Key Lime Crime: Sunny Shores Mysteries Book 1

by Cassie Rivers

  He wiped the water from his face, looked at me, and smiled. “You’re right, I didn’t have to.

  21

  That afternoon, I began the preparations for our catering order. After all the expenses I’d accrued, the extra money was truly needed. I sent Ty to the store to pick up the Key limes needed. Unfortunately, he missed one crucial detail.

  “This is a regular lime,” I said, frustrated. “You can’t make Key lime pie without true Key limes.”

  “Smitty said that he was out of Key limes. These were the only ones he had in stock.”

  Smitty Evans ran the area’s only organic farmer’s market. His market provided the source of the majority of ingredients I used. I took pride in the fact we used all natural and organic ingredients in our dishes, so I couldn’t back off from that now. Besides, I painted that pledge on the side of my truck. I was kind of stuck.

  “What’s the big deal? Ty said as he threw his hands in the air. “A lime is a lime, right?”

  “Oh boy, I’m not getting involved in this one,” Star said as she walked out of the truck. Star made the same mistake on her first day working for me. She wanted no part in listening to my speech once again.

  “For starters, Key limes have a tarter flavor than a regular lime. The Key lime has a distinct aroma that can’t be matched,” I explained. “You just can’t use a regular lime in its place. Are you crazy?”

  “The regular limes are larger. I thought I was saving you money.”

  I saw the look of confusion mixed with regret on his face. He meant well.

  I took a deep breath and smiled. “No worries. I’ll call Smitty up and see if he can deliver a case before Monday.”

  Once a week, Smitty visited the park to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables. His service met an important need for the truck owners. We appreciated it.

  “Hey Smitty, it’s Kara Summers.”

  “Hi Kara. What can I do you for?”

  “I’m out of Key limes. Can you bring a case by on Monday?”

  “Oh…” he said, his voice deeper. “I’m not set to get another delivery until mid-week. Can you wait until then?”

  “I have a catering order due on Tuesday for ten pies.”

  “Hmm…” he said as he paused for a minute to think. “I might have an idea.”

  “What’s that?” I asked. At that point, I was desperate.

  “It’s quite a trip, but my supplier is located ten miles north of Marathon. I could call him and see if you can pick them up yourself. He’s open on Sundays.”

  Disappointed by his suggestion, I sighed heavily. The city of Marathon sat four hours south of Sunny Shores. Even if I wanted to go, I didn’t own a car. The only chance of making it down there hinged on convincing Star or Ty to take me. Good luck with that.

  “Wait a second,” I replied as a thought entered my head. Duck Key was located north of Marathon. John Harmon moved to Sunny Shores from Duck Key.

  “Is your supplier located close to Duck Key?” I asked.

  “Now that I think of it, he is.”

  “I’ll do it then.”

  “Great. I’ll reach out to him. I’ll call you back with the address.”

  A trip to Duck Key, while out of the way, could provide additional clues to John Harmon’s prior life. I knew his address. What harm could it do for me to ride by and check out his old place?

  My lack of owning a vehicle prevented me from snooping further. If I was going to get there, I needed a ride. I could only think of two people that fit the bill.

  Ty overheard part of my conversation and asked, “What’s in Duck Key?”

  I smiled. “Our Key limes.”

  “Isn’t Duck Key a three hour drive from here?”

  “It’s four, actually,” I responded.

  In a rare case of my photographic memory actually being useful, I recalled the pamphlet for Comic Fest Ty carried around the other day. I had the perfect idea.

  “Isn’t Comic Fest going on in Key Largo on Sunday?”

  Ty reached into his back pocket and pulled out the pamphlet. “You’re right. It’s going on from 12 to 8 p.m. I’ll take you on one condition.”

  “You name it.”

  “We have to stay at least three hours at Comic Fest.”

  “I was thinking one hour at the most.”

  “How about two hours and you pretend to enjoy it.”

  “You have a deal. No dressing up in cosplay.”

