by Grace York
"Who would want to hurt Bella?" he asked, once he'd calmed down and realised none of them were in immediate danger.
Addison was about to tell him what she knew, when Isaac's mobile phone rang. They all watched as he answered.
"Lucy McGregor," he said, identifying the caller for them. "We've been looking for you."
28
While Kendall set about establishing a crime scene and contacting the forensics team, Addison and Jason listened to Isaac's side of the conversation with Lucy McGregor. It was impossible to get anything from it, though, as it was entirely one-sided. Isaac was doing a lot more listening than talking as he paced up and down Mrs Jones's small grassed backyard.
"I see," he finally said, coming to a sudden stop in front of Addison and Jason. "I'll still need to get a full statement from you and your sister, but that can wait until tomorrow. Thank you very much for calling."
Isaac ended the call and put his phone back in his pocket.
"Well?" said Addison.
Isaac ignored her and turned to Jason. "Could you…"
"I'll go and see how Mrs Jones and Bella are doing," he said, guessing where that sentence was going.
"Thanks, Jason." Isaac held out his empty tea mug. "Would you be so kind…"
"No problem." Jason took the mug and headed for the beach house through the gate he'd built in the fence between the two houses. That gate had come in very handy for both Addison and Mrs Jones.
When he was safely out of earshot Addison stared at Isaac. Kendall had finished talking to the forensics team and was now focused on the detective as well.
"She claims she didn't know Perry Abbott was the lawyer involved in her parents' case. She and her sister found out yesterday morning when some journalist contacted them. She said she was sick at the thought of it and couldn't face going to work."
Addison remembered Juliet describing how Perry Abbott had kept Lucy at his beck and call throughout the dog show. She couldn't imagine having to suffer someone so demanding then find out later he was responsible for letting the man who killed her parents walk free. No wonder Lucy was feeling sick.
"So why was she so hard to find today?" asked Kendall.
"Apparently she turned her phone off and went to her sister's house. The journalist kept calling, and they both wanted time to process the news. She only just turned it back on to ring her boss and tell him she'd be back at work tomorrow, and she got my messages."
"Do you believe her?" asked Addison.
"I'm inclined to. We'll check her story out tomorrow. In the meantime, do you have things under control here?" he asked Kendall.
"Forensics team are on their way. I'll get the crime scene tape from the car."
She walked off through the gate to the road and Isaac turned his attention back to Addison. "This will take a while. Do you think Mrs Jones could stay with you tonight?"
"Of course," said Addison. "There's plenty of room at the beach house. Can she come over and get a few things?"
Isaac nodded. "I'll organise that with the forensics team when they arrive."
Kendall came back in with the crime scene tape, and she and Isaac taped off Mrs Jones's back porch. It seemed a lot of trouble to go to for a piece of meat in a dog's bowl, but in light of how Perry Abbott died Addison understood it was necessary. She stood back out of the way and watched, slightly horrified at the sight of the official tape criss-crossing the back of her neighbour's house.
"Where's Diaz?" Isaac asked Kendall once they'd finished.
"He's on his way. Says he thinks he's found what you were looking for. What would that be, Sarge?"
Addison was wondering the same thing, but before he could answer the young constable himself walked through the side gate. The size of the grin on his face was second only to that of Adam when he'd won his publishing contract.
"You're going to want to see this, Sarge," said Diaz. He was holding a piece of paper, which he handed to Isaac, pointing to a particular section. "That bit there," he said with an amount of glee Addison thought a little over the top for a police officer in uniform.
Isaac held up a hand to silence Diaz while he read. Addison watched on impatiently.
Finally Isaac smiled.
"Good work, Ryan. We've got her."
29
Perry Abbott's funeral was held the following day, without his wife in attendance.
Helen Abbott was arrested in her home the morning of the funeral, while in the middle of packing for the cruise she'd booked the week before her husband's death.
In the end, it had all been about money. Money was the reason Helen killed her husband, and money was the detail that had brought her unstuck.
She'd told the police she'd paid for the cruise after her husband had died. It was the cruise they'd planned to do together and, needing to get out of the house that held such dear memories of him, Helen had decided to take the cruise herself.
What she hadn't told them, but what with a little digging Constable Diaz had been able to find out, was that she'd booked the single supplement for the cruise the week before Perry was murdered.
There'd been a special price for one day only and, never one to resist a bargain, Helen had gone ahead and booked the cruise for herself. She'd tried to explain it away during the hours of questioning that followed.
"I suppose I might have exaggerated when I said Perry and I were still in a loving marriage," she'd told Isaac when confronted with the cruise evidence. "You caught me, Detective. I was planning to leave my husband and go off on a cruise on my own. But I didn't kill him."
It wasn't the only piece of evidence against her, though. The forensics team had worked through the night and, after spreading fingerprint dust over every solid surface in sight on Mrs Jones's back porch, they finally came up with a partial print that matched Helen Abbott.
