Murder at Jade Cove (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 2)

by Dianne Harman

  She was standing a short distance away from the car when Marcy and Gabe Lewis walked out of the hotel. The doorman opened the car door for Marcy then quickly put two small overnight bags in the trunk while Gabe walked around to the driver’s side and got in the car. They pulled out of the hotel driveway and merged into the street traffic.

  Kelly walked over to the doorman. “Excuse me. I’m sure I recognize that couple that just left, but I can’t think of their names. Do you know who they are?”

  “Oh sure. They’re here a lot. I don’t know what her name is, but his name is Luke Wilson. He’s a real good tipper,” the tall pock-marked young man in the ill-fitting grey uniform said.

  “Thanks. Now that you said it, I remember that’s his name. I don’t know why I couldn’t remember it. Guess I was having a senior moment,” she said, walking away from him and heading toward the garage where she’d parked her minivan.

  Wow! Everything I’ve heard must be true. It was Gabe and Marcy and he’s using some phony assumed name while he’s staying at the hotel with Marcy. That’s got to be who was at her house when I was there yesterday. I guess they were too involved with one another and having a little afternoon delight to answer the door when I knocked. Interesting. Wonder if she knows about his financial problems. Maybe I should go out there again and talk to her. I could just be very up front and say I was in Portland and happened to see them.

  *****

  Kelly thought of the events of the past few days as she drove back to Cedar Bay. It was as if there was a loop of thoughts in her mind that began with finding Jeff’s dead body and ended with seeing Gabe and Marcy outside the hotel. As soon as the loop reached seeing Gabe and Marcy, it started over again.

  She looked at the clock just above the car radio. Hmm, it’s only 3:00. I told Mike I’d be home about 5:00. I know I’m tense from everything that’s happened and I’ve been promising myself for months I’d go take a yoga class at the retreat center. I think I’ll drive out there and see if they have one I can take. If not, I’ll still probably feel better just going out there. It’s one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been.

  Kelly turned up the lane that led up to the center, noticing how well tended the vineyard that surrounded the buildings was maintained. She saw a number of cars in the parking lot and noticed a lot of people walking into the large white wooden building. Originally the mansion of a lumber baron, she thought once again that Scott had certainly picked the right name for it. Big puffy white clouds seemed drawn to the top of the hill where the mansion was and at times it looked like a white cake with white frosting on top of it. Next to the main entrance was a sign that read, “White Cloud Retreat Center – All Are Welcome.”

  Scott sure has done this tastefully. He told me once how strongly he felt that although he was a Zen Buddhist, the center should be open to all faiths and beliefs. That sign certainly says it all. It’s one of the most inviting buildings I’ve ever seen.

  She remembered that she had a small bag in the trunk of the minivan with a yoga mat and some yoga clothes in it. It had been there, unused, for nearly a year. She took it out and joined the people filtering into the building. Once she was inside, she saw a large sign with the class schedules on it. Fortunately a yoga and stress reduction class was beginning in fifteen minutes. She changed into a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt in the restroom and walked down the hall towards the room where the yoga class was going to be taught. She walked into the room and put $15 in a donation jar located near the entrance to the room. Around fifty people filled the large, airy room. Orchids, a small fountain, and lighted candles were tastefully arranged in the front of the room, creating a backdrop for the large man who sat facing the class on a yoga mat. As she was placing her mat on the floor at the back of the room, she heard a booming voice behind her say, “Kelly, you weren’t kidding when you said you wanted to come out for a class. It’s good to see you here and I know you’ll be in good hands with my brother. Luke’s leading the class today. Remember, I told you he had come here to live with me,” Scott said, kneeling down next to her. He smiled at her and waved to a number of other students in the room. “Enjoy the class. I was just walking to my office when I looked in the room and saw you. Better go. Luke’s giving me a nod that he wants to start the class.” Scott walked out of the room, softly closing the door behind him.

  Even though it had been almost a year since Kelly had taken a yoga class, it felt like it was only yesterday. The familiar music, the incense, and the different poses Luke led the class through completely relaxed her mind and body. The class concluded with Luke guiding the students in a breathing meditation for fifteen minutes, and then he lightly rang a small hand-held bell, indicating the end of class. The students opened their eyes and stood up, preparing to leave.

