Cadaver on Candy Cane Lane (Christmas Village Cozy Mystery Book 1) Read online

  Ember was filled with pride. Clearly, Phoebe thought she was an expert in investigations, except it had mostly been Issy and Gray doing the investigating in Silver Hollow. But just because she hadn’t done a lot of investigating, that didn’t mean she couldn’t do it.

  What would Issy and Gray do in this situation? They would find a way to ask questions but not of the suspect directly. They would look for someone who would know his whereabouts. His secretary? The receptionist?

  “I think I have an idea. Does Greg Rinch have a secretary?” Ember asked as she followed Phoebe into the store, shutting the door behind her and turning the sign to Open.

  Phoebe scrunched up her face. “Not really. There’s a receptionist in the front. That’s where they have the toys for sale.”

  “That might work. Does she have a favorite candy?”

  “Yes, sea-salted caramel chocolates.” Phoebe slipped out of her coat and hung her scarf on the coatrack. “Why do you ask?”

  “I think we better make a fresh batch. We’re going to pay the receptionist a little visit.” It wouldn’t be the first time that Ember had put a little bit of magic in a candy to make friends and help loosen someone’s tongue.

  Ember and Phoebe spent the next two hours filling orders and making a special batch of sea-salted caramel chocolates for Tinsel, the receptionist at the toy factory.

  Brimstone basically ignored them, stretching out by the fire on the opposite side of the room from where they made and displayed the chocolates and casting them dirty looks every so often. He was still mad about the cat toy.

  After the midday rush was over, they bundled up in their down jackets and headed back to the toy factory with the chocolates.

  “Maybe you should stay here?” Phoebe said, as they headed out the door. “More customers might come.”

  Ember’s radar pinged. Phoebe had been unusually quiet the whole time they’d been making chocolates, and now, she wanted to go to the toy factory alone? “I’m going with you. Why don’t you want me to go? Are you putting me off for some reason?”

  “It’s not that... it could be dangerous.”

  “Then maybe I should go, and you should stay.” Now that Ember was on the scent of the case, she wanted to play a role in solving it. Besides, if there were danger, Ember was much younger and better equipped to handle it. The two women stared at each other in a stalemate.

  Phoebe sighed. “Fine. We’ll both go.”

  They headed out to the street. The shops were in full swing, and tourists in colorful sweaters and vests walked along happily, their bags loaded with gifts. Shop bells jangled, and the horse-drawn sleigh clip-clopped down the street as they hurried past the scowling snowmen to the factory.

  The reception area was a small space in the front of the building. It was packed full of toys. Apparently, it served as a store and display area because it had racks of toys for purchase as well as displays of those toys in action.

  In the corner stood a white Christmas tree decorated with blue ornaments. A toy train looped around the tree then followed a track around the edge of the room. Under the tree was a stack of toys, some wrapped in cheery Christmas paper and some open in their boxes. A life-sized mechanical Santa ho-ho-hoed in the corner.

  Tinsel Bright, the receptionist, was the opposite of an elf. Resembling a tall, lean tree, she had magenta hair and wore bright-blue eye shadow. She stood behind the desk, wearing a pink, fluffy Santa outfit and chomping on a mouthful of gum. The desk had a phone with lots of buttons and an old-fashioned, nickel-plated cash register.

  “Help ya?” she asked.

  “We brought you some sea-salted caramels.” Phoebe slid a silver box with a purple ribbon on the top across the desk. “I know they’re your favorite.”

  Tinsel’s lavender eyes lit up, and she pulled the box toward her. She gently lifted the top, her silver-glitter nails hovering over the candies nestled in their wrappers.

  “Thanks!” She spat her gum in the wastebasket before plucking out a candy and popping it in her mouth. She closed her eyes and chewed.

  Ember and Phoebe waited patiently while the train chugged around the room. Ember’s eyes drifted to a display of cat toys. There was a ball toy with feathers that Brimstone would love. She lifted it off the rack as Tinsel chomped on another candy.

  “I heard Alfie was found behind your candy store,” Tinsel said. The words were garbled since she had a mouth full of caramel.

