Free Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 06 - Magnolia Mansion Mysteries by Hope Callaghan Page A

the newspaper.  “Well, Abe and Barbara moved into that old place after Abe’s parents died.  They took over the mill and ran it for many years until Abe’s accident.”
    Gloria wrapped her hands around the porcelain mug. “Are you saying that Abe Johnson owned the mill?” That was the first she’d ever heard of the Johnsons owning the mill.  Eleanor Whittaker had said that he worked there.  Not owned it. 
    Doc nodded.  “Yep.  Had a successful business there until he sold it.”  He leaned forward.  “Your mother.  She worked there for a short time in the office.”
    Gloria’s forehead crinkled. Her mother never mentioned that she’d worked at the mill…
    “Course, it wasn’t very long at all.” He paused.  “It’s probably not my place to say, but there was some sort of fracas that happened over there and your father made her quit.”
    Gloria raised her eyebrows.  Never in her life had she heard this story.  “What about some of the other locals?  Did anyone else work there?”
    “Well, there was Matt Whittaker.”
    Gloria nodded.  Eleanor had already told her that.
    He went on.  “George Ford worked there for a while, too.  Before he bought the hardware store.”
    Doc Decker scratched his head. “That’s about it.  Other than Abe’s brother, Hank.”
    Gloria arched her brow.  “Abe had a brother?”
    Martha reached under the table and squeezed her husband’s leg. He gave her a quick look and continued. “Stepbrother.  He was a troublemaker.  Always getting into fights with town folk, right up until the day he disappeared.”
    Gloria’s eyes widened. “He disappeared?” 
    Doc nodded.  “Abe told everyone he went back home to Pennsylvania.  Not that anyone minded.  Good riddance to the rascal.  That’s what we all thought.” Doc picked up his coffee cup and took a sip. “Ain’t much else to remember.”
    “You’ve been very helpful.” Gloria downed the last bit of coffee and got to her feet. She turned to Martha and smiled. “Thanks for the coffee.” 
    Martha and Doc walked Gloria to the front door. “If I think of anything else, I’ll give you a call,” Doc promised.
    Gloria pulled her keys from her purse and stepped onto the porch.  “I’d appreciate that, Doc.” 
    The two of them stood at the door and watched as Gloria climbed into her car and backed out of the drive. 
    Gloria took the back way home, passing by the old elementary school. Her mind was spinning.  Her mother had worked at the old mill?  Abe had a stepbrother who “disappeared?” Was Abe’s brother the body they found in the dumpster?  If it was, how did it get there?
    Gloria’s next stop was Andrea’s place. She was anxious to see if the key she’d borrowed from Brian would fit in that lock!
    Gloria let out a sigh of relief as she pulled in the drive.  The limo was gone, which meant Andrea’s parents weren’t around.  Her parents made her a bit uncomfortable, especially her father.  She got the distinct impression that he did not like Gloria very much.
    Gloria trotted to the front door and smiled as she reached for the lion’s head.  She gave the iron ring two sharp raps and waited. 
    Seconds later, Andrea swung the door open and stepped aside.  Brutus wiggled past Andrea. Gloria leaned down and patted his head.  “Good morning, Brutus.”  He wagged his tail then licked her hand before sticking his nose on her pant leg.  “You smell Mally, don’t you?”
    Andrea wrinkled her nose.  “I guess this means you’re serious about checking out the locked room in the basement.” 
    Gloria pulled the key from her front pocket and held it up for Andrea to see.  “Aren’t you the least bit curious to find out what might be inside?”
    Andrea shuddered.  “What if there are more bodies?”
    Gloria shifted her weight. She hadn’t considered that.  It would present a bit of a problem but Gloria didn’t think that was what was inside.  Of course, she could be