Berries and Birthdays_A Cozy Murder Mystery

by Leena Clover

  “What are your plans? I don’t suppose you’re going to spend the day talking to your mother?”

  “The twins are waiting outside,” he said. “Can you pack some lunch for us, please? We can have dinner together, promise! Adam and the twins will come too.”

  Nick gave her a Cliff Notes version of how he was faring at his internship. He grabbed the lunch basket Jenny handed over and rushed out.

  The Magnolias sailed in after that. Heather was wearing a new yellow frock with white daisies on it. Molly was dressed in lime green Capri pants and a white sleeveless top. She looked a bit awkward in her new clothes.

  “How do we look?” Heather asked as she pirouetted before Jenny.

  Jenny slapped her forehead as her mouth dropped open.

  “That’s right! You’re going to meet Buster.”

  “Duster, Jenny!” Heather said with a pout. “We are all set to go to their beach house.”

  “You’ll be careful, won’t you?” she asked, looking uncertainly at Molly.

  “Yes, Mother, we will!” Heather teased.

  “I don’t feel so good,” Molly stuttered. “Maybe you should go on your own, Heather.”

  “No way,” Heather warned. “You promised, Molly.”

  “Are you sure they are expecting me?”

  “Duster’s cousin is an English professor in a community college up north. You’ll get along just fine.”

  Molly relaxed visibly at the mention of a professor.

  “Let’s go then,” she said. “We don’t want to be late.”

  “Can we have two iced coffees to go please?” Heather asked.

  “What about Betty Sue?” Jenny asked.

  “She thinks I am taking Molly shopping.”

  “You need to come clean,” Jenny warned. “You’re not a teenager, Heather.”

  “My grandma will never get behind this,” Heather said emphatically. “I don’t have a choice.”

  “Don’t do anything rash, okay?”

  “Says the woman who’s dating two guys at once,” Heather shot back.

  Chapter 14

  “Are there many Jewish people in Pelican Cove?” Jenny asked Betty Sue Morse, placing a tall glass of iced coffee before her.

  Betty Sue dropped her knitting and cursed out loud.

  “Huh, what?”

  “You know the Cohens are Jewish, right?” Jenny asked. “How many other Jewish families do we have in Pelican Cove?”

  “Not too many,” Betty Sue told her. “Why?”

  “I have a hunch.”

  “Does it have anything to do with Asher?” Betty Sue asked.

  “I think so,” Jenny said. “Can you give me some information about these people? Where can I find them?”

  Molly looked up from the book she had been reading.

  “My mother knows a Jewish family. They moved here around the same time my Grandma did.”

  “That’s all?” Jenny asked.

  “There’s a lack of new blood in Pelican Cove,” Betty Sue lamented. “The refugees came here after the great storm of 1962. Hardly any new families have come here since then. Kids grow up and move to the city. Very few come back like my Heather did.”

  “Towns up north have larger Jewish communities,” Star explained. “They have a synagogue too. We don’t.”

  “What’s with the sudden interest in Jewish people, Jenny?” Heather asked.

  “I want to know more about their life here,” Jenny said. “I’m especially interested in talking to families of Holocaust survivors.”

  “I see where you’re going with this,” Star said thoughtfully, “but I’m not sure why.”

  “Like I said,” Jenny said casually, “it’s just a hunch.”

  Adam Hopkins came into the café at noon. He ordered the lunch special and sat at a table out on the deck.

  “Slacking off?” Jenny asked him.

  Adam rarely took time off for lunch.

  “I’m not getting anywhere with this Cohen murder. I thought a change of scene might give me some new ideas.”

  “Why don’t you talk to me?” Jenny quipped. “I may have a couple of thoughts on the subject.”

  “I like to proceed in a methodical manner, Jenny. I am in the process of verifying everyone’s alibis.”

  “Don’t forget to look for a motive,” Jenny teased.

  Molly called in with some information about the Jewish family her mother knew. She promised to go with Jenny to meet them.

