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

by Cindy Bell

  “I think that there is a much bigger team than we first thought. When we first discovered Charlie I was sure that he had to be the bank robber. Then he turned out to be a she. So, if the robber was not Charlie, and obviously the robber is not the security guard, then who is he?”

  “Could he be the man they found dead?” Samantha sat back and tapped her fingers against the dashboard. “Maybe he was the robber and he was teamed up with Charlie, but Charlie wanted him to take the fall.”

  “It’s possible.” Eddy nodded. “I guess I need to find out more about the man they found dead.”

  “I think we should keep an eye on Charlie, too.” Samantha pulled out her phone. “I can do some deeper research into her.”

  “Well, I think I know where to start. I think I know where she likes to get coffee from.”

  “Really? Where?” Samantha’s eyes widened.

  “The place we went to this morning. Charlie had coffee cups on her backseat and I remember Karl holding a coffee cup when I walked into the bank. I can’t remember what the name on it was, but it looked very similar,” he said as he held up the coffee cup from the coffee Samantha had bought him. “Maybe they went to the same place? Maybe they met there? If she’s a creature of habit, she’ll likely use it as a meeting place again. I know it’s a stretch, but it’s worth a shot. Why don’t we stakeout that area? We can do some more research from the car.”

  “Great, I’m starving. These snacks did not cut it.”

  Eddy laughed as he changed direction and drove the car towards the coffee shop. His laughter faded however as he wondered what it would mean if the dead man was not the robber either. Would that mean that there was a fourth person involved in all of this?

  Once he was parked at the coffee shop, Samantha headed inside to get them both some food. While she was inside Eddy was looking out his window at the park across the road from the shop. There were a few kids playing ball. One kid picked up the ball and Eddy watched as he threw it with his left hand. It reminded him that the robber was left-handed. Eddy placed a call to Chris. As soon as the line was answered Eddy spoke. He didn’t want Chris to stop him from asking what he needed to.

  “I just need one more favor, buddy.”

  “Chris is not doing you any more favors.” Detective Brunner’s voice was not what Eddy had expected to hear.

  “Oh uh.” Eddy’s heart raced. He wasn’t sure how he was going to talk himself out of this one. “Detective, I was just about to call you.”

  “Funny, because I got the feeling you were trying to keep me in the dark about what you have been up to.”

  “Would I do something like that?” Eddy chuckled. He tried to hide his own suspicion of Detective Brunner. Yet again he was throwing a wrench in the works.

  “This is no laughing matter, Eddy. You’re getting yourself into a bad position. You’re using police resources for unauthorized purposes?”

  “Listen Detective, I have a question for you. The man that you found dead, you’re saying that he was the bank robber, correct?”

  “I’m not saying it, the proof is saying it and it is the best lead we’ve got, he was found with money from the robbery.”

  “I understand that. Is there a way to tell if he was left-handed or right-handed?”

  “The medical examiner recorded him as being right-handed. Why?”

  “Because the robber that I saw held his gun in his left hand.”

  “Eddy, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. You could have been mistaken, or he could have had a reason to hold the gun in his left hand.”

  “Have you ever known anyone to use their left hand to hold their weapon if they are right-handed?” Eddy grew impatient. He knew that Detective Brunner was a young detective who was still finding his way, but the way he investigated the case could be frustrating. “Detective, are you in the business of solving crimes or closing cases for the sake of your superior? Because you need to decide now what kind of detective you are going to be. Are you going to be by the book or are you going to be by justice?”

  “That’s not really a fair way of putting it.” Detective Brunner’s voice wavered.

  “All right, then you tell me right now that you believe the man that you found in that house was the same man that robbed the bank and was the only robber involved. You tell me right now that you are certain of that, and comfortable with moving on from this case.”

  Eddy was so worked up that he barely noticed Samantha when she opened the door.

  “I can’t know that for certain.” Detective Brunner sounded reluctant.

