This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Crime in the Cabin – A Whisper Creek Mystery

Book Five

©2024 by Jennifer C. Wing. All Rights Reserved.

Contents

FOR TINA AND HER FATHER

1. FROM ACROSS THE POND

2. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

3. FAMILIAL CONTRACT

4. THE BIG CLEAN OUT

5. UNDERWATER BOWLING

6. ALL TIED UP

7. PAST TENSE

8. FROZEN DINNER

9. DECK THE HALLS

10. HOME AGAIN

11. THE REILLY BOYS

12. WAKE

13. BACK TO THE MADELEINE

14. FIVE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

15. MOTORIST

16. CABIN NUMBER FOUR

17. KATIE WHO?

18. PAYBACK

19. HOUSE CALL

20. THE GIFT

21. CHRISTMAS EVE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BOOKS BY J.C. WING

SNEAK PEEK AT PERIL IN THE PARK

FOR TINA AND HER FATHER

1. FROM ACROSS THE POND

Theo was awake, but she had her eyes closed. It was early morning, and only the slightest bit of light was peeking through the bedroom window, but Jordan had already gotten up, taken his shower and headed to the farm. December was only a few days away, and the busiest time of the year for the owner of a Christmas tree farm.

She rolled over and buried her face into Jordan’s pillow, breathing deep. She smiled. There it was, the intoxicating mixture of musky leather scented soap and pine trees that he always wore on his skin. He’d only been gone thirty minutes and she missed him already.  

“Mrow.”

There were five cats who shared Theo’s home. All of them seemed to rather like their humans, and each one always had a lot to say. Jitterbug was young at just over a year old. She’d delivered her four kittens six months ago in a nesting box Jordan had set up for her in Theo’s bedroom closet. She was a small cat, not too much bigger than her still growing brood. She was a gorgeous tortoiseshell with long whiskers and an even longer tail. Theo recognized the cat by the sound of her voice, and when Jitterbug jumped up onto the bed, Theo smiled, feeling the slight weight of paws as the feline walked closer.

“Good morning, Mama,” Theo said, moving slightly so she could wrap her arm around Jitterbug and bring her close to her chest. The cat began to purr, and Theo buried her nose in the soft multi-colored fur.

Theo heard her phone chime quietly and she remained still, focusing on the vibrating furball cuddled next to her.

“You know I have to get that, right?”

Jitterbug continued to purr.

“Someone left me an email,” she told the cat. “Perhaps not as demanding as a phone call, but still, someone wants to tell me something. It would be rude for me to ignore it.”

“Mrow.” Jitterbug slow blinked before she pushed her face forward and licked Theo’s nose with a sandpaper tongue.

“Thank you,” Theo told the cat. “You’re very sweet. Now hang on. I’ll try not to bump you or anything.”

Theo reached over and took her laptop from the nightstand. She settled it on the bed and opened it just as Macarena hopped up and sank into the comforter. She was the color of a stormy sky, and her eyes looked like shiny gold coins.

“Well, it’s about time,” she told the small, gray cat. “You’re late, gorgeous girl. Come on,” she said, booting up her computer and moving her arm so that Mac could snuggle in. Theo glanced at her phone to check the time before she opened her email on the laptop. So far, this morning was progressing like most of the mornings before it. Theo had nothing against spontaneity, but there was something rather comforting about routine.