Pelican Beach Murder

by Phyllis H Moore

  The hallway was dark with slanted shadows thrown across the floor. Meg turned a corner, the colors in the sky reflecting across the bay and filling the garden doors of the master bedroom. She looked past the private deck with two folding chairs to shades of pink, orange, and purple smudged across the sky, a watercolor reflected in the flat bay.

  There was a queen-size mattress on the floor and chunky pillar candles around the room. A quilt covered the mattress up to a couple of pillows with white cases. This was someone’s rendezvous spot.

  The closet in the bedroom had some furniture pushed into it but lacked a rod for hanging clothes. There were cans of paint on the floor, and the shelves stood on end against the back wall of the closet.

  It was getting darker, and Meg turned on the flashlight and swept it across the floor as she caught a light out of the corner of her eye. It was the reflection of lights on the far wall of the bedroom. She turned off the flashlight and stepped closer to the window on the south side of the room. A car was heading down the road to Charles Cove. She watched as it passed the meth house. Meg hurried to the living area and closed the front door, stepping away from the window to watch from farther back in the room. Her heart pounded when the car backed into the carport. She couldn’t make out the car, but she could tell the lights entering the covered parking were red, their reflection on the concrete floor of the carport.

  Meg went back into the master bedroom and slipped into the closet, squatting behind the chest just inside. The door wasn’t hung, merely propped against the closet wall. Jeez. What if whoever this is plans to spend the night here? Haven’t I learned my lesson with closets? Well, nothing I can do now but wait.

  Meg could hear voices and steps on the outer staircase. So there are at least two people. She was back in the shadows of the closet, not concerned about being spotted. However, her heart continued to race as she anticipated people coming inside the house. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall, hoping it would give her heightened senses to hear the conversations. Her hand was clasped across her mouth.

  She’d heard the male voice before, a calm, respectful tone. It was in the hallway. “It’s the only place I can think to look besides the places Rene’s already searched. You know Mom. There’s no telling what she remembers about where she saw it last.”

  Meg opened her eyes. It was Jeff. She could see a flashlight beam moving around the room and across the floor.

  “Look at this view,” a female voice said. “This is beautiful. Too bad no one lives here. Looks like we just missed a nice sunset.”

  Meg leaned forward and peered around the edge of the chest. She could see Jeff circling his arms around the woman as they looked out the garden doors. They were both in uniform. Omigod, that’s his partner. Meg stifled a gasp. She must also be his girlfriend. But wouldn’t that be against the rules? Oh, please don’t let this be a love nest.

  Meg leaned back when Jeff moved away from the woman and continued to search the floor with the light.

  “Why do you think it’s in here?” his partner asked.

  “This is where she found them,” Jeff said. “I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing she probably lost her cool and didn’t pay attention to the phone or what she was doing. Echo probably went berserk, and for sure Tony was scrambling around. This isn’t where I caught up with them. They were down on the beach by the time I got here.”

  “What? You never said that before. How’d you know where to go? That’s the night you dropped me off early, wasn’t it?”

  “Yeah, Mom called. You know how she does, always needing me to get her out of something, but this time it was bigger than that.” He sighed. “I guess it must be on the beach. That’s where she called me from.”

  “Wait, I thought you said this was all on Tony, that he’s responsible for Echo’s death? You and Linda were there, too?”

  “It’s all his fault, for sure. If he hadn’t been messing around with Echo, none of this would’ve happened.”

  “Okay, Jeff, I think you need to explain what exactly happened. I thought you wanted the phone so Linda wouldn’t be implicated with Tony. Who actually stabbed Echo?”

  Meg heard a loud sigh, then nothing.

  “Jeff, you’re scaring me. What happened?”

  “If we’re going to have an honest relationship based on telling the truth, I do need to tell you something. I didn’t mean for it to happen. It’s been eating at me, and Mom’s a basket case. I want to tell you here in the dark, so I can’t see your face.” His voice was cracking. The flashlight went off.

