Crime of Spelled Ink Read online

  I noticed she had one black fake nail on her left hand while the rest were red. I hated that fashion. It wasn’t symmetrical and it drove me crazy. Now I’d be obsessing about it all night.

  Though better that than thinking about Sally’s dead body.

  “Yeah.” I sighed and headed for the door, Vanessa and Jules trailing behind me.

  The kitchen staff was back to work, cleaning things up, looking shaken. I wasn’t sure where the guests were who came to check out the scream and I hoped they didn’t spread around news of what happened.

  Better to try and keep this quiet for now. But I needed to let Mauve know. I didn’t want her to find out when the Sheriff and his deputies crashed the party.

  Since Vanessa was the wedding planner, hopefully she could handle this.

  “I’ve got to talk to my sister. We need to all get out of here and keep our mouths shut. Don’t let anyone in until the Sheriff gets here.”

  Vanessa nodded. “I can do that.”

  “Good.” I closed the door, feeling like a jerk locking her in there alone.

  She looked so small now, crumpled and lifeless on the ground.

  I shivered and rubbed my arms, the cold finally penetrating past the shock. Jules wrapped his arm around my shoulders, the shaking in his body joining my own.

  Vanessa started herding the kitchen staff out of the main kitchen, telling them to take another break for now and not to spread it around.

  Jules and I left her to handle them while we went to handle informing my family.

  The party was still in full-swing, no hints of winding down. Which I guess was a good thing. No telling how long Sally had been dead and if she was killed, the murderer was probably still here.

  What a happy thought.

  My steps slowed the closer we got to the head table where the entire wedding party other than Jules and I sat laughing and talking, looking happy and carefree.

  And we were about to ruin it.

  They looked up with welcoming smiles as we approached, their faces falling at our expressions.

  I was sure we looked ghastly, shock and horror clinging to us.

  Will half stood from his seat. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  “Uh...” I paused and checked around, making sure we wouldn’t be overheard.

  Thankfully, the head table was set a bit apart from the others and the dance floor.

  I tried again. “There’s been an incident. Sally is...dead.”

  The entire table gasped and tensed up, eyes wide and mouths gaping.

  Will wrapped his arm around Mauve. “What? How? What happened?”

  I shrugged as I sat back in my seat next to Mauve, taking her hand in mine. “We don’t know. Jules and your wedding planner found her in the freezer.”

  Mauve pressed her free hand to her heart. “The freezer?”

  Jules fell into the chair next to Will with a sigh. “Yeah.”

  Mauve cleared her throat and sat up straight, clearly trying to collect herself. “Well, we have to stop the reception. We have to call the Sheriff. And cancel our trip.”

  I squeezed her hand. “The reception should probably keep going for a while so no one tries to leave in case the Sheriff wants to question them. He’s already been called and Vanessa is keeping everyone out of the kitchen.”

  Tears gathered in her eyes. “I can’t believe this. Oh, poor Sally. What on earth happened?”

  “We don’t know. There was no blood or wound that I could see.”

  “This isn’t some prank, right?” April asked from across the table.

  I scowled at my ridiculous sister. “Are you kidding me right now? I know Jules and I have come up with some wild ideas in the past, but we’d never ruin Maeve’s wedding with a made-up murder of one of her friends. The most I’d do is stain the back of my dress.”

  Mauve frowned, looking me up and down. “You stained your dress?”

  I huffed and shook my head. “Is that important right now? When will I wear it again?”

  My family really could be ridiculous.

  She grimaced. “Right. Sorry. I think I’m in shock.”

  I softened and released her hand after squeezing it one more time. “I know. Maeve, I’m so sorry.”

  She grabbed her glass and gulped back what little bit of champagne there was left. “What should we do? Should we make an announcement?”

  I glanced around the hall, checking to see if it looked like the guests knew what was going on. But everyone was still celebrating and enjoying the party.

  “Probably.”

  “At least you didn’t plan to leave for your honeymoon for another week. This mess shouldn’t interfere.”

  We all turned to stare at April with gaping mouths.

  She threw her hands up. “What? Her wedding has been completely ruined now. No need for her honeymoon to be too.”

  Mother finally spoke. “April. Enough. Mauve, your father or I could make the announcement.”

  Mauve shook her head. “No, thanks Mother, but Will and I should handle it.”

  Will nodded and hugged Mauve tighter. “Yes. We should. We’ll make sure no one leaves until the Sheriff has a chance to check things out. Jules, could you call him and see if he’ll be here anytime soon?”

  Jules nodded with a slight snort. “Sure. Of course.”

  Mauve turned to Will’s other three groomsmen. “Can you guys watch the doors, make sure no one leaves?”

  Jeremy nodded. “We’ll handle it. And make sure no one heads towards the kitchen.”

  Will stood and held his arm out for his new bride. “My love, shall we?”

  Mauve took a deep breath and plastered a shaky smile on her face. “Yes.”

  “I’ll step outside and call Sheriff Markle. See what the hold up is.”

  “Wait.” I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before. “Kate is here. She’s a deputy, right? Maybe she can help secure the scene and find out what’s taking the Sheriff so long.”

