Mulch Ado About Murder

by Martha Rogers

  My mouth gaped open. Watching the birds? Then it dawned on me that might well be why she was able to see the man in the gray car and the license plate. I regained composure and said, “What a nice hobby. You say you do this every morning?”

  “Oh, yes, every morning even when it’s raining or snowing. This is a good time of year. We have some beautiful little finches and bluebirds out there, and the trees across the way are full of many different species.”

  “Were you doing that the morning Pete was killed?”

  “Why, yes, I was. That’s when I saw that silver car in the driveway over there and the woman talking to Pete. That’s when I saw the man in the car, too.”

  I remembered her telling us that before. I glanced at Georgene who smiled and nodded. She mouthed the words, “One of her good days.”

  I prayed that she would remain lucid and in the present long enough for me to get a little more information. “Did you see what the man looked like?” She had given us one description, and I was anxious to see if this one matched.

  “He was tall with broad shoulders and wore a jacket, not a suit. He got out of his car, but when he saw the woman he ducked back as though to hide.”

  “Oh, and who was the woman?”

  “I’m not sure. I think it was our Miss Burns. When she left, another woman came out there.”

  I jumped. “Another woman? Not Taryn Burns?”

  “This one had lighter hair than Taryn, but I couldn’t see her face. He sure was busy talking to her instead of attending to his business. I’ll have to speak to Trenton about this. Can’t have our employees spending so much time talking. Then the nurse came by with my morning medication, and I didn’t see anything else.”

  My brain went into overdrive. Now we had another woman entering the scene. With binoculars Olivia had an excellent view of everything. Still, no one else had mentioned a second person talking with Pete. And who was the man in the car?

  “Your hobby gives you some interesting things to watch other than birds.”

  She laughed. “Yes, it does. My memory is going and plays tricks on me, but sometimes I remember the strangest things.”

  “Miss Olivia, did you recognize anything at all about the woman you saw?’

  “No, I didn’t really see her that well even with my binoculars, but she did have on pants and a short coat, blue I think, and I’m sure I’ve seen her around here before.”

  Then it must be one of the employees. Our list of suspects just kept growing.

  Olivia stood and hung the binoculars around her neck. “It’s time for me to watch my birds. I’m sorry Mr. Wentworth isn’t here, but I’ll tell him you came by to visit. What was your name again?”

  I glanced at Georgene. She shrugged and shook her head.

  “Her memory lapses are becoming much more frequent. When she’s lucid and in the present, she sees and hears a lot, but then, without much warning, she retreats to the past.

  I reached for Olivia’s hand. “Just tell him Mrs. Billings came by.”

  She squeezed my hand in hers. “Do come back for a visit.” She dropped my hand, turned, and headed for the windows.

  At least she still remembered what she was going to do.

  “It’s time for me to leave. She’s been helpful with what she remembers and is a delightful person. I’m so sorry for her condition.”

  “It’s been difficult because she was always so active in charitable affairs and entertaining her husband’s business associates. I’m glad she was able to give you information this morning. Do come again because she enjoys having visitors. I try to get by at least once a week.”

  That was strange. This was the first time I’d ever seen her here, but then I couldn’t know all of what went on around Spring Hills.

  I said my goodbyes and left. Olivia may not be much for an eyewitness in court, but I had the facts she’d given me when she knew who I was. Ben would certainly be surprised to learn about the binoculars.

  I hurried out to my house to write everything down before heading over to see Mr. Kirk about the flowers for the dinner. While I enjoyed another cup of coffee and a few chocolate chip cookies, I went over our notes.

  We had Maria, the second woman, Taryn Burns, Adam and Steve all having arguments with Steve. Then there was the man in car. He could have done it and gotten away. Steve was supposed to be on vacation this week, but he could have come that morning, killed Pete and disappeared with a good alibi. We’d have to find out if Steve had really been out of town that particular morning.

  I had a lot to tell Ben and Harry soon as I could find them. They were going on some errands this morning, so I most likely wouldn’t see them until after lunch.

