Cold Murder and Dark Secrets, A Red Pine Falls Cozy Mystery (Red Pine Falls Cozy Mysteries Book 2)

by Angela C Blackmoore

  “Thanks, Ben,” Gabe said, beginning to turn around but paused. “If those detectives come back, can you…um, not tell them that? Just stick to your Mount Vrin Road name.”

  Mr. Martinez got a wary look on his face before nodding. “Okay, Gabe. I’ll try, but I’m not going to get in trouble over this, am I?”

  “Just try, Mr. Martinez,” Abby said quickly. “But no, we don’t want you getting into trouble. If you have to, tell them the truth, but we’re trying to make sure my Great Uncle doesn’t die for real, this time.”

  Mr. Martinez seemed to realize who it was and his face softened. “Ah, I see. Yes, I can do that. These state troopers are a bit gun happy, aren’t they? I suppose not remembering isn’t a crime, at least for those men.” He paused and took Abby’s hand in his own. “Rob wasn’t always a good person, but his heart was never evil. He just seems to get lost quickly. This time perhaps he’s gotten lost for several decades, but he doesn’t deserve to be shot down like a dog.”

  Abby patted his hand and was just about to turn away when she thought of something. “Mr. Martinez? Do you remember what Bill and Rob were fighting about? Before Rob Disappeared?”

  Ben looked down, as if ashamed of something. “Yes. It was over Lara Clark. Or rather, something she was trying to get us all to do. She wanted us to sneak onto the island and find the Morgan Family treasure while Hazel was away. She had big plans for it. Wanted to move to Portland or Seattle and open up a bar, or something but Bill put a stop to it. He told them no, and that he’d tell everyone about it if they didn’t back off.”

  “Did they physically fight?” Abby asked.

  Ben shook his head. “No, Ma’am. No, they just yelled a whole lot, but it didn’t come to blows. Bill left first, and then Rob and Lara said they were going to get drunk. That’s the last we ever saw of them. I figured they’d run off that night. Well, until the body was found. Now I have no clue what happened.”

  “Seems a bit extreme, doesn’t it? Just picking up and running off?” Gabe asked.

  Ben turned to him and shook his head, laughing nervously. “Yeah, you’d think that of most people, but not those two. They’d disappeared before, sometimes for weeks. They always came back, but no one even blinked when Hazel said they just ran off again. Then everyone just forgot about it. Except for Lara’s brother, of course. He always remembered. Blamed Bill and Hazel for it, too, I think.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Martinez,” Abby said, giving the man a smile. “I hope we can find them, and get them to the Sheriff before the state troopers. Wish us luck.”

  Mr. Martinez shook his head and smiled, his teeth gleaming out of his tan face. “Good luck. Boy, the Sheriff sure was right about you, Mrs. Morgan. You are good at getting into the mix.”

  Abby turned toward the door with Becky and Gabe in tow. “I’m not that bad, am I?” Abby asked softly. Her friend’s chuckles were all the answer she received.

  Chapter 24

  “Won’t they be able to figure out from maps there isn’t a road named Mount Vrin?” Becky asked once they got underway.

  Gabe shook his head. “If it were an ordinary road, then yes, but it’s not. It's way back in the forest on the other side of the river. Those change and get added to all the time, or disappear when the woods take it back. Google doesn’t mess with that stuff. The forestry service is the only thing that keeps track of them.”

  “How long will it take for them to figure out?” Becky asked. “Won’t they end up coming to the Rangers for help?”

  “Yep,” Gabe said, grinning. “But that will take time, and we already have access to all of that information. Besides, I know where Mount Varen is. We keep track of the hunting cabins and such as well, so it will also be on the maps we have. Speaking of,” he said, leaning over and flipping on the large GPS unit he had attached to his truck’s dashboard. The display wasn’t as smooth as a current day map program, but it was good enough. Gabe took a minute to flip through several screens, but finally landed on one and ran his finger along a squiggly green line. “Here is Mount Varen Lane, Abby. Can you check along it to see if there are any cabins? They’ll be small green blocks.”

  Abby nodded and turned the brown unit so she could see it easier. They were just crossing the small bridge that led over the river a mile south of town when Abby pointed. “There are three, I think. It’s hard to read this layout.” She looked up. “They aren’t very far away from the boat ramp where we went fishing.”

