Dead in the Water_A fun and fast-paced private investigator cozy mystery/beach read

by Rose Pressey

  Abby rolled her eyes. The least she could do was act a bit professional right now. I couldn’t help but feel Jake was telling me that I should leave. Was it because of Abby?

  The police officer lifted the crime scene tape and allowed Dorothy and I to duck underneath. When we reached the car Dorothy and I immediately slipped inside. In one way it felt good to be away from the murder scene, but in another I still had unanswered questions.

  “I’d love to take a look around more in there,” I said.

  “Well, there’s a fat chance of that happening,” Dorothy said. “With all these cops around here, we won’t be able to get anywhere near that place.”

  “I know, but that won’t stop me from doing other things.”

  “Like what?” she asked.

  I started the engine. “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it, but I know I’ll come up with something.”

  “I know you will,” she said, grabbing her bag and pulling out a peppermint candy. “I don’t even know if these peppermints will help with the stress of what just happened. It’s too much for a tiny peppermint to take on.”

  “I think you might be right, Dorothy,” I said.

  As I pointed the car in the direction of the office, I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel. “I wish I had paid more attention to the surroundings, but everything was just so crazy. I didn’t have time to look for clues.”

  “It’s understandable not to look for clues after discovering a dead body,” Dorothy said, moving the candy around in her mouth.

  “Did you notice anything at all?” I asked.

  “Nothing that comes to mind right now, but maybe when I’ve had some time to calm down.” She clacked the knitting needles against each other.

  “Yes, maybe things will come to us later,” I said. “Any reason why you’re knitting socks, Dorothy?”

  “For people who need socks,” she said.

  “Oh… well, that makes sense,” I said.

  A short time later Dorothy and I arrived at the office and headed back inside.

  Sitting at my desk, I tapped my fingers against the blank yellow legal pad. “I guess I just don’t know what to do with myself.”

  “Well, you’d better find something because you’re making me nervous,” Dorothy said.

  “Since there’s been two murders now I suppose I should go back to the first murder victim, Luke Padgett. I have to find out as much as I can about him.”

  “Good luck with that.” Dorothy studied her half-complete sock.

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said. “I think if I find out more about him and then more about the attorney Adam Boles, I’ll be able to understand if the cases are related.”

  “The only way they’re related is that they both knew Brigette,” Dorothy said.

  “Yes, and she was released from jail, so that doesn’t rule her out as a suspect.” I typed away at my keyboard, trying to find out more information about Luke. “Oh, look here. He was much younger than Brigette, wasn’t he?”

  “Yes, she’s a… what do you call it? A tiger?” Dorothy frowned.

  I chuckled. “A cougar, Dorothy. Remember? We discussed this.”

  “I knew it was one of those animals,” she said with a wave of her hand. “I was close enough.”

  I shook my head and went back to my computer screen.

  “Oh, look, I found social media pages for him,” I said, pointing to the screen.

  “What, like that MySpace?”

  I giggled. “No, like Facebook. You know, you have a Twitter account, remember? You signed up for it.”

  “Yes, I need to tweet more often. I keep forgetting my password,” she said around a sigh. “I still know how to do my text though.”

  “Yes, you’re very good with the LOLs,” I said. “I should go speak with Luke’s friends, right?”

  “Is it too soon?” Dorothy peered at me over the top of her tortoiseshell eyeglasses.

  “Well, I’m investigating his murder. I would think they would want me to figure this out, right?”

  “Yes, friends would definitely want that. When do we go?” Dorothy peered at the sock again.

  “I have to track them down first,” I said.

  “Well, what are you waiting on?” Dorothy asked.

  I went back to the keyboard and tried getting information on a few friends who had most recently posted on his Facebook page.

  “What do you think the victims have in common?” I asked.

  “I told you. Brigette,” Dorothy said matter-of-factly.

  “Yes, but anything else?”

  “Nothing that’s obvious.”

