Poisonous Possessions: A Small Town Cozy Mystery

By E.Z. Pennington

Don't let murder ruin a good party!
The one thing Rose Hollow knows how to do well is party. Becky Olson receives an invitation to a costume party from her friend and mentor Essie King. Essie runs the best vintage clothing store in town, so Becky knows it will be a night of gorgeous outfits, socializing and (most important of all) relaxation. The night can't come soon enough.
But things rarely go as planned when someone at the party turns up murdered. Becky realizes that the killer is amongst them, and she must solve the mystery before the guests disperse at the end of the evening.
Racing against the clock, Becky and her friends try to put the pieces of the murder together. This evening will take Becky and the rest down a path revealing secrets of the victims's personal life that she did not want to know.
And all this while the killer could strike again!
This Cozy Mystery Novel is packed with quirky characters, rousing romps and a whodunnit that wraps up cleanly. No cliffhangers, no curse words and no obscenity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gizmo Media
• Release date: May 21, 2021

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Chapter 1

W ho has a costume party on the last day of January? Becky asked from the middle of her store, Carnegie's Antiques, sweeping the floor as she often did when the hours were slow .

All things considered, she was having a good sales day. She had pushed a couple of hard to sell items and had treated some of her regulars to special things she had recently obtained in the shop.

It's gonna be fun, Lucy LJ Jennings said, seated behind the cashier, typing on her laptop. LJ was her new assistant, and even though Becky had been nervous about the arrangement at first, it seemed to be working out. LJ tucked a lock of her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear as her eyes focused on the laptop screen.

Sure, Becky replied half-heartedly as she stopped mindlessly sweeping the floors that were perfectly clean, as always, and cracked her knuckles.

It's just an excuse to get dressed really nice and drink until dawn. Come on Becky! How are you not excited? LJ exclaimed as she closed her laptop and looked up at Becky. Becky had to admit that LJ had a point. Becky had had her dress picked out for weeks, but only because it was the nicest dress she owned.

It was a good cause, this party. Miss Essie King was the proprietor of the best vintage clothing store in town. She and Becky had become friends, of sorts.

It was Miss King's birthday and she was throwing a fabulous masquerade party in honor of it.

It was also a great promotion for her store.

Becky knew all of this and as a fellow store owner in Rose Hollow, the little town they lived in, it was important for her to go to this party.

After all, they would all be wearing masks. No one would know who was there.

But alas, that didn't mean Becky could stay home though as she would more than likely be caught up in conversation about the party for the rest of the year every time she spoke with Miss King in the future.

Stop worrying, LJ said. It had only been two weeks since LJ had started working for her in the shop, and she already knew Becky intimately. It's gonna be fun. And you'll get to relax for a night and I hear you don't do that too often.

LJ was right, again. Becky didn't relax too often. She was actually unsure of the definition of the word ‘relax’ since her time was focused solely on her shop and her loyal customers.

Becky’s thoughts turned to her next door neighbor and closest Rose Hollow friend, Mickey Dunner, who had elected not to go, saying she was too old for charades and masquerades. Becky was envious of that easiness to just say no.

It's Miss King, for heaven’s sake LJ pressed. LJ was enthralled with Miss Essie King, who was, frankly, amazing. Miss King is in her forties, never married and has no kids. She spent some time on Broadway and when she wanted to settle down, she moved to Rose Hollow and opened her store, Kings.

Miss King was truly an amazing business owner and a social butterfly in town. Becky both looked up to her, and was jealous of her. She knew her other friend Rachel Davis was excited. She was Miss Kings’ best customer, wearing almost only vintage clothing whenever she wasn’t wearing her diner uniform.

Becky exhaled as she clutched the broom handle.

Relax, LJ said again. I'll go put a pot on.

Maybe it'll be fun, Becky commented. LJ rolled her eyes as Becky continued to contemplate the night.

"It will be fun," LJ said. Becky exhaled again as she cursed her own social awkwardness. It usually felt that Rose Hollow, a tiny and wildly wealthy town, was holding a party for something or other almost every week.

Usually Becky opted to stay away from the parties. But this one was important. It was a way for her to connect with other business owners and perhaps learn a thing or two from Miss King, the town’s social butterfly.

We are closing early today, Becky decided as she put away the broom behind the counter. It will give us some more time to get ready and I want to see Rachel before I go over. LJ nodded in agreement as a wide smile crossed her face.

I was just about to update the log books. I found a couple of really cool pieces online that I think the shop could use. One of the pieces I think Mrs. Rosemary would really like, LJ said. Aside from helping from the store, LJ was helping Becky expand her merchandise. She had been currently searching online stores for things Becky could buy for a reasonable price and then sell at a markup.

She was really helping Becky in ways Becky hadn't thought possible.

Email me the links and I'll go over them, Becky decided. LJ nodded in agreement. She rose from her seat and picked up her laptop. She pushed her hair over her shoulder and watched Becky carefully.

