Death on the Page

by Essie Lang

  Death on the Page

  A CASTLE BOOKSHOP MYSTERY

  Essie Lang

  Acknowledgments

  My sincere thanks go out again to the wonderful crew that has been with me in this wild and wonderful process of writing! Most especially to my editor, Faith Black Ross, and to my agent, Kim Lionetti. I rely on them heavily and they pull me through, as do their various associates at Crooked Lane Books and BookEnds Literary Agency. They help make writing such a pleasurable and satisfying task.

  Also, I once again thank my sister, Lee, for her eagle eye and thoughts on each writing project. Many thanks also to Mary Jane Maffini, who I’m following through the WWW—aka the Wonderful World of Writing. It’s always such fun to kick around ideas and be an early reader of the books.

  Thanks also to the great group of crime and mystery writers I work with every day—the fab gals at Mystery Lovers Kitchen and Killer Character blogs; the members of Capital Crime Writers, Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America; and the lovely, smart, and supportive booksellers on both sides of the border. That goes for librarians, too!

  And then there’s you, dear reader, who makes this all possible. Thank you for allowing me into your personal libraries, for the reviews, for the recommendations to your friends and reading groups, and for your comments. Let’s enjoy the journey!

  Chapter One

  “Did you just say that Savannah Page is staying overnight here, in the castle?” Shelby Cox found that information hard to process, knowing how protective the Alexandria Bay Heritage Society was of Blye Castle.

  “I did indeed say that. She’ll be staying overnight in the guest suite after doing her Saturday signing,” Edie answered, some amusement in her voice. As a member of the Heritage Society board, Edie Cox had been in on the decision to allow someone to actually spend the night in Blye Castle. She’d expected a surprised reaction from her niece once the news got out, and she wasn’t disappointed.

  “I can’t even begin to imagine what that will entail,” Shelby continued. “What about security? And what if she damages something, like one of the antiques? And where will she stay? What is the guest suite, anyway?”

  “This isn’t so new a thought for the board. We’ve actually discussed the idea of having a guest suite to rent on weekends over the past couple of years. We just never followed through on it before, and what better time than when a best-selling author comes to visit? One of the larger bedrooms that’s right next to a bathroom has been prepared, renaming it and the bathroom as the guest suite. That was its original purpose.” Edie waved her right hand toward the ceiling, which Shelby took to mean upstairs. “If this is successful, the board may make it a permanent feature.”

  “So, it sounds like the board obviously wants to compete with Singer Castle.”

  “The word compete hasn’t been used, but we know the guest suite is definitely a big attraction at Singer, and I’d imagine, if handled properly, it could be here also.”

  “That sounds like a complex project. I’m glad I’m not involved in it.”

  Edie grunted as she reached for the top shelf and turned a book face-out. Shelby smiled. It wasn’t often that she and her aunt, the co-owners of Bayside Books, got to work together. At least, not until winter set in, when they would close down the secondary castle location. During the tourist season, Shelby was in charge of the store in historic Blye Castle on Blye Island in the Thousand Islands, while Edie ran the main store in Alexandria Bay, New York.

  But this was a special occasion coming up, the thirty-fifth anniversary for the store, and both locations were going all out over the weekend with displays, specials, and a book signing at each shop—tomorrow on the mainland and Saturday at the castle. It was also a celebration of Edie’s tenacity. She’d run the store for the past thirty or so years entirely on her own, adding the second location when Blye Castle was opened to the public by the Heritage Society.

  Shelby’s arrival in Alexandria Bay seven months earlier had come at a welcome time, as Edie had needed a helping hand in running the bookstores while she mended from a knee replacement, but now Shelby had made the decision to make it a permanent move.

  “You and me both, Shelby.”

  “Well, having Savannah Page agree to do signings of her new book, Lies and Death: The A. R. Smith Story, at both stores is a great start for the anniversary celebrations,” Shelby agreed. “Even if it is true crime,” she couldn’t resist adding.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Well, when I think of a book launch, I think of fiction.”

