Murder in the Nunnery

By Anne Storms

MURDER IN THE NUNNERY is a compelling, heart-stopping novella of suspense, intrigue and surprise. Murder? In a convent? Mother Ellen, Prioress and Sister Irene, Novice Mistress are drawn into a web of mystery when their gardener, Richard Gibbs, is found stabbed to death in their greenhouse. The pervasive scent of lavender has them believing it could be one of their own! Upon further investigation the Denville police trace Richard's history to Ireland where youthful and heinous crimbes are discovered. Was he hiding in America? Was it someone from his past taking revenge? You will learn of his double life and his betrayal of the trusted nuns who treated him as a family member.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781467871464

Anne Storms

Anne Storms is a fresh, new voice to mystery story-telling ."I always wanted to have time to write and inspired my students to do so. Writing, has been for me,a wonderful and creative out-let for personal expression; one that sooths the soul. It offers humor and psychological and emotional insights for all." Along with four other siblings, Anne was born in Roselle Park, New Jersey. At age five, the family moved to Cranford, a town three miles away. In her growing up years, Anne's loving parents, Eleanor and Patrick Mac Millan were positive role models in instilling the tenets of their Catholic faith. After graduation from Seton Hall University in New Jersey, Anne entered a religious community of sisters where she taught K through eighth grades for sixteen years. Upon leaving the convent, Anne had the opportunity to chaperon high school students through eight European countries; a trip that broadened and stirred future writing desires. Anne's married life was lived in Indialantic, Florida. Now a widow, she makes her home in Lincoln Park, New Jersey near family and friends.

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Contents

MURDER IN THE NUNNERY

A Chilling Scream

THE NUN’S SECRET

AN INVITATION TO IRELAND

HOT LEADS SOLVE COLD CASES

PART II

CHASING A MIRAGE

MURDER IN THE NUNNERY

A Chilling Scream

The soft and glittering candle glow lightened the dark oaken chapel walls. The syncopated chords of the organ summoned the Sisters of Mary to morning prayers. As Novice Mistress, I, Sister Irene, am responsible for training new candidates in the liturgy of the Church. I was excited this morning. My newest novice, Sister Ann, stepped to the middle aisle and bowed to the altar. Lord, give me your blessing. The community responded, Amen, and sat down.

A chilling scream drifted through the open windows breaking the communities’ focus. The organ stopped. The sister’s habits’ rustled. Reverend Mother Ellen, Prioress, and three Board members rushed out the door. Mother’s secretary, Sister Denise, came rushing down the aisle.

Sisters, stay in your seats and pray, cautioned Sister Denise. I will stay with you.

The screaming continued. Mother Ellen, rushing behind the chapel towards the voice, met Sister Joan who was sobbing and pointing to the greenhouse.

Mother! It’s our dear Mr. Gibbs. He has a knife in his back.

A knife in his back–oh my God!, Mother Ellen gasped.

I was gathering bouquets when I saw his body laying over the wheelbarrow.

Pull yourself together, Mother ordered. Go to the kitchen and tell Sister Rachel to hold breakfast. Sister Eleanor, tell the community to wait until I ring the bell for assembly. Elizabeth and Irene, let’s check the greenhouse.

Sister Elizabeth and I followed Mother to the greenhouse not relishing the task commanded.

Looking over the dreadful scene, Mother understood Sister Joan’s reaction. Lingering over the pallid-skinned body, Mother whispered, That knife looks homemade.

Unexpectedly, a strong, familiar scent filled our nostrils. Sniffing, we looked at one another. I knew our minds agreed.

Lavender soap, I blurted out.

I smell it , too, announced Sister Elizabeth.

Mother, I asked, you don’t think it could be–

Hush! Irene, keep it to yourself. I must call 911.

As we hurried back to the office, my heart was racing. Mother, please, I begged, what are we going to do? Lavender soap. We guarded her, protected her for years. Could this be? They will take her away, lock her up.

Hush, I told you. I have to think.

Waiting minutes seemed like eternity. Mother and the sisters met police vehicles in the driveway and directed them to the greenhouse. First responders checked for vital signs.

In the door walked Sergeant Bill Moss and Detective Penny Brown.

Sorry, Mother, nothing we can do here, volunteered the Captain.

Good-morning, Mother, sorry for your trouble, Moss said.

Gathering up his equipment, the Team Captain called, Hi, Bill.

Morning, Jack.

Gonna need a coroner here.

Thanks, Jack. It’s Saturday. The coroner is home. Call this in, Penny. Tell Pete what we’ve got here and to come ASAP.

Mother, asked Bill Moss, is that your gardener, the man you were with in the Daily News last year?

Yes, this is Richard Gibbs.

It was a wonderful story on the Irishman who worked here for years, added Penny Brown.

Thirty-five years, Mother said. One of our novices found him an hour ago.

We will take over from here, Mother, said Moss. "I will need his papers and any information you have on Mr. Gibbs. Assemble your community. I need to speak with them.

Unnerved, Mother assembled the community–except Sister Lucy Curran.

Richard Gibbs had been a flaming-haired, blue-eyed handsome young man when he knocked on the Motherhouse door. Just off the Dublin boat, he begged for a job, any job. The then, Mother Brendan, offered Richard room, board and meager salary to be custodian, gardener and chauffer. With a green-thumb and an eye for detail, Richard kept our eight-acre religious compound looking like a park. As a trusted family member, the community honored him each April fourth, his