Sledding Away with Murder (Sweetfern Harbor Mystery Book 21)

by Wendy Meadows

  “Our sled was in good working order,” Ethan said. Joanna agreed.

  “Did you make any stops along the track during the race for other reasons?”

  Both shifted in their chairs. Ethan straightened up. “We stopped once.”

  Brenda halted the interview when she saw tears streaming down Joanna’s face. She handed her the box of tissue and waited.

  “We witnessed what happened to Travis Asher,” Ethan said.

  Brenda was interrupted when her cell phone rang. It was Mac.

  “I’ll make this brief, Brenda. Miranda has changed her story again. We’ll need to bring Joanna and Ethan Yoder in for a formal interview as soon as possible.”

  Brenda explained she was talking with them at that moment. “We’ll be right down.”

  When she ended the call, Brenda told them that the detective wanted them to come to the precinct for a talk. “I’ll tell him what you told me. We must get to the bottom of what happened.”

  The Yoders opted to ride with Brenda to the station. When they walked inside, she told them to wait in the reception area while she spoke with Mac.

  Mac’s eyebrows rose at her news. Brenda asked him what Miranda’s latest version was.

  “She now says she saw the Yoders kill Travis. Harry had nothing to do with it.”

  “What was their motive?”

  “She says they didn’t like the way her marriage with Travis was going. And since they used to be Amish, they felt they should right a wrong.”

  Brenda laughed out loud. “Let’s hear what Joanna and Ethan say they witnessed.”

  Again, Mac suggested they interview in his office. The former Amish couple entered and sat down when invited. Mac told them he knew of their statement about witnessing the crime.

  “Please start from the beginning. I mean from the time you began the race until you reached the finish line. Don’t leave out even the smallest detail.”

  Miranda Asher sat on the edge of the hard cot and dipped her face into her hands. She had not been allowed to speak with Harry. They had to coordinate their stories or both would go down. She had refused a lawyer but now had doubts about making the right decision. She’d had all night to decide who should be named the killer. It was easy enough for the police to see distinct sled tracks on the opposite side of the run as she had described them. The Yoders came across as honest people and so would admit the tracks were from their sled. She had to make sure they were named murderers. She and Harry deserved a life together.

  The police chief told Detective Rivers earlier that he and Detective Jones would interrogate Harry again. “I want to see what kind of man he is firsthand.”

  Mac was happy to hand Harry over to the chief. He had plenty on his plate now with the Yoders.

  Harry Brooks sat down across from the chief and Bryce. “You’ve been implicated in the murder of Travis Asher. What part did you play in it all?”

  Harry’s mouth gaped. “I didn’t kill anyone. Who witnessed me doing such a thing?”

  “Never mind that for now. We can get to it later,” Chief Ingram said. “Tell us your every move from the time you began the race until you reached the finish line.”

  Moisture glistened on Harry’s forehead. “Before I begin, I want to have my lawyer here. He is in Sacramento, but he will get here within twenty-four hours.” Harry was allowed to make a call to his lawyer, Jason Mitchell.

  “Don’t say a word until I get there. I’ll get a flight out as soon as I can, Harry.” Harry was taken back to his cell. He had plenty of time to think about the possibilities of who stated he had killed Travis Asher.

  The only people he had noticed along the track were the Yoders and, of course, Miranda. He recalled rumors that Joanna and Ethan were raised in an Amish community. There was no way they’d killed anyone.

  9

  Miranda stretched out on the cot. Her biggest regret in life loomed over her, and that was why she had married Travis Asher to begin with. It was a day she would now rue forever.

  When Mac and Brenda concluded the interview with Joanna and Ethan, Mac told them to stay around town for a while longer. He wasn’t sure at this point who was telling the truth and who was not.

