A Fishy Dish (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 3)

by Lyndsey Cole

  “Sean is staying at the cottages. Offer him a fried fish platter for a ride,” Jack said. He was met with silence and Meg’s eyes shot daggers in his direction. “Does anyone have a better idea?”

  “Geez. You’re kidding, right?” Meg complained in an exaggerated voice. “Sean Payne is the answer to our problem? This day couldn’t be any worse.”

  Samantha trotted to Sean’s side as he walked out of The Chowder House. “I bet you didn’t expect to fall into the middle of a murder while you investigate Sally White’s disappearance,” she gushed.

  “Yeah, but that police deputy has her lips sealed tighter than a snap trap. I’d put money on the two mysteries being connected.”

  “Would you?” Samantha feigned surprise.

  Sean stopped walking. “Do I know you?”

  Samantha flicked her wrist. “I doubt it, but I’m a loyal reader of your articles in the newspaper. Catchy heading—The Payne Lane.”

  Hannah watched Samantha operate. She knew how to butter Sean up. And he puffed up bigger with each word of praise she heaped on him. Hannah worried that if his head got any bigger, it might explode.

  “You know, Mr. Payne, my friend’s car has a teeny problem. Any chance you could give us a ride to Hannah’s Holiday Cottages? It’s not far.” She cupped her hand around her mouth but Hannah could still hear her words. “I think you might be rewarded with a fried fish platter for your troubles.”

  Meg turned her back to the spectacle. “I think I’m going to be sick.” She stuck her finger in her mouth and gagged.

  Jack laughed.

  Hannah shrugged. “Better to keep him close and know what he’s up to.”

  Samantha waved them over. “Mr. Payne here has generously offered to give us a ride. Climb in.”

  “Mr. Payne is right,” Meg muttered. “Pain in my neck.”

  Sean opened the driver side door. “I wonder if Mr. White will be a bit friendlier now. You know,” he said matter-of-factly, “Sally was working for Gavin Abbott at The Chowder House. Matt White was fit to be tied about that.” He shrugged. “Matt hated the guy. One of Matt’s problems is solved and out of his life forever.”

  Sean turned the key and his car roared to life.

  He had no idea that his statement hit the others like an exploding bomb.

  Chapter 6

  Relief flooded Hannah’s body the minute Sean pulled into the driveway of her beloved Holiday Hideaway. She was glad to be away from The Chowder House and the image of Gavin Abbott’s body lying in a pool of freezing blood. Somehow, she had to get that memory out of her head. Unfortunately, it wasn’t something she could just un-see.

  Meg had herself out of Sean Payne’s car before it stopped rolling.

  Jack caught her arm before she could take off running. “We’re all hungry and I’m not giving you a ride home until my stomach is filled.”

  Meg’s shoulders drooped. “Really, Jack?”

  “Really.”

  Sean, with a quick adjustment to his black rectangular glasses, raised his eyebrows. “I believe I was promised a fried fish platter.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll get the oil heating. Hannah, do you have any refreshments for our guests? I know I’m going to need something stronger than lemonade.”

  “I’m sure I can scrounge something up. Be right back.” She broke away from the group, walking in the opposite direction of The Fishy Dish. The thought of some food washed down with a cold beer gave her hope that the day might avoid being a complete loss.

  That sliver of hope was shattered as soon as her eyes fell on the profile of Leah White sitting on her office porch, still as a statue.

  Hannah sighed, her short-lived hope of ending the day on a positive note smashed into a tidal wave of questions.

  The first of which was, why was Leah White sitting on the office porch instead of inside Cottage Two?

  And where was her husband, Matt White?

  As Hannah stepped closer to the porch, Leah remained as still as the breezeless night air.

  How could Leah cope with the fear and uncertainty she faced? First her daughter missing, then a murder at the restaurant where she’d just eaten.

  Finally, and maybe the most important question of all, flitted across Hannah’s brain, making her increase the speed of her steps in Leah’s direction: what happened to Sally?

  “Leah?” Hannah said quietly to give Leah some warning she was approaching.

  Leah didn’t turn her head. Her only movement was her hand stroking Nellie, Hannah’s golden retriever. Her rhythm seemed to sync with the steady in and out of the tide rolling in on the beach.

