by Leena Clover
Jenny pulled up outside a set of massive iron gates. A security guard came out of a small cabin and waved at them.
“Are you from the Boardwalk Café?” he asked. “You are late.”
He spoke curtly into his phone and the gates swung open.
“It’s two minutes past six,” Jenny cursed. “Plenty of time to set up.”
Ada Newbury was throwing a party for her grandson. He was recently engaged to a girl from the city. Their impending nuptials were the talk of the town. No expense was being spared and the locals were vying for an invitation to the country club extravaganza the wedding promised to be. Ada had arranged the party in lieu of a wedding shower. She called it a meet and greet for both sides of the family.
Jenny drove her van to the back of the house. A marquee had been set up on the lawn and linen covered tables stood ready for the food. A life sized ice sculpture depicting an embracing couple graced the centre of the lawn. Fairy lights were woven through the trees and large paper lanterns swayed in the breeze.
“This place looks beautiful,” Jenny gushed.
“Ada hired a party planner from the city,” Heather supplied. “The planner works with a city based caterer but Ada stuck to her guns. She wanted your food for this party.”
A tall, slim woman stepped out on the porch before Jenny had a chance to reply.
“You’re late,” she complained. “I hope you got everything?”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Newbury,” Jenny hastened to assure the woman. “It’s all under control.”
“It better be,” Ada snapped. “The guests arrive at seven.”
She turned toward Heather.
“Your grandmother is here. We are having tea in the parlor.”
Heather’s grandmother and Ada Newbury were staunch rivals. Betty Sue Morse was formidable even in her eighties. She had been married to John Newbury, the older of the Newbury brothers. Amicably separated, she still blushed every time she came across the dapper old man.
Betty Sue was the descendant of the island’s founder. It had been called Morse Isle then. Her family had originally owned the island. She was the fourth generation descendant of James Morse who had travelled south from New England with his family in 1837. He had bought the island for $125 and named it Morse Isle. He built a house for his family on a large tract of land. Fishing provided him with a livelihood, so did floating wrecks. He sent for a friend or two from up north. They came and settled on the island with their families. They in turn invited their friends. Morse Isle soon became a thriving community.
Being a barrier island, it took a battering in the great storm of 1962. Half the island was submerged forever. Most of that land had belonged to the Morse family. A new town emerged in the aftermath of the storm and it was named Pelican Cove.
Betty Sue had retained the Morse name even after her marriage. Heather was the last Morse on the island. Single at thirty five, she was a source of constant worry for her grandmother. Betty Sue wasn’t ready to let the Morse bloodline end with Heather.
The Newburys and their money could not compete with Betty Sue’s pedigree. She made sure Ada knew that every time they met.
“I’m going to help Jenny set up here,” Heather told Ada.
Ada shrugged, the look she directed at Heather full of disdain.
“Don’t forget you are a guest here, Heather,” she said, giving Jenny a withering look.
“She’s right, Heather,” Jenny said hastily. “Why don’t you go meet Betty Sue? I can take it from here.”
Heather mouthed a brief apology as she followed Ada inside the house.
The food was being served buffet style. Jenny worked quickly, aided by some of Ada’s domestic staff and stood back to admire the lavish spread. She had taken different tastes into account and believed there was something for everyone.
The guests started trickling in at seven.
Ada leaned on a short, stocky young man with cobalt blue eyes. Jenny surmised he was the grandson.
Heather sipped cold soup from a small glass and sighed with pleasure.
“These gazpacho shots are genius!”
Jenny smiled proudly and looked around. Guests were exclaiming over the food, smacking their lips and going for seconds.
Ada walked over to Jenny.
“Do we have any crab dip?” she asked.
Jenny pointed toward a chunky dip resting in a sourdough bowl. It nestled on a platter with an assortment of crackers.
“Brandon loves it,” Ada said, walking toward it.
She didn’t bother to introduce Jenny to her grandson. Jenny was the help after all.