  Meg felt for him, but she didn’t want to be there listening to his breakdown.

  “Jeff, let’s go. We need to radio in. Don’t do this. I’ve already told Matt I want a divorce.”

  “I have to do it. I can’t stand it.”

  Meg could hear the tears, his gasping cries.

  “I found them on the beach, the three of them. Tony was holding my mom’s arms, and Echo was running down the beach away from them. Tony called out to me when he saw me, releasing Mom, and Echo turned to come back. I was in uniform, so she must’ve thought I was there to help. Before I knew it, Mom had the knife, charging toward Echo, slashing at her.

  “Echo tried to escape back toward the surf again, and Tony and Mom followed. There was a struggle, and it was dark. I couldn’t make out who was who, and they were stumbling and swinging at each other. Echo was almost to the water when she turned and lunged at Mom. She was trying to kill her. Tony tried to intervene. He looked at me and screamed, telling me Echo would kill my mother. I lost it. I don’t remember getting the knife, but I couldn’t stop….”

  “Don’t tell me this, Jeff. Don’t say it. I don’t want to know.”

  “Okay. I won’t.”

  Meg thought Jeff sounded exhausted.

  “We have to get out of here. You shouldn’t come here again,” the woman said.

  “I’ve searched these houses. There’s a reason for my DNA to be in here. Me being in here isn’t a problem.”

  “Stop it. Stop covering for this. Did you kill Echo, Jeff?”

  There was soft weeping. Meg leaned forward and saw Jeff’s silhouette against the pale light from the garden door. He was nodding.

  Meg’s phone rang.

  Twenty-Nine

  MEG CLUTCHED THE pocket of her windbreaker, but she couldn’t see the button she needed to push to stop the ringing. She fumbled with it, unable to hide any longer.

  “Who’s there?” Jeff shouted. His voice had changed from sadness to rage.

  Meg’s mind was racing with thoughts about how to erase any of his suspicion that she might have heard a confession. She swallowed, but she had to think about it. Her body was betraying her, unable to function automatically. “Jeff, it’s Meg, from across the road. This is a little embarrassing. I was snooping.”

  “Come out of there with your hands up.”

  Meg could tell he was nervous. She hoped he hadn’t pulled out his revolver. The flashlight switched on.

  “Jeff, calm down,” the woman pleaded. “She’s probably not armed.”

  “Stand down, Gabby. I’ve got this,” Jeff ordered. “Get out here, Meg.”

  Meg stood from her crouching position, continuing to clutch her phone. Of all the times for this friggin’ phone to be charged and in my hand, this is the worst. Meg slipped past the chest of drawers, attempting an embarrassed grin but doubted either of the officers could see it. Her expression changed, wincing when Jeff shined the flashlight in her eyes. Her hand flew up to block the light.

  “What’s that?” Jeff barked.

  “My phone. That’s all I have, my phone. I rode the bike over to look at the sunset. The door was open and I came inside. I know I shouldn’t have, but I’ve been curious about these houses. I trespassed and I apologize. I feel beyond silly for hiding in the closet, but I couldn’t think what else to do—”

  “Shut up,” Jeff interrupted her. “I have to think. It doesn’t make any dif
ference what you were doing here. You’re here and you’ve heard too much.”

  “I’m leaving tomorrow—” Meg attempted.

  “I said shut up!” Jeff yelled, and Meg flinched. He began to pace, his anxiety palpable and his actions unpredictable. She wanted to tell him about her daughter and the grandchild, everything she had to live for, but she didn’t dare continue. Her legs trembled.

  Meg heard the other officer, Gabby, let out a deep sigh. “Jeff, let’s call in,” she said.

  Jeff huffed. “If you don’t back me on this, we’re done. Is that what you want?”

  “I want to do the right thing,” Gabby pleaded. “I want us to be able to look at ourselves in the mirror and know it’s going to be okay.”

