Cozy Christmas Murder Read online

  Luck was with her, and the bartender was just leaving for the day when she entered the Chamberlain.

  “Be careful about how often you show up here, people will spread rumors that the famous author in town is a barfly,” he grinned.

  “Hey Kerry,” Avery responded, not even cracking a smile at his jibe.

  “You okay?” he frowned.

  “We need to talk,” Avery sighed. “Do you have a few minutes?”

  “Of course. Let’s go grab a cheeseburger at Farley’s. I’m starving.”

  They walked to the popular hole-in-the-wall restaurant, which was tucked into an alley behind the parking garage where Avery had seen the rose in her car. The noise level in the amazing hamburger joint was perfect for being able to talk and not be overheard, and the food was beyond fantastic.

  “I’m glad they have the heat on in here,” Kerry commented, taking off his winter coat.

  “Yeah, the cold snuck up on us,” Avery murmured, clearly distracted.

  “Okay, what’s up?” he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

  The server came over to take their orders just then. Avery wasn’t hungry, so she just had a light beer to settle her nerves, and Kerry placed his food order, opting for an iced tea to go with his meal.

  “I’m really worried, and I need your help. I can’t really get into why, but I need some information,” she said, hating how cagey and suspicious she sounded.

  “Cops trying to nail you for Rosanne’s murder?” Kerry guessed, squeezing a lemon slice into his tea.

  “How’d you know?”

  “I’m your alibi, silly. They’ve been trying to get dirt out of me since it happened,” he shrugged. “For what it’s worth, I told them that there’s no way in the world that it was you, unless you snuck out of the restaurant and did it while I went to fill the parking meter.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t think they’re going to leave me alone until the real killer comes to light. Do you have any idea at all who it might be?”

  “Well, I don’t travel in the same social circles as Rosanne did, but of the people that you and I both know, there are a few possibilities.”

  “Oh?”

  “Deedee would be the most obvious one. She stole Rosanne’s high school sweetheart and then went on to live a very…ordinary life, compared to Rosanne’s. She never seemed hostile toward her though,” he mused.

  “Deedee never seemed hostile toward anyone,” Avery commented, wishing she’d ordered a cheeseburger when she saw Kerry’s.

  “Here, I can’t eat all of this, let’s go halfsies,” he suggested, cutting the luscious burger in half. “Have some fries too, I’m watching my girlish figure,” he chuckled.

  Avery took a huge bite of her half, chewing slowly while she thought. “Okay, who else?” she asked after swallowing and chasing the bite with beer.

  “Well, it might just be a rumor, but I think Janet went to jail for a couple of days right after the murder.”

  Avery nodded, popping a ketchup-covered fry into her mouth. “Yep, she did. She said that someone planted a scarf with Rosanne’s blood on it on her front porch.

  “Wow,” Kerry was astonished. “Was Rosanne even wearing a scarf that night?”

  “Now that you mention it, I don’t recall whether she was or not,” Avery frowned. “I wonder if the scarf belonged to the killer and they just used it to throw the police off.”

  “Well, if they did, that would indicate that they’d thought about it in advance. I’m more inclined to think that this was just a random thing,” Kerry shrugged. “But…” he stopped chewing for a moment.

  “But what?” Avery’s heart sped up and she leaned closer.

  “It may not mean anything, but I know that Janet was on the Zoning Committee, and Rosanne’s husband’s multi-million dollar development plan was denied. I don’t know if that’s just a coincidence or not, but it could have something to do with it.”

  “Why would Janet kill Rosanne though, I mean…surely she didn’t dislike her that much?”

  “Unless Rosanne knew something that Janet didn’t want getting out. The timing of it is interesting…” Kerry sighed.

  “The timing…why?” Avery was baffled.

  “Well, when you girls had your little get-together, I saw Rosanne stop and talk to a table of guys on her way back from the bathroom.”

  “So? How is that significant?”

