Donald's Death (Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery Book 1)

by Gillian Larkin

  “I don’t think I could do this. My stomach keeps flipping over every time I think about Donald being killed.” Cara shuddered. “I can’t stand the sight of blood. I don’t even like watching hospital programmes.”

  “Neither do I. We’ll get there before there’s any blood. Hopefully. Cara, one of the people I saved from being murdered was a special person. He’d been mistaken for someone else. An irate husband thought this man was having an affair with his wife. He attacked this innocent man from behind. I got there in time. As soon as I turned the man around the irate husband realised his mistake. He fell to pieces, he couldn’t believe how close he’d come to murdering someone who was innocent. Then he realised that he shouldn’t have been committing murder at all. I think his words were, ‘I’m not going to prison for that tart’.”

  “Who was the innocent man?”

  Gran smiled as she stopped at some traffic lights. “The love of my life, your granddad. I told him about seeing angels and all the rest. He believed me and supported me in my work. He even came out on some jobs with me.” The lights changed and she drove off. She added, “I miss that man so much.”

  “I miss him too,” Cara said. “I thought I’d found someone like Granddad, but I was wrong. Oh, are we here?”

  Gran stopped the car and wound down her window. “Donald has pulled into his drive, I don’t want to park too close. Time for my gadgets.” She bent over and pulled out a small briefcase from under her seat. She opened it up. “I can’t do my job without these.” She handed some small binoculars to Cara. “Tell me everything that’s happening.”

  Cara opened the binoculars and put them in front of her eyes. She jumped. “These are strong! I can see Donald’s nose hair.”

  “Zoom out.” Gran placed a little box on the dashboard. “This will pick up sound. Looks like something is happening. Tell me what you can see.”

  Cara said, “An old man has come out of the neighbouring house. He’s waving a stick at Donald!”

  There was a cackle from the little box. Gran bashed it. Voices came out.

  The old man said, “I’m going to let you have it this time! I warned you! I don’t care if I go to prison!”

  Cara dropped the binoculars. “Gran! We have to go! He’s raising his walking stick over Donald!”

  Gran put up her hand. “Not yet. Keep looking.”

  They heard Donald say, “Mr Smith, what is it this time? Please put your stick down.”

  “I’m going to put this stick down right in the middle of your head! You know what your dog has done. He’s pooped in my garden again!”

  Cara looked through the binoculars again. “Donald is shaking his head. The old man looks really angry. He’s moving closer to Donald. Shall we get out?”

  “No, hang on a moment.”

  Donald said, “Mr Smith, my dog hasn’t been making a mess in your garden.”

  “He has! I saw him! This morning!”

  Cara cried out, “Gran, he’s moving his stick!” She watched the scene. “Donald’s caught it in his hands. The old man is trying to get it back.”

  “Give me that back, you thief! I know what I saw. I saw your smelly dog messing up my lovely garden!”

  They heard Donald sigh. “Mr Smith, I don’t have a dog. He died two months ago. I’ve told you that before.”

  There was a silence. Then Mr Smith said in a quieter tone, “Aye, you did tell me that. I’m sorry, my eyes must be playing tricks on me. That’s what happens when you get old.”

  Cara said, “The old man, Mr Smith is shuffling back to his house. Donald is rubbing his hands over his eyes. Poor Mr Smith, it must be awful imagining such things. I think I can see tears in his old eyes.”

  Gran removed the little box from the dashboard and put it back in her briefcase. Cara narrowed her eyes as something caught her attention. Before she could look closer Gran took the binoculars back.

  Donald got in his car, reversed out of the drive and drove away.

  Cara said, “What are we going to do now? Is he out of danger? Was Mr Smith the one who was going to kill him?”

  “No. You probably didn’t see it from this distance but I could feel the black line around him, it’s still there, he’s still in danger.”

  Cara frowned. “How can you feel it?”

  “Years of experience. Let’s go back to the golf centre. I want to know what Jason is up to. I haven’t ruled him out as a threat.”

  “No need,” a voice said behind them.

