Death a Sketch

Book 3: Paint & Shine Mystery

by Cheryl Hollon

Genres: Amateur Sleuth; Mystery; Craft & Hobby Cozy Mysteries; Culinary Cozy Mysteries

Synopsis

In eastern Kentucky, Miranda Trent runs a unique tour company called Paint & Shine, but sometimes the peaceful mountains play host to murder . . .



Miranda's business—combining Appalachian adventure tours with art and a bit of moonshine—is the perfect place for an outdoor sporting goods company to hold an employee retreat. It'll be a challenge, but the money they're paying will definitely help with building her new distillery.



Miranda has lots of teamwork-fostering activities planned, from sketching classes to Southern cooking, but the executive running things prefers a more competitive spirit. In fact, after the workers are split into teams, they're told that only the winners will keep their jobs, and tensions begin to spike. Even after a participant is found dead, the contest continues—while Miranda starts drawing her own conclusions about the ambitious attendees. Now she just has to find the proof . . .

Release date: July 26, 2022

Publisher: Kensington Books

Print pages: 304

Sample

Late Friday Afternoon, Miranda’s Farmhouse

“I have a bad feeling.” Miranda Trent rocked gently in the front porch swing, her hand wrapped around a hot cup of mint tea. “What a mess. I shouldn’t have accepted a big contract from that horrible man and his horrible company. A four-day workshop is a big leap for my new business.” She drew up a handmade quilt and tucked it around herself and Sandy, the sleeping puppy in her lap. “Have I made a dreadful mistake, Mom?”

“There’s no way to tell, honey,” said her mom, Dorothy Marcella Trent, who was tucked into the other end of the quilt, one booted foot touching the plank boards of the porch floor to keep the swing moving. “You need the business.”

“I certainly do. Tourist season is virtually shut down for the winter. There won’t be anything happening in these hills until spring. Well, except for a few Christmas events up at Hemlock Lodge,” Miranda said.

“I’ve been so busy going back and forth to Dayton trying to sell my house, I haven’t paid much attention to you.” Dorothy tapped Miranda’s toe with her own. “What’s so special about this upcoming workshop? I don’t understand why you’re so worried.”

“I’m expanding into a new, outdoor-based training service to support corporate team-building workshops.”

“You’ve been doing your cultural tours for a couple of months. So it makes sense to expand. I’m sorry to be so preoccupied when you needed to brainstorm.”

Miranda felt a relaxing warmth spread through her chest. She had been upset by her mom’s distance. It wasn’t deliberate. Her mom was spinning a lot of plates at the moment. “I got a call a couple of weeks ago from a sportswear company headquartered in Lexington. BigSky Corporation is known for its popular graphical designs. They’re really gorgeous. Anyway, they asked me to provide a four-day team-building workshop based at Hemlock Lodge in Natural Bridge State Park.”

“That sounds like the kind of challenge you love. What’s the format?”

“Basically, it’s a series of games, competitions, and challenges. On the first day, we hike the trail to Balanced Rock and draw with charcoal. We lunch here at the farmhouse, then tour the distillery and make up the mash for moonshine in my brand-new, tiny, one-gallon sampler stills. That’s followed by a nature photography event, then some outdoor stew preparation.”

“That sounds like something that should suit you right down to the ground. I don’t understand why you’re so wrought up.”

Miranda pursed her lips. “That’s just day one. On day two, we tackle a rope bridge challenge, have a boxed lunch followed by a watercolor lesson at Rock Bridge, then everyone makes chicken pot pie here at the farmhouse and checks the flavoring of the moonshine mash.”

Dorothy shook her head. “My, oh, my. That’s a lot to get through. No wonder you’re feeling stretched thin. What’s on for the third day?”

“We start off with an aerial rope event at that zip line roadside attraction over in Slade. Then we have an eco-friendly scavenger hunt. For the artistic event, we make table centerpieces with the items collected. The cooking events are pie baking and then using your precious sourdough starter for dinner rolls.”

“You mean Viola?”

“Yes, although I’ll never get used to the way you treat that starter like it was alive.”

“It is alive! Family tradition demands that you name it after the person who gave it to you. That’s a way of sharing the love in the bread.”

“Then, on the last day, everyone pulls together to create a traditional Thanksgiving dinner where we celebrate the team and finish off with the moonshine that everyone helped to create.”

