Never Soy Never: Veronica Swift Mysteries, #9

By Ember Mae

At Last Resort and Spa, wedding bells are ringing again, but so are the alarm bells of a perplexing cold case. Roni Swift, armed with her quick wit and an affinity for trouble, finds herself at the center of a light and playful mystery.

 

As her best friend Angie and the amiable neighborhood detective prepare for their nuptials, a cascade of open cases overwhelms Roni's brother, Teddy, as he picks up casework for two. Entrusting Roni with a task that hits close to home, Teddy hands her a long-forgotten cold case file tied to their father's unsolved death.

With curiosity as her guiding compass, Roni embarks on an adventurous journey through clues and misdirections. Along the way, she uncovers hidden truths, stumbles upon quirky characters, and finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue.

 

As Roni dons her detective hat, she must balance wedding preparations, uncover the truth about her father's passing, and navigate the humorous mishaps that come her way. In this delightful and engaging cozy mystery, join Roni Swift on a joyous and suspenseful escapade where laughter and sleuthing intertwine, proving that love and justice can both be found in the most unexpected places.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emmie B.
• Release date: Sep 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9781953798428

Book preview

1

Iplopped myself down in the chair across from my brother, Teddy, with quite a bit of dramatics. 

He didn’t look up from the files on his desk. His dark brown hair was falling across his face, but I could see that his eyes and mouth were pinched in frustration. 

I waited several seconds before leaning forward. If you keep your face like that, you’re going to get wrinkles. 

He rolled his eyes at me. Thanks, Mom. 

I laughed. What? She would tell us our face would freeze like that, not that we would get wrinkles. 

It’s close enough, he grumbled, closing the file he had open and moving on to the next. 

I grimaced. As much as I love coming and talking with Ms. Annie and the other desk sergeants for several minutes to an hour at the behest of my brother and my soon to be almost brother-in-law, I have places to be. Why did you call me down here? 

Teddy sighed. Right, sorry. I forgot I called you down here. 

I laughed. Really? 

Yeah, um, with Graham going on his honeymoon very soon, I’m handling all his open cases, so I’m not going to be able to continue doing my job for the time being, he started. 

I squinted at him. I cannot fill the role of junior detective. I haven’t actually gone to the police academy or anything. 

He smiled. No, Graham has tasked me with solving the ‘accidents’ Dad was working on before he died. I’ve solved almost all of them, but there is one I just can’t get a handle on. 

So, you want me to do it? I questioned. Did hell freeze over and I wasn’t aware of it? 

He rolled his eyes. I may have been too hasty in saying that. But I also don’t have a choice. I’m swamped here and you’re such a good sleuth without having gone to the academy, you’ll probably solve it quicker, anyway. I only said what I did because people who think they got away with murder are always more dangerous when they feel the walls closing in on them, Teddy told me. 

I sighed. All right, twist my arm, I’ll do it. 

Teddy jumped up, came around the desk, and pulled me up into a hug. Thank you! 

Can’t breathe, I said through the pain of crushing ribs. 

He let go of me. Right, sorry. Anyway, here is the case file. I have already called all the previous witnesses and they are coming up to the resort.

When? I asked, surprised. 

The day after the wedding, Teddy said, ducking his head a little. I already gave them your number to call to set up meetings. They think you are my assistant. 

Great. I sighed. At least you didn’t try to have me do this before Angie and Graham get hitched. Maid of honor duties are nonstop until I can get them kicked out of here. Speaking of which, I gotta run. I have an appointment with Dr. Blackworth, and then I have to go talk to the florist about the flowers with Ange. Apparently, they don’t have enough sunflowers. 

Teddy nodded sagely. Makes sense, sun is hard to come by up here in the mountains. 

I rolled my eyes. No, it’s not. It’s just that sunflowers are the main flower choice for most fall weddings and the florist didn’t order enough. 

Well, I bid you good luck, Teddy told me. Jade had a minor meltdown when it looked like we weren’t going to find the right color flowers for the wedding. 

I shrugged. It’s a big deal when you’ve planned it your whole life. 

Teddy smirked. Yeah, it’ll be interesting to see how you and Liam handle yours. I know you haven’t really imagined your wedding since you were little, but Liam has. 

