Killer Spring Read online

  “Is this about us thinking outside the square?” Jack asked.

  “Is that what you’re all calling it? If you must know, I had nightmares about a villain plotting my demise while they had a friendly chat with me about the weather. Remind me again, whose bright idea was it to make me the target?”

  “We were just tossing around ideas and looking at other possibilities. Isn’t that what you do with Jill?”

  “Since when do you all think what Jill and I do is right?”

  “Since you get results.”

  Yes, but even when Jill pointed the finger of suspicion at her, it felt different. Jill had fun with her but not that much fun. Mira and Jack, in particular, had thoroughly enjoyed shining the spotlight on her.

  Mira and David walked in laughing and chatting as if nothing had happened.

  “Oh, you’re both up. David was just saying he has a craving for French toast.” Mira cringed. “I tried to explain to him I’m out of practice.”

  In reality, Mira had never been much of a cook and, since Eve’s arrival on the island, she’d rarely had to do more than put the kettle on.

  Jack rubbed his hands together. “You get the bread, I’ll whip up the eggs. And, for once, Eve can watch.”

  As Eve sipped her coffee, she thought about the timeline. No one could have predicted she would bake a cake for Chad Burrows. Not even those who knew her best.

  Someone had been watching Chad’s house and she had provided them with the perfect opportunity to carry out their plan.

  Oh…

  What if someone had been watching Mira’s house? When they saw her leaving with a cake, they might have passed on the information.

  Eve made a mental note to start checking for curtains shifting and prying eyes. Jill had already teased her about taking precautions when she left the house. Clearly, a quick glance around wasn’t enough. She’d have to grow eyes on the back of her head.

  Sliding off her stool, she started setting the table for breakfast.

  Bernice Glover could not possibly be the killer, she reasoned.

  Why would she kill her boyfriend? They weren’t married so she wouldn’t inherit from him. If she’d wanted to break up with him, she would have ended the relationship and walked away.

  Regardless, Eve decided to play around with the idea.

  She pictured Chad’s girlfriend arriving home, seeing the cake and thinking she had the perfect opportunity to seek her revenge.

  Eve mentally drummed her fingers…

  Bernice hadn’t baked a cake at the farmhouse. Otherwise, the aroma would have lingered. Had she used Eve’s cake?

  Eve pictured her scraping off the frosting, sprinkling the peanuts…

  Where did she get the peanuts from?

  Eve didn’t think Chad had kept peanuts in the house. And, as Chad’s girlfriend, Bernice would have abstained from eating peanuts. Without researching it, she assumed kissing someone who’d just consumed peanuts might trigger a reaction.

  Eve knew Jill would have jumped at the chance to research the subject.

  Sighing, she realized she would have to come clean with her.

  Tapping a finger against her bandaged hand, she started compiling a mental list.

  They needed to find out if Bernice Glover had lived with Chad. Even if she hadn’t, she would be the most obvious person to have stumbled upon the cake. But why would she want to kill her boyfriend? What could she stand to gain?

  Had there been trouble in paradise?

  Eve stilled.

  Bernice Glover had tried to break up the fight and she had ended up falling on her butt.

  Instead of helping her, Chad had continued his argument.

  That could have been the last straw for Bernice. She could have vowed to get even with him. As the day progressed, she might have become angrier and more determined to teach him a lesson.

  Glancing around the kitchen, she searched for Mira’s notebook. She imagined the detective would want to speak with Bernice Glover, especially as she had been a witness to the altercation.

  He’d already spoken with people who had witnessed the argument at the Farmers’ Market. Eve had the distinct impression he wouldn’t simply accept her version of events and would continue to ask around until he was fully convinced Eve hadn’t stoked the flames.

  “Jack, if you were working the case, would you question Chad’s girlfriend?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Would she be a prime suspect?”

  “We’d have to find a solid reason for that.” Pushing out a breath, he shrugged. “Everyone’s a suspect, Eve. You know that.”

  “Would an abusive relationship be considered a solid reason?” Eve asked.

  “That would definitely put her at the top of the list.” He turned and looked at her. “Do you know something that might be helpful?”

  “Only what I saw the other day. Either Chad didn’t really care about her or he was so worked up, he didn’t think about helping her up. Mira, you and David will have to find a way to speak with her.”

  Mira smiled from ear to ear. “This is exciting. I’ve never played an active role in an investigation. Would you like savory or sweet French toast? I could do with some sugar. It might inspire some ideas. Actually, let’s all have sweet French toast. We should fill up on sugar and coffee before unleashing ourselves onto the wider community.”

  “This should be interesting.” Eve found Mira’s notebook. Frowning, she turned the pages.

  “Mira.”

  “Yes?”

  “Where’s Wallace Greenaway’s name? I thought you wrote it down?” When Mira didn’t answer, Eve grumbled, “You pretended to write it down?”

  “You were obsessed with adding his name, Eve. Anyone who heard you would think you were trying to create a distraction and divert attention away from yourself. I’m only looking after your interests.”

  “Mira, he’s the most obvious suspect because he has a foul temper and a long history of animosity.”

