Cold Murder and Dark Secrets, A Red Pine Falls Cozy Mystery (Red Pine Falls Cozy Mysteries Book 2)

by Angela C Blackmoore

  “Wow,” Abby said. “Is this seriously all for a murder that happened decades ago?”

  Becky put her hands on her hips and nodded. “It is when the victim is a Senator’s sister. Come on, let’s get a closer look.”

  As Abby and Becky moved closer, they saw the Sheriff and two deputies standing and talking off to the side. Occasionally one of the state patrolmen would come up and ask a question, but for the most part, they looked like they were ignored. None of them were happy about it. Abby noted the Sheriff’s dour expression was more thunderous than usual.

  A few moments later the doors of City Hall opened. The murmuring of the crowd quieted slightly as they all strained to see who it was, but when Gabe stepped out, they returned to their normal level of noise.

  Abby waved, catching his attention, making the man break into a trot as he crossed over the lawn toward them.

  “Hello, ladies,” Gabe said, tipping his hat. “How come I am not surprised to see you two amongst the crowds of heady onlookers?”

  Abby chuckled. “Heady onlookers? I’ll have you know I am neither heady or an onlooker. Today we are spying. There is a big difference.”

  “Uh, huh,” Gabe said, nodding slowly. “Spies then. But don’t say that too loudly. These folks might take it more seriously than you like.”

  “They look like they want to shoot someone if you ask me,” Becky said quietly, watching as some of the troops set up a combination of folding barriers and police tape around the RV and much of the parking lot.

  “Yeah, let’s not talk about that here,” Gabe said warily. “You may be closer to the truth than you realize. I’ve heard some things…” He trailed off as Abby discreetly held up a hand, her eyes flickering to a plain clothed man who had wandered closer, seemingly checking his phone.

  “I think I need a coffee, or maybe something even stronger,” Abby said to Gabe. “Want to come along?”

  Gabe nodded. “Let’s take my truck. It’s right over here. After the meeting I just had, I think I could use a drink, too.”

  McGrady’s was quiet at this time of day, but Abby wasn’t surprised. The last time they had been here, it was around noon and quiet. Now it was even earlier. Hank was standing behind the bar, cleaning it with a rag and smiled when they came in.

  “Welcome to McGrady’s!” He said cheerfully and then squinted when he noticed Becky. “Are you going to be noontime regulars now, Becky? That’s not like you.”

  “No, Hank, but you know all the hoopla that’s going around downtown. We needed a quiet place to talk, and since my café isn’t open right now, this is it.”

  “Fair enough,” Hank said. “Never let it be said I turned away business. What can I get you? More apple cider?”

  Abby and Becky both said yes together, though Gabe indicated water would be just fine.

  “So what happened in your meeting?” Abby asked once they’d all had a chance to take a drink.

  Gabe put his glass down and leaned back. “Mostly just making sure we knew to cooperate with the state police or detectives if they showed up. They seemed pretty intent on letting us know we could be called on at any time to act as guides or help do searches, too.”

  “Did they say who they were going to be looking for?” Becky asked.

  Gabe reached into a pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, unfolding it on the table in front of them all. “Oh yes,” he said. “Rob Morgan. They even had a police artist render what he might look like now in case we see him.”

  The picture didn’t resemble anyone that Abby knew, but it still sent a chill down her spine. Despite being a stranger, she also knew it was someone related to Hazel, and the fact they were starting a manhunt for someone in her family made her shiver with fear. “But it’s been a few decades since this all happened and he’s not been seen in that time, right? Why look for him here?”

  “That’s the thing that worries me the most,” Gabe said, picking his glass of water back up and taking a sip. “They think he’s here and that the town has been keeping him hidden. This morning, I got a call from my boss telling me I better cooperate to my fullest extent. There was a clear or else in his voice, too.”

  “How can a Senator make this much stuff happen? He’s not even part of law enforcement, is he?” Abby asked.

  “It’s not just him; it’s who he has with him. The state Superintendent is leading the investigation. The Senator is just along as an observer,” Gabe said, making air quotes.

