Ghostly Paws (Mystic Notch Cozy Mystery Series)

by Leighann Dobbs

  My stomach growled at the sight of the tiny sandwiches—thin white bread, cut into triangles with the crusts removed.

  “Is that ham salad?” I asked as I reached for a sandwich.

  “Yes, with pickles.”

  I loaded my plate with three of them, and poured some tea into the dainty china cup. Pepper had a collection of antique teacups that she used in her shop and this one had a thick gold lining inside and big yellow roses on the outside.

  I poured some cream into the cup, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye. “You didn’t put anything special in here, did you?”

  Pepper laughed. “Nope. No special herbs in there, don’t worry.”

  I bit into the sandwich, reveling in the burst of sweet ham and tangy pickle. “Nummy,” I mumbled with my mouth full.

  “So, did you find out any more about Lavinia’s killer? I heard it’s an official murder investigation now.” Pepper settled back on the sofa, taking a teensy nibble from one of the molasses cookies stacked up on the tray.

  I told her about the incident behind the library.

  “Augusta must think this is serious if she called in Eddie Striker,” Pepper said.

  “You know him?”

  “Of course.” Pepper looked at me quizzically. “He grew up here. Don’t you remember him from grade school?”

  “Grade school?” I dug around in my memory, which to tell the truth wasn’t that great anymore. I didn’t remember any extra-large second grader named Eddie. “I don’t remember.”

  “Anyway, he moved away to Dixford Pass when were about ten, I think. He went on to work for the CIA—super secret spy stuff, from what I hear. Then something happened and he came back to Dixford Pass to be the sheriff.”

  I pressed my lips together. “Well, I didn’t like him very much … he seemed like he wanted to shoot me.”

  “Was that because you acted less than hospitable to him?”

  “Maybe,” I laughed. I had been pretty hostile to him. “Anyway, I’m pretty sure that embosser is the murder weapon and I found something on it that might be a clue.”

  “What?’

  “One of the screws that attached the seal to the handle was sticking out. There was a thread of navy blue fabric stuck on it. Like a thread that would have ripped off a coat … or a cape.”

  “And you think that could have come from the murderer.” Pepper said it as more of a statement than a question.

  I nodded.

  “So, now we need to find out who has a navy blue coat.”

  “Yes, I’d especially like to know if Ophelia has one. And there’s something else…”

  A movement at the shop door caught my eye and I glanced over to see something large blocking most of the light. I noticed a brown shirt and the ham salad spoiled in my stomach. “Please tell me that isn’t—”

  The door opened and in stepped Eddie Striker.

  ***

  Striker paused just inside the doorway, his light gray eyes scanning the shop before he noticed us on the couch. Did I see his lips twitch upwards in a smile? I stared at the stone-faced look he was wearing and decided that must have been my imagination. Probably he just had indigestion or some kind of a strange twitch.

  “Sheriff Striker, what a pleasant surprise,” I said sarcastically. “What can I do for you?”

  “Ms. Chance,” he said, then frowned at Pepper.

  “Hi, Eddie,” Pepper cut in. “It’s Pepper St. Onge … from second grade.”

  “I thought you looked familiar.” Striker shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “How are you?”

  “Oh, great. Hey, would you like a sandwich?” Pepper gestured toward the tea tray and I almost laughed out loud picturing the tiny sandwich and teacup in Striker’s large hands.

  He frowned down at the tray and I figured he was probably thinking the same thing I was. I couldn’t help but notice how his frown made the dimple on his cheek more prominent.

  His face was slightly tanned, making his eyes look even lighter. His short-cropped dark hair had just a peppering of gray. I touched my own hair self-consciously, wondering why a little bit of gray always makes guys look more handsome, but just makes women look old. Not that I was noticing, but Sheriff Striker did look a lot more appealing now that he wasn’t pointing a gun at me.

  Striker looked up at me and our eyes met, sending a jolt through my heart. I was probably just scared he was going to arrest me. I ripped my eyes away from his in time to notice the bemused look on Pepper’s face as she flicked her eyes from me to Striker and back again.

