by Cindy Bell
“It will be fine.”
Suzie pushed the door open slightly, but just before she called out Summer’s name she stopped, she could overhear Summer speaking to someone. Suzie stood with the door slightly open and listened.
“It was something short and sharp. Not a knife. That’s all I know right now. I’m checking into different weapons that might have caused the wound, but haven’t found anything definitive.” Suzie looked at Paul with wide eyes. There was no other voice that they could hear so Suzie presumed that Summer was on the phone. “There were no defensive wounds, but the strike did come from the front.” After a short pause she continued. “Okay, I’ll send over the report now.” Suzie presumed that Summer had hung up. Suzie waited a few seconds before she said anything. She didn’t want Summer to suspect that they might have been eavesdropping. Summer turned on some soft music.
“Dr. Rose?” Suzie called out.
“Suzie, I’ll be right out.” Summer turned off the music. “I’m sorry, Paul, it helps me to concentrate,” she said as she walked out of the back room.
“That’s okay, you have nothing to apologize for,” Paul said.
“Did you find out anything?” Suzie asked as they walked towards the front.
“You know I can’t tell you anything. Jason asked me to keep it pinned up tight.”
“But…” Paul started to object.
“It’s okay, Paul.” Suzie held his hand gently and looked at Summer. “I wanted to tell you that everything is coming together with organizing the wedding.” Suzie smiled trying to break the tension. “Here is a list from Mary in case there’s anything you want to change and a picture of the centerpieces.” Suzie showed Summer her cell phone. “They’re a bit different from what you wanted, so be honest if you like them.”
“Thank you, Suzie,” Summer said. “These are gorgeous.”
“Sorry Summer,” Paul said. “I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward position. I just need to know who did this.”
“I understand.” Summer smiled slightly. “We’ll get to the bottom of it. I know this must be difficult for you.”
“I’m fine really. The only difficult thing is not knowing who did this.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Once that’s settled, I’ll be fine.”
Suzie and Summer exchanged a quick glance of concern, but Suzie didn’t argue the point.
“I’ll go through the list and get back to Mary.”
“Okay, let me know if you need anything.” Suzie smiled.
As Suzie and Paul left the medical examiner’s office Paul turned to Suzie. “Let’s go over what we know.”
“Well, from the phone call we know that the weapon was short and sharp and that he didn’t have any defensive wounds, so he was probably surprised by the killer.”
“Given that, he most likely knew the person,” Paul said thoughtfully.
“Not to mention that there was no sign of forced entry.”
“Yes, but fishermen often don’t lock their cabins.”
“That’s true,” Suzie said. “But given the fact that he was attacked from the front and there were no defensive wounds it makes it seem as if it was someone that he wouldn’t expect an attack from.”
“We need to find out who that is. There is no time to waste.” Paul turned and walked towards the car. Suzie stared at him for a moment. It was clear that he wouldn’t stop until he found the murderer. Once in the car again, Paul pointed to the docks. “Can you drop me off at my boat?”
“Sure, but are you certain you don’t want to sleep at Dune House?”
“No, I’m going to sleep on the boat again tonight,” Paul said. “I want to see if I can find out anything. See if they’ll talk now that there aren’t so many police milling around.” Suzie nodded as they drove towards the docks. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to change his mind.
She pulled to a stop in front of the docks and looked over at him. “Let me stay with you.”
“No, that’s not a good idea.”
“You need to stop worrying so much about protecting me.”
“You first.” He held her gaze. His lips curled into a slow smile.
“I see your point.” Suzie sighed and leaned over to kiss him.
“I’ll see you first thing in the morning?”
“Yes. We can also talk to some of the fishermen in the morning who don’t sleep on their boats and see if anyone knows anything.”
She kissed his cheek just before he climbed out of the car. Suzie looked at him as he walked off. He needed his space and she needed time to try and work out anything more she could about the murder.
Chapter Five
Back at Dune House Suzie could barely get her feet on the ground before Mary rushed up to her.
“How did it go with Summer?”
“She didn’t tell us anything, but we did overhear a few things about the murder.”
“But, how is she?” Mary searched her eyes.
“Oh, she seems okay.” Suzie frowned. “Troubled by all of this of course, and concerned about the wedding.”
“Poor girl.” Mary clucked her tongue.
“Summer’s strong. She’ll be okay. She said that she would call you about the wedding later.” Suzie followed Mary into Dune House and glanced at the papers on the table. “Plans?”
“Yes, I’m still working on them. Things are a bit calmer though. What do you think about doves?”
“Real doves?”
“Yes, just a few live ones to fly out at the end of the ceremony?”
“I think it’s a little much, Mary.” Suzie sat down at the kitchen table and closed her eyes. “I think it might be better to keep things as simple as possible right now. It’s not looking too promising that this case is going to be solved quickly and it would be a shame for the unsolved murder to be hanging over their heads during the wedding.”
“Oh.” Mary nodded as she sat down beside her. “I understand.” She rubbed Suzie’s shoulder. “Try not to worry too much, Suzie. No matter what, the crime will be solved, and Summer and Jason will be married. How it happens, when it happens, is not as big of a deal as we might think it is.”
