Dune House Cozy Mystery Boxed Set 2

by Cindy Bell

“I know this has to be hard for you with your parents gone.”

  “Suzie, I’m fine. I’m just a little worn out from pulling all of these extra shifts. Kirk picked the wrong time to get appendicitis.”

  “That’s for sure.” Suzie shook her head. “But don’t worry we have everything for the wedding under control.”

  “The shellfish?”

  “We are arranging it today.”

  “Good. I’m glad to hear it. Summer’s family loves shellfish. You know I’m grateful for everything that you and Mary are doing to help us out.”

  “We’re grateful to be there for the both of you. Plus, the photographs will be perfect for the wedding brochure.”

  “I’m not exactly model material.”

  “You’re far more handsome than you give yourself credit for.”

  “I don’t know about all that.” He smiled as four small plates were placed in front of him.

  “There’s several different kinds of frosting we can do as well.”

  “Something light and creamy.” He picked up a fork. “You’re going to help me choose, right Suzie?”

  “Absolutely.” She laughed and picked up a fork as well. Four small slices of cake later she waddled out of the bakery with Jason. “I’m glad you found one you like.”

  “I just hope that it is the one that Summer liked the most, too.”

  “Either way you know she will like it. She’ll also be very relieved to know that you ordered the cake.”

  Just as he opened the door to the patrol car his radio began to chatter. “Right on time.” He laughed and shook his head. “Back to work.”

  “Thanks, Jason.”

  He waved to her as he drove away. Instead of walking back towards her car Suzie headed for the docks. If Paul wasn’t in yet he would be in soon. When she approached the dock she was pleased to see that his boat was in the slip.

  “Paul?” She smiled as she boarded the boat. “Paul?”

  “How I have missed that voice!” He chuckled as he emerged from the small cabin. “I was just going to call you. How did you know I was in?”

  “I just thought I’d take a chance.” She offered him a light kiss. “Good trip?”

  “Yes. I got quite a haul and the weather was nice. Too nice.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Oh, you know, calm before the storm. Too much good weather worries me sometimes.”

  “Hopefully it will be nice for the wedding.”

  “How are the plans coming along?” He grabbed a rag from the cabin and began wiping down the railings on the boat.

  “Pretty good. The couple is nervous which is to be expected.”

  “I’m sure it will be perfect with you and Mary at the helm. Oh, look at that.” He pointed further down the dock. “Looks like Robbie is already in. That’s odd, I thought he would let me know when he got close.”

  “Should we go say hi?”

  “Sure. I can’t wait for him to meet you properly.” Suzie had only been introduced to him in passing, they had never had time to stop and have a conversation. “I only really know him from the docks, but he’s got great stories. He likes to talk and he’s always into something.” Suzie knew that Paul was a loner and only had a few friends, most of whom were fishermen.

  “Sounds interesting.”

  He helped her down off the boat then they walked together towards Robbie’s boat.

  “He’s a real good guy, you’ll see. Hey look.” He shaded his eyes as he looked out over the water. “That’s Simon’s boat. Simon!” He waved in an attempt to get Simon’s attention. The boat continued away from the dock. Suzie expected that the man at the helm could hear Paul’s hollering, but he didn’t turn to look. Maybe he was busy with something or the noise of the engine drowned out Paul’s voice.

  “He must be busy.” She tugged at his sleeve. “I’m eager to meet the man with so many stories.”

  “Sure.” Paul stared out at the water for a moment longer. “Simon is the one who introduced us actually. Simon and I go way back, and I guess he took Robbie under his wing.”

  “That was nice of him.”

  “Nice in some ways. Dangerous in others.” Paul chuckled and raised an eyebrow. Before she could question him further about his comment, he paused in front of Robbie’s boat. “Robbie?” Paul knocked on the side of the boat. “Are you in there?” He waited a moment for a response. When none came he glanced over at Suzie. “Maybe he went into town for some food.” He started to turn away, then stopped. “Hm. That’s odd.”

