by Tina Kashian
The next file folder contained the names of the outstanding borrowers: Rhonda Stevens; Ed Simmons, the Barbeque King; and Eric Scotch, a local bread baker.
The last name gave Lucy pause.
It was Kevin Crowley, the boardwalk tramcar owner.
She flipped through Kevin’s file to discover he owed a whopping one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the most by far of all the borrowers.
“Oh my gosh.”
“What? I can’t see without my reading glasses,” Eloisa demanded as she hovered over Lucy’s shoulder.
“Kevin Crowley borrowed one hundred and fifty thousand dollars from Gilbert. What on earth did he need that much money for?”
“His two new tramcars. Haven’t you noticed?”
Lucy glanced over her shoulder. “No.” She rarely rode the tramcar, only jogged out of the way when she heard the annoying speakers blaring.
Eloisa huffed. “You need to pay more attention to your surroundings.”
Apparently, she did.
“Katie and I searched Mr. Crowley’s trailer on the pier and didn’t find anything,” Lucy said. “He must keep his records elsewhere. That’s a ton of cash to borrow from the likes of Gilbert. He must have had bad credit if he couldn’t get a bank loan.”
“It adds up to a big motive if you ask me.”
Yes . . . yes, it did. Lucy’s thoughts jumped into overdrive. “Gilbert did not file these loan documents with the county. The only evidence of this loan is sitting right here.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because Gilbert was going through a contested divorce. If this loan was on file with the county, he’d have to report it to Sophia’s lawyer. They’d learn of his interest income. He didn’t. Sophia had no idea of his moneylending business. She only learned of it from eavesdropping on one of Gilbert’s phone calls.”
“I told you Gilbert was greedy. He was also sneaky.”
“Both traits may have led to his death.” Lucy clutched the file folder to her chest and reached for her purse to pull out her cell phone. “We need to get this to the police.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Both women whirled at the dark voice to see Kevin Crowley standing in the bathroom doorway, a gun pointed at Lucy’s chest.
Chapter Thirty
Sheer black fright went through Lucy as realization hit her like a sledgehammer.
Kevin Crowley had come for the last piece of evidence to link him to Gilbert’s murder. But how had he known where to find them?
He extended his free hand. “Hand it over.”
Lucy clutched the file tighter to her chest. “How did you know where to find this place?”
“I didn’t. I’ve been following you.”
“Since when?”
“Since you and your blonde friend showed up in my trailer on the boardwalk pier. Your excuse about an interview for a possible Town News article was pathetic. You didn’t believe I actually bought that nonsense, did you?”
Instinct had told her that she was being watched, but she’d ignored it. First, on the deck of her condo. Then, at the soccer field. The man with the baseball cap and hoodie was the same height and build as Kevin.
Always go with your gut, Lucy!
“You also have a reputation around here for asking too many questions, Lucy. I couldn’t take a chance. I hoped you’d leave it be with the arrest of Ms. Havens, but you can’t seem to help yourself, can you? Now, hand over the file,” Kevin said.
When she hesitated, he snatched it from her.
“You’d let an innocent woman take the fall for murder over two new tramcars?” Lucy asked.
A brief look of remorse flashed across his face, but it was gone in an instant, replaced with resolve. “I couldn’t make the damned loan payments. Gilbert threated to file the documents with the court and proceed with collections. I couldn’t allow that.”
“So, you killed him?”
“Once I made the decision, I realized it was the only way. It was easy from then on.”
He was cold and calculating—they were facing a madman. “How did you get to the bonfire?”
“I saw everything from my boardwalk pier. The bonfire was the perfect opportunity. It was already dark out. I slipped away and stalked Gilbert on the beach. I had planned to hit him on the head with my pistol, but I spotted the driftwood on the beach and snatched it on my way. Everyone was occupied making s’mores. Only Melanie Haven sat alone. I waited until Gilbert wandered away and struck him from behind.”
“And the taffy?”
