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CHAPTER ONE
Before I share the story of how a sixty-six year old widowed gardening columnist went from a storybook wedding in London to being widowed again, I have to say I don’t know how I would have coped without good friends and my Yorkie companion, Teddy. I owe them everything for getting me safely home to Clover Hills.
Our wedding was the second for both of us. Prentice lost his wife due to an illness ten years ago, and my husband died a hero in the Vietnam War. After years of being alone, Prentice and I dated until a rival prompted a proposal last New Year’s Eve.
Due to business, Prentice suggested a destination wedding in London, which sounded lovely even though it precluded most of my friends.
Two of my gardening club friends however, Ann Fieldman and Nicole King, did come with me and served as attendants. An old friend of mine, Detective Mac McKenzie, who happened to be in London helping with a case, offered to supervise Teddy who served as ring bearer.
Since Teddy accompanies me everywhere, it seemed fitting to include him in the wedding. At a little over four pounds, he wasn’t much trouble as a travel companion.
Unfortunately, two of my dearest friends, Walter and Cecilia Montoya, were unable to attend. Walter was a busy detective working on a case, and Cecilia had her hands full with a toddler, D.J., my godson.
Still, the wedding moved happily along as Prentice and I greeted guests sitting at tables, and Teddy kept trying to sniff cake.
Mac kept him in tow, however.
Mac kept him in tow, however.
As the string ensemble played, Prentice and I took our seats at the head table and dinner was served.
Mac brought Teddy to me and apologized for having to leave due to an unavoidably early flight back to San Diego. He kissed me on the cheek and wished us well.
It was to be the last happy moment of my wedding.
Eric West raised the first toast to Prentice.
Champagne flutes clinked. Cheers filled the room.
After a brief sip, Prentice, my husband of less than an hour, choked and struggled to breathe.
The music stopped. Guests pushed back their chairs, discordant conversations followed — words of disbelief, calls for help, and looks of confusion.
Prentice coughed uncontrollably, his face contorted in pain. As we stood, he tripped and tried to grab my arms for support. He fell, and momentarily, everything went blank.
When I awoke, I found myself in an unfamiliar place, a bedroom-sitting room of sorts furnished with antiques. Wallpaper in a tasteful apricot print covered the walls. A fire burned in a small fireplace flanked by two overstuffed chairs, one occupied by someone oddly familiar.
Moving my head caused pain. I lay back too weak to persevere. I wore a pink satin bed jacket with lace insets on the lapels and sleeves, tied in front with a large bow. I had no idea where it came from.
A knock on my door signaled the arrival of a sweet-faced middle-aged woman who entered with a tea tray laden with a basket of scones.
The tea revived me, but the happiness I felt for Daisy turned to anger. Someone had robbed me of Prentice, my dearest friend.
“She’s cheerful, though. Quite positive. Robin Hood is a Papillion, one of those dogs with the huge ears that stick out. He does look like a butterfly.”
The figure stood and smiled.
I found it difficult to speak. “Daisy?”
She nodded and came to the side of my bed.
“I’m here.” She sat near me and took my hand.
The warmth was reassuring.
Teddy raised his head from the foot of my bed and yawned. He was lying on a blue towel monogrammed with a T that I had also never seen.
At least my Yorkie companion was familiar.
He left the towel and pranced up to me, wagging his tail.
I gathered him in my arms and wanted to kiss his head but found no strength.
He settled next to me as I focused on Daisy’s face.
She handed me a glass of water but didn’t let go of it.
“Drink this.”
I drank as if it was my first water in a long time.
I had so many questions.
“Teddy hasn’t left your side since you’ve been here,” she said. “I think he’s glad you’re finally awake.”
Teddy woofed.
“Where am I? What’s wrong with me? How did you get here?” I felt weak and powerless. My mind struggled to believe the dream was not real.
