Murder at the Wedding Read online

  Murder at the Wedding

  Carmel Cove Cozy Mystery #1

  M A Comley

  Jeamel Publishing Limited

  Contents

  Keep in touch with the author

  Acknowledgments

  Other books by M A Comley

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  Note to you, the reader.

  Keep in touch with the author

  Twitter

  https://twitter.com/Melcom1

  Blog

  http://melcomley.blogspot.com

  Facebook

  http://smarturl.it/sps7jh

  Newsletter

  http://smarturl.it/8jtcvv

  BookBub

  www.bookbub.com/authors/m-a-comley

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you as always to my rock, Jean, I’d be lost without you in my life.

  Special thanks as always go to @studioenp for their superb cover design expertise.

  My heartfelt thanks go to my wonderful editor Emmy Ellis, my proofreaders Joseph, Barbara and Jacqueline for spotting all the lingering nits.

  Other books by M A Comley

  Blind Justice (Novella)

  Cruel Justice (Book #1)

  Mortal Justice (Novella)

  Impeding Justice (Book #2)

  Final Justice (Book #3)

  Foul Justice (Book #4)

  Guaranteed Justice (Book #5)

  Ultimate Justice (Book #6)

  Virtual Justice (Book #7)

  Hostile Justice (Book #8)

  Tortured Justice (Book #9)

  Rough Justice (Book #10)

  Dubious Justice (Book #11)

  Calculated Justice (Book #12)

  Twisted Justice (Book #13)

  Justice at Christmas (Short Story)

  Prime Justice (Book #14)

  Heroic Justice (Book #15)

  Shameful Justice (Book #16)

  Immoral Justice (Book #17)

  Toxic Justice (Book #18)

  Overdue Justice (Book #19)

  Unfair Justice (a 10,000 word short story)

  Irrational Justice (a 10,000 word short story)

  Seeking Justice (a 15,000 word novella)

  Caring For Justice (a 24,000 word novella coming July 2019)

  Clever Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)

  Tragic Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)

  Sinful Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)

  Forever Watching You (DI Miranda Carr thriller)

  Wrong Place (DI Sally Parker thriller #1)

  No Hiding Place (DI Sally Parker thriller #2)

  Cold Case (DI Sally Parker thriller#3)

  Deadly Encounter (DI Sally Parker thriller #4)

  Lost Innocence (DI Sally Parker thriller #5)

  Goodbye, My Precious Child (DI Sally Parker #6)

  Web of Deceit (DI Sally Parker Novella with Tara Lyons)

  The Missing Children (DI Kayli Bright #1)

  Killer On The Run (DI Kayli Bright #2)

  Hidden Agenda (DI Kayli Bright #3)

  Murderous Betrayal (Kayli Bright #4)

  Dying Breath (Kayli Bright #5)

  The Hostage Takers (DI Kayli Bright Novella)

  No Right to Kill (DI Sara Ramsey #1)

  Killer Blow (DI Sara Ramsey #2)

  The Dead Can’t Speak (DI Sara Ramsey #3)

  Deluded (DI Sara Ramsey #4)

  The Murder Pact (DI Sara Ramsey #5)

  The Caller (co-written with Tara Lyons)

  Evil In Disguise – a novel based on True events

  Deadly Act (Hero series novella)

  Torn Apart (Hero series #1)

  End Result (Hero series #2)

  In Plain Sight (Hero Series #3)

  Double Jeopardy (Hero Series #4)

  Criminal Actions (Hero Series #5) coming January 2020

  Sole Intention (Intention series #1)

  Grave Intention (Intention series #2)

  Devious Intention (Intention #3)

  Merry Widow (A Lorne Simpkins short story)

  It’s A Dog’s Life (A Lorne Simpkins short story)

  A Time To Heal (A Sweet Romance)

  A Time For Change (A Sweet Romance)

  High Spirits

  The Temptation series (Romantic Suspense/New Adult Novellas)

  Past Temptation

  Lost Temptation

  Tempting Christa (A billionaire romantic suspense co-authored by Tracie Delaney #1)

  Avenging Christa (A billionaire romantic suspense co-authored by Tracie Delaney #2)

  Cozy mysteries

  Murder at the Wedding

  Murder at the Hotel (coming Nov 2019)

  Murder by the Sea (coming Dec 2019)

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author M A Comley

  Published by Jeamel Publishing limited

  Copyright © 2019 M A Comley

  Digital Edition, License Notes

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Chapter 1

  “So, Ben, you tell me. Why do people insist on getting married when they’ve got no intention of being faithful?”

  Ruth Morgan glared at her golden Labrador for a minute, until he let out a little bark that drew her out of her thoughts.

  “Yes, I know,” she said. “It’s not your fault my latest case found the husband guilty as all hell.”

