A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest (A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery Book 7)

by Cindy Bell

“What's this doing here?” Ida said with concern in her voice.

  “I don't know,” Rex replied. “But we should get it inside in case it rains.”

  “I guess so,” Ida agreed.

  Vicky heard them begin to walk away. Her entire body ached with the desire to cry out, to alert them to her presence, but she knew that if she did Vaughn might kill her, and then turn on Rex and Ida as well. She couldn't put them in danger, no matter how much she hoped that someone would save her. Once their voices faded away she knew her fate was sealed. She looked into Vaughn's eyes, hoping to find some sense of compassion.

  “You don't have to do this,” she reminded him. “All of this can be over, if you just let me go.”

  “I'm not going to do that, Vicky,” Vaughn said roughly. “I am truly sorry, however. Like I said, this isn't personal.”

  “Oh, it's very personal,” Mitchell said from just behind him. Vicky caught sight of him pointing his gun at the back of Vaughn's head. “Drop the pitchfork,” he commanded Vaughn.

  “You're making a huge mistake, Detective,” Vaughn said darkly. “I will have your badge for this.”

  “You won't have anything but handcuffs, Vaughn,” Mitchell shot back. “Now lower the pitchfork or I will make sure you don't walk out of here alive.”

  Vicky was staring hard at Vaughn. She was afraid to move as at any second he could drive the pitchfork deep into her body. Being able to hear Mitchell's voice was very comforting to her but she was still scared.

  “Fine,” Vaughn said and dropped the pitchfork to the ground. “But you will be paying dearly for this.”

  “Shut up,” Mitchell barked and grabbed Vaughn by the wrists. He quickly snapped handcuffs on him. “I've known you were dirty from the first time I laid eyes on you, Vaughn, and it brings me nothing but pleasure to be the one to take you off the streets.”

  “The city will suffer for this,” Vaughn warned. “I have a lot of friends, a lot of influence. I could change everything.”

  “You have already changed everything,” Mitchell said. “You're a murderer and that's the last thing that our city needs.”

  Sirens screamed through the air, signaling that Mitchell had called for backup and they were arriving.

  “The charges will never stick,” Vaughn said. “I'll find a way out of this.”

  “I promise you, Vaughn, you will not,” Mitchell said sharply.

  “We'll see about that,” Vaughn muttered. Mitchell didn't bother to reply. He looked past Vaughn who he held firmly by the cuffs and straight into Vicky's eyes.

  “Are you okay?” he asked her softly.

  Vicky could only nod. She had never been so frightened. Vaughn had scared her in a different way, because his eyes were so very empty of empathy. Mitchell held her gaze for a long moment, as if to reassure himself. Then he jerked Vaughn away from her and turned him towards the flashing lights. He almost walked right into Sheriff McDonnell who was walking quickly up the path.

  “Mitchell, is everything all right?” he asked as he looked from Mitchell, to Vaughn, and then to Vicky who was stumbling along after Mitchell.

  “This monster is under arrest for murder,” Mitchell said sharply.

  “Two murders,” Vicky choked out. Mitchell and Sheriff McDonnell looked in her direction with surprise.

  “Under the bushes,” she mumbled and pointed behind the shed. “It's Margaret.”

  Sheriff McDonnell grabbed Vaughn hard by the arm and pulled him away from Mitchell.

  “You thought you could get away with murder right under my nose?” Sheriff McDonnell demanded. “There's a special place in prison for those who know the law and break it.”

  “I'll never be behind bars,” Vaughn countered sharply.

  “I have to tell you, Detective, you've really proven yourself tonight,” Sheriff McDonnell said proudly as he ignored Vaughn and looked over at Mitchell. “Not too many cops would risk tangling with a man as powerful as this, but you knew that the law comes first. You did good, Mitchell,” he smiled. Vaughn muttered under his breath. Sheriff McDonnell pulled him towards the waiting police car. Mitchell turned back to Vicky.

  “Under the bushes,” Vicky whispered again and pointed.

  “It's okay,” he murmured and pulled her briefly into his arms. “I'm here now. I'll take care of everything,” he gestured to Sarah who had come running out of the inn at the sound of the sirens. “Take her somewhere quiet,” he instructed her. “She's been through a lot tonight.”

  “I will,” Sarah agreed, her eyes wide. She didn't know exactly what was going on, but she knew it wasn't good. She guided Vicky over to one of the wooden stands in the middle of the garden. She settled her down on one of the benches inside.

  “What is it?” Sarah asked in a whisper. “What happened?”

  “Vaughn Thomson is being arrested for murder. He killed Roxanne because she walked in on him having an affair with Margaret. Now, he's killed Margaret because Margaret found out the truth about Roxanne's murder. He's a terrible man,” she sighed.

  “I'm so sorry,” Sarah said with a shake of her head. “How did you find out all of this?”

