Debut Cozy Mystery Box Set 2

by Dianne Harman

  “Isn’t that a good thing?” Linc asked.

  “I suppose so. I’m beginning to think that I’m not cut out for this sort of thing. I’m sure not having much luck so far.”

  “What do you mean?” Linc asked, with a concerned look on his face.

  “This investigating stuff. I feel like maybe I should just stick to editing. I’m just spinning my wheels, getting nowhere. It seems that all I’m doing is crossing people off the suspect list, and I’m sure not any closer to figuring out who did it.”

  Linc laughed. “Bet Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple felt the same way at times. I don’t think you’re doing too bad. I’m sure Deputy Davis will appreciate what you’ve found out. You’ve saved him a lot of time.” He noticed Brigid wasn’t smiling. “Brigid, you’re doing a fine job.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “Who knows what Deputy Davis has come up with, and the fact that you’ve been able to cross three people off of a list of suspects is no simple feat.”

  “You really think so?” she asked as she turned to briefly look at him before she looked back at the road ahead of her.

  “Absolutely. You’ve definitely been a big help today. Sometimes these things take time, lots of time. Lucy’s killer is going to be caught. You believe that, don’t you?”

  “I think so. No, I believe it. If it’s someone local, there’s no way they’ll get away with it. You’re right, I just need to give it time.” She smiled. “I do have an odd feeling about this prison lady, though.”

  “Oh? Why’s that?” Linc asked as he settled back into his seat.

  “If she was here before, that means she’s somewhat local. Don’t you think someone would notice if a woman who was once arrested for embezzlement at the ski resort came back to town?” Brigid shrugged. “You’d think word would get around pretty quickly. I mean, this is a small town, and everybody pretty much makes it a point to know everyone else’s business.”

  “I get what you’re saying, and I agree. Maybe Deputy Davis will have some more information about her when you talk to him and tell him what you’ve found out today.”

  They headed back to Cottonwood Springs with Jett sitting in the back seat, calmly watching the scenery go by. “I told Deputy Davis I’d stop by the station when I was finished to tell him what I’d found out. Want to ride along or do you need to head back home?” Brigid asked as they entered town.

  “Sure. I don’t have anything better to do. I’ll go along for the ride,” Linc said with a smile.

  While Brigid was navigating the streets toward the sheriff's office, she thought, there aren’t many more suspects and unfortunately the ones I’ve marked off seemed to be the most plausible. I hope I’m not missing something.

  Her biggest fear was that Lucy was murdered by some random person just passing through, and they would have no way to track the person down. They could just roam free, hurting anyone they pleased, or worse. She couldn’t let the search for the killer end like that.

  Brigid was seemingly lost in thought when she parked her car outside the sheriff’s office. “Hey,” Linc said, touching her arm and interrupting her thoughts. “You sure you’re okay?” He could tell she badly wanted to solve the case, but was frustrated by the lack of progress. He just hoped she didn’t get hurt in the process.

  “Yeah, sorry. I’m just worried we won’t be able to figure out who the killer is. I can’t stand the thought of having my friend’s murderer getting off scot free.” She took a long steadying breath.

  “Don’t worry, Brigid,” Linc said as he took her hand and gently squeezed it. “I have faith whoever did it won’t get away with it.”

  “Thanks. Wish I felt the same way. I’m so glad Deputy Davis is on the case. He seems like he’s really good at his job, and I’m glad he could cover for Rich. There is no way Rich could have handled this on his own. Poor guy. I can’t imagine what he’s going through. Being a law enforcement officer and having your sister murdered in your jurisdiction has to be your worst nightmare. That’s about as bad as it gets.” She hesitated for a moment, deep in thought and then said, “Linc, you don’t think that might have had something to do with the murder, do you?”

  “What do you mean?” Linc asked. “Rich being the sheriff?”

  “Yes. What if someone wanted to punish Rich because he’d arrested them or something? What if rather than hurting him, they decided to hurt Lucy?” The more Brigid thought about it, the more concerned she became. “I don’t know how many people would be on that kind of a list, but I’d bet it’s a lot. Linc, there’s no way we could find all of them. It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Think about it. Rich must have arrested hundreds of people during the years he’s been in law enforcement. Any one of them could have a grudge against Rich and want to get even with him by killing Lucy.”

