Green Living Can Be Deadly (A Blossom Valley Mystery)

by McLaughlin, Staci

  “Please call me Nadine. Jason has told me so many wonderful things about you. I couldn’t wait to meet you.” She offered me a smile, which immediately untied some of the knots in my muscles.

  “I’m still planning to take you all out to dinner,” Jason told me. “I haven’t forgotten.”

  His mom rubbed his back. “Oh, honey, you’re so busy writing about this murder that I don’t want to take your attention away from your work.” She turned to me, with her emerald teardrop earrings sparkling in the sun. “Jason tells me you have quite the knack for solving crimes in this town.”

  I blushed at the unexpected compliment. Jason might harass me about investigating, because he didn’t want me in danger, but deep down, he thought I wasn’t half bad.

  “I bet you’re as smart as that guy on The Mentalist,” Jason’s dad said.

  Ashlee snapped her gum. “Oh, she’s mental, all right.”

  I bit back a smart retort. I didn’t want Jason’s parents to see us bicker. Instead, I pointed at Ashlee. “This is my sister, Ashlee.”

  Nods of greeting were exchanged all around.

  Jason’s mom said, “Dana, maybe you should solve this murder, and then Jason would know how to finish his news article.”

  I chuckled along with everyone else. Little did she know, I was already working on that very thing.

  “Jason tells me you do marketing at an organic farm and spa,” she continued. “That must be interesting.”

  “Yes, I’m really enjoying it right now, although I don’t see it as a long-term career.” I don’t know what possessed me to say that. Aren’t I happy with my job?

  “Oh? What’s your long-range plan?” she asked.

  I didn’t want to admit that I didn’t have one, so I hedged my answer. “I’m not quite sure. I like my job, but I’d prefer to concentrate solely on marketing again. That’s what I did when I worked at a software company down in San Jose. Right now, the owner of the farm has me doing a variety of projects, not all of which are related to marketing.” Jason’s parents looked at me as if waiting for more, only I didn’t have anything else to say.

  “It’s wonderful that you and your sister live in the same town,” Mrs. Forrester said. “I was so hoping that Jason and his brother would be that close. But then, Jason, well, he forged his own way in life. Of course we’re proud of him, but it’s unfortunate that he moved so far away.”

  Ashlee stepped closer, wedging herself into the conversation. “Dana moved away for a while, but she moved back, just like I knew she would. She missed me way too much when she lived in the Bay Area.”

  Lord, where did she come up with these things? “Our father passed away, and I wanted to move home to help out my mom.”

  “Plus, you got laid off from that fancy job of yours,” Ashlee said.

  Ugh. “Right, thanks for reminding me.”

  “Oh, so you live with your mother?” Mrs. Forrester asked.

  Did I sense a hint of disapproval in her voice, or were my heightened nerves making me extra sensitive?

  “Me too,” Ashlee said.

  I wished she’d go find something else to do, but I knew this interaction was the best entertainment Ashlee had seen all day. She wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Well, doesn’t that sound cozy,” Jason’s mom said.

  I detected a trace of distaste again, definitely more obvious. “Not for long,” I said on the spur of the moment. Ashlee gave me a look implying she questioned my sanity.

  “What do you mean?” Jason asked.

  My brain was screaming for me to shut up, knowing I was about to say something stupid, but everyone was staring at me now, and my mouth kept moving. “Ashlee and I were talking last night, and we’ve reached a decision.”

  “What decision is that?” Mr. Forrester asked.

  Ashlee was watching me with raised eyebrows now, no doubt wondering what I was talking about. “Yes, Dana, please tell them all about our decision.”

  “We’re going to rent an apartment,” I said. “We’re moving in together.” Too late, I slapped a hand over my mouth.

  Oh, God, what have I done?

  15

  There was a brief pause after my announcement, or maybe time in my world had momentarily stopped. Then Mrs. Forrester nodded. “How fun. My sister and I roomed together back in college. Some of the best years of my life.”

  “But you refuse to talk to Aunt Karen now,” Jason said.

