Catastrophe in a Cloister

by Fiona Grace

  “What?” Lacey said. Was that really her mom’s first concern? Was she really going to use this as an excuse to cancel their reunion dinner?

  “I’m just saying, we can’t exactly have dinner now!” Shirley replied. “I don’t know about you two, but knowing a man was killed a few feet away from my hotel window makes me feel somewhat queasy.”

  It was a good point. Lacey felt too sick to eat—it would probably take a long time to get her appetite back after seeing Greg’s dead body—and the wedding might not even be able to go ahead. If all anyone was actually going to do was yell at each other, then Lacey might be better off avoiding the dinner altogether.

  “You’re right,” Lacey said, relenting. “I’ll call Dad to cancel. Just as soon as I’m allowed to leave.”

  Naomi looked down at the police tape separating them with consternation. “Why are they keeping you in there?”

  “I was the first to find the body,” she said. “And I touched it. They have to make sure the scene matches up with my statement before I can go.”

  “Are you a suspect?” Naomi asked, eyes widening, whispering the last word.

  Lacey shook her head. “For once, no,” she said.

  Shirley looked perturbed. “What do you mean for once?”

  “Long story,” Lacey said, her gaze darting over to Superintendent Turner, who was busy placing a crime scene marker next to a piece of evidence in the grass. She turned back to her worried-looking mom and sister. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll be okay.”

  Naomi tightened her arms around her stomach. “How can you be so sure? There’s a murderer on the loose.”

  Lacey squeezed her arm. “There are two really good detectives on the case.”

  Naomi nodded and glanced behind her at the Lodge, her gaze going up to the top windows where many patrons were gazing out in shock. “Luckily Frankie’s asleep right now. But what happens when he wakes up and sees all the police activity? The crime scene tape? The forensic tent? Then what? I don’t want him finding out about this.”

  Lacey felt terrible for her. “Come back with me tonight,” she said, looking from her sister to her mom. “All of you.”

  Naomi looked surprised. “Are you sure? It’s two nights before your wedding.”

  “I thought you said you didn’t want us ‘crowding your style,’” Shirley added, using air quotes.

  “That really does not sound like the sort of thing I’d say, does it?” Lacey contested. “And I only didn’t want you guys around because it was going to be crazy busy at the cottage, and I wanted you all to get comfortable nights’ sleep here. But the circumstances have changed. I won’t want you staying in an inn where you don’t feel safe. So come home with me. It’s obviously for the best.”

  She hadn’t been able to go back for the second pregnancy test, so it wasn’t like she needed the privacy of the evening to herself anymore. And even if she had bought one, this was more important. Her family’s well-being came first.

  Naomi bit her lip. She obviously didn’t want to be an imposition so close to the wedding, but little did she know, the wedding was looking unlikely to go ahead anyway.

  “Are you sure you’re sure?” she asked.

  “I’m sure,” Lacey said, smiling.

  Naomi gave her a grateful smile. “Okay, thanks. I’ll go pack our cases.”

  Lacey glanced at the cop guarding the cordon. “I don’t know how long I’ll stay here, but I’ll meet you in the parking lot as soon as I’m allowed to go.” She looked at her mother. “Mom? Are you coming too?”

  Shirley was busy fiddling with her cell phone. She looked up, snapping to attention. “Yes. Yes, I’m coming,” she said.

  Naomi took her mother’s arm, and they headed back up the lawn toward the Lodge. As she watched them go, Lacey’s phone started to ring.

  She took it from her pocket and saw Tom’s name flashing up at her. She paced away and answered.

  “Lacey?” came Tom’s urgent voice in her ear. “What’s going on? Is everything okay? Your mom just texted me to say someone was murdered at the Lodge!”

  Lacey glowered at the back of her mom as she disappeared in through the patio doors. So that’s what she’d been going on her phone—texting Tom! Typical of her to go and tell him before Lacey herself had the chance to.

  “I’m okay,” she assured him. “Everything’s fine.”

  “Do you need me to come pick you up?” he asked. He sounded stressed, which was exactly the last thing Lacey wanted her soon-to-be-groom to be feeling right now, and the main reason she hadn’t immediately contacted him.

