Roadside Homicide: A Modern Country Cozy Mystery in a Small Town Read online

  “It doesn’t make any sense.” Robin shook her head. “Jodi’s gorgeous and sweet, and, like you said, married to a good-looking guy who’s probably doing well for himself?” She raised her eyebrows and Jenn nodded a confirmation. “Back when we were friends in 4-H, she didn’t pay losers like Roy the time of day. What in the world would she see in Roy?” The judge-server dropped off two more Mochas Operandi. This better be Robin’s last coffee or she’d sprout wings and fly to the fitting.

  “Who knows?” The skin above Jenn’s nose wrinkled. “Although, everyone says Roy struck it rich in North Carolina. Maybe money appeals to Jodi.”

  “Struck it rich? How so?”

  “I don’t know. He showed up in a brand new truck after disappearing for ten years. He’s also been flashing a lot of cash at the casino, from what I hear. Drinking his way through a good bit of it, too.”

  Robin chewed her bottom lip. “If Roy flashed a lot of dough around, maybe that’s why someone murdered him. Maybe they robbed him. I mean, his place didn’t look like there was anything valuable to take, but if he was showing off money, someone might have gotten the idea that he stashed more money at his trailer.”

  “I could totally see that.” Jenn licked whipped cream from her upper lip.

  “Speaking of ‘struck it rich,’ where the heck did Troy get enough money to buy the casino?”

  “Rumor has it when his parents sold the family farm, they made a mint and gave him a bunch of money.”

  “Could their farm have been worth that much?” She pictured the hundred or so acres his family had owned, with an old farmhouse, a barn, and a springhouse.

  “Maybe to a developer. You know, there’s always talk of building up River Sutton to appeal to Pittsburgh commuters. Cheap West Virginia taxes, but downtown Pittsburgh salaries.” Jenn made the “make it rain” move with her hands.

  That explains Troy’s newfound wealth. How did Roy get all the money he had flashed around? Robin thought back to Roy’s grungy, thin t-shirt, and the trash scattered about his yard. If he had money, why didn’t he fix up the place? Or wear better clothes? Maybe all of his money filled the casino’s coffers.

  “Poor Roy.” Robin pressed her fist to her mouth. “I couldn’t keep him from dying, but I made a promise to him I would remember what he said.” Her stomach twisted. Her conscience wouldn’t loosen its grip on her. She desperately wanted to make up for failing Roy. She snapped her fingers, sitting bolt upright. “Jodi. I can tell Jodi that Roy’s sorry. For whatever.”

  “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.” Jenn leaned back, sucking down half of her mocha. “Shouldn’t you leave that to Chris? If Jodi is even who the message is for? You shouldn’t butt in.”

  “I made a promise.” Robin set her cup aside. “And I’m not butting in. I’m just passing on a message. Jodi can do with it whatever she wants after that. But at least I will have kept my promise to poor Roy.”

  “If you insist.” Jenn knocked back the rest of her mocha and scooped up her bag. “We should get going if you’re getting fitted before the shop closes today.”

  Robin paid for their coffees, and the sisters headed back to Robin’s car. The late afternoon sun blazed down, making the leather car seats singe the backs of their legs. “Okay, quick fitting, then I’ll drop you at home and go see Jodi.” Jenn glared at her, but held her tongue. Robin started the Subie, put down all the windows, and blasted the air conditioning. Hot air surged out of the vents.

  “What if she’s not home?” Jenn slid her sunglasses onto her cute-as-a-button nose. She turned her shades on Robin. “What if Bruce is there?”

  “At least I’ll know I tried.”

  Chapter 6

  Robin and Jenn walked into the front room of On the Mend, the local seamstress’s shop. The decor was shabby chic, with white bookshelves that held colorful dress pattern books and magazines, a white-painted set of café table and chairs covered with pink striped fabric, shiplap walls painted white, as well as a white wide plank floor, softened by a sweet area rug decorated with pink peonies.

  A woman bustled out from a back room to stand behind the shop’s whitewashed counter. A trim woman, her iron-gray hair was cut in a modern style and she wore bright red glasses on a glittery gold chain that hung low on her sleeveless top. Once she spotted Jenn, her eyes flew wide, and she scooted around the counter to greet them.

