An Old Fashioned Murder Mystery: Cloverleaf Cove Cozy Mystery, #2

Chapter 1

Arden Lynn stood in front of her house with the handle of her suitcase in one hand, and her kitten, Clover, in the other.

She gazed worriedly at Emma Varner as she rubbed a thumb over Clover’s fur.

Emma had been staying with Arden, ever since Wendy, Arden’s next-door neighbor had kicked the friendly and talkative older woman out a few weeks ago. It appeared to Arden that Wendy had been on a quest to rid herself of anything and everything that reminded her of her recently deceased grandfather. Since a good portion of Emma’s duties revolved around the cantankerous old man, she was one of the first things Wendy tossed out after his murder.

As cruel as it seemed at the time, things worked out for the best. Emma was much happier at Arden’s and Arden didn’t feel quite so lonely in her big old house.

It also didn’t hurt that Emma was a veritable cleaning dynamo. Since she had moved in, there wasn’t a spec of dirt, a fleck of lint, or even a smudge of grime anywhere to be found in her house. Even the backyard, with its tangle of weeds and vines was starting to shape up nicely and Arden was sure it would someday be one of the prettiest in the neighborhood.

Still, Arden was worried.

She had never left Emma alone and with such an awesome responsibility before.

I always give Clover a treat before bed, Arden said clutching her kitten to her chest. Not too much or otherwise she’ll get sick. One will usually do it.

Emma nodded. One treat. Got it.

She’ll complain for a while, but she’ll eventually calm down and go to sleep. She smiled affectionately down at Clover. But if she doesn’t, then one more, but that’s it.

Okay, Emma said brightly as she held her hands up waiting for Arden to pass Clover over.

Arden held Clover closer. If she’s really upset that I’m gone, you can give her another, but make sure to close the cat treat jar tightly. If it’s not tight enough, she’ll find a way in.

Not a problem. Emma reached for the kitten, her voice naturally rising to a sound only used on animals and babies. Come here, sweetie pie.

Arden unconsciously turned to the side. She likes to sleep on the blue satin pillow in my room, she said hanging onto Clover. That’s her pillow.

Smiling, Emma nodded again, her fingers sliding over Clover’s soft white and gray fur. Already in my room.

Arden’s fingers tightened as a small tug of war began between her and Emma. You know we haven’t spent a day apart since I got her and she’s just a baby. Maybe it would be best if I took her back inside and then slipped away while she is distracted. It might be less jarring for her that way.

Emma’s gaze lost focus as she glanced over Arden’s shoulders. Oh, is that Max? Oh my, doesn’t he look handsome today? You know, I’ve never seen him without his shirt before.

Arden spun around, her gaze searching for her next-door neighbor. Where? I don’t see him. By the time she turned back around, Emma was hustling towards the door with Clover in her arms.

My mistake, Emma called out. Have a good trip.

I want daily pictures, Arden called after her. You have my number, don’t you? . . . Emma?

Arden frowned as the door shut behind Emma and the telltale click of a lock being thrown reached her ears.

Chalking it up to her imagination, Arden threw one more worried look towards her house before swiveling her suitcase around and making her way down the sidewalk.

She threw her shoulders back and tried her best to look sexy as she passed by Max Ferris’ house. She tried not to spy into the windows as she passed, but she couldn’t help wonder if her handsome neighbor was home, hard at work writing his mystery novel or running around gathering information for his book, which was turning out to be just as mysterious as its author was.

Running away from home?

Startled, Arden glanced toward the car parked in front of Max’s house.

She bent from the waist and peered through the window. Max, what are you doing there?

Waiting for Dana, he said leaning through the window to smile up at her. She ran back inside to get a notebook.

Arden felt her smile falter a bit at the mention of his research assistant’s name. She had hoped with time that she could get to know her mysterious neighbor a little better. However, it seemed every time she made any sort of headway in that direction, Dana would arrive and put a stop to it, always with some vague excuse that would drag Max away from home and keep him away, sometimes for days at a time.

