by Lyndsey Cole
“What do you want to do now?” Hannah asked. She agreed with her sister. Juliette would never leave her beloved Maisy behind unless she was desperate.
“I’ll keep Maisy here. Maybe Juliette was so distracted she forgot and will come back for her. If not, I’ll wait for her to call me tomorrow like she told you.”
Hannah’s stomach twisted into a knot. Either Juliette was afraid for her own life or she was on the run from taking someone else’s.
Chapter 7
Sunday started as one of those too-good-to-be-true, blue sky with a balmy breeze kind of days. A day that would be perfect if you had all the time in the world to spend on the beach with nothing more important to do than watch the waves do their endless dance.
But Hannah suspected this postcard-perfect day didn’t have any leisurely wave-watching time built in for her.
Her phone buzzed with a text message before her feet even had a chance to slide from under her warm covers. With Nellie stretched out on one side of her and Patches on the other, it took her a few minutes to get untangled from their weight on the cotton blanket. Not that she had much of a desire to read the text after the problems from the night before.
When Hannah finally moved Nellie and Patches out of her way, she padded into her kitchen. A loud rap on her door made her jump. “Text messages, visitors, can’t a girl enjoy a few minutes to herself in the morning?” she muttered to herself as she pulled the door open.
“Ruby is annoyed that you didn’t answer her text. She asked me to come over and give you a good shake.” Jack grinned and walked into Hannah’s cottage. He plopped on the soft chair that faced the ocean. “She’s beyond worried about Juliette and needs your support.”
“I can offer support but I’m afraid they both will want more than that.” Hannah stood in front of her window and let the peaceful view wash over her. Not that it helped a whole lot to calm the fluttering butterflies in her stomach.
“What do you mean? Maybe you can give me the long version now.”
“Juliette had a big fight with Monique after she tried to steal Maisy.”
“Why on earth did she do that? And I’m not referring to the fight.” Jack’s face turned into a mass of wrinkles when he scrunched his eyes together. “I’d have wanted to bash her, too.”
“I can only speculate on Monique’s motive for attempting a dog-napping heist, but I think it could have had something to do with her romantic interest in Harold, Juliette’s almost-ex-husband, and the fight Harold and Juliette are having over custody of Maisy. Maybe she wanted to stir that pot of resentment thinking it would help her gain favor with him.” Hannah shrugged. “Now that I say my theory out loud, it sounds pretty ridiculous, but Monique’s dog-napping attempt does give Juliette a pretty strong motive to hate her. And there was no shortage of witnesses to their fight.”
Jack shook his head. “Hate maybe, but murder? Wow. Dog custody in the center of a murder? So, you think Juliette might be the murderer and you don’t want to get sucked into the investigation?”
“I don’t want to be in the middle of two warring married people. Given the circumstances that I know at this point, and Ruby thinks it’s a possibility too, Juliette is definitely a top suspect. Or will be once Pam gets all the details.”
Jack stood next to Hannah. “Consider this. If so many people are aware of that fight between Juliette and Monique, someone could try to frame Juliette as an easy scapegoat.”
“That’s true. And here’s another interesting tidbit—it was common knowledge that Monique didn’t know how to swim.”
“Well, that just takes the cake. How ironic to have a swimsuit model who can’t swim.”
Hannah’s phone beeped with a new text message, interrupting their conversation. She sighed. “I better tell Ruby I’m on my way before she has a meltdown. Or worse.” Hannah swiped the screen of her phone. “Huh. It’s not Ruby. It’s a message from Meg. I need to stop at The Fishy Dish kitchen on my way to Ruby’s. Coming?”
“Sure. If nothing else, I can help with Olivia again. Maybe get her to try a new flavor of ice cream today.”
Hannah laughed. “You love to spoil that girl, don’t you?”
“I’m trying to get to the top of her best friend list. With Cal away, I have half a chance.”
“Devious. But he’ll be back today and he’ll probably bring a gift for Olivia.”
“What could Cal possibly bring back from his fishing trip that’s better than ice cream?”
Hannah shrugged. “A seashell?”
