Dead Reckoning and Murderous Intent, A Red Pine Falls Cozy Mystery (Red Pine Falls Cozy Mysteries Book 4)

by Angela C Blackmoore

  Ed frowned, thinking for a moment before answering. “Just checking cars along this route. It's standard procedure in this area,” he said, watching as a limo flashed past on its way back into town.

  Gabe gave him a skeptical look, then glanced around at the wilderness and forests surrounding them. The only building in this area was the Grand Lodge, and that was walled off. “You know I’m in law enforcement too, right?” Gabe asked in as friendly a voice as he could muster. “The only crimes you could commit in this area would be poaching or speeding, and we’re not dressed for hunting.”

  Ed just shrugged, finally deciding that being quiet was the smart move. Gabe pulled his head back into the PT Cruiser, his eyebrows gathered in worry. “I wonder what they hope to accomplish.”

  “It’s harassment!” Becky stormed from the back seat. “We should just take off.”

  “No!” the three others said in unison.

  “Are you crazy, Becky?” Abby hissed. “Do you want to be a news report or statistic? That’s probably exactly what they’re hoping will happen.”

  Becky crossed her arms. “You’ve heard of those news reports about fake police pulling people over and killing them. It happens all the time.”

  Abby rolled her eyes. “Becky, you read too many stories online. Besides, as crappy as they are, we know they are real police officers. They’re not going to try to murder us and stuff us in the woods somewhere.”

  Becky gestured to the trees outside and miles of wilderness that surrounded the Grand Lodge but kept quiet. Mike had returned to the window with a nasty smile on his lips.

  “Seems that you aren’t on the insurance there, partner,” Mike said. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to step out of the car.”

  “What? That’s the stupidest-” Gabe began before Hazel leaned over, putting a calming hand on Gabe’s arm. “Detective, I’m afraid you are mistaken,” she said. “I know for a fact that my insurance covers anyone driving my car. That’s fairly standard anyway, but I made sure when I purchased it that was the case. Being an old woman, we’re rather paranoid, you know? I had to make sure.”

  “Sorry, lady,” Mike shrugged. “Maybe you let it lapse? Or you forgot to renew it correctly. It happens, but I have to do my duty.” He turned his gaze back to Gabe, and his eyes became flinty. “Now, get out of the car and step back toward the trunk. You know the drill.”

  Gabe pursed his lips together, but he didn’t really feel like he had a choice. Mike wasn’t doing it, but Ed had put his hand on his holstered pistol, ready to pull it if he needed to. Just as they’d warned Becky, Gabe was now worried he was about to become a statistic.

  Gabe was just about to open the door and step out when another car pulled off of the road just in front of them. Mike and Ed both paused, staring intently at the vehicle as it stopped and the engine was turned off.

  As a man stepped out, Mike moved from the window and walked a few steps forward, pointing at the stranger’s car. “Get back in the car, sir!” He yelled. “This doesn’t concern you! Get back in the car, now!”

  Chapter 6

  Instead of retreating, the man held his hands up but continued forward. He was wearing what looked to be a long, woolen trench coat to protect him from the cold, but seemed determined to ignore the rising voices of the detectives.

  When he stepped closer, they recognized Robert Carrington.

  “Good evening, officers,” he said in a jovial tone.

  “Get back in the car, right now!” Mike persisted, refusing to acknowledge the man’s greeting. “Sir, go back to your car or we’ll be forced to arrest you.”

  Robert stopped and shrugged, turning his gloved hands out as he did so. “That is your responsibility to do so if you feel threatened; however, before you do I’d like to tell you who I am if you don’t mind.”

  “Listen,” Mike said, stepping forward aggressively. “I don’t give a flying crap who you are. If you don’t get back in your vehicle right away and drive off, I will-“

  “Mike,” Ed said, once again stepping up to his partner and taking him by the arm. “Let’s listen to what the man has to say first, okay? It can’t hurt to hear him out. Besides, this is just a routine stop, right?” Ed flicked his eyes toward their car nervously, and Abby had the overwhelming feeling the man was worried about witnesses.

