Ruffled Feathers (Dune House Cozy Mystery Book 7)

by Cindy Bell

  “Help! Please help me!”

  She reached the beach umbrella, but the chair beneath it was empty. There was no house to run to, no resort or even a restaurant. It was just a beach umbrella in the middle of an isolated beach that someone might have abandoned long ago. Winded, Suzie tried to run again, but her legs trembled too hard to carry her. She collapsed into the sand. A spray of sand struck the back of her head as Neil skidded to a stop right behind her. She knew then, that she was not going to escape. She might have even made Neil’s life easier by wearing herself out.

  “Thanks for the work out.” Neil chuckled. “I needed that.” He reached down and grabbed her under the arms. Suzie made a mild attempt to wriggle free of his grip. She became aware that he didn’t seem the least bit concerned about being seen. That meant that he already knew there was no one around to see him. Suzie closed her eyes and waited for her body to be tossed into the water. Instead Neil pulled her back towards the building.

  “Let me go, Neil. Let me go.” Suzie looked up at him as he tugged her right through the door of the building. “Please. I won’t tell anyone. I won’t say a word. Just let me go.”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.” He scowled at her. “It’s not as if I forced you to get involved in all of this. This is not my fault.”

  “Please, Neil.” He tossed her down on the concrete floor. Suzie struggled to pull herself up to her feet. She was exhausted. Neil grabbed her arm firmly.

  “Look, this isn’t personal. My life is simple. It’s all about numbers and profit. I can’t let anything get in my way. I lost a lot of money on this property and I have some very dangerous people upset with me. I need this deal to go through. I have a lot riding on it. You are going to be a casualty to a great development for Garber, if that gives you any peace.”

  “Just let me go, Neil. If I figured this out, then others will, too. Do you want two murders hanging over your head?”

  “Eh, what’s one more?” He pushed her towards the wall of the empty building. “By the time they find you everyone will have forgotten about Priscilla. No one will put two and two together.”

  Suzie’s heart lurched. Was he right? Just as he pulled the door closed behind him, Suzie heard something in the distance. She drew a sharp breath at the sound. Was it possible or was it just her imagination? The thought was swept from her mind as Neil approached her.

  “I have to make a phone call. Your presence interrupted a very important meeting. Once that’s settled, I’ll take care of you.” He turned away from her as he pulled out his cell phone. Suzie looked around for anything that she could strike him with. There was nothing but dust and sand on the floor. On one wall a large poster was worn and weathered. It depicted what appeared to be a large resort.

  It struck her that Neil was holding her captive in the remains of a failed beach resort. No wonder there was no one around. He probably owned everything she could see. Maybe, just maybe, if someone noticed she was missing and figured out by some miracle that Neil took her, they would think to look for her there. But by the time all of that happened, she was sure it would be far too late for her. She heard snippets of Neil’s conversation about the development deal. It took a callous man to settle business matters while his future murder victim waited for his attention.

  Suzie summoned all of her strength and started to stumble towards an open window. It was a bit too high for her to just climb through, but she had to try. As her feet shuffled along the concrete she noticed that Neil’s voice no longer filtered through the air. Her heart sank as she realized that he had hung up the phone. Her futile attempt to reach the window ended before she even made it a few steps. He pinned her back against the wall. However, as she was shoved she heard the sound again. She was certain that the chirp was familiar. “Pumpkin! Pumpkin!”

  Neil scowled and looked towards the window. “That damn bird!” His grip tightened on one of her arms. He clamped his other hand over her mouth. “Don’t make a sound, understand?” When he met her eyes Suzie nodded. She knew that he was distracted by the bird, she could only hope that would give her an advantage. The bird landed on the windowsill of the open window. When Suzie saw her she wondered if it was all an illusion. But Neil’s tightened grasp told her that he saw the bird, too.

  “Pumpkin! Pumpkin!” The bird shrieked. All at once Suzie knew that the bird wasn’t saying pumpkin at all. Benita was saying Runkin. Since pumpkin was more common that was just what people heard. The entire time the bird knew who the killer was. If only Suzie had paid attention she might have been more cautious around Neil’s car. But she knew better than that. Nothing would have stopped her from investigating.

