Sentenced to Death

by Lorna Barrett

  “Christmas doilies, angels, a few really cute nativity scenes, Dolly Dolittles in Christmas garb, some specialty chocolates—”

  “What does Dolly Dolittle look like?” Tricia asked. She’d done all that eBay research but hadn’t yet seen the small china figurines and felt curious about them.

  Ginny pawed through a stack of catalogs on the desk, picking one out and handing it to Tricia, who smiled in delight. Dolly Dolittle was an angel in Victorian garb. The cover shot showed a little girl in pastel blue, with a white fur collar. Her hands were thrust in a furry muff to match the collar, and the entire figurine was covered in iridescent sparkles. “She’s adorable.”

  “Apparently they sell like crazy—especially at Christmastime. They’re one of the few angels that outlived the craze a few years back. I think one of the reasons may be that they’re still made here in the U.S. instead of China. They have a huge, loyal following.”

  For the past two Christmases, Tricia had confined her holiday decorations to Haven’t Got a Clue, but as she studied the various Dolly Dolittles in the catalog, she thought she might make an exception and grace her shelves with a couple of the figurines. Each of them was named. Would that make it easy for prospective buyers on eBay to Google each one, so that the seller didn’t need to put up a photograph in order to entice a willing customer?

  “Were you able to find Deborah’s inventory for the missing Dolly Dolittles?”

  Ginny frowned and shook her head. “Except for the empty boxes, there’s no way to prove they were ever part of the stock when the store was sold.

  “That’s too bad.”

  “I’m not going to worry about it. All I can do is move forward. There’s no point in looking back and wondering what might have been.”

  “Sound reasoning,” Tricia agreed. She glanced at her watch. “I’d better let you get back to work.”

  Ginny stood. “I know it’s only been three days, and it was kind of nerve-racking dealing with Elizabeth, the missing inventory, and the breakin, but other than that, it’s been a great couple of days. I already love this job.”

  “So you won’t miss us over at Haven’t Got a Clue?”

  “Of course I will. But … this is what I want to do now.”

  Tricia smiled. “That’s exactly how I felt when I opened my shop, too. And believe it or not, it gets even better.”

  Ginny positively grinned.

  Tricia led the way to the shop entrance. “Well, have a good day.”

  “You, too,” Ginny said, gave a quick wave, and shut and locked the door.

  Tricia made her way back to Haven’t Got a Clue. If she was honest with herself, she felt a bit envious of Ginny. But something about what she’d seen in the catalog filled with Dolly Dolittle figurines stayed with her, and she wasn’t sure why.

  TWENTY-THREE

  The bell over the door rang and Tricia looked up to see Elizabeth Crane push Davey’s stroller through the shop door. After the tongue lashing she’d received two nights before, she wasn’t eager to talk to Deborah’s mother. But it was a contrite Elizabeth who walked up to the sales counter.

  “Hello, Tricia.”

  “Elizabeth.” That was as gracious a welcome as Tricia could muster under the circumstances.

  Davey grabbed at the items in the glass display case, quickly frustrated that he couldn’t get his hands on the worn and fragile first editions Tricia kept under lock and key. Still, he left his sticky fingerprints all over the glass.

  “I came here to apologize for my behavior the other night.”

  Tricia said nothing. If Elizabeth was intent on apologizing, she was going to let her do it.

  “I was pretty stiff and sore when I got out of the ER. All I wanted was a hot bath and a nice strong drink. And when I couldn’t find you to retrieve Davey … I may have let my temper get the better of me.”

  She sure had. Still, Tricia wasn’t sure she wanted to let Elizabeth off the hook so easily. “I can understand that,” she said.

  Davey grunted his displeasure, and Elizabeth pulled a picture book from the catch-all at the back of the stroller. He squealed with delight at what must have been the familiar sight of fire engines.

  “The last few days have been a nightmare. I saw Bob Kelly this morning about putting my house up for sale. After what happened the other night, I don’t feel safe here in Stoneham anymore.”

  “Then you don’t think it was an accident?” Tricia asked.

  “I most certainly do not. That car came straight at me and Davey.”

  “But why?”

