by Essie Lang
“That’s great, but it doesn’t help if you’re getting overly stressed.” Shelby didn’t get it, but realized that this year she’d better get into the spirit of the season. Fortunately, that was a ways off, regardless of what Juliette was planning.
“Just have to start pacing myself, that’s all. Of course, I’m involved in so many other activities. If I’d have known I’d be so busy, I would have retired much sooner.” She started laughing and was soon joined by the others.
Leonard held his glass up in the air. “To retirement.”
“You can see we’re quite a feisty group,” Dolly said, as Shelby offered her another pastry before setting the plate down on the coffee table.
“I can see that, and I’m totally impressed. You all rock.”
That brought on a new round of laughter as Shelby sat back down.
“We’re also very mentally astute, so if you need any help with investigating this latest murder, you just let us know,” Leonard added.
Shelby almost choked on the sip of punch she’d just taken, although she should have been prepared for the comment. “And just what makes you think I’d interfere in a police investigation, once again?”
“Lucky guess.” Dolly spoke first and was joined by the others in another round of laughter. Shelby remembered that book club for these folks was one-third book talk and two-thirds joviality.
When the doorbell rang, Trudy hurried to open it. In a few seconds, both she and Patricia appeared.
“So sorry I’m late, everyone,” Patricia said. “Nice to see you again, Shelby. I’d love a glass of punch, Trudy, and oh my, are those Trailbaker treats?” She grabbed a Danish and took a bite. “Oh, yes, I’d recognize this taste anywhere.”
She sat on the love seat next to Trudy. “Now, fill me in on what I’ve missed.”
“Not much, really. We were waiting for you before we start in on the book.”
“That’s nice of you, but I meant, what’s the gossip?” She brushed a wisp of hair back from her forehead—a move, Shelby guessed, to draw attention to the latest colors in her hair. This time, she had large swaths of copper and dark-brown streaks highlighting her basically completely gray hair.
Shelby tried to hide a smile. She remembered Patricia now. She was more than a hair model. Gossip must be her middle name. Maybe this was her retirement hobby.
Trudy tried to keep things on track. “Nothing, really. Now, who all has read Lies and Deaths: The A.R. Smith Story, written by Savannah Page?”
All hands went up. Patricia spoke first. “Of course we did. We wouldn’t be able to set foot in your house again if we hadn’t shown up for the signing. We all know that. And of course, never buy a book you don’t intend on reading.”
Shelby’s eyes flew to Trudy, who was smiling.
“I’m glad you all realized that,” Trudy said, chuckling. “Now, rather than do a presentation on the book, I’ve asked Shelby to tell us some things about both signings. She also had supper with Savannah and her fiancé on Friday night, so we’ll get to find out a bit about an author at play as well as read her work.” She paused. “Her death was a tragedy. Shelby?”
“Right. Again, thanks for inviting me. I really do enjoy your gatherings. So, now, on to Savannah Page. I met her for the first time at the Friday afternoon signing at the main store. As you would have noticed, since you all attended, it was a very busy couple of hours, with Savannah doing a short reading and signing.” She took a moment for another sip of punch. As had been the case ever since the murder, Shelby found it unsettling to think back to meeting Savannah. It was much easier just to talk without thinking. She realized that feeling would probably be with her for many months to come.
“That reminds me, Shelby,” Juliette interrupted, “how is your aunt? She couldn’t be there because of a fall, right?”
Shelby was grateful for the diversion. “That’s right, but she’s recovering nicely. In fact, she’s as keen as ever to get back to work.”
“And that lovely Taylor?” Patricia asked. “Just how is she doing these days? I hear she ended up in the hospital. I hope everything is okay with the pregnancy. It would be such a shame if she lost another baby. Of course, she’s carried this one much further, so it should be okay, shouldn’t it? Not that I’ve had a baby, so I’m not speaking firsthand here. She’s in my prayers. You can tell her that.”
Shelby nodded and then spent the next ten minutes filling everyone in on what was happening with the staff and at both stores, not quite what she’d expected to be doing.
“Trudy, I’m told that your daughter Erica is dating the author’s agent. Are they getting serious?” Patricia asked.
Trudy looked uncomfortable as she shifted a bit in her seat. “Erica is quite her own woman and doesn’t always tell me things like that, but she did say they had been out to dinner.”
“Isn’t he one of the main suspects?” Patricia continued. “I’m sure you must be worried about her welfare.”
“As I said, Erica is an adult and makes her own decisions. I don’t, and never would, object to someone she chose to date. Now, as you were saying, Shelby.”
Shelby picked up her cue and told them about her dinner out with Savannah and Liam, embellishing a bit on some of the details, nothing important and purely for entertainment. She wrapped up with a comment that almost brought tears to her eyes.
“Those two days of signings were, incredibly, the busiest for the stores in what looks like a long time. And it was such a pleasure meeting Savannah.”
Nobody said anything for a few moments, but then Trudy asked for comments about the book itself.
“I have a question for Shelby,” Patricia said.
Uh-oh.
“Why did the board allow her to stay overnight in the castle? And, I guess just as importantly, why would she want to? Okay, so that’s two questions, but what do you think, Shelby?”
