by Lyndsey Cole
The sound of the locks clicking into place did nothing to put Annie at ease.
6
At least, when Annie opened the front door and entered the Blackbird’s main room, it was warm and inviting. The Christmas tree sparkled. Reflecting lights danced off the pewter snowflakes and glass icicles. Lights entwined around the banister that led to the second floor. And mouthwatering aromas seeped in from the kitchen.
She shut the door and hoped the cold and gloom would stay outside.
Voices trickled from the kitchen into the entry room.
Before Annie and Jason had their coats hung on the coat tree, Camilla had two steamy mugs extended toward them. “How does a mug of hot cider sound?”
“You are an angel.” Annie reached for one of the mugs. “What’s going on in the kitchen?”
“Leona is flitting around Danny like he’s some kind of injured animal.” She leaned closer to Annie. “Did something happen?”
“Yeah, but let’s not talk about it now. Is everything ready for the open house?”
“Mia is putting the last of the food platters on the table. Leona pulled out all the stops with her baking. There’s enough to feed the entire population of Catfish Cove, and then some—cookies, muffins, fudge, pies, and some boring stuff like dips and veggie platters.” Camilla laughed and patted her almost nonexistent stomach. “I think I gained five pounds sampling everything.”
“What are we waiting for?” Jason asked. “I’m starving now, hearing about Leona’s incredible feast.” He took a big step toward the hall leading to the kitchen.
“Wait a minute.” Annie grabbed his arm. “Do you think Danny can put on a happy face for this event?”
Jason’s mouth scrunched to one side. “I don’t know.”
“I’m thinking it might be better if he isn’t here when people start to show up. Could you take him to our house and try to keep him distracted?”
“And miss all the food?” Jason raised his eyebrows.
“No. Get something to eat first, and while you’re enjoying the goodies you can tactfully suggest he might want to rest at our house.” Annie tilted her head and gave Jason her best please expression.
“Why me? It’s your idea. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fantastic idea but I hate to be on the hot seat.”
“He’ll listen to you if you throw in some guy bonding talk,” Camilla suggested. “Annie and I will work on Leona.” She grabbed one of Jason’s arms and one of Annie’s and pulled them through the door into the kitchen.
Leona and Mia, like many sisters in times of need, sat close together, deep in conversation.
“I can’t get him to open up about his visit with his mother,” Leona said to Mia. “I don’t know what to do.”
Annie set her mug of cider on the table and stood between her mother and her aunt with one arm around each of them. “I have an idea.” She looked around the kitchen. “Where is Danny?”
“He insisted on cleaning the snow off the paths outside.” Leona shrugged. “I suppose it’s best if he stays busy.”
“When he finishes, Jason is going to suggest that Danny goes with him to our house to rest. Do you think he’ll go?”
“I certainly hope so.” Leona’s whole body slumped on the chair. “I can fake a smile and some chatty conversation but I doubt Danny can. He’ll make everyone feel like they’re arriving at a funeral.” She stood, twisted her back, and stretched. “I’ll pack up some food for Jason to bring along.”
Annie turned and winked at Jason. “While Leona is doing that, can you go out and help Danny? The quicker the walks are cleared, the quicker you two can leave.”
“Thanks for making me feel so welcome.” Jason’s lips turned down in a frown but he couldn’t hold it. “Seriously, will you four be able to handle everything?”
“We’ll have to. I expect Martha to show up, too. She said she had to finish something she was making.” Annie finally tasted the cider that was now only lukewarm. “This is delicious.”
After Jason went outside to find Danny, Annie cornered Leona. “Did Danny tell you anything while you were driving back? Maybe, what the heck he was doing on Mountain Road?”
“Not really. He said Heather managed to make a big mess while she was in town and she made him promise to fix everything. He told me she gave him her bag with all the stolen stuff.”
“Does he know I took it out of his car?”
“I told him and he said to tell you thanks.”
“How about—”
“No. I didn’t tell him that Heather is dead. I don’t know how to break the news.”
