Madigan Amos Zoo Mysteries : Books 1 - 5 (Madigan Amos Zoo Mysteries Boxset)

by Ruby Loren

  Auryn nodded, gratefully. “I just wish it was as easy to know how to handle Jenna’s death. I hate to sound callous, but some of the reception staff are still struggling to come in to work, and it’s only going to get worse now that the published verdict is murder. Then there’s going to be another day when no one will work, for her funeral.” He shook his head. “An unsolved murder doesn’t look too great for the zoo. People might think that Avery is an unsafe place to be.” He sighed. “I know it’s unfeeling, but it’s just making me stress more about whether we can pull off this festive push for business. Perhaps I should have played it safe and scraped through until next year. The zoo was still on track to be a viable business.”

  “But not an outstandingly successful one,” I filled in with a rueful smile. “You’re ambitious, and that’s a good thing. I know your grandad would approve of every decision you've made since he’s been gone.”

  I cleared my throat a little, suddenly thinking of one decision I actually wasn’t so sure he’d approve of. “What made you decide the zoo needed an in-house financial advisor?” I asked, wanting to hear it from him.

  I knew Tiff had been right about what she’d overheard, when Auryn blushed.

  “Lawrence suggested I hire his granddaughter. She’s run her own successful finance business with a partner for years, but she recently got divorced. He asked me to interview her as a favour to him, so she could get a little confidence back. I thought it wouldn’t hurt, after all - I never said I’d give her a job. When I did get her in for an interview, she turned out to be great! She’s way more creative than I thought a financial advisor would be. The zoo already has a good accountant, but she’s something else… she helps me to plan things out and see which changes are the ones that bring in the best returns. The zoo’s accountant doesn’t have time to do any of that.”

  “That’s the only reason you gave her the job?” I raised an eyebrow, but added in a knowing smile. I may have yet to be fully convinced by Claudia, but if what Auryn said was true, I thought she might not be as poor a choice as I’d worried.

  Auryn blushed again. “There is actually another reason.” He sighed. “Lawrence was never supposed to stay on the zoo staff, longterm. When I interviewed Claudia, she told me that his family is worried. They want him to go back into retirement, full time. After all, when you consider what it did to Grandad, being back here…” He looked saddened for a moment. “Anyway, I owe it to Lawrence to make sure that he’s okay. He’s been there for me since Grandad wasn’t able to, but now it’s time that I did it on my own. I’m hoping that Claudia will be able to take on the work he was doing here.”

  I nodded, seeing a picture sliding into place. Perhaps it was the one that made the most sense. Auryn and Claudia’s families had a strong alliance. Who better for him to pick to be with than her?

  Auryn shot me a sideways look. “I also have a shrewd idea that Lawrence may have set this whole thing up in order to set me up with Claudia.” He shook his head. “That’s something I’m not going to be pushed into.” His grey eyes warmed when he said it and I had to look away in case he saw something similar reflected in my own. Things were far too confusing right now.

  “There’s something else I need to talk to you about. I’m going to start by saying I know what happened between you and Tiff…” I began.

  Auryn looked semi-startled. “You do? I just thought…”

  “I’m best friends with Tiff. Just like I’m best friends with you. We tell each other things,” I said with what I hoped was an encouraging smile. “And now I need to tell you something. You can’t go on treating Tiff this way. You don’t need to make some huge decision over how you feel about her, if you don’t feel ready to make it, but you do need to talk to her. Just like she’s a normal person! She’s your head of commerce. You can’t keep shutting her out.” I took a breath. “She’s really worried about the arts and crafts day you were organising together.”

  “Oh, that!” Auryn said, looking surprised. “I thought she knew…” He hesitated. “Well, I suppose I haven’t been speaking much to her.”

  “Knew what?” I asked, curious.

