Minnie Crockwell - Will Travel for Trouble 01 - Trouble at Happy Trails

by Minnie Crockwell

  “There you go!”

  He didn’t move away, and I waited to see what else he had to say. He chewed on his lip for a minute.

  “The police stopped by to see me today.”

  “Me too. I thought I was going to be arrested.”

  He smiled absentmindedly.

  “I think they’re thinking Carl was murdered.”

  My heart jumped in my throat.

  “Well, it is possible.”

  “I knew the guy was a jerk, but I never realized he was sleeping with the paying guests.”

  I quirked an eyebrow.

  “I didn’t realize you knew him, but of course you did. You probably hired him.”

  “He was my uncle.”

  My knees buckled, and I drew in sharp breath.

  “Oh, my gosh. I didn’t know! I’m so sorry! You’re the nephew Sally mentioned.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “We weren’t particularly close. I hadn’t seen him since I was a little boy, but I gave him a job when he asked. My mother would have been happy that I did.”

  “Your mother’s not alive?”

  “No, both my parents passed away.”

  “I’m sorry.” I grimaced. “I seem to be saying that a lot, but I mean it.”

  “I know you do.”

  “This must have been awful for you. If the police think Carl might have been murdered, did they say who they thought might have done it?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  I looked around as if murderers lurked in every RV.

  “It could have been anyone at this rate,” I mumbled.

  “Yup. Any number of disgruntled wives or husbands.”

  “Do you have any suspicions?”

  He looked at me, blinked and looked away.

  “I’m pretty concerned that it might have been Sally. I probably shouldn’t say that to you. She likes you,” he said.

  “I wouldn’t blame her.”

  “Why do you say that?” he asked. He didn’t seem angry at my statement.

  “Well, she told me he was violent with her.”

  Nick nodded. “Yes, I think he might have been. I never saw it, but I knew he had a temper.”

  “Well, she’s out of it now.”

  He nodded again and took another drink of water.

  “I’d better get going. Just enough time to get home and get some sleep before I have to get back up and return to the park.”

  “Good night,” I said.

  “Night.” He strode off in the direction of the office, and I returned to my RV.

  I think we can eliminate the handsome Nick Granger as a suspect, can we not? Ben asked.

  “What are we? Some amateur sleuthing team?” I smiled.

  It would seem so. I find it interesting that you have become the repository of so much information.

  “Yeah, that’s weird, isn’t it? I’m not even social!”

  Yes, I thought you were a bit reclusive when we first met, but you seem to have blossomed into quite the butterfly of late. Perhaps Mr. Granger could remark upon this.

  “Oh, for goodness sake, Ben! I just went to find out what was going on. The man wants me to work for him, not date him!”

  I hated to admit it, but I had been a little put off when Nick had offered me a job instead of dinner. Oh, to be twenty-five again!

  No! And go through all that heartache again? No!

  I assume you do not wish me to make comment?

  “No thanks, Ben. I’ve got my own little conversation going on over here.”

  Yes, I see that…or rather hear it.

  I looked at my watch. Almost 9 o’clock. A glance out of one of the windows revealed twilight was settling over Spokane. I lowered the shades and turned on lights.

  “Well, that appears to be it for the day,” I said. “No more excitement. But I’m still keyed up. I think I’ll take a stroll around the park and check out the other RVs. Wanna come?”

  Where else would I go?

  I grinned as I stepped down from the RV. I lowered my voice to a whisper.

  “Well, you might want to hang out in the RV? Or do something else?”

  You still have much to learn about ghosting, Minerva. Ben chuckled. I loved it when he laughed.

  No, my place is with you, he continued. If I might speak frankly, I did actually try to leave you once within the first week of meeting you.

  My heart dropped to my stomach at his words.

  “Was it me? Was I so awful?”

  No, no, my dear. It was not you, but I could not understand the odd compulsion to be with you. I did not know you. We had no obvious connection. Why then did I follow you around like a puppy?