  “What are you guys talking about?” Star asked as she stepped back into the truck.

  “Ty and I have to run to Duck Key in the morning to pick up a couple cases of Key limes. It’s a long drive, so don’t worry about…”

  Before I finished my sentence, Star interrupted. “Count me in. What time do we leave?

  Color me surprised. I was shocked by her willingness to join us, especially on her only day off. Star avoided extra work whenever possible. She was hiding something. I just knew it.

  “It’s an eight-hour round trip. You know that, right?”

  “No problem at all. I’m always up for a road trip,” she said with certainty. “Anything I can do to help with the business. That’s my number one priority.”

  I knew she was lying at this point. “What’s the real reason? Spill it.”

  “All right, all right,” she said as she exhaled. “My Aunt Millie and Norma are stopping by tomorrow. Combine them with my mother, and our home becomes insufferable. You have to take me with you. I’m begging you, please.”

  For Star to give up her only day off, I knew she meant business. I could only imagine how annoyed her mom and aunts made her. They annoyed her enough to volunteer spending eight hours in the car with Ty and me.

  “It’s settled, then,” I said as I smiled. “We should leave around 11 a.m. tomorrow morning. Everyone good with that?”

  “Let’s say 10 a.m., to be safe,” Ty added.

  “Safe for what?” Star asked as her ears perked up.

  “I want to ensure we have enough time at Comic Fest before the crowds hit.”

  Star looked puzzled as she had no idea what she’d fully signed up for. “Wait, what?”

  22

  Strangely enough, I looked forward to driving to Duck Key with Star and Ty. Since my prodigal son-like return to Sunny Shores, I focused the majority of my time on work. Taking a road trip with two of my closest friends provided a much needed escape from the norm.

  After stopping for coffee and snacks at Bert’s convenience store, we began our trip south. The GPS estimated a 2:30 p.m. arrival at the Key Largo Trade and Convention Center. We planned to stop by Nerd Fest. ..I mean Comic Fest for a couple of hours, then head to Turtle Key.

  “Be careful back there. Try not to get anything on my seats,” Ty said as we headed southbound on Interstate 95. Ty recently bought a new car. His new Jeep was the first major purchase of his since passing the CPA exam. He was very particular and anal about it. “I’m not sure why you had to get a 44 ounce Big Gulp with red fruit punch.”

  Star shrugged as she sipped on her enormous drink.

  As I turned around and smiled at Star, my mouth dropped when I noticed the outrageous amount of snacks she’d purchased from the gas station. It was enough to share between the three of us. She didn’t seem the type to want to share, though.

  “Geez Louise, Star. Do you think you bought enough snacks?”

  “It’s long car ride. Give me a break.”

  Before I could respond, my phone rang.

  “Who’s that?” Star asked.

  “I’m not sure. The area code is 239.”

  Star pulled her phone out and worked her magic. “According to Google, area code 239 is Southwest Florida. Marathon and Key West area.”

  I answered the call, since it originated in the area we were visiting. It couldn’t be a coincidence, right?

  “OK. Thanks for the heads up. We’ll see you then.”

  Smitty’s supplier, Frank Stone, had called to inform me of a change in plans.

/>   “Bad news,” I said as I hung up the phone. “The guy we are getting the limes from—”

  “Key limes, you mean.”

  “Yes, Star, Key limes. He needs to meet us earlier than planned because of a family emergency. That gives us very little time to stay at Comic Fest.”

  “Oh darn,” Star blurted out. “Maybe next year, right, Ty?”

  “We could do it after, on the way back,” Ty said as he tried to compromise. “The convention is open until eight.”

  “That gives Kara less time to sleuth around.”

  “Sleuth around?” Ty said as he looked at me, confused. “Kara?”

  Star laughed. “She didn’t tell you the real reason we’re on this wild-goose-chase of a trip.”

  I broke down and explained everything to Ty. Surprisingly enough, he understood and remained supportive. I thought of a compromise.

