Murder plays second fidd.., p.23
Murder Plays Second Fiddle,
p.23
“We’re a great team, but we already knew that. Cassidy, we’ve always got your back,” Roxie said with a sly grin.
“I’m wondering if Anastasia will ever stand trial. Her lawyer may try to get her declared incompetent,” Kate said.
“I heard her mother has already hired a cadre of lawyers. Right now, they’re all claiming that Britt bullied her and subjected her to years of mental abuse.” Ruthanne’s voice drifted off.
“Ha. A sorry attempt at blame-shifting and trying to frame herself as being the victim,” Roxie scoffed.
“She may be nuts, but she packed a mean punch. It took a bunch of us and a couple of officers to finally subdue her,” Kate said.
“Good riddance. Now we can get back to important things like the renovations to the cave and Cassidy’s love life.”
Blood surged to Cassidy’s cheeks. “Let’s see what kind of design ideas you have for the space.”
“Sure, try to change the subject,” Roxie said. “We’ll get back to Detective Zac in a bit.”
The gals rummaged through their bags and the desks for design samples and drawing tablets. Lively conversation about names and themes filled the conference room.
The office line sounded above the chatter, and Cassidy rose to answer it. “Celebrations at Ivy Springs, this is Cassidy. How can we help you with your next event?”
“Hi, Cassidy. This is Niles Johnson. I’m with the Blue Ridge Brewers Vintners and Distillers Association. It’s a professional organization for those in the craft beer and Virginia wine and spirits industries. We’re looking to do an event for our members, and I’d like to set up some time with you to talk about the use of your venue.”
A tingle zinged right to Cassidy’s stomach. “That sounds wonderful. We’d love to meet with you and discuss what we can offer your members. When do you have some availability?”
“I will be in your area on Thursday and Friday of this week. Will either of those days work for you?” he asked.
“How about Thursday afternoon?”
“Great. Shall we say two o’clock?”
“Perfect. Our conference room is in the restored farmhouse next to our property’s parking lot at the main entrance. And when were you planning to hold your event?”
“We’d like to do something in the spring. We love your outside venues and your barn. We want to have tastings, lectures, workshops. Kinda like a fair. We want to do some members-only events and others that will be open to the public.”
“That’s not a problem,” she said. “My team can work with you to provide venues for all your events. And we’re looking forward to seeing you Thursday at two o’clock.”
“See you then.” He disconnected, and she finished jotting notes on her calendar.
“This could be good,” she announced to the Pearly Girls. “The Blue Ridge Brewers Vintners and Distillers Association wants to talk to us about having an event next spring. Mr. Johnson will be here on Thursday afternoon.”
“That sounds right up our alley. I hope he brings samples,” Roxie said.
“It’d be cool to use the cave,” Cassidy said. “I wonder if we can have it ready by spring.”
Acknowledgments
I am eternally grateful for all the support of so many family and friends who stick with me during this crazy writing journey. Thank you, Stan Weidner, for all your love and support and for always being there (and for making me look good in the photos); my parents, who instilled in me a lifelong love of reading; Cortney Cain for all the five a.m. sanity checks; Meagan Van Laeken and Jocelyn Cain, my pop-culture gurus; and Bill Cain for always keeping everyone entertained.
I am so grateful for my talented Sisters in Crime, Guppy, James River Writers, and Writers Who Kill friends. Your support is invaluable! Many thanks to Jackie Layton, Sue Minix, and Paula Charles for all the great advice.
Many, many thanks to my fabulous agent, Cindy Bullard, for all her guidance and hard work. And I am eternally grateful to Amanda Chiu Krohn, Ashlyn Inman, and the entire team at Turner Publishing. You all are amazing and make the publishing process seamless!
And most of all, thank you to all the mystery lovers who follow Cassidy, Elvis, and the Pearly Girls on their adventures.
About the Author
Through the years, HEATHER WEIDNER has been a cop’s kid, technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She writes the Pearly Girls Mysteries, the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, The Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, and The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries.
Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series; 50 Shades of Cabernet; Deadly Southern Charm; Murder by the Glass; First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder; and Crimes in the Old Dominion. She has non-fiction pieces in Promophobia and The Secret Ingredient: A Mystery Writers’ Cookbook.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime: National, Central Virginia, Chessie, Guppies, and Grand Canyon Writers; International Thriller Writers; and James River Writers. Heather blogs regularly with the Writers Who Kill.
Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a crazy Jack Russell terrier.
Heather Weidner, Murder Plays Second Fiddle
