by Cindy Bell
“I’m checking out.”
“Neil, I’m very sorry…”
“I don’t have time for this. Just do what you need to do to get me checked out of this place quickly.”
Suzie nodded. She began filling out the last of the paperwork. “Neil, did Priscilla have any friends that were young women?”
“What?” He scowled at her. “I just want to check out.”
“I was just wondering, if you knew of a young woman that she might associate with?” Suzie asked.
“The only friend she had was that damn bird, all right? Now, let’s go.” He tapped the desk.
“I just need your signature in these two places.” Suzie pointed out the two spots on the paperwork. Neil signed the papers with two sharp strokes of his pen.
“There.” He picked up his bag and strode across the room and out the front door of Dune House. Suzie jumped at how hard he slammed the door.
“Wow, good riddance.” Mary shook her head.
“Yes, well when he posts a scathing review on our website, we’re going to care.” Suzie sighed. “I’m sure there was a better way I could have handled that.”
“Try not to worry about it. He might not even leave a review.”
“Well, I will.” Stewart smiled as he walked up to the desk. “I really enjoyed my stay here, ladies. I’m sorry that I have to cut it short.”
“Stewart, I wish there was more we could have done to make you feel more comfortable,” Mary said.
“To be honest with you, it’s my guilt that is making me leave.”
“Your guilt?” Mary leaned forward with interest. “Guilt about what?”
“Well, maybe if I had said something to Priscilla when I saw her, maybe if I had asked if she was okay. It was just that with the way she was limping, I figured she was drunk.”
“Limping?” Suzie narrowed her eyes. “Wait a minute, when did you see Priscilla, Stewart?”
“Oh, the night she died. I saw her walking down the hall towards her room. I wish I would have asked if she was okay. Maybe if I offered to keep her company or something. Maybe she would still be alive if I had.”
“It’s not your fault, Stewart.” Mary touched the back of his hand. “No one could have known what would happen.”
“No Stewart, it’s not your fault. But you may have been the last person to see Priscilla alive. I think it’s important that you speak to Jason.” Suzie picked up one of the business cards that she kept on the desk. “Please contact him and let him know what you saw.”
“Oh wow, really? I didn’t realize that.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Suzie, but like I said before, I don’t want to get in the middle of a murder investigation.”
“Stewart, you have to tell the police what you saw.” Mary met his eyes.
“No. I don’t. Now, please, I’d like to check out.”
Suzie handed him the paper to sign. She was mystified as to why he wouldn’t want to speak to the police about what he saw. She began to look at Stewart in a different way. He was withdrawn, hadn’t spoken to Neil or Priscilla even once that she had seen, and had checked in the day before they arrived. Was it possible that he had been watching them the entire time? As he signed the paperwork he smiled.
“Please check for my glowing review, ladies. I will be back.” He picked up his suitcase and walked towards the door. Suzie pulled out her cell phone and fired off a fast text to Jason about Stewart that warned him Stewart was about to leave town and he should be questioned before he did. Jason sent a text back that requested her presence at the police station. Suzie sighed.
“It looks like I’m going to have to go see Jason in person about this. Mary, since we don’t have any more guests, do you want to join me?”
“Actually, I was thinking of walking into town and going to the library. You know how Louis knows the history of everyone in town and how good he is at researching people. I thought he might be able to find out who that woman is that was with Priscilla.”
“Good plan. Are you sure you don’t want a lift?” Suzie offered.
“No, I could use the fresh air.”
“I’ll tell you what, I’ll meet you there after I talk to Jason. Okay?” Suzie said.
“Sure.”
Suzie grabbed her purse and keys, but as she was about to walk out the door Mary stopped her with a travel mug of coffee and a muffin.
“It’s important.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Thank you, Mary.”
Suzie hurried out the door to her car. She wondered why Jason wanted to see her in person. As she drove towards the police station she glanced at the clock on the dashboard. She hadn’t yet heard from Paul that he had docked. That was a little odd, but she assumed that he must have been delayed for some reason. When she looked away from the clock she caught sight of the jewelry store, and a man who looked just like Paul was opening the door to it. Her heart skipped a beat. Paul was not the type of man to browse in a jewelry store. He also had not called to let her know that he was on dry land. She glanced in the rearview mirror, but the man was already gone.
“I must have been mistaken.” She parked the car in the police station parking lot and walked inside. Jason and Kirk stood near Jason’s desk. Suzie couldn’t hear what they were saying, but their expressions were grave.
“Jason?” Suzie waited for him near the front desk. Jason waved her back.
“Did you see my text about Stewart?”
“Yes, I did. We have a big problem. I hope that the guys on patrol can catch him.”
“Why is that?” Suzie looked past them at the computer screen. “Stewart has a record?”
“Yes. For assault. On an elderly woman.” He scowled. “I can’t believe I missed it. He was on my list of people I needed to question. I just hadn’t caught up with him yet.”
“He was so polite and quiet. I certainly didn’t think that there was anything to be concerned about,” Suzie said.
“What changed that?”