So, what’s with the suitcase? he asked his blue eyes twinkling up at her.

I’m going on vacation. She gestured to the two houses at the end of their lane. Savannah didn’t want to go alone so she asked me and Paige to go with her.

His eyebrows rose. Vacation? He glanced around at the sun bathed cul de sac with its pretty colorful houses and tall palm trees. Yeah, I can see why you’d need to get away from this place after only a month, he teased lightly.

Adopting a weary and glum pose, she said, You have no idea. I can only hope there will be a beach there. It’s been . . . oh, I’d say hours, since I’ve been to a beach.

He laughed. So, where are you going?

I have no idea, she said brightening. Savannah’s being very mysterious about the whole thing. She wouldn’t even tell me what I should pack.

A door slammed behind her and she turned to see Dana stride toward them, a scowl on her pretty face. We’ve got to hurry or we’re going to be late, she said by way of greeting. She promptly slid into the driver’s side, giving only enough time for Max to say goodbye, before setting the car in drive and speeding away.

And hello to you too, Arden said with a frown as their car disappeared around the corner. She shook her head as she continued down the street towards Savannah’s giant green Victorian mansion which loomed over all the other smaller houses.

Much like its owner, it was larger than life and demanded everyone’s attention.

Not that Savannah actually had to demand attention, Arden reflected. It just sort of came to her wherever she went. It was that gift that sent her to Hollywood and landed her best known role as Sunny Sutton on the hit TV series Sutton & Grimes, a romantic mystery show about a couple of rich teenagers who solved crimes while slowly falling in love.

Arden still remembered being glued to the TV set on Thursday nights devouring every episode, then talking about it the next day at school with her friends. She never imagined that she might one day be living next to one of her childhood heroes, but that’s exactly what happened, and to Arden’s surprise, Savannah wasn’t that much different from her TV character.

Much like Sunny Sutton, Savannah was friendly, glamorous, rich, and as Arden discovered shortly after moving to town, loved mysteries.

Can you please tell us where we’re going now? Arden asked as she walked up to Savannah’s black convertible.

Savannah glanced over her shoulder, her blue eyes twinkling in merriment. Be patient, she said hefting a large suitcase and placing it into the trunk.

Arden glanced over at the pink house across the street where Paige stood with her husband. A small suitcase lay at her feet. She glanced back into the trunk already filled with three suitcases. Who else is going with us?

Just you, me, and Paige.

She gestured to the other suitcases. Whose are those?

Mine, of course, Savannah said, as she picked up Arden’s suitcase. She shoved it into the corner of the trunk, grunting as she maneuvered the bigger suitcases around until it finally fit. With a satisfied grunt, she straightened and slammed down the trunk lid. Paige will just have to put hers in the backseat.

Arden smiled in amusement. Savannah, I thought we were only going to be gone for four days. What do you need three suitcases for?

You’ll see, she said brightly. I’ve come prepared for anything. She held up her hand, ticking off each item one by one. I’ve got evening gowns: long and tea length. Swimsuits: bikini and one piece. Shoes: running, hiking, walking, and heels of all sizes. Dresses: sexy, demure, matronly.

A worried knot began to form as Arden mentally went through the contents of her suitcase. I think I might need to run back home.

What? Why?

I don’t think I packed enough.

Oh, don’t be silly, Savannah said pulling her long blonde hair into a ponytail. If you need something, you can borrow it from me.

It would help if you would tell me where we’re going so I’d know what to pack, she gently reminded her new friend.

Oh, that won’t help you.

Why not?

Because I don’t know what to pack myself, which is why I have three suitcases in the trunk. Hopefully, he’ll have costumes for us, but if he doesn’t, we should be good to go.

Intrigued, Arden lifted an eyebrow. Costumes? We’re going to be wearing costumes?

Maybe, Savannah said coyly as she turned toward the driver’s side of the convertible.