“Thanks Mary.” Suzie smiled slightly. “To be honest I’m a little concerned about Paul. I’m not so accustomed to being wrapped up in the feelings of another person.”
“You get more wrapped up than you realize, Suzie. Do you remember my wedding?”
Suzie grinned and tapped her fingers on the table. “A toast to the man I will murder if he breaks my best friend’s heart.”
“Yes, it was the talk of the reception.” Mary laughed.
“I’m sorry I didn’t follow through with it.” Suzie shook her head.
“You did much better than that. You created this home for us, where we both get to be ourselves.”
“We created it together.” Suzie held her gaze. “Dune House wouldn’t be here without you, Mary. Just like Summer and Jason wouldn’t get to have such a lovely wedding if it wasn’t for you.”
“I can’t help it. I’m still a romantic at heart.” She winked at Suzie.
“Speaking of romance. What’s going on with your detective?”
“Oh, he’s out of town. I’m sure that I’ll be hearing from him this evening.”
“I’m so glad things are working out.”
“Yes, we’re just taking it slow. No need to rush.”
“True. Do you want to go for a walk?” Suzie asked.
“Yes, I could use some fresh air.”
Suzie and Mary walked along the beach in a comfortable silence. Suzie’s mind did not stop going over the facts of the case. By the time they had returned to Dune House the sun was beginning to set.
“I’m going to try to turn in early,” Suzie said once they were inside. “I am going to the docks to meet Paul first thing in the morning so we can ask around and see if anyone knows anything about the murder.”
“No dinner?” Mary clucked her tongue. “That’s no way to keep your strength up.
”
“I know, but I’m not very hungry. Maybe I’ll get up in a little while to eat.”
“Okay, there’s roast in the refrigerator if you want it.”
“I’m sure I’ll dig into it at some point. Thanks Mary.” She hugged her friend then headed off to her room. As she settled into sleep her mind raced with thoughts of the case. When they finally slowed down and she was able to fall asleep, her dreams filled with rough, rogue waves that threatened the docks and Dune House.
Suzie woke in the morning to the scent of oatmeal. The cinnamon called to her. After a quick shower she threw on some clothes and headed out into the kitchen. Much to her surprise she found Paul already there.
“Morning.” He smiled at her. “I thought I’d meet you here because I wanted a walk.”
“You didn’t sleep, did you?”
“I did a little. Not much.”
“I must have gotten all of your sleep for you. I’m starving. Thanks so much, Mary.” Mary set a bowl of oatmeal down in front of her.
“No problem.”
“We all have some work ahead of us today,” Suzie said.
“Yes.” Paul wiped a hand across his face. “I just hope that it pays off.”
“We’ll find something.” Suzie smiled at him. “Let me text Jason and see if he has any updates.”
“Do you think he will answer?” Paul asked.
“He might.”
“I don’t know.” Paul swirled a spoon through his oatmeal. “Maybe we should just leave him out of it. I don’t think he’ll be very forthcoming with information. If he had information for us, he would have contacted us, don’t you think?”
“You’re right. He’ll contact us when he wants to.” Suzie nodded.
“Wait a minute.” Mary frowned. “What about the wedding? If Jason and Summer are working on the investigation, then how are they going to have time to finish the preparations?”
“If you continue helping them the way you are they’ll be fine,” Suzie said. “I don’t think Jason’s going to mind a little helping hand with the investigation.”
“I think he might.” Mary shrugged. “But he’s your cousin and he probably already knows that you won’t stay out of it. You can see what you can find out and I’ll continue to help Summer.”
“You’re right, he might mind it a little, but once the dust settles he’ll understand. Besides, we’re not going to cause any trouble, we’re just going to help.”
“Your version of help isn’t always trouble-free.” Mary raised an eyebrow and hid her face behind her mug of coffee.
“I know, I know.” Suzie glanced over at Paul. “But we have to try.”
“Absolutely,” Paul said.
Suzie finished the last few spoons of her oatmeal, then turned to Paul. “Ready?”
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Remember Paul, we’re just going to have some friendly conversations. We don’t want to do anything to spook anyone.”
“I’ll behave.” He smiled a little. “At least I intend to.”
“Thanks again, Mary.” Suzie led Paul out through the door. She opened the car doors with a button on her keyring. Paul climbed in, and she followed after him. When she started the ignition, music blasted through the speakers.
“What is that?” He winced and turned the radio down.
“Oh sorry, I must have been listening to a good song.” She laughed. “Sometimes I like to drive around with the window rolled down and music blasting.”
“I can appreciate that.” He smiled at her and turned the volume up enough to enjoy the current song. “I wasn’t able to get any information on the docks last night. There weren’t many people around.”
When they arrived at the docks the parking lot was devoid of any police cars. Suzie felt a sense of relief, but also a good amount of irritation. She didn’t want to be shooed away by officers, but she also wondered why they weren’t there conducting an investigation.
“I guess the police are done with the crime scene.” She frowned.