  “Ah, you still have some things to learn about being a bookseller,” Edie replied with a smile. “Her previous books have sold well in the store, so why not celebrate this new one? Customers love the hoopla.”

  “That makes sense. I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

  “As am I.” Edie’s smile was wide as she walked back to the counter. She still favored her right knee and, on occasion, had been known to admit that almost four months of physiotherapy might not have been enough.

  “But what’s with the castle sleepover?” Shelby couldn’t let it go. “Is she doing research or just wanting to hide out?”

  “You’ll have to ask her when she arrives in town on Friday, although in her letter to the board, she did say she was researching a book about Joe Cabana. At least, that’s what I heard.” Edie got a glint in her eye. “Maybe she was hoping to run into his ghost.”

  Shelby put down the box of books she was holding, feeling a bit unsettled. Although Joe Cabana had been murdered on the island decades before, the more recent death in the spring still bothered her. She jumped slightly as the door to the bookstore flew open.

  Taylor Fortune leaned against the doorframe and breathed deeply and slowly for a few seconds before waddling over to the desk.

  “What on earth are you doing here?” Edie asked, hands on her hips.

  Taylor gave her a small wave and eased herself onto the stool behind the cash register, her right hand rubbing her extended belly. “I begged Shelby to let me come in for a couple of hours. I was going stir-crazy at home, and I promised to sit on this stool until it’s time to go home.” She folded her hands in a prayerful mode as she said in a pleading voice, “Please, ma’am … more time in the store.”

  Shelby burst out laughing. “You sound even more desperate than when you called last night.”

  Taylor explained to Edie, “My mother-in-law arrived a few days ago. I didn’t expect her until after the baby is born, but she wants to help set up the nursery and do some shopping. Can you imagine? She doesn’t think we can get the nursery ready?”

  She looked from Edie to Shelby, but neither commented.

  “Maybe she just wants to share in the prebirth excitement?” Shelby guessed, never having been in the situation herself.

  “Be that as it may, and as well-meaning as she might be, I don’t think I can take it. You don’t know what she’s like. She’s only been here a few days, but she takes over and doesn’t let up. Chuck, my big, strong police officer husband, is back to being a little kid in her presence. He’s no help in battling for me. I’m on my own with her. So, I told her I was working here in the store for a couple of hours each day until the baby comes. I hope you don’t mind.” Taylor ran her hand through her short blonde hair.

  Shelby shook her head. “I don’t mind at all, but I wonder what your doctor will say. He did want you to take it easy, didn’t he? Has that changed? Are you sure he’s okay with this? And what about the boat ride over here to the island? Doesn’t that make you the least bit nauseous?”

  “It never has before. I have great sea legs, you know. And the doctor will call it stress relief. After all, he has warned me to k
eep my anxiety level low. I can’t with her around.”

  “Does Chuck know how she affects you?” Edie asked, walking over and placing a hand on her shoulder.

  Taylor shrugged. “I guess part of him knows, but like I said, mother, child. It’s hard to get out from under that woman’s thumb.”

  “Well, as long as your doctor approves, you’re welcome here whenever you need the excuse to get out of the house,” Shelby said. “We want you to stay healthy and safe.”

  “Thanks, Shelby. I’m going to be all right, really. I’ve passed the critical months that gave me so much trouble when I miscarried last time. And I’m feeling great. I really am.”

  “Aside from a major case of mother-in-law-itis,” Edie volunteered.

  Taylor started to laugh until it turned into hiccups. Shelby quickly brought her a glass of water, and Edie rubbed her back.

  “Okay, we stay away from hot topics and jokes,” Edie said. “Let’s discuss our upcoming author signings instead. We were just talking about Savannah Page and her overnighter here in the castle.”

  “Seriously?” Taylor gasped between hiccups. Her look of bewilderment made her look even younger than she usually did, almost like a kid in high school rather than a mother-to-be in her midthirties. Of course, it was mainly because of the youthful pixie cut framing her heart-shaped face.

  “Serious enough,” Shelby jumped in, bringing her up-to-date.

  “Oh, wow. She’s brave.”

