Condemn to Death (Aspen Valley Sisters Series Book 2)

By Sara Robbins

Veronika Mays hired a young girl to help in her new shop, Heart and Soul. But the girl, Grace has a secret. Her father was convicted of killing her mother twelve years ago. No body has ever been found and Grace is convinced her mother isn't dead. In fact, she recently saw her. Veronika and her sister Charlotte embark on a quest to prove once and for all what happened to Grace's mother. Add a handsome lawyer, a beautiful Colorado location and you have another enjoyable Aspen Valley mystery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sara Robbins
• Release date: Oct 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311871459

Book preview

Prologue

Beckett Shaw, Attorney at Law, studied the grainy photograph. It was cut from a newspaper and he could barely make out the features of the woman in the crowd. He looked up and considered the young girl sitting nervously in the chair across from him. She looked impossibly young.

I’m sorry, but I’m not following what you are trying to tell me, he said gently. Your father is in prison for killing your mother, the mother you think is in this picture. And this picture was only taken two weeks ago.

Grace Anderson nervously twisted the silver ring on her finger, Please, don’t say you won’t even look into it. Four lawyers have already turned me away. My father is almost out of appeals and someday they will execute him. And it’s not just the picture; I told you, just before she died, my grandmother whispered that she thinks my mother is alive.

Ms. Anderson, many people say things that don’t make sense just before they die. Your father had a trial and apparently, a jury was convinced that he killed your mother. I can understand that with your father in prison and your grandmother gone you feel alone. It’s normal in the grieving process to go through a stage of denial. You want to change something about all of this. You want to make it like it never happened, Beckett was doing his best to turn this girl away gently.

Just call me Grace. I’m not delusional Mr. Shaw. My Grandmother died a few months ago and I too thought it was the rambling of a dying woman. Then I saw that picture. It’s been twelve years, but I can still remember what my mother looked like. And that woman is the right age as my mother and she looks just like I remember her, Grace’s voice grew stronger as she spoke.

Beckett admired the girl’s conviction, but her story was preposterous. Have you spoken with your father about this? Sometimes a killer, who has denied guilt for years, will admit their crime when they are sure there is no way to get out of it.

Grace dropped her head and when she raised it her brown eyes flashed fire, My father didn’t do this. I didn’t visit him all these years because my Grandmother would never allow it. I’m eighteen now and yes, I want to see him. He will look me in the eyes and say he did not hurt my mother. I know he will. Ican’t believe that he would kill anyone. And I don’t think it has been proven that my mother is dead. After all, they never found a body.

Beckett felt sorry for her, but he needed to conclude this ridiculous discussion, Grace, I’m sorry, but this kind of thing is not in my area of expertise. Besides it would cost a fortune to hire the proper investigators, obtain files and transcripts, and interview those that testified.

Grace straightened her slight shoulders, I have money. I sold my Grandmother’s house and I can pay you whatever it takes.

Beckett smiled, Grace, I’m sure your Grandmother and even your Father would rather you used that money to go to college.

Grace sighed and stood up, reaching across the desk to grab the picture, Fine, Mr. Shaw. If you don't do it,I will go to every lawyer in Colorado Springs. Even if they don’t believe me, someone will be willing to take my money. Now, I need to go, I have an interview for a job. I need to stay in the area since my mother is around here somewhere, and this job will allow me to do that.

Beckett stood, prepared to shake the girl’s hand and let hergo. That’s what he intended, but he found himself hesitating. Something in the story touched him, intrigued him.And she was rightsomeone would take her money. At least he would use it to do a thorough investigation. He had hesitated only a moment before he heard himself saying, Wait. Okay, I’ll take the case. But you have to promise me something. When I prove to you your mother is dead at the hands of your father you have to let it go and move on to make a life for yourself.

For the first time, Grace smiled. The slight upturn of her lips transformed her sad face, Thank you. Thank you. And if you prove that then I will keep that promise. Now I really have to go for that interview.

Beckett shook her hand, Make an appointment soon on your way out. We might as well dig into this. Where is your interview?

Yes, I’ll make an appointment. The interview is for a brand new shop opening out in Elkville. Heart and Soul. Have you heard of it? It’s the only place that would even see me since I’m so young and inexperienced, Grace

answered.

Beckett shook his head, No, I don’t think I’ve even been to Elkville. Isn’t it out in the country?

Yes, I think it’s fifteen miles out of town but that will be fine with me. I just need a job. Thank you again, Mr. Shaw, she gathered her things and headed for the door.

Just before she closed the door Beckett called, Good luck with your interview. He stood in the doorway of his luxurious office suite and shook his head, wondering what kind of mess he had gotten himself into this time.

Chapter 1

Veronika Mays stood back to look over the window display. She moved the heart shaped trinket box a little to the left. She studied the titles of the romance books she had chosen for the display. She was a bestselling author in this genre but had decided not to blatantly promote her work. She had made a name for herself and could guarantee sales of every book she wrote. She wanted to give other authors a chance for exposure.

She had chosen to open the shop after years of traveling the world on one book tour after another. Her sisters operated the Aspen Valley Inn, and Enchanted Events just up the road from here, and she wanted to be nearby.

