The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer (A Paws and Claws Mystery Book 2) (23 page)

“Frightening Clementine and her children, and disrupting their lives is wrong. By the way, here’s your gun, Clementine.” I handed it to her.

Parker leaned over for a better look. “A toy?” He frowned at Clementine. “You cannot tell me your father doesn’t have guns. I know he’s a hunter. Why aren’t you carrying a real gun for protection?”

The corners of Clementine’s mouth twitched. “We sold them to pay for his trip to the dog show.”

I sucked in a deep breath and stared at Clementine. No wonder dark bags hung under her eyes. I doubted that she was getting much sleep between watching out for intruders, protecting her children and horses, and worrying about money. “If you sent the horses away, why are you out in the barn all the time?”

She whispered, “I’m afraid my stupid husband hid the diamonds here somewhere. He knows the one thing dad and I would never sell is this land. If I could just find them and turn them over to the feds all this terror would end. People like Parker would go away.” She released a huge sigh. “I’m beginning to think it was a huge lie perpetrated by the person who really has the diamonds. That would be the worst thing for me. The ghost diamonds have been missing for decades. There isn’t a reason in the world to think that Ron and my husband bought them. They could remain lost, and my life would be a never-ending misery, because people would think that I have them.”

Clementine opened the clip holding her hair back in an untidy mess. Masses of straight blonde hair spilled over her shoulders. She would be a natural to play Becca Wraith.

Of course! Clementine wouldn’t even need a wig. She was clipping her hair back up haphazardly when I asked casually, “Have you been staying at the Wagtail Springs Hotel, Clementine?” As soon as the words slipped out I wondered if I should have asked her privately instead of in front of Parker.

She blinked at me. “How do know that?”

Parker frowned. “When did you do that?”

I played coy. “I hear there have been quite a few sightings of Becca Wraith there lately. I saw her myself.”

Clementine licked her lips. “I went there a couple of times. Like the night I found the woman in my closet. After the bonfire. I thought the hotel might be safer. Out here, no one would hear our screams.”

Parker slumped in his chair and chuckled. “I can’t believe it. Clementine is nothing if not a creature of habit. Every day at five in the afternoon, she locks up tight. I never dreamed she might be slipping out after dark.”

“Because monsters like you are lurking outside. I have to lock my doors behind me when I step outside for anything. Otherwise people walk in and snoop around.”

They were getting off the subject. “So after the woman broke in—”

“She didn’t so much break in as walk in unnoticed. I guess she wandered through the house.”

It
was
a pretty big place. “You threw her out and went to the hotel?”

“Right. Why are you questioning me? There’s nothing wrong or illegal about it. My dad owns the Wagtail Springs Hotel.”

I had to tread carefully. “I’m not suggesting you did anything wrong. You were there the night Mallory was murdered?”

“Murdered? Doc told me her death was an accident,” said Clementine.

“I’m not so sure about that. You were so close! Didn’t you see anything? Did you hear anyone scream or argue outside?”

“Murder? Are you sure?” Clementine pressed her hand against her forehead. “I thought she was drunk and fell into the water. Holly, she’s the woman I found in my closet.”

I sat back in my chair, stunned. “The one who said her boyfriend lost all his money?” She must have meant Mark.

“That’s the one. I’m just horrified that someone killed her.” Clementine’s chest heaved with each breath. She coiled her fingers into fists. “I couldn’t sleep, of course. Most of the night I paced. You know, worried about money, and Parker, and people breaking into the house because I wasn’t there. It was really pretty quiet that night. I don’t recall a scream. Maybe a few boisterous voices when the bars closed, but nothing worrisome.” She held up a finger. “I do remember seeing someone run by. I thought he might be looking for a dog or something.”

“Would you recognize him?”

She held her palms up. “It was dark. He was nothing but a shadow. Could have been a woman, for that matter. The only thing I remember was a distinctive gait. It was awkward. Maybe an old person, or someone who wasn’t used to running. Like his feet or legs hurt.”

That didn’t sound like anyone I could think of. “You need to tell Dave when he gets here.”

The diamonds put a whole new slant on Mallory’s death. What if another diamond hunter had killed her? I turned to Parker. “What about you, Mr. Nosy Pants? Where were you that night?”

“I grabbed a bite at the barbecue place and then I went back to the inn.” He studied his hands for a moment. “If you must know, I took a long, hot bath.”

