Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 04 - Death by Dumplings

by Hope Callaghan

  He teased her. Told her that she must be the restaurant’s official “taster.”

  That particular morning was a bit different than others. Dot was almost always in the kitchen working on something. But not that morning. There was no one in the kitchen when she stepped inside. The huge pot of chicken and dumplings was done. The rich aroma of creamy goodness filled the room.

  Not wanting to miss her chance to taste test, she grabbed a bowl and ladled a small portion out. The restaurant was busy so she ate fast. She rinsed the bowl and slid it into the empty dishwasher before she grabbed her apron off the rack and headed to the front.

  It must’ve been then that Tony slipped in the back door and dumped the chemical in the pot. He must have thought she’d be back for her sample. But it was too late. The next person to eat the dumplings was that poor man, Mike Foley.

  And the tire blowout? That wasn’t an accident either. Or her brakes giving out, causing her to crash.

  The house was quiet all day. The kids hid out in their rooms. She tried to talk to each of them one-on-one but they were as shaken by the entire thing, as she was. Nothing she could say would make things better. Or bring their father back home.

  Dinner was a solemn affair. It consisted of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Jennifer tried to eat her sandwich. It tasted like cardboard and a chunk got stuck in her throat. She laid the rest on the plate and ended up dumping it in the trash.

  She herded the kids off to bed a little later than usual. Not that she believed any of them would get much sleep that night.

  She turned the lights off in the kitchen when she heard a “knock” on the front door. She pulled the front curtain back and craned her neck to see who it was. It was her father-in-law, Fred.

  For a second, she thought about not answering it. But her heart went out to him, certain he was as upset as she was.

  She unlocked the door and peeked around the corner. “Hello Fred.”

  “Can I come in?” he asked.

  “Uh-huh.” She nodded and stepped to the side.

  His face said it all. He looked tired. She wondered if she looked that tired. Probably.

  He stood just inside the doorway, as if not quite sure what to do. “Want to sit down?” she asked.

  He dragged a hand through his stark white hair and then nodded before making his way over to the dining room table. “I can’t believe it,” he said.

  He walked right past the table and over to the sliding glass door where he began to pace back and forth. “How could they arrest Tony? Did they have evidence?” He stopped in his tracks and stared at Jennifer.

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. They must have.”

  The more Fred paced, the more agitated he became. He started to swear. Jennifer was becoming alarmed. His actions were so uncharacteristic, it was unnerving her.

  She glanced down at his jacket. His hands were shoved in the pockets. Not once did he take them out.

  She continued to watch as he paced back and forth. Yes, there was something in his pocket. Something shiny. A shiver of sheer terror ran down her spine.

  It was that precise moment she remembered Fred had borrowed her car the day before the brakes went out. What if Fred and Tony conspired to kill her??

  She swallowed nervously. Her eyes darted to the front door. She could make a run for it. But what about the kids? If she got away, would she be leaving her children in the house with a killer? Would a grandfather murder his own grandchildren?

  Beads of sweat covered her brow. She reached out and grabbed the dining room chair in a death grip. Her knuckles turned white – the same shade as her face. Think! Think! She needed help and she needed it fast.

  Fred was rambling now. She wasn’t even certain he remembered she was there. “Uh, the kids haven’t eaten yet. I was going to order pizza.”

  He paused for a moment and stared at her blankly. “Huh.”

  She didn’t wait for an answer as she grabbed the phone and dialed 911. She pressed the phone tight against her ear and took a step back, hoping he couldn’t hear the person on the other end.

  “911. What is your emergency?”

  Her throat tightened. She choked out the words. “Yes, uh. I’d like to order a pizza. Deluxe,” she added.

  “Ma’am! Do you know you dialed 911?”

  “Yes, yes of course. Make it a large with everything.”

  “Is there someone with you and you’re unable to talk?” the operator asked.

  “Yes. And load it up with extra cheese. We need it delivered as soon as possible please.” Jennifer closed her eyes, praying the 911 operator would understand.

  “I’m dispatching a unit now.” She rattled off Jennifer’s address.

