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

by Cindy Bell

“Did you know many con artists in your,” he hesitated for a moment, “previous career?”

  Jo smiled at the delicate way he posed the question. “Yes, I've had the luxury of knowing quite a few actually,” her voice carried sarcasm, but Walt didn't seem to catch it.

  “Luxury?” he repeated.

  “It was a joke,” Jo pointed out. “I have known many con artists, yes.”

  “Do you think that someone could pull off faking such a severe impairment that we suspect Abe has been doing for so long?” Walt asked.

  Jo thought about it for a moment. She took a breath and then nodded. “The key to being a good con artist, is to not be a con artist.”

  “Come again?” Walt asked. He blinked with confusion.

  “If you want to pull off a con, especially one this involved, you have to become the role. If Abe really is faking it, he probably barely remembers that he's pretending. He's going to live his life as if the injury is real, all of the time, so that he tricks his own mind into instinctively believing that it was true. When someone is that dedicated, it's nearly impossible to see through the ruse.” Jo gazed at Walt with fascination. “I guess not impossible for Abe if it turns out to be true.”

  “I find it absolutely impossible to believe that someone could live for so long telling so many lies.” Walt shook his head. “I just don't understand how someone could be so deceitful.”

  “Be glad that you don't,” Jo's voice was quiet as she looked at him. “It's a good thing that you can't imagine it.”

  “I suppose it is.” Walt turned back to the computer and continued with his research.

  * * *

  Samantha headed out to meet up with Walt. As she was locking her door, she ran through a checklist in her mind. Had she closed and locked all of the windows? Yes. Had she locked the back door? Yes. The villa should be secure. She started to walk down her driveway when something made her pause. In the soil between the walkway and the driveway there was an odd track. It reminded her of the track she had seen beside the picnic bench the day before. Her heart lurched as she realized that whatever made that track, and the track by her villa, might have been in the possession of the killer.

  Samantha decided to check out the area beneath the kitchen window and the bedroom window. As she walked around behind the villa she searched the ground for any signs of the same tracks. She didn't see anything until she reached her kitchen window. Then she saw the same tracks right below the window. Her stomach twisted with fear. She had been ignoring her suspicions that someone might have been inside her villa, but now it was looking more and more like a reality.

  Samantha shivered at the thought that she hadn't even bothered to notify the police. She walked to her bedroom window. As she suspected there were more tracks outside her bedroom window. She crouched down to take a closer look. They were more like grooves than tracks. She started to stand back up.

  “What are you doing?”

  Samantha shrieked before she had the chance to recognize the voice. Once she realized that it was Eddy it was too late, she had already spun around with her fists in the air.

  “Samantha!” Eddy looked at her with more concern than anger. “What is going on? Are you ready to tell me the truth now?”

  Samantha felt hesitant as she looked into his eyes. She hated to seem fearful in front of Eddy, who seemed never to be afraid of anything.

  “I think someone has been breaking into my villa,” she admitted.

  “Why didn't you tell me about this?” Eddy admonished. “Samantha, this is serious.”

  “I know it's serious. Well, actually I didn't.” She sighed. “I thought maybe it was all my imagination. I kept finding windows open, and I just assumed that I was forgetting to close them.”

  “Samantha, I know you better than that. You have great instincts,” he said. “You just didn't want to tell me.”

  “I just wanted to be sure. I'm still not sure.” She looked back at the grooves in the grass. “I found these tracks by the front door, and by the kitchen window as well. I'm not sure what could have made them. But I think they look similar to the ones we saw by the picnic bench, remember?”

  “Where we thought the killer might have been watching Joel's villa.” Eddy nodded. “I remember. They do look the same.” He peered even closer. As Samantha watched Eddy run his fingers along the grooves she suddenly had an idea of what they might be.

  “Wheelchair tracks!” She cried out with such enthusiasm that Eddy jumped at the sudden sound.

