Killer Spring

by Sonia Parin

Pinching her nose, Jill waved her stick and dove in. After a few seconds, she jumped back. “Nothing but vegetable peels. Shame on him for not composting.”

  “Jill, you mustn’t speak ill of the dead.”

  “What now?”

  Eve looked toward Wallace Greenaway’s property. “You’d think the houses would be further apart.” She grinned. “Luckily, they’re not.”

  “You want to poke around Wallace’s place.”

  “Yes, please. There’s nothing else to see here.”

  Jill groaned.

  “What’s wrong? A moment ago, you were okay with the idea.”

  “I’ve come to my senses. If he catches us, I’m going to tell him you threatened to fire me if I didn’t go along with you.”

  “You do what you have to, Jill.”

  “And what will you say?”

  Eve shrugged. “I’ll probably come straight out and accuse him of killing Chad.”

  “I’d almost pay to see that.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The Gingerbread house

  Looking over her shoulder, Eve laughed. “Mischief and Mr. Magoo are playing it safe and staying on the other side of the fence. It only goes to show they’re smarter than us.”

  Jill whispered, “My stomach is in knots.”

  “Come on. This will only take a minute.”

  They hurried their steps along the yard separating the two houses. Like chalk and cheese, Eve thought, looking around the tidy area surrounding Wallace’s house.

  Beyond the well-maintained yard, a path led to the cultivated area, broken up in square allotments.

  Up close, the house looked magnificent. Eve couldn’t stop admiring it. “Say what you will about him, but Wallace Greenaway is house-proud. Take a look at those windows. Not a single speck of dirt on them and the house looks freshly painted. As for the house itself… Wow. Look at that lacework.”

  “Can you please stop admiring the lacework. We have some banana peels to find. If he’s this tidy, I’m sure he has a compost bin.” Jill stopped in her tracks. “And this is as far as I go. I hate those squirmy, slithery things.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The things that live inside compost bins.”

  “Bacteria?”

  “Don’t make me say it.”

  “Brace yourself. There’s a worm on your boot.”

  “Yikes.” Jill jumped and stomped on the ground. “Is it still there? I can’t bear to look.”

  “Calm down, island girl. You’ve squashed it.” Eve laughed. “Suddenly, I can’t quite see you sticking around to fight the Great Fire of 1846.”

  They found the bin behind an outdoor pizza oven.

  “Good heavens,” Eve exclaimed. “Look at this beauty. I bet anything he built it himself.”

  “Can you please hurry up and look.”

  Eve lifted the lid. “Hand me the stick.” She poked around and, after a moment, lifted the stick out. “Exhibit A. Voila. A banana peel.”

  “It doesn’t mean anything. I bet half the population has banana peels in their trash.”

  “True, but do they also have peanut shells?” Eve took a photo of the contents inside the compost bin. She assumed the police had already had a look through the property and found exactly what she’d found. If they hadn’t taken action, then it meant Wallace had provided a reasonable explanation. “Remind me to print these out.”

  “Are you going to set up a crime board?”

  She shouldn’t.

  The police would do their job and the culprit would be brought to justice.

  Then again…

  “I need my comfort zone and a crime board seems to work for me. Who knows? It might help me get over this feeling of helplessness.”

  Turning toward the house, Eve wished she could think of some way to have a look inside.

  “Eve, you don’t want to push your luck,” Jill warned.

  “What are you talking about?” Eve asked even as she looked under a flower pot for a key.

  “I can tell you want to go inside. That’s out of the question. If Wallace finds out you’ve been snooping inside his house, he’ll have you hauled off to jail before you can even yelp.”

  “Yelp?” Eve yelped.

  “Yeah, just like that.”

  Eve took a determined step only to be yanked back.

  Jill growled, “I thought you’d developed an aversion to me saying I told you so.”

  “I have.” She took another step just as Jill dug her heels in.

  “I’m not letting go of you,” Jill warned.

