Murder by Artifact (Five Star Mystery Series) Read Free Page B

normal? They’re going nuts here in the middle of the day and I’m not stealing anything.”

    She put on her thoughtful expression. “That must have been the night Daddy and Toot, you know, Marigold’s oldest boy, took them coon hunting.” She eased closer to Tony.
     
    Anxious to be away from Blossom’s adoring presence, Tony sidled toward the Blazer. “I’d better get going.” Blossom followed him the whole way, continuing to offer more cookies until he closed the door in her face.

C HAPTER F OUR
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    Tony decided to visit the mayor’s home. In the unlikely event Doreen had taken the ornament, maybe it now sat on the Cashdollar’s lawn. It wouldn’t hurt to look. As a stalling technique, he thought it possessed multiple virtues, not the least of which would be visiting the couple outside of their work areas.
     
    Calvin Cashdollar made no secret of his wealth. He had a healthy income from his mortuary business. Those funds, added to the wad he’d inherited, made him rich. If he wasn’t the community’s richest citizen, he was close to it, or had been until Queen Doreen started shopping. Although Doreen owned a gift shop, she left the actual work to her employees and dedicated herself to buying. Some of the things she purchased actually ended up for sale in the shop.

    In spite of criticism stemming from being a mayor who didn’t reside in the town he represented, Calvin and the Queen lived in a rambling white-brick home outside of town. Set in the center of thirty acres, it was easily the most luxurious house in the county. Tony had heard once that the house boasted eleven bathrooms. He couldn’t vouch for the information because he had never gotten past the foyer and the mayor’s home office.
     
    The house was not visible from the road and only a discreet number on the gateposts signaled the beginning of the driveway. The decorative white-brick pillars supported a cast-iron gate. They were topped with urn-shaped decorations. Rumor was one contained Calvin’s mother and the other one his father. A winding drive led to an open park with the faux English manor house at the far end.

    Tony parked the Blazer at the bottom of the steps and approached the door. Evergreen topiaries, trained and trimmed into spiral shapes, flanked the double oak panels. Steeling himself to talk to Doreen, he rang the doorbell.
     
    From somewhere deep in the house came the sound of chimes playing “Rock of Ages.” After a minute of listening to most of the melody, it almost surprised Tony when the door opened.

    Pansy Flowers Millsaps stared up at him. Pansy was an older version of her baby sister, Blossom. Whereas Blossom flaunted her size, Pansy seemed to be trying to suppress hers. Squished into a pair of black slacks two sizes smaller than she needed and an equally tight long-sleeved white cotton blouse covered with a black apron cinched around her waist, she looked too uncomfortable for words.
     
    “What?” From her sour expression, it appeared Pansy didn’t share her sister’s affection for him.

    “Good afternoon, Pansy.” Tony tried his most ingratiating smile. It had no noticeable effect. He shifted his duty belt and her eyes focused on his sidearm. “Is Mrs. Cashdollar at home?”

    “No.”

    Pansy would have shut the door in his face if he hadn’t quickly wedged his foot into the opening. “Do you know where I might find her?”

    “Why?”

    “I don’t have to account to you for anything, Pansy.” Tony frowned down at her, annoyed by her attitude. “This does concern a member of your family. I’m looking into the disappearance of one of Blossom’s lawn ornaments.”

    Suddenly the door opened wide and Pansy stepped forward, concerned. “Which one?”

    “The donkey and cart.”

    “Oh, dear, I hope you find the statue for her. It’s one of Blossom’s favorites.” Pansy pulled a dust rag from one of her apron pockets and began polishing the brass door handle. “Her Majesty went over to