  “That was why he was there,” Becky piped up excitedly. “He and his boat have probably been hiding out there for a while, using it as some weird mountain man base or something. That’s probably why you lost him so quickly, Gabe! Do you think he’s been living out there for twenty years?”

  Gabe made a face. “Who knows? I think someone would have seen him by now, though. It’s not that far away from civilization.”

  They traveled down the road and passed by the boat ramp turn off. Abby glanced at it as they passed, remembering how nice it had been to sit and chat with Gabe while they fished in the river. She hadn’t caught anything herself, but the trout that Becky caught, and shared, had been cooked to perfection by Gabe. She vowed to get Gabe to take them fishing again, soon.

  Ten minutes past the boat ramp, Gabe pulled off the paved road and began moving more slowly over the uneven gravel. Before they’d gone too deep into the forest itself, Abby had already seen several turn-offs and splits. She looked at Gabe, noticing him glance at the GPS, but for the most part, he guided the truck with confidence.

  It was the second cabin where they struck pay dirt. Pulling into the long driveway, the three friends saw a familiar station wagon with a white boat on a trailer sitting beside it. There was also a rusted, antique pick-up truck that would be easy to lose among old boxes and rubbish that could be found in Hazel’s garage. All three were tucked in beside a very weathered, abandoned looking cabin.

  Abby immediately heard banjo’s playing in her head.

  Gabe stopped the truck, and all three of them looked at the ramshackle building in silence. It was quiet, with only the hum of the idling truck and their thoughts keeping them company. Here they were, finally about to confront the mysterious man who had been stalking the island. Someone they were almost sure was Rob Morgan himself.

  The biggest questions that ran through Abby’s head were why Mr. Wilberson hadn’t returned. Why was he still out here after a week? Was he hurt? Or worse, dead? Maybe Rob had gotten the drop on him, and they’d fought, with the murderer of Lara Clark becoming the victor. She didn’t know, and there was only one way they were going to find out.

  “Maybe I should sneak up and check, first?” Gabe said into the quiet. If something happens, I can run pretty darn fast through the forest. I’ll leave the keys to the truck, okay?”

  Abby looked at him, suddenly bristling at his machismo, but realized he was also probably right. Abby was wearing jeans and running shoes, and Becky had on a dress and thin, fabric flats. Abby might be able to make a good run of it, but Becky would be hopeless. Gabe was dressed in his ranger outfit with hiking boots and had far more experience moving through the woods and leaves.

  “Okay, but you be careful,” Abby said carefully. “I swear, if I see you in trouble, I am pretty sure this truck could plow through that cabin and not even slow down.”

  Gabe flashed a smile at her. “Hey! Don’t worry about me. Remember, I have my dimples to protect me.”

  He chuckled as he opened his door, neatly avoiding the swipe a blushing Abby leveled at him on his way out. Instead of sneaking off into the brush as she anticipated, he ambled down the road toward the shack, not even attempting to hide from anyone inside.

  She slid across the seat into the driver’s side, then rolled down the window and stuck her head out. “Psst!” she hissed at him, trying not to make too much noise. “Aren’t you going to, uh, sneak or something Mister Forest Elf?”

  Gabe turned, shaking his head. “Nope. They can hear my truck a mile away if
they’re in there. I figure I’d just walk up, letting them know I am no threat if they are watching.”

  Abby pulled her head back in, throwing her hands up in the air and looking at Becky. “Am I crazy? He’s going to get shot!”

  Becky shrugged, not knowing what to say as they both settled in to watch Gabe walk toward the cabin. He was about twenty yards from the front door when they saw someone step out onto the porch. Abby couldn’t tell who it was from there, but it was a man. After a few minutes of talking, Gabe turned and waved them forward.

  Abby took a deep breath. This was it. She looked back at Becky and then put the truck into drive, moving down to park near the other vehicles.

  “Oh, jackrabbits,” Becky breathed, sounding just as nervous as Abby felt.

  Chapter 25

  As Abby drove forward, the figure on the front porch resolved itself into Mr. Wilberson. She couldn’t tell if he was pleased to see them or not because he wore his usual dour expression. Gabe had gone so far as to walk up to the steps to the rickety porch but hadn’t gone any further. She couldn’t see his face, but she didn’t suspect he would tell her to drive down if he thought there was any danger.

