Just as I was biting into a carmelized onion turnover at a dinner to benefit Coastal Kids Preschool at the 1812 Barn in Bristol Mills Friday night, a member of the kitchen staff collapsed on the floor.
At this Oct. 24 event I was covering for The Lincoln County News, I had hoped to enjoy an extravagant, French-inspired feast, but it was interrupted by three murders.
I was so shocked by the news that the kitchen staff member was none other than Erin Bloomquist, the King Eider’s Pub bartender, I could barely touch the tantalizing sautéed chicken and braised vegetables steaming on my plate.
The evening had started at 7 p.m. and I wondered why the elegantly attired guests, some 80 in all, eyed me suspiciously. As soon as we learned that poor Bloomquist had been stabbed by some sharp object, in stormed Rocko, a detective from the New Jersey State Police.
“My wife and I were taking in some leaf peeping,” he bellowed.
Rocko told the chattering party of dinner guests that he just happened to be stopping by. Thanks to Rocko’s prompt inspection, all in attendance learned the dreaded fate of Bloomquist.
“This lady is a stiff,” he pronounced, including in this deduction that the former bartender had been stabbed with a hypodermic needle.
From that point on, everyone in the clean, well-lit, cavernous barn was charged with solving the mystery. The vast, round tables at which party members sat were split into teams of conspirators; though not all were trusted completely. Everyone was suspect, including this friendly, local reporter.
Rocko sashayed amongst the tables, pointing out suspects and questioning a man in a shiny, blue suit, a woman wearing a shawl draped over a velvet dinner gown and others. Some stammered out their answers (myself included), while others remained cool, very cool.
“I don’t want to give away my team theory,” replied Kathleen Reny in a bright falsetto.
Rocko, with trusty handcuffs by his side and badge prominently pinned to his lapel, reassured the excited guests and said that he was only asking questions.
Evidence appeared in the form of a package, business cards, threat letters and a photograph. The package contained several cubic zirconium-studded tiaras. Playful accusatory glances mounted and it became difficult for this rookie beat reporter to cover all the angles. One event flowed into another like too much good wine and before I knew it, a shot rang out.
Cynthia Wiess, the owner of King Eider’s Pub in Damariscotta, had been gunned down. Here I am, a reporter in the thick of a hot story I thought, and I couldn’t even find the answer. No one saw that shot coming.
“Somebody else has been killed and I need your attention,” Rocko announced over the ruckus.
The New Jersey detective read aloud a news article describing a fatal car accident that occurred on Halloween night, 1976. All were gripped with looks of false apprehension, quivering smiles and hearty laughter. Empty plates were taken away and replaced with a velvety custard pie. A woodsy, blood-colored syrah from Eberle Winery shimmered in glasses atop the tables and quickly disappeared.
On a clue table in front of the Coastal Kids placard, guests perused the details of two threat letters.
“Five thousand cash or everyone finds out it was no accident,” one letter read in block, magazine cut-out letters.
The other letter read, “If she doesn’t pay me I expect you to pay up…or else.”
Party guests chatted at their tables, casually sipped wine and laughed often. One would never guess on entering this immaculately refurbished barn that two murders had just occurred right before their eyes.
It wasn’t long before the third victim of the evening staggered into the dining area with a bloody knife stuck in his chest. It was a horrific sight. John Reny, owner of Renys Department Store, came out with blood oozing from his mouth, his chest. He bawled in such a way that no one would disbelieve this man had just been stabbed. Blood covered his fingers and chest as he reeled about the room. Reny died shortly thereafter as he exited the room into a hallway.
I was still thirsty. Other people were, too, and continued to nourish themselves with wine, beer and soda pop.
“We are developing a serious lead,” said party guest Carmen Reed.
Teams had just minutes to try and solve the mystery following the death of the third and final victim. Margo O’Leary of Murder Mystery USA presented prizes to those teams who were the closest in solving this mayhem.
This friendly, local reporter didn’t find out what happened until much later. According to Kathleen Flory of Eberle Winery, the murders stem from jealous rage between friends.
Frieda and Deborah liked the same guy in high school, Joey. Deborah and Joey, much to Frieda’s chagrin, were crowned queen and king at the Halloween dance.
Frieda paid John Reny to cut the brake lines on the couple’s car. Joey died from the accident, but Debra survived and returned after plastic surgery to seek her revenge.
In her attempt to stab Frieda with a hypodermic needle, Deborah accidentally missed and struck Bloomquist.
Not quitting after her first foiled attempt, Deborah tried to shoot Frida while the guests were distracted by the cubic-zirconium tiaras and missed her target once more, striking Weiss dead.
After Reny threatened to spill his guts about the whole mess, Deborah stabbed him in the chest.
The clever sleuths who helped Rocko solve this mystery were not just rewarded with funny Groucho Marx masks and DVDs.
They participated in the event knowing the funds would go to help typical and non-typical school children at the Coastal Kids Preschool just off of the Biscay Rd. in Damariscotta. The school, established in 1995 by a collaborative pool of concerned citizens, provides preschool education for children with special needs. Some of the non-typical children are burdened with Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and autism.
According to a booklet that was made available at the dinner, one-third of the school population receives developmental therapy services. According to Flory, the funds raised from this event amounted to nearly $4000.
Flory also said that the efforts of volunteers, board members and other local citizens helped to make this murder mystery possible. King Eider’s Pub owners Todd and Sarah Maurer offered the use of the 1812 Barn at a discount. Flory also said that Eberle Wine of Pas Robles, California had been donated.
Flory said that Murder Mystery Weekend will be hosting a special Halloween event at the Samoset resort in Rockport. Judging by the triple homicide at the 1812 Barn, it would behoove potential participants of the Halloween event to be watchful for suspicious characters (and to be kind to your friendly, local reporter).
