Cara asked Judy which authors were coming to the festival. Judy said, “Well, you know about Snake-Eye and the children’s authors, we’ve got a local man who’s written a history book and …” She waited until the little children toddled past them with their respective parents.
Robin flew over Cara’s head and said, “I’m going upstairs to the café! I wonder what cakes they’ll have?”
Judy lowered her voice and said, “We’ve also got A. J. Moss!”
Cara gasped. “A. J. Moss! The one who writes the … the…”
Judy nodded. “Those kind of books. They’re referred to as erotica. Although they had an entirely different name a few years ago!”
“How have you managed to get A. J. Moss? I heard that she never attends festivals.”
Judy looked to her left and right. She turned back to Cara and said, “Do you want to know my secret?”
Chapter 4
Cara could feel her eyes widening. She knew the books that A. J. Moss wrote, everyone did, the books had been all over the news. Cara had bought the first one to see what all the fuss was about. The storyline had been good but she thought the erotic parts had been unnecessary.
Cara looked closer at the woman in front of her and said in a hushed tone, “Are you A. J. Moss?”
Judy laughed. “No! But I know who is. He’s a friend of mine.”
“He? I thought A. J. Moss was female.”
“Everyone does. There’s going to be a great commotion tomorrow when Andrew turns up and reveals that A. J. Moss is him. The A. J. stands for Andrew James. We went to the same writing group, I still go. He’s a lovely chap, about your age. He struggled to get himself published the traditional way so he decided to self-publish. You probably know the rest, how his books started to sell in their thousands, and how he was approached by several big publishers.” Judy shook her head. “I’d never be able publish my own books, it sounds so complicated. And who would want to buy my books anyway?”
“What kind of books do you write?”
“The old-fashioned kind, about romance and chivalry. I’m sure no one wants to read that sort of thing but I do enjoy writing them. I like books with a happy ending.”
“Me too. Why is A. J. Moss coming here to reveal himself, so to speak?”
Judy’s eyes watered. “For me. He knew that I ran this festival and he always joked that when he was a famous writer he would appear at the festival. He was true to his word and contacted me six months ago. He said he wouldn’t charge a fee and that I should charge a lot for the tickets. I usually charge five pounds a ticket for a big name author but Andrew told me to charge thirty pounds! I did so reluctantly and the tickets sold out within ten minutes.”
“He sounds like a lovely man.”
“He is. He always encouraged me to write and when we had to share our stories via email at the writers’ group he helped me work out how to do it.” Judy looked at her watch. “I’m going over to the town hall now to make sure the top room is ready for him tomorrow. We won’t be able to fit him and his followers in the library. Lauren insisted on Snake-Eye having the same room before Andrew. I’m not sure his fans will fill that big room, but what do I know?”
“Can I come with you? Do you need a hand with anything?”
“Are you sure? You’ve already helped.”
“I’m sure, I’ve nothing else to do today,” Cara said. She wasn’t prepared to leave Judy. The line around her, the death line, had grown slightly thicker. Cara knew that meant Judy was closer to her death. When had that happened?
Judy gave her a sympathetic look, as if feeling sorry that Cara had nowhere else to go. “Of course you can help. There’s a lot of sorting out to do. We’ll get a cup of tea when we’re over there.”
Judy collected a few boxes from the staffroom, handed one to Cara and then left the building. Cara looked over her shoulder as something caught her eye. It was Robin flying behind her. He said, “Where are you going?”
Cara hissed, “The town hall.”
Robin clapped his hands together. “The town hall! I’ve never been to a town hall before! What do they have there?”
Cara gave a small shrug. She was beginning to wish she’d been firmer with Robin about him staying in the car. He wasn’t being any use to her at all.
Cara followed Judy out of the building, across the road and into the stone built town hall. Robin flew at her side and fired questions at her about the town hall. Cara couldn’t answer any of them in front of Judy. “Never mind, I’ll find out myself!” Robin flew ahead of them both and through the walls of the building.
