A Lost Claus: A Christmas Cozy Mystery Series by Mona Marple

Author:Mona Marple [Marple, Mona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-29T16:00:00+00:00

9

Wiggles knocked at the door without the normal Last Christmas playing out to warn us of his arrival, and that seemed a good indication that he was bringing bad news.

I’d just checked on Nick and was in the hall on my way to fetch him some more tablets and a glass of water, so I answered the door as I passed.

“Can I come in?” He asked, a sombre note to his voice.

I nodded and brought him in to the den, where everyone had gathered for mid-morning cocoa.

“You have news, Wiggles?” Father Christmas asked.

“I do. I came straight out. The team, they erm, they found a body.”

“Norman?” Heidi asked, with a squeak.

“I mean, the waters are unforgiving. It’s not easy to say for sure, but it’s looking like it’s Bella. We’re as sure as we can be,” Wiggles confirmed. “I’m sorry.”

“Goodness gumdrops,” Mrs Claus pulled Heidi into her bosom and the two began to cry.

“She was in the water?” Father Christmas asked. His own voice wobbled as he spoke.

Wiggles nodded. “She was. Only 100 feet from Camp Walrus, but you all know how easy it is to lose your sense of direction out there.”

“I said that Norman never knew his left from his right, turns out neither did Bella!” Rascal exclaimed.

“She was a good guide. This should never have happened,” Clive said.

“Oh, Tomas. Were you close to Bella?” Mrs Claus asked as Tomas collected the empty mugs.

The young man let out a long breath. “We were colleagues. I can’t help thinking it’s such a waste of a young life.”

“Anyone can get into trouble on the ice,” Harry said with a regretful shrug.

“But what about Norman?” Clive persisted.

“Clearly Norman, yes,” Heidi snapped.

“Heidi, dear?” Mrs Claus gave her shoulders a squeeze.

Heidi closed her eyes. “If Bella hasn’t made it, what chance does Norman have?

“Oh, Hei, I’m sorry. I just can’t believe it,” Clive gushed.

Heidi eyed him but said nothing.

“Was it a fishing hole that Bella fell through?” I asked.

“I’m afraid so. We’ll investigate that. The hole should have been secured.”

“Secured?” I asked.

“Rule 1 - never leave an open hole. Or we’d have ice fishing crews falling into holes all the time. At the end of the trip, each crew has to secure their holes. Apparently, another crew didn’t do that because this hole wasn’t a Claus hole.”

“That’s awful,” I murmured.

“Any idea who the other crew were? They should be investigated,” Harry asked, ever the law student.

Wiggles let out a whistle. “I don’t fancy our chances of ever finding that out. You all know that nobody owns the ice. It could be anyone. Although, it’s strange how close it was to Camp Walrus.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Camp Walrus is only used by the Claus family,” Father Christmas explained. “While nobody owns the ice, people do own the camps. Some of them are hotels, some are rented out by the night, and others are for private use only.”

“But anyone could be out on the ice and just wander close to Camp Walrus?” I asked.

Wiggles seemed affronted by the idea.

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