  “Then you haven’t solved anything, have you?” Eddy’s voice was laced with anger. “So, are you satisfied with that? Are you going to tell me that you will ignore the information of an eye witness to a crime for the sake of not ruffling any feathers?”

  “Eddy, that’s not what I’m saying, but there are rules and you are very aware of their importance. You are no longer an active member of the police force…”

  “Well, this non-active member of the police force is about to solve a crime that you and your police force have decided to neglect, Detective Brunner.” Eddy hung up the phone. As a rule he did not normally antagonize his connections. He did his best not to let his emotions get in the way. However, the disappointment he felt in Detective Brunner’s behavior was enough to make him go against his own rule. It was more than disappointment. It seemed to Eddy that Detective Brunner worked against him every step of the way. Why would he do that?

  “You okay?” Samantha frowned and offered him a french fry. “He’s just trying to do his job you know.”

  “No, I don’t know that.” Eddy took the fry and bit down on it hard. “His job is to protect the people of this community, how is he doing that if he does not solve the crime?”

  “Give him time, Eddy. We can’t all be as courageous or stubborn as you.” Samantha winked at him. Eddy tried not to smile, but he did anyway. Samantha could always get him to lighten up.

  “You’re right.” He sighed. “I got too caught up in all of this. I just hate to think of Charlie and whoever else she’s connected to getting away with it.”

  “Don’t worry, she won’t. Eat your food and relax. We might have a long stakeout ahead of us. I spoke to my connection on the parole board, and even though Charlie herself does not have a record of any kind, her name popped up on a list of known associates of someone who was recently paroled from the prison where Karl worked.” Samantha’s eyes glowed with pride. “How’s that for connecting the dots?”

  “Wow! Did you get a name?”

  “I did, the name is Derek Quinns. He doesn’t have a history of violence so I don’t think he’s the murderer, but he does have a history of breaking and entering. It’s not bank robbery, but it’s still criminal behavior.”

  “Sounds like that might be our guy. Now, I know that the man who was killed was not the man in the bank, because the man in the bank was left-handed.”

  “Do you remember anything else about the man?” Samantha met his eyes. “Any distinguishing marks of any kind?”

  Eddy closed his eyes. “You’re not hypnotizing me again.” He opened one eye to be sure.

  “I’m not.” She laughed and held up her hands.

  “Okay, I remember seeing the gun in his left hand.”

  “How did you notice it? What drew your attention?” Samantha leaned a little closer. Her voice became soothing.

  “Watch it.” Eddy opened both eyes. “I noticed a glimmer of the gun. It caught the light.”

  “The gun did?” Samantha looked skeptical. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” Eddy said. “It was definitely in his left hand.”

  “Okay, so we know the murdered man is right-handed and the robber is left-handed.” Samantha smiled.

  “We know something else, too. Charlie is a creature of habit.” Eddy tilted his head towards the parking lot. “There she is.”

  “Wow, that was fast.” Samantha slid down in her seat some. The
y watched as the woman lingered by the entrance of the coffee shop. Eddy pulled out a small set of binoculars to get a closer look.

  “Okay, she’s going in.”

  Samantha leaned forward and peered through the windshield. The small coffee shop was easy to miss from the road. It looked like it was mainly a local spot, which was probably why Charlie chose it.

  “Let’s give her a minute and make sure she doesn’t come back out.” Eddy lowered his binoculars.

  “I think that she must be waiting for someone in there.” Samantha watched the parking lot. “Let’s see if anyone else shows up.”

  Eddy’s cell phone began to ring. He was flustered by the sound of it because he was focusing on the coffee shop. He looked at it quickly. “It’s Jo.”

  “Answer, she probably just wants to check in.”

  “Why?” Eddy met Samantha’s eyes. “Did you tell her we were doing this?”

  Samantha avoided looking directly at him. “Maybe.”

  “Maybe?” Eddy raised an eyebrow. He continued to look in her direction as he answered the phone. “Hi Jo.”

  “Hey Eddy. I tried calling Samantha, but it was going straight to voicemail.”

