Bodies and Blueberries

by Donna Walo Clancy

  There was much to do in advance of the store opening. A list of wedding supplies and wedding event connections needed to be finalized. After the furniture was delivered, Tabby would walk to the flower shop and meet the owner. Her business cards had come in and luckily, she had them mailed to her mother’s store so they weren’t destroyed in the break-in.

  Tabby met Jenny and the sheriff at Mr. Wells’ house. She told the sheriff about her meeting with Lisa Carver and how she looked familiar to her somehow. Jenny was busy collecting Calypso’s toys and she had already purchased a new litter box earlier in the day.

  “You need to be careful, Tabby. We still don’t know what happened to Richard,” the sheriff warned.

  “I’ll be careful. I’m scared for Mr. Wells and I want to help find him. I just figured that while I was in Larsen I would drop in and see Miss Carver.”

  Jenny needed help getting the unwilling cat in the carrier. Calypso wanted nothing to do with being confined in a cage and it took all three of them to corral the cat and finally slide her into the carrier. Accompanied by loud meows, the sheriff carried Jenny’s new roommate to the car.

  Tabby walked over to the dining room table and saw the papers were still there. Once again Tabby picked up the blueprints of the drive-in; they just didn’t fit in with all the other papers Mr. Wells had been perusing. She looked the paperwork over carefully. Tabby rolled up the blueprint and stuffed it in her purse.

  Why are you so interested in the drive-in?

  “Are you ready to go?” the sheriff asked, returning from Jenny’s car.

  “Yeah, Jenny might need help when the cat is let out of the carrier. She’ll probably wait until I get there so we can close and lock the door. Let me know if you find out anything about Mr. Wells.”

  Tabby drove off as the sheriff was locking up the house. When she arrived at Jenny’s, the cat was still hunkered down in the carrier meowing loudly. Tabby locked the door behind her as she stepped into the apartment.

  “Are you ready?” Jenny asked, unlocking the carrier.

  Calypso shot out as soon as the door was opened. She ran behind the couch and wouldn’t come out so Jenny set her food bowl at the end of the couch.

  “Let’s leave her alone; she’ll come out when she’s good and ready. What do you want for supper?” Jenny asked, heading to the kitchen.

  “I bought two steaks while I was out,” Tabby said. “What about salad and steak?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Jenny started cooking supper while Tabby laid out the blueprints on the kitchen table.

  “What do you know about The Whipper Will Drive-In?” Tabby questioned.

  “Not much. I know it is owned by Marsha and Peyton Swanson. Peyton died over the winter in Florida. I guess Marsha owns it now. They are snowbirds like a lot of the business people in this town. What are those?” Jenny asked, as she wandered over to the table.

  “They are blueprints to the drive-in. They were on Mr. Wells’ table.”

  “You took them? Does the sheriff know?”

  “Not exactly. I kind of rolled them up and hid them in my purse while he helped you out with the cat.”

  “Why did you take them?”

  “These papers didn’t fit in with everything else that was on the table. All the other paperwork dealt with properties that Mr. Wells already owned. He doesn’t own the drive-in. I’m sure he wasn’t going to buy it; he’s retiring to Florida. So why is he interested in that particular property?”

  “Good question. Is anything written on the plans? Maybe on the back?” Jenny inquired as she set down the plates on the kitchen table.

  Tabby turned the plans over. In the top corner, there was a three-digit number, seven-seven-two, handwritten in red ink; and then under the numbers were the initials M.F.C. There was nothing else on the back.

  “M.F.C., could that be a person’s initials?” Tabby pondered, thinking out loud.

  “I can’t think of anyone with those initials in Whipper Will,” Jenny stated, setting down the rest of supper. “Dinner is served.”

  The friends ate supper together, cleaned up the dishes and went to bed early since they were scheduled to be greeters at church in the morning. When the lights were turned off and the house was quiet, Calypso decided to come out from behind the couch and investigate her new surroundings.

