Catch of the Dead (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 5)

by Lyndsey Cole

  “And he could have taken Rory’s shovel when the competition was over, stuck it near his stuff, and bided his time,” Meg added.

  “It wouldn’t be a stretch for Moe to assume that Adele would take one last walk by her mermaid sculpture before the tide washed it away forever. Both Moe and my father must have known that vanity streak in her.”

  “Wow, Hannah, it all makes sense. No wonder you haven’t been able to sleep. You know too much about the victim.”

  “Right, but how do I prove it? All the evidence is pointing to Rory. What I said is only theory. Except the necklace. There has to be more about that necklace. Maybe a photo or something showing Adele still wearing it well after when Moe said he saw her.”

  “That’s it! Someone must have taken photos of the winning sculpture. I’ll check with Michael to find out if he took any pictures when everyone was at the Pub and Pool Hall. He likes to chronical events that way.”

  “What are you two doing in here?” Samantha asked. “You haven’t gotten any more boxes ready to go.”

  “Right.” Meg scraped the last of the hand-cut potatoes into a big plastic container. “We got sidetracked trying to figure out what happened to the silver mermaid.”

  Samantha scrunched her eyebrows.

  “Adele’s necklace,” Hannah explained. “It could be the missing puzzle piece.”

  As they loaded the last of the supplies into Cal’s truck for transporting to the Taste of Hooks Harbor event, Hannah’s parents walked to their rental car.

  Joanna smiled at Hannah. “We’ll see you in town? My mouth is watering thinking about a tasty lobster roll.”

  “Thanks, Mom. Is your headache gone?”

  “Yes. I took another long walk on the beach early this morning and I think the fresh ocean air blew the last remnants of that nasty migraine out to sea.”

  Luke sat in the driver’s seat without even looking at his daughter. “Come on Joanna. I need my coffee.”

  Joanna rolled her eyes so only Hannah could see. “See you later, honey.”

  Hannah watched the car pull out of the parking lot and she got an idea. “You guys get started with the set up without me. I just remembered something important I need to do.”

  Meg leaned close. “It doesn’t have anything to do with the Something’s Fishy cottage, does it?”

  “It might. I’ll let you know if I find what I think I will.”

  Hannah and Nellie made a beeline to Something’s Fishy as soon as the dust from Cal’s truck settled. She used her master key to enter. Her nerves jangled with anticipation and a dash of fear.

  Joanna’s iPad was tucked in the top drawer of the dresser, just as Hannah suspected. She opened it and keyed in one two one two, her mother’s birthday and what she always used for an easy-to-remember password. Success! She clicked on the photos icon and found exactly what she expected. All the photos that Joanna and Luke took on their phones ended up on Joanna’s iPad.

  Photos of Adele loaded on the screen. Adele while she did her sculpting. Adele while she accepted the winner’s award. Adele at the Pub and Pool Hall. Adele sitting in Luke’s rental car.

  In every photo, the mermaid necklace was draped around Adele’s neck. She couldn’t have given it back to Moe, at least not until sometime between midnight on Friday and when she was killed in the early morning hours of Saturday.

  How did Karla end up with it, then?

  14

  By the time Hannah arrived at the town green for the Taste of Hooks Harbor event, she could see that The Fishy Dish tent was all set up. Meg bustled around getting ready for the opening at eleven. Aromas wafted through the air, mixing together to get anyone’s appetite kicked into high gear. Clam chowder, spicy barbeque, freshly baked bread, and a big variety of desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth drifted from all the tents as Hannah walked by. Laughter, kids screeching happily, and music filtered through the background. And a brilliant blue sky with a few puffy white clouds filled the backdrop for the illusion, at least, that everything was right with the world.

  “Got a minute?” Pam, in her police uniform, tapped Hannah on her shoulder.

  Hannah stopped and they moved away from the crowd.

  “We still have Rory. I heard you’re helping him pay for a lawyer?”

  “If I have to I will but I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that.”

  Pam raised her eyebrows and peered over the top of her glasses at Hannah. “Do you know something I don’t know?”