  “It’s too late,” he said. Meg couldn’t hear the polite young man she’d met days before. She was listening to a desperate man, someone full of fear, a man unable to think rationally. It filled her with dread. The terror in the other officer’s voice was alarming. Meg was afraid if Gabby couldn’t get Jeff to make a rational decision, they were both in danger.

  There was something she had to offer. “I have what you’re looking for,” Meg said. “I didn’t know what it was, but I picked it up on the beach. I think it’s at the cottage. I’m pretty sure I put it—”

  “What are you talking about?” Jeff snapped.

  “The phone. I picked up the phone and a watch. I can give them to you.” She took long breaths, trying to slow her speech. She wanted Jeff to have confidence in what she was telling him.

  “Tell me where they are. Gabby can stay here with you while I get them.”

  Meg glanced toward Gabby, but it was too dark to see her face. She could only hope that if Gabby was left with her, they could call for help and flee. It might be a long shot, but there was some hope.

  “You’re both coming with me.” He’d probably realized the possibility of the women running. “You’re driving, Gabby,”

  Meg’s heart sank. Now what? Help me, Paul.

  Jeff held his revolver on Meg and Gabby as they went down the stairs. He waved it forward, urging them on. LaRue shot out of nowhere and screeched as she ran in front of Jeff. Meg turned to see him caught off balance, but he quickly regained control. Meg had never seen LaRue venture away from the cottage. She caught a glimpse of the cat as she ran into the tall grasses beside the carport.

  “Keep going,” Jeff ordered.

  The police cruiser was running with its back end under the carport; Meg could hear it before she rounded the corner. She glanced at Gabby.

  Meg was ushered into the stark back seat by Jeff as Gabby took a seat behind the wheel. As soon as the back door was closed, Gabby yelled, “Duck!” and sped away. It swerved in a sharp turn, throwing Meg on her side. The back seat was rock hard as she struggled to keep her eyes on the back of Gabby’s head. There were a series of gunshots behind them. Meg shuddered when the siren came on and she could see the flashing of the lights. Her heart pounded in her chest.

  “We’re out of range,” Gabby raised her voice above the squalling. Meg sat up, peering over the back of the seat down the dark road toward the dilapidated pier. When she turned her head forward, she saw the black SUV she’d seen patrolling.

  “I think that’s help,” Meg yelled, pointing to the SUV.

  Gabby slowed as the SUV approached. It was indeed two deputies. They told Gabby to turn off the flashing lights, take Meg home, and stay with her until they gave the all clear.

  Meg pushed herself back into the stiff back seat, thinking the ordeal was over for her. However, Gabby was obviously shaken up, and Meg didn’t know her that well. She would have felt more at ease if one of the deputies had come with them. Gabby obviously had a relationship with Jeff, so there was still a reason to be anxious.

  Thirty

  MEG PLACED A mug of tea in front of Gabby as she sat at the kitchen island in the cottage. She thought the young officer might be in shock; she just stared in front of her, talking very little.

  “So, where is the phone?” Gabby finally asked.

  “That was a bluff,” Meg admitted. “I did have it, but I turned it over to Hendrix. It really is too late. I hope Jeff realizes that and cooperates.”

  Gabby hung her head. “I don’t think he will. He’s too bent on protecting Linda. I should’ve seen all this coming. It’s a big mess. I can’t say I wasn’t warned about the Charles curse, but Jeff can be so sweet.”

  “I’ve seen that,” Meg said. She felt a little sorry for Gabby. However, sometimes people made their own problems. “Is Evie your mother?”

  “Evie?” There was a trace of disdain in Gabby’s voice. “Why would you think that? Jeff’s fiancée’s mother’s name is Evie.”

  “Oh, I guess I misunderstood.”

  “Have you been talking to Evie?” Gabby asked. Her eyes were drilling into Meg.

  “I only met her recently. She said she knew Jeff through her daughter, and I made an assumption.”

  Meg heard someone coming up the stairs and guessed it was the deputies, but her heart sped as she realized it could be Jeff. She thought about turning out the lights to hide just as Hendrix appeared at the door. She hurried to cross the room to let the detective in.