Once they were through the main doors Judy said, “I hope you’ve got strong legs, the top room is on … the top floor!”
Cara held her cardboard box tighter. It was full of leaflets. She hoped she didn’t drop them.
As they walked towards the stairs several people called out friendly hellos to Judy. Cara moved the box to her left as she began to climb the steps. She smiled. The stone steps had been well used over the years, they had a dip in the middle which had been worn away by thousands upon thousands of feet.
She was only huffing slightly by the time they reached the top floor. Judy put the box down, took out a lace handkerchief and mopped her forehead. She said, “I know ladies aren’t supposed to sweat, we’re supposed to glow, but I’m glowing like a pig!”
Judy put her handkerchief away and picked the box up. The floor beneath Cara felt different. She looked down at the lavish carpet that she was now walking on. Her look was then drawn to the beautiful paintings that hung on the walls. And look at the velvet curtains! Oh, her hand itched as she was tempted to reach out and touch the lush fabric.
Judy caught her look and gave her a wry smile. “You can see where all our taxes go. No wonder Lauren wants to be a council member. I shudder to think how much money has been wasted on these surroundings when we can’t even get a decent computer for the library. Just wait until you see the top room.”
Judy put her box down again and opened a pair of doors that had been painted gold. Cara’s breath caught as she stepped through. She said, “Is this real? I feel like I’ve stepped into a painting. It’s huge!”
Judy nodded. “I’m glad Andrew is going to be the headlining author tomorrow, he deserves a room like this. I’m glad to see the chairs have been set out. You can go now if you like, I’m going to set these leaflets out, test the microphone and a few other things.”
“I’m staying,” Cara said with more determination than was needed.
“Oh, okay,” Judy said, taken aback slightly.
They spent the next hour sorting out various things. When she was done Judy stood back and nodded at the room approvingly. “This will do. Cara, do you want to come back tomorrow and help with this event? Andrew is going to give a talk about his writing, then he’ll read an excerpt from his latest book.” She chuckled. “I might have to leave the room at that bit. After that he’s going to sign books.”
“I can help all day tomorrow.”
Judy gave her a doubtful look.
Cara added, “I’ve nothing else to do.”
Sympathy appeared on Judy’s face again as she looked at Cara. She said, “That’s very kind of you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Cara said, “What are you doing now?”
“I’ve got to go to the supermarket and pick up some thank-you gifts for the authors. I like to give them a gift, along with a handwritten thank-you note.”
“I’ll give you a lift,” Cara said too quickly.
Judy’s hand flew to her pearl necklace and she took a small step back.
Cara didn’t blame her, she was beginning to sound like a stalker. Cara cleared her throat and said, “If you don’t mind me coming with you. I haven’t got any family near and I’m feeling lonely today, more than usual. You remind me of my gran, I haven’t seen her for a while.”
“Oh, you poor girl. You don’t have to explain to me about loneliness. Once we’ve been to the superma
rket you must come to my house for tea! I won’t take no for an answer.”
“That would be perfect,” Cara said with a smile. “Thank you.” Her eyes took in the black death line, it had grown even thicker. Was something going to happen to Judy soon? Was her potential murderer nearby?
Cara didn’t know what was going on. She followed Judy out of the building, her eyes looking left and right as she walked, hoping to see a flying angel. She could do with talking to Robin about Judy’s death line but she couldn’t see him anywhere.
Chapter 5
Going to the supermarket with Judy was a nightmare for Cara. She was on constant high alert for any possible dangers that might lead to Judy’s death.
Is this what mothers felt like when they took their precious children out? Cara’s head began to ache from looking in so many directions as they walked along the aisles. There was danger everywhere! Strangers bumping into them with trolleys, spillages on the floor that hadn’t been cleaned yet, and displays of tinned tomato soup piled far too high! What were the staff thinking?
