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  Murder & Mockery

  A Cryptic Cove Cozy Mystery Book 3

  K.P. Stafford

  S&S Publications

  Murder & Mockery

  A Cryptic Cove Cozy Mystery - Book 3

  Copyright © 2019 by K.P. Stafford

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblances to persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

  Published by S&S Publications

  Be sure to visit K.P.’s website and get on the reader’s list so you can receive advance notifications, discounts and reader’s only specials.

  https://kpstafford.com

  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

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  A Note From the Author

  About the Author

  Also by K.P. Stafford

  Preview: Mrs. Pickles Perilous Parting

  1

  A buzzing phone woke Lexi at six in the morning. Her normal wake up call was from Jake, but since he’d left for California on a late flight the night before, it couldn’t be him, could it? She turned over, grabbed the phone from her nightstand and squinted to see the name. She punched the button to answer. “Jake Donovan, what are you doing?”

  “Good morning to you too, beautiful.”

  “Good morning, Jake. It’s two in the morning in San Francisco, why are you up and calling me?”

  “Long story. Our flight was delayed and the hotel released our rooms so we had to scramble to find a place to stay.”

  “Wow, what a horrible way to start the trip. Isn’t your meeting in a couple of hours?”

  “Yeah. Is anything going on there?”

  Lexi giggled. “You just left last night. There hasn’t been any time for anything to be going on yet.”

  “Yeah, but I know how trouble can find you, even in the middle of the night. I just wanted to say I’m sorry I’m going to miss your… what did they call it?”

  “They call it a marriage gathering. You’d miss it anyway. Only girls are allowed.”

  “What’s it supposed to do?”

  “I don’t think it’s supposed to do anything, and I don’t really understand it myself. It’s some old tradition where all the ladies get together and present items to the upcoming bride. That whole something old, something new thing that brides used to get into.”

  “I don’t get any of that. Sounds more like a reason for them to get together and gossip.”

  A soft chuckle escaped Lexi. “These ladies don’t need a reason to gossip. It’s what they do. Anyway, it’s an old-time tradition. Most people don’t follow it at all anymore, but you know Grams and her friends like to keep things old fashioned. Sometimes I’m surprised they even use telephones, and a computer is almost out of the question.”

  “But they are charming and it’s kind of neat that Cryptic Cove isn’t modern like other places. I think that’s part of the appeal, along with a very beautiful woman who lives there and will soon be my wife.”

  “Aww, that’s sweet. I should probably get downstairs to help Grams with the party preparations. And you need to get some rest.”

  “I know, but I wanted to hear your voice. I miss you already.”

  “I miss you too.”

  “I should be back within two days. Try to stay out of trouble until then.” Jake said with a chuckle.

  Lexi’s face pinched up, “I will do my best, but you know good and well that trouble finds me. I don’t go looking for it.”

  “I know, but I like it when you squint your eyes and crinkle your nose at me.”

  “I didn’t crinkle my nose.”

  “You did. Stop denying it.”

  Guilty. “Okay, I did. Are you happy now.”

  “I am, but I’ll be happier when you’re my wife.”

  Lexi lay in bed a few more minutes, still holding the phone to her chest. She couldn’t remember a time since childhood that she’d been happier. Jake took the time to really know her. Sometimes that was scary, but it was also comforting to know that someone loved her enough to pay attention to all her little quirks, and even found them amusing. She figured she’d drive him nuts before their ten year anniversary, but she’d worry about that then. The wedding date was still pending after months of being engaged, but Jake wanted to have everything ready, in case they decided to seize the moment. She secretly thought he was up to something, but she could never prove it.

  Other than the daily gossip train, life in Cryptic Cove was pleasantly quiet and relaxing. She stretched again and rolled out of bed to head to the shower. The town’s gossipers would expect her to be in the office by eight forty-five, although she arrived by eight thirty to relax with a cup of coffee and prepare herself. If they ever found out, they’d start calling earlier.

  She placed the cell phone on the nightstand as an uneasy feeling crept over her. Life could be too good. Nothing major had happened, but every time she got quiet and let her mind wander or thought about the future, these feelings started creeping in. She chalked it up to wedding jitters. All brides-to-be got these antsy feelings. Nerves, that’s all it was.

  Grams was busy in the kitchen getting cookies and other treats baked when Lexi walked in. A hint of tension was present in the room. Grams was always cheerful, so Lexi could tell something was wrong. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the small island in the center of the kitchen—Grams’ workstation, as she called it, a giant block of wood on four legs where she did all her prep work for cooking and baking.

