Death is Long Overdue (Phee Jefferson Book 1)

by Amy Lilly

  I spent the morning cataloging the new books that had come in the day before while I was off. In between cataloging, I checked books in and out and chatted with my regulars. I had a couple of older ladies who were voracious readers and came in every week to grab the latest novels by their favorite authors. I didn't even have to call and ask them if they wanted certain books. I just set them aside for the next time they came in. I loved the delight on their wrinkled little faces when they got a new treasured book to take home and enjoy.

  That afternoon, Wade came in for his shift. I told him what had happened and said the sheriff would be by later to pick up the book to try to get prints from it. "I don't like this one bit," Wade said darkly. "It has to be someone who knows about you dating Clint. I mean what else have you done lately that would make someone this angry. Nothing personal, Phee, but you’re a fairly innocuous person."

  "No offense taken. I wish whoever was sending me threats thought of me as harmless," I tried to shrug it off and act unconcerned, but Wade could see that I was shaken by the whole thing.

  "Well, it would be easy enough to see who had the book last," Wade went over to the library computer. His fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard as he pulled up the book on mushrooms. "It says here that the last person to check it out was Shari Davis. That's Grant's mom, isn't it?"

  "It is. She probably checked it out the day of the talk. Her house is right by the woods and she did say that she wanted to learn which mushrooms were safe to eat since there were so many sprouting right out behind her home. Whoever killed Carla probably was smart enough not to check it out. They probably just flipped through it like I did while standing in the stacks." I was frustrated now. Hopefully, the sheriff would find something that would point them in the right direction.

  "Why don't you take a break and go get something to eat," Wade suggested. "It's slow in here right now. I can handle it."

  "I think I'll take you up on that offer," I grabbed my bag and jacket. I opened up the desk drawer and pulled out the bag with the book. "I'll drop the book off at the sheriff's office on my way. Do you want me to bring you back anything?"

  "I could do with a Reuben with an extra dill pickle on the side. Thanks." Wade turned to help a young boy find the latest in a popular superhero series.

  "You've got it," I headed out. I stopped by the sheriff's office and gave the bag to the gum-smacking receptionist. I told her that Sheriff Dawes was expecting it. I hoped she actually heard me since her eyes had repeatedly strayed to the screen of her cell phone.

  I strolled down the street enjoying the smell of fall in the air. A slight breeze stirred the leaves at my feet as I headed towards Odd Couple's to grab a sandwich. As I got ready to cross the street, I changed my mind and headed towards Maybe Baby Boutique. I thought about the possibility that whoever was targeting me was actually angry over Clint and me. The only person that I could think of that fit that description was Valerie Hill.

  The chime rang out Brahms’s Lullaby and Valerie glanced up from a table where she was straightening baby blankets. "Hi, Phee. Are you here to buy something else for the twins?" Valerie looked striking with her dark hair contrasting with the light pink sweater that clung tightly to her curvaceous figure.

  "I definitely wanted to pick up a few more things before the shower. I was thinking maybe some blankets since it will be cold when they come home from the hospital in November." I walked over to the table where she stood. "I guess coming back to Miller's Cove has to be a big change after living in New York City."

  "It's a little hard to adjust, but I'm actually kind of glad to be back," Valerie admitted. She straightened a stack of blue blankets. She held a gorgeous blue and yellow one up to show me. "This would be great for your nephew."

  "It's perfect," I admitted. "Do you have a complementary one for my niece?” I pretended to browse through the baby clothes. “Have you been seeing anyone since you moved back or have you been too busy getting the store opened?" I tried to sound casual, but inside my stomach sloshed from nerves. If Valerie was the murderer, I didn't want to let her know that I was on to her.

  "I’ve been pretty busy getting the boutique open. Plus, my son keeps me pretty tired." Valerie found a pink and yellow blanket and held it out to me.

  "You have a son? How old is he?" I started to doubt that Valerie would be able to be out and about killing people if she had a young son with her.

