“That seems so lame, though. Who thinks like that?” Tommie asked.
“Someone desperate, as yer friend must’ve been,” Finbar said.
“Not my friend,” Tommie huffed.
“Oh, but she was, missus, or else you’d be dead.”
“Why would she kill Beverly?” Tommie asked.
“Oh, that was unintentional, too. Beverly was not the target. Charles Williams was,” Earl said, taking a hefty swig.
“What? Charles? Did she intend to make him sick, too? I can’t see the purpose in that,” Tommie stated.
“No, no, no. She intended to kill Charles. He stood in the way of her getting her heart’s desire—the two shops. You, yourself, told her that Sanderson could never sell, but he could give Charles a long-term lease on both the shops,” Earl told her. “I know you didn’t mean to, but you put that bug in her head, Tommie.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Let me finish, then. Your shop was closed down, maybe indefinitely. It was Valentine’s Day, and you brought her those snacks. In her own twisted way, she truly liked you, and you always came through for her. She didn’t even know you’d be there that day, though, and she had already dosed a large mug to give to Charles. You threw a monkey wrench into the works. By trying to help, you only got her more flustered. She had OCD, and everything had to be ordered and done in a particular way. You’re more laid back, and it made it difficult for her to focus. When it got busy, and you couldn’t keep up, she jumped in to fix things. She grabbed the mug she had set aside for Charles and put Beverly’s coffee in it by mistake.”
“I had no idea. I thought I was helping,” she said.
“I know, Darlin’. I know,” Earl said, patting her hand.
“So, when Beverly died, it served some of the same purpose as Charlie dying would have. It took focus away from Sarah Beth because it looked like she was being targeted, too,” Finbar deduced.
“I can’t imagine being that messed up,” Tommie said, leaning her head back against the chaise. She winced when she bruise on her head came into contact with the cushion. She sat up abruptly.
“What is it, missus?” Finbar asked.
“She. Hit. Me. On. The. Back. Of. My. Head,” she said through gritted teeth.
“That she did. It was Sarah Beth in yer shop, not Charlie,” Finbar said.
“Yep. By then, she was beyond desperate. She had killed once, and after the first time, it gets easier, I’m afraid,” Earl said. “You were alone, and it was a perfect opportunity to get rid of you for good. Besides, as clever and you and Holmes were, she knew it was just a matter of time before the two of you figured it out. Both of you had been in there cleaning, so she knew you’d be opening in a day or two. Caving in your skull was not her first option. She wanted to poison you, but you were standing right there when she came in the back door, and you would have seen her any minute. There wouldn’t have been a good reason for her to be in your shop. She couldn’t have come in through the connecting door because she actually listened to me when I said to stay out of the crime scene!” He gave Tommie a stern look.
“Earl, d’you think her condition had anything to do with her attacking Thomasina like she did?” Finbar asked.
“Oh, absolutely. You take a person who’s got to be in control of every minute detail, and you move one little thing out of place, and that person will spiral out of control. Y’all didn’t move one little thing—you moved a lot of little things.”
“When did she poison my cup?” Tommie asked.
“Oh, that could’ve been anytime between the time we caught Charles and released her shop as a crime scene and today before your grand reopening. She had plenty of opportunity to do it,” Earl said.
“Why d’you think she stopped Thomasina from drinking the poison?” Finbar asked, although he already knew the answer.
Earl turned to Tommie. “She liked you, Tommie. She really did. And today, you were sweet and trusting and appreciative. You accepted her help with such graciousness. You allowed her to make the decision about the snack arrangement and complimented her handicap by calling it a gift. But, more than anything, you were kind to her son. She saw you wave at him and wink at him and smile at him. And she saw him respond to the genuine beauty you have inside. She said he even laughed and interacted with other people because of something you touched in him. She was no longer Sarah Beth, the woman who was in control and wanted to run a large coffee shop. She was Sarah Beth, the mother of a troubled child. You showed them both love, Tommie Watson, and that’s what turned Sarah Beth.” He had his hand on her shoulder, and he didn’t pat it; he just let it lie there, heavy and warm and comforting as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
Finbar finished his Guinness, the dogs snored on the floor, and everything was good in Tommie’s world.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
St. Patrick’s Day arrived on a Sunday, and it was a time for celebration. Tommie was given permission to remove the monstrous black boot, and she made her way around slowly with the help of a bright teal cane Finbar had ordered for her.
“You need something to match yer shop décor, missus,” he explained when he presented it.
Sarah Beth pled guilty to the manslaughter of Coral Beadwell and Beverly Cantrell, attempted murder of Charles Williams, and attempted murder of Thomasina Watson. She made a plea deal to serve her sentence in a minimum-security facility where she would receive mental health treatment.
Charles Williams was found guilty of his drug charges, and he was sent to the Floral County Correctional Facility in Cypress City to serve out his sentence.
Following the divorce, Linda Beadwell moved to Ag City, Alabama and got a job in a retail department store.
Henry Erving began keeping company with both of the sisters. For some unknown reason, it was a satisfactory arrangement for all of them, and the trio was frequently seen eating lunch in the gazebo with Don Lareby.