Jack scoffed and mumbled under his breath. It sounded to Hannah like Jack said that Cal didn’t play fair.
While Hannah slipped her feet into her flip-flops, Nellie and Patches eagerly waited at the door with their tails banging against her legs. They knew the morning routine and they had no intention of letting Hannah miss their daily morning walk on the beach.
She sent Ruby a text that she would be over as soon as possible as they trudged down the short path to The Fishy Dish. Meg had an assortment of coffee cakes, muffins, and scones lined up on the counter. “I need someone to test my new creations. And I don’t mean those four-legged critters waiting at the door.” She opened a jar and fished out two big dog bones for Patches and Nellie. “That should keep them busy for the time being.”
Jack lowered his face toward the pastries, closed his eyes, and inhaled deeply. “Ah. What a treat first thing in the morning.”
Meg pushed him away from the food and scolded, “You can’t have any since you don’t seem to be able to keep a secret.”
Jack’s shoulders sagged and his head hung down like a chastised puppy. Meg laughed. “Okay. I can’t resist that hang-dog look of yours, Jack. Just don’t go blabbing around town about my new baking endeavors.”
“Why the secrecy? Everything you make is delicious. If I were you, I’d shout it from the top of the gazebo on the town green so everyone knew.” Jack held both hands out in a gesture of confusion.
“I don’t want people to know until I’m good and ready for them to know. I’m still tweaking my recipes, and the last thing I want is for a bunch of people to show up asking for a piece of my raspberry coffee cake or a cranberry muffin or lemon pecan scone before I’m ready to offer them to our guests staying at the cottages.” She put her hands on her hips. “So, do you want to test for me or get out of my kitchen?”
Hannah tried to keep the edges of her mouth from twitching into a grin as she watched her cook, and apparently, now her baker, argue with her oldest curmudgeon friend.
Jack remained silent.
“Okay. I’ll take that as an understanding of my demands.” She handed Hannah and Jack each a small plate. “Help yourselves, but don’t just wolf anything down. Eat slowly and be honest about what you think.”
Hannah took a helping of each item. She couldn’t decide if Meg really wanted anything but positive feedback or not but her mouth salivated just looking at the sweet treats.
First, Hannah nibbled on the lemon pecan scone. It was light and soft, with the perfect touch of tart, but with an added crunch from the pecans. “Heavenly. Five stars for this.”
Meg smiled.
Next, Hannah sampled the cranberry muffin. She let the flavors sit on the back of her tongue before she swallowed. “A little too sweet for my liking, but other than that, it’s moist and tender.”
Meg nodded. “That’s an easy fix.”
The raspberry coffee cake begged to be tasted, and the memory of yesterday’s delicious treat made Hannah’s stomach rumble. The crumbly streusel that wove through the cake promised satisfaction in every bite. Hannah had left what she knew was the best for last. Juicy raspberry flavor squirted in her mouth and mixed with the rich brown sugar streusel. “Ahhhh. Better than the taste I had yesterday. You’ve added more streusel and it’s a bit moister. This one gets five plus stars for sure.”
“I told you, Meg. You didn’t believe me when I said your raspberry coffee cake was to die for.” Jack helped himself t
o each pastry. After a taste of each, he dabbed at the corner of his mouth. “Perfection. You, dear Meg, have the magic touch when it comes to all things food.”
Meg hugged Jack. “And you, Jack, just want to stay on my good side so I keep feeding you.”
Their laughter was interrupted by Hannah’s phone. “It’s Ruby again. I’d better get to her house before she has a fit.”
“What do you want me to do with these pastries?” Meg asked.
“Let the guests know they can have a complimentary pastry with coffee and price the rest for customers. I’m sure they’ll disappear. Make sure you have plenty of coffee, too.”
Hannah started for the back door but turned back and dropped a couple of scones and a few muffins in a bag. “For Ruby, so she’s not too mad at me for taking so long to get there,” Hannah explained on her way out the door where Nellie and Patches waited. They ran to the beach, stopped, and looked back at Hannah as if to say hurry up. “I guess I’m taking the beach route,” she told Jack. “We’ll cut up by your house and continue on the road.”
