Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Series Box Set Volume 1 (Books 1 - 4)

by Cindy Bell

  “Hi Jo!” Samantha waved to her. Jo paused before them and was silent for a moment.

  “Oh boy.” Jo looked between the three of them.

  “What?” Samantha asked.

  “The three of you together means you're up to something.” Jo shook her head. “I'm just going to head to my villa.”

  Eddy chuckled.

  “Wait.” Samantha stood up. “Why don't you join us? We could use another mind on this situation.”

  “Another mind? Why, what are you getting yourselves involved in now?” She looked from Eddy to Walt warily. “Actually, never mind, don't tell me. I'll just be on my way.” She turned to walk away.

  “No problem, we're just trying to solve a murder.” Eddy shrugged. “But if you're really not interested, you're not interested.”

  Jo's eyes widened slightly. Samantha recognized the subtle curve of her lips. She knew that Jo was just as intrigued as the rest of them.

  “Well, why didn't you say so?” Jo sat down at the table beside Samantha. “Who is the murderer?”

  “I think if we knew that the crime would already be solved.” Eddy made his point with a grim smile.

  “All we really know right now is that Joel Westons is dead, and someone killed him last night. He does have a rather troublesome neighbor, Tommy Radner.”

  “Tommy?” Jo raised an eyebrow. “Is he involved in this?”

  “You know him?” Walt asked with surprise. Jo tended to keep to herself. She had slowly become friends with Samantha and mainly tolerated Eddy and Walt. She was not the neighborly type.

  “I've had a beer or two with him.” Jo nodded.

  “Really? With Tommy?” Samantha stared at Jo as if she was trying to figure something out.

  “Is that so surprising? He always has something interesting to talk about, and he doesn't care if I just decide to leave.” Jo shrugged. “I can't see him as a murderer.”

  “Well, he has a history with Joel. I've seen the two of them argue before.” Samantha frowned.

  “Hey, you know more than I do. Tommy and I have never discussed anything personal.” Jo looked towards Joel's villa. “I heard about Joel dying, but I didn't realize that it was a murder. Any ideas as to why he was a target?”

  “Not just yet.” Walt shook his head. “But he was a very successful businessman so I'm hoping something will turn up once I look at his financial history.”

  “I'm going to find out exactly what kind of trouble Tommy has caused around here. The office staff should know if he'd been harassing the Westons.” Samantha stood up from the bench. “I'll catch them before anyone has the chance to slip out for the day.”

  “Samantha, there should also be some information about whether Tommy ever had complaints from other residents.” Eddy stood up as well. “I think the sooner we get to the bottom of all of this, the better.”

  “Let me know if there's something I can do to help.” Jo turned back towards her villa.

  “Now, you're willing to be involved?” Walt asked. “Is that because you know Tommy?”

  Jo shot a glance over her shoulder at Walt. She studied him for a moment before answering. “It's because I'm already involved, and I know you'll end up asking anyway. Walt, whatever you might be suspecting, you're way off base.” She shook her head a little as she walked away.

  “Quite the charmer you are, Walt.” Eddy winked at him.

  “I was only asking.” Walt's eyes widened with innocence.

  Samantha left the two men to discuss the difference between honesty and being insulting. She walked down the hill towards the main office. She knew that the woman working would be ready to leave as soon as possible. Ruby was not the talkative type. She did her job and barely got to know the residents. She was quite different from the last person who had held her position. Samantha didn't mind her standoffish nature normally, but she hoped she would be able to get her talking.

  Samantha stepped into the office to find Ruby loading up her purse to leave.

  “Ruby, do you have a minute?” Samantha asked. She always made it a point to at least introduce herself to the staff so that if she ever had a problem she would know who to go to.

  “I really don't.” Ruby picked up her purse. “I was just leaving.”

  “It will only take a minute.” Samantha smiled warmly. “I didn't think you would mind.”

  “I don't mind, but I do want to get out of here.” Ruby slung her purse over her shoulder.