  “Hate to say it, but you could be right. I wouldn’t worry about that possibility yet. We haven’t even eliminated all the suspects on your list. Let’s take care of that first, but I agree, it’s something to consider if we take the remaining two off the list. Come on, let’s go check in with the deputy,” Linc said as he opened his car door.

  Linc, Brigid and Jett entered the sheriff’s office just as two deputies brought in a disheveled-looking man in handcuffs. His hair looked like it hadn’t been washed in days. His jeans had grass stains and mud on them, almost as if he’d been tackled and thrown on the ground.

  The sheriff's office had windows along the front of the building with an old wooden counter separating the back of the office, where a handful of desks were located, from the front of the office. A row of hard plastic chairs was located in the front office area. A hallway on the right side of the building led to the holding cells at the back of the building. The door to Rich’s office was closed, and the light was off. Just seeing his door closed triggered memories of finding Lucy and made Brigid’s chest constrict.

  With a furious tone in his voice, Deputy Davis said to the dirty looking man, “What we got here?” He turned to Linc and Brigid. “Sorry, Brigid. Gimme’ jes’ a minute.” He looked sternly at the man in handcuffs. “Rich gave ya’ a second chance but ya’ seemed to think it was a smart idea to start sellin’ drugs to ski lodge guests anyway. Know what? Yer’ disgustin’. That’s what. Good thing one of the guests called us. Suppose the only positive side to all this is that I can’t arrest ya’ for Lucy’s murder, not that I wouldn’t like to, but ya’ just happened to be tryin’ to sell them drugs at the same time she was murdered. Witnesses and everythin’ confirms that.”

  “Guess this is your luckiest bad day. ‘Specially since Sheriff Jennings ain’t here today. Don’t think I coulda’ restrained him. Them handcuffs woulda’ been the least of your worries. Rich let ya’ off last time ‘cuz you’d been such a big help to his sister, but that was then and this is now. Hope ya’ like the color green, since you’re gonna’ be wearin’ jail house green fer quite a while.” Deputy Davis turned to the two officers and said disgustedly, “Take him back to one of the holding cells.” They escorted the man towards the hallway and disappeared.

  “Sorry ‘bout that,” Deputy Davis said a bit more calmly to Brigid and Linc. He walked to the wooden counter and opened the half door indicating for them to enter.

  “Not a problem,” said Brigid. “Corey, this is Linc Olson. He lives next door to me, and he’s been helping me out today.”

  Both men shook hands. “Thanks, Linc. I feel better about her helpin’ me now that I know she’s got someone watchin’ her back.”

  “I am, but don’t forget about Jett. Think he’s watching her back, too.” He reached down and petted the big dog who was standing next to Brigid.

  “Well, looks like I jes’ marked ‘nother possible suspect off the list. That was Mike Loomis who jes’ got escorted back to the holding cell. He’s the handyman fer Lucy’s B & B, or should I say he was the handyman fer the B & B. He was tryin’ to make a drug deal out at the ski lodge at the time of the murder. Not real bright thing fer him to do, bu
t it takes him off the suspect list. Too bad. I woulda’ loved to arrest him fer murder, but we got a witness who can verify he was at the ski lodge at the time of the murder. No way he coulda’ done it.” he sighed. “He was clear out on the other side of town. Now, tell me ya’ got some good news fer me.”

  They followed him to his desk and sat down. “Well, depends how you look at it.” Brigid said. “We went to visit Henri. Turns out he was with his lover, Joelle, a woman he’s been having an affair with. They have a witness, a neighbor, who will confirm they were at Joelle’s house at the time of the murder. I guess Joelle’s cat got out and the neighbor helped find it. Neither Henri nor his lady friend was anywhere near the B & B when Lucy was murdered. I have the witness’ contact info if you want it.”

