Murder on the Great lake: A Pet Portraits Cozy Mystery Book 2

by Sandi Scott

  “I hope so. That would mean you and me, toots.”

  “I’m not kicking you out because you brought almond croissants and I need my roof fixed. Do you think you can repair the damage?”

  “Let me have a look around. I’m sure it’s not nearly as bad as it looks. Are my tools still in the garage?”

  “Right where you left them.” Georgie replied with a hint of sass.

  Stan’s grin made her giggle as he headed for the garage. Setting aside a croissant for Aleta to enjoy later, Georgie reached deep into the cabinet over her stove. After some rummaging around she pulled out a dark blue travel mug with a faded Superman crest on it. She poured the coffee from the Styrofoam cup Stan had brought with him into the mug and smiling to herself, took it outside to where Stan was just about to start climbing the ladder to the roof.

  “So, all this time you had my favorite mug?” Stan laughed as he took the coffee from her.

  “You left it here.” Georgie snapped. “Along with tons of other random bits of your weirdness. This was one of the few things I kept. The rest is probably still sitting on a shelf at the Goodwill if you want it back.”

  “Aren’t you a ray of sunshine?” Stan replied as he studied Georgie over the top of his mug.

  “I’m sorry. This roof and the plastic and this crazy murder case have got me losing sleep and wasting valuable time during my day. It’s like I’m chasing my tail.”

  “Now, that’s not good, Georgie. You know I’m the only one who should be chasing your tail.”

  “Calm yourself, old man. Did I mention that Aleta and I just happened to run into Maddy yesterday?”

  “Maddy, from the ship’s video?”

  “The very one.” Georgie paused for effect. “She’s pregnant.”

  “Yeah? And?”

  “And she’s married.” Georgie looked at Stan who stared back at her.

  “You’re sure?”

  It took some time for Georgie to cover all the details of what she and Aleta observed after first meeting Maddy on the ship, the bouts of nausea, and the low-voiced conversation between her and Deck. Georgie finished up with seeing Maddy at the yoga for expectant mothers at the park and topped it off with her flashy wedding ring and the Lexus.

  “You could be wrong.” Stan said. “Without a test.”

  “A woman knows, Stan. Trust me.”

  “Well, we got the autopsy report back and I’m a little stumped. As it turns out Mr. Zannowski had quite a cocktail swimming around inside him.”

  “What?” Georgie shook her head. “That’s strange. He was a muscle head. Exercise was his whole life.”

  “Yeah, well, it isn’t uncommon to find a trail of drugs in this world, too. He had enough dope in his system to stop a bull.”

  “Recreational drugs?” Georgie asked innocently.

  “Rohypnol. Roofies. It’s usually used to get someone’s will out of the way like someone who might be twice your size. They sort of go limp and lose the ability to say no or don’t or please don’t push me overboard.”

  Georgie stood still except for taking Stan’s cup in her hands and taking a sip of his coffee before she handed it back to him.

  “Is that what happened? Someone slipped him a mickey and pushed him overboard?”

  “I’m not sure. But after I finish this job here I’m heading down to the station to meet with Miss Maddy.

  “You are?” Georgie smiled. “How on earth did you find her?”

  “Leto was interviewing some of the other guests on the cruise. We knew they didn’t know too much but were hoping one of them knew who she was.”

  “That Leto is one great detective. He’s certainly learning from the best.” Georgie schmoozed. “When did he find her?”

  “A guy who we saw on the video, his name was Jake Gies who...”

  “He sells supplements or something.” Georgie interrupted.

  “How did you know?”

  “He tried to sell some to Aleta and me. Tall, abnormally big, even for that crowd, with intense, bulging eyes and a popping vein that is really distracting.”

  “That guy tried to sell you ladies supplements? That’s a little weird.”

  “Why do you say so?”

