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  “You do yourself discredit. You're far more beautiful than most women even half your age, but if that's the way you feel, then so be it. I have some matters to take care of before the funeral, but I'm sure I will see you there. Thank you again for this,” he said, holding up the picture, and then he made a motion to leave, heading toward the door. Ellen's eyes lit up as the plan was fully in motion now. Before he left she called out to him while she reached up and pretended to get some crockery out.

  “I actually did find something else of George's that might be good for the funeral. It's in the back, though. Do you mind just going through to the office and getting it? It's something that he used to love, it's just on my desk, you can't miss it.”

  “Oh, yes, that would be great, really. Thanks for all you've done for him. I'm sure he would have appreciated it,” Ricky said as he opened the door.

  Ellen watched him carefully out of the corner of her eye and, when he turned the handle, she rounded on him. Ricky backed away in horror as Scampy leaped out of the doorway, yapping and barking loudly. Ricky barreled through chairs and tables, creating a loud cacophony of noise as he tried escaping the dog’s attention. He looked at Ellen, desperate for help, but saw only a sly smile. She walked out from behind the counter and stood behind Scampy.

  “I'm sure he would have appreciated it more if you hadn't killed him,” she said in an icy tone, folding her arms.

  Ricky paused and didn't take his eyes off her even as he moved a chair to put in between himself and the dog. Ellen waited patiently for his response, but she didn't expect him to laugh. The cafe was strewn with tables and chairs and Scampy still was barking in the background.

  When Ricky finished laughing he looked at Ellen and, finally, his mask had vanished. She saw the icy blue of his eyes and the aquiline features of his face took on a cold, cruel look. He straightened his back and seemed to ignore Scampy's barking, growing larger and more imposing before her very eyes. Ellen gulped and hoped she hadn't bitten off more than she could chew. After all, this was a man who had killed his own brother-in-law. She was nothing to him and he certainly would have had no qualms about killing her, too. Now that she looked in his eyes in this manner, she was sure he had killed George. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind.

  “I didn't kill George,” he said, his voice dry and even. Ellen smiled softly.

  “I suppose from a certain point of view that is true,” she said, sighing.

  “After all, technically, he took the pills himself. But is that really going to help you sleep at night?”

  As she spoke she walked back behind the counter and pulled out the bottle of pills, setting them in front of her. Ricky's eyes followed them and she could tell he was worried. His eyes filled with rage and his entire body bristled and simmered with tension. His face blanched and he gulped.

  “Switching a man's medicine was done with the intent of killing him and I think it's enough to send you away for a long, long time,” she said, looking at him directly, although he didn't wilt as she expected him to.

  It seemed as though there still was some fight in him after all. He glared at Scampy, who by this point had stopped barking and was growling quietly, ready to pounce at the slightest provocation. Ellen was glad Scampy was there, for she was sure if he wasn't Ricky would have come upon her. Although Andy was nearby she didn't know if he could get there in time, so the dog would be getting a big treat later.

  “As I understand it you're the one who found George in the first place, and now you're the one with the bottle of pills. If there's anyone who seems to have killed him I believe it would be you. Perhaps you should take that into consideration before you start throwing around accusations about who killed George, because from where I stand the prime suspect looks like you.”

  Ellen stood motionless at the counter, hating that he was so sure of himself, and so confident of how things were going to play out. It was obvious he felt as though he had committed the perfect crime, and was about to get away with it without any remorse. How could a man be so heartless? How could he be so cruel? Ellen asked herself. She almost asked Ricky himself, but knew she wouldn't receive a straight answer, so didn't even bother.

  “You have no proof, Ellen. At the moment you're just like this mutt, barking loudly, but all you're doing is creating noise,” he sneered.

  “Your fingerprints were all over the crime scene.”

  “Oh, so what? You think it's really that suspicious that I was in my brother-in-law's house? I know I haven't visited him for a while but that isn't proof and you know it. It's just a sad case of an old man getting confused and taking the wrong pills. That's the simple explanation and that's what everyone is going to think.”

  Anger burned inside Ellen and it was all she could do to not explode at him. That wasn't part of the plan. She had to try remaining as calm as possible, even though all she wanted to do was go over there and slap him for all the drama he had caused. But what she had to do was keep him talking.

  “It's more important than you think,” she said. He merely shrugged, and nonchalantly leaned against a table.

  “I'm going to miss you Ellen. You know, sometimes life really does throw up some surprises. I had no idea I was going to run into you here but I'm glad I did. You're certainly a spirited one and it's such a shame you choose to waste your life in such a backwater town like this. You think you're going to amount to anything here? This place is nothing, and eventually it's going to wither and die like the flowers in winter. You should be in the city, not dying a slow death here. I have nothing but contempt for you and the people who live here.”

  “Is that why you killed him?” Ellen asked.

  Ricky's eyes were filled with passion, and he grew overconfident in his plan. He reveled in telling Ellen everything, little did he know he was doing exactly what she wanted. He was buoyed along, swept up in a river of seething hatred for everything that George was.

