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

by Sonia Parin

  “Yes. Until the film is finished. I’m here to make sure of that.”

  Eve had the feeling she wanted to say more but had decided the innkeeper wasn’t worth her time. Her lips tightened. Her chin rose a notch. “Come on through. I’ll have someone collect your luggage.”

  “I hear you have a room with a blotchy history. That would give me the creeps.”

  How would she have known about the murder in what Eve had come to call the Rose Room—Eve’s solution to the macabre association? So far, bleaching her memory had worked, erasing most of what she’d seen a couple of months before.

  Had Catherine told her? Or Randal… before he was killed.

  “I suppose you’ll be serving lunch soon.” She didn’t wait for Eve to respond. “I’ll have an egg white omelet and a salad with the dressing on the side. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to freshen up.” Marina Bergstrom looked at her without blinking her eyes.

  Instead of jumping into action, Eve counted to ten. She had no idea why she wanted to wind her up, but she did. “This way, please.” She led her up to the second floor and opened the door to the room next to hers. “I’ll have to have the bed made up for you. We weren’t expecting you.”

  “Are the rooms upstairs not available?”

  “No. They’re both taken.”

  “I thought you weren’t open to the public.”

  “We’re not. Catherine Allan is in one room and Ricky Sheffield in the other.”

  “You mean they’re not sharing?”

  “They requested separate rooms.” She gave herself a congratulatory pat on the back for discretion. Ricky Sheffield had actually been the one to make the request but she wouldn’t share that information with Marina Bergstrom just in case she used it to reach conclusions that might lead to trouble...

  “That’s absurd.”

  Eve waited for her to say more, but she didn’t.

  Still, it was enough for Eve to make a few assumptions about Ricky and Catherine. Were they pretending they weren’t together? Sharing a room would look blatantly suspicious. Get chins wagging. Everyone had known about Catherine and Randal. It wouldn’t look good for her to jump straight into another relationship.

  Downstairs, Eve huffed out her frustration. “I suppose Marina Bergstrom assumes her stay will be part of the package deal.”

  Jill laughed. “Are you having seconds thoughts about opening an inn?”

  “I’m giving serious thought to hiring someone to deal with all these difficult people. How about you? Are you interested in the job?”

  “I have enough on my plate cleaning Mira’s house and painting. Someone in town is bound to know someone in need of a job.”

  “That’s out of the question. They’ll jump at the chance to plant an insider to keep an eye out on the suspicious people I’m going to attract.”

  The sound of a door slamming had them both jumping.

  “That was loud enough to rattle the windows.”

  “I think our new guest has had a visit from Catherine.” Jill looked over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “I wouldn’t blame you if you decide to lace their food with sedatives.”

  Eve smiled. “Afraid Josh might hear you being a bad influence?”

  Jill gave a dismissive wave. “He doesn’t need to know everything about me.”

  “What? Do you think your attitude will come between you? It hasn’t affected mine with Jack.”

  “You’d never change for anyone.”

  “Jill? Are you afraid Josh won’t like you having… opinions?”

  Jill gave a small shrug. “Or thoughts that don’t adhere to acceptable standards. It’s still early days. We’re getting to know each other, and… and I’m sort of changing. I like having an attitude, but I don’t want to scare him away.”

  “Is that what you’re calling having a mind of your own?” Eve didn’t push her. In her mid-twenties, Jill was ten years younger than Eve and still shaping herself. Not everyone could stand up and be counted as an individual. Good on her for trying, Eve thought. “I should go bring the pastries in from the car and get lunch going.” On the way out she nearly collided with Rachael. They both did a sidestepping dance. Neither one smiled. “How about I stand still and you decide which way you want to go.”

  Rachael grunted and stormed up to the house. If she hadn’t been carrying a make-up case, Eve would have considered stopping her and asking if she had any particular reason for going inside.

  On her way back, she encountered Matthew setting up his camera. “Back to work, are you?”

  “Filming is about to start soon.”

  “Did you know Marina Bergstrom had arrived?”

  “Really? No.”

  Eve could barely hide her surprise. Interesting. Why would he pretend he hadn’t seen her?

  “Is she staying in the house?” he asked.

  “Yes. On the second floor.” She didn’t know why she’d thought to add that bit of information. Maybe Jill had a point. She should start thinking about laying a trap.

  “Second floor? Isn’t Catherine on the third floor?”

  “Yes.”

  He gave a slow shake of his head.

  “What?”

  “You put Randal’s wife under his mistress. That’s a recipe for disaster.”

  And yet Catherine had seemed certain Marina didn’t care one way or the other about her affair…

  Had Catherine been oblivious all this time? She didn’t strike her as the type to let her guard down or to not have her finger on the pulse and know what everyone around her was getting up to.

  Eve stood on the front porch watching everyone pack up for the day. She’d give Jack ten more minutes. He’d arrived a couple of hours before and had been busy with Detective Mason Lars going door to door.

  As she was about to return inside, she saw him emerge from one of the houses and have a few more words with the owner.

