First Cousins’ Killer Reunion

By Sherinda Ryter

Set in the scenic area of the Finger Lakes, this Cozy Mystery introduces the reader to four retired cousins - Molly, Maureen, Marge, and Jane. In their quaint little town, the assistant to their beloved baker is murdered. Who did it? And why is Brenda, their friend who is visiting for the weekend reunion, being suspected of the cruel act? Will the cousins be able to help clear Brenda’s name, or did she do it? And if she didn’t, can the cousins solve the mystery of who killed the baker’s helper?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798369416471

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Copyright © 2024 by Sheri Bone.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 02/15/2024

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2     Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Chapter 3     Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Chapter 4     Thursday, May 3, 2012

Chapter 5     Friday, May 4, 2012

Chapter 6     Later that Evening

Chapter 7     Saturday, May 5, 2012

Chapter 8     Same Day, Later That Morning

Chapter 9     Later That Night at the Knaptonville Police Station

Chapter 10   Sunday, May 6, 2012

Chapter 11   Monday, May 7, 2012

Chapter 12   Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Chapter 13   Wednesday, May 9

Chapter 14   Thursday, May 10, 2012

Chapter 15   Friday, May 11, 2012

Chapter 16   Saturday, May 12, 2012

Chapter 17   Monday, May 14, 2012

Chapter 18   Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Chapter 19   Thursday, May 17, 2012

Chapter 20   Thursday, May 31, 2012

Chapter 21   Friday, June 1, 2012

H ER FATHER DROPPED her off in the parking lot that was adjacent to the upper pavilion. It was 7:00 and the party was supposed to have started at 6:00, but it was the best she could do. She knew most of her friends would be arriving later, in time for the fireworks, but she thought it would do her good to get there for some of the food, and to find a good spot to watch the show.

When do you want me to come get you, honey? he asked before she shut the door.

‘l’ll probably get a ride with someone. I’ll call if I need you. And I’ll probably be home late because there are going to be fireworks.

Okay. Be safe. I love you. He always said that. And then he drove off.

She couldn’t believe how wealthy some families were. Joey’s family rented the entire park for the whole day, and probably tomorrow, too. The upper pavilion area, the lower pavilion picnic area, the water area, the whole kit and kaboodle. They provided all of the food (mostly picnic food like hot dogs, hamburgers, and potato salad) which was being prepared and served at the lower pavilion by staff from their ritzy Italian restaurant. She couldn’t imagine having that much money to use on a big shindig for a bunch of Joey’s classmates. Did they know not everyone liked him? She had a feeling he had a crush on her based on some of the comments he had made in school, but she never gave him any reason to think the feeling was mutual. But a party was a party, and she would be here with her friends, not for him. She didn’t go out much, so she figured this would be the last blast before she had to get herself in gear for the fall.

She had to work as often as she could to help save money for college. She had a few part-time jobs for the summer including some volunteer work. Her major source of income came from the town library where she mostly shelved books. That was followed closely by what she earned babysitting. But this weekend, she volunteered with the local 4-H leaders to start readying the county fairgrounds for the upcoming fair. Usually she got to help with the animal tents. She loved doing anything to help the animals and getting kids to learn to take care of them. Today, however, her task was to clean the ice cream stand. She was hot and sticky when her shift was over, and even though she wore an apron, her clothes were filthy. Her flaxen hair, in a ponytail, managed to have a few strands come out and they were a mess, too. Even though it was getting to be close to evening and still quite light out, the humidity clung to everyone and everything. It was almost difficult to breathe. She heard someone at the fairgrounds earlier that day say that it was so humid out, you could drink the air. Yuck.

Although the shower was quick, it was cool and it got the grime, sweat, and stickiness off of her. As she changed into her cute yellow sundress and slingback sandals, she thought, ‘I am not going to wear stockings or a slip, no matter what mom thinks.’ This was a relaxed party in a park. Not a dinner at a restaurant. She didn’t have to dress to impress. Just dress for comfort.

It was Saturday, July 3, 1965, and Joey’s family, since they had so much money, decided to throw a combination graduation/4th of July party for everyone who had just gone through commencement exercises with their son. He was not the sharpest pencil in the box, and they were more than glad to celebrate this milestone. He was not going to college and it was uncertain what he would do once fall came around. Many of the boys had just turned eighteen and were going to be going to war in Vietnam. Some of the boys were planning to run away to Canada so they wouldn’t have to fight. She was glad she didn’t have to think of such things. She had her future mapped out, and her first stop was college. But for now, she was glad for the chance to get away from work for a few hours and relax with her friends. No one knew what was going to happen in the future, so she might as well look for her friends and enjoy the party before real life, college, and work took over.