Put that pot of coffee on and then you can go, Becky said. It was weird being someone's boss. Becky didn't like to think about it like that. It was awkward, telling someone what to do. She had never thought she had been that type of person.

Sounds good, Becky, LJ replied. She bounded off to the kitchen. Carnegie's Antiques was actually a small old house, the store portion mostly in the grand living room. Becky lived above the store in the one bedroom and bathroom space.

In the meantime, Becky switched the sign on the door from open to closed. Even though the store was closed for the day, it would be a long night, and she still had to put in a solid hour or so to get ready for the party.

She still didn't have a mask, and she knew that she would be turned away at the door if she wasn't wearing one. Miss King was everything, including eccentric. She would make sure her party rules were followed.

Okay, Becky. I'm going and I'll see you tonight. Well, maybe. You know, with all the masks and everything, LJ said. She clutched her laptop to her chest. I clocked out, so I’ll see you later.

Great. Thank you. Bye, Becky said. LJ exited her store and Becky locked the door behind her. She checked the time on her phone. It was only four-thirty. She had a little bit of time to kill before she began to get ready.

Becky took a deep breath and moved to turn off the little sound system for the store that she bought as a late Christmas present to herself. Silence rang out around the store as the music died away.

She collapsed on an old sofa that she had yet to sell and waited for her coffee to be done. She had pulled out her dress when she woke up that morning to air it out, so she knew she didn’t need to rush to get dressed right away. She had only worn that dress once before, and no part of her was excited to put it on again.

She took a deep breath and reminder herself that it was only one night, and she liked Miss King. She was determined to go and enjoy herself.

The coffee pot chimed and Becky got up to pour a very large mug for herself. She planned to do nothing but sit until she had to get ready. And she would take every moment she could before she showered for the second time that day.

As she did, she heard a knock on the door. She grasped her mug and took it to the door.

Rachel Davis, waitress, baker and gossip extraordinaire, was standing at the door. She held a black garment bag and a white box. Becky opened the door hesitantly.

You’re not dressed, Rachel plainly stated.

Neither are you, Becky replied. Rachel stepped in and handed Becky the box.

I know, but I will eventually get dressed. I’m not too sure about you, Rachel said.

That’s fair, Becky said. Rachel pushed her blonde curls from her eyes and raised her eyebrow.

Open the box, Rachel suggested. Becky did so. Inside was an intricate white mask. It was subtle and lacy and it would be perfect with her dress.

Where did you find it? Becky asked.

Miss Essie thought that maybe you wouldn’t have one yet, Rachel explained. She got me my dress, too. Becky nodded, sipping from her mug. So, I thought I would deliver that mask and then personally zip you into that dress myself, Rachel suggested with a smile. Her smile was angelic but her words were demanding.

Fine, Becky said, giving in. Fine. Let’s get ready together. Before moving to Rose Hollow from Ohio, Becky hadn’t had many female friends. She hadn’t had many friends at all, really. The concept of getting ready for a night with friends was completely foreign to her.

And we’ll listen to the Spice Girls while we do it, Rachel decided with a laugh.

If you say so, Becky said with a chuckle.

---

Becky didn’t have many visitors up to the part of the home and store where she lived. She lead Rachel up the stairs and up to her private sanctuary.

The first thing Rachel did was set up a little speaker and connect her phone to it, a steady rhythm seeping from it immediately. Then she hung her dress up next to Becky’s.

I need to shower first, Becky stated.

Then get to it. We don’t have all night, Rachel said with a wink. Becky nodded. Before she did, she took a moment to hold the mask up to her dress.

They did look really good together.

Becky wondered if Rachel would let her wear high top Converse under her dress. That seemed very unlikely.

I have a bottle of wine downstairs, Becky offered. Why don’t you pop it and pour some while I shower?

You’re a genius, Rachel said excitedly.

Becky took her time in the shower, still debating how she could get out of this party. She knew Rachel wouldn’t stand for it.

And LJ was right, too. They so rarely got a night off, let alone closed early. They had to savor it.

---

Rachel were almost ready when Catherine John, another friend of Becky’s, knocked on the door to the store. The knock was a bit of a reprieve. Becky was trying to lace Rachel’s dress, something she had no idea what to do. She gave up and promised Rachel she would be right back up to help her finish getting ready.

---

Catherine was wearing a gown of midnight blue, but had pure white wings attached to her back. She looked divine, lovely. Becky almost didn’t recognize the woman before her.

You look amazing, Becky said as she opened the door to her store.

I know, Catherine said coyly. Half a day’s work, but I look good. Catherine was catering the event. She had to be there earlier than everyone else, but she promised to check in before she went. You look as if you’re in your underwear, Catherine observed as she noticed Becky still wasn’t ready.

I am in my underwear, Becky said. Go upstairs, see if you can get Rachel’s dress. Catherine put her clutch down and then headed up the stairs. Becky tossed her hair over her shoulder. This getting ready thing was a process and she needed more wine. She grabbed another bottle, her last since she wasn’t much of a drinker, and headed back up the stairs.

