Jewelry Can Be Deadly (Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Book 6)

A
ll rights reserved
. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

All trademarks and brands referred to in this book are for illustrative purposes only, are the property of their respective owners and not affiliated with this publication in any way. Any trademarks are being used without permission, and the publication of the trademark is not authorized by, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owner.

S
amantha tried
to grab the muffin out of the muffin pan. It was still so hot that it burnt the tips of her fingers.

“Ouch!” She sighed as the muffin fell back into the pan. With a fork and knife combination she managed to get the muffin out of the pan and into the basket. It had been some time since there were new residents at Sage Gardens and she was a little rusty at making her welcome muffins. She wasn’t a whiz in the kitchen by any stretch, but it was the one recipe she had learned to master. As she straightened out the basket she smiled to herself. She always enjoyed having new neighbors. It was an opportunity to get to know new people. As a retired journalist her mind always sought out the story.

Once the basket was settled she picked it up and headed out of her villa. The new residents had moved in on the other side of the retirement community so it was a bit of a walk. She didn’t mind as the weather was nice. As she walked she thought about all of the positive things she could tell the new residents about Sage Gardens. She loved welcoming new residents as there was so much about Sage Gardens to love. Not only were the residents provided with full house and lawn maintenance, there was a recreation hall, a newly built café, leisure facilities, weekly activities, and a nurse on site in case of any medical needs. In fact if people didn’t want to, they didn’t even need to leave Sage Gardens. She was lost in thought about the few good friends she’d made during her time at Sage Gardens when someone walked up beside her.

“Morning Samantha.”

Jo’s cheerful voice elicited an immediate smile from Samantha. “Morning Jo.” She paused to take a look at her friend. She was as beautiful as always, and though she only wore jeans and a loose-fitting top she looked fabulous.

“What is that amazing smell?” Jo tried to peek under the towel that covered the basket to keep the heat inside.

“Blueberry muffins.” Samantha eased the basket into her other hand to protect it from Jo’s investigating fingertips. “We have new neighbors!”

“Oh, I didn’t realize that you still did that. How sweet. Who are the new neighbors?”

“Newlyweds. Valda and Roger.”

“Newlyweds? At our age? I couldn’t even imagine.” She shook her head. Samantha bit into her bottom lip.

“I don’t think it would be so bad.”

“Really?” Jo narrowed her eyes. “I could see dating here and there, but marriage? No, I think I’m way beyond the patience needed for that.”

“I don’t know. It just seems like it would be easier now. I’m retired, I have a lot of free time. No kids to worry about, no work schedules to work around, not much to stress about when it comes to bills. It would be nice to have someone to just spend time with. Someone warm, and loyal.”

“You know what else is warm and loyal? A dog. And the dog won’t lie or run off with someone else.”

“Very funny, Jo.” Samantha grinned. “Actually, maybe you’re right, a dog would be nice.”

“See?” Jo laughed. Samantha tilted her head towards the villa in front of them. “This is it.”

“Well, those muffins smell so good that now I’m starving. Do you want to go to lunch after you spoil the new residents?”

“I’d love to.” Samantha started up the walkway. “You should come with me, it never hurts to meet new people.”

“Speak for yourself, I’m more of the introverted type.”

Samantha had to agree with that. Jo stuck to just about the same three friends and showed no interest in making more. Samantha was the social butterfly. To her, strangers were just friends she hadn’t met yet. Jo tagged along behind her as she walked up to the door. Samantha noticed that there were a few moving boxes folded up on the porch as well as an old pair of sneakers. With a swift knock she prepared her widest smile. It faded a bit when no one answered. There was a car in the driveway so she suspected that someone was there. She knocked again, then smiled again. The door swung open. A man in his sixties stared at her.

“May I help you?”

“Hi, my name is Samantha, and I just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood.”

“Roger, who is it?” A woman stepped up beside him. Her sleek, chocolate brown hair was cut mid-cheek which gave her a youthful look. Narrowed eyes settled on Samantha. “What are you selling?”

“I’m sorry, I’m not selling anything. I know you’re just getting settled in and I don’t want to interrupt, but I brought you these. If you have any questions about the community or the area I’d be happy to answer them.”

“Oh, how nice of you.” Valda reached out and took the basket from Samantha. “I am carb-free, but I’m sure my husband will just gobble these down.”

“Do you have an allergy?” Samantha’s eyes widened. “That must be so tough.”

“No, I’m just always trying to keep a trim figure.” She swept her eyes up and down along Samantha’s frame which had become a bit more voluptuous over the years. Samantha nodded and did not allow her smile to falter.

“You look fantastic.”

“Thanks. You’re so kind. Isn’t she kind, Roger?” She looked over at her husband with a lazy smile.

“So kind. But, we’re in the middle of unpacking and all of that, sorry we can’t offer you anything to drink.” His steel gray eyes stared straight into Samantha’s. “We value our privacy.”

“Roger!” Valda rolled her eyes and touched the necklace that hung around her neck. Jo was still behind Samantha and did her best not to be noticed by the couple, however a flash of light caught her eye. She looked up to see that the source of the flash was the necklace that hung from Valda’s neck. The gold chain lacked sheen and the setting that held a large diamond was quite dated. Jo stared for a long moment.

“Jo? We’re going.” Samantha drew her attention. Jo looked back at the necklace just in time to see the door on its way to being closed. She shook her head.

“Not the friendly sort I see.”

“Not at all.” Samantha shrugged. “But my good deed is done for the day, and now we can go get some good eats.”

“Perfect.”

Samantha walked ahead of Jo with quick, peppy steps. Jo lingered for a moment as the memory of that necklace stayed in her mind. When she turned to walk away from the door she heard loud voices inside the villa. Samantha was already part of the way down the sidewalk and hadn’t noticed that Jo hadn’t kept up with her. Jo leaned closer to the door to hear what the argument might be about.

“I’ve told you a thousand times not to wear that necklace.”

“You said not to wear it outside, I wasn’t outside.”

“You came to the door!”

“So what?” Valda shouted. “Why did you even give it to me if I’m not allowed to wear it? Roger, you’re so crazy sometimes.”

“I’m crazy? I’m crazy? Do you know what someone would do to you to get that necklace off your neck? You need to use your head once in a while, Valda!”

“Jo!” Samantha waved to her. “Let’s go or we’ll miss the specials!”

Jo listened a moment longer, but all she heard was the slam of a door. That seemed to end the argument. She turned and walked down the driveway to Samantha. As she did she reasoned the argument away in her mind. It just seemed like any other married couple to her. As she fell into step beside Samantha she frowned.

“Do you think that they’re going to stay long?”

“I hope so. It’s always best to have the same neighbors around.”

“Maybe.” Jo glanced back over her shoulder. The pair settled into Samantha’s car for the short drive to the nearby diner. Jo gazed out the window as her mind filled with memories of the past. Samantha chattered on about a play that was opening the next weekend. Jo didn’t hear a word of it. When Samantha parked and looked over at her Jo realized that her friend had asked her a question.

“What did you say?”

“Do you want to come with me to the play this weekend? I was thinking of inviting Eddy and Walt, too.”

Jo cracked a smile at that. “I could see Walt enjoying it if he is equipped with antibacterial everything, but Eddy will end up snoring.”

“Well, maybe some of the culture will seep into his subconscious.” Samantha laughed.

T
he diner wasn’t crowded
as they were late for breakfast and early for lunch. A familiar waitress waved to them and pointed out a table for them to sit down at. Once they were settled Samantha handed Jo a menu. Jo was too lost in thought to notice. She blinked when Samantha tapped the top of her hand with the menu.

“Oh thanks.”

“Where are you in your head?” Samantha smiled. “Out in your garden I suspect.”

“No, not the garden today.” Jo smiled and opened her menu. She did spend a lot of time with her hands in the dirt, but at the moment her mind was focused on the necklace. With a history of being a cat burglar she was quite familiar with valuable jewelry. However, she still couldn’t place exactly where she had seen that necklace before. It did however ignite an eagerness in her that made it seem very important. They placed their order then waited for the food.

“Can you believe that there is going to be a movie based on the life of the founder of Sage Gardens? I had no idea the man was so intriguing,” Samantha said trying to work out if Jo was listening.

“Hm.” Jo nodded. She tapped one foot under the table and swept her gaze around the diner. It was starting to get a little more crowded as it neared the lunch rush.

“Jo, are you listening?” Samantha frowned. “Something really has you distracted.”

“I’m sorry, Samantha, I’m just going to the restroom real quick before the food gets here.”

“Okay.” Samantha took a sip of her water.

While Jo was in the restroom Samantha looked around the diner. She loved to people-watch. To her each person had their own interesting story that was just waiting to be investigated. Her gaze settled on a man perched on a bar stool. He had his back to her. His shoulders were broad, but his chest tapered down to a very slender waist. She admired the shape of his back for a moment until the bar stool swiveled. She tried to look away before he could catch her looking at him, however it was too late.

He gazed at her from behind sunglasses. She noticed a jagged scar from the slope of the corner of his mouth to the base of his hairline. She forgot she was staring as she pondered what could cause a scar like that. He cleared his throat and she jumped in her chair. When she grabbed her glass of water she nearly knocked it over. By the time she set it right on the table the man on the bar stool was gone. He left her with an odd feeling of unease in the pit of her stomach. She looked around the restaurant for any sign of him. Jo sat back down at the table.

“Is something wrong, Samantha?”

“No. I just had this strange feeling about someone,” she said. “Just one of those odd moments.”

“I have plenty of those.” Jo nodded. As they enjoyed their meal both women were distracted. By the time they finished and the waitress retrieved the plates their halfhearted conversation came to a full halt.

“I think it’s nice of you to make those muffins for people, Samantha. Sometimes I wish I was a little more social like you. But I guess I am just used to being by myself.” Jo stood up from the table.

“Well, you’re not by yourself anymore.” Samantha linked her arm through Jo’s and smiled at her.

Jo was a little surprised by the warmth she felt within her. She smiled back at Samantha. The two spent a little time in town window-shopping and then headed back to Sage Gardens to share a light dinner at Samantha’s.

“Want to take a walk?” Samantha cleared the plates.

“I’d love to. I’ve heard there’s going to be a full moon tonight.”

“It’s late enough, we might get a glimpse of it.” Samantha left the dishes in the sink and the two walked out the door.

“One of the things I love the most about Sage Gardens is how easy it is to take a walk here. Plenty of sidewalks, a good amount of lighting, and just a general feeling of safety.”

“I do like that, too,” Jo agreed and swept her gaze along the sidewalk. Even though Sage Gardens was a quiet retirement community she was always careful about where she was and who might be near.

“Do you have the energy for the full loop?” Samantha glanced over at Jo. “It’s so beautiful out.”

“Absolutely. After that delicious meal we just had I need to walk it off.”

“Oh please, you don’t have an ounce of extra weight on you.”

“You’d be surprised. Retirement is certainly making me go soft. I used to train in the gym all the time.” She left out the fact that it was a gym in prison. “I haven’t even been to do Judo in almost six months.”

Samantha laughed and shook her head. “I can’t imagine doing Judo even six years ago. You’re much more limber than me, Jo.”

“Trust me, it was just an outlet for my aggression.” Jo grinned. “Society frowns on flipping men over your shoulder for fun unless it’s in a class environment.”

“Now, that might be fun!” Samantha laughed so loud that she covered her mouth to keep from disturbing the early-to-bed residents. It wasn’t her laughter that woke them however, it was a piercing scream that filled the otherwise quiet evening. It startled Samantha so much that she grabbed Jo’s arm and tugged her towards her in a protective embrace. She was sure that the scream came from inside the villa of the new neighbors.

“What was that?” Jo glared at the villa. “Do you think someone is hurt?”

“I think something terrible has happened.” Samantha released Jo’s arm and headed straight for the front door of the villa.

“Samantha wait! You don’t know what might be happening inside!” Jo jogged to catch up with her. “Remember, Roger said they value their privacy. What’s going on is their business.”

“Not with a scream like that.” Samantha started to knock on the door, however the moment that her knuckles touched the wood the door swung open. In the front hallway not far from the door, Roger’s body filled the passage. As Samantha watched he dropped to his knees. Only then did she see the shiny, black high heel jutted out in an odd direction across the floor. She rushed forward and looked over Roger’s shoulder to find Valda sprawled out on the floor face up. Muffin crumbs covered her mouth, and she clutched the remainder of the muffin in her right hand. She stared vacantly at the ceiling. It was clear she was dead.