Cozy Creek

by K M Morgan

  Cozy Creek Ten-Book Cozy Mystery Set

  K.M. Morgan, Kayla Michelle, and Bridget Bowman

  Table of Contents

  Deadly Resentment

  Killer Finale

  Murder and Salt Water Taffy

  Death, Divorce, and Dessert

  Novel to Die for

  The Deadly Political Affair

  The Deadly Dinner Theater Affair

  The Deadly Floral Affair

  The Deadly Judicial Affair

  The Deadly Fiery Affair

  Deadly Resentment

  Prologue

  Chloe Cook was at a loss for words. That was saying a lot, considering she was a professional saleswoman. The gift of gab rarely escaped her, but given the terrible sight in front of her, it wasn’t difficult to see why her tongue was so tied at the moment.

  Much to her chagrin, murder had once again come to town. This was the last thing Cape Cod needed. The Cape was a charming tourist locale. Luckily, this was the offseason. If this terrible crime had occurred during the heat of summer, she could only imagine what a panic this would cause.

  Tourists dollars aside, as a local, this was a disturbing trend for Chloe to be staring down. Two murders had occurred in the span of only a few months. That led to some grave concerns. This was not the Cape Cod she knew and loved, that she’d grown up in, and that one day she planned to raise kids in. Was this a sign of things to come, or just a series of awful coincidences? She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to find out.

  It was a shame too, because after solving that other murder case, things were finally starting to settle down. She was getting her bearings back and carving out the bright future she’d long been dreaming of. Then out of nowhere, this happened. That seemed to be so often the case, didn’t it? Just when things were looking up, life had a surprise in store.

  This was the second time Chloe had set foot on a crime scene, and it was no less chilling this time around. The sight of a lifeless body was wildly unsettling, even more so because she knew the victim. It was another case of someone who had ruffled one too many feathers and had paid the price for their actions.

  It was such a sad turn of events. Chloe wished that she could say this was all a complete shock to her, but given the way things had gotten out of hand at the party they’d both attended the night before, something like this was almost bound to happen.

  At first, she wanted nothing to do with this case. Chloe much preferred to leave the investigation to the police. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy. The local detective considered one of Chloe’s good friends to be the prime suspect. Despite Chloe trying to talk some sense into him, the detective wouldn’t listen.

  From the bottom of her heart, Chloe knew her friend couldn’t have done this, but it would take more than a gut feeling on Chloe’s part to convince the detective. That left only one option to prove her friend’s innocence. Chloe would have to find the real killer herself.

  Chapter One

  One Day Earlier

  “Life is just full of surprises,” Chloe said.

  It was amazing what a difference a chance meeting could make. Then again, maybe Chloe running into Dylan Robertson in the pie shop a month ago wasn’t pure chance. Perhaps it was fate. It was hard to tell. Whatever brought Chloe and Dylan together that particular day, Chloe was grateful it happened.

  Ironically, her mother had tried setting her up on a blind date with Dylan days before their fateful first meeting, but Chloe was reticent. It wasn’t until Chloe and Dylan stumbled upon each other in that pie shop by happenstance a few days later, and Chloe saw how charming he was that she became romantically interested in him.

  It turned out that was just the beginning of a string of surprises that were about to come her way. After a number of years in the relationship doldrums, her romantic future seemed to be looking up, and she was hoping it would stay that way.

  As far as she could tell, the extended romantic forecast appeared to be filled with nothing but clear skies. That night, Dylan had taken her to dinner at one of the nicer seafood restaurants in Cape Cod. After that, they were headed off to the theater. One of Chloe’s old friends, Paige O’Doul, had a starring role in a play that was touring the country. It had the makings of an exciting night all the way around.

  Chloe was so happy to see Paige finally getting her big break after a decade’s worth of bit parts, near misses, and too many rejections to count.

  “It’s just more proof that things happen when you least expect it. Paige was starting to think that maybe it was time to give up on her dream and find something else to do with her life. Then she nailed her audition, and now here she was, the star of a touring show hitting thirty-five different cities,” Chloe continued.

  Dylan smiled. “Life does seem to reward people that set their minds to do something and never give up.”

  “I realize that…now. It’s funny. A few months ago when Paige was having doubts about her acting career, I was wondering if I’d ever meet a good man.”

  “I guess it’s safe to say that it’s been an interesting couple of months for both of you.”

  “I’d say it has been more than interesting. Fantastic is more like it.”

  Dylan met her gaze. “I couldn’t agree more. Surprises like you don’t come around every day.”

  “Every day? When do they ever come around? I’ve never had a surprise as good as you.”

  Dylan couldn’t resist leaning in and giving Chloe a kiss.

  “What was that for?” Chloe asked.

  “Being irresistible.”

  Chloe began to blush. “You know how to make things interesting, don’t you?”

  “It’s like we were talking about earlier, there’s something great about setting your mind to something, then just doing it.”

