Strawberry Shortcake to Die For (A Liana Campbell Cozy Mystery Book 2) Page 3

  “Oh, I brought your mail in,” Anne replied.

  Rather than hand the envelopes over, she began to go through them one at a time. Liana really wanted to tell her mother to stop rifling through her mail and quit answering her cell phone. Instead, she bit her tongue. Anne meant well and besides, soon she would be going home.

  “It’s Saturday,” Rusty announced, as though Liana was unaware.

  “Yes,” she agreed. “It is.”

  “You don’t have to work tonight, do you?” he asked.

  “No, my employee is scheduled to work. Why?”

  “I’m taking you and your mother to Chester’s restaurant tonight,” Rusty informed her.

  “Dad, that’s really nice but my to-do list is about ten miles long. I should stay here and get stuff done tonight. Why don’t you two have a date night, just the two of you?” Liana suggested.

  Really, she wanted to sprawl out on the sofa and binge watch Netflix without being interrupted fifty million times. She and Fluffy were used to living alone. Suddenly having two more people in the house was a lot to get used to, and Liana was craving some peace and quiet. But she couldn’t exactly admit that to her parents.

  “We want you to come with us tonight!” Anne insisted. “Your to-do list can wait.”

  “Fine,” Liana relented.

  She didn’t feel like arguing...and not having to cook dinner did sound nice. Besides, going to Chester’s restaurant would give her a chance to do some snooping on Clarissa’s behalf. Being a reporter’s best friend was a tough job, but someone had to do it.

  Suddenly Liana gulped.

  “Are you feeling okay?” Anne asked right away. “You look pale.”

  “I...I heard something about Chester,” Liana said apologetically. Then, as gently as she could, she broke the shocking news. “Word around town is that he didn’t die of a heart attack after all. Apparently he was poisoned.”

  “Well that’s a relief,” Rusty said. “Now I can stop exercising!” Then Liana’s words sank in. “Poisoned, huh? What kind of poison was it? Do you mean to say Chester was murdered? Who would do such a thing?” he demanded, talking a mile a minute.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Huh.” Rusty seemed to be all out of questions. He sat down on the couch, looking lost.

  “How terrible for Chester’s family,” Anne murmured, shaking her head. “We should do something more than send a card. Since we’ll be in the city tonight anyway, let’s deliver some flowers to the house. Or would a meat tray be better?”

  And just like that, Liana had an in.

  She was going to meet Chester’s family.

  Who knew sleuthing could be so easy?

  Chapter 05

  Saturday afternoon was the perfect time to take a drive to Green City. The weather was mild and the sun was shining brightly. It made the snow in the ditch sparkle like diamonds. Everything looked fresh and clean and beautiful.

  Soon it would turn to slush. It was that time of year again, when temperatures frequently crept above freezing. Before long, everything would be melted, brown and mucky. But for the time being, the view was lovely.

  Liana leaned her head against the window of her parents’ car and gazed out at the scenery. She was glad she had agreed to spend the day with them. Sure, she’d had to give up her Netflix marathon...but that could wait. Family was more important.

  After a quick stop at a florist in Green City, the Campbells were ready to visit the Atkins residence. Liana carefully held a beautiful yet tasteful bouquet as her parents attempted to find the correct address.

  She knew better than to suggest they use the car’s built-in GPS. That wouldn’t go over well. Her parents were somewhat technologically impaired. She knew from prior discussions that they were adamantly against attempting to use the GPS. It was mostly because they didn’t know how to work it and refused to learn.

  “I don’t see it!” Anne complained as she peered out the front passenger window.

  “Get the map out,” Rusty suggested.

  Liana stifled a sigh as her mother unfolded an impossibly large map, accidentally elbowing her father in the head in the process. It wasn’t the first time she had witnessed such antics, and she was sure it wouldn’t be the last.

  Why weren’t maps a thing of the past? Why wrestle with all that paper when an address was a simple click or two away? Liana pulled out her phone, thinking she would sneakily look up the location on her handy dandy GPS app. Unfortunately, her battery was dead.

  Maybe there was something to her parents’ method after all, Liana mused.

