by M A Comley
Death by Association
A Wellington Cozy Mystery
M A Comley
Copyright © 2021 by M A Comley
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
Acknowledgments
Thank you as always to my mother and my rock, Jean, I’d be lost without you in my life.
Special thanks as always go to @studioenp for their superb cover design expertise.
My heartfelt thanks go to my wonderful editor Abby, my proofreaders Angela, Barbara and Jacqueline for spotting all the lingering nits.
Thank you also to my amazing ARC group who help to keep me sane during this process.
To Mary, gone, but never forgotten. I hope you found the peace you were searching for, my dear friend.
Also by M A Comley
Blind Justice (Novella)
Cruel Justice (Book #1)
Mortal Justice (Novella)
Impeding Justice (Book #2)
Final Justice (Book #3)
Foul Justice (Book #4)
Guaranteed Justice (Book #5)
Ultimate Justice (Book #6)
Virtual Justice (Book #7)
Hostile Justice (Book #8)
Tortured Justice (Book #9)
Rough Justice (Book #10)
Dubious Justice (Book #11)
Calculated Justice (Book #12)
Twisted Justice (Book #13)
Justice at Christmas (Short Story)
Justice at Christmas 2 (novella)
Justice at Christmas 3 (novella)
Prime Justice (Book #14)
Heroic Justice (Book #15)
Shameful Justice (Book #16)
Immoral Justice (Book #17)
Toxic Justice (Book #18)
Overdue Justice (Book #19)
Unfair Justice (a 10,000 word short story)
Irrational Justice (a 10,000 word short story)
Seeking Justice (a 15,000 word novella)
Caring For Justice (a 24,000 word novella)
Savage Justice (a 17,000 word novella Featuring THE UNICORN)
Flawed Justice (a 17,000 word novella)
JUSTICE SPIN-OFF SERIES
Gone In Seconds (Justice Again series #1)
Ultimate Dilemma (Justice Again series #2)
Shot of Silence (Justice Again #3)
Taste of Fury (Justice Again #4)
Clever Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)
Tragic Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)
Sinful Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)
Forever Watching You (DI Miranda Carr thriller)
Wrong Place (DI Sally Parker thriller #1)
No Hiding Place (DI Sally Parker thriller #2)
Cold Case (DI Sally Parker thriller#3)
Deadly Encounter (DI Sally Parker thriller #4)
Lost Innocence (DI Sally Parker thriller #5)
Goodbye, My Precious Child (DI Sally Parker #6)
Web of Deceit (DI Sally Parker Novella with Tara Lyons)
The Missing Children (DI Kayli Bright #1)
Killer On The Run (DI Kayli Bright #2)
Hidden Agenda (DI Kayli Bright #3)
Murderous Betrayal (Kayli Bright #4)
Dying Breath (Kayli Bright #5)
Taken (Kayli Bright #6)
The Hostage Takers (DI Kayli Bright Novella)
No Right to Kill (DI Sara Ramsey #1)
Killer Blow (DI Sara Ramsey #2)
The Dead Can’t Speak (DI Sara Ramsey #3)
Deluded (DI Sara Ramsey #4)
The Murder Pact (DI Sara Ramsey #5)
Twisted Revenge (DI Sara Ramsey #6)
The Lies She Told (DI Sara Ramsey #7)
For The Love Of… (DI Sara Ramsey #8)
Run For Your Life (DI Sara Ramsey #9)
Cold Mercy (DI Sara Ramsey #10)
Sign of Evil (DI Sara Ramsey #11)
Indefensible (DI Sara Ramsey #12 )
Locked Away (DI Sara Ramsey #13)
I Know The Truth (A psychological thriller)
She’s Gone (A psychological thriller coming Sept 2021)
The Caller (co-written with Tara Lyons)
Evil In Disguise – a novel based on True events
Deadly Act (Hero series novella)
Torn Apart (Hero series #1)
End Result (Hero series #2)
In Plain Sight (Hero Series #3)
Double Jeopardy (Hero Series #4)
Criminal Actions (Hero Series #5)
Regrets Mean Nothing (Hero #6)
Prowlers (Hero #7) Coming July 2021
Sole Intention (Intention series #1)
Grave Intention (Intention series #2)
Devious Intention (Intention #3)
Merry Widow (A Lorne Simpkins short story)
It’s A Dog’s Life (A Lorne Simpkins short story)
Cozy Mystery Series
Murder at the Wedding
Murder at the Hotel
Murder by the Sea
Death on the Coast
Death by Association
A Time To Heal (A Sweet Romance)
A Time For Change (A Sweet Romance)
High Spirits
The Temptation series (Romantic Suspense/New Adult Novellas)
Past Temptation
Lost Temptation
Tempting Christa (A billionaire romantic suspense co-authored by Tracie Delaney #1)
Avenging Christa (A billionaire romantic suspense co-authored by Tracie Delaney #2)
Contents
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
Epilogue
Keep in touch with M A Comley
1
Lucy stomped the snow from her penny loafers before pushing against the heavy glass door and entering the shop. The chill in the air made it the perfect reason to pay a visit to Sal’s Sweets with the other locals. Lucy heard her name, and several women waved their arms frantically at her.