After arresting her in the morning, the forensics team moved to her house. They found traces of strychnine in the bathroom sink where she'd attempted to wash it away.
It hadn't taken long for her to confess after that.
"So she stole the strychnine from the Clayton's farm?" asked Adam. They were in Addison's kitchen once again, where Isaac had come to deliver the news and let Mrs Jones know she could return to her own home. At the sight of his car pulling up outside the whole gang had come downstairs and assembled in the kitchen. The only one missing was Layla, who was busy preparing the art gallery for tomorrow night's opening.
"Yes," said Isaac. "She's friends with one of the Clayton's neighbours. Not Richard Divola, the one on the other side. She was at the friend's house when they received the notification of the baiting program."
"She admitted that?" asked Addison.
"No. The friend came forward once we'd arrested Helen."
"Nice friend," said Lenny.
"But why did she go after my Bella?" asked Mrs Jones.
"She was trying to divert suspicion to someone attached to the dog show," said Isaac.
"Who?" asked Addison.
"I don't think she had a particular person in mind. She just wanted to make it about the dog show to throw us off. We found search history on her computer which indicated she was trying to find a way to avert suspicion from herself. A number of articles she read discussed the idea of committing a second murder of an unrelated person to make the first murder seem random."
"She tried to kill someone else?" asked Lenny.
"No. We confronted her about it, and she said she couldn't bring herself to kill another person."
"So she tried to kill my Bella?" said Mrs Jones. Addison had never seen her neighbour so irate, and she didn't blame her.
"That's disgraceful," said Brooke.
"Well she failed, thanks to Charlie," said Adam. He reached down and scooped up the hero of the case. "We should make him an honorary police volunteer, don't you think?"
"Um, no," said Isaac. "I don't fancy turning that paperwork in to headquarters."
They all laughed, including Mrs Jone
s, who Addison noticed had finally loosened her hold on Bella. The poor thing had not been let out of her mistress' sight since the attack occurred.
"So you were wrong, Detective," said Adam with a smirk.
"About what?" asked Addison. The look on Isaac's face said he knew what Adam was talking about.
"The photographs from the dog show presentation dinner," Adam continued. "Isaac said they'd lead to the killer and solve the case."
Isaac shrugged. "They led us to Brandon Short and the reason the dogs went nuts. Helen Abbott took that opportunity to spike her husband's glass. We were right about that."
Adam shook his head. "No, that's not good enough. I believe you owe us dinner at the pub."
"Fair enough," said Isaac. He stood and prepared to leave.
"In that case, do you want to stay for dinner tonight?" Addison asked. He'd had a long day, and she couldn't imagine he'd eaten very much.
"No, thank you," he said. "I've still got a lot of paperwork to do. But I'll see you tomorrow at the gallery opening, right?"
"Of course," said Addison. "We'll all be there."
"We sure will," said Adam. "I've waited months for this. We finally get to see what the big surprise is."
30
When the gang arrived at the brand-new Dennis and Jenna Dallimore Memorial Art Gallery the next evening, Addison couldn't believe the queue. It seemed most of Getaway Bay were waiting to get a glimpse of the new gallery, and the surprise Layla had in store.
"This is fantastic," said Brooke. "Look at all these people! I hope they'll all fit inside."
"We might have to take turns," said Mrs Jones. She wasn't going to come, but with Helen Abbott safely behind bars they'd managed to convince Mrs Jones it was safe to leave Bella at home. It helped that they'd left the gate open so Charlie was there as well.
Addison swelled with pride at what her cousin had accomplished. She couldn't wait to see the gallery, but whatever was inside didn't really matter. The fact that Layla had picked herself up and rebuilt the gallery was enough in Addison's book.
They milled around outside for a few minutes, and Addison felt the excitement building. Some people were trying to sneak a peek through the doors, but Layla had left the black plastic covering on the inside. No-one could see a thing.
"I think something's happening," said Hazel. She was in prime position at the front door. "I can hear movement."
Just then a lock clicked open, and Layla's head poked through a gap in the sliding doors.
"Are you ready?" she asked the crowd.
"We sure are," said Hazel.
"Let us in!" Adam called from the back. There were a few other shouts and cheers and, with Hazel's help, Layla slid the big double doors open to reveal the new art gallery.
Addison stood back and watched the people of Getaway Bay enter and take in the art. She recognised a few of the pieces, paintings that Layla had worked on months ago, when she first came to stay with Addison at the beach house. But there were more pictures here than Addison remembered seeing, and some sculptures, too. She'd had no idea Layla had been so busy.
"This is amazing," Addison said once she finally caught up with her cousin. "You should be very proud of yourself."
"Thanks," said Layla. "I struggled for a while after Jenna and Dad died, you know that. But I think it taught me that life is too short, and we have to make the most of every day."
"That is very true," said Addison.
"And it's not just about doing the work you love, it's also about spending time with the people you love."
Addison cast her eyes around the gallery. With the exception of her children, the people she loved were right here in this room. Layla was absolutely right. Addison felt tears well up.
