Pelican Cove Cozy Mystery Series Box Set 1

by Leena Clover

  “Correct,” Adam said.

  “She seems to have loved her husband. There are two things in her favor. She was right there in front of me during the parade. And she was still there when they were handing out the awards. The main thing we can’t ignore … she’s immobile.”

  “She could still have hired someone for the job,” Adam said, playing devil’s advocate.

  “Why would she do that? There’s no motive.”

  “Maybe she fell out of love with the old man,” Adam mused.

  “Of course!” Jenny cried with sarcasm. “That must be it. She fell in love with someone else and wanted the old man out of the way.”

  “It’s been known to happen,” Adam said seriously.

  “You have to admit that’s farfetched,” Jenny argued.

  “Possible, but not probable,” Adam conceded.

  “Hans Geller,” Jenny said next. “He can’t do anything right. He’s belligerent and he’s a mean drunk. He was disgruntled about a lot of things.”

  “Did he have anything against Asher?”

  “Most of his ire seems to be directed at Luke Stone,” Jenny explained. “Luke says Asher was calling the shots, but Hans didn’t know that. Luke was the bad guy as far as Hans is concerned.”

  “Maybe Hans found out his grandpa wasn’t too happy with him.”

  “So he gassed a 100 year old man?” Jenny asked. “I don’t think he’s that industrious. He might have done something physical in a fit of temper but…”

  “You said he’s always drunk,” Adam prompted. “He may not have been in his senses when he did it.”

  “Could be,” Jenny agreed. “Hans is lying about a lot of stuff. He told me he’s leaving town for good. He has no interest in Cohen Construction. But the opposite is true, apparently.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Luke told me Hans hopes to inherit. He wants to take over Cohen Construction. Sit in a fancy office and call the shots.”

  “He might feel entitled,” Adam pointed out. “He’s the blood relative, after all, not Luke Stone.”

  “I did get that impression,” Jenny nodded. “Another thing, he has no alibi. He was out picking up booze for the party. But no one can vouch for that. He could have been anywhere. Maybe he was in the back alley where Asher parked his truck.”

  “You seem to have talked to a lot of people,” Adam admitted grudgingly. “When do you find the time to do it, Jenny?”

  “Stop distracting me, Sheriff,” Jenny snapped. “We are not done yet.”

  “Okay,” Adam relented. “Who’s next?”

  “Luke Stone,” Jenny said. “He’s poured his blood and sweat into Cohen Construction. Linda says he was like a son to Asher.”

  “What would be his motive?”

  “He hated Asher!”

  Adam sat up with a jerk.

  “How do you know that?”

  “He told me himself.”

  Adam’s face fell.

  “Probably doesn’t mean anything. A killer doesn’t go around announcing he hated his victim.”

  “I thought so too,” Jenny agreed. “But Luke doesn’t have an alibi either. He was out of town picking up lumber.”

  “He told us that too,” Adam said. “We are trying to get in touch with the man he met.”

  “So none of this is news to you?” Jenny asked Adam.

  She had been on a roll but now she felt deflated.

  “The police have been working on this case just like you have, Jenny. It’s our job.”

  “You’re right,” she said softly.

  “We are here to talk about what you found out,” Adam reminded her. “Why don’t you go on?”

  “Luke and Hans are at loggerheads. Luke found Hans drinking on the job and banned him from using any tools or working on site. Hans is not happy about it.”

  “Does Luke hope to inherit the business?” Adam asked.

  “Negative,” Jenny said. “He seems keen on retirement.”

  “So you don’t think he had a motive?”

  “Other than hating Asher … none.”

  “He may have hated the old man,” Adam said. “I doubt he acted on it.”

  “That makes Luke a weak suspect,” Jenny said with frustration.

  “What about the other kids?”

  “I talked to some of them,” Jenny told Adam. “They are a peculiar lot, I can tell you.”

  “I think they are all senile,” Adam muttered.

  “Two of Linda’s kids didn’t come here for the centennial.”

  “I know Ryan well,” Adam told her. “We joined the army at the same time.”

