“Bizzy?” a male voice calls from my left and we turn that way to see a handsome man in a suit with dark hair and blond highlights. With that wily grin edging on his lips and that gleam in his eyes, instantly I recognize him from the day of the murder. It’s Ryan. “Wonderful to see you again.” He takes up my hand and pulls it dangerously close to his lips just as Jasper clears his throat.
“I’m Jasper Wilder. Her husband.” Jasper’s tone is curt and to the point, but Ryan doesn’t seem fazed by Jasper’s presence. His eyes remain fully trained on me.
Ryan’s chest expands as he continues to examine me. She might just have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. I bet the rest of her follows suit without her clothes on.
I might just want to keep Jasper in the dark about Ryan’s internal musings. After all, Jasper is packing heat, and he’s not above firing off a few shots for a good cause. And he’s made it clear he thinks I’m a pretty good cause.
“Ryan, yes, nice to see you again,” I say, and I can feel Jasper’s chest rumbling with a growl against my shoulder. “I’m sorry about your loss. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. Death is never easy. My mother passed away about a year ago. So I draw comfort in the fact she’s with family.”
“That is comforting.”
Jasper warms my back with his hand. Ask him why he killed her.
I take a moment to make a face at my plus one. “Ryan, do you remember anything about that afternoon that might help narrow down the killer?”
“No.” He sighs as he glances over my shoulder. Well, look at the hot blonde.
I follow his gaze, only to find my saucy sister headed this way.
“Hello, Bizzy,” Macy says as she holds a hand out to Ryan. “Macy Baker, aka the fun Baker sister.” Seeing that I didn’t get anywhere with Tom the Tool Man, maybe I can make some headway with the hot guy in the suit. Who knew plumbers really do have an interest in kitchen pipes?
“Ryan Wallace,” he says as he leads her off.
“So much for grilling him,” I say. “He’s got the attention span of a squirrel.”
“Yeah.” Jasper scowls in his wake. “And he’s nuts about you.”
“Eh, he’s moved on to something shinier and apparently funner.”
Jasper nods past me. “Speaking of moving on.”
We spot Leo and Emmie picking up and ogling pale green glasses. Leo is in his tan deputy’s uniform and Emmie still has on her apron from the café.
“Fancy meeting you here,” I tease as I sling an arm over my bestie’s shoulders. “Hey, those are cute.”
She nods. “Depression glassware. It’s my weakness. I’ve convinced Leo that we need to clean out this section.” She looks to Jasper. “Most of this stuff was made during the Great Depression by shrewd glassmakers who wanted to somehow save their business during that tough time. They knew people couldn’t afford luxurious things, so they added tints to their dinnerware and bowls and a new star was born. Women collected them for years. They come in just about every color, and some are far more valuable than others.”
Leo hikes the glass in his hand a notch our way. “And we’re also here for a wedding gown. It looks like Emmie found her dream dress right here in Cider Cove.”
“Emmie.” I give her a stern look without meaning to. “Did you happen to tell Leo the rest of the story?”
“About the curse?” A laugh bubbles from her as she asks.
“What curse?” Leo looks markedly concerned.
Emmie shakes her head his way. “Supposedly, the wedding dress is cursed.”
“A cursed dress?” a perky voice asks as Camila Ryder pops into our midst, looking stunning per usual. Judging from the extra oomph to her hair and makeup, I’m guessing she just finished her show. That or she has a keen sense of radar for where to find my husband next. She looks my way. “Is that what you wore on your wedding day, Bizzy?” Her mouth falls open with delight at the thought of a hex being cast upon my marriage.
“No,” Emmie answers for me. “It’s what I’m going to wear on my wedding day. I’d go over and buy it now, but they’ve closed off the boutique in the back until the reading of the will is through.”
Camila shrugs. “Wanna double down on your bad luck? They’ve got a mirror they claim is haunted.”
“Ooh, come to Mama,” Emmie says as Camila dashes her away, and Leo sighs as they take off.
“How concerned should I be about my fiancée’s new paranormal obsession?” he asks.
Jasper’s chest rumbles with a laugh. “She’s marrying you, isn’t she?”
