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

by Lyndsey Cole

  “Okay. I’m ready.”

  Olivia squealed.

  Hannah put her finger to her lips. “Shhh. I have to concentrate.”

  Olivia covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes grew wide with anticipation.

  Hannah lined up her cue stick and sent the white ball bouncing from one side of the table to the other, headed toward the eight ball. She held her breath. The white ball tapped the eight ball with just enough force to send it on its way into the pocket. Hannah breathed and smiled. She still had the touch.

  Olivia shrieked. “You did it. You did it, Aunt Hannah. Cal said you could, and now he has to take you out on his boat. Aren’t you excited?”

  Cal put his arm around Hannah’s shoulder. “Are you?”

  “Yes. You can’t imagine.” One eyebrow rose suggestively at his touch.

  “It’s not the surprise I hoped it would be, thanks to someone spoiling my secret, but watching Olivia’s excitement balances it all out.”

  “Theodore,” Olivia said to her teddy bear, “Hannah is the bestest at pool. No one can beat her.”

  Hannah didn’t agree with Olivia, but there was only one person she needed to beat, not everyone. She had a lot riding on beating that one person, but her confidence after sinking that difficult shot rose significantly.

  “I have a message for you.” Jack stood next to Hannah. He pulled her to an empty table away from everyone else. “Nice shot, by the way.”

  “Good practice for a little wager I have with my father on a game of pool.”

  “How little?”

  “He’ll pay off all my debt when I beat him,” Hannah said but she didn’t meet Jack’s eyes.

  “And if he wins? As talented as you are, you have to consider that possibility.”

  “He gets my property.”

  “Caroline was afraid of something along those lines. You can’t play that game. He’ll figure out a way to beat you.”

  Hannah leaned close to Jack. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. “You don’t understand. I can’t make my next mortgage payment. I’ll lose the property anyway if I don’t get out from under the debt.”

  “No. Caroline will help. Trust her. Do not play that game of pool.”

  “We don’t have a time set so I’ll do my best to put him off.” She sat back. “What’s happening with the investigation? Is Pam getting any closer to finding the killer? My hope is that once the murder is solved, my parents will get back to what they love best—traveling the world.”

  Jack scooched his chair right up next to Hannah. “Rory is off the hook but no one knows the details. Moe, Karla, and your father are Pam’s main suspects now, so there is a possibility that your father may not be doing too much traveling in his future.”

  “How did Rory get off? I heard he’s home but I never talked to anyone that gave him an alibi. Karla said Rory dropped her off, then was going for a walk on the beach.”

  Jack nodded. “That was his plan but he went to a friend’s house instead and Rory never took that walk on the beach.”

  “Huh,” Hannah leaned an elbow on the table. “So why was he at the police station for so long?”

  “The friend left Saturday morning for an overnight retreat—no phone, email, no outside communication of any kind—and Pam couldn’t track him down until he came back to town this morning. His story checked out with what Rory said so he’s got an airtight alibi.”

  “And the other three?”

  “I hate to tell you this, but your father could be the killer.”

  Hannah felt Jack’s eyes bore into her even though she was staring at the table. She had a lot of trouble believing it was possible. Adele meant too much to Luke. Even when it interfered with her own relationship with him all those years ago, he never pushed Adele away.

  Adele’s death did give Hannah a glimmer of hope that she and her father could work back to a better relationship. Over time. But not if he was the killer. Although, if he ended up in jail, that would solve the problem of Luke trying to maneuver the ocean front property away from her.

  It was a classic no-win situation for her.

  19

  Monday started out slowly, unlike the usual hectic pace of catching up after a busy weekend. Hannah took Nellie for a walk on the beach, hoping the peaceful routine would wash away her anxiety. It also gave her a chance to try to figure out a path back toward a better relationship with her father. She had always told herself she didn’t care, but the truth was, when her father started to compare her to Adele all those years ago, she put up a wall around her heart to keep it from breaking. Now, she felt a small crack developing in that wall.

