Deck the Halls and Murder by Patti Larsen

Author:Patti Larsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patti Larsen Cozy Mystery Books

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Chapter Seven

I left Tracey in the tender care of my mother and best friend, retreating with my phone to dial the church office. To my surprise, someone answered after the second ring.

“Sorry to call so late,” I said to the huffy woman’s voice on the other end, clearly unhappy to have to answer at eight in the evening. “I’m looking for whoever manages the cemetery.”

“This is she,” the woman clipped, her crisp tone firmly cranky. “Gertrude Ennis. How can I help you?”

“Ms. Ennis,” I said, “my name is Fiona Fleming.”

“I’ve already spoken to your father,” she snapped, “and the current sheriff on the matter. I can assure you, Ms. Fleming, I have no idea what happened, how our cemetery could have been desecrated in this manner.” Like she herself had been accused of digging up Brian Beckett and displaying him on the town’s tree. Either Crew gave her a going over or she was one of those people who jumped to guilty conclusions no matter what was said to them.

“I’m positive you weren’t involved, Ms. Ennis,” I said in my most soothing Lucy Fleming tone. It seemed to work, the woman expelling a loud a sigh at the other end of the line.

“I should think not,” she said. Paused. “I’m here in my office right now looking at the plot map. I’ve agreed to meet Sheriff Turner,” she said his name like he was now a pariah in her view and deserved nothing less than whatever punishment the Lord almighty delivered for being rude and accusatory toward her, “at 8AM tomorrow morning to investigate the site.”

“Thank you, Ms. Ennis,” I said. “I’ll see you then. Please, try to get some rest. I’m sure this will all be sorted out tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Ms. Fleming,” she said, tone shifting further from affronted to sympathetic. “I look forward to meeting you.”

I hung up the phone, not so sure Crew would have the same reaction when I showed up at the cemetery but determined to do so regardless.

When I returned to the kitchen, it was to Mom and Daisy insisting Tracey stay for the night.

“Fee, the poor dear is in that horrible little place on the edge of town.” I knew The Summit Motel, wasn’t a fan, either, hated sending overflow guests to stay there when Petunia’s was full. As it happened, I did have a room free and instantly agreed to the arrangement.

“I don’t want to intrude,” Tracey said. “I’m just here a few nights.”

Daisy was on her feet, pulling the girl up beside her. “Let’s take a drive,” she said. “We’ll gather your things and get you set up, cozy and safe, here at Petunia’s. That way you don’t have to worry about a single thing.”

I really loved my best friend. Tracey went with her without further argument, though she did pause to squeeze my hand on the way past, looking a bit dazed to be taken care of like this. I let them go, returning to sit next to Mom who handed me, not a tea this time, but a cup of coffee, bless her.

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