Lifted Spirits: Veronica Swift Mysteries, #10

By Ember Mae

As Christmas descends upon Last Resort and Spa, Roni and her brother Teddy find themselves tangled in a web of holiday intrigue. They are determined to unveil the truth behind their father's mysterious death, but the odds stack higher when their only witness meets a shocking demise in a suspicious elevator malfunction.

 

Refusing to let the yuletide spirit be dimmed by tragedy, Roni and her trusty friends join forces to investigate the eerie connection between the witness's "accident" and their father's untimely end. Twinkling lights and festive cheer are overshadowed by ominous secrets that have long haunted the resort.

 

With her wedding approaching, Roni's heart races not only for love but also for justice. She's determined to walk down the aisle with closure, knowing her father's murderer is unmasked. In this heartwarming Christmas cozy mystery, witness a holiday season like no other, where Roni and her merry sleuths chase clues, untangle enigmas, and mend the past to secure a joyful future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emmie B.
• Release date: Dec 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781953798435

Book preview

1

There was snow falling outside the big cathedral-style windows to Enchanted Reads and Teas, as I sat staring off into space. It had been horrible. And that image was going to be stuck with me until the day I died, I was sure of it. 

Hey, y’all, what can I get you? Agatha asked, her blond curls bouncing as she arrived in front of our table, a jovial smile on her face. 

I saw that smile slip though when she saw us. 

Hey, what’s wrong? You two look like you’ve seen a ghost or something. There’s not another dead body somewhere, is there? 

I shook my head, trying to smile. Oh, no. We’re just having some growing pains, that’s all. 

What do you mean? You’re not breaking up, are you? she questioned, looking between Liam and me. 

Liam smiled at her. Not a chance. The wedding is still on. I’m not letting this one go, ever. 

I laughed. Thanks, hun. 

He winked at me. 

Agatha nodded. Good, because I can’t wait to go to your wedding. I mean, I loved Jade’s and Angie’s weddings, but yours is the one I’m looking forward to the most. I love Christmas. It’s the most magical time of the year. I’m pretty sure it’s just because everything is lit up with pretty lights and there’s a bunch of shiny stuff, but it’s still my favorite. 

I laughed. It’s my favorite too. That’s why we are getting married on Christmas Eve, besides, I like the fact we will be getting married exactly a year from when he asked me. It’s like a perfect circle being completed. 

Liam nodded. Yeah, it’s getting really close too. 

Agatha nodded, her curls bouncing again. Yeah, it is. I heard Jelly and Jade in the kitchen planning your bachelorette party food. You might want to get some hot cocoa today before they cut you off.

I scoffed, They can’t do that! It’s finally the time of year when it’s acceptable to drink hot cocoa for most of the day, and they are going to cut me off? 

She nodded. Yeah. Apparently, they want you to really enjoy the hot cocoa bar at your wedding and figure not allowing you to have it leading up to the wedding will be a good palette cleanser. 

I pouted. 

Liam chuckled. Don’t worry, hun, I’ll sneak it to you if I have to. 

You’ll do no such thing, Jelly said, coming up behind Agatha, Jade at her side. Or I’ll make you stock the lingerie at my shop. It’s flying off the shelves right now. 

Liam sighed. I guess I won’t be sneaking it to you. 

I smiled. Thanks for trying. Yes, Agatha, I will take a large hot cocoa and a turkey panini, I added, glaring at Jellybean.

She nodded, noting it down as Jellybean and Jade pulled chairs up to our table. Agatha turned to them. I’m glad you two decided to come out here, they’ve been staring off into space for about fifteen minutes. I was going to come get you once I got their orders, she told them before bouncing her blond curls away. 

I sighed, feeling my cheeks heat up, which meant they were at the very least pink. 

Jellybean gave us an evil laugh. Oh, this is going to be so good. What’s wrong? 

Liam shrugged. Nothing. 

I sighed. Angie and Graham were doing it on our couch when we got home from therapy. 

Jellybean cackled again. 

Roni! Liam exclaimed. I thought we weren’t going to speak about this ever again. I mean the conversation with Graham and Angie was bad enough. 

I put my hands up. Sorry, but I think I need to hear from someone else that it’s not too much to ask that they keep their sexcapades in their bedroom, I told him, turning to Jade for an answer. 

Her cheeks went darker and I gaped at her. Sorry, Roni, but they’re in the honeymoon stage still, and well, it kind of just happens a lot. I mean, when Teddy and I got back from our honeymoon—

I put up my hand to stop her. I don’t know how, but you’re making this worse. 

