Eve Lloyd’s A Deadline Cozy Mystery Box Set 2

by Sonia Parin

  “No one is going to aim a gun at me. It’s been taken care of. We gave it to Jack.”

  Mira chortled. “I’d hate to be an alarmist, but where there’s one gun, there’s bound to be another.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Eve caught sight of someone hovering by the door. “Elsie?”

  “Sorry to interrupt. We... that is, Eleanor and I, we were wondering if we could get a lift back to town.” Elsie raised her hand. “There’s no hurry. By the way, your guests are leaving.”

  Eve left Jill to decide if she could spare the time to drive out to town and made a beeline for the dining room. Peering out the window, she saw Miranda Leeds and her husband waving to someone on the veranda. Eve had to crane her neck to see who it might be. As she did, she saw the author striding down the steps and heading toward one of the cars. Moments later, Liz Logan joined him and they drove off.

  That left...

  Julia Maeve and Martha Payne.

  “What’s going on?” Jill asked as she came to stand beside her.

  “Whatever Julia Maeve and Liz Logan were discussing didn’t dissuade Liz from leaving. The newspaper editor is still here, as well as Martha.”

  “This is our window of opportunity. Where’s Jack?”

  Eve shrugged. “I’ve no idea. I’m about to develop abandonment issues.”

  “I hope we didn’t chase him away with all our caterwauling.”

  Eve frowned. “Speak for yourself. I do not wail. In fact, I’m surprised at how contained we were when we confronted Julia Maeve.”

  “Yes, I think Mischief and Mr. Magoo made more noise than we did.”

  Eve strode back to the kitchen saying, “I need to feed Mira and her editor and then we’ll roll up our sleeves and... and wring some information out of Julia Maeve.”

  * * *

  “Where is everyone?” Eve asked. She stood on the front veranda looking about.

  Elsie appeared behind her. “Everyone left a short while ago. “The woman you attacked this morning lingered for a while, but then she took off.”

  Jill appeared with Mischief and Mr. Magoo trailing behind her. “Sorry, I took them for a walk. Where is everyone?”

  “That’s what I just asked.”

  Jill shook her head. “Window of opportunity. I warned you. We should have acted right then and there.”

  Now what?

  “I’m driving Elsie and Eleanor back to town. Do you want to come?” Jill asked.

  She’d left Mira and her editor in the kitchen talking about her current book. They’d looked too engrossed so she didn’t want to bother them. “I’ll grab my jacket.”

  As she strode back inside the house, she called out to her aunt, “Jill and I are driving into town. Is there anything you want me to get for you?” She gave Mira a few seconds to consider her offer.

  “Yes, please,” Mira called out. “The article in the magazine I showed you is actually part one. I’m hoping we can get a copy of the next issue. Could you please drop by the bookstore? There are still some boxes in storage there.”

  “Well, that’s a relief. For a moment there I thought you might have wanted me to pick up a cake.”

  “Do you have any cake in the house?”

  Eve nipped her bottom lip. “I’ll get some cake. Oh, and if Jack happens to swing by, please tell him I’m very cross with him.”

  “That’s exactly what my mad innkeeper would say, Eve. Would you like to rephrase the message?”

  “Maybe I should tell him myself when I see him. Perhaps you can try to get information out of him. We still don’t know what poison the killer used on the cigars.” She could only think of one reason why Jack would withhold such a pertinent detail. He’d found a lead and he didn’t want her to sniff it out.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “This part of the island seems to have been hit hard.” Jill pointed at another tree that had been brought down by the storm and whispered, “I had my doubts about William’s house suffering rain damage.”

  “Ditto.” Yet Eve still refused to let William off the hook.

  “This isn’t the way into town,” Elsie piped in. “Are you driving us out to the cliff so you can put a bullet in us and push us over the cliff? I told you we would co-operate. I gave you my word. What more do you want? A blood oath?”

  Elsie continued to play her role to the hilt, and she seemed to be enjoying herself.