  “I’m going to get rid of that bird once and for all.” He kept one hand clamped over Suzie’s mouth and used his other hand to draw his gun. He pointed it towards the bird on the windowsill.

  “No!” Suzie cried out against his palm. With her hands free she grabbed at the hand that held the weapon. Neil’s hand dipped in reaction to the pressure. An explosion filled the air. It rocked Suzie’s senses to the point of stopping her heart and stealing her breath. She squeezed his wrist hard to try to get the weapon to drop, but he easily pushed her back against the wall. When he did she caught sight of the bullet hole in the baseboard beneath the window. Benita was gone, but not likely harmed. However, without the bird to focus on, Neil turned the gun back on Suzie.

  “You shouldn’t have done that. I’m getting tired of this fight with you. I think I’m just going to put an end to all of this right this second.”

  “No Neil, don’t. This isn’t the way to solve things. It wasn’t the way to deal with Priscilla either. You know that. You just didn’t take the time to think it through. You let your emotions get the better of you.”

  “Keep quiet! You have no idea what you’re talking about! Priscilla let that stupid girl get into her head! That wasn’t my fault either.”

  “You took a mother from her daughter, you…”

  Neil scowled at her with such intensity that Suzie winced. “You have no idea what I have endured for both of those women. When Leanne was a girl I tried. She was a wayward, strong-willed kid with no father to guide her. I stepped up as a father figure for her. I taught her everything I knew about business. I gave her an education that was priceless. Did she thank me? No. Of course not. She used everything I taught her to try to take me down in the public eye. What kind of ruthless person does that?”

  Suzie just looked at him without responding. If he was talking then at least he wasn’t pulling the trigger.

  “Then Priscilla, my sweet, stupid Priscilla, she got caught up in her daughter’s psychosis. For years I managed to keep the two of them apart, but in the end Leanne managed to creep inside of Priscilla’s head. That’s when I knew that I had no choice but to end it. Priscilla came to me and said she wanted out of the deal, the deal that was going to make us both millionaires, the deal that I’ve been working towards my entire life. How could I ever let that happen? I mixed her a drink. I spiked it, then I took care of things. She never felt a thing. She never knew what happened. I was merciful.”

  “There is nothing merciful about murder!” Suzie met his eyes with fury in her own. “You’re a selfish, terrible person, Neil, and no amount of justification is going to change that.”

  “I’m okay with being who I am.” He shrugged. “I don’t have a choice in the matter. It’s my nature. This building we’re in now was supposed to be my ticket to success. It was going to be the jewel of the coast. Instead, the deal was stopped because of an issue with turtles. Can you believe it? Rats in shells cost me every penny of my investment. It took years of small buys to build my fortune again. Then I turned around and sank it into this deal. I will not let anything stop it from going through. Not Priscilla, not you, and not Leanne if she gets it in her head to try to stop me. I will go and pick off every one of those seabirds myself if I need to.”

  “It’s crazy that you can feel this way, Neil. These people were like
your family, and this is how you treated them? It’s disgusting. You have to see that none of this can be right. You’re sick, and you need help, Neil.”

  “It’s all over for you now. Money is power, and I don’t need family if I’m successful. You consider that woman you live with to be your family don’t you? How about that fisherman you date? And your long lost cousin, a police officer no less? But who showed up to save you? Just some belligerent bird. That’s how far family gets you, Suzie. I’m doing you a favor by ending things for you before you’re forced to learn that lesson.”

  He raised the gun and pointed it towards her face. Suzie flinched and turned away but she knew there was no real way to avoid the bullet.

  An explosion filled the air. Suzie’s entire body jolted. She felt a heavy weight against her chest. It didn’t hurt as much as she thought it would. She braced herself for her final breath. But she didn’t feel any pain, or have any difficulty breathing. In fact her heart pounded so hard that she was sure it was getting stronger.

  “Suzie? Suzie!”

