Peaches and Crime (Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Book 16)

by Amber Crewes

  Meghan called Jack’s office. He didn’t answer, so she rang his cell phone.

  “Yeah?”

  “How are you?” she asked timidly. “I was thinking about you…”

  “Really? Well, I’m good. It’s good to hear from you.”

  She smiled, thrilled that Jack seemed to be in a pleasant mood. “Do you want to have a little spontaneous date? I feel like we need to talk, and I wanted to know if you’d like to take the dogs to the groomer with me?”

  Jack sighed. “The last time we got the dogs groomed, the bill made me sick; Meghan, you can just wash them at my place. You don’t need to spend that much money to wash your dogs.”

  She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, instead choosing to remain positive and upbeat. “Oh, don’t be such a cheapskate,” she teased. “The dogs deserve some pampering, and I think it would be great for us to spend some time together. What do you think, babe? I miss you.”

  She heard him sigh. “I can’t,” he told her. “I have some paperwork to finish at the office. I’m sorry, but I can’t get away.”

  Meghan’s heart sank. “Oh, of course. I understand.”

  “Maybe we could find time to hang out later in the week? You’re right; we do need some time to talk and sort things out. Things haven’t been good lately.”

  “Yeah,” she agreed. “Later in the week. That’s fine. I’ll let you get back to work.”

  “Talk to you soon.”

  “Love you,” Meghan replied.

  “Bye.”

  She felt her stomach churn as she placed the phone back in her pocket. “I guess it’s just the three of us,” she told the dogs as she guided them toward the town. “Jack has too much going on at work.”

  She arrived at the new grooming place fifteen minutes before their appointment. “You’ll have to wait,” the receptionist informed her. “Another customer is wrapping up, but the groomer will be available soon.”

  Meghan sat down in the purple plastic waiting room chair. She ordered the dogs to sit, relieved that they were tired from their walk and obediently sank to the floor. “Good dogs.”

  A few moments later, the door to the grooming room opened. “Hey there,” said the customer as he walked out with his dog, a merle Great Dane.

  “Lee,” Meghan replied. “What are you doing here?”

  “Just bringing Dave in for a wash,” he told her.

  “I didn’t know you had a dog.”

  “I had to get him,” he told her, his voice tinged with sadness. “It’s been such a rocky start in Sandy Bay, and I needed someone to be my friend. That someone just turned out to be this guy. He’s a rescue dane from a shelter in Kentucky. He arrived last night, and we’ve been getting to know each other, right boy?”

  Dave licked his face, and Meghan laughed. “He seems to have taken to you,” she praised as she petted the dog on his back. “I love danes. They are such handsome dogs.”

  Dave licked Meghan’s hand. “I guess that’s his way of saying thank you,” Lee laughed.

  “Meghan?” the receptionist called. “The groomer is ready for you. You can go on back.”

  “Hey,” Lee said quietly. “Dave and I are off to a good start, but I don’t know a lot about dogs. Could I come back and watch while you and your dogs have your appointment? I need a few pointers, and I would love to pick your brain while your dogs get taken care of.”

  Meghan bit her lip. “I’m not sure,” she murmured. “We’re just doing a quick visit; I don’t have a lot of time today, and I was going to make some business calls while they were being washed…”

  “I know as a business woman, time is your most precious commodity,” he joked, his eyes dancing as he looked at Meghan. “But cut a guy a break? Dave hasn’t spent a lot of time around women, and it’ll be good for the man to get some snuggles from a pretty girl…”

  She laughed. “Flattery does nothing for me.”

  “What about bribery?” he asked. “I really need some advice about raising a dog. What if I make a call later and talk to the security camera company? I’ll facilitate a really good deal for you?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Now I’m interested,” she said. “You’re speaking my language.”

  Meghan jerked her chin toward the grooming room, and Lee followed her, Dave eagerly sniffing Fiesta and Siesta.

  “You’re back,” the groomer remarked in surprise as he entered the room and saw Lee. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m just hanging out,” he said. “She told me it was okay.”

  “He’s bribing me,” she informed the groomer with a straight face.

  “That sounds serious,” the groomer replied, laughing as Meghan’s face broke into a smile.

  The groomer began to wash Siesta, and Meghan began to explain the mechanics of dog ownership to Lee. “The worst part? Other dog mommies. Picking up poo, taking them for walks when it’s cold? Easy. But dealing with overprotective dog mommies? The worst!”

  Lee laughed. “I’ll have to keep my eye out for them,” he joked.

  The door flung open, and Meghan gasped. “What are you doing here?”

  Jack stood in the doorway, his face dark. “What is he doing here? Is this loser my replacement, Meghan? Tell the truth.”

  Lee rose from his seat, holding up his hands. “Look man, this isn’t anything. She was just explaining what it’s like to have a dog.”

