Death by Dumplings

Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Series Book 4

Hope Callaghan

http://hopecallaghan.com

Copyright © 2015

All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction.  Although places mentioned may be real, the characters, names and incidents and all other details are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual events or actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.  The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

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Visit my website for new releases and special offers:  http://hopecallaghan.com

A special thank-you to my mother-in-law, Sybil, one of the best Southern cooks on the planet, for sharing her Chicken and Dumplings recipe with me for this book.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Dot’s Delicious Chicken and Dumplings (The non-poisonous version)

About The Author.

Chapter One

The first thing Gloria noticed were the police cars surrounding Dot’s Kitchen.  The second thing she noticed was the police tape.  The bright yellow tape with black letters, POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS.

A cluster of black uniforms with holstered guns plastered to their hips crowded the sidewalk out front.  Even more were milling about inside.  All the parking spots in front of the restaurant were taken.  Cop cars, crime scene investigation vans.  There were some that even looked like unmarked police cars.   The closest spot Gloria could find was at the end of Main Street.  She pulled Anabelle in next to a Montbay County Crime Scene unit.

Today was Gloria’s first chance to make it into the little town of Belhaven after her sister, Liz, led her on a wild good chase through the Smoky Mountains.   She hoped to meet up with some of the other girls for coffee this morning and find out what she and her friend, Margaret, who went with her on the mountain trip, had missed.

Judging by all the action in front of the restaurant, it looked like they missed a lot!

Gloria’s brow furrowed in a deep line as she pushed the car door open.  Hopefully, Dot and her husband Ray were alright.

She locked the door and began the short walk down the sidewalk in the direction of Dot’s.

There were only two officers standing out on the sidewalk now.  They were just on the other side of the police tape, engrossed in conversation.  They didn’t hear Gloria come up behind them.  “… poisoned right there at the table.  That stuff was so strong it would’ve killed a horse.”

Her hand flew to her mouth.  Someone in the restaurant had been poisoned? What if it was someone she knew?  After all, their little town of Belhaven was so small, she knew almost everyone that ever ate there.

A lump lodged in the back of her throat.  What if it was Dot herself?

The officer closest to Gloria had his back turned.  She tapped on the young man’s shoulder.  “Excuse me…”

The conversation stopped. He twisted around to face her, his eyebrows raised.

“My friend, Dot.  She owns the restaurant.  Is she okay?”

The officer nodded.  “Last time I checked, the owners were around back on the patio.”

Gloria let out the breath she’d been holding.  At least Dot and Ray were okay!  And she knew exactly where they were at.  There was a small, covered patio area with a few picnic tables, just outside the rear entrance.  Dot and Ray kept tables out there for the employees to sit at when they were eating lunch or on break.

She wandered down the alley that ran along the side of the building and made her way to the back.  As she rounded the corner, she could see her friend, Dorothy “Dot” Jenkins and husband Ray sitting at one of the tables.

Gloria’s heart plummeted when she saw her friend’s face buried in her hands, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.  As she got closer, she could hear Ray talking to her in a low voice.  “Don’t worry, Dot, they’ll get this all straightened out,” he reassured his wife.  “We both know you didn’t poison anyone.”

For a second, Gloria hesitated.  Maybe this wasn’t such a good time for her to interrupt.  She started to back away, hoping they wouldn’t notice her.  She probably would’ve been able to escape if not for the dang planter in her path.  She backed straight into it.  The metal ornament teetered back and forth in slow motion before it tipped over and hit the cement with a loud clatter.

Dot’s head shot up as she followed the noise and spied her friend.  “Oh Gloria!  You’re back.”

Gloria pasted a smile on her face and took a small step forward.  “I was just coming in for a cup of coffee this morning…” her voice trailed off.  “What happened?”

Dot opened her mouth to speak but instead, burst into tears.  Gloria rushed over to the picnic table.  She sat down on the edge of the bench and wrapped her arm around her friend.  “It’s going to be alright, Dot.  Don’t you worry.”

Dot’s shoulders sagged forward.  She sobbed for several long minutes before pulling herself together.  Gloria stuck her hand in her purse and rummaged around inside.  She plucked a small pack of tissues out.  She handed them to Dot and waited as her friend pulled one of them from the package and blew her nose.

Ray patted his wife on the shoulder as he glanced worriedly toward the back door.  “I better go inside and see what they’re doing.”  He looked over at Gloria.  “You’ll be here for a few minutes?”  He didn’t want to leave his wife all alone by herself but he was anxious to see what, if anything, they were able to find.

Gloria nodded.  “I’ll stay out here ‘til you get back.”  She watched as he disappeared inside the restaurant before turning to her friend.  “What on earth happened?”

Dot drew a shaky breath, refusing to cave in to the overwhelming desire to start bawling again.  “I-I’m not really sure.  Everything was just fine when I came in this morning.  I was doing my usual morning routine.  Baking a batch of fresh cinnamon rolls for the coffee crowd, working on the chicken ‘n dumplings.” She paused.  “You know, Wednesday’s Dumpling Day.”

How could Gloria forget Dumpling Day?  Dot made the best chicken ‘n dumplings in the entire Midwest.  It was one of her busiest days of the week.  People from the neighboring counties would drive for miles just to taste Dot’s delectable dumplings.

Gloria nodded.  “Yes, of course.  I love your dumplings!”

Dot went on.  “Well, the coffee crowd came and went.  The place cleared out by 10:30 or so, which was a good thing.”  She grabbed another tissue and wiped her nose.  “You know how some of those chatty folks can be.  They like to sit around for hours and I have to keep running back and forth to the tables with fresh coffee while I’m trying to get ready for the lunch crowd.”

Gloria nodded sympathetically.  She knew some of the town folks were just lonely and Dot’s was their unofficial hangout.  But it was hard on Dot trying to keep up with them and do all her other stuff, too.

Dot continued.  “Anyways, I was making good time.  The dumplings were just right.  I even made an extra batch.  I had a hunch today was going to be extra busy.”

“What time did Jennifer come in?” Gloria wondered.  Jennifer was Dot’s part-time employee.  She’d been working at the restaurant for a few months now.

It was a win-win situation for both of them.  Jennifer’s family was in a pinch money-wise.  Her husband, Tony, was working down at his dad’s lumber mill trying to make ends meet.  Work at the factory, his regular job, had slowed down and they cut back on his hours.  The extra tip money from waiting tables helped pay the bills.

Dot stared off, deep in thought.  “Well… I think she got here right around 11.”

She went back to her story.  “The lunch crowd started wandering in closer to 11:30.  By then, Jennifer and I had everything pretty much ready to go.  Ray was in the back, firing up the grill and fryers.”

Just then, Ray’s head popped out from around the screen door.  “Everything okay?”  Gloria could see the concern etched on his face.

Dot turned a pair of red eyes to her husband.  “Yeah, I’m doing alright.  Just telling Gloria what happened.”

He nodded.  Without saying a word, he disappeared back inside.

Dot grabbed another tissue and dabbed at her eyes.  She must be getting to the bad part, Gloria decided.

“By noon, the restaurant was packed.  Jennifer and I were in front taking orders.  Ray was back in the kitchen, frying away.”  She paused.  “Funny thing, no one ordered the dumplings right away.” She cast a puzzled glance at Gloria.  “Normally, they order the dumplings right off the bat.”

“That does seem odd,” Gloria agreed.

“It had to be close to half an hour before the first orders came.  I fixed two heaping plates, added a bowl of biscuits, hot out of the oven, and carried them out front.”

Gloria was curious.  “Did you know the customers who ordered them?”

Dot shook her head.  “It was a man and a woman.  Their faces looked a little familiar.  Like I’ve seen them before, but they’re not like regulars or anything.”

Dot stopped, her face started to pucker again.  The flow of tears threatened to begin again.

“Then what happened?” Gloria prompted.  She couldn’t bear to see her friend cry like that.

“I walked back in the kitchen.  Jennifer was right behind me.  She said something about the table I just served wanted talk to me.” She took a deep breath.  “So I headed back out front.  The woman. She pointed to the dumplings and said they smelled funny.  Like, you know, chemically.”

“What did you do then?”

“Well, I asked the man if his tasted okay.  Apparently he thought so. He kept eating and said they were fine.”

She went on.  “I took hers back to the kitchen with me.  I made a small dish for myself.  Although I tried them right after they were done and they were good.  But that was earlier,” she added.

“What did the second dish taste like?” Gloria asked.

Dot made a sour face.  “I don’t know.  All I know is it smelled terrible.  That woman was right.  There was something wrong!”

She twisted the Kleenex around her finger as she fought to stay composed.  “I hustled back to the dining room to take the dish from the man but it was too late.”

Gloria sucked in a breath, waiting for what was coming next.

“By the time I got there, he was clutching at his throat.  He whispered that his throat was on fire right before he fell out of the chair and hit the floor,” she said.

Gloria clutched her own throat.  How could something like this happen?  Was it an accident?  Or did someone pour something into the pot on purpose?

Ray wandered back outside.  He put a hand on Dot’s shoulder and gently squeezed.  “The police are gone now but I’m sure they’ll be back.”

Dot whirled around to face her husband.  “And the man?”

Ray shook his head.  His eyes dropped.   “He didn’t make it.”

The color drained from Dot’s face, her eyes stared blankly at her husband.  “You mean he died?”

Ray nodded somberly.  “I’m afraid so.  On the way to the hospital.”

Dot glanced over at Gloria.  “Now what?”

Gloria didn’t have an answer.  The whole thing was just unbelievable.  Surely this whole thing would be straightened out in no time.  Dot’s restaurant had been open for over a decade with nary a single restaurant inspection violation.  No, this was either an accident – someone poured the wrong thing in the pot – or someone intentionally mixed poison in the food.  But who or why?

Gloria glanced up at Ray.  “What about the restaurant?”

He shook his head.  “Closed down until the investigation is complete.”

Dot gasped.  Not run the restaurant?  Where would all the people in town eat?  Not only that, what would they think?

Her stomach churned violently.  She clamped a hand over her mouth and darted over to the bushes that lined the edge of the patio.

Gloria felt helpless as she listened to the sounds of a woman’s lifelong love and dreams shatter.  Dot loved that restaurant.  It was her life.  And Ray’s life.  The two had sunk their entire life savings into the place.  It was all they had.  It made her own stomach churn.

After Dot was done, she fell back against the side of the restaurant.  “I need to go home,” she moaned.  “I’m going to take a sleeping pill, crawl into bed and I’m not getting out until this is all over,” she vowed.

“The car is out front,” Ray reminded Dot.  He turned to Gloria.  “Can you give Dot a ride home?  There’s a crowd of people gathered in front of the restaurant. I don’t want her to have to deal with them.”

Gloria nodded.  “Yes, of course!”  She put her arm around Dot’s shoulder and gently guided her down the alley towards the car.

Dot and Ray’s house was a short drive from the restaurant.  Gloria dropped her friend off, making sure she was safely inside and tucked into bed before she headed back into town.

She made a last minute decision to swing by Andrea’s.  Andrea was Gloria’s young friend.  She was in the middle of a major renovation project on a fixer-upper home.  And not just any fixer-upper.  It was a major fixer-upper.  The old Johnson Mansion to be exact.  Gloria had stopped by the place last week and the construction crew was making major progress, updating the electrical and plumbing inside so there wasn’t much to see.  Gloria was anxious to find out if the crew had started on the outside.

When she pulled in the drive, she spotted Andrea’s sports car parked in the grass off to the side.  She could see the crew was hard at work scraping away layers of peeling paint.  It looked they already replaced a large section of rotted boards on the front.  In another week, Gloria guessed they would start to paint.  And that, she could hardly wait to see!

Gloria pulled Anabelle in next to the sports car.  She slid out of the driver’s seat and looked around for her friend.  Andrea’s blonde head was bent over a saw horse.  She was in deep conversation with a tall man wearing a hard hat.  She hesitated, unsure whether or not she should interrupt.

Andrea must’ve sensed someone watching her.  She looked up.  Her lips curled in a welcoming smile.  She held a finger up to the man and made her way over to her friend.  Andrea hugged Gloria tightly.  “You made it back!”

Gloria returned the hug.  “Yes, and I’m glad to be home.”

Andrea lowered her voice and glanced around.  “I was in Dot’s restaurant earlier having breakfast with the construction foreman when that man collapsed at the table.”

Gloria nodded.  “It’s a sad situation.  I just dropped Dot off at home.  She’s really shook up.”

Andrea shook her head sympathetically.  “I sure know what she’s going through.”  And if anyone did, it would be Andrea.  Andrea was charged with her husband’s murder just over a year ago now.  That’s how Andrea and Gloria met.  When Gloria helped solve the case and bring the real murderer to justice.  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,” Andrea offered.

The construction supervisor was heading their way.  “I have to finish up with him,” she said.  “Do you have a minute to come inside?”

“Absolutely!” Gloria said.  “It’ll help take my mind off poor Dot.”

She waited out front while Andrea spent another few minutes with her head bent over the blueprints.  She wandered around the side of the house to check out the progress.  The rest of the exterior was free of paint.

“Looks weird without paint, huh.”  Andrea came up beside her, gazing up at the side of her house.  “Come back next week and the outside should be done.”

“What color did you decide on?” Gloria wondered.

Andrea stuck her hand on hip and tilted her head.  She tapped her lower lip.  “You know, I’m torn between two colors. Traditional white with black shutters – or – what do you think of Sunglow yellow with Periwinkle blue shutters?”

Gloria knew what she herself would do.  “Pick the one that makes you happy,” she advised.

“I thought you’d say that.” Andrea grinned.  “Yellow it is!”

Gloria nodded her approval.  That’s what she would’ve chosen, too.  Of course, she was a lot older than Andrea and it seemed like the older she got, the less she cared about appearances and what others thought.  Life was too short to worry if someone didn’t like Yellow and Periwinkle…

Andrea motioned her inside.  “C’mon, I want to show you something!”

Gloria followed Andrea up the narrow steps and in the back door.  It was nice to see a smile on her young friend’s face.  Last year had been nothing but sadness and heartache for the poor thing, what with her husband cheating on her and then getting murdered.

Not long after that, a body was found in the shed of the old Johnson mansion and Andrea was once again a suspect. Gloria and Andrea teamed up and tracked down the killers, in a roundabout way.  Since then, things had settled down for Andrea and Gloria was glad.

Gloria gasped as she stepped into the kitchen.  The transformation was simply amazing.  Shiny black granite covered the spacious countertops.  The white oak cabinets had been restored to their original beauty.  Brand new state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances gleamed brightly.  The kitchen was perfect.  A blend of old and new.  “It’s beautiful,” Gloria said.

Andrea’s face beamed.  “You think so?  You really like it?”

Gloria shook her head.  “No, I don’t like it.  I love it!”

Andrea stepped over to the wall that divided the kitchen from the library on the other side.  “How do you think it would look if I tore this wall down, opened this whole thing up and added a bar area?”

The kitchen was nice the way it was but opening it up – well that would completely transform the rooms.  Make it more modern but still keep a lot of the historic charm.  Gloria slowly nodded.  “I think that is a great idea.  Did you think of that yourself?”

Andrea patted the flowered wallpaper.  “Yep.  The contractor told me it’s not a load-bearing wall so they could take it out.”

“I think you should become an interior designer.  That’s what I think!” Gloria said.

“Really?  Because that’s what I was thinking myself.  I’m having so much fun and have so many ideas…”

If this was Andrea’s dream, Gloria was behind her 100%.  “Absolutely!  In fact, when you’re done with this, I’ll hire you to help me with my place. It needs a bit of sprucing up,” she added.

“Oh, no, Gloria.  I love your farm house just the way it is.” Andrea paused.  “I could think of a few small things to make it maybe a little more functional…”

“Good!  Then I’ll be your first customer,” Gloria told her.

Andrea shook her head.  “But I don’t want to charge you. You’ve helped me so much. I would do it as a favor.”

Gloria shook her head firmly.  “No, my dear.  We can discuss that down the road if it’s something you decide to do, but even friends need to get paid for their services.”  Plus, Gloria thought, if she cashed in those gold coins that she and Margaret and Liz found up in the mountains a few days ago, she’d have plenty of money to pay Andrea…

“Knock, knock, anyone here?” A male voice echoed from the front of the house.

“Oh, that must be Justin,” Andrea said.  “In here!” she yelled back.

Gloria’s eyebrows raised. “Justin?”

Andrea tucked a long strand of blond hair behind her ear.  “He asked if he could stop by and see the place…” she mumbled.

Justin was the mayor’s son.  He’d taken a liking to Andrea the first time Gloria brought her to church.  Gloria got the impression Andrea wasn’t as keen on him.  But maybe things had changed…

Justin’s tall, lanky frame filled the doorway leading into the kitchen.  He was holding a pizza box and a liter of Diet Coke.  His eyes lit up when he saw Andrea.  It took him a minute or so to realize Gloria was even in the room.  “Ahem.”

That caught his attention.  He turned his head, a twinge of color crept into his cheeks.  “Hello, Mrs. Rutherford.”

“Hello Justin.” Gloria turned to Andrea.  “I’m going to head on out now…”

“Would you like to have lunch with us?” Andrea asked.

Gloria shook her head.  “Not this time, dear…”  She gave Andrea a small hug, a warm smile in Justin’s direction and headed for the front door.

As she got in the car, she thought of all that had changed in the past several months.  Mostly for the better.  Except for Dot.  The whole thing was weighing heavy on Gloria’s mind.

She started the car before glancing down at her cell phone, still resting in the center console.  There was one missed call.  It was her friend, Ruth. Ruth was head postmaster at the post office in town.  She was Belhaven’s unofficial snoop, which worked out quite well for her since half the town stopped by every day to chat.

There was no message.  Gloria could almost guarantee Ruth called to find out what she knew about Dot’s restaurant.  She decided not to call her - or anyone else - until she had more information.  She didn’t want anyone to think she was gossiping about the terrible incident, especially Dot.  Plus, she probably knew more about what happened than anyone else.  Besides the police, that is.

Her plan would’ve worked out great if not for the fact that a bright yellow jeep she didn’t recognize was parked in her driveway when she pulled in.  It was her friend, Lucy.  “What happened to your convertible?”

“I traded it in for something more practical.” Lucy patted the hood.  “Four wheel drive for the wintry roads!”

Gloria peeked in the window.  “Nice.  I like it!”  She changed the subject.  “You heard about Dot?”

“Yeah.  I drove by there a little while ago.  I saw your car parked at the end of the street,” Lucy commented.  “Did you talk to Dot?”

Gloria groaned inwardly.  Lucy was in their small group of friends and she and Gloria were close.  She nodded.  “You want to come in for a cup of coffee?”

Lucy could tell from the frown on Gloria’s face, she was torn on what she should say.  “I won’t pry.  I know you know something but don’t want to feel like you’re gossiping about Dot,” she said.

Gloria let out a sigh of relief and hugged her friend.  “I appreciate that.”

“But we can still talk about it?” Lucy asked.

Gloria nodded.  “Yeah, sure.”

Lucy followed her up the steps.  “First, tell me about your trip to the mountains.  Margaret said it was quite an adventure.”

Gloria smiled.  “That’s an understatement.” She started a pot of coffee.  “You might as well have a seat.  You’re not going to believe what happened.”

Gloria set two cups of coffee and a plate of baked goodies on the table before she filled Lucy in on all the details of the unexpected trip to the mountains. How they finally tracked down Gloria’s sister, Liz, and then found their long-lost relative - Aunt Ethel.  The only part she left out was the part about finding the coins.  That had to remain a secret until the three women – who made a pact to keep mum about the coins - were all ready to share the news.

Lucy reached for a key lime tart.  She peeled off the paper shell and took a small bite.  “You have a long-lost aunt?”

“Had.” Gloria corrected her.

After the entire story was told, Lucy shook her bright mop of red curls.  “So I missed an awesome adventure…”

Gloria nodded.  “Yep!”

“That figures!  No way could you go anywhere without having something crazy happen to you,” Lucy said.  Which reminded her.  “You still have your reward money socked away for that cruise next summer?”

Gloria nodded.  It was during Gloria’s last murder investigation, she and Lucy did a late night stakeout at the old Johnson mansion.  The stakeout turned into what could possibly be considered a break-in at the old place. Of course, one could argue they didn’t technically break in since the back door was unlocked…

She and Lucy stumbled upon some stolen money from a bank robbery and returned it to its rightful owner – the bank.  There was a reward and each of them ended up with $5,000.  They decided to save the money for Lucy’s dream vacation – a cruise - which was still in the planning stages.

The plan was to surprise their small group of friends – The Garden Girls – with an all-expenses paid cruise.  In addition to Lucy and Gloria, there was Margaret, her friend who just returned from the Smoky Mountain trip, Dot and, last but not least, Ruth, the one that ran the post office.

“Yeah, I stuck mine in a short-term CD.  By the time I can cash it in, we’ll be ready to book the cruise,” Gloria added.

Lucy grabbed a Bavarian cream donut before changing the subject.  “What on earth happened over at Dot’s?”

Lucy nibbled on her donut as Gloria explained how someone died and that the restaurant was shut down pending the investigation.  She didn’t mention the poison in the dumplings.  After all, that wasn’t confirmed yet.  She didn’t want rumors flying around town and Dot find out she was the one who started it.

Lucy finished the rest of her donut before taking a sip of coffee cup.  She set it back down on the table.  “We need to pray for her.  This is just horrible!”

Gloria agreed.  The two friends bowed their heads and prayed a heartfelt prayer for their dear friend.  “Dear Lord, we ask that you help investigators find the reason for the unfortunate incident at Dot’s restaurant this morning and that Dot and Ray are cleared of all charges.” Gloria paused.  “And that they can re-open their restaurant because they need the money.”

Lucy squeezed Gloria’s hand.  “Amen!” She stood up.  “I gotta get going.  My washer’s on the fritz and the repair guy is supposed to show up anytime now.”

Gloria walked her to the door. She waved good-bye as she watched Lucy make her way to the jeep.

Back inside, she threw together a quick sandwich for lunch.  Puddles and Mally stood side-by-side and watched as Gloria placed slices of carved turkey on the bread.

“I know, I know, you want a bite.”  She grabbed two slices, dropped one in Mally’s dish and the other in Puddles.  In one gulp, the pieces were gone.

She wrapped her sandwich in a paper towel and headed to the living room.  She turned the TV to the weather station.  It was time to start on the garden and she wanted to make sure frost was out of the ground first.

She must’ve dozed off because when she woke, late afternoon soap operas were on.  Her eyes darted to the clock.  It was almost five already!

She jumped out of the chair and headed to the bathroom.  Paul would be here in less than an hour to pick her up for their dinner date!  She jumped in the shower and lathered her hair with her favorite scented shampoo of orange blossoms.  Her mind wandered to Dot as she spritzed on perfume.  She wondered how she and Ray were holding up.  She made a mental note to check on them after she finished getting ready.

She also wondered if Paul would be able tell her anything about the case.  After all, he was part of the Montbay Sheriff’s Department and his unit handled a lot of the investigations.  It couldn’t hurt to ask…

She let Mally out before she stepped back inside the kitchen and picked up the phone.  She dialed Dot’s home number.  Ray picked up.  “Hello?” he answered in a hushed tone.

“Hi, Ray, It’s Gloria. I was just calling to see how you and Dot are holding up,” she said.

Ray let out a long sigh.  “I’m okay but I’m worried about Dot.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Gloria fretted.  She knew her friend was the ultimate worrywart.  “I’m having dinner with Paul tonight.  I’ll see if he has any information he can tell me about the investigation.”

“We’d really appreciate, that Gloria.” Ray paused.  “Thank you for being such a good friend.”

He lowered his voice again.  “Seems like not everyone in Belhaven is such a loyal friend.  You won’t believe some of the phone calls we’ve gotten here at the house.” He sounded down-in-the-dumps. Gloria’s heart went out to him.  “People can be so ruthless and cruel.  Even so-called friends.”

It saddened Ray to hear some of the comments.  The thoughtless remarks about how they would never eat in their restaurant again because they’d be too worried about getting poisoned.  Or others who told him they’d gotten sick eating in the restaurant but never had the nerve to tell them. But looking back maybe they should have.  How the poor man might still be alive if they’d just spoken up.

Just the thought of the callous comments made him angry and bitter inside.  He was glad Dot was still in bed.  It would’ve destroyed her…

“Keep your chin up, Ray,” Gloria encouraged.  “We’ll get through this and if there’s anything I can do to help…”

Ray cut her off.  “Maybe you can do a little poking around, see if you can get to the bottom of this….”

Gloria had thought about it herself.  She just didn’t want to stick her nose in where it didn’t belong.  But if Ray was asking her…

“I’d be happy to see what I can find out,” she said.  “If you really want me to,” she added.

Ray was relieved.  That was exactly what he wanted. If anyone in this town could figure out what happened to Dot’s dumplings, it was Gloria.  “You more than have my permission.”

Gloria glanced out the window.  She watched as Paul pulled in the drive.  “Look, Paul’s here.  I’ve got to go, but I’ll get started on this first thing in the morning,” she promised.

She hung up the phone and made her way to the door.  Her heart skipped a beat as she watched the tall, handsome man – her man – make his way up the porch steps.  Gloria’s hand flew to her chest when she spotted the bouquet of spring flowers he was carrying.

She flung the door open and met him by the steps.  He opened his arms wide and Gloria stepped in close.  His arms closed around her.  She shut her eyes and breathed him in.  It was in that exact moment she realized just how much she missed him and how much he meant to her.

When she pulled away, there were tears in her eyes.

“I hope you’re crying because you’re happy to see me,” he joked.

She half-hiccupped as she nodded her head.  “Of course!”

“These are for you!” He held out the flowers.  Gloria wrapped her hand around the stems.  There were not only roses, but her absolute favorite flower – Yellow Daisies.

“Did you know daisies are my favorite?”

He shook his head.  “Nope, but I know you love yellow and I noticed a small patch growing in the corner of the garden so I figured you must at least like them a little.”

That had to be a bit of the detective in him.  Taking in small details and cataloging them in his brain.  “Well, they are my favorite and they’re beautiful,” she exclaimed.

He trailed along behind her as she made her way back inside.  She pulled an antique vase from the cupboard and arranged the flowers so the roses were in the center and the daisies lined the outside.  She set them in the center of the table before turning to Puddles, who was hovering nearby.  “Don’t you dare nibble on these flowers,” she warned.

Puddles answered her by rubbing against her legs and meowing loudly.  Paul bent down and scratched his ears.  He lifted his head and gazed at Gloria.  “I heard about Dot’s place.  What a shame.”

Gloria nodded.  “It’s just terrible.  Poor Dot.  She’s taking this hard.”

“I’m sure she is,” Paul replied.  “Right now, investigators don’t have much to go on.”

Gloria grabbed a light jacket off the hook by the door.  Paul held the door for Gloria as she stepped onto the porch.  She handed him her keys and waited as he locked up.

“There’s a new restaurant I thought we could try.  It’s not too far from here and everyone I’ve talked to that’s been there is giving it rave reviews.”

A new restaurant – one that Gloria knew nothing about it?  She really was out of the loop!  “What’s the name?”

“Pasta Amore on Lakeshore Boulevard,” he answered.  “In Lakeville.”

Lakeville was another small town but bigger than Belhaven.  It’s where Gloria’s children went to school after they closed the small elementary down in Belhaven.

“Sounds perfect.  I love Italian,” Gloria said.

The two chatted easily as they drove to the restaurant.  Most of the trip was spent telling Paul about her adventure in the mountains.  When she got to the part where the three girls ended up in jail overnight, Paul started to say something but quickly closed his mouth.

Gloria held up her hand.  “I know, I know.  You told me someday I’d end up in jail.” She grinned.  “I have to say, it really wasn’t that bad.”

She finished the rest of her story.  The only part she left out was the part about the coins the girls found.  She felt a twinge of guilt for not telling all but remembered her vow to Margaret and Liz.  And it wasn’t like she was lying.  She just wasn’t telling him that part.  At least not yet.

Although it was a weeknight, the restaurant parking lot was full.  Maybe it was because a lot of people from Belhaven decided to drive to Lakeville for dinner since Dot’s wasn’t open.  A wave of guilt washed over her, like she was betraying her friend for eating somewhere else…

A thought occurred to her.  She and Paul were almost to the door when she stopped.  “How long did you say this restaurant’s been open now?”

He shrugged. “Not long.  Maybe a week?”  It dawned on him where this was going.  “You don’t think someone sabotaged Dot’s…” But it was a thought.  A brand new restaurant opens, not far from a competitor.  And a very popular one at that.  Could someone be ruthless enough to poison an innocent person just to shut Dot’s down and take out the competition?

“Nothing should be ruled out,” Gloria decided.  This was the perfect place to start her investigation.  The first thing she planned on finding out was who owned Pasta Amore.

