Pawsitively Lethal (Silver Springs Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) Read online

  With an alarm set for seven thirty so she doesn’t miss her coffee date with the older women at eight, Maggie turns the light off and closes her eyes. Opal immediately curls her body between Maggie’s arm and stomach and they both fall asleep instantly.

  Monday morning comes far too quickly for Maggie’s liking but she resists hitting snooze. Opal is nowhere in sight. Usually Maggie wakes up to a cat trapping her on the bed or anxious to get outside. But this morning Opal has already left the house, likely through the dog door. The bedroom door is open just wide enough for a cat to slip through. Opal is getting braver if she’s suddenly no longer waiting for Maggie to open the bathroom window in the morning.

  Maggie takes a quick shower, brushes her teeth and throws on jeans and a flannel. She’s finally embraced the dress code of Silver Springs and adopted flannel as her go-to autumn top rather than her dressier choices when she lived in Denver. Opal is out of sight when Maggie looks out the bathroom window just before leaving.

  The house is silent—Clem is already at work and the dogs either don’t care about Maggie and are snoozing upstairs or are off roaming the neighborhood. Either way, Maggie doesn’t bother locking the house.

  On Main Street, the week’s hustle and bustle has already begun and Maggie is forced to park below ground in the parking garage. She walks quickly to the street, never completely comfortable with all of the places someone could lurk in the garage.

  At The Coffee Bean, only two shop fronts from the parking garage, Maggie sees Ginger Rae, Winona and Erline through the large front window. They occupy their regular spot on the tan couch. Maggie wonders if anyone else ever gets to sit there on weekday mornings or if the women have a silent understanding with everyone else in town that it’s reserved for them.

  Just before Maggie opens the front door, her taste buds already anticipating the hot cup of coffee she’s about to purchase, her cell phone rings. Debating ignoring it, she finally looks at the caller ID and sees Daniel Stevens’s name come up. She answers it, knowing the coffee will still be there when she’s finished talking to him.

  “Good morning Daniel,” she says as cheerfully as she can manage without any caffeine coursing through her veins.

  “Hi Maggie. I wasn’t sure you were going to pick up.”

  Maggie doesn’t respond, not wanting to tell him that she wasn’t planning to answer.

  “Anyway, I’m glad you did. We got some results back early this morning and I wanted to let you know what we found.”

  Maggie still doesn’t say anything, but now she’s happy she picked up.

  “The gun wasn’t Clara’s.”

  Maggie chuckles. She hopes it’s not loud enough for Daniel to hear.

  “Why do you laugh?” he asks, bursting Maggie’s hopes.

  “It’s just that Ginger Rae would have told you if it was. She knew there wasn’t a gun in her house.” Maggie feels a great need to defend the older woman.

  “And there’s no way that Clara could have brought it in without Ginger Rae’s knowledge?” Daniel’s tone is confrontational and Maggie wishes she’d kept her mouth shut. He is still upset over her relationship with Drew instead of him.

  Maggie bites her tongue, wanting to know what other forensics the police received. She glances in the window and sees Winona wave at her. She waves back and holds up two fingers, hoping Winona understands she means she’ll be inside in two minutes.

  “Sorry,” Daniel says. “You’re right. We should have trusted Ginger Rae. But now there’s proof besides just her word.” His voice has softened and he takes a deep breath. “The other thing we found, which could make or break this case, is blood on the windowsill. It’s not Clara’s. We think it could be the murderer, but we didn’t get any matches that were already in the system. The only person we can rule out is her birth mother because it wasn’t a familial match with Clara. But since she’s adopted, we can’t cross off her parents.”

  Maggie takes in this information. It’s great that she can now ignore Jessie as a suspect. Having one fewer person to look into will make her job that much easier. “That’s great. Her adoptive parents are in town. I can try to talk to them today.”

  “Great. I’ll talk to them too. So when you do, talk to them just as a friend of Ginger Rae’s. Don’t let on that you’re involved in this case at all.”

  Maggie doesn’t roll her eyes, though if she were twenty years younger she would. She’s used to being told what to do when it’s already painfully obvious.

