Sweet Hide and Seek (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 9)

by J A Whiting

  Sweet Hide and Seek

  A Sweet Cove, Massachusetts Cozy Mystery Book 9

  J. A. Whiting

  Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Thank you for reading!

  Some Recipes From The Sweet Cove Series

  Chocolate Pudding Cake

  Honey Cake

  Blueberry Crumble Cake

  Easy Sopaipilla Cream Cheese Squares

  Creamy Caramel Flan

  Veggie And Lentil Bolognese

  Also by J. A. Whiting

  About the Author

  Copyright 2016 J.A. Whiting

  Cover copyright 2016 Susan Coils at www.coverkicks.com

  Formatting by Signifer Book Design

  Proofreading by Donna Rich

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, or incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to locales, actual events, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from J. A. Whiting.

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  Created with Vellum

  For my family and friends, with love

  1

  Carrying their suitcases as dusk gathered and snowflakes dusted the shoulders of their coats, the four Roseland sisters, followed by their two cats, Euclid and Circe, walked up the steps to the Victorian’s front porch and entered the elegant foyer where they plopped their bags on the floor. They had just returned from a mini-vacation at a ski resort with their boyfriends, Mr. Finch and Betty Hayes. The young people skied, snowboarded, and snow-tubed while Finch and Betty took walks, shopped, and sat in comfy chairs reading in front of the roaring fire with two fine felines curled on their laps.

  “That vacation was just what I needed.” Courtney, the youngest sister, removed her coat and hung it in the entryway closet.

  “It was great being outside all day long.” Ellie chuckled. “It made me dislike winter less.”

  Jenna lugged her bag up the carved wooden staircase. “We need to get away more often.”

  The big house felt chilly from having the heat turned down for so many days and Angie went to turn the thermostat up. “When will the next round of bed and breakfast guests be arriving?”

  Ellie ran a B and B out of the Victorian mansion that the sisters lived in together. “Early this evening.”

  Angie’s mouth dropped. “That soon?”

  Ellie pulled her long hair up into a bun. “We’re home, so it’s back to business.” The tall blonde yawned as she bent to carry her suitcase up the steps. “I probably should have waited until tomorrow to start accepting reservations. If I don’t come out of my room in an hour, come and wake me.”

  Angie had enjoyed the trip immensely as she and her boyfriend were finally able to spend time together focused on each another. Thinking of Josh made Angie’s knees weak and a little smile played over her lips. Josh Williams was a businessman and entrepreneur who had recently bought-out his older brother’s share in the Sweet Cove Resort in order to run his businesses and his life according to his own wishes, and part of those wishes included living in town close to Angie.

  The cats followed Angie through the downstairs rooms of the house as she checked that everything was as it should be and nothing had gone awry while the family had been on their trip. Walking through the living room, the beauty of the space’s comfortable, elegant furnishings warmed her heart. Even though it had been a wonderful, fun-filled trip, it was always nice to be home.

  Angie looked to the side table in the foyer where they kept the framed photograph of Professor Marion Linden, the woman who left the Victorian mansion to Angie when she passed away. The sisters later discovered that Professor Linden was their great aunt.

  Just as Angie smiled at the photo and mouthed thank you for our lovely home to the image of the professor, Euclid, the huge orange Maine Coon cat jumped up onto the side table set in front of the big windows that looked out onto the front porch. He flicked his plume of a tail slowly back and forth. Circe, the delicate black cat with a white patch on her chest, sat on the area rug at the base of the table and watched her feline friend.

  Something about what the cats were doing sent a shiver down Angie’s back and she pulled her cardigan tight around herself. As she walked into the sunroom that was off the living room, she put her forefinger against the soil of the plant pots to check if they needed watering, glanced out the window to the backyard, and then returned to the living room. Euclid still stared out the window and Circe sat quietly on the floor as if she was waiting for something. Standing at the edge of the living room watching the cats, Angie felt a sense of unease grip her stomach.

  “What’s cookin,’ Sis?” Courtney came into the room from the foyer. “You see a ghost or something?”

  Angie pointed at the cats and Courtney turned her attention to the two sentinels. “Are they waiting for something?”

  Angie made eye contact with her sister.

  Courtney grinned. “You’re kidding. Really? We just got home. Something’s happening already? Cool.” She was the one sister who loved figuring out the clues and suspects of a mystery. She and Mr. Finch enjoyed watching crime shows together and they both claimed to learn a good deal from the episodes, which came in handy when they were sometimes called in to help the town police chief with difficult cases. The Roseland sisters and Mr. Finch often “consulted” for the Sweet Cove Police Department because they each had a special skill … and those skills fell under the category of paranormal powers.

  “I’m starting to feel anxious.” Angie frowned. “Do you feel anything?”

  Courtney sat down on the sofa and looked at the two animals. She closed her eyes for a minute trying to pick up on anything floating on the air. Suddenly, her eyes popped open and she stood up. “I need something to eat.” She headed for the kitchen.

