Sweet Avengers (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 18)

by J A Whiting

  “We don’t know if it’s possible,” Jenna explained. “But there are a lot of things we don’t know about the paranormal.”

  “Most people wouldn’t believe the sorts of things we can do,” Angie pointed out. “In fact, what we can do is probably babyish compared to what experienced people with skills are capable of.”

  “Would Orla know if something like this is possible?” Ellie’s expression told the others she really didn’t want to know the answer to her question.

  “She’s taking a nap with the kids,” Angie said. “We can ask her when she comes down.”

  “Wow. Think about having a skill like that. It would be so cool.” Courtney had a wide smile on her face. “Where can we go to learn to improve our abilities? There must be so many things we can do and we don’t even know they’re possible. Is there some sort of a school for paranormals?”

  Ellie looked like she’d tasted something sour. “Please don’t call us paranormals.”

  Courtney gave Ellie the eye. “How about witches? Is that better?”

  Ellie put her hand on her stomach and made a face. Ugh.”

  “That’s what we are, sis. Like it or not. Witches, paranormals, it doesn’t matter what the label is. It’s all semantics. We are what we are.”

  “There can’t be a school, can there?” Ellie moaned.

  Finch joined the conversation. “There could be, Miss Ellie. There are many mentions of schools for wizards or academies for spell makers in literature. Can all of it stem from imagination or are there seeds of truth in the stories?”

  “We do what we do,” Jenna said kindly. “It’s just another skill set. Some people can do amazing athletic feats, some people are geniuses who come up with new medicines or incredible inventions. Telekinesis, seeing hints of the past or the future, holding someone’s hand and knowing something about them, seeing ghosts … they’re all just innate skills and abilities that get developed through practice and use.”

  “Your explanation sounds so reasonable.” Ellie shook her head. “But when I think about it, it doesn’t seem reasonable at all.”

  “It’s okay,” Angie said. “You’re more accepting now than you were when we first learned we had skills.”

  “Am I?” Ellie groaned.

  “You definitely are.” Angie nodded at her sister.

  “It can take time to accept new things, Miss Ellie,” Finch smiled at the willowy blond.

  Angie removed a bowl from the cabinet to start making the pastry cream to pipe inside the eclairs. “I needed to bake today. It helps me focus. The case seems overwhelming right now. I worry we won’t be able to find out who killed Mom.”

  Jenna gave her sister’s shoulder a squeeze. “We haven’t been foiled yet.”

  “We’ve managed to find what we needed on all the cases we’ve helped Chief Martin with,” Courtney said encouragingly. “It always feels confusing and impossible when we first start an investigation. Things will start falling into place.”

  Tom and Josh came downstairs from doing paperwork for their businesses in the den and carried the food out to the grill on the patio. Orla brought the babies down from their short naps and set them on the rug with some toys.

  Euclid jumped down and used his nose to push a ball back and forth in front of Gigi and Libby causing the babies to giggle with delight at the feline.

  As soon as Orla made a cup of tea, Courtney was at her. “Are there schools for people with paranormal skills to learn more?”

  Orla stared at the young woman wondering where this remark was coming from.

  “I was going to warn you that someone might ask you a hard question,” Finch winked at Orla. “But Ms. Courtney got to you before I could.”

  “Also,” Courtney asked, “are there paranormals who can make someone see something different than what’s right in front of them?”

  “Hold on.” Orla raised her palm towards Courtney in a halt gesture. “Why are you asking these things?”

  The sisters explained how witnesses gave widely varying reports about the car’s size and color, and whether the driver was a man or a woman.

  “You know witnesses can be very unreliable,” Orla told them. “Most of them aren’t trying to deceive. They truly believe what they report.”

  “That’s really not an answer to my questions,” Courtney pointed out.

  Orla sat at the kitchen island next to Mr. Finch and sipped her tea before speaking. “I’ve never met someone who could make you think you saw something different than what was right before your eyes.”