  I turned toward the front of my RV and rounded the front to walk down the lane.

  “No, not a puppy, Ben!” He sounded a bit frustrated. Was he unhappy? Did I have the power to let him go? How?

  Absentmindedly, I eyed the various motorhomes, trailers, fifth wheels, trucks and cars tucked into the sites as I walked.

  No, I am not unhappy, Minerva. But I did wonder at the inexplicable force that kept me bound to you.

  “So you tried to leave? How?”

  I simply left. I returned to Cape Disappointment. We were at that time some 100 miles from the Cape.

  “What happened?” A dog barked from a nearby motorhome.

  I could not breathe. I know that sounds foolish since I do not actually breathe, but the sensation was as if I had been struck in the chest and became winded. I could think of nothing else but your welfare, your safety, your health, your happiness.

  “Oh, Ben. I’m so sorry. I don’t know how you got stuck with me either. I’ve never even heard of a ghost god-parent.”

  Ghost god-parent?

  “You know…like fairy godmother?”

  Ah! A parent. Well, I am certainly much older than you, that is certain, but my bond to you is not that of a parent.”

  “If it helps, I couldn’t imagine being without you either at this point, Ben.”

  Ben was silent for a moment. I rounded a curve in the lane and eyed the row of RVs housing Sally’s trailer. I skipped that lane and moved on to the next.

  “Ben?”

  Yes?

  “You didn’t finish your story. What happened? Why did you come back?”

  I had no function, no purpose at the Cape. Before I met you, I do not believe I had even existed as I am now. It is not as if I haunted the grounds of the Cape for the past several hundred years.

  I heard him sigh.

  I returned to you, and the pain in my chest eased. I could breathe again. That is how I know I am bound to you.

  Now, I sighed. Ben had such a lyrical way of saying things, almost romantic.

  I turned down another lane. The air was comfortably cool but not chilly. The park was quiet except for the occasional bark of a dog. Everyone seemed settled in for the night. Through the occasional open windows, I could see the flickering lights of televisions in a few of the RVs. I rounded the next bend in the lane and passed by the entrance to the RV park near the office.

  “I didn’t kill him.” A harsh male voice caught my ear, and I gasped and looked around for the source.

  Quickly, Minerva, tuck yourself behind that tree. I obeyed Ben and ducked behind a large oak tree.

  Who is it, Ben? I asked him silently. Where is he?

  It is Jim Brothers, and he is speaking to Sally. They are near the laundry to the right of the building.

  I can’t hear them. What are they saying? I have to move closer.

  No, Minerva! Do not put yourself in harm’s way.

  Insatiably curious, I ignored Ben’s warning and sprinted lightly toward the office building. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure anyone within half a mile could hear it. The lights were off in the building, and I assumed Nick had gone home. I worked my way around the building on the opposite side and around the back. I pressed myself against the wall and tried to breathe through my nose to quiet my anxious panting.

>   “I can’t believe you let this go on so long, Jim,” Sally said in a strident voice. “You knew they were sleeping together. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  I peered around the edge of the building. Bob’s beige sedan shone under the outside light of the laundry. Sally and Jim sat in the front seats with the windows down. Not a smart move, in my opinion. Clearly, anyone passing by could hear them.

  “I didn’t care,” Jim said. “Good riddance to both of them. More time for us.”

  My knees wobbled. Oh, no! Oh, no! Not really. Jim and Sally? Oh, please!

  Oh, my word! Ben breathed.

  Gosh, do these people do anything but sleep around? I wondered.

  “There is no us, Jim. Never has been. One night of drinks doesn’t make us a couple.”

  “You women are all alike,” Jim muttered. “Just out for what you can get. So, you’re telling me that you never liked me at all?”

  I heard the pain in his voice and almost sympathized except I really didn’t like him very much.

  “No, that’s not true. I liked you. I still like you, Jim, but I’m just fed up with men right now. I just wanted to tell you in person. Stop calling me for a while. I need to think about things. I’m leaving.” I heard the familiar tears in Sally’s voice. She certainly managed to turn the grief on and off when she needed.

