Life After Death: The Abandoned Wives and Widows Club, #3

By Dorothy Fletcher

Life after Death is the third book in the series of thrilling, heart-warming and sometimes laugh out loud Cosy Mystery novels, that relate the mad antics of a group of sixty-something New Zealand women as they delve into the darker side of life and murder.

The trouble started when the luscious Dave, visiting to try to patch things up with me, Lydia Thompson, was setting up Sylvia's DVD – she was moving into a new place to start life with her fiancé, Harry. Dave used a recently recorded current events programme to check it was working properly, and who did Sylvia think she saw – her husband, Doug. Trouble was, he had been declared dead years ago after disappearing on a solo hunting trip.

What do you do when a friend thinks she could be about to commit bigamy? You start investigating of course.

Is it Doug, or did she see a doppelganger?

Three of the girls and I, aided and abetted by Dave, set out to prove which one Sylvia saw.

The trail leads us out of Gisborne and to the West Coast of New Zealand, with a whole new police force to terrorise – and a whole new darker side of humanity to become tangled up with.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorothy M Fletcher
• Release date: Jul 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393669678

Dorothy Fletcher

From the outside, Dorothy Fletcher seems to be a fairly typical New Zealand senior citizen.  But, on the inside she is as young, desirable, and vivacious in spirit as her heroines.  Originally from England, she has lived in both hemispheres of this Earth, and has filled many roles in her life - from taking the curl out of wallpaper, to teaching and acting as the principal of a primary school, to being a wife, mother, and grandmother, and an amateur singer and actress. She now spends her golden years as a passionate author dedicated to fun, murder mystery and romance in books that are enjoyable by all.

Book preview

Life after Death is the third novel in the series of thrilling, heart-warming and sometimes laugh out loud Cosy Mystery novels, that relate the mad antics of a group of sixty-something New Zealand women as they delve into the darker side of life and murder.

Moving into a new house always causes problems, but Sylvia definitely didn’t expect this one.

Problems started when the luscious Dave, visiting to try to patch things up with me, Lydia Thompson, was setting up Sylvia’s DVD – she was moving into a new place to start life with her fiancé, Harry. Dave used a recently recorded current events programme to check it was working properly and who did Sylvia think she saw – her husband, Doug. Trouble was, he had been declared dead years ago after disappearing on a solo hunting trip.

What do you do when a friend thinks she could be about to commit bigamy? You start investigating of course.

Is it Doug, or did she see a doppelganger?

Three of the girls and I, aided and abetted by Dave, set out to prove which one Sylvia saw.

The trail leads us out of Gisborne and to the West Coast of New Zealand, with a whole new police force to terrorise – and a whole new darker side of humanity to become tangled up with.

Chapter 1

Moving! Why did I decide to do it? It must be one of the most stressful and aggravating experiences anyone can go through – apart from having to get up the guts to help your controlling and abusive husband shuffle off this mortal coil. Moving will at least be over at some point. I do occasionally still have bouts of conscience about my late, unlamented Jack – even if it wasn’t me who actually killed him. I did attempt it – someone else did a better job.

Since Jack’s death I had actually made friends for the first time in my adult life. My best friend, Gloria, was in the garage now, helping me through this trauma. Waiting in the wings in case we needed them were the rest of the ladies from The Abandoned Wives and Widows’ Club. They were all wonderful women and every day I thanked whoever might be listening for allowing me to have them in my life.

The trouble was, I must have employed the world’s most disorganised or totally incompetent group of packers to help me move.

The box I was in the process of ransacking was clearly labelled Kitchen Electrical. What did it contain? Plates of all shapes and sizes. Not an electrical appliance in sight.

‘Gloria! Do you see a box labelled Plates in the ones you’re working on?’

There was a small pause before she replied. ‘Yes. Why do you want plates? I thought you were making us a cuppa?’

