by Leena Clover
Jenny shook her head.
“I think the old man was berating him.”
Adam had started to unwrap his sandwich as Jenny spoke. He took a big bite and gave her a thumbs up.
“Delicious, as usual!”
“Thanks,” Jenny said. “So, did his heart give up? He seemed fine when he was standing up there on that float.”
Adam refused to take the bait.
“About tomorrow,” Jenny said. “We’ll have to take a rain check.”
“Is this how it’s going to be?” Adam thundered. “You are punishing me because I won’t answer your questions?”
Jenny threw back her head and laughed.
“Don’t be silly, Adam. Nicky’s got an internship. He’s leaving the day after so we are having a family dinner. You are invited. So are the twins.”
Adam looked relieved. He gave her a grudging smile.
“I hope you stay out of this Cohen business, Jenny. It might get awkward, what with you and me seeing each other socially.”
“I have no intention of getting mixed up with the Cohens.”
“Why are you asking all these questions then, hmm?”
“Just curious, I guess.”
“You can read about it in tomorrow’s paper.”
“So you know how he died?”
“We are waiting on some reports, but I have a pretty good idea.”
“I can wait until tomorrow,” Jenny said, standing up to leave.
She didn’t want to push her luck.
Adam sighed as he took in her mulish expression.
“Okay, just this once.”
“I’m not asking you anything,” Jenny protested. “Let the record state that.”
“This is not a courtroom, Jenny,” Adam laughed.
He grew serious as he chose his next words.
“Asher Cohen died of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
“Out in the open?” Jenny asked incredulously.
“We found him in the cab of his truck.”
“Did you try to revive him?”
“He was already gone,” Adam said grimly. “The paramedics tried their best.”
“Did age have anything to do with it?” Jenny asked. “He was pushing a 100 after all.”
“Asher Cohen was in excellent health,” Adam told her. “He might have lived for ten more years.”
“What are you saying, Adam?” Jenny asked, aghast.
“Asher Cohen didn’t die of natural causes,” Adam said flatly. “Either he took his own life, or someone did it for him.”
“But why?” Jenny cried. “He was such a sweet, old man.”
She walked out of the police station in a daze. Asher had looked so happy, waving to the crowd, wearing that festive birthday hat. There was no way he would have taken his own life a few minutes later.
What was the alternative, Jenny asked herself. Had the town of Pelican Cove witnessed yet another gruesome murder?
Chapter 4
Jenny pulled a pan of blueberry muffins out of the oven. Captain Charlie, her first customer of the day was waiting in line.
“Good Morning,” she greeted him. “What can I get you with your coffee?”
“Those muffins smell good,” he said, breathing in the heady scent. “I’ve been eating muffins here all my life. But there’s something special about these.”
“I spice them up a bit,” Jenny said, leaning forward to whisper in Captain Charlie’s ear.
Jenny braced herself for the breakfast rush. Captain Charlie was always her first customer when they opened their doors at 6 AM. Her second customer of the day surprised her.
“Jason! What are you doing here so early?”
“I want to talk to you, Jenny,” he said seriously. “It’s important.”
“Don’t you have court today?”
“I’ve pushed a couple of my cases. I’m needed here.”
Petunia had heard the exchange.
“Why don’t you two go out on the deck? The tourists won’t be here for at least an hour.”
“Thanks, Petunia,” Jason said with relief.
Jenny placed a couple of muffins on a plate and poured two cups of coffee. She led Jason out to the deck.
For once, Jason wasn’t interested in the food. Jenny decided to take advantage of the respite. She cut a muffin in half and slathered it with soft butter.
“What’s the matter? What’s so important you couldn’t wait?”
“Actually, I wanted to come over last night.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“I heard about this family dinner you were having with Adam. I didn’t want to intrude.”
“You know you can talk to me any time, Jason. What’s going on?”
“It’s my aunt, Linda Cohen.”
“Do you mean that lady in the wheelchair?”
“That’s her alright. She had a stroke a couple of years ago. Her right side is paralyzed below the waist. She can’t walk.”
“How are you related to her?”
“She’s my father’s cousin,” Jason explained. “She was Linda Stone before she married Asher.”
“Someone did mention that,” Jenny nodded, taking a sip of her coffee.
Jason cut to the chase.
“She needs your help.”
“Jason, I barely know her.”
“Your reputation precedes you, Jenny.”
Jenny popped the last piece of muffin in her mouth and quirked one eyebrow at Jason.
“I have a reputation? Nothing too bad, I hope.”
“Are you being dense on purpose?” Jason railed. “I’m talking about your sleuthing abilities.”
“And why does she need those?”
Jason swallowed some coffee and looked at Jenny.
“I don’t know how much Adam told you. But it looks like Asher didn’t die of natural causes.”
“I know about that,” Jenny admitted.
“Linda is concerned,” Jason said. “You know how the local police operate. Being the spouse, she is bound to come under suspicion.”
“Surely they won’t suspect an invalid?”
“We don’t know that,” Jason sighed. “I’m going to provide her with as much legal aid as possible. But we have to be ready for any contingency.”
