Ashley Crane Cozy Mystery Boxed Set

by Laurie Anne Marie

  Seems too unbelievable, she thought. But who knows, maybe not?

  She turned the pages to see what else was being reported. Buried inside the newspaper was another small article that hinted at rumors of large payoffs to some council members in an undercover scheme of corruption involving the town’s water rights. The town’s activists had said they were paid off to vote for PWCS Company’s expansion in Brewer.

  The Mayor of Brewer staunchly denied that theory.

  Ashley read the Mayor’s quote aloud:

  “Any rumors of a corruption scheme involving this town’s water rights are pure speculation and interjected to create more friction than is already present. We continue to have council meetings about the bottling rights in Brewer, and all avenues are being pursued through legal channels. Our next meeting is in September, and we expect to have a resolution then.”

  Ashley put down the paper. She had forgotten to talk to Sean about all of this. She resolved to do so. Maybe their hometown acquaintances had some information.

  What got to her the most was how the actor had been murdered. Ben Colton had been poisoned during a rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet.

  That’s just too ironic, she thought. He drinks what is supposedly a fake potion and pretends to be poisoned as Romeo, and then he actually is.

  Poor soul. What a way to go. What really was the truth about why he was murdered? And who could have hated him so much to have killed him?

  A quote from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice came to her mind. “Do all men kill the things they do not love?” She shook her head. Another feeling of queasiness came over her.

  ***

  Ashley drove home, pondering what she had read about the case. As soon as she walked in the door, Charlie and Susie Q greeted her with a cacophony of wails akin to being in a state of high stress. Charlie’s yowls were absolutely deafening and Susie kept frantically twirling around Ashley’s legs. Ashley filled their food bowls and set them on the floor.

  “Goodness! You act like you’re starving? Here you go.”

  Charlie wolfed down his portion as if he were a dog instead of a cat, while Susie kept nibbling delicately. She growled when Charlie got close to her bowl.

  “I wouldn’t if I were you,” Ashley said to him as she started to prepare dinner.

  Charlie gave her a look as if to say, “I wouldn’t have to sneak some of Susie’s food if you didn’t deprive me.”

  Ashley laughed. “You are not only well fed, you are cosseted every day, in every way. But here, a piece of tonight’s chicken dinner just to satiate you, Sir Charles.”

  He wolfed that down too and kept staring at her with his green eyes. Ashley knew that his stare down usually made her crumble, and sure enough, she slipped him another nibble. It was no use. Every cat owner realized the futility of fighting off the urge to spoil one’s pet. Charlie strutted off to the living room to groom himself and feel congratulatory about winning again.

  Sean walked in the door shortly after that and gave Ashley a bear hug.

  “Wow! What did I do to deserve that?” she asked.

  “Just for being mine.”

  She smiled. He immediately went into the living room, plopped on the couch and turned on the TV.

  “And how was your day?” she asked.

  “The same,” he said. “Stuffing half the town with pastries.”

  “And making them happy,” she said.

  “Hard to be grumpy eating scones and apple tarts,” he said. “What’s for dinner?”

  “Leftover roasted chicken with green beans and rice pilaf,” she answered.

  “Great,” he said.

  He put the news on.

  A few minutes later, Ashley heard a report that caught her interest.

  “Now we turn to that strange case at the ‘The Play’s the Thing’ Shakespeare Festival. There are no shortage of opinions about the murder in town. Our reporter is on the streets asking people what they think about it.”

  The reporter got as many opinions as there were people and Ashley popped into the living room to listen. As soon as the broadcast was finished, she turned to Sean.

  “This is so strange. We have to try and contact those people from Comfortville in the festival and ask them what they’ve heard. I can’t stop thinking about this. What a terrible way to go.”

  Sean looked up at her with a raised brow.

  “Ash! Don’t go there! I know what you’re thinking. We are not getting involved in this. It’s out of town anyway, and we’re getting married and going away on a honeymoon soon. Peace and quiet and a new life together should be our focus now.”

  “I know, I know. Just really curious that’s all. And I would like their input. It’s very eerie. And fascinating.”

  “And none of it is our business. Besides, we don’t even have their phone numbers. We haven’t been in touch with them in years. Let’s stay out of danger this time. That would be nice.”

  “Heard you!” she said loudly as she walked back to the kitchen. “Dinner in ten.”

  ***

  By the time she plated up the food and filled their water glasses, Sean was snoring away on the couch. Poor guy. He always got up so early and worked so hard. The life of a baker. She contemplated waking him, but he was really out. Besides, Charlie had moved and now was snuggled tight on Sean’s chest. In addition, Susie Q was purring close to his shoulder. She took a photo of the scene on her phone and sat down to eat. He would wake up in an hour or so and have his meal then.

  Ashley, meanwhile, didn’t wait to eat. Everything tasted homey and delicious. She missed bread with her meals, but that was one of the things that she had cut down on for her wedding dress “conquest,” as her mom had labeled it. While she was sitting at the table alone, she sent a text to Lara.

  Do you have the number of that girl Harley Dickson, who’s acting in the Festival up north?