  I spent the next few hours going over all the information we’d gleaned so far. I had Taryn and Maria arguing with Pete as well as another woman after Taryn. Adam and Steve had argued with him as well, so that made at least five people who had disagreements with our gardener.

  Adam deserved a second visit. Whatever he was hiding, I wanted to know. I had my regular tee time schedule, so I could see him then. I also had to check and find out if Steve really was on vacation and out of town. If not, I would add him to the list of prime suspects.

  I put away my lists and prepared a quick lunch. I wanted to get over to Tom Kirk’s office and take care of the flowers before finding Ben and Harry. I closed Mitzi up in the bathroom and headed for Mr. Kirk’s office.

  The grounds manager greeted me with a hearty hello and a handshake. “How can I help you today?”

  “Taryn said Pete always ordered the flowers for the Harvest dinner, but since he’s no longer with us, will you be able to take care of them?”

  “Of course, I’d be happy to. I know the florist he used, so I’ll use the same one. What did you have in mind?”

  “Our color scheme will need mums and other flowers in the yellow, gold, and bronze range. Taryn plans on decorating every table in the dining hall with a small arrangement. I thought flowers along with gourds and small pumpkins or cornucopias I’m going to buy would look nice. The tablecloths will be yellow-gold and brown.”

  As I talked he wrote on a pad. “I think we can get that done with no problems. I’ll check with Miss Burns about the delivery time and set-up.”

  “Thank you, so much. I have a group of friends who will help with all the decorating.” I started to ask him a few more questions about Pete but the phone rang. He excused himself saying it was business he had to take care of, so I left.

  Back at the main building, I found Taryn and gave her the information about the flowers.

  “I knew you’d come through for me. Your ideas are always so good. The decorations will be lovely, and I’m glad a few of the ladies will help you decorate.” She handed me an envelope. “Here is your money for supplies. Get whatever you need.”

  I thanked her, and we parted ways. Getting the flowers had been too easy and made me a little suspicious of Taryn’s explanation earlier. Maybe the argument was about something else. I’d have to mull that over for a while.

  Since I had no idea what time Ben and Harry would be back, this would be a good time do a little sleuthing myself and check again with Adam.

  When I walked past the kitchen counter, I spotted the earring Mitzi had found. I’d almost forgotten about it with my visit to Olivia. I still hadn’t remembered exactly where I had seen it or who was wearing it.

  Maybe it would come to me later, but now it was time to get some more answers.

  Chapter 12

  I headed down to the golf shop to speak with Adam. My usual tee off time is around two, but I decided it might have to be canceled for today depending on what time Harry and Ben returned.

  Adam’s eyebrows arched when he saw me. “Mrs. Billings, I didn’t see your name on the schedule for a tee time this morning. I have you at our usual slot. Did I miss something?”

  “No, you didn’t miss anything. I have a few questions for you about Pete.”

  A veil ascended o
ver his eyes. “Pete? Whatever for?”

  Since I wasn’t sure exactly where to start, I just plunged ahead. “Doris Barton said she saw you and Pete arguing one day last week. Could you tell me what that was all about?”

  The tips of his ears reddened like a tomato ripening in the sun. “Oh, that. It was just about the greens needing closer mowing.”

  “Hmm. Mrs. Barton said you were really angry with Pete and said something about his owing you and you wanted your share. In fact, she said it looked like you were going to hit Pete.”

  His swallowed hard. “I guess I can be honest with you. Mrs. Barton doesn’t miss anything. Yes, I was mad at him because he didn’t bring some money he owed me that day like he’d promised. Steve, Pete, and I won a bunch of money in one of those Oklahoma casinos. Pete was going to invest it for us, but then I decided I wanted mine back, but it was too late, he’d already put it in some stocks or something, but he still said he’d have my part for me.”

  “But you say he was going to bring it to you that day.”

