Posies and Poison (Sweetfern Harbor Mystery Book 1)

by Wendy Meadows

  While the deputy booked Logan Tucker for the murder of Lady Pendleton, Brenda waited for Carrie. When she came from the interrogation room, Brenda hugged her tightly.

  “I’ll be calling you back in, Carrie,” said Mac, “but for now you are released.” He turned and walked to the desk to give instructions to the cop sitting behind the desk.

  “Come on, Carrie, let’s get some fresh air,” said Brenda. “We’ll walk home. Mac has other things he needs to take care of right now.”

  Neither woman mentioned Logan’s name but Brenda could see the deep sadness in Carrie’s eyes. They didn’t speak and together left the police station and turned to walk to the bed and breakfast. Mac would have to find out how much Carrie Martin knew, and when, but that would come later. Right now, Brenda needed to take care of her.

  By the time they returned to Sheffield Bed and Breakfast, everyone was in the dining room for dinner.

  Carrie looked blankly toward the happy din of conversation coming from the dining room, then turned to Brenda. “I have no appetite.” Brenda patted her arm and gave her another hug.

  “Get a good night’s sleep, Carrie. If you want anything later come down and help yourself.”

  Everyone at the table greeted Brenda and she apologized for being late. No one asked about Carrie. Word was beginning to spread through Sweetfern Harbor that there had been an arrest in the murder of Lady Pendleton. Brenda felt sure that even though no one knew who had been arrested, the news would make the rounds before bedtime. Logan had chosen Edward Graham to defend him. She did her best to eat and make normal conversation despite the eventful interrogation that had lasted all afternoon.

  When Brenda returned to her apartment after dinner her cell phone rang. Mac Rivers told her that one more mystery was solved. It turned out to have been Kelly Martin who mentioned the locked desk drawer to Logan.

  “Logan told me that Kelly found it a curious thing and she and Carrie jokingly wondered what you locked in there. Logan took it as a challenge. They laughed when he told them he could find out. They never dreamed he would actually break in and search through the drawer. He took the contents with him because he was worried they incriminated him. I think he was disappointed when nothing of interest was there. He is not only being held for the murder of Lady Pendleton but also for breaking and entering.” Mac paused for a few seconds. “He thought maybe he could use your notes to prepare in case he had to answer too many questions. As it turned out, he found nothing specific against him. He tore up the notes and threw them in a dumpster.”

  They hung up and Brenda turned her TV on. Every local channel had breaking news. Logan Tucker had confessed to the murder of Priscilla Pendleton. Details were not given except that he confessed to Detective Mac Rivers of Sweetfern Harbor how the murder occurred. According to the news, the detective stated they had much more work to do on the case. Brenda knew they would have to have evidence that correlated with Logan’s confession in case he took it all back. They had to find the jar Logan used and determine for certain the source of the antifreeze. She had no doubt Mac’s team was searching Logan’s apartment that very moment.

  Brenda turned the TV off and opened her window. The sounds of the ocean waves soothed her and she lay down to rest her tired body. She drew in a long breath and savored the sea smells. The bed and breakfast was quiet. Seagulls settled down and only a few songbirds called from the trees. She fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

  When Brenda came downstairs the next morning, voices buzzed over breakfast even more than usual. Carrie was in her office. She appeared to be working on reservations that had come in overnight, but her eyes were sunken as if she had not slept, and she wouldn’t meet Brenda’s eyes.

  “Did you eat breakfast, Carrie?” Brenda asked her.

  “I’m not hungry,” Carrie replied absently, tapping slowly at the keyboard.

  “You didn’t eat dinner last night. Carrie, look at me,” Brenda pleaded. The young woman looked up at her guiltily. “If you want to help Logan, you will need to keep your strength up. Join me for breakfast and we can chat about business. I’ll keep you from the gossips, don’t worry.”

  Carrie smiled weakly. “You’re right. And I appreciate a diversion.”

  When they walked down the short hallway to the dining room entry, voices hushed momentarily. Carrie smiled at the guests and said to Phyllis, who stood near the door, “It’s all right. I don’t want you to feel you have to step on eggshells around me.”

  Phyllis patted her arm. “You can count on all of us in Sweetfern Harbor to do everything to support Logan. Tell us what you need from us.”

  “I will let you know. I hope to get to visit him sometime today but for now, Brenda and I are going to have our breakfast.”

  Brenda was sure Carrie would not be allowed to see Logan any time soon. Her life was about to get much more complicated, according to Mac Rivers. But for now, Brenda kept her promise to Carrie and kept the conversation light and simple as they dove into plates heaped with scrambled eggs, fresh bagels, and strips of bacon. Brenda reached for the coffeepot on the sideboard and poured them steaming cups of coffee as they talked about the bed and breakfast.

  “Phyllis mentioned two of the rooms need some updating,” said Carrie. “Phyllis has some wonderful ideas about decorating, you know she’s the one who helped your uncle with things like that for many years.”

