Candy Canes, Corpses and the Gothic Haunt Read online

  Louise Olivet was just coming out of the Chic Bohemian Antique as she approached the sidewalk. Louise’s hands were empty. Juniper never left that store with empty hands. In fact, she had avoided going in there lately because it was too tempting. The store had everything from rare antique furniture, clocks and paintings to modern-day jewelry. She called Louise’s name to say hello but Louise must not have heard her.

  Guitars and Cadillacs was located a good block and a half from the Gothic Haunt on a side street that crossed Maine. The exterior was a throwback to another era. It was apparent that it hadn’t been cleaned since then, either. Above the door was a neon sign with the bar’s name.

  Juniper paused before going in. She didn’t expect Sally’s boyfriend, Evan, to welcome her with open arms. She only hoped he wouldn’t toss her to the curb. She took a deep breath and opened the door. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim interior, which was even less attractive than the exterior—if that was even possible. Juniper was pretty sure any loss of patrons wouldn’t be her fault. Evan’s customers—all four of them—sat at the bar on ancient chrome and vinyl bar stools. The men looked like they’d been there since the last war they’d fought in. They didn’t even turn around to see who’d come in.

  Juniper crossed the worn out floor, intending to ask the men where she could find Evan when he pushed through a swinging door at the far side of the bar. He was carrying a tray of beer mugs, which he set none too gently on the counter when he saw her.

  “You got a lot of nerve showing your face here,” he said. “Come by to steal a few customers?”

  Juniper bit her tongue to keep from commenting on the lack of customers. “I just wanted to stop by to say hello, Mr. Cross. I’d like us to be friends.”

  “Yeah?” He glared at her. “Well, I’d like a million dollars but there’s no magical genie here. Now get the hell out of my place. Better yet, get out of my neighborhood. We don’t need another bar here.” He turned to the men eating pickled eggs on the stools. “Right guys?”

  The men mumbled something unintelligible.

  “Mr. Cross, I’m not opening to compete with you or anyone else. There’s plenty of room.”

  “You’re wrong about that. All I hear is everyone yapping their jaws about your new place, talking about how you saved the Doctor’s mansion, about how nice it’ll be to have an Inn and taproom with craft beer and hoity-toity wine from the local vineyards.” He used air quotes around vineyards. “Well, I got news for you.” He shook his index finger at her.

  “Mr. Cross—”

  “I don’t know why you are so determined to ruin my business.”

  One of the men at the bar turned around. “Hey, Evan. Cut the girl some slack. She’s just trying to make a living.”

  Evan ignored him. “I serve beer from real breweries. The ones that’ve been around for more years than you’ve been alive. If you think you can force me to start serving your sissy cider beer and fancy finger foods, you’re out of your mind.”

  One of the men laughed. “I bet her fancy finger food is better than the pickled swill you serve here.”

  Evan grabbed a hammer from under the ledge and slammed it down on the bar, shattering one of his glasses. “If you don’t like my food then I suggest you get out. I don’t need your business anymore.”

  “Come on, Evan,” the first man said. “Don’t be a donkey.”

  “Get out, all of you.”

  No one moved.

  “Now!”

  He didn’t need to tell Juniper again. She turned and started for the door as the four men slid off their stools.

  She was almost to the door when someone seized her arm. Startled, Juniper froze, then turned to look. It was Sally, with her black hair styled and hair sprayed to within an inch of the ozone’s life, a hair helmet, surrounding a perfectly made-up smug face. Her voice was low but mean. “Just so you know, Jack and I aren’t over! You may think we are, but I still see him plenty.”

  Before Juniper could respond, Evan approached. Perhaps he’d heard what she said and didn’t like it. “Don’t you ever come in here again,” he said, practically spitting the words. Then he turned to Sally and his eyes were dark, “I think you and I need to talk.”

  Juniper’s heart pounded as she tore away from Sally’s grasp and almost ran outside. She stopped on the sidewalk and rubbed her arm where Sally had grabbed her. Evan Cross had already been at the top of her suspect list, and now she could add Sally to that list, as well.