  “I need to find out more about Mr. Boles too.”

  “Don’t ask Jake because I have a feeling he won’t share any information with you,” Dorothy said.

  “Yes, he’s funny like that,” I said around a sigh. “Since I know the first victim’s name, I guess that’s my only clue.”

  “Not much of a start,” Dorothy said as she stretched more yarn from the ball.

  Chapter 11

  I had hoped to have a chance to go back to the law office or maybe visit the neighbor’s house, but I knew I had to wait until the police left the crime scene. By the time that happened it would be time for my date with Jake. So unfortunately, I wouldn’t have time to visit both sites. I’d have to work my way around that obstacle.

  Jake said he was taking me somewhere special tonight, but it was completely casual. I couldn’t cancel after he’d gone to that much trouble.

  “Promise me you won’t get into any trouble tonight,” Dorothy said as she packaged her knitting supplies to leave the office.

  I held my hand up. “Okay, I’ll promise you that I won’t get in trouble if you promise me you won’t get into trouble tonight.”

  She stared at me for moment as if mulling over the question. The fact that it was taking her this long to answer was troublesome.

  “Oh, okay, I promise,” she said with a laugh.

  Now that Dorothy had gone I was all alone. Jake said there was no need to go back to my place and change since we would be fine dressed the way we were. I decided to close the office and wait for him outside. He should be here any minute.

  I stood next to the palm tree closest to the office entrance for some shade. I watched the road out front, waiting for his car to turn into the parking lot. A dark car with tinted windows drove by slowly. Nerves danced in my stomach. Were they looking over at me? Okay, I was just being paranoid, but after everything that happened I thought I had a reason to be anxious. I checked the time on my phone. Jake was already one minute late.

  A couple of seconds went by and the car drove down the other direction. Why had they turned around? Were they lost? Just a few more seconds passed and the black car returned, driving slowly past the entrance for my office.

  I supposed I should just be happy that they didn’t turn into the parking lot. But that was little consolation when I was so nervous. Checking the time on my phone again, I hoped Jake arrived soon. I wouldn’t be able to stand out here much longer.

  Though I had my gun on me and if I had to defend myself with it I certainly would. There was a killer out there after all, and I didn’t want to be the next victim. I had too many cases to handle to be killed now. Well, not currently a ton of cases, but I anticipated them in the future.

  I released a deep breath of relief when a short time later Jake pulled into the lot. He parked the car and got out, which I wasn’t expecting.

  “I thought we were going somewhere. Is everything all right?” I asked.

  He pulled a picnic basket from the backseat. “I thought we would go to the beach.”

  A smile crossed my lips. “That sounds like a great idea.”

  The water always helped me to relax. Well, watching the waves actually. Being out on the sea sometimes made me sick.

  Jake and I took off for the beach. It was just a short walk away. The scent of the salt air encircled us. The soothing
sound of the surf instantly helped erase my stress. After slipping out of my shoes, the white sand squished between my toes. Jake and I found a nice spot and laid the blanket out, ready to enjoy the food that he had packed while watching the water.

  “Did you make all this?” I asked with a quirked eyebrow.

  “Sure.” He chuckled. “I bought it from the deli down the street.”

  “I thought this looked too fancy,” I said.

  “I could do it if I wanted,” he said with a wink. “We have strawberry and cheese salad, tuna lettuce wraps, lemon pasta salad with green beans and feta. And for dessert, chocolate-dipped oranges.”

  “I’m drooling now.” I bit into one of the oranges.

  “Plus, I brought the sparkling water with the splash of orange that’s your favorite.” He smiled.

  “You thought of everything.”

  He leaned back on the blanket. “Only the best for my Maggie.”

  Now he made me blush like a teenager on a first date.

  The wide expanse of the ocean stretched out before us. The water lapped at the shore. Other people surrounded us, but at this moment it was as if Jake and I were in our own world. I liked to pretend we were on a secluded island, just the two of us enjoying each other. I used the steady crash from the incoming surf to help me drown out the music and chatter that encircled us.