Oh, I got it, Catherine was saying as she looked at the back of Rachel’s dress, a black dress with a tulle skirt.

You look fantastic, Becky said. Next to her friends, she felt plain and dull.

Marilyn Monroe at the Oscars, 1951, Rachel said, running a hand over the skirt. She was grinning.

Becky, you’re next, Catherine stated seriously. But I’ll see you later. I need to make sure everything is okay over there. Instead of at King’s, the party was being held at Miss Essie’s impressive and large mansion. It was going to be a big party, everyone in town was invited, and Becky felt as if only Mickey declined.

And Mickey had every good reason too.

I’ll see you two there, Catherine added before she left. They both called down their goodbyes as Catherine left Becky’s place.

Finally, Becky pulled her dress from the hanger. She unclipped it and pulled it on. It was a little tight, but it had been a little tight when she bought it. The price was too good to pass up.

Rachel was in the bathroom now, singing along with the song that was playing. Do you know if Liam is coming? Rachel called from the bathroom.

Becky stared at herself in the mirror. We didn’t discuss it, Becky said.

What about Declan? Rachel asked again.

I would doubt it, Becky called. She had recently gone from having no suitors to having two. Both men were great, but Declan had come into the picture the moment she thought she had fallen in love with Liam.

Then Declan bought her a car.

I’m sure he will, Rachel said. Rachel was firmly in the team Liam camp, although Becky didn’t know why that was. She didn’t want to really discuss her love life with anyone. I’ve never been to a masquerade party. It’s so romantic. It’s like Romeo and Juliet, Rachel sighed. She was a very romantic person.

She was probably hoping to be swept off her feet tonight.

Becky’s goals were a little more realistic.

We should go get something to eat before we go, Becky called. Rachel exhaled loudly.

We should have ordered a pizza. Rachel stuck her head out from the bathroom. That is a fundamental getting ready for a party thing to do.

We're in designer dresses. We can't spill sloppy pizza on them, Becky said. Rachel exhaled. She was very girly. She was the complete antithesis to anything and everything Becky was, actually. It was amazing that they were friends.

We would have to put napkins on like bibs or eat on our underwear, duh, Rachel said. Becky knew that Rachel was the most popular girl in her school and even though they were adults, with their positions in school definitely didn't matter anymore, Rachel was still as popular.

She must have done this one hundred times.

Becky pulled at her dress. She wondered if she could get away with wearing the one pair of business slacks she had in her closet.

She knew that that wouldn't fly.

New plan, Rachel said. We go to the diner before we go to the party. We eat a lot, and then we go. She stepped from the bathroom, hair and makeup done. She seemed to glow, really. She smoothed a hand over her dress. Her blonde hair had been meticulously placed into ringlets and she looked adorable.

My turn? Becky asked. Rachel nodded.

Okay, I'll wear this dress, but I'm going to wear flats, Becky said.

That's the best anyone can ask for from you, Rachel teased. Get in here, let me do your makeup. Becky did as she was told. She was holding herself taller and straighter because of that dress.

She stood in front of her mirror in the bathroom. As Rachel applied make up on her face, she shut her eyes.

You know tonight is going to be so fun, Rachel was saying. Becky wasn't sure why all the women in Rose Hollow seemed to be so obsessed with fairy tales.

If you mention Cinderella right now, I’m going to stay home, Becky said.

Rachel rolled her eyes. I was, but not anymore. Things like this happen so rarely in Rose Hollow. That wasn't true. Rose Hollow was a crazily rich town, and there was a party or fundraiser or benefit happening every week and a half. It was an exhausting way to live.

What did Rose Hollow have to fundraise, anyway? Becky was never sure.

Maybe, if she wanted to increase her standing in her town, she would accept party invitations more often, but it was something she knew she always had to work on. She should throw a party in her store, too.

Although, she had too many valuables for that to be a good idea.

She would have to stick to attending other people's parties for that exposure

Rachel brushed and applied make up, yet it was hard to keep still. Rachel hummed to the music that was playing in the background.

At least about this part of the night, she had been wrong. This part, getting dressed with a friend.

That was fun.

---

Minnie's Diner was nearly empty when they arrived. They had taken Becky's car, driving the two and a half minutes from the store to the diner. Then they would drive five minutes from the diner to the house of Miss Essie King.

They didn't really need to drive, but Rachel was wearing heels.

Rachel lifted the skirt of her dress and she darted behind the counter. There were only two people in a booth.

Becky sat gracefully, or as gracefully as she could, at the bar. She waited. With their luck, they would smell like the diner, a smell of grease and fries that Becky had come to know quite intimately, having spent the majority of her time in the farthest booth in the back.

Her booth was empty now, and Becky longed to go over there and sit in it, even though they couldn't stay and she knew that.

Rachel appeared with an apron over her dress.

We'll be out of here soon, Rachel said. It was weird seeing her in such a nice gown with an apron over it.

I should take a picture, Becky teased.

"I would literally murder you