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

by Angela C Blackmoore

  They went about a mile up the road before Gabe stopped the truck in a narrow junction and climbed out. Rustling around in the truck bed, he returned and looked in the window. The sirens were still distant but seemed to be coming closer.

  “Okay, I’m going to block the road here,” Gabe said, holding up a chainsaw. “It will force them to go around and come in another way. Hopefully, it will give Bill and Rob time to get to the water.”

  “Won’t they be suspicious?” Becky asked.

  Gabe shrugged and grinned a roguish smile that Abby found charming,” They can be suspicious all they want, but it’s a forest. It happens. I’ll be right back.”

  Gabe ran up the road about fifty yards and stopped next to a medium sized pine tree. He pulled the handle on the chainsaw which began to spit smoke which quickly turned to sawdust and bark as he started cutting into the trunk. A few minutes afterward, the tree leaned and then fell with a thunderous crash across the dirt and gravel road. The sound briefly drowned out the ever growing police sirens.

  After checking to make sure the tree left no room for a car to get around, Gabe came running back to the truck and stowed his chainsaw. “Easy peasy, lemon squeazy,” He called as he climbed back into the cab and started the truck, backing it around until they were facing the way they had come.

  “I was expecting something more momentous,” Abby said, looking back at the fallen tree.

  “More momentous?” Gabe asked, looking hurt. “What did you expect? Explosives?”

  “I don’t know, being a forest elf, I would have figured spikes grown out of the ground or something,” Abby said, looking at him out of the corner of her eyes.

  Gabe laughed and shook his head. “I try to save the elf magic for moonlit nights and dancing in clearings. That’s what elves do, right? Dance in clearings?”

  “In the buff,” Becky volunteered, grinning.

  “Oh, hey now,” Gabe said, blushing slightly.

  Becky and Abby laughed, though Abby felt a warmth wash over her own features. “Okay, we’ll forgive you this time. Besides, I think that tree will do the trick. I guess having a forest ranger around can be handy.

  “Just in time, too,” Gabe said, glancing in the rearview mirror. The fallen tree had gone out of sight in the distance, and the sounds of the approaching state troopers had ceased growing louder. “Another ten minutes and we’d have been too late. Or they would have seen us.”

  “What do you think they would have done?” Abby asked quietly.

  “I don’t know,” Gabe answered. “I mean, they wouldn’t have shot us or arrested us, I think. I’m sure they wouldn’t have been happy, though. We’d have had to do some pretty fast talking.”

  Abby became quiet as Gabe drove the truck over the rough roads, watching the trees race past them. She liked looking off through the trees, peering deeper into the woods as the curvature of the land allowed. They passed by an old, meandering creek and Abby wondered what it might be like to wade through its shallows or cross over to one of the sandbars that rose from the slow waters. It was too cold to go swimming now, but when summer came back around, she vowed she would drag all of her friends out to one of these nameless creeks and go swimming in the clear water.

  She turned, smiling as she watched Gabe driving, wondering what he’d look like in a bathing suit and splashing in the water. He caught her stare and looked at her with a smile. “What’s that look for?” he said, grinning.

  “Just thinking about summer,” Abby said. “I don’t think I’ve ever swum in anything but a swimming pool or the ocean, but that creek back there was giving me ideas.

  “Uh oh,” Becky said from the back seat.

  “What do you mean, uh oh?” Abby said, turning to her friend.

  Gabe chuckled. “I think she means you’re catching the outdoor bug. Oh, it’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he said, seeing the look on her face. “It’s not a bad thing. Honestly, it’s almost mandatory for us up here. Camping, fishing, and hiking. Smores are the state food, I think. It’s a good thing.”

  “But you have to say that, don’t you?” Becky quipped. “Isn’t that part of Ranger training? If you don’t espouse the virtues of the great outdoors, they take away your chainsaws or something.”

  “That is true,” Gabe replied. “And that would be a crime. I wouldn’t have been able to chop down that tree without it, so don’t knock my training.”

  They had just pulled out onto a paved road when they saw several state trooper cars racing toward them before turning onto the gravel road they’d just left. At the end of the line, a sedan they all recognized began to pull off after the line of state troopers but stopped.

