Murder Most Owl, page 6
‘You thought she got too much attention when she was alive?’ Byron prodded.
‘Of course she did!’ Marlene groused. ‘I’ve had this store for fifteen years. I built this business from the ground up. Then one day Jeanine Duckworth gets some sort of funky tea from Dorothy that helps her arthritis pain and suddenly everyone’s running to that witch for potions and spells.’
‘Potions and spells?’ Byron echoed. ‘I never heard about any of those. Just poultices and teas.’
‘I’m sure there were potions and spells too,’ Marlene grumbled. ‘That woman was up to no good. She was probably a devil worshipper.’
I thought that was quite a leap, but Byron didn’t seem to have the same concern.
‘What makes you say that?’ he asked with undisguised eagerness.
‘She was a witch, wasn’t she?’ Marlene said. ‘Isn’t that what witches do?’
I rolled my eyes and pretended to study a golden shade of eyeliner.
‘I was hoping you’d have some evidence,’ Byron said, sounding disappointed now.
‘She lured my customers away with all her woo-woo stuff,’ Marlene said. ‘Isn’t that evidence enough? And don’t forget that curse she put on me.’
I thought Marlene was being ridiculous.
Maybe Byron did too, judging by the hint of exasperation in his voice when he said, ‘There’s no such thing as curses.’
‘You’d be singing a different tune if she’d put one on you,’ Marlene argued. ‘Ever since she put the curse on me, I’ve had a whole string of bad luck.’
‘So, you’re saying the feud between you two was escalating?’ Byron asked.
Marlene sniffed. ‘It wasn’t a feud. I merely told her what was on my mind a time or two and she decided to curse me.’
‘And now that she’s dead,’ Byron said, ‘I assume the customers Dorothy stole will come back to you.’
‘I’m sure they would have seen the error of their ways eventually, whether Dorothy lived or died,’ Marlene said.
‘But it’s convenient that you didn’t have to wait for them to come to their senses,’ Byron pressed.
I angled myself so I’d have a view of Marlene and the reporter out of the corner of my eye.
Marlene put her hands on her hips. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
Byron shrugged. ‘Just that it’s a good thing for you that she died.’
‘I would never wish for anyone to die,’ Marlene said. ‘But I certainly won’t miss her. I doubt anyone will.’
My jaw almost dropped. What a terrible thing to say. I barely knew Dorothy, but she seemed nice enough to me, and the spaniels and Euclid clearly loved her. I figured they were probably better judges of character than Marlene Hooper.
‘Now, perhaps you can get out of my store and let me get back to work,’ she said. ‘I have a customer to serve.’
I held back a wince as Byron turned and spotted me. I didn’t like the way his eyes lit up when he recognized me.
‘Georgie Johansen.’ He headed my way.
I shifted to the right so a table displaying bottles of hand cream stood between us.
‘No comment,’ I said, wondering if I could flee from the store without him following me. Probably not.
‘Come on,’ Byron pressed. ‘You were first on the scene. Give me a few lines to run with.’
‘No comment,’ I repeated.
‘Of course,’ he said, as if I hadn’t spoken, ‘the person to find the body is often a suspect.’ He scrutinized my face. ‘What was your history with the victim?’
‘Suspect? Victim?’ I echoed. ‘So Dorothy’s death really was suspicious?’
He gave me a disapproving frown. ‘Clearly you didn’t read the online version of the Gazette this morning.’
Marlene came over to join us and crossed her arms again, letting out a heavy sigh. ‘Some people have better things to do, Byron.’
‘There’s nothing better than staying on top of current events,’ he countered. Then he returned his attention to me and smiled with glee. ‘The police released a statement first thing this morning. It’s now official. Dorothy was murdered.’
EIGHT
I mumbled something about needing to leave and then dashed out of the store. I ran up the street and ducked into the stationery shop before Byron emerged from Siren Beauty. Afraid that he might track me down, I didn’t want to linger. When I couldn’t make an immediate decision between the various sympathy cards on offer, I grabbed two and quickly paid for them at the front counter.