“I’m exhausted just hearing about it. You do see the irony here, don’t you?”

Miranda pouted. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“It’s so funny. You, who are a world-class worrier as well as an introvert, are teaching a team-building workshop when you’re not sure if your Paint & Shine business will make it.”

Miranda gave her mom a sad smile. “Nailed it. Well, it’s also one of my strengths. I relate to loners. You remember that’s what Grandma used to say: ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’”

“I think this might be a bit too far. Do you have enough help? Should I postpone my trip to Dayton? I could do that.”

Miranda grabbed Sandy and snuggled him up under her chin. “No way. You need to get that house sold. I won’t risk it. You’ve got a terrific offer for that house. I’ll have the Hobb sisters for kitchen work. The BigSky Corporation is sending a manager to assist with wrangling the candidates. The participants are supposed to be in line for a special, fast-track management program, depending on their performance in the workshop.”

“So why are you worried?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes I think I worry just to feed my habit of being a great worrier. You know that.”

“Yes, but this business is all about what you enjoy. You should be enjoying it.”

“When I stop to think about it, I am.” Miranda paused for a few seconds. “I’ve been working on my people skills, and the art gallery jobs I had up in New York City were super for learning how to approach people and close sales.”

“That’s right, you are more confident. So, why are you so worried?” Dorothy asked again.

“It lasts four days. Four whole, long days. I’ve never done anything like it, but because the tourist numbers were falling, it seemed like a gift.”

“This is normally a slow time for sightseers and tourists. It’s the weekend before Thanksgiving. Lots of folks are already on their way to family gatherings, not company team-building adventures.”

“I did wonder why they wanted this particular time. Although most of the fall colors are still on the trees, one heavy rain will strip them down to bare branches.”

“It’s already cold up on the ridges and cliffs right now,” Dorothy said.

“Right. I’ll know better when I’ve been in business for a couple of years.” She sighed deeply. “If I last that long. Who knows if I’ll even be in business a year from now—or even a month from now? Most new businesses fail in the first year. These last few weeks have been a whirlwind introduction to cultural touring.”

Dorothy patted Miranda on the shoulder. “Dear, I know you think you’re the cause of the tragedies surrounding your new Paint & Shine business, but violence is a natural part of living out here in the highlands. We’re from a rough and determined stock of Scotch-Irish. The Hatfield-McCoy feud is not a fairy tale. Some say it’s still running.”

“I’m learning that,” Miranda said while scratching Sandy’s full belly. They sat swinging with the only sounds coming from the country night. She picked out a barn owl, a coyote, and, finally, the cricket from inside the house. She had been trying to evict him for several weeks with no luck. Was he good luck or bad? She couldn’t remember.

Dorothy took a long sip of her tea. “I feel bad about going back to Dayton right now. It’s even worse since Ron Rose the handyman—” She stopped and smiled when she said his name—“has taken a big job over in Jackson. I think you are going to need all the help you can get.”

Miranda mirrored her mother’s smile. Ron had somehow captured her long-widowed mother’s heart. They were as cute as high-school sweethearts with their lovey-dovey ways.

“It’s not a problem, Mom. You’re lucky the house sold so quickly. Going back and forth is just too much hassle. Especially since Ron proposed.”

Dorothy began folding the quilt off her lap. “Are you sure? I could change my plans.”

“Don’t make me repeat that whole string of reasoning. We’ve already been through that. When is your closing?”

“Monday morning.” Dorothy drained her cup. “In fact, I’d better get on the road. Friday nights are always a nightmare going through Cincinnati. It used to be that the backups were for those coming south. Now, it seems just as bad whichever direction you’re going.”

Miranda glanced at her wristwatch. “Right, if you leave now, you should be just ahead of the rush.” She took Sandy in her arms and walked down to the driveway with her mom.

Dorothy tickled Sandy under his chin. “You be a good puppy, now, okay? Watch over Miranda for me.”

With a feeling of intense isolation, Miranda watched her mom’s car drive away. She hadn’t fully considered how much she would miss that her mom had been helping her with the tiny tasks that kept a household going. While Miranda concentrated on her small business, like laundry, dusting, and keeping food in the refrigerator.