  "He's three and a handful." Valerie reached around to the counter and handed me a picture frame with a toddler with curly brown hair and bright blue eyes. "This is Jacob."

  "He is absolutely perfect," I smiled at her. "You must be one proud mom. It has to be tough raising a son on your own."

  "Well, I hope I won't be raising him on my own," Valerie started wrapping the blankets up for me.

  "Really?" I might just be on to something. Maybe I could get her to let something slip.

  "Yeah. My ex and I have been talking since I moved back here. He's discovered life as a single guy isn't what he thought it was going to be. We've been talking and he is thinking about opening up a small firm in Burlington. He's planning on coming up next weekend to look at some potential offices. I'm keeping my fingers crossed." Valerie held up her two crossed fingers and smiled at me. Maybe she wasn't the mean girl that I always thought she was. I guess life isn't perfect for the beautiful people of the world either. I handed her my credit card and she rang up my purchase. I thanked her and wished her good luck. I stepped outside and headed to Odd Couple's.

  CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

  “As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her.” - Kristin Hannah, Summer Island

  I walked into Odd Couple's Diner and took a seat at the counter. I was debating between the Lucille Ball Grilled Cheese and the James Dean Burger when I heard a familiar laugh. Turning my stool so I could peruse the restaurant, I spotted Mom and Juliet at a corner booth. I hopped off my stool and walked over to them. Mom looked up and smiled, "Why hello, sweetheart! Have you eaten yet? Come join us!"

  I sat down next to Juliet and when she didn't scooch over, I pinched her on her arm. "Ouch! Mom, Phee's pinching me!" Juliet tattled.

  "I don't know what she's talking about?" I gave Juliet an innocent look and then stuck out my tongue at her.

  "You girls behave! I swear it's like you were both twelve years old. What are you up to today, Phee?" Mom asked as she glanced over the menu. "I think I'll have the Judy Garland Cobb Salad and water with lemon."

  "Nothing much. Just trying to figure out who's bumping off the people of Miller's Cove," I said casually. I unwrapped my silverware from the paper napkin then placed the napkin on my lap. Juliet opened her mouth and closed it. She kicked me in the ankle and gave me a look that said I was crazy.

  "That's nice, dear, just make sure you're careful," Mom continued to look at the menu. Juliet and I looked at each other in surprise. I mouthed to Juliet asking her if mom had finally lost her mind. Juliet shook her head no and shrugged.

  "Mom, did you hear what I said? I said I was trying to solve a murder," I repeated to her. Maybe I should take her to get her hearing check. She was still fairly young, but you never know.

  "I heard what you said. I am neither deaf nor crazy. You are an intelligent girl and if you are using your brain to attempt to solve a crime then I am proud of you. Just make sure that you’re sticking to being an armchair sleuth and leave the real investigation to Jaime and Clint," Mom warned.

  "You know me, Mom. I prefer my mysteries leather bound and about two hundred pages." I kicked Juliet under the table. I felt the daggers from her without even turning my head.

  "Are you ladies ready to order?" Seth Hansen asked with pencil poised.

  "Are you on waitress duty today?" Juliet teased. "I'll take the Lucille Ball with a side of fries and a cherry cola,
please."

  "Stephanie is stuck on the phone with one of our vendors trying to straighten out an order. I make a kick butt waitress, thank you very much!" Seth joked.

  "I'll take the same as Juliet, please, but make mine a root beer instead of cherry cola." I handed him my menu.

  "I am watching my girlish figure. The Judy Garland with the dressing on the side and water with lemon, please." Mom handed Seth her menu and slid out of her seat. "I'm going to step over there and say hi to Reverend and Mrs. Taylor. The potluck at the church is tonight and I wanted to see what they suggest I bring. I'll be right back, girls."

  As soon as Mom left, I told Juliet about the note and the book I discovered in the library. "I went and talked to Valerie Hill, too. At first I thought that she was still carrying a torch for Clint, but she's actually trying to get back with her ex-husband. She was actually pretty nice. I'll show you the blankets I bought for the twins later. I don't want to risk getting food on them, but trust me when I say that Carrie is going to love them."