“Well, he told me that he saw Priscilla the night of the murder, going back to her room. I told him that he should contact you as he was likely one of the last people to see Priscilla alive. He refused. In fact he even checked out because there was an investigation. He must have known that he would be a prime suspect or he was concerned because he is the murderer.”
“Are you sure he saw her that night? Maybe it was another night?”
“No. I don’t think so. He said he thought she was drunk because she was limping.”
“Like when she stumbled out of the restaurant,” Jason said. “Yes, this is a good lead, I just wish we had caught him before he left.”
“I’m sorry, I texted you as soon as I suspected.”
“I appreciate that, Suzie.”
“Oh, by the way Paul should be getting in today.”
“I already talked to him.” Jason looked back at the computer screen. “Suzie, I may need to ask you and Mary some more questions about Stewart.”
“Uh huh.” Suzie’s mind reeled, not from Stewart being a suspect, but from Paul’s arrival. Why hadn’t he called to tell her that he was back? Maybe that had been him at the jewelry shop. She gripped her phone for a moment. She thought about calling him, but she knew she would be heartbroken if he didn’t answer. Maybe he wasn’t as eager to see her as she was to see him. It hurt her to think it, but Suzie always did her best to come to the logical conclusion. There must be a good reason why Paul would go out of his way to contact Jason, but not even bother to text her.
Chapter Nine
Suzie was still trying to think of a reason why Paul wouldn’t call her when she left the police station and drove to the library. She sat in her car for a few minutes while she waited for her emotions to settle. Every minute that slipped by without Paul calling her made her sink deeper into confusion. She tried to figure out if she’d done or said anything to upset him. As she recalled when they said goodbye before he left on his trip everything was just fine. Short of a mermaid she couldn’
t imagine who he could have met while out on the water.
Suzie shook her head and tried to focus her attention on the case. Although Jason appeared to be convinced that he had his man, Suzie was not so sure. Why would Stewart stay for as long as he had if he was involved? Why had he been so kind? Perhaps to throw them off?
Suzie opened the car door and stepped out. The library was not very crowded as it was still early in the day. When she stepped inside she saw Louis and Mary hunched together around one of the computers. With a bright smile on her lips she walked up to them.
“Morning.”
“Morning.” Louis peered through his thick glasses at her.
“Were you able to find anything?” Suzie maintained her smile.
“Louis is amazing.” Mary patted his shoulder. “He did an image search on Priscilla to see if he could find any pictures of her with a young woman. He did.”
“Yes, I did. Ladies, let me introduce Leanne Kay, formerly known as Leanne Kane, until she changed her name on her eighteenth birthday.”
Suzie leaned over Louis’ shoulder and peered at the computer screen. An image of Priscilla accompanied by a tall, young woman with a blonde ponytail popped up on the screen.
“She has a daughter?”
“Yes. Not just any daughter. She has a hardcore modern day hippie daughter.”
“Flowerchild?” Mary raised an eyebrow.
“Not these days. They’re called tree huggers nowadays. There’s a large global environmentalist movement and it grows every day. Priscilla’s daughter is a rising star in the movement. She’s been to several high-risk environments for the purpose of rescuing endangered species from war-torn areas or global developments.”
“So Priscilla, who’s all about profit not about protecting the environment, has a daughter that wants to save the world,” Mary said.
“I imagine that they didn’t get along very well, I mean her daughter changed her last name.” Louis tapped the screen. “I found one article where Priscilla is questioned about her daughter and she has a pretty powerful response. And I quote, ‘I raised her, provided her with all that she needed, and now she is her own person. I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.’ So basically stating they have nothing to do with each other.”
“Or that she’s proud of her independent-minded daughter.” Mary crossed her arms. “I find it hard to believe that Priscilla was as detached as she claimed.”
“Not everyone is as loving a mother as you, Mary.” Suzie sighed. “Maybe Priscilla wasn’t the mothering type.”
“Maybe.” Mary narrowed her eyes. “But the way she doted on that bird tells me that she is quite nurturing. That is the mothering type.”
“Good point,” Suzie agreed. “I didn’t think about that. What about the father?”
“Actually, there’s no father that I can find. It looks like Leanne was the product of a single mother by choice.”
“What do you mean?” Mary furrowed her brow.
“He means that Priscilla hit up a sperm bank when she was ready to be a mommy.”
Mary’s eyes widened. “I wish I had thought of that.”
“Mary!” Suzie laughed.
“It would have saved me some trouble.” Mary smirked.
“Oh, look at this.” Louis smiled. “I think I just won the lottery.”
“What is it?” Suzie looked back at the computer.
“It looks like Leanne was, and may still be in town. She came here to defend the seabirds that may be affected by her mother’s vast development. Apparently, they nest along Redhawk River and since it’s so close to the construction zone, they will be impacted.”
“That must have been who she argued with at the restaurant! Of course. Only a mother and daughter can fight like that.”
“So, if she was at dinner with her mother last night, then she is probably staying here in town. The funny thing is, I don’t recall seeing her at the community meeting. Do you, Mary?” Suzie asked.
“No, but it did get pretty chaotic. Maybe we just didn’t notice her?”
