by Leena Clover
She didn’t want to tell Adam about the Crystal – Wayne tiff. He would probably laugh at that.
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“I’m not asking your permission,” Jenny bristled. She could lose her temper too. “I want to know what you have found out so far.”
“How many times have I told you this, Jenny? I can’t reveal anything about an ongoing investigation.”
“Come on Adam, tell me something. Did she have a heart attack or something? What happened to Bella Darling?”
Adam slammed a fist on his desk.
“Go away, Jenny.”
Someone came in with a file and handed it to Adam.
“The autopsy report just came in. You’ll want to see this.”
Adam opened the file and flipped through it rapidly. His eyes widened as he read something. He looked up at Jenny and shook his head.
“God help you, Jenny. You have stepped into a big pile of crap.”
Chapter 4
“Have you talked to Wayne yet?” Heather asked Jenny the next morning. “Crystal called a few minutes ago.”
The Magnolias were assembled on the deck of the Boardwalk Café, enjoying a quick break. Jenny held up her hand as she chewed on her muffin.
“I skipped breakfast today, we are that busy. I’m going to faint if I don’t eat anything first.”
“I’m going to hold you responsible if anything happens to my Jenny,” Star warned Heather. “Why are you sucking up to that Crystal anyway? I thought she was just a distant cousin.”
“Barely one,” Betty Sue agreed, pulling out a ball of turquoise wool from her knitting bag. “On her mother’s side,” she said meaningfully, eager to establish Crystal Mars was not related to the Morse family.
“Is she keeping tabs on me already?” Jenny asked spitefully. “I thought she was going to give me a free hand.”
“Wayne’s talking about leaving. He has a gig in Nashville tomorrow.”
Wayne Newman was a country music star. He had met Crystal at some awards function and they had hit it off. They had managed to keep their affair secret from the press.
“He’ll have to come back,” Jenny shrugged.
“Yooo-hooo…” a familiar voice trilled from the boardwalk.
A collective groan went up among the girls as a familiar figure bustled up the stairs, dragging someone along with her.
“How are you, Barb?” Star asked, trying to be polite.
Betty Sue was rolling her eyes in disdain. She didn’t get along with Barb Norton.
“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” Barb panted. “I have news. Big news.”
She tipped her head at the young woman accompanying her. A short, brown haired woman dressed in a formal suit stood next to her. She gave the girls a finger wave and her lips stretched into a smile.
“This is Mandy James, our new consultant. She’s going to help us win that Prettiest Town tag.”
“Huh?” Betty Sue Morse asked, putting her knitting needles down.
There was very little that made her stop knitting. Heather looked at her grandma in surprise.
“I’m the Chairman of the Prettiest Town Contest Committee,” Barb Norton explained. “Don’t you remember? We discussed this in the town hall meeting last November.”
Star, Petunia and Betty Sue looked at each other.
“That’s still happening?” Star asked.
“What do you mean?” Barb sighed. “Of course it is! We filed our application in December. We made the first cut. I corresponded with them while I was in Florida.”
Barb Norton spent her winters in Florida with her daughter. She never gave up an opportunity to bring it up.
“What’s the first cut?” Heather asked.
“We are small enough,” Barb explained. “The contest is for the Prettiest Small Town. Many of the applicants were disqualified because of population density.”
“Go on…” Petunia said impatiently.
“Round 2 was a questionnaire,” Barb continued. “They wanted to know about our layout, the kind of businesses we had etc. I filled that out.”
“Where did you get the information?” Betty Sue asked.
“I keep a lot of records,” Barb told her. “I managed. Anyhow, we cleared that step too and Pelican Cove is a finalist in the contest.”
“Sounds good, Barb,” Jenny said eagerly.
Barb put a hand on her hip and glared at Betty Sue.
“You might show a bit more enthusiasm. Pelican Cove could be the Prettiest Small Town in the country. It’s a big honor.”
“We are all ecstatic, dear,” Petunia consoled. “What happens now? How do we win this prize?”
“The judging committee will visit all the finalists. They will be here, in Pelican Cove, for the final inspection. We have a month to get ready.”
“Get ready for what?”
“For the judging of course. We need to put our best foot forward, look our best. That’s where Mandy comes in.”
“What’s she going to do?” Betty Sue asked imperiously.
“Mandy’s going to make sure we look our best,” Barb explained. “The town hired her as an image consultant. She’s going to spruce up Main Street.”
“We don’t need to pay big bucks for that,” Betty Sue spat.
“Mandy has hands-on experience,” Barb explained. “She helped a small Kentucky town win Greenest Town. And she helped another town in Colorado win Most Pet Friendly Town.”
“Is that true?” Betty Sue asked.
Mandy nodded and preened a bit. “It’s what I do.”
“So what, you’re going to tell us which building needs a lick of paint?” Star asked.
“At the very least,” Mandy nodded. “I make a basic study of the conditions, do a gap analysis and come up with an action plan for what needs to be done. Then I coordinate and make it happen.”
“Is a month going to be enough time?” Heather asked.
“It’s a challenge alright,” Mandy James told them. “Most towns hire me well in advance. I need at least three months to execute a systematic overhaul. I will have to put you on fast track.”