  “Because you’re older and many older people are on medication for one thing or another and to push that stuff without doctor’s instruction is dangerous to say the least.” Stan scratched his head. “Well, I hate to say it but a lot of those guys aren’t known for their smarts. Anyway, he said Maddy and Deck were very close. He had her name and the neighborhood she lives in. Leto paid her a visit last night and she said she’d come by the station this afternoon.”

  “So you’re going to question her?” Georgie took Stan’s cup again.

  “I am.”

  “In one of those rooms with the two-way mirrors?”

  “Probably.” Stan lifted his chin and looked down at Georgie.

  “You really are looking thin, Stan.” Georgie took another sip of his coffee. “I think I better bring some homemade chili and cornbread to the station for you and Leto. Doesn’t that sound good?”

  “Why Georgie Kaye, are you trying to bribe an officer of the law?”

  “Absolutely not. I’m trying to bribe my ex-husband.”

  “Well, if we’re talking a real bribe, maybe I could come up with something a little more interesting that involves candles and soft music and dancing real close.”

  Stan took a step toward Georgie who stood her ground but was in his shadow.

  “I think it involves chili. What time is Maddy coming by?”

  “Not until about four o’clock.” Stan didn’t step back but enjoyed looking into Georgie’s eyes.

  “I’ll be there at three-thirty.” She gave Stan his cup back, turned and walked back into the house.

  After a quick shower Georgie put on her favorite baggy blue jeans with paint splashes all over them, her red flats and a loose white blouse with half a dozen bangles on each wrist and a headband that showcased a bright red rose slightly off center.

  From the roof she heard banging, hammering, pulling and a little bit of cussing as Stan worked to fix what Justin had done. Before the chili was pulled from the freezer and the cornbread was mixed and popped into the oven, Stan appeared in the kitchen.

  “Okay, Georgie.” He wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “You’re all patched up. You can toss out all this plastic and move your things back where they belong. Wait a minute. You’re dressed already?”

  “It’s after eight.” Georgie shook her head. “Of course I’m dressed.”

  “I was kind of hoping you’d still be in your jammies when I finished.”

  “Stan, you really need to come up with some new material.” Georgie elbowed him as she scooted past and gave him an already heated almond croissant on a dainty blue and white plate.

  “Thank you, darlin’.” He laughed. “What are you up to now? Going to Aleta’s?”

  “Well, first, I can’t believe you finished up there in a matter of just about two hours. What the heck was Justin doing that he spent a couple of days up there?”

  “I think he was just doubting his own abilities.” Stan said with a mouthful. “He didn’t really do anything but pull off the rotted roofing. That needed to be done. But I think he was afraid to take a hammer to it for fear you’d have an even bigger leak. So he went through all the trouble of preparing for that proverbial rainy day and didn’t get the work done.”

  “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “I didn’t say it did.” Stan popped the last of the croissant in his mouth and took another sip of coffee. “I’m just saying that might have been why he was tip-toeing around. Either that or he’s a crooked handyman hoping to make smaller jobs into bigger ones with enough procrastination.”

  “I’ll put my money on that horse.”

  “You’re so cynical, Georgie.”

  “Either way, how much do I owe you?” Georgie went to her purse and pulled out her poc
ketbook.

  “Dinner and a movie.” Stan declared.

  “No.”

  “That’s my fee.” He objected. “I risked my life up there. You know, I’m not as young as I used to be. If I fell off I’d really get hurt.”

  “You certainly could have fooled me. If anyone heard you talking they’d think you just hit puberty.” She opened the pocketbook and grabbed a pen to write a check.

  “Now, Georgie.” He cooed. “Be reasonable. What would a handyman have charged you?”

  “Fine. Dinner and a movie but I get to pick the movie.”

  “I hope it’s a romantic one.” Stan rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.

  “Don’t count on it. There will be blood. Lots and lots of blood.”

  “Whatever it takes to get you in a dark room all to myself.”

  Georgie chuckled and held the front door open for her ex-husband who snuck a peck on the cheek before leaving.

  “You’re wearing Jungle Gardenia, aren’t you?” He yelled from his car. “You know I always loved that perfume.”

