SSM01 - School Lunch is Murder
Page 12
“It appears Ms. Crispman is digging for information. I think she’s afraid I know something,” Sadie muttered quietly.
“So, Miss Sunshine, did she? Did you speak with Edith today?” Kathy still had the shovel in hand.
Sadie thought about sending another SOS to Dora. “Well, yes I did. Edith and I spoke this morning, but she didn’t bring up your name.” Sadie wasn’t sure if she should continue towards the path that led down to the house or head over to Kathy. She was sure Dora would be at the Crispman house in less than 10 minutes. Figuring it best to humor the cook for just a little longer, she stepped in her direction. As she moved towards the cook, she had a thought concerning Edith. Maybe the reason Miss Wisp didn’t approached Kathy at the church was because she suspected her of murder. She could have been afraid, so she didn’t mention her suspicions to Dora after the funeral. Sadie reached inside her lavender garden apron and grasped her pepper spray, turning it to the on position.
Kathy was standing next to a patch of Stinging Nettles, over six feet high. They were going to help with getting Ms. Sunshine in the shallow grave.
When Sadie finally reached Kathy, she recognized the Urtica dioica as the pesky Stinging Nettle plant. Before she had a chance to comment, Kathy set her shovel down and shoved her into the very center of the perennial bed. Instinctually, Sadie grabbed onto the plant, trying to prevent a fall. Her face and hands burned as they touched the stems and leaves. She yelped from the pain and ran out of the nettle patch. Looking behind her, she saw Kathy’s eyes. They were wide with fury. She was holding the shovel above her head. “Looks like another rat has entered my garden, and I’m gonna rid myself of the pesky troublemaker.”
Sadie moved towards the shallow grave, realizing it had been dug before her visit. She’d planned this all along. She was expecting trouble. I’m the rat she wants to kill and I think that shovel is her weapon of choice. Well, I’ve got a surprise for her.
Kathy was close enough to swing her shovel. Sadie tried to focus, in spite of the burning nettles. Her discomfort was tremendous. Taking the pepper spray out of her apron she thought, “I’ve got to make this surprise attack count.” Hoping to catch Kathy off guard, she taunted her by saying, “No wonder Dustin won’t visit you. You’re insane!”
“Arrrgh!” Kathy growled. As she lifted her shovel, Sadie pressed her pepper spray and hit her target. She filled Kathy’s eyes and nosed with the burning agent. Screaming with shock and pain, the villain dropped her shovel. Thinking fast, Sadie picked it up and hit her hard, sideswiping Kathy and causing her to fall head over heels into the shallow grave. She was groaning and thrashing about, unable to stand.
Overwhelmed, Sadie sat on the ground. She had to itch in the worst way. She scratched her face and hands. Blisters from a nasty rash were already forming, thanks to the hug she’d given the stinging nettles just moments before.
In the distance, she could hear a blazing police siren. Within seconds Sadie saw Dora’s police car swing up the driveway. When Dora jumped out, she heard Sadie’s cry from the back hill. Kathy was still in the hole rubbing her eyes when Dora reached her friend. “Oh, Sadie. What did I do? I’m so sorry. I’m so very, very sorry.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN: The Pink Elephant
Another police car, with two assisting officers, had followed Dora to Kathy’s house. Sadie told Dora that Kathy tried to kill her and was probably Penny Quiche’s murderer. They removed Ms. Crispman from the shallow grave after charging her with attempted murder. Dora read her the Miranda rights while trying to comfort Sadie. Due to the pepper spray, Kathy’s eyes were swollen shut and she was complaining of breathing difficulties. The other officers loaded her in their police vehicle then drove her over to the hospital. A doctor examined and treated her burns from the pepper spray and released her to the officers, with instructions to wash every hour with mild soap.
Returning to the police station several hours later, Dora interviewed Kathy in the presence of her lawyer. Against his advice, Kathy admitted she had poisoned Penny with hemlock grown in her garden. She told the lawyer, “I’m finished, so I might as well go out with a bang. It wouldn’t have taken Officer Flores long to gather the necessary evidence to convict me, so why prolong the inevitable?” Adding a charge of first-degree murder, she spent the night at the police station.