  “Jenn! Oh, I’m so excited for you.” She wrapped Jenn in a tight hug. “The big day is almost here.” She turned to Robin with her arms open wide. “And you must be Jenn’s sister, Robin.” Before Robin could answer, the woman had swept her into a hug, the kind your grandmother gives you when her bony arms feel like a vice around your torso. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “I’ve heard about you, too, and how wonderful the gowns are.”

  Jenn came up behind the seamstress and rested her hands on the woman’s shoulders. “Robin, I’d like you to meet Sylvia. She’s been a lifesaver.”

  Sylvia waved away Jenn’s praise. “It’s been my pleasure. Wedding gowns are my favorite to work on, and with yours it was double the fun.”

  “We’re here for Robin’s fitting.” Jenn slid her hands off Sylvia’s shoulders and gave Robin a one-armed hug. “Thank you so much for accommodating us. Robin got held up on her way here.” She gave Robin a meaningful glance. Robin took the hint and said nothing. The news about Roy’s murder would be all over town soon enough.

  Robin nodded. “I can’t wait to try on my dress. Jenn sent me a picture and I think it’s going to look gorgeous.”

  Sylvia looked Robin up and down, the corners of her mouth pinching. “Absolutely. Looking at your dark coloring, I think Jenn picked the perfect shade of blue. Come with me.” She spun toward the back room and Robin followed.

  Five minutes later, Robin was teetering on a pouffe in front of a long mirror, while Sylvia worked straight pins into the hem of the gown, while Jenn stood in the background doing her best impression of a runway fashion judge.

  Robin’s reflection in the mirror mesmerized her. She had never looked so elegant. The sapphire blue of the bridesmaid gown set off her skin tone and dark hair beautifully. The drape of the bodice made the most of her physical assets, namely her bosom, and fell softly to her feet, giving her a taller appearance. She caught Jenn’s eye in the mirror. “What do you think?”

  Jenn scanned Robin in the mirror again, then raised her eyes to meet Robin’s hopeful gaze. For a split second, Jenn pressed her lips together, and Robin’s stomach dropped to her feet. Then her precocious sister winked and beamed at her. “You look like you should be on the cover of a magazine. You look amazing.”

  Through the pins in her mouth, crouched on the floor, Sylvia agreed. “Such a vivid color would overwhelm the looks of a lot of women, but this is the perfect shade for you.”

  Their compliments knocked Robin speechless. She dropped her eyes while heat touched her cheeks. When she could speak without tears spilling over, she said, “I love it. It’s perfect, Jenn.” Her smile was so wide it was almost painful.

  Robin nearly fell off the pouffe when the store’s loud electronic doorbell ding-donged. The three women swung their heads to see who was coming in. Robin’s smile evaporated, and her lighthearted mood vanished.

  In the doorway stood two of Robin’s least favorite women in River Sutton: Roxanne Payne, Chris’s mother; and Mary Mitchell, his high school girlfriend.

  Roxanne hadn’t aged well since Robin last saw her ten years ago at her high school graduation. His mother was unnaturally tan, which darkened the lines etched on her forehead and around her mouth. Her heavy makeup was already melting in the summer heat. Her bottle-blonde hair was teased into a pile on her head, and rested above a tennis visor which matched her white tank top and sports skirt. Robin was sure Roxanne didn’t play tennis, because she was huffing and puffing just coming in the door.

  Mary, on the other hand, looked almost exactly like she had in high school. The only change Robin
could see was that maturity had made her even sexier. Her hair was naturally blonde, which meant the summer sun had given her highlights galore. Her big blue eyes and wide lips didn’t need makeup. She wore a short, strappy sundress that skimmed her slender figure without a pull or wrinkle anywhere.

  In high school, Robin’s instinct would have been to dive headfirst into the backroom. But she was a grown woman, confident and ready to stand her ground. Plus, Sylvia was still pinning her hem, and she didn’t dare move for getting stuck in the ankle.

  Again, speaking around the pins in her mouth, the seamstress said, “Be right with you.”

  In the mirror, Robin watched Jenn prowl across the shop to stand behind her. Sylvia hadn’t looked up to see who had entered, so she was unaware that On the Mend had transformed into the O.K. Corral.

  Roxanne broke the silence. “Jenn, you must be here to pick up your gown for the wedding.” She cocked her head. “Do you both wear gowns? I don’t know how that works.”

