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

by Leona Fox

  Even Ellen had to rest though, and she still had a business to take care of. She and Kelly made their way back to the cafe after a fruitless search at the library. Both were tired and frustrated and said little on the drive back. When they returned to the cafe they could see it was filled with people and Ellen groaned. They stepped out of the car and when they entered all eyes turned to Ellen. Given her exploits during the past year or so she had become something of a figurehead in the town. It was a testament to her how the people held her in such high regard. Yet this came with its negative consequences. People often turned to her when they needed guidance or help with anything. While Ellen always was willing to lend her talents to solving cases, she did not consider herself to be a leader, but the people rallied around her. They broke out in a stream of words, chattering endlessly at her to help them and to stop Charlotte. They pleaded with her, asking her what she was doing to help them. It was all she could do to work her way through the crowd and calm them. It was then that Ray emerged, looking tired. His proud body was hunched over and his sunken eyes bore the look of a man who saw his life threatening to crumble around him.

  “She came to the mill today and basically said she wasn't looking to stay here. She's like all the rest, she just wants to make a quick buck and I'm worried about everyone who works at the mill. We all have spent our lives there. It's a part of us, and if she's selling it then she's selling a part of this town. You have to do something, Ellen. If that man James Johnson gets his grubby little mitts on us he's going to bleed us dry. The only thing he cares about is himself. He'll destroy the mill and we'll be left with nothing.” Ray spoke with passion and the rest of the crowd was filled with sadness at his words.

  Moments later a lot of chatter rose up again, like a swelling wave of negativity that threatened to flood over everyone. Ellen looked at the pained expression on the man's face, the same expression that was on all their faces. They were scared, afraid that what they held so dear would be taken from them. Fear is a powerful drug, one that had rendered many men powerless over the course of human civilization. Indeed, even in Michael van De Lay's journal she could tell he was scared of death. The only thing that allowed him to quell that fear was the thought that his descendants would help East Pender to flourish. Ellen gritted her teeth and cleared her throat, holding out her palms to gain the attention of the crowd. It took a few moments for them to settle down, but they eventually did for Ellen. She looked at each of them in turn, surveying them with their own eyes.

  “I know a lot of you are worried about the latest developments, and from the sounds of it you have every right to be. This has taken everyone by surprise and it's hard to know how to deal with it. I admit it doesn't seem like Charlotte has the best interests of the town in mind, but that is because she does not know us. That is because she has not lived here like we have. She is used to the city. So we should show her the spirit of East Pender and maybe we can change her mind. I don't know what claim she can lay upon the mill for I have not seen the paperwork but it must be legitimate for the mayor's office to give it serious consideration. All we can do is be the best versions of ourselves and hope we can show Charlotte that this place is worth fighting for.”

  The words seemed to reassure the crowd but Ellen wasn't sure, and neither was Ray. After the crowd had dispersed a little he came up to her.

  “I've met Charlotte. I don't think it'll be easy to change her mind,” he said gravely.

  “Me neither, but for the moment it's all we can do.”

  “A lot of people depend on that mill, a lot of lives are going to get destroyed if they get their way.”

  “I know, that's why I'm determined to stop them, but it will take time.”

  “You often work miracles with these things, but I'm not sure we have a lot of time available to us,” he said, and moved off.

  Ellen knew he was right. If she was going to discredit Charlotte, then she was going to have to do it fast. Otherwise, it would be too late and everything she knew would fall into ruin.

  Chapter 4

  James Johnson and Charlotte Pryce made a motley pair. The two of them were so different; they were an odd couple as they waltzed around town. One was refined, the other slovenly, yet they both had the same air of superiority about them, treating the town as if it was beneath them. Ellen never had had direct dealings with James before but his reputation preceded him. When she met him he had done nothing to dispel those feelings. He seemed to her like a parasite, latching onto something and bleeding it dry, always coming up with some sort of scheme to try achieving something for his own good rather than doing anything for anyone else. Although Charlotte was a beautiful woman, Ellen had the same feeling about her, that she was out for her own personal gain and never had spared a thought for anyone other than herself. Wherever they went they inspired fear and seemed to relish the thought of stirring up trouble. They spoke loudly of their plans for the mill and this spread worry and paranoia through the people who overheard them.

  James followed Charlotte in the same manner that Scampy followed Ellen, but the dog had far more character than the man, and more honor. James was always there to fawn over Charlotte, holding doors open for her, fetching her drinks, holding her coat and bags. He was more like a butler than a business partner. Ellen couldn't believe anyone could be so foolish as to think Charlotte had his best interests at heart. She noticed as they made noises of their plans that Charlotte maintained a stance of selling to the highest bidder. James seemed to just assume that he had the contract locked up, probably because he didn't imagine anyone else would bid on the mill. Ellen was usually happy with her humble life. However, in this instance she wished she had a small fortune. Then she could use it to purchase the mill and see it remain in the hands of the people of the town. Unfortunately, such a solution would not be so easily forthcoming.

