Tulips and Trouble

by London Lovett

  "Any woman who has ever looked or admired a diamond has heard of Van Cleef and Arpels."

  Briggs squeezed the empty water bottle. The puppy sat up so quickly, he bumped his head on the table.

  "Just what you need, you goofball." Briggs tossed the empty bottle into the hallway and the dog loped after it. "So, if Letty accidentally popped the doll head off and discovered a necklace with the Van Cleef mark, she'd know she was looking at something valuable?" he asked.

  It was easy to follow his line of thinking. "Absolutely. Which is why she asked Darren for his uncle's business card. Of course, the decent thing to do would have been to go right back to Fiona with the necklace, but I guess that hardly matters now. What happens next?"

  "I think it'll be easy enough to find your attacker because they will have some noticeable scratches, but I'll need to request some DNA samples from Letty's friends. We'll need irrefutable evidence."

  I covered a yawn. "I'm so tired but I'm not sure I'll sleep well tonight. That attack shook me up."

  "I'll follow you home and make sure you get in all right."

  "Thank you. I'll take your offer." We got up from the table. The puppy was busy crunching the water bottle in the hallway. It took a short game of tug of war for Briggs to pull it away from him.

  "What about calling him Brutus?" I suggested.

  "Or we could let his eventual new family name him," Briggs countered.

  Chapter 36

  I sat up from a restless night's sleep. My neck was sore from being wrenched by my attacker. I had a feeling the entire incident was going to stay with me for awhile, including their bitter, licorice scented breath.

  I climbed out of bed like a ninety-year-old woman and looked longingly back at my warm sheets and soft pillow. They beckoned me back with their cradling comfort, but I had a busy day ahead. I had planned to get to the shop two hours before opening to get caught up on paperwork. Yesterday, that had seemed like a sound plan, but this morning, with the way I was feeling, it seemed overly ambitious.

  I walked to Kingston's cage and pulled the cover off. He roused with a stretch of his wings but then curled back into a sleep ball with beak tucked under wing.

  "Yep, King, that's how I'm feeling too."

  I tromped to the kitchen while avoiding tripping on Nevermore, who was circling my ankles with each plodding step. "No, Never, I haven't forgotten that you need breakfast. You wouldn't let me forget that."

  I reached into the cupboard for a can of cat food and knocked a box of cookies off the shelf. I pushed them back up to their place. As I drew my hand away from the box, I sucked in a breath. "Cookies," I said the word quietly, but Kingston heard every magical syllable. He began his cookie dance along his perch.

  I quickly gave him a treat and filled Nevermore's bowl. Then I searched around for my phone, a feat that took longer than I expected. My night had left me so out of it, I'd somehow managed to leave my phone on the bathroom vanity.

  My fingers raced over the screen as I texted Detective Briggs. "I know who attacked me."

  A chill ran through me as I briefly relived the frightening attack.

  "Good morning to you too," he texted. "Care to fill me in on the name?"

  "Nope, you're the lead detective. You figure it out from the one clue I gave you last night. Licorice."

  There was a long pause, then . . . "Your attacker works at a candy store?"

  "Argh," I growled and rang him up.

  "Good morning again." It was much nicer hearing his good morning than reading it. "So licorice, eh?"

  "Yes, licorice."

  Another long pause. "Licorice?" He asked again.

  I laughed and groaned when my neck reminded me it was still sore.

  "Are you all right?" His light, teasing tone vanished.

  "Fine. Just sore. Like I was in a fender bender. And you're stalling. I'll give you another big hint."

  "Good idea. And hopefully it will lead me to Jodie Dean."

  "Darn. How did you know without my tell all clue of licorice? Which, by the way, is the scent of Italian anise cookies. Like the ones your favorite teacher enjoys eating."

  "Just a detective's hunch and a lot of connected dots. We both saw all the past due notices on her table. She was in financial trouble. She found out that Letty had asked Darren for his uncle's card. She must have decided that painting was valuable after all. When that didn't pan out, she forged a signature on the bill of sale of Letty's artwork. She knew that the paintings had gone way up in value once Letty was dead. A death that happened at Jodie Dean's hands."

  "Well, all right, but I think my line to the suspect was much simpler and shorter. Are you going to arrest her?"

  "Chinmoor and I are going to head over to her house right now."

  "Uh, what about your other partner?"

  He hesitated. "I don't know, Lacey. You just went through an ordeal, and it could be dangerous. Ms. Dean is not the thoughtful art teacher I had back in high school. She's a murderer and her last attack was on you."

  "Exactly, and I want to know why."

  "Fine. I'll swing by and pick you up."

  I rushed through my morning routine and decided to skip the coffee. Briggs pulled into the driveway and I hurried out, not even giving him time to get out of the car.

  "You are more energized than I expected this morning," Briggs said as he pulled out onto Myrtle Place.

  "Guess it's the adrenaline caused by solving a murder."

  "It's not solved yet, but I think we're pretty close. Officer Chinmoor is just waiting for a backup car from Mayfield. I need to have a female officer along for the arrest."

  "Then there will be an arrest?" I asked.

  "I think so. I'm going to ask Ms. Dean to show me her arms to check for scratches first."

  "It's cute how you still use Ms. Dean like you're talking about your teacher."

  "Good point. If she is our suspect, then she hardly deserves that level of respect." He lifted his coffee out of the cup holder and took a sip.

  He caught me breathing in the scent of it.

  I smiled. "I didn't have time to brew a pot and I was hoping I could get a little lift just from the aroma."

  Briggs laughed. "Did it work?"

  "Unfortunately not. Especially after last night. I hardly slept a wink. I can still feel that wretched woman's arm around my neck. She must have been the person who was watching me when I was up at the Hawksworth Manor." A shiver shook me. "That could have ended badly because there wouldn't have been anyone around to hear me scream."

