Berries and Birthdays_A Cozy Murder Mystery

by Leena Clover

  “What did he do in Switzerland?”

  “He worked in some mill, I think. It was a hard time for them. Asher and Olga starved themselves and saved every penny they could. It took them four years to earn enough to buy a passage to America.”

  “Was he Swiss then? My aunt said he was German.”

  Linda gave Jenny a long look.

  “I think he went to Switzerland from Germany. I don’t know if he was German though. He could have been brought there from just about anywhere. Poland, Hungary, who knows.”

  “What do you mean, brought?” Jenny asked.

  “He didn’t like to talk about it,” Linda said. “He never told me anything about his family or his childhood. All I could gather was that he must have come from money. He spoke English really well so he was educated. He had really great manners. And he was smart. I think he was an engineer. That’s why my Daddy took him on as an apprentice.”

  “Did he have any siblings?”

  Linda shrugged.

  “He may have. But they are all gone. He barely escaped himself.”

  Jenny felt her head buzz with sudden clarity.

  “Wait a minute, Linda. Was Asher a Holocaust survivor? Is that what you are saying?”

  “I thought you knew,” Linda said. “Although he never admitted it in so many words. He just never talked about that part of his life.”

  “It must have been painful.”

  “That’s what I thought too. I didn’t press him about it.”

  “Isn’t it amazing? He built a whole new life for himself and lived to be a hundred!”

  “I still can’t believe Asher is gone,” Linda said, wiping her eyes. “He was so full of life. He was looking forward to the centennial. He planned little details. He wanted everything to be perfect.”

  “Have you remembered anything?” Jenny asked her. “Someone with a grudge, any arguments he may have had?”

  Linda shook her head.

  “Can you tell me about Luke?” Jenny asked, putting her glass down on a side table. “Jason said he’s your brother.”

  “Asher raised him as his own,” Linda said. “Luke is a lot younger than me. We lost our parents in an accident a few months after I got married. Luke came to live with us.”

  “When did he join the business?”

  “He used to tag along with Asher when he was in school. He never worked any place else. Asher depended on him.”

  “I talked to Hans,” Jenny admitted. “He didn’t seem too pleased with Luke.”

  “Hans is a spoilt brat. Maria dumped him here when she got tired of getting him out of scrapes. He drinks and gambles and picks fights. Asher worried about him.”

  “Did Luke ban him from the construction sites?”

  “Hans had a narrow escape. He almost cut himself fatally. Luke said he was a hazard to himself and the people around him.”

  “I don’t think Hans is too happy about that.”

  Linda shrugged.

  “Asher was with Luke on that one. Luke’s been running the business for years. Asher semi-retired at 82.”

  “So Luke and Asher got along well?”

  Jenny observed Linda’s face when she asked that question.

  “Of course,” Linda said quickly. “In some ways, Luke was closer to Asher than my own kids.”

  “Do you know who’s going to inherit the business?”

  Linda smiled.

  “I have a general idea, but I may be wrong.”

  “Why?” Jenny asked, suddenly alert. “Did Asher change his will recently?”

  “He was planning to make some minor changes.”

  “I need to know who benefits from the will.”

  “Most of our kids are doing well,” Linda said. “The older ones are comfortably retired. I don’t think Asher’s will is going to make a difference.”

  Jenny chatted with Linda for a while and took her leave.

  “Why don’t you come over to the café sometime?” she hinted. “You can sit out on the deck and watch people on the beach. There’s a lot of tourists around now.”

  “Asher used to take me around,” Linda said sadly. “Luke and Jason have both offered. Maybe I’ll come visit one of these days.”

  Jenny ran into Heidi on her way out. Heidi was wearing a robe over a two piece swimsuit. Jenny admired her skirtini.

  “Any progress?” she asked Jenny.

  “Some,” Jenny said. “I’m trying to learn more about Asher’s past.”

  “Dad never talked about it,” Heidi said. “He didn’t want the horrors of his life to cast a shadow on us. We learned about the war in school. That’s when Walt told us where Dad had been.”

