A Fowl Feast (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 7)

by Lyndsey Cole

  “You won’t believe it. Rochelle told Mack that everyone believed every word she said. Their plan was working . . . to get Nate and Joey out of their lives.”

  “Are you serious?” Hannah felt her knees go weak. “Maybe they think Nate killed Al and will kill Joey, too, once he has the money.”

  Hannah looked around. The horses grazed in the field without a care in the world. Everything was calm and bucolic, but as Hannah stood next to her car surrounded by the too-perfect view, she felt icicles pricking her skin. “I know you just said you didn’t think it was a good idea to go up to the house right now, but I want an answer about this registration. Are you coming with me?”

  Samantha moved her head back and forth indecisively, pursed her mouth, then nodded. “Okay, let’s do it.”

  Mack answered the door after one knock. “Hello, Hannah. Rochelle is resting.”

  Hannah squeezed past Mack and stepped inside. She suspected he would be too polite to refuse her pushy behavior. Samantha followed.

  “Yes, that was quite an ordeal for her last night,” Hannah said. “Could I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Um . . .”

  Hannah didn’t give Mack a chance to give her some lame excuse. She gently touched his arm. “It’s about Joey.”

  Mack’s face whitened considerably. “Is he . . . did someone harm him?”

  “We’d better sit down to talk about it.”

  As Mack turned and led the way down the expansive hall, Hannah glanced at Samantha who gave her an I-hope-you-know-what-you’re-doing look.

  Mack held his arm out indicating the two women should enter the living room. “We can talk in here. Would you like some tea or coffee?”

  Hannah was impressed that Mack managed to perform his perfect host responsibilities even while it was obvious he didn’t want her in the house. “No thanks, we don’t want you to go to any trouble.”

  Mack sat on a straight-backed Queen Anne chair across from the matching couch where Hannah and Samantha made themselves comfortable. “So, what is this about Joey?”

  “I think he stole Rochelle’s car.”

  Mack’s hand rubbed his neck with a noticeable shake. “Her car?”

  “Yes.” Hannah pulled out the registration that Samantha had taken from the car and handed it to Mack. “I can’t figure out any other explanation for why he was driving it this morning.”

  Mack stared at the paper. “Oh.” He laughed nervously. “I . . . um . . . let Joey borrow the car.”

  “Well, that clears it up because he told me that Nate gave it to him.” Hannah looked at Mack and crunched her eyebrows together. “I wonder why he would say that.” Hannah stood. “And another thing that doesn’t make any sense to me: Joey seems to have a fair amount of money. Did you loan him money, too?”

  Mack sat staring at Hannah. His eyes blinked several times.

  Hannah sat again. “Actually, I just had a thought. You and Rochelle are setting Joey up to be right in Nate’s crosshairs. Why would you do that, Mack?” She slapped her leg. “Get them both out of your life at the same time.” She pointed her finger at Mack. “Very clever.”

  “You certainly ask a lot of questions, Hannah,” Rochelle’s voice screeched from the doorway. “Nate Allen is a dangerous criminal and you have no idea what’s going on. It’s time that the two of you leave.”

  Hannah had no intention of disagreeing with Rochelle about leaving. Mack’s reaction to her questions was all she needed to know that she’d stirred up a hornet’s nest. Now she had to figure out what Joey and Nate were going to do next.

  She was glad they were walking out in one piece. She hurried Samantha along the path to their cars. ”My skin is crawling. Are they watching us?”

  Samantha took a quick look behind them. “Oh yeah. A curtain just fell back into place. What’s their next move?”

  “Beats me. But at least they know that someone is on to them.” Hannah opened her car door.

  “Yeah, and on to us if one of them killed Al. Did they have alibis?” Samantha asked.

  “I don’t know.” Hannah paused to think. “After Cal finished work here on Wednesday, I went straight home and Cal went to Al’s house. I suppose Rochelle or Mack could have followed Al to Cal’s boat and killed him. Nate did tell me that he saw someone walk down the dock, jump on Cal’s boat, and leave after about fifteen minutes.”