  “I still don’t see it!” Anne complained.

  “Are you looking in the right spot?” Rusty asked.

  “I don’t know!”

  “Let’s see,” he said, reaching for the map.

  “Not while you’re driving!” Anne chastised him. “Pull over first.”

  “Okay.”

  After what seemed like an impossibly long time, Liana’s parents finally figured out where they needed to go. And, after what felt like fifty wrong turns, they eventually reached their destination. It was a good thing, because Liana’s patience was wearing thin.

  She looked at the modest bungalow they had pulled up in front of. She suddenly felt uncertain, like she and her parents were about to intrude on something private. She unbuckled her seatbelt but then just sat there in the backseat, hesitating.

  Anne opened Liana’s door. “I’ll take the flowers,” she said, reaching for the bouquet.

  Liana handed the flowers over, but still didn’t unbuckle her seatbelt.

  “Are you coming?” Anne asked.

  “Are you sure this isn’t weird?” Liana asked anxiously. She was no etiquette expert, so she really had no idea what was or wasn’t appropriate. All she knew was that she felt strange.

  “Why would this be weird?” Anne looked puzzled.

  “I don’t know. I mean, we’re turning up at Mrs. Atkins’ house unannounced. We’re not family or even close friends. I’ve never even met these people. You’ve only met them once, and that was years ago. Are we overstepping?”

  “Dad and Chester were childhood buddies,” Anne reminded Liana. “It’s fine. Come on.”

  Reluctantly, Liana unfastened her seatbelt and climbed out of the car. Then she followed her parents up the front walk and watched as her dad rang the doorbell. As they waited for someone to come to the door, Liana felt her anxiety grow.

  Eventually, a teenager came to the door.

  He was a stocky, ruddy-faced boy of about sixteen. He had reddish blonde hair that was buzzed short. He also had a sour expression on his face. Maybe it was typical teen angst, but Liana got the impression he thought the world owed him something.

  “Yeah?” he asked gruffly as he eyed the Campbells. “What do you want?”

  “Is your mother home, young man?” Rusty asked.

  “Hang on,” he said. Then he turned around and shouted, “Mom! People are here!”

  A moment later, a pleasantly plump woman came to the door.

  She had a dark bob, square framed glasses and the same round nose as her son. Liana noticed she was graying at the temples. She had to be in her fifties, at least. If she had a teenager, then she must have been an older mother, Liana noted.

  That was nice to see. It gave Liana hope that, even though she was approaching thirty and still single, it wasn’t too late for her. Maybe someday she could have a family and white picket fence. It was a pleasant thought, anyway.

  “Adelle?” Rusty asked.

  “Addy,” she corrected him. She was looking at him as though she couldn’t quite place him.

  Rusty cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose you remember me. We met a number of years ago at Chester’s restaurant. My name is Rusty Campbell, and this is my wife Anne and our daughter Liana. I was a childhood friend of your husband’s. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I -”

  “I’ll stop you right there,” Addy interrupted, much to Liana’s surpri
se. “Chester and I weren’t together. We hadn’t been for a long time. He moved out over a year ago. So thank you for coming by to pay your respects but that really, really isn’t necessary.”

  Rusty and Anne exchanged a shocked look.

  Liana knew exactly what her parents were thinking. They were wondering how on earth they could tactfully remove themselves from the awkward situation. Liana was wondering the same thing herself.

  “W - well...maybe we can leave these flowers here for your son,” Anne stuttered. She held the bouquet out to the teenaged boy. “I’m so very sorry about your father.”

  The boy’s ruddy face grew even redder. His nostrils flared as he yanked the flowers from Anne’s hands. “You’re sorry? Yeah? Well that makes one of us!” he said angrily. Then he threw the flowers down on the front step so hard that the glass vase they were in shattered.

  “Mikey!” Addy hollered. “What were you thinking? Apologize right now!”

  “I’m sorry you ever married my idiot father - and I’m glad he’s dead!” the teenager screamed. Then he retreated into the house and stomped up the stairs so hard that all the photos hanging on the wall shook.

