“Well, maybe she was taking her time about it. I’m sure the buyer didn’t want to wait. Either way, you benefited financially from your aunt’s death with the trust fund she left you and your sister.”
Valerie turned around and stared at her sister.
“Valerie, as I just mentioned you also gained from your aunt’s death.”
“It’s true, but I didn’t kill her.”
“You had to get your aunt out of the way before your sister found out that you had bled your aunt dry. There’s no money left is there?”
“What?” Shand jumped to her feet. “There is money in the trust fund.”
“The trust wasn’t a straightforward one and besides that, Valerie was the trustee. I don’t understand all these legal things, but what I said is true. Apparently, it was how the fund was set up in the first place.”
“I needed the money, Shand. Aunt Greta gave the okay. You’ve got plenty. I invested in bad shares and they were going to take my house, but I didn’t kill her.”
“There’s no money?” Shand sat down. “I’ll get my lawyer. I was just doing a favor for everyone in the town anyway by trying to sell those old shops. They needed upgrading. It’s not worth killing someone for if that’s what you think.”
“Well, who killed Greta?” Elsa-May asked looking around, and then fixing her gaze on Ettie. “So far we’ve got Kate who might have wanted her dead because she wanted her store. The TV star wanted her dead, the motive being money. The councilor was passing secret love notes. And Leonora was also passing love notes, or was it poison? The young man here was taking Greta’s money under false pretenses, but he was also at the fair early in the morning.”
Leonora spoke before Ettie had a chance. “I’d made a quilt; it was the house we talked about building. We wanted a pink cottage by the river. I had the spot selected to buy. I had the note in the quilt, and he would’ve known to whom the quilt belonged. I wanted him to come to me, accept me and then we could have the life we talked about. The pink cottage in my quilt, Ettie. We talked about such a house.”
“I didn’t know things had gone that far.”
“I was too embarrassed to tell you before, but now I don’t care. I know he’s not the man I hoped he’d be. In our notes we had planned a life together. I told him I’d leave the community for him and he was buying us a house. That’s what he wrote.”
The councilor flew to his feet. “It was I who was deceived.” He made to run out of the tent.
“Stop him,” Ettie called out.
Chapter 38
Shand Hollow’s bodyguard stood in Martin Cruise’s way so he couldn’t leave the tent.
“You can’t keep me here,” Martin said to Ettie.
“You poisoned her.”
“I did not!”
“You poisoned her, but you didn’t kill her. Sit down or I’ll tell the police everything I know.”
The councilor did as he was told.
“You had papers for her to sign, didn’t you? You drugged her just enough, so she’d do what you’d say. When I saw you put something into your pocket, you’d already put paperwork under your sports coat. I know how paperwork can easily be hidden in clothing.” She looked over at Elsa-May.
“What did he put into his pocket, Ettie?”
“A pen. A pen that was left there along with the contract to rescind the lease. Shand was paying you to pressure her. If Greta was planning on closing down, she wouldn’t have raised the amount of commissions and she would’ve told all our ladies.”
The councilor sat there not saying a word.
“Shand, you were seen here at the fair the day Greta was murdered, and you were wearing Amish clothing.”
“I was not. I already told the police where I was, and many people saw me.”
“I wasn’t entirely convinced of that until I remembered a comment that Ann Maree made.”
“What?” Ann Maree sat upright.
“You told me you weren’t at the fair, that you were at your store and you’d come in early. You had to have known the time she was killed to tell me where you were at the time.”
“It was in the papers.”
“The exact time was never in the paper or any of the news reports.”
“I just guessed. Anyway I had no reason to kill her. I’m not staying here to listen to this.”’
“I saw you. I saw you at the fair. You were talking to Greta just before she died. You went to the tent and had a disagreement. Hate whirled around your head and you put your hands to her throat and took the life from her body. Then you pushed her under the table and took off. That’s why there’s no record of you being at the fair. You were gone by the time the police arrived.”
“It’s not true.”
“No it’s not. Because the person I saw wasn’t you. It was you, Shand, in a wig. And, right after you killed Greta, Shand, you made your escape from the tent wearing Amish clothing. Yes Shand, you and the councilor were in it together, but even though your aunt was drugged she still wouldn’t sign those papers. You were pretty sure she wasn’t going to sign, and you’d planned to kill her if she didn’t. Why kill her at the fair? What better place than a public place? The killer could make a better getaway, and any evidence would have a better chance of contamination. It was clever. Almost anyone could’ve done it.”
“This is silly. I’ve got better things to do.” Shand got up to go.
“Did Greta deserve to die?” Ettie asked her.
“Yes, and that’s even before I found out about the money she let my sister squander. Money that should’ve been mine.”
“You admit it?”
“Yes, but try to prove it.” Her bodyguard held the tent flap open for her and she walked out, quickly followed by Martin Cruise.
Ettie looked out to see them both in handcuffs and being read their rights.
Elsa-May walked out next. “This will ruin the fair for everyone.”
“No it won’t. The fair hasn’t started. They’ll be gone before everyone comes.”
