A Twist in the Tail: An absolutely purrfect cozy mystery (The Oyster Cove Guesthouse Book 1)

by Leighann Dobbs

  ‘Why? I doubt they came here knowing they would kill someone.’ Then again, if they came knowing they were going to poison the gulls, maybe they did use a fake identity.

  ‘Serial seagull killers? Who knows. With fake names they can kill off whole colonies of gulls and then disappear and no one can trace it back to them.’

  That made sense to me. ‘You could be on to something. There is definitely something suspicious about the old couple.’

  ‘There’s only one way to find out what it is.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘Follow them around and see what they do. If they killed Charles because he discovered they were doing something shady, and they didn’t leave town right away, then chances are they are still doing it.’

  Seventeen

  Nero shrunk back into the doorway of the bookstore as Josie came out of the Post Office. ‘Get back! She’ll see us!’

  Marlowe crouched low beside him. Juliette, Boots and Harry just looked at him.

  ‘So what if she sees you?’ Stubbs asked.

  ‘We don’t want her to think we’re following her.’

  ‘Ahh... Still playing aloof?’ Juliette preened.

  ‘Yep. Plus we don’t want her to try to lock us up inside or anything. We need to be free to protect her,’ Marlowe said.

  All the cats shuddered at the thought of being shut up inside. Sure, many humans tried to curtail their outdoor activities thinking it was in their best interest and it likely was for regular cats. But Nero and his gang were special and needed to be free to roam around. How else would they solve mysteries?

  ‘Especially since I feel she may be barking up the wrong tree.’ Nero peeked out from his hiding spot. Josie was almost a block away. He slipped out and trotted a few stores down, taking care to stick close to the edge of the building and duck into doorways when possible. The others followed.

  ‘Barking up the wrong tree?’ Juliette asked. ‘Sounds like something that Mrs. Peterson’s chihuahua would do.’

  ‘I’ve seen him do that a few times,’ Harry said.

  ‘Very funny,’ Boots ran his paw the length of his long whisker, curling it up at the end with a flourish. ‘Nero means that he thinks Josie is on the wrong track. Why don’t you fill us in Nero?’

  ‘There was an incident at the guesthouse last night that eliminated some of the suspects.’ Nero told them how Tony had come to the Guesthouse and what happened after. Admittedly, he might have embellished the whole confrontation part a little bit to make it seem like he and Marlowe had stopped Tony from harming Josie, but since Marlowe didn’t disagree he felt like he was within his rights. He certainly would have if it came to that.

  ‘Darn. I thought that clog print was a sure-fire clue and Tony would take the rap. So now what?’ Stubbs asked.

  ‘Once Tony was cleared, we knew Josie had to go back to the earlier clue. The note.’ Nero ducked quickly behind a tree when Josie turned around. ‘Holy Hiss, did she see us?’

  Marlowe, who had ducked right behind him, peered out. ‘I don’t think so. Looks like she’s getting into her car.’

  ‘Hmm… I wish I knew where she was going.’ Nero narrowed his gaze at Josie, who was settling in behind the wheel of her twelve-year-old Dodge sedan.

  ‘Hopefully back to the guesthouse,’ Harry said.

  ‘We can take the shortcut back there,’ Nero suggested.

  ‘Did you convince her to look at the note? I thought the police had it,’ Boots said.

  Marlowe nodded. ‘It took quite a bit of effort, but she finally got the hint. Luckily she had a picture of it on her phone.’

  ‘So what happened? Don’t tell me the note was a bum steer,’ Stubbs said, using his hard-boiled detective lingo again.

  ‘She puzzled out the potential meanings of the letters,’ Nero said.

  ‘Josie seems quite adept at word puzzles and games. I’ve seen her do the crosswords before,’ Marlowe added.

  ‘She discovered something?’ Juliette asked.

  ‘Now she suspects the Weatherbys. I feel she might be getting into dangerous territory though and want to keep her close.’ Josie’s car pulled onto the road and Nero dove under a shrub, scaring the bejesus out of a sparrow who burst out the other side like he’d been shot from a canon.

