by Lucy Quinn
“Jerry,” Dylan said as he hit the man on the arm lightly. “Good to see you too. You know Cookie, don’t you?”
“Sure do. You’re the young lady who runs the inn with your mother.”
“I am.”
He shook his head. “Just terrible that Rain’s in jail. I just put a few dollars in the jar for her.”
Cookie glanced in the direction of Jerry’s gaze and smiled when she noticed another Free Rain collection jar at the far end of the bar. “Thank you.”
He waved his arm toward the two women he’d been talking to. “Meet Ashley and Lyndsey. Wellesley girls,” he added, as if the prestigious college they attended was an important piece of information Cookie and Dylan should know.
“Ladies,” Dylan said. “I hope you’re enjoying our island.”
“We are,” the brunette said, letting her gaze sweep over Dylan.
Dylan didn’t seem to notice, and Cookie decided she couldn’t blame her. He was the hottest guy on the island.
The blonde smiled at them. “It’s so quaint here. We love it.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Dylan said. “Would you mind if we stole Jerry for a few minutes?”
“Not at all.” The blonde picked up her drink and took a sip.
“Thank you,” Cookie said and followed Dylan, who led them all out to a corner on the deck where nobody could hear their conversation.
“What’s up?” Jerry asked as he blinked in the bright sunlight.
“Cookie and I are running the investigation into the barge explosion.”
“Oh my gosh,” Jerry’s brow knit. “Such a terrible thing. I heard nobody survived.”
“That’s correct,” Cookie said. “And we’re trying to figure out who might be involved.”
“I’m not sure what this has to do with me. I’ve got no idea.”
Dylan leaned forward slightly and met the man’s gaze. “We heard you got into it with Hank Romero a while back.”
A cloud slid over the sun, darkening the sky a bit as Jerry’s face paled. He gave them an exaggerated frown of confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He began to move away. “You heard wrong.”
“Hold on,” Dylan said. “We’re not done asking you questions.”
“Yes, you are,” Jerry said, and he hurried away.
Cookie and Dylan watched as the man slapped some bills down on the bar and rushed out of the Tipsy Seagull as if he was rushing to a forgotten appointment. “Well that was certainly suspect,” Cookie said.
“I’ll say.” Dylan leaned back against the railing and gazed up at the sky. “Makes me think he’s afraid of Hank.”
“Or he knows something.”
Cookie mulled that over for a few seconds. “Peaches said Jerry and Hank got into it over money.”
“Jerry’s a fisherman. A guy with a boat could easily do a side job for Hank. Maybe Hank didn’t pay what he said he would.”
“Or,” Cookie said, “Jerry didn’t complete the job to Hank’s satisfaction.”
Dylan pushed off the railing, and they moved toward the bar again to leave. “Either way, running off just now sure makes Jerry look suspicious.”
Cookie agreed as they walked toward the front door. When they got outside again, a cute redheaded woman was headed up the street, and inwardly, Cookie bristled. She was very secure in her relationship with Dylan, but something about the sight of his old girlfriend managed to churn up jealousy in Cookie, and she braced herself to be kind. “Hi, Daisy.”
“Cookie, Dylan. I was just on my way to take Rain a lobster roll. The poor woman,” she held up the paper bag that had the Salty Dog logo on it and then sighed. “I can’t imagine how horrible it must be in there for her. I’d go crazy.”
“It is hard for her,” Cookie agreed. “But we’re doing our best to solve this case and get her out of there.”
“Right. I—” Daisy shook her head. “How’s it going?”
“It’s slow,” Dylan admitted. He studied her for a moment, and the silence clearly made Daisy uncomfortable as she shifted from foot to foot. “Daisy,” Dylan said. “You’re fidgeting, and if my memory serves me correctly, that means you have something you want to say but don’t know how.”
“Why Dylan, I had no idea you remembered such details,” she cooed.
Great, Cookie thought. Like I need Daisy to think she has a chance with my boyfriend.