  “Brenda, I’m going to go out to the crime scene with Bryce. There must be something we overlooked that will tell us who the real killer, or killers, are.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  Passersby and onlookers dwindled. A few drove slowly by the patch of woods where the plastic surgeon had been viciously murdered. Officers in two patrol cars parked on the shoulder of the track kept vigil on the scene. Mac spoke to them briefly before he, Bryce, and Brenda scrutinized every inch inside the yellow tape. All wore sunglasses against the glare of the bright sun. Brenda shifted hers onto her nose and took a second look at something that sparkled in the snow.

  She pointed to the tiny object. She recognized the object as one she had seen before. “This is interesting,” she said to Mac. He agreed and told her to put it into one of the evidence bags.

  Back at the precinct, Brenda thought about the conversation with Joanna and Ethan. She and Mac had listened to their story with great interest.

  They stated they had been behind Miranda and Harry by several yards before they managed to pass them by. Ethan had looked behind to make sure they wouldn’t be overtaken again. The conversation with his wife was shouted to her over his shoulder.

  “They stopped. Maybe they’re having trouble with their sled,” he had said.

  “Keep going, Ethan. If they are, then it’s their problem.”

  Ethan stated he knew how competitive his wife could get. “That personality only comes out when she’s in a competition.” He had smiled while teasing his wife. Brenda then asked them to continue.

  “I have a hard time not helping someone in trouble,” Ethan said. “If one of them was hurt, or had trouble with their sled, I couldn’t have continued. I didn’t want to live with a guilty conscience just to win a sledding race.”

  “I begged him to keep going,” Joanna said. “Instead he swerved around.” She recalled how the snow flew and blew over them when they stopped. “We were a few yards on the other side of the track from them. They didn’t notice us at all as far as I could tell.”

  “Did you offer to help?”

  Ethan shook his head. “Just as I was going to walk back to where they were, I saw a man emerge from the tree line. He wasn’t recognizable right away, but when he came into the lighter area, I could see it was Travis Asher.” Ethan paused. “I was sure it was him even though the skies were a bit cloudy. I wondered what he was doing out there with no sled.”

  “That’s when I pulled on Ethan’s arm to hold him back. It was like a scene from a movie only we were in it.” Joanna used the back of her hand to wipe the tears that threatened to spill. “We should have kept going. Ethan caused us to lose the race.” She sniffled, then rested her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry, Ethan, I didn’t mean that. I know you meant well, but if you hadn’t stopped, we wouldn’t have that event plastered in our minds forever.”

  It had taken another five minutes before Joanna and Ethan got to the final facts as they knew them to be.

  Brenda jerked back to the matters at hand and looked at the evidence bag that held the loose stone.

  “Mac, I’ve seen this charm on a guest of ours. The difference is that it should be on a chain. Did any of the officers find a chain?”

  “I’ve asked the lead officer. He stated they hadn’t seen anything out there other than the tracks. They canvassed the wooded area for the weapon used. It’s nowhere out there, either.” He told Brenda the next step was to search the vehicles of Miranda, Harry, and the Yoders. Officers Thompson and Sims were at the B&B searching Harry’s room and Miranda’s. Then Mac called in another officer. “Search all vehicles of our guests. I’ll be out at the bed and breakfast right behind you.”

  “I have an idea,” Brenda said. “I’ll keep you posted.” Mac didn’t object when she t
ook the evidence bag with her that held the lone stone.

  Brenda headed for the shops downtown. She was determined to get to the bottom of this crime. She expected news of the popular plastic surgeon’s death to be on the evening national news. By now, most of the conversations around Sweetfern Harbor were about the crime, even those who had no direct ties with the town.

  Molly waved at Brenda when she entered the Morning Sun Coffee Shop. She quickly brought a latté to her and sat down.

  “Molly, you see many people who come and go in your shop.” Brenda laid the small clear bag on the table. “Have you noticed anyone wearing this charm?”

  Molly’s eyes grew wide. “How would I have noticed something as small as that? Whoever it belongs to would have carried it or put it in a pocket.”

  Brenda explained it came from a chain. The more she drilled Molly, the more Brenda realized she needed to move on. Molly poured her latté into a carry-out cup. Brenda tried to curb her frustration at herself. She got into her car and questioned whether she had seen the stone before or not. When she pulled onto the grounds of her inn, she noticed two unmarked police cars in the back parking lot. She parked next to Mac’s.