“Give me enough time to get home and make coffee. If Ruby’s upset, she probably didn’t bother to make any, and from what you’ve told me, she’ll need some to go with those scones.”
Hannah caught up with the two dogs and slipped off her flip-flops. They charged ahead, trying to get close to an unsuspecting gull resting on the beach, but failed. It seemed as though the gulls enjoyed teasing the dogs as much as the dogs enjoyed the chase.
As she watched the game and let her toes dig into the cool wet sand, her mind tried to grasp the details that she knew so far surrounding the murder at the Paradise Inn. The heated argument between Juliette and Monique certainly gave the impression that Juliette had a motive to want Monique out of her life. She admitted to being near the pool area before Monique died, and Hannah saw her leave the pool area at what, most likely, was the time frame surrounding the death.
Did she push Monique into the pool and rush out with Maisy clutched in her arms?
Nellie barked her frustration at a gull as it just barely lifted off out of her reach.
Jack’s words about someone framing Juliette rang in her ears. Instead of focusing on Juliette, Hannah wondered who else in Monique’s small circle could have snuck in and out of the pool area unnoticed. If everyone knew about Monique’s fear of deep water, Harold, Gwen, and even Vanessa could be suspects if they had a motive. The last explanation could be that a random person or guest at the Paradise Inn could have pushed Monique in the pool which, unfortunately, opened up a much bigger pool of suspects.
Nellie and Patches streaked to the path through the rocks at the top of the beach which led to Jack’s house. When Hannah opened his front door, the strong aroma of his rich coffee aroused her senses. Jack being Jack, and knowing Hannah’s love of his blend, handed her a mug with a splash of cream swirling through the dark steamy coffee.
“You know me too well, Jack.” She held the mug up. “Thanks.”
“I’ve got the rest in this thermos. Let’s get to Ruby’s house and see what awaits us.”
They quickly matched their strides and followed the two dogs who had figured out where the next stop was. Hannah sipped her coffee, careful not to spill any. “What do you think?”
“I think a lot, but what particular subject are you referring to?”
“You know, about getting involved to help Juliette.”
“I think, Hannah, even if you don’t want to, you will because you always help people. It’s your nature.” They walked a few more paces in silence. “And, if you don’t, Ruby will never talk to you again.”
Hannah knew that Jack’s last comment was an exaggeration to try to lighten the difficult situation, but she also knew that his first answer was the truth.
She wouldn’t be able to ignore Juliette.
Chapter 8
Just as Hannah suspected, Ruby hadn’t slept much. Her hair was a stringy mess and she still wore the same clothes from the night before.
“Go take a shower and put on clean clothes,” Hannah said before she offered Ruby the coffee or a pastry. “Then we can talk.”
Ruby dragged herself off her couch and trudged upstairs.
Olivia, on the other hand, sat on the floor with Maisy curled between her legs. “And this is my bestest friend, Theodore. You probably won’t believe it, but he’s old and you can talk to him if you want to. He always keeps secrets.”
Maisy lifted her head to look at Olivia when Nellie and Patches approached. “Oh, your other friends are here now. You can go say hello.”
Hannah let the three dogs outside, knowing that Nellie and Patches would stick around and hoping that Maisy would stay with them. “Maisy’s a sweet dog, isn’t she, Olivia?”
“Yeah, but Mommy said she’s only visiting until Juliette gets back.”
If Juliette comes back, Hannah thought. “Well, I’m sure Juliette will be happy to have you keeping Maisy such good company.” She held her hand out toward Olivia. “Come sit at the table. I brought a surprise.”
Olivia’s eyes zeroed in on the bag in Hannah’s hand. Her eyes grew big and she smiled. “What did you bring, Aunt Hannah?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Something I’ll like?”
“I hope so.”
Olivia climbed onto her chair and sat on her knees. Hannah opened the bag. “Do you want to reach in?”
Never one to embrace the unknown, she shook her head and curled her small fists into balls close to her chest. Hannah pulled out a muffin and offered it to Olivia.
