Murder at the Mushroom Festival

by Janet Finsilver

  The police were on their way.

  It wasn’t long before I heard a siren getting louder as it neared. Roger never moved.

  The shrill wail went silent and an officer came in, gun drawn. I lowered Roger’s gun then knelt and put it on the floor.

  “I’m Deputy Sheriff Clark.” He went to Roger and checked his pulse. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded. “Shaken, but other than a few splinters, I’m fine.”

  “All members of the department are up-to-date on what’s been happening. I know the background of Ned Blaine’s murder case.”

  I explained what had happened. Roger remained motionless. Other officers arrived and an ambulance was summoned.

  Deputy Clark closed his notebook. “There’ll be some details to work out, but basically it’s case closed. Nice to have it over with.”

  Case closed. I liked the sound of that.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” I said with relish.

  “You’re free to go. We’ll be in touch if we need anything.”

  “Thanks.”

  I walked to my vehicle. At least the case of who killed Ned Blaine was solved. But there were still questions to be answered. Had Roger been the one to poison Clarence? I wondered if they’d ever find out. And who put the threatening note on my car?

  I got in my truck, pulled the keys out of my pocket, and started it. It took some maneuvering to get through all the police cars. I heard the sound of an approaching siren and saw the ambulance headed up the driveway. I drove over to the side of the road to give them room to get by.

  I looked at myself in the rearview mirror. The splinters had left a few spots of blood on my face but hadn’t embedded themselves. I took a clean tissue out of the box I kept in the glove compartment and poured a little water on it from my water bottle. A few swipes and people wouldn’t know there were some pinpoint cuts.

  As soon as the ambulance was past me, I took off. I was anxious to tell Daniel and the others the murderer had been caught. I knew where my cell phone would begin working and parked on the shoulder of the road and called Daniel. I wanted to tell him personally. No answer. I texted him a brief message, saying the killer had been caught.

  I pulled back onto the road and drove to town, where the Mushroom Festival activities were taking place. As I parked, I saw Deputy Sheriff Stanton walking across the town center, along with two other officers. He must already know, but I wanted to be sure. It was cause for celebration.

  The policemen walked to where Elise, Peter, and Joey sat. I got there just as they arrived at the table. Anxious looks passed between the three seated there.

  “Peter Smith and Joey Jenkins, I’m placing you under arrest for illegal logging.”

  “What are you taking about?” Peter spat out.

  “A local mushroom club decided to stake out the area where redwoods have been cut down. They marked some trees so they could be identified. They called and told us they’d seen you two at work. We obtained a search warrant and found the wood in your barn.”

  Peter seemed to shrink as the bluster and bravado left him.

  “And you, Elise Jenkins, are under arrest for the attempted murder of Clarence Norton.”

  Chapter 28

  Elise paled. “No…wait…”

  Peter jumped up. “You have it all wrong, Deputy Stanton. I was the one who put the mushrooms in the salad. I wanted to make him sick so he and his stupid dog would quit the contest. I never meant to kill him.”

  Elise looked stunned. “What? You put those mushrooms there?”

  “Yeah. I didn’t mean to cause you any grief, Elise.” Peter put his hand on hers. “I’m sorry. I thought people would figure the guy ate some of his own mushrooms that were poisonous.”

  Stanton cleared his throat. “Elise, all the people at the dinner said you were the only one they saw near the entrée. We found poisonous mushrooms in what was left of Clarence’s dinner.”

  “What?” Peter exclaimed, staring at her. “You poisoned him, too?”

  Elise nodded. “Joey saw Clarence Thursday night when Joey was meeting with the person who pays him to retrieve sinker logs. He didn’t know if Clarence saw him or not, and I wanted to make him sick so he’d leave.”

  “Okay,” Deputy Stanton said. “Let’s see if I’ve got this straight. You both poisoned him but neither of you meant to kill him. Because there were two portions of poisonous mushrooms, it became life threatening. Neither of you knew what the other one was up to.”

