Scene of the Crime: Bachelor Moon

by Carla Cassidy

  Sam carefully set his book bag on the floor. “What’s going on, Dad?”

  “I’m going to kill your mother.” His calm, matter-of-fact tone was even more terrifying than if he’d screamed the words. “And then I’m gonna kill you.”

  Before Sam could properly process anything the shotgun boomed and his mother crumpled to the floor. In a fog of shock, he watched as the shotgun swung in his direction.

  “No!” He turned to run.

  Sam sat straight up in bed, his breaths coming in deep gasps and his body coated with a sheen of sweat. Adrenaline surged inside him, the fight-or-flight response to danger.

  His heart finally slowed to a more normal beat and he dragged a hand across his jawline as he tried to dispel the horrible memories.

  Monsters. His father had been the first in his life, but certainly not the last. He stumbled from the bed, feeling half-drunk with the aftereffects of the nightmare still burning inside his brain.

  After a long hot shower he dressed in a pair of jeans and a navy, short-sleeved, ribbed pullover. He wasn’t going to hang around the bed-and-breakfast today, but rather he intended to spend some time in town.

  It had been two days since he’d almost kissed Daniella on the front porch, and for the past two days he’d kept his distance from her. It had been relatively easy with the onslaught of new guests. He’d fished, he’d napped and he’d placed himself wherever Daniella wasn’t at the moment.

  Today was Sunday, the day that only breakfast was offered, the day that the weekend guests would be leaving. He’d decided he’d drive into town and hang out, maybe listen to some of the local gossip and see if he could hear what people were saying, were thinking, about Samantha Walker’s murder.

  They hadn’t seen any more of the sheriff, but that didn’t mean it was all over where Daniella was concerned. Sam couldn’t control the vague, bad feeling he had about the whole situation. Maybe a day in the quaint town of Bachelor Moon would rectify the faint anxiety that bubbled just beneath the surface.

  Of course the first person he saw as he came down the stairs was Daniella. Her smile sizzled through his veins as he nodded a good morning.

  “Breakfast is ready in the dining room,” she said.

  “Actually, I thought I’d head into town this morning, taste a little of the local flavor,” he replied.

  “If you decide to eat at Mama’s Café be sure to have Tina wait on you. She’s my best friend and she’ll take good care of you.”

  He nodded, eager to get away from her. She looked so pretty in a blue sundress that enhanced her eyes and showcased her curves. She was sweet temptation in the flesh.

  “Will you be back for dinner? Although officially I don’t cook anything, you paid for meals so I’d be happy to have something ready for you,” she said.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of myself for the day.” He could hear the sounds of the guests in the dining room, all of whom would be checking out after breakfast. “I’ll see you later.”

  He escaped out the front door, away from her scent, from the smile that made him want to wrap her in his arms and carry her to his bed.

  His attraction to Daniella was obviously one of those chemistry things that he’d heard about, something he’d never experienced before now. But just because he felt it didn’t mean he intended to follow through on it.

  It was almost nine o’clock when he pulled into Bachelor Moon proper. It was a small town with a small-town feel. A variety of businesses lined the city block, with the town hall and a park in the center. Magnolia trees provided not only welcome shade but also beauty. Shop doors were open despite the growing heat and humidity, as if inviting everyone to pass into their depths.

  He parked in front of Mama’s Café and got out of the car. The air drifting out of the door from the café was redolent with the scents of frying bacon, yeasty rolls and sautéed onions. It set his mouth watering, but he had already decided to skip breakfast and eat lunch at the café.

  He headed in the direction of the city square, deciding to check out the place where the legend of Bachelor Moon had begun. It was a gorgeous day, and it felt good for him to stretch his legs a bit after several days of sitting in a chair on the dock.

  As he crossed the street he noticed the sheriff’s office on the other side of the town square. He thought about stopping in and checking on the progress of the investigation into Samantha’s murder, but then reminded himself that it was really none of his business.

