The Retired Assassin's Guide to Country Gardening: A New Zealand Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Naomi Kuttner

Author:Naomi Kuttner [Kuttner, Naomi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

30

In which Eleanor is threatened

That afternoon, Eleanor was on her porch, sipping a gin and tonic in the fading gold of the late afternoon, when her phone rang.

It was an unknown number. Normally, she would ignore such intrusions, but her subconscious gave her a nudge, and she answered the call.

“Mrs Eleanor Graham?” came a familiar voice.

“Ah, Ted,” said Eleanor brightly. “How lovely to hear from you.”

“I made it clear back in the hotel that there would be consequences to sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong,” said Ted.

“The thing about communication,” said Eleanor, “is that it’s rarely as clear as we’d like it to be.”

“I heard the police were ready to make an arrest before you got involved,” said Ted. “Interfering in police business, asking questions all around town. You think you’re so clever.”

Eleanor didn’t bother answering this one. She knew she was clever. Also, letting other people speak their mind was usually the best option.

“Eleanor Graham. You think you’re so secure here in this town, with your heritage villa, and your little flower arranging group, and your gardening, and your new friends,” Ted went on. His voice dripped sarcasm and malice. “Well, I have news for you.”

“I would love to hear your news,” said Eleanor. Her heirloom roses were blooming, spreading their sweet, soft scent into the warm summer air. Bees and bumblebees were gathering the last pollen of the day, their sleepy humming a low and comforting drone.

“I’ve done my homework on you, dearie,” said Ted, and Eleanor made a face. Everyone she knew who used the word ‘dearie,’ had been an unspeakable villain. “Let’s see… I own the hall where your little flower arranging circle meets every week, and the lease is up for renewal next month. I’ll either double the rent, or simply boot you all out and lease it to someone else.”

Eleanor took another sip of her G&T. Ted could be vicious, she knew, and he had fingers in a lot of pies, but this was small fry. She’d been expecting more.

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m just getting started,” said Ted, as if he’d read her thoughts. “You know how I’m about to develop main street? I’ve been working closely with the town council members. They’ll basically do whatever I say. Very amenable. And you know what I think?”

“I’m sure you’re about to tell me,” said Eleanor. She did appreciate it when villains revealed their evil plans.

“I think the new access road would be better if it went on a slightly different route. It could go, for instance, right over an old but not particularly valuable row of houses. One to seventeen Fort St.”

Eleanor’s home was number one Fort St. She looked out over the golden English country garden, seeing it replaced with tarmac and painted road markings. And Ted was planning to do the same to her neighbours too? Just to satisfy a grudge. It was truly villainous.

“You are a piece of work, Ted Andrews,” she said.

“Thank you,” said Ted. “Now that you know I mean business, let me extend an olive branch.

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