by Cindy Bell
“I thought so at the time, but now I wonder if I’ve just made a bigger mess. No one can agree on anything, and everyone wants to be chosen to provide their service. I think maybe I’ve gotten in over my head.”
“Don’t worry, we can get this fixed up. But there’s something I need to talk to you about, too.”
“Is it about Robbie Stillswell?” Mary met her eyes. “I’ve heard about that.”
“Yes, it is, how did you hear?”
“Gossip travels fast around here.” Mary frowned. “How is Paul?”
“He’s okay, but he was shocked, which is to be expected,” Suzie said. “He just wanted some space.”
“He’s a tough guy, Suzie, but he leans on you when he needs to. Don’t worry about the wedding, I can handle it.”
“I see that.” Suzie laughed a little as she looked around at the chaos. “Why don’t we get these people organized?”
“I mean it, Suzie, I don’t want to pull you away from Paul at a time that he needs you.”
“You’re not. He sent me away. Besides, this wedding is important to me, too. We won’t know anything new about Robbie’s death until Summer has a chance to examine him. This will keep me busy.”
“Great, because take a look at the centerpieces.” She cringed as she pointed to the pile of scraps and glitter. “So far they do not look like the pictures on the website.”
“Oh. Why?” Suzie squinted at them.
“Don’t ask, just do what you can.” Mary grinned and turned to speak to the florist. As Suzie lost herself in the frill and glitter her mind relaxed. The moment it did, the crime scene began to play out in her mind. It was simple to put together what most likely happened. Someone burst into the cabin and attacked Robbie. However, the question of who and why pressed on her until her pulse quickened. It appeared to be someone he was familiar with as there was no evidence of a struggle that she had seen.
Suzie decided that she needed a break. She stood up from the table. Several of the potential suppliers had already left, but a few lingered. Suzie overheard Mary giving specific instructions about what Summer wanted, but she guessed some of it was what Mary wanted. As the last suppliers left Suzie walked over to her.
“How did it go?”
“Well, I think. I’m just not sure if I got my point across. It’s so difficult to express to someone just how important a single detail of a single day can be. You know that my marriage didn’t turn out the way that I wanted it to, but my wedding day is still a very special memory to me. I’d hate to think of Summer missing out on that memory.”
“Or Jason.”
“Yes, or Jason. By the way, how did the cake tasting go?”
“He picked a cake. But he’s skittish. Not about the wedding. I think he’s just stressed from work.”
“This murder can’t be helping the situation.”
“No, I imagine it isn’t. He even snapped at Paul.”
“Wow. For what?”
“He felt Paul was being evasive. Which he was. But only because there were things he didn’t want to say in front of me. He was trying to be a gentleman.”
“Ah, I see.” She laughed. “He must not know what you’re like when you’ve had some wine.”
“Hey, you’re not one to talk.” Suzie grinned.
“You are so right. Anyway, at least the wedding plans are getting finalized.”
“Now, we just have to make sure that the bride and groom attend the wedding.”
“I don’t think that will be an issue. I’m going to put dinner on,” Mary said. “Is pasta okay?”
“Perfect, I’ll get a bottle of wine.”
Suzie and Mary spent the rest of the night talking about Mary’s failed marriage and how their lives had changed so much since they had moved to Dune House.
Chapter 4
“Morning Mary,” Suzie said as she came downstairs for breakfast the following morning.
“Morning.” Mary already had coffee and eggs ready on the table.
“Thank you,” Suzie said as she sat down in front of her plate.
“I heard the shower,” Mary said. “So I got breakfast ready.”
“I just spoke to Paul. He’s going to hang around the docks and see if he hears anything, and I’m going to work on the centerpieces and then head out to pick him up after lunch. Summer should know more about the murder then.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Hopefully there’s something about the murder that she is prepared to tell us.”
Suzie spent the rest of the morning working on the centerpieces. She had always loved decorating and found the process relaxing even though the murder often entered her thoughts.
“I’m going to see Summer now, Mary,” Suzie said as she walked into the kitchen. “Is there anything that you need from town?”
“No, I think we’re okay here. Don’t you want lunch first?”
“No thank you, I’m not very hungry.”
“Okay, tell Summer I said hi, and here.” She handed her a list. “Let her go over these details and make sure that they are what she wanted. I added a few of my own ideas and I don’t want her to think I’m taking over.”
“That’s very kind of you, Mary. I’ll show her a picture of the centerpieces, too. I’m not sure if she will like them.”
Mary looked over at the table where Suzie had worked on the centerpieces and gasped. “Suzie, they’re beautiful. She’s going to love them. They look just like a little beach.” The square centerpieces had sand and paper that was shaped and decorated to look like crashing waves.
“It wasn’t exactly what Summer wanted, but I thought it might go along with her nautical theme. But, do you think it’s too over the top?”
“No, I don’t think so at all.”
“I guess all that matters is what Summer thinks.” Suzie smiled as she snapped a picture of the centerpieces. “Call me if you need anything.”