  The cabin was in even worse repair than she had thought. There were holes in some of the boards, and the entire place seemed to sag to the left as if it might fall at any moment. As she stopped and got out of the truck, there was an old, musty smell surrounding the entire area, as if cats and sawdust were left far too long. It wasn’t nearly as bad smelling as Becky’s café after the skunk hit it, but it wasn’t pleasant.

  “Here they are, Mr. Wilberson,” Gabe said in as calm a voice as he could muster. “I wouldn’t bring Abby and Becky along if I had a crowd of cops right behind me, would I?”

  Despite them standing only ten feet away, the old man squinted at them for what felt like a minute, then let his eyes roam back up the road before grunting. Abby hadn’t been able to decipher all of his grunts, but Gabe nodded as if whatever he’d said was clear as a bell.

  “”How’s Hazel holding up?” Mr. Wilberson asked, looking directly at Abby.

  “Not happy that you left without any explanation,” Abby answered, putting her hands on her hips. She had been worried about him, she realized. Relief flooded through her, but at the same time, she was a little irate. “She’ll be glad you are not dead in a ditch somewhere. It’s kind of what we all thought when you disappeared.”

  “Ah,” he said, then looked down with a faint glimmer of regret. “Sorry about that. After hearing about Rob being alive, I figured I knew where he’d be holed up.”

  “So, why didn’t you call or something?” Becky piped in.

  “With what?” Mr. Wilberson said, frowning.

  “A phone, maybe?” Becky volunteered, glancing at her phone she’d pulled out of her pocket. “It’s not that far out of town. I have reception.”

  “Bah,” Mr. Wilberson snapped. “Never had one, never will. With my luck, I’d set myself on fire.”

  Abby saw Gabe raise his eyebrow in amusement as Becky made a small ‘oh’ sound. Abby couldn’t blame her. She’d almost been thinking the same thing. “Can I ask why you’ve been staying out here?” Abby asked. “Did you find Rob Morgan?”

  “Yep, I found him, all right,” Mr. Wilberson said in so matter-a-fact voice that made Abby wonder if the man was dead inside. It had been one of the scenarios rolling through her mind, and for a second she held her breath. “I needed to hear it from him what had happened. Why Lara died. I had to make sure Hazel had nothing to do with it.”

  “I didn’t kill her!” A voice said from inside the shack. It was thin and reedy compared to Mr. Wilberson’s scratchy base. When the man stepped out from the door, Abby could see the resemblance to her grandmother, and even more so with Danny. It brought a pang of loss to her as her mind flashed back to Danny’s smiling face, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside. She didn’t need to be diving into those memories right now.

  It was his eyes she noticed the most. She placed his age at slightly younger than Hazel and Mr. Wilberson, but his eyes were that of a scared teenager. They didn’t hold the same easy confidence she would expect from someone his years. Remembering what others had said about the man, she realized it all made sense. He’d never truly grown up.

  “Rob Morgan?” Gabe asked, eying the man but otherwise not moving. When the man nodded, Gabe sighed. “Lots of people are looking for you.”

  Mr. Wilberson grunted once again and nodded. “Part of the reason we couldn’t come into town. I’ve seen the way those state troopers were acting.” He shuffled for a moment, kicking at a loose board before looking up, almost angry. “After hearing his side of things, I don’t think he did anything, but he’s got to have a chance to say his piece, right?”

  Abby looked at Gabe and Becky, knowing they had her back before turning to face the two aged men. “Yes. I think that’s fair and we’re a little worried about that, too.” Abby paused, taking a deep breath. “But this place isn’t safe anymore. They know about the shack, and it’s only a matter of time before they find the right road. We have to get you to the Sheriff. He’s the only one that can protect you from the Senator and the state troopers.”

  “Why don’t I call the Sheriff’s office?” Becky asked, holding up her phone. She started to dial, but Gabe shook his head.

  “Don’t do it, Becky!” Gabe said quickly. “No matter their best intentions, there’s too big of a chance the state troopers will intercept the communications from dispatch. They don’t trust the Sheriff. I can guarantee you they’re listening in on their radio channels.”