  “He must have wanted to spare you the pain.”

  Heidi shrugged and stalked away.

  Jenny stopped at the police station on her way home. Adam was dealing with some paper work.

  “What brings you here, Jenny?” he asked.

  “Have you made any progress in the Asher case?” she asked.

  “We can talk about anything but that,” Adam said patiently. “I’m about to finish up here. Why don’t we go out to dinner? I heard of a nice place in Cape Charles. We can watch the sunset over the Chesapeake.”

  “Please, can you throw me a bone? I’m stumped.”

  “We are waiting for the will to be read,” Adam conceded.

  “You want to follow the money trail,” Jenny nodded. “I thought of that too. When are they going to do it?”

  “I think they are waiting for some of the kids to turn up. The one who’s overseas can’t make it. But there’s a doctor in New York and another guy somewhere in the Midwest. They should both be arriving any time.”

  “What about Linda’s daughter?”

  “She’s here,” Adam confirmed. “You haven’t met her yet?”

  “I met the swimsuit sisters,” Jenny said with a laugh. “Wait till you run into them.”

  Adam gave Jenny a smoldering look.

  “We should go swimming some time. We can take a canoe out to one of the barrier islands.”

  Jenny quailed at the thought of being on the water.

  “Yeah,” she agreed. “We should do that.”

  Chapter 10

  Jenny rubbed the soles of her feet, trying to fight a wave of exhaustion. She had made dinner plans with Jason but she was feeling drained. It had been a busy day at the café. The tourists loved the new iced coffees and frappes on the menu. They had sold thrice the amount of coffee they normally did.

  “Why don’t you stay in?” Star asked, chopping cucumber for a salad. “I’m sure Jason won’t mind.”

  Jenny scrunched her face and shook her head.

  “I need a change of scene.”

  Jason arrived just then. He was dressed casually. Jenny surmised he must have had time to go home and change.

  “You look tired, Jenny.”

  Jenny waved off his concern.

  “I need some fresh air. I’ve been cooped up at the café far too long.”

  “I know just the place,” Jason quipped. “Shall we?”

  Jenny was surprised when Jason pulled to a stop outside Ethan’s Crab Shack. Ethan Hopkins was Adam’s brother.

  “Hey Jenny, Jason!” Ethan greeted them.

  Jenny couldn’t help smiling back.

  Ethan was Adam’s twin but they couldn’t have been more different. Ethan boasted a paunch and his blue eyes twinkled merrily without effort. He didn’t seem to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders like Adam.

  “You wanted fresh air,” Jason said. “And I figured you weren’t up to a long drive. So I brought you here.”

  “You’re the best, Jason,” Jenny said, planting a kiss on his cheek.

  “You want the House Special?” Ethan asked and they both nodded enthusiastically.

  Jenny suddenly felt very hungry. She grabbed a table near the water while Jason collected their beers. Ethan brought over a platter of fried mozzarella sticks, hush puppies and onion rings.


  “Fish is coming right up,” he promised.

  Jenny gorged on the hush puppies and the cheese sticks, dipping them in Ethan’s special marinara sauce.

  “So tell me what’s new, Jenny. How goes the search?”

  “I spoke to Linda again,” she told Jason. “I had no idea Asher came here from Germany.”

  “He didn’t talk about it,” Jason said. “You know how the local hierarchy works. I guess being a foreigner in Pelican Cove was hard enough.”

  “Luke’s name keeps coming up. I think I should go and talk to him.”

  Jason was looking toward his right. He smiled and waved at someone.

  “You are in luck,” he said, turning toward Jenny. “Luke’s right here.”

  “Is he alone?” Jenny asked, turning around. “I don’t want to interrupt his dinner.”

  “Let me go talk to him,” Jason said, getting up.

  He came back five minutes later.

  “It’s all set. We can talk over dessert. Luke doesn’t mind.”

  Ethan brought over their beer battered fish and shrimp just then. Jenny spotted something peculiar on the platter.