  They nodded in unison.

  Stanton shoved his hat back on his head. “A fine pair you are.” He pulled out handcuffs. “It’s still a criminal offense to intentionally poison someone.”

  Peter and Elise shared frightened looks.

  “Elise, we also got a search warrant for your place, since you were a murder suspect. We found the remnants of the pages you used to create the warning note to Kelly Jackson. They were a perfect match.”

  Elise’s shoulders sagged. “I wanted her to quit asking so many questions. I thought it might make the others in her group stop as well. I knew about the illegal logging and the sinker logs. I figured it was only a matter of time before she or the others found out something that would harm Peter or Joey.”

  I stepped forward. “Excuse me, Deputy Sheriff Stanton. Is it okay for me to ask a question? There’s one incident left to clear up.”

  “Yes, Ms. Jackson. If something else can be solved, that’s a good thing.”

  I looked at Elise. “Why did Joey push me in the water and then save me? I know he said it was an accident, but I don’t believe that. I won’t press charges against you for the note or Joey if he shoved me in the river. I just want the truth.”

  “Can she do that, Deputy Stanton?” Elise asked.

  “It’s her choice,” he replied.

  It was a small trade to make to get all the answers. She’d still face charges regarding Clarence and, besides the logging, I knew Joey and Peter would have the stolen sinker log to deal with.

  Joey shot his mother a look.

  Elise turned back to me. “You promise you won’t press charges?”

  “You know I keep my word, Elise.”

  She blushed a bit. “We wanted to scare you, not kill you. He stuck around in case you couldn’t swim and he’d have to go in and save you.”

  There it was. The last answer to all of our questions.

  “Thank you, Deputy Stanton.”

  He nodded and opened the handcuffs.

  I walked away. Now wasn’t the time to talk to him. I saw Priscilla and Ted surrounded by a group that included the Silver Sentinels, Helen, Daniel, and the kids, as well as Fred on a leash. The pig pawed twice with her front right hoof, then twice with her left—a tap dance on the concrete sidewalk. I felt like dancing along with her.

  I merged with the group and stood next to Daniel. He had his arm around Allie’s shoulders.

  He smiled at me. “Hi, Kelly.”

  “Hi, back. Have you checked your phone recently?”

  He looked at me quizzically, reached in his pocket, and took out his cell phone. The shine of his smile after reading the text put the finishing touch on the day. I asked if he could meet at the inn in an hour, and I’d tell him what had happened. He said yes. I did the same with the Sentinels, and they said they would be there, after happy exclamations when they heard the murderer was caught.

  I saw Stanton and the other officers, with their three arrestees, headed for patrol cars. I texted Michael the news and said we’d be meeting in an hour at the inn if he wanted to join us. He replied immediately he’d be there.

  Clapping drew my attention to the stage. A young woman held a blue ribbon, along with her colorful mushroom basket.

  A chubby man in a plaid judge’s vest said, “Again, congratulations on the most artistic basket. Now, we want to awar
d the Judge’s Choice. This can be for anything the judges deem noteworthy. This year we’re awarding it for most entertaining contestant. The winner is…Priscilla the pig!”

  People applauded and whistled. The black-and-white pig trotted onto the stage, Ted in tow, tail wiggling, her movements punctuated with grunts and squeals. I saw the announcer place a bundle of corn ears tied with a ribbon on the table next to the podium.

  I wondered what they’d say when it came time to award the mushroom winners and there were no prizes. I wasn’t interested enough to wait around and find out. I said good-bye to the group.

  I took my time driving back to the inn, pulling over at one point to gaze at the deep blue ocean. It was calm today. There were always waves, but today they were gentle. The turbulence of the last few days began to slip away as I watched their rhythmic movement. I took in a deep breath of fresh coastal air and realized I hadn’t been aware of it the last couple of days.