  "When is Sheriff Dawes going to let you know if he was able to get prints off the note or the book? You are a little too calm for someone who has received a death threat," Juliet commented. "I think I would be a hot mess and hiding in my closet until the perpetrator was caught. Did you like how I just used a cop word? Perpetrator. Perp."

  "Yeah, yeah. You are the next Pepper Anderson." I took a sip of the root beer that Seth placed in front of me. "Sheriff Dawes didn't say when he might have prints, but he didn't feel confident that the "perp" would have left any behind anyway. And I am calm because when you think about it, no one else received warnings that we know of. Whoever committed these murders seems like they are trying to warn me off rather than actually hurt me."

  "I don't know who this Pepper Anderson character is, but her name is really cool. Change of subject. Here comes Mom." Juliet's voice lowered to a whisper, "Do not let Mom and Dad know that we are actually going around and asking people questions. She would freak."

  "No duh. So, Mom, how are the Taylors?" I asked my mother as she slid back into her seat. "What time is the potluck dinner service this evening?" Reverend Taylor was the pastor at the Miller's Cove Community Church a few blocks down from my house on Willow Street. Reverend Taylor had also attended Duane's nature talk at the library. I just might need to have a talk with him this evening.

  "They're both doing well. They are looking forward to their daughter coming home from college during her Thanksgiving break. The potluck starts at six o'clock and the service begins about a half an hour after that once everyone gets their plates filled. I think I'm going to bring my famous brownies with cream cheese frosting. I need to try to call Shari again. I called to invite her this evening, but she hasn't answered. Have you talked to Grant today?" Mom took a bite of the salad that had just arrived. She always nibbled at her food like a little rabbit. I wouldn't be surprised if her nose wiggled while she ate one day.

  "No. I haven't talked to him since last night. If I do, I'll be sure to tell him about the potluck," I said.

  "What's going on with you and Grant? Last time I talked to Shari, she was pretty insistent that you and Grant were together. I told her I didn't think you were seeing anyone, but she insisted that you and Grant were dating hot and heavy," Mom said.

  "Grant and I are just friends and that is all we will ever be. It must be wishful thinking on Shari's part. Juliet and I were thinking that we should go to the service this evening," I said. Juliet glared at me. Her look said that I had sprouted a second head when she wasn't looking.

  "Oh, that would be wonderful! Your father will be absolutely thrilled. I'll even make an extra dish for you two girls to bring since I know you won't have time to fix one yourselves with your busy schedule." She gave us both a pleased smile. I usually went to church on Sundays with my parents, but Juliet had stopped going once she started exploring chakras, Zen Buddhism and shamanism.

  "Juliet can pick me up a little before six, and we will meet you and Dad there." I planned on spending a few minutes before the service started doing a little inquiry into Reverend Taylor's interest in mushrooms. Maybe he had decided that words were not enough and fire and brimstone were needed when it came to some of our more difficult townspeople. Time to do a little investigation of a possible "perp".

  CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

  “To the potluck I brought something I randomly found in my fridge. It was the source of the stink.” - Jarod Kintz, Whenever You're Gone, I'm Here For You

  I took Wade the Dagwood-n-Daisy Reuben he asked for and spent the rest of the afternoon paying bills and writing book reviews for the Sunday edition of the paper. I had a weekly column where I wrote about new books, programs and ideas to encourage children to read. Some weeks the words just wrote themselves. Other days, like today, I struggled to get even two paragraphs written. Finally, it was five o'clock and time to go home. Wade and I closed everything together, and he walked me to Velma. It filled me with joy every time I saw him walk now. I told him good night and drove home to get ready for church.

  I fed Ferdie and fixed myself a cup of peppermint tea. I took my mug into my bedroom and looked through my closet to find appropriate attire for the evening's events. I needed something that said demure and wholesome, yet gave off a clear Nancy Drew vibe so that I could channel her investigative skills. I found a sapphire blue vintage suit and a pair of black Mary Jane pumps. Perfect. I added a pair of small sapphire stud earrings and a spritz of Chanel perfume.

