Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Acknowledgements Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 EARLENE FOWLER joins the ranks of today’s most celebrated mystery authors with her outstanding debut of the Benni Harper mystery series! “Fool’s Puzzle is a ripping read. It’s smart, vigorous, and more than funny: Within its humor is wrenching insight ... Not a word is out of place, not a haunting picture missed ... A new voice to delight hungry mystery readers.” —Noreen Ayres, author of A World the Color of Salt “[Fowler] made me laugh out loud on one page and brought tears to my eyes the next. Benni Harper and her extended family... live and breathe and occupy a real slice of California that I haven’t seen before in the mystery field. An exquisite sense of place ... I can’t wait to read more.” —Margaret Maron, Edgar® Award-winning author of Bootlegger’s Daughter “I thoroughly enjoyed Fool’s Puzzle ... Fowler’s characters are terrific ... A super job.” —Eve K. Sandstrom, author of The Devil Down Home FOOL’S PUZZLE A Benni Harper Mystery by Earlene Fowler “Fool’s Puzzle,” also known as “Drunkard’s Path,” “Falling Timbers,” and “Country Husband,” is a popular traditional quilt pattern made with two contrasting colors. It is easily cut, but very confusing to set together. The overall pattern is not apparent from a single block but must be viewed as a whole. Don’t miss Earlene Fowler’s next Benni Harper mystery, Seven Sisters, available from Berkley Prime Crime. Berkley Prime Crime Books by Earlene Fowler THE SADDLEMAKER’S WIFE LOVE MERCY The Benni Harper Mysteries FOOL’S PUZZLE IRISH CHAIN KANSAS TROUBLES GOOSE IN THE POND DOVE IN THE WINDOW MARINER’S COMPASS SEVEN SISTERS ARKANSAS TRAVELER STEPS TO THE ALTAR SUNSHINE AND SHADOW BROKEN DISHES DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS TUMBLING BLOCKS THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. FOOL’S PUZZLE A Berkley Prime Crime Book / published by arrangement with the author Copyright © 1994 by Earlene Fowler. The Edgar® name is a registered service mark of the Mystery Writers of America, Inc. Quilt designs by Pepper Cory. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 eISBN : 978-1-101-50023-1 Berkley Prime Crime Berkley Prime Crime Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. BERKLEY PRIME CRIME is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. The Berkley Prime Crime design is a trademark belongng to Penguin Group (USA) Inc. http://us.penguingroup.com For my husband, Allen— Without a doubt, I’d choose you again and For Mary Edith, sister, friend and “partner in crime” since the day I was born ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As with most endeavors there are always people to thank. First, I’d like to thank God for grace and blessings I did nothing to deserve. I’d also like to thank my parents, family and friends for their support, the Fountain Valley Police Department, the staffs at the Huntington Beach and Newport Beach Public Libraries, Steve Bradley for expert gun advice, Darwin Sainz for sharing his knowledge on cattle, my agent, Deborah Schneider, for her hard work and for taking a chance on a new writer, my editor, Laurie Bernstein, for her expert advice and for never failing to make me feel like a million bucks and to Ann Lee, poet and friend, for her unwavering faith in my ability. And finally, to Jo-Ann Mapson, writer, critic, friend and cowgirl extraordinaire. If there was a silver belt buckle awarded for teaching, you’d be wearing it. FOOL’S PUZZLE: A popular traditional quilt pattern best made with two contrasting colors. It is easily cut, but very confusing to set together. The overall pattern is not apparent from a single block but must be viewed as a whole. Also known as “Drunkard’s Path,” “Falling Timbers,” and “Country Husband.” 1 MY DAY DIDN’T start with murder, although the thought crossed my mind. “Save me,” the voice on the phone whispered. I jerked the instrument underneath the down comforter. Perfect temperature control was shattered, causing me to growl at my caller. “Go away.” “You’re my last chance.” It was a harsh, old voice, as ratchety as a Las Vegas Wheel of Fortune. I laughed in derision. “Tough luck.” It was cruel perhaps, but not without justification. I’d been burned by this voice before. “I won’t be held responsible for what I do!” There was, I noted with satisfaction, a hint of panic. “You know you’ll pay if you try anything rash,” I cautioned. “I wouldn’t mess
