Ada's Death (Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery Book 5) Read online

  A Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery

  Book 5

  Ada’s Death

  Chapter 1

  “She’s not in immediate danger at the moment but she is going to be murdered in the next three days.”

  “Are you sure, Robin? Are you sure someone is going to kill Ada Clement?” Cara Daniels asked.

  Robin looked at his watch and tapped it. His face was grim as he turned to Cara. “I’m sure. My angel watch is never wrong about this sort of thing.” He sighed and sat next to Cara on the sofa. “I’ve only just met her but I can’t believe that someone would want to kill that little old lady. If you could make the perfect old lady with wrinkly cheeks and twinkly eyes, you’d get Ada Clement. Well, what are we going to do about it?”

  “Save her, of course,” Cara replied. “I’ve known Ada all my life, she’s lived next door to Gran forever.”

  Robin nodded. “It’s good that you already have information about her. What family does she have?”

  “Her husband died about twenty years ago. She’s got one son, Ben. He’s about ten years older than me. He’s married to a woman called … Mary? Martha? No, hang on, it’s Maria. They’ve been married for about five years, I think. I’ve never met her but Gran has, she says she’s the perfect daughter-in-law.”

  “Do they have any children?”

  “No, they’ve been trying for a while. Ben works at a solicitor’s firm in Leeds. He’s doing very well according to Gran.” Cara frowned. “Are you sure you’ve got the right Ada Clement?”

  “I have got the right one. Does she have any enemies?”

  “You’ve met her, what do you think?”

  Robin pressed his lips together while he thought. Then he said, “This looks like it’s going to be an accidental murder then.” He gave Cara a wry smile. “Unless Ada is living a secret double life as a drugs baron and her evil past is going to catch up with her.”

  Cara folded her arms. “Don’t joke about old women living double lives. I’m not sure I’ve forgiven Gran yet for her double life.” She tutted. “All this time she’s been seeing angels and talking to them!”

  Robin’s look softened. “She couldn’t tell you until you were ready.” He stood up and rubbed his hands together. “Let’s get started! What’s your plan of action?”

  Cara’s tummy rumbled. “First I’m going to have some lunch, then I need to check my emails. I’m behind with some of my website designs, I need to catch up.”

  Robin threw his hands up. “Never mind about your work! We’ve got to save Ada’s life, and the soul of the person who’s going to murder her!”

  Cara stood up. “I thought you said she wasn’t in immediate danger.”

  “Well, she isn’t! But we need to stake out her house, watch her movements.”

  “Robin, I know that, but I have work to do. I can’t let it fall behind, I need to earn money.”

  Robin leapt forward and placed his hand on Cara’s forehead. “Aha! You’re scared! You’re wishing someone else could deal with Ada’s case, you don’t want the responsibility.”

  Cara shoved his hand away. “I wish you wouldn’t do that! My emotions are my business, you don’t have the right to jump in and take my emotional temperature, or whatever it is that you’re doing!” She stalked towards the kitchen.

  Robin went after her. “Cara! I’m sorry! I’m still new to this angel business, I don’t know the right and wrong way of doing things.”

  “Maybe you need more training,” Cara muttered as she opened the fridge. She paused as a silence descended. She looked back at Robin.

  His shoulders dropped. “Perhaps you’re right. I can ask another angel to help you, one that has more experience.”

  Cara took some cooked chicken and butter out of the fridge and slammed the door. She waved the chicken at Robin and said, “Don’t you dare!” She put the butter and chicken down on the table and sighed. “It’s not you, it’s me.”

  Robin sniffed. “I’ve heard that line before, I’ve watched many romcom films. You’re breaking up with me.”

  “I’m not. I like having you around. You don’t know much about this soul saving business, and neither do I. We can learn together. You’re right about me being scared. Of course I’m scared! Having somebody’s life in your hands is a massive responsibility. And it can’t have escaped your notice that I only just get to the victims in time. A few more seconds and I would have lost them.”

  Robin said, “Are you sure you don’t want to trade me in for an older model?”