  “Soft shell crabs,” Ethan announced. “These are my first batch of the season. You’re going to love these, Jenny.”

  Jenny devoted herself to doing full justice to the tasty meal. She vowed to walk extra to work off all the grease.

  “You’re perfect just the way you are,” Jason said softly.

  “How do you always read my mind?” Jenny groaned.

  “I have special powers,” Jason grinned.

  “Let’s call Luke over.”

  A tall, hefty, brown eyed man ambled over to their table. He slapped Jason on the back and sat down next to him.

  Jenny introduced herself to him.

  “Linda’s told me about you,” he told her.

  “You don’t look like Jason’s uncle,” Jenny blurted out.

  Luke Stone had the same angular face and chiseled features as Jason. But he didn’t seem much older. Jenny tried not to stare at the black spot on his left cheek.

  “I’m about thirteen years older than him,” Luke told her. “Stone men age well. It’s in the genes.” He jerked his thumb toward Jason. “Hold on to him, young lady.”

  Jenny tried to hide a blush. She rushed ahead with the first thing that came to her mind.

  “So you are the head honcho at Cohen Construction?”

  “You’ve been talking to Hans, haven’t you?” Luke winked. “Only he uses those words.”

  “I didn’t mean any disrespect,” Jenny mumbled.

  “That’s fine,” Luke reassured her. “Asher handed over the reins to me many years ago. In fact, my time there is almost up.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m looking forward to retirement,” Luke explained. “Five more years at the most. Then it’s me and my fishing rod.”

  “What will happen to the business?”

  Luke shrugged.

  “Frankly, I couldn’t care less. Asher was good to me, and so was the business. I’m grateful for that. But I won’t be wielding a saw forever.”

  Ethan brought over big bowls piled high with peach cobbler. There was a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

  “This is a family recipe,” he told Jenny proudly. “Our grandmother learned it from her grandmother. I may not be a fancy baker like you but cobbler is one thing we do right.”

  He waited until Jenny tasted the warm, sweet dessert. She moaned with pleasure and gave him a thumbs up.

  Ethan went back to the kitchen with a broad smile lighting up his face.

  “Did you ban Hans from the business?” Jenny asked Luke.

  “I wish,” he sighed. “Asher would never allow that. Nor would I let it happen, for that matter. I bounced that young man on my knee, you know. I hate to see him make a mess of his life.”

  Jenny waited for him to go on.

  “There was an incident with a power saw. Hans almost lost his hand.”

  “Was he drunk on the job?”

  Luke nodded.

  “He’s drunk pretty much all the time. I think he might have a drug habit too. I banned him from using any power tools. It was a safety measure.”

  “Did Asher know about this?”

  “He ordered it,” Luke said. “He was losing his patience with Hans.”

  “But Hans thinks you want him out of there.”

  “I don’t mind being the bad guy,” Luke shrugged. “We all tried to talk to him. Asher, Linda, his mother. He won’t listen.”

  “Any reason for his discontent?”

  “He wanted to control the business. Asher said no way.”

  “Did they fight over it?”

  Luke seemed hesitant to reply.

  “Hans has neither the knowledge nor the experience to head a business like Cohen Construction. Hundreds of people depend on it for their livelihood. He will run it into the ground in no time.”

  “So Asher depended on you. Did you get along well?”

  “Well enough,” Luke said casually. “But I hated the man. I never forgave him.”

  Jenny gave a quick glance at Jason. He didn’t look surprised by Luke’s statement.

  “Err…what are you talking about, Luke?”

  “He ruined my sister’s life,” Luke spat. “She spent her whole life in Pelican Cove, looking after his kids. Never even crossed the state line.”

  “Does Linda feel the same?” Jenny asked, aghast.

  “She doesn’t realize what she lost!”

  Jenny took a big bite of her cobbler and tried to process what Luke was saying.

  “So you didn’t like Asher Cohen, huh?”

  “Like? I couldn’t stand the sight of him.”

  Jason muttered something under his breath and looked away.

