by Liz Turner
Murder Mysteries in the Mountains
Cozy Mystery Box Set
Liz Turner
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Other Cozy Mystery books by Liz Turner
A Cozy Mystery In The Mountains Series:
Murder at the Festival Book 4
A Rare Catch Cozy Mystery Series:
Murder at Starlight Resort
Murder At The Barbecue
Murder at the Renaissance Fair
A Margie Lauderdale Cozy Mystery Series:
French Cuisine Murder
Wedding Bells & Murder?
Murder At The Wine Tasting
(coming soon)
Copyright 2016 by Cabo Publishing Group - All rights reserved.
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictional manner. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. No part of this publication or the information in it may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Liz Turner, Cabo Publishing Group.
Table of Contents
Murder on the Menu
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Trail Mix Murder
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Getaway to Murder
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
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Murder on the Menu
Chapter 1
“It’s only for a year,” She told them. “Just until your Aunt Karen gets better. Then we’ll head right back to New York.”
“I still say this is the stupid.” Sixteen-year-old Byron said, his voice reaching the higher pitch that it occasionally did when he was upset. Now that his voice had finally cracked, he was always careful to speak in a sort of low throaty voice he found sophisticated.
“Well, the decision is made, and that’s that. Aunt Karen is family, we have to help.” Victoria cringed at how weak her voice sounded. She’d never been the disciplinarian in the family. That had been Michael’s job. She was supposed to be the fun one. The good parent.
No one but her could know how much she missed Michael.
A tiny hand slid into hers and gave her a squeeze. “Don’t worry, Ma. I think it’s a brilliant idea.” Victoria smiled down at her youngest, little Annie, who was carrying a black duffel bag in one hand, and wheeling a neon green bag along.
“That just proves how rotten an idea it is,” Byron said. “If Greenie likes it.”
Annie pouted.
“Byron, don’t call your sister that,” Victoria said automatically.
With a mother’s instinct, she could feel him roll his eyes behind her. Choosing to ignore it, she leaned on the Hertz counter and rang the bell again. At this hour, Calgary airport was virtually deserted, and after five minutes, a young girl, maybe a year older than Byron, trotted up to the counter and ducked behind it.
Victoria looked out the window and thanked the heavens that the weather wasn’t so bad. At least no sleet or snow yet. They had a small drive in front of them before they’d reach Larch Hot Springs, their home for the next year.
Leaving New York hadn’t been easy. Even now, part of Victoria felt the elemental tug she always felt towards the bright lights of the big apple. They’d had a good life there, the four of them. Until...
“We’ve got no compacts left.” The girl was saying, “But, I’m going to upgrade you to one of our premier models, an SUV.” She was smiling at Byron, and Victoria noticed her son throw his shoulders back and tuck his thumbs into his pockets in a classically macho pose.
“I love SUVs,” Annie said, “But we’ve never owned a car, and Mom’s scared she can’t drive one of the bigger ones.”
“Never owned a car?” the girl looked absolutely stunned. Recovering, she asked, “Where are you flying in from, then?” She directed the question at Byron, who was smirking a little.
“New York,” Victoria smiled. “It’s been a long flight. Is there a smaller sedan you could give us?”
“Oh sure, let me just…” the girl tapped on her computer, then asked, “Where are you headed to anyway? Banff National Park? Are you here for the Banff Film Festival?”
“We’re here to stay,” Byron said, “Like, permanently.”
“What? You left NYC to come here?” The girl’s voice contained the utter incredulity of a person who was bored of her hometown and consequently, did not think much of it.
Victoria, who had once felt just as trapped and eager to escape as the girl probably did, now bristled with annoyance. “Well, what’s wrong with here anyway?” she asked. “Larch is a pretty little town. The Banff National Park is the most beautiful area in all of Canada, and Canada is the most beautiful country in the world. That’s my take on it anyhow.”
“Larch?” The girl’s eyes widened some more. Then, as if suddenly remembering her job was to provide customers service and not snark, she gave herself a little shake, and said, “Well, I’m sure you’ll have a great time, Ma’am. Here are your keys. Your car is a midsize a red Chevy. I hope that’s going to be alright?”
“Just fine, thank you.”
“Mom, tell Byron to hurry up,” Annie said, slightly annoyed, as they walked off to the parking lot. Victoria only smiled and said, “He’ll catch up.”
Byron, his hair flopping down his face, was leaning over the counter toward the girl. There was so much of his father in the way he looked. That combination of the cute boy next door and edgy punk r
ock that not too many people could pull off.