The phone rang. Miranda felt annoyed, but pushed that aside. She was determined to secure her ownership of this homestead farmhouse. All she needed to do was keep her schedule full enough to make a decent profit. Her uncle’s will stipulated that she needed to pay her taxes and establish a licensed moonshine distillery before the end of the year. She was very close to achieving both, so she could enjoy this wonderful country life without fear. She went inside, put Sandy down, and picked up the handset.

“I’ve got more suggestions,” said Mr. Tobin, vice president of human resources of BigSky, the world-famous manufacturer of sportswear.

“Good evening, Mr. Tobin. More changes? It’s a little late, don’t you think? The workshop starts tomorrow morning.”

He paused. “What did you say? Is this connection bad? I need more changes.”

Miranda sighed. He wasn’t listening to her at all. “What kind of changes?”

“Two things. First, I want to split the workshop into two teams. Then I want them to compete against each other for a big reward. That should elevate the focus with the workshop participants. This is not going to be merely a fun time in the mountains.”

Miranda thought about the activities she’d planned for the workshop. Grudgingly, she admitted to herself that those were really good ideas. He might be annoying, but he was a creative businessman. “I agree, Mr. Tobin. A competition will add some spirit to the events, but won’t there be some sort of scoring and evaluation tasks? I’m not set up for that kind of paperwork, and I couldn’t just add that without significant extra fees.”

“No, I see that. Don’t worry, I’ll handle those processes.”

His tone made her feel like a dolt for mentioning it. It was demeaning.

Mr. Tobin continued. “Also, because there’s going to be some scoring and assessment tasks, I’m going to send my administrative assistant. She’ll handle all the paperwork.”

“That’s good. What’s her name?”

“Rowena Gardner.”

“Rowena Gardner? That’s an unusual name. I think I know her if she’s from Dayton, Ohio.”

“She commutes into the plant from Winchester, but if I remember from her application, I think she got an associate degree from a junior college in Dayton. Anyway, she doesn’t have a local accent and she’s an efficient admin.”

“Rowena was the star organizer of our class back at Colonel White High School. If I remember right, she was president of the Honor Society, captain of the cheerleaders, and also our class president.”

“That sounds like her.”

Oh my goodness, if this is Rowena, it’s bound to be an omen that this workshop will be a fantastic success. She’s a little odd, but a good organizer. We were great friends.

Miranda frowned. “Wait, that means you’re adding a person to the total number of participants?”

“You don’t need to charge me for that. She won’t be participating in the events.”

That weasel. He’s trying to lowball me on the price. He’s not getting away with it.

“Well, that’s fine, but she will need to eat if she’s going to tag along with the competitors to make scoring assessments. In fact, it will be the same as your special meals-only fee. Right?”

There was a short pause. “Oh, very well. That won’t cost much. She’ll join you tomorrow morning for the eight o’clock orientation meeting at Hemlock Lodge.” There was another pause. “Hold on for a second. I’ve got another call.”

He switched her to Hold before she could agree. She thought that if this was how corporate types ran things, she was glad she didn’t work for a big company. Not her cup of tea at all.

“That was bad news. I won’t be coming out tomorrow to lead the workshop. I’ve got a labor union emergency over at the manufacturing plant in Louisville. They’ve chosen the holiday rush because they know we can’t afford any production losses leading up to Black Friday. I’ve got to handle it in person.”

Miranda raised her eyebrows. Things would go much smoother if he weren’t around. “That’s too bad, but I’ve got everything all lined up. It will be fine.”

“Oh, not to worry. I’m sending over a substitute manager to take my place.”

Miranda gritted her teeth. Just how many last-minute changes was she supposed to deal with?

“Perfect! Who is it?”

He ended the call.

Miranda replaced the handset in its charger. “It would be nice to know who this new supervisor is,” she said to the empty room.

She started back out onto the porch as the phone rang again.

“Hello, this is Paint & Shine, your source for cultural tours in the Kentucky Highlands.”

“Hi, Miranda. It’s Rowena Gardner. You sound just the same as you did in high school. Way more professional, though.”

Miranda laughed. “Hi, Rowena. It is you. I couldn’t believe it when Mr. Tobin mentioned your name. You sound the same too.”

