Cat Got Your Corpse

by Louise Lynn

  Summer looked at Esther and back at Hazel. Her eyes burned, and Hazel suddenly regretted she mentioned all of this to the young woman while she was holding a rifle. "It doesn't matter what you say because you can't prove any of it. And yeah, why would I kill my dad for money, if you're so smart?"

  Hazel sighed. “Because you had to split your sponsorship deals with him, and you weren't too happy about it. He retired because he was forced to, and then he butted into your deals—deals that should have been yours alone. Who did he think he was? You hadn't gotten your name besmirched by a famous National Geographic photographer. You didn't have death threats. You weren’t weak like that. So why should you have to share? Well, maybe you shouldn't."

  Summer Crawford laughed, but it sounded as brittle as broken China. "You think I would kill my dad just for some extra cash? That's so stupid. I mean, he just started his hunting business and I’m his partner. That’s why we’re here!”

  “But James Duke is your first client, and he’s not even interested in hunting. He was trying to shut you down,” Hazel said. She broke her promise to keep his motives a secret, but what else could she do?

  Summer twirled around to face her. "What?"

  “James is a member of the Endangered Army, and he was trying to find evidence of you and your father poaching, but instead, he found evidence of a murderer—and that’s you. Not to mention, your customer service skills could use major work. Don’t you know you shouldn’t call your client names on a constant basis?”

  Summer pointed the rifle at Hazel. “If you guys think I killed my dad, it's pretty stupid of you to confront me when I'm about to kill that stupid cougar over there. And maybe you’re right. Maybe I did hate that he was taking over my business. He was old and living in the past. I’m part of the future, unlike you two!”

  "You can't kill both of us and get away with it," Esther said, though her voice trembled.

  Summer laughed, manic this time. "I'll just say it was a hunting accident. The mountain lion was about to attack you guys, and in my rush to kill it, you got in the way. I'll get off. No one will be able to–"

  “That—that’s enough, Summer," James Duke said in a trembling voice, and the hunting dogs both whined.

  She spun again in his direction. "What are you doing here?"

  James stepped out of the woods to the left of Summer. “I was taking the dogs for a walk and heard you. You need to put the gun down.”

  "Or else what?” Summer snarled.

  "Or this ranger is going to have to tranquilize you," Ranger Albright said and stepped out of the trees on the other side of the stream, near the mountain lion.

  Hazel’s heart sung. Thank goodness she wasn’t alone this time! They nearly had Summer surrounded, but Hazel's father and the deputies hadn't arrived yet.

  "You can't kill us all and make it look like an accident," Hazel said with more composure than she felt.

  Summer Crawford's hands shook and she whipped from each of them to the next. "I can still shoot a few of you, since you’re the ones attacking me," she cried and lifted the rifle.

  Hazel's eyes widened, and the dogs yelped.

  Anthony Ray spit and yowled, then leapt into a bush near Summer.

  The bush rustled, and a moment later, a fully grown striped skunk emerged.

  Then, the hounds pulled their leashes free of James Duke’s grip, and leapt toward their master.

  The skunk, now surrounded, lifted its tail in Summer’s direction and sprayed.

  Summer Crawford screamed, and in the chaos that followed, the dogs attacked. One bit her ankle and the other, all long legs and a sharp snout, latched onto her arm and brought her down.

  The rifle clattered and fell several feet away, without discharging.

  "You traitors! I'm your owner! Ow!" she sobbed and spit.

  The skunk darted back into the bushes.

  Esther jumped in first and kicked the rifle farther away, and several pairs of footsteps clomped through the woods toward them.

  Hazel let out a grateful sigh as she spotted the familiar uniforms of the deputies and her father's bristly beard. In their wake came the one person Hazel had been most eager to see.

  Colton Cross, his eyes wide with first worry and then humor. His nose scrunched at the unpleasant smell.

  "I should've guessed it was her," he said as he pulled out his handcuffs. "Who do I have to thank this time? My honorary deputy or my forensic photographer?"

  Hazel glanced at Anthony Ray, who sat on a rock near the creek licking his paw. She had a feeling he’d known the skunk was there all along.

  She grinned. "Maybe you should thank that skunk first."

  Colton laughed.

  “Oh, and check out the murder weapon. It's in her boot." Hazel explained about the secret compartment, and Sheriff Cross did just that after he had Summer cuffed and sat on a rock.

  He pulled out the small curved blade, and his eyebrows rose. "You're under arrest for the murder of Cliff Crawford, young lady.”

  This time, drenched in skunk spray, Summer Crawford couldn't summon up the energy to flirt with him, to Hazel's delight.

  Chapter 24

  After the deputies drove Summer Crawford away, Hazel slumped near the front of the ranger’s station.

  Sheriff Cross had gone back to the crime scene, and Hazel needed a moment to pet Anthony Ray and let her nerves settle.

