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Chapter One
Helen Rogers glared at the ringing phone that shattered a dream she vaguely recalled as exciting. A young Robert Redford might have been involved, or possibly Paul Newman. She reached for her glasses and thought there was no way the ringing phone could be good news.
After ending the call, she got out of bed and headed for the shower. “I was right, Sherlock,” she said to her Corgi, who opened his eyes and blinked at her. “It was not good news, and it’s only Monday. We have another murder to solve. Our friend Darla was murdered, and we need to find the killer. Sadly, it wasn’t a dream. Ted wants me in the office now. Tyrant.”
Though neither knew her daughter, Laura, they both had known Darla. Helen had known her several years, and Ted had known her all of his life. Who would want to kill a sweet, senior citizen who worked in the library and why?
Helen got into the shower, the day’s agenda running through her head along with a bigger question. Did I know what I was doing when I thought we could actually open and run a detective agency?
Later, in their staff meeting, her work partner and best friend, Carol, asked the central question as might be expected. “Who would want to kill Darla Jones, a retired teacher and our town’s best librarian, and why is Ted at the crime scene now?” She tucked her newly tinted auburn hair behind her ears, a clear stress signal.
Helen yawned and drank more coffee. “He’s on the way in and hopefully will have more answers. He wanted to hang around at the crime scene as long as they would let him. He was there picking up a book for his elderly neighbor and waiting for Tyler to open. The poor guy. Tyler’s been working with Darla a long time at the library. I think he just volunteered to work there to be around her.”
“Oh, no, poor Tyler, I didn’t think about him,” Carol said.
The room got quiet as they took a minute with their thoughts. Helen looked at her phone, hoping that Ted would get their soon. “Well, to tell you what Ted has found out so far, Tyler didn’t know Joe was inside the library, having come in early to do inventory, and he found the body, called the police, and came out the front door. He saw Ted standing there, and things developed from there.”
“Who’s Joe? I’ve not been hanging around the library,” Carol asked.
“He works there part-time and does everything from building shelves to helping people find things,” Helen replied, and looked at her phone again.
“If it’s not you tripping over bodies, it’s Ted fresh on the scene of the crime. You are two of a kind,” Carol said, shaking her head. “So, what’s our part in all of this because with Ted there, I know we’ll have one.”
Helen looked down at her notes. “Oh, well, we’ve been hired to find the killer. Well, Ted assumes we will be, based on what Tyler was saying.”
Carol, getting to the point as usual, helped herself to another cup of coffee. “Oh, is that all? Find the killer, and before the police, of course. Were they after money, or what? Darla is, well was, a sixty-three-year-old ex-teacher and most recently a part-time librarian. Who would think she’d have money or expensive jewelry on her, and at the library of all places?”
“Yes, exactly,” Helen mumbled and then shrugged, looking down at the hasty notes she had made while on the phone with Ted. “Ted said that Darla had a head injury, and was found in the storeroom near a ladder. So, at first glance, they seem to be ruling it an accident and not a break-in that may have led to murder. Ted, of course, doesn’t buy it, especially since her daughter, Laura, who was here visiting for a week, told him about threatening letters Darla was getting.”
Carol walked over to the window and looked out. “What’s happening to this small, perfect little town? Darla was the most unlikely candidate ever to get murdered.”
Helen looked up from her notes. She heard something in Carol’s voice she’d not heard before. In the few years she had known her, Carol was always the level-headed, unemotional one. Helen had a lot in common with her, same age for one thing, but Carol wasn’t one to show a lot of emotion, unlike herself. Carol was either taking Darla’s murder to heart more than Helen had assumed she would, or something else was bothering her. She’d have to wait until Carol was ready to tell her more.
“How about you Elaine, are you okay with all this? Are you wishing I hadn’t coaxed you to take a chance with something new?”
“I’m okay, though another murder … and someone like Darla has sort of thrown me for a loop, but I’ll be okay. Do you two mind if I go back to Ted’s office to finish the invoices? They need to go out today, and I think it’s going to get busy and loud around here before too long.”
“Yes, absolutely, do what you need to do, Elaine.”
“So go on, Helen, we’re all fine. What about Darla receiving letters and what else did Ted tell you?” Carol asked.
“Yes, there was more than one letter according to Laura,” Helen said.
“Oh, well, threatening letters. So, the first clue. And Joe found her, poor guy. He’s still working around town it seems. At his age, I’m glad he didn’t have a heart attack. How did he happen to find her?” Elaine asked.
