Old Fashioned Murder (A Ryli Sinclair Cozy Mystery Book 3)

by Jenna St James

  I could tell by the twitch of his lips he wanted to smile. “Watch it.”

  I laughed and allowed myself to relax and enjoy the meal. I’ve been worrying more and more lately about where our relationship was going. We’ve been seeing each other about four months now, and I’m perfectly content with where things stand with us. But I also know Garrett will be forty in a couple years, and he’s already hinted about me moving in. When I think of the next logical step, the spit in my mouth dries up.

  After dinner, I carried the dirty dishes into the kitchen and stacked them in the dishwasher while he put the leftovers in the refrigerator. He topped off my glass of wine and we went into the living room to cuddle on the couch.

  “So tell me about your week.” He draped his arm behind me over the couch as I snuggled as close to him as possible.

  “Remember I told you I was doing that interview with Virginia Webber and the life she spent with her three deceased husbands? It was actually quite fun.” I laughed at the look on his face. “Simmer down policeman. It was fun because I learned about the importance of cocktail parties and making drinks like a Spanish Fashion. I also learned you never know how much time you have in life, so you better grab and love the person you’re with because you never know.”

  “The first part sounds fun, if not a little scary. And the second part sounds like very good advice.” He took my wine glass, set it on the coffee table, gathered me in his arms, and kissed me deeply. He ran his hands through my hair, causing me to shudder. I leaned my head back to give him better access to my neck…when my phone started ringing.

  “Ignore it!” we both shouted at the same time.

  After three rings, it went to voicemail. I breathed a sigh of relief when my phone rang again.

  “No, no, no,” I whispered against his lips.

  He sighed and gave me a quick, hard kiss. “Might as well answer it. They’re obviously gonna keep calling until you do.”

  I yanked the phone out of my cardigan sweater. I didn’t recognize the local number. I slid my finger forcefully over the button and yelled, “What? For the love of God, what do you want?”

  There was a moment of silence.

  “Ryli Sinclair?” the female caller asked.

  “Yes. Yes, it is. And no I don’t want to buy anything. No I don’t want to take a survey, and yes take me off your calling list.”

  I yanked the phone from my ear and was about to press the end button when I heard, “Ms. Sinclair, this is Oak Grove Manor. We have your aunt here, and you need to come pick her up immediately.”

  I sighed and put the phone back up to my ear. Garrett gave me a sympathetic smile. Obviously our night was going to come to an abrupt halt.

  “Ms. Sinclair, are you there?”

  I sighed again extra loud for the benefit of the caller. “Yes, I’m here. What’s going on?”

  “Well, if you wouldn’t mind coming to the Manor to pick up your aunt, I will explain when you get here.”

  “Why do I have to come get her? She lives there.”

  Silence.

  “Ma’am,” the caller huffed, “are you coming to get her or do we need to call the police?”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to tell the snotty woman that I was in the presence of the police right now, but I didn’t think that would win any points for Aunt Shirley.

  “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  I hung up the phone without waiting for an answer.

  “Doesn’t sound good,” Garrett mused.

  “Nope,” I sighed.

  I was terrified what this meant. Were they kicking her out of the Manor and she had to come live with me? I wasn’t sure my mental health could take Aunt Shirley as a roommate.

  “Wanna come with me?” I asked hopefully.

  “Not on your life, babe.” He leaned over and kissed my nose. “You better go. Give me a call later and let me know what’s going on.”

  I shuffled over to where my coat was hung and slowly zipped it around me. I was trying to prolong the inevitable as much as possible.

  “Drive safe.”

  I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I will. I’ll text you later to let you know what’s going on.”

  Garrett smiled and opened the door for me. “Try not to act like you’re going to your death.”

  “It’s how I’m feeling.”

  CHAPTER 10

  * * *

  Oak Grove Manor was lit up like a Christmas tree when I came to a screeching halt outside the front entranceway. I didn’t even bother with parking the Falcon in the visitor’s section. I dared them to tow me!