  She knew that voice, it was Jason. She opened her eyes. Benita perched on the windowsill right in front of her. Suzie realized that the heaviness against her chest was Neil’s weight slumped against her. The gun in his hand clattered to the cement floor.

  “Jason?” Suzie cleared her throat. She was shocked that she could speak.

  “Hold on.” Jason tugged at Neil until he crumpled to the ground. Suzie could see that he’d been shot in the shoulder. His eyes were closed, but his face crinkled in pain. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Jason looked her over from head to toe. “I have the medics on their way in.”

  “I’m okay, Jason. I think I’m okay.” She looked up at him with wide eyes. “You saved me.”

  Behind Jason, Kirk rushed in followed by a few uniformed officers. Jason looked into her eyes.

  “Suzie. I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.” Without awaiting a response Jason put his arms around her and held her close. Only then did Suzie realize that tears streamed down her cheeks.

  “I’m so glad you came.” She hugged him in return with her arms so tight around him that she wondered if he could breathe.

  “Let’s get you outside.” Jason guided her past the paramedics that tended to Neil. Kirk retrieved Neil’s gun, then stood watch over him. The sunlight greeted Suzie as she stepped outside. There, in the parking lot, strenuously restrained by two officers was Mary. She pushed past the officers and rushed towards her.

  “I know you told me to wait here, Jason, but I heard the gun shot, and I…” Mary hugged Suzie. “Are you okay? Please tell me that you’re not hurt.”

  “I’m not hurt,” Suzie said.

  “I will kill him!” Mary exclaimed. “I will kill him with my bare hands, Jason, you might need to put me in handcuffs.”

  “Oh Mary.” Suzie smiled through tear-filled eyes. “You’re not going to kill anyone.”

  “You don’t know that. I might. I sure want to.” Mary pursed her lips. “I got a call from Maurice. He said you let the bird loose and it was shrieking about pumpkins. I knew you would never do that so I tried to call your cell phone. When you didn’t answer I knew something was wrong. Wes and I drove to the motel. We found your purse, your phone, and an open birdcage. Benita was shrieking just like Maurice said she was. Wes threatened Maurice for information, but Maurice insisted he only gave you the key and hadn’t seen you since. Benita kept flying around the dumpster. Wes noticed an oil stain on the ground. He saw the same oil stain at Dune House and put two and two together and we presumed that it was probably from Neil’s car. Since it was fresh, we thought perhaps he saw what happened or was involved. After the paperwork we found, Neil was already our best suspect.”

  “And then Benita led you all the way here?” Suzie’s eyes widened.

  “No, not exactly.” Mary smiled. “Jason ordered a ‘be on the lookout’ for Neil’s vehicle to be sent out to all patrol cars. Since Neil’s car is pretty noticeable it didn’t take long to track it down. Wes has a police radio so we came here straight away. I did let Benita out of her cage when we got here hoping that she might distract Neil. I had no idea that she would land on the windowsill like that.”

  “If she hadn’t I might not have made it out of there. Neil admitted that he killed Priscilla and Leanne had nothing to do with it.”

  “We heard.” Wes nodded as he walked up to them. “Everything is going to be fine. Once Neil is treated he’ll be headed to prison, and that will be the last time he can hurt anyone.”

  “What about the real estate deal?” Suzie frowned.

  “It won’t go ahead. The paperwork was never sent and because Priscilla crossed out everything it can’t be used. It’s clear that she intended to cancel the deal before she was killed,” Wes said as he folded his hands behind his back. “It’s all settled. The important thing is that you are safe.”

  “Yes.” Mary met her eyes. “Absolutely.”

  Paul’s car screeched into the parking lot. Suzie looked up and felt her heart leap at the sight of him. It didn’t matter to her that he might want to marry her, or that he had a ring hidden on his boat. All that mattered was that he was there. Suzie opened her arms to him. He pulled her close and held her against his chest until her trembling eased.

  “I love you, Suzie.”

  “I love you too, Paul.” She felt his muscles relax in response to her words. She tightened her arms around him. Maybe Paul had different ideas of where love should lead, but she was glad that he wanted to share that love with her.

