The Riddles of Hillgate (Z&C Mysteries, #1)

by Zoey Kane

  “The rubies in this leather pouch will be just fine with me.” Zo smiled “Now, help me close the lid. And never take off your locket, because of the key. Then, let’s go back to our room.” They turned off the light on their way out.

  *

  Once in their bed, they whispered to each other. Claire said, “So, that was it—‘Sink and Ye Shall Find.’ Sink the billiards ball and find the lock to the treasure. It seems like a dream, but it is real. I mean, it is real, isn’t it? I hope I don’t wake up from this.”

  “You are not dreaming. I know—we can pay this place off and its taxes for years, and we aren’t saying how. As far as people are concerned, they can just think the money came from things we sell from this estate. No one knows what that all entails. As far as husbands go, whatever we go into a marriage with is still ours. Keep everything on the down low. On the other hand, we can continue to beautify this place and rent to weddings and things like that in order to share the beauty. We can also anonymously give to needy people. Won’t that be fun?”

  “Yes, and what about a private island and jet?” Claire joked. “That can be a secret, too… Eh, I suppose we can travel and not be so odd. As for the island, Hillgate is our private island, for now.”

  “Yes, we’ll live well; just don’t be excessive and wasteful.” Zo remembered something else. “There is one dealer by the name of Kipperman I think we can trust. I’m sure he would like to buy some of these antiques. Even I don’t have the capacity to keep and enjoy every bit of it for myself. He said he would help me find buyers. He will also help me sell the bricks of gold when I need to. I’m sure he will be happy to assist me, especially if I give him one. I will tell him I simply found these in a ‘safe’ on the property and I would be so much more comfortable getting rid of them—which is absolutely correct. I just won’t tell him there is more. I will get the money, declare it, and pay taxes on it. They never care as long as one pays the taxes. I intend to be honest. I don’t want to corrupt my character.”

  “Boy, Mom. Are you sure you’re willing to give up some of your gold bars because you think you have no room for them?”

  “I have some room, but I also need to buy loyalty.” Zo’s mind continued to whirl. “Tomorrow, I go pay off all the properties and put the old house up for sale. That part of my life is over. I will also pay the big taxes on this estate, telling the IRS there were enough assets on this property I sold to raise the money. Is that not true?”

  “It is definitely true, Mom.”

  “What do you say we hire on Max full time as a foreman of this property and gift him with a really nice car? He’s been such a dear friend.”

  Claire felt her heart swell with happiness at the thought. “That sounds sooo perfect, Mom.”

  They fell asleep and dreamed of cruise ships and island men.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Zo was the first to wake up the next day. The guys and Mr. Smith were gone again. It was bright out, and in her excited movement she awoke Claire.

  Claire grunted. “Any creepy things written on the mirror?” she asked her mom, pushing off the silk sheets.

  “Nope.”

  “Any guest who hasn’t checked out?” she asked behind her sleep mask.

  “Well, if you consider Bob and Lucas guests…”

  “No creaking boards or pictures falling off of the walls either, right?”

  “Right, darling. It’s time to get up and enjoy possibly the first normal day here at Hillgate.”

  Claire took off her pink mask to face the brightness of morning. Sunshine pushed its way between the curtains, illuminating the beautiful room. “Wow, a normal day?”

  “What a blessing, huh?” Zo added.

  They decided to make a big breakfast of eggs, ham, hash browns and cinnamon rolls, chased with orange juice. When the dishes were done, they got dressed in something very comfortable: simple blouses, old jeans and scuffed work boots used out on the property. This was fun when they showed up at Evan Baker’s Antiques & Rare Commodities and hefted two duffle bags with three gold bars in each. Claire and Zoey each unzipped and rolled out six gold bars and smiled. Zoey pushed one in his direction with a contract. Evan didn’t say a word, but his face looked rather frozen. Then he pulled over a chair and sat, just looking before he ran an index finger over the bars. Claire thought she saw a tear.

  Gunner and Bond trotted up the road with Zoey and Claire. They could trot because they took instant detours to smell the ground and circle the duo as they went.

