Cozy Christmas Murder

by Summer Prescott

  What’s the truth…what’s a lie?

  “Why did the sheriff talk with you?” Margot demanded as she glared at Bitsie. “Are you from here, too?”

  Bitsie shook her head. “No. But fifteen years ago when I was in college in Wyoming, I got into a little trouble. A bar fight actually. The girl I beat up was making fun of my friend. I was arrested, but the charges were later dropped to probation.”

  Margot backed up, dragging Chloe with her. “I don’t feel safe with any of you in the house. You all could be cold-blooded killers for all I know.”

  Chloe let out a little squeak.

  Margot turned to Chloe. “I’m meeting your brother for drinks at the chateau around four-thirty. I’m going to demand he put us in another condo.”

  “You might want to think twice before you start casting stone and pointing fingers,” Ophelia said menacingly. “I know for a fact you two were not on the mountain skiing the whole time Saturday afternoon. You two were in the chateau and had access to not only the murder weapon, but you knew Andrew personally.”

  It happened so fast, I hardly had time to react. I saw Margot raise her hand in the air, so I jumped between her and Ophelia. Dumb move. The slap reverberated in my head and heat flared in my cheek. All I could think was I was glad Margot fought like a sissy and only slapped me instead of hitting me with a closed fist.

  I heard the collective gasp around me. Afraid Ophelia was going to lose her mind over this sudden attack, I told myself to suck it up. The pain would eventually dissipate.

  “Don’t do anything rash.” I placed my arms around Ophelia and held her back. “If anything, this shows which person here has violent tendencies. Which one of us might strike out at someone if things don’t go their way.”

  Margot paled. “This isn’t over.”

  I snorted. “Actually, it is. Go run and tattle to Clive.”

  The two girls practically sprinted down the stairs, leaving the four of us alone.

  “Are you all right?” Helen asked.

  I moved my jaw back and forth. “Yeah. She actually has a pretty solid hit.”

  Ophelia chuckled. “Only an elementary teacher would use the word tattle in a fight.”

  I laughed at her joke.

  “Helen,” I said, “are you okay?

  Helen nodded. “I want you to know why I’m here. Bitsie thought it would be good for me to come and confront my past. I used to talk nonstop to Bitsie about how difficult my life used to be. How hard it is to overcome painful memories. Going to elementary school and high school overweight was hard. I was teased a lot. I never went to dances. But I thought when I got in to college, things would change. I’d be judged differently. I mean, I’m a smart girl. I thought my brains and personality would make it so people overlooked my outside. Isn’t that what people always say? That as they get older they learn to judge people on what’s inside instead of what’s outside?”

  I nodded. “Of course.”

  Helen laughed bitterly. “Well, it’s a lie. No matter how old a person gets, they still judge you on what’s outside. I learned that the hard way in college. Margot is right. I wanted so badly to finally be accepted by people my own age, that I’m sure I came across as pathetic, along with what I looked like on the outside.”

  I felt a sudden pain in my heart for the years of torment Helen had undergone.

  “I did my time in Winterdale, graduated with a degree in library science, and moved back to Colorado Springs to work for the city library. Over time, I was able to shed the pounds but not the image and memories of who I was and who I still think I am.” Helen wiped a tear from her eye and smiled adoringly at Bitsie. “It was at the library that I met Bitsie. And she has helped me overcome and confront my past.”

  “When I got hired on at the library last October,” Bitsie added, “I knew Helen as she is now. I had no idea of her past. She was painfully shy, but I didn’t attribute it to anything. We became friends and eventually Helen opened up to me about her past. I thought if she just came here and saw these people no longer had a hold on her, she could move forward with her life.”

  “That’s why I lied,” Helen said. “There was nothing nefarious about my secret.”

  I reached over and gave Helen a hug. “I’m glad you were able to come confront your past. Now when you go back to Colorado Springs, you can do it with your head held high.”

  “Do you guys want some lunch?” Bitsie asked.

  “Actually,” Ophelia said, “I think if Holly feels up to it, we’re gonna hit the slopes for a while. We should be back around five.”