  Becky and Abby exchanged mystified glances before Abby asked. “Superintendent?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Gabe answered, chuckling to himself. “I forget not everyone is all super into law enforcement. The Superintendent is the head of the state police. It’s as much a politician as you can get, though. It’s unheard of for him to come out of Salem on any sort of case, much less one that’s decades old.”

  Abby picked up the picture of Hazel’s brother and stared at it for a long time before finally looking up. “Oh, jackrabbits,” she said, and everyone at the table nodded in agreement.

  Chapter 19

  It was a few hours later before they left McGrady’s. They hadn’t had any more drinks, but Hank had convinced them to stick around and let him make them some smoked salmon macaroni and cheese for lunch. Abby had been dubious at first, thinking it might show up in some kiddie bowls, but instead had been delighted and surprised at the meal he had placed before them.

  It was a delicious blend of several kinds of cheeses that complimented the delicious, tender salmon. Before they had left, Becky had convinced Hank to let her put his recipe on her menu for which Abby was thankful. She planned to have it at least once a week if she could help it.

  Abby also had to admit something else. She dragged out the long lunch because she enjoyed the company of the tall, tan-skinned forest ranger. Eventually, however, he had to beg off and head back to his offices which left Abby and Becky to their own devices.

  “Come and spend the night, Becky,” Abby had insisted. “I know you don’t want to sleep next door to a skunk house, and honestly, I’m a little worried about what had happened last night with the break in.”

  Becky agreed, and after grabbing an overnight bag, the two friends headed back to the island in the rental car. As they pulled up the short road to the house, they saw a non-descript sedan parked at the front entrance. It looked very much like the ones that had been in the parking lot of City Hall earlier this afternoon.

  “Ugh,” Becky said, “What do you suppose this is? I bet its detectives.”

  “It’s probably detectives,” Abby said gloomily. “Are they here about the break in?”

  Becky gave her a look that said she didn’t think so, and with a heavy heart, Abby parked the car. As Abby opened the front door, she heard what she hoped she wouldn’t. A deep, male baritone voice raised in anger and Cheerio barking.

  “Mrs. Morgan, if you don’t answer our questions, I will bring you in for obstruction of justice,” The voice barked. “And will you shut that damn dog up!?” A second man, not the one who spoke, was leaning against the corner of the hallway that spilled out into the living room. He had his arms crossed, over his chest while his bald spot winked at them before he turned around.

  “Who are you?” he half-growled, taking a step toward them while he pulled out a pad of paper and a pen.

  “Um, who are you!?” Becky bristled, instantly having her Irish raised at the man’s tone.

  “Detective Murphy,” he answered back, unperturbed and still not polite. “We’re investigating the murder of Miss Lara Clark. Now, I’ll ask again. Who are you?”

  Abby was almost inclined to let Becky go off on the detective, especially after hearing how the first man had spoken to her grandmother, but at the last second, she reigned in her anger enough to pull Becky back from the brink. Putting her hand on Becky’s shoulder, she stepped forward.

  “I live here,” Abby said coolly. “My name is Abby Morgan, and this is my friend Becky Northridge. Can I ask why you�
�re threatening my grandmother?”

  The man ignored her question and looked at a notebook before shaking his head. “The only people that live here are Hazel Morgan and a Bill Wilberson. I don’t have a record of another Morgan here, nor a female relative.” He looked up at her and narrowed his eyes. “Just who are you, really?”

  “My name,” Abby said through gritted teeth, “Is Abigail Morgan.” The detective began to say something, but Abby cut him off. “I was married to Daniel Morgan, Hazel’s grandson.”

  The detective wrote something down in his notebook before raising his head. “Daniel Morgan? I have a Daniel Morgan but show he’s in the military. Is he here as well?”

  Abby’s voice, when she answered, could have frozen lake water at that point. “No, he died a year and a half ago. Now, are you going to tell me what you are doing with my grandmother and my dog?”

