Candy Canes, Corpses and the Gothic Haunt

by Rachael Stapleton

  Shortly after eleven, a snowmobile drove by and slowed as it passed the taproom. Juniper slid down in her seat even though she was on the opposite side of the street and the driver was looking in the other direction. The driver was covered head to toe in a helmet and snowsuit, this could be the killer. The snowmobile circled the Inn and then disappeared around the back.

  The last thing Juniper needed was to confront a killer but she couldn’t call the police unless she saw them actually trying to get in. She got out of her car, pulled up the hood of her parka and then crept up the side of the house opposite the driveway. She jumped into the trees when she saw a vehicle’s headlights turning into the Inn’s drive.

  This was it, something was going down.

  She pulled out her cell phone and punched in Jack’s number.

  Doh. Voicemail.

  She left him a message and then sent him a text. He would definitely see that. Not that he could help her since he was three hours away. She was shivering in her parka because the temperature had dropped. She wasn’t ready to miss this opportunity though.

  Instead she headed around the back and there, in the shadows of the back porch, was a large man trying to break in.

  She pulled out her phone to dial the BLPD when the snowmobile driver came out from behind the shed and tackled the intruder.

  She recognized the shouts.

  Eve?

  Twelve

  _____________

  P IKE’S barista was at her usual spot behind the counter chatting with Eve when Juniper strolled in.

  “Hey, Junie,” Eve grinned. “How’s Jack’s head?”

  Juniper smirked. “Better, but you’re not exactly his favorite person today, so keep your distance.”

  “He should be thanking me. I was only guarding the place.”

  Turned out Jack had gotten back from the Queen Anne jobsite early but he left his phone inside the Gothic Haunt. When Juniper wasn’t home from book club by eleven, he headed to the Inn to see if she was there. Of course his key didn’t work because the locks had been changed; so he was peering in the window, trying to see if there were any lights on when the masked snowmobile driver, Eve, attacked him.

  The barista passed Juniper her coffee across the counter and she asked for today’s special to go.

  Pike came out of the kitchen. “Just the person I wanted to see. I may have come up with another suspect.”

  Juniper gave Eve a sideways glance, meaning keep your mouth shut. She didn’t want Pike knowing she’d attempted a stakeout without her. She turned back to Pike. “Lay it on me.”

  “What about Rocco Deer from the deli? He could be afraid everyone will go to the taproom to eat instead of his place.”

  “Hmm…I don’t think so. Rocco has never threatened me. As a matter of fact, he’s always been cordial and even excited about the Inn. Anyone else?”

  “What about someone Feliz crossed?”

  “That’s possible, I guess,” Juniper said, “but I have no way of knowing who that could be, aside from Louise. They argued over cheese before he died, but somehow I can’t see her murdering him over that.”

  “Hmm, well, she does have a temper. I heard she hit a kid one time with a baseball bat for knocking over her display.” Pike crossed her arms over her chest. “What about our stakeout idea—”

  Juniper didn’t let her finish. “No. It’s too dangerous.”

  “We’d be sitting in our cars or in the coffee shop. I don’t see how that could possibly be unsafe. If anyone showed up, we’d call 911. We wouldn’t be dumb enough to confront him. Or her. Or whoever.”

  Juniper wasn’t so sure about that. It was easy to imagine hot headed Eve or Pike jumping out of a car and tackling the guy. Penny would be the only one equipped to handle such a situation. Juniper tried another tactic. “It would be a waste of Penny’s time and I can’t afford the extra bucks right now. I have an alarm, and the police are doing extra drive-bys. Time would be better spent talking to possible suspects, which I plan to handle.”

  “And when do you think you’ll have time to do that?”

  “Today. I hope.”

  “Hope is for the weak.” Her voice softened. “We are your friends and we just want to help. Let us help you with something even if it’s just brainstorming ideas or trying to come up with some more suspects.”

  Juniper blinked away the tears that suddenly formed in her eyes. She’d met a few generous people in her life, but Pike really took the cake. No pun intended. “Thanks,” Juniper said. “I could use a few new ideas.”