  “Hush, that was later,” his mom said, an icy edge to her tone.

  I dared a peek at Ashlee. Her cheeks had to hurt from the size of that grin. She was loving every minute of this.

  Jason studied me, a quizzical look on his face. “I had no idea you were even considering such a big decision.”

  That made two of us.

  “Mom has been doing better in recent months, and, really, it’s time that I got back out on my own.” I wasn’t sure if leaving my mom’s house for an apartment with my sister really counted as being on my own, but it was a move in the right direction.

  “Mom’s even started dating again,” Ashlee said.

  A small group of retirees wandered by the table, then shifted closer to study the pictures of the farm. I handed each a brochure, along with a travel mug. “I’d love to tell you about all the great offerings at the farm. Really, I should call it ‘the spa,’ because we have so many new options,” I said to them.

  Jason stepped aside to make room for the group. “We’ll let you get back to work,” he told me. “I’ll call you later.”

  “Nice meeting you,” I said to Mr. and Mrs. Forrester. Mr. Forrester shook my hand. Mrs. Forrester patted my arm and smiled before they both followed Jason away from the table. I turned back to the group and went into my spiel about the massages and facials we now offered, while Ashlee stood to one side and chomped on her gum.

  After the group left, Ashlee entered the booth so I couldn’t possibly ignore her. “Were you serious about moving in together?”

  “Absolutely not. I said that so Jason’s mom wouldn’t think I was a total loser.”

  “Come on, Dana, it’s not a bad idea. We’re both a little old to be living at home.”

  She didn’t need to tell me that. “But what about Mom?”

  “What about her?” she asked. “I was as freaked out as you when Dad first died, but she’s got a boyfriend now. Like you said, she’s doing way better.”

  At the mention of Dad’s death, I clutched the St. Christopher medal he’d given me years ago that I now wore every day. Was Ashlee right? Had Mom moved on? Did she not need us anymore? “I’ll think about it. We need to talk to Mom first.”

  She clasped her hands together. “Imagine how fun it’d be. We could throw parties. We could have guys over anytime we wanted.”

  That’s exactly what I was afraid of. “Relax. We’re not turning our apartment into a drive-thru dating service for every new boy toy you meet.” Although I had to admit, the words “our apartment” had sounded so natural when I said them.

  “And you could have Jason over and make out with him all night long. I wouldn’t mind.”

  The idea of getting cozy with Jason while Ashlee puttered around the apartment wasn’t a huge selling point. “Who says ‘make out’ anymore? Are we back in high school?” I gave her a little shove. “Now, get out of here so I can work.”

  Ashlee winked at me. “Sure thing, roomie.” She sauntered away, probably headed for the cleaning products booth, so she could tell her latest love interest about her impending make-out apartment. Maybe he’d bring his “sister” along.

  I tried to block all thoughts of moving in with Ashlee from my mind, but with the dwindling afternoon crowd, I had extra time on my hands. Really, would it be so bad to live with her? Judging by the condition of her room, she wouldn’t be the neatest roommate, but at least I knew exactly what to expect. I didn’t have to worry about getting stuck with a roommate who was always late with the rent or stole my clothes.

  The bigger
question was whether I should even move out. When I’d first returned home several months ago, Mom had been an emotional wreck, staying inside and mourning my dad all day. Was Mom ready for another big change already?

  My cell phone buzzed in my pocket, saving me from reaching a decision. I pulled out the phone and looked at the screen: Kimmie.

  “Hello?” I said, handing a brochure to a woman as she passed the booth.

  “Dana, it’s Kimmie. I don’t have time to talk, but I wanted to let you know that Preston has scheduled Wendy’s memorial service for Tuesday morning.”

  “That soon?” I asked. For some reason, I’d thought they might keep her body until the police had wrapped up their investigation.

  “Everyone keeps asking about a service, so Preston set something up.”

  “I’ll see if I can get the time off. I’d love to talk to the attendees. Maybe you could help me.”

  Kimmie sighed. “I’ll try to make it, although it’s really not the best time for me. I don’t think Preston took into consideration that some people have to work for a living.”