‘I’m trying, but I can’t find anything to heat the water. I’ve got plates in the kitchen electrical box so have you got the jug in the plates box?’

There was another pause.

‘No. There’s tins in this one. Now, where’s the tins box? Stupid removal packers. Is everything in the wrong box?’

‘Hello.’ A male voice said very close to me.

What the . . .?

Clamping my arms across my chest in an effort to stop my heart bursting out of my ribs, I spun around and was faced with an unknown elderly man standing behind me in the kitchen. How long had he been there?

‘Didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Clifford. Live a few doors down.’

I nearly blurted out – then what the hell are you doing in my kitchen? I managed to temper it to, ‘Why are you here?’

He smiled and stuck out a hand to shake.  ‘Welcoming committee.’

I reluctantly shook the proffered appendage, which was hot and sweaty. Yuck. ‘I didn’t hear you. I thought the doorbell was working?’

‘Oh, I don’t bother with things like that. I tell all the ladies, we’re all in this old age thing together. Lost your jug? I could get mine and we can get to know each other over coffee.’

‘No thank you, Clifford. I have to get on.’ As I spoke, I herded him towards the front door. ‘Next time you call could you please use the bell or knock. I get startled very easily and you wouldn’t like to have a heart attack on your conscience, now would you?’

I managed to persuade him down the hall, over my threshold and onto the path.

‘Don’t know what’s the matter with the ladies here. They all have heart trouble. If you need anything —’

‘I’ll let you know. Goodbye.’ I smiled, closed the door and locked it.

Gloria was behind me, laughing, holding the jug and the toaster. ‘Who was that?’

‘Clifford, he said his name was. Came in uninvited. What have I done, Gloria? Have I bought a house in the local looney bin?’

‘There’s always at least one in every pack. I’ll put the jug on.’

‘Won’t suit you.’

‘That,’ Gloria said, ‘must be one of the oldest jokes in the book.’

I was about to make a scathing come-back – if only I could think of one – when I was saved by the doorbell. I unlocked the door and opened it, and was faced with an elderly woman with an exasperated expression. ‘Did Clifford come here?’

‘Yes. He arrived in my kitchen a few moments ago. He’s gone now.’

‘Sorry. I’ve locked him in the car while I apologise. Everywhere we go he thinks he lives there and wanders into strangers’ houses if the doors are unlocked.’

I felt really sorry for her. ‘He said he lives a few doors down and had come to welcome me to the village.’

She sighed. ‘He doesn’t live here, you’ll be pleased to know. We were visiting friends.’ Her eyes filled up with tears.

I felt I was the one needing to apologise for upsetting her. ‘It’s okay. He left quite quickly.’

‘Good. He won’t trouble you again, honestly. This is a lovely place and the people who actually live here are very friendly. Please forgive Clifford’s intrusion.’

‘Not a problem.’

There was a banging noise from the car parked on the lane.

‘Have to go.’

She fled back to the car and drove off as soon as she’d closed her car door.

I went back inside to the kitchen where Gloria was making the tea. ‘How dreadful would it be to have a partner like that?’ I said.

‘Sounds like he has dementia of some sort, poor thing.’

‘Poor wife, more like. He’s leading her a merry dance and I bet she feels guilty if anyone suggests he goes into care.’

‘Always said,’ Gloria brandished the bottle of milk like a sword, ‘we’re much better off retired and single, not like —’

The phone rang.

‘Get here now!’ Sylvia’s voice screamed across the ether. ‘I need you!’

She hung up.

‘Sounds like Sylvia’s in trouble,’ I said, putting the handset back in the charger.

‘When is she not these days. She’s turned into a bridezilla. Let’s have our cup of tea, then we’ll go and see what this disaster is. If nothing else it will give us both a break from unpacking boxes. We’ve unearthed the jug and toaster so you’ve got enough equipment to whip up breakfast tomorrow.’

‘Thanks. Could do with a cuppa. Where did you find the jug, by the way?’