“You’re not to worry about anything, doctor’s orders. Relax and I’ll tell you the details once you’ve had a nice cup of tea.” She rang the small brass bell lying on a doily on my bedside table. “Mildred will bring it right away.”
“Mildred? Daisy, where’s Prentice?” The knot in my stomach refused to leave.
Daisy gently squeezed my hand. “I’m afraid there’s only one way to say it, Jillian. Prentice is dead. I’m so sorry.”
“No! How can that be? We just said our vows.” The memory of Prentice choking and our falling returned.
It wasn’t a dream.
I felt numb, as if I was in someone else’s body. This couldn’t be happening!
Lord, why me? I don’t understand.
Tears flowed as the weight of sadness engulfed me and dragged my spirit into an ocean of despair. My heart, which had been so full of happiness, was now empty.
Daisy put her strong arms around me and hugged me close.
“I know, I know. You’re in shock. You must rest before you can pull yourself together. Ann told Walter you collapsed and hit hard on the floor after Prentice fell. The doctor said you have a concussion from the large bump on your head.”
“No wonder it hurts. I can actually feel it.”
“You’re lucky not to be in a hospital.”
“Daisy, did Prentice have a heart attack or was it a stroke?”
She lowered her head, then looked at me. Her eyes filled with sadness.
“Neither I’m afraid. Jillian, the police suspect he was poisoned.”
“Poisoned?” My mind refused to accept the fact. “By whom? Daisy, that’s bizarre! Maybe it was food poisoning or....”
“I’m so sorry. The fact is — someone murdered him.”
A knock on my door signaled the arrival of a sweet-faced middle-aged woman who entered with a tea tray laden with a basket of scones.
“Hello, luvs.” She set the tray on a small table near the fireplace, straightened her back and turned to me. “I’m Mildred Clark, owner of this bed and breakfast. My brother, Parker, has told us all about you. Now drink this nice hot tea and eat a scone or two and you’ll feel better.” Daisy smiled at her. “Thanks, Mildred.”
I had a vague recollection from somewhere of a butler named Parker.
Mildred wiped her hands on her apron. “I need to be running along.” She nodded to the small brass bell on the tray. “Ring the bell when you’re finished. Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Duvall.”
Mrs. Duvall. I felt a stabbing pain in my heart.
Daisy fell silent a moment while she poured the tea, stirred in sugar, and handed it to me.
“The currant scones are delicious. Mildred makes the raspberry jam herself. I’ll fix one for you,” she said.
I wasn’t hungry. I tried to resist but couldn’t. “Just a half of one, please, Daisy.”
Daisy slathered the sweet golden biscuit with clotted cream and jam and made me eat it anyway. The mother hen watched over me as she had Cecilia when Cecilia’s father went missing in Half Moon Bay.
“How did you get away?” I asked. “What about your plant care business?” I sipped the steaming Earl Grey and took a small bite of scone. The sweet biscuit melted in my mouth.
“A friend of mine owed me a favor. I serviced her plant customers while she recuperated from knee surgery. Savings for a rainy day came in handy for the plane fare. Besides, I’ve cut back clients since Douglas and I married, so her handling the calls is no problem.”
“Married? You never told me!”
“That’s because we eloped. Neither of us wanted a big wedding, so we went to Reno and returned home Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Chastain. We didn’t even tell Walter and Cecilia.”
I remembered Cecilia was Douglas Chastain’s daughter. “I’m happy for you. That officially makes you D.J.’s grandmother.” Had it only been two weeks since I’d seen my godson?
“Start from the beginning, Daisy. I must know everything.”
She handed me a pill and a glass of water. “Here, take this sedative. Doctor’s orders.”
I took the bitter pill and swallowed it. “Thanks.” Then I gave her my full attention.
“Walter was the one who called me. He said the last thing you did before passing out was tell your friend Ann to call him.”
“I don’t remember. But what a blessing she and Nicole came with me for my wedding. Did they go back to California?”
“Yes.”