“Maybe knowing will make it easier for him to leave with Jason. Everyone will understand why he’s not here for the open house since his mother just died.”
“Just died—what a sugar-coated way to say someone murdered her. He’ll want to help find the killer.”
“Let Jason handle that conversation for now. You need to get ready for your guests. You haven’t even changed yet, or combed your hair.” Annie pulled on Leona’s hand. “Come on, I’ll help you.”
Leona resisted the tug. “After I pack some food for Jason to take.” She carried a couple of glass containers to the dining room.
“Wow!” Annie spread both arms out. “This is amazing. If people aren’t impressed with your spread and all the Christmas touches everywhere, I don’t know what would work.”
Leona smiled. “It does look nice, doesn’t it? Camilla and Mia did a fantastic job. I don’t even know where they found all this stuff.” She set the empty glass containers on the table and started to fill them.
The mantel over the fireplace was covered with fresh greens that gave off a wonderful woodsy pine scent, pine cones, and white candles in glass hurricane lanterns. The buffet, against one wall, had a gorgeous red poinsettia in the middle with three smaller ones on each side. In front of the plants, Christmas plates with a variety of cookies were mounded in tall piles. The oval dining room table had a red and green striped runner down the middle with all the rest of the desserts and finger food arranged around the outside. A big glass punch bowl sat in the center with a ladle and glass cups ready to be filled.
The swinging door from the kitchen crashed open. “Here you are.” Martha, her white hair clipped back with red and green barrettes, rushed to Leona and hugged her. “Sorry I’m late.” She handed a wrapped package to Leona. “I wanted you to have this before anyone arrives.”
Leona took the package. “Should I open it now?”
Martha nodded. “Please do.” Her expression held so much excitement, Annie couldn’t imagine what was inside.
Leona untied the red and green ribbon and carefully slipped her finger under the tape of the wrapping paper.
“Hurry, Leona.” Annie’s fingers twitched with impatience and she forced herself not to reach out and yank off the paper herself.
Finally, the wrapping paper fluttered to the floor and two Christmas stockings unfurled in Leona’s hand. One was red with a black bird appliqued on the front and back and Leona’s name embroidered at the top. The other was green with a sleigh appliqued on the front and stars on the back with Danny’s name embroidered along the top.
Leona stared with her mouth open. “These are beautiful, Martha. You can’t imagine what this means to me. Danny will love his, too.” Leona’s eyes filled with tears as she hugged her friend. “I’ll hang them here in front of the fireplace for everyone to see.”
After the stockings were attached to the hooks on the mantel, Martha added several small wrapped gifts to each stocking. “You’ll have to wait to open those until Christmas morning. Promise?”
Leona nodded.
Annie finished filling the two glass containers with a variety of treats for Jason and Danny. Since she took only one or two from various plates, it didn’t even look like anything was gone. She even popped a pecan bite in her mouth. That was so delicious, she tried a cream cheese pastry square with a plump raspberry on top.
With her hand c
upped under her mouth to catch any escaping crumbs, she mumbled, “Oh, Leona, you outdid yourself with all this baking. I want to sample every single item.”
She reached for a third dessert but Leona grabbed her arm. “Not now. You have to help me find something to wear while Martha leaves the food in the kitchen for Jason. I’m so distracted, I’d probably put my Santa pajamas on thinking it was an appropriate hostess outfit.”
Annie grinned. “Maybe it’s not such a bad idea, it would make people laugh and get in the holiday spirit.”
“You’re a big help,” Leona responded but she also had a small grin on her face.
Mia and Camilla were busy adding more decorations to the Christmas tree when Leona and Annie dashed by and raced up the stairs like two little girls on the verge of doing something naughty.
“Hey, we’re coming with you,” Mia shouted. “You two can’t have all the fun.”
Martha followed close behind.
With the two sisters, one daughter, and two friends piled into Leona and Danny’s bedroom suite, Annie flung the closet door open. “Sit on the bed and close your eyes, Leona, while I put an outfit together.”
