“I shall choose to think positively,” Hazel said primly. “But I will rent some nice, big tents just in case.”
“Do you think Rob will be able to attend?” Gabe asked.
“Hazel leaned back and thought for a long moment before she nodded. “I think so, as long as the police clear him of everything. He’s got a lot of explaining to do.”
“I can’t believe he was only living up in Yamhill,” Gabe said, “At least he didn’t have family or anything. Can you imagine what they would be thinking right now?”
Abby nodded. “Yes, they’d be upset with him. Just like the rest of us.”
“That was his legacy,” Hazel murmured. “At least he gave us a few decades respite from it, but I hope it doesn’t start happening again. While you and the Sheriff were outside taking care of shenanigans with the Senator, Rob told us why he’d been sneaking around. He was trying to find the gold. After hearing about the body of Lara, he figured it was only a matter of time before they realized he might still be around, so he wanted to move off to the Bahama’s or something like that.”
“The Bahama’s?” Becky scoffed.
“Well, no one ever accused Rob of being smart,” Hazel said. “Still, if he wants to go back to Yamhill when this is all over, I won’t argue.”
They all laughed though Abby saw Gabe answer a phone call, stepping up and walking away from the group.
“Wait, you mean to say that there really is gold?” Becky said soberly, her eyes wide.
Hazel grinned and winked. “Great Great Grandma Morgan was no fool, and neither am I,” she said before sipping her tea demurely.
Abby saw Becky grin from ear to ear. “I can’t believe it’s true!”
“I didn’t say it was true,” Hazel said.
Becky threw up her hands, and they all laughed. Then Gabe walked back over.
“I’ve got to go,” He said with a frown.
“What’s wrong?” Abby asked, suddenly worried at the look on his face.
Gabe looked at them all, then shrugged. “I’m not sure. Frank Millerson, the old bank manager, was just seen heading into the deep forest like a bat out of hell. He almost ran Ben off of the road.”
“And we care why?” Becky asked icily. She still hadn’t forgiven the man for shutting her bank accounts off when she was under investigation.
Gabe shrugged, “Well, Ben said he looked terrified, and it is my business if someone is unsafe out there. I better go try to find him.”
Okay, but come back soon,” Abby said,
“Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s nothing,” Gabe said, grinning. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
Excerpt for Dark Secrets and Dead Reckoning – Book 3 of the Red Pine Falls Cozy Mysteries
Chapter 1
Gabe flicked his lights off and pulled his truck up along the side of the old gravel road, stepping out into the cold, windy night. It was about a week into November, and the seasons had definitely turned. While October had been pleasantly warm, November seemed to be trying to make up for its brethren’s mildness with a full tantrum of cold and wind.
He looked up into the night sky, blocked only partially by tall pines, but the rest was a blue speckled patchwork broken up by the thin lines of branches bare of leaves. The moon was out about three quarters and provided a good amount of light for him to see the ghostly rocks and gravel of the road.
The blue moonlight was the right color for how cold it was, and Gabe pulled his jacket a little tighter around himself, zipping up to conserve the last heat from his truck’s cab. It was so different than just a few weeks ago when they’d all gone fishing, not even needing jackets in the morning. One of the things Gabe liked about Oregon, is how quickly and thoroughly the seasons changed.
Gabe smiled, remembering that day fishing on the dock. That had been a day to remember, even if it had been cut short by trying and failing to chase down Rob Morgan. The wily old man had slipped off into a backroad before Gabe and Abby could catch up to him, and he’d gotten away. Still, the hour or so chatting with Abby on the dock with their poles in the water had been good. A solid memory that Gabe would cherish.
He took a deep breath and peered over his truck into the forest to the right of the road. He could see the light from a campfire reflected on the tree trunks deep in the woods. He would have liked to leave them alone, but there were two problems. One, he was a park ranger, and it was a safety issue if someone didn’t register to camp. If something happened, no one would know to check on them.