  Cara and Gran turned in their seats to see the smiling face of Edward.

  Gran said, “Have you got an update for us?”

  “I have indeed. Donald Ackroyd is due to be murdered sometime between ten a.m. and midday tomorrow,” Edward announced.

  Gran let out a sigh. “That’s good. I prefer a more specific time.”

  “Are you sure about that time?” Cara asked.

  Edward chuckled and said, “Angels don’t lie. How are you feeling, Cara? I’m thinking you must be delighted that we showed up at your home today! What an adventure you’re having.”

  “I’m not sure I’m enjoying this adventure,” Cara admitted.

  Gran said, “I’ll take you home now. You can get back to your computer and your virtual friends.”

  Cara blinked in surprise. “I haven’t thought about my computer for hours.”

  Gran smiled. “And yet the world carries on without you being sat in front of one.” Her smile faded. “Thank you for coming with us today. You don’t have to come with us tomorrow.”

  Edward said, “Yes, she does.”

  Gran shot him a look. “Don’t forget that we have free will!”

  Cara said, “I do want to come with you tomorrow. I’m not sure I’ll sleep tonight!”

  Edward tapped her on the shoulder. “Are you sure you’re not dreaming now? This is a peculiar situation that you’ve found yourself in.”

  Gran said, “Don’t say things like that, she’s already having doubts.”

  Cara was dropped off at her home a short while later. Despite her offer, Gran and Edward didn’t want to come in for tea. Did angels even drink tea?

  Cara did sleep that night. But she dreamt about angels.

  Chapter 8

  At nine-thirty the next morning Gran pulled into the car park of Clydes’ Golf Centre. She parked in a space far from the main entrance. She switched off the engine and looked at Cara. Gran said, “You look like you’re going to throw up. Are you sure you want to come with me?”

  Cara nodded. “I do. I have to. I want to know what happens to Donald. Why have we parked so far away?”

  Gran reached under the seat and took her gadgets out. She handed the binoculars to Cara and put the listening device on the dashboard. “We need to be prepared for what’s going to happen. I can feel that danger is imminent. I can feel it in my tummy, it’s like wind.”

  Cara aimed the binoculars at the building and Gran switched on the listening device.

  Cara said, “I can see Emma at the reception area. Jason is near the golf equipment doing something with the display. I can’t see Donald anywhere. Do you think he’s inside?”

  “His car’s in the staff car park, next to Emma’s,” Gran said. They listened for a moment. “I can’t hear him though. Let’s go inside.”

  Gran put her gadgets away and drove closer to the entrance. She got out of the car and opened the boot. “I’ve brought my own clubs today, you can use them too.”

  Gran walked confidently towards the main doors and stepped through. Cara rubbed her tummy, she was feeling more than just wind there. She felt like her stomach was tying itself into knots.

  Emma greeted them with a warm smile. “How lovely to see you again so soon! And you’ve brought your own clubs. Do you want to go on the driving range or the golf course?”

  Cara saw Donald walk out of his office. Her breath caught as she noticed the black line around him was even thicker.

  Gran must have noticed Donald too because she said, �
�I think we’ll have a tea first, wake ourselves up a bit. Can we order two teas, please?”

  “Of course. You sit down, I’ll bring them over.”

  Gran and Cara walked past Jason as he moved some golf clubs from a side shelf and laid them on top of a golf trolley that was already supporting a full golf bag.

  Donald Ackroyd gave them a friendly nod as they headed towards a table.

  Everyone jumped as a loud crashing noise sounded out.

  Donald cried out, “For goodness’ sake, Jason! What have you done now?”

  Jason looked down at the mess on the floor. The trolley had fallen over and golf clubs were scattered around the floor. Golf balls ran freely around the toppled golf equipment. Jason mumbled, “I was trying to make the display look better.”

  “Do you know how much those clubs are worth? More than your weekly wage!” Donald threw his hands up. “I’ve a good mind to sack you!”

  Jason’s head whipped around. “Then why don’t you? I hate this job, I’m only doing it so Mum stops nagging me. You’re always accusing me of something, like you did yesterday!”

