Pawsitively Murder (Silver Springs Cozy Mystery Series Book 2) Page 12

  “We got lucky. We found a print. So we searched his house, and the final missing item was recovered. Erline is relieved.”

  “So what happens to him now?”

  “He’ll do some time, but from what we can tell, it had nothing to do with Felicity’s murder. Just terrible luck on Erline and Jeff’s part.”

  Detective Stevens parks behind Maggie’s car on the side of the road but she has one more question. “How did the jewelry end up in Vern and Felicity’s house? Did Felicity really steal it?”

  Detective Stevens shakes his head. “Nope. It turns out Vern knew it was there. From what he’s saying now back at the station, he really didn’t know April killed Felicity. He said April gave all the jewelry to him ‘for safe keeping’ on Saturday. It looks like this was all premeditated and April was trying to make it look like Felicity stole it so the attention wouldn’t be on April. A good move, but it wasn’t good enough. Thanks to you.”

  Maggie can feel his eyes on her. She meets his gaze and says, “Thanks for the ride,” and opens the door.

  “You really are a hard one to win over,” Detective Stevens says just before she closes the door.

  Maggie smiles to herself and gets in her car. She doesn’t know if Erline knows the good news yet so she heads toward her house. Telling Erline will be the cherry on her sundae . . . or Monday.

  CHAPTER 24

  Maggie parks on the street in front of Erline and Jeff’s house. Her headlights catch the orange tail of the cat she found prowling in the trees behind their house this weekend. The driveway is full of cars and Maggie wonders who is visiting.

  As soon as she knocks, the door is opened by a smiling Jeff and a beaming Erline. The news has reached them.

  “Maggie, I can’t believe any of this,” Erline gushes as she embraces Maggie in a bone crushing hug.

  “I guess I didn’t have to come by. I was just going to tell you that April Newcomb was arrested for Felicity’s murder and I just confirmed that it was Mitch Cable who broke into your house.” Erline ushers her inside. “I’m so sorry to have to tell you that it was a friend who robbed you. Well, April did too, but it was Mitch this weekend.”

  Erline’s good mood can’t be ruined, even with the news that Mitch has betrayed her friendship. Jeff heads to the stairs and waves to Maggie as he climbs them. Erline brings Maggie into the living room where Ginger Rae and Winona are drinking wine.

  “We’re celebrating,” Winona tells Maggie and holds up her wine glass in a toast. Maggie mirrors the gesture with her empty hand.

  After Erline sits, she addresses Maggie’s news. “It really is too bad that Mitch felt the need to break into my house, but now that he’s behind bars and the missing item has been recovered,” she holds out a skeleton key on a necklace, identical to Ginger Rae’s that she wears around her neck every day, “we can all relax again.”

  The three older women exchange glances while sipping wine and Maggie wonders what they’re not telling her. Ginger Rae breaks the uncomfortable silence. “Maggie, Mitch’s break in had nothing to do with Felicity’s murder, but it was related to your parents’ murder.”

  Maggie shakes her head. It can’t be possible. She solved her parents’ murder four months ago. They were killed over a secret they were keeping, but Maggie has yet to learn what that was. Then it dawns on her. “You know the secret they were hiding. The one that got them killed and got me kidnapped.”

  The three women nod their heads. “And these keys,” Erline and Ginger Rae hold theirs up, “are part of the secret.”

  Maggie turns her attention to Winona who says, “I have a third key. They unlock the powers in an object your parents were keeping safe.”

  “Powers?” Maggie asks skeptically.

  The women nod again, giving Maggie a chance to take in this information.

  “We don’t think we’re safe. The individuals who are coming after this information aren’t going to stop. The secret has been let out and we have two options—we can destroy everything and lose the secret forever, or we can unlock the mystery and make it available,” Erline explains. “Once it’s unlocked, we lose all control over who accesses it.”

  “But we want your help,” Winona finishes and the other two women nod a third time. “And Clem’s. It only seems right. Your parents were involved and they left everything to the two of you. You’re the right people to help make this decision.”

  Maggie can tell that this request is not coming lightly, and that it will not be resolved quickly. She thinks about Garth and the business they’ve run together for 17 years. She’s almost 53. Is it time to give that up and move back to Silver Springs and help Clem with the family business?

  As if the women can read her mind, Erline asks, “Doesn’t Clem need help at Two Sisters? You could work there.”

  For the first time ever, this idea doesn’t twist Maggie’s stomach into knots. She’s thoroughly enjoyed spending the last few days with Drew and she wonders if he feels the same way. Her relationship with Clem is on the mend and it would be nice to reconnect with her while they’re still young enough to enjoy a long friendship.

  “I’ll think about it,” Maggie says, and she means it. “But for now, I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep. I’m going back to Clem’s.”

  The women all smile and stand to offer her hugs. “Let us know what you decide, whenever you decide,” Ginger Rae says at the front door. Maggie doesn’t look back but she acknowledges the comment with a wave before she gets into her car.

