Death at the Tavern

by Lee Strauss

  It had only been a week since she and Haley had rescued Boyle from the ocean, tied him up to the rail, and driven the fishing boat back to shore. Talk about a reversal of fortunes!

  Even though it had turned out all right—she and Haley had survived their ordeal—she’d had more than one nightmare where she had waken up soaked in a cold sweat. When she thought of what could have happened—.

  Samantha was determined to spend more time with Talia now, taking her to the park, and reading to her at bedtime. She found she was more patient with Bina’s antics and eccentricities, though she wasn’t sure how long that would last.

  And she had her job. The great thing about working at the Boston Daily Record was that something was always happening. Lots of energy and activity in the room kept Samantha preoccupied.

  Johnny Milwaukee had doubted her resilience after this sensational and traumatic experience, and had created a betting pool in the office believing Samantha would back away from investigative reporting and resign herself to the safety of the ladies’ pages.

  Johnny didn’t know her like he thought he did. She might fall, but she always got up again. Samantha smiled smugly to herself. Johnny was sure to be surprised when he lost that money.

  * * *

  The next morning Haley was enjoying breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast while reading the morning edition of the Boston Daily Record. Master Proust had found his thumb and was sucking contently as he slept in the makeshift cradle nearby. Molly had brewed a pot of coffee and brought her a cup.

  “Thank you, Molly.”

  “You’re welcome.” Molly took her place at the table and joined in.

  “The brothel shut down yesterday,” Haley said. News reports of the case had grown fewer and slimmer over the past week, with more recent scandals and interest pieces taking their place. Madame Mercier’s evil escapades were already old news, at least until her trial began.

  Mr. Midnight limped into the room stopping at his food bowl for a quick bite, before jumping on Molly’s lap and curling into a ball. Haley didn’t like the cat in the kitchen or that Molly let the cat on her lap while she was still eating, but she knew she’d lose more than she’d gain by arguing. Instead, she turned the page to the women’s section. Though she was a woman of science and academia and preferred reading material that catered to logic or serious world events, she was also a woman and found the interests in fashion, food, and family life shared by other women intriguing. Though Haley was in her forties and unmarried, it didn’t mean she had to let herself become a haggard, out-of-date spinster. It was important to be able to carry on a conversation with women, and men for that matter, on topics of daily interest, even if she’d much rather discuss recent developments in forensic science.

  An article just below the fold caught her eye.

  WOMEN IN A MAN’S WORLD

  “Oh, Molly. Listen to this.” Haley cleared her throat and started reading.

  “I recently met the intriguing Dr. Haley Higgins, the city of Boston’s assistant medical examiner, while on a story about another apparent Mob-related shooting in the North End. Dr. Higgins, who is striking in many ways, is a thoroughly modern woman.”

  Molly clucked appreciatively.

  Haley grinned and continued. “Though few, several female citizens in our fine city of Boston have made a name for themselves in a world dominated by men, and Dr. Haley Higgins is one of them. You might recognize her name, not from her profession, but from a recent near-tragic situation covered by this paper only a week ago.

  Dr. Higgins’ courage in that situation only highlights her character.”

  Haley glanced up at Molly. “Oh dear. I’m starting to blush.” She snapped the paper and continued to read.

  “Raised on a farm, the only girl amongst three brothers, Dr. Higgins is used to holding her own with the opposite sex. That gumption took her first to Boston University and then to the London School of Medicine for Women and back again to Boston where she obtained her Ph.D. As happened to many other people, her studies were interrupted by the Great War, where Dr. Higgins served as a nurse in triage.

  “Dr. Higgins has worked in her capacity as assistant medical examiner for six years, first under Dr. Angus Brown, and more recently under Dr. Peter Guthrie. The question for this writer is, will the world, and more specifically, the city of Boston, one day be ready for a female Chief Medical Examiner?”

  Molly beamed at Haley. “What a splendid article. I suspect your friend Miss Hawke wrote it?”