  “What?” Suzie looked past him at the boat.

  “One of the storage bins is unlocked and it’s got some shellfish in it,” Paul said as he looked inside. “Robbie would never leave it that way. Anyone could just walk up and help themselves.”

  “Maybe he’s inside then and just didn’t hear us.”‘

  “Maybe.” He climbed onto the boat then reached back to help her up. “If not we can just wait for him.”

  Suzie steadied herself with the railing of the boat and watched as Paul glanced around.

  “Robbie? Are you here?” Paul walked towards the cabin. She followed after him as the smell of fish surrounded her. “Robbie, bud, you on the boat?” Paul knocked on the cabin door.

  “Paul, look!” Suzie pointed to the bottom corner of the door. “Is that blood?”

  “Sure looks like it. Robbie?” He tried to push the door to the cabin open. He got it part of the way open then it hit something hard. “Something is blocking it. Let me see what’s in the way.” He stuck his head inside and gasped. “Robbie? Robbie? Are you okay?” He crouched down to take a better look. “Suzie, call Jason, call an ambulance.”

  “What’s wrong?” Suzie pulled out her phone and started dialing.

  “It’s Robbie. I don’t think he’s breathing.” Paul pushed the door the rest of the way open. Suzie caught sight of Robbie’s body stretched out across the floor.

  Chapter 2

  “Suzie, I can’t do a fake call right now,” Jason said quickly.

  “It’s not fake I’m afraid. We need police and an ambulance as soon as possible, at the docks. Slip nine.”

  “I’m heading out right now.”

  She hung up the phone and squeezed through the door to check on Robbie’s vitals. It was easy to see that he was already gone and from the stab wounds it was clear that he had been murdered.

  “How did this happen?” Paul stared down at his friend’s body.

  “Jason is on his way.” Suzie shook her head. “He’s gone, Paul. I’m sorry.” She quickly looked over the cabin as she opened her arms to him.

  He shook his head and pulled her back out of the cabin. “I just don’t understand how this could happen. Who would want to hurt Robbie?” He stared into her eyes. Suzie recognized the signs of shock in his pale skin and wide eyes.

  “Let’s get off the boat. Anything we touch can taint the evidence.”

  “Evidence,” he muttered. “He was murdered wasn’t he? How could that be? I just spoke to him yesterday.”

  “You’ll need to tell Jason all about that. It’s important to try to remember every detail you can.”

  Relief flooded Suzie when she saw Jason arrive at the docks.

  “Suzie? What happened?” He jogged up to the boat. “Are you okay?”

  “We’re okay, but the captain of the boat is dead.” She cringed as she pointed towards the cabin.

  “Robbie.” Paul shook his head.

  “Get on that boat, and take the paramedics.” Jason directed another officer. Then he turned back to Paul. “Can you walk me through it?”

  “We found him on the boat just about five minutes ago.” Paul stared at him with wide, dazed eyes.

  “All right just stay right here, I’m going to have some questions for you.” Jason looked over at Suzie and nodded.

  “We’ll be here.” Suzie wrapped her arm around Paul’s. “Are you doing okay?”

  “I’ll be fine, as soon as they figure out who d
id this to Robbie.” Paul cleared his throat.

  “Look, Jason’s coming back.” She turned back towards the boat. Jason wore a grave expression as he approached them.

  “When was the last time you had contact with Robbie?” He met Paul’s eyes.

  “Uh, yesterday. It was yesterday. I’d been trying to get hold of him today to see when he planned to dock, but I didn’t hear from him.”

  “And he didn’t let you know that he had docked?”

  “Not a text or a radio call. I thought it was odd when I saw his boat in the slip, that’s why Suzie and I came over to check it out.”

  “What about when you boarded the boat? Did you notice anything strange?”

  “No, not really.” Paul shook his head.

  “What about the storage container?” Suzie looked over at him.

  “Oh right. Yes, that’s why I went looking for him. One of the storage containers was left unlocked. No fisherman leaves one of those unlocked, especially when it has some seafood in it. Anyone could board the boat and take whatever they want.”

