Another unidentified voice continued. “Nice, clean, quiet killer.”
“Yeah. The victim looks like a clean-cut guy. So does the suspect.” The first voice answered. “Those are the ones you gotta watch out for.”
The voices faded away and the women listened for several long moments in an attempt to glean additional clues from the investigators, but Ruth’s audio equipment wasn’t able to capture the sounds inside the motel room.
The television monitors were crystal clear and the women watched as the investigators moved around the interior of the motel room.
Finally, the investigators and officers exited the motel room. Two of the officers headed to the motel lobby while the crime scene investigators hopped into their van and drove off.
Dot scooted across the floor of the van. “I’ve got to use the restroom.”
“There’s one near the pool area.” Gloria jabbed her finger on the television screen. “It’s back there, right next to the tiki bar.”
“I’ll be right back.” Dot swung the side door open and climbed out. She hurried across the parking lot and to the sidewalk on the other side.
Gloria watched as her friend stopped abruptly in front of the motel room…the motel room where Sean Brodwell’s body had been found.
Dot glanced around and then opened her purse. She pulled out her cell phone and tiptoed over to the motel room window.
“They left the curtains open,” Ruth said. Sure enough, the curtains to the motel room were wide open.
Dot lifted her cell phone and pointed it at the window.
“She’s taking pictures,” Gloria said. “Good girl!”
Ruth and Gloria watched as Dot took a step back and lifted her camera a second time.
“Hey!” A male voice echoed through the speakers.
“Uh-oh. Busted,” Ruth said.
Dot pivoted as she turned to see who was yelling.
It was the two police officers. They began jogging toward Dot.
“They must’ve realized they forgot to shut the curtains,” Gloria said.
It was almost like watching in slow motion as Dot darted down the sidewalk and away from the police officers. She rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.
The cops were in hot pursuit.
Gloria scrambled to the door. “We need a diversion.”
Ruth and Gloria stumbled out of the van and raced across the parking lot, to the side of the building.
They rounded the corner and came face-to-face with the police officers, who were pounding on the outside of the women’s restroom door.
“The men’s restroom is over here,” Ruth said.
One of the cops stopped pounding long enough to shoot Ruth a dirty glare before he began pounding again.
Gloria’s head spun as she tried to find a way to help Dot. “I’m going to report you,” she threatened. The cops ignored her.
“We can wait here all day,” the cop yelled at the locked door.
Moments later, a calm, cool, collected Dot emerged from the restroom. “What is all the ruckus out here?”
“Give me your phone.” One of the officers, the taller of the two, held out his hand.
“No.” Dot shook her head.
“I’ll take you down to the precinct and charge you with tampering with police evidence.” The officer turned to his partner. “Go shut those curtains before some other Nosy Nelly decides to start snooping around.”
The second officer nodded and disappeared around the corner.
Dot opened her purse, reached inside and pulled out her cell phone. She dropped it in the cop’s hand.
“Show me the pictures you took.”
“This is ridiculous,” Dot said. Not wanting to push her luck and end up joining Brian down at the precinct, she switched her cell phone on, tapped the screen and then handed it to the officer.
He gazed at the small screen and handed it back. “Show me how to erase it.”
Dot let out an exaggerated breath as she took the phone from the man and fiddled with the screen. “It’s gone.”
“All of them,” the officer answered.
“Fine.” Dot fumbled with the screen and then finally looked up. “They’re all gone. Here, you can check by scrolling the screen.”
Gloria sucked in a breath as she watched the officer do exactly that. He handed the phone back. “I’m going to let you off with a warning. If I see you snooping around here again, I’ll haul you off to jail and charge you with tampering with a police investigation.” He turned on his heel and marched down the sidewalk.
Dot stuck her tongue out at his retreating back. “Spoil sport.”
Ruth followed him to the end of the building and gazed around the corner. “He’s gone.” She hurried to Dot’s side. “Did you get a chance to look at the pictures?”
“Nope.” Dot shook her head. “I did something even better…” She grinned wickedly. “While I was in the bathroom, I forwarded copies to Gloria’s cell phone.”
Gloria smiled. “A girl after my own heart.” She patted Dot on the arm. “I see all my years of training have finally paid off.”
The women wandered back to the van, passing by the officers who were climbing into the patrol car.
Dot gave a jaunty wave. “Now all we’ll have to do is spring Brian and expand our investigation into Andrea’s disappearance and Sean Brodwell’s murder.”
The trio climbed into Ruth’s van and drove back to their motel where they met up with the rest of the girls to discuss what had transpired and to come up with some sort of plan to not only spring Brian, but also find Andrea and uncover Sean’s killer.
Gloria remembered how the officers had mentioned drugs in the motel room. Brian was not a drug user or a drug peddler. If what the officers said was true, she had a sneaky suspicion Sean Brodwell’s death had something to do with the drugs.
Their first priority was to figure out where the officers had taken Brian and then resume their search for Andrea. The longer Andrea was missing, the more concerned Gloria became.
“I’m going to call Paul to see how long the authorities can detain Brian and on what grounds.” She dialed Paul’s cell phone number and he answered right away. “I was getting ready to call you.”