  Abby could almost feel the eyes of the detectives on them, and she prayed feverishly that they wouldn’t flip their lights on and turn in pursuit. For several, anxious moments nothing happened, but finally, the sedan began moving and followed the rest of the police cars deep into the woods.

  Abby didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until Becky exhaled explosively. “Wow,” her friend said, leaning back against the seat and closing her eyes. “I thought they were going to come after us.”

  “Me, too,” Gabe said in relief. “It wouldn’t have done them any good, but I bet they run us down later. I’m sure they are suspicious.”

  “What should we tell them if they do?” Abby asked. “Ugh, I can’t believe I’m having a get our stories straight moment. I thought I was done with that after High School.”

  “Oh really, now?” Gabe asked, a twinkle in his eye as they headed back into town. “Sounds like there are some stories I’m going to have to get out of you.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Abby said, innocently.

  “Uh huh,” he said. He didn’t push, but Abby could see that infuriatingly charming grin spread over his face.

  Chapter 27

  “Oh, jackrabbits,” Becky breathed as they sat in Gabe’s truck, looking at the state trooper stationed just townward of the bridge that led to the Morgan family house. They watched as the man sat behind the steering wheel of the cruiser, looking attentively around himself every few moments. “Do you think he’s here for us?”

  Gabe and Abby looked at each other, worried frowns on both of their faces. “I don’t know,” Gabe said as he twisted his hands on the steering wheel of the truck. “Might just be here on general lookout, but there’s every possibility those detectives told them to detain us for questioning. Either way, there’s no way we’re sneaking past him.”

  “Can he do that? Detain us?” Abby asked, still staring at the trooper as he took a sip from a cup. Probably coffee to go with a doughnut, she thought sardonically. A moment later, he picked up a Danish and took a bite, making Abby grin to herself.

  “Well, usually I’d say no, but with the Senator involved,” Gabe said, not finishing the sentence but shrugging instead.

  “I don’t want to spend the night cooped up in a police station again, or whatever dungeon they’ve managed to scrounge up around town,” Becky said. “I’ve had that experience once in a lifetime, already. That’s more than enough.”

  Abby turned, reaching back and taking Becky’s hand and squeezing it to give comfort. When her friend was accused of killing a local land developer, she’d spent hours in the company of the Sheriff and his deputies. It had not been pleasant.

  “Let’s think positive,” Gabe said. “I vote he’s just there to keep an eye on the house. There’s no other way to get across to the island. What I’m worried about is from his vantage point, he’ll be able to see Bill and Rob on the river. They have a description of the boat. It won’t take them long to put two and two together.”

  “Speak of the devil,” Abby said, pointing out of the truck window at a small little white boat just pulling around the bend in the river. It was just creeping up on twilight, but there was no way the trooper would miss it from where he was sitting. It looked like a bright white bobber floating on the river just waiting for a fish.


  “Dammit!” Gabe said, looking at Abby and Becky. “We’ve run out of time.

  “We’re going to have to distract him, somehow,” Abby said desperately. She was deathly afraid they might be watching Mr. Wilberson, and Rob Morgan shot to death right before they were safe.

  “How about you two get out of the truck. I’ll drive over and park next to his car, blocking the view of the river. There’s no way he’ll be able to see over this bad boy.”

  “And what if he was told to detain you?” Abby asked, not happy with the thought at all.

  “Well,” Gabe said, thinking furiously for a few moments. “Then I’ll just drive away. He’ll be bound to follow.”

  “You’re putting your job at risk,” Abby whispered.

  Gabe gave her a smile which showed his dimples to their best effect. “Naw, I’ll pull him away just far enough that he’ll be out of sight of the boat. Don’t worry about me.”

  “Okay, but don’t take any more chances than you have to,” Abby said. She was just about to get out of the car when she paused. Before her mind could find a thousand different reasons not to, Abby leaned over and gave Gabe a deep kiss. For a moment she couldn’t believe what she’d done, but then the feel of his lips against hers washed everything away.