  “He threatened to kill me too, Sarah,” Vicky said in disbelief.

  “I'll kill him myself,” Sarah said and started to stand up.

  “No, Sarah, it's okay. He's going to see some real justice,” Vicky sighed. “I'm sorry about the contest,” Vicky said in a distant voice. “Things did not go smoothly.”

  “Don't worry about that,” Sarah said and rubbed Vicky's back soothingly. “Just try to relax. You've been through a terrible experience.”

  “But Mitchell was there,” Vicky smiled faintly. “Even when I didn't think he would be.”

  “Yes he was,” Sarah agreed as she hugged her sister tightly. “I'm so glad he was.”

  Chapter Nine

  Once the news of Margaret’s murder began to spread through the inn, many of the guests began to leave. Vicky and Sarah stayed close to one another in the main lobby. Mitchell was still gathering evidence and questioning witnesses. Vicky was sipping some herbal tea that Chef Henry had whipped up for her. It was soothing, but also reminded her of the conversation that Roxanne had had with Chef Henry. The phone on the front desk began ringing. Sarah picked it up.

  “Hello?” she said. “Of course, we'll be waiting for you in the lobby,” Sarah said quickly. When she hung up the phone she looked over at Vicky.

  “Lauren is on her way down.”

  “That poor woman,” Vicky shook her head. “I don't know how she's going to handle all of this.”

  Sarah and Vicky watched as Lauren stepped out of the elevator. She was wheeling a suitcase behind her. She trudged up to the front desk.

  “I'm sorry,” she said softly. “For all of the trouble.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for,” Vicky said comfortingly. “You didn't know.”

  “I should have, though, right?” she looked up at the two women, her eyes red and swollen. “I mean, I am his wife. How could I not know?”

  Sarah and Vicky exchanged a short glance before Vicky looked back at Lauren. “Lauren, this man was about to be elected as District Attorney. He had many people snowed. No one knew what he was capable of, and no one would expect you to either. You didn't have anything to do with any of this.”

  “Thank you,” Lauren said shakily. “It's nice to hear that, though I don't know if I believe it. I just think about Roxanne, and our petty competition. Then Margaret, she was sleeping with my husband, but she didn't deserve to die, not like that.”

  “But you didn't know,” Sarah reminded her firmly. “You're not responsible for any of this. It's going to take you time, of course,” she added. “But you will begin to heal from this eventually.”

  “I hope so,” Lauren mumbled. “Thank you both for your kindness.”

  “You're welcome,” Sarah said. Vicky reached out and gave the woman's hand a light squeeze.

  Outside the inn a horn blared.

  “Tha
t will be my taxi,” Lauren said with a sigh. “Goodbye,” she waved to them as she walked out of the inn. Vicky watched her go, and then shook her head.

  “Could you imagine being married to someone and knowing so little about them?”

  “Marriage can be as terrible as it is wonderful,” Sarah pointed out. “It all depends on what you're both willing to put into it. Unless of course you're married to a murderer, in that case it's just all bad.”

  “I would think so,” Vicky nodded. Witnessing the depths of deceit that had existed in Lauren and Vaughn's marriage, Vicky had come to realize that she and Mitchell would never reach that point.

  Ida and Rex walked through the side door that led to the pool.

  “Vicky, are you okay?” Ida asked as she rushed towards her.

  “I'm fine,” Vicky promised her and looked at her aunt warmly.

  “We were both so worried, but Mitchell insisted we stay back,” Ida explained. “I knew, I just knew that you were in trouble.”

  “What do you mean, Aunt Ida?” Vicky asked.

  “I found your cell phone,” Ida explained as she held Vicky's phone out to her. “It was on the path in front of the gardens. I knew that you wouldn't have dropped it. Then I saw what looked like drag marks through the soil. I'm sorry we didn't come for you right away,” she frowned.

  “I stopped her,” Rex explained and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I just thought it would be better if we let the police handle it, because we didn't know exactly what was happening.”

  “Mitchell showed up before we even had a chance to call him, so he must have been concerned. But he had no idea where you were, we told him that we thought you were behind the shed, and that's when he made us stay put under threat of handcuffs, mind you,” she glowered.

  “Aunt Ida, he was just trying to keep you safe,” Sarah interjected.

  “I wouldn't have forgiven myself if anything had happened to you,” Vicky explained with a heartfelt smile.

  “I think that you know, I would feel the same,” Ida sighed. “But the important thing is that you are safe, and that horrible beast of a man is behind bars,” she shook her head. “When I heard who it was, I was shocked. Can't trust anyone these days.”

  “It's not that you can't trust anyone,” Rex said gently. “It's that you need to keep the ones you can trust, very close.”

  Ida smiled up at him and hugged him tightly around the waist. “What do you say we go for a motorcycle ride?” she suggested.

