The Inn at Holiday Bay: Note in the Nutcracker

by Kathi Daley

  As concerned as I was about the resort that might be going in next to me, I was also determined that Pamela get the answer she was seeking. I opened the police file that Colt had sent and began to read. There really was a lot to get through, and I was tempted to skim, but I was afraid that unless I read every word, I might miss something important.

  “Okay, Abby,” I said aloud. “Let’s see if we can find a killer who does not turn out to be either Pamela’s father or her nanny.”

  Ramos looked up when I spoke. I smiled at him, and he lowered his head. The big black ball of fur really did make a good watchdog. He seemed to be super sensitive to everything that was going on around him.

  I started reading the pages chronologically, and then for some reason, I flipped to the back to the notes left by Mr. Norwood’s attorney. As I skimmed the opening paragraph, I had to stop and wonder why the notes were even included in the file. By the time an attorney would have been retained, Mr. Norwood would already be in custody, and, it seemed to me, the role required of the local police would have come to an end as they passed the baton to the judicial system. Why would the attorney’s notes even be part of the police file?

  I went back to the beginning of the section, where the attorney’s notes had been attached. After a few minutes of close examination, I realized that an investigator named Tom White had assembled the report at the front of the file in the days following Mrs. Norwood’s death, but the pages included at the back of the report had been generated two years later by a police officer named David Foster. Had Officer Foster reopened the case for some reason? If so, knowing why he had done so might very well bring us a whole lot closer to finding the truth about what really occurred on that long-ago Christmas Eve.

  Chapter 10

  News about the sleigh rides must have gotten out because before I knew it, we had a group gathered in the yard waiting for their turn. It was a festive group, who built snowmen and had snowball fights while they waited. Jeremy brought out several portable fire pits and set them around the area for warmth, and Georgia set up a portable table where she served cookies, coffee, and hot cocoa. There were a few snow flurries in the air, but overall, the day was mild. Everyone had bundled up, so it was easy to stay warm if one chose to sit or stand near one of the four mini bonfires Jeremy had burning.

  “This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time,” Mark said after he’d wandered over for a cup of coffee. “I love the fact that you have everyone taking photos to pin on the photo board in the parlor. It is a genius idea. I’ll have to remember this for when I open my own Maine resort.”

  “Any news on that front?” I asked, hoping he would say that he’d decided on a parcel somewhere other than here.

  “There are a couple of properties I’m interested in. I have inquiry letters into the owners of all three properties on my list. I guess I’ll see what sort of response I get and take it from there.”

  I glanced toward a group of kids who were pulling each other on sleds along the track made by a pair of snowmobiles that had come through earlier in the day. “You know, if you are interested in winters in Maine, you might want to widen your search to areas north of here. I’ve often thought a resort in the mountains would be fun. You could put in a lift, and offer skiing and downhill tubing, and, of course, there are plenty of properties that include a lake, if you wanted to include water sports. A resort on a lake might actually provide more year-round opportunities than a resort on the coast.”

  Mark lifted a corner of his mouth. “I take it you aren’t a fan of the idea of a large scale resort as a next-door neighbor.”

  “I’m not,” I answered honestly. “I like you, and I understand your interest in the area, but I love my little inn because of its isolation. Having said that, I do think my idea to buy lake property is a good one. If you really want to provide a year-round experience for large numbers of guests, I would think that a resort with a private lake for boating and fishing in the summer and ice skating and cross country skiing in the winter would be a huge success. And if you can put in a ski lift, all the better.”

  He slowly nodded. “I actually like that idea a lot. The coastal view really attracted me to the area in the first place, but, as you just pointed out, a private lake and ski area would provide a lot more choice in the activities we could offer.” He paused and took a sip of his coffee. “I suppose instead of a high-end luxury property, we could target families. It would require a change in the overall plan for the place, but it might be worth looking into. Maybe I’ll research inland properties in addition to coastal properties while I’m here.”

  I tried not to look overly happy about that plan, so I didn’t emphasize how much I really didn’t want him as a neighbor, but inside, I was jumping up and down with glee. Mark hadn’t indicated that he’d definitely decided to head north, but I could tell he was interested. “My friend, Colt, told me about a property in Northern Maine similar to the sort of place we’ve been discussing,” I informed him, deciding to hone in for the sell. “It’s an isolated property where he likes to go fishing and just get away with his thoughts. It’s a scaled-down version of what I’m sure you would do, but I did find it interesting that instead of a hotel, the property offers small cabins. This particular resort is pretty rustic and doesn’t have a ski lift, but they do offer cross country skiing, sleigh rides, and snowmobile rentals in the winter. I think it is fairly successful, although, as I already mentioned, a lot more scaled back than what you might have in mind. Still, if you want to check it out as part of your research, I can get the owner’s contact info for you.”

  He nodded. “I’d appreciate that. And thanks.” He looked toward the drive. “It looks like the sleigh is returning. I guess I’ll head over and join the next group.”