  “Absolutely sure. Switch the kettle on. I’m going to have some lunch, work on my computer for a while, and then …” She grinned at him. “I’m going to move into Gran’s house!”

  Robin’s hand flew to his chest. “What? Are you kidding me? Don’t kid with me, Cara Daniels, over such a serious matter.”

  “Gran said I could use her house. And seeing as Ada lives right next door it would be the perfect place to keep an eye on her.” She waved her hand around her small kitchen. “It’s only a temporary thing, I’ll keep paying the rent here. And when Gran eventually decides that she’s had enough of her world cruise, then I’ll decide what to do then.” She narrowed her eyes. “Robin, what are you doing on your watch? Has something changed with Ada’s proposed time of death?”

  Robin looked up at her, his eyes shining. “I’m texting the other angels! They are going to be so jealous when they hear that I’m going to Abigail’s house! She is such a legend!”

  “You’ve told me that many times. Do angels get jealous?”

  Robin shrugged. “They pretend they don’t, it depends how long they’ve been around humans. Do you think it’ll be alright if I take some selfies later in Abigail’s house?”

  Cara laughed. “I’m sure it will. As long as you don’t get into any trouble with whoever is in charge of you. Has that kettle boiled yet? The tea bag won’t put itself into the cup.”

  Robin’s smile didn’t fade as he made a cup of tea for Cara.

  Cara looked at the kitchen clock. “I’ll be four or five hours here. It depends how much work I have to do. Then I’ll have to pack some things. It might be better to say six or seven hours. Do you want to go over to Ada’s now and keep an eye on her?”

  Robin nodded. “Okay, you take your time, I’ll pop back and let you know if a possible murderer sneaks up on her.”

  Cara frowned. “Don’t joke about things like that.”

  Robin said, “I’m not joking. Later!” He disappeared.

  A tear that Cara had been holding back escaped and rolled down her cheek. Cara collapsed into a chair and put her head in her hands. Despite Robin’s assurance she knew it was a matter of time before she didn’t stop a murder going ahead.

  Chapter 2

  Cara didn’t reach her gran’s house until 11 p.m. She had more work to do than she thought and many emails to answer. And it had taken her a while to pack everything she needed during her stay at Gran’s. Even though it was only a twenty minute car ride away Cara didn’t want to be going back and forth over the next few days, or weeks, depending on how things went.

  Cara let out a big sigh of relief as she walked into Gran’s house. The familiar smells and sights sent a warm comforting feeling through her body. It was like someone had wrapped a warm, thick blanket around her.

  She headed to the kitchen and placed the food that she brought in the fridge. She piled boxes in the front room and promised herself that she’d sort them out in the morning. A flash of guilt shot through her as she imagined what Gran would say about having boxes piled like that in her living room. Still, Gran wasn’t here.

  Cara stepped back into
the kitchen and out of the back door. She looked over the adjoining fence towards Ada Clement’s house. It seemed to be in darkness. Had Ada gone to bed? Or had something happened to her?

  Cara shook her head and told herself to stop imagining the worst. Where was Robin? Was he still in the house looking after Ada? She could do with speaking to him.

  She stepped back into the kitchen and closed the door. She didn’t want to be calling out for Robin outside, like some cat making those weird wailing noises that cats make at night-time.

  “Robin! Are you here? Can you hear me?” she called out to the empty kitchen.

  Robin appeared at her side making her jump. “Yo!” he called out.

  Cara took a step back as Robin’s nose was almost touching hers. Robin looked in awe around the kitchen. “I can’t believe I’m in Abigail’s kitchen! Look at Abigail’s kettle! And her microwave! Awesome.”

  “Haven’t you had a look round Gran’s house yet?” Cara asked.

  “Nope, I’ve been keeping an eye on Ada, like you told me to.” He spun around. “Wow! Look at that kitchen table! To think, the great Abigail has sat there. Amazing!”

  “Can you rein in your enthusiasm for a while and tell me about Ada?”

