Concerts Can Be Deadly
A Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery
Cindy Bell
Copyright © 2023 Cindy Bell
All rights reserved.
Chapter One
Sun-dappled sidewalks sprawled across the idyllic setting of Sage Gardens. The winding roads of the retirement community traveled between small villas and up gently sloping hills. On the pleasant day, several people rode bicycles, while others strolled with friends around a sparkling lake. The serenity of the afternoon was shattered only by the insistent pounding of a fist against solid wood.
“Jo! Jo!” Samantha Smith pounded on the door again, then peered through the front window to see if her friend, Jo Baylor, was inside. “Jo!” She knocked again.
“Samantha?” Jo walked around the side of the house with Walt Right following her. She’d been teaching him how to plant a flower without getting any dirt on his hands, as he’d shown interest in starting a garden. “I’m right here!”
“Oh yes! I was hoping you were home.” Samantha practically jumped down the steps of the front porch and ran over to her. “I got them!” She waved two pieces of paper in the air. “I got them!”
“Got what?” Walt eyed her with some concern.
“Sam, calm down. I don’t understand you.” Jo laughed as her friend continued to bounce around and wave the papers in the air.
“The tickets! Remember, I told you I was trying to win the tickets for the Blasting Dragons? I must have called into that radio show fifty times, but I got them.” Samantha squealed and held them out to Jo. “And I want you to come with me.” She glanced at Walt. “I’m sorry, Walt, but I only won two, and the rest of the tickets are sold out.”
“Oh please, don’t apologize. Crowds, loud, eardrum-shattering noise, that is so far from my cup of tea.” Walt smiled. “But congratulations on your win.”
“Thanks.” Samantha squeaked, then looked back at Jo. “Will you go with me? Please? I don’t want to go by myself, and Eddy will just wear earplugs and complain.”
“Yes, he probably would.” Jo laughed as she considered what John ‘Eddy’ Edwards, the retired detective, might think of a rock concert. “Sure, I’d love to go. I could use a night out, and I like their music.”
“Blasting Dragons?” Walt glanced between the two of them. “It’s such a violent name. I can only assume that their music will reflect the same aggression.”
“Actually, it’s kind of poetic.” Jo pulled out her phone and looked up a song by the band. “They’ve become quite famous. This is their first concert of this size. Their music is wild, that’s for sure, with lots of drums and electric guitar, but the message is pretty positive compared to most of today’s music. You should check it out.” She handed her phone over to Walt. “That’s their hit single.”
Walt put the phone up to his ear as he walked up the porch steps and sat down in a chair, while Samantha and Jo lingered in the front yard.
“I’m so glad you invited me. It’s going to be a fun night.” Jo looked at Samantha.
“I just can’t believe it’s tomorrow night. I’ll have to figure out an outfit, and you know, I think we should take a taxi.” Samantha pulled out her phone and began to make a to-do list so that she wouldn’t forget anything.
“A taxi? Why?” Jo tilted her head toward the driveway. “I can drive.”
“It’s going to be so crowded, and can you imagine the parking lot? By the time we pay for tolls and parking, it’ll be about the same as taking a taxi. Plus, this way we can enjoy ourselves at the concert, maybe have a drink or two without having to worry about driving home.”
“That’s a good point. I guess we can do that. Honestly, it makes me a little nervous when someone else is driving.”
“Trust me, I’ll keep you distracted. I have their entire album on my phone, and tons of fun facts to share with you.” Samantha scrolled through a few websites she had saved on her browser.
“Oh boy, you’re a real fan, huh?” Jo laughed. “Am I going to have to pick you up off the floor when you pass out from excitement?”
“No.” Samantha gave her a stern look. “At least, I hope not.” She laughed. “It’s not like I’m going to try to get up on stage, but it’s been such a long time since I heard music that really inspired me. Honestly, I’m probably a bigger fan of the songwriter than I am of any of the musicians. But I’ve had the hardest time figuring out who that is. They like to remain anonymous. I do know it’s not a member of the band, though.”
“Hmm, a mystery. That’s something we always enjoy.” Jo stepped onto the porch as Walt lowered her phone. “Well, what do you think, Walt?”
“It’s noisy.” Walt handed her the phone back. “I can see what you mean about the lyrics, though. They would be much nicer if they were paired with some calmer, more melodic music.”
“Aw, you’re just old, Walt.” Samantha sat down beside him and gave him a light pat on his knee. “But don’t worry about it. We’ll do our best to keep you young.”
“Thanks, Sam.” Walt grinned. “Considering I’m younger than you.”
“Four months!” Samantha eyed him.
“Still younger.” Walt winked at her.
“What does age matter at our age, anyway? I don’t even keep track anymore,” Jo said.
“Well, you don’t have to. You’ll be gorgeous until you’re one hundred!” Samantha gave her long, dark hair a light, playful tug. “Not even a strand of gray. What’s your secret?” Samantha’s own hair was scattered with silver, but it was hard to notice among the copper-red strands.
“Nope, I’ll never tell.” Jo’s eyes sparkled as she looked at her friend. “Anyway, that’s not what I meant. I just think you get to a certain point in life, and all of the old vanities don’t matter as much anymore. What matters to me is that I have great friends, and a beautiful place to live. I can’t ask for much more than that.”
“She’s right.” Walt smiled as he gazed out over the rolling lawns of Sage Gardens. With the manicured gardens, the well-maintained pond, and the endless paved sidewalks, to him, Sage Gardens was more than a retirement village. What made it the best place he’d ever lived were the friends he’d made since moving there. “I hope you two have a lot of fun at your concert. I’m sure you will. Just remember to take plenty of wipes, and wipe down everything you touch. Those places are known to be germ factories.”
“Aw, it’s sweet that you’re so concerned.” Samantha smiled. “Thanks, Walt.”
“Well, yes, I am concerned about your health, but I’m also concerned about mine. If you two come home with some awful illness, it won’t take long for it to spread, now, will it?” Walt shrugged.
“There’s the truth.” Jo laughed and patted Walt’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Walt. I won’t kiss you.”
Walt gazed up at her with a faint smile and a hint of blush in his cheeks.
“That’s quite considerate of you, Jo.”
“I always try to be as considerate as I can. Sam and I will be just fine, I’m sure. You’ve taught us well.” Jo glanced over at Samantha. “Right, Sam?”
“Absolutely. I now know how many germs I come in contact with daily,” Samantha said.
“I have, haven’t I?” Walt grinned.
“Yes, we’re ready to confront the outside world, Walt.” Jo met Walt’s eyes. “Now, are you ready to sink your hands into some fertilizer next time?”
“Not unless they’re triple-gloved.” Walt scrunched up his nose. “On that note, I’m heading home. Bye, ladies. Congratulations on the tickets.”
As Walt walked away, Samantha and Jo hugged again and cheered over their good fortune.
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