I smiled. He’ll be fine. We’ve talked about all the little details and everything. Besides, having Hazel run the show is a tremendous relief. 

Why isn’t Angie having Hazel plan her wedding? 

Because Hazel and Roxie went on that vacation last month and Angie didn’t want Hazel having to worry about wedding details while she was away. 

Teddy nodded. She’s also too much of a control freak to let someone handle the details for her, huh? 

I mirrored his nod. Okay, I really gotta go. Liam’s in the truck waiting. 

Why didn’t he come in with you? Teddy asked, surprised. 

I shrugged. He’s having a tough time. Aunt Fiona is sick, and it’s looking like it might be the end of the road for her. We’re hoping she’s going to make it to our wedding, but that’s not what the doctors are saying. And I think he’s feeling bad because Uncle Seamus and Aunt Fiona were by each other’s side for so many years and now he’s in jail and can’t be with her. 

Yeah, it’s tough. Uncle Seamus was someone Liam looked up to a lot, especially after his dad’s death. Teddy sighed. I’m glad he’s talking to Dr. Blackworth, though. He was too quiet there for a while and it was making me nervous. 

I smiled. Me too. Now, I really need to go. I waved the case file. Thanks for this. 

He laughed. Make sure you get Jellybean or Jade or someone to work on it with you. I don’t need you being shot, stabbed, dismembered, or abducted because I gave you one of Dad’s cases. 

I rolled my eyes. No one has threatened me with dismemberment… yet. I sighed petulantly. Fine, fine. I won’t go all vigilante on you. I will have backup and witnesses. 

Teddy chuckled again. Thanks. I needed that reassurance. 

I walked out of his office, waved goodbye to Sergeant Annie and headed for Liam’s truck parked outside. 

I bounced up into the truck before flashing a giant smile at my future husband. I’ve got a case. 

Liam’s jaw dropped open. He actually handed you a case? Has that man lost his mind? Is he trying to keep us from getting married in a backhanded, sinister way? 

I laughed. No, I don’t think so. I think if Teddy didn’t want us getting married, he would’ve tried to break us up somehow before now. Besides, it’s not an active case now. I’m taking on the last of the ‘accidents’ my dad was working on. 

Liam squinted at me. I don’t think that’s better. If I recall properly, your dad died because he was digging into those cases. 

Yes, but solving them—

Is how you’re going to solve your dad’s death, Liam finished for me. You and Teddy have been telling me that since you found the files back in June. Just be careful, okay? 

I nodded. You can be my bodyguard, if you want. 

He laughed, pulling the gearshift out of park and into drive. I wish I could, but I’m picking up the extra shifts so we can take our month-long honeymoon. 

Oh, right, that’s this month. I sighed. All right then. I absolutely promise to be careful. Angie would kill me if she found out I died while she was on her honeymoon, anyway. 

So, you’re not going to work on it until after the wedding? 

I nodded. Yeah, Teddy is having the witnesses, aka suspects, come in after the wedding, so I don’t have to compromise on my maid of honor duties. 

Liam nodded. Good thing too. Angie is a wily one. She might take your head off if she found out you weren’t staying on target. 

I laughed. Yeah, it’s only— I looked down at my phone. Twenty-one days, twelve hours, thirty-nine minutes and forty-five seconds until the ceremony. 

What the— he asked. 

It’s a wedding timer app. Angie made me put it on my phone when we had the favor-making party, I explained. 

How did I not know about this? 

I gave him a small smile. You’ve been a little distracted lately. 

He smiled back. Yeah, sorry about that. I’ve just got a lot I’m processing still. 

I touched his hand, shaking my head. It’s fine. Please don’t apologize. It’s a big thing to deal with and it’s being compounded with the doctor’s reports about Aunt Fiona. You were there for me when I was obsessively googling poisons You’ve solved case after case with me when I know you’d rather I didn’t stick my nose near them. I will be here for you, and I am okay with not being the person you talk this particular situation out with. I know when you’re ready, you’ll talk with me about it.  

He smiled again, this time a little bigger. I knew I was marrying you for a reason. 

I laughed. Glad to hear there is at least one. 

Oh, there are many, and I will enumerate them for you one day soon. I promise you that, he told me,