Sun, Sand, and Suspects (Garden Girls Christian Cozy Mystery Series Book 11)

by Hope Callaghan

  He pointed to the storage unit under the camper window. “I was rummaging around in there earlier and found a few fishing poles and nets inside.”

  Gloria had gone fishing years ago with her first husband, James, and quickly decided it was boring as all get out. Paul, remembering his wife telling him she wasn’t a fishing fanatic, let her “off the hook.”

  “You can sleep in if you want. After I get back, we can head to Daytona Beach to the boardwalk, maybe do a little shopping and have lunch at one of the oceanfront restaurants,” Paul bargained.

  That was right up Gloria’s alley and she quickly nodded her head. “It sounds wonderful.” In the back of her mind, sleeping in sounded good, but what she really wanted to do was initiate a preliminary fact finding mission…poke around the burned out camper, maybe talk to a few more of the campground residents and guests to get their take on the recent string of unfortunate events.

  “We will stay here and hang out with Gloria,” Liz offered. “Maybe she can take us for a spin in the new golf cart, unless you’re taking it with you.”

  Paul lifted his hands over his head as he stretched his back and then settled his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Nah. Since this is Gloria’s only mode of transportation. I’ll walk down to the water.”

  If memory served Gloria correctly, the small trolling motor boat would be no match for the ocean. On the other hand, the small inland waterway was full of snakes and gators. “I asked at the office yesterday and Victoria said they have a few fishing boats near Lake Manny.”

  “Lake Manny?”

  “Lake Manny is the name of the small inland lake that feeds into the nearby Tomoka River. From what they told me, the lake is full of snook and trout.”

  Gloria loved fresh pan-fried fish and hoped he would be lucky enough to catch a batch.

  Paul started a campfire while they waited for the pizza delivery.

  The pizza arrived hot and fresh and the four of them settled in at the picnic table to eat. There were a few leftover slices and Gloria fleetingly wondered if she should leave the remaining pieces for Billy.

  She hoped his parents were home for the evening and he wouldn’t be wandering around the campground unsupervised after dark. She thought about the alligator and prayed for his safety.

  Liz and Frances cleared the table and tossed the empty pizza box along with the plastic drink cups in the fire while Gloria, who was beginning to feel helpless, watched from the bench seat.

  Paul arranged the lawn chairs around the roaring fire and the girls settled in. “Have you heard anything else about the poor dead men?” Frances asked.

  Gloria shook her head. The broken leg was cramping her style and she was dependent on Paul to get around, which didn’t help her investigation since he had already told her he thought she should leave well enough alone.

  “No,” she admitted. “I found out Harry Fisk, the man who was attacked by an alligator, had turned Billy Zortski’s parents in to the local department of children’s services and they’re under investigation.”

  Frances pressed a hand to her chest. “You don’t say.”

  “Then there are the campground owners, the McGyvers, who are under investigation for insurance fraud.”

  Liz interrupted. “It probably has something to do with the burned out buildings in the back.”

  “That’s what I think, too,” Gloria said. She glanced at the camper behind them, the one Penny Green occupied, and lowered her voice. “Then there’s the lady next door. I heard someone spotted her arguing with Keith Stevenson the day before his body was found on our campsite.”

  Liz leaned in and turned to glance at the bushes near the back. “What about the kid? He’s always lurking around and gives me the willies.”

  Paul told Liz and Frances about his conversation with the parents and they all quickly agreed they could rule the young boy out as a possible suspect, although he had been caught sneaking into guests’ campers. What if he had somehow found Harry Fisk’s gun, shot him and then killed Keith Stevenson?

  Gloria refused to believe the boy, whose young life had already been marred with so much tragedy, was capable of murder.

  Frances rubbed her hands together. “Maybe we could take a run by the buildings that burned tomorrow while Paul is fishing.”

  Gloria gave her husband a quick glance. She thought the exact same thing, except she wasn’t going to mention it until after he returned from his fishing trip. “I suppose we could take a look around,” she said casually.