  He shook his head. "You've got to stop going up there alone at night."

  "No lectures this morning, partner. We're about to crack a case. What I don't get is—why did she want me dead?"

  Briggs turned onto Highway 48. The morning commuters were just heading to their jobs in Chesterton so the traffic was heavier than usual. "I've given that some thought. My guess is that she recognized you when you spotted her carrying the stolen painting out of Urban Antiques. She wanted to make sure you didn't tell anyone. She either lost her nerve or got scared off that night up at the manor, so she gave it another try."

  "And almost succeeded," I said quietly. "While I got ready this morning, I was going over our first visit to Jodie's house. She was telling us about the prescription strength lotion her doctor gave her. I think she had just started using it because her hands were raw and red. I'll bet she has the lotion from the knife handle in her bathroom or somewhere in the house."

  "Good point. I'll make sure the team searches for it. We'll need that. The DNA evidence will prove she attempted murder on you, but we'll need more for the actual murder trial."

  Briggs slowed as he reached Jodie's street. "I want you to stay in the car."

  "What? Really? But I skipped coffee and everything." A movement outside caught my attention. "Uh, I guess I can watch from here."

  Briggs turned his face to the house and opened the car door. Jodie had a duffle bag in her hand. When she saw Detectiv
e Briggs walk toward her with his badge, she threw the bag and took off at a run. Briggs caught her in three long strides.

  Officer Chinmoor and the backup cruiser turned the corner right then.

  I climbed out of the car as Jodie Dean was being read her rights. Her face was like stone as she turned my direction. "I knew you were out to get me," she sneered. "Following me to the antique shop like you did."

  I looked down at her arms that were bound behind her back. My fingernails had left three deep scratches on the back of her hand.

  Briggs walked back to his car. "They're going to take care of things from here. I should get you to Lester's shop. You look like you're fading fast from lack of coffee. Since you helped solve the case, it'll be my treat."

  "And a blueberry muffin from Elsie's? I skipped breakfast too."

  "And a blueberry muffin from Elsie's. But first I've got to stop by Letty's house and pick up a doll."

  "Oh my gosh, can I wear the necklace back to Port Danby? I've never even touched a Van Cleef and Arpels."

  "I suppose you earned it. As long as I don't have to wrest it off of you once we get back to town."

  "I promise I'll hand it right back . . . after a few selfies."

  Chapter 37

  "Friday at last," Ryder said as he grabbed his coat off the hook. "Some friends of mine are heading into Mayfield to go dancing."

  "Have fun." I was wiping down the work station as he walked out. I hadn't heard anyone walk in when I turned back to my task. As I squeezed out the sponge, something pushed at the back of my leg.

  I gasped, spun around and threw the wet sponge. It bounced off Detective Briggs' coat, leaving a large wet mark. He watched it fall to the floor. Before he could pick it up, the puppy raced over and grabbed the sponge. A tug of war followed which resulted in me having not one but two sponges.

  Briggs held up both pieces. "Guess Bear and I owe you a sponge."

  "Bear?" I asked excitedly. "You named him?"

  "Yes, I didn't want to use Yogi because there was only one Yogi. But I thought Bear would be sort of a tribute to Yogi. You know, Yogi Bear."

  I hugged the dog. "I love it and I love that you're keeping him. What made you change your mind?"

  "A family came into the police station to adopt him, and they had an annoying ten-year-old boy who kept pulling on Bear's ear. And I knew there was no way I could send him home with an ear puller. Plus, Hilda came up and muttered in my ear that if I sent the dog home with the bratty kid she would never bring me fried chicken and mashed potatoes again."

  "Then you had no choice."

  "Nope. I'm sure I'll regret it about as much as I'll be glad about it."

  "I'm sure." I dried my hands. "I think dogs should come with a warning label that says, I will chew up some of your prized possessions. I'll digs holes in your yard. But I will love you unconditionally, even when you yell at me."

  Briggs patted Bear. I knew a strong bond had already formed between them long before Brigg's had decided to keep him.

  "Thought you'd be interested," Briggs said. "Greta came into the station sobbing with guilt. She confessed to ruining all of Letty's paintings. Not a surprise, of course."

  "It's amazing how crazy envy and jealousy can make someone."

  Briggs reflected on my statement for a touch longer than I would have expected before a agreeing. "Yes, it is." He smiled. "Anyhow, I wanted to thank you for your help with the case and ask you one more favor."

  "Anything."

  "It seems I'm a new dad. I could use some help at the pet store finding things that will keep this four legged wrecking crew from destroying the house and the station and anything else in his path."

  "I'd be happy to help you with that, Detective Briggs."

  "Thank you, Miss Pinkerton." He flashed his best smile, the one that was a little crooked and made him even more handsome. "Thank you, Lacey."

  Port Danby Cozy Mystery #6

  Lacey Pinkerton and the town of Port Danby are preparing for the annual Fourth of July celebration at Pickford Marina. Lacey's parents are coming to stay for the week. Lacey and her friends at the Port Danby Garden Club are excited to set up a fundraising booth at the festivities. But the patriotic celebration is cut short when one of the club members is found dead. While her trusted and handsome partner Detective Briggs is dealing with a personal issue, the unexpected return of his ex-wife, Lacey works hard to tamp down the disappointment and find the killer.

  Now Available

  Start reading. . .

  Luscious Lemon Cupcakes

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  About the Author

  If you enjoyed Tulips and Trouble please consider leaving a quick review on your way to downloading book 6, Dahlias and Death. Each and every review, no matter how long is incredibly helpful and greatly appreciated.

  London Lovett is the author of both the Port Danby and Firefly Junction Cozy Mystery series. She loves getting caught up in a good mystery and baking delicious, new treats!

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