Gloria’s detective radar shot up as she stepped inside and scanned the room.  A few of the faces were familiar.  Regulars at Dot’s.

The hostess led them to a small corner table.  The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.

They each ordered a glass of wine and sipped it as they studied the menu.  Gloria tried to stay focused on the menu but her attention strayed towards the swinging doors that led to the kitchen.  If only she could find a way to get back there…

When the waitress returned, Gloria turned her attention.  “What a lovely restaurant,” she complimented.

The girl smiled.  “Thank you.  We opened a few days ago.”

“Wow!  And this place is already packed!” She looked around.  “The food must be to die for.”

Paul gave her a hard look.  She smiled innocently before placing her order.  “I’ll have the baked lasagna, please.”

Paul ordered a sampler trio and handed the menu back to the waitress.  After she walked away, he turned to study her.  “You’re not going to start tonight, are you?” But it was wasted breath.  Gloria was already in sleuth mode.

She lowered her gaze.  This was their date!  She forced herself to push the investigation to the back burner.

For a while it worked.  Their dinner arrived and everything looked delicious.  Gloria’s mouth began to water as she lifted a forkful of pasta to her lips.  The lasagna sauce had just the right amount of tang and plenty of gooey cheese loaded on top.  Just the way she liked it.

She didn’t want to like this place, but she did.  If not for Dot’s, she would definitely come back here again.  When the waitress arrived to pick up their dirty plates, Gloria spoke up.  “This lasagna was delicious.  My compliments to the chef!”

The girl smiled as she juggled the dirty plates.  “I’ll be sure to pass your praise on…”

“Who’s the chef?  The owner?” Gloria asked.  She just couldn’t help herself.  She had to know who owned the place.

The girl nodded.  “Yes, he and his wife moved here not too long ago.  They owned an upscale pizza place in Chicago,” she explained.

“Oh, really? I wonder if I’ve ever been to their restaurant.  What did you say the name of it was?”

Gloria knew the girl hadn’t said.  She sucked in her breath, hoping the girl could remember the name.

“I think the name was Amici Trattoria, or something like that.  It was somewhere near the Magnificent Mile.” She shrugged.  “That’s all I know.”

Gloria knew she was beginning to sound a little too curious.  “Well, it was delicious and I’m sure they’ll be very successful here.”

Paul didn’t bother commenting.  He knew it was useless.  He also knew Gloria would do whatever she could to help her friend.  Not that he could blame her.  Time and again she proved she was pretty darned good at solving mysteries and if anyone could use a little help right now, it was Dot.

Gloria snuggled up next to Paul on the drive back to the farm.  She felt like a teenager as she slid across the seat and closed the distance between the two of them.  He lifted his arm.  She laid her head against his side as they chatted about his job and how he was still tossing around the idea of retiring.  “But what are you going to do with yourself when you have all that free time?”

Paul had a farm, too.  His was a bit bigger than hers and he leased the surrounding farmland to farmers during growing season.  The house was older and needed some updating. He wasn’t getting any younger and pretty soon, projects of a certain size would be too much for him to take on.

The more he thought about it, the more he decided now was the right time to turn in his badge.  His pension would more than carry him through his retirement years.  Plus, he had dabbled in the stock market for a while now and his investments were turning a tidy profit.

He glanced down at Gloria’s head.  The only problem he saw was if he and Gloria continued on the path and things got more serious, what would they do with two big old farmhouses?  He knew she was attached to her place but it needed some work, just like his.  In his mind, there was no sense in keeping two farms.  It was something he’d been mulling over, but every time he got to the part about who would have to give up what, he came to a standstill.

Gloria could see the top of Mally’s head peeking out through the glass window pane on the kitchen door as they pulled in the drive.  After the trip to the Smoky Mountains and taking Mally along, the dog had it in her head she needed to go everywhere Gloria went.

Paul walked her to the door and waited while she unlocked it.  “You want to come in for a piece of key lime dessert or cup of coffee?” She hoped he would say yes.  The date went by way too fast. He shook his head.  “I’d like nothing more but I have to work early tomorrow.”

She wasn’t ready to give up.  “How about if you come over later this week for dinner?” she asked hopefully.  “I’ll grill a couple steaks for us.”

“You do owe me a steak dinner,” he reminded her.  He nodded before he lowered his head and gently kissed Gloria on the lips.  She wrapped her arm around his neck.  She surprised herself when she pulled him closer.  The kiss lasted several long seconds. By the time they broke free, Gloria’s heart was racing and her breathing more than a little uneven.

“Many more kisses like that and we’ll have to start bringing a chaperone along,” he joked.

Gloria blushed, just a little this time.  “Maybe it’s a good thing you’re not coming inside, after all.”

Before he could change his mind and throw all caution to the wind, he gave her one last peck on the lips, a quick hug and then turned to go.

After he was gone, Gloria hung her jacket on the hook by the door and set her purse on the table.

Mally tapped the door with her bandaged paw.  Gloria lifted the paw and studied the bandage still covering the gunshot wound.  It seemed to be healing quite nicely.  Still, Gloria wasn’t taking any chances.  They had an appointment with the vet tomorrow.  She hoped the vet would give them a clean bill of health.

Gloria sat on the edge of the steps as she watched Mally prance around the yard, sniffing a little of this, watering a little of that.  The sun set hours ago and the moon was high in the sky.  It seemed bright.  Brighter than normal for this time of year.  Almost as bright as a fall harvest moon.

Her mind wandered back to the restaurant.  What was the name of the place that man owned in Chicago? Amichis?  Armandos?  No, that wasn’t it.  Amici Trattoria.  She jumped to her feet.  “C’mon Mally.”  She wanted to put it on paper before she forgot again.

She jotted it down and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed.  Tomorrow was shaping up to be another busy day.

Chapter Two

First thing the next morning, Gloria called Dot’s house.  This time, Dot herself answered.  “Hi Gloria.” She could tell by the tone of her friend’s voice there was no good news but she decided to ask anyways.  “Did you hear anything from the police yet?”

“No. Ray just left to go meet them at the restaurant.  I guess they want to do one more search of the place.”

“They haven’t cleared the place so you can open back up?”

“No.” Dot paused.  “I’m not sure I even want to, Gloria.  People are saying some really mean things.” Gloria could tell by the sound of her voice she was close to tears and it broke her heart.

“Don’t you listen to one word of that Dorothy Jenkins!” Gloria scolded.  “Anyone who said one bad word is no friend of yours – of ours – and they’re just jealous!”  It took a lot to get Gloria ticked off but this was getting her all fired up.

When I find out who the trash talkers are, Gloria vowed to herself, I will personally set them straight!

Dot talked for a few more minutes before telling Gloria she felt sick to her stomach and needed to go lay down.  Gloria hung up the phone.  The call made Gloria even more determined to get to the bottom of this and help clear Dot and Ray’s good names.

She walked straight over to the computer.  It was time to find out what the story was with this Amici Trattoria place in Chicago.  She found the restaurant on-line, found the location, she even found all the raving reviews.  What she couldn’t find was the owner’s name.  She tried searching the property appraiser’s office, she tried the county assessor’s office.  Nowhere did it list the owner’s name!

Frustrated, she shut off the computer.  She stomped over to the kitchen door, grabbed Mally’s leash and her jacket off the hook.  “C’mon, girl.  Let’s go for a walk.”

They walked the property and the fields.  The wandered down to the creek on the other side of the property.  Gloria sat on the edge of the bank as Mally frolicked near the water.  The serenity of the spot made her feel better.  Actually, she felt a lot better.  The fresh country air helped clear her head.

Gloria glanced down at her watch.  Mally’s vet appointment was in an hour!  She jumped to her feet.  “Mally, we gotta go!” They made a mad dash for the keys and the car.

Rain started to fall as they made their way down main street Belhaven, past Dot’s restaurant.  The police tape was gone but the place was empty except for a police car and Ray’s van.  She could see Ray standing by the front window.  He was inside talking to a police officer.

She sent up a quick prayer for Dot and Ray and also asked for some help in solving the mystery.

The vet was quick and easy.  He gave Mally a clean bill of health.  He told Gloria the wound was healing quite nicely and that there’d only be a tiny little scar as a reminder of the entire incident.  The vet picked Mally up from the examination table and set her down on all fours.  “How did your dog get shot?”

Gloria sighed as she shook her head.  “It’s a long story and you wouldn’t believe me, even if I told you.”

The young vet walked Gloria to the front reception desk. “You have quite a reputation around here for being a bit of a super-sleuth.” He tapped his bottom lip with his index finger.  “Let me guess.  It had something to do with one of your mysteries.”

Gloria grinned.  “Yeah, you could say that.”

He knelt down and rubbed Mally’s ears.  “I’m sure you were some sort of hero dog and that’s how you got shot,” he guessed.

“You would be 100% right!”

He set Mally’s chart on the desk.  “We don’t charge super-hero dogs so today was a freebie.”

Gloria never intended to get out of paying for the visit.  She started to open her purse.  “But I don’t mind…

He shook his head firmly.  “Please. I insist.”

She shut her purse and grabbed Mally’s leash.  “Thank you so much.” She paused when she reached the door.  “I haven’t found a vet for Mally.  If you have room for her, we’d like to start coming here.”

He grinned.  “We’d love to have you.” He bent down to Mally-level.  “And you, too.”

Gloria and Mally made their way out to Anabelle.  On the drive home, she decided to check in with Ruth at the post office.  She didn’t want her to think she was avoiding her.  Plus, she was the only one of the Garden Girls she hadn’t seen since she got home from the mountains.

Ruth was waiting on a customer inside the lobby.  She spotted Gloria as soon as she stepped through the door.

Ruth grabbed a book of stamps from the drawer and shoved them across the counter at the woman.

Unfortunately for Ruth, the woman made her way to the side counter and began working on a stack of envelopes she had with her.  She peeled a stamp from the pack and carefully centered it in the corner of the first envelope.

Ruth stomped over to where the woman was standing.  “Here, let me help you with that.”  She didn’t wait for a reply.  Instead, she grabbed the pile of envelopes and snatched the book of stamps from the woman’s hands.  She peeled a stamp out of the book and slapped it on the corner of the envelope before stamping the next one in the stack.

The poor woman just stared at Ruth, too stunned to say a word.

Gloria clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle.

Ruth finished the pile in seconds flat.  She picked up the pile of envelopes, handed the book of stamps back to the woman and then walked her to the door.  “Have a nice day.”

The woman was still staring at Ruth as she walked out.

Ruth closed the door behind her and spun around to face Gloria. “That man in Dot’s restaurant was poisoned!”

Gloria didn’t have the heart to tell her she already knew that.  “What a shame.”

“We need a Garden Girls meeting.  Maybe if we put our heads to together, we can figure out how on earth something like this happened,” Gloria suggested.

Ruth nodded.  “I think you’re right.  But where are we going to meet now that Dot’s place is out of commission – at least for now?”

Ruth went on.  “I tried calling Dot earlier.  She didn’t pick up.”  She lowered her voice.  “Ray said she’s depressed and refuses to get out of bed.”

Gloria was afraid that was going to happen.  They needed to change that. And fast.  “I’ll run over to Dot’s right now.  I’ll tell her we’re having a meeting and she has to be there.” She paused. “Let’s do it tomorrow at noon – on your lunch break.  We can meet at my house,” she added.

Gloria headed out the door and drove straight to Dot’s.  Ray’s truck wasn’t in the driveway but Dot’s van was.  Gloria hopped out of the car and headed to the front door.  The curtains were drawn tight.  Maybe she went somewhere with Ray, Gloria thought.

Gloria pressed the doorbell.  She waited for several long seconds before she pressed it a second time.  She could’ve sworn the front curtain moved.  “Dot, it’s me, Gloria.  Are you in there?” she hollered through the crack in the door.

When she heard a small thump, she knew Dot was inside.  She pounded on the metal frame.  “Dot!  I know you’re in there!”  Gloria crossed her arms, determined to wait her out.

She stood there a good five minutes before the front door opened a fraction of an inch.  Gloria stuck her nose in the crack, her eyeball pressed close to the metal door jamb.  “Let me in, Dot.  Please…” she pleaded.

The door swung open.  Gloria gasped at the sight of her friend.  She’d never seen her in such a state of disarray.  The thing that shocked Gloria the most was the expression on her face.  A look of utter despair.

Before Dot could change her mind, Gloria squeezed inside.  She decided the best approach was to act as if everything were perfectly normal.  That there was nothing unusual about her friend wearing her bathrobe in the middle of the afternoon.  With no makeup on.  And her hair matted to the side of her head.

“We’re having a Garden Girls meeting tomorrow at noon.  You need to come,” she said.

Dot shook her head.  “I can’t.” She waved her arm towards the kitchen.  “Follow me.”

Gloria trailed her into the kitchen.  Dot flipped on the light switch just inside the door.  Gloria’s jaw fell open.  The kitchen was a disaster.

Dirty dishes were piled high in the sink.  The trash can was overflowing.  A moldy, half-eaten sandwich was on the table, along with a jug of milk.

Gloria reached over and touched the carton.  It was warm.  She unscrewed the cap and took a whiff.  Her nose curled at the overpowering stench of sour milk.  She pushed the carton from her face.  “This milk’s sour!”

Gloria covered her nose as she poured the semi-solid substance down the drain.

Dot plopped down at the table.  She acted as if she hadn’t heard a word of what Gloria had said as she stared off into the distance, a blank look on her face.

Gloria pulled out a chair and slid it close Dot’s.  She waved a hand in front of her friend’s face.  “Earth to Dot.  Are you in there?”

Still no response.  Gloria snapped her fingers.  “Dot!” she yelled.

That seemed to do the trick.  Dot shook her head, as if in a daze.  “I’m sorry Gloria.  I was a million miles away.”

Gloria leaned forward, her face just inches from Dot’s.  “We’re having a Garden Girls meeting tomorrow at noon at my place.  You have to come.”

Dot shook her head. Her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t.  I’m too depressed.”

“That’s exactly why you have to come,” Gloria argued.  “You need to snap out of this.  You’re not helping yourself or your restaurant by hiding out in your house!”

“I-I give up,” Dot whispered.  “My life is over.”

“Dot Jenkins, your life is NOT over!  You’re a fighter!  We’re going to figure out how that man got poisoned at your restaurant and you’re going to help us,” Gloria said.

Dot clutched her robe in her fist.  “You really think we can?”

Gloria reached over and squeezed her friend’s arm.  “Without a doubt and we’re starting tomorrow.”  She jumped to her feet.  “I’ll be here at 11:30 to pick you up.”  Before Dot could change her mind, Gloria headed to the front door.

Gloria woke early the next morning.  Since the Garden Girls meeting was at her place, she needed to whip up some tasty treats for her guests.  A light lunch was in order, she decided.  She made a large tray of finger sandwiches.  Tuna, roast beef and chicken salad, along with some chips and homemade salsa she’d made some time ago and had stored in the freezer.  For dessert, it would be Butterscotch Parfaits and frosted sugar cookies.

She mixed a batch of iced tea before setting the table.  Half an hour before the girls got there, she ran out to her Lilac bush and snipped a few of the purple flowers off and dropped them into a small vase.  She set the arrangement in the middle of the table, right next to the bouquet of flowers Paul had brought her.  The room smelled heavenly, the scent of Lilac filled the air.

Gloria puttered the last few minutes, moving this and straightening that.  She was wound tighter than a top.  It wasn’t from having the girls over for lunch, although that was a bit stressful.  She was distracted with Dot’s dilemma.

When everything was in place, she hopped in the car and headed to Dot’s.  On the way, Gloria said a quick prayer for Dot. Gloria had tried to call her earlier but no one answered.

She let out a sigh of relief when she pulled into the drive.  Dot’s van was in the driveway and the front living room curtains were open.  Gloria slid out of the car and made her way up the steps.  She reached out to ring the doorbell.  Before her finger touched the buzzer, the door swung open.  Dot was standing there looking like her normal self.  Her hair was done, make-up in place.  She was wearing a cheerful spring outfit.  She pushed the screen door open to let Gloria in.

Gloria hugged her friend.  “You look like a ray of sunshine!” she exclaimed.

Dot smiled but the smile didn’t reach her sorrow-filled eyes.  Dot returned the hug for a brief moment before pulling back.  “Thanks for coming to get me, Gloria.”

She grabbed her purse off the end table and followed Gloria out the front door.  On the short ride back to Gloria’s, the girls made small talk, careful to avoid the elephant in the car – the dead customer.

Gloria unlocked the door and led Dot into the kitchen.  It was still hard to accept the fact that nowadays she had to lock her doors every time she went somewhere.

She poured Dot a fresh cup of coffee and started to sit down at the table when she spied Ruth’s van pull in, followed by Lucy’s snazzy new jeep.  She had the top off.    Gloria grinned when she saw Margaret in the passenger seat, a bright blue scarf tied ‘round her head. Her eyes shaded by a pair of stylish gray sunglasses.

The three women made their way across the drive and up the steps.  Gloria stepped outside to greet them.  It sure was nice to have them all together again.  It had been a couple weeks since their last meeting.  Mostly because of Gloria and Margaret’s trip to the Smoky Mountains to track down her sister.  The trip was fun and exciting but there was no place like home!

The girls settled in around the table.  Gloria grabbed her Bible from the small stand in the corner.  A particular verse kept popping up and she knew the Lord wanted her to share it with Dot as a reminder.  “The Lord gave me this verse for you, Dot.” She opened her Bible and read Romans 8:28 (KJV):

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Dot dabbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.  “Thanks, Gloria.  I needed to hear that!”

Gloria closed the Bible and set it back on the stand.  She passed the tray of sandwiches to Dot first.  Dot grabbed a tuna wedge and roast beef slider before passing the tray to Ruth.  After the girls loaded up their lunch plates, they bowed their heads in prayer.

“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this food.  We thank you for the time you’ve given us to spend together as friends and we pray, Lord, that you’ll help us clear our dear friend Dot’s name and figure out how that poor man ended up getting poisoned in her restaurant.  We say a special prayer for his family.” She finished the prayer with, “Thank you for your son, Jesus, and our salvation.  In Jesus name.”

“Amen,” the group said.

The girls munched on their sandwiches, each of them declaring them to be the best they’d ever had.

They chatted about Gloria and Margaret’s trip to the mountains to track down Liz.  When Gloria got to the part about Mally getting shot, the dog must’ve heard her name.  She wandered out into the kitchen to check for floor scraps and to get a little attention.  Mally made her way around the table as each of the girls patted her head and praised her for being such a loyal companion and hero, and for saving Gloria and Margaret’s lives.

Ruth was the first to ask the question Gloria knew was coming.  “So what happened with the treasure?  Did you find anything?”  All eyes were on Gloria now, including Margaret’s.  She remembered their vow to keep silent about the coins until all were in agreement and they were certain the coins were theirs for the keeping.

She answered as honestly as she could without giving anything away.  “We found something but we’re not sure of the value or if we even get to keep what we found.”

Margaret added.  “We decided until we’re certain what we found is ours to keep, we’re keeping a lid on it.”

That seemed to satisfy the girls’ curiosity. At least for the moment.

Ruth changed the subject.  “It’s almost time to start up with visits to the town’s shut-ins.  Since we don’t have anything from our gardens yet, what do you think about taking some baked goods – you know breads, rolls, cakes.  Stuff like that…”

Gloria nodded.  They’d slacked off a little through the winter.  Partly for lack of people to visit and partly because of bad weather and slippery roads.  It was time to start the visits again.  “I’ll be happy to bake some bread,” she offered.  “Who’s not getting out now?”

Everyone looked at Ruth.  The one person in town who knew what was going on since she ran the post office.  On top of that, Ruth made it a point to stick her nose into everyone’s business.  At least the ones that would let her.

“Millie Tate just had a hip replacement.  She’s not going to be out too much for quite some time.  We should add her to the list for at least the next month.”

Lucy clucked.  “Oh, that poor thing.  I remember the day she fell on the ice trying to get to her mailbox this winter.  She was out there a good hour before someone drove by and noticed her sprawled out in her driveway!”

They all agreed Millie was on the list until further notice.

“Anyone else?” Margaret asked Ruth.

Ruth grimaced.  “There is one more…”

“Who?” Gloria asked.  Whoever it was, Ruth wasn’t too keen on them, judging by the tone of her voice.

“Judith Arnett,” Ruth said. “She was trying to shoo a stray cat out of her yard and she fell into a hole.  She twisted her ankle and is on crutches for the next few days,” she added.

The room grew silent.  It got so quiet, you could’ve heard the crickets chirp.

Judith Arnett was one of the most unlikeable residents in Belhaven.  She and her small band of cronies carried on as if they owned the town.  Judith made it her personal mission to start mean, malicious rumors.  Her main objective? To ruin innocent people’s lives – and reputations.

Just last month, she spread a hateful rumor about Gus Smith.  Gus and his wife, Mary Beth, owned a small automotive shop on the edge of town.  She told anyone that would listen that she caught him drinking out behind his shop during business hours.

The rumor spread like wildfire and Gus’s business dropped off like a rock.  When Mary Beth caught wind of the malicious rumor Judith was spreading, she marched right over to Judith’s place and gave her a piece of her mind!

Gloria would’ve given anything to have witnessed the exchange.  Mary Beth was as sweet as sugar until you crossed her.  Then the fiery Italian temper bubbled over and woe to whoever might be on the receiving end of that!

Next thing you knew, Judith was keeping a low profile, avoiding town like the plague.  Gloria even heard she was taking her mail into nearby Green Springs just so she didn’t chance another run in with Mary Beth.

“If you’re going to visit Judith, you can count me out,” Dot announced.

Dot was never one to judge people – always the first to forgive, even if she’d been wronged.  For her to say she wouldn’t visit Judith was a surprise…

All eyes turned to Dot.  She’d been pretty quiet so far.  What with everything going on, no one could blame her…

“I caught her stealing from the restaurant last week and kicked her out,” she told the group.

This was the first any of them had heard about this.  Judith wasn’t the nicest of people – but a thief?

“She was in for breakfast with a couple of her cronies the other day.  After they paid at the cash register, Judith’s friends left but Judith went to use the restroom in the back.  I was still behind the cash register when she came out.  When she walked by me, I noticed her purse was bulging open and I could see inside.”

Dot paused.

Ruth leaned forward.  “What’d she take?”

“Instead of using the restroom, she must’ve snuck into the kitchen.  I asked to see what was in her purse.  At first she refused but when Ray came over to see what was going on, she changed her mind.”

“And?” Lucy nudged.

“She was trying to steal the small Espresso machine from the kitchen.”

The girls gasped in horror.  Judith – a thief?

“Anyways, I took the machine back and told her she was never to step foot in our restaurant again,” Dot finished.

“When was that?” Gloria asked.

Dot paused for a moment as she thought about it.  “Just the other day.  I think last Saturday.”  She shrugged.

“Right before the poisoning,” Margaret pointed out.

Lucy looked doubtful.  “You don’t think she came back and poisoned your dumplings to get even…”

“How could she?” Dot wondered.  “I banned her from the restaurant.”

The whole conversation got Gloria to thinking.  Dot’s kitchen was in the back.  Every time Gloria had ever gone into Dot’s kitchen, the back door was open and the screen door unlocked.  With all the ovens and equipment running, the back got hot.  And in the warmer months, especially the spring and summer, they left the door open to keep it cool.

Was it possible someone snuck into the restaurant just long enough to put something in the dumplings and then sneak back out?

Gloria wasn’t the only one thinking the exact same thing.

“After you made the dumplings, did you leave the kitchen?” Ruth asked.  “You know, run any errands between the time the dumplings were made and the first dish left the kitchen?”

Dot grew thoughtful.  So much had happened and her brain wasn’t functioning too well lately.  “I’m not sure…”

Gloria pulled her chair close to Dot.  “Think hard, Dot.  This is important.”

“Well, after I made the chicken and dumplings, I did a quick check of the supply closet.  Wednesday after close is our day to refill the salt and pepper shakers and all the other table condiments,” Dot said.

Her forehead crinkled.  Her eyebrows shot up.  “Yes!  Yes! I did leave the restaurant.  Ray was in the front talking to Officer Joe Nelson.  We were low on salt and we weren’t getting another delivery until Friday so I hung up my apron and headed out the front door.”  She went on.  “I ran down to the Quick Stop grocery on the corner…”

“So no one was in the back – at least for a few minutes,” Lucy observed.

Dot shook her head.  “No.  Both Jennifer and Ray were in the front when I left the restaurant.”

Gloria tapped the kitchen table top.  “Which would give someone enough time to slip in through the back screen door, dump something in the dumplings and then sneak back out without being seen.”

Gloria grabbed a pad of paper and pen from her junk drawer.  She sat back down and scribbled “Suspects” at the top and underlined it.

She wrote the number “1” and put Judith Arnett’s name beside it.  Halfway down the page, she started another line and added, “Witnesses.”

She turned back to Dot.  “Who was in the restaurant Wednesday morning that you remember?  I think we should question them.”

“Officer Nelson because Ray was talking to him.  Oh, Andrea was there!  She was sitting at a table in the back with a man wearing work boots and construction-type clothes,” Dot said.  “She ordered my favorite breakfast.  Biscuits and Sausage Gravy,” she added.

Gloria scribbled furiously.  “Anyone else you can remember?”

“Judith’s husband, Carl, was in there with Al Dickerson.”

Ruth changed the subject.  “Did you hear about the new restaurant that opened in Lakeville a week or so ago?”

“You mean Pasta Amore?” Gloria asked.

Lucy nodded.  “Someone mentioned it to me the other day.  That they have authentic Italian food.” She remembered poor Dot.  “I’m sure Dot’s food is a hundred times better than that place,” she added

Dot’s face fell.  “So that’s where everybody’s eating now that my place is closed.”

Margaret tapped her fingers on the side of her forehead.  “Maybe it’s them and they tried to sabotage Dot’s place,” she said.

Gloria grabbed the pitcher off the counter and refilled the glasses of tea.  “That’s what I was thinking.  But they’re only open for dinner and Dot’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

“But maybe they plan on expanding their hours,” Ruth argued.

Gloria set the pitcher of tea back on the counter.  “We need to look into that.”

Ruth glanced at her watch.  “I gotta get back to work.  My lunch break’s almost over.” She grabbed a couple sugar cookies and her purse before heading to the door.  “I’ll keep my ear to the ground, you know, see if anyone’s talking.” She looked over at Dot.  “Don’t worry.  We’re going to get to the bottom of this no matter what!” she promised.

With that, Ruth bolted out the door and hustled to her van.  Gloria watched as she peeled out of the driveway toward town.  She glanced at the clock.  Ruth had one minute left before the post office was supposed to open back up.  Judging by the way she tore out of the drive, she might just make it!

“Are you going to check out the new restaurant?” Lucy wondered.

Gloria turned to Dot.  “You want to take a ride over there?  See what we can find out?”  She didn’t dare tell Dot that she and Paul went there the other night for dinner.  It almost seemed like a betrayal to admit she had.

“I-I guess so…” Dot said.  She looked at Margaret and Lucy.

Margaret shook her head.  “As much as I’d like to, I have a meeting with a financial adviser after this.” She gave Gloria a quick look.  A look that meant Margaret was meeting with an adviser to discuss what they could do with any windfall they might come into if the coins turned out to be as valuable as everyone thought.

Gloria nodded.  “Margaret’s out then.” She turned to Lucy.  “You want to come along?”

Lucy grabbed a Butterscotch Parfait, stuck a spoon in the cup and scooped out a large spoonful of sweet creaminess.  She popped it in her mouth thoughtfully.  “Mmm.  This is so good!”

She scooped out another mound before she glanced at the clock on the wall.  “I have to be back by four.  Bill’s taking me to the gun range for shooting practice.”

Gloria stuck her hand on her hip.  “As much skeet shooting, squirrel hunting and other creature killings you two do, I would think you’d be a pro by now.”

Lucy stuck the spoon in her mouth and shook her head.  “Nope.  I’m not very good at all,” she admitted.

“Maybe next time, then.” Gloria said.  “Are you up for it, Dot?”

“You really should go,” Margaret urged her.  “It’s not good for you to stay shut up in that house 24 hours a day.”

Dot grabbed a parfait cup and then reached for a cookie.  She dipped the cookie in the pudding and took a big bite.  She chewed on it for a long moment.  “Yeah.  I guess I should.  If we don’t figure out who put poison in the pot - who will?”

Gloria covered the leftover sandwiches and shoved them in the fridge along with the remaining butterscotch desserts before she grabbed her purse and headed to the door.

Mally heard the jingle of Gloria’s keys and followed her to the door.  Gloria bent down.  “Sorry girl.  We have to go without you this time.  I’m pretty sure a fancy Italian restaurant isn’t going to allow dogs inside.”

Mally dropped her head and slunk over to her bed in the corner.  She gave Gloria a sad face before she flopped down on the bed and closed her eyes.