“Sounds like a lot of mumbo jumbo to me,” Betty Sue growled.
“I will make Pelican Cove sparkle like new. You will hardly recognize it.”
“We like our town just the way it is, thank you very much,” Star said.
“No one’s asking your opinion,” Barb snapped. “As the committee chairman, I make all the decisions. And I am giving Mandy carte blanche.”
“Where is she going to stay?” Heather asked a practical question.
“At your inn, of course,” Barb shot back. “You already have her reservation.”
“We do?”
“It’s under E. James,” Mandy spoke up. “Edith is my middle name.”
“Do you use it often?” Jenny piped up.
“I’m flying under the radar, you see,” Mandy explained. “There’s a town in New Hampshire and another in Idaho who want to sign me on. But Pelican Cove looks the best on paper. I think you guys are the strongest contender.”
“We are not the richest town though,” Betty Sue said, narrowing her eyes.
“I found that out myself,” Mandy laughed. “Money isn’t everything. I like to win.”
“You’re pretty confident,” Star muttered.
“I have a proven track record,” Mandy nodded. “I’m pretty sure I can help you win. Plus, I have never lived on an island.”
“Hardly that,” Star shot her down. “The new bridge takes you across in ten minutes.”
The new bridge Star mentioned had been built in 1970. Star had crossed that bridge to come to Pelican Cove. She had never left.
“Aren’t you going to welcome Mandy?” Barb said, widening her eyes meaningfully.
The girls hesitated for a second and then chorused together.
“Can I get you anything, dear?” Petunia asked finally.
“I hope you are as excited about th
is contest as Barb. She has assured me everyone in Pelican Cove will pitch in and do their bit. It’s a group effort, you see. We are only as strong as our weakest link. You don’t want to be that link.”
Mandy went on like that for five minutes. The women on the deck began losing their patience. Barb pulled Mandy’s arm and gave her a silent nod.
“Let’s go. The seafood market is next.”
“What’s Barb got us into this time?” Betty Sue complained as soon as the women went out of sight. “Prettiest Town indeed.”
“Do you deny Pelican Cove is pretty?” Jenny asked her.
“I know that, Jenny, but that’s not the kind of pretty Miss Main Street is talking about. You’ll see.”
“It’s all going to be a big waste of time,” Star agreed, getting up to leave. “I gotta go now. Have a painting due tomorrow.”
That set the others off.
“Where’s Molly today?” Jenny wondered.
“One of her coworkers is home sick,” Heather explained. “She had to pitch in and watch the front desk.”
“What did that Hopkins boy say about the girl?” Betty Sue asked.
“The same thing he always says. He can’t tell me anything about an ongoing case.”
“Did he tell you how Bella died?”
“She died from the fall,” Jenny said. “The question is, how or why did she fall. And what was she doing up there in that plane anyway.”
“Is that all you have to find out?”
“That’s just the beginning, Heather. You remember what she was wearing? I have a strong hunch Crystal is going to be involved in some way.”
“You’re being biased,” Heather protested. “You haven’t even talked to her yet.”
“The way I see it,” Jenny said, “the girl Bella either jumped herself or she was pushed. If she jumped herself, why didn’t her chute open? You remember she had one attached to her back. So she either didn’t open it or couldn’t open it. Or she opened it and something went wrong.”
“Stop!” Betty Sue cried. “You’re making my head spin.”
“Do you think she sneaked onto that plane?” Heather asked.
“I’m going to find out,” Jenny said grimly. “What about you, Heather? Are you going to be my wing woman like last time? Or are you going to stick by Crystal?”
“I’m not taking any sides,” Heather rushed to clarify. “I can go along with you if you need me, Jenny.”
“What about Chris?” Jenny asked. “What does he feel about all this?”
Chris had been Heather’s date for the wedding. Although he hadn’t had a front row seat to the tragedy, he had been present in the crowd when the girl dropped from the sky.
“Chris is not too crazy about these Hollywood types. He thinks it’s all a big publicity stunt.”
Jenny shuddered at the thought.
“That’s a possible motive, I guess.”
“He wants me to stay away from Crystal.”
“You might want to listen to that boy, Heather,” Betty Sue ordained. “He’s saying something smart for a change.”
Betty Sue Morse had grown old waiting for Heather to tie the knot with Chris. She was losing her patience with them. Chris had been experiencing her disapproval quite a lot lately.
“Crystal doesn’t know anyone here,” Heather said stoutly. “I’m just trying to show some support.”
“Be careful about that, Heather,” Jenny warned. “You don’t want to be aiding a criminal.”
“You were right there when Bella dropped from the sky,” Heather objected. “Crystal was standing four feet away from us. She’s innocent.”
“Surely you’re not that naïve?” Jenny asked. “She could have hired someone for the job.”
“Prove it,” Heather said. “If Crystal had a hand in this, I will be the first to call the police.”
Jenny felt relieved. Heather was so dazzled by the glamour surrounding Crystal Mars, Jenny wondered if she had gone over to the dark side.