  I bit my lip. Where was my compassion?

  Exhausted at this point, I would say. It is hard to know whom to pity. Ben knew me well.

  That’s what I was thinking! I said silently.

  “If you’re so fed up with men, then maybe you killed Carl, Sally.”

  “Jim! How dare you!”

  I wished I could have watched their body language.

  Ben! What are they doing?

  His arms are crossed, and he is frowning like a petulant child. Sally appears distressed. She is crying.

  Well, that’s pretty normal for her, I said.

  “Why do you have to leave? I can get you another trailer. Get rid of that one. Carl’s gone now. He’s not gonna smack you around anymore. Stay. I’ll divorce Karen. I’m gonna divorce her anyway unless I can figure out another way to get rid of her.”

  “Jim! Stop talking like that! One death in this park is enough. The police will become suspicious, more so than they are already.”

  “Of what? Trouble at Happy Trails? As far as I know, they think it’s a suicide.”

  I heard Sally moan.

  “Either way, like you said, Carl’s gone,” she said. “I can’t stay here though. I gotta get away. And I don’t need you to buy me another trailer. I’ll have Carl’s life insurance money. Come see me in Astoria when you can though…without Karen.”

  “When are you leaving?” His voice was harsh, raspy.

  “Day after tomorrow. The cremation is tomorrow. I’ll toss his ashes around here somewhere. Maybe back inside the RV.”

  “Remind me not to leave my funeral planning to you,” Jim laughed unattractively.

  “Give me a kiss for old times’ sake,” he muttered.

  I winced at the imagined visual. I would never have imagined Jim and Sally together. Karen was a very attractive woman.

  Sally must have complied because I heard nothing for a few moments. I hoped they wouldn’t go further. I certainly didn’t want to hear that!

  “I gotta go, Jim. Bob is waiting for me at the motel. I told him I was just running to the store.”

  “Okay, see ya,” Jim said.

  I heard the car door slam and then an engine turn on. Wheels crunched along the aggregate pavement, and the sound of the car faded. I retraced my steps around the side of the building and watched Jim walk back toward his RV.

  I slumped against the wall and gave him time to reach his RV and go inside.

  “Ben, Ben, Ben…this is a nightmare! What’s in the water here?”

  Ben laughed.

  I must admit that I am amazed at the romantic appetites in this park. Do you think there is truly some aphrodisiac in the water?

  “It’s gotta be something. These aren’t college kids on spring break!”

  I am afraid I do not understand that reference, Minerva.

  “You will someday. We’ll spend a winter on the Gulf Coast at some point.”

  That sounds lovely!

  Having given Jim enough time to get back to his RV, I headed back to my own rig, sprinting the last few yards and hustling up the stairs. I slammed the door behind me and locked it.

  Will you tell the authorities about the new information? The issue of the life insurance was raised again.

  I shook my head. “I don’t think I want to be involved anymore. As far as I’m concerned, everyone in this park is a suspect except you and me.”

  It would seem that way. You must rest, Minerva.

  “I think I will head off to bed. Good night, Ben.”

  Good night, dear.

  Naturally, I struggled to sleep. The image of Jim and Sally in a romantic clench in the front seat of a car plotting the demise of Carl and/or Karen stayed with me throughout the night.

  I resisted the urge to call to Ben to talk to me. He wasn’t my pet, my toy, to be called upon for amusement at any time. I knew he would come if I called. He always did. But tonight, I resolved to keep him out of the bedroom.

  I also resolved to call Officer Martinez in the morning. And I cringed at the thought. Sally would never forgive me. How many people could I anger in one small RV park?

  Chapter Seven

  I was awakened by the chirping ringtone of my phone.

  “Hello?”

  “Miss Crockwell? This is Officer Martinez.”

  I shot up in bed. What now?

  “Yes, what is it?”