  “Do you have your phone turned off?” Eddy gestured to Samantha’s purse.

  “Oops, I do, I wonder how I did that.” She frowned with frustration and turned the phone back on.

  “Sorry, she had it off. She’s turning it on now if you want to call her.”

  “No, that’s okay. I just wanted to make sure you two were all right.”

  Eddy smiled at the idea of Jo worrying about him. She was not the type to show concern. “We’re fine. In fact, hopefully we’ll know who the actual robber was soon. I assume Samantha has filled you in?”

  “Maybe.”

  Eddy looked over at Samantha with annoyance. He wondered if all women had the same list of responses to choose from.

  “Well, we’re waiting for the next move. We’ll update you when we get the chance.”

  “Be careful, Eddy.”

  “I will.” He hung up the phone and looked sternly at Samantha. “Stakeouts are need to know, you know.”

  “She needed to know. Just like Walt did.”

  Eddy nodded silently. He understood that Samantha didn’t want Jo to be left out. He noticed movement near the front of the coffee shop. A man who looked like he could match the build of the robber paused in front of the door. He glanced back over his shoulder, offering Eddy a full view of his face. Eddy had never seen him before, but there was something familiar about the way he carried himself.

  “I bet that’s the robber.”

  “What makes you think that? Is there something you recognize?” Samantha leaned forward.

  “I just think it’s him. Shall we get some coffee?” He opened the car door.

  “Are you sure?” Samantha frowned. “We don’t want to blow our cover.”

  “We’re not going to get anywhere if we don’t hear what they are talking about.” Eddy met her eyes. “If it’s too risky for you, don’t do it.”

  “Please, risk is not an issue for me.” She opened her car door. As they started to walk up towards the coffee shop, Eddy reached out and took her hand in his. Samantha looked over at him with some surprise.

  “It’ll help us blend in,” he muttered. Samantha gave his hand a little squeeze.

  “I’m not complaining.” She winked at him. Eddy stared at her for a moment and then laughed. He swung open the door of the coffee shop and held it as she stepped inside.

  The coffee shop was tiny. It was also very dim. Eddy was relieved at that. He knew that Charlie had already seen both of their faces and likely suspected they were up to something, so if she spotted them she would bolt. As he suspected they would be, Charlie and the man who had just entered were clustered together at a table in the back. Eddy gestured to a table that was half-hidden by a wall that jutted out from the kitchen. Samantha sat down with Eddy right behind her. A moment later they gave quick and quiet orders for coffee. Eddy kept his eyes on Charlie. Her posture showed that she was in charge. The man across from her had his head bowed as if he was looking for forgiveness. Eddy strained to hear what they were saying.

  “People are suspicious,” Charlie said. “They’ve started snooping around.”

  “Don’t worry they have nothing to go on. My source in the police department confirmed it just this morning. Nobody is looking in our direction.”

  “Don’t you try to tell me what you think you know, Derek.” Eddy’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of the guy’s name. This must be Derek Quinns. “It was a simple job that I planned perfectly, and now people are looking for me. That means that someone suspects something. I am not going to go down for this. Understand?”

  “What are you trying to say? That you expect me to take the fall for you?”

  Eddy listened closer. It was becoming clear to him that Charlie was the mastermind. Derek was certainly a puppet of hers, and it appeared that Karl probably was as well. What he wasn’t sure about was how the dead man was linked into all of it. The waitress delivered Eddy and Samantha their coffee, which muffled a few minutes of conversation between Charlie and Derek. Eddy tried to wave the waitress away as fast as he could, but she was more than a little chatty. Once she was gone Samantha shifted in her chair.

  “I can’t hear anything,” Samantha hissed. She was sitting closer to the kitchen and the sound of the coffee grinders surrounded her.

  “Sh.” Eddy pretended to sip his coffee.

  “You’re being ridiculous, Charlie.” Derek’s voice raised an octave. “I did everything you asked me to.”