  As she walked along the dirt path that wound through the long grass behind her cottage, Ruth scowled. ‘Guilty as all hell’ was right. The husband in question, Mr Mortimer Cummings, had been having an affair for months by the time Ruth caught him red-handed—in his office with a certain raven-haired subordinate who was definitely not his wife. Sure, that was her job, solving cases, but it was ones like those that upset her the most.

  Spotting some tall bulrushes moving in the distance, Ben was off like a bolt, Ruth watching him wistfully. If only she could do the same to avoid this oncoming wedding. Sure, Geraldine was a dear friend, but Carmel Cove had been blabbering about her and Bradley’s blasted union since the year started. So it was going to be the largest wedding Carmel Cove Hall had seen in a while, big whoop-de-do.

  She couldn’t put her finger on it, but for some reason, the thought of the wedding filled her with a cold creepy feeling of dread.

  Maybe it was how the whole thing was bound to be the height of extravagance—Lady Falkirk would allow no less at her not-so-humble abode. When she’d offered Carmel Cove Hall to the happy couple for their wedding, they’d found themselves unable to refuse.

  “Are you sulking about the wedding again?”

  Hearing James’ voice, Ruth turned around, her scowl defiant. “No.”

  “Good.” James hooked his arm through hers. “Since I’m the one who should be sulking. More people who’ve been together way less than us are getting married.”

  “Don’t,” Ruth said. “Carol
yn already laid into me when I told her I was wearing my pants suit to the wedding.”

  James chuckled, although he patted her arm consolingly. “Carolyn would.”

  “She’s all la-la over the wedding, too,” Ruth said darkly, thinking back to the way her sister had condemned her attitude regarding her best friend’s wedding. “She called me a damn pessimist.”

  James said nothing—he knew better than to light the fire of Ruth’s ire. But it was too late. That fire was lit—and blazing.

  “If you saw as many relationships as I have crash and burn over the years, then you’d be pessimistic, too,” she replied simply.

  She didn’t add the other part—the one that pertained to them. After being together for the past decade, James had upped the ante in the last two years, done everything bar getting down on one knee to plead with her to ‘get hitched’. Although Ruth’s excuses ran the gamut, she’d never admitted the real reason to her boyfriend behind her not wanting to commit that heavily into their relationship. It wasn’t that she didn’t care for him, nothing could be further from the truth; if anything she cared for him too deeply. Plain and simple, and probably silly, but there it was. Ten years was a hell of a long time and, by now, James was woven as intricately into Ruth’s life as Ben. She didn’t want to risk changing things or losing what they had now by ‘upgrading’ their relationship. Besides, they were happy now—what was the rush?

  The long grass rustled, and Ben came racing back, a stick prominently held in his proud jaws. Ruth and James crouched to give his golden head a good scratch.

  “Good boy,” Ruth said.

  Taking the stick, she threw it, and Ben was off. She and James watched him bounding through the grass without a care in the world.

  “If only Ben could come along to the wedding,” Ruth mused, a slight smile on her face. “Then things would really be interesting.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be interesting either way,” James pointed out. “The whole town will be there, you know.”

  Ruth smirked. “Oh, believe me, I know.”

  That night, the phone rang. James answered it and called out for her to pick up the extension. Ruth was knee-deep in admin duties that she hadn’t had time to complete at the office the past week. She snatched at it and said distractedly, “Our pipes don’t need to be cleaned.”

  “Am I not allowed to call my best friend the night before my wedding?” Geraldine asked in a half-joking, half-hurt tone.

  “Sorry,” Ruth said. “James didn’t say it was you.”

  “Maybe he didn’t recognise my voice,” Geraldine said, sounding stressed. “I’m freaking out over here.”

  “It is a big day. One of the biggest you’re likely to see unless you walk down the aisle numerous times.”

  “Oi, there’s no need to say that. Condemning our marriage before it’s even begun.”

  “I did nothing of the sort. I was merely stating facts. Do you have any idea the number of marriages that end up in the divorce courts? Anyway, it was your choice to get married, nothing you can do to change that now, especially within the next twenty-four hours.” Ruth rubbed Ben behind his ears. He moaned softly, enjoying the unexpected attention.

  “Crap, what the heck has got into you?”

  “Sorry, just one of those days, and no, it’s not that time of the month before you ask. What’s up?”

  “I have doubts and I need to run them past someone. I thought you’d be that person. I’m not so sure now.”

  “Doubts? Are you crazy?”

  “I know, right? The big day five years in the making. I mean, five years is long enough to really know someone, isn’t it?”

  Ruth paused. “Why do you ask? What aspect are you concerned about exactly?”

  “Everything. I’m worried that my dress won’t fit, or I’ll trip, or Bradley will trip or will forget to show up.”

  “Are you kidding me? You’re nuts! It’s your wedding day. He won’t forget. Besides, he adores you.”