  “One of the guys at the table was also on the Zoning Committee, and he seemed to be pretty affectionate with Rosanne.”

  “Maybe he killed her,” Avery guessed, licking french fry salt from her fingertips.

  “Or maybe her husband did, if he saw her with the guy,” Kerry proposed.

  “Nah, the papers said her husband was out of town. He’s got a rock-solid alibi.”

  “So do you, but that isn’t stopping them from watching and digging.”

  “Well, yeah, I do, but maybe they think you’re biased,” Avery said lightly.

  “Maybe I am,” Kerry gave her a direct look that made her choke on her burger. “Geez, are you okay?” he asked, handing her his iced tea. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “I’m fine,” she choked out, her eyes red and teary from choking. She took a few gulps of the tea and finally stopped suffering. “Sorry about that,” Avery said weakly. “It went down the wrong tube.”

  “Happens to the best of us,” Kerry replied, looking at her closely. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m good. There’s also another possibility that I don’t even want to think about, but I guess I have to.”

  Kerry’s face turned to stone. “Oh?” he asked with forced casualness. “Who might that be?”

  “My ex-husband,” Avery sighed, not picking up on his change in demeanor.

  “What? Isn’t he in Oregon or something?” Kerry frowned, seeming like his usual self again.

  “Idaho. But I could’ve sworn that I saw him the other night, coming out of a restaurant.”

  “Well, that’s easy enough to check. Did you tell the police that?”

  “Yes, but I don’t think they really took it very seriously.”

  “Police have to play it close to the vest. They could be narrowing in on a suspect as we speak and they’d never let on. Does your ex seem like the murdering type?”

  “No, he doesn’t, but then, he didn’t seem like the lying cheating type either,” Avery said wryly.

  “I can’t believe someone would cheat on you. I’m so sorry to hear that.”

  “I felt so betrayed…but anyway,” she shook herself a bit, getting back to the subject at hand. “He’s a possibility, if he is in town.”

  “Why would your ex-husband kill Rosanne though?”

  Avery had a faraway look in her eyes. “To set me up.”

  “How would he even know who she was, or that you knew her?”

  “I’m embarrassed to say,” she turned scarlet.

  “I’m a judgment-free zone,” he spread his arms wide before taking another huge bite of his burger.

  “I’ve killed her over and over in my books,” Avery confessed.

  “What?” Kerry was so stunned, he spoke with his mouth full.

  “She’s an archetype that I’ve used over and over. I told Rob about it and he thought it was funny that someone I knew in high school affected me that profoundly,” she admitted.

  “What did she do to you?”

  “Nothing, that’s just it. She didn’t even dignify me with a sneer. If we ever passed in the hall and I said hello, she just kept walking like I didn’t even exist. I wasn’t popular by any measure, but Rosanne Nelson made me feel as though I was invisible, like, not worth her notice. It was awful. Stupid, huh?”

  “Nope, not stupid at all. I think she made a lot of people feel that way,” Kerry shrugged.

  “I wonder if I’m the only one who still lets it get to me though.”

  “Doubtful. That kind of pain runs deep, and I’m sure she didn’t do those things on
ly to you.”

  “Which means that there are a bunch of potential suspects out there.”

  “’Fraid so,” Kerry nodded, pushing his empty plate away and wiping his fingers on a paper napkin.

  “So, where do I start when I want to catch a murderer?”

  “Good question.”

  “You don’t happen to have security cameras inside the Chamberlain, do you?”

  “No, why?”

  “Because I would love to see whether or not Rosanne was wearing a scarf. Does Janet have any enemies that you know of?”

  “I haven’t heard of any,” Kerry shrugged.

  “Then maybe that’s where I should start. Do you happen to know where Linda Brown works? She seems to know Janet pretty well.”

  “Linda works at an antique store behind El Bravo, on Neil Street. I’ve been in there a few times, it’s a pretty cool place.”

  “That works out well…I love antiques, and Mexican food, for that matter.”