  Eve managed to drag Jill all the way to the back porch steps.

  The dogs, probably thinking they were playing a game, came bounding toward them, their tails flapping as they leapt up and planted their muddy paws on them.

  Reaching the first step, Eve eased up and then surprised Jill with a determined pull. They both lunged forward and ended up with their noses pressed against the window, while Mischief and Mr. Magoo left their muddy paw marks on the window sills.

  “Wow. Look at that stove,” Eve whispered. Whistling under her breath, she admired the gleaming pots hanging over it. “Copper pots. Do you have any idea how much they’re worth?”

  “They’re definitely not worth being caught red-handed and being at the receiving end of Wallace’s ire. Come on, I’m breaking into a sweat.”

  “Fine, but I feel we’re going back empty-handed.”

  “You have a photo of his compost.”

  “It can’t be anything important. I’m sure the police saw it and, since it’s still there, they didn’t find it at all suspicious. If they questioned Wallace over it, he must have provided a reasonable explanation.”

  Hurrying back to the car, she looked over her shoulder. “I wonder where he is now. The market isn’t opened today.”

  Jill groaned. “He’s probably watching us from the first-floor window.”

  They scrambled their way through the overgrown bushes separating the properties just as they heard the sound of a truck approaching.

  “Yikes. It’s him. Hurry. Hurry.” Jill pulled the passenger door open for the dogs, jumped in the car and hunched down over the steering wheel. “Quick, before he sees us.” She didn’t straighten until they reached the bridge. Breathing a sigh of relief, she said, “That was a close call.”

  “You are really frightened of him.”

  “In years to come, they’ll be telling scary bedtime stories about him.” Jill straightened and checked the mirrors for signs of anyone following them. “I think we’re safe. At least, I hope we are. Anyone might have seen us…”

  “Are you afraid you’ll be branded a traitorous collaborator?”

  “Collaborator?” Jill gave a determined shake of her head. “Eve, I might need to throw you under the bus, but we’ll still be friends. I promise.”

  “It’s so comforting to hear you say so.”

  Eve sat back and closed her eyes. Although reluctant, she had to agree with everyone. Wallace couldn’t be the killer. The banana peel and peanut shells in his compost bin made him an obvious suspect but what if the real killer had planted the evidence? “I hope the police are having better luck coming up with suspects.”

  “So, what’s the detective in charge of the case like?” Jill asked.

  “Amiable. He’s from the South.”

  “But he has his doubts about you.” Jill hummed under her breath. “You could cook him a nice, hearty meal. None of your fancy crookery.”

  “Crookery?”

  Jill laughed. “That’s what a school friend used to call nouveau cuisine or anything that wasn’t from the South.”

  “Let me guess, she was from the South.”

  Jill nodded. “Yep and she thought all the fancy chefs were crooks, stealing the heart and soul from food. She took particular issue with small portions. You still have grits left over from the time you had the tourists from Alabama. He’d like that.”

  “I suppose I could whip up some
cornbread for him.”

  Jill nodded. “Fried chicken. They like that. Oh, and black-eyed peas and a good pie.” She smacked her lips. “You can’t go wrong with a good pecan pie.”

  “Are you suggesting I try to sweeten him up?”

  “Whatever it takes, Eve.”

  How about my innocence? Surely, that would be enough, Eve thought. “I’m not sure food will do it for me. He wouldn’t eat my cookies.” She saw Jill drive right past the turnoff to Mira’s house. “You missed your turn.”

  “Nope. We’re going into town.”

  Eve cradled her injured hand against her chest. “Why?”

  “I bet you haven’t gone into town since you found Chad Burrows.”

  “Strictly speaking, I didn’t find him, Jack did.” The first buildings came into view. Eve lowered herself into her seat. “This isn’t a good idea, Jill. Turn back.”

  “Are you breaking into a sweat?” Jill gripped the steering wheel and looked more determined than ever. “You need to do this, Eve.”

  “Everyone will look at me.”

