Merriment & Murder

by Jenna St James

  Inside the parlor, a thin, middle-aged man with a full-sized beard, sunken eyes, hollowed cheeks, and scraggly clothes reached out and grabbed hold of a shocked Temperance.

  “Did you not hear me?” she screeched. “I said unhand me this instant.”

  “Please. I just need to speak with you,” the man said.

  “Dad!” Brandon pushed past us and ran to his dad’s side.

  “It’s okay, Brandon.” His dad waved a piece of paper in the air. “I just want to speak with her about this.”

  Temperance shook off the grip on her arm and looked down her nose at the disheveled man. “I assumed you could read, Mr. Powell. My apologies.” Temperance patted her helmet hair into place. “It says if you don’t pay me your back rent immediately, you will be kicked out in three days.” She narrowed her eyes. “Is that simple enough?”

  Mr. Powell’s face went red, but I didn’t know if it was from anger or embarrassment. I looked at Brandon, and my heart lurched. Poor guy looked like he wanted to cry…or have the floor swallow him whole. I understood that feeling. I had it a lot.

  “Please, Mrs. Clairmont,” Mr. Powell said. “I really just need—”

  “You really just need to pay me my money,” Temperance snapped before turning and sweeping out of the room.

  Chapter 5

  I hurried into the parlor, Peyton and Raven on my heels. I could hear people murmuring and pointing, but I ignored them.

  “Are you okay?” I asked Brandon’s dad.

  Mr. Powell blinked a couple times then shook his head. “No, young lady. I’m not okay.” He looked at his son and smiled sadly. “But I guess this isn’t the first time we’ve struggled. Is it, son?”

  “No, Dad, it’s not.” Brandon rested his hand on his dad’s arm. “Let’s just go home. We’ll think of something.”

  Mr. Powell’s eyes narrowed as he gazed out of the room where Temperance had just exited. “You stay here with your friends, Brandon. I need to see to a few more things.”

  Mr. Powell gave Brandon a quick smile before stalking out of the parlor. I caught the eyes of Mayor Barrow and his wife by the picture window. They weren’t exactly fans of mine…seeing as how I’d publicly accused the mayor of killing Prudence Livingston last month.

  “You okay?” Peyton asked Brandon.

  He nodded. “Yeah. Dad’ll be fine. Listen, I think I saw a huge table filled with cookies. I want to go snag some and bring them back for Jillian. She’s staying the night across the street with one of her friends tonight. But I know she’d love a handful of these cookies. Thanks for everything.”

  “If I hear anything more about the job,” I said, “I’ll let you know.”

  “Thanks, Brynn. That’s real nice of you.”

  Peyton sighed and wrapped her arms around me as Brandon shuffled out of the parlor. “I feel sorry for him.”

  “Me too,” Raven said. “I mean, I don’t know him or anything, but it’s gotta be hard to only have one parent and barely making ends meet.”

  I knew all too well the feeling of having no parent want me. Thankfully Grams gave me all the love I needed. And we’d never had to struggle financially. Not like Brandon and his dad.

  “Remind me when the party is over,” I said, “to tell Grams how much I appreciate all she’s done for me. And though I’d never admit it to her, I’m glad she’s had the apothecary all these years.”

  Peyton laughed. “Your secret is safe with us.”

  “C’mon,” Raven said. “I need some sugar.”

  I decided to cut through the back way of the house in hopes of finding Aunt Aggie. We took a left out of the parlor and shuffled past the people standing in the wide hallway. I peeked in at the library to see if Aunt Aggie was in there, but there were only a handful of people browsing the books. At the end of the corridor we could either go right or left. Left leading to the bathroom and Aunt Aggie’s private quarters, and right leading to the kitchen entrance opposite the dining room.

  I took a right and walked into the kitchen.

  “Well, this looks like trouble heading my way,” Chef Granger joked when he saw us.

  Aunt Aggie walked out of the butler’s pantry holding a tray of cookies. “There you girls are. I’ve been looking for you.”

  My eyes darted between Chef Granger and her. “I’ve been looking for you too.”

  “What’s up?” she asked.