  Lara texted back right away. Don’t know her well enough. But I think I know someone who does. I’ll contact them and get back to you.

  Okay, as soon as you can. Thanks! Ashley texted.

  Ashley hadn’t seen Harley in years. She wondered how long it had been since Sean had seen his old soccer teammate Grant who was acting up there.

  A text binged. It was Lara with Harley’s number.

  Ashley thanked her friend and sent a text to Harley. Hey! This is Ashley Crane from Comfortville! Heard you were in the Shakespeare Festival in Brewer. My fiancé Sean and I are planning to take a trip up there this summer and see some plays. Hope you’re doing well!

  Her text binged almost immediately. It was Harley.

  Hi Ashley! It’s good to hear from you! Been hearing about you and all your news. Congrats on your engagement! Is your fiancé Sean McDonnell? I always remember him as being a nice guy. If you come up here, it will be hard to meet as I’m always so busy. Maybe we could meet in Comfortville and catch up?

  Ashley texted right back. Yes, that’s him. Don’t know if you heard but he has a bakery in town here called Babycakes. Very popular. We’re getting married in May.

  Harley replied, Oh wow, that’s great. Both on the bakery and the wedding. I suppose a lot of people from the old days will be at your wedding. I’m not really in touch with anyone back there anymore. Except Shauna. Remember her from soccer?

  Ashley recalled the name and could dimly picture Shauna in her minds’ eye. She felt uncomfortable with Harley pointing out that a lot of people in town would be at her wedding. People that Harley knew at one time too. But she and Harley weren’t close and she could only afford so many guests. She changed the subject quickly.

  I do remember Shauna but haven’t see her in ages. Hey! Been hearing all the news of the murder up there. Did you know that poor actor well?

  In a few minutes a text came back. No, just met him up here. Harley wrote.

  Ashley typed back quickly. That actor Ben was on Sean’s soccer team years ago. It all seems so weird and awful.

  It is, Harley wrote. We are trying
to move forward with rehearsals, but the police keep asking all of us questions and everywhere we go, people are looking over their shoulder. They don’t have a clue who the murderer is and no one knows if they are after someone else.

  Hang in there, Ashley typed. And be careful.

  Ha! Coming from the Mistress of Danger herself! I’ve heard lots of news of your sleuthing adventures Ashley! You’ve got quite a rep down there! Then Harley inserted a laughing emoji to make her point.

  That’s right! I’m the pot calling the kettle black! Ashley inserted another laughing emoji. Good to connect. Hopefully we’ll talk soon.

  Yeah, I’d like that. But better in Comfortville. This isn’t the year to come up for the plays with all this bad stuff going on, Harley texted back.

  Maybe you’re right. I’ll talk to Sean. Bye!

  Later, Harley texted back.

  Ashley stared at her water glass. Sean was right. And now Harley had made a point too. This was not the time to get involved in another murder case. It had happened out of town, and they didn’t know anyone up there except two actors that they hadn’t seen in years. Nor was there an opening to worm her way into the investigation like she had done in Comfortville by annoying Thompson.

  More importantly, she was embarking on the happiest day of her life, and then a wonderful honeymoon. Life was good. No need to rock the boat.

  ***

  Ashley got up to clear her dishes and covered up Sean’s food for when he woke up. Everything was so peaceful except for the drone of the TV in the living room. She went in and turned it off and looked out their living room window. Snow was falling again. It always struck her how beautiful it was. She loved seeing it swirl in the glow of the streetlamps. The weather report said it would be a light snow, and that was perfect with her. Enough for atmosphere and to make it cozy to be inside with a cup of tea. She closed the curtains and padded into the bedroom to read. She had left her phone in the kitchen and didn’t notice it until an hour later when her text “pings” kept going off. She ran to get it.

  Tell Sean to call Grant ASAP, Harley wrote. Since they both knew Ben Colton from soccer, Grant wants to talk to him.

  Ashley went into the living room to wake Sean, who was already stirring.

  “I’m hungry. Did you already eat?” he asked.

  “Yes, but your food is still there. I’ll warm it up for you. But take a look at this.”

  She handed her phone to him. He stared at the text, then his eyes lit up.

  “Oh man, I remember Ben Colton. He was on my soccer team in middle school. He was really nice but super shy. He wasn’t into sports much. Not surprised he turned out to be an actor.”

  “Well, you should call Grant soon. He wants to talk to you about him,” Ashley said.

  “I don’t have his number Ash. Haven’t seen those guys since seventh grade.”

  “I’ll text Harley for his number,” she said.

  “And I’ll go eat.” Sean walked to the kitchen, stopped, turned around and looked at Ashley. “I’ll call him to get the info you want, but only if you promise me no meddling in this. Okay?”

  ***

  He sat at the table and wolfed down his food before she even had a chance to warm it up. Then he put his pajamas on and called the number Harley had texted for Grant. Sean’s call went to voicemail. He left a message telling Grant hello and asking him how he was. He’d save the questions about the murder for after they got re-acquainted over the phone. Sean then joined Ashley in the bedroom as she planned her menus. He picked up his notebook and glanced at his pastry orders for the week, then put the book back down again and sighed.

