Berry Betrayal by C. A. Phipps

Author:C. A. Phipps [Phipps, C. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cheryl Phipps

Chapter Fifteen

In a horrible sense of deja vu, Deputy Pine was stationed at the front door and tape ran once more around the path and front veranda. When he saw the sheriff he stiffened and looked on the verge of saluting.

“The ambulance and paramedics are around the back with the deceased, sir. I said they could remove the body now that all the photos have been taken. I hope that was okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine. Just keep everyone else outside and keep a close watch on that hedge line.” Nate pointed down the driveway to where, thanks to Alex, the gap was now significantly larger.

“Yes, Sir.”

Nate lifted the tape to allow the others to get inside. From his pocket he handed the women a pair of gloves each. “Don’t move anything and be careful where you step.”

“What about me,” Arthur asked.

“We’ll assume that your fingerprints are already on most, if not all of the items, so you don’t need gloves, but I’d still rather none of you touch anything that isn’t necessary.”

They followed him down the hall, and though they could see where the trail began, their first stop was Arthur’s study. The chest was empty. A few things were dotted around it, but nothing that looked expensive.

“What do you think?” Violet asked her sister and Ruby shrugged.

“Nothing stands out to me. Come on, let’s look at the rest.”

There was a small pile of loot in the doorway leading into the kitchen which they stepped delicately over.

“This must be where he was when the killer heard you arrive home, Arthur,” Violet mused. “They’ve dropped the pile in a hurry and some of the items have spilled off it and rolled further away.”

“It troubles me that you’re so certain,” Nate told her as he knelt to inspect a brooch.

“It’s only science that makes me think that’s what happened, and I could be wrong.” Violet said automatically as she caught sight of a book smaller than her hand. It looked very old. “I want to look closer at this, Sheriff.”

He came back to her, and they knelt together, heads almost touching. “What is it?”

“That’s an old ration book.” Arthur peered over their shoulders. “It was my grandmother’s.”

Nate pulled out a pair of tweezers and lifted the book gently, placing it in Violet’s gloved hands.

Inside the first page was written “United States of America War Ration Book One, followed by a warning message about the misuse of it and there was a serial number. The next pages were Arthur’s grandmother’s details, signature, and serrated edges where stamps must have been. The serial number was repeated on each page as was the title reading, “Office of Price Administration.”

“I’ve heard of these, but never seen one,” Violet said excitedly.

“We have a couple in the library,” Ruby noted.

“Really?”

“Since we don’t have a museum. Locals often donate things we might be interested in, and which don’t take up too much space.”

Nate scratched his head. “I can’t see how this would be important to the thief.”

“People don’t always steal for monetary gain,” Violet reminded him.

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