  “Because of what happened?” Samantha lowered her voice.

  “Yes. I already spoke with the police so I'm going to head home and forget this day ever happened.” Ruby frowned. “What is it that you need?”

  “What can you tell me about Tommy Radner?” Samantha stood casually beside the desk. She knew that Ruby was not always open or forthcoming with information, but she hoped that in this case she would be.

  “That depends, what do you want to know about Tommy?” She looked up at Samantha with concern. “Did he do something to you?” The way she asked the question made Samantha fairly certain that this was not the first time someone had come in to complain.

  “He threatened me.” Samantha knew that wasn't exactly true, but she figured that it was close enough. “I just want to know if I should take this seriously or not. Do you think he might have just been blowing off some steam?”

  “Well, I can't say for sure. All I know is he's had plenty of complaints against him,” she explained. “I think he must have some rage issues.”

  “What about his neighbors, did any of them ever complain?” Samantha spoke as casually as she could.

  “I don't think it's appropriate for me to discuss this, Samantha.” Ruby shook her head. “The police have already been given all of that information.”

  “So, they do suspect Tommy?” Samantha pressed.

  “Are you trying to get me fired?” Ruby narrowed her eyes. “Samantha, you're a resident, not a police officer, not a detective, not even a reporter. I can't answer that question for you.”

  Samantha felt a bit of a hit to the gut at Ruby's words. She had never stopped thinking of herself as a journalist. It wasn't something that she believed anyone could ever actually retire from.

  “Thanks for your time.” Samantha turned to walk out of the office, but as she neared the door someone was walking in. Samantha's heart lurched as she saw Tommy step into the office. He looked as annoyed as he had earlier in the day.

  “I want a new villa,” he said flatly without even greeting Ruby or Samantha.

  “Excuse me?” Ruby looked up at him with some reluctance.

  “I shouldn't have to live next to a crime scene. I shouldn't have to deal with the police and sirens and all of that. I pay good money to live here. I want a new villa.” He didn't even look at Samantha. Instead he glared hard at Ruby. “I don't care who you have to talk to, but I want it done, by tonight.”

  “Tommy, that's impossible. We have very few units open.” Ruby tried to remain calm.

  “I don't need a few, I just need one. So, get on your phone and make the call to whoever is in charge of you, because I am withholding rent until I get a new, decent place to live. It's bad enough that such crimes are taking place when you advertise a safe place to live. Is it safe when my neighbor gets murdered?” He glowered at her. “Not only that, the other residents are harassing me.” He looked directly at Samantha. “This is outrageous. I won't stand for it.”

  Samantha took a slight step back. There was something about Tommy's anger that seemed more like desperation than frustration. Could it be that he was scared?

  “Look Tommy, I'll see what I can do. I can't make any promises.” Ruby picked up the phone. Samantha took her cell phone and held it pretending to look at something on it. She made sure it was on silent and she discreetly took a photo of Tommy just as he turned around. She had a feeling she might need it for her investigations. He was becoming more of a suspect by the minute.

  “I'm going to be sitting right here.” Tommy
sat down in one of the leather chairs in the waiting area. “I’ll be right here until you get me a new place to live.”

  He stared hard at Samantha as she made her way past him and out of the office. She was eager to get away from his malicious eyes. A shiver sped up along her spine as the door closed behind her. She had never experienced such an intense feeling of discomfort around someone before. She hurried towards her villa and hoped that Tommy wouldn't follow.

  Chapter 4

  Eddy took the long walk back towards his villa after parting ways with the others. His mind was churning over the case, but his thoughts were slightly distracted by Jo. He was a little bothered at the idea of her spending time with Tommy. He was not exactly the type of person that Eddy would recommend to anyone as a friend. If he had murdered Joel, Jo could even be in danger. He was bouncing back and forth between the murder and Jo's friendship with Tommy when a voice drew him out of his thoughts.

  “Eddy, wait a minute.” Abe wheeled up behind him. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  Eddy turned back to face Abe. “I was just on my way home.”

