Mystery at Clarke Mansion: Kate & Nick Mysteries

By Cheryl Rodgers

Kate and her adoring younger husband, Nick Gregory, are kicking back and enjoying retirement on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan near Chicago. But when they discover a curious case of vandalism at a luxurious lakeside wedding venue, they step into action when their friend is accused of the crime.

 

Determined to see justice done, the couple jump into their '65 classic convertible and set off to expose the true culprit. As they tap into Kate's museum connections while Nick tosses around terrible puns, the trail of clues begins to take shape.

 

Will their sense of fun and sharp wit be enough to stop the wrong man from taking the fall?

 

Mystery at Clarke Mansion is the charming first book by Cheryl Rodgers in the Kate & Nick Mysteries amateur sleuths series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheryl Rodgers
• Release date: Apr 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959136002

Book preview

Prologue

The garage door opened and out drove a smart-looking 1965 Shelby Cobra with an even smarter-looking man at the wheel. He pulled up to the front door where Kate stepped out with one sandal on and one off, balancing an elaborately wrapped gift in her arms.

She leaned over the door of the convertible and tossed the package over her husband’s head and onto the front seat. At the same time, she tried pulling on the strap of her sandal. It proved too much on the gravel drive. She became unbalanced and fell.

Nick peered over the edge of the door. Need any help, darling?

Kate looked up in dismay. Oh, all I can get.

Nick hopped from the car, and with a gallant flair, assisted Kate to her feet.

You seem to have fallen for me all over again, Nick said with a proud, boyish grin. Nick was a hopeless

punster, but it seemed to amuse him to no end.

Kate found it best to ignore the puns. You, sir, are my hero. She mugged a face and leaned over to give him a kiss.

She sat down in the car with the present on her lap. This car needs a back seat.

This car is perfect, said Nick. Ten years younger than you and one year older than me. Perfect. Just like the two of us together.

Kate rolled her eyes, smiled inside, and proclaimed, Onward!

Nick put the Shelby in gear, and off they hummed down the long driveway and onto the winding road toward the Clarke Mansion, where the wedding for their friends, Ronnie and Paul, was to take place on this sunny day in May.

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Chapter 1

Kate and Nick crossed the lawn of the mansion, situated over a bluff with a view of Lake Michigan. Spotting Nick’s parents, they waved and headed in their direction.

Well, you two, Nick’s father, Conrad, began as they approached, A great day for a wedding. Seems your friend Paul has gotten it right this time around, even if he did have to wait until he was nearly retired.

Hope so. If not, we’re sort of responsible. You know, Kate and I introduced the two of them. Kate knew Ronnie through her work at the museum.

Is that so? Kate’s mother-in-law, Liz asked.

It is.

Then you have a heavy burden indeed, said Conrad with mock gravity.

Liz scanned the grounds, looking for people she knew. "Isn’t that Paul’s father, Bradford, standing by the

gazebo?"

Conrad turned to spot Bradford. We should go congratulate the father of the groom.

Think I’ll go over too and say hello to Bradford, said Nick. Want to come?

Kate shook her head. You go ahead. I’m dying to see how Alice and George are getting along.

Those are your friends who are catering this event, isn’t that right? asked Liz.

It is. This wedding marks the launch of their business.

Tell them everything looks lovely. The decorations are beautiful, and I’ve already tasted some canapés. Delicious.

Kate held up crossed fingers. Thanks. We’re hoping they get off to a good start.

They’re bound to.

Kate smiled at her mother-in-law. Liz had a positive attitude that was infectious. It was a quality she admired, and one reason they had become such good friends.

Tell Nick to find us a seat, Kate called back as she strode across the lawn toward the mansion to find her friends.

As Kate drew closer, she could feel the buzz of creative energy in the revitalized stone building. The Clarke Mansion, built in the 1800s, wasn’t practical for modern open-space plans. A major rehab or a tear-down would have been costly, and so it was sold for a good price to Gates Callahan, a well-to-do widow from the North Shore, who converted it into a wedding and event venue. The one open space it did have was a third-floor ballroom, which many of the old mansions along the North Shore had, large enough to seat up to 150 guests, though not comfortably.

