Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Box Set 6

by Samantha Price

  Elsa-May frowned. “Everyone has an advancing age because everyone is getting older, even you, Michelle.”

  Ettie felt the need for a change of subject. Elsa-May disliked being told she had to do things differently because of her age. “How are all your kinner, Michelle?”

  Michelle’s face brightened. “The last one’s at school now. I was hoping for more but Gott hasn’t blessed me with more. It seems Thomas will be the last.”

  Ettie smiled. “How many is that now?”

  “Eleven.”

  “However do you find the time to do what you do, and with Peter’s folks living with you?”

  Michelle covered her mouth and giggled. “My two older girls help out and so does Peter’s mudder. We all help each other and that gives me time to organize the volunteers and help with the other things I’m involved in.” The smile left her face. “That was, until most of my knitting ladies suddenly started working for Elsa-May.” Now she was back to glaring at Elsa-May.

  “I’m truly sorry about that. How about a collaboration? Ettie and I have found it hard to keep up with the demand, so this could be the answer.”

  Ettie leaned forward. “Elsa-May overpromised and under delivered.”

  “I did no such thing, Ettie. I never promised anything.”

  Ettie leaned back. “I didn’t mean that you said the word promise, but you did verbally commit to something and couldn’t quite manage to deliver the amount you ‘said’ you would by the time you led the woman to believe.”

  “Then why didn’t you say I verbally committed instead of promised, and overcommitted, under promised, whatever it was, and all that rubbish?”

  Ettie shrugged her shoulders. “Never mind. It was just a saying I heard someone say one time and I liked it. I won’t do it again.”

  “Gut!” Elsa-May nodded and her mouth formed a straight line.

  Michelle said, “Anyway, maybe that is the best way for us all to help not only our own community, but the broader community. That’s always been important to me.”

  Now Ettie knew Michelle was there to make peace. “What a great idea, isn’t it, Elsa-May?”

  Elsa-May stared at Michelle for a moment before she spoke. “With my advancing age, I was taking great delight in guiding the women, being in charge of something before Gott calls me home. I would like to be in an organizing role because this might be the last chance I have before I die—seeing I’m so old and feeble.”

  Ettie knew Elsa-May was being beastly, but Michelle thought she was being serious. “I totally understand, I’d feel the same if I were your age. I only hope Gott gives me the chance to live to so great an age.”

  Elsa-May frowned at her and then Ettie had to intervene again. “Great! Problem solved. You’ll both run a single group of knitting volunteers and both of you will be equally in charge. Fifty fifty, agreed, Michelle?”

  Michelle nodded. “Sure. If that’s okay with Elsa-May.”

  Elsa-May also nodded, even if she was gazing at the rug covering the floorboards.

  Ettie continued, “Great. Now, Michelle, you’ll never guess what happened next door.”

  “What?”

  “Oh, Ettie, you’re such a gossip.” Elsa-May shook her head.

  “I thought she should know. Everyone will know soon.”

  “Did something happen at Stacey’s haus?”

  Ettie and Elsa-May looked at one another. “How do you know Stacey?” Elsa-May asked.

  “I came here once looking for you, Elsa-May, when you stole my first knitting lady. Stacey was standing by your mailbox and we began a conversation. She asked a lot of questions about the both of you.”

  “Oh. What did she ask?” Elsa-May leaned forward.

  “I can’t remember now. It was some months back. Anyway, what happened?”

  “Stacey’s husband got murdered,” Ettie told her.

  Michelle covered her mouth and gasped. “That’s awful.”

  “It was intruders who did it. Seems they were trying to rob the place.”

  Elsa-May leaned forward. “How about a hot cup of tea?”

  Michelle nodded. “I’m going to need something after that dreadful news.”

  After they became friends with Michelle and had hot tea and cake, they worked out a time for a meeting of their ladies so they could combine the demands of both hospitals. Michelle had insisted it be held at Elsa-May and Ettie’s house and when that was agreed, Michelle left their place much happier than when she arrived.

