Sweet Vows and Promises (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 10)

by J A Whiting

  “My town was very small. I felt like I needed to try something new.”

  “Change can be good.” Finch smiled encouragingly. “It was for me. If nothing else, you’ll see more of the country, meet new people, have new experiences.”

  Rachel’s face clouded. “I hope they’re not all like the experience of last night.”

  Angie’s phone buzzed and she took it out of her back pocket. “It’s Chief Martin. He wants to talk with us. He’s on his way over.”

  An expression of alarm passed over Rachel’s face. “What do you think he wants? Will he want to speak with me?”

  Angie wondered at Rachel’s reaction. “I think he probably just needs to talk to me and my sisters. Mr. Finch, too. Nothing to be worried about.”

  “I should go up to my room. I’d like to rest for a little while.” Rachel stood up fast and Mr. Finch’s cane toppled over. She and Finch reached for it at the same time.

  “Thank you.” Finch took the cane from the young woman.

  “I’ll see you later.” Rachel hurried inside.

  “So.” Finch twirled his cane in his hands.

  Angie leveled her eyes at the man. “You dropped the cane on purpose, didn’t you?”

  “It slipped from my hands.” Finch had a little grin on his face.

  “And?”

  When Finch held an object at the same time that someone else did, he could sometimes discern a few things from the person. “It seems that Miss Rachel is not being fully truthful with us.”

  “In what way?” Angie cocked her head.

  “She is hiding some things from us.” Finch glanced at the back door. “What those things are, I cannot tell.”

  A shiver ran through Angie’s body as she remembered Betty’s comment not to let anything happen to her Victor. “Is Rachel going to cause trouble?”

  “I don’t know yet, but I would say we might want to keep an eye on her, just in case.”

  “Great,” Angie moaned.

  “Shall we go inside to wait for Chief Martin?” Finch asked.

  Angie stood and helped Mr. Finch to his feet. “Why couldn’t this wait until after Jenna and Tom’s wedding?”

  “We won’t let anything interfere with that happy day, Miss Angie.”

  Walking to the house arm in arm, Angie hoped Mr. Finch was right, but the nagging sensation that Rachel wasn’t being truthful caused worry and doubt to swirl in her head so fast that she had a moment of vertigo.

  What is Rachel hiding?

  Angie vowed to find out.

  10

  Courtney, Jenna, Angie, and Mr. Finch followed Chief Martin into the drab gray cement building. None of them, except for the chief and Mr. Finch who had to identify his brother’s body, had ever been in a morgue.

  “You know how I’m always asking you to deputize us so we can get a shiny badge?” Courtney whispered to Chief Martin. “I really feel that making us come into this place warrants giving me that badge.”

  The chief grunted. “I’ll have to think about it.”

  A man in a white lab coat met them inside the dreary lobby, nodded to the chief, and led the group down the hallway to an elevator. Everyone stood quietly in the small space watching the floor indicator light up over the metal door. When they reached the basement, they filed out in a single line.

  The lab coat man opened a heavy door and led the sisters, Finch, and Chief Martin into a cold, windowless room with a stainless steel table in the center. What looked like drawers were built into two of the walls. The lab coat man looked to the chief who gave a slight nod of his head and then the man took hold of one of the handles, tugged, and slid out a platform from the wall with a body on it. Thankfully, a white sheet covered the form from head to toe.

  Angie had to stifle a gasp.

  “Thank you,” Chief Martin said and the man left the room.

  With a solemn expression, the chief turned to the four people. “Here he is. I thought I’d step out into the hall and wait while you ... ah, see what you can sense. There are chairs against the wall, there, if you want to sit.” He pointed. “Take the time you need. I don’t know what you might discover, if anything, but I figured it was worth a shot. All set then? Come out when you’ve finished.” When the chief left the room, the door made a hollow boom noise that made Angie shiver.

  Mr. Finch moved to the platform and gently touched the sheet with his thumb and index finger. Jenna stepped across from Finch to the other side of the body.

