The paramedics loaded him up and took him down the hill to the hospital. The Chief of Police, all his men, and Miller would be on the scene for a long time gathering more evidence. At the end of the day, Miller rode down the hill in silence. He knew the captured man would talk as soon as he recovered. And with his confession, and what Harley had left him, he would have all the evidence he needed. Soon they would all be in prison. It was nearly over. He’d wrap it up and call Ashley. She needed to know. Meanwhile they had to find Harley quickly. She was the most important witness they still needed.
Chapter Nineteen
A private plane was getting ready to take off from a lush tropical island. Everyone had debarked a week earlier for sun and fun in an exclusive resort where their every whim and desire was catered to. It was a place where only a rare few would ever be privileged enough to see.
The waves lapped peacefully on the shores and soft breezes blew the linen curtains in their beachfront cottages. Exquisite cuisine was served on beautiful dishes with views of turquoise waters all around. Everywhere you looked it was so serene and gorgeous, it seemed like paradise. Soft murmurs and laughter were generally the only sounds that had been heard as everyone had peacefully separated themselves into their own luxurious space for the week.
Now at the weeks end, the group had gotten ready to depart. They chatted about the beauty of it all and how wonderful it was to be here far from cities and towns where pollution existed. Far from traffic, from smog, from congestion, from everything that was so commonplace back where the “hordes” were.
Harley had reported in the day before and got her full instructions on when to fly out with the group. She had a good dinner last night and gone to bed early. But it was impossible to sleep. All she could think of was what she had done. And of her brother Justin. She remembered how they had played as children, running through the woods and building forts. She had always been shy and felt out of place, but she and her twin always understood one another. When her parents died, they had gotten even closer. But something was broken; they had never recovered. And then she went on and did things with her life she wasn’t proud of. And it had gotten Justin killed.
She didn’t care about anything anymore. There was no turning back. She had left the windows open on her small room and listened to the ocean all night.
I need to get ready, she thought. I have to finish the job.
She thought of the conversations she had overheard from the company members since she arrived on the island yesterday. She never heard any of them mention that they were part of the problem with the world. That they created so much of the pollution they were fortunate to be getting away from. That they were part of the corrupting force of the planet. And no one acknowledged that they were indeed lucky to be able to be rich enough to get away from all the damage that they and their corporation did every day. They just smiled the happy smiles of their own smugness as they relaxed on their last day in paradise.
As they boarded the plane the next morning, they continued to chat with one another amiably about how wonderful it had all been.
Mr. William Chase and Mr. Roger Pointe approached Harley and they both shook her hand.
“Thanks for taking care of our trip. We’ve certainly noticed your achievements and will reward you when we get back to headquarters. Are you all set for take-off?”
Harley assured them that she was all set to go, and gave them a big smile.
“Thank you for the appreciation. It means a lot.”
They smiled back.
Mr. Anderson approached them and gave the two men a pat on the back. “Give us a moment, would you gentlemen?”
The men smiled and walked toward the plane.
Anderson leaned in close to her and whispered, “I understand from the manager that some things went off the rails in Brewer. Care to elaborate?”
“There’s another side to it sir,” she said. “I’d like to tell you my version at headquarters.”
He was smiling at her, but she saw his eyes narrow when he spoke. “Well, of course I’d like to hear what you have to say. You’ve always been one of our most important people.”
His face was tan and his eyes were staring deep into hers. His smooth voice was low and assuring. But she knew he was lying. He wouldn’t care about her side of the story.
He put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m very sorry about Justin. We’ll make it up to you.”
She cast her face down to the sand because she couldn’t hide her contempt of him. She noticed his shoes were a soft and pale brushed buckskin. The kind of shoes that were advertised for “casual holidays” but always cost in the hundreds of dollars. Shoes that perfectly matched his expensive shirt and shorts. She fought hard to mask her revulsion.
“Thank you,” she mumbled again. “Better get going.”
She walked to the front of the plane and Mr. Anderson took his seat along with the others. Mrs. Erwin Canfield kept calling all the men “honey” and reapplied her lipstick. She waved at Harley. “Are we all set honey?”
“Yes ma’am,” Harley smiled.
Harley asked if everyone was belted-in and assured them the flight would be an easy and relaxing one back to headquarters. She gave them a big smile and they all gave her a smile back and continued to chat on with one another.
The plane taxied down the runway and lifted off effortlessly. They took off in beautiful weather with sunny skies illuminating the gorgeous turquoise blues and greens of their island paradise below.
Less than half an hour out over the shining waters, Harley suddenly jerked the lever downwards and sent the plane in a sharp descent into the sea. There were no other boats or aircraft around to witness the plane slam into the ocean full-force, then slowly sink into the depths. The left wing was the last part to be swallowed up by the sea before all was calm again.
***
The birds circled the area where the plane had gone into the water, then took off squawking. A fisherman and his son were in a cove and thought they heard something, and even more curiously, felt a reverberation between the rocks. But rowing out, they didn’t see a thing. Just the beautiful island itself in the distance, its soft green landscape shimmering in the late afternoon sun.