  I feel 100% better. Why do I always forget how good I feel when I leave here? What I probably need to do is put a weekly yoga class in red on my schedule and simply make time for it.

  She walked out of the old mansion and paused for a moment, admiring the sweeping ocean view. The lumber baron who original built this mansion sure made a wise choice when he picked this spot for his home, she thought. She walked to her car, feeling the peace and tranquility that a visit to the always left her with.

  CHAPTER 15

  When Kelly returned home, she carefully hung her wedding dress in the back of her closet. She knew it was an old wives’ tale, but she wasn’t going to risk losing Mike because he’d seen her wedding dress before the wedding. She knew she’d be looking in the closet from time to time just to admire it. Having the wedding dress made her pending marriage to Mike seem all so real.

  She told Mike about the wedding dress she’d bought, Marcy and Gabe in Portland, and taking a yoga class at the retreat center, then she decided to do nothing for the rest of the evening except catch up on some of the food magazines she subscribed to, but never had time to read. At ten that night, she stood up and said, “Mike, I can’t make it any longer. I’m tired and I’m off to bed. You’re on your own. Even though it doesn’t sound like I did much today, it was a tiring day for me. Night.”

  “Night, sweetheart. Sleep well. I’ll join you as soon as this movie I’m watching is over. I have to find out who did it. Probably the sheriff in me.”

  *****

  She rolled over the next morning and saw Mike looking at her. She put her arms around him and kissed him. “Mike, I’m so glad we found each other. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. I can’t wait until I’m your wife, although to tell you a secret, after nights like last night, I’d probably let you live with me anyway!”

  “Kelly,” he said, his arms tightening around her. “You are absolutely the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You know, we never talked about a honeymoon. Is there some place special you’d like to go?”

  “No. I just want to be your wife. We can go somewhere in the spring. I’d rather not get involved in making plans for the wedding and a honeymoon all at the same time, and to be honest, after last night, I’m not sure we even need a honeymoon. Let’s face it; I think we’re already living and enjoying it!”

  “Stay in bed,” Mike said. “I know Sunday is your favorite day of the week. Tell you what. I’ll bring you the newspaper and some coffee. I’ll even give you the crossword puzzle and you can do it while I read the rest of the paper. Deal?”

  “Perfect, but I need to spend some time at the coffee shop this afternoon. When I left Friday I noticed we were pretty low on a few things. I need to place an order with Lucy at the market and do some prep for the coming week. What are your plans?”

  “I want to spend some time working on the Jeff Black case. There are still so many loose ends. For one thing, there are too many people who have a motive to kill Jeff. I’d like to eliminate some of them. I’m just not sure how to do it. Maybe I’ll construct some kind of a pyramid chart. Like putting the ones who have the best reason for killing him at the top and working down from there, but right now I’m goi
ng to bring us bagels with all the trimmings. That gravlax is about the best thing I’ve ever had. I don’t remember you ever serving it at the coffee shop. Did I miss it?”

  “No. I was afraid the name ‘gravlax’ would scare people off and they wouldn’t order it. It shouldn’t because it’s nothing more than salmon that’s cured in the refrigerator with some herbs, salt and sugar. The problem is that gravlax doesn’t really sound like a coffee shop kind of thing. I mean everyone knows what caramel rolls are or sausage and gravy, but gravlax, don’t know if it would sell.”

  “Tell you what. Try it and if it doesn’t sell, I’ll be happy to eat whatever’s left over,” he said, grinning at her as he left the room.

  Two hours later after gorging themselves on gravlax on toasted bagels and working the crossword puzzle, Kelly said, “Mike, I’m going to 11:00 mass. Stay where you are. I’ll be back after that. I haven’t been able to reach Julia and Cash about the wedding, so I need to call them and make sure they can attend the wedding in February. Cash will probably have to put in his request for leave as soon as possible. I sure hope he can come home for it. It seems like every week some new form of violence erupts in the Middle East. I wish he was stationed a little closer to home.”