  “I thought we could check out that new thriller movie you wanted to see this weekend, what do you say?” Jake took a bite of salad.

  “Sure, sounds great,” I said with a smile.

  I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I’d probably be too wrapped up in the case to do anything fun. Just being on this picnic made me feel guilty. I should be working. Though all work and no play…

  “That guy’s having some trouble staying on his surfboard.” Jake pointed.

  “He should have Dorothy teach him,” I said.

  Jake laughed. “Yes, Dorothy is a Jane of all trades.”

  In the distance someone caught my attention. I noticed him because he looked out of place. Well, I supposed it wasn’t unusual to wear sunglasses and a hat on the beach. Everyone wore those things. It was the way he’d hid behind the lifeguard stand that seemed odd. I thought for sure he’d been watching us. When I noticed him he took off in the other direction. I needed to stop being paranoid.

  Jake didn’t mention the current case and miraculously I kept quiet about it as well. I wouldn’t even give him the satisfaction of making him think that I was curious about it. Although we both knew I was. He probably wondered what was going on and was definitely suspicious. But I had other ideas and things up my sleeve. After packing up the remains of the picnic, we headed home. Jake followed me to my apartment. I wasn’t sure if it was because he wanted to spend more time with me or if he was worried I might get into trouble. He couldn’t watch me all the time.

  The next morning bright and early before the sun even came up I decided to go by the lawyer’s office. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get in, but I would check the outside of the building and look for any clues there. Next on my list was the neighbor’s house. I hoped to get some information. Though when she saw me I was sure she would just freak out and remain tightlipped.

  Then I had some of Luke’s friends to visit. Aaron Dennison worked at a horse farm and I thought I would stop by and ask him some questions about Luke. Surely he would give me some clues. I pulled into the lawyer’s office and parked the car. The crime scene tape was still up, crisscrossing the front door. It wouldn’t hurt if I crossed that tape just a little bit.

  As I hurried my steps toward the building I scanned my surroundings. It was early, so there was no one out and the other offices around were still empty. I paused at the crime scene tape. Would I really pass the tape that sectioned off the perimeter of the building? Sure, I would. I lifted it up and went right under it. Landscaping surrounded the office and that was pretty much it.

  Bushes were in front of the windows, so I wouldn’t be able to peek in. But I wouldn’t see anything that way anyway. I was sure the police had tested for fingerprints. Unfortunately, I knew my fingerprints and Dorothy’s too had to be somewhere around this building. There was nothing I could do about that now. I sure hoped that Jake would understand. After all I’d had to touch things to get in there. Thank goodness Dorothy had been with me and could vouch for me.

  I had to do something better than this. Just looking at the outside of the building searching for clues wasn’t going to cut it. I needed inside that building ASAP. However, that wasn’t going to happen either.

  I went to the door to check if maybe someone forgot and left it unlocked. Of course, if I actually went in and got caught I would get in trouble, but it was a chance I would have to take. Unfortunately, when I tried the handle it was locked. The missing worker or someone else had obviously come by and locked it. Where was the woman who was supposed to be at the reception desk? Maybe I needed to seek her out.

  I moved around the entire building but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Next, I went to the back, but there was just a door at the back of the building. Nothing out of the ordinary. I looked around the surrounding area just in case maybe there was something back here that the police had missed. Although I doubted that was the case.

  When I spotted fabric mostly hidden behind a tree, I stepped over to the area, reached down and picked it up, realizing that it was a jacket. It probably had nothing to do with the murder, but there was a name printed inside on the tag. Unfortunately, the last name Smith wouldn’t narrow things down much. This was a military-style jacket—one that was worn during physical training. Then I remembered the gloves that I’d found at my place. Jake said they were also military-issue. Was that just a coincidence or was there some kind of connection?

