Candy Canes & Corpses

by Abby L. Vandiver

  Instead of answering, Jack promised he’d make it in time for lunch and hung up.

  Eve hoped nothing new would crop up between now and Christmas lunch. If a new case landed on Jack’s desk, she’d be lucky if she saw him in the new year…

  Looking at Jill, she asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you frowning.”

  “Oh, I was just thinking about that phrase. You know, disasters coming in threes. Did you know people who believe in that particular superstition suffer from Triaphilia?”

  Eve chortled. “Someone actually came up with a term for it?”

  “Yes,” Jill said. “So, what other disasters have struck?”

  “I’ll tell you on the way back to the inn.” Eve looked up and down the street. “Actually, let’s drop in on the other stores. I might find something I didn’t even know I needed.” Along the way, they encountered a group of carolers all wearing bright red reindeer sweaters under their thick coats.

  “Oh, the Tinsel-Toners are in town,” Jill exclaimed.

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I am.” Jill swung around and looked down the street. “This is Yule-Tiders territory. Last year, they had quite a clash with the Tinsel-Toners.”

  Really? Eve had spent most of her holidays on the island and she’d never noticed them. Well, she’d heard the caroling group but she’d never really stopped to pay close attention. “Over what?”

  Jill grinned. “Territorial warfare. This is a small town. There simply isn’t enough room for two singing groups. At least, that was their argument. Personally, I think the more the merrier.” Jill pointed down the street. “Here come the Yule-Tiders.”

  Eve turned and saw a group of people dressed in period costumes approaching. “Did I hear a hint of excitement in your voice?”

  Jill rubbed her gloved hands. “I’m up for spectator sport. You know, a bit of rumbling never hurt anyone.”

  “Jill. I’m shocked. Where’s your holiday spirit?”

  “Ho-hum. I like a pinch of spice added to my Christmas. We should stand back. It looks like the Yule-Tiders mean business. Better still, why don’t we go into the bakery and grab a window seat. The Tinsel-Toners have staked their claim there. They have their timing down pat. This is the bakery’s busiest time of the day. Lots of foot traffic. Oh, the Yule-Tiders have picked up their pace.”

  Eve gaped at them. “Are they waving their fists in the air?”

  “Yes. If we don’t move, we’ll be right in the thick of it.” Jill grabbed Eve by the arm and pulled her into the bakery.

  “I told Mira I’d bring back some good, not a report on casualties.”

  Chapter Two

  After a couple of hours of lingering in town, they returned to Mira’s house. Eve set her shopping bags down on the kitchen counter, her mind focused on what she had to take with her to the inn. She had a couple of days to prepare for Christmas and she didn’t want to make any extra trips.

  Mira strode into the kitchen and inspected one of the bags. “The bridge is down.”

  Eve gaped at her. “How did you hear about it?”

  “Helena Flanders called by to confirm she and Abby Larkin are accepting the lunch invitation.”

  Eve made a mental note to put a tick next to their names. It would be good to see Abby again. She hadn’t seen her since…

  Since the disastrous lunch she’d held for the new island favorite, William Hunter the Third, Eve thought. Eve had been on her best behavior and yet she’d managed to end up hosting a killer.

  “Mira, you’ve lived here all your life. Has the bridge ever collapsed before?” Eve asked.

  Mira nodded. “Once, that I can remember. When Hank Smith’s wife left him for a younger man, he hit the bottle and decided he would go after her.”

  “And?”

  Mira stopped to think. “Oh, she’d taken his car so he had to drive his tractor. Well, he didn’t have to but it was all he had.”

  “What’s the weight limit on the bridge?”

  “Sixteen tons. The tractor was fifteen tons but the bridge had considerable wood rot.” Mira checked another bag. “More tinsel?”

  “You can never have too much tinsel and I can’t believe we’ve been driving on an unstable bridge.”

  Jill strode in, her dogs trailing behind her. “I think this is the last of the shopping. Do I get lunch? What with all the excitement, I forgot to get some in town.”

  “I don’t see any mini marshmallows,” Mira said. “Did you forget to get them?”