  “You didn’t feel anything?” Angie followed after her sister with a puzzled look on her face.

  “Oh, I did. Something’s brewing alright and it’s going to show up soon.” Courtney looked over her shoulder with a smile. “I want to eat a sandwich while I have a chance.”

  Angie glanced back to the cats. They sat like statues in the same spots, unmoving. Angie frowned. The cats hadn’t budged even though Courtney had mentioned food.

  It wasn’t a good sign.

  Courtney removed frozen pea soup from the freezer and defrosted it in the microwave while Angie prepared sandwiches of goat cheese, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. She removed the panini press from one of the lower cabinets, brushed one side of each sandwich with olive oil, and placed them, one at a time, into the press for grilling. Courtney poured the defrosted sou
p into a pot and warmed it on the stove.

  “So,” Courtney said as she removed bowls and plates from the shelves and cabinets. “What do you think is about to happen?”

  Angie raised an eyebrow. “Something that needs our attention.”

  Courtney stirred the soup. “When I sat on the sofa, I felt that something wasn’t right. I felt a sense that things were out of order.”

  “With us? With our family?” Angie’s brow creased with worry.

  “No, it had to do with someone outside the family.”

  The back door opened and after wiping his feet on the mat, Mr. Finch came into the kitchen. “I have unpacked and put things away.” He rested his cane against the wall while he removed his winter coat. Finch lived in the house directly behind the Roseland’s Victorian and as an adopted member of the family, he was a welcome fixture in their home, anytime, day or night.

  “Where’s Betty?” Angie asked.

  “She has returned to her own house to do laundry and take a nap.” Finch walked slowly into the room and sat down at the kitchen island.

  “A nap? Betty?” Angie was incredulous. Betty Hayes, a successful Sweet Cove Realtor, was like a force of nature, energetic and always in constant motion.

  “Miss Betty enjoyed the rest and relaxation of the trip.” Finch smiled. “I teased her that she might decide to retire soon.”

  Courtney made a harrumphing sound. “That woman will never retire.”

  “I believe you are correct, Miss Courtney.”

  “Would you like a sandwich?” Angie asked Finch.

  “It smells delicious.” Finch took a deep breath. “I would love a sandwich.”

  While the girls finished preparing the early evening meal, Finch glanced up to the refrigerator. “Where are the cats?”

  Angie stopped working. “They’re keeping watch at the living room window.”

  “Are they? Already?” Finch made eye contact with Angie. “I am not surprised.”

  “You feel something, too, Mr. Finch?” Courtney carried a bowl of soup over to the island and placed it in front of the older man who lifted his spoon and dipped it into the steaming liquid.

  Finch looked over the rims of his black framed glasses. “Indeed, I do.”

  “Courtney and I sense something, but we don’t have a clear idea of what it’s about.” Angie removed a sandwich from the panini grill. “I’d hoped things would stay quiet for a while ... but that never happens.” She brought the sandwiches to Courtney and Mr. Finch. “Do you have any sense of what it’s going to involve?”

  Mr. Finch was thoughtful for a few moments. “The sensation is vague and unformed, but I feel sadness, loss, a longing for something that is no more, or perhaps, never was.”

  Angie looked at the man. “Could the feelings be left over from the last case we helped with recently?”

  Finch slowly shook his head. “These feelings are fresh … at least, where we are concerned.”

  Angie returned to the panini press for the last sandwich. “I haven’t gotten over that last case.” The Roseland sisters and Mr. Finch had helped with a case involving a missing young man, who had been killed by a friend of his who had been enraged with jealousy.

  Mr. Finch gave a slight nod of agreement. “That was a terrible loss under very sad circumstances.”

  Angie carried her plate to the kitchen island and sat on the stool next to her youngest sister. “Let’s talk about more pleasant things. I want to hold on just a little longer to the happy feelings we had on our vacation.” Thoughts of the fun she’d had with her family, friends, and Josh Williams danced around in Angie’s mind and sent a flood of warmth through her heart.

  “Right.” Courtney used her spoon to stir the piping hot pea soup in her bowl. “Trouble knows where to find us and it will find us soon enough. Let’s eat.”

  Just as they were raising the sandwiches to their mouths, the doorbell rang.

  Courtney sighed. “Couldn’t it have given us just ten more minutes so we could eat?”

  2

  Finch, Angie, and Courtney groaned in unison.

  Angie put her untouched sandwich back on her plate. “Shall I go?”

  “What about Ellie?” Courtney’s voice was hopeful. “Maybe it’s a B and B guest. She’ll go.”

  “Ellie’s still napping.” Angie slid off the stool.

  “I think the three of us should go.” Mr. Finch removed his cane from the overhang of the countertop.

  The three made their way down the hall to the front door where they saw the cats sitting at attention in the foyer waiting for someone to open the door.

  “They don’t look alarmed.” Courtney whispered, eyeing the two felines.

  Angie opened the door to find an older woman who was probably in her late-sixties standing on the porch holding the handle of a rolling suitcase. The woman wore a black woolen winter coat and had a head full of short, dark auburn curls that framed her face. Bright hazel eyes looked at Angie expectantly. “Hello. Are you Ellie Roseland?”