  Elizabeth shrugged. “Who knows why crazy people do what they do.”

  Crazy people. Like Cheryl Griffin? “So you didn’t see who was behind the wheel?”

  Elizabeth shook her head.

  “What were you doing walking down Main Street at that time of day, anyway?”

  “I’ve been going back to the village park. I feel close to Deborah in the place where she died. Or at least I wanted to believe I would feel close to her. But she’s not there. And for all I know, David dumped her remains in his garbage can. I must admit, I’ve thought about looking there. But their trash day was yesterday. If he disposed of her ashes that way, there’s no way I’ll ever find my baby’s final resting place.” A single tear cascaded down her cheek. She brushed it aside.

  Davey pounded a picture of a Dalmatian with his chubby index finger. “Doggy, doggy!” he insisted.

  “These past few days you’ve seen the worst of me,” Elizabeth continued, “and learned the worst of Deborah. I’m her mother. I know she was no saint, but she was my daughter and I loved her unconditionally. Isn’t that what a parent is supposed to do?”

  “I always thought so,” Tricia said quietly. She didn’t want to think too hard on that statement. It was too painful a place for her to go.

  Another tear leaked from Elizabeth’s eye and she dabbed at it with the knuckles of her right hand. Tricia reached under the counter and brought out the tissue box, which seemed to be getting quite a workout this week.

  Elizabeth took one and blew her nose.

  “Where will you go?” Tricia asked.

  “Back to Long Island. I have friends there, and my other girls aren’t far away. Somehow Davey and I will build a new life.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “We’ve got no other choice.”

  “Nana, Nana! Doggy,” Davey insisted with the joy that only a small child can experience.

  There didn’t seem to be much else to say, so Tricia began with, “Good luck. If there’s anything else I can do for you before you go, please let me know.”

  “I’ve already abused the friendship you had with Deborah.” She took a deep breath and looked toward the door. “I’d best be going. I’m heading to the liquor store in Milford to see if I can scrounge up some boxes. I may as well start packing today.” She grabbed the handles of the stroller and headed for the exit. She opened the door. “Wave good-bye to Tricia, Davey.”

  Davey looked up from his book, raised his hand, and opened and closed it several times. “Bye-bye.”

  Tricia waved back. “Good-bye, Davey.”

  Elizabeth gave Tricia a parting smile and left the store.

  Miss Marple appeared at Tricia’s elbow, giving her a loving head butt. “That was unexpected.”

  Miss Marple said, “Yow!”

  The bell tinkled again as the shop door opened, but instead of a customer it was Angelica.

  “Good morning, good morning!” she chimed, sporting a jubilant grin. As usual, she was dressed in her waitress uniform, but she carried two cups from the Coffee Bean. Unfortunately, Tricia was feeling coffeed out.

  “You seem unusually happy,” she said.

  “I’m celebrating this morning. I’ve just come from the post office where I sent off my manuscript to my editor.”

  “I thought you still had a few weeks.”

  “When you’ve accomplished perfection, there’s no reason to hang on to it a second longer.”

  �
��Perfection?” Tricia asked skeptically, accepting her cup.

  “Of course, darling.”

  “Post office? I thought most authors turned in their manuscripts electronically these days.”

  “My contract says hard copy, and you know what a stickler I am for following the rules.”

  Tricia laughed, glad she hadn’t had a mouthful of coffee when she heard that one. Snorting coffee was not a pleasant experience.

  “Well, you’re not the only one with good news. Someone’s already claimed Elaine Capshaw’s dog,” Tricia said.

  “Claimed him? I thought you were responsible for him.” Angelica said.

  “So did I. But when I called to check up on him this morning, they said he’d been claimed. Probably by a neighbor. I never even got to ask Mr. Everett if he wanted a little doggy friend.”

  Angelica shrugged. “It’s probably for the best.”

  Tricia nodded. “More news. Elizabeth is leaving town and taking Davey with her.”

  “I thought I saw her leaving your store. Well, you won’t see me shed a tear.”

  “She came here to apologize.”

  “It would have been nice if she’d apologized to Ginny and me, too,” Angelica said in a huff.