  I looked at Chef Granger again. He gave me a quick smile before adding more hors d’oeuvres to a tray.

  “Oh, nothing much,” I said. “I can tell you later.”

  “Well, then here.” She thrust the tray of cookies at me. “Go replenish the cookies out there. I can see two trays almost empty from here.”

  Chef Granger glanced at his watch. “We still have a little over an hour for the party. How are cookie supplies in the butler’s pantry looking?”

  “No need to worry,” Aunt Aggie said, giving me a piercing look. “As long as little nibblers stay out of supplies, we’ll have enough to last the rest of the party.”

  I gave her a grin before grabbing the tray from her.

  “Everyone looks to be having a wonderful time,” Peyton said.

  Aunt Aggie nodded. “I think so too.”

  Peyton continued to talk with Aunt Aggie, but my attention was focused elsewhere. Out of the corner of my eye, near the far end of the dining room, Thomas Baskins and his wife, Beatrice, were in a heated exchange. I couldn’t make out what they were saying from here, but it was intense, whatever it was.

  Thomas owned the diner in town off Pacific Drive. He’d recently married Beatrice, one of his waitresses, two years ago. About once every four months, Grams and I ate breakfast there on a Saturday morning before we opened the apothecary.

  “I’ll just go put these down,” I said.

  I hurried into the dining room. Averting my gaze, I placed the tray in the middle of the long table, then carefully arranged the cookies so all the trays looked full…still keeping an ear on the fighting couple.

  I wasn’t sure why I was so enthralled with all the drama going on around me. Usually I avoided drama like the plague, but lately I couldn’t help it. Especially after solving the murders last month. It was like I was addicted to figuring things out.

  “But I saw you staring at her,” Beatrice hissed.

  “You saw nothing,” Thomas growled back. “It’s just your imagination. Now stop making a spectacle of yourself, Beatrice.”

  Beatrice’s lower lip trembled, and she glanced around the room. I averted my gaze and continued shuffling the cookies so she wouldn’t see I’d overheard everything.

  “You’re just jealous that I used to date her,” Thomas said.

  Beatrice stood taller. “I wouldn’t have to be jealous if you’d stop chasing after her.”

  Thomas snorted. “Chasing? Really? Just stop.”

  “Me?” Beatrice’s voice rose, and I couldn’t help but look over at them.

  And I wasn’t the only one watching. The man getting coffee at the buffet paused to listen in, as did about four other couples gathering up cookies.

  Thomas grabbed Beatrice’s arm, but she shook it off. “You’re the one who needs to remember Temperance dumped you over three years ago. Remember?”

  “I remember,” Thomas gritted out.

  “She’s a horrible, shallow woman, and yet you still have feelings for her while being married to me.”

  I held my breath, waiting to see what Thomas would say or do next. It was shocking to hear them speak about something so intimate. I saw them around town and visited their diner. I just figured they were happily married because they were together.

  Thomas leaned in, and I caught myself doing the same.

  “Watch what you say next, Beatrice,” Thomas whispered, “or I’m going to assume you’re ready to call it quits. And lay off the champagne, you know what it does to you.”

  I jerked back upright when he turned and stalked past the table, shoving guests aside. Beatrice�
�s body and shoulders shook, but she turned toward the wall to hide her face.

  “What’s going on?” Raven hissed in my ear. “That Thomas guy from the diner looks mad enough to kill.”

  “I’ll tell you guys later,” I whispered back. “Right now, let’s go cheer up Beatrice.”

  The three of us headed to the corner where Beatrice was trying to hold it all together. When I placed my hand on her shoulder, she let out a little sob.

  “Hey Beatrice,” I said perkily. “I really like your outfit.”

  Beatrice sniffed then looked down at herself.

  “Thanks, Brynn. That’s nice of you to say so.”

  Truth was, it was kind of hideous. It was one of those Christmas sweaters that you couldn’t always tell if it was supposed to be dressy or tacky. It was cream colored with three large Christmas trees on the front. The bulbs were glittery and bright. But since she’d paired it with a black skirt, I figured it was supposed to be dressy and not tacky.

