Sledding Away with Murder (Sweetfern Harbor Mystery Book 21)

by Wendy Meadows

  Harry shifted in his chair and turned his attention on Mac. “I’m surprised there are this many people in Sweetfern Harbor. Do you ever have much crime here?”

  “We have our fair share, but usually petty stuff. I understand you are an anesthesiologist, Harry. That must be interesting and skillful work.”

  “It is. I do enjoy it. Recently, I transferred to Cornelius Medical Center in Sacramento. Management there is much more organized than where I had been.”

  After that conversation, Harry concentrated on the prime rib. Conversations flowed, but Brenda sensed something was not right with a few of her guests. Joanna and Ethan spoke very little. Miranda came across as overly talkative, whereas Harry barely glanced in her direction.

  4

  Brenda changed clothes while Mac waited for her in their cottage. He remained in his uniform to let everyone know the law was still looking after them. Mac gave her an approving look when Brenda came from the bedroom.

  “Let’s go have some fun,” he said. “I can almost hear the music all the way out here.”

  “You must have good ears for sure.”

  Dancers were already on the floor when they arrived. Mac took Brenda’s hand and led her to a spot. When he twirled her around, Brenda saw Bryce at the edge of the crowded dance floor. His eyes darted around, and she knew he was searching for Mac.

  “Your detective is trying to find you, Mac.”

  Mac groaned. “What is it, Bryce?”

  “Someone found a dead body midway along the sledding route. It was next to the level part of the track.”

  “What? Who is it?”

  “It’s a man. There’s no identification on him.”

  Brenda followed the two detectives to their car. “I’ll come along, too, Mac. One of us may know who it is.”

  Ever since Chief Bob Ingram had made Brenda an officer, she became centered in crime. Her wish was to simply run her bed and breakfast for the most part, but when something like this happened, she discovered how much she missed her old life in Michigan when she was an assistant to a private investigator. As Mac drove them to the location, Brenda thought about her guests first of all. Then she remembered Travis hadn’t shown up for dinner.

  “I hope it isn’t Travis Asher. Miranda didn’t seem to know where he was,” Brenda said.

  “I had the feeling she wasn’t interested in knowing his whereabouts,” Mac said. “It could be any one of the tourists in town. We’ll find out.”

  When they walked toward the yellow tape that surrounded the body, Brenda caught her breath. The head and the side of the face showing was impossible to identify. However, she was sure she knew who owned the expensive llama fur coat. The front of it was turned back as if it had flipped over when the man fell to the ground. The lining was mulberry silk. There was no time to run the dollar amount through her head now. She only knew the coat materials because she overheard Miranda answering Jillian’s question about it. The sales associate had been duly impressed.

  Sled marks were near the body. Mac stated since all the sleds were identical, the tracks probably wouldn’t tell them much. Shoe prints were not visible enough to determine the make or the tread on the soles.

  “Whoever did this made sure they didn’t leave clues,” Mac said. “We just have to find out who this is.”

  “I’m sure it’s Travis Asher,” Brenda said. She pointed out the familiar coat and described details she knew about it.

  The coroner knelt down to look closely at the body. He determined the victim was hit hard from behind. “He had no idea what was coming. The fact his head is turned tells me for a split second he had a second chance to see who it was. And in the next second, he was slammed again.”

  “I’ll have to tell Miranda right away before she learns it from someone else,” Brenda said.

  “Take our car, Brenda,” Mac said. “I’ll ride back to the precinct with Bryce when we’re finished here. When you have time, have someone follow you there with my car.”

  “What about questioning? I think we should begin with the contestants to see if any of them saw anything.”

  “That’s where we should begin. William has a list of all the entries.”

  Brenda remembered seeing Miranda near the dance floor when they left it. She drove downtown and parked her car. Booths were still open, and it was almost time for the fireworks to begin. When she approached the park, she saw Miranda talking with Jillian and Wanda. Brenda asked Miranda to speak with her in private. They walked a few steps from the others. When Brenda gave her the news, Miranda broke down in tears. Her shoulders shook as she gasped.

  “We had our differences, Brenda, but I would never wish something like this on Travis. Are you sure it is him?”

  “We’re sure, Miranda. I’m so sorry. I’ll take you back to Sheffield’s and we can talk there.”

  “Did you say he was murdered?” Her sobs alerted Jillian and Wanda, who hurried to her side.

  “Who has been murdered?” Jillian said.

  Brenda explained briefly but did not give the location of where he was found, nor other details. “People will have to be questioned. We’ll start with those who knew him and work our way out.”

  “Do you mean the police will do that, Brenda?” Wanda’s eyes were wide.

