Daley Buzz Cozy Mystery Boxed Set

by Meredith Potts

  “It’s hard to believe that we live in the same world as people like that,” Elizabeth said.

  A chilling look came to Luke’s face. “Or maybe even the same town.”

  Elizabeth did a double take. “Wait. Do you think someone from Treasure Cove might have done this?”

  “It makes sense,” Betsy said. “More often than not, the victim knows their killer. Right, Sabrina?”

  That question took me off guard. “Uh…yes…technically.”

  Luke’s eyes were as wide as saucers. “So the chances are that we’ve run into Jessica’s killer before without even realizing it. We might have even served them here at Daley Buzz.”

  “I don’t even want to think about that. I still…” Elizabeth got choked up again.

  Betsy leaned in and wrapped her arms around Elizabeth.

  “Deep breaths, dear. You need to take deep breaths,” Betsy said.

  Elizabeth exhaled and finished her thought. “I still can’t believe that she’s really gone.”

  Luke was consumed by anger. “And that her killer is still out there. They have gotten away with murder for eleven years.”

  “I’m sure they won’t get away with it for much longer. The police will find whoever did this,” Betsy said. “In the meantime, all I can really say is God rest her soul.”

  Elizabeth got a harrowing look in her eyes. “How can her soul rest when the monster who did this to her is still out there?”

  “Mom, don’t worry about that part right now,” I said.

  Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “I’m not worried. I’m furious. Someone took my oldest daughter away from me and has been wandering free. They need to pay for what they did.”

  “They will. But in the meantime, I think it’s best to give yourself time to grieve,” I said.

  Luke nodded. “I agree.”

  “I can’t grieve. Not when the killer is still out there. Not while so much is unresolved. I need closure. And until the person who killed Jessica is behind bars, I won’t be able to get it,” Elizabeth said.

  Betsy stared deep into my mom’s eyes. Concern was all over Betsy’s face. “Elizabeth, why don’t you sit down, take a few deep breaths, and just try to calm down a little?”

  The steely resolve was still on my mother’s face. “I don’t want to calm down. I want justice for my daughter.”

  I held my pointer finger up. “Here’s another idea. Why don’t you come outside with me and get some fresh air?”

  Chapter Nine

  I knew that revealing the news of my sister’s death to my family would be heartbreaking. But that proved to be even more gut wrenching than I had anticipated. And unfortunately, the excruciating experience wasn’t over quite yet.

  As I stepped outside with my mother, I had a feeling that things were about to get much worse.

  “Mom, you have to breathe,” I said.

  Elizabeth gave me a piercing stare. “You’re planning on investigating this case, aren’t you?”

  Uh-oh.

  In the past, my mother and I had argued a number of times about me investigating various homicides. It was one of those topics that always led to emotionally charged discussions. Which was exactly what I didn’t need right then.

  After all, I was already on overload. So before this conversation had a chance to get out of control, I stepped in.

  “Mom, I love you, but I have a feeling where this is going—”

  Elizabeth interrupted me. “I know that in the past I have been pretty vocal about warning you to leave detective work to the professionals.”

  “Mom, you have been more than just vocal. You’ve been adamant.”

  “Guilty as charged,” Elizabeth replied. “That said—”

  “You’re not going to lecture me, are you?” I asked.

  Elizabeth shook her head. “No.”

  My eyes widened. “No?”

  “I need you to investigate this case,” Elizabeth said.

  That was the last sentence I ever expected to hear from my mother’s mouth. At first, I wondered if I had misheard her, but deep down, I knew that I hadn’t.

  Even more, as I stared at her, she was as clear eyed as I had ever seen her.

  I was unable to hide my shock. “You…you do?”

  Elizabeth nodded.

  “Mom, are you okay?” I asked.

  Elizabeth shook her head. “Not at all. But if you find Jessica’s killer, then maybe I’ll be able to start to heal.”

  My eyes were as wide as saucers. “I’ve never seen you like this.”

  “That’s probably because I’ve never felt like this before. I’m so angry that I almost want to go looking for the killer myself,” Elizabeth said.

  My face filled with concern. “You’re not going to do that, are you?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “No.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.”

  “But that’s only because I wouldn’t know where to start. Otherwise, I’d be right out there with you.”

  I reached out to her. “Mom, are you sure that you don’t want to sit down?”

  “No,” Elizabeth replied. “I need to tell you something. Over the last year and a half, I have been so worried about something bad happening to you that I failed to realize how good of a sleuth you really are. But the fact is, you really have a knack for investigating.”

  “Don’t forget, I had some help. I didn’t solve those other cases alone,” I said.

  “Of course. You had David,” Elizabeth replied. “You two make such a great team. And with a case like this, teamwork will take you a long way.”

  “I agree.”

  Elizabeth got a faraway look in her eyes. “There’s more. The fact is, when you were investigating some of those other cases, I didn’t quite understand your insatiable drive to uncover the truth. But now I do. This is more than just a case. It’s personal.”

