Pink Lemonade and Penalties

by Allyssa Mirry

  “Why, Daniel, it’s good to see you. Since you’re here, you might as well accompany Lydia on her search. It’s always good to have backup if there’s a killer on the loose.” She handed him the container. “Here’s some breakfast to take with you, so you have your energy when you confront a suspect.”

  “I’d love to accompany her,” Daniel said.

  Lydia nodded, feeling defeated. “Just let me grab my purse, and I’ll be ready to go.”

  She walked further inside to get her bag and to pet Sunny before she left. Aunt Edie followed her.

  “I know you’re not happy about this, but I think it’s for the best. Avoiding a problem doesn’t make it go away.”

  “I know,” Lydia said. “But I wanted to delay saying goodbye to him as long as possible.”

  Aunt Edie gave her a hug and then directed her out the door. Lydia walked right past Daniel and unlocked her car so he could get inside.

  “Come on. We’ve got no time to waste, and we’ve got to stay focused.”

  “Is that your way of saying we can only discuss the case today?” Daniel asked as he buckled up his seatbelt.

  Lydia focused on driving. She didn’t know which she was dreading more: the consequences of confronting a killer or the conversation Daniel wanted to have.

  14

  Fishing Friends

  “If we’re just waiting for him to return home, couldn’t we talk?” Daniel asked.

  Lydia shook her head. The truth was that they could talk on this stakeout. They were outside of Jim Harlowe’s house where he seemed to have announced that he would be away for the afternoon with a “Gone Fishing” sign. They were just sitting in her car and waiting to see an indication of the man’s return. They could have the conversation she didn’t want to have, but she was continuing to stall even after she had summed up the case for Daniel several times.

  “What do you think the odds are that Jim Harlowe is the killer? If he really is fishing right now, he might know a lot about it. That might have been how he decided to tamper with the fishing line and add poison to it.”

  “He would have had to be careful changing the fishing line if it had a dangerous substance on it,” Daniel pointed out.

  “He could have worn gloves.”

  “Would the victim have thought that was strange?”

  “He could probably have come up with an excuse for wearing them. Maybe he often wore them when dealing with fish.”

  “I bet this is something that we could ask him when he’s here, but since he’s not,” Daniel began, “I think we need to talk about my return to the Coast Guard and what it means for us.”

  “I understand why you need to go back,” Lydia said. “I really do. I don’t know what else there is to say.”

  “Lydia, you’ve come to mean a lot to me this summer, but I can’t…”

  Lydia was never so grateful to see a suspect come into view. She pointed at the truck that was pulling up to the house and cut Daniel off.

  “That’s him. He’s here.”

  She jumped out of the car and hurried up to the man who was exiting his truck and grabbing his fishing rods from the back.

  “He’s not wearing gloves now,” Daniel muttered to Lydia as he joined her.

  “Can I help you?” the man asked, eyeing them suspiciously.

  “Are you Jim Harlowe?” Lydia asked.

  “Maybe. Are you trying to sell me something?”

  “No. I’m sorry to barge in like this and disturb you, but we’re trying to find some answers. We want to find out what happened to Bill Vector. He was important to a…” Lydia paused as she tried to figure out how to kindly describe Amber in relation to her. “To a business associate of mine.”

  “I see. So, you’re just running around trying to solve a murder even though you’re not the police or P.I.s or anything? You’re just trying to make sense of things for someone you call a business associate?” Jim asked.

  “That’s right,” Lydia admitted, looking down at the ground. When he summed it up like that, it gave him no reason to want to talk to them.

  “Well, I guess I’ll help if I can. I want to make sense of what happened too,” Jim said.

  Lydia smiled, but Daniel was not. “How did you know that it had turned into a murder case?”

  “Charlie told me,” Jim replied. “He called me to let me know after the police told him because he knew I was friends with Bill. We left a message for Matt. He’s overseas on business right now, but I think he’ll be glad to learn that Bill didn’t take his own life. We kept wondering if we had missed the signs.”

  “Do you think it makes more sense that someone might have wanted to kill him?” Lydia asked. “Did he have enemies?”

  Jim shrugged. “Overall, Bill was a great guy. He lent me money before when I needed it. He helped Matt move when he changed houses. His only flaw was that he talked about fishing an awful lot for someone who barely caught any fish. But I suppose that was his escape. He was a lawyer. That was an awful lot of work.”

  “Was there anyone he mentioned from his work who might have done this?” Daniel asked.

  “He didn’t mention anyone specifically,” Jim said. “It might be possible, though. I’m sure lawyers do make some enemies.”

  “What about anyone else in his life?” asked Lydia.

