Sleigh Bell Tower E-Book

James J. Cudney

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

When Bell Towers decides to build their newest boutique hotel in Wharton County, Braxton establishes a hospitality program as part of their university expansion. Despite the Ingram and Lynch family ties to prominent citizens, a dispute over the proposed landsite pits citizens against each other.

One takes matters into their own hands and slays the hotel magnate during the campus holiday party. As the list of suspects increases, long-lost family members are anxious to keep their secrets from being revealed, complicating Sheriff Montague's ability to determine the murderer’s true motive. Even Kellan is forced to cast doubt on his friends and colleagues when it becomes obvious someone he knows committed the ultimate crime.

April and Kellan are also celebrating their first Christmas and Hanukkah together, exchanging gifts based on the classic Twelve Days of Christmas song. While they trim the tree, light the menorah, and experience all the traditional holiday festivities with the kids, Nana D delivers her sarcastic brand of humor and endlessly tortures the town. Among Eleanor's surprise news, Augie's new girlfriend, and Myriam's hilarious demands, Kellan's dealing with unexpected holiday drama.

The poor guy simply wants to spend the merry season with his family before he's forced to trek to Scotland to fulfill his promise to the late Constance Garibaldi. What kind of quest has the psychic sent him on now?

Leseprobe

Sleigh Bell Tower

Braxton Campus Mystery Book 8

James J. Cudney

Copyright (C) 2021 James J. Cudney

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2021 by Next Chapter

Published 2021 by Next Chapter

Cover art by Cover Mint

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author's permission.

Acknowledgments

Writing a book is not an achievement an individual person can accomplish on his or her own. There are always people who contribute in a multitude of ways, sometimes unwittingly, throughout the journey from discovering the idea to drafting the last word. Sleigh Bell Tower, the eighth book in my Braxton Campus Mysteries series, has had many supporters since its inception in the spring of 2021, but before the concept even sparked in my mind, others nurtured my passion for writing.

First thanks go to my parents, Jim and Pat, for always believing in me as a writer and teaching me how to become the person I am today. Their unconditional love and support have been the primary reason I accomplish my goals. Through the guidance of my extended family and friends, who consistently encourage me to pursue my passions, I found the confidence to take chances in life. With Winston and Baxter by my side, I was granted the opportunity to make my dreams of publishing this novel come true. I'm appreciative to them for inspiring me each day to complete this book.

Sleigh Bell Tower was cultivated through the interaction with and feedback from several talented alpha and beta readers who volunteered to read an early draft of the book. These amazing seven readers and friends found most of my proofreading misses, grammar mistakes, and awkward phrases. I couldn't have completed this release without Laura, Lisa, Misty, Nina, Didi, Candace, and Anne. They supplied insight and perspective during the development of the story, setting, and character arcs. A major thanks to Laura for encouraging me to be stronger in my word choice and providing several pages of suggestions to convert good language into fantastic language. I am indebted to her for multiple readings that helped me to fine-tune every aspect of this tale, including suggestions for the hippopotamus and Myriam's costume. Many thanks to Lisa for all our wonderful phone conversations too. I'm grateful for everyone's kindness and big-heartedness to play such an integral role in catching the things my eyes and mind completely overlook. You learn who you friends are when they offer to do so much to help you.

Thank you to Next Chapter for publishing Sleigh Bell Tower and paving the road for additional books to come. Their support and focus on my novels in the past four years have been a key reason I'm able to keep on writing more. I look forward to our continued partnership.

Overview of the Braxton Campus Mysteries

When I decided to write a cozy mystery series, I adhered to all the main rules (light investigations, minimal violence or foul language, no sexual content, murder happens off-screen, protagonist is an amateur sleuth, and set in a quiet, small town). Some authors push the boundaries with variations, and in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, I followed the same route… just differently. Kellan, my protagonist, is a thirtyish single father, whereas traditionally a woman is the main character. Children aren't often seen in most series, but Kellan's family is important to the story. Kellan is also witty and snarky, but intended in a lovable and charming way, just like his eccentric grandmother, Nana D. Both are friendly, happy, and eager to help others, and they have a sarcastic or sassy way of interacting and building relationships… hopefully adding to the humor and tone of the books. Cozy mysteries are different from hard-boiled investigations, thrillers, and suspense novels; the side stories, surrounding town, and background characters are equally important to building a vibrant world in which readers can escape. I hope you enjoy my alternative take on this classic sub-genre.

Sleigh Bell Tower is the 8th book in the series, and the title, as always, is a play on words: Sleigh Bell and Bell Tower. I trust you'll figure out all the connections within the mystery, especially given the Christmas focus in this book. I felt so much excitement sharing my family's traditions and ways of celebrating. I've wanted to write a holiday-themed story for years, but I had to line up the timing both in the series and with the release date. Finally, it happened with this one! I love the concept of Braxton's Winter Gala; tossing in a hotel story along with so many connections to various characters has been incredibly fun.