  “I’m going to sit down.” Angie’s heart raced and her legs felt shaky so she thought sitting for a bit would be the best thing to do since she didn’t want to pass out on the floor and ruin the visit.

  “I’ll stand here for a while,” Courtney told her sister in a hushed tone.

  Angie didn’t know what to expect from the encounter with the body from the garage and as soon as she sat, a heavy sense of exhaustion washed over her and her eyelids began to droop. Shaking herself, she forced her body to sit up straight.

  Her mind wandered to the night of the grim discovery at Rachel’s rental house. The emotions of seeing the strange sight in the back of the car swirled in her brain and she imagined being back in the garage on the dark, chilly night.

  The body in the car had on a suit, a collared shirt, and a tie. She couldn’t see the man’s feet so she wasn’t sure if he was wearing shoes or not. How did the man get in that car? Angie pushed away the thought that the man might have died of natural causes. If that was the case, someone would have found him and alerted the authorities. No, Angie was pretty convinced that foul play had to be involved. She looked over to the body on the metal tray. How did you die? Who did this? Why?

  Mr. Finch and Jenna still stood next to the body. Their eyes were closed. Angie decided to do the same hoping that she wouldn’t fall asleep once she allowed her lids to shut. Her breathing slowed as her heart rate returned to normal and the tension that had built up in her muscles began to fade away.

  An image of the car formed in Angie’s mind, parked at the edge of a deserted road surrounded by trees in the darkness. Angie could hear voices. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but there was an angry, argumentative tone wrapped around their words. A loud grunt. The sound of something hitting the ground with a thud.

  Angie startled awake and glanced around the room disoriented. Jenna, leaning against the wall, made eye contact with her twin sister. She mouthed, you okay? Angie nodded and leaned back in the straight-backed wooden chair. Finch stepped away from the body and looked from sister to sister. “Are we finished?”

  The foursome opened the door to the hall to find Chief Martin sitting in a metal folding chair. “Everyone alright? Shall we debrief?” They followed the man to a small windowless room where they gathered around a chipped formica table.

  “Any luck?” The chief’s face seemed to sag.

  Angie cleared her throat and reported what she’d heard and seen. “It was probably just a dream.”

  Courtney piped up. “Guess what, Sis? It was no dream unless you and I are having the same one.”

  Angie’s eyes went wide. “You saw it, too?”

  Jenna said, “When I touched the man’s arm through the sheet, images flashed in my mind. A man in a suit. A bright flash, then everything went dark.”

  Angie blinked. “The man’s spirit didn’t appear to you?”

  “No, just the quick images. I touched different places, his shoulder, his side, but no other images came up and I didn’t see a ghost or a spirit.”

  Angie looked at Jenna. “I wonder what would happen if you asked Katrina about this man when you get home.”

  “How would Katrina know anything about it?” Jenna asked.

  Courtney rolled her eyes. “Jeez, Jenna. The woman’s a ghost.”

  Chief Martin’s face paled. “You have a ghost in your house?”

  “In my house, not the in Victorian,” Jenna explained. “I never see her … I just sense her near me. She moves things around. She’s f
riendly. Sort of.”

  Angie added, “Katrina was a friend of Nana’s.”

  “Okay.” The chief swallowed. “So, a man in a suit and angry voices.” He shifted in his chair to face Finch. “Mr. Finch, anything?”

  “I’m afraid nothing useful. When I touched the sheet, I was overcome with a terrible sense of misery and loss. I feel that it goes beyond just this man’s death.”

  “How do you mean?” the chief asked.

  “I don’t know what it means.” Finch held on to his cane, his lips a tight, thin line as he tried to make sense of the feeling he’d experienced.

  “Maybe in time all of this will become clearer.” Chief Martin took in a deep breath and thanked the family for their efforts. “I know it isn’t easy to be involved as you are. I appreciate it.”

  “Has the man been identified?” Jenna asked.