“Oh. That looks yummy.” She happily accepted the treat. “Can I have some hot chocolate with it?”
“Okay.” Hannah busied herself with heating milk and adding cocoa. She dumped a spoonful into her coffee for a hot chocolate mocha twist but she was careful not to let Jack see her. He was a coffee purist.
Ruby entered looking refreshed, clean, and a bit happier. She kissed the top of Olivia’s head. “What’s that?”
“Aunt Hannah made me hot chocolate and gave me a muffin. She’s got more in the bag.”
Jack filled a mug with his coffee for Ruby and she helped herself to a scone. “Where’d these come from? Did you get up bright and early to do some baking?” She raised her eyebrows as she looked at her sister.
“Um. Yeah. You know how much I love to bake.”
Before Hannah or Jack spilled Meg’s secret, Ruby’s front door opened. Maisy dashed into the kitchen and put her front feet on Olivia’s chair. Hannah, Jack, and Ruby looked at the new arrival.
Juliette stood in the doorway and mumbled. “I…um…needed some space last night.”
“Okay.” Ruby said with an unmistakable edge to her tone.
“I…I’m sorry for taking off,” Juliette said, her eyes looking everywhere but at the people focused on her. “I couldn’t sit still and I needed to get some answers.”
“Geez, Jules. I didn’t sleep all night worrying about you. I was afraid I’d read about the police finding you dead somewhere.” She quickly covered her mouth and looked at Olivia who, fortunately, was too busy enjoying her muffin and hot chocolate while she talked to Maisy.
“I could use some coffee if you have more.” Juliette cocked her eyebrow in question. Jack drained his thermos and handed her a mug.
With her eyes closed, she sipped, sighed, and relaxed her shoulders.
Hannah offered her the bag. “Help yourself if you want something to go with your coffee.”
“The muffins are delicious,” Olivia said. “Can I have another one please, Aunt Hannah?”
“Um—”
“No.” Ruby jumped in before Hannah had time to indulge her niece. “I think we should all sit in the other room and hear what Juliette did last night.”
Olivia wrapped her arms around Maisy and half-carried and half-dragged the small Moodle into the living room. “We can sit over here with Theodore,” she told Maisy.
Hannah needed to get this conversation rol
ling so she could get back to her business before the whole morning was lost. “Did you discover anything, Juliette?”
“I bumped into Ruby’s assistant, Colin, and he had plenty to tell me.”
The others leaned a bit closer to Juliette. Hannah tried to read Juliette’s expression but she couldn’t tell if Colin’s information was good or bad for her.
“The good news is that there are several suspects.” She paused. “The bad news is, according to what Colin heard, all those other suspects are throwing me right to the sharks. What am I going to do?”
Ruby, Hannah, and Jack all started talking at once. Jack’s voice won. “You may not know this, but my daughter is a policewoman in town—Deputy Pam Larson? Did you talk to her yet?”
Juliette shook her head. “I wasn’t around when she questioned everyone yesterday, but Colin said she’s trying to track me down. Can you tell her I’m innocent?” Juliette’s eyes pleaded with Jack.
“Well, Pam is an independent but fair police officer and will be methodical in her investigation. My advice is to tell her your side, sooner rather than later. Don’t let her get the impression that you’ve disappeared because you are trying to run away from something. You know what I mean?”
She nodded.
“Before you leave to talk to Pam, did Colin say who the others are that are trying to make you look guilty?” Hannah asked.
“It’s not hard to figure out that Harold was the most vocal. Of course. He’s telling everyone that it has to be me because of that fight I had with Monique.”
“Sometimes, the one who yells loudest is the one trying to hide his own guilt,” Hannah said. “Do you know if Harold had a reason to want Monique out of his life enough to give her a nudge into the pool?”
Juliette finished her coffee but the muffin was untouched. “Ha! It wouldn’t surprise me at all but I don’t know any specifics. He uses people until they annoy him, and I had the impression that Monique had reached beyond the annoyance stage. But kill her?”