Back at Kathy’s house, Dora helped Sadie into her police car and drove her to Urgent Care. Poison oak was everywhere in Rogue Valley, but the rash on her friend’s face looked a lot nastier than anything she’d ever seen. She kept scratching, even after Dora told her to stop. Sadie informed Dora that Kathy had pushed her into a grove of stinging nettles and it felt like a hundred burning needles were piercing her skin.
Upon hearing the cause of Sadie’s painful rash, the attending doctor poured cool water over the infected areas, without rubbing. Unfortunately, Sadie had scratched her infected areas and unknowingly pushing the chemical irritants even deeper into her skin. He then had Sadie wash her face and arms gently with some mild liquid soap and rinse again with cool water. This helped to relive some of her pain and itching, but not much. She was really miserable and the doctor empathized. He told her it would be another 12-48 hours before she felt any significant relief. He gave her an antihistamine and covered her skin with Calamine lotion.
“I guess I have a good reason to call in sick tomorrow. I look like a pink elephant.”
Dora tired not to laugh. She knew Sadie was miserable and decided to make her a batch of her famous chicken soup with little shell noodles. She drove Sadie home and put her to bed. Bosco Bill and Willow sensed their mama was not up to par and quietly settled in to nap with her. Thankfully, the antihistamine kicked in and Sadie drifted off to sleep before Dora had a chance to flip off the bedroom light.
Dora then collected Edith Wisp and Dustin Ferril for another interview. Edith confessed she suspected Kathy was the murderer and expressed genuine relief when told of her arrest. She hadn’t shared her suspicions the day before because she was afraid of what Kathy might do to her…and her unborn child. Dustin admitted he hadn’t thought much about who actually murdered his former fiancé. “I was just sorry she died on the floor. I hadn’t vacuumed her classroom rug for weeks.”
Edith gave him a sideways glance and tried to paint over his open admission of slacking on the job. “Umm, you know she makes all kinds of herbal tonics and salves, right? She incorporates poisonous plant extracts in several of her medicinal recipes. She could have slipped something in my tea, if she thought I had crossed her. Dustin however, would have been safe. She wants him to inherit her brother’s business. She was always talking about selling her house and living with Dustin in his Portland mansion.”
Dora was satisfied with their answers and also Kathy’s arrest, so she ended the interview. She wanted to run home and check on Sadie, and make her chicken soup for a late dinner.
Standing up Edith made a move to leave the interview room but then turned back on her heels. “Officer, I have a request. I want my diamond ring back. The funeral parlor still has it but won’t release the piece until you, the police, call with the A-Okay. Now that you have a murder confession, can I go down there today and pick it up? Dustin and I have set a summer date for our wedding. I want to shout to the world that I’m his and well, it’s been off my hand for far too long.”
Dustin’s head was hung low. Apparently there was something very interesting about the linoleum on the interview room floor.
Dora was tempted to ask Dustin if he wanted to wait a few days before retrieving the ring, thinking he’d appreciate some wiggle room and an opportunity to back out of his engagement to Edith, again. But then Dora figured he was gonna let Edith wear the pants in the family and have her run the janitorial business after his uncle died. He’d just have fun and spend the money, while Edith would use her smarts to maintain and grow the company.
“Sure, go on down there. They won’t close for another 20 minutes. I’ll call them and clear you for the ring pick
up. Congrats on your future nuptials.”
Edith batted her eyes at Dustin and he shrugged while nodding his head at Dora. Guiding Edith out the door he mumbled over his shoulder, “Thanks, officer.”
Dora called Principal Pardon to tell him Ms. Crispman had been charged with Penny’s murder and was under arrest. She also told him Sadie would not be in for work on Friday due to an encounter with some stinging nettles.