  Jack shook his head. “I came here because you asked me to,” he snarled toward Meghan.

  “You cancelled!”

  “Then I changed my mind. What you said to me; we do need to talk, and we do need to clear the air. But now, I feel like a fool. You’re here with him? Again? What’s gotten into you?”

  Lee laughed. “Clearly not anything you’re doing,” he said under his breath.

  “What was that?” Jack said venomously. “You want to say something to me? Say it to my face!”

  Lee shook his head. “Get out of my face,” he told Jack. “Better yet, I’ll just go. See you, Meghan. Sorry you have to deal with this goofy dude…”

  Before Meghan could reply, Jack raised his fist. He reared back, and slammed his fist into Lee’s face. “JACK!” she screamed.

  Lee sank to the floor. His face was bloody, and she could see his nose was crooked. “You hurt him!”

  She dove to Lee’s side. His eyes were closed, and though he was breathing, he did not stir. “Lee?”

  “Why are you so worried about him? He asked for that one,” Jack spat. “He’s a loser, Meghan, and he is trying way too hard to steal you from me.”

  “I can’t believe you did that,” she screamed. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “He’s trying to take you from me,” Jack insisted, his blue eyes wide. “Why can’t you see that?”

  Lee began to open his eyes, and Meghan rose to her feet. She walked up to Jack and glared at him. “He doesn’t have to try,” she said coldly. “You’ve given me every reason to walk away now.”

  14

  Meghan returned to the bakery to find Trudy and Pamela grilling bananas in the kitchen. “What are you doing here?” Trudy asked in surprise as Meghan walked in. “It’s your day off. You should be enjoying your day!”

  Meghan’s face was dark. “What’s wrong?” Pamela asked. “Are you okay?”

  She shook her head. “You won’t believe what happened…”

  “Jack beat the stuffing out of Lee and sent him to the hospital, breaking his jaw and leg and giving him memory loss?” Pamela chimed in.

  Meghan’s dark eyes widened. “What? Where did you hear that?”

  “Kayley Kane mentioned it when I saw her at the pharmacy earlier,” Trudy explained. “I ran over there on my break to pick up some chewing gum, and she told me what happened. I ran back to the bakery and asked Pamela if she knew what happened, and she said someone had posted about it on Facebook.”

  “What?” Meghan cried. “People are talking about what happened? Oh no.”

  “Will Lee get his memo
ry back? Is Jack going to jail?” Pamela asked, her eyes large with curiosity.

  “That isn’t even what happened,” Meghan groaned. “I hate how fast word spreads in a small town, especially when it isn’t even the correct information.”

  “What actually happened?” Trudy inquired.

  Meghan told them about her trip to the beach, how she ended up at the new grooming center with the dogs, and her encounter with Lee. “He has a new dog, and he wanted some advice on training him,” she informed them. “Then Jack showed up.”

  “Did he beat Lee up?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far, but he did punch him,” Meghan admitted. “It was the strangest thing; I’ve never seen Jack act like that before. He’s been so strange lately; he’s been jealous and possessive, and now this? I don’t know what to think any more.”

  Trudy shook her head. “Do you think he’s having some sort of mental breakdown?”

  “I don’t know, but I wish he would open up to me,” Meghan sighed. “If I don’t know what the problem is, I can’t help him. He really crossed a line today. I wish he had just talked to me, or even yelled. Why did he have to put his hands on Lee?”

  Trudy shook her head. “It sounds like something serious is going on with him.”

  “He mentioned work isn’t going well,” Meghan shrugged. “That there are things going on I don’t know about. That is the problem, though. If something is wrong, he should tell me. I want to help him through problems, not be kept in the dark.”

  “That makes sense,” Pamela affirmed. “That’s the whole point of having a boyfriend, isn’t it? To help them, and to get help from them?”

  “Exactly,” Meghan agreed. “I feel like he’s pushing me away, and there isn’t anything I can do about it. I feel so powerless, and today, he really crossed the line by being violent.”

  “What are you going to do now?” Pamela asked. “Are you going to break up with him?”

  Before Meghan could answer, she heard a woman’s voice calling from the dining room.

  “Meghan Truman, are you here?”

  Meghan turned on her heel and walked into the dining room. She found a petite, brunette police officer waiting for her. “Can I help you?”

  “I need you to come with me,” the officer said briskly. “We need you down at the station immediately.”

  “Is there a problem?” Meghan asked in alarm. “Am I in trouble?”

  The officer shook her head. “No, but you are needed at the station to make a statement about what happened at the groomer’s this afternoon…”

  Meghan’s face paled. “Is Lee pressing charges?”

  “Mr. Shephard is trying to decide the best course of action,” the officer stated primly. “The injuries to his nose are severe, and it seems as though he will need to press charges in order for his insurance to cover his doctor’s bills. You know how it goes with the red tape when it comes to insurance. Anyway, he gave your name as a witness, along with the groomer. You will need to come to the station with me, or transport yourself in the next thirty minutes.”

