Murder in Ashville

by Jane T O'Brien

  C J would no longer be the hero in everyone's eyes. She couldn't believe her childhood friend grew to be so self-centered.

  George Sinclair looked so happy with Bella sitting next to him and chattering away. He would be devastated to discover the truth about his son.

  Coach’s actions are questionable,” said Fletch, “but, I’m not sure he is responsible for C J’s fall.

  “Erin, it’s over. Coach has taken the blame and you have no proof that I pushed C J off that cliff.”

  “I was there, remember? I saw Coach hit C J and then drive away. That’s when you appeared out of nowhere and taunted C J when he tried to get up. Finally, you shoved him hard and he went over the cliff. I wasn’t close enough to make out who it was but I know it was you.”

  “There’s a minor detail you’re forgetting, it’s called proof. You have no proof and you were so drunk you thought I was Jody. Nobody will believe you, Erin. After all these years, I’ve gotten away with murder once and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.”

  Bobby’s words and the coldness in his eyes frightened Erin. She was happy she only pretended to drink the champagne. She had never been soberer than she was at this moment. Why did she think she wanted a man at the cost of her dignity? She was ashamed of herself for blackmailing him into proposing. Bobby was right about one thing, she was a drunk.

  Fletch had watched the scene from across the room. He didn’t hear the words but knew when someone felt threatened and could see fear on Erin’s face. He took Samantha’s hand and walked toward the couple.

  “Everything all right here?” he asked.

  “Mind your own business, Detective,” Bobby said with a clenched jaw.

  Erin opened her blouse and pulled out the bug. “This should help, Fletch. Thanks for covering me.”

  Samantha looked in shock at her husband and then at her former boyfriend. “Bobby, what’s this all about.”

  Bobby turned toward the door and was stopped by a uniformed local police officer.

  “Don’t listen to anything she has to say,” he shouted as he was led to the waiting patrol car. “She’s a drunk, everybody knows that.”

  Erin’s hand shook when she handed the bug to Fletch. “Samantha, I owe everyone an explanation. I’d like Jody, Allison, and Kate to hear what I say.

  “I don’t know when my crush on C J started. I think it was in third grade. You can’t imagine how happy I was when he finally noticed me. I was only sixteen but I knew I was in love. When I found out he was also with Jody, it broke my heart and I thought I’d never forgive her. To help ease the pain, I took a few sips of liquor from my dad’s liquor cabinet. I don’t think it helped the pain, but it gave me the courage to ride my bike to the cliffs and watch C J while he jogged along the path.

  “One day, I waited for him longer than usual, it was hot and I felt dizzy. Shortly after C J showed up, I heard a car and saw Coach get out. He ran up to the path where C J was jogging. They looked to be arguing but my eyes were blurry. The next thing I knew, Coach punched C J and C J fell to the ground. Coach walked back to his car and drove away.

  “I started to go to C J, but my legs were so weak, I couldn’t stand up. It was then I saw someone walk to where he was and knock him down again. I couldn’t see who it was, the light was in my eyes and I was dizzy from the liquor. I watched as C J fell over the cliff. I must have passed out, because the next thing I knew, sirens were blaring. The paramedics lifted C J on a stretcher and I thought he was going to be all right. Nobody saw me when I got on my bike and rode home. I didn’t know until the next day that C J was dead, and I was sure it was Jody I saw with him.

  “Bobby stopped by my house after Samantha turned down his marriage proposal. He thought he could just walk back into her life and she would open her arms to him. I invited him in and poured him a bourbon, he told me he didn’t think Samantha ever loved him because of C J. He told me he’d taken care of that problem long ago. It was then that it became clear to me that it was Bobby I’d seen standing over C J. He realized he’d said too much and I told him I had been there and saw what he’d done. I looked at him and the thought came to me that it wouldn’t be so bad to have a handsome, powerful, and rich husband. I put my arms around him and said I would take Samantha’s place. I also mentioned that a wife wasn’t required to testify against her husband.

  It was merely a suggestion, not a threat but if he wanted to take it that way, I wasn’t going to argue. You can see how desperate I am to have a man of my own. I’m so ashamed.”