  Tabby lay in bed thinking about the blueprints and Mr. Wells. What could he possibly know that would put his life at risk? She closed her eyes to sort out her thoughts. Calypso jumped up on the bed and settled down next to Tabby’s arm and immediately started purring and then drifted off to sleep.

  “I guess I have a new friend,” she said, scratching the cat’s head. “Sleep well. We’ll get you home as soon as possible, I promise.”

  The girls were at the front door greeting the locals as they arrived at church. A couple of them of them whispered to Tabby how happy they were that she was no longer dating Finn as they shook her hand. Jenny stifled giggles each time it was said. After the service during coffee hour, the topic of discussion was Richard Wells and what happened to him. Gladys, of course, put her two cents in whenever she could, telling anyone who would listen her theories on the disappearance. Her husband looked on rolling his eyes behind her back.

  “I’m going to head out,” Tabby stated. “I want to organize my kitchen and closets today, then I think I’ll go down to the new flower shop, Smells So Fine Flower Shop, and introduce myself to the owner. Want to come with me?”

  “Sure. I haven’t seen the new shop yet. I’ll be at home spending some time with Calypso and working on my shop books,” Jenny answered. “See you later.”

  It was a beautiful day. Tabby took her time walking home, enjoying the warm sunshine on her face. She passed by the front of her building and saw Mr. Pierce was busy setting up his shop for the grand opening. He smiled and waved as she passed by.

  For the next two hours, Tabby unpacked shopping bags and put things away. Her kitchen still needed a coat of paint, but with everything she had bought it was starting to look like a useable kitchen. Two large lobster pots that she bought for jelly making took their honored place on the top of the refrigerator.

  She moved on to the living room. The ten by twelve-foot rug she purchased for the room fit perfectly. The swirl pattern made up of teals, greys, and blacks would match with the light teal furniture that was being delivered tomorrow. A black wrought iron clock was hung on the wall above where the television had been placed.

  A black, three tier plant stand was placed in front of the picture window that overlooked the street. Her plants would get plenty of sunshine all day in this spot. She hung several pictures that fit perfectly with the rest of the décor. Tabby looked around and smiled.

  This room is straight out of a design magazine; it’s beautiful.

  She placed the remaining unpacked bags back in the second bedroom. She grabbed a couple of her business cards and tucked them in her purse and headed over to her friend’s apartment. Jenny was diligently working at her computer as Tabby interrupted her. Calypso was lying in a sunbeam on the floor next to Jenny’s desk. She stretched as Tabby bent down to scratch her behind the ears.

  “You ready to go?”

  “Yeah, let me get my purse,” Jenny said as she shut down her computer.

  They headed to the front door and noticed that Calypso didn’t seem to care that they were leaving. She closed her eyes and fell back asleep in the warm sun. The cat had settled in nicely after being moved. They walked up Main Street taking notice of what shops were getting ready to open for the season. Tabby made a list as they walked of shops that she would approach to carry her jams and jellies. There was a sign in the window of The Local Scoop that the ice cream shop would be opening on Friday.

  “I know where I’m going to be on Friday night,” Jenny said, licking her lips.

  “I’ll be right there with you,” Tabby agreed.

  They reached the end of Main Street. The Smells So Fine Flo
wer Shop was open and very busy. The front picture window contained displays of wedding flowers. Several types of bouquets, table centerpieces and altar arrangements set on white satin filled the window.

  “I don’t think they are as good as yours,” Jenny whispered quietly. “Nice, but yours are better.”

  “Let’s go meet the owner and see who does these arrangements,” Tabby suggested, opening the door.

  They entered the door and stopped short in their tracks.

  “Do you see what I see?” Tabby asked in amazement.

  “I don’t believe it,” Jenny sputtered.

  Chapter 6

  * * *

  “That’s my frog fountain!” Tabby cried out, running to the back corner of the shop.

  “I don’t believe this!” Jenny lamented, as she caught up with her friend.

  They stood in front of the fountain, staring; neither one could believe it ended up in their own town. Apparently, the owner of the flower shop was the anonymous phone bidder that had outbid Tabby. She didn’t know whether to be mad at the owner or happy that she could visit it and see it working.