“Whew!” Lucy set her damp backpack on the counter, opened the zipper, and pulled out her change purse.
“Cold out there, is it?” Sally asked, the dimples in her chubby cheeks accentuating her pleasant, rather nosy, and inviting personality. The locals adored her good nature, and Sal’s Sweets was their favorite hangout in the village.
Lucy rubbed her gloved hands together. “It sure is. It’s been a long winter. I thought I’d get by without boots, but now I’m not so sure. Hi, Dan!” Lucy waved to Sally’s husband, who was out back, punching donuts out of a flat blob of dough spread over the floured worktable.
“Lucy,” he acknowledged her and then turned back to his work, the apron over his ample torso stretched tight and knotted to contain him.
“I haven’t asked you about Sonia a
nd Felicity lately. How are they doing, Sally?”
“Oh, you know they’re typical teenage girls. They want everything without having to work for any of it. I told Dan just last night that either they get down here and help out, or they’ll be going to their proms in their underwear.”
“I’m sure that would go over well,” Lucy laughed, as she pulled off her gloves and tucked them into her coat pockets. “I’ll take a mocha decaf and, this time, two of your chocolate donuts.”
Sal nodded, lifted the top of the donut display and removed two chocolate ones with a piece of tissue and set them on a plate. “How’s the book coming along?”
“Oh, just okay. I suppose, a little slow.” She pointed at the bag. “I thought I might get a little work done down here. It’s often too quiet at home, if that makes sense?”
“I don’t know how you do it—writing up there with no one other than the bloody bodies in your crime novels to keep you company.” She visibly shuddered and turned to remind Dan to reset the oven temperature. Dan appeared less than pleased.
Lucy couldn’t let things slide. “Everything okay with you and Dan?”
Sally nodded. “Oh, sure. You know how it is. I have to remind him to breathe most days, or he’d stop and fall over dead.”
Just then, Dan appeared, carrying a tray of freshly frosted goodies to put in the display case. “You give yourself too much credit, Sal, my love. Ever think maybe I do it on purpose?” He grinned, revealing deep dimples that made you want to hug him.
He left the tray and went to the back room, leaving Sal with a quizzical look on her face. Lucy laughed, picked up her purchases, and made her way to her favorite table in the far corner.
It felt like home every time she visited Sal’s Sweets. People were used to the mild-mannered threats Dan and Sally regularly swapped. It was part of their charm and added to the overall experience of a visit.
After depositing her bag on the table, Lucy sipped the hot coffee, and enjoyed the stream of warmth that trickled down her throat. Now divorced and living alone, she realized there were few things worth savoring; a good cup of hot coffee among friends was undoubtedly one of those.
She glanced up to see Jenny waving at her. Lucy waved back and invited her good friend to join her. As Jenny manipulated her wheelchair between the tables, Lucy got up and pushed a chair aside so Jenny could sit snug to the table.
“It’s so good to see you again, Lucy.” Jenny’s enthusiasm was genuine, and for a moment, Lucy felt guilty for not seeing her more often.
A friend who had been murdered had unexpectedly bequeathed a gift of funds for Lucy. It had been enough that she could quit her job at the newspaper, obtain the divorce from Mark, and it also meant she had the funds to convert Mark’s old study beneath the eaves into an office to complete the task she’d always dreamed of doing—writing a book.
“I’m sorry. I know I’ve been hiding away, but there just seems to be so much to do.”
“Oh, you don’t need to apologize,” Jenny urged and shifted slightly in her chair. “I’m happy to see you’re finally settled and at peace with life, but we do miss you around town.”
“I must admit, after being locked away all day and every day, I’ve missed all of you, too.”
“Then this must be a good compromise. Bringing your laptop to the coffee shop?” Jenny beamed.
“That all depends on how disciplined I can be. I may just sit here, gossip, and eat cookies all day. But heck, if I do, then maybe I’m not ready to be a writer yet. I’ve been doing some research on the subject; they reckon, most writers while away several hours a day procrastinating instead of pounding out the words.”
“Oh, don’t say that.” Jenny’s face held support. “We all think you’ll do exceptionally well. I always loved the articles you wrote for the newspaper; you’re a talented author, and you need to remember that at times when the words aren’t flowing properly.”