As Suzie left Dune House she sent a text to Paul that she was going to visit Summer. He texted back right away that he would be ready when she arrived. As he said he would be, he was waiting for her when she pulled up. She looked over at the police cars that were present. They still swarmed the docks, but they had thinned out a lot from yesterday. When she looked at Paul he looked like he hadn’t slept. His eyes had dark rings around them, but he looked determined.
“How are you?” Suzie asked.
“I’m fine.” He smiled at her. “Everyone is so tight lipped about the murder.”
“Maybe they’ll be more talkative once the police disappear.” Suzie started to drive towards the medical examiner’s office. When she arrived she noticed that there were no other cars in the parking lot, aside from Summer’s. Inside the main reception room Summer was nowhere to be seen.
“Dr. Rose?” Suzie called out, but Summer did not respond.
“She’s probably in the back.” Suzie followed the faint sound of music. Just as she started to push the door open she froze. “You should let me handle this part.”
“It will be fine.”
Suzie pushed the door open slightly, but just before she called out Summer’s name she stopped, she could overhear Summer speaking to someone. Suzie stood with the door slightly open and listened.
“It was something short and sharp. Not a knife. That’s all I know right now. I’m checking into different weapons that might have caused the wound, but haven’t found anything definitive.” Suzie looked at Paul with wide eyes. There was no other voice that they could hear so Suzie presumed that Summer was on the phone. “There were no defensive wounds, but the strike did come from the front.” After a short pause she continued. “Okay, I’ll send over the report now.” Suzie presumed that Summer had hung up. Suzie waited a few seconds before she said anything. She didn’t want Summer to suspect that they might have been eavesdropping. Summer turned on some soft music.
“Dr. Rose?” Suzie called out.
“Suzie, I’ll be right out.” Summer turned off the music. “I’m sorry, Paul,
it helps me to concentrate,” she said as she walked out of the back room.
“That’s okay, you have nothing to apologize for,” Paul said.
“Did you find out anything?” Suzie asked as they walked towards the front.
“You know I can’t tell you anything. Jason asked me to keep it pinned up tight.”
“But…” Paul started to object.
“It’s okay, Paul.” Suzie held his hand gently and looked at Summer. “I wanted to tell you that everything is coming together with organizing the wedding.” Suzie smiled trying to break the tension. “Here is a list from Mary in case there’s anything you want to change and a picture of the centerpieces.” Suzie showed Summer her cell phone. “They’re a bit different from what you wanted, so be honest if you like them.”
“Thank you, Suzie,” Summer said. “These are gorgeous.”
“Sorry Summer,” Paul said. “I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward position. I just need to know who did this.”
“I understand.” Summer smiled slightly. “We’ll get to the bottom of it. I know this must be difficult for you.”
“I’m fine really. The only difficult thing is not knowing who did this.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Once that’s settled, I’ll be fine.”
Suzie and Summer exchanged a quick glance of concern, but Suzie didn’t argue the point.
“I’ll go through the list and get back to Mary.”
“Okay, let me know if you need anything.” Suzie smiled.
As Suzie and Paul left the medical examiner’s office Paul turned to Suzie. “Let’s go over what we know.”
“Well, from the phone call we know that the weapon was short and sharp and that he didn’t have any defensive wounds, so he was probably surprised by the killer.”
“Given that, he most likely knew the person,” Paul said thoughtfully.
“Not to mention that there was no sign of forced entry.”
“Yes, but fishermen often don’t lock their cabins.”
“That’s true,” Suzie said. “But given the fact that he was attacked from the front and there were no defensive wounds it makes it seem as if it was someone that he wouldn’t expect an attack from.”
“We need to find out who that is. There is no time to waste.” Paul turned and walked towards the car. Suzie stared at him for a moment. It was clear that he wouldn’t stop until he found the murderer. Once in the car again, Paul pointed to the docks. “Can you drop me off at my boat?”
“Sure, but are you certain you don’t want to sleep at Dune House?”
“No, I’m going to sleep on the boat again tonight,” Paul said. “I want to see if I can find out anything. See if they’ll talk now that there aren’t so many police milling around.” Suzie nodded as they drove towards the docks. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to change his mind.
She pulled to a stop in front of the docks and looked over at him. “Let me stay with you.”
“No, that’s not a good idea.”
“You need to stop worrying so much about protecting me.”
“You first.” He held her gaze. His lips curled into a slow smile.
“I see your point.” Suzie sighed and leaned over to kiss him.
“I’ll see you first thing in the morning?”
“Yes. We can also talk to some of the fishermen in the morning who don’t sleep on their boats and see if anyone knows anything.”
She kissed his cheek just before he climbed out of the car. Suzie looked at him as he walked off. He needed his space and she needed time to try and work out anything more she could about the murder.
Chapter 5
Back at Dune House Suzie could barely get her feet on the ground before Mary rushed up to her.
“How did it go with Summer?”
“She didn’t tell us anything, but we did overhear a few things about the murder.”
“But, how is she?” Mary searched her eyes.
“Oh, she seems okay.” Suzie frowned. “Troubled by all of this of course, and concerned about the wedding.”
“Poor girl.” Mary clucked her tongue.
“Summer’s strong. She’ll be okay. She said that she would call you about the wedding later.” Suzie followed Mary into Dune House and glanced at the papers on the table. “Plans?”
