Getaway Bay Cozy Mysteries Box Set 1

by Grace York

  Addison checked her watch; it wasn't too far off lunchtime. She looked over to Hazel's cafe, but her friend was swamped with customers.

  It was the last day of the carnival. It was a beautiful sunny day, and breakfast had been hours ago. Suddenly a hot dog for lunch sounded divine.

  When she arrived at the show ground Addison briefly entertained the idea of going to see Dot Hanley herself. The talking to from Isaac she knew would result was enough to put her off, though, and she went in search of Holly instead. They'd be packing up and leaving tomorrow, so this might be the last chance Addison would get to see the young woman.

  Addison started at the fairy floss stand, but Holly wasn't serving there. She checked out the rest of the food stalls, buying herself a hot dog at one of them, but there was still no sign of Holly. She continued walking around the carnival, enjoying her lunch and keeping an eye out. She was about to ask one of the other staff if they'd seen her when she came across Hugh Hanley talking with an older man who could only be his father. They weren't arguing, but it certainly didn't seem like a friendly father-son discussion. They didn't care who was listening, either.

  "I don't understand why you're wasting your time on that mumbo-jumbo," said Morris. He pointed to the tablet in Hugh's hand.

  "It's not mumbo-jumbo, Dad. It's social media. Marketing. Surely you understand marketing."

  "We go from town to town for eight months every year. The same towns. The same families. They come back, they bring their kids. It's generational, Hugh. All we have to do is show up, and the people are waiting."

  "The people are waiting because of this," said Hugh, waving the tablet in his father's face. "I tell them we're coming. I get them ready. I post about the show, and they share the posts with their friends. And they share it with their friends. It's all online, Dad. The carnival wouldn't have half the people here if it wasn't for me."

  "Rubbish," said Morris. He folded his arms across his chest. "They come because they've always come."

  Hugh looked exasperated, and Addison felt sorry for him.

  "I came because my daughter saw it on Facebook," she said without thinking.

  Hugh spun around to face her. "Thank you," he said. "See, Dad. There's one person I brought in with this rubbish."

  "Two, if you count my daughter," said Addison. "Actually make that four – we brought my son and his fiancée as well."

  A small crowd had gathered to watch what was fast becoming a spectacle.

  "Anyone else come here today because you saw a post on social media?" Hugh asked. A few people raised their hands.

  Hugh turned back to his father, eyes begging the older man to finally get it.

  Morris shook his head. "You should be looking after your staff, not playing computer games," he said. "Why can't you be more like your brothers? Maybe we wouldn't be in this mess. Maybe Frankie wouldn't be dead."

  "Maybe you should never have hired Frankie in the first place!" Hugh yelled. He threw the tablet to the ground, the screen smashing on impact. Addison stepped back, shocked at the outburst. The crowd parted as Hugh stormed off, leaving the shattered tablet on the ground.

  Morris Hanley shoved his hands into the pockets of his overalls, turned on his heel, and walked calmly away.

  26

  Addison stood there for a while longer, unable to get Hugh Hanley's fury out of her mind. That wasn't just a heated discussion between father and son, or even business partners. It might have started that way, but it escalated way beyond that. At least it did on Hugh's side of the fence.

  Morris Hanley had barely reacted. In Addison's experience of family dramas, that either meant he didn't care, or he'd seen it all before. She wondered which applied in this case.

  Hugh Hanley was the one person on the suspect list Addison hadn't given much thought to. He had no motive, as far as she could tell. Or rather, all the other suspects had more of a motive.

  Paolo and Gianna stood to lose lead billing in the show, or at worst their jobs, if Frankie had succeeded in getting bumped up to the headline act. That was enough motive, but with the Ferris wheel break down also to consider, they'd lost some of their appeal as lead suspects. It was unlikely the magic duo knew how to sabotage such a large piece of equipment.