Camilla pushed Annie out of the way. “Are you serious? You don’t know cashmere from polar fleece. I’ll find something for Leona.”
Annie and Mia giggled and flopped onto Leona’s king size bed like a couple of preteens. Annie bounced, sending Leona into a spasm of hysterics. She grabbed a pillow and smacked Annie.
“Now you’re in trouble.” Annie stood over Leona ready to hit her with a different pillow. Mia jumped out of the way.
Leona rolled on top of Annie and pinned her to the bed. “You thought you could beat me with my own pillow?”
“Uncle, uncle,” Annie cried. “You win.” She didn’t care in the least. She was just happy that, at least for a few minutes, Leona forgot her problems and had a good laugh.
“Pay attention!” Camilla scolded. “I hear a car driving in. Put this dark red wool skirt on with your white silk blouse.” She took off her own dark green velvet vest and handed it to Leona. “Wear this, I can find something else.”
Mia unhooked her gold braided necklace and clipped it on Leona. “This was Mom’s. I want you to have it.”
Leona looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. She smoothed the skirt and slipped her feet into her black leather boots. “What do you think?” she asked the others who were looking at her reflection.
“Perfect,” four voices rang out in unison as their heads agreed with their words.
“Let’s get downstairs and see who’s here,” Leona said. Her voice was upbeat and ready to be the hostess.
Annie held back behind the others. She pulled the curtain to one side to check the parking area. Jason’s car was gone and she hoped Danny was with him. Bert and Bess, Randy’s two Clydesdales, stood patiently in front of the sleigh. Randy’s son, Wade, leaned against the sleigh, smoking.
Where was Randy?
Behind the sleigh was the last person Annie wanted at the Blackbird Bed and Breakfast at this particular moment.
7
Annie hurried down the stairs two at a time, hoping to intercept Detective Christy Crank before she found Leona.
“Leona!” Annie called as her foot hit the last stair. “I just remembered. You should light the candles in the hurricane lanterns before people start to arrive.”
Mia turned toward Annie. “I can do it.”
“I’ll pour the punch into the punch bowl,” Leona said.
Annie tried to hide her sigh of relief. With one last glance at the decorated tree and all of its sparkling lights, she grabbed her coat and opened the heavy front door, ready to dash out before Leona came back.
“Hello, Annie,” Detective Crank said. “Where’s Danny?” She pushed Annie aside and marched through the door. “Don’t try to give me some lame excuse why he can’t talk to me now.”
“No lame excuse. Danny isn’t here.” Annie put her hands on her hips and stared right at Christy.
“You expect me to believe that? What about this big open house?” Christy’s eyes darted around the room.
Annie slammed the door closed. “That’s right, but Leona is handling it.” The less said the better, Annie decided.
“Where is he? I need to ask him some questions.”
Several answers to Christy’s question swirled in Annie’s head but they were all lies and Christy would figure it out sooner or later. “He’s with Jason,” was the easiest non-lie answer she could think of quickly.
Christy let out a frustrated huff. “You can make this easy on yourself, or hard. It’s your choice, Annie. I’ll ask you one more time. Where is Danny?”
“He’s with Jason,” she repeated. “I don’t know any more than that.” Maybe Jason had decided to take Danny somewhere besides their house and if that was the case, she didn’t know where they were.
Christy glared. “Did Danny see his mother this morning?”
“You’ll have to ask him, Detective Crank.”
“I’m asking you, Annie. Or . . . would you rather I walk back to the kitchen and find Leona?” One eyebrow ticked up quickly before settling back into place.
Annie knew when the wily detective had her cornered. “He said he spoke to her.”
“Did they argue?”
“I wasn’t there so I really don’t know how the conversation went.” Annie had a sinking feeling that Christy already knew the answer to her questions and wanted to trap Danny in a lie when she found him.