“That’s Brandon,” Heather whispered in her ear. “He’s got a big job in the city, aide to some senator. His parents are proud of him.”
“Where are they?” Jenny asked, looking around.
She had never set eyes on Ada’s offspring before.
“Brandon’s parents are on a world tour,” Heather told her. “They have been on a cruise for six months. They are expected back before the wedding.”
“And where’s the bride?”
A short brunette with highlighted hair and violet eyes walked up to Jenny just then. Jenny found herself smiling back as the girl beamed at her. Jenny secretly admitted she envied the girl her youth and beauty.
“Your food is simply super,” the girl gushed. “I can’t have enough of that beer boiled shrimp. That cocktail sauce has just the right zing. And the caprese bites and the olive tapenade! A couple of my friends are vegetarian and they are amazed at all the veggie options. They thought they would have to starve here, you know.”
Jenny thanked the girl politely.
“Meet the bride,” Heather said, hugging the girl. “Kelly, this is my friend Jenny. She’s the genius behind this whole spread.”
Kelly popped a pimento cheese sandwich in her mouth and wiped her hand before extending it toward Jenny.
“I’m Kelly Fox,” she said simply. “This is a wonderful party. Brandon’s grandma is so cute, isn’t she?”
Jenny stifled a smile. No one had ever called Ada Newbury ‘cute’.
“She wanted the best for you,” Jenny nodded. “I hope you enjoy your wedding shower.”
A tall, brown haired man walked up to Kelly and put an arm around her. His other hand held a glass of champagne. He threw back his drink and picked up a canapé from a tray.
“This is delicious,” he said.
“Hummus and cucumber bites,” Kelly read off the label. “Please tell me you are going to cater my wedding too.”
“Who’s this hunk?” Heather asked with a wink, staring at the tall and attractive stranger.
“Oh,” Kelly cried. “Where are my manners? This is Binkie, my cousin. I’m an orphan, you see. I grew up in foster homes. Binkie is the only family I have here.”
They chatted with Jenny and Heather and tasted everything on the buffet.
“Those turkey and avocado wraps are to die for,” Binkie sighed. “You have a gift!”
“Save room for dessert,” Jenny warned them. “We have banana mascarpone parfaits, and chocolate chip marshmallow cookies with ice cream.”
Betty Sue Morse came over and chatted with Jenny.
“You’ve done a fine job here, girl,” she said approvingly. “That crab dip is better than mine. And the shrimp is cooked just right.”
Brandon came over with a ravishing beauty on his arm. She was shorter than Kelly but equally attractive. Her hazel eyes picked up the green in her dress and her carrot hair glistened in the soft light. Jenny was surprised the bride and groom weren’t plastered to each other.
“Did you make those pimento cheese sandwiches?” the girl asked Jenny. “They are so yum! Everything is. I’m taking plenty of photos.”
“Hello Megan,” Heather said stiffly. “Didn’t know you were in town.”
“Brandon’s getting married,” Megan said brightly. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Chapter 2
A sunny s
pring morning dawned in Pelican Cove. Jenny had arrived at the Boardwalk Café at 5 AM. She baked her signature muffins and assembled a dozen parfaits. Jenny’s baking had taken a toll on her. She had gained at least twenty pounds in the two years since she had started dishing out her treats at the cafe. Personally, she preferred this slightly plump version of herself. She was certainly happier than she had been when she agonized over every leaf of lettuce she consumed. But she needed to fit into a wedding dress soon. This desire had inspired her to come up with healthier food options at the café. She was still experimenting with the perfect recipe for a berry yogurt parfait. Initial response had been encouraging.
Jenny’s aunt Star arrived at the café around eight, looking sleepy. She guzzled a big cup of coffee and shooed Jenny out of the kitchen.
“Aren’t you getting late? Don’t give that shrew any more reason to yell at you.”
Jenny needed to go back to the Newbury mansion to collect her stuff.
“I feel bad, making you work on a Saturday.”
“Don’t be silly,” Star dismissed. “Most of the food is already prepped. I can handle the café for a couple of hours.”
