Charlotte Denver Cozy Mystery Box Set

by Sherri Bryan

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  “Years ago, when Adam first started out in the property business, the construction company was very small. He was always one to bend the rules…didn’t like others bending them, mind, but it was okay for him to do it. Anyway, he bribed a planning official to approve his plans to build on protected land.

  “He built a number of luxury apartment blocks, all of which were snapped up, off-plan, for a small fortune. The deal made him a millionaire overnight, which, in those days, was no mean feat, I can tell you. Whatever anyone may have said about Adam, he had an eye for a business like you wouldn’t believe.

  “A few years later, Adam found out that the planning official was intending to confess his part in the deal and threatening to bring the scandal to light.”

  Mrs Pitt dabbed at her forehead with the back of her hand.

  “That planning official was David Travis, and I know about all of this because his wife, Jill, told me everything. Out of some misguided loyalty to Adam, I’ve kept it to myself for all these years, for reasons which will become clear.

  “When Adam discovered the deal might be in danger of being revealed, he arranged to meet David so they could come to some agreement to keep the matter between themselves. Knowing Adam as I did, I knew he would have been furious at the prospect of serving a possible prison sentence because some pen-pusher, as he called them, wanted to clear his guilty conscience.

  “One evening, he told me he had a meeting—out of the blue at gone nine o’clock. I’d had my suspicions about his fidelity for months…oh yes, he liked the women…so, when the opportunity arose to catch him with his pants down, I didn’t think twice about taking it.

  “I thought he was on his way to a hotel, so you can imagine my surprise when he pulled onto an industrial estate—hardly the place to meet a fancy woman. Anyway, he parked and walked up an alleyway that led to an unused car park and I parked in an unlit spot and followed him. I was careful to keep well in the shadows—the last thing I wanted was for him to catch sight of me and forego his meeting.

  “I watched him from the alleyway and, after a minute or two, a man approached him. I’d never seen him before but I remember he looked middle-aged and was wearing a light-coloured suit. I didn’t find out until later that the man was David Travis.

  “They talked for around ten minutes and, just as I was debating whether to stay or leave, Adam punched him. It all happened so quickly, I almost missed it.

  “David fell backwards and hit his head on a kerbstone. I thought Adam would help him but he just looked at him once and then turned and walked away.

  “I ran back to my car as fast as I could and crouched down in the seat. I heard Adam get in his car and drive away, but I stayed like that for a long time, wondering what to do. In the end, I drove to a callbox to report a man with head injuries who could be found where Adam had left him. I made sure it was a quick call and I talked through my handkerchief to muffle my voice. It’s amazing the things you pick up from watching murder mysteries on TV, you know.”

  She smiled weakly and took another sip of her tea.

  “Then I drove home. Adam’s car wasn’t in the drive, and I guessed that he’d most likely gone somewhere to provide himself with an alibi should he need one—the local pub, as it turned out.

  “I poured a large vodka and tonic and took it into the living room. When Adam got home an hour later, he sat beside me on the couch and told me he needed help. He’d got into a bit of trouble, he said. Nothing serious, but if anyone was to ask where he’d been that evening, I was to say he’d been home with me all night, apart from when he’d gone to the pub for an hour. I asked him what kind of trouble he was in and he told me it was nothing for me to worry about.

  “The next morning, the local news reported that a David Travis had been found with a serious head injury—the victim of a suspected robbery, they said. Two days later, a report came through that he’d died of his injuries.

  “I watched Adam during that news bulletin. He barely glanced at the TV before carrying on with the crossword puzzle in the morning paper. Not one flicker of emotion. That was when I knew the man I’d married was a monster.”

  Her voice quavered. “Isn’t it silly? Even now, it still gets to me.”

  “We can stop for a while, if you like? Carry on in an hour or so.” Nathan hadn’t been expecting anything like this. Accusations, confessions, and a story he could never have dreamed of. He would stay for as long as she wanted to keep talking.

  “No, it’s okay. Now I’ve started, it feels good to get it off my chest after so long. But thank you for offering.” She smiled and patted Nathan’s hand.