  I nodded. “I feel fine.” A small lie, but I didn’t want to rock the boat.

  Ophelia turned to Bitsie and Helen. “Will you two be okay here with Margot and Chloe until we get back?”

  “Yes,” Bitsie said. “We’ll probably grab a bite to eat and then lay down. It’s been quite a harrowing afternoon.”

  “The white elephant gift exchange is tonight,” I said. “Do you guys want to walk over around five-thirty and participate?”

  “Sure,” Helen said excitedly. “We’ll see you at five-thirty.”

  ***

  “Are you okay?” Ophelia laughed as she reached down and helped me up.

  “Yes.” I tried to straighten out my skis and still stay upright. It didn’t happen. I landed with a splat and twinge in my hip. “I swear, I’ll never get the hang of this!”

  Ophelia helped me up again. “You’re actually doing fine.” She took off one of her gloves, unzipped a pocket in her parka, and took out her phone to check the time. “It’s about four-thirty. I say we do one more quick run down the bunny slope here. We can be back in our room by five and ready to go by five-thirty. Sound good?”

  “Sounds painful,” I joked.

  I carefully shuffled back to the lift that would take us up the small hill again. I didn’t say anything until I was firmly planted in the seat.

  “Are you closing in on a suspect?” I asked.

  Ophelia frowned but didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “I hate to say it, but I can’t get Helen’s deception out of my mind. Even after she explained it, I still feel there’s something more there.”

  “At least Sheriff Morgan knows. I bet he’ll make an arrest soon.” I looked down at the skiers weaving back and forth across the hill. “I’m really scared. Like terrified. The thought of walking to the chateau tonight with Helen and Bitsie scares me. The thought of staying in the condo with them—especially if Margot and Chloe really do leave—terrifies me.”

  “Do you want to see if Clive can get us a different room, too?”

  I was saved from answering as I focused on getting out of the ski lift without falling on my face. Once that feat was accomplished, I focused on turning and heading back down the mountain. This was so not my idea of a good time.

  “Well?” Ophelia prompted when I finally had my body lined up and ready to head down the slope again.

  “Let’s see how tonight goes,” I said. “If I still feel creeped out at the mixer, then I say we find Clive and talk with him.”

  CHAPTER 13

  * * *

  “I love that dress,” I said enviously as I finished putting on my earrings. “The color is amazing.”

  “This old thing?” Ophelia laughed as she smoothed down the body-hugging, midnight blue sweater dress that stopped an inch above her knee. “It’s the first time I’ve gotten to wear it since I bought it.” She buckled the thick, brown belt around her waist then bent down to zip up brown boots. Standing, she spread out her arms. “Well, what do you think?”

  I looked down at my long-sleeved burgundy maxi dress. “I think I feel drab next to you.”

  Ophelia laughed. “Stop it. You look beautiful.”

  I turned back to the full-length mirror to examine myself. While the maxi dress with kitsch Christmas jewelry was way more my style, a part of me couldn’t help but be envious of Ophelia’s confident, sexy style.

  I looked at her and grinned.
“It does warm my heart to know that for about five minutes each way, you’ll probably freeze your tush off.”

  Ophelia threw her dark head back and laughed. “Get your shoes on and let’s go. It’s almost five-thirty.”

  I slipped on a pair of black flats and grabbed the paper-towel wrapped present I was offering tonight. Twisting the lock on the door, I followed Ophelia out of our bedroom. At the same time, Bitsie and Helen’s door opened.

  “Psst,” Bitsie whispered, her head poking out the door.

  We walked over to her and she opened the bedroom door a little further to reveal Helen sleeping in bed. “After you guys left to go skiing, Helen and I talked more about what had happened and her feelings on coming back here to Winterdale.” Bitsie glanced over her shoulder at Helen’s sleeping form. “Let’s just say Helen did a lot of crying and a little bit of drinking, and fell asleep around four. I promised her I’d wake her around five-forty so she could change her clothes before walking over to the party. We might be a little late, but we’ll be there.”

  “No problem,” Ophelia whispered. “See you there.”