  James became more spiteful than usual and showed a complete disregard for his fellow residents of the town. Charlotte maintained a detached air, mostly, although in one instance she showed particular interest in one of the citizens of East Pender.

  Andy was sitting in the cafe enjoying a piece of cake with his coffee whilst reading the paper when Charlotte swanned in. She gave Ellen a withering glance then made her way to Andy. Ellen's cheeks burned with jealous rage but she maintained her distance, not wanting to give Charlotte the satisfaction.

  “Is there really a point in having a newspaper in this town? Nothing seems to happen, it's all pretty sleepy,” she said, sliding into the seat across from Andy, her long arms resting on the wooden table. Andy looked up but didn't pay her much attention for he, too, was against her presence in the town.

  “You'd be surprised,” he said dryly, and turned the page.

  “I guess that's why they need a big strong man like you to protect them,” Charlotte said, pulling the newspaper down and looking at Andy with a wicked grin. Her eyes had a mischievous glint in them and had Andy been a weaker man he surely would have succumbed to temptation.

  “There is something to be said for small town cops, though,” she continued, undeterred by his lack of response. “The ones in the city are so corrupt. It's nice to know a good man still exists in the world.”

  “There are plenty of us around here. East Pender is filled with people who have good hearts and if you actually spent some time getting to know everyone then you would see that as well. You might even see it's a good way to live,” he said, folding the newspaper down and looking directly at her with steely eyes. Charlotte threw her head back and laughed, giving Andy a pitiful look.

  “I do find it charming the way you people cling to this life like it's actually possible. The world has moved on and it's time for you to do the same. I'm merely here to remind you this way of life has to come to an end.”

  “No,” Andy whispered harshly, lowering his voice and leaning forward over the table.

  “You're here for one reason and one reason only, because you like causing chaos. I know your type. You probabl
y were bored in the city so you thought you could come here and take advantage of us simple folk. I'm telling you right now you're wrong. We aren't idiots and we aren't just going to let you come in and take away the things that make us special.”

  “Hmmm, the big man shows some fire, I like it,” Charlotte said, seemingly ignoring the content of what Andy had to say, which only served to frustrate him more. His fingers clenched the newspaper, which rustled underneath the pressure.

  “But there's only one thing you have to do in this world, and that's what's best for you. Don't hate me because I'm trying to get what's mine. This town has been draining my money all these years and you can't tell me I don't deserve to get my due.”

  “That's a matter for the mayor's office to decide, but you can't talk about that and ignore the fact that if you sell this mill you're going to be putting a lot of people out of work. Don't you care about them? Do they mean nothing to you?”

  “I only care about things that are of use to me,” she said, and rose from the chair.

  She stroked her hand across his face and walked away from Andy, leaving him with some parting words. “This isn't the last time we'll meet. I know you're a city boy, and you need a city girl.” She giggled as she left, and then blew Ellen a kiss as she stepped out of the door.

  As soon as she disappeared everyone in the cafe seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Except for Ellen, who ran straight to Andy's table and filled the seat that just had been left vacant. Charlotte's expensive perfume lingered in the air, a foul stench that made Ellen's eyes water.

  “What was that about?” she asked in a strained tone.

  “Nothing important, more bluster from her. She just likes riling people up.”

  “I saw the way she was looking at you.”

  “I think that was more for your benefit than for me. I think she knows you're trying to stop her.”

  “And I will...eventually.”

  “Still not making any progress?”

  “No,” she said. At this point Scampy ran across the floor and leaped into her lap. He was one of the few things that brought her joy and he licked at her fingers as she petted him.

  “I'm sorry boy, but you can't help with this one. You know,” she said, turning her eyes back to Andy, “I'm starting to wonder if it was a good thing that Michael van De Lay was discovered at all. Maybe it would have been better...maybe we all would have been better if his remains had been left in that cave.”

  “The truth always comes out, even if it's been buried for years,” Andy said with a hint of resignation in his voice.

  “I'm just worried that all this searching is going to be worth nothing and that Charlotte is going to turn out to be the rightful heir. I'm spending all this energy on something that could be a complete waste of time. If it does turn out she has the rightful claim, then there's nothing to stop her. I've told the people of the town to try appealing to the kindness of her heart but I don't think she has any. She probably sees that as a weakness. Have you got in touch with your friend yet?”

  Upon hearing the question Andy's eyes darted away and he took a sip of his coffee. “Not yet,” he said.

  “Can you do it soon? We need all the help we can get,” Ellen replied.

  Andy looked a little flustered but, again, Ellen was too preoccupied by thoughts of Charlotte and James to notice. Her eyes saw red as she thought of them. She needed some way to bring them down, to protect the town she cared so much about. Otherwise, it all would be lost. Andy excused himself, so Ellen was left with Scampy and the other people in the small cafe. She looked at them and how happy they seemed, how this type of life was perfect and how it all was threatened. She sighed as she looked down at Scampy.

