Murder in Connemara

by Carlene O'Connor

  Elaine grabbed the sheet out of Mimi’s hands. “How dare she! I did love Terrance. And she knew very well what she was doing when she swept in that night in her little black dress and literally pulled him away from me. She was only ever after his money.”

  “Was she drunk when she wrote that?” Eddie asked. “Did she fall off the wagon?”

  “Then threw us under it,” John said. “I think I’ve had quite enough.” He stood, bringing Sheila with him. “Let’s go home.”

  “I think she did relapse Friday night,” Tara said. “Do any of you know anything about that?”

  “We’re leaving,” John repeated.

  “We can’t go anywhere until the guards say so,” Iona said.

  “Let them arrest me,” John said. “They can’t hold us here against our will.”

  “Is there really a flat?” Sheila’s voice was a hopeful whisper.

  “A flat in Galway,” John said.

  “Galway?” Sheila said. “We live in Dublin.”

  Tara stepped forward. “How did you know about the flat in Galway?”

  “He was stalking her,” Andy said. “I knew I saw you in Galway!”

  “You did?” Tara asked. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  Andy looked horrified. “It’s me job to keep me mouth shut. And I thought it was him but I wasn’t sure.”

  “Not only were you stalking her, you were the ones to find the body,” Eddie said. The crowd moved in on John and Sheila.

  “Neither of us would ever kill her,” Sheila said. “All we want is a child.”

  “Then why did Veronica have this?” Mimi whipped a newspaper article from her stack of folders and held it out for everyone to see:

  NEWLY SOBER HEIRESS PLAYS STORK

  The guests moved in, trying to read the article.

  “It’s just a stupid interview I did back home. A local newspaper,” Sheila said. “I don’t know how she got her hands on it. Someone was trying to turn her against us.”

  Sheila did not seem surprised that Mimi had the article. Tara turned to her. “You knew about this?”

  Sheila nodded, tears pooling in her eyes. “That’s what she confronted us with Friday evening. Shoved the article in our face. Accused us of setting her up.”

  “She was drunk,” John said. “My wife was excited when she talked to the reporter. We knew there was no guarantee of getting a child. We didn’t think Veronica had that kind of power.”

  “What else did she say?” Tara knew they were holding onto something.

  John stepped up. “She said the same thing we just heard on Elaine’s voicemail. That someone murdered Nancy. And she was going to find out who.” He shook his head. “I thought it was all the ramblings of a relapsing alcoholic. But then when we found Veronica the next morning . . . there are things you don’t know . . . I wouldn’t ever think of doing something like that!” Repulsion was written all over John’s face. He was talking about the marble stones, yet not coming out and saying it. Still honoring the wishes of the guards.

  “I think it’s time you tell everyone about the stones,” Eddie said.

  Or maybe they hadn’t honored the guards wishes at all. “Stop.” Tara made sure her voice could be heard. “You can’t say anything more. The guards need that kept confidential.”

  “What stones?” Bartley asked.

  “Nothing,” Eddie said. “The castle was full of stones.”

  “Was she stoned to death?” Bartley continued. “I thought it was the brooch that killed her.”

  Stoned to death. That was an interesting thought. Were the stones some kind of metaphor?

  “Let’s just say we’re dealing with a very sick killer,” Eddie said.

  “Or very creative,” John added with a long look at Eddie. “It’s like she was turned into a living sculpture.”

  Sheila cleared her throat. “Not living,” she said. John’s face turned bright pink.

  “Enough!” Elaine said. “Veronica is doing this, making us turn on each other. Her games all started with this stupid book!” She waved a copy of Places to See in Ireland Before You Die. Then tossed it down on the coffee table. The book landed and fell open. A red X stared up from the corner of the page.

  “What is that?” Mimi lunged after the book, then turned it so the group could see.

  “X marks the spot,” Bartley said. “This wasn’t part of her plan. Veronica never said a word to me about this.”

  “She always did like her secrets,” Cassidy said with a glance at Eddie.

  “Bartley’s right,” Mimi said. “This wasn’t in her amends.”