He went on. “You’re never going to believe who just showed up on our porch steps.”
“Who?”
“Andrea,” he said. “She’s sitting at our kitchen table.”
Chapter 10
Gloria nearly dropped the phone. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. Hang on. I’ll put her on.”
There was a moment of silence before a hesitant Andrea came on the line. “Hello?”
Gloria said the first thing that popped into her head. “I can’t believe you’re in Belhaven.”
“I couldn’t take it anymore. My parents were driving me crazy, pressuring me to move back to New York. The last straw was when they surprised me with my ex-boyfriend, Sean.”
“Sean Brodwell,” Gloria said.
“What a jerk,” Andrea groaned. “Hopefully he doesn’t follow me to Belhaven.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Gloria said.
“I’m calling my parents to let them know I’m home,” Andrea said. “I know they’re worried but I can’t believe they filed a missing person’s report. I told them if they kept it up, I was gonna leave.”
“Well, they did and I’m sure they’re very concerned,” Gloria said. “I’m glad you’re home and safe. Now stay put until we get back there. We’ve tried calling you for days now. Why didn’t you answer your cell phone?”
“I forgot my phone charger. I was in such a hurry, I forgot and left it in the hotel room,” Andrea said. “Paul has already given me the fatherly lecture about scaring people half to death and being a responsible adult.”
“How do you think Brian will react?” Andrea fretted. “I didn’t know you were going to drive to Nantucket.”
“We wanted to surprise you, to talk
some sense into you,” Gloria said.
“Is Brian there?” Andrea asked.
Gloria glanced at the others, who were staring intently at her. “Brian is not here. We have another slight problem. I’m glad you’re safe dear. We’ll talk later. Could you put Paul back on?”
“Sure.” There was a moment of silence. “I’m sorry Gloria,” Andrea apologized.
“It’s all right dear. We’re glad you’re safe,” Gloria repeated.
Paul’s deep voice echoed through the line. “When are you heading back home?”
“I’m not sure. Can we talk privately?”
Dot hopped off the sofa and Gloria shook her head. “Not you,” she mouthed as she pointed at the phone.
“Of course.” Gloria could hear Paul on the move. “Go ahead. I’m on the porch. Andrea is inside chatting with Allie.”
“Andrea’s ex was found murdered inside his motel room,” Gloria said. “The police took Brian to the police station for questioning.”
“Brian was involved?” Paul asked.
“He’s the one who found the man’s body,” Gloria said.
Paul let out a low whistle. “Huh,” was all he managed to say.
“We haven’t talked to him yet,” Gloria said. “I wondered what grounds the police could hold him on.”
“What happened?”
“I wish I knew,” Gloria sighed. “By the time we got to the scene, the police were already there and Brian was standing in the doorway of the deceased’s motel room.”
They talked for several more moments and Gloria told him they were going to drive down to the police station to try to help.
“Don’t do anything to get yourself arrested,” Paul warned.
Gloria shuddered. “That’s the last thing I want to happen.”
After she disconnected the line, Gloria faced her friends. “Andrea showed up on our doorstep. She said her mother and father were pressuring her to move back to New York and wouldn’t let up. The last straw was when they ‘surprised’ her with the arrival of her now deceased ex-boyfriend.”
“Does she know he’s dead?” Rose asked.
“I think Paul will tell her and then have her call her parents to assure them she is safe,” Gloria said. “Poor Paul, caught right in the middle.”
“Again,” Lucy said.
“As usual,” Margaret quipped.
“What about Brian?” Alice asked.
“We need to drive to the police station,” Gloria said. She turned to Dot. “You need to stay put. I’m afraid if you show up, the officer who took your cell phone will follow through with his threat and arrest you.”
Dot nodded fearfully. “I’ll hang out here and hold down the fort.”
Rose patted Dot’s hand. “I’ll stay with you.”
“We can’t all go,” Lucy said.
“Ruth has to drive. Alice should go,” Gloria said.
“Yes, Brian.” Alice stood. “He need me. I will go.”
The group decided Lucy, Ruth, Alice and Gloria would head to the police station to try to spring Brian.
After a quick internet search for police stations on the small island, Ruth jotted down the address to enter into the GPS and the four of them headed out. They made it to the van when Lucy abruptly stopped. “Wait a minute. I better leave my gun here.”
She hurried across the parking lot and disappeared inside her motel room.
“Did she say she was going to leave her gun behind?” Gloria asked.
Ruth stuck a hand on her hip. “And you thought I was bad.”
Lucy returned moments later and Gloria climbed into the passenger seat while Alice and Lucy got into the back.
“Why in the world did you bring a gun?” Gloria flipped the visor down and peered at her friend in the mirror.
“Protection,” Lucy patiently explained. “There are a lot of crazies these days. It’s only one little gun.”
Alice made the symbol of a cross across her chest. “Dear Lord, please help us.”
“Only one little gun,” Gloria said. “A gun is a gun. Big, little, sawed off, semi-automatic.”
Lucy held up a hand. “Okay. Maybe it was a mistake, but it’s too late now.”