  Helen suddenly stirred, groaned, and pressed her hand to her head. “Is it time to get up?”

  Bitsie smiled. “Yes. Do you want coffee or water?”

  “Water,” Helen croaked before closing her eyes again.

  Bitsie, Ophelia, and I chuckled as we walked upstairs. I stopped short when I saw Chloe in the kitchen drinking champagne. She gave us a weak smile.

  “I didn’t know if you guys were still here or had left for the party already.” She took another long drink then poured more champagne in her glass. “I was in the shower when Margot left around four-thirty to have drinks with Clive. I thought I’d have a couple of my own before heading over.”

  “That’s why it’s there,” Bitsie said as she grabbed a glass out of the cabinet and filled it with water. “I’m going to take this down to Helen. We’ll be along shortly.”

  Chloe giggled and took another drink. “I still can’t believe we’ve been living under the same roof as Helen Half-Ton.”

  I frowned at Chloe’s crassness.

  Bitsie’s knuckles turned white as she grasped the glass tightly in her hand. “Helen is my friend. I’ll thank you to remember that.”

  “Oh, I didn’t mean anything bad by it,” Chloe said quickly.

  Come again? How can making fun of someone not be bad?

  “You ladies have fun.” Bitsie stalked by us and disappeared down the stairs.

  “Can I walk over with you girls?” Chloe asked as she finished off the last of her champagne.

  At the rate you’re going, you’ll be crawling over.

  “Sure,” Ophelia sighed.

  I tried not to laugh at the dejected sound in Ophelia’s voice.

  We shrugged into our coats and took in the frigid night air. I blew out three quick puffs of air with my breath, enjoying the way they floated then disappeared.

  “Are we walking the back way?” Ophelia asked.

  “Like you needed to ask.” I said, looping my arms through hers.

  The three of us made an immediate left and walked down the dark, narrow path lined with the American Holly hedges. The glow of the twinkling lights in the trees had my heart racing. There was something about the lights that made this time of year extra special. The large sleigh and reindeer decoration was lit up under the glow up the old-fashioned street lamp as we turned right and stepped onto the wide, snow-packed walkway that would lead to the chateau. Soft, angelic Christmas music played over the speakers.

  “Can you slow down?” Chloe whined, her voice breaking the serene peacefulness of the glowing night. “It’s hard to walk so fast in these shoes.”

  I had to bite my tongue to keep from telling her it was winter and she needed to wear more sensible shoes. Mainly because I knew Ophelia would tease me for sounding like a teacher.

  There were a few other guests walking the trail, as well as others weaving in and out of the lawn decorations taking pictures.

  “Let’s take pictures over there next to that giant snowman.” I pulled Ophelia off the lighted walkway.

  “Seriously, Holly?”

  I grinned at her. “Seriously. How often will we get to do this? I want pictures of our magical time.”

  “I’ll see you later,” Chloe said as she continued walking.

  Ophelia and I gingerly made our way over to a five-foot, pre-lit snowman…complete with top hat and goofy grin. Ophelia fished out her cell phone and took a couple pictures of us posing with the snowman. Some serious, some silly.

  It was almost six by the time we finished our impromptu photo session and stood by the white elephant gift exchange table. I could barely contain my excitement. I placed my gift on the table and snagged a ticket with six pre-made numbers stamped at the bottom.

  “Let’s get a drink,” Ophelia suggested. “Then, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go find my elf.”

  I snorted. “Do you even know his name?”

  Ophelia grinned. “Why do I need to know his name?”

  Shaking my head at her naughty behavior, I let her drag me over to where the mixologist was busy mixing masterpieces.

  “I’ll take the Grinch Punch,” Ophelia said to the guy behind the counter.

  “What’s in that?” I asked him.

  “Basically two different types of rum, melon liqueur, and blue curacao.”

  My mouth dropped. “I think I’ll just have the Cranberry Kir Royale, please.”

  “What’s that have in it?” Ophelia asked me.

  “Champagne, cranberry juice, and crème de cassis.”