Gary Brewster did indeed go over the edge after Sarah Beth was arrested. He got in his car one morning, drove away, and never returned to Floribunda.
Barry Brewster checked himself into a recovery center in Sugar Sands Beach where he could be near the beauty of the blue-green gulf water. Tommie and her son Kevin visited him every Sunday after their dinner at Kevin’s restaurant. He began teaching Barry to play the guitar, and the young man finally got the positive attention he needed. Maggie promised to light a pink candle for him and send positive thoughts.
Terry Jackson and Annie Lang took Tommie and Finbar to a Mexican restaurant on the outskirts of Floribunda. After he finished wiping down the table and the silverware, Finbar thoroughly enjoyed the food and asked to be invited again. He, of course, paid the check and left a generous tip.
Earl took Tommie to dinner two Saturday nights in a row. The first time was to Sam’s Bar-B-Q, a local favorite. The second time was to The Fallen Oak, a restaurant that used to be called The Great Oak before the hurricane. They did not invite Finbar to accompany them; she did not wear scrubs.
Kevin Watson had to work on St. Patrick’s Day, so Tommie’s evening was freed up to go with Earl to the grand opening of a new establishment in town. The seating was reserved for only 20 guests, and Tommie and Earl had been personally invited by the proud proprietor. They arrived at 4:45 and took their seats. They were pleased to see Henry there with Don and the sisters. Their tables were beside each other.
It was a casual, but exclusive, dining place that served light snacks and beverages for customers to enjoy while they watched a cooking demonstration by the owner. The menu always reflected the latest holiday or celebration. Being St. Patrick’s Day, the meal was Irish themed. While they waited, Earl had an Irish coffee and Tommie had Irish tea.
At 5:00, the owner, dressed in chef’s clothing of black and white striped pants and a white jacket, donned a tall white starched chef’s hat for the cooking exhibition. He proceeded to demonstrate how to make the night’s dinner. The show was entertaining, and the smells
from the cookpots on the stove and in the oven really whetted their appetites. At 7:45, the food was ready. The chef served all 20 guests from the counter, buffet-style, which was how it was done in his home country.
The Beef and Guinness Stew was fragrant and hearty, with chunks of rough-cut potatoes, carrots, boneless beef chuck, onions, bacon, celery, spices and seasonings, and, of course, Guinness beer. Accompanying the stew was the traditional brown Irish soda bread, with Kerrygold butter and Dubliner cheese. When all of them had been served, the chef lifted a glass of dark Guinness, and the guests followed suits.
“Sláinte!” Finbar said. “That’s ‘health’ in Gaelic.”
“Sláinte!” his guests echoed.
After dinner, Earl helped Tommie to her feet and put his arm around her waist. Thanking chef Finbar, they exited the restaurant. Tommie looked back and read the lighted marquis over the two side-by-side establishments and smiled.
Holmes & Watson
Caife Caife Holmes Watson’s Reme-Teas
Irish Coffee & Cooking Herbal Teas & Potions
Watson’s Herbal Teas & Potions
NOTE: Please heed the warnings in [brackets!]
Used incorrectly, herbs can be deadly as poisons!
To Make Tea: Unless otherwise noted, measure equal amounts of each herb and combine in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Fill one tea strainer or infuser ball with 1-2 TBS of herb mixture and put in cup or mug. Pour 6-8 ounces of boiled water over the herbs and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. Remove herbs. Add sweeteners, cream, or lemon as desired. (Any herb may be omitted. For stronger tea, you may bruise or grind the herbs before adding. Be sure to store herbs in an airtight container away from heat and light.)
Laid-Back Landlord
Lavender flowers
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding; omit if headache or constipation occur]
Chamomile flowers
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding, if allergic to daisies or ragweed,
or with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease;
can cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating machinery]
Lemon balm
Basil leaves
Cardamom (just a pinch!)
[IN MODERATION if pregnant or breastfeeding, or with gallstones]
Dreamer Creamer
Combine ingredients and refrigerate before use.
Nutmeg, ½ tsp, ground
Rose water, 1 TBS
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding]
Fresh milk or cream, 8 oz
Honey-Honey
Combine and let sit for 2-3 days. When ready to use,
pour into a cup and set in a pan of hot water.
Strain out blossoms before using in tea.
Honeysuckle blossoms, fresh or dried
Raw clover honey
Blues Reme-Tea
St. John’s wort
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding, or if taking antidepressants;
can cause photosensitivity]
Spearmint
Nettle leaves
[CAUTION: fresh herb can sting skin; use dried herb for tea]
Lemon balm
Oregano
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding]
Basil leaves
Fruity Friendship
Chopped dried apricots cherries, peaches
(can use any dried fruit of choice)
Cinnamon sticks, broken into small pieces
Honeybush tea
Romantic Red
Red rose buds
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding; omit if headache occurs]
Red Rooibos tea
Jasmine flowers
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding]
Mint leaves
(hand-tie around jasmine before steeping)
Zzzzz-Tea
Spearmint leaves (2)
Chamomile flowers
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding, if allergic to daisies or ragweed,
or if high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease;
Can cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating machinery]
Hibiscus flowers
Lemon balm
Rose petals (½)
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding; omit if headache occurs]
Teadle-Dee
Blackberry leaves
[AVOID with anticancer supplements/herbs]
Peppermint leaves
Lemon balm
Lavender flowers
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding; omit if headache or constipation occur]
Marshmallow leaves
Teadle-Dum
Red clover herb and blossoms
[AVOID if on blood thinners or heart medications;
AVOID 2 weeks before or after surgery.]