  “I’m glad she’s gone,” Elsa-May said as she looked out the window at the horse and buggy making its way down the road.

  “Don’t be like that. We’re all friends now.”

  “Maybe.”

  Ettie shook her head. “Don’t be like that. If anyone’s in the wrong, it’s you. You know Michelle had that idea before you and you—”

  “All right. You don’t have to go on about it. I hear what you’re saying, but what I didn’t like was how she kept saying I was so old.”

  “You are.”

  “I might be but it doesn’t stop me from doing anything.”

  Ettie smiled. “I know. It irritates me as well when people carry on about my age. I feel just the same inside as I did when I was twenty. They’ll know how it feels when they get to our age. You can’t let it bother you.” When the scowl still hadn’t left Elsa-May’s face, Ettie suggested, “How about I clear up these dishes and I’ll cook the dinner tonight?” A faint smile hinted around Elsa-May’s lips as she nodded.

  Chapter 8

  The sisters decided to call Stacey the next day, and Stacey confirmed her sister was indeed Greville’s boss. They thought it best not to mention the fact that Greville had told everyone at work that Evelyn was his cousin. Then Stacey told them she would see them face to face soon, that she had something important to tell them.

  Ettie and Elsa-May walked back home from the shanty that housed the telephone. “It seems like Stacey and Evelyn stayed away from the restaurant. Evelyn gave them Christmas bonuses, so we know she saw her staff at Christmas, and it seems like not so much during the rest of the year.”

  Ettie looked down at Snowy who was happily scampering in front of them, straining on the leash. “You’re thinking Stacey didn’t go near the restaurant because otherwise people would’ve learned Evelyn was the sister-in-law?”

  “Jah. A lie like that would only work if Stacey wasn’t ever at the restaurant.”

  “Maybe Greville told Stacey he didn’t want her there.”

  Elsa-May nodded. “With Evelyn being the owner and Greville the manager, I would’ve thought Stacey would’ve stopped by whenever she went into town.”

  “They only had one car, though, and he drove it to work.” Ettie knew that very well, as the odd thing was they never kept their car in the garage, but parked it in the driveway. There was no second car. If there was, she would’ve seen it.

  “Hmm, that might be why. I wonder what she wants to tell us. Was her sister there and she couldn’t talk in front of her?” Elsa-May said.

  “It seems so. That's my guess, anyway. We should find out more about Evelyn if we can.”

  When they got home, they did some chores while they waited for Stacey.

  A loud knock sounded on their door an hour later, and Elsa-May put Snowy out the back while Ettie answered the door. It was Stacey. “Come in and sit down.”

  Stacey took a deep breath and planted herself on the couch next to Ettie. “The detective thinks I did it, I’m sure.”

  “Why would he think that?” Ettie asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe because he … I had to take Greville to the hospital a few times with stomach problems. Maybe they think I was poisoning him.”

  “Someone poisoned him?” Elsa-May leaned forward.

  “No!” Ettie gasped biting her knuckles.

  Elsa-May’s fingertips flew to her mouth. “What kind of poison was it, Stacey?”

  “What? There’s no poison, Elsa-May.” Stacey sighed and sh
ook her head.

  “Why did you say poison then, Stacey?”

  “I’m just worried that they’ll think I did it because Greville spent some time in the hospital. There was no poison—although some of the results are still to come in.”

  “I see. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “That’s all right. The reason I’m here is to tell you the funeral is on Tuesday at the West Grove Memorial Grounds.”

  “That’s a crematorium, isn’t it?” Elsa-May asked.

  “That’s right. That’s what he wanted. He wanted to be cremated and his ashes scattered at one of the places we loved to visit.”

  Ettie wondered if Greville had wanted a cremation, or if Stacey was trying to cover up evidence before a more detailed autopsy could be performed. If he was found strangled, they wouldn’t go looking for other possible causes of death. It puzzled Ettie why Stacey had mentioned poison.

  “What time?” Elsa-May asked.

  “Eleven in the morning. Can you both come?”

  “Yes, we’ll be there.” Ettie nodded and forced a smile.

