Murder on the East Coast: A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery

by Dianne Harman

  “Okay.”

  CHAPTER 5

  “Well,” Kelly said as they entered their room, “I guess you never know what life’s going to hand you. I don’t know a thing about Boston other than there’s a lot of history there. Actually, I’ve never been to the East Coast, so this whole trip is really unchartered territory for me.”

  “You know when you’re traveling alone I like you to stay in a nice hotel,” Mike said. “Anyway, I attended a conference once at The Parker House hotel in Boston. It wasn’t cheap, but it was very safe, and since it’s downtown it’s within walking distance of a lot of historical places. I’ll call and make a reservation there for you for tomorrow night and also the next night. After that, you’ll have to see if you’re coming home or what.”

  “Okay, while you’re doing that I’ll see when I can get a flight to Boston. I’ll try to coordinate my departure time with when you’re flying back to Portland. That way we can go to the airport together.”

  A few minutes later Mike looked over and saw that Kelly had ended her call. “Kelly, I was able to get you a reservation for two nights. Let’s see what happens after that. By the way, the hotel is close to the airport, so you can take a cab when you get there. I’d rather you didn’t try to drive while you’re in Boston.”

  “Trust me, I have no desire to. I was able to get a flight to Boston an hour after you leave for Portland. We can return our rental car at the airport tomorrow morning, and that will work fine. You’ve got a ten o’clock flight and mine’s at eleven.”

  “I think that’s a good idea, and as I remember, parking is at a premium downtown. If you have time, think about taking The Old Time Trolley bus tour. I did it, and it really gave me an historic overview of the town. I think you’d enjoy it, and it’s something you can tell your granddaughters about. They’ll be studying it pretty soon if they haven’t already,” he said laughing.

  When Mike married Kelly several years earlier he’d gained an instant family in the form of her daughter, Julia, and her son, Cash. When Julie, married Brad, a widower with two young daughters, Olivia and Ella, Mike’s instant family became even larger. Having never had children, he loved every minute he spent with them, and as Kelly often pointed out to him, he’d become quite the doting grandfather.

  Kelly picked up her ringing phone. “Kelly, it’s Stephanie. I just spoke with Mrs. Logan, and she is so indebted to you for going up to Boston. She said she still attends church on Sundays, but she needs to rest after that. Monday morning, she has a chemotherapy treatment, so she’d like you to come to her home Monday afternoon. She said her driver would pick you up at your hotel at 1:00 Monday afternoon. Mrs. Logan said the car was a black Mercedes limousine. I’m to text her with the name of your hotel when you have one.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll be staying at The Parker House. I guess it’s kind of an institution in Boston, so her driver will probably know where it is. Would you text her telephone number to me in case there’s a problem?”

  “Will do, and Kelly, you’ll never know how much I appreciate this.”

  “I have no idea if I can help or even how I can help, but something does seem off to me. I’m also sorry your special graduation day turned out to be so bad. You’ve worked so hard to get here. It’s a darn shame it has to end this way.”

  “Yes, but who knows? Maybe this is why you said you’d come to my graduation. Maybe you were supposed to solve a murder.”

  “I think that’s a stretch. Tell your family good-bye for us, and again, Stephanie, congratulations. We’re going to follow your lead and get a sandwich from room service for dinner. We need to pack and make some calls. I’ll let you know what Mrs. Logan has to say.”

  After she ended the call, Kelly turned to Mike and said, “I’m emotionally beat. I really would like to have room service for dinner. Is that okay with you?”

  “I assume you’ll have your usual comfort food sandwich of pastrami and Swiss cheese on rye with French fries and a dill pickle,” he said shaking his head.

  “Yup, been a tough day. That sounds wonderful.”

  “It may sound wonderful, but I don’t think it’s normal.”

  “Quite frankly,” Kelly said, “I think normal is highly overrated!”