  Liana noticed the photos were all of Addy and Mikey. There wasn’t a single one of anyone else.

  “I’m so sorry about my son,” Addy said, clearly embarrassed. “He didn’t take the separation well. He’s...well, he’s been going through a lot lately. But that’s no excuse for his abhorrent behavior,” she added. “Hang on. He needs to come down here and apologize.”

  The Campbells stood there silently. No one was quite sure what to say.

  “Mikey!” Addy bellowed. “Get down here right now!”

  “No!” he bellowed from upstairs. “I’m not sorry!”

  Addy gave the Campbells a charming smile. “Will you please excuse me for just one moment/” she asked sweetly. Then she turned and galumphed up the stairs. She moved purposefully, like a woman on a mission.

  “What do we do?” Rusty whispered. “Should we make a run for it?”

  “Yes!” Liana nodded emphatically.

  “Absolutely not!” Anne exclaimed at the same time. “That would be rude!”

  “You want to talk about rude? That brat threw the flowers we brought on the ground,” Liana pointed out, still upset over the teenager’s awful behavior. “He makes us look like etiquette experts in comparison.”

  “It’s true,” Rusty agreed as he eyed the car longingly.

  Suddenly Addy came marching down the stairs. Mikey was right behind her, his head hung low. Apparently something she had said to him had convinced him to do the decent thing. Liana could understand why. Something about Addy’s no nonsense demeanor was downright intimidating.

  As Addy stood off to the side with her arms folded expectantly, Mikey raised his head. He reluctantly made eye contact with Anne. “Sorry for smashing the vase,” he mumbled, looking as though he wished he could disappear.

  “Now go back to your room,” Addy instructed. “No TV, no tablet....come to think of it, no electronic devices at all. You know the drill.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Mikey said sheepishly. Then he practically ran upstairs.

  “Again, I’m so sorry about my son’s behavior,” Addy told the Campbells apologetically. “As I said, he’s been going through a lot. I’m not trying to make excuses for him, mind you. I simply want you to understand where his anger is coming from. It certainly wasn’t directed at you.”

  “It’s understandable that he’s angry,” Anne said gently. “After all, his father passed away.”

  “Oh, no. That’s not it at all. Mikey was having problems long before that,” Addy confided. “It’s his father’s disgusting behavior that gave him anger issues. I’ve had him in therapy for the past little while to try to give him an outlet for his emotions. It’s been a real struggle.”

  Once again, the Campbells stood there feeling awkward. What were they supposed to say?

  “I, uh...we should be going,” Liana finally said, grabbing her mother’s arm so that Anne wouldn’t try to keep chatting. There was no need to prolong the agony of the uncomfortable, surreal encounter.

  ***

  “Well that was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon,” Rusty said sarcastically once they were back in the car. “I can’t quite believe that happened. And I’m shocked by what Addy had to say about Chester! Talk about disrespectful!”

  “They were separated, plus Addy is likely grieving in her own way,” Anne reminded him. “People tend to focus on the negative when they’re hurting. Addy was probably exaggerating about how awful Chester was, dear.”

  “But what sort of bad behavior was she alluding to?” Liana wondered aloud.

  “Maybe he had an affair or a drinking problem or a gambling addiction,” Anne speculated. “There are any number of things it could be, really. The bottom line is, it’s none of our business.”

  “It may not be any of our business, but aren’t you still dying to know?” Liana asked.

  “I’m dying to eat!” Rusty piped up. “Let’s go get some grub!”

  “I can’t help but feel we just gave flowers to Chester’s killer,” Anne mused as she fished her sunglasses out of her purse. She made the comment in such an offhand, casual way that it took a moment for her words to sink in.

  “Mom!” Liana exclaimed in horror.

  “What?” Anne asked innocently.

  “You can’t go around making accusations like that!”

  But even as she scolded her mother, Liana couldn’t help but grow suspicious.

  Chapter 06

  “Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite cop.”

  Sam Swanson wasn’t wearing his uniform, but it was still easy to recognize him. He was tall and dark haired, with broad shoulders and a stoic expression on his face. He was young, ambitious and completely humorless.

