by Holly Plum
"I get it." The detective nodded supportively.
“In the story, it was the wedding planner who was guilty," Joy added. "In this case, it could be Ruth Denning, the book club President. She is responsible for arranging the book launch party.”
To Joy’s relief, Detective Sugar didn’t look as appalled and closed to the theory as Joy had expected. “That’s quite a conclusion you’ve reached.”
“And I hope it is wrong because the next victim is the caterer.” Joy pointed to herself. "I guess that would be me in this scenario."
“Don't fret, Miss Cooke," Detective Sugar responded. "Tell me more about Ruth Denning. I'm open to new ideas."
“Oh, I'm not sure I know much about her," Joy answered. "She isn't a big fan of Minnie's. She didn't seem as excited about the book event as the others were, and then there are her gloves.”
“What gloves?”
Joy still couldn’t believe she was saying all of this, but she was past the point of no return. “She was wearing gloves at Saffron Smith's séance.”
“Séance?” Doubt crept onto Detective Sugar’s face.
“It's a long story, detective," Joy said.
“What exactly is a séance?” Detective Sugar asked, his tone one of confusion.
“Just some ridiculous ritual Saffron held in an attempt to contact the spirit of Miss Doodles so she could tell us who the murderer was.”
Detective Sugar snorted. “How did that go?”
“Not too good." Joy thought through the evening's events. "In the middle of it, Saffron ended the ceremony rather abruptly and left. She didn’t tell us what Miss Doodles had revealed to her.”
“That’s probably because nothing was revealed,” the detective replied.
Joy couldn’t blame the detective for his skepticism. She was skeptical as well.
“That might be so," Joy commented. "Or maybe she got her answer but didn't like it. Maybe it was her way of getting us all to meet up again for some sort of grand finale. Or maybe she didn't like how Frances Land had shown up unexpectedly.”
“Well, you are right about one thing,” Detective Sugar said. “It does seem as if Frances was framed. She has an alibi because her boss can confirm that she was at the bookstore working at the time of the murder. Also, we’re having trouble finding fingerprints at the scene because it appears everything was wiped clean. We couldn't even find prints from the maid.”
“Gloves,” Joy replied. "I guess all of this is more real than any of us want to admit. I just hope no one gets hurt. So, what happens now?"
Detective Sugar referred to the case file under his arm.
“I will look in on Ruth Denning,” he responded. "Thank you for coming to talk to me, Joy. I will take your thoughts into consideration."
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Joy wasn’t exactly pleased that she hadn't given him enough evidence to solve the case before Saturday. She felt a pull to do more for the sake of the townsfolk.
“Keep your eyes open,” he answered. "And be friendly to Minnie Morin. I don't need her contacting national news networks about this. Keep her happy until we can give her some answers."
"I will try."
CHAPTER NINE
The bookstore had been elaborately decorated to resemble a wedding venue for the book launch party. Joy's wedding cake matched everything as planned. The pecan pies had turned out splendidly and were permeating the room with their rich, sugary scent. The display was on point, with small dessert plates that were fit for a wedding and silver serving utensils. It was certainly a job well done. She knew that if it had been a competition between herself and Maple, Joy would have certainly given her opponent a run for her money.
“It looks great, honey,” Sara Beth said. “As always.”
“Yes, it did turn out quite well, didn’t it?" Joy admitted. "Even in spite of all the drama surrounding the planning.”
Sara Beth glanced over at Frances who was busy at work making sure everything was in its place before the attendees of the book launching began to arrive.
"I hope the rest of the day continues just like this," Sara Beth muttered. "Nice and normal."
“I talked to Detective Sugar,” Joy admitted. "He told me to keep Minnie happy, so she doesn't contact the press about all of this. So far so good."
Sara Beth’s face was earnest. “When did you talk to him?”
“Yesterday.”
“And you didn’t tell me?" Sara Beth shook her head. "What did you find out?”