  “Huh?” He looked back down at the ground. “I think you're right about that. It looks as if the wheels on Abe's chair could have easily made these marks.”

  “That would explain why there are no footprints anywhere,” Samantha growled. “He probably just rolled right up to the window and stood up on the seat. That would give him easy access to the windows. Unbelievable.” She shuddered at the thought of Abe being in her home when she wasn't there, or even possibly when she was.

  “But why?” Eddy asked. “Why would Abe, if he really is faking his injury, be climbing in your windows?”

  “I think he was trying to scare me,” Samantha replied thoughtfully. “I think he was hoping that I would get frightened and stop looking into this case. Or maybe he suspected that I had information or evidence inside.”

  “Maybe.” Eddy nodded. He swept his gaze along the paths around Samantha's villa.

  “Maybe you should stay with Jo until we get all of this settled,” he suggested as he looked back towards Samantha. “Just to be safe.”

  Samantha looked uncertain. She didn't want to admit to being terrified, but she was. However, she also wasn't sure whether Jo would welcome a house guest. She was an extremely private person.

  “I have a better idea. Why don't we get this solved?” She looked at Eddy with determination.

  “That is a better idea,” Eddy agreed. “Let's go see what Walt's found.”

  * * *

  When Samantha and Eddy arrived at Walt's villa, Samantha was surprised to see Jo sprawled across his couch. She had a few papers in her hands that she appeared to be reading over.

  “What have you found?” Eddy asked as he stepped up behind Walt.

  “Some very interesting information about our friend Abe,” Walt replied.

  “What is it?” Eddy pressed.

  Jo sat up on the couch to make room for Samantha to sit.

  “You okay?” she asked. She noticed the tension in Samantha's face.

  “I will be when we have all of this settled.”

  “Well, it looks to me that Abe was paying Joel money on a monthly basis,” Walt explained. “It is paid into Joel’s personal account so I didn’t see it before and I assume it isn’t an investment in one of Joel's businesses. It was a payment of a small amount, not enough for it to be an investment, and not so little that it didn't have a purpose.”

  “What do you think it was for?” Eddy asked with growing interest.

  “I honestly don't know. But I'll look into it more. I want to find out what it’s for.”

  “All right, well let's focus on Abe. Samantha, could you do some more research maybe into whether there is a deeper link between Abe and Tommy, or Abe and one of Joel's other clients? Somehow he's connected to all of this, and I want to know how,” Eddy spoke with determination.

  “What about what we were considering?” Samantha asked. “Is Abe faking his disability?”

  “I've got nothing to prove that in his financial records.” Walt frowned. “There's no evidence of him visiting any place that would require him to be capable of walking. He has purchased all of his medical needs on a regular basis, so there's no sign that he wasn't using them.”

  “Well, if the answer isn't in his finances, then maybe we need to look more deeply somewhere else,” Jo suggested.

  “That's true.” Eddy stood up and paced through the living room. “We need to find some proof that he is not bound to that wheelchair before we can make any kind of accusation.”
<
br />   “How can we do that?” Walt wondered.

  “People usually hide their secrets in their homes,” Eddy pointed out grimly. “I can't tell you how many times I've uncovered the deepest secrets just by looking under someone's mattress.”

  “Maybe we could just try and pay him a friendly visit,” Walt suggested.

  “That won’t work. He doesn’t invite people into his home,” Eddy explained.

  “Which makes him all the more suspicious,” Samantha stated.

  “So, we break in?” Eddy looked a little uncomfortable.

  “I could help with that.” Jo smiled faintly. She could tell that it was what everyone wanted, but was afraid to ask for. Normally, she would have been hesitant, but in this case, she was determined. “I can't stand the idea of someone faking a disability. I'm not convinced that Abe is, but trust me I've known plenty of people that knew how to perform a great con.”

  “So, maybe if we sneak into Abe's villa we could find out if he actually needs that wheelchair.” Eddy slapped his palm lightly on the table top. “Then we'll know whether he is a suspect or not.”