  “Good idea. I’ll go and have a quiet word with her and show her what’s going on. She’s probably the better option than the Sheriff anyway.”

  He wasn’t wrong.

  I shook my head. Sheriff Markle was a complete and utter stereotypical Sheriff, like he stepped right out of a TV. Round, slow, and rather stupid. And also, easily bought and swayed by the rich and powerful of this town. I was scared to see how he’d handle Sally’s death. Especially once the town council and her father started putting pressure on him.

  He’d probably choose the easiest person to accuse and go with it.

  What a disaster.

  I rubbed Belle’s shoulder. “You okay?”

  She looked pale, but she forced a smile. “I’m okay. Just a little freaked out.”

  “Yeah. We all are.” I was still struggling with believing it was real.

  And I’d gotten the privilege of seeing the body.

  “I feel so bad for Jules being the one to find her.”

  “Yeah, that couldn’t have been fun. Going in for some ice and finding...well that.”

  Belle shuddered and I grimaced. I was definitely not helping.

  “Sorry.”

  “What do you think happened?” Belle asked.

  “I don’t know.” I didn’t think it was a good idea to start throwing around murder accusations.

  That’s the last thing any of us needed.

  And I didn’t like the way Belle was looking. No sign of the free and happy and painless expression she’d had the whole day. This might be too much for her. Especially after all the dancing and fun and being on her feet.

  Her illness came and went, sometimes she was strong and healthy and happy and other times she was in such pain she couldn’t get out of bed, the medicine the doctors prescribed not even taking the edge off.

  And living in our parent’s drafty old house probably wasn’t helping.

  Which was why I was planning to find a place to rent for the summer for the two of us. Something surro
unded by fresh air and fragrant herbs and flowers where she could relax in the sun and have a little bit of independence.

  And to give Mother a break.

  I’d only been back a week and Belle was already looking a little better, a little more color in her cheeks, a little less darkness around her eyes.

  Guilt trickled through me. I didn’t come home enough and help. Mother had too much on her plate and now that Mauve was married and starting a new life, she couldn’t help as much. April was never any help. She just spent money she didn’t have, and came and went at all ours.

  I could work anywhere. Writing didn’t have to happen in New York. I could just as easily do it here. I should definitely start coming back for more than quick trips for the holidays.

  I still needed to bring the idea up to Belle and my parents. I was pretty sure they’d be okay with it, but I also didn’t want to be the one who comes back home and takes over, thinking she knows better just because she lives in the big city.

  Mauve and Will stepped up on the stage where the band was playing once they finished their current song and stood in front of the microphone.

  Everyone starting banging silverware against their glasses, clearly expecting a speech.

  Will leaned in towards the microphone. “Hi everyone. Thank you all so much for coming. Unfortunately, there has been an incident and the Sheriff had to be called. We can’t give you more information than that at this time, but we do need you all to stay put and inside this room until he gets here and clears you to leave. I’m really sorry, everyone. But please continue to relax and have some more cake or punch. You’ll get answers soon.”

  The room broke out in mutters and whispers as half the town tried to guess what had happened, their eyes wide and necks craning.

  This was going to feed the town gossips for years.

  I shuddered. I may write about murder and the darkest sides of people, but it was fiction. A lot different than seeing someone I knew dead at my sister’s wedding.

  Jules rejoined us with a sigh. “The Sheriff will be here in ten and Kate has a handle on the crime scene. She’s checking things out now.”

  “What took him so long?” Father asked.

  Jules huffed. “I guess he didn’t think it was real. It’s not like this kind of thing is common around here.”

  Father inclined his head with a small sigh. “True.”

  I frowned. “He didn’t even bother planning to come check it out?”

  I’d known Markle wasn’t the greatest, but I thought he’d be in at least a little bit of a hurry to handle a death.

  Apparently, I was wrong.

  “I think he was planning to make it out here eventually. He just wasn’t in any kind of rush.”

  “Of course not.” I shook my head.

  Mother rubbed at her chest. “I’m sure he’ll do his best. I can’t really blame him for having trouble believing it. I still don’t quite believe it myself.”

  Father rubbed Mother’s back. “I know, darling. Perhaps we should go mingle with our guests, reassure them.”

  Mother nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. Mauve and William shouldn’t have to handle all of it alone. Are the rest of you okay here?”

  I waved them off. “We’re fine. I doubt I’d be very comforting and April definitely wouldn’t.”

  April scowled for a moment before she nodded and went back to inspecting her fingernails. How was she more horrified by the state of my dress than the dead body in the freezer?

  She sure was something else.

  After spending so many years the spoiled darling of Plum Fields, it was like she was a completely different breed from the rest of our family.

  After spending so many years as the misfit of Plum Fields, so was I.

  I looked around the reception hall at the guests, studying each person, trying to guess which one might be a murderer.

  Martha over there always hated Sally, since she always bullied her.

  Steve definitely had the killer instinct, but I couldn’t think of any real motive. I couldn’t remember a single instance the two of them interacted.