The fisherman shrugged and rowed the boat back into the cove. They would fish a little longer and add that to what they had already caught for the day. When they went home they would have a full cooler and his wife would make fresh vegetables on the grill to accompany their catch. His daughter would cut up sweet fruit from the trees and they would sit on the shore and watch the sunset while they ate. The family had little money. They didn’t need much. They already lived here, where the earth was green and beautiful, and the sun and soft rains blessed them nearly every day. And every night they slept like babies. It was enough.
Chapter Twenty
The next day, all the news media were running stories on the plane crash in the ocean far away in a tropical paradise. Ashley had gotten up and showered and was making breakfast when she opened up her laptop and saw the headlines.
“Four members of PWCS Company and pilot missing and feared dead in deep ocean waters.”
She stood shock still in the kitchen as she read the article. It described the PWCS members in detail and that they had been on vacation and were returning to headquarters when the plane mysteriously vanished. Two gardeners’ on the vacation property had seen the plane take off, but had gone back to work when it cruised up into the sky. Company administrative staff had reported them missing when they didn’t show up to headquarters. The smiling photos online were the same ones she had seen on the company website. There was no photo of the pilot, just a name: Harley Dickson. She was described as being a “company member in good standing.”
Ashley gasped.
Sean walked into the kitchen wiping the sleep from his eyes. “Going to take a shower, then I’ll join you…” He stopped when he saw Ashley’s face.
She pushed her laptop around for him to see. H
e read the article, then stared at her. Ashley could hear her blood rushing to her ears.
“She’s gone. I knew it.”
Sean just stood there. He was struggling to find something to say.
“I’ll always wonder if I could have helped her in some way,” Ashley whispered.
Sean held her close to him. “You did everything you could have Ash. You didn’t even know her that well and you still wanted to help her. What happened, happened. There was nothing else you could have done.”
Ashley smiled weakly at him, and turned to the stove. She mechanically finished making breakfast while he showered. They ate together in silence while she read everything she could about the plane crash. Just as they were finishing up, her cell rang. It was Detective Miller.
“I suppose you’ve heard by now,” he said.
“Yes,” she said softly.
“Brace yourself, there’s more. I got a package in the mail with computer memory sticks, files, and photos from Harley. It led us to a little cabin in the woods. Probably where she and Justin used to meet. We have all the evidence we need to convict everyone all the way up the food chain.” He sighed. “Except they’re gone now, but we still have the minor players. And in that package was a confession from Harley about her part in it.”
“And now she’s gone too in that horrible accident.”
“I don’t think it was an accident, Ashley.”
“How do you know that? It says it’s under investigation. It could have been mechanical failure, or—”
“We have a note from her saying she was sorry, but she had to finish the job.”
“But, wait, it could have meant—” she started to say.
“It could have meant a lot of things,” Miller interjected. “But I think it’s because she wanted to get rid of them all. There’s no proof of that at this point, so the investigation will have to play out and reveal what it’s going to reveal.”
Ashley just sat there.
Sean looked at her across the table.
“Ashley?” Miller said.
“I’m here,” she replied.
Miller proceeded to give her an update about everything they had found in the cabin, and the details they had gathered from Harley’s video confession.
“So Harley finally did the right thing in the end,” Ashley said quietly.
“She certainly gave us all the evidence we needed,” he said.
Miller went on to tell her the witness that was found in the woods by the cabin was now in the hospital recovering. The witness admitted to poisoning Townsend. But he also said that the orders came from the top. Upon further questioning, he began implicating a number of key figures at PWCS and council members in Brewer.
“It’s tough when you personally know some of these people up here. They were supposed to be representing our district and residents. Who would’ve guessed they had been paid off to let PWCS expand their operation? They all seemed so nice,” Miller said.
Ashley listened in silence at all the details. It was almost too much to take in.
“I’m not coming back up,” she blurted out.
Miller paused. “I didn’t ask you to. There’s no need. We’ll wrap it up here.”
“You’ve done a great job Detective,” she said. “A really incredible job. I hope when this is all over, things quiet down for you up there. And that you and your wife go on some nice vacation.”
“We will. She’s been a trooper putting up with me working so many long hours for so long. And I think I’ll take early retirement next year.”
“Good. Life is shorter than we think,” Ashley said. “I wish you well. Take care.”
“And you take care down there. Give my best to Sean. And listen to Detective Thompson and stay out of trouble.”
Ashley reached for Sean’s hand and squeezed it. “I will. Just have to make sure it doesn’t find me.”
“Bye now,” he said.
Ashley put her phone down and hugged Sean. They stood that way for several minutes. Everything was so quiet, and even their demanding cats were asleep. She finally put her head up and looked at him.
“How about I pack a picnic lunch and we take a ride out to Green Pond Meadow? Take a look at where we tied the knot and sit there in peace and quiet? It’s a beautiful day outside.”