  “Wait a minute.” Samantha held up her finger. “Nate told me he knows who killed Al. He must have seen who walked down the dock.”

  “I asked him about that. He said he told you that so you’d tell him where I was. He didn’t see the person well enough to know who it was.”

  “At least that’s what he told you. Don’t forget, Hannah, Nate seems to have a habit of lying when it’s convenient for him.”

  “Good point.”

  “Have you fallen under his spell?”

  Hannah wondered if Nate Allen was so good at hiding his emotions and convincing others of what he wanted them to believe that she did let him distract her from the truth. He’d had ten years to learn patience, and probably deception, as a means to survive.

  “I hope not. I’m going to stop at Cal’s boat before I head home. Joey rammed him with the wheelbarrow and I want to make sure he’s feeling okay.”

  “I’ll see you there then.” Samantha opened her car door. “With any luck, maybe I can have another chat with Nate. He’s not holding all the cards anymore. Maybe I can catch him in a lie.”

  Hannah mulled over what she knew and the information just circled around back to the beginning. Al was dead. None of the suspects were eliminated. Nate wanted revenge. Both Rochelle and Mack wanted Al out of their lives, along with Joey and Nate. Joey seemed to be a pawn in everyone’s plan.

  Cal’s truck wasn’t in the marina parking lot. Hannah decided to walk to his boat and leave him a note. A note would make him smile.

  “Come on, Nellie. You can sniff around for a bit.”

  Hannah jumped on the back of his boat and took the two steps down to the cabin, opened the door, and followed Nellie inside.

  A low growl made Hannah’s hair stand on end. “What are you doing here?”

  Joey backed away from Cal’s counter with his hands out. Weapon free. “Is your dog gonna bite me?”

  “Maybe.” Hannah scanned the boat and everything seemed to be in place. “What are you doing here, Joey?”

  “Uh . . . lookin’ for somethin’.”

  “In Cal’s boat? There’s nothing here that would interest you.”

  Hannah’s eyes made a more thorough scan along the counter, the floor, under the lip of the bench seat. Something glistened. She used the toe of her sneaker to pull it out where she could reach it.

  She held up a keychain—a horsehead keychain. “Is this what you lost?”

  “That’s Rochelle’s, she must have dropped it in here.”

  “You’re right. It is Rochelle’s. But it’s the key for the barn and the apartment that she gave you when you were cleaning the stalls on Wednesday. You dropped it, Joey.” Hannah and Nellie stepped closer to him. “When were you here in Cal’s boat?”

  Joey made a dash for the door. He was taller than Hannah but she was faster and stronger. She flung her leg out and Joey crashed to the floor. “Not so fast.” She had one foot on his chest. “When were you here, Joey?”

  “Wednesday night.” His voice trembled.

  “You followed your father here?” Hannah demanded to know.

  “Yes.” His answer was barely audible above the noise of Hannah’s beating heart.

  Hannah couldn’t believe her ears. “You killed your own father?”

  “No,” Joey sobbed. “He was already dead.”

  Twenty-Seven

  Hannah’s feet were frozen to the floor of Cal’s boat.

  Nellie whined.

  “Get up,” she finally managed to say. “How’d you get here?”

  “My boat. That’s how I came Wednesday night, too. I wanted to know wh
at my father was going to do. I was afraid he might hurt Cal.”

  “You came on this boat?”

  Joey nodded. “I freaked out when I saw my dad dead. I guess the key fell out then. I’ve been frantic someone would find it and know I was here.”

  “Okay.” Hannah took in a deep breath. “We’re going to my place, now. You have to talk to Deputy Larson and tell her all this. She won’t go easy on you, Joey.”

  “I know. I’m used to it.” His voice had the resigned tone of someone who expected the worst. “The only one who’s been nice to me is Cal. Nate, too, sort of, but I know it’s only ‘cuz he’s lookin’ for the money.”

  Hannah took Joey’s arm and led him down the dock. “Do you know where the money is?”

  “No. Mack gave me some and I’ve been usin’ that to keep Nate happy until the rest shows up.”