  Was their relationship beyond repair? How could she make him understand that Great Aunt Caroline’s legacy was her responsibility and it shouldn’t interfere in his life?

  Without thinking, her feet followed the familiar path from the beach to Jack’s house. She laughed when she opened his front door and heard his smoke alarm shrieking its ear-piercing warning that Jack was burning toast. Again. The charred smell hit her nose seconds later.

  Muttering came from the kitchen. “Come on in. I made extra coffee expecting you to barge in on my peace and quiet.”

  Hannah dismantled the smoke alarm and leaned against the door leading into the kitchen. “You call this peace and quiet? I’d hate to be here when you have a real emergency.”

  “Make yourself useful and get out a couple of mugs for the coffee. I suppose you want some eggs with your toast?”

  Jack’s morning grumpiness comforted Hannah in a way she couldn’t explain. Maybe it was the predictability of his morning routine and how he welcomed her into it, or maybe it was merely the fact that he accepted her for who she was.

  That was always the hurdle with her father. He wanted Hannah to be who he thought she should be. She sighed.

  “What’s all the doom and gloom sighing for? It’s a new day. You may as well start it on a high note before the disasters start to pile up.” He put two plates with eggs and toast on the table and held a dog bone out for Nellie, who very politely took it without leaving any slobber on Jack’s fingers. Hannah sat and poured the coffee. “With some luck, this gourmet breakfast won’t be the high note of your day, but if it is, well…I’ll leave it at that. Dig in while it’s hot.”

  Hannah chuckled. “If I stick my head in a sand dune after I eat, I think I could call Monday a success.”

  Jack dug into the scrambled eggs. “You know my secret?”

  Hannah’s ears perked up. “To life’s problems?”

  “To perfect scrambled eggs. I add a teaspoon or two of olive oil. It makes them super creamy. But since you brought up the secret of life, I’ll give you some free advice that’s helped me reach the ripe old age of eighty-one.”

  Hannah sipped her coffee. She closed her eyes and let Jack’s delicious blend do its magic—calm and sooth—until the jolt of caffeine spread through her veins.

  “Don’t overthink everything, Hannah. Sometimes, you have to give yourself permission to just act on what you know is the right thing to do.”

  Her eyes popped open. “Does this advice have anything to do with the bet I have on the table with my father?” She heard a flicker of annoyance in her words.

  “The fact that you asked that question must tell you something. It’s not what I think you should or shouldn’t do. You have to figure that out for yourself. But don’t make a rash decision based on your emotions. What decision can you live with if the outcome isn’t what you hope for? Once you start down a path, you can’t control where it will end. I learned that lesson the hard way.”

  Hannah knew Jack was right. And she knew she couldn’t live with herself if she lost Great Aunt Caroline’s legacy to her father in a moment of panic during a pool game. She wasn’t a gambler. What had she been thinking when she accepted his challenge?

  “Your father is playing with your emotions and he knows it. Do you know what I think?”

  Hannah lifted her eyes to meet Jack�
��s.

  “With the speed he left the Pub and Pool Hall last night, I think he’s considering the possibility that he might lose to you. If he does, it represents much more than just losing a game of pool. To someone like your father, it might mean that he cuts you loose forever. Is that what you want?”

  Hannah’s head was spinning from this conversation. No, it wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted to leave a door open. “I have to work harder to keep the property because it’s my future. And it’s the right thing to do to honor Great Aunt Caroline’s trust in me.” She shoveled a forkful of eggs into her mouth. “These are the best eggs I’ve ever had.”

  Jack chuckled and mumbled loud enough for Hannah to hear. “That’s because you’ve made the right decision.”

  With her stomach full, her anxiety settled down, and Nellie at her side, Hannah decided to take the beach route back to her cottage. Another dose of hearing the waves’ rhythmic crashing on the beach and the seagulls calling overhead might be the tonic to face the rest of the day.