  Striker cleared his throat. “Thanks, but I already ate lunch. I have some questions about what you found in the library the other day.”

  “Okay, fire away.” I remained seated and rudely didn’t invite him to join us.

  Striker glanced at Pepper uncertainly.

  “You can ask me in front of Pepper. She knows all about me finding Lavinia.”

  Pandora jumped down from her bed on the window and started sniffing around Striker’s feet. He looked down at her, but didn’t shoo her away.

  “Where was the body when you found it?” he asked.

  “Same place it was when Augusta came. I didn’t touch it other than feeling for a pulse on her wrist.”

  “And you didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary or see or hear anything?”

  “No.”

  Pandora looked at me and cocked her head back toward Striker as if to tell me she approved. I glared at her in response. Don’t get used to him, he won’t be around much … I hope.

  “And just what were you doing at the library?”

  I blew out a puff of air, disturbing a red curl that was dangling down across my forehead. Hadn’t Augusta told him all this? “I was on my way to work, here, when I saw the lights on and the door open. I went in to investigate.”

  “Mew Mew,” Pandora meowed. I wrinkled my brow at her—had her mew sounded like ‘me, too’?

  Striker continued as if he hadn’t even heard the meow. “But you usually don’t come to work that early, do you?”

  I started to feel uneasy. Had he been asking around about me like he would ask around about a suspect? “I do usually try to get in earlier, but things don’t always work out that way. That day I was a little late.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “I see. And what were you doing behind the library yesterday?”

  “I told you yesterday. I was getting my cat.” I pointed at Pandora who was now rubbing her face all over his ankles. To my surprise, he bent down to pet her.

  Striker looked up at me from his crouched position. “Really? Are you sure that’s all it was? Because I heard you like to get involved in cases and I don’t need an amateur messing things up with this one.”

  Amateur?

  “I was a pretty good crime journalist down south. In fact, there’s more than one case that probably wouldn’t have been solved without my help,” I said indignantly, even as my traitorous cat purred loudly at his hands.

  Striker stood up, causing Pandora to mewl with disappointment. “I know. I heard all about you. But I don’t like anyone else looking into my cases. Besides, there’s a killer on the loose and it could be dangerous. Best to leave this one to the pros.”

  And with that, he turned and walked out the door, robbing me of the chance to spear him with a nasty reply.

  ***

  “Have you ever heard anyone be so rude and condescending?” I asked Pepper who was still staring at the door.

  “He sure did grow up nice,” she replied.

  “What? He’s a condescending jerk.”

  “Oh, I don’t think you really think that.”

  I scrunched up my face. “What is wrong with you? Did you hear the way he talked to me?”

  “I saw the way he looked at you … and the way you looked at him,” she said smugly. “I think there’s a spark there. I could feel the heat myself—don’t try to deny it.”

  The truth was I felt the heat, too, but at my age I ju
st figured it was another hot flash.

  “Pffttt…” I flapped my hand at her. I didn’t like the way she was looking at me. Pepper loved playing matchmaker. “Now, don’t go getting any ideas about fixing a special tea for me or Sheriff Meanie.”

  “I won’t,” she said innocently. Too innocently. I put my teacup down and made a mental note not to drink anything she served me any time in the near future.

  “So anyway, what was this other thing you were starting to tell me before Eddie came in?” Pepper picked up her teacup and sipped.

  I scrunched up my face. Sheriff Meanie had gotten me so worked up I’d forgotten what we’d been talking about.

  “You told me about the fabric on the embosser and said there was something else…” Pepper prompted.

  “Oh yes, the bronzes,” I said, then told her what Josiah had told me about the old bronzes that had been donated to the library.

  “Why would Ophelia be after bronze statues?” Pepper asked. “She already has enough money.”

  I shrugged. “Who knows? She seems money-hungry to me. Plus, with her background being married to an antique auctioneer, she’d know the value of them.”

