Mistletoe and Murder: A Century Cottage Cozy Mysteries Novella by Ascroft Dianne

Author:Ascroft, Dianne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-25T00:00:00+00:00

5

Marge cast an exasperated look at the sprig of mistletoe hanging inside the door of the Honey Pot diner. She was fed up with seeing them everywhere she turned. If Mike hadn’t caught her under the mistletoe and kindled Ted’s jealousy, she wouldn’t be investigating his death.

She sighed loudly. My bad luck, but I can’t turn the clock back. Looks like I’ll have to see this through.

Marge took another breath and made an effort to smile as she met Lois’s gaze across the table in the window booth. She cupped one hand around her steaming mug of coffee, waving her other hand to indicate the plates of muffins set in front of them. “I’m not thinking about healthy eating until well past Christmas. After gingerbread muffins are off the menu.”

Lois took an appreciative sip of her coffee, murmuring agreement. “Uh huh, ginger and cinnamon together. Wonderful. Now tell me what Sue said that was so interesting.”

“Well, before we went to see Dean, I found it hard to believe that he had any reason to kill Mike. After all, Helen said Mike had borrowed money from him.”

Lois nodded. “I know. He wouldn’t get his money back if he killed Mike.”

“Exactly. So, I’d pretty much ruled Dean out. His business is doing well and it looks like he could survive losing the money. But then Sue mentioned just now that Mike reneged on renting space in his new shop to Dean. I bet that made him mad.”

Lois shrugged. “It must have been annoying but he still has his stall in the market. And, like you said, his business is thriving.”

“Yes, but Mike’s new shop was right on the main street. More people would see Dean’s shoe repair there than where he is in the back aisle of the market. He lost a great opportunity. That might have been enough to make him angry.”

“But angry enough to kill Mike?”

Marge cocked her head, considering the possibility. “Maybe. Or at least angry enough to want to make him ill. Maybe he didn’t realize how severe Mike’s peanut allergy was.”

Lois nodded thoughtfully. “That could be.”

“I know it doesn’t all add up but I think he has to be considered.”

“And what about Helen? You didn’t sound like you completely believed her about being over Mike.”

“I don’t, no matter what she says. Not after her attitude Saturday night.”

“So, there’s Helen and Dean. Anyone else?” Lois asked.

Marge flipped her hair back from her face. “I’ve tried to avoid Mike since I moved back to Fenwater so I don’t know much about his life now. He always had an eye for the ladies. I’ll have to ask around and find out who else he’s dated recently, and whether he’s made any enemies for any reason.”

“Like jealous husbands?”

“Possibly. That’s a good point.”

Marge glanced across the room to where the waitress was stacking clean glasses onto a shelf, her back turned to the room. “Josie!”

The waitress spun around and picked up the coffee pot. Slipping out from behind the counter, she headed over to the window booth.

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