One for the Road and Death Read online

  One for the Road and Death

  Fleming Investigations Cozy Mysteries #14

  Kobo Edition

  © Patti Larsen 2023

  Find out more about me at

  http://www.pattilarsen.com/

  ***

  Kobo Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the vendor and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  ***

  Hey, reader! Fiona Fleming, at your service.

  Hey, reader! Fiona Fleming, at your service.

  I had a little birdie whisper to me (yeah, whisper, right, snort) that you weren’t happy about the cliffhanger I left you with (you can stop yelling at me now, it won’t help) at the end of my last mystery (done yet? Awesome.).

  Whoops. Yikes. Gulp. My bad. But then again, that’s how things go in my world, right? Were you really surprised I ran afoul of mayhem and old enemies and kidnapping, considering everything I’ve been through? Really?

  If you weren’t surprised, you’ve been following along. Bravo, gold star, here’s your cookie. High five, fist bump, cheers, sweetie.

  If you were, well. Thanks for the optimism, seriously. I wish I shared it. You think way more of me than I think of myself, and that’s… sweet, kid.

  Big sigh.

  Okay, let’s get back to the task at hand before the crap hits the giant fan. Keep up, my loves. You’re in for a ride…

  ***

  Chapter One

  Thirty-nine weeks. I sighed as I leaned into Dad at the bottom of the steps leading up to the front doors of town hall, feeling every single minute of the last nine months in the very bones of my body. The two wriggling houseguests who still hadn’t made their minds up about coming or going (while long outstaying their welcome), decided at that very moment to begin to redesign the choreography I’d thought they’d finalized earlier today. Clearly, they thought more practice—and an entire revamp of their routine—was in order, though I personally thought they were ready for their opening performance.

  Groan.

  Town hall was already packed with residents of Reading when I finally heaved myself up to the doorway and inside. Dad did his protective poppa thing, maneuvering his way through the gathering to the side of the meeting room with me safely tucked against him. With Crew out of town for a few days (despite his concerns I’d pop at any second), my father was taking his role as my guardian angel very seriously.

  Mom waved us over, the three seats she’d saved us covered in her heavy wool coat now empty and awaiting my spreading behind. There was a time when my cousin Robert used to call me Fanny with the intent of hurting my feelings. And while the two of us had come to a much happier place in recent times, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d be snickering at the wide load that I made these days.

  Thinking about him only made me worry, a typical response I’d been fighting against since I hit the thirty-eighth week. It seemed like every single thing in my life stirred anxiety, the opportunities for concern just a whisper away in the surly vaults of my stressed mind. Because hadn’t Dr. Aberstock told me having twins meant the likelihood I’d be delivering early? Yes, yes, he had. My girls, however?

  As contrary as their mother, apparently, when it came to doing as they were expected. Which only had me worrying all over again because my mother was a saint to raise me the way she did, and I was only one person. Not to mention the fact I was about as far a cry from the steady, level and confident woman Mom was, so who was I to even contemplate raising two of me?

  I wriggled in my seat, more uncomfortable internally than externally, that same beacon of redheaded clarity reaching over to pat my hand on my left as Dad leaned into me on my right, our Fleming sandwich bringing me no end of comfort.

  “You didn’t need to come,” Mom whispered to me as the council filed in from the side door, Mayor Olivia Walker entering last, taking her seat at the center of the long desk, her counterparts settling in the muttering quiet as the gathered Reading residents fell still at their appearance.

  I shook my head, not bothering to tell Mom that there was no way I was missing whatever Olivia had cooked up this time. Christmas was just around the corner, which meant the new year loomed and knowing our long-time mayor, she was already looking well ahead. I might have been ready to try anything (including jumping jacks if I thought I could do it without hurting myself) to encourage the girls to get on with it already, but I hadn’t completely lost touch with the fact my hometown didn’t have the best track record when it came to living up to its moniker of cutest town in America.

  Now, don’t get me wrong. As I crossed my arms (barely) over my chest (mostly) and raised my (double) chin to catch Olivia’s eye over the heads of the throng in front of me, I couldn’t help but linger in a sense of optimism that had overtaken me the past few weeks. With the holidays upon us and most of the mess the O’Shea family made mopped up and stores reopened under new or renewed management, Reading had regained its sparkling surface, a genuine air of hope so infectious even I in my cranky (sigh) state couldn’t resist. And with no sign of trouble lurking, Rose Norton on the run and, according to the FBI in pursuit of her, nowhere near Vermont, I was safe to enjoy Christmas, my favorite time of the year, even if the gifts that kept on giving were still tucked away awaiting Santa.

  Which had me alternating between a surge of anxiety about Rose’s continuing freedom as my cousin Robert pursued his crackpot ex-girlfriend and left me to worry about him more often than not and the nose-wrinkling smile that lifted my heart at the sight of our town’s very own Mr. and Mrs. Claus as Dr. Lloyd Aberstock and his adorable (and healthy!) wife, Bernice, waved at me from across the center aisle.