  Paul grabbed his fire stick and poked at the burning wood, turning over one of the logs. “I had hoped you would leave well enough alone, but I can see that isn’t going to happen so all I’m going to say is there is still a killer on the loose. If you three fine ladies start sticking your noses in where they don’t belong, you may find yourselves the next targets.”

  Liz shivered. “True. The last thing I want to do is end up dead.”

  Gloria snorted. “Like I do?” Still, the thrill of the mystery outweighed her immediate concern for safety. After all, no one had threatened them…yet. In addition, Paul would be there to protect them.

  Paul settled into his chair and leaned back. “We’re only here for a couple more days so you better work on your investigation tomorrow.”

  Gloria’s head whipped around. “A couple more days? I thought we were staying for a week.”

  “Nope. I booked this for four nights and have three other nights planned for somewhere else,” he said.

  He went on. “It’s a surprise and one I’m sure you’re gonna love.”

  Gloria glanced at her sister. “Does Liz know?”

  “Nope. Just me.”

  It meant Liz wouldn’t be following them to their next honeymoon destination…not that she didn’t love her sister, but a little alone time would be nice.

  Liz reached for the bag of marshmallows and roasting sticks. “We have to get back anyway, right Frances?”

  “Yeah,” Frances agreed. “I’m sure Richard is chomping at the bit for you to get back home.”

  “Richard?” Gloria eyed her sister. This was the first she’d heard of a boyfriend!

  “We’re just friends,” Liz insisted as she gave Frances the evil eye. “Frances is the one with the string of boyfriends.”

  Gloria grinned. Finally, the tables had turned and there was a little heat on her sister. “I guess you don’t miss old Milt, then.”

  Frances slid a marshmallow onto the roasting stick. “Milt? Milt who?”

  “Milton Tilton. Remember when Lucy and I helped track Milt down?”

  Frances slowly nodded. “Oh him. Yeah, yeah. I vaguely remember him now.” She rubbed her brow. “It was a long time ago.”

  Last year was a long time ago? “Don’t you remember chaining yourself to Dreamwood Eats and waiting for the news crew to show up so you could tell them about Missing Milt?”

  “No! That would be silly and I think I would remember,” Frances insisted.

  Gloria glanced at her sister and Liz shook her head. Apparently, Frances had forgotten some of her past. She hoped it wasn’t the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Perhaps Frances was embarrassed and pretended not to remember her over-the-top antics.

  “I have a special treat,” Gloria announced. She turned to Paul. “Can you grab the tin foil, bananas, mini marshmallows and Hershey chocolate bars?”

  Paul nodded and headed inside, returning moments later with the requested items. He handed them to Gloria.

  Gloria placed a piece of tinfoil on her lap and frowned. “Whoops. I need a sharp knife and a few spoons.”

  Frances popped out of her chair. “I’ll go get them.”

  She returned with the spoons and a knife and handed them to Gloria.

  Gloria placed a banana on top of the tinfoil, sliced it from end to end and pressed lightly on both ends to open the center. Next, she lined the inside of the banana with small pieces of chocolate and mini marshmallows. When she finished, she wrapped the tinfoil
around the banana.

  “Can you put this on one of the coals?” she asked Paul.

  Paul took the wrapped banana and placed the treat on the edge of a log, close to the fire. Gloria assembled three more banana treats and Paul carefully placed each one near the heat. While they cooked, he darted inside for plates.

  When he returned, he removed the food from the heat, placed each on a plate and handed them out.

  It took a few minutes for the tinfoil to cool and Gloria carefully unwrapped her treat. The chocolate and marshmallow had melted into gooey goodness inside the banana.

  Gloria scooped a spoon full of banana along with the chocolate and marshmallow into her mouth. “It’s like a hot banana split.”

  The others, who tasted their treats, agreed. “These are delicious,” Liz said.

  After they finished their dessert, Liz tossed the empty plates and trash into the fire.