  “No,” Lacey said quickly. Now that the pharmacist had explained that the inconclusive test was most likely positive, there was no way she could keep it from Tom. But with everything going on right now, she just wasn’t ready to speak to him about it.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, sounding confused.

  “I promise. Mom, Naomi, and Frankie are going to come and stay with me tonight. So I won’t be on my own. And it will be pretty hectic.”

  On the other end of the line, there was a long pause. When Tom spoke again, there was an edge of anguish in his voice. “Lacey, are you avoiding me?”

  A guilty pit opened inside of Lacey as realized she had indeed been avoiding him. Because of the pregnancy scare and not knowing how or what to tell him. And now she had even worse news to break to him—that the wedding might be called off!

  “I’ve just been super busy,” she said. “With…stuff.”

  “What stuff? The monk?”

  “Yes, among other things.”

  “And you’re sure it’s not because I saw you in your wedding dress? Because I looked into it and it’s only bad luck the night before. I think Gina’s worried you over nothing.”

  “Good to know,” Lacey said.

  Just then, one of the cops approached her. She covered the mouthpiece with her hand.

  “You’re allowed to leave,” he said. “Turner wants me to remind you not to leave town and keep your phone on in case he needs to contact you over anything.”

  Lacey nodded. “Thank you.” She removed her hand. “Tom, I have to go. But I’ll come to the patisserie tomorrow so we can…talk.”

  He sighed. “Okay. Speak soon.”

  And with that, the call cut out.

  Lacey felt her shoulders slump with disappointment. That wasn’t how she liked to end calls with Tom. She felt awful for avoiding him.

  As she ducked beneath the police tape and headed for the parking lot, she decided that tomorrow morning she would be brave and tell Tom everything.

  But first things first, she had to collect her family and settle them in at the cottage.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “Have you all got everything?” Lacey asked from the stable door in the kitchen of Crag Cottage.

  From the round window table her weary-looking mother and sister nodded. They were in their pajamas. Lacey’s were tucked under her arm. It had taken her approximately five minutes after walking in through her front door before realizing there was no way they’d all comfortably fit inside and she’d be better off having a sleepover at Gina’s.

  “Will you come around in the morning to make breakfast?” Shirley asked.

  Lacey tensed. She’d planned on waking early to see Tom and discuss all the shenanigans going on before they opened their respective stores for the day. She didn’t have time to fit in making breakfast for three people!

  “I can’t,” she said. “I have an early morning. You want me to wake you up at five?”

  Shirley grimaced.

  “Didn’t think so,” Lacey replied. “You should all sleep in.” She was saying it as much for herself as for them. “And then walk Chester down the beach to the store once you’re all rested.”

  She’d decided that leaving Chester with them was the best course of action. He would be a security guard, and hopefully make them feel more at ease while there was a murderer out there.

  “Fine,�
�� Shirley replied. “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.” Lacey leaned down and ruffled Chester’s head. “You take care of everyone, okay, boy?”

  He yapped.

  Lacey headed out into the dark night and trudged across the lawn to the gap in the hedge between Gina’s and her properties. She squeezed through, then maneuvered through the sheep, and knocked on Gina’s door.

  The top half of the stable door swung inward and the older woman’s face appeared in the gap.

  “Lacey?” she asked, adjusting her bright red plastic spectacles. “What are you doing here?”

  “Sleepover?” Lacey asked, showing her friend the pajamas and wash bag under her arm.

  “Of course,” Gina said, unlocking the bottom half of the door to allow her entrance. “But why? What’s wrong with your house?”

  “I have some guests…” Lacey said,

  “Your family?” Gina guessed. “What happened? You were adamant they weren’t going to stay.”

  “It’s a long story,” Lacey said, stepping inside.

  Gina nodded. “In that case, I’ll put the kettle on.”

  Lacey flopped down at the table, suddenly bone tired after the day she’d had. As Gina made the tea, she relayed everything that had happened at the Lodge that evening.

  “No!” Gina exclaimed, her mouth wide open as she put the teapot down on the table. “He was murdered?”