  Eve exchanged a knowing look with Jill and growled under her breath. “How can we be sure you won’t talk, Elsie?”

  “Would I risk losing the opportunity of holding my Sisters in Crime Book Club at your inn? I wouldn’t dream of it. It’s the perfect setting.”

  “She’s cunning,” Jill murmured. Leaning in, she asked, “Where are we going?”

  “I want to swing by William Hunter’s house to see how many of them decided to stay.” Jack hadn’t mentioned anything about asking them to stay on in the island. What if they’d all decided to leave?

  “You won’t be able to see the house from the road,” Elsie said. “It’s set well back and close to the cliff.”

  When Eve’s cell phone rang she asked Jill to answer it.

  “It’s Abby,” Jill said. “She wants to know if we all made it through the night.”

  “Tell her to meet us at Tinkerbelle’s. She can help us hunt down the boxes for Mira.” As the previous owner of the bookstore, Abby would have a better idea of where to look.

  Not wanting to miss the entrance to the Hunter estate, Eve slowed down. When they reached it, she stopped. The gates were open. They’d barged in on her so she didn’t see any reason why she couldn’t do the same. Checking for traffic, she turned in.

  “Pay attention,” Elsie whispered to Eleanor Parkinson who sat quietly next to her in the back seat. “I believe we’re about to witness Eve Lloyd in action.”

  Eve rolled her eyes. “Pity you won’t be able to report any of it.”

  When they reached the end of the drive she had two choices. Either drive around and out again, or park the car. She decided to stop long enough to count the vehicles parked.

  “They’re all here.” She could have sworn Julia Maeve had taken off.

  “Aren’t you worried they’ll see you?” Elsie asked.

  “I want them to know I have my eye on them,” Eve couldn’t resist saying.

  When Eve drove off, Elsie could not have sounded more disappointed. “Well, that was a bit of an anti-climax. I expected more from you, Eve Lloyd. Perhaps your reputation has been blown out of proportion.”

  As they neared the town, Eve had to ask for directions to Elsie’s house but the woman clammed up saying, “I’m not aiding and abetting you.”

  Jill sighed and whispered, “I’ll guide you.” When they arrived, Jill turned and eyeballed the two women. “Elsie McAllister, don’t make me get out of the car and drag you out.”

  “Fine. We’ll go peacefully.” She waved a rolled piece of paper. “I helped myself to one of your posters. I’ll see you at the afternoon tea party.”

  They drove the short distance to Tinkerbelle’s Bookstore in silence. Eve suspected their late night was finally catching up with them. “Remind me to swing by the bakery and pick up a cake for Mira, please.”

  Even before they entered the bookstore, Samantha and Aubrey Leeds waved to them from behind the counter.

  “I’ve been telling Aubrey all about yesterday. I hope that’s okay,” Samantha said.

  Eve nodded. “You know what, you girls can be our eyes and ears in town. Miranda and her husband, Marcus, appear to be book lovers. With any luck, they might come into the bookstore to browse. Do your best to eavesdrop. They might let something slip.”

  Abby Larkin strode in and stopped in the middle of the store. “I miss this place. Do you think Mira would sell it back to me?”

  Eve only then realized she hadn’t asked Abby about her efforts to land herself a husband in the city. “Are you seriously thinking of moving back to the island?” When Abby shrugge
d, Eve added, “You can’t have your house back. I’m sorry, Abby. It’s mine. Too much has happened for me to lose it now.”

  Abby laughed. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t dream of it. It always felt too big for me. Helena invited me to move in with her or stay at her place on weekends.” Jill clapped her hands. “Okay. Let’s go hunting for those boxes. I think I know which ones Mira wants.” Looking over her shoulder, Jill asked, “What happened to your face, Jill?”

  “I was assaulted. Actually, I was also bitten.”

  “You girls lead such exciting lives. I should seriously consider moving back to the island.”

  Following a few steps behind, Eve said, “I feel awkward asking for an update on your foray into the dating game.”