  Robin swiveled her head to stare daggers at Roxanne. She gritted her teeth to stop from saying something that would set the shop on fire. Jenn acted bored.

  Roxanne gave Robin a tight smile. “I see you came home for the big day.” Her eyes traveled up and down Robin’s voluptuous frame. “And I see your sister was able to find a gown that hides your, well, less attractive qualities.” Her tight smile remained in place while she batted her eyes. Next to Roxanne, Mary ducked her head to hide a smile behind her hand.

  “Isn’t she a knockout?” Sylvia stood, no more pins in her mouth, and stretched her back. “I was just telling her, not many women could wear this dress and pull off this Greek goddess look.” She thrust her chin in Mary’s direction. “Someone with Mary’s thin figure and fair coloring, for instance, would be washed out, fade into the background.” Sylvia brought her gaze back to Robin, scanning the gown. “Yep. Jenn picked the perfect dress for Robin.” She winked at Robin, then held out her hand to help Robin down from her perch.

  Holding up her gown so as not to pull on her hem with her high heels, Robin stepped toward Roxanne and Mary. “I haven’t seen you two in ages. What brings you here? An upcoming cotillion or ritual sacrifice?”

  Roxanne frowned and narrowed her eyes. No sense of humor. Mary, meanwhile, set her jaw and leveled a look at Robin. “As a matter of fact, Mrs. Payne is sponsoring me for the Miss West Virginia pageant. We’re here to look at dresses for the evening gown portion of the pageant.”

  Robin’s eyebrows flew to her hairline. “Miss West Virginia? Aren’t you too old for that?”

  “For Miss America, yes. But not for Miss USA.” Roxanne sniffed and looked down her nose at Robin. “She’s sure to win with her beautiful face.”

  “Isn’t there a talent portion?” Jenn crossed her arms. “What are you going to do, take a selfie?” Sylvia coughed to hide a snicker.

  “Don’t be silly.” Roxanne squinted her eyes at Jenn. “There is no talent portion.”

  And the hits just kept on coming. Robin couldn’t picture Mary as Miss USA, but she had no idea what the pageant judges would think. For all she knew, they would eat up her style like strawberry pie with whipped cream.

  Mary turned to Roxanne. “Mom, Sylvia is clearly busy. We should come back another time.”

  “That’s a good idea. I still need to finish up with these ladies.” Sylvia moved toward Roxanne and Mary, her arms held out as if to shepherd them out of her shop. Roxanne stumbled into the door, but Mary swiveled and pushed the door open with ease. The doorbell rang again as the two of them slipped on sunglasses and departed.

  As soon as the door shut, Sylvia twirled around, hands on hips. “I’m sorry you had to deal with those two. I know they’re popular around these parts, but they get on my last nerve. They’re always in here, browsing and demanding to be shown book after book, but they’ve yet to buy a single gown. Drives me batty.” She blew out a breath. “But they’re gone and we should focus on your special day. I’m going to slip into the back and bring out everyone’s gowns. And Robin? I’ll help you out of your dress after.” She disappeared into the back room.

  “Are they always like that?” Robin spoke to Jenn, but her eyes still glared at the space Roxanne and Mary had just vacated. She swore she could smell sulphur.

  “Pretty much.” Jenn rummaged in her handbag and brought out a stick of lip gloss. “We avoid them as much as we can, but it’s hard in River Sutton.” After smoothing on the gloss, she smacked her lips together.

  “And what’s with calling Roxanne ‘mom?’” Robin's mouth pulled down like she sucked on a lemon.

  Jenn rolled her eyes. “Chris might have broken up with Mary way back when, but his mom didn’t. They still pal around like they’re besties.” She made gagging sounds. “Maybe Mary is the daughter she always wanted. God only knows how poor Chris feels about it.”

  Robin’s shoulders slumped. She’d felt like a million bucks just a few minutes ago. Now she felt like that awkward, chubby teen, hunched over her book pile, who Chris ignored.

  “I know what you’re thinking.” Jenn marched over to Robin and rested her hands on Robin’s shoulders. “Just stop it. You look incredible.” She spun Robin around to face the mirror and whispered into her ear. “And Chris won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

  “Now you stop.” Robin fiddled with the straps and the neckline. She really did look fantastic. Mary shmary.