While each book's main mystery is stand-alone, I recommend reading the series in order because of the side stories and character progression. I provide a summary of the key characters at the beginning of each book because there are a lot to remember. To date in the series, we're at 150 characters. In this book, I keep it to under 40, some of whom are minor connections to the past. Don't get overwhelmed! I'm only trying to create a family and setting we fall in love with and want to repeatedly visit. I hope you enjoy this book.

-Jay

Welcome to Braxton, Wharton County (Map drawn by Timothy J. R. Rains, Cartographer)

Who's Who in the Braxton Campus Mysteries?

Ayrwick – Montague – Danby Family

Kellan Ayrwick: Main Character, Braxton professor, amateur sleuth, April's boyfriendEmma Ayrwick: Kellan's daughterUlan Danby: Kellan's cousin, Nana D's grandsonNana D: Kellan's grandmother, also known as Mayor Seraphina DanbyDeirdre Danby Paddington: Nana D's daughter, Kellan's auntEleanor Ayrwick Salvado: Kellan's younger sister, owns Pick-Me-Up DinerManny Salvado: Eleanor's husbandHampton Ayrwick: Kellan's older brother, attorney, Natasha's husbandNatasha Reed Ayrwick: Hampton's wifeApril Montague: Wharton County Sheriff, Kellan's girlfriendAugie Montague: April's younger brother

Wharton County Administration & Residents

Connor Hawkins: Wharton County Detective, Kellan's best friend, Maggie's boyfriendMaggie Roarke: Braxton's Head Librarian, Connor's girlfriend, Ben and Lucy's daughterUrsula Power: Braxton's President, Myriam's WifeMyriam Castle: Braxton's Chair of Communications Dept., Kellan's boss, Ursula's wifeFern Terry: Braxton's Dean of Students, Jordan's auntJordan Ballantine: Nana D's assistant, MBA student, Fern's nephewBen Roarke: Lucy's husband, Maggie's father, owner of an innLucy Roarke: Ben's wife, Maggie's mother, owner of an innHelena Roarke: Ben and Lucy's daughter, Maggie's sisterElijah O'Malley: St. Mary's Catholic Church priestConstance Garibaldi: Deceased psychic, former owner of Kellan's homeKaren Stoddard: Owner of Simply Stoddard restaurantLara Bouvier: Finnigan's girlfriend, Kellan's good friend and colleagueHedda Burke: Finnigan's secretary

Bell Towers Crowd

Porter Lynch: Owner of Bell Towers, Charlotte's husband, Remy's fatherRemy Lynch: Remy's son, Finnigan's cousinCharlotte West Lynch: Porter's wife, Gianna's sisterGianna West: Charlotte's sister, college studentDermot Ingram: Jocelyn's husband, Tamarind and Ocean's fatherJocelyn Stanton Ingram: Dermot's wife, Tamarind and Ocean's mother, Marcus's sisterMarcus Stanton: Former Town Councilman, Jocelyn's brother, Nana D's enemyOcean Ingram: Architect, Dermot and Jocelyn's son, Tamarind's brotherTamarind Ingram: Dermot and Jocelyn's daughter, Ocean's sisterJohan Vela: Pharmacist, friend of the Ingram familyFinnigan Masters: Lara's boyfriend, attorney, Remy's cousinLiam Masters: Finnigan's brother, Remy's cousinTavish Masters: Liam and Finnigan's father, Ava's brotherAva Masters Lynch: Finnigan's aunt, Remy's mother, Porter's first wife

Chapter 1

“What a lush! Code blue, we've located a live one in need of a personality transplant. Preferably not a boozy Debbie Downer next time. Should I hire Triple A (AAA) to tidy up another of your infamous disasters, Kellan?” hollered a shrill voice behind me, a voice I knew all too well—one that stiffened my spine like reinforced steel and jabbed my brain with an ice pick.

“Is this the kind of maniacal hullabaloo you moaned about last week when suggesting our family intentionally embarrassed you?” After removing my glasses, I buried my face in both hands and sighed melodramatically, ill-equipped for the imminent torture. A cascade of my dark blond hair splayed across the table, reminding me that a trip to the barber was desperately in order. I should've prepared for my grandmother's onslaught, given today was Friday the thirteenth. At least Nat King Cole's treasured Yuletide classics crooning through the surround-sound speakers and the pristine evergreen wreaths hanging from the restaurant's ceiling promised an upbeat and jolly afternoon.