Lucy patted Gloria’s arm.  “She’ll be okay.  I think you’ve spoiled that dog rotten.”

Gloria sighed.  It was true.  But she spoiled Mally in a good way.  After all, what was wrong with the dog wanting to be with her?

She gave Mally one last glance before she followed the girls outside and shut the door.

Margaret tied the bright blue scarf around her head and followed Lucy to the jeep.  “Keep us posted if you manage to find any good clues.”

Dot and Gloria watched Lucy’s Jeep roar out of the driveway before climbing into Anabelle.

The drive to Lakeville took a quick half an hour.  On the way, Dot and Gloria talked about the weather.  Their grandkids.  Anything but the murder.

As they got close to town, Gloria had a thought.  “Maybe we should talk to Jennifer.  You know, find out if she noticed anything odd or anyone unusual lurking around the other morning.”

Dot planned on it.  She just didn’t have it in her to call her yet.  With the restaurant shut down, there was a chance that Jennifer was going to quit anyways.  Who would want to work for someone that poisoned people?  “Yeah, I guess so.”

Gloria glanced at Dot.  “Leave it to me,” Gloria said.  “I’ll get ahold of her.”

Dot was relieved.  “Could you?”  Tears welled up in her eyes.  She wiped them away with the back of her hand.  “I don’t know what to say to her. Or anyone else.”

It was the least Gloria could do for her friend.  “I’ll call her tomorrow,” she promised.

The restaurant was in downtown Lakeville, right off the main road.  They slowed as they passed by the front.  The new owners had done a nice job of remodeling the place.  It was originally built as a boarding house for the men who built the railroad that ran through town.

For years it sat vacant until a local resident decided to fix it up and turn it into a drugstore.  It stayed that way until the owner retired.  The owner’s children weren’t the least bit interested in living in Lakeville and once again, the place sat vacant for a long time.  Until a few months ago when the mysterious new owners from Chicago remodeled it and turned it into the restaurant.

Gloria pulled into an empty spot in front of the building.  Her heart sank as she read the sign.  They didn’t open for another hour!

Dot was disappointed.  “I guess we should’ve called first.”

Gloria shook her head.  “Let’s head around back.  I’m sure someone’s inside getting ready for the dinner rush.”

The girls climbed out of the car, walked around the side of the building and headed for the alley in the rear.  Three vehicles were parked off to the side and one of them was a shiny, new SUV with an Illinois license plate.

Gloria slipped her glasses on.  She grabbed her phone from her purse and switched it to camera mode.  She stepped close to the SUV and leaned forward to snap a picture of the license plate.  Now maybe she could track down the restaurant owner!

Dot took a step towards her.  “What are you doing?” she whispered loudly.

Just then the back door of the restaurant swung open.  A short, dark-haired man stepped onto the stoop.  “What’s going on back here?” he demanded.

Gloria jerked up. The pocket of her sweater caught on the trailer hitch.  She tried to yank it free but the sweater refused to budge.  Her head bobbed up and down as she tried in vain to pull herself free.

The man must’ve wondered what in the world was going on.  He hopped off the steps and made his way to the back of the vehicle.  At that precise moment, Gloria’s sweater decided to rip free.  She stumbled backwards and landed on her rear, the cell phone still clutched in the palm of her hand.

Dot reached down and helped Gloria to her feet.  “We here – uh – admiring…”  Her voice trailed off.

She tried again. “We were admiring the color of the building and I, uh. I was telling my friend Gloria here, that I wanted to paint my house this color.”

Dot stopped and gave Gloria a hard stare.  “So – uhmm, she offered to take a picture.  That’s when she dropped her phone.”

The man gave them an odd look, then shrugged his shoulders.

Gloria quickly changed the subject.  “The new owners did a nice job remodeling the old place,” she said.

The man smiled.  “Thanks.”  He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked up at the restaurant.   “My wife and I’ve been working on it now for a couple months.”

“You’re only open for dinner?” Dot blurted out.

“We have been, but starting Saturday we’ll be open for breakfast and lunch, too.  Other than a fast food joint down the road, we’re the only restaurant in the area,” he explained.

Dot started to tell him that “no they weren’t” but bit her tongue instead.  She didn’t want him to know who she was.  Now that he was closer, she got a good look at this face. He looked familiar.  Like she’d see him somewhere before…

Gloria could tell Dot wanted to say something.  Probably something she’d regret.  She grabbed Dot’s hand and started to pull her away.  “We’ll have to come back and try it.” She gave a small wave before whirling around and walking off.

Dot stomped along behind her.  “Did you hear that?” she huffed.  “He’s going to start serving breakfast and lunch.” She mimicked his voice.  “I think he poisoned my food.  Somehow he snuck into my restaurant and dumped something in my dumplings!”

“I know you’re upset Dot but we can’t jump to conclusions.  We need to do a bit more detective work,” Gloria said.  “Remember Judith? She has motive, too.”

“True.” Dot stomped her foot. “It’s so dang frustrating!”

The girls rounded the corner of the building and made their way over to Anabelle.  They climbed inside before Gloria answered.  “We need to be patient, Dot.  Even if it means the restaurant stays closed a little longer.”

Dot stared down at her hands.  There were moments she wished it would just stay closed forever and there were others, she wanted desperately to be back at work.  Back in her kitchen doing what she loved – feeding people and making them happy.  “I know.  It’s just hard…”

Gloria started Anabelle and backed the car into the street.  “Someone committed a murder and that someone is still roaming the streets.”

“And that someone is trying to frame me!” Dot pointed out.  “That guy from the restaurant.  He looks familiar.  Like I’ve seen him somewhere before…”

“I’m sure he’s been to your restaurant,” Gloria guessed.  “You know, checking out the competition and all.”

“Tomorrow I’ll talk to Jennifer,” Gloria promised.  “And I’ll do a little digging around to see what I can find out about Mr. Pasta Amore!”

Gloria was relieved to find Ray was home when she dropped Dot off in the drive.  She knew that today was a lot for Dot to digest and until they solved the murder, things weren’t going to get any easier for her.

Gloria glanced at the clock.  Paul was working the night shift again but one night this week he was coming over for the steak dinner she promised him.  If she was lucky, maybe she could wheedle a little info out of Paul about the investigation.  Like what kind of poison the killer used.

Chapter Three

Gloria spent a restless night worrying about Dot, wondering about Judith and trying to figure out when she’d could fit a second dinner at Pasta Amore into her schedule.

Maybe she could ask Margaret to go with her.  That way she could kill two birds with one stone.  Do a little detective work on the case and talk to Margaret one-on-one about the coins.  Which made her think of something else.  She was supposed to contact some attorneys about setting up wills in case they did have million dollar coins!

Gloria crawled out of bed bright and early the next morning.  Her first order of business was to let Mally out for a run.

She grabbed the list of witnesses that were in the restaurant the morning of the poisoning.  Carl Arnett and Al Dickerson were at the top of the list.  Gloria mentally crossed Carl Arnett off her list of people to visit.  No way did she want to chance a run in with Judith.  The woman sunk to a new level in Gloria’s book, what with her trying to steal from Dot!

She slipped on her reading glasses and grabbed the telephone book.  The listing for Belhaven wasn’t long.  After all, there weren’t more than 900 people in the whole town.  She had no trouble finding the phone number for Al Dickerson.

She picked up the phone and dialed the number, still not certain what she should say.  Gloria was much better at just winging it.

“Hello?”

“Uh.  Hi Al.  This is Gloria Rutherford.” She paused.  “Uh, I was wondering if it would be possible for me to stop by your place sometime today.  I heard you were in Dot’s on Wednesday when that man was poisoned.”

“Yeah, it was just terrible.  Keeled over, right there at the table,” he said.  “His wife was hysterical.  Poor thing.”

“Dot’s taking this hard,” Gloria said.  “I’m trying to help figure out how something like this could have happened and since you were there, I thought maybe if you had a few minutes, I could talk to you to see if you can remember anything unusual about that day.”

“Sure, sure.  Whatever I can do to help!” Al said.  “I’m just sittin’ out here on my front porch drinking a cup of coffee if you want to come on over.”

Gloria glanced at the clock.  If she timed it right, she could visit Al and then take a run by Jennifer’s place to talk to her.  “Sure, I’ll be over there in half an hour or less…if that’s not too soon.”

“I’ll be here,” Al answered.

Gloria headed to the shower to get ready.  Her brain seemed to work better in the shower.  There were no distractions to get in the way.

She pulled on a pair of slacks and long-sleeved shirt. The morning was still a little cool but the sun was shining.  It was shaping up to be a beautiful day.

She grabbed her car keys off the rack and her purse off the table.  Mally bounded around the corner of the dining room and skidded into the kitchen.  She raced over to her box of stuffed animals and grabbed one off the top before meeting Gloria at the kitchen door.

“You can go with me this time,” she told her.  “Al’s farm’s about as big as this one.  You’ll have fun racing around his place.”

The two hopped in the car and headed towards town.  Her heart sank when she passed by Dot’s place.  It was dark.  She gripped the steering wheel, a look of determination fixed on her face.  She was going to get this mystery solved.  And the sooner the better.

Al’s farm set back from the road a good distance.  The winding path back to the farm was long and narrow.  There were farm fields on both sides of the drive.  They were empty right now, waiting for spring planting in the next week or so.

She bumped along the path and rounded the curve.  His two-story white farmhouse was straight ahead.  Gloria loved Al’s front porch.  She liked her own porch just fine. Hers was more to the side and not very big, while Al’s was long and wide.  It ran the entire length of the front of the house and it faced west.  He must have awesome views of the sunsets and God’s beautiful creation, she thought. Of course, hers faced west, too.

Al was sitting on the porch.  Gloria slowed to a stop and slid out of the car.  Al got out of his rocking chair.  He shoved his hand in his bib overalls and made his way down the front steps.

Al was all alone on the farm now.  His wife, Cecelia, died of cancer the year before.  His kids tried to convince him to move in with them but he couldn’t bear to part with the place.  The farm had been in his family for generations, just like Gloria’s husband James’s had. Someday he hoped one of his boys would take an interest in the place.  Maybe then he’d consider moving into something smaller but for now he was content.

A plain white t-shirt was tucked neatly under the denim bibs.  He looked like he was ready to hop on his tractor.  His eyes crinkled as he smiled at Gloria. “Good to see you Gloria.”

She closed the door and made her way across the lawn to the porch.  “Nice to see you, too, Al.”

He waved to one of the rockers.  “Have a seat,” he said.  “You want a cup of coffee?”

She nodded.  “Sure, if you got a little extra.  Black is fine.”

“I’ll be back in a jiffy.”  He disappeared inside the front door as Gloria settled into the chair.

Mally took off in the direction of the red silo.  Gloria didn’t have a silo at her place and the dog was determined to check it out.

Al reappeared moments later, two coffee cups in hand.  “How’s Liz doin’?  I heard she had you traipsing halfway across the country on some wild goose chase last week.”

Gloria took the cup and grimaced.  “She sure did.  Seems she was dead set on the two of us meeting my dad’s sister, Ethel.  Ethel lived in Tennessee,” she explained.

Al laughed.  “Liz always was a firecracker!” he said.

Gloria studied him for a minute.  He had to be close to Liz’s age.  Come to think of it, Al asked about Liz every time she ran into him.

Liz was lonely.  Al seemed to be lonely.  Maybe she should arrange a cookout at her place with Paul and invite Liz and Al to join them…

“…and next thing I knew, the man grabbed his throat and started gagging,” Al said.

Gloria was so wrapped up in her matchmaking plan, she didn’t hear a single word he’d just said.  “I’m sorry, Al.  I was daydreaming.  I didn’t catch part of what you were saying.”

Al took a sip of coffee.  “No.  I was just saying that Carl.  You know, Carl Arnett. Carl and I were just finishing our coffee and donuts, getting ready to leave when Dot brought the chicken and dumplings out to the table next to us.” He drummed his fingers on the top of his knee.  “The woman with him, I guess it was his wife.  She got the same thing.”

He went on.  “I was just getting up from the table to head to the cash register and pay when the man clutched at his throat and said something about he couldn’t swallow and it felt like his throat was on fire.”

Gloria remembered Dot mentioning Officer Nelson was in the restaurant that morning, too.  “Was Officer Nelson still there when all this happened?”

Al nodded.  “Yeah, he jumped out of his seat and ran over to try and help but I guess it was too late.”

“So he was he still alive when the ambulance got there?”  That was pretty much what Ray already told her.

“Yeah, but he was in rough shape.  I think his throat closed shut from whatever poison was in the dumplings.” He paused as he stared out at the empty field in front of him.  “Ruth said something about she heard he died on the way to the hospital.”

Of course Ruth would know that, Gloria thought to herself.

“Is there anything else that sticks out in your mind as odd about the whole thing?” she asked.

“No.  That was it.  The police rushed us all out after they took the poor man away on the stretcher.  Right after that they taped everything off.”

“I appreciate your time, Al.” Mally was back from her romp.  She plopped down next to Gloria’s chair.  “We better get going.”

She set the coffee cup on the small stand beside the chair. She got to her feet and started across the porch before turning back.  “Thanks for the coffee.”

She paused for a moment.  “I was thinking about having a cookout over at my place in a week or so.  Thought maybe if you had the time, you could come on over for dinner.

“I plan on inviting a few others.  Margaret and Ray, Lucy and her boyfriend Bill.  Maybe my sister, Liz,” she added.  “And of course my boyfriend, Paul.”

Al set his coffee cup on the small stand next to hers and walked to the edge of the porch.  “I heard about him.  Sounds like you got a keeper there.”

Al’s face brightened.  “That’s mighty nice of you Gloria,” he said.  “I don’t get out too much other than running up to Dot’s for coffee.  Now I can’t even do that.”

She pulled her keys from her purse and started across the drive.  “I’ll give you call when I have a set time.” She waved to Al as she pulled out of the drive.  The more she thought about a cookout and inviting Al and Liz, the more she liked the idea.

What harm could a little matchmaking do?

Gloria drove into town and made a last minute decision to stop at the post office.  Maybe Ruth had some news.   She was relieved the parking lot wasn’t full of cars.  There was no way she and Ruth could discuss the case if people were inside eavesdropping on their conversation.

She stepped in the front door.  Ruth was leaning over the counter, talking to Beatrice.  Beatrice or “Bea” as everyone in town called her, was the local hairdresser. If anyone could rival Ruth in the gossip department, it was Bea.

Ruth glanced up when she saw Gloria and Mally come through the door.  Bea had her back to Gloria and didn’t notice her standing behind her.  She caught the tail end of Bea’s sentence “… and Judith said Carl told her that she heard the man’s wife say something about suing Dot!”

Gloria’s heart skipped a beat.  Dot would be devastated if she heard this!  Talk of suing already??  The poor man’s body wasn’t even in the ground yet and his widow is ready to sue?  The wife didn’t even know how her husband got poisoned.

Bea whirled around when she heard Gloria clear her throat.  “Oh. Hi Gloria!”

Gloria smiled.  “How you doing, Bea?”

Bea straightened her back and shuffled to the side for a three-way conversation.  “Just fine.  Ruth and I were just talking about the unfortunate accident over at Dot’s place.”

“I heard,” Gloria said.  “Say, does anyone know what the man’s name is yet?”

Ruth nodded.  “Yeah.  Officer Joe was in here earlier.  He told me they just finished the autopsy.” She had a thought.  “You should see if Paul can give you any info on the case,” she suggested.

Gloria nodded.  That was the plan.  Not that that was the only reason she wanted to see Paul.  But it wouldn’t hurt her investigation if she could maybe get a little insider info out of him.

Ruth went on.  “His name was Mike Foley.  He was from Lakeville,” she said.  “His wife’s name is Darla.” Ruth tsk-tsked.  “Such a sad situation!”

It was Bea’s turn.  “I heard.  Now I don’t know how true this is.  But I heard that the chicken ‘n dumplings were tainted with toilet bowl cleaner.  Can you imagine that?” she asked.

Toilet bowl cleaner? Gloria was shocked.  No way could toilet bowl cleaner accidentally get dumped into a big pot of dumplings. That was sitting on the kitchen counter.  Someone had to have done it on purpose!

“Did you hear the wife’s talking about suing?” Ruth asked.

Gloria shook her head.  “I hope not for Dot and Ray’s sake…”  She grabbed Mally’s leash and headed for the door.  That was the worst possible news she’d heard all day.  She pulled the door open and turned back around. “I wouldn’t mention it to Dot or Ray.  They have enough to worry about right now.”

Ruth pinched her fingers together and made a zipping motion across her mouth.  “My lips are sealed!”

Bea nodded.  “Mine too!”

Gloria closed the door.  She hoped they would keep silent.  The two of them didn’t have that great of a track record for keeping secrets…

Gloria headed out of town and drove right past her own farm.

Dot’s employee, Jennifer, and her husband Tony, lived in what country folk called the boondocks.  Tony’s parents ran a small sawmill on their property.  They owned several acres of land and had sectioned off a nice chunk years back when Tony married Jennifer.

The two of them lived in a double wide trailer.  It was brand new when they bought it and quite nice.  There was a large, open living room and it even had a massive, stone fireplace, which Gloria loved.

Jennifer and Tony had three children. Gloria hadn’t seen the kids in years.  They must be teens by now, she thought.

The double wide was set close to the road.  Gloria noticed Jennifer’s beat up old four door sedan parked in the driveway.  Tony’s pick-up truck was parked beside it. Gloria pulled in behind Jennifer’s car and climbed out.

Jennifer must’ve seen her coming.  She swung the screen door open as Gloria and Mally shuffled through the grass towards the front deck.

“Hi Gloria!” Jennifer said.  “What brings you way out here?”

“Hey Jennifer,” Gloria replied.  She really liked Jennifer.  She wasn’t born and raised in Belhaven like her husband, Tony.  She was what they jokingly referred to as a “City Slicker.”  Tony met her long ago on a trip to Chicago.  After she finished high school, she moved to Belhaven and she and Tony married.

For years, Jennifer raised the boys while Tony worked in Green Springs at the tool and die shop.  Gloria heard they cut Tony’s hours back when the economy tanked.  That’s another reason Jennifer was working at the restaurant.  She was trying to help make ends meet until Tony could get more hours down at the shop.  Thank goodness they had their home on family property.

“C’mon in,” Jennifer said.  She patted Mally’s head.  “You, too!”

Gloria hugged Jennifer and stepped inside the house.  The kids must be home.  She could hear loud, thumping music coming from somewhere in the back.

She glanced towards the kitchen.  “Is Tony here?”

Jennifer shook her head.  “No.  He ran over to the sawmill to help his dad run some boards through for a customer.”

Jennifer’s father-in-law, Fred, had a heart attack a few years back. He no longer worked from sun-up to sun-down.  Tony helped out at the sawmill whenever he wasn’t working at the shop.

Jennifer waved her hand towards the kitchen table.  “You want to have a seat?”

Gloria nodded as she made her way over to the chair.  “I told Dot I’d come by and check on you today.” She dropped her purse on the floor.  Mally curled up next to her feet.

Jennifer pulled out a chair and plopped down.  “It’s just horrible, Gloria.” She dropped her chin in her fist.  “Dot must be devastated.”

Gloria nodded.  “She’s taking this whole thing hard.  That’s why I’m here.  To see if you can recall anything at all about that morning that might help track down the killer.”

Jennifer glanced out the back slider. “I got to the restaurant around eleven that day,” she said.  “Right around the time the breakfast crowd cleared out and before the lunch crowd started wandering in.”

She went on.  “I came in through the back.  I remember the chicken and dumplings were already done.  The big pot was sitting on the counter and the kitchen smelled heavenly.” She paused.  “You know how delicious Dot’s dumplings are.”

Gloria nodded, waiting for her to continue.

Jennifer leaned forward, her eyebrows scrunched together.  “Gloria, I tasted the dumplings like I do every Wednesday morning. You know.  Not much, just a small sample.  She must’ve just finished making them.  They were piping hot.”

“After I finished the dish, I put on my apron and headed to the front cuz it was starting to get busy.  I was pouring coffee for your friend… uh…Andrea, when Dot stopped by the table to say she had to run down to the Quick Stop to pick up some salt.”

“So it was only you and Ray running the restaurant during that time?” Gloria asked.

Jennifer nodded.  “Yeah.  No one was in the back kitchen while Dot was gone.”

“That means from the time you sampled the dumplings around eleven and the first order was served to Mike Foley and his wife, someone dumped poison in the pot,” Gloria theorized.

Jennifer grabbed a pen from the center of the table and began tapping it on the table top.  “Yeah, it had to be while Dot was down at the store.”

“How long was Dot gone?” Gloria asked.

Jennifer gazed at the ceiling as she thought about it.  “I’d say ten minutes. Fifteen tops.”

“Which would mean someone was lurking outside the back of the restaurant between 11 and 11:30, saw their opportunity to sneak inside and dump the poison in the pot and then escape out the back door without ever being seen.”

This was progress.  Gloria had the timeframe narrowed down for the poisoning and how the killer gained access to the restaurant.

Jennifer glanced out the back slider again.  Her husband was walking down the path towards the house.  “Tony’s coming,” she said.

Gloria got out of the chair and pushed it back under the table.  “Is there anything else that sticks out in your mind?”

Jennifer shook her head.  “The rest is a blur.  I was busy waiting other tables when Dot brought the dumplings to the table.”

Jennifer walked her to the door just in time for Tony to head indoors.  He smiled when he saw Gloria standing in the living room.

Tony was a handsome young man.  Well, young to Gloria.  He had to be in his mid to late 30’s by now.  His sandy brown hair was parted on the side and combed back over his ears.  Clean cut.  That’s how Gloria would describe him.  He reminded her of her own two sons that she never got to see anymore.

Her oldest son, Eddie, lived in Chicago with his wife.  They didn’t have children and to hear them talk, they never would.

Her middle child, Ben, lived in Houston, Texas with his wife, Kelly and their twins.  Ariel and Oliver or Ollie as the called him.  The family made an effort to come back for a visit every summer but missed last year.  The kids were into almost every kind of sport imaginable and they couldn’t break away, even for a couple days.

Ben and Kelly offered to pay for Gloria’s plane ticket if she wanted to come visit but Gloria didn’t care to fly too much.

The last time she talked to Ben, he warned her this summer might be another no-show for them.  Gloria already decided she would make a trip to Texas this summer if they couldn’t come home.  If not, her grandkids wouldn’t remember who she was!

Tony brought her back to earth when he leaned over and gave her a quick hug.  “What’s the special occasion?” he smiled.  “No.  Let me guess.  You’re investigating the poisoning over at Dot’s place.”

Gloria grinned.  “Guilty as charged.” She turned to glance at Jennifer.  “I hoped Jennifer might remember something important from the other morning.”

Tony turned to his wife. He reached over and squeezed Jennifer’s arm.  “The whole thing shook her up.  What a tragedy,” he added.

Jennifer grabbed the handle on the screen door and pushed it open.  “I wasn’t much help.  About the only thing I remembered is what time I got to the restaurant and how the first thing I did when I got there was try a small bowl of dumplings myself.  They were delicious.”

Gloria and Mally stepped onto the deck.

Tony and Jennifer followed them outside.  “I wish I could remember more.  Something that would help,” Jennifer confessed.

Gloria hugged her.  “No, you were a big help.  Now I know the timeframe the pot was poisoned and that whoever it was came through the back kitchen door.”

Jennifer walked to the railing as Gloria made her way down the steps.  “You think they’re going to open the restaurant back up anytime soon?”

“I hope so.” Gloria shrugged.  “I know you can use the money and Dot needs to stay busy and not dwell on this.”

Jennifer and Tony were still standing on the deck as Gloria backed out of the driveway.  She gave a small wave before pulling Anabelle onto the main road.

Her mind was in high gear.  The killer knew exactly what he was doing and had the perfect time frame to commit the crime.  And killing someone with a common household cleaning product that couldn’t be traced back to a specific person was genius.

Gloria parked in her drive and made her way out to the mailbox.  She pulled a small stack from the box and rifled through it as she made her way towards the house.

Halfway through the stack, she spied an envelope with her name and address neatly printed on the front.  She flipped the envelope over and pried it open.  Inside were three sheets of paper.  She unfolded the sheets. There was a small yellow sticky stuck on top.  The print was too small for Gloria to read without her glasses.

She and Mally walked onto the back porch.  Gloria grabbed the newspaper off the steps before making her way into the kitchen.  She dropped the paper on the table and reached for her reading glasses.

She read the sticky note on top of the papers first.  “Gloria, I hope this note finds you in good health.  Sandy signed the waiver releasing her rights to the coins.  Here are your three originals.” The small note ended.  “Keep in touch.  I’d love to hear what you all did with your coins.” The note was signed, “David Henderson.”

Gloria pulled the sticky off the sheet and read the words.  She didn’t understand most of the mumbo-jumbo on it.  But she did understand the part that said Sandra McGee waived all rights and claims to the gold coins David Henderson, Gloria Rutherford, Margaret Jenkins and Elizabeth Applegate found on the Henderson property.

Her hand shook as she folded the pieces of paper and stuffed them back inside the envelope.  They were one step closer to being able claim a small fortune!

She picked up the phone and called her sister, Liz, first.  “Hello?”

“Hey Liz, it’s me.  Guess what I got in the mail today?” Gloria asked. “Sandra McGee signed off on any claim to the coins!”

“No way!”  Liz let out a shriek and dropped the phone.  Gloria pulled the phone from her ear as it clattered to the floor.

Liz was back.  “You still there?”

“Yep.  I have three signed releases in my hot little hands,” Gloria confirmed.

“That’s great!  I’ve been checking out different places where we can sell the coins,” Liz said.  “I also did a little research on the coins themselves.  I think they’re worth even more than what we originally thought.”

Gloria’s heart fluttered.  “H-how much?”  They still weren’t out of the woods as far as the coins were concerned.  There was still a chance the government could try to lay claim to the coins like they did to the family in Pennsylvania that the coin appraiser told them about.

“Millions.  As in more than one,” Liz said. “When do you want to get together to go over this stuff?”

“I haven’t had a chance to work on my part yet,” Gloria admitted.  “I’ve been too busy trying to figure out who poisoned a customer at Dot’s restaurant.”

“I heard!” Liz exclaimed.  “That’s just terrible. If anyone can figure out who did such an awful thing, it’ll be you!”

Gloria grinned.  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Well, it is,” Liz said.

Gloria’s brain switched gears.  “Oh, hey.  Before I hang up, I was wondering if you’d like to come over here for a cookout.  Next weekend.”

“Just me?” Liz asked.

“No.  It’ll be Lucy and her boyfriend, Margaret and Ray.  And Paul so you can finally meet him,” she added.  Gloria didn’t mention inviting Al.

“Sure.  I’ll come.  Can’t wait to meet your beau,” Liz teased.

Gloria grinned as she hung up the phone.  This was the first conversation in years that she could remember where she and Liz didn’t snip at each other.

Gloria picked up the phone again.  It was time to call Margaret with the good news.  No one answered at her place.

She was on her way to the fridge when she heard a light tap on the porch door.  Gloria made her way around the table.  It was Margaret.  She opened the door and stepped aside.  “I just left a message on your answering machine at home.”

“Why?” Mally heard Margaret’s voice and padded into the kitchen.

Margaret reached down and patted her head.  “There’s our partner-in-crime!”

Gloria grabbed the papers off the kitchen table and handed one of them to Margaret.  Margaret squinted at the words.  “What’s this?”

“The waiver from Sandra McGee!”

Margaret’s head shot up.  “You’re kidding!”  She squealed before she grabbed Gloria’s shoulders and danced around her.  “Woo Hoo!”

She folded her waiver up and shoved it in her purse. “I stopped by to let you know what I found about some of the different investments.”

“You’re way ahead of me, Margaret,” Gloria warned.  “I haven’t had a chance to talk to a lawyer yet.  The death at Dot’s has been keeping me busy.”

Margaret nodded.  “I understand.  Friends come first.”

Gloria looked at the clock on the wall.  “That’s another reason I called. Do you want to go over to the new restaurant in Lakeville? You know, scope it out.”

“Hmm…” Margaret was only half-listening.  She was staring at the front page of the local paper.  “Did you see this?”

“Uh-uh.  What?”  Gloria leaned over her shoulder.  Smack dab, front and center on the first page was a photo of Dot’s restaurant.  The caption underneath read:  “Poisoning at Local Restaurant Leads to Man’s Death.”

The article was a few short paragraphs.  It told how Mike Foley from nearby Lakeville was eating lunch with his wife, Darla, at Dot’s when he was poisoned by her lunch special, the Chicken and Dumplings.  The story went on to say he died on the way to the hospital.  A brief mention at the end said a funeral would be held later that week.

“What are the chances someone he knew poisoned him?” Margaret wondered.

“Not likely.  No.  I think it was someone else.  Someone who was trying to harm either Dot or Ray or ruin Dot’s business.”  She remembered the owner of Pasta Amore.

