definitely not. I’m not paranoid…but…”

  “Go on,” he prodded impatiently.

  “I don’t know. When I parked my car in the parking garage, I just had this weird feeling that someone was watching me or something, you know?”

  The officer remained silent, staring hard at her.

  “So, anyway, I kept my keys in my hand, like they teach you in self-defense classes, and I hurried toward the restaurant. This homeless guy who smelled bad jumped out in front of me and startled me, but he didn’t chase me or anything. Anyway…when I came out after dinner, I just wanted to be extra careful, so I looked into the backseat first, then the front seat. That’s when I saw the rose,” Avery shuddered.

  “And why were you so upset about seeing the rose? Most people don’t call 911 after seeing a flower on their dash. Did you open the car at that point? Did you touch it?”

  Avery shook her head.

  “No, I got out of there as quickly as I could and called 911.”

  “Why? Did you think your ex-husband might have left it?”

  “Oh,” Avery’s brows shot skyward. “I hadn’t even thought of that. I’m going to feel like an idiot if I’ve just wasted everyone’s time.”

  “So, back to my original question, why did you call 911?” Vaughn persisted.

  “I’m an author, and I write mysteries. There’s this one book that I wrote, Prone to Violets, where the murderer was actually a serial killer who liked to play games, and the victims were sort of incidental, because the killer’s focus was tormenting someone other than the victim by leaving clues. Like, the victim’s name in my book was Violet, so the killer left a pot of violets on the porch of her neighbor, and then kept leaving purple-colored items around, including in the neighbor’s car.”

  “What does this have to do with you?” Vaughn wasn’t connecting the dots just yet.

  “A necklace was delivered to my house, nestled in a box of fresh rose petals, and a pink rose was left in my car. The victim’s name was Rosanne and some people called her Rosie.”

  The officer nodded.

  “Did the murderer in the book have a personal connection to either the neighbor or the victim?”

  “They were all casual acquaintances.”

  “You have to realize that it’s looking more and more like you staged this whole thing in order to make it look like one of your books was being acted out in real life,” Vaughn leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his massive chest.

  “That’s crazy. If that were the case, why would I have called you?” Avery protested.

  “I’m still trying to figure that one out. Maybe you’re the one playing the game. Before you came to town, there hadn’t been a non-drug-related murder in years.”

  “And then I go directly to the police? You can’t be serious. I’m trying to tell you there could be a dangerous serial killer out there,” Avery was aghast.

  “Who just happens to be a fan of your books.”

  “There are a few million of those, sorry I can’t narrow it down for you more than that,” Avery snapped.

  “Actually you can,” Vaughn shot back. “Tell me a bit about the killer in the book.”

  “Are you serious?” Avery asked, not sure whether he was making a request or merely mocking her.

  “Dead serious.”

  “He was a regular guy on the surface. He worked as a server at a local restaurant, and was pretty charming. He’d run into the victim and the neighbor separately, when they’d come in to eat. The neighbor was pleasant and the victim wasn’t, so he killed one and toyed with the other.”

  “Sounds vaguely familiar,” Vaughn observed, with a slight nod.

  “That’s what I’m saying!” Avery blew out a frustrated breath.

  “You and Rosanne Nelson weren’t neighbors.”

  “No, but the killer probably didn’t want to try to get into Rosanne’s neighborhood. It’s gated.”

  “And you know this, how?” Vaughn challenged.

  “One of the gals made a comment about it at the bar after Rosanne left.”

  “Which gal?”

  “I really don’t remember.”

  “How convenient.”

  “Look, I went out on a limb here, knowing what you might think. I came to the police station, my car was impounded for crying out loud, and all because I want to help, so I’d appreciate it if you kept the accusing tone and sarcasm to yourself,” Avery bristled, having had enough.

  “One of the ladies at your little get together had a minor skirmish with the victim that night. Who was it?” he ignored her rant, and she let him, realizing the futility of trying to reason with the immovable cop.

  “She and Jane
t had words, but it was really no big deal.”

  “Janet Halstead?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where does Janet Halstead live?”

  “I have no idea. I hadn’t spoken to her in twenty years before that night.”

  “So you had no idea that she lives just down the street from your parents?”

  Avery’s eyes widened. “No, I had no idea.”

  Vaughn sat up straighter, stretching his lower back a bit, and gazed at Avery across the table.