  “I bet you don't even understand what has me so worried. Don't worry boy, I'm sure this all will work out for the best. It always does...” but even Ellen found her words unconvincing, and fear permeated her mind.

  Since Ellen and Kelly had not made any progress in searching through the records of the town, they had decided to use a different tactic. Kelly had been tasked with interviewing the people of the town to see if they could shed any light on its history. There were a number of people whose families had been etched into the town’s history. Any clues they could provide would help illuminate the matter and perhaps allow them to train their focus on the official records.

  “I have to say, this is all rather thrilling,” Matthew said. So far he had been on the periphery of the mystery-solving part of Kelly's life and he was glad to be involved like this.

  “We're only asking people a few questions,” she said.

  “I know, but it's exciting to be part of something like this.”

  “It's good you're able to help. I think this whole thing is getting under Ellen's skin.”

  “You sure? She always seems so composed when I see her.”

  “She doesn't like to let on about these things but trust me, when you know her as well as I do you can see the little signs she gives off. She's not happy about this and I can't say I am either.”

  “I never took you for a social justice-type of person. Don't get me wrong, I know you care about people but I figured, given your artistic way of thinking, you had a wider view of the world.”

  “I don't want to see people lose their jobs. In the grand scheme of things, it probably won't make much difference. People go on living, after all. It wouldn't be the first time a big company has turned around and ruined a small town, but I don't want it to happen here. I like the way East Pender is and I don't think Charlotte should be able to get away with it so easily. But somehow we have to find out the truth about Michael van De Lay.”

  “You really think people are going to remember things that long have been forgotten?”

  “There's only one way to find out,” she said, and they began interviewing people.

  It was an arduous process and there weren't many people who could offer much help. All of them expressed hope they could stop Charlotte before she tore down the foundations of East Pender, and they all said they wished they could help more, yet none of them were able to do so. Most of them said anything their parents and grandparents had was lost or thrown out. It made Kelly sad to think that all those memories, all those lives, just had been forgotten over time. It was a depressing session. Despite everything, they had not made any progress. Afterward, before they got back in the car, Matthew urged her to take a romantic stroll. He grabbed her and then they walked around the block. The night was calm and the stars twinkled overhead while the waxing moon shone brilliantly.

  “Were you close with your family?” Kelly asked.

  “I used to be, but then I moved away for work and we never really kept in touch. My grandparents died when I was young and my parents and I never were that close. They always let me go out when I wanted and I felt closer to my friends than I did to them. Then I got married and that started to become more important.”

  “It just makes me sad to think that all of those people lived their lives, probably thinking that everything they did was going to be remembered, but it's all been left in the past,” she said hopelessly.

  “I think the biggest mistake people make is thinking they need to leave something behind, something to mark that they existed. The only thing we need to do is live our lives the best we possibly can and get as much enjoyment out of life as we can while we are able. That's why I'm with you. That's why I didn't want to waste a second,” he said. Then he swept Kelly up in his arms, embracing her in a long kiss that reached down into her very soul.

  He kissed her in a way that made her back arch. He dipped her down as though they just had finished dancing, and Kelly's soul felt relieved. They continued talking of little matters as lovers do, and took a lingering walk back to the car before going back to Kelly's place. Once there Matthew, as he often did, looked at the painting that she was working on and gave Kelly effusive praise.

  “I think it's so great you've managed to make a living for yourself as an artist,
” he said. “It takes a hell of a lot of determination and willpower. I always thought to myself when I was younger that I would write a book but, like so many other things, I just never found the time. I think that's the same for a lot of people. It's all well and good having the ideas and the dreams, but actually putting them into action must take a lot. Especially because it's so hard to make a living out of it. Did you ever think about doing anything else?”

  “Sometimes...” Kelly admitted, “but I knew it was the only thing I ever would be happy doing. I’ve worked a lot of crappy part-time jobs over the years and I never wanted my whole life to be like that.”

  “It was one of the first things that attracted me to you,” he said, putting the painting down and walking over to her with that look in his eyes that made her tingle all over.

  But deep in her heart she was holding onto a secret she never had told anyone before. She wanted to tell Matthew but she was so afraid, so scared to reveal it and unleash it upon him because it might change the way he saw her. She thought back to what Ellen said about having to be honest with each other or else it was pointless, but the fear was so strong. Yet she knew she had to be honest with him because it was going to destroy her inside if she couldn't open up to Matthew. But before she could say anything he had whisked her into his arms again. He was kissing her passionately, giving her the full force of his love. She was unable and unwilling to interrupt the feelings of bliss cascading through her soul as he led her to the bedroom. So for another night the secret she had held onto so desperately over the years remained just that, a secret.