Strawberries and Strangers_A Cozy Murder Mystery

by Leena Clover

  The Boardwalk Café had become Jenny’s lifeline. She couldn’t imagine what she would do without it.

  Star stood up and began stuffing things in her satchel. Jenny watched her aunt stuff a palette and some brushes into the bag and something clicked.

  “Tell me something,” she said urgently. “Why did the cops think the paintbrush belonged to you?”

  “It’s got my initials on it,” Star said. “See?”

  She pulled a brush out of the bag and showed it to Jenny. The letters R and K were etched into the brush.

  “Do you always do that?” Jenny asked.

  “I keep losing my brushes. This helps me get some of them back. They cost a pretty penny.”

  “How many people know you mark your brushes this way?”

  Star shrugged.

  “Everyone knows, I guess. Why? Is it important?”

  “I don’t know,” Jenny admitted.

  Jenny grabbed a quick shower and dressed for the work day. Her wardrobe had undergone a drastic change since she came to Pelican Cove. She had put away all her suits and sweater sets after a month in town. Now she went for a more casual look. Denim had become her new friend.

  Petunia was flipping pancakes when Jenny entered the café kitchen. She greeted the pleasant older woman and picked up a fresh pot of coffee.

  “How are you, Captain Charlie?” she smiled at a crusty old sailor who was one of their regulars.

  He ran a boat charter business, renting out kayaks and canoes and offering guided bird watching and fishing tours.

  Captain Charlie forked some pancakes drenched in syrup and held them up.

  “Taking care of my sweet tooth,” he grinned. “Petunia says this is your recipe.”

  Jenny had added in a healthy dose of cinnamon to the pancake batter. She believed in spicing things up.

  “Come back for lunch,” she urged. “I’m making crab salad today.”

  Captain Charlie patted his stomach and licked his lips. His smile turned into a frown.

  “What’s this I hear about your aunt getting arrested?”

  Jenny’s good mood evaporated in an instant.

  “They wanted to ask her some questions.”

  “I’ve known your aunt forty some years, missy,” Captain Charlie said. “Whatever it is they are trying to pin on her, she didn’t do it.”

  “Thanks,” Jenny said simply.

  She was still amazed by how the people in the town looked out for each other.

  “Maybe I should talk to that Hopkins boy,” Captain Charlie said, scratching his head. “He’s getting a bit too big for his britches.”

  “He’s just doing his job, I guess,” Jenny shrugged.

  Heather walked in, followed by her grandmother. Betty Sue was craning her neck, looking for someone, while her knitting needles clacked in rhythm.

  “Is your aunt here?” she asked Jenny.

  Jenny shook her head.

  “She’s out painting by the marshes today.”

  “Good,” Betty Sue expelled.

  She strode into the kitchen and Heather followed her like a puppy. Tootsie was nowhere in sight.

  Jenny went around the deck, refilling coffee and chatting to the few guests. She walked in on Betty Sue and Petunia with their heads together.

  “What’s the buzz?” she whispered to Heather.

  “They are talking about your aunt,” she said.

  Petunia looked up and patted the chair next to her.

  “Sit down,” she ordered Jenny. “Now listen up. You know your aunt’s a bit different. She can’t be bothered about stuff. I don’t think she’s taking this police business seriously.”

  Jenny thought for a minute and nodded. Star seemed a bit too composed.

  “You need to get cracking,” Betty Sue declared, pointing a finger at Jenny.

  “I talked to the sheriff yesterday,” Jenny protested. “He knows I’m looking out for my aunt.”

  “That’s fine,” Petunia said. “What’s next on your list? Have you drawn up a plan yet?”

  “I thought you were talking about the Spring Fest,” Jenny burst out. “Don’t we have to come up with a new recipe for it?”

  “That too,” Petunia said. “I’m sure you’ll come up with something, Jenny.”

  “Should it be a savory or a dessert?” Jenny asked.

  She was trying to distract the old ladies. Petunia took the bait.

  “One of each, I think. Something simple though. Like that strawberry chicken salad you made yesterday.”