  “But how would she even know they were there? Bates donated them long before she came to town and, as you said, everyone has pretty much forgotten about them. They aren’t on display in there or anything, are they?”

  “No. I remember noticing them once downstairs in the paperback section, but they aren’t in the main section upstairs.” Something niggled at the back of my mind. “Lavinia said that Ophelia had scoured the library, so she would have seen them.”

  “Did Lavinia say Ophelia was looking for the bronzes?”

  “No, in fact she was kind of cagey about the whole thing.” I picked up a molasses cookie and took a big bite, relishing the combination of sugar and spice. “But if we could match one of Ophelia’s coats to that navy blue fabric, then we’d have something concrete.”

  Pepper wrinkled her nose. “I’m still not convinced Ophelia is the killer, but I do have a special tea for her. Maybe we could pay her a visit.”

  “You’re not trying to make her nice with one of your teas are you?” I could only picture what would happen if that backfired like some of Pepper’s other attempts. I shuddered to think of a meaner Ophelia Withington.

  Pepper smiled. “Not trying to make her nice. Just restoring her faith and her natural personality.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “I know she always leaves the office at three p.m. and goes home to sort through her client list and match the new properties to potential clients,” Pepper said. “We could stop by and catch her off-guard. I’ll bring some tea and cookies and distract her and you can pretend you need to use the bathroom and look through her closet.”

  “That sounds perfect.”

  “So, I take it you’re not going to heed Eddie’s warning and step out of the investigation?”

  “Heck, no.” I gave Pepper my, ‘you-know-me-better-than-that’ look. “I’m going to do just what Lavinia asked and find her killer, even if it’s the last thing I do.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Ophelia Withington lived in a big, old barn converted into a house just outside of town. We stood on the granite slab doorstep—Pepper in her prim sweater set and plaid skirt and me in my plain old maroon turtleneck and faded jeans.

  Pepper held a warming bag made from a bright paisley print at her side. She’d had the bags specially made so she could prepare tea at her shop and keep it warm for travel.

  I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans and rang the bell.

  We heard some noises inside, and then the door opened to reveal a surprised-looking Ophelia Withington.

  “Hi, Pepper.” She started to half-smile until she saw me standing next to Pepper, then her face turned to an ugly frown. “Wilhelmina … I hope you’re not here to harass me again. If so, I’m calling the cops.”

  I held my hands up. “We come in peace.”

  She looked from me to Pepper skeptically, ready to slam the door in our faces.

  Pepper held out the bag. “I made you some tea and cookies. I know the anniversary of Pete’s passing is coming up and I thought it might help comfort you.”

  I shot a look at Pepper. She was really laying it on, but it seemed to work.

  Ophelia’s face softened. “Well, I was working …”

  “Oh, it will only be a few minutes.” Pepper pushed her way inside. “I have the tea already hot right here in the bag.”

  “Err … well, okay, but just for a short visit.”

  We both followed Pepper into the living room and watched her produce a tea towel, tray, teapot, creamer and bowl with tiny sugar cubes, cups, saucers and shortbread cookies from the bag.

  “Shortbread cookies are my favorite.” Ophelia looked at Pepper. “How did you know?”

  “Oh, just a lucky guess.” Pepper poured hot water from the tea kettle into a light blue cup, then took out a small tea bag and placed it inside. She repeated the process for two other cups, laid the cookies out on the tray, then sat back with her hands folded in her lap. “The tea needs to steep for a few minutes.”

  Ophelia looked as fidgety as I felt. Pepper produced some napkins stamped with her Tea Shoppe logo in gold and passed them out while we listened to the clock tick. Finally, when the silence was just about to become unbearable, Pepper picked up the blue cup and handed it to Ophelia.

  “This should be perfect now.” Pepper lifted a miniature silver creamer from the tray and lifted her brow to Ophelia, who nodded and pushed her cup toward Pepper so she could pour in the cream.

  Pepper rummaged in the bag again and pulled out silver tongs, the ends in the shape of bird claws. She put the tongs in the sugar bowl and pushed it toward Ophelia who shook her head. Apparently, she didn’t take sugar. I bit my tongue so I wouldn’t urge her to take some, as it might make her less bitter.

