Killer Spring

by Sonia Parin

  Eve heard a car driving up. Expecting Jack to walk in, she got up and set a mug on the counter for him. Shaking her head, she imagined Mira had given him instructions to keep her busy and away from the service.

  The knock at the door surprised her. It couldn’t be Jack, she thought, because, apart from the previous night’s cautious entrance, he usually used the back door to let himself in.

  She hurried to answer the door and could not have been more surprised to find Bernice Glover standing on the front porch.

  The young woman wore a black dress and dark sunglasses which she removed.

  Her face looked pale but her eyes didn’t show any signs she had been crying.

  She tucked a strand of chocolate brown hair behind her ear and drew her eyebrows down. “We haven’t met… I’m Bernice Glover.”

  “Yes, I remember you from… the Farmers’ Market.” Eve expressed her condolences and watched the young woman take a deep swallow. “Would you like to come in?” Eve invited, belatedly remembering she’d put the young woman’s name at the top of her list of suspects. It only contained three names. Bernice Glover, Wallace Greenaway and Person X.

  Bernice hesitated and then gave a small nod, only to change her mind. “I only wanted to say I don’t hold any of this against you. There are rumors… I’m sure you know about them. Anyway, I don’t harbor any ill feelings toward you. I just wanted you to know that.” She took a step back and stopped. “I suppose the police spoke with you.”

  Eve nodded. “They had a few questions.”

  “I heard about the cake you baked. Is it true?”

  “My peace offering.” Eve nodded. “I’m afraid it backfired on me.”

  “I’m sure you meant well. Anyway… I should get going. As I said, no hard feelings.”

  “Wait.” Eve raked her fingers through her hair. “D-did you know about his peanut allergy?”

  “Yes, everyone knew.”

  She hadn’t known…

  Eve had no trouble hearing Jill reproaching her for not taking more interest in island life. “Actually, I didn’t know.”

  “That’s odd. He wore a bracelet.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to come in?”

  “No, I should get going. There’s a… a service.” Bernice checked her watch.

  All the questions Eve knew she should be asking suddenly vanished from her mind. Then, she remembered Mira had told her about someone seeing Bernice driving out to the farm. Or, rather, out of the island.

  “How are you holding up?”

  Bernice looked away and then back at her. “I’m fine, thank you for asking.” She shrugged. “I’ve… I’ve been going out for long drives. It’s what I do when I’m upset.”

  “It can’t be easy dealing with your loss and having to speak with the police.”

  Bernice gave her a small smile. “Detective Forrester is a charmer. I put in a good word for you.”

  “Really?”

  “He wanted to know about the fight you had with Wallace. I’m sure you meant well but, in the spur of the moment, things did get a little heated.” She looked away again. “Anyhow. I really should get going. Again, no hard feelings.”

  As Bernice made her way back to her car, Eve stood on the doorstep, her mouth gaping open, a thousand questions suddenly demanding to be asked.

  She went back to the kitchen and called Jack. “Where are you?”

  “Didn’t you get my message?” he asked.

  Eve looked heavenward. Of all the times to answer a question with a question. “No, I must have missed it.”

  “I’ll come around soon.”

  That still didn’t answer her question. “Are you attending the service?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “What does that mean? Either you are or you’re not.”

  Jack released a long breath. “Technically speaking, I’ll be there, but not as a mourner.”

  “So, you’ll be there as part of the investigative team.”

  “All hands on deck,” he confirmed.

  “Is that what the message you sent me said?”

  “More or less.”

  Eve heard some voices in the background. “You’re at the service now.”

  “I have to go, Eve. I’ll see you later and… Maybe we can have dinner. How does that sound? Dinner… on the beach. There should be a clear sky tonight. We can… do some stargazing.”

  In other words, Eve thought, he wanted to steer clear of any situation which might become volatile. Would they ever have a meal at a proper restaurant again?

  “I suppose I could eat pizza again… I’m sure you’ll bump into Mira. Tell her to pick up something for dessert.” She disconnected the call and grumbled under her breath. She had forgotten to tell him about Bernice Glover’s visit.

  Sheer curiosity and, admittedly, an element of mischief, compelled her to send Jill a text. “I’m heading for the inn. See you soon.”

  Five seconds later, she received a reply from Jill.

  Eve laughed. “I’m running errands?”

  Jill might have gotten away with it but then she sent another text.

  “Kibble for the dogs.” Eve snorted. “Well, who else is on a kibble diet?”

  Another text came through. “Toothbrush for one of the guests.”

  Eve made herself a cup of coffee and took it to the back porch where she settled down to watch the gentle lapping of the waves.

  Five minutes later, she received another text.

  “I’m not going to lie to you. I’m on my way to the service.”

  Eve stretched her legs out and sighed. Usually, she spent her days at the inn helping Gerard with the meals. Samantha Becket took care of the front desk and any requests from the guests went straight to her. Now that she’d employed Leah Thomson, she’d have less to do at the inn.

  Maybe she should give serious thought to setting up the catering business with an office in town.

  When her phone rang, she glanced at it and checked the caller I.D.

  Jill.