  I wished Mark well and watched him walk away. Boy, oh, boy, did I hope he’d decide to build his resort somewhere other than here.

  “What’s with the big smile?” Velma, who was dressed in a pink jacket and white waterproof pants, asked after coming over for a cup of coffee.

  “I may have just come up with an idea which will allow Tanner and me to keep the empty property between us empty.” I explained my idea for a year-round resort on a private lake.

  “If the man has deep pockets, I would think a resort with a lake and a ski area would do really well. And I would like to see the isolation of this area remain as it is too. A large scale resort right next door would completely change the vibe you’ve created here.”

  “I agree. I’ve been stressing about the potential for a resort ever since I heard about it.” I looked around the area. “When I first pulled up and saw the huge old house I had purchased sight unseen, I had this immediate feeling of peace and contentment.” I paused. “Well, maybe that isn’t true. My immediate response was panic that I’d purchased a dilapidated old mansion that I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do with, but then I stepped out onto the back deck and looked down the deserted coastline, and I knew I would be happy here. I knew it would be on this beautiful and isolated piece of coastline that I would find the quiet space I needed to heal.”

  “It is a pretty spectacular place,” Velma agreed. “I guess all you can do is take it one day at a time and see how it all works out. If I had to guess, I’d be willing to bet that even Mark realizes that what you have here is too special to tamper with.”

  “I hope so.” I glanced out toward the drive. “Where did Pamela go off to?”

  “She was cold, so she went inside to warm up,” Velma informed me. “She seems to really be enjoying herself, although she also appears to be in an introspective sort of mood.”

  “I suppose that is to be expected. I guess I’ll go in and check on her. I really do want her to have a good day.”

  “I think she is having a wonderful time. If the two of you hadn’t met, she’d most likely be sitting home alone. I guess none of her kids are coming home this year,” Velma informed me.

  “I think I am going to invite her to C
hristmas Eve dinner and Christmas dinner. Are you still planning to attend?”

  “As it turns out, Royce is not going to Maui and is coming to Holiday Bay on Christmas Eve. I think I’ve decided to cook for him on Christmas Eve, but if you have room for both of us on Christmas Day, we’d love to come.”

  “There is always room for the two of you.”

  Velma went to join the others, and I headed into the house to find Pamela. She’d wandered into the parlor and stood staring at the nutcracker. I bet it was strange for her to be in the same room as the nutcracker she’d grown up with after all these years.

  “It looks good,” she said. “The man who owned it obviously took good care of it.”

  “It does look almost new,” I said.

  “I remember when my dad brought it home. I guess I was four or maybe five. I was so fascinated with the wooden statue that was huge to a child. I’d spend hours talking to him, wondering if he could hear and understand me.” She smiled and looked toward me. “I named him Joey.”

  “So, what gave you the idea to put a note in his mouth?” I asked.

  Her expression grew thoughtful. “A few days before my parents were to come home, Nanny Emmy took me to a children’s Christmas party at one of the schools in the area. I don’t remember which one. Anyway, they had a giant nutcracker, and all the kids were invited to write a note to Santa and put it in the nutcracker’s mouth. I was old enough that I no longer believed in Santa, but I did it anyway. After I got home, I started thinking about my note. I’d asked for the doll Nanny Emmy gave me, but I realized what I really wanted wasn’t a doll but quality time with my parents. They’d been coming and going my entire life, but it seemed that, as of late, they were away a lot more than they were home. I missed them. I wanted us to be a family the way my friends were with their parents. So, I wrote a second letter and put it in my nutcracker’s mouth. I guess we both know how that turned out.”

  “It turned out tragic. I am so sorry to have brought all this up after all this time.”

  She took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. “No need to be sorry. Like I said before, I really believe that you and Lacy are the answer to my prayer. For a lot of years, I really didn’t even want to think about that Christmas Eve, but I think I am ready to know the truth about what happened, whatever that may be.”

  I thought about the facts relating to the nanny Pamela had considered to be a mother and the suspicion planted in my mind. I really did hope that we’d find a killer other than Pamela’s father or her substitute mother.

  “I don’t suppose you have any news?” she asked.

  “Not really. I’m working on it, as is Lacy and my friend, Colt. There is a lot of information to weed through, but I feel like we should be able to provide you with some sort of an answer given enough time. I’m sure that we will have additional questions for you as we work.”

  “Please ask anything you want to ask at any time you want to ask it.”

  I smiled. “In the meantime, Georgia and I wanted to invite you to Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day dinner here at the inn.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Really?”

  I nodded. “We always have room for extra people in need of a place to go. I’ll arrange for transport, so you don’t have to drive.”

  “I would love that. Thank you so much.”

  I turned and glanced at the photo board. “Thank you for the letter that has been providing so much fun for everyone staying here at the inn.”

  She chuckled. “Georgia told me that you had turned my letter into a competition of sorts. And I love these photos.” She ran a finger over one of Christy and Haley during the cookie decorating. Haley had a smear of frosting on her face, but she also had the biggest smile I’d ever seen.