  The 911 operator asked, “Does this person have a gun?”

  “I’m almost positive. It’s the same order I placed last week.” Jennifer spied Fred out of the corner of her eye. He was coming her way.

  “Okay, thank you very much. Twenty minutes.” She disconnected the line before Fred got to her.

  “I think you and I should go for a ride. It’ll help me calm down,” he said.

  Jennifer jerked her head up and down. “Just as soon as the pizza gets here we can leave.”

  That answer seemed to satisfy Fred. For the moment. He walked back to the slider and stared out into the darkness. He started to mumble under his breath.

  Jennifer didn’t dare ask what he was saying. She closed her eyes and prayed. She prayed for God’s protection for her and her children.

  The hands on the clock seemed to stop. Her eyes stared at the clock, willing the hands to move faster! Ten minutes. Fifteen minutes.

  Fred stopped pacing and turned to Jennifer. “We can’t wait much longer,” he decided.

  Jennifer’s mouth was parched. She had trouble forming her words. “J-just a few more minutes. They should be here any second.”

  The doorbell rang. Fred was still on the other side of the dining room table. By the slider. “Pizza delivery,” a male voice called through the crack.

  As fast as she dared, Jennifer closed the gap between her and the front door. She didn’t bother peeking through the curtains. She threw the door open and dove behind an overstuffed chair next to the living room window.

  Things moved fast after that. Armed police officers raced in while Jennifer crawled out on her hands and knees.

  Jennifer squeezed her eyes shut. She prayed her kids would stay in their rooms. When she opened her eyes, Gloria Rutherford was standing over her, her arms open wide.

  A small cry escaped Jennifer’s lips. She pulled herself to her feet and collapsed in Gloria’s arms. Wrenching sobs shook Jennifer’s slender frame. Gloria held her for a long time. Tears filled her own eyes. The poor girl’s heart sounded like it was being ripped in two.

  Jennifer had her back to the door when the officers led a handcuffed Fred Barrett onto the deck. Paul was the last one to step out of the house. He made his way over to Gloria and Jennifer.

  Jennifer pulled herself upright. Her eyes were red, her face covered in splotches from crying. She wiped her tear-stained face with the back of her hand. “D-did he have a gun in his pocket?”

  Paul nodded. “Yes I’m afraid he did.” He reached out and touched her arm. “You’re quick thinking saved your life. And your children’s lives.”

  Gloria was curious. “How did the police know to show up so fast?” She knew Paul was on his way but as far as she knew, she only suspected Fred’s involvement. Her eyebrows raised.

  “Jennifer dialed 911 and pretended to order a pizza. The operator caught on that Jennifer was not ordering a pizza but calling for help.”

  Gloria was impressed. “What a great idea. What made you think of that?”

  A watery smile covered Jennifer’s face. “I read in the paper awhile back how a woman was trapped in her home with her ex-boyfriend. He was holding her hostage. She dialed 911 and pretended to order a pizza.”

  Paul turned to Gloria. “I have
to head back to the station and fill out paperwork.” He touched Jennifer’s arm. “Will you be okay if I leave?”

  Jennifer hiccupped and laughed at the same time. “Do you think anyone else is still out there that wants to kill me?”

  He shook his head. “No. I think you’re safe now.” He gave Gloria a peck on the check, made his way down the deck steps and disappeared into the darkness.

  Gloria led Jennifer inside. “I’ll stay awhile ‘til things settle down. I have to say, pizza does sound good,” she admitted. She skipped dinner earlier and was starving. Plus, maybe this way she could get Jennifer to eat a little herself.

  The pizza arrived and the girls each ate a piece as they talked about everything under the sun – except her husband and father-in-law.

  When Gloria was certain Jennifer would be okay, she told her good-night and made her way back home. She told Jennifer not to hesitate to call if she needed anything. Anything at all.

  She said a small prayer for the young mother, certain that some tough days were ahead.

  Chapter Ten

  The investigation into Michael Foley’s murder wrapped up rather quickly and things once again settled down in the small town of Belhaven. The new gossip in town was Andrea and Brian. They were almost inseparable.