“Yes, I’m still working on them. Things are a bit calmer though. What do you think about doves?”
“Real doves?”
“Yes, just a few live ones to fly out at the end of the ceremony?”
“I think it’s a little much, Mary.” Suzie sat down at the kitchen table and closed her eyes. “I think it might be better to keep things as simple as possible right now. It’s not looking too promising that this case is going to be solved quickly and it would be a shame for the unsolved murder to be hanging over their heads during the wedding.”
“Oh.” Mary nodded as she sat down beside her. “I understand.” She rubbed Suzie’s shoulder. “Try not to worry too much, Suzie. No matter what, the crime will be solved, and Summer and Jason will be married. How it happens, when it happens, is not as big of a deal as we might think it is.”
“Thanks Mary.” Suzie smiled slightly. “To be honest I’m a little concerned about Paul. I’m not so accustomed to being wrapped up in the feelings of another person.”
“You get more wrapped up than you realize, Suzie. Do you remember my wedding?”
Suzie grinned and tapped her fingers on the table. “A toast to the man I will murder if he breaks my best friend’s heart.”
“Yes, it was the talk of the reception.” Mary laughed.
“I’m sorry I didn’t follow through with it.” Suzie shook her head.
“You did much better than that. You created this home for us, where we both get to be ourselves.”
“We created it together.” Suzie held her gaze. “Dune House wouldn’t be here without you, Mary. Just like Summer and Jason wouldn’t get to have such a lovely wedding if it wasn’t for you.”
“I can’t help it. I’m still a romantic at heart.” She winked at Suzie.
“Speaking of romance. What’s going on with your detective?”
“Oh, he’s out of town. I’m sure that I’ll be hearing from him this evening.”
“I’m so glad things are working out.”
“Yes, we’re just taking it slow. No need to rush.”
“True. Do you want to go for a walk?” Suzie asked.
“Yes, I could use some fresh air.”
Suzie and Mary walked along the beach in a comfortable silence. Suzie’s mind did not stop going over the facts of the case. By the time they had returned to Dune House the sun was beginning to set.
“I’m going to try to turn in early,” Suzie said once they were inside. “I am going to the docks to meet Paul first thing in the morning so we can ask around and see if anyone knows anything about the murder.”
“No dinner?” Mary clucked her tongue. “That’s no way to keep your strength up.”
“I know, but I’m not very hungry. Maybe I’ll get up in a little while to eat.”
“Okay, there’s roast in the refrigerator if you want it.”
“I’m sure I’ll dig into it at some point. Thanks Mary.” She hugged her friend then headed off to her room. As she settled into sleep her mind raced with thoughts of the case. When they finally slowed down and she was able to fall asleep, her dreams filled with rough, rogue waves that threatened the docks and Dune House.
Suzie woke in the morning to the scent of oatmeal. The cinnamon called to her. After a quick shower she threw on some clothes and headed out into the kitchen. Much to her surprise she found Paul already there.
“Morning.” He smiled at her. “I thought I’d meet you here because I wanted a walk.”
“You didn’t sleep, did you?”
“I did a little. Not much.”
“I must have gotten all of your sleep for you. I’m starving. Thanks so much, Mary.” Mary set a bowl of oatmeal down
in front of her.
“No problem.”
“We all have some work ahead of us today,” Suzie said.
“Yes.” Paul wiped a hand across his face. “I just hope that it pays off.”
“We’ll find something.” Suzie smiled at him. “Let me text Jason and see if he has any updates.”
“Do you think he will answer?” Paul asked.
“He might.”
“I don’t know.” Paul swirled a spoon through his oatmeal. “Maybe we should just leave him out of it. I don’t think he’ll be very forthcoming with information. If he had information for us, he would have contacted us, don’t you think?”
“You’re right. He’ll contact us when he wants to.” Suzie nodded.
“Wait a minute.” Mary frowned. “What about the wedding? If Jason and Summer are working on the investigation, then how are they going to have time to finish the preparations?”
“If you continue helping them the way you are they’ll be fine,” Suzie said. “I don’t think Jason’s going to mind a little helping hand with the investigation.”
“I think he might.” Mary shrugged. “But he’s your cousin and he probably already knows that you won’t stay out of it. You can see what you can find out and I’ll continue to help Summer.”
“You’re right, he might mind it a little, but once the dust settles he’ll understand. Besides, we’re not going to cause any trouble, we’re just going to help.”
“Your version of help isn’t always trouble-free.” Mary raised an eyebrow and hid her face behind her mug of coffee.
“I know, I know.” Suzie glanced over at Paul. “But we have to try.”
“Absolutely,” Paul said.
Suzie finished the last few spoons of her oatmeal, then turned to Paul. “Ready?”
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Remember Paul, we’re just going to have some friendly conversations. We don’t want to do anything to spook anyone.”
“I’ll behave.” He smiled a little. “At least I intend to.”
“Thanks again, Mary.” Suzie led Paul out through the door. She opened the car doors with a button on her keyring. Paul climbed in, and she followed after him. When she started the ignition, music blasted through the speakers.