  “And Mack gave you the car, too, didn’t he?”

  Joey’s head swiveled to look at Hannah. “How’d you know?”

  “The registration in the glove compartment.”

  Joey slapped the side of his head.

  They got to Hannah’s car. Joey seemed relieved to go with her. She called Pam before she started to drive and left a message for her to meet Hannah at her cottage.

  “When did Mack give you the money?”

  “Early this morning. He came to my house, banged on the door, and told me to use it carefully to keep Nate happy. He said Nate probably killed my dad, but I don’t think so.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, he’s a tough guy but he told me that he has no intention of going back to jail.” Joey looked at Hannah. “He told me what my father did to him and he only wants what he thinks is his fair share.”

  “So, half of the five hundred thousand?”

  “That’s right, he said I should get the other half. He wasn’t going to share one penny with my father but he said that with a dad like I got stuck with I deserved a break.”

  “Huh. Nate told you that?”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t believe him. I’m not stupid. I knew he was trying to get on my good side so I’d help him but I don’t know where the money is. I just didn’t want to end up dead like my dad.”

  Hannah pulled into her parking lot. Meg’s rust bucket was there, right between Cal’s truck and Samantha’s Mini Cooper. Nate’s car was parked far away from the others.

  “Here we are. Let’s go.”

  Joey followed Hannah into her cottage.

  Everyone stared.

  “I found Joey in your boat, Cal. And I left a message for Pam to come as soon as possible. Joey has something to tell her.”

  Everyone started talking at once.

  “Quiet! Let the kid sit down. He’ll tell you his story, but give him some space. I have to check on something.”

  Hannah walked outside and over to Something’s Fishy, where Nate was staying.

  She knocked.

  And waited.

  Nate finally opened the door.

  “Can we talk?” Hannah asked.

  He nodded and opened the door more, letting Hannah come inside.

  “Did you tell Joey he could have half of the five hundred thousand dollars?”

  Nate’s face registered surprise before it softened. He looked away. “I see myself in that kid. He’s making all the wrong choices. Now he’s alone in the world, not that I think he was any better off with Al.” Nate shrugged. “He deserves a break.”

  “That’s what Joey told me you said. Well, just the part about needing a break. Come with me. I think I know where that money is.”

  Hannah drove out with Nate, hoping to avoid a confusing conversation with Pam. Luck was on her side.

  “Where are we going?” Nate asked.

  “I lied. I’m not actually sure where the money is, but I’m hoping we can flush it out.”

  “Without getting killed in the process? That’s rather high on my priority list.” Nate smiled at Hannah.

  “Yeah, mine too. I can’t guarantee anything. Do you want to get out of the car? I’m going, with or without you.”

  Nate laughed. “You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Hannah Holiday. Caroline was right about you.”

  “What are you talking about? The two of you had a chat about me behind my back?”

  “We did. Don’t worry, your great aunt only talks in glowing words about you. I’m not sure you deserve it, though.”

  Hannah let her attention veer off the road to look at Nate. His head was turned looking out the passenger window but she could see his jaw tighten. Was he holding back a laugh?

  Hannah turned into the Lowes’ driveway. “Here’s the plan.” Hannah slowed the car. “See that little chubby pony out there?”

  Nate nodded.

  “You need to chase her through the gate so she’s loose. I’m going to call up to the house to tell Rochelle her pony got out and I saw her on the road but can’t catch her.”

  “And this will help us find the money, how?”

  “This will separate Mack and Rochelle. You saw someone walk up the dock to Cal’s boat the night Al was murdered, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Do you think it was Mack?”

  He shrugged. “It could have been . . . or Rochelle . . . or Joey.”

  Hannah was pretty sure it wasn’t Joey since he admitted to going to Cal’s boat but he arrived there with his boat, not by walking up the dock. “When Rochelle comes out, I’ll help her with the pony and you sneak in the house. Threaten Mack or say whatever you need to. I don’t know, tell him you saw who murdered Al. At any rate, you only have to make him think that if he hands over the money to you he’ll never see you again.”