  “Morning, Grams.”

  Grams stopped long enough from pulling a batch of cookies out of the oven to look at Lexi, “Morning dear. Sleep well?”

  “I did, but I get the feeling something is bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?”

  Grams placed the cookies on a cooling rack, removed the oven mitt and wiped her hands on her apron before grabbing more eggs to make another batch of cookies. “Oh, it’s nothing.” She looked up at the small opening over the doorway where Baxter perched every morning while she cooked breakfast. The spot was empty. A look of concern crossed her face before she turned to Lexi and let out a short, exasperated breath. “I’m just a little upset about the way the Historical Society meeting went last night.”

  “What happened?” Lexi asked as she reached over and grabbed one of the hot cookies from the rack. She blew on it to cool it more quickly before taking a bite.

  Grams cracked an egg into the glass mixing bowl. “Everyone is in an uproar about new changes, moving to computer systems and the way some things are being run since new people have taken over. Mavis Clark was throwing accusations at Decatur Williams about the library. Decatur was harping on about Shirley and how Shirle
y is always a nosey busy-body and keeping everyone in town mad about something or other. Ms. Jensen was trying to keep the peace with everyone. It was just a mess.”

  Lexi sipped her coffee to wash down the cookie. “It seems Mrs. Williams might have gotten Mavis and Shirley mixed up. Mavis is usually the one keeping things stirred up.”

  Grams shook her head, probably remembering the time she was on the end of accusations from Mavis when a local couple was murdered right after Lexi moved back to her hometown of Cryptic Cove. It was a time everyone wanted to forget, and luckily, Mavis and Grams had made their peace since then. She finally spoke, “It was odd. Shirley had been a little bit vocal with her thoughts, which is odd for her, she usually shares things in private instead of group meetings. And let’s not forget about that reporter. We allowed him into the meeting, and he stirred as much trouble as he could. I thought him and Dale were going to get into a fist fight.”

  “Mr. Chimay? He’s usually so nice.”

  “Yes usually, but he’s gotten a little cantankerous since his retirement and he’s more against all of this digital stuff than anyone else. With All Hallow’s Eve coming up, people around here just get a little on edge about the smallest things.”

  “I agree, it’s odd, Grams. I haven’t figured out why it bothers the people so much. I mean, they all join in the festivities, but they all act scared that something bad is going to happen, like some curse is going to swoop in and land on the town.”

  Grams stopped mixing the ingredients she’d added to the bowl and stared off into space, a faraway look in her eyes.

  “Grams, what’s wrong?”

  She started stirring the stuff in the bowl harder than was necessary. “Nothing, child. Just old memories, I suppose. No cause for you to worry.”

  “What can I do to help?”

  Grams’ face pinched up as she thought about it. “Can you start loading things into my car? I think I have everything in here under control.”

  “Sure,” Lexi said, grabbing the bag of party supplies to take to Crystal Scents, the candle shop Grams owned. She was concerned about her grandmother’s reaction when she joked about a curse. She hadn’t meant anything by it, and Grams had blown it off, but it had bothered her more than she wanted to admit. As she loaded the supplies into Grams’ car, she thought about the big city reporter in town snooping around and doing an article on Halloween in this town. She couldn’t help but think about a forgotten curse. Was there a curse on this town? She didn’t believe in real curses, but someone could keep the possibility of one alive. That could explain all of the strange behavior and happenings around this time of year. A Halloween curse, even a fake one, was all she needed right now.

  2

  Lexi arrived at the office a few minutes early, hoping to settle in with a cup of coffee before the morning barrage of gossipers called to cue her in on the latest fiascoes with neighbors, chickens, goats or whatever. John had arrived early, so she hollered into his office that she was there as she popped a pod into the coffee machine.

  Her boss, John Ballard, town constable of Cryptic Cove, came out of his office. “Make that a to-go cup. There’s been some vandalism at the cemetery we need to go check out.”

  She was only a secretary, but always helped him solve town capers and disputes among the town’s folks. She also doubled as the crime scene photographer when necessary.

  She placed an insulated thermos cup on the machine and pushed the button. “Who vandalizes cemeteries? That’s so tacky.”

  “It is. We usually get some every year around this time, but the caretaker said this was a bit strange, so we better check it out.”

  “People do get a little mischievous around Halloween.”

  “You were new here last year, so you probably didn’t notice how strange things can get. The older generation takes this time of year very seriously.”

  “Some of them take everything seriously, John. I’ve noticed that.”

