Old Fashioned Murder (A Ryli Sinclair Cozy Mystery Book 3)

by Jenna St James

  Aunt Shirley leaned closer to Kaylee. “We just have a couple questions we’d like to ask you.”

  Kaylee chucked her half-eaten sandwich onto the table, lifted her head up, and looked frantically around the room. She stuck her thumbnail in her mouth and started to nibble.

  “I’ll tell you the same thing I told the cops. I don’t know nothin’ about the stolen boxes out of the pantry or the stolen items from the residents’ rooms.”

  Oh, I think you do.

  I leaned toward her. “I’m just curious about the shipment that was stolen from the pantry. Were you the one that placed the order?”

  Kaylee gave a tiny nod.

  “Who else knew about the order, do you know?”

  Kaylee shrugged. “I don’t know. Anyone could have. It’s not like I hide the purchase orders. Plus, all the departments had to tell me what they wanted. For instance, food service told me they needed the utensils and napkins, and health service told me what medications they needed. I got the order for castor beans and the other herbs from the greenhouse.”

  “Who’s in charge of ordering for the greenhouse?” I asked.

  Kaylee’s eyes grew big and she shook her head. “I can’t tell you.” She looked around the lounge again. “Please, I already have the chief guy mad at me. He’s threatened to haul me in, but I just can’t.”

  “Is it your baby you’re worried about?” Aunt Shirley asked. “I know you have a new one to look after.”

  Tears filled Kaylee’s eyes. “Please,” she whispered. “I can’t help you. I need this job. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep this job.”

  I actually hated myself for what I was about to do.

  “And I believe you,” I said. “Want to know why? Because I heard you threaten to kill Ray Manning the other day. I was hiding behind the door when you two got into an altercation in the hallway.”

  Big alligator tears fell from Kaylee’s eyes. It was kinda eerie how she could cry without making a sound. Aunt Shirley reached over and removed a couple napkins from the dispenser on the table and handed them to Kaylee.

  “I promise whatever you tell us,” Aunt Shirley whispered, “will stay between us. No one has to know you ever said a thing. The police would have to go about legal channels, which may come back on you. But we don’t have to do that. You tell us something and we’ll take care of it on our own.”

  Jeez, she makes us sound like we’re the mafia now!

  Kaylee tucked her head down again so her hair was hiding her face. “You promise you won’t bring me into this?” she mumbled.

  “You have my word,” Aunt Shirley said solemnly.

  Kaylee swiped at her nose with the wadded up napkins in her hand. “I honestly have no idea why Ray Manning was killed. I don’t know if he was involved with the ring that’s stealing from the residents or not, or if he stumbled upon who they were and that’s why he was killed…”

  “Do you know who’s stealing from the residents?” I asked.

  Kaylee’s nod was barely noticeable. “I’ve been watching closely the last few days. I may know at least one person involved.”

  Aunt Shirley and I leaned in as close as we could to her. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I looked up and caught the eye of Big Baldy. He was facing our table and seemed to be watching us with too much interest.

  Fearing for Kaylee’s safety more than her job, I decided a distraction was in order. I stood up from the table, rummaged around in my pockets for change, and walked toward Big Baldy and the coffee machine. I knew Aunt Shirley had it under control with Kaylee.

  Big Baldy watched me walk toward the coffee machine—his eyes never leaving me. I could feel my legs getting weaker the closer I got to him. My fingers were shaking as I put the thirty-five cents into the machine. I have no idea what number I pushed, but it must have been right because the cup plopped down and a few seconds later thick, black coffee dispersed.

  I reached down to get the coffee and saw Big Baldy stand up and walk over to me. My mouth felt like the Sahara Desert, and I forgot how to breathe.

  He didn’t stop…just slowed down long enough to throw away his trash in the receptacle next to me. I didn’t have to wait long before he opened his mouth and spoke. “Leave it be.”

  CHAPTER 19

  * * *

  “So Sheri Daniels is in charge of purchase orders for the greenhouse, and Thomas Shifley is one of the people she thinks is stealing from the residents,” I said. I can’t say I was too shocked to find out Shifley was involved with stealing from the residents.

