Murder at the Truck Stop: A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series Book 16)

by Dianne Harman

  “I will, Jesse, thanks. Anything else?”

  “I mentioned earlier that I thought it might be a good idea if you talked to Pete. A couple of the drivers who were talking on the CB work for him. He might know something.”

  “Do you know if he’s been told about the murder?”

  “No, but I know he was on a run today, so I’d guess he’s been listening to the radio. I’m sure he must know by now. Plus, he knows that several of his drivers routinely go to that truck stop most mornings.”

  “Thanks again, Jesse. I’ll call him tonight. Talk to you later.”

  She turned to Deputy Josh and told him what Jesse had said. He was quiet for a few moments and then said, “Kelly, we talked a little earlier about you helping in this investigation. Since you have an in with this guy, Pete, who Jesse seems to think might have some information we could use, I’d appreciate it if you would talk to him and see if he knows anything.”

  “Sure. I’ll call Roxie tonight and get his number so I can call him. I’ll let you know what I find out.”

  “See if you can get some names. Jesse said that his group tended to stop at the truck stop on a regular basis, so maybe one of them knows something. Doing due diligence, I’d like to run a check on them. No need to run one on Jesse, because you were with him.”

  “Not only that, Josh, but when the coroner came, I heard him tell you that he thought the time of death was around 6:30 this morning. And yes, Jesse was with me from 6:00 on. There’s no way he could have gone to the truck stop, murdered Kimberly, and driven back to Cedar Bay in time to pick me up. You can definitely cross him off the list.”

  “I never considered him a suspect. I’m crossing my t’s and dotting my i’s, like I do in every investigation.”

  “Josh, I just had a thought. When Jesse and I talked about this last week, he mentioned that Pete had told him his group of drivers used to be really close to one another, but lately he’d noticed some signs that something had happened. Maybe I can find out what it was.”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” he said as he pulled into her driveway. “Tell Sheriff Reynolds I wish him a speedy recovery, but please tell him to stay away from the station until he’s completely over the flu. We’re operating with a skeleton staff right now. Don’t know what I’d do if anyone else got sick.”

  “I’ll tell him, and I’ll make sure he stays at home until he’s well. Now I think I better start that chicken noodle soup. Thanks for the ride and sorry we couldn’t have met under better circumstances. I’ll be in touch as soon as I know anything.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Kelly opened the door and walked down the hall to the bedroom where she hoped Mike was sleeping. Everything was quiet and when she peeked in, she saw that he was indeed asleep. He must have sensed that she was there or heard the door open, because just as she was turning around to leave, his eyes opened.

  “I’m glad you’re home. Tell me all about the murder. What did you think of Josh?” Mike asked, as he reached for a glass of water on the nightstand.

  Kelly walked over to him and felt his forehead. “Mike, when was the last time you took some aspirin? You’re still burning up.”

  “I don’t remember. Other than when I was talking to you and Josh, I’ve slept most of the day. I did wake up a couple of times when I heard the dogs come into the room. I think they were checking on me. Rebel, in particular, seemed concerned. Several times he came over to me and whined to get my attention. When I reached over and petted him, it seemed to put his mind at ease that nothing was seriously wrong with me.”

  “Well, Nurse Kelly is here now, so take these two aspirin, and I’ll get you some fresh water. I’m going to make a big pot of chicken noodle soup. I’d like you to try a little later on. You need to get something in you.”

  “Go ahead and make it, but I can’t promise that I’ll eat any. Right now, all I want to do is sleep.”

  “That’s probably the best thing for you. Would you like me to call Doc? Since he’s a personal friend, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind making an after-hours house call. Maybe he’s got some type of medicine that will help.”

  “No, don’t bother him. As I think I told you, the flu has been rampant at the station, and from what I’ve been told, it’s a virus and there really isn’t any medicine that will help. It just needs to run its course. Not the best time to get it when there’s just been a murder in my jurisdiction.”