  ‘Are you sure she’s correct in suspecting the Weatherbys?’ Boots asked. ‘My whiskers are tingling at the thought and not in a good way.’

  ‘There are some clues. We saw gull feathers and nesting material in their room,’ Marlowe said.

  ‘And I saw them near the gulls’ nests,’ Juliette added.

  ‘They do seem overly interested in the gulls and Josie thought the note might be a blackmail note because Charles caught someone messing around with the gulls somehow.’

  ‘You mean this all has to do with what is happening to the gulls?’ Harry asked.

  ‘It’s a possibility.’ Nero scrambled out from under the bush and shook errant leaves off his coat, then started to groom off any dirt that might have gotten on the white patch of his chest. ‘Whatever the real reason is, Josie is determined to find the killer. Her reputation is on the line, after all.’

  ‘Of course. And we must assist like we always do.’

  ‘Great. Well, we gotta run.’ Nero trotted off in the direction of the shortcut that led to the guesthouse. ‘I’ll keep you all posted.’

  ‘Let us know if we can do anything else!’ Poe yelled after him.

  ‘You know where to find us!’ Harry added.

  ‘I’ll be watching the cliff from the Belfry!’ Juliette purred.

  Nero broke into a full run, Marlowe at his tail. If they hurried they could get back to the guesthouse before Josie did something that might put herself in danger.

  I waited almost all day for the Weatherbys to make a move. I hovered around the front rooms with my duster, trying to look busy. I wanted to stay near the foyer so I could catch them if they left, but there was only so much dusting and straightening one could do in the front rooms.

  I felt a little like a creep. Was I doing the right thing? If they were innocent, I’d simply see them taking pictures of birds. But if not…

  I’d also had the distinct feeling someone… or something… was following me when I left the post office earlier that day. I hadn’t seen anyone when I did a tricky glance over my shoulders and the Weatherbys car was parked and cold (yes, I felt the hood) when I got back to the guesthouse, so it wasn’t them. What if they weren’t the killers and it was the real killer who was following me?

  The cats had been acting strangely too. They bolted into the house a few minutes after I got home and had been staring at me the whole time. Now all of a sudden they’d disappeared. A creak on the stairs brought me out of my reverie.

  ‘Oh, hi, Josie. Huh, I saw Flora cleaning in here earlier.’ Ron looked at me suspiciously. ‘How often do you have to dust this place?’

  ‘One can never have things too clean!’ I chirped. ‘Old houses collect lots of dust.’

  ‘Ahem. Right. Well the Mrs. and I are just going for a walk.’ Ron held up the camera that dangled around his neck. ‘Going to see if we can spot a blue-billed horn-swallow.’

  ‘They have those around here?’ I’d never actually heard of one. Was he making it up? If he was the killer, then he probably was. I remembered how Mike had said that he thought it was odd that Ron had the specifications of his camera wrong, maybe he'd been lying then too? Maybe if I'd listened to Mike, I would have realized Ron could be the killer sooner. Of course, I would never tell Mike that.

  ‘They are very rare, but we’re hopeful!’ Iona pulled Ron out the door and I stared out the window as they headed off to the path at the edge of the estate property. It wound up the hill above the Smugglers Bay Inn, then over to the cliffs near the gulls. I tossed down my feather duster and followed.

  I’d always liked the serenity of walking in the woods with only the chipmunks and birds as company. The smell of pine and the dapples of sunlight filter
ing through the leaves can be magical. Except for today. Today the woods had an ominous feeling and being alone wasn’t quite so serene.

  I came to a fork in the path. Now, which trail had they taken? I squinted down the path on the right and caught sight of something red moving in between the trees. Iona’s shirt. I picked up the pace. Something dark ran in front of me, almost tripping me.

  ‘Whoa!’

  Mew! Nero leapt onto a rock and preened.

  ‘Hey, watch it.’ I whispered because I didn’t want to alert the Weatherbys to my presence.

  Purrr. Marlowe did circle-eights around my ankles.

  ‘Get lost. Shoo. I’m busy.’ I stepped over her and continued on the path, slowing when I came to the corner. I didn’t want the Weatherbys to see me if they’d slowed down. And surely they must have slowed, because we were going uphill. I know I felt like slowing down, and they were a lot older. I could probably take my time and let them get to the cliffs and still see them doing something nefarious. But what if they also did something along the way? I didn’t want to miss that.

