Murder Train: A Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery

by Stacey Alabaster

  "This is a crime scene," the short male cop, Mark, said, interrupting everyone. "You’re not going anywhere."

  Pippa's mouth dropped open, along with everyone else's. "But...can't you just...move the crime scene?"

  He laughed at her like she was a naive child. "The whole area is an open and active crime scene, miss. It's not 'moving,' no."

  Pippa sat down, crestfallen. "Well, how long until the next train comes along then?"

  The officer frowned. "There won't be any trains on this track, miss. How would they get past this train?"

  Pippa stood up again and grabbed her phone from her pocket. "Fine. I'll have to ring my husband to come get us," she said. "If I can ever get another bar of reception that is— Ooh, here's one!"

  The cop stopped her.

  "No one is leaving this train, I'm afraid, miss. You're all witnesses to a murder. And some of you might even be suspects." He looked around at all of us, his face heavy with suspicion.

  "But you just arrested that British man!" the blonde woman called out.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dan's face fall a little.

  The police officer shook his head. "Until you've all been questioned, you're here for the night."

  There were more groans from the crowd.

  "Here? On the train?" Pippa was incredulous. "What are we supposed to do in third class? We don't have the fancy reclining seats they have in first."

  I was also wondering where the heck we were all going to sleep. The only building nearby was Ana's windmill, and that barely managed to hold her family of four.

  "We'll put you up in a nearby lodge," the officer cut in when everyone had started to voice their concerns and the carriage started to sound like it was on the verge of hosting a riot. "It's about a forty-minute walk, unfortunately, so I hope those of you wearing high heels brought a change of shoes."

  "Great," Pippa muttered. "Of course we didn't bring a change of shoes. We only thought we were going to be on this train for two stupid hours."

  It was already dark by the time we walked down to the Griffen Lodge. It was actually located on the same side of the tracks as Ana's windmill, but far enough away to not be visible even in the middle of the day.

  Officer Mark took Julian to the station while Officer Green, along with Garry, were in charge of keeping the rest of us together like a herd of cattle.

  The lodge, when we finally arrived, looked like a summer camp, the kind I hadn't been to since I was in middle school.

  Officer Green crossed her arms. "No one is to leave the campsite until you've been cleared by an officer. I'll be re-joined by my partner soon, so hopefully we can get through the interviews quickly, as long as you all co-operate."

  It was getting dark so I asked what the sleeping arrangements were. "Do we have to share rooms?" I was kind of hoping for one to myself, but if we had to share, obviously I wanted to share with Pippa.

  Officer Green laughed. "Four people to a room, I'm afraid."

  There were more groans from the crowd. She really wasn't making herself popular that evening.

  "I think we should share with Dan and Conductor Garry!" Pippa called out quickly and enthusiastically.

  Was she crazy? The last two people in the world I wanted to be stuck in a room with and she volunteered for it?

  I opened my mouth to object—strongly—but she stopped me.

  "We can keep an eye on Garry if he's staying with us," she whispered. "And you will also know what Dan is up to at all times. He can't outfox you now."

  I had to admit she kind of had a point. "Fine," I said, but I wasn’t happy. "But if any of them pull any funny business, I’m switching rooms."

  "Great!" Pippa exclaimed. She picked up her purse and walked toward the room we'd been allowed, while I followed. It wasn't the softest mattress in the world that awaited me there, but I was so exhausted that I collapsed on it and shut my eyes. My peace was short-lived, however.

  "So, the adventure continues!" Dan exclaimed as he entered the room and placed his bag down heavily on the floor. "Looks like it's going to be a long night, girls."

  Pippa excused herself for some fresh air.

  I tried to shut my eyes and just block Dan out, but he was swiftly followed by our other friend.

  Garry walked in with less enthusiasm. He hadn't spoken to Pippa and I since we'd seen him chatting with Julian in the cab of the train. And he seemed about as impressed to be sharing rooms with us as I was.

  He dropped his bag and glared at me. "It's not enough that you had to try to halt progress in town, causing trouble with that petition of yours; now you've got to go snooping around in other people's personal business."