  Heavy breathing made Hannah turn around.

  Nellie woofed and ran toward the runner approaching quickly.

  Karla caught up to Hannah and jogged in place until her breathing slowed and she matched her pace to Hannah’s.

  “Do you always run on the beach?” Hannah asked.

  “Usually. But I’ve changed my route. I was running Saturday morning when I found Adele’s body and I don’t want to go that way anymore so I’ve been coming in this direction instead.”

  “That must have been quite a shock for you.” Hannah chose her words carefully with the hope that she could pry more details from Karla.

  Karla quickly wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. “It was a terrible shock. Especially after all the arguing the night before.”

  Hannah nodded but remained silent, giving Karla room to continue her train of thought.

  “I hate to admit it, but my first thought was that Rory killed her. He told me he was going to walk on the beach and I saw his shovel next to Adele’s body and I know he was devastated that he didn’t win.” Her words rushed out. “I think I even said all that to Deputy Larson when she showed up. I just babbled away and I think it’s all my fault that Rory ended up at the police station all weekend.”

  “But he’s home now. Do you know the details? Why he was released?” Hannah wasn’t planning to offer what she knew about Rory’s alibi.

  Karla laughed, a nervous giggle. “He was at a friend’s house when Adele was killed. I should have thought of that but my mind only went in one direction. And when I couldn’t find him Saturday morning, it made him look even guiltier.”

  “When you couldn’t find him after you found Adele’s body?”

  “Even before. I couldn’t sleep and went looking for him. Remember? I told you your father gave me a ride.”

  “Yes. You did tell me that. When did Moe show up?”

  “He just appeared, almost like he had been nearby, waiting for someone.”

  “Maybe he was waiting for Adele?”

  Karla shrugged. “At the time, I didn’t really think about it. He was just there and took charge of calling the police since I couldn’t function.” She stopped walking. “He has a habit of showing up at odd times.”

  “Did Moe tell you he and Adele had an argument early Saturday morning on the beach?”

  Karla shook her head.

  Hannah touched Karla’s arm. “When did he give you the mermaid necklace?”

  Karla shivered. “I can’t believe he re-gifted that jewelry; and from his dead ex-girlfriend. There has to be something wrong with him.”

  “But when did he give it to you?”

  “Why? What difference does it make?” An edge of anger crept into Karla’s voice.

  “To be honest, I’m not sure if Adele gave it to him or he took it from her.”

  Karla picked up the pace, almost as if she was trying to get away from Hannah.

  Hannah held her arm. “It’s important, Karla. When did Moe give you the necklace?”

  “I lied. He didn’t give it to me. I found it in the sand when I found her body. I showed it to Moe and he told me to say he gave it to me. All right? Are you happy? Now, I feel like I’m ruining someone else’s life.” She bolted into a run, leaving Hannah and Nellie alone on the beach.

  Moe Meyer lied.

  What was he trying to cover up?

  Was he afraid someone saw him on the beach and he needed the necklace story to prove Adele had been alive when he argued with her? Not that it proved anything in the long run. So why did he need Karla to lie for him?

  All the peacefulness of her beach walk blew away with the salty ocean breeze when Hannah saw her parents sitting at one of the picnic tables in front of The Fishy Dish.

  20

  “Sorry we left so suddenly last night,” Joanna said as soon as Hannah was close to her parents. “My migraine hit me like a tidal wave; I thought I was going to be sick to my stomach.”

  “How is it now?” Hannah asked.

  “A good night’s sleep in your lovely cottage was all I needed.” She reached her hand out to pat Nellie. “When did you get your dog? She’s lovely.”

  “Nellie sort of came with everything else.” Nellie woofed when she heard her name. “She’s been a wonderful companion in many ways.”

  “You finally got a dog,” Luke stated. “Something you always wanted, but not something that works well when you travel a lot.”