Kelly walked forward as everyone walked out of the tent. “Raymond, your charges have been dropped.”
He smiled, relieved. “For real?”
“Yes, for real. And I've seen to it that your name is fully cleared of suspicion from that old arrest, as well as this one.”
Mondo ruffled his hair and walked away.
Kelly walked forward. “Good work, Mrs. Smith. We had nothing on her, and we needed an admission.”
Elsa-May chuckled. “It turns out Matilda was right about seeing her at the fair.”
“She was. She’s a very bright girl. Observant for such a young age.”
When Kelly headed over to his arrestees, Kate walked over to the sisters. “I’m sorry I wasn’t too forthcoming when I arrived here. I wanted a new start. My husband was poisoned by eating mushrooms. Thankfully, Matilda and I don’t like them. There was talk that I gave them to him, but I didn’t even cook them. Matilda and I were out for the day. He wasn’t feeling too well that day. I thought he had a cold. He’d cooked mushrooms for himself and he ate them with toast. We found him dead on the floor of the kitchen.”
“Did Matilda …”
“We both walked in and saw him. That’s why I didn’t allow her to go to his funeral. She’d been around enough death and I didn’t want her to go through any more sadness.”
“I’m sorry there was talk in your last community. I’m also sorry I suspected you.”
Kate’s mouth turned up at the corners. “I forgive you. I do feel better now that someone knows. It’s awful to live with a secret. I should find Mary and Matilda.”
Ettie and Elsa-May stood and watched Kate walk away.
“Ettie, I can’t believe you thought she poisoned our cookies.”
Ettie gave a little giggle. “You can’t be too careful.”
Ann Maree and Valerie walked out of the tent.
“Ladies, we’ve decided to merge,” Ann Maree said.
“Merge?”
“We’re merging our shops. I know of a large place for lease—it was too big for me alone, but with Valerie’s business and mine combined, we can do it.”
Valerie grabbed both of Ettie’s hands. “Thank you for bringing the two of us together.”
Ettie stared at them both in shock. “You’re welcome.” She had thought they’d be angry with her for saying such dreadful things about them.
“We have so much to plan. Come along, Valerie.” Ann Maree turned and walked away, and Valerie followed.
“Well, who would’ve known?” Elsa-May said.
“Not me, that is for sure.”
“Didn’t Ann Maree hear the part about Valerie not being good with money?”
“That’s not our problem, Elsa-May.”
“Let’s go home, Ettie.”
“I need a good rest.”
“Jah, after you finish your quilt that you’ve barely begun.” Elsa-May chuckled.
Chapter 39
Days later, Ettie still felt bad for suspecting Kate and putting her through what she had at the fair when the guilty people had been exposed. As her way of apologizing, she had invited Kate and her daughter, Matilda, over for lunch.
After they finished the meal of roast chicken and vegetables, they sat enjoying a peach pie with cream.
Kate asked, “How’s your quilt coming along, Ettie?”
“Good. I do a little every night and I’m quite enjoying it. Elsa-May likes her knitting and now I have something I can enjoy. Although, I’m not used to things taking such a long time.”
“Ettie likes things she can finish quickly, or she loses interest.”
Ettie held her breath expecting her sister to say she never finishes anything, but she didn’t.
Kate nodded. “They do take a long time, but it’s such a sense of accomplishment when you complete one. Matilda is becoming a fine sewer. I’m teaching her all I know.”
“I like sewing,” Matilda said. “Can I play with Snowy now?”
“I think that’ll be all right if you’ve finished your meal,” Elsa-May said.
Matilda looked at her mother who gave her a nod. “Okay.”
Matilda slipped off her chair, pushed it in, and looked between Ettie and Elsa-May. “Denke, for lunch. It was nice.” Then she hurried out of the room.
“Ach, she’s so polite.” Elsa-May chuckled.
“I’m trying with her. She’s not the easiest child.”
“I know what you mean. My parents had dreadful trouble with Ettie.”
Ettie slapped her arm. “They did not. I was a perfect child. I was too afraid not to be. There were always consequences for misbehaving.”
Elsa-May chuckled.
“Kate, I’m so sorry about the other day in the quilting tent.”
“Don’t apologize, there’s no need. There was no harm done. I realized that I can’t escape my past if I don’t accept it. I can’t live a lie. I’m not so bothered now by who finds out about my husband. If they want to think I poisoned him with those mushrooms, they can. I didn’t even pick them. He went out and collected them himself. Unfortunately the poison ones and the ones that are edible do look similar.”
“I’m pleased you’re not upset with me.”
“I’m not. I think we’ll be good friends.”
Ettie smiled. “Undoubtedly.”
“I hope so,” Elsa-May added as she reached for another slice of peach pie. “My sister does tend to overreact about things.”
“No more than you do.”
“You’re worse.”
Kate said, “What happened after the fair the other day? I saw those two people were arrested.”
“Jah, they were, and the police have evidence against them. Enough that they both confessed.”
“I’m so pleased. I have heard that there will be a new quilt store opening, a bigger and better one.”
“Will you still open one?” Ettie asked.
“Not now. I think it would be too much work for me at this time.”