  “Now, where was I…oh, yes…well, because Adam’s construction company had such close ties with the planning office, it was taken for granted that he would attend David’s funeral but, on the day, he made an excuse not to go. I was furious with him but he wouldn’t change his mind so I went on his behalf. After the service, Jill Travis came over and spoke to me.

  “She told me her husband had confessed to her about taking a bribe from Adam. Apparently, he just couldn’t live with the guilt and was considering owning up to what he’d done to the police. She told me that Adam had contacted David and asked to meet with him—David was sure he was going to try and offer him money to keep his mouth shut but he wouldn’t have taken it. Anyway, they planned to meet on the night David died.

  “Jill asked me if I knew what really happened. She never believed he was the victim of a robbery, you see. She believed Adam had something to do with his death, and she told the police, but when they’d contacted him, he denied all knowledge of a meeting with David. Even though she was convinced he was involved, she couldn’t prove it.

  “I told her I felt for her, but she was mistaken. I told her Adam had been at home with me that night…apart from the one hour he’d spent at the pub. Misguided loyalty, like I told you. I never spoke to or saw Jill Travis again.” She dabbed at her forehead.

  “You know, not a day goes by that I wish I’d had the courage to report Adam to the police, but I was too scared. I’d seen him sweet-talk his way out of so many situations in the past, I honestly thought he’d be able to persuade the police he’d done nothing wrong and they’d let him go. And if he ever found out that I’d turned him in, I know he’d have come after me. So I said nothing.

  “Anyway, after six months of living a lie, pretending that everything between us was okay, I woke up one morning to find a note on the kitchen table. It said, “Sorry, this isn’t working. My solicitor will be in touch.” He’d left me. Just like that.”

  She took a tissue from the pack Fiona passed her and wiped it across her face.

  “It was such a shock, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. But I knew I’d be better off without him. That’s why I never went after him for spousal support—I wanted to prove to myself I could do okay without him. And I have.”

  “You never considered remarrying?” asked Fiona.

  “No, never wanted to. But I’ve never been lonely—not once. You see, I got my life back the day he left, like I could never have imagined.” She gave a contented sigh.

  “Well, Detective Chief Inspector, I think I’ve answered your question about Jill Travis more than adequately but, regarding who could have been blackmailing Adam, that, I’m afraid, I can’t help you with.”

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  Nathan and Fiona had just escorted Mrs Pitt to her local police station.

  “Would you mind taking me to the station, please?” she’d asked. “I think it’s time for me to tell the truth at last.”

  Talking to them had convinced her to make a formal statement to the police force who’d investigated the death of David Travis all those years ago.

  “So, Chief,” said Fiona, “Jill Travis must be the person Adam Pitt was going to make amends with for hurting so deeply. Why else would her name have been in a note he was writing before he was killed?”

  “I’d say that’s a likel
y supposition, yes. It’s just a shame that he’ll never be able to make amends now.”

  “Yeah, that’s true. I wonder if Ruby Pitt knows about Adam’s past. About what he did, I mean.”

  “I doubt it. It’s not the sort of thing you tell your new wife, I wouldn’t think. Ah, here comes our information.”

  An officer approached, shaking his head. “Sorry, DCI Costello, our records show that Jill Travis died six years ago and her only child passed away a couple of months ago. No other relatives as far as I can see.”

  “Damn it. Okay, thanks.” Nathan’s plan to pay a visit to Jill Travis, if she still lived in the area, had just come to a grinding halt.

  “What now, Chief? Back to St. Eves?”

  “Yep, back to St. Eves.”

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  “Hi. I come bearing wine for me, apple juice for you, and a treat for Pippin.”

  Jess kissed Charlotte on the cheek and handed her two bottles. “Yes, yes, I’ve got something for you, too,” she said to the little dog, who was sitting up, ears alert and tail brushing back and forth across the floor. She threw him a chicken jerky strip and he trotted off with it, disappearing behind the couch. “Mmmm, what’s cooking?”