  I sat up. "Excuse me? Halt progress? I was trying to help the town with that petition, not hurt it."

  Garry shook his head. "That was the first town meeting I have ever seen you at. How do you know what is good for the town? I am there every week leading those meetings, and I know what is good for Belldale. The town is struggling and we need the money that big chains can bring in. Of course, you were only worried about your own profits taking a nose dive."

  I gulped. "Actually," I said, taking a deep breath. "The reason I was heading to the city today—or trying to—was because I have a meeting scheduled with The Pastry Tree. Because they actually offered to buy my bakery out."

  Garry was the first person I had told this news to who wasn't Pippa. I thought he was going to be pleased with the news—wasn't this what he wanted?—but his face was like thunder.

  "Oh, so when you wanted to keep the place from opening, you made a petition, but as soon as you find out you might make money from them, you turn your back on your principles?"

  "It's not like that!"

  "You don't care about the town at all, you only care about yourself!"

  "How dare you say that!"

  Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Dan, who was enjoying all of this way too much. "Forget it. I don't have to explain myself to anyone in this room!"

  I stomped out and found Pippa sitting on a log on the edge of the tree-lined parking lot, her head forward like she was about to hurl. Too many sugar cookies, I supposed. Followed by too much lemonade and then too many pancakes. I couldn't say I was really surprised.

  I just glared at her when she finally looked up.

  "What have I done wrong now?"

  "Why did you have to stick us in a room with Conductor Garry?"

  "So we could keep an eye on him!"

  I sighed heavily. "And did you ever consider the point that it works both ways? That he is going to be bugging us every second of the day and night?" I lowered my voice. "Besides, how are we supposed to investigate with him watching our every move? We can't sneak out of the room with him right there, can we?"

  Pippa looked at me in surprise. "We're still investigating? Even after Julian was arrested?"

  I nodded slowly. "If they're keeping us here, that means the police are still investigating. If they are, we are." I glanced around the lodge. "If the killer is out here, this is our best chance to find them. But you got us stuck with the camp baby-sitter."

  Pippa stood up. "Maybe he'll be a heavy sleeper?"

  "Camp meeting!" Garry suddenly called out, walking out of the room and interrupting us.

  Camp? Meeting?

  He walked around to each room and banged loudly on each door until every single passenger from the train was gathered in the center of the lodge's parking lot, looking unimpressed about the whole debacle. "When do we get fed?" someone called out.

  "At least we get to stay out of the room for a little while," Pippa said, kicking the log. "Who knows, maybe we'll all get to stay out here for dinner, build a campfire, make some s'mores...maybe someone brought a guitar on the train..."

  "Everyone is to stay in their rooms!" Garry boomed, interrupting Pippa's fantasy's about being back at summer camp. "Officer Green and myself will be watching you all carefully, and any suspicious activity will be noted and reported. T
he only time you will be allowed to leave your room will be when Office Green comes to get you for an interview."

  "Well, what are we supposed to eat?" Low Blood Sugar called out.

  "There are peanuts and crackers in the rooms, which should get you through the night," Garry bellowed. "Now, everyone back to your rooms!"

  Pippa and I hung back for a minute while everyone trudged back inside, exhausted and hungry. This was the worst summer camp ever.

  "Don't you think Garry has been in a super bad mood ever since Julian was arrested?" Pippa asked me. "I mean, he was a little strict on the train, before, but now he's turned into a drill sergeant."

  I gulped and nodded. "He said some really harsh things to me before, after you went outside."

  Pippa looked surprised. "He did? What did he say?"

  I shook my head. "Nothing..." I didn't want to tell her what Garry had said because I was afraid it was the truth. Part of me was worried that Pippa might agree with him. And a lot of me was worried that I agreed with him.

  "Well, of course he's upset that Julian got arrested. He was trying to cover for him."

  "I'm not sure it was that simple. What if Garry helped Julian kill Eden so that they could split her money? Why was Julian giving Garry that piece of jewelry?"

