Virginia is for Mysteries Read online

  PRAISE FOR

  Virginia is for Mysteries III

  “Distinct bite-sized mysteries inspired by Virginia’s regions, history, and all manner of murder.”

  —Mary Burton, New York Times Best-Selling Author

  “Virginia is for Murders, Volume III, is an eclectic collection of stories by Virginia writers, all featuring Virginia locales. Themes run the gamut from blackmail to greed, love to revenge. So grab a can of salted peanuts, a bourbon with branch water, and settle in for a satisfying tour of the state for lovers, and sometimes . . . murder.”

  —Bradley Harper, Award-Winning Author of

  A Knife in the Fog

  “A flat-out terrific read with an amazing sense of place, this absorbing anthology covers the Virginia waterfront, literally and figuratively. From nefarious happenings in tourist havens to awful things done for the sake of antiquities and ancestors, to throwbacks to a history that isn’t really past, these sharply plotted and beautifully written stories are a mystery lover’s perfect trip to Virginia.”

  —Kathleen Marple Kalb, Author of the Ella Shane

  Mystery Series

  “A plethora of murder and mayhem abounds in this delightful collection of sixteen short stories set in Virginia.”

  —Marilyn Levinson/Allison Brook, Author of the

  Haunted Library Series

  “The Virginia is for Mysteries III authors have hit it out of the ballpark with more tales of murder and mayhem as they transport readers across Virginia’s rich but deadly landscape. Enjoyably satisfying quick reads with something for everyone.”

  —Allie Marie, Award-Winning Author of True Color Series and more

  “Such a treat! Don’t miss this terrific short-story tour of this fascinating and historic state—but be very afraid! In historic hotels, oceanfront estates, and boozy bars, you’ll discover blackmail, revenge, sinister conspiracies, and landmarks made for murder. It’s a twisty and suspenseful trip that will keep you turning pages as fast as you can!”

  —Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today Best-Selling Author, Winner of Mary Higgins Clark and Anthony Award, and Five-Time Agatha Award winner

  “A cornucopia of short stories with something for every mystery lover’s taste. Grab your copy, then gobble up the mayhem. Set in Virginia, this collection is perfect for armchair travelers to learn about the history and diversity of the Old Dominion while trying to solve sixteen murderous crimes.”

  —Fiona Quinn, USA Today Best-Selling Author

  “Secrets, murder, and revenge bubble just under the genteel façade of brilliantly drawn Virginia settings in this page-turning collection. Settle in and prepare for a wild ride through the Old Dominion’s darker side—there’s something here for every mystery fan.”

  —LynDee Walker, National Best-Selling Author of the Nichelle Clarke Series

  “Everyone knows that Virginia is for lovers. They also may have heard about its significant history and beautiful geography. Who would have anticipated all these elements together in a single book? Whether it’s business or personal, the stories in this anthology show the remarkable diversity of inhabitants and environment that makes Virginia so special. I truly enjoyed the virtual journey as much as trying to figure out who did it or what’s about to happen. This book would be a terrific beach read or a great volume to snuggle up with in winter. Get your favorite drink, relax, and immerse yourself in the mystery of Virginia!”

  —Paula Gail Benson, Short Fiction Author

  Virginia is for Mysteries: Volume III

  by Teresa Inge, Kristin Kisska, Yvonne Saxon,

  Frances Aylor, Jayne Ormerod, Heather Weidner,

  Michael Rigg, Maggie King, Smita Harish Jain,

  Sheryl Jordan, Vivian Lawry, Maria Hudgins,

  Rosemary Shomaker, Max Jason Peterson,

  Judith Fowler

  © Copyright 2022 Teresa Inge, Kristin Kisska, Yvonne Saxon, Frances Aylor, Jayne Ormerod, Heather Weidner, Michael Rigg, Maggie King, Smita Harish Jain, Sheryl Jordan, Vivian Lawry, Maria Hudgins, Rosemary Shomaker, Max Jason Peterson, Judith Fowler

  ISBN 978-1-64663-518-4

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters are both actual and fictitious. With the exception of verified historical events and persons, all incidents, descriptions, dialogue and opinions expressed are the products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.

