Sweet Secrets (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 3)

by J A Whiting

  Courtney said, “I guess Nana was hard to stop once she got going.”

  Gagne grinned. “That she was.”

  Angie and Courtney chatted with the man a bit longer, and then got up to leave. They promised to return for a visit and bring Jenna and Ellie along.

  As they turned to go, Angie looked back. “Mr. Gagne, do you happen to know who the lawyer was that Nana went to for help?”

  “Sure. I heard he’s retired and moved to Florida recently. It was Blake Ford.”

  Attorney Jack Ford’s uncle. Angie would have to talk to Jack about this.

  As they started away, Courtney turned back and smiled. “Thanks for letting us borrow your bikes when we were kids.”

  Gagne’s eyes lit up. “It was my pleasure.”

  Chapter 13

  The next day, everyone, except Jenna, was up before sunrise to get ready for the annual Sweet Cove Fourth of July Festival. Courtney left the house with Mr. Finch at 5am to go to the candy store to finish the preparations for their candy booth at the street festival. A few minutes later, Ellie was buzzing around in the carriage house kitchen baking muffins and boiling eggs for the B and B guests. Ever since Angie picked up on a sense of sadness in the other apartment, Ellie had moved her pots and pans into the second of the two apartments in the carriage house. She claimed not to be superstitious and that she preferred the light in the other apartment, but everyone knew the real reason for the move.

  Angie rubbed the sleep from her eyes and stumbled along the walkway to the carriage house with Euclid and Circe at her heels. “I should have been a jewelry designer like Jenna instead of a baker,” Angie told the cats. “She gets to stay in bed in the morning.”

  Just a tiny tip of the sun was visible as it made its daily climb above the horizon. There was a bit of early morning fog that lent a chill to the air. In an hour, the fog would burn off and the temperature would rise. Angie could already feel the warmth of the day pushing the coolness away.

  Angie flicked the apartment lights on. Despite the feeling that something sad had happened in these rooms, Angie was able to block the sensation whenever she worked in the tiny kitchen. She was thankful for the two carriage house apartments which gave her and Ellie separate spaces to work in while the Victorian’s kitchen was renovated.

  The cats took their place on top of the refrigerator to supervise Angie while she prepared her popular chocolate cupcakes and Blondie squares for the festival. Before touching any ingredients, Angie had a ritual now where she paused, tried to clear her mind, and focused her thoughts on happy things to be sure she didn’t put the wrong intention into her baked goods. She hummed as she mixed and every now and then the cats trilled along with Angie’s singing.

  Tom offered to load his truck with Jenna’s jewelry and Angie’s treats and drive them up to Main Street and help them set up for the festival. The organizers gave Jenna, Angie, Courtney and Mr. Finch three tables next to each other. Ellie planned to take a short break from the B and B’s morning activities to pick up Courtney and Finch at the candy store and deliver their candy products to the festival.

  Once the vendors were in place, the street would be closed off all day to allow tourists and townspeople to browse the tables and shops along the route. Every few blocks, a musical group was set up to provide live entertainment. The street was decorated with flags, balloons, and garlands of flowers. Each year, all of Sweet Cove looked forward to the celebration. The street festival always took place on the first day of the three day event and was followed by a parade, a town-wide beach clambake, a strawberry festival, an art sale, games for the kids, and a fabulous fireworks display on the final night.

  As soon as the tables and booths were set up, the crowds filled the street.

  “I think it’s the busiest year yet,” Courtney called to her sisters. She and Finch wore matching pale blue aprons that slipped over their heads and tied behind their waists. The words Finch and Roseland Confectioners were embroidered across the front of the aprons in bold, block, navy blue letters. Angie thought she’d never seen Courtney happier.

