Eve Lloyd's A Deadline Cozy Mystery - Books 1 to 5

by Sonia Parin

  Jack’s eyebrows drew down.

  “Oh, and I have some photos.” She produced her cell and showed them. “I’m sure your lab people can zoom in on these and get the boat’s name.” She scooped in a breath. “Oh, and you can run the number plates on her car.”

  Jack sighed. “Eve.”

  “Yes?”

  “How did you get her fingerprints?”

  She wanted to say a good detective never revealed her sources or resourcefulness but she knew that would be asking for trouble. “Female wiles.” She gave him an impish smile. “I asked her to hold them for me. She didn’t suspect. If she had, I can assure you I would have run a mile.”

  Eve only then realized the significance of what she’d done. She’d only set out to get a closer look at the driver, but the police could now compare these fingerprints to the ones on the handcuffs and they could also find out if the woman had a record. And, of course, the number plates would give them an identity.

  “So,” Eve said, “Can I have my fingerprints back now?”

  Jack laughed.

  “It’s only fair.”

  “That’s not the way it works.”

  She huffed out a breath. “Worth a shot. You’ll at least let me know her name, won’t you?”

  Jack grumbled under his breath.

  Her lips parted. “Hey, I deserve some gratitude.”

  “Yes, of course. Thank you. But next time, it would be better if you called us first.”

  “By then, the woman might have made her escape. In fact, what are you still doing here? You should be high tailing it over to the marina.”

  Detective Mason Lars chuckled and patted Jack on the back. “We better do as the lady says.”

  Back at Mira’s house, Eve couldn’t sit still. She still had a pile of fan mail to get through, but her attention kept wandering.

  What if the woman was connected to the victim? The police hadn’t released a name so she might not even know...

  If they were related, surely, she would have reported him missing.

  Would have. Should have.

  What if she hadn’t because his disappearance meant...

  She was finally free of him?

  Her plan had worked?

  There were some people out there prepared to pay for the services of a hired killer and the reasons...

  There could be so many.

  Eve’s marriage had been straightforward, meaning she and Alex hadn’t toyed with anything unusual. But Eve wasn’t so naive as to think that was the norm. There were couples out there doing all sorts of things. Wife swapping... threesomes...

  Eve drummed her fingers on the desk.

  “Are my fans causing you grief again, Eve?”

  “Mira! You’ve come back to us.”

  “First draft is done. Every time I finished a chapter, I would consider stopping for a break but then I’d get a diamond of an idea. Anyhow, I deserve a treat.”

  “Oh, I have just the thing for you. I picked up a blueberry tart for you today. I’ll go put the kettle on.”

  Eve strode into the kitchen humming to herself. She’d sit down, have a cup of tea, a piece of tart and a chat with Mira. Her head would clear of all this nonsense about extra marital affairs and...

  Looking up, Eve yelped.

  A face was pressed against the window.

  Chapter Six

  “Jill. What are you doing here? You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

  “Sorry.”

  Jill sounded out of breath and she looked slightly pale. “Are you all right?”

  Mischief and Mr. Magoo wagged their tails and pressed their noses against her leg. Eve bent down to give them a scratch behind the ears. “Hang on you two, I have treats for you.”

  “There’s someone out there,” Jill said, her breath coming out in little bursts.

  “What?”

  “Out there. We were coming out onto the clearing when I caught sight of a shadow by the front sitting room window. There was someone looking in. When they heard me coming, they took off.”

  “Which way?”

  “Back out toward the road. I can’t be sure, but it looked like a woman.”

  “Did she have blonde hair?” Eve asked.

  “I couldn’t tell. It was too dark and I think she had a hat on. But I could tell it was a woman by the way she ran.”

  “How tall?”

  “Taller than you.”

  The black sports car driving blonde had been taller than her...

  “Sit down. I was about to put the kettle on. And there’s no way you’re going home alone. Stay here the night.”

  “Shouldn’t we call the police?”

  “What do you think they’ll do?”

  “They might be able to intercept the car. She can’t have been out on foot.”

  “Why not? You are. And she’ll be long gone by now.”

  “What’s going on?” Mira asked as she came into the kitchen. “Hello, Jill. You’re here late.”

  “Hi... I was...”

  Eve motioned for her not to say anything.

  “I was out for a walk and... I lost track of time. Yes... I know it’s late to be out and about.”

  “All right,” Mira said, her tone distracted, “You two girls have fun. I’ve been struck by inspiration and it doesn’t happen too often. I always have to trawl my way through the proverbial ninety nine percent perspiration, so I should go back in and jot down a few ideas before they fizzle out.”

  “I’ll bring in some tea and a piece of tart for you, Mira.” Eve looked at Jill and pressed her finger to her lip.

  Jill waited for Mira to leave. “What?”

  “Mira’s busy writing. We shouldn’t worry her with all this nonsense.”

  After Eve made sure the door to Mira’s study had closed, she sat down with Jill and told her how she’d followed the black sports car earlier that day.

  “You followed her?”