  “It was a blanket apology I’m supposed to pass on,” Tricia fibbed.

  “Oh, well, then all is forgiven. Did she have any idea who tried to run her down on Tuesday night?”

  “No.”

  “It was probably just an accident,” Angelica said, and sipped her coffee. She glanced up at the clock, and nearly choked. “Is that the time? Good grief. The lunch crowd will be over at Booked for Lunch any moment now.”

  “What crowd? It’s been dead around here, thanks to the Founders’ Day celebration being canceled.”

  “I know. You’d think we would’ve had at least the usual amount of tourists. It’s like some kind of retail curse has been put on the entire village. But it can’t last for long,” she said, regaining her cheer. “Now don’t forget, we’re meeting Michele Fowler for drinks later.”

  “It looks like it’ll be the highlight of my day,” Tricia said.

  “Now, now,” Angelica admonished. “Let’s not be bitter.”

  Tricia sighed. “I’ll try.”

  Angelica turned for the door. “See you,” she called, and as she left the store, Grace Harris-Everett entered. So far, not one paying customer had entered Haven’t Got a Clue that day.

  Still, the sight of Grace brought a smile to Tricia’s lips. She’d lost her grandmother too many years ago, but she counted her friendship with Grace as in the same league, and hoped Grace somehow did the same.

  “Hello, Tricia,” Grace said. “And hello to you, too, Miss Marple.”

  Miss Marple jumped down from her perch behind the register to accept Grace’s attention. She purred effusively and head-butted Grace’s chin with almost wild abandon.

  “My, my,” Grace said, enjoying the feline attention. “I can see I must come and visit more often.”

  “What brings you here today?” Tricia asked.

  “William tells me you’ve held the fort for two days now. It must be terribly lonely for you—both of you.”

  “I’m afraid he’s right. I miss both him and Ginny terribly. I thought I’d found a wonderful replacement in Elaine Capshaw… .”

  “Yes,” Grace said, turning somber. “I’ve heard. But soon William will be back to Haven’t Got a Clue. He does love working here, you know. Although no one has hounded him for his lottery winnings since he’s been at the Happy Domestic.” She leaned forward and whispered, “He thinks it’s due to his new moustache.”

  Tricia tried to stifle a smile, with poor results. “I love having him work here,” she said. “But you still haven’t told me what brought you in today.”

  “I understand you’ve been collecting money for Deborah’s son’s education fund. The Everett Charitable Foundation fund would like to make a contribution.” She dipped into her purse and withdrew a check.

  “Thank you, Grace. That’s very sweet of you both.”

  “We were quite fond of Deborah,” she said, and handed the check to Tricia. One thousand dollars—the biggest contribution to date.

  “Thank you very much, Grace,” Tricia said. “I’ll make sure this goes into Davey’s account when I do my banking—probably tomorrow. Are you still enjoying the work you do for the foundation?”

  “Heavens, yes,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “Dear William suggested I take over my late husband’s home office and make that our headquarters. It’s worked out nicely. I so enjoy working on the Website and researching the requests. And we’re going to establish a job bank in connection with the Food Shelf. Libby Hirt is coordinating the effort.”

  “It’s something that’s needed. Haven’t Got a Clue may be the first to sign up. I’m going to need to replace Ginny, but I can’t hire just anyone.”

  “We’d only send suitable candidates,” Grace assured her.

  “Whatever you do, please don’t send me Cheryl Griffin. She’s already interviewed—if that’s what you could call it. I don’t think she’d work well selling mysteries.”

  “Cheryl is looking for work?” Grace asked.

  “Yes. She was working part time at the Happy Domestic, but Elizabeth had to let her go when Deborah died.”

  Grace nodded. “I see.”

  “I guess she’s in pretty dire straits. She said she’s about to be evicted.”

  “Oh my. Well, I’ll have to see about the foundation giving her a helping hand. There’s also an opening for a clerk at the Clothes Closet. Do you know her telephone number? Perhaps she’d like to interview for the job.”