  Eve considered letting it go to voicemail, but at the last second, she picked it up. “Hello, Jill.”

  “You’re angry with me.”

  “Never.”

  “You’re allowed to be annoyed because I fibbed,” Jill said.

  “I’m too relaxed to be annoyed.” She watched a seagull swoop down. “I’ve been thinking about the catering business. You’ll be pleased to know I’m going ahead with it.”

  “Aren’t you going to ask me about the service?” Jill didn’t wait for an answer. “Everyone’s here, and I think they’re all waiting for you to turn up. They keep looking over their shoulders. Are you coming?”

  Eve put on her breeziest tone to say, “I’m relaxing in the back porch.”

  “A lot of people are going to be disappointed, Eve.” She lowered her voice to say, “Bernice just arrived.”

  Eve told her about the young woman’s visit. “She wanted to tell me she doesn’t hold any grudges.” And now that she thought about it, Bernice’s remark might as well have been an accusation.

  “Chad’s uncle and cousin are sitting in the front pew.”

  “Is Jack there?” Eve asked.

  “Yes. He’s hovering near one of the side doors. I think the police have the place surrounded.”

  “What about Detective Phil Forrester?”

  “He’s here too. He’s having a word with Chad’s relatives.”

  “How many are there?”

  “Just his uncle and cousin. Oh… This is interesting.”

  Eve waited for Jill to say more. She hummed under her breath and watched a couple of seagulls vying for the same morsel which appeared to be a stick floating near the shore.

  “You’re going to make me ask…”

  “It’s Bernice Glover. She’s sitting on the opposite pew. You’d think she’d sit with Chad’s family.”

  Eve’s phone beeped.

  “What was that?”

  “My battery’s runn
ing low. I forgot to charge it last night.” She got up and went back inside to look for her phone charger. “What’s happening now?”

  “The usual stuff. People are fidgeting. Everyone’s talking and still looking over their shoulders. Don’t you just hate to disappoint your crowd?”

  “No and I can’t find my phone charger,” Eve grumbled.

  “I’m sure I saw it in the kitchen last night.”

  “That’s where I’m looking. It’s not here.”

  Jill said something she didn’t quite hear.

  “I didn’t get that.”

  “I’m getting disapproving frowns from the people sitting in front of me. The service hasn’t started yet and they want me to hush.”

  “You’re supposed to be contemplating life’s mysteries.” Eve continued her search in the living room. Although, she always charged her phone in the kitchen. “I can’t complain about Mira moving my things because it’s her house, but I do wish she wouldn’t move my things.” Her phone beeped again. “I’m going to have to hang up.”

  “Just when it’s getting interesting.”

  “Why? What’s happening?”

  “The service is about to start. I heard someone say it’s an Episcopal service. I was hoping for Southern Baptist. They’re livelier… Anyhow, I’m keen to know if the priest will mention you.”

  “Why would… Oh, never mind. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Eve disconnected the call and stood in the middle of the living room looking around.

  “Huzzah! Found it.” She took the charger back to the kitchen and set her phone up to charge.

  Looking out of the window, she suddenly remembered the photos she had taken of the banana peel and peanut shells.

  Had she mentioned them to Jack?

  No!

  But she distinctly remembered asking Jill to remind her to print them out…

  “I need to start carrying a small notebook.” Thinking she’d find one in Mira’s study she swung around and managed to stub her toe. Yelping, she hobbled her way along the hallway.

  Still yelping, she rummaged through several drawers until she found what she wanted.

  As she turned toward the door, something caught her attention—a movement outside the window.

  Swinging back to look, she emitted a yelp.

  Wallace Greenaway!

  Chapter Twenty

  “The detective and his criminal wear versions of the same mask.”

  Jane Roberts

  For a split second, their gazes met. Eve knew she looked surprised. It was no match for his dark scowl.

  He looked furious. Enraged.

  Thinking she had to do something, she rushed toward the window. At the same time, Wallace Greenaway swung away and headed toward the back of the house.

  Eve’s heart punched hard against her chest.

  Had she locked the back door?

  Swinging on her feet, she ran out to the hallway. Rushing past the next room, she caught sight of him hurrying along the path.

  Eve propelled herself toward the kitchen and saw Wallace’s head bobbing up and down as he walked past the window, his steps determined and full of intention.

  Yelping, she hurried but, with so many obstacles along the way, she had to weave her way around the kitchen bench, the stool she had pushed out and the table and chairs…

  As she hurried, she dug inside her pocket for her phone only to realize she’d set it to charge. Casting a quick glance at the landline phone sitting on the kitchen counter, she yelped again. She’d have to navigate her way back along the obstacle course to get to the phone.

  “You’re on your own, Eve.”

  Had he come to kill her?

  Would he try to make it look like a suicide?

  Seeing him about to reach the back door, she pumped her legs as hard as she could and hurled herself against the door, her hands stretched out, her head leaning forward.

  Everything happened so quickly but, in the mad panic, she caught sight of Wallace’s startled expression.

  Yelping, Eve scrambled to turn the lock.