  “Can you show me which one?”

  Paul pointed to the container on the boat. “I went to find him because I knew he wouldn’t leave the boat like that. But when I tried to get into the cabin.” He grimaced.

  “We couldn’t get the door all the way open, he was in front of the door,” Suzie said. “When we went through the small gap it was already too late.”

  “Maybe, if I had gotten in sooner.” Paul frowned. “I don’t know.”

  “There was nothing that you could have done. It looks like he’s been gone for at least an hour.” Jason met his eyes. “Do you have any idea who might have had a problem with him?”

  “With Robbie? No, I’m not sure. I actually haven’t seen him in a while. He wasn’t exactly the type to make enemies though. I mean he’d get into a bar fight now and then, but most of the time he laughed it off the next day.”

  “Maybe he crossed someone that didn’t find it so amusing?”

  “He didn’t say anything to me about it. He was his usual cheerful self when I talked to him.”

  “Cheerful? What does that mean exactly? What did you talk about?” Jason asked.

  Paul sighed. “Just the usual.” He glanced over at Suzie.

  “Is there a reason you’re being evasive with me, Paul?” Jason spread his shoulders and narrowed his eyes.

  “Relax Jason, I’m sure he’s telling you everything that he knows.” Suzie stared at him with a raised eyebrow.

  “I think I’ll be the judge of that. Paul?” Jason ignored Suzie’s stare and focused his attention on Paul.

  “Robbie liked to make some off color jokes.” Paul frowned. “Not something I’d want to repeat around Suzie. Okay?”

  “Oh please, I’m sure I’ve heard it all, Paul.” Suzie rolled her eyes.

  “Not from me you haven’t, and you won’t.” He set his jaw.

  “Can you give us a minute, Suzie?” Jason glanced over at her. “Please?”

  “Sure.” She nodded and released Paul’s arm. She moved a few steps away from them and began to scan the dock around her. It was possible Robbie’s killer was still nearby. She made a mental note of which boats were docked near Robbie’s. A few people gathered at the end of the dock as the police presence became more known. She started to walk towards them to ask some questions, but before she got near them an officer cut in front of her. She sighed and backed off. She didn’t want to step on Jason’s toes. She turned back towards Paul and noticed that Jason had walked away from him. As she walked back up to him he turned to face her.

  “Sorry about that, Suzie.”

  “I hope you know that you can say anything to me, Paul. I don’t care about any off color jokes.”

  “I just don’t think it’s appropriate. There are a few things that I am still a little old fashioned about.”

  “I understand. Did anything he say help Jason?”

  “No, I knew that it wouldn’t. But you know, Jason, he has to flash his badge.”

  “Paul.”

  “I’m sorry, you’re right.” Paul drew a deep breath. “I’m just a little on edge because of all of this.”

  “Of course you are. How could you not be? Why don’t we go for a drive and try to clear our heads?”

  “Yes, I guess that would be best. Jason said he would contact me if he needs anything else.”

  “Good.” Suzie wrapped her arm around his waist and turned him towards the parking lot. “My car is at the bakery.”

  “Okay. I could use the walk.”

  Chapter 3

  As Suzie and Paul walked towards her car his jaw remained rigid and his eyes sharp as he looked straight forward. When they reached her car she opened the passenger door for him. He barely looked at her as he settled inside. By the time she got around to her side she saw that he hunched forward and hid his face with his hands.

  “It’s okay, Paul, you have every right to cry.” She brushed her hand back through the hair at the nape of his neck.

  “Cry?” His voice was muffled by his hands. When he sat up and pulled his hands away she saw his cheeks were bright red, but not a single tear stained his cheeks. “I’m not about to cry, Suzie. I want revenge. I’ve never wanted it so badly before. Robbie was just a young man. I want to find out who went on his boat and killed him.”

  “I can see why you’re angry.” She took his hand in hers and gave it a light squeeze. “I’m angry, too. These things shouldn’t happen. Ever. But it has, and the only revenge that we can get is by making sure the murderer is brought to justice.”