  “Yes, but this is different.” John said as he headed to the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

  She grabbed her coffee mug and placed the lid on top. Her camera bag was still hanging on her shoulder, so she headed straight out the door with John and locked up.

  The morning air was crisp and a thick fog hovered over the cemetery. At one time, Lexi would have found it creepy, but these days, she often found it rather comforting. Unfortunately, she didn’t feel comforted today. As John parked his truck, a little ripple pulsed through her body. She could barely see the area where the mausoleums stood. Something was wrong, but she couldn’t pinpoint it. The caretaker was waiting as John got out of the truck and pointed to the tomb that had been desecrated. It was next to the wood line. Lexi stared for a minute more before opening her door and joining John and the caretaker, who were already halfway to the trees. The morning dew sloshed under her feet as she walked quickly to catch up. The niggle in her gut grew stronger with each step closer to the tomb.

  She stood in front of the tomb with John. Someone had broken a gargoyle from its pedestal next to the door. Lexi looked down as one eye of the gargoyle looked up at her. She thought she heard whispers. Suddenly, the sky around them filled with crows swooping in and landing in the tree branches and any other surface they could perch on. Lexi looked over towards the trees and saw a burned circle. She walked over and inspected it. A scorched crow lay in the middle of the circle. Shivers shot through her. “John, you need to see this!”

  He walked over and looked down. “Oh no. It isn’t Baxter is it?”

  Lexi turned away for a moment, her heart pinching in her chest. “No. Baxter wears a little tag on his foot. This bird doesn’t have one.”

  “Unless it was removed by someone.” John said the words slowly, almost under his breath.

  Lexi looked down and let her breath out. “I doubt it. Baxter is pretty picky about who he lets close to him.”

  “What if he was trapped?”

  Lexi shook her head. “I don’t think so. He’s pretty smart, and crows communicate with one another. This may be a young crow who was easily tricked.”

  “You know a lot about crows.”

  “Well, since Baxter took to me so well, I’ve done some studying. I never knew how amazing they are. They’re quite brilliant, actually.” She looked around in the trees, “You see how they’ve all come to this spot.”

  John looked all around. “Fascinating. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.”

  Lexi looked towards the tomb. “Do you think this is related to the vandalism?”

  John rubbed his chin. “It’s hard to say. I’m sure it’s just some kids and their pranks, although we’ve never had any meanness like this in all the years I’ve been constable.”

  “Have any new kids moved into the area?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. But one of the local kids could have seen something on one of those horror films and decided to mimic it.”

  An ill feeling washed over Lexi. “You’re probably right, but my gut tells me there’s more to it.”

  John and Lexi walked through the cemetery looking for more signs of vandalism. They discovered a few more burned areas, but none of them contained animals. Some had burned plastic flowers, which had been ripped from grave sites.

  They returned to the broken gargoyle. Lexi looked up at the tomb. Vines had grown over the namesake so she stepped up and began pulling them back. A jolt seared through her body when she recognized the name etched into the marble. Danforth. She let out a gasp. John looked up to see what had her so troubled. His mouth gaped open.

  3

  Lexi squinted driving out to Hayden’s Ridge in the morning sun. Her grandmother’s friend, Shirley, wanted her to stop by and look at an item she thought was perfect for the something old and the something blue parts of her wedding attire, but she didn’t want to wait until the party that afternoon to show it to Lexi. A smile crossed her face thinking about how close it was getting. It had been over six months since Jake had prop
osed and they both wanted a fall wedding. With All Hallow’s Eve just around the corner, so was the wedding. At least she assumed it was just around the corner. They hadn’t actually set a date.

  Lexi drew in a deep breath. The cool fall air filled her nose with the smell of cedar and pine. She looked at her watch, noting she was a bit early, but the caterer had called and needed her back in town before noon to work out some details of the menu.

  Hayden’s Ridge was the retirement village located just outside of town on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. The cottages were charming and perfect for older people who weren’t quite ready for the nursing home that was also on the property. This allowed people their freedom, but gave them added security knowing a doctor or nurse was close by if they required any assistance.

  Lexi walked towards Shirley’s cottage. A rush of cold air swirled around her, giving her a chill and an uneasy feeling. As she approached the door, she noticed it was slightly open. Since the elderly lady was expecting her, she figured she’d left the door open and intended for Lexi to come on in. It was almost a tradition in Cryptic Cove.

  Lexi pushed the door open and peeked into the room, “Shirley? It’s Lexi, I’m a little bit early.”

  She gasped when movement caught her eye. A hooded figure ran out the patio door. She ran in hoping to get a better look at the person before they disappeared.