  "Hey!" Garry shouted at us from he door, making us both jump. "I thought I said everyone was to stay in their rooms?"

  Yeah, couldn't wait to get back inside there, trapped with my two favorite people. "Pippa's not feeling well," I called back. Pippa nodded and grabbed her stomach for show, exaggerating the situation. "Wouldn't you rather she be outside than in a small enclosed room?"

  "Oh, right..." Garry made a face, but his voice softened a little. "Well, when she's feeling better, come back inside. We're playing Uno."

  Great.

  I felt my phone vibrating in my coat jacket and jumped a little, but I tried to pretend that nothing had happened.

  "Do you have any reception?" Pippa asked me.

  I quickly shook my head. "Nope, I'm in the same position as you are. We are in the middle of nowhere out here."

  "You should check your phone, just in case."

  I nodded slowly and pulled my phone out.

  "Hey!" she called out, looking over my shoulder. "You do have a bar here. Two, in fact! And you just got a text from Kenneth."

  "Well, must have got lucky."

  "Are you going to read that text?"

  "Oh, right. I guess I'd better."

  I took a few steps away so I had a little privacy. Where are you, Rach?? I haven't heard from you all day. You guys said you'd be back by late afternoon.

  I had no idea how to explain the situation. Sorry. We got stuck on the train. In the middle of nowhere. Back tomorrow, I think. Oh, and that foreman, Garry, from the town meeting is here.

  "Can I use it now?" Pippa asked frantically.

  I guessed there was no use in putting if off any longer. I'd been sprung, and Pippa was going to call the Pastry Tree.

  She phoned Marcello and Lolly first, before she quickly hung up to make the important call.

  "Oh, that would be amazing...thank you so, so much!" I heard her calling out. "Again, we are so sorry. This has been kind of a crazy day..."

  I was already walking back to our room, watching Garry and Dan playing Uno through the window, when Pippa caught up with me to share the good news.

  "I just spoke to The Pastry Tree. They are giving us one more shot to re-schedule. Tomorrow, right after lunch. We have to be at their head office to take the meeting. If we don't show up to that, Rachael, we are going to look like total amateurs."

  She looked worried as she handed the phone back to me.

  "We'll be there, Pippa. Don't worry. Now, let's go play some Uno."

  "Draw four," Garry said to me, looking way too smug.

  I sighed and picked up four cards while Dan snorted. I had about twenty cards in my hand while he was sitting there with two. Darn it.

  Garry and Dan had gotten into the mini-bar while Pippa and I had been outside making phone calls, and there were small empty bottles of scotch and vodka scattered around the floor where the four of us were all sitting, cross-legged. I took the opportunity to probe.

  "Garry," I said, organizing my hand. "Did you know Julian before he boarded the train?"

  Garry looked at me in surprise. "I did."

  Pippa and I looked at each other before Pippa played her next move, 'skipping' an annoyed Dan.

  "You did?" I asked Garry, surprised that he would actually admit to knowing Julian. Maybe he really was drunk.

  "He was a regular passenger," Garry replied, opening up another tiny bottle of scotch. "So I'd probably seen him a dozen times before."

  "Oh," I replied. "And are you two close?"

  "Close?" he asked, turning a little red. "Close in what way?"

  "Just...are you friends?"

  Garry coughed a little and took his turn. "Not really. We just have a regular conductor/passenger relationship."

  What did that mean? "What about Eden?" I asked, picking up another four cards after Garry hit me with another draw-four. "Did you know her too?"

  Garry stared at the pile of cards in the center of the floor. "I never met her until today." His voice was flat and sounded far away.

  Dan, Pippa, and I all looked at each other. "But weren't her and Julian in love? Planning to get married? Weren't they in a serious relationship?"

  Garry stood up and walked back over to the mini-bar, took something from it, then banged it shut violently. "I suppose they just never travelled together until today. What can I tell you? I think it's time we all got some sleep."

  "Uno," Dan called out, placing his last card down onto the pile. "Sorry about that, Rachael," he said, looking at the handful of cards I was struggling to even hold. "Better luck next time!"