Joy subtlety smiled. It seemed that Sara Beth was being swept away by the mystery of this whole case as well.
“I told him that what’s been happening aligns perfectly with the plot of Chapel of Doom." Joy paused. "And there's something else. In the book, the caterer figures out who the killer is and becomes another victim. Minnie told me to watch my back.”
A gasp escaped Sara Beth’s lips. She glanced around, clamping a hand over her mouth. The other members of the book club were far too busy bustling around to have noticed. “Have you figured out who killed Miss Doodles? If you have, you definitely shouldn't be here.”
“Of course I should," Joy remarked. "When have I ever not given a job one hundred percent?”
“Fine," Sara Beth muttered. "But don't say I didn't warn you. What if the murderer is here as we speak?”
“That is possible." Joy felt a chill travel done her spine as she glanced around the bookstore.
“Come on. You must have some idea who it might be.” Sara Beth’s voice was barely above a whisper.
Joy nodded. “I have my suspicions.”
“Who?” Sara Beth's eyes went wide.
Joy casually scanned the room before locating Ruth who had her hands clasped together as usual. She didn't seem to be helping to make sure everything was in perfect order like the rest of the group. She simply stood watching others scurry around her, each of her gloved hands slightly visible. Joy motioned subtly toward Ruth.
Sara Beth looked and then turned back to Joy. “Really? Interesting.”
“See the gloves?" Joy whispered. "She wore them at the séance too. There were no fingerprints at the crime scene according to Detective Sugar. She did a thorough job of trying to erase any evidence of her presence. It also makes sense with the plotline of Minnie's book. In the book, it was the wedding coordinator who committed the murder. As the President of the book club, Ruth had to have organized the event.”
Sara Beth looked stunned. “Wow. If you're right about this, then you're turning into a total Sherlock, Joy.”
“Hi, you two.” Frances interrupted their private conversation. Though her voice was infused with lightness, Joy could tell Frances was struggling to keep her enthusiastic attitude up to par.
Feeling sorry for the girl, Joy smiled extra wide.
“Hello, Frances." Joy gave her a reassuring nod. "The place looks great.”
"Thanks," Frances replied. "I'm just a little worried that people still think that I …"
"Don't worry," Joy continued. "The party will be great, and the town will eventually stop talking about this whole mess."
The look of relief on Frances’ face said it all. “Oh, I hope you're right. I've been getting some dirty looks here and there. I don't know what else to do to convince people that I'm just an innocent bystander.”
“The truth will come out,” Joy said. “It always does. By the way, I don't think your book club thinks you're involved. They all seem to be pretty supportive.”
Everyone but Ruth.
Frances seemed satisfied with this information and went on to ask Sara Beth and Joy if there was anything they needed before the doors were opened. When they said no, Frances complimented them on their display and hurried off to make sure everyone else was ready as well.
“Alright,” Frances announced to everyone within earshot. She glanced at the time. “Everyone over here, please. This is the moment we have all been waiting for.”
Once everyone was assembled, Ruth took ove
r, looking and sounding as indifferent about this whole event as ever. Joy wondered why she hadn’t suspected her before. She didn’t fit in with the rest of the fan club at all.
“So, basically,” Ruth began, “we’re going to start by getting everyone to the back room. Then, Minnie Morin will give a speech about her new book and thank everyone for coming.”
Joy glanced at Sara Beth who bit her lip. Ruth really was terrible at pretending to be interested in this event. In fact, Joy doubted she was trying at all.
“After that, pieces of pie and wedding cake will be distributed while Miss Morin sits at the front here and everyone gets their books signed. Any questions?” Ruth exhaled loudly.
It looked as if that was going to conclude the pre-launch party meeting when Vivian spoke up. “Where’s Saffron? She was supposed to be one of the greeters at the door.”
Everyone looked around, trying to spot her. She was nowhere to be found.
