The Mystery Before Christmas

Chapter 13

“Oh, I don’t know,” I said as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. When Hope had mentioned green tights and a red sweater, I was expecting something pretty bad, but this was downright horrifying.

“You look cute,” she encouraged.

“I look ridiculous.” The sweater adequately covered all my delicate spots, and it did fall to a point just past mid-thigh, but the green tights and red boots were just so… “Don’t you think this costume is pretty stereotypical. I mean, if you really think about it, the real Santa lives in the North Pole. It’s cold there. Even colder than here. I seriously doubt the elves are running around in such a skimpy uniform. No,” I insisted, “they most likely wear heavy pants and waterproof boots.”

Hope raised a brow. “The real Santa?”

I shrugged. “Hey, if I’m going to be an elf, I’m going to believe in the real Santa. Maybe I could find some green pants that would work just as well. Or at the very least, heavier leggings. I feel sort of naked. Actually, I feel totally naked. I can even feel a draft in a spot where I ought not to be feeling a draft.”

Hope laughed. “If you want to wear heavier leggings and can find some in green, go for it. How do the boots fit?”

“They’re a little big, but they’re fine. It’s not like I’m going to be walking anywhere in them.”

“Great. So, I have you scheduled on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. The shifts are four hours. I’ll email you an official schedule.”

“And after the weekend?”

“I’m still working on a schedule, but I’ll let you know if I need you.”

“Okay. I guess I can make this work. I do want to help, but…” I waved a hand down the front of my body.

“Like I said. You look adorable. And we do expect to have a busy weekend, so I will need all the volunteers I can get. I really do appreciate this.”

“I know, and it’s fine. I’m sure I’ll have fun with it, and I know how important this weekend is for the town.”

“It is important, which is why I’m hoping the storm that is supposed to blow through here takes another path entirely. I hear they are predicting four feet of snow. That will close the pass for sure.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “That is a lot in a short time. I remember the pass being closed for days at a time when I lived here before.”

“It still is if we get enough snow or if whiteout conditions exist. Of course, this is Tuesday, and the event isn’t until Saturday, so anything can happen. I guess all I can do is be prepared for whatever happens.”

“That sounds like a good attitude to me.” I set the red and green hat on my head just to get the full effect. I had to admit that it was not an effect I was thrilled with.

“So, how did your interview with Carolyn go?” Hope asked after I removed my hat and sat down to remove the boots.

“Except for the fact that she tried to kill me, it went fine.”

She chuckled. “Kill you?”

“She wanted us to talk while she exercised her horse. Until yesterday, I’d managed to get through my entire life without mounting one of those beasts. To say I was terrified would be putting it mildly, but I survived.”

“I’ve ridden with Carolyn. She has some pretty tame horses.”

“She does. I rode a mare named Gaia. She was actually very sweet. Not that I’m looking to repeat the experience anytime soon, but I guess there is a part of me that is glad I faced my fear and didn’t let it interfere with my goal of conducting the interview.”

I picked up my street clothes and stepped behind the dressing screen.

“So do you think Carolyn is Secret Santa?”

“No,” I answered after pulling my sweater over my head. “She made some good points about the fact that while she does frequently contribute to the community and often helps individuals out as well, she had never found the need to do so anonymously. That very point had occurred to me before, but after she said basically the same thing I’d already thought, I realized she wasn’t the person I was looking for.”

“Yeah, I had my doubts that it was her, but now you know for sure.”

“I do. And that has value.” I stepped out from behind the screen once I’d finished changing out of my elf costume.

“So, what is your plan now?” Hope asked.

“I have an appointment to interview Haviland Hargrove this afternoon. If it turns out he isn’t Secret Santa, I am going to ask Cass to arrange a meeting with the Simpson brothers. Actually, I should speak to them either way. I am supposed to be doing an article about the suspects this week. I suppose I should include more than two.”

“And if it isn’t Haviland or Dean and Martin?” Hope asked.

I shrugged. “No idea. Others may have the means as well, but I can’t think of anyone else off hand. I don’t suppose you have any ideas?”

“Have you considered Mary Anderson? She is wealthy enough to be Secret Santa, and she is a very nice woman with a kind heart. I could totally see her wanting to help people out.”

I paused. “Are you referring to Mrs. Anderson? My third grade teacher?”

“Yes. She is retired from teaching, of course.”

“I don’t remember her being particularly well off.”

“She wasn’t when you lived here before, but then she won the lottery.”

My eyes widened. “You’re kidding. Did she win a lot?”

“Several million dollars if I remember correctly. And unlike a lot of lottery winners who blow through all their money, she continued to live very conservatively. I can’t say that I know her net worth, but I would guess that she could pull off the Secret Santa gifts if she wanted to.”

I smiled. “Thanks. That sounds like a wonderful lead.” I handed her the folded costume. “I would say I owe you, but after agreeing to the elf gig, I think I consider us even.”

She laughed. “I agree. In fact, I think I still owe you, but I’m sure you’ll find a way to collect.”