They rode the distance to the station in silence.
Gloria prayed they would find Brian at the station and that the police would release him after questioning. She had checked her cell phone several times to make sure she hadn’t missed his call and suspected the police were still grilling him.
They pulled into the visitor parking lot and Gloria studied the patrol cars parked off to the side. The markings on the patrol cars were the same ones she’d observed at Brodwell’s motel.
“I’ll wait here,” Ruth said as she shifted the van into park. The other three exited the van and headed up the steps and through the front door of the police station.
Gloria held the door for Alice and Lucy. The smell of fresh floor varnish assaulted Gloria’s nose and she waved her hand in front of her face. “Yuck.”
She trailed behind Alice and Lucy as they approached the counter. A uniformed officer looked up. “May I help you?”
“Yes, uh, our friend was brought to the station for questioning and we wondered when he might be released,” Gloria said.
The man peered at the trio of women over the rim of his glasses. “What is the name?”
“Brian Sellers,” Lucy said.
The man nodded and then tapped on the keyboard as he gazed at the computer screen. “Yes. Mr. Sellers is here. He’s with Detective Flint. Let me check on him.”
He disappeared through a swinging door and Gloria headed to the corkboard on the far wall. She studied the missing persons’ flyers and noted Andrea’s photo at the very top.
“Should I tell them Andrea has been found?” Gloria spun back around.
“I wouldn’t,” Lucy said. “Her parents filed the missing person’s report. Let them handle it.”
“You’re probably right.” Gloria shifted to the side and stared at the Most Wanted postings. There was only a handful. “They must not have a lot of crime on the island.”
“Mr. Sellers will be free to leave shortly if you’d like to wait.” The officer returned and pointed to a row of chairs under the bulletin board.
Gloria slumped into a chair and then fumbled inside her purse in search of her cell phone. She pulled the phone out, tapped the screen and studied the messages Dot had sent her, the ones with the pictures of the inside of the motel room.
Alice paced while Lucy took Gloria’s place and studied the posters on the wall. “Check this guy out.”
Gloria lifted her head. “Huh?”
Lucy pointed at one of the posters. “Based on your description, this guy looks a lot like Andrea’s ex.”
Chapter 11
Gloria hopped out of the chair and peered over Lucy’s shoulder. “Nah. Not even close.” She pointed at the forehead. “His face is too round. Brodwell’s face was long and thin.”
“I guess you would know since I didn’t get an actual visual on him.”
“Ah, there he is,” Alice said.
Brian, accompanied by a uniformed officer, stepped into the lobby. Both men wore solemn expressions. The officer turned to face Brian. “We may need to ask you a few more questions so you’ll need to stick around.”
“Of course.” Brian nodded and then turned to Alice, Gloria and Lucy. “I’m ready.”
The four of them exited through the front door and down the small set of steps.
Ruth gave a small wave as they made their way to the vehicle.
Brian opened the passenger side door and slid into the seat. “Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“What happened?” Alice asked as she reached for her seatbelt.
“I’d rather tell this story once so I’ll wait until we get back to the motel.”
“I don’t blame you.” Gloria switched her phone back on, slipped her reading glasses on and studied the pictures of Brodwell’
s motel room. She could make out an unmade bed. The top of the dresser, in front of the bed was cluttered. She tapped the screen to enlarge the picture but the glare from the motel room window obscured part of the picture.
She swiped the screen to view the second picture. The second one was even blurrier, probably because by that time, the police had spotted Dot and she was on the run.
Gloria smiled as she remembered Dot running from the cops. “I wish we could replay the moment when Dot was taking a picture of the inside of the motel room and the police officers hollered at her,” she said.
Ruth glanced in the rearview mirror. “We can. I recorded it.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Gloria asked.
The Craggy Manor parking lot was crowded and Ruth drove around the building twice before she found a spot she deemed “safe” for her beloved van. On one side was a curb and on the other, a high-end sports car. She surveyed her surroundings before shutting the engine off. “This spot looks as good as any.”
“I still don’t get it. If this thing is bullet proof, it should be ding proof,” Gloria said as she grabbed the side door handle.
“I’m not taking any chances.” Ruth dropped her sunglasses in the center console and turned to Brian. “Be careful when you open the door.”
Brian slid out of the passenger seat and made his way to the front of the vehicle. “You have a bubble on the top. I never noticed it before.”
Gloria joined him. “It’s new. It’s a spy camera that pops up and has a 360-degree view of the surroundings.”
“And the van is bullet proof but Ruth won’t test it,” Alice said.
Ruth clicked the key fob and locked the van before leading the way. “I agreed to test the features. It was part of the deal, but I can’t bring myself to do it…not yet.”
The door to Dot, Ruth and Rose’s suite was open and Gloria could hear the murmur of voices. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Dot and Margaret were sitting at the small table. Rose hovered near a small hotplate located on the kitchenette counter.
“You sprung him.” Dot hopped out of her chair and hugged Brian. “Thank goodness they didn’t throw you in jail.”
Nightmare in Nantucket (Garden Girls Christian Cozy Mystery Series Book 14) Page 6