  Published by

  3705 Shore Drive

  Virginia Beach, VA 23455

  800-435-4811

  www.koehlerbooks.com

  Introduction

  The idea for the third installment of Virginia is for Mysteries came about when anthology coordinators Teresa Inge and Heather Weidner discussed the idea of sharing more of Virginia’s unique and deadly landscape at Malice Domestic.

  Virginia is for Mysteries features fifteen established authors. Their stories transport readers across Virginia’s rich landscape, filled with landmarks, crime, and murder. The book is a follow up to the Virginia is for Mysteries, Volume I and II anthologies published by Koehler Books in 2014 and 2016.

  Teresa Inge and Heather Weidner

  Anthology Coordinators

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  KISS, MAKEUP & MURDER—By Teresa Inge

  VENDETTA BY THE SEA—By Kristin Kisska

  DIRTY BUSINESS—By Yvonne Saxon

  DEIDRA, DOG DETECTIVE—By Frances Aylor

  SORRY, WRONG NUMBER—By Jayne Ormerod

  DERAILED—By Heather Weidner

  GHOSTS OF SANDBRIDGE—By Michael Rigg

  THE LAST LAUGH—By Maggie King

  CHALK IT UP TO MURDER—By Teresa Inge

  UNFINISHED BUSINESS—By Smita Harish Jain

  THE LADY GINGER—By Sheryl Jordan

  A DINNER TO DIE FOR—By Vivian Lawry

  SHE SIMPLY VANISHED—By Maria Hudgins

  REVELATION—By Rosemary Shomaker

  THE HALLOWEEN OPEN—By Max Jason Peterson

  A GUEST AT THE LAND HOUSE—By Judith Fowler

  KISS, MAKEUP & MURDER

  By Teresa Inge

  “WELCOME TO THE CAVALIER. My name is Connar Randolph, owner of the hotel.” Connar smiled as she greeted her guests at the registration desk. “Please let me or my staff know if you need any assistance during your stay in Virginia Beach.”

  A blond man in a stylish pink shirt and white shorts strolled across the checkerboard floor toward her. “Tell me, can I get a bottle of your straight bourbon whiskey in my room to beat this stifling heat?”

  Connar recognized the man as wealthy playboy Gavin Heath. “Yes, Mr. Heath. I’ll ask the porter to place a bottle of our signature bourbon in your room.” She paused. “Oh . . . and we have an indoor pool to cool off, or the beach is just steps away near our private beach club.”

  He gave his infamous boyish grin and touched Connar’s hand. “Please, call me Gavin.”

  Flushed, she smoothed her tailored, navy-blue suit and shifted her stance on her heels.

  “Nice place.” Gavin nodded toward the elegant chandelier suspended over the vintage lobby. Light bounced off the light fixture from the ceiling to the floor, showering spectacular crystals of luminosity throughout the room. “Unusual for a babe such as yourself to own such an extravagant hotel. I as
sume there’s no Mr. Randolph?”

  Connar was not surprised at Gavin’s flamboyance. She had seen him in the media, partying with celebrities and wealthy socialites around the globe. “The hotel opened in 1927 under the ownership of my great-grandmother, Helena Randolph. Helena and my grandmother Maggie Randolph operated it until my parents took it over. I took ownership three years ago after they passed away. Is there anything else I can do for you Mr . . .

  uh, Gavin?”

  “No. That’s all.”

  Connar summoned the porter and instructed him to bring bourbon to Gavin’s room. “This is Max. He’ll take good care of you.”

  “Follow me.” Max placed Gavin’s bags on a cart and walked toward the elevator.

  As Connar waved to Gavin, she contemplated other demands he would put on her staff. She prided herself on taking good care of her guests with the same high standards her parents had insisted on for more than fifty years. Guests had returned annually to experience the hotel’s charm and personal service. But Gavin had emitted a high-maintenance, hard-to-please vibe. In a word, trouble.