“So do you want to run over to that restaurant in Lakeville with me?” Gloria asked.

Margaret was still staring at the picture.  “Yeah, yeah.  Sure.  When?”

“Paul’s coming over for dinner tonight.  How ‘bout tomorrow night?”

Margaret headed for the door.  “Sounds good.  I think Don’s going fishing with his buddies tomorrow.”

Gloria watched as Margaret made her way down the steps and to her car. “Oh, hey!  What about the investments?”  she yelled at Margaret’s back.

Margaret whirled around.  “Oh my gosh!  Can you believe I forgot why I was even here?”

Yes.  Gloria could believe it.  Stuff like that happened to her all the time.  She could walk from the living room to the kitchen and forget why she went there.

Margaret reached into her oversize handbag and pulled out a packet.  “It’s a little confusing, all the different stuff to invest in.  I’d have Don take a look at it but even he doesn’t know about the coins yet.”  Her husband, Don, recently retired as vice president of a local bank.

Gloria grabbed the papers and nodded.  James always took care of their finances.  She had a tidy sum in the bank, along with his pension and social security.  She got by just fine.

The coins weighed heavy on her mind.  Sometimes money was more of a burden than anything.  And it certainly brought out the worst in some people…

She watched Margaret drive off before heading back inside.  It was time to start on dinner.  She pulled some olive oil, garlic and Worcestershire sauce from the cupboard.  Gloria liked to cook like she investigated her crimes.  With no real follow-by-the-rule-book plans.

She chopped two cloves of garlic and tossed it into the bottom of a glass baking dish.  Then she poured some olive oil and Worcestershire sauce in.  She whisked it with a fork before dropping two Ribeye steaks in the bottom.  She swirled them around in the dish before flipping them over and popping them in the fridge.

It was time to head to the root cellar.  The root cellar had been a fixture on the farm for as long as Gloria could remember. It was the perfect place to store all her vegetables.  This one was dug right out of the ground and there were several steps leading down to it.

She grabbed a flashlight by the door before heading outdoors in search of some potatoes.  There were still a bunch left over from last year’s garden.

She made her way down the steps to the wooden red doors.  She opened the doors, clicked on the flashlight and stepped inside.  A cool dampness hung in the air.  She shivered as she made her way to the back of the cellar.  Not only were there still some potatoes, she had a few onions, some carrots and a couple heads of cabbage.

She grabbed two nice-sized potatoes and an onion before heading out.  Mally was still sniffing around the storage bins.  “Sorry girl.  I don’t have any corn.”

Mally dropped her head and followed behind Gloria.  Corn on the cob was her favorite.

Gloria latched the doors shut and headed up the steps.  “Don’t worry. I plan on growing at least three rows of yellow corn this summer just for you!” she promised.

The day was filled with bright sunshine and warming up nicely.  Gloria was thankful for the lovely weather.  Nothing like trying to grill steaks in the cold - or worse yet - rain.

Back inside, she scrubbed the potatoes and set them aside.  She looked over at Mally and Puddles, who wandered into the kitchen in search of a snack.  “I know, I know.  We’re all hungry!”

She fed them both before pulling a bowl of vegetable soup from the freezer.  While she waited for the soup to unthaw in the microwave, she picked up the newspaper and glanced at the article again.  She prayed Dot hadn’t seen it but chances of that were slim.

She opened the paper and glanced at the inside.  Three pages in, her eyes zeroed in on a restaurant review.  She picked up her glasses and started to read:

“Pasta Amore Makes Me Want Some Moray” the headline read.  It was a five-star review for the new restaurant.  According to the food critic, who tried a sampler platter of baked Lasagna, Chicken Piccata and Five Cheese Ziti, the food was fabulous.

The critic ranted and raved about the creamy pasta, fresh spices and crusty, garlic bread.  The author even gushed over the salad. How the dressing had the perfect amount of tang.  The croutons fresh and made from scratch.  Gloria finished the review and then studied the photo of the food critic.  It was a young woman with long dark hair.  Amy Martola.

She doesn’t look old enough to be an experienced food critic, Gloria decided.  When Margaret and I eat there tomorrow night, I’m going to try that sampler plate myself, she vowed.

She pulled out the grocery store ad and started a short list as she ate her soup.  Her fridge was almost empty. Even though she didn’t mind going to the store, it wasn’t at the top of her list of favorite things to do.

She carried her dishes to the sink when the phone started to ring.  It was her daughter, Jill.  “Hi Mom.  How did your trip to Tennessee go?”

Gloria propped the phone on her shoulder and picked up the dishrag and bowl.  “It was fine.  Margaret and I had a very nice time.  Your Aunt Liz was a bit of a stinker but straightened up towards the end,” she added.

Jill chuckled.  Her Aunt Liz was a bit of a handful.  But in a good way.  “The boys and I thought we’d make a trip to the flea market next Monday.  You want to go with us?” she asked.

Gloria didn’t get to see much of Jill and the boys these days.  It would be nice to spend some time together.  “Yes, of course.  What time?”

“How does 9 sound?  We can eat breakfast at Dot’s and then walk over to the flea market,” Jill said.

Oh no.  Jill didn’t know about Dot’s!  “You don’t get the newspaper, do you?” Gloria asked.

“No.  Why?” Jill replied.

“Because Dot’s is closed right now.  Someone died after eating her chicken and dumplings last Wednesday.”

Jill sucked in her breath.  “You’re kidding!”

“I wish I was.  No.  The place is shut down until the health department and police department gives them the okay to open back up,” Gloria explained.

Tears filled Jill’s eyes.  Her heart went out to poor Dot, who was like a second mother to her.  “Poor Dot.”

“I’m trying to figure out what happened and clear Dot and Ray’s good names,” Gloria said.

“If anyone can figure out what happened, it’s you,” Jill said confidently.

Gloria smiled.  That was the second compliment she got just today on her sleuthing abilities.  But the smile faded when she remembered one of her favorite sayings, “Pride Goeth Before a Fall!”

Jill yelled into the phone.  “Tyler, put that down.  Listen, I gotta go.  Tyler’s spraying the dog with air freshener!”

“Okay, see you next week,” Gloria quickly replied.  But Jill was already gone.

Gloria shook her head and offered up a small prayer for Jill and extra patience with her grandsons.

Gloria glanced at the clock.  It was time to start on her secret weapon.  Dessert.  After all, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.  She remembered him mentioning to her that he loved coconut.  With that in mind, she knew what to make.  Creamy Coconut Cake.

She plugged in the radio and turned it to a Christian radio station. Then she pulled the ingredients from the cupboard.  The afternoon flew by as she busied herself with the special dinner.

Her mind wandered to Liz and Al as she worked.  Maybe the two of them would hit it off.  Al seemed laid back while Liz could be high maintenance.  But one never could tell.  Opposites do attract.  He might be the perfect balance to her personality.  She shrugged.  It was worth a shot.  If nothing else, maybe they could be friends…

The ringing phone pulled her from deep thought.  She wiped her hands on her daisy print apron.  “Hello?”

“Hello, Gloria.” Gloria felt her face flush.  It was Paul.  She pulled the phone closer.  “Don’t tell me you’re calling to cancel dinner,” she said.

“No, no,” he reassured her.  “I’m getting off a little early and thought I’d head over to your place now…” he trailed off.

Everything was pretty much ready to go.  All that was left was freshening up.  “Sure. Come on over!”

After they hung up, she made a beeline for the bathroom.  He was only half an hour ahead of schedule so it wasn’t a big deal.

Gloria freshened her make-up and checked her outfit one last time.  She decided on a pair of dark blue capris and baby blue silk blouse.  On her feet were a pair of black flats.  She popped a pair of pearl earrings in her ears and spritzed some of her favorite perfume on before she wandered back into the kitchen.

She got there just in time to see his police car pull into the drive.  Her heart sunk.  This meant just one thing. He had to work early the next morning, she thought.

She swung the door open and stepped out onto the porch.  Her pulse raced as she watched his tall, broad-shouldered figure emerge from the driver’s seat.  He reached back in and pulled a hanging basket of flowers from the passenger seat.

“Flowers again?” she said.

“Of course,” he replied.  “But these are for the porch.”

He leaned close and sniffed the air.  “You smell pretty.”

Gloria smiled brightly.  “Thanks.” She turned and waved him up the steps.  “C’mon inside.”

She hung the colorful arrangement from a hook on the porch before they headed indoors.

She pulled a pitcher of lemonade from the fridge along with the steaks still marinating in the dish.  He grabbed the steaks while she poured the lemonade.

“We can sit out on the porch while these are grilling?” she suggested.

She settled in the rocker and watched as he fired up the grill.

The sun began to set in the sky.  For a moment, it reminded Gloria of several months back when she sat in the exact same rocker and faced the sunset.  But it was much different back then than it was right now.

She was alone.  And lonely.  As she reflected back on it, it was a season in her life where she felt as if she had no purpose. She remembered praying to God to help her become useful again.  It wasn’t long after that Daniel Malone’s body was found in the woods behind the old elementary school.

Gloria dove head first into detective-mode, something she’d always thought was right up her alley.  Things changed after that.  She helped solve Daniel Malone’s murder – Andrea’s husband.

She glanced at Paul out of the corner of her eye.  That’s how she met him.  He was the detective handling the Malone murder case.  Gloria visited the police station more than once to turn in clues she uncovered.

She remembered that day, too.  How nervous she was sitting across from him in his office.  Was she nervous because she’d never been inside a police station before or perhaps maybe, just maybe, she was the teensiest bit attracted to him?  You know what they say – love at first sight.  Maybe her heart knew something that hadn’t registered in her brain yet.  Either way, she was thankful God brought her to the station that day.

Paul reached over and grabbed Gloria’s hand.  “You’re a million miles away…”

She smiled.  “Just remembering how we met.”

Paul slid into the rocker next to her.  “Did you think I was cute back then?” he teased.

Gloria blushed.  “I guess I did.”

They chatted easily about life on the farm and how peaceful it was.

Paul pulled the steaks from the grill and set them on the plate next to it.  Gloria held the door as he made his way inside.  She glanced back out.  The sunset was spectacular.  Her eyes settled on the small bistro table in the corner.  “What if I throw a tablecloth on the porch table and we eat out here?” she suggested.

His eyebrows raised.  “Hmm.  That sounds romantic…”

“You’re right!”  She opened a kitchen drawer and grabbed the first tablecloth she found.  She unfolded it and inspected the front.  It was dotted with bowls of fruit and edged in lime green Gingham print.

Romantic, it was not, but at least it was something.  She shoved the drawer closed and made her way back to the porch.  She slid the table away from the railing before draping the plastic cloth over the top.

She picked up an old dishcloth and wiped the metal chairs before heading back inside.  Paul pulled the garlic bread from the oven while Gloria grabbed butter and sour cream from the fridge and carried them outside.

After the table was set, Paul followed behind with the steaks.

She scooted in while he grabbed the second chair and slid it close to hers.  The angle of the chairs gave them a front row view of the setting sun.

He poured more lemonade and handed her a glass.  “Here’s to a spectacular view of God’s masterpiece and the beautiful woman beside me.”

Gloria sipped the tart concoction, and studied him over the rim of her glass.  He must have really missed her while she was gone!

Gloria sliced her baked potato down the center, dumped a thick wedge of butter and glob of sour cream in the middle before she squeezed the potato back together.  She cut a generous piece of steak and set it on a napkin nearby.

“Midnight snack?” Paul joked.

Gloria smiled.  “No. A treat for Mally and Puddles.”

He nodded before popping a piece of steak in his mouth.  The tender, juicy slice was grilled to perfection.  He savored the bite before he swallowed.  “This is the best steak I’ve ever tasted,” he declared.

“You’re biased,” Gloria argued.

Paul shrugged.  “Perhaps.” He pointed his knife at the meat.  “This steak almost melts in my mouth.”

Gloria took her first bite.  She had to agree, it was delicious.  It wasn’t overcooked, just a tad past medium, which was perfect.  “Mmmm.  You’re right.  It is pretty darned good.”

She squeezed her potato open and flattened it with her fork before spreading the butter and sour cream around.  After a couple quick shakes of salt and pepper, it was time to taste.  She scooped a pile on her fork and popped it in her mouth.  Even after being in the root cellar all winter, the potato tasted as if it had just been dug from the garden.

Paul lifted a forkful of potato to his mouth. “Did you grow this yourself?” he asked.

Gloria nodded.  “From last year.”

He took another bite.  “Wow!  You’d never know.”

Gloria thought now would be the perfect opportunity to ask him about the poisoning at Dot’s.

“How’s the Mike Foley investigation going?”

Paul laid his fork on the plate.  He studied Gloria’s face for a moment.  “You’re still working on this one...”

Gloria stabbed at the pile of green beans.  She pulled the fork to her mouth and nibbled on the end. “Of course.  Dot’s beside herself.  I’m going to do whatever I can to help.”

Paul ran his finger along the rim of his glass.  “You know I can’t tell you too much.”

She nodded.  “I know.  But if I guess can you nod your head?”

“Hmm…Depends on the question.”

“Is it true the victim was poisoned by toilet bowl cleaner?” she asked.

He drummed his fingers on the plastic tablecloth.  “Yeah.  It was your everyday buy-it-in-any-grocery-store toilet bowl cleaner.”

It was his turn to ask.  “You have any suspects yet?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Let me guess,” he replied.  “It’s not Dot.”

“Nope,” Gloria agreed.  “Not even close.”

“Are you going to tell me or am I going to have to use my special interrogation tactics on you?” he threatened.

Her eyes twinkled.  “That sounds interesting.”

She shook her head.  “No, I don’t mind sharing.  I actually have a few.” She told him about Judith Arnett who tried to steal from Dot just before the poisoning.

She brought up the owner of Pasta Amore.

“That doesn’t make him a suspect,” Paul pointed out.

“No. But it doesn’t NOT make him a suspect.  I just think it was too convenient that he opened his new restaurant at almost the exact same time Dot’s customer was poisoned.”

“Anyone else?” he asked.

“Not yet,” she admitted.  “But I’m still interviewing witnesses.”

They finished their meal just as the sun dropped below the horizon.  The clouds dotting the sky reminded Gloria of a painting.  She wondered if heaven was admiring the same view.  There were hues of pink and blue with tinges of orange filling the sky.  “So pretty,” she murmured.

Paul piled the plates on top of each other.  He stopped for a moment to admire the view.  “Great idea, Gloria.  We need to do this more often,” he said.

They cleared the table.  Gloria wiped the plastic tablecloth dry and folded it up.  She hadn’t used the thing in years but tonight, it found a purpose again.

Just like me, she thought.  Never too old to have a purpose.

They finished dinner with a cup of freshly-brewed coffee and a piece of coconut cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side.  The layered treat was confectionary perfection.

Paul finished his piece before Gloria was halfway done with hers.  She caught him eyeing the dessert.  She pushed the plate towards him.  “Here, have another piece,” she urged.

He reached for the plate and then paused.  “Are you sure?”

“Yes, yes.  I made it for you,” she answered.  He sliced another piece and eased it onto his plate.

Gloria paused.  “I was thinking about having a cookout and inviting a few friends and family over,” she said.

“You haven’t met Liz yet and she’s been hinting,” she added.  “Well, it wasn’t really a hint.  She came right out and asked when she was going to meet you.”

Paul grinned.  He couldn’t wait to meet the infamous Liz.  “Who else?”

She ticked off her mental list.  “Lucy and her boyfriend, Bill.  Dot and Ray.  Margaret and Don.  Ruth.  I think you met her once.”

Paul nodded.

“Liz, of course. And Al Dickerson,” she finished. “A widower in town.”

Paul raised his eyebrows.  “Matchmaking?” he guessed.

Gloria scraped the last bit of creamy coconut off the plate and popped it into her mouth.  “I wouldn’t necessarily call it matchmaking.  Just inviting a lonely widower from town over for a get-together.”

Paul pushed his chair back and carried his plate to the sink.  Gloria followed behind and dropped hers on top.  “Although, if they ended up liking each other, what’s the harm in that?”

Paul spun around to face Gloria.  He reached out and stuck his arms around her waist, pulling her close.  “What are you going to do if both Ruth and Liz take a liking to this Al Dickerson?”

Gloria’s brows furrowed.  She hadn’t thought about that.  Maybe she should find another eligible bachelor in town and invite him.  Kind of even up the guests.

Paul released his hold and took a step back.  He glanced up at the wall clock.  It was getting late.  “I better go.  I’m working the early shift tomorrow.”  He yawned and stretched his arms high above his head.  “Four-thirty creeps up on me fast.”

Gloria grabbed a paper plate from the cupboard and slid another piece of cake onto the plate.  She covered the rest with plastic wrap.  “For breakfast tomorrow,” she joked.

He patted his stomach.  “You sure know the way to a man’s heart.”

A lump formed in Gloria throat.  It was sad to see him go.  The evening went by much too fast.

Mally and Gloria followed him out to his car.  She waited for him to slide into the driver’s seat before handing the cake through the open window.  “If I plan a cookout on Saturday, you can make it?”

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world!”  He started the car.  “I hope it doesn’t backfire on you.”

Gloria didn’t think it would.  After all, it was just a cookout!  She watched as his car pulled out of the driveway before she and Mally made their way back inside.

Chapter Four

Sunday morning rolled around and for the first time in her life that Gloria could remember, she overslept on a Sunday!  It was her favorite day of the week and she never missed church - unless she was sick.  Or out of town like she was last week when she and Margaret were trying to track down Liz!

She threw back the covers and scrambled from the bed.  There was no time to make it up.

She rushed to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee before heading to the shower.   After a quick scrub down, she wiggled into her favorite pink skirt and slipped on the matching jacket.  Spring was here and the outfit needed a touch more color.  She grabbed a bright yellow scarf – her favorite color – from the scarf rack and quickly tied it around her neck.

She slid into her pink heels and hurried to the kitchen.  Mally was waiting for her at the door.  She thumped her tail on the linoleum and whined.  “I know, you need to go out. Just a sec.”

She grabbed a coffee cup from the cupboard and poured half a cup.  She wouldn’t have time to drink a whole one.  She followed Mally out the door and stood there enjoying the cool morning air as she watched the dog romp around the garden.

Another week and it would be time to start planting.  “You better enjoy tearing that up while you can.  Pretty soon, it’ll be off limits until fall,” she warned.

Mally stopped for a second.  She tilted her head to the side as she considered Gloria’s words.  She let out a small “woof” before following Gloria back into the house.

Mally settled into her doggie bed while Gloria grabbed her car keys and purse.  The dog knew it was Sunday and she wasn’t allowed to go to church.  “I’ll be back before you know it,” she promised.

Mally thumped her tail as Gloria closed the door behind her and locked it.

Gloria pulled Anabelle into the church parking lot.  The lot was full and she was late.  Later than normal.  She found an open spot in the back.  Andrea pulled in right behind her and into the empty spot beside Gloria.

Andrea slid out of her sleek Mercedes and met Gloria near the trunk.  “I thought I was late,” she said.

The girls headed to the front door.  Justin was standing just inside.  He handed a church bulletin to Gloria.  “Good morning, Mrs. Rutherford.”

He turned to Andrea, a bright smile lit his whole face. “Good morning, Andrea.”

Andrea’s cheeks turned a tad pink.  “Hi Justin,” she said.

There was no time to chat. Others were coming in behind them so they moved along.

“Are you two dating?” Gloria didn’t want to pry but couldn’t help herself.

“He asked me out to dinner next week,” Andrea whispered back.

“And?” Gloria prompted.

“Well…” She stopped.  She liked Justin but she didn’t “like-like” him, if that made any sense.

“Do what makes you happy, dear,” Gloria said.  “But don’t be surprised if you become public enemy number one with all the other young ladies in this town.  They’ve been chasing poor Justin for years without any luck.”

Andrea bit her lower lip, her eyebrows drew together.  “You think so?  I don’t need to make any more enemies than I already have,” she fretted.

Gloria patted her arm.  “Don’t worry.  We’ll nip that in the bud if it ever happens,” she promised.

The girls started down the center aisle just as Slick Steve (as Gloria secretly nicknamed him) was coming from the other direction.  He paused when he got close.  “Good morning, ladies.  You look lovely today.”

Steve Colby moved to their small town of Belhaven almost a year ago.  During that time, he dated several of the single and widowed women in town.  He had a reputation for taking them out a few times and then fading away.  To put it bluntly, he was leaving a trail of broken hearts.

Gloria was ready to give him her standard, no-nonsense “thank you” when she had a sudden thought.  “Nice to see you, Steve.”

Steve’s eyebrows shot up at the unexpected warmth in her voice.  Gloria was not normally warm and fuzzy. At least not to him.

She went on.  “Say, I’m planning a cookout next weekend.  Next Saturday night.  I know you’re still kind of new in town and thought it might be nice to have you over - along with a few other people from Belhaven.”

“I-I uh.  Yeah.  Thanks, Gloria.  I would like that,” he replied.

“Good.  Give me your number and I’ll give you a call later this week to confirm the time.”

After they walked away, Andrea whispered.  “I thought you didn’t like him.”

“Everyone deserves a second chance.” And they did.  Maybe she’d been too hard on him.  After all, she only got one side of the story.  The jilted women’s side. “Besides, I have a logical reason for inviting him.”

Gloria spied Dot sitting on an end pew.  She eased onto the bench next to her as Andrea settled in on the other side.  Gloria reached over and squeezed Dot’s hand.  “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Dot nodded.  “I almost didn’t come but changed my mind at the last minute.”

Gloria studied her friend out of the corner of her eye.  She looked much better today.  “Say.  Margaret and I are having dinner at Pasta Amore tonight to – you know.” She gave her a hard stare.  “You want to come?”

Dot stared blankly, as if registering it in her brain.  “Yes.  Yes, I think I would,” she decided.

Gloria turned her head towards Andrea.  “How ‘bout you, Andrea?  You want to have dinner at Pasta Amore with us?”

Andrea shrugged.  “Sure.  As long as I won’t be in the way of your investigation…”

“No. Not at all,” Gloria said.  The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea.  After all, four heads were better than one.  Maybe they would pick up on something Gloria might otherwise miss.

The service was starting.  “We’ll talk about it after church,” Gloria whispered.

Pastor Nate’s sermon was thought-provoking.  The message was about confusing your season in life with your destiny.  How trials in our lives are sometimes allowed by God to test our faith.  The key verse was so fitting:

For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver.  Psalms 66:10-12 NIV.

Gloria glanced over at Dot.  Her heart lurched as she saw the bright glimmer of tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

After the service was over, the girls congregated in the grass off to the side.  Margaret was the first to speak.  “I’m glad you made it to church this morning.  We’ve been worried about you.”

Ruth chimed in.  “We’re here for you, Dot.  You and Ray,” she added.

Lucy slipped an arm around Dot’s shoulders.  “We’re in this together,” she vowed.

Dot’s eyes filled with tears again.  “I don’t deserve such good friends,” she whispered.

Andrea’s eyes wandered from one to the other.  “You all are so blessed to have each other.”

“Hey, you’re part of this group now.  We’re blessed to have you, too.” Lucy pointed out.

Gloria looked up.  Justin was headed towards them.  “I have a couple things to say before I forget.” She held up an index finger.  “First, Margaret, Dot, Andrea and I area heading over to Pasta Amore in Lakeville for dinner tonight.”

She turned to Ruth.  “You still want to go?”

Ruth nodded.  “Sure, what time?”

Lucy shook her head.  “I’m out.  Bill and his kids are coming over for barbecue.”

“Which reminds me of my second thing.” Gloria raised a second finger.  “I’m having a cookout at my house next Saturday at 6 and you are all invited.  Including spouses.” She turned to Lucy. “And boyfriends.”

“Sounds like fun,” Lucy chimed in.  “Someone else cooking other than me.”

Gloria lifted a third finger.  “Last but not least, who’s doing the shut-in visits today?”

Sometimes all the girls made the rounds together.  Other times, only one or two could make it.  Lucy and Ruth raised their hands.

“Okay, meet me in front of Dot’s in an hour,” she ordered.  “For the rest going to Pasta Amore, we can meet at Ruth’s place since she has a van we can all ride in?”

They agreed to meet up at five before the group disbanded.

Gloria decided the plan for dinner was perfect.  The girls could talk to Andrea to see what she remembered from the morning of the unfortunate incident at Dot’s.  Maybe Dot herself could remember something else.

Back at the farm, she made a tuna fish sandwich and carried that and a bag of chips onto the porch.  She worked on her Saturday night cookout menu as she watched Mally chase a pair of squirrels around the yard.  “Don’t go near the road!” she yelled.

Mally stopped short.  She knew she was getting too close to the street.  She dropped her head and slunk her way back to the porch.

Gloria ripped a chunk of her tuna sandwich off and offered it to Mally.  She patted her head.  “I didn’t mean to yell.  You just got too close and I was worried,” she explained.

Gloria started on a second list.  This one was more pressing.  She needed to put together a list of questions to ask the girls about that fateful day.  She jotted down some thoughts and set the paper aside when she heard a loud “Meow.”

Puddles was not happy about being left inside while Gloria and Mally were out on the porch enjoying the nice weather.

Gloria opened the door as Puddles slunk by.  She sniffed around the edge of the railing.  For a moment, it looked like she was headed down the steps when she changed her mind.  She did an about face and jumped up on Gloria’s lap instead.

She stroked Puddles fluffy head and then leaned her head back in the rocker.  She closed her eyes for just a minute. She awoke to Mally – who was nudging her leg.  Her eyes flew open.  She must’ve dozed off!

She carried Puddles inside as Mally followed behind.  Her eyes darted to the clock.  She’d fallen asleep for over half an hour!

It was time to visit the shut-ins.  She raced around and in ten minutes flat was back out the door and in the car.

By the time she got back home from the visits, she had to turn right around and head over to Ruth’s.   She was the last to pull in the drive.  Margaret, Dot and Andrea were already there.

“We were beginning to think you changed your mind,” Ruth said.

“Just running a little late, that’s all.”  She made a mental note not to schedule so much stuff in one day.  It was wearing her out!

The girls spent the time in the van discussing Dot’s case.  Gloria went over her list of suspects and why.

“Is it possible Judith was the one who snuck in the back door?” Ruth wondered.

Gloria turned to Andrea.  “Do you know who we’re talking about?”

Andrea shook her head.  “I know I’ve heard her name but can’t say if I’ve ever seen her before.”

The van pulled up in front of Pasta Amore.  Ruth grabbed the handle to get out.  Gloria reached over and stopped her.  “Wait.”

Margaret groaned.  “Oh no.  Not another stakeout!”

Gloria shook her head.  “No.  At least not an official one.  I’d like to sit here for a few minutes if you don’t mind.”

Dot clasped her hands in her lap.  “If Gloria says wait – we wait!”

The restaurant had just opened their doors for dinner. The girls studied the customers as they wandered inside.

Gloria was ready to give up and head in herself when she noticed a lone woman strolling down the sidewalk.  She looked familiar.  “I’ve seen her before.”

Margaret nodded.  “Me too.”

“In the restaurant?” Dot wondered.

It was right on the edge of Gloria’s brain.  “No…”

Gloria snapped her fingers.  “I’ve got it!  She’s the food critic!” She whacked the side of Margaret’s arm.  “I saw her picture in the paper yesterday.  She just did a review of this restaurant.  A glowing review,” she added.

Margaret’s eyes widened.  “You’re right.  I saw the same article!”

“If she just reviewed the restaurant the other day, what’s she doing back here so soon? Surely not another review…” Ruth said.

Gloria grabbed the door handle.  “Good question.  Let’s go find out!”

The girls climbed out of the van and made their way inside.

Gloria’s eyes darted around the room in search of the dark-haired woman.  “What was her name?” she whispered to Margaret.

“Amy something…”

Dot grabbed Andrea’s arm.  “She’s over there!”

They didn’t want to chance having the hostess seat them somewhere else so they hurried over to the open table next to the young woman’s.  Gloria picked the chair directly behind Amy.

Dot plopped down in a chair across from her so she could watch her.  Or more like shoot daggers at the side of her head.  “Dot!”

Dot’s head snapped towards Margaret.  “What?”

“You’re glaring,” she pointed out.

“Okay, Okay.  I’ll stop.”

The waitress appeared at their table with a tray of ice waters and menus.  “Welcome to Pasta Amore,” she said. “Have you dined with us before?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Some of us have and some of us haven’t,” Gloria explained.

“Well, we’re happy you’re here.  Our special today is Spaghetti and Meatballs.”

Gloria’s eyes darted to Dot.  One of Dot’s dinner specials was Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Dot’s face turned beet red.  Her fist clenched in her lap.

Gloria stuck her head behind the menu and leaned in Dot’s direction.  “Remember, it’s an Italian restaurant,” she mumbled under her breath.

The waitress took their orders and headed to the kitchen.  She passed a man coming from the opposite direction.  It was the same guy that Dot and Gloria ran into in the alley the other day.