  Juniper tried to get back to work, but she couldn’t concentrate. She was too busy thinking about what Sally had said. Could it be true? Jack had been away so much lately. What if he’d changed his mind about Sally and he was really staying with her all those nights? Her thoughts were interrupted by the brunette in front of her as she introduced herself. Jasmine Balthazar was Juniper’s first interview of the day and, after only half an hour, Juniper liked everything about her.

  “When can you start?” Juniper asked.

  “I can start now if you’d like. I’ve been out of work for a little while now,” Jasmine said.

  They decided she wouldn’t need much training other than to learn the menu and the beer and wine list they’d be serving, but there was plenty she could help Finn with. After Jasmine left, Juniper went to her parlor and made some more phone calls and set up a few more interviews. Juniper then talked to several suppliers and verified deliveries. It seemed like everything was coming together for the opening. Now they just needed a pass from the building inspector. In all of the drama lately, she’d completely forgotten. Time to harass the building inspector.

  Sixteen

  _____________

  T HE smell of cinnamon and nutmeg permeated the air. The next day was Christmas Eve, and the cafe was as busy as Santa’s workshop. The last minute shoppers needed their caffeine fix in order to hit the shops. Customers stood three-deep at the counter but it didn’t faze Pike at all. She dished up coffee and treats in her festive red Santa’s hat and chatted them all up, and no one seemed to be grumpy while waiting. Juniper must have been the last customer of the morning rush. When it was finally her turn, she was the only one left.

  “I’m so happy I didn’t run into Evan this morning.”

  “Don’t let him bother you. He’s all talk.”

  “Then explain to me why he threatened me when I stopped by his place yesterday, and Sally grabbed my arm.” Juniper told her what happened.

  Pike frowned. “Evan has always been a little grouchy, but neither of them have ever laid a hand on anyone except for drunks who got out of hand in the bar.”

  “Grouchy doesn’t begin to describe the way he acted. And Sally tried to tell me she’s still seeing Jack.”

  “Say what? She’s as artificial as their Christmas tree. Don’t believe her. Do you want me to talk to Evan for you?” Pike asked.

  Juniper shook her head. “That’s not a good idea. If he is the one who killed Feliz—”

  “You really believe that?”

  “Sally and the Grinch are the only ones who have threatened me. I haven’t talked to everyone yet, but no one else seems to be dead set against an Inn and taproom in the neighborhood.”

  “I wouldn’t say there’s no one else.”

  “Who, then?”

  “Wait here.” Pike disappeared into the back of the store and returned with a red sheet of paper. “There’s at least one other person who doesn’t like what you’re doing.”

  She passed the paper across the top of the glass cafe case and Juniper read it. It was a poster for the Bohemian Lake Historical Society; the first sentence read:

  Stop the destruction of the Doctor’s House.

  Juniper looked at Pike and raised an eyebrow.

  “Keep reading,” she said.

  The historic Victorian mansion on Main Street is being turned into an Inn and Taproom and is scheduled to open soon. The Doctor’s house has decorated the Bohemian Lake area for over a century and is the site of some of t
he town’s most tragic and fascinating history! It must be granted landmark status by any means necessary. Come to the meeting and help us make this possible. It’s not too late!

  Juniper recognized the name at the bottom of the page. “Oh, Hatti,” Juniper said.

  “You know Hatti Dustfeather?”

  “I met her in the fall when I was researching the house. She was a nervous lady, but she was very helpful to me. I guess she’s upset that we’ve decided to turn the house into an Inn and Taproom and not a museum.”

  “We already have a museum.”

  “I know but I guess because of the murders, she wants it memorialized.”

  “Well an Inn and Taproom will bring in more revenue than a second museum. No wonder the council turned her down.” She pointed to the paper in Juniper’s hands. “What do you think she’s up to now?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out.”

  “Does this mean Evan is off your list?”

  “Not at all,” Juniper said. “He’s still at the top along with the devil’s hand-maiden, but Hatti Dustfeather is a close third.”

  “So, you’re going to the meeting?”

  “I sure am. Care to join me?”

  Pike grinned. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

  Juniper had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what they had to say, but she needed to find out what this group was up to.

  They chatted for a few more minutes while Juniper paid for her sandwich and soup. Juniper interrogated Pike about her recent time spent with Finn. She claimed nothing had happened between them but Juniper could tell she was lying.

  When Juniper got outside, she noticed that all of the businesses up and down the street—with the exception of hers, of course—had bright red papers stuck in their door handles. The snow had slowed, but some of the posters were soggy from the snow. It didn’t bode well for a large turnout—not that Juniper expected many of her neighbors to go. It would be interesting to see who did.

  After hanging her purse and coat up, she took her food to the kitchen and warmed it up in the microwave, then went back to her desk. Jasmine was due in at eleven, and Juniper worked on getting all the necessary paperwork ready for her to sign. When Juniper had everything in order, she went upstairs to arrange the furniture, choose bedding and put the final touches on decor.

  This was the part of her job she liked the best. It was so peaceful here and there was a lingering scent of paint and fresh laundry in the air. Juniper checked the linen closet and made sure everything was neat. Everything was as it should be. She didn’t have time to mop, but she vacuumed the new oriental rugs in each room. Then she went into the cellar and brought up a case of wine to fill the lobby wine racks. Juniper wondered if she’d ever stop seeing Feliz on the floor.

  The morning passed quickly. Finn came in at ten. He had two part-time kitchen workers coming in for training. When Jasmine came in at eleven, she introduced her to Finn and showed her around. After the tour, Jasmine and Juniper returned to her parlor. “One of your first duties will be to learn about the wines and beers we’ll be serving here. You’ll need to know as much about them as you do the food in order to pair correctly. Many of the people who come in here will know a lot about craft beer and Spanish wine and they’ll expect you to know more than they do.” Juniper slid a sample menu across the desk.

  With Finn occupied in the kitchen and Jasmine reorganizing the area where they’d be storing menus, napkins, and the like, it was time to talk to more neighbors.

  Seventeen

  _____________

  B OHEMIAN Lake’s Hardware Store was located next door to Guitars and Cadillacs. Juniper hoped Evan was busy inside the bar and didn’t have a sudden need for another hammer. Fern and Ron Baron, her neighbors were the hardware store’s owners. She knew Fern and her daughter quite well from the October incident when they’d found Lulu’s husband unconscious on the hill, but she’d only met Ron a handful of times. The small store was packed full of everything imaginable, which was great news for a contractor. Juniper practically lived in hardware stores. Yes, they had suppliers, but they were always running out of something.

  Juniper picked her way down a narrow aisle to where Ron Baron stood behind a paint counter with a phone receiver wedged between his shoulder and his ear as he flipped through an instruction manual. Fern, on the other side of the store, was helping a customer with what appeared to be a rather large order. From the sound of the conversation, he was clearly having issues with a piece of equipment. It was hard not to notice how his eye twitched with every word he spoke. Thankfully Ron hung up the phone before Juniper got caught staring.

  “Well, if it isn’t our neighbor, the newest renovator-turned-hotel-owner,” he said.

  There was an odd note to his voice, but Juniper couldn’t put her finger on what it was.

  “What can I get for you?” he asked.

  That was definitely a tone Juniper hadn’t heard him use before. “Actually, I’m here to see you if you have a minute.”

  “Only one, sure.”

  “I was wondering if you’ve noticed anyone creeping around the Inn. In particular, I was wondering if you’ve seen Evan Cross around my place?”

  Mr. Baron crossed his arms over his ugly Christmas sweater. “You got a problem with Evan? Or do you simply enjoy starting rumors?”

  “I’m not trying to stir up trouble, Ron.”

  “It’s Mr. Baron, to you. You should be ashamed of yourself. I thought you were a nice young lady, but—”

  “Sorry, Mr. Baron, but somebody has been messing with my place—”

  He shook his finger at her. “Evan has been a good neighbor to me for more years than you. That bar is his livelihood—and now you came along. I thought he was wrong about you trying to drive his business away, but I see now that he wasn’t. And stealing Sally’s fiancé, well… that’s none of my business but, since you’re in here making it my business, I think it was low.”

  “Whoa. Hold on a minute.” Juniper placed her palms on the counter, mainly to keep her hands from shaking. “I think someone’s been yanking your tinsel.” Juniper steadied her voice, doing her best to keep it calm and measured. “Mr. Baron, I have never done anything to either of them. For some reason, Evan has gotten it into his head that I’m out to get him. Nothing could be further from the truth. I went to see him yesterday to try to smooth things over. And I never stole Jack from Sally. If anything, Sally stole him from me after college and she threatened me—not the other way around.”

  “Likely story.”

  “It’s true,” Juniper said. “Both Evan Cross and Sally Snaub have threatened me in one way or another and I can’t help but wonder if one of them murdered my friend and chef, Feliz.”

  Mr. Baron’s eyes narrowed. “I thought your chef died in an accident.”

  “It wasn’t an accident,” Juniper said. “Someone killed him.”

  “Now you’re being a drama queen. If it was a murder, Cody or Kaden would have mentioned something.”

  “Not necessarily.” Juniper was kicking herself for opening her big mouth.

  “Right.” Mr. Baron’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Even if, for some reason, the Mabels didn’t get wind of a murder, Sally and Evan had nothing to do with it. They’d never kill anyone.”

  “Then why did they threaten me?”

  “Perhaps you waltzed into their business and agitated them. Seems to me, you’re good at that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do,” Ron Baron said as he stomped away into the back.

  “That went well,” Juniper mumbled to herself as she passed by a confused-looking Fern on the way outside. She’d gone there to find out more about Sally and Evan. Instead, she now had another person who hated her. Juniper turned the corner onto Main Street and headed to her next destination.

  Eighteen

  _____________

  L OUISE was arranging a new display in the window of Let It Brie, when Juniper walked by. Louise motioned for her t
o come in, and then darted to the back of the shop, returning with the bright red poster Hatti Dustfeather had passed out.

  “Did you see this drivel?” she asked.

  “Pike showed it to me this morning. Are you going to the meeting?” Juniper said.

  Louise nodded. “Definitely. And I’m sure Rudy will, too.” Her voice softened and there was a hint of a blush in her cheeks when she said his name.

  Juniper put two and two together. “I didn’t know you and Rudolph were seeing each other.”

  The blush became more pronounced. “Is it that obvious?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “We’re keeping it hush-hush for now.” She smiled. “Actually, I’d like to shout it from the rooftops, but Rudolph thinks we should be discreet—you know how people gossip. He’s afraid it would affect our businesses.”

  Juniper wasn’t sure how any gossip could possibly affect them, but that sounded like Rudolph. Image meant a lot to him. Louise didn’t exactly fit with Rudolph’s polished look. “Your secret’s safe with me,” Juniper said.

  They talked another minute before Juniper was able to make her exit and go next door.

  Peace and Light was a new age shop. It had everything from crystals and harps to nose rings and herbs, but it was known for the fortune telling. Star St. James, the proprietor, was a white witch, according to her business cards. She was slender and a head taller than Juniper. Probably in better shape, too. She was very good friends with the Vianu family out at Caravan Manor. As a matter of fact, it was Nana or Mallory who did the readings; Star set up the appointments and the Vianu’s fulfilled them.

  Star sat on the scuffed hardwood floor, unpacking crystals, tarot cards and necklaces from the cardboard box in front of her. “Hi, Junie,” she said, jumping to her feet.

  “You didn’t have to get up,” Juniper said.

  “Yes, I did. My butt was getting numb.” A strand of white hair came loose from her fishtail braid and she tucked it behind her ear. “What can I do for you?”