Needled to Death by Elizabeth Craig

Author:Elizabeth Craig
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: easy mystery books, small town killers, humorous cozy mysteries, funny mysteries, light mysteries, cozy corgi series, cozy dog mystery
Publisher: Elizabeth Spann Craig
Published: 2021-10-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

THE NEXT COUPLE OF days were thankfully quieter. Despite Beatrice’s promise to Dora to do some investigating, nothing really fell right into her lap. She didn’t happen into anyone at the quilt shop or the grocery store. Instead, she found herself tidying up around the house, doing some reading, and catching up on her quilting project. Noo-noo also was the beneficiary of quite a few long walks.

Wyatt and Alice met a couple of times to plan Flossie’s funeral and finally the day had come for the service. Alice had decided on a simple graveside funeral, apparently being kind of leery about celebrating Flossie’s life too much, considering the circumstances. Beatrice arrived at the cemetery early with Wyatt and was glad that she had when an unexpectedly large crowd showed up for the service. Alice had been in Dappled Hills a long while, and the townspeople were nothing if not loyal.

There was a soloist from the church who did a lovely job singing the Lord’s prayer and Wyatt delivered a short homily. At the end of the service, Alice stood to address everyone. In a tremulous voice she said, “Thanks to everyone for coming and supporting me by attending Flossie’s funeral. Although Flossie was new to Dappled Hills, she spoke often of how she immediately felt as if she was accepted by the town. She felt like she’d lived here for years. I’m so grateful for that.”

The soloist sang Psalm 23 and then Wyatt gave a benediction and the service wound to a close. A line quickly formed of people wanting to speak with Alice so Beatrice hung back, waiting for it to dissipate a little. As she did, she saw that she wasn’t the only one—Trina Wallace was waiting right beside her.

“Hi Trina,” Beatrice said.

Trina turned to give her a smile. She had graying red hair, wore a perennially serious expression, and was in her mid-fifties. Beatrice thought of her as another quilter who was good at organizing things and dedicated to what she did. She wondered if Trina and Dora Tucker got along well together in the Cut-Ups.

“How are you doing, Beatrice?” She gave a short laugh. “I guess we could both be better, considering we’re at a funeral right now.”

“Oh, I’m doing fairly well. I feel bad for poor Flossie, of course. How are the Cut-Ups holding up?” asked Beatrice.

Trina said, “Well, we’re all shocked, naturally. I’m not saying Flossie couldn’t be hard to handle sometimes, but the fact that someone murdered her is simply unbelievable.” She shook her head. “Aside from that, I guess I’m doing all right. I’m looking to retire in the next few months.”

There seemed to be something of an epidemic of early retirement, Beatrice reflected. First Ralph, now Trina. Her surprise must have registered on her face because Trina said, “I know I’m a little young for retirement, but I’ve been good about putting away money from every paycheck.”

“You’re in insurance, aren’t you?” asked Beatrice.

“That’s right. For far too long. I’ve always found it a tedious job and I’ve never taken much pleasure in it.

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