I couldn’t help but grin at the thought of macho Parker indulging in a bath. “With bubbles, I hope?”

“Hey. I’ve been standing around in the cold watching Clemmie. A guy’s allowed to warm up, you know. My room has one of those old-fashioned claw-foot soaking tubs.”

“Stop calling me Clemmie!”

Unless I was mistaken, Parker seemed to have formed a fondness for Clementine. What if he was lying? Or worse, what if he killed Mallory so he wouldn’t have competition in the search for the missing ghost diamonds?

I must have looked at him funny, because he asked, “What? May I remind you that I saved Clemmie? What would have happened if I hadn’t been here? Huh?” His eyes narrowed. “What I don’t understand is why that guy wanted to kill Clementine. If she’s gone, no one will find the ghost diamonds.”

“Did he say anything to you?” asked Parker.

Clementine winced and gently massaged her throat, but shook her head. “Not a word. Did you get a good look at him?”

“There wasn’t much to see,” said Parker. “A guy in black wearing a beagle mask.”

Clementine gasped. “A beagle? Are you serious? That changes everything.”

“You mean because your dad breeds beagles?” I asked.

“Too odd to be a coincidence, isn’t it?” Clementine’s brow furrowed.

Trixie barked, and a moment later when someone knocked on the door, we all jumped.

“It’s Dave, Clementine,” he called from outside.

I rose to open the door.

Dave entered, clearly surprised to see Parker.

“I want you to come stay at the inn, Clementine,” I said. “There’s safety in numbers.”

“I can’t. They’ll ransack the house. It’s all we have left. I’m not leaving.”

Dave sat down at the table. “Suppose you tell me what happened?”

I had other ideas. Now that Dave was with Clementine and Parker, she’d be okay. I hoped so anyway. I said good-bye, called Trixie, and hurried back to the inn.

I hadn’t had a moment to open a bank account, but I had a nice little wad of cash stashed in my quarters. I retrieved it as fast as I could. With any luck, Mr. Huckle would still be at the inn.

Trixie on my heels, I ran down the stairs and into the dining area. Mr. Huckle was just getting ready to leave. I asked him to wait a moment and dodged into the inn kitchen. “Any leftovers today?” I asked.

The cook pointed at a stack of containers. “I was about to put them in the fridge.”

“Thank you.” I could barely carry them. Nevertheless, I stopped by the pantry where we kept a stash of cat and dog foods on hand for people who preferred to feed their babies what they were used to eating. I nabbed a few cans of the food I had seen Clementine buying for her cats and staggered out to Mr. Huckle. “Would you please take these to Clementine?”

I helped him carry them to his golf cart and then I dug in my pocket and handed him the wad of cash. “Stop by the store to pick up whatever Clementine needs. She won’t take it if she thinks it’s from me, so tell her that her dad sent money or something.”

Mr. Huckle planted a kiss on my cheek. “You’re just like your grandmother, bless you both.”

I dashed back to the inn and asked Oma and Zelda, “Anyone know where Holmes might be? He said he would be helping Rose.”

Oma grinned so wide that I had to add, “It’s nothing romantic, okay?”

“Ach. Too bad. I think he is with Rose on the front porch. Tonight is trick-or-treating night for canines, felines, and children in Wagtail. Does Trixie want to go with Gingersnap?”

Trixie’s ears perked up at the sound of her name.

Zelda laughed. “Trixie would love to go. She says she’ll do anything for treats.”

Yeah. Like we didn’t already know
that
.

I barged out to the porch where Holmes was helping Rose organize for the trick-or-treating event.

Placing a gentle hand on Holmes’s arm, I spoke softly so other people wouldn’t hear and be alarmed. “Someone attacked Clementine in her barn. She’s afraid to leave the house and refuses to come to the inn. Would you mind staying at her place tonight? I know she’d appreciate it.”

Rose shuffled over. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Clementine, Grandma,” said Holmes. “Someone attacked her. Is she okay?”

“She’ll be fine. But she’s unnerved. And for good reason.”

Rose gasped. “What’s going on in Wagtail?”

“I’ll round up some of the guys, and we’ll keep watch over our Clementine. Nobody messes with her.”

Rose whispered. “Do you think there’s a connection to Mallory’s death?”

I was stunned that Rose had begun to have second thoughts about Doc’s theory that the death was accidental. I decided to honor Clementine’s wishes to keep her business private. If she wanted Holmes to know, she could tell him herself. She probably would. “I don’t know. Dave is with her now.”