  “She’s a real beauty, isn’t she?” a deep voice asked from behind them.

  The friends turned around at the same time.

  “Hi, you’re new to my shop. I’m Greg Stone, owner of the Smells So Fine Flower Shop.”

  “You were the mysterious phone bidder,” was the only sentence Tabby was capable of uttering.

  “Excuse me?” Greg asked, his blue eyes twinkling.

  “I was at the auction because I wanted this particular fountain for my own shop. You outbid me,” Tabby muttered, cutting the owner a spiteful stare.

  “Were you the person bidding against me? You sure drove the price up.”

  “That was me. I had planned on spending up to four hundred dollars and you blew me right out of the water with your final bid,” Tabby relented with a small smile.

  She couldn’t help but smile; Greg was gorgeous. Six-foot-tall, the body of a god, and jet black hair that made his baby blue eyes pop. How could anyone stay mad at someone who looked like that? Tabby stuck her hand out.

  “Tabitha Moon. People around here call me Tabby. I will be opening my new shop in the center of town. The Baseball Card Shop is there right now, but that will be my storefront soon.”

  “What kind of shop are you opening?” Greg queried.

  “Jellies, Jams, and Weddings. It’s a crazy name, but it fits my shop perfectly. Actually, that’s why we came in today. I wanted to give you my business card and talk about setting up an account for the wedding aspect of my shop. This is Jenny Jones, my best friend.”

  “Hi! I own the Until the Book Ends Book Store in the center of town,” Jenny said, greeting him.

  “I’ve been in your book store. A young girl named Sienna was working. I’ll be seeing you a lot; I love to read. I can usually go through three or four books a week.”

  “You should check out our “Borrow a Book” program. It’s pretty cool,” Jenny suggested.

  “Have you found out if the fountain works or not? It looked pretty hosed when I opened it up at the auction,” Tabby inquired, moving to the back of the fountain.

  “It doesn’t work. I had to order a whole new motor. I should have it up and running within a week. Why did you want the fountain so badly, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “It was going to be the centerpiece of my shop. I wanted to set a few tables and chairs around it so people could come in, enjoy a cup of coffee and relax. I saw it in the catalog and had to have it, but someone had more money than I did.”

  “I had the same idea. I wanted people to come in and enjoy the beauty of my flowers.”

  “I see that. I like the benches set up on either side of the lily pond. The tall tables look nice around the fountain. I guess great minds think alike,” Tabby agreed.

  “You and Jenny can come visit the frogs anytime you want,” Greg teased.

  “Greg, I need your help, please,” the clerk interrupted their conversation.

  “Look around. Drop your business cards at the register. I’ll be in touch to set up a meeting to discuss an open-end account for your business. Nice meeting you both,” Greg stated as he walked briskly away.

  The girls walked around the flower shop checking out the wedding items. They could see an older woman in the back room working on a bride’s bouquet.

  “She must be Greg’s designer,” Jenny whispered. “Your wedding items are more original; you have a flair for romantic arrangements.”

  “I heard that,” Greg admitted, passing behind them.

  “Oh crap,” Jenny said, making a face. “I didn’t know he was near us.”

  “Me neither. Let’s drop our cards off and head out before we annoy him,” Tabby suggested.

  They gave the two cards to the clerk at the register who introduced herself as Sally Rogers. They waved goodbye as they walked by Greg who was busy helping an older woman. He smiled a big, gorgeous smile and returned his attention to his customer.

  “I can truthfully say if I had to lose the frogs to someone, I am glad it was him,” Tabby commented. “He is gorgeous.”

  “He is and those eyes could melt an iceberg,” Jenny agreed. “I think he was interested in you, Tabs.”

  “Yeah, I could be so lucky.”

  “We’ll see just how lucky you are. What do you say we stop at Mac’s and get some nice fish for supper?”

  “I haven’t had fish for ages. Finn wouldn’t eat it and he didn’t like when I cooked it because he said it stunk up the house. How about some swordfish?”