Kate passed the grand front entrance and walked around the house to the kitchen door. She preferred to enter through the back, feeling she got a better sense of a home that way. This was especially true today because George was creating magic in this kitchen. He was an artist when it came to food, able to turn any dessert into something to savor.

When Kate entered the kitchen, she saw George hunched over a sheet of raspberry genoise mousse squares, adding some final touches to the sweets already looking perfect. When he stood back to look at his work, she saw he had exceeded perfection by adding a single sliver of chocolate to each square.

George was not the nervous or moody sort of chef someone of his talent might be. He appeared relaxed and confident, even amid all the activity. He looked up and smiled.

Ah, Kate, are you ready for a taste of heaven? He scooped up one of the small squares and held it out for her to taste.

She could feel the creamy dessert on her tongue and then, as the smooth texture spread, an explosion of flavor, raspberry with only a hint of liqueur—familiar and different all at once.

Oh my gosh, George, you’ve done it again.

A pleasure. Making people happy with his creations was George’s driving motivation.

Where is that lovely fiancée of yours? I want to wish her good luck before the day gets too busy.

Last minute touches somewhere in the house. I don’t know where. I haven’t been out of the kitchen.

I’ll find her, said Kate as she headed toward the double swing doors leading to the original dining room.

It didn’t take long for her to find Alice bustling about, offering last-minute directives to various staff members. Alice could stage any event—working like a conductor, pulling all the pieces of the orchestra together into a symphony. It only took her a moment to notice Kate. She stretched out her arms. Oh Kate, I can’t tell you how grateful we are for this.

I didn’t do anything but provide an introduction. It was easy enough to do. You know how impressed I was from the time we met at the museum where I saw you could turn any event into a masterpiece. And how could I deny anyone the heavenly experience of George’s cooking?

Well, that introduction was enough, said Alice, knowing she had a friend who knew how to make things happen.

How are you doing? Are you excited?

You know, I’ve never been nervous about event planning, but this being our own business, I have to admit, I’m feeling a little edgy.

Kate put a hand on her shoulder. Not at all surprising. But are you on schedule? I don’t want to hold you up.

Alice rested her hands on her hips and surveyed the room. Seem to be.

Just then, they heard a voice from down the hallway. Alice, I can’t seem to get one of the doors to open. Kate recognized the voice. It was Dawn, a good friend of theirs who had come down from Wisconsin with her husband Leonard to help with the event. As Dawn got closer, she noticed Kate. So great to see you. She stepped up on tiptoes and pulled Kate in for a big Wisconsin hug.

You too. I hope we have time to get together before you and Leonard head back north.

I hope so too, said Dawn, before turning her attention back to Alice. You know that little room on the second floor? You said we’d use it as a game room for the kids. It’s locked. I can’t get in.

Locked? All the rooms should be open. I checked during the walk-through last week to make sure.

Kate could see that Alice’s mind was back on business. I should get going, began Kate, but Alice interrupted.

No, don’t go yet. I want to show you upstairs, the cutest rooms, see what we’ve done with them.

Gladly, Kate said, always up for any behind-the-scenes tour. Her training as a museum exhibit evaluator had taught her that the real intel came from what was behind the curtain.

They headed up an elegant wooden staircase to a large second-floor landing with several doors. All had been opened except one.

I swear! Alice jiggled the handle. This was supposed to have been left open after our inspection last week. Alice pulled a set of keys from her pocket and tried each one, but none of them did the trick. She put her hands on her hips and seemed to consider.

Dawn, do me a favor and go get George. Tell him I need him for a little magic.

Dawn snorted. I hope he understands, or should I say doesn’t misunderstand. Dawn was the size of a pixie and had a girlish voice that sounded like a character out of a fairy tale.

He’ll understand, said Alice.

Dawn took off down the stairs. Kate turned back to Alice. How’s it going—working for Ronnie and Paul?

It’s been good. I never really knew her when I catered events at The Art Museum. Her boss was my contact.

How’s Paul been to work with? A nervous groom?

I really couldn’t say. I haven’t seen him that much.

I thought Ronnie said that they were planning the wedding together.

They were supposed to, but he seemed to get called away every time we met.

That’s a little funny, isn’t it?

Not for me to say, said Alice, showing that she could be discreet about her client’s personal business.