  “No. For now, we’re calling him John Doe. He doesn’t match any missing persons from the area. If the coroner can get a fingerprint, we’ll run it through the system. The medical examiner will do the examination tomorrow. We’re going to have a forensic artist come out, try to do a sketch based on the facial bones and whatever. If the sketch is viable, then we’ll run it in news outlets, send it around to police departments. It’s a long shot, but someone might see the sketch and come forward with some information.”

  “Will sending the picture out depend on how long the man has been dead?” Angie asked.

  Courtney added, “If the man’s been dead fifty years or more, there probably won’t be anyone alive who recognizes the guy.”

  “We’re going on the assumption from the team that the man has been dead less than ten years,” Chief Martin said. “After tomorrow, we might have a more conclusive date of death. I’ll let you know.”

  “It would be interesting to see what the man looked like in life.” Angie folded her hands in her lap. “Do you think the case will ever be solved?”

  “I’m hoping so.” The chief gave a half-hearted smile. “But, we’ll see. Shall we head out?”

  “We’re planning dinner and game night for Friday evening,” Angie said. “Would you and Lucille like to join us?”

  “We’d love that.” A pleased look passed over the chief’s face as he glanced over at Courtney. “Is that card-shark of a boyfriend of yours going to be there?”

  “Yes, he is.” Courtney smiled. “You’d better be on your game.”

  “I believe we can outwit the young man,” Finch told the chief. “A concerted effort is called for.”

  “I’d better warn Rufus about your devious plans.” Courtney held the door open for everyone to file out.

  There was something about the conversation that picked at Angie as she headed down the hall to the elevator and she tried to sort out what was bothering her. A phrase from the exchange between Courtney and the two men kept repeating in her head.

  Devious plans. Devious plans.

  11

  Angie knocked on the door to Ellie’s room and her sister responded, “Come in if you’re not Jenna.”

  Angie opened the door and slipped into the room, but before she could say anything, she stopped short with her jaw hanging open.

  Ellie sat on a rolling stool with pins between her lips as she made adjustments to the garment on the dress-form in front of her. She looked up when Angie didn’t speak and the corner of her mouth went up when she saw her sister’s face.

  Tears gathered at the edges of Angie’s eyes. “It’s so … so beautiful,” she whispered.

  Jenna’s wedding gown stood before her on the dress-form and the tiny sequins and pearls caught the sunlight and sparkled as the yards of silk cascaded to the floor.

  “Ellie, you’ve created a masterpiece.” Angie rested her hand on her chest.

  Removing the pins from her mouth, Ellie placed them in the pin cushion on the table next to her. “I’m happy with how it’s come out. I only hope Jenna is happy, too.”

  “She hasn’t seen it recently?”

  Ellie laughed. “Not since the original fitting when it hung like a plain cotton sack. I’m going to have her try it on soon for the final adjustments.”

  Angie couldn’t take her eyes off the flowing dress.

  “Did you want me for something?” Ellie asked.

  “What? Oh, yes.” Angie sat on her sister’s bed. “Rachel wants me to go with her to her rental house tomorrow. I wondered if you’d come along.”

  Ellie held a needle and thread in mid-air. “You know I have trouble with these things. Is it necessary for me to go with you?”

  “It isn’t necessary, but I’d like your input. It’s an odd case and I think we’re missing something.”

  Shifting on her stool, Ellie studied a section of the gown. “I guess I could go.”

  Angie’s face brightened. “Jenna’s coming, too. Courtney and Mr. Finch are working at the candy store so they can’t make it.” Touching the flowing fabric of the gown, Angie sighed. “If I ever get married, will you make my dress?”

  “No. This thing has nearly killed me.” Ellie smiled. “I’ll help you pick out your gown though.”

  Angie pulled the desk chair over next to her sister. “I’m feeling a little sad even though I’m thrilled for Jenna and Tom.”

  Ellie put down the needle and thread and faced Angie. “Why sad?”

  “I know it’s silly, but changes are coming.” Angie pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “What will happen when we all get married? We’ll be living in different houses. Things won’t be the same.”