‘Where you’d expect it – in the box labelled Toilet and Bathroom.’

SYLVIA HAD MOVED JUST over a week ago so she was slightly further forward in the unpacking disaster than I was. On the other hand, I was moving abode as an independent single woman, whereas she was moving to a new place she’d bought with her recently acquired fiancé, Harry Lassiter. They’d decided not to use either of their places for the nuptial home but start afresh.

We’d driven over in Gloria’s SUV. As we pulled up outside, I was quite surprised to see Debbie’s four-wheel drive parked in Sylv’s drive, plus another fancy SUV that I didn’t recognise.

‘Is this a meeting of the clan,’ I asked, ‘or have Sylv’s disasters moved up a notch and need us all to help solve them?’

Gloria had an evil smile as she replied, ‘Wait and see.’

‘You know what’s going on, don’t you?’

Her smile stretched even further. ‘Just wait and see.’

As she led me through the open front door I could hear frantic voices and dishes clattering coming from the kitchen. The smell of cooking set my stomach growling and I realised it was a long time since I’d eaten breakfast.

‘We’re here,’ Gloria called out.

Debbie, Sylvia and Kat poured into the hall.

‘At last,’ Sylv said. ‘What held you up?’

‘The need for a cuppa after Lydia had to ward off a male intruder.’

‘Are you okay?’ Debbie asked coming towards me, arms extended.

I held my hands up in front of me to stave off any attempts to hug away imagined injuries. I’d mostly got used to all the hugs and people caring about me, but sometimes I needed my own space. ‘I’m fine. He was totally harmless, if a bit unexpected. Luckily he doesn’t live in the village.’ They all looked a bit sheepish. ‘Come on. Fess up. What have you done?’

Kat was the one to answer. ‘We have a male intruder here. Well, not an intruder as such as we did invite him, but we don’t know if you’ll be happy and —’

Gloria took charge. ‘He’s in the lounge. Come on the rest of you, let’s get lunch ready for serving after Lydia’s had her awkward moment.’

She shepherded the rest of them down the hall and left me standing, taking a few deep breaths as I had an inkling of who was in the next room.

I walked into the lounge and I was right. Dave was standing by the window, looking very nervous.

Dave that I’d met on The Ghan, and spent an unbelievable week with in Brisbane. Dave who made my heart zing and feel young again.

I smiled. ‘Hi.’

He came towards me. ‘Hi back.’

I grabbed him and gave him a big hug. He definitely hugged me back.

I led him out through the open ranch slider and we sat at the outdoor table setting. I kept hold of his hand. It felt so good in mine. I had missed him. I’d spent the time since I’d come home wondering if I’d done the right thing.

‘We’re better out here,’ I said. ‘I suspect there’s a few snoopers in the kitchen trying to listen to us.’ On cue the kitchen window slowly opened. ‘Close it, Gloria, or else.’

‘How did you know it was me?’

‘The gold bangles on your wrist, besides which, who else would it be?’

‘Damn!’ The window closed.

He wasn’t making eye contact. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me again,’ he said.

‘You silly chuck. Of course I want to see you.’

‘But you said no to marrying me?’

‘I told you: I don’t want another husband yet, plus a couple of weeks is a bit short for a courtship.’

He looked me in the eye. ‘I’m sure I want you in my life.’

‘And I’m sure I want you in mine, but not legally binding at the moment. My forty years of marriage with Jack was not the best and I’m enjoying being independent. I have a daughter that I’m just starting to really get to know, a granddaughter I love and who needs some support, and a gorgeous great-grandson I want to be near. Can’t we have a long-distance relationship? We both have the resources and the time to be able to meet either here or in Australia on a regular basis.’

‘You promise it would be regular? I am aware of how fast time is passing and becoming increasingly aware of my mortality. I don’t want to miss the chance of a relationship with you.’

I grabbed his other hand. ‘Believe me, you can’t get rid of me now. Marriage? Not yet. But a deep, meaningful and close relationship, definitely.’

