by Sonia Parin
“Welcome to your first dawn,” Eve said.
“It feels odd. It’s as if I’m on a stage right before the curtain goes up.”
Eve handed her a mug of coffee. “Drink up. You need this.”
Jill waved at Josh who signaled to her eye.
“Oh, how does it look this morning?” Jill asked.
“A bit puffy... and red,” Eve said. “You’ll live.”
Jill examined the bite marks on her hand. “So, what’s been happening?”
Jack strode in and had a murmured conversation with Josh.
“I just heard my name mentioned again. What’s going on?” Jill asked.
When Jack turned to answer, he noticed her eye. Luckily Josh filled him in. Somehow, he made it all sound perfectly normal.
“Will someone please give me a reason for being awake at this ridiculous hour?” Jill demanded.
Pouring herself a coffee, Eve said, “Brace yourself. Martha Payne’s revolver is missing.”
Jill drank her coffee in one gulp and jumped to her feet.
Eve turned to Jack. “Someone must have taken it late last night. What are you going to do about it?” In his place, she knew exactly what she’d do. All the guests would be dragged out of their beds and forced to stand out in the hallway while the police searched the rooms.
“As soon as the guests are ready to come down, we will ask for permission to search their rooms.”
“Please, thank you and would you like a cherry on top?” Eve asked. “You can’t be serious, Jack. You need to go straight up to Martha Payne’s room. Right now. She has her revolver. I would stake my reputation on it.”
“Your reputation?” Jack asked.
Jill went to stand beside Eve. They both lifted their chins. “Yes,” they said.
Jack drew in a deep breath and gave the platter of bacon a longing look.
“You can forget about breakfast,” Eve warned.
“Oh, that’s harsh,” Jill remarked. “Do you really want him to storm into Martha’s room on an empty stomach?”
“No one is storming anywhere,” Jack said. “There’s an officer standing guard outside her room. She’s not going anywhere.”
“Fine, I’ll take pity on you and make you a bacon sandwich, but I feel I should say you are lacking a sense of urgency.”
“You’d like me to go into a state of frenzy?” Jack asked.
“What could be worse than knowing there is someone in this house wielding a weapon?” A weapon they most likely wished to have nearby for self-protection, Eve reasoned. She knew she shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Martha probably had a good reason to carry a gun.
An officer stepped up to the door. When Jack strode up to him, they spoke in hushed whispers. Eve did her best to try to overhear what they said, but they’d both turned their backs on her.
Mischief and Mr. Magoo stirred awake and ambled over to Jill.
“Nature calls,” Jill said.
“I’ll come with you. Let’s go out the front. I need to grab a couple of jackets.”
The moment Eve opened the front door, Jill shivered. “Owning cats would make my life so much easier. I’d only need to set up the litter box and forget about them.”
They both scooped in big breaths and stepped out onto the veranda.
Mischief and Mr. Magoo raced down to the front yard and made quick work of finding their favorite spots.
Eve wondered what her neighbors would say about having their quiet lives disrupted by yet another death brought to them courtesy of Eve Lloyd, the local mad innkeeper.
“What are you chortling about?” Jill asked.
Eve looked over her shoulder. “I’m actually wondering if I should have brought a rolling pin with me. We’re defenseless out here.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.”
They’d already faced a rifle wielding mad woman and they’d also had a revolver pointed at them. Pointed and fired, Eve mentally added. “I think I have become impervious to danger. A part of me says I should take care and be on guard, but experience has taught me no amount of preparation can ever be enough.”
Jill jumped on the spot. “What would you call this weather?”
“Brisk.” Eve cupped her hands and blew into them. “They’ve done their business, what are they doing now?”
“Sniffing around,” Jill said, “I call it the doggy grapevine. This is how they keep up with what’s going on in their world.”
Eve noticed Mischief slanting his gaze toward her. “I think Mischief just read a doggy message that probably alerted him to the local mad innkeeper.” She looked at the line of cars parked along the street. Narrowing her gaze, she frowned. “That’s odd.” She pointed at a white SUV. “It’s all fogged up. Do you think someone is making out?”