Tears formed again as I realized how far away from home I was. Outside, a distant clap of thunder sounded as Daisy returned to sit by the warm fire.
“Chief Inspector Halsey took their statements and said they were free to go.”
A shred of hope in me stirred. I remembered working with the Chief Inspector on a case. Was it recently? “He’s handling the case? That’s good. Halsey’s as good as they come. Oh, Daisy, I feel so tired. How did I wind up here? And where did the bed jacket and Teddy’s towel come from?”
“You are full of questions, lady.” She rose and refilled my cup.
“The bed jacket and towel are wedding gifts from me. I was going to give them to you when you got home but brought them instead. I didn’t want them to get lost shipping them overseas.”
“They’re lovely. It was so thoughtful of you.”
“As for how you got here, your butler at the hotel, Parker, heard what happened and insisted he bring you to his sister and brother-in-law’s bed and breakfast. Parker told me Archie is a former policeman and might be of help.”
“That’s interesting. I think I remember Parker drove me around London. He is wonderful.”
“Yes, he is. He took care of cancelling the honeymoon arrangements with the concierge.”
I grew sad again.
Daisy sighed. “If you’re feeling tired, lie back and relax. You don’t need to think about anything except getting well. You’re going to need your strength, Jillian.”
She tucked the soft covers around me.
“I’ll take Teddy for a walk and come back with your dinner. I’m rooming across the hall with Mrs. Fisher and her service dog, Robin Hood. We’ll talk later.”
I didn’t need convincing. Questions raced through my mind, but I heeded Daisy’s advice and let go of the thoughts.
If someone killed Prentice, I would need all the strength I had to find the truth.
After I awoke, my appetite returned. I sat up as Daisy held the door for Mildred to carry in a tray.
“Archie made Bubble and Squeak ‘specially for you, Ms. Jillian,” Mildred said. “Daisy suggested I call you that so’s I don’t remind you of your poor hubby. We’re truly sorry for your loss, Archie and me.”
“Thank you.”
“Let me lay this napkin ‘cross your lap and you eat up. I made pudding for tonight’s supper. I hope you like apple pie.”
“That’s kind of you, Mildred. Bubble and Squeak looks like mashed potatoes and....” I looked at her for an explanation.
“That’s right.” She nodded. ”Mashed potatoes and veggies fried together from yesterday’s dinner. Archie added a bit of roast beef left over as well. I’ve fed Teddy for you. What a luv! Enjoy.”
She turned to Daisy. “You can bring the tray to the kitchen when she’s finished. I’ll be washing up. Have a good evening.”
Mildred toddled off.
The dinner was delicious and exactly what I needed at the moment.
Thank you, Lord for provision during this time. You’ve provided a miracle sending Daisy to help. Please give me strength.
I pushed the tray away and Daisy collected it.
She put Teddy on my bed. He moved toward me and settled by my side. My Yorkie companion must have sensed something was wrong and comforted me.
I stroked his fur.
“Thanks for sticking by me, sweet dog. At least I still have you.”
The image of Prentice’s body lying cold in a morgue flashed in my mind. I thrust it aside.
No.
I’d always want to think of him standing beside me exchanging vows of loving each other until....
Daisy returned, sat beside the fire, and let out a sigh.
“Mildred’s a saint. She says I only need to take care of you and she’ll take care of Teddy. I insisted on walking him, though. I need the exercise.”
“How did you manage to get here so quickly?” I asked. “Didn’t you need a passport?”
She smiled.
“Ah. I actually got one when Douglas and I eloped. We went to Vancouver for our honeymoon.”
There it was again. The honeymoon Prentice and I will never take.
I returned my attention to Daisy and tried to focus on being grateful for her coming.
“How lucky for me. You’re a great comfort, Daisy. Congratulations on getting married. I’m happy for you both.”
She looked pleased.
“I want to know everything that’s going on in the investigation, even the smallest detail. You know how I am.”
Memories of the times I helped solve homicides flooded my brain.