They located the car and threw their bags in. Then they spent some time checking all the bells and whistles and activating the GPS. At some point, Byron threw open the back door and hurled himself horizontally on the back seat.
“Feet off the seat, Byron,” Victoria said automatically, adjusting her rearview mirror.
“Mom. Chill. It’s just a rental.”
“Family rule. We treat all property with respect.” Victoria said.
“I just hope the people in Larch do,” Byron said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Victoria turned back.
Byron had a curious smile on his face. “I was talking with Amy back there, and she told me there have been a few incidents recently. Criminal incidents. Unexplained phenomena.”
“Bry, I’ve lived twenty years in New York. The last thing I’m worried about in Larch is crime,” Victoria smiled. “I’m sure we’ll do just fine. It’s probably just bored local teens.”
“Oh please,” Byron said. “Sure, big cities have more crime, but they also have better cops. Who do you suppose is the top dog around here? Some loser who couldn’t detect a diamond in a coal pile, I’ll bet.”
“I can’t imagine where you inherit that cheerful cynicism of yours,” Victoria smiled. “Cheer up, Byron. If you’re really worried about crime, out here in the Rockies, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” Annie squealed. “For me too, right Mom?”
Victoria nodded and then made a motion of zipping her lips.
“What is it? Tell me, tell me!” Annie bounced her legs in excitement.
“Never,” Victoria said. “All the Mongol hordes couldn’t tear out this secret from my lips.”
“How about if we promise to be quiet for an hour?” Byron asked.
“Deal,” Victoria said immediately.
“So what is it?” Annie asked, bouncing up and down on her seat. “What? What?”
“Let’s just say it’s a regular crime-fighting machine,” Victoria grinned.
Chapter 2
The crime fighting machine peed as soon as she saw them.
“Oh dear.” The owner said, “Well, the little gal held it in as long as she could, and I held her for you as long as I could. Half the town wanted her, you know.”
“A Lab!” Annie’s squeal reached sonic heights. “A Lab Momma! A Lab!” She was jumping around to emphasize each word, while Byron stood by her, trying his best to look cool and uninterested. The puppy came up to him and rubbed its head against his jeans. Instantly, he was a puddle of mush.
“You’re gorgeous, aren’t you?” Byron asked, bending down to pick her up. “Gosh yes, you are. You are just the queen of all creation. You’re a little snuggle wumpus. You’re a cute little meatball.” He stroked her gently by the ears, while Annie crowded him, stroking every inch of the pup she could.
The little cloud of tension that had hung over Victoria’s head dissolved. She’d been very unsure when Boyd had emailed her and asked her if she wanted the pup. But some instinct, the same instinct that made her leave her life in New York behind, had told her the pup would be a perfect way to start their new lives.
“I owe you one,” Victoria said now.
“Just consider it a welcome to town present.” The old man said. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Tory.”
“I just go by Victoria now,” Victoria said. “Tory’s a little too conservative for me.”
The old man, a giant gray,haired ex-lumberjack named Boyd, tilted his head at her.
“It was a joke,” Victoria explained, smiling, “You can call me just what you like, Mr. Boyd.”
“Well, I’ll stick to Victoria if you drop the “Mr.”, Boyd said. “Sound like a fair deal to you?”
“Not one I’d be able to stick to,” Victoria said. “Boyd.” She tried on the name for size, then shook her head. “Mr. Boyd. That’s the way your name should be spoken, with great respect. I was barely ten when you caught Karen and me breaking into your store, wasn’t it?”
“Shoulda put you in jail over it,” Boyd grinned. “I know I scared the life out of your little sister. You were always dragging her along, unwillingly. Poor Karen. She was such an adorable little girl. Cute on the outside, fierce on the inside. Not that she’s changed much.”
“You had guinea pigs on display, and I just really wanted to make sure they were all ok at night,” Victoria explained.
“Yeah, that’s the only reason I forgave you. You did it because you cared.” Boyd smiled. “Have you still got that streak of shamelessly putting your nose where it doesn’t belong?” He laughed. “Or has New York cured you of it?”
“Age and marriage calmed me down,” Victoria said. “Though I suppose that little girl’s still alive in me somewhere.”
Boyd sighed then and nodded. “That store sure went out of business a long time ago. But the thirty years between now and then seem like barely a minute. My goodness, Victoria, you were younger than your daughter here. ”
“She’s just turned eleven in June,” Victoria said, shaking her head. “I don’t know where the time goes, Boyd. I just try to hold on to it while I can.”
