by Sandi Scott
Murder at the
Art Gallery
A Pet Portraits Cozy Mystery
Book 1
Sandi Scott
Copyright © 2017 Sandi Scott and Gratice Press
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at [email protected]
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Dedication
“I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat.” Edgar Allen Poe.
Dedicated to fur babies and their families, everywhere.
From Sonia & Gemini
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Letter from the Author
About the Book Cover
Preview: Murder on the Movie Set
Preview: Cream Puff Murder
Recipe: Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting - gluten free, dairy free, soy free
Recipe: Cheesy Kale Chips
Recipe: Gluten and Sugar Free Mini Peppermint Cream Puffs
Murder on the Great Lake
A Pet Portraits Cozy Mystery
Book 2
Sandi Scott
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Letter from the Author
About the Book Cover
Preview: Murder on the Movie Set
Preview: Cream Puff Murder
Recipe: Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting - gluten free, dairy free, soy free
Recipe: Cheesy Kale Chips
Recipe: Gluten and Sugar Free Mini Peppermint Cream Puffs
Chapter 1
“My goodness, Mr. Batt. Your office is beautiful.” Georgie Kaye gushed as she stepped into the room, awkwardly carrying a 24”x 36” canvas wrapped in brown paper and tied with a piece of red yarn. “This is the first time I’ve ever set foot in a gym and, might I just say, I am pleasantly surprised at what I see.”
“Really?” Richard Batt smiled. He towered over Georgie by at least two feet and even in the casual pair of jeans and t-shirt he was wearing his muscles bulged. “Here, let me help you with that. What did you expect my office to look like?” After jumping up from his desk, he helped Georgie in the most gentlemanly fashion, taking the canvas and laying it on his desk while motioning for her to sit.
“I don’t know. I guess I expected it to be a small room with an old desk from the Truman era with those ugly green file cabinets and a beat-up, red leather couch held together with duct tape. I think I watch too many movies.” Georgie laughed.
“You’d be surprised how many do look like that.” Richard replied laughing. “But when I first started Fit Family Gym, I wanted it to be different. I wanted it to be welcoming. People hate exercising so I really wanted to make the gym into a fun, relaxing place to come and work your body.”
“Well, you’ve definitely done that.” Georgie looked around the office. The first thing she noticed was the color scheme. She was surprised such an intimidating man would choose yellow as his primary color but three of the four walls of his office were a beautiful Sunflower Yellow. The fourth wall looked out into a small Zen garden with half a dozen bird feeders, and two elegant stained-glass birdbaths. A path of smooth black pebbles meandered through small, evenly trimmed patches of bright green grass and a handful of exotic bushes that, to Georgie, not only offered cover for the birds that were currently holding a town meeting in them, but added texture and interesting bits of purples and blues with their leaves. Richard did have a weight set and a treadmill in his personal space, but they were secondary after the view and didn’t come across as intrusive pieces of exercise equipment but instead useful sculptures. “I think even I could work out in this room.”
Richard chuckled.
“A lot of people like the fact that I have the equipment in the various workout rooms facing natural landscapes instead of mirrors and television screens.” He boasted. “That was another thing I didn’t want. There is nothing wrong with families watching television together. But they can do that in their homes. When they come here it’s a chance to see new things. They will then, hopefully, see possibilities not only in themselves but in their surroundings as well.”
If Georgie didn’t know Richard and saw him walking down the street, she would probably clutch her purse a little tighter while keeping a bead on him from the corner of her eye. He had the tough look and strut of a bulldog. But since she did know him, she was more than aware he was a big softy, despite his hard muscles and threatening facial features, and he was a gentle giant who loved his cat, Harley.
“Well, I don’t want to keep you too long. Would you like to see Harley’s portrait?” Georgie asked.
“I’m dying to see it.” Richard smiled and pulled the red yarn bow. Gently pulling away the brown paper he stared at the oil painting until Georgie saw the glistening of tears in his eyes. “It’s so beautiful.”
“I’m thrilled you like it.” She said softly. As much as she loved drawing and painting portraits of people’s pets, she really loved to see the reaction of their owners when they were happy with her work. This, to Georgie, was worth all the hours she put into painting Harley’s picture.
“My gosh.” Richard sniffed. “You even got the darker green flecks in her eyes just right. It looks like I could reach into the canvas and pet her. This is going to look perfect at the front of the gym. You know, by my stone waterfall? I thought it would look perfect there.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Georgie replied. “I’m really proud of this one. But Harley deserves as much of the credit. She was an ideal model with a wonderful temperament. Not all Persians are like that.”
“She is a good kitty, isn’t she?” Richard wiped his eye and grinned.
“Absolutely.”