  Courtney deflated with disappointment.

  “But that doesn’t mean the skill doesn’t exist. I just haven’t met anyone who had that capability,” Orla explained.

  Courtney moved to the island. “Have you heard of anyone who could do that?”

  “Yes, but it is extremely uncommon and it would take an incredible amount of skill. It is so rare that it might as well be impossible. I don’t think the driver of the car possessed that ability.”

  Courtney nodded and then asked, “What about schools that people could attend to learn to improve their skills?”

  “Such things exist.”

  Courtney was about to let out a whoop, when Orla added, “But you’re too old to enroll.”

  “Am I? Really?” Courtney’s shoulders drooped.

  “It’s for young people who show strong talent,” Orla said.

  “How young?”

  “Teens.”

  “Oh.”

  “But you could work with a tutor,” Orla told the young woman.

  “Do you know a tutor?” Courtney’s voice was filled with excitement.

  Orla nodded and took another sip. “Yes. Me.”

  “Will you work with me?” Courtney’s eyes were wide.

  “I will.” Orla smiled.

  Courtney wrapped Orla in a bear hug almost knocking her off the stool which caused Finch to let out a belly laugh.

  “Miss Courtney is nothing, if not exuberant,” Mr. Finch noted. “It is one of her many endearing qualities.”

  With a grin on her face, Orla whispered, “This man next to me is also a very good teacher. You can learn a lot from him.”

  Courtney turned to the older man. “You’ll help me improve my skills, Mr. Finch?”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  Courtney hugged him tightly.

  “That is if you don’t strangle me to death first.” Finch rubbed at his neck.

  Chief Martin and Lucille entered the kitchen and spotted Courtney smothering the older man. “Are you under attack, Mr. Finch?” the chief kidded.

  Courtney stepped back and Finch told the chief, “You have arrived just in time to save me.”

  Josh poked his head inside from the patio. “The food’s ready.”

  “We were afraid we wouldn’t get back in time for dinner,” Chief Martin said.

  Since the food was to be served buffet-style, Jenna placed the pot of soup on the counter along with a salad and a tray of warm rolls. Josh carried in the platters of veggie kebobs and salmon kebobs while Tom got drinks for everyone.

  Gigi and Libby were lifted into their high chairs and the family and friends sat at the big kitchen table to enjoy the delicious food with the doors open wide to let in the warm evening breeze.

  When the meal was over, Angie served the warm eclairs for dessert and received high praise for her pastries.

  “Who’s ready for some games after kitchen cleanup?” Tom asked. “Anyone for a friendly game of cards?”

  “You can count me in,” Finch said with a grin. “That is, if you don’t mind losing.”

  “Ha. I accept the challenge,” Tom said with a wicked cackle.

  “Here we go.” Ellie rolled her eyes. “It’s always so surprising how cards can turn some people into cut-throats.”

  Josh said, “You’re not leaving me out of it.”

  “Enjoy your trash-talking while you can.” Courtney shook her head. “But prepare yourselves. A girl
is about to beat you.”

  Angie said, “Us civilized people can play a board game while these four are battling for supremacy.”

  The doorbell rang startling everyone.

  “Who could that be?” Jenna wondered aloud.

  “I’ll go see.” Angie rose and headed down the hallway to the front door with the cats running ahead of her.

  When she opened the door, it took her a moment to recognize the woman.

  “Hi, Angie.”

  “Lara.” Angie smiled brightly. “What on earth? How did you know we were here?”

  The two women shared a hug.

  7

  Tall and slender, Lara Deering was sixty-one years old with bright hazel eyes and shoulder-length, dark blond hair. The woman had lovely skin and perfect teeth.

  Angie led Lara to the kitchen to introduce her to the group.

  “Lara was a friend of Mom’s. They were in a book club together for a few years.”

