“Less than an hour drive,” Colleen said nervously.
The sheriff caught the nervous inflection in Colleen’s voice and became even more suspicious than he was. He handed Colleen’s license back. “Here’s a question. Have you two been drinking?” the sheriff accused, now studying Colleen. “Are you intoxicated or impaired in any way?”
“No, we’re not drunk,” Colleen reassured.
“Do you think it’s a joke getting us out here for nothing? We work hard during the day and deserve our rest.”
Katherine didn’t know what to say, then asked, “Are you sure you went to the right cabin?”
The sheriff gave her a cold look. “We went to the cabin with a big six on the back door. No body. No blood-splatter. No dead person.”
Colleen said, “I saw him, too.” She repeated Katherine’s account verbatim, but left out the part about Scout leading them to the scene.
Katherine said, “I know what I saw.”
The sheriff continued in his loud voice, “And this is what I saw — an empty cabin.”
Colleen asked, “Did you search the back bedrooms? We heard a loud noise come from back there.”
The sheriff eyed Colleen curiously, then said, “Haven’t you been paying attention? I just said there was no murderer back there. The only thing we found in the cabin was a very angry raccoon who hissed at my deputy.” The sheriff turned to the officer standing behind him. “Isn’t that right, Howard?”
“Yep, hissed at me, then tore out of the cabin like a racehorse. I didn’t know raccoons could run so fast.”
The sheriff laughed a loud belly laugh. “Well, Ms. Cokenberger, you’ve been the butt of a practical joke. Some of the local hooligans, probably teenagers, really had you going. One of them deliberately ran by your cabin, then led you to a fake crime scene. You two gullible women fell for it — hook, line and sinker.”
“Sheriff, I beg to differ. Could you please call Misty, the manager, and find out who rented Cabin Six?”
“What’s that going to tell us?”
“Misty told my friend’s mom that the cabins were fully booked this week. I’m just interested in what she has to say about hooligans renting one of her cabins.”
The sheriff shot Katherine a dirty look. He dug out his cell and punched in a number. He spoke into the phone, “Sorry, Misty, about getting you up. There’s been a little mix-up here with two of your guests staying in Cabin Three. They think they found a dead body in Cabin Six. Yeah, dead body,” he repeated. “Oh, oh. Big argument, huh? Okay, case closed. Thanks, darlin’. Tell Arlo when he wakes up to slow down on his drinkin’.” The sheriff disconnected the call.
“Who rented the cabin?” Katherine asked adamantly.
“Your friend’s mom was wrong about the cabins being fully booked this week. Cabin Six is vacant. The man you thought was dead was the owner, Arlo. Misty said they had a big fight. He moved into Cabin Six. He got drunk, then came crawling back home to her. She said he was sleeping it off, in their bed. She apologized for disturbing you.”
Katherine started to protest, but bit her lip to keep quiet.
The sheriff returned to his stern voice, “Next time you call my department this late at night, you better be sure of what you’re reporting, because the next time I will charge you. Good night.” He tipped his tasseled hat and left.
Katherine followed the sheriff, shut the door and locked it.
“Katz, this is ridiculous.”
“I totally agree.”
“I’m not impressed with the sheriff’s police work nor his patronizing tone. He’s quick to jump to conclusions. First, the lame hooligan theory, and then the drunk owner story.”
“Something is off. In Cabin Six, did you see any signs of drinking?”
“Nope, not one liquor bottle. In fact, the place looked like it had been cleaned and was ready for the next guest.”
“I think the murderer moved the body before the sheriff got there. I’d say right after we left.”
“But Misty said her husband was at home with her.”
Katherine shrugged her shoulders. “We don’t know what her husband looks like. Maybe it was somebody else lying dead on the floor.”
“The scary part is, whoever did this could have murdered us,” Colleen said.
“I know. We got lucky. I’m going to investigate this tomorrow, but I’m too tired to do so tonight.”
“Who am I? Chopped liver? I’m investigating, too. But not now. I’m ready to collapse on the floor. Let’s go to bed.”