A twisted smile curved the left side of his lips. “He was still breathing. I was going to hit him again when I spotted pieces of taffy on the beach. It was a nice touch to finish the job, don’t you think?”
“And to frame Melanie.”
“From what I heard, there was no love lost between them.”
Eloisa spoke up. “Now what? You can’t shoot us here. People will hear gunshots and it will lead back to you.”
Kevin’s gaze swung to Eloisa and his eyes narrowed, as if he were noticing her for the first time. “You’re right. Get moving. Both of you.”
“Don’t be an idiot. It’s over,” Eloisa said.
Kevin sneered. “Move it, old lady.”
Eloisa’s face hardened. “What did you call me?”
Lucy took her hand and lowered her voice. “He has the gun.”
Next to her, Eloisa started to tremble with fear or outrage, or maybe both. Lucy glared at Kevin—tall and stocky—he was definitely strong enough to overpower Gilbert. He was also strong enough to take on two women. Lucy had to think fast. She captured Eloisa’s gaze. They needed to come up with a plan without speaking.
Lucy still had her purse and cell phone. If he stayed distracted, maybe she could manage to reach her phone and call the police.
He led them outside and ushered them toward Lucy’s Toyota. Lucy scanned the area for someone . . . anyone, but it was late and no one was in sight. Eloisa hurried along as best she could with her cane. Her landlady could be swift and Lucy knew she was acting.
Smart!
“You drive,” Kevin instructed.
Lucy rummaged in her purse and pretended to search for her keys. Her fingers brushed her cell phone. If she could just dial 911 and leave the phone on . . .
Kevin grabbed the purse from her shoulder and pulled out her cell phone. “You don’t think I’d let you have this, do you?”
She watched in dismay as he tossed her phone on the blacktop, then stomped on it with his construction boot until it made a loud crack. Then he picked up the destroyed phone and stuck it in his back pocket.
Crap.
Her plan to call for help had failed.
He tossed her car keys at her. “Open the passenger-side door and slide over to the driver’s seat. You’re driving.”
She realized why he was making her enter the passenger side when he trained the gun on her as she struggled to climb over the gear shift.
Lucy slid behind the wheel and started the car. Kevin sat in the passenger seat, his gun never wavering as it aimed at her head. Eloisa sat in the back. Lucy slowly started to back up, then turn the car around.
“No funny business or the old lady dies first,” he said to Lucy. “Drive back to Ocean Crest and park beneath the municipal pier.”
He planned on taking them back to town and to his trailer on the municipal pier. Why? It was late and off-season. What was he thinking?
“What do you plan on doing?” Lucy asked.
“Taking you where your bodies won’t be found.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Lucy drove onto the main road leading back to Ocean Crest, her fingers gripping the steering wheel, trying to hold back panic. All the while she was highly aware of the gun aimed at her head. The car’s headlights illuminated deserted streets. She contemplated purposely crashing the car, but one look in the rearview mirror revealed Eloisa wasn’t wearing her seat belt. Her landlady look
ed ashen and vulnerable, and Lucy knew she couldn’t take the risk; the car would stop suddenly and Eloisa could fly through the windshield and be killed.
No, she’d have to think of something else. She refused to allow this madman to kill them.
She passed the “WELCOME TO OCEAN CREST” sign and turned left toward the boardwalk. The municipal pier was only several blocks away, in a remote part of town. No one wanted to live by the trash and recycling containers, especially during the season when the stench could carry on the slightest sea breeze in the humid summer air.
She parked the car, and Kevin jabbed the pistol into her arm. “Out. Both of you. Head toward the pier.”
They trudged along, Eloisa leaning heavily on her cane. If Lucy didn’t know any better, she’d think the woman had always had a hard time walking. Slowly, they made it up the boardwalk ramp. All the neighboring stores were closed for the night, their rolling security gates down and locked. If Easter had passed and it was a month later, in May, the shops would still be open and a crowd of tourists would be on the boardwalk.
The tramcars were parked on the municipal pier for the night. A crescent moon illuminated the row of dumpsters and the tall, blue recycling containers. Kevin led them all the way to the front of the pier, closest to the ocean. One of the head tramcars had been disconnected from the passenger cars and was parked here.