  “Why do you say that? You don’t believe in the ghost stories, do you? You’ve never mentioned them before.”

  Taylor quickly shook her head. “But just think about it. It’s a big castle, which can be sort of scary on its own. At night, by herself? Would they really allow that?”

  “The board has hired someone to work as a butler to stay the night and attend to her whims, so she won’t be alone,” Edie answered.

  “Even so, from what you both have said about the board members and how they coddle the castle, I’m surprised it’s happening. Does she at least have a friend staying with her?”

  “I understand her fiancé is traveling with her,” Edie said, “but it sounds like she’s doing it solo. We’ll find out soon enough. She arrives early tomorrow afternoon and will do her signing in the main bookstore at four PM. Then we’ll take her, and I guess her fiancé, out to dinner. I’ve made reservations at Absinthe & Aurum. You and Chuck are more than welcome to join us, Taylor. It would be easy to add two more.”

  “That would probably mean bringing my mother-in-law along, and believe me, you don’t want that. Thanks anyway. It would have been nice to escape.”

  Edie gave Taylor’s arm a pat. “All right. Now, you just settle yourself on that stool, or better yet, take a chair with a back on it. And we’ll start hanging these anniversary sale banners.” She glanced at Shelby and then over at the door. “I’d hoped Matthew might have time to help us, but I guess we’re on our own.”

  Shelby shoved a comfortable chair over to Taylor and then set up a folding step stool on one side of the bay window. She was about to stand on it when the door swung open.

  “Matthew,” Edie cried out. “Great timing. I’m not that keen on Shelby doing the climbing.”

  “Oh, but it’s okay if I fall and break my neck?” Matthew Kessler replied, a smile on his still-tanned face. As the castle caretaker, and in fact, the person in charge of the entire island, he spent a lot of time outdoors with his beloved gardens.

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

  “Well, don’t say it’s because I’m a woman and not capable of it,” Shelby said, enjoying making her aunt squirm a bit. It was all in good fun, and Taylor soon joined in.

  “I can understand you not letting me do it, Edie,” Taylor said with a chuckle, “but I do think Shelby is quite capable.”

  “Thank you,” Shelby said with a nod of her head.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Edie threw her hands in the air. “All right. I get it. You two are welcome to arm-wrestle for the honor if you’d like.” She looked pointedly from Shelby to Matthew.

  “No, thanks,” Shelby answered first. “I’d hate for Matthew to think he showed up in vain.”

  “Always a pleasure, Shelby,” he crooned, although his eyes were on Edie, who blushed.

  He climbed up and secured one side of the banner, then moved around to attach the other.

  “What’s the scoop on our author staying overnight in the castle?” Shelby asked as he finished.

  He folded the step stool and placed it in the back room before answering.

  “I probably know as much as the rumor mill does. Apparently she asked, or maybe it was her publisher, and the board, in their great wisdom”—he glanced quickly at Edie—“decided it would be good publicity. Isn’t that right, Edie?”

  Edie nodded. “There wasn’t a lot of discussion. We also had the vacant board position to discuss. I felt the decision about opening a guest suite had already been made before it was presented at the board. But all the boxes were ticked—insurance, supplies, extra staff—so it was a go. Security was my big concern, but our valiant leader felt that having a butler on hand overnight would be sufficient. And, of course, you’ll be on the island, Matthew.”

  “As always. My only concern is the security, but I wasn’t consulted.”

  Edie made a clucking sound in her mouth. “You are truly underappreciated. I really would have thought you’d have been in on the initial talks.”

  He shrugged. “I know my place, and right now, it’s in the gardens. I’m still pulling out some of the wilted late-blooming summer flowers. Ladies,” he said with a salute from his nonexistent cap.

  Shelby looked around the store and smiled. She knew it would be a weekend to remember.

  Chapter Two

  Friday dawned sunny and warm, perfect weather for a September morning. Shelby got up early so she could enjoy a coffee on the upper deck of her rented houseboat before rushing off to the bookstore.