  "Psst!" I was awoken by the sound of a frantic whisper and someone shaking me violently. "Rachael, wake up!"

  "Alright, alright! I'm awake!" I snapped, pushing her off me. I groaned when I saw that it was 1:00am. "What are you doing? This lumpy bed is so uncomfortable, it's a wonder I ever got to sleep in the first place!"

  "I'm used to getting up in the middle of the night," Pippa said smugly. "What, with a baby and everything..."

  "Pippa, what is it? What did you wake me for?" I sat up and turned the lampshade on with a snap.

  "Garry is missing."

  I rubbed my eyes and looked around the room. It was completely black in our cabin aside from the very small semi circle of light from the lamp. "I can't see!"

  Pippa turned on her phone and shone the flashlight at Garry's bed.

  Empty. Slept in, though—the sheets and covers had been tossed aside.

  "Maybe he's gone for a midnight walk?" I suggested, tossing my own covers off.

  "He told us all not to leave our rooms," Pippa said. "So what is he doing breaking his own rules?"

  I told her to shush and grabbed her phone. Very carefully, I edged the beam of light toward Dan's bed.

  A grin spread across my face. "Dan hasn't noticed Garry is missing yet," I whispered, throwing my covers off. In fact, Dan appeared to have ear plugs in and was also wearing an eye mask. "Let's follow Garry! But let's do it very, very carefully."

  I pulled the door shut behind us with the precision of a surgeon. We hadn't exactly planned on sleeping over on our trip and hadn’t packed pajamas, so we were still dressed in our business suits from the day before.

  "Dan didn't wake up," Pippa said, peering back in through the windows. "He's a heavy sleeper all right."

  Thank goodness for that. Maybe my luck finally had swung and I was going to get the better of Dan once and for all.

  We just had to figure out where Garry had gone first.

  The parking lot of the lodge was completely empty apart from the police car parked in front of the room that Officer Green was sleeping in.

  "How do we even figure out which way he went?" I asked, sighing in f
rustration. "We need a bloodhound or something."

  "Or," Pippa said, shining the flashlight onto the ground. "Maybe we just need to follow the tracks of his gigantic conductor's boots." She moved the beam of light across the dirt, showing a trail that led from our door across the parking lot. At first glance, it appeared to lead to Officer Green's room, because they stopped at her door.

  "What should we do?" Pippa asked, holding the light up to her chin like she was telling ghost stories around a camp fire. "Should we really knock on the door of a police officer in the middle of the night?"

  "To ask her about a suspect she is harboring, yes, we should!" I said, leaning forward to knock on the door hard enough to wake anyone inside, even if they were wearing ear plugs. "The lights are all off," I said, annoyed. "What is he doing in there?"

  "Stop," Pippa said, grabbing my hand before I could knock a second time. "What if Garry came to Officer Green's room for...you know? What if this is a romantic thing?"

  "Oh." I dropped my hand but it was too late. I'd woken Officer Green and she pulled back the door with an annoyed "this better be an emergency, ladies” look."

  I peered around her to see inside, but wasn’t sure what I was hoping to see.

  "Excuse me?" Green said. "What do you think you're doing?"

  "Why have you got Conductor Garry in your room this late at night?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Are you and he involved with each other?"

  She narrowed her eyes. "Involved?"

  "Yes. Is that why you have not arrested him? Because you're having a thing with him? That is very unprofessional!"

  Officer Green stepped out of her room and I was suddenly acutely aware of the gun she had in her holster. "You two better get back to your room before I put you there myself," she said fiercely.

  I gulped, but tried not to be intimidated. "Conductor Garry is our roommate," I said, "So we are just doing the right thing by searching for him. It's the buddy system."

  Officer Green looked around the parking lot with suspicion. "Conductor Garry left his room?"

  "Don't play dumb," I said, quickly realizing how dumb that was to say to a cop. I grabbed Pippa's light and shone in on the tracks in the ground. "They lead right up to your door."