  I couldn’t give this jacket to Jake as evidence. He would just laugh at me and think it was ridiculous if I did. After all, he thought nothing of the glove, so this would be the same scenario. Maybe the police had even seen the jacket and left it. No, that was unlikely. The jacket could’ve even been left after the police had come and gone.

  Nevertheless, I would hang onto it. I’d put it in the trunk of my car and then go from there. Maybe I’d give it to Jake and maybe I wouldn’t. I would definitely feel him out first. I could possibly track down the jacket’s owner. Smith wouldn’t be easy, but I’d try.

  I headed toward the front of the building. When I came around to the front, I stopped in my tracks. Abby was walking up to the front entrance. I couldn’t let her see me here. I had to hide until she was gone.

  My car was in the parking lot and I wondered if she’d spotted it already. Maybe that was the reason she was here. Perhaps looking for me. Would she go inside? And where could I hide that she wouldn’t see me? I scanned the area. There was nowhere.

  All I could do was wait by the side of the building and hope that she didn’t come around looking for me. Was Jake on his way here too? That would not look good for me. If I could just reach my car then maybe I could hide until she left. After a few seconds, I didn’t hear anything, so I decided to peek around the side of the building. Just as I did, I came face-to-face with Abby. When she screamed I jumped back, startled by her reaction.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked breathlessly.

  That was a good question. And I had to think of something quick.

  I was never good at coming up with things off the top of my head. Though it seemed as if I was constantly having to do it. It was just part of the job requirements. Making up stories and omitting the truth sometimes. Abby knew exactly what I was doing here and there was no way I could lie my way out of this one. Therefore, I would just have to tell the truth.

  “You and I both know that I have an interest in this case so I’m trying to get clues.” I crossed my arms in front of me.

  “What makes you think that we didn’t get clues last night?”

  “If you did then why are you here now?” I asked. “Are you looking for new clues?”
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  She smirked. “Sometimes things are overlooked the first time, yes.”

  “Then I think you have your answer for why I am here,” I said.

  She studied me for just a moment. I knew she wasn’t happy with my response.

  “How do I know you didn’t come back here to collect evidence that you left at the scene of the crime?” she asked.

  “Are you actually accusing me of doing this? I think you already know that I had a witness with me.”

  “You could both be involved with this and covering for each other,” she said. “I’m not that naïve. I’ve been doing this a long time.”

  “Then you should know that I had nothing to do with it. I have no motive and there were no clues left behind to suggest that I had anything to do with it.”

  She stared at me then looked at the jacket in my hands. “What’s that?”

  I didn’t want her to have the jacket but withholding evidence would be bad too. I had to decide now. Tell her the truth or keep it to myself?

  Chapter 12

  Abby might be trying to do her job, but so was I, and I wouldn’t discuss this with her any longer.

  “Well, if you’ll excuse me now, I have to go.” I stepped around Abby just a bit.

  She wrapped her hand around my arm. “Hold on just a second.”

  “I’m not talking to you. I know my rights.” I eased my arm away from her as I glared at her. “I don’t think we have anything else to discuss. I’ve done nothing wrong. You have absolutely no reason to hold me here.”

  Her face turned a bit red. But mine felt that way too so I wasn’t going to back down. I knew I was right. I turned around and hurried for the car, hoping that she wouldn’t follow me or try to grab me again. What? Was she going to put me in handcuffs too? Drag me down to the police station? She had absolutely no justification for that.

  When I reached the car, I looked back over my shoulder. Abby still stood by the building. Her stare was fixed on me like a laser. I knew she was angry, but I was mad too. I opened the car door, slid in, and locked the doors just in case she decided to come over. The last thing I needed was for her to open the car door and drag me out. I stuffed the key into the ignition and started the car. So far, she hadn’t made a move, which was a bit creepy. I slipped the car into drive and pulled away. She was still standing there watching me. At least now I was away from there.