  The group chatted for a while longer until finally, Paul decided it was time to turn in for the night. “I think I’ll call it a day.”

  Liz jumped to her feet and folded her chair. “Us, too. What time do you want to meet up?” she asked her sister.

  “How about eight o’clock?” Gloria suggested, a brilliant idea forming in her head as she wondered if the small café inside the store served breakfast. She could kill two birds with one stone - eat breakfast and perhaps glean a little more information from the campground employees.

  “We can see if the small restaurant inside the campground store serves breakfast and then afterward, tour the park,” she said.

  “Sounds good to me,” Frances agreed.

  Paul and Gloria watched as Liz and Frances disappeared into the dark.

  After they were out of sight, Paul handed Gloria her crutches and reached for his wife’s lawn chair.

  “Eeek!” A woman’s ear splitting scream pierced the darkness.

  Chapter 13

  Gloria turned her head and stared into the darkness. “That sounded like Liz.”

  Paul raced across the lot, past the car and disappeared from sight. Gloria hopped to the front, grabbing the flashlight from the edge of the deck as she trailed behind Paul.

  She balanced the flashlight in one hand and gingerly studied the path. The last thing she needed to do was fall and break another bone.

  By the time she reached Liz’s lot, Liz, Frances and Paul were standing near the edge of the road, staring at Liz’s camper.

  Liz gestured with her hands. “He was big and hairy and had a long, ugly snout. When he saw us, he dropped down on all fours and started to growl.”

  “What? Your boyfriend decided to stop by for a surprise visit?” Gloria said.

  Liz punched Gloria in the arm. “Very funny,” she hissed.

  “It was a bear,” Frances said. “He was digging around in our garbage.”

  Gloria turned her flashlight so it illuminated the trash, which was strewn from one end of the drive to the other.

  “Why, we could’ve been mauled to death,” Liz wheezed dramatically. “This whole park is overrun with wild beasts.”

  “You didn’t put your trash can in the metal cage?” Paul asked.

  “What metal cage?”

  He pointed to the front of the camper. “The check-in papers said to leave the trash can inside the metal cage to keep animals from getting into it.”

  “I-I guess I missed that part.”

  Frances, guided by the flashlight, walked to the front of the camper and the strewn trash. “We better get this cleaned up before he decides to come back and we’re dessert.”

  Gloria stood to one side and held the flashlight while Paul, Frances and a grumbling Liz picked up the trash, put it in the trashcan and then placed the trash can inside the metal bin.

  “Make sure you slide the pin through the latch,” Paul told the women. “Bears are smart and could easily figure out how to lift the lid.”

  After they finished securing the lid, Paul and Gloria waited until Liz and Frances were safely inside the camper before returning to their own campsite.

  Paul doused the fire and the two of them climbed the steps and made their way inside.

  After getting ready for bed, Gloria lay awake for a long time thinking about the deaths, young Billy, his parents and wild creatures who might be lurking right outside the door.

  ***

  Gloria awoke with a start early the next morning and slid her hand across the bed. Paul was gone.

  She lifted her head and gazed at the alarm clock. Four-thirty in the morning. She tried to close her eyes and fall back asleep. She lay there for another hour before giving up.

  Gloria crawled out of bed, hopped to the doorway and grabbed her crutches.

  Paul had left the light on above the stove and there was a pot of coffee waiting for her.

  Gloria poured a cup and then placed it inside the microwave to warm it. After it had warmed, she slid the steaming cup across the counter, grabbed her Bible and settled in to read and pray.

  It had been a hectic few days and she was thankful for a little quiet time to spend with the Lord. She flipped her Bible open to First Peter and began reading:

  “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

  After she finished reading, Gloria bowed her head. “Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for this day You have given me. Thank You for all of Your blessings. Thank You for my husband, Paul. I pray You bless our marriage and keep it strong.”