  “I loathed the man. He took my sister away from me and led her here. She could have been so much more, could have done so much with her life instead of wasting it away. Then, to top it all off, he outlived her, which was the biggest joke I've ever heard. I should have done this long ago to put him out of his misery. What did he ever do? He just walked his dog and lived life like it didn't mean a thing. Not like me, I actually tried. I tried to make myself better and to actually accomplish something with my life and what do I have to show for it? Nothing. Can you blame me for killing him?” He revealed.

  “All I wanted was a little shred of success but everything I try my hand at fails, when all he did was coast through life. When my sister died she left me part of the estate. I knew George didn't have anyone in his family. The only surprise was he hadn't left all his money to that stupid dog. I waited years and years but he kept on surviving. Every year I received a Christmas card it only reminded me he was keeping me from my fortune. I thought I struck a bit of luck last year when he finally had that business with his heart but, of course, that didn't prove to be the case and he recovered. So I decided I had to take matters into my own hands. It was simple enough, of course. The trusting fool kept his doors unlocked, so all I had to do was sneak in when he was out walking the dog and switch the tablets. Problem solved, and everything worked out for the best. I don't even mind telling you all this because no one ever will be able to prove it. So now, if you don't mind, I'm going to take this picture and go play the part of the grieving brother-in-law. Then I'm going to go back to the city and actually start enjoying my life with all the money my sister promised me.”

  He had such a smug look on his face that it made him look rather ugly, but it fell away when he turned to find Andy standing in the doorway in his full uniform, with a grim look on his face.

  “That's about all the confession I need,” he said as he moved into the cafe. Ricky looked crestfallen, but his expression soon turned to one of anger.

  “I was lying! It was all lies!” he said, but Andy had no patience for him. He saunte
red in.

  “I believe you'll need this,” he said, and tossed Ellen the bell that hung over the door, explaining why it hadn't tinkled when Andy had opened the door.

  “And I have this for you,” Ellen said.

  She pulled out a small tape recorder from under the counter and set it by the pills. She rewound the tape slightly and pressed the play button. As Ricky heard his words played back to him his shoulders slumped, knowing he was done for. The two pieces of damning evidence were all Andy needed. He picked them both up and the slapped handcuffs on Ricky, while Scampy yapped in triumph. Ellen watched them leave, then picked up the picture of George. She showed it to Scampy, who sniffed and whimpered as he saw his master. He went up to the picture and licked it, trying to nuzzle up to it, then seemed confused when his nose hit the glass.

  “It's okay, boy. We'll say goodbye to him properly this afternoon,” Ellen said and took the picture to the church.

  Chapter 9

  Ellen led Scampy into the church. Almost everyone in the town had gathered there, although Andy was obviously too busy to attend. After the morning’s events Ellen had run home and changed into something more appropriate for the funeral. Then she gave the picture over and also explained what had happened with Ricky. The church was an old building with a high ceiling, and in the pews people were talking in hushed whispers as the organ played. Outside of the church, Kelly greeted Ellen.

  “What happened?” she asked excitedly.

  “I'll tell you all about it later,” Ellen said.

  Everyone passed their condolences on to one another as it felt like they had lost a member of the family. As the flowers bloomed around them they all felt grateful they had known George.

  Eventually the organ changed tunes to a somber march. Ellen recognized this as her cue. So, accompanied by Scampy, she walked up the aisle and took her place by the priest. Scampy barked as they approached the coffin, and George's calm face stared back at her. She took a seat near the front, beside Kelly, and the two of them held each other’s hands. It was almost as though Scampy knew it was a mournful occasion as he remained quiet all through the priest’s homily and the hymns. When the priest asked if anyone wanted to say anything Ellen looked around, then thrust her hand in the air. Nobody else had volunteered so it seemed as though she was the only one who was going to deliver the eulogy. She had nothing prepared. So when she stood in front of the attending crowd anxiety swept over her and her throat grew dry, but she looked at Kelly, Scampy, and George, and knew exactly what she wanted to say.

  “I know there has been a slight change of plan to what you were expecting today, but that's a story for another time. Right now I want to talk about George and how much we're all going to miss him. As many of you know I left this place for the big city a long time ago and only returned when my parents fell ill. Ever since I've been back George was a friendly face and a real part of the community. He was quick with a smile and, as I'm sure many of you can attest, he always was willing to buy a round.”

  As she said this there were more than a few small cheers. “I know that sometimes it can feel like the world is moving ahead quickly, and we're getting left behind. I'm sure many people look down on us, like our way of life is too primitive or that we're stuck in the past. But I wanted to use this occasion to commemorate, not only George, but all of us, and the things we stand for.

  This town, and all the people in it, are the way the world should be. We are a community of friends and we'll always have each other’s backs. Look at the way we've all come together today. George lost his wife a number of years ago, but he had all of us, and I look at each of you and I can tell he was a lucky man. We're all lucky. When I lived in the city, sure it was great to have lots of fun stuff around me, but nobody knew me. I know all of you will be by my side as friends. I think we all should look around at each other and take stock of everyone in this chapel and in the whole city, because we are blessed to have each other. I know that somewhere up there George and his wife will be looking down on us, smiling.”