  Samantha cringed at the idea. “What if we don't find anything? Or worse, what if we're caught? What explanation could we give for being in a disabled man's home in the middle of the night?”

  “Don't worry about that. I won't get caught.” Jo offered a confident smile. “I only need a little time to get prepared. So, maybe a bit later tonight, provided that Abe is not at home? Does that sound good?”

  “Perfect.” Eddy nodded.

  “You're sure?” Samantha asked. “I don't want you to feel like you have to, Jo.”

  “I know I don’t have to. I think I know you well enough now, Samantha. I know that you'd only suggest it if it was for a good cause. So, maybe my past is checkered, but now I can use my skills for good.” She lifted her eyes to Eddy. “As long as you recognize that you're just as involved as me.”

  “Excuse me?” Eddy leaned forward slightly. “What exactly are you suggesting?”

  “I'm suggesting that I need to know I'm not the only one at risk here. If I was to be caught, I would not be the only one. Understand?” She raised an eyebrow.

  “Is that a threat?” Eddy looked at her with widened eyes.

  “It's not,” Jo's voice softened. “I only meant that if we are going to work as a team, then we take the risk as a team. I feel like you three get together and investigate, but I am left on the sidelines until you need something unsavory done. I don't mind the unsavory part, but if I'm going to put myself on the line, I want to know that the rest of you are as well.”

  “That sounds reasonable.” Samantha nodded. “Can we all agree?”

  The others all nodded. Jo smiled with relief.

  “Then I'll take care of it right away. See if you can distract Abe long enough. I won't need more than a half hour. Okay?” She stood up and walked towards the door.

  “Jo, be careful,” Walt called out before she could disappear through the door.

  “I will be,” she promised.

  Chapter 13

  After gathering a few items she always used for a break-in, Jo headed to Abe's villa. Samantha had texted her that she and Eddy were keeping an eye on Abe who was engaged in a card game at the recreation center. Jo knew that Samantha would text her the moment that changed. As she reached Abe's villa she checked for anyone nearby. No one seemed to be out and about walking.

  Jo made her way casually around the side of his villa as if she had a reason to be there. She used her tools to release the lock on the kitchen door. She held her breath as the lock clicked. Once more she looked around to see if anyone was in sight. When she was sure the coast was clear she slipped in through the kitchen door.

  The kitchen was spotless. Jo searched it as she moved through it. Everything in the kitchen had been modified for wheelchair access. The counters were lower. The appliances were spaced so that Abe would have room to turn around when needed. In the corner of the kitchen there was a small pile of towels and wash cloths. Jo assumed they were for the laundry. It would make sense for Abe to pile them there instead of wheeling into the laundry room which had a narrow entrance. This was one of the small things that Jo was looking for to confirm Abe's disability. If in the comfort of his own home he didn't get up out of the chair to toss the laundry in the washer, then it was pretty safe to say that he was probably not faking.

  Still, Jo wanted more of a confirmation. She made her way through the empty living room. When she reached the short hallway that led to the bedroom she hesitated for a moment. She was entering very personal space. If there was going to be proof of Abe faking his injury, she might find it in the bathroom or bedroom. As she moved silently down the hallway she noticed that the bathroom door was slightly open. She paused to peek inside. Just as she had expected, the shower and bath tub had been modified for Abe's use. The sink was also lower and there was enough room in the bathroom for Abe to roll in and back out. It was clear to Jo that the bathroom was being used by someone who needed extra assistance. She sighed as she knew that all of this information might blow Eddy's theory.

  Jo headed to the bedroom for the last part of her investigation. The bedroom door was wide open. She inched her way down the hallway. As she peered around the door she saw that the bedroom was empty. She assumed it would be, but she was always cautious. In the bedroom she saw that the bed was untidy. On the nightstand were a few prescription pill bottles. She picked them up and looked them over. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to her. She set them back down in the exact same spot. She walked over to the closet and took a look inside the door which was slightly open. Again, everything was positioned within reach of someone who was in a wheelchair.