  “I haven’t met the youngest daughter yet,” Jenny told him.

  “Tell me about the older ones,” Adam prompted.

  “Walt, the oldest, didn’t seem very close to Asher. The same goes for his sister Emma. There’s another one called Heidi who hated him. I didn’t ask any of these for their alibis. They have barely visited Pelican Cove over the years. They just came here for the centennial. They are well off and leading comfortable lives elsewhere.”

  “So you talked to all the Cohens,” Adam observed. “Can’t say I’ve done that myself.”

  “There’s one more guy,” Jenny remembered. “Linda’s son-in-law. He’s always in need of more money according to Luke.”

  “That’s Todd Buckler,” Adam noted. “He seemed quite subdued when I talked to him. He has a farm in Maryland.”

  “I need to talk to him,” Jenny said.

  She waited for Adam to say something. Adam leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He seemed to be going over all the information.

  “So?” Jenny prompted impatiently. “What do you think?”

  “You’ve been thorough, Jenny,” Adam admitted grudgingly. “I think you know almost as much as we do.”

  “Almost? So there’s something I don’t know about all this?”

  “There are some things I am not allowed to disclose,” Adam said. “You know that.”

  “Of course,” Jenny bristled. “This is an ongoing investigation and you cannot comment on it.”

  “Right,” Adam said. “I don’t make the rules, Jenny.”

  “None of these people have a strong motive,” Jenny wailed. “Do you agree with that opinion?”

  “I suppose it’s safe to say that.”

  “We have to be missing something, Adam.”

  “Why don’t you give it a rest?” Adam suggested. “Take a day off from this. Do something fun.”

  “Like what? Take a boat out on the water?”

  “I was about to suggest that,” Adam said eagerly. “But I guess you will say no.”

  “Your guess is right,” Jenny said, standing up.

  “I don’t care what we do, as long as we can spend some time together.”

  “We just did that,” Jenny protested.

  “Not like this,” Adam said, his deep blue eyes boring into hers. “Somewhere private, away from prying eyes.”

  Jenny’s heart raced as she thought of a witty response. But her mind failed her. She turned around on her heel and walked out of Adam’s office, fanning her flaming cheeks.

  Chapter 12

  Jimmy Parsons sat on the beach outside his little cabin, staring at the ocean. He hadn’t slept a wink in three days. His splitting headache made coherent thought impossible. His hand shook as he shielded his eyes and stared out over the shimmering sand. The sun was playing games with him. Or maybe it was his mind. He thought he saw something bobbing in the water. Was it something, or someone? A peculiar song traveled over the waves, drawing him to them. Was he seeing a mermaid in broad daylight?

  Jimmy knew what he must do. Star had been pretty clear on that. He went inside and showered and put on some clean clothes. Before the sauce got him, Jimmy had been a man of his word. He tried to summon the inner strength that had helped him through tough situations.

  Star was drinking iced coffee on the deck of the Boardwalk Café, listening to the Magnolias chatter ar
ound her. She was thinking of Jimmy. Had she been too harsh with him? She knew it wasn’t just a matter of will power. His condition was far beyond that. She vowed to be extra nice to him.

  “Where are you lost?” Jenny nudged her. “I’ve called out your name three times.”

  “Just thinking about work,” Star said. “I have to go.”

  She walked back to her gallery, wondering if she was too old to attempt a relationship.

  Jenny spotted a missed call on her phone when she finally sat down for lunch.

  “Linda called,” she said aloud. “I wonder what she wants.”

  “Why don’t you take off after lunch?” Petunia asked. “You can visit Linda if you want to.”

  Jenny was glad of the generous offer. Her days were running together. The café was proving to be a test of her endurance. She had never had to work so hard in her life before. But she loved every minute of it.

  “Thanks. I think I will take you up on that.”

  “What’s new in the crab salad today?”

  “I added some sliced black olives with the sweet peppers,” Jenny told her. “Just enough to add a salty touch.”