The other problem was, it might be Frank Millerson. The old bank manager for Red Pine Falls Mutual had quickly taken off out of town a week and a half ago, almost running one of his fellow Rangers off of the road in the process. No one had seen hide nor hair of him since, and the Sheriff had asked Gabe and his men to keep an eye out for him.
The Sheriff hadn’t said so, but Gabe was sure something else was up with the old Manager. The man had been fired from his position for cutting off Becky Northridge’s accounts when she’d been under investigation for murder. It turned out, that had been highly illegal, and the owners of the bank hadn’t taken it well. Now, he had fled town. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to suspect something else had happened.
Gabe had been looking for any sign of him for days, but this was the first time he’d found even a promising lead. Still, it might not be Frank, so Gabe made his way slowly through the old trail toward the softly glowing lights. There were fresh tire tracks in the dirt, though by their size it wasn’t an all-terrain vehicle or truck. It couldn’t have been good on the car to go over this rough ground.
As Gabe crept closer to the campsite, he could see that no tent or other gear had been set up. He guessed they were sleeping in the battered sedan that he saw parked in the clearing with firelight reflecting off of its metal and windows. Wrappers and crumpled cans of soda were scattered on the ground, and the fire itself was just a pile of logs spitting the occasional red ember onto the forest floor.
Alarmingly, the fire wasn’t dug into a pit or cleared of pine needles. If it had been high summer, it would have caused a fire. Gabe frowned as he decided he wouldn’t go easy on this person if they were a regular camper. Camping was one thing, but doing it badly and leaving trash around was another. He was pretty certain they would just leave the trash where it lay, which wasn’t acceptable.
They were going to get a ticket for sure, and he didn’t feel at all sorry for making them pack up and leave right away. After cleaning up, of course.
Gabe stepped around the bowl of an enormous pine, his hands on its trunk as he stepped over one of the bulging roots that flowed into the ground. The driver’s side door on the blue sedan was open, facing the fire, but no one was sitting in the seat. The car was familiar though. It was Franks’, and Gabe narrowed his eyes to read the half-shadowed license plate to confirm.
“Frank?” he called into the night. “You there? Come on out,” Gabe said, and then listened to the night. There was no noise other than the fire crackling and wind high above in the tree branches. It made it difficult to hear any anything else, but he was sure Frank wasn’t the type of man who could be silent in any forest. Still, there was no noise.
“Frank,” Gabe said, more forcefully. “Don’t make me come looking for you. I know it’s your car. Come on. Tell me what’s going on-”
The loud noise behind him cut him off, and then there was nothing but red pain. Gabe’s hand came out, clutching at where he thought the tree trunk was, but his hand only found air as black flashes warred with a flickering tunnel vision. Was the forest floor exploding upwards? Or was he falling? It was hard to tell as his body slid down, glancing off of the trunk of the tree before coming to rest on the dead leaves and pine needles.
Pain swirled with images of firelight and the feel of Abby’s lips on his. Those were the last thoughts that floated through Gabe’s mind before darkness overtook him. Then there was nothing at all.
Chapter 2
Becky and A
bby stood in front of Becky’s Café while workmen moved in and out of the establishment, throwing old carpeting and drywall into a huge metal bin. Abby could see other workers moving kitchen equipment out of the back door and into the parking lot behind the café. They had set up a large plastic shade to protect the equipment and boxes from the elements.
“You don’t mess around, do you, Becky?” Abby said.
“Nope,” Becky answered, her red hair tucked into a knit cap that was pulled down over her ears. “You saw the settlement from the bank. Why wouldn’t I just do a complete re-design? I just wish I could add a second story.”
“What would you do with a second story?” Abby asked, raising her eyebrow at her friend. “You wouldn’t want people to have to go up and down stairs, right?”
Becky laughed and shook her head. “Of course not. I’d live on the second floor and expand the lower floor out to cover my apartment. It would give me a bigger kitchen and storage. That way I wouldn’t have to go outside to get things from the storage shed.” Becky shivered and rubbed her arms through her jacket. “Not a problem during summer, but when it’s cold like this, it gets old, fast. And don’t even get me started on spring.”