“I think you have the bases covered,” Jenny said. “Where do I come in?”
“Linda wants to find out what happened to Asher.”
“I’m sure the police have opened an investigation.”
“They have, but Linda wants you to look into this. She heard about the other cases you solved this year.”
“I’m not a professional investigator, Jason,” Jenny protested. “You know that. I was pulled into it by chance.”
“She’s my aunt, Jenny. Can’t you please help us out?”
“I promised Nicky I wouldn’t get involved,” she told Jason. “He just left for the city.”
Jason stood up and began pacing the floor.
“I suppose you promised Adam something too.”
“Adam has nothing to do with this!”
“Just meet her once,” Jason pleaded. “For my sake. That’s all I am asking.”
“Okay Jason, I will go meet Linda Cohen. No strings attached.”
“Agreed,” Jason said with relief. “When can you get away?”
“Not until later this afternoon,” Jenny sighed. “I have a busy day ahead.”
A large group of tourists came down the boardwalk and climbed up the steps of the café.
“I think that’s my cue,” Jenny said, getting up. “You can stay here as long as you want.”
Jenny didn’t get a chance to talk to Petunia until later that morning. The Magnolias arrived for their coffee break. Betty Sue was knitting something with green wool. Heather carried their black poodle Tootsie in her arms.
“She won’t bother anyone,” she promised Petunia. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Is something wrong with her?” Jenny asked with concern
.
Her husband had retained custody of their aging terrier Cookie. Jenny missed him every day. She yearned for a pet of her own.
“Toots is a bit moody today,” Heather explained. “So I brought her along.”
Tootsie looked up when she heard her name and yawned.
Betty Sue and Heather pampered Tootsie and paid attention to her slightest yelp. She knew that very well.
“Jason was here bright and early,” Petunia reported. “He was out here with Jenny for a long time.”
“Hot date?” Molly teased.
“I wish!” Jenny smirked. “Linda Cohen wants to meet me.”
“Didn’t I tell you she was a Stone?” Betty Sue said, looking up from her knitting.
Star heard them discuss Jason’s proposal as she walked up the café steps.
“You’re doing it again, aren’t you?” she asked.
“I just agreed to go meet her,” Jenny explained.
Jason came to the café later to pick Jenny up. They drove up into the hills to a large estate.
“Isn’t this where Ada Newbury lives?” Jenny asked, referring to one of the richest women in Pelican Cove.
“You’re right. All the larger estates are in this part of town.”
Jason drove through large iron gates and pulled up in front of an imposing three story colonial. A group of people sat in the living room. One of them waved at Jason and looked curiously at Jenny. Jason escorted her to a tiny elevator in an alcove.
“Asher had this put in for Linda,” he explained.
The room Jason took her to had tall glass windows that provided a sweeping view of the ocean. Jenny spotted the lighthouse in the distance. Linda Cohen sat in her wheelchair, staring outside. She looked devastated.
“Hello Linda,” Jason said, clearing his throat to get her attention. “We are here.”
Introductions were made. Linda’s face took on a hopeful look.
“Jason has told me a lot about you,” she began. “He didn’t have to, of course. Your food has made you famous. But people can’t stop talking about how you solved those two murders.”
“It was nothing, really,” Jenny mumbled. “I just got lucky.”
“Want to try that luck for me?” Linda asked.
Her eyes filled up and the expression on her face was so pathetic Jenny couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She took Linda’s hand in hers.
“Mrs. Cohen, I am sorry for your loss. I only met your husband a couple of times but I liked him.”
“He couldn’t stop talking about that chocolate cake,” Linda said with a smile. “He stole a slice as soon as you brought it over. Said it was his birthday. No one was going to tell him when to eat his own cake.”
Jenny felt mollified.
“That’s nice to know.”
“Asher had an eye for people,” Linda continued. “He said you were a smart cookie. You could dig yourself out of any hole.”
Jenny looked at Jason pleadingly. He went and stood behind Linda and put his hands on her shoulders. She patted his hand, getting the message.
“I asked Jason to bring you here. I’ll get to the point. I need your help, Jenny. I want to know what happened to my Asher.”
“The police…” Jenny began.
“I know the police are doing their thing. If I hadn’t been stuck in this wheelchair, they would probably have carted me off by now. That’s what happened to your aunt, isn’t it?”
Jenny gave a slight nod.
“I’m not an investigator, Mrs. Cohen.”
“Call me Linda, please.”
“Okay, Linda. I just go around asking random questions. Some might think I browbeat them. There is no guarantee I will find anything.”
“I know that,” Linda said, leaning forward in her chair. “I am willing to take that risk.”
“And I don’t know what I will find,” Jenny said next. “What if someone in your family comes under suspicion?”
“I don’t care,” Linda said strongly. “Whoever did this deserves to be caught.”
“I can’t stop working at the café,” Jenny warned her. “Petunia depends on me. This is the busiest time for us.”
“Jason explained all that,” Linda said. “I won’t be keeping tabs on you, Jenny.”
“It’s settled then?” Jason asked hopefully.