  “As if you’d know, sweetheart, as if you’d know.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Kelly and Mike turned their rental car in at the airport and walked the short distance to security. Fortunately, the line wasn’t long and when they’d passed through it, Mike said, “Great, we’ve got an hour before my plane takes off. Let’s get some breakfast. I’ve got a long flight ahead of me, and I better load up on some food now, because I know the only thing I’ll be getting on the plane is some stale pretzels.”

  After they finished breakfast they walked to Mike’s departure gate and saw that his plane was just starting to board. The large middle-aged sheriff put his arms around Kelly and said, “Be careful. I know I don’t need to tell you this, but if the itinerant guy wasn’t the murderer, that means the killer is still at large. Don’t take any chances. You’re staying in a very safe hotel, but ultimately, you’re responsible for your own safety. Keep your door locked and watch your back. I wish I could be with you, but I really do need to get back.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her. “I love you, Kelly. See you in a couple of days.” He walked to where the gate agent was collecting the passengers’ boarding passes, turned and waved to her, and then walked down the jet way to the waiting plane.

  Kelly walked over to a nearby large television monitor and found her flight information. She was glad the airport wasn’t all that large, because her flight was leaving from a gate at the other end of the terminal from where Mike’s had been. She leisurely walked to her gate, sat down, and read the newspaper she’d bought. Before she knew it, her flight was being announced, and she was soon on her way to Boston.

  *****

  Because she’d planned on being in Virginia only for the weekend, Kelly had packed lightly. She easily retrieved her small roller bag from the baggage carousel and walked out to thetaxi line. “The Parker House,” she said to the taxi driver. Moments later she was in a longtunnel and it seemed to her like every other car on the East Coast was in there as well.

  I’m so glad they don’t have tunnels like this in Cedar Bay. I feel claustrophobic just thinking about them, much less being in one. At least they don’t have earthquakes here, or I’d seriously be worrying about whether I’m going to make it out at the other end.

  “Here you are, ma’am,” the taxi driver said as he pulled up to the curb in front of the hotel. Her door was immediately opened by a valet, and her bag was put on a luggage cart. She paid the driver and walked through the lobby to the registration desk. Moments later, electronic room key in hand, she followed the porter into the elevator and up to her room. He opened the door and put her bag on the luggage rack at the foot of the bed.

  “May I bring you some ice or get you anything else?” the young man asked.

  “No thanks,” Kelly said as she tipped him. “How is the restaurant downstairs?”

  “If you’re talking about Parker’s Restaurant, it’s great. Guests tell me that all the time. Boston cream pie and Parker House rolls were both created here. You might as well try them while you’re here. If you like Italian food, there’s a street in the North End named Hanover Street, that’s just one Italian restaurant after another. I’ve never heard anyone complain about a meal they had there.”

  “Thanks, I might try it tomorrow night. For now, I think I’ll unpack, and then I’ll probably take a walk and orient myself.”

  “One more thing,” he said. “If you’re only going to be here a couple of days, you might want to take a bus tour. You can go to the concierge downstairs, and they can buy a ticket for you online. It really gives you a nice overview of the city and its history.”

  “Thank you very much. You’ve been very helpful.”

  After he’d left she looked around the room, pleased w
ith Mike’s choice. The hotel was definitely downtown and close to the airport. The ride from the airport had only taken a few minutes, even with the tunnel experience.

  She looked at her watch and realized Mike hadn’t even arrived in Portland, and he still had to drive to Cedar Bay once he got there. A welcoming letter on the desk caught her eye, and she read that the hotel, which dated from 1855, was located along the Freedom Trail and close to Beacon Hill, Boston Common, Quincy Market, and the Faneuil Hall marketplace. Although some of the names rang a bell with her from high school history classes she’d taken long ago, she decided she’d never find them on her own. The fact that both Mike and the porter had recommended the bus tour made her decide to make a reservation when she went downstairs. Since she wasn’t meeting Mrs. Logan until early tomorrow afternoon, she could easily fit the bus tour in during the morning.