  “You were amazing back there,” James Duke said and the dogs whined at her for a pet.

  Hazel happily gave it, though they both smelled a tad skunky. “Well, you just happened to show up at the right time. Sorry I told Summer your secret.”

  James Duke shook his head. “I should be thanking you. She, uh, was right. I was a coward. I knew there was something off about her, and I was too worried about my mission to come forward to the police at first. But I’m glad you talked me into it.”

  “I’m glad you got photographic evidence of her boots at the campsite that morning. With the murder weapon, that should be enough to convict her. I hope.”

  James nodded and glanced toward Abby’s campsite. The girl had been freed with all the other chaos going on, and she seemed to be packing up.

  “You should talk to her. I think you both have more in common that you want to let on,” Hazel said and grinned at him.

  The dogs whined and tugged James in her direction. “Maybe you’re right. I just—what I did was pretty crazy. And she might need someone to help tone down her impulses. And…”

  “And?”

  James blushed. “And maybe I can help with that. The dogs might help too. Since one owner is dead and the other is probably going to be in prison for a long time, I’m taking them in.”

  Hazel gave the hounds a quick nuzzle. “That’s a wonderful idea. And good luck, with everything. Your hearts are both in the right place.”

  James’s cheeks turned as red as a tomato, and he rushed to Abby’s side. From the look of their body language, she thought they’d forgiven each other.

  Not long after, Sheriff Cross and Ranger Albright clomped back to the bench Hazel sat on. They looked like they’d come to an agreement too, and Ranger Albright wasn’t in cuffs, so Hazel figured it didn’t involve pressing charges.

  After the woman gave Hazel a quick nod of her head and ducked inside the station, Hazel raised an eyebrow. “Are you letting her off with a warning?”

  Sheriff Cross sighed. “Against my better judgement, yes. I don’t think she’d do it again, and I think she really does care about the area.”

  Hazel agreed. “I noticed you let Deputy Simmons have the honor of taking Summer into Cedar Valley. I can’t imagine why,” she said with a barely restrained grin.

  Colton laughed and sat next to her. He stretched an arm over her shoulder and pulled her close. “You can’t, huh? Well, let’s just say I’m going to be giving him a bonus for his bravery in the line of duty out here.”

  She settled against his side. “Is that in place of helping him de-skunk the ca
r he drove?”

  “It is,” Colton said. “But you can help him if you’d like.”

  Hazel thought of all the times she’d have to clean up Anthony Ray and shook her head. “I’ll pass.”

  Colton chuckled and kissed the side of her head.

  Hazel felt her muscles relax.

  This is what a vacation should be.

  "I can't believe she killed her dad because of a sponsorship deal," Esther said and shook her head.

  It'd been a few days since the whole Summer Crawford incident, and they were all back in Cedar Valley recuperating from their camping trip. Currently, they were at Esther's house.

  Hazel leaned across the counter to look at the cupcakes her sister was finishing up decorating. "Well, money is a common motivation, unfortunately.”

  Esther's brows drew together. “Oh, I know. I just can't imagine. I know me and dad haven't always gotten along, but I never would've wanted to kill him."

  Hazel smiled. "Well I'm glad to hear that, and I'm sure he would be too. Maybe you should tell him."

  Esther gave her a level look, then she glanced at the cupcakes. "Do you think Ruthie will like this?"

  Hazel grinned. "She's gonna love it. Now, can we start eating yet because I'm starving."

  The kitchen smelled like the local Indian restaurant because Raj was the one manning it at the moment. He smiled at her, and stirred something that smelled spicy and rich. "It's ready. Is Ruth going to be back soon?"

  Esther nodded, and Raj leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

  "She's gonna love it,” he said in his soothing way.

  "I hope so. She keeps complaining that she didn't get to pet the tranquilized mountain lion like we did."

  Hazel shook her head. "I barely got to pat it’s head, poor thing. At least it's doing okay now. They released it back in the wild."

  Before Esther could respond, the door opened and Violet came in with Ruth and Ripa. Colton and Hazel's parents were behind them, back from their trip to the park.

  "What's going on?" Ruth asked.

  Hazel had already set out all the crafting supplies, the paint, material, scissors and oversized yarn for sewing everything together.

  “We're having a party, since today is the match between your favorite Lucha libre wrestler and his arch nemesis. I thought we could all watch it together,” Esther said and ran her fingers over Ruth's coppery head.

  Ruth blinked up at her mom, and a grin spread over her face. "Really? Are those mask cupcakes?" she asked with a squeal of pure delight.

  Esther nodded.

  Hazel had a feeling her sister thought they were imperfect, but the bright colors and shapes were just fine for an eight-year-old’s impromptu wrestling party.

  Ruth’s eyes turned to saucers when she noticed the crafting supplies set out on the table. “Are we going to make our own masks?"