  Chapter Nineteen

  After all the reports had been filed and medical evaluations completed, Suzie returned to Dune House with Mary and Paul at her side.

  “I am exhausted.” Mary yawned as soon as they walked in the door. “Do you want something to eat, Suzie? Some tea?”

  “No Mary, the only thing I want is for you to rest.” She hugged her friend. “Please?”

  “All right, I won’t argue.” Mary smiled. “But no wandering off, okay?”

  “I promise,” Suzie said. As Mary walked down the hall to her room Paul rubbed Suzie’s shoulders.

  “I’m guessing you need to rest, too.”

  “Actually, I’m wired. I don’t think I could sit still if I tried.”

  “Oh, good.” Paul smiled and looked into her eyes. “Then how about a walk on the beach?”

  Suzie started to nod in agreement, then she remembered the ring. “Oh uh, maybe in a little while. I think I see Jason pulling up.” She hurried away from Paul and out onto the porch. Jason’s patrol car parked. He stepped out, followed by Summer.

  “Is something wrong, Jason?” Suzie frowned. Paul wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  “No, nothing is wrong.”

  “I insisted on making sure that you were okay.” Summer searched Suzie for any visible injuries. “I needed to see for myself.”

  “I’m okay.” Suzie laughed. “I still have all of my pieces and parts.”

  “Well, that’s a relief.” Summer sighed.

  Paul nodded to Jason. “It’s a beautiful day isn’t it, Jason?”

  “Yes.” Jason met Paul’s eyes. “It is.”

  “Some would say perfect.” Paul lifted an eyebrow.

  “You’re right.” Jason smiled. “It is perfect.”

  Suzie looked between the two as she tried to follow their conversation. She’d never known Paul and Jason to discuss the weather.

  “So beautiful, we’re going to take a walk on the beach, while Mary is resting. You two should stay. I’m sure you can find a perfect place for a perfect moment.”

  “Good idea.” Jason grinned. “Enjoy your walk.”

  “Oh, but I should get them something to drink and eat.” Suzie started to turn back towards the house. Paul held her close to him.

  “No, we’re going for a walk.” He met her eyes. Paul was never one to command her. She wasn’t sure what to think.

  “I’m not sure that I’m up for
a walk.”

  “Well, we need to talk.” Paul tugged her towards the sand. Suzie’s heart began to race. She was sure that Paul was trying to force the issue of the proposal. But she knew if she argued anymore things would become more awkward.

  “Okay, sure.” Suzie smiled at Jason and Summer. “Help yourself to anything you like.”

  “Thanks.” Jason winked at Paul. There it was. Suzie was sure that they were plotting something. Paul escorted her away from Dune House. After a few feet he paused.

  “Wait Suzie, here, stand here.” He turned her to face the house.

  “What? Why?”

  “Please, just trust me.” Paul kissed her cheek.

  “Paul, wait, please don’t.” Suzie looked into his eyes.

  “What is it, Suzie? What’s wrong?” He took her hands in his.

  “Paul, after everything I’ve gone through there’s no question in my mind how much I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Suzie.”

  “But I don’t want to get married, Paul. At least not right now. I don’t know if I ever want to. But if I did, it would be to you.”

  “Married? What are you talking about, Suzie?” Paul frowned.

  “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. I hope that you still want to continue our relationship.”

  “You haven’t hurt me. I know that you’re not interested in that right now, and that’s okay with me. A piece of paper wouldn’t change how I feel about you. All that matters to me is that you are happy.”

  “Really?” Suzie’s eyes widened. “But I don’t understand. What about the ring?”

  “The ring?” Paul raised an eyebrow. “Oh! The ring!” He grinned. “Never mind about that.”

  “What do you mean? Is it for someone else?”

  “Yes, it is.” He smiled.

  “So, you’re marrying someone else?” Suzie blinked back tears of panic that tried to rise to her eyes. “Is it because I won’t?”

  “No, I’m sorry, Suzie, I’ve confused you. The ring is for someone else, and it’s from someone else.”