While she couldn’t blame Dylan for using a little flirting as a technique to get answers, it still burned in her gut when he said, “There’s a lot I remember about you, Daisy. Now spill it.”
“Well, this could be nothing, but a few days ago before the explosion, one of the regulars at your inn was in the Salty Dog and I overheard him talking. You know Henry Seiger?”
Dylan and Cookie nodded.
“He was all worked up about the condo development. I figured that was reasonable, considering he’d had such a bad experience with Keith over at the gym. But then he mentioned—gosh. I don’t want to get him in any trouble but—" She let out a huff.
Cookie knew Daisy was a sweet woman who would go out of her way to catch a spider and release it rather than kill it. And she figured Daisy needed her guilt to be absolved before she’d continue, so she said, “Sometimes doing the right thing is hard, but it’s people like you who can make an investigation successful and ensure that justice is served.”
Daisy’s expression relaxed as if she was happy to have a reason to share what she knew. “Okay. Henry was angry and may have alluded to wanting to blow up the barge.”
“Alluded?” Dylan asked.
“Well…” She chewed her lip for a second and then blurted out, “He said it would serve the condo developer right if he did. But I’m sure Henry didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”
“You’re likely right,” Cookie said. She knew Henry from the times he’d stayed at the inn, and her first thought was the man was just blowing off steam too. But one never knew. Ordinary people had been known to snap in extreme situations, and before Henry had gotten his money back from the bad investment he’d made with Keith, he’d been pretty upset. “It’s good you told us just the same. You’ve been very helpful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” The paper bag with the lobster roll rustled as Daisy held it up and smiled. “I should get this to Rain. Apparently, they barely feed her in there.”
Dylan chuckled as Cookie recalled her mother’s dramatics earlier.
“So we’ve heard,” Cookie said. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate your kindness.”
Dylan and Cookie walked in the direction of the inn while Daisy headed to the sheriff’s office. When they were out of Daisy’s earshot, Cookie said, “I wonder if Henry and Mary need fresh towels in their room.”
Dylan smiled at her. “I’m sure they need more tiny shampoos. Those things are always running out.”
Cookie grinned back. “I bet you’re right.”
Chapter 15
When they got back to the inn, Cookie pulled out the activity log book from behind the front desk and thumped it down. She flipped to the front page to determine Mary and Henry’s whereabouts. The book was an addition Scarlett had made to improve customer service. Having a history of guests’ past excursions along with notes on their assessment of the attraction meant future suggestions for things to do could be tailored to the guest. It was also helpful for housekeeping service. And when one wanted to search a room.
Cookie read Scarlett’s perfect cursive handwriting. “Mary and Henry are out on a whale watch that won’t be back until just before dinner.” She slid the book back into its place and said to Dylan, “We have a couple of hours. Follow me.”
They climbed the stairs to the second floor and walked down the hall to a room on the right. Keys jangled in Cookie’s hand as she searched for the right one to let them in. Dylan followed her into a room that was tidy, and Cookie went straight to the dresser to search the drawers. Dylan started at the closet.
She s
miled when she saw that each drawer was split evenly between the older people. Mary’s things were on the right and Henry’s were on the left. She suspected the order matched the side of the bed each one slept on.
It was an easy search because of the Siegers’ organizational ways that would make Scarlett proud. Cookie let out a sigh. “These people are so normal.”
“Boring, actually,” Dylan said as he flipped through a book about World War II he’d found on the nightstand.
“Right?” Cookie peered under the bed recalling the sex toys June had found under Hale’s bed and then the conversation she’d had with Dylan that followed about the items. She giggled. “I can’t believe we didn’t find a single whip or chain.”
“No weed. No dynamite. Whatever do they do for fun?” Dylan asked as he held his hands out to help her up.
“Maybe there’s a corset,” Cookie said, knowing better because she’d already seen Mary’s granny panties.
Dylan hooked a finger into Cookie’s blouse and peered down it. “At the very least there should be a lacy bra.” He let out a sigh as his gaze returned to Cookie’s face.