  Jo began to feel guilty for invading Abe's privacy. If their suspicions were wrong, then she had just broken into an innocent man's home. She felt a strong desire to leave. With one more quick glance over the room she shook her head. There was nothing to find. She made her way back through the house and back out of the kitchen door. As soon as she was a safe distance from Abe's villa she texted Samantha.

  It's clean, there's no proof. I think we might have been wrong.

  Samantha looked down at the text that came through on her phone. Then she looked up at Abe who was winning at a hand of cards. He seemed comfortable in his wheelchair. If Jo hadn't found any proof of him faking his need for the chair, then maybe they really had been wrong.

  “What is it?” Eddy asked.

  “Nothing,” Samantha said. “She didn't find anything.”

  “Are you sure?” Eddy was perplexed. He was certain that Jo would find something.

  “Trust me, if Jo said there was nothing, there was nothing. You know how good she is at what she does.”

  “Used to do,” Eddy corrected.

  “Right.” Samantha frowned. “I'm sorry, Eddy. Maybe we need to rethink things.”

  “Maybe.” Eddy sighed. “I'm going to head to my place. I have a few more contacts I can reach out to.”

  “Okay,” Samantha replied. She decided to linger long enough to watch the end of the game. She felt a little silly for suspecting that Abe had somehow been able to break into her villa and Joel’s villa through a window, and commit murder. He was just a man, playing cards, and grieving for a friend.

  * * *

  Eddy walked towards his villa with his mind on Jo's break-in. Without any evidence to prove that Abe was faking his disability, they weren't going to get very far with him as a suspect. Eddy was almost at his villa when Owen came jogging up behind him.

  “Eddy, wait a minute!” He called out. Eddy stopped and turned to face him.

  “Owen.” He was too troubled by the case to smile.

  Owen was a little out of breath as if he had been trying to catch up with Eddy for some time. “Listen, I have something to tell you.”

  “What?” Eddy paused outside his villa. “Do you want to come inside?”

  “That might be best,” Owen agreed. Eddy opened
the door for him. Though Eddy and Owen had been getting close since Eddy had moved in, Eddy had yet to have Owen inside his villa.

  “A drink?” Eddy offered.

  “No, thank you.” Owen looked uncomfortable as he glanced around Eddy's sparsely decorated living room. There was one very old easy chair positioned in front of the television, while the other furniture in the room appeared to be untouched. “I did what you asked.”

  “What did I ask?” Eddy studied him.

  “I looked into Abe's medical history.”

  Eddy was silenced by Owen's admission. He hadn't really expected Owen to go through with it. The fact that he did, meant a lot to Eddy. “And?” he asked.

  “And, you were right to be suspicious. The doctor that both diagnosed and treated Abe has been involved in many disability cases and has a bad reputation for fraud cases. He has even faced jail time in the past, but managed to get out of it. I am surprised that he still has a license. I'm not saying that Abe's injury is fake, but knowing who his doctor is and the doctor’s history, I would be more inclined to believe it.” Owen looked downhearted. “I can't believe that he pulled the wool over my eyes for so long. When you first suggested it I thought it was impossible. Now, I see that it could very well be true. Unfortunately, the doctor’s criminal history is privileged, it's not going to help out in the investigation.”

  “Maybe not.” Eddy narrowed his eyes. “But it does make Abe the primary suspect. If he's lying about his injury then he is probably capable of killing Joel. I'm not going to let him get away with it.”

  “What are you going to do?” Owen asked. “Eddy, I don't want to see you get into trouble over all of this.”

  “Don't worry about that, Owen. Thank you for getting the information, I really appreciate it. You can be certain that I will keep your name out of this.” He grimaced. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do.”

  Owen nodded and reluctantly turned to leave. Eddy could tell that he wanted to advise him not to get involved. But Owen knew Eddy well enough to know better than to bother with that.