  “We can drop Ty off at the convention and pick him up on our way back,” I explained as I turned to Ty. “This way you have more time at Comic Fest and feel less rushed.”

  “I guess that could work,” Ty agreed. “Next time you have to come with me, OK?”

  “You got it,” I reassured him. “Promise.”

  After we picked up a couple of cases of Key limes from Frank, we headed north to Duck Key. I pulled out the former address of John Harmon from my purse and entered it into the GPS. Neither of us knew what to expect once we got there. The slight possibility of finding a clue fueled my desire, no matter how silly the idea.

  “This is it,” Star said as we pulled in front of the driveway. “778 San Juan Street.”

  The house we arrived at looked nothing like I’d pictured in my mind. The place stood much smaller than I imagined. The house was painted light pink with off-white trim and stood on stilts. The yard looked overgrown and unkempt. Apparently, the current owner lacked the funds for a lawn mower or landscaping services.

  “What now?” Star asked as she parked the car by the mail box. “Looks like no one’s home.”

  The place looked abandoned, and I wondered if anyone currently lived there. The house emitted a creepy vibe. My gut instinct warned me to turn away, but I ignored it as usual. Normally, listening to my gut resulted in gaining a few pounds.

  “We’ve come too far to turn back now,” I said as I bravely stepped out of the car. “Let’s knock on the door and see if anyone’s home.”

  “How about you knock on the door, and I stay here with the car running.”

  Star endured my obsession with solving the case and remained a good sport the entire time. So in an effort to avoid pressing my luck with her, I shook my head in agreement. As my grandma would say, “Choose your battles wisely.” Besides if things went south, I might need a getaway driver.

  I held my breath as I rang the door bell. As the tone echoed behind the door, I tapped my foot on the front porch. What questions would I ask? No clue. I failed to think that far ahead, so I figured I’d wing it.

  I stood in front of the faded pink door a few minutes with no answer. I looked over at the window, and it appeared the lights were on inside. Either way, it seemed clear that no one was going to answer. So I walked down the front steps and headed back to the car.

  Halfway between the house and the car, the door to the home slammed open, making a thundering sound.

  “What in the blue hell do you want?” a voice screamed out from behind.

  I turned around and saw a man standing in the door way looking directly at me. By the looks of his messy hair, he just woke from a nap or was drunk, maybe both. I noticed him stumbling out the door, dressed in a stained tank-top and ripped jean shorts. In one hand he held a cigarette, in the other, a red solo cup.

  I shivered before I responded, mainly because I spotted a shotgun propped up against the door. I wanted more than anything to solve the case, but I wouldn’t go so far as to risk my life. This man seemed crazier than a caged coon.

  “Sorry to bother you, sir, but my friend and I were searching for information on a man who once lived here.”

  I turned in an effort to acknowledge Star and waved at her. She responded by nodding her head and lifting her cell phone in the air. Star wished to inform the crazy looking man that 911 was only a phone call away.

  “You better not be referring to that bastard, John Harmon.”

  I grinned in an attempt to lighten his mood. “Unfortunately, that’s him.”

  “I’ve nothing to say about that crook.”

  “Well,” I continued. “Someone murdered him last week in Sunny Shores.”

  “Good riddance,” the man said as he chugged his drink. “That jerk had it coming.”

  Great, I thought as I listened to the man vent his frustrations about John Harmon. Yet another person who wanted John dead. The suspect list grew larger than the population of Florida.

  “John Harmon knowingly sold me this lemon.”

  “This lemon?”

  “I’m talking about this piece of crap house I bought from him. That man lied about the condition of this house. He failed to mention all the structural issues the house contained. He even went so far as to pay-off the home inspector.”

  The more he spoke, the larger the vein protruding from his head grew. As he shouted out his true feelings for John Harmon, he inched closer and closer to the shotgun. I couldn’t tell if it was intentional or not, but I wasn’t going to dilly-dally around and find out.

  “How do you know that?” I asked as I continued to slowly walk backwards to the car.