  “This sounds like a stupid plan.”

  “Do you have something better?” Hannah waited.

  Nate shook his head.

  “Okay. Go chase the pony out.”

  Nate opened the door.

  “Oh, one more thing. Look for the money hidden in plain sight—maybe a wooden box or a briefcase.”

  Nate rolled his eyes but he got out of the car, opened the gate, and headed toward the horses. He waved his arms wildly getting all the horses galloping. Tumbleweed was in the lead through the gate first but all the others followed. Not exactly what Hannah planned but this was better.

  She parked at the barn, ran to the tack room, and studied the intercom system. One button said call. She pushed it hoping someone in the house could hear her from the barn. “Rochelle? Are you there? Can you hear me?” She made sure her voice sounded appropriately panic stricken.

  Hannah had a moment of concern wondering what she’d do if Rochelle didn’t answer but a voice came back through the intercom. “Who is this?”

  “Rochelle? It’s me, Hannah. I was driving by and all your horses are loose.”

  “You’re kidding.” Panic laced her voice. “I’ll be right out.”

  Hannah gave Nate a thumb’s up and he ran to hide behind a tree. She briefly wondered why she was teaming up with this guy, but she didn’t have time to analyze her decision since Rochelle came flying down the path to the barn with her corgis scattering in every direction.

  “Where are they?” It was a question that didn’t need an answer since all the horses had settled down and were milling around the barn and trampling the flower gardens.

  Rochelle went in the barn and returned with a bucket of oats. As soon as the horses heard the oats rattling, they lifted their heads and pricked their ears. She slowly walked toward the closest horse, clucking and talking sweetly. She held the halter and led him to his stall. This operation was repeated as Hannah watched the beautiful animals swish their tails and, one by one, respectfully follow Rochelle.

  All except Tumbleweed. She had a mind of her own with no intention of giving up her freedom, even for a handful of oats. She moved farther away, keeping just out of reach. The three corgis yipped and yapped and tried to herd her back to the barn. Instead, showing her true independence, Tumbleweed led Rochelle and the yipping d
ogs down the driveway away from the house.

  Hannah slipped into the barn and made a beeline for the tack room. With her fingers crossed, she said a silent prayer that her theory about the intercom was right and she’d be able to hear what was going on in the house from when Rochelle had answered her call minutes earlier. Yes! Hannah pumped her arm in the air as Mack’s and Nate’s voices came through, broken up but mostly understandable. Hannah sighed.

  “I saw you go to Cal’s boat,” Nate said. “You murdered him.”

  “I didn’t. It wasn’t me, it was Rochelle. She planned everything. All I did was give Joey the car, the money, and I got her back to the apartment after she faked an attack last night,” Mack stuttered.

  “Give me the money and you’ll never see me again,” Nate said.

  “Joey has the money.”

  “I don’t believe you. He has a little but I want it all. Hear me, Mack? All of it. Not fifty thousand, not two hundred and fifty thousand, I want the full five hundred thousand.” Nate’s voice was harsh and if Hannah didn’t know better, she’d be scared.

  The sound of footsteps came over the intercom. Was Mack taking Nate somewhere? She didn’t like being here, having to guess what was happening.

  “What are you doing in here?”

  Hannah froze. A chill ran through her veins. She had been so interested in Nate’s progress, she didn’t hear Rochelle walk in behind her. She turned around. “Did you get all the horses in?” She felt for the intercom button behind her back. Would she be able to push something to shut it off before Rochelle figured out what Hannah was doing in the tack room? She pushed something and hoped she was in the clear.

  Rochelle reached for a dark insulated windbreaker that hung next to the door. “Mack said he lost this jacket but it’s right here.” She zipped it and pulled the hood over her head, wrapping her arms around herself. “I didn’t even grab a coat when I ran out. Any idea how the horses escaped?” She eyed Hannah suspiciously as she walked closer.

  “Here it is,” Mack’s voice came into the room.

  “What are you doing, Mack? Don’t give him the money.” The voice sounded like Rochelle’s but it couldn’t be, she was standing next to Hannah.