The Silver Teapot Murder

By Alisa Guttadauro

The autumn leaves are falling in the small town of Shepardsville, New Jersey and the air is turning crisp, but that's not all that's going on. Mia's best friend Pam Reilly's fingerprints turn up on a murder weapon and she becomes a suspect in a murder she didn't commit; but can she prove it? To make matters worse, the chief of police takes Pam's husband, Detective Ned Reilly off the case, and people are getting attacked for knowing too much. Can Mia and Pam figure out who the real murderer is before it's too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alisa Guttadauro
• Release date: Sep 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005232481

Alisa Guttadauro

I have always had a passion for writing, and enjoy writing fun, silly, adventurous children’s stories that include some kind of lesson and a bit of magic. I also love cooking, reading, playing tennis, and spending time with my husband, and family.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Silver Teapot Murder

Written By: Alisa Guttadauro

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Mia Russo and Pam Reilly oohed and ahhed over the latest issue of,Wedding Designs, magazine. I’m so excited for you and Joe! Squealed Mia’s best friend Pam, as she took a sip of her Swiss mocha almond coffee. The two friends were sitting on the comfy swing on Mia’s porch, thumbing through a stack of bridal magazines, while enjoying coffee from their favorite java hut, The Coffee Beanz. Mia’s go to flavor was the chocolate raspberry. It was a crisp autumn day and the tree’s leaves bursted with bright colors. Pam shivered, I’m so glad we picked up coffee after going to the bookstore, it’s a bit chilly! The new independently owned bookstore in town, The Reading Cove, sold magazines as well as books. Sylvia Collins, the proprietor, had reached out to Mia one day and invited her to do a book signing during the store’s grand opening. They became fast friends, and Sylvia had been keeping her up to date on when the new bride’s magazines arrived at the store. I’m glad Sylvia called, Said Mia, Today is the perfect day to do this. Pam nodded in agreement as she shivered again as she remembered the terror they went through last year when they got caught up in a cult called, The Teacher’s Club. Mia broke into Pam’s morbid thoughts as she exclaimed, Oh my gosh, what do you think of this one! Her best friend and matron of honor smiled and said, "That is gorgeous. Then she sighed, You are going to make such a beautiful bride. Mia looked at her friend,And you are going to be the most beautiful matron of honor. I’m so glad to have both you and my sister as my matrons of honor. Why do I have to be called matron though? Pam smirked. The younger woman playfully punched her friend in the arm but then said, Pam, are you sure you are happy with the way you and Ned were married? We could definitely do something special if you wanted to. Pam made a face,Are you kidding? Ned and I both wanted to elope, and we had that wonderful party at Mallard Hall. Trust me, I’m perfectly happy with the way things turned out, especially after our long honeymoon in Hawaii! That’s right, Smiled Mia, How could I forget. That picture of Ned with the grass skirt and the coconut bra is hysterical! She giggled. Pam laughed but then put her finger to her lips, And he will never know I showed that to you! Scouts honor! Promised Mia. Listen, Said Pam, "This is your first wedding, and it’s supposed to be a big ta da, so don’t you dare feel guilty, I know you Mia Russo! You are allowed to be blissful and happy, am I making myself clear? Mia nodded and smiled at her dear friend. Pam’s first husband, Dave, had been a firefighter. He died after saving a family from a tragic fire, years ago. Pam was miserable and lonely a long time after that, but recently, after realizing that Dave would have wanted her to be happy again, she found love with her new husband, Detective Ned Reilly, who was also Mia’s fiancee Joe’s best friend. Joe was recently promoted to police Sergeant, and has always looked up to Ned. If it wasn’t for you, Stated Pam gratefully, I would never have given Ned a chance, so no more of this melancholy crap, okay?Yes Ma’am! Mia saluted. Just then her phone rang and She said, ‘Oh, I have to take this, it’s from my publisher. Pam waved her off and continued poring through the glossy magazine. When Mia got off the phone Pam inquired, Good news, I hope? Mia nodded her head, The best! She sat back down next to Pam, Georgia said she pitched my new book idea to a movie producer in Hollywood and she’s