Eve Lloyd’s A Deadline Cozy Mystery Box Set 2

by Sonia Parin

  “Well then, he was definitely an accessory if not an accomplice. Perhaps even a co-conspirator. I’m trying to say, he’s somehow involved. Also, someone with a name like “the Lynch” suggests he doesn’t engage his brain often and prefers action over empty threats. I doubt he came up with the idea of breaking in. Someone sent him.” Eve gasped. “Have you checked the inn? When he didn’t find what he wanted here, he might have gone there.”

  “Yes. In fact, we apprehended him as he made his way to the inn.”

  “Is nothing sacred? He must have known there would be people there.” Eve swung away. “If this doesn’t ruin me, I don’t know what will.”

  “But he didn’t make it to the inn,” Jack assured her.

  “And you think that will stop people from putting two and two together? Someone must have seen you arresting him.”

  A police officer appeared at the door. Jack nodded. “We have to get going but I’ll swing by later tonight,” he assured her.

  That worried Eve. When Jack worked a case, he always stayed away. “Do I need to hire a bodyguard?”

  He stopped and turning, said, “I need to toss some ideas around with you.”

  Everyone’s mouth gaped open.

  After Jack left, Eve said, “I could not have been more surprised if he’d asked me to marry him.”

  * * *

  “What’s this?” Eve asked as she strode into the living room.

  “I thought we should impress Jack.” With a flourishing wave of her hand, Jill revealed her crime board. “Ta-da. What do you think?”

  “Does Derek Tucker really rank as a suspect? I think I’ve changed my mind about him.”

  “He’s definitely involved,” Jill said.

  “I get the feeling he’s an innocent victim roped in and forced to become an unwilling participant.” They hadn’t been able to get any more information out of him. Eve imagined “the Lynch” had something over him. He certainly frightened Derek. She also suspected Derek had been trying to get some sort of scoop from him. He looked to be in his mid-thirties. Way too young to be working in a small-town newspaper.

  Had he come to the island willingly?

  “Where did Derek work before he came to the island?” she asked Jill.”

  “He did a stint in a couple of major daily newspapers in the West Coast. Then he moved to Boston and finally, he came here.”

  Eve didn’t think he wanted this to be his final destination. Maybe he had been trying to revamp his career by landing a major scoop.

  “He might be after a big story. The type that gets you back in editors’ good graces.”

  Jill asked, “What makes you think he’s in the doghouse?”

  “He can’t be here by choice,” Eve insisted.

  “Why not?” Jill smiled. “You certainly keep him in business.”

  Eve decided something must have happened to derail his career and she wouldn’t mind finding out what that had been. Why else had he come to work in such an out of the way town?

  She wished she had thought of this before Jack had taken Derek Tucker away.

  She checked her watch. “Well, I suppose I should start thinking about feeding you.”

  “If that’s the only way you can think of repaying my loyalty, then so be it.”

  Before turning away, Eve looked at the crime board again. “Why are we suspicious of Palmer Robinson?”

  Jill shrugged. “You’re the one who spent a great deal of time trying to remember his name. Don’t you know?”

  Eve gave it some thought. “Oh, yes. The keys.” She had already decided the killer had to have access to the store keys. “Susa Dresden. Why is she on your list?”

  Jill snorted. “She should be at the top of the list. I think she fits in nicely with the scorned lover theory. Think about it. All this time, she has been right next door, smug in her belief she got away with it. I wouldn’t be surprised if she still has a spare key in her possession. Even if they weren’t lovers, it’s possible Phillip gave her a key just in case his key went missing.”

  True, but would there be any record of a second key? They’d already determined those keys couldn’t be copied. The realtor would definitely have a record of it. If they didn’t....

  “They must get their keys from somewhere,” Eve said. “In fact, they most likely get them from the same place and they would definitely have a record.”

  “They?” Jill asked.

  “Whoever makes copies of keys.” She pointed at the list. “Pete Dresden. He’s such a nice guy and he gave me Denise Glosser’s name.”