  Lacey nodded sadly. “The cops seem to think it has something to do with his treasure hunting. That maybe he was some kind of criminal. They want to know all about my association with him.”

  Gina rolled her eyes. “They suspect you? What a surprise.”

  “Actually, no,” Lacey said. “Not this time. Turns out Superintendent Turner is retiring. This is his last case. He’s decided I’m an important witness. I still can’t leave town though.”

  “But the wedding?” Gina said. “It’s in less than two days. They’re not going to be able to solve it in two days!”

  “It’s unlikely,” Lacey said, nodding sadly.

  Gina seemed to grasp the situation. “Oh. Oh. You’re thinking…”

  “…I might have to cancel the wedding,” Lacey said. “No forest. No gold harp.” She twisted her engagement band on her finger mournfully. “No Mrs. Forrester.”

  Gina shook her head. “That absolutely won’t do. I’ve worked too hard to have this fall apart at the last second!” She slapped her hands with determination on the table. “There will be a wedding one way or another.”

  Lacey looked at her skeptically. “Really? What are you going to do? Make a plan B wedding?”

  “Exactly!” Gina exclaimed.

  Lacey wasn’t convinced. But at least it gave Gina something to focus on.

  She stood. “All right, dear. You do that. I’m off to bed.”

  Gina wasn’t listening anymore. She was in full-blown action mode!

  As Lacey trudged up the wooden staircase, she thought ahead to tomorrow, and the talk she needed to have with Tom.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Lacey woke in Gina’s spare room the next morning feeling like an anxious ball of nervous worry.

  It was supposed to be the day before her wedding, but now she didn’t even know if that wedding was going to happen!

  Her mind was full of worries as she readied herself for the day. Down in the kitchen, she discovered Gina asleep at the kitchen table, a stack of papers acting as a pillow. She must’ve dropped off in the middle of trying to reorganize the wedding.

  Lacey smiled to herself, touched that her friend cared so much, then headed out into the cold early morning.

  As she walked across the lawn, she glanced up at the windows of Crag Cottage. Inside, all was dark and still. Hopefully, her family would have a long, long lie-in, and give her the space she needed this morning to get her ducks in a row. She still had to source a second pregnancy test, and tell Tom all about it. And worse, she had to break the news about their nuptials.

  Her chest heavy with emotion, Lacey hopped into her secondhand car and drove to town. It felt odd not having Brother Benedict in the passenger seat. She’d quickly grown accustomed to her escort, but all the guests at the Lodge were on lockdown while the police carried on their investigation.

  More noticeably absent was Chester. Lacey almost felt lost without her sidekick. A little vulnerable, even. But it was more important he stay with her family and give them some assurance in this difficult time. Lacey had dealt with murderers before, but they never had, and this was clearly affecting them. Or, at least Naomi. Shirley never seemed too concerned about anyone outside of herself.

  Lacey reached the pharmacy, noticing its steel shutters were still down. She squinted, spotting a sign attached to them. “Closed till midday,” the sign read. “Sorry for any inconvenience.”

  Lacey sighed. She felt a mixture of apprehension and relief. She wanted to get the pregnancy test out of the way, but at the same time, she didn’t know how well she’d cope now if it turned out positive. There was even more stress to deal with than before. Perhaps it was better to stay in the dark. What you don’t know can’t hurt you, or so they say.

  She parked in her usual side alley, then walked around the corner onto the main high street. But instead of going to the antiques store, she diverted to Tom’s patisserie.

  The bell tinkled overhead as she walked inside. Tom was at the counter, cleaning, his sleeves rolled up to the elbow and showing off his tanned arms.

  “Lacey!” he said, looking at her with concern. “How are you?” He abandoned his cloth and raced from behind the counter to take her in his arms. “I’ve been so worried.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lacey said as she folded into them and breathed in his comforting familiar scent. “I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

  He released her. “Like what? Tell me. You know you can tell me anything. I’m about to be your husband!”

  Lacey’s stomach turned. That was probably the best place to start, with the very real possibility they were going to have to cancel their wedding.

  “About that…” Lacey began.