  “Leah?” Hannah asked again when she received no recognition. “Is something wrong?” Hannah sat in the chair next to Mrs. White.

  A strangled sound escaped through the other woman’s lips. Leah still didn’t turn her face in Hannah’s direction but Hannah could feel her body tense. “Besides Sally gone missing?”

  Hannah felt her face heat up and thanked the darkness for hiding her embarrassment.

  “I’m locked out of my cottage,” Leah added. Her voice was flat, emphasizing how every problem besides Sally’s disappearance was a mere inconvenience, like a mosquito bite or something you could actually forget about.

  “Oh. I can unlock the door for you. Sorry you were stuck out here waiting for me. I was held up at The Chowder House.” Hannah stopped herself just in time from blaming her delay on the murder. Leah didn’t have room in her life for another tragedy. Hannah went into her office and got the master key from its hook.

  “Where’s Matt?” she asked when she returned to the porch.

  “I don’t know. He dropped me off and said he had something to take care of.” Leah finally looked at Hannah. Her face sagged from the weight of her worries. “I hope he didn’t go back to confront Gavin Abbott after I managed to get him out of The Chowder House in one piece.”

  Hannah’s body tensed for a moment but she didn’t want Leah to pick up on her surprise. She took a deep breath and asked, “Why would he do that?” She forced her voice to remain steady as the tips of her fingers tingled.

  Leah slowly pushed herself up from the chair. “He hates Gavin. Even before Sally started working there.”

  Didn’t Sean tell them all that Matt hated Gavin, Hannah asked herself. What was their history? She took Leah’s elbow and led her toward Cottage Two, regaining her composure as she walked.

  “Sally knew her dad was upset about her taking the job at The Chowder House. I think that’s partly why she took it. To show us she could make her own decisions. And now . . .” Her voice trailed into silence.

  “And now, Gavin Abbott is dead,” Hannah said, completing where Leah’s remark took her thoughts. The only problem was that she said it out loud.

  Leah stopped abruptly. “Dead? What are you talking about?” her voice rang out. She grabbed Hannah’s arm, stopping their progress. “Dead?” she repeated even louder.

  “Yes. In the kitchen of his restaurant. Everyone was gone. Well, almost everyone.”

  “You were there? Did you see Matt?” Leah’s eyes were wide, her voice now barely louder than a whisper.

  “No. I didn’t see Matt.” Hannah’s memory returned to the kitchen of The Chowder House. The distinct click of a door closing reminded her that someone had been there seconds before she and Samantha walked through the swinging kitchen doors from the dining room. Who? “No,” she repeated. She told herself it couldn’t have been Matt White leaving the kitchen.

  Could it?

  Leah began walking to the cottage again. Almost running.

  Hannah followed behind her, Nellie at her heels, and unlocked the door for her.

  “Thank you,” Leah said before she closed the door in Hannah’s face, suddenly less friendly.

  That was weird. Did Leah think Matt killed Gavin? Where was he?

  Hannah turned around to find the answer to that question staring right back at her.

  “What are you doing here?” a deep
voice asked.

  “Leah didn’t have her key.” Hannah held up her master key as evidence that she was only helping his wife. “Where have you been?” she asked Matt who stood closer than she felt comfortable with. Especially considering the fact that he could be Gavin Abbott’s killer.

  “I don’t think my whereabouts could be any business of yours. We’re staying here to get away from prying questions. And, besides, that stalker reporter is staying here, too. Don’t expect me to answer any of your questions.” Matt White glared at Hannah, turning her blood to ice.

  Nellie growled, always a good judge of character. But now wasn’t the time to burn any bridges. Hannah pulled Nellie with her as she stepped aside.

  Matt passed them both, his glare only growing gruffer.

  A whiff of alcohol met Hannah’s nose as she retreated to the office to return the key. Anger and booze, probably not the best combination, she told herself.

  Hannah couldn’t help but hear Leah demand to know where Matt had been before the door slammed closed. Again.