  I yanked open the front door and marched to the information desk. Aunt Shirley was standing there looking as proud as a peacock. A lady I’d never seen before was standing next to her, along with Thomas Shifley and Sheri Daniels. I groaned. This was so not good. It didn’t look like Aunt Shirley would be talking her way out of this one.

  There were about eight elderly people milling around the large living area. Some were playing checkers, others reading by the fireplace. They looked perfectly happy to be there. For the hundredth time I wondered why Aunt Shirley couldn’t be one of them.

  “Ms. Sinclair, my name is Lucy Stevenson. I am the Executive Director for Oak Grove Manor.” Her brown hair was cut in a classic bob, her wrinkle-free tailored suit fit perfectly against her body, and her black square glasses left no doubt she was all business. Even her handshake was crushing. I tried not to cringe so I wouldn’t show weakness. “Let me get straight to the point. Your aunt was caught tonight playing strip poker with three gentlemen.”

  My mouth dropped open. Aunt Shirley grinned and nodded vigorously at me. Her top dentures bobbed up and down. She looked maniacal.

  Lucy Stevenson cleared her throat. “This is a family-friendly facility. We pride ourselves on emphasizing the family part. We can’t have this kind of behavior at our place.”

  Sheri Daniels and Thomas Shifley were both smirking at me.

  “Where are the men?” I demanded. “I don’t see them? Are they being kicked out?”

  Lucy Stevenson sighed and shook her head. “This was their first offense. This is your aunt’s tenth…in just this week. I’ve spoken to both our Coordinator, Sheri Daniels, and Mr. Shifley, the orderly for your aunt’s floor, and they both assure me this week alone there have been many violations with regard to your aunt.”

  I glanced over at Aunt Shirley. She didn’t even look guilty at the mention of all her violations. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry or scream.

  “So what’s your bottom line here, lady?” I demanded. At this point I couldn’t even pretend to be polite.

  Lucy Stevenson pursed her lips together tightly. “We are temporarily suspending your aunt from the Manor. She will need to be out of here by the weekend. I will have a hearing to determine her fate by the end of the month.”

  “It’s Friday night for the love of God!” I cried. “How can I have her out by the weekend?”

  Panicked, Lucy Stevenson quickly looked around the room at the other residents. “Please keep your voice down, Ms. Sinclair. I do not wish to disturb the other residents with this unpleasantness.”

  “Of course not. Just me, right?” I was practically yelling at this point, but I didn’t care. “You only wish to ruin not only my night—but my life!”

  “Oh suck it up, buttercup,” Aunt Shirley said. “It ain’t gonna be that bad.”

  A sudden sharp pain sliced through my right orbital and I knew it was only a matter of time before a full-fledged migraine came on. I rubbed my temple and admitted defeat. I knew when I was licked.

  “Let’s go get some of your stuff, Aunt Shirley. I’ll take you to my place tonight.” I scowled at Lucy Stevenson. “But this isn’t over.”

  “Hot dog,” Aunt Shirley hooted. “I’m breaking free!”

  I rolled my eyes and started to walk away…all the while giving Sheri and Shifley my best squinty evil eye. The smirk on their faces told me I was
n’t fazing them in the least.

  I didn’t say anything to Aunt Shirley until we got in the elevator. “What were you thinking?” I demanded.

  “What?” Aunt Shirley said. “We started out just playing poker, but I was getting bored fast.”

  My mouth dropped open. “Are you telling me strip poker was your idea?”

  “Yep. Figured that would liven up the party. Old Man Jenkins was all for it!”

  I closed my eyes and counted to ten. The elevator opened onto Aunt Shirley’s floor. “How’d you get caught?”

  Aunt Shirley’s grin fell. “That loser Shifty caught us. Ray Manning had been over twice pounding on the door complaining about the noise, saying we were making him sick. I guess he got Shifty involved and Shifty found us.”

  “Please tell me you were dressed when you answered the door.”

  Aunt Shirley grinned. “I’ve always thought deep down Shifty wanted to see me naked. So I gave him that opportunity!”

  Her laugh echoed loudly in the empty hallway.

  I couldn’t help but join in as we walked into her apartment. “Serves him right.”

