East Pender Boxed Set: Cozy Mystery Series Bundle of Books 1-14

by Leona Fox

  “I'll just have a coffee, please,” he said.

  Then his eyes drifted over the glass cabinet that held all the sticky buns. He licked his lips at the glazed, sweet treats. “And I think I'll have one of those, please,” he said, pointing to one that looked particularly tasty.

  Ellen got the tongs and pulled it out, then placed it on a plate along with a white napkin. Matthew handed over some money when he was asked and the cash register whirred as Ellen made the sale.

  “I'll bring your coffee over to you if you'd like to take a seat,” she said, and after a few moments she went over to him.

  He was sitting by the window, looking out at the town. There were a few people walking by, but otherwise it was fairly quiet. Ellen was about to go back to the counter when he began speaking.

  “I wish we had more things like the festival. It's always nice when the town can come together like that and we all can feel like we're really connected,” he said.

  “Yes, I agree.”

  “Would you join me, Ellen?” he asked, gesturing to the empty chair with his open hand.

  Ellen looked around. The cafe still was basically deserted so, although she was the only one on duty, she accepted his offer and took a seat opposite him.

  “I know Kelly and I have been seeing each other for a while now but you and I haven't really had the chance to get to know each other yet,” he began.

  “Yeah, you've been keeping her all to yourself,” she said, trying to keep her tone lighthearted but there was a deeper unhappiness contained within her words, too.

  “I know; I apologize for that. The last thing I want to do is get between a friendship. We just, well, we really like spending time with each other and it's difficult to be apart.”

  He looked a little embarrassed as he admitted this but Ellen was touched, and she began doubting her initial suspicions. After all, if this man was a murderer then he was hiding it well. And yet, Andy did say that sometimes the darkest impulses lay behind the kindest eyes.

  “It's fine. I'm just glad she's happy after all this time. It's been a while since she's been with anyone special.”

  “I know, and I just wanted you to know I care about her a lot. She means the world to me even though we haven't been together that long in the grand scheme of things. But she's...she's not like anyone else I've ever met.”

  “She's certainly a character,” Ellen said, smiling as she thought of Kelly's particular quirks and characteristics.

  “So I wanted to come here and just have a chat with you because I know how close the two of you are. I'm hoping this thing with Kelly is going to last a long time. So I'd like us to be friends as well, if that's possible?”

  “I'd like that a lot and, for what it's worth, I know she feels the same way about you. So I think you're both onto a winning thing here. But I have to ask. I mean, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” Ellen said, leaning forward.

  “No, no, of course not! I'll be happy to answer anything.”

  “Well...understand that I'm only asking this because I care dearly about Kelly so I have to make sure everything is okay. Well, obviously it's only been a short while since you've been divorced. I just want to make sure this isn't a rebound thing?”

  Matthew exhaled deeply and took a bite of his sticky bun. The crumbs lingered around the corners of his mouth until his tongue darted out and captured them.

  “I know, and Kelly actually asked me that herself when we started. The truth is that, yes, I was divorced recently and it was a long ordeal but it had been coming for a long time. I don't want to go into it a lot but I figure since we're doing this I might as well let you know. Justine changed a lot over the years. When we first met she was loving and kind but somewhere along the way I...I don't know what happened. She started to blame everyone else for her problems and she became such a negative person it became hard to deal with. I tried to be there for her and to listen and to offer advice but she never would take it, and she never would take responsibility for her actions. It got to the point where it was untenable.

  She wasn't the same person I married and I didn't love this person. It took me a long time to admit that to myself but when I finally did everything changed. I tried to make it work, I really did, and I tried to get her to see the person she had changed into but she was blind to everything. She was in so much denial that I think even now she doesn't understand why I wanted to end things. That's why I'm now with Kelly. I'm so much happier because she's so easy to get along with and there's no stress with her at all.”

  “That will come,” Ellen said, and they both shared a laugh.

  “I appreciate you sharing that with me. In fact, she was just in here,” Ellen said. Matthew's eyes flickered momentarily.

  “Justine?”

  “Yeah, she came in for some breakfast. I've seen her in here a few times before but I don't usually speak to her. Today was the first time. I can see what you mean about her being negative, although that's probably excusable since her mother is suspected of poisoning people.”

  “Yeah, how is Carrie doing?”

  “She's shaken from what I know.”

  “It's a terrible thing, she was always so kind,” he said, pursing his lips and shaking his head slightly. “I don't understand how they could have found anything at her house. She never would do anything to hurt anyone.”

  “I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of it eventually.”

  “Oh, are you working the case as well? Kelly told me that sometimes you two help the police with their investigations.”

  “We offer our help when it's needed. We've helped a few people so far. So hopefully we'll be able to help Carrie as well. How well did you and her get along? I know that often there's some tension between the husband and the mother-in-law.”

  “We got along fine. Actually, I would have called her more of a friend than a mother-in-law. Like I said, she's always been really kind and welcomed me into her home with open arms. Actually, part of the reason why I wanted to make my marriage work was because I wanted to maintain my friendship with her. But when we separated she had to be there for her daughter, so I had to say goodbye to her as well.”