  “I had to. It was like a carrot dangled in front of me. I couldn’t resist.”

  “Next time, take a deep breath and count to ten. And then think of the consequences.”

  “I’d never get anywhere if I did that.” Eve put herself in Blondie’s shoes. What would she have done if she’d known someone had trailed after her? “What if the police followed up on it and checked to see if the fingerprints matched and the woman became suspicious. In her place,” Eve said, “I would ask how, when, why the police had my fingerprints. Let’s pretend I was the only person she had contact with that day. She might have come to the conclusion that I had something to do with alerting the police.”

  “But you did.”

  “That’s beside the point.”

  “Yes, but how would she know where to find you?” Jill asked knowing exactly where Eve had been going with her reasoning. “And what did she think she’d do when she came here?”

  Eve shot to her feet and went to get a pen and some paper. “Okay. I have another thought. I’ve seen her driving around the island. Now I’m thinking she suspected her husband... or boyfriend... or lover of having an affair and since I was the only person she had contact with, she thinks I’m the other woman trying to get a close look at my competition. Some women are like that.”

  Jill’s shoulders rose and fell. “That theory is so out there, I think you might be onto something.”

  “That’s what I think too.”

  “But how did she find you where you live? Even if she connected the dots and realized you’d put the police onto her, how would she know where to look for you?”

  “Hang on, I have to take this in to Mira.” Eve took a tray into Mira’s study. When she returned, she poured them each a cup of tea. “Have some blueberry tart.” What would she do if she wanted to find someone and didn’t know where to look? “My car. She must have seen me get out of my white SUV. So, she drove around the island looking into people’s driveway until she spotted my car. You saw her peering in so she must have been trying to catch sight of me to confirm I
was the driver of the white SUV.”

  Jill shivered. “You seem to have made an enemy. Again.”

  “Without even trying. I can’t even go around minding my own business.”

  “Were you minding your own business when you followed her?”

  “I didn’t have a choice. What would you do in my place? She cut me off.”

  “What did she say when you confronted her about that?”

  “I had my priorities, Jill.” Eve rolled her eyes. “I seized the moment. Inspiration struck and I realized I could use the opportunity to try to get her fingerprints.”

  “So now she knows where you live. I’m not feeling very safe.”

  “Nonsense. We can’t be sure it was Blondie. And what can she do?”

  “For all we know, she might have been the one to tie up the man and kill him,” Jill mused.

  “If she had, then why hang around?”

  “To kill again.” Jill clicked her fingers. “Or it’s one of those weird character traits. You know, like people who light fires and then mingle with the crowd of onlookers to watch the chaos. They get a thrill out of it.”

  “She’d have to be supremely confident to risk getting caught.” Eve pulled out her cell and dialed Jack’s number. He picked up on the second ring.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “That’s a strange way to answer a call.”

  “Not when the call is from you,” Jack said.

  “I’m not comfortable with you jumping to conclusions, Jack. I could be calling about something else...”

  “Such as?”

  “I don’t know... Well, you know. Something fun, unexpected...”

  “What are you wearing?” he asked.

  “Yes, that type of call and I’m not saying that’s the reason why I’m calling now. Did I catch you at a bad time? Tell me you’re not still at work.”

  “What’s this about, Eve?”

  “It could be about me wanting to chat with you, but it’s not. Still, I don’t want you to get into the habit of expecting bad news from me. I’m much nicer than that. Anyway, Jill says she saw someone lurking around outside.”

  “When?”

  “A few minutes ago... about ten minutes ago.”

  “And it took you that long to find your phone. Oh, wait. Let me guess, you chased after the intruder.”

  “I did no such thing.” Although, it would not have been a first for her. “I was here minding my own business and about to make some tea for Mira. Jill arrived and alerted me. I had to deal with her first. She had a panic attack.” Jill rolled her eyes and Eve mouthed an apology. “Also, Mira happened to walk in and I don’t want her worrying so I had to wait for her to leave the room. Anyhow, I called you as soon as I could.”

  “You mean, as soon as you realized you were bound to get caught withholding evidence again.” Jack chuckled.

  “Be serious. My life could be at risk. I might have acquired a stalker. What if they break into the house in the middle of the night and mistake Mira for me? No one would really care if something happened to me, but... heaven forbid, if something happened to Mira, I’d have to deal with her adoring fans.”

  “If something happened to you, I’d care.”

  “Thank you. That’s comforting and Jill just gestured that she too would care.”

  “I’m five minutes away from you. Keep talking. And you don’t need me to tell you to stay inside the house.”

  “You didn’t need to come here. How am I going to explain your visit to Mira? I don’t want her thinking I’m up to no good.” Eve gestured for Jill to close the door leading to the sitting room. “Leave the car out on the road and come in the back way. Oh, and avoid the gravel path. Walk on the grass.”

  “Any other instructions?”

  “Yes. Just because you’re a trained detective doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care. They might still be out there. What if they hit you over the head and then pretend to be you and come in? You could put us all at risk.”