“Grandma, have you got everything under control?” asked Holmes.

“My goodness, yes. You go right on and help Clementine.”

“I’ll be here if Rose needs a hand.”

“Thanks for telling me about this, Holly. It’s good to have you back in Wagtail.” He bounded off the porch in two giant steps and took off running along the sidewalk.

“Wish I could say the same,” I murmured.

Rose overheard me. “Me, too. He’s not going to be happy with that prissy fiancée of his. I can’t tell him anything, though. Who am I? Just his granny. Why would I know anything about love or life?” She flashed me a little wink. “Don’t you give up on him.”

“Rose, that ship has sailed. You and Oma have to face it.” And so did I. “I have one quick thing to do and then I’ll come assist you now that I’ve stolen your helper.”

Thanks to the late nights that the ghost hunters kept, the housekeeper was working afternoons instead of mornings. I’d barely seen her since I’d been back and had never really talked with her.

Trixie followed along, sniffing the hallway on the second floor. The cleaning cart stood outside Grayson’s room.

I peeked inside. The petite housekeeper was tucking a fresh sheet under the mattress. Her long black ponytail swung as she worked. She wore a simple white T-shirt with the Sugar Maple Inn logo on it, a pair of white slacks, and running shoes.

“Hi! I’m Holly.” I extended my hand. “We’ve never been properly introduced.”

She smiled at me and shook my hand. “Marisol.”

I pitched in and helped her make the bed. “Are you happy to work afternoons for a change? No early mornings?”

She smiled. “It’s okay. I like getting up early.”

I was helping her turn back the sheet when a black tail whooshed by my legs. Twinkletoes?

“Your kitten likes to help me. She’s very, how do you say? Nosy!”

I watched as she knocked a tube of lip balm off the desk and spun it into the bathroom.

Mrs. Mewer slunk through the door, her body low to the ground like a wildcat on the hunt. She spotted the lip balm on the bathroom floor and knocked it back into the bedroom. I should have realized. Twinkletoes and Mrs. Mewer were our poltergeists. Silly kitties.

“So, Marisol, do the guests wash their clothes sometimes? Have you noticed any wet clothes when you’re cleaning?”

She blinked at me as though I had asked an odd question. I guessed I had. I could have phrased it more delicately.

“Mostly the ladies. Mrs. Lillian and Miss Eva. But sometimes men do, too.”

“Oh? Like who?”

Marisol gripped fresh towels in her hands. Her dark eyes rose to meet mine. “This is about the dead girl?”

I might as well tell her the truth. “Yes.”

“Mr. Felix is very tidy and hung some things in the shower to dry. Also Mr. Grayson and Mr. Brian.”

Felix! I never seriously suspected him.

We finished making the bed. I gazed around the room. Grayson’s clothes lay on a chair as though he had changed in a hurry. I peeked in the bathroom. Male toiletries cluttered the counter. It was a large, old-fashioned bathroom with a charming claw-foot tub.

“Thank you, Marisol,” I said. “If you need anything, let me know, okay?” I walked to the door.

“Holly?”

I turned to look at her.

“Zelda couldn’t kill anybody. She is much too kind.”

“I know, Marisol. Thanks for sticking up for her.”

*   *   *

An hour later, Dave marched through the front door. I knew trouble was brewing when Twinkletoes arched her back like a Halloween cat and hissed at him.

She dashed up the grand staircase and watched him. Mrs. Mewer followed her cue, eyeing Dave with wary suspicion. She let out a bloodcurdling yowl.

“Is Eva here?” Dave asked.

My breath caught in my throat. I nodded. “In her room, I think.”

Dave strode through the library. I could hear him knocking on her door.

Felix, Mark, Grayson, and Brian clustered around me.

“What’s going on?” asked Felix.

Before I could answer, Eva and Dave emerged and walked toward us.

Eva reached out to me. “Will you take care of Mrs. Mewer?”

“You’re arresting her?” asked Brian. A gleeful smile played across his face.

Dave was carrying a clear plastic bag in his hand. A chill shook me when I realized that Mallory’s lavender necklace nestled inside it. There wasn’t a reason in the world that I could think of for Eva to have the necklace in her possession.

“No!” Mark stepped forward. “No. She didn’t do it. I killed Mallory.”