Thinking about the new addition to the family businesses, her shop, reminded her that she needed to do something more permanent about a place to live. First things first though, she had to get her store open. She could still stay at the Inn or with her sister Charlotte at her little house on the Inn property. Instead, she found herself staying more often in the luxury loft she had created on the second floor of the shop. She had been spending more and more nights there as she worked frantically to get the shop ready for the Grand Opening.

After she had the shop up and running, she would see about renovating a building on the Inn property for herself. She had decided to stay here in Colorado so she could be near her sisters and near them she would be. Eventually sharing the same hilltop property as they did. She was sure that if she threw enough money into it, she could have a comfortable home there. However, for now she needed to focus on getting Heart and Soul opened for business.

Heart and Soul would mainly be a bookstore that specialized in romance novels, but she wanted to include gifts and trinkets from around the world interspersed along the bookshelves. She hoped to create a space full of passion and spirituality.

She envisioned a place where she would host lively discussion groups, guest speakers and maybe even a class or two. She shrugged; she would just let the shop develop into whatever it needed to be. Wow, she thought, how Zen was that. The tiny brass bell over the door interrupted her reverie. She turned to greet the visitor.

Vernie. How is it going? Are you going to be ready to open in three days? It looks great, Charlotte, her youngest sister moved slowly through the cozy space.

Charlotte was the driving force behind Enchanted Events, located on the Aspen Valley Inn property. She was quickly building her own reputation as a fabulous event planner. All three sisters were what people used to call go-getters. They worked hard and usually exceededthe goals they set for themselves. They had lost their parents at a very young age and since each other was all they had, they were very close.

Vernie watched as Charlotte noticed each little detail. Charlotte nodded and smiled as she walked through the store. She paused to look closely at a collection of intricate blown glass hearts.

Yeah, those are my favorite too. I found them in Dubai. This ancient old man sat in a tiny shop creating one after another. Each one different. I bought out his entire days’ work. He told me he used the money he made to send his daughters to school. Daughters do not usually get any higher education in the Middle East. Do you think they will sell? Vernie asked.

Charlotte smiled, Oh, they will sell. I want to buy everything in here. You always gave the best presents and now other people will benefit from your great taste. How are the interviews going?

Vernie frowned, Not so well. No one has seemed just right. I know I will have to have help but I refuse to hire someone I know is all wrong for the shop. I need someone who believes in the potential here. I have another one in an hour. I’m not very hopeful though, this one didn’t even have a resume.

Well, you know Lacey and I are happy to help. She gets back next week from the European honeymoon you gave her, Charlotte reminded her.

Oh Charley, that is so generous, thank you. I wouldn’t think of asking either of you for help. You two have your hands full running your own businesses. I wish I could help both of you more than I have especiallywith the Inn while Lacey is gone. But I have to get the shop opened before mercury goes retrograde, Vernie moved the revolving rack of hand painted greeting cards closer to the check stand.

Aww it’s been fine. I only had one event this week and that was a simple birthday party. Where are all of your books? I thought they would have their own section. And no, I don’t want another explanation about the planets and mercury going retrograde, Charlotte said.

Vernie waved a hand in the general direction of the bookshelves,They are in there. I just mixed them in. People will know that I own the shop and that they can find my books here. I’m not worried about that. Hey, do you want to run to the diner and grab something to eat before my interview?

Sure, but after that I have to get back. I’ve got new guests arriving at four. I think the soup of the day at the Elkville diner is broccoli cheese. Let’s go. I’m suddenly starving. I guess I’m missing Lacey’s fantastic cooking, Charlotte took Vernie by the hand and led her out onto the sidewalk.

The two sisters laughed with the pure pleasure of being together as they walked the short distance to the cozy diner.

Vernie thought to herself that this moment was one of the reasons she wanted to quit roaming the world and settle down with the only family she had.

Chapter 2

Vernie pulled a small table and two chairs over near the shop window in preparation for her interview. She saw a young girl checking a piece a paper and then looking up at the building number of the shop. She then walked purposefully towards the front door.

Well, that earns her a point, Vernie thought, and she was dressed nicely too. Vernie stepped forward to greet the girl, Hi I’m Veronika Mays. You must be Grace Anderson. Let’s have a seat and get started.

Grace’s hand was clammy and she licked her lips nervously, "So nice to meet you Ms. Mays. I can’t believe it, you are that Veronika Mays. I’ve read all of your books."

Vernie looked closely at the practically trembling girl. She looked young, very young, how in the world was she old enough to have read her books. She looked like a child. She wore a plaid skirt, not too short and a modest light blue sweater. She had rich brown hair and intelligent brown eyes. She looked around the shop with genuine interest.

Before we get started I want to make sure there is no mistake. I need someone who is at least eighteen, Vernie said and watched the girl’s face as she answered.

Yes, I know. The ad stated that. I turned eighteen two months ago. The ad also said you would be willing to train someone for the job, Grace’s voice wavered a little but she looked directly into Vernie’s eyes.

Hmm, yes I did say that. Tell me, do you have any work experience? Vernie asked.

Grace hesitated, Well, technically no. But I am a fast learner and I really need this job.

Are you enrolled in college? The University of Colorado in Colorado Springs? I’ve had several applicants who are students there. If so, I need to know how many hours you can work per week. This is a full-time position, Vernie told her.

I’m not going to college, yet. I have some other things I want to do first. So I’m available for any hours you need me, Grace was becoming more