Murder Goes Flying: A Piper Haydn Piano Mystery Book #4 eBook

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Chapter 1
Saturday
Piper Haydn’s book had fallen upside down into the grass, and music blared through her headphones as she dozed in the chaise lounge in her backyard. An airplane buzzed overhead, and bees flitted around her lush pink rosebushes. The sun blanketed her in warmth, and she rolled onto her side, dreaming of a handsome prince carrying her off into her happily ever after. Weird. The dashing prince reminded her of someone she’d met before. She sighed and smiled as the prince leaned down, his lips hovering above hers. She stood on her tiptoes to press her lips against his.
“You sleeping, Princess?” a cheerful voice called across the lawn.
Piper rubbed her eyes and groaned. “Oh man, Rosie. Why’d you wake me up? I was getting to the good part.” She leaned over the lounge chair and snatched her book from the grass.
Rosie skipped across the yard, carrying two cups. She lifted one into the air. “Iced latte, Your Highness?”
“I’m always ready for a latte from Ruby’s. What flavor did you bring me today?” she asked, pushing herself into a sitting position and reaching for the cup.
“Maple butterscotch, but not so fast,” Rosie said, holding the cup out of Piper’s reach. “I spy some awfully pink cheeks. What’s up?” Rosie squinted at Piper, staring into her eyes. “Must have been a mighty pleasant dream.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Do tell.”
Piper’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and she reached for the iced coffee. “Mmm…thanks.” She took a sip, ignoring her nosy friend. “Where’s my shades? Your dress is blinding me,” she said, shading her eyes.
Rosie tossed her red, curly hair over her shoulder and smoothed the striped red, white, and blue fabric of her vintage pants over her legs. “Authentic ’70s, my dear. But nice try, my fair maiden. Who’s the lucky guy?” She reached over and tugged the earpiece from Piper’s ear. “What in the world is are you listening to?” she asked, wrinkling her nose as she plopped onto the grass next to Piper’s chair.
“Sousa. And it’s none of your business what I dreamed about.”
“Soosoo?” Rosie rolled her eyes.
“You know. Sousa. John Phillip? The composer?”
Rosie tapped her lips. “Can’t say I've ever heard of him.”
“The Stars and Stripes Forever?” Piper hummed a few measures of the patriotic march.
Rosie snapped her fingers. “Oh, the song with the words, ‘Be kind to your web-footed friends.” She sang at the top of her lungs until Piper reached over and swatted her shoulder.
“You have the correct tune, but let’s save the singing for when I’m more awake,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “Interesting lyrics, by the way. Where’d you learn those?”
“My mom sang it when we were kids. Lincoln and Truman sang harmony, and I would dance around the kitchen.”
Piper smiled. “What a special memory.”
Rosie plucked blades of grass and tossed the pieces into the air. “Yes, very special. But so was the smile I saw spreading across your face while you were sleeping out here. Spill it, sister.”
Piper swung her legs over the side of the lawn chair. “Nope.”
“Were you kissing Chief Maxwell in your dream?” She grinned and pursed her lips, making kissing noises.
“Seriously, Rosie?”
“She’s not denying it, folks,” Rosie said in a singsong voice, giggling. “Speaking of Chief Maxwell, did you know he’s an Air Force vet?”
“Where did you hear this juicy little tidbit?” Piper asked.
“Chase. He said the chief went with him to check out the plane he’s buying because Will knows all about planes.”
“Chase still wants to buy an airplane? I assumed he was kidding.” She rubbed her arms as a shiver passed through her. “I’m worried about him getting hurt.”
“Who knows about your brother?” Rosie said. “He was in line at Ruby’s when I got our coffee. He said he and Chief Maxwell plan to take another peek at the plane tomorrow.”
“Where did he find this thing? Is it safe? How can he afford to buy an airplane?” Piper fired questions at Rosie.
“How am I supposed to know? He’s your brother.” Rosie stood, rubbing her bare feet in the grass. “I hope he’ll give us a ride in it sometime.”
“He who?”
“Your brother. In his new plane.”
Piper’s lip curled. “Uh…no. Never in a million years. Why in the world would I ride in an airplane with my brother? Haven’t you seen his driving, Rosie?”
Rosie’s laugh echoed across the yard. “Sure, but he learns safety and stuff in his pilot training, right? They wouldn’t turn him loose to fly an airplane with no skills.”
“I don’t care. I’m not riding in an airplane if he’s the pilot,” Piper said. “But I’d better get out of this chair before I fall asleep again. The warm sun makes me drowsy.”
“What were you doing before you fell asleep?” Rosie asked, holding a blade of grass to her lips and blowing a loud whistle. She laughed and dropped the grass. “Impressive, right? Didn’t suspect your friend had so many hidden talents, did ya?”
Piper smiled. “For sure, Rosie. You’re full of surprises. I came out here to enjoy my Sousa playlist and choose a piece for the community band’s summer concert. I was reading and got drowsy, then you woke me up with your bellowing.”
“Wow! Bellowing? Hmm,” she said with a sniff. “Anyway, a musician’s work is never done, I suppose.” Rosie snapped her fingers. “Oh, almost forgot. The girls invited us out to eat tonight.”
“Which girls?”
“Poppy, Ruby, Quinn, Maisy, me, you.”
“What time? I’m a wreck.” She rubbed her warm cheeks. “Is my face sunburned?”
Rosie’s laugh filled the backyard. “Nice try, Piper. Your cheeks weren’t red until I caught you in your delightful dream.”
Piper’s cheeks flushed. “Oh, come on. Can’t a girl take a peaceful snooze in her own backyard?”