  Esther wrung her hands. "You think that'll be fun enough to replace the camping trip we had to cut short?"

  Ruth nodded feverishly and sat down. Raj’s six-year-old daughter, Ripa, sat next to her, and they both began discussing what colors they wanted their masks to be.

  "I think she forgives you," Hazel told her sister, and watched Esther's smile grow wide.

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  Read the rest of the Hazel Hart Cozy Mystery Series!

  Hazel Hart is having a terrible day.

  A man is murdered in her Wild @ Hart Photo Studio, and the new sheriff in Cedar Valley not only declares it a crime scene and insults Hazel’s fashion sense, but he also suspects Hazel of the murder!

  In order to clear her name and restore her shop’s reputation, Hazel must find the real killer. Problem is, the list of suspects and their secrets seem to grow the deeper Hazel digs. Not to mention the mysterious figure who keeps showing up in Hazel’s photos.

  Can she unearth the killer before time runs out?

  Meowsical Death: A Hazel Hart Cozy Mystery Two

  Hazel Hart can’t catch a break.

  While working as the photographer of the local elementary school, Hazel stumbles across the body of the music teacher. The woman has been murdered, and Hazel’s own mother is a prime suspect!

  Now, Hazel has to clear her mother’s name, and go head to head against the handsome and stubborn Sheriff Cross. Only, that’s not as easy as it seems. The victim’s life and death is shrouded in years of secrets, including decades old blackmail. As the list of suspects grows, the more dangerous it becomes.

  In a race against the clock, Hazel must pinpoint the real killer before it’s too late.

  Purrfect Alibi: A Hazel Hart Cozy Mystery Three

  Hazel Hart has awful luck.

  When the star quarterback goes missing after the local Spring Fling dance, Hazel and her feline side-kick find his body. The young man was murdered, and there are no shortages of suspects—including her best friend’s ex—a man Hazel doesn’t trust.

  As she digs for the truth, the mysteries around the quarterback’s life and death multiply. Someone is trying to bury the past, and the danger to Hazel grows with each unearthed secret.

  In a race against time, can Hazel find the real killer before she is the next victim?

  Murder Most Meow: A Hazel Hart Cozy Mystery Book Four

  Hazel Hart feels like a walking shadow.

  When the Shakespeare festival consumes Cedar Valley, Hazel is hired to photograph the performances and the actors, but she catches something through her lens that no one expected to see live on stage—a murder!

  The lead in Macbeth is the victim, and the list of suspects is as complicated as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, including everyone from the actor’s diva wife to the sheriff’s own niece. Good thing Hazel is there to suss out the truth.

  But as she creeps closer to the killer, accidents plague the production at every end. Will Hazel unmask the murderer before another life is claimed?

  Purrfect Poison: A Hazel Hart Cozy Mystery Five

  It’s wedding season in picturesque Cedar Valley, California, and photographer Hazel Hart is busy with the most high profile wedding of the year. But marital bliss doesn’t last long since the bride is poisoned by the wedding cake!

  Now, Hazel and her spunky feline sidekick have to track down the killer. Only all the guests are suspects, and the more Hazel learns about the victim, the more she realizes the bride was onto something nefarious—a secret that got her killed.

  With each new revelation, the danger grows. Can Hazel find the killer and reveal the truth before it’s too late?

  More Hazel Hart Cozy Mysteries Coming September 2018!

  Read the Maritime Teashop Series:

  There has been a murder in San Bastion Bay and Olivia Darrow just might be next. Not the best birthday present she could have asked for.

  Now a potential suspect in the murder investigation, Olivia must find out who poisoned her least favorite customer and stop the killer from striking again. Unfortunately, her list of suspects includes nearly the entire town and a hooded figure seems determined to ensure the culprit remains hidden. In a race against the clock, will Olivia uncover the truth before it’s too late? Or has she been framed to take the fall?

  Maritime Teashop Book 2

  A film crew enters San Bastion Bay, and the movie turns deadly when a starlet who hailed from the small town is killed on set.

  Olivia Darrow must investigate the murder of the former prom queen turned movie star before the police arrest an innocent man. Unfortunately, the film crew and the town are full of potential suspects and dangerous secrets. In a race against time, can Olivia uncover the real killer before she becomes the next target?

  Thank you!

  Thank you so much for reading my Hazel Hart cozy m
ystery! I had such an amazing time writing this book, and I really hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please leave a review.

  No matter how short or long, I appreciate any sort of feedback. Being an independent author means this is my livelihood, and every review makes a huge difference.

  Reviews are the best way to support me, so I can continue doing what I love, which is bringing you, the readers, more mysteries in Cedar Valley.

  Thank you for spending time with Hazel Hart and I hope to see you soon!

  About the author

  Louise Lynn lives in a small town in California, with a host of cats, and loves all things mystery related.

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  Copyright © 2017 by Louise Lynn

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, businesses, and events are all products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.