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Chapter 7

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The days passed quickly. Jenny spoke with local restaurant owners and got them on board for the Thanksgiving feast in town. The Steakhouse had offered five big turkeys roasted in the traditional style. The Magnolias had agreed that would be plenty to feed the crowd, along with the turkeys the contestants would cook. Mama Rosa’s was taking care of the bread. Jenny herself was making four big pans of green bean casserole.

It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the Magnolias were meeting at the Bayview Inn to make sure everything was on track for the big day. Jason had been roped in to provide dinner while they discussed feeding the town. He had been in the city all day and had just arrived with giant bags of Chinese food from Jenny’s favorite joint.

“Shouldn’t we have fixed a plate for the poor boy?” Star gazed at the spread on the table.

Savory aromas of garlic, ginger and soy sauce wafted around the inn, making Jenny’s mouth water.

“Jason will be fine, Star. We told Barb it was going to be just us.”

“So what?” Heather grumbled. “We can’t change our mind? This is my home and I decide who to invite.”

“Shut your trap, girl!” Betty Sue boomed. “Now gather around so we can go over everything.”

The town had responded enthusiastically to the idea of the potluck. The signup sheet had filled in a couple of hours.

“Aren’t you glad we made a high level menu?” Jenny asked. “People still have room to innovate. This way, they can make their own favorite recipes.”

Molly began to read the items off one by one.

“The turkey’s already taken care of. The Steakhouse is bringing two deep fried turkeys in addition to the roasted ones.”

“Good for them.” Star clapped her hands.

“We’re going to drown in mashed potatoes,” Heather groaned. “And we’ll probably run out of gravy.”

The girls had included plenty of side dishes like sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, corn bread, acorn squash, chestnut stuffing and more. Salads hadn’t been forgotten. There were plenty of dips and spreads to nosh on, with veggie trays, crackers and chips.

“Take a look at the pies!” Jenny’s eyes were wide. “Apple, pecan, pumpkin, sweet potato, berry... there’s dozens of each.”

“And the Creamery is providing the ice cream. This is all thanks to you, Jenny.” Betty Sue’s eyes softened as she gave a rare compliment. “The potluck was your idea and what a fine one it turned out to be. One thing’s for sure. No one’s going hungry on Thanksgiving day.”

Star and Molly had prepared a schedule for when people would bring their dishes to the town square. They went over it quickly and everyone turned to the food.

Jenny loaded her plate with a hefty serving of beef and broccoli and fried rice.

“If only you’d found Turkey Tom,” Betty Sue clucked. “Still no luck, Jenny?”

“You win some, you lose some.” Heather gave a big shrug and bit into an egg roll.

They settled down with their food but Jenny had suddenly lost her appetite.

“You say the motive is important in solving a crime, Jenny,” Molly began. “What would anyone have against Turkey Tom?”

Jenny set her plate down and thought about all the people she had met.

“Harrison’s grandson puzzled me the most. The way he speaks, you’d think Tom was bullying him. He insists the turkey mocked him and lorded it over him.”

“I say it’s sibling rivalry,” Heather guffawed. “We know how much Harrison loves Tom. Matt found himself replaced and he didn’t like that.”

“So you’re saying he’s jealous of a turkey?” Star raised her eyebrows. “That’s farfetched, Heather. And insane.”

“The very idea of looking for a missing turkey is nuts.” Heather mumbled under her breath and rolled her eyes.

“What about Harrison’s competitor?” Molly asked. “That woman you met, Jenny?”

“That’s just it.” Jenny pursed her lips. “Sue Patterson admitted they were staunch rivals but that was a long time ago.”

“She’s quite a striking woman,” Heather volunteered. “And she must be around the same age as Harrison.”

“What’s your point?” Molly asked her. “Are you saying they were an item?”

“They could’ve been.” Heather’s eyes gleamed. “What if she’s a woman scorned, huh? Harrison played with her heart and then broke it in a thousand pieces. You think a woman ever forgets that?”

Everyone shook their heads. Jenny wondered if Heather was right.

“We know Harrison is all torn up about Turkey Tom,” she mused. “You think Sue did all this for payback?”

They got up to get a second serving. Jenny went for the noodles this time, along with a big helping of cashew chicken.

“My money’s on the neighbor.” Heather waved a fried wonton in the air. “Not the one with that toddler on her hip, poor thing. The one who hates the chickens.”

Jenny told them about Lisa Taylor. She had openly admitted the birds were a nuisance.

“I’m with her.” Star wrinkled her nose. “Those free range eggs tasted good. Real good. But I would trade them for a breath of fresh air anytime.”

“The smell doesn’t bother you after a while,” Jenny told them. “At least, that’s what Harrison said.”

“But why should his neighbors have to bear it?” Star argued. “I don’t know, Jenny. If I were Lisa Taylor, I would have petitioned the town to get rid of those chickens.”

Jenny wondered if her aunt had just vindicated Lisa Taylor.

“Exactly! Doing away with Tom doesn’t affect the smell.”

“What if she kidnapped him?” Star challenged. “She’s going to ask Harrison to get rid of the chicken coop.”

“Why hasn’t she made her demands yet?” Jenny argued. “I hope you’re wrong though. Harrison loves those girls too. I don’t know if he can trade Tom for them.”

Molly had been quiet for a while. Jenny wanted her opinion.

“What’s so special about Tom? I know he’s an artisan or whatever. But didn’t you say Sue Patterson raises a whole bunch of them?”

“Talk to a turkey expert,” Betty Sue advised. “Find out why Harrison’s so gung-ho about Tom.”