  Angie and her sisters had only met the woman several times as Elizabeth and Lara would attend the book club once a month in the evening and then go out for a drink or dinner, but their mom often talked to them about her friend.

  While the rest of the family and friends went to the dining room to play games, the four sisters took Lara to the library to chat. The cats followed behind.

  Everyone took comfortable seats and Euclid and Circe watched and listened from the corner as they stared at the newcomer.

  “I thought you moved to Toronto.” Jenna served tea from the pot she’d brought in from the kitchen.

  “I did. That’s where I’m living now. I enjoy it there.” Lara accepted a teacup from Jenna and sipped. “My husband and I are happy we made the move.”

  “What made you want to move to Canada?” Ellie questioned.

  “I received an offer I couldn’t turn down.” Lara looked down for several moments. “It was the right offer, at the right time. I needed to get out of Boston. Your mother’s accident stunned me. I couldn’t believe she was gone. It was all so sudden and shocking. I needed a change. The offer came out of the blue, and I was thankful when it came. My husband was open to moving so we left. I was happy to be going somewhere new.” Lara was a respected biomedical researcher and her husband worked in information technology. “Roy accepted a new position within two weeks of arriving in Toronto.”

  “Are you in Boston on business?” Courtney asked.

  Lara nodded. “I have some meetings and a conference I’m attending. Are you in town because of a development in your mother’s case?”

  “Unfortunately, not.” Angie shook her head.

  “How did you know we were here?” Ellie asked the woman.

  “Through the grapevine. I don’t even know how it came up in conversation, but when I heard you were in the city, I had to come by and say hello.”

  “Who told you where we were staying?” Angie felt a slight shiver of anxiety move over her skin.

  Lara’s expression looked blank. “Someone at the event I was at. They were discussing your mother and that you were in the city looking into her death. I didn’t know the people who were talking. I was with some other people standing near the group who knew Elizabeth.”

  “Was this at the conference?” Jenna wanted to know.

  “It was during the opening reception. Is it true you’re here looking into Elizabeth’s death?” Lara’s face was tight with concern.

  “We’d like to gather some information.” Angie shifted back in her chair. “When Mom died, we were distraught, confused. It’s hard to think clearly when tragedy strikes. We’ve recently come to a place where we can face our mother’s death. We want to know what happened and why no one was arrested for the accident.”

  “I see.” Lara nodded. “It’s understandable. Have you learned anything?”

  Angie could see that Ellie was about to speak, and she deftly cut her off. “We’ve just started to talk with people. We don’t have any more information yet than when we arrived here.”

  The sisters picked up on what Angie was doing. They didn’t really know Lara and were unsure if she could be trusted, so no details would be shared with her except for general information.

  “We did meet someone at the hospital who used to work with Mom,” Angie said.

  “Who was it?”

  “Lindsey Adams, an emergency room nurse.”

  Lara’s face clouded. “Your mother wasn’t a fan of Lindsey.”

  Jenna cocked her head to the side. “Why not?”

  “Lindsey wanted to be friends with Elizabeth, but your mom wasn’t open to it. She was friendly and polite to her, but there was something she didn’t like about Lindsey. Elizabeth didn’t trust her. Lindsey made some minor mistakes that worried your mother. She didn’t think Lindsey was as skilled and careful as she should be. She didn’t think Lindsey was as professional as she should have been.”

  “Did they ever argue?” Courtney’s attention was glued on Lara.

  “No, I don’t think it was like that. Elizabeth just felt she had to keep her eye on Lindsey to make sure she was doing the job properly. They didn’t have anything in common so your mom thought Lindsey’s attempt at a friendship was out of place.”

  “Maybe Lindsey wanted to be around her because Mom was so well-respected,” Ellie suggested.

  “That could be,” Lara nodded.

  “Did our mother ever mention Dr. George Day?” Angie asked the woman.

  Lara sat up and blinked. “Dr. Day? Yes, she brought him up occasionally. He worked in the emergency department with your mother.”