  “How?” Paul shook his head, then stared hard out through the windshield. “What if they never figure out who did this?”

  “They will.” She gritted her teeth.

  “I’m sorry, Suzie. I know you have a lot on your mind with the wedding. I was so looking forward to spending some time with you this evening. But I don’t think I’m going to be able to get this off my mind.”

  “You don’t have to. I’m not going to be able to get it off my mind either. If neither of us are going to be able to get it off our minds, then let’s see if we can help figure out who killed Robbie ourselves.”

  “How can you do that with the wedding?”

  “I’ll make it work. We’d be doing this for Jason, too. In order for him to concentrate on the wedding and be able to relax and enjoy it, he needs this case wrapped up.”

  “Good point.” Paul nodded. “Where do you want to start?”

  “It was pretty clear that Robbie was stabbed. I think we should see what Summer has found out about the body once she’s had the chance to examine it. I don’t know if she’ll tell us anything, but it’s worth a shot. I doubt she’ll have any information before tomorrow. Until then, let’s try to get things back to normal. We can go to get something to eat or just spend some time together. Whatever you’re up for.”

  “Honestly?” He met her eyes.

  “Yes of course, honestly.”

  “I just want some time to clear my head.”

  “Why don’t you sleep at Dune House tonight?”

  “No, I want to sleep on my boat.”

  “Paul, do you think that’s a good idea? It could be dangerous.”

  “I’ll be fine. I might be able to get some information out of the guys.”

  “Do you want me to stay with you on the boat?” Suzie asked.

  “No, I think I need some time alone.”

  “Okay. Why don’t I drop you back at your boat? I can spend a little time with Mary, I need to update her anyway.”

  “Yes, I think that would be best. You don’t mind do you?”

  “No, not at all. I know that you need some time to sort through this. But call me if you need anything.”

  “Thank you, Suzie.”

  As Suzie drove Paul back towards his boat she knew that the best way to help him through this was to help him solve the murder.

  When Suzie stopped at the dock the place was st
ill swarming with police and paramedics. Suzie looked over at Paul.

  “Are you sure that you don’t want me to stay with you? I could bring you some food by?”

  “No, I’ll be fine, I promise.” He leaned close and kissed her. “Call me as soon as we can get in to see Summer, okay?”

  “Sure.” She kissed him.

  As she watched him walk away from the car she wondered if she should insist on staying by his side. However, she valued her own solitude immensely, and guessed that Paul felt the same way.

  Suzie pulled the car back onto the road and focused her attention on the drive back to Dune House. The closer she came to it the calmer she became. It was her place of comfort, where no matter what the problem was, everything seemed to make sense. When she parked she noticed quite a few cars in the lot. Her mind drifted to why they might be there.

  Suzie stepped up onto the broad porch of Dune House and took a moment to look out over the outstretched water. The ripple of the wind across its surface stirred up subtle white caps. The calm, clear sky above it was dotted with seabirds. Her heart fluttered at the beauty of it. Yes, there was much to love about life by the sea.

  Robbie died on his boat, without even stepping on dry land. The sea could be a wild, unforgiving beast, but it was a human being that could commit murder and the murderer had to be found. She drew a long, slow breath then turned and made her way into Dune House. With the upcoming wedding they hadn’t booked in any guests, to keep the rooms open for the wedding guests. However, that did not mean that Dune House was empty. Instead, to her surprise, it bustled with people. Suzie smiled at each person she passed, but didn’t stop to talk until she spotted Mary. She stood in the middle of the swarm of people. Her cheeks burned bright red, and her eyes had a slight glaze to them. She was fairly certain that Mary was overwhelmed.

  “Mary? What is happening here?” Suzie pressed a hand against her friend’s shoulder to get her attention.

  “I thought I could get things moving a bit and decided to put a call out there for any assistance from the community. I wasn’t expecting such a large response.”

  “Oh Mary, what a great idea.”