  She waited to see what he’d do next. If he headed to his car…

  She wouldn’t run after him. Eve refused to be so needy. She’d have to settle for having caught sight of him. After all this was over, she’d insist they have some uninterrupted time together…

  Relief swept through her when she saw him cross the street. The closer he came, the faster her pulse beat.

  Jack strode up the steps, his gaze held steady on hers.

  “Have you been canvassing the area?” she asked.

  He looked toward the opposite side of the street. “Has someone said something?”

  “Not yet. But they’re bound to.” Having a face-to-face encounter with one of her neighbors, even if it led to a heated argument, would be preferable to being at the receiving end of more damage. “I don’t want to think of the alternative. This time, they might not miss when they throw a brick at the house. I’d planned on paying them a visit and taking some muffins with me, but I got caught up with my demanding guests so I didn’t get around to it.”

  “It might be a little late for peace offerings.”

  Eve straightened. “What did they say?”

  “Pursed lips said it all. The only one willing to have a say was Mrs. Harvey, your neighbor across the street. She said she never received any information about you letting your house be used as a movie lot.”

  True. She hadn’t thought of it. “She’s one of the occasional residents and I honestly didn’t think anyone would mind. Besides, it all happened so quickly.”

  “Well… they mostly all do mind and they only know your name because you’ve been in the local newspaper so often.”

  “There’s nothing I can do about that. I’ve never actually spoken with a reporter but it doesn’t stop them from bandying my name around.”

  “Only because you always seem to be involved in the latest murder case.”

  “Will you listen to yourself…” She pushed out a breath filled with frustration. “I’m going to take up Mira’s offer and go on a cruise with her.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Yes, that’s what I�
��ll do before I open the inn. A whole month away. Let’s see how everyone here fares without me. There’ll probably be a flurry of killings and I won’t be around to take the blame for any of them.”

  “Eve.”

  His warning tone made her smile. “Oh, all right. I’ll most likely prove everyone right. With me away, the island’s tranquillity will be restored and I’ll be forever labeled a death knell.”

  Ricky Sheffield stepped out onto the porch and came to an abrupt halt. He gave Jack a stiff nod, shuffled his feet and propelled himself down the steps.

  “What was that about?” Eve asked.

  “We spoke with the director a few days ago, before he came to the island.”

  “Did you clear him of any wrong doing?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “I suppose your silence means you didn’t.”

  “Either that or, like you, we cast our net of suspicion far and wide and work on a process of elimination.”

  “Guilty until proven innocent?” What could they have on the director? He hadn’t been cleared, so Jack had found shades of doubt. “How are his finances?”

  “Shaky. And that’s all I’m saying.”

  “Does he have creditors chasing after him? I bet he does.” She looked at the cars parked at the curve. “There’s nothing spectacular about Marina Bergstrom’s SUV. We know she’s wealthy, but she’s not flaunting it. Ricky, on the other hand, drives an expensive convertible. If he’s having money problems, he’s living above his means. I assume this film is a make or break deal for him. He needs this movie to do well at the box office and beyond.”

  “And how do you figure he’ll do that?”

  Eve took a moment to decide if Jack had asked out of real interest in her input or in jest. “The cameraman told me the latest headlines would attract a cult following. This film could become quite a cash cow for everyone who’s invested in it. And if that’s not a good enough motive for murder, I don’t know what is.”

  “Are you suggesting someone killed Randal Bergstrom in order to hit the headlines and get early publicity?”

  “I wouldn’t dismiss the idea.”

  He gazed out onto the street. “Did you say Marina Bergstrom is here?”

  She nodded. “I’m surprised Josh didn’t report her arrival.”

  “He’s been busy keeping you and Jill safe.”

  “I suppose you haven’t had a proper talk with Marina, what with her being the grieving widow.”

  “Is she looking the part?”

  “Not at all. Then again, everyone reacts differently.” She looked around to make sure no one could hear them. “Has anyone experienced a sudden dip in their bank accounts?”

  “Are you suggesting someone paid to have Randal killed?”

  “I’m just fishing around for information. Something. Anything. It would be good to know you have a definite lead. As it is, there’s a killer at large and he could strike again. I don’t know anything about his motives, other than the ones I’ve imagined. And I’m thinking I’m close to the truth. Randal is killed and suddenly, everything takes off. The down and out film director revives his career. The widow is looking to receive an extra windfall from her investment…”

  “So you’re back to suspecting someone on the set.”

  “I’m not discounting the possibility of one of my neighbors wanting to discredit me by killing a guest… deliberately or by accident…” She gave him a brisk smile. “Thereby putting an end to my business venture.”

  Jack smiled. “They wouldn’t dare kill you, but they might prove me wrong.”

  “Are you trying to frighten me into closing up the house and going home?”

  “It’s worth a try.” He gave a slow shake of his head. “I don’t want to think about what comes next, but knowing you…” He brushed the tips of his fingers along her cheek. “You’ll be impetuous and think you can set a trap.”

  She didn’t want to point out the obvious. Being in the house had already made her a sitting target. “Are you coming in?”

  “No, I need to get back. We have some…”

  “Yes?”

  “We have some records to go through.”

