The Locked Room Murder: A Witch Cozy Mystery (A Bluebell Knopps Cozy Mystery Book 1)

by Nancy McGovern

  Contents

  Title Page

  Disclaimer

  Special Offer!

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Contact Nancy McG

  One More Thing

  A BLUEBELL KNOPPS COZY MYSTERY, BOOK 1:

  The Locked Room Murder

  By

  Nancy McGovern

  Rights & Disclaimer

  This is entirely a work of fiction. All people, places and events contained have been completely fabricated by the author. Any similarities to real people, places, or events are completely coincidental.

  The Locked Room Murder Copyright © 2016 Nancy McGovern

  http://www.Facebook.com/AuthorNancyMcG

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any manner or used in any way without advanced written permission by the author.

  A Special Offer!

  To receive updates & special offers on my books PLUS a FREE STORY, please sign up for my newsletter by CLICKING HERE! I’ll also tell you more about joining my Street Team, through which you can receive FREE COPIES of my books in return for honest reviews! It’ll be so much fun!

  Dedication

  This book is for Geoff Shaw and the amazing folks in the Kindling Facebook group. You have changed my life and made my dreams come true! Thank you!

  Chapter 1

  Steve Talzer & The Girl With Blue Hair

  There were two things that Bluebell Knopps could rely on. The first was that no matter how she dyed it, trimmed it or otherwise attempted to tame it, her pixie-cut hair would always turn neon blue again before the day was up.

  Her parents had chalked it up to some quirk of genetics, but her friends never really believed that she wasn’t coloring it deliberately. As for Bluebell, she had learned to stop caring. Neon blue hair was part of her, as much as the freckles on the underside of her arms, or the small crescent scar hiding behind her knee. There were far weirder things inside her head than on it.

  By the time she was 16, as Bluebell was fond of saying years later, she was “halfway between a decent human being and a monkey hopped up on too many hormones.” And, at 16, she was madly in love with Steve Talzer.

  Talzer wasn’t blessed with what you’d call classic good looks but, like the most attractive men often do, he had “that special something.” He worked as an intern at Dowell Industries, and Bluebell had first met him when he came over to her house to drop off a bunch of papers.

  It had been love at first sight for her.

  “There’s just something about his eyes, you know?” she’d said to her best friend Nolan Eckles later that day, as they both sat on the wall surrounding her house.

  “I’ve seen him. They look muddy brown to me,” Nolan said, with a gulp of soda. “There’s no magic spark between you two. It’s no secret why you and all the ladies in town swoon over him. He’s six feet tall and has a full beard.” This last was uttered with some envy. At sixteen, Nolan was a late bloomer with a few whiskers forming on his round face. “My mom said he looks like a dirty hippie. He’ll have to shave that off soon if he wants to keep his job.”

  “I’m going to be married to him one day,” Bluebell said with conviction. “I just know it. I know he’s four years older than me, and I know I’ve only met him once, but I also know he’s the one.”

  “What, one of your feelings again?” Nolan looked alarmed. “This is just a silly crush.”

  Bluebell shook her head. “Not exactly. This is deeper.”

  Nolan Eckles had known Bluebell since she was five and had loaned him her crayons at school. He was the only one who knew about these little flashes of insight she sometimes inexplicably had. Like when she was in sixth grade, Bluebell had insisted that old Mrs. Fizzberry and not the local goon Jared was responsible for the theft of the school’s art funds. The evidence had been decidedly against Jared, and yet in two weeks, Bluebell had proved that Mrs. Fizzberry was indeed the one who had taken them.

  Then, when they were 14, the night before the infamous Lledrith earthquake, Bluebell had phoned Nolan in complete hysteria, telling him that the world was ending. He’d calmed her down, but mentally dismissed her that night as a kook. He’d had serious second thoughts when he woke up to the house shaking like a wet dog just out of the water.

  Nolan looked at his best friend now. She was staring seriously into the distance, her eyes glazed as she thought of Steve Talzer.