Arden smiled as excitement coursed through her veins. Oh, you can’t say something like that and not tell me. At least tell me where we’re going. The town, state, anything.

Oh, all right. Savannah took a deep breath. We’re going to . . . Raven’s Peak, she said throwing her arms wide with an excited burst of energy.

Arden’s brow furrowed. Raven’s Peak? Isn’t that the fictional town where your character lived?

I thought so too. Turns out there really is a place by that name. It’s about three hours from here. All we have to do is take I-95— Shaking her head and her hands at the same time, she said, Nope. I’ve already said too much. I want it to be a surprise. Don’t worry, you learn everything tonight. She shaded her eyes with her hand as she glanced over towards the pink house across the street. That is if we ever get there. Paige is taking her own sweet time. She and Patrick have been saying goodbye for the last ten minutes. I swear they act like newlyweds sometimes. She walked around the side of the car and leaned on the horn.

Paige broke away from her husband in surprise and glanced toward Savannah. With an exasperated look on her face, she gave her husband one last kiss before hurrying towards them.

Goodness, Savannah, I said I was on my way, Paige said as she wheeled her pink bedazzled suitcase across the street.

Honey, that was hours ago, Savannah said sliding into the driver’s seat. We want to get to Cliff House before nightfall, so we need to get a move on.

Why? What happens at nightfall? Paige asked as she settled into the backseat next to her suitcase.

Savannah turned the rearview mirror towards her. Once she was satisfied that her makeup was still perfect, she said, Nothing. I just don’t want to be wandering around a place called Raven’s Peak looking for a place named Cliff House in the dark.

Good point, Arden said as she took the passenger seat.

Is Cliff House the name of the hotel? Paige asked.

You’re just going to have to wait to find out, Savannah said, returning the rearview mirror to its proper position.

Arden glanced back at Paige as she reached into her purse and brought out her phone. Whatever it is, Arden said as she typed in Cliff House and Raven’s Peak into her phone, it might have costumes for us.

Don’t bother looking it up on the internet, Savannah said as she backed the car down the driveway. There’s nothing there. Just sit back, ladies, and enjoy the ride. In three short hours, all your questions will be answered.

Chapter 2

Paige lifted her head from the headrest and looked around at the woods on either side of the road and then at her watch. Are we there yet? she asked with a yawn.

I swear I will turn this car around, Savannah said in amusement as she turned down another desolate looking road. Does that barn look dilapidated to you?

No more than the other three we just passed, Arden said taking a picture of the scenery. Try as she might, she couldn’t convince Savannah to fill her in on where they were going, but as the miles flew by, Arden sensed Savannah’s resolve was weakening. If you would just give me the address, I could look it up on my phone and get the directions.

I don’t have one, Savannah confessed, biting her lower lip. All Zeke gave me was this, she said, holding up a single sheet of paper, and it says to turn right at the dilapidated gray barn. She scowled as they passed another old barn. There are a dozen dilapidated gray barns out here, each one worse than the others. How am I supposed to know which one is the right one? Her frown deepened as she peered down at the paper. Oh, these directions, I swear, she said turning the car around and starting back the way they came, they just simply make no sense whatsoever. She passed the paper towards Arden. See if you can make any sense from them. I can’t make heads or tails out of the thing.

Arden frowned down at the almost illegible directions and the crude hand drawn map underneath. How old is Zeke? Arden wondered as she turned the map upside down.

"He was at least twenty years older than me when we shot Sutton & Grimes, so maybe about sixty-five, give or take a couple of years. Why?"

Arden turned the map to the side. I was just wondering who drew this. It looks like a child’s drawing.

Savannah laughed. His writing’s even worse. I remember spending hours trying to decipher the notes he’d leave on my scripts and...

Arden gasped as another piece of the puzzle clicked into place. Her eyes grew wide. You’re talking about Zeke Tapper, aren’t you?

Savannah pursed her lips together. Maybe.

Paige pushed her short black hair away from her face as the wind blew it forward. Who’s Zeke Tapper?