  “And one final thing,” Daniel says before Maggie can hang up on him to relieve her frustration. “Stewart Cole was spotted in Silver Springs this morning.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Maggie’s breath stops. When she recovers, she asks, “He’s here? You’ve talked to him?”

  “He’s here, yes. No, I haven’t talked to him. I just got word that he was spotted walking on Main Street this morning. Check him out. I’ll send you a photo of him. We’ll keep looking at forensics. Keep me posted on what you find.”

  “Of course. Sorry I haven’t given you anything yet. Unfortunately I don’t really have anything to give.” Maggie considers the conversation about the keys and time travel but keeps her mouth shut. She doesn’t need Daniel thinking she’s crazy like she thinks Ginger Rae, Winona and Erline are.

  “Not all leads go anywhere,” Daniel says, the most friendly he’s sounded throughout their entire conversation. “We’ll talk when we have to.”

  “Thanks for calling.” Maggie hangs up and walks into The Coffee Bean, a text coming through just as she sits down. She glances at the screen and is staring back at a man with curly dark hair, brown eyes, and a very noticeable scar on his chin.

  “Who was that? An early morning call from Drew?” Erline teases as soon as the front door closes behind Maggie and she’s sitting with the three women.

  Maggie feels her face heat up but she can’t conceal the smile that spontaneously erupts at the sound of Drew’s name. She shakes her head, still no coffee in her hand. “No, it was Daniel. He wanted to update me on the forensics from Clara’s murder.”

  All three pairs of eyes look at her expectantly, waiting for Maggie to divulge the information she just acquired.

  Maggie looks around but no one is listening to their conversation. “But first I need a coffee. I’ll be right back. Everyone good?”

  Winona stands and refills her mug while Maggie orders and Erline launches into a story about her husband, Jeff, that only Ginger Rae hears. Maggie is handed a plain white mug, the least unique one she’s ever received at The Coffee Bean.

  Back on the couch, the women make more room for Maggie in the center so everyone can easily hear her. Maggie launches into the information Daniel told her, including the blood on the windowsill, Jessie no longer being a possible suspect, and Stewart’s sighting in Silver Springs. The women gasp at all the right places, but Ginger Rae’s face goes pale by the end.

  “Are you all right?” Winona asks Ginger Rae, putting her arm around her friend’s shoulder.

  “I know how hard this can be,” Erline says. “It’s far too close to home.” Having survived the murder of a friend in her own home last month, Erline can offer empathy the other women cannot.

  “It’s not that. Well, it is,” Ginger Rae mumbles. “It’s that the police are focusing on the wrong places. I know in my heart that this has to do with the keys. We have to figure it out before whoever killed Clara comes back again.” The fear in her eyes grows.

  “You know you can stay with me as long as you need to,” Winona offers.

  Ginger Rae looks at her. “You’ll probably be next. Think about it. Maggie’s parents in April; Erline last month. Now me. When are they going to come for you?”

  Color drains from Winona’s face. “You’re right.” She turns her attention to Maggie. “What can we do to help solve this and put an end to our danger?”

  Maggie nods slowly. “I agree. We have to solve this. But I think we have to cover all our bases too. I
want to learn more about Stewart Cole and I know who I have to talk to about him. I want to talk to Marla and David.” She looks to Ginger Rae for confirmation, who nods in agreement. “And we need to address Karl Jacobs.”

  Erline’s hands slap her thighs. “I forgot all about him as soon as you walked in with news from Daniel. That Karl Jacobs . . .” Her voice grows angry and her eyes cloud over in frustration.

  “And what about Valerie Hunt?” Maggie asks. “If she was willing to talk to Karl, maybe she’ll be willing to talk to me, too.”

  The women nod. “It’s worth a try,” Ginger Rae agrees. “I just can’t introduce you to her because I don’t know her myself.”

  There’s a short pause in the conversation before Maggie says, “So, Karl Jacobs. What can we do about his article? We have to let him know that it was unacceptable and restore Clara’s reputation.”

