"Unfortunately, Mildred Freemont made the mistake of creating a big scene in the middle of all the farm's activities," I forged ahead. "She humiliated Paul in front of coworkers, friends and visitors. It was the perfect motive for Paul to kill her. Then she went looking for Paul to apologize. But you didn't tell her he was at the barn. You told her to look for him in the pasture, near the pyramids. You escorted her there yourself so you could kill Mildred. And you almost got away with it. Paul is still sitting in a jail cell awaiting trial for murder. Then Nate got nosy. You caught him in your office going through the trunk. He saw all of Miss Dawson's missing belongings and knew something wasn't right. That's what he was planning to tell me but you panicked. You killed him before he could tell anyone what he saw."
His grip tightened again, surprising Jasper and sending a chill of fear through me.
"I knew you two were trouble the second I saw you." He turned to Ruby. "Why couldn't you have just left it alone? Paul is not good enough for you. You were meant to be with me." If the man hadn't brutally killed two people, I could have almost felt sorry for him.
"Let him go, Arthur," Ruby said. "It's over. And we were never meant to be together."
"But Ruby," he pleaded.
"Had enough," Jasper grunted. His knee shot up and his heel came down hard on Arthur's foot. The big man yelled and released his death grip. Jasper slipped out from under his arm, then turned around and shoved Arthur, who was still balancing on one foot, with all his might. Arthur's arms spun around like windmills as he stumbled back and crashed through the door of his office. He landed hard on his back outside the door.
"Police, help, please!" Ruby cried through the doorway. She easily caught their attention due to the large man crashing through the office door.
I ran to Jasper and gave him the biggest sisterly hug I could manage in my fragile state. It had been quite an afternoon. My heartbeat was beginning to slow, and the elation of having solved a complicated case was just setting in.
The policemen reached the office. Ruby jumped right into letting them know that Arthur Jones was responsible for the murders of Mildred Freemont-Keeler and Nate Drummond.
Jasper tried to peel out of me like a banana, but I was having a hard time releasing my hold on him. "All right already, I've been smothered enough today," he said.
I finally lowered my arms. "That was brilliant, the thing you did with your foot."
He lifted a brow. "You mean stepping purposely on the guy's foot? It's hardly a newfangled move but yeah, guess it worked. But the best part was me smashing that big oaf out the door. Felt like I was on a movie set."
The police led Arthur away from the office, so we were free to step back out into the sunshine. Ruby said something to one of the police officers and scurried over to us. She was still holding the glove, scarf and picture. "I can't thank you both enough. Well, I suppose I can. Just send me a bill. I'll pay it right away. I'll be sure to invite you both to the wedding. I wish there was more I could do," she said. "Paul and I will forever be in your debt."
"It was our pleasure," I said. "I was thinking, there is one thing you could do, if you don't mind."
"Anything. Just ask."
Chapter Thirty-Six
The clouds were giving us a slight reprieve from the heat. Daddy and I patted down our straw hats and found a nice front seat along the ostrich race track.
"I sure hope I'm not going to spend the evening setting broken bones or stitching cuts," Daddy said. He put on his sunglasses. "I don't know who looks more nervous, Jasper and Kellan or the birds they're about to mount."
Ruby and Paul walked out onto the race course. Paul stayed behind to give the ostrich jockeys a few pointers while Ruby broke away to sit with Daddy and me.
"Thank you so much for doing this," I said. "They were like two excited, chattering monkeys the whole trip over here."
Ruby sat down next to us and retied the chin sash on her hat. "My pleasure. It's the least I could do. I just hope they're ready for a few bruises. It's quite different sitting on an ostrich than a horse. Trust me, I've tried it. I don't know how our guys do it. Good balance, I suppose."
"My worry is that they'll both be so worried about winning the race, they'll throw all caution to the wind," Daddy said. He had a good point.