“This is enough. You can’t shoot us without anyone hearing,” Lucy said.
“I don’t plan to.”
“Then what?”
“I plan on releasing the parking brake on this head tram and pushing it over the pier and into the ocean with you both trapped inside. Your bodies can be found during low tide.”
Icy fear twisted around Lucy’s heart. “You’re crazy! Don’t you think the police will suspect you if we’re found in your tramcar?”
“No. There is no evidence connecting me to Gilbert. Besides, why would I be stupid enough to murder two people in my own tramcar?”
His calm and logical reasoning was more frightening than the gun aimed at her chest. She thought of her friends. Katie would be devastated. And what about Azad? He’d proposed to her tonight. The moment he’d slipped the ring on her finger seemed like days ago, not hours. If something happened to her, he would blame himself for not protesting when he’d learned of her intentions to help Melanie by investigating Gilbert’s murder. He’d be just as devastated as Katie.
“Get inside the tram.”
Together, Lucy and Eloisa slid across the bench of the tramcar. The plastic felt as cold as a tomb.
Kevin tossed a pair of wire ties at Lucy. “Now, I only have one pair of these. I hadn’t expected you to drag the old lady along. Wire tie her left hand to the tramcar frame first, then do your own.”
The wire ties felt as sturdy as steel chains in Lucy’s hands. Her mouth went dry as she turned toward Eloisa. They exchanged a look, and Lucy tried to communicate without words. Slowly, Eloisa raised her left arm to the steel frame. Her hand was shaking.
Lucy pulled the wire tie as loosely as she could.
“That’s not tight enough,” Kevin growled.
“I don’t want to hurt her.”
“I’ll do it myself, dammit,” he snapped.
Lucy shifted on the plastic bench as he came close. Eloisa’s right hand tightened on her cane.
“Now!” Lucy whispered vehemently.
Quick as a rattlesnake, Eloisa struck out with her cane and struck Kevin hard on the head.
“Shit!” he howled out as he clutched his forehead.
“Run!” Eloisa shouted.
Lucy didn’t waste a second. She shot out of the tramcar and sprinted down the pier. She risked a glance back to see Kevin rise and take off after her in hot pursuit. Panic rioted within her, but she pushed it down. She needed all her wits about her to survive. At least Kevin hadn’t bothered with Eloisa. The elderly woman was already tied to the tramcar and he wouldn’t release the brake and push it into the ocean until he had both of them trapped inside.
But Lucy wasn’t about to allow that.
She needed to get help. She ran as fast as she could. Heavy footsteps sounded off the boards, and she knew Kevin was not far behind. She flew down the boardwalk ramp and onto the sidewalk. Her daily jogs helped twofold now: she wasn’t winded and she was familiar with the area. The road was wider here to allow for trash and recycling trucks to drive up the ramp and onto the municipal pier. The closest home was a few blocks away.
She could backtrack and hide in the sand dunes or beneath the boardwalk, but that would prevent her from calling for help. Without her cell phone, she needed to find a way to call the police.
Her mind spun and she made a snap decision. Haven Candies wasn’t far on the boardwalk. The store was closed on the boardwalk front, but if she could make it to the back storage room, she knew how to get inside.
She sprinted down the back street, her legs pumping until she came to the back of Haven Candies. Glancing up at the flight of stairs that led to the storage room of the candy store, she risked another glance back. Kevin was closer than she’d thought. Rushing up the stairs, she lunged for the fake seagull, pressed the latch in the bird’s belly, and withdrew the key to the back storage room.
Opening the door, she stepped inside, slammed the door shut, and turned the lock. Her heart pounded so loudly it felt like it would burst from her chest. An emergency light dimly lit the space and boxes lined the perimeter of the storage room. With renewed energy, she burst into the candy shop.