  Andy cleared his throat. Everyone turned to him. “I don’t want to overstep, but she did say something to me.”

  “Out with it,” Mimi demanded.

  “On our drive from Tara’s shop to Ballynahinch, she said . . . ’Let the games begin.’ ”

  Once more heads swiveled around. “I didn’t hear her say that,” Bartley said.

  “You had already exited the vehicle sir,” Andy said.

  Bartley rubbed his jawline, then nodded. “As I recall she remained in the vehicle for quite some time.”

  Andy nodded. “She was very upset about her friend’s death. I was happy to listen.”

  “It’s no wonder I didn’t see the X before,” Elaine said, bringing the conversation back to the book. “Did she really think we were going to actually read the entire book? Who has that kind of time?”

  “Has anyone else noticed a red X in their book?” Tara asked. One by one, the guests shook their heads.

  “This page is about the Connemara National Park,” Mimi exclaimed. “Maybe we’re supposed to find our ‘amends’ at our location.”

  “Why would I get the park?” Elaine said. “Shouldn’t that be for Iona?”

  “Who else has their book?” Tara asked.

  “I have mine right here.” Iona held hers up.

  “Go on, see if you have a red X.”

  Iona began turning pages. Soon she let out a little gasp. “Connemara Stables.” She turned the book to face the group. “At least it sounds outdoorsy.”

  “We all need to find our copies,” Cassidy said. “Check for a red X.”

  “I have your copy,” Tara said.

  Cassidy whirled around. “What?”

  “You left it—” She stopped, realizing if she said the location, Eddie and John would accuse her of being a killer. “Behind. You left it behind. It’s in my hotel room.” Tara wished she would have thumbed through it more carefully; even she missed the red X. Cassidy frowned but kept her mouth shut. It made Tara wonder if Cassidy remembered exactly where she left the book. Which would also mean she knew why the marbles had a murderous connotation. Was she the killer?

  Nobody else had their book with them. Everyone wanted to go back to the castle to retrieve them.

  “X marks the spot,” Bartley said. “Very Treasure Island of her.”

  “We need to figure out why on earth she distributed this ridiculous book in the first place,” Eddie said.

  Tara was sure by now that it wasn’t Veronica, but she had to keep this mum too.

  “I know why.” The statement came from Andy. “She got the idea from me.”

  Tara wasn’t expecting that. Had she jumped to the wrong conclusion? “You?”

  He stepped forward from the shadows. “Me da used to have a First Edition of dat book.” His eyes teared up. He cleared his throat. “When he retired it was his dream to travel all of Ireland. I told her all about it.”

  Tara stepped forward. “Did you buy your own copy in Galway? At the bookshop where you bought the Western?”

  Andy’s face turned red. He nodded. “I did.”

  “Why?” Tara probed.

  “Because I was taken aback when I learned she’d given everyone the book. I never even knew she was listening when I told her the story about me da. It was never meant to be sinister.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything before?” Tara couldn’t help bu
t ask.

  He shifted awkwardly. “The guards asked me not to.”

  “And yet you’re telling us now,” Bartley said.

  “I see the way you’re all pointing fingers at each other. I don’t know why she decided to use the book, but I’m not going to take the brunt of it.”

  “Calm down,” Bartley said. “Every valet in the Ballynahinch Castle saw you sleeping in the SUV the morning of the murder. If that’s not a solid alibi, I don’t know what is.”

  “Why on earth would you be sleeping in the SUV when you had a perfectly good hotel room?” Mimi sounded personally affronted.

  “I was worried I’d oversleep. The valets promised to wake me an hour before Veronica wanted to leave.” He didn’t mention that Veronica had booked him at a different hotel. Was it pride?

  “Let’s say we all find a red X in our books,” Eddie said. “Then what?”

  “We go to the location and see if we can find our true amends,” Mimi said.

  Elaine shook her finger at Mimi. “She called me an ungrateful cow. You call that a true amends?”

  “That was a last-minute change,” Mimi said. “She was obviously drunk. But the true amends had been made much earlier. Before she was murdered.”