Mum padded into the kitchen wearing her fuzzy house slippers. “What’s going on?” she asked sleepily. “I heard the sirens and thought I was back in New York. Who was that man yelling?”
Katherine explained, “Oh, it’s nothing. Scout got out again and there was drama catching her.”
Mum repeated, “Who was that man yelling his head off?”
“The sheriff. He was annoyed at us for calling 911,” Colleen explained.
Mum asked, “Why would you call the sheriff about Scout getting out?”
Katherine thought fast. She didn’t want to upset Mum or stay up any later explaining in minute detail what had transpired. “Oh, you know, how hysterical I get when one of my cats get out.”
“I wouldn’t say hysterical but you do get very upset. Okay, love,” Mum said, heading back to her bedroom.
After mum closed her door, Colleen said, “We can tell her tomorrow.”
“I vote we sleep in.”
“Deal!”
Chapter Twelve
Early Saturday Morning
Pink Mansion
Daryl, Jake’s blond-haired, green-eyed cousin, drove his classic car in front of the pink mansion and parked.
Jake was standing on the front porch waiting for him. He grabbed his overnight bag and walked to the car.
The Impala’s door made a creaking sound when Daryl got out. “Howdy, Cousin. Throw your bag on the back seat.”
Jake opened the door to find a large flower arrangement covering most of the seat. “Somebody die?” Jake asked facetiously.
Daryl laughed. “I think there’s room on the floorboard.”
Jake came around and wedged his bag behind Daryl’s seat.
“Colleen likes flowers,” Daryl explained. “Plus, her mother will be there. It’s for the both of them.”
Jake walked back to the other side of the car and climbed in the passenger seat. “Always good to butter up your future mother-in-law.”
“Exactly.” Daryl put the Impala in gear and pulled out. “I think I’ll take 41 to Kentland, then head over to the interstate. That beats a lot of stop-and-goes.”
“Ah, our gals took the stop-and-go route. Maybe we should go that way.”
“Hey, Cuz, driver picks the route. Stop-and-go route,” Daryl snickered. “That’s why it took them almost three hours to get there.”
Daryl floored the accelerator and raced out of Erie.
“Whoa, slow down,” Jake complained.
“Hey, I’m a cop. I know how to drive.”
“No arguments there, but slow down so I can catch my breath.”
Daryl laughed, then slowed down to the speed limit. “Is that better, Granny Two-Shoes?”
“I want to get there in one piece,” Jake mumbled.
“I heard that,” Daryl laughed again. “We should get to the cabin by noon. I figured the girls will be hungry, so I packed a cooler full of food.”
“You packed a cooler,” Jake laughed. “Let me guess. We’ll have bologna sandwiches and Twinkies for dessert.”
“Very funny. The cooler was my mom’s idea.”
“I hope Aunt June packed it.”
“Of course.”
“Hope she made her famous deviled eggs.”
“Just for you.”
“Cool, I’ll have to give her a big hug next time I see her.”
“Mom also made chicken and tuna salads, pickled beets, and baked oatmeal-raisin cookies.”
; “Pull over, so we can bust out the cookies.”
“Sorry, Cuz. You’ll have to wait for it. I figure we can have a picnic on the beach. I checked the weather app. Supposed to be in the 60s.”
“Where’s the cooler?” Jake asked, still thinking about the cookies.
“In the trunk. It weighs too much to set it on the back seat.”
“Weighs too much? Can’t be that heavy.”
“I don’t want any divots or tears. My fifty-one-year-old baby has its original upholstery.”
“I learn something every day.”
Daryl became serious. “There’s something you need to be aware of.”
Jake turned in his seat and studied Daryl’s face. “What gives? You’re not having second thoughts about getting married, are you?”
“No way. I’m not sure why you’d even ask that question. I fell for Colleen the first moment I saw her. I knew right then and there that I was going to marry her.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, huh, buddy,” Jake teased. “When was that?”
