Ravenwood Cove Cozy Mysteries Books 1-3

by Carolyn L. Dean

  “Let’s just say that I used to do the books for some very unsavory characters, who really want me dead. I knew all about their dirty dealings for years, up and down the entire West coast, and they don’t much like the idea of me talking to cops. You see, if you’re an accountant who turns state’s evidence on this group of guys, you wind up disappearing.”

  Amanda frowned, confused. “I thought they had witness protection programs and things like that for people who helped out the authorities.”

  Jennifer poured Amanda a cup of tea while Gordon explained. “They do but it’s not foolproof and they definitely don’t want some old bad guy going home to see his kid and to die. Too many ways the guys who didn’t go to jail could find me. I didn’t tell the feds when I left, because I knew they would say not to come here. They don’t exactly consider Ravenwood Cove to be safe.”

  “As if any of this is safe!” Jennifer stood up, the anger in her voice making it shake. “You doing what you did, you coming back, you getting sick.” Amanda could see the strain on the younger woman’s face, and suddenly realized just how much she must’ve lost by having a parent who had had to stay out of her life for years.

  Gordon laid a gentle hand on her arm, and slowly pulled Jennifer toward him into a hug, petting her head as she tried to gulp back her sobs of grief. Amanda watched the two of them for a moment, as the father rocked his daughter as though she was still just a little girl, comforting her.

  She cleared her throat. “Why were you down on that dock?”

  It took a few moments for Jennifer to pull herself out of her father’s arms, and to turn back toward the stove, dabbing at her eyes. Gordon watched her for a bit, then turned back to Amanda.

  “I don’t get much chance to get out at all, you see, because of being dressed like I am and not being able to talk to anyone. I can’t exactly pull off a Russian woman’s accent,” he joked humorlessly, pulling his mug of tea closer. “Some mornings, especially when it’s raining and most people aren’t out, I can go down the abandoned cannery really early so I can have some time to watch the ocean and think. When the tide’s just right, I get a chance to gather up some mussels or clams and bring ‘em back home to make seafood stew.”

  “He makes a great bouillabaisse. Always has,” Jennifer interjected.

  “Some days, that is about as normal a life as I can get, and a bowlful of seafood and getting to see my daughter is what makes my life worth living right now.”

  Amanda pressed him again. “Why did you help me?”

  For a moment, there was a flash of anger across the man’s face, and Amanda could almost see a shadow of what his younger, healthier self must’ve looked like.

  “So, I may have worked with bad, bad men, but just because I did that doesn’t mean I was one of them. I hated doing that work, but it was the only good money I could find. The more I knew, the deeper I got pulled into their world. When I saw you being dragged down that pier and heard that guy talking, I just knew he was going to kill you.”

  Amanda suppressed a shudder, reliving the sensation of being attacked and nearly strangled.

  “You didn’t deserve that. Nobody deserves that. I was just coming back up the ladder from getting mussels off the rocks and knew I had to do something. Didn’t have a gun so I figured that my shovel would have to do.”

  He shifted in his chair, as if uncomfortable. “So, now my fate is in your hands, Amanda. You can turn me in to the police and they’ll probably come get me and put me somewhere safe and far away from here, but I have only weeks left. I’m asking you, please don’t do this.”

  She looked into his hopeful face, the sincerity in his eye a silent plea. It took only a moment to make the decision.

  “Look, you’re not doing anything illegal here in town, right? Your past is behind you?”

  At his answering nod, she continued. “Then I won’t tell a soul.”

  There was a whoop of laughter and Amanda was buried in Jennifer’s over-enthusiastic hug, her arms squished at her sides while the younger woman grinned and kissed her soundly on the cheek.

  “Thank you, thank you so much! I was so worried that you’d just turn him in to the cops and they’d take him away again. We need this time together…” and her voice trailed off as she finally released Amanda. “This time is precious to us.”

  Gordon reached over and caught Jennifer’s hand. “I’m very grateful, Amanda, and you don’t have to worry about me. I don’t have any energy left to do anything but be a very good boy.”