  “Good job,” Deputy Davis said as he took notes. “Anythin’ else?” He looked up from his yellow notepad.

  “We drove over to visit Ouray Smith, the Native American guy who’d been harassing Lucy. Turns out his truck was broken down last night. We talked to a neighbor who said he’d helped Ouray fix it. He said they worked on it most of the afternoon yesterday and didn’t finish up until about 10:00 last night.”

  “Looks like we can cross him off the list as well.” Deputy Davis said as he leaned back in his chair. “That’s about it fer our suspects, ‘cept fer the mystery woman who Lucy testified against in that embezzlement case. I got a few feelers out fer her. Hope to know more in the mornin’.” He put his feet up on his desk.

  “Do you think that woman did it?” asked Brigid. “Do you think there really is a possibility she showed up in town and nobody noticed her?”

  “I get what yer’ saying. Ya’ jes’ never know. I wasn’t with the sheriff’s department then, so I don’t know nuthin’ ‘bout that case. Always a possibility the woman was originally from a neighborin’ town. Folks around here might not recognize her, ‘specially if she’s gained weight or changed somethin’ ‘bout her appearance,” he said with a shrug. “But I’d imagine if someone who was caught for embezzlin’ showed back up, word’d get around.”

  “That’s what I was thinking,” Brigid said. “Corey, if this woman gets crossed off the list, we’re out of suspects.”

  “Where are you goin’ with this, Brigid?” He was glad Rich had asked her to help. She’d already saved him a whole day of leg work.

  “Well, I got to thinking, if this woman doesn’t pan out, we’re going to have to start a whole new list. What if Lucy was murdered because she was the sister of the sheriff and someone wanted to get back at him by killing her?”

  Corey turned and looked at his boss’ closed door before looking back at Brigid. “That’d be a very long list of possible suspects.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” sighed Brigid. She leaned over and absentmindedly ran her hand down Jett’s black furry back.

  “Let’s hope it don’t come to that. We’ll worry ‘bout that after I get some info back on the mystery woman. Guess all we can do now is jes’ wait. You were a big help today, Brigid. You too, Linc. Why don’t ya’ both go home and try to relax. I’m sure this has been taxin’ on you, as well.”

  “Definitely,” Brigid said, “but I’m glad to help.”

  “Thank you.” Corey took his feet off of his desk and stood up as Brigid and Linc did the same. “I’ll call soon as I know somethin’.” He turned to Linc and said, “Nice meetin’ ya.” They shook hands again. “Linc, do me a favor and keep an eye on Brigid ‘til this whole thing’s over. If our murderer finds out she’s helpin’…” He let his sentence trail off.

  “You got it.” said Linc. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. Between Jett and me, she’ll be fine.”

  “Glad we’re on the same page,” Corey said as he followed them to the wooden counter. He bent down and scratched Jett’s ear.

  Linc and Brigid were both quiet as they walked back to her car.

  CHAPTER 18

  “Well, at least he seems to think I’ve done something that’s helped. That makes me feel better,” Brigid said as she pulled away from the sheriff’s station.

  “You did a good job today. Actually, you did a great job.”

  “Thanks, Linc,” Brigid said. “I’m just trying to do what’s right for Lucy.”

  “You’re a very special person, Brigid. Not only have you dropped everything in your life to help find your friend’s murderer, but you’re not even worried about your own personal safety.”

  “Thanks for the compliment, but I’m not feeling all that special now. I just want to find Lucy’s murderer.”

  Linc looked over at her and smiled. “I understand, but I still think you’re special.” As he was looking over at her and realizing how much he respected Brigid, she yawned.

  “I have an idea,” Linc said as Brigid drove toward their street. “You’ve got to be exhausted from everything today. Let me cook dinner for you. I’m actually a fairly good cook, and if I do say so myself, I’m great at making Italian food. I’ll cook you my specialty, fresh pasta with a basil pesto sauce.”

  Brigid yawned again. “Thanks, Linc, but you really don’t need to go to the trouble. I can make a sandwich or something.” She really appreciated how helpful Linc had been, and it wasn’t that she didn’t want to spend more time with him, she actually wanted the opposite. She didn’t want him to feel obligated or something just because they’d spent the day together.