  I drove to the inn and parked. I entered the now quiet kitchen, glad for some silent time and a chance to process what happened today. I’d not go into great detail about my fight with Roger when I talked with everyone. I’d had a close call. I went to my room, washed up, and checked my face in the mirror. The splinter specks hadn’t bled anymore.

  I saw a few slivers attached to my jeans and changed. I brushed my hair and put some lotion on my hands. I was moving at a languid pace, as if my body wanted to balance the adrenaline rush of the morning. A sense of moving in slow motion replaced the rapid-fire action I’d experienced.

  I put together a tray of beverages and took it to the Silver Sentinels’ Conference Room. Being able to do mundane tasks was a pleasure. I’d come close to not being able to do them again. I scanned the charts. All the answers. Finally.

  The Silver Sentinels began to arrive. They were early, probably wanting to hear the details as soon as possible. Ivan punched Rudy lightly on the shoulder. He was in a playful mood.

  Mary put the Princess purse on a chair and lifted out her pride and joy. No sweet treats for the group, probably forgotten in her rush to hear the conclusion to our efforts. Today’s news was sweet enough.

  The Professor came in, keeping pace with Gertie and her cane. Using it never seemed to slow her down. Daniel was right behind them.

  Corrigan came in…followed by Scott. There definitely wouldn’t be a lot of detail in my report, considering his level of concern. People settled with their drinks, and I began to tell the story.

  Ivan got up and grabbed a thick, black marking pen and went to the charts. “I check off.”

  With each issue I addressed, he checked it off with a flourish. When I was done, everything had been covered.

  Job done.

  No one had said anything when I told what had happened with Roger. However, the somber faces and serious glances at each other spoke volumes.

  I could see Corrigan reading the charts.

  “All of you accomplished a lot,” he said. “Once again, a boon to this community.”

  “We feel it’s important to help in any way we can,” the Professor said.

  Michael surveyed the group. “Kelly had a close call.” He looked at me. “I suppose asking you and the others not to do anything like this again would be a waste of my breath.”

  We all nodded.

  “Daniel was in danger,” I said. “I don’t regret what I did for an instant. I’d do it for anyone in this room.”

  The Silver Sentinels agreed with me.

  “I didn’t know what I was getting into when I hired a Wyoming cowgirl,” Michael remarked.

  The shared laughter eased the tension that had built in the room when I told them what had happened at Roger’s place.

  Daniel sat back. “I know I, for one, feel like a celebration is in order. It’s time for triple hot chocolate for the kids and an extra big pizza party tonight. This is our Sunday family night at Redwood Cove Bed-and-Breakfast, and you’re all invited to join us.”

  I chimed in. “And I have a fine bottle of merlot, thanks to Roger Simmons. There’s enough for each of us to make a toast.”

  The Sentinels weren’t ones to be left out. Gertie offered a salad, and Mary said she’d bring dessert. Rudy, Ivan, and the Professor said they’d bring drinks. When Michael and Scott offered to bring something, the others vetoed them and said there’d be plenty.

  I texted Stanton and invited him. I wondered if I’d ever get used to thinking of him as Bill. Maybe when we weren’t involved in police business. He said he’d be there.

  We agreed to meet at five. The Professor shared the news that Clarence had been released from the hospital. I encouraged him to ask Clarence and Timothy to join us. He said he would.

  Scott lingered behind after the others left. “Kelly, I know you’re not going to change. I won’t try to discourage you. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

  I began to take the charts down. “Thanks, Scott.”

  “Please remember to let me help in any way if there’s another investigation you get involved in…though I’d like to think Redwood Cove is done with crime.”

  “Me, too. And yes, I’ll remember your offer if I ever need it.”

  The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, and soon people began to arrive, including Timothy and Clarence. Mary put the Princess blanket next to Fred’s bed between the two beanbag chairs in the living area. After a few doggie hellos to people, Princess curled up and closed her eyes.

  Clarence came into the kitchen, where I was talking with Daniel. “I’m…I’m so sorry for following you two.”

