Murder and Poisoned Tea by Janet Lane Walters

Author:Janet Lane Walters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: church choir is being poisoned by infighting, church minister of music has a hidden past, elderly female sleuth, maine coon cat sleuths, maine coon cat with a penchant for mysteries, old lady with a nose for crime, retired nurse with a strong mind of her own, someone is causing lots of trouble in the choir
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.

* * *

The next afternoon I walked to the church to discuss the drive for the Food Cupboard with Edward. Every November the local churches collect food and money for perishables. This year I was the chairwoman for St. Stephen’s and I was on a mission. After I heard how much money had been collected at the first two Evensongs, I decided to petition the Vestry to donate the offerings from the Requiem for the drive. Knowing how seldom the members agreed with anything I proposed, I decided Edward should make the pitch. First I had to neutralize Roger’s appeal to Edward’s pride.

Roger had persuaded the Vestry to give the choir the money from the first two programs. It seems he had an idea for the choir to tour England. While that was a nice thought, in the twenty-five years since the Evensong programs had started, the offering had always been donated to special charities.

Edward listened to my pitch. “Katherine, I just don’t know. Just think how glorious it would be for the choir to sing at Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s or St. Stephen’s in London.”

“That would be nice, but think of how many hungry people could be fed with the offering. When Charles and I began the programs, we wanted the offerings to be donated to worthy causes, not for pride and vanity.”

He nodded. “As usual, you’re absolutely right. There’s something about the way he sells his ideas that sways the Vestry. I’ll remind them of the purpose of the events. At least they have to vote on each of the offerings.”

“Thank you.”

Edward and I stood at the French doors and looked into Memorial Garden. The grass had browned and the bushes were bare except for the row of holly along the privet hedge.

Edward opened the door. “We’re extending the wall in the spring.”

Beneath the stones in the wall that stands in the center of the garden are the ashes of former members of the congregation. The names are engraved on metal plaques.

“Why?”

“There are requests for more spaces than we have left.”

“What happens when the garden’s a solid wall?”

“Neither you nor I will see that day.” He sighed. “The Vestry shouldn’t have sold the land behind the church. We would have had space for any number of projects.”

“You can’t blame me for that Vestry decision. Happened before either of us came here.”

He laughed. “Katherine, you’re so refreshing.” He turned and entered his study.

The side door of the church opened and Marcie ran out. Her face was flushed and her hair mussed.

“Want to walk home with me?” I strode across the garden.

She stared at her shoes. “Can’t. Mom’s picking me up and I’m late.”

“How was your lesson?”

“Fine.”

Something was wrong. Her voice was barely above a whisper. What had Judith done now?

“I thought you had your lessons at his apartment.”

“That’s voice. Dad said I could take organ lessons. This was my first.”

A car door slammed. Judith marched up the walk. Anger radiated from her. I stepped into the shadows cast by the towering hedge.

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