Helen nodded and winced as she sipped at her too-hot coffee. “Yep, Joe Taylor is still the handyman everyone in Peachtree Valley calls when they need the job done right. Also, he is one of the least likely people in this town to hurt anyone—or lie for that matter. He was supposed to fix some shelving in the library office for Darla and then help with inventory. He was still very upset Ted said, as you might expect. He’s been working for the county library system lately, he mentioned to Ted, and this was one of his jobs.”
Carol sighed. “Yeah, poor Joe, what a shock it must have been.”
“When he got to the library, he discovered the back door was unlocked,” Helen mumbled, as she read more from her hastily written notes.
Carol reached for a blueberry scone that she had brought in from the bakery nearby. “I’m guessing that was not the norm, an unlocked door.”
“No, he told Ted he always rang the bell on the back door and Darla would let him in. He always tried to do any noisy work, like hammering or drilling, before the library officially opened to the public. Shocked that the back door was unlocked, he went hunting for Darla right away because she never left it unlocked.”
“I can’t imagine finding a friend like that,” Carol said.
Helen continued, “There she was in the storage room, on the floor near the ladder. He thought she may have had a heart attack or fall that had knocked her out. He went over to check her, and that’s when he saw the blood on and around her head. He called for an ambulance, and then the police. It was Joe’s opinion that if she had fallen from the ladder, the injury would not have left her in that position.”
“Why did Laura want us involved so soon?” Carol asked, as she refreshed her coffee and walked to the window.
“Well, we found her cousin last year, remember? The one who had an accident and was experiencing memory loss. We didn’t get to meet her as it was handled by phone and of course, Darla, who lived not far from him.”
Carol shivered as she looked out at the rain and falling leaves outside. “Oh, that’s right. The one the family had been looking for since he disappeared from the hospital. So, how do we fit into all of this if the police have already ruled it an accident? Oh, wait, let me guess.”
Helen closed her notebook and took a sip of the now cooled coffee. “I don’t think they have ruled on anything yet, officially. They just didn’t want to talk in front of Ted and Joe. I think Joe was assuming they would rule it an accident based on what they were saying at the scene. But, yeah, Joe has no use for the police department, as you might recall. Sounds like Joe passed on his misgivings about our police chief to Darla’s daughter, Laura. I think we will have a new case.”
Carol finished off her coffee and tucked her long auburn hair behind her ears. “Our cases are picking up fast since Ted came on board full-time. You weren’t kidding when you said he knows everyone in town.”
“We will need another investigator full time if this keeps up,” Helen said, as she looked out the window, now frowning.”
Carol turned to Helen with a sigh. “What’s bothering you, Helen? I know the signs.”
Before Helen could reply, there was a loud knock at the door.
Helen looked at the time and stood to answer the door. “It looks to be a busy day, it’s not even officially opening time.”
Tyler Edwards, who was the other part-time librarian, stood there twisting his baseball cap. “Did you hear, oh, did you hear, Helen—Darla is dead? That was not an accident, I don’t care what the police say.”
“Yeah, okay now, Tyler, come on in and have some coffee. I heard about it a bit ago. Ted called me. He’s on the scene. I know you must be in shock. Let’s get coffee and sugar into you, and Carol and Elaine are here, too.”
Carol had heard the commotion and was putting a blueberry scone on a plate for Tyler. “Here you go, Tyler. Sit and eat. I’ll get the coffee. Helen and I were just talking about poor Darla. Take some deep breaths.”
Tyler, pushing seventy, but not looking it, did just that. He sat back, closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. When he opened his eyes and took off his glasses, he looked at them with his light blue eyes and blushed. “I’m sorry to just show up this way. I’m just so upset about this,” he said, as he picked up his coffee cup. “Oh, Darla, why Darla? She’s never hurt anyone. She was the kindest person I ever met. Well, you know that, Helen, don’t you?” he asked, running his hands over his nearly bald head.
Helen and Carol exchanged glances, and Helen wondered if they were both thinking the same thing. If there had been a little more than friendship between Darla and Tyler.
Helen joined Tyler on the sofa. “If it was no accident, I promise we will help find the person responsible. And, yes, Darla was a kind and lovely person, no doubt about it. I can’t imagine her having an enemy. She was even kind to the unruly teens who talked too loud in the library.”
Tyler shook his head. “Who would want to do such a terrible thing, Helen? It makes no sense, none.”
“The who and the why is what we need to think about now,” Carol said.
Tyler took a small bite of his scone. “I can hardly believe it, ladies. Darla is gone. Do you think this new police chief is any good? Joe doesn’t like him, and he called Darla’s daughter Laura and told her so.”