I peeked out the door of Cursive before stepping out onto the sidewalk. The coast appeared to be clear, with no sign of Byron. I made a beeline for my car and made a quick getaway from the town center.
When I parked my car next to the farmhouse, I stayed in the driver’s seat while I looked up the Twilight Cove Gazette on my phone. Sure enough, the top story announced that the police had in fact declared that Dorothy Shale had been murdered. The postmortem must have confirmed Chief Stratton’s suspicions about Dorothy’s death.
I tried to picture Dorothy’s bruises. They were located near her collarbone, not around her throat, and I didn’t recall any marks on her neck. So, she probably hadn’t been strangled. The online article didn’t reveal how Dorothy had been killed. Maybe the police were keeping that to themselves. Perhaps the bruises had been caused by some sort of struggle. I tried again to picture the purplish marks. Dorothy could have sustained them when somebody held her up against a wall, or down on her bed.
I shuddered at the thought. I didn’t want to imagine her being killed.
I registered a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye a split second before someone tapped on the driver’s side window. I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Relief eased the tension in my shoulders when I saw that it was Callum standing outside the car, although my heart took longer to settle down. He stepped back as I opened the door and climbed out of the vehicle.
‘I saw you sitting there and wanted to make sure everything was OK,’ he said, his green eyes studying me.
Tears flooded my eyes and a couple of them spilled over onto my cheeks. I wiped them away quickly, embarrassed. ‘I’m fine.’
Thoughts of Flossie and Fancy had brought on the tears, but I wished I’d been able to hold them at bay while Callum was around.
A small crease appeared between his eyebrows. Clearly, he didn’t buy my claim of being fine.
‘If there’s anything I can do …’ He let the offer hang.
Part of me wanted to push him away, but another part of me also wanted someone to talk with.
‘I was thinking about the dogs,’ I said before I had a chance to think better of sharing my thoughts with him. ‘The police have officially declared Dorothy’s death a murder.’
Shock registered on Callum’s face, quickly followed by understanding. ‘You think the dogs might have witnessed the crime?’
‘I hope not,’ I said. ‘It’s bad enough that they lost her.’
‘They may have found her after it happened,’ Callum said, his voice kind. ‘Like I said before, they were here on the farm that morning.’
I nodded, hoping that was what had happened. At the same time, they were smart dogs. If they’d been present during the murder, maybe they could identify the killer. I couldn’t imagine them standing by while someone harmed Dorothy in front of them. Perhaps they tried to stop the killer, leaving bite marks as incriminating evidence. I hoped Chief Stratton and his officers had considered that possibility.
‘I should check in on Aunt Olivia,’ I said, averting my gaze from Callum’s. My embarrassment about shedding tears in front of him still burned inside my chest. ‘I’ll help you with the chores later today.’
I hurried to the carriage house, not looking back. I hoped Callum didn’t think I was rude, or overly emotional. His opinion of me shouldn’t matter, especially since we’d be out of each other’s lives in a few short weeks, but I hated crying in front of anyone.
I made sure I had control of my emotions before I entered the carriage house. While I was gone, Aunt Olivia had read the online version of the Twilight Cove Gazette and already knew that Dorothy had been murdered. I filled her in on the conversation I’d overheard between Byron and Marlene.
She rolled her eyes when I mentioned the purported curse. ‘I heard about that. It happened about a month ago. Dorothy did pretend to put a curse on Marlene and her shop, but only after Marlene drove her up the wall squawking at her about stealing customers.’
‘Marlene seems to think the curse is real,’ I said.
‘Marlene will believe whatever creates the most drama.’
After spending a few minutes in Marlene’s shop with her, I didn’t have much trouble believing that.
I left the sympathy cards with my aunt and returned to the farmhouse with Flossie and Fancy on my heels, intending to work on my script. I managed to add about half a page before I got up from the kitchen table and paced around. After two more attempts to get myself to sit in front of my computer and get some work done, I gave up. My thoughts kept returning to Dorothy and her murder, making it impossible for me to concentrate on the plot of my latest thriller.