  Tricia was about to say no but then remembered she had a copy of Cheryl’s résumé. She bent down to look under the counter and came up with the paper. She scanned the text, but the telephone number had been crossed out. “Oh dear. It’s not on her résumé.” Perhaps Cheryl had her phone service cut off for nonpayment. How was an employer supposed to contact her if there was a job opening?

  “Let me write down that address. Perhaps I can stop by her home and tell her about the job bank and how she can list herself.”

  “I don’t need this résumé. You can have it,” Tricia said, and handed Grace the paper.

  She read it over. “My, with all this retail experience, it sounds like she’d be perfect for the Clothes Closet.” She folded the résumé and placed it in her purse.

  “How can I list my opening?” Tricia asked.

  “Go to the Food Shelf’s Website. There’s a link for the job bank. Fill out the form, and Libby will contact you.” She gave Miss Marple’s head another pat. “Well, I must be off. Lots to do.”

  “I’m glad you stopped in. It’s always so nice to see you.”

  “And you, too, dear.” Grace gave a wave and headed for the door.

  “Yow!” Miss Marple said in parting.

  With Grace now gone, once again the store seemed … empty. The lack of customers was disconcerting. Tricia glanced at the clock. It was hours before she and Angelica were to meet with Michele Fowler. Hours and hours of not much to do, and lots of things she’d rather be doing.

  Tricia was going to have to hire someone to take Ginny’s place pretty darn quick. She brought out her laptop, followed Grace’s instructions, and posted the opening on the job bank’s site. Now to wait—and hope—she got more than just one referral.

  As she closed her computer, Tricia happened to glance out the shop’s front window. Bob Kelly was just leaving the Happy Domestic. Was he paying a courtesy call on Ginny, or had Deborah been behind in her rent and he’d come to nag for his money?

  Bob bypassed the Coffee Bean. He was too cheap to pay for gourmet coffee, and no doubt the Kozlovs were current on their rent. He paused in front of Booked for Lunch, which had been closed for some time. Was that a wistful expression on his face as he turned away? His infidelity had been the cause for the less-than-warm reception Angelica had been givi
ng him of late.

  Bob’s next stop was the Armchair Tourist; Chauncey Porter must be late with his rent. Back in June he’d told Tricia that times were hard.

  With nothing better to do, Tricia stared at the storefront, waiting for Bob to leave. Miss Marple appeared at Tricia’s elbow, took up the vigil beside her, and began to purr.

  “I’ll bet Bob knows more than he’s telling about Monty Capshaw,” she told Miss Marple.

  “Yow!” the cat agreed.

  “And he’s sure kept a low profile since the Founders’ Day celebration was canceled.”

  Miss Marple rubbed her head against Tricia’s arm, as though in agreement.

  “And why does he have Betsy Dittmeyer running interference for him over at the Chamber of Commerce?”

  Miss Marple had no answer for that, either.

  “I’m going to intercept him when he comes back down the street. Maybe I can get him to talk.” She looked down at the cat, whose whiskers twitched skeptically. “I grant you, it’s a long shot—but I’m sure somehow Bob knows something that could help us solve what happened to Deborah.”

  That was apparently too much speculation for Miss Marple, who jumped off the cash desk and trotted over to the reader’s nook, settling herself on one of the comfortable chairs.

  “ ‘Oh, ye of little faith,’ ” Tricia quoted, and went back to waiting.

  Bob certainly took his time—twenty minutes, in fact—before he exited the Armchair Tourist and started back up the street. Had all the booksellers on the east side of Main Street paid their rent, or did Bob have a sixth sense that told him Tricia would be gunning for him?

  Tricia scurried around the counter and out the door. “Bob! Bob!” she called.

  An eighteen-wheeled truck lumbered by, cutting off her sight of Bob. She waited for the truck to pass—but after it had, she couldn’t even see Bob. At first. For a man who had no formal exercise routine, Bob jogged up Main Street at an astounding speed. “Bob!” Tricia hollered, but he didn’t look back. As Tricia couldn’t leave the store unattended, she stalked back to Haven’t Got a Clue.

  If ever a man looked guilty about something, it was Bob.

  Tricia picked up the receiver. If she couldn’t track him down in person, the next best thing was to try to get him on the phone.