  “You should have seen the look on his face. Like he swallowed a whole bag of lemons.”

  A card table and folding chairs were set up in the living room of Aunt Shirley’s apartment. “Well, you have plenty of space for a card party,” I said.

  “That’s why we met in my apartment. Their apartments are cluttered and man gross. Mine was nice and empty.”

  “Go ahead and grab some things you’ll need. I’ll start picking up some of this trash.”

  Aunt Shirley did a little jig in the living room. “This is gonna be awesome. You and me living together. Think of the fun we’ll have!”

  She bolted out of the room before I could respond. I grabbed a bag from under the sink and started throwing away the trash. I counted a half-eaten package of gummy bears, three empty water bottles, two empty bottles of a chocolate booster drink, and an empty package of chewy chocolate chip cookies.

  “What, no booze?” I hollered back to Aunt Shirley.

  “Those weaklings! They said if they drank after five it keeps them up all night with heartburn and gas.”

  I kicked myself for asking.

  I’d just thrown away the last of the trash when Aunt Shirley came back into the living room rolling a medium sized suitcase and carrying an even larger matching makeup bag.

  It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her she wasn’t staying that long. But then I realized I had no idea how long she really was staying.

  “I’ll see if I can’t get Matt and Garrett to help get some of your things tomorrow.” I opened Aunt Shirley’s front door to leave. “Luckily we won’t have to worry about your larger items for a few more weeks.”

  “You can burn it for all I care. I ain’t never coming back so I don’t need it.”

  The door across the hall opened and Lovey stepped out of her apartment. “What’s going on? Phyllis Kregle, down on the first floor said she heard that your aunt was kicked out.”

  “You heard right!” Aunt Shirley pushed me aside with her suitcase. “I’m blowing this lame joint.”

  An elderly couple shuffled out of the apartment on the other side of Virginia. I’d never seen them before. I guessed them to be in their late seventies. They were both gray and thin, but the man towered over the woman by a good foot.

  “We heard you are leaving us,” the elderly lady said as they slowly made their way toward us.

  “Jeez, word travels fast around here,” I mumbled.

  “We’re the McElroys,” he said. “Been here about four years now.”

  “I can’t believe they really kicked you out,” Dotty said.

  Time to put a stop to the rumor mill. “It’s just temporary,” I assured them.

  “Nope,” Aunt Shirley corrected me. “They told me I had the weekend to get out!”

  Manning’s door flew opened and he hobbled out into the hallway clutching a bag of chocolate covered espresso beans. “Best news I’ve heard all year! About time they kicked you out.” He wiped sweat off his brow and swayed heavily on his cane.

  “Now Mr. Manning,” Mrs. McElroy scolded, “there’s no need to be rude.”

  “You okay there, Mr. Manning?” I asked. He looked pale and weak.

  “No I ain’t okay. Your aunt’s noise from her party has given me an upset stomach.”

  Aunt Shirley laughed. “You got the squirts because of my party? Doubt that.”

  He banged his cane on the floor. “It’s true I tell you. I’ve been sick all day.”

  “You do look pretty pale there Mr. Manning,” Lovey agreed. “What ails you?”

  “Well, if you busybodies must know, I got the shakes, I’m vomiting, and I can’t keep anything inside me.”

  Aunt Shirley rolled her eyes. “It sounds like you got the flu, you idiot. If we’re all lucky, it’ll kill ya!”

  “Just go away so I can have some peace and quiet!” He turned on his heel, staggered back inside, and slammed the door closed.

  “He doesn’t look too good,” Mrs. McElroy said. “Should we call someone downstairs to come take a look at him?”

  “Nah, he’ll be fine tomorrow.” Aunt Shirley picked up her makeup bag. “Let’s go, driver.”

  “Shouldn’t you say goodbye to Virginia?” I said.

  “Virginia isn’t in tonight,” Lovey said. “She had a date with Bert Livingston.”

  “No way!” Aunt Shirley exclaimed and set her bag back down. “He’s the most eligible bachelor at the Manor. That’s some serious game right there.”