  Pike beamed. “How about tonight, then? We could all meet at my house.”

  Juniper started to agree, then remembered dinner. “I can’t tonight. I already have plans.”

  “You do?”

  “Don’t sound so surprised.”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t remember the last time you had plans on a Thursday night.”

  “Jack is taking me out for a romantic night on the town.”

  Pike clapped her hands together. “That’s wonderful! You guys have hardly seen each other lately. I can tell the absence has been weighing on both of you—especially you. Your sparkle dims whenever he’s not around—always has.”

  Juniper scowled at her. “My sparkle is just fine.”

  “Okay, whatever you say,” Pike said. “Have fun tonight.” The door chimed, then, and in walked Mallory. Pike leaned over the counter, and whispered to Juniper, “You had better invite me to the wedding.”

  Juniper laughed and shook her head. “Yeah, somehow I don’t see Jack proposing again.” With that, she dropped some cash, grabbed her egg salad sandwich and left.

  Outside the cafe, she almost bumped into Rudolph Windsor. Or rather he almost bumped into her. He was walking fast with his eyes glued to his smart phone, not paying attention. Juniper dodged him by jumping to the left and in the process dropped her sandwich bag in the snow. At the last minute, he realized what happened and halted before he tramped on it. “Sorry,” he said. “I guess my mind was on something else.”

  And your eyes. “Nothing bad, I hope.”

  “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  Juniper bent over to pick her sandwich bag up, but Rudolph beat her to it. Juniper started across the road and Rudolph followed her.

  “I’m glad I ran into you,” he said, then smiled. “I guess I should say almost ran over you. I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something.”

  Juniper paused. “Really?”

  “Maybe we could set something up for next week—after Christmas, of course.”

  Before Juniper could ask what he wanted to talk about, he glanced at his watch and said he had to run. She’d find out, eventually. Juniper dusted some snow from her sandwich bag and had just started up her front steps when Mallory hollered her name.

  “Did you forget something?” she called, catching up. Juniper looked at the hat in Mallory’s hands and smiled. “Thanks, my mind has been preoccupied.”

  “I saw you talking to Rudolph Windsor. What did he want?”

  “Yeah. It was weird. He was in a bit of a hurry, but he said he had something he wanted to talk to me about—that maybe we could get together next week. I can’t imagine what it would be. It’s not like we have anything in common.”

  “Maybe he wants to steal you away from Jack.”

  Juniper rolled her eyes. “Somehow, I don’t think that’s it.”

  “You never know. I’ve caught him staring at you more than a few times.”

  “Really?”

  Mallory nodded. “Yep. Anyway, I’ve got to get back to the manor. Who knows what Nana and Dani will get up to without me there to babysit them.”

  Thirteen

  _____________

  F INN came into the Inn as Juniper was hanging curtains. “Hey,” he said. “I thought I heard you come in.” He pointed to the window. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m adding the pretty. It’s my favorite step.”

  “I didn’t realize ther
e was a step called adding the pretty.”

  “There is, trust me, and it involves more than you can imagine. Jack is never any help at this point so it’s all up to me; Paint. Wallpaper. Color. Rugs. Furniture. Curtains. Pattern. Texture. All of that.”

  “Is that just for the flips that you keep?”

  “No… although I usually just stage the place when we’re flipping it. Jack’s dad is actually a big help. He helped me pick out the color scheme.”

  “I guess it would be his area of expertise, being a realtor and all.”

  Juniper grinned. “Exactly.”

  “I guess I never thought about how much goes into a house flip or renovation. What made you and Jack start doing this?”

  “My dad,” Juniper explained. “He’s a contractor. I grew up following him around jobsites and loved it.”

  “Interesting. Where is he now?”

  Juniper pretended to check her watch. “Probably on a beach somewhere drinking fruity cocktails with Mom. They moved south when Dad sold the business. They’re flying home New Year’s Day to stay with us for a bit.”