“I hope I can count on at least one or two of my friends to buy my book, if I find a publisher, that is.”
The bell tinkled on the door, and Lucy looked up to see Brendon entering. He removed his police cap, nodded at her, and headed toward the counter to buy his usual cup of coffee and a donut from Sally. Lucy watched him exchange a few words with Sal.
Once he’d paid, he joined Lucy and Jenny and asked, “Hi, how are you both?”
Jenny’s face lit up. “Just fine, Brendon. Nice to see you again.”
Lucy leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “You look a little harassed.”
He laid his cap on the table, stirred his coffee with the slender wood stick and nodded. “You might say that. Bad morning over in Leestown.”
The reporter instinct in Lucy refused to be quelled. “Oh? What happened?”
“Can’t tell you all of it, naturally, and Lucy, this is off the record.”
“I know, I know. I’ve stopped all the reporter stuff, remember? What’s up?”
“We were called over to Leestown to help out. The victim was found in bed early this morning by her husband.”
“Oh no, how shocking,” expressed Jenny, her hand slapping against her cheek.
“Something tells me there’s more to this story,” Lucy said.
“Which is why you’re writing mystery novels, I suppose,” Jenny said.
“C’mon, spill the beans,” Lucy urged.
Brendon took two bites of his donut and gathered his thoughts. He had to limit what he perceived to be public knowledge. “Okay, so the victim, whose name I can’t release yet, was discovered earlier this morning. Her husband is a doctor, and he was called out for a patient overnight. I felt bad for the guy. You could tell the guilt was overwhelming him. Not in that respect, before you ask. I meant, he probably thought that if he’d been at home, he might have been able to save her.”
“We’ll read about it in the papers, I guess,” Lucy said, resigned to waiting to hear more once it was out in the public domain.
Brendon sipped at his drink and nodded. “Oh, yeah, you sure will.”
He’d grabbed Lucy’s attention with that remark. It could only mean one thing. The deceased was either very well-known, or there was some suspicion surrounding the death. She felt the familiar prickle of intrigue run down the length of her spine. She could hardly wait for Brendon to leave and obtain more of the story.
At least, the snippet sparked an idea.
2
As a former reporter, Lucy had learned early on that sometimes, the best information came by sitting back and listening to people talk. One by one, each would offer up their opinion or conjecture; and if she was lucky, clues would present themselves as to what might or might not make sense, given the people involved. They were like her private research staff.
Now, she had discovered an even greater luxury: not only could she collect those very same things, but she was no longer required to verify every tiny morsel of information she overheard. She could pick and choose—to either embellish the facts or hide them.
Lucy could see immediately that it gave her a heady power, one that she could easily get carried away with. Something she had to be mindful of as the locals tended to believe what she wrote. Of course, the opposite would be true with any works of fiction she wrote. She would have to make it clear that it was a work of fiction without ruining the entertainment the readers would create for themselves as they followed the clues and came up with their own theories as to what was about to unfold.
Once Brendon said his goodbyes and returned to work, Lucy opened her backpack and removed a spiral notebook and pen. Jenny caught the hint.
“I’ll leave you to it then, busy author.” She wheeled herself over to one of the other tables to visit another friend.
Lucy got to work. She began to write.
November 13
The scene of the crime is Leestown.
The victim is an older woman, wife of a local doctor who must be called out for his patients, perhaps overnight, so he’s not lik
ely to be a doctor of psychiatry or plastic surgery or other disciplines that involve matter-of-fact, expected treatments.
Possible motives are too early to tell, but the main ones are still in play. Jealousy over infidelity, money, lack of a healthy physical relationship, the discovery of a damning secret.
Things to explore would be to get as many clues as possible from the locals, particularly Brendon.
With that, she wandered up to the counter to obtain Sal’s opinion, along with a second cup of coffee. “You know any doctors in Leestown?”
Sal pursed her lips as she thought. “Oh, I imagine I do. We get them in here from time to time. Just because they live in Leestown doesn’t mean they only work there. It’s not like gang territory, after all.”
“You are funny.”
“There’s more, not many housecalls these days, so my bet is he works mostly through a hospital. During the day, emergencies would be referred directly to a hospital and not to his private office.”
“Good points, Sal. Exceptionally good points.” Lucy took her coffee and returned to her table.
She pretended to be working, and while that wasn’t far from the truth, she was covertly transcribing the conversations she heard going on around her. It felt good to be free to quote people without needing to give them any credit. It was all foundational material. Later, when she was home, she could cull it, sifting out the parts that made sense and tossing aside what didn’t. In the meantime, she witnessed how her readers’ minds would work and how to present the clues in her stories at a rate that would keep people interested without giving away the ending.