  “No, I insist.” Linc said in a firm voice.

  “That does sound inviting,” she said as she pulled up outside his house. “I’ll take Jett home and feed him, and I probably should check on my house guest, too. You know, make sure she’s okay. I’ll be back in about an hour if that’s all right with you.”

  “Perfect,” Linc said as he got out of the car. “See you in an hour.”

  Brigid drove the short distance down the street to her house and pulled into the driveway. “You ready to eat, Jett?” she asked. “You’ve had a pretty exciting day, too, haven’t you?” She opened the car door for him, and they walked into the house.

  After pouring a bowl of kibble into Jett’s dog dish and refilling his water bowl, Brigid headed down the hall toward her room. She felt like she needed to change clothes and freshen up a bit. As she was walking down the hall, she passed by the guest bedroom. The door was open, and she looked in the room to see if Rachele was sitting at the desk with her laptop like she normally was. Instead, the chair was empty, and Brigid could easily see the screen on her laptop. There was a news article about Lucy’s death displayed on it.

  That’s odd, Brigid thought. Why would Rachele be interested in the murder of someone she didn’t even know? Well I suppose she was just curious about it, particularly since Rich was here last night.

  While she was considering it, Brigid heard the toilet flush and the bathroom door opened. “Hi, Brigid,” Rachele said. “I’m glad you’re home. I want to show you something.” She walked down the hall to the guest room, headed for her laptop, and then proceeded to open a Word document. “Thanks to you, my writer’s block is gone. I am officially unblocked, and I’ve been writing up a storm.”

  “That’s great,” Brigid said as she stepped into the room and looked at the monitor. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you. Being here in Cottonwood Springs, even for this short amount of time, has made all the difference in the world to me. I bought a plane ticket for tomorrow, so I can head back home to Los Angeles, and I’m taking my writing muse with me.” She grinned and ran her fingers through her hair.

  “I’m glad I could help,” Brigid said as she hugged Rachele. “Jett and I have plans to eat dinner with Linc. Do you need anything before we go?”

  “No, but thanks. You and Jett have fun with Linc.”

  “What time does your flight leave tomorrow?” Brigid asked.

  “The flight’s at 4:00 in the afternoon, but I’ll be leaving from here around noon since the airport’s a couple of hours away and I need to return my rental car,�
� she said with a sigh. “It feels good to be writing again.”

  “I’m sure it does. I’ll see you later, Rachele. Linc’s waiting for us, and I still need to change clothes and freshen up.”

  Brigid walked down the hall to her bedroom and shut the door behind her. She opened her closet door and pulled out a little nicer outfit than she’d been wearing earlier in the day. Even so, it was still casual. She was not in the mood to wear something constrictive or have her toes pinched trying to wear trendy shoes.

  As she was taking off her clothes, Brigid couldn’t help but think about what she’d seen in Rachele’s room. Something about her having the article about Lucy’s death up on her computer screen didn’t feel right. Brigid could understand if she’d been reading it in passing, but supposedly she’d been writing her book. Why wouldn’t that be on her monitor instead?

  Brigid stepped into her bathroom, quickly washed her face, and began to reapply her makeup. She supposed Rachele could have just run across the article when she was researching something. Brigid knew that was something she did all the time. There was always that possibility, but something about it bothered her. Why would a woman who had never been to Cottonwood Springs be interested in a small-town murder? No matter how she turned it around in her mind, it didn’t make sense to her.

  She decided to talk to Linc about it and see what he thought. Looking at herself one more time in the mirror, she stepped out of her room and headed down the hall. She stopped at Rachele’s door and saw that she was busily typing. “Rachele, as far as I know, I don’t have any plans tomorrow morning. How about if I make you a celebration ‘The Muse Has Returned’ breakfast before you leave?”

  Rachele turned away from her computer and smiled. “That sounds great, Brigid. Thanks. Have a good time with Linc tonight. I’ll probably be in bed by the time you get home, so I’ll see you in the morning.”