  “There’s a sudden food shortage in town.” Eve brushed her hands across her face. Of all the mishaps that could have happened at this time of year... “All thanks to the bridge collapsing. You might have to forgo the marshmallows for a while.”

  “So, did you bring me any cheerful news from town?” Mira asked.

  Jill clapped her hands. “Oh, yes. The Tinsel-Toners are in town.”

  “No, really?” Mira laughed. “After what happened last year?”

  Jill nodded. “This year, they’re all wearing bright red reindeer sweaters with blinking lights.”

  “They’ve thrown down the gauntlet,” Mira said.

  Eve sighed. “I still don’t understand why they can’t get along.”

  “The Yule-Tiders are sticklers for tradition,” Jill explained. “They’re very fond of their Dickensian outfits. I think Mira’s onto something. The Tinsel-Toners are wearing those sweaters with blinking lights just to annoy them.”

  “So, their silly feud is about clothing and territory.” Eve shook her head in disbelief.

  Jill drew out a kitchen stool and sat down. “It’s more than that. They each claim to have been first on the island. But, you’re right. The Yule-Tiders simply can’t abide the Tinsel-Toners’ modernist style. They like to jazz things up a bit and that clashes with the Yule-Tiders’ traditional slant.”

  Eve rolled her eyes. “You should have seen them, Mira. We had front row seats from the bakery. Fists were waved.” Eve tilted her head in thought. “Some of the words they flung at each other were downright rude, I’m sure they were.”

  “Let me guess,” Mira said. “Strumpet.”

  Jill giggled. “It sounds like a term of endearment for a lady of the night or a whipped cream pastry.”

  “I heard a lot of blazes and balls, dratted and tarnation,” Eve said.

  Mira nodded. “All Dickensian swear words. How did the Tinsel-Toners respond?”

  “Let’s just say they didn’t beat around the bush.” Eve drew out a traditional English plum pudding, a German Stollen and an Italian panettone from the bag and wondered if they would actually get to eat it all. She had planned an extensive menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas lunch...

  “So, how many people are you expecting for Christmas?” Mira asked.

  “Six. There’s Jack.” Eve slanted her gaze and caught Mira lifting her eyebrows. “He said he’d find a way across. Anyhow, there’s Helena Flanders. Abby Larkin arrived yesterday. And you say they’ve both confirmed. Of course, there’s Josh.”

  Jill grinned. “I guess if Jack can make it across then Josh will too. This will be our first Christmas together. I got him a DVD boxed set of his favorite cop show. Next year, he might surprise me with a detective’s badge.”

  Eve continued, “And Jill’s parents make it six.”

  Jill shook her head. “I meant to tell you. My parents are stuck in Montana. I think dad sabotaged the Winnebago. He’s always wanted to have a Montana Christmas.”

  Mira slipped her arms around Jill. “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. Are you all right?”

  “Yes. They’ve been taking so many trips, I’m almost used to their absence. The fact I have you guys softens the blow.”

  “Okay,” Eve shrugged. “We’re down to four. More food for us.”

  “My bet is on two,” Mira said. “Helena and Abby. Unless… There’s mention of a snow storm. In which case, they might not want to leave town to head out here.”

  “We’re only a f
ew miles away from town. Either way, we can still have a cozy Christmas. Just the three of us.” Eve nodded. “At the inn.”

  ***

  “We’ll start taking some of these bags and boxes over to the inn now.” Eve said after lunch. “I’d like to put all the decorations up and then go back to Mira’s. We could spend a couple of days lazing around watching movies. Then, we’ll head over to the inn early on Christmas Eve. We’ll do the tree in the afternoon. Even if it’s only the three of us, I think it should fun.”

  During the short drive to the inn, Eve hummed a Christmas tune.

  “You’re really getting into the spirit of it,” Jill said.

  “I’m determined…” Eve bobbed her head from side to side. “No matter what happens, I’d like to have a cheerful holiday.”

  “Do you really think the bridge is a sign of things to come?” Jill asked. “You know, like a bad omen.”