  “Have I ever told you what a macabre, twisted imagination you have?”

  “Is that a compliment or are you being critical?”

  “Your hair looked pretty today.”

  Eve smiled. “Thank you.” She sat down and took a sip of her tea and thought how nice it felt to enjoy a comfortable silence. “I just realized. You’re driving and talking on the phone. You’re not setting a good example for us civilians.”

  “Okay, I’m outside your place.”

  “And you didn’t see anyone out on the roads?”

  “No.”

  “Still. You should be careful. They might have hidden the car.”

  “Does your wildly vivid imagination ever wind down?”

  “No, it’s highly caffeinated. And just so you know, I’m holding a fire poker.”

  “Liar.”

  “All right, I’m sipping my tea. But you shouldn’t let your guard down. The last thing I want is to open the door to you and have you collapse into my arms.”

  “You’ve been watching late night TV.”

  “I thought I told you to avoid the gravel.”

  “I’m still in my car.”

  “Oh.” Eve gestured to Jill and pointed outside. “I can hear someone walking outside.”

  “I’m on it. Stay put. Do not, whatever you do, leave the house.”

  In the next few moments, Eve and Jill heard the crunch of hurried footsteps along the gravel path. Then nothing. A second later, another set of footsteps rushed along the gravel path. Jack, she assumed, hot on the heels of the intruder.

  Both Eve and Jill had their faces pressed against the window but couldn’t see anything. “Mira’s study would have the best view. She obviously hasn’t heard anything, otherwise she would have come out.”

  Someone approached the house. Huddling together, Eve and Jill moved toward the back door.

  A light knock on the window drew them closer.

  “Jack.” Eve opened the door to him and threw her arms around him. “What happened? Did you give chase?”

  He nodded. “Is everyone okay in here?”

  “Yes. But what happened?”

  “Just a boy out looking for his dog.”

  Jill shook her head. “I’m sure the person I saw was a woman.”

  “We think it might have been the black sports car driver.”

  “How did you reach that conclusion?” Jack asked.

  Eve drew back. “Have you been drinking coffee?”

  “Maybe.”

  “You were out on a stake out.” She frowned. “Hey, you were watching this place.”

  “I was... out and about.”

  Eve stepped away from him and folded her arms. “What did you find out about the woman? It had to be something bad, otherwise you wouldn’t be out here staking the place out.”

  “I’m not at liberty to say.”

  “What if I come across her? Should I keep my distance? Call for help? Run for my life?”

  “All the above.”

  “She’s dangerous?”

  “She’s angry.”

  Eve swung away.

  Wife? Girlfriend? Mistress?

  “Is the boat hers?”

  Jack sighed. “It’s actually a yacht, and that’s all I’m saying.”

  She raked her fingers through her hair and gave a firm nod. “That tea’s gone cold.” She put the kettle on. Turning, she saw Jack disappear into the next room, so she followed him. “Why are you checking the windows?”

  “It doesn’t hurt to be careful.”

  “Are you going to organize a squad car to park outside?”

  “Even as we speak. You girls should stick together.”

  Jill huffed out a breath.

  “See what you’ve done now. You’ve got Jill all worked up.”

  “You don’t need to worry. No one knows of your involvement in the case.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “No one knows you found the body. You should be safe. Just keep t
o yourself and don’t talk to anyone about what you saw.”

  Well... it might actually be a bit too late for that.

  No one knew... No one except the people who’d overheard her tell Cynthia Walker at the Chin Wag Café she’d found the body.

  Chapter Seven

  Eve left strict instructions for Jill to stay in the house with Mira. Belatedly, she wished she hadn’t agreed to start work at the bakery. She considered calling in and getting out of it, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. They’d shaken on it...

  As she pulled out onto the road, she gazed at the squad car parked within a discreet distance of Mira’s house. She hoped the police realized the house could also be accessed from the beach.

  If she had any doubts about the town’s grapevine efficiency, she put them all to rest. She didn’t even make it half way to the bakery when a local stopped her.

  “You poor dear. If I’d found the body, I’d be a nervous wreck. How are you holding up?”

  She’d seen the woman around town and now she knew her name. Had Carol been at the Chin Wag Café the day before when Eve had been talking to Cynthia Walker, or had she heard the news through the island grapevine? Eve gathered her handbag close to her and looked over her shoulder.

  “I’ve been too busy to think about it, Carol.”

  “I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for you. Was there much blood?”

  Eve made a point of checking her watch. “I don’t mind telling you, I’ve never been so scared in my life. I nearly tripped over myself trying to get out of the house.” She raised her voice slightly so anyone walking past would hear her. “So, I didn’t stop to look at anything. Sorry, I have to run. I don’t want to be late on my first day. I’m starting work at the bakery.”

  Great. Now everyone would know where to find her.

  An hour later Eve wondered if there was something wrong with the wall clock. She’d never been so aware of time standing still. She only had two hours of work to get through and she’d been checking up on Jill every fifteen minutes. The sooner she finished her shift and went home, the better she’d feel.