He ruffled her hair. “I’d like that.”
Charlie hopped down from the couch and walked over to them. Funnily enough, he wasn’t yowling for anything. He just stood there and looked up at her. Susie Q yawned and winked at them from the couch. She picked Charlie up and buried her face in his fur while he purred. “Please live a long time for me, okay?”
Her cell phone rang again. April started to talk before Ashley could even get a hello in.
“Can you two come for dinner again tonight? Bill Hardy brought us back enough fish to feed an army from his trip, and we need some help eating it. Your father thought we could grill it and I’ll make some fresh summer corn to go with it, and cherry pie for dessert.”
“Here, say that again on speaker for Sean.”
As soon as April started to recite all the food again, Sean was shouting ‘yes’ into the phone.
“Can Burt count on you to help at the grill?” April asked.
“Of course!” Sean said. “See you later!”
“Bye Mom!” Ashley shouted.
The drive out to Green Pond Meadow was lovely. The deep shades of sweet summer were all around them. She took in all the familiar sights as they drove through town on their way to the pond. Families, friends, mothers pushing the strollers, all of it...it was so comforting.
When they got there, they spread out a blanket under a tree and she put the picnic basket on top. The sun spackled the meadow and a few small clouds rolled by. The ducks chatted away with one another, their quacks punctuated by groups of birds flying above. All the memories that were here came back to her in a rush, like a movie in high speed. In her mind’s eye she could see herself and Sean as young children, laughing and chasing bubbles while their mom’s sat on blankets close by.
What a journey we’ve had, she thought.
Sean laughed. “Laying here makes me wish we could go on that honeymoon all over again.”
She instantly felt guilty. What a beautiful wedding and honeymoon they had, only to be propelled into a treacherous situation shortly after.
Sean squeezed her hand. “I know what you’re thinking Ash. Don’t feel guilty. I decided to go too. After all, it’s part of our journey. And we’re okay. We’ll always be okay.”
“I love you,” she said. She felt so lucky, so blessed.
He grinned at her. “Love you too. Now, let’s eat!”
The End.
Long Paw of the Law Six
Chapter One
Autumn was in its full glory in Comfortville. Ashley Crane loved this time of year. The colors in the landscape were particularly beautiful, and the sunny days gave way to nights that were chilly enough to sit by the fire. She had settled into married life, and was looking forward to the upcoming holiday season.
And the food! Fall was about a bounty of hearty vegetables and fruits that were perfect for her catering menus, and so satisfying to cook at home. At her husband Sean’s bakery, Babycakes, the fresh apple tarts and cider donuts were the best sellers now. He couldn’t make them fast enough. People would order dozens of them for the office or to take home, or just stop in and eat a few with a cup of his rich, strong coffee. Ashley’s mom, April, had decided to work two days a week at the bakery at Sean’s request, where she turned out her fudgy chocolate brownies by the panful. Sean’s mother, Patty, came in one day a week too. Her specialty was the chewiest oatmeal raisin cookies around. Folks poured into Babycakes for the homey treats and loved seeing the “moms” baking away. It was a peaceful time in town, and the days and nights flowed together in harmony.
Ashley noticed that she and Sean had put back a few pounds after their wedding, but she wasn’t worried about it. And her mom told
her that was only normal after someone got married.
“It’s a sign of contentment,” April said. “And you’ve always proclaimed to accept your body the way it is. Believe me, after marriage, you better accept it that way!”
Ashley laughed. And as usual, Sean told her he thought she was beautiful. That was all that mattered anyway.
One morning, Ashley went with Sean to open the bakery and interview with a catering client who needed to meet early. She sat at a table in the corner working on four catering menus. When Babycakes opened at six o’clock, a jogger was the first one to enter. Before he even ordered, he blurted out. “They found a body up on Bear Ridge!”
Sean looked bleary eyed at him. “What?”
“A hiker discovered a body up there early this morning. He called the police. Said it looked like it had been there quite a while. Police are investigating now.” The jogger fished around for his phone and held it up for Sean to see the news flash. “Two cider donuts and a cup of coffee please.”
Sean poured coffee in a takeout cup and put two donuts in a bag. He stared at the article.
“Wow,” he said.
“Yeah, weird stuff,” the jogger said. “Thanks for the donuts, love ‘em. Bye!”
Ashley looked up from her menus. “What do you make of that?”
“Don’t know. But I can’t think about it now. Too much to do.” Sean walked back into the kitchen.
Ashley quickly looked up the breaking news on her laptop. There it was. A big story for this area. She started to read about it, when just then, her client walked into the bakery.
He stopped and sniffed the air with a big smile on his face. “Wow! You can smell those cider donuts out on the street! I’m getting a whole bag to take with me!” He walked over to Ashley and extended his hand. “John Whitman. Thanks for coming so early. I’ve got to get my truck over the mountain today and needed a head start this morning.”
Ashley Crane Cozy Mystery Boxed Set Page 73