“Remember that fish fry we went to? You were dating Katz. Colleen was in town. Somehow, I forget how, I ended up being her date. It was during the Covered Bridge festival.”
“In 2014. Wow, I can’t believe that’s been four years ago. A lot has happened since then. What was it about the fish fry that sparked a fire?”
“When I pulled the Impala in front of your house, well, Katz’s house then, Colleen was all excited and knew it was a ‘67.”
“Oh, I’d forgotten that. She used to go to classic car shows with her brothers. So, you’re marrying Colleen because she loves your car?” Jake burst out laughing.
“Sort of. Plus, she’s smart, funny, and doesn’t take any crap off of me. I can’t believe she’d find me even remotely attractive.”
“Why would you say that? You’re a Cokenberger. Cokenberger men aren’t ugly.”
“New York City gal falling for a county, small-town deputy.”
“I’m privy to some inside information, but you must never tell Katz I told you.”
“I can keep a secret.”
“Colleen has not been lucky in the men department. Before you, the last guy she dated dumped her to go live in Italy.”
“She never told me about it.”
“Probably because the relationship didn’t last very long.”
“Yeah, I’m glad it didn’t,” Daryl smirked.
“Okay, but what is it you want to tell me? We got off the subject.”
“Yesterday, Dad was in town and had lunch with your dad at the diner. Did he mention anything to you?”
“No, I haven’t talked to my dad since last weekend. Why?”
“Sit tight. You’re not going to like this.”
“Dammit, Daryl, tell me,” Jake said, aggravated.
“There’s a terrible rumor going around town that Katz is having an affair.”
Jake said angrily, “That’s insane. Who’s saying something ridiculous like that?”
“The gossips down at the Erie diner.”
“Why are they saying this? And, who is she supposedly having an affair with?”
“Stevie Sanders.”
Jake’s face reddened with anger, but he forced a laugh. “Stevie Sanders? Him again?”
“What?” Daryl asked.
“Katz considers Stevie her friend. He’s helped her out several times when her life was in danger.”
“Yes, but that was several years ago. If that was the case, the gossips would have made up something then.”
“No, they were too busy starting a witch hunt that nearly got Lizzie Howe lynched.”
“Dad said someone at the diner said he saw Stevie with Katz at this BBQ joint in Rensselaer.”
“Rensselaer. That’s miles from Erie. When?”
“Thursday night.”
“Thursday night,” Jake repeated, skeptical. “Katz was with Colleen and her mother in Seagull.”
“I know! We know, but whoever is spreading this lie doesn’t know that.”
“I’m going to find out who started it, and their head is going to roll.”
“Just for the record, the Cokenberger brothers are all over it.”
“What?”
“My dad, your dad, and Uncle Cokey. They have a short list of suspects, one of them is that liar, Jimbo Bell.”
“Jimbo? He’s the one who started it?”
“You seem surprised.”
“I’ve known Jimbo for years. I wonder why he wouldn’t come to me in the first place, before he blabbed it at the diner?”
“Because Jimbo didn’t want you to ring his bell.”
“Into next week, you mean. When I get back, I’m going to pay Jimbo a little visit.”
“Maybe I should go, too,” Daryl suggested.
“Why?”
“For Jimbo’s protection,” Daryl commented.
“Thanks, Cousin. Appreciate it, but I don’t need you with Marine and law enforcement training to handle this one. I just want to talk to him.” Jake became very quiet and didn’t talk for a few minutes, then said, “I wish Stevie hadn’t moved next to us.”
“Why?”
“Because I know he’s had a thing for my wife since day one.”
“Have you talked to him about it?”
“Not yet. But, I’m going to let him know about this rumor.”
“That won’t go over well. I’ve seen the violent side of Stevie Sanders and it’s not pretty.”
“Yesterday, he bought her a bike and put it on the front porch. That sends off the wrong signal.” Jake proceeded to tell Daryl about the wrecked bike incident. “Katz said someone Stevie knew in the past stopped by and the two of them got into an argument.”