  That much was clear to anyone who had eyes. Bradley doted on Geraldine, apparently buying her roses every week, chocolates every month. He was the poster child for a good partner, as James was keen on saying every time he tried buying Ruth roses or chocolates and she turned them down.

  “You’re right,” Geraldine said, sounding better already. “Although the whole Caribbean honeymoon is stressful, too. I’m not one hundred percent packed yet as I can’t decide what to pack.”

  “Well, you know what I’d recommend.”

  “I’m not packing a trouser suit or jeans,” Geraldine said. “You know me.”

  “Yes,” Ruth said. “You love citrus-coloured skirts and dresses as much as I hate them. Pack a trillion of them then.”

  “Gee, thanks. Some help you are.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  A pause, then the two women laughed. “Really, though,” Geraldine said. “You’re right, I’m just being silly.” She let out a loud sigh. “I just need some camomile tea and a lie-down. Choosing a dress be damned!”

  “That’s more like it,” Ruth said, smiling. “You’ll do great tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Ruth. I’m sure everything will be all right with you by my side. Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

  “Not lately, but I’m aware. Let’s hope things don’t change between us once Bradley slips the ring on your finger.” It was another reason why Ruth was reluctant to walk down the aisle, in case James changed and became more demanding of her time. At the moment she did what she wanted and when. All that could change in the blink of an eye and with a band of gold, just like it had with a few of her other friends over the years.

  “They won’t, I promise you. Goodnight.”

  “Sleep well. See you bright and early in the morning.” Geraldine had pleaded with her to be a bridesmaid, but Ruth turned down the invitation. She had to—there was no way she’d be seen dead wearing a girly pastel dress overlaid in itchy lace. The rejection had caused a slight rift between her and Geraldine for a few months until Geraldine found it in her heart to forgive her.

  When she put down the phone, Ruth couldn’t figure out what was sitting uncomfortably with her, but it was there all the same. That distinctive chill of foreboding, like the stroke of one icy finger down her spine…

  Ruth stretched out the knots in her back when she woke the next morning in the spare room, needing matchsticks for her eyes. After desperately trying to sleep and failing miserably, James had pleaded with her to let him sleep and asked her to leave the room—either that or he was willing to spend the night on the couch. She eventually buckled around three a.m. and slipped into the spare room. Ben jumped on the bed to join her for a cuddle. She was keen to feel his warmth because she was still feeling decidedly chilly—bizarre, considering the time of year, the first week in July.

  “Knock, knock. I thought I’d bring you breakfast in bed. How did you sleep?” James was the epitome of a man who’d had a carefree night’s sleep. He was freshly shaven, his hair damp from the shower, wearing the silk robe she’d given him the previous Christmas. He placed the tray with eggs, bacon and sausage down on the bed beside her and shooed Ben from his comfy position.

  Ruth ran a hand over her flat tummy. She wasn’t sure she’d want something so heavy first thing, not the way her tummy was churning. “It’s really kind of you, James, especially after how annoying I was last night. I just don’t know if I’ve got the stomach for anything other than a slice of toast this morning.”

  He placed a pillow against the leather headboard and removed the tray then fell into position beside her. “I thought you might say that. I only made the one breakfast just in case. All right if I tuck in?”

  She should have been angry with him, but she wasn’t. She was used to the wacky way he thought now and again. Maybe he knew her better than she knew herself at times. She leaned over and kissed him as he plunged a heavily loaded forkful of the ingredients from the plate into his mouth.

  “What was th
at for?” he asked, his words barely audible through the food filling his cheeks.

  “Because, no matter how much you tick me off at times, and believe me, you do, I still love you.” He opened his mouth to speak, baring the contents. She held up her hand to prevent him from spitting his food across the clean bed linen. “And before you say it, no, that is not giving you the green light to ask me to marry you for the seven thousandth time.”

  He shook his head, disappointment pulling at his features. In between emptying his mouth and shovelling in the next forkful, he said, with sad puppy-dog eyes, “Hopefully you’ll change your mind one day.”

  Ruth swept back the quilt, tucking it alongside him, and hopped out of bed into her fluffy slippers. “Maybe, when I’m old and grey.” That comment was usually enough to put an end to the irritating conversation. A twinge pained her heart for treating him so badly—not that she was, she loved him, it was the thought of mentioning the M-word that made her constantly break out in a cold sweat that soured her mood.

  She looked back over her shoulder and blew him a kiss. “I love you, babe, just not ready to commit. You know how much this wedding is getting on my nerves. I adore Geraldine, you know that, but I’ve had as much as I can stand for one year with wedding plans.”

  He placed his cutlery on the plate and sighed. “Sorry if you think I’m bugging you all the time. Aren’t weddings supposed to bring out the romance in people?”

  Ruth grunted and walked out of the bedroom and shouted, “Not me. Can’t stand them. They’re a waste of money. It costs thousands to get hitched properly. That money could be invested in a couple’s first home together.”