Jenny went into the kitchen and started grilling chicken for her salad. Adam had given her two thumbs up for her new salad recipe. Now she hoped the residents of Pelican Cove felt the same. She was trying to come up with a lighter menu for the summer, one that didn’t use mayo so it wouldn’t spoil in the sun.
“You are wanted outside,” Petunia told her.
Adam was standing at the counter, trying to choose between a cookie and a chocolate cupcake.
“How are you, Jenny?” he asked. “Got any more of that new chicken salad?”
“I’m mixing a fresh batch,” Jenny told him. “Any more news on Bella?”
“Some, but nothing I can tell you yet.”
“Did she have any family?”
Adam gave in.
“Her next of kin will be arriving tomorrow.”
“See, that wasn’t so difficult.”
“Did you meet Mandy James?” he asked.
“Barb Norton brought her around earlier. How do you know her?”
“The police station is situated in a heritage building. I guess we lend a hand in making Pelican Cove pretty.”
“She’s going to have some pointers for you too then? This will be fun.”
Adam rolled his eyes.
“We are too busy already. We don’t have time for this frippery.”
“Try telling that to Barb. She’s in it to win it.”
They giggled like naughty high school kids. Jenny felt right at home, trading town gossip with Adam. She liked this fun side of him. It wouldn’t be too long before he was back breathing fire at her though.
Chapter 5
Jenny put her feet up on a chair after another tiring day at the café. She couldn’t wait to get some extra help. She just hoped the kids Petunia had hired would have good work ethics and a strong back.
“You can go on home if you want, Jenny,” Petunia said. “I can clean up around here.”
Jenny swallowed the crab salad sandwich she was eating. She was so tired she could barely taste anything.
“I have to go to the country club to meet Crystal’s mother.”
“Why didn’t you ask her to come here?”
“I have been summoned, Petunia. The queen wants me to go to her castle.”
“Hmmm…”
“I should be happy I get to go to the country club I guess.”
“Is it really that fancy?” Petunia asked.
Jenny nodded.
Heather stuck her head in through the kitchen door.
“Ready to go, Jenny?” she chirped.
“What is Crystal’s mother like?” Jenny asked Heather as they drove to the club.
“I haven’t talked to her much. She’s a bit intimidating.”
“How do you know Crystal so well but don’t know her mother much?”
“I barely knew Crystal,” Heather began. “I met her at college in my senior year. That’s when we found out we were cousins. She dropped out after her first semester though.”
“So she’s your age?”
“Oh no! She’s three or four years younger than me.”
“So she’s in her thirties too?”
“It’s a big secret. She’s supposed to be 25.”
Jenny thought of the ravishing Crystal Mars, her unlined face and toned body.
“She can carry it off easily.”
“It means a lot to these Hollywood types, I guess,” Heather mused. “Crystal’s flipping out because she turned thirty last month.”
“Is that why she’s so eager to get hitched to this Wayne guy?”
“Crystal says she was supposed to have at least one marriage under her belt by thirty.”
Jenny shook her head, marveling at how people in certain walks of life functioned.
“It’s a different life, huh?”
They reached the club soon after and Heather directed her to a small bungalow at one end. A maid wearing the club’s uniform ushered them inside to a sun room.
Jenny spotted the resemblance as
soon as she spied the woman seated in an armchair. She didn’t have Crystal’s height but Jenny felt the same blue eyes trained on her.
“Thank you for coming,” the woman said primly. “You are the girl my Crystal has been talking about?”
“I was in the wedding party, Mrs. Mars,” Jenny reminded her. “I catered your daughter’s wedding shower a few days ago.”
“Ah, yes, that was you.”
Heather had been cowering behind Jenny all this time. The woman ignored her.
“I’m glad you got in touch, Mrs. Mars,” Jenny said. “I wanted to talk to you anyway.”
“You can call me Kathy,” the woman said. “Now tell me when you are going to wrap up all this nonsense?”
Jenny was speechless.
“Err, may I ask what you are referring to?”
“This nonsense about Bella Darling, of course. Just do whatever Crystal wants you to do so we can head home to L.A.”
“You live in Los Angeles too?”
“Of course I do. I am Crystal’s manager. She has a very tight schedule. I have to make sure she gets her workouts in, eats according to her diet plan, sleeps on time. Hell, I even make sure she poops on time.”
“You must know most of the people she meets then?”
Kathy shrugged. Her expression told Jenny she was stating the obvious.
“Did you know Bella Darling?”
“I did not. Neither did Crystal.”
“But she recognized Bella right away when she dropped down on the wedding cake.”
“She must have seen her in a magazine or something.”
“Bella was quite famous then?”
“She was in some big scandal a few months ago. That’s a different kind of famous.”
Kathy’s mouth had twisted in a sneer as she spoke about Bella.
“So you didn’t know her personally but you knew of her?”
“Well, if you want to nitpick…”
“I’m just trying to get a clear picture here.”
“What was she doing here, ruining my daughter’s wedding? That’s what I want to know.”
“We’ll find that out eventually,” Jenny assured her. “What about Wayne, your son-in-law?”
Kathy looked triumphant when she heard Wayne’s name.
“Isn’t he hot? Crystal couldn’t have picked a better man.”