Tuesday Tales 2025-4-22 Stunning

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, powered by a small group of authors, where word prompts inspire passages in the books we’re writing. I’m working on a cozy mystery, Pumpkin Patch Murder. Our word of the day is stunning. When you finish the passage, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.

Now that I had him here, I was unsure what to say. It wasn’t like talking to the other suspects. The man was obviously an emotional mess. Was it from the loss or the deed?  I glanced at Robin.

Picking up my cue, she said, “We’re so sorry about Vonna’s death. I know you’re as stunned as we are. You and she were such good friends.”

Skip shifted in the chair, trying to get comfortable. His legs were too long to fold up nicely beneath our small table. He looked the type that had been stretchy and lanky when younger, perfect for basketball. Though his body had gone flabby, I’d bet he could still shoot the hoops better than most. Not today though. He turned to me, his face strained. “They’ve arrested that cousin of Jack Douglas’s, haven’t they? Your…what is she to you anyway?”

“We’re not related. Jack is my godfather but not blood kin. Luella is being held for obstruction of justice,” I said.

“She and Vonna got into it at that committee meeting of yours. The cops must think she did the murder.”

“Maybe, but it’s all a misunderstanding. Luella didn’t tell them about Vonna returning to Tea Thyme later that night and them arguing again. She was scared, and with good reason, because look what happened.”

He considered. “Maybe the cops have other evidence against her.”

I shook my head. “Luella’s arrest is all wrong.” The image of Ghost Vonna popped into my mind. “Especially for Vonna. I only met her briefly, but I’m sure she’d want the real killer caught as soon as possible. The authorities are on the wrong track. The two of them argued, but Luella didn’t hurt her. She went back into the house, and Vonna took off down Pumpkin Patch Trail.”

“What was Vonna doing there? What was their beef?”

He seemed to be genuinely asking. Maybe if I shared information with him, he’d speak freely to me. “I was hoping you’d have some idea about that. It seems she was looking for something, information or an object perhaps, to do with my godfather.”

“What information or object?” He was getting riled. “What was it about?”

“I don’t know. Do you have any inkling what was on Vonna’s mind? While you were walking her away from the committee meeting, did she say anything or give any indication?”

He slumped and rubbed his forehead. “She was as mad as a hornet and didn’t say much.”

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the piece inspired by the word stunning. If you haven’t done so already, check out the other excerpts at Tuesday Tales.

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