"Don't worry too much, Mr. Starfire." Ruby turned to him. "Paul pulled two old girls out of the flock. They're broke for riding, but they hate racing. They are slow and plodding, just the right speed for two inexperienced riders."
"How is business going?" I asked. It had only been a week since they formally charged Arthur with double homicide. Paul had been immediately released, and George promoted him to supervisor . . . and future son-in-law.
"Business is slowly building back up. We're expecting a good crowd today, since it's not quite as hot. People forget easily. Thank goodness." Ruby sat up straight. "Oh, here we go. Paul has lifted up his arm." A whistle tweeted and the birds were off.
Small pads that resembled the pad placed under a saddle were strapped to the ostriches. The riders had to grip the front of the pad to stay on. Jasper's ostrich veered toward the center of the track where a patch of grass was apparently waiting with some delicious bugs.
"Don't let her get to the grass," Paul yelled. "Or you'll never get her to move again."
Jasper leaned his whole body away from the grass. The bird took the hint and trotted away from the patch. Kellan wasn't having much more luck with his bird. The ostrich had decided to take the long, leisurely path along the outside of the track. Kellan's white teeth glowed in his tanned face. Ornery bird or not, he was having a great time. However, when he heard Jasper's bird trotting up next to him, he got serious and leaned down to get some speed going. Both birds picked up a healthy run, jostling their riders from side to side. In the end, it was a photo finish, so close that I was sure the boys would debate it the entire way home.
We walked out to meet them. Jasper was still in a belly laugh by the time we reached them. "I thought you were going to spill right off the side, Ace," he said between breaths.
"You and me both, Jasper. These guys sure aren't built for a comfortable ride. I think I'll stick to horses."
They hopped down from their mounts. Paul met them to take the birds back to the pasture. "You two both did pretty well for your first rides. If you're ever looking for a job, the farm could use you."
Jasper elbowed Kellan. "There you go. A new job for you."
"What about you?" Kellan asked. "Although, I guess if I was working with the famous Poppy Starfire, I wouldn't give up my job either." The quickest wink flicked my direction.
"I'll bet our two jockeys are thirsty," Ruby said. "We've got cold lemonade waiting at the picnic benches."
"Race you there," Jasper said to Kellan.
"You mean so I can beat you again?" Kellan took off. Jasper raced after him calling him a cheater.
Daddy looked at me. "Something tells me it's going to be a long ride home."
It had been a long day, starting with an ostrich race and ending with hamburgers at Daddy's house. I was happy to get to my quiet little cottage. As I passed Mrs. Dewberry's house, I heard the lightest sound. So faint, I could hardly tell it was someone clearing their throat. Mrs. Dewberry was sitting in her open kitchen window. She waved and smiled. There was always something about her smile that reminded me of my mother. Seeing it was always slightly bittersweet.
I walked over to the window. The two of us watched as a busy little sparrow finished the last seeds of the day on the red birdhouse.
"This man, Kellan," she asked quietly, "does he have a nice smile? My Gabriel, he had such a nice smile. I nearly blushed down to my toes every time he favored me with it."
I thought about the question for a second and only a second. "Yes, he has that kind of a smile. The kind that can make a girl blush right down to her toes."
There’s a Valentine’s Day Killer on the loose . . .
Book 3 ~ Read Now
Ab
out the Author
If you enjoyed Murder at the Ostrich Farm please consider leaving a quick review. Each and every review, no matter how long is incredibly helpful and greatly appreciated.
London Lovett is the author of the Port Danby, Firefly Junction and Starfire Cozy Mystery series. She loves getting caught up in a good mystery and baking delicious, new treats!
Join London Lovett’s Secret Sleuths!
Subscribe to London’s newsletter to never miss an update.
London loves to hear from readers. Feel free to reach out to her on Facebook , follow on Instagram or send a quick email to [email protected].
Follow London
www.londonlovett.com
[email protected]
Murder at the Ostrich Farm Page 19