  The man handed us our drinks and I took a small sip.

  Divine.

  “I’m off to find my elf,” Ophelia laughed and sauntered off.

  Being alone usually doesn’t bother me. I could spend hours holed up in my apartment reading or binge watching sappy love stories. Being alone doesn’t bother me…unless it’s being alone in a crowd.

  I found an empty spot next to the fireplace and did what most people do when they’re alone in a group—I got out my cell phone.

  I suddenly remembered I hadn’t had time yet to find out what I could about Bitsie Carpenter and her arrest in college. I pulled up my search engine and typed in Bitsie’s name. I read the first two links I found…nothing interesting. One for a social media page, the other linking her to the Colorado Springs library. I scrolled down a little farther, but nothing stood out. This was all stuff I’d come across earlier today on her social media wall. No arrest or link telling me about her arrest years back. Not that I was surprised, since she ended up getting probation.

  I was about to give up when a link caught my eye. I clicked on the link and my blood ran cold.

  CHAPTER 14

  * * *

  It was an obituary for Rose Carpenter from Cheyenne, Wyoming. Rose’s only living relative was Bitsie Carpenter, also from Cheyenne, Wyoming. My pulse raced and I looked at the date of death and tried counting back to how old Bitsie would have been when her mother died.

  Maybe seventeen.

  I scanned the article again, but it didn’t say how her mom had died.

  I then typed in ‘Rose Carpenter, Cheyenne, Wyoming death.’

  I clicked on the first link and read Rose Carpenter was found dead in her house. Fireman determined the cause of death to be carbon monoxide poisoning from the stove in her trailer. The article went on to say that her daughter, Bitsie, had been staying overnight with a friend. An unnamed source told the reporter that Rose Carpenter was known to drink excessively, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to her if Rose had passed out and never knew what happened.

  “Hey, Holly.” I looked up and found Chloe standing in front of me. Her annoyed look barely registered with me.

  “Yes?” I asked shakily.

  “Have you seen Margot? She was supposed to meet Clive at four-thirty for drinks, and she never showed up.”

  I whimpered. I’m not ashamed t
o say I honest-to-God whimpered.

  “I swear,” Chloe continued, oblivious of my terror, “if she breaks my brother’s heart, I’m going to rip her own heart out and shove it down her throat.”

  “I haven’t seen her,” I whispered.

  “Well, if you do, tell her she better have a darn good excuse as to why she’s not snuggled up next to my brother!”

  I watched her flounce away.

  I searched my brain until I came up with the name Sheriff Morgan had asked Bitsie about. With trembling fingers, I typed in Vivian Struthers’s name. I’m not sure why, other than I knew I couldn’t ignore the shouts in my head.

  Once again my heart dropped to my stomach.

  The first link was for an obituary. Vivian Struthers had died in October of last year.

  October? Isn’t that when Bitsie said she moved to Colorado Springs?

  I scrolled down until I found an article that talked about the cause of death.

  Blunt force trauma to the head. The toxicology report showed blood alcohol level at point two five. The death was ruled accidental and no arrest was ever made. The police concluded that Vivian Struthers had been so drunk she’d fallen and hit her head on the edge of her coffee table. Her body wasn’t discovered for two days.

  I glanced at the time on my cell phone. Six-fifteen.

  I scanned the room but didn’t see Bitsie or Helen anywhere among the happy-go-lucky guests. I also didn’t see Margot or Ophelia. I didn’t worry too much about Ophelia…praying she was cuddled up somewhere with her elf.

  Were Bitsie and Helen in on this together?

  I spotted Chloe talking with Clive by the check-in counter and sprinted over to where they were.

  “Call Sheriff Morgan,” I panted. “Now!”

  I turned and fled out the chateau, not bothering to answer the questions they threw at me. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to do—I didn’t even have a weapon. I decided to cut through the back, hoping to surprise the two women if they were still in the parking lot in front of the condo.

  My steps faltered when I realized the back walkway was completely deserted. Everyone was already at the party. I wrapped my arms around me, shivering from the cold. I hadn’t taken the time to grab my coat.