Catch of the Dead (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 5)
Page 16
“Why did you take her shovel? Why not just leave it there?”
“Nothing against Rory, but he had a motive so when I saw his shovel, I grabbed it and used it. I rubbed his shovel in the blood and took Adele’s. Seemed like a good plan at the time.” Moe stared at Hannah. “I would have gotten away with it, too. Except for you. Always asking questions. Always moving closer. I should have dealt with you the first time I saw you.”
His Jeep roared to life and Hannah’s heart started sinking.
Hannah scanned the road. She knew the town and Moe didn’t. “Watch out!” she shouted as he almost pulled out in front of a car driving past. Instinctively, Moe let go of Hannah’s arm to shift, and when he slammed on the brakes, she used the moment of freedom to jump out of the Jeep.
She ran back toward her car, glancing over her shoulder, hoping he wasn’t pursuing.
She stopped and relief flooded her body.
Deputy Pam Larson’s cruiser blocked Moe’s Jeep. His escape was over.
Hannah’s knees buckled and she had to lean against a parked car, sliding down as her legs gave out. What would he have done to her? She shuddered at the thought.
Footsteps rang in her ears from both directions.
“Hannah. Are you all right?” Jack’s voice sang out. “Fortunately, Karla called her mom in a panic and she let me know that Moe was dragging you down the street.”
She nodded.
Cal crouched next to her. “I can’t let you out of my sight for two seconds anymore,” he teased as he pulled her close.
Karla appeared in front of Hannah. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. “What happened? Moe was furious when I told him I gave you that stupid shovel and I said to myself, serves her right for being such a pain in the neck with all the questions. But I never thought he’d hurt you. I’m really sorry. And I almost ran off with him to Florida?” She shook her head. “I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been.”
Nellie managed to squeeze out the half-open window of Hannah’s car. Before she could put her hand up, her whole face was slathered with dog slime. She wrapped her arms around Nellie’s neck and breathed in the comforting doggy scent.
A small crowd grew around Hannah as the grapevine in town worked like a tsunami. Meg and Samantha pushed through some gawkers.
“What have you gotten yourself into now, Hannah?” Meg’s gruff voice asked, barely hiding a tremor in her words. “And before you even ask, we locked up the snack bar to get over here as fast as possible. You’re way more important than a few lost sales of clam chowder and fish and chips.”
Samantha nodded in agreement. She was uncharacteristically quiet, choked up most likely, as she put her hand on Hannah’s head.
The crowd parted, opening a path for Deputy Pam Larson to reach Hannah.
“I do need to ask you some questions. Can you come to the station? My biggest wish at the moment is to give this creep everything he deserves as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll drive her.” All heads turned toward the deep voice. Luke held his hand out to Hannah. “If that’s okay with you.”
Hannah wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. The surge of adrenaline that overloaded her body moments earlier was seeping away, leaving room for her emotions to take over. She nodded and took her father’s hand.
Nellie refused to leave Hannah’s side which was fine with her. Luke started to protest when Hannah opened the back door of his rental car for her loyal companion, but changed his mind and kept quiet.
Hannah sank into the passenger seat, rolled the window down, closed her eyes, and let the wind blow over her face. Her mind needed these few minutes to relax before the difficult rehashing of the events with Moe were dredged up, front and center. Even her father’s company and quiet voice comforted her.
Luke cleared his throat. “So, I think we should still have the pool game.”
“Fine.”
26
Hannah huddled with Jack, Cal, and Meg at The Fishy Dish to work on a strategy for her pool game with her father. Luke insisted that the game be played before he and Joanna left town.
“Just tell him no,” was Meg’s suggestion.
“I agree,” said Jack. “You don’t need an excuse. So what if he gloats?”
“A deal’s a deal. I’m playing the game.”
“You know him best, but I want to be on record saying I think it’s a terrible idea.” Jack walked away from the counter in The Fishy Dish’s kitchen, shaking his head.
Cal drove Hannah to the Pub and Pool Hall where everyone had agreed to meet at four. “Just walk away from the game. You can’t risk losing.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Cal. I thought, you, at least, would be on my side.” Hannah felt the pressure and it didn’t help that every single one of her friends, along with her sister Ruby, told her she was making the biggest mistake of her life.
“I am on your side. That’s why I want you to change your mind.”
“I can’t. I have to do this or I’ll regret it forever. Besides, he’ll see me backing out as a forfeit and he’ll think he gets the land anyway.”
They rode over the potholes in silence.
Luke’s rental car was in the parking lot, alongside Meg’s rust bucket. At least she didn’t have to ride in that, Hannah said to herself. She reached across the seat and put her hand on Cal’s arm. He released the wheel and squeezed her hand. “You’ll win. I can feel it in your confidence.”
Hannah smiled. She was confident. This was a turning point for her to leave some issues from her past right where they belonged. In the past.