  I nodded. “It sure is.”

  Elizabeth stared deep into my eyes. “The monster who did this to Jessica has to pay.”

  “I agree.”

  “I can’t tell you how much it burns me to think that for eleven years, the killer has been able to live out their life and do whatever they want while Jessica has been…”

  Elizabeth couldn’t finish her sentence.

  Then again, she didn’t have to.

  The grave injustice of the situation was not lost on me.

  My mother was so tense that she looked like she had forgotten to breathe.

  “Mom, take a deep breath,” I said.

  Thankfully, she did.

  Even though her breathing returned to normal, she was anything but calm.

  A fire was in Elizabeth’s eyes as she stared at me. “Promise me you’ll find out who did this.”

  “I promise.”

  “Good. Because our family deserves answers. And Jessica deserves justice.”

  “She certainly does. And she will get it,” I said.

  Elizabeth nodded. “Good.” She wrapped her arms around me. “Thank you for doing this.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t solved the case.”

  Elizabeth pulled back from the hug. “You will. I know you. And you won’t rest until Jessica’s murderer is behind bars. The killer doesn’t even know what’s coming.”

  Life sure had a flair for irony. All this time, I had wanted my mother to stop putting up opposition to me investigating murder cases. Now that she finally had, the pressure was on. I felt the full weight of her expectations on my shoulders. But there was something else that I felt as well—an unstoppable drive to find out the truth.

  Chapter Ten

  By that point, I was filled with adrenaline. With such an intense energy spike, I was eager to begin working on this case.

  David had other ideas. He was no stranger to putting up resistance to me investigating, but with this case in particular, I really wasn’t in the mood to argue with him. Unfortunately, as I stared into David’s eyes, I could tell that he didn’t have
any quit in him when it came to this topic.

  “Sabrina, I’m begging you to please listen to reason,” David said.

  While I respected his concern, my mind was already made up. “David, there’s some serious work to do.”

  “I know that,” he replied.

  “Then let’s get to it,” I said.

  David held his hand out. “Just stop for a second.”

  I shook my head. “There’s no time to waste.”

  “Sabrina, I respect your sense of urgency, but you’ve been looking for answers for eleven years. So what’s the big deal about stopping and listening to me for a minute?”

  I exhaled. “Fine. I’m all ears.”

  “Look. I just want to start by saying that I don’t have any interest in arguing with you.”

  “Then don’t.”

  He grimaced. “It’s not that easy. Now, I can’t pretend to know what you’re going through. How much pain you must be in. The yearning for answers that you must be experiencing. That’s a lot to have to work through all at once.”

  “I can handle it,” I said.

  He shook his head. “I’m not sure that you can. I mean, with all of the stress that you are under—”

  I held my hand out. “Stop right there. I know what you’re going to suggest, and I’m not sitting this one out.”

  A pleading look came to his face. “Please just hear me out.”

  I shook my head. “Not if you’re going to tell me something ridiculous like how I shouldn’t investigate this case.”

  “I’m not saying it to start an argument,” David replied. “I’m saying it for your own good.”

  “Good?” I asked. “My sister’s killer is out there. And let me tell you something. I’m not going to rest until they are put behind bars.”

  “I can handle this case. Please. Just let me take care of this one,” David replied.

  I gazed deep into his eyes. “David, has it ever occurred to you that with a case like this, you’re going to need all the help you can get?”

  “Normally, I’d agree. But I’m really worried that you’re too close to this one.”

  I shook my head. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

  “How can I not? I love you,” he said. “Besides, this case couldn’t be more personal.”

  “Exactly. Which is why I need to investigate it.”

  “I disagree—”

  I cut him off. “David. I love you too. And I couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend. You are saying all the right things. But let me tell you something. If you think you’re going to keep me from investigating this case, you’re crazy.”

  David saw how strong the resolve was on my face. He let out a sigh then replied, “All right.”

  “Look. I know you’re frustrated. But there’s something you need to understand. Right now, there is only one thing that matters to me—finding my sister’s killer. And nothing is going to stop me,” I said.

  David nodded. “Fine. But if you’re going to do this, you are going to need all the facts.”

  Chapter Eleven

  David took me back to the police station and gave me a copy of the medical examiner’s report.

  “Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot in there,” David said.

  I started to read the report. It didn’t take me long before I became discouraged. “You’re not kidding.”

  He grimaced. “There was only so much the lab could do. I mean, her body was buried in an open grave for eleven years.”

  I groaned. “I know.”

  “If her remains had been found sooner, maybe the lab could have given us a little more to work with—”

  “Honestly, we’re lucky that the construction crew even stumbled upon Jessica’s skeleton at all,” I replied.

  He nodded. “Yeah. It makes you wonder what would have happened if Dillon Construction hadn’t decided to build a tract of homes on that land.”

  “I’d rather not wonder that,” I said.