  “I’ll see you at three-thirty.” She waved and shut the door. Looking down at Bodhi who yawned at the spectacle that had just taken place, Georgie put her hands on her hips. “He is just too much.” Bodhi furiously wagged his donut-shaped tail and gave a sneeze to show that he agreed.

  Chapter 11

  While the chili warmed up in the crockpot and the cornbread baked in the oven Georgie went into her art studio and began putting things back where they belonged.

  The first thing was to plug in the three lamps she used for light in addition to the overhead fixture. One of her two drafting tables had been pushed to the opposite wall and that had to be dragged back.

  But that was nothing compared to how many trips she was going to have to make back and forth from the front room to her studio bringing her blank canvases as well as her finished portraits back into her working space. She felt exhausted just thinking of it.

  Instead, she busied herself by scooping up a handful of paintbrushes and taking them to the bathroom for a good soaking. She collected her various tubes of oil paints that managed to get scattered throughout the studio and put them in the tray where they belonged. Once she started doing that she realized her acrylics were also in random corners of the room.

  Soon her hands were smudged rainbows after she organized her colored chalk and oil pastels, and restacked her sketchbooks that were filled with beautiful painting ideas that she had yet to put on the canvas.

  With renewed excitement in her work Georgie looked at the time and gasped. It was time to go, chili and cornbread in hand, to hear what Puking Girl Maddy had to say about Deck slipping off the deck of The Catherine O’Leary.

  WHEN GEORGIE WALKED into the police bullpen just about every officer waved hello. Even though she and Stan were divorced it was obvious to everybody that knew them that there was still a little spark.

  “That’s just gas.” Georgie would rebut when someone said they looked good together.

  “I know she still has feelings for him.” One seasoned officer whispered to another who was new. “Look at how she brings him food. I saw them out for lunch together the other day sitting close and giggling.”

  “Right, I’ve seen her go into his office and stay for over an hour.” Another officer added to the conversation. “You can hear them talking and joking and having a grand time.”

  “Boy, if I ever get married and then get divorced I hope to end up like Georgie and Detective Toon.”

  “That’s a weird comment to make but I get where you’re going with it.”

  Georgie set up the crockpot in the kitchen and added a cute, hand drawn sign that read Help yourself (but leave some for Detectives Toon and Leto).

  “Hi, Officer Kaine.” Georgie tapped the officer on the shoulder.

  “Hey, Georgie. I smelled something good and knew you had stopped by. What’s in the kitchen?” Officer Kaine was an older man with a gray mustache, gray on top but his eyebrows were strangely still black.

  “Chili and cornbread. Help yourself, you’re getting too thin.”

  “Ha. I wish my wife thought like you.”

  “Have you seen Stan?”

  He’s in interrogation room two. You want to wait for him in his office or do you want to watch the old boy in action?”

  “Why, I’d love to see that. I won’t be getting you in any trouble?” Georgie asked innocently.

  “Not at all. My wife comes to watch sometimes when the cable goes out.”

  Georgie laughed as Officer Kaine walked her to the observation room where she saw Maddy sitting nervously at a table. Stan had just stepped in the room, closing the door behind him and was offering her a bottled water.

  “Thanks.” Maddy said as she took the water, quickly twisted the cap off and took a drink.

  “So, Mrs. Lynch.” Stan started.

  “Please call me Maddy.”

  “Maddy, we really appreciate your coming down to the station to talk to us.” Stan soothed. “Why don’t you just start from the beginning?”

  “From the beginning will take all night.” She smirked. “I’m going to jump off in the middle. I had an affair with Deck. It had been going on for several months but I’m married. I’ve been with my husband for twelve years. We’ve got four beautiful children and...”

  As soon as Maddy mentioned her children her eyes welled up with tears.