  Jenny, Molly and Heather gathered at the Rusty Anchor later that evening.

  “What’s all this about?” Heather asked. “Why did you want to meet these people?”

  “I was surprised at the questions you asked them,” Molly said.

  “No one talks about Asher’s life before he came to Pelican Cove. But I think it could have a connection with what happened to him. I want to find out more about his prior life.”

  “Did talking to my mother’s friends help?” Molly asked.

  “I didn’t want to miss that,” Heather complained. “Why didn’t you take me along?”

  “We can tell you about it now,” Molly consoled her.

  Eddie Cotton came over with their drinks.

  “One of my best customer’s gone sober,” he whined. “At least I still got him.”

  Jenny looked at where he was pointing. Hans Geller was seated at the bar, nursing a beer. He looked a bit worse for wear.

  “You were saying?” Heather prodded her.

  “I didn’t find out much,” she said glumly. “The people we met are the only Jewish family in Pelican Cove other than the Cohens. Another couple moved a few miles north to a town that has a synagogue. Asher Cohen wasn’t very religious, it seems. He didn’t really hang out with other Jewish folks.”

  “You think he was trying to hide his Jewish heritage?” Heather asked.

  Jenny thought for a while.

  “Hard to say, Heather. Some people are just not devout.”

  “Were these people Holocaust Survivors too?”

  “No. Their grandparents came to America at the turn of the twentieth century.”

  “What difference does it make?” Molly asked.

  “I have this theory…” Jenny hesitated.

  “Spit it out,” Heather said. “What’s with all the suspense.”

  “What if Asher was targeted because he was a Jew?”

  “You mean this was a hate crime?” Molly asked. “What made you think of that?”

  “It’s been known to happen,” Jenny said meekly. “Hate crimes have been on the rise since the last couple of years. I read about it online.”

  “What does Adam say about this?” Heather asked.

  “I haven’t talked to him about it,” Jenny admitted.

  The girls chatted for a while. Jenny walked home after that, lost in thought. Star and Jimmy Parsons were waiting for her at home. Star had cooked a roast for dinner but Jenny barely tasted it. She went to her room and collapsed on the bed. Her mind was teeming with all the information she had found online.

  An hour later, Jenny abandoned any thoughts of an early night. She splashed water on her face and stepped outside. Star and Jimmy were sitting on the porch, reminiscing about the summer of 1994.

  Jenny didn’t stop to smell the roses at Seaview. She walked away from the cottage at a grueling pace, secretly hoping to run into Adam. She found him sitting in the sand a few minutes later, Tank by his side. She flopped down next to him.

  “Something wrong?” she asked him.

  It was Adam’s wedding anniversary. He realized he hadn’t thought about his dead wife in a while. Had he moved on?

  Adam felt a surge of affection when he looked at Jenny, followed by guilt. He shook his head and stared out at the sea.

  “Do you know the demographics of Pelican Cove?” she asked him.

  “There’s a shortage of women,” Adam teased. “Especially beautiful women like you.”

  Jenny felt her cheeks burn.

  “I
was thinking more on the lines of racial makeup.”

  “We don’t have a lot of diversity here, Jenny. You must have observed that by now.”

  “That’s an understatement,” Jenny stressed. “Did you know there’s only one Jewish family in town other than the Cohens?”

  Adam cleared his throat.

  “Actually, I thought the Cohens were the only one.”

  “What if Asher paid a price for that?”

  “How so?” Adam asked, sitting up straighter.

  “What if he was targeted because he was a Jew?”

  “You are saying this was a hate crime?” Adam asked skeptically. “That’s a big leap, Jenny.”

  “Not really,” she mumbled. “It’s a strong motive.”

  “There are plenty of other strong motives,” Adam argued. “Greed? Hatred? Revenge?”

  “I talked to almost everyone connected to Asher,” Jenny said. “I don’t think any of these motives apply.”

  “I disagree,” Adam said. “You’ll see.”

