Murder, Trouble & Family

by Marianne Spitzer

  “Annie Ryan, drinking when you should be home calling your daughter and consoling her about your misguided romance,” Claudine spat her voice full of venom.

  I glared at her and answered. “It’s Saturday night. Laci is out having fun, and my life is none of your business. So help me Claudine, I will get that restraining order.”

  She began to speak, but her husband pulled her back. He looked at me and shrugged.

  Barbara pushed past them and yelled at me. “You leave Claudine alone. If you were half the woman, she is you wouldn’t be here alone while your man is supposedly off working.”

  I took a step toward her and said, “Knock it off, Barbara. I have an entire store of books I can throw.”

  Barbara whined and winced.

  Claudine’s voice carried over Barbara from somewhere, “Did you all hear that? Annie Ryan just threatened my dear friend Barbara.”

  I groaned. Georgie pulled me to the back of the bar, and we sat at a table.

  “I could strangle them both,” I said looking at Georgie.

  “I understand,” she replied. “I’d help you.”

  We both giggled at the thought until Detective Nate’s voice interrupted us. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” He smiled.

  “Sorry,” I said. “Not a good way to meet everyone or for Berg to say goodbye. Since he’s staying a while, maybe it isn’t quite goodbye.”

  “Not quite,” he said. “I just wanted to say have fun. I have to mingle again.”

  “He seems nicer than Berg,” Georgie whispered.

  “Let’s hope.”

  Aunt Irene wandered up with an old-fashioned in her hand. “I just told Claudine and Barbara that ladies shouldn’t act that way.” She smiled, nodded, and walked back in the direction she came.

  “I wonder how many of those she’s had,” Georgie said.

  “I don’t know, but it might be too many,” I said and finished my second glass of wine. “Maybe I should get her home.”

  “Good idea, she won’t be happy in church tomorrow morning if she has a hangover.”

  I nodded and hugged Georgie. I found Aunt Irene dancing with Detective Nate. He grinned at me when I told her it was time to go. Aunt Irene waved at everyone as we left and a chorus of voices called, “Night, Aunt Irene.” Yup, everyone loves my Aunt Irene. I do, too. She’s a real sweetheart.

  Chapter Three

  It was a lonely week. I don’t know how I managed to get through it all. I miss Clark. Laci will be home from school in ten days. It’s so exciting and tense. What if she hates Clark at first sight?

  Yummy woke me before sunrise again, but that’s okay. I’ll have time to have my coffee by the lake before getting ready for church. I love to watch the water when the sun rises. Living on the east side of the lake, I don’t see the spectacular sunrises, but watching the light dance on the water as the sun brightens is enjoyable.

  The sun is casting odd shadows this morning. That is a shadow isn’t it. I can’t tell. Yummy is barking and running up and down the pier. Maybe I’ll walk to the end of the pier and see what’s bothering him. Probably a lake trout. They are bigger than him, and he doesn’t always like them if he sees them from the pier. Yummy is also an excellent watchdog. If anything is wrong, he lets me know.

  “What are you barking at, Yummy?” I can’t see anything. He must have seen a trout.

  I nearly fell over when I saw what upset Yummy. I grabbed my phone and dialed 911 as I ran back off the pier and to my patio. I placed Yummy in his puppy run and tried to catch my breath.

  A cheerful voice I recognized as Dot’s answered, “Heavenly Corners’ Police. May I help you?”

  I stammered and said, “Dot, it's Annie, Annie Ryan.”

  “Hey, morning Annie. You okay? You sound a bit hung over. I didn’t think you drank that much last night.”

  “I’m not hung over. There’s a dead body in the lake at the end of my pier.” I stammered.

  “Are ya sure? Could be a swimmer just resting.”

  “Of course, I’m sure. She’s dead, face down in the lake.”

  “Hold on, Annie.” Dot said. A moment later she added, “I have someone coming out to check. Stay where you are.”

  “I will. I’m sitting on my patio. I don’t think I can move. Dot, I think it’s Barbara.”

  “Barbara Boyle Claudine’s best friend,” Dot whispered.