  She continued praying, her heart heavy for the young boy, Billy. “I pray for Billy Zortski, Lord. I pray that You heal his heart, that You give him peace and joy again.”

  “I also pray that You keep us safe from not only wild animals, but from those who might wish to harm us.”

  Gloria finished her prayer. “I pray the killer is quickly found and that no one else falls victim. Thank You for Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.”

  Gloria lifted her head and an overwhelming sense of peace filled her. The morning prayer and Bible reading gave her what she needed most…a few quiet moments to be alone with her Lord. She vowed to make the most of her time with Liz and to enjoy the time she had alone with Paul.

  She closed the Bible, set it off to the side and then refilled her coffee cup before hobbling to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

  Gloria took a long, hot bath and was surprised at how roomy the tub was. She was careful to keep her leg and the cast out of the water. The entire exercise, which included washing her hair, took well over an hour.

  By the time she dressed, fixed her hair and makeup and hopped into the kitchen, it was almost eight o’clock.

  Gloria draped her purse around her neck, shoved the camper keys and the golf cart keys in her front pocket and eased out the door. She locked the door behind her, careful to check it twice to make sure she had locked it and then settled onto the picnic table bench to wait.

  The morning air was cool and crisp. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. The birds chirped happily from the treetops and the thick hedge of bushes nearby.

  It was going to be a beautiful day…the perfect day to solve a mystery if she had anything to say about it.

  “What are you doing? Meditating?”

  Gloria’s head snapped back. Liz and Frances stood near the edge of the deck, staring at her. “No. I was just enjoying the beautiful morning.”

  She changed the subject. “Any more bear sightings?”

  Frances shuddered. “No. Thank goodness. Hopefully we won’t see him again.”

  Gloria pulled herself up, balanced on her good foot, and then hopped across the deck. Next, she eased onto the boards and slid to the ground.

  Liz placed a hand on her hip as she watched her sister maneuver down the steps. “How long you gotta wear that thing?”

  “This cast is only temporary. I have to go back so the doctor can put a permanent one on. I’m not sure how long I’ll ha
ve to wear the cast.” Hopefully not long. The thought of trying to navigate on icy, snowy sidewalks with crutches was scary. She was having her share of difficulty now, without treacherous ice.

  Gloria plucked the golf cart keys from her pocket. “Ready to head out for breakfast?”

  The girls climbed into the golf cart and Gloria settled in behind the wheel. She had driven the golf cart for a few minutes the day before, but today would be the real test. “Too bad these things don’t have seatbelts,” she joked.

  Gloria quickly got the hang of driving as she careened around corners and zipped down the road. She pulled into an empty parking spot in front of the store and shut the motor off.

  The smell of bacon frying filled the air. “I think we’re in luck.”

  Frances, who had been sitting on the rear bench seat, handed Gloria her crutches. She made her way up the side ramp, meeting her sister and Frances near the entrance.

  The trio stepped inside the store. Liz led the way as they walked to the back of the store and the small food counter. In addition to the barstools at the counter, there were four small booths, all of them occupied.

  Gloria eased onto an end barstool. Liz hopped on the one next to her and Frances plopped down on the other side.

  A black chalkboard on the wall listed the limited breakfast menu. It consisted of different egg and meat combinations, which was fine with Gloria.

  Frances frowned as she studied the menu. “You don’t serve pancakes?”

  The cook, a stout woman with gray hair pulled back in a bun, shook her head. “No ma’am. We don’t have enough room or enough cooks for pancakes. We have bacon, eggs, toast and hash browns.”

  The breakfast special, “Sandy’s Sunrise Special,” was a bargain price at $3.99 and included two eggs, three slices of bacon, an order of hash browns and wheat toast.

  All three women ordered the same, although Frances looked less than thrilled that she wasn’t going to get her pancakes.

  Gloria snaked her arm around Liz and patted Frances’s back. “I’ll take you to the pancake place tomorrow morning before you two head out.” Liz and Frances were leaving the next day while Paul and Gloria were leaving the day after.