Jill took a step only to be hauled back by Eve.
“Where are you going?” Eve asked in a hard whisper.
“To investigate, of course. Don’t you want to know who’s inside the car? It could be someone taking their last breath.”
“I don’t know,” Eve said, “There’s being nonchalant about not carrying a weapon to safeguard us against a possible surprise attack and then, there’s willful disregard for our safety. Also, last night is still fresh in my mind. I feel dreadful about tackling Elsie. Could we, for once, be sensible and call Jack?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Jill laughed. “Besides, I really don’t care to be mocked and he’s been having quite a few laughs at our expense.”
Eve turned toward the house. She’d give anything to lead an ordinary life. “It’s too late now.”
“What are you mumbling about?” Jill grabbed hold of her arm and tugged her along.
“I’m entertaining a few wistful thoughts about what might have been and what obviously can’t be because I’m on some sort of treadmill and I can’t jump off it.”
They approached the SUV from the back. Belatedly, Eve realized that would give the occupant an advantage, as they would no doubt be able to see them on the side mirrors. Signaling to Jill, they both crouched down and split up.
“This is no longer a bad idea,” Eve said under her breath, “It’s dreadful.” Worse case scenarios flooded her mind. The occupant swinging the door open and slamming it against Jill’s nose. The occupant firing at them. “Oh, help.” Until now, she’d assumed someone inside the house had helped themselves to a handy weapon.
Eve shook her head. Jill had asked for this and she’d already had two close calls, which had served as warnings, so she couldn’t complain. Nevertheless, Eve got down on all fours and looked under the vehicle. Jill was on the other side and almost parallel with Eve. She picked up a pebble and threw it at her. It bounced off Jill’s ankle.
Jill hit the ground and glared at Eve, mouthing, “What?”
Eve curled her fingers and fashioned a revolver out of her hand. Instead of being alarmed, Jill appeared to become more determined. Fine, Eve thought. With any luck, she’d be able to someday tell her grandchildren about her adventures.
Their hand gesture communication continued with Jill holding up three fingers. “Okay,” Eve mouthed as she assumed Jill wanted her to count to three. A few more hand gestures later, Eve also assumed they had reached some sort of consensus and now needed to put a plan into action. Then again, Eve had never been any good at charades.
She eased her way toward the driver’s door, counted to three and, springing to her feet, wrenched the door open at the same time Jill opened the passenger door.
When the occupant screamed, both Jill and Eve jumped back. Later, Eve would think their minds had acted on a time delay, registering the image of the occupant swinging a revolver from one to the other. They both teetered and threw themselves to the ground, rolling away and crashing into each other under the SUV.
“It’s a woman,” Eve murmured.
Hearing her scrambling to climb out of the SUV, they threw themselves into action, this time, presenting a united, take-no-prisoners front.
For once, luck worked in their favor and they caught the assailant from behind.
Jill clamped her arms around the woman’s neck and pulled her back, her deep growl catching Eve by surprise. Although, it didn’t impede her reflexes as she reacted by snatching the revolver from the woman’s hands. Or, at least, trying to.
A cacophony of confusing growls, screeches, yelps and grunts mingled with the sound of their shoes scraping on the ground and Mischief and Mr. Magoo’s barking.
When the woman went limp, Eve screamed, “Don’t fall for it, Jill. Hold tighter.”
“I will. You focus on grabbing the gun,” Jill yelled back.
Easier said than done, Eve thought.
She lifted her gaze and met the woman’s eyes.
Julia Maeve. The newspaper editor.
“Let go,” Eve growled and put all her might into taking possession of the weapon. “I’ll bite you.”
Julia Maeve’s eyes widened.
“She will,” Jill said. She somehow managed to twist her arm around and extended her hand to show Julia the bite marks on her hand. “See. I’ve got the bite marks to prove it.”