  “So, why the Inn, then?” he asked. “Sounds like being a contractor is quite lucrative.”

  Juniper laughed. “I don’t know if I agree with that blanket statement. I think Dad got in and out of the business at the right time. As for me, I just wanted something different. Jack and I are still running Spirited Construction so it’s not like we’re giving it up, but I wanted some roots and I’ve always dreamed of running a bed-and-breakfast in wine country. That’s probably what drew me to Jack in the first place; I loved his stories of growing up running through the vineyard.”

  “That place is a vision.”

  “With the historic home renovation business, we’re always going from town to town and the flips take a long time, so we usually live wherever we’re working.” Juniper could have told him she was thinking about the future and the fact that she wanted children soon, but she thought twice—especially since she hadn’t told Jack as much. “Besides, who wouldn’t fall in love with Bohemian Lake.”

  Juniper called it quits for the day around four. They were heading out at six-thirty for dinner. That gave her plenty of time to shower and change. She had no idea where they were going—only that she should dress sexy casual, which was Jack’s way of telling her no jeans or hardhats, which, come to think of it, looked pretty damn sexy on him.

  The closer it got to six-thirty, the more nervous Juniper became. By the time she’d discarded her third outfit, she gave up and plopped down on her bed in her underwear, clothes strewn around her. This was crazy. What in the world was wrong with her? Just because her feelings for Jack were intensifying, it didn’t have to be scary. Jack didn’t even have to know. The thought was rather liberating. Juniper smiled to herself and tugged on the forest green jumpsuit with the side cutouts that had been her first choice. She had just pulled on her boots and a white faux-fur coat from her modeling days when Jack knocked on their bedroom door. He’d been working on an open-concept farmhouse in the next town over.

  “Junie, just throw on a paper bag and let’s go. You know you’ll look amazing in whatever you wear.”

  Fourteen

  _____________

  J ACK’S eyes had bulged from their sockets when he saw her and she was pretty sure his tongue was still hanging out of his mouth as they pulled up to the restaurant.

  “Well, was it worth the wait?” Juniper asked.

  Jack answered with a kiss.

  The place he’d chosen, Marsha’s Vineyard, was completely upscale. It was located about half an hour outside of Bohemian Lake. Wine Country, as the natives called it, stretched all around the town and had been touted as a top tourist destination spot last year. The article had said “more often than not, the regions pastoral setting would convince you to toss your map and let the spirit lead,” which was true. There were so many tucked-away treasures in the little villages around here: artisanal cheese shops, gourmet hot dogs, wineries, breweries and cafes all dedicated to local ingredients, and Bohemian Lake was smack dab in the middle. Bohemian Lake also happened to be the home of the Poutine Food Truck, famous for serving everything under the sun over French fries and gravy.

  Marsha’s Vineyard was nothing like Poutine Food Truck, however. It was rustic yet edgy, a purple heritage barn filled with eclectic art and furniture. Jack had made reservations, and the hostess seated them in a booth halfway between the entrance and the kitchen in the back. Juniper automatically picked up the wine list to check out their selection while Jack was disappointed to find out they didn’t carry any of the local craft beer. Juniper barely had time to read the list when a waiter brought over a bottle of champagne.

  Juniper looked at Jack in surprise.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” he said. “I thought a celebration was in order. You know, to celebrate our future together.”

  Juniper nodded.

  The waiter poured and stood beside the table while Jack tested it. Jack nodded to the waiter, so the server set the bottle on the table and leaned over. “Congratulations. I hope you’re very happy together.”

  Juniper smirked while Jack thanked the waiter but didn’t bother setting him straight.

  Instead Jack raised his flute. “Here’s to not one, but two profitable ventures and, more importantly, a long and happy relationship.”

  They clinked glasses and took sips.

  “So, why didn’t you correct him?”

  Jack’s eyes twinkled. “Why would I?”

  “He thinks we’re engaged.”

  Jack’s grin was wicked. “So? Is that such a revolting idea?”