  Aunt Shirley nodded. “Now all we need to do is prove it’s Sheri Daniels that Shifty’s working with, find the stolen goods, and then prove Sheri Daniels is the killer.”

  I chuckled at Aunt Shirley’s optimism.

  We stopped to zip up our coats in front of the Manor door.

  “Move it.”

  I looked up and saw Carl Baker push his way through us. I looked at Aunt Shirley and saw the light bulb go on for her, too.

  We waited until he got far enough ahead before we took off after him—being sure to stay out of sight. We caught him going through the Tropical Paradise double doors.

  I peeked through one of the windows on the swinging doors and saw Baker talking with Shifley. I motioned for Aunt Shirley to have a look for herself in the other window.

  I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the animation let me know they were both pretty angry.

  Aunt Shirley ducked back out of sight and I followed suit.

  “So do you think it’s just Baker and Shifley?” I asked. “Or do you think it’s Baker, Shifley, and Sheri Daniels involved with the stolen goods?”

  Aunt Shirley shook her head. “I have no idea. We need to get into Shifley’s house just to make sure he has the stolen items on him.”

  “We need to tell Garrett what we know,” I countered.

  Aunt Shirley scowled at me. “He’ll figure it out on his own. This is for us and the Gazette readers.”

  I wasn’t sure I agreed with a word she said, but I let it go. She was right, Garrett was probably already on it. He’d surely put the pieces together before us.

  We made a quick stop at Burger Barn to grab burgers and fries before heading back to the office. It was a late lunch, but better late than never when it came to food.

  I was surprised to see Paige’s Tahoe parked in the parking lot. Until I remembered tomorrow was Valentine’s Day! With the discovery of the body and trying to solve the case, I’d completely forgotten. We’d made plans last week to go shopping and buy our guys gifts today.

  Mindy was sitting at her desk leafing through a magazine and laughing with Paige when we strolled in. Paige was sitting at my desk.

  I plopped the burgers down and started dispensing while Aunt Shirley went to grab Cokes from the refrigerator.

  “I’m so sorry, Paige,” I said as I handed Mindy a cheeseburger. “I totally forgot you were coming by. Do you want half my cheeseburger?”

  Paige shook her head. “No, thanks. I had lunch before I left the house.”

  “It won’t take us long to eat. Then we can head out.”

  “So what did you learn?” Mindy asked as she munched on a greasy fry.

  Aunt Shirley plunked down a can of soda in front of each of us. “That Thomas Shifley is stealing from the residents. We just need to figure out who all is working with him. He and Sheri Daniels are now my number one suspects for the Manning murder.”

  “Did you notice the big, scary bald guy in the lounge?” I asked Aunt Shirley.

  “Yep. Definitely looked like he could hold his own in a fight. What? You think he’s involved?”

  “Well, I noticed him watching us. So I went to go get a coffee, and when he got up to throw away his trash he told me to ‘leave it be,’ then walked away.”

  “Sounds scary,” Paige said. “Please be careful. I feel like I say this a lot with you two, but please don’t do anything foolish.”

  Aunt Shirley laughed
. “We have jobs to do. People in this town have a right to know what’s going on and we’re the ones to expose it!”

  I wasn’t quite sure about all that. “I feel better knowing we at least have a motive if Shifley turns out to be the murderer.”

  “Where are you girls off to today?” Mindy asked as she wadded up her wrapper and placed it in the Burger Barn bag.

  “Need to go to Brywood to pick the guys up a couple Valentine’s Day gifts,” I said. “Then head over to Cellar Ridge Winery to pick up a bottle of Scully’s White to drink with the romantic Valentine’s meal Garrett and I are having.”

  Mindy smiled. “Sounds nice. I already got my gift. You want to see it?”

  A Valentine’s Day gift for a seasoned Marine who cusses like a sailor and chews on the end of cigars all day…couldn’t wait to see this gift.

  Aunt Shirley clapped her hands together. “Let’s see what you got the curmudgeon.”

  We all laughed and Mindy looked over her shoulder to make sure Hank wasn’t around. She opened the bottom of a deep-set filing cabinet and took out a box. She set it on the desk and took one more look over her shoulder.