  “The customers loved it, obviously,” Petunia said, looking pleased. “We had barely enough left for our lunch.”

  “Captain Charlie liked it too,” Jenny nodded, referring to her favorite customer. “He wants me to prepare a big batch just for him.”

  “Do you think we should start selling this in containers?” Petunia asked thoughtfully. “Customers can eat it any way they like then, maybe have a picnic on the beach.”

  They discussed the merits of the idea for a while. Jenny helped Petunia clean up the kitchen and set off for the Cohen estate.

  Linda Cohen was seated in her usual spot by the window, looking out at the ocean. Jason Stone lounged on a small sofa.

  “I didn’t expect to see you here, Jason!” Jenny exclaimed.

  “I needed Linda’s signature on some stuff. I should get going.”

  “Stay,” Jenny said.

  She wanted to say more but she held herself back because of Linda.

  “How are you, Jenny?” Linda asked.

  “I meant to call you today,” Jenny hastened to explain.

  “I called you here for a reason,” Linda said. “Jason is reading the will later this evening. I want you to be present.”

  “Isn’t that private?” Jenny asked.

  “I will have to give you the details later anyway,” Linda said. “It’s best you stick around for it.”

  Jenny liked the idea. She could observe everyone’s reactions first hand.

  “Do you know what to expect from it?” she asked Linda. “Did Asher tell you, I mean.”

  “I have an idea,” she said. “But he went to meet Jason last week. He refused to tell me why. He might have changed his will at that time.”

  She looked at Jason expectantly.

  “I can’t comment on that,” Jason said firmly.

  “We’ll know soon enough,” Linda said. “Why don’t you hang around until then? Ring for some food if you are hungry.”

  “I just had lunch,” Jenny assured her.

  “Do you want to check out our pool?” Linda asked generously. “It’s a work of art. We have extra swimsuits for guests. You can borrow one if you like.”

  It was a scorching summer day. Jenny felt the sweat pool under her armpits and was tempted.

  “I might take you up on that.”

  “Take care of her, Jason,” Linda ordered. “I’m going to take a nap.”

  Jenny hadn’t met Jason since their fateful dinner at Ethan’s. She felt a bit uncomfortable, talking about something personal in the Cohens’ home.

  Jason beat her to it.

  “I wanted to apologize, Jenny,” he said sincerely. “I wasn’t thinking straight.”

  “It’s my fault too,” she said. “I guess I was tired.”

  “You are overworked,” Jason shot back immediately.

  Then he backed down again.

  “I’m sorry again. I didn’t mean to presume.”

  “Don’t be so formal,” Jenny said softly. “We’re good. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  “How does that swim sound?” Jason asked with a grin.

  “Tempting,” Jenny smiled.

  “Let’s go, then,” Jason said, pulling her to her feet. “We have plenty of time.”

  “I was hoping to meet Linda’s son-in-law.”

  “I saw him drive out with Dawn. But they should be back soon.”

  Jenny trudged through the big house, hand in hand with Jason. He showed her the assortment of swimwear she could choose from and left her to change. They met at the pool. Jenny felt a bit nervous about facing Jason in a swimsuit. She just hoped he liked a woman with curves, and a scar or two.

  Blue and white striped cabanas were set up by the poolside. Jenny spotted a familiar trio of women. Emma and Heidi were lounging in the chairs, their faces shielded by large straw hats. Walter was mixing some drinks at a bar. A man and a woman she hadn’t seen before were in the water, frolicking with a little girl.

  Jenny dipped a toe in the water to check the temperature. It was cool but not too cold. She sat down on the edge and jumped in.

  “This is wonderful,” she squealed.

  “Isn’t it?” Jason asked.

  He had made a perfect shallow dive into the water.

  “Who are those people?” Jenny asked, tipping her head at the new couple.

  “Maria and Paul,” Jason told her. “They came here for the reading of the will.”

  “Are Linda’s sons coming?”

  “They both have extenuating circumstances,” Jason explained. “I’m going to go ahead without them.”

  “What about Asher’s funeral?”