  “Look, if it’s one of your feelings, maybe you’ll end up being right about it,” Nolan said. “Who knows what the future brings, right?”

  “Yeah.” Bluebell had smiled. “Who knows?” At sixteen, all she knew was what she wanted. But she had to wait three more years before she got it.

  Things seemed to fall into place for Bluebell the year she turned 19. She finally found a hair dye that stayed on her hair, and now she could dye it a brilliant orange instead of having it neon blue.

  Her new hair gave her new confidence. It was Bluebell who, after a month of using increasingly silly pretexts to meet him at his volunteer shift at the local pet shelter, had finally decided to apply as an intern at Dowell. She spent three months deciding that engineering was definitely not the field for her, while sitting a cubicle away from Steve, who enthusiastically told her all about his work.

  “What we’re doing will change how transport works,” he said. “We’ve used drones in war already, but when we put them in charge of logistics, the economy will boom faster than ever before. We’ll be able to exchange actual things almost as fast as we exchange data. Dowell Industries is focussed on automotive parts, but in ten years, we’ll probably be a very different company!”

  Bluebell, who couldn’t quite muster up enthusiasm about robots, instead asked him out on a date. To her surprise, he readily agreed.

  They spent two years happily in love, and Bluebell knew in every bone of her body that he was the one. He was everything she’d ever wanted - smart, funny, popular and ambitious. Everyone loved Talzer. He’d risen quickly, going from an intern to an assistant manager to project lead at the Dowell’s plant. But a year ago, he’d quit and started his own company on Elm street. It was new and risky, but Steve was excited. He’d spent a lot of money on a 3D printer, and on the day he started his new company, Steve gave her a present, a curiously shaped metallic bracelet with spokes protruding from it.

  On most Friday nights, they’d take his rattly pick-up truck and drive around the country, listening to Rockabilly music. Steve was a huge fan of Johnny Cash, and he’d crank it up as they drove around together, with Bluebell’s hand on top of his. Some nights, they’d lie on the bed of the truck, counting the stars as they kissed each other, and dreamed of the future.

  “What I’m working on will change everything,” Steve would say. “That’s what I’m after. I’m going to get so rich, Bluey, that I’ll make Old Man Dowell look like he’s a pauper by the time I’m done.”

  “I’ll love you either way,” Bluebell said, giving him a little kiss.

  “Can’t you imagine it? It’ll be so exciting. All the money you could ever want. All the power you’d have. Hey, if I earn a million dollars before I’m 25, I want a yacht. What do you say?”

  Bluebell laughed. “A yacht? You don’t know how to stee
r a paddle boat, Steve!”

  “I’ll learn though,” he said, and although she was lying on her back, facing the heavens, she could picture the cocky thrust of his chin as he said it.

  “How’s that sound? A yacht with mahogany interiors and.. And.. a bar full of champagne.”

  “Some good that’ll do me, I don’t drink, remember?” The one time she’d tried alcohol at a party, Bluebell had ended up being sick for a week. She’d steered clear of the stuff ever since.

  “Pcht. You tried the cheap stuff,” Steve said. “Wait till you try the real thing. Champagne’s like liquid gold.”

  “Thanks but no thanks,” Bluebell said.

  Steve turned over on his side, impatient. “Fine, what do you want then? Diamonds? Something to match your eyes... have I ever told you how beautiful your eyes are? They sparkle like sapphires. But nothing compares to your hair, of course...”

  Bluebell giggled and gave him a kiss. “Who needs diamonds when I have this awesome bracelet?” She held up her hand and dangled it. “Anyway, Steve, the only thing I want is to be with you forever. How about you introduce me to your parents someday?”

  Steve pulled away from her. Sitting up, he ran a hand through his hair. “Did you have to bring that up?” His voice was cold.

  “Baby… I’m sorry.” She put out a hand, touching him on the shoulder, but he stayed stiff and unresponsive. Sighing, she sat up too.