  CHAPTER 7

  Kelly opened one eye and looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was seven in the morning. Her full stomach sent a message to her brain that it could have done without the third Parker House roll and the Boston cream pie she had for dessert the night before. She ignored it and chalked it up to research. She was determined to learn how to make the cream pie, and if she could, it would be a great addition to her menu at Kelly’s Koffee Shop.

  Thankful the room was equipped with a coffee pot, she made herself a cup and took it into the bathroom while she got ready for the day. During her walk after she’d checked into the hotel yesterday, she’d noticed a bagel shop across the street from the hotel and down a block. Even though she was still full from the dinner she had the evening before, a bagel and a second cup of coffee sounded like a great way to start the day. She’d gotten the tour bus ticket yesterday and could use it anytime today, getting off and back on the bus at as many places as she wanted to.

  Fortified with coffee and a bagel, she boarded the tour bus and was pleasantly surprised at the comfortable seating. Two hours later she felt she knew far more about Boston than she had when she’d studied it in school all those years ago. Names and events from the past like Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and The Boston Tea Party, had come alive for her. She saw where the tea had been dumped into the harbor by the Sons of Liberty and also saw the Old North Church where the signal light in the church steeple sent Paul Revere off on his midnight ride into history. As soon as the tour guide pointed out the church, the words from the famous Longfellow poem kept playing themselves over and over in her mind, as if they were on a never-ending loop. “One if by land, two if by sea,” was the signal used to guide the midnight ride of Paul Revere on the eve of the American Revolutionary War.

  At the conclusion of the tour she stepped off the bus and walked back to the hotel, her head swimming with all she’d seen from the North End to the Boston Common. Kelly was sorry Mike hadn’t been with her to see Fenway Park, the baseball stadium that’s home to the Boston Red Sox. He’d often talked about the stadium and what a part of sports history it was. She hoped it had been on the tour he’d taken. Her bus tour had taken her to the North End, and she’d seen Hanover Street, the street the porter said had so many wonderful Italian restaurants. The tour guide had raved about the restaurants there.

  Without even bothering to go into the hotel and freshen up she told the doorman to call a taxi, because she wanted to go to Hanover Street for lunch. Within minutes the cab driver pulled over to the curb to pick her up and a few minutes later when he stopped on Hanover Street, she could smell the Italian food. Her mouth began to water in anticipation.

  She walked along the street for several blocks, looking in the restaurant windows, and finally decided on one called Panza. Kelly knew it sounded silly, but for some reason it reminded her of the trip she and Mike had taken to Tuscany. She laughed to herself remembering how excited they had been about attending a five day cooking school in Tuscany, never dreaming they’d end up solving a murder while they were there.

  As she opened the door a young waiter greeted her. “Welcome, signora. Just one for lunch?”

  “Yes.”

  “Ahh, that is too bad. A woman as beautiful as you should never dine alone, but please follow me, and I will seat you at the best table in the house, only the best for a woman such as you.”

  Now that definitely reminds me of Italy. I think this will be a very authentic experience, she thought, smiling at the young man.

  He handed her a menu and she immediately spotted a dish named Linguine Alla Pescatore which jumped off the page and commanded her attention. She read that it was the signature dish of the house with scallops, mussels, shrimp, octopus, and clams in a traditional Fra Diavolo sauce served over linguine. She remembered from her trip to Italy that Fra Diavolo meant “brother devil” and was a delightful spicy tomato sauce. It sounded wonderful.

  “That was fast, signora. You have chosen?” the young waiter with the impossibly long black eyelashes asked.

  “Yes. Here’s what I want,” she said pointing to the menu with her finger. “I’d try to say it, but I could never do it justice. Thank you.” She looked around the small intimate restaurant and decided she’d chosen well, and since there wasn’t an empty table she assumed it was a very popular restaurant. She felt lucky to get a table, and the best in the house at that according to her waiter. She noticed a line had begun to form outside the door, another good sign she’d chosen well.

  A few minutes later the waiter brought her dish, and she spent a moment looking at it, savoring it with her mind before her mouth began to taste it. She knew this was one dish that would definitely not be on the menu at Kelly’s Koffee Shop. It needed to be prepared right before serving, and that wouldn’t work at her coffee shop.