  Chloe nodded. “I could certainly do more of that in my own life. You know, it’s actually pretty fitting that we’re headed over to see Paige’s play tonight because she’s one of the few people I know who has lived a life without hesitation. She knew from an early age what she wanted, then just dove in headfirst.”

  “I think she’s more the exception than the rule. I have taken the long and convoluted path far too often.”

  “Oh come on, are you telling me you didn’t always know you wanted to be a podiatrist?” Chloe joked.

  Dylan laughed. “Not quite.”

  “What did you want to be when you grew up?”

  “When I was a kid, I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to be a professional baseball player.”

  “No doubt, huh?”

  “Hey, I’m only thirty-seven years old. There’s still plenty of time to break into the majors,” Dylan joked.

  Chloe chuckled. “But seriously, what happened to derail you from a life of major league riches?”

  “I tore my ACL in a game in high school.”

  Chloe grimaced. “Ouch.”

  “Yeah. I never truly got back into baseball shape after that injury.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “It’s okay. Strangely enough, if I never would have gotten hurt, I probably never would have become a doctor.”

  “It sounds like there’s a story coming on,” Chloe said.

  “When I got injured, the doctor that was treating me was incredible. Dr. Lewis had such amazing bedside manner. He made me feel like I was the only patient he was treating, even though he dozens of others. Dr. Lewis saw how crushed I was about my season-ending injury. It was then that he opened up to me and told me he too used to want to be a professional baseball player,” Dylan explained.

  “What are the odds?”

  “I know, right? Even though my dreams of playing pro ball were crushed by my
injury, a new dream was born. I looked at the difference Dr. Brooks was making in his patients’ lives, and I wanted to do the same. That was when I decided to go to school to become a doctor.”

  “Wow, that’s amazing. Talk about making the best of a bad situation.”

  Dylan nodded. “Blowing out my ACL changed my life. I just didn’t realize in how many ways at first.”

  “Do you ever miss baseball?

  “Of course, but I don’t regret how things have turned out. I know that being a doctor is what I was meant to do with my life.”

  “As long as you’re happy,” Chloe said.

  “You bet I am. Not only am I happy with who I am, but I’m even happier with who I’m with,” he smiled.

  Chloe smiled back. “So am I.”

  ***

  The fun didn’t stop at dinner. Once they finished their meal, Chloe and Dylan headed off to the theater. They were treated to quite a show. The play was a mystery, which was right up Chloe’s alley. She was riveted not only by her friend Paige’s acting performance but also with trying to figure out who the killer was.

  When the climactic scene in the play came, Chloe had a suspect in mind. She was convinced that the maid had killed her employer, a wealthy real estate developer, because he was forcing her family to sell their house in order to tear it down and build a new hotel on the land.

  Chloe was in for quite a surprise. At the last second, the play dropped a big twist on the audience. Much to Chloe’s shock, her pick was wrong. Of all people, Paige’s character, Breanna Hardwick, was unmasked as the killer. Breanna was the real estate developer’s long-suffering wife that realized her husband was cheating on her. Her character also happened to be the most obvious suspect.

  Chloe sat in the audience, amazed that she’d been fooled, yet she was.

  Meanwhile, onstage, the climactic scene played out.

  Just before the police detective was ready to haul Paige’s character away to jail, he delivered a one-liner.

  “I don’t know how you ever thought you’d get away with this,” the actor playing the police detective said.

  Paige’s character remained unrepentant—indignant even.

  “I didn’t do this to get away with it. I did it to get vengeance at all costs. My husband had to be stopped. The man thought he could get away with anything, that his actions didn’t have consequences, and that his sordid past would never catch up with him. The way I see it, he was due for a comeuppance. Keith was absolute scum. So not only did I kill him, I don’t regret my actions, not even for a second,” Paige said.

  The actor playing the police detective then dragged Paige’s character offstage, and the curtains closed. The play was over, but Chloe’s mind was just beginning to race.

  Chloe couldn’t get over how convincing her friend was in her role. Paige really took on a whole different persona. She truly embodied the malicious nature of her character. It was pretty amazing. Not to mention, very powerful.

  There were times during the play that Paige was so good—it almost felt like she wasn’t acting. Then again, that was the sign of a great actress, when the line between the real person and her character was imperceptible. Chloe had seen Paige act before, but she’d never seen her deliver a performance like that.

  It turned out to be a night that was full of surprises. That was especially strange for her, as it wasn’t like Chloe not to be able to spot the killer in a mystery.

  She was convinced that was because she was blinded by her Paige’s performance. Chloe didn’t want to believe her friend could be playing a killer. Because of that, she let her personal emotions keep her from seeing the truth of the character Paige was playing.

  After the curtains closed, Chloe had to catch her breath for a moment and get her bearings back. Then she and Dylan headed backstage to meet up with Paige.

  Chapter Two

  When Chloe and Dylan arrived, Paige was talking and laughing with a group of people Chloe didn’t recognize.

  “Paige, you did an amazing job,” Chloe said.