  “It’s just that you know everything about me,” she said. “You’ve seen the hospital I was born in, the school I studied at, the house I’ve called home all my life…”

  “Yeah, and it’s all perfect,” Steve said angrily. “Every bit of it. The perfect ivy covered house, the perfect red brick school, the perfect parents, the perfect friend circle. Your hair’s the only thing about you that isn’t a cliche, Bluey. That striking bright orange. It’s why I like you.”

  “My hair isn’t really orange,” Bluebell said. “I’ve dyed it orange. It was blue when we first met, remember.”

  “What?” He looked shocked. “I’d assumed that was a dye job.”

  “It’s true,” she said. “Hard to believe, but true. That’s my natural hair color.”

  He gave her a baffled look. “Two years and I just find this out. What else have you been hiding from me?”

  “Don’t be mean, Steve.” She felt tears prick at her eyes. The whole evening had been wrapped up in a kind of sweet glow, and in minutes, they’d managed to destroy it. For a while now, he’d been like this - quick to anger, lost in his own world. She looked at him, trying to figure out his thoughts, but his eyes were a shrouded mystery.

  “I will be mean if you keep bringing my parents up,” he said. “I know you can’t imagine someone who never wants to see their parents, but I don’t. All they’ve ever done is mess things up for me. They hold me back. The best decision I ever made was to run away. Ever since then, I vowed that I’d only look forward, that I’d only focus on what really matters in life. Getting friends, getting fame, getting fortune. Now I don’t know why I chose Lledrith. It was part coincidence, and part good luck. But something brought me here, to you, and in my mind, it was a kind of magic. You’ve bought me good luck since the day we met.”

  “Oh Steve.” Enveloping him in a hug, she slowly coaxed him back into a better mood, and told herself she’d never ask him about his parents again.

  As it turned out, she had no need to ask. Faster than she knew, his past was coming closer, and would affect their whole future.

  *****

  Chapter 2

  An Uppercut

  “Bluebelllll!” Nolan gave her a big hug as he walked into the salon later that week.

  “Nolan! You’re back in town!” Bluebell’s voice was an excited squeak. “I can’t believe it!”

  “Hey, I couldn’t miss out your birthday now, could I?” Nolan smiled.

  Bluebell grinned. “Liar, you’re just back for your nerdy tournament.”

  “Drone racing is not nerdy.” Nolan took out a tiny drone that fit in the palm of his hand, and showed Bluebell. He took out a remote control from his back pocket and fired it up. “This thing is a beauty. The newer cooler version of RC planes. The tournament has a prize of $500 and it’s a toss up whether I’ll win or your Steve will.”

  “All my money’s on Steve.” Bluebell smiled. “He’s the fastest nerd I ever saw. He races those things all the time. He almost knocked off a vase in my house the other day.”

  “Well, you can tell me all about it over a coffee.”

  “Mom, can I take ten minutes?” Bluebell asked.

  “Take your time. You’ve got a half an hour.” Jill Knopps smiled as she adjusted the curlers on one of her regulars, Mrs. Malone. “We’ve got a new customer coming in at three and she requested you specifically.”

  “A new customer?” Bluebell was puzzled. “On a Thursday?”

  “Sure, I’ve heard this funny lady checked into Irma’s B&B yesterday. I bet it’s her,” Mrs. Malone said. “Irma said she had a hat on the entire time, but then Irma’s cat Scraggly, he knocked it askew when he leaped off his perch on the door. Said her hair was as blue as the sky!” Mrs. Malone turned her head, and had it pushed back in front by Jill Knopps. “You don’t think she’s a long lost relative, do you, Bluebell? I remember how your hair used to be blue all the time before you finally dyed it.”

  “I’d know if she were. I’m her mother, after all.” Jill laughed.

  “Well she could be a relative from Andrew’s side,” Mrs. Malone said.

  “If she was, I’m sure I’d have heard of her before. Either way, I’ll be happy. We’ve finally found a member of Bluebell’s tribe. I’ve never heard of a single person with hair like hers, you know? I tried looking up blue hair on the internet, and all I found were a bunch of articles on hair dye. The doctor just shrugged and said he’s seen weirder things.”