  My emotional rollercoaster notwithstanding, I didn’t have time to sort out which feeling I was going to give into at the moment because Olivia was back on her feet and addressing the collective she’d led for the bulk of a decade while we all held our breath and waited for the high-heeled shoe to drop.

  Maybe that was just me.

  “Thank you so much for coming out tonight,” she began, her politico-speak tone as perfectly polished as her black bob and as crisp as the cream suit she wore. “I know how important this time of year is to all of us, a time for family, for coming together. Reading celebrates the holidays with all of you and that is why I’m so delighted to share news of our continuing road to recovery.” She gestured at the side door she’d just used, a balding man of medium height and build nodding from the threshold. I hadn’t noticed him and, from the craning necks of the rest of Reading’s gathered, neither had anyone else. Only my dad didn’t seem surprised, a narrow frown on his face that darkened his expression and had me wondering what he knew that I didn’t. “Our town has been lacking in sufficient policing since the elimination of our sheriff’s department.” No mention of the fact she’d been a part of that downfall, was there? As usual, Olivia barreled on through and swept us all up in her enthusiasm. “And while this council is grateful for the attention and services of the Vermont State Police, it’s high time we had our own force in place again. Which is why I’m so happy to introduce you to our new chief of police and head of our brand-new department. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Chief Edwin Terrance.”

  Applause erupted along with chatter, but I wasn’t focused on the crowd.

  I was looking at Dad.

  Who was looking at th
e chief. Still frowning.

  Awesome.

  ***

  Chapter Two

  Okay, so it wasn’t like this reveal was a huge shocker. Olivia had been leaning toward the police chief thing for months. Crew had told me it made sense, not just because the Reading Sheriff Department had a terrible track record once he stepped down (was fired, let’s be real) and through no fault of mine (briefly) or Jill Wagner’s (also briefly) though definitely looking at you, Robert (when he wasn’t trying to be better). That left everyone with a bad taste in their mouths, me included. And, having a chief instead of a sheriff meant Olivia and the council had carte blanche to deal with the new head of our town’s policing (despite playing fast and loose with by-elections, firings and hirings all along).

  No, it was my father’s intense dislike of the man now striding forward to shake Olivia’s hand that had my stomach in knots. The girls immediately disapproved of my anxious state, one or the other kicking out while her sister punched me rather abruptly in the kidney while I winced at their unhappiness.

  “Dad,” I said.

  He shook his head, expression settling. “Later,” he whispered.

  I accepted his suggestion when there would have been a time I’d have been annoyed at his lack of forthcoming information. Partly because I knew he knew I’d be wrangling the truth out of him anyway and partly because he’d finally given up on keeping secrets from me. As far as I knew. Mostly. Hadn’t he? Wait, hadn’t he?

  Pregnant woman brain firing on all concerned cylinders now, I almost prodded him, motion from the front of the hall catching my eye. The young woman gesturing for her cameraman to get closer flashed me a grimace while Anita Jones covered the event. Her discomfort was almost enough to soothe the savage beast that was my anxiety. She’d been lurking around town since Rose’s departure, though she seemed less than excited about her assignment. Since she’d made my life a living crapshow when Rose was released in the first place, I found it hard to have compassion for the slim blonde (that had nothing to do with the fact I felt like a giangantasaur in her petite presence, I assure you). But whether she’d chosen to remain in town, or her bosses had pushed her to linger, whatever the case, she didn’t look all that enthused to be covering the minor hiring of a small-town police chief.

  Snicker.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Chief Terrance spoke up as he released Olivia’s hand and turned to face us with a firm and yet inauthentic smile plastered on his round face, “thank you for the welcome. I assure you, I’m here for you, for Reading, and it is my pleasure to be of service.” More applause followed as a young man in a khaki uniform joined him. “Our department might be small to start, but Deputy Montgomery and I take our jobs seriously.” The young man bobbed a nod. I’d never seen him before, so he had to be a transplant, always suspect in my book. Dad’s reaction wasn’t helping, my eyes flickering from the pair at the front to my father’s now stoic and empty expression making me a bit nauseated as I searched for something that wasn’t visible. Present, oh yes, just not apparent on the outside anymore, Dad’s favorite. “I understand there have been instances when crimes have been committed here in Reading and law enforcement has been assisted by unofficial means.” Oh, he did not just go there. How freaking obvious could he be? I caught my own frown as the new police chief decided to be a total and utter jerk and ensure no one liked him by nodding firmly to Olivia. “That will no longer be acceptable or encouraged.” At least our mayor had the good grace to let her smile slip just a fraction, her façade cracking sufficiently I even caught the briefest of glances she cast my way while the chief went on. “Reading is in excellent hands.”

  Did he note the fact the last smatter of applause was strained? Or that almost every head turned at one point or another toward the Fleming family sitting in their midst? If he didn’t, the man was already proving himself an idiot. From the smirk on the face of Karla Jensen, however, I had no doubt our new chief knew exactly what he was doing and had encouragement in the form of the town event planner and her dislike for me and all things Fleming Investigations.

