Panic at the Pier

by Mel McCoy

  Next stop was the Banana Hammock Bar and Grill. The hostess, Kacey, was a childhood friend of Sarah and Emma. She talked briefly with her, and introduced her to the dogs, highlighting the fact that she’d just found Winston. Kacey, unfortunately, hadn’t heard of anyone looking for their lost dog, but agreed to take a flyer and post it near the entrance.

  A few more stops later, Sarah found herself at the end of the strip, a barren area of dunes and patches of beachgrass beyond that flanked the road leading to the next town, a few miles away.

  “The end of the line,” Sarah said, and lead the way back toward the middle of town, where her grandpa’s boutique was.

  It took about twenty minutes for her to make it back to the boutique, their pace relaxed. She chalked it up to the fact that both dogs were exhausted, but she felt her legs ache. In the city, she’d usually taken public transport, which was within a short walk from her apartment. Here, it was typically easier to walk around, especially since her grandpa’s place was at the midway point.

  Back inside the boutique, Sarah smiled when she saw her grandpa.

  “Why are you wearing that thing?” she asked.

  Larry feigned innocence, tapping the old, antique pendant lightly, letting it swing back and forth across his chest. “Don’t you think it fits my Hawaiian shirt?”

  Sarah let the dogs off the leash, and they rushed to the nearby water bowls. She heard them lapping up water eagerly.

  “It suits you well,” she said.

  Larry took the necklace off and hung it up on a hook behind the counter. Apparently, he thought the pendant clashed with his attire.

  “Where’s Emma?” Sarah asked.

  “Upstairs taking a nap. Guess I’m driving her nuts again—she just doesn’t get my humor, is all.” Larry waggled his eyebrows, two miniature gray caterpillars resting above his eyes.

  “Neither do I,” Sarah said, winking at him.

  “I should go up and get dinner ready.”

  “No chocolate cake for dinner tonight?”

  “Well,” Larry said, hand on chin, rubbing his gray stubble, “we do have half of it left…”

  “Kidding, Grandpa.”

  “Could you watch the store for a while?”

  “Sure. I’ll be up later if I’m hungry.”

  “I’ll text you and let you know when it’s ready.”

  Larry picked up Misty and took her along with him as he made his way up to the apartment.

  In the back office, Sarah heard Rugby and Winston snoring softly.

  Looking at her computer, she saw the store would be closing in fifteen minutes. She busied herself by ensuring all the displays looked presentable. She cleaned the glass displays, proud to see them glean as a result of her efforts. Then, she went back into the office, trying hard not to disturb the dogs.

  The front door’s bell jingled again.

  “Be right out,” she called, then hurried out.

  A man in black rushed out of the door, as if he were startled by her presence. The door swung back shut, the jingle of the bells getting lost in the growing silence.

  “I guess he went in the wrong door,” she muttered, figuring it was the same man in black she saw when the storm started up the other day.

  Checking the time again, she saw it was a few minutes past closing time.

  “Might as well enjoy this calm before it gets busier next week,” she said.

  She padded over to the entrance and turned the lock. A few paces to the left, she pulled the chain on the OPEN sign so its red and blue lights would cease their flashing.

  She lowered some of the lights and went back into her grandpa’s office, settling down at his desk with her laptop. Instead of going upstairs, she decided she’d like some alone time to go through her emails and browse the internet for knitting patterns and the like.

  Hours passed, and her eyes grew heavy. She reached into her pocket to check her phone, thinking it weird that her grandpa hadn’t texted her yet.

  “Oh jeez,” she said, noticing she forgot to take her phone off silent mode again.

  She eyed the texts and read the first text aloud:

  “Dinner is server! Love, Grandpa.”

  Then, “Server = Severed.”

  Sarah giggled. He always had issues using his “newfangled telephonic apparatus,” as he so eloquently called it.

  She read the final text: “Ugh. Not ‘Severed’…that’s a bit morbid. If you couldn’t tell, I meant to say ‘Served.’ If you don’t come up soon, I’ll wrap it up for you to eat later. Love, Grandpa.”