“She was here a few minutes ago,” Colby declared.
“It's fine,” Ruth said, dismissively. “She probably just stepped out for a minute.”
“She wouldn’t do that so close to show time without telling us,” Colby pointed out. “She’s far too serious about this book launch running smoothly to abandon her post.”
“Come on,” Vivian added. “We’ll find her.”
With that, the group dispersed, each going in a different direction to look for Saffron. The book shop was not incredibly large, so it was particularly peculiar when no one in the group had located her after several minutes.
“What’s going on?” a voice came from the other end of the bookstore. Joy turned to see that Minnie had entered the shop through the back door and was walking toward her.
“Saffron has gone missing," Joy answered. "We’re trying to find her before we open the doors.”
“I’ll help you look,” Minnie said, setting her purse aside.
Joy and Minnie made their way further back into the bookstore.
“We’ve looked everywhere,” Joy said. “She must have left the shop. If she were still here, she would answer our calls.”
“Did anyone check back here?” Minnie asked, pushing open a side door that looked as if it lead to a private room.
Joy turned on the light. It was the employee break room.
The women needed only to take one look at the space before they located Saffron. She was lying face down on the floor.
“Good heavens,” Minnie breathed.
Joy rushed over, shaking Saffron’s shoulder. The psychic groaned, but was far from consciousness.
“No wonder she couldn’t hear us, she was out cold.” Joy yelled to alert the others. There was a frantic pattering of footsteps and then Sara Beth, Ruth, Frances, Vivian, and Colby was at the door.
“What happened?” Frances asked.
“Oh, my," Vivian gasped.
“There she is,” Colby exclaimed.
“Is she alright?” Sara Beth chimed in.
“Someone call the police,” Joy stated.
Colby rushed to do as Joy had asked.
Saffron groaned again, working hard to open her eyes. When she managed it, she blinked up at the ceiling in confusion. Then her brow wrinkled as she looked up at Joy.
“What …”
“Saffron, are you alright?” Joy calmly asked her.
Disoriented and confused, Saffron continued to blink. “I … something hit my head.”
“Frances, do you have an ice pack in the freezer?” Joy tried to examine Saffron's bruise.
Frances went to retrieve an ice pack, appearing a little shaky. If it had been appropriate, Joy would have liked to assure her again that everything would be fine. But she didn't know if everything would be fine. When Frances returned with an ice pack, Joy handed it to Saffron.
“Put that on your head," she instructed, "It should help the bruising, but you'll probably have a nasty bump tomorrow.”
Saffron nodded gratefully.
“Do you see anyone?” Joy asked when she’d given Saffron a moment to regain her composure.
Saffron looked around the room, much like she had before abruptly ending the séance at the beach.
Joy had a feeling that Saffron knew more than she was saying.
"Well …"
“Saffron, if you know who did this, you have to say something,” Joy said. “Something strange is going on, and I think you know it.”
A few moments of silence passed before Saffron finally answered.
Saffron looked over at Ruth.
“It was Ruth," she confessed. "Ruth tried to knock me out.”
CHAPTER TEN
No one said a word.
Even Ruth was shocked into stunned silence. Joy wasn’t sure if it was an act or if she was actually bewildered that she’d been found out.
There was a pounding of feet, and in a moment, Colby had reentered the room, flushed and out of breath from all the excitement. “The police are on their way.”
No one answered, silence still reining in the room.
Colby looked around. “What’s wrong with everyone? What’s going on?”
“Ruth?” Joy said.
“What?” Ruth spat, finally finding her voice. “What do you want me to say? Do you want me to declare that I’m the murderer? Oh, and I suppose you think I framed Frances for Miss Doodles' death too?’
“Did you?” Joy boldly asked. The fact that she was surrounded by witnesses comforted her in knowing that she might have been confronting a murderer.
Ruth’s mouth gaped open, but Joy wasn’t fooled.