  “What does that mean?” Jenny asked. “Are you planning to make an arrest?”

  “I can’t tell you that. But you’re way off base with that hate crime theory.”

  Jenny discussed her theory with Star later that night. Jimmy had just bid them goodnight. He was looking like a different person these days.

  “Don’t you agree with me?” Jenny asked her aunt after she told her about her theory.

  “You need more information about this,” Star said thoughtfully. “And for that, you need to talk to more people. I think I may have something for you. I need to check something with Jimmy first though.”

  “Are you and Jimmy an item now?” Jenny asked slyly. “He’s spending a lot of time here.”

  “Jimmy’s a friend,” Star said simply. “I’m just being there for him. I don’t think he needs any more complications now. Trying to kick the habit is hard enough.”

  “You’re a gem of a person, Aunt!” Jenny said, hugging her impulsively.

  Star hurried up the steps of the Boardwalk Café the next morning. She was wearing her signature paint splattered smock. A few dirty paint brushes were peeping out of the front pocket.

  The Magnolias were already seated on the deck, busy gossiping about the tourists.

  “Got a minute, Jenny?” Star said as she accepted a glass of iced coffee.

  “Sure. What’s up?”

  “You remember Jimmy has a few cottages on the island?”

  “How can I forget?” Jenny rolled her eyes. “I took him for a beach bum and turns out he’s quite the entrepreneur. I have never felt more foolish in my life.”

  “Jimmy didn’t lift a finger to earn them,” Betty Sue said, her hands poised over her knitting needles. “The Parsons have owned them for generations.”

  “Hush, Betty Sue!” Star snapped.

  She looked at Jenny, trying to recapture her attention.

  “There’s a fellow renting one of those cottages. He’s a professor in some college. He’s here to study birds.”

  “And?” Jenny prompted.

  “I think you want to talk to him.”

  Jenny caught on after a minute.

  “Oh? That sounds great. Where do I find this person?”

  “He takes a boat out in the marshes on most days,” Star said. “Jimmy convinced him to come here for lunch today.”

  “I’ll be waiting for him,” Jenny said seriously.

  “Who is this man?” Betty Sue demanded. “Why don’t you tell us more?”

  “Uh … why don’t you let me talk to him first, Betty Sue?” Jenny asked. “I’ll give everyone a full report tomorrow.”

  A short, thin man walked into the café at 1 PM. He wore a vest and a cap and held a pipe in his hand.

  “No smoking in here,” Petunia warned.

  “Don’t worry, this is not lit,” he told her.

  He walked over to the counter and looked around furtively.

  “I’m here for my free lunch,” he said. “Jimmy Parsons sent me.”

  Jenny caught on immediately.

  “Welcome to the Boardwalk Café. What can I get you today?”

  Jenny led the man to a cozy table near a window. She was back with his crab salad sandwich and sweet tea a few minutes later.

  “Here you are,” she said. “I’m Jenny King.”

  “Ira Brown,” he introduced himself. “I’ve heard a lot about the food here.”

  “Have you been here before?” Jenny asked.

  “Oh no! I pack my own lunch. I don’t believe in unnecessary expenses.”

  “This one’s on the house,” Jenny assured him. “I was hoping to ask you a few questions, Mr. Brown.”

  “I’m not ready to talk about my book yet,” Ira Brown said uncertainly. “The Delmarva is home to some rare birds. You can read about them in my book.”

  “It’s not about birds,” Jenny hastened to explain. “It’s about your culture.”

  Ira looked intrigued.

  “I’m American, same as you are, I presume.”

  Jenny felt uncomfortable.

  “Jimmy thought you were Jewish. I guess he was wrong.”

  Ira held up a hand while he chewed on his sandwich.

  “I do come from a Jewish family. Or as you put it, I’m Jewish. What about it?”

  “I recently read about the discrimination your people face in their everyday lives. Some accounts even mentioned abuse.”

  “My people don’t have it easy,” Ira said philosophically.

  “How far would someone go to inflict harm?”