  “Part of the deal with the events team is that they handle all events at the zoo during the festive season. I’ve sort of handed over the craft thing to them. All of the plans were in place anyway. It’s already being promoted as part of our seasonal events. Tickets that allow entry to the zoo and into the competition are already on sale. They’re doing really well, too. I think we’ve already sold a couple hundred, and there are still two weeks to go before it happens.”

  “I thought you and Tiff were going to sort of run it? She’s got a lot of art experience,” I reminded him.

  Whilst I had my successful web comic, Monday’s Menagerie, Tiff ran her own Etsy store, selling maps, which she designed and drew.

  “You and Tiff are both amazing, but now we’ve got the extra staff working to make things run smoothly I, er… took some liberties.”

  “What did you do?” I asked, immediately suspicious.

  Auryn was looking more uncomfortable by the second.

  “I’m sorry for not asking. I swear I just put it in as an idea, more of a concept, really. The team must have thought it was finalised, because they put it in as an up-sell. Backing out now would be really damaging.” He looked at me appealingly. “I know how successful you and Tiff are. Neither of you would need to work here if you didn’t want to, and for that, I’m really grateful. I just thought that people who are interested in the business side of art and craft might like to hear about your success and how you did it. That kind of thing. So, I suggested a couple of seminars and, well… they’ve taken off! People have signed up to come to the event just to hear you both speak.”

  My mouth opened and shut a little, while I processed what he’d just said. I didn’t know how to react. Even working as a consultant, I’d never had to address any large groups of people. It wasn't a strength of mine, and the thought of getting up in front of a crowd of people to talk about my comic was already giving me butterflies in my stomach. To make matters even worse, I felt pretty confused about the correct path to take, when it came to my comic.

  “I actually need to talk to you about the comic,” I confessed, realising that the talk I’d put off for so long had finally arrived on my doorstep. It was time to ask for Auryn’s opinion on the future of Monday’s Menagerie.

  Something like understanding shone in Auryn’s eyes.

  “Let’s get a couple more of these,” he raised his cup, “and we’ll hash it all out.”

  Half an hour later, Auryn was bouncing up and down in his chair in excitement, and I felt pretty much the same.

  “But that’s amazing! You must say yes. I don't think it will reflect poorly on the zoo at all. In fact, I think it will bring people in. You’ve already gained so many fans telling your stories and creating your art. Obviously, you’re going to be an instant bestseller…” I blushed and waved the compliment away. “…so, I think you should go for it. I’ll understand if you get too big and successful to stay here at the zoo, but you’ll always come back for signings and stuff, right? People will know that Avery Zoo inspired your comics?”

  “Yes, but that’s what I was worried about. There are recognisable features of the zoo in the comics. Lucky’s even in them! But while the stories are sometimes based on things that really happened when the animals did something funny, I don’t want people to think it’s all real. Someone could get upset. Someone might send animal welfare to the zoo because they think we’re letting the ducks have access to weapons of mass destruction!” With hindsight, that wasn’t the most realistic example.

  “You worry too much. I hate to bring things back down, but this zoo has had its fair share of tragedies recently. Your comic strips are a good thing, not a bad one. Do it, Madi. See where it will take you.” I didn’t miss the slight sadness behind his eyes when he wished me well.

  “Auryn, you know I’ll always want to work with
animals. Whether it’s back here at Avery, or sticking with the consulting gig, I’m never going to be a full-time writer. It’s not what I want. The comic was just supposed to be a fun hobby, for goodness’ sake. It has spiralled out of control somewhat.”

  “Next thing you know, Tiff’s art will be in supermarkets, or something,” Auryn said, with a grin on his face. “This makes it even better that you’re going to be doing the seminar! People went nuts when they found out how successful your crowd funding campaign was. They’re going to want to know all about that, but if you can say you’ve got a publishing deal, too…”

  “I don’t remember actually agreeing to speak at this seminar,” I said, pretending to look conflicted.

  Auryn saw straight through it. “You’ll love it and they’ll love you. If you think the comic is going to be bad for the zoo when it’s published, think of this as penance paid early.”