  “Why would you ask that?” Eve sounded affronted.

  “You mentioned it first and I’m being realistic. There are bound to be consequences. For instance, we’re not sure if Jack and Josh will make it. Have you heard from him?”

  “He’ll be here,” Eve insisted. “It’s only been a few hours. I’m sure he’ll work something out and, as soon as he does, he’ll let me know.” Eve turned into the street leading to the inn. The sea looked as gray as the sky. Seeing several cars lined up along the street, she said, “Someone must be having guests staying over.” Most of the people living around the inn were locals but a few of the houses were owned by people from the mainland who only came on weekends. “Samantha’s car is still here.”

  They unloaded the car and took all the boxes to the front porch. When she opened the front door, Mischief and Mr. Magoo barged in and raced each other to their favorite spot by the fireplace.

  “Where do you want these boxes?” Jill asked.

  “They’re the ornaments so we can leave them in the hall. We’ll start working on the staircase and work out way to the sitting room.” Eve smiled. “Oh, I can’t wait. The fireplace at Mira’s is lovely but this one is much larger. The tree will look absolutely lovely next to it. I’m picturing a cozy afternoon decorating it and sipping mulled wine.” Removing her coat, Eve stilled. “Did you hear that?”

  “Huh? What?”

  “It sounded like… a conversation. People talking.” Taking her gloves and scarf off, Eve went through to the front sitting room and stopped so abruptly Jill bumped into her.

  “Oh.” Stepping forward, Jill gasped. “The Tinsel-Toners. They must have come out this way to sing. I thought they only ever sang in town.”

  Samantha strode out of the kitchen and hurried toward them. “Oh, good. You’re here.”

  “What are they doing here?” Eve asked.

  Samantha wrung her hands together. She usually wore her blonde locks gathered into a stylish twist but, since they were all in holiday mode, it hung loosely around her shoulders. “Well… The bridge collapsed.”

  “Yes, we know that,” Eve said.

  Pointing to the people gathered in the sitting room, Samantha explained, “They’re stranded on the island.”

  “So, what are they doing here?” Eve asked again.

  “Until a ferry is organized,” Samantha explained, “they have nowhere else to go. And even then, they’ll have to leave their cars behind so they’ll be stranded on the mainland. So…” Samantha broke off.

  “So…” Eve prompted.

  “Oh,” Jill said. “I see.”

  “Well, I’m glad you do, but I don’t.” Eve stepped forward only to stop. “Hang on. Are you trying to tell me they’re guests here?”

  Samantha gave a small nod.

  “Why?”

  “Because they’re stranded,” Jill said.

  “Yes, I get that.” Eve’s voice hitched. “But why here?”

  Jill shrugged and employed her most soothing tone to say, “Because this is an inn.”

  “An inn that is closed for the holidays,” Eve said.

  Samantha’s shoulders lifted and lowered in a helpless gesture. She looked toward the sitting room and then back at Eve. “I couldn’t turn them away. It’s Christmas.”

  ***

  Eve spent an hour trying to make sense of the situation but she couldn’t find anyone who could give her a straight answer. Setting her cell phone down, she asked, “Isn’t the town’s selectman in charge of overseeing emergency services?” Eve looked up in time to see Jill trying to scurry away. “Jill.”

  Jill stopped and, turning, she smiled. “Eve, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

  “I can try. Who’s in charge?”

  “You know as well as I do it’s Roger McLain.”

  “Oh.” The selectman who, despite being thirty-five, insisted on being referred to as the Town Elder because his great-great-great grandfather had been one. “Someone has to do something about this.”

  “Where’s your spirit of goodwill?” Huffing out a breath, Jill sat opposite Eve. “Samantha didn’t want to be the one to tell you. Roger McLain is actually responsible for sending the Tinsel-Toners here. He said it would solve the problem.”

  Eve’s voice rose. “His problem now became my problem. I’m in holiday mode and now I’m going to have to work.” Eve slumped back. “Of course, they can stay. They have nowhere else to go, but I need to let off some steam.”

  Jill grinned. “That’s the spirit.”