  “Fine!” Mike said, pulling his arm free and turning back toward Robert. “Who are you and what makes you think you can interfere with police business?”

  “My name is Robert Carrington,” The red-haired man said politely. “I happened to have been following along behind you both, and since we weren’t speeding and I saw nothing wrong with these people’s car, I thought I might stop and offer my services.” He paused before continuing. “If they were needed, of course.”

  “What services are those?” Mike growled. “Are you an insurance agent? Because the driver isn’t covered under the car’s insurance.”

  Robert blinked, surprised. “Insurance? Are you actually saying that because the driver's name isn’t on the car insurance, that he is doing something illegal? Or anyone is doing something illegal here?”

  “You didn’t answer my question, buddy,” Mike continued. “I’m still trying to find the reason that you stopped and decided to interfere with a police matter.”

  “Oh, well, forgive me. You are correct. I did forget that,” Robert said and cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, I am not an insurance person, but I am a lawyer. One who happens to know that the insurance follows the car, not the driver. If that car does have insurance, then they are covered. Unless the owner of the car isn’t aware it’s being driven or hasn’t given her consent. Is that the case?”

  Mike and Ed looked at each other before giving Robert very disgruntled looks. “No. The owner of the car is in the passenger seat,” Mike finally ground out.

  “Ah, then everything is in order,” Robert smiled, clapping his hands. “Truthfully, insurance law is quite convoluted. It is an honest mistake, right? Good thing we cleared that up, or it could have easily been a lawsuit for your department. No one wants that, right?”

  Mike looked like he was going to say something else, but Ed had come up and nudged him, giving him a look before taking the paperwork from Mike’s twitching fingers. He returned to the open driver’s-side window and handed the items back to Gabe. “Sorry for the trouble. You folks have a good evening.” He then hightailed it back to the police car.

  Mike watched Ed for a moment before turning back to Robert and giving him a hostile glare, then turned on his heels. They could all see him mumbling something, but it was too low for any of them to hear what he was saying. After he’d slammed his door, the lights flicked off, and the unmarked police car squealed as it turned and sped the other way.

  They all breathed a sigh of relief, watching as Robert sidled up to the driver’s side door and leaned down, smiling. “Good thing I decided to follow you,” he said. “That was the biggest crock I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard some doozies.

  Hazel leaned over and reached out her hand, waiting until Robert took it and squeezed. “Thank you, Robert. You have no idea how grateful I am. I swear you need to wear a pair of wings on your back because you’re my new guardian angel.”

  Robert smiled and squeezed her hand back. “Well, that will be the first time anyone has called a lawyer anything angelic, but I’ll take it. I’ll be honest; those two reminded me of every crooked cop I’ve ever dealt with. Do you want me to follow you back to Red Pine Falls?”

  “I think we’ll be okay,” Gabe said, shaking Robert’s hand once Hazel had let go. “Whatever they had planned, they have witnesses now, so I doubt they will try again. Boy, I have to say, I was never happier to see someone pull over. Thanks.”

  “My pleasure,” Robert said, once again then tipped his fingers toward Abby and Becky in the back seat. “I better head on back to Portland then. Drive safely.”

  They watched him return to his car and drive off before Gabe fe
lt settled enough to resume their trip. It took longer to return home than coming out, since they kept looking for flashing lights in the rear-view mirror, but they all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the sign Welcome to Red Pine Falls.

  Chapter 7

  It was one week after the dinner with the senator, but it felt like a completely different world. The town had rolled out its holiday decorations, and Abby was surprised at how thoroughly the town had been transformed. There were garlands and Christmas lights on every street light and tree surrounding the town park, and all of the grounds encircling the municipal buildings looked like a postcard.

  The only thing missing was snow.

  Abby had discovered that the mild temperature of the Willamette Valley tended to mean few snowfalls, and the temperatures hovered in the high thirties and low forties, at least as far as Abby had experienced. Becky had told her they’d be lucky to get snow four or five times a year, but sometimes they got lucky, and it snowed around Christmas.