  “You have heard of the Holocaust?” Ira asked.

  He was warming up to the subject. Jenny detected a note of sarcasm in his question.

  “Of course I have,” she said quickly. “I was referring to current times.”

  “There is no limit to the hatred someone might feel. Neither is there a limit to the harm they can inflict.”

  “Could a person be killed for it?”

  Ira answered simply.

  “Yes.”

  Jenny felt her heart beat louder. Her instinct told her she was on the right track. She placed a piece of chocolate cake in front of Ira Brown and thanked him for his time.

  Jenny wanted to sound her idea off someone. Adam had already told her what he thought of it. She decided to go see Jason. She walked to his office after the café closed, eager to learn his opinion of her theory.

  Jason was rushing out when she reached his office.

  “I have to go,” he apologized. “Linda has just been arrested.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Jenny stated, rushing after him.

  Chapter 15

  “Get out of here, Jenny,” Adam snapped as soon as he saw her enter the police station. “This is none of your business.”

  “You know I’m helping Linda,” she said, her hands on her hips. “I’m here to take care of her.”

  “Only her lawyer can do that,” Adam warned. “Don’t interfere.”

  “I’m her lawyer,” Jason reminded him. “Can I go see her?”

  Adam stepped aside reluctantly.

  Linda Cohen was sitting in Adam’s office. Jason hugged her and sat down beside her. That’s when he noticed the wheelchair.

  “Where’s your wheelchair?” he exclaimed.

  He whirled around and gave Adam a glare.

  “What’s going on, Sheriff? Have you stooped to harassing disabled people?”

  Adam looked at Linda and quirked an eyebrow.

  “Do you want to tell them, or should I?”

  Linda’s face barely showed any emotion.

  “I don’t need the wheelchair,” she told them. “You know Asher hired a new therapist from Sweden? She worked wonders for me. I have been able to get up and get around on my own for a while now.”

  “What?” Jason’s eyes popped out of their sockets. “Then why hide it?”

  “That’s what we want to know.” Adam stood with his arms folded and feet apart in an aggre
ssive stance.

  “It was supposed to be a surprise,” Linda explained. “Asher and I were going to cut his birthday cake together. I was going to stand right next to him in front of all our kids and guests.”

  “Linda didn’t need an alibi because we all thought she couldn’t get out of that wheelchair,” Adam stated. “But this changes everything.”

  “How so?” Jenny demanded.

  She had sneaked in behind Jason and had been listening to the drama unfold.

  “She was right in front of me all the time during the parade.”

  “We know where Asher was during the parade,” Adam dismissed. “He wasn’t around when they were giving out the prizes. Neither was Linda.”

  Linda looked defiant but she said nothing.

  “Do you deny it?” Adam asked her.

  She shook her head.

  “Can you tell us where you were?”

  “It’s private. I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Jason stroked Linda’s back and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  “I don’t care if you arrest me,” Linda said stoically. “Some things are supposed to be a secret.”

  “You need to talk to your client,” Adam told Jason. “You know how these things work.”

  Adam stepped out of his own cabin, giving Jason some time with his client.

  “Who are you protecting, Linda?” Jenny asked. “Don’t you realize how serious this is?”

  Linda’s eyes filled up with tears. Jason looked at her in alarm.

  “What’s the matter? Is it one of the kids?”

  “I was with Asher,” Linda blubbered. “In his car.”

  “What were you doing there?” Jason asked, aghast.

  He looked at Jenny. This meant Linda was present at the scene of the crime. It didn’t bode well for her.

  Linda looked ashamed. Her eyes had a faraway look in them. She gave them a watery smile.

  “I don’t know how to say this.”

  “I’m your lawyer, Linda,” Jason said patiently. “I need to know everything if I am to defend you. Jenny doesn’t need to be here though.”

  He tipped his head at her. Jenny got the message and started to leave.

  “No,” Linda called out. “Stay.”

  She hesitated before turning red.

  “Asher and I … we were making out.”