  “Something doesn’t add up about that mermaid necklace that belonged to Adele but ended up around Karla’s neck. Moe told you Adele gave it back to him, but when? I saw photos of Adele wearing the necklace until past midnight Friday night.”

  “I agree with you that something smells rotten with that picture. I’ll need to see those photos. We’re keeping our eyes on Moe ever since he almost skipped town.”

  “But the murder weapon belonged to Rory so he’s your number one suspect,” Hannah said matter-of-factly.

  “Exactly. For now.”

  “Anyone could have taken that shovel at some point, Pam. What about Moe or Karla? Or even my father?”

  “I’m still checking details of their statements but I had to take a break for an early lunch. Does Meg have lobster rolls on the menu at your tent?”

  “She certainly does. Come on and I’ll personally make you the biggest, most tender, and tastiest lobster roll you’ve ever had.” Hannah smiled. “With one condition.”

  Pam stopped walking. “Um, I’m not sure I can agree to any conditions.”

  “Bring one for Rory?”

  Pam hesitated before answering. “Okay. Put two in a bag and I’ll make sure he gets one.”

  “Thanks.” Hannah put her hand on Pam’s arm. “Rory is innocent. Someone is setting him up.”

  “I hope you’re right. He’s a good kid with a lot of talent, but be careful what you wish for, Hannah. Someone is the murderer and you may not like the alternative if Rory is cleared.”

  Hannah hadn’t considered that possibility. What if her father was the murderer? Or Karla? She had been assuming it was Moe all along.

  “Hurry up and get me the lobster rolls. I have to get back to work.” Pam moved at a fast clip toward The Fishy Dish tent and Hannah had to jog to catch up.

  While Pam chatted with Jack, who had just arrived at the tent, Hannah assembled two giant lobster rolls, wrapped them up tightly, and tucked them inside a paper bag for Pam. “Do you want fries with that, too?”

  Pam gave Hannah a what-kind-of-question look is that.

  Hannah dumped an extra-large serving of fries into a separate bag, dumped on salt, and threw in several little packs of ketchup. “Share these.”

  Pam saluted and took the two bags.

  “You two are getting along now?” Jack asked, his face silently telling her, I can’t believe what I just saw.

  “We’ve moved to a new level. Ever since, you know.” She mouthed Caroline as her eyes darted around the crowd to be sure no one was reading her lips. Would she ever get used to keeping this secret?

  “I get it. We’re all on the same team now.”

  Olivia darted between Hannah and Jack and wrapped her arms around Hannah’s legs. “Mom is so mean,” she sobbed.

  Ruby looked at Hannah and rolled her eyes at the comment.

  Hannah crouched down to her niece’s eye level. “That’s part of a mom’s job description, Olivia. If moms aren’t a tiny bit mean every once in a while, they don’t get a good grade on their Mom Report Card.”

  Olivia’s face crunched into a pile of wrinkles. “It’s not fair. Grandpa wants to take me to the aquarium in Boston. I want to see all the fishies.” Her voice wailed out the last word pitifully.

  “Hey, I’ve got an idea. How about Cal and I take you instead? We can see the big tank with the sharks, fishies, and turtles. Cal has never been so I’ll treat you both.”

  Olivia’s eyes lit up like two little lightning bugs. “Really? Can we bring Theodore
, too? He told me he wants to see the sharks.”

  “Sure.” Hannah ruffled Olivia’s hair. “But you have to promise not to drop that bear into the tank.”

  Olivia, her face deadly serious, nodded. “I’ll hold on tight, tight, tight. Just like this.” She squeezed her teddy bear with a six-year-old death grip.

  Hannah laughed. “As soon as I get all moved into my new cottage, we’ll take a day off. Do you think it would be okay for your mom to come, too?”

  Olivia’s head bobbed up and down. “Mom would love it. There’s Cal. I’ll tell him.” Olivia darted away.

  “Can you really get away?” Ruby asked Hannah. “Olivia won’t forget this promise. You’ll break her heart if you don’t keep it.”

  “I think I’ve earned a day off. Maybe next week? Can Olivia play hooky from school for one day?”