  Ophelia settled back in her seat, eyeing Pepper suspiciously. “So, what brings you by, really?”

  “Well, truthfully, I know how down you’ve been since Pete died and I have a new line of herbal teas to soothe the soul. I thought it might help and, well, if it does, I know word of mouth is the best advertisement.”

  Ophelia screwed up her face. “I don’t believe in that stuff.”

  “What? You mean herbs?” Pepper asked. “There are many medical studies about their effectiveness.”

  “Anyway, it’s been a few years since Pete died.” Ophelia sipped the tea and her voice softened. “I don’t get nearly as upset as I used to.”

  I almost felt sorry for her until I saw Pepper looking at me pointedly and I remembered the real reason we’d come.

  “I’d known Pete since I was a young girl,” Pepper said. “My parents used to take me to his auctions. What are some of your fondest memories of him?”

  Ophelia relaxed into her chair and smiled … yes, she actually smiled. She opened her mouth to say something.

  “Excuse me,” I said as nicely as I could. “Could I use your bathroom?”

  Ophelia barely looked in my direction as she waved a hand toward the hall. “Help yourself. It’s down the hall on the left.”

  I got up, taking care not to knock over the tea tray in my excitement. I had to admit, whatever Pepper had put in that tea did seem to be mellowing Ophelia. As I started down the hall, I heard Ophelia telling Pepper about the day she and Pete met.

  The hallway had three doors. One led to a study, one to the bathroom and the third to the hall closet. I opened the bathroom door and made a lot of noise shutting it, then crept over to the closet and opened it quietly.

  I thumbed through the coats one at a time, my stomach sinking as I got closer to the end. Tan trench coat, black rain poncho, white wool jacket, a faux fur—or was it real? I had no idea how to tell. There were also several blazers and a tweed wool coat.

  There was nothing in navy blue wool.

  I eyed the stairway leading upstairs. A woman didn’t keep a
ll her coats in the hall closet, did she?

  I could hear snatches of conversation from the living room. Ophelia was engrossed in her stories of Pete. She sounded almost pleasant. I felt a stab of guilt, but not enough to stop me from tiptoeing down the hall and creeping up the stairs.

  Ophelia’s bedroom was at the top of the stairs, and to the right was what looked like a spare bedroom. At my own house, I kept my overflow coats in the closet of the spare bedroom, so I turned right.

  Trying to walk lightly so they wouldn’t hear me downstairs, I slowly opened the closet door. I didn’t have to look far…right in front of me was a big old wool cape … in dark navy blue.

  ***

  I had to stop myself from racing down the stairs—I didn’t want Ophelia to hear me and know I’d been up there. I crept down them, keeping close to the sides so as to avoid any give-away squeaks. Then, once in the hall, I rushed down to the bathroom and flushed the toilet.

  Back in the living room, Ophelia was still reminiscing about Pete, her back to me. Pepper looked over at me and I gestured wildly with a thumbs up, jerking my head toward the door to indicate we should get going.

  Ophelia turned around and I quickly composed myself.

  “Oh, Wilhelmina, I was just telling Pepper the funniest story—”

  “That’s great, Ophelia, but we really should be going.” I looked at my wrist where a watch would have been if I wore one.

  “Oh, so soon?” Ophelia looked crushed and I narrowed my eyes at Pepper. What the heck had she given her?

  Pepper started to gather everything up and put it in the bag. “Yes, sorry. We do have to get back to our shops.”

  “Oh, of course.” Ophelia stood and extended her hand to Pepper. “Thank you so much for stopping by. I feel much better now … though I didn’t even realize that I didn’t feel good before.”

  “You’re welcome. See, my teas really do work wonders.” Pepper shook her hand then started toward the door.

  “Oh, and Wilhelmina, I do hope you will excuse my nasty behavior at my office. It’s just that … well … I wasn’t in the library that morning and I guess I felt like you were accusing me.”