  Hannah inhaled deeply and forced herself to continue walking away with Nellie. Did Matt White kill Gavin Abbott? But, why? It couldn’t be just because he was angry that Sally decided to work for Gavin. There had to be more going on between those two men. Maybe Sean knew. Or Samantha.

  “Come on, Nellie.” She should have scolded her dog for growling at a guest, but Nellie only did exactly what Hannah would have done if she were a dog. Nellie had good instincts.

  A faint aroma of fried fish met her nose and Hannah picked up her pace.

  Her mouth watered and her stomach grumbled.

  She needed food.

  She made a quick detour to her apartment in Cottage One for a six-pack before she followed her nose to what she knew would be delicious food waiting inside The Fishy Dish.

  Of course, the conversation between Meg, Jack, Samantha, and Sean was all about Gavin’s murder. Hannah passed the beers around and sat next to Samantha where her own fried fish plate was waiting. She reached behind the counter for a jar of dog treats. “Here you go, Nellie. It’s not fair that we’re eating in front of you.”

  Nellie wagged her tail and woofed. This group, she approved of, apparently.

  “I hope this murder doesn’t hijack the search for Sally White,” Samantha said.

  “They have to be connected,” Sean responded. “Matt White and Gavin Abbott have a history.” He swiveled around on his stool. “Didn’t you see them argue at The Chowder House?”

  Samantha rolled her eyes. “Of course we saw that. Everyone at the restaurant witnessed that spectacle.” She shoved a big piece of fried haddock into her mouth, chewed, swallowed, and continued, “What’s the history between them?”

  Hannah pushed the final beer in front of Sean. She hoped it would help to keep his tongue loose. They might not get another chance to pick his brain.

  He smiled at Hannah. “Thank you.” He looked her up and down. “You’re kinda young to own a nice place like this. What’s your story?” he deftly changed the subject.

  Hannah felt her skin crawl under his gaze. He was the complete opposite of her taste in men with his pasty skin, khaki pants with a perfect crease down the front of each leg, and, the worst part, his long sleeve button shirt was buttoned all the way to the top. Eww.

  He was staying at a beachside cottage, for crying out loud, and he was dressed like he was headed to an office. And one more strike against him—he wore so much cologne it almost drowned out the ever-present briny ocean smell.

  And one more thing, which was the most important of all, she had a crush on Cal Murphy—the exact opposite of Sean Payne.

  Cal Murphy, one of the first people she met after she inherited her Great Aunt Caroline’s business. Cal Murphy, who helped her bring the cottages and snack bar into the modern era. Cal Murphy, tall, sun-bleached hair, and eyes that matched the ocean.

  “So?” Sean repeated without taking his eyes off Hannah’s face.

  “Interesting story,” Meg said, saving Hannah from Sean’s intense stare. “After Hannah’s Great Aunt Caroline died, she left this paradise to Hannah. But, she decided to stick around to make sure Hannah could manage on her own.” Meg shrugged. “Caroline shows up once in a while to help out with whatever’s happening. Like this murder. I suspect Caroline is following everything and will float in at some point.”

  Sean took off his glasses. He buffed them with a corner of his shirt. “You’re kidding, right? I don’t hold any stock in all that voodoo stuff.” He slipped his glasses back on and met Meg’s unwavering gaze.

  Samantha poked Sean in his side, and everyone was rewarded with the screech of a schoolgirl being chased on the playground by the boy she thinks is cute. Sean nearly fell off his stool in surprise at Samantha’s poke, and maybe even the sound that came from his mouth.

  The others howled with laughter.

  “Gotcha,” Samantha said as she wiped laughter-tears from her eyes.

  Meg finished cleaning up the mess from frying the fish. “I’ve got an early start tomorrow. Jack? Will you give me a ride home now? Please?”

  “Love to. I guess I’ll have to pick you up in the morning, too. Otherwise, The Fishy Dish will have a long line of unhappy—and hungry—customers. Especially since you’re the only fish joint in town for the foreseeable future.”

  Meg and Jack left together, arguing about the pickup time.

  Hannah gave Samantha a look that she hoped the older woman understood to mean: don’t you dare leave me alone with this nerdy guy or I’ll blow your cover.