He pulled me towards him and kissed me, tenderly sealing our pact.

‘Come on you two,’ it was Gloria standing behind me. ‘Cut out the smooching. I’m starving and lunch is ready.’

Dave and I pulled apart and laughed. Things were right between us again.

‘I didn’t ask you,’ I said as we headed to the food set out in the dining/kitchen. ‘Did you come just to see me or is there an alternative reason?’

‘I wanted to see you and sort things out. And we also needed someone over here to consolidate a contract. When I said I was going to do it personally I upset one of my young assistants – they call themselves my minions, you know, those cute little things from the film? He was gearing up to come – looking forward to the trip until I said I was going to attend the meetings myself. I had to do some ego soothing to assure him I trusted him and needed to be here for personal reasons.’

‘How long are you here for?’

‘I have a couple of meetings in Auckland and Dunedin, then I’m all yours.’

‘Good. You can help with the unpacking.’

‘Unpacking? I think I’m needed back in Brisbane, urgently.’

‘Hard luck. You can’t get away that easily.’

He pulled me to him again and started to kiss me.

‘Yuck!’ Gloria yelled. ‘You’re putting me off my lunch. No kissing allowed unless you find us a man each or Dave gives equal shares to us.’

‘Okay,’ Dave answered. ‘I’ll behave, although the thought of all you lovely ladies —’ I punched his arm. ‘I’ll behave.’

‘When do you have to be at the first meeting?’

‘Tomorrow, 8.30 in Auckland, and I need to set up for it beforehand so I’ll have to leave tonight. I should be all yours in three days.’

I stood still. ’You have the private jet here, at the airport, haven’t you?’

‘Course. Cleared customs at Auckland and then flew here.’

‘I hope you have good security. We don’t get jets of any kind here, never mind your swanky, posh one. Half of Gisborne is probably at the airport by now gawking at it.’  

THE MEAL WAS DELICIOUS. It was lovely to have someone care enough to make a meal for me when I was so busy. I hadn’t got used to having such good friends. Jack had made very sure I never had the chance to make any while he was alive.

I looked around at the Abandoned Wives and Widows’ Club. I’d joined them soon after my unlamented husband, Jack, had permanently turned his toes up. I have to add he’d had help on his way from a cheating mistress who lied to him and maybe a wife who messed with his pills, but he deserved all he got. One morning soon after he died, I’d been in town and joined a group of women for coffee and cake. To my surprise and heartfelt gratitude, I’d found the best friends anyone could wish for.

‘We have a couple of questions,’ Debbie said after we’d finished lunch and were at the coffee stage.

‘Only a couple?’ I asked.

‘Yes,’ said Kat. ‘We were wondering —’

Sylv broke in. ‘—what you’re going to do —’

Gloria couldn’t contain herself. ‘— with all your time once you’ve sorted out the move. You’re going to be bored silly. After the excitement of solving a murder and then The Ghan and then the move – you’ll have nothing to do.’

‘I could think of a few things to occupy your time,’ Dave said with a smirk on his face.

‘Behave,’ I told him. ‘With the move I’ve been too busy to think about it. I definitely don’t want to be an old lady watching TV and playing card games all day – I’m not ready for that. What to do instead? – I’m not sure.’

There were a few seconds silence then Sylv said, ‘We were good at solving puzzles. Is there something we could do in that line?’

‘We certainly solved a murder that the police were happy to call a suicide,’ Kat said.

Gloria stood up. ‘We could become a private investigating agency.’ She moved her hand as she imagined our names up in lights. ‘The Abandoned Wives and Widows’ Private Detective Agency.’ She sat down. ‘I think private detective sounds more official than investigator.’

‘Don’t you have to have training or at least some police experience to set up as an agency?’ Dave asked.