  Gloria was happy for them. They seemed like the perfect couple and Brian doted on Andrea. But Andrea was spoiling him, too. She was trying her hand at cooking and getting pretty good at it. Gloria was proud of her.

  Andrea put in a small garden, next to the tool shed out back. She had a green thumb. She even experimented with foods Gloria herself never had any luck keeping alive.

  Gloria planted the rest of her summer garden. It was shaping up quite nicely.

  The only thing stuck in Gloria’s craw these days were the coins. Her cousin, David contacted her a couple weeks ago. The government got wind of the coins and were trying to take the four of them to court, claiming the coins were government property.

  David was fighting it every inch of the way. He kept the girls up-to-date weekly but the case was dragging on.

  Paul was busier than ever down at the police station. It seemed like instead of slowing down, he was working more and more.

  Gloria finished watering her thirsty plants. She turned off the faucet and hung the house back on the side of the house. The evening air was just right. Not too hot and not too cold. She started to head indoors when she changed her mind. Instead, she slid into the rocker.

  Mally met her on the porch. She dropped down at Gloria’s feet, her head fell on her paws and she closed her eyes.

  The scent of Lilacs filled the air. Gloria closed her eyes. The smell reminded her so much of her grandmother. A slideshow of memories danced around in her head. Happy memories. A small smile played across her face. God had blessed Gloria in so many ways. She opened her eyes and rose from the chair.

  “C’mon, girl. Time to head inside.”

  She opened the door and the two of them slipped into the kitchen for another quiet evening at home on the farm.

  Dot’s Delicious Chicken and Dumplings (The non-poisonous version)

  Ingredients

  1 Large Whole Chicken (remember to remove the giblets before boiling)

  7 Cups Self-Rising Flour

  1 Stick Butter or Margarine, softened

  3 Tablespoons Season-All Seasoned Salt

  Salt to taste (optional. 2-3 teaspoons)

  Pepper to taste (approx. 2 teaspoons)

  Water (2-1/2 cups to mix with flour)

  Directions

  Boil chicken in large pot until done – 30 minutes or it almost falls off the bone. Add pepper and 2 Tbsp. Season-All salt while chicken is boiling (plus additional table salt, if desired).

  Remove chicken from pot when done and set it aside to cool. Let it cool long enough to handle with your hands for deboning. (approx. 30 min.) Debone when cooled.

  Slowly start boiling the broth.

  While the chicken is cooling, mix the flour and 1 tbsp Season-All salt in large mixing bowl. Scoop a hole in the center of the flour/salt mixture. Add margarine.

  Using your hands, squish it between your fingers and dig into the flour, adding a small amount of water at a time to blend.

  Knead the mixture until you have a big ball of dough.

  Making the Dumplings

  Using the flour mixture, pinch off a piece the size of a silver dollar. Carefully drop in slow boiling pot. Continue pinching off and dropping them in the broth until bowl is empty.

  NOTE: You will have to stir often to keep the dumplings from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

  Add the deboned chicken to the pot of boiling broth and dumplings. (Chicken and broth should be at a slow boil.)

  After the chicken has been added, let simmer 10 - 20 minutes.

  Remove from heat. Let stand for approx. 10 minutes before serving.

  Enjoy!

  About The Author.

  Hope Callaghan is an author who loves to write Christian books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books. Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband.

  She is the proud mother of one daughter and a stepdaughter and stepson. When she's not doing the thing she loves best - writing books - she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading books.

  Hope loves to connect with her readers.

  Website: http://hopecallaghan.com for information on special offers and soon-to-be-released books!

  Facebook page:

  www.facebook.com/hopecallaghanauthor page for Free Books, Updates and Upcoming Books by Hope Callaghan!

  Other Books by Author, Hope Callaghan:

  Waves of Deception: Samantha Rite Series Book 1

  Winds of Deception: Samantha Rite Series Book 2

  Tides of Deception: Samantha Rite Series Book 3

  Who Murdered Mr. Malone? Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 1

  Grandkids Gone Wild: Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 2

  Smoky Mountain Mystery: Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 3