That voice brought back a memory of them trying out for the cheerleader team in their high school gym uniforms. Rowena’s long dark hair and olive skin in the school’s salmon suit fit her curvy shape in all the right places. On the other hand, back in those days, Miranda’s figure had yet to appear. In fact, she didn’t actually blossom until the following year.

“It’s great to hear that we’ll be working together. Although Mr. Tobin didn’t seem to know much about your background.”

“I am not surprised. He doesn’t see any of his underlings as worth getting to know. Anyway, he’s sending me over to help manage the workshop. Mr. Tobin is going to make this workshop competition a strategy for his recruitment goals for the new year. I’m not sure what he had in mind, but I’m sure it will be a passel of trouble.”

“Are you staying up at the lodge?”

“No way. Mr. Tobin won’t spring for the extra expense. I’ll be going back and forth from Winchester every day. It’s not a problem. I’m used to driving into the Lexington office. Driving to Hemlock Lodge will be quicker.”

“That’s nonsense. You can stay with me.”

Sandy had patrolled all the rooms in the farmhouse as soon as Miranda set him down. Now he was back at her feet and nipping at her ankles. “Stop that.”

“Stop what?” Rowena asked.

“Sorry, it’s not you. It’s my puppy, Sandy. He wants some attention. Where was I? Oh, if you stay here, you’ll be right on the spot for any problems that might come up. Plus, we can catch up on old times before the event gets underway. I think it’s going to be fantastic, but I expect we’ll be run off our feet. Please come.”

“Really? Do you mean that? Are you sure I won’t be putting you out just when you’ll be busy keeping all these candidates focused on your workshop?”

Miranda laughed. “Actually, I would be taking advantage of you in helping to keep everything running smoothly. My mom has gone back to Dayton to close the sale of her house. You could take her room.”

“I’m not sure.”

“Come on. We have so much catching up to do. It would be more fun to do that before the madness begins. Please come. Pretty please?”

“Well,” chuckled Rowena, “how can I possibly resist a pretty please?”

“Great. Come on over tonight and we can have a nice, long chat before the workshop starts. Mom’s bedroom is upstairs, so it comes with some privacy. It also has a desk, and I finally have great Wi-Fi connectivity. You’ll love it.”

“Perfect, but I’ll bring over some wine. Luckily, I brought my laptop home from work today. Somehow I knew I might be required at the last minute. Mr. Tobin is not big on well-thought-out plans, as usual. I’ll pack up and be at your place in a couple of hours. Text me your address.”

Miranda sent the text, and then she refreshed things in her mom’s upstairs bedroom. She changed the sheets, replaced the quilt with a fresh one, and cleared out a space in the top drawer of the dresser. She also removed a few of her mother’s clothes to give Rowena a slim slot in the closet.

In order to chase the lingering scent of her mom’s cologne from the bedroom, she opened the front window. It looked out over the dirt road that ran by the farmhouse. Her last touches were to set out fresh towels, put a carafe of water on the nightstand, and set a vase of wildflowers on the desk. Miranda dusted all the furniture, then gave the floor a quick sweep. All was in visitor-perfect shape.

Rowena arrived at the farmhouse a few hours later in a clean but elderly blue Ford Fiesta. Miranda ran to the car. They squealed their delight. She gave Rowena a giant hug standing right in front of the open car door.

“Rowena! You look wonderful. What have you done to your hair? My memory might be tricking me, but I thought it was straight—stick straight, in fact. Now it’s curly and absolutely gorgeous.”

“I stopped trying to make it stay straight. This is my natural hair, and I’m happier not worrying about it. It takes me no time at all to get ready for work now.”

“I love it. It suits you,” said Miranda. “Let’s get your luggage put away.” Rowena pulled a small, wheeled suitcase out of the trunk. She also had a backpack that held her work laptop and its electronic paraphernalia and a large black handbag. Then, finally, a special office box containing hanging folders of papers for the workshop participants. Miranda picked up the file box. “Head into the house and up the stairs in the dining room. Go right on through the storage area. The bedroom is at the front of the house. There’s a small desk right in front of the window for you.”

Miranda followed a few paces behind. Rowena stood in front of the desk and looked around the room. “This is delightful. So cozy. Is that one of your grandmother’s quilts?”

“Yep, I’m knee-deep in them. That sounds like I’m complaining, doesn’t it? I’m grateful she’s still able to keep up with her m. . .