“Aww,” moaned Felix. “Don’t do this, Mark.”

“Shh,” Mark hissed. In a gentle voice, he said, “I can’t let you take the blame for this, Eva.”

Oh no! Had they both been in on it?

From her spot on the stairs, Mrs. Mewer lived up to her name by emitting complaining meows.

“Mark, stop it!” Felix pushed his way next to Mark.

Mark held Eva’s hands and stared into her eyes. “Leave me alone, Felix.”

“But you didn’t . . .” Felix looked at Dave. “He didn’t kill Mallory.”

Dave drank it all in without a word.

“Okay,” said Felix, “if you killed Mallory, how did her necklace end up in Eva’s room?”

“I hid it there after I killed her.”

Oh no. That didn’t sound good at all. Poor Eva. She had been right about Mark all along.

“Mark,” Eva whispered. “Why?”

He squeezed her hands. “I won’t let you take the blame, Eva.” He looked into her eyes with love.

“You’re ready to confess?” asked Dave.

Mark nodded.

Dave escorted him out the door. Behind them, Felix protested, “Mark, don’t do this. Don’t believe him, Officer. Ask him for details! He won’t know the answers.”

Eva scooped up Mrs. Mewer and held her so tight that Mrs. Mewer complained. Eva released her grip but didn’t let go. She sat down on the sofa in the sitting room, still clutching Mrs. Mewer. The other ghost hunters clustered around her.

Grayson released a long breath and shook his head. “Lillian warned Mark about Mallory.”

“Warned Mark? What do you mean?” Seemed like it should have been the other way around.

“I came up a few days early,” said Grayson. “Lillian is friends with Mark’s parents, so we went out to dinner a couple of times. Mark didn’t want Mallory to come with us, but every time, she showed up at the restaurant uninvited, like she was following us. Lillian said Mark needed to be really careful, because that was obsessive behavior. ‘Unbalanced,’ I think Lillian called her. She was really worried about Mark letting Mallory stay at his place. Hey, where’s Ben? Mark needs a lawyer. Ben?” He raised his voice. “Ben? Felix, hand me your phone, I’ll call his room.”

“Bet you’ll be glad to get your new phone.” Felix glanced at me. “Can you believe it? Grayson dropped his in the tub.”

Had he? I squinted at Grayson. I had just been in his bathroom and the tub was nowhere near anything. Unless he was talking on the phone while bathing, which I doubted, I didn’t quite buy that story.

Felix sat on the sofa with his elbow on the armrest and his forehead in his hand. “He doesn’t need a lawyer anyway.” Felix glanced at his watch. “I bet he’s back here in less than two hours, and that includes driving time.”

Brian frowned at him. “Are you psychic now?”

“No. I don’t have to be psychic. Mark didn’t kill Mallory. He just said he did to protect Eva. When Dave starts questioning him, he’s going to get stuff wrong and the police will realize that he had nothing to do with Mallory’s death.”

“To protect me?” Eva wiped her face with her fingers. “What do you mean?”

“From the beginning, Mark was afraid
you
killed Mallory. She’s the reason that you broke off your engagement to Mark. He knew how much you hated her.”

“He thought I killed her? How could he imagine for even a second that I would do anything so heinous?”

Funny. She had suspected the same thing about Mark.

Felix groaned. “Are you kidding? He’s so crazy mad in love with you that he’s willing to take a murder rap for you.”

Eva gulped air and sniffled. “Why did Mallory have to show up and ruin everything? Felix, are you sure they’ll bring Mark back? Maybe Grayson is right, and we
should
send Ben to help him.”

Ben happened to be ambling down the stairs, and heard his name.

Felix made quick work of filling him in.

Seemingly in deep thought, Eva sat quietly, stroking Mrs. Mewer’s silky fur.

I liked Eva. If Mark had confessed to a murder he didn’t commit just to protect her, then her trip to Wagtail had turned out better than she initially thought. She had Mark in her life again. In a way, I envied her. Ben wouldn’t have protected me. He would have turned me in.

And that brought me to another horrifying thought. What if Mark made that huge sacrifice because Eva really did murder Mallory? She certainly had motive. We knew she had been outside of the inn that night, not only because Brian saw her but by her own admission. Her claims of the strange white light could have been nothing more than a story she invented. After all, she knew better than anyone what could and couldn’t be proven.

“Eva, did you ever see that orb in your room again?” I asked.