“Word travels fast. The guy who ran over Katz’s bike was a cellmate of Stevie’s — when Stevie was doing time in Michigan City. His name is Josh Williams. Apparently, they’re not friends.”
“You’re a deputy in the next county. How did you find this out?”
“Sheriff Johnson told me. Ever since I shot and killed Stevie’s father—”
Jake interrupted, “In the line of duty.”
“Yes, this is true. The sheriff has kept me updated on the comings and goings of Stevie’s family, including his brother, Dave.”
“Does he think someone from the Sanders bunch will come after you?”
“Don’t know. One can never predict these things. We’re still not one-hundred-percent sure that the Sanders clan has gone clean.”
“I can tell you this, as much as Stevie gets on my nerves, he’s not a criminal. He’s very good with his daughter.”
“Exactly.”
Chapter Thirteen
Saturday Morning
Seagull Cabin Three
While Katherine and Colleen slept in, Mum finished packing. She’d called the airline and changed her ticket. Then, she’d called the limo service to take her back to the airport in Gary. Scout and Abra were helping her pack by jumping in-and-out of her open suitcase.
“You two have a ticket to be terrible. Go wake the girls up, so I can tell them good-bye.”
Scout and Abra didn’t have to be asked twice. They scampered out of the room and trotted into Katherine’s and Colleen’s bedroom. Abra used the windowsill to launch to the top bunk, while Scout jumped on Katz.
Katherine was lying on her back. Scout stood on top of her and pawed her face. “Go away. I’m trying to sleep,” she complained.
Colleen woke up, “Get out of here,” she yelled. Abra jumped back to the windowsill and pouted. Colleen sat up in bed and apologized to the Siamese, “Aww, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” then she muttered, “I’m completely daft for saying ‘I’m sorry’ to a cat.”
Mum walked in. “Did my partners-in-crime help get you two up?”
“Good morning, Mum.”
“Morning,” Katherine said, sitting up. “Look at you — up and dressed already.”
Colleen said sleepily, “You d
on’t have to make an impression for Daryl.”
“Girls, I’ve changed my flight plans. I’m leaving this morning.”
Colleen dangled her legs over the side of the bunk bed. “What? Why?”
“Oh, I don’t want to be here when the lads arrive. I’d be like a fifth wheel, getting in everyone’s way.”
“Nonsense,” Katherine protested.
“Mum, this was part of the girls’ retreat plan. You’ve known since day one that Daryl and Jake were joining us today.”
“I’ve done enough damage since I’ve been here. You can’t talk me out of it. My limo will be here any minute.”
Katherine said, “Limo service? I can drive you to the airport.”
“Thank you, dear, but I can fend for myself.”
Outside the cabin, the limo driver honked the horn.
“He’s here. Can one of you help me carry my bag to the door?”
Colleen climbed down the bunk bed ladder. She threw on her robe and slipped into her slippers. “I’ll help.”
Katherine threw on her robe. “Me, too.”
“Waugh,” Scout said.
Mum laughed and said to Scout, “Thank you for your kind offer, but you’ve already helped me pack my suitcase.”
“Raw,” Abra cried. Mum walked over and petted Abra on the head. “I’ll miss you.” Scout trotted over for pets, too.
A knock sounded on the cabin’s back door. Mum hurried out of the room. “I better get a move on or he’ll leave me.”
“How do you know it’s not a female driver?” Colleen asked, walking into Mum’s room and tugging the suitcase off the bed.
Mum rushed to the door and opened it a few inches. “One minute, please,” she said to the driver. “Oh, no, don’t come in. We have cats here and I don’t want to let them out.”
Katherine thought, if only she’d thought of that when she told the fireman to check on the cats, then he opened a window without a screen. Katherine walked over and hugged Mum. “I guess I won’t see you until the wedding.”
“Yes, love.”
Colleen said, “I get a hug, too.”
Mum embraced her daughter. “I love you. Tell Daryl I said hello.”
A tear formed in Colleen’s eye. “I love you, too. Text me when you get to the airport.”
The Cats that Walked the Haunted Beach Page 10