  “He ain’t coming,” Aunt Shirley assured her. “Let’s see it.”

  Mindy reached in and lifted out a beautiful lamp. On closer inspection, it wasn’t just any old lamp, it was a table lamp made for a Marine. The bulk of the lamp had the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem of the Corps sitting on a wooden base with the words Semper Fi inscribed on a brass plaque. There was a tiny fabric flag perched on top next to the pull-down lever to turn on the lamp. The lampshade had the colors of the Corps—scarlet, blue, and gold—with the values Honor, Courage, and Commitment written in gold along the base of the blue shade.

  Tears filled my eyes. “Omigosh, Mindy. You did great with this gift. He’ll love it.”

  Mindy wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I think so, too. I really wanted to do something special for him this year. It’s thirty-five years ago this year that he enlisted and went to boot camp. I just wanted to honor him for that.”

  Aunt Shirley sniffed and wiped her nose. “Well, it’s more than that old grouch deserves. Ryli’s right, you did good with this.”

  I smiled at Mindy “He’s so lucky to have you.”

  “And I’m lucky to have him.”

  Paige reached across and hugged Mindy. “I hope thirty-five years from now I’m doing romantic things like this for Matt.”

  “What in tarnation is going on out here?” Hank bellowed from his office door.

  We all screamed and stood behind Mindy so she could quickly put the gift away before Hank saw.

  “I don’t pay you to stand around and hug and cry and sing Kumbaya. I pay you to get me stories.”

  Mindy closed the file cabinet drawer as Hank walked over to the desk. “And what is this one doing here?” He took the cigar out of his mouth and waved it around Paige. “She doesn’t work here now, too, does she? Did she get put on the payroll?”

  “Simmer down, cupcake,” Aunt Shirley said. “We just got back from questioning our leads in the Manning murder, and now we’re heading out to get some quotes.”

  We were?

  “Well, what’re you standing around here for? Go do some interviews.”

  I grinned, grabbed my coat, and motioned for Aunt Shirley and Paige. “On it, boss. See ya tomorrow.”

  “Hold up. You’re telling me it’s going to take you the rest of the day to do an interview.”

  “Hank.” Mindy laid her hand on his arm. “Let the girls do their jobs. They’ve never let us down before.”

  I blew her a kiss and we scurried out the door and piled into the Falcon.

  “Just once I think we need to take my car,” Paige pouted from the backseat as she zipped up her black jacket. “The heater works great and–”

  “Not gonna happen,” Aunt Shirley said.

  CHAPTER 20

  * * *

  Cellar Ridge Winery was located off the beaten path about fifteen minutes between Granville and Brywood. The wood, earth tones, and stone both inside and out gave the winery a Tuscany feel.

  We decided to have a glass of wine and sit by the fireplace. We weren’t in that big of a hurry. After we paid for our drinks and four bottles of wine, we headed to Brywood to get gifts for Matt and Garrett.

  “I still can’t believe you bought a bottle of wine, Aunt Shirley.” She hardly ever drank wine. In fact, the last time I tried to give her red wine at Paige’s bachelorette party, she vowed to disown me.

  “You got a bottle for your beau, Paige got a bottle for her and Matt, and your mom got a bottle for her and Doc. I figured at this rate if I get me a bottle maybe I’ll get lucky and get me a beau that night. After all, I’ll be all alone, by myself, no one to share it with.”

  I knew she said the last part just to make me feel guilty—and it succeeded. But not guilty enough that I was willing to let her tag along on my date with Garrett.

  “Maybe it will,” Paige said diplomatically. She knew what Aunt Shirley was trying to do, and she wasn’t having it.

  Aunt Shirley huffed, crossed her arms, looked out the window and pouted.

  “Why don’t you ask Old Man Jenkins what he’s doing tomorrow night?” I suggested. “Maybe you can do the same date Virginia and Bert are doing.”

  Aunt Shirley pouted even more—if that’s possible. “He should be asking me. I shouldn’t have to do the asking.”

  I rolled my eyes at her logic.

  “Do you know what you’re getting Matt?” I asked, hoping to steer the conversation elsewhere.