  No matter how nasty Sally could be, I couldn’t see anyone actually killing her. Though if it wasn’t an accident, which was highly likely, it was definitely a crime of passion, not something premeditated.

  I tried to look at it like one of my books, but again, this was real life, not fiction. As much research as I’d done, I was no detective.

  There was nothing I could do. It was the Sheriff’s job to investigate. I needed to be here for my family. Especially Mauve.

  Our parents returned to our table to join us again, apparently tired of all the questions.

  The Sheriff strolled inside with a couple of his deputies, a toothpick rolling in his mouth.

  Did he think he was John Wayne with that swagger?”

  Mauve and Will rushed over to him, waving Vanessa over. All eyes followed them as they led the Sheriff over to the kitchen doors, watching as they pushed through and disappeared inside.

  Seeing how real the emergency was apparently finally gave the guests the courage to approach our table, questions spewing from their lips.

  We herded them off as best we could, not wanting to spread more panic and gossip than was already forming.

  The Sheriff and one of his deputies pushed out of the kitchen, their faces grim.

  I frowned when Mauve and Will didn’t follow.

  Mother squeezed my shoulder. “I’m going to go check on her.”

  Sheriff Markle cleared his throat. “There’s been a suspicious death. I’m afraid all of you are going to have to be questioned before you can leave here tonight. Please be patient as my deputies and I get statements from you all.”

  Chapter Three

  After his little speech, Sheriff Markle headed right for our table, eyeing Jules.

  He nodded at my father before smiling politely at the rest of us. “Folks. Sorry the celebration was interrupted so horribly. My condolences.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff. Do you think it was some kind of accident?”

  Markle shrugged and adjusted his belt. “We’re not sure yet. Gene is on his way. He’ll be able to tell us for sure.”

  The coroner of Plum Fields was also the funeral home director. There wasn’t much need for both here full-time.

  “What a tragedy.”

  “Indeed.” The Sheriff turned to Jules. “So, Julian. Ms. Goss told me you were the one who found her.”

  Jules swirled the ice in his glass. “Yes. I was looking for some ice in the freezer and there she was.”

  “And did you disturb the body?” Markle asked.

  “Yes. She was face down, so I moved her out of the freezer and turned her over to check her pulse. I never thought she was dead. I thought maybe she passed out or something.”

  Markle grabbed a notepad from his back pocket and started taking notes. “Understandable. You’re sure she was facedown?”

  Jules nodded. “Yes. Definitely.”

  “Okay. When was the last time you saw Sally?”

  Jules frowned as the thought about it. “Uh. Well, a couple hours ago? She was definitely there for the bouquet toss.”

  I smothered a snort. He was right. She’d really wanted that bouquet. But so had April and she’d won.

  “What time was that?”

  Jules shrugged, so I answered for him. “At three.”

  Markle barely acknowledged me. “And you didn’t see her after?”

  Jules winced and shrugged again. “I’m sorry, I can’t say for sure. I wasn’t exactly watching the clock or paying close attention to her specifically.”

  Markle shot Jules a stern look before turning his attention around the whole table. “Right. What about the rest of you?”

  “I saw her a little bit after the cake was passed out. She was dancing with Fred,” April said.

  “I haven’t seen her since dinner was over.” Belle’s voice was so quiet I could barely hear her and she was seated
right next to me.

  The Sheriff turned an expectant eye on me.

  “I noticed I hadn’t seen her in a while about thirty minutes before the body was found. I just assumed she left.” I’d been dancing with Jules at the time.

  “She was a bridesmaid?” Markle asked.

  I nodded. “Yeah, she was.”

  “Who was her groomsman?”

  “Jonathan,” Jules said. “But they don’t really know each other. He’s a friend of Will’s from college, just in for the wedding.”

  Markle’s pen hovered over his notepad. “So, the two of them had no connection?”

  Jules shook his head. “No. None other than their duties for the wedding.”

  This was news to me. I barely knew the other groomsmen since they were Will’s friends from college.

  He’d made Jules his best man since they’d gotten so close working at the school.

  Markle sighed and wiped sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. “I see. And no one heard anything? No screams or struggles or fighting?”

  “No. I heard nothing until Vanessa screamed when Sally was found.” I shivered as I pictured her glassy, empty eyes.

  Markle looked around the room. “I guess the festivities drowned out any sounds there might have been.”

  Father nodded. “Probably.”

  “Do you know of anyone who would want to hurt her?”

  We all shook our heads.

  April explained further. “None of us are very close to her, so we’d have no idea. Did you ask Mauve?”

  “I did. She needed a few moments to compose herself. I’m about to head back in and question her once I'm finished with you folks. Was Sally’s family not invited?”

  “They were,” Jules said. “They chose not to attend.”

  The only reason they were invited was because Sally was a part of the wedding party. None of us were close with her family.

  Gene Jones entered and the Sheriff rose when he caught sight of the coroner, closing his notepad. “All right. That’s all I have for now. If I could have your help keeping everyone calm while we question them, I’d appreciate it. We’ll try to have all of you out of here soon. It’s probably just a horrible accident.”

  Father stood and held his hand out for Markle to shake. “Of course. Thank you, Sheriff.”