  “Let me know how it goes. Hope I was at least somewhat helpful,” Kerry smiled.

  “More than you know,” Avery patted his hand.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  * * *

  Avery’s phone buzzed on the nightstand beside her as she worked on her book. She ignored the first few rings, but they’d been enough of a distraction to derail her current train of thought, so she absently reached for her phone, not bothering to look at the incoming number before she answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey Avery, it’s Deedee. How are you, honey?”

  “I’m good, just writing my book,” she replied, hoping that Deedee would take the hint and hang up quickly. She didn’t.

  “Oh, that’s nice. I was wondering if you still wanted me to do that makeover for you. I have time tomorrow afternoon before the kids get home from school.”

  Avery was deleting a sentence that she didn’t like and was only half-listening.

  “Umm…I’m not sure. Let me check and see what I’ve got going on.”

  “Not a problem, hon. Just text me and let me know. Oh hey, you remember those flowers that you freaked out about when you came over the other day?”

  Deedee now had Avery’s full attention, the manuscript temporarily forgotten.

  “Yeah, I’m so embarrassed about that.”

  “Don’t even worry about it. Stress gets to me sometimes too, I can’t imagine what it must be like for you. But, anyhoo…the funniest thing happened. When Curt came home from work, I thanked him for the flowers with a little kiss, and don’t you know he pretended like he didn’t know what I was talking about! I even waved the card in front of his face and he acted confused, it was hilarious. Still to this day he swears that he didn’t send them. What a joker,” Deedee giggled and Avery’s heartbeat sped up.

  The police hadn’t taken any fingerprints from the vase because they thought that the sender had been Deedee’s husband. Who had sent the flowers? Avery thought quickly.

  “Hey, Deedee, I’m thinking about getting some flowers for my mom, and I really liked those. Which florist did Curt use?”

  “Lemme look, hang on…Okay, it’s Abby’s Blossoms on Windsor.”

  “Great, thanks so much.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetie. Don’t forget to text me about the makeover,” Deedee sang out.

  “I won’t. Thanks again,” Avery replied, hanging up before Deedee could answer.

  **

  The young woman behind the counter at Abby’s was less than helpful, but very sweet.

  “I’m really sorry, but even if I could figure out who it was, I couldn’t tell you their name,” she shook her head.

  “I understand,” Avery nodded. “Do you have any more of the pink baby roses? I didn’t see any in the case, and I’d still love to get some for my mother.”

  “I think we may have some in the back, let me run back and check,” the young woman offered, just as Avery had hoped that she would.

  The second her back was turned, Avery flipped through the order book on the counter, quickly finding the date that Deedee had gotten flowers. She scanned quickly through the names on the list, and just as the florist came around the corner, she found one that made her gasp.

  “I found some!” she announced proudly, bearing a bunch of roses. “Shall I put them in a vase for you?”

  “Absolutely,” Avery pasted on a smile and nodded mechanically. “I’d also like some red balloons to go with it. Do you have any that say “I love you Mom”?”

  “I think so, let me go arrange these and then we’ll take a look at the inventory. I’ll be right back,” she promised.

  Avery looked at the book again, just to make certain that she had seen what she thought she saw, and she had. Closing the book, she took deep breaths, trying to regain her composure before the florist came back.

  **

  Avery pawed enthusiastically through a basket that contained plastic sacks full of costume jewelry from days gone by, just waiting for Linda to finish up with a customer. Her classmate hadn’t seen her come in, but Avery didn’t mind at all – she loved antique stores, and this one was scented delightfully like French vanilla. Once Linda had completed her transaction, she came over to the small room where Avery had stationed herself.

  “Avery? Hi! I didn’t know you liked antiques,” Linda greeted her enthusiastically.

  “Oh my gosh, yes! I love them, especially the jewelry,” Avery gushed, authentically. “I feel like I’m stepping back in time when I come to these places, and I always have this weird feeling that whatever time I happen to be in must’ve been happier than present-day.”