  “Yeah, but he wanted to give Maria some money to help pay for her little girl’s expenses. Then I found out later they argued about it, and she wouldn’t even take it. Then before he had a chance to pay up, someone did him in.”

  “I see. How will you get your money now?”

  He shook his head. “Honestly, Mrs. Billings, I don’t know. Pete invested the winnings in some account, but I never did get a chance to find out where or what. Guess that was kind of stupid. I have to wait until Steve gets back, and he’s going to be mighty upset when he learns about all of this.”

  Not exactly stupid, but not very smart either. Mentally I crossed him off our suspect list because he had more of a motive to keep Pete alive than to kill him. “I’m surprised someone hasn’t told him, so he could come back here for the funeral.”

  “He can’t. He’s on a cruise with his family to celebrate his parents’ anniversary. He didn’t say which line or where they were going. Oh, man, this will tear him up. He and Pete were really good buddies.”

  “Thanks, Adam. I’ll see you at my regular time.” I decided not to cancel my game for this afternoon. The guys could wait for me to finish my normal schedule. Wouldn’t hurt Ben to join me, but that wasn’t likely to happen.

  I glanced at my watch. The visits with Olivia and Adam had taken less than two hours, so I had some time before lunch. My regular habits and errands had been sadly neglected this past week, so I climbed into my car and headed for the shopping center. Mitzi needed food, and so did I. The worries of the past week had certainly depleted my supply.

  I made a stop by the craft store to check out anything that would be good for the dinner decorations. Taryn had ordered napkins and tablecloths from a linen supply, so what I purchased had to match those. I found some clever party favors in the shape of cornucopias as well as bales of hay, miniature pumpkins, some pilgrim figures, and Indians. When I checked out, the items totaled up a little less than the amount Taryn had given me, and I was quite proud of myself. I hadn’t stayed within a budget for more years than I cared to remember.

  After buying my groceries, I stopped by the pet center. Mitzi needed a carrier, so she wouldn’t be locked up in the bathroom or my bedroom all the time. After buying one that would give her plenty of room, I headed back home. The errands had taken longer than I planned, so I stopped and grabbed lunch to go.

  When I arrived home, Ben met me in the driveway. “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting all morning for you to show up.”

  “My stars, Ben, I do have a life you know.”

  “I’m sorry.” He reached for a bag. “Here, let me help with these.” He laughed when he spotted the carrier. “You think Mitzi’s going to stay in that thing?”

  “Of course, she will. She’s a good baby. Leave it and I’ll get it later.”

  He closed the trunk lid and followed me inside. Mitzi jumped all around our feet. I’m used to her otherwise I would have tripped like Ben did. He stumbled against the cabinet, and Mitzi let out a yelp and scurried for the safety of the other room.

  “Good thing I like that little fur ball so much, but I’m glad she’s yours and not mine.”

  Mitzi’s anything but a fur ball, but she could get in the way with her curiosity.

  Harry stuck his head through a crack in the patio door. “Hey, glad you’re back, Abby. Ben and I have some news.”

  “Okay, so what have you learned?” I filled the coffee pot while the men sat at the table.

  Harry sat back in his chair with a wide grin on his face and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. “That license plate number is registered to a Lenny Fields.”

  “Who is he, and what was he doing in my driveway?”

  “That’s the interesting part. He’s connected to a group in this area that has those poker games.”

  I studied Harry’s face. “Have you said anything to the police yet about this Fields guy?”

  “No, but I did get his address, and Ben and I will check him out later. Now, what did you learn from Olivia?”

  After I relayed what I had discovered, Ben and Harry shook their heads in disbelief. Ben let out a low whistle.

  “Binoculars? I never would have guessed that.” Then he chuckled. “Never knew a guy with so many people angry with him at one time. Adam, Taryn and Maria have admitted their arguments, and according to Tillie, he had one with Steve, but who is this other woman Olivia claims to have seen?”

  We pondered that for a few moments, but none of us came up with a name. I tapped my fingers on the table. “If he had another woman he’d been dating, he could have been caught in a love triangle.”