  “I’m telling you right now, if you breathe a word of my involvement you will pay a far greater price than going to jail. Got me?” Charlie scowled. “This has got very messy. The police are suspecting us because the guy was murdered.”

  “That’s not my fault!” Derek’s voice grew loud. Charlie smacked the table hard.

  “Quiet down.” She scowled at him.

  Derek grimaced and then leaned across the table. He lowered his voice so much that Eddy couldn’t hear what he was muttering. Charlie was closer to him so he could still hear most of what she was saying.

  “All that matters is that my name stays out of this and I’m not tied to this in any way. If you breathe a word of it, not only will you pay, but I’ll make sure you don’t see a dime of that money.”

  “Speaking of the money, when am I going to see my cut? I stuck to my end of the deal. The dead guy has more money than I do.”

  “The dead guy doesn’t have any money. That was a sacrifice. Once the heat dies down, then you will get your money. Understand?” Charlie said. “I am not risking going to jail because we rush things.”

  “No one is going to jail. You know?”

  “I know I’m not.” Charlie glared at him.

  Eddy grimaced at the harshness in the woman’s tone. He had encountered some cold-hearted criminals in his time, but this woman appeared to have no emotion other than anger. It was amazing to him that it appeared she had orchestrated the entire bank robbery and was also in possession of the remaining funds.

  “You just need to relax, Charlie. Everything’s fine.” Derek cleared his throat.

  “What about Karl?”

  “What about him?” Derek frowned.

  “He’s a weak link.”

  “I told you, he’s taken care of.”

  “You think he is. But maybe we underestimated his intelligence. What if he decides to go to the police?”

  “You don’t have to worry about him.”

  “All right, Derek. Fine. I’m going to hold you to that.”

  “Charlie, you know you can trust me.”

  “I hope so,” Charlie said. “Because if things go sideways, Derek, there will be consequences.”

  “Don’t worry,” Derek said as he picked up his coffee cup with his left hand and took a sip. “I’ll take care of it. I have to get some sleep before I go
to work. I’ve got the nightshift,” he said as he stood up from the table.

  “Remember what I said, Derek,” Charlie said bitterly. “I will not go down for any of this.”

  Eddy shook his head slightly. It seemed that Derek was the robber, but Charlie was the ring leader, the real criminal. Samantha started to stand up when she saw Charlie follow Derek out the door.

  “Wait.” Eddy grabbed her hand and guided her back down into her chair. “We don’t want to leave right away. Finish your coffee.”

  “Are you going to tell me what you heard?”

  “Derek’s the bank robber, I’m almost sure of it. Charlie is the one with all of the control. Karl, he might be the next one to die.” Eddy finished his coffee. “I think we’ve gotten ourselves in the middle of quite a scheme. Now we need to work out who the murderer is.”

  “Is it time now to bring in the police?” Samantha frowned.

  “Honestly, after the way I spoke to Brunner, I don’t think he’s going to listen to a thing I have to say. What we need is some solid proof. Like the gun from the murder, or some of the missing money. That’s the only way I’m going to get Detective Brunner interested enough to look into Derek and Charlie. It sounds like Derek has connections in the police department who may be pushing the investigation away from him and Charlie.” Eddy thought that his connection might be Brunner, but he didn’t want to believe it.

  “So, what’s our next step?” Samantha finished her coffee as well.

  “Let’s have a conversation with Jo.”

  “Oh, I can call her.” Samantha pulled out her phone.

  “No. Let’s go see her. We need to talk in person.”

  “What are you thinking?” Samantha asked as she sent a text to Jo asking to meet.

  Eddy didn’t answer, he just drove towards Jo’s villa. More than once he had felt conflicted about involving Jo in behavior that wasn’t exactly legal. However, of the four of them she was the most likely to be successful in the next stage of his plan. With Detective Brunner angry at him, and his connection to Chris cut off, he needed to be sure that the case was solved or some bridges might be permanently burned.

  Chapter 10