  “He was cremated,” Jason told her. “He didn’t want a funeral or memorial or whatever. There will be no obituary in the paper either. Those were his final wishes.”

  Jenny floated on her back for a while, taking deep breaths. She swam a few laps along the breadth of the pool and reminded herself to thank Linda for this rare treat. She hadn’t felt so refreshed in days.

  Another couple came out, dressed for the pool. The woman was younger than Jenny but looked a bit frumpy. Jenny spotted some gray roots at her temples. The man with her was average in looks and personality. He had a square jaw and a bovine expression. He was biting his nails, looking around for something or someone. The little girl screamed when she saw the new couple and swam toward them.

  “That’s Todd Buckler,” Jason gasped, swimming up to Jenny. “That’s Linda’s son-in-law.”

  “Is that her daughter with him?” Jenny asked, trying not to stare at them.

  “That’s Dawn,” Jason confirmed, “my cousin.”

  “She may be the youngest, but she looks a little worse for wear.”

  “She has a hard life,” Jason said. “Give her a chance and she’ll tell you all about it herself.”

  Emma and Heidi were sitting up in their chairs and looking at Jenny. Emma gave her a friendly wave.

  “I need to talk to Todd,” she said, climbing out of the pool.

  She showered and dressed and came back out, hoping she hadn’t missed the elusive man. He was the one member of the Cohen family she hadn’t talked to yet.

  Todd was sprawled in a deck chair, watching his wife and daughter swim. Jenny introduced herself.

  “I’m a friend of Linda’s.”

  “I know who you are,” Todd smirked. “Emma just told me.”

  “Do you have time for a quick chat?”

  “I’m not a Cohen,” he said.

  “No, but your wife is. You are closely related to them.”

  “Whaddaya want to know?”

  “Tell me something about Asher.”

  “Not much to tell. He was crazy about that business of his.”

  “You mean he worked too much?”

  “A man’s gotta sit back some time. Let the kids take over
.”

  “Were you interested in working at Cohen Construction?” Jenny asked curiously.

  None of the others had hinted at that.

  “Not me,” Todd denied immediately. “I’ve got my own farm up in Maryland. It keeps me busy.”

  “Do you enjoy being a farmer?”

  “It’s what my family does. My Pa did it before me. I promised him I wouldn’t give the farm up. Dawn and I make a good team.”

  “Your wife works on the farm too?”

  “There’s a lot to be done,” Todd nodded. “There’s the animals – the pigs and the chickens – there’s cows and sheep to be milked, cream to be churned, cheese to be made.”

  “So you live on a homestead?”

  “That’s right,” Todd said proudly. “We’re doing great. I’ve got big plans for us.”

  “Were you here for the centennial?”

  “Sure was. Dawn came here a week before that with our little girl but I couldn’t leave the farm for that long. I drove up on the morning of the 4th.”

  “Were you here for the parade?”

  “I helped decorate that truck,” Todd boasted. “Almost got up there with Asher. But my girl scraped her knee and started making a fuss. I was standing in the crowd by the side of the road.”

  “Were you with Linda?”

  “Somewhere around her,” Todd said. “What’s with all the questions, lady?”

  “Oh, I’m just trying to get an idea of where everyone was. Funny you mention Linda. I was standing near her and I don’t remember seeing you at the awards ceremony.”

  Todd seemed annoyed. Then his face cleared and he smiled.

  “Oh right. I told you my baby girl was crying? I went to get her some ice cream. She has to have one when she gets a boo-boo.”

  “Do you know if Asher had any enemies?”

  Todd shrugged.

  “I couldn’t tell you that. I don’t live here, you see. Maybe you should ask Hans, or Luke.”

  “You know Luke?”

  “Of course I do. He’s my wife’s uncle.”

  “Oh, yeah…”

  “Are we done here?” Todd asked. “I want to take a dip before we go in.”

  “Last question,” Jenny said. “Did you see Asher argue with anyone?”

  “Nope,” he said. “Look, you want to know what I think? He was old. He just got tired of living. He took the easy way out.”