  “I’ve been thinking about the same things. Jenna is only two doors down. The Victorian is big enough to house two families plus the B and B. I thought you and Josh and Jack and I could live here, have Tom create two apartments for us or one couple could live in the carriage house. The two rental apartments could be combined into a larger one. Courtney has the candy store now so I don’t think she’ll be going far.” Ellie chuckled. “She and Rufus will probably buy the house right next door. And Mr. Finch lives just beyond the property line.” Reaching out to touch Angie on the hand, Ellie said, “Three of us are running businesses out of the Victorian. We’re always going to be within walking distance of one another. Our family is only going to get bigger, with our husbands and someday, our children. We’re always going to be together, Angie. That I can promise you.”

  Angie swallowed hard and wrapped Ellie in a hug. “Thanks, I needed that.”

  The bedroom door pushed open and Courtney stuck her head in. “What’s this? A love-fest? Why wasn’t I invited?” Euclid pushed past Courtney and leapt onto the bed.

  “Angie was just feeling sentimental.” Ellie picked up her needle.

  “Did you straighten her out?” Courtney plopped on the bed next to Euclid.

  “I did.” Ellie started to sew on another tiny pearl.

  “Aren’t you going to say anything about the wedding dress?” Angie asked.

  “I saw it earlier today and praised Ellie.” Courtney rested back on one of the pillows. “Her head has grown two sizes from my gushing so I decided not to give her any more compliments.”

  Euclid trilled his approval of the dress.

  Ellie pushed back her stool and rubbed at her eyes. “I’m done for the day. If I don’t stop, I’ll go blind. Anyway, I need to put out the snacks for the guests. What about dinner? Suggestions?”

  “I was thinking about Friday night’s game night.” Courtney scratched Euclid’s cheek. “What if we make some pizza dough and create individual pizzas. We could set up a bar of toppings and people can put on whatever they want. And what about a salad bar? We could set out all kinds of ingredients and the guests can make their salads to their choosing.”

  “Genius.” Ellie stood and stretched to get the kinks out of her back. “It sounds like fun.”

  “It will get everyone moving around and mingling.” Angie smiled. “I like it.”

  “What about tonight?” Ellie packed her sewing supplies into a box.

&nbs
p; “I made two pans of macaroni and cheese this morning before I went to the candy store.” Courtney and Euclid scooted off the bed and headed for the door. “One has veggies and one has bacon and sausage mixed in. I’ll go put them in the oven to heat through.”

  “I love you,” Angie kidded as she started to follow Courtney and the cat from the room. “Coming?” She turned to Ellie and caught sight of the expression on her sister’s face.

  Ellie had just placed her sewing tools into their box and seemed to stand frozen in place looking across the room at nothing.

  “Ellie?”

  The tall blonde gave herself a little shake. “I’m coming.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Ellie adjusted the cuff of her sleeve. “Nothing.”

  Crossing her arms over her chest, Angie gave Ellie a stern look. “You were standing there spaced out.”

  “I was thinking about what work I have left on the dress.” Ellie took Angie’s arm and steered her out of the room. “Let’s get dinner going in case some people want to join us for a bite.”

  “Like who?” Angie narrowed her eyes.

  “What? I don’t know. Someone might stop by. I’ll meet you downstairs. I want to change my shirt and put on jeans.”

  Angie stood on the second floor landing staring at Ellie’s closed door wondering if this was one of those times when her sister got a “feeling” that someone unexpected was coming to the house. Shaking her head, Angie headed down to the kitchen.

  Mr. Finch leaned against the counter cutting a two-layer rectangular butter cake into tiny squares as Euclid and Circe sat on the stools watching the man work. Courtney bustled around setting the oven temperature, removing the macaroni and cheese pans from the refrigerator, and taking out ingredients for a salad. “Should I make a salad or would you rather have roasted broccoli and carrots?”

  “I would prefer the broccoli and carrots tonight.” Finch had a bowl of chocolate icing to his right.

  “I’ll vote for that, too.” Angie stood between the stools the cats had perched on to watch Finch. “What are you making?”