  As usual, Kimmie was all about Kimmie. “He’s probably distracted by the fact that his wife was murdered,” I said.

  “I suppose. I just wish he’d think about other people.”

  I changed the subject before I launched into a lecture about grief and compassion. “Say, Kimmie, did you ever hear about the people who funded Invisible Prints to help get it started? Did Wendy ever say what she did with that money?” A man moved close to the table, so I gave him one of the few remaining pig pens.

  “Funny you ask. I heard some rumors last week that the company wasn’t investing the money the way the venture capitalists had expected. I asked Wendy about the rumors, but she laughed them off. She said people were always trying to undermine the success of companies run by women.”

  I twisted toward the back of the booth so people walking by wouldn’t overhear me. “I learned today that a man invested two million dollars in the company, and he seemed to think the money had simply disappeared.”

  “Two million? That’s quite a bit, even for me. But you know how fussy people get when they loan out money. They want every penny accounted for,” Kimmie said, sounding distracted. I could hear noises in the background.

  “But don’t you think that could be related to Wendy’s murder?” I pressed.

  “I don’t know, and I can’t worry about it right now. I have to go.”

  Gee, sorry your friend’s murder is interfering with your life. “Fine, I’ll see you on Tuesday.”

  Kimmie hung up without saying good-bye.

  I shoved my phone back into my pocket and tidied up the knickknacks on the table. For the next couple of hours, I watched fewer and fewer people walk by. By late afternoon, the crowd had grown sparse, which was just as well since I’d already handed out my last pig pen and had only one travel mug left.

  When five o’clock arrived, I broke down the booth for the final time, made a few trips to load everything into the trunk of my car, and drove home. Ashlee’s bright red Camaro wasn’t in the driveway, so I took the coveted spot, and was sure I’d hear about it later.

  Inside the house, Mom sat in the threadbare recliner that Dad had loved, watching a cooking show. A dark spot on her red turtleneck showed where she’d missed her mouth while eating from the open carton of hummus and the pile of chips, which sat on a plate in her lap. I dropped onto the couch, glad to rest my feet after a day of standing.

  Mom muted the sound on the television and set the remote on the chair arm. “How was the festival’s last day?”

  “Great. We had a nice turnout.”

  “I’m glad. Were people still talking about the murder?”

  “Not that I heard. And no one really stopped at her booth, either.” At least during the few hours I’d been there. No need to mention the fact that I’d spent the morning in Mendocino. “Say, Mom, you usually hear about what’s going on around town. What are people saying about Wendy?”

  Mom leaned over the arm of the recliner. “I try to avoid hearing all the scuttlebutt, but you know how Sue Ellen is always pestering me. She called not two hours ago to tell me that someone’s conducting a surprise inspection at Invisible Prints tomorrow.”

  Had Marvin made good on his threats? He certainly worked fast. “It can’t be much of a surprise if Sue Ellen has already heard about it.”

  “She knows a lot of people. Some are even important.”

  “Did she say who ordered the inspection?” If Marvin had requested the audit, he must be fairly positive that Wendy had stolen his money. And two million dollars was no pocket change. Had he become so furious that he’d killed Wendy in her booth when Wendy denied the accusations?

  “You know how tight-lipped Sue Ellen can be about names,” Mom said, breaking into my musings. “That’s why people tell her so much. That’s one of the reasons I don’t want you looking into Wendy’s death. In a town this size, word will get out. It could put you in danger.”

  I stared at my toes as though they were as fascinating as a painting at the Museum of Modern Art, all so I wouldn’t have to meet Mom’s gaze. One look at my face, and she’d know what I’d been up to.

  “By the way,” Mom said, “you and your sister are on your own for dinner tonight. Lane’s taking me out again.”

  “You’re sure seeing a lot of him lately.”

  “He’s a nice man, and we have a lot of fun.”

  I considered the picture of Dad on the mantel, his warm, open face reminding me of all the times we’d played catch in the yard or gone hiking together.

  Mom caught me looking. “Your father will always have a place in my heart. Lane can’t replace that.”