  It was easy to find the legend place. A statue of a man stood before the town hall, and in his hand was a stone tablet that read:

  He who stands here beneath a bachelor moon,

  If your heart is open you will find love soon.

  You might think this is silly local lore,

  But the magic of the moon brings love forever more.

  At least he didn’t have to worry about falling victim to the magic of the moon. The next full moon was in two weeks and he’d be long gone by then, back to work in Kansas City.

  Spying a nearby bench, he sat and raised his face to the sun. If he was smart he’d go back to the bed-and-breakfast, pack his bags and head back to Kansas City now, before he got sucked into the drama of a local murder, before he got sucked into the charming town of Bachelor Moon and Daniella Butler.

  He was still seated there minutes later when he saw Jim Thompson leaving the sheriff’s office. He stood and knew the moment Jim saw him. The lawman’s shoulders stiffened and he drew himself up, as if it were possible for him to make himself as tall as Sam’s six feet.

  He strode across the square toward Sam. “Taking in some of the local sights, Mr. Connelly—or should I say Special Agent Connelly?”

  “Sam will do, and yes, I decided to check out the town this morning.”

  “It’s a nice place, but I imagine it’s pretty slow-paced for somebody like you.”

  “To be honest, I’m really enjoying the slower pace. Daniella mentioned you were going to retire at the end of the year. This looks like it would be a great place to do it,” Sam said.

  “Actually my wife has her heart set on some retirement village in Florida.” Jim took a step backward. “But I hope you enjoy your visit here.”

  “Before you go, how is the investigation into the murder progressing?” Sam wanted to kick himself for asking. Once a profiler, always a profiler, he thought wryly.

  Jim’s features tightened as if he wasn’t happy with the question. “Daniella Butler is still my number one suspect. Oh, I know she didn’t do the deed herself, but we’re checking into a hired-killer situation.”

  Sam wanted to laugh out loud at the very idea of Daniella hiring somebody to murder Samantha, but it wasn’t funny that Jim entertained such a scenario.

  “You know that’s crazy,” he said. “I certainly hope there isn’t a rush to judgment in this case. The way I hear it, Samantha Walker was the kind of woman who might have had lots of enemies.”

  “I’ve been the law around these parts for almost twenty years,” Jim said with more than a touch of indignation. “I reckon I can get this right without any help. I didn’t say Daniella was my only suspect. You just enjoy your visit here in Bachelor Moon and leave this all to me.” He didn’t wait for Sam’s reply, but turned on his heel and stalked away.

  Sam sank back to the bench, unsatisfied with the brief conversation. Despite what Jim had said, he hoped like hell Jim wasn’t so focused on Daniella that he was ignoring other potential suspects.

  Not my concern, he reminded himself. In just over a week he’d be gone. Daniella and the charming town of Bachelor Moon would be just a distant memory.

  He sat for a few more minutes enjoying the sun, then got up and wandered down the street. He drifted into a variety of shops, making small talk with the locals and getting a feel for some of the people who lived there.

  It was a friendly town. People he passed smiled or paused to exchange pleasantries. It didn’t take long for him to learn that nobody seeme
d to have much respect for Jim Thompson, nobody appeared to be in mourning for Samantha Walker, and Daniella and Macy were favorites among the people he talked to.

  By the time twelve-thirty came he was starving. He made his way back to Mama’s Café, where he immediately identified the Tina whom Daniella had spoken of earlier. It was easy to identify her because she was about Daniella’s age and she wore a name tag.

  She was a cute blonde with a ready smile and eyes the color of a chocolate bar. She was working the long counter where displays of pastries sat next to a stack of morning papers.

  Sam slid onto an empty stool, grateful to find one in the busy place. Almost all the tables were filled, and it was obvious Mama’s was one of the most popular places in town at mealtimes.

  Tina approached him, a smile of welcome on her pretty face as she slapped a menu down before him. “How are you doing? Our lunch special today is Cajun shrimp with coleslaw and cheese biscuits. Can I get you something to drink to start you off?”

  “A tall glass of iced tea would be great,” he replied.