  “I don’t like to ask, but how have you been getting along trying to find his killer?” Stacey looked from one sister to the other.

  Elsa-May shook her head. “Are you sure there were intruders in your home the night he died?”

  “Now, hold on a minute,” Ettie said. When her sister and Stacey looked at her, she continued, “What were you saying about poison, Stacey?”

  “It’s just that Greville had stomach problems, and I feared it might have been some kind of poison. Don’t worry, I’m just getting myself worked up over nothing, I’m sure. I shouldn’t have even mentioned it.”

  Elsa-May repositioned herself in her chair. “Stacey, before Ettie interrupted me I asked if you were sure there were people in your house that night?”

  “Now you sound like the detective. I need you both to believe me. There were intruders.”

  “They didn’t take anything,” Ettie said. “Or leave any trace whatsoever.” She didn’t know that for certain, but if the detective had found something significant, he would’ve let it slip.

  “I can’t help it if the robbers were good at what they do.”

  Elsa-May rubbed her nose with her white handkerchief. “I'm not sure I'd agree since they left empty handed. How many robbers were there?”

  Stacey looked down at the floorboards. “I don’t know.”

  “Didn’t you see them?” Ettie asked.

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “How do you know they were masked?”

  “Oh dear.” Stacey put her hand over her mouth. “The detective asked me the very same thing and I don’t know why I said it. I didn’t see anyone and I don’t know how many there were. It was an impression—a picture I had in my head when I heard the struggle. I was too scared to leave my bedroom.”

  Elsa-May tucked her handkerchief back in her sleeve, and then asked, “What makes you think there was more than one?”

  “I thought there would have to be more than one to overpower Greville. It’s just what made sense. He was a big man.”

  Ettie slowly nodded in agreement. “Who would gain from Greville’s death? Is there anyone?”

  Stacey was quiet for a moment, as she put a hand to her cheek “I don’t know. We had no money to speak of, only the house. What happened yesterday when you went to Emilio’s?”

  Ettie was shocked that Stacey knew they’d been to Greville’s place of work until she remembered that Stacey had given her the address of the restaurant. “Nothing much …”

  “The food’s so good.” Elsa-May grinned.

  Except for the vegetarian one, Ettie thought.

  “Thank you. They were all Greville’s recipes. He changed the menu when he started work there.”

  “Where did the name Emilio come from?” Elsa-May asked.

  “My sister bought it with that name, so I can’t tell you any more than that. Do you think someone from there killed him?”

  Ettie shook her head. “We were just doing some background work. As we said before we know nothing about Greville. We’re just trying to piece things together. Why, was there anyone at work he didn’t get along with?” Ettie asked, knowing the answer, but not sure if Stacey knew about Nate Bowen.

  “I don’t know. He never said anything. He never talked about his work at all. The only thing he mentioned was that he liked it so much better than his last job. I could tell he was happier and more settled there. Funny thing was, he never cooked at home in all the years we’ve been married. Then my sister buys the restaurant and he decided to try his hand at cooking.”

  “How did that come about? Were you both close with your sister at that time?” Elsa-May asked.

  “We were. We had dinner at her house nearly every week. We fell out over Greville’s salary. Greville was worried with earning next to nothing compared to his last job. Evelyn and I had harsh words about it, and then …”

  “Did he have enemies at his previous employment?” Elsa-May asked.

  “He doesn’t get along … I mean, he didn’t get along with a lot of people. It’s hard to say if he had a particular enemy if that’s what you’re getting at.”

  “What does your sister think about the way he died?” Elsa-May asked.

  “Not much.”

  “Are you all alone at her house?”

  “What Ettie means is, does your sister have family?”

  Stacey shifted in her chair. “She’s divorced and, like me, she has no children. Do you feel like you’re getting somewhere with finding out who killed him?”

  Elsa-May shook her head. “Not yet. It’s too early.”

  “We’re still gathering the facts. What bothers me is that he … you said you were both going to sleep. No, I believe you said you were both in bed when you heard a noise. Was Greville in his pajamas?” Ettie tilted her head to one side, interested to hear Stacey’s answer.

