A leaf of murder, p.1
A Leaf of Murder, page 1
A LEAF OF MURDER
BORROWED PAGES COZY MYSTERIES, BOOK 7
MAGGIE BENTON
SUMMER PRESCOTT BOOKS PUBLISHING
Copyright 2023 Summer Prescott Books
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication nor any of the information herein may be quoted from, nor reproduced, in any form, including but not limited to: printing, scanning, photocopying, or any other printed, digital, or audio formats, without prior express written consent of the copyright holder.
**This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to persons, living or dead, places of business, or situations past or present, is completely unintentional.
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CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Jackson Birch’s Harvest Apple Pie
Also by Maggie Benton
Author’s Note
Contact Summer Prescott Books Publishing
CHAPTER ONE
“I’m putting the F. Scott Fitzgerald quote over here.” Helen Bennett was busy setting up an autumn book display with the help of her two head library clerks, Bonnie Gilbert and Clyde Cobbly. “What do you think?”
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall,” Bonnie read aloud, smiling. “I love that quote.”
“Me too,” said Helen. “I also like ‘Happily we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures…’ Perfect for this time of year.”
“Henry David Thoreau, right?” guessed Clyde.
“Ding, ding, ding! Give the man a prize,” said Helen, holding up the framed quote, then setting it next to a ceramic pumpkin. She stood back and looked at the display. As director of the Oliver’s Crossroads Public Library, much of her time was spent tucked inside her office, away from the books and the patrons. But Helen loved coming out of her cave whenever possible to create inviting displays, read to the children who came for story times, and simply help people find the right books—her first love since earning her master’s in library science. She stood back and looked at the display. “I think we’ve got our bases covered for the first day of fall. We have books about creating warm, nourishing meals. Books about cleaning and organizing your space. Books about spending time in nature.”
“And of course, a healthy selection of cozy mysteries set in autumn,” added Bonnie.
“We should add some fall leaves and a few more pumpkins,” said Clyde.
“Not to mention a birthday banner,” said Bonnie, grinning at Helen. “Your birthday is on the Autumn Equinox this year, isn’t it?”
“Yep. September twenty-third,” said Helen. “I’ll be fifty-one.”
Clyde snickered. “I heard a couple of patrons call you a silver fox the other day after you passed by.”
Helen laughed out loud. “I’ll take that compliment. It’s kind of nice that this hair is coming back into style.” She pointed at her head of silvery hair which was woven into its usual braid. Helen pulled her favorite green cardigan sweater a little tighter around herself. “I used to dread birthdays. But now I just think of them as an excuse to eat all the cake I want.”
“As it should be,” said Clyde with a little bow.
“I’m going into the stacks to grab a few more cookbooks,” said Helen.
“I’ll come with you!” Annie Birch had just walked in through the front doors. “I’m here for my volunteer time, so put me to work.” As president of the Oliver’s Crossroads Public Library Board of Directors, Annie was always willing to lend a hand and was one of Helen’s most faithful volunteers. She was also Helen’s dearest friend.
It was hard to believe that it had only been a year since the two had met. Helen, after enduring a painful divorce—her husband left her for her secretary—had made the decision to take a stab at building a new life. She’d grown up on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, and although Oliver’s Crossroads, North Carolina was only about three hours away, coming there had been like entering a whole new world. When the board informed Helen that she’d gotten the director’s position, she’d traded her traffic-jammed commute for a short walk down a shaded lane. She’d traded her huge library system for a small one. She’d traded her large, expensive suburban house for a cottage just a few steps away from work.
And she’d traded friendly acquaintances for actual friends. Like Annie.
“What’s up? You look tense,” Helen said, leading Annie into the cookbook section.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yep.” Helen pulled a book full of soup recipes off the shelf and handed it to Annie. “Is it because your parents are coming to town?”
“It, uh, might have something to do with that, yeah,” Annie admitted.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know them,” said Helen. “It’ll be a thrill to meet the man who created Annie’s Diner.”
Annie’s Diner was just down North Hickory Lane, where it met up with Main Street. Annie’s dad, Jackson Birch, had founded the diner, naming it for his baby girl and spending his career there. When he and Annie’s mom, Eleanor, had retired, he’d passed the diner to Annie, who by that time could practically run the place with one hand tied behind her back since she’d grown up doing everything from waiting tables to fixing finicky appliances to baking pies.
The diner was a favorite with locals and visitors alike, known for its crispy waffles and juicy burgers, but famous for its pies.
“This will be the first time they’ve seen the diner since the renovation,” said Annie. “What if they don’t like it?”
“They’ve loved all the photos you sent,” Helen reminded her.
“But it’s different in person.” Annie held out her hand to take the bread baking cookbook that Helen had just pulled.
“Yeah. It’s better in person. Pictures can’t do it justice.”