  Sarah smiled, and took her phone off its silent mode before texting her grandpa back.

  “Thanks, Grandpa,” she said aloud, letting her smartphone’s voice recognition feature do its magic. “I’ll be up in a little bit. Just finishing up on some stuff.”

  Once she reread the text to ensure no Grandpa-style typos were there, she sent the message and pocketed the phone.

  She stepped over to the seventies-style couch that sat off on the other side of the office and laid down. Winston jumped up and snuggled next to her for warmth while Rugby still snored on the floor.

  “Hey, boy. Come to join me?” He licked her hand and made himself more comfortable. She was happy to have Winston and worried what would happen when his rightful owners were found. He had become so attached to her. Or was it that she had become so attached to him?

  She closed her eyes for a moment, then a short time later—or perhaps an hour or two later—she heard a loud bang that made her and Winston jump.

  Chapter 8

  Sarah sat bolt upright, hearing both dogs hollering at the subsequent sound.

  “What in the world…” Sarah said, swinging herself off of the couch, stepping hesitantly toward the door that lead to the boutique’s showroom, and to whatever—or whoever—was making that noise. Sarah peeked around the corner into the boutique and then heard the noise again. Something at the front door, like someone was trying to pry it open.

  By the aid of the moonlight, she spotted a figure in the window of the front door. Sarah’s vision narrowed as she tried her best to focus on who it was. No facial features were visible, since whoever was out there was wearing a hood. The person was a silhouette against the moonlight.

  Rugby scrambled toward the door, carrying on, a snarl in his bark.

  It was unlike Rugby to snarl, or bare his teeth, but he was likely reacting to her own body’s response to what was happening: clenching fists, clammy skin, and the unmistakable sensation of an adrenaline rush.

  All of this happened in a matter of seconds.

  Sarah no more than blinked before the silhouette at the door disappeared like a phantom.

  Not more than thirty seconds later, Larry emerged from the door that lead up to the apartment. He flicked the lights on, a look of panic on his face. “Are you okay? I heard all sorts of commotion going on down here.”

  “Did you see him?”

  “Who?”

  Sarah told her grandpa about the man who, not more than a minute before, was trying to break through the front door to the shop.

  “No, didn’t see anyone.”

  Sarah furrowed her brows and stared at the door.

  Questions swirled in her mind.

  Who was out there? Why were they trying to break in? And when did break-ins become a thing in Cascade Cove?

  Sarah was determined to get to the bottom of this. Reaching in her pocket, she grabbed her phone.

  “What are you doing?” Larry asked.

  “Calling Adam Dunkin.”

  Sarah watched as Adam Dunkin examined the door with a flashlight, then turned to look at Larry, who paced back and forth in the front of his boutique between the displays of dog scarves and catnip toys. Emma leaned up against the back wall of the boutique, yawning in her pajamas and cat slippers. All the lights in the store were on, a contrast to the darkness in the street and beyond. Sarah felt safe with the lights on, and especially safe now that Adam was there.

/>   “Hmm,” Adam said, running his fingers along the metal doorframe. “Looks like someone was trying to bust this open.” Adam looked up at Larry. “Definitely forced entry. Well, attempted forced entry, I guess. Lucky for you, you got a pretty solid bolt on this door with a secure locking mechanism from the outside.”

  Larry stopped pacing. “I got the best door installed. At least, that’s what they told me when I got it.” Larry looked at Sarah and Emma. “Grandma was hounding me about getting a good door. So, I got her the best I could find.”

  Adam jotted a few notes onto a small pad of paper.

  Emma straightened herself. “Well, if it’s safe, I’m going back upstairs for some beauty rest. I’m beat.”

  “Good night, sweetie.”

  Emma had already started toward the door; her blonde, tousled bun on top of her head swayed tiredly as she shuffled her way back to bed. “Yeah, good night, everyone.”

  “So now what?” Larry asked, looking at Adam.

  “I’ll file this incident, and we’ll keep our eyes and ears open.”