  And the last thing Connar needed was a troublesome guest, adding to the burden of running an aging building that costs millions to restore to its elegant grace. If it weren’t for the rich Virginia Beach legacy and historical listing on the National Register of Historic Places, she would have had to close the doors years ago.

  A disturbance near the lobby stairs caught Connar’s attention.

  “For the last time, grab my purse!” Barbara Harrington of Harrington Cosmetics shouted to her assistant, Marlo Van Allen.

  Already toting four cosmetic bags, Marlo grabbed the purse, which was the size of a small suitcase. She waved her hand toward Rex Adler, Barbara’s much younger fourth husband, who stood on the marble stairway in deep conversation with Connar’s niece, Kathleen Randolph.

  Connar walked toward the stairs. “Let me help you, Marlo.”

  “Thank you, Connar.”

  “Anything for our returning guests.” Connar grabbed the purse and motioned for Kathleen to return to her hostess stand in the Becca Restaurant and Garden.

  Rex squeezed Kathleen’s hand and made his way toward Barbara.

  Kathleen had worked for Connar during the past three years. Connar had kept her on staff even though her work performance left a lot to be desired. Too much partying with Virginia Beach’s elite crowd made Kathleen late for work or tired on the job. But Connar felt an obligation to her brother John’s only daughter. The two siblings had worked together until his passing, at which point Connar had become the sole owner of the Cavalier. She held little hope that Kathleen would ever be mature enough to take over.

  After Max returned from helping Gavin, Connar motioned him to join her at the bottom of the stairs. “Please escort Barbara Harrington to the presidential suite.”

  “Right this way, Mrs. Harrington.” Max set her remaining bags on the cart.

  “And Mr. Adler,” Rex added, making the point that he expected to be recognized as Barbara’s husband.

  Connar nodded, vowing to do everything she could to help Barbara during her visits to the Cavalier. What were the odds that marriage would survive? Rex needed attention that Barbara couldn’t provide. At sixty-two, she traveled frequently to manage her makeup line, New Age Foundation. She was the reigning cosmetics queen and had to keep pedaling her line to pay for her three ex-husbands’ extravagant lifestyles.

  Connar made her way to the outdoor garden to check on reservations. It was busy. Waitstaff served cocktails and lunch to guests. Since the renovation, the clientele had changed to a more upscale, diverse—but demanding—crowd. Once seated, they expected their cocktails to be promptly in hand.

  She approached Kathleen at the hostess stand. “Looks like another late-lunch crowd.”

  “Yeah. We’ve had two bridal showers, four birthdays, and of course tourists and locals,” Kathleen said.

  Connar glanced across the garden. “The new wrought iron chairs are beautiful with the shiplap dining tables.”

  “It’s very chic. Plus, guests love the ocean view backdrop from the top of the hill while dining outside,” Kathleen added.

  “How many guests are dinning this evening?”

  Kathleen viewed the reservations. “Eighty.”

  “Great. By the way, dear, don’t forget the no-fraternizing-with-guests rule.”

  “What do you mean?” Kathleen frowned.

  “Mr. Adler is Mrs. Harrington’s new husband.”

  “Oh, you mean Rex? We’re old friends.” Kathleen winked.

  Connar glanced at her watch. “We’ll continue this conversation later.” She had just enough time to finish her staff rounds before meeting Barbara, Rex, and Marlo in the grand salon for a cocktail then dinner at the Hunt Room. “See you later.”

  After finishing her last round in the Becca, Connar headed to her room as staff prepared for the dinner hour.

  She showered and dressed in a chic, silhouette dress for the evening’s festivities. Connar sat in a lavish French-country armchair that had been gifted to her by a visiting diplomat trying to win her affection. But she wasn’t interested in being a diplomat’s wife and attending never-ending cocktail parties. Her future husband would be by her side at the Cavalier. Just like her parents.

