Sherry scanned the space around her. The storm was letting up, but the lack of sunlight made seeing a chore.
“Where’s Oxana? She didn’t get out of the barn.” Ginger’s cry was clipped when footsteps neared.
“This is the last the Constable family will see of this wicked maze,” Addison shouted as he appeared through the entrance. “Good luck finding your way out.” He heaved a sledgehammer over his shoulder and began swinging wildly. He smashed down the stalks that made up the entryway. A growing pile of massacred stalks blocked the escape route.
As Addison worked to deconstruct his masterpiece, Ginger grabbed Sherry’s arm. “Run!”
With her free hand, Sherry shook Kelly’s shoulder, unlocking the woman’s paralyzed stance. The air, thick with shards of plant debris, tightened around the group as they ran blindly into the belly of the maze. Sherry peered back as she stumbled through a sharp turn. She glimpsed Addison, systematically pulverizing anything in his path.
“Keep moving, Sherry!” Pep screamed.
Sherry backtracked to her brother as the others passed her in the slim passageway. “We need to slow him down.” Before Pep could reply, she began to kick a dividing wall as hard as she could.
Mud flung from her shoes and dotted her face as she assaulted the maze. Pep joined her and together they brought down enough of the wall to create a formidable obstacle.
“We just bought ourselves some time. Let’s go.”
Sherry and Pep caught up to the others.
“Guys, this way.” Ginger waved the heavy-breathing group forward. She came to an abrupt halt in a matter of seconds. They faced a solid barrier. “Nope. Dead end.” She doubled back and had to swerve to avoid hitting Kelly head-on. “I think we take a right here.” Ginger jumped a puddle, landing at a fork in the maze. “I have no idea which way. He’s got us trapped.”
“We can’t give up.” Roe’s voice died off with the final syllable. He began pounding on the wall. “Help! Help! Is anyone out there?”
Pep reached his arm out and pressed a palm on the stalks. “What’s that noise?”
“You mean the rain, the thunder, or the sledgehammer demolition?” Roe asked.
“Over there.” Pep pointed at a quaking wall a few feet ahead. “He’s got us.”
“No, that’s a chainsaw!” yelled Sherry.
The tip of the machine’s blade pierced the wall.
“Sherry? You in there?”
Sherry stared at the enlarging hole being cut in the wall from the outside. A section of the wall popped out. A head poked through.
“Oxana, am I glad to see you,” Sherry cried. “Hurry, let’s get out of here before Addison—”
“Don’t worry about him. We’ve got this place surrounded. He’s not going anywhere, except to jail.” Detective Bease wriggled his way through the hole, gun drawn. He pointed to each person. “One, two, three, four, five. All accounted for. Everyone okay?”
One by one, they crawled out through the hole, until only the detective and Sherry were left inside.
“How did you know where to find us?” Sherry asked.
Ray pulled a handkerchief from his pants pocket and handed it to Sherry. He signaled her face needed a wipe-down. “When you didn’t pick up your phone this morning, I was sure you’d be here. Time was running out. Pep was insisting on leaving. He’s got the Oliveri stubbornness in his genes.”
Sherry inspected the mud-covered cloth. She nodded. “Ginger texted, ‘time is running out.’ She must have meant for Addison.”
Ray continued. “Ginger’s way of lighting a fire under you, I’d say. I looked at Ms. Pitney’s car-cam footage last night. Didn’t show much except a quick glimpse of someone crossing in front of the car, holding something I hadn’t seen since I was a boy. Popeil’s Pocket Fisherman. One of the first infomercials ever made. I recognized the contraption right away. I remember when I was about nine, I saved up all summer one year to buy one.”
“Elvis Purrsley.”
“Who?”
“Elvis Purrsley followed a shrimp attached to a pocket fisherman. That’s how he learned to walk on a leash.”
“Whoever that is. So, you know what I’m referring to. Anyway, I had a conversation with Addison after I spoke to Oxana a couple of days ago. I found him doing maintenance work on the maze. On Vilma’s car-cam video, he was captured wearing the same college sweatshirt as the day I spoke to him. He circled in front of Vilma’s car, and I could make out a red cloth with a giant spatula on it in one hand. No doubt it was Addison and the cook-off apron.”