  Paige turned around, spotted Chloe, and headed right towards her with a smile on her face. She gave her friend a big hug.

  It was at that moment that Dylan realized how good of an actress Paige was. Onstage, Paige had played a vengeful, sour character with an off-putting disposition. With the play over, Paige was back to her usual self. Even though she was the same thirty-four-year-old, athletic woman with curly red hair and blue eyes as the character she played, Paige’s offstage personality was completely different. The real Paige was bubbly, all smiles, and as pleasant as could be. It was a striking thing for Dylan to see, considering this was the first time he’d ever met her.

  “You really liked it?” Paige asked.

  “Oh yeah. You were amazing,” Chloe insisted.

  “I’m so glad you came,” Paige said.

  “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world. You finally got your big break, and you did great,” Chloe replied.

  “You’re just saying that because you’re my friend.”

  Dylan chimed in. “Chloe’s right. You were great.”

  Chloe and Paige were so busy catching up that Dylan had faded into the background until that moment. After that compliment, Paige turned her attention to Dylan.

  Chloe introduced him. “Paige, this is my boyfriend.”

  “Dylan Robertson. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said.

  “He left out the doctor part,” Chloe insisted.

  “But that’s the most important part,” Paige replied.

  “I know, right?” Chloe joked.

  “I’m more than just a man with a medical degree,” Dylan said.

  “You’re right. You’re a serious hunk too,” Chloe replied.

  Dylan started to blush. “Why don’t we move on to another topic?”

  Paige couldn’t help but be a little surprised. “A humble doctor? Now, there’s a keeper for you.”

  This time, Dylan did change the subject. “So, how long have you two known each other?”

  “All our lives,” Chloe answered.

  “Almost,” Paige clarified.

  “Although, I didn’t know you had that kind of dark side to you,” Chloe said.

  “I don’t. There’s a reason it’s called acting.”

  “You fooled me.”

  “I guess that really does mean I did a good job then.”

  Chloe nodded. “How’s it feel, nailing your first big role?”

  Paige got a magical look in her eyes. “It’s a dream come true.”

  “I want to hear all the details. I mean here you are, traveling the country. I’m sure you have some great stories.”

  “I do have some interesting nuggets,” Paige replied.

  “I knew it. So, what do you say we take you out for a nightcap? We have so much to catch up on.”

  “Actually, I’m headed over to this party with some of my friends from my old college acting troupe,” Paige replied.

  Chloe became deflated. “Oh.”

  “You can come, of course. They’re a great bunch of guys.”

  “Are you sure they’d be okay with that?” Chloe asked.

  Paige turned around and addressed Adam Foster, who was part of the group Paige was talking to before Chloe came backstage.

  “Adam, you don’t mind if I bring some friends to the party, do you?” Paige asked.

  Adam was a tall, muscular man in his early thirties with short black hair, brown eyes, and an angular face. In acting terms, he had the look of a leading man.

  “Of course I don’t mind. Friends of yours are friends of mine,” Adam said.

  Paige then turned back to Chloe. “See. They’re good people.”

  Chloe was on board. She just wanted to make sure if Dylan was game as well.

  “What do you say?” Chloe asked.

  Dylan grimaced. “You know I hate to turn down a party, but I have surgery in the morning.”

  “Rats,” Chloe replied.

/>   “That doesn’t mean you can’t go to the party,” Dylan insisted.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?” Chloe asked.

  “Your old friend is in town that you haven’t seen in a few years. Go enjoy yourself,” Dylan said.

  Paige chimed in. “I guess that’s settled then.”

  Chloe then gave Dylan a quick kiss good-bye. “You’re the best.”

  “Have fun,” Dylan said.

  “Of course,” Chloe grinned. “It’s a party.”

  Chapter Three

  It was the best of both worlds scenario for Paige. Chloe was one of Paige’s oldest friends from her youth while the acting troupe was comprised of Paige’s best friends from college. That made for an interesting and nostalgic mix for her.

  Chloe soon found herself in a different situation. Other than Paige, she didn’t know anyone at the party. That soon changed. Paige made the rounds with Chloe, introducing her to everyone.

  One thing became immediately clear. Even though these people were all part of the same acting troupe in college, Paige was the only one who was still a thespian. Everyone else was doing something else with their lives. Some people had careers that were on a completely different end of the vocational spectrum than acting.

  Take Adam Foster, the guy that looked like a former leading man. He was now the general manager of a posh, beachfront hotel in Hyannis.

  Adam’s wife, Lily Foster, had put her thespian days behind her as well. Although with her trim body, long blond hair, blue eyes, and striking face, she looked like she could land a role if she ever decided to get back into acting. Instead, she was a housewife.

  Chloe couldn’t tell if she was happy in that role or not, but she could tell that Lily was uneasy about something. Lily was the only person at the party not having a drink. She was also the only one shoveling food into her mouth like there was no tomorrow.

  Even though Chloe was having a gut instinct that something was off with Lily, she tried to kick back, and just enjoy the festivities.