  “You’re used to it.”

  “This time, it’ll be different. I’m sure they’ve all decided they’ve had enough of me finding dead bodies.”

  “Yeah, I won’t argue with that. I think you might have been a grim reaper in your previous life.” Jill drove all the way down to the end of town suggesting she wanted to walk the length and gain full exposure. “Come on. It’s now or never. And, no. Never is not an option.”

  “Just give me a minute. I thought we were going to work on a timeline. I have new pens and they’re all different colors.”

  “We need to nip this in the bud, Eve. You’ve been cowering and hiding behind your injury and that’s not your style.”

  Jill parked the car and reached into the back seat. Straightening, she slapped a baseball cap on Eve. “You can go incognito. Just keep your head lowered.”

  “You call this a disguise? This is silly. Everyone who recognizes you will know it’s me standing beside you.”

  “There are ways to make yourself look different. Don’t stand too straight. Hunch your shoulders. You know… Slouch.”

  “Did I ever tell you I went to boarding school? I had the slouch beaten out of me. To this day, I have an aversion to rulers.” Eve shook her head and removed her baseball cap. “No, I will stand tall and face the music.”

  “That’s the Eve Lloyd I know and love to tease. Do you need help with the seat belt?”

  “No, I’m fine. Although… Just give me a minute.”

  They both turned in their seats and looked toward the bakery.

  “So, what’s the plan?” Eve asked.

  “We’re just going to go for a nice stroll and stop at every store. Let’s see what sort of attention we get.”

  “You’re going to use me as bait.”

  “Yep. You’re a tasty morsel. I’m sure someone will take the bait. Someone must have seen something…”

  Out of the frying pan, Eve thought…

  “Have you given any more thought to the catering business you wanted to set up?” Jill asked, clearly trying to distract her. “Your parents were keen to help out.”

  Yes, and that had been the reason why she had shelved the idea. They’d insisted they would only be silent partners, but she knew better. First, they would start with a small suggestion, followed by a few changes. Oh, nothing too drastic…

  “The building is still available and you’ve already found a body there. Nothing can go wrong now.”

  True. Maybe she should reconsider. Then again… “I’d rather not tempt the fates. Remember, we’ve had three deaths at the inn.”

  “You’ve found one body in the building. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding two more. Then, you’ll be home free.”

  Eve gave her a worried look. “You make it sound as though I have some sort of quota.”

  “You’re the one who mentioned the three deaths at the inn. You should give it some serious thought. Setting up a new business would go a long way toward restoring your credibility with the locals. They like people who invest in the town.” Jill jumped out and held the passenger door open for the dogs. “Come on. Don’t make me drag you out.”

  “Fine. What’s the plan? Whatever you have in mind, you should stick close to me. Needless to say, I won’t think twice about using you as a human shield.”

  “We could go to the Chin Wag Café and get a coffee. You owe me one. Also, Cynthia is bound to know something.”

  Eve wondered where the café owner stood on the subject of Eve Lloyd versus the Farmers’ Market Association.

  Scanning the street, she said, “I’d like to know if anyone has seen Bernice Glover. In fact, I’d like to put together a timeline with her whereabouts.” Just to be on the safe side, she thought.

  “That’s a great idea.” Jill looked around. “In that case, I suppose we should start at the newspaper. I’m sure Derek Tucker saw her. His office window faces the main street and he always sees everything.”

  Jill headed straight for the stack of newspapers outside the building. “I’ve been so run off my feet, I didn’t even get a chance to flick through the local rag. Did you put Gerard up to it?”

  “I’m not that devious.”

  Jill frowned and tapped the newspaper with her finger. “That’s odd. You didn’t make the front page. There’s an article about Chad Burrows but no mention of you.” She flicked through the rest of the newspaper and shook her head. “Nothing.”

  “You sound disappointed.”

  “There’s no escaping the fact you were there when the body was discovered.”