  Meow! Nero shot ahead of me on the path then stopped, almost blocking it.

  ‘Look out,’ I whispered, stepping over him again. Darn cats were going to ruin everything.

  I turned the corner. No Weatherbys. I went a little faster, now afraid I might miss out on something.

  Nero and Marlowe trotted in front of me in the most annoying way possible. It was almost as if they were trying to trip me.

  Another splash of red! They were just ahead. I didn’t want to lose them now, but also couldn’t let them know that I was here.

  I continued on, craning to see ahead. They were probably around the next corner. I rounded cautiously.

  No one was there.

  I picked up the pace. Maybe the next corner.

  Nope. Where were they? Had I lost them? And where were the cats? They’d run off and—

  ‘Josie. What brings you out here?’

  I spun around to see Ron and Iona Weatherby blocking the path.

  ‘Josie. What a surprise!’ Iona really did look surprised, but how had they gotten behind me without seeing me on the path? And why would they double back and then come back up? Had they seen me following them and come to confront me? Would I be their next victim? I tensed, ready to flee. Too bad they were blocking the way. I had nowhere to go but toward the cliff. Images of my body smashed on the rocks came to mind.

  Mew.

  Nero, the traitor, was threading between Iona’s ankles and she bent down to pet him. ‘We didn’t realize you were a nature lover.’ Ron stepped closer, a look of suspicion on his face.

  ‘I am. Really. But I don’t get much time to enjoy it what with all my duties at the Guesthouse.’ I stuttered as I tried to plan my escape. I could dart around the big pine, jump over that fallen oak and crash through the woods to connect with the trail below. They were old, I could outrun them.

  Meow! Nero trotted over to Ron and gave him the same purring ankle rubbing routine.

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Ron said. ‘But you do come out here often?’

  ‘Uh huh… Yep.’

  ‘I suppose you go up to the cliff?’ Iona straightened from where she’d crouched to pet the cat and brushed her hands together. ‘The view is outstanding.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Who wouldn’t? Is that where you go?’ While I was stuck here, I might as well ask them some questions and see if I could trip them up.

  ‘Oh yes.’ Ron hefted the camera. ‘Bird watching.’

  ‘The gulls?’ I tried to keep my voice casual.

  Ron’s brow furrowed. ‘What do you know about the gulls?’

  Aha! I could tell by the way he asked that he was worried. His tone definitely indicated guilt. But I had to be careful. If they had killed Charles as I suspected, they probably wouldn’t hesitate to kill me.

  I shrugged as if I had no suspicions at all. ‘They nest up there. It’s sad what’s happening to them, but that’s nature I guess.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Iona asked innocently.

  Trying to play dumb? Well, two could play at that game. ‘They’re dying at an alarming rate. I guess it’s just a cycle of nature? Not enough food to support the growth of the colony.’

  Ron and Iona exchanged a glance. Had I fooled them? Now was my chance to get away.

  Nero and Marlowe had trotted back on the path and were looking over their shoulders at me. Yep, that was my cue to leave.

  ‘Oh, look at the time!’ I glanced at my wrist. ‘The cats are signaling that they need their afternoon meal.’ I pointed toward the two cats who were staring at us.

  Ron and Iona looked dubious but they stood aside. ‘Of course, dear. You shouldn’t delay their feeding. Too bad you won’t make it to the cliff. Seems a waste to come halfway up and not get to the top.’

  Yeah, too bad because that would be a great place to push me off. ‘I know, but I live here so I get to go anytime I want. You two enjoy!’ I hurried off without looking back.

  Only when I was a safe distance away did I turn around. Judging by the way those two had been acting, my suspicions were confirmed that there were the culprits. But what should I do about that? I couldn’t tell Seth Chamberlain until I had some concrete proof. He’d never listen, especially after I’d messed up by pointing the finger at Tony. I was going to have to resort to breaking into their rooms and looking around.