  She brushed her blond hair and glanced out the window, enjoying her penthouse view. Her parents had converted three rooms as their living quarters to raise their family. Barbara Harrington might have the presidential suite, but Connar had the larger accommodations.

  She exited the elevator and entered the grand salon. Barbara stood at the bar with Gavin. Further down, Rex, Kathleen, and Marlo sat in cozy sofas, chatting and sipping cocktails. “Evening,” Connar said. “You two know each other?”

  “We met earlier.” Gavin winked.

  “We’re fast friends,” Barbara slurred. She frowned when noticing Rex with Kathleen.

  Connar had never seen Barbara drunk.

  A server approached. “Something to drink, Connar?”

  “A glass of rosé, please.”

  After getting their drinks, Connar, Barbara, and Gavin joined the group on the sofas.

  Barbara plopped down next to Rex, who sat dangerously close to Kathleen.

  Connar sat on the opposite couch, Gavin by her side.

  Marlo sat in a wing chair, facing the group.

  “I take it Max delivered your whiskey earlier?” Connar asked Gavin.

  He lifted his glass.

  Rex placed his hand on Barbara’s knee. She pushed it away, spilling her drink.

  “You drunken fool!” Rex grabbed a napkin and wiped the liquid off his expensive shoes.

  “Well, if you didn’t act like a tomcat, I wouldn’t have to drink.”

  Connar frowned at Kathleen. She’d already warned her niece not to socialize with Rex. Now she was causing trouble. She changed the subject to keep the argument from escalating.

  “How has your stay been so far?”

  “Fabulous,” Marlo said. “Your staff is outstanding.”

  “I concur,” Gavin added. “Accommodations are elegant, and the bourbon is top notch.”

  Connar smiled. “Glad to hear it.” She grabbed her phone. “Our table is ready.” The group exited the salon and headed to the Hunt Room located on the lower floor of the hotel. The Hunt Room infused Southern cuisine with hand-crafted cocktails that showcased the bourbon made at the onsite distillery.

  Once seated in the rustic restaurant, the group ordered food and beverages. The alcohol flowed. Rex focused his attention on Kathleen. Barbara became more belligerent toward her husband.

  Connar pulled Kathleen to the side. “I need you to say goodnight to the group.”

  “Why?” Kathleen crossed her arms.

  “Your relationship with Rex is upsetting Barbara, an
d Barbara is our guest.”

  “But we’re friends. Plus, he invited me to join the festivities tonight.”

  “I understand. But until this is resolved between them, it’s for the best.”

  Kathleen said goodnight.

  Marlo and Rex escorted a staggering Barbara to the presidential suite.

  That left Gavin to finish his bourbon and Connar to handle the dinner bill.

  “If there isn’t anything else, enjoy your evening.” Connar placed the receipt in her clutch.

  “Uh . . . there is one thing?”

  Connar faced Gavin. “What is that?”

  “I would love a private tour of the rooftop. I hear the view is fantastic.”

  Connar hesitated. “The rooftop is closed for renovation.”

  He lowered his head and voice. “I see.”

  Always wanting to keep her guests happy, she relented. “I can do a tour this once. Follow me.”

  She led Gavin to the elevator to the top floor and pushed the rooftop door open. It should have been locked. Connar made a mental note to have maintenance repair it. She held the door open as they scaled the small steps leading to the rooftop. A salty breeze greeted them.

  “Watch your step. Construction materials are on the far side of the roof.” Connar motioned toward a pile of bricks and wood.

  “The rolling hills are stunning, especially since the rest of the landscape is so flat.” He pointed toward the front lawn of the grand hotel and leaned against the low wall.

  “It’s part of the original landscape. I come up here to think things out.”

  “It must be lonely not having someone to share it with.” Gavin moved closer. He rubbed her arm, then lifted her chin and kissed her. “I would love to get to know you better.”

  The next morning, Connar awoke to a beautiful June day. She sat up in bed, stretched her arms, and remembered Gavin’s gentle touch last night. But she could not discount his attraction toward Barbara nor his playboy ways.