  Sylvia returned with poofy zipper bags and hung them on a rack next to her cash register. She swept over to Robin. “Now, my dear, let’s go in the back and make sure those pins don’t stab you when you take off this gorgeous dress.”

  Chapter 7

  Thank heavens the fitting went well. The extra mocha didn’t cause any difficulties getting in and out of the bridesmaid gown, and Robin was a knock-out in it. The sapphire blue made her complexion and dark hair stand out, and the flattering wrap-style hugged her curves in all the right places.

  Next up, a chat with Jodi Clark.

  Bruce and Jodi lived on Deep Gut Run, a wide creek that hustled down a steep hill, along Route 8, before it spilled into the Ohio River. The creek was shallow, but in the spring and during heavy rains, it could flood its banks. Few people built their houses along Deep Gut Run for that reason. If they did, the homeowners kitted out their basements with shelving units to keep their goods off the ground.

  Bruce and Jodi Clark were two of the plucky people taking their chances along the creek bank. To get to their house, Robin had to cross a short metal bridge.

  The couple lived in a large two-story house covered in blue siding, with three large picture windows facing the creek. A matching garage stood perpendicular to the house. Window boxes overflowed with sweet alyssum, and cheerful pots of petunias sat on either side of the white front door.

  Robin parked in the turnaround and followed stepping stones to the front door. She rang the doorbell and waited. There were no cars parked in the driveway, but Bruce or Jodi could have parked inside the garage, giving the impression that no one was home.

  Soon enough, Robin heard footsteps thumping toward the door. The woman who opened it looked the same as she had in high school. Her smooth, brown skin glowed with just a hint of pink, and her sleek black hair was shoulder length, cut to frame her beautiful face. When she smiled, her dark eyes sparkled. No wonder everyone always voted for her for homecoming and prom courts.

  “Can I help you?” Jodi examined Robin with a mix of wariness and curiosity. When she frowned, Robin could still see the clever and curious 4-H student she had been.

  “Jodi, hi. It’s me, Robin Pearce? I know it’s been forever, but—” It had been at least ten years since they’d seen each other, and possibly longer since they spoke. But then recognition brightened Jodi’s face.

  “No way. Professor Robin?” Great. She not only recognized her, she remembered Robin’s nickname. “Come in, come in. It’s been ages since I laid eyes on you.”

  Jodi led Robin into her home. The walls wer
e white-washed, with exposed brick showing through in patches. In the family room, off the kitchen, she gestured for Robin to sit in a comfortable, over-sized armchair. Jodi had decorated the living room in rustic colonial style, with framed black and white etchings, painted wooden knick-knacks, and a distressed wood coffee table in the center of a braided rug.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” Jodi waited with her hands clasped in front of her.

  “No, thank you.” Robin’s stomach tightened. She wasn’t sure how to broach the subject of Roy’s death, especially because they hadn’t been friends for so long. She gripped the strap of her messenger bag.

  Jodi sat in a wooden spindle-backed chair across from Robin. “I heard you moved somewhere else? Was it Columbus?”

  “No, Cleveland.” Robin had no clue how to tell Jodi about Roy. She was crap at subterfuge. Might as well get to the point. “Jodi, what I have to tell you is going to come out of left field and probably seem totally strange.”

  Jodi leaned back in her seat. “What do you mean?” Then she waved her hand in a shooing motion. “Oh, I bet you’re here about our high school reunion. I already told Mary Mitchell I don’t have time to volunteer. I take all the hours I can get at Pasture — the restaurant at the casino? — and they keep me pretty busy.”

  “That’s not why I’m here.” Jodi raised her eyebrows, waiting. Robin inhaled and went for it. “I’m here because I understand you were friends with Roy Cooter, is that right?”

  Jodi froze, her eyes wide and staring. “Not really. Why?”

  Telling Jodi about Roy would be difficult if she wouldn’t admit she knew him. “Were the two of you friends?” Robin held up her hands, palms out. “I don’t care. I just… if you weren’t, there’s no reason for me to be here.”

  Jodi sat up straight, crossed her arms, and crossed her legs. “What do you know about Roy?”

  Robin licked her lips. “I don’t really know anything. I heard the two of you were friends, maybe more than that. I don’t care whether you are or aren’t. But if you are his friend, then I have a message for you.”