  “What? Oh, yeah, Ada. We had a lovely day together. Don’t look so worried! I remained invisible throughout the day. First, she pottered around in her garden. Then she had her dinner - lamb chop and vegetables, followed by a small raspberry trifle.”

  Cara rubbed her tummy. “You’re making me hungry. Go on. Did she have any visitors?”

  “No. Her son phoned her. She chatted to him for fifteen minutes, she asked him about his work and other things. I couldn’t hear any animosity on either side. Later on, she did a crossword and a bit of knitting. We watched an episode of Morse.” Robin held up a finger. “Never move to Oxford, Cara, it’s the death capital of England. After that, she made herself a tea and took herself to bed with James Patterson.”

  Cara smiled. “I hope you’re referring to a book, and not a secret boyfriend.”

  “Ha!” Robin said with a snort. “Very good, Cara.” He tipped his head to one side. “You look happier. That haggard look has diminished. I think living here for a while will do you good.”

  Cara tutted. “I’m sure I never looked haggard. A bit peaky sometimes, but not haggard.”

  “If you say so. I really like Ada, she’s a cheerful soul. Sings to herself a lot. You should have seen her with that crossword, had it done in no time! And she knew who the killer was in Morse within ten minutes of the programme starting. She’s got a sharp mind.” He frowned. “I think her memory’s going a bit. She kept mumbling about items that she’d lost. She was wondering where the salt and pepper pots had gone as they weren’t where they should be.”

  Cara said, “I get like that too. I don’t think we need to be concerned. Is she asleep now?”

  “She was nodding off. I’ll go back and watch over her,” Robin offered. “You have a good night, catch up on your beauty sleep.” He winked and then disappeared.

  Cara wasn’t sure if she would have a good sleep, she had got used to her own surroundings. But she was wrong. As soon as she settled into the comfy bed in Gran’s spare room she was overwhelmed with happiness as she remembered the many happy times she’d spent in the house with Gran. Cara yawned. It was like Gran’s house had cast a sleeping spell over her. As well as talking to angels maybe Gran was a witch too.

  Cara was woken up rudely by a knocking sound. Who was that knocking in the middle of the night? Cara rubbed her eyes and looked at the bedside clock. Eight o’clock in the morning! It can’t be. She’d only just closed her eyes.

  The knocking sounded out again. Was someone knocking on Gran’s door? At this time?

  Cara grumpily pulled herself out of bed. If it was someone selling something she was going to breathe morning breath all over them!

  It wasn’t a salesperson, it was Ada, looking bright and cheerful.

  Despite being half-asleep, Cara’s heart missed a beat when she saw the black death line that surrounded Ada. It meant that Ada was close to being murdered. Cara had seen it on other people but seeing it on someone she knew was another thing. Cara forced a smile on her face.

  Ada beamed at her. “I thought that was your car outside! Well, your gran’s car but I knew she’d lent it to you. Have you moved in? Oh, say you have!”

  Cara nodded and focused on Ada’s friendly wrinkled face instead of her death line. “I have moved in. I’m not sure how long I’m staying.”

  Ada clapped her hands together. “How wonderful! Have you had any breakfast? I had mine a few hours ago but I can make you something. How about bacon and scrambled eggs?”

  Cara was about to refuse for polite reasons but then thought better of it. She wanted to keep Ada close. Cara waved at her pyjamas. “I’ll need to get dressed.”

  “Of course. Come round to my house when you’re ready. I’ll get the kettle on.” Ada put her hand on Cara’s arm. “It’s so good to have you nearby. I miss having your gran around and you’re the next best thing.” She wagged a finger at Cara. “Once you’ve entered my house I may never let you go!”

  “I don’t mind,” Cara said truthfully.

  Ada chuckled. “I think I’ve got a couple of sausages as well, I’ll stick them under the grill for you. You look as if you need fattening up! See you in a mo!” She walked away.

  Robin appeared at Cara’s side. She was ready for him to make a joke about Ada’s comment about her needing to fatten up.

