Welcome to Tuesday Tales, powered by a small group of authors, where word prompts inspire passages in the books we’re writing. Today’s word is cold. This snippet is from a cozy mystery set in fictional Glisten, Georgia. When you finish reading, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Fortified by Robin’s support, I waggled my eyebrows. “Our plan is to do. We’ll tackle Skip and any other suspects one by one. The goal will be to uncover the truth and get Luella released before the Pumpkin Fest. After all, her cookies are the main attraction of the scavenger hunt finale.” I paused and took a breath. “So, what do you say?”
Robin laughed and lifted a palm into the air. “I love it when a plan comes together.” The resulting high five was a testament to our projected success.
Little did I know that certain busy bodies were already plotting to throw a spanner into our good works.
The unpleasant news came by way of a phone call later that afternoon. Robin had gone into work, and I busied myself with my murder doodle sheet. I recreated the entries on a new page and added information gleaned from all the parties I had questioned. I made a big notation for the mysterious eyewitness. If only I could find out who it was, I felt certain it would give me a further clue. I also added cryptic looking doodles for my ghostly Tea Thyme friends. As I was getting into the spirit of it, the generic ring tone sounded on my cell phone. No name appeared. Usually such calls were pure spam and to be ignored, but with everything going on, I answered. “Hello?”
“Peri?”
“Who’s calling?”
“This is Vance Wardlow, your friendly neighborhood taxi driver.” He laughed, sounding strained. “How are you this morning?”
“Oh, hello.” Surely he had heard about Luella. “I’m all right, hanging in there.”
“I hope Jack is doing better. Is there any news on that front?”
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“Sorry to hear that.” He paused, and I got the impression he was reluctant to continue.
“How can I help you, Vance?”
“We’ve all heard about Jack’s cousin being arrested. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that, especially having just moved back to Glisten.”
“Thank you. I look forward to her being cleared of any wrongdoing.”
“Certainly, uh, unfortunately, uh, her arrest, I’m so sorry to say, places a bad light on things, a— a pall on the partnership between the Pumpkin Fest committee and Tea Thyme.”
Bristling heat flared over me. ‘What do you mean? Luella has been wrongly accused.”
His tone turned cold. “I’m sure you’re right, but meantime, it’s the public perception that concerns the committee.”
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Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2024 Flossie Benton Rogers
Interesting. So who stands to profit if the committee decides to knock Tea Thyme out of the Pumpkin Fest? Can’t wait to find out. Great scene.
Good question! Thanks, Susanne.
OMG!! I guess you really do know who your friends are! Wow, the Pumpkin Fest is going to throw Luella under the bus, too?? Sad, but oh so realistic! Great story!! Can’t wait to find out how this all resolves.
No! Those ingrates! Now I suspect the whole town. Unfortunately this speeds up Peru’s investigation doesn’t it? Great job!
Oh dear, this certainly complicates things!
Can I go smack that committee right now??
Aw man! This is not going to end well for someone…… Jillian