“Chief Edwards has been back here only a month, so too soon to tell. I never knew him. But if Laura wants us to look into things, we will. But for now, let’s keep it all between us. There’s no use making the police department mad at us immediately,” Helen said, as she picked up her phone. “I need to let Ted know you are here in case he wants to talk to you before you leave.”
“Oh, I am sorry, ladies. I’m messing up your day. But you were just the first people I thought of. If anyone can solve this, it’s you, I have no doubt,” Tyler said, his blue eyes tearing up.
Helen put her hand on Tyler’s. “Not to worry. This is good actually—that you are here, I mean. If you’re up to it, we need to ask you some questions about Darla and get your take on what might have happened.”
“Like what?” Tyler asked.
Helen didn’t want to talk about the letters that Laura was supposed to have, so she didn’t mention them to Tyler. There was no point in accidently giving the killer an edge by letting them know what they knew or didn’t know via gossip.
Helen looked at Tyler and felt his pain. It must be terrible for him to be there where it happened and having to talk about it.
“Sorry, Tyler, but what you know might help. Has she ever fallen in the storage room before or anywhere for that matter? Was she used to climbing ladders? What about the room setup, was it crowded, or hard to get around in the room. I’ve never been in the supply room at the library. You sit here for a minute and give it some thought while I call Ted for an update.”
“Okay, anything that I can do to help, just let me know,” Tyler said, as he finished his coffee.
“You’d be surprised how the little things can make all the difference when trying to make sense of a puzzle. Carol will go over the things I just mentioned and likely have other questions for you.”
Helen turned to Carol and asked, “Will you start Tyler with the preliminaries while I call Ted?”
Carol patted Tyler on the shoulder. “You just sit and help yourself to more coffee if you like. Let me have a quick word with Helen and get my notebook from my briefcase. I’ll be back with you in a minute.”
“Did Laura hire you?” Tyler asked.
“We can’t say too much about that, Tyler. Confidentiality concerns,” Carol said.
“I understand, but I will talk to Laura. If she won’t hire you, I will.”
“Okay, Tyler, good to know,” Carol said, walking Tyler to the door.
Carol got her notebook and followed Helen to her office. “Oh, that poor guy, Helen, how much do you think Tyler can help?”
Helen shrugged. “We shall see. At least he knows the layout of the library and can get us in to see the scene once the police are out of there. Let me find Ted to let him know what’s going on here.”
“Lots of excitement for a town like Peachtree Valley, Georgia. You’d think these things only happen in big cities—if, in fact, it is another murder. I didn’t entirely believe you before when you said we’d have enough business to keep our agency going. But you were right,” Carol said.
“People are basically the same everywhere, Carol. The cities just have more of them. Sometimes, it’s these small communities that are the deadliest. People have known each other a long time. There are years of built-up resentments, grudges, and hate.”
Carol nodded. “Sure seems to be the case here lately. Anyway, back to Tyler before he drinks all of the coffee.”
Helen also nodded and punched in Ted’s number. He didn’t answer or return the call but sent her a text.
According to Ted’s latest text, he, and Laura Ross, Darla’s daughter, were due in an hour. Helen reviewed what she now knew about Laura and Darla to be better prepared. Laura had moved to Atlanta a few years before, and only came back to see Darla about once a month, if that. Though Laura had tried to get her mother to move with her. There was no way she would consider it. Darla wanted to see those she had taught in school years before when she walked down the street, and she had practically reinvented the library with programs for the kids in town. Helen sighed, and ran her hands through her freshly cut, short, white hair.
“I hate this part of the job,” Helen said as she briefed Carol and Elaine.
“Thanks for the update, I’m going to grab a scone and get back to work,” Elaine said as she looked out the window.
Helen walked up to Elaine and put a hand on her shoulder. “You may not feel the same but I’m glad you signed on as a partner, Elaine. I’m not sure we knew what we were in for when it came to the business and administration side of things. You have saved us.”
“No, Helen, I don’t regret signing on as one of the partners. But I do like being a more silent one. Oh, and there is also a box of muffins in the cabinet, fresh, if you need them,” Elaine said.
“Looks like we will need them. Lots of traffic this morning. Ted and Laura, Darla’s daughter, are on their way in,” Helen said.
“Well, I am huddling in here with my paper and computer, but call me if needed,” Elaine said.
By the time Ted and Laura arrived, Tyler was getting antsy and was on his fourth cup of coffee. Helen was relieved when Ted came through the door, Laura was close behind, looking chic and professional. She took a seat beside Tyler on the sofa, and he gave her a hug.
“Tyler, I didn’t know you would be here, but I’m glad,” Laura said, taking his hand.