  Bob Carter and Harriet Hanley had a secret they didn't want exposed. If Frankie had found out about it, he could have been blackmailing them – although she had no idea if this was true because Constable Short refused to share her research of Harriet's bank account.

  Jake Hanley had gambling debts. If he owed Frankie money, perhaps that was sufficient motive for murder.

  But what about Hugh? What motive did he have?

  He certainly had a temper. But Frankie Hammond's murder had been planned. From the distraction of the Ferris wheel breakdown, to stabbing him in the back as he took his regular nap before the show, whoever did it knew exactly what they were doing. It wasn't a heat of the moment attack.

  Addison realised she needed to know more about Hugh Hanley. And the best person to ask was Holly.

  But where was she?

  Addison made her way back around the carnival to the food stalls. This time she asked each of the vendors if they'd seen Holly, but all she got was head shakes and a lot of 'no, sorry,' or 'haven't seen her all day'. Her concern was only heightened when she spoke to the girl operating the fairy floss machine.

  "No, but if you find her tell her I'm not happy," said the girl. She twirled spun sugar around a stick and handed it to a small boy, before taking money from the boy's mother. "It's supposed to be my day off, but Holly never showed."

  "She didn't turn up for work? Are you sure?"

  "I'm standing here instead of lying on the beach, aren't I?" said the girl.

  Addison persisted. "Is it usual for Holly to miss work like this?"

  The girl shoved the money in the cash drawer and sighed. "No, not really. I checked her bunk, thought she might be sick, but she wasn't there. I don't know where she's got to, sorry. She's not answering her phone, either."

  "Aren't you worried?" Addison asked.

  Another shrug. "She's a grown up. Why would I be worried?"

  "Because there was a murder here less than a week ago?"

  "Oh. Yeah, right. Well now I'm worried. Thanks, lady."

  Addison walked away before she said something she'd regret. She needed to raise the alarm. She had a bad feeling about this.

  She pulled her mobile phone out of her pocket and called Isaac. He was at the carnival, just finishing up his interview with Dot Hanley. They agreed to meet by one of the food trucks.

  "Have you asked anyone else about her?" said Isaac when she walked towards him. "Harriet, maybe?"

  "I've asked everyone I could find," said Addison, "but I haven't spoken to any of the Hanleys."

  "All right. Let's not panic. We'll take a look around together before we raise the alarm. Does Holly have a mobile phone?"

  "Yes, but I don't know the number. Oh, the girl selling fairy floss does."

  "I'll get Kendall onto it," he said, firing off a quick text message. "Right. Which way have you been?"

  Addison looked up and down the main thoroughfare of the carnival. She'd been up and down here a number of times. "She's not around here, I've checked. Let's go over to the staff area. They'll let you in."

  As they walked in that direction Addison asked about his interview with Dot to keep her mind off the growing feeling of dread in her stomach.

  "She admitted Bob and Harriet had a fling five years ago that resulted in young Henry," said Isaac.

  "A fling?"

  "Yes. Apparently, it's not ongoing. But Harriet was honest with Bob about the boy from the start. Owen, too."

  "Owen Hanley knows his son is not his? Biologically?"

  "That's right. Owen is unable to have children. When Henry was born, Bob wasn't too keen on the idea of having a child. So they all agreed Henry would be raised as Owen's, and Bob would see him once a year when the carnival came to Getaway
Bay."

  Addison didn't see that coming.

  "So what was the argument about? The one I overheard in the pub? If Bob didn't want the boy, why is he now saying Henry should stay here to go to school?"

  "Dot says Bob's opinion on the matter has changed in five years. He's grown fond of the boy, and fond of the idea of having him in his life. Five years ago, according to Dot, Bob thought he was going to settle down and have a family of his own. Henry didn't play a part in that scenario. But now he's realised what he's missed out on and wants to have more of a say in Henry's life."

  "Starting with his schooling," said Addison.

  "Correct."

  "Wow, that all sounds complicated."