  “Thank you for coming,” Olivia blurted then, smile back firmly in place. “I encourage you to come and say hello, shake hands with our new chief, and embrace this new day for our adorable town.” You better believe she spun and booked it before anyone could do as she suggested. I had no doubt from the frowns in the crowd she’d be fielding unhappy questions, rather surprised, I have to admit, when I struggled to my feet with Dad’s help how many of Reading’s residents ignored the new chief and instead came to say a kind word to us.

  It turned into a bit of an embarrassing situation, to be honest, though I did note the scowl Karla now wore. Chief Terrance didn’t seem put off by the affection being shown toward us, though, and that worried me. I wasn’t expecting the stirrings of good feeling that triggered a thickening of my throat or stinging in my eyes at the steady stream of residents who passed, pausing to touch my hand and wish me well, nods and handshakes and the occasional hug for Mom as comforting as it was surprising.

  Dad was well loved when he’d worn the sheriff’s uniform and Mom was universally adored. Neither of their status in town was in question. But despite Crew’s assurances to the contrary, I’d never really felt like Reading embraced me. That night, with what felt like the entirety of our town filing past me on purpose, with purpose, had my heart swelling and my anxiety fading to nothing.

  By the time we made it to the street outside in the cool mountain air, I was beaming. And had no desire to go home just yet.

  “Buy me a hot chocolate?” I nodded toward the sign of the Harp and Thorn down the street, energized despite my condition and feeling like I could take on the world.

  “Great idea,” Dad said, linking arms with me.

  “Are you sure, sweetie?” Mom’s concern took over for mine. She was great to tag-team like that.

  “I want to get a feel for this new chief,” Dad said, voice dropping, “and his deputy.”

  “No one seems all that happy to have them,” I whispered back as we crossed the street under the multi-colored lights lining Main overhead, the towering town Christmas tree glowing in the square, sounds of children laughing and someone starting up a carol echoing through the center of town only improving my mood.

  “For now,” Dad said, shrugging inside his puffy coat, Mom on his right and me on his left, towering over both of us like the mountains over Reading. His gruff voice barely carried as he guided us carefully across the cold asphalt. “Let’s just get ahead of this if we can, shall we?”

  I nodded immediately, Mom sighing but agreeing, ultimately, because it wasn’t like we hadn’t been here before, right?

  It wasn’t until we crossed the threshold into the Harp and Thorn’s taproom, I realized I hadn’t seen hide nor hair of my homicide detective friend, Rowan Mallory, since Rose’s departure. I knew he’d been in hot water, partially thanks to me, with his boss at BCI, but the wrap-up of the last case had exonerated the detective. At least, I thought so. Was I wrong? I hated that I’d let that question slip beneath the undulating waves of baby hormones and promised myself I’d reach out to Rowan as soon as I got home.

  He’d want to know that there was a new gun in town and better that he heard it from me.

  We’d barely found a table, the main bar packed already and the side restaurant not much better, when none other than Chief Terrance strode through the front door. I slipped out of my wool coat, Mom setting it across the back of my chair for me and waited as he deliberately strode toward our table.

  “The famous Flemings,” he said in a boisterous tone that had me gritting my teeth because there was enough sarcasm in it I anticipated having to smack him if he got out of line. Hey, I could blame it on the babies so don’t think I wasn’t going to take full advantage of my pregnancy if I had an out to call on. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “John,” Dad said, holding out his hand.

  Edwin Terr
ance sealed the jerkface deal in that very instant and make no mistake, everyone in the taproom knew it. Because despite my father’s very kind and confident offer, the chief made no effort to take Dad’s hand. In fact, he hooked his thumbs through his belt under his puffy department jacket and smirked at me, my father and my amazing mother for a long moment while his tall, skinny deputy hovered behind him with a growing sense of unease crossing his face.

  “I’ll be calling on your office in the morning,” he said. “With an official statement from the department banning you and your business from any work inside Reading from this moment forward.” What? He couldn’t do that. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He turned and lumbered away, pausing to nod and smile at a few people who didn’t respond. In fact, the entire place had fallen so quiet that by the time he reached the front door again after completing a short circuit of the space, I easily heard the sound of the latch unclicking as he let himself out.

  While my brain fought the impending explosion about to ruin everything. It was Dad’s wink and grin as the chief left that flipped the switch of tension in the taproom from shocked horror to chuckles.

  “Sounds like we’re trouble again,” Dad said. “Anyone want to drown my sorrows and buy me a beer?”

  Laughter ensued and more than one person called out for a pint for my father. I just wished the dangerous look in his eyes didn’t tell me things were far from jovial despite his best efforts.

  Life in town was about to get interesting all over again.

  ***

  Chapter Three

  I made my inevitable trek to the ladies’ room a moment later, moving past the now grumbling assembly of Reading’s finest and into the hallway next to the end of the bar. Head down and frustration bubbling, I almost missed the pair in a heated conversation at the far end near the emergency exit to the back parking lot, pausing as I caught on before they could notice me.