  The two picked some wild flowers that started to blossom along the road toward the gate. They listened to the birds chirping; felt the cool, crisp breeze tickle their skin; and smelled the last of the dew along the wild grass.

  “Did I ever tell you I was a morning person?” Zo laughed.

  “Did I ever tell you that, Mom?”

  “We’re just a couple of bees in a pod.”

  “Peas.”

  “Huh?”

  “Never mind.”

  They passed the memorial to the left, just a little bit further on the right was the Fillmores’ grave site.

  They both knelt down in front of the headstones, their knees getting a bit damp in the soft earth. Claire first placed a dandelion on Mr. Thomas Fillmore’s grave, then Mrs. Loretta Fillmore’s grave, and finally Lilly’s. She then took in a deep, refreshing breath in silence.

  Zo followed her daughter’s example, placing little purple flower sprouts next to each dandelion.

  The mother and daughter linked elbows in affection and contemplated over the last few months.

  “Look at that!” Claire pointed into the sky.

  Their eyes went up, focusing on a little white spot in the sky, too small and too fast to be a cloud. In fact, the sky was a perfect, clear blue. They watched the little white spot twirl a few times, then become bigger as it came closer to the earth. It finally landed on Lilly’s headstone… on the wing of the angelic baby sculpture.

  “A dove,” they said in unison.

  It ruffled its little white feathers and cooed a couple times, looking Zo and Claire both over before dropping a little white poo.

  “Wow,” Zo said.

  “Yeah, I was expecting an inspiring moment, weren’t you?”

  “Well, that just brought our lives back to normal, didn’t it?”

  “That’s a good thing.”

  “Do you think this means the flood’s over?” asked Claire.

  “Most definitely!” Zo laughed cheerfully.

  The end.

  You have finished book #1 in the Zoey and Claire Kane series. Don’t forget to check out the sequel, Cruise to Murder. (You can read the first three chapters, starting on the next page.)

  Cruise to Murder Raves:

  5 STARS. The story is quite fascinating with more ambitious content than the first novella and it affords lots of surprises. I was perfectly, wonderfully entertained! Take my advice and read this series. You will not regret, I promise!

  Stephanie, From Books Paradise

  This short mystery is packed with trouble, mystery and intrigue.

  Kari, From the TBR Pile

  Cruise to Murder is, just as The Riddles of Hillgate, a fast, fun and entertaining read.

  Kim, Kim’s Bookish Place

  I really enjoyed Cruise to Murder… You won’t be disappointed with this one.

  Jill, Seaside Book Nook

  ZoeyandClaire.blogspot.com

  BreezyReads.com

  CRUISE TO MURDER sample (Chapters 1-3)

  -1-

  The cruise ship was larger than Zoey and Claire Kane had imagined. The Sunburst, with its sleek lines, hundreds of glistening windows, and colored flags lining the bow, promised luxurious adventures ahead.

  “Mother, watch out for rolling your luggage onto people’s ankles,” Claire warned.

  “Uh huh,” Zo said, but her focus was taken away by the scenery. She romanticized the sea, down to its pungent, fishy smell—it was all part of the mystical marine allure.
The latest romance novel she read was about a bare-chested captain, who could swing from sail to sail, holding onto a rope with one arm and a damsel in distress in the other. Perhaps I could experience something similar on this voyage, she mused.

  “Oh! Ow!” protested a fellow sailor, scowling.

  “Oops! Sorry, sir… So sorry!” Zo snapped out of it, pulling in her leopard suitcases tighter alongside her own feet.

  “What did I tell you about ankles, Mom?” Claire was carefully wheeling her three black suitcases.

  They were headed up a wide ramp, which led to an entrance aboard ship. It was packed with very wealthy, mostly older, vacationers. Claire didn’t think to ask her mother why neither of them opted for luggage delivery to their suite. She and Zo didn’t feel as if they were part of such a pampered class. It was just happenstance that the two came upon such riches and so recently. Still, they expected to have a lot of fun taking advantage of their nouveau wealth. It was time for a much needed holiday, especially after having just solved the riddles of Hillgate Manor.