Julia Maeve conceded defeat by once again going limp. This time, she released her hold on the gun. Of course, she didn’t make an announcement so Eve stumbled back and fell on her butt.
“You’re both mad,” Julia spat out.
“Yeah? What were you doing in your car armed with a revolver?” Eve demanded.
“Trying to stay alive. Do you think I wanted to spend the night under the same roof as a killer?”
Eve lifted her chin. “It’s all conjecture and far too premature to think someone killed Stew Peters.”
Julia Maeve harrumphed.
Eve jabbed a finger at her. “You know something.”
Julia pulled her gaze away, tugged her jacket and strode off toward the house saying, “Shouldn’t you be busy preparing breakfast?”
Jill nudged her, “Well? You can’t let her get away with that. Go on, say something back.”
Eve narrowed her gaze. “There’s something going on here.”
“Really? You don’t say?”
Eve bent down to give Mischief and Mr. Magoo a scratch. “You guys did great.” She looked up and saw Jack and Josh standing on the veranda. Eve waved the revolver. “We’re fine. Thank you for asking.” As she returned her attention to the Labradors, she caught sight of Elsie and Eleanor peering at them from the stables.
Eve groaned. “Just great. Our altercation was witnessed by Elsie and the town chronicler. What are the chances they won’t embellish their version with a few gunshots?”
“Next to none,” Jill said.
* * *
Elizabeth Rogue stood at the kitchen door placing the orders for breakfast. “William prefers his toast crispy. Can you manage that?”
Eve counted to ten and when she still sensed a barrage of words begging to be released, she counted to ten again. Playing it safe, she nodded. Who knew what would come out of her mouth if she opened it.
“Please take his breakfast up at precisely nine o’clock. He enjoys his coffee piping hot.”
Eve stretched her lips into a wide smile and again nodded. Jill saved the day by stepping up and taking the piece of paper from Elizabeth Rogue and saying, “No one makes piping hot coffee. It tastes foul and the Sea Breeze Inn has a reputation to uphold. We’ll happily supply him with a pot of boiling water on the side.” As she spoke, Jill seemed to rise in height.
“I suppose he’ll have to settle for that.” Elizabeth swung on her Gucci loafers and left.
Jill performed a dance on the spot. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I guess I’m now out of a job.”
“On the contrary,” Eve smiled. “We need someone who can think on their feet.”
“In other words, every inn should have a snarky chambermaid. I’ll try to remember to shuffle my feet when I take his lordship’s breakfast in.”
“Elizabeth looked well rested,” Eve remarked. “And well dressed. How did she manage that?”
“I saw her go out to her car and retrieve a carry bag. I guess she’s the type who’s always ready for any occasion.”
Jack rose from the table and took his empty mug to the kitchen. “Thank you for breakfast, Eve.”
“And for saving you the trouble of frisking the guests,” Jill said. “Think of the time we saved you by tackling Julia Maeve.”
“You’re lucky she’s not pressing charges.”
“She wouldn’t dare,” Jill said. “She stole that revolver. We’re the ones who should be making a fuss.”
When Jack’s cell rang, he excused himself and went out the back door.
“Fingers crossed that’s the lab results coming in. The sooner he can haul someone off to jail the better.” Eve arranged the first breakfast tray. Miranda Leeds and her husband had ordered fruit, cereal and juice, but strangely, no coffee. All the guests appeared to be in their late forties and they mostly looked to be in good shape. With one exception, Eve thought. The author showed signs of leading an indulgent lifestyle and if Jill hadn’t told her he’d just hit forty-nine, Eve would have thought he’d be in his late fifties.
“Is this one ready to go?” Jill asked.
“Yes.”
“You’re deep in thought.”
“I’m thinking how odd William Hunter is. Most men in his place would look for a trophy wife, someone much younger. Instead, he’s always married women around his age.”
“Don’t you just hate him? He’s turning out to be a regular nice guy.”
Eve shrugged. “My contact with him has been limited to me jabbing a finger against his chest. I still find him... obnoxious.”
