A MURDER ON MAIN STREET was a murder mystery series that a group of writers came together to do just for fun. The series was published weekly in a local paper. Here is my section;

DEATH BY OOLONG

by Therese Stenzel

Tori Bradford’s blonde bangs softly brushed across her forehead as she strode down Main Street. She smiled at several shopkeepers who were busy opening their antique stores. Living in Jenks, Oklahoma with her new tea shop and a new love in her life, made being single at forty-two ... promising.

She took in a breath of the crisp fall air and pushed open the front door to Victoria’s Tea Shop. A jingle of bells sounded, and the smell of fresh baked scones filled the air.

“Barry is here.” Mrs. Beavers dusted her hands on her floral apron. “I let him in. I hope you don’t mind.”

Tori’s stomach fluttered with anticipation of seeing him again. Ever since her grandmother had willed her the business in a prime location, banker Barry Sanderson had grown into more than a friend. And now that her shop was threatened by imminent construction next door, he had become her confidant and her rock. Tori smiled. “He’s probably here to tell me I have to agree to that new building.”

“Shall I make your special tea?” Mrs. Beavers peered over her spectacles.

“Oh, I’m dying for a cup.” Tori motioned toward the back of the store. “Better make it two.” She paced to the kitchen and heard a rustle coming from her office. Stopping dead in her tracks, she stared, open-mouthed as Barry poked through her personal stash of tea containers. “Out of tea bags again?”

 He shot around, his face flushed. “Oh, you’re looking gorgeous today.” He wiped his hands on his pants before he gave her a hug. “I just wanted to caution you that Gilford Richards will be here any minute.”

Tori dismissed Barry’s curious behavior. There had been a six-month feud going on regarding the modern office structure Mr. Richards wanted to construct adjacent to her quaint business.

“I’ve tried to reason—”  

“Just hear him out, love.” Barry kissed her cheek. A jingle of bells in the background suggested Richards had just arrived. Barry stiffened. “If you don’t mind, I’ve got an auditor to see. I’ll just slip out the back.”

Palm sweaty, dreading another confrontation, Tori rose to meet her nemesis. This developer was new to Jenks and didn’t seem to understand the importance of retaining the town’s unique charm and ambience. “Mr. Richards.”

He took her hand in his. “Gilford, please.”Something in his smile and murderous grip made her squirm.

Mrs. Beavers entered with two steaming cups and set them on the table. “Oh, Barry’s gone. Well, this is Miss Bradford’s Imperial Republic Oolong Tea, all the way from China.”

Tori indicated a chair for her guest and sat down. “The tea is a high grown Formosan oolong. Renowned for its flavor and distinctive presence. Much like our town, don’t you agree?”

Gilford sipped his beverage. “Interesting.”

“Oh, dear!” Mrs. Beavers gasped. “I forgot. The delivery man is waiting for you out back.”

Tori set down her cup untouched. “I’ll be just a minute.” After signing the disputed delivery receipt, she returned to face her adversary. Her heart clenched. Mr. Richards was slumped forward. His head resting in a pool of Imperial tea.