  Chef Pierre stopped Brenda to ask her to taste his newest dessert concoction.

  “I’m sure it’s delicious, Pierre. I trust you to serve it out.” She realized the impatience in her voice. “I’m sorry. I’m in a hurry but will be happy to taste in a bit.”

  “It’s all right, Brenda. I know you are deep into the case of Dr. Asher’s murder. I shouldn’t have delayed you like that.”

  Brenda smiled at him. “I promise I’ll be back. Allie,” she said when she saw the receptionist, “I want to see you and Phyllis right away. Is she around here?”

  “She’s in the Gathering Room replenishing the bar area with coffees.”

  Allie followed her boss into the room. After doors were closed and latched, Brenda sat down with her employees. She showed them the charm. Phyllis stated it looked familiar, though she had no idea who it belonged to.

  “I saw someone wearing it the day the guests checked in. I haven’t seen it since then,” Allie said. Brenda asked who wore it. “It was either Travis or possibly Harry. I can’t be sure.” Even after she stated her thoughts, Allie wasn’t sure. “I usually notice things like that on guests, but it was a busy time that afternoon. I can’t be sure.”

  “Please think hard, Allie,” Brenda said. She must curb her tone, she thought. “If you think of who wore it, let me know as soon as possible.”

  Phyllis followed Brenda from the room after Allie returned to her post at the reception desk. “Do you think that’s a viable clue to the murder, Brenda?”

  “I do. We discovered it a little while ago at the crime scene. If I can find who it belongs to, I’ll be closer to discovering who the killer is.” She looked at the evidence again. “I wonder if a man wore it or not.”

  “I think it could have been worn by a man or a woman,” Phyllis said. “It looks like onyx. I have onyx earrings. I’ve seen men wear that stone, too.”

  “I’m going outside to see if any progress has been made in the search of cars,” Brenda said. “Do you want to join me?”

  Phyllis relished the idea of being included in the search for the murderer. She grabbed her jacket from the hall tree near the kitchen and walked toward Mac with Brenda.

  Brenda’s heart sank when she saw the familiar frustration on the detective’s face. She knew very well his habit of running his fingers from his forehead through the shock of blond-almost-graying hair when he had no answers. He shook his head no when Brenda caught his eye.

  “We’ve gone through every SUV and every car out here. There is nothing that tells us the weapon was ever in any of them.” He saw the evidence bag in Brenda’s hand. “Have you had any luck discovering who that belongs to?” Brenda filled him in.

  “I’ve been thinking about this stone. Since it’s onyx, I’m surprised it didn’t show up before in the snow.”

  Mac had wondered the same thing. He didn’t want to think any of his officers missed something like that. “Maybe it was missed since there were dark berries from the nearby bush on the snow, plus numerous small pieces of twigs out there.” He ran his hand through his hair again. “I don’t know why, Brenda. Somehow it got missed.”

  “Or maybe someone planted it there later,” she said. “I’m going back to the precinct to talk with Harry again.” Mac told her to have an officer with her and to record everything.

  When she arrived at the station, she nabbed Officer Thompson, who arrived through the back door at the same time. Harry sat on the cot in his cell. Bags stood out under his eyes. His hair had not been combed. Brenda asked if he would accompany them to one of the interrogation rooms.

  “I did not kill Travis Asher,” he said before anyone else spoke. “I had no reason to do something like that. It wasn’t me.”

  Brenda waited for the right time to show him the evidence found. “Do you have any idea where the murder weapon is?”

  “I don’t even know what was used to kill him. How would I know where it is?” He reminded Brenda that his lawyer was on the way. Brenda ignored that fact. Her suspect also knew he didn’t have to say anything in that case.

  “You may know where it is since you and Miranda were seen stopped in that very area during the sled race.” Harry’s face turned ashen. Brenda knew he had no idea someone had witnessed the murder. “You must know what you did with the weapon.”