“Yep. Usually it's your parents, but they're off gallivanting in London. Who knows if they'll ever return home!” The boisterous septuagenarian whacked the back of my noggin with her gargantuan straw handbag and plopped her five-foot, less than one-hundred-pound body in the chair opposite me. A myriad of scents—Chanel Number 5, spiced peppermint tea, and freshly baked gingerbread cookies—suddenly enveloped me in a coma-like haze. Nana D proudly wore her favorite power suit, a green wool throwback to the forties, and shiny white pumps bedazzled with festive red bows. Between the outfit and her comical henna-rinsed hair, she resembled a child's walking, talking Christmas present that unfortunately lacked an accessible off button.

I stared, uncertain what magical words prevented another head-rearranging smack, praying she was merely a grotesque figment of my imagination. Upon summoning the strength to respond, I barely blurted out a reluctant greeting before another disturbance entered our wackadoodle fighting ring.

With impressive timing, Karen Stoddard, the charming yet high-maintenance proprietress of Simply Stoddard, one of Braxton's elegant eateries on the banks of the Finnulia River, strolled past our table and hummed vociferously to the jaunty tunes. “Good tidings, Mayor. You look positively dashing in your classic, and might I add… holiday appropriate… couture. Why has Kellan sadly forgotten to lean into the jubilant spirit?”

“I'm not wearing that ugly Christmas sweater she sent me. There's nothing wrong with khakis and a black button-down shirt. Are you saying my outfit doesn't meet your criteria for unrestrained merriment? How utterly inconsiderate and offensive,” I teased in a mocking tone à la an uptight society matron. “Besides, Christmas colors do zip for my pale complexion, so I stuck with a traditional wardrobe.”

Several picks of red and white flowers adorned Karen's head and ears, and her satiny elf-like costume sparkled so brightly it caused temporary blindness. Nana D snagged her arm, scrutinizing the woman's severe bob, which practically glowed with an unnatural shade of green. “Oh, dear… be a love and bring me one of whatever he's having, please. Cute hairdo. It's ultra-chic. Youthful. And tell your lovable husband that the Christmas lunch he catered for my office party was scrumptious. Doug is a genius with pastry dough!”

Before I could object to Nana D's hypocrisy about day-drinking, weigh in on either diva's striking hair color, or explain why I was imbibing a cocktail at one o'clock on a Friday afternoon, Karen swiveled her body to study my near-empty glass with an additional round of punitive judgment. “Kellan, your waitress just dropped off that Peppy Schnappy Blast. You need another already? Yeesh!”

I groaned. Loud enough that a bickering couple near our table intermittently stopped their baleful argument and cocked their necks in our direction. Given a neighboring column's angle and several strategically placed oversized decorations, I couldn't make out their expressions. “First, what I drink—”

“Pish! I blame myself, Karen. He was such a whiny baby. I rubbed too much whiskey on his gums. Got a taste for the hard candy early on.” Nana D snatched my glass and sucked the remnants of my only remaining salvation through a disintegrating straw. Within seconds, she soured her lips, clutched her forehead, and squealed like a cranky child. “One, I despise paper straws even though I want to support the environment. Two, that's a girly drink for weaklings with no chutzpah. Three, I've got brain freeze. And four… well, never mind… I've already forgotten my most crucial point. I'll take a proper Old Fashioned with two cherries. Put it on his tab too. Teach the baby a lesson to grow a pair of—”

“Now, now… Mayor Danby,” Karen interrupted, curling her arm around my tensed shoulders. “Kellan can't help himself. Who are we to mock his taste in afternoon tipples? It's been a mega-popular menu item lately.” She explained that the Peppy Schnappy Blast, a signature cocktail her daughter had created for the month of December, was earning rave reviews from local critics.

I clarified its ingredients for my grandmother. “Two parts vodka, two parts peppermint schnapps, and one part vanilla-flavored almond milk. It's served in a chilled martini glass, then topped with a tower of whipped cream, bits of crumbled candy canes, shaved dark chocolate, and a frozen cherry.”

After boasting to Nana D that her daughter, Sierra, would sit for the bar exam upon returning from London next spring, Karen refocused on me. With more of her trademark sass, she inquired, “So, that's an affirmative on the chick drink, right, professor?” Hastily, she exited as I grimaced and bobbed my head in slow motion. Even her pointy elfin shoes had jingle bells fastened to them.

“If I hadn't needed it before the Grim Reaper arrived, I definitely do now.” While one hand massaged my right temple, the other scooped a fistful of salted almonds from a snowman-shaped bowl in the middle of the table. “To clarify, Triple A (AAA) services cars. You meant AA, which stands for Alcoholics Anonymous. Of which I am not a member because I do not have a drinking problem. I'm celebrating. What's. Wrong. With. That?”