  “If you aren’t related, why do you call her grandmother?” the Detective asked brusquely, once again ignoring her question. Whoever was in the living room with Hazel had gotten quieter, but Abby could hear the man continuing to ask questions. At least Cheerio had stopped barking, but she could hear the occasional growl from him. It sounded like the man was getting frustrated with Hazel’s short, one-word answers.

  Abby had had enough, realizing the man was delaying her on purpose. “I call her grandmother because she asked me to, and honestly, she’s been more of a grandmother to me since the death of my husband. Now, excuse me.” And with that, she pushed past the detective. He tried to stop her, but Becky stepped up and began to berate the man when he tried to grab Abby’s arm.

  Abby walked into the living room. Her grandmother was sitting on the couch, stiff-backed and staring straight ahead with a large, thick chested detective standing over her. He was leaned over with his face close to Hazel’s, trying to talk quietly but also attempting to intimidate the aged woman. Abby could see the tears carving tracks of fear and sadness down her grandmother’s face. Poor Cheerio was staring intently at the man, wanting to get up and protect Hazel, but every time he tried, he’d whimper and flop back down onto the comforters that had become his temporary bed.

  “Tell us where he is, Mrs. Morgan, and this will all go away,” the man snapped. “You can’t keep him hidden forever. We know he’s in town. Don’t make me arrest you. You wouldn’t like jail.”

  “That’s enough!” Abby said and strode over to the man. She knew enough not to touch him, but she wasn’t about to let him continue to berate her grandmother. She took Hazel’s hand and pulled her up, away from the detective, rather than try to interpose herself between them. “What do you think you are doing?”

  “Dammit, Mike,” the detective stood, looking at his partner who had come into the room as well, followed closely by Becky. “I’m trying to question a witness here, why can’t you keep people out?”

  “I tried, Ed,” Detective Murphy said unhappily. “I’m not going to tackle them.”

  “Becky, call the Sheriff,” Abby said, eying both men angrily.

  “Listen here, whoever you are,” Ed said as he turned, trying to loom over Abby. His breath smelled like onions which forced her to cringe away from him slightly. He probably read that as his intimidation working. Cheerio started barking again, adding to the chaos. “She can answer questions here, or I can arrest her and take her back to Salem. Do you want that? You just take your little friend and toddle off for a while.” He said, making walking motions with a hand and two fingers. “God! Will that dog please shut-up!”

  “Fat chance, Ed” Abby growled back, sticking her chin out. “Either arrest her, or us, or whatever it is you’re threatening to do, or leave. Right now.” She could hear Becky on the phone, talking to the Sheriff and explaining what was going on. The detectives could as well, and they looked at each other before the bigger one slapped his notebook closed.

  “We’ll be back,” Ed growled and stormed out, followed closely by Mike.

  Abby made sure both men had left, hearing the front door slam before she turned to Hazel, and enfolded her in her arms. It broke her heart when her grandmother began sobbing quietly against her shoulder.

  “The Sheriff wants to talk to you, Abby,” Becky said, holding the phone out.

  “Sheriff?” Abby asked, putting the phone up to her ear with one hand while patting Hazel’s back with the other.

  “Mrs. Morgan,” Came the man’s calm, deep voice. “I hope everything is okay there?”

  “No, Sheriff. No, it isn’t,” Abby answered angrily. “I just had two detectives at our house making my grandmother cry. I wouldn’t say that’s an okay thing.”

  “I understand,” came his reply. “If it happens again, call me immediately. I’ll do what I can, though that’s not much right now. As you may have noticed, things are a little out of my hands. That being said, I wanted to pass on a request.”

  Abby sighed and forced her anger down. Why would the Sheriff be asking her for anything? Especially right now. “What request?” she finally got out, trying her best not to sound waspish, but knowing she was failing.

  “The Mayor wanted to talk to you tomorrow, at his office.” The man heard her sharp intake of breath but cut her off before she could yell. “And no, it’s not about questioning you. He wants to…pass on some information if he can. In person, if you can make it by nine in the morning?”

  “I’ll be there, Sheriff,” Abby said, her anger cooling slightly as her curiosity was piqued. “But Becky is coming with me.”