  I laughed. “I think I might want that in writing in case I somehow bankrupt you, after everyone boycotts the place,” I said, finally voicing my true concerns.

  “Unless we’ve been reading different comics about the cheerful and lighthearted side of zoo life, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Auryn said, reaching across the desk to rest his hand on mine for a moment.

  “Thanks,” I said, feeling much better about the whole thing. I was even able to enjoy the feeling of warmth that spread through me at the touch of Auryn’s hand. All of a sudden I became far too aware of our skin on skin contact, and the little surge of electricity that seemed to pass between us. I pulled away and gave him what I hoped was a carefree smile. “I’m looking forward to speaking!” I lied. “You’re going to have to tell Tiff what you’ve signed her up for yourself,” I warned him.

  He pulled a pained face. “I know I agreed to talk to her again, but she’ll eat me alive!”

  I snorted. “Tiff wouldn’t hurt a fly, and you know it. You’re just scared you’ve messed things up between you.” I knew the feeling a little too well myself. “No matter what you decide, or don’t decide, let her know, and I know she’ll forgive you.” I hesitated for a second. “If it makes it any better, she’s put up with some real idiots in her past relationships. At least you’re not anything like as hopeless a case as they were.”

  “Thanks… I think,” Auryn said, narrowing his eyes at me.

  “That’s what friends are for,” I told him with a smile that bordered on a smirk.

  It’s going to be frosty tonight, I thought when I finished feeding the last animals. One of the zookeepers, Vanessa, had contracted a nasty winter cold and had generously decided to stay away, rather than bringing us all down with her. While I was grateful for that, I’d been less thrilled by the prospect of having to care for the insect collection. I’d mastered snakes whilst working at Snidely Safari, but insects were still out of my comfort zone. They were unlike any other animal at the zoo, and I felt completely at sea. Fortunately, there’d been cheat sheets left in case of this very eventuality. I was very hopeful that there would be no fatalities caused directly by me.

  I wrapped my scarf around my neck and walked out through the zoo’s quiet reception area. Decorations had been strung up by the events team, but I’d noticed the little personal festive touches, which often appeared around this time of year in the reception booths, weren’t present. Everyone was still in mourning over the loss of the reception manager.

  Someone poisoned her, I remembered with a bump. Auryn had said that it could have been the shouting lady, or one of his grandad’s non-zoo related friends and extended family, but I was sure he knew as well as I did that either of those were fairly unlikely choices, when it came to looking for a suspect. It was almost certain that someone who worked at Avery Zoo had killed Jenna.

  I chewed on my lip as I walked towards the car park. All of a sudden, Avery didn’t feel like the safe and homely place it once had. A killer was loose in the zoo, and I had no idea why they’d wanted Jenna dead. For all I knew, she might not be the only person they were out to get. We were all in danger and somewhere in our midst, a murderer walked unseen.

  I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard something squawk. I’d been creeping myself out, thinking about what had happened to Jenna and not looking where I was going. If the box had been any smaller, I would have tripped over it. Instead, I nearly collided with it. If it hadn't been for the warning squawk, I could well have ended up in the box, myself.

  I looked at the closed cardboard box, warily. Any animal institution has to deal with their fair share of abandoned animals. People who found they couldn’t cope with their pets’ needs would sometimes leave cages or boxes on the doorstep, hoping that the zoo would take the ill-advised animal in. To be honest, the animals left behind were usually more exotic than the cats and dogs the rescue centres received. Perhaps people thought that the centres wouldn’t know what to do with their often illegal exotic pet, or perhaps they were scared of the repercussions of the investigation a reputable rescue centre would surely run. Whatever the reason, Avery Zoo had seen its fair share of unusual deliveries over the years.

  This, however, was my first one.

  I had no idea what to expect.

  I nudged the box gently with my foot and the affronted squawking sound came again.

  Please, please don’t be another peacock! I silently prayed.