Nana D snorted and sank further into her chair, tenderly patting my hand. “I know the difference, you foolish ninny. I meant Triple A because if you consume another froufrou drink, you'll wrap your car around a tree and need someone to rescue you from embodying the role of stupid and helpless victim number one in the horror film that is your life. What are you commemorating? Who did something positive for a change? And why didn't you invite me?”

I debated a range of responses, ultimately rationalizing the benefits of defending myself. “The fall semester just finished. I turned in all my students' grades and drafted a final report for the Dragon Lady. Now, I'm on a break for three-and-a-half weeks. Anything else, Grand Inquisitor?”

“Must be nice only working part time. No wonder Myriam Castle is always riding your rump. And you call yourself a sensible role model for today's youth?” Nana D sheeshed me, then gleefully switched her cell phone to silent mode. “If the public needs me, they can send out smoke signals. I'm borrowing a leaf from your tree and getting rip-roaring sloshed this afternoon.”

Arguing with the woman was futile, as were her strange idioms. She knew I spent more hours working as a professor each semester than most people regularly put in over the course of a year. On top of that, I still retained a consulting role where I advised a television network on the Dark Reality true-crime series. After returning to Wharton County, Pennsylvania two years ago, I'd relinquished my primary job as the show's director and passed the baton to a good friend, Lara Bouvier. My grandmother, on the other hand, continued to run a profitable organic farm, serve as the mayor of our fine county, and make it her business to know everyone else's business. Where she found the energy baffled us all.

“True. I am uber lazy.” I rolled my baby blue eyes with unbridled enthusiasm and scratched at my squared chin. Apparently, my face was urgently in need of a shave too. “I ordered a drink because some snafu delayed April for thirty minutes. We intended to eat lunch together, but now she might not make it, period. Or she might be ticked off because I arranged ski plans for tomorrow without asking if she were free.” April Montague, my headstrong and industrious girlfriend, proudly functioned as Wharton County's esteemed sheriff. She was late because a police cruiser had reported a burglary in progress in Lakeview, one of four towns in her jurisdiction.

“Ah! Troubles with your precious pretty princess, huh? My poor grandson… you cohabitated too quickly. I know the ways of the world have changed, but in my day living together before marriage was a mortal sin.” Nana D spelled out the word mortal and shook her head unremittingly, adding in a few tsk tsk sounds for dramatic effect. “And you're not even engaged. Much, much worse. I'll have to donate your Christmas gifts to the church.” As the waitress dropped off my grandmother's Old Fashioned and my infamous girly drink, Nana D chortled again. “I'm messing with you, brilliant one. You know you're my favorite person in the entire world.”

“And you are mine.” I sincerely meant the words too, despite how she drove anyone with a pulse to commit acts of insanity. Nana D and I unarguably shared a special relationship. Although I loved my parents and siblings, she was the one family member I always turned to, no matter the situation. She understood me at my core, and no matter how much grief my grandmother thrust in my direction, she would give up her own life to protect me from anything and anyone. I raised my glass to hers, their raucous clink shivering the skins of my teeth, and offered a toast. “To Christmas, which is less than two weeks away. Longer than Hanukkah, another holiday I'm celebrating these days. That's a lot of gaiety to deal with in one month.”

Nana D sighed as she swallowed her first sip. “I know zippo about menorahs, bar mitzvahs, and sitting shiva, but since April is Jewish, it's only fair you partake in each other's traditions. Will you play an extra naughty game of spin the dreidel for eight straight nights?”

An entire mouthful of Peppy Schnappy Blast burst from my lips, some of it landing in the bowl of nuts and the rest on her rosy cheeks. Had she really asked me that question? “I will not answer you. Mind your own business, old woman! Tell me again, why are you here?”

After a recent close call with death, I'd realized how much I loved April and wanted to spend all my days and nights with her. Given we'd only been dating for a year, too soon to consider marriage, we opted to rent out her house through Airbnb. She and her younger brother, Augie, a freshman at Braxton College, now shared my place with my eight-year-old daughter, Emma, and sixteen-year-old cousin, Ulan. I'd become Ulan's official guardian when his father, my Uncle Zach, was murdered last spring. Since school was currently on break for all three of the kids, we'd have a houseful for several weeks. As a result, spinning the dreidel would be a difficult activity to allocate time for!

Nana D wiped her cheeks and waggled her uncannily thin eyebrows in jest. “I don't want to hear the dirty details about the nooky. I simply want to know it's happening. Merely looking forward to more great-grandchildren soon.”

Although my two older siblings, Hampton and Penelope, each boasted several kids, I only had Emma. My two younger siblings, Gabriel and Eleanor, weren't parents—yet. “First, April and I haven't finished our discussions about future procreation. It's not off the table, but we're in our mid-thirties and not planning to marry soon. Second, you're about to welcome a new great-grandchild in one month.”