  “Did I catch you sleeping?”

  I looked at my watch. It was 9 o’clock. I’d slept the morning away.

  “I slept in for some reason.”

  “I wanted to ask you a few more questions.”

  “Okay,” I said. Curiosity made my heart thump.

  “Do you know if Mrs. Richardson and Mr. Brothers were involved in a relationship?”

  “What? How did you know that?”

  “So, you’re saying they were? Why didn’t you mention that yesterday?”

  I hated feeling like I was in the wrong. It made me defensive.

  “Well, I just found out last night as it happens. I heard them over by the laundry room.”

  “Mrs. Sally Richardson and Mr. Jim Brothers? What were they saying or doing?”

  I told them as much as I could about the encounter. Poor Sally. I guess I was no friend of hers.

  “Is that all you remember?” she asked after I finished ratting the couple out.

  “Yes, that’s it.”

  “This confirms the statement of another witness.”

  “Another witness? Who? I didn’t see anybody else there!” Someone else had seen and heard them? Well, the witness certainly couldn’t have been Ben.

  Did you hear that, Ben?

  If I say yes, then you will know I am in your bedroom. I am trying to abide by your resolution.

  I already know you’re here, Ben. I just pretend that you’re not.

  “Yes,” Officer Martinez said. “I can’t tell you who the other witness is, but you both repeated the same conversation.”

  “Oh! Okay. I’m glad I heard right then.”

  “Thank you, Miss Crockwell. Have a nice day.”

  “Good bye,” I said as the conversation ended.

  “Ben, who is the other witness?”

  I was not aware someone else was nearby, but I was more concerned for your safety than looking further. I should have been more alert.

  “No, no. Don’t blame yourself. It’s not a big thing. I’m just curious. It’s nice to know someone else in the park is talking to the police besides me though. I was beginning to think I’d have to go into witness protection at some point.”

  Ben laughed.

  My phone rang again, and I answered it.

/>   “Hello?”

  “Minnie, this is Nick over in the office.”

  “Oh, hi, Nick!” Hopefully, he wasn’t pursuing his job offer of the previous day.

  “Can you come over here when you get a chance? I wanted to talk to you about something, and I don’t want to do it near your RV.”

  “If this is about the job offer, I haven’t changed my mind.”

  “No, no, nothing like that. It’s just…” He let the words trail off. “Just come by when you get a chance.”

  “Okay.”

  The handsome Mr. Granger bids your attendance upon him.

  “Ben, you do have a way with words, don’t you?” I smiled and got up to get dressed.

  Twenty minutes later, dressed and washed with a bit of makeup applied, I sauntered over to the office. I couldn’t help but look at the spot where Sally had been parked in the beige sedan. Before entering, I turned to look down the road toward Sally’s trailer. Last night, she had said she was coming to the park to spread Carl’s ashes. Had she already come by?

  I stepped in, and Nick rose from the desk. This morning, he wore a black polo shirt with white stripes and black shorts. Very attractive! I took a deep breath.

  “What’s up?” I asked, forcing a nonchalance that I didn’t quite feel in his presence.

  “Did you know that Sally and Jim Brothers were having an affair?”

  I reared back. “How did you find out?”

  “I heard them last night. With all that’s been going on, I decided to bed down here in the office instead of going back to my place—there’s a cot in the back room—and I heard them outside of the laundry room. I called the police to let them know this morning.”

  And the mystery is solved. One of them at any rate.

  “So, you’re the one!” He opened his mouth to ask me a question, but I rushed on. “The police called me this morning and asked if I knew they were involved. As it happens, I heard the conversation last night too. I was out on a walk and heard them as I passed by the office. I have to admit I stopped and listened to their conversation. Not very nice, but I did it.”

  Nick grinned and shook his head. “I can’t believe we both heard it. I wish I had known you were there. I would have invited you inside.”

  I blushed. “Well, I was walking.”

  “The next time you walk, let me know. I’ll join you.”

  More blushing.