Not a question Trudy had asked for, but Shelby was prepared for this part. “As for why she was allowed, you’ll have to ask someone on the board. She said she wanted to stay there for research purposes, to get a feel for the place. Her new book was to have been about Joe Cabana’s stay on the island, and his death.”
“Do you think she believed in ghosts?” Dolly asked, sounding the most excited Shelby had heard her all night. “I ask only because Mimi will want to know anything that has to do with them, not that I’m a believer.”
Shelby hid her smile. “It sounded like she might have.”
Patricia leaned forward, pushing her copper-colored bangs away from her eyes. “Your aunt is on the board. What does she say about it?”
“She hasn’t been able to go to all the meetings, as you can imagine with her knee.” Shelby knew that didn’t really answer the question, but she hoped someone else would jump in.
Juliette did. “I heard that Jenna Dunlop was spitting nails at the signing. It had something to do with the new book she’s writing. Someone said Savannah had stolen her idea. Is that right?”
Everyone turned to her.
“Where did you hear that?” Patricia demanded.
“Oh, I’m not sure. Someplace around town.”
“Jenna Dunlop isn’t a real author,” Patricia replied. “I’ve heard she publishes her own books, isn’t that right, Trudy?”
“That’s not always the way to judge an author. She’s just chosen another way to get her work into print. Have you read any of her books?”
“No, I haven’t. I didn’t realize they were actually available. Do you have them in the store?”
Trudy looked a bit flustered. “Well, no, we don’t, but that’s a distribution matter.”
Shelby wondered what the story was there but thought it could wait for another time.
“I heard she isn’t any good,” Patricia continued, sounding a bit petulant. Shelby wondered if Patricia liked to be seen as an authority and always needed to be right.
“Consider your source, Patricia. Now, I’m going to put on the kettle. How m
any for tea or coffee?” Trudy did a quick count and exited into the kitchen.
“You see, Shelby.” Patricia picked up without missing a beat. “Many years ago, little Jenna Dunlop was thought to have shoved her rival down the stairs.”
“Oh, you’re right, Patricia,” Juliette jumped in. “I’d forgotten about that. Yes, Mandy Sharp had stolen Hank Knopple away from Jenna. Or so the story went. They were teenagers, in grade twelve, I think. Anyway, they were at a prom in Warren House. That was an old heritage home that was rented out for events, like dances. Jenna made a scene, accusing Mandy right there while the dance was going on. Then they were heard arguing upstairs again, a bit later. The next thing, Mandy apparently let out a blood-curdling scream, and she went tumbling down the stairs. And there were many of them. By the time anyone reached her, she was dead.”
Shelby was shocked. “What happened? Did they arrest Jenna?”
“Oh, they took her in for questioning and all, but couldn’t make it stick. You see, they were heard arguing, but nobody saw them together those last minutes on the landing at the top of the stairs when Mandy was supposedly pushed. That must have been about twelve years ago or so. Chief Stone did a thorough investigation, from what I remember.”
“Or she just fell, right? She could have tripped or something as she was starting down the stairs? Her long dress, maybe, since it was a prom?” Shelby asked.
“Hmph,” Patricia answered. “That’s what Jenna claimed, and since there was no real proof, she was let off. But it took the town a long time to forget about it.”
Apparently, some never did, thought Shelby.
The thought that Jenna might have been angry enough in the past to kill a rival stayed with Shelby all the way home. Of course, it was just as logical that she hadn’t done it.
But had she? And would she have again?
Chapter Thirty-Four
It was too important a clue to ignore, Shelby decided as she got ready for work the next morning. She’d be having supper at the Brew House once again, and she’d be armed with more questions for Jenna. But now, she needed to get to the shuttle. She’d been more tired than she’d expected that morning and had allowed herself too much time in bed. When would she learn? What with working six days a week, and recently these extra events, she found it all too easy to give in to exhaustion. She couldn’t imagine how Edie did it but was now totally sympathetic to her aunt’s role in Bayside Books.
J.T. looked like he needed more sleep, too, and had in fact headed upstairs and back to bed after eating all of his canned food in one go. Shelby took a quick peek at him before leaving. He looked like he was settled for the long haul.
During the shuttle ride, her mind wandered back to what she’d learned about Jenna. Although Shelby had pretty well decided Jenna wasn’t a likely killer, maybe she’d been too quick to make that determination. She’d liked her, and maybe that had colored her opinion. She’d have to take a closer look now at what she knew. If only she had some idea of what Chief Stone thought of the possibility of Jenna as the killer.
As she left the shuttle and started up the path to the castle, Shelby noticed Chief Stone crossing the lawn in front of the castle, seemingly checking the greenery along the side with the door leading to the underground entrance to the passageway. Shelby quickened her pace until she reached the corner of the castle’s stone wall and took a hesitant look around it.
She was just in time to see the chief disappear down the stairs. She next heard the door being opened and then closed. Shelby was tempted to follow but knew she’d probably be in deep trouble for doing that. For once she would follow that little voice in her head telling her to not do something. The door swung back open almost immediately, and the chief popped her head out before Shelby had time to realize what was happening and hurry off.