  But before she could say more, she was suddenly interrupted by the bell going over the door. She looked behind her. A tall man walked in, grinning widely.

  “Tom!” he exclaimed.

  Lacey frowned. She’d never seen this man before in her life, but he was clearly a friend or acquaintance of Tom’s.

  She looked back at Tom. He was frowning too.

  “I’m sorry, do I know you?” he asked.

  The tall man bounded forward, his grin growing even wider, and took Tom’s hand, shaking it up and down vigorously. “It’s me!” he exclaimed. “Harry!”

  Tom’s eyes widened, his demeanor suddenly changing. “Harry? No way!” He looked astonished. A grin burst onto his face and he pulled the man into a tight embrace. “How the devil are you!”

  Lacey watched them, completely baffled.

  “Sorry, what’s going on here?” she asked.

  Tom seemed to suddenly remember she was there. He let go of the stranger and turned to her, looking eager and excited. “Lacey, this is Harry. Nora’s cousin.”

  Ah yes, Nora. The ex-stepsister Tom had forgotten to tell Lacey about. And here was another relative that he’d failed to mention to her.

  “So he’s your ex-step-second-cousin?” she asked.

  Harry guffawed. “Something like that!”

  “We haven’t seen each other for, what, thirty years?” Tom said.

  “Thereabouts,” Harry replied. “We were great friends though. Remember that vacation we took together?”

  “Do you know what?” Tom said. “This is a crazy coincidence. But I just uploaded a bunch of photos to Facebook from that very vacation!”

  “Somerset!” Harry cried. “Best weeks of my young life.”

  “Nothing but adventures back in those days, eh?” Tom commented. “Although I’m surprised you didn’t end up with a chip on your shoulder. We could be pretty mean.” He
looked at Lacey. “We used to call him Baby Carrot because he was so short and puny, and had bright red hair.” He pointed at Harry’s now tall physique and dark hair. “I guess you grew out of that!”

  Harry chuckled. “Yes, mine was a real ugly duckling to a beautiful swan story.” He pointed out the window at a very flashy yellow sports car. “And that chip on my shoulder helped me become a very successful businessman.”

  “From Baby Carrot to Top Dog,” Lacey commented.

  Harry guffawed once again. He seemed very personable. Charming. Tom seemed to have completely lit up in his presence.

  “And this must be the lucky lady!” Harry said, taking her hand and shaking it.

  “This is my fiancée, Lacey,” Tom said. “You heard we were engaged?”

  “That’s why I’m here. To say congratulations. Our side of the family are all up in Scotland now, but I heard it on the family grapevine that there was a wedding coming up in Wilfordshire, and I thought to myself, “Didn’t Tom live in Wilfordshire?” Which obviously got me thinking about all the fun stuff we did as kids, and I thought I’d chance it. So I came here to say congratulations.”

  Tom looked astonished. “Funnily enough, we’re actually getting married tomorrow.”

  Lacey squirmed, uncomfortable with the knowledge they might not actually be able to go ahead with it anymore.

  “Why don’t you stay overnight and come?” Tom asked. “I’ll add you to the guest list.”

  “Really?” Harry said, looking thrilled. “I’d love that. If it’s all right with your soon-to-be better half, of course?”

  They both looked expectantly at Lacey. Lacey couldn’t help but feel a little jealous that Tom’s family was so together when hers always seemed to be at odds. But she didn’t want to ruin the moment for him. He seemed happier than she’d seen him in months.

  “Of course,” she said. Knowing full well there might not be a wedding for Harry to come to anyway.

  Tom looked at her. “What was it you wanted to tell me?”

  “Nothing,” Lacey said. “It can wait. You and Harry clearly have a lot of catching up to do.”

  She left them and headed across the street to her antiques store. As she went, she realized that she wanted exactly what Tom had—a functional family. And the wedding was the only way she had a chance at doing it. No way was she going to let this murder stop her from her happiness, from getting the wedding she’d been planning for months! Besides, think of all the drama and fighting that would happen when she told everyone it had been canceled. She’d never be able to deal with it. And as she entered her store, she realized that the murderer might very well want her scepter. She might not be safe until she found out who did it.