Camping Caper Read online

  Camping Caper

  An Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths Mystery

  Madison Johns

  Contents

  Copyright © 2016 Madison Johns

  Camping Caper

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  About the Author

  Other Books by This Authors

  Copyright © 2016 Madison Johns

  Camping Caper Madison Johns All rights reserved.

  Camping Caper

  Agnes and Eleanor thought they’d relax in the sun ... and possibly joke about Martha, who volunteers to lead the Bonfire Girls on their first camping trip after the leader Peggy Hughes is injured. That is until Martha enlists the help of her mother and friends!

  The detective duo might have bitten off more than they can chew when Peggy Hughes is found dead in an apparent all-terrain vehicle accident. If only Agnes and Eleanor weren’t the only ones who thought Peggy’s death might be foul play.

  Will the girls be able to solve this case before the end of camp or will the appearance of a black bear have them all running for the hills?

  Disclaimer

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Chapter 1

  I smiled as I drove along U.S. 23.

  “Watch out, Agnes!” Eleanor shouted.

  I slammed on the brakes just as a troop of Bonfire Girls crossed Newman Street. “I almost killed a scout,” I exclaimed. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I should have seen those girls crossing the street.”

  “You should have seen the red light!” Eleanor exclaimed. “Maybe I should do the driving today.”

  “Perhaps I should head over to the city campground and pay my daughter Martha a visit. It’s been some time since I’ve seen her.”

  “She has that new beau Captain Hamilton. She could be out on Tawas Bay on his yacht right now.”

  “You must have a yacht confused with a rowboat.” I smiled with a shake of my head.

  “That’s not very nice, Agnes Barton,” Eleanor scolded. “Adam might be your son-in-law one day.”

  I pulled into the campground and Eleanor I hopped out to the sight of Adam cleaning perch while Martha sunned herself in a lawn chair. Before Martha had time to ask us to move out of her sun, I asked, “Wouldn’t there be more sun on the beach?”

  Martha peeked from under her sunglasses. “Oh, hello there, Mother. I prefer to stay here and supervise Adam. I’m not certain he’s qualified to clean perch.”

  “I’ll have you know, Martha, that I was raised in Florida and have cleaned bigger fish than these little perch,” Adam said.

  I walked over to Adam and stared at the fish. “I think you should have thrown them back.”

  “I won’t say I told Adam so, but you can’t tell him anything,” Martha said.

  “Are you sure you’re my daughter?” I asked. “That sounded just like something I’d say about Eleanor.”

  Martha sat up in her lawn chair. “What? Oh no, I’m not anything like you, Mother, I assure you.”

  “You know what they say,” Eleanor began, “one day when you look into mirror ... you’ll see your mother.”

  “Don’t you two have some crime spree to investigate?”

  “I wish,” I said as I eased down on the seat of the picnic table. “I mean, I’m glad there haven’t been any crimes to investigate in Tawas.”

  “So what have you been doing to keep yourselves busy?”

  “Your mother has been working in her garden and I’ve been watching her from a lounge chair,” Eleanor volunteered with a big goofy smile.

  “I think the fish are cleaned now,” Adam declared.

  I walked over and forced a smile. “I hope Martha plans to make plenty of side dishes to go with the fish.”

  “I hope you have hotdogs,” Eleanor added when she gazed over at the pan of small fish.

  “Martha might be right. I don’t know how to fillet a fish.”

  “Oh no you don’t! Don’t you dare say that with Martha in hearing range. She’ll never let you forget it.”

  “You must be talking about yourself, Mother,” Martha said as she stood up.

  “Hello there, Martha,” a woman dressed in a brown uniform approached the campsite.

  I glanced at a patch sewn on the woman’s shirt that read “Bonfire Girls.”

  “Peggy, this is my mother and her friend Eleanor.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Peggy said, shaking my hand half off before I could pry it from her hand.

  “Are you a friend of Martha’s?”

  “I’m trying to be.” She laughed with a snort, piquing Eleanor’s attention because she laughs exactly the same way! “Actually, Martha is my assistant scout leader. I’m the leader of course. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Bonfire Girls.”

  “Yes,” Eleanor began, “and don’t forget the Bonfire Boys.”

  “So those are the scouts I’ve seen running across the crosswalk today,” I said.

  Eleanor tried to not blab to Martha about how I nearly took out a troop with Eleanor’s Cadillac, and fortunately wasn’t successful.

  “Yes, the Bonfire Girls are on their annual camping trip. Seven days of fun … fun … fun. They always make a stop in Tawas on their way to camp. Of course, I’m a homegrown leader as I live right here in town.”

  “I guess I wasn’t aware that the Bonfire Girls was such a big deal in town. Now the Girl Scouts I’ve heard of,” I said.

  “We don’t sell cookies like they do. We sell granola bars.”

  “I had no idea granola bars were a big seller,” Eleanor smirked until I gave her a hard stare.

  “Actually, they’re quite popular. It seems these days that everyone is trying to be more health conscious.”