  As a mother-daughter team, the two complement each other as they enjoy outwitting life’s obstacles. Zo thinks of Claire as the careful, more business-minded one. And Claire thinks of her mother as the free spirited, gutsy one. The two may seem and look to be opposites in many ways, but like any yummy pastry, sugar goes good with some salt. The twenty-five-year-old is the salt to the fifty-something-year-old sugar. It always surprises others to find out Claire is so young, because she is so savvy beyond her years. Likewise, people are always surprised to find out Zo is in her fifties, because of her youthful zest.

  Zo was wearing a sheer blouse with a dropped neckline over a tank top. Her strawberry-blonde hair was braided down her back, leading to her white capris and golden-laced sandals. Claire was wearing a simple summer dress and her brunette, shoulder-length hair was up in a sleek French twist.

  “I fear we didn’t dress well enough for the occasion,” Zo finally said, taking in all the hundred-dollar sunglasses, thousand-dollar handbags, Rolexes, pearl necklaces—and, of course—diamonds… big ones!

  “I’m just amazed we can out-dress them if we desire,” Claire said. “But that doesn’t matter anyway. We are just now boarding. We have our nice clothes for later, not to be wasted on moments like this.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but I do wish I had brought my lovely ruby ring for tonight,” Zo thought, then spotted a group of older women all wearing red hats, complemented with purple fringe, feathers, scarves, or lace. “It’s The Red Hat Society!”

  “Oh, I think I’ve heard of them,” Claire said. “Seniors who wear red hats and enjoy leisure activities. See? There are more over there.”

  “Yes, yes. Oh, and there must be the Pink Hat Society.” Zo pointed. Younger women with pink hats were interwoven with the party of red hats. “Do you think I could fit in with them, dear?”

  “Who?! The Pink Hats? Don’t even try.” Claire was serious. “I would like this cruise to be mostly about us. We have not had fun and relaxation in a long time. Let’s just stick together.”

  “I know.” Zo would have put her arm around her daughter, in a side-squeeze, if they weren’t continuing to walk up the never-ending ramp. “How do you think Lucas and Bob will do without us?”

  “I think they will be fine.”

  “Remember to keep your options open since Jack left. Lucas may not be The One.”

  “Bob either, Mother. I think it’s too soon for them to think we are exclusive anyway. What has it been, a couple of months of dating here and there?”

  “Yes, but they certainly are good boys, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, good boys.” Claire laughed.

  After finally entering the center, The Grand Foyer of the ship, they made their way to an elevator of mostly windows, decorated with twinkling lights. They exited on the top deck, where the most elite staterooms resided.

  Zo gasped. “That hallway looks to be about two-hundred yards to the left and two-hundred yards to the right,” she exaggerated.

  “Oh, no worries.” Claire quickly saw that their stateroom was not too far off. “It’s just right up there.”

  “Oh good.”

  Zo had the key card and she unlocked their door. Inside didn’t disappoint. It was comparable to a five star hotel suite in Vegas. A chandelier was right in the center of a very elegant sitting room. Champagne and cider in an ice bucket greeted them next to fresh-cut orchids in a vase on a glass coffee table. Two bedrooms off opposite sides from it had king size beds, large flat screen TVs and walk in showers.

  “This definitely is a celebrity cruise line. I’ve never seen such rooms aboard other ships,” Claire noted.

  “Wow!” Zo exclaimed. “I still have a poverty appreciation for this kind of grandeur.”

  They opened a sliding glass door and stepped out to their balcony. They stood there, leaning their forearms against the railing in awe for a moment, looking out across the dark, rippling sea.

  “There’s the life boat,” Claire mentioned, nodding in the direction of it, just left of the balcony.

  “That makes me feel better,” her mother said with a chuckle.