  Abby chortled. “At the rate I’m going, I might end up a spinster. You seem to have struck it lucky with Jack. Jill’s done well too. And it’s strange, because you both met them during murder investigations so it was a case of the wrong place and wrong time. Maybe I’m trying too hard. Neither one of you went out of your way to entice someone new into your lives.” Abby clicked her fingers. “I think I’ve just had an epiphany. I just need to stop trying and let it happen.” She opened a door and stepped back to let them in. “Would you believe it, this is all stuff left over from the time I took over the store from my mom.”

  Thankfully, all the boxes were labeled, but there were so many, Eve stopped counting at ten.

  “We should start looking here,” Abby said pointing to a gap. The first couple of boxes were filled with house and garden magazines, but they struck it lucky with the next one. “I think this is the box Mira wants.” Abby pulled the flaps open and smiled. “Yes.”

  “Let’s play it safe and go through it,” Eve suggested. They found more than they’d hoped for. “Mira wanted part two but she didn’t realize there was a lead up to part one.” The article covered the week preceding the birthday bash. “The Hunter entourage spent an entire week hitting all the hot spots in Manhattan.” She skimmed through the article looking for names. “They were all there.”

  “Why do you sound surprised, Eve?” Jill asked, “I’m sure we’ll all still know each other in twenty years’ time.”

  “Speak for yourself, I might have developed a case of some dreadful disease that will probably be a blessing in disguise making me forget all this.”

  Jill smiled. “I think it would be fun to reach old age and still be hanging around with the same people. Except for Samantha, I never see anyone from school anymore.”

  “Why exactly does Mira want this article?” Abby asked.

  “We’re trying to nail down a theory, but it’s still early days. Everyone in the Hunter group knows each other from way back and we’re thinking something might have happened and, all these years, they’ve been keeping a secret. We also suspect there’s some sort of dissension from within the group. Someone might be trying to break the bond.”

  Jill made a crunching sound. “Or tear apart the cone of silence. I hope they realize the truth will set them free.”

  Abby smiled. “Is this where you suspect everyone?”

  “We’re all guilty of something,” Eve said, “It’s just a matter of scratching the surface and finding something significant.”

  Jill nudged her. “What are you guilty of, Eve? Come on, out with it.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you.”

  Eve sighed. “I guess you’ll find out sooner or later. I’ve gone on sugar-free diets and, I’m ashamed to admit... I’ve cheated.”

  Abby gave her a pensive look. “So, if you are capable of a tiny infraction, does that mean you have it in you to take it up to the next level and commit a heinous crime?”

  Eve gave it some thought. “I’m sure there’s a study somewhere proving some criminals have humble beginnings.”

  Jill nodded. “Watch out for anyone torturing defenseless creatures and sneaking candy bars after lights out.”

  Wondering what else would drive someone to commit murder, Eve decided to add vanity to the mix of greed, revenge and jealousy.

  “These are all well to-do people. Why would anyone want to jeopardize a comfortable lifestyle?” Abby asked as she flicked through a magazine.

  Eve and Jill looked at each other and smiled. “In the course of our accidental investigations, we’ve come across warped motives. Greed tops the list. Revenge is another reason.”

  Abby huffed out a breath. “You’d have to be harboring some serious resentment to kill someone.”

  Eve returned the magazine she’d been perusing to the box. “That’s what distinguishes the average person from killers. Having said that, who knows what drives someone to commit murder. I guess that’s what temporary insanity pleas are for. We might as well take the whole box with us back to the inn.”

  “It’s lovely to hear you calling it an inn,” Abby said. “I was afraid someone might buy the house, tear it down and build a modern monstrosity.”

  Jill poked around some of the other boxes. “We should take some more back with us, Eve. It’ll be lovely to have some old magazines to flick through. I usually have to wait until I go to the dentist to do that.”

  They each took one box and strode out to the store.

  Jill stopped abruptly. “Was that Elizabeth Rogue?”

  “Where?”

  “Leaving the store.”

  They both set the boxes down and rushed to the window.