  “I love the way it shimmers in the light,” Beatrice said, running her hands lightly down the front of her body.

  I stepped back when little flakes of glitter fell to the floor.

  Beatrice drained the last of her champagne and looked around for a place to set the glass. I could tell she was a little unsteady on her feet.

  “Let me take that for you,” Peyton said. “Do you need another?”

  No. I think she’s had plenty.

  “No thanks,” Beatrice said softly. “But it’s nice of you girls to ask.”

  “You doing okay?” I asked.

  Beatrice wiped at a tear that slid down her cheek. “No. Not really. I’ve always known deep down things weren’t what they should be, but I let it go.”

  I ignored Peyton’s quizzical look, and when Raven opened her mouth to say something, I shook my head. I didn’t want them interrupting Beatrice’s words.

  “I mean, when we first got together, I knew he was rebounding from Temperance. But I fell for Thomas the day he hired me to work at the diner five years ago. I thought I could make him love me when he finally agreed to date. I could tell he still loved Temperance, but I thought I could change him.” She snorted. “And then I stupidly married him.”

  “I’m so sorry,” I said.

  I knew my eyes had to be as wide as pancakes. Usually people still saw me as a kid and didn’t divulge juicy stuff like this to me.

  “And then when that fancy chef guy came to town last year to open his restaurant, and he started seeing Temperance, I thought everything would be better. Ya know?” Beatrice sighed. “But they didn’t stay together long, and my hopes were dashed.”

  “Do you mean Chef Granger?” I asked.

  Beatrice nodded. “Yes. He and Temperance started seeing each other, and I couldn’t have been happier. But it didn’t last long, and I was once again forced to face the fact that my new husband wasn’t in love with me like he should be.”

  “That’s awful,” Peyton said. “I’m really sorry, Beatrice.”

  Beatrice shrugged and stepped out of our circle. “Maybe Santa will grant my wish this year and permanently remove Temperance from my life. Now, if you’ll excuse me girls, I really need to use the restroom and fix my face.”

  Chapter 6

  “That’s a really sad story,” Peyton said. “I’m seriously depressed now.”

  Raven reached over and grabbed a snowman sugar cookie, then shoved it at Peyton. “Here, eat this. It’ll make you happy again.”

  Looking around the nearly empty room, I realized it must be getting late because the crowd seemed to be thinning out.

  “Let’s go find Grams and Henley,” I said.

  “Or my parents,” Raven said. “I haven’t seen them around yet.”

  “Let’s cut back through the kitchen and head to the library,” I suggested.

  I was surprised to see Chef Granger wasn’t in the kitchen when we hurried through, but I did happen to catch a glimpse of Beatrice standing in line waiting for the restroom down the hallway that led to Aunt Aggie’s personal area.

  I slipped into the library and looked around. The chandelier lights were set on dim and the flicker of candles in the sconces around the room gave off an ominous vibe. This was my favorite room in the B&B. The front of the library held four comfy chairs guests could sit in and read. The bookshelves lined the back of the room, and to give the room a more private feel, Aunt Aggie had installed another bookshelf in the center of the room to break up the large area. Next to the center bookshelf sat one of those old-fashioned chairs that were tall and ornate. I think it was called a Victorian chair or something. It had brown arms and legs with pink velvet fabric…and was ugly as sin.

  I waved at Raven’s parents standing by the French doors that led outside. They were pretty cool as far as parents went. Her mom was kind of hard-nosed and stern, but her dad was a total riot. Every time I saw him he had a funny joke to tell me.

  “Look at you girls,” Mrs. Masters said. “You look beautiful.”

  “Sure do,” Mr. Masters agreed. “Hey, I got one for ya.”

  Raven groaned. “Dad!”

  “Why are Christmas trees so bad at knitting?” he asked.

  We all looked at each other and shrugged.

  “They always drop their needles!” he cried.

  We all laughed at his delivery, which was almost as funny as the joke itself.

  “I got one for you,” I said.

  Mr. Masters raised an eyebrow. “Let’s hear it.”

  I grinned. “What do you call Santa’s helpers?”