  “Do you know that I actually followed you both once, when you drove out from your house before dawn?” They both looked surprised so she continued. “I heard your car door slam and it woke me, so I peeked outside. When I saw Jennifer with a full-sized shovel and you in the passenger seat, I thought you were both up to no good so I hopped in my car and tried to see where you were going.”

  Gordon’s mouth was turned up in a little smile. “You mean you thought we were going to use the shovel to–“ he couldn’t go on, his smile cracking into a heartfelt laugh. “You thought I, I mean we, were going to bury someone?” He chuckled and wiped his eyes. “No way. I’m only good at digging clams and scraping mussels off the rocks. A heavy shovel like that works great for getting seafood.”

  Amanda grinned back. “Sorry. Thought you were a murderer.”

  “No, you thought we were murderers. I’m way too boring for that!” Jennifer seemed to think this was a fine joke, too. “I was just driving Dad down the pier so he could get some time out of the house and not be seen. You know, I thought I saw someone following me awhile back, but they disappeared so I thought it was no big thing.”

  “Guess you’re just good at outrunning me.”

  “Guess I am! Not exactly a job skill I’ll put on my resume, but it still sounds cool.” Jennifer sat back down and took her father’s hand gently.

  He gestured toward the covered window. “I read the news in the paper today, about the changes in the city council. Last I heard the–“ he began, but a coughing fit suddenly wracked his body, and Jennifer hurried to his side with a damp washcloth. He turned away from Amanda for a moment as his daughter helped him wipe his mouth, and with a shuddering breath turn back toward Amanda.

  “Sorry ‘bout that,” he apologized, seemingly embarrassed that his illness was visible.

  “What changes to the city council?”

  He looked surprised and Jennifer picked up the newspaper from the kitchen counter. When she handed it to Amanda the headline leapt out at her.

  MURDERER FOUND, TIMMINS DEAD

  There it was, in black and white. Looking back on yesterday, and even back at the previous weeks, it sometimes still felt like some weird dream that Amanda had experienced.

  The article was clear and fair, and detailed Charles’ death and James’ saying that the statements that Charles had made to Amanda would be taken as a confession of guilt in the murder of Emmett, and the attempted murder of Mayor Sandford. Lisa had also given all the information about the pending real estate deal with the retirement resort company, and the mayor’s involvement.

  That news alone was enough to shake up a small beach town, but there was more. After being confronted about her relationship with the development company, Mayor Sandford had given her resignation, and the other two council members had instantly followed suit. George Ortiz had stepped in and appointed three new members to the council temporarily, and had announced that there would be an election organized in the next few weeks to elect new city officials.

  The more she read, the more exuberant Amanda became. “A whole new council! Do you know what that means? I’ll bet that I can do something about that zoning now, and get the inn back up and running!” She grinned at the Peetmans, joy evident in every line of her smile. “If I can make it work, I’m going to throw the biggest grand opening party this little town has ever seen, and you’re both invited.”

  Gordon smiled at her, leaning his head back on his chair. “I’m sorry I won’
t be there to see it. Even if I’m not…even if I’m still here, you can’t exactly explain why your Russian neighbor has five o’clock shadow, can you?”

  Amanda laughed gently, agreeing. “Maybe not, but you should know that you’d always be welcome. Anyone who saved my life by whacking some crazy guy with a shovel gets to eat his weight in hors d'oeuvres at my place whenever he feels like it. Maybe we’ll just have to arrange a time to meet after dark so I can get a taste of your famous seafood stew.”

  Gordon smiled, his eyes happy even if his body was tired. “Deal.

  Chapter 32

  The chocolate chip cookies were hot and gooey, straight out of the oven. Amanda expertly scooped several off the sheet pan and slid them onto small plates, sliding them in front of her appreciative audience. Lisa and Meg were perched on tall stools at the huge marble kitchen island, with Oscar overseeing everything from a nearby chair.

  “Is this how you celebrate?” Lisa asked, pouring mugs of coffee for the trio.