Judy was oblivious to the lurking dangers as they walked around. She chatted to Cara about her life at the library. Judy said hello to many people, it was obvious she was well liked.
Cara was relieved when they arrived at Judy’s home. Perhaps the danger would be less here. But there again, they might disturb a crazed thief inside the house.
“Here we are,” Judy said cheerfully. She nodded towards a bungalow. “It’s not much but it’s all mine.”
There was a man in the front garden bending over a rose bush. He straightened up as Judy and Cara walked up the garden path. He was wearing a brown cardigan and casual trousers. Cara guessed his age to be around sixty.
The man beamed at Judy. “Hello there! I thought I’d deadhead the roses. Hope that’s alright with you. I’ve given the lawn a quick going over. Let me help you with those bags, they look heavy.”
Judy smiled at him. “No, that’s okay, Thomas, I’ve got this young lady to help me. This is Cara, she’s volunteering at the festival. You didn’t have to do the gardening, but thank you.”
Thomas walked over to Cara and shook her hand. He said, “I’ll be at the festival tomorrow as a volunteer too.” He turned his attention back to Judy. “I hope you’re not doing too much. You should let other people help you.”
“Don’t make a fuss, Thomas, you know I can handle it.”
Thomas laughed. “I know you can!” His eyes twinkled as he looked at Judy.
Judy said, “We’d better be getting on. Thank you again, Thomas.”
“My pleasure,” Thomas said.
Cara looked back over her shoulder as they walked towards the front door. Thomas still had his eyes on Judy.
When they got in the house Cara said, “Is Thomas your boyfriend?”
“Good heavens! No! He’s a very dear friend,” Judy said. Cara noticed the blush on her cheeks. “I’ll make a start on dinner and then we’ll get on with the authors’ gift bags.” Judy put the shopping bags down and made a shooing motion at Cara. “I like to cook on my own. Go into the front room, make yourself at home. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Cara went into the front room. She smiled. There were flower prints everywhere – on the wallpaper, the curtains and the comfy-looking sofa. Cara sank into the sofa and rubbed her head. The earlier pain had receded. She’d only known Judy a short while but she’d really taken to the kind-hearted woman. She couldn’t bear the thought of Judy being murdered.
Cara looked towards the kitchen door, she could hear Judy singing to herself. Cara whispered, “Robin! Are you here? Please show yourself!”
No angel appeared.
Cara sighed. Where was he?
She looked around the room again. A pile of papers caught her eye on a side table. She reached over and picked them up. It looked like a manuscript. The first page showed the title of the story and the name of the author – Judy Wallace. Cara couldn’t resist having a quick peek. She turned to the first page and started to read.
What felt like two minutes later she jumped as Judy said her name. Judy was standing at the side of the sofa looking down at Cara. Cara was still holding Judy’s manuscript.
Cara felt her cheeks burn. She mumbled, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. I read the first page and I couldn’t stop. This is a wonderful story, I love the characters and how they deal with their problems. You’re an excellent writer.”
Judy waved a hand dismissively at her. “Oh, you’re just being kind. That’s one of my early stories, one I wrote to take to the writers’ group.”
“I’m not being kind, I mean it.” Cara looked back at the manuscript. “Can I read the rest of it?”
“Take it home with you, I’ve got a few copies. You can read it to help you go to sleep tonight! Come through to the kitchen, I hope you’re hungry.”
Cara was hungry. She realised that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. She devoured the roast chicken dinner that Judy had prepared. She gobbled up the apple pie and custard and even managed to squeeze in a second helping.
Judy asked Cara about her life as they ate. She seemed genuinely interested in Cara’s work. With a pang of sadness Cara realised how much she was enjoying spending time with someone. Perhaps she had been on her own too long.
Cara insisted on washing up. Then she helped Judy prepare the authors’ gift bags.
As the last bag was completed Judy stifled a yawn. Cara couldn’t think of a valid reason for her to stay any longer.
Cara said, “I’d better go. Thank you for dinner. I’ll see you tomorrow. What time will you be at the festival?”
