Boats and Bad Guys (Dune House Cozy Mystery Series)
Page 8
“Okay,” Suzie replied and cringed.
“Go!” Paul said. Suzie started to back out, but she was startled when four strong hands seized her on either side of her hips. She was tugged out within the span of a second, and the rocks that had been above her came collapsing down to fill the empty space she had been occupying. Suzie gasped with fear as she stumbled backward and right into Paul's arms. He held her close as he felt her shaking.
“It's okay, you're safe,” he murmured and smoothed a hand down through her hair. Suzie's mind was spinning with the remainder of panic, as well as the strange sensation of being engulfed by Paul's strong arms.
“Oh, Suzie, are you okay?” Mary asked as she ran up to her and hugged her tightly. She didn't care that she was sandwiching Suzie between herself and Paul. “I'm sorry, I moved as fast as I could, and I was so scared that I would be too late.”
“You were right on time, Mary,” Suzie promised her. “You did good,” she added as Mary released her, and Paul did as well.
“Are you hurt?” he asked as he looked into her eyes.
“No, I think I'm okay,” Suzie replied and glanced over at the two men cuffed and sitting in the sand.
“They're facing kidnapping and attempted murder,” Jason said quickly. “They're not going to be able to bother you anymore.”
“You can add murder to that list,” Suzie said boldly as she glared at the two men. “They're responsible for Alexandria Black's death, and I'll be happy to testify about what they told me.”
Jason raised his eyebrows, adjusted his hat, and turned to glare at the two men.
“There will be time for all of that later, Suzie,” Paul assured her. “Now, let's just get you home, hmm?”
Suzie nodded as she suddenly felt exhausted. With everything that had unfolded her adrenaline had been pumping, and now she was ready to crash.
“Are you three okay to travel back on the boat?” Jason asked. “If not I can get a car for you.”
“It's fine with me,” Suzie murmured. “Are you up for it, Mary?” she asked.
“After today I think I'd rather be on a boat than on the beach,” Mary laughed nervously.
“I'll get them home safe,” Paul assured Jason. As they began to walk back towards the boat, Suzie paused and glanced over her shoulder.
“Jason, what about the money?” she asked.
“Well, if it's in there, we'll find it,” Jason said with confidence. “I can get somebody out here to dig it up.”
“See boys?” Suzie said as she glanced at the two men sitting in the sand. “That money never did, and never will belong to you.”
Al snarled but a glare of warning from Jason silenced him. George was just staring at the sand desolately.
When they reached the boat, Paul helped Mary and then Suzie on board. As soon as the boat launched, Mary turned towards Suzie.
“Don't you ever do that to me again,” she said with fury in her eyes.
“What?” Suzie asked with surprise and no small amount of fear. Mary was rarely angry, but when she was, it was a good idea to take cover.
“You made me leave in your place. I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened to you,” Mary gulped out and hugged Suzie tightly. Suzie melted into the hug and hugged her friend in return.
“The only thing that kept me sane was knowing that you were safe,” Suzie whispered. “I never had any doubt that you would find help.”
“That's not a good enough excuse,” Mary insisted and released Suzie. She took a step back and placed both of her hands on her hips. “You promise me that you will never ever do that to me again.”
Suzie couldn't help but laugh a little as she shook her head. “All right fine, Mary. If armed men ever abduct us again, you can stay behind next time.”
“Don't laugh, I'm serious,” Mary scoffed and crossed her arms.
“Ladies, why don't we plan on there being no more abductions, wouldn't that be better?” Paul asked rationally as he guided the boat across the water.
“Well, just in case,” Mary muttered and tried to hide a smile. She was beginning to realize how absurd her words sounded.
“Just in case,” Suzie agreed.
Chapter Eight
As the boat skimmed across the water the sun was beginning to set. Suzie's heart swelled at the peaceful slope of the sky against the sea. In her mind she pieced together the last moments of Alexandria's life. She had been running from Al and George. She had probably known that if they caught her, they would be able to force the truth out of her, and then all the prison time that Darren was doing would be pointless. Worse than that they might have even killed her. But George and Al had pursued her right up to the edge of the cliff.
Alexandria had turned back to see where they were, just as George lunged for her. She had jumped after all, but not because she wanted to die. She had jumped because she was trying to escape from George and Al and the torture they promised her. She had jumped because she was trying to protect her husband, even though he had failed to protect her.