  “So you'd still be on good terms, even now?”

  “If we were in the same room, yeah. She actually tried to get through to Justine as well. We both could see she had changed but she wouldn't listen to either of us. It makes me sad now to think about it. How is Justine doing? Does she look well?”

  “At the moment she seems annoyed that she has to take care of her mom's house as well as working full-time.”

  “Sounds about right, although as far as I know she practically lives at her mom's anyway.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I was with Justine for a long time but she relied on her mother for a lot of things. She never really liked trying, you know? If she wasn't good at something she'd mostly just give up the first time, and let someone else do it. So she relied on her mother. When we were together I did most of the cooking. She didn't mind doing some now and then because there were two of us, but I can imagine now it's just easier for her if she goes around to her mom's for dinner. And Carrie is so kind that I wouldn't be surprised if she did Justine's laundry and things as well. It's funny. About the only thing Justine tried year after year was the pie contest, but she never got quite good enough for that either,” he said.

  Ellen raised her eyebrows because a deeper picture of Justine was being painted, and Matthew seemed to be genuine. Of course, it did cross her mind that he could have been lying to her to throw her off the scent but she knew what she had to do next. So she excused herself from Matthew's company. When she got the chance, she slipped away and ventured forth to the police station.

  Chapter 5

  Andy wasn't there when Ellen arrived, but that was okay because she had not come to see the chief of police. Instead, she spoke to the officer on duty and was led to the rear of the station where the cells were. Carrie was sitting on the bench,
shoulders hunched, looking dejected, although when she saw Ellen arrive her face lit up.

  “Hey Carrie, I don't know if you remember me but we spoke a little at the festival before, well, before it happened.”

  “Of course, Ellen! It's so good to see you,” she said.

  Ellen gestured to the door and was allowed to walk in. The guard locked the door behind him and then stood there. Ellen glared at him.

  “Do you really think she's going to attack me? It's fine, just leave us,” she said, and the guard shrugged and walked away.

  “Are you okay?” Ellen asked, turning toward Carrie.

  “As well as can be for someone who is being held in a cell. Although at least I suppose I can say that I've done it when I finally cross over to Heaven,” she said, trying to be good-humored, but Ellen could see the sadness in her eyes. Ellen offered a smile of support and squeezed Carrie's arm gently. The gesture was appreciated.

  “But what brings you down here? I can't imagine it's a social call.”

  “Actually, it kind of is. I hate the thought of you being in this cell and being so lonely. So I thought you could use someone to talk to.”

  “Indeed, I could. The guards aren't much for conversation around here. Although I did get chatting with a nice young man, and the police chief seems pleasant as well.”

  “Aside from the fact that he locked you up in here.”

  “He was only doing his job. I just hope he gets everything straightened out soon because I'm missing the comfort of my own bed. And, well, don't tell her this, but my daughter isn't the best at taking care of houses. So I imagine I'll return home to find everything has been moved and there's dust all over the place. Just the thought of it gives me the shivers.”

  “I actually saw your daughter today. She stopped in at the cafe for a quick breakfast.”

  “How is she doing?”

  “She seems to be alright, although I don't think she's happy about you being in here.”

  “I would hope she wouldn't be!”

  “She seems to be rushed off her feet, though. She kept complaining that she doesn't have any time. And she got a bit snippy with me when I tried to ask her a few questions.”

  “She's been like that for a while now,” Carrie said, a sad look coming upon her face, “ever since she and Matthew broke up, really.”

  “Oh?”

  “She'd been different for a long time. There was a time when she was happy, you know. When she was younger. But the years take their toll on all of us in different ways. I imagine she thought her life was going to turn out differently, but the fact that she wasn't able to have children affected her deeply. Matthew said he didn't mind but I knew that, deep down, he wanted to have children. She just felt a little guilty about it. I tried to tell her it wasn't her fault and so did he, to his credit, but she always saw herself as a failure after that, or that she had been cursed. Then everything became the fault of somebody else.”

  “That's...that's really sad,” Ellen said, suddenly feeling a wave of sympathy for Justine.

  “It is, but we have to make the best with what God has given us. I tried telling her that not being able to have children wasn't the end of the world but she never saw it that way. Everything changed and, unfortunately, that led to them breaking up.”

  “Are you angry at Matthew for what happened?”

  “No, no,” Carrie said softly.

  “Of course, I would have preferred it if they could have worked things out, but for that Justine would have had to change. Sadly, we both could see that wasn’t going to happen. I liked Matthew, you know. He was always a good sort and he actually came to me in tears when he was thinking about it because he felt so guilty at having to talk to Justine about getting a divorce. I told him that if he thought it was the right thing to do for both of them then he had to do it, no matter how painful. I could see they were being torn apart by staying together. So it was the best thing for them really. Although I had hoped that by now Justine would have moved on and realized why the marriage failed, but she still thinks it was because she couldn't have children. At this point, I'm not sure anything is going to shake her from that belief.”