Michael held up a mug as soon as Hannah entered. “Your favorite. Or do you want to wait until after?”
“I’ll wait.”
Hannah glanced at her father and nodded. Joanna sat by herself, looking lonely and forlorn. Her sadness wrenched Hannah’s heart.
The pub felt more like a funeral home than a pool hall but Hannah couldn’t help that. At least, not until after the game.
Luke had the balls racked up and he handed Hannah a cue stick. She chalked it. “My normal shot.” She used her cue stick to point to the solid ball at the corner of the rack and the far pocket.
Hannah’s flip flops slapped on the floor as she walked around the table. It was the only sound breaking the eerie silence.
Her break was perfect and she sank the solid ball just as she predicted. With careful deliberation, she walked around the table and made three more shots before she missed.
An eruption of groans weighed heavily on Hannah’s shoulders.
Joanna stood to get a better view, both hands flat on her chest. Luke sank four balls, then missed. His touch was off, Hannah noticed.
Whispering in the background barely registered in her brain as she chalked her cue stick, surveying her options.
She sank her remaining three solid balls, but left herself with an impossible shot to reach the eight ball and add this game to the winner column. She glanced at Cal. He smiled, letting her know she still had time to do what needed to be done. His support lightened her heart while she tried to be calm and wait for her father’s turn to end.
Luke chalked his cue stick and walked around the table. He smirked. “I gave you a chance, but now it’s all mine.” He sank his remaining three striped balls. With only the black ball to sink, it looked like Hannah was doomed.
She held her breath.
All eyes stared at Luke.
Luke tapped the cue ball. It moved toward the eight ball. The eight ball rolled at a snail’s pace closer and closer to winning the game for Luke.
The eight ball sank out of sight in the pocket.
Everyone gasped except one.
Luke smiled.
The room exploded with noise and yells for a rematch. All eyes were glued to Hannah’s face. She stood next to her father and looked around the room. “Dad won fair and square.”
Luke raised his hand. “I’ve decided,” he began, facing a roomful of angry faces. �
�I’ve learned something,” he continued haltingly, “Hannah and Caroline’s business belong together. My wish is to dedicate one of the guest cottages to Adele Bailey by naming the cottage I’d Rather Be A Mermaid.” He paused. “Plus, make a large donation toward a memorial for her.”
Mouths dropped.
Eyes blinked.
Then smiles bloomed on the faces staring at Hannah.
“And one more thing.” Luke silenced the crowd. “Drinks are on me!”
Michael poured beers, wine, and whatever else anyone wanted. The noise level rivaled the surf at high tide during a storm. No one seemed to care that Hannah lost the pool game now that they knew she didn’t lose her property.
“Nice game,” Cal whispered in Hannah’s ear. “Are you free Friday night to accept your winnings from our wager?”
“Hmmm.” Hannah tilted her head back and forth, racking her brain, pretending she had a full calendar of engagements.
“There is an expiration date on the gift.”
“In that case, Friday is perfect.” She smiled and felt a contentment settle all the way to the tips of her toes. Rocking on the ocean in Cal’s boat, her feet up, and stars flickering overhead was a date she never had any intention of missing.
“Great. I’ll get you a drink. You’ve earned it.”
She felt a hand on her back. “Clever. But you almost gave me a heart attack,” Jack said. “When did you and Luke cook up that little surprise?”
“In the car on the way to the police station. When Dad realized how close he came to losing me, he sort of apologized for the last ten years.” Hannah shrugged. “We’re on the road back to being a family.”
“Sort of?”
“I think his exact words were, ‘I could have done better.’”
“It’s a start. Caroline will be thrilled now that she doesn’t have to worry about your father stealing your property.”
“I do still have to make my mortgage payment,” Hannah said. “Will she help me with that?”
“Of course, what else can she do with her money?” Jack grinned. “That I control, by the way.” He stood quietly next to Hannah. “I have a question.”
Hannah raised her eyebrows.
Jack leaned close to her ear. “Did you let him win?”
Hannah smiled. “My contribution to family peace. But don’t you dare tell anyone.”
Jack elbowed Hannah in the side and ran his thumb and finger over his lips, zipping them closed.
She knew she could count on Jack to keep a secret like no one else.
This is the end of Catch of the Dead. I hope you enjoyed the story. Click here and start reading my next book today!
A Note from Lyndsey
Thank you for reading my cozy mystery, Catch of the Dead.
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About the Author
Lyndsey Cole lives in New England in a small rural town with her husband who puts up with all the characters in her head, her dog who hogs the couch, her cat who is the boss, and 3 chickens that would like to move into the house. She surrounds herself with gardens full of beautiful perennials. Sitting among the flowers with the scent of lilac, peonies, lily of the valley, or whatever is in bloom, stimulates her imagination about who will die next!
Also by Lyndsey Cole
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The Black Cat Café Series
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