  Surging to her feet, Eve grabbed her coat. “I’m going back to Mira’s. We’ll have more mouths to feed, so I’ll need to raid the pantry.”

  ***

  “Back so soon?” Mira asked and followed Eve into the kitchen. “Did you forget something?”

  Eve fumbled, “I… We…”

  Putting her hand against her chest, Mira sunk down on a kitchen stool. “Oh, dear. What’s happened?”

  Eve raked her fingers through her hair. “The bridge collapsed.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Well… a few people are now stranded on the island.”

  Mira nodded.

  “And they can’t get off the island until a ferry is organized.”

  “And you know this because…”

  “Because they are now at the inn.” Eve went into the back room and returned with a couple of boxes. Setting them down on the counter, she began packing a few staples. “I’m preparing for the worst-case scenario. I guess there’ll be a few more for Christmas lunch.”

  ***

  Eve returned to the inn, parked her SUV and trudged up the steps carrying one of the boxes she’d packed. She would have to do some quick thinking. With a few more mouths to feed for heaven only knew how long, she’d have to make the food stretch a little further.

  Setting the box down in the hallway, she strode into the sitting room and stopped.

  A young man and a woman sat by the fireplace warming their hands.

  Samantha signaled her from the kitchen.

  Eve went the long way around and met her in the hallway. “Who are they?” Eve whispered.

  “They’re stranded too,” Samantha said. “They had been on their way to visit her folks when they drove into the island to do some last-minute shopping. Then…”

  Eve nodded. “Yes, then the bridge collapsed.”

  “Well? What was I supposed to say?” Samantha leaned in and whispered, “She’s pregnant.”

  “Oh, in that case, it would have been perfectly fitting to say there’s no room at the inn.” Pushing out a breath, Eve said, “I guess if we can accommodate…” She looked toward the kitchen. “I appear to be seeing double. I’m sure I counted five Tinsel-Toners.” Now, there were more. A lot more.

  Samantha nodded. “A couple more found their way to the inn.”

  Eve’s eyes widened. “Did someone leave a breadcrumb trail or is there a bright star shining above the inn?”

  Chapter Three

  The situation called for a face-to-face friendly chat with Roger McLain.

  An h
our later…

  Eve dealt with the situation by running away.

  Instinctively, Eve returned to Mira’s house. Along the way, Eve rehearsed what she would say to her aunt. Everything had spun out of control and, since coming to live on Rock-Maine Island, that had happened once too often.

  Unfortunately, when Eve entered the house, Mira caught her by surprise. “Eve? I didn’t expect to see you again for at least a couple of hours.”

  Eve searched her mind. She hadn’t prepared an answer for that. “Yes, well… I think I forgot something. I’m sure I did. I wrote it down on a piece of paper but I left it behind somewhere…”

  “Try to retrace your steps,” Mira suggested. “Or, think about what you were talking about or doing. That often helps.”

  Holding a finger up, Eve ran through what had happened. “Let’s see… The bridge collapsed.” She held out another finger. “A few of the Tinsel-Toners found their way to the inn.” Eve gave a half-hearted shrug. “The more, the merrier.” She held out another finger. “Roger McLain is at the center of all this.”

  “How so?” Mira asked. “Is he responsible for the bridge collapsing?”

  “No.” Although, if Eve had to blame someone it would have to be Roger McLain. The island’s head honcho should have had the finger on the pulse. “Actually, yes. I think he’s been negligent.” Shaking her head, she added, “Never mind. I’m sure it’ll come to me.” She strode into the sitting room and slumped down on the couch.

  “You look dejected. What’s wrong? Forgetting something is not so bad. It happens to everyone.”

  Brushing her hand across her eyes, Eve sighed but it sounded like a grumble. “I drove into town to speak with Roger McLain.”

  Mira sat down beside her. “I’m guessing he didn’t have any good news for you.”

  “No.”

  “I hope you didn’t raise your voice. You know he doesn’t react well to confrontations and he has very sensitive hearing.”

  Eve assured her, “I remained calm.” And now she couldn’t face going back to the inn. What if more people had turned up?