  “I hope she finds some peace soon.”

  “I do as well.”

  Ellen was convinced now that Matthew was telling the truth, which was good and bad. At least now she didn't have to worry about causing a rift between herself and Kelly, but it also meant the prime suspect she had was no longer under suspicion. If none of the other contestants were responsible then Ellen couldn't imagine who would have poisoned Carrie’s pies.

  “I know you like to think the best of them, but are you sure that none of the other contestants could have poisoned your pies?” she asked.

  “I've been competing with them for years. None of us would ever do anything underhanded like that. Why, you should have seen the scandal years ago when Louise Parker imported her pies from a bakery! She was shunned and banned from the competition and everyone knew her as a cheat. Nobody would risk that kind of backlash,” she said.

  Carrie seemed convinced of her opinion but Ellen wasn't so sure, mostly because she simply didn't have any other leads to follow. She remained with Carrie for a little while longer, and then departed, leaving the elderly lady with a promise that she would get her out of the cell soon.

  As soon as she left the station Ellen drove to Kelly's house and updated her about the case.

  “You know, there's been a lot of cases in this past year. I'm sure East Pender used to be far quieter than it is. Do you think it might be changing? If it is, I'm not sure it's changing for the better,” Ellen began.

  “Oh dear Ellen, you're not getting melancholy in your old age are you?” Kelly teased. Ellen narrowed her eyes at her friend.

  “It's not just East Pender that has changed, though. I feel like I have as well. In some ways, I think I've grown more in the last year than I have in the last ten; ever since Scampy, I suppose. It's strange how a dog could have such an impact on a person’s life.”

  “Yes, but you could do with changing a little more.”

  “Thanks,” Ellen said dryly. “In what way?”

  “Well, you know, with Andy.”

  “What do you mean?” Ellen said, blushing a little. She still hadn't told Kelly about her kiss with Andy.

  “I'm tired of all this dancing around you're doing. You need to sort yourselves out. Otherwise, nothing ever is going to happen and, before you know it, you'll have missed all your opportunities.”

  “Well...actually, I have a little confession to make,” Ellen said.

  Kelly leaned forward, eyes wide with anticipation. When Ellen told Kelly that she had kissed Andy, Kelly threw a cushion at her and voiced her disbelief that Ellen hadn't told her about it instantly. She urged Ellen to tell her all about it. Ellen sighed reluctantly, but secretly she was eager to share the memory of the kiss. As she relived it everything came back and the intimacy of the moment lingered within her, making her attraction and affection for Andy grow once more. But so, too, did the regret that, once again, a case was getting in the way.

  “We just don't have the time,” Ellen said in a beleaguered tone.

  “Sometimes, Ellen, you just have to make the time, like me and Matt. We both have our schedules but we make it work, somehow. Sometimes we don't even do anything special, we just hang out here or at his place. All it needs is to be with someone special and your entire world can change.”

  “I saw him today, actually.”

  “Oh, where?”

  “He came into the cafe. He said he wanted to get to know me because we're so close. He seemed really sweet, and he likes you a lot. You think this could be something big?”

  “I do,” Kelly said, a wide smile on her face. “I didn't think I'd ever have anything like this again but then he came into my life and I can't imagine it without him now. I think you should do the same with Andy. Just go for it and see what happens.”

  “Part of me is afraid, thou
gh. I mean, if it doesn't work out, then it's going to be awkward working on cases together.”

  “Then you'll just have to make sure it does work out, won't you?” Kelly said, raising an eyebrow, a wicked glint in her eye.

  Ellen entertained thoughts about herself and Andy becoming a couple just like Kelly and Matthew, but it had been so long since there had been romance in her life that she was filled with trepidation. Then she thought of how much she had changed during the last year and realized that now she was ready for something more, for something exciting and romantic. She wanted to share her heart with someone and when she pictured herself with a man there was only one who she saw in her mind's eye. She agreed with Kelly that it was high time they sorted something out.

  Ellen then changed the subject and talked about Carrie and Justine, and more about the case. Kelly listened intently and agreed with Ellen that the next place to look seemed to be the other contestants. Otherwise, the case was going to come to a dead end, and that wouldn't be good for Carrie or the town in general. It would mean the perpetrator would still be out there somewhere. So, with that in mind, they made a list of all the people who had been competing in the pie tasting contest. Then they went around to their houses, asking their thoughts about the competition and their history in it. Naturally, most of them were jealous of Carrie's constant success but most seemed concerned with her well-being, and none of them believed she was responsible. But each of them pointed their finger at the other, so Carrie and Ellen were no closer to getting any more information. The whole thing seemed a fruitless endeavor.

  The last name on the list was Justine. When they approached the house Ellen asked Kelly if she wanted to hang back, but Kelly declined the invitation.

  “We're all adults here and, at some point, we're going to bump into each other. It might as well be now. After all, they're not married any longer and she needs to know that,” she said.

  They knocked on the door and Justine opened it, looking as though she hadn't slept for days. As soon as her gaze fell upon Kelly her face twisted into a scowl.