  Larry nodded, still pacing and running his hands through his hair.

  “You don’t have any security cameras outside, do you?” Adam asked. “Or any in here aiming toward the door?”

  Larry stopped pacing and laughed, a reaction that surprised Sarah.

  “This town is as safe as a foam pit, Mr. Dunkin.”

  “So, no cameras, then?”

  Larry shook his head. “No, never even crossed my mind, to be honest.”

  “I see.”

  “I don’t even lock my apartment door—never so much as a single napkin has been out of place.”

  “Right, but the store…”

  “Of course, I lock up the store, obviously.” Larry motioned with one hand toward the scraped doorframe. “But most of the time, I think even locking up the store is pointless…unless it’s the busy season.”

  “I see,” Adam said, writing more notes, then pocketing his pad and pen.

  Just then, the door opened, and Sarah jumped. It was just the other police officer that had come with Adam. “I double-checked the perimeter,” the man said. “I didn’t find anything.”

  “Thanks, Finley. I’ll meet you in the car.”

  “Sure thing, Dunkin, I’ll get started on the paperwork.”

  “Thank you. I’ll be out in a minute; I’m almost done.”

  Finley walked out to the patrol car.

  Adam turned to Larry. “Mr. Shores, this is unrelated, but since I’m here, I have to ask.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m looking for someone. A man by the name of…” Adam fished into his pocket and pulled out the pad again, flipping through the pages. “I’m looking for Orloff Minsky.” Adam began reading off a description from his pad, “He’s Russian, tall, with dark hair, green eyes, and a raven tattooed on the right side of his neck.” He looked up at Larry. “He’s a neighbor of yours. Have you seen him lately?”

  Larry thought for a moment, then said, “Can’t say that I have. Barely know the guy. He’s fairly new around here and I haven’t had a chance to meet him properly yet. Why?”

  “We’re just looking for him.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Adam. But I haven’t seen him recently.”

  “Could you let me know if you do?”

  “Of course.”

  Sarah walked over and stopped next to Larry. “Grandpa, why don’t you go to bed and I’ll take it from here. You have to finish up your orders tomorrow.”

  “That’s right. That order.” Larry turned to Adam. “Getting ready for the season. You know how that gets.”

  Adam smiled. “Yes, Mr. Shores. I know.”

  “Well, if you don’t need me for anything else…”

  “No, sir.”

  “Then I’ll bid you both good night.” Larry reached over and shook Adam’s hand and then gave Sarah a hug. “Don’t stay up too late,” he whispered to Sarah, wiggling his caterpillar brows. Sarah swatted Larry and he turned to walk away. Before he closed the door behind him, he said, “Sarah, don’t forget to make sure everything is secure. I still can’t believe this happened.” He mumbled a few more things while closing the door.

  Sarah turned to Adam. “Does this have anything to do with the Jacobs case?”

  Adam’s face grew grim. He gazed back at Sarah. “Listen, I’ll tell you since he’s your neighbor, and I’m looking out for you and your family. But you have to promise to keep this between us. I could get in trouble if—”

  “You can count on me,” she said.

  “Good.”

  “So, what’s going on?”

  “Well, some of our people at the station did a bit more digging, especially since the bump was discovered on the back of the victim’s head. Most people we interviewed have rock-solid alibis.” Giving Sarah a look, Adam continued, “Including Mrs. Patricia Greensmith—we followed up with the hospital, and it all checks out that she was there during the incident.”

  Sarah nodded. She was glad Patricia had been quickly exonerated.

  Adam looked back down at his legal pad. “But we have yet to question Mr. Minsky.”

  “How does he connect to Jacobs?”

  “He was his gardener, knew the lay of the land around the Jacobs estate. Interesting thing we found was that Mr. Jacobs fired him the day of his death—at the end of his shift at five o’clock.”

  Sarah put her finger to her chin. “So, Jacobs fires his gardener, Orloff, and then the next day, the old man’s body is found by the fishermen.”

  “That about sums it up.”