Closing the screenwriting program, I answered a couple of emails and then shut my laptop and wandered out onto the back porch. The dogs trotted down to lie on the grass while I sat on the steps. My gaze traveled across the farmyard to the woods in the distance. Cutting through the trees to take a walk on the beach might help clear my mind and allow me to focus on writing, but Dorothy’s murder had left me spooked. What if her killer was still wandering through the woods? Maybe that wasn’t likely, but I couldn’t rule out the possibility.
I was thinking about going back inside to pour myself a glass of lemonade when I noticed Callum walking past the barn, heading in my direction. He carried what looked like a plate in one hand.
The dogs bounced up from the grass and ran to meet Callum. He gave them each a pat on the head and continued toward me, the dogs trotting along happily on either side of him.
As he drew closer, I moved to stand up, but he waved me back down.
‘Don’t get up,’ he said. ‘Do you mind if I join you?’
‘Of course not.’ I managed not to show my surprise at the fact that he wanted to sit with me. Aside from when I’d returned from town earlier, he’d spoken to me as little as possible.
He settled next to me on the steps and removed his cowboy hat. He smelled faintly of hay and chocolate. Or maybe it was the brownies on the plate that were giving off the heavenly scent of chocolate.
‘I baked these this morning and wanted to share.’ He handed me the plate.
‘You bake?’ I asked with surprise.
He laughed, and the low rumble sent a pleasant tingling sensation through me. I tried not to think about how close we were sitting, with only a couple of inches between our arms, but it was hard when he took up so much space. Not just physical space. His presence seemed to permeate the air around me in a way I wasn’t used to. My cheeks warmed up, and I hoped they weren’t too flushed.
His amusement lit up his green eyes. ‘My skills do extend beyond farm work.’
My cheeks still warm, I focused on the plate now resting on my lap. ‘These look delicious.’ My mouth watered at the sight of the chocolate-glazed brownies. ‘What’s the occasion?’
Callum ran a hand through his wavy golden hair. ‘I guess you could say it’s a peace offering. I haven’t been very friendly since you arrived, and I’m sorry about that.’
‘Did I do something to put you on edge?’ I asked.
‘Not at all. Having someone new around just made me … cautious.’
‘I guess I can understand that.’ I could be that way around new people sometimes too.
‘You didn’t deserve it, though. I hope I can make it up to you.’
I nodded at the brownies. ‘I think you already have.’
He laughed again and I wondered if I should worry about how my stomach warmed at the sound.
‘You probably shouldn’t say that until you’ve tasted them,’ he advised.
‘Do your baked goods usually look better than they taste?’ I asked, eyeing the brownies.
‘Generally, it’s the other way around, to be honest, but a taste test is always wise.’
‘Sometimes two or three,’ I said.
He grinned. ‘That’s my philosophy too.’
I picked up one of the brownies and bit into it. I closed my eyes as the fudgy deliciousness hit my tongue.
‘Wow,’ I said after the first bite.
‘Good?’ he asked.
Instead of answering, I devoured the rest of the brownie in one big but well-savored bite.
‘Amazing,’ I finally managed to say. ‘I think that might be the best brownie I’ve ever tasted. You didn’t really have anything to be sorry about, but I’ll take the apology anyway.’
Smiling, he leaned back and rested his elbows on the step behind us.
I offered him the plate. ‘Are you going to have one?’
‘I’m good,’ he assured me. ‘Trust me, I’ve already indulged.’
‘Quality control?’ I said with a smile.
‘Wouldn’t want to share before I know they’re safe for consumption,’ he agreed. The happy light in his green eyes dimmed and his entire demeanor became more serious. ‘Are you doing better?’
‘I am, thanks.’ I realized that was the truth. Enjoying the past few minutes with him had taken my mind off Dorothy, if only for a short time, and my head felt clearer for it. I decided to make an attempt to get to know the man beside me better. ‘Aunt Olivia mentioned that you’re from Colorado.’