“Ouch, I’ve had a few run-ins with those nasty plants. Tell Sadie I’m sorry for her discomfort and that I’ll give her a call tomorrow morning to check on her. Thanks for all your hard work, officer. It has been a crazy and very sad week. I’m glad it’s over.”
“Me too, Principal Pardon. Me too. Sadie’s the real hero. She got Ms. Crispman to confess to murdering Penny.” Dora drove to Safeway and picked up a few chicken breasts. She then hurried home to make Sadie her own medicinal remedy for the down-and-out, my-face-is-on-fire, help-me-escape-these-stinging-nettle blues.
EPILOGUE
As Sadie rocked Beaker-Polly in the University of Oregon sanctuary, she grinned as she took in Mandy’s handiwork. She’d finally convinced her friend to leave the baby with her and enjoy a dinner date with Teddy.
Sadie would finish up her long-term sub position tomorrow. Mandy was having a hard time with the notion of returning to work and leaving Beaker-Polly with a nanny. Sadie was staying out of the debate she was having with her husband. They both had student loans that needed to be paid off. Teddy was pressing Mandy to teach for two more years so they could finally be debt free.
Sadie’s vacation to Gold Beach was already booked. For an entire week she’d rest up and savor the ocean sounds while relaxing at O’Briens beach house. Her dad was coming along and Dora would drive up next Friday night to spend the entire weekend with them. She couldn’t wait to walk Willow and Bosco along the secluded coastline. Using the house kitchenette, she’d make her Pop some yummy clam chowder for the nights they’d stay in and read by the fireplace. Of course, there would also be several delicious seafood dinners out, including at least one meal at Spinners. The restaurant had an incredible view of the ocean and their coconut prawns were to die for, well almost.
All in all, Sadie was glad she had accepted Mandy’s invitation to sub. The students were fun to teach, and how many folks could brag about solving a murder case? Her bout with the stinging nettles kept her home for just one Friday and a weekend. Her compensation was a giant pot of Dora’s delicious chicken soup, something she made for only the most special of occasions.
When Sadie returned to Fort Follyfield on the following Monday, her nasty rash was well on the mend. She was also totally prepared to field every question Mrs. Quibble threw her way.
Making sure to flash her engagement ring, Edith apologized to Sadie and admitted she shouldn’t have charged her for a book that wasn’t really missing. Sadie found $35 in her mailbox that same afternoon.
The new third-grade teacher hired to finish out the school year was sweet. She had just moved to Rogue Valley from Tucson, Arizona. A well-seasoned and experienced educator, she was well liked by her students… and their parents. Even the PTA President believed she was an asset to Fort Follyfield.
Dustin Ferril visited the library a lot more often, and not because he was checking out books. Thanks to Miss Wisp’s encouragement, her fiancé started to take pride in his custodial duties. The classroom rugs were a lot cleaner since the vacuum was making more frequent appearances.
Superintendent Wong praised Principal Pardon for his excellent work dealing with such a distressful and highly unusual circumstance.
The teacher from Everbloom broke up with Mr. Blahart shortly after Kathy Crispman was arrested. Rumor had it she wasn’t on board with make-out sessions in the YMCA hot tub.
Lilly Pierce and Sadie continued their weekly dinners at the Laughing Clam, often discussing unusual plants that would eventually find their way into their summer gardens. Both ladies agreed they’d try their hand at Echinacea, but never any Hemlock.
Mayor Phibbs once again honored Dora. On a local TV broadcast, he praised her for capturing a demented murderer. She was promoted to detective and asked to officially head the Rogue Valley police station. She was thrilled with her raise and increase in vacation time. She started saving her extra earnings for a Koi pond.
Sadie told Dora about the “giant rat” buried under Kathy Crispman’s apple tree, suspecting it might be her missing ex-husband. Sure enough, a body was discovered and a toxicology search during the autopsy revealed small amounts of Conium maculatum, otherwise known as hemlock.