“What’s wrong with spring?”
“Oh, honey,” Becky said, giving her a wary look. “You haven’t been here in spring yet. Rain. Lots and lots of rain. You know, in spring we don’t count the days we have rain on the calendar, we count the days we don’t have rain.”
“Ugh, that is what people told me about the Oregon. I’m not looking forward to it,” Abby said, making a face. “Does it rain that much?”
Becky shrugged, “It can rain a lot, though some people like it. They like to sit by a fire and read a book or something. Me? It doesn’t matter much to me because I run a restaurant. No rest for the wicked.” She paused and smiled at an older but in shape man that walked up and stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the two women.
“Good morning, Miss Nordstrom,” the man said, smiling from behind his bushy goatee and wire rim glasses. “Here to help with demolition day?”
Becky smiled but shook her head emphatically. “Oh, no, Mr. Capshaw. I’ll leave that to you and your workers. I’m pretty sure I’d just get in the way. Abby and I were just curious what it would look like.”
“Ah, curiosity is good, though I sincerely hope you won’t be here every day,” Mr. Capshaw said with a momentary arch of his eyebrow. “I guarantee, it won’t help either you or me to get the job done any better or faster.”
“You sound like you don’t want us to look over your shoulder,” Becky said, arching her eyebrow back at the man.
Mr. Capshaw looked at Becky and Abby, then nodded slowly, giving them a frank look. “Yes, and no. That would be terribly rude of me to say so to any client. But if I didn’t mention it, I wouldn’t be honest. The problem, you see, is that people don’t understand building. They might see a temporary board nailed to hold up a wall and decide I suddenly don’t know what I am doing. Then it just goes downhill from there. Do you see my problem?”
Becky frowned slightly but nodded. “I do, but what about all those stories you hear about terrible workmanship and people with leaky houses? I’m not saying you are one of those people, but, you see my problem?”
Mr. Capshaw smiled patiently. “Yes, and believe me I am sensitive to it. I want you to stay informed, but if you show up every day and watch, you’ll drive yourself crazy.” He paused, then cocked his head. “Did you talk to any of my references or people I’ve worked with before? If not, I’ll be happy to get you a list of names. Also, I will check in with you every few days and let you know how things are progressing. Just promise me one thing.”
“What is that?” Becky asked slowly.
“That if you have any questions about what you see, you come to me. I promise I will explain it until you are satisfied. I also promise we’ll do a quality job for you.” Mr. Capshaw turned, looking back at the café. “I like the plans and the layout, and I have a good, solid budget. It will be done well. When I’m finished, I promise I’ll bring the family back here for you to return the favor of trust. Deal?”
Becky frowned at the hand he held out but finally nodded. “Okay, Mister Capshaw. I think I like you. I understand, and I agree. We’ll get out of your hair.” Taking his hand, she shook it, and both of them nodded. When she was done, she turned and took Abby’s arm, leading both of them away.
After they had walked out of earshot, Abby whispered to her friend. “You had no intention of standing around looking over his shoulder at all, did you?”
Becky laughed and shook her head. “No way! Are you kidding? I don’t want to watch them gut my baby. Besides, I already checked in on a few of his previous clients, and they loved him. I just didn’t like how he assumed I was going to be a busy body.”
“Yes, I saw that too,” Abby said. “It’s a little like how mechanics think of women and cars, though I can see his point. You wouldn’t want someone watching you cook before you served them food, would you?”
Becky wrinkled up her lips and sighed. “I guess not. Hey, come with me and help me set up my new accounts. I think I need to invest some of this money into something that will earn me money and not just sit there. I’m just clueless, about all that financial stuff, though.”
“I know a little about it. I’ve got a few mutual funds set up, but I bet Susan would be happy to make sure you invest wisely, right?” Abby asked as the two women began crossing the street and headed for the ugly, mushroom shaped building that held Red Pine Falls Mutual.
“I’m sure she will, but I’d still like you there,” Becky said nervously. “No one’s going to mess with Hurricane Abby!”