  “Won’t that go bad in the sun?” Betty Sue asked.

  Petunia’s chins wobbled as she shook her head.

  “Jenny doesn’t use mayo. She uses Greek yogurt. That’s her secret ingredient.”

  “Why haven’t I tried this salad of yours?” Betty Sue demanded.

  “Check in the refrigerator, Jenny,” Petunia said. “We might have some left over from yesterday.”

  “It’s time for my morning snack,” Betty Sue nodded. “I’ve been up since five.”

  Jenny poked her head into the refrigerator and pulled out a bowl of chicken salad. She toasted some bread lightly and started assembling a sandwich for Betty Sue.

  “Do you want one too?” she asked Heather.

  Heather leaned against the door, staring out on the street.

  “Chris is taking me to the Steakhouse tonight.”

  “Wow. Isn’t that fancy?” Jenny asked.

  There were a limited number of establishments in Pelican Cove. People had set ideas about where to go for what occasion. The Boardwalk Café was the place to go for breakfast or lunch. You went to the Rusty Anchor for a pint at the end of the day. Ethan’s Crab Shack offered the catch of the day, fried perfectly. But there was only one place you went to for a special date and that was the Steakhouse.

  Heather was looking troubled.

  “Why do you think he’s taking me there? The Rusty Anchor’s good enough.”

  “Are you actually complaining?” Jenny asked Heather. “Just put on a pretty dress and enjoy your evening.”

  “Chris and I…we are just hanging out.”

  “You mean you’re not dating?” Jenny asked.

  Heather and Chris were joined at the hip. They got along like a house on fire. Jenny could tell they cared for each other.

  “It’s all been casual so far,” Heather said. “Why is he taking me to a fancy place all of a sudden?”

  “Maybe he has something to celebrate?” Jenny speculated. “Do you have an anniversary or birthday coming up?”

  Heather shook her head.

  “He was working on closing a deal.”

  Chris worked part time as a realtor in addition to putting in some hours at his family’s seafood market.

  “Well then,” Jenny soothed, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Maybe he earned a fat commission and wants to splurge.”

  Heather seemed mollified.

  “You’re right. What else could it be?”

  Chapter 6

  The buzz about the murder died down after a while. People stopped speculating about it. It was no longer the topic of the hour at the Boardwalk Café. Jenny mentally heaved a sigh of relief. She was tired of being consoled by strangers. People she didn’t know came up to her and told her they believed in her aunt. It gave her an idea of how the community could come together in a period of crisis.

  “You never told me about your special date,” Jenny said to Heather one morning.

  Petunia and Betty Sue were sipping coffee on the deck, enjoying the warmth of the mid-morning sun. People strolling on the boardwalk waved at the two old ladies as they walked past. Heather was munching on a muffin as Jenny frosted a cake.

  “It’s what I was afraid of,” Heather said sadly. “He wants to speed things up.”

  “Are you moving in together?” Jenny asked with excitement.

  Heather sucked in a breath. She looked right and left before she hissed in Jenny’s ear.

  “Are you mad?”<
br />
  “Isn’t that the next step in your relationship?” Jenny asked, bewildered.

  “People don’t ‘move in’ in Pelican Cove. My grandma will have a fit if she hears you.”

  “It’s 2018, you know,” Jenny said lightly. “The world has changed in the last 100 years or so.”

  “How long have you been here, Jenny?” Heather asked, rolling her eyes. “Time may have passed, but we still follow the principles laid down by my great great great great grandpa Morse.”

  “When was that again?”

  “1837. For all intents and purposes, we still live in Victorian times.”

  “So you want a ring on your finger first,” Jenny nodded. “That’s always a smart move.”

  “Chris hinted at it,” Heather said, making a face. “I don’t get what the rush is.”

  “You’re in your 30s, right?” Jenny asked delicately. “Don’t you want to settle down?”

  The café door opened and a short, squat man came in. His copper hair was the same color as his mustache and sideburns. They matched the pockmarks and red welts on his face courtesy of years of acne. He smiled when he saw Jenny and gave her a salute.