Christy put her hand on the door, paused, and turned back toward Annie. “I have one more question, and this one is for you. Heather had a big red hobo bag. Several people saw her with it. They described her with the bag slung across her chest and clamped tightly to her side. We can’t find any trace of it.” Christy paused and kept her eyes boring into Annie’s. “You were the first person to find her in her car, did you see the bag?”
“Are you asking me if I took it?”
Christy’s lips turned up at the edges. “You are clever. Yes, I’m asking if you took it.”
“I didn’t see it in her car.” At least Christy didn’t ask her if she knew where it was, Annie thought with a small sigh of relief. Heather had already given the bag to Danny, or, at least, that was Danny’s version.
After several seconds of a stare-down, Christy looked away first. Annie took that as a small victory . . . until Christy smiled and patted her arm. “I know you mean well, but you can’t protect everyone. I’ll just have a wander around the Blackbird and see what delicious cooking Leona has prepared for the open house.”
“I’ll show you the way.” Loud knocking on the door interrupted Annie’s comment as her attention was diverted to the commotion.
“No problem, Annie. I can show myself around.” Christy walked past the Christmas tree without even a glance and headed down the hallway to the kitchen.
Annie opened the front door and wondered what new fire was about to start.
“Where’s Leona?” Wade asked.
I wish I knew, Annie said to herself. “I can help you.” She zipped her coat and followed Wade outside. She smiled.
A family with three small children stood near the sleigh.
“Is it time to start the sleigh ride?” Wade asked.
“Oh. Yes. Are you in charge?” Annie thought Wade’s dad, Randy, would be handling the horses and sleigh—someone with more experience than Wade, who was in his early twenties at best. “Where’s your dad?”
Wade laughed. “He had a few too many last night, if you know what I mean. He’s still got a bit of the dizzies and a whopping headache. I’ve been with the horses all morning getting them ready for this event. Don’t they look great? Don’t worry, I can handle the team. Bert and Bess are like my own brother and sister.”
Annie wasn’t sure whether that last comment assured her of anything. A chain smoking twenty-something year old who identified with two gigantic horses as his siblings? Not an ideal scenario
. But she had to admit that the two horses, brushed to a sheen and wearing red ribbons in their manes, looked gorgeous. Annie approached the family.
“Good afternoon.” She held her hand out and shook the father’s hand. “I’m Annie. Thanks for coming to the open house.”
The oldest of the kids, a girl about ten years old, looked at Annie with huge brown eyes. In a quiet, almost trembling voice, she asked, “Can I pat them?”
Wade scooped her up and carried her right over to the horses. “Sure thing, Little Miss. This is Bert on the left and Bess on the right. They’re mighty big but as gentle as a snowflake. What’s your name?”
“Sara,” she whispered.
“Okay, Sara. Put your hand out and let Bert here sniff you.”
Sara did as Wade instructed and laughed when Bert’s whiskers tickled her hand and his nostrils flared.
“He’s so soft,” she said.
Annie was impressed. Wade knew his horses and how to relate to kids. Maybe he’d manage the sleigh rides without any problems. “I’ll be right back with some blankets,” Annie said to the mom.
Before she made it into the house, she heard the other two kids clamor to pat the horses. Annie smiled.
Blankets were piled just inside the door. She reached for an armful when Camilla and Mia rushed to her side. “Detective Crank has Leona cornered and it’s not going well,” Camilla burst out all in one long breath.
Mia took the blankets. “I’ll bring these outside; go in the kitchen and see if you can play referee.”
Camilla pulled Annie into the kitchen. “People are starting to arrive. We have to get Christy out of here so Leona can focus on her guests. We were afraid she was going to hit Christy for implying that Danny ran off to hide from her.”
This was exactly what Annie had hoped to avoid, but Christy knew how to push everyone’s buttons to get information.
The scene in the kitchen when Annie entered was not promising. Christy leaned against the work island with a satisfied expression and a plate full of goodies. She nibbled on a reindeer sugar cookie.