  She rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know. I went to sleep first, so I thought he was, but then I remember when the police came and Greville was lying on the floor, he was in a suit.”

  “Why would he be wearing a suit if he was a chef?” Elsa-May asked.

  “He wears—he wore—a suit to work.”

  Ettie frowned at her. No chef she’d ever seen wore a suit. “Really?”

  Stacey blinked rapidly. “Sometimes, he does under his chef’s white uniform. Oh, I mean, sometimes he did. I still can’t get used to him being gone.”

  Elsa-May’s mouth turned down at the corners. “That sounds extraordinarily uncomfortable to wear a suit and then put a uniform on over it.”

  “He did things different from other people. He said, as the boss and the head chef, it made him feel like he was properly dressed for his role even though he was the only one who knew he was wearing that suit.” Stacey’s giggles rang through the air.

  Ettie frowned at her, pretty certain she was making it up. “And in the kitchen, don’t they have a certain kind of footwear they’re supposed to wear? I mean, they’d be rushing about in the busy times and the shoes he wore when he died looked very expensive and totally unsuitable for cooking.”

  Stacey’s eyebrows lowered. “He wouldn’t have worn those ones while cooking. He would’ve had other ones, Ettie. I just wanted to sit down with you both and see if you’d made headway. Thank you for helping me. I’m just worried that the detective will think I killed him.”

  “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine, I’m sure,” Elsa-May said.

  “Do you think so?” Stacey asked.

  “Yes.”

  Stacey slowly nodded. “I’ll stay another night at my sister’s and then I will come home. I’d rather be home, but my sister has been so helpful. I feel I should stay on tonight at least.” Stacey stood up.

  “That’s good. Family are there when you need them.”

  “Evelyn says I should talk with a lawyer.” She moved toward the door.

  Elsa-May pushed
herself to her feet. “Then maybe you should.”

  “Did Detective Kelly say anything to you?” Stacey asked, looking from sister to sister.

  “No, and he wouldn’t,” Ettie said. “He can’t talk to us about an investigation.”

  Stacey glanced at her wristwatch. “Oh, look at the time. I’ve so much to do. Bye.” Stacey hurried to the door and closed it behind her. Ettie and Elsa-May had both stood to walk out with her, but she’d run out before they’d had a chance.

  “Now what do you think, Elsa-May?”

  Elsa-May shook her head. “She’s a strange one. Always was, always will be, I guess.”

  Chapter 9

  Late that afternoon, Ettie and Elsa-May had another visit from Detective Kelly. Once he was seated, he began, “Greville had poison in his system. It seems he was slowly being poisoned with arsenic.”

  Both sisters gasped because Stacey had talked about poison.

  Ettie said, “One thing puzzles me. How did they get the toxicity report back so quickly? Doesn’t it normally take several days?”

  “These results came from the hospital. His wife mentioned Greville had been sick, so I checked with the hospital.”

  “That’s right. He’d been sick,” Elsa-May said.

  “Their tests showed he’d had arsenic poisoning. When the coroner was informed on the hospital findings, he tested Greville and, turns out, he didn’t die from any poison.”

  Ettie frowned at him. “He didn’t?”

  Kelly slowly shook his head. “He died from strangulation. In fact, even though the hospital found Greville had poison in his system, the coroner found nothing of the kind.”

  “Ah. Someone strangled him with that tie around his neck obviously,” Elsa-May said.

  Ettie frowned as she tried to figure out the puzzle. “Did he have two people who wanted him dead, Detective?”

  “It’s possible.”

  “Maybe the person or persons who killed him thought he was taking too long to die so they helped him along?” Elsa-May shook her head at the thought.

  Ettie looked over at Kelly. “Do you still suspect Stacey?”

  “Mrs. Smith, I’m not ruling anything or anyone out at this stage. I’m only telling you this because Mrs. Charmers asked me to keep you both informed. She seems to think you can help in some way.”