  Donald put his hands on his hips. In a quieter tone he said, “This isn’t the time or place to talk about our private conversation yesterday.”

  Jason looked over at Emma and yelled, “Do you know what he accused me of yesterday? Stealing! He said I was taking cash from the register. And that I was pinching golf clubs! As if I’d do that!” He paused and gave a small shrug. “I might have given my mates a few free games. But I’d never steal money or golf clubs!”

  Gran and Cara shared a look. Is that what Jason had been up to?

  Donald sighed. “It was a misunderstanding. Things have gone missing and I merely asked if you knew anything about it. I wasn’t accusing you.”

  Jason folded his arms. “You were.”

  Donald shook his head. “Think what you like. If you want to keep your job, clean this mess up and then get out on the driving range to collect balls.”

  Jason stuck his chin out. “Are you sure you trust me to drive the truck? Aren’t you worried I’m going to steal it?”

  Donald gave him a wry smile. “You won’t get very far, it only goes ten miles an hour. It’s designed for picking up golf balls, not speeding down the motorway.”

  Jason dropped his arms and mumbled, “Whatever.” He turned back to the display and began to pick up the balls.

  Donald mouthed an apology to Cara and Gran as he walked back into his office and closed the door.

  Gran moved her head closer to Cara’s and said, “Look at Jason’s face.”

  A chill shot down Cara’s back as she saw that Jason’s face was twisted with hate.

  Emma brought the teas over. For once, she wasn’t smiling. “I’m so sorry that you had to see that. Jason’s a good lad, he would never steal anything. He hangs out with some dubious people though.”

  They watched Emma as she walked over to Jason and helped him tidy up the display. They heard the mutter of talk but couldn’t make out what was being said. After a few minutes Jason headed towards a door that was marked ‘Golf Range Access’.

  Cara said, “Oh, I’ve just remembered something. That shouting man yesterday, Gregory Templeton, I signed up to his site as you asked and …”

  The man himself burst into the golf centre. His fists were clenched and his face was red with rage. He thundered, “Where is he? Where’s Donald Ackroyd! I’m going to kill him with my bare hands!”

  Cara continued, “He didn’t win yesterday.”

  Gregory stormed up to the counter and banged his fist on it. He shouted at Emma, “Where is he? I want to see him now!”

  Emma took a step back. “Please, Mr Templeton, please calm down.”

  He jabbed a finger at her. “Tell me where he is.”

  Emma stammered, “He’s … he’s in his office. Let me go and get him.”

  “No need, I know where his office is.”

  Cara could almost see the steam coming from Gregory’s flared nostrils as he marched towards Donald’s office. He flung open the door.

  Gran stood up and pulled Cara to her feet. “It’s time for us to stop a murder.”

  Chapter 9

  Gran and Cara walked towards Donald’s office. They were almost knocked off their feet as a red-faced Gregory stormed back out.

  Gregory yelled over to Emma, “Where the hell is he? He’s not in there.”

  Emma began to move away from the reception area. She put her hands up and said, “Please, Mr Templeton, calm down.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do! Where is he?”

  Emma said, “He did go into his office, there’s a door in there that leads directly to the golf course. He must have gone out that way. He could be anywhere on the course.”

  Gregory let out a few swear words and marched towards the main door that led to the golf course.

  Emma wrung her hands together. She looked at Gran and said, “What should I do? Should I go after him?”

  “Don’t you have any security systems in place?” Gran asked.

  “Not for situations like this. I think I’d better call the police,” Emma said.

  Cara stepped forward. “Mr Ackroyd mentioned that he had CCTV in his office. Perhaps we could look on the monitor, see if we can find Mr Ackroyd before Gregory Templeton does.”

  “Yes! That’s a good idea,” Emma turned to walk into Donald’s office.

  “Hey!” a voice called out. “What do we have to do to get some service in here?”

  Emma looked towards the irate-looking customers that were now waiting at the reception area. Gran said to her, “We’ll have a look for Mr Ackroyd.”