“I don’t think Leanne is the type to be seen and not heard.” Louis clicked the print button and the printer sprang to life. “I’ll give you a copy of her photograph so you can keep an eye out for her.”
“I can give it to Jason.” Suzie took the paper from the printer. “Thanks.”
“Are you sure you want to tell Jason right away? Maybe we should see if we can find her first,” Mary suggested.
“Why?” Suzie met her eyes. “Is something wrong, Mary?”
“If Leanne didn’t kill her mother, then she may not even know that her mother is dead, yet. I’d hate for her first introduction to that news to be a pair of handcuffs.”
“Subtlety is not Jason’s strong suit.” Suzie pulled out her phone. “It will make his job easier if we track her down first anyway.”
“If she killed her mother she probably hopped the first plane out of town,” Mary said.
“Maybe.” Suzie tilted her head back and forth. “And maybe not.” She waited for someone to pick up the line.
“Hello?”
“Hi Maurice, I have a question for you.”
“Suzie? Suzie Allen?”
“Yes.”
“How dare you call me!”
“I’m sorry?”
“Your cousin was here accusing me of murder. How do you like that?”
“I had to tell him that you were at Dune House, but I certainly didn’t tell him that you were a murderer.”
“Oh no? That’s funny, because while he was here he certainly seemed convinced of my guilt, all because of you.”
“I’m sorry I don’t mean to correct you, Maurice, but I think that was much more because of you. After all you decided to sneak around Dune House. You almost started a riot at the community meeting. You gave Jason all the reason to suspect you. I didn’t do any of that.”
“Sure, I’ll remember to ask you the next time I need someone to throw me under a bus, since you already have so much experience at it.”
Suzie rolled her eyes. “Maurice, stop! If you’re so worried about being arrested then you should be happy to help me. Can you please tell me if Leanne Kay stayed at your motel or is currently staying there?”
“I don’t want to help you with anything.”
“Don’t you hang up, Maurice. You’re the prime suspect. You say that you didn’t kill Priscilla, I believe you. But that means we need a new suspect. So answer the question.”
“All right fine. Yes, she is staying here. Checked in three days ago.”
“Is she still there now?”
“I don’t know if she’s in her room or not, but she hasn’t checked out.”
“Great. If she tries to check out, stall her.”
“Stall her?”
“Yes Maurice, chat, try to have a friendly conversation, you know?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want any part in this.”
“You’re already in it, Maurice. Please, just stall her.”
“All right, all right.” He groaned. “How soon can you be here?”
“About ten minutes.”
“I’ll do what I can, but I’m not making any promises, Suzie.”
“Thanks, Maurice.” Suzie hung up the phone.
“What are you planning, Suzie?” Mary looked over at her.
“I’m just going to see if I can speak to Leanne. See what she knows and try to work out if she was involved in this.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“I think that might be a good idea. You’re much more sensitive to these things than I am.”
“Thanks for your help, Louis.” Mary smiled at him. “You did good.”
“I do what I can.” Louis grinned. “Just do me a favor and let me know how it all turns out.”
As Suzie and Mary left the library, Suzie frowned. “I think that Jason is going to be pretty upset if he finds out we kept this from him, so we better make this fast.”
“I think it’s the right thing to do. Leanne may be a suspect in Jason’s eyes, but to me, she’s a daughter, who might not even know her mother is dead, let alone that she was murdered,” Mary said. “Come, let’s go. You might hear from Paul soon and then you’ll have other things to do.” Mary grinned. Suzie’s smile faded. She glanced away from Mary.
“You may be right about that.”
“Suzie?” Mary grabbed her arm gently. “What’s wrong?”
“Huh? Nothing is wrong.” Suzie shrugged. “We’d better hurry.”
“No way, don’t you take one step until you tell me what is going on.” Mary crossed her arms.
“Mary, I said nothing is wrong.”
“And I know you’re lying to me, which you never do, so it must be something very serious. What’s going on, Suzie? Tell me.”
“It’s nothing really. It’s just that Paul is already here, and he hasn’t called to tell me.”
“Then how do you know he’s here?”
“Jason told me he already spoke to him. Also, I saw him at a jewelry shop early this morning.”
“A jewelry shop?” Mary clapped her hands. “Do you know what this means?”
“Should I?” Suzie narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s lost interest?”
“No Suzie!” Mary laughed. “He’s being sneaky, he’s at a jewelry shop, come on, put two and two together.”
“I don’t follow.” Suzie sighed.
“He’s going to propose, Suzie!” Mary clapped again. “He was probably at the jewelry shop to buy you a ring.”
“What? That’s nonsense. We haven’t even been dating that long, and that’s ridiculous. We’re too old to get married.”
“Too old?” Mary shook her head. “There’s no age limit to love, darling.”
“Mary, stop it. That’s crazy. Why would he even think that’s a good idea?”
“Maybe because he loves you?” Mary searched her eyes. “Would it really be so bad?”
“For me? Yes. I have no interest in getting married. What then? Would we live together?” She scrunched up her nose. “Could you imagine?”