‘That’s the drawback,’ Gloria answered. ‘I Googled it. Two years police experience or a course with lots of modules on law and justice and stuff – it sounds as if it would take ages, and the only course I found is in Auckland.’

‘Bum,’ said Debbie with feeling. ‘I could quite fancy being a private detective.’

‘We’d look great in the gear,’ Kat added. ‘Trilby hats and raincoats.’

Gloria stood again and shook her ample bosom. ‘If we had sexy bras and fishnets underneath, we could moonlight as call girls.’

Dave was just taking a sip of coffee and laughed so much it went down the wrong way. There was a performance of getting him breathing again. Poor man, five women all trying to massage and thump his back. The offending coffee ended up all over the table cloth.

‘Okay, girls,’ I said once his face was a normal colour again, ‘you can back off now.’

‘Ah, Lydia,’ Kat said. ‘We only wanted a little bit of physical sharing.’

Gloria got eye contact with Dave. ‘I hope you realise, young man, that if you take on one of our members you have to deal with all of us?’

‘I got the gist of that on the train, Gloria. But anyone who calls me a young man is okay in my eyes, and I must say that you girls are an added bonus to having a relationship with Lydia. There’s never a dull moment in your company.’

‘Keep on looking after Lydia and calling us girls,’ Gloria said, ‘and you will go far with us. Anyway, you lost your wife so you could be part of the club at a stretch.’

‘Have you warned Harry what he’s getting into, Sylvia?’ I asked. ‘Marrying you means he’s going to have to deal with us too.’

‘I’m breaking it to him gently. I don’t want to scare him off.’

‘How long to the wedding,’ Dave asked.

‘Eight weeks. Most things are organised. We still have the bridesmaids’ dresses to sort out.’

‘How many are you having?’

‘Four of course. Couldn’t leave any of the girls out.’

Dave looked round at us. ‘Bridesmaids?’

‘Course,’ Gloria said. ‘We’re too young to be matrons of honour, too young in our heads that is, if not in our bodies.’

‘I’m too sensible to answer that.’ He turned to Sylvia. ‘Gloria said there’s a job you need doing?’

‘Yes. Harry managed to tune in the TV and the satellite box, but I have a DVD recorder that I have movies on and I want to be able to watch. Lydia said that you’re into electronics so I thought maybe you could sort it out for me.’

‘I’ll do my best.’

Dave went over to the TV and tackled the maze of wires behind the set while the rest of us tackled the clearing up.

Once we were almost finished Gloria motioned me to one side. ‘You and Dave okay now?’

‘Yes, I think so. I think he’s accepted that even though I don’t want to marry him, I do want a relationship with him. I need more time before I go through the legally binding stuff again.’

‘I understand. You had a bad time with Jack and it needs time. Besides that, your family need time to come to terms with you having another man in your life.’

‘Sophie’s great. She says go for it, Gran. It’s Jo I worry about. She had so much to come to terms with about the father she thought could do no wrong. She’s doing so well I don’t want to upset her.’

‘Have they met Dave yet?’

‘No. I guess the time is now to get them together. I’m going to dinner at Sophie’s this evening and Jo will be there. I’ll take Dave with me.’

She rubbed my arm. ‘It’ll be fine. Dave’s a lovely man. Jo will see that.’

‘Hey,’ Sylvia shouted from the lounge. ‘Come and look what the electronics wizard has done.’

We went through to the lounge and the others were glued to something playing on the TV.

‘What’s that?’ Gloria asked.

Sylvia turned to answer. ‘A current affairs programme I recorded the day before I moved. Never had time to watch it. It’s about that student protest at the University of Waikato. You remember? Students all over New Zealand were protesting about the universities needing more funding.’  

Dave gave a laugh. ‘Students and protesting have always gone hand in hand.’

‘Stop,’ yelled Sylvia. ‘Go back.’ Dave rewound the machine. ‘There. Play it again.’ Dave did as he was told. Sylvia went right up to the screen and peered at it. She put her hand across her mouth. ‘Freeze it,’ she ordered.