  People swarmed the Roseland girls’ booths. Customers told Angie they couldn’t wait until her Sweet Dreams Bake Shop reopened and were thrilled when she informed them that the bake shop would be opening sooner than was originally planned. Townspeople praised Courtney and Finch for their sweets claiming superior quality and taste. Angie wasn’t sure which of the two candymakers’ faces beamed with the most pleasure and pride. Jenna’s designs were selling like hot cakes and Tom had to make another trip to both the Victorian and the candy store to replenish each booth’s supplies.

  Tom and the sisters clustered together chatting during a momentary lull in the action.

  “This is harder work than doing construction.” Tom mopped beads of sweat from his forehead. He sat down in one of the lawn chairs they’d brought along. “I need a rest.”

  “You thought we lived an easy life of sunshine, beautiful jewelry, and delicious things to eat.” Jenna chuckled and Tom grabbed her waist and pulled her onto his lap.

  “This is really hard work.” Courtney’s eyes sparkled with happiness. She pulled her hair up and fastened it with a clip. Reaching for her water bottle, some movement on a side street opposite them caught her eye and her face clouded. “There’s that jerk.”

  “Who?” Angie followed her sister’s gaze to where a man in a shiny black Mercedes was gesturing to Chief Martin in an angry, animated way. “Oh. It’s the historical society grouch.”

  “Looks like he wants the chief to let him drive through the festival onto Main Street,” Angie observed. They could hear angry words being thrown at the chief.

  Mr. Finch scowled watching the chief trying to placate the hot-headed man. “I guess some people think that the rules don’t apply to them.”

  They watched for another minute as the grouch in the Mercedes became more animated and red-faced. A patrolman came up and stood beside the chief in case backup was needed.

  Tom stood to see what the commotion was about. “That guy. He’s a pain. Thinks he’s better than everyone else.”

  “What’s his name?” Jenna asked. “I’ve seen him around town.”

  Tom wiped his forehead again. “Paul Wilson. He’s loaded with money. He worked in the town hall practically his whole life. Now that he’s retired, he volunteers at the historical society.”

  “How’d he get so rich working in the town hall?” Courtney frowned watching the fool argue with Chief Martin.

  Tom said, “He inherited money, made good investments. I hear he’s got a house in Florida, an apartment in Boston. He lives in Coveside in the big house that’s right on the harbor.”

  “He lives in that house?” Jenna’s eyes went wide. “He must have made very good investments.”

  “Angie and I talked to him at the historical society the other day. He’s the one who acted so arrogant and mean.” Courtney crossed her arms in front of her chest remembering how angry he’d made her.

  “That’s him.” Tom sat back down in the lawn chair. “A real jerk.”

  The squeal of the Mercedes’ tires turned everyone’s heads. Grouch Wilson had put his vehicle in reverse and floored it backwards up the side street. Chief Martin and the patrolman shook their heads.

  People approached the girls’ booths and they all got back to work.

  It was mid-afternoon when Angie saw a middle-aged blonde woman pushing an older white-haired woman in a wheel-chair. She recognized Flora Walters and her daughter Denise Landers.

  Flora greeted Angie. “I heard you were here selling those chocolate cupcakes of yours and my mouth started watering.”

  “I’ve been pushing her for blocks trying to find your booth.” Denise smiled. “But I don’t mind because I can use the workout.”

  “You haven’t run out of them have you?” Flora’s face looked worried.

  Angie produced a chocolate cupcake. She pulled her icing bags from a cooler. “Would you like vanilla or chocolate
frosting on top?”

  Flora’s eyes gleamed. “Chocolate, all the way.”

  Angie squeezed the bag and created a mountain of swirled chocolate on top of the cupcake. She handed the treat to the woman. “Would you like one too?” Angie asked Denise.

  Denise rolled her eyes and laughed. “I wasn’t going to indulge, but who can resist.”

  Angie piped vanilla frosting onto Denise’s cupcake. When Denise tried to pay for the two treats, Angie waved them off. “I can’t charge my biggest fan.”

  Flora had frosting on her chin and Angie handed her a napkin. The older woman accepted it, but said impishly, “I’d rather lick the frosting off my chin than wipe it off with a napkin.”