  “Do you have a weapon?” Sarah asked. She figured whatever blunt object Orloff might’ve used to hit his former boss over the head before dumping his body would have to be somewhere. Perhaps it was one of his gardening tools…Whatever the weapon, she realized whoever killed Mr. Jacobs wouldn’t have been so careless as to leave the murder weapon lying around for anyone to find. Still, she had to ask.

  Adam shook his head. “No weapon found.”

  “Anything else?” she asked.

  “No,” Adam said. “And, to be clear, we simply need to find Orloff to ask him a few questions. He’s relatively new in town, and due to the suspicious nature of having been fired the day before Mr. Jacobs’ body was found, it would suggest a clear motive. Once we question him, we’ll be able to determine if he has a solid alibi or not.”

  Sarah nodded. “Of course. Innocent until proven guilty.”

  Adam wrote down a few more notes in his pad, then slid it into his pocket. “That’s the name of the game. But as I said, we’re just dotting every ‘I’ and crossing every ‘T.’ There’s a chance that this is still just an accident, but we have to be sure we leave no stone unturned.”

  “Yeah, I get it,” Sarah said. “Hey, do you think it’s possible this Orloff guy tried to break into the shop?”

  “Doubtful,” Adam said. “Murder and burglary are two different species. And if you ask me, Orloff is looking more like the murdering type. Burglary is more common than your grandfather thinks. His store just hasn’t been targeted before.”

  Sarah snickered. “Yeah, because, let’s be honest, who would want to break into a pet boutique?”

  Adam didn’t share her humor. “Actually, these burglars don’t care, as long as there’s cash.” Adam released tension from his face. “Listen, Sarah, don’t underestimate anyone. Despite what people think around here at the Cove, we may not usually have a murder on our hands, but we do have drownings, accidents, and enough burglaries. Just be careful.”

  Sarah nodded. “I will.”

  “Well, I should be off.”

  “Thanks again for coming so quick.”

  “Of course,” Adam said. “Besides, you calling me gave me a break from a stack of paperwork waiting for me at the station.”

  “Well, then, you’re welcome.”

  “Thank you.” He made his way to the door. “Make sure to lock up tight. And if you see Orloff or know where I can fin
d him, call me on my cell.” Adam looked at Sarah and flashed a smile.

  “Sure thing,” Sarah said, smiling back.

  She watched as Adam Dunkin stepped out. He waited until she gave the thumbs up that the door was locked and secure. He tipped his hat and disappeared into the darkness. Her smile faded as the thought of a killer on the loose filled her mind.

  Emma’s the one who jumps to conclusions, she told herself. But Adam definitely hinted that he was leaning more toward murder. Murder at Cascade Cove. A panic at the pier. It didn’t seem real.

  But she couldn’t help but jump to conclusions as well with the first solid pieces of the puzzle beginning to emerge.

  Chapter 9

  The next day, Sarah spent the morning at her grandpa’s boutique, behind the counter, knitting a new dog sweater design she came up with last winter. She was trying to forget about what happened the night before. Rugby was laying in his usual spot by the stool behind the counter, with Winston nearby. Both were enjoying their late morning slumber.

  Next to her, Emma was on her laptop, the keys clacking away.

  “Okay,” Emma said, “got the new website set up for Grandpa. Want to see it?”

  Sarah put her knitting down and took Emma’s laptop. “Wow, this is amazing.”

  “And check this out. If you click here, you can browse all our merch. And here,” Emma moved the cursor to “cart” and clicked. “They can now purchase directly on the website.”

  “I can’t believe you did this. Grandpa is going to love it.”

  “Yeah, so now it will be easier to make some money during the off-season online. We just have to build our brand more,” Emma said, taking her laptop back.

  Sarah was surprised, though Emma had always been a computer whiz. Something that didn’t come quite as easily to Sarah.

  “So, did Adam have anything else to say about the whole Jacobs murder when he was here last night?” Emma asked.

  “Not a murder.”

  “Yet.”

  Sarah shook her head. “Actually, there is something.”

  “Really?” Emma’s eyes went wide. “What?”