  The girls stopped at the market and picked up what they needed for their last supper together before Tabby moved to her new place. Calypso was going crazy from the smell of fish while it cooked, so Jenny shared a small piece with the cat while they ate their supper. A bottle of wine later they went to bed.

  The next morning Tabby was up early with Jenny so they could enjoy their coffee together. As Jenny was getting ready to leave, Tabby hugged her friend and started to cry.

  “What is with you?” Jenny wondered.

  “I’m so lucky to have a best friend like you. You always have my back, no matter what,” Tabby sniffled.

  “And I always will as long as it’s not something dangerous. I’m not as brave as you,” her friend said, smiling. “I have to run; the book store won’t open itself. Love you, crazy friend!”

  “I’ll check in with you after the furniture is delivered.”

  Tabby made sure Calypso had food and water before she left. She was curled up on the window seat in the front window; the cat loved to lay in the sun. Her heart ached looking at the cat. No one had seen or heard from Mr. Wells since the night he went missing. She was worried about her elderly friend and knew he was more than likely worried about his precious companion that had been left behind at the house.

  The furniture was delivered at nine o’clock sharp as promised. Two men carried everything up the back stairs and arranged the items in the rooms as she instructed. Tabby looked around after they left; she could hardly believe that this beautiful new home was really hers! In the old apartment, all her household things had been from the thrift store or yard sales. She rarely had money to buy new things. This was such a huge step up in her lifestyle. She had a new home, was starting a new business, and had a lead on a hunky new male friend.

  Dom from the cable company showed up at the apartment at noon to install the cable and the internet. His tool belt hung low under his beer belly, and made clinking noises as he walked.

  “Nice place, Tabby,” he said, running the cable through a hole in the floor. “I need to get in the cellar. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “Let me run downstairs and check with Mr. Pierce first. I’ll be right back.”

  She decided to use the indoor stairs that led from her kitchen to the card shop. Her hand was raised to knock on the door when she heard voices in a heated argument; they were the same two voices she had
heard the other night. She stopped to listen.

  “I told you before, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” a heated voice said that Tabby recognized as Mr. Pierce’s.

  “Liar! I will find it; this is your last warning. Stay out of my way and don’t mess in business that doesn’t concern you.”

  “Don’t threaten me. You are nothing but a low-life scumbag. Richard Wells doesn’t trust you and neither does anyone else. Get out of my shop and don’t step foot in here again or there will be consequences.”

  Tabby ran up the stairs, through the kitchen, and down the stairs to outside. This time she wasn’t going to miss seeing who came out of the shop. She just reached the sidewalk when Larry Fink came storming out the front door. She ducked back around the corner of the building. Fink pulled out his cell phone and was yelling at someone on the other end of his call before he reached his office across the street. He turned as he entered his building and saw Tabby standing there watching him. He scowled and disappeared through the front door.

  Tabby knocked on the front door of the shop.

  “Go away!”

  She knocked again. This time Mr. Pierce came out of the backroom. When he saw it was Tabby, his face softened and he unlocked the door.

  “I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Pierce. The cable man is here and he needs to get into the cellar to finish hooking up my service. Is that okay?”

  “Yes, of course. Tell him to come right down, the door will be unlocked.”

  “Thank you. I hope it is not an inconvenience to you.”

  “Not at all. The shop is almost ready for the grand opening. I have a few last-minute things to do so I’ll be in the backroom. Do you know where the cellar stairs are?”

  “Yes, I do. We’ll be in and out before you know it. I promise,” Tabby assured.

  Tabby returned to her apartment and told Dom that they had permission to go into the cellar. She led him to the door and opened it and then tugged on the pull string light switch at the top of the stairs. Dom followed Tabby down the old, worn wooden stairs. The cable installer found the old box that had been used by the previous tenants. As he was busy hooking up the wires he sent through the holes in the floor, Tabby took the time to look around. There was something funny about the walls around the room. It looked like someone had punched holes in various places along both sides of the cellar walls and then patched them up.