  “I sure am glad to see you,” Meg confessed.

  “I’m glad to see you two are safe,” Hendrix said. Her face was unsmiling. Meg thought she looked grim.

  “I do have some bad news. Your partner is deceased, Gabby,” Hendrix shared. “He was dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound when our deputies arrived.”

  Meg clutched the collar of her shirt at her throat, trying to process the news. She couldn’t imagine the young officer, Linda’s only son, dead.

  Meg’s eyes swept to Gabby’s face. It was drawn with pain, maybe some regret, and confusion. Surely she was riddled with the loss of her lover and her careless decisions. Meg wasn’t sure what her motives were during the last few hours, but she gave Gabby credit for attempting to get Jeff to do the right thing.

  Hendrix took Meg’s statement about what occurred at the green house as Gabby sat nodding along. Hendrix might not have known of Gabby and Jeff’s relationship.

  Gabby’s face was void of expression, her eyes blank as she looked up at Meg. “I’ll tell her the truth,” Gabby said. “You can say exactly what you heard. I do want to do what’s right. If I’m going to start over, I have to do it now.” Gabby looked at Hendrix with lowered lids. “His mother needs to be notified. This will be out in the community, and there’s no telling what she’ll do.”

  Hendrix stood taller, straightening her back. “Our deputies are picking up Linda and her friends. We had reason to believe they were involved and someone has been monitoring them. Don’t worry about her. She’ll be in custody, if she’s not already.”

  Meg gave Gabby a nod and closed her eyes, considering the strength it took the young officer to face her mistakes.

  It was a long evening of statements and officers coming and going, but eventually everyone was gone and Meg was alone. She was assured the other participants in Echo’s murder had been apprehended and charged, and Gabby had recounted Jeff’s confession for Hendrix.

  Meg stood on the deck in her white nightgown, staring out at the moon’s mercury reflection on the gulf. She heard a thump and LaRue appeared at her feet. Meg knelt to gather her in her arms.

  “Too much excitement for me, Rue. Why didn’t you ever tell me you wandered off during my sunset walks?”

  LaRue pushed away and jumped to the deck. She stood at the door, waiting for Meg to let her inside.

  “I guess I’ll never know what you said, La Rue,” Meg whispered.

  The following morning, as Meg was opening her eyes to the first rays of sunlight easing through the bamboo shades, she noticed the face of her phone was dark. The battery was depleted. She rolled over and reached across the nightstand to plug it in. As soon as the phone began charging, there were several pings. She had voice mails and messages.

  Dorie
was in labor.

  Meg considered flying home and coming back to the cottage for her things at a later date, but she decided against it, knowing she wouldn’t want to leave Dorie and the baby once they were home. She convinced herself to slow down and think through what she needed to do to prepare to leave the cottage. The first thing she did was call Hendrix to let her know she would be returning home.

  “Congratulations,” Hendrix said. “I don’t think we need anything else from you. I appreciate all your help. Our interviews have gone well, and everyone is cooperative. Linda’s under guard at the hospital. They admitted her with alcohol poisoning. If we need anything from you, I have your number. Oh, and tell your friend Tom thanks also.”

  “I will. Thank you for the patrol that kept vigilance during the past few days. I think that might be the only reason I’m safe today.” Meg did appreciate that Hendrix had done everything she’d promised.

  She didn’t worry about things in the refrigerator; there had been a note from the owners that said the maid could dispose of refrigerated items. She removed wet towels and sheets from the washer and started the dryer, then collected her toiletries, emptied the drawers into two suitcases, and threw her personal dirty laundry into a plastic garbage bag.

  After making two trips to the car, Meg made a final pass through the cottage to ensure she’d picked up everything belonging to her. As she stood at the sink washing LaRue’s food and water bowls, the sight of Charles Cove was a grim reminder of the previous night’s chaos. She shook her head to keep from crying over Jeff.