“He’s got a point,” I say. “You should probably be more concerned that your ex-girlfriend is trying to sell your fiancée on another helping of bad luck. But I don’t really think Emmie is buying into any of it. I think she’s just in love with the dress. I mean, sure, it’s beautiful. But Emmie will look stunning in anything. I don’t know why she needs to go dragging a curse into this.”
“Lucky for me, I don’t believe in curses,” Leo says just before he winces. “But knowing that our wedding day is in the balance, I’d steer clear anyway.”
Jasper offers him a pat on the back. “Don’t worry, man. Everything will go off without a hitch. And if something goes sideways, we’ll just roll with it.”
“And great news”—I give a little hop as I say it—“I checked the extended weather forecast, and it’s nothing but sunshine and cool breezes. The heatwave is said to be letting up next week.”
“That is great news.” Leo ticks his head. “I was half-afraid I’d melt in my suit.”
I spot Arlene chatting with a few of the patrons as she heads in this direction. Her long blonde hair is immaculately curled, and her long denim dress looks comfortable yet stylish. There’s such an easiness about her. I’m glad Bea was surrounded with someone so nice during her last days.
“Excuse me,” I say to Leo and Jasper as they continue their conversation about the wedding menu. It seems food and sports always dominate the topic of conversation with them. I guess it’s better than booze and other women.
Arlene breaks away from the customers, and I give a brief wave in her direction.
“Bizzy!” She laughs. “I was just coming to say hello to you. The cats are in heaven. And I hope you don’t mind, I gave your dog a treat, too. Bea always had a jar of biscuits for the canines that stopped by. Of course, the cats are having their fill of vittles.”
“Not a problem. I’m happy they’re happy. How are you doing?”
She sighs hard. “Frazzled.” And that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. “I’m a little nervous as to what Bea might say in her will. My grandma used hers as a way to tell off a few people. Let’s just say it was a little uncomfortable to be in that room. But by no means was my grandmother a vindictive person.” Some might say she was nothing like me. “She had a daughter-in-law that did everything she could to keep her out of her grandchildren’s lives. Those were my cousins. They essentially grew up without ever knowing my grandma. But they sure knew when to come around when they needed something like cash for a car. I’m not close to them anymore. My aunt sort of drove a stake through the Harper family whether or not she meant to do it. Just one bitter person is all it takes to knock a family off its base.”
“Boy, is that ever true. I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“It’s the past. And even though I loved Bea to death, I wouldn’t put it past her to say a snarky comment or two as a final parting shot.”
A tiny laugh bubbles from me. “I wouldn’t put it past her either. But then, that was Bea.”
“That was Bea indeed.”
I lean her way. “Arlene, has anything jogged your memory as far as what happened that afternoon? Any idea of what could have taken place?”
She gives a quick nod, her eyes widening a notch. “I just remembered this morning that Magnolia asked to use the restroom. I told her it was in the stockroom and she asked for directions. She knew where the stockroom was.” Her mout
h falls open. “I guess it’s reaching, but it did just occur to me she was back there. Despite that, she was very nasty to Bea from the moment she walked in.” She gives a forlorn smile toward the boutique in the back. “But murder? I don’t know. Anyway, that’s all I’ve got.” She checks her watch. “It’s almost eleven. I’d better take care of the customers at the register before we begin.” She takes off just as a couple of human hurricanes barrel in through the front doors. It’s Georgie and Juni.
Juni is essentially Georgie about twenty years younger, with the same scraggly hair, dark blonde as opposed to gray, and less kaftan loving and more biker chick sans the actual affiliation to a biker gang.
I head their way and am about to say hello when Georgie lifts a hand.
“Not now, Bizzy. We’ve got business to attend to.”
Juni grunts my way as she arms both herself and Georgie with a shopping cart. “Don’t just stand there, Bizzy. Grab a buggy and let’s get rolling. Two Old Broads is finally in the green, and we need to strike while the oil is hot.”
“You mean in the black,” I say. And I’m pretty sure she meant the iron is hot, too—although considering what they’re peddling, oil is spot-on.
Juni hustles a shopping cart into my hands. “I don’t know what kind of currency you’re dealing with, but all of my money is the color of greed and Lord knows I’m greedy for more of it. Come on, Toots, chop-chop.”