“This is preposterous,” Ruth exclaimed.
“Well?” Joy eagerly waited for more details. “Are you going to deny it?”
“I can't believe this," Ruth responded. "I mean to accuse me of anything is ridiculous. I’m the book club President.”
“Speak up, Ruth,” Vivian chimed in, sounding rather annoyed. "What did you do?"
“The police will be here soon,” Joy said, wondering if it would be just like most crime novels where the criminal made a dash for it when he or she was discovered. She hoped not since there was a crowd of innocent people outside waiting for the doors to open.
“I did nothing wrong," Ruth stated, lifting her chin. "I had nothing to do with this.”
Joy turned back to Saffron. “How are you feeling?”
Saffron’s nod was shaky and far from convincing.
“Do you want to head to the front of the store and sit in one of the cushy armchairs?” Frances suggested.
Again, Saffron nodded.
With the help of Frances and Joy, Saffron made it to her feet and with one woman on either side of her, they started out of the break room.
“I don’t believe this,” Ruth continued. "So, that's it? All of you think I'm some sort of dog killer, or that I planned some elaborate series of events mimicking the plot of Chapel of Doom?"
“They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” Minnie said, addressing the accused for the first time. “In this case though, I doubt it was your intention to flatter me. I don’t really know what your intention was to do such a thing.” The author’s voice cracked.
“Come along,” Sara Beth said, leading Minnie away from Ruth. “It’s been quite a shock for everyone. Let’s just wait until the police get here.”
As Ruth continued to spew remarks about how innocent she was, Joy wished they could shut the door to the break room and lock the door until the police arrived. That was out of the question, of course. But, it was tempting.
Once Saffron was settled in a chair and given a glass of water, Ruth started in again defending herself.
“Ruth, I think it’s best if you stop until the police get here or you’ll simply be repeating yourself,” Joy said.
This upset Ruth even more. “But, I am innocent.”
“I don't know,” Vivian murmured. “I saw Ruth at Minnie Morin’s hotel the day she arrived. Planning out her scheme, no doubt.”
“She never was a fan of Minnie's books, but it doesn’t seem like anything to kill over,” Colby commented.
“Alright,” Ruth butted in, her voice cracking. “I admit it.”
The room went silent, everyone wondering if it would really be this simple—if Ruth would confess to everything right then and there.
"What?" Vivian said quietly.
“I don’t like Minnie Morin," Ruth stated. It wasn’t exactly a confession. At least, it wasn't to Joy.
"Really?" Colby questioned her.
“But, I have a good reason,” Ruth went on.
“Do tell,” Saffron said, her voice dripping with interest.
Ruth’s face was rosy. She pointed a finger in Minnie’s direction. “She’s the one who’s lying here. I’m the one who should be upset, not her."
“What do you mean?” Joy asked.
Ruth exhaled, shutting her eyes for a moment before opening them again and speaking. “A long time ago I dabbled in the book writing business myself. I knew Minnie Morin before she was famous. We were critique partners, and I bounced ideas off of her which was a big mistake. Do you want to know why her books have been so successful? Because she stole all of the plots from me. My hard work has made her rich!"
“You’re a liar,” Minnie shouted. "Your jealousy is out of control, Ruth."
“I’m not a liar," Ruth argued. "You’ve stolen all of my ideas, and you know it!"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Minnie shouted.
The two rivals stared at each other, each doing their best to convince everyone to believe their side of the story. The encounter was causing Joy to waver a little in her conclusions, making her wonder if she’d missed something.
“I did go to the Diamond Shell Hotel the day Minnie arrived in town,” Ruth explained. “I went to confront her. I’d stayed silent while her books became bestsellers though they contained much of my writing. I didn't expect anything to become of it. It was my word against hers. I just wanted an apology.”
This twist in the plot had rendered everyone in the room speechless. Even Saffron had some color back in her face and was listening intently.
"What happened?" Saffron asked.