  “Hey Jenny,” he called out, handing over a bundle. “Got lots of goodies for you today. Looks important.”

  Jenny took the bundle of papers from the man and blushed as she saw her lawyer’s letterhead. Did everyone in town know her business?

  Kevin Brown, Pelican Cove’s one and only mailman, gave her a sympathetic look.

  “I don’t show them around to everyone, Jenny.”

  “Thanks,” Jenny mumbled. “Would you like a cupcake?”

  “Best offer I got all day,” Kevin smiled. “Is it a new recipe?”

  “Orange and strawberry,” Jenny nodded. “I am trying it out for the Spring Fest.”

  “How’s it going, Kevin?” Heather asked. “Haven’t seen you at the Rusty Anchor in a while.”

  The mailman chatted with Heather and Jenny. He wanted to know how Star was dealing with the police threat.

  “That Hopkins boy has finally come to his senses,” Betty Sue Morse called out, knitting furiously.

  She was juggling green and orange balls of wool, alternating between the two colors. Jenny wondered if she should take up knitting as a hobby. Betty Sue could get her started, teach her the basics.

  Jenny lounged in a chair on her aunt’s front porch later that evening, staring at the ocean. She rubbed the small charm that reminded her of her son. It was a tiny heart engraved with her name. Nick had given it to her on his 10th birthday. Nick was enjoying freshman year in college and was too busy to come visit.

  “How are you really doing, Mom?” he had asked her on the phone.

  Jenny had been touched at his concern. She had a sudden urge to take Cookie for a walk. Her eyes filled up as she thought of everything she had left behind. She was dealing with much more than an empty nest.

  A yellow Labrador came bounding down the beach, snapping her out of her thoughts.

  “Tank! Tank! Stop right there.”

  A tall man came into her line of vision, leaning on a cane and trying to hurry behind the dog. He grabbed the dog’s leash and brought him up short.

  Jenny felt a familiar pair of blue eyes trained on her. Even in the fading twilight, she recognized the man easily.

  “Sheriff,” she said stiffly.

  “Jenny!” he exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

  “I live here,” Jenny replied sullenly.

  “Of course,” Adam Hopkins muttered, dragging the dog behind him. “This is Tank.”

  He turned to the dog and said softly, “Say Hi to the lady, Tank.”

  The dog cowered behind Adam and began whining.

  “He’s a big boy,” Jenny said, walking toward the dog. “How old is he?”

  “We are both getting on in years,” Adam sniffed. “Not as young as we used to be.”

  Jenny patted the dog and stroked him behind his ears. He stopped whining and sat down in the sand, offering up a paw.

  “He hasn’t done that in months,” Adam said, surprised. “You must have a calming effect on him.”

  “I miss my dog,” Jenny admitted. “Maybe I can take Tank for a walk sometime?”

  Adam noticed how wistful she sounded.

  “As long as he lets you do that,” he said. “Tank’s having some behavioral issues. He doesn’t let anyone get close.”

  “What’s wrong with him?” Jenny asked. “He looks quite healthy.”

  “We were both scarred by the war,” Adam said, nodding toward his leg. “Some wounds are not visible.”

  “Are you saying he has PTSD or something?” Jenny laughed nervously.

  “That’s exactly what he has,” Adam admitted. “He’s been through a rough time. Now it’s my turn to take care of him.”

  “I didn’t know you were a soldier,” Jenny said with wonder. “Were you deployed?”

  “I was in the Middle East,” Adam told her. “They finally put me out to pasture. And here I am, back home in Pelican Cove.”

  “You sound like you had an interesting life,” Jenny said.

  She was envious. Apparently, Adam Hopkins was not the country bumpkin she had thought he was.

  “Do you bring him for a walk here every day?” Jenny asked.

  “Not really,” Adam laughed. “He decides where he wants to go.”

  Adam said goodbye after that. Jenny wondered if she had misjudged him.

  Jenny hummed a tune as she poured coffee for her customers the next day. Cherry trees were blooming around town and the sun was shining. Business was ramping up at the café and Petunia told her to put up a ‘Now Hiring’ sign on the bulletin board.