  “He really wants a Zero Tolerance knife. So I guess I’m going with that.”

  “I’m getting Garrett a Benchmade knife.”

  Aunt Shirley turned to face us. “Well, I’m getting myself a pair of nunchucks.”

  Paige and I laughed.

  “No, you aren’t,” I chided.

  “Yes, I am. I’ve been watching these YouTube videos on how to use them.”

  I groaned. “What do you need nunchucks for?”

  “There’s a killer running around loose. I may be attacked and need to defend myself.”

  “With nunchucks?” I saw nothing good coming from this.

  I pulled the Falcon into the parking lot of Locked & Loaded. This was my first time here. But I’d heard Matt and Garrett talk about it so much I knew the people inside would take good care of me.

  A doorbell sounded as we walked in the store. It was very intimidating. There were guns of all sizes and makes hanging on the walls. I’m not really a gun person. I do know the difference between a rifle and a pistol, but that’s about all.

  Aunt Shirley did have a snub-nose revolver that she liked to carry. But pulling it out one too many times on innocent citizens, Garrett finally confiscated it. Now she was into her blowgun…and apparently nunchucks.

  A tall, dark-haired gentleman about sixty years old walked out from behind a curtain from the back. He had brown eyes and a pencil-thin mustache. His face lit up when he saw Aunt Shirley. “Well, now, look who’s here? It’s my favorite customer. I almost didn’t recognize you with your new hair. It’s gorgeous. But you always are.”

  “Delbert, you old charmer you. How you been?”

  “Pretty good. I’d be doing better if you married me.”

  My mouth dropped open. This dude was hitting on Aunt Shirley!

  “Close your mouth, flies will get in.” Aunt Shirley nudged me aside and sashayed to the counter. “Now you know I can’t go and marry you, Delbert. What would my other boyfriends think?”

  Delbert placed his hand over his heart. “They’d think I was one lucky son of a gun. No pun intended.”

  I rolled my eyes at Paige. “Ahem. Aunt Shirley, if we can tear you two lovebirds away, we need to get the gifts and head on back.”

  Delbert clapped his hands together. “Is this your great-niece, Ryli, I’ve heard so much about?” He rushed around the counter and took my hand in his. He brought it up to his
mouth and kissed the back of my hand.

  Yuck!

  I tried surreptitiously to wipe my hand on my jeans. I didn’t want to offend the guy, but…yuck!

  “That’s her. She and I are living together now for a while.”

  “You lucky girl. I’d give anything to be able to live with your Aunt Shirley.”

  I perked up. “Really? Because for about fifty bucks I can let you have her.”

  Delbert threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, you silly girl. You really are a kidder.”

  “Actually I’m not. You can really have her.”

  Paige giggled but grabbed hold of my arm. “Yes, she’s a kidder our Ryli.”

  Delbert smiled at Paige. “And you must be the lovely bride of Matt’s.” He looked down at her flat belly. “I hear we’re still waiting for the next Sinclair heir.”

  Paige’s mouth dropped open.

  I couldn’t help but laugh at this guy’s audacity. Who was he? Was he stalking my family? How the heck did he know so much about us?

  Delbert must have read my thoughts. “Your aunt keeps us all informed on her Facebook page.”

  I heard Paige suck in her breath and knew we needed to get on with the knife buying. Or maybe not. At this rate, Paige may shank Aunt Shirley in the parking lot.

  “So what can I do for you ladies today? Another blowgun for you, Shirley?”

  “So you’re the one to blame for that, huh?” I asked.

  Delbert laughed. “I thought it would be right up her alley.”

  “And it is,” Aunt Shirley agreed. “I use it all the time.”

  “So if not a blowgun, what then?”

  We spent the next twenty minutes looking at knives. By the time Delbert was done showing us his collection, I felt I knew everything there was to ever know about knives. I couldn’t wait to regurgitate my new information to Garrett and impress him with my knowledge.

  Paige and I picked out the merchandise we wanted and paid for the items.

  “What about you, beautiful? What can I interest you in today?”

  Aunt Shirley grinned. “I want some nunchucks.”