“That was quite the shocker, eh?” Nana D gulped more of her Old Fashioned and curiously wiggled several fingers at someone behind me. “Who would've thought Eleanor could marry and pop out a baby all in the same year? That girl deserves every blessing and then some… she's behaved herself, unlike most people I know.” Her beady eyes cast a brutal hint of scorn in my direction.

My sister had surprised us last May with a secret marriage to her fiancé, Manny Salvado. After several maddening conversations about the engagement and wedding details with our mother, Eleanor eloped one weekend. We adored Manny, an El Salvadoran immigrant who'd originally been her chef at the Pick-Me-Up Diner, and eagerly welcomed him into the family. At the reception we threw one month after learning about the clandestine nuptials, Eleanor announced she was pregnant and due in January. I'd teased her for weeks about the gunshot wedding, but she swore they'd waited until their marriage was official, citing bad karma and reputations to uphold. Apparently, April and I hadn't cared enough about our own luck or community repute!

“Monumental year for her. Emma can't wait to meet her new cousin,” I proclaimed as a debonair gray-haired man around my father's age approached our table. I recognized his profile but couldn't pinpoint the reason.

Nana D stood, grasping her cocktail like it held the elixir of life, and finally deigned to answer my previous question. “Ah, this clown is why I am here. A business meeting. I'll call you later, brilliant one.”

Ignoring her blow-off, I turned to the man and introduced myself. “Greetings. I'm Kellan Ayrwick, her grandson. Are you from Braxton, sir? You look extraordinarily familiar.” Was Nana D secretly on a date? He was younger than her seventy-six years, but with all the age-defying procedures and Botox options available, I never knew anymore. My grandpop had passed away well over a decade ago, and Nana D had only gone on a few dates since then. Nothing serious from what I understood.

The man reached an overly suntanned hand in my direction, firmly shaking mine as he announced himself in an authoritarian and orotund voice. “No, camping in the town. I'm Porter Lynch. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ayrwick. Mayor Danby and I are discussing a business proposal over lunch.” Porter stood a few inches taller than my five-nine stature, donning a classic navy-blue business suit, light pink shirt, and heather gray tie. “You've undoubtedly heard of my hotel chain, Bell Towers? We're constructing the pièce de résistance in Wharton County after the winter season.”

“That's not a signed deal, Porter. At least not yet. We have much to discuss before the end-of-year deadline.” Nana D pretended to kiss my cheek, then whispered into my ear, “He wants tax breaks in exchange for generous donations. I'll fill you in later. Come by for a proper tea at the office.”

“I'll probably call instead. Lots going on tonight. Good luck with your negotiations.” As they meandered toward their table, I recalled where I'd previously seen him. Porter Lynch's picture had appeared in the local paper, regaling his substantial bequests to Braxton College. He'd provided the final endowment that allowed us to convert the school into a university, which would happen in January with the new term. We'd originally hoped to complete the conversion during the semester that recently ended, but after the debacle with last spring's art show and the subsequent murder investigation, we'd delayed the process. When reopening in January, we would offer three new graduate degrees, including a hospitality track in our MBA program. Porter's upcoming two-day seminar on hotel chain management must've been the impetus for his descent upon our town.

After glancing at my phone, I signaled at Karen to deliver the check. April's text confirmed she couldn't meet for a late lunch but had finagled her way out of a Sunday conference so she could attend the Winter Gala. Every year, Braxton's Board of Trustees arranged the magnificent end-of-year holiday party to express their gratitude to the college's academic and administrative staff. They timed the event to occur on the weekend the semester concluded so that everyone could participate prior to dispersing for their individual holiday plans. It was a marvelous celebration where Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus arrived by a horse-drawn carriage on the snow-covered quad, delivering holiday presents to children from low-income families and distributing local restaurant gift cards to their parents. The Athletics Department invented several outdoor games and festivities, and the Music Department sang Christmas carols in the Grand Parlor while everyone drank hot chocolate and consumed holiday cookies.

Beyond my desire to stand side-by-side with April and the kids, someone else had requested her presence at the event. Eleanor and Manny suggested they had something important to discuss, and I refused to disappoint my sister when she was so eager to talk to us.

It seemed the Winter Gala was a popular conversation topic these days. While I waited for the waitress to return with my credit card, I overheard the bickering couple at the nearby table mention the forthcoming party. A petite blonde woman whose face I couldn't see, passionately addressed a man with cerulean blue eyes who edgily stood across from her. “Ocean, that's ridiculous! Do you know how disengaged you sound? We must fix this at the Winter Gala on Sunday. The deadline is looming.”

He jerked her elbow closer, replying, “Lower your voice. I have bigger problems to worry about. Mom and Dad won't let us help, and if they insist on behaving like stubborn mules, they'll lose everything!”