  Robin didn’t look as if he was about to make a joke. His tone was serious as he said, “I think we’ve got a problem.”

  Chapter 3

  Cara closed the kitchen door. “What’s the problem?”

  Robin said, “I went back to Ada’s house last night when I left you. I thought she’d be asleep but she wasn’t. The poor woman was tossing and turning all night. She got up at three a.m. and took some tablets. I presume they were sleeping tablets because she fell asleep soon after.”

  Cara’s brow wrinkled. “She looked cheerful enough to me, not tired.”

  “That’s not all, she seems to be misplacing more things around the house. She was nearly in tears at one point because she couldn’t find a pink cardigan in her wardrobe.”

  Cara nodded. “Poor Ada. But I can’t see how this is a problem for us. Surely these are things that happen to people as they get older.”

  “Yes, they do. Not for everyone though. As Ada tried to sleep I saw her death line becoming slightly thicker. And when she was looking for that cardigan it grew even more. I think someone is deliberately affecting Ada’s health, maybe with a view to murdering her.”

  “I don’t understand. I thought my job was to save people committing murders on the spur of the moment. If you think someone is causing these sleeping and memory problems with Ada, wouldn’t that person be purposely planning on committing murder rather than it being spur of the moment?”

  Robin leant against the oven and folded his arms. “You haven’t ruled out accidental death. Someone could be playing cruel tricks on Ada, and it goes too far. Or it could be something more sinister.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like some sort of poisoning. The lack of sleep and memory loss could be symptoms. You’ll have to keep a close eye on her, see if anyone is putting anything in her tea.”

  “Okay. Well, I’d better get dressed. Do you want a quick look round Gran’s house?”

  Robin shook his head. “It can wait. I’m going back to Ada’s.”

  Cara shook her head as he disappeared. He cared about Ada, that was plain to see. How was Cara going to stop her from being murdered? If someone had been poisoning her then it must be someone who had easy access to her house. A family member?

  Cara got dressed and washed in double quick time. She raced out of the house and through the gate that had been placed halfway up the adjoining fence. Ada and Gran had agreed years ago to having the gate put in, they di
dn’t see the point of walking all the way round the fence when they needed to visit each other. Gran had said it wasted valuable nattering time.

  Cara’s mouth watered as soon as Ada opened the kitchen door to her.

  Ada said, “Perfect timing! Come in, make yourself at home. I want to hear all about you, what have you been up to lately? What have you been working on? Your gran was always talking about you. She was so proud of you for starting your own business.”

  Cara sat at the kitchen table and picked up a knife and fork. “This looks delicious, thank you. I can’t talk when I’m eating! You start, tell me all about yourself and what you get up to. Where do you go? Who comes to see you? Does anyone make you food and drink on a regular basis?”

  Ada frowned at the last question. She sat opposite Cara and said, “You won’t be interested in me!”

  Cara cut into a sausage and said, “I am interested. Tell me about your son, I haven’t seen Ben in ages.”

  Robin hovered behind Ada and smiled down at her.

  Ada rested her hands on the table and smiled. “I could talk for hours about my Ben! He’s doing so well at that fancy solicitor’s in Leeds. Puts in too many hours but he tells me it’s worth it. He told me a few days ago that he’s hoping to be made a partner soon. It’ll mean more work but more money too. How’s your bacon? Not too crispy I hope.”

  “It’s prefect. Gran told me that Ben had got married a while back.”

  “Oh, yes. To Maria. She’s wonderful, I couldn’t have hoped for a better daughter-in-law. She phones me nearly every day and calls round here often.”

  “Does she make you cups of tea?” Cara asked.

  “Pardon? That’s a funny question. No, she always offers but I insist on making a drink for her, and any food that she might like. This is my house and that’s how you treat your guests.”

  Cara hadn’t finished with her questions. “Do you go over to Ben’s house often? Maybe for meals?”

  Robin looked at Cara and said, “Don’t ask if he makes her cups of tea! You’re beginning to scare Ada with your peculiar questions.”