Arson at the Art Gallery

by Grace York

  "We can't live our lives with what if's, Jason," said Addison.

  "No, I guess you're right." He got himself another beer from the esky, then turned to Wilcox. "Why did she light the fire? Was that my fault?"

  "It had nothing to do with you. After you left she searched for the evidence Jenna had obtained, but was unable to find anything. So she set the place on fire to destroy it, plus any evidence of the murder." He took a sip of his beer and looked at Layla. "She used your blank canvases and methylated spirits to start the fire."

  "Well I'm glad you finally caught her," said Hazel. "We don't need drama like this in Getaway Bay. My goodness, Addison, what a welcome you've had."

  "It has certainly been eventful," said Addison. "I'm looking forward to settling down now. Speaking of which…" she nodded towards the dilapidated shed in the corner of the yard. "Jason, do you think you could get that cleaned up and structurally sound enough to be a useable space?"

  Jason leaned back in his chair and studied the shed. "I don't see why not. What did you have in mind?"

  "I'd like to turn it into an art studio."

  Both Layla's and Olivia's eyebrows raised.

  "I've been thinking a lot about this house as a bed and breakfast," Addison said. She spoke mostly to Olivia. "I think you're right, hon. It would be too much work. But I still want company. I want people to cook for and talk to. I don't want to be rattling around in this big old house by myself."

  "So what are you going to do?" asked Olivia, frowning now.

  "I'm going to run the beach house as a boarding house for writers and artists. They can pay a weekly board, clean their own rooms, and I'll provide food and space for them to work. If they can pitch in around here as well I won't need to hire any extra help, so I can keep the board affordable. They can stay for as long or as little time as they like."

  "Oh, Addison," said Layla, clasping her hands together, "I'm sure you'll please a lot of struggling artists with that idea! How wonderful!"

  A few of the others murmured sounds of approval, but Addison concentrated on Olivia. "What do you think?"

  Olivia beamed. "I think it's a great idea. You'll still have company, but you'll have a lot less work to do. It's brilliant. But I hope you'll still keep baking."

  It was Addison's turn to smile. "Well that's the other thing. I was thinking I might ask if a certain cafe in town might like me to bake a few treats for them on a regular basis?"

  Hazel's eyes lit up. "Really? You could bake for me?"

  Addison nodded. "I'd want to do it from my kitchen here, but I don't see any reason why I couldn't deliver a selection of treats to the cafe every morning. What do you think?"

  "I think that sounds just perfect," said Hazel. She raised her glass. "In fact, I'll even drink to that."

  Everyone raised their glasses and beer bottles. "To new beginnings," said Wilcox.

  "To new beginnings," everyone repeated.

  "And to Jenna," said Jason. "May she rest in peace."

  "To Jenna," said the group. There was a moment's reflection, and Addison said a silent goodbye to her cousin. She might not have been her favourite person, but Jenna hadn't deserved to die like that. Addison hoped she was enjoying a glass of wine with her mother somewhere.

  Charlie and Bella came and joined the circle, bringing everyone back to the present. Charlie took up his position at Olivia's feet, and Bella jumped up onto Mrs Jones's lap.

  "Oh, that was the other thing I meant to ask you, Jason," said Addison. "Any chance you could install a dog door for Charlie? I'm getting tired of opening and closing the back door for him all the time."

  "Mum!" cried Olivia with delight. "Does that mean we can keep him?"

  "Absolutely," said Addison. "I can't imagine the beach house without him. Can you?"

  Olivia answered by jumping up and smothering her mother in a hug, almost knocking Addison's chair over. Everyone laughed, and Addison felt surrounded by love. She could picture many nights like this in her future here at the beach house in Getaway Bay.

  It finally felt like home.

  Note from the Author

  Dear Reader,

  Addison cracked her first case.

  Did you?

  Are you ready for a new adventure?

  Is Addison ready for another murder in Getaway Bay?

  She’d better be. Because the next body isn’t just in Getaway Bay – it’s in her own house.

  Addison’s newfound happiness running a boarding house for artists and writers is about to come to an abrupt halt.

  There’s a body in the beach house. Is one of her creative guests responsible?

  As Addison and Detective Wilcox investigate, the mystery becomes more baffling. Was it suicide, or murder? If it was murder, how did the killer get out of the locked room?

  And with all her house guests on the suspect list, who can Addison trust?

  If you enjoyed Arson at the Art Gallery, you’ll love The Body in the Beach House. The stakes are higher. The twists are more surprising. And the baked goods will go down a treat.

  Continue your journey now:

  The Body in the Beach House