Jenny felt cornered. She didn’t like to be put on the spot in this manner. At the same time, she was intrigued. One look around the room told her Asher Cohen had been loaded. Had someone killed him for money?
“I’ll give it a shot,” Jenny said weakly. “I just hope you don’t expect miracles.”
Linda grabbed Jenny’s hand and thanked her profusely. Then she pleaded fatigue. Jason pressed a button and waited for a nurse to arrive. Jenny promised Linda she would come see her soon.
A tall, skinny man accosted them as they stepped out on the large wraparound porch.
“What brings you here, Jason?”
Jenny observed the man while Jason exchanged pleasantries with him. He was well preserved for his age. Jenny guessed it to be anything between 65 and 70. His head was sparsely sprinkled with blonde hair and his piercing blue eyes should have given her a clue to his identity.
“Jenny, this is Walt,” Jason said, turning around to look at her.
“Walter Cohen,” the man said, offering her his hand. “I’m the oldest son.”
“Do you live here?” Jenny asked.
“Oh no. I am just here for the centennial. Or was. What a waste, huh? We traveled all the way from Florida and for what? Just to watch the old man croak?”
Jenny thought Walter’s comment was in poor taste.
“Walter’s your cousin?” she asked after they got into the car.
Jason drove out of the Cohen compound.
“Not exactly. Walter is Olga’s son. That was Asher’s first wife.”
“What happened to her?”
“She died in childbirth, sometime in the 1960s.”
“How did Linda come across Asher?”
“Linda has known him all her life. He went to work for her father when he first got here. My uncle taught him everything he knows about construction.”
“He must have been old when he married Linda.”
Jason agreed wholeheartedly.
“Some called it robbing the cradle. But Linda was in love with him. There was nothing to be done.”
“How many kids did he have?”
“Five from the first wife.”
“Five? And Linda took them on? How old was she at the time?”
“She’s about Walter’s age. The kids were grown. They didn’t really need a mother.”
“Does she have any kids of her own?”
“Three,” Jason confirmed. “That’s eight kids and who knows how many grand kids and great grand kids.”
“That’s a big family.”
“Three generations over a span of a hundred years,” Jason shrugged. “Sounds about right.”
Jason himself had never been married. In his late forties, he had given up any hope of being a father.
“That’s a whole lot of suspects,” Jenny mused.
“You think someone from his family harmed him?”
“Greed is always a big motive, Jason.”
“Want to get dinner somewhere?” he asked.
“It’s been a long day. I think I just want to turn in early today.”
“As you wish, Madame!” Jason said with a mock salute.
Star had cooked dinner. She dished up the steamed fish and chickpea salad Jenny liked.
“So you’re putting yourself in danger again.”
“She looked so distraught. I couldn’t say no.”
“What about your own life, Jenny?” Star asked, spearing a piece of fish with her fork. “You have the café, and the renovations at Seaview. When are you going to find the time to play Nancy Drew?”
Chapter 5
Jenny fried a batch of crab cakes for the Magnolias. It was crab
season and most tourists ordered anything with crab in it. The Boardwalk Café was famous for its crab dip and crab salad sandwiches. Jenny wanted to up the ante and try something a bit more gourmet.
“They are here,” Petunia said as she spied Betty Sue Morse walking in, clutching her knitting against her chest. Heather followed, biting her nails.
Jenny gently flipped the crab cakes in the pan and ladled them on a plate lined with paper.
“Have you tried this dipping sauce?” she asked Petunia.
Jenny had come up with a delicious mango chili sauce to go with her crab cakes.
“Our health conscious customers will love it,” Petunia nodded happily.
“Let’s see what the girls think about it,” Jenny said, taking the platter of hot crab cakes out to the deck.
“Something smells yum,” Molly said, breathing deeply.
“What’s the matter with you, girl?” Betty Sue asked Heather.
She had barely looked up when Jenny placed the plate of crab cakes before her.
Molly was smacking her lips as she licked the sauce off her spoon.
“You can bottle this sauce, Jenny,” she crooned. “It’s sweet, then it’s hot, then it’s sweet again. And that garlic!”
Molly’s praise barely registered on Jenny’s mind. She was looking at Heather.
“I’m going to start dating,” Heather said suddenly.
“Does this mean you are going to take Chris seriously?” Jenny asked.
“It’s about time!” Betty Sue snapped. “You have run that boy ragged.”
“I’m not talking about Chris,” Heather said in a small voice. “I want to see other people.”
“Are you breaking up with Chris?” Molly asked incredulously.
“I’ve never gone out with anyone else,” Heather burst out suddenly. “How do I know Chris is the right man for me?”
“He’s held your hand in good times and bad ever since you were a kid,” Betty Sue scowled. “That’s how you know.”
Heather looked at Jenny, begging her to understand.
“How do you want to go about this, Heather?” Jenny asked. “Join one of those dating sites?”
“I have no idea!” Heather cried. “I just need to go out with a guy who’s not Chris.”
“You’re being a fool,” Molly said flatly. “You’ll never find anyone as good as Chris Williams.”