  “Yes, it looks like her hairstyle and color. Good grief Claudine is going to raise a ruckus if that’s Barbara. I hear the sirens. Let Georgie know if you learn anything. I better meet the officer.”

  Dot mumbled something and hung up. Dot is our secret go to person at the police station, and she loved to gossip with Georgie.

  I looked up and saw Officer Carolyn Dawlins. “Annie, did you report finding a body? Chief Elroy is on his way.”

  I nodded and pointed to the end of the pier. “She’s in the lake.”

  Carolyn ran to the end of the pier and then I saw her speak into the mic on her shoulder.

  She walked back to me and said, “EMTs and Lake Rescue are on the way. Just sit tight. Do you have a rescue pole?”

  I ran to my shed to get the pole and said when I returned, “I don’t think Lake Rescue can help her. She’s been face down at least 10 minutes since I saw her and who knows how long before that. I was standing at the end of the pier waiting for the sun to rise. I didn’t see her until the sun began to rise. She must have been under my pier.”

  Carolyn hurried to the end of the pier, and I followed. She snagged the body’s shirt and pulled her close to the pier. She was able to reach in and turn her over.

  It was Barbara Boyle, and she was definitely dead. I walked back to my patio and saw Aunt Irene waiting for me. She was clutching Peanut in her arms. I wasn’t sure what she saw from her windows, but she was pale, and I insisted she sit down. I took Peanut from her and placed her in the puppy run to play with Yummy.

  “What happened?” Aunt Irene’s voice was shaky, and she pressed her lips tightly together.

  “Barbara Boyle drowned. Her body is floating at the edge of the pier.”

  Aunt Irene dropped her head and mumbled, “How could that happen? No one has drowned in the lake in over twenty years.”

  “I don’t know, but the police will figure this out. Don’t worry. She is dressed in street clothes, and she couldn’t be swimming anyway, the lake is still too cold. It looks like the same outfit she wore last night to Berg’s retirement party. Maybe she was canoeing and fell out. Perhaps her husband will know where she went.” I reached out and took Aunt Irene’s hand.

  Sirens. Here they come again. Do I attract them? Heavenly Corners is a peaceful place where nothing bad happens. In less than a month, three people have died, and I was somehow involved with all three. Inga Kelleher dropped over in front of me at a City Council meeting. When Georgie and I were hiding from her killer, we hid in the same closet as the body of Inga’s cousin Craig. Now I find the body of Barbara Boyle. Goodness gracious Annie, you’re going to have to leave town. People are going to think you’re a tragedy magnet.

  The sound of running boots in my yard snapped me back to reality, and I watched two of our finest water rescue squad members pull Barbara out of the water. A few minutes later Chief Elroy arrived followed by the coroner. I couldn’t watch any longer and told Carolyn that I was taking Aunt Irene and the dogs in my house.

  She nodded. I picked up both dogs. I was worried Aunt Irene might have trouble walking alone much less holding Peanut. She was pale and held her hand over her heart.

  “Are you feeling all right, Aunt Irene?” I asked as I led her to a chair in my living room.

  She smiled at me, “I’ve felt better, dear, but I’m okay. It’s a tragedy and our town has had enough trouble lately.”

  “I know. I’m sorry you had to witness this one. We’ll stay in here now until everyone leaves. I’ll make you a cup of tea. Have you had breakfast?”

  She shook her head, so I popped
a frozen blueberry muffin in the microwave while I heated the water for her tea.

  I placed the cup and plate in front of her and reached out to hold her hand. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look a bit pale.”

  She smiled and answered, “Yes, I’m fine. I just think it’s sad. Barbara is only a couple of years older than you. Her parents, husband, and sons are going to be devastated. I can’t imagine if it were you. Barbara came from a large family that will mourn her loss.”

  “I know and I’m actually concerned about Claudine. I know she dislikes me, but she and Barbara were inseparable. She’ll be beside herself, and since I found Barbara under my pier, I can’t help but think Claudine will somehow blame me.”

  “Most likely,” Aunt Irene said taking another bite of her muffin. “Just ignore her. She’s difficult on a good day, she’ll be impossible now. Give her space to grieve.”