  Juniper’s face flamed. “No! Not at all.” On the contrary. She’d secretly been wishing that Jack would propose. She could hardly expect it after she’d rejected him the first time, but the hope lived on. They were getting older and she really wanted a child—Jack’s child.

  Jack picked up his menu. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks. Hell, I got over caring about what people thought a long time ago, you know, when you spurned me in front of all of my family and friends.”

  Ouch. “Was it that bad?” Juniper asked. Jack hadn’t talked to her for a while after the incident.

  He made a face. “Only if you consider getting your heart ripped out publicly bad—”

  “Got it. You paint a vivid picture. How about now? Would you risk a public shaming again? I’m feeling feisty.” Juniper pretended to claw at him like a cat.

  He shook his head and smiled. “Nope. I’ve got you right where I want you and I’m not scaring you away again, no matter how much my mother begs.”

  Juniper stole peeks at Jack while she perused the menu. His black oxford shirt went nice with his dark features. He had perpetual five-o’clock shadow, which Juniper loved, wide shoulders and muscular arms. Being a contractor was good for the physique. Juniper forced her gaze back to the menu when he caught her staring. “You see something you like, Palmer?”

  “Do I? You should see the hunk sitting behind you.”

  Jack turned his head and laughed at the statue of Santa Clause.

  All in all, it was an enjoyably romantic dinner. They talked about next steps for the attic; Feliz was supposed to have lived there with them—in his own apartment—but obviously that wouldn’t be happening now. Jack told her about a few new projects Spirited Construction had bid on. Two of them were right in Bohemian Lake so that they would be closer to home.

  As they were leaving, his cell phone rang.

  Jack frowned when he glanced at the display. Juniper was standing right beside him and caught the caller’s name: Sally.

  Juniper’s stomach dropped.

  It was his ex—Big Boobs. He hit the ignore button and pocketed the phone.

  “Don’t you want to get that?” Juniper asked.

  “It’s not important.”

  “But isn’t that your—”

  “Ex-fiancée,” he said before Juniper even had the word out. “Yes. And I�
�m not interested in anything she has to say.” Jack put up a hand. “Before you ask, I don’t want to talk about her. So, let’s not tarnish the night.”

  As much as Juniper wanted to question him, she kept her mouth shut. From the set of Jack’s jaw, he meant to keep mum on the topic. Juniper couldn’t help wondering if he’d seen Big Boobs at all; after all, Bohemian Lake wasn’t that big of a place. Juniper told herself to mind her own business. He would tell her eventually. She hoped.

  Fifteen

  _____________

  F RIDAY was usually a busy day in downtown Bohemian Lake and today was no exception. The snow was swirling and people were in the mood to Christmas shop or at least pick up last minute goods. 'Twas the season for parties and baking, after all.

  The line in the café was all the way out the door, so instead of waiting she headed across the road to the Gothic Haunt. She put on a pot of coffee and snacked on some cheese and almonds while she waited for it to brew. Properly fortified, she returned to the parlor. She had two interviews scheduled for waitstaff, but the first one wasn’t for hours.

  As busy as she’d been for the last couple of days, she hadn’t had much time to do any investigating. Her stakeout attempt had been a bust. It had been almost a week since Feliz died, and she was no Nancy Drew. She needed to do better. Part of her problem was that she didn’t have any real suspects.

  Evan Cross was the only one who had made any kind of a threat. Who else was there? Juniper could definitely rule out Pike. What about Louise and the cheese argument? Juniper couldn’t see that, either. She thought about her book group members. Eve was cranky, but that was it. Mallory and Dani wouldn’t hurt a fly. And Nana—well, she was Mallory’s grandmother. No way. Pike had mentioned Rocco Deer, but Juniper couldn’t see him as a killer, either. What reason would any of them have for not wanting the taproom to open?

  Juniper needed to question the only person who had a reason to keep them from opening. She grabbed her purse, locked the Inn, and headed down the front walkway.