  I didn’t think anyone could blush as red as I usually did, but Clarence proved me wrong.

  “At the time, I had mushrooms on my mind and didn’t think of it as spying.” He got even redder.

  It was interesting to watch the crimson tide instead of being the one to provide the show.

  “Please forgive me,” Clarence said.

  I patted him on the shoulder. “Of course. I’m guessing we’ve all had times when we’ve regretted our actions. Glad you could join us tonight.”

  Daniel nodded. “I’m with Kelly. You learned from it and now it’s time to move on and let it go.”

  “Thank you both so much. Never again, for sure.” He held up an empty plastic bottle. “I’d like to get some water for Max.”

  “Go ahead,” I said. “I’d like to see him again.”

  Clarence filled the bottle, and I followed him out. He opened the back of his pickup and there was the golden-curled Max…wearing his service vest. It seemed Clarence had decided to take a new direction in dealing with his disease.

  I petted the regal dog while Clarence filled his water bowl. “Do you want to bring him in?”

  “No. He’s tuckered out from all the excitement of the last couple days. A long nap will be good for him.”

  Deputy Stanton’s patrol car pulled in and parked next to Clarence’s vehicle.

  “Can’t stay long,” he said. “But I do need to take a dinner break.”

  We went in and joined the others. Everyone was there. Happy conversation filled the air.

  Tommy raced into the room, with Fred close on his heels. “Everyone, look.”

  We all stopped talking and gave Tommy and Fred center stage.

  Tommy stood up tall. “Fred, roll over.” He made a motion with his hand.

  Fred blinked a couple of times, crouched down in slow motion, and rolled his tub of a body over. No easy feat. Everyone clapped. Fred jumped up much faster than he went down, his tail wagging furiously. He went to his bed, climbed in, and settled next to Princess.

  The delivery of five extra-large pizzas signaled party time. There’d be leftovers for sure. We did our toast and said good-bye and good riddance to Roger, then filled our plates with pizza and salad. People chose their seats at the table or the counter divider.

&
nbsp; Michael pulled a slice dripping with cheese from the pizza box. “The attorney is headed home as he is no longer needed to help Daniel.”

  What wonderful words those were to hear.

  “However, he’s working for me on another project.” Michael looked over at Daniel. “I’m going to fund the repair of the sacred land that was destroyed during the removal of the log.”

  “Michael, thank you—”

  Corrigan held up his hand. “I want your tribe to plan and participate in the work. There will be hoops to jump through, but I think I can swing it.”

  “The area means a lot to us. People will be proud to help reclaim it.”

  I helped myself to a slice with chicken and herbs on top. The day just kept getting better and better.

  Stanton—that is, Bill—sat between Helen and Tommy, chewing a piece of pepperoni pizza. Maybe there was a new beginning waiting for Helen.

  The words bocce ball and fly fishing drifted over from where Clarence and Timothy conversed. Sounded like plans for their next competition were under way.

  Scott sat next to me. “Are you still up for cooking lessons?”

  “I am indeed.”

  He arched an eyebrow and tilted his head. “Would Tuesday afternoon work?”

  “Yes,” I replied.

  “We’ll start with mac and cheese, but not just any old mac and cheese. I’ll give you a hint—I got the cheese from Andy.”

  I knew that meant gourmet.

  Maybe there was something new for me on the horizon as well.

  We all ate contentedly and chatted. The conversations held no talk of murder.

  Tommy stood and put his plate in the sink, then went to the inn’s computer. A couple of minutes later, he shouted, “Mom! Mom!”

  Helen laughed. “I’m right here, honey. You don’t have to be so loud.”

  He pushed some buttons on the computer and a sheet of paper came out of the printer. Tommy raced to his mother with it.

  “It’s my first cookie order. It’s for a dozen bulldog cookies. The dog’s name is Maude.”

  He held her picture up for everyone to see. “It’s going to be fun making all the wrinkles on her face.”