  Since there was nothing else for it - and if the animal were truly dangerous, they’d have already busted out of the cardboard box - I cautiously opened one of the flaps a little. Then I opened the rest and stared in bemusement at what someone had chosen to abandon at the zoo.

  It was a turkey.

  “Is this some kind of joke?” I muttered, looking around to see if anyone was filming this. Had someone thought it would be funny to deliver a live turkey to the zoo at Christmas? Was this some strange animal welfare protest?

  I waited for a whole minute before concluding that no one else was around.

  “I suppose I’d better take you inside. I can’t leave you out in the frost,” I said, reaching forwards to push the flaps back down for ease of transport. The turkey’s crest rose up and it tried to bite me.

  I glared at it. “Okay, I think I’m getting the picture,” I said to my newest charge. “You are going to get on just fine with the peacocks.”

  After many quick hand movements, I was able to get the lid shut again. Then came the task of moving the box into the zoo. I stood tall at five foot nothing, and the cardboard box hadn’t exactly been little. I hefted it into my arms and then put it back down again. This wasn’t going to end in some ridiculous comedy situation better suited to my comics. I was going to be a sensible adult and get the wheeled cart we used for transporting big bags of animal feed around.

  Five minutes later, I returned and was relieved to find the turkey was still inside the box. I had no idea what I would have done if it had got loose! Lucky was at home recovering from his operation, so I couldn’t even get him out to use his bird scaring abilities to get the turkey to run the right way.

  It was with no little smugness that I lifted the box and popped it onto the wheeled cart, before carting the turkey through reception and into the zoo. I’d decided that the best place for it would be the dependant animal unit. There were a few eggs in the incubators, but that was the extent of the animals currently residing in the room. I would make a note to put on the door, warning anyone who might be checking on the eggs that there was a large and aggressive turkey inside the room. I’d need to tell Auryn about the new arrival as soon as I’d got the turkey settled with some food and water. I hoped it would be okay with the same grain that the peacocks chowed down on. Avery Zoo had never, to my knowledge, had a turkey before. I wondered what we’d do with it.

  “Well, it is nearly Christmas,” I said aloud. Inside the cardboard box, the turkey squawked.

  4

  The List of Names

  The turkey conundrum had to wait longer than I’d anticipated.

  The next mo
rning I was grabbed by Auryn as soon as I walked through reception.

  “The police are here again. They want to go through Jenna’s office and catalogue everything. They took pictures when they were first here. I promised we wouldn’t touch anything just in case, but now things have become more clear…” Auryn’s voice faded away for a moment, and he shook his head. “They just want to go through and make sure there’s nothing they missed. I thought you would be the best person to help them to do that.” He slightly raised an eyebrow and I nodded. There had been an occasion when Jenna had successfully concealed something from someone she’d been practically blackmailing when she hadn’t wanted their engagement to go ahead. Perhaps there was something hidden in her office that might give the police a clue.

  To my relief, it was Officer Kelly Lane the police had sent to do the search. I’d been dreading seeing Treesden again after the less than warm reception I’d been given when I’d reported the body. A male police officer, who’d introduced himself as Miles, was also with her. It didn’t escape my notice that her partner wasn’t Ernesto, the police officer who’d been so upset when Jenna had been found.

  I led the way through reception up to the offices above, where the zoo’s office staff worked. Auryn’s office was also in this building. To my surprise, I found a lot of new faces and was confused for a moment, before I remembered that the Christmas events team would be here in full force. Today was opening day for the Winter Wonderland. I only hoped that the excitement of the grand opening would overshadow any news about Jenna’s murder that might have spread.

  “Hi, Madi,” Barnaby said, stepping out of the chatting crowd, his warm eyes already bright with a smile. “Is there something I can help you with?” His eyes skated across to the uniformed officers, questioningly. I wondered if he thought I was in trouble.

  “Don’t worry, it’s nothing to do with your team. We’re about to go through Jenna’s office to see if there’s anything that was missed,” I explained. “I don’t think we’ll be in your way.”