Jenny got into her van and hummed a tune as she drove down the familiar road. She wondered when the party broke up the previous night. She had stuck on until nine the previous evening, refilling the food as needed. Her work was done once she finished serving the dessert.
“You may go now,” Ada had told her curtly. “Come back tomorrow morning to clear up.”
Jenny took the hint and drove home to rest her aching feet. She had spied Heather chatting with the bride in the distance. Heather was going to drive home with her grandmother.
The security guard in the cabin didn’t come out this time. The iron gates opened and Jenny drove through, smiling back as the guard waved at her.
Jenny was relieved to see she didn’t have much to do. Ada’s staff had done the bulk of the work. Her large serving trays and dishes had been washed and dried and stacked on a table. All she needed to do was load the stuff in her van and be on her way. She looked around for her giant punch bowl and spotted it under the table.
Heather came out on the porch.
“Need a hand with that?”
“Heather!” Jenny exclaimed. “Did you stay over?”
“Grandma and I were right behind you. Brandon invited me for breakfast. He wants to properly introduce me to Kelly.”
“You hardly need an introduction from what I saw.”
“Kelly’s a friendly soul,” Heather nodded. “We hit it off last night. But Brandon sounded so eager. I’ll let him show her off.”
Brandon came out of the house. His face lit up when he saw Jenny.
“Your food was amazing. Kelly can’t stop raving about it.”
Jenny thanked him politely and took her leave.
“Why don’t you stay for breakfast?” Brandon asked. “Kelly wants to talk to you about catering the wedding.”
“Your grandma might have some other plans for that,” Jenny said.
“Don’t worry about Grandma,” Brandon said confidently. “I can bring her around.”
“Please stay,” Heather pressed. “It will be fun.”
Jenny knew Ada Newbury wouldn’t be pleased. She hesitated.
“Why isn’t Kelly here yet?” Heather asked Brandon. “Looks like she had a little too much champagne.”
“Kelly’s an early riser,” Brandon said with a frown. “I’m going to call her.”
He pulled a cell phone out of his pocket and turned around, jabbing some buttons on the screen.
“It’s ringing,” he explained.
A tall, strapping young man came running from the beach. Jenny sensed the panic in his coal black eyes. He came to a stop before Brandon and began gesticulating with his hands.
Brandon stared back at the youth in confusion.
“Get a grip, man!” Brandon exclaimed. “What’s wrong with you?”
The man pointed somewhere behind him and started walking back.
“I guess he wants us to follow him,” Heather muttered.
The youth whirled around and looked pleadingly at Heather.
“You wait,” he stuttered.
He looked at Brandon.
“Come with me.”
Brandon shrugged and began following the guy.
Heather raised her eyebrows and stared at Jenny.
“Who is he?” Jenny asked.
“The gardener?” Heather mused. “How would I know?”
A shout went up somewhere in the foliage behind Jenny. There was a flurry of footsteps and Brandon ran up to them, white in the face.
“It’s Kelly,” he cried, collapsing on the lawn.
He clutched his head in both hands as he stared wild eyed at Heather.
“She’s dead. My Kelly’s dead.”
Ada Newbury came out on the porch.
“What’s the commotion?” She gave Jenny a piercing look and stared at her grandson. “Why are you sitting on the grass, Brandon? Get inside. Cook’s poaching the eggs for your Eggs Benedict.”
Jenny found herself taking over. Ada refused to believe her grandson. She grabbed Heather by the hand and started walking through a gap in the trees. Jenny realized there was a small path there she hadn’t noticed before. Heather and Ada were back a few minutes later. Heather gave a slight nod as she stared at Jenny. Jenny pulled out her phone and called the police.
Heather told her how they had found Kelly floating in the pool, face down. There was no doubt she had been dead for a while.
A wail of sirens sounded in the distance and grew louder as they approached the Newbury’s mansion. The cook was coaxing Ada to drink a cup of tea. Jenny sat on a delicate chair with spindly legs, feeling out of place in the ornate parlor.