  “What did she think of him? Did she talk about him to you?” After asking the question, Jenna looked to the cats who still sat in a corner watching Lara carefully.

  “She liked George. They got along well. She thought he was a great doctor.”

  “Were they friends?”

  “I’d say so, yes.”

  “Were they more than friends?” Courtney closely watched Lara’s face for any hints of expression.

  Lara was silent for a moment. “I don’t know. From what your mother told me, Dr. Day might have been interested in her. Your mother kept her feelings close and she hadn’t revealed any romantic notions to me. I teased her about him once before the book club started up and she seemed to blush a little. She dismissed the idea of something romantic with Dr. Day and she shook her head at me like I was being silly, but I think she might have considered accepting a date with him if he asked her out. I don’t know if it ever happened or not.”

  “Had you met Dr. Day?” Angie questioned.

  “Oh, no. I only heard about him from your mom.” Lara smiled at Angie and Jenna. “Your little daughters are adorable. Your mother would be so happy that you’re all doing so well.”

  “I hope she would be.” Angie nodded. “Were you at work on the morning our mother was killed?”

  Lara took in a long breath. “I was. I didn’t hear about the accident until later in the afternoon when I read the news. I nearly passed out.”

  “Do you think it’s possible our mother was targeted?” Jenna brought up the subject. “Do you think her death was deliberate?”

  Lara leaned back. “Deliberate? Targeted? Elizabeth was killed by a stupid, careless driver who sped away from the scene without stopping.” The woman narrowed her eyes. “Why would anyone target her? For what reason? Are you thinking someone murdered her? Is that why you’re here looking for information?”

  “I only wondered what you thought about the incident.” Jenna kept her face neutral.

  “I think it was an accident. Elizabeth was pleasant, well-liked, respected. She didn’t have any enemies. It had to have been an accident.”

  “When was the last time you saw her?”

  “It was three days before she died.” Lara rubbed at the back of her neck. “We had our book club meeting and then went out for dinner afterwards.”

  “Did she seem bothered by anything? Worried? Upset?”

  “She seemed
a little tired, but she’d been working a lot due to someone’s maternity leave at the hospital,” Lara explained. “Other than that, she seemed like herself.”

  “Mom had a meeting that day with someone,” Angie said. “Did she mention the meeting to you when you were out at dinner?”

  “A meeting? Gee, I don’t know. If she did bring it up, it didn’t stick in my memory. Who was she meeting with?”

  “We aren’t sure. We hoped you might know something about it.”

  “Do you think the meeting had something to do with the accident that morning?” Lara’s eyes were like lasers.

  “We just don’t know.” Angie shrugged.

  “It never occurred to me the accident might have been intentional.” Lara glanced out the window, her mind racing. “I’m stunned.”

  The sisters turned the conversation to other things and they discussed their businesses, how Mr. Finch came to be part of the family, and the nice group of friends they had in Sweet Cove.

  Lara checked the time and rose to leave. “I’m happy to see that you have good lives and that you’re surrounded by loving friends and family. I hope you find out what really happened to Elizabeth.”

  When Lara was gone, the sisters sat in the library for a while before joining the others to take part in the game-playing. Euclid and Circe jumped on the sofa with Jenna and Courtney.

  “What did you think, cats?” Jenna questioned the felines.

  Euclid flicked his tail several times and Circe stayed quiet.

  “They didn’t warm to Lara, but they didn’t hiss or growl at her either,” Ellie noted. “What does it mean? Is she trust-worthy or not?”

  “I think the cat jury is out,” Courtney said. “No decision has been made about Lara, which is concerning in itself. Euclid and Circe usually make up their minds about someone in the first few minutes. Why are they unsure?”

  “Good question,” Angie said. “I know I’ve become a suspicious person, but I don’t trust Lara. Did she really come here just to say hello? She didn’t know us. And who are the people at the conference who were talking about Mom and us being in Boston?”