He sat up straighter, no longer quite so relaxed. ‘That’s right. What else did she say about me?’
‘Only that you’re working here temporarily.’
He nodded, his gaze fixed on something off in the distance. ‘She told me you’re a screenwriter.’
‘She’s been talking about me?’ I hoped my aunt hadn’t bored him with stories about me.
The tension eased out of him. ‘She’s only had good things to say. She’s proud of you and your career.’
‘I’m no Oscar winner, but I love what I do.’
‘That’s the most important thing.’ After a brief pause, he tugged his phone out of his pocket. ‘Before I forget, we should exchange numbers.’
‘Good idea.’ I had to warn my heart not to get too happy as I pulled out my own phone. He wanted my number so we could keep each other up to date on farm business, not for any more personal reason.
We’d just finished exchanging numbers when I heard a vehicle turn into the driveway. Seconds later a police SUV pulled up next to my car and stopped. Flossie and Fancy jumped to their feet as Chief Stratton climbed out of the driver’s seat.
Callum and I stood up at the same time. I set the plate of brownies on the small table near the porch swing and descended the steps to greet the police chief. The dogs had already beat me to it.
‘Do you have a few minutes, Georgie?’ Chief Stratton asked after he’d said hello to all of us, including the spaniels.
‘Sure.’
‘I’ll be in the barn if you need me, Georgie.’ Callum eyed Stratton and then me as he turned to go, as if he wasn’t entirely sure if he should leave me alone with the police chief.
‘I heard that Dorothy’s death has been declared a murder,’ I said as Callum strode away from us.
‘Dorothy is why I’m here.’
I glanced at the spaniels where they had once again settled down on the grass. A sinking sensation unsettled my stomach. ‘Has somebody claimed the dogs?’
‘No, but that’s something I want to talk to Olivia about.’
‘Should we go over to the carriage house?’ I asked.
‘In a minute. I have a few questions for you first.’
Something about the way he said that added to my apprehension.
‘I’ll do my best to answer them,’ I said.
‘How much time did you spend with Dorothy after you arrived here in Twilight Cove?’
‘In total?’ I considered the question for a second or two. ‘Maybe half an hour.’
‘But you met with her on multiple occasions?’
‘Twice. The first time we exchanged a few words when we ran into each other in the woods. The second time I had tea with her at her cabin.’
‘And what did you talk about?’ Stratton asked.
I didn’t see why that mattered, but I answered anyway. ‘The dogs. My aunt. Then Dorothy’s argument with Ed Grimshaw. She mentioned that he’d been bothering her for several months.’
‘Did you talk about Dorothy’s land?’
I wondered where he was going with his questions. ‘Only in relation to Ed Grimshaw and the fact that he wants it. Do you think the land has something to do with Dorothy’s murder?’
Instead of answering my question, Stratton asked another of his own. ‘You didn’t speak to her about her will or what she wanted to happen with her land after her death?’
‘No, of course not.’
Chief Stratton removed his hat and ran his hand over his graying hair. ‘If that plot of land were to come up for sale, would you or Olivia consider purchasing it?’
‘I wouldn’t. I can’t speak for my aunt.’
‘She’ll have the chance to do that for herself.’
Anxiety and dread weighed heavily in the middle of my chest. I had a terrible feeling I knew why he had so many questions for us.
Somehow, I managed to ask another question without my voice shaking. ‘Do we need a lawyer?’
The police chief replaced his hat on his head and levelled his gaze at me. ‘That’s entirely up to you.’
NINE
‘I’d better speak to Olivia now,’ Stratton said.
He strode toward the carriage house.
I gave myself a mental shake and hurried after him. ‘Aunt Olivia doesn’t know anything about Dorothy’s murder.’
‘I still have questions I need to ask her.’ He rapped on the front door.
‘I’m around back!’ Aunt Olivia called out.