Helen, wanting to keep things moving, got right to the point. “Laura, we are all so sorry about this. Your mother was loved by one and all, and we will do everything that we can to help find out what happened, if that is what you want. Tell me, how can we help you?” Helen asked, trying to keep Laura and Tyler both focused on the process, because she knew how raw their pain must be. It was hard to miss Laura’s red eyes and Tyler’s clenched fists.
“I need to talk to you, in private,” Laura said, clutching her purse and a green file folder.
Helen was surprised but didn’t argue. She stood and motioned for Laura to follow her. “Sure, come on back to my office.”
Helen pointed to the only comfortable chair in the office, across from her desk. “Forgive our lack of furniture and decorations, we’re renting the space, and it’s a slow process getting it like we want it. Have a seat, Laura, and tell me what is going on.”
Laura, looking like a younger version of her mother, with the deep blue eyes and pale complexion, and dark brown hair, released her death grip on the green file folder and held it out to Helen with shaking hands. “Helen, I feel so bad, more like guilty, to tell the truth.”
“So, the letters?” Helen asked, as she took the folder and flipped it open.
“Death threats my mother received. Can you believe it, death threats, Helen, and she never knew why.”
“Ted mentioned them. Give me a second to scan through these, Laura. Try to relax and breathe, okay?”
Laura nodded and waited as Helen read the four short letters, which were more like notes. “I know what you’re going to ask, and I am at a loss here.”
Helen looked up at her. “What on earth is this about? You mean you have no clue?”
“She said she had no idea what they were talking about in the notes or why she was getting them, I promise you, but, well, I don’t know if that’s true,” Laura said.
“It sounds to me as if someone thought she knew something that she shouldn’t and were escalating the threats for some reason. If she had no idea what it was about, I don’t understand the escalation. Were there other methods of threats, phone calls, stalking, any of that?”
“I’m not sure, but by the time she told me about it, she had received three of the four letters already. Each reminded her that if she went to the police about the letters or anything that she knew, she would die. After that third letter, she called me and told me about them, and I told her to send me copies of the letters. I thought it was some kind of bad joke by some teenagers, maybe someone she had kicked out of the library for bad behavior, or something like that.”
“But she didn’t mention anything else? Was there no mention of what it was they wanted or were concerned about? She had no guesses?” Helen asked.
“Yes, there was one other thing. When she got the fourth letter about three days ago, she sent me a copy and told me she thought someone was watching her. She had decided to go to the police,” Laura said.
Helen frowned. “But she didn’t, right? Why not?”
Laura’s eyes filled with tears, and she pulled a tissue from her purse. “Because … because, I told her not to tell them. I told her I’d come see her this weekend and we could talk it through. I thought it was a prank, or the worst case, not a prank. I mean if they were watching her and knew she went to the police—what would happen to her then?”
Helen nodded. “Yes, I can see it put you in a rough spot. I know I sound like a broken record but think back, do you have any idea at all about what she may have discovered that would elicit this kind of response? To go from threatening notes to murder is a big step.”
Laura shook her head. “No, and she swore to me that she didn’t have a clue what it was she was supposed to have found out, saw, or figured out that would harm anyone else, but I didn’t believe her. I had the feeling she just didn’t want me involved.”
“I’ll keep this file if that’s okay with you. Have you talked to the police about it yet?” Helen asked.
“Yes, and I gave them copies of the letters and told them what I told you. They looked at me as if I was making it up at first. It was obvious they think the letters are a prank and that her death was an accident. I talked to Joe, whom I’ve known for decades, and he told me that would be the case with the police. He is not a fan. Incompetent is one of the nicer words he used to describe the current Chief Edwards, who, as I recall, left five years ago under a cloud because of some bribery allegations. Tyler is also not a fan.”
Helen shook her head. “The police can’t say that yet. That it was an accident, I mean. The medical examiner must rule on the cause first, and as far as I know, nothing official has been done. They just want you out of their hair for now.”
“I’m all too familiar with how small towns can be, and I knew after my conversation with Chief Ron Edwards that he wasn’t taking this seriously,” Laura said.
“That could change after the medical examiner’s report, Laura.”
Laura dabbed at her eyes with her tissue. “Will you investigate this for me? I can’t live not knowing what happened and that justice was done, I just can’t. You and your team and thinking that you can find the killer is the only thing keeping me going.
Helen was touched by her faith in her, and the agency. “Yes, of course. You go get some rest and let us get going on this. You know how to reach me, and don’t hesitate to do that if you need anything, Laura.”
Helen watched Laura leave, and then she went to talk to the staff. It was time to make a plan.
End of Excerpt