  “Maybe the fact I had Jack with me worked in my favor.” Belatedly, she realized she’d had an alibi. At least for that particular timeframe.

  “Didn’t you say someone saw you drive up to the farm? Any investigative journalist would have included that. It’s a vital piece of information.”

  “Well, perhaps you should go in and tell Derek he should be more thorough. For heaven’s sake. Whose side are you on?”

  “Yours, of course. But I can’t be seen to take sides or hide the truth.”

  “You’re beginning to sound like Mira.”

  Seeing them, Derek Tucker surged to his feet.

  Before he could say anything, Eve said, “No comment.”

  He gave her an encouraging smile. “I hear there’s a new detective in town.”

  “I guess that means you didn’t get a comment out of him.”

  “Not even his name. He just smiled and waved me off.”

  That meant the detective had made the rounds in town. If he hadn’t introduced himself to Derek Tucker, then the detective had not questioned him.

  Eve couldn’t help feeling discouraged. What sort of detective didn’t question the town newspaperman?

  He leaned against the edge of his desk. “So, how can I help you today?”

  Still distracted by her thoughts, Eve said, “We want to track down Bernice Glover’s movements.”

  Derek grinned. “You know how it works, Eve. Give and take.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  A good friend is someone who walks in when the rest of the world walks out

  Derek Tucker had seen Wallace Greenaway at the market but had arrived too late to witness the clash. Then, the next day, Wallace had come into town in the morning. Derek couldn’t be sure, but he thought Wallace had headed to the florist shop.

  Eve remembered Jill saying the Farmers’ Association had an office at the florist shop. Had Wallace gone ahead with the ban?

  They left the newspaper office with no other information. Unfortunately, after seeing Wallace, Derek had gone out to lunch on the mainland and hadn’t returned to the island until later that night.

  “Wallace must have gone to Belle’s to lodge his complaint against you, Eve.”

  “I’m surprised you’re not making any comments about Derek staying in the mainland until late.”

  “Oh, he must have been w
ith his girlfriend.”

  “Aha, I see.”

  “You didn’t know?”

  “You’d think someone who is constantly labeled a busybody would know, but I didn’t.” Eve slowed down. If they went to Belle’s Blooms, Eve would have to ask about the ban, but she didn’t want her relationship with Belle to become awkward. What would she do for flowers if Belle took exception to her snooping around?

  Eve looked up and down the street.

  Still no sign of Mira and David.

  “I’m not surprised Bernice hasn’t been seen around today but what about on the morning of Chad’s death? Someone must have seen her.”

  Jill laughed. “You’re hoping she won’t have an alibi so you can pin the death on her.”

  “No, I just want to find the killer. I mean…”

  “You want to outsmart Detective Phil Forrester.”

  Did she? “Maybe I do. He didn’t even take a nibble of my cookie. I would have forgiven him if he’d said he didn’t like cookies. But he didn’t.”

  “Ordinarily, I’d say you were reading too much into it, but in this case, I think you’re right. If you can’t trust the detective working the case, then you have no hope.”

  “I’m sure Jack is doing all he can… From the sidelines.”

  Jill grabbed her arm and tugged her along. “Quit dragging your feet. Let’s do this. I need a coffee.”

  They found Belle working on an elaborate flower arrangement. She wore her usual twin set and pearls with her honey blonde hair swept into a chignon.

  “Eve Lloyd.”

  Eve tried to read her mood, but Belle had given nothing away other than a hint of surprise.

  Brightening, she asked, “Oh, are those flowers for the inn?”

  “No, this is for Chad Burrows’ service. The inn is getting some daisies.”

  Eve thought Belle’s voice had hardened slightly. Then again, she might have imagined it.

  “Who’s organizing the service?” she asked.

  “Bernice Glover.”

  “Didn’t he have any family?”

  Belle gave a distracted nod. “There’s an uncle and a cousin.”

  “It’s good to know he had someone to think of the details,” Eve said and tried to keep her tone conversational. “When did Bernice come in?”