Spearmint leaves
Lemon peel
Thyme
Queen of Hearts
Red rose petals
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding; omit if headache occurs]
Raspberry leaves
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding, or with uterine fibroids,
hormone-related cancers, or endometriosis]
Jasmine blossoms
[AVOID if pregnant or breastfeeding]
Green tea leaves
(hand-tie around jasmine before steeping)
Cheshire Cat Coffee
(roast ingredients on a sheet pan in 350° oven
until dark brown; cool and grind before use)
Chicory
Mocha mix
(Raw cocoa nibs, carob, and/or raw chocolate)
Dandelion root
[AVOID with gallstones or with seasonal allergies to dandelions]
Natural or Organic Sweeteners
100% grade A dark maple syrup
Agave - blue, red, or gold
Raw honey
Vanilla
Stevia
Molasses
Monk fruit
Coconut sugar
Raw turbinado sugar
Cinnamon/all-spice/nutmeg
Tommie’s Valentine Treats
Besame Bagel Bites
Ingredients:
Premade or refrigerated bagels
Milk, ½ cup
Sugar, ¼ cup
Butter, 1 TBS
Poppyseeds, 2 TBS
Preparation: Toast premade bagels or follow package directions on refrigerated bagels package. Cool on racks. Drizzling Syrup: Simmer milk and poppyseeds on low heat. Whisk in sugar and butter until all ingredients melt and combined. Remove from heat. Drizzle over cooled bagels.
Salty Sweetheart Mix
Ingredients:
Pumpkin seeds
Fig filled cookies, quartered
Cranberries, dried
Pretzel bits
Butter mints
Dark chocolate pieces
Preparation: Combine equal portions of all ingredients in a large zipper lock bag and shake gently to distribute sweet and salty elements. Portion into cups, bags, or small bowls to serve.
Double Sweet Kisses
Ingredients:
Hershey’s Kisses
Peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
Milk chocolate
Preparation: Lay chocolate kisses flat side down on baking sheet. Holding the tip, spread peanut butter all around the sides. Freeze on trays until hard. Heat milk chocolate in a double boiler or in a glass dish in the microwave, stirring frequently until melted. Transfer frozen candies to crisscrossed cooling racks over baking sheets. Spoon melted chocolate over kisses and put in refrigerator (or freezer) until ready to serve.
Culinary Creations by Holmes
Even though Finbar Holmes is from Ireland, all ingredients listed are measured in standard United States customary units. Feel free to add, omit, or substitute ingredients.
Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients:
All-purpose wheat flour, 4 cups
Baking soda, 1 tsp
Salt, 1 tsp
Buttermilk
, 1 ½ cups
Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°. Sift and whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Form a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in buttermilk, Blend together using hands until the texture is crumbly but sticks together and pulls away from the bowl. Form into a ball and place on a greased cast iron skillet or in a Dutch oven. Make an “X” across the top of the dough with a sharp knife, just about an inch or so deep. Bake for 40 minutes until outside is browned. To serve, slice with a bread knife and top with an Irish butter (like Kerrygold) and sliced strong cheese (like Kerrygold Dubliner, Blarney Castle, Aged Cheddar, Ballyshannon, or Skellig.)
Fish & Chips with Mushy Peas & Malt Vinegar
Ingredients: (4 servings)
Marrowfat dried peas, 1 cup
Baking soda, 1 ½ tsp
Salt, ½ tsp
White large flake fish (cod, scamp, pollock, haddock), 4 filets
All-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups
Salt, 1 tsp
Beer or ale, 14.9 oz. (Guinness, or use a non-alcoholic ale)
Peanut or other high temperature oil for frying
Potatoes, 4 large russet
Salt, to taste
Malt Vinegar
Preparation - Peas: Combine dried peas and baking soda in a pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover pot, and soak peas for two or more hours. Rinse well and return to pot. Cover with water, add salt, and simmer covered for an hour until peas thicken and are mushy.
Preparation – Fish: Whisk together 1 cup flour, salt, and beer and set aside. Heat oil in a Dutch oven to 375° or until a bit of batter sizzles when dropped in. Pat fish dry, then toss in remaining ½ cup flour and shake off excess. Dip filet in the beer batter and let the excess drip off. Carefully lower fish into hot oil about halfway and hold for 15 seconds, then drop it in and cook until golden brown, about 7 or 8 minutes. Drain on a wire rack over a baking sheet. (can be kept warm by placing rack in a cold oven)
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