Death Wishes Upon a Star: Lizzie Crenshaw Mystery, #8

By Teresa Watson

Lizzie Crenshaw's life has been complicated since the death of her friend and her encounter with Ethan Winthrop. Just as things are beginning to settle down, a nemesis from Gladys' past and an unexpected discovery in a manger turn Lizzie's life upside down again. Will a tragedy mar the holidays, or will a Christmas miracle bring a chance of new beginnings for the whole town?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teresa Watson
• Release date: Nov 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386837589

Book preview

Chapter One

Ellen, have you written the story about the Live Nativity at the Methodist Church yet?

Without looking up from her notes, Ellen Carpenter replied, I gave it to Bruce yesterday.

Lizzie, are you going to put any national news in the next edition? Bruce Evans, my webmaster, asked.

I think we’ve had our fill of national news, don’t you? I said. It’s the holidays. How about some feel good stories?

Why not letters to Santa? Ellen suggested. Dale never went for stuff like that. Called it unnecessary filler. Nora Kersten over at the post office says they have a lot of them this year.

That’s a great idea, but get permission from the parents to print the letters first if you can. Anything else?

Ellen and Bruce looked at each other, but before they could say anything, the front door of the Eat It or Starve Cafe was thrown open, and in walked my nemesis, Gladys Norwell. I groaned.

My goodness, it’s windy out there today, Gladys declared as she struggled to close the door. I thought I was going to be blown away.

One could only hope, Ellen muttered.

As she headed for her usual table, Gladys saw us. There you are, Elizabeth Crenshaw. I’ve been looking for you.

Oh, lucky me, I said quietly.

I’ve got something to discuss with you, she said, taking off her coat and draping it over her chair before walking over to us.

Ellen and Bruce started to gather their things. You leave me here alone with her, and I’ll fire you both, I threatened.

They both glanced at me, and seeing the serious look on my face, reluctantly sat back down and waited for Gladys to strike.

Gladys grabbed a chair from a nearby table and plopped it down by me. Sitting down, she said, I want to talk to you about doing an interview and taking out an ad in the paper.

I stared at her for a moment. An ad?

You mean you’re going to open your bank vault, take out some money, and pay for something? Ellen asked. Are you sick or something?

I kicked her under the table, and she glared at me as she rubbed her shin.

Of course I’m not paying for it. The Committee to Re-Elect Gladys Norwell is purchasing the ad.

For a minute there, I thought we were going to have to call a doctor, I told her.

For heaven’s sake, why?

Because you never pay for anything when you can can figure out a way to get it for free, I replied.

Bruce snorted, and Gladys shot daggers at him. He quickly looked down at his notes.

That is so rude and insulting!

Maddie Reynolds, owner of the cafe, put our lunches down in front of us. Everyone knows you’re a tightwad, Gladys, she said, wiping her hands on the towel draped over her shoulder. You even recycle the plastic forks from your takeout meals.

Everyone else in the cafe laughed as Gladys’ face turned red. Blame it on the holiday season, but I momentarily felt sorry for her. You mentioned an interview, Gladys?

I plan to run for the town council again, and I’d like to do an interview. I want to let people know my ideas for the continued improvement of Brookdale.

I can think of one thing that would improve the town, Roger Tinsdall interjected.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what his idea was. He had run against Gladys in the last election, and had barely lost. Some people thought Gladys had voted for herself more than once, although that was just talk. But Roger was still bitter about losing, and he gave her a hard time every chance he got.

Gladys, however, took the bait. What’s that? she asked eagerly.

You could leave town. Permanently!

Laughter filled the air again. This time, Gladys looked like she was going to cry. Despite her crusty exterior, she really did have the best intentions. She had worked hard over the last year to make improvements, especially around the town square. There was new equipment on the playground, replacing the things that had been there since the 1970s. New streetlights made it a little safer for people to walk around at night, which had led to a resurgence of community activities, something that hadn’t been done since I don’t know when. I had certainly become reacquainted with people I hadn’t seen since high school.

Roger, you’re just mad because they raised the fees at the golf course again, Maddie said.

It’s an outrage! Roger fumed.

From what I heard, they had to raise the fees to replace the four golf carts you’ve driven into the pond over the past year. There is such a thing as a parking brake, you know, Maddie replied.

People laughed again, this time at Roger, as Maddie went back to the kitchen.

Gladys, call the office later to schedule a time for the interview, I said after the laughter died down. But I’m not going to run it until after the holidays.

But I want people to see it as soon as possible before any potential opponent beats me to it.

No one else has approached me about doing an interview, I assured her. When someone does, I’ll give them the same coverage as you get. I’m not going to show favoritism.

I expect nothing less, she replied, standing up and making her way back to her table.

Ellen let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness you manage to put her off.

I pulled my papers from under my plate and put them to the side. You’re still going to have to do the interview, I pointed out.

While that is a depressing thought, at least I won’t have to do it for a month.

Better you than me, Bruce said. Glad I don’t have to interview the old bat. She scares the crap out of me.

If you want to do it, Bruce, I’m sure Ellen wouldn’t mind at all.

His face turned pale, and I thought he was going to choke on a French fry.

Don’t worry, Bruce, Ellen laughed as she slapped him on the back. Lizzie won’t throw you to the wolves.

We ate in silence for a few minutes. Gladys glared at me once in awhile, but I just smiled back at her. That seemed to bother her quite a bit, which thrilled me a lot.

Ellen cleared her throat. There is one story we haven’t talked about yet.

Bruce looked at me, then at Ellen. Do we have room in the print edition for anything else? I mean, those letters from Santa will probably take up a lot of space.

I’m sure we can find room for this story. Right, Lizzie? You want feel good stories for the holidays, correct?

I think we’ve already established that fact, Ellen.

Well, then we definitely have to run this one.

Bruce looked exasperated. Stop talking in circles, Ellen. Just tell her.

Ellen looked me right in the eye. The wedding.

Chapter Two

They both waited for me to say something. You’re right, we should run the story, I said after a couple of minutes.

Ellen ate the last bite of her burger, grabbed her notepad and purse, and stood up. I’ll get on it right now. She gave me a sympathetic look before she left.

Bruce squirmed in