  “Yes. That includes me since I am also an officer of the law. I’ll take Miranda back to the bed and breakfast now. As soon as Detective Rivers is ready, everyone will be questioned.”

  The women nodded. The announcer of the firework display hushed the crowd to tell them it was almost time. Brenda and Miranda walked toward her car.

  When they arrived at the inn, Brenda escorted Miranda into the Gathering Room. Tears had vanished and shock appeared to set in with her.

  “When did you last see Travis?”

  “We were together for a while this morning, but he had no interest in arts and crafts. In fact, he had no interest in the carnival at all.”

  “Why did he come to begin with?”

  Miranda shrugged. “He wanted to keep an eye on me. He has been jealous ever since we married. He was always so sure I was having an affair with every man who came into The Gypsy Rose. I could never convince him otherwise.”

  “There must have been some love there, too.” Brenda held back from asking why they’d married at all.

  “I thought he loved me. I loved him. It turned out to be more my beauty than whether he loved me or not. I looked good on his arm at social events. He didn’t think a nightclub singer had any significance and constantly told me I could do better. I think he hoped I’d go to college and get a degree in something he could be proud of.” She sniffed. “All in all, though, I think we had a solid marriage.”

  “I’m sure there are relatives you will need to call, Miranda. Feel free to go to your room if you need privacy.” Miranda nodded. “As soon as everyone arrives back here, I’ll gather them and give them the news.”

  After Miranda left, Brenda’s cell phone rang. “I’ll come on home and pick up my car, Brenda,” Mac said. “You won’t have to come back down here. Are the guests all back there yet?”

  “They are beginning to arrive. I’ve told Miranda. She is in her room making calls. I’m going to have all the guests assemble in the Gathering Room. I want to give them the news and try to pick up on reactions.”

  “I’ll join you soon. Bryce and other officers are trying to find others on the sledding list to question them.”

  Brenda stood next to the reception desk and told each guest to please assemble in the Gathering Room. Jillian and Wanda followed the directives with solemn faces.

  “I wonder what this is all about,” Harry said.

  “There’s been a murder,” Jillian said. When asked, she told him Travis Asher had been murdered. Harry walked to the windows and stared out at the glistening snow beneath the lighted walkways.

  Once all were gathered, Brenda apologized for the late hour. She told them the news of the death of Travis, giving no details other th
an he had been murdered. Joanna and Ethan Yoder sat still. Their faces were ashen.

  “If anyone saw anything unusual or out of place in regard to this tragedy, please speak now or talk with me in private.” Brenda turned when Miranda walked in followed by Mac.

  He pulled Brenda aside and whispered that he thought it was a good idea to let them know where Travis’s body was found. Brenda told him to go ahead and give whatever details he felt necessary. Miranda appeared composed but very quiet.

  “Travis Asher’s body was discovered along the level part of the sled track. We are questioning all those who participated in the event first. The coroner determined he had been killed several hours before being discovered, which puts it around the time of the contest. If you participated in the race, please indicate by raising your hand.”

  Mac took note of the contestants. Then he asked Joanna and Ethan to come with him and Brenda to the private alcove along the main passageway. Those left in the room gathered around Miranda and offered sympathy.

  “It seems you were slowed down in the race,” Mac began. “I wondered why, with your experience in sledding, you came in toward the end.”

  Ashen faces became whiter. Ethan spoke first. “We did have a little trouble with the sled. For some reason, we couldn’t get it straightened out enough to get ahead. One hill slowed us down since we hadn’t built enough momentum to make it up to the top, so we had to get off and run with it.”

  Brenda’s astonished look caused Joanna to shift more than once in her chair. There was no doubt in Joanna’s mind that the story Ethan told was far from convincing Brenda. Mac showed no emotion or reaction to the story at all. Brenda looked at Joanna.

  “Can you add any details to that story, Joanna?” Joanna shook her head no. “Did either of you observe anything unusual during the race?” Both shook their heads no. “Do you wonder why Travis was along the track at all? My understanding is that he didn’t participate in the race.”

  “We have no idea why he would be out there,” Ethan said.

  After they were told they could go on to their rooms, Brenda spoke. “They are hiding something, but I don’t know what.”

  “I agree. That story about not making it up the hill was concocted. Those hills aren’t that steep out there.”

  “I’ll get Wanda Daniels in here next,” Brenda said.

  When she entered the room, Brenda noticed that the teacher’s eyes darted from one person to the next as if wondering if she sat with a murderer. Brenda opted to address Miranda and told her she was excused since she had already talked with Brenda. Relief flooded her face as she excused herself. “Wanda, please come with me.”