Elsa-May flung her hand in the air. “I’ve got an idea. What if they want a third partner? The two of them are going in it together, perhaps an Amish woman such as yourself would be an asset to them.”
Kate’s face lit up. “Do you think so?”
“No harm in asking.”
“Don’t be too concerned if they say no,” Ettie warned her. “If it’s meant to be it’ll be. Shall we have kaffe?”
“I’d like some,” Kate said.
Half an hour later, Kate and Matilda left Ettie and Elsa-May’s house.
“Matilda," Kate said as they walked to the house next-door, "remember what I said about keeping a secret about where we are from and all that?”
“Jah.”
“It doesn’t matter now.”
“What about our name? Are we going to be Lapps again?”
“I think we’ll keep our name the same as we've told everyone here. We don’t want to confuse everyone, and they already know our last name as Roberts. Which was my name before I married your father.”
“I know. Okay.”
When they reached the front of the house where they were staying, Kate asked, “Do you think you’ll be happy here?”
“I do, but I’ll be even happier when we get a puppy.”
Kate giggled. “When we get a house of our own, I’ll think about it.”
They opened the front door and walked in. “Tomorrow, we’re going into town back to the quilt store.”
“Again?”
“That’s right. Mama has some things to see about.”
Once Ettie and Elsa-May had finished washing the dishes from their midday meal, Ettie said, “I would’ve thought Detective Kelly would’ve stopped by to see us before now.”
“He’s probably busy. Don’t worry about him.”
“We’re busy too. I’m busy with my quilt.”
Elsa-May announced, “Sit in the living room. I have a gift for you.”
“For me?” Ettie frowned, wondering if this was some kind of a joke.
“Jah for you. Go on.” Elsa-May shooed her away.
Ettie walked out and sat down on the couch. No one ever gave her a gift for nothing. It was such a lovely thought.
Elsa-May walked into her room and came out with a small parcel and handed it to Ettie, and then sat in her usual chair.
“Denke.” Ettie pulled on the pink ribbon, to undo it. “Pink?” She looked up at Elsa-May, who had voiced a strong and distinct dislike of this particular shade of lolly pink.
“You like pink.”
Ettie grinned and placed the ribbon on the couch beside her. Then she unwrapped the paper. There in the folds of the gift paper was something she hadn’t seen in a very long time. She picked it up. “It’s my old knitting Nancy for French knitting. Where did you find it?”
“I was cleaning out a few boxes yesterday and I happened across it. Now’s your chance to finish something you started. When you finish your quilt and then my quilt you can do some French knitting. Then I’ll eat my words about you not finishing anything.”
Knowing Elsa-May, she’d probably kept that knitting Nancy for over seventy years for such an occasion as this. That’s the kind of annoying sister she was. Ettie picked up the knitting Nancy and laughed. “I have a gift for you too.”
Elsa-May grinned, “What is it?”
“I started buying you something wunderbaar, but ... I didn’t finish it.” Ettie giggled.
Elsa-May’s mouth turned down at the corners. “I don’t see how that’s funny.”
The look on her sister’s face made Ettie laugh all the more, and then she laughed even harder when she looked back at the old wooden and faded French knitting implement.
I hope you enjoyed these mysteries.
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Blessings,
Samantha Price
The next in the series is:
Book 22 Sugar and Spite
When elderly Amish widows, Ettie Smith and her sister, visited Brunhilde Hoffman to see why she was having such a rocky road, they found themselves stirred into a sticky murder mystery.
Brunhilde was dead!
Even though Ettie's sister didn't want a bar of it, Ettie had to find out why things had turned sour for the prolific candy maker.
The one thing that had them glazed over was, who could've wanted the Amish candy shop owner dead?
When it came to the crunch, was it possible Brunhilde wasn't as sweet and soft-centered as she made out?
ETTIE SMITH AMISH MYSTERIES
Book 1 Secrets Come Home
Book 2 Amish Murder
Book 3 Murder in the Amish Bakery
Book 4 Amish Murder Too Close
Book 5 Amish Quilt Shop Mystery
Book 6 Amish Baby Mystery
Book 7 Betrayed
Book 8: Amish False Witness
Book 9: Amish Barn Murders
Book 10 Amish Christmas Mystery
Book 11 Who Killed Uncle Alfie?
Book 12 Lost: Amish Mystery
Book 13 Amish Cover-Up
Book 14 Amish Crossword Murder
Book 15 Old Promises
Book 16 Amish Mystery at Rose Cottage
Book 17 Amish Mystery: Plain Secrets
Book 18 Amish Mystery: Fear Thy Neighbor
Book 19 Amish Winter Murder Mystery
Book 20 Amish Scarecrow Murders
Book 21 Threadly Secret
Book 22 Sugar and Spite
Book 23 A Puzzling Amish Murder
About Samantha Price
USA Today Bestselling author, Samantha Price, wrote stories from a young age, but it wasn't until later in life that she took up writing full time. Formally an artist, she exchanged her paintbrush for the computer and, many best-selling book series later, has never looked back.
Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Box Set 7 Page 43