  Adam was unsuccessfully trying to light a campfire.

  “Let me do that,” Peggy said. “I believe I’m the most qualified here to start a fire.” She stacked sticks in a square pattern and lit a piece of paper tucked in the middle. It blazed up right away.

  Eleanor frowned. “I expected you to start the fire by rubbing two sticks together.”

  “What, is this a Survivor show? Where is the camera?” Peggy laughed at her own joke as she slapped her leg.

  “I suppose we should get going,” I said. “It was nice seeing you, Martha. Why don’t you and your captain come over for a barbecue later.”

  “But, I’m all out of propane gas,” Eleanor whined.

  “We’ll be doing it at our house this time. I’d hate for our fire pit to go to waste,” I said.

  “Fire pit?” Peggy asked.

  “Yes, it’s waist high, with a grate and everything,” Eleanor said.

  “You should stop by, too, Peggy,” Martha suggested.

  “She should? I mean she should. Martha will give you the direct
ions. Dinner is at six,” I rattled off. “Time to go, Eleanor.”

  As we left, Eleanor exclaimed, “It was so nice of you to invite Peggy.”

  “I believe Martha invited her. I could hardly tell the woman no. Did you see her face light up when you mentioned the barbecue? I bet the poor dear doesn’t even have a boyfriend.”

  “You can’t tell that from looking at her, Agnes.”

  “I’m much more perceptive that you, Eleanor. Certainly you must agree with that.”

  Eleanor frowned and clammed up for a moment before she fired back: “I’ll agree with that if you agree that I’m the brains of this operation. I hardly think you could solve a mystery without me.”

  “I’m not sure about the brains of the operation, but I will agree I couldn’t solve a mystery without you.”

  “Good enough.”

  In Neiman’s Family Market Eleanor frowned when she couldn’t locate a motorized shopping cart. I, on the other hand, was happy because I know how dangerous putting Eleanor at the controls of a cart can be for other shoppers.

  “So what are you buying for your cookout?” Eleanor asked.

  “Hotdogs would be good.”

  “Oh no you don’t! You should buy steaks. It’s not every day your daughter comes over for a cookout.”

  “I know, but we also have Peggy coming. I don’t buy steaks for someone I don’t know.”

  “I see your dilemma, even if it’s a selfish one.”

  “Leave it to you to make me sound selfish, Eleanor. I can’t help it that I live on a fixed income.”

  “That’s understandable, but I hope you don’t have a problem with Peggy coming over. She’s so sweet, and a leader for a Bonfire Girls troop. You have to admit that takes some mettle.”

  “Yes, could you imagine having to deal with all those scouts? Selling granola bars?”

  “All this talking isn’t getting us any closer to the checkout line,” Eleanor exclaimed as she took over pushing the cart.

  I picked up hotdog and hamburger buns because I didn’t know how much extra food I’d need for the cookout. I frowned when I saw Eleanor whiz around the aisle. Now I’d have to catch up to her, and just my luck, I didn’t have my comfortable shoes on today. I could feel a blister forming already.

  “Eleanor, would you slow down?”

  I abruptly stopped when I spotted Eleanor talking with Elsie Bradford. “Hello, Elsie,” I said.

  Elsie tossed her head, as if any of the tight, gray curls on her head would actually move. I knew what was expected of me because I’d been friends with the social icon of Tawas going on four years now. “You got your hair done again, Elsie?” She then flashed me the blue eyes that matched her powder blue ensemble of linen slacks and button up shirt. “It looks wonderful. I bet Jack won’t like it when you turn the head of every man in town.”

  Elsie’s hands slipped to her hips. “No reason to overdo it, dear. Eleanor told me you were having a cookout at six. I guess I had better whip up a batch of potato salad before I come over. I’ll see you at six. Jack will be ecstatic when I tell him we’re eating at your place. He says I feed all of my senior friends too much.”

  “He does, does he,” Eleanor asked. “When was the wedding?”

  “Now Eleanor, you know we can’t get married or I’ll lose the pension I get from my late husband.”

  Elsie then disappeared down another aisle and out of sight.

  I gave Eleanor a hard stare for the second time today. “Did you have to invite Elsie and Jack?”

  Eleanor waved her hands frantically. “I swear it wasn’t like that. Once I told her you were having a cookout, she invited herself. I’ve never known Elsie to do that.”

  I put the buns in the cart. “Well, we haven’t seen Elsie and the gang since Christmas. They might be a little stir crazy by now.”

  “I suppose, but that’s two more steaks you’ll have to buy.”

  “I thought I already told you that I was making hotdogs.”

  “And hamburgers if what’s in your cart is any indication,” Eleanor observed. “I hope you’re buying some steaks. I know Andrew will want one for sure.”

  What was it with expecting me to buy steaks for this blasted barbeque anyway? I mean, who does that for a large party? “I’m perfectly aware of what my husband wants to eat, Eleanor. What about your husband, Mr. Wilson?” Wilson refused to allow anyone to call him by his first name or to even know it.

  “Tuna noodle casserole?”