  Breaking the kiss just as suddenly, she leaped out of the truck cab without looking at him with Becky close behind. The terror, or butterflies, or whatever they were in her stomach didn’t want to see the look on his face. Didn’t want to risk seeing the rejection. She just kept her eyes ahead of her as she raced for some bushes near someone’s house.

  Hearing the truck rev its engine before moving down the road, she came to rest behind the hedge and peeked out, watching it go. She could feel her friend’s eyes on her as Becky tried desperately to stifle a giggle.

  “What!?” Abby finally snapped trying to act as if she didn’t know what her friend was laughing about, but Abby’s tone didn’t dampen Becky’s mood.

  “Oh, nothing,” Becky finally said, her tone playful. “It’s just I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man grin that wide before in my life. I think his teeth fell out of his face.”

  Abby didn’t respond. She was too busy feeling her face flush with happiness. She’d kissed him!

  She was still feeling the effects of the kiss when their conversation was interrupted by the flashing of lights and the sound of the trooper firing up his siren. Gabe kept going past the bridge, and the police cruiser roared out in pursuit. Abby and Becky watched both vehicles move out of sight down a side street, but Gabe must have stopped his truck not much farther past. They could see the flashing lights continuing to reflect off the houses at the end of the street.

  “I hope he’s okay,” Abby whispered, fear suddenly crawling into her middle. She knew she was foolish. There was no way they would do anything to Gabe since he had stopped and wasn’t going to resist, but she still felt the fear poking at her.

  “He’ll be okay,” Becky responded, then stood. “Come on, let’s get up to the house before someone sees us.”

  “Hello?” Came a voice from behind them. “Is everything all right?”

  Abby and Becky both jumped in fright at the unexpected voice. Abby felt like her chest was going to explode from the pounding her heart was doing, and Becky didn’t look so far behind. When they turned around, they saw an older woman standing there looking both confused and suspicious.

  “Heavens!” Becky said. “Myrtle, you scared the bejesus out of us.

  Abby looked closer and realized it was the woman from when the skunk had let loose in Becky’s café.

  “Well, you are standing in my yard,” Myrtle said, exasperated. “Is there a reason you are hiding behind my hedge? I thought you were some of those teens that run around at all hours.”

  Becky and Abby exchanged glances, shaking their heads at the same time. “No, sorry,” Abby said, thinking quickly. “I just saw a ladybug, and we were looking at it. We’ll be leaving now. Sorry to bother you.”

  Myrtle watched them go before walking over to the bushes and peering in. “That’s strange; this isn’t the season for lady bugs. Silly Girls,” She said, mumbling before straightening up. She was just about to turn toward her door when she saw a small white boat on the river and remembered something in the news about it. The police were looking for any information about something just like this. She felt pretty good about herself as she walked into her house and headed right for the phone.

  ***

  Abby and Becky quickly moved down the street before crossing the bridge. The small boat had moved closer but was still probably ten minutes away from landing. Abby knew there was a beach on the far side of the small island, so they made their way down to it to greet the two men. By the time they arrived, Mr. Wilberson was driving the small boat up onto the smooth rocks and sand with a deep grinding noise.

  Abby grabbed the prow of the small boat, holding it steady as Mr. Wilberson stepped out. Rob, however, hadn’t moved.

  “What’s wrong,” Bill said grumpily. “We don’t have all day, Rob.”

  “She’s going to be awful angry with me, isn’t she?” Rob moaned, his eyes wide.

  “She’s going to tear you a new one,” Bill said bluntly. “But it’s better than what those state troopers are going to do. Besides, you deserve it after all the hell you put her through. Now move, or I’m leaving you here.”

  Rob still didn’t move, and Mr. Wilberson just shrugged and began walking up the incline toward the house.

  However, Abby wasn’t about to let everything they’d worked for go to waste. She leaned over the side of the boat, putting her hand on Rob’s arm. He jumped as if he’d been in a trance, looking at Abby with frightened eyes. Abby felt sorry for him but knew she had to be firm if she hoped to get him moving.