Adam Walsh had done the diner renovation. Adam, Helen, and Annie all lived within a stone’s throw of one another on North Hickory Lane. Adam lived right next door to Helen in a cottage he’d artfully renovated, and Annie lived two houses down in the other direction. Helen and Adam were getting deeper into a relationship that had started as friendship and blossomed into something more over the past year. Adam was also the guardian of a sweet, smart, funny almost-nine-year-old named Ian whom Helen adored. Ian was son to Adam’s late cousin, Jonathan, who had stipulated in his will that if anything were to happen to him, Ian would come to live with Adam. As tragic as Jonathan’s premature death had been, Adam was becoming a wonderful father and Helen—who’d wanted children but hadn’t been able to have any—loved spending time with both him and Ian.
Helen chose a few more cookbooks and she and Annie went back to the central hub of the library and added them to the display.
“I adore my parents,” Annie said. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous about this visit.”
“Could it be because of Walter?” Helen eyed her friend.
Annie grinned. “He’s so nervous. I mean, of course he knows them and everything. We both grew up here and Walter has been my friend for forever.”
“But now you’re in love,” Helen said, smiling.
Walter had been nuts about Annie since anyone could remember. Then finally one day, as though her eyes had opened for the first time, Annie had seen Walter in a different light, and the rest was history.
“My parents love Walter. I’m sure that hasn’t changed. I’m just . . . nervous.”
“Wait until you hit your fifties,” said Helen. “It gets easier.”
At forty-four and forty-eight respectively, Annie and Walter were the two youngest members of the library board. The other two members, Hazel and Harry Filbert, who’d tied the knot that summer, were well into their seventies.
“Does it?”
“Yep. Things just don’t rattle you like they do when you’re younger,” said Helen, straightening a book. “You learn to let things slide off of you. You take things in stride.”
Annie grabbed her hand. “My parents are having dinner at the diner tonight. Can you come? Adam and Ian too? I’m hoping the whole society will come.”
The “society” was the Oliver’s Crossroads Public Library Birding Society. Helen, along with Annie and everyone on the board plus a few others, were members.
“Of course we’ll come,” said Helen. “Adam and Ian would never turn down dinner at Annie’s.”
Annie breathed a sigh of relief. “That’ll make me feel calmer.” She nudged Helen. “Hey—you’ve got a birthday coming up this weekend.”
“Yes I do. And I’m going to be counting my blessings.”
Annie looked at her friend with admiration. “You’re so calm and pulled together all the time.”
“I hope I’m growing in wisdom with the years,” said Helen. “The yoga classes I’ve been taking are helping me to remember to stop and breathe and think before reacting. It’s life-changing.”
“How do you like the new teac her at the gym?”
“Raven Nelson? She’s great. You should come to class more often.”
“I’ve almost used up all of my passes,” said Annie. She’d won a ten-class pass to Quick Fit during the Summer Fest raffle in June. Quick Fit was one of many new businesses in the Plum Village office and retail park on the western edge of town. “And my busy season is starting at the diner. The leaf peepers will start arriving soon, and then the holidays.”
Helen sighed happily. “Don’t you just love September? It’s like the world is on the cusp of the next season and all of the wonderful things that come with the fall.”
“You’re a romantic fool, aren’t you, Helen Bennett?”
“The worst,” Helen admitted.
“Oh—speaking of the gym. I’ve lost that brooch Walter gave me.”
Helen frowned. “The one that his great-aunt passed down to his mother? That’s a family heirloom.”
“Tell me about it. It was pinned to my sweater last Wednesday. That was the last time I saw it. I went to the gym for yoga that day and took off the sweater. Maybe it dropped onto the ground. I didn’t even realize I’d lost it until a couple days ago when I took the same sweater out of my closet.”
“Where all did you go that day?”
Annie straightened one of the books on the display. “I’ve been retracing my steps and calling around. I went to the Blue Whale Pub, Little Bit’s Pet Shop—I bought treats for Walter’s cat, Merlin. And I know I also went to the bookshop and the gym.”
Helen laughed, shaking her head. “You’re a busy person.”
“I left a message at the gym, but next time you go there, will you ask about it?”
“Of course.”
“Oh, and don’t tell Walter I lost the brooch. I feel terrible about it. I have to find it before he notices it’s missing. The clasp was a little loose. I shouldn’t have worn it until I got it checked.” Annie wrung her hands. “We’ve solved plenty of mysteries in the past. We can solve this one too, right?”
It was true. In fact, the whole birding society had pulled together on several occasions to help the local police force solve some tough ones, bringing more than one culprit to justice. The group of friends was starting to develop a reputation and had even been featured in a few area newspapers for their sleuthing skills. Solving mysteries required patience and the ability to sit quietly and observe closely—and who could be better at that than a bunch of birdwatchers?