  “Come in.” Angie stepped back and opened the door wider to allow the woman to enter. “Ellie’s upstairs. I’m her sister, Angie.” Courtney and Finch were introduced. “We’ll help you get settled.”

  “What a gorgeous place.” The woman’s eyes took in the beauty of the furnishings, the carved wooden staircase, the gleaming hardwood floors, and the antique area rug that was placed under the polished, round table in the middle of the foyer. The woman rested her hand against her cheek. “My. It’s heavenly.”

  “Would you care for some hot tea or coffee?” Mr. Finch asked. “The evening refreshments haven’t been put out yet.”

  “I’d love a cup of tea.” The woman stood her suitcase upright and removed her coat.

  Courtney took the coat from her and hung it in the closet. “May I ask your name? I’ll go look up your reservation and get your room key and the registration forms.”

  “Orla O’Brien. Pleased to meet all of you.” The woman smiled. “I’m exhausted. Traveling can be such a draining experience.”

  Mr. Finch gestured to the dining room. “Would you like to sit down? I’ll have your tea in a moment.”

  “We also have some pea soup and homemade bread.” Courtney called over her shoulder as she headed down the hall to the office.

  “Wonderful.” Before taking a seat, Orla walked around the dining room brushing her hand over the top of the long table and gazing at the dishes and goblets in the China cabinet. Circe and Euclid kept their eyes on the woman and followed her into the dining room while keeping their distance. Angie watched them for any reaction they might have towards the new guest.

  “Have you come to Sweet Cove from far away?” Angie asked.

  Orla bent slightly and peered into the China cabinet. “I’ve been traveling for years. I enjoy seeing new places, meeting new people. My permanent home is in California.” She rubbed her lower back. “I fear all this traveling is playing havoc with my back though, too much sitting on trains and planes.”

  Finch carried in a small tray with a pot of tea, a cup and saucer, a little jug of cream, and a sugar bowl. He placed it on the table and Orla let out a sigh of gratitude before taking a seat.

  “Just what I needed.” The woman poured the hot liquid into her cup, added cream, but no sugar, and sipped. “I’ve never been to New England in the winter.” A tinkling chuckle slipped from her lips. “I believe this bitter cold weather explains why I haven’t.”

  “The cold here can be brutal.” Angie agreed. “It’s much nicer to visit during one of the other seasons.”

  Mr. Finch sat down across from Orla. “But winter has its own beauty. If you bundle up against the cold, you can take in some lovely sights. The sea is often wild and dramatic in winter and there are the museums and art galleries to visit. The bonus is there are no crowds at this time of year.”

  Orla gave Finch a warm smile. “What a lovely attitude.” Nodding, she added, “I have many things on my list to see.”


  Euclid and Circe leapt up to the China cabinet and their sudden movement startled Orla who gasped and placed her hand on her ample chest. “Oh. You have cats. I didn’t notice them when I came in.”

  “The fine orange boy is Euclid.” Mr. Finch smiled up at them. “And the lovely black cat is called Circe.”

  “Ah, the goddess of magic.” Orla made eye contact with the two animals.

  Angie sat down at the table next to Orla and looked up to see the cats gazing down on the woman without any emotion. Angie wanted to let out a sigh of relief that the felines didn’t object to the newly-arrived guest. Not yet anyway.

  “You know mythology,” Mr. Finch observed.

  “Some.” Orla lifted her cup to her lips.

  “What did you do for work, Ms. O’Brien?” Finch asked amiably.

  “Oh, my. Many jobs. I didn’t have one career. I taught French and Spanish for many years. I draw in pastels and sell some of my work in galleries.”

  “How fascinating.” Mr. Finch told the woman. Mr. Finch loved art, collected a few pieces, and enjoyed sketching and painting.

  Courtney entered the room carrying a tray with another pot of tea and some cups, a tureen of the soup, a bowl, and a bread basket. She placed a bottle of olive oil on the table for dipping the bread.

  Removing a key and some reservation forms from her sweater pocket, she put them beside Orla’s place setting and indicated where the woman needed to fill in the information. Orla reached into the purse at her feet and took out a wallet. While Courtney busied herself taking things from the tray and putting them onto the table, Orla opened her wallet to get her license and credit card.

  Angie idly watched Orla’s fingers slipping the cards from the holders. A third card dropped to the tabletop and Orla scooped it up and put it back in the wallet … but not before Angie spotted something.

  A tingle caused the little blonde hairs on Angie’s arms to stand up.

  Mr. Finch poured three cups of tea, one for Courtney, one for Angie, and one for himself. As he passed them around the table, footsteps could be heard on the staircase, and Ellie came into the dining room. “I apologize for not being here to welcome you.” Ellie stopped suddenly and stared at the woman at the dining table for a few beats, and then she shook herself and walked closer so she could extend her hand to shake with the new guest as she introduced herself.