  Having lived in Arizona for the past few years, Abby was a bit crestfallen, though she imagined she would change her tune if she had to live someplace where it snowed several inches a day, rather than hardly at all.

  There was even a huge, festive banner stretched across the main road that ran through town advertising a winter’s fair that was going to be happening soon. The massive Christmas tree they’d raised in the park was already up, placed there during a tree-lighting ceremony early in December, so this festival was just a community celebration that the people of Red Pine Falls were putting on just to enjoy each other’s company.

  That was one of the best things that Abby had noticed about her new home. They loved to have festivals and get-togethers. In Phoenix, they collectively had many more community events, but as with any big city, it just wasn’t the same. It was just a thing one could do to pass the time. In Red Pine Falls, it was far more important. She loved it.

  She brushed her fingers along the bark of a huge fir tree. Its massive trunk was wrapped in lights, and at dusk, it and its brothers filled the streets with joy. Even now, it made her smile as she turned down the walkway toward Becky’s Café. It was only ten a.m., and her shift was starting in an hour, but she liked to show up early and see what was going on. Today was no different as she listened to the gentle tinkling of the bell as she entered.

  Abby! It’s so good to see you!” Becky said, beaming at her friend from behind the host’s station. Becky loved to show people to their seats, as it gave her a chance to visit with them. When Abby had first met Becky, she’d had to scramble to take orders and even bus tables, but after the redesign, things were looking up, and she was able to hire some extra help, Abby included.

  “How are things?” Abby asked, stopping at the host counter. When she looked into the café, she was surprised to find several of the tables moved together and occupied. There may have been a few stragglers, but usually things were quiet between breakfast and lunch. She didn’t recognize all of the people, but so many of them resembled Mable Clawson that she could tell this must be a gathering of their clan, or at least a small part of it. There were far too many of them for Becky’s café to accommodate if they all showed up at once.

  “Busy!” Becky said, rolling her eyes a bit in exasperation. “This is usually the time we prep for lunch, but not today. Not that I’m complaining.”

  “Of course,” Abby said, narrowing her eyes at Becky and smirking. “Never complaining. Did they come in for brunch or have they been here since breakfast?”

  “A little of both. Mable showed up with Rachel and Rick, but the rest came in an hour or so ago,” Becky said, crossing her arms on the pedestal and leaning forward. “Then Ruby Anderson came in. I’ve not seen her mix with the rest of the Clawsons in ages, but whatever it is, it has them all smiling and happy.”

  “Do they normally not get along?” Abby asked, glancing over at the table but making a point not to stare.

  Becky shook her head. “Not usually. With a family this big, it’s almost impossible not to have some drama going on, and Ruby usually keeps some distance behind her husband’s name. She’s a local realtor and also part of the town council. Smart and ruthless, though. She’ll throw anyone under the train if it serves her. They even have a name for it. They call it the Ruby Railroad. I’m not sure how she keeps getting elected except she seems to be made of Teflon. Nothing ever sticks to her.”

  Abby grunted as she considered that. Despite feeling like she lived here for a long time, there was still so much to learn about the town, and it would take her a while to meet everyone, no matter how much she might wish otherwise. Or maybe she was just lucky. Just then, the Clawsons all raised their glasses and toasted.

  Mable raised hers last and spoke slowly, but both Becky and Abby could hear her clearly. “To the Foundation and Don Buckshire!”

  Abby exchanged nervous looks with Becky. “Did she just say the Foundation? And who is Don Buckshire?”

  Becky nodded before they returned their gazes to the table. The Clawsons had gone back to talking, but Becky was thinking troubled thoughts as she frowned. “The Foundation and Don Buckshire. That’s like putting two rats in a barrel full of cheese.” Becky turned to Abby and leaned forward, whispering so only Abby could hear. “Don Buckshire owns the Food Emporium, and he’s also on the town council along with Ruby. You remember what I said about Ruby being made of Teflon? Well, you could cook steaks on Don for a week, and everything would just fall off when you tipped him over.”