  Jill snorted. “Wouldn’t you do the same? If you were a killer, you’d try to throw people off the scent too.”

  Maybe. “No, I think he was being genuinely nice and trying to be helpful.”

  “And you fell for it, hook, line and sinker. That’s it. He’s going to the top of my list.”

  “Fine. Whatever.” Eve swung away again. But again, she stopped. “There is one person we haven’t considered.”

  “Who?”

  “Lauren Wright.”

  Jill laughed. “You think she killed Phillip Manningham. Why?”

  “You know as well as I do we never get to find out why until the killer is caught.”

  “Okay, but why do you think Lauren Wright is guilty?”

  Eve shrugged. “Because she comes across as innocent.”

  “That’s no reason.”

  “Isn’t it? Okay. I guess you’re right. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” As Eve brought out the ingredients for a salad, she thought about Susa Dresden. The few times she’d gone into the hardware store, she hadn’t seen her there. What did she do all day long?

  Pine for a lost love?

  Chapter Fifteen

  By the time Jack arrived, they had already had their dinner and were winding down in the living room. Mostly, they were staring into space.

  “Don’t worry. I grabbed a bite to eat,” Jack said when Eve asked if he wanted her to prepare something. “But I wouldn’t say no to a brandy.” He stood in front of their crime board but didn’t say anything.

  Eve handed him a drink. “Every time I look out the window, I expect to find a revolver pointed at me. Does that make me hysterical?”

  “You’re being cautious and letting your imagination frighten you into playing it safe,” Jack corrected.

  Despite wanting to know if he had any news or if he’d managed to get anything out of Derek Tucker, Eve didn’t push him for more information. After all, he had been hard at it all day.

  “Denise Glosser is off the hook,” he said. “I spoke with her previous employers and they have nothing but praise for her meticulous attention to detail and loyalty. She keeps a log book of every single trip she makes in the car. Can you imagine my surprise when she produced the log book and told us exactly where she went during the last month she worked for Phillip Manningham? Apparently, it’s some sort of affliction. She needs to account for every moment of her waking life. She also accounts for every penny she spends.”

  Jill stretched her legs out. “Now I think she makes the perfect suspect. Log books can be tampered with.”

  Mira patted her hand. “Duly noted. If she happens to be guilty, you can tell us you told us so.”

  Jack pointed at the board. “Pete Dresden remembered the tenant before Phillip so we had a chat with her. She owned a craft store and says the bookcase hadn’t been there in her time so we have to assume Phillip put it there.”

  “Can you connect him to the mob?” Eve asked.

  “Not yet. Not unless we find proof or get someone to confirm his connection. Nick Cooper admitted he’s looking for a ledger but he refused to comment on his association with Derek Tucker. I think Derek Tucker got into his good books when he wrote a piece about him putting him in the clear for a crime he should have gone to prison for. Derek’s article focused on the stigma borne by people with a past and how they can never shake it off.”

  “It’s not as if the Lynch has ref
ormed. After all, he is looking for a ledger.” And that meant there had to be one. “Why is it so important to him? Is he trying to clear his name?”

  “He might be.” Jack shrugged. “He refused to say.”

  “Wouldn’t that put Eve in the clear? Surely, if he wants to walk a straight and narrow path he wouldn’t hurt her.”

  Eve had to agree. For the first time in a long while, Eve felt a tight knot of anxiety in her stomach. They were back to square one.

  Who had tried to kill her?

  “The incident on the road happened right after I spoke with Shelby,” she said. “Derek must have known I’d make the connection. Maybe someone else did too. What if we’re not looking for an individual?”

  “What are you suggesting?” Jill asked.

  “There’s a ring of conspirators and someone bigger than Derek Tucker and Nick Cooper pulling the strings.” Eve grabbed Jack’s glass and drank what remained of the brandy. “What about Phillip’s office furniture and papers? Someone took them.” Possibly Nick Cooper.