  At this point she looked up beyond the ceiling, into the heavens, and lowered her tone a little. “And yes George, don't worry. We'll make sure Scampy gets looked after.”

  When the dog heard its name it yapped, raising a tittering laugh from the crowd. Ellen thanked everyone for coming and for listening to her words. Then it was time for the coffin to be taken outside. The sun gleamed off the dark wood as the coffin was lowered into the ground. As she watched it happen a few tears dripped down Ellen's face.

  “Are you okay?” Kelly asked.

  “I will be,” she said, smiling weakly at her friend.

  Scampy sat slumped over at the edge of the grave as it was filled up while everyone talked with each other, sharing stories of George, and telling Ellen how beautiful her words were. When it was over, Ellen called out for Scampy, and the dog came running to her side.

  It was a week after the funeral and life mostly had returned to normal in East Pender. The sun rose and took over the celestial throne from the room. Ellen cursed Scampy as he ran around her feet, almost tripping her up as she went to feed him. People still spoke of George and the scandal that surrounded his murder but, in truth, she would rather forget the part she played, even though there was a certain exhilaration in knowing she had helped bring a murderer to justice.

  One evening, she, Andy, and Kelly were relaxing in Kelly's house, enjoying each other’s company. Kelly was speaking about something as usual, while Ellen and Andy were on the couch, sitting close to each other, yet there was such a distance between them as well.

  “Did you figure out which character I am yet?” Andy asked with a twinkle in his eye.

  “Nope, to be honest I've barely had a chance to read. But I think I've decided I don't really care. No matter who it is they're not going to be as good as the real thing,” she said. Andy smiled warmly at her and his eyes sparkled.

  “That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I think I've worked it out. Is it Stephen Johnson?” Kelly asked, interrupting. Andy slowly turned his head toward her and narrowed his eyes.

  “No,” he said, and Ellen burst out laughing.

  “I could just go through the list of characters and eventually I'd get the right one,” Kelly said, pouting a little.

  “Ah, but would I tell you even if you were right?” Andy said.

  “Probably not.”

  “So what happened in the end with Ricky? Did everything get sorted out?”

  “Oh yes, once he was confronted with the evidence he had no choice but to confess, really. We did some more digging and it turned out not only did he lose a lot of his money when his business failed, he recently lost more in a pyramid scheme.”

  “It worried me how much he felt like he was owed that money, like somehow George was standing in the way,” Ellen said.

  “That's the interesting thing. It turns out George actually had transferred some money to him before when he needed it, but I suppose it wasn't enough. Sometimes money is never enough,” Andy said wistfully.

  “Anyway, how are you doing with Scampy? I hope the little guy isn't causing you too much grief.”

  “It wouldn't matter even if he was, it's not like he would go to anyone else. But I'm actually getting used to having him around, which I never thought I'd ever say about a pet.”

  “I think it's good you have some companionship, someone to keep you company,” Kelly said, raising an eyebrow mischievously, alluding to the attraction that was brimming between Ellen and Andy. The two of them shifted awkwardly on the couch and Ellen thought it was time for a swift change of subject.

  “I'm glad we were able to help you with the case. I thought for a while there you'd have been angry with us for interfering or something.”

  “Oh, no. I mean, I do wish you had told me at first because I don't like the idea of you...I mean the two of you…putting yourselves in danger, but you were actually a great help. If it hadn't been for you finding that bottle of pills I'm not su
re we would have been able to catch the guy.”

  “Don't congratulate me for that, it was all Scampy,” Ellen said, and they all laughed. When the laughter subsided Andy had a serious look on his face and looked at each of the women in turn.

  “Actually, you did such a good job that I have something here,” he said, and pulled out another case file from his briefcase. Kelly's eyes widened in excitement and Ellen peered over in interest.

  “I think you can offer a different point of view. So if you'd be interested I'd like your help with this case,” he said, offering it to them. Ellen and Kelly gave each other a brief look then took the folder, letting it fall open before them.

  Volume Two

  A Felonious Frame

  An East Pender Mystery Series Book 2

  Chapter 1

  “Come on Scampy, keep up!” Ellen said.

  Her cheeks were red, which matched the shade of the autumn leaves in the soft sunlight. The air was warm during the day, although at night it turned chilly as the tendrils of winter started slithering across the land. Ellen made her way through town, from the east side by the forest to the west by the Mississippi. It was all so peaceful and as she jogged she almost forgot she was living in a town with other people. It was the time of year when everything became sleepy in anticipation of winter. People already were thinking about the magic of Christmas and the romance that hung in the air, although that was something Ellen tried not to think about too much because Christmas hadn't been the same ever since her parents had passed away. There seemed to be an emptiness about the season, although she had begun a new tradition with her best friend Kelly, who also had no one, and they spent the day together. Of course, many of the men in town did offer Ellen gifts but she refused them all because she did not want to lead on any of them. It was only Andy she really wanted to see at Christmas, but a policeman's life rarely left him any free time. Although there was an attraction between them, they both danced around it as though they were bashful teenagers.