As she walked around, she realized that not very many of her classmates were there yet. She saw a few kids she knew, like Megan, and Sue, but they weren’t her close friends. She could’ve gone over to talk with them, but she decided to keep walking. She took her time, looking at everyone, trying to look nonchalant as she strolled. No one called out to her to join them so she kept walking. Near the lake. Or pond. What was it? Too big for a pond, too small for a lake. Plake. That’s what she would call it. She grinned at her silliness.

But still she couldn’t find even one of her close friends. Where were Brenda and Connie? And what about Debbie and Judy? She knew a couple of the other girls would not be coming, but she thought more would be here by now. She should’ve called at least one of them to firm down a meeting time, but hindsight is twenty-twenty, right? She would be patient and keep meandering, not going too far from the Upper Pavilion by the parking lot. Except for the humidity, the evening was pleasant, so the slow, calm walk felt good.

Joey’s family was there, of course, and she made sure she smiled at everyone she passed even if she didn’t know who they were. Someone handed her a glass of punch. His sister? A waitress? Someone dressed in black pants and a white shirt. Penguin costume, almost. How could they stand to be dressed so formally in this heat?

She didn’t recognize who gave it to her. It didn’t matter who it was, though, because that glass of punch was just what she needed. She was really thirsty. She surprised herself at how quickly she drank it. It was pink and sweet, but what was it that made it taste a little different? Not bad, but not the usual punch that got served at school functions. Someone else, a man, offered her another glass as soon as she downed the first, and she drank that second one quickly, too, but her thirst was still not quenched. This punch was too sweet. She felt like Goldilocks. Too hot. Too Sweet. Nothing just right. As these thoughts swam through her noggin, she began to feel a little dizzy. Did she move too fast? Was the heat starting to affect her? Too much silly thinking?

. She had a few moments to think, ‘Wow. That’s funny. I hope I’m not coming down with the flu or something. I don’t like being sick in the summer. I wonder if any of the other 4-H volunteers are feeling ill.’ And then she thought, ‘If I don’t feel better soon, I may not even make it to the barbecue let alone the fireworks.’ She kind of veered to the nearest picnic bench and was approached by Joey’s older brother, Frankie. Everyone in town knew Frankie. He made it his business to make sure he swaggered like he owned the world. He wasn’t really good looking with his beaked nose and big ears but he pretended he was. His hair was jet black, a little shiny from the hair cream he used. He combed it straight back and had a cigarette stuck behind one of his Dumbo ears. He was twenty but not in the army. How did he manage to stay out of it? Were his feet flat? He didn’t wear glasses. Everyone knew Frankie’s family could pull the necessary strings. She really didn’t know him but really didn’t want to. But she couldn’t get away from him so she would manage.

Hey, you don’t look so good. Want that I should take you home? This was something very unexpected. Frankie was actually acting like a caring person! Frankie sounded so nice and she felt so sick, she just nodded. Slowly. With her eyes closed, mostly. She opened only one at a time, just a slit, to see what was happening. She did everything she knew to try to relax so she could feel better. She would call her friends when she got home and let them know she was not well and that she couldn’t join them for the fireworks.

Wait right here and I’ll get my keys. Ma, I’m gonna take Mary O’Brien home. I think she’s sick.

Who? Mary O’Brien? You know where she lives?

Yeah, she lives on the other side of Pinewood. She graduated with me. She’s kind of like my girlfriend.

Yes, definitely take her home if she’s sick. Frankie, you are such a good boy. And on the way back, please stop at Acme and pick up the extra hot dog rolls that I ordered. Thank you. Joey’s mom didn’t even look towards the two of them as she called back over her shoulder to her son, but kept on walking to the lower pavilion to check on the food.

Frankie walked towards her, his keys jingling in his hand. Her brain was swimming now, making her head throb, and it was all she could do to keep from vomiting.

Come on, Mary. I’ll help you. Frankie’s voice sounded louder than he needed to be. Was he making sure someone could hear him? She felt even dizzier as that thought passed by her brain, which was getting foggier by the minute.

I’m not Mary, was all she could whisper before she kind of passed in and out of consciousness.

Then he whispered, right in her ear. I know who you are. It doesn’t matter what name I call you, I’ll take good care of you. You’ll see. Frankie’s got something special for you, even better than Joey. Even better than fireworks. He half carried, half helped her walk to his car, which was surprisingly very close. He helped her into the back seat so she could lay down. She was really feeling sick without energy to call out to anyone that she wasn’t Mary.