  Eighteen

  Later that afternoon, I made sure the Weatherbys saw the big coupon for the senior special at Salty’s Crab Shack that night. Since I didn’t serve dinner it was a sure bet they’d be dining out. I waited a few minutes after they drove off just to make sure they didn’t turn back.

  Once all the guests were out to dinner, I rushed up the stairs, tamping down the guilt that was spreading in my chest as I fingered the spare key to the Weatherbys room. I’d only ever used the room key for cleaning, and this felt like a violation. I reminded myself that the nice old couple could be hardened killers and looking in their room was necessary to find evidence.

  I was bent over the keyhole and assured myself this was the right thing to do when I heard, ‘What are you doing?’

  Dang! I’d been so focused on sneaking around that I hadn’t noticed Mike coming down the hall. He had his tool belt and a dark gray t-shirt that showed off the fact that he still kept in shape even after being out of the Navy for several years. Not that I was noticing.

  I straightened and leaned against the wall casually as if breaking into guests’ rooms was nothing out of the ordinary. ‘Cleaning.’

  He glanced at the door. ‘Isn’t that the Weatherbys room?’

  ‘Yep. Still needs to be cleaned.’

  He leaned his shoulder against the wall so he was facing me and cocked his head. ‘I thought Flora did the cleaning.’

  I snorted. ‘Seriously?’

  ‘Yeah, I guess maybe she doesn’t do all of it.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘But you wouldn’t be doing some snooping in there, would you?’

  I tried to look incredulous. ‘Me? I would never snoop on guests. Why would I?’

  ‘Aunt Millie told me all about the new theory you guys have come up with that Charles was blackmailing someone. She said you suspected the Weatherbys.’

  Dang. Millie had a big mouth.

  ‘Maybe.’ I studied him for a second. He had been an investigator in the Navy and had been acting like he was interested in this case. Maybe he had an opinion. And since I wasn’t one-hundred percent sure about the Weatherbys, maybe I should listen to it. ‘What do you think?’

  He shrugged. ‘Might be a good deduction, but I don’t think they did it. The sabotage of the stairs doesn’t seem like their forte.’

  I leaned closer to him and lowered my voice. ‘But you said they acted suspiciously about the cameras.’

  He inched closer and my heartbeat sped up. ‘Yeah, I did. But whether it is or isn’t them, you shouldn’t be investigating it. Leave it to Sheriff Chamberlain.’

  I
sighed. ‘I wish I could, but he seems to be barking up the wrong tree and I’m sitting on the top branch.’

  Mike’s face softened. ‘I know. Don’t worry. The truth will come out. I’ve been looking into it myself, so you don’t need to concern yourself with it.’

  I didn’t need to concern myself? Did he seriously just say that? Did he think I should keep to the cooking and cleaning and let the men do the investigating? Ha! I’d show him. But I didn’t voice my thoughts. Better to let him think I was playing along with him, I knew how to handle domineering, control-freaky men.

  I smiled sweetly. ‘That’s really nice of you. I suppose you’re right. Thanks. Now if you don’t mind…’ I gestured toward the door.

  ‘Right, you have cleaning. You work really hard here. Maybe you need a night out.’

  Not with you. No way. ‘Maybe.’

  ‘I’m just finishing up here and…’

  He let his voice drift off and an eager puppy dog look spread across his face. I knew what he was suggesting but I would not be swayed. He probably just wanted to get me away from the Weatherbys room so I wouldn’t get evidence that they were the killers before he did. I knew how competitive men could be. Besides, I had no desire to go on a date. Not with him or anyone for that matter. For one, I was still reeling after the divorce and for two we had history and it wasn’t all pretty.

  ‘You must be almost done with the work Millie contracted you to do,’ I said by way of avoiding his suggestion.

  Mike nodded, looking kind of sad. ‘This place needs a lot more work though. I have spare time in my schedule…’

  ‘Thanks, but I have a tight budget.’ The last thing I wanted was Mike hanging around here. As it was, I was almost starting to get used to him and I certainly did not want that. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but I’d already been talking to Ed O’Hara—a nice retired gentleman who was not within my dating range—about doing the rest of the work.

  He leaned in. ‘I’d be willing to give you a discount or we could work something out.’