“Only too well, Jillian. From what Walter shared about the ruby necklace incident, I’m sure the Chief Inspector will keep you posted.”
“Anything to do with the task of bringing Prentice’s murderer to justice is overwhelming, but I realize it’s because I’m not in my right mind.”
“That’s understandable. Take comfort you have me to be your eyes and ears.”
She took a purple notebook from the coffee table. “Here, I brought this for notes.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s a pen in the drawer of your nightstand. Do you feel like writing?”
I considered.
“The night is early. I think we should record everything that happened so I don’t forget. Although, I want to forget.”
“Now, now.” Daisy patted my arm. “Don’t think about that. What do you remember? You talk and I’ll write.”
“Okay. Here goes.”
1. I remember music playing — a classical string quartet.
2. A server placed the salad course in front of Prentice and accidentally knocked over his champagne flute.
3. The server returned with a new glass and disappeared.
4. Eric West, the best man, stood and raised his toast to Prentice.
5. There was applause and everyone sipped champagne.
6. Prentice started to choke, grabbed his throat, then we both stood.
7. He tripped and grabbed my arms.
8. Ann sat next to me so all I could think of was to tell her to call Walter.
9. I blacked out and came to in this room.
“And that’s all you remember?”
“Except I remember hearing Teddy barking. Mac was holding him for me.”
“And Mac is your detective friend from Pacific Beach who helped solve your nephew’s case.”
“Actually, I believe I was the one who helped him, but no matter. He was wonderful to come help me here in London when I got involved with the ruby case.”
Daisy looked over what she’d written.
“I think this is enough for one night.” She fetched my robe and slippers. “Let’s get you ready for bed. I’ll draw a bath.”
My head still hurt, but I wasn’t tired. The one question that kept nagging away was why would anyone want Prentice dead? Did he have enemies?
There was certainly none I knew of.
If we could find out why, maybe we could find out who.
Daisy helped me into the bathroom and left me until I’d soaked in a warm bubble bath long enough for my fingers to wrinkle.
Afterward, bundled up in my robe, I joined her next to the fire. My head still hurt but not as badly.
“It feels good to sit after being in bed all day. Tell me, Daisy, for the sake of argument, did you ever want to see someone dead?”
She raised her brow and seemed surprised by the question.
“There was my ex-husband.”
“I’ll have to hear the story sometime.”
I was relaxed now. The bath had worked its magic.
“You say you’re rooming with someone with a service dog? What does your roommate suffer from?”
“Mrs. Fisher has crippling arthritis from Lyme’s disease.”
“I didn’t realize it was a problem outside of the United States. How unfortunate for her.”
“Do he and Teddy get along?”
“Yes, actually they do. Both seem intelligent and happy to be around another dog. We’ll see how it goes. It’s only been two days, after all.”
Two days? I must have hit my head hard to be out that long.
Daisy helped me to bed and handed me another sedative.
“You’d better keep taking these until the doctor says otherwise. He’s sending a nurse to check on you. I don’t know when she’ll come. It’s time to take Teddy for his evening walk and settle in for the night.”
“Thanks, Daisy.”
A sound from outside jarred me. “Do I hear thunder?”
Daisy peered out the bank of windows.
“I forgot it’s supposed to rain so I’d better hurry. I’ll say goodnight in case you’re asleep by the time we get back.”
Teddy jumped off the bed when Daisy mentioned the word walk and headed for the coat rack where his red leash dangled.
She secured the leash to his collar and the two headed for the door.
“We won’t be gone long.”
After Daisy left, I lay back and pulled the covers up over my head. It was difficult to remember the last time I’d taken him for a walk.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as the reality of Prentice’s being gone sunk in. I wondered what our honeymoon would have been like. Thanks to a murderer, I would never know.
Waves of sadness and self-pity gave way to anger, then to determination to find his killer.
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See you in my books!
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| ~Nancy Jill |
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