  "Dot says they're trying to work it out, and fortunately they all seem to be in agreement about doing what's best for the boy. But as far as I'm concerned that's their problem. The important thing for me is Dot confirmed they were all together at the time of the murder. Dot, Bob, Harriet, and Owen."

  "And you believe them?"

  "I've no reason not to, now that she's explained it. Plus, there's no evidence Frankie was blackmailing Harriet."

  They reached the staff area, and both stepped over the low chain separating it from the main carnival. It was mostly deserted, and Addison realised most of the staff and performers would be at the matinee show. It gave them a chance for a good look around. She kept her eyes peeled for Holly.

  "I think we can rule the clowns out of the picture as well," said Isaac.

  "Good," said Addison. "I never thought it was them. What did they tell you this morning? Why were they in Frankie's bunk?"

  "They were there to threaten him," said Isaac.

  Addison grabbed his arm to stop him. "They what?"

  "We were right about Frankie trying to blackmail them. He caught Corey and Nabil together one night and threatened to tell Nabil's parents unless they paid him half their wages each. Corey told Luc, and Luc walked straight into Frankie's bunk and counter-threatened. Apparently, Luc knew that Frankie had been secretly seeing Davina."

  "Jake's wife?" Addison was losing track.

  "Yep. Luc said he was more than happy to tell Jake what his wife had been up to, which would almost certainly have cost Frankie his job. Frankie backed down, and a truce was made. So the clowns had no reason to kill Frankie."

  "But Jake did," said Addison. "If he knew about the affair with Davina."

  "Yeah. Davina was my next stop, before you rang."

  "My goodness," said Addison. "Frankie and Davina, Harriet and Bob, Corey and Nabil. There are a lot of secret relationships going on in this carnival."

  "Don't forget the trapeze artists. It's not surprising when you think about it," said Isaac. "They spend eight months of the year travelling together." He swept a hand over the camp trailers. "Look at the size of the spaces most of them live in. And the only people they see more than once are each other. Of course relationships are going to form. Not to mention arguments."

  "Arguments!" said Addison. She suddenly remembered why she was so desperate to find Holly. She told Isaac about the argument between Hugh Hanley and his father, and how it had escalated so quickly.

  "I realised we hadn't paid much attention to Hugh because we had no motive for him."

  "You're right. We looked into him, but he was clean. Nothing showed up on his record, bank accounts, phone records, anything. We have no reason to suspect him."

  They'd walked through the staff area and out the other side, with no sign of Holly. Now they were approaching the circus tent, where Addison could hear the music that accompanied the clowns' performance.

  "There!" said Addison, pointing to the side of the main tent. There was a smaller tent attached to the big one, where the performers milled about waiting and getting ready to go in. Addison thought she caught a glimpse of Holly around the back of the smaller tent.

  They picked up their pace and closed the gap within seconds.

  "You're not supposed to be back here," said one of the trapeze performers, but Isaac held up his badge and waved the guy away. Addison walked around the back of the tent and found Holly, eyes red from crying.

  "Holly! What's wrong? Where have you been?" Addison grabbed the girl by both arms.

  "Oh, Addison. It's all a big mess. It's all my fault."

  "What's your fault?"

  "I never should have lied to him," she said, sobbing. Addison could barely make out the words.

  "Lied to who? About what? Holly, you're scaring me. What's wrong?"

  Holly fell to her knees. "I think Hugh killed Frankie. And it's all my fault."

  27

  Holly had dissolved into a mess of tears, and it was a full two minutes before Addison could get any more information out of her. But when she finally spoke, it did nothing to allay Addison's fears.

  "I shouldn't have lied to him," Holly said again. "It's all my fault."

  Addison pulled the girl to her feet. "Holly, you need to pull yourself together. Tell us what you said to Hugh. Tell us why you think he killed Frankie."

  Holly took a deep breath. "Frankie knew about Corey and Nabil," she said. "He was going to tell Nabil's parents. They would have made him quit the carnival and leave Corey. It's not fair."