  “Sean,” Samantha said. Hannah sent her a silent thank you. “What’s the history between Matt White and Gavin Abbott? You started to talk about it before we got sidetracked with talk of ghosts.”

  He looked around the small dining area in The Fishy Dish. Did he think there were spies hiding in the corner? Or Great Aunt Caroline’s ghost? He lowered his voice, just in case. “Years ago, something happened between Gavin Abbott and Matt White’s sister, Jan. The details were sealed as a term of the settlement and Jan disappeared. I’m sure you can fill in the blanks as well as I can. Now, flash forward twenty years. Matt’s daughter, Sally, decides to work for Matt’s old enemy and all those emotions are brought right back to the forefront for him. If he thinks Gavin had anything to do with Sally’s disappearance, who knows what Matt might do?”

  “Murder?” Hannah whispered.

  “Murder.” Sean nodded. He tilted his bottle up and drained the malty liquid. “Thanks for the food and beer. I’ll be sure to give your place a plug in my article.” He winked when he looked at Hannah before he walked out of The Fishy Dish and headed up the path to Cottage Four.

  Hannah raised her eyebrows at Samantha. “If he’s right, the police have the wrong guy in custody since Matt White is in Cottage Two.”

  “Or they didn’t have enough evidence to hold him,” Samantha said.

  Chapter 7

  The sound of Nellie’s nails clicking across the floor of Hannah’s apartment Friday morning brought her halfway to consciousness.

  The smooth-as-melted-chocolate voice of Cal Murphy talking to Nellie jolted both of Hannah’s eyes wide open. She grabbed the first two items of clothing her fingers touched, stepping into the jeans and pulling a comfy shirt over her head before she followed Nellie to the main room of her cottage.

  Cal laughed, smile lines transforming his eyes into those she looked forward to seeing every day.

  Hannah looked down at what she had just pulled over her head. “Right. I was looking through Great Aunt Caroline’s old trunk and kind of liked this shirt.”

  “I’m really a Mermaid?” Cal read. “Hmmm. It most definitely works better on you than it did on Caroline.” He plopped down on Hannah’s couch. Nellie sat patiently at his feet while Cal dug around in the pocket of his work pants and retrieved a bone. “Is this what you want, Nellie girl?”

  Nellie held one paw up.

  “Good enough.” Cal gave her the treat. He
eyed Hannah. “What trick do you have for the treat I brought for you?”

  Hannah sat and pulled her silly t-shirt as far down as possible. “What did you bring? Then maybe we can negotiate.” She tilted her head, crossed her legs, and grinned an I dare you to ask me to beg look.

  He chuckled. “It’s on the table. What happened around here while I was gone? I can feel an electricity in the air telling me I’ve missed a lot of something.”

  Hannah opened the bag Cal pointed to. She closed her eyes, bent her head, and inhaled deeply. “Ahh, cider donuts. You know me too well.” Her fingers daintily extracted a sugarcoated delicacy and her mouth chomped a huge bite, turning the fat round treat into a C.

  “And coffee.”

  Hannah brought a coffee and donut to Cal and sat opposite with her own. It disappeared in three more bites. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and inhaled the toasty aroma of the warm drink, then set it on the coffee table.

  “Here’s the short version: Sally White is missing and there’s a vigil for her tonight—there is bound to be a lot of drama. Gavin Abbott, owner of the new Chowder House restaurant was murdered yesterday—no one seems to be particularly upset but several people think the two tragedies are connected. I have interesting, to say the least, guests in the cottages.” She paused. “And, how were your last couple of days?” She wiped her hands together and wished it were as easy to vanquish big problems, as it was to remove sugar from the palms of her hands.

  Cal’s eyes grew bigger with each revelation. “My days were quiet, peaceful, and I left the fish I caught with Meg. She kissed me on both cheeks.” He tilted his head and waited for, what Hannah assumed, was a similar treatment from her.

  She was happy to oblige.

  “Who are your guests? Let’s start there since something tells me there’s a good chance they could be connected to the other events.”

  Hannah brought the bag of donuts to the coffee table. “No point in getting up again,” she explained. She extracted a second donut, devouring it just as quickly as the first. She licked the sugar off her fingers.