She placed a hand on his firm chest and thought about how just being naked with Dylan was enough for both of them to enjoy private time. “Or maybe they don’t need anything more than each other.”
“Very possible.” Dylan leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.
But Cookie’s thoughts were for something more than a casual kiss, and things heated up quickly. Dylan was on board with the course Cookie had set them on and they were about to progress to something they should not be doing in the guests’ bedroom. It was the sound of Scarlett’s giggle and Cade’s deep voice coming through the wall from the room next door that finally made Cookie and Dylan stop. Cookie blew out a long breath to compose herself. “We should probably get out of here before they catch us.”
Dylan nodded and opened the door slowly to make sure the coast was clear. It was. But when they stepped out to the hall, they discovered Cade and Scarlett must have been sneaking out at the same time. All four of them stared at each other as silence hung heavy in the air.
Cookie and Dylan knew Scarlett and Cade had been up to no good. Scarlett and Cade knew Cookie and Dylan weren’t exactly innocent either.
Cookie’s cheeks heated up as she desperately searched her mind for an excuse as to why Dylan and she had been in the Siegers’ room. Finally, enough sense came back, and she waved her hand toward the door. “We changed out their towels.”
Scarlett’s gaze dropped to Cookie’s empty hands.
Cookie quickly hid them behind her back, realizing neither of them were holding any dirty linens.
It didn’t matter though, because Scarlett’s pink cheeks implied she was just as flustered. She tugged her shirt down and said, “Window was stuck. We had to lubricate the tracks.” Cookie didn’t bother to mention that Scarlett and Cade didn’t actually have a can of oil in their hands either.
Instead, the two couples quickly left, each of them going in opposite directions.
When Cookie and Dylan made it to her room, she shut the door and the two broke out into laughter. Then Dylan gave Cookie a look of mischief and said, “Scarlett and Cade are probably too embarrassed for us to go downstairs yet.”
Cookie lifted her arms to drape them over his shoulders. “I’m sure of it. We should hide out here for a while to give them a chance to recover.”
Dylan made a show of scanning the room. “Hmmm. I don’t see any toys, drugs, or dangerous items here. Whatever will we do for fun?”
Cookie stepped back and unbuttoned the top button of her shirt. “We don’t need them. I’ve got a lace bra and a head full of ideas.”
* * *
“Cookie,” Dylan whispered in her ear.
She groaned and opened up one eye to see him hovering over her, morning sunlight surrounding his head like a halo. But her angel seemed to be missing something. She sniffed, and when she didn’t detect the odor of coffee she croaked out, “You dare wake me without a mug of caffeine in your hand?”
“I tried to get one, but…” He grinned. “You have to see this for yourself.”
Cookie tugged the covers up over her head. “No. I don’t.”
Dylan yanked them back down. “Yes. You do. If there’s anyone who’s going to appreciate this, it’ll be you. Get up.”
She let out a big sigh as she tried to imagine what could be worth getting out of bed to see. If Rain had been let out of jail and returned home, she’d have heard her mother’s grand entrance. Cookie also doubted it had anything to do with the case the way Dylan was grinning like he had a delicious secret. She couldn’t fathom what it was he wanted her to see, but her curiosity was powerful enough she was willing to sacrifice precious sleep to satisfy it. “Fine. But it had better be good.”
Dylan tossed her a pile of clothing to put on, and in less than a minute she was as presentable as one could expect her to be before caffeine. He led her down the stairs, and on the landing between the two flights Cookie heard classic 90s’ music playing. Dylan lifted his finger to his lips, and they proceeded as quietly as they could down the remaining stairs and to the kitchen.
When they got there, Cookie understood why Dylan had wanted her to witness the scene for herself. Scarlett was wearing a blue cotton sundress that was fitted in the bodice and had a flouncy skirt, pinup style. She had on a white apron, and her hair was up in a bun with curled tendrils spilling around her face. But what really touched Cookie was her friend’s brilliant smile. It was the biggest Cookie had seen in ages.