  Brenda agreed to speak with her housekeeper. After an hour lingering at the table, they went back to the front desk. Brenda saw Phyllis dusting in the sitting room and joined her. They chatted about the updates needed in two of the rooms on the second floor.

  “We’re booked until the end of summer,” said Brenda, “but I will let Carrie know not to book any more guests into those two rooms until we can get them redone. It will be September by the time that happens.”

  Brenda decided to spend her day taking care of her bed and breakfast. Detective work could wait for further developments. She would let Mac tell Carrie she was not allowed to visit her boyfriend behind bars.

  Chapter Ten

  Sweetfern Harbor Family

  A full twenty-four hours passed before Brenda spoke with Mac again. It sounded as if he needed a break, too.

  “Let’s take an evening out, Brenda, if you have time,” he said.

  Once again, her heart skipped a beat. What was it about this man who could one minute frustrate her and in the next moment, draw her to him like a magnet? She was more than ready to have a night out with him.

  “It looks like you and Mac may have something going,” said Phyllis. She winked at Carrie who stood nearby.

  “We are simply taking a little time away from this case. I’m sure Mac needs the break.” She glanced at Carrie. “I think Logan has found a good lawyer when it comes to Edward.”

  Carrie smiled. “I hope he is good for Logan. It makes me feel better about this whole thing. I’m going to try and see Logan in a little while.”

  An hour later, Carrie returned. From the look on her face, Brenda knew Mac or someone in the department had given her the bad news. She returned to her office without a word.

  The guests in the two rooms needing repairs had checked out. Brenda took advantage of the time before the next guests checked in later that day. She and Phyllis looked at the room together. There were no cracks in the walls but they needed a good coat of paint, perhaps in a new color. The bathroom tile needed replacing and Brenda decided new bedspreads and curtains were needed as well. She made notes as Phyllis suggested a few ideas she had been thinking of to help give the rooms that special Sheffield touch.

  “In September, we’ll get started on the work. It shouldn’t take more than two days for both rooms unless we see something unexpected.” The rest of the day, Brenda tried to busy herself with tasks and not fret too much about Carrie, whose eyes were rimmed with red from crying and whom she didn’t know how to comfort.

  Later that evening, she tried to clear her mind and focus on her date with Mac
Rivers. Though she admitted to herself it was technically their second dinner date, she had no intentions of satisfying Phyllis Lindsey’s suspicions that it was.

  When Mac picked her up around seven, he looked more handsome than ever. He wore khakis and a Polo shirt. The casual look enhanced his looks more than ever. She had carefully applied her usual light makeup and felt good about the way her summer dress showed off her figure. At forty-six years old she knew she still looked appealing.

  They sat down at a table outside an upscale bistro located several miles from Sweetfern Harbor in the next town. The restaurant overlooked the ocean and beach. Everyone around them was laid back and conversations flowed easily.

  “This is beautiful,” said Brenda. “How long have you known of this spot?”

  “I’m glad you like it and hope you don’t mind when I tell you this is where I met my wife over twenty years ago. She was with someone else and didn’t look happy with him. I made sure I accidently bumped her chair when I passed their table. Our eyes locked and I managed to get her telephone number before the night was over,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

  Brenda laughed. “How did you manage that without her date knowing it?”

  “I waited until he went to the bar for more drinks and asked her for it. The rest is history, as they say.”

  “From the sounds of it, I take it that it all worked out for both of you.”

  “Yes, it did,” he said, suddenly wistful. “We had a happy life together. But it was cut too short when her illness hit her. Jenny and I had a lot of support from everyone in Sweetfern Harbor. If we hadn’t had that, I don’t know what we would have done. I had a lot to learn about day-to-day parenting of a daughter.”

  In the comfortable silence, Brenda turned to gaze at the ocean. The rays of the setting sun behind them reflected on the water. She wondered how it happened that she had never found anyone she wanted to make a life with. Mac and his wife had been lucky. Her thoughts were interrupted by his voice.

  “I don’t want to talk too much about Logan’s case, Brenda, but in Sweetfern Harbor, everyone is family. Without exception, they will rally around him. Some are searching for loopholes as I speak. I know that because that is what they do for one another.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m saying not everything is about the letter of the law when it comes to Sweetfern Harbor. I just don’t want you to be disappointed if we’ve put in all this hard work and it takes a new twist.”

  Brenda smiled. “I have noticed how close-knit the town is so I’m not surprised at what you say. I promise I won’t be disappointed.”

  She hoped he would take that as understanding and move on to another subject. He scrutinized her face, seeming to take her at her word.

  They discussed the menu and while waiting for their dinner, they watched and commented on the people walking along the beach. Mac regaled her with a hilarious story about rescuing a baby duck from the harbor one chilly autumn night. It was a beautiful night, and she felt lucky to be sitting in the company of a handsome man. She liked his laugh, and his stories, and she liked how he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t looking.

  After their meal, they walked down the steps to the beach and joined others strolling along the sand. The night was perfect and Brenda felt Mac’s warmth when their arms or shoulders touched while they walked along.