Boyd nodded at her. “Things change just the same. Holding on’s not so useful.”
Victoria sighed, and looked over at her kids. The puppy had gone to sleep in Annie’s lap. Victoria could tell that Annie, who looked like she wanted to dance for joy, was trying really hard to stay still and let the puppy sleep. Byron was bent over the pup now, a huge smile plastered on his face. A real smile at that and not the sophisticated smirk that sometimes drove her up the wall.
“They’ll grow up faster than you know,” Boyd said, seeing her look. “Then you’ll be stuck with yourself, wondering how to pass the time.”
“I suppose I’ll use you as inspiration,” Victoria said. “I heard you opened up a new general store and managed to get yourself elected Mayor, Boyd. Congratulations on both! It’s a big achievement.”
Boyd smiled. “I guess the townsfolk were just about sick of Hanson Johannson and his perennial temper tantrums. He might own half the town, but he didn’t get half the votes. Not this time.”
“Never thought I’d see the day a Johannson lost an election,” Victoria smiled. “They’ve ruled this town forever. I'd say it’s a great thing to have fresh blood running things.”
“Oh, you can’t call mine fresh,” Boyd smiled. “I’m about as old and slow as one of those ancient tortoises you sometimes see documentaries about.”
“Nonsense. You’re young enough to sprint over the mountains and swim across oceans.” Victoria smiled. “Oh, Boyd. I was dreading coming here but seeing you now, I feel like I made the right choice. I missed, I missed family and this entire town is like family to me.”
Boyd only looked embarrassed and muttered something about feeling the same way in a hoarse voice. Time to change the topic, Victoria decided.
“Heard there have been some crimes here lately?” Victoria asked Boyd now.
“Here in Larch?” Boyd laughed. “Wherever did you get that idea? Larch’s the same it’s always been. We sleep with our doors unlocked and leave the keys in the car.”
But his eyes looked away as he said that, and Victoria felt a little inner camera permanently file away the snapshot of that expression. What was Boyd hiding from her? Why?
“Anyway, I suppose you’ve got to get along to Karen’s now,” Boyd smiled. “Don’t want to keep her up. Seeing as how it’s getting late and all.”
“Yes.” Victoria felt the cloud of tension form magically over her head again as soon as she heard Karen’s name.
“The puppy should break the ice,” Boyd said. “I mean, considering you haven’t seen her in what, fifteen years?”
“Seventeen,” Victoria said. A crucial difference, she felt. Karen had never met the kids. She’d never even responded to any of Victoria’s letters.
“I suppose she’s still a little angry,” Boyd sa
id as if he was reading Victoria’s mind.
Victoria shook her head. “I just hope she’ll get over it when I land up on her doorstep.”
“You mean you haven’t told her you were coming?” Boyd looked shocked. “My goodness! This should be interesting.”
Chapter 3
Boyd had invited them in for a quick dinner when he realized Karen had no clue about their arrival. He had also agreed to hold on to the puppy for a few days more until Victoria was settled in. The kids had protested at first, but both had quieted down once Boyd promised they could visit anytime they liked. Victoria drove down Lynx avenue, a little smile playing on her face.
It was dark now, being nearly midnight. But she felt glad she’d accepted Boyd’s offer to see him first. It had given her the strength she needed so sorely before seeing Karen.
In the backseat, Annie was leaning against Byron, her lashes resting on her cheek. Byron was glued to his cell phone, scrolling on endlessly, the blue light lighting his face up. In front of her were the streets she’d grown up in, the town she’d abandoned to run away with Michael.
She switched off the GPS. No need for a tinny robotic voice telling her to head left down maple street when she knew all the roads and all the shortcuts.
On her right was Amanda Rainer’s house. Well, at least it had been when Victoria was ten and still best friends with Amanda. Right now, it looked dark and droopy. Victoria wondered if Amanda still lived here or had she run away to carve her own little space in the big bad world?
Further down, she smiled as she saw Mrs. Ethel’s home. It was a quaint little cottage with a collection of garden gnomes standing guard instead of a fence.
There was the park she’d grown up in with the swings now deserted. Maybe she’d take Annie over there someday.
And here, in all its glory, was the ramshackle three-story house at the edge of the wilderness that she’d once called home. It had changed so much. Now it was painted maroon and green instead of the muted pastel shades her mother had preferred. A large rectangular structure seemed to hug it from the side. It was an exterior elevator that was clearly a recent addition to account for her father’s age.
