03 Murder by Mishap by Suzanne Young Page A

thought, since it isn’t far from here, she might like to see where the authentic Rhode Island flint corn meal comes from.”
    At Edna’s knock, Jaycee opened the door almost immediately. She must have seen them crossing the narrow, country lane.
    “This is my daughter, Starling, the photographer extraordinaire we told you about last night. My youngest and only unmarried child,” Edna added.
    “Don’t mind my mother,” Starling said, extending her hand.  “She’s still living in the dark ages where all women should be married and raising babies.” 
    Taking Starling’s hand, Jaycee said, “Gran feels the same way. I know the cross you bear.” 
    The two laughed and Edna smiled, not at all bothered by her daughter’s comeback and pleased that the young women seemed to like each other immediately. She wasn’t easy about spying on Jaycee, but if the two hit it off, Starling would have someone nearby to pal around with when her latest love interest had to work. Since she’d begun to date a local police officer, Starling visited more often than she had since moving to Boston fifteen years ago, but it still wasn’t often enough to suit either Edna or Albert. If Starling and Jaycee became friends and they learned more about each other in the process, it really wouldn’t be like spying. Would it?
    “Isn’t that right, Mom?”
    Edna was startled from her guilty thoughts by Starling’s question. “I’m sorry, dear. What did you say?”
    “I was telling Jaycee about your idea to go over to Perryville this afternoon.” Starling frowned as if wondering where her mother’s mind had strayed. “I said Carpenter’s has been a working mill since the early seventeen hundreds.”
    “Yes, that’s right. It’s also the only water powered mill currently operating in Rhode Island.”
    “That sounds like the perfect place to begin collecting pictures and learning some history of the area. It’s so nice of you to invite me.” Jaycee’s brown eyes shone with eagerness.
    “My pleasure. I’ve come down from Boston to do some shooting anyway, so it’ll be fun to have company.”
    After Starling and Jaycee agreed on a time to meet, the two Davies women headed back to the house. Once they were out of earshot, Starling said, “Didn’t you say her name was Jaycee Watkins?”
    “That’s right,” Edna smiled. “Why?”
    “Oh, nothing. It’s just that she looks familiar, but I don’t recognize the name.”
    “I don’t know how you could have met if she’s just moved here from Florida. She probably reminds you of someone else you know.” Edna dismissed the idea and said, “Why don’t you take your suitcase upstairs and unpack. I have a call I need to make and then you can help me decide what to have for lunch.”
    As soon as Starling disappeared up the stairs with her suitcase and camera equipment, Edna ducked into the small office, shut the door quietly and punched in Charlie’s cell phone number.
    “I think our plan is going to work,” she said in a near whisper. “The two hit it off and are spending the afternoon at Carpenter’s Mill.”
    “That’s good.” Charlie sounded pleased and added before he hung up, “I’m taking Starling to dinner tonight. I’ll look forward to hearing all about her new friend.”
    When Edna opened the office door, she was startled to see Starling standing on the other side. “You’re being awfully secretive. What’s going on? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
    Edna could feel guilt heat her cheeks, but said as innocently as she could manage, “I don’t know what you mean?”
    Starling put an arm through Edna’s as they turned toward the front door. “Just that I’ve rarely known you to close the door to your office. Makes me wonder if you’ve got a secret pal.”
    Edna said in a conspiratorial whisper, “Don’t tell your father.”
    Laughing--one with relief and the other over what she took as a joke--they walked out into the mid-morning sunshine