  After hanging up several expensive evening dresses and setting out dozens of high heels, they heard an announcement over an intercom in their rooms. “This is your captain, Vladimir. Welcome and thank you for choosing The Ocean Elite Cruise Line for your vacation experience.” He had a strong accent. “In one hour, 5 p.m., we ask all to gather for a mandatory lifejacket try-on with accompanying tour of exits and life boats. We will sail away in two-and-a-half hours—6:30 p.m. I invite you to the traditional sailing away ceremony out on The Galaxy Deck. The Sunburst will be sailing to our first stop, Kinikiwiki Island, arriving at this beautiful destination by morning. Bon Voyage!”

  They felt thrills of excitement course through them upon hearing the announcement of the island getaway. They met back in the sitting room upon the captain’s last words, all dressed for the evening.

  Claire’s large gold locket from The Riddles of Hillgate adorned her black satin dress. Her hair was still up, but tightened into a neater twist with a bit of bangs falling across her perfect forehead.

  “Oh, you look wonderful,” said Zo as she centered her daughter’s locket clasp more perfectly to the back of her neck.

  “We look wonderful.” Claire beamed. “Wow, your garnet red dress is to die for!”

  “Yes, I thought it would make a statement. I bought it in the city last weekend. What kind of a statement does it make, dear? Nothing rude, I hope.”

  “You and it go well together. Don’t worry,” assured her daughter with a critical eye. “Why don’t we walk around a bit before the night wears on?”

  “Count me in,” Zo chimed.

  They both rushed to grab their evening handbags. Zo felt the doorknob to make sure it was locked on the way out.

  Suddenly the door to the suite left of them opened up and out stepped a very thin, happy woman wearing a cocktail hat, a geranium-red dress to match, and a deep purple boa. “Oooh, your dress is to die for!” she exclaimed in compliment to Zo.

  “That’s what my daughter said.” She chuckled, happy for receiving the remark twice.

  “Well, it is.” She gleamed, her fluffy white hair poked out from under the hat. Her blue eyes were sincerely kind and her cheeks pudged out like apples. “Hi, my name is Kathryn.”

  Zo shook hands first. “My name is Zoey Kane and this is my daughter, Claire Kane. You can call me Zo.”

  “How do you do?” Claire acknowledged.

  “Oh, splendid. I’m here with a bunch of lady friends, but you know it is so neat to see a mother and daughter close like you two. You aren’t in business together, are you?”

  “Well, not really,” Zo answered. “We did have a very successful hotel.” She didn’t fear bragging. “But now we are looking into other options. Claire was an editor to Eye Witness Magazine,” she added to top it off with a cherry.

  “
Eye Witness Magazine? Oh yes, I have heard of it, although I haven’t read an issue myself.” Her smile continued. “Oh, well, speaking of publishing,” she quieted her voice and stepped a little closer to the two, “I hear that Felix Belmont, publisher of American Citizen, has a room right on the other side of you two!”

  “Really?!” Zo and Claire said in unison.

  “Yes!” Kathryn nodded vigorously. “Maybe you will run into each other during the week. Exchange info.”

  “Oh, that would be excellent.” Claire thanked her for that bit of information.

  “Well, see you ladies around. I have got a meeting to attend.” She waved. “And I’m late!”

  “Bye!” Zo said, admiring her charm.

  “Did you hear that? Felix Belmont is next door to us. This vacation seems to only get better and better and we’ve hardly arrived aboard ship, Mother.”

  -2-

  “Now take your life jacket and slip it over the head like so.” A crew member demonstrated effortlessly.

  Large crowds gathered in separately appointed areas, learning how to save themselves in case of emergency. The Starlight Room, a very large theater, was Zo and Claire’s appointed meet-up place.

  Claire slipped her life jacket on within a couple seconds. Somehow, Zo got hers caught on her pretty hair ornaments. Her arms were stuck upwards waiting for their release. She looked like a crab to her daughter. Claire was trying to be sympathetic, while at the same time unsuccessfully resisting laughter.

  “Help,” Zo squeaked, her brown enchanting eyes perplexed, peek-a-booing through the front slats of the jacket.

  Claire quickly helped by pushing down on it and moving her mother’s hair strategically out of the way. The scene caught the attention of several people nearby who were tittering amongst themselves privately.

  “This is not the first impression I wanted to make.” Zo huffed. “Hurry!”