  He lifted a finger to his lips in thought. After a few seconds he sighed. “I give up. What do you call Santa’s helpers?”

  “Subordinate clauses,” I declared proudly.

  “That’s a good one!” Mr. Masters laughed and wrapped me in a one-arm hug, and it was all I could do not to wrap my arms around him and hug him back.

  Even though I was getting used to his easy display of affection, it still sometimes took me by surprise. I’d never had a dad, so I wasn’t used to having a man hug me. Raven usually just rolled her eyes and laughed along with her dad…and I tried to do the same. But deep down, I didn’t want to roll my eyes at him…because deep down there was a part of me that was jealous of Raven. And of Peyton. They both had dads that hugged them, told silly jokes, and did normal things like that with them.

  “What’re you girls up to?” Mr. Masters asked.

  “Just making sure everyone’s having fun,” I said.

  “I think the party is winding down,” Mrs. Masters said. “Your dad and I were just talking about leaving, Raven.”

  “Okay,” Raven said. “I’m going to stay the night with Brynn and Peyton.”

  While Raven talked with her parents, I walked over to the chair to peek around the corner to see if anyone else was in the library. I rested my arms on the back of the ugly Victorian chair and tried not to act surprised when I saw Temperance Clairmont and Thomas Baskins deep in conversation toward the back of the room.

  When he placed a hand on her arm, she flung it off and said something to him. Whatever it was, it made his face turn red and his eyes narrow. But she didn’t seem to care, because she’d turned and was headed right for me!

  Gasping, I turned and hurried back over to where Peyton and Raven stood with Mr. and Mrs. Masters. I pretended not to notice when Temperance swept past us and out of the room. Taking a peek over my shoulder, my eyes nearly fell out of my head when I noticed Thomas staring at me. A few seconds later he strode out the door, leaving us alone in the library.

  “You girls have fun tonight,” Mrs. Masters said. “Don’t stay up too late.”

  Raven rolled her eyes and gave them a hug before we all walked out of the library. Since the library was now empty, I decided to shut the door.

  “Party is definitely winding down,” Mr. Masters said. “Just fifteen minutes ago I could hardly walk down the corridor without bumping into someone.”

  We waved goodbye to
them in the foyer. I looked around to see if I spotted Jessica or Janice, but I didn’t see them anywhere. They must have slipped out earlier.

  “There’s Aunt Aggie, Grams, and Henley,” I said, pointing inside the front parlor. “And they’re talking with Temperance, Percy, and Barbie. Let’s go!”

  We hurried inside the parlor. I counted only about ten people inside the room, which made it easier to get around. I sidled up next to Barbie as Peyton and Raven stood over by Temperance.

  “I was just telling Temperance here,” Aunt Aggie said, “that I found a book on the origins of Copper Cove in the library.”

  “Really?” I perked up at that. I knew my Grams’ family had been founding members over two hundred years ago, but I didn’t really know anything else about the other founding families.

  “Your aunt offered to let me borrow it,” Temperance said, somehow making it sound like it was beneath her. “I’m eager to look it over. I’m sure my family will be mentioned in there. Your family wasn’t the only founding member of this great town.”

  Aunt Aggie gave me a grin, and I could tell she was thinking what I was thinking…big whoop-de-doo.

  “I’ll go grab it for you if you’d like,” Aunt Aggie said.

  Temperance held up her hand. “I can find it on my own. You said in the back of the room, second bookshelf over?”

  Aunt Aggie nodded. “Yes. Feel free to take it and keep it as long as you need.”

  “Thank you,” Temperance said. “I think after I grab the book, we’ll be heading out.” She glanced over at Percy and Barbie. “I believe we’d had enough fun as a family for one evening.”

  Barbie slid her arm through Percy’s. “Quite so Momma Temperance. Percy and I are ready whenever you are.”

  Temperance nodded once. “Percy, I’ll meet you both in the foyer in five minutes.”

  Raven gave me a sly smile as the older lady walked stiffly out of the room. Obviously I wasn’t the only one that thought she was a piece of work.

  My mouth dropped when I saw Temperance grab Mariah’s arm and forcibly push her to the side of the stairs, away from prying eyes.