  “Yes. Very sad.” Phoebe watched her carefully, perhaps judging when the magic had taken effect. After a few more chomps, Tinsel sighed, her eyes taking on a glassy look.

  Ember slid the cat toy onto the counter to distract her with the sale while they asked her questions. “You probably get in here pretty early, right?”

  “Yeah, gotta open up at the crack of dawn.” Tinsel yawned.

  “I suppose Mr. Rinch is already here,” Phoebe said.

  “Yeah, most days.” Tinsel fiddled with the price tag on the cat toy.

  “Today?” Ember asked.

  Tinsel frowned. “Let me think. Um... yes, he was. I remember because I had his itinerary for the trip next week.”

  “Trip?” Ember didn’t bother to hide her surprise. Wasn’t next week the week they would strike? Why would he go on a trip? Although, maybe with no factory to manage, it was the perfect time.

  Tinsel nodded. “Barbados.”

  “I suppose he must have been upset about the strike.” Ember took out some money to pay for the toy.

  Tinsel snorted. “I’ll say. But not as upset as Yule.”

  “Who is Yule?” Ember asked.

  “Yule Navidad. He runs the reindeer transport. His company delivers all of this.” Tinsel gestured toward the toys. “Costs a pretty penny too.” Tinsel leaned closer and whispered, “Some say he’s in with organized crime.”

  Phoebe crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve talked to Yule. I don’t think he’s so bad. But I have heard the rumors too. And I do suppose if the strike happened, he would be out some money...”

  “Lots of money.” Tinsel punched in the price for the toy, and the cash register clanged open. “Anyway, I don’t think Mr. Rinch expected the strike to last long.”

  “Why do you say that?” Phoebe asked.

  “He bought fireworks to celebrate the end of it. At least, I think that’s what they were for. Got delivered yesterday, and he had me put them back in the warehouse. Told me not to tell anyone. Something about a surprise party for the elves.” She covered her mouth. “Oops...”

  “Don’t worry. We won’t mention a word,” Phoebe said.

  “Oh good. I wouldn’t want the boss mad at me.” Tinsel put the toy in a bag and plucked another chocolate out of the box as they made their way to the door. “Have a nice day, and thanks for the candy!”

  Chapter 6

  Luckily, Phoebe had a fresh box of vanilla creams spiced with a kindness charm handy. They rushed back to the chocolate shop, and an unsettling feeling came over Ember as they hurried past the creepy snowmen. Were they being followed? She turned, but only a snowman was behind her, his mouth drawn down in a frown.

  Brimstone slit one eye open as they entered the shop. Ember hoped the toy would lighten his mood. She felt a little safer when he was with them, which was odd. It wasn’t as if Brimstone could fight off an attacker, but if someone was following them, he’d be in a perfect position to find out who it was and warn them.

  The crinkle of the bag caught his attention, and he watched as Ember took out the toy while Phoebe got the vanilla creams together.

  “You think you can get back into my good graces with a toy?” Brimstone scoffed, though Ember noticed his bright yellow eyes tracked the toy as she took it out of its plastic package.

  “I just happened to see this and thought you might like it.” Ember tossed the toy onto the floor. Brimstone made a show of stretching and then sauntered over to the toy, sniffed it, and pushed it a fraction of an inch with his paw before turning his back on it and goi
ng back to the chair. “Common.”

  “Well, we tried. Let’s go.” Phoebe stood by the door, a box of chocolates covered in matte black paper sporting a small gold bow in hand.

  “Where are you going?” Brimstone asked.

  “To visit Yule Navidad to see if he knows something about Alfie.” Phoebe tapped the box of chocolates she was holding with her leather-gloved index finger. “I have a little something that might persuade him to talk.”

  “Yule Navidad? The guy with all the reindeer?” Brimstone seemed concerned, but he made no move to follow them out the door.

  “Yep. See you later.” Phoebe headed out. Ember gave Brimstone one last look. She was hoping he might tag along, but instead, he curled up on the chair and let out a snore. As she stepped outside, she thought she heard his snarky voice say “be careful,” but when she looked back in, he was fast asleep.