“Shelby Cox. Should I even bother to ask what you’re doing, or do I go with what I know?” the chief called out.
Shelby knew it was a rhetorical question but moved a step closer so it wouldn’t appear like she’d been trying to escape discovery.
“The bigger question is, what are you doing?” There, Shelby had dared to ask.
Stone chuckled. “And do you think I’d tell you? Wait there.” She secured the door with a lock and slowly walked toward Shelby.
When they were so close to each other that Shelby could hear the chief breathing, Stone said, “I guess I can tell you because it’s not really a secret anymore. I was just double-checking the lay of the land inside the door, seeing if what the boys said made sense. And it does, so that means I do believe their latest statement.” She paused, waiting. “Aren’t you going to ask me what that is?”
Shelby wondered if this was a trap of some sort. Why would the chief be willing to tell her anything? Oh, well. “So, what are they saying happened?”
“Let’s go into your store, and you can make me a cup of that delicious coffee.”
The chief led the way, with Shelby following close behind. After she’d unlocked the door to the bookstore, Shelby went directly to the back and got the coffee going. She hung up her jacket while waiting for the coffee to brew, then poured them each a cup. She already knew the chief took hers black, the same as Shelby.
“Here you go.” Shelby sat on a stool behind the counter while Stone leaned against it.
“They finally confessed. It seems they weren’t really pulling a schoolboy prank. They had something more serious on their minds. Since there’s a wine cellar at the end of one of the passageways and it’s listed on the plan, that’s what they were looking for. I’m not sure what put that foolishness in their head, but I guess they heard rumors about it and that some of the bottles must be vintage stock by now.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. What were they going to do with it?”
“Sell it, if it was old enough, or else drink it.” She shook her head. “It took one of the dads coming down hard on his kid to get a confession. But they hadn’t really thought it out and weren’t smart enough to wonder if there was still some wine down there. Which there isn’t. The cellar was cleared out a long time ago.”
“So, what about Savannah’s murder? Could they have been involved?”
“They hadn’t yet put their plan into action, but they were intending to break in on Sunday night. I guess there’s a rumor going around about all the valuable wine stored in the wine cellar at the castle, although that’s the first I’ve heard of it. Anyway, they were going to steal some. Now they’re not. It was a pretty foolish idea. She put her hat back on. “Your Cody actually said he had trouble believing them, which was why he didn’t give up the plan. But they do admit that they broke into the store and took the plan. Charges are pending on that one. Thanks for the coffee, Shelby. I’ll be seeing you.”
Stone had just about reached the door when Shelby asked, “What about Jenna Dunlop, Chief? Is she still a suspect?”
Stone whirled around. “Now look, just because I shared some information with you, which was already known to others, I’m not giving you permission to keep getting involved in all this. Do we understand each other?”
“Yes, we do. Have a good day, Chief.” She was so tempted to ask what had happened with Jenna at that dance, but she knew this wasn’t the time to push. Shelby congratulated herself on her smarts.
And she uncrossed her fingers that she’d been holding behind her back.
* * *
Chrissie appeared toward the end of the day and spent a few minutes wandering around, glancing at titles rather than chatting right away. Shelby thought she seemed preoccupied.
“Hey, Chrissie. How was your day?”
Chrissie seemed almost surprised that Shelby had said something. “Oh, fine, I guess.”
“It looks like you’ve got a lot on your mind. Did you find anything more that’s gone missing?”
“What? Oh, no.” She looked like she’d just come from outside, her hair tousled, her blazer buttoned up to her throat, her hands stuffed in her pockets.
“I don’t know. I haven’t brought it up yet. I’ve had a lot on my mind.” Now she looked like she might burst into tears.
Shelby thought the missing items would be a lot on one’s mind, but would that be enough to cause Chrissie to break down? Was there more? “Anything you want to talk about?”
Chrissie flopped into one of the wicker chairs and spoke so softly, Shelby had to walk over to hear. “What was it you said?”
“Carter and I split up.”
That took Shelby totally by surprise. She hadn’t given the couple a thought in so long. “I’m sorry to hear that. When did it happen?”
“Last weekend. We decided it just wasn’t working out between us. We’d postponed the wedding until next year, thinking it didn’t seem right so soon after Loreena’s passing.”
Shelby hadn’t even realized a date had been set in the first place, let alone postponed. Of course, she hadn’t really known either Chrissie or Carter before his aunt’s death. And it was only recently that she and Chrissie had become friendlier. She still found Carter to be standoffish in that entitled way whenever she ran into him in town, which wasn’t often. And he didn’t seem to visit the castle anymore these days. Shelby thought back to how certain she’d been that he’d murdered his aunt. She realized that should serve as a cautionary tale as she continued to gather information this time around.
Chrissie continued before Shelby could say anything. “But really, the more we thought about it, we realized we were both relieved by the postponement. It was a mutual decision, but you know, I kind of feel a bit down.” She looked up at Shelby, who hoped tears weren’t about to flow.
“I can imagine it’s a hard time for you, regardless of the reason or how it was done. Have you thought about taking a break, going away for a short trip? I don’t even know where your family lives. Are they in town?”