  Wanda felt her legs wobble as she walked beside Brenda to the alcove. Mac greeted her warmly.

  “You and Jillian were near the end of the race,” he said. “Did you have that same position during the entire time?” Wanda said they never got ahead until the middle of the race, but then lost because of the sled overturning. “I saw that happen, but it looked as if the two of you had a good time anyway,” Mac noted.

  “Since you were behind most of the contestants, did you see anything unusual during the race?” Brenda asked.

  “We were concentrating on keeping ourselves on the sled. I’m sorry, but I didn’t see anything out of order at all. Someone could have been on the sideline, but I was hanging on for dear life and paid no attention to anyone else.” Wanda was dismissed. Brenda and Mac decided that on first impression, she had nothing to do with the murder of Travis Asher.

  5

  Jillian was next to be interrogated and she told the same story regarding how they concentrated on holding on. She agreed they had fun even though they were behind the rest of them.

  Harry Brooks was the guest that held the officers’ interest the greatest.

  “It’s been easy to see you are very attracted to Miranda,” Brenda said. “How long have you known her?”

  Harry explained how he had met Miranda. “I’m not sure yet whether she was already married to Travis or not when we started an affair.”

  “How long did it last?” Mac rolled a pen between his thumb and index finger.

  “We were together off and on for about eight months. I had no idea she was married until I arrived here.”

  “Did the two of you plan to be here at the same time?” Brenda said.

  “I didn’t know she was coming. In fact, it’s been a while since I’ve seen her. I must say I was surprised.”

  Brenda asked if he hoped to begin an affair again with her. Harry admitted the attraction had returned full force. “But I didn’t approach her on that topic once I realized she and Travis were married. I could tell he was jealous of her and I admit I had a little fun toying with him about the matter.”

  “Did you kill Travis Asher?” Mac said bluntly.

  “I didn’t kill him. I had no reason to go that far.”

  “No one is allowed to check out of the Sheffield Bed and Breakfast until approved to do so,” Mac said. Harry agreed and left the officers.

  “There are roadblocks set up at all of Sweetfern Harbor’s exits,” Mac said. “We’re trying to catch as many people as possible to ask questions.” Brenda didn’t object to his plan of action.

  Harry reached the second floor. He was tempted to knock on Miranda’s door but decided against it for now. He had to think things through very carefully before talking with her.

  Miranda sat on her bed. She sensed her body relax. Thoughts of the race came to mind. It felt good to be that close to Harry again. Travis had asked her to marry him when she started the affair with Harry. That should have told her something was not right between her and Travis from the beginning, she thought. She had done everything she knew of to help make the marriage work. She meant it when she told Brenda she thought the marriage was a solid one. There was so much more she could have said about it. The one thorn in the union was Travis’s jealousy.

  Harry stood by the window and gazed toward the seawall. Small bushes waved in the cold wind and snow had begun to fall again. He recalled events of the race. Joanna had admitted to Miranda that she and Ethan grew up in a Pennsylvania Amish community. Miranda found it fascinating. They noticed that the Yoders knew sledding techniques. Miranda yelled in his ear that she thought they were going to win the race. She had added that their background would serve them well in this contest. He stared at the narrow glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean beyond the wall.

  Once the B&B grew quiet again, Brenda and Mac walked to their cottage behind the inn. Both slept well that night.

  Mac was up early and ready for work when Brenda emerged. They sipped hot coffee together. Mac took a sweet roll from the counter, kissed Brenda, and told her he would see her later.

  “I’d like to bring Miranda down to the police station for direct questioning,” he said.

  “I think that’s a good idea. Maybe Officer Sims could be the officer by the door. She’s good when someone like Miranda needs counseling.”

  “I’ll talk with her as soon as I get to my office.”

  Harry came out his door the same moment Miranda came from her room. “We need to talk, Miranda. Soon.”

  “Please, Harry, not now. I need some coffee to wake up first.” She walked ahead of him until they reached the stairs.

  Jillian joined them at the doorway. Brenda arrived behind them. “Good morning,” she said. They returned her greeting. Brenda went to the buffet and helped herself to a cheese and veggie omelet, toast, and coffee. Chef Pierre extended the breakfast hour since all guests had been up late the night before. Brenda sat with the three at the table. Wanda soon joined them. No one spoke of Travis’s death.

  When the meal was finished and several more guests came in, Brenda told Miranda she wanted to speak with her. Harry’s frustration didn’t show, but he had missed another chance to talk with Miranda alone.

  “If you can be ready in about fifteen minutes, Miranda, Detