Secrets to Die For, page 1
Table of Contents
Excerpt
Praise for Linda Hope Lee
Secrets to Die For
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
A word about the author…
Thank you for purchasing
Also available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Outside, under the canopied entryway, the cold air made Nina shiver. She pulled up her raincoat hood and tied the strings under her chin. Her car was in the south parking lot. The path bordering the lake provided the shortest route. Ducking her head against the onslaught of wind and rain, Nina stepped onto the sidewalk, hurrying past wrought iron chairs and benches and round umbrella tables, their closed umbrellas pointing skyward like miniature spires.
Leaving the building behind, she soon reached the lake path. Underneath tall yard lights, the wet asphalt resembled a silver ribbon. Wisps of fog rose from the water and drifted toward the shore. A cold mist enveloped her, and raindrops collected on her cheeks, her nose, her eyelashes, and her chin. Nina shivered and bent her head against the wind.
Her thoughts turned to Stephen and their upcoming dinner date. What should she wear? Something romantic, Jessica said. Her black dress? No, too fancy. Her blue silk slacks outfit? No, the pant legs would get soaked in the rain—unless she wrapped herself completely in plastic. Hmm, not a bad idea…
A dog’s sharp “yip” interrupted her musings. Nina looked up to see Ellie Larkin and Nigel heading toward her. Heavens, why were they still outside? Hadn't she and Jessica watched them return to Marley?
The dog barked again, but his bushy tail, sticking up from behind the yellow coat, wagged cheerily.
“Hello, Ellie.” Nina greeted the woman when they were within speaking distance.
Ellie stared blankly from the depths of her hood.
A chill skittered down Nina's spine. Was Ellie having one of the spells Jessica mentioned?
Praise for Linda Hope Lee
“A modern western, packed with secrets, intrigue, and old-fashioned romance, FINDING SARA is a story that won’t be forgotten.”
~Joanne Hall, Writers and Readers of
Distinctive Fiction
~*~
“LOVING ROSE is a sweet, heartwarming read that will tug at your heartstrings.”
~Melissa, Sizzlinghotbookreviews.net
~*~
“Lee provides readers with emotional drama and puzzling suspense. DARK MEMORIES churns with guilt, passion, and intrigue.”
~Romantic Times
~*~
“A mystery with a slew of suspects and a saucy, fun romance made MURDER BETWEEN THE PAGES a delightful read.”
~Laura, FUONLY KNEW Blog
Secrets to Die For
by
Linda Hope Lee
The Nina Foster Mystery Series, Book Two
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Secrets to Die For
COPYRIGHT © 2020 by Linda Hope Lee
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Contact Information: info@thewildrosepress.com
Cover Art by Kim Mendoza
The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
PO Box 708
Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708
Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com
Publishing History
First Crimson Rose Edition, 2020
Print ISBN 978-1-5092-2795-2
Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2989-5
The Nina Foster Mystery Series, Book Two
Published in the United States of America
Dedication
To Pearl
Chapter One
“Do you think the rain will ever stop?” Nina Foster gazed out the first floor window of the soon-to-be created library at Marley Manor, Richmond, Washington’s exclusive retirement community.
“We live in the Northwest, my dear.” Jessica Bingham, Nina’s grandmother and a Marley resident, looked up from unpacking a box of books. “And it’s January. You know what we always say around here—better rain than snow.”
As the town’s managing librarian, Nina was using her expertise to establish Marley’s library. Today, in the initial stages of the project, she and Jessica sorted the donated books, stacking them on several long tables in the center of the room.
Nina was about to turn away from the window and continue her work when something caught her eye. Leaning closer, she made out a person in a yellow hooded slicker trudging along the path bordering Lake Mead, which provided much of the home’s setting. Alongside the figure trotted a small white dog wearing a matching yellow raincoat. “Someone is out walking a dog in this storm.”
Jessica came to stand beside her. “That’s Ellie Larkin and her Pomeranian, Nigel. You’ve met her, Nina. She and I are good friends.”
“I remember Ellie.” The image of a tall, bony woman with iron-gray hair popped into Nina’s mind. “Why are she and Nigel walking in this miserable weather?” She hugged her arms. “Couldn’t she put him outside for a couple minutes if he had to go?”
“Ellie walks her dog every day around this time, rain or shine.” Jessica looked at her wristwatch. “Yep, four-thirty. You could set your watch by them.” She frowned. “I’ve been worried about Ellie lately.”
“Why?” She turned to Jessica, neatly dressed, as usual, in brown slacks and a rust-colored sweater that complemented her strawberry blonde hair.
“Because she’s often confused and forgetful. A certain amount of memory loss is to be expected at our age. But yesterday, she couldn’t remember which mailbox was hers, even though the boxes are marked with apartment numbers. Plus, she often mumbles about secrets.”
“Secrets? Do you know what she’s talking about?” Anything that suggested a mystery intrigued Nina.
Jessica shrugged. “I haven’t a clue, but she becomes very agitated.”
Nina folded her arms and leaned against the window frame. “Hmmm, do you think she has Alzheimer’s? Or some other kind of dementia?”
“I hope not.” Jessica wrinkled her brow. “If she does, she’ll have to move into a memory care facility. I’d really miss her.”
“Does she have relatives to look out for her?”
“Only her nephew, Roger Blanton, and he hangs around hoping to get some of her money.”
Nina nodded. “Okay, now I recall more about Ellie. She won the lottery a couple of years ago, didn’t she?”
“Right. Sixteen million.” Jessica grinned. “After taxes.”
“Wow.” Nina widened her eyes at the thought of winning so much money. “I think I’ve met Roger, too.”
Jessica nodded. “I’m sure we’ve all been together at least once when you’ve come for Sunday dinner. I never cared much for Roger.” Jessica pursed her lips. “He’s a weasly, whiny guy, always complaining he needs money.”
“Doesn’t he have a job?”
“He calls himself an ‘entrepreneur.’” Jessica harrumphed. “I call him a bum.”
Again, Nina turned to the window, pushing aside the curtain. Ellie was bent into the wind, her yellow slicker billowing out behind her. Nigel’s bushy tail drooped, displaying his lack of enthusiasm for the outing. She propped both hands on her hips. “Someone should go and bring Ellie and Nigel inside.”
Jessica shook her head. “She wouldn’t come until she was ready. She can be stubborn, especially if she’s having one of her spells.” She leaned closer to the window and pointed a forefinger. “Oh, look, not to worry; they’re turning and heading back.”
Sure enough, as Jessica spoke, Ellie wheeled around to head in the opposite direction. Nigel, his tail wagging, scampered after her.
“She’ll be okay now.” Jessica smiled. “We’d better get back to work.”
As she turned from the window, Nina caught her reflection. Strands of her shoulder-length, brown hair escaped the loosely-tied ponytail and hung like exaggerated commas around her face. On some women that might look chic, but on her, the tendrils looked messy. But, then, who could keep a hairdo in this wild weather?
She caught her grandmother’s reflection. Jessica could. Her curls were never out of place. The only variation with her hair was the shade, which changed from reddish blonde to red, depending on her whim.
But Jessica was right—they’d better get back to work. Around the room’s perimeter, newly co nstructed, floor-to-ceiling shelves stood ready and waiting to be filled. The smell of recently applied oak stain lingered in the air. Several groupings of comfortable chairs and reading lamps completed the furnishings. “This space will make a lovely library.” Nina crossed to the table where she’d been working.
“You are so nice to organize it.” Jessica made a sweeping gesture that included the entire room.
“You know books and libraries are my passion.” Nina reached into a box and pulled out several hardcover books. “I hope we get enough donations to fill the shelves.”
“Not to worry, dear.” Jessica picked up a knife and slit open a box. “Director Marshall applied for a government grant. Plus, he’s set up a Library Fund, and residents are already contributing. You’ll have a budget to buy new books to your heart’s content.”
Nina looked up and grinned. “Really? That’s good news. Current titles will round out the collection.”
“I put a sign-up sheet on our bulletin board downstairs asking for volunteers. The next time you come, we should have a crew to help us…Oh, look, here’s an Agatha Christie I haven’t read.” She held up a book. “I’ll be the first to check it out.”
The muffled ring of her phone grabbed Nina’s attention, and she hurried to the chair where she’d left her shoulder bag. Digging into its voluminous depths, she pulled out the phone.
“Hey, Nina.”
Stephen Kraslow’s deep voice resonated pleasantly in her ear. Stephen was from New York City, having left his job as a journalist to assume ownership of Richmond’s weekly newspaper, The Richmond Review. “Hello, Stephen. What’s up?” She hoped he wasn’t canceling their evening together. She looked forward to being with him.
“About dinner tonight—”
Oh oh, he was canceling. Her shoulders slumped. “You don’t want to get together,” she blurted. “You have something else to do—”
“Nina, stop jumping to conclusions. No, instead of eating at your place, I thought we could go out.”
“Why? I know I’m not the best cook in the world, but—”
“Going out has nothing to do with your cooking. I have something I want to discuss with you.”
Something to discuss that required neutral territory. What could that subject be? Nina’s stomach tensed. “Do you have a restaurant in mind?”
“How about Henry’s, at the harbor?”
Henry’s was one of their favorite places. “Okay, but what do you want to talk about?”
“Uh uh, not until dinner. Can you meet me at seven? I can get away by then.”
“All right. I’ll be there.” Nina hung up, biting her lip. Noticing her grandmother’s gaze, she forced a smile. “That was Stephen.”
“So I gathered. You two still playing ‘your place or mine’?”
Nina tucked her cell phone into her purse. “Come on, Gran, we’ve been seeing each other for only six months.”
“I married Tyler after three months and—”
“I know; you lived happily ever after.” Nina finished a sentence she had heard often enough to know by heart. “A short-term courtship worked for you and Granddad, but I’m too cautious to jump into a committed relationship after only a few months.”
Jessica placed the box she’d emptied under the table and picked up another one. “I didn’t think you would commit to a relationship, period.”
Hearing her grandmother’s dry tone, Nina shrugged. “Okay, so I admit to being a little scared of commitment. Stephen hasn’t proposed marriage, anyway.”
“Maybe tonight’s the night.” Jessica smiled and slit open the new box.
Nina shook her head. “I don’t think so. He’s not ready.”
“How long since his wife passed away?” Jessica stacked books on the table.
“Two years.” Dating a widower was a new experience.
Jessica pulled another handful of books from the box. “That length of time seems long enough to adjust. If I were you, I’d be prepared. Wear something romantic and fix your hair nice.”
Her grandmother’s suggestion lingered uneasily in Nina’s mind. What if Stephen planned to propose tonight? What would her answer be? Did she love him? She certainly admired him and enjoyed his company.
But her mother’s marriage ended in abandonment, and Nina’s few relationships all failed, leaving her more than a little afraid of commitment. The truth was, the idea of marriage scared her to death.
****
Half an hour later, Nina and Jessica left the library—Jessica to join her friends in the dining room for dinner, and Nina to return to her condo and prepare for her date with Stephen
After bidding Jessica good-bye, Nina passed through the reception area, which included comfortable chairs and sofas as well as dining tables and a snack bar where residents could visit with one another and entertain guests.
Marley Manor was the most expensive and exclusive retirement community in the area. The residents of the six-story building lived in the luxury of beautifully landscaped grounds, gourmet meals, a fully furnished spa, a hobby room, a chapel, and an auditorium. The only amenity lacking was a library, and Nina would soon supply that addition.
Near the front door, the middle-aged receptionist, Hilda Stern, sat behind a semi-circular desk. “The weather is awful tonight.” She absently patted her upswept hairdo with the tips of her red-nailed fingers. “Drive carefully, Nina.”
“I will,” Nina promised. “Good-night, Hilda.”
Outside, under the canopied entryway, the cold air made Nina shiver. She pulled up her raincoat hood and tied the strings under her chin. Her car was in the south parking lot. The path bordering the lake provided the shortest route. Ducking her head against the onslaught of wind and rain, Nina stepped onto the sidewalk, hurrying past wrought iron chairs and benches and round umbrella tables, their closed umbrellas pointing skyward like miniature spires.
Leaving the building behind, she soon reached the lake path. Underneath tall yard lights, the wet asphalt resembled a silver ribbon. Wisps of fog rose from the water and drifted toward the shore. A cold mist enveloped her, and raindrops collected on her cheeks, her nose, her eyelashes, and her chin. Nina shivered and bent her head against the wind.
Her thoughts turned to Stephen and their upcoming dinner date. What should she wear? Something romantic, Jessica said. Her black dress? No, too fancy. Her blue silk slacks outfit? No, the pant legs would get soaked in the rain—unless she wrapped herself completely in plastic. Hmm, not a bad idea…
A dog’s sharp “yip” interrupted her musings. Nina looked up to see Ellie Larkin and Nigel heading toward her. Heavens, why were they still outside? Hadn't she and Jessica watched them return to Marley?
The dog barked again, but his bushy tail, sticking up from behind the yellow coat, wagged cheerily.
“Hello, Ellie.” Nina greeted the woman when they were within speaking distance.
Ellie stared blankly from the depths of her hood.
A chill skittered down Nina's spine. Was Ellie having one of the spells Jessica mentioned? “I’m Nina Foster.” She pointed to her chest. “Jessica Bingham’s granddaughter?”
The woman continued to stare at Nina.
Nina took a step forward. “Ellie?”
Ellie jutted out her chin. “Did you call me?”
“Call you? You mean just now?” Nina wasn’t sure whether Ellie meant had Nina hailed her from a distance or called her on the phone.
“Is someone behind me?” Ellie jerked her head to look over her shoulder.
Nina peered through the gloom. All she saw were the boathouse and a dock that stretched into the lake like a long, ghostly finger. “I don’t see anyone, Ellie. Do you?”
Nodding, Ellie widened her eyes. “I know their secrets. They might be after me.”
“Whose secrets, Ellie?” Nina stepped closer to the woman, lest she miss her reply.
“Them.”
Ellie barely whispered while staring into space. Although Nina was curious about Ellie’s secrets, a rainstorm was not the time to press for more information. “You shouldn't be out in this bad weather. You’ll catch cold. You want to go home, don’t you, Nigel?” Nina leaned to pat the dog’s saturated head.
The animal stood on his hind legs, stuck out his pink tongue, and pawed the air.
“Do you have a secret?” Ellie narrowed her eyes.
“Come on, Ellie, let’s go home. I’ll walk with you.” Nina laid a hand on the woman’s arm.