“Which is exactly why we need to pick up where they left off.” He stretched his arms and yawned. “Where should we start?”
“I think the best place to start is canvasing the dock for anyone that might have seen something. I know the police already did, but we might still be able to find out some information.”
“Some of the captains aren’t too friendly with the police, they’re not likely to give up any real information.”
“Even to Jason?”
“Yes, even Jason. Police is police.”
“I didn’t realize there was so much tension.”
“It’s not as bad as you might think, but since the main suspects are going to be people on the docks, they are going to get defensive about any questions the police ask. They’re going to get defensive about anything that I ask, too.”
“Maybe I should do the talking then.”
“Definitely not. In fact it might be better if you wait at the car.”
“But you know there’s no chance of that happening.” She smiled sweetly at him. He stared into her eyes for a moment.
“If I…”
“Nope.”
“Suzie, I think…”
“It’s not going to happen. I’m going to be by your side the entire time.” She reached out and patted his cheek. “I’m looking forward to meeting your friends, darling.”
“I think you’ll change your mind once you’ve met them.” He chuckled. “All right, let’s go.”
When she walked towards the docks she was startled by how quiet they were. Usually there were fishermen, and locals milling about. “If anyone is even out here to question.”
“They’re here, they’re just hiding out. Because of that.” He pointed to the police tape wrapped around Robbie’s boat.
“I never realized fishermen were such an unruly bunch.” Suzie raised an eyebrow.
“They aren’t always. But marrying the sea, it makes a man a bit rough around the edges.”
“Does that make me your mistress?” She winked at him.
“Never.” He held her gaze. “I’ve kept my options open, never made a full commitment.”
“Oh, I see.” She laughed and slipped her arm through his. As they stepped onto the dock, she noticed a man towards the end of it. The moment he saw them, he bolted towards one of the boats. “There.” Suzie pointed in the man’s direction. “I bet he knows something.”
“Let’s catch up with him.” Paul quickened his pace.
“I think he went on this boat.” Suzie walked towards the boat and spotted the man as he disappeared inside the cabin. She glanced back at Paul who nodded at her. Suzie mounted the boat, side stepped a container of empty oyster shells, and walked over to the cabin door with Paul right behind her. She knocked twice then stepped back. The man inside the cabin opened the door and snarled at her.
“What is it?”
“Careful how you talk to a lady.” Paul raised a bushy eyebrow and stepped in front of Suzie. “Pedro, we just have a couple of questions for you.”
“I bet, you and the entire police department.”
“No, just us.” Suzie smiled at him. “You know Paul don’t you?” She gestured to Paul.
“Sure, I know him. That doesn’t mean I’m going to say anything.”
“I’m not here to give you a hard time.” Paul rested one hand on the door frame of the cabin. “All we want to know is whether you saw anyone around Robbie’s boat. He was one of us and I’d like to get to the bottom of his murder. You can’t blame me for that, can you?”
“No, I can’t, but you know what happens once you get involved with the cops. They just like to dig into things that are none of their business. I’m not sure how you can expect me to expose myself to that.”
“No need to.” Suzie shook her head. “All we want to do is get some information. That information is going to stay between you and us, it will have nothing to do with the police.”
“Not even your cou
sin, Jason?” He raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I know who you are.”
“Pedro, relax. Just because her cousin is a cop, that doesn’t make her one, now does it?”
“You tell me.” Pedro crossed his arms and stared at both of them. Suzie noticed that he had a bandage around his right hand. She knew from experience with Paul that minor injuries often occurred at sea and it reminded her what a tough job fisherman had.
“I just want to find out what happened to Robbie as I’m sure you do,” Suzie said.
“How do I know this whole conversation isn’t being recorded?”
“All I want to know is whether you saw anyone.” Suzie shrugged. “How could that be used against you?”
“I’m sure that they could come up with a way.”
“So?” Paul leaned closer to him. “Did you see anything or not?”
“Since you were friends with Robbie, I guess I should tell you.” He drew a deep breath and then sighed. “I saw a guy. I didn’t know who he was. But he wore this bright yellow jacket so it was hard to miss him. He seemed to be snooping around Robbie’s boat.” He gestured towards the boat. “You know, we try to look out for each other around here, so I was going to say something to him, but by the time I got off my boat he was gone.”
“Did you see where he went? Did he go to the parking lot?”
“No, not that I saw. He was just gone. I figured I must have missed him leaving the dock somehow. Anyway, that’s all I know.”
“The man in the bright yellow jacket, was he tall? Thin?” Suzie narrowed her eyes.
“No, just about average.” He squinted. “I don’t pay much attention to that. I did notice that he was bald. Not a hair on his head.”
“I understand. Thank you for your help.” Suzie nodded at him.
“Just do me a favor and forget my name when you talk to your cousin about this.”
“I wouldn’t dream of mentioning it.” She smiled. “But I will remember it, because you did a good thing by telling us what you know.”
“Sure, if you say so.” He shrugged. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to do.”
“What did you do to your hand?” Suzie asked.
“I work as a fisherman. What do you think I did to it? I cut it.” He scowled.