  “I confronted the home inspector at Tyson’s bar one night. I bought him enough rounds of beer until he confessed the true story.”

  “Did you ever try to confront Mr. Harmon after you discovered the truth?”

  “Why would I waste my time with him? There’s nothing I could do. My debt from this home prevented me from getting a lawyer. I couldn’t afford one if I tried. He ruined me financially,” he explained as sweat dripped from his forehead. “After my wife and I purchased the house, the cost of repairs put a large stress on our marriage. We fought daily, and I gained thirty pounds in the process. My wife eventually divorced me. This whole mess started with that crook. He ruined my life.”

  At this point, the man was visibly upset. He looked like a ticking time-bomb set to explode at any time. I didn’t plan to stick around for the impending explosion.

  “I apologize for disturbing you. We’ll be on our way now,” I said as I turned away and marched towards the car.

  “Stay the hell away from here and never mention his name again,” he shouted as he went inside and slammed the door behind him.

  I rushed back to the car without glancing back at him. We wore out our welcome, and we needed to press the eject button. My plan didn’t involve getting shot in Duck Key.

  Before I sat down in the car, a voice called out from the driveway next door. A short, elderly lady emerged from the bushes. The lady wore gardening gloves and held a pair of trimming shears in her hand.

  “Another person with a potential weapon in reach,” I thought. “What kind of neighborhood did we step into?”

  “Pardon my intrusion, but I overheard your conversation with my neighbor,” she said as she removed her gloves. She reached out and shook my hand. “I’m Nancy Thurman.”

  “Hi Nancy, I’m Kara Summers. It’s nice to meet you. My friend Star is in the car over there.”

  She placed her gloves and trimming shears down on the ground. Then she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of cloth. The woman took a deep breath and pressed the cloth against her forehead.

  “It’s hotter than the surface of the sun out here. Why don’t you two come inside for a spell and cool off? How does a fresh glass of sweet tea sound?”

  “Sound great,” I said as I motioned to Star to get out and join us.

  As we followed Nancy into her home, Star whispered, “Do you think she meant Long Island Ice Tea?

  “I’ve lived in this house for almost twenty years. My ear
s perked up when you mentioned Mr. Harmon’s name. I haven’t heard that name in years. I’m sorry to hear of his passing.”

  “What do you remember about him?”

  “To be honest, I rarely spoke with the man. His wife, on the other hand, was a sweet woman. She would talk my ear off for hours,” she said as she took a sip from her glass of tea. “The Lord took that young lady too soon. Even now, the thought of her accident breaks my heart.”

  “I’m not sure if you heard or not, but John died last week. Someone burned him alive inside his food truck.”

  “Oh my,” she said as she shook her head in disbelief. “I do recall you telling my neighbor of his murder, although I didn’t realize how gruesome it was.”

  “It wasn’t pretty, that’s for sure,” Star added.

  “Can you recall anyone in town who hated John or had issues with him?”

  “I honestly couldn’t tell you, dear,” she said as scratched her head. “I do remember fighting and screaming coming from their home, after his wife died?”

  I perked up. “Fighting? Who with?”

  “His son, I believe.”

  “Son?” Star and I both shouted in unison.

  “Yes,” Nancy said. “They had a son. I’m guessing he was around your age. He was a smart and handsome fellow. Although I’m not sure what happened to him. I recall him moving away before John left.”

  What had almost been a bust of a trip actually proved useful. In light of this discovery, I had to reconsider everything I thought I knew in regard to the case. The news of John Harmon having a biological son turned the case upside down, as well as inside out.

  There was only one question that mattered.

  “Who was John Harmon’s son?”

  23

  "My head," I said as I woke. I dozed off immediately once I got home. With everything going on, I hadn't had a good night’s sleep in days. "What time is it?" I picked up my phone to check the time. "9:30 already?"

  I couldn't believe I’d dozed off. I had so much to do around the house. What was crazier than that was that I had six missed calls on my phone. Four of them were from Will, alone. The other two calls were from Chief Martin and Ty.