  She could see her wild-eyed expression reflected in the glass and, looking beyond, she saw it echoed back in Wallace Greenaway’s eyes.

  His lips thinned and pressed together as he lunged for the door handle.

  He turned it a second after Eve managed to turn the lock.

  The door rattled.

  He looked surprised and annoyed.

  He tried the door handle again.

  Eve jumped back and frowned right back at him. Thinking she should arm herself with a weapon, she looked around the kitchen. Once before, the rolling pin had come in handy but she thought a knife would look more menacing. She only wanted to send a message and stand her ground without looking ridiculous.

  No to the rolling pin, she thought and, yes to the knife. She turned toward the kitchen counter just as the landline phone rang.

  Snatching the phone, she croaked a hello.

  “Eve Lloyd. It’s Mrs. Wilson.”

  Good heavens!

  “Your neighbor.”

  “Oh…” Eve considered asking her to call the police, but then… She’d never hear the end of it. In any case, she was inside and Wallace remained outside. For the time being, at least, she should be safe.

  Eve lightened her tone. “Mrs. Wilson, I’m afraid I’ll have to call you back. I’m right in the middle of something.”

  Mrs. Wilson harrumphed. “I saw an intruder outside your inn.”

  Eve’s eyebrows curved up. Jill had been right about Mrs. Wilson sitting by the window.

  “That troublemaker, Wallace Greenaway,” Mrs. Wilson continued. “He skulked about and then your cook came out…”

  Wallace had been looking for her?

  Excusing herself, Eve disconnected the call. She looked out of the window and saw Wallace pacing around as if trying to find some other way in.

  Surely, he had to realize if he tried anything she would call the police.

  Pushing out a hard breath, Eve dialed Jack’s number. Or, at least, she tried to…

  “Just great. What is Jack’s number?” Heavens, she didn’t even remember her own number…

  Wallace startled her by thumping on the door with his fisted hand.

  “In a hurry to kill me?” she called out. Although, she doubted he had heard her.

  Thanks to Mira’s triple glazed windows, she didn’t hear much other than a muffled protest.

  As he continued to protest, she tried to read his lips.

  Die.

  Die?

  Eve gulped. She’d locked the door, but he only needed to pick up a rock and break the glass. It might be thick glass but a determined blow would shatter it.

  She waved the phone at him and mouthed, “I am calling the police.” Eve gave a vigorous nod and, then, she proceeded to fake a conversation. Yes, she should call emergency services but her life wasn’t in immediate danger, so she wouldn’t be a priority.

  Even if he broke in, she would have time to run out of the house, reach her car and drive to safety.

  Instead of hightailing it out of there, Wallace crossed his arms and gave her a dark scowl.

  Eve walked around the counter. The kitchen window sat higher so she felt quite safe nudging it open slightly. “Wallace Greenaway, get off my back porch. The police will be along soon.”

  “Good. You can tell them what a fool you are in person. I come all the way out here and you slam the door in my face…”

  That didn’t make sense.

  “Why did you come?”

  He dug inside his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. Waving it in the air, he then scrunched it up into a ball and threw it at her.

  “There’s that pie recipe you wanted but, as far as I’m concerned, the ban stands. I don’t want you anywhere near my stall. You hear me? No more rhubarb for you.”

  Huh?

  Wallace waved his fist and stormed off.

  He hadn’t said die, he’d said pie.
>
  Pie!

  “Wait!” Eve rushed around the house and headed for the front door but Wallace had already jumped in his car. A moment later, he drove off.

  She walked back to the kitchen and looked at the scrunched-up ball of paper.

  Had he really brought her the pastry recipe or had he meant to use that as an excuse to get her to drop her guard and go outside?

  She stood there, staring at the ball of paper while a scene played in her mind. She saw Wallace talking to the police and saying he’d come around and knocked on the door but no one had answered. No, officer, I did not look through a window. No, officer, I had no idea she was dead.

  He could have had a perfect alibi. He’d been seen by Mrs. Wilson and he’d spoken with Gerard at the inn.

  A killer would use stealth.

  Yes, indeed.

  Wallace could have killed her and gotten away with it.

  She put the kettle on only to change her mind. She didn’t need more soothing tea. She needed a shot of caffeine.

  Her cell phone hadn’t finished recharging but she could still make a phone call. “And why didn’t I think of that before?”

  She pressed her hand against her chest. She could still feel her heart thumping hard.

  Jill answered on the first ring.

  “Are you trying to get me booted out of the church?”

  “You only have to listen.” Eve told her about Wallace’s visit. “I swear, I thought he’d come here to kill me. That chamomile tea you forced me to drink dulled my wits.”

  “You sound jittery. How many cups of coffee have you drunk?”

  “Clearly not enough. My brain is still muddled.” Why had Wallace changed his mind about sharing his recipe? “I think my brain cells are waking up. I just need more time to be fully functional. So, what’s been going on?”

  “Nothing. It’s been really boring. I’m starting to think everyone turned up because they expected you to come. Bernice Glover hasn’t shed a single tear. I’m hoping things will improve when we go to the cemetery. I don’t suppose I could talk you into making a surprise appearance?”