  “Mr. Morgan,” Abby pleaded. “Please. For me. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

  Rob blinked and then nodded, moving to crawl over the side of the boat. After he’d successfully clambered out, he turned to her. “Who are you, anyway? Why do you care what happens to me?”

  Abby paused. She realized wherever Rob had been, he probably knew nothing about what had happened with his family for the past few decades. He probably had no clue his grandnephew was even dead.

  “I am…was married to Danny Morgan.”

  “You mean Kay’s kid?” Rob asked, smiling wistfully. “I remember him, but he was about five the last time I saw him. Full of energy that kid was. He loved to play with baseballs. Great arm.” Rob paused, then blinked before looking more closely at Abby. “Wait, you said was? Did you divorce?”

  Abby teared up. She couldn’t help it as the memories of Danny came flooding back. Rob Morgan saw it, and though confused, he moved to her and gave her a hug.

  “No, not divorced,” Abby said. “He died fighting in Afghanistan. He was a Captain in the army.”

  “Oh,” Said Rob, pulling back and looking at her. Then he nodded as if realizing something profound. “So much time has passed. I missed so much.” He took a deep breath and then turned to the house. “Well, best get on with taking my medicine.”

  Abby smiled sadly and looped her arm with his, and Becky with the other arm as they made their way up to Hazel’s house. It was most likely going to be a long evening.

  Chapter 28

  When Abby and Becky escorted Rob Morgan into the house, they simply didn’t know what to expect. Would Hazel be storming around, throwing things or would she try to avoid Rob altogether? Instead, when they walked into the front door, Hazel was there and gave her brother a long hug.

  Mr. Wilberson was standing behind her in the front hallway, silently watching the exchange with the Sheriff right next to him. At first, the Sheriff had his hand on his gun and was wary, but after Rob had started crying into Hazel’s shoulder, he began to relax before moving over to stand next to Abby.

  The Sheriff was quiet for a moment before breathing out a heavy sigh. “Well, Mrs. Morgan, why am I
not surprised that you show up with the primary suspect in tow.”

  Abby glanced at him, then returned her gaze to Hazel and Rob. “I don’t know what you mean, Sheriff. Becky and I just got back and found Mr. Wilberson and Mr. Morgan outside. We just happened to walk into the house at the same time.”

  Abby listened to the low, deep chuckle that rumbled from the man’s chest as he shook his head. “Right,” he said slowly. “Just like Gabe happened to have been driving by and drew off the patrol officer. I don’t know how you do it, Mrs. Morgan. I just don’t know. Remind me never to get on your bad side, Abby.”

  Abby smiled, pleased this wasn’t going to turn into a fight. The Sheriff was a good man, and she knew everything was going to be all right now. Yes, Rob was going to have to be arrested. There was no avoiding that part of things. There were a lot of unanswered questions, and he did hide the body, disappearing for over two decades, but at least now he wasn’t going to get shot by overzealous state troopers.

  Hazel had taken Rob's hand and was leading him into the living room when Abby heard the Sheriff’s radio go off.

  “Sheriff, where are you?” came the urgent voice of Deputy Lanie. “Come in Sheriff Pearson. We’ve got a situation developing.”

  The Sheriff frowned and looked over at Abby before taking a few steps back into the hall. He reached up and pulled his shoulder-mounted radio closer and spoke into it quietly. Abby didn’t move away, and though the Sheriff gave her a look, he didn’t shoo her away either. “I’m here, Lanie. What’s the situation?”

  “Sir, we’ve got a mess of state troopers heading toward the Morgan house,” Lanie said, her voice tense. “Seems someone spotted that little white boat? They’re warning us away, but I thought you’d like to know.” She paused, then continued. “I don’t like the looks of this, sir.”

  The Sheriff gritted his teeth before answering. “Thanks for the heads up, Lanie. I’m here already talking to Hazel. Roust out the deputies and have them get over here as quick as they can. Also, do me a favor and let the Mayor know to head over here as well.” He looked up warily at the scene in the living room where Rob was sitting next to Hazel, talking about a mile a minute. I have the suspect in custody, but I think it might get a bit dicey. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”