  Ben nodded and pursed his lips. “That’s an avenue worth exploring with what we’ve learned so far about his love interests.”

  I shoved back from the table. “Well, I don’t have time for that now. I have a tee time in fifteen minutes, and I don’t want to be late. “Before you leave, will you bring in the kennel from my car? I’m going to try it out with Mitzi while I play.”

  When he and Harry both went outside, I glanced at the paper Harry had on the table. There was Lenny Field’s address. I copied it onto a note pad of my own and stowed it in the drawer at the same time the two of them came in the back door.

  “Thanks, you can put it in the hallway for now.”

  After placing Mitzi in her crate, Ben looked at me with narrowed eyes. “I think I might join you on the course. I’ll stop by my place and get my other jacket and meet you there.”

  My mouth dropped open. Ben was actually going to do something requiring exercise?

  “Don’t act so surprised. You’ve asked me enough times, and today is a beautiful day, so I’ll see you there.”

  Before I could respond, he was gone with Harry following and shaking his head.

  When I arrived at the golf shop, Ben was arguing with Adam.

  “Sorry, Mr. Martin, but we can’t let you have a cart without a doctor’s letter saying you can’t walk at least nine holes.”

  Ben sighed. “Believe me I’ll have trouble walking the distance today.”

  I’d heard enough. “If you can’t walk the course, you shouldn’t even come.”

  “Come on, Abby, we need to talk some more. Adam here understands.”

  Adam handed Ben the keys. “I’ll do it this time, but you really should be walking.”

  I followed him to the carts. “Ben Martin! What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Going to watch you play golf and learn how. I don’t even have any clubs right now.”

  “You’ll do no such thing. Golf is a walking game around here, so you can walk and learn.”

  “I either ride, or I don’t go at all.” Ben gripped the steering wheel of the cart.

  There was no arguing with him, but I intended to get in my game. “Whatever, but do you know how to drive that thing?”

  “How difficult can it be? I’ve driven a car for forever. Now show me what you can do.”


  I headed for the first tee with Ben following me. A few seconds later, my shot sent the ball sailing down the fairway. I marched off in the direction it landed.

  “Hey, am I going to ride by myself?” Ben shouted and stepped on the accelerator.

  He followed along and stayed in the cart until the seventh hole. Then he climbed from the cart and stood with his arms crossed over his chest. “Golf is a pointless sport. What kind of fun is it to hit a little ball then chase it down and hit it again? What’s the point?”

  I glared at him before I swung and sent the ball down the fairway. With him following like this, nine holes would the limit for today.

  He climbed back into the cart to head for the next tee. When he stepped on the accelerator, the car jumped ahead like a stone out of slingshot and sped off across the fairway.

  Ben yelled “Fore” and kept going.

  I took off after him, leaving my clubs at the seventh tee. A foursome at the next tee jumped to clear a path for the errant vehicle. It looked like Ben stomped on the brake pedal but nothing happened.

  His speed wasn’t that much, but the back part of the course heading to the golf shop was downhill, so the cart picked up speed.

  I watched the cart bump and jump over the rise and on down a fairway. It ran through a sand trap with Ben yelling all the way. The cart didn’t stop, but splashed through the water hazard on the ninth hole.

  The cart kept running with Ben hanging on for dear life. Several golfers tried to chase him down. I cringed when I realized he was headed straight for the hedge separating the last putting green from the sidewalk. Ben curled up into a ball and made a dive off of the cart. He rolled a few feet and landed on his back.

  I raced up to him as did several other golfers. “Are you okay? Can you move?”

  He tried to sit up, but grimaced in pain, so I helped just as Adam arrived.

  “Here, let me get him. He’s too heavy for you.”

  I stepped back and let Adam help Ben to his feet. Ben scowled. “That crazy machine tried to kill me.”

  Matt shook his head. “No, Sir. You just jammed the accelerator pedal. I’ll take it back to the shack.” He turned to Abby. “Think you can get him up to his cottage alone?”