"Hey, none of that," said Layla. "It's almost time for the big unveiling."
Layla squeezed Addison's arm then moved over to a table at the back of the room where not one but two large artworks were covered with white sheets. One was obviously a painting, but Addison couldn't work out what the other one could be.
"Gather 'round, everyone," said Layla in the loudest voice she could muster. "And fill your glasses."
Tables filled with food and drinks had been set up down the middle of the gallery floor, and a few waiters and waitresses circled the room offering glasses of champagne. Addison took a glass and focused her attention on Layla.
"I'd like to thank you all for coming," Layla began. "As you know, it's been a difficult year for me. I'm not going to dwell on that. It's time to move forward. But first, I'd like to unveil a special piece I've been working on to commemorate the lives of my father and sister. This piece isn't for sale; it will stay in the gallery as a permanent reminder to us all that life is precious."
Layla lifted the first sheet to unveil a large sculpture made of a number of different materials. It included twisted metal and jagged pieces of concrete, along with sections of wood. Some of the wood was burnt. Addison smiled as she realised what Layla had done.
It was made out of pieces of the old gallery. And it was beautiful.
"Dad loved the gallery," Layla explained. "And this was where Jenna and I… well, let's be honest, we were never close. But when she stayed here with me those last few months, we got to know each other. She was a kind person, deep down. And no matter what she said, I know she loved being here with Dad and me.
"I was going to paint something, but I wanted something tangible to remember them by. Something I could touch. When the builders started clearing away the rubble of the old gallery to build this place, I had an idea." Layla gazed fondly at her masterpiece. "This is the result. I hope you like it."
After a respectful moment of silence, the room erupted in cheers.
"It's wonderful," said Hazel, coming forward to wrap Layla in a big hug. "I'm sure your family would be proud."
"Your dad would love this," said Mrs Jones, who was standing near the front. She reached out to touch the sculpture, then raised her glass of champagne. "Can we toast?"
"Can I do it?" Jason stepped forward and put an arm around Layla. "I know Jenna would have loved this too," he said to her.
"Yes, you do the toast," said Layla. "That seems right."
Jason raised his glass, and everyone followed suit. "To the Dennis and Jenna Dallimore Memorial Art Gallery," he said.
"To the Dennis and Jenna Dallimore Memorial Art Gallery," said the crowd.
"And to Layla," Adam called out. "This place is amazing!"
"To Layla!"
There were more cheers and congratulations, and for a time Layla was swallowed up by the crowd. Eventually though, she made her way back to Addison, who was standing beside the painting still covered by a sheet.
"So when do we get to see this one?" Addison asked.
"Now," said Layla, and she pulled the sheet off with a grin. The rest of the town were still busy admiring the sculpture.
"Don't you want to get everyone's attention again?"
"Nope," said Layla. "This one's for you."
Addison stood back to get a good look at the painting. It was a beach landscape, and she recognised it as the view from the beach house's front verandah.
"It's to go above the fireplace in the great room," Layla explained. "I can't possibly repay you for all you've done for me this year, Addison, but hopefully this will be a start."
Addison's heart melted. "It's beautiful. I know the fire was awful, but honestly, having you at the beach house has meant the world to me. We've helped each other through a few rough times. And we're family, Layla. There's no repayment involved."
"So you don't want the painting then?" said Layla with a cheeky smile. "Because I can always sell it…"
Addison gave her cousin a playful slap on the arm. "You'll do no such thing. That painting is going above the fireplace in the beach house, where it belongs."
"Good. I'm glad that's settled. Now come and get something to eat. I'm starving!"
"I'll be there in a minute."
A
ddison watched Layla make her way to the food table, only to be stopped along the way by people wanting to buy the various paintings and sculptures that were for sale. At the rate she was going she'd have an empty gallery in no time.
"She's very good," said Isaac, who'd appeared next to Addison with two glasses of champagne. He handed her one, which she accepted.
"She is," Addison agreed. "I don't think I need to worry about her anymore."
"You'll always worry about your family, Addison. It's in your nature."
Addison realised he was right. And that wasn't such a bad thing.
She clinked her glass to his. "So, when are you buying us that dinner at the pub?"
Note from the Author
Dear Reader,
It was a close call for Bella in the end there, but Charlie saved the day.
And that's another case done and dusted for the Beach House Murder Club.
Of course it's not the last.
New Year's Day brings another death to Getaway Bay, and once again Addison and the Murder Club are called on to help Isaac's team.
Did the visiting surfer accidentally fall to his death off Echo Point in the early hours of the New Year? Or was he helped on his way? When his identity is revealed, Addison and Isaac find themselves once again investigating with the eyes of the country upon them.
Evil at Echo Point is the fifth book in the popular Getaway Bay Cozy Mystery series. Visit the author's website to find out more, and sign up to be notified of all future book releases and special reader giveaways.
Evil at Echo Point
Visit my website to find out more, and sign up to be notified of all future book releases and special reader giveaways.