“Probably was Ginger’s cook-off apron. She received one for hosting the cook-off party.” Sherry envisioned the apron wrapped around Vilma’s neck. “How awful he used the apron to strangle Vilma.”
“Actually, he didn’t use the apron. That was just another calling card left at the scene, like the fishhook.”
“But you said Vilma was strangled.”
“She was. With the pocket fisherman fishing line.”
Sherry ran her hand across the front of her neck. A cold shiver traveled down her spine.
“Vilma was an annoying personality, but I feel so terrible for her. She was trying to rejuvenate her ailing journalism career by crafting a fantastic murder mystery with a sensational ending.”
“Unfortunately, she was the victim in her own mystery.”
Sherry dropped her chin and shook her head. “Remember the list of words you had me write down?” Ray asked.
“Yes. Of course.”
“Cook-off, recipe, fraud, double-cross, desperation, no other way out. You didn’t give me much time to toss all those ingredients into the mixing bowl, add whatever I’d come up with, and see who jumped out. Who had something in common with every item on that list? You wanted me to prove you right or wrong.”
“I had a theory Addison might be the missing puzzle piece,” Sherry said, “but I wasn’t feeling one hundred percent certain. I was hoping if I gave you the bullet points, your street smarts would kick in.”
“I went through every Fall Fest Cook-off recipe. Narrowed it down to Frye’s and yours. Yours was good, Frye’s was very odd, with the whole gingersnap thing.”
“That’s what I thought. Your palate is becoming more refined.”
“Appreciate the compliment. This morning, while a madman wielding a sledgehammer was chasing you, I hit the jackpot in the lobby when Uri decided to spill the beans. He was a wealth of information when I advised him Ginger was under suspicion, along with her brother.”
“Was Ginger under suspicion?” Sherry asked.
“Not exactly. I thought Uri could use a bit of a nudge, so I told him she was. Uri showed a softer side in defense of Ginger’s innocence, despite the fact he said he and Ginger broke up. He couldn’t afford another cash-strapped business, and she was unwilling to turn her back on the inn. Telling Ginger her brother had made overtures of blackmail to keep Shrimply Amazing’s secrets didn’t strengthen the already weak bond between the two. Uri was concerned Roe had killed Fitz to keep him from spilling company secrets. Uri gave Roe a box to plant in Pep’s room, hoping to mislead the investigation long enough to get Shrimply Amazing back on track. That way, any motive Roe had would evaporate, and he’d be in the clear.”
“Why did Addison take it so far?” Sherry asked.
“Addison’s plan to solidify a merger between Ginger and Uri was flimsy. He hoped Uri would convince Ginger to sell the inn. Surely Ginger would split the profits. Instead, Uri broke things off with Ginger and terminated Addison.”
“Poor Ginger,” Sherry moaned. “Addison was trying to sell the inn out from under her.”
“Yup,” Ray agreed. “Addison lost Ginger’s funding, lost his job with Maine Course, and his beloved activity, fishing, dried up. Basically, the way of life he preferred was disappearing.”
“Ginger said Addison’s not good with change.”
Ray’s line of sight drifted toward the maze. “Addison’s the definition of desperate
.”
“And Fitz? Why murder Fitz?”
“Addison wanted Fitz gone before he disclosed Maine Course’s secrets. That way Addison, who learned the good, the bad, and the ugly about the company during his time in Portland, could blackmail Uri until Maine Course could right the ship.”
Sherry flicked a splotch of mud off her coat sleeve. “We owe Vilma some gratitude. Whether she meant to or not, she helped move the investigation along. She wanted to be the first to break the story and peg the murderer. Unfortunately, she tried so hard to get everyone off Addison’s scent so she could be the one to break the story, she may have sealed her doom. Addison, obviously, knew she had closed in on him, and he had to get rid of her.”
Ray pushed his rain-stained hat up his forehead. “Yup.”
“The gold box. The fishhook.” Sherry raised her voice. “I also had Roe pegged for a long time.”
“That was Vilma’s doing,” Ray added.
“Vilma, Uri, and Ginger did a good job keeping Roe at the top of the suspect list, along with Pep,” Sherry said. “Maybe even when they knew Addison might be the killer. Wonder when Ginger realized Addison was guilty?”
“Uri showed me a framed photo in the library. It was Addison, around twelve years old, at a fishing derby. He was holding up a winning catch. Sticking out of the fish’s mouth was the very same hook lodged in Frye’s neck.” Ray winced. “Uri said Ginger cried when she made the connection. She wouldn’t let Oxana clean the bookshelves after that, but she wouldn’t hide the photo either. Very strange.”
Sherry cocked her head toward her shoulder. “I had every confidence you’d put the ingredients together.” Sherry hugged her arms tight to warm her shivering body.
Ray scoffed. “Glad one of us did.”
Ray lowered his eyebrows and tucked his dripping notepad in his raincoat pocket.
“Hey, you guys coming out?” Pep stuck his head through the hole in the wall. “You must really like mazes if you want to hang out in there this long.”
“I do,” Ray answered with no uncertainty.
Chapter 29
Sherry checked her phone for the umpteenth time. She had a few minutes to spare before she had to get home for her lesson. Ginger had been in the Planning Department meeting for over ninety minutes. What was billed as a short information-gathering session seemed to have morphed into a full-blown thorough analysis of turning the inn into a day spa and yoga retreat. Sherry was reconsidering her decision to accompany Ginger to Town Hall as the time ticked by. Moral support was valuable, too, she decided as she slid her phone back into her purse.
A moment later, her phone buzzed with an incoming text. As she read the message, Sherry pushed up the sleeve of her shirt to cool her warming skin.
She typed a reply. Yes, This Saturday sounds wonderful. See you then!!! She pressed send and immediately wondered if she sounded too eager. How would Don interpret the three exclamation points she’d added?
“Great newsletter, Sherry. As always,” a voice reverberated from the other side of the oversized waiting room. The rooms in Augustin’s Town Hall were so voluminous and sparsely furnished, Sherry was sure even her thoughts echoed throughout the building.
“Eileen. Fancy meeting you here.”
Eileen squeaked her way across the wooden floor in her docksiders. “Getting a license for Elvis. Town’s probably going to use the fee to put up more ridiculous parking signage that no one can interpret. Can’t you do anything about that? I have no idea whether I parked in a legal spot or not. The sign read, TOWN HALL PARKING TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY—SUBJECT TO VOLUME—THIRTY MINUTES OR AFTERNOON RULES APPLY.” Eileen threw her hand skyward. “What are afternoon rules?”
“I’m sorry. I’m only the newsletter editor. My power is very limited in this case. Speaking of parking issues, did you get a chance to read this week’s newsletter? There’s a nice recap of the New England Fall Festival and cook-off, written by Patti Mellitt.”
“I haven’t read it yet. Can’t wait.” Eileen lowered her voice to a near whisper. “Did she recap the murder investigation? You know, I saw Ginger upstairs when I went to the licensing bureau. Poor dear.”
“Sherry, I’m finally done,” sang out a lilting voice. “I’m so sorry to make you wait. You’re a dear to be this patient.”
Eileen gasped as Ginger and Beverly Van Ardan approached. Sherry introduced Eileen to the women. She never lost the stunned look, even as she extended her greetings. Sherry excused her group from Eileen’s probing stare. The three women left Town Hall. They took a seat on the bench on the columned porch.
“How’d it go? Do you need a new permit to operate as a spa rather than an inn?” Sherry asked.
“To be determined. No one had done their homework. They were apparently bogged down by a parking debate. The wheels of progress move slowly in this town.” The breeze caught Bev’s silk scarf. The material blew across her face, hiding her grin. “I think everything will work out just fine. My husband, Erik, and I are putting up a sizable investment to get the project off the ground. The lovely inn lives another day in a new form.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Bev. I really can’t.” Ginger wiped a tear from her cheek. “Going to be a fresh start for me and the inn. Negativity is out of my life, and I’m standing on my own two feet.”
Bev patted Ginger on the back.