  “Isn’t that something the real killer would take advantage of?” Mira asked. “Wallace would never kill someone because he knows he’d be the prime suspect.”

  “Oh, I see…”

  Jack laughed. “Mira’s been hanging around you too long. She’s obviously learned from the best.”

  “I don’t like this game anymore. I think I’ll have breakfast at the inn.”

  “You’ve hurt her feelings,” David whispered.

  Eve walked out of the kitchen, but she didn’t get far. Several minutes later, she returned and she wasn’t alone.

  “Oh, good morning, Detective Forrester.” Mira drew out a chair for Phil Forrester. “Will you join us for breakfast?”

  “I believe I will.” He cast an appreciative glance at the skillet pan. “Is that French toast?”

  “The detective came here to tell us the note hasn’t been found,” Eve said, interrupting the amicable chatter. “He has also mapped out my journey to Chad’s farm. Another witness has come forward to say they saw me make a turn into the farm.”

  “That’s good news, Eve. It shows people are prepared to talk and share information.” Mira set a plate down in front of the detective. “I hope you like your French toast sweet.”

  Phil Forrester smiled from ear to ear. “I also have this.” The detective set a folder down on the table. “They’re photographs of the Farmers’ Market. We could look at them after breakfast.”

  “Oh, no. I couldn’t possibly wait.” Mira spread them out on the table and everyone gathered around to look at them.

  Phil Forrester went on to say, “We’re trying to identify everyone who appears in them. It’s quite possible the killer might be in one of them.”

  Mira pointed at one of the photos. “Oh, look, Eve. That’s you.”

  “Yes, and the photos are all in sequence.” Phil Forrester sounded excited. “These ones show you with a young woman.”

  “That’s Jill Saunders,” Mira explained. “She works for Eve at the i
nn.”

  “And that’s you, Eve, lunging forward.” The detective looked at Eve and smiled. “The next photo shows you standing in front of the stalls and it’s quite clear you’re trying to intervene. Although, some might read the situation differently and say you were lighting the fuse or stoking the flames.”

  Ignoring him, Eve searched the images for anyone interesting lurking in the shadows but all the early arrivals at the market had gone straight to the food stall for an early breakfast.

  She replayed the moment in her mind and remembered Jill complaining about not getting her coffee.

  If she could do it all over again…

  Eve sighed. Her instinct had compelled her to jump in and help.

  “I wonder if you might be able to walk us through it, Eve,” the detective said.

  Eve managed to smile. “Only if you promise not to use the information against me.” She pointed at a photo which captured everyone in action. It all looked quite confusing as they were all leaning forward. Eve frowned. “What’s that on Chad Burrows’ wrist?”

  “It looks like a bracelet,” Mira said.

  Eve looked up. “Are you able to confirm Chad had worn a bracelet?”

  Phil Forrester dug inside his coat pocket and drew out his notebook. After a moment he shook his head. “No. No bracelet.”

  “What are the chances he’d worn one of those bracelets that warn of an allergy?”

  “A medical bracelet,” Mira mused.

  “Yes.” And someone had gone to the trouble of removing it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The jig is up

  The Seabreeze Inn

  “You don’t have to stay here all day, Jack.”

  Jack stopped at the curb in front of the inn, leaned over and unbuckled her seat belt. She could have done it herself, but it seemed to make him happy.

  “Are you already bored with me?” he asked.

  “No, but… You might be.”

  “Eve, this might be news to you, but I doubt I’ll ever be bored with you around.”

  “Yes, well…” She gave him an impish smile. “I can be quite entertaining. Some people might even say I’m engaging.”

  “And let’s not forget quirky,” he said.

  They made their way up to the house. A couple of guests sat on the front porch. They both had their heads down, their attention on the books they were reading.

  There had been three deaths at the inn. Actually, Eve thought, strictly speaking, there had only been two deaths since the first one had happened before she’d purchased the house and turned it into an inn. Regardless, no one seemed to mind. The deaths had been covered by the media and, for a while, Eve had feared it would attract the wrong type of guest. Luckily, it hadn’t happened.

  The people who came to stay at the Seabreeze Inn wanted to enjoy peace and quiet, long walks around the many paths on the island and the long stretches on the beach. And, so far, no one had asked about the incidents.

  “Glad to see you smiling, Eve.”

  “I’m counting my lucky stars and all my blessings. At least Chad Burrows died on the mainland and nowhere near my inn.”

  Jack hummed under his breath.

  “What?”

  “Oh, nothing.”

  “And that means you’re thinking of something but you want to keep it to yourself because you think it will burst my bubble of joy. Come on, out with it.”

  “Don’t you want to hold on to your joy?”

  “I’ve learned to roll with the punches.”

  “Well… The death happened on the mainland, but you are somehow involved.”

  “Oh. Yes, I suppose you have a point. I’m the patsy. Still, I know I’m innocent.” When he didn’t agree with her straightaway, she grumbled. “Fine. You don’t have to say anything to make me feel better. I wouldn’t want you to become my yes-man.”

  “That’s a relief.”

  The front door opened and Jill’s Labradors came bounding toward her, their tails wagging with excitement.