  “He asked her last week,” Dotty said gruffly. “But she said no. Then after your visit the other day, she changed her mind. Guess maybe she’s ready to get back out there again.”

  Tears filled my eyes. “I’m so happy for her. She’s such a lovely lady. She deserves some happiness.”

  “Let’s go home.” Aunt Shirley picked up her makeup bag and rolled her suitcase down the hall. I shuddered at the thought of my home now being her home.

  CHAPTER 11

  * * *

  “I don’t understand why I have to be the one to keep her,” I whispered into the phone. “I mean I’m sleeping on the couch in my own home!”

  Mom was on the other end, trying to pawn Aunt Shirley off on me. Not the way I wanted to start my Saturday morning. I hadn’t even had my coffee yet.

  “I promise it will only be for a little while. I’ll call Lucy Stevenson today. Her aunt and I are good friends, so maybe I can plead my case. If that doesn’t work, we’ll make Garrett use his pull and keep her there. But it may take a day or two.”

  “That all sounds good, but what about getting her out of the Manor today?”

  Mom paused. “What’s on your agenda this morning?”

  I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn’t see. “Well, Aunt Shirley’s in the bathroom getting ready. She just informed me she had to be at Legends Salon & Nails in half an hour to get her hair done. Whatever that means.”

  Mom chuckled. “Just be glad all that Kool-Aid color washed out from Paige and Matt’s wedding. I still don’t know what possessed her.”

  Aunt Shirley had recently seen a young girl with multi-colored hair and decided she wanted that look for herself. Unfortunately, it was a day before Paige was due to get married. We all still shake our head at Paige and Matt’s wedding photos that feature Aunt Shirley, aka Rainbow Brite.

  “That’s true. It took quite a while for that to all wash out. I guess after we finish at Legends I’ll go dumpster diving for some boxes outside the grocery store then run her by the Manor. At least go through the motions of packing some of her stuff.”

  “Good idea,” Mom said. “Hopefully by then Garrett and I can figure something out.”

  “Please do, Mom. I don’t know if I can stand her living here for very long.”

  “No worries, honey. I’ll talk with you later.”

  I hung up the phone and texted Paige to tel
l her we’d meet her at Legends. No way was I doing Legends alone. I’d only been in there once since Iris died back in October. Died being my nice word for brutally murdered. Since then Legends has been taken over by Daphnie Dowerson. And trust me, she’s as whacky as her name sounds. Which was another reason I was worried about Aunt Shirley going to see her. She could come out looking worse than she went in. Daphnie was known for her crazy cuts and colors. She was trained in some cutting-edge salon in Kansas City, so everyone in small town Granville was flocking to her. I thought her cuts were ridiculous looking.

  Aunt Shirley came scurrying into the living room, her purple polyester pants rubbing together so quickly I was afraid she’d catch fire. She yanked up her oversized bright pink patent-leather purse from the kitchen table. “Let’s go. I need to have time to hear all the good gossip before I go under the dryer.”

  I shuddered at her purple and pink color combo.

  “Wait. Why do you need to go under the dryer?” I asked.

  “It’s a surprise. Let’s go!”

  I barely suppressed a groan as I grabbed my purse and coat and followed her out the door and started up the Falcon. It was a frigid ten degrees outside, but at least no new snow.

  It only took a couple minutes to get to Legends, park, and walk inside. There were two people sitting along the bench against the wall waiting their turn while Daphnie and Cindy Troyer already had customers in their chairs. Holly Parker, the new nail technician that took over when Iris died, was busy buffing and yacking away with her customer.

  “Be right with you,” Daphnie called out.

  I absolutely hated coming into this shop. The ladies that usually came here were just a bunch of gossipers—Aunt Shirley included. I hung up our coats and led Aunt Shirley to one of the empty chairs in the waiting area. Hopefully Daphnie would be done soon and I could escape. Not that going to the Manor afterward was going to be any better.

  I picked up an old fashion magazine and half-heartedly flipped through. Not that I had any interest in what they said about how to keep a man, which every article seemed to be about. I nearly wept with joy when Paige walked through the door.