  “I swear I did not kill the man. I’ve been wrongly arrested.” When the door to the interrogation room opened, visible relief shined on Harry’s face. “Jason, I’m glad you got here so quickly. I’m being accused of a murder I didn’t commit.”

  “My client will answer no more questions. I’d like a moment with him alone.”

  Jason Mitchell was shown a private room so he could speak with his client.

  “I think he was getting ready to say more,” Brenda said. “It’s too bad his lawyer arrived at that opportune moment.”

  Officer Thompson sensed her frustration. “It doesn’t necessarily mean he was the killer simply because he’s called in a lawyer. I’ve seen plenty of suspects do that to protect themselves.”

  “I know,” Brenda said, “but he was seen at the very spot where the murder took place. I’m glad I didn’t show him the evidence I have.” She explained the small onyx piece found on the ground. Officer Thompson agreed she made the right decision not to give too much away.

  When Mac walked in, Brenda told him of the recent conversation with Harry and the abrupt ending of it.

  “Let’s go back out there, Brenda. I want to personally canvass that entire area for the weapon.” She quickly put her coat on. “I think we should spread out beyond the immediate crime area. It must be there somewhere. There’s no blood evidence found on the sled used by Harry and Miranda and none in any of the vehicles on our property.”

  Brenda needed a plan, and Mac had given her one. She liked nothing less than waiting for something to happen. She needed action.

  The two of them nodded at the two officers at the scene who were sitting in the patrol car. One of them got out and asked Mac if he needed them to help look again for the weapon. At first, Mac said no. Then he looked at the expanse and changed his mind.

  “Whoever got rid of the weapon had to have thrown it. There were no footprints or sled prints beyond the crime itself. Look everywhere.” He directed each of them toward the clearing. He and Brenda took the wooded regions.

  “I think the culprit would more likely throw it into the woods,” Brenda said. The trees stood closer to the site than the open fields. “If it was Harry, he would have probably thrown it farther than Miranda would have.”

  “Ethan Yoder is a strong man, too, Brenda. I can see him easily throwing it the farthest.”

  Brenda was convinced the Yoders had nothing to do with killing anyone. “Their Amish background prevents that.” She jumped ahead of Mac’s thought
s. “Yes, they were Amish for sure. I believe their take on it all. There is no evidence either of them hating a man they had just met.”

  “They disapproved of the way he treated his wife.” Mac knew that was a lame reason for them to kill the doctor. “Let’s get started. You take the left and I’ll take the right.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Brenda stumbled on what she at first thought was a limb. The bloody baseball bat was a few feet shy of the opposite side of the tree line. There was definitely dried blood on it. Luckily, no more snow had fallen since the race. Mac slipped the weapon into his evidence bag, and they walked in silence toward their car.

  After all the evidence found had been placed in appropriate bags and sent to forensics, Brenda returned to the B&B. It was the last lunch with the guests. Brenda felt relief that the conversation centered on the fun everyone had had. She happily joined in, knowing she needed the break from the case. She and Mac had agreed all guests, including the Yoders, were free to leave when they were ready to go. Joanna had given them two cell numbers where they could be reached. She stated they would remain along the Eastern Seaboard for the rest of the week.

  Mac missed the lunch but arrived to see the guests off. He also wanted to make sure he had everyone’s contact information. He asked the Yoders to join him and Brenda in the small alcove before they left.

  “We will need you as witnesses when a trial comes up,” he told them.

  Joanna grew pale. Neither she nor Ethan had thought about that part. “Will we have to be on the witness stand in front of the lawyers and the judge?” Mac affirmed it. “I don’t know if we can do something like that or not.”

  Ethan interrupted his wife. “We will have to do it, Joanna. We witnessed the crime. We’ll have to help bring justice to the killer.”

  Mac and Brenda noted the use of singular. The Yoders had implicated both Harry and Miranda. Now was the time to pin them down to specifics. They must be prepared to answer grilling questions on the stand when the day came.