  I nodded and added, “I’m not sure how long they need me here to answer questions so I think I’ll miss church, but I could take you and pick you up later.”

  “I think I’ll stay home, too. By now rumors are flying all over town why the police and water rescue were here. I don’t want to answer questions. Are you going to tell Laci about this when you chat today?”

  I shrugged. “Laci texted me last night saying she and Beth Ann were pulling an all-night study session at the library, sleeping today, and going to some end of the semester function this evening. She’s still not talking to me because I accepted Clark’s proposal.”

  Aunt Irene patted my hand, “She’ll come around when she’s home and meets him in person.”

  From your mouth to God’s ears I hope and pray. What will I do it Laci truly hates Clark? I can’t tell Aunt Irene my concerns. She’ll call mom and dad and tell them she’s worried about me. Gee, I’m a forty-something woman and people still worry about me. I guess that’s because they love me which is a good thing.

  A knock on my patio door broke into my thoughts. Aunt Irene jumped, and both dogs began to bark and run in circles in the living room.

  “Settle down,” I said to Yummy and Peanut. “It’s only Chief Elroy.”

  I opened the door and invited him in. “Have some coffee with Aunt Irene and me. I know you have questions.”

  I related the morning’s events to Clifford and answered the few questions he had. I swallowed before I asked a question or two or three.

  “I was there when Carolyn turned Barbara’s body over. There was a red mark on her neck. Was she strangled or did she drown? I don’t understand how she could drown. Why was she out on the lake alone? Where was her husband? They were at the party last night. What do you think?”

  Clifford shook his head. “I think you ask too many questions for your own good. You know I can’t answer any of them. There’ll be an autopsy, and we’ll know. I’m sure word will get around town, it always does. Just because you found her near your pier doesn’t mean she entered the water there. This isn’t your investigation; it’s mine and Detective Nate’s. Try to remember that and relay the information to Georgie, too. Okay?”

  “Okay, I’ll remember and tell Georgie.”

  Are you crazy? No way are we not going to investigate this. I’d bet money she was strangled. I saw her neck. I also saw her flirting last night. Maybe someone was angry or jealous. Don’t they always say strangulation is a crime of passion? I need to talk to Georgie.

  “Annie, are you listening to me?” Clifford’s voice pulled me back to the conversation at my kitchen table.

  “Yes, no investigating. Georgie and I will behave.”

  Clifford blew out a breath and said, “I’ll hold you to that. If you remember anything you forgot to tell me, just call.” He stood, said good day to Aunt Irene and me, and strode back out my patio door and down to the end of my pier.

  ~ * ~

  My phone chirped, and I knew there was a text from Georgie.

  “Missed you and Aunt Irene at church. Grapevine has it that Barbara Boyle

  drowned and you found her body???”

  I texted her back and confirmed her query. I added she should call me later for details. Aunt Irene decided to take Peanut and walk back to her cottage. I was a bit worried about her, but Aunt Irene and my mom were two of the strongest women I know. Sisters-in-law by marriage, but sisters by heart, they have been close as long as I can remember. I know Aunt Irene will call mom and mom will call me later. Since mom and dad moved to Arizona and I took over my great-grandma’s bookstore, mom has settled into retirement well, but she still worries about me. I smiled thinking that on days like today it was nice to have people care and worry about you.

  I poured myself a second cup of tea when Yummy began barking and running back and forth in front of the patio door. Then I heard the screaming.

  Now, what? That’s not Aunt Irene’s scream. Who could be screaming in my yard? It sounds like Claudine, but why would Claudine be at my house? That woman hates me.

  I looked out the patio door and saw Aunt Irene standing outside staring down toward my pier. I walked out to see Claudine on her hands and knees at the end of the pier screaming and crying. She kept saying, “Barbara, no not Barbara.”

  I hurried over to Aunt Irene’s side worried about this added stress, and Claudine’s husband rushed past me giving me a quick shrug of his shoulders as he raced to her side. He helped Claudine to her feet and began walking with her back to the grass and off the pier. She leaned against him as they walked back into my yard. She stopped and stared at me.

  She pulled away from her husband and strode up to me. I could see the pain and anger in her eyes. I knew how she must feel. I would feel the same if I lost Georgie.