  "Okay," Addison prompted. "We know that much. What did you do?"

  "I told Hugh… I… I said Frankie had harassed me. It was kind of true. He was always making mean comments. He was a horrible man. Hugh didn't like him either. No-one did, except old Mr Hanley. I thought if I gave Hugh a good reason, he could fire Frankie and we could all go back to being happy. Like we were before he came along."

  "But Hugh didn't fire Frankie," said Isaac.

  "No. He killed him."

  "Do you know this for sure?" Isaac asked.

  Holly looked up at Addison, her eyes wide and pleading.

  "If you know, you have to tell us," Addison said gently.

  Holly's eyes fell to the ground. "He told me. Last night. He came to my bunk and told me he'd dealt with the problem, and now we could be together."

  "Where is Hugh now?" asked Isaac.

  Holly pointed to the main tent. "It's show time. He's directing the performance."

  Isaac lifted his phone to his ear and started speaking. In less than a minute Short and Diaz were with them. Isaac explained the situation to them.

  "We need to cover all three exits," he said. "And let's not make a scene. There'll be a lot of kids in there."

  He turned to Holly. "Can you come in with me? It's a big tent. I need you to show me exactly where he is."

  Holly took a deep breath and nodded.

  "You stay here," Isaac said to Addison.

  "Not a chance," said Addison. "My daughter is in that tent."

  Isaac sighed and shook his head. "Stay behind me, both of you."

  Short and Diaz went off in separate directions, and Isaac moved towards the closest entrance. He waited a few more seconds for the others to get into position, then entered the tent.

  Addison and Holly were right behind him.

  It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, but soon enough Addison could see Paolo and Gianna in the ring. By the looks of it their act was just getting started.

  Addison's eyes followed Holly's pointed finger to where Hugh Hanley stood at the side of the ring. He looked so normal. Could he really be a killer?

  She remembered his outburst earlier in the day. He'd got so angry with his father he'd smashed the electronic tablet on the ground.

  Maybe he could be a killer.

  Addison scanned the crowd for Olivia. There she was, two rows from the front, watching the magicians intently with Max from the Red Lion. Addison pulled herself in further behind the seats, so Olivia didn't see her.

  What was Isaac going to do? He had to arrest Hugh, but did he really have to do it in front of all these people? Couldn't it have waited until the show was over?

  Isaac was inching closer to Hugh, and as soon as Hugh spotted him and the other
two officers blocking the exits, Addison knew the answer to her question. Hugh's eyes darted around, looking for an escape route. But he was trapped. Diaz blocked the exit right behind him, and Short was covering the door on the other side of the tent.

  Diaz took a step closer, and for a minute Addison thought Hugh was going to give himself up. But instead he ran into the middle of the ring and started climbing the ladder. He was so quick he was almost at the top before the crowd gasped.

  "Oh no," said Isaac.

  Harriet Hanley appeared at his side. "What's going on?" she said. "What are you doing here?" She spotted Hugh at the top of the tent. "What's he doing up there?"

  "Long story," said Isaac. "But I don't think he's of sound mind right now. We need to get these people out of here. Calmly."

  The crowd were already starting to point and whisper. The whispers got louder, until they weren't whispers anymore.

  "Is this part of the show?" Addison heard one woman say.

  "It might be part of the magic trick," said a man next to her.

  "I don't think so," said someone else. "He's not in costume. He'd be wearing a costume if it was part of the show."

  "You're right," said the first woman. "He's not wearing a costume, Greg."

  "Yes, I heard," said Greg. "The magicians have stopped, too. They're looking up at him like we are."

  "Definitely not part of the show," said the woman.

  Addison looked over at Olivia. Her daughter's face was filled with fright, and Addison wanted to rush to her and tell her it was going to be okay.

  But it wasn't going to be okay.

  "Oh, my goodness," someone else in the crowd exclaimed. "He's going to jump."

  28

  "So much for keeping them calm," said Isaac, amidst screams from the crowd.