  Eve sat back and wondered where she would hide an important piece of evidence. If placed in a waterproof container, it could be buried. The thought made her chortle.

  “What was that about?” Jill asked.

  “I just pictured myself walking around the island with a spade digging holes and searching for buried treasures.”

  The crime had gone unpunished for a year. They were dealing with a cunning killer. She shared the thought with the group and said, “They’re going to put a foot wrong.”

  “Is this where you suggest setting yourself up as bait?” Jill asked.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it. This person means business and my car has a bullet hole to prove it.”

  * * *

  The bright light of day failed to bring clarity to Eve’s thoughts.

  “You have nothing left to clean, Eve.” Mira chuckled. “I can see my reflection on that stove.”

  “I know you’re exaggerating, but you’re right.” Eve turned and frowned at Mira. “Does that make sense? My mind is in so many places, I know words are coming out of my mouth but it’s as if I’ve gone into automatic mode, so I’m not really sure what I’m saying.”

  Mira smiled. “I wouldn’t worry. These days, I find most people only listen to half of what one says. Where’s Jill?”

  “She ignored my advice and took Mischief and Mr. Magoo outside for a run. As far as she is concerned, I’m the only target around here. I tried to make her see reason by saying she could be kidnapped and used as a bargaining chip, but she wouldn’t listen.”

  “There, what did I tell you. She probably only heard every other word you said. Soon enough, I think we’ll be talking in sentences of no more than three words.”

  “Sorry, what did you say?” Eve asked.

  “Precisely my point.”

  “Yes, I see.”

  “Has Jack left?”

  “Yes, without breakfast,” Eve said.

  Mira mused, “The mind boggles.”

  “He had coffee.”

  Shaking her head, Mira said, “Not enough sustenance.”

  Eve tilted her head in thought. “I’ve been keeping count and I think you’re right. We are headed toward three-word sentences.”

  Striding in, Jill caught the tail end of the conversation. “I blame it on texting.”

  Mira nodded. “And let’s hope it doesn’t come to that because then no one will make sense. All those misspelled words and abbreviations… It makes me feel ancient.” Mira shivered.

  “Do you think we could talk Josh into driving us into town?” Eve asked. “I spent way too much time cleaning the stove to use it now.”

  “You want me to use my powers of persuasion?” Jill nodded. “Consider it done.”

  Mira waited for Jill to step out to say, “I’ve never seen you looking so glum. It can’t be the murder. I’m sure you’re immune to it all by now. What’s really bothering you?”

  Eve gave it some thought. “You’re not going to like it, but here goes. My folks didn’t come by.” If not for them, Eve thought, who knew how long it would have been before another driver found her by the side of the road.

  “Oh, is that all? I’m sure they think you’re being well looked after.”

  Yet, since the accident, Eve had been under the impression her mom wouldn’t lose track of her. Had she come to her senses? “It raises too many questions with me. I’ve always been consistent. Be honest, Mira. Have you ever known me to act out of character?”

  “Never. You’re an open book.”

  Well, her parents had definitely acted out of character. Now, she had no idea what to expect from them. “I only hope this doesn’t mean I have to start worrying about them. What if…” Eve gasped. “What if something happened to them? What if the person who tried to run me off the road saw them approaching?” If the killer believed they were witnesses, he might go after them next.

  Eve looked at her cell phone.

  “Don’t do it, Eve,” Mira warned.

  “I have to know.” She dialed her mom’s number. After several rings, it went to voicemail. Shaking her head, Eve set the phone down.

  “You didn’t leave a message,” Mira said.

  “I wouldn’t know what to say. Hi, mom. Just wanted to let you know I’m fine? She’ll either think I need her or I want her to stay away. If she turns up here, I won’t know what to say to her. And I definitely don’t want to draw more attention to them. What if the killer is watching the house?” She decided to try again. This time, her mom picked up.

  “Eve. Your father just missed his putt.”

  Oh. Bad timing.

  “Sorry, mom.”