  Angie introduced Flora and Denise to her sisters and Tom, and they all chatted for a few minutes. The women said goodbye and Flora held her hand out to shake with Angie. They started away to head further along the street to browse the other booths and tables. Denise pushed the wheelchair down Main Street.

  Jenna kidded her sister. “You should put that woman in an advertisement for your bake shop. She’s your biggest fan.”

  Angie was looking at something in her hand, and then passed it to Jenna so that she could see it. “Flora seems to be more than just a fan.”

  Jenna looked at the piece of paper her sister had handed her. She raised her eyes to Angie.

  “Flora passed it to me when she shook my hand. She mustn’t have wanted her daughter to see her give it to me.”

  On the small square of paper, written in black ink were the words, Talk to the Coveside tour lady about John Turner and your Nana.

  Chapter 14

  After the girls returned home from the street festival and put everything away, everyone gathered around the dining table to enjoy a dinner of homemade soup, crusty parmesan bread, salad, and rice with chopped grilled veggies. Euclid and Circe rested on the top of the China cabinet listening to the humans discussing the successful day that each one had selling their wares at the festival.

  “I’m exhausted.” Tom took a second helping of rice. His face was red from sunburn. “The hot sun wore me out. All my renovations projects are indoors right now. I’m not used to being outside all day.”

  Jenna offered to get Tom some aloe lotion for his skin after dinner.

  Courtney said, “The crowd loved our candy. I’m so excited.” She got up from her seat and gave Mr. Finch a bear hug that knocked his eyeglasses askew on his face. “Thank you for going into business with me.” She carefully adjusted Finch’s glasses.

  Mr. Finch’s eyes were wide from Courtney’s display of gratitude and Angie was sure she saw a few tears gather at the corners of the older gentleman’s lids. “Coming to Sweet Cove and meeting all of you … well, it has made me feel that my life is starting anew.”

  Courtney winked at him. “Meeting us and Betty Hayes, you mean.” Her comment raised chuckles from everyone.

  Ellie suggested watching a movie later in the evening so that they could relax from the busy day.

  “After dinner, Angie and I are going down to Coveside,” Jenna said.

  Angie explained the note that Flora Walters passed to her during the festival.

  “Why did she pass a note?” Ellie asked. “Why not just tell you?”

  Angie said, “Flora told me she doesn’t want her daughter to think she’s being an alarmist. But I wonder if the real reason is that Flora fears the subject is something dangerous.”

  Euclid howled and each person at the table jumped.

  “Euclid, jeez.” Ellie put her hand over her heart. “I wish he wouldn’t do that.”

  Angie made eye contact with the huge orange feline who was sitting tall on top of the cabinet. A wave of anxiety pulsed through her veins. “Euclid thinks I’m right about the danger.”

  Tom laughed. “Is the cat clairvoyant or something?”

  The faces around the table looked at Tom and remained serious. The smile fell from his lips and his eyebrows knitted together. He rested his fork on his plate. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”

  Jenna placed her hand over Tom’s. “I think it’s probably time that we had a chat.” She led Tom to the family room so that she could explain her family and their powers to him.

  The others cleared the table, put leftovers away, and loaded the dishwasher. Mr. Finch decided to head upstairs to his room for a shower, some reading, and an early bedtime. He and Courtney were going to meet early in the morning to work at the candy store. Ellie and Courtney decided to get into their pajamas and watch a movie in the sunroom. Angie sat on the front porch nervously waiting for Jenna and Tom. Euclid and Circe were curled up on the small rug next to her rocker.

  After an hour passed, Jenna and Tom came out to the porch. Angie looked up anxiously hoping that Tom had been able to accept the news of the family powers without freaking out.

  He leaned against the porch railing. He glanced at the cats and then at Angie. “It explains things. I guess it makes sense.”

  “You’re not going to disown all of us?” Angie had worry lines crinkling her forehead.

  “Not over this.” Tom smiled.

