Lethally Green: A Maggie Flanagan Cozy Mystery (Maggie Flanagan cozy mysteries Book 1)

by Amber Boffin

  “I don’t know yet, I want to hear what everyone has to say. I like the concept of green energy, but it depends at what cost and if we really need it with all the hydroelectric energy around here. In any case, I’ve got lots of questions for Leon LeBreton.”And not just about solar panels…

  The reverend waved at Maggie from the other side of the room, clasping his hands together to shape little wings with his fingers. She replied with two thumbs up. The sergeant looked at John, surprised, then shrugged and made his way to the coffee table with the cookies.

  Maggie stood a little away from the table, examining the crowd. As she looked on tiptoes for a sign of Patrick, Joe, and Fred, she felt a light poke in her back. She swirled around and couldn’t believe her eyes. Amy stood in front of her clutching an envelope. Her joy at seeing her friend turned into fear, thinking she might have uncovered something ghastly.

  Amy put her hands on her cheeks. “Don’t look at me like that. You were right. Here, I’ve done the analysis, but I didn’t want you to be on your own just in case, you know…”

  Maggie felt a surge of warmth and hugged her friend. She whispered in her ear, “I’m so glad you’re here. I feel a lot stronger, and now with the proof too. Not sure I’ll use it, though.”

  She moved back, tapping her pocket, feeling the envelope Amy had just slipped into it, the DNA data. Maggie, still stunned at her presence asked, “But you must’ve taken a day off for me?”

  “I had a bunch of days to take from my overtime. So are you going ahead with the plan then?” asked Amy with a wink.

  “Yes, I found out a lot more too, you’ll see. Adam and Barrie are here. You should meet them.”

  Amy tilted her head toward a tall man with a ponytail speaking with someone. “Is he Adam?”

  Maggie nodded as she walked toward Adam, Amy in tow, when Denis stepped across their path.

  “Maggie, you’re here! Amy, that’s a surprise. Are you moving up here too?”

  Amy laughed. “No, no, just visiting.”

  As soon as Denis stepped slightly aside, Maggie caught a glimpse of Tina. In an instant she felt her energy drain away, but then she heard Amy.

  “Maggie, there’s someone here who wants a word with you.”

  Maggie turned toward Amy and saw Patrick and Damien looking at her, Damien waving his hand. Maggie had agreed to give the photos for her website to Patrick before the presentation. Happy to avoid a confrontation with Tina now, Maggie rushed toward Patrick, leaving Amy with Denis.

  “Hi, you wanted to give me the pictures? I brought Damien with me because he has questions for you, but that can wait until after the presentation if you like,” said Patrick, letting his son take over and stepping behind him.

  Damien, with excitement in his eyes, said, “I’ve got lots of ideas for your website, but don’t worry, it’ll be two of us for the price of one.”

  “Really it doesn’t have to, I know what it means, so—”

  Patrick interrupted, his voice rising above the chatter of the crowd. “We insist. It’s a good opportunity for us to test working together. But let’s discuss it later; it’s a bit too loud for me now.”

  After handing Patrick the photos, seeing that Amy was now talking with Adam, Maggie toured the place in search of Joe and Fred. Peering into the parking lot, Maggie saw Heather arguing with Joe with large gesticulations. She closed the glass door behind her, waving at them, thinkingGood, business as usual there…and now Fred Wigmott.

  She walked around the brick building and was puzzled to see the mayor standing in her dress in the cold air, talking to Fred Wigmott, holding his hand on top of hers in an affectionate way. They were too engrossed in their conversation to see Maggie as she slid back into the building, content that everyone she wanted present had shown up. She said softly, “Let the show begin.”

  She hadn’t seen Adam standing behind her. He asked in his familiar deep voice, bending down to her ear level, “And what show is that?”

  “This debate. I think it might turn out to be very interesting.” She smiled at him. “I don’t want to miss anything, and for that I need to sit in front. Shall we go there before the seats get taken? Get Amy and Barrie too.”

  Maggie searched her pocket for the paper with the DNA results and for the ring Patrick had left behind on her table; both were safely tucked in it. Adam sat next to Amy with two free seats next to them. She looked around to see where all her suspects were positioned.