  “I think we write an editorial,” Winona suggests first.

  “Don’t we have to be an editor to do that?” Erline asks.

  Winona chuckles. “I never really thought about that. What about an opinion piece?”

  “That’s more like it,” Ginger Rae agrees. “Focusing on Clara’s untimely death and the struggles she faced when she was alive.”

  “But what about Karl? We can’t just let him get away with the article he published yesterday. Has anyone seen a paper today? Is there anything else in it about Clara’s murder?” Winona asks.

  The women all shrug. No one has picked up a paper. Maggie walks to the nearest table where a newspaper has been abandoned by an earlier customer and brings it back to the couch.

  The older women all lean in and look over her shoulders as Maggie flips through the pages. “At least nothing is on the front page,” Erline says. Any victory is a good sign.

  Stuffed in the back of the paper, nearly at the very end, they finally find Karl Jacobs’ contribution to the day’s news. It’s short and to the point, focusing on Valerie Hunt. All four women read it silently.

  One by one, everyone leans back into the cushions. “That slimy . . .” Ginger Rae starts, but she’s unable to find the words to finish her insult. “I can’t believe we let him into your house yesterday, Winona.”

  The article claims that Ginger Rae never wanted her niece living with her but couldn’t turn her away, as quoted by Valerie Hunt.

  “And Valerie too,” Maggie adds. “They seem to be in on this together. What could Valerie be getting out of it?”

  Ginger Rae shakes her head. “What’s Karl even getting out of it?”

  “Sensationalism. News that sells,” Winona explains quietly. She doesn’t want to appear to defend the weasel.

  “But it’s not even news!” Ginger Rae jumps up as quickly as her large body allows and stares down at the women. She runs a hand through her wild orange hair and pushes her round glasses back up her nose, having fallen forward with her faster than normal movement. “I need to go give him a piece of my mind.”

  Erline stands and blocks Ginger Rae from leaving, Erline’s small body not even half of Ginger Rae’s heft. But she manages to do the trick, blocking Ginger Rae in her tracks. “Do you really think that’s the best course of action? You’re upset right now. We all are, but especially you. Let’s have another cup of coffee and think about it before you do anything rash.”

  “Rash? It’s way past the time for rash!” Ginger Rae’s face turns red as a lobster.

  No one has a response.

  “But you’re right.” Ginger Rae sits down and hands Erline her mug, covered in black cat silhouettes. “Medium roast. Cream, no sugar. Thanks.”

  Maggie keeps her eye on Ginger Rae. She would probably react the same way if a relative was being bashed publicly by people who didn’t even know her. But losing her cool won’t help the situation any; it will only give Karl more fuel for his fire.

  Ginger Rae takes the offered mug and starts the brainstorming session. “What if we got some teens to egg his house?” The other women laugh but Ginger Rae doesn’t join in. “I was mostly serious,” she says sheepishly.

  “That won’t teach him anything,” Maggie objects. “Do we know anyone else who might have a connection to the Silver Times? It’s right around the corner, isn’t it?”

  The women all nod.

  “What about Drew? He knows everyone,” Erline suggests.

  Maggie pulls her phone from her handbag in front of her. “I’ll ask him.” She sends him a quick text and hopes that she hears back soon. “But just in case he doesn’t know anyone there, who else might?”

  “Daniel would,” Ginger Rae finally offers. “Call him back.”

  Maggie grimaces toward her lap so none of the women see her look of pain. She doesn’t want to talk to him again already. “I don’t think his relationship with a reporter would be the in we need,” she says, the first excuse she can come up with.

  It does its job. Everyone agrees.

  Maggie’s phone rings with a new message. Drew wrote, Ellen Furst, senior editor. She’s the wife of one of my colleagues. I can introduce you in 10 minutes before I head to work.

  Maggie shares the news and everyone is ecstatic. She responds, Meet you there, and they all finish their coffees and head out the door.

  The building that houses the Silver Times is just behind The Coffee Bean, on First Avenue. The four women stand outside the front door, basking in the sun because the shade is still too chilly on a mid-October morning. They’re all facing Main Street when they hear Drew’s voice behind them.