  “They are my whole life.” She sobbed as Stan offered her a Kleenex. “My husband is a good man. He really is but he’s always working. He bought me the membership at Deck’s gym because I complained that I was getting too heavy after our fourth baby. I was hoping my husband would agree that four children were enough. Instead he got me the gym membership. It was easier for him, I suppose.”

  “You were seen with Deck on the cruise that last night. Tell me about that.” Stan sat down across from Maddy and leaned forward.

  “That was a miserable night.” Her whole body sagged. “I only went to tell Deck that I was pregnant. The baby is his. No doubt about that.” She looked at Stan expecting that judgmental look but got a blank canvas instead. “I wasn’t going to keep it, you see. How could I, right? I’d have to tell my husband and the kids would be in the middle and Deck would have that hanging over his head. It would be easier to just get rid of it. At least, that was what I was prepared to tell Deck.”

  “Was he angry when he found out?” Stan asked.

  “Are you kidding?” Maddy started to laugh through her tears. “He was overjoyed. Can you believe that? I cheated on my husband, who is a wonderful guy, with another wonderful guy. The chances of winning the LOTTO are better than having that happen.”

  Stan chuckled.

  “I was nauseous and had to bolt to the bathroom all the time as well as using random garbage cans all over the boat. That was really disgusting, too. I don’t know how often they empty those things but one garbage can near the men’s room had at least half a dozen syringes in it. Gross.” Maddy wrinkled her nose as if she might throw up just thinking about that. “When Deck said he’d help me not just with the baby but with my husband I wasn’t sure what to think. How could Deck help with my husband? He didn’t understand that I love my husband with all my heart. Deck was really just a distraction. He encouraged me and motivated me and sure I enjoyed the physical aspect of it, but now there is a baby.” She wiped her eyes with a fresh tissue.

  “Maddy, did you see anything or anyone acting strangely around Deck before he ended up in the water?”

  “No.” She shook her head sadly. “In fact, he was going to talk to Jake, one of the men who sell supplements, except that my news sort of trumped everything else. I think he forgot about Jake, to be honest, because when I last saw Jake he looked angry and frustrated. But, I’ve heard stories about him and that might have been his natural state. Who knows?”

  “Why do you say that?” Stan asked.

  “Detective, come on.” Maddy blinked her eyes. “D
o you really think some of those guys muscles are just the result of working out?”

  “You mean steroids?”

  She nodded her head and held her hands palms up while shrugging her shoulders.

  “Was Deck on steroids?”

  “No.” Maddy gave a short bark of laughter. “He hated that kind of stuff. He was just a muscular guy in good shape. He wasn’t concerned with being the biggest. He wanted to be the best. That meant the best trainer, the best gym owner, the best motivator. Those were the things he worked for and had achieved. I was sure he would have thought a baby was going to ruin all that but Deck would have wanted to be the best father he could be, too.”

  Whether it was hormones or genuine sadness Maddy broke down. She sobbed for a few minutes, apologized and shook her head.

  “I can’t think of anything else that may be of value to you, Detective.” She sniffled. “But, I’m not going through with it.”

  “Going through with what?”

  “With terminating this pregnancy.” She rubbed her stomach. “Deck was murdered. He didn’t deserve it. If I got rid of this baby it would be like he was completely erased. Like he never existed and he did. He was a good man.”

  “What do you think your husband will say, Maddy?” Stan asked with real concern. “Will you be all right?”

  “He won’t be happy. But I’m the one who did this. I have to face it. I’m forty-one years old and I thought I didn’t want more children but right now there is nothing I want more.” She straightened in her chair. “I’ll be okay. No matter what happens.”

  Stan shook Maddy’s hand and wished her luck as he led her out of the interrogation room. Within a few seconds he was in the observation room with Georgie.

  “What a love triangle.” Stan slapped his head.

  “I think you can cross her off the list of possible suspects. But, did you hear what she said about the syringes?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “When I spoke with the captain of the cruise boat he said he had to clean up a bunch of syringes. That confirms Maddy’s statement about seeing them in the garbage can when she was throwing up.”