Free Aunt Bessie Joins (An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 10) by Diana Xarissa

Monday evening,” Bessie
told him.   “That’s why he moved to
the Seaside Hotel.   He was meant to
be staying with her while he was here.”
    The pastries were all gone and the coffee
pot was empty.   Doona got up and started to tidy the kitchen.  
    “We need to get to work,” John said after
glancing at his watch.   “I’d love to
stay and hear more about the case, but that will have to wait for another
time.”
    “Stop by any time,” Bessie told him.   “Although I’d much rather find other
things to talk about.”
    John nodded and then gave her a hug.   “I’m hoping Pete will have the whole
matter resolved in a day or two.”
    “Me, too,” Bessie said.
    She let the pair out, smiling as she watched
John hold Doona’s door for her.   The pair seemed to be back on friendly
terms after their awkward patch.   Back in the cottage, she quickly finished the tidying and then checked
her appearance.   She’d only just
finished combing her hair when Mark arrived to take her to the castle.
    “I was wondering,” Mark said as they made
their way south.   “That is, I
thought maybe you might be able to find time to talk to everyone today.”
    “Of course I can.   What do you want me to talk to them
about?”
    Mark chuckled.   “I’m explaining myself badly,” he said
apologetically.   “I was just
thinking that you’ve been through murder investigations before, and I thought
maybe you could take time to reassure everyone, that’s all.   I’m certain some of our volunteers are
quite upset about the whole thing.”
    “Has anyone said they won’t be coming back
to the castle?” Bessie asked.
    “Oh, no, at least no one has rung me.   Never mind, I’m rather upset about it
all myself, you see.”
    “I do see,” Bessie told him.   “And it’s understandable that you’re
upset.   But it’s quite possible that
whoever killed Christopher Hart had nothing whatsoever to do with our little
event.   He certainly seemed like the
type of person to have more than one enemy, didn’t he?”
    Mark nodded.   “You’re making me feel better, which is
exactly why I want you to try to chat with everyone else.   I’m sure you’ll make all of our volunteers
feel better as well.”
    “What about the others on the
committee?   Do they need reassurance
as well?”
    “I spoke with Marjorie last night.   She was caught up in the murder
investigation at the museum in May, so this isn’t exactly new to her.   I think she’s holding up just fine.   I don’t know how Carolyn and Mary are
feeling.   I haven’t had a chance to
speak to either of them except in passing.”
    “I’ll make a point of talking to everyone
today,” Bessie told him.   She smiled
to herself.   She’d been planning to
try to do that anyway, but with a rather different motive.   Bessie was determined to help Pete solve
the murder as quickly as possible, ideally before “Christmas at the Castle”
opened.
    Before they’d even walked into the castle,
Bessie had her first opportunity to speak to one of the volunteers.   Agnes Clucas pulled her car into the space next to Mark’s as Bessie climbed out.
    “I’ll just wait for Agnes,” Bessie told
Mark.   “You go on ahead.”
    “How are you, Bessie dear?” Agnes asked as
she stepped out of her car.   “I just
need to get some things out of the boot.”
    “I’m fine,” Bessie told her.   She watched as Agnes unlocked her boot
and pulled out a large box.   “But
how are you?”
    Agnes shrugged.   “I’m doing just fine,” she said.   “I was thinking about what Mr. Hart said
about the rainbow trees, though.   I
found a few ornaments at home that I thought might help fix the room.”
    She opened the box and showed Bessie several
boxes of multi-coloured ornaments.   “Mr. Hart said the trees were all too
alike and the end result was boring,” she told Bessie as Bessie admired the
beautiful glass baubles.   “I thought
if I scattered these