  “Coming right up.”

  As she left to get his drink, he glanced around the café. It certainly wasn’t the ambiance that made this place popular. The cutlery and dinnerware was mismatched and some of the water glasses looked suspiciously like old jelly jars. The decor was a mishmash of colors and styles, as if the decorator suffered from multiple personality disorder.

  But laughter rang out from many of the tables along with the easy conversation of people comfortable not only with each other but with their surroundings.

  “Here you go,” Tina said, as she returned with his iced tea. “Have you decided what to order?”

  “I’ll take that special.”

  “You won’t be disappointed. Mama’s Cajun shrimp is delicious.” As she disappeared into the back kitchen, Sam leaned against the counter and took a drink of the tea.

  As he waited for his meal to arrive his thoughts filled with Daniella and that dangerous moment on the porch when he’d wanted to kiss her.

  Nothing good could come from kissing Daniella Butler. After being around her for almost a week he knew that she wasn’t the type of woman to indulge in a hot temporary encounter with one of her guests. And he certainly wasn’t the kind of man who would be interested in sticking around with any woman.

  Sam liked women, but only on his terms, and that meant temporary. He wouldn’t allow any of them close enough to get into his heart. A crash from the kitchen startled him and suddenly he remembered the dream he’d had the night before, the dream of the gunshot that had changed his life.

  It was a memory of early life that burned inside him, that made him fear that a monster slept in his soul, a monster that might one day awaken and wreak destruction.

  He was his father’s son, and he spent every day of his life afraid of what might rest inside him, afraid that if he didn’t keep a tight rein on his emotions, the monster would leap free and destroy anyone he cared about. It was easier not to care, to never allow anyone to get close.

  Tina returning with his meal halted the disturbing thoughts. “You visiting the area or just passing through?” she asked as she placed the oversize plate before him.

  “I’m staying out at Daniella’s.”

  Tina smiled. “Daniella is the best, isn’t she? She and I have been best friends since the third grade.”

  “It’s a shame about her husband.”

  Tina’s eyebrows rose. “She told you about Johnny? She almost never talks about him anymore.”

  He nodded. “It’s hard to believe a man would run off from a woman like her.”

  “There are some here in town that think he ran off. I don’t know what happened to him, but I’ll never believe he left her,” she exclaimed. “We all hung out together through high school, Daniella and Johnny, me and Matt and Jeff and his girlfriend.”

  “Matt?”

  “Matt Rader. He’s living out at Daniella’s right now while his house is being built.” Tina looked down the counter, obviously checking to see if she was needed anywhere else.

  “I didn’t realize Matt was a local,” Sam replied.

  She looked back at him. “He’s local, although after college he moved to Shreveport and got married. His wife passed away about eight months ago, and he moved back here to start again. I think maybe he’s developed a little crush on Daniella.”

  “Did you know Samantha Walker?”

  Tina nodded and frowned. “A nasty piece of work, if you ask me. I talked briefly to Daniella on the phone the day after Samantha was found. She was pretty shook up about the whole thing.” She waved to one of the other diners down at the opposite end of the counter. “Gotta run. Enjoy your meal.”

  As she left Sam stared down at his plate, but his thoughts were a churning mess of suppositions, and he realized that no matter his desire to the contrary, he was slowly being sucked into the mystery of Samantha Walker’s murder.

  IT HAD BEEN A GOOD DAY. Sunday afternoons when the guests left were always days when Daniella focused on special time with Macy. With Frank holding the fort at the bed-and-breakfast, she always tried to take Macy out and away from the house for some mommy-daughter time.

  Today they’d driven into the slightly bigger neighboring town of Baker’s Bluff and had seen the newest Disney movie. Afterward they had eaten at a pizza place and were now in the car heading home.

  “It was a fun day,” Macy said.

  “Yes, it was, but I always enjoy spending free time with my favorite girl,” Daniella replied. She turned on her headlights against the encroaching dusk.

  “Do you think Daddy will ever, ever get found?”