  Especially since it would lead to a rather grim conclusion. Before Dillon Construction began building houses on that land, it had been vacant. Which meant that if the land had remained undeveloped, there was a good chance that Jessica’s skeleton could have easily gone undiscovered for eleven more years without anyone being the wiser.

  David steered the conversation back to the medical examiner’s report. “One thing that we do know is the cause of death.”

  I read the paper. “Blunt force trauma to the back of the head.”

  He nodded.

  I squinted. “That’s very strange to me.”

  “You always think it’s strange when a victim’s death is caused by anything other than a gunshot wound,” David replied.

  “That’s because a gun is the most effective way to kill someone,” I said.

  “True, but a lot of times bullets can be tested and traced back to the shooter. A blunt object, meanwhile, can be wiped clean of prints.”

  “Speaking of, did your team find any blunt objects in the ground with my sister’s skeleton?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “We have no idea what the murder weapon was. Or where it is now.”

  “I don’t imagine that you ever will find it. The killer probably disposed of it a long time ago.”

  “I’ll bet,” David replied.

  I looked at the report again. “Is this really all we’ve got?”

  He nodded. “From the crime lab at least. Like I already told you, they did not have much to work with.”

  I put the report down and groaned. “This is hardly the best way to start a case.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “So am I.”

  “There is one lead, though.”

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “I was thinking about the plot of land where your sister was found and decided to look up who owned it eleven years ago,” David said.

  “Is it anyone we know?” I asked.

  He picked up a sheet of paper from his desk. “According to the city clerk’s office, at the time of Jessica’s disappearance, that land was owned by George Lipinski.”

  My nose crinkled. “Lipinski? As in Lipinski’s Bistro?”

  David nodded. “That very one.”

  “Talk about a blast from the past. Jessica was working at Lipinski’s Bistro at the time of her disappearance,” I said.

  “Did your sister have any disagreements with the owner while she worked there?” David asked.

  “None that she mentioned to me, but maybe something happened between them shortly before she went missing that she never got a chance to tell me about,” I said.

  “That’s something to look into.”

  “Among other things,” I said.

  “What else is on your mind?”

  “Eleven years ago, that patch of land was vacant. When Lipinski sold the land to Dillon Construction, it was still vacant. So I can’t help but wonder why George Lipinski bought the land in the first place.”

  “Or why he never did anything with it.”

  I nodded. “Exactly.”

  “That’s another question to ask him,” David replied.

  “What do you say we pay Mr. Lipinski a visit?” I asked. “And his son, too, while we’re at it.”

  “We’ll do that.”

  I started to walk away from David’s desk. “Well, come on. Let’s see what they have to say for themselves.”

  David held his hand out. “Before we do that, there’s something else you should see.”

  “What is it?” I asked.

  David grabbed a file from his desk drawer and handed it to me.

  “I pulled your sister’s old missing-persons file from the storage and went through it. The lead detective mentioned a number of other interesting names in the file,” he said.

  My eyebrows rose. “The Lipinskis?”

  “That’s the thing,” David said. “George and his son were only briefly mentioned in the file. And almost in passing.”

  I crinkled
my nose. “Really?”

  “See for yourself,” David said.

  I opened up the file. One thing immediately stood out to me—the name Jack Pritchard.

  I remembered him. When my sister went missing, Jack was the detective who was assigned to the case.

  I had only talked with him once, but I would never forget our discussion. Back in those days, I had never spoken to a member of the police before.

  I had been a complete wreck that afternoon. With a steady voice, Jack had assured me that he would do everything in his power to find my sister. I had believed him.

  It was safe to say that a lot had changed since then.

  My eyes widened as I stared at Jack’s name in the file. “Have you spoken with Detective Pritchard yet?”

  David shook his head. “No. I just read through the file.”

  “I think it would be wise to talk to the detective in person. Is he around?” I asked.

  “Unfortunately not,” David replied. “He’s retired.”

  “That’s a shame. But on the flip side, that means he should have plenty of time on his hands,” I said.

  Chapter Twelve

  I read through the missing-persons file while David pulled up Jack Pritchard’s address in the database. Thankfully, the detective had not moved out of town. Although, he had chosen an interesting place to live out his golden years.

  I knew a handful of Treasure Cove residents that owned boats. But Jack Pritchard was the only person I knew who lived on one.

  As David and I drove over to the marina, I daydreamed about what it would be like to live on a boat full-time. When we arrived at the boat slip where Jack’s vessel was anchored, I realized that my daydream in no way matched up with Jack’s reality.

  Of course, in my daydream, I imagined owning a sprawling yacht that had plenty of room and amenities. Jack’s boat was quite the opposite—cramped and distinctly lacking in luxurious features. The boat looked like it had seen better days.

  I stood on the dock, staring at the vessel with no envy to speak of. If anything, I felt bad for Jack. For some reason, I thought a twenty-eight-foot boat would look bigger. Size aside, I got the sense that Jack didn’t take it out of the boat slip very often. I wouldn’t trust an old vessel like that on open water.