  Hannah sat across from her parents. “And that’s not a problem for me, is it? I’m happy here. I don’t have any travel plans. Nellie keeps me company and is Olivia’s best friend.”

  Luke frowned. “Ruby is raising that girl all wrong. She talks to a teddy bear, and now you say her best friend is a dog?”

  Hannah ignored his comments. She had to choose her battles wisely and not get sucked into every challenge he made.

  Joanna stood. She ran her fingers over Hannah’s hair. “I’ll leave the two of you to catch up while I start packing.”

  Hannah raised her eyebrows. “You’re planning to leave?” she asked her father.

  “Not today. That police officer said we need to stay here until she’s done with her investigation. But, yes, we are planning to head back to California. In case you hadn’t noticed, your mother isn’t happy here.”

  “The stress of your visit here can’t help.” Hannah avoided mentioning Adele by name, but she was certain her father understood her meaning.

  Something in his expression changed. He looked old for the first time Hannah could remember. And sad.

  “Joanna had such high hopes for this trip—to spend time with you, Ruby, and Olivia. She never understood the problem between you and Adele until this trip. That ruined everything for her.” Luke talked while his eyes scanned the horizon.

  “But you always understood, didn’t you Dad? How Adele came between you and me. But it didn’t bother you.” Hannah felt her morning coffee try to make an exit the wrong way.

  Luke didn’t respond at first. “I thought the competition between you and Adele would make you stronger. Tougher. Help you to take charge of yourself instead of being pushed around by others. And she needed a good, steady, grounding role model.”

  His last comment surprised Hannah but there was no way a tiny sort-of compliment would cancel out the years of criticism. “It made me resist being pushed around by you. And that’s what all this is about.” Hannah swept her arm to encompass her buildings, the beach, and the ocean. “I finally found what I love.” She placed her hand gently over his. “I don’t expect you to understand, but I hope you accept my choice.”

  He nodded and rose from the table. “Don’t forget that game of pool. I won’t leave until we settle that wager. Now, I’d better check on your mother.”

  So much for hoping he was beginning to understand her. “Before you go, I need to ask you something.”

  Luke paused.

  “What were you doing driving around early Saturday m
orning? Karla told me you gave her a ride, so don’t try to deny it. And I saw you rushing from the parking lot back to your cottage.”

  He clenched his jaw. “Looking for something.”

  “Did you find it?”

  “I found one thing and lost something else.”

  His shoulders sagged but he turned and left, leaving Hannah to wonder what he found and what he lost. Whatever it was, she had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach about his comment. It sounded like a riddle, and the fact that he still wanted to play that game of pool unsettled her.

  Cal joined Hannah at the picnic table with two coffees. He slid one toward Hannah. “You look distracted.”

  She picked it up but didn’t drink. “I probably don’t need any more yet. I had some of Jack’s coffee this morning.”

  “In that case,” Cal took the cup back, “I’ll drink them both while you tell me about your conversation with your father. He had the look of someone who lost his best friend.”

  “Maybe he did. Maybe Adele was his best friend but something happened between them that he is hiding.”

  Cal pulled Hannah’s arm, forcing her to stand. “You need a change of scenery so let’s finish moving you into your new cottage.”

  “You call that a change of scenery? I thought you meant you were taking me out on that boat trip that I won last night. Oops.” Hannah covered her mouth and tried not to laugh. “I forgot that Olivia said it was a secret.”

  “I should know better than to trust a six-year-old with a secret. Especially when it involves her favorite aunt.”

  “Um, I’m her only aunt so the bar is pretty low.

  “Well, you can feel good that you beat Theodore out by a hair for first place in her world.”

  “My competition is a teddy bear?” Hannah tried to slap Cal but he sprinted away. When she caught him at the door of her cottage, he pulled her inside and held her close. “Don’t worry, you don’t have any competition for number one in my world.”