  “Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to keep your car because we need to process it for evidence. We’re going to talk to Linda and Janet and some other folks to see what they have to say, and we’re going to reserve the right to contact you again for a follow up. Don’t leave town, don’t discuss this case with anyone, particularly the women who were at the bar that night, and don’t think for a second that you’re in the clear yet. This investigation is ongoing, and so far, you’re one of the few leads that we’ve got.”

  The officer’s threat made Avery’s heart race, despite the fact that she’d done nothing wrong.

  “Can I go now?” she asked shakily, willing herself not to cry.

  “For now…yeah,” Vaughn stood, over six feet of muscle towering over her, and gestured to the door.

  CHAPTER NINE

  * * *

  “Hey Mom, I’m headed down to the Chamberlain,” Avery called out, grabbing a sweater.

  “Why are you going to a drinking establishment when it’s barely even noon?” Doris asked suspiciously.

  “Because they have the best Reuben in town on Thursdays.”

  “Well then, for heaven’s sake, wear your coat. It’s supposed to drop down below freezing tonight,” her mother fussed.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be home long before then,” Avery smiled. “I’m meeting Deedee for lunch, then we’re headed to her house for a makeover.”

  Doris put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips.

  “I wasn’t born yesterday, young lady. What are you up to?” she demanded.

  “Leave her alone, Doris,” Avery’s dad called out from his recliner in the living room. “She just wants to go see her friend.”

  Doris folded her arms, unconvinced. “Mmhmm…my daughter, who wouldn’t even leave her room unless I badgered her to get some fresh air, is willingly going to meet a friend?”

  “I’ll be back for dinner,” Avery gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Bye Dad!” she called out, closing the door behind her before her mother could protest.

  **

  “I’m flattered that you enjoy my company so much that you keep coming back for more,” Kerry winked at her when she came in the front door of the Chamberlain.

  “Don’t flatter yourself, champ, it’s Reuben Day,” Avery teased, taking a seat at the bar.

  “I’m wounded, critically wounded,” he put a hand dramatically over his heart. “So, I’m assuming you’re going to order one?”

  “Yep, but not until Deedee gets here. I’m meeting her for lunch. In the meantime, I’d like a tonic with lime, please.”

  “No vodka today?”

  “Nope, I do much better with one on one conversation than I do in a group setting,” she confessed. “No liquid courage needed.”

  “I hear ya on that one,” Kerry nodded, expertly working the soda gun behind the bar and producing her drink in seconds. “I guess I didn’t realize that you and Deedee were friends. Weren’t you in two different worlds socially, back in high school?”

  “Definitely. She was a cheerleader, and I was just a regular old honor student who hung out with the band kids at lunch. I didn’t even think she knew who I was.”

  “I fell into the “invisible” group of kids too,” Kerry chuckled. “I’m positive that Deedee didn’t know I existed, although I had a few fantasies about her.”

  “Way too much information,” Avery laughed, putting a hand up to stop him from speaking.

  “Bit of an overshare?” he asked, with mock innocence.

  “Just a tad.”

  “Okay, fine,” he grinned. “You enjoy that very lame drink and I’ll be back around when Deedee comes in.”

  “Still got those fantasies?” Avery teased.

  “Hey, she’s a married woman, what do you think I am?”

  “Yeah, I saw the big sparkly on her finger. Who’d she end up marrying anyway? Anybody we knew?”

  “Yeah, you could say that. Curt Rasmussen.”

  Avery’s eyes went wide. “What?? Rosanne’s boyfriend? Those two were the hottest item in school,” her mouth hung open in astonishment.

  “From what I understand, Deedee had to work some special magic to get him away from Rosanne, if you know what I mean,” Kerry’s eyes skittered toward the door for a moment, then he changed the subject, speaking a little too loudly to let Avery know that Deedee had just walked in.

  “What’ll it be for you?” he asked affably when Deedee sat next to Avery.

  “Oh golly, I haven’t been out to lunch in so long, I think I might just have a beer,” she beamed. “What do you have there?” she asked Avery.

  “Just tonic.”

  “Oh, okay. Hmm…maybe I should just get a diet soda then.”

  “Well, you are giving me a makeover after lunch, so being sober is probably a good thing,” Avery teased, still thinking about what Kerry had said. Deedee just didn’t seem like the calculating, boyfriend-stealing type.

  “Makeover? Why? With a face like that, who needs makeup?” Kerry interjected, putting down a diet soda in front of Deedee.