He walked over to the table behind theirs.

“Hello, Amy,” the man said.

“Hi Uncle Joe,” she replied.

“Uncle Joe.” Gloria mouthed the words.  The food critic was related to this man? No wonder he got such a raving restaurant review!

They talked for several minutes before he headed back to the kitchen.

The waitress returned with their drinks.  “Say, the man that just walked out here – he’s the owner of Pasta Amore?” Gloria asked.

The woman set an iced tea in front of Gloria.  “Yes, that’s the owner. Joe Toscani.”

Bingo!  Gloria had a name now!  She repeated the name to herself three times.  It was a trick she used to memorize important information.

There was no need to worry about that.  Ruth was scribbling furiously on her drink napkin.  She shoved the napkin in her purse and winked at Gloria.

Dinner arrived a short time later.  Gloria had to admit the food was good.

“The food’s good,” Dot announced.

“But not as good as yours,” Andrea argued.

The others agreed.

Dot swirled the spaghetti around her fork.  “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

The owner didn’t make a second appearance and the food critic behind them ate alone so there was nothing to eavesdrop on.  They divvied up the bill and paid before making their way back to the van.

The girls buckled in as Ruth backed out of the spot.  “We got some valuable information.”

Gloria agreed.  “We know the owner’s name!”

“And we know one more thing,” Andrea announced.

“What’s that?” Margaret wondered.

“Joe Toscani was in your restaurant the morning of the poisoning.  I remember seeing him in there.”

Chapter Five

The color drained from Dot’s face.  “You’re kidding?”

Andrea shook her head.  “No.  I’m positive he was in there eating breakfast.  The reason I remember,” she explained, “was because he was complaining rather loudly about how his eggs were overcooked.”

She went on.  “Jennifer took care of it.  She tried to get him to wait while she brought out a new order but the man didn’t want that.  The more she tried to help, the more irate he became.”

“It was almost as if he was trying to make a scene,” Andrea added.  “He left not long afterwards.  Stormed out the door.”

“And that was before the man was poisoned,” Ruth said.

Andrea nodded.  “Yeah.  Wasn’t long after that Dot came back and served the dumplings to the couple.”

Gloria spoke her thoughts.  “He had motive and he had opportunity.”  She couldn’t wait to get home and log onto her computer to find out what was up with this guy.

The house was dark when Gloria pulled into the driveway.  She stuck her leftovers from dinner in the fridge before letting Mally out.  She followed her out onto the porch.  The night air was cool and a breeze made it even chillier.  She glanced out at the outline of her big red barn and shivered as she remembered the man that was hiding out in there a few months back.

“C’mon, girl.  Time to go in.”

She fed Mally and Puddles while she waited for her computer to boot up.  Even if this Joe guy was a killer, how could she ever prove it?  So far, no one had seen anything or anyone suspicious out back that day.

She settled into the desk chair.  She logged in to check her mail before starting her search.  Her fingers fumbled clumsily on the keys.  It took three tries to type in the correct spelling.  “Joseph Toscani, Chicago, Illinois.”

She held her breath as the computer searched.  It was worth the wait.  The first thing that popped up on her screen was that he was the owner of Amici Trattoria.  She clicked on the link.  The news article was from three months ago.   Joseph Toscani, the owner of Amici Trattoria, is being investigated by the Chicago Police Department in the suspicious death of his business partner, Giuseppe Serafino.

The two men were co-owners of the Amici Trattoria.  Prior to Mr. Serafino’s death, an undercover investigation into their business had been ongoing for several months.

Mr. Serafino’s body was found under a bridge near the Chicago River on the morning of January first.  An autopsy revealed Mr. Serafino was strangled to death.  Police believe he was killed prior to his body being placed near the river.

Mr. Serafino’s partner, Joseph Toscani, is the prime suspect.  Police have uncovered mob connections to both Mr. Serafino and Mr. Toscani.

The article ended by saying Joseph Toscani was out of jail on $100,000 bond.  Gloria leaned in to have a closer look at the mugshot of Toscani.  It was the same man they saw in the restaurant earlier.

Joseph Toscani was a killer!  But would he risk killing again, just to eliminate his competition in a town as small as Lakeville?

Gloria thought of something else.  Was his niece, Amy Martola, in on it?

Or was it Judith?  She was in town that morning, too.  Maybe she tried to poison Dot.

If only there was some way she could get her hands on the poison!

And then Gloria had a thought.  Today was Sunday.  The incident happened four days ago.

Gloria shoved back the chair and made a beeline for the phone in the kitchen.

“Hello?”  Dot answered on the first ring.

“Hey Dot.  It’s me – Gloria.”

“Oh. Hi, Gloria.  What’s up?”

“I was just wondering…what day is trash pick-up at the restaurant?” Gloria asked.

“It’s Monday,” Dot said.  “Monday morning.  Early,” she added.

Gloria glanced out the window.  It was already dark out - but she needed to search the trash before it got picked up the next morning!

“Why?” Dot asked.

“I want to take a look inside the garbage cans out back,” Gloria confessed.

“Y-you think there might be some kind of evidence inside?” Dot asked.

“It’s worth a shot,” Gloria replied.  “Look, if it’s okay with you, I’m going to run down to the restaurant.” She glanced at Mally.  “I’ll take Mally with me.”

“Sure Gloria,” Dot agreed.  “You want me to meet you down there?”

“That’s up to you,” she answered.  “All I know is I need to sift through the cans before they get picked up.”

Dot tightened her grip on the phone.  “I can help!  I’ll meet you there in ten minutes!”

Gloria grabbed her purse from the chair and her car keys from the hook.  “C’mon Mally.”  She started out the door and then turned back around.  She would almost bet that the trash smelled to high heaven!

She grabbed a couple garbage bags and pair of latex kitchen gloves from underneath the sink before she and Mally hopped in Anabelle and headed for town.

Main Street was pretty empty.  Except for cars in front of Kip’s Bar & Grill.  The red neon sign flashed brightly above the front door.  Kip’s wasn’t really a “grill.”  Just a bar. The food menu was limited to the kind of stuff you’d find in a convenience store: hot dogs on a rotisserie, hamburgers they bought pre-packaged and nuked-to-order frozen pizzas made the same way.

Gloria turned right and headed down the alley.  She pulled into the small grassy lot behind the restaurant.  Dot’s van was already there.  She and Mally slid out of the car.

Dot met her by the driver’s side door.  “Why didn’t I think of this?” she asked.

“I didn’t, either, Dot.  Not until tonight.” Gloria replied.  “Better late than never.”

Dot opened her purse and pulled out a flashlight.  “I figured we would want to keep a low profile.”

Gloria nodded.  “You’re getting the hang of this sleuthing thing.”  She turned her own flashlight on.  “Especially since the killer is still on the loose.”

Mally, Gloria and Dot stayed close to the edge of the building as they made their way over to the back door.  “Still, you really should put up some kind of light back here,” Gloria commented.

“I know, I know. Ray and I keep telling each other that.”

Gloria flashed her light back and forth across the rear of the restaurant’s drab gray exterior.  “Where’s the trash?”

Dot pointed.  “Off to the side.”

Gloria tiptoed to the side of the building and shined her light between the restaurant and the building beside it.  There were two trash cans.  A large, plastic green bin on wheels and a smaller, round metal bin.  “Which is which?” she whispered behind her.

“The green one is regular trash and the metal one is recyclables,” Dot told her.

“Here, hold this.” Gloria handed her flashlight to Dot and grabbed the plastic bin with the wheels.  She wheeled it to the back of the building and onto the cement pad outside the kitchen door.

“Let’s grab the other one,” Gloria said.

The flashlight bobbed brightly as the girls, once again, made their way around the side of the building.  Gloria grabbed both handles and tried lifting it up.  It wouldn’t budge.  “This one’s too heavy.”

Dot squeezed past Gloria as she made her way around the other side of the metal can.  She tucked the flashlight in her front pocket and grabbed the side handle with both hands.

Gloria grabbed the other side and the girls half-carried, half-dragged the can down the narrow space and onto the cement pad.  They set it next to the other can.

Dot lifted the lid on the green bin first.  Gloria gagged as the smell of rotting vegetables and putrid fish exploded in the night air.  She turned her head to escape the smell and plugged her nose.  “That is disgusting,” she wheezed.

Apparently, Dot was used to bad smells.  She waved a hand across her face before she pulled the flashlight from her pocket and turned it on the contents.

She wrinkled her nose.  “I’m not so sure about digging through this.”

Gloria took a step back.  “Yuck!  Me either!”  She shined her flashlight on the metal can.  “Let’s try this one instead.”

She popped the top off the can and laid it on the ground beside her.  At first glance, all she saw were soda cans, flattened cardboard boxes and empty plastic milk cartons.  “Wow!  You’re a good recycler,” Gloria complimented.

Dot smiled.  “Thanks.  I do try.  No sense in throwing perfect good recycle stuff in landfills and polluting the earth.”

Gloria grabbed a glove from her purse and slipped it on.  She held onto the flashlight with her other hand as she pushed the contents around.  “Can you grab the garbage bag from my purse and we’ll start sorting through this stuff.”

The words were no more out of her mouth when she laid eyes on something blue.  With a red plastic tip.  Gloria’s heart skipped a beat.  “Wait!  I think we found something!”

Her eyes widened as she glanced over at Dot.  “Do you see that?”

Dot shook her head.  “No.”

Gloria waved a gloved hand.  “Over here!”

Dot scooted over to where Gloria was standing.  “Right there!”

Dot craned her neck and leaned forward.  She let out a small yelp.

Gloria stuck her gloved hand inside the trash can and plucked out an empty bottle of toilet bowl cleaner. “Does this look familiar?”

Dot shook her head.  “No.  We don’t use that kind.”  She reached out to touch the bottle.

“Don’t touch it!” Gloria blurted out.  “This is evidence and we don’t want your fingerprints on it!”

Dot snatched her hand back as if she’d been bitten by a snake.  “You’re right!”

“Here, grab the trash bag and we’ll put it inside,” Gloria ordered.

Dot obediently opened the bag while Gloria dropped the cleaner inside and tied it shut.  “I need to get this over to the police department so they can test for fingerprints.”

Dot exhaled the breath she’d been holding.  “You think the killer was stupid enough to leave the evidence in my trash can?”

Gloria shook her head.  “Dumber things have happened.”

The girls emptied the recycle can on the cement floor and sifted through the rest of the contents.  Nothing else appeared to be a clue.  They dumped the trash back inside and pulled that and the other container to the side of the alley for the morning pick up.

Gloria peeled off the plastic gloves and dropped them on top.  “I’m going to run this by the station before I head home,” she said.

Dot nodded.  “I’ve been praying, Gloria.  I hope this is the break in the case we’ve been looking for.”

Gloria opened the passenger’s side door and set the trash bag on the seat.  “Me, too.  I’ll let you know what I find out.”

Dot’s voice quivered.  “Thanks for being such a good friend, Gloria.”

Tears stung the back of Gloria’s eyes.  “I know you’d do the same for me, Dot.”

Without saying another word, Gloria and Mally climbed into the car.  Instead of turning towards home, they headed in the direction of Montbay Sheriff’s office – and Paul.

Gloria pulled up in front of the station and turned the car off.  She grabbed the trash bag before opening the door.  Mally scrambled across the seat.  “Sorry, girl.  You can’t go with me.  I’ll be right back,” she promised.

That didn’t stop Mally from giving her “that look” but there wasn’t much Gloria could do.

She hurried across the street, up the stairs and in the front entrance.  A young, short-haired brunette was behind the counter.  Her head popped up when Gloria walked through the door.  She smiled.  “Can I help you?”

Gloria didn’t make it a habit to visit Paul at the station.  In fact, the last time she’d been there was during Andrea’s murder investigation.

She stepped to the counter, the trash bag clutched in her right hand.  “I’m looking for Paul Kennedy - if he’s here.”

The woman nodded.  “Can I give him your name?”

Gloria nodded. “Tell him Gloria Rutherford would like to see him.”

The woman disappeared through the side door.

Gloria spun around and studied the cork board on the back wall.  It was full of mugshots of wanted criminals. She remembered her recent arrest in Tennessee. At least one of them wasn’t her mugshot. She shuddered at the memory of her one night in the slammer.

“And what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

Gloria’s cheeks warmed as she whirled around and faced Paul.  Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes settled on his crisp, dark uniform.  “I’m glad I caught you,” she said.

“Me too,” he grinned.

Flustered by the flirting, Gloria glanced down at the trash bag in her hand.  “I have something I think might be of interest in Dot’s investigation.”

He waved her back.  “I’d tell you that I’m surprised but I’m not,” he teased.

She followed behind as he led her to his now-familiar office.  She took a seat near the door as he settled in behind the desk. He leaned back in the chair, his arms folded across his chest. “So what did you find?”

She slid the plastic bag in his direction.  “We found this in the recycle bin behind Dot’s restaurant.”

Paul leaned up in the chair.   He opened the bag and peered inside before he glanced back at Gloria.  “You found an empty bottle of toilet bowl cleaner?”

Gloria nodded.

“Is this Dot’s?

She shook her head.  “No. It’s not.  It was at the very top which means it was one of the last things tossed into the recycle bin the day of the poisoning.”

“Did you touch it?” he asked.

She was proud of the fact that she was smart enough not to touch what might be key evidence in the case.  “No.  I had gloves on when I picked it up,” she explained.

He folded the top and set it off to the side.  “I’ll send it off to the lab for prints.”

He went on.  “Did you find anything else?”

“No,” she answered.  “I’m still working on suspects.  What about you?”

“Not yet.  We interviewed several witnesses but with no murder weapon, we were at a standstill in the case.” He pointed at the garbage bag. “Until now, that is.”

“I added Joe Toscani to my list.  He’s the owner of Pasta Amore.”

Paul’s eyebrows raised.  “You went back there?”

She nodded sheepishly.  “The girls and I ate dinner there tonight,” she admitted. “I found out what his name was and then did a little research when I got home.”

She didn’t mention the food critic and how she just wrote a glowing review of the restaurant or the fact that she and the owner were related.  She wasn’t sure how that angle tied in.  Plus, she needed to do a bit more investigating.

“I better let you get back to work.” Gloria got to her feet.

She started for the door.  “Oh!  We’re still on for that cookout this Saturday.”

“And your matchmaking?” Paul added.

Gloria’s eyes twinkled.  “I’m working on it.”

He walked her to her car and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before pulling the door open.

Paul patted Mally’s head before closing the door and leaning his head inside the open window.  “Try to behave!”

Gloria grinned.  “I’ll see what I can do.”  With a small wave, she pulled from the spot and headed home.

The drive home took forever.  Her eyelids wouldn’t stop drooping as she tried to nod off behind the wheel.  She rolled the window down in an effort to stay awake. Today was a busy day and she was plum wore out!

By the time she got home, she barely had enough energy to brush her teeth, pull on her pajamas and crawl into bed.  Mally and Puddles crawled in with each taking up one side.  She was out within minutes.

Chapter Six

Gloria woke the next morning feeling energized and ready to tackle the day.  She finished her morning routing before heading into town.  She could see lights on inside Dot’s restaurant and there were cars parked out front.  Gloria eased Anabelle into an empty spot and got out of the car.  Dot’s head was darting back and forth beyond the front window as she scurried around the waitress station.

Gloria reached for the door handle.  It was locked.  She sidestepped over to the window and pressed her face on the glass before tapping lightly.

Dot whirled around.  A smile lit her face when she saw Gloria.  There was a bounce in her step as she hurried to the front. She unlocked the door and motioned her friend inside.

“They’ve given me the all-clear to open the restaurant back up,” she said.

Gloria hugged her friend.  “I’m so glad!”

Jennifer stepped out from the back.  In her hand was a rag and glass cleaner.  “We’re back in business starting this afternoon!”

“I’ll be back for dinner, then,” Gloria announced.  Dot would need all the support she could get.  It was hard to tell what kind of response she’d get from the locals.  If anyone would show up…

Gloria turned to go.  She needed to make her rounds and see if she could get any of the other girls to join her.

She had a sudden thought.  “Oh.  Hey, Jennifer.  I’m having a cookout at my place Saturday at 6.  You and Tony and the kids are invited.”

Jennifer wrinkled her nose.  “Are you sure?  My boys can eat a lot,” she warned.

“Maybe we should turn it into a potluck,” Dot chimed in.  “Seems like you have a lot of people coming now.”

Gloria nodded.  Dot was right. The list was growing every day.  “Yeah, maybe I should.  I’ll have hotdogs and hamburgers and maybe some others can bring a dish to pass.”

She felt a little bad about inviting people and then asking them to bring something.  But she knew her friends wouldn’t mind.

“I’ll bring macaroni salad,” Dot offered.

Gloria nodded.  “That’d be great!” She made her way out the door, a mental list ticking off in her brain.  She walked across the street and into the post office.

There was no one inside, other than Ruth.

Ruth poked her head around the corner of the mailbox slots.

“Are you coming to my cookout Saturday night?” Gloria asked.

Ruth nodded. “I was planning on it.”

“Somehow the list is growing and Dot thought it would be a good idea if we kind of turned it into a potluck.  Do you mind bringing some baked beans?”

“Of course not,” Ruth replied.  She stepped over to the counter.  “Anything new on Dot’s dilemma?”

“Nothing concrete.  We’re still working on it.” Gloria glanced across the street in the direction of the restaurant.  “She’s opening for dinner. I thought it would be nice to show some support and eat there tonight.  You wanna go with?”

“Great minds think alike,” Ruth said.  “I already talked to Lucy and she’s going to meet me there at six.”

“I’ll stop by Margaret’s on my way home and see if she can come, too.”  Gloria headed to the door.  Today was shaping up to be as busy as yesterday.

Margaret’s SUV was in the driveway.  Gloria made her way to the breezeway door and pushed the brass button.  Westminster chimes echoed softly from within.

Moments later, Margaret pushed the door open. “You’re up bright and early this morning.”

Gloria laughed.  “So are you.”

“C’mon in.  I was just getting ready to take my cup of coffee out on the back deck.”

Margaret had a beautiful home.  It was a sprawling ranch that sat facing Lake Terrace.  The home was filled with trinkets Margaret and her husband, Don, picked up during their years of travel to exotic locales.  Gloria’s favorite piece was a cross crucifix, hand carved from olive wood that she purchased on a trip to Jerusalem years ago.

Gloria admired it so many times, Margaret told her she was going to wrap it up and gift it to her on her 80th birthday!

Gloria followed Margaret into the kitchen.  She poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Gloria.  One the way out the slider door, she grabbed a piece of bread from a bread bag sitting on the kitchen table.

The deck was one of those expensive, new-fangled ones made from recycled materials that never faded or warped.  It was a reddish earth tone color and it was large.  It spanned the entire distance of the rear of the house.  An expansive, sloping yard flowed from the deck down to the edge of the water.  A few years back, Don built a wooden dock with a covered gazebo that jutted out into the water.

At the same time the dock went in, Don and Margaret hauled in dump trucks full of soft, white sand and now they had a beautiful beach.  If you didn’t know better, you’d almost think you were staring out at the ocean.  Every summer they would throw a big backyard bash and invite half the town.

A large Mallard circled the dock before perching on the edge of the white sandy beach.

“That’s Quack,” Margaret told her.  “He comes up here every morning to say hello.” The duck waddled towards the house.  Margaret walked to the edge of the railing.   She broke off small pieces of bread and tossed them in Quack’s direction.  He gobbled all the pieces before he wandered back down to the water’s edge and floated off across the lake.

“You have a slice of paradise here,” Gloria complimented.

Margaret settled back into her chair.  “It is beautiful.  The Lord sure has blessed us.”

She changed the subject.  “Anything new on Dot’s case?”

Gloria told her how she did some research on Joe Toscani and found out he was being investigated for his partner’s murder in Chicago and there was mention of mob ties.  She also told her how Dot and she met at the restaurant the night before and found the empty toilet cleaner inside the trash can.

Margaret gasped.  “And the police didn’t find it?”

“Yeah,” Gloria said.  “That’s what I thought.  I turned it into Paul at the station.  Maybe they’ll find a fingerprint.”

Gloria finished her cup of coffee and stood up.  “I’m on my way to Gus’s place.  He had a run-in with Judith Arnett not too long ago.”

Margaret was skeptical.  “As much as I don’t care for her, you don’t really think she would try to kill Dot, do you?”

Gloria shrugged.  She was leaning towards her not being the killer, but she wasn’t ready to rule her out.  Yet.

Margaret walked Gloria out to her car.  “Are you and Don coming over to my place Saturday night for the cookout?”

Margaret nodded.  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said.  “You need me to bring something?”

“If you don’t mind….I hate to ask but it seems my list of invitees keep growing.  If it’s not too much trouble, can you whip up a bowl of your famous Creamy Bacon and Cheese potato salad?”  Margaret had a secret recipe for one of the best potato salads on the planet.  Whenever Gloria tried to wheedle the recipe out of her, Margaret refused.  Said it was a recipe passed down through the generations and she was sworn to secrecy.

Gloria tried a few times to copy it.  She came close but something was always missing….  Some key ingredient.

Margaret straightened her shoulders and lifted her head.  “Of course I will!  How many people did you invite?”

Gloria ticked off the mental list.  Ruth, Liz, Lucy, Bill, Dot, Ray, Paul, Slick Steve, Margaret and Don, Al Dickerson.  She was probably forgetting someone…  Oh, Jennifer and Tony.  “It looks like fourteen, unless I’m forgetting someone.” She paused.  “Andrea.  I can’t remember if I invited Andrea!”

Gloria made a mental note to call her young friend when she got home before she hopped in the car and headed for Gus’s shop.

Gloria parked off to the side of the small repair shop.  She pushed open the front door and stepped into the outer office.  The tinkling of the doorbell brought Gus from the back.  He grinned when he saw who it was.  “Hi Gloria.”

Gus wasn’t a tall guy.  He was on the stocky side and his protruding belly was part of his charm.  His hair was gray and thinning.  He leaned an elbow on the small counter.

Gus and his wife, Mary Beth, lived in a small two-story house out behind their automotive business.  They were a town fixture for over a decade now and as nice a couple as anyone could ever meet.

Last time Gloria had a problem with Anabelle’s starter, Gus got it right in and fixed it in a jiffy.  He even loaned her his own vehicle so she’d have a way to get around.  On top of that, he gave her a discount.

He pulled off his ball cap and scratched the top of his head.  “Anabelle giving you a hard time?”

Gloria shook her head.  She stepped closer to the counter.  “No.  She’s running like a top, thanks to you!”

“I’m here for another reason.” She glanced around the small office.  “You heard about Dot’s restaurant?”

Gus rubbed the stubble on his chin thoughtfully.  “Yeah.  What a shame!”

Gloria went on.  “Dot had a run-in with Judith Arnett just days before the poisoning.”

Gus’s mouth twisted in a grim frown.  “You don’t say…”

“Anyways, I heard you had a problem with her not long ago.”

Gus nodded.  “Sure did!”  He walked around the edge of the counter and came to stand out front.  “She was in here snooping around.  Not that she was having vehicle trouble or anything.  Just being her usual nosy self.”

The bell on the front of the shop chimed right then.  As luck would have it, it was Carl Arnett, Judith’s husband.

“Hi Carl. I’ll be right with you,” Gus said.  He motioned Gloria to the back of the repair shop.  They moved off to the side, out of earshot.

He lowered his voice.  “She started talking trash. How she heard rumors of marital problems between me and Mary Beth.  I told her to stop spreading vicious rumors that weren’t true.  Then I asked her to leave and told her to never step foot on my property or I’d have her arrested for trespassing.

Gus grinned.  “She stormed out of the shop and peeled out of the parking lot.  Had her madder than a wet hornet.”

Gloria smiled at the mental image of Judith being put in her place.

“Next thing I know, customers are coming in here, telling me Judith was spreading vicious rumors that she caught me sipping out of a paper bag here in the back.” Gus shifted his feet.  “You know that’s not true.”

Gloria reached out and touched his arm.  “I know, Gus.  No one here believes half.  No – most - of what Judith says,” she reassured him.

Gus nodded his head in the direction of Judith’s husband, still waiting out in the front lobby.  “I don’t have a beef with Carl - but his wife?  She’s not welcome here anymore.”

Gloria thanked Gus for his time.  She turned to go when she noticed the car up on the hoist.  It looked familiar.  She pointed up.  “That looks like Jennifer’s car.”

Gus nodded.  “Yeah.  She’s been having trouble with it lately.  I feel sorry for her and Tony.  What with his hours cut back at the shop and her being off for a few days since Dots been shut down.”

She avoided facing Carl as she made her way out through the large overhead garage door.  Gus didn’t tell her anything about Judith she didn’t already know.  She was a gossip and thief.  But that still didn’t make her a killer.

When she got home, she dialed Paul’s number.  Maybe he had some news on the cleaner.  She left a message on his cell phone.  He was probably home sleeping.

She whipped up a tossed salad, keeping in mind that she was eating dinner at Dot’s later.  She slid into a kitchen chair and tapped on the side of her salad plate as she glanced up at the coins in her kitchen.  It sure would be nice to find out if they got to keep them!

She finished her salad and then headed to her computer in the corner of the dining room.  It was time to work on finding a good attorney.  She soon discovered there were tons of attorneys in the area!  It was almost overwhelming.  Half an hour later, she narrowed it down to three and set up appointments for later in the week.

Relieved she was working on her end of the research, she swept the kitchen, then the back porch before settling into the porch rocker.  Mally followed her outside and darted back and forth across the yard, sniffing the flowering bushes that lined the side of the house and then chasing after the squirrels.  If nothing else, it was good exercise for her.

She rocked back and forth in the chair.  Her mind drifted to the investigation and what she had so far.  Joe Toscani was a prime suspect with Judith being a close second.  Toscani had more motive than Judith but Judith.  Well, maybe she had a motive, too.  Revenge.

Gloria decided to head down to the restaurant a little before official opening time.  She wanted to lend Dot a hand in the back if she needed.  Plus, she figured she might need a little moral support or an encouraging word.

Gloria pulled Anabelle down the alley and parked next to Dot’s van out back.  She made her over to the rear entrance and slipped in the back door.  Jennifer was there, chopping veggies for house salads.  “I’m surprised to see you here, Jennifer,” Gloria said.  “Where’s your car?”

Jennifer stopped slicing tomatoes and looked up.  “I don’t know what’s going on with it lately!  First, I had a tire blowout a couple weeks ago.  Yesterday, the brakes went out.”

Dot wandered into the back.  “She almost got into a serious accident. Drove right through the stop sign here on Main Street.”

Dot stuck the mustard and ketchup containers on a large serving tray and headed back out front.  “Good thing no one was coming from the other direction.  Otherwise, she could’ve gotten killed.”

Gloria remembered Gus’s shop.  “That’s right.  I saw your car out at Gus’s place.”

Gloria stopped to hug Jennifer’s shoulder as she rounded the corner of the prep area and headed to the dining room.  “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Gloria found Dot bouncing from table-to-table, arranging the condiments as if it were some sort of culinary contest.  “You think anyone’s going to show up for dinner?” she fretted.

“All the girls are coming.  That makes at least half a dozen of us.”

Dot grabbed the edge of her plain brown apron and began twisting it in her hands.  Gloria’s heart went out to her.  Poor thing was nervous as a tick.

She needed to stay busy and stop worrying. Gloria grabbed her arm and tugged.  “Let’s go to the back and help Jennifer.”

Gloria cleared the pass thru window on her way to the kitchen.  She glanced at the paper on top of the pile.  It looked like some sort of contract.  “I hate to be nosy, Dot.” Gloria pulled it close to her face.  “What’s this?”

“You mean that legal-looking thingy?”

Gloria grabbed her glasses from her purse and slipped them on.  She scanned the sheet.   “This is an offer to buy the restaurant?” She looked at Dot.  “Are you thinking about selling?”

Ray rounded the corner right then.  “Brian Sellers keeps sending us offers to buy the place,” he explained.

Brian Sellers owned the small grocery store on the corner.  He also owned the drug store and hardware store.  If he bought Dot’s place, he’d own almost everything on Main Street.

Dot grabbed the stack from Gloria’s hand.  “He sends us an offer about every month now.  Each time, he ups the price a little more.  I think he’s getting desperate,” she decided.

“Do you think he’s desperate enough to poison someone and drive you out of business?”

Dot and Ray looked at each other uneasily.  The thought hadn’t occurred to them.

Brian Sellers was a bit of a mystery around town.  He moved to Belhaven less than a year ago.  Into one of the larger homes on Lake Terrace.  But before he moved in, he gutted it.  All the way down to the studs.  Gloria had never been inside but rumor had it, he spent a small fortune turning it into a state-of-the-art bachelor pad, complete with bowling alley and indoor pool.