  Heads swiveled as they silently checked in to see what each other thought of the idea. “You may have a point,” Elaine said.

  Iona raised her hand. “I’m in.”

  “We aren’t guards,” John said. “This isn’t a game. There’s a killer among us.”

  “We all go together,” Iona said. “To each location. All of us or none of us.”

  “No,” John said. “We’re going home.”

  “We can start with the closest and easiest location,” Iona said. “If there’s nothing there, we stop.”

  “Count us out,” John said.

  Sheila touched his hand. “Even if it means we lose our recommendation? Maybe even a flat?”

  He sighed. She whispered in his ear. His shoulders relaxed. “Fine. One location. Just to see.”

  Was that why Veronica was killed? Had she distributed amends at certain places, and was about to take them back? Had the killer killed to stop her? Did anyone have Clifden Castle listed as their spot?

  “That’s settled then,” Mimi said. “Everyone go back to the hotel and look at your books. Email me the location she’s marked with an X. I’ll check to see which is the closest. Gather in the lobby at nine a.m. sharp tomorrow morning and we’ll head off.”

  That officially ended the afternoon. The guests filed out, leaving Tara feeling drained. She needed her sofa and a show on telly to binge watch. She turned to head up to her loft. Danny and Uncle Johnny blocked her at the stairs.

  “What?”

  “You gave them their gifts. You have your permit. You’re done, right?” Uncle Johnny said.

  “Yes,” Tara said. “But my things are still in the room at the castle. I have to pick them up.”

  “I’ll do it,” Danny said.

  Shoot. She wanted to see who else had a red X in their book. “Not necessary. I’ll go in the morning, gather my things, say goodbye, and be done.” She smiled, and squeezed past them, knowing full well that if the suspects were all going to one of the locations in the book, there was no way she was going to miss that. Whoever messed with that music box was messing with her. What she didn’t mention to Uncle Johnny or Danny, was that deep down she knew. She could pretend to be done with the group, but the killer was not done with her. Until he or she was caught, she’d be safer sticking with the group.

  Chapter 24

  The next morning, under a gray sky, the group stood in front of Ballynahinch Castle, grasping copies of their books. Each of the seven indeed had a red X. Tara’s book did not, neither did Andy’s. “We won’t have to go far,” Mimi said. “The first stop is right here at this castle.” They had agreed to order the locations by proximity.

  “Whose location is it?” From her tone it sounded as if Cassidy wasn’t a morning person.

  “Mine, as a matter of fact,” Mimi said.

  Heads swiveled as everyone regarded each other. “What now?” This from Elaine.

  “Quite honestly, I don’t know,” Mimi said. “All we have to go on is the passage in the book.” She cleared her throat. “I’ve summarized the main points. The finest luxury. Seven hundred acres. Heart of Connemara—”

  “We’re supposed to search seven hundred acres?” The squeak came from Sheila.

  “I’m all for it,” Iona said.

  “Some other words to describe the location: Authentic. Unpretentious.” Mimi paused to blink, as if hoping someone would compliment her further. “They mention the salmon fishery, and of course the Twelve Bens mountains in the background. Four-star luxury.”

  “This is a waste of time.” John was in the same surly mood as yesterday.

  “I agree,” Cassidy said. “We have no idea what we’re supposed to do.”

  “We could take a walk,” Iona said. “Honestly, just forty-five minutes a day would improve everyone’s attitude.”

  “Look how well it worked out for Veronica,” Cassidy quipped.

  Iona gasped. “That’s a wretched thing to say.”

  Cassidy’s bottom lip jutted out. “It’s not my fault she went wandering around by herself at all hours of the morning. Who does that?”

  “Focus on the task at hand,” Elaine said. “And we can all be done with each other for the day.”

  Eddie threw his arms out. “Me head is pounding and I need a nap. What do you want us to do?”

  “We have to figure out why Veronica picked this location for Mimi,” Elaine said.

  “We know it’s not because she thought Mimi was four-star luxury,” Cassidy said.