  “Okay, I won’t call him. You asked how Josh did, and I have to tell you I was very impressed with him. I think your department is in safe hands with him. He’s really short on staff right now so I’m going to see if I can help him,” she said as she took the glass of water from Mike.

  “Kelly, you don’t need to get involved in this just because I’m sick. As a matter of fact, I wish you wouldn’t. Let him take care of it.”

  “Mike, I’m already kind of involved since I’m the one who found the body. Plus, Roxie’s brother, Pete, is the boss of a few of the men who routinely frequent the truck stop. I’m going to call him later on and see if he knows anything that might help Josh.”

  She looked down at Mike waiting for his response. The only response she got was a light snore. Mike was sound asleep.

  *****

  After she’d finished making the chicken noodle soup and it was gently simmering, she called Roxie to see if there had been any problems at the coffee shop and to get her brother’s phone number.

  “Roxie, it’s me. How did everything go today?” Kelly asked.

  “Absolutely great at the coffee shop, but I hear from Pete that you got yourself involved in another murder. From what he said, you were the one who found the woman’s body. How are you doing?”

  “Finding a body is never an enjoyable experience, but unfortunately, as you well know, this wasn’t my first time. Glad to hear that everything went well for you. The other reason I’m calling is to get Pete’s phone number. Evidently several of the truckers who frequent the truck stop where the murder occurred work for him. I’m wondering if he has any thoughts about it.”

  “Sure, here’s his number,” Roxie said rattling off his phone number. “By the way, Kelly, knowing you, you’re probably going to want to spend some time seeing if you can come up with anything on the murder. If you need me to open tomorrow and for the next couple of days, that’s not a problem.”

  “Thanks, I’ll let you know after I talk to your brother. You told me this morning that you were able to get someone to help you at the coffee shop. If I do want to take some time off, do you think she’s still available?”

  “Yes. Call me back after you talk to Pete, and we’ll go from there. If you aren’t going to be available for the next couple of days, I’d like to give a couple of waitresses a heads up that I’ll be needing them.”

  “I will. Thanks again, Roxie.” Kelly ended the call and pressed Pete’s number into her phone.

  CHAPTER 11

  “Pete Richards here. How can I help you?” the male voice on the other end of the line said.

  “Pete, my name is Kelly Reynolds. Your sister, Roxie, works for me at Kelly’s Koffee Shop. I was with one of your drivers today, Jesse Ramos, when we stopped at a truck stop about an hour south of Cedar Bay. Unfortunately, while I was there, I discovered a woman’s body in the ladies restroom.”

  “Of course, Kelly, Roxie talks about you so much I feel like I know you. Yes, the CBs have been buzzing all day about the murder. What can I do for you?”

  “Quite frankly, I have no idea. Jesse told me that several of the men who work for you frequent this particular truck stop. My husband’s the Beaver County sheriff and the truck stop is in his jurisdiction, but he’s got a bad case of the flu and is doing well to even swallow the aspirin I give him.

  “The deputy sheriff who’s taking over for him told me that half of the officers at the sheriff’s station have the flu, and they’re really short-staffed. I’ve helped my husband on murder cases before, and thought that since time is of the es
sence in a case like this, I’d see what I could do to help him with this one. I thought you might have some relevant information about it.”

  “Kelly, I’d be happy to talk to you about it, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. My daughter and her husband are both teachers and they have back-to-school nights at their schools. Problem is their daughter, my granddaughter, also has a back-to-school night tonight, so I volunteered to attend hers. Matter of fact, I was just walking out the door to pick her up.

  “I’ll be in my office in Cedar Bay tomorrow, catching up on some paperwork. The main trucking terminal is in Portland, but I try to do as much as I can here, so I don’t have to make the trip up there more than once a week. Any chance you could come in around 8:00 in the morning and you can pick my brain then?”