interested in hearing more about it! Pam jumped up, Mia that’s fantastic! And that’s not all, I forgot to tell you, when we were at the bookstore this morning, Sylvia pulled me aside and told me she sold out of your reader’s blankets. She wants to know when you’ll have some more knitted. She said with the cooler weather, and the holidays coming up, they’ll make great gift items. According to her you’d make a killing! She didn’t tell you herself because she knows how shy you are and she didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. Pam was so surprised and elated, she knocked over her coffee cup. Oh no! She exclaimed, I forgot to put the lid back on, sorry Mia! Suddenly there was a loud screeching meow as Mia’s cat, Mr. Snuggles came by the window to remind her it was time for his lunch. She almost knocked over her own coffee when she jumped up from the porch swing, after being startled by the annoyed kitty. Both women laughed heartily, but stopped abruptly when they heard a loud sneeze. Quickly, they both whipped their heads around in the direction of the sound, just in time to see Mia’s new neighbor, Minerva Temple staring at them before she hid back behind her curtains. Mia rolled her eyes and motioned for Pam to follow her inside. She fed Mr. Snuggles and Pam said, Who was that by the window? "That’s Minerva Temple. Supposedly she’s a real busybody. Do you remember Mrs. Kravits from Bewitched? Pam nodded and smirked, Well thank goodness you’re not into witchcraft! Mia chuckled, She works part-time as a bank teller in town. I only know this because I ran into my other neighbor from across the street at the grocery store and she gave me the low down on Mrs. Temple. Is she married? Asked Pam. I’m not sure, but I haven’t seen a Mr. around, Replied Mia. Pam said, I thought that nice man lived next door to you, the retired firefighter. Rich, Mia replied, Yeah he hasn’t been here for a while, he was renting his place and spending time in Florida with his daughter and just recently decided to stay down there. He bought a house in a fifty-five and over community. He decided he couldn’t take the cold anymore and his daughter was a real estate agent so she took care of everything for him, he keeps in touch though. Mia sighed, So now I have nosy Rosy next door. I shouldn’t be mean , but I did notice her staring out of her window at me a few times, like the other night when Joe was over, and we were sitting on the porch. He turned to kiss me and there she was, scowling at us. I guess she could be lonely but… Well I don’t blame you Replied Pam, After what we’ve been through, every little thing out of the norm seems creepy." Pam frowned Asher thoughts went back again to what happened a year ago when Mia was stalked by a crazed guy she had gone to high school with. She couldn’t stop thinking about the terrifying experience they’d had when they joined the teacher’s club. I know what you’re thinking, said Mia, Let’s put that chapter of our lives behind us, please. Pam nodded, as her phone rang. She saw it was Ned calling, Hello detective, she smiled, as Mia motioned she was going to the living room. How is my beautiful wife? He asked. Except for spilling coffee all over Mia’s porch, I’m fine. She giggled. Are you okay? Asked the detective, sounding concerned. I’m fine dear, I’ll tell you all about it later. She laughed. Okay good, He said warmly, "I was calling to see if you would like to go out to dinner tonight with Mia and Joe at that new Mexican restaurant, Hacienda’s? Ooh that sounds good, let me ask Mia. She called out to her friend who gave her the thumbs up. Pam said goodbye to her husband and told Mia she had to do a few things before she went home to get ready for dinner , so she decided to get going. Okay, I’ll see you later, and thanks again for browsing the magazines with me. It was fun. Smiled Pam, See you later. Mia watched Pam get into her powder blue convertible, and then sat back down on the porch. She started looking at the bridal magazines again, and picked up one about destination weddings. She became so absorbed in the beautiful pictures of Hawaii that she’d lost track of time, and was startled when her cell phone rang. Hello fiancee, the husky voice on the other end said,Are you almost ready? I should be there in fifteen minutes. Oh my gosh, Joe! I lost track of time, I just need to change and freshen up. Let me guess…You were reading those wedding magazines again? Mia chuckled, glad that he was on the other end of the phone and couldn’t see her now blushing face. I’ll be ready when you get here. She promised. He laughed, See you soon, buttercup!