  Some people thought he was a jerk, but Liana had come to find his gruff demeanor endearing.

  “Hey,” he said, giving her a nod as she climbed out of her parents’ car.

  “What are you doing here?” Liana asked as he unlocked his truck.

  “Getting my phone out of my truck,” he replied.

  “No, I mean here,” Liana clarified. “What brings you to Green City?”

  “Considering we’re in a restaurant parking lot, I assume it’s the same thing that brought you here,” Sam replied. “I’m here to eat.”

  Liana fought back a smile. Sam was so, so bad at making small talk. It was almost laughable. He was a regular at her coffee shop and he always tipped well. But if there was one thing the introverted police officer despised, it was chit chat.

  “Hello, young man!” Anne interrupted as she scrambled out of the front passenger seat of the car. She extended her hand and waited expectantly for Sam to shake it. “I’m Liana’s mother, Mrs. Campbell. But you can call me Anne. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

  She was laying the charm on thick. It was bizarre, even for her.

  Sam looked bewildered. So did Rusty, who was watching the scene unfold with amusement.

  Liana felt bewildered...until it dawned on her that her mother had things all wrong. Oh dear.

  “Is Amy here?” Liana asked Sam.

  He nodded.

  “How nice!” Then Liana turned to her mother and pointedly explained, “Amy is Sam’s fiancee. You remember Amy Owens, don’t you? I went to school with her. She and Sam are getting married.”

  Anne gathered up her scarf and tossed the end over her shoulder with an indignant huff. “It’s chilly out here,” she announced, even though the late afternoon sun was shining down brightly. “Dad and I will meet you inside, Liana. Come on, Rusty.”

  Anne practically dragged Rusty into the restaurant, she was walking so fast.

  Sam gave Liana a curious look. “Is your mother okay?”

  “She’s, uh...she’s my mother,” Liana replied with an embarrassed smile. Then she decided it was the perfect opportunity to pick Sam’s brain. “Hey, so
word on the street is that Chester Atkins was poisoned. People are saying he was murdered. Is it true?”

  Sam shot her an impatient look. “You sound like Clarissa,” he complained. “What, are you moonlighting as a journalist now?”

  “No, but I’m curious,” Liana replied.

  “You and the rest of Sugarcomb Lake,” Sam said with a roll of his eyes. “Well, except the people who should be curious, that is. I wish the guys down at the station were curious enough to investigate properly. They’re more interested in planning my bachelor party than in doing their jobs.”

  “You’re having a bachelor party?” Liana asked.

  Sam wrinkled his nose. “Not if I can help it. I’d rather stay home and watch hockey. I’m hoping if I keep pretending I’m busy, the clock will run out. They can’t throw me a bachelor party if I’m already married, right?”

  “Ah yeah, the big day is coming up soon, isn’t it? I’m excited for your wedding! Did I mail back my RSVP?” Liana asked. “I meant to, but I can’t remember if I did.”

  “Not a clue,” Sam replied. “I don’t pay any attention to that nonsense. If it was up to me, Amy and I would go down to the courthouse, sign some papers and be done with it. Weddings are a pain, not to mention a waste of time and money.”

  “You’re so romantic,” Liana deadpanned. “But back to my question. Was Chester poisoned?”

  “Yes,” Sam replied with a sigh. “We haven’t publicly released any details yet, but I may as well just tell you what we know. Maybe that will stop the spread of misinformation around town...although I have my doubts.”

  Liana chuckled. She knew all the gossiping in Sugarcomb Lake drove Sam batty. He wasn’t used to small towns, having grown up in the city. And he hated the way people speculated. In fact, he frequently complained about folks meddling in his work.

  “Okay, so here’s the deal,” Sam said. “The coroner noticed blood around Chester’s nose. A nosebleed isn’t a common symptom of a heart attack, so she got suspicious. Long story short, it turns out Chester ingested rat poison.”

  “Yikes!”

  “Yeah. Hey listen, I’d better get back to my table,” Sam said as they slowly walked toward the restaurant. If I take much longer, Amy’s gonna think I’m listening to the big game on the radio in my truck,” he joked. “See ya around.”