  Jody was the first one to sit by her friend. “Erin, I’m sorry we have been so suspicious of each other. I want to be your friend again; do you think it’s possible?”

  “I’d like that, I’ve missed you.”

  The party went on until long after the bride and groom left for their honeymoon.

  Detective and Mrs. Joseph Fletcher were finally alone. Fletch took his bride in his arms, smothering her with kisses. Samantha forgot about everything except the love she felt for her new husband and the wonderful life they would share.

  Epilogue

  Six Months Later:

  The investigation into the death of C J Sinclair was, once again, closed. Bobby Rooney admitted he followed C J that day, but that C J fell accidentally. Because there was a lack of evidence to the contrary and Erin’s recollection was unclear, charges were not brought against Bobby. His political career was over, however. He left Ashville vowing to never return. Patsy thought Josh Beardsley had suffered enough and refused to press charges. He pled guilty to criminal mischief and was ordered to complete one-hundred hours of community service. He fulfilled his obligation in a matter of weeks.

  Coach resigned his position in the high school and the family moved to a small town in California where no one had heard of C J Sinclair. Coach would carry the burden of striking C J to his grave.

  Coach Ryan was offered a head coaching job in Lancashire. The Dear Patsy column is syndicated, and the local Lancashire picked it up for publication. Patsy and Ryan were married in the little chapel in the woods in Ashville on Christmas Eve and moved to Lancashire the following week.

  Allison's mother died in September. Allison sold her childhood home and moved herself and Bella to North Carolina near Bella's grandfather and near a certain attorney named Matt. Allison was quickly hired by the local police force. She and Bella love being close to their adopted family and George loves having them near. He was crushed when he was told his son had taken a bribe. He wasn't a fool and knew C J had many faults, yet he was saddened by a life cut short. He stopped blaming Al Beardsley for the accident. He understood his frustration with the boy.

  After their romantic honeymoon, Samantha and Fletch moved into their new home. Samantha says it's a work in progress and will be just as they want it by July when their families come for a visit.

  Megan and Mike are still going strong. She moved into Mike's apartment. Her mother calls weekly to ask when she plans to marry Mike. Megan is taking her time, she doesn't want to make another mistake like she did with Jimmy Lee Butler.

  Despite everything that is going on in Samantha's life, she managed to publish another mystery.

  Megan could hear her on the phone talking excitedly to her agent. She broke the connection and burst out of her office.

  “Megan, they want to make Stonehill Manor and the professor's story into a movie. Can you believe it? They want me to fly to California tomorrow to meet with the executive producer. A movie about Professor Stonehill, my Professor Stonehill. He'll get so much recognition, I wonder what he would say if he was alive.”

  “Samantha, that's terrific. What can I do to help you get ready?”

  “You can pack a bag and come with me. There are two tickets in my name and I know Fletch won't be able to get away. Please say yes.”

  “I'd love it. I've always wanted to see California with the palm trees and the movie stars, do you think we'll see any?”

  “Palm trees, maybe, but I'm not sure we'l
l see movie stars.”

  Samantha called Fletch at the station. He was happy for her but detected hesitation in her voice.

  “Are you nervous about the flight, Samantha?”

  “No, it's not that, I was excited when Hap first mentioned the trip, but now I'm apprehensive about it. Maybe because I will be away from you.”

  “You'll kick yourself if you don't follow through. Go out there and make your decision. You have good instincts.” Fletch ended the call and wondered if her instincts were already kicking in. Maybe he shouldn't have encouraged her to go.

  The plane landed at LAX and the travelers stepped out of the terminal into the warm sunshine.

  “We won't need these heavy coats here,” said Megan. It's beautiful and I've had my fill of snow.”

  Riding to the hotel in a shuttle, Megan loved watching the palm trees swaying in the slight breeze. She watched intently hoping she would spot a movie star.

  Samantha and Megan were in high spirits, not knowing what was ahead and not realizing a murder was about to take place in Seabrook Shores.

  The Mystery of Seabrook Shores.

  A Samantha Degan Mystery