  Yule Navidad’s transportation company was in the opposite direction from the toy factory. Thankfully, there weren’t many creepy snowmen along the way, aside from one enormous one atop a hill, who seemed to watch their every step. Phoebe hurried along, glancing behind her every so often, as if she suspected being followed.

  “Aunt Phoebe, is there something you aren’t telling me?” Ember asked. She was trying to be gentle with her aunt about what she was holding back, but if Aunt Phoebe didn’t tell her soon, she might have to insist.

  “No. Why do you say that, dear? I don’t know anything. If I did, I certainly wouldn’t keep it from you. Oh, look. Here is Yule’s place now.”

  Phoebe’s babbling indicated she was lying, but Ember didn’t have time to press. Ahead of her, a herd of massive reindeer stomped in their pen. They were tall, the size of moose, with fuzzy antlers and intelligent, almond-shaped brown eyes. Some were just standing around, and others were huddled in the corner, playing some kind of game that resembled cornhole.

  Ember had never seen one before and approached the fence, fascinated by the majestic creatures. She held out her hand, and one came over and sniffed. “Hi there. You’re awfully pretty.”

  The reindeer reared back. “Pretty? I’m not pretty. I’m manly. Silly human.” The other reindeer laughed and moved away.

  “It’s no use trying to make friends with them,” Phoebe said. “They don’t like people and prefer to be left alone to play their reindeer games. Besides, we have something more important to do, don’t we?” She indicated the box of chocolates, and Ember followed her to an old brick warehouse that looked like it had been abandoned twenty years earlier.

  “This is Yule’s place of business?” Ember asked incredulously.

  “Yep. Don’t be scared. Looks worse than it is.” Phoebe opened the door, and they stepped inside.

  The inside was nothing like what Ember had expected. The warehouse was brightly lit and neat as a pin. Along one wall, several red sleighs decorated with gold pinstripe were lined up. Workers were loading gifts into the sleighs. Ember scanned for sleigh bells, but she didn’t see any in the warehouse. The bells would likely be on the harnesses that the reindeer wore when pulling the sleighs. She remembered seeing a large barn behind the reindeer pen and made a mental note to look inside.

  All activity stopped, and everyone turned in their direction. The workers’ hands twitched at their sides as their gazes flicked from Ember and Phoebe to a beefy man sitting at a desk in the corner. It must have been Yule. He frowned at them and half rose from his chair, reaching for something in his drawer. Ember tensed, envisioning a gun in her face, but his expression softened in recognition.

  “Hey, it’s the candy lady! What brings you here?”

  The workers relaxed and went back to their task as Phoebe presented Yule with the box of candies. “Just a little holiday visit. I like to give a gift of candies to my good customers.”

  Yule looked like a kid at Christmas. He ripped open the box and shouted to his workers. “Hey, guys. Look what I got! You want one?”

  A few drifted over and picked out candies. Yule bit into one and looked at the filling. “Orange cream. I like those.”

  “Looks like you are getting ready for deliveries.” Phoebe nodded toward the sleighs.

  “Yeah, busy time of year. See?” Yule popped the other half of the orange cream into his mouth and selected another.

  “Will you be able to keep busy even with the strike at the factory?” Ember asked.

  Yule frowned, the candy paused in front of his lips. “Who are you?”

  “Oh... this is my grand-niece, Ember.” Phoebe pushed Ember closer to the desk. “She’s come to help me for the holiday season.”

  Yule shoved the candy in his mouth and stuck out his hairy-knuckled hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

  Ember shook his hand, surprised by his light, gentle touch.

  “The strike would slow business down, but what can you do?” Yule shrugged as if he wasn’t too concerned about losing money. Perhaps he had other illicit means of income. Maybe the transportation business was just a front. Maybe he kept his illegal business behind that door in the corner with the giant padlock.

  “So you wouldn’t want the elves at the toy factory to strike then?” Phoebe asked.

  Yule looked at her as if she were as dense as the fudge batter she made in her store. “No one really wants a strike... except maybe Greg Rinch.”