  “As long as you don’t make a habit of it. How are you going to tell Dad? He won’t be thrilled that you stole his idea and upstaged him.”

  Hannah shrugged. “Too bad for him. He has to learn to play by our rules.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing. Dad doesn’t forgive easily when he’s crossed.”

  “I know, but it’s time we stand up to him. Don’t you think? I’m tired of having him push me around.” Hannah pulled her long braid over her shoulder and rubbed the end between her thumb and finger. “Do you think maybe Adele crossed him and he went for revenge?”

  “What are you two chatting about over here?” Joanna pushed between Hannah and Ruby, draping an arm over each of her daughters’ shoulders.

  Hannah’s heart skipped a beat. What did Joanna hear? “Are you ready for that lobster roll?” she asked, hoping her mom would drop her curiosity about her and Ruby’s conversation wondering about the possibility of Luke killing Adele. Joanna would most certainly be appalled over that speculation.

  “Yes. I’m ravenous. Can you make two? Your father doesn’t want to ask, but I know it’s one of his favorites.”

  “Where is he?”

  Joanna flicked her wrist. “He had some business at the bank. I told him I’d get us lunch before we take a drive up the coast. It’s a beautiful day for a drive, don’t you think?”

  Hearing that Luke went to the bank didn’t sit well with Hannah and the comments he made to her last night. Could he sway his friend there to say no to loaning her any more money? That thought would have to wait.

  Hannah hadn’t seen her mother so cheerful since she’d arrived. “You must be feeling much better, Mom.”

  “I am.” Joanna looked into Hannah’s eyes. “It’s sad about Adele but maybe you and your father can get along now?”

  “Are you serious? Adele has never been a favorite of mine, but there’s nothing that makes it okay for her to be murdered.” Hannah pulled her mother to the side of the tent. “Dad was out early Saturday morning. Is there any chance he had anything to do with Adele’s death?”

  Joanna’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t be serious. Your father and Adele were,” she paused to find the right word. “They were very close. Don’t the police have that local boy in custody?”

  “Yes, but I don’t think he killed Adele. Someone set him up and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”

  “Oh, Hannah, honey. Can’t you leave it to the police? What if you put yourself into danger by digging into this mess?”

  “What if I don’t dig into this mess and the wrong person is charged with a crime he didn’t commit? I could never forgive myself if I didn’t do everything possible.” Hannah couldn’t believe how cavalier her mother had become about Adele. Although, it was consistent with her aversion to drama. She only wanted everyone and everything in her small world to be in harmony. Too bad life didn’t work that way.

  “Listen, Mom, I have a favor to ask.”

  “Of course, I’ll do anything I can to help.”

  “Did you or Dad take photos of Adele during the sand sculpting competition and when you took her out to dinner?” Hannah knew the answer to the question but she wanted those photos without resorting to stealing them from her mother’s iPad.

  “That’s a silly question. You know we chronicle everything. Your father and I both have lots of photos of Adele on our iPads. Why?” Joanna’s dark brown eyes searched Hannah’s face.

  Hannah shrugged. “No reason except that I’d like to see them.”

  “Okay. I’ll leave my iPad in your office before we leave for our drive. Can you get the lobster rolls made before your father wonders if I disappeared off the face of the earth?”

  Hannah scooped the lobster salad from the bowl and piled it into two toasted rolls. The small hurdle of getting her mother’s photos of Adele went much more smoothly than she imagined. “Here you go. Enjoy,” she said as she handed a bag with two lobster rolls to her mother.

  “There’s something I’d like to ask you to do for me.” Joanna waited.

  Hannah didn’t like the harder tone in her mother’s voice.

  “Convince Ruby to let us take Olivia to Boston. She seemed so excited about going to the aquarium and your father thinks it would be a wonderful way for us to bond with her.”

  “I can’t do that, Mom. Olivia barely knows you two and it’s a long trip for her. Besides, it’s not my place to tell Ruby how to parent her daughter.”

  Joanna’s face remained emotionless. “I’m sorry you feel that way.” She took the offered bag. “I’ve changed my mind about my iPad. I’ll need to take it with us today so I can take photos.” Joanna turned and left without letting Hannah have another word in the discussion.