  “It is. She’s getting into that sporty car. No, wait. She’s going to the bakery.” Turning back to the counter, Eve asked, “Did she buy anything?”

  Samantha nodded. “She came in to get a handful of books. It’s strange. She just picked them off the shelf without even looking at the titles.”

  “That’s odd behavior, even from a non-book lover,” Jill said. “Do we have any reason to suspect her?”

  “If we do, I wouldn’t know where to start digging for information about her. We struck it lucky with the others because they’re all prominent social butterflies.” They’d only skimmed the surface, Eve thought. Who knew what else they’d find if they put their minds to it...

  “And yet, Elizabeth Rogue is here with the group. She sat at the table with them. She might be William’s personal assistant, but she also engages with his friends. If we hunt around some more, we’re bound to come up with something,” Jill suggested and looked around the store. “Do you stock magazines?”

  Samantha shook her head. “Not the gossipy ones.”

  “What are you hoping to find?” Eve asked.

  “You never know. A photographer might have caught her looking askance at William. You can tell a lot by the way a person looks at someone.”

  “Are your sales receipts itemized?” Eve asked.

  Samantha nodded and handed her the sales receipt, but it revealed nothing. The titles appeared to be random selections.

  “Maybe the guests are growing bored and need some entertainment. William has only just moved in. He might not have any books in the house.” Jill tapped a finger on the counter, “Or, she purchased the books as a ruse. This could have been her excuse for coming into town and she’s now on her way to meet an accomplice. Let’s put these boxes in the car and go to the bakery. She might still be there.”

  Doing something as innocuous as buying a cake, Eve thought. Turning to Samantha, she asked, “How did she pay for her books?”

  “By card. She had quite a few of them.” Samantha shrugged. “I’m always intrigued by anyone who carries more than one card.”

  Jill grinned. “More work for Jack if he’s going to do a background check on her, as I’m sure he will because you’re going to insist there’s something suspicious about her.”

  Eve didn’t want to shoot down the idea because Jill might be onto something. “It’s always the quiet ones you have to be wary of. I’m sure Jack is already on it. Remember, he still needs to find out who purchased the cigars.”

  When they strode into the bakery, they were all surprised to fin
d Elizabeth still there. She’d settled at one of the tables to read a newspaper.

  While Eve placed an order for a carrot cake, Jill sidled up to Elizabeth and casually looked over her shoulder.

  “She’s pretending to read The Bugle,” Jill reported.

  “How do you know she’s pretending?” Eve asked.

  “She was inspecting her nails. She could be waiting for someone or plotting her next move. Or, our drive into the Hunter house set alarm bells off.”

  Eve dug inside her handbag and drew out her cell. Nothing from Jack. How could he leave her out of the loop? She sent him a text reminding him to look into the personal assistant’s background. To her surprise, he responded straightaway.

  “He’s already looking into her.”

  “Who?”

  “Jack.” Eve frowned as another message came through.

  “That made you frown. What does it say?” Jill asked.

  “He wants to know what type of cake I’m getting.” Eve looked up and out the window. Spotting Josh across the street, she shook her head. Had he been trailing her or Elizabeth? “Josh is reporting our every move.”

  Jill gaped at him. “The double-crosser.”

  Elizabeth hadn’t moved from her table.

  Eve paid for the cake. “Let’s head back and start digging through those magazines.”

  “I’ll follow in my car,” Abby said. “I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun. I’d kick myself if I missed out on something important.”

  “I think we’ve become complaisant,” Jill murmured as they drove off. “I don’t recall ever being that excited about investigating a murder.”

  “We’re doing no such thing.”

  “Okay, if you say so, but I reserve the right to have the last laugh when we catch the killer.”

  “From the inn? Once we get there, we’re not budging.” Eve had enough to keep her busy. With the guests all gone and with no staff available until the official opening, she needed to tidy up.

  Jill tilted her head in thought, “Jack must have a good reason for posting Josh in town. Do you think he was actually told to keep an eye on Elizabeth?”