  Enjoying every bite of it, she finished and sat back, wondering how the person who had been so full when she’d gotten up that morning had managed to consume an entire plate of seafood and pasta only a few hours later.

  If I’d walked around the city I could justify eating it, but sitting in a bus and never moving for two hours hardly qualifies. Oh well, no regrets. It was wonderful, she thought.

  After she’d paid the bill, she stepped out onto the sidewalk and saw a cab in front of the restaurant. Within minutes the driver had taken her back to the hotel so she could get ready for her meeting with Mrs. Logan. She had no idea what to expect, but thought she better take a pen and some paper with her in case she needed to take notes.

  Notes are handy to have, but when the information leads to a hunt for a killer, they’re of little value.

  CHAPTER 8

  Promptly at 1:00 that afternoon a black Mercedes limousine pulled up in front of the hotel. The driver, dressed in a black suit, got out and walked around the car, opening the back door. Kelly walked towards him and said, “I’m assuming you’re Mrs. Logan’s driver?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Reynolds. My name is Jasper. Please, make yourself comfortable. It’s a short drive, but since it’s a warm day, I put a bottle of water next to your seat.” After securing her door he walked around the car, got in, and pulled away from the curb. “Please let me know if you’re comfortable. If not, I can make the temperature warmer or cooler for you.”

  “Thank you, Jasper. It’s just fine. I’ve not met Mrs. Logan before. Can you tell me a little about her?”

  “I’ve been Mrs. Logan’s driver for coming up on twenty years. She’s a wonderful person. The last year has been very hard for her. I’m sure you know she’s in ill health. She never complains, but I’m certain she’s in a great deal of pain. I wish there was something I could do to help her. The staff loves her.”

  “How many people does she have on her staff?” Kelly asked, thinking this must be a wealthy person if she could afford to have a staff.

  “Well, let’s see. There’s Celia. She’s Mrs. Logan’s caregiver and is always with her. Before that she was her secretary. You’ll be meeting her today. I won’t bother you with the names of the rest of the staff, but there is a gardener, two maids, and a cook. Of course there are other people who
do things like clean the windows, paint, etcetera. The staff are the ones who work for her full-time.”

  “Thank you. You said she has two maids. From that I’m assuming she lives in a large home.”

  “Oh, yes. It’s a beautiful old home on Bunker Hill. It’s been in her husband’s family for generations. When he died she stayed in it even though it’s way too much house for her. I don’t know what will happen to it now that Miss Julie’s dead. I think Mrs. Logan always hoped she’d move back here and live in it. I’d hate to see it torn down so condominiums could be built on the site, although real estate on Bunker Hill is very expensive and at a real premium, so I suppose that could happen.

  “Her son lives here in Boston, but between you and me, I don’t think he could afford to live in the house and keep it up. Last I heard he wasn’t working, and I probably shouldn’t say this, but the word is that Mrs. Logan supports him. There’s her house, the five story brick one. I’ll let you out here, open the gate for you, and then I’ll park in back.”

  Kelly stepped out of the limousine and looked up at the imposing five story late 19th century house, finding it hard to believe that only one person lived in it, not counting the staff. It looked like it could easily accommodate several families.

  Jasper unlatched the gate for her. Beyond it was an expanse of green grass that ended in a hedge at the house. She walked up the three broad steps leading to the large mahogany encased leaded glass doors. Enormous terra cotta planters on either side of the door had brightly colored petunias spilling out of them. Jasper knocked on the door and then walked back to the limousine.

  A moment later the front door was opened by a woman who appeared to be in her fifties. Her grey hair was pulled back into a bun, accentuating the smooth light coffee color of her skin. She wore a simple white cotton blouse tucked into black pants. She put her hand out and said, “Mrs. Reynolds, I’m Celia. Welcome to the Logan House. Please come in. Mrs. Logan is in the drawing room.”