“Well, let me get your payment.” Richard strutted over to a small safe behind his desk that was also a minimalist’s dream, a simple glass top with four bamboo legs. He used a blue pilates exercise ball as a chair. After a few seconds with the safe door open he shook his head. He stood and pressed a button on the phone on his desk. An older woman in tip-top shape came into his office.
“Yes, Richard.”
“Marney, did you get to the bank yesterday?” Richard asked.
“No, remember, I had to make sure the cruise director had the guest list and had left early.” Marney replied, smiling pleasantly at Georgie. “You had said you were going to go to the bank.”
Richard snapped his fingers and shook his head.
“That’s right.
I did say that, didn’t I?” He looked sadly at Georgie. “I’m so sorry. I forgot to get petty cash yesterday. I’m the chairman of the events committee for a regional association of gym owners, and I’ve been busy organizing our annual conference this weekend. It’s been a lot of coordinating speakers, setting up workshops, welcoming the vendors and making sure the attendees are happy. Tonight is our big event—a dinner cruise. In any case, I’ve had a lot on my mind and I didn’t go to the bank last night. I’m so stupid.” He slapped his forehead and slouched.
“No.” Georgie put up her hand. “It’s an honest mistake.”
With wide eyes Richard snapped his fingers.
“I know. You’ll come to the dinner cruise tonight.” He beamed. “You’ll come as my special guest, have dinner, there will be music and dancing and...”
“Will there be desserts?”
“Of course.” Richard tilted his head to the right inquiringly.
“Real desserts, right? Not tofu or flourless cakes? But real sugar, calories, and all that good stuff.” She winked at Richard.
He folded his arms over his massive chest and chuckled.
“Absolutely.”
“My sister will be so jealous.” Georgie giggled.
“Why don’t you bring her with?” Richard suggested. “If she doesn’t mind being out on Lake Michigan for a three hour tour. I’m dating myself using that phrase.”
Georgie clapped, “That sounds like a real treat.” She smiled as she smoothed out the front of her blouse. “My sister Aleta will be just as thrilled to come as I am.
Richard gave Georgie all the details of where to park at the pier and emphasized that she should make sure she and her sister were aboard the cruise ship, Catherine O’Leary, before they set sail for the open water on the lake.
“I WILL NOT WEAR THAT hat.” Aleta shook her head and pulled her lips down at the corners. “I’m not a hat person. Especially a hat with a bumblebee the size of a hamster on it.”
“Come on.” Georgie teased her sister as they went through Georgie’s closet. “We’ll be out on open water. It’s a cruise ship. Let loose a little.”
“What does being on a cruise ship have to do with letting loose?” Aleta eyeballed a bright pink blazer made out of raincoat material. “Where on earth would you wear this?”
“The question should be where wouldn’t I wear that? I wouldn’t wear it on a cruise ship.” Georgie said as she pulled from her closet a loose fitting navy blue linen shirt with silk flowers of varying sizes stitched randomly around the collar and hem with tiny rhinestone buds in the centers.
“Do tell why this is not cruise ship worthy.” Aleta probed deeper into her sister’s closet and pulled out a crisp white blouse she held up to herself.
“The mojo just isn’t right. It gives off the wrong kind of vibe. This, on the other hand, is perfect.” Georgie held up the blue linen blouse against a pair of wide legged, off-white linen pants and topped it off with a pair of purple platform shoes that gave Georgie an extra three-inch height advantage over her sister.
“I’m going to steal this blouse.” Aleta stated.
“Yes! That will look lovely. Would you like the gold lamé pants that go with it? You’ll look stunning.”
“Gold lamé? Who are you talking to? No. I don’t want the gold lamé pants that go with this. I’ve got a nice pair of navy blue slacks that will look fine.”
“Can you believe your auntie, Bodhi?” Georgie looked down at her pug dog Bodhi who had made himself comfortable in the middle of her bed, as usual. He lifted his eyes making the sea of wrinkles on his forehead that much deeper but he didn’t raise his head. “She’s such a fuddy-duddy.”
Bodhi let out a snort in reply.
Once the women were dressed, they couldn’t have looked more different. Aleta, who had been a successful financial advisor until she retired, passing the business to her daughter, Emily, always dressed impeccably. The shoes matched the purse. The jewelry was classic pearls or gold and her ensembles were simple, conservative and always impeccable. She could be compared to a single rose in a slender vase next to her sister who was like a bouquet of wildflowers in a rustic coffee tin.
“Did I tell you that Richard said they will have desserts there?” Georgie reassured her sister as she locked her front door.
“I hope it isn’t sugar free or made with tofu.” Aleta yelled as she walked to her home next door and locked her front door. “Do we have to take Pablo? Don’t you want to ride in my car?”