  “I thought you were friends,” Jenny said meekly.

  “He was my mentor,” Luke nodded. “He took me in when I lost my parents. I know I owed him a lot. But I still hated him.”

  “You mean you hated being beholden to him?” Jason suggested.

  “No. I worked hard my whole life, gave everything I had to the business. I think I paid him back many times over.”

  “You just hated him,” Jenny repeated. “Where were you on the day of the parade? I don’t remember seeing you in the crowd.”

  “I was picking up some lumber for an urgent job,” Luke said. “Actually, Hans was supposed to do it but he didn’t turn up. Asher told me to go instead.”

  “Can you think of anyone who might have hated Asher?” Jenny asked. “Other than you, that is.”

  “He got along with most people,” Luke said grudgingly.

  “Did he fight or argue with anyone recently? Did anything out of the ordinary happen at work?”

  Luke shook his head.

  “Asher was a generous employer. He paid above the market rate and took care of his people.”

  “What about his other kids?” Jenny asked. “Do you suspect any of them?”

  “Linda’s boys are too busy,” he said, counting off his fingers. “Walt and Heidi talk big but that’s just their way of getting attention. Dawn is so exhausted most of the time she’s just happy to put her feet up when she comes here.”

  “What about Emma?”

  “Emma’s always been the peacemaker. She keeps Walt and Heidi in check.”

  “Anyone else?”

  “Have you met Todd yet?” Luke asked. “He’s a smooth operator. Always after another handout.”

  “Who’s Todd?” Jenny asked, making a mental note of the name.

  “He’s Dawn’s husband,” Luke said. “He’ll do anything for money.”

  Luke stood up before Jenny could say anything more.

  “Look, I appreciate your doing this for Linda. One thing’s for sure. Asher’s gone and Linda is finally free.”

  He turned around and walked out.

  Jenny looked at Jason.

  “That was intense!”

 
“Luke doesn’t mince words.”

  “What was all that about hating Asher?” Jenny asked. “Does he realize what he’s saying?”

  “You think Asher’s killer would go around declaring his feelings? Luke’s harmless.”

  “I wonder what the police think about him.”

  “Go ask Adam,” Jason joked. “You are thinking of him, aren’t you?”

  “What? Of course not, Jason.”

  “Prove it,” Jason said. “Let’s go for a moonlight canoe ride.”

  Jenny shivered with apprehension.

  “Anything but that,” she croaked, shaking her head.

  “Is that something you’re planning with him?” Jason asked.

  “What’s the matter with you, Jason?” Jenny asked tearfully.

  She stood up and picked up her bag.

  “Please take me home,” she said curtly.

  Jason paled as he looked at Jenny.

  “I was just kidding,” he said. “Really. You think I feel threatened by Adam Hopkins?”

  Jenny barely spoke to Ethan as she walked out.

  “Jenny?” he called after her. “Is everything alright?”

  Jason hurried after her and got into his car. They drove back in silence. Jason stopped in front of Star’s cottage ten minutes later.

  “Jenny, I’m sorry,” he pleaded. “I don’t know what I said to hurt you, but I’m sorry.”

  “I’m tired, Jason,” Jenny sighed. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  Jason watched her rush inside. He was puzzled by her behavior.

  “What have you done, boy?” Star asked from the porch.

  Jason hadn’t noticed her.

  “She’s mad at me,” he said with wonder. “I said something about Adam and she flew off the handle.”

  “Lord have mercy…” Star mumbled under her breath. “I wouldn’t worry about it,” she consoled Jason. “She’ll be fine tomorrow.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure,” Star snapped. “Now go on home and get some sleep.”

  Jenny came out after Jason left. She had changed into some sleep shorts and a tank top. She sat down next to Star. Star stroked her back and waited for her to speak up.

  “Is he mad at me?”

  “Jason’s a good man,” Star said. “He was worried about you.”

  “Jason asked if I was thinking about Adam. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Were you?” Star asked her, holding her chin up. “Were you dreaming about that Hopkins boy while having dinner with Jason?”