  Meghan could barely speak; Lee was likely going to press charges against her boyfriend, and her statement was going to aid in that process. “Are you sure you need me?” she asked frantically. “I am Jack’s girlfriend. I don’t think I am the best source for the information you’re looking for.”

  “Ma’am,” she replied impatiently. “Were you at the grooming office at two in the afternoon?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you witness an altercation between Detective Irvin and Mr. Shephard?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I need you to come to the station immediately.”

  “I’ll drive myself over.”

  “Excellent. I’ll see you there.”

  Thirty minutes later, Meghan found herself sitting in Chief Nunan’s office. She knew Chief Nunan and liked her; the Chief was the first female police chief in Sandy Bay history, and Meghan was inspired by her ground-breaking work. The Chief had always been kind to Meghan, and Meghan knew she was honest and ethical in her work.

  “I’m sorry we are sitting here today,” Chief Nunan told Meghan as she clasped her hands over her desk. “I’m sure this is difficult for you, but we have to obtain a statement. You know how it goes, Meghan.”

  “I know,” she whispered, looking down at her lap. “I can’t believe what he did.”

  The Chief’s phone rang. She held up a finger to Meghan, indicating it would only be a moment, and she took the call.

  “Yes? Okay. Yes. Yes, I know. We are looking into it. The other case? It’s in progress. Okay, thank you.”

  She hung up the phone. “So sorry,” she apologized. “I am taking over some cases for Detective Irvin--Jack--while this investigation is being conducted, and my phone has been ringing off the hook all evening. Jack’s suspended indefinitely, pending the outcome of this investigation, and we’re trying to pick up the slack.”

  “I understand,” Meghan replied. “Are you sure I should be part of this? Isn’t this a conflict of interest? He’s my boyfriend, after all.”

  “No,” she told Meghan. “Well, yes, it is, but you were there. I know you are an honest person, Meghan, and I need your insight. I was told a few moments ago that Lee is planning to press charges, and I need all of the information I can get. This could be the difference in Jack losing or keeping his job, and I need you to tell me everything you know about what happened.”

  Meghan spent the next three hours telling Chief Nunan everything she remembered. She told her about seeing Lee at the groomer, Jack’s outburst, and the fight that had occurred. The Chief took detailed notes, pausing every few seconds to ask follow up questions, and assuring Meghan that what she was revealing would not be detrimental to Jack’s job.

  “That’s all I need,” the Chief told Meghan as she finished typing her last note. “I know this was stressful, but it could ultimately help Jack. He’s been acting so strange lately, and I know you’re worried about him. I hope we can get to the bottom of what’s wrong, and that if Lee presses charges, the consequences won’t be severe…”

  “Thank you, Chief,” she said softly. “Thank you for caring about Jack. It helps to know that you are worried about him, too.”

  The Chief smiled. “He’s one of my guys,” she shrugged. “I care about everyone on my team. If he isn’t doing okay, then we are all struggling because of it.”

  Meghan nodded. “Thank you.”

  “How are you doing?” she asked. “I’m sorry the graffiti investigation is taking so long. We’ve been slammed with a few things around here, but I want you to know that we’re working on it.”

  “I get it,” Meghan told her. “Graffiti falls low on the priority list when it comes to issues like violence and death. Speaking of which, any updates on the other case at the barn? Jacob Chambers’ death? His girlfriend, Isla, is convinced that Lee had something to do with it. What do you think?”

  The Chief sighed. “Between you and I, the death does seem suspicious; the position his body was found in was not a normal way for a person to fall. That being said though, we don’t have enough evidence to charge anyone, and the security cameras weren’t fully installed at the time. We haven’t openly announced this yet, but it will be declared an accidental death.”

  “What about Declan?” Meghan blurted out. “The friend? I’ve met him, and he seems so shady…”

  The Chief raised an eyebrow. “I agree that he seems a bit...off,” she said. “But while his alibi was sketchy, there wasn’t any physical evidence to pin him to the crime scene at the time of death.”

  “I see,” Meghan replied. “I just don’t have a good feeling about that guy.”

  “Why don’t you focus on Jack right now?” the Chief gently urged. “It sounds like he really needs you right now.”

  “You’re right,” Meghan agreed. “If you talk to him, would you tell him to call me? I’ve tried to text him and call, and he isn’t responding.”

 
; “Sure, Meghan,” she agreed. “I’ll let him know.”

  15

  She stared at her cell phone, willing it to ring. The blank screen was taunting her; as she watched the minutes tick by on the clock, she felt frustrated. Meghan had hoped that Jack would call; she had left five messages for him since she had left the police station, but she hadn’t heard a word from him.