I follow them over to the housewares department, and Georgie and Juni proceed to load up all three carts with any and everything that can even remotely store their miracle oil in.
“So I guess Camila spotlighted the Flask o’ Fun,” I say, jumping out of the way as glass goes flying into my cart.
“Passion Potion,” Georgie snorts. “Flask o’ Fun is so yesterday. Get with it, will you, Bizzy?”
“I would, but you’re too quick for me to keep up with,” I say as they lead the way toward the silverware section.
“Yup,” Georgie says as she picks over the containers on the shelf. “Camila gave the Passion Potion a glowing review on her show, and now we can’t bottle it fast enough.” She turns my way. “And great news. I had a brainstorm last night and added a dash of my new secret ingredients. Now it’s ten times more potent than it was before. When you’re through here, stop by the shop. I’ll give you a bottle at half price.” She winks my way. “Don’t ever say I didn’t do anything for you, kiddo. And speaking of kiddos, one touch from my new batch and you and Jasper just might have a little one running around in a year. Your mother can thank me later.”
“Speaking of later,” I say, checking my phone. “I’ve gotta run, but I’ll stop by the shop before I leave for the inn.”
I gather Jasper, and we head back to the boutique just as Arlene heads in.
“I guess this is it.” Her shoulders bounce. “Thankfully, I have a few employees here to help out. The store has never been busier than it has been since, well, you know.” She makes a face before nodding to the small group of chairs in the middle of the boutique, three of them occupied by Kadence, Magnolia, and Ryan. “I guess with you and me, everyone is here.”
“That’s it?” I ask, marveling as I glance at Jasper.
“From what her attorney had told me,” Arlene says as she motions to the seats and we make our way over.
Kadence offers me a cheery wave. Her red hair is pulled back into a ponytail and she’s wearing a yellow sundress with a daisy print.
“I’ve got those plants headed to the inn later this afternoon,” she says. “You’re going to love them and hopefully so will your friend.”
“I know she will.” My eyes hook on that glass casket holding Ophelia’s cursed dress up against the back wall and I make a face at it. “There it is,” I whisper to Jasper and he follows my gaze.
“It is nice,” he whispers back. “But it definitely has a creep factor to it with that sign hanging above it.”
“I have a feeling the creep factor has yet to begin,” I say just as I catch Magnolia looking my way. Her long dark hair is glossy and straight, and she looks larger-than-life with those false eyelashes and blowup hot pink lips.
What in the heck is she doing here? She outright snarls at me. So help me God, if she’s found a way to wiggle herself into my aunt’s fortune, I will find a way to wiggle a baseball bat over her head.
I gasp at the thought as I quickly turn my attention to the front.
What’s wrong? Jasper gives my hand a squeeze. It’s that dark-haired woman, isn’t it? I saw the way she was glaring at you.
I nod his way. “She was threatening bodily harm by way of a baseball bat if I so much as get a dime,” I whisper.
Jasper sighs. Greed is a powerful motivator. Something tells me I’d better buy you a suit of armor.
A portly older gentleman with a wreath of gray hair and wearing a dark suit takes a seat at the front of the room just as Sherlock and the cats filter in and make themselves at home. Fish, Snuggles, and Bingo jump onto a glass counter and position themselves to get a prime look at everyone in the room. And Sherlock comes and sits by our feet.
“Welcome.” The portly gentleman sheds a forced smile. “My name is Ralf Morris, and I’m Bea’s attorney. I thank you all for coming, and I’m sure you’ll all be thrilled to hear this is going to be short and sweet.” He opens the folder in his hands and puts on a pair of dark-framed glasses. “I’ll now read to you a letter from the late Beatrice Crabtree.”
Arlene blows out a breath. Dear God, here we go. Please, Bea, play nice. There are just some things that nobody in this room needs to hear.
Mr. Morris clears his throat. “Welcome one and all to the reading of my will.” He lifts the file a notch. “Again, this is Bea speaking.” He refocuses on the file at hand. “If I died of natural causes, yippy hooray for me. I just hope Snuggles and Bingo didn’t have to sit with my corpse for too long.”