  “That would be fine. Thanks. What’s your address?”

  “It’s not far from your coffee shop. I’m down the street from you about two blocks. I grew up here in Cedar Bay and seeing the ocean is a must for me most days. The office is at 103 Pacific Street, Suite “N.”

  “I know right where that is. Thanks, Pete. See you tomorrow morning.”

  She called Roxie back and told her about her conversation with Pete. “Roxie, I could come and open up tomorrow, but between the murder and Mike being really sick, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to take the next couple of days off.”

  “Not a problem. I’ve got the key, and I’ll call Missy right now. Rest easy, your coffee shop will be in good hands with me. What’s wrong with Mike?” Roxie asked.

  “He managed to get the flu that most of his staff has. I just made a big pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. I’m going to try to get some down him. It may be an old wives’ tale, but I’ve always believed in the healing properties of chicken noodle soup.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. It’s our go-to when anyone gets sick at our house. If most of Mike’s staff is out, it’s probably running rampant here in Cedar Bay. Probably wouldn’t hurt if I asked Charlie to make a big batch of it tomorrow. Who knows, maybe it will keep a few people from getting the flu.”

  “Good idea. Give me a call if you run into any problems and thanks for doing this.”

  “Go catch the bad guys and get Mike well. That’s all the thanks I need.”

  CHAPTER 12

  That night Kelly slept in the guest bedroom. When she woke up the following morning she went in the bedroom where Mike was sleeping and gently placed her hand on his forehead, trying not to wake him. When she felt him, she knew he needed more aspirin.

  “Mike, honey, I need you to wake up. It’s time to take some aspirin.”

  Mike slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. “Kelly, I was having the best dream. We were on a tropical island in one of those houses that’s built on stilts. There was no one around, no one had been murdered, and no one even knew that I was a sheriff. It was heaven. Just the gin clear water, the blue sky, and a few boats bobbing out on the water. Don’t know where I was, but I’d like to go back.”

  “Well, when you’re well and this truck stop murder has been solved, I’ll see what we can do about finding a place like that. However, right now you need to take some aspirin and drink some water. We got your fever down last night, but right now you feel like it’s back up again. Here, take these,” Kelly said as she handed him two aspirin and a glass of water.

  “Even though you still have a fever, do you feel any better today?” she asked.

  “Not particularly. Sorry to be a nuisance, but think I’ll just stay in bed today and get some more sleep.”

  “I have an appointment with Pete Richards, Roxie’s brother, this morning,” Kelly said. “He’s the one who owns a trucking company and several men who work for him frequent the truck stop where the woman was murdered. After that I’m going to see Josh at the station and let him know what I find out. Like I told you, when I talked to Josh last night, he said for me to be sure and tell you everything was okay at the station and for you to take as long as you need to get well.”

  “I don’t remember you telling me that. I must have gone back to sleep after I ate that chicken noodle soup.”

  “I wouldn’t be at all surprised. You were almost asleep while you were eating it, but at least I got a little nourishment down you.”

  “And it tasted great. If there’s any left, I think I’d like some for dinner.”

  “I can do you one better than that. I’ll come home after I meet with Pete and Josh and make you lunch. I’ll bring a TV tray in here like I did last night and you won’t even have to get out of bed. We’ll get some more healing fluids into your poor little body.”

  “I think that’s the first time anyone has ever made a statement about me that involved my “little body,” Mike said. “Little and me are usually not in the same sentence.”

  “That might be true, but right now your body is definitely a poor little body with a high fever and a bad case of the flu. I’ll get some fresh water for you and then I’m going to make some coffee, take a shower, and get dressed. Would you like some coffee or maybe some tea with lemon in it?”

  “Yuck. Just water. I don’t want anything else. If I’m asleep when you leave, don’t be insulted. I’m just tired.”

  “Glad you’re listening to your body. Go back to sleep,” she said as she motioned for the dogs to come with her.