  She screamed my name louder than I have ever heard. “Annie.”

  I thought she would crumble to the ground, but she regained her composure and said, “You did this. You killed Barbara. I know you hate me and would kill me if you could, but that would be too easy. I would be simply dead and gone. You killed Barbara so you can watch me suffer and die slowly from misery each day. I hate you, Annie Ryan. You should have drowned instead of Barbara. If I have anything to say about it, you will. Watch yourself.”

  Her husband was able to get her to walk again, and he mouthed “sorry” as he passed me and he guided her back to his vehicle.

  Aunt Irene walked up to me and said, “Claudine is grieving and scared, but she also has a vicious temper. I would heed her warning and watch yourself around her.” She hugged me until I could barely breathe.

  “I will, I promise.” I hugged her back.

  We sat in the yard while Yummy and Peanut played in the puppy run. We didn’t talk; we stared out at the lake. The beautiful lake everyone in town loved. Now it would hold a sad memory for everyone concerned.

  ~ * ~

  The excitement or rather the trauma of the morning set in on both Aunt Irene and me. We missed church. I usually take Aunt Irene out to lunch after church and thought it would be a good idea to go today regardless of the morning’s events.

  I glanced at her and said, “Let’s get away from here for a while. We should eat something. I’ll take you to lunch. Any idea where you’d like to go?”

  Her eyes raised in thought and the she looked back at me. “Not the diner. Everyone there will be asking questions about this morning. I’d like to try and forget it for a while. Let’s go to the Grille. At least we’ll see Georgie and Paul. There’s usually a lot of young people there, and I doubt they will be discussing Barbara. As sad as this is, we need to take a step away and try to smile at something.” She smiled at me.

  Leave it to Aunt Irene to come up with the perfect idea and a good reason why we should do it. I watched her walk back to her cottage to get her purse, we put the dogs in my powder room and headed off to the Grille.

  Aunt Irene was right. From the looks of the cars parked in the lot, the Grille must be filled with mostly teens. It’ll be lively at least and maybe loud enough to pull my mind away from what I saw. When we walked in, ev
eryone stopped talking for a moment and stared at us.

  Oh no, this was a bad idea. Even the kids and the few adults here are going to want answers. Goodness gracious, Annie, why does this always happen to you?

  Before I could finish my thought, everyone was back to talking and laughing. Maybe they were just curious who walked in. Georgie hurried out and hugged me.

  “Find a booth and sit,” Georgie said. “I know what you two like and I’ll bring it out.”

  “Thanks,” I said. Aunt Irene and I settled into one of the smaller booths near the back.

  Georgie brought our food and slid next to me in the booth.

  “I’m not going to discuss this morning; I just want to know if you’re both okay.”

  Aunt Irene and I both nodded, and Georgie began discussing some of the crazy antics that had occurred with teens in the Grille. The previous evening, two football players bet each other that they could out eat the other.

  “Paul insisted they both eat outside,” Georgie giggled. “He was right. After each kid had eaten six half-pound burgers with the works, they got sick and were laying on the ground in the parking lot. Paul called the EMTs just in case. Chief Elroy showed up, and he was yelling at the kids. I didn’t realize it at the time, but one of the boys is his nephew, Artie.”

  Aunt Irene laughed. “Why that family decided to call that poor boy Artemus, I’ll never know. Artemus Elroy is not a name you give an infant.”

  Georgie giggled again. “I agree.”

  “Who was the other boy?” I asked.

  Georgie bit her lip. “Billy Boyle,” she whispered.

  “Barbara’s nephew. He must be hurting today. Knowing Clifford he called the parents and now Barbara died. Poor family.”

  Georgie nodded. “I better get back to work. I’ll call you later when it quiets down.” She hugged Aunt Irene and hurried back to give Paul a hand behind the counter.

  We were on the outskirts of town, and I asked Aunt Irene if she wanted to go to the organic food market. It was about ten minutes away at the Simon’s farm, and she agreed. She always tells me eating fresh organic fruits and veggies are what keep her healthy, but I wonder about her favorite drink, a brandy old-fashioned sweet.