Frankie knew who she was and where she lived, but before they got there, he turned onto a dirt road, climbed into the back seat and said, Now Frankie’s gonna show you how to have a really good time, way better than Joey ever could.

She looked at him with fuzzy eyes and thought she screamed and cried, but no one heard her. And that was all she remembered.

CHAPTER TWO

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

T HE CELL PHONE rang just once. The caller ID showed who it was.

What’s up?

It’s true. Meet me at the Knaptonville Library parking lot at noon tomorrow.

Okay. Knaptonville Library. Noon tomorrow. Do I need to bring anything?

Not yet. Maybe a notebook and pen. See you tomorrow.

And they both hit end to disconnect the call.

CHAPTER THREE

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

M AUREEN! AUNT EDNA sounded distressed, so Mo came quickly from the kitchen to the living room where Aunt Edna was reading and half listening to the noise of the radio behind her.

What is it, Auntie? Mo liked calling Edna Auntie because not only was Edna her aunt, but since her name began with the letter E, it was kind of like calling her Aunt E. Mo was a word girl.

Edna, who at 87 was still sharp as a tack even if her legs didn’t move so well, said, Can I help you make the shopping list for this week? I want to be sure you go to Morelli’s and get some extra pastries for the weekend. I remember that your friends, Brenda and Sally, are coming and I want to be sure we have great food for them. They are staying the whole weekend, right?

‘So, nothing that was an emergency,’ thought Mo. ‘But maybe while the thought was in her mind, she felt it was important to get it out.’

Mo continued to be surprised at how good her aunt’s memory was. Yes, they’re coming, and yes, they will be staying here from Friday night through Sunday. I have asked the cousins to come, too.

She knew that the second part would be fine. The four cousins were all born in the same year - 1947 - soon after the end of WWII. Their names all began with the letter M, a plan devised by their mothers whose names all began with E. No one knows if the E names were planned, but everyone knew that Edna and Edith, the twins, and eldest of the four Martin girls, and Elizabeth and Emily, were avid readers. In their teens, they decided, as a collective group of close siblings, on the M name scheme for any future children they might have.

Mo, really Maureen, was the youngest of the four cousins but only by a few months. She did not grow up in Knaptonville, New York as did the others, since her mother (Elizabeth) and father (Rex) moved to Pinewood when Mo was three. Apparently, Rex had a difficult time after the war, and settling into Knaptonville, which was very rural in the Finger Lakes area, added to his frustration. Pinewood was more urban, a lifestyle Rex had been used to before the war. So Liz, Rex, and little Mo only came to visit the rest of the family for major holidays. As Mo got older, she was able to spend summers in this house with Aunt Edna and Marge, her eldest cousin. And this place, this old, white farmhouse surrounded by fields of wildflowers and the people she loved, was what she called home.

Where Mo appeared to be fragile because she was petite and thin, Marge was more sturdy and helped her husband and four grown kids with their very successful winery and gift shop. Fred, Marge’s husband, grew up on a nearby farm and the two of them, after college, branched out from the typical dairy farming that happened in this county that hugged Keuka Lake. Much to Fred’s parents’ dismay, they started a small vineyard. Thanks to his business degree and taking special courses in grape growing, Fred had the foresight to plant a variety of exceptional wine grapes, not just Concords or ‘usual’ grapes for wine. He and Marge were able to build their own winery before the big wine companies left the Finger Lakes in the 1980’s, a very wise financial move.

Marge was Edna’s only child, and through the years was counted on to help with farm chores, housework, animal care, and gardening. She could do most anything. When her kids were young, she used her education degree to get a teaching job in the local Knaptonville Elementary School to supplement the farm income and provide health insurance for the family. She was able to work outside the home then because her mother did a lot of babysitting for her. After ten years, she quit, gave Edna a break from the kids, vested her retirement, and used the extra time she had to work more on developing the gift shop. She, like her cousins, was 65 now, and could easily retire full time if she didn’t feel like she was still needed to help trim or tie grape vines, monitor the winery, or run the shop. You could always find her easily because of the overalls she wore and red bandana that held back her long brown braids. Even at her age, her hair was still mostly all brown. Conversely, Mo’s once blond locks were cut shorter and she was mostly gray. You could barely tell the two women were related, let alone first cousins. But they shared a strong bond, mostly in the form of Aunt Edna.

Mo was sure Marge would not stay at