  “Chicken casserole and baked potatoes, with optional garlic butter and melted cheese. Optional for you, that is, not me. I’m having it all…with some gherkins on the side. And help yourself to tortilla chips and guacamole.”

  As Charlotte opened both bottles and they sat down at the kitchen table, Jess picked up ’The Great Big Book of Baby Names’ from the counter.

  “Blimey! 50,000 names! Decided on anything yet? Or is it a secret?”

  “Well, it’s not a secret because we haven’t made our minds up yet. We’d both like to see the baby before we choose a name for it, though. Otherwise we could pick something and it won’t suit it. Do you know what I mean?”

  “What, you mean you could choose a name like Bert and then it wouldn’t be suitable because it would be a girl?” Jess winked and opened the bag of tortilla chips.

  “Ha-ha, very funny. Anyway,” Charlotte pinched Jess’s arm affectionately, “I feel like we haven’t had an evening together in ages. We used to get together all the time.”

  “Ah, yes, those were the days…I remember them well.” Jess gazed reminiscently into space. “The days when we were young, footloose, and fancy free—before we were grown-ups and you got tied to the old ball and chain…where is he, by the way?” She dipped a chip into a guacamole mini-mountain.

  Charlotte giggled. “You’re such an idiot…and the “old ball and chain” is on his way back from a meeting, but he’s going back to the station first so you might not see him before you leave.”

  “So, how’re you coping with all the madness?” said Jess. “For goodness’ sake, promise me you won’t let everything that’s going on stress you out? I know what you’re like at the best of times.” She scooped up a generous mouthful of guacamole.

  “Well, I’m trying not to but it’s not easy to relax when you know there’s a murderer on the prowl. I mean, you must feel a little anxious, too, surely?” Charlotte pushed her fist into the small of her back, the all-too-familiar twinge bothering her again.

  Jess shrugged. “A little, I suppose. I just try not to think about it.” She crunched into another overloaded chip and wiped the corners of her mouth with her little finger.

  “Well, I wish it was all over and done with,” said Charlotte. “Murderers behind bars and life back to normal. I keep going over and over what happened in London, trying to work out if there was any link between Frankie’s death and Adam’s death.”

  Jess rolled her eyes. “Why are you trying to work anything out? That’s what the police are doing. Leave it up to them.”

  “I know, I know, I should, but I’ve got this niggling feeling that I’m missing something. Like I’ve forgotten something that’s really important, or there’s something really obvious staring me in the face and I haven’t seen it. I can’t shake it and it’s driving me mad.”

  “Okay then.” Jess topped up her wine glass and sat back in the chair. “Tell me everything that happened. Maybe you can’t see it because you’re too close to it. Perhaps something will jump out at me.”

  “I’ve already told you everything—you know as much as I do.” Charlotte scratched her head. “But basically, Frankie jumped in the hot tub, got electrocuted, and everyone was devastated. We all came home, someone clunked Adam over the head, and no one is any the wiser about why either of them is dead. That’s all there is to tell, really.” She took the casserole out of the oven and gave it a stir before adding four dumplings to simmer in the gravy for half an hour.

  “Actually, there is one more thing I thought might be relevant but, since Adam died, my theory’s gone out the window.”

  “Oh, my gosh, I love dumplings…sorry, your theory. What is it?”

  “Just before we left the house after Frankie’s death, I could have sworn Adam had a smug look on his face. Sort of self-satisfied. It made me wonder if he was involved in some way, but now…oh, I don’t know what to think.”

  “But you still think the deaths are connected?”

  “Yes, I do. I mean… two deaths in as many weeks of people in the same circle of friends—it’s just too much of a coincidence, don’t you think? The only thing is I can’t believe that any of them would kill anyone. I don’t know them very well but none of them strike me as murderers. Oh, I don’t know—maybe I’m overthinking things, but I can’t get rid of the feeling that I’m missing something I should be seeing.”

  “Well, I’m sure the police will work it out. Nathan, Ben, Fiona, and everyone else are working all hours to get to the bottom of it. Please don’t make yourself anxious by taking on stuff that you have absolutely no control over.” Jess squeezed Charlotte’s hand.