Gloria heard at one time, he had some business dealings with Andrea’s dead husband, Daniel and his illegal gambling business.  The gambling business shut down when Daniel died and his partner, Barry Hicks, went to prison for his murder.

Andrea kept the insurance agency side of the business running and was doing quite well with it.

“You don’t think he’s going to try to start a gambling business here in town?” Gloria voice trailed off.

She thought of something else.  “Was Sellers in here the morning of the poisoning?”

Jennifer shook her head.  “Nope. I didn’t see him.  But his car is always parked at the far end of the alley.  Close to hardware shop.  I think he hangs out there a lot,” she added.

Dot swallowed hard and glanced at the clock.  “Time to open up.”

Ray squeezed her arm before heading to the front to turn the sign over.  “We can do this,” he told his wife.

Dot cleared her throat as she eyed the front entrance.

Ray turned the sign and unlocked the front door.  Half a dozen town folk followed him through the door.

Dot breathed a sigh of relief.  People were coming back!

Soon, the entire restaurant was packed and a line of diners waited for tables to empty out so they could be seated.

Gloria’s chest swelled with pride!  This is what it meant to live in a small town.  Where everyone looked out for one another.  Supported them and loved them.

The rest of the evening was a blur.  Gloria worked behind the scenes helping Dot and Ray.  She bussed tables, ran the cash register and even delivered glasses of water to the tables.

Halfway through dinner service, Gloria noticed Brian Sellers and another man walked in the front door.  They made their way over to a small booth in the corner.  Gloria grabbed two waters, a couple menus and headed in their direction.  She didn’t recognize the man with him.  He was older.  Closer to Gloria’s own age.

When she got to the table, she got a good look at his face.  He looked a bit familiar but she couldn’t quite pinpoint how.

She set a glass in front of each of them and laid the menus on the table.  “Your server will be right with you.”  The men nodded.  Gloria started toward the back.  It was then she had an idea.  For the next hour, she kept a sharp eye on the table and the two men.

As soon as they paid and walked out, she made a beeline for the cluttered table.  She pulled a clean napkin from her pocket and carefully picked up Brian Sellers’ fork by the tines.  She dropped it into a plastic to-go container.  Next, she picked up his water glass and holding onto it by the very bottom, carried that and the to-go container to the back.

Dot was at the sink rinsing dishes.  She reached for the dirty glass.  “Here, I’ll take that,” she offered.

“No!”  Gloria didn’t mean to sound so stern.  “I mean.  No.  This is Brian Sellers’ water glass. I’m taking it to Paul to have him check for fingerprints.”

Dot’s eyebrows shot up.  Ray wandered in just then.

Gloria showed them the to-go container with the fork inside.  “I’m going to see if Paul can check for a match with the toilet bowl cleaner,” she explained.

Ray snapped his fingers.  “Brilliant idea!  Too bad we can’t track down the prints for any of the other suspects.”

“Joe Toscani, the owner of Pasta Amore, has a criminal record,” she reminded them.  “His prints are on file and Paul’s already checking to see if it’s a match.”

Gloria slipped the glass and fork into a plastic bag and set them off to the side, right next to her purse.  “Now we need to get Judith’s prints.  Somehow.”

“I bet Ruth could get it,” Dot said.

Gloria slapped her forehead in an “aha” moment.  “That’s a great idea!”  She headed straight for the dining room and the Garden’s Girls’ table.  Lucy and Ruth were sharing a piece of cheesecake.  Gloria pulled out a chair and plopped down next to them.  “I need a favor, Ruth.”

Ruth could tell by the look on Gloria’s face it was something good.  She leaned forward.  “What?”

Gloria glanced around.  “I need Judith Arnett’s fingerprints,” Gloria whispered.

Ruth leaned back in the chair.  “That’s all?  I can have them for you tomorrow,” she boasted.  “Judith comes in every morning around 9.”

“I’ll be there before noon to pick them up,” Gloria promised. “And remember.  Keep ‘em clean, as in don’t contaminate it with your own prints.”

Ruth looked deeply offended.  “Of course.  I know better than that!”

Lucy leaned in.  “You really think Judith is capable of murder?”

“I’m not ruling her out.  Yet.”

Gloria caught a glimpse of Dot pacing back and forth in the waitress station.  “Look, I gotta get back there.” She jumped to her feet and headed to the rear.

“What’s wrong Dot?” Gloria asked.

“I lost my glasses.” Dot stopped in her tracks.  She stuck her hand on her hip.  “I had them just a minute ago!”

Gloria grinned.  She reached up and tapped Dot’s forehead.  The glasses fell down and landed on Dot’s nose.

The two women burst out laughing.  “Oh my!  I’m so glad this night’s almost over,” Dot declared.

Gloria was, too.  It had been a huge success and she was happy that the place was packed the entire evening.  Half an hour later, Ray turned the sign in the front window to Closed and locked the door after the last customer left.

The four of them – Dot, Ray, Gloria and Jennifer wandered into the kitchen.  Everything was neat and tidy.  They were ready to start a new day in the morning.

Dot grabbed some clean plates from an overhead shelf.  She carved out four pieces of leftover lasagna from the last pan.  She plucked a piece of garlic bread from the warming tray and stuck it on the plate beside the lasagna and handed it to Jennifer.  Next, she handed a plate to Gloria.  She finished two more plates and the foursome made their way to an empty table out front.

As they ate dinner, they discussed the resounding success of the re-opening of Dot’s.

Tears filled Dot’s eyes.  “I-I can’t believe how many people turned out tonight.”

Gloria cut off a piece of lasagna.  She paused before popping the delicious cheesy pasta into her mouth.  “I’m not the least bit surprised.  This town loves you.  And we can’t live without you.”

The subject turned to the investigation.  Gloria told the group that Ruth was going to get a set of Judith’s fingerprints in the morning and then she was going to take those and Brian Sellers prints in to be tested.

The group carried their empty plates back to the kitchen and washed them up. Dot and Ray locked the back door before they all headed to their vehicles. Gloria turned to Jennifer.  “I can give you a ride home,” she offered.

Jennifer nodded.  “That would be great.  Otherwise, I can just call Tony.”

Gloria shook her head.  “No problem.”  They waved good-night to Ray and Dot and climbed into Anabelle.

“I can’t wait to get my car back,” Jennifer confessed.  “This is such a pain having to hitch rides or wait for Tony to come get me.”

Gloria didn’t get out of the car at Jennifer’s place.  Instead, she waited ‘til Jennifer was safe inside her house before she backed out of the driveway.

Mally was waiting just inside the door when Gloria opened it up. She patted her head as Puddles wandered over and wound herself around Gloria’s legs.  She was exhausted.  More than anything, she wanted to sit down and relax.  Gloria grabbed a bag of potato chips, poured a tall glass of cold lemonade and headed for the living room.

It was still early and she had plenty of time to watch a couple episodes of her favorite whodunit series, “Detective on the Side.”

She slid into the recliner and popped the footrest out before turning the TV on.  It was good to kick back and relax for a change.  The days had been so hectic, there were times she wasn’t sure if she was coming or going.

Tomorrow would be another busy one in between dropping off the fingerprints for testing, visiting the attorneys to discuss possible wills and stopping at the grocery to pick up supplies for her upcoming cookout Saturday night.

She munched on the salty potato chips as she watched her show.  She’d never seen this episode before.  Joyce Jameson, the female detective, was tracking down a killer who stalked women at rest areas off busy highways.  They used Joyce herself as a decoy.  She barely made it out alive after her backup got stuck in an accident on the freeway and she had to fight off the killer by herself.

Gloria jotted down her grocery list during commercials and by the time the show was over, she’d eaten half a bag of chips - but at least her list was done.

She struggled to keep her eyes open for the 11:00 news but gave up just as it was airing.  She wandered into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, pulled on her pajamas and headed to bed.

Chapter Seven

Gloria started a pot of coffee and wandered out onto the porch to grab the newspaper that was in her driveway.  She settled into the porch rocker as Mally galloped around the yard and stretched her legs.

There was nothing too exciting in the headlines.  The topic of the month, other than the death at Dot’s place, was that their small town was getting a stop light to replace the current stop sign.  Gloria thought the whole thing a waste of money.  The stop sign worked just fine.  A stop light was major overkill.  Plus, she thought it took away from the charm of Belhaven.  Of course, no one could stand in the way of progress so she might as well just accept the fact that change, however small, was headed to Belhaven.

She opened the paper and scanned the pages.  She spied a picture of the now-familiar food critic.  What was her name?  Gloria squinted but the whole thing was a blur.  She opened the porch door, reached inside and grabbed her glasses off the table.  She popped them back on and opened the paper back up.

She almost wished she hadn’t.  Her heart sank when she caught the critic’s headline.  “Disappointment at Dot’s.”  The write up was short, just three or four paragraphs – but the damage couldn’t have been any worse.  Amy Martola described how she ate at Dot’s the night the restaurant reopened.  She made it a point to mention the food poisoning and how the case was still being investigated.

Gloria felt her blood begin to boil as the woman wrote about mediocre lasagna and stale garlic bread.  She even mentioned her Diet Coke was flat and alluded to the fact that they must not clean the soda machines often.

Gloria slapped the paper down on her lap.  She had a good mind to call this woman’s boss and tell them how she was related to the owner of Pasta Amore and was targeting Dot’s restaurant, Pasta Amore’s only real competition for miles around.

She stormed into the house and slammed the door.  It was then she remembered Mally was still outside.  She opened the door, stuck her head outside and hollered.  “C’mon girl.  Time to come in.”

Still seething, she grabbed the phone and started to dial the number on the “contact us” portion of the paper.  She hung up just as the line started to ring.  It wasn’t her place to fight Dot’s battle.  After all, what if Dot didn’t want her to do that?  And ratting out the reviewer might put an even bigger target on the restaurant’s back.

No. The best thing she could do for Dot was find the killer or killers and bring them to justice.

Gloria was chomping at the bit to get the fingerprints in for testing.  She held off until 10:30 before she hopped in the car and headed to the post office.  The parking lot was packed.  She eased into a spot on the end and made her way inside.

Ruth was busy at the counter.  She waved her to the side.  Gloria waited for Ruth to wrap up her conversation before making her way to the counter.  “Did you get it?” she whispered loudly.

Ruth rolled her eyes back and pounded her fist on the counter.  “No!  She didn’t touch a stinkin’ thing!” Ruth said.  “I tried, Gloria.  I tried.  I even asked her to check out our new book of stamps,” she said.  “You know.  The one with the picture of the Great Lakes.”

“But the harder I tried, the more determined she was not to.  It’s almost as if she knew what I was trying to do.”

Gloria’s heart sank.  She needed a print!  “Don’t worry about it, Ruth.  Like my mother used to say, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

She headed back to her car.  There was only one way to get a print.  From Judith’s own house.

Judith and Carl lived a block back from Main Street in a tidy, one-story ranch.  The house had a decent size yard but neighbors were near enough to keep an eye on the coming and goings of one another.

Gloria rolled past the house and white picket fence that framed the front yard.  She spied Judith’s Ford Taurus parked in front of the garage.  The door of the small metal shed out back was wide open.

A sudden movement caught her eye.  Judith was on the side of the house pruning her prize rose bushes.  Yes, Judith had a green thumb.  She entered her pink Heirloom roses in Montbay County Fair every year and almost every single time.  The only reason Gloria knew this was because Judith made a point of bringing her ribbons into Dot’s after she won.  She loved to rub it in the faces of others who entered the contest and never even placed.

Gloria backed Anabelle into the house catty-corner to Judith’s.  The place was for sale and had been vacant through the winter.  She pulled far enough back so her car was blocked from Judith’s line of vision.  She eased out of the car and tip-toed around the side, still hidden from view.

The lawn was overgrown and weeds ruled the neglected property.  Gloria prayed no critters were lurking nearby as she peeked around the edge.  Judith had moved.  She was working on some flowers in front of her picture window.  Gloria was close enough to hear her humming to herself as she snipped and clipped.

A thought popped into Gloria’s head.  Didn’t someone tell her Judith was on crutches and sprained her ankle?

Judith’s head snapped up.  She stared right at Gloria.

Gloria yanked her head back.  Her heart started to pound.  She was certain that Judith saw her.  She stood motionless for a full minute, convinced Judith was on her way over.

She never materialized so Gloria eased her head forward for another glance.  Judith was nowhere in sight.  The shed doors were closed.  She stood up and leaned flat against the rear of the house.  If only she could get her hands on those pruning shears, she thought.

A car door slammed. The sound of a car engine drifted over to Gloria.

Could she get this lucky?  She whipped her head around, just in time to see Judith back her sedan out of the driveway and pull out onto the road.

Her golden opportunity to snatch the shears was at hand.  She pulled a clean tissue from her purse and bolted down the driveway.  With a quick step, she crossed the street and followed the fence line along the back of Judith’s property.  She prayed none of the neighbors were watching her through their curtains.

Her heart thumped in her chest and her brow began to sweat.  Her hand trembled as she twisted the knob on the metal shed and pulled the creaky door open.

There, hanging on a hook near the door, were the pruning shears.  Gloria grabbed the edge of the metal tip and slid them off.  She eased the metal door shut and headed for the fence.  She was almost to the street when she spied Carl’s truck coming from the opposite direction.

She did an about face and prayed Carl didn’t notice her.  She darted behind the neighbor’s house and out of sight.  She waited for Carl to get out of his truck and go inside the house before she sprinted through the yard and across the street to her car.

She yanked the back door open and laid the clippers on the seat, careful not to touch anything but the tip of the shear.  She slid in the front seat, started the car and stepped on the gas as she tore out of the driveway.  On the way to the corner, she passed Judith.

Mission accomplished, she headed out of town towards Montbay Police Department.

Paul stared at the pruning shears, fork and water glass.  “Who did you say these belong to?”

“The pruning shears are Judith Arnett’s.  The lady who tried to steal from Dot’s restaurant just days before the murder,” she reminded him.

She pointed at the fork and glass.  “Those two belong to Brian Sellers,” Gloria said.

“He’s my latest suspect,” she confided.  “I found out he’s buying up all the real estate on Belhaven’s main street and now he wants to buy Dot’s place.  He keeps sending her offers.”

Paul leaned on his desktop and propped his head in his fist.  “That doesn’t mean he’s a killer.”

“Dot isn’t going to sell.  He’s hounded her for months now.  Maybe he hoped she’d change her mind if business dropped off after someone died eating the food,” she theorized.

A light tap on the door interrupted the conversation.  A woman poked her head inside.  “Detective Osborne is here to see you.”

Gloria slid out of the chair.  “I’ll decide on him one way or the other after tonight,” she said.

Great, Paul thought.  This is what he hoped wouldn’t happen.  “Let me guess.  You’re going to stake out his place.”

She shook her head.  “No.  I’m going to take a more direct approach this time.  I’m going to walk right up to his front door and ask him point blank.”

“Ask him what?”

“If he poisoned Mike Foley in the restaurant,” she explained.  “You know.  The element of surprise.  Maybe I can catch him off guard.”

Paul rubbed the back of his neck.  “That’s a different strategy,” he acknowledged.  He walked her to the front lobby.  “Give me a call after you get home.  Just so I know you’re safe.”

After a quick peck on the cheek, he held the door open and she stepped outside.  It was that precise moment, he dropped a bomb. “We have a suspect.”

Gloria spun around.  “You do?  Who is it?”

He shook his head.  “I can’t say yet.”

“Can you tell me if it’s someone I already mentioned?”

“It’s not.”

Gloria clenched her fists and shook them in the air.  “Ohhh.  This is going to drive me crazy,” she said.  “Do I know the suspect?”

Paul nodded.  “Yes and for everyone’s sake, I hope we’re wrong.”

Gloria grabbed the handrail and took a step down.  Her head was spinning.  Someone she hadn’t considered yet?  Someone she knew?

She reached the bottom step before coming to an abrupt halt.  What if they suspected Dot’s husband Ray?  She shook her head and dismissed the thought.  No way was it Ray.  He had opportunity - but what about motive?

Why would the police suspect him?  Were his prints on the empty toilet bowl cleaner?  Gloria’s hand flew to her mouth.  That was it!  They had his prints on the empty container!

She wandered into the road and the path of an oncoming car.  The horn blared.  Gloria clutched her chest as she jumped out of the way.  She mouthed the words “sorry” and scooted the rest of the way across the street.

A stop at the first of three attorneys was next on her list.  More of what she considered to be an interview process.

After the first meeting, Gloria had a greater appreciation for putting things in a will so someday down the road – after she was gone – what she intended to leave for her children and grandchildren wouldn’t end up tied up in the courts for years.

She made it to the other two attorney appointments, careful to jot down notes and ask questions.

After the final meeting, Gloria decided, at least for herself, to go with the first attorney.  The woman, Patricia Caldwell.  Not that they all didn’t come across as competent and knowledgeable.  She felt she related best to her.  Maybe because she seemed more personable.  The fact that she had several pictures of her grandchildren displayed on her desk and her credenza gave Gloria a good feeling.  And Gloria almost always went with her gut.

She had one more stop to make.  Brian Seller’s house. She hit the edge of town when Nails and Knobs, the hardware store on the corner, caught her attention.  She pulled into a spot out front and got out.  She needed propane for her gas grill and the cookout was only a couple days away.  She could kill two birds with one stone if the owner, Brian Sellers, was inside.

She climbed the single step and pushed open the antique glass door.  The inside of the place hadn’t changed in over 30 years.  If anything, it was more charming than ever.

The original hardwood floors creaked lightly as Gloria made her way down the center aisle.  To Gloria, the best thing about the store were the odds and ends, bits and pieces.  A little of everything.  Stuff the newer big box stores never carried.  At least the new owner, Mr. Sellers, kept the store close to its original charm.  And why wouldn’t he?  They did a very brisk business, even in a town as small as Belhaven.

She spied her target straight ahead.  He was behind a long wooden counter, ringing up a roll of porch screen.

Gloria glanced from side to side as she made her way to the back.  There were buckets of bolts, bins of door hinges.  A sign above the cash register said, “We cut glass.”

The customer grabbed his screen and sidestepped Gloria as he passed her on the way out.

She studied the young man as she moved closer.  He didn’t look like a cold-blooded killer.  His cropped, jet black hair stuck straight up – like he jelled it that way.  It reminded her of the stuff her mom used to use when she rolled her hair.  What was it called?  Dippity Do.  That’s what it was!

His intense blue eyes were striking. If she had to guess, she’d say he was in his early 30’s.  “Can I help you?”

“Yes, I need a propane tank for my gas grill,” Gloria explained.

“Yes, ma’am.  I can take care of that for you.  Do you need anything else?” he asked.

Before she could change her mind, Gloria blurted out.  “You’re the one trying to buy Dot’s restaurant.”

Brian Sellers leaned forward on the counter, his gaze met Gloria’s.  “Yes ma’am.  I am,” he admitted.

“You heard about the poisoning.” It was a statement.  Not a question.

“An unfortunate accident,” he said.

“Say.  You look familiar.” He snapped his fingers.  “You’re the one that’s a bit of a legend around here.  The lady detective that catches the criminal every time.”  His eyes narrowed.  “Gloria…something.”

“Rutherford,” she said.  “Gloria Rutherford.”

“Oh…now I see.” He straightened back up.  “You’re here because you think I’m a suspect.”

Brian Sellers shoved his hands in his front pockets and rocked back on his heels.  “Do I look like a killer?” he asked.

“No,” she admitted.

“Are you sure?” His eyes twinkled as he choked back a laugh.  “Don’t you want to interrogate me?”

He leaned his elbows on the counter again and crossed this arms. “Ask me anything.  Anything at all.”

Gloria could’ve been offended.  Maybe she should’ve been offended but she wasn’t.  Instead, he was entertaining her.

She plopped her purse on the counter and hopped up on the barstool at the edge of the counter.  “Since you offered…”

He held up a finger.  “Can I get you a cup of coffee before we get started?”  He didn’t wait for an answer as he grabbed two cups off the shelf behind him.

He poured the coffee and slid one across the counter towards Gloria.  “Cream or sugar?”

Gloria grabbed that handle.  “Thanks.  I like mine black.”

“Me, too,” he agreed.  “So back to my interrogation.  Do you want to know where I was the morning of the murder?”

He took a sip of coffee, set it down and tapped his lip, as if in deep thought.  “I walked my dog early.  Around 6 a.m., I think.  Then I came here to work.  I opened around 8, I guess.”

“What kind of dog?” Gloria interrupted.

“Is he a suspect, too?” Brian shot back.

Gloria grinned.  “No!”  The man had a way of putting others at ease.  He was teasing her.  But in a good way.

“Finn’s a Great Dane and a big baby.  Sometimes I let him come to work with me,” he confided.

He went on.  “I took a lunch break somewhere between 11:30 and noon.  I went home to let Finn out.  I warmed up some leftovers and then came back here.”

“I heard you have a beautiful home,” she said.

“Stop by sometime.  I’ll give you a tour,” he offered.

Gloria took a sip of coffee and changed the subject.  “What did you do before coming to Belhaven and start buying up our small town?”

Mr. Sellers wrapped his hands around the cup.  He took a drink as he studied Gloria over the rim.  “I was a circuit court judge.”

“A judge?” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.  He looked too young to have been a judge.  It was as if he read her mind.

“One of the youngest judges in the State of Michigan,” he said. “And I’m not as young as I look.”

Well I’ll be darned.” She sighed.  “I guess I’ll have to rule you out as suspect.”

“Judges can be killers, too,” he pointed out.

He almost seemed disappointed.  “Does that mean you don’t have any more questions for me?”

Gloria swallowed the last drop of coffee and set the cup on his side of the counter.  “No.  It appears you’re off the hook.  But I still need that tank of propane.”

He grabbed her cup and set it in the sink along with his before he turned back around to ring up her purchase.  “I’ll meet you out front.”

She wandered back through the door and waited on the sidewalk.  She opened the rear car door as Brian slid the heavy metal tank onto the floor.  He straightened his back.  “I was serious about the tour.  If you want to stop by sometime.”

Gloria nodded.  “I would like that.”

She stood still for a moment and gazed into the brightest blue eyes she’d ever seen. Her heart fluttered.  If she were decades younger – several decades - he would be on her radar.

She narrowed her eyes.  Attractive.  Single.  She glanced down to confirm the lack of a wedding ring.  Hardworking.  He would be a real catch for the right girl… “Say, what are you doing Saturday night?”

“This Saturday?”

Gloria nodded.

“Finn and I haven’t made any plans yet.”  That confirmed his single status.

Gloria opened the driver’s side door.  “I’m having a cookout at my place Saturday around 6.  Would you like to come?”

“As long as you don’t pressure Dot and her husband Ray to sell their place,” she warned.

Brian grinned.  He made an “X” across his chest and then held up three fingers.  “Scout’s honor.”

She recited her address.  “Do you want to write the address down?”

“No.  I think I’ve got it.” A small frown shadowed his face.  “Are you sure you want me there?  Dot and Ray won’t mind?”

“Yes.  I think you’ll fit in quite well with our group.” She slid into the driver’s seat and gave a small wave as she backed out of the parking spot.

He seemed like such a nice, young man.  Ambitious, funny, handsome.  Her eyebrows furrowed briefly.  Paul would think she was double-matchmaking.  First Liz and now Andrea.  Oh well.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

She made a mental note to stop inviting people for the cookout.  The list was getting out of hand!

The rest of the week flew by.  She spent Thursday morning with Jill and the boys.  They wandered up and down the aisles at the flea market.  Most of the stuff was just junk but there were also a few treasures, including an old metal milk carton.  Gloria decided it was perfect for a turning into a flower pot for her porch.

There was one brief mishap when Ryan, her youngest grandson, came up missing.  They spent a good hour searching the crowded aisles for the stinker.

On her second trip ‘round the entire place Gloria paused.  If I were a young boy, where would I go? She wondered. She headed for the animal auction building.  There was no sign of him.

Her eyes scanned the rows of sellers, peddling their wares.  Off in the far corner was a small cluster of Amish buggies.  The Amish came every Thursday to sell baked goods and homemade quilts.  They did a brisk business.  After all, who can resist homemade baked goods?  Her eyes narrowed.  Not a young boy!

Gloria made a beeline for the buggies.  She spied a pair of sneakers – familiar sneakers – poking out next to a large, spoked wheel. She thrust a hand on her hip.  “Ryan Adams.  Come out here this instant!”

The feet disappeared and a blonde head peeked out from the black frame.  “Hi Grams.”  She knelt down.  On closer inspection, she noticed his face was covered with chunks of chocolate and dried vanilla icing.  An empty wrapper was on the ground next to him.  “Where did you get that?”

His blonde head twisted wildly.  “They gave it to me.”

“Who gave it to you?”

“One of the ladies with a white hat.”  Gloria glanced up.  All of the Amish women wore white hair coverings!

She made her way around the side of the buggy where a small cluster of women stood.  Ryan followed behind.  A sticky hand reached for hers and her heart melted.  She looked down.  Large green eyes met hers.  How could she stay mad at a face like that?  She squeezed his hand.

“My grandson, here, seems to have enjoyed one of your baked goods.  He said someone gave it to him.”

A young Amish girl who couldn’t have been more than 12 years old stepped forward.  “I-I hope you don’t mind.” She glanced down at Ryan who still had Gloria’s hand in a tight grip.  “He said he was hungry. And lost.”

Gloria shook her head.  “That’s fine, dear.  I just wanted to thank you and make sure we didn’t owe you for the treats.”  She opened her purse and pulled out her wallet.

The girl reached out her hand to stop her.  “No, ma’am.  No charge.”  Gloria closed her purse.  “Thank you.”

She ruffled Ryan’s hair as they walked off in search of Jill and Tyler, who were headed their way.

The rest of the afternoon flew by and before she knew it, Jill and the boys were gone.

By the time Saturday – the day of the cookout - rolled around – Gloria was in a semi-state of panic.  She was feverishly working on her Oreo Cookie Cream dessert when she heard a light tap on the porch door.  Gloria flung the door open.  It was Andrea.  “I’m here to help.”

Her eyes shot heavenward. “Thank God!”

Gloria wasted no time.  She grabbed her arm and pulled her inside.  “How did you know?”

She dropped an apron over her head and promptly put her to work slicing tomatoes, chopping onions, assembling hamburger patties.

Andrea frowned at the tower of hamburger patties.  “How many people did you invite?”

Gloria wiped her hands on her own apron.  She grabbed a head of cabbage and a sharp knife from the wooden knife block.  With expert precision, she chopped the cabbage down the center.  “I lost count.”

Paul arrived next.  She sent him back outside to set up tables and folding chairs under the big oak tree on the back side of the yard.

Margaret and Don arrived, followed by Dot and Ray.  Lucy and Bill were close behind.  By the time Gloria hung up her apron, she had a full house and Paul was doing an excellent job entertaining the guests.

She peeked through the edge of the curtains and smiled with pride.  Even though he’d never met half of the guests that were there, he acted as if he’d known them for years.  Yes, he fit in the small town of Belhaven quite nicely.

Slick Steve was next.  He stood off to the side uncertainly.  Gloria was just about to head out and greet him when Liz wandered over.  She watched as Liz pulled him into the crowd.

The last to arrive to the party was Brian Sellers.  He parked his sleek blue SUV at the end of the row of cars, near the road.  He was getting a good bit of attention, especially from Dot and Ray.  With everything going on, she hadn’t had a chance to tell them he was coming.

She weaved her way around her guests and came up next to him.  “I’m glad you could make it, Brian.”

His blue eyes crinkled at the corner.  “You sure know how to throw a shin-dig!”

“Just a few friends from town.”  She reached for his arm.  “Come on.  What would you like to drink – iced tea or lemonade?”

“Lemonade please.”

They wound their way to the top of the porch where Paul was standing.  Brian’s hand shot out.  “Hi.  I’m Brian.  Brian Sellers.”

Paul shook his hand.  “Paul Kennedy.”

Gloria poured a lemonade and handed him the glass.

Paul rubbed his chin.  “You look familiar.”

“I own the hardware store in town?” he offered.

“Or maybe you saw him around the courthouse.  Former judge Brian Sellers…” Gloria said.

“That’s where I’ve seen you!”

Gloria excused herself and started her rounds, chatting with guests.  She was pleased to see that Liz and Al Dickerson were deep in conversation.  Liz grabbed Gloria’s arm as she walked by.  “Gloria, I didn’t know you knew Al.  We used to work together years ago at the paper mill.”

“Well, isn’t that a coincidence…”

Paul wandered by with an armful of trash.  Gloria followed him into the kitchen.  “Let me take care of those.”  She felt guilty for putting him to work.

He handed her a stack of glasses.  All except for one.  She reached for it.

He pulled it back and shook his head.  “I need to hang onto this one.”

Gloria’s eyebrows furrowed.  Her eyes met Paul’s and she knew.  He wanted it for the fingerprints.  “You can put it back in the bedroom,” she replied.