  “Phone records. Banking records.”

  “That’s all I’m saying.” He brushed his lips lightly against hers and left.

  “What? No warning to keep my nose clean?” she called out.

  A few seconds later, her phone beeped. She read the text message and smiled.

  Stay out of trouble, Eve.

  “I found something interesting about Dan Kale.” Jill looked up from her laptop. “Did you just swoon?”

  “That man’s gorgeous. It’s an automatic response. I can’t help it.” Eve looked over Jill’s shoulder. “So, what did you find?”

  “He had to cough up a huge divorce settlement and his last two movies flopped.”

  Another person desperate for an injection of cash, Eve thought and considered adding him to the list of suspects. Although, he probably had a perfect alibi. Eve stepped back.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” She didn’t want to admit to being prejudiced. “Oh, all right. At the risk of being cast a stereotype, I’ll admit I jumped to Dan Kale’s defense because he’s good looking. Anyway, you’d think he’d have an airtight prenuptial.”

  “He did, but it became null and void when he was caught cheating while on a promotional tour for his last film. It made headlines.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “He’s doing a promotional tour for this film, but it doesn’t say where.”

  “But the film won’t be out until late next year.”

  “I guess it pays to get in early and cash in on the current spotlight.” Jill pointed at the screen. “Here’s something else. They’re bumping up the release date scheduling it for early in the year with a limited release.”

  Eve hummed her surprise. “They’re desperate to cash in on the headlines. Let’s hope this doesn’t turn into an ongoing saga with a trail of bodies strewn all over the red carpet.” Eve looked up and saw Rachael skulking around the sitting room next to the kitchen. Their eyes connected briefly before she swirled away. “That woman puts me on edge.”

  “That’s because she doesn’t like you.”

  “Are you just saying that or do you sense it?”

  “Oh, I sense it. I’ve met her type. She functions on a high emotional whirlwind and likes sucking people right into it.”

  “That’s dreadful.”

  “I used to work with someone like her. I’d go home at the end of the day and collapse on the first available flat surface. Sometimes I felt so drained I didn’t even make it to my bed. You need to watch out for her.”

  “Maybe I should take pre-emptive action and ask if she needs something.” Eve edged toward the sitting room, her steps measured, her mind picturing Rachael doing the same on the other side. She wasn’t. Rachael had now moved to the front window and was making a halting signal with her hand.

  Eve backed away. She couldn’t send Jill out the back and around the house to see who stood outside watching out for Rachael’s signal. She’d promised to keep Jill by her side. “Where’s Josh?”

  “Upstairs. He said he wanted a bird’s eye view of the yard.”

  “Perfect.” Eve reached for her cell and sent him a text. She peered around the corner and saw Rachael still standing by the window.

  “What’s going on?” Jill whispered coming up behind her.

  “That’s what I’d like to know. She’s up to no good and she’s got an accomplice.”

  Josh’s text had Eve scrambling to make sense of the connection. “She’s signaling Matthew, the cameraman. What are they up to?”

  “They could be trying to get to your stash of cookies.”

  “You think?” She strode over to the pantry. What if the killer thought they’d left something behind? The police had missed seeing Randal’s shoes. They might have missed something else. “I’d like to have everyone on set test
ed for their blood sugar levels. I swear someone is still pilfering my chocolate.” Eve did a quick stock take. Everything appeared to be where it should be. Nothing out of place. Nothing missing. Nothing that shouldn’t be there. So why did Matthew want to gain access to the house without being detected? “Come on. Let’s clear the way for them.”

  “What?”

  “We’ll step outside for a bit and see what happens.” She picked up a basket of muffins she’d prepared as a belated peace offering for one of her neighbors.

  “What are they for?”

  “Bribery. I’m hoping to get on my neighbor’s good side.” She crossed her fingers. “I hope she has one. To tell you the truth, I’m a bit nervous. I was hoping to get off to a good start with my inn, but I might have a fight on my hands.”

  “You could wait until things die down.”

  Eve gave her a raised eyebrow look. “Please, Jill. There’s already enough death associated with this house.”

  Jill fell in step with her. “Nothing good will come of this. I want it on record.”

  They made their way outside, keeping their steps casual. “Let’s pretend we’re going for a walk. We’ll make a show of crossing the street and then come back. We’ll give them a good twenty minutes. Then we’ll double back and either catch them in the act or, since I now know how much chocolate I have, figure out if they’re the chocolate thieves.”

  Chapter Eight

  “I know who you are.”

  Eve’s smile froze into gritting position. Okay, she could live with her reputation preceding her, but when exactly had she acquired a reputation?

  She tried to raise the wattage on her smile but deep down she knew nothing would budge her neighbor from whatever preconceived notions she’d formed about her. Conservatively dressed in what Eve had come to recognize as island casual clothes that defined her neighbor as well to do, Mrs. Harvey stared at her stonily, her pursed lips and hard eyes blasting Eve with bitter disapproval.

  Determined to win some points, Eve relaxed her smile and lifted the basket of muffins. “I brought these for you. There’s a variety to choose from.”

  “I suppose this is your way of making amends.”