  An hour later she silently said goodbye to a sleeping Mike and left him in the capable hands of the dogs, knowing he’d be in good company and safe with them around.

  CHAPTER 13

  Kelly easily drove to the address of Pete’s Trucking Company. Like he’d said the night before, it was only two blocks from Kelly’s Koffee Shop. She knocked on the door of suite “N” and immediately a male voice said, “Come in.”

  She walked into the small office suite and saw the male counterpart to Roxie sitting behind a desk. He stood up, stretched his arm across his desk to shake her hand, and said, “Hi Kelly. I’m Roxie’s brother, Pete. Roxie speaks so highly of you, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “Thank you,” Kelly said, “And may I say the same. I can’t believe we’ve not met before. After all, Cedar Bay isn’t all that big.”

  “That’s true, but before I got my own trucking company, I lived for a number of years in Portland, because that’s where the trucking company I was with was headquartered. I moved back here only a few years ago.”

  “Then that explains it.”

  “Have a seat, Kelly, and tell me what you’d like to know.”

  Kelly was having a hard time figuring out where Pete had gotten the money to buy or start his own trucking company. She remembered conversations she’d had with Roxie about growing up in Cedar Bay and her family not having enough money for her to go to college.

  She was curious enough to say, “Pete, Roxie never told me how you became the owner of a trucking company. How did that come about?”

  “I imagine you’re being gracious enough not to say that Roxie and I were the children of parents who barely managed to make ends meet. I didn’t want to live like that, and I heard that trucking was a big business in Portland. I went there, got my license to drive a truck, and started interviewing.

  “The stars must have been aligned perfectly, because at the third place I went to for an interview one of their drivers hadn’t shown up for work. Evidently it had happened several times before, and so the owner hired me right then and there. I completed my paperwork and started driving for him the same day.”

  “That was certainly lucky,” Kelly said.

  “Beyond. The owner and I bonded, and I became the son he never had. His wife had died, and he had no family. He left the trucking company to me when he passed away a few years later. I stayed in Portland for several years to keep it running just the way he had, but I missed Cedar Bay. By that time, I was married with two children, so I moved back here. I go to Portland on Monday mornings to make sure everything is going well at the trucking office, and the rest of the time I’m either
here or on the road.”

  “Pete, I know next to nothing about the trucking industry other than what Jesse has told me, but I thought drivers had to go to the trucking company and get their trucks every morning and then go on their runs. Do you keep a truck here in Cedar Bay?”

  “Usually that would be the way it works, but Portland is a much more expensive place to live than here in Cedar Bay. I have a house on the outskirts of town, and I built a big shed to keep my rig in. My company has a contract with a big shipper about ten minutes from Cedar Bay where I can pick up my loads. As a matter of fact, two of my employees do the same thing.”

  “What do you mean they do the same thing?” she asked.

  “Most of the trucking companies have a policy of not allowing their drivers to take their rigs to their homes. They are to be kept at the trucking company. Two of my drivers knew that I had a home in Cedar Bay and that I kept my truck at my home. They both had families in Cedar Bay and asked if they could do the same. I thought about it knowing that it was not the norm in the trucking world, but then I agreed to it.”

  “That was very generous of you. I’m sure they appreciate it.”

  “They did, although lately I’ve had second doubts about it.”

  “Why is that, Pete?”

  “Well, I don’t know how any of this could be relevant to Kimberly’s murder, but since both of these men do frequent the truck stop where she was killed, maybe there is something there.”

  “Anything you can tell me might be of help. As of right now, the deputy sheriff who is handling the case, Josh Bennet, has nothing to go on.”

  Pete steepled his fingers under his chin and began. “Jet is one of my truckers. He had some troubled teenage years, but he seemed to have turned his life around and he became quite religious. I occasionally drop in at the truck stop, and I noticed that whenever Jet was there, he seemed to be totally enchanted by the woman who was murdered.”