  “Simpler at least,” Linda agreed. “Are you looking for anything in particular?”

  “No, actually, I was just going to El Bravo for lunch and I saw the sign for this place, so I decided to come on in,” she lied with a smile. “Hey, can you take a break and join me?”

  “Actually,” Linda glanced at her watch, “I haven’t had lunch yet, so yes, I’ll definitely join you. Do you want to head over there and grab a table while I clock out?”

  “I sure will, see you in a few.”

  Avery headed for the door, a woman on a mission, and Linda followed shortly after.

  “How’s your book coming along?” Linda asked, after she sat down and ordered an iced tea.

  “So far, so good. I’ve been so distracted though,” Avery sighed.

  “Really? Why? Your mom not wanting to leave you alone?” Linda grinned.

  “No, she’s really good about it. She brings me drinks and snacks and tiptoes around,” Avery chuckled. It was true, Doris was her biggest fan and was more than supportive.

  “That’s good. Then what’s distracting you? Just icky emotional stuff?”

  “Well, yes, that, but also…I can’t stop thinking about Rosanne and what happened.”

  “Yeah, it’s crazy that someone we actually know was murdered,” Linda whispered, shaking her head. “I wonder if they’re getting any closer to finding the person who did it?”

  “I sure hope so. Hey, did you ever find out why Janet didn’t join us for dinner?” Avery asked casually.

  “No, I haven’t heard from her, have you?”

  Avery shook her head. “I hate to say it, but…she was pretty hostile to Rosanne on Thursday. You don’t think she could have been the killer, do you?”

  Linda sighed. “I’ve been leaning toward the “random stranger” theory, because Rosanne had been robbed of her ID, but yeah, I’ve actually been wondering about Janet too. She’s been acting strangely, and she led the crusade at City Hall to have Rosanne’s husband’s permit denied.”

  Avery thought for a moment, then nodded. “I wonder how she could be so careless as to drop Rosanne’s scarf on her way into her house though.”

  “Well, I mean…if you had just murdered someone, you might be a little shaken up and not realize that you dropped a scarf,” Linda shrugged.

  “Makes sense.”

  Their food arrived and t
he two former classmates munched in silence for a bit, each lost in their own thoughts.

  “Did you ever go over to Deedee’s for your makeover?” Linda grinned, shaking hot sauce onto a taco.

  “Yep,” Avery chuckled. “We didn’t get to finish though, because she got a floral delivery after she put on my foundation, and all she could do after that was gush about what an amazing husband Curt was.”

  “Curt sent her flowers?” Linda covered her full mouth with her hand.

  “Yep.”

  “Wow.”

  “What?”

  “He just doesn’t strike me as the flower-sending type of guy.”

  “I haven’t seen him since high school, but I wouldn’t think that it’s unusual for a husband to send his wife flowers. Maybe they had a fight or something.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me, if she happened to see him at lunch with his secretary,” Linda pursed her lips.

  “Oh no,” Avery’s stomach flipped. She knew what it was like to feel the betrayal of infidelity. “Is he…?” she couldn’t bear to finish the sentence.

  “I don’t know for sure, but they’ve been seen together quite a bit outside of work.”

  “That’s awful, poor Deedee.”

  “Yep. Maybe it’s karma for stealing Rosanne’s man in the first place.”

  “Linda, that’s a terrible thing to say,” Avery blurted.

  “I know, sorry. It was just a thought,” she glanced at her watch. “Oh geez, I’m going to be late if I don’t get going.” She fished a twenty out of her purse and tossed it on the table. “My treat,” she smiled, standing and heading for the door.

  Avery picked at her burrito for a bit longer before giving up, stuffed. Linda’s twenty more than covered the bill and the tip, so she just left it on the table and headed out to do some Christmas shopping while she tried to process what she knew about Rosanne’s murder. The first week of December had just passed, and she still didn’t have any gifts to put under her mother’s artfully decorated tree.