Mini Mystery
Donna Simpson’s cozy little kitchen looked nothing like a crime scene. Though the table was set with delicate china cups and plates of croissants with raspberry jam, her lifeless body, felled by a single blow to the head, had been found earlier after no response to a wellness check. A quick search of the cottage revealed an empty jewelry box in her bedroom.
Detective Griff Grady and his partner, Jenna Paxton, were on the scene after the body had been removed. He raised his head and sniffed the air. “Smells like flowers.”
“Mmm . . . eau de lilac,” Jenna responded. “Speaking of which, I understand we have two women and a man to question. What’s their connection to Donna Simpson?”
He glanced down at his notepad. “Linda Taylor, the woman who called to ask for a wellness check, said she was a longtime friend who’d been invited to stop by around eight o’clock this morning. Claims she knocked on the door for several minutes without getting a response. She noticed the key under the mat was missing. The other two are her niece and nephew. Let’s start with Miss Taylor. You handle the questions.” He strode to the front hallway, opened the door and signaled the officer to escort the woman into the living room.
Linda Taylor was rocking back and forth on the edge of the living room chair, wringing her hands. “I can’t believe this. She was so happy the last time we talked.”
And how long ago was that?” Jenna asked. “About two weeks. She was redoing her living room and was so excited about finding the perfect blue fabric to match the newly painted walls. She asked me to stop by as soon as I returned from my trip to see my sister.” “Any idea who’d want to kill her?” “Not at all. Donna kept to herself. She was very, very cautious.” “How do you mean?” “Well, for one thing, she didn’t trust banks. She remembered her mother losing all their money because the bank had failed. Donna kept thousands of dollars hidden in an old jewelry box.” “Was there anyone else who knew about the money?” “Her only relatives, Michelle and Jeff. I watched those kids grow up. I know them as well as she did.”
“What can you tell us about them?”
Linda leaned back, her hands resting on the arms of the chair. “Michelle is very independent. She doesn’t need Donna’s money . . . as far as I know. Jeff can wrap Donna round his little finger. He gets whatever he wants, but I’m not sure it’s ever enough.” She shook her head in disapproval. “He’s a spender.”
Griff rose. “Thank you, Miss Taylor. That’s all the questions for now.”
Afterward, when Michelle was ushered in, Jenna detected a familiar floral scent. Michelle appeared to be distressed but answered routine questions. “I was planning to ask Auntie for a loan to pay off my credit card bill this morning. But I wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed home.”
So you weren’t here earlier this morning? Your aunt was obviously expecting a guest. The croissants, the jam . . . ”
Michelle looked slightly confused. “That’s odd— those are my brother’s favorites.”
When it was Jeff’s turn, he said, “I offered to paint her living room whenever she decided on the color. She called me the other day and said she wanted sky blue. I finished yesterday . . . the last time I saw her.”
“Somebody’s lying,” Griff said to Jenna afterward, scratching his head. “But who?”
“I know who,” Jenna said.