Abby rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Ugh! I bet that moniker is even worse after what happened with the Senator.”
“Uh, duh! Of course, it is!” Becky laughed and threw her hand into the air like a game show hostess. “You faced down a bunch of state troopers and a senator. Your legend is growing!”
“Just what I need,” Abby sighed. “After this, do you want to come back with me to help Hazel bake some pies?”
“Oh, yay, more work in the kitchen,” Becky said playfully. “I would, but I have a hot date with a certain doctor, and he’s picking me up fairly early. He’s taking me to a small Italian place in Salem and then to a play at the Pentacle Theatre. I’m so excited! I’ve not been to a real play in years!”
Abby sighed, her thoughts turning to Gabe. Becky saw it immediately and grabbed her arm. “Maybe you and Gabe can come with us? I’m sure Charlie wouldn’t mind.”
Abby shook her head. “No, I already promised Hazel I’d help her with the pies and Gabe is out working. He’s been looking for your favorite person in the whole world, but hasn’t had any luck finding him.”
Becky scowled. “Frank,” she said, practically growling his name. The way she spat it out could have been interchangeable with a curse word.
“Yes, Frank. I’m sure he’s in some casino somewhere getting drunk,” Abby said, taking her friend's arm. “Now, let’s go take care of your scads of money.”
Chapter 3
As they entered the bank, Abby couldn’t help but notice the three men exiting. She blinked, realizing she thought that they did not look like locals and the irony of her thinking made her pause. She had only been in the town for a month and a half, so how could she possibly know who was or was not a local.
Still, there it was. For whatever reason, Abby didn’t think these men lived in the small, cozy town of Red Pine Falls, no matter that Abby was still a newcomer herself. Their clothes were just too nice, being pressed collared shirts for the men in the rear, and a well-fitted pin-stripe suit and an expensive watch for the man in the lead.
As they approached the doors, all three of the men looked grim and unhappy with something, although it was the man in front that caught Abby’s attention the most. She told herself that it was because he was relatively short compared to the two men
in the rear, but she had to admit he was incredibly handsome as well. Man-scaped, she said to herself. Definitely not a local.
He stopped, and pulled the doors open for Abby and Becky, giving them a genuine smile as he flourished his hands for them to enter. His eye’s followed Abby as she passed, and she felt a warmth rise to her cheeks at his gaze. One of the other men rolled his eyes, but he didn’t make any other signs of protest as the two ladies passed him before exiting the building.
After they were inside, Becky waved her hands at her face. “My goodness, did you see him? Of course, you did, you were looking right at him. My, my!”
Abby swatted at Becky’s arm lightly. “Stop that; you have a boyfriend! Whom you have a date with tonight, I might add!”
“I do?” Becky asked, blinking for a few moments before laughing at the look on Abby’s face. “Of course I do, but I can still look, right? I’m not dead, and neither are you if that blush says anything.” Becky smirked as they both turned toward Susan’s office at the back of the bank.
“Short, though,” Abby said. “I think he was shorter than both of us, wasn’t he?”
Becky shook her head. “I don’t think so. Maybe he was our height? I…honestly wasn’t paying attention to how tall he was. He had on very nice pants.”
Abby rolled her eyes at her friend but didn’t answer as they stepped up to Susan’s door. It was open, but the thin woman was on the phone and held up her finger to Abby and Becky as she continued to talk.
“Yes, Sheriff,” She said, nodding at the phone. “Yes. Three men came in and were asking questions about Frank and where he might be.” She paused, listening for a few moments before shaking her head. “No, I just told them we don’t know where he is since he no longer works here. They didn’t look happy with that answer.” She paused for a bit longer, then shook her head. “No, they didn’t threaten me or anything. They were just asking about Frank.” Susan paused, glancing at Becky and Abby before turning away from them and lowering her voice. “I thought you should know, in case it had anything to do with… you know.”
Cold Murder and Dark Secrets, A Red Pine Falls Cozy Mystery (Red Pine Falls Cozy Mysteries Book 2) Page 13