Murder Just for Show by Thea Cambert

Author:Thea Cambert [Cambert, Thea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Summer Prescott Books
Published: 2022-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

It took a while to adjust to the darkened room. Esme and Stewart dug through a storage closet and found a box of candles, and Ethan found a lighter. Soon candles were flickering on dining tables, end tables, and across the fireplace mantle. Esme and Ethan had been doing their hygge research, and knew that even under the circumstances, the evening could be comforting and cozy. They started a story-telling game around the fire. They popped popcorn and melted butter. Soon, the Piney Woods group mixed in with the Big Wolf group, sharing snacks and playing board games and telling stories.

“This hygge stuff really works,” said Esme, tossing back a handful of popcorn.

“I’m getting some great shots, too,” said Ethan, snapping photos. “We can add this to tomorrow’s blog. Cozy Winter Gathering on a Snowy Night.”

An hour later, the geocaching club members had gathered into a small group around a table in the dining area and were visiting quietly. Meanwhile, Pierce had somehow ended up between the Hayfield sisters on an oversized sofa, and both Avery and Agatha had fallen asleep, their heads lolling onto Pierce’s shoulders. Pierce seemed to be making the best of the situation by reading a book. Rangers Freya, Andrew, and Willard had just welcomed Ace Bender, their scientist colleague, into the canteen. It seemed that Ace, who had been known to brave every kind of weather extreme, had managed to return from his work on the far side of the preserve, where he’d been holed up in a primitive cabin for the past few days. The four of them were comfortably ensconced on the beanbags, eating popcorn, and chatting.

Esme took a seat between Ethan and Stewart on one couch, with Alley and Ranger Bob on the adjacent loveseat, and Detective Patterson in an armchair next to the fire. Alley had asked that they all stay while she gave her statement, and Patterson in his usual relaxed fashion, had said it would be fine if it would help her to feel more comfortable. Esme found that once again, she approved of the detective’s way of doing things. It put Alley at ease as she retold her story—of how she and Denver had fought, how he’d thrown back a shot glass full of his usual scotch, of how they’d fought some more, and then of how he’d grabbed his bag and stumbled out of the room, dizzy and a bit disoriented. She’d tried to stop him, but he’d stormed off anyway.

“What were you fighting about?” asked Patterson.

Alley glanced around the room, clearly uncomfortable. She lowered her voice. “I confronted him about . . . well, I think he’d been cheating on me.”

“Really?” Esme pretended to be surprised.

Stewart elbowed her a little, but added, “You two seemed so solid.”

“Did you suspect that Denver was involved with anyone specific?” asked Patterson.

Esme, Ethan, and Stewart leaned forward a hair as Alley considered her words.

“With Cate.” It came out as a whisper.

Heads subtly turned to the other end of the room, where Cate was still huddled up with Rich and Felix.

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