  Chapter 20

  Abby settled into her seat and eyed the Mayor warily. She liked the old gentleman just fine, but the events of yesterday had her spooked. Still, she couldn’t help but notice the lines of worry on the man’s face looked more pronounced today than they had several days ago.

  “Thank you for coming here today, Abby and Becky,” The Mayor said after they’d settled. “I know things have been stressful lately. Can I get you anything to drink?”

  Abby and Becky both shook their head. “No, sir,” Abby answered before leaning forward. “But we would like to know what’s going on. Why did you want me to meet with you?”

  “Right to business, eh?” The Mayor smiled a tired smile but nodded. “I don’t blame you. I heard about what happened yesterday with Hazel and the two detectives. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

  Abby felt her irritation grow, still angry from the events of yesterday. “Can’t you do anything about it? Or the Sheriff? You are still the Mayor, right?”

  The Mayor paused before nodding slowly, clearly a little irritated by the last comment. “Yes, I am doing something, but it’s delicate right now. The Senator is a powerful man and is putting pressure on me in the political arena. Bob’s in the same boat I am, and probably worse.” He saw the questioning look in Abby’s eyes and quickly corrected himself. “The Sheriff, Bob Pearson. Sorry, sometimes I forget you’ve only been here a bit over a month.”

  He chuckled, though it was a strange, thin sound and did not hold a lot of amusement. Despite herself, she began to worry for the kindly leader of their community. “I understand, and I know these detectives were just trying to do their job, but they were downright mean to my grandmother. They threatened to arrest her because they thought she might know where her brother was. Dammit, Mayor, this murder was over two decades ago. Why would Rob be around now?”

  The Mayor took a deep breath, leaning back and putting his hands on his stomach while he considered Abby’s question. “The Senator and his friends seem to think we’ve been hiding Rob this whole time. That’s why they are here in force. It’s not true, at least as far as I know, but we’re far past the point of them believing that. However, that doesn’t mean he’s not here.”

  “What do you mean, Mayor?” Becky said. “Do you mean he just up and decided to show up in the past few days for no reason?”

  The Mayor shook his head. “No, Becky. Not for no reason. If he is here, I’m sure he has a good reason though I can only speculate as to what that
might be. Right now, I don’t think that’s nearly as important as the fact his life is in danger.”

  Abby sat forward, seeming to take the room up the Mayor surrendered when he leaned back. “How much is he in danger?” She remembered Gabe also had that worry. That the state troopers might be just a bit gun happy and it scared her. Law enforcement wasn’t supposed to be like this. It was unsettling, but she suspected it’s exactly what the Mayor meant.

  He confirmed her fear with his next statement. “Enough that even if they found him, I’m not sure they would give him much of a chance to surrender. The Sheriff and I talked about this, and he’s overheard some of the state troopers discussing the things they’ve been told. Rob’s been played up as being a vicious killer, one who is out of control and dangerous. The Senator and the Superintendent both have given speeches to that effect to their men.”

  “He’s trying to get Rob killed, isn’t he?” Abby asked.

  The Mayor shrugged and gave Abby a steady look. “I can’t say for sure, but this is more likely of an outcome than I am comfortable with. If you have any influence over your grandmother, please use it. If she knows anything about the whereabouts of her brother, it would be in everyone’s best interest if the Sheriff were to know. At least with him, I know there’ll be talking before shooting.”

  Abby leaned back to digest the troubling information and shared a look with Becky before speaking once again. “I’m sorry, Mayor. Honestly, I’ve been trying to avoid talking to Hazel about this. It’s clear to me she doesn’t want to discuss it. I don’t know why and I’m hesitant to ask. There’s some secret there, but I don’t know what it is.”

  The Mayor blew out a breath and nodded. “Have you tried talking to Bill Wilberson? I know he’s not the most talkative person in the world, but maybe he would be willing to help.”

  Abby frowned. “Actually, I had intended to do that.”

  “But?” The Mayor said, voicing the unspoken word.

  “But he never returned to the house last night. He’s disappeared.”