He turned on his heel and walked out of the kitchen.

A warm spring breeze drifted through the window as Gloria stared out at her guests and waited for Paul to return.

One of her guests was a suspect.  Her eyes wandered to Ray who was standing next to Dot.  He tipped his head back and chuckled at something Bill or Lucy had just said.  Poor Dot.  I wonder if she knows…

Paul was back in the kitchen now.  He pulled the fridge door open and reached inside. He plucked the tall tray of burgers from the shelf.  Gloria came in behind him and grabbed the packs of hot dogs.  She followed him out to the grill.  “Thanks, love.”  He planted a kiss on her forehead and fired up the grill.

Margaret met her on the porch.  “Can I help?”  Gloria forced a smile.  Certainly Margaret wasn’t a suspect…  “Sure.”

The girls arranged big bowls of potato and macaroni salad, a crockpot full of baked beans and Gloria’s homemade coleslaw on the serving table.  Stacks of hamburger and hotdog buns along with mustard, ketchup, onions and pickles followed.

By the time the girls had all the food arranged, Paul and Ray were on the way with the cooked burgers and dogs.

The guests assembled at the edge of the table.  “Let’s say grace.”

A solemn prayer of thanks for the food and fellowship was said.  Gloria lifted her head.  Ray was standing across from her.  I wonder if this is his last meal as a free man, she wondered.  She added a silent prayer he would be found innocent.  If she had to pick a guilty party, she’d choose Judith Arnett over Ray any day.

Paul and Gloria stood off to the side as they watched guests load their plates with goodies. “Did you find a print match for Judith or Joe Toscani?” She already knew the answer.  If there’d been a match, he wouldn’t be after Ray’s cup.

Paul shook his head.  “The results won’t be back until Monday.”

That was something.  Gloria held out a glimmer of hope that it would be one of them…

They joined the end of the line.  Neither of them had eaten all day.  Gloria grabbed a hotdog and hamburger, nudged them to the side and then scooped a large spoonful of each of the sides onto the empty space on her plate.

She followed Paul to the last two seats.  Right next to Andrea and Brian Sellers.  Andrea was laughing at something Brian had just said.

“The food is delicious, Mrs. Rutherford,” Brian complimented.

“Thank you, Brian.  I’m so glad you could make it.”

She bit into her hotdog thoughtfully.  What if the cup Paul kept belonged to Brian instead? But she already gave him Brian’s prints.   She gave Paul a sideways glance.  He was stone-faced. His expression gave nothing away.

Andrea picked up a chip and paused. “Brian grew up in New York, just like me.”

Paul settled his hand on his leg and studied Brian.  “So what brought you to the small town of Belhaven?”

Brian grabbed the paper napkin tucked under his plate and wiped the corners of his mouth.  “My grandparents.  Actually, their house brought me here.  The house on Lake Terrace was theirs.  I inherited it.”

Gloria’s eyebrows raised.  She never knew much about the elderly couple that resided in the lakeside house.  They were a bit of a mystery.

He went on.  “I came for a visit to settle the estate and fell in love with the area.  Small town life seemed to fit me,” he said.

“Me too!” Andrea said.

The chemistry between the two was obvious.  He seemed like such a nice, young man.  What if they started dating and later found out he was the killer?  Andrea’s life would be turned upside down once again!  And it would be Gloria’s fault for playing matchmaker…

Gloria grabbed her empty plate and headed for the trash can.

Paul was right behind her.  “You invited Brian Sellers to this get-together for Andrea.”

She whirled around.  “Yeah, and if he ends up being the killer, I’m going to feel terrible,” she admitted.

She glanced back at the two, still sitting side-by-side.  Andrea’s head was tilted forward as she eagerly listened to something Brian was saying.

“Can’t you tell me who the suspect is?”  Gloria begged.

Paul studied her face.  “You know I would if I could.  But I can’t.”  He tossed his plate in the can and closed the lid.  “You’ll know soon enough.”

He nodded towards the house.  “I’m dropping the cup off for testing on my way home so we can get all the results back by Monday.”

Al Dickerson met them at the trash can.  “Everything was delicious. Thank you for inviting me.”

Liz was right behind him.  “Yes, you really outdid yourself, Gloria.”

But it wasn’t all Gloria.  She had a lot of help from her friends.  That’s what friends were for.  It had seemed like a lot of work though.  Why did it take hours to get everything ready and only minutes to eat?

Paul and Gloria wandered from table-to-table as they stopped to chat with each of the guests.  They all thanked her for inviting them and complimented the food.

Gloria brought out cups of coffee and paper plates filled with Oreo dessert.  After coffee and dessert were finished, people started to head home.

Jennifer and Tony were the first to leave.  Tony pointed at one of his teenage sons who were chasing Mally around the yard.  “The natives are getting restless.”

Liz left next.  “I have the longest drive home.”  She hugged Gloria and Paul and started toward her car.  Al walked her out.  They stood to the side and talked for several long minutes before Liz climbed in and drove off.

He wandered back over to where Gloria was still watching.  “You and Liz seemed to hit it off,” she observed.

“Yeah.  We’re just about the same age.” Al grinned like a love struck teen.  “We’re having lunch together next week.”

Gloria touched his arm.  “Good for you.  Just watch out for Liz.  She can be a handful,” she warned.

Al gazed in the direction of where her car just pulled out.  “Yeah.  That’s what I like about her.  She has some fire left.”

That was an understatement.  She hugged Al good-bye.

One-by-one, the rest of the Garden Girls departed.  Gloria made to-go plates for each of them.

Last to leave was Andrea and Brian.  “We can help you finish cleaning up,” Andrea offered.

The foursome wiped the tables and stacked them back in the garage.  They folded the chairs and carried them to the barn.  While they chit-chatted with Paul, Gloria made two more to-go plates.  She hugged Andrea and Brian. “Thank you so much for all your help today.”

Andrea grinned.  “My pleasure.”

Gloria and Paul stood close together on the porch as they watched the last two guests leave.  Brian walked Andrea to her car, opened the door and waited for her to climb in.

They spoke for several moments before he closed her door and headed to his SUV.  He lifted a hand and waved before climbing inside and following Andrea onto the road.

“Two for two,” Paul said.

Gloria whirled around.  “Huh?”

“Two-for-two on your matchmaking.”

They settled in on the porch for a cup of decaf coffee.  Gloria’s feet were sore and her back stiff.

But it was all worth it. She was glad Paul finally got to meet all of her friends.  They were an important part of her life.  Just like Paul was.

“Will you call me and let me know the fingerprint results?” she asked.

He nodded.  “After we make an arrest.”

Gloria’s heart stopped.  Someone she knew.  Possibly someone that was at her own house that very evening – was a cold blooded killer!

He eased out of the chair.  “I better go.  I have to stop at the station on my way home,” he reminded her.

Paul headed to the bedroom to retrieve the cup while Gloria fixed one final to-go plate for the evening.  She smiled as she glanced at all the leftovers still in her fridge.  Her friends made sure to leave plenty for her.

“Don’t fret too much over this Gloria.” Paul was behind her now.  “There’s nothing you can do about it.” He took the plate from her hand and set it on the table nearby.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

She closed her eyes, laid her head on his chest and took a deep breath.  He smelled so nice.  Like a mixture of musky leather and fresh outdoors.

Sudden tears burned the back of her eyes.  Someone she knew.  Someone she was close to - was about to have their world ripped to shreds.

She pulled her head back and gazed up, looking for a smidgen of reassurance that everything was going to be alright.

Paul touched the side of her face.  “At least it’s not you.”

Gloria let out a snort and sob, all rolled into one.  “That’s good to know!”

“Maybe you’re right and I’m wrong and the killer is this Toscani fellow or even Judith.  I’ve been known to be wrong before,” he admitted.

True.  But he seemed pretty confident.

He grabbed the keys from his pocket before leaning forward and kissing Gloria softly.  She followed him through the door and onto the porch.

With one last good-bye kiss, he was gone.  She stood there and waited ‘til his tail lights were out of sight before heading back indoors.

The church parking lot was packed the next morning.  Nice weather always filled the place.  There were only a few empty sections left near the back of the church.  Gloria slid into the pew and set her purse down.

Slick Steve plopped down beside her.  I really need to get out of the habit of calling him, she thought.  “Thanks again for inviting me to your cookout.  It was great.” He sounded sincere.  “Your sister, Liz.  She’s something else.”

“Yes, she is,” Gloria muttered.  She didn’t have a chance to add to it.  Dot and Ray slipped in on the other side.

“Your party last night was just what we needed,” Ray confided.  “It was nice to take our minds off our troubles and enjoy good company.”

Gloria swallowed the lump that lodged in her throat.  At least the two of them had a final fun night out before they hauled Ray off to jail tomorrow.

But she didn’t know Ray was guilty.  For all she knew, it was Brian Sellers.

But what about Steve?  She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.  What if it was Steve?  Her eyes flew open.  She never considered him.  What possible motive could he have?  Yes, he was an outrageous flirt and left a trail of broken hearts.  Was he hot after Dot?

She shook her head.  No, it wasn’t Steve.  She felt guilty that she almost wished it was.  Or better yet, Judith.

After the service, the girls met in their usual spot outside. Gloria turned to Ruth.  “Do we have any shut-ins today?”

Ruth shook her head.  No.  Believe it or not, everyone seems to be out and about.  “Must be the nice weather,” she said.

“How’s the house shaping up?” Margaret asked Andrea.  Margaret didn’t live far from Andrea’s new place.  She passed it every day on her way to town, taking note of the transformation.

“Another few weeks and I’ll be ready for a housewarming party,” Andrea told the girls.  “Say, you want to come by and see the progress?”

The girls agreed today was a perfect day to check out the old Johnson mansion.  “I’ll bring leftovers for lunch,” Gloria offered.

They all parted ways with a plan to meet up at Andrea’s at noon.

Gloria pulled in the drive right on time.  She was surprised at how much the construction crew accomplished in the past few days since her last visit.

The outside was done.  A fresh coat of yellow paint covered the boards and bright blue shutters greeted guests as they meandered up the drive. Andrea made the right choice in colors, Gloria decided.

The front deck was replaced with smooth, new boards and the wrought iron railing had been power washed and painted a shiny black.  This majestic plantation-style home would fit in perfect in the South.

The girls wandered indoors to check the progress.  Drop cloths covered every inch of floor in the dining and living room.

“I’m going for a more neutral gray in the living room with a deep red for the dining room,” Andrea explained.  “Red is good for digestion.  At least that’s what I read.”

They followed Andrea into the kitchen.  It looked the same as the last time Gloria was there.  Retro yet modern.

Andrea walked over to the wall separating the kitchen from the small hall, directly across from the cozy wood-paneled library.  “I’m thinking of knocking this wall down and opening it up with a wide, granite bar area.  What do you think?”

Dot nodded her approval.

“I think you should become an interior designer,” Lucy said.

“I told her the exact same thing,” Gloria said.

The group wandered onto the rear patio while Gloria headed to her car to grab the food.  The girls settled at the picnic table as the leftovers were passed around and the girls filled their plates.

Ruth was the first to bring up the subject of Andrea and Brian Sellers.  “That Brian Sellers seemed to have taken a liking to you,” she commented.

Andrea blushed.  “You think so?”

Margaret agreed. “Oh yeah! He was giving you the googly-eyes.” She lowered her eyelids and winked seductively for emphasis.

“Well, he did ask me if I was free for lunch one day next week,” Andrea admitted.

“And?” Lucy prompted.

Andrea nibbled on the end of her hot dog. “I gave him my number,” she said.

The group went on to discuss his past career as a judge, how ambitious and stable he appeared.

“And cute,” Lucy pointed out.

Gloria wiped her mouth and laid the napkin on her empty plate.  “And he has a great sense of humor.”

Lucy turned to her friend.  “What made you decide to invite him?  Did you just pop in to his hardware store and say, “Come to my cookout Saturday night?”

“Kind of.  I needed a propane tank for the grill.” That part was true.  Gloria just didn’t add that she was there to interrogate him about the murder.

But Dot knew Gloria all too well.  “Gloria!  You went there to question him about the murder!”

“Well, I did ask him a few questions…” her voice trailed off.

Andrea set her hot dog down on the plate.  “Why would he be a suspect?”

Dot explained about his offers to buy her place and how he wasn’t giving up.  “That doesn’t make him a suspect, though.”

Gloria was reminded of the imminent arrest.  She pounded her fist on the table.  “We have to find the killer.  And fast!”

The group jumped back in surprise.  A burst of anger out of Gloria was a rare occurrence.

She told them how she got Judith and Brian’s prints and turned them in for testing to see if they matched the print they found on the toilet bowl cleaner.  She didn’t mention that Paul kept a cup from the party the night before for testing.

She abruptly got up from the table.  The whole thing upset her every time she dwelled on it.  The clock was ticking and she had no clear suspect!

Lucy had more important things to worry about at the moment than finding a killer.  “What – no dessert?”

“I swear, Lucy.  I’ve never seen anyone with a sweet tooth like yours!” Ruth said.

“When you die, we’re going to have a chocolate fountain at your wake in your honor,” Margaret teased.

Gloria was the last to leave the small get-together.  Andrea walked her to her car.  “Do you think there’s a chance Brian did it?”

Gloria slowly shook her head as she remembered Paul’s words when he said he hoped it wasn’t who they suspected.  “My gut says no.” She sighed.  “Tomorrow.  We should hear something tomorrow.”

Andrea could see Gloria was visibly upset.  She wasn’t sure why since Gloria barely knew Brian.

Andrea pushed her sunglasses on top of her head and rubbed her brow.  “I just wish someone caught a glimpse of the killer out behind the restaurant that day.”

Gloria was in her car and halfway down the drive when Andrea remembered something.  She did see someone familiar that morning in the vicinity of the restaurant.  She recognized the person from the party last night.

She waved her hands frantically at Gloria to stop.

Andrea rushed to the driver’s side window.  “I do remember seeing someone else that morning!  Except I didn’t know who that person was until last night at your party. The only reason I remember is their truck almost ran me over as they drove like a demon out of you-know-what coming from the alley behind Dot’s that morning.”

Gloria’s eyes widened, her heart thumped in her chest.  She reached out and grabbed Andrea’s arm.  “Who was it?”

The color drained from her face when Andrea told her the name. Gloria thought she was going to faint.

But now it all made perfect sense.  In a horrible way.  And there was one person Gloria was certain could confirm her suspicions.

“Promise me you won’t tell anyone what you just told me,” Gloria said.

Andrea nodded.  “I promise.”

Gloria’s mind bounced back and forth like a ping pong ball.  The one thing lacking was motive.

Chapter Eight

Gloria pulled into Gus’s garage, relieved to see the lights were on.  She hurried from the car and walked to the front door.  It was locked.  Of course they weren’t open on a Sunday evening!  She stuck her head against the overhead door window and peered inside.  Gus’s head was buried deep under the hood of a car.  She tapped lightly on the glass pane.

He poked his head around the corner and waved when he spotted her.  He motioned her to the front door.

He unlocked the door and opened it wide.  “Hi Gloria.  What’s up?  Anabelle giving you some problems?” he asked.

She shook her head.  “No, Gus.  Anabelle’s fine.”

“I’m sorry to bother you.  I’ll make this quick.” She paused. “Jennifer.  Jennifer Barrett’s car.  She had it in here not long ago.”

Gus nodded.  “Yeah a couple times now.” He tapped the wrench in his hand against his other palm.  “The first time for a tire blowout then not long after that she was having trouble with her brakes.  They went out on her,” he explained.

Gloria took a breath.  She had another question, but Gus answered it without her even asking.

“Suspicious, too.  I’d almost bet money someone cut her brake lines.”

“You think it was intentional?” she asked. “They were cut on purpose?”

He nodded.  “Without a doubt.” He made a cutting motion with his fingers.  “A clean cut straight across.”

“I appreciate your time, Gus. You’ve been very helpful. ” She turned to go.

Gus started to shut the door and stopped.  “Yeah, the police were in here a couple days ago asking about the car, too.  You don’t think someone was trying to hurt Jennifer?”

“I hope not, Gus.  I hope not.”

When Gloria got home, she dialed Dot’s number.  Dot picked up right away. Gloria got right to the point.  “The day of the poisoning - did Jennifer have her car or did Tony drop her off?”

“Oh gosh, Gloria.  That day is such a blur. Let me think.” There was a long pause on the other end.  “No.  I think her car was in the shop that day.  She had a tire blowout.”

“So Tony dropped her off that morning?”

“Hmm.  Yes, I believe he did,” Dot answered.

Gloria’s mind was spinning.  What if it was Tony?  If it was Tony, what was the motive?  Money?  No, they certainly didn’t have a lot of money, especially since Tony’s hours at his job had been cut.

“Thanks, Dot.  I gotta run.” Before Dot could ask too many questions, Gloria hung up the phone.

Gloria paced the kitchen floor.  Where was the motive?  Unless… unless there was a life insurance policy.  But how could she find out?

She couldn’t.  But she knew someone else who maybe could.

She dialed Andrea’s number.  “Hi Gloria.”

“Hi Andrea.  Say, I have a favor to ask.”

“Sure.  Anything.”

“Since you own an insurance agency, is there any way to find out if someone recently took out a life insurance policy on – say – their spouse?”

“You mean if that Tony guy took a policy out on his wife?”

“Exactly.”

Andrea paused.  “There’s no national database that I know of - but there are other ways to find out.  I’ll need Tony and his wife’s full names and their address.  Their date of birth would be helpful, too.”

Gloria was doubtful she could get their birth dates without raising a lot of questions but she could easily figure out their address.  “I’ll call you back in five minutes.”

She raced to her computer, typed in Anthony Barrett, Belhaven, Michigan. Tony and Jennifer’s address popped up on the screen.  She jotted it down before heading back to the phone.  She thought about calling Dot, to ask what Jennifer’s birth date was but she didn’t want to send up any red flags.  At least not yet.

She called Andrea back and gave her the address.

“I’ll call you back within the hour,” Andrea promised.

Gloria hung up the phone and started to pace again.  Maybe it wasn’t about money.  Maybe he was seeing someone else and wanted to get Jennifer out of the way.  Either way, the whole situation was tragic.

She was still pacing when the phone jarred her back to reality.  “What did you find out?”

“What do you mean, “What did you find out?” It was Paul.

Her phone beeped.  Another call was coming in.  “I’ll call you right back!”

She disconnected and answered the ringing line.  “Hello?”

“You were right!  Someone took out a life insurance policy.  A large life insurance policy on Jennifer Barrett – to the tune of 850 grand not more than two months ago!”

“I need to tell Paul,” Gloria blurted out.

“Let me know if I can help in any other way,” Andrea replied before the line went dead.

Gloria’s fingers trembled as she dialed Paul’s number.  “What was that all about?”  He sounded annoyed.

“It was Jennifer’s husband, Tony.  He cut her brake line right after he slashed her tires.  When that didn’t work, he snuck in the back door of the restaurant and dropped poison in Dot’s pot of dumplings, thinking that Jennifer would be the first to try them.  The only problem was, by the time he grabbed the cleaner and made it into the kitchen, Jennifer already tried a sample and was in the front waiting tables.”

Paul confirmed her theory.  “We’re working on his warrant now.  As soon as the lab confirms the fingerprints first thing tomorrow morning, we’ll be on his doorstep.”

Gloria wasn’t sure if she was relieved it wasn’t Ray or heartbroken that it was Tony.  He seemed like such a nice guy.  What a shame.  Jennifer’s life was about to crumble around her…

Gloria spent the rest of the evening in a state of distraction.  She couldn’t even focus on her favorite detective show.

She crawled into bed early but spent the night tossing and turning.  Visions of Tony sneaking in Dot’s place played out in her mind over and over like a b-rated movie.

She gave up trying to sleep and climbed out of bed just as the sun was coming up.  She glanced in the bedroom mirror on the way to the kitchen.  Her hair was pointing straight out at various angles.  It reminded her of those models that get the crazy haircuts and everyone raves about it being cutting-edge fashion.

She grinned at her reflection in spite of herself.  I wonder what people would think if I left it like this all day, she wondered.

Mally and Puddles met her in the kitchen.  She fed them and then followed Mally onto the porch.  Dark, ominous clouds filled the sky.  Thunder rumbled in the distance. It was going to be a gloomy day.  Fitting for Gloria’s mood and the events that were about to take place.  And the lives that would soon be changed forever.

She started a pot of coffee and headed to the bathroom.  She paused in front of the bathroom mirror as she studied her reflection again.  She turned her head this way and that.  She reached up and raked her bangs forward with her fingers before she fluffed the back up.  She nodded in satisfaction and decided she would leave her hair just like that.

She turned the shower handle on high.  The cool water brought her to life.  It was amazing something so simple could improve her state-of-mind.

With the shower over and her brand new hair-do in place, she poured a cup of coffee and reached for the morning paper.  She set her coffee cup in the sink and turned around just in time to watch a car pull into her drive.

It was Dot.  She glanced up at the clock.  Odd that Dot would be here this time of the morning. The breakfast crowd would be in full swing at the restaurant.

Gloria waited at the door as Dot headed up the porch.  From the look on her face, Gloria knew that Tony was already in custody.

She flung the door open and stepped to the side to let Dot in.  “You’ll never guess what,” Dot said.

“They have a suspect in Mike Foley’s murder,” Gloria replied.

Dot set her purse on the table and plopped down in a kitchen chair.  “How did you know?”

Gloria poured a cup of coffee for Dot and set it in front of her.  “Paul told me he thought there would be an arrest this morning.”  She wasn’t sure how much she should tell Dot she already knew.

“Did you know it was Tony?” Dot asked. “Is that why you called last night to ask if Tony dropped Jennifer off the morning of the poisoning?”

“I didn’t put the pieces together until last night,” Gloria confessed.   “After I stopped by Gus’s shop and he told me Jennifer’s brake lines were intentionally cut.”

Gloria wasn’t sure what else to say so she took a sip of her coffee instead.  “You want a donut?”  Without waiting for an answer, she pulled the box from the corner pantry and set them on the table.  Chocolate made everything better.

She opened the lid and picked out a chocolate éclair before sliding the box towards Dot.

Dot plucked a glazed donut from the box and closed the lid. She absentmindedly nibbled on the edge.

Gloria broke her éclair in two pieces and licked the creamy filling before continuing.  “When Andrea told me she saw Tony the morning of the killing.  That he tore out of the alley behind the restaurant so fast, he almost hit her.”

“She just remembered that?” Dot asked.

“Well, she didn’t know who Tony was until the cookout the other night.”

Dot’s eyebrows furrowed. “So he snuck in the back door of the restaurant and dumped the cleaner in my dumplings…”

“Yep.  Thinking that his wife would be the first to try them like she always does…”

Dot shook her head, as if to clear it.  “Unbelievable.”  She squinted down at the watch on her wrist.  “I better get going.  Ray’s holding down the fort by himself.”

Dot was out the door and across the porch before she stopped.  She whirled around.  “By the way, I’m not sure what you did to your hair but I love it.  It looks so…”

“Trendy?” Gloria suggested.

Dot slowly nodded.  “Like something one of those fashion models in a magazine would wear.”

Gloria grinned.  “Thanks.  I like to call it bed head.”

“Ha!” Dot snorted.  “Well, whatever it is, it’s working for you!”

Gloria watched as Dot pulled out of the driveway and headed back into town.

She eased the porch door shut.  There was still something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.  It was nagging at the back of her brain and it was just out of reach.

Gardening always cleared her head.  She pulled on an old pair of work shorts and t-shirt before she slid into her garden boots.  “C’mon Mally.”

Mally trotted over to the door and waited for Gloria to open it up.  They headed to the barn first.  Gloria grabbed packets of radishes, cauliflower and carrot seeds from the wooden shelf on the back wall.  She pulled a metal trowel from a hook by the door on her way back out.

The garden was already tilled.  Something she had done a few days ago.  She shoved the trowel in the black soil and tossed a clump aside.  She dropped radish seeds in first, careful to sprinkle the seeds in a straight line.  She covered them back up with a scoop of dirt and then finished her task with a gentle pat.  She started on a row of carrots next, following the same methodical system.  Dig. Drop. Scoop. Pat.

Mally came over to investigate just as Gloria started on the cauliflower.  She tromped right over the top of the freshly-planted radishes.

Gloria stopped what she was doing and guided her off to the side.  “Sorry girl.  The garden is off limits from now until everything’s out in the fall.”

She went back to work on the cauliflower while Mally sat on the grass at the edge of the garden staring at her.  Her eyes begged to be allowed back in the garden.

Gloria eased off her aching knees and pushed herself to her feet.  She tiptoed past the tidy rows as she made her way over to Mally.  “Good girl.  No more garden until fall,” she reminded her.

The gardening cleared her head but it didn’t help with the itty bitty nudge that was ping-ponging around in her brain.  She was missing something. Something very important.

The house phone started to ring as she leaned over the kitchen sink and scrubbed the dirt from her hands.  She grabbed the nearest towel and wiped them dry.  “Hello?”

It was Paul. “We arrested Tony a couple hours ago.”

“I heard.” Gloria hung the towel on the stove handle.  “Dot stopped by a little while ago.”

They talked for several long minutes.  She didn’t mention the fog in her brain and the small something that was driving her crazy.  It seemed like in every investigation so far, there was some little detail.  Some small clue right under her nose that she was staring straight at, yet couldn’t put her finger on until the very last moment.  Until it was almost too late.

Maybe there wasn’t anything more this time.  It just seemed so cut and dried.  So open and shut.  Perhaps, for once, she was making something out of nothing.  At least that’s what she tried to convince herself.

Her stomach protested in hunger.  She walked over to the fridge and opened the door.  One thing she was certain of.  She was sick of cooking.  A trip to Dot’s for lunch was in order.

She changed out of her garden clothes, tossed them in the laundry basket and checked her hair one more time.  The more she looked at it, the more she liked it.  There was only one problem.  How could she replicate what her pillow created overnight?

Gloria grabbed her keys and headed for the door.  And then she paused.  She had a stop to make.  To a special place she visited every couple of months.  And a visit was long overdue.  She reached inside the kitchen closet and pulled out a large plastic bag before heading to her car.

Dot’s was jam-packed.  The only parking spot she could find was at the end of Main Street, right in front of the Nails and Knobs Hardware Store.  She peeked in the front window. She could see Brian way in the back of the store helping a customer.

She passed the store before she turned around and headed inside.  The door jingled as Gloria stepped inside.  Brian leaned his head to the side as he caught a glimpse of the customer.  He grinned when he saw who it was.

Gloria wandered around the store as Brian finished helping his customer.  After the man left, she made her way over to where he was standing behind the counter.

“The murder’s been solved.”  Brian tipped his head to the side, his eyes twinkling.  “I guess it wasn’t me,” he teased.

Gloria wasn’t going to let him ruffle her feathers.  “A good detective needs to follow up on every single lead.”

“True…” He leaned forward.  “Did you figure out who it was?”

“Barely,” she admitted.  “It took me until late last night.”

His expression grew grim.  “Such a shame.  They seemed like such a nice couple, too.”

Gloria couldn’t agree more.  And she felt guilty.  Guilty that she was glad it wasn’t Ray.  Or even Dot herself.

Gloria had a sudden thought.  “I’m heading down to Dot’s for lunch.  Care to join me?” she asked.

The dark look left his eyes and the twinkle was back.  “Aren’t you afraid people will start talking?  Dinner Saturday night and now lunch today?”

Gloria chuckled, her face reddened a bit.  “Hey, if they think I can hook someone almost young enough to be my grandson, then I say gossip away!”

He grabbed his jacket and keys from the hook behind him.  “I think you’re selling yourself short.  You’re one hot lady.” He followed her out the front door and then locked it.  “You did something to your hair,” he added.  “I like it.”

Gloria reached up and touched the stiff spikes.  “You do?  Really?”

He grinned as he took her arm and they began walking.  “Yeah.  It gives you that “Cougar” look.”

Gloria snorted.  “You missed your calling.  I think you should’ve been a comedian.”

She changed the subject as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye.  “Andrea told me you invited her to lunch.”

That caught him off guard.  “Yeah.  We really hit it off the other night.” He had a sudden thought.  “Say!  You weren’t playing matchmaker…”

It was Gloria’s turn to smirk.  Her eyebrows lifted.

“You did!” He shook his head.  “You’re a jack of all trades.  Super sleuth, matchmaker, chef extraordinaire.”

“Keep it coming,” she joked.

They were in front of Dot’s now.  He opened the door and Gloria stepped inside.  The place was packed.  The noise level at an almost deafening pitch.  Gloria would bet money the buzz was about Tony’s arrest.

Heads turned as the odd couple made their way to an empty table in the back.  Ray spied them right away.  He set two water glasses and two menus on the table.  Gloria didn’t need to look at the menu.  She knew every item on it by heart.

“Coffee today?” Ray asked.