  The mayor made her entrance from the side door she had just gone through with a concerned look, swiftly replacing it with a broad smile directed toward the small audience. Fred Wigmott entered through the same door, and as soon as Maggie’s eyes met his, she had the impression he deliberately made his way toward the free seat on her right side, the chair meant for Barrie.

  Ms. Sue Miller’s clear voice bounced off Joe’s guttural voice as they feverishly discussed the recycling cost. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Barrie had found another seat.I’m missing the three knocks before the curtains open. I mustn’t think that way. This is serious.

  Ms. Stilton walked to the lectern looking like the school headmistress everyone feared. She was calm and composed as she addressed each and every person with her gaze, her hands resting on the pulpit, the coral nail polish shining in the light. She only needed to stand there for a minute, scanning the small audience, for the voices to die down and all eyes to focus on her coral beads…

  “Thank you for coming. I see the most important decision-makers of the village are here, although I would have hoped more people would be interested in turning Foxton into the green example of the Highlands. You won’t be disappointed. To start off, I’d like to discuss the wonderful solar farm project, about which I know some of you have questions. I am sure I can answer all of them and allay your fears. Afterward we will talk about recycling. I am eager to hear your suggestions for this topic.”

  Ms. Stilton turned to Leon LeBreton.

  “Leon LeBreton, an expert in solar installations, will explain to you why the solar farm is ideal for Foxton and will benefit everyone. I am sure he will convince you as well as he has convinced me.”

  Leon stepped forward, grinning broadly, rubbing his hands together, making him look nervous. Maggie understood why he might feel that way, with everyone staring at him in an accusatory way. He finally broke the heavy silence by clearing his throat, the sound reverberating through the room via the microphone. He launched into his presentation at full speed, as if he wanted to run away as soon as possible. As soon as he finished and asked if there were any questions, Fred Wigmott stood up, brandishing his fist at him.

  “You shouldn’t be here! In prison is where you belong! You killed my brother.”

  Maggie, who was sitting next to him, hadn’t expected such a reaction. She stood up, put a calming hand on his shoulder, and with authority no one would have expected from her, announced, “Please, before everyone accuses Leon LeBreton, I’d like to share with you some facts, and then you may decide.”

  The attendees, who had nearly fallen asleep during the presentation, lulled by the voice and changing slides, sat up straight in their chairs, excited, as if they had all gathered to watch gladiators in an arena.

  “So, Maggie, I wonder what you’ve got to say for yourself!” exclaimed Tina, only to be shushed by Denis, who squeezed her arm. Tina shook him off, yelling, “Ouch!”

  A wave of whispers flowed along the rows as if carrying Maggie to the lectern, where Leon stood shrinking away. Maggie wiped Tina from her mind as she took her place next to Leon. The whispers died down as soon as she opened her mouth.

  “Yes, it is understandable, Leon, that you are considered a prime suspect in the murders.” Maggie was now facing him as she spoke. “You’ve been hiding your relationship with Fiona McLenny without even realizing everyone was aware of it. Did you meet her the day she died at Mr. Bern’s house?” She waited for her words to take effect: all eyes were now on him. He seemed to break like shattered gl
ass, his face contorting into a painful grimace.

  “Yes, I met her there, but I didn’t kill her. I loved her. That is why I went back to retrieve her scarf the following day. I had given it to her as a present. She loved tulips… I needed a memento from her, and I was drunk.”

  Maggie pursed her lips. “Only a murderer might be foolish enough to go back to a crime scene to remove evidence, don’t you agree?” Before he could answer, she added, “And what about Peter Wigmott? The solar project you just presented to us would have never had a chance had he been elected mayor, is that true?”

  Leon’s head drooped as he nodded in response.

  Maggie went on, “I also understand that it’s thanks to the agreement you had with mayor Ms. Stilton here that should she be elected, your project would stand a chance. You both benefited from Peter Wigmott’s death…”

  Maggie turned toward the mayor, and all the eyes of the audience shifted to Ms. Stilton, who fiddled nervously with her coral necklace. Maggie went on, “I’ve something to show you, Ms. Stilton.” She took the ring Patrick had left behind out of her pocket. “Do you recognize this ring?”