“Come help me at the circulation desk. We’ll give Bonnie and Clyde a break,” said Helen, putting an arm around Annie. “And as Raven always says at the end of class, remember to breathe. Everything will be fine. You’ll have a wonderful visit with your parents over the next few days, we’ll find the missing brooch, and your dad will love what you’ve done with the diner. You’ll see.”
“You really are sickeningly calm,” said Annie with a smirk.
Ironically, it was at that moment that Helen’s ex-husband, with his new wife—Helen’s ex-secretary—on his arm, walked into the library. Helen felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her.
Annie looked at her in confusion. “What? Helen, what’s wrong?”
“That couple—those—those people—” Helen looked pointedly at Doug and Regina, then ducked behind the circulation desk before they could spot her. She began breathing rapidly and felt herself breaking into a light sweat despite the cool temperature in the library.
“Who are they?” asked Annie, ducking right along with her.
“That’s my ex-husband Doug Sanders and his wife Regina. What are they doing here?”
“Lots of people come here for weekend getaways from Atlanta,” said Annie. “Helen, take a deep breath before you hyperventilate.”
Helen attempted to do so, but instead, her breaths seemed to be coming out more like panicked pants. Bonnie came walking over, Clyde right behind her. They were understandably shocked upon finding Helen and Annie squatting behind the desk.
“What on earth?” said Clyde.
“That couple that just walked in,” Annie hissed. “That’s Helen’s ex and the woman he left her for.”
Bonnie and Clyde, almost in unison, turned stoney.
“Can we kick them out?” Bonnie wondered.
“I’m pretty sure that’s against the law,” said Clyde, his voice full of regret.
“Um, excuse me—”
Helen cringed from her hiding place. She hadn’t heard that voice in over a year, not even on the telephone.
“What?” Bonnie answered curtly.
Helen could hear the confusion in Doug’s voice when he said, “We’re looking for the library director? Helen Sanders?”
“You mean Helen Bennett,” Regina corrected.
“Oops. Yes. Helen Bennett,” said Doug.
“Well, she’s, um . . .” Bonnie did a good job of not looking down, but Clyde gave Helen and Annie a quick glance.
Helen knew she had to act fast to save face. She grabbed Annie’s arm and rose to stand. “So you see, that’s where we keep the overdue notices,” she said.
Annie, quickly catching on, said, “Thank you so much. I had no idea.”
Helen glanced at Doug, then Regina, putting on a surprised expression. “Oh! Hi Regina.” Her eyes slid back over to her ex-husband. “Hello, Doug.”
“Hi Helen,” said Doug. “Sorry to bug you at work.”
“We’re in town for the weekend and just thought it would be better to come right over and say hello,” Regina explained. “You know, rather than randomly running into you somewhere.”
Helen nodded. “Ah.” She didn’t know what else to say. Were they actually explaining to her that they were being considerate? Of her? After all that had passed between them?
Regina was living in Helen’s house in Buckhead. Sleeping in the bed Helen had purchased from a ritzy antique store. Cooking in the oven Helen had waited months for because it was on backorder. Sitting on the back patio on flagstones that Helen and Doug had laid one spring weekend. Of course, Helen had been glad that Regina had fallen in love with her old house. The place was gorgeous, but it hadn’t been home. Helen considered it a blessing that Doug, in his rush to please Regina, had paid top dollar for Helen’s half of the house and all the furnishings. Helen had walked away with her book collection, her favorite reading chair and lamp, and her personal effects, and had never missed the house or its other contents. Now she lived in a cozy cottage with huge trees arching around it, a bricked front walk, and a creek babbling along behind it. It wasn’t as though she envied anything about Regina and Doug’s life these days.
“Well, I hope you enjoy your weekend,” Helen finally managed. What she really wanted to say was, “This is my town. Are you really going to tell me you couldn’t have picked someplace else for your little romantic getaway?” For now, she held her tongue. She was beginning to feel queasy, and the sooner these two left, the better.
Helen quickly introduced her friends, who stood in a defensive semi-circle around her. When she off-handedly mentioned that Annie owned the diner on the corner, Regina brightened.
“We’ve heard so many nice things about that place! We’ll definitely plan to eat there while we’re in town.”
Doug, studying Helen as though trying to gauge her mood, added, “We rented a house over on the lake. We’re just here till Sunday.”
Helen nodded. “Well, I hope you enjoy your weekend.” She’d said it again! That really was the only sentence she could come up with.
As Doug and Regina took their leave, Annie slung an arm around Helen. “Thank goodness things don’t rattle you like they used to.”
CHAPTER TWO
After an emergency early evening yoga session with Raven at Quick Fit, Helen felt much better. Calm. Centered. Capable of breathing deeply and reacting mindfully, and ready to enjoy dinner with her friends at Annie’s Diner. Doug and Regina would only be in town for a few days and with any luck, Helen wouldn’t run into them during their stay.