  “With everything that keeps happening, do you ever get the sense that we live in a play?” he asked.

  Ashley replied with a quote from As You Like It. “All’s the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

  “I knew you’d have a quote to go with this.” He chuckled. “Night night.”

  “Night,” she answered. “Love you.”

  “Love you too,” he said.

  Charlie and Susie jumped up on the bed, and in fifteen minutes, Ashley turned off her light. Susie Q curled up next to Sean’s chest. Charlie purred next to Ashley and soon they all drifted off to sleep.

  Outside, the snow kept falling, picking up in speed and volume. It turned out the weather report was wrong. They were on track for eight inches of snow overnight. So much for predictions. Mother Nature had other ideas.

  ***

  In a little theatre town up north, human nature had other ideas as well. Someone had broken into Ben Carlton’s boarding house in Brewer the night of his murder and stolen his laptop and some of his clothes. Detective Miller could understand the laptop disappearing, but his clothes? Why would anyone want used clothes like jeans and t-shirts?

  Miller sighed. Should the theft give him a clue, or was it just random? He wished he could link it up, but it only baffled him more.

  Time for sleep, he told himself. Tomorrow I’ll figure it out. But he knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

  Chapter Four

  Soon the days were getting longer and flower blooms were coming up everywhere. Spring had arrived in glorious fashion in Comfortville. The last few months had flown by and now it was the ‘merry month’ of May. The day was nearly here for Ashley’s wedding. It was funny. Ashley told herself she wouldn’t get nervous because she was so comfortable with Sean and knew she was marrying the right man. After all, he was her best friend. They had been buddies since they were little kids and had grown up together.

  Maybe it was the word marriage, or perhaps it was the gravity of the situation; soon they would be husband and wife, and taking their vows to be committed. It was a beautiful thing. But also nerve wracking. Was her dress right? Would her hair and makeup look good on the day? Would she cry?

  Well, yes, of course I’ll cry, she told herself. And so will Mom and Dad.

  As for Sean? “I’m not crying at all,” he had said. “It will be the day I’ve been waiting for all my life!”

  Ashley smiled to herself thinking about it. He was so happy. And so was she. So, why the nerves?

  “Dear, it just goes along with the day. You want everything to be right, that’s all. It’s perfectly normal,” April said.

  “I guess Mom,” Ashley mused. “But I don’t want to get too nervous.”

  April laughed. “You won’t. Leave it up to all of us to help you. It will be fine.”

  Ashley sighed. She knew her mom was right, still it felt so funny to have such a big pit in her stomach.

  “Let’s have some tea. And cookies,” April said. “Only a few cookies, so you don’t worry about calories.”

  They sat and laughed about silly things, and after a while Ashley felt much better. Was it the tea? The cookies? Her mom? It didn’t matter, it helped.

  She slept like a baby that night, dreaming the millionth time of Sean smiling at her when he first would see her in the beautiful wedding dress. Susie Q put her paw on Ashley’s arm as she fell asleep, as if to say, “We girls understand what’s going on.”

  Ashley gave her a scratch under her chin before drifting off. “Thanks Susie. You’re my girl.”

  The next morning, Ashley and Sean took one more drive to their wedding spot to check out the vendors and see how everything was being set up. They were getting married in Green Pond Meadow, about eight miles outside of town. It was a wide, sloping meadow of grass, now fresh and green, with wildflowers blooming everywhere. The area was ringed with trees, and off in the distance, there was a lovely view of the mountains. A large pond glistened in the far right corner, with the occasional ducks and other bird wildlife bobbing on its surface. This had always been one of Ashley’s favorite places to come as a kid with her parents, and as the years had gone by, with Sean.

  They had thought about a church wedding, and really liked one of their local ones. But Ashley loved nature, and where they lived in the northwest had some of the most beautiful scen
ery there was. Getting married under the great canopy of the sky had always been a dream of hers, and Sean was excited about it too. Her parents had thought it was a wonderful idea, and all their friends were in agreement.

  “Can’t find a better church than God’s great outdoors,” Burt had said.

  April had smiled and exclaimed, “And in Green Pond Meadow! Wow!”

  They decided to have a tent for the reception in case it rained, and also for warmth as the night wore on. Guests had been instructed to bring umbrellas and jackets for the evening, and Ashley had a waterproof pair of shoes to change into just in case. But getting married in the great outdoors didn’t mean she wanted a “dressed down” wedding. She and Sean weren’t the fancy types, but she wanted her day to be special, and for everyone to look that way too.

  Her dress was a lightweight silk taffeta swirl of cream, with a light chiffon overlay and beautiful pearl beads sewn into it at different places so they looked like they had been sprinkled across her dress. Neither full nor form fitting, it had a lovely bell shape at the bottom that moved and flowed with her as she walked. A princess bodice with delicate lace and beaded straps completed the front, and her hair would be worn up with a simple and elegant crown of delicate flowers on her head.

  Sean would be in a navy-blue suit; his favorite color, and a light-blue shirt to match the sky.

  The bridesmaids would be in pale-yellow and her mother had the most beautiful suit of pale-golden cream with a matching jacket.