  A loud ahhh came out of the members of the audience as they craned their necks to catch a look at the ring. Ms. Stilton shifted on her high heels, avoiding Maggie’s eyes.

  “As you don’t seem to think it’s yours,” Maggie insisted, “please take a look at this photograph of you wearing it.”

  The mayor looked down at the blown-up picture of herself standing with the two Wigmott brothers. She took the unmistakable golden A letter-shaped ring and stared at the photograph, murmuring, “So that’s what she had against me.”

  Maggie, hearing her words, inaudible to the audience, asked, “Someone tried to blackmail you? This photograph proves you knew Peter Wigmott a lot better than you led us to believe.” She waited a little for a response and then asked, “Were you not his girlfriend at the time? Why did you lie and claim you didn’t know him?”

  Sergeant Humphries seemed too surprised by the turn of the events to interfere. Everyone was hooked on Maggie’s lips, as if they were wondering whether it would be their turn next.

  Ms. Stilton slowly turned to face the villagers and in a clear voice said, “Yes, I guess I owe you the truth. Fiona McLenny. At first she used this same ring to threaten me to expose my relationship with Peter, and it was thanks to him I got my position here, not out of merit. I don’t know how she got hold of it or why she would think it had any significance. It was only a ring. However, she came back to me later and claimed she had proof that I had been Peter Wigmott’s girlfriend. She accused me of having killed Peter Wigmott, and if I didn’t go to the police myself, she would go. I knew I had to explain myself but wanted the right timing for it. Here it is. I admit it.”

  She stopped for a moment, everyone sitting at the tip of the chair as if they expected her to be the murderer, when Ms. Stilton continued, “I loved Peter.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “But I didn’t kill him. I moved to Foxton a few years ago to be close to him after my divorce, having heard he was single. I had not realized Fiona was with him at the time. He rejected me as a lover and even as a friend. I offered him my help for his campaign. He also turned that down. I was hurt and wanted revenge. I decided to run for the position of mayor to compete with him on his grounds. I did want to hurt him, but I didn’t kill him.”

  Maggie couldn’t believe her luck at the mayor willingly sharing her story, aspects of which filled the gaps for her. She listened carefully, her arms folded against her woollen sweater, fiddling with her zebra-patterned scarf, glancing at Patrick and Fred Wigmott. She unwrapped her arms all of a sudden, placing her hands in tight fists on her hips. “You must’ve really disliked Fiona then. Her death would’ve been very convenient for you, no more evidence…until Patrick found the ring.”

  Maggie pointed toward the crowd to show that he was there. She took a step back to increase the distance between them and decrease the height advantage Ms. Stilton might use to dominate her.

  As soon as she did this, Ms. Stilton automatically took two steps forward until she towered over Maggie and angrily replied, “I’m telling the truth! Why would I want to kill Peter’s girlfriend? She dumped Peter for Leon over a year ago. I believe in Leon’s project and thought he could talk her out of it. He was reasonable. Why not consider a more likely murderer—her husband, Patrick McLenny.”

  The mayor swerved on her heels away from Maggie to point straight at him. The small group shifted on their chairs, and some individuals stood up to take a better look at him. Damien gently squeezed his father’s arm in a reassuring way. Maggie stared intensely at the mayor, attempting to read her.

  “Yes, jealousy can be dangerous, but Patrick wasn’t near the house at the time of her death. Were you?” Maggie looked at Patrick.

  “No, I was at home,” replied Patrick.

  Hearing Leon shout, “That’s not an alibi!” Maggie didn’t need to intervene. Damien stood up for her and looked at the sea of heads turned toward him.

  “I was on Skype with him, and I didn’t lose sight of him. We were working together. Leave him alone!”

  Patrick pulled on his son’s jacket, forcing him to sit back down. Maggie felt the tension rise and sensed she needed to move quickly before a fistfight erupted.

  She calmly said, “Patrick didn’t kill his wife, and he didn’t kill Peter Wigmott, although his jealousy was real. He disliked Peter for taking his wife away from him and Leon even more for bringing the final blow to the relationship, leading her to ask for a divorce. Am I right, Patrick?”