The pair stepped away from their table, mostly hidden behind a tall potted ficus that had been decorated with sparkly white icicle lights and glossy red ornaments. Luckily, they failed to notice me eavesdropping. The only person I knew with the name Ocean—both a cool and an odd moniker—was the son of a couple who owned the farm nearest Crilly Lake, our treasured summer hotspot. That Ocean had been four years older than me, which meant we'd never gone to high school at the same time. This guy didn't resemble the teenager who frequently hung out with my older brother. I assumed Ocean and Hampton had graduated together but lost touch over the years. The man's name hadn't popped up in a long time. I vaguely remembered that his sister was barely a year younger than him too. I texted Eleanor to ask if she recollected their last name, and she responded quickly: Ingram.

That's when I realized the anxious woman he'd left with worked in Braxton's Admissions Department. Ocean's sister, Tamarind, and I had chatted occasionally, but she'd never acknowledged recognizing me from all those years ago. I'd failed to realize her auspicious connection to my childhood until now, perhaps because she had a different last name than Ingram. Was she only his half-sister?

I hazily recalled that Braxton's chief cook in the campus dining hall was a Mrs. Ingram. Was she their mother or an aunt? I'd ask her at the Winter Gala, assuming she would be present like all the other staff. Eleanor had won the bid to cater the party instead of the school's cafeteria employees because the Board of Trustees wanted everyone who worked at Braxton to enjoy a day off. They'd even supplied Braxton Campus Security with two temporary guards from a local firm to patrol the university grounds so the staff could partake in the event.

After signing my receipt, I emphatically waved goodbye to Nana D and shuffled to the parking lot, keenly aware of the bitter chill in the air. As I settled in the SUV, a familiar number lit up my cell—Finnigan Masters, a family friend and attorney who was dating my colleague, Lara. He was also handling the estate of Constance Garibaldi, who died last spring after a dreadful battle with cancer. Several hours after the famous psychic had passed, her boyfriend delivered a curious letter to me. In it, Constance begged for my help to right a wrong from the past, challenging me to embark upon a treasure hunt. While the woman harbored a habit of driving me nuts when she'd been alive, I also respected her ability to predict things that had yet to occur.

Constance's initial missive revealed the quest would take me to a Scottish village where the Ayrwick family hailed from a century ago. Just like she teased me in life with her various premonitions, she'd prepared a similarly adventurous game for me in her death. Throughout the last seven months, her attorney, Finnigan Masters, provided letters containing vague details. Each one presented more clues to the imminent journey, and this sixth and final note would supposedly explain it all.

I answered the phone while warming up my frozen seat. “Am I about to learn the last piece of Constance's bewildering conundrum?”

Finnigan snickered. “Not exactly, but first I've got a peculiar situation to discuss with you. I know how you fancy convoluted puzzles, and well… you're the first person I thought of.”

“Hmmm… this sounds intriguing.” Ever since returning to Braxton two years ago, I'd developed a reputation for solving the most bizarre mysteries. Usually, they involved a murder. Gosh, I hoped he wasn't about to reveal someone had been killed again. While I was happy to help whatever the situation, I also knew Finnigan employed a dozen private investigators and researchers at his assiduous and respected law firm. Why me?

“Possibly. It's personal. I'm hoping you'll have time to do a wee bit of research. Up for it?”

With an invitation like that, how could anyone say no? “Of course. You're practically family. What's going on?” I had become close to Finnigan since returning home. Although he was a couple of years older than me, I'd attended school with his brother, Liam, who played hockey for a popular American team.

“I'm short on time this afternoon, but I'll give you an overview. I was calling merely to verify you'll be at Braxton's Winter Gala. Could we talk then?” Finnigan's Scottish accent popped up every now and again. He and his siblings had been born in the United Kingdom and emigrated from a Scottish village not too far from Ayr, where my paternal ancestors originally lived.

“I wouldn't miss it. Or I should say, I can't miss it if I want to keep my job. My wonderful boss, the Dragon Lady, insisted everyone in her department attend the event. You're not going, are you?” It baffled me why Finnigan would be present at the Gala.

Finnigan laughed gingerly. “Surprise! I've been retained by Braxton as the newest member of their corporate legal team. Ursula Power will announce it during the introductory speeches on Sunday.”

“Congratulations! You're a terrific addition to the school.”

“Thanks. Glad you'll be there. We can talk about my little mystery, and I'll bring Constance's latest… ummm… message.” He mumbled near the end, his voice carrying a plethora of hesitancy.

“Can you offer any hints about Constance's quest? I could swing by later tonight.”

“Unfortunately, no… I'm meeting with the Board of Trustees in an hour to sign the onboarding paperwork. Then Lara and I are having dinner with my cousin. I only learned of his existence this past summer. Quite a bombshell. Never knew about my estranged family member. That's why I need your help.” Finnigan temporarily put me on hold to address someone who'd walked into his office.