  In Clem’s driveway, Maggie parks next to Drew’s white SUV and she can’t keep the smile from her face. She’s glad he’s here. She joins her sister on the couch in the middle of a conversation about Felicity.

  “I was just telling Drew that Felicity called again,” Clem says, catching Maggie up.

  “What did she have to say this time?” Maggie asks.

  “Thankfully I’d just heard that April had confessed—and had threatened to kill you—so I could tell Felicity what happened. She was speechless.”

  Maggie nods. “I still can’t believe someone would kill their own sister. It just doesn’t make sense.”

  Clem and Maggie’s eyes lock and there’s a moment of silence until Drew coughs uncomfortably. “Well, I’ll get going then,” he says and stands. “I’m glad this all got straightened out. And that you made it out of Vern’s house alive,” he adds to Maggie.

  “So am I,” she tells him. “Thanks for making sure that happened.” His smile is contagious and Maggie can’t keep another one off her face.

  “Have a good night,” he says, and lets himself out the front door.

  Maggie and Clem stay on the couch. Maggie breaks their comfortable silence first. “I was thinking, if you need help with the store, maybe I can extend my stay a little bit. Just to see how things go with us both working there.”

  Clem doesn’t respond right away and Maggie looks at her sister to gauge her reaction. Clem is smiling. “I wondered when you would offer. Why’d it take you so long?”

  Maggie can’t help but laugh, a little nervously. She’s making a huge change that could affect the rest of her life.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Ginny Gold lives in the high Rockies and wouldn’t trade it for the world. She loves anything outdoors—especially skiing, cycling, and gardening, though living at over 9,000 feet does make for a short growing season. You can also find her volunteering with local nonprofits and schools when she’s not cooking up her next cozy mystery for her loyal readers.

  BEFORE YOU GO . . .

  If you enjoyed this installment of the Silver Springs Cozy Mystery Series, be sure to join my FREE COZY MYSTERY BOOK CLUB! Be the first to know about new releases, promotions, sales, new recipes, and even be entered to receive advanced reader copies. Join the club here—http://www.ginnygoldbooks.com

  OTHER BOOKS BY GINNY GOLD

  Silver Springs Cozy Mystery Series

  Author’s Note: This series is best enjoyed when read in ord
er.

  Pawsitively Deadly

  Maggie Boothe has found herself in a bind. Her parents are dead—suspected suicide—but her twin sister doesn’t believe it. And Maggie is the one with the skills to find out the truth. But she wants nothing to do with her hometown that harbors nothing but bad memories.

  Maggie agrees to spend two weeks in the small Colorado resort town of Silver Springs, investigating what really happened to her parents. After only a few hours back home, strange things start happening. And they keep piling up.

  Maggie finds herself listening to the advice of a tea leaf reader, going on a date almost every night, and following leads that bring her nowhere. She isn’t sure she wants to know the truth if it means turning her own world upside down.

  Pawsitively Murder

  Maggie Boothe is stunned when a second murder in Silver Springs brings her back to her small hometown. Immediately upon her arrival, her parents’ friend, Erline, confesses she might be in trouble and Maggie knows she made the right decision to come and help.

  With the assistance of Maggie’s new friend—and possible heartthrob—Drew Kent, she’s able to come up with a list of possible suspects. But when Erline’s house is broken into, Maggie wonders if the theft is connected to the murder and how that will change her investigation. What goes missing makes Erline’s heart stop.

  A shocking discovery at the end of her investigation changes Maggie’s life forever, and she’s not sure she’s ready to take on the next chapter alone.

  Pawsitively Lethal

  Maggie can’t believe she and her twin sister, Clem, are turning 53. Celebrating in Silver Springs isn’t exactly what she’s hoping for, but she goes along for the ride. And she’s thankful she did when what should have been a carefree birthday party turns into a murder crime scene.

  With plenty of family members of the victim coming under suspicion, Maggie thinks she’s hot on the trail of the murderer. It’s only when Ginger Rae, friend of Maggie’s and aunt to the deceased, shares a little known secret with Maggie that the path might have to change drastically.

  Suddenly, with more questions than answers, Maggie worries she’s been chasing dead ends and the killer could have already gotten away with murder. Could this case be related to previous crimes committed in Silver Springs? And if so, who could possibly be on the suspect list?

  The Early Bird Café Cozy Mystery Series

  This series can be read and enjoyed in any order.

  Rise and Die

  Kori Cooke loves living in her hometown of Hermit Cove and running her dream business—The Early Bid Café. For two years, she’s been the sole breakfast spot in town so when culinary rival, Tessa Doyle, moves to the small town, Kori can’t help but think she’s just there to compete.

  Suddenly, Tessa’s Sunrise and Shine café is under attack, with a rock through the window on Monday morning. Kori knows she’s innocent, but still doesn’t feel much empathy for her breakfast nemesis. But when Kori gets arrested and grilled by Detective Gunn and childhood friend Lieutenant Zach Gulch, she can’t help but wonder if she’s the new target.