  “Yeah sure. I mean, I don’t really care, as long as my current dye works forever.” Unwilling to get sucked into conversation about her hair, Bluebell said, “Mom, Nolan and I are going to go get a coffee. Can I get either of you something?”

  “No thanks. Hurry back, okay?”

  “Sure.” Bluebell grabbed her coat and ran outside, where Nolan was leaning against his battered red 1980s era BMW.

  “This thing runs on spit and good wishes,” Bluebell said as she fastened her seatbelt. “How do you manage in college?”

  “Hey, don’t mock my car, she’s a beaut. Drives me all the way up to U of W with no problem every month.” Nolan laughed. “So anyway, what’s this I hear, Blue? Wedding bells are in the air for you?”

  “Who told you that!”

  “Well, my dad owns the only jewelry store in town and he’s not good at keeping a secret.” Nolan grinned. “Now fess up. Has he asked you yet?”

  “He’s been looking at rings?” Bluebell stared. “Seriously? Nolan you’re not kidding?”

  “Oh man.” Nolan mimed zipping his lips. “If he ever asks, act surprised, all right? Don’t ever tell him I told you. Steve’s got a nasty right hook I don’t want to deal with.”

  “Oh. My. God,” Bluebell said. “I’m freaking out. He’s been down in Milwaukee for business all week. He hasn’t really talked to me since last Friday and I thought it was because of a silly fight we had. Nolan, seriously? He bought a ring? Oh. My. God.”

  “Deep breath, Blue. It’s all good.” Nolan took a few deep breaths of his own. “Now remember, I didn’t say a word to you! Anyway, aren’t you two too young to be doing this?”

  “When it’s right, it’s right!” Bluebell smiled. “I know it’s silly, but… didn’t I always tell you he’s the one?”

  “Since the day you set eyes on him,” Nolan agreed. He parked the car. “All right, I’m going to get me a big bad peppermint mocha shake. How about you?”

  “I got to be back by three,” Blue said. “I’ll stick to a small coffee.”

  The bell above the door tinkled, announcing their entry into the
Lledrith Diner. A few of the patrons raised their hands and gave Nolan a lazy salute as he walked in, he winked and waved back at them.

  Bluebell was still processing Nolan’s words. Steve was going to propose! To her! She felt sparks begin in her stomach and curl all the way around her body. She felt like she was walking on air. The thought of Steve proposing to her made her want to dance. It made her want to jump up and down in excitement. It made her want to float!

  “Bluebell!” Nolan’s voice pierced through the fog of her thoughts. She blinked. Nolan was staring at her. For that matter, every single person in the diner was staring at her.

  She was floating! It took her a second to process this, and another second to freak out completely. Not that she was the only one. Around the diner, people started pointing and screaming. Only one woman sat still, at the counter, a beret covering her head, her neck muscles straining as she stared down into her cup.

  “Blue, are you all right…” Nolan gave a strangled sound, and before he could complete his sentence, a huge flash seemed to crowd out every sound and sight. A second later, Bluebell felt the world go black.

  “Blue!” Nolan shook her awake.

  “What?”

  “You fell asleep?” Nolan said. “You were leaning against the counter and you fell asleep.”

  “Sleep? No. I wasn’t sleeping. I was floating. I was floating, right? Then everybody started screaming, and there was a flash-”

  “You’ve been up late reading again,” Nolan said. “Your brains are rattling inside your skull. You were asleep. Looks like you really need a coffee.”

  “I’ll make it a double espresso,” Betty said sympathetically. “What are you reading these days, Blue? Or is it Steve who’s keeping you awake?” She laughed and gave her a wink.

  Bluebell blushed. “I could have sworn…” She turned around, stared at the counter. “Hey, where did that lady go? The lady with the beret?”

  “What lady?” Betty asked.

  “She was right there, sitting at the counter next to Nolan! Just before everyone started to scream!”