  Ember tore her gaze from the padlocked door to Yule. “Why would he want a strike? A strike would stop production, and that would be bad for his bottom line, especially just before Christmas.”

  Yule picked out another candy and bit it in half. “Yeah, normally it would be, but in this case, Greg is buying the factory from his brother, Tommy. A strike would actually help him, see?”

  “No.” Ember didn’t see what he was getting at.

  Yule sighed. “It would be a loss in income. Make the company less valuable. Then, when they go to appraise it, he pays his brother less than it’s really worth.”

  Ember and Phoebe exchanged a glance. Could Greg really want the strike? But what about the fireworks for the celebration he’d planned? That celebration was for after the strike was over, when they came to an agreement. Maybe it was really for something else, like when he stole the company out from under his brother.

  And then there were the tickets for the trip he was taking during the week of the strike. Maybe he figured if he wasn’t here to negotiate, the strike would last even longer and make the company even less valuable.

  But if he wanted the strike, then he wouldn’t have motive to kill Alfie. Unless what Stan had said about Alfie being into something was true, and that something had to do with the sale of the factory.

  “Hey, wait a minute.” Yule narrowed his gaze on Phoebe. “Is this about that elf who was found dead outside your shop?”

  “No... well, I have to admit I am curious about why he was killed and the unfortunate location.” Phoebe became interested in brushing some snow off her lapel. “He was the union rep at the factory, so there is some talk that he might have been killed to avoid the strike. But if you say the factory manager would welcome a strike, then...”

  “Is that why you really came here? Because you think I’m involved?” Yule didn’t seem very friendly anymore. Ember and Phoebe took a step back.

  “Of course not,” Phoebe warbled.

  “So that’s how it is in this town. Everyone suspected old Yule. I’ve heard the rumors about me, but I run a legitimate business.” He gestured toward the sleighs. “I treat my workers fairly. I give the reindeer plenty of carrots!”

  Phoebe and Ember backed up a bit more. “Of course you do. No one is accusing you.” Ember glanced at the locked door. Yule followed her gaze.

  “You think I’m up to something shady?” Yule seemed very offended. “I try to do good, and I certainly wouldn’t kill an elf just to avoid a strike.”

  “Oh, we didn’t think that at all.” Phoebe was at the door now. “Enjoy your chocolates.”

  She whipped open the door, and they rushed outside
.

  “Phew. I think he got a little mad at us,” Phoebe said.

  “And I don’t think that Yule Navidad is a person you want mad at you,” Ember added.

  “No. But I’m not sure he had anything to do with Alfie’s death. I was hoping it was Greg Rinch, and what Yule said makes sense.” Phoebe pressed her lips together as they hurried past the reindeer pen. “Though I’m not so sure Mr. Rinch is smart enough to think that it would help him buy the factory for less.”

  Ember eyed the reindeer as they passed. None of them were wearing harnesses. “The sleighs that Yule’s workers were loading up probably have bells on them, right?”

  Phoebe nodded. “Yes. They are attached to the harnesses and sound quite lovely too. But why do you... oh... Alfie was killed with a sleigh bell.”

  “I think we need to get into the reindeer barn and see if there are any sleigh bells missing from the harnesses.” Ember glanced behind them at the warehouse. They’d just caused a bit of a ruckus, so now probably wasn’t the time to be caught sneaking around in the barn. “Maybe we should come back later though.”

  “Good idea.” Phoebe looked conflicted. “Though, as I say, I don’t think Yule is involved.”

  “Why do you seem so sure of that?” Ember stopped and looked at Phoebe. It was high time her aunt told her the truth. “It sounds as if you know something, and if you do, I think you should tell me.”

  “Well, dear, it’s just that I... I’m not sure, and I don’t want you to get mixed up...” Her sentence stopped midstream, and her eyes grew wide.

  Ember put her hands on her hips. She was growing impatient with her aunt. Did Phoebe think Ember couldn’t handle an investigation? She felt like Issy and Gray sometimes thought she couldn’t handle things either, and she was sick of being pushed into the background. “Look, if you think I can’t handle—”

  “Look out!” Phoebe’s expression turned to horror as she pointed at something over Ember’s shoulder.