  Patrick nodded. “She wanted a divorce to marry him…” He looked at Leon. “I now know, sadly, thanks to her death, that she was right. She wasn’t happy with me. I did love her in my way and couldn’t dream of killing her. I miss her.” He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. “Today I would have wanted her happy and accepted the divorce.” Without warning and seemingly out of character, Patrick stood up and shouted, “I want to know who killed her!”

  Maggie scanned the room, worried he might have triggered a mob reaction against Leon. Reassured, she slowly said, “No one did! Leon?”

  Leon looked at her with astonishment in his eyes. The murmur that had started stopped short as Maggie continued. “It was an accident. You had an argument with her regarding her accusation of Ms. Stilton, and she tripped on the large solar panel cables that were lying outside the shed. Is that right?”

  “Yes, but how?” replied Leon, stammering.

  “Fiona electrocuted herself as she picked up the end of the cables to put them away before anyone else could trip on them. I nearly stumbled on them myself. And the electric shock made her fall backward, hitting her head on a stone.”

  “Yes, yes it was an accident!” replied Leon.

  “You panicked and put the cables away to hide the evidence; the cables shouldn’t have been connected to the solar panels until after the installation was completed.”

  Sergeant Humphries stood up to move toward Leon, pulling out his handcuffs. “So it was really electrocution? How did you find that out?”

  “I noticed her hand was stiff. It had rigor mortis, while she had only been dead for a short period. And I asked my friend Amy here, who is a forensics expert, what could cause it, and she said electrocution,” replied Maggie.

  Sergeant Humphries reached Leon, who was standing next to Ms. Stilton. The sergeant sneezed, and in spite of the violence of the fit managed to ask him, “Leon LeBreton, did you leave the cables lying there, and did you argue with Ms. Fiona McLenny, as Ms. Flanagan suggests?”

  Leon nodded. Sergeant Humphries triumphantly announced, tears rolling down his cheeks from his sneezing, “Leon LeBreton, I’m arresting you on suspicion of unintentional manslaughter of Ms. Fiona McLenny.” As the sergeant was about to read the charter of rights to Leon from his memorandum book, he stopped short in his tracks and turned to Maggie, adding hesitantly, “And what about Peter Wigmott? You seem to know who did i
t. Was it Leon LeBreton?”

  Maggie, her back turned to Ms. Stilton, whose rare perfume had enveloped the stage, pirouetted around to face her a little too fast, nearly losing her balance.

  “Ms. Stilton, I’ve a few more questions. You knew Peter intimately. You must have been very jealous of his relationship with Fiona. You just told us you were so upset with him that you decided to compete with him for the position of mayor out of revenge. You knew he was a good snowmobiler. How can we be sure you didn’t cut his brakes? You had the opportunity during the Christmas dinner. It would have been very quick for you to pop out from the party and come back in.”

  The mayor stamped her right foot like a child. “I want a lawyer. I will not speak anymore. I’ve played fair.”

  “This is not a game. Perhaps you can help me then. I don’t think you killed him, but do you know what this is?” She pulled out the small piece of metal from her pocket and lifted it to the light. It glowed in the light.

  “No, a piece of metal?”

  “Yes, from your Airstream trailer. You own an Airstream.”

  Half of the group was now standing to see what was going on.

  “Yes, and what about it?” asked the mayor defiantly.

  “This piece of metal was found at the scene of the snowmobile accident, and it matches a piece that is missing from your trailer. Barrie, can you repeat what you told me?”

  Barrie cleared his throat. “Sure. Ms. Stilton, you brought the Airstream to me for polishing in January, and I pointed out to you that aside from the piece that had been ripped off, there were also a few red marks on the side of it, and I asked you whether you wanted me to repair it.”

  Ms. Stilton seemed to hesitate to speak, wavering on her heels. “Yes, I remember. If you must know, I had lent it to Fred Wigmott for a number of months as a favour, and he returned it to me in January.”

  Maggie signalled to Adam to stand next to Fred Wigmott, who appeared ready to leave any moment as he eyed the emergency door to his left.