Suzie sighed as she tried to comprehend how a young woman could be so blinded by love that she was prepared to bury the proceeds of a crime. She must have known that keeping a map of where the money was buried was a risk but it was obviously a risk she was prepared to take so Darren could find the buried money if something ever happened to her.
It truly was a sad story, but one that would finally have an ending. It might not be happy, but at least it was true. The money, once found, would be returned to its rightful owners and the two men who had caused her death, would be behind bars for a long time. She sighed as she felt the tension in her muscles begin to slowly unwind. By the time they arrived at the docks, she was feeling as if she was a million miles away from the frightening experience she had just survived. Mary was eager to get off the boat, but Suzie lingered for a moment.
“Are you coming, Suzie?” Mary called over her shoulder. “Jason asked us to meet him at the station, remember?”
“I remember,” Suzie replied reluctantly. The sun was just beginning to sink lower in the sky and with its descent a myriad of pinks and deep oranges had sprouted across the blue expanse.
“You can stay, if you want,” Paul offered as he finished tying the boat to the dock. He glanced up at her, and Suzie caught his eye as she smiled.
“I'd like that,” she said quietly. “But what about Jason?”
“Don't worry about Jason,” Mary said knowingly. “I'll take care of him.”
“Thanks,” Suzie called out as Mary hurried off along the docks. Suzie got the feeling that Mary was happy to give her and Paul some alone time.
Paul rested his arms gently against the railing of the boat and smiled faintly at her. Suzie could feel his gaze skimming across her features but she was too nervous to look in his direction. It was the strangest thing for her. She had never been nervous with any man before. She couldn't understand why it was so difficult to even talk to Paul without her heart acting wild and her mind spinning. She felt more than a little foolish.
“Suzie,” he murmured, his voice drifting as seamlessly as the waves that rolled gently against the boat.
“Hmm?” Suzie inquired without looking in his direction.
“Suzie,” he repeated and rested his hand lightly along the curve of the back of her hand. “Am I making you uncomfortable?” he asked, his voice still soft. “Did you want to be alone?”
“No,” Suzie replied and forced herself to look into his clear gray eyes. “I'm sorry, Paul. I guess, I'm just a little,” she hesitated a moment and then admitted in a whisper. “Nervous.”
“Nervous?” his smile grew and for the first time she noticed the way his eyes lit up to a bluish shade when he was amused. “What's there to be nervous about?” he asked.
Suzie lowered her eyes and felt the heat rising in her cheeks. She took a slow deep breath and tried to convince herself that she was being silly, that they were just two friends enjoying the water and the
view. When she felt his fingertips reach up to lightly trace along her cheek, and the gentle swoop of him tucking her hair back behind her ear, the warmth from his touch spread throughout her body. She glanced over at him shyly.
“Is it this?” he asked and leaned a little closer to her, his lips puckered just slightly in anticipation of a kiss. Suzie only had a split-second to decide what she was going to do. All of her desire was to allow the kiss, but all of her instincts told her to be cautious. Just as his lips would have brushed hers, she tilted her head slightly to the side so that he grazed only the corner of her mouth. He lightly pecked her cheek, and then pulled away. Suzie glanced back up at him guiltily, expecting him to be hurt or even angry, but instead he was smiling whimsically at her.
“I'm sorry,” she murmured as she searched his eyes.
“I'm patient,” he replied with a wink before looking back out over the water. Something about his words left Suzie feeling even more comfortable with him than she had before. She laid her hand lightly over his and they continued to gaze out over the water.
There was a lot about Garber that was new for her, but the most surprising thing had to be the way that Paul made her feel. Awkward and silly, but so very content when she was beside him. She leaned a little closer to him, and he naturally draped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her gently against him. She offered a subtle sigh as she rested her head lightly against the crook of his shoulder. Across the scattered colors of the setting sun, a flock of birds flew. Suzie felt her spirit soar in time with their rise through the clouds. It was a moment she was certain she would treasure.
The End
More Cozy Mysteries by Cindy Bell
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Mascara and Murder
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Blush, a Bride and a Body
Shampoo and a Stiff
Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer
Dune House Cozy Mystery Series
Seaside Secrets
Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries
Murdering the Roses
Dead in the Daisies
Killing the Carnations
Drowning the Daffodils
Suffocating the Sunflowers