  “I understand. I just wanted to see if you found out anything of interest about the murder.” Abe looked up at Eddy with a stern stare. Eddy was a little startled by the intensity of his look.

  “I didn't find out much I'm afraid. But I'll continue to look into it.” He nodded and started to turn to walk away again.

  “They don't have a suspect in mind?” Abe asked, his eyes still just as hard.

  “Not that I was told.” Eddy turned back fully to face him. “You're taking this pretty personally, Abe. Is there something I should know about you and Joel?”

  “Like I said we were friends. I just hate to see someone murdered that way.” Abe pursed his lips and looked away from Eddy. “It just makes me so angry to think that it could happen here. I mean, when you're in a chair like me, you feel more vulnerable than other people. If someone were to break into my house and try to kill me, how would I get away?” He shook his head.

  “I'm sorry, Abe, I hadn't really thought about that.” Eddy frowned. “If you're feeling anxious about it maybe you could have someone stay at your place to keep you company.”

  “I don't need a bunkmate, Eddy,” Abe snapped. “What I need is the killer behind bars so that I can feel safe in my home again.”

  “I can understand that.” Eddy shoved his hands into his pockets. “You should know that the murder seemed very personal. So, I don't think there is some kind of serial killer loose in Sage Gardens.”

  “That's the point isn't it? You don't think.” Abe narrowed his eyes. “That's not exactly going to change the fact that I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight.”

  “Maybe you should talk to someone, Abe.” Eddy met his eyes intently. “If it's bothering you this much, maybe you need to discuss these issues with a professional.” Eddy felt a rush of sympathy for the man as he suspected that whatever circumstances had led to a life bound to a wheelchair had been traumatic.

  “Eddy, just quit your psycho-babble and tell me the truth. Do they have any idea who did this to Joel? I need to know.” He looked at Eddy with complete determination. Eddy stared back at him as he slowly processed what he was seeing in Abe's eyes. It was not concern for a friend. Eddy felt a strange sensation of suspicion wash over him.

  “What do you have invested in this, Abe?” He felt his interrogator instincts kick in. He could tell that Abe was hiding something.

  “Friendship? A sense of security?” Abe huffed and shook his head. “Eddy, I don't even know why I bothered to ask you to help. It’s not like you’re police anymore. I should just go to the real police to get my answers.”

  Eddy held back angry words. He could tell that Abe was trying to get him riled up, and he was not going to allow that. He knew how to keep his cool when a situation called for it.

  “I don't think that you're being honest with me, Abe. What's really going on here?” Eddy crossed his arms and straightened his shoulders. “Maybe if you told me the truth, I'd be able to help you. Were you and Joel into something together?”

  “I have no idea what you're talking about.” Abe rolled back a few feet and glared at Eddy. “Forgive me for even thinking that I could ask a friend for help. I won’t do it again, Eddy.”

  Eddy only stared as Abe turned his wheelchair and began heading in the other direction. One of the reasons that Eddy had begun asking questions about the murder was because Abe had asked him to. Now, he wasn't sure what to think about Abe's attitude. He certainly wasn't acting like a grieving friend. Instead he was acting more like a man who had a lot to lose.

  * * *

  Samantha stood in her front yard with a small sack filled with birdseed. She needed to calm her nerves after her encounter with Tommy. Feeding the birds was a way she could zone out and let her mind relax. She didn't have that opportunity for long before Eddy walked towards her.

  “Hi Samantha.” He paused beside her. Samantha didn't look at him, but she did smile in a friendly way. She would have preferred to be alone, but that ship had sailed.

  “Hello Eddy, something bothering you?” She offered him the bag of seed.

  “Sort of.” He shook his head at the bag of seed.

  “Do you want to tell me about it?” She knew Eddy was not one to easily volunteer information, but she felt he had come to see her as a bit of a confidant.

  Eddy was silent for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was weighted with reluctance. “Abe seems terribly interested in this case.”