  And when things escalate to Tessa’s murder, Kori comes under more scrutiny. Will she and best friend Nora Farmer be able to crack the case before she’s on the receiving end of a deadly dish? Or is she in more danger than she realizes and should skip town to avoid the heated investigation?

  INCLUDED: In The Kitchen with Ginny Gold—Goat Cheese Omelets and The Early Bird Café’s menu!

  Deadly Surprise

  Kori is over the moon excited to be going on a date with none other than Lieutenant Zach Gulch, childhood crush and stunner to look at. But that thrill is quickly stifled the next day when Zach reveals that family DNA showed up at a crime scene in nearby Scoter Circle.

  They both know the DNA isn’t Kori’s but it belongs to a close male relative. With her father long dead and her cousin Tyler living across the country, that only leaves Jay as a suspect. And it turns out his gun was also in the right place at the wrong time to pin everything on him.

  Now, Kori and Jay have a list of online dating profiles that become the top suspects, starting with the deceased’s violent ex-husband. Will they be able to find the real killer before Jay is behind bars with a guilty conviction for a murder he barely knows anything about? And why did the murderer try to frame him—he hadn’t been in touch with Heidi for years.

  As the questions pile up, they hope the body count stays at one.

  INCLUDED: In The Kitchen with Ginny Gold—Breakfast (or lunch) Smoothies straight off The Early Bird Café’s menu!

  Dead and Berried

  Summer is in full swing and Hermit Cove is hosting the county’s annual Summer Strawberry Festival. Kori’s Early Bird Café has a front and center booth where she’s selling sweet breakfasts and desserts all day. Best friend Nora Farmer is supposed to occupy the booth directly across from hers near the entrance where business will be best, but when she fails to show up on the opening day, Kori knows something is wrong.

  And it couldn’t be more wrong. A body is found on Nora’s property and next to it is a pint of poisoned strawberries. All fingers are pointing at Nora. And when a bloody shovel turns up in her barn, things look like they’re taking a turn for the worse.

  With such a busy weekend will Kori have time to help clear her best friend’s name? Or will Nora have to take the fall for a murder she didn’t commit? They worry that Nora could be the next target if they can’t solve the case fast enough.

  INCLUDED: In The Kitchen with Ginny Gold—Her Secret Recipe for An All Natural Cleaner!

  Croaked Wheat

  Kori Cooke’s life is heating up in the kitchen, and in the bedroom. Things seem to be falling into place—finally—with long time eye candy, Lieutenant Zach Gulch. But that doesn’t mean everything else in Hermit Cove is just peachy.

  When best friend, Nora Farmer, finds a body in a delivery of grain for her farm, Kori is immediately by her side and ready to find whoever is responsible. But the suspect list is growing without finding any real answers: a jilted mistress, a greedy wife, and ex-coworkers who might have been up to no good.

  But Kori’s mission of finding justice gets put on the fast track when Nora goes missing and Kori worries that the killer has kidnapped her for getting to close to the trail. Will Kori be able to save Nora in time or will she be the next body to be found? Kori finds help in unlikely places, but has to question everyone’s information and whether she can trust it.

  INCLUDED: In The Kitchen with Ginny Gold—Baking with Gluten Free Flours!

  Smashed Potatoes and Gravy

  Kori Cooke is excited for Thanksgiving. Not only is she hosting Thanksgiving at The Early Bird Café, but she’s also throwing a baby shower that same week for her good friend Jenna Rhodes. But when Jenna is late to her own shower, Kori knows something is wrong.

  A dead body is found on Jenna’s property and she suddenly finds herself in jail, and nearly ready to pop she’s so pregnant. Kori knows Jenna can’t be guilty, but then who is?

  Kori gets dragged into the investigation and is hot on the trail to the real killer, only to find out it’s a dead end. As she looks for more and more clues, she starts questioning if she might know the murderer, and even be their friend. Kori isn’t sure who could be guilty, but she knows for sure she has to find out before the killer notices her tracks.

  Will one of Kori’s friends go to jail for a crime they didn’t commit? Or could she be blind to the truth because she doesn’t want to see who the real killer is?

  INCLUDED: In The Kitchen with Ginny Gold—Thanksgiving Day Menu!

  Gingerdead Man

  Christmas is just around the corner and Kori is busier than ever. She has the town cookie exchange, Secret Santa at The Early Bird Café and plenty of time spent with family. So when she finds a dead body in the parking lot of the café, her work load just about doubles as she hunts down the killer.

  By Christmas Eve, Kori has plenty of questions but not enough answers
. Boyfriend, Lieutenant Zach Gulch, tries to warn her away from the investigation but all of his pleas fall on deaf ears. Even a warning from the killer can’t keep Kori off the trail as she thinks she’s getting closer.

  But a single wrong turn could spell disaster for Kori. Will she be able to find the right lead before she’s added to the body count?

  INCLUDED: In The Kitchen with Ginny Gold—A Special Gift For You!