  “Yeah, I know you’re worried about him being stationed in such an unstable part of the world, but he’s got a lot going for him. He’s street smart and that’s often more important than having some degree from an Ivy League school. He’s going to get out of there and be fine.”

  “Hope you’re right. See you later.”

  *****

  Kelly called Lucy with her grocery order and picked it up on the way to the coffee shop. Wish there was a Costco or another discount store in Cedar Bay. I know Lucy has to pay to have everything delivered to her, but it sure would make my profit margin larger if I could buy directly from one of them. I appreciate the discount she gives me, but I guess I just don’t have the volume to have it delivered directly to me. Oh well, cost of living in a small town. At least most everything else is cheaper than if I lived in San Francisco or Portland.

  Three hours later she’d prepared everything she could for the coming week, caught up on some bookwork, and got the coffee ready for the following morning. Wonder if Marcy’s back from Portland. Never did get a chance to talk to her the other day. I know, I’ll get some of my bacon chocolate chip cookies out of the freezer and take them to her. They defrost in minutes and if she doesn’t want them, she can always put them in her freezer.

  CHAPTER 16

  Kelly stood at the front door of the Black’s ranch house and knocked on the door. While she waited for someone to respond, she once again admired the beauty of Jade Cove. When Jeff’s parents had originally built the house, they designed it so the front of the house overlooked the cove. A circular driveway surrounded it. The view was simply spectacular. In a few moments Marcy opened the door and said, “Kelly, how nice to see you. I wasn’t expecting you. I spent a couple of days in Portland at my sister’s home and just got back. I’m forgetting my manners. Please come in. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  Sure you were staying at your sister’s, Kelly thought. Probably better not tell her I saw her with Gabe. I’m sure she’d lie and tell me it was someone who looked like her. Well, I’ll see what I can find out.

  “No thanks. Marcy, I want to express my condolences. I came by the other day, but you weren’t here. I feel so badly for you and Brandon. I know nothing helps at a sad time like this, but I brought you some cookies.”

  “Thanks, Kelly. You’re right, nothing really helps. I was in Portland when my sister called me about Jeff’s death and I drove straight home. Brandon came in from Corvallis and spent the night here at the ranch. He returned to school the next day after we made the funeral arrangements. Since Amber’s death was so recent, he didn’t feel like he could go through another funeral and I agreed with him. That’s why we decided not to have a funeral, but instead, simply had Jeff’s remains cremated. I think it’s probably better for him to concentrate on football and his studies and I’m hoping that will help take his mind off the tragedy.”

  “That’s a good plan for Brandon, but how are you doing? This had to be a shock. I know Jeff had started divorce proceedings, but even so, his murder had to come as a huge shock to you.”

  “Him filing for divorce and his murder – yes, they both came as a shock. I never thought Jeff and I would be divorced. I loved him dearly and I was always faithful to him. I understand from several people that Jeff thought I was having an affair with Gabe Lewis. He’s the lumber guy who lives up in Sunset Bay. Jeff had always been jealous of him because Gabe and I were once engaged to be married. That was before I met Jeff. Jeff never forgot about it. He became obsessed with the idea I was having an affair with Gabe. Really, it was just a figment of Jeff’s imagination.”

  Sure it was, just like you and Gabe were a figment of my imagination yesterday when the two of you came out of the Hilton with overnight bags, Kelly thought.

  “I’ve seen Gabe a few times over the years. He came to see me the other day when he heard that Jeff had died. He offered to give me some money if I needed any. You know he’s very wealthy. I told him I was fine, but I’d keep it in mind and if I did run short I’d let him know. Nice to have friends like that, don’t you think?”

  “Yes. That was a very nice thing for him to do.” Particularly when according to what I read, the guy is having serious financial problems of his own.

  “From what I recall, he’s in the lumber business, isn’t he?”

  “Well, that’s putting it mildly,” Marcy said, smiling. “In this area of the state, he is the lumber business. He owns a huge lumber mill and thousands of acres of timber so, yes, I guess you could say he’s in the lumber business.”