  “Certainly he’s not making that for the cookout.”

  “You know he is, so be nice.”

  I grumbled quietly. I’ve had enough of Mr. Wilson’s special casserole. I’d never say that to his face. I’m not that mean spirited.

  I pushed the cart to the selection of packaged steaks.

  “Hello there!” a woman’s voice called out. “Look, Bill, it’s Agnes and Eleanor.”

  I simply nodded at Marjorie and Bill Hayes, rubbing my eyes at the mustard yellow golfing clothes they wore. “We just saw Elsie here. Is there a persons of a certain age convention that I don’t know about?” She laughed.

  “Ha ha.” Bill chuckled. “I wish there was, because we need more to do in this town.”

  “You can’t say you’re tired of golfing?” I said in mock shock.

  “No, as you can see we have our latest golfing clothes on.”

  “I see that.” Bill and Marjorie Hayes always dressed alike. It’s a good thing Marjorie doesn’t wear dresses.

  “Where are you ladies off to today?” Marjorie asked.

  Before I could signal Eleanor, she blurted out, “Agnes is having a cookout today.”

  “Now that sounds fun,” Bill said. “What time?”

  I massaged my brow. Oh what the heck. “Six. Bring a dish to pass or some steaks.”

  “Agnes was just kidding,” Eleanor said. “Right, Agnes?”

  I didn’t answer. Instead I looked over at the selection of meat. “What in the world is a Denver steak?”

  “Something you put in the bottom of your shoe,” Eleanor said.

  “Good one, Eleanor,” Marjorie said. “I broke a tooth one time trying to eat one of those.”

  “You should shop at the meat counter,” Bill suggested.

  I forced a smile and walked to the butcher’s counter, which exhibited more expensive cuts of meat. I was positive steaks should only be bought for a small party, not when everyone in town stopped by.

  Marjorie and Bill promised to be there at six and off they went.

  “Can I help you,” the man behind the counter asked.

  “Yes, ten pounds of ground round please,” I said, ignoring Eleanor, who was nudging me in the ribs. “I hope we don’t run into any more of our friends. This party is already going to be bigger than I had planned.”

  “Which was?” Eleanor asked as she picked out a watermelon.

  “I invited Martha and Adam, as you well know. Why are you acting like this?”

  “I’m not acting like anything. You’re having a meltdown, old girl.”

  “You would be too if everyone expected you to buy steaks for a cookout.”

  “Fine, look like you’re cheap then,” Eleanor said. “Go ahead and buy the hotdogs, too.”

  “I will.” I picked up two large packages of hotdogs when Eleanor reminded me. “I hope those are skinless.”

  Eleanor tossed potato chips and the ingredients to make a fruit salad that usually goes over good into the cart.

  It took us another twenty minutes before I pulled into my driveway, which was packed with cars.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “I don’t think we bought enough food,” Eleanor said.

  We began to carry bags into the house and had all the groceries in by the time Andrew made an appearance. “How did the shopping go?” he asked.

  “I don’t know, you tell me. Why are there so many cars here? It’s bad enough that Martha’s friend Peggy will be here.”

  “You’ll never
believe what happened at the store,” Eleanor said. “We saw Elsie, Marjorie and Bill, and they invited themselves to the cookout. Jack Winston will be here, too.”

  “I’m not certain about inviting anyone. They just said that they’d be showing up,” I said.

  Andrew winked. “I hope you bought plenty of steaks.”

  “No, I did not. All the steaks Neimen’s had were recalled,” I said. “It’s just not safe to eat steaks these days.”

  “You don’t say,” Andrew said. “It’s a good thing that I ordered a box of T-bone steaks then. I’d hate for our friends to think we’re cheap.”

  “We are though. You haven’t had a client in months, and Eleanor and I haven’t been on a single case of late.”

  “Believe me, Agnes, we’re hardly destitute.”

  “You never did tell me who is here?”

  “Oh, just some friends. Rosa Lee Hill and her boys Curt and Curtis are here. The boys haven’t had anything to do since they no longer belong to the Michigan Militia.”

  “I can’t believe that,” I said. I didn’t think Curt and Curtis would ever leave the militia. I suppose Cat Lady is here. I mean Bernice.”

  “Of course. You don’t think she’d miss a cookout do you?”

  “I suppose I should go outside and greet our guests.”

  “No, stay in here and make your fruit salad. You could whip up a pitcher of lemonade while you’re at it.”

  Andrew left and Eleanor excused herself, too.

  “What is going on?” I asked Duchess my cat. Duchess didn’t even give me a meow, so I went to work making the salad.

  I had no more put the fruit salad in the refrigerator when blue and white flashers caught my eye through the kitchen window. I whipped open the door to find a state police and the sheriff’s car parked in the drive.

  Chapter 2

  Sheriff Peterson and Trooper Bill Sales, who is married to my granddaughter Sophia, stepped out of their cars. I focused on the handcuffs they held.

  “Agnes Barton, I need to speak to you,” Sheriff Peterson said.