Her face blanched. ‘God!’ she yelled pointing at the screen. ‘It can’t be. That’s Doug!’ Then she fainted, hitting her head on the corner of the TV cabinet as she went down.

We rushed to her aid.

‘Who’s Doug?’ Dave asked.

I answered. ‘Sylvia’s declared dead husband.’

Chapter 2

Pandemonium broke out .

Dave phoned for an ambulance, Debbie rushed to the bathroom and got a wet flannel, Kat ran to the bedroom and got a flat pillow and a throw, Gloria directed traffic and I checked Sylvia’s vital signs.

‘Is she still alive?’ Gloria asked.

‘Her breathing’s there and the pulse seems to be strong,’ I said.

‘Thank God,’ Debbie said as she gently wiped Sylvia’s face while Kat got the pillow in position.

‘Do you think we should move her head like that?’ Gloria asked.

‘Too late,’ Kat said. ‘It’s there now.’

Sylvia was lying flat on her back, arms sprawled out. ‘Should we put her in the recovery position?’ I asked. ‘She might throw up after banging her head.’

Gloria screwed her face up. ‘Might help. We’ve already moved her a little so let’s do it.’

Gloria and I moved her onto her side as gently as we could. Not a moment too soon. Sylvia’s eyes fluttered open and her lunch made a reappearance, most of it going over Gloria’s knees.

She ignored the mess. ‘Are you okay, Sylv?’ Sylv didn’t answer. Gloria bent over for a better look. ‘Her eyes aren’t focusing. I think she’s got concussion.’

‘What do we do?’ Kat asked.

Gloria took the flannel and wiped the vomit remains from Sylvia’s face. ‘We wait for the ambulance.’

Debbie fetched a bucket of water and a cloth from the laundry and sorted out Gloria’s knees and the surrounding carpet.

A siren sounded in the distance.

‘Harry!’ I said. ‘Does anyone know his mobile number?’ The girls all shook their heads. ‘Anyone know where he is?’

‘Fishing, I think,’ Kat answered.

Dave had a cell phone in his hand and was fiddling with it.

‘Is that Sylvia’s?’ I asked.

‘Yes,’ he said. ‘She’s bound to have Harry’s number in here.’

‘Won’t it be locked?’ Debbie asked. ‘You won’t be able to get into it.’

Dave looked at Debbie as if she was a small child and had said something ridiculous. He put the phone up to his ear. ‘Harry?’ Pause. ‘I’m Dave. Lydia’s friend. I’m afraid Sylvia’s had a little fall and banged her head.’ Pause. ‘It’s okay. No need for panic. She’s awake now.’ I saw him cross his fingers behind his back. ‘The ambulance has just arrived and they’ll take her to the hospital just for a check-up. Join us there.’ Pause. ‘Drive carefully. She’s fine.’

‘How did you do that?’ Debbie asked.

Dave smiled. ‘If I couldn’t hack into a cell phone then I should hand over my business to my children, now.’

‘What exactly does your business do?’ Kat asked.

‘If I told you that, some dark handsome strangers would kidnap you all and hide you away until our present business is completed.’

‘Promises, promises,’ Gloria said. ‘Men! All talk no action.’

‘There’s plenty of action,’ I whispered.

Unfortunately, the girls heard.

‘You sly dog, Lydia Thompson,’ Gloria said. ‘Tell us more.’

‘You heard what Dave said, couldn’t risk your lives,’ and I zipped my mouth.

WHEN WE GOT TO THE Accident and Emergency, they wouldn’t let us all in so we sent Kat to hold Sylvia’s hand – she was Sylv’s closest friend from the group. The rest of us sat in the waiting room trying to ignore the children’s channel playing on the TV.

As I sat down I shuddered. The place smelled of unwashed bodies – coming from the two large, tattooed gentlemen sitting at one end of the room, cheap perfume – coming