Josh appeared at the kitchen door. “Ready?”
“Ah, my escort has arrived.” Jill grinned and picked up the breakfast tray. “Lead the way.”
Eve watched them leave and nodded at the officer who came to stand by the door. They were not letting their guards down, not for a minute.
By the time Jill returned, Eve had two more breakfast trays ready for her.
“Yum. Cinnamon toast. I think I’ll be ready for a second breakfast soon.”
“Did they give you any trouble?” Eve asked.
“Would you believe it? Miranda and Marcus were both doing yoga. They must have had their gear in their car too.”
“Didn’t Marcus Leeds spend the night drinking?”
Jill nodded. “He must have a strong constitution.”
“You should get going. I’m about to start his lordship’s breakfast.” Eve wiped a plate clean and checked it again for smudges. Luckily, she’d stocked up on basic ingredients so had no trouble putting together the full breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms and tomatoes. Belatedly, she realized she’d been left alone in the kitchen. “I could poison him and no one would know.”
When Jill returned, she put the kettle on.
Eve laughed. “You weren’t kidding about the boiling water.”
“I know how you feel about your coffee and I listened to your instructions.” Jill tapped Eve’s new toy, an Italian coffee machine with all the bells and whistles. “The perfect brewing temperature is very important. It should be between 195F and 205F. The closer to 205F the better. Boiling water should never be used, as it will burn the coffee. If he wants to ruin it, he can do it himself.” Jill searched the cupboard for a small jug. “In fact, I’m surprised you’re not putting your foot down.”
“Would you like me to storm into his room and set him straight?”
Jill giggled. “I love it when you pander to my quirks.” She inspected the trays. “I wonder how Valentine manages with her cup of green tea and five almonds. She’s slim, but she’s also very tall. Where does she get her energy from?”
“William must prop her up,” Eve suggested. “When you come back, we can sit down to a proper breakfast.”
Jill turned only to stop. “Out of curiosity, do you think any of your future guests will want bre
akfast at the crack of dawn?”
“If they do, they can stay elsewhere. Breakfast will be strictly served from eight in the morning onward.”
Jill nodded, “I’ll make sure to include it on the webpage.”
Eve gazed out at the gray sky and wondered if she’d need to include full disclosure on the website. “Interesting facts about the Sea Breeze Inn... There have been three deaths but the owner has a knack for...” Eve tapped her chin, “Stumbling upon killers?”
Jack strode in, his face set in such a way that Eve knew she’d have to extort whatever information he was intent on withholding.
“Talking to yourself, Eve?”
“Jack, please tell me we survived the night because we had no reason to worry... because Stew Peters died of natural causes.”
“Sorry, I can’t lie to you.”
“And?”
“It’s official. This is now a murder investigation.”
* * *
Jill took a long sip of her coffee and looked up. “I think this is the first time we’ve sat in silence for longer than five minutes.”
Eve remained speechless. Entertaining ideas of a murderer on the loose had, in a roundabout way, been their way of coping with the situation, but that had been last night. This morning they had to deal with the reality of it all.
“Did Jack say anything about a plan of action? He can’t possibly think they can all stay here another night.” Jill brushed her hand along her cheek. “I’m a strong believer that what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger, but I’m not sure I’m prepared to suffer any more injuries. So much for Jack warning us to travel in pairs. In both instances, I was with you.”
Jack had a lot to answer for. He’d deliberately avoided answering any direct questions. When he returned from making his rounds, Eve shot to her feet and demanded, “Did I poison Stew Peters?”
“Is that what you’ve been worrying about all this time?” Jill asked. She turned and glared at Jack. “How could you leave her guessing?”
Jack’s eyes widened slightly. “I came in here for coffee.”
“You want coffee? You’ll have to go through the third degree first.” Jill stood toe to toe with Jack. “In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t stood up for you and insisted Eve should make you breakfast. Rest assured, it will not happen again. You’re on your own, buddy.”