  “Why don’t we post it online?” she asked.

  “We don’t need those fancy computers to get some help,” Petunia dismissed. “One of the kids will read the board and come in to work.”

  The phone in the kitchen rang just then and Petunia asked her to go get it. Betty Sue Morse had arrived and the two old ladies were sipping their mid-morning cuppa out on the deck.

  “Where is your aunt?” Betty Sue called out. “She was supposed to meet us here today.”

  Jenny stepped out of the kitchen in a daze. Her face was white with shock.

  “What’s wrong?” Petunia’s two chins wobbled as she clutched her bosom.

  Betty Sue stopped knitting and leaned forward.

  “Speak up, girl.”

  Jenny pointed a finger toward the kitchen. “Star!” she burst out. “That was Star. They just arrested her.”

  The two old women stared at each other and turned toward Jenny.

  “Go find Jason Stone,” Betty Sue snapped. “Tell him I sent you.”

  “Who’s that?” Jenny asked. “I need to go bail out Star.”

  “Jason’s a lawyer,” Petunia explained. “He’s done some work for your aunt before.”

  “He’s the only lawyer in town,” Betty Sue went on.

  She had started knitting again. Her needles clacked in their usual rhythm as she peered at Jenny.

  “I’m on my way,” Jenny said grimly, pulling off her apron and throwing it on a chair.

  “He’s on Main Street right opposite the police station,” Betty Sue called out.

  Jenny waved a hand in the air, letting them know she had heard. She noticed the ‘Stone & Stone’ sign as soon as she walked past the library.

  She pushed open the heavy glass door and looked around for a secretary. A tall man with a head full of coal black hair lounged in a leather chair inside a room. He beckoned her to come in.

  “What can I do for you, Jenny?”

  “You know my name?” Jenny asked, astonished.

  Jason Stone managed to look hurt.

  “Have you forgotten me already?”

  Jenny didn’t have time for this nonsense.

  “Please. This is urgent. I am looking for Jason Stone. I am in need of his services.”

  “You really don’
t remember, do you?” he chuckled. “We went out on a couple of dates, back in the day.”

  Jenny had spent a few summers in Pelican Cove as a teenager. She vaguely remembered a melting ice cream cone and an attractive black haired, pimple faced teen in leather pants. Was that the guy sitting before her now?

  “Now I do…” she smiled. “Vaguely.”

  Jason pointed to a chair and urged her to sit.

  “I can see you’re all riled up so let’s get down to business first.”

  “They got her. They arrested my aunt. We need to go bail her out.”

  “What did Star do now?” Jason joked. “I didn’t see any water cannons in town.”

  Jenny decided she didn’t care for his sense of humor. It was misplaced at best.

  “I don’t know why they arrested her. That’s what we have to find out.”

  Jason Stone finally sensed Jenny’s mood and stood up. They walked briskly to the police station.

  “They brought your aunt in,” Nora, the front desk clerk, confirmed as soon as they went in. “They are booking her now.”

  “Let me handle this,” Jason said grimly.

  Jenny paced the lobby, waiting for some news. She spied Adam coming out of the small corner room. He went into his office. She rushed in without paying any heed to Nora’s warning.

  “How dare you!” she screamed at the sheriff. “Why have you arrested my aunt? What are the charges?”

  “She’s being charged with murder,” Adam said grimly. “She’s the sole suspect in the case, Jenny. She still can’t explain why the victim had her paintbrush.”

  “She doesn’t even know the guy!” Jenny exclaimed.

  “That’s what she says,” Adam agreed. “But criminals often lie, in my experience.”

  “You take that back!” Jenny roared. “Star’s not a criminal. She has been a model citizen of this town for the last forty something years.”

  “She has a record, you know.”

  Jenny was speechless. She hadn’t known that.

  “You can’t hold that against her. Whatever she did before this is immaterial. She did not commit this crime. You have no proof.”

  “The court will decide that.”

  “All you have is some flimsy evidence. It’s not going to be enough.”

  Adam closed his eyes and massaged his temples.