  “I'd say I can't wait,” Rex replied. “Unless you two need us here?” Rex asked as he looked at Sarah and Vicky. “Is there anything we can help with?”

  “Isn't he adorable?” Ida grinned and planted a big kiss on his cheek.

  “We're fine,” Sarah promised him. “I think the best thing for Vicky is to get some rest.”

  “No,” Vicky said quietly as Ida and Rex walked away.

  “No, what?” Sarah asked with surprise.

  “No, that's not the best thing for me,” Vicky cleared her throat with determination.

  “I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound bossy,” Sarah frowned. “What is it that will help you to feel better tonight, Vicky?”

  “It's not that,” Vicky smiled at her sister. “It's that there's only one thing that can make me feel better tonight,” Vicky said in a murmur as she looked up at the patio door opening once more. Mitchell strode quickly across the carpeted lobby floor until he reached her side.

  “It's official, sweetheart, he's in a jail cell,” he said as he took Vicky's hands in his own.

  “Oh, I see,” Sarah said quietly under her breath and smiled at Vicky.

  “I'm so glad it's over,” Vicky said and squeezed Mitchell's hands. “What a weekend.”

  “Mitchell, why don't you take Vicky to her apartment?” Sarah suggested. “I'm just going to finalize some things here with the paperwork. I'm sure she's pretty worn out.”

  “Sure,” Mitchell nodded and looked into Vicky's eyes. “If that's what you want?” he asked.

  “I do,” Vicky squeezed his hands lightly. She smiled at her sister as Mitchell guided her towards her apartment. Vicky opened the door and he stepped in behind her. He closed the door. She flipped on a lamp near the couch.

  “Are you sure that you're okay, Vicky?” Mitchell asked as he walked closer to her.

  “I don't know if okay is the right word,” Vicky replied with a sigh. “But I'm better, thanks to you.”

  “Well, it was Aunt Ida that told me…”

  “It was you that rescued me, Mitchell,” Vicky said warmly and patted the couch beside her. He sat down and brushed the hair back from her neck and shoulders. He began rubbing lightly at the tension that had gathered there. “I've been in tight spots before, Mitchell, but I really didn't think I was going to make it out of that one.”

  “You did,” he whispered. “That's all that matters now.”

  “Maybe, but maybe not,” Vicky said calmly.

  “What do you mean?” Mitchell asked and sat back slightly.

  “I mean, when I was looking into Vaughn's eyes, when I knew he had every intention of killing me, I realized some things about my life,” she said quietly and stared off distantly.

  “What things?” Mitchell pressed with apprehension in his eyes. “Things about us?” he asked nervously.

  “Sort of,” she replied and took his hands in hers. Mitchell's face had gone pale, he looked like he was preparing for the worst news of his life.

  “I'm always putting off the most important things in my life,” she explained as she looked into his eyes. “I'm always thinking that there will be another day, another week, another month, but that isn't always the case, is it?” she shook her head and ran her thumbs along the backs of his hands.

  “Not always,” Mitchell replied in a murmur.

  “So, if I keep putting off the most important things, then I might never have the chance to have them,” Vicky said as she studied him. “You're the most important thing in my life, Mitchell. I don't want to wait any longer to get married.”

  “Really?” he said, his expression lightening. She realized he must have been very concerned about what her intentions were.

  “I can't think of a single thing I want more, than to be married to you, Mitchell,” Vicky leaned up and kissed him softly. When she broke the kiss he was smiling at her.

  “I feel the same way,” he said happily. “So, maybe now we can talk about a date?”

  “The sooner the better,” Vicky said, feeling elated as she wrapped her arms around him. “It's time we had the chance to truly share our lives.”

  “I can't wait,” Mitchell kissed her hard, and Vicky nearly lost her balance from the passion of it. They both laughed as they held onto each other. “It might be a little bumpy,” Mitchell warned her. “I can't promise that it will be perfect.”

  “I don't want perfect,” Vicky promised him. “I just want you.”

  “Aw, that's so sweet,” Mitchell grinned, then his smile faded. “Wait a minute, isn't that a little bit of an insult?”

  “No,” Vicky said innocently. “Like you said, you can't be perfect.”

  “I said marriage might not be perfect,” Mitchell argued playfully. “I never said anything about me not being perfect.”

  “All right fine, you got me,” Vicky laughed. “I don't want perfect, I want better than perfect, I want you.”

  “Much better,” he grinned and pulled her in for a long, sensual kiss. After the kiss ended, Vicky rested her head against his shoulder and sighed.

  “Oh Mitchell,” she murmured.

  “Yes Vicky?” he asked, holding her close, his voice filled with heat.

  “Don't forget, you promised to help me clean up the shed,” Vicky smiled as she looked up into his eyes.

  “As long as there are no hammers involved,” he grinned in return.

  The End

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