“Bright and early! About eight o’clock. The festival starts in the library in the morning and moves to the town hall later. Why don’t you come along in the afternoon?”
Cara nodded. She’d be there at eight o’clock but she wasn’t going to tell Judy that. She was taken by surprise as Judy suddenly grabbed her and hugged her. Cara smiled and relaxed into the hug. It had been a while since she’d been hugged.
Making sure she had Judy’s manuscript, Cara said goodbye and headed towards her car. Judy waved from the front door and watched as Cara drove away.
Cara drove around the block and returned to Judy’s street. She parked a little way up the road so that she could see Judy’s house. She was intending to keep an eye on Judy’s house all night. If there was a murderer prowling about then Cara was going to stop him or her. Quite how she’d do that was something she’d deal with later.
She felt her heart miss a beat as Robin appeared in the passenger seat.
“Crikey! You scared me half to death!” Cara exclaimed. “Where have you been?”
Robin turned his face to her. A silver tear trickled down his cheek. The sadness in his eyes made Cara’s heart ache. She said, “Robin, what’s wrong? Are you crying? I didn’t know angels could cry.”
He wiped the tear away. “I didn’t know angels could cry either.” He nodded towards Judy’s house. “That lovely woman … I felt her death today … it was awful. I felt her life force being extinguished, like someone had blown out a candle.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to stay here and watch the house, Judy isn’t going to die tonight. She’s going to die some time tomorrow at the town hall.”
“What time? Do you know who’s going to kill her?”
Robin shook his head. “I could only feel her death. It hurts so much.” A fresh tear ran down his cheek. “Cara, you have to stop the murderer.”
Cara looked at his distraught face. She didn’t know what to say, and she suddenly didn’t know if she really could stop Judy from being murdered. She’d never felt so useless in her life.
Chapter 6
Cara didn’t get to the library at eight o’clock as she’d planned. She’d slept right through her alarm. It was her own fault for staying up until the small hours reading Judy’s story. She hadn’t been able to put it down.
&nb
sp; Cara drove to the library car park and pulled into the last space. She grabbed her handbag and jumped out of the car. Her steps slowed as she saw an army of little girls and their parents walking towards the library. The girls were dressed as princesses and fairies. Cara smiled as she remembered the name of the first children’s author that was about to do a reading. How lovely to be so young and to believe in magic.
Robin hadn’t appeared this morning. Perhaps he’d turn up later. Cara hoped he would, she wasn’t ready to deal with Judy’s possible murder on her own.
Cara stood to one side as the little princesses and fairies walked into the library. Cara followed them but came to a stop when she saw Judy standing behind the reception desk. Judy had her arms folded and her lips were pressed tightly together as she looked at the person in front of her. Lauren Ellis was the person who Judy was listening to. Neither women had spotted Cara. Cara took a few steps to the left and hid behind a book display. She peeped through one of the open shelves. Judy’s lips had almost disappeared as they tightened even more, as if she was trying to keep unspoken words locked inside her mouth.
Lauren Ellis pointed a finger at Judy and snapped, “I knew this would happen! I knew you weren’t fit for the job! You’ve made a terrible mistake, one that you’ll pay for! Mark my words, Judy Wallace, this is your last year on the literary festival!”
Lauren looked Judy up and down and then stalked away. She pulled out a phone and punched a button. As she walked past the book display that Cara was hiding behind, Lauren spoke into her phone, “We have to do something about that woman! And soon.”
Cara waited a few seconds and then came out of her hiding place. She walked over to Judy and was dismayed to find her wiping away a tear. She was even more dismayed to see that Judy’s death line was thicker. Was Lauren Ellis going to murder Judy? She certainly had it in for her.
Cara walked around the desk and put her hand on Judy’s arm. She said, “I heard what Lauren just said to you. What’s her problem? Why was she shouting at you?”
Judy's Death (Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery Book 2) Page 2