  Haley smiled at the byline. Sam Hawke.

  “She did, indeed. One day, she’ll have to feature herself.”

  Haley and Molly were interrupted by the doorbell, and Molly’s eyes flashed with urgency. “They’re here.” She moved Mr. Midnight to the floor and hurried to answer the door.

  Haley gently picked up the baby. “Your new mama and papa are here, little one.”

  When she entered the living room with the babe in her arms, Ben and Lorene Higgins stood waiting. Haley placed the baby in her sister-in-law’s arms. The look of love that spread across Lorene’s face was everything Haley had hoped for.

  It was a bittersweet moment. One woman’s tragedy was another woman’s joy.

  Ben had one arm around his wife and the other cradled under the baby. “Hey, son.” His voice cracked when he said those words, and Haley’s heart filled with shared emotion. If they weren’t careful, they’d all break down in tears.

  “He’s so beautiful,” Lorene said.

  “Isn’t he?” Molly gushed. “Just the best baby in the world.”

  “Thank you for taking such good care of him, Molly,” Ben said. “We promise to visit you often.”

  “That would be so lovely.” Molly was the first to pull out a handkerchief and dab the corner of her eyes.

  “So, what’s his name?” Haley asked.

  Ben stared back before speaking. “Joseph.”

  “It’s perfect,” Haley said. For the first time since her brother’s death, Haley’s heart warmed at the sound of his name.

  The first ring of the phone after the young family had departed caused Haley to start. It had rung incessantly for the first few days after the story broke, but they’d enjoyed quiet today until now.

  She picked up the receiver and held it tentatively along the side of her face. “Hello.”

  “Hello, Dr. Higgins. It’s Dr. Mitchell. I haven’t caught you at a bad time?”

  Haley allowed her shoulders to relax. “Not at all. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m hoping I can do something for you. You’ve had quite a trying week, and I wondered if you’d allow me to take you to dinner.”

  Haley felt the strange sensation of a smile spread across her face. “I’d like that.”

  * * *

  The morning copy of the Record rested on Samantha’s desk, folded open to her piece on Haley. Samantha liked how it had turned out and hoped that Haley would like it too. Dr. Higgins was a rather private person, so Samantha had been careful only to write what was pretty much public knowledge. With her job as a crime writer, it would be important in the future to be welcomed at the medical examiner’s office, so she was very careful not to write anything that might offend.

  Besides, Samantha felt that their shared, near-death experience had pushed their working relationship into something closer to friendship. At least, Samantha would like to think so.

  She tapped her long painted nails on the edge of her desk. What should she do now? She was ahead of schedule for her ladies’ pages—Archie August was adamant that she didn’t let that flounder just because he’d given her the go-ahead to investigate without restrictions. So what should she investigate? Maybe a walk downtown would give her some ideas. She reached for her messenger bag and her camera, and was about to get up from her desk when the telephone rang.

  It was a new telephone, just for her. A request Mr. August hadn’t had the heart to deny her, seeing that she’d almost died while on the job.

 
She picked up the receiver. “The Daily Record, Samantha Hawke speaking.”

  “Miss Hawke, it’s Officer Bell.”

  Officer Tom Bell had been checking up on her regularly since the “event”, even showing up at her home on one occasion. She’d saved Tom Bell’s life at the club, and now he felt he owed her.

  “Officer Bell, I’m fine. You must stop—”

  “It’s not that. I’m not calling about your wellbeing.”

  “Oh. What is it then?”

  “There’s a body lying at the foot of the Custom House Tower. A jumper. I thought you’d like the tip.”

  Samantha felt ashamed of her earlier thoughts toward Officer Bell. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

  “Hey, any idea who it is?” she asked before ending the call.

  “Possibly an employee,” Officer Bell said. “I don’t know anything more.”

  Samantha felt the thrill of chasing a new story bubbling up. “Thank you, Tom. I’m on my way!”