  “What are we going to do?” Rob Morgan said, his voice a little whiny. He looked quickly back and forth between Mr. Wilberson and Gabe, and they could feel the panic beginning to slide over him. “I don’t want to be shot. I didn’t do anything to Lara. It was an accident!”

  Abby stepped forward toward Rob, trying to capture his gaze with her own. “Mr. Morgan. What happened to Lara? What made you leave town so fast?”

  Rob didn’t step away but fidgeted, refusing to meet her gaze for several moments until finally, he looked up. His pale blue eyes so close to that of Hazel’s, it was almost shocking. Finally, he spoke. “We used to go down to the old water treatment plant and drink beer while we talked for hours. She was the best at talking. She had such big dreams.” He paused, a tear sliding down his cheek. “She wanted to start a bar up in Portland.”

  “Yeah, with your sister’s money,” Mr. Wilberson said, his tone sharp.

  “Just some of it!” Rob responded heatedly. “Hazel didn’t need all of it! She could have just given it to us! If she had, none of this would have happened.”

  “You know that was one of your pipe dreams, Rob. You’d have been broke within a year and coming back, begging for more.”

  “I shouldn’t have to beg!” Rob yelled, clenching his fist and stepping forward.

  “Stop it! Both of you!” Abby said loudly, stepping between the two men. “That was then! This is now!” She turned, facing Rob again and glaring at him until he stopped looking over Abby’s shoulder at Mr. Wilberson. “What happened at the riverbank?”

  “I…we were drinking. She wanted me just to take the gold, wherever it was. She didn’t understand I don’t know where it is. She was dancing on a big rock, singing about how we were going to be rich and have our own place. Then she fell,” Rob said, stopping and looking down at his hands. “There was so much blood on the back of her head, and when I picked her up, she wasn’t breathing.” He looked back up at Abby, his eyes pleading as he relived what had happened. “I hid the body and ran.”

  “Why didn’t you just turn yourself in? They would have figured out what had happened, wouldn’t they?” Abby said, looking around at the others gathered around there. Becky and Gabe looked like they agreed, but Mr. Wilberson shook his head.

  “They’d have lynched him,” Bill said. “The town drunk’s word against that of Teddy Clark wouldn’t have mattered much.
The good Senator would have seen to it, just like he’s doing now. He doesn’t much care for other people’s versions of events. I don’t think he’s ever let a fact get in the way of a good lie.”

  “Well, we have to do something,” Becky said. “How can we turn him over to the Sheriff without the state troopers being involved?”

  “That’s the trick, isn’t it?” Gabe said, looking back at his truck. “I’ve got a tarp. Maybe I can sneak him in the back of the truck?”

  “None of them trust us. Can you say for certain the troopers wouldn’t pull you over and search?” Abby asked. At Gabe’s head shake, her eyes caught sight of the little white boat sitting next to the shack. “However, I think I have an idea,” Abby said, snapping her fingers and pointing at Mr. Morgan. “You’ve already snuck onto the island a few times, haven’t you?”

  “Yes,” Rob said, before glaring at Mr. Wilberson. “As long as no crazy coot is shooting at me, that is.”

  Mr. Wilberson chuckled. “You sure scooted fast though, didn’t you? I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone scramble into a boat that quickly.”

  Hazel said she’d talk to the Sheriff. If we can get you to the river, do you think you could make it to the house?”

  Rob nodded, and Mr. Wilberson stepped forward, giving Rob a look. “I’ll make sure he makes it.”

  “Good,” Abby said. “Then get to the boat ramp. We’ll go on ahead and make sure the Sheriff stays there until you get to the house.

  Just then, the sound of very faint sirens could be heard off in the distance. “Bill, you and Rob get the boat hooked up,” Gabe said. “I think we might need to run interference.”

  Chapter 26

  They sent Mr. Morgan and Mr. Wilberson off in the station wagon with the boat trailing behind, figuring that Mr. Wilberson’s truck would be more recognizable. The truck probably had more power to pull the boat trailer, but it wasn’t far to the boat ramp. Gabe, Abby, and Becky headed off behind them, and at the first junction, they took a right while the station wagon turned left.