Hon, we are two weeks out from y’all’s wedding. You should be able to talk about sex, Jellybean told me. 

I am able to talk about it, I said. I just don’t want to see others doing it, or hear about my brother having it. 

Jelly sighed. Fine, those are pretty normal standards to have. But I still want you to have this, she told me, pulling a box similar to a Phase 10 deck out of her bag and sliding it across the table to Liam and me. 

I read the box and blanched. 

100 Positions to Better Your Sex Life from the Kama Sutra, Liam read out loud, his cheeks going red as he read the words. Um, thanks I guess, he told Jelly before slipping the box of cards in my open backpack by our feet. 

Why were you carrying that around? I asked Jelly. 

She laughed. Oh, I carry a set in my bag all the time to give away to repressed couples. I have been making you two a little honeymoon kit since I heard about the engagement though. That’s your wedding present from me. 

I’m scared to know what’s in it, Liam told us in a hushed tone, a look of horror on his face. I’ve seen the backroom. 

Jelly laughed uproariously at this, as Agatha came back with our drinks and a quick word that our sandwiches would be ready soon. 

Jelly was assuring Liam she didn’t put any backroom toys in the honeymoon kit when Teddy came over and sat with us. 

Whatcha talking about? Teddy asked. 

Nothing, I said. We are switching topics. What brings you up here for lunch? 

Teddy laughed, raising an eyebrow. Okay then. I’m here for a couple of reasons, including that today is Friday and I always eat lunch up here Fridays. I wanted to see my lovely wife—hi, honey— and I have news about Dad’s case.

My heart rate shot up at the mention of my father’s case. We’d spent over a year now trying to solve who murdered him. Turns out Dad had a penchant for sticking his nose into things he had no business to, and it got him killed. It explained where I got the meddling from. 

Is this good or bad news? I asked him. 

He grinned. The tech guys cracked the firewalls finally and retrieved the website that has been telling people how to get away with murder up here. The guys told me something about how the owner of the site tried to delete it, but there was enough to confirm that the IP address is coming from up here at the resort. 

Wow, I said, sitting back in my seat. 

There’s more, Teddy singsonged. Jackson was also able to tell us the site had a long period of dormancy. The owner built it, left it, and then took it down around September. But as I’ve been told by many people. Everything on the internet stays on the internet, and those rules apply to the dark web as well.

So, what are we doing next? I asked. 

Well, Jackson told me the site was set up about six years ago so we need to look through employees, vendors, and everyone up here that has been here for at least six years. I’m going to have a meeting with Richard and Nora Last after lunch. 

Agatha brought over Liam and my sandwiches. Teddy immediately stole a fry from my plate and burned his mouth on it. 

I nodded. That’s what you get for stealing a girl’s fry, I told him. And I’d like to go to the meeting with you. 

Teddy shrugged. I don’t know. It’s gonna cost you three more fries.  

I rolled my eyes and scooted my plate toward him. Sure thing. I was going to have you come along anyway. This is our case, right? 

I resisted the urge to smack him and just nodded before biting into the heavenly mix of garlic aioli, turkey, and Monterey Jack cheese.

Teddy tapped the table three times before adding, I talked to Chief Gunthers again recently. 

Why? Jellybean asked. 

He called to volunteer as bait, Teddy told us. 

What? four voices asked, including my own. 

He’s divorced, apparently estranged from his daughter, and still under threat from whomever the killer is. I guess he’s ready for a change. Teddy shrugged. 

I didn’t know he had a daughter, I said surprised. Though, now that I say that I do vaguely remember him mentioning something about his family when we spoke with him a couple of months ago. 

Jelly laughed. That’s funny, because you know her. 

Who? I questioned. 

The daughter, Jellybean told me, rolling her eyes. 

Jade sighed. Agatha is Gunthers’s daughter. 

What? Teddy, Liam, and I exclaimed, just as Agatha came back with the food for Jade, Jelly, and Teddy. 

I turned to look at Agatha again, and could see the resemblance in her nose and cheeks. Her coloring must have come from her mother though, because Gunthers had dark features. 

How did I not know this? I marveled. 

Jade hushed me and waited for Agatha to leave us again. They made small talk while my brain was rolling around like a squirrel on crack. When she left, Jade leaned in, her voice lowered.

"Agatha doesn’t like people knowing who her dad is. She