  “That bad?” Abby asked. “Why have I not heard of these people before?”

  Becky shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because they don’t shoot guns?” She leaned out of the way as Abby swiped at her and laughed softly, but her face quickly became serious again. “They’re politicians. Fortunately, the first one you met here was the mayor. He’s a good man, but you can’t say that about everyone on the council. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like they’re stealing candy from babies, but they’re more typical of the breed if you know what I mean.”

  “Self-serving and full of special interests?” Abby asked.

  “Yes,” Becky responded. “Though the mayor’s been able to keep them in line for the most part. Oh, shush, here they come. Ugh, I bet there are fifteen different checks. They always do this to me.”

  The Clawsons had finished their meal, but it was only Ruby that came up to the counter while the rest of the family walked by and out of the door. Abby could tell Becky was nervous, but she quickly covered it up as she turned to Ruby.”

  “Did you enjoy the meal?” Becky asked politely, giving her very best smile.

  “It was okay,” Ruby said, equally as cheerfully though the barb wasn’t lost on Becky.

  “I’m sorry, what could we have done better?” Becky continued.

  “Oh, nothing in particular,” Ruby said, waving her hand dismissively. “It was fine. Do you have the total?”

  Becky paused before ringing up the entire meal. It came out to a rather substantial amount of money, but Ruby didn’t blink as she pulled out a gold credit card and handed it over. When she signed the receipt, she pulled out a calculator and put down exactly fifteen percent, which made Becky happy. Ruby was just about to turn and walk out when Abby cleared her throat, getting the woman’s attention.

  “Were you celebrating anything in particular?” Abby asked. “If it was for a birthday, we could have done a special cake for you or whoever it was for.”

  Ruby stopped, looking Abby up and down for a quick moment before giving her a radiant smile. “Oh, no, nothing like that, though we were celebrating. We applied for several improvement grants for some of the family’s housing, and they were all approved! Don Buckshire told us about it since he’s helping the Foundation to organize it.”

  “Foundation?” Abby asked, knowing what the answer was before Ruby spoke.

  “Yes, the Foundation for Oregon Urban Renewal. It’s designed to help improve our community! Who can say no to free money?
” Ruby said. “I’ll call Don and have him send one of his people over with an application.”

  “People?” Becky asked. “Do you mean one of the people that work at the Emporium?”

  Ruby shook her head. “No, these are men that the Foundation sent over for him to use. Or you can just wait for some flyers. They’ll be canvassing the town as I understand it. I don’t know who organized the Foundation, but I want to thank them. It will make my job a lot easier to sell houses if they don’t all look like dumps. No offense.”

  Abby and Becky just smiled, not responding to the insult and watching Ruby as she exited the café and walked toward her off-pink car. Abby wondered if she also sold beauty products, but only for a moment, seeing the bumper sticker on the back when the woman drove away.

  “I think we should go talk to the Mayor,” Abby said softly. “He needs to know what’s going on.”

  Becky shook her head. “We don’t have enough information. We need to find out more about what’s going on. I have a better idea. After lunch, let’s go talk to the Double D’s. They always know the skinny.”

  Chapter 8

  Calamities Bookstore was run by Diana and Doreen Calem; a lively pair of gray-haired sisters who spent a great deal of time talking and gossiping with anyone that would give them a second of time. As Abby and Becky walked through the doorway into the bookstore, they could see the two women huddled over a piece of paper in deep discussion.

  “Hello Diana and Doreen,” Abby said cheerfully. “What are you two trouble makers working on?”

  The women looked up, peering at who it was through their thick-lensed glasses before laughing. “Look who’s talking!” Diana said. “We’re amateurs compared to Hurricane Abby.”

  “That is the truth!” Doreen said, putting down the pen she’d been holding. “We can’t wait to grow up to be like you, dear! What mischief are you getting up to, is what we should ask.”