Arden glanced over her shoulder. "He and his brother, Dennis Tapper, created Sutton & Grimes, she explained before turning back to Savannah. Oh, my gosh! Are you taking us to one of his parties? Is he throwing one of his mystery theme parties?"

Savannah stared at her open mouthed. How do you know about those parties?

Entertainment Tonight. Arden pointed to a road on the left. Make a left up here. So, are we going to one of his parties?

It was supposed to be a surprise, Savannah grumbled as she made the turn. Oh well, cat’s out of the bag, I suppose. Yes, we’re going to one of his parties. I figured it should be right up your alley, Arden, on account of those mystery games you used to play.

Is Kevin Harper going to be there? Arden asked when she stopped clapping for joy.

Savannah glanced at her in exasperation. Is that the first thing you can think to ask? Is Kevin coming?

Arden nodded. Yes, so is he?

Savannah smiled. Yes. She waited until Arden finally finished celebrating to continue. I spoke to Kevin a few days ago and he assured me he’d be there. She lifted her hands up in defeat. There goes that surprise.

Arden’s smile fell as reality took hold. I have nothing to wear. I brought jeans and sweaters. I can’t meet Kevin Harper in jeans and sweaters. I only brought one dress.

Savannah looked at her aghast. Only one dress?

Who is Kevin Harper? Paige asked.

It was Arden’s turned to look aghast. Only the most gorgeous man who ever lived.

You said that about Max last week, Paige pointed out.

Only the second most gorgeous man who ever lived, Arden amended, quickly turning her attention back to the map. Make a right at this next intersection.

Savannah glanced up at the rearview mirror. Kevin played Clay Grimes, my partner in crime, in our little detective show.

Paige’s brow furrowed. I don’t recognize his name. What else has he been in?

Nothing really, Savannah said. He retired from acting soon after I did.

I never understood why he stopped acting, Arden said. He was so good.

It wasn’t by choice, Savannah said with a sigh. He just couldn’t get any work afterwards. I guess he was typecast. He works at his father’s car dealership in Vegas now.

Arden leaned her head back against the headrest and looked up at the cloudy sky. I had such a crush on his character growing up, she said, smiling at the memory. He made such a great hero. You could always count on Clayton Grimes to rush in at the last possible moment and save everyone from whatever mess Sunny had gotten them into that week. She glanced back at Paige. I’m surprised you don’t remember Kevin Harper. When we were young, he was on all those teen magazines. There was always some scandal or another going on with him.

I had a sheltered childhood, Paige confessed. If he wasn’t a member of a boy band, I wasn’t interested.

Savannah shook her head. You know, those stories about him were ridiculous. It kind of cracks me up when I think about it now. They made Kevin out to be some kind of sexy Casanova heartthrob, but really, he was just this big awkward goofy kid. She glanced at Arden. Close your mouth, honey.

Goofy? Arden asked appalled by the description. Are we talking about the same guy? Clayton Grimes was never goofy.

Clayton wasn’t, but Kevin definitely was, Savannah said with a laugh.

So, tell me about these parties your friend Zeke throws, Paige said, changing the subject. Are they sort of cocktail affairs where everyone gets dressed up?

It depends, Savannah said. There’s usually...

A mystery theme, Arden interrupted turning around in order to look at Paige. She pushed her dark brown hair back out of her face so she could see Paige. Zeke Tapper always threw a gigantic murder mystery theme party at the start of every season and then again at the end of the season. He’d take the cast and crew all over the world. One time it was in Spain. Another time it was in Paris. He’d give them clues and then they’d have to run around trying to solve the mystery. She turned back around with a big grin on her face. Oh wow! As soon as I heard about those parties I always wanted to go.

It sounds like you’ve already been, Savannah said wryly. "The parties were a lot of fun and gave us a chance to unwind and just be silly. The first one we played was in Switzerland. Zeke flew us all out to this burned out old castle and had us playing spies. We spent a week running around trying to find the double agent that was picking us off one by