I'd met no one in his family besides his brother Liam, a couple of other siblings, and their parents. And they'd all returned to Scotland while I was living in Los Angeles. I presumed a distant relative was visiting for the holidays. When his chipper voice popped back on the line, I inquired further. “I'd love to meet your cousin. Maybe he can play tour guide when I head to Scotland in January. Myriam forced me into teaching a semester abroad, so I'll be instructing courses across the proverbial pond.”

Finnigan explained Lara had informed him of my impending trip. “Doubtful, my cousin doesn't live there; however, Liam is sitting out the rest of the season after a critical surgery on his rotator cuff. Nasty accident in last week's home game. He's recuperating in Scotland and can assist once you arrive. As for my cousin… evidently, my father's wayward sister ran off with her husband years ago after a family squabble. Her husband severed contact with our side of the family before they raised a son and she passed away.”

“Wow! That's disturbing news. Is he from Scotland too?”

“No, Canada. His name is Remy Lynch, heir to the famous Bell Towers magnate, Porter Lynch. They're in town to construct a new high-end hotel in Wharton County. Something strange is going on between the Lynches, Marcus Stanton, and your grandmother.” Finnigan promised to track me down at the party, then hung up to tackle multiple priorities before convening with Braxton's Board of Trustees.

Nana D hadn't conveyed a single whiff about Marcus Stanton, her mortal enemy, being involved in the Bell Towers hotel project. What was she hiding from me now?

Chapter 2

After squeezing in a less-than-optimal workout in the campus gym, I hopped in the shower and changed into a pair of corduroys and a heavy woolen sweater my mother had gotten for my last birthday. No hideous holiday scenes were emblazoned upon that one either! Winters were harsh near the Wharton Mountains and living in Los Angeles for a decade had eliminated my tolerance for cold temperatures. Then I bundled up with a hat, gloves, scarf, and coat so thick even the local bears were jealous. On the way to the parking lot, I checked in with my best friend. Connor Hawkins would usually work out with me, but the affable louse was basking in the tropical sun and resting on his laurels.

Connor had taken a job as a detective with April in the Wharton County Sheriff's Office the previous year. After leading multiple murder investigations that had shocked our community, he finally secured approval to visit his parents in the Caribbean. He invited his girlfriend, Maggie Roarke, to travel with him, given Braxton would shut down for a month to conduct the last phase of Memorial Library's massive renovation. As Head Librarian, Maggie could afford to slip away for part of the trip since she'd be fully entrenched in reopening the building upon her return. Also, Connor wanted to spend time with a newly discovered, long-lost aunt.

During the spring, Connor's father had connected with a half-sibling named Renee Casseldricken who'd lived in South Africa with her mother for most of her life. We'd all been stunned to find out that my boss, Myriam Castle, was related to the woman too. Renee spent several months in Braxton with her newly discovered father, sister and nephew, then returned home to ponder her future. Now, Connor and his family were spending a week in the Caribbean, then traveling to South Africa to uncover more about their family roots. Maggie would return home to Braxton to celebrate Christmas with her parents, Ben and Lucy Roarke, and her four sisters.

I parked my SUV in the driveway and booked it to the front door of my Victorian home on a cul-de-sac not too far from campus. After purchasing the place eighteen months ago, I'd renovated the first floor and parts of the second floor. During the last few months, landscaping the two-acre property was my focus. Between adding a generous dog run, raised vegetable garden beds, and an elaborate swing set, I had spent way too much money. But we hung out there so often that having such luxuries helped it feel even more like a home.

Several packages littered our stoop. I'd completed all my holiday shopping early this year, and only one present hadn't yet arrived. Emma's and Ulan's gifts were already wrapped and hidden in the basement. No one ever ventured down there after a frightening incident with a ghost two previous Halloweens—a long and complicated story which had introduced me to the late Constance Garibaldi, whose family owned my home a half-century earlier.

I quickly gathered up the packages, unlocked the front door, and rushed inside to the warmth of my foyer. The pungent scent of mulberry and wintergreen filled my nostrils; it smelled and looked like Christmas inside my house. We'd hung vibrant green garland around the stair railing and spindles, complete with gold and white bows, giant pine cones, and fake poinsettia flowers. We couldn't buy real ones since they were poisonous to dogs, and our little rascal, Baxter, had a habit of eating everything he shouldn't. Our eight-foot-tall Christmas tree loomed proudly in the corner, teeming with strings of popcorn and cranberries, not to mention at least two-hundred ornaments ranging from Victorian classics to everything Emma had assembled in school over the years. My mother refused to let me have the ones I'd made as a child, promising each season she'd finally concede before the next holiday. It never happened. I'd given up hope.