  “Several of the guests have set a goal of completing all the tasks on the list. It seems like everyone is having a wonderful time working through the events you wished for all those years ago.” I put my hand on her arm. “I’m sorry you never had the chance to do everything on the list with your parents as you hoped.”

  She smiled but didn’t answer.

  “I’m going to head back out. Spend as much time in here as you’d like.”

  “Thank you. I am enjoying spending time with my memories in the comfort of your lovely inn. It really is a special place you have here.”

  Pamela was right. Georgia and I had created a very special place, indeed.

  I was on my way toward the front door when a nice looking man of average build with light hair walked in with a suitcase. Ah, it must be bachelor number three. I couldn’t wait to see what Mylie thought of the man, who, on paper, really did seem to be the best match for her.

  “Mr. Madison?” I asked as he approached the front desk.

  “Andrew, please.”

  “I’m Abby. We’ve been expecting you.” I glanced down at the reservation book in front of me. “It looks like Georgia has you in suite three, which is on the second floor. If you can give me a minute, I’ll grab Jeremy to take your bag up.”

  “No need to bother anyone. I can carry it up.”

  “Okay.” I ran his credit card and then handed him a key. “The suite is to the right once you reach the second floor. The sleigh rides we’re featuring today will go until four, and dinner will be served in the main dining room at seven.”

  “I actually have plans with my aunt, so my plan was just to check-in, and then head over to her place. I won’t be here for dinner tonight, but I will be here for breakfast.”

  “Breakfast is served between eight and nine. If you need anything at all, there is a number on your welcome paperwork to text. Georgia and I live in the cottage behind the inn, but Jeremy lives in the basement, so he’s here full-time. There is usually someone around to take care of anything that needs to be taken care of.”

  He took the key from me and lifted his hand in the air. “Thank you so much. I’m sure I will enjoy my stay.”

  Well, that was disappointing, I thought to myself as I watched him walk away. Mylie had just left for her turn on the sleigh with Riley, Mark, Nikki, and Nikki’s friend, Joshua, when Andrew pulled up, and it sounded like he’d be gone by the time she returned, so I guess she’d need to wait until tomorrow to meet bachelor number three.

  “Was that Mr. Madison?” Georgia asked after coming in from outside after Andrew headed upstairs.

  “It was, and he asked me to call him Andrew. He’s planning to leave again right away to visit his aunt and won’t be here for dinner, but he did ask about breakfast.”

  “How did he seem?” she asked.

  “Seem?”

  “Was he nice? Did he appear to have a fun energy?”

  I nodded. “He was nice, but I can’t really comment about his energy since I didn’t really talk to him all that long.”

  “Was he good looking? Did he have a nice smile?”

  I chuckled. “Yes, and yes. Are you asking for Mylie or yourself?”

  “Mylie, of course. I guess I am getting a bit too pulled into this whole soulmate thing.” She glanced at her watch. “Right now, I need to head into the kitchen and start doing the prep work for dinner. You said that Andrew wasn’t going to be here, and Mark mentioned having a business dinner, so I guess that leaves Mylie, Riley, Christy and Haley, Jeremy and Annabelle, and, of course, you and me.”

  “Should we invite Velma and Pamela?” I asked. “We have plenty of room, and I think they might enjoy hanging out with the gang.”

  “Sure, that’s a good idea,” Georgia grinned. “Lonnie and Lacy already mentioned that they were having dinner over at her parents tonight, and Nikki mentioned a date. I suppose I could ask Tanner, but he did say something about getting back to check on his new puppies.”

  “Tanner has new puppies?” I asked.

  She nodded. “He has two. Both golden retrievers and both ten weeks old. He showed me a photo, and they are adorable. I might go over after I’m done here for the day to meet them. You can come along if you’d
like.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want some alone time with Tanner?” I asked.

  “Not tonight. I need to get to bed early, so I am fully awake and prepared for tomorrow’s cookie bakeoff.”

  Chapter 11

  After Georgia and I returned home from playing with Tanner’s new puppies, which were adorable, she headed to bed, and I curled up with the police report I’d meant to get back to all afternoon. The report was a difficult read due to the subject matter and the shorthand the officer who wrote the report tended to use. As I trudged my way through the report, I found myself settling on a few key points.

  First of all, I decided the only plausible explanation of why Pamela’s father had been convicted of murdering his wife in the first place, was to conclude that fate had landed him with a terrible attorney. As far as I could tell, the evidence presented by the prosecuting attorney was circumstantial at best, and I really didn’t understand how, based on that evidence, the man had been sent to prison.

  Yes, it was true that Mr. Norwood didn’t have a verifiable alibi for the time of his wife’s death. He’d stated that he’d dropped Pamela off at her piano lesson, and then had done some window shopping and gone for a drive. I didn’t see any notes that referred to a witness who may have seen him during that time, so all the police really had to go on was his word as to what had occurred. But there was also no evidence presented that indicated that what he’d told police wasn’t exactly what he’d done.