  Jill followed, carrying a couple of sticks. “Good, you’re here. Take them out for a walk, I’m busy with the peas. I always thought they came straight out of a can or frozen packets. This is a revelation. They actually live in pods.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need me inside?”

  Jill shook her head. “These two have been sitting by the window waiting for you. I don’t know what’s come over them.” She swung on her heels. “Go play with them and don’t come back until they’re thoroughly exhausted.”

  “Is Jill okay?” Jack asked.

  “She will be… I just hope Gerard doesn’t teach her how to fillet and debone a fish. That might throw her over the edge. She probably still believes fishfingers come straight from the freezer section.” Eve sighed. “She’ll be fine.” Eve looked over her shoulder and brightened. “In fact, she’s going to be her old self again in no time.” She handed the sticks to Jack. “You know what to do.”

  “Hey, where are you going?”

  She gave him a wave and walked up to the car that had just pulled up.

  A young woman emerged, her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink, her short crop of brown hair sticking out in spikes.

  Eve spread her arms out. “Leah Thomson. You have no idea how happy I am to see you. Thank you for coming at such short notice. We’ll do the luggage later. Come inside, I want you to meet everyone. Starting with Jack.”

  They walked up to Jack and she made the introductions. “Leah used to work for me in the city. She’s an apprentice cook and I’m lucky I caught her between jobs. She’ll be staying with us for a while.” Inside, she introduced her to Samantha Beckett. “She takes care of the bookings and the guests.”

  A yelp was followed by the sound of thumping boots along the hardwood floor. A second later, Jill burst into the front parlor. “Did I hear right? You’ve hired a cook?”

  “And this is Jill Saunders who is ecstatic to meet you.”

  Jill tore off her apron and yelped again. “I didn’t think you’d take me seriously, but you did.” She grabbed Leah by the hand and took her through to the kitchen. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled at Eve, “Is she for real? Please don’t tease me. I don’t care if she’s part of a prank. We’re keeping her.”

  Since Leah already knew Gerard from her days working together at Eve’s restaurant in the city, Eve left them to it and went in search of Jack.

  She found him out in the yard wiping some doggy slobber from his hands.

  “When did you organize that?” he asked.

  “Last night while you were all trying to figure out how I killed Chad Burrows.”

  “We were doing no such thing.” When his phone rang, Jack threw both sticks for the dogs to fetch and wiped his hands again.

  The one-sided conversation ended with him looking pensive and then smiling.

  “Good news?” Eve asked.

  “That was Phil Forrester. He went through Chad’s house again and found a spare medical allergy bracelet in a drawer. Different color to the one he’d been wearing.”

  “You mean, the one he should have been wearing but wasn’t because someone went to the trouble of taking it off him.”

  “He said you did well to notice the bracelet.”

  “Wow. I’m impressed. I don’t usually get praise from you. We should have him over for dinner.” Eve bent down and gave the dogs some love and attention. “This is almost starting to feel like a normal day.”

  “We’ll figure this out, Eve.”

  “I’m not worried. Do I sound worried? Come on, throw the sticks or else Jill will accuse us of being bad parents.”

  Eve readjusted her bandage and grumbled. After playing fetch with Mischief and Mr. Magoo, Jack had received another phone call and had taken off saying he needed to check in at the precinct but would be back soon.

  That had been two hours ago.

  Eve thought about the way Jack had averted his gaze. It had looked suspicious. In fact, she wouldn’t be
surprised if he’d told her a little white lie.

  Had Phil Forrester found another lead? Perhaps one that pointed the finger of suspicion straight at her?

  “And what about Mira and David?” she murmured. They’d been away for longer than two hours. Just how many people had witnessed the altercation? Surely, they must have caught up with everyone by now…

  Mira hadn’t seen David in several weeks. Although, they spoke often on the phone. While she hadn’t complained about missing him, Eve knew there were days when she wished David would just move to the island and dropped in more often. What if they got sidetracked? She looked down at her phone. “And why aren’t they contacting me?”

  To her surprise, Jill had remained in the kitchen helping out with the lunch service. She had either found a new friend, or she wanted to mark her territory.

  There were ten couples staying at the inn. Once again, Eve thought about the many things she could do, even with only one hand, but she couldn’t scrape up the enthusiasm.

  Mischief stirred, found a comfortable spot and went right back to sleep, his head resting on Eve’s lap. Then, Mr. Magoo suddenly sprung up, sniffed the air and then flopped right back down, his head also resting on Eve’s lap.

  The sounds of laughter wafted from the kitchen. Jill seemed to be enjoying herself now.

  To her relief, Jill hadn’t said anything about Chad Burrows. That, Eve knew, could mean anything. She might be waiting for the right moment to confront her or she might be making her suffer in silence.

  With any luck, she hadn’t heard about Chad Burrows’ death.

  Eve snorted. What were the chances of the island grapevine not reaching the inn?

  Eve knew she couldn’t delay it any longer, but the moment she told Jill about Chad Burrows, there’d be hell to pay. Her young friend would subject her to a barrage of reminders about the many warnings she had issued, all to no avail.