Still, it was a curiosity to Kate, since Ronnie had told her how happy she was that Paul was so involved in planning the wedding. Before she could ask anything more, George bounded up the stairs, taking two at a time. Kate noticed how his eyes met Alice’s.

If Ronnie and Paul were the wedding couple, these two were the lovebirds. If only to open a stuck door, any brief encounter caused their hearts to flutter.

I hear there’s a door needing a master’s touch. George flashed his eyes at his fiancé.

We can’t get this door open, and we need to get in there.

You’re sure? asked George.

Dawn caught up, walking up the last stair. She wasn’t slow, but her short legs couldn’t master two stairs at a time. Yes, we need it as a game room. Dawn pointed to a small stack of boxed board games sitting on the floor next to the door.

All right then, said George, dramatically rolling up the sleeves of his chef’s jacket. Then, blocking everyone’s view by standing in front of the door, he jiggled something and turned the knob. The door clicked and swung open.

He turned to face his small audience for applause, but the look on their faces was not the admiration he was expecting. Rather, it was a look of horror.

Chapter 2

George turned to see the room had been ransacked. Several small paintings had been torn off the wall and were slashed through the canvas. A small settee was ripped open, and the filling exposed.

Alice, suddenly tense, called out. Close the door! George reached for the doorknob, and a small bit of flour from his apron rubbed onto the door handle and spilled onto the carpet. Alice jumped. Not you George! Dawn, shut the door.

Dawn pulled the door closed and then looked down at the flour on the carpet. I’ll get the sweeper. She started down the hallway.

No, I’ll handle this. Could you finish setting up the other rooms? Alice pointed at her fiancée. George, you’re back in the kitchen.

Right. He took off down the stairs.

Kate wondered about Alice’s reaction. It was not typical of her to be so easily rattled. It must be the jitters about their opening catering event running headlong into this mess. After her initial set of orders, Alice stood frozen, incapable of deciding what to do next.

Kate felt compelled to step in with a suggestion. We can keep the door closed and double up with one of these other rooms. Then we can figure out what happened after the wedding.

Alice sounded grateful that Kate had a plan, though she still seemed unable to move. How on earth could this have happened?

I was wondering that myself.

This is too awful.

It is weird, but it shouldn’t impact the wedding. Kate didn’t realize that Alice had completely forgotten about that for the moment.

No, not the wedding, Alice repeated, sounding almost like an echo. It shouldn’t impact that.

Alice, are you going to be OK?

Yes. Thanks. As you say, we’ll figure this out after the wedding.

We should probably make sure no one goes in there until we can get the police over to look at the damage, said Kate.

Alice’s look of alarm resurfaced for a split second, but this time, she quickly regained control. Kate thought that having the police involved in their first official catering event would be a bad way to launch a business, but Alice was quickly adjusting to the reality. Back in event planner mode, she said that she’d ask Dawn and her husband Leonard to take turns stationing themselves on the landing on the second-floor with the door in plain sight. That way, they could be sure no one could disturb the scene, which the police would likely want to check for prints.

Are you sure you’re OK? asked Kate.

Yes, of course I am. Just a shock, you know.

If you’re sure, I think I’ll get back outside.

Alice rallied. Yes, you don’t want to miss the ceremony.

As Kate headed toward the stairs, Alice called after her, But you will stay after the reception, won’t you?

I certainly will.

And Nick too!

Absolutely, Kate called back from the staircase.

I thought you’d like this spot, said Nick. He had secured seats on the far right, toward the back, close to a lilac bush in full bloom. Their row had a few more chairs at the end, giving them an unobstructed view of the lake. Selecting seats with an optimal view was something Nick had learned from his wife. It was her museum experience, she supposed, but she studied the layout at any event strategically. What seat would give the best view allowing her to observe, but be least observed herself?

Right you are. Kate sat down beside him and whispered into his ear. The strangest thing has happened in the house.

Nick pulled his head back and gave his wife a questioning look.

I’ll tell you after the ceremony. I don’t want to get into it here.

Nick understood. If there was something of interest going on behind the scenes, Kate was sure to find out. She was the most resourceful person he had ever met, and it was one of the traits that first attracted his attention.

He turned his eye toward his wife. It was an unusually warm spring