Arlene chuckles as she shakes her head my way.
Jasper wraps an arm around me. At least there’s some levity.
“And”—Mr. Morris looks up at us from the top of his glasses—“if I came to my demise by way of murder, just know that I am fully convinced the killer is a person in this room.”
Not one of us moves a muscle.
Duly noted, Jasper says. But then, we suspected that.
I give a covert nod his way.
Mr. Morris frowns at the paper before him as if he disapproves of what comes next.
“To my nephew, Ryan Wallace. First, I leave to you a bit of advice. Make wise choices with both women and money. If you treat both as if they were cheap, you will never have a true appreciation of either.”
Ryan glares over at the wall to his left. Advice? Oh, that woman had better sweeten the pot after all the years I put up with her bull. Or that look of shock and surprise on her face as she lay on the floor in the stockroom will be my only comfort.
I recoil at how horrible that thought was.
Mr. Morris nods to the girls sitting on either side of Ryan.
“And to my nieces, the entitled princesses among you,” he reads. “Yes, I know what you’re thinking, Kadence. You’re not entitled at all. You’ve worked your fingers to the bone. Well, whoop-a-dee-do. So have countless others. It’s called life. But you still expect a big payday, don’t you? And you’ll be pouting just as much as your sister if you don’t get it. And you, Magnolia Crabtree.”
Magnolia pulls her shoulders back as if girding herself for what comes next—as she should.
“You’re the most entitled brat in this room. That’s right, I said it.” Mr. Morris adds a touch of inflection when he says it, and it’s almost as if he’s channeling Bea in the process.
Jasper nods my way. He’s good.
Mr. Morris sighs once again. “Magnolia, despite how hard I am on you, I have always seen your potential. Why in the world you gave up on yourself all those years ago I haven’t the faintest. Let me offer you up a little advice as well. Stop trying to find a man with deep pockets
to take care of you. Find a man with a deep heart, in a relationship that you can contribute to in more ways than one. And for goodness’ sake, stop trying to sell your body parts for cash. Get off your duff and make an honest living. You can learn something from your sister in that department. I’d include Ryan, but God only knows what dishonest dealings he’s into.”
“None,” Ryan says, raising his hand for a moment.
Arlene gives a little titter his way and Ryan rewards her with a wink.
Mr. Morris lifts the file a notch. “And to Arlene Scully. I have a request and the request is as follows: please help arrange a silent auction for all of the remaining merchandise in the shop. The auction is to take place no later than two weeks following the reading of this will. All proceeds will go to the local animal shelter. And once the auction is finished, I’ve instructed my attorney to see through the sale of the property. That’s all of that for now.”
Ryan, Kadence, and Magnolia proceed to murmur among themselves for a moment.
Arlene tips her head back. Jobless. How do you like that? After all I did for that old biddy. And now I’ve got to do the brunt of the work to get this place ready for auction, too? I guess it’s a small price to pay for all the things Bea has done for me. Like keeping her mouth shut on this, the last day she has a chance to say anything at all.
“As for my precious cats, Snuggles and Bingo”—Mr. Morris sheds a kind smile in their direction—“I bequeath the entirety of my estate, the sales from the store, my home, my car, and all of the monies in my accounts, the sum total of which is over one million dollars that will go to them and to the person who is their keeper.”
“I’ll take the cats!” Magnolia shouts as she raises her hand to the ceiling.
Ryan scoffs. “You said you were allergic. The cats will have to come with me.” Darn fleabags. I’ll have the last laugh, Aunt Bea, not you.
Kadence growls at the both of them, “Would the two of you calm down? The least we could do is draw straws.”
“I’m afraid not.” Mr. Morris wiggles the file in his hand before reading on. “And since I am positive my greedy family is already fighting over who gets the cats, I’ve appointed Bizzy Baker Wilder of the Country Cottage Inn to care for Snuggles and Bingo until she herself can chose among the people in this room who should get them. And if she finds that neither, Arlene, Kadence, Magnolia, nor Ryan is fit to take them in, then she is free to keep them herself.”
Raining Cats and Killers: Cozy Mystery (Country Cottage Mysteries Book 17) Page 7