A tall, uniformed man came into the room, leaning on a cane. Jenny’s heart sped up as she gazed into his piercing blue eyes. Adam Hopkins was the sheriff of Pelican Cove. He was also Jenny’s betrothed. After a rocky courtship, Jenny had finally agreed to marry Adam the previous autumn. Six months later, they still hadn’t set a wedding date.
“What are you doing here, Jenny?” Adam asked with a frown.
“I can’t believe this is happening again,” Ada Newbury wailed.
A stranger’s corpse had been discovered on the Newbury estate several months ago.
“Did you know the deceased?” Adam asked stiffly.
He took his job seriously and was firmly in cop mode.
“Of course I did,” Ada snapped. “My grandson was going to marry that girl.”
“Where is he, by the way?”
Brandon had locked himself in his room. He had been inconsolable.
“That poor boy,” Ada sobbed.
“When was the last time you saw this girl?”
Adam launched into a series of questions. Jenny knew the drill. Adam would be merciless in his questioning. He was just doing his job.
Adam let Jenny go after a few cursory questions. He warned her not to gossip about what had happened.
“Surely you know me better than that?” she fumed.
It was hard to keep anything secret in Pelican Cove. The Magnolias were waiting for Jenny back at the Boardwalk Café. This was a motley group of women Jenny had grown fond of. She would lay her life down for one of them. Betty Sue Morse was the unopposed leader of the pack. Jenny’s aunt Star was the most free spirited member of the group. Heather and Molly were the youngest. The Magnolias had suffered a shock the previous year when Petunia, their kindest member, had been struck down. They were still grieving for her. Petunia had left the Boardwalk Café in Jenny’s care and she was doing everything she could to live up to her friend’s legacy.
“Heather called,” Betty Sue told Jenny, her hands busy knitting a canary yellow scarf.
“Is it true?” Molly asked, her eyes popping out of their Coke-bottle glasses.
Tall and scrawny, Molly worked at the local library and was hailed by her friends as o
ne smart cookie.
“Do you know what happened?” Star asked Jenny.
Jenny looked thoughtful.
“That girl was brought up right,” Betty Sue stated. “She asked after my arthritis. She even brought a wrap for me from inside.”
Jenny remembered Kelly was an orphan. She wondered if anyone would grieve for her. She remembered the tall, handsome man who had been hanging around her. He had a funny name.
The Magnolias decided to stick around at the café until Heather got back. Jenny worked through the lunch crowd, trying to keep herself from calling Adam. He didn’t appreciate personal calls when he was busy on the job.
“Time to have lunch,” she told the Magnolias as she brought out a big platter of sandwiches.
The Magnolias sat on the deck of the café, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The bright sunlight was a bit deceptive as a cold wind whipped Jenny’s tresses around her face.
The ladies were quiet as they munched on Jenny’s chicken salad sandwiches. There was a big sigh of relief when they spotted Heather walking along the boardwalk toward them. She jogged up the café’s steps and collapsed in a chair with a thud.
“I’m starving!” she complained. “I never had that breakfast.”
Jenny fixed a plate for her while the others bombarded her with questions. Heather warded off their questions while she took a few bites. Then she delivered the shocking news.
“Ada Newbury has been arrested.”
“That’s outrageous!” Betty Sue declared. “Looks like your young man is up to no good again, Jenny.”
“What was she arrested for?” Star asked Heather, ignoring Betty Sue.
“Kelly’s murder.”
“Isn’t it too soon to say that?” Molly asked.
“Apparently not,” Heather explained. “The police have decided that Kelly was murdered. And they think Ada had the strongest motive.”
“That’s a bit hasty, even for Adam,” Jenny said reluctantly.
“Ada wasn’t too fond of Kelly,” Heather told them. “I think most of the staff knew that. She thought Brandon was marrying someone beneath him.”
“So what’s new?” Star asked, rolling her eyes. “Ada thinks everyone is beneath the Newburys.”