  “Yes, I’m a wild one. Cookies for everyone! All the fun, none of the hangover.” She gestured with her turner. “Careful; they’re hot.”

  There was a loud knock on the door and Amanda hurried to the foyer, still wearing her apron. She could see James smiling through the cut glass in the front door, and Amanda smiled back as she pulled the door open.

  “Well, Detective Landon. Can’t imagine why you’re here today.”

  At her gestured invitation he stepped inside. “Yeah, not like anything’s been going on in Ravenwood lately.” His expression became serious. “Do I smell cookies?” and without waiting for an answer, turned and followed his nose into the kitchen. The girls greeted him and he sat down on an empty stool, obviously next in line for a plate.

  Once he had his snack and a cup of coffee in front of him, he cleared his throat and dug into his coat pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper.

  “I brought you a present.”

  Amanda’s eyebrows went up, surprised, but she took the paper and slowly unfolded it.

  “It’s the business license for the inn. I wanted you to know right away that as of this morning, they’ve voted to rescind the ruling for long-term rentals only. That means that the Ravenwood Inn will be able to open as a bed and breakfast again, whenever you’re ready.”

  There was a general squeal of excitement and Amanda impulsively put her arms around Lisa’s neck and hugged her, exuberant. “I can’t believe it! All this time of fighting to get the inn open and now it’s going to happen! I’m so excited…”

  She wasn’t going to cry. Really she wasn’t. Well, maybe just a little happy cry. She pulled back and sniffled, trying to control herself.

  James gave her the time to work out her emotions, patiently waiting as he took a bite into the warm cookie.

  “The new city council rezoned you. They’ve also passed a resolution to reject any proposals for development from the Crown Crescent Company.”

  Amanda took a shuddering breath, calming herself, and carefully put the business license in a nearby desk drawer.

  “I’m sorry for the waterworks. I’m just so happy that it’s finally been resolved.” Her eyebrows furrowed together and she turned toward James. “Everything’s done with the case, I mean, about Emmett and Charles?”

  The tall detective nodded, an expression of satisfaction on his face. “Yes, finally. After your deposition yesterday I investigated all the comments Charles made about manipulating legal records and blackmail and we’ve been able to piece everything together.”

  The women waited expectantly as James laid it all out.

  “So, we learned that Emmett was blackmailing him because he knew Charles had tampered with evidence in a previous case, and that if the information ever came out Charles’ career would be over and he’d be going to prison.” He took another bite of his gooey cookie and continued.

  “As far as we can tell, the blackmail was going on for about a year and was bankrupting Charles. We know he killed Emmett by luring him up to his family’s flour mill and then somehow getting him in a bin where he was able to dump flour on him, enough to suffocate him. Seems like he used the public argument Emmett and your uncle“-- James gestured at Amanda-- “had as an opportunity to kill Emmett. That way Charles could get your uncle out of the way so he could wrangle control of the inn. The problem was that Conrad and Judy had never made a will with Charles as their lawyer.”

  Amanda sat down, her mind whirling as the answers were laid out in front of her. James watched her absorb all the information, and decided to tell her everything.

  “He couldn’t find out who they had as an heir, because there was no info about them having any kids, and since your uncle continued to pay the taxes on the inn and it was clear of any mortgage, it never came up for a public sale or auction.”

  James caught Amanda’s eye. “So, he had to wait for you to either abandon the place, sell the place…or….”

  Amanda finished for him. “Or for me to die, since he had so many of my legal papers and written proof that he was my lawyer. He could just make up anything he wanted, forge my signature, and get control of the inn.”

  They sat in silence, digesting all the information, and realizing just how close Amanda had come to being killed.

  “All for a piece of land.”

  James sighed. “Wars have been fought for less.”

  Lisa leaned forward, her face reflecting deep concentration. “So, was the mayor involved with Charles in any way?”

  James shook his head. “We don’t think so. Going through all of Charles’ files we found a record of a meeting he had with the mayor eight years ago, where they discussed possible long-term development of the bluff part of town. We think he just got wind of a possible business dealing that could make him millions, and was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.”