The shop was also dimly lit, and the spare light illuminated boxes of taffy, the candy behind the counter, and part of the back workroom where the fudge was stored. It was enough light. She knew the layout of the shop, and she reached for the landline telephone mounted on a wall behind the counter with sweaty hands. The keyboard lit up and she dialed 911.
“What’s your emergency?”
“I need—”
A cacophony of noise made her jump. “Lucy! Where are you? No sense hiding from me.”
Lucy dropped the phone.
Oh my God. Kevin had broken down the back door!
“Hello? What’s your emergency?” the dispatcher’s faint voice could be heard from the receiver on the floor.
Lucy fell silent as she ducked behind the candy counter and crawled into the back workroom. A long worktable was cluttered with boxes and trays of fudge covered with plastic wrap. She needed to hide—fast. As long as the phone remained connected, the police would trace the call and arrive as standard procedure. She just needed to hide long enough for them to show up.
She searched for something to use as a weapon. More boxes of taffy and trays of candy cluttered the workspace. No knife or sharp tool. Her gaze landed on the copper pot used to make fudge. She knew how darned heavy it could be.
Grasping the copper pot, Lucy flattened her back against a shelf and hid.
“Once I find you, I won’t wait to drag you back to the tramcar. I’ll kill you here,” Kevin said, his voice harsh.
The scrape of his shoes on the floor told her he was close. Her breathing was ragged, her fingers sweaty as she clutched the pot.
His shadow crossed the floor, then he took one more step. She lifted the pot as high as she could and swung it with all her might.
The crack as the pot hit him quivered through her arm. Kevin fell like a tall oak.
For a heart-pounding moment, she stared wide-eyed at his body. Then she sprinted out the back door and down the stairs. She needed to get out of the shop and search for help in case the police didn’t arrive in time. Who knew how long Kevin would stay on the floor? Had she killed him? Or just stunned him?
Halfway down the storage room stairs, she hit a solid wall and stumbled back. She cried out in alarm.
Strong arms grasped hers and steadied her. “Ms. Berberian! Are you all right?”
She looked up to see Detective Calvin Clemmons, his features shadowed by the moonlight. She could just make out his beard and straw-
colored hair.
“Lucy!” Bill Watson was right behind him on the stairs. “Are you hurt?”
Her legs almost crumpled beneath her in relief. Thank goodness for the emergency dispatcher. “I’m fine. Kevin Crowley is up there!” She pointed to the candy store. “And Mrs. Lubinski is tied to a tramcar on the municipal pier.”
Both men looked at each other. Bill wasted no time in speaking into the radio at his shoulder for officers to get to the pier ASAP.
“Stay down there,” Bill said, pointing to the bottom of the staircase.
The two officers climbed the remaining stairs, and moments later, Bill came down with Kevin Crowley in handcuffs. Blood flowed from a gash in Kevin’s forehead.
He took one look at Lucy and scowled. “You! You ruined everything!” Kevin jerked in Bill’s grasp.
“Don’t even try it,” Clemmons growled.
Bill led Kevin away and placed him in the back of his patrol car.
Clemmons’s lips thinned as he looked down at her. “I read the article in the Town News about Gilbert’s moneylending. I have a feeling you were Stan Slade’s anonymous source, just as you’re smack in the middle of this. Am I right?”
Lucy raised her chin a notch. She wouldn’t confess to being Stan Slade’s source behind the article. “I told you Melanie was innocent.”
Clemmons nodded once, then his mouth curved in an uncharacteristic grin. “For once, I’m happy to agree with you.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Oh my gosh,” Katie said as she looked at Lucy’s ring. “I don’t know what’s more shocking: that Azad proposed or that you fled from a murderer on the boardwalk.”
“I’m still trying to process it all myself,” Lucy said.
They were sitting at Katie’s kitchen counter. Lucy had arrived early the following morning with the box of pineapple cake from Chef Henry Wu’s, along with news of her engagement. Bill had already told Katie what had happened the previous night. Eloisa had been released from the wire tie on the tramcar. Both Lucy and Eloisa had refused medical treatment and had been relieved to collapse into their own beds that night.