  “He had a lot riding on that putt.”

  Eve exchanged a worried look with Mira who backed away from her as if seeking distance.

  “Actually, I’m glad you called,” her mom said. “I meant to, but I didn’t want to disturb you. You see, I assumed you would be resting.”

  “All is well, mom. No need to worry. I… I just wanted to touch base and let you know I’m being well looked after so there’s no need for you to interrupt your stay with William.”

  Her mom informed her she had planned on visiting later that afternoon.

  “Make it dinner time,” Eve said out of the blue. “Yes, come for dinner.”

  Mira’s mouth gaped open, her eyes widened.

  Disconnecting the call, Eve rushed to get a chair and put it behind Mira. “You should sit down before you fall down. They’re coming for dinner. I think it’s for the best. This way, we can control the situation.”

  Mira conceded with a small nod.

  Jill returned with Josh in tow. “Josh has agreed to drive us into town on the condition that we all stick together because he doesn’t want to herd kittens.”

  “I’ll grab my jacket.” As Eve strode out, she thought she heard Josh complain he hadn’t heard Eve promise to do as he said, no questions asked. “Don’t worry, Josh,” she called out, “I’m attached to living and breathing.”

  * * *

  “As long as we’re in town, we should drop in on the store,” Eve said.

  “Why?” Jill asked as she pointed Josh toward a parking space. “It’s not going anywhere.”

  “Precisely. I can’t have it sitting empty,” Eve said as she gave Mischief a scratch under the chin. “This is the all hands-on deck time. It’s… crucial to my plans. I need to see the store taking shape.”

  “You tricked us and brought us here under false pretenses,” Mira said. “I thought we were going to the café or the bakery.”

  “I don’t recall making such a promise. I… merely suggested coming to town,” Eve defended herself. “And, look. It’s serendipity. You parked right outside the store.”

  Josh killed the engine and turned to look at Eve. “I don’t care what you all do so long as you do it together. Remember, I’m not herding kittens.”

  “I vote for going into the store. I’d like to have a proper
look around. What if the ledger has been hidden somewhere?” If they found it, Eve thought, it would solve half her problems. She could hand it over to the police and get the mob off her back. Assuming they were the ones after the ledger…

  “All right. Let’s compromise,” Jill said. “We’ll go to the bakery, get some pastries and coffee and bring it all back to the store.”

  Eve scanned the street, keeping her eyes peeled open for Lauren Wright. She’d forgotten to ask Jack about the keys. She might even have forgotten to mention the keys. If she came across Lauren, she’d ask her and maybe save Jack the trouble.

  Mira grabbed her hand and pulled. “Hop to it.”

  “What’s the hurry?” Eve asked.

  Mira responded with a sigh. “Being out in the open is making me jittery.”

  “But you’re not the target. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

  “That’s your humble opinion.” Mira snorted. “Clearly, you’ve never heard of collateral damage.”

  “You actually think they might miss me and get you?” Eve laughed. “Hang on. That’s not what has you worried. You’re afraid we’ll bump into my folks.” Eve glanced over her shoulder. She’d actually forgotten about her parents. Probably because they already knew about the store and she felt she didn’t need to worry about them delving deeper into her life. One disappointed would surely be enough.

  “We’re in luck. There’s no queue at the bakery,” Jill said.

  Josh brought up the rear, making sure they all went into the bakery. “I’ll stand outside with Mischief and Mr. Magoo.”

  “Does that mean you don’t want anything?” Jill asked.

  “I’ll have whatever you’re having with lots of coffee.”

  Eve placed her order of croissants and a coffee and went to stand by the window. She caught sight of Derek Tucker rushing across the street. He sported a day’s growth, which suggested he’d been in a hurry to get to the newspaper. Had he only just been released? Or had he had a restless night?

  Her attention shifted to the opposite end of the street. Interesting, Eve thought when she saw Lauren Wright staring at Derek. At least, it looked as though she’d pinned her attention on him.