  “Are you saying I’m beyond help?” Avery joked.

  “Oh honey, I’m gonna fix you right up. We won’t even recognize you afterward,” Deedee promised, taking a sip of her soda. “That hits the spot. Okay dear, bring me one of those Reuben sandwiches and a cup of broccoli soup, please,” she dismissed Kerry.

  “I’ll have the same,” Avery added.

  **

  Deedee’s house was large, but comfortable and not ostentatious in the least, and she seated Avery on a chair in the brightly-lit kitchen to do her makeup.

  “Now, believe it or not, even people like you, with flawless skin, need a good foundation,” she assured her, smearing some goop on Avery’s face with a triangular white sponge.

  “I’ll take your word for it,” Avery murmured, trying not to move her mouth as Deedee dabbed at her face. “Your family pictures are beautiful,” she remarked, seeing the photos on the wall of Deedee, Curt and three young kids.

  “Oh, thanks. They keep me going,” she chuckled.

  The doorbell rang just then, and Avery’s heart dropped to her stomach, though she didn’t know why.

  “Let me just go and see what that’s all about. I’m not expecting anyone, but sometimes the ladies stop by needing an eyeliner pencil or something,” Deedee chattered, pulling off her work gloves.

  Instead of staying in the chair, Avery hurried behind the former cheerleader, her pulse racing as she told herself not to be paranoid. When Deedee opened the door, there was no one there, but a crystal vase filled with pink baby roses rested on the doormat.

  “Oh, how beautiful,” Deedee cooed, reaching for the vase.

  “Don’t touch it!” Avery grabbed her arm and pulled her back into the house, shutting the door and locking the deadbolt.

  “Have you lost your mind, Avery?” Deedee smiled a very confused smile. “Whatever is the matter with you?”

  “You can’t touch those flowers, and you need to call the police right now.”

  “The police?” Deedee looked shocked. “Why would I do that?”

  “I can’t tell you that, but you need to trust me on this,” Avery pled earnestly.

  “Really?” Deedee frowned.

  “Please,” Avery insisted.

  “Okay honey, I’m gonna trust you,” she shook her head, but pulled out her phone and dialed 911.

  By the time Vaughn Marsh arrived, with another officer, Avery had washed the mak
eup from her face and the two women were sitting at Deedee’s breakfast table.

  “This is what you were calling about?” Vaughn asked Deedee, pointing to the flowers.

  “Ask her,” Deedee shoved Avery in front of her, clearly nervous about having the police on her doorstep.

  “I should have known,” Vaughn sighed.

  He pulled a pair of blue nitrile gloves out of his pocket and slipped them on. Avery marveled at the size of them, thinking that he must have to special order them in an extra-large size. He plucked the card from the plastic pitchfork which sprouted up from the middle of the arrangement, and slit the envelope, pulling out the business card-sized greeting.

  “To my beloved wife, I’m so sorry that I was an idiot last night. I’ll make it up to you when I get home,” the officer read aloud, coloring a bit.

  “Last I knew, a man sending his wife flowers wasn’t against the law,” he growled, picking up the bouquet and handing it to Deedee. “And you,” he turned his attention to Avery, “step outside for a moment, please. I’d like to speak with you privately.”

  “I thought I’d been fairly clear in my instructions to you,” Vaughn spoke in a low voice, once the door had closed behind Deedee.

  “And I followed them. I didn’t say a word to Deedee about why she needed to call the police.”

  “You expect me to believe that?” he made a face.

  “I really don’t care what you believe at this point,” Avery had reached her breaking point. “I’m tired of you looking at me like a criminal when I’m just trying to help. I told you the truth and what you do with it is up to you.”

  A muscle twitched in Vaughn’s jaw.

  “Just stay away from your classmates until we get this thing resolved.”

  “Fine,” Avery shot back, feeling humiliated that things had worked out the way that they did.

  As the patrol car pulled away from the curb, Avery went back inside and told Deedee that she wasn’t feeling well, and asked her for a ride home.

  CHAPTER TEN

  * * *

  Frustrated with Vaughn Marsh’s unkind fixation on her as a potential suspect, Avery decided to take matters into her own hands and do some investigating herself. Not really knowing anything about Rosanne Nelson these days, she did some searching on the internet, and, finding nothing remarkable, she decided to go to the one reliable source of information that she had. Kerry.