  At fifteen minutes before six, Juliet honked her horn. Once I was secured in the passenger seat, she started to read me the riot act. "You know I don't do organized religion. I can't believe you volunteered me to come with you. You are going to owe me for the next year!"

  "I needed your help to investigate Reverend Taylor. He went to Duane's talk on mushrooms, and I know he attended the benefit breakfast. He does the opening prayer every year. I just need to see if and how he is tied to Huey Long," I explained to her.

  Slightly mollified, Juliet said, "Huey was the devil and Reverend Taylor probably was trying to exorcise his demons." She laughed at her own joke. I rolled my eyes.

  "You really should go on the road with that comedy act, Juls. Listen, I need you to talk to Mrs. Taylor and find out where the Reverend was the night of Huey's death. While you do that, I will be asking Reverend Taylor about mushrooms." Juliet pulled into the church's parking lot. Mom and Dad's car was already in the lot, so we went inside to find them. I spotted Dad over by the coffee urn talking to Reverend Taylor. Perfect.

  "Good evening, Reverend Taylor. Hey, Dad," I greeted them both. I grabbed a cup and filled it with coffee from the urn.

  "How are you, Phee? I was going to talk to you on Sunday about assisting with the children's Christmas play. Since you're here now, what do you say? Can you direct the play this year?" Reverend Taylor asked.

  Dad cleared his throat, "I'd better go rescue your mother. I see her cornered by Mrs. Grimes. Come find me in a few minutes, Phee, and we'll all get a table together."

  "I'd be happy to help you with the play, Reverend. Just let me know when I need to start with the kids," I agreed readily. I loved working with the Sunday school classes on the annual nativity play. The church borrowed a miniature donkey to add to the authenticity. It was always exciting to see if JoJo would cooperate. "It was great seeing you the other day at the library. It's a shame about Duane."

  "I heard. It is a shame. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with that young man. Patricia and I were planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail next year, and Duane was quite helpful in helping us to identify edible plants. I think we'll stick to fiddleheads and ramps. Mushrooms seemed a little too dangerous. He even gave me a great pocket guide to carry in my pack." Reverend Taylor shook his head sadly, "I am going to pray for the troubled soul who is committing these murders. It's just shaken this town to its core."

  "Duane and I went to high school together. I'm still in shock over his murder. Clint Mason actually
came by that night and told me about it." I waited to see if Reverend Taylor would fall into my oh-so-clever and subtle verbal trap.

  "I didn't hear about it until late the next morning. I had spent most of the night at Shady Acres sitting with Mrs. Jasper. She passed away late that evening. I hope I was a comfort to her in her final hours." Reverend Taylor's mournful face resembled a basset hound's.

  "I hadn't heard about Mrs. Jasper. Sorry to lose such a wonderful member of the congregation. She used to volunteer at the library when I was a little girl. I'm sure you did bring her comfort," I reassured him. "I see Juliet is trying to grab my attention. It looks like dinner is about to be served, so I’ll let you go."

  "That's my cue to get ready to say grace. Nice talking to you, Phee, and thanks for volunteering." Reverend Taylor walked towards the makeshift pulpit we used in the church basement for potlucks. I walked over to Juliet, but before I could tell her what I heard, Reverend Taylor cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

  "Good evening, folks. We are gathered here this evening to join together in fellowship and to share in some good grub!" Chuckles sounded around the room. "We give thanks for the food in front of us tonight and give thanks for the opportunity to join together as a church and as a community. Please watch over us as we mourn our recently departed church members Thelma Jasper, Huey Long, Carla Karsen and Duane Phillips. And we ask your forgiveness for the poor soul who has committed the recent crimes here in our small town. Amen."

  "Amen," I joined the congregation in ending the prayer. Juliet and I joined the line and filled our plates with ham, baked beans, mashed potatoes and a roll. I hoped I would have room for Mom's famous brownies.