  Emma gave her a grateful smile and made her way back to reception.

  Cara and Gran went into Donald’s office and over to a bank of four TV monitors. Cara quickly scanned the monitors. She pointed. “There he is, in the car park! He’s putting some golf clubs in the boot. Oh no! Gregory’s just come into view! He’s raising his fists!”

  Gran was already running out of the office. She called over to Emma. “He’s in the car park. We’re going to stop Gregory Templeton from attacking him!”

  Cara overtook Gran as she raced towards the car park. She could see Donald leaning back over the bonnet of his car. Gregory towered above him, his fist ready to come down.

  “No!” Cara screamed. She rushed forward, and without thinking, she headbutted Gregory in the stomach. He stumbled backwards looking stunned, his fist dropped to his side.

  Gran arrived. She helped the dazed-looking Donald into an upright position. She said, “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

  Donald shook his head. “I’m not sure what just happened there. He came out of nowhere, charging at me like an angry bull.”

  Cara rubbed the top of her head. Gregory Templeton’s stomach must be made of steel.

  Gregory looked down at Cara and said, “What the hell did you do that for?”

  Cara thought quickly. “I couldn’t let you hit Mr Ackroyd. I know you blame him for losing the game yesterday but it wasn’t his fault. You know that. If you’d have hit him what would your fans have thought? You know what the press are like, they’ll ruin your reputation.”

  Gregory shook his head slowly. “You’re right. I’m a celebrity, I have to act in a certain way. What was I thinking?” He looked at Donald. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Donald, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I was ready to kill you.”

  Donald gave him a weak smile. “That’s okay.”

  Emma ran over to Donald’s side and said, “Mr Ackroyd! Are you alright?”

  He nodded. “Just in shock. Could you help me to my office, please, Emma? Would you mind if I leaned on you? My legs feel shaky.”

  Emma gave him a smile and put her arm around his waist. Donald put his arm around her shoulders as they walked unsteadily back towards the main doors.

  “Well!” Gregory boomed out. “I think I’d better go home. A day away from golf would be a
good idea.” He winked at Cara and continued, “Don’t worry, I’m only taking a day off. Did I give you a signed photo?”

  Cara said, “You did. Thank you.”

  Gran and Cara watched Gregory walk towards his car. Gran tutted at him. “He’s still got that swagger in his walk. It doesn’t seem to bother him that he nearly killed someone.”

  Cara looked at Gran and said, “Is that it? Is it over? Have we saved Donald’s life?”

  Gran smiled. “You saved him. What were you thinking, barging into Gregory like that? You could have hurt yourself.”

  “I just wanted to stop him.” She rubbed her head again. “I did hurt myself.”

  Gran linked her arm through Cara’s and led her towards Gran’s car. They got in and Gran reached for the ignition.

  “Haven’t you forgotten something?” a voice said from behind them.

  They both turned around to see the unsmiling face of Edward.

  Gran’s brow wrinkled. “Oh! My golf clubs! And my handbag! I’ve left them inside.”

  Edward frowned. “I didn’t mean that, Abigail. It’s Donald Ackroyd.” He glanced at his watch. “He’s going to die in three minutes.”

  Chapter 10

  “What?” Cara cried out.

  Gran looked stunned. She blinked a few times and then said quietly, “Edward, what have I done? I went for the wrong person.”

  Edward tapped his watch. “We’ll discuss that later. You need to find Donald.”

  Cara jumped out of the car and sprinted towards the golf building. She heard Gran running behind her. Cara raced into the building and looked over at the reception area. No one was there. She ran towards Donald’s office and tried to open it. She looked back over her shoulder and said to Gran, who had now caught up with her, “It’s locked! I can hear him inside.” She rapped on the door but no one answered.

  Gran grabbed her arm. “We haven’t got time to wait. Quick, we’ll try the back door to his office. I bet it’s young Jason who’s going to murder him! Why did I take my eyes off him?”

  They ran out of the door that led to the golf course and swerved to the left. They saw that the back door to Donald’s office was ajar.