“Aww,” Cookie said quietly. Scarlett danced to the music as she made her way over to Cade with a platter. He was standing in front of the stove and flipped a pancake in the air. Scarlett caught it with the platter and proceeded to catch the next five before the pan was empty. Cade grinned at her, set the spatula down, and took the dish from Scarlett’s hand. After depositing the platter on the counter, he wrapped an arm around her waist and dipped her for a kiss.
Cookie felt like she was watching an old musical, and she couldn’t help herself when she let out a squeal and clapped her hands.
Scarlett gasped when she noticed Dylan and Cookie in the doorway. “How long have you two been standing there?”
“Long enough to catch the pancake show,” Cookie said.
Dylan cleared his throat. “I saw the more hands-on approach you had with the coffee earlier.”
“Oh,” Scarlett tucked a curl behind her ear as she looked at her shoes.
Cade grinned like the Cheshire cat.
Cookie leaned into Dylan and whispered, “Did he sleep over?”
“I think so,” Dylan whispered back.
“You better tell me about the coffee thing later.”
He bent his head close to hers, and in a low, gruff voice, he said, “I’d rather show you instead.”
Cade let out a snort of laughter, and Scarlett said, “Don’t just stand there gossiping about us. The guests will be down any minute.” She swept her hand out. “This all needs to be put on the table.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dylan said, and he stepped forward to help.
Cookie, however, had a greater pressing need and rushed over to the coffee pot to pour herself a cup. She took a big swig, nearly burning her tongue to get the caffeine infusion going.
Cade and Dylan had just left the kitchen when Cookie snagged Scarlett by the tie on her apron and tugged her close. “I might die if you don’t give me details soon.”
Scarlett smiled the kind of smile that lights up a room with happiness. “I’d love to, but it has to be later.”
Cookie reluctantly agreed. She knew the small breakfast rush of the inn’s guests would require Scarlett’s attention. And while she was dying to hear her friend’s good news, she knew she could wait, content that Scarlett was getting the kind of love and affection her bestie deserved. “Fine. But you’d better believe I’m holding you to that.”
Scarlett lifted up a bowl of
fruit salad and winked at Cookie before she nearly sailed out of the room. Cookie found herself smiling like a fool when she grabbed the potatoes and followed. Not only was Cookie’s love life the best it had ever been, but it appeared Scarlett was headed for the same kind of bliss.
Once the meal had been placed on the dining room table, guests began to filter in. Cookie watched as they oohed and aahed over the spread, and she noticed Henry whisper something in Mary’s ear that made her giggle before he gave her a kiss. Love was definitely in the air that morning, and the energy that followed was strong.
It wasn’t until Dylan slipped her mug into her hand that Cookie realized she had forgotten about her coffee and the need for more caffeine to wake her up. As she gazed up into the face of the man she loved, she wished she could hold onto that moment in time forever.
But reality had a way of slipping into dreams, and her fantasy ended when Henry Seiger asked, “Cookie, how’s the investigation of the barge explosion going?”
She glanced at the man, wondering if he was digging to see if he was on the suspect list. He was, but after finding nothing in his room the day before, it wasn’t like they had anything to go on. She knew she needed to at least ask him what he’d been doing the day of the explosion, but she couldn’t interrogate him at breakfast. She’d find another time, so she smiled and said, “Slow. But we’re working our way through our checklist.”
Chapter 16
The sun was warm on Cookie’s shoulders as she and Dylan walked toward town from the inn. They were on their way to check in with Rain before resuming their investigation. The glow of love Cookie had felt at breakfast had not worn off, even after discussing what she felt she could reveal with the guests about their case. And she started to wonder once again, when Hunter was going to call her back. After checking her phone and finding no new calls, she tried him again and let out a sigh of frustration when he didn’t answer. She left a terse message, ordering him to call her. Shoving the phone into her pocket, she took a deep breath of the salty Maine air and let the cool ocean breeze soothe her skin as she tried to ease the tension in her shoulders.