“I had Pablo washed. Look at how nice he looks.” Georgie walked to her orange vintage Volkswagen and patted the smooth, curved roof. “Besides, parking is on the street. You don’t want to leave your Mercedes there. And no, I asked Richard before I agreed to go if the desserts were ‘real’ desserts or some healthy version of the good stuff.”
The ladies climbed into Pablo with a rusty squeal of the door hinges plus two kicks from the exhaust as the engine sputtered to life and they were on their way.
“Okay, well, that will make being seen with you worth it, I suppose.” Aleta teased. “And he said he’d pay you once you got there? Let’s make sure of that. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he might have forgotten but usually, the only people that forget about paying a debt are people who don’t ever plan on paying.”
“My goodness, Aleta, not everyone is out to get something for nothing. Besides, I believe him when he says he forgot.”
“It’s something I learned the hard way when I ran the business. I’m looking out for my baby sister.”
“I’m not the baby. You are. I was born two whole minutes before you and don’t you forget it.”
“So this is a cruise for a fitness franchise? That’s interesting. I was considering joining a gym. Not to get bulked up or anything but to stay active, keep moving, you know?” Aleta nodded as she spoke.
“Richard’s gyms specialize in not only making your body healthy but your mind, too. His gyms don’t really resemble your average gym. They’ve got all the equipment of your average gym but there are no televisions or mirrors, the music is upbeat but meditative and each room has one whole wall that is made of windows so the members can look out onto the Zen gardens he has purposely designed around his buildings. It’s really quite unconventional.”
“Do his gyms have pools?” Aleta asked.
“I think so.”
“Then that is all I need. Maybe I’ll sign up. On the condition you get your money, first.”
Chapter 2
The Kaye sisters climbed aboard the Catherine O’Leary cruise ship right as it was about to shove off. “Careful, ladies.” The Captain said as he greeted all the guests when they boarded the boat. “That sprinkling of rain can make things just a little slippery.” It had rained for a brief spell and the sky remained gray. Georgie linked her arm through Aleta’s as she usually did when she wanted to gossip or steady herself from falling into Lake Michigan.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much spandex in one place ever.” Georgie whispered.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many fluorescent colors on clothing before. You were wrong. Your pink raincoat thingie would have fit right in.” Aleta added.
“It looks like a Bally’s commercial. For some reason I envisioned this place would look more like The Poseidon Adventure. Still, I feel like I’ve got the Shelley Winters character done perfectly.”
Aleta laughed out loud then nodded as they gave their names to an extremely muscular woman wearing a badge that read Margie, WBC Iron Games Champion 2012. She flipped her long blond hair, running a finger with hot pink acrylic nails down the roster searching for the Kaye sister’s names, then pulled their name tags out and smiled.
“You’ll be having dinner at the Captain’s table. Here are your name tags, your table number, and a bag of goodies to take with you.” Her teeth were so white Georgie had to blink. “Have a great time.
“Thanks, Margie.” Georgie gushed as she peeked inside her bag
. “There are candy bars in here.” She whispered.
“Those are delicious.” Margie pointed at both of their bags. “They are coconut and almond bits with kale and dark chocolate. They are great for an after workout snack. They give you a real bump in energy.”
Georgie felt Aleta squeeze her hand as they both nodded and smiled.
“Good gravy.” Aleta shivered. “Did she really say kale and dark chocolate in the same sentence? I’m sorry. I know these people work really hard to look the way they do but something has come disconnected when you think boy, I sure could go for one of those chocolate covered kale bars.”
“Remember. They are giving them away for free. There might be a reason for that.” Georgie nodded. “Well, they aren’t starting dinner for another thirty-five minutes. Let’s see what the big attractions are. I’ll check out the Richard M. Daley Room and the Jayne Burn Suite, and you peek in the Frank Lloyd Wright Room and the Roger Ebert Suite. Let’s meet back at our table for dinner.”
Before Aleta could protest, Georgie quickly shuffled through the crowd of spandex and made her way to one of the major conference rooms. Inside was a woman on stage wearing a revealing black and gold tank top with matching stretch pants. Behind her was what looked like a before and after image of herself.
“I had two kids and no job. No motivation. My husband of twelve years had left me for a younger woman. So what did I do? What too many people do. I found comfort in that bag of potato chips. I found comfort in McDonalds. I found comfort in a gallon of Rocky Road ice cream.”
“Being rather unfair to Mr. Rocky Road, don’t you think?” Georgie mumbled.
“But then, I had a revelation.” She stood like Wonder Woman with her legs apart and her hands on her hips. “No one is responsible for how I feel but me. So I took control.”
People started to clap and cheer.
The woman smiled and nodded her head.
“It wasn’t easy. All of you know what it takes to look like this.” She flexed her biceps and the room went nuts. “But once you start down this path, you won’t ever settle for less. If I achieved it, you can too.”