  “He was dating someone named Amber. They seemed happy enough when I saw them, but maybe there were problems there.”

  Lydia knew that she had to tread carefully so that it didn’t sound like she was accusing Jim and his friends to his face.

  “What was that last trip on his boat with him like?” Lydia asked. “Did Bill act strangely? Did he get along with everyone?”

  “I’d been replaying that trip over and over again in my head when I thought that Bill killed himself. Nothing about it seemed odd or different. We had a great time on the water, and Bill was so excited about having his own boat. He had been talking about getting one for a while, but couldn’t decide what to get. I think this one dropped into his lap when a former client gave him a deal on it. Even though he thought that the mermaid figurehead on the front was silly, he loved the boat.”

  “He was happy fishing?” asked Lydia.

  Jim nodded. “He loved it, and he was happy to get a new fishing rod too. That was a gift from Charlie when we all got together.”

  “His brother gave him a new fishing rod then?” Daniel asked.

  “That’s right. It was the top of the line one that Bill was looking at too.”

  “Was it near his birthday?” Lydia asked. “Or another special occasion?”

  “Charlie said it was to celebrate his brother getting the boat. He said since he was fulfilling his boating dream, it must mean that he’s doing well for himself at his practice. It was supposed to be like a housewarming gift, but for a boat. We would have brought champagne or beer, but Bill was very particular about what he ate and drank because of his allergies. It was easier to let him pick out the refreshments.”

  “Did Charlie give him fishing line to go with the rod too?” Lydia asked.

  “I think so,” Jim said. “I’m sorry to cut this short, but I’m going to have to bring the fish I caught inside and prepare it for dinner, so if you don’t mind...”

  “Thanks for your help,” Lydia said before she and Daniel headed back to her car.

  Lydia considered it. They might have just hooked a great clue when they found out where the victim’s fishing rod came from.

  15

  Realizations

  Lydia hurried inside the police station. She had told Daniel that she needed to report what they had discovered about the fishing rod to Leo right away and that it was better done in person. This was only partially true and was partially another stall tactic to prevent their breakup conversation.

  “Hi, Liddy.”

  Lydia stopped speeding ahead when she heard her name. This allowed Daniel to catch up with her in the station, and they both saw Trina waving at them.
/>   “Hi,” Lydia said. “What are you doing here?”

  “Maybe this is the only way for me to see my best friend when she gets so busy working on a case?” she teased. “Or maybe I need to report some graffiti near my salon to the police?”

  “I’m sorry about that. Both for what is my fault and what isn’t.”

  “It’s fine,” Trina said. “I admit I have a secret second reason for coming here too.”

  “Is it so secret that you can’t tell your best friend?” Lydia asked.

  “I would if this isn’t a bad time,” Trina said. She looked at Daniel and then around the building they were standing in. “Do you have other things you need to deal with?”

  “I always have time for you.”

  Trina smiled and pulled her friend closer. Daniel stood patiently to the side as Trina whispered, “It’s about Detective Grey.”

  “What about him?”

  “I was thinking about what we said about opposites attracting, and then I started remembering all the times he charged in to save the day. Maybe he’s a little serious, but maybe I’m a little silly. Maybe we could balance each other out. Liddy, I think I have a crush on him. Is that weird?”

  “No. It’s nice. I hadn’t considered it before, but I think you two could be a great couple.”

  “I was thinking of asking if he wanted to grab a drink sometime. Not coffee. My last date at a coffee place ended badly,” Trina said. “But I was worried that he might think I wanted information on the case. I wouldn’t want him to think I’m another Brie.”

  “I’ll try my best to solve this case quickly, so you can go on that date.”

  The girls giggled but were soon interrupted by Leo’s approach.

  “This is a police station. Not a gathering place for gossip.”

  Lydia immediately stopped laughing but pushed her friend forward. “Trina has to report on some graffiti near her place of business.”

  “We can fill out a report,” Leo began.

  “I think you should let Detective Grey help her with that report,” Lydia said with a grin. “I need to talk to you about a new development anyway.”

  “Detective Grey should be at his desk,” Leo said, indicating with a nod of his head.

  Trina started walking in that direction but turned back to show Lydia that she had her fingers crossed for good luck. She left looking nervous but happy.

  “What’s your development?” Leo asked, not sounding excited.

  “It’s about the victim’s brother,” Daniel explained, stepping forward.

  “Don’t tell me you confronted him,” Leo said. “Just because he insisted you were there while we asked questions doesn’t mean that you’re officially a part of this investigation.”

  “We didn’t talk to Charlie Vector again,” Lydia said. “But we did find something out about him. He gave Bill a new fishing rod a short while before the man’s death. In fact, it was probably the last time that anyone was on the boat before Bill’s final trip.”