  There were three ways to get to the upper deck: from the outside by a ladder at the side and by stairs at the back, and from the inside via a door in the former wheelhouse that had been converted into a bedroom when the houseboat was taken out of river circulation. That part of the deck was small and sported a wrought-iron bistro table with two chairs, positioned for an unhindered view of the river and nearby islands. The front deck was larger, allowing for two Adirondack chairs, a larger table, and a portable grill. Shelby thought of that as her entertaining deck.

  She settled onto one of the soft, tufted chair cushions she’d bought for the iron chairs shortly after moving in. In a few minutes, J.T., the itinerant cat of somewhat questionable heritage who had adopted her a few months earlier, jumped onto her lap, which wasn’t unusual. He had the look of a Maine coon but the coloring of an orange tabby. Whatever. It worked. She’d named him after her favorite singer, Justin Timberlake, for no reason other than that she’d heard one of his songs on the radio while she was trying to come up with a name.

  She pulled back her long, curly dark hair and gave it a twist, tucking it behind her head as she leaned back. She smiled as the sun warmed her face.

  She heard a car horn in the distance and checked her watch. She’d been out there for half an hour and, she suspected, had dozed. She pushed out of the chair suddenly, sending J.T. scrambling, and they both made their way back inside.

  After a quick shower and a bowl of granola, she called J.T. and placed his dish on the floor. She took a bowl of dry food with her into the bedroom and left it in a corner, knowing J.T. could find it and self-feed, which would tide him over until she got home after dinner at the restaurant. Taking a bit more care than usual in choosing a not-too-clingy tunic top and leggings, she finally deemed herself ready to go and locked up, making sure J.T. was still inside.

  She made her usual stop at Chocomania, her favorite shop in the Bay, since it combined coffee and chocolates, on her way to the dock. She greeted the owner, her
good friend Erica Bryant, with a quick hug.

  “Good to see you,” Erica said, placing a single dark chocolate truffle on a piece of wax paper. “For you. Tell me what you think.”

  Shelby bit into it and closed her eyes in pleasure. “Amazing,” she said, once she’d swallowed every bit of it. “Caramel and something with a bit of heat. Chili powder?”

  “Cayenne, but close enough. You don’t need any more for the bookstore right now, do you?”

  “Maybe after this weekend. But I’ll stop by for some personal stock after work tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good, and tonight’s the author dinner, right?” Erica pushed some stray hair back into the scarf she wore to keep it off her face. “I’m almost ready to cut this mop off.” Although her auburn hair was short on the sides and top, the draping bangs were long and often seemed to have a mind of their own.

  Shelby knew a cut wouldn’t happen—at least she hoped not. She so wished her own curly dark hair looked as good as her friend’s. Maybe she was the one who should get a cut, but she couldn’t picture herself with short hair. Not with these curls, anyway.

  “Tonight is the dinner, and it’s at your brother’s restaurant,” Shelby said, then asked casually, “How’s he doing these days?”

  Erica eyed her before answering. “If you mean, how is his on-again, off-again relationship going, I’m pretty sure they’re in on mode. Please tell me that was just an idle question.”

  “Definitely. He’s a nice guy, but there were no sparks when we went out on that one date. It’s just that I haven’t been to his restaurant in a few months, so I was wondering.”

  “I should think that’s all you’re doing, what with your knockout Coast Guard agent around.” Erica wiggled her eyebrows.

  Shelby smiled, letting her thoughts wander to Zack Griffin for a moment. “I haven’t seen as much of him these days, actually. He seems to be working all hours.”

  “Ah, the river never sleeps.”

  “Very sage, Erica.”

  They both laughed. Shelby took a quick look around the shop, noting that only one of the eight round tables was in use. The light sand-colored walls displayed various delicious-looking paintings and photos of chocolates and truffles. Among them were also some photos of chocolate-loving kids—the one with twin preschoolers holding melted chocolates in their hands was Shelby’s favorite. The kids were local, and their mom was a high school friend of Erica’s, but Shelby hadn’t yet met them. Erica had planned some group picnics over the summer, but they both had been canceled at the last minute, one because of the weather, the other because of sick kids. One day, she hoped.