Kathy Crispman pleaded guilty to both murders and waived her right to a jury. She was sentenced to live out the rest of her days in prison. The judge added a further stipulation during the sentencing. Kathy would never be granted permission to participate in any garden classes or crop cultivation programs.
Please enjoy this excerpt from ‘Belly Up in the Koi Pond’, Book 2 of the Sadie Sunshine Cozy Mystery Series
CHAPTER ONE: Mr. Knightly, A Scholarship, and French Food
Shortly after ordering, their dessert arrived. The animated couple from the bar stood up and left the restaurant, arm-in- arm. From her table, Sadie observed their romantic embrace outside the entrance. To her surprise, a man with short red hair jumped out of a parked car and handed Ashley a large envelope. He then shook his fist in her direction and returned to his car. After driving off, she opened the envelope and inspected the contents. It appeared to be money. She gave Joey the envelope and he moved it inside his coat pocket. Then, kissing his blonde companion on the cheek he walked down the sidewalk out of sight. Ashley got into a blue SUV parked directly in front of Le Pigeon and drove off in the opposite direction.
“That was interesting,” remarked Dora, who had also witnessed the embrace through the front window. “I think that envelope had money in it!”
“Yes,” agreed Sadie “and I think the man with ginger hair was mad about something. Did you see how he shook a fist at the couple?” Dora nodded while Lilly sputtered, “Did I miss something? What did you guys see?” Dora told Lilly about the melodrama that had just played itself out in front of the restaurant. “Gee, I can’t believe I missed the free dinner theatre.”
Refocusing on the dessert set before them, they playfully cracked through the sugary top of the Crème Brulee. Savoring every last bite of their fine meal, the ladies tipped the waiter and said a fond farewell to Le Pigeon. Within 10 minutes they were back inside their hotel room getting ready for bed. Since their Koi Pond class started at eight in the morning, they reluctantly passed on a late night swim.
Sadie put in a quick call to Mark and was reassured her dogs were doing great. “Bosco was giving me the stink eye for an hour or so but then gave up the ship and settled on top of my lap. I was Willow’s best friend after I threw her Frisbee for fifteen minutes. That dog has a lot of energy!” Sadie agreed and then thanked him for hanging out with her fur-kids. She promised to call at an earlier time the following day, secretly hoping they would have more time to chat and connect.
By the time Sadie ended her conversation with Mark, Dora and Lilly were already in bed. She quickly changed into her pajamas and brushed her teeth. Within minutes, she was also stretched out on the plush pillow-top mattress. Turning on her side, she soon drifted off to sleep, never expecting a brand new mystery would greet her in the morning.
Author Bio
Cheryl Zelenka is a retired teacher, brain tumor survivor, and former resident of the Pacific Northwest. She is a Christian author with three devotionals and a Bible Study about Job available on Amazon. A garden enthusiast, dog lover, and mystery reader, this is her first book in the Sadie Sunshine Cozy Mystery Series. She now resides in Colorado Springs with her dogs Bosco and Akasha.
Make sure you visit her at:
FacingTrials.com
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: A Friend in Need
CHAPTER TWO: First Day Back
CHAPTE
R THREE: Officer Flores Is On the Case
CHAPTER FOUR: An Odd Couple
CHAPTER FIVE: A Strange Prescription for Anxiety
CHAPTER SIX: Pizza Dinner
CHAPTER SEVEN: The Missing Garden Book
CHAPTER EIGHT: Suspects
CHAPTER NINE: Mrs. Quibble Shares Some Gossip
CHAPTER TEN: The Laughing Clam
CHAPTER ELEVEN: That Ring!
CHAPTER TWELVE: Baby Girl
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Crossing Suspects Off the List
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: A Future Inheritance
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: A Funeral and Some Italian Food.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Again, The Ring!
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Kathy Crispman
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN- A Garden Tour
CHAPTER NINETEEN: The Pink Elephant
EPILOGUE
Please enjoy this excerpt from ‘Belly Up in the Koi Pond’, Book 2 of the Sadie Sunshine Cozy Mystery Series
Author Bio