  As Charlotte served up dinner, it occurred to her that the advice both Nathan and Jess had given her was almost identical and she guessed they’d been discussing how to reassure her, given her disposition to overreact to bad news. She smiled as it dawned on her—she was so lucky to have them.

  As she spooned chicken casserole onto Jess’s plate, she added an extra dumpling.

  Chapter 10

  “You look shattered.”

  “I feel shattered. We should have taken the train. There was traffic almost all the way there and all the way back.” Nathan hugged Charlotte as Pippin ran in circles around their feet.

  “Dinner’s all ready. I’ll dish up now, if you’re hungry.”

  “I’m starving, thanks.” He took a bottle of water from the door of the fridge. “How was your day…you been okay? Did Jess come round?”

  “Yes, everything’s fine and yes, she did. I’ve got something to tell you, though. Come and sit down. You’re never going to believe it.”

  “Well, I’m all ears.” Nathan speared a tender morsel of chicken with the tip of his knife and popped it into his mouth. “Mmm, this is good.”

  “So, this morning I was out with Pip on the beach, and you’ll never guess who I bumped into?”

  “You’re right, I’ll never guess.” Nathan focused on his dinner plate.

  “Amy Baker. She was out on a run.”

  “Really? That’s a good distance. She must be pretty fit.”

  “Anyway, when she took off her tracksuit jacket, I saw her tattoo. The one here.” She tapped her chest.

  “And? What about it?”

  “It doesn’t say AB and FI.”

  “Yes, it does. I’ve seen it on that video.”

  “No, Nathan, it doesn’t. We’ve only ever seen the top of it and assumed that’s what it said. It actually says AB and EL.”

  Nathan put down his knife and fork. “So when you see the whole thing, top and bottom, it says EL, not FI?”

  Charlotte nodded. “Eddie Lewis.”

  “Bloody hell! That answers a lot of questions. I bet that’s why Amy wanted a swimsuit that covered it up at the barbecue, bec
ause she didn’t want Adam to see it.”

  “Gosh, yes! Because he had no idea that she and Eddie were seeing each other. Oh my goodness, can you imagine? He probably would have gone ballistic.”

  “Well, well, well, talk about a dark horse. Knowing what I know now about Adam Pitt, I’d say that Eddie was playing a very dangerous game. Thank God Adam never found out about it, or we might have had three dead bodies on our hands instead of two.”

  “Dangerous game? What d’you mean?”

  Nathan told Charlotte about his meeting with Adam’s ex-wife. About how Adam had extinguished the life of someone who’d got in his way without a second thought. And how he’d left her all those years ago without a word of warning.

  “Oh, my goodness, that’s terrible. I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but sounds like she was better off without him. And Ruby, too. What’s she like, out of interest? His ex, I mean. Is she anything like Ruby? I imagine her to be a very glamorous older woman.”

  Nathan shook his head. “Definitely not. Pleasant-looking, yes. Glamorous, no. Georgina Pitt is nothing like Ruby.”

  “Georgina? Really? That’s a coincidence. Eddie’s mum is called Georgina, too. But Georgina Lewis, obviously.”

  There was a moment of silence as the implications of Charlotte’s words sank in.

  “Eddie’s mum…what does she look like?”

  “Um, mousy hair, down to here,” she touched her shoulder, “blue eyes, kind face, rosy cheeks. Not as tall as Eddie, but tall.”

  “Bloody hell! Lewis must be her maiden name. I’ll bet money on it…Eddie is Adam Pitt’s son.”

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  “I can’t take all this in. So Georgina Lewis and Georgina Pitt are the same person? And she never said anything to you about having a son when you went to see her this afternoon?”

  “Not a thing.”

  “I wonder if it was Eddie who killed Adam?” said Charlotte. And then, quietly, “I’m pretty sure he knows that Adam was his dad.”

  “Why do you think so?”

  “Because his reaction to the news of Adam’s death was exactly how I reacted when the police told me about my mum and dad. The way his legs gave way, and the grief—it was so intense. Watching you tell him made me feel physically sick because it brought it all back to me.”