  She told herself she should have known it was too good to be true when her mother was so willing to share her iPad. Her parents always wanted something in return for a favor. Her father and her mother. The difference was that her father demanded and threatened. Her mother only took something away to make a point.

  Hannah shoved the lobster salad bowl back into the cooler and let the lid slam closed. Those photos were an important clue. She’d get another look at them one way or another.

  15

  “What was that all about?” Jack leaned into the side of the work area toward Hannah.

  “Typical family power play. My mom’s getting into the act now, pressuring us to let Olivia go to Boston with them for the day.”

  Jack’s eyes widened. “Ruby isn’t letting her go, is she?”

  “Of course not. Even without Great Aunt Caroline’s warning ringing in my ear, I wouldn’t let Ruby trust them with Olivia. They didn’t do the greatest job with us, and the least we can do is protect her from being a victim to those mistakes a second time.”

  “I’m keeping my eyes on her, too. Just in case. It’s so busy here, she could disappear in the blink of an eye.” He began to walk away.

  “Jack?”

  He stopped and turned toward Hannah.

  “How long will Ruby and I have to live like this? You know, looking over our shoulders and worrying about Olivia?”

  “I don’t have the answer to that question. But don’t forget how well Nellie guards her, too. When Caroline sent Nellie to watch out for you, she didn’t know she’d get twice the bang from her gift. Your folks won’t stay in Hooks Harbor forever. They love to travel too much.”

  “Thankfully,” Hannah said before a customer got her attention with an order for a bowl of clam chowder.

  The rush was on for chowder and lobster rolls with sides of creamy coleslaw and salty French fries. In the small tent area, it was a challenge to keep up. But somehow, Meg, Hannah, and Samantha danced around each other without stepping on each other’s toes. Too many times.

  “That’s why I told you to leave your flip flops home,” Meg reminded Hannah after the heel of her foot squished Hannah’s little toe. “Maybe next time you’ll listen to me.”

  “Hey, I’ve been over here waiting forever. How about some fries and a bowl of that fish soup you make.”

  Moe Meyer’s voice grated in Hannah’s ears. At least she didn’t s
mell the annoying cigarette odor. But when she turned in his direction, he grinned and lit a cigarette. He used it to salute toward Hannah.

  “Did you mean my clam chowder?” Hannah asked without hiding the annoyance in her voice.

  “Yeah, whatever it is. Ya got a minute to spare?”

  “Kinda busy.” Hannah filled a cup with steaming chowder, grabbed a package of oyster crackers, and handed both to Moe. “Spoons are at the front of the tent.”

  “Too busy to hear some interesting information? About Adele?” Moe’s mouth stretched into a smile but his eyes projected a dark, piercing glare. With a nod of his head, he added, “I’ll be over on that bench enjoying this if you decide you have time to hear what I’ve got to share.”

  Hannah wiped sweat off her brow and watched Moe saunter to the edge of the green. He made himself comfortable on a bench. He crossed his legs and opened the chowder container.

  Hannah untied her apron. “Meg, I have to leave for a few minutes to find out what information Moe Meyers is ready to share.”

  “Don’t get taken in by what he says. He probably wants to save his own skin.”

  “I’ll listen.” Hannah carried a big cone of hot French fries with her. Eating and sharing might help build a tiny bit of trust.

  Moe’s face broke into a wide grin when Hannah stood in front of him. His shaggy, sun-bleached hair and casual attitude projected a model’s image. “I can tell you’re the kind of guy who likes to be in control.” She tilted her head. “Is that why Adele dumped you? She never let anyone have any control over her.”

  The words wiped the grin right off his face. Moe uncrossed his legs and leaned toward Hannah. “It took me too long to understand that Adele was only about Adele. There was no room for anyone else.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more. We went to high school together, you know.” Hannah sat next to Moe and offered him some fries. She was beginning to feel a tiny bit of comradery with this person who’d also landed on the wrong side of Adele Bailey.

  “Yeah, she told me she was looking forward to seeing you again.”