  “Morning, ladies,” he says and everyone turns. Maggie’s smile is the biggest.

  “Morning handsome,” Ginger Rae teases, pushing Maggie toward him.

  Maggie doesn’t resist. She accepts the kiss on her cheek and a quick hug. “So, Ellen Furst,” she says, making sure they get back on track. Maggie turns around and all three women are beaming at her.

  Drew coughs, catching sight of the women staring at them. “Yeah. I work with her husband. Come on inside. I called her to let her know we were coming. What’s this about anyway?” He holds the door open for everyone to enter the building.

  “One of their reporters didn’t do any favors to my niece,” Ginger Rae answers angrily, turning around so she’s facing Drew.

  Drew nods. “I read that. I’m glad I can help clear things up. Any leads on what happened?”

  “Not really,” Maggie says vaguely before anyone else can answer.

  They walk in silence, letting Drew pass everyone and lead the way to an office he seems to know. A woman wearing a dress suit and heels—an uncommon sight in Silver Springs—approaches them from down the hall and breaks into a smile.

  “Drew, thanks for letting me know you were coming. Why don’t we chat here?” She opens a door to a small conference room and all six of them sit around a table meant for more. “What can I do for you all?”

  Ginger Rae opens her mouth to explain their desire to get even with Karl Jacobs but Drew raises his hand to let him do the talking. “You heard about Clara Speed’s death on Saturday night, I’m sure.” He pauses to let Ellen nod. “This is her aunt, who Clara was living with at the time.” He introduces Ginger Rae first. “And some of her friends.” And then he introduces everyone else. “They’re upset about Karl’s piece yesterday that wasn’t quite all factual and would like to know how the situation can be remedied.”

  Maggie is impressed with his calm demeanor and tactful choice of words.

  “First, Ginger Rae, I’m so sorry for your loss,” Ellen starts. “And I apologize for anything Karl reported that wasn’t true. How about I work with you to release an article that explains who Clara was?”

  Ginger Rae nods but doesn’t smile. There’s no way to undo the article that was already published, but this seems like the best they could have hoped for.

  “Thank you Ellen. I appreciate that,” Ginger Rae says coldly.

  “I imagine everyone else has things to do today, so why don’t you come to my office and we’ll get started.
” Ellen stands, dismissing everyone at once.

  Ginger Rae follows her out of the conference room and Drew leads Maggie, Erline and Winona back out to the street.

  CHAPTER 15

  Suzie had an early start this morning. Immediately after finishing her kibble, she told her golden retriever housemate, Oscar, to keep both of his eyes on the spot in the yard where the cat collar is buried and she loped off toward the dog park. She’s been waiting for hours, the sun now past the midpoint of the sky.

  Today is unusual for Suzie. She’s hoping to find Barney at the park. His person was at her house last night and she wants to report to Barney what was talked about. The object Oscar is watching may be desired by their people, but their intentions were not clear.

  While she waits, Suzie skirts the edges of the fence around the whole dog park. Except for the side on the busy street through the center of town. She knows enough to keep her distance from people when she’s off the leash. She’s heard of dogs being caught by unfriendly individuals and she doesn’t want any part of that.

  Two sides of the dog park are along the woods. There are plenty of pine and aspen trees for her to take cover in. The third side that she explores is along a less busy street and she decides to take her chances when she hears a familiar voice.

  Yogi’s owner, Leah Scott, can be heard through the open window of a shop. Thanks to Suzie’s keen senses of smell and hearing, she easily identifies her.

  But it’s not Leah’s voice that ultimately brings Suzie into dangerous proximity with people who might not be pleased with her presence in town off a leash. It’s that of an angry woman.

  “What do you mean, there’s nothing you can do?” the woman shouts into her phone. “This is my daughter we’re talking about.”

  The hair on Suzie’s neck bristles. She doesn’t know who the woman is or what she’s talking about, but she senses great anger.

  “My daughter is dead and you’re telling me that the life insurance policy we’ve had on her since the day she was adopted is null?”