  “You said that he and Joel were friends didn't you?” Samantha asked. She tossed some of the seeds down onto the grass. Various birds swooped down swiftly to snatch them up.

  “They were friends I suppose. I don't know but something about it just makes me uneasy.” He watched the birds who were making quite a commotion with their flapping wings as they fought over the seed. Always the peacemaker, Samantha tossed more seed to them.

  “What are you thinking?” Samantha laughed a little. “That he could have killed Joel? How exactly did he physically manage to climb through the window and hit Joel from behind?”

  “Maybe he hired someone,” Eddy reached into the bag of seed and grabbed a handful to toss out onto the grass.

  “That's possible,” Samantha acknowledged.

  “It is possible, but unlikely,” Eddy said thoughtfully. “It looked like a crime of passion not a professional hit. Unless the murderer made it look like that deliberately.”

  “But why would Abe want Joel dead? Maybe there's some bad blood between them?” Samantha held the bag steady as Eddy's rough, thick fingers dug through the seed.

  “Maybe,” Eddy said thoughtfully. “I also think it’s possible that Joel and Abe were involved in something together and Abe is worried that he might be the next victim.”

  “Like what?” Samantha asked.

  “I don’t know, but I think we should look into Abe’s history, just to quieten my concerns.” Eddy spread the seed out across the grass before him. He snapped at one of the larger birds, “Quit being a bully.”

  Samantha smiled secretively at his soft nature. It wasn't something he revealed too often, but when he did, she felt she was getting a glimpse of the real Eddy beyond the mask he wore.

  “I trust your instincts, Eddy. If you think there is something there we should look into it,” Samantha agreed. “I had a run in with Tommy. I really think he has a stake in all of this. I wouldn't put it past him to have killed Joel in a fit of rage,” she said with disgust. “I didn't get much information from Ruby in the office, but she hinted that some of the residents have had problems with Tommy. If he has an anger problem he might have flown into a rage.”

  “Maybe.” Eddy sighed. He watched the birds fly away. “Do you ever get a feeling about people, Samantha? As if you know something for certain, with no proof of it?”

  “Of course. But I've learned I can't rely on that. A hunch is only a hunch until I have some evidence to back it
up.” She smiled at him. “I learned that from you.”

  Eddy smiled a little in return. “I guess we've both taught each other a few things.”

  “I guess you're right. I'm going to check into Abe's background. Something just doesn't feel right about him.”

  “Let me know if there is anything I can do. I have a few errands to run but I'll have my cell on me.” She closed the bag of birdseed and tucked it under her arm.

  “Thanks for the talk.” Eddy turned and walked off along the water.

  Samantha headed back into her villa. As she was stepping through her side door she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She almost felt as if she was being watched. She scanned the water, but didn't see anyone looking in her direction. With a frown she pulled the door closed firmly behind her.

  Chapter 5

  Walt settled down in front of his computer. Soft jazz surrounded him as he began to search through Joel's history. He was certain that he would find an explanation for his murder hidden somewhere in his financial history. He had yet to come across a person whose secrets couldn't be revealed by following the money trail they left behind.

  As he delved into Joel's history he was surprised at how much information was available to him. Joel was quite a prolific businessman with many of his business ventures documented. He found nothing too out of the ordinary at first. Joel had graduated high in his class in high school and gone on to do well in college. He majored in business and did an apprenticeship with a large corporation right out of college. He was certainly on the path to success. However, Joel seemed to also have luxurious tastes. Not long after he started working and obviously making a reasonable income he was pictured in an article with a particularly expensive watch on his wrist stepping out of a particularly expensive car.

  He purchased a home before he was twenty-five and married not long after. The first marriage had failed, but his business success continued. Despite settling a divorce Joel's credit was flawless. By the time he ended up in Sage Gardens he had bought and sold many homes for profit. He had also started several businesses. It was this aspect of Joel's history that Walt began to focus in on. There were many complaints against Joel from business partners and investors.