  As the week went by, Brenda was aware of things happening in the town. A lawyer from out of town was hired to help Edward Graham prepare Logan’s defense. A short time later, Pete Graham stopped in at Morning Sun Coffee as Brenda sat at the window with Phyllis. Pete joined them.

  “Have you heard the judge on Logan’s case was moved to another jurisdiction?”

  “Oh no,” said Phyllis, “I hope that doesn’t mean the next one assigned to his case will be harsh with him.”

  Pete swayed on his heels. “Nope,” he said, “apparently it means the case will probably be thrown out. I heard that from dad. The lawyer he brought in on the case to help him has clout with the jurisdiction board that decides these things. He somehow maneuvered things around and suddenly this new judge is in town.”

  “What grounds will he have to dismiss the case?” Brenda asked.

  Pete shrugged his shoulders. “I guess since the whole town is willing to testify on Logan’s behalf, plus the fact that William has uncovered a few illegal dealings his wife had, all adds up in Logan’s favor.”

  “I can’t wait to tell Carrie the good news,” said Phyllis.

  “She already knows it. Mac even let her talk with Logan a little while ago. I guess he finally realized Carrie didn’t play any part in the whole deal.” Pete Graham looked smug.

  Brenda realized Mac Rivers meant it when he said that not everything followed the letter of the law when it comes to Sweetfern Harbor. She supposed in the end, if what Pete told them was true, then Logan Tucker would probably have a future after all.

  While everyone offered opinions around the table, Brenda noticed Mac pulling up in his car. He parked in the one spot still open in front of the coffee shop and came in. He went directly to the group and turned to Brenda.

  “Can we use Sheffield Bed and Breakfast for a meeting right away?” Mac had such a serious look on his face that Brenda didn’t ask questions, she just nodded. “Everyone else gather people together. Edward Graham has an announcement.”

  When all were assembled on the side lawn of her property, Brenda was not surprised to see that the entire town had shown up. Fleeting thoughts of stranded tourists crossed her mind knowing shops were closed.

  Edward stepped forward. “I want to tell all of you that I have drawn up new lease documents for you. But that’s not the big news here. William, with the court’s approval, wants it known that rents have been rolled back to where they were ten years ago, and will not be raised for another ten years.” A joyful murmur raced through the crowd. “I would like to personally take this opportunity to thank Detective Mac Rivers, his department, and Miss Brenda Sheffield for their tireless work in solving the case of Lady Pendleton’s untimely death. An added note is that I feel sure my client Logan will be given a lighter sentence, or possibly probation, for his part in what happened,” he finished with a knowing chuckle.

  In reality, Brenda knew that the lawyer knew Logan Tucker’s slate would be wiped completely clean.

  Edward Graham waved his hand to silence the crowd’s noisy approval of this announcement. “I have something else of importance. As you know, Carrie Martin has decided to move to New York City and finish her studies. Well, when Brenda heard about this plan, once again everyone chipped in to help pay her way until she can get on her feet.” As Carrie stood with a dumbfounded look on her face, Edward Graham handed her an envelope and bent over to whisper the amount in her ear. The assembled crowd clapped and cheered as Carrie threw her arms around the distinguished older lawyer’s neck in gratitude.

  A taxi pulled into the driveway at that moment. Everyone rushed to Carrie and hugged her before she tore herself away and got into the cab with her suitcase. The crowd mingled and several wiped their eyes. People shuffled up to Edward and the new lease documents were handed out one by one.

  Brenda went inside the bed and breakfast to think about the lawyer’s words. Jenny Rivers followed her in. She handed Brenda a huge bouquet of mixed blooms.

  “My father picked this out for you a little while ago. He asked me to deliver it to you. Do you want to hear the message that goes along with the bouquet?”

  “Yes, I do,” said Brenda, inhaling the sweet fragrance of the flowers.

  “He said the only message with the flowers is ‘Welcome to the Sweetfern Harbor family.’” Jenny grinned. “See, I told you that you two would make a good pair.”

  Brenda laughed. “Don’t get your hopes up…but I do enjoy his company.”

  Jenny grinned with sudden glee. “Why don’t you tell him that yourself?”

  Brenda turned to see the detective standing in
the doorway, watching Brenda’s reaction. “I heard your words, Brenda, and I thank you. Now let’s go for a long drive along the highway and watch the seagulls dip in and out of the water.”

  He reached for her hand. Brenda took his hand with satisfaction and smiled.

  Dear Reader,

  Hi there. Thank you for reading.

  I hope you’ll leave a review and/or rating at the retail website where you purchased it, I appreciate you and your feedback.

  Thanks again,

  Wendy Meadows

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  About the Author

  Wendy Meadows is an emerging author of cozy mysteries. She lives in “The Granite State” with her husband, two sons, two cats and lovable Labradoodle.

  When she isn’t working on her stories she likes to tend to her flower garden, relax with adult coloring and play video games with her family.

  Get in Touch with Wendy

  www.wendymeadows.com

  wendy@wendymeadows.com

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