  “But the mayor put in the request for the zoning change, right?”

  “No, actually she didn’t. I checked the card file myself and interviewed the clerk at the assessor’s office. She didn’t remember the mayor coming in, but she did remember seeing Charles back in the files. The signature’s off, too, so we think Charles forged it so he could look blameless. That way he could still be able to try to manipulate circumstances enough to get the inn.”

  “Maybe I owe her an apology.” Fair was fair, and if Amanda had made a mistake in judging Mrs. Sandford too harshly, she was willing to eat some crow and try to make amends.

  James shrugged. “You can apologize if you want, but you should know that she was the one who set all those inspectors on you. “

  So much for making amends. James could see the frustration in every line of Amanda’s face. “She may have tried to sink you, Amanda, but she wasn’t able to do it, was she? You fought for this inn–“ he said, pointing at Amanda emphatically, “–and you won. You’ve helped a lot of people in this town, lady, and none of us are ever going to forget it.”

  She glanced up and he caught her eye. “And I never will, too.”

  Epilogue

  The scent from the huge bouquet of white roses gave a soft perfume to the elegant front hall of the historic inn, welcoming townspeople at last at the Grand Opening party.

  It had taken Amanda weeks of preparation to ensure that every detail of the re-opening of the Ravenwood Inn was perfect, from the trays of delicious hors d’oeuvres to the fat pillar candles lighting the front windows. The weather had cooperated for once, with almost no breeze and a dark sky brilliant with bright stars. Even the moon was a lantern, full and fat to light the way toward the open front doors. Guests coming up the wide walkways could hear the laughter and music from the moment they parked their cars, and hurried toward Ravenwood Cove’s party of the year.

  Inside, the newly-restored hardwood floors and freshly-painted walls reflected the golden light of chandeliers and lamps. Ropes of ribbon and flowers looped through the main banister, and tray after tray of delicious food kept coming from the kitchen, carried by
waiters specially hired for the occasion.

  Amanda circulated among her guests, chatting easily and offering drinks and snacks as her new friends helped her celebrate. People had been arriving for the last half hour, exclaiming at how they loved the ragtime and Dixieland music playing in the background, and noting how beautiful the inn looked, all decorated and full of partygoers.

  It was wonderful to know so many people. The crowd was a fun mix of neighbors, friends and merchants. Most of the shop owners Amanda had helped had shown up for the open house, some bringing bottles of their favorite wine as housewarming gifts. She’d accepted their gifts with surprise and gratitude, happy to add them to her growing wine cellar.

  Amanda knew she wouldn’t see her neighbor, Gordon, dressing up in his Russian outfit to come eat canapes, but she greeted Jennifer warmly when she arrived, nodding to Amanda in shy greeting as Roy took her coat.

  Even the ex-mayor, now just Mrs. Sandford, had turned up for the evening, carrying a gift of an expensive bottle of burgundy. Amanda made a point to greet her and thank her for the gift, and when she offered the elegant lady a cocktail it was quietly accepted. Amanda hadn’t forgotten what machinations had happened to try to shut her business down, but she realized that she was going to be around the people of Ravenwood Cove for a long time, and that included the ex-mayor. It was time to build some bridges, or at least patch some broken walls.

  Meg had recently joined some online dating service and had brought a date, a thin blonde fellow in a green sweater who looked like he’d rather be somewhere much more quiet. She seemed smugly proud of her new toy, and having the time of her life. Meg held his hand and dragged him from conversation to conversation, and he was enough of a good sport to let her repeatedly introduce him to so many people.

  Through the open kitchen doorway, Amanda could see a lot of the partygoers, even as she circulated back to get more drinks. Mrs. Granger was sitting in the big wingback chair tucked into the corner of the main parlor, looking like a queen, a festive red bow tied to the handgrip of her nearby walker. She was holding court by telling several rapt partygoers stories about the wild history of the Ravenwood Inn, her gnarled little hands gesturing wildly to punctuate her tale. Amanda wasn’t sure how many of the outrageous stories were true, but she made a mental note to do some more research on the inn’s past.