  “I know.” And I did. “I’ve noticed that you seem a lot happier these days.”

  Maybe moving out was a possibility after all.

  “I won’t lie—those first few months were tough. Before I met Lane, I felt like I’d been sleepwalking through the days. He helped wake me up.”

  Before I could respond, the front door flew open, banging against the wall. Ashlee bounded into the room, her blond hair flying behind her.

  “You’re in my parking spot,” she said to me before turning to Mom. “Did Dana tell you the big news?”

  I jumped in before she could say anything else. “That’s not your spot, and I was just about to.”

  “What big news?” Mom asked. “Does it have to do with Jason?”

  I didn’t even want to know what big news Mom thought might involve Jason. “No,” I said, “but Ashlee and I did want to talk with you about something else.” I tried to think of a way to ease into the idea that both her children would be packing up at the same time, leaving her with an empty house.

  “We’re moving out,” Ashlee said.

  So much for breaking the news gently.

  Mom pulled her head back. “What? Where are you going?”

  “Don’t know yet, but Dana told Jason today that she and I are getting our own apartment.”

  “Hang on a second,” I said. My sister was such a peach, putting all the blame on me.

  “Did you say that, Dana?” Mom asked. “I didn’t realize you were unhappy here.”

  Pack the bags. I was going on a guilt trip. “Of course I’m not unhappy. I love it here. And that’s why I’m not going anywhere.”

  Ashlee threw herself onto the couch next to me. “Dana, you promised,” she said, her voice rising an octave.

  Oh, great, now I was taking two guilt trips. “I said I’d think about it. And I did. I decided now’s not a good time.”

  “Is it because of me?” Mom asked. “I certainly don’t want to keep you girls here.”

  I held up my hands, not sure which person I was trying to appease. “Look, I met Jason’s parents today, and stress got the better of me. I told them that Ashlee and I were getting an apartment, but I didn’t really mean it.”

  “Dana,” Ashlee whined, “I’ve already told my friends we
’re getting a place. They want to know when the housewarming party is.”

  “First off, even if we share an apartment, there will be no parties. Second, we’re not sharing an apartment.”

  Mom stood up, stopping Ashlee from whatever she was about to say. “I think you two should do it.”

  I jerked my head around. “Mom, you don’t mean that,” I said. “It’s too soon.”

  Mom took both my hands in hers. “Dana, I’m ready for you two to move out. Sometimes I want to have Lane over without my daughters hanging around.”

  I gawked at her as Ashlee snickered.

  “Gee, sorry we’re cramping your style, Mom,” I said, a bit hurt that she saw Ashlee and me as some sort of third-wheel combo.

  “You girls need your privacy, too.”

  Ashlee smacked my shoulder. “See? It’s settled. I’ll start looking for a place.”

  I studied Mom’s face, trying to decide if she was putting up a front or she really wanted us out. Her face was free of worry, her smile open. Maybe I was the one who needed to move on from Dad’s death.

  I pressed my palms together for a moment. Then I slowly relaxed my muscles, letting all the tension out. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

  Ashlee clapped her hands and jumped up.

  “Sit down,” I told her. “We’re not moving tonight.”

  “I know, but I need to start looking up places online. See if I can find out how many single guys live there, and which place has a hot tub.”

  I let out a groan and laid my head on the couch. Whether or not I was ready to come to grips with it, I was moving in with my sister. Maybe if things didn’t work out, I could go live with Wilbur and the other pigs.

  16

  I tossed and turned all night, dreaming of Ashlee taking over the bathroom counter space with her makeup, curling irons, and hair care products. We’d definitely need to look for an apartment with two bathrooms. I was still grappling with the idea that we were really moving in together as I rose from the bed and headed into the bathroom for my morning shower.

  After I toweled off, I pulled on my khakis and navy blue polo shirt, scarfed down my sugarless oatmeal, and drove to the farm. The sky was mostly clear this morning, with low-hanging clouds hovering above the mountains in the distance. I parked my Honda in its usual spot and headed down the path.