  She caught the gleam in Johnny’s eye as he dropped the receiver of his own telephone, and instinctively knew he’d gotten the same tip.

  “Catch a ride?” Samantha asked. They’d teamed up before, why not now?

  With a sly smile, Johnny shook his head. “Sorry, doll. Even though we work at the same paper, we’re still competitors.”

  Samantha raced outside to wave down a taxi, and scowled as Johnny zoomed by in his obnoxious roadster.

  Drat, that man!

  * * *

  This book has been edited and proofed, but typos are like little gremlins that like to sneak in when we’re not looking. If you spot a typo, please report it to: admin@laplumepress.com

  If you enjoyed reading Death at the Tavern, please help others enjoy it too.

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  * * *

  Don’t miss Higgins & Hawke Mysteries #2 ~ Death at the Tower.

  Death by Treason . . .

  When the body of a British National is found at the base of the common house tower in Boston, assistant medical examiner, Dr. Haley Higgins has no reason to believe it wasn’t suicide.

  That is until Investigative Reporter Samantha Hawke gets an anonymous tip: the victim, a Mrs. Olivia Gray, was pushed from the nineteenth floor to her death.

  The question is why?

  Haley and Samantha work together to unravel secrets that go back to a time that no one wants to remember ~ when shameful acts were sanctioned, and death licked at everyone’s heels.

  What did Mrs. Gray know, and who wanted to silence her?

  On AMAZON!

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  Murder on the SS Rosa is where we first meet Haley Higgins. If you haven’t started the Ginger Gold Mystery series, now’s your chance!

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  Books by Lee Strauss

  On AMAZON

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  The 1930s meets Rizzoli & Isles in this friendship depression era cozy mystery series.

  Death at the Tavern

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  Ginger Gold Mysteries (cozy 1920s historical)

  Cozy. Charming. Filled with Bright Young Things. This Jazz Age murder mystery will entertain and delight you with its 1920s flair and pizzazz!

  Murder on the SS Rosa

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  Marlow finds himself teamed up with intelligent and savvy Sage Farrell, a girl so far out of his league he feels blinded in her presence - literally - damned glasses! Together they work to find the identity of @gingerbreadman. Can they stop the killer before he strikes again?

  Gingerbread Man

  Life Is but a Dream

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  The Perception Trilogy (YA dystopian mystery)

  Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans. Her brother Liam is missing. Noah Brody, a boy on the outside, is the only one who can help ~ but can she trust him?

  Perception

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  Light & Love (sweet romance)

  Set in the dazzling charm of Europe, follow Katja, Gabriella, Eva, Anna and Belle as they find strength, hope and love.

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  As Elle Lee Strauss

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  About the Author

  Lee Strauss is the bestselling author of the Ginger Gold Mysteries series and the Higgins & Hawke Mystery series (cozy historical mysteries), a Nursery Rhyme Mystery series (mystery, sci-fi, young adult), the Perception Trilogy (YA dystopian mystery), the Light & Love series (sweet romance) and young adult historical fiction. When she’s not writing or reading, she likes to cycle, hike, and kayak. She loves to drink caffè lattes and red wines in exotic places, and eat dark chocolate anywhere.

  Lee also writes younger YA fantasy as Elle Lee Strauss.

  For more info on books by Lee Strauss and her social media links, visit leestraussbooks.com. To make sure you don’t miss the next new release, be sure to sign up for her readers’ list!

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  Acknowledgments

  Like the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” it takes a village to publish a book. With a full heart of gratitude I’d like to thank my “village.”

  Angelika Offenwanger - developmental editor, who reads the first dreadful drafts and helps me keep the story from falling off the rails. She’s also a friend. (Thanks for your support!)

  Robbie Bryant - line editor, who cleans up the first “finished” draft.

  Heather Belleguelle - beta reader extraordinaire, who helps me to polish the story and complete the wordsmithing. (The day you quit is the day I quit.