  The cats trilled at the muscular man. Angie stood up and hugged him. “Give it some time. It was hard for me to come to terms with it. It still is. But, I’m glad you know. It didn’t feel right keeping it from you.”

  While Jenna walked Tom to his car, Angie tried to force the cats into the house. Euclid hissed and Circe made an effort to run, but Angie corralled them and pushed them inside. She sighed. The felines’ behavior made her worry about what she and her sisters might be getting themselves into. After shutting the front door, she joined Jenna in the driveway. “Ready for some investigating?”

  “You bet,” Jenna said.

  They walked to Main Street and turned left to follow the street to Coveside.

  ***

  “Do you know the tour leader’s name?” Jenna asked as they entered the cove’s tourist area. The crowds were heavier than usual due to the July Fourth festival.

  “No, but there’s a bookshelf full of tourist pamphlets in the Visitor’s Center. There must be one about the historical tours. Let’s go in and get one.”

  They located the brochure, went outside and found a bench under a streetlamp where they sat and read it over. Jenna said, “The woman who gives the tours is Shirley Banks. There’s a bio about her here on the back of the pamphlet. It says she has a Ph.D. in history and her area of specialization is early New England history. She taught for years at a university in Boston and when she retired she took over her mother’s business giving tours about Sweet Cove.” Jenna looked up. “So how does she know anything about Nana?”

  “We’ll find out. What time is the last tour finished?”

  Jenna glanced at the brochure and then at her watch. “It ends in fifteen minutes. The tour must finish in the same place that it starts. Down by the drawbridge. Want to head that way?”

  The girls walked past the stores and zig-zagged around the tourists strolling along the brick sidewalks. When they reached the bridge, the tour group was coming towards them from further down the street. Shirley Banks had on a long printed summer dress and sandals. Her auburn hair was cut short and soft around her face and she carried a few extra pounds, but they made her look curvaceous not heavy. Angie estimated that she must be in her late sixties.

  The girls approached the woman as soon as the tour drew to a close.

  “Dr. Banks?” The girls introduced themselves and asked if she had time to talk.

  “Sure.” The woman gave a friendly smile. She gestured to an outdoor café where they could get some drinks and sit.

  When they were settled at a table, Angie said, “We’ve been trying to find out things about our grandmother. We’re talking to people who might have known her.”

  “Your grandmother was a lovely person. I enjoyed her company.”

  “Did you know her long?”

  “She and my mother were friends. I knew her from w
hen I was a teenager. When I retired I started doing the tours. I usually stopped at her shop with the day tour groups for refreshments. We always talked. Even though our interactions then were limited to being here in the cove, I considered her a friend.”

  Angie did some quick calculations in her head. If Shirley was in her late sixties now and Nana died fifteen years ago, she was awfully young when she retired. Something seemed off, but Angie couldn’t place it. “You retired early from university teaching?”

  Shirley nodded. “I taught for twenty-five years. I decided to retire at fifty. My mother left me the house on the other side of the cove. I was ready for something new so I took over her tour business. Did some advertising and the tours took off. I have three employees now. I run the tours from the spring through early fall.”

  “We’ve seen you leading tours.” Jenna sipped her latte. “You do the nighttime ghost tours too?”

  Shirley laughed. “That’s right. That’s the tour I just finished. I mix some old ghost stories and legends into the history of the place. Some people enjoy a bit of a fright.”

  “Did you ever visit Nana at her house on the point?” Angie asked.

  “Once I did. She had a beautiful cottage. She decorated it like something out of a magazine.”

  Jenna smiled. “We loved that house. We had so much fun there.”

  “Do you mind if I ask?” Shirley’s face was questioning. “Why are you talking to people who knew her?”

  “We were wondering ….” Angie started. “We were just kids when she died. We were wondering what she was like, other than being our Nana. We want to know her better.”

  Shirley studied Angie’s face. “Why do I get the feeling there’s something more?”

  This woman is perceptive. Angie cocked her head. “How do you mean?”

  “Are you looking for something specific about your grandmother?”