Gloria shook her head.  “I better stick with the water.”

Brian looked up from his open menu.  “What’s today’s special?”

“Baked chicken with two sides,” Gloria answered.

“I’ll have that,” Brian decided.

“Make that two,” Gloria added.  “I’ll have a salad and vegetable medley for my sides.”

“Ditto,” Brian said.  “I’ll make it easy on you.”

Ray jotted down the order. He tapped his pen on the notepad.   “That’s a shame about Tony.”

Gloria’s expression grew grim.  “I know.  So hard to believe…” her voice trailed off.  A tinge of guilt washed over her when she remembered for a brief time, she suspected Ray.  What was she thinking??

Gloria stared at Ray’s back as he walked away.  She turned back to Brian who was studying her expression.

He nodded at Ray.  “You thought it was him at one point,” he observed.

“How do you do that?” she asked.

He answered her question with one of his own.  “What?  Figure out what’s going on in someone’s head?”  He leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms.  “Remember, I was a judge.  You become somewhat of an expert at figuring out what makes people tick.”

Gloria grabbed her straw and swirled the ice in her glass.  “I guess that makes sense.”

His expression darkened.  “So you think Andrea and I are a good match?”

Gloria rested her chin on her fist as she studied his face.  She mentally ticked off all the reason she liked him.  He was smart.  He was funny.  He was financially secure.  He was single.  He was a good looking guy.  The more she knew, the more she liked.

Still, her number one concern was Andrea.  Gloria was very protective of her young friend.  She couldn’t bear the thought of her getting hurt.  But then, Belhaven was a small town and eligible bachelors, especially ones like the one sitting across from her, were few and far between.

She answered as honestly as possible.  “I think you two could be a very good match.” Her eyebrows drew together for a second.  What if she did a little investigative work on him?  Find out if he was on the up-and-up.  For Andrea’s sake, of course.  “Only time will tell.”

He didn’t get a chance to answer.  Ray was back with their lunch.  The roasted chicken looked delicious.  She sliced off a small piece to sample before digging into her salad.

The two chatted easily about life in a small town.  What his plans were for the corner grocery and drug store.  She popped a piece of lettuce in her mouth and chewed thoughtfully.  “I never see you working in the grocery or drug store.  Just the hardware store.”

“I have to confess, the hardware store is my favorite.  The smells, all the neat gadgets and tools.” He shrugged his shoulders.  “The other two – I have good people running them and they just don’t need much of my time.”

“You know Andrea owns an insurance agency in Green Springs.”

Brian nodded. His mouth was full of broccoli spears.  “Mmhmm.”

“And that she’s fixing up the old mansion on the hill, not far from your place.”

He nodded.  “She told me to stop by one day and she’d give me the grand tour.”

They were still chatting away when Lucy and Margaret stopped by on their way out the door.  “You two better watch it.  Tongues will start wagging,” Margaret warned.

Gloria waved a hand in the air.  “Oh stop it!”

“Poor Paul,” Lucy teased.

Margaret leaned forward.  She tapped Gloria’s shoulder and whispered in a low voice.  “Dot said you figured out it was Tony last night.”

Gloria nodded. “Yeah, it took me awhile.”

Lucy was keeping track.  “Three for three.”

Gloria had to admit she was getting pretty good at it.  Now if she could only figure out a way to make a little money on the side.  Not that she needed it.  She remembered the gold coins hiding in plain sight inside her kitchen.  “I met with some attorneys the other day to talk about writing up a will.” Gloria gave Margaret a meaningful stare.

Brian set his fork down.  “You don’t have a will?” He was surprised.  Gloria seemed to have it altogether.  At her age, she should most definitely have a will.  Not that she was old or looked like she was going anywhere anytime soon but things could change in an instant.  “I can recommend a good one, if you need.”

Gloria pretty much decided on the woman she met with.  What was her name? Melissa, Clarissa?   “Do you know a Patricia Caldwell?”

Brian nodded.  “She’s good,” he confirmed.  “There’s also Evan Tate.”

That was another one of the other attorneys Gloria met with the other day.  “I met with him, too.”

“You can’t go wrong with either one,” he said.

“We can talk about it later.”  Margaret was using her “don’t say too much” voice.

“Gotcha!”

Ray was back to pick up the dirty plates.  He set the bill on the table.  Gloria and Brian reached for it at the same time.  He got there first.  “You can get it next time,” he bargained.

She pulled her hand back.  “It’s a deal.  But I invited you,” she pointed out.

“True,” he agreed.  “But let me be a gentleman.” He leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially.  “What will everyone think if I can’t even buy my girl lunch?”

Gloria rolled her eyes.  “Okie doke.  Lunch is on you.”

Gloria nodded to a few of the diners as the two of them made their way back outside.  She and Brian meandered along the sidewalk as they headed back to the hardware store, enjoying the tiny bit of sunshine peeking through the heavy rain clouds.

They stopped in front of Anabelle.  “Thanks again for lunch.”

He nodded.  “We’ll have to do that again soon. It was nice to take a break.”

He unlocked the hardware store, the keys juggling between his hands.  “You know, I don’t think I want to buy Dot’s place anymore.  Belhaven needs a place like that.”

He rocked back on his heels and crossed his arms.  “If you could think of one thing this town needs – other than a good restaurant.  Something you have to drive to the next big town to get, what would it be?”

Gloria’s first thought was a bank.  It was a real pain in the rear having to run all the way to Green Springs every time she needed some money.  To her, it was a no-brainer.  “A bank.”

As long as he was asking, she had something else to throw out there.  “And maybe expand your grocery store.  It’s nice and everything, but bigger is better, especially for food.  Plus, if you did, I can guarantee it would be worth your while.”

“I’m one step ahead of you on that one,” he said.  “I already have an architect working on a set of prints for an expansion.”  He made a pushing motion with his hands.  “Double the size of what we have now and add on a small bakery with a gourmet deli.”

Gloria loved the idea.  Just imagine. Being able to drive into town and pick up deli treats. Plus, it would create more jobs for the small town.  Something they desperately needed.  “I’ll be your first and best customer,” she promised.

Just then, someone met them on the sidewalk.  He pointed to the hardware store.  “You open?”

Brian nodded.  “Yep.” He waved at Gloria before he and the customer disappeared inside.

Gloria slid in the driver’s seat and started the car.  She pulled out of the parking spot and headed in the opposite direction of home.

The road at the edge of town curved sharply.  The drive from town was pretty.  A small, green valley dipped out of sight beyond the guardrail.  It was a peaceful place.  It wasn’t a road that Gloria traveled down often.  Except when she was coming here.

She made a sharp left as she pulled in the small rutted drive and coasted to the back.  She glanced around.  The place needed to be mowed, she decided.  Weeds were beginning to sprout up here and there.

Gloria stopped Anabelle in her usual spot.  She pushed the knob to park and shut off the engine.  She grabbed the plastic bag from the passenger seat and opened the driver’s side door.  She glanced down at her purse lying on the seat beside her.  There was no need to take it with her.  Or even lock the car.  There was no one here but her.

She made her way to the front of the car and stepped across the gravel drive.  Up ahead was the familiar oak tree.  The tree hadn’t been there long.  It was planted only a couple years ago.  When Gloria first started coming here.

It was getting big now.  The leaves were pushing out, reaching for the warm spring sun.  The branches sprawled forward, as if to shade the place Gloria was headed.  Except today it was gloomy.  There was no need for shade.  But soon enough it would be summer again and the leaves a welcome cover from the oppressive heat.

Gloria stepped forward, her feet sure of their destination.  When she got there, she kneeled on the ground in front of her.  She leaned forward as she pulled the grass around the edge of the marble marker.  Her hands reached forward as she brushed away the leaves and debris from the name etched on the surface.  James Rutherford.

She talked to him as if he were right there in front of her. “What a gloomy day. Did you order this?”

“Oh, I brought some flowers to spruce the place up.” She pulled the flowers from the bag and stuck a bunch of red Geraniums near the family headstone.  The one with James’s name.  Her name was on the other side.

“They’re your favorite.  Red Geraniums,” she added.  She arranged several more bunches around the top before placing an Easter Lily flower cross next to his tombstone.

“That reminds me.” She leaned back.  “You’d be so proud of me! I remembered not to plant the tomatoes yet. But I got some radishes, carrots and cauliflower in this morning.”

She changed the subject.  “The kids are all doing great.  Jill came by with the boys the other day.  We went to the flea market.”  She slid her finger across his name as she talked.  “You wouldn’t believe how big Ryan and Tyler are getting!”

A lump lodged in her throat.  She sighed as a tear trickled down her cheek.  This was always the worst part.  She swallowed hard.

A sudden breeze picked up and the wind whistled through the branches overhead.  “I’ll give them a hug from you,” she whispered.

She glanced up at the storm clouds brewing. A drop of rain touched her hand.   “I better go.  It looks like it’s going to rain.” She choked back a laugh.  “I guess you’re trying to get rid of me, huh?”

She shifted forward and eased her aching knees from the hard ground.  She put two fingers to her lips and softly kissed them before touching her fingertips to his name.  “I love you.”

Without saying another word, she grabbed the empty bag and turned to go.  With one last longing glance, she shuffled over to Anabelle and slipped inside.  She started the car and headed back down the bumpy path and out the cemetery gate.

Chapter Nine

Gloria drove straight home from the cemetery.  The familiar pain stabbed her heart and after all these years, she knew how the rest of her day would go.  A fog of melancholy ache would stay with her for hours.

She knew in her soul that James was in a better place, keeping a watchful eye over her.  And he reminded her in simple ways he was still with her, even if it was in spirit.

She unlocked the porch door and let herself inside.  Mally hopped out of her bed and wandered over to greet her.  Gloria bent down and wrapped her arms around Mally’s neck.  The dog didn’t budge as Gloria buried her head in the soft fur.  Thank you, God for this dog’s love.  When she stood back up, Mally thumped her tail softly and let out a low whine as if to say I love you, too.

Gloria fed Mally and Puddles before she walked over to the fridge.  She pulled the door open.  She stared inside but saw nothing.  She wasn’t even hungry.  She closed the door.  Instead, she went to the cupboard and grabbed a glass.  She filled it with tap water and headed to the living room.

The remote was on the stand next to her favorite recliner.  She eased into the chair before she reached over and picked it up.  The news was on but it was just background noise.  She stared at the screen, her mind a million miles away.

The phone rang.  She stared at it for a long minute.  Long enough for the ringing to stop.  Maybe tomorrow.  Maybe tomorrow she would be ready to join the world again.   But not tonight.  Tonight was for the memories.

Puddles jumped up on the recliner and settled in on Gloria’s lap.  Mally was there too.  She stared straight at Gloria.  Not blinking.  “I guess you want up here, too.” She pulled the lever on the side of the chair and the footrest popped up.  Mally hopped up and squeezed in on the other side.

It was this exact position that the three of them drifted off to sleep.  Tomorrow would be a new day and it would be here soon enough.

Gloria sat upright in her recliner, her heart pounding.  Mally and Puddles were right next to her, in the exact same spot as when she fell asleep.  A dream woke her and Jennifer was in it.  Gloria could see her plain as day.  It was so real to her that she was certain that if she reached out, she could touch her.

Someone was chasing Jennifer through her house. She couldn’t see the face of the shadowy figure.  It was just a vague outline.  Jennifer was screaming at the top of her lungs.  “Help me!  Somebody help me!”  The shrill terror in her voice pierced the still air.

It was at that precise moment Gloria remembered.  She remembered the nagging something stuck in the back of her mind.  It was something Jennifer told her at the party the other night.  How her father-in-law, Fred, had borrowed her car just before the brakes went out.  And that the car was running fine before he took it.

Jennifer had laughed, saying it was just her luck.  But maybe it wasn’t luck.  What if Tony’s dad was in on it, too?  What if he cut her brake lines?  If he was in on it, would he try to finish the job now that Tony was behind bars?

Gloria heard rumors around town that Fred’s sawmill was having financial troubles.  How the whole place was in foreclosure and they were months away from losing it all.  The house.  The land. The business.  Tony and Jennifer’s place.

Gloria struggled to get out of the chair.  She glanced at the clock on the wall.  It was still early.  Only 8:30.

Should she warn Jennifer?  Tell her her suspicions?  Would Jennifer even believe her?

Gloria’s was torn.  To warn or not to warn.  She decided to err on the side of caution.  Before she could change her mind, she grabbed her car keys and purse and headed to the door.  She decided if the lights were still on at Jennifer’s house, she would just go up and knock on the door.

If the lights were off, she would wait until morning.  She hopped in the car and headed out of town.  It was time to warn Paul of her suspicions.

She dialed his cell number, all the while focusing her eyes on the dark, deserted country road.  Her eyesight at night, especially when she had to drive, wasn’t what it used to be.

Paul picked up on the first ring.  “I tried to call you earlier.”

“I fell asleep in the recliner.”  It was true.  She had.

“Listen, I had a dream.  I think Jennifer Barrett’s life is in danger.”

Paul listened as she told him about the conversation she and Jennifer had the other night at the cookout and her suspicions.  “I’m on my way over there now.”

“I’m right behind you,” he said.  “Please wait until I get there.” He didn’t want her doing anything rash like try to be some kind of super hero and put her own life in danger.

“I’ll wait until the last possible minute,” she promised.  That was as close to a promise as she could make.

The Barrett home was lit up like a Christmas tree.  Every window in the place glowed.  Even the front porch light was on.  Of course, they had teenagers and they were like shadow people.  Sleeping all day and staying up all night…

There was an empty farm field directly across the street from the Barrett’s mobile home.  Gloria backed into the spot, switched off the headlights but left the car running.  She could see shadows moving around inside.  Ten minutes went by and so did the shadow people inside.  Back and forth.

Paul should be here any minute, she thought.

A dark figure rounded the side of the front porch deck.  It crept up the deck steps and made its way to the door.  When the unknown figure reached the door, the porch light illuminated them.

Gloria’s eyes widened.  It was Fred - Tony’s dad!  She could see him lift his hand and ring the bell.  He stood there for several long moments before he pressed the bell again.

Gloria’s eyes darted down the dark road.  Hurry, Paul, hurry! she whispered.

The door finally opened.  Gloria could see the outline of a female figure.  It was Jennifer!

The screen door swung open and Fred stepped inside.  Jennifer closed the door behind them.

Drops of sweat beaded up on Gloria’s brow.  She rubbed the top as her eyes darted down the road.  What was taking Paul so long?

Jennifer Barrett was having a very bad day.  It all started when the police knocked on her front door bright and early that morning.  They had an arrest warrant for her husband, Tony.  He wasn’t even dressed yet.  At least they let him throw on some clothes before they read him his rights and put him in handcuffs.

They did it right in front of her and the kids.

Jennifer followed one of the officers out onto the deck and closed the door so her kids wouldn’t hear.  “What is going on?  Why are you arresting my husband?” A sob caught in her throat when she saw Tony’s hands cuffed behind his back.

Two officers guided him to the squad car.  “Murder and attempted murder,” he said.

Tears sprang up in her eyes.  She started to chew on her lower lip.  “Wh-whose murder?”

“Michael Foley.”

“And the attempted murder?” she whispered.

The officer stared at her sympathetically.  It was this part of his job he hated most.  He reached forward to touch her arm but let if fall to his side instead.  “Yours.”

A loud buzz filled her ears.  The feeling was all-too familiar.  It was one she got moments before she fainted.  She grabbed the edge of the porch chair and felt her way to the seat before plopping down with a thud.  Her head fell forward into her hands.  “I-I just can’t believe it.”

She looked up when the car’s engine started.  They were pulling out of the drive.  Jennifer could see Tony’s dark head in the back seat.  He was staring straight ahead.  Surely there must be some mistake.  Did they have evidence against him?  They must have.

“….wait for someone to be here with you.”  The officer was talking but Jennifer missed most of what he said.

She shook her head, as if to clear the cobwebs.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t catch what you just said.”

“I asked if you wanted me to wait here with you until family arrived,” he said.

“No.  No, I’ll be alright.” A trace of irony touched her lips.  “There’s no one here but me,” she explained.  “My family lives out-of-state.”

Jennifer’s oldest son, Chad, stepped out onto the deck.  He placed a protective hand on her shoulder.  “She’ll be okay.”

This was another part of his job he hated.  When children were involved.  “You sure, son?”

Chad straightened his back.  His mouth set in a firm line.  “Yes, sir.”

Jennifer reached up and clasped her son’s hand. She squeezed it tightly. “I appreciate your concern.  We’ll be fine,” she added.

Jennifer and Chad watched the officer climb into his car and drive away.  Neither spoke as they opened the front door, stepped inside and closed the door behind them.

The rest of the day was a teeter-totter of emotion for Jennifer.  There were moments her brain refused to believe Tony was capable of murder.  Or worse yet, capable of killing her!  His own wife.

But there were other moments when the pieces began to fall in place.  How he dropped her off for work that morning the man was poisoned.  She remembered telling him in the truck how much she loved Wednesdays at the restaurant because it was “Dumpling Day.”  Her favorite dish at the restaurant and how she sampled it every Wednesday morning.

He teased her.  Told her that she must be the restaurant’s official “taster.”

That particular morning was a bit different than others.  Dot was almost always in the kitchen working on something. But not that morning.  There was no one in the kitchen when she stepped inside.  The huge pot of chicken and dumplings was done.  The rich aroma of creamy goodness filled the room.

Not wanting to miss her chance to taste test, she grabbed a bowl and ladled a small portion out.  The restaurant was busy so she ate fast.  She rinsed the bowl and slid it into the empty dishwasher before she grabbed her apron off the rack and headed to the front.

It must’ve been then that Tony slipped in the back door and dumped the chemical in the pot.  He must have thought she’d be back for her sample.  But it was too late.  The next person to eat the dumplings was that poor man, Mike Foley.

And the tire blowout?  That wasn’t an accident either.  Or her brakes giving out, causing her to crash.

The house was quiet all day. The kids hid out in their rooms.  She tried to talk to each of them one-on-one but they were as shaken by the entire thing, as she was.  Nothing she could say would make things better.  Or bring their father back home.

Dinner was a solemn affair.  It consisted of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  Jennifer tried to eat her sandwich.  It tasted like cardboard and a chunk got stuck in her throat.  She laid the rest on the plate and ended up dumping it in the trash.

She herded the kids off to bed a little later than usual.  Not that she believed any of them would get much sleep that night.

She turned the lights off in the kitchen when she heard a “knock” on the front door.  She pulled the front curtain back and craned her neck to see who it was.  It was her father-in-law, Fred.

For a second, she thought about not answering it.  But her heart went out to him, certain he was as upset as she was.

She unlocked the door and peeked around the corner.  “Hello Fred.”

“Can I come in?” he asked.

“Uh-huh.” She nodded and stepped to the side.

His face said it all.  He looked tired.  She wondered if she looked that tired.  Probably.

He stood just inside the doorway, as if not quite sure what to do.  “Want to sit down?” she asked.

He dragged a hand through his stark white hair and then nodded before making his way over to the dining room table.    “I can’t believe it,” he said.

He walked right past the table and over to the sliding glass door where he began to pace back and forth.  “How could they arrest Tony?  Did they have evidence?”  He stopped in his tracks and stared at Jennifer.

She shook her head.  “I don’t know.  They must have.”

The more Fred paced, the more agitated he became.  He started to swear. Jennifer was becoming alarmed.  His actions were so uncharacteristic, it was unnerving her.

She glanced down at his jacket.  His hands were shoved in the pockets.  Not once did he take them out.

She continued to watch as he paced back and forth.  Yes, there was something in his pocket.  Something shiny. A shiver of sheer terror ran down her spine.

It was that precise moment she remembered Fred had borrowed her car the day before the brakes went out.  What if Fred and Tony conspired to kill her??

She swallowed nervously. Her eyes darted to the front door.  She could make a run for it.  But what about the kids?  If she got away, would she be leaving her children in the house with a killer?  Would a grandfather murder his own grandchildren?

Beads of sweat covered her brow.  She reached out and grabbed the dining room chair in a death grip.  Her knuckles turned white – the same shade as her face.  Think!  Think!  She needed help and she needed it fast.

Fred was rambling now.  She wasn’t even certain he remembered she was there.  “Uh, the kids haven’t eaten yet.  I was going to order pizza.”

He paused for a moment and stared at her blankly.  “Huh.”

She didn’t wait for an answer as she grabbed the phone and dialed 911. She pressed the phone tight against her ear and took a step back, hoping he couldn’t hear the person on the other end.

“911. What is your emergency?”

Her throat tightened.  She choked out the words. “Yes, uh.  I’d like to order a pizza.  Deluxe,” she added.

“Ma’am! Do you know you dialed 911?”

“Yes, yes of course.  Make it a large with everything.”

“Is there someone with you and you’re unable to talk?” the operator asked.

“Yes.  And load it up with extra cheese.  We need it delivered as soon as possible please.” Jennifer closed her eyes, praying the 911 operator would understand.

“I’m dispatching a unit now.”  She rattled off Jennifer’s address.

The 911 operator asked, “Does this person have a gun?”

“I’m almost positive.  It’s the same order I placed last week.” Jennifer spied Fred out of the corner of her eye.  He was coming her way.

“Okay, thank you very much.  Twenty minutes.” She disconnected the line before Fred got to her.

“I think you and I should go for a ride.  It’ll help me calm down,” he said.

Jennifer jerked her head up and down.  “Just as soon as the pizza gets here we can leave.”

That answer seemed to satisfy Fred.  For the moment.  He walked back to the slider and stared out into the darkness.  He started to mumble under his breath.

Jennifer didn’t dare ask what he was saying.  She closed her eyes and prayed.  She prayed for God’s protection for her and her children.

The hands on the clock seemed to stop.  Her eyes stared at the clock, willing the hands to move faster!  Ten minutes. Fifteen minutes.

Fred stopped pacing and turned to Jennifer. “We can’t wait much longer,” he decided.

Jennifer’s mouth was parched.  She had trouble forming her words.  “J-just a few more minutes.  They should be here any second.”

The doorbell rang.  Fred was still on the other side of the dining room table.  By the slider.  “Pizza delivery,” a male voice called through the crack.

As fast as she dared, Jennifer closed the gap between her and the front door.  She didn’t bother peeking through the curtains.  She threw the door open and dove behind an overstuffed chair next to the living room window.

Things moved fast after that.  Armed police officers raced in while Jennifer crawled out on her hands and knees.

Jennifer squeezed her eyes shut.  She prayed her kids would stay in their rooms.  When she opened her eyes, Gloria Rutherford was standing over her, her arms open wide.

A small cry escaped Jennifer’s lips.  She pulled herself to her feet and collapsed in Gloria’s arms.  Wrenching sobs shook Jennifer’s slender frame.  Gloria held her for a long time.  Tears filled her own eyes.  The poor girl’s heart sounded like it was being ripped in two.

Jennifer had her back to the door when the officers led a handcuffed Fred Barrett onto the deck.  Paul was the last one to step out of the house.  He made his way over to Gloria and Jennifer.

Jennifer pulled herself upright.  Her eyes were red, her face covered in splotches from crying.  She wiped her tear-stained face with the back of her hand.  “D-did he have a gun in his pocket?”

Paul nodded.  “Yes I’m afraid he did.”  He reached out and touched her arm.  “You’re quick thinking saved your life. And your children’s lives.”

Gloria was curious.  “How did the police know to show up so fast?”  She knew Paul was on his way but as far as she knew, she only suspected Fred’s involvement.  Her eyebrows raised.

“Jennifer dialed 911 and pretended to order a pizza.  The operator caught on that Jennifer was not ordering a pizza but calling for help.”

Gloria was impressed.  “What a great idea.  What made you think of that?”

A watery smile covered Jennifer’s face.  “I read in the paper awhile back how a woman was trapped in her home with her ex-boyfriend.  He was holding her hostage.  She dialed 911 and pretended to order a pizza.”

Paul turned to Gloria.  “I have to head back to the station and fill out paperwork.” He touched Jennifer’s arm.  “Will you be okay if I leave?”

Jennifer hiccupped and laughed at the same time.  “Do you think anyone else is still out there that wants to kill me?”

He shook his head.  “No.  I think you’re safe now.”  He gave Gloria a peck on the check, made his way down the deck steps and disappeared into the darkness.

Gloria led Jennifer inside.  “I’ll stay awhile ‘til things settle down.  I have to say, pizza does sound good,” she admitted.  She skipped dinner earlier and was starving.  Plus, maybe this way she could get Jennifer to eat a little herself.

The pizza arrived and the girls each ate a piece as they talked about everything under the sun – except her husband and father-in-law.

When Gloria was certain Jennifer would be okay, she told her good-night and made her way back home. She told Jennifer not to hesitate to call if she needed anything.  Anything at all.

She said a small prayer for the young mother, certain that some tough days were ahead.

Chapter Ten

The investigation into Michael Foley’s murder wrapped up rather quickly and things once again settled down in the small town of Belhaven.  The new gossip in town was Andrea and Brian.  They were almost inseparable.

Gloria was happy for them.  They seemed like the perfect couple and Brian doted on Andrea.  But Andrea was spoiling him, too.  She was trying her hand at cooking and getting pretty good at it. Gloria was proud of her.

Andrea put in a small garden, next to the tool shed out back.  She had a green thumb.  She even experimented with foods Gloria herself never had any luck keeping alive.

Gloria planted the rest of her summer garden.  It was shaping up quite nicely.

The only thing stuck in Gloria’s craw these days were the coins. Her cousin, David contacted her a couple weeks ago.  The government got wind of the coins and were trying to take the four of them to court, claiming the coins were government property.

David was fighting it every inch of the way.  He kept the girls up-to-date weekly but the case was dragging on.

Paul was busier than ever down at the police station.  It seemed like instead of slowing down, he was working more and more.

Gloria finished watering her thirsty plants.  She turned off the faucet and hung the house back on the side of the house.  The evening air was just right.  Not too hot and not too cold.  She started to head indoors when she changed her mind.  Instead, she slid into the rocker.

Mally met her on the porch.  She dropped down at Gloria’s feet, her head fell on her paws and she closed her eyes.

The scent of Lilacs filled the air.  Gloria closed her eyes.  The smell reminded her so much of her grandmother.  A slideshow of memories danced around in her head.  Happy memories.  A small smile played across her face.  God had blessed Gloria in so many ways.  She opened her eyes and rose from the chair.

“C’mon, girl.  Time to head inside.”

She opened the door and the two of them slipped into the kitchen for another quiet evening at home on the farm.

Dot’s Delicious Chicken and Dumplings (The non-poisonous version)

Ingredients

1 Large Whole Chicken (remember to remove the giblets before boiling)

7 Cups Self-Rising Flour

1 Stick Butter or Margarine, softened

3 Tablespoons Season-All Seasoned Salt

Salt to taste (optional.  2-3 teaspoons)

Pepper to taste (approx. 2 teaspoons)

Water (2-1/2 cups to mix with flour)

Directions

Boil chicken in large pot until done – 30 minutes or it almost falls off the bone.  Add pepper and 2 Tbsp. Season-All salt while chicken is boiling (plus additional table salt, if desired).

Remove chicken from pot when done and set it aside to cool. Let it cool long enough to handle with your hands for deboning. (approx. 30 min.) Debone when cooled.

Slowly start boiling the broth.

While the chicken is cooling, mix the flour and 1 tbsp Season-All salt in large mixing bowl.  Scoop a hole in the center of the flour/salt mixture.  Add margarine.

Using your hands, squish it between your fingers and dig into the flour, adding a small amount of water at a time to blend.

Knead the mixture until you have a big ball of dough.

Making the Dumplings

Using the flour mixture, pinch off a piece the size of a silver dollar.  Carefully drop in slow boiling pot.  Continue pinching off and dropping them in the broth until bowl is empty.

NOTE:  You will have to stir often to keep the dumplings from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Add the deboned chicken to the pot of boiling broth and dumplings.  (Chicken and broth should be at a slow boil.)

After the chicken has been added, let simmer 10 - 20 minutes.

Remove from heat.  Let stand for approx. 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

About The Author.

Hope Callaghan is an author who loves to write Christian books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books. Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband.

She is the proud mother of one daughter and a stepdaughter and stepson.  When she's not doing the thing she loves best - writing books - she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading books.

Hope loves to connect with her readers.

Website:  http://hopecallaghan.com for information on special offers and soon-to-be-released books!

Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/hopecallaghanauthor page for Free Books, Updates and Upcoming Books by Hope Callaghan!

Other Books by Author, Hope Callaghan:

Waves of Deception: Samantha Rite Series Book 1

Winds of Deception: Samantha Rite Series Book 2

Tides of Deception: Samantha Rite Series Book 3

Who Murdered Mr. Malone?  Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 1

Grandkids Gone Wild: Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 2

Smoky Mountain Mystery: Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 3

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Dot’s Delicious Chicken and Dumplings (The non-poisonous version)

About The Author.