The clackity clack of high heels raced up the porch steps toward Sherry. “Sherry Oliveri. Congrats on your win at the Fall Fest Cook-off. I hear the winners received a trip to a winery. That’s my dream, if you need company. Great newsletter, as always.”
“Thanks, Tia. I’ll keep that in mind. Girls, this is Tia, the mayor’s assistant.”
Bev and Ginger shared a hello.
“Two Oliveris in Town Hall in one week. Couldn’t ask for more,” Tia said.
“Two Oliveris? Was my dad in for some reason? Probably complaining about the new NO PARKING sign outside The Ruggery.”
“No, actually it was your brother, Pep. Looking into a marriage license.” Tia’s mouth dropped open. “Uh-oh. Is that a secret? Look at the time. My lunch hour’s been over for thirty minutes. Gotta go.”
“Your face says that’s the first you’ve heard of that enlightening news. I’m sure Pep will let you know when the wedding is.” Bev tweaked her scarf, so it flowed with the direction of the breeze. “Unless he’s already eloped.”
“The trip you won to Risky Reward Winery would be a great honeymoon for the couple. Just sayin’,” Ginger remarked.
“You’re right. And a good excuse for Auntie Sherry to babysit.” Sherry stood and pitched a wave. “I’ll see you gals later. Congratulations again on your successful meeting.”
“Want a ride?” Ginger called out.
“No thanks. My car’s in the shop. I’m finally having the scratch removed. I’m loving the exercise.” She had repeated that answer so many times over the last few days, she’d nearly convinced herself it was true.” She swung her leg over the bike seat and pedaled home.
Back in her kitchen, Sherry gathered the ingredients for her Pecan Salmon with Sweet Red Pepper Mayo. Ground pecans, roasted red peppers, mango chutney, and salmon fillets were the stars of the recipe. All the other ingredients were staples in her cupboard. She couldn’t wait for her student to arrive.
Chutney’s bark alerted Sherry to someone walking up her front steps.
“Oxana. I’m so excited to get started. Come on in.”
“Me, too.” Oxana handed Sherry a small gold box. “A small thank you.”
Sherry’s mouth twisted into a half smile as her mind raced back to last week’s encounter with Addison in the barn.
“Don’t worry. Not a fishhook. Open.”
Inside the box was a tiny silver spatula pendant. Oxana held up her wrist and jingled her charm bracelet. “My mother gives me charms for important occasions. This is important occasion.”
Sherry’s breath caught in her throat. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
> “Before we start, need to tell you few things.” Oxana positioned herself behind the kitchen counter.
Sherry handed her the Fall Fest apron she’d used in the cook-off. Oxana poked her head through the loop and tied the cord around her waist.
“I found fishhook in Addison’s guest room when I cleaned.”
“That fishhook sure traveled. From Vilma to you, to me, back to Vilma. On to Roe, who ended its journey by giving it to Addison.”
“The same kind of hook was in Fitz’s neck in the barn. I saw it.”
“I know.” Sherry pursed her lips. “Addison’s calling card.”
“I told Vilma. Addison came in the barn many times and talked to himself about the murder. He didn’t know I was in there. I told Vilma. She told Addison she knew he did it. So, he killed Vilma. You see why I went away?”
“Yes, of course.” Sherry gave Oxana a hug. “Did you write the note I found in the barn? Look in box.”
Oxana gave Sherry a puzzled look. “Nyet.”
“He wanted to get caught,” Sherry whispered.
Oxana picked up a whisk. “Let’s get started. Show me what is mayo.”
Please turn the page for recipes from Sherry’s kitchen!
PECAN CRUSTED SALMON WITH RED PEPPER MAYONNAISE
Serves 6
Ingredients
1½ pounds salmon fillets, approximately ¾ inch thick, cut in 6 equal portions
⅔ cup ground pecans
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons water
flour for dredging
oil for frying
1 recipe red pepper mayonnaise *see below
pecan halves and julienned roasted red pepper strips for garnish
Preparation
Rinse and pat dry the salmon fillets. In a large bowl, combine the pecans, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, combine the egg and water. Dredge the fillets in the flour, shake off excess, dip in egg mixture, and then dip in pecan mixture to coat both sides.
Eat, Drink and Be Wary Page 24