Chapter 2

When the foursome walked into the restaurant, they could smell the delightful aromas of the spicy foods. Joe’s stomach growled, Excuse me. He grinned. Oh no! Whispered Pam. What’s wrong? Asked Mia, while Ned was giving the hostess his name. Look over there, Pam pointed discreetly. Mia rolled her eyes. Sitting in a booth with a handsome looking older man was Danise Zafireeze, a woman Pam knew from her previous employment as a dental assistant years ago. Mia knew how much Pam couldn’t stand Danise. The woman was always mean and nasty to her, plus she used to bully her when they were in high school. Ned noticed the look on his wife’s face as they followed the hostess to their seats. They ordered drinks and then Ned asked, ‘What’s wrong honey? Pam grimaced and looked at Mia. Mia said, Don’t look, but there’s a woman sitting a few booths down from us that Pam used to work with, and went to high school with. She was always a bully and difficult to be around. Joe whispered, You know when you say, Don’t look, we have to look. Mia wagged her finger at him but Ned looked around casually and then Joe did the same. That’s weird, Said Ned, She’s sitting with Bill Jenkins. What’s so strange about that? Asked Mia. Well, for one, Answered Joe, Bill Jenkins is married. You guys know him? Asked Pam, Is he a cop? Yes, we know him, Replied Ned, And no, he’s not a cop, he’s the police department dentist. Pam and Mia looked at each other. Maybe it’s a business dinner or something, Offered Mia. Pam made a noise that sounded like a raspberry and stuck out her tongue, I wouldn’t be surprised if…Well, she was the biggest…Let’s just say, she got around! Really? Asked Joe, Because she doesn’t look…Mia fired him a warning glance. She didn’t like talking about a person’s looks. She was always plump. Pam blurted out. Mia put her hand over her face, as the server approached their table with their drinks, Here you go folks,Four Sour Apples!"

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The next morning, Pam was at her new knitting shop which she had named, The Knitting Kozy. She looked at her watch, it was almost nine o’clock. She had five minutes until the store opened. She lost track of time as she was putting out the new yarn stock she had received a half hour earlier. Suddenly the little bell above the door jingled. She didn’t turn around immediately but said, I’ll be right with you, please feel free to browse the lovely new yarn that just came in. A male voice said, I don’t need no yarn. Not recognizing the voice, Pam turned quickly, I’m sorry, She said pleasantly, I just received some new materials I know some of my customers are waiting for and I wanted to get them on the shelf right away. The man grunted, So you don’t sell coffee here? Pam looked at him incredulously, Sir, this is a knitting shop. No, I do not sell coffee here." He reeked of stale cigars, and alcohol and Pam wrinkled her nose. He eyed her up and down and smiled. Pam began to feel uncomfortable and was about to ask him to leave when the door jingled again. It was Margie, a good friend and owner of The Silver Teapot Diner. She came rushing up to the counter, Oh, I see the new fall colors came in! Then seeing the man standing there she said, Excuse me, I didn’t see you were helping another customer. Pam frowned and the man said, Have a nice day ladies. When he smiled, Pam noticed his teeth were stained a brownish color, well, the ones he still had. A shiver went up her spine just as Margie said, "What was Pete the perv. doing in here?" The shop owner questioned, Pete the perv? Margie laughed, Yeah, unfortunately he comes into the diner every so often and harasses the girls, or he’ll peer in the windows. He’s a real creep. Don’t you remember him from high school? I’ve heard he’s been known to peek over people’s fences too, and just watch them. Pam’s eyes widened, Hasn’t anyone called the police on him? And no, I don’t remember him from high school. Margie picked up a pretty pink cotton skein, gently felt the material, and nodded, "That’s another thing, anytime the police were called, they didn’t catch him doing anything. You probably don’t remember him because he cut classes a lot. Unfortunately I got stuck in Math class with him, when he was there. Pam moaned, Great, just what we need, a peeping Tom. Margie almost choked on her gum, as she gasped, The girls have a nickname for him, Peter Peter Pervert Peeper! Pam laughed in spite of herself and asked, Is he married? Margie picked up a skein of pale yellow wool and said, Aren’t they always? His wife Noreen comes into the diner every morning to get coffee on her way to work. Where does she work? Asked Pam. She’s an Optometrist, she works two towns over in, Summerton. Replied Margie. "What does he do, besides smoke stinky cigars and I’m assuming, drink alcohol? Pam frowned, while she rung up Margie’s purchases. He’s Retired," Margie made air quotes with her hands. He was forced to resign from his job as a UPS driver, and he only had a year left. Hmmm, mumbled Pam, and Margie continued, but whispered as the bell jingled above the door again, No one knows for sure, but I’d bet my bottom dollar it was because of harassment. A woman was waiting patiently behind Margie so she thanked Pam, smiled at the other customer and left. Pam was helping the young woman when the door jangled again and Pam said, after she finished helping the woman, If you need anything else let me know. Then she went back to the counter to see who had just entered the store. She smiled and said, Hey! What are you doing here? Aren’t we meeting for lunch later at The Silver Teapot? Mia feigned being insulted, Is this how you treat all of your customers? She pretended to gasp. Pam was about to reply when the bell jingled once more and she sighed in relief. It was Jan, the college student she’d hired part time to help her. The customer came up to the counter with several skeins of pink acrylic yarn and some needles. Pam smiled at her, I think you’ll make a lovely baby blanket with these, it’s one