  Macy’s question pierced through Daniella’s heart. It was just in the last year that Macy was asking more and more questions about the father she’d never known.

  A million answers swept through Daniella’s head as the need to somehow make her daughter happy filled her soul. But, ultimately she knew the truth was what Macy needed.

  “No, honey. I don’t think Daddy will ever be found,” she finally replied.

  “I didn’t think so,” Macy replied, as if unsurprised by the answer. “I think we need to look for a new daddy. I think Mr. Sam would make a good new daddy.”

  Even the simple sound of his name shot a rivulet of warmth through Daniella. “Honey, Mr. Sam is just a guest. He’s going to be leaving in another week.”

  “But maybe I could make him stay,” Macy countered. “He thought I had the best princess walk and he’s nice and he smells good and I think I could make him love me if I tried really hard.”

  Daniella’s heart broke a little bit at her daughter’s words and she cursed Johnny Butler, not for leaving her but for walking away from Macy.

  “Macy, honey, Mr. Sam isn’t going to be a new daddy, so you might as well get that thought out of your head.” Daniella turned down the long, tree-lined lane that led to the bed-and-breakfast. “Maybe someday you’ll have a new daddy, but for now we just have to be happy with each other.”

  Macy didn’t reply, and it made Daniella wonder what was going on in her amazing little brain. As they pulled up in front of the house her heart did a little dance as she saw Sam seated on the front porch.

  “There’s Mr. Sam,” Macy exclaimed, sitting up taller in her seat.

  “I don’t want you bothering him with this daddy stuff,” Daniella warned, as she pulled the car to a halt. “Did you hear me, Macy Marie?”

  “Okay. Look, the fireflies are out. Can I catch some before bedtime?”

  Daniella sighed in relief. “Go get your jar. You have about thirty minutes before bath time.”

  Before Daniella could get her seat belt off and out of the car, Macy was out and in the house to get her bug-catching jar.

  “You look relaxed,” she said to Sam, as she walked up the stairs to the porch.

  He smiled. “I am. This is the best seat in the house for watching the sun go down.”

  “Did you enjoy your
visit in town?” She sat in the chair next to his even though she knew the smartest thing she could do was stay as far away from him as possible. He made her think of things she shouldn’t, want things she knew she couldn’t have with him.

  “I did. It’s a charming town and everyone seemed friendly. I had lunch at Mama’s and met your friend, Tina.”

  “She’s great. And it’s a wonderful town.”

  At that moment Macy raced outside, her neon green bug jar in her hand. “Mr. Sam, I’m going to collect some fireflies. I don’t kill them or pull out their lights or anything like that. I just catch them and watch them for a while and then I let them go. I think they’re the prettiest bug God ever made.” She didn’t wait for his reply but raced off the porch.

  “Everyone speaks very highly of you and Macy seems to be a favorite,” he said. His eyes glowed like something wild in the deepening darkness.

  She smiled as she watched Macy racing across the lawn in pursuit of a lightning bug. “Macy can be a little charmer if she wants, but she also can be the most stubborn, sassy little girl I’ve ever met.” She slid him a sideways glance. “Ever wanted children?”

  “Never.” He seemed to blurt out the word with more force than necessary. He smiled as if to temper his reply, but she saw the tension that knotted his jaw. “I always figured I’d screw up the dad thing. My old man wasn’t exactly a good role model.”

  She waited for him to say something more on the subject, but instead he focused his attention on Macy and fell silent. She wanted to ask him more, wanted to know about where he came from, what kind of life he’d had, why he’d chosen to go through life alone. But she had no right to pry, she reminded herself. He was just a guest and would be gone all too soon.

  “I didn’t realize Matt was from here,” he said, breaking the silence that had begun to feel oppressive.

  “Born and raised here. He and Tina were quite an item before he moved to Shreveport. He broke her heart when he left. Everyone just assumed when he came back to town that he and Tina would pick up where they left off. She’s divorced, he’s widowed, it just seemed natural, but it hasn’t happened.”