  “I’ve been reading there’s been a drop in lumber prices the past few years and the industry is in a mini-recession. I understand buyers are importing lumber from Canada because it’s much cheaper to buy lumber there, even though it has to be transported a greater distance. Has his business been affected by those developments?”

  “Not from what he’s told me. In fact, when Gabe first came to see me after Jeff’s death, he wondered what I was going to do about building the hotel and spa. I told him I’d received calls from several people who were going to help Jeff finance the construction, but they’ve decided to pull out because of Jeff’s death. Gabe told me he’d like to finance it. Later, after I learned from reading Jeff’s will that Jeff had left everything to Brandon since he was going to divorce me, I told Gabe I didn’t have the authority to make a decision about developing the property because it was going to become Brandon’s. When Gabe learned I wasn’t going to inherit the property, he told me he’d like to talk to Brandon about developing the property and becoming his financial partner. So, based on the things Gabe said to me, I didn’t think for a moment that Gabe was having financial difficulties. How could he and at the same time offer to become Brandon’s financial partner?”

  “Marcy, I’m so sorry. That must have been so hard for you when you learned that Jeff had left everything to Brandon.”

  “Yes, it was. Brandon had an important football game yesterday and he has a couple of exams early this week. I told Gabe it would have to wait until the end of next week. He has really been helpful to me. He even spent an afternoon in Jeff’s office, going over his accounts to see if there was anything I needed to know.”

  “Did he find anything?”

  “No, he said everything looked like it was in order. Oh, speak of the devil, here he comes.”

  She walked over to the door and opened it for him. “Come in, Gabe. I want you to meet someone. Kelly, this is Gabe Lewis. Gabe, Kelly Conner. Kelly owns the coffee shop on the pier. She came out here to give me her condolences.”

  “Nice to meet you, Kelly. You look familiar. Have we met before?” Gabe asked.

  Well, you almost knocked me down when you were hurrying out of the bank and I saw you with
Marcy at the Hilton in Portland yesterday.

  “No, I don’t believe we have. Marcy, I have to be going. I have a large order from the Cedar Bay Market in my minivan and I need to take it to the coffee shop. Gabe, it was nice meeting you.”

  She walked out and passed what she assumed was Gabe’s car in the driveway. On the rear bumper was a bumper sticker that read “Oregon Needs Lumber.” Rebel was waiting in the van, standing in his usual guard position on the front passenger seat. When he saw her coming, he jumped in the back.

  I know people would probably think I’m crazy for talking to a dog, but I know he understands everything I’m saying.

  “Well, Rebel, that was interesting. It seems that Marcy doesn’t know Gabe is having financial problems or if she does, she sure didn’t act like it. Wonder if what I read is true. Maybe the article about him was wrong although I’ve heard talk from some of the lumbermen who come to the coffee shop that the lumber business is really down. Several of them have mentioned they’re worried they’ll lose their jobs.”

  Rebel looked at her with his head cocked. She was sure he understood every word she was saying.

  “I wonder if Gabe can convince Brandon to go ahead with the hotel and spa project, but if more money’s needed, where does Gabe intend to get it? And from what Mike told me, Lem would probably be against it and he’s the one advising Brandon. This is getting more and more curious! I’ll see what Mike has to say about it.”

  She dropped the items she’d gotten from the market off at the coffee shop and drove home. “Mike,” she called out, “we’re home. Did you solve the case?”

  “Fraid not, sweetheart. I just got home a few minutes ago. I was so frustrated at how many suspects there are and the lack of clues leading to any of them that I threw up my hands and left. How was your afternoon?”

  “Well, the good news is I was able to reach Julia and Cash and they’ll both be here for the wedding. I talked to Father Brown and confirmed the date with him. He and I had kind of discussed that date when I talked to him a few days ago. I told him what we’d found out about Denise. He was sorry for you, but glad we could now be married in the church without objections from any of the church members. I called Ginger and asked her if she would take care of the guest book signing when people arrive at the church. She and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember and I didn’t want her feelings to be hurt because Julia will be standing up with me.”