  Anger swelled in Tara as Mimi’s eyes filled with tears. Cassidy was a bully. “Why?” Mimi said. “Because I’m not thin and blonde and twentysomething?”

  “You were her assistant,” Cassidy said. “Don’t blame me for her prejudices.”

  “You take a ton of notes,” Tara said to Mimi, hoping to counterbalance the digs. “Very well organized.”

  “Tank you.”

  “The grounds are well organized,” Iona said. “Could that be the connection?” It was true, the grounds of the castle were impeccably laid out. The guests looked around hopelessly, as if the manicured bushes, flowers, or fields would speak to them.

  “She accused you of stealing her brooch,” Elaine said. “Take us through that day.”

  Mimi licked her lips. “I don’t remember.”

  “I remember bits of it,” Elaine said. “I remember Roni calling me and saying her antique brooch was gone and she was going to—” Elaine suddenly stopped.

  John edged forward. “Going to what?”

  “Going to kill whoever took it.” She swallowed. “It was just an expression.”

  “It doesn’t matter anyway,” Mimi said. “She found it three days later.”

  “Where did she find it?” Tara couldn’t help but ask.

  “It had fallen in her garden, near her fountain,” Elaine said.

  Of course she had a fountain, she was an heiress. It was hard to fathom having that kind of life. Just a few days in this castle and Tara didn’t quite like how quickly you could get used to luxury.

  “Why are we all standing around?” Elaine urged. “There’s a fountain here, in the middle of the gardens. We need to go there.”

  “My word,” Mimi said. “You’re right.”

  “Let’s make this quick,” John said, starting them off for the gardens.

  * * *

  As the rest of them stood back and watched, Mimi moved around the circular fountain as if the answers lay in the murky bottom.

  “For the sake of all that’s holy, you’re making me dizzy,” Cassidy said, turning away.

  “Maybe she wanted you to make a wish,” Elaine said.

  “A wish.” Mimi stopped. She placed her index finger on her chin and stared out at the lush grounds.
<
br />   “Does that trigger something?” Elaine studied her intently, as if she could pull it out of her with her mind.

  Mimi looked away. “I’d only just be guessing.”

  “Sure, what else do we have at this point? Guess away, so,” Sheila said. She snuck up behind Mimi as if she was contemplating pushing her in.

  “I used to say—‘I wish I had more time.’ ”

  “Time to do what?” Cassidy said. “Fill more notebooks that nobody is ever going to read?”

  “Hush.” Elaine bit into Cassidy, and for the first time, Tara saw the young woman shrink back.

  “Time,” Iona said, pointing to a flat rock in the distance. “A sun clock.”

  Mimi hurried over and lifted the giant rock. She grunted as she bent over to lift it. A folded piece of paper in a small plastic bag lay underneath. “There’s something here.” Sweat poured down her full face as she picked it up. The guests gathered around her as she removed the notecard from the plastic baggie. On the front it read:

  CONGRATULATIONS

  AMENDS TO MIMI

  She opened it:

  A jeweler in Connemara has your gift. May you sparkle!

  “Sparkle,” Mimi said as her blue eyes did just that. “Can I get a lift to town?” She raised her head and searched for Andy. A few feet away, smoking a cigarette, he nodded in acknowledgment.

  “The car is ready whenever you are.”

  “How many jewelers are in Connemara?”

  “I’d say she picked the one closest to the clue,” Mimi said. “I’m going to the computer to look it up.”

  “Found it,” Cassidy said, holding up her phone. Mimi looked disappointed that she didn’t get to research.

  “The shop won’t be open this early, like,” Elaine said. “Let’s take a breather and meet here at half eleven. We might as well all see this through.”

  “Make it half twelve,” Eddie said. “I don’t want to miss the lunch buffet.”

  Mimi clutched the note to her chest. “She really didn’t have to do this.”

  She didn’t. Because if the voicemail was to be believed, in the end, she changed her mind. Or tried to. Something went on that evening. Yet none of them had elaborated on it. At least not to Tara. Had they all formed some kind of alliance? If so, it was only a matter of time before the bonds started to break.