  “That is interesting, but it’s not definitive,” Leo responded.

  “Charlie might have given his brother the murder weapon that day at the dock,” Lydia continued. “Mel at the marina said that there was no one near the boat except the people that Bill Vector let on board. Charlie might be the killer.”

  “Wait a minute! You talked to the guy at the marina too?” Leo demanded.

  “I was just trying to get some answers, and I think we have a solid suspect for you now who isn’t Amber.”

  “It is possible that the fishing line was given to Bill Vector when he wasn’t on the cameras on the dock and he placed the poisoned fishing line on his rod without knowing the danger,” Leo pointed out. “It doesn’t have to be someone who he had onboard.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Lydia admitted, feeling her confidence in her suspect diminish somewhat. “However, Charlie might still be the one who receives money after his brother’s death.”

  “Money is a strong motive for murder,” Daniel agreed.

  “Yes. So is trouble with a relationship or vengeance against someone involved in a legal dispute,” Leo said. “We’re investigating all these possible motives. By we I mean the police. It shouldn’t be Lydia Doherty.”

  Lydia frowned. “I was trying to help. I really thought we were on to something with the fishing rod.”

  “Look, I do appreciate your intentions, but your actions are flawed. You shouldn’t be getting involved in my investigations. It’s dangerous, and it makes me fill out more paperwork. You should be enjoying time with Daniel or Aunt Edie. Spend some time at your new house, finish setting up, or meet your new neighbors.”

  Lydia knew that there would be no arguing with him and allowed him to lead them toward the door. She walked toward it as if she were walking toward her doom. She was being edged out of investigating, and as soon as she was outside, Daniel would use the opportunity to begin the conversation to end their relationship before he moved away.

  She clenched her fists and considered whether meeting their neighbors could be an excuse to stop this talk. However, then an idea started to form in her head.

  “Neighbors,” she repeated.

  “Yes. Go home and meet them,” Leo said.

  “Wait,” Lydia said as one idea jumped to another. “This might be taking a leap, but I just had an idea about who the killer might be. It’s a little about vengeance, but mostly about the boat.”

  “The boat?” asked Daniel.

  “Don’t encourage her,” Leo muttered.

  “If the connection is what I think it is, then it all makes sense,” Lydia continued. “I just need to confirm one thing, and if it is what I think it is, then I know who killed Bill Vector.”

  “What’s that one thing?” Leo asked grudgingly.

  “Is Levine a maiden name?”

  Leo and Daniel stared at her confusedly, but Lydia had a hunch that she was right.

  16

  The Trap

  “I’m not sure about this,” Daniel said. “Leo told us to stay back.”

  “This was my idea. Everything that happens next is because of what I came up with,” Lydia said. “I have to see how it goes and make sure that no one gets hurt.”

  Daniel looked as eager to hide out by the dock as Lydia was to have their final conversation. However, he had agreed to go with her. Lydia was touched by this. Even if he was planning on leaving, he must have had some genuine feelings for her.

  Several things had been put in place, and now Lydia hoped that everything would go according to plan. Mel had been informed that his security cameras were malfunctioning and so the police were planning to take the Jewel-ia away from the marina the next day. Lydia hoped this would be enough to force the killer into action.

  Leo, Detective Grey, and a few officers were stationed by the marina office, waiting for the arrival of the killer. Lydia and Daniel were hiding on one of the nearby boats after ignoring Leo’s warning to stay away.

  “Oh no,” Lydia said when she saw movement.

  “What?” asked Daniel.

  “He’s coming from the water. Not the dock,” Lydia said, pointing. “I don’t know if the police will see him.”

  They watched as a man pulled himself out of the water and checked that the coast was clear. He had an airtight toolbox that he brought with him as he approached the figurehead on the boat.

  “Call Leo,” Daniel whispered.

  Lydia took out her phone but shook her head. From their position on the boat on the water, she didn’t have any reception. The man took out his tools and began to quietly work on the figurehead.

  “I’ll have to get Leo’s attention another way,” Lydia said.

  “Don’t do anything danger…”

  Before Daniel was able to finish his warning, Lydia was climbing off the boat and onto the dock.

  “Vincent?” she called out loudly.

  The man at the figurehead turned. “Who’s there?”

  “We met briefly be
fore at Mel’s office,” Lydia said, keeping her voice loud. “However, I didn’t know at the time that you were Julia Levine’s ex-husband. You and Mel used to be neighbors, and that’s what your comment about being neighborly was about. That’s how I realized that we should check into this. And I have to say that if I had access to all of Bill Vector’s cases, I could have picked up on this earlier.”