I sorted through all the packages on a nearby table. Two were addressed to April, which I naturally lifted and shook close to my ears. Just as I was about to slip a finger under a loosened piece of tape, my cell vibrated. I carefully put the package down and scanned the message.

April: Quit that. None of them belong to you!

I gulped, inspected all the nooks and crannies in the hall, and stuck my head in the living room. Was April home, watching me from somewhere I couldn't see? I hadn't noticed her car or the sheriff's cruiser anywhere on the street.

April: You're truly worse than Baxter. What made me think I could prevent you from sneaking a peek at your holiday presents? You can't stay out of my homicide investigations. Just stop and look at the ceiling.

I craned my neck above me and concentrated on the blinking green light on the miniscule device hidden in the corner molding, suddenly feeling like a prisoner.

Me: Ah, camera. Forgot you installed them everywhere. I wasn't gonna open it. Thought I heard something ticking. Merely wanted to protect you, darling.

April: No, you didn't. You're a horrendous liar, babe. I'll be home at six. Think you can keep your mitts off my stuff for a few hours?

Me: I'll try. Promise. Love you.

April: Love you too.

Days after April and Augie had moved in, she'd prowled the perimeter of the house, both inside and outside, designing a security solution that would keep us safe. It hadn't mattered that I'd installed my own system when I renovated the place. As the Sheriff of Wharton County, she inherently suffered a higher risk of burglaries or attacks. Criminals, in her opinion, held grudges and thought only of revenge. She'd even secretly hired a friend to break in multiple times while we were home alone. Smart as a whip, April had only done it when the kids were at school and we were both around, simply to prove her point. I'd realized she was right—as she always was—and we upped the security system with a stronger central alarm, links to our mobile phones, and additional high-tech cameras. Most days, I spent more time setting the alarm than showering and shaving. Even Emma programmed it quicker than me. As mechanically inclined as I was, the alarm system got the better of me every time.

I transferred April's packages to the living room coffee table and found the one box with my name on it. It was the last gift I needed, and it was the first gift I'd be giving her the following day. Although we'd begun dating right around this time the previous year, this was our first true holiday together. April was Jewish, which meant she and her family celebrated Hanukkah. They traditionally offered a gift on each of the holiday's eight nights. My family was Catholic, and we customarily opened presents on three occasions. On Christmas Eve, we celebrated with my father's family, which usually occurred at the college given that few relatives on the Ayrwick side lived in Wharton County. He'd been such a workaholic for years that he'd often found himself spending holidays and important days with his key staff and colleagues. On Christmas morning, we opened Santa's gifts. And, on Christmas afternoon, we cooked an enormous meal with my mom's side and tore apart the packages one by one based on assigned numbers. Nana D always hosted the holiday, and different branches of the family visited throughout the day. As the years elapsed, we all aged, and Grandpop joined the angels, the size of the group shrank, but we still got together with those remaining in Braxton.

April and I had invented our own tradition, especially since we now formed a blended family dealing with two different holidays, relatives we were raising, and my daughter Emma. For the kids, we would open gifts on Christmas morning. With each other, we opted to follow the Twelve Days of Christmas plan. We'd each buy six items for the other person, and from the fourteenth through the twenty-fifth of December, we'd take turns opening one present. It was a merged version of Christmas and Hanukkah. Although the twelve days technically occurred from the twenty-fifth of December to the sixth of January, also known as Little Christmas or the Epiphany, we devised our own ritual. To make it as entertaining as possible, we'd also determined the gifts must align with the classic holiday song, “Twelve Days of Christmas.” I was up first, and I'd found the silliest but most perfect gift for April that represented a partridge in a pear tree. Tomorrow, before skiing Wharton's alpine slopes, I'd present her with it.

I ripped open the newly delivered package, verified it was exactly what I'd ordered, then adeptly wrapped it with blue and gold gift paper that shouted Hanukkah, at least to me. I wanted to honor her beliefs like she sought to cherish mine.

After putting everything else away, I confirmed Emma was on her way home from school—her last day for a few weeks too. She was riding the bus this afternoon because Ulan had made plans with friends who were jetting out of town for the holiday. They'd normally head home together, and I wasn't comfortable with an eight-year-old walking by herself. Augie sometimes picked them up, but since he'd enrolled at Braxton, his schedule was erratic, and he couldn't always be here. Today, he'd mentioned having lunch with a new girl on campus. I was curious whether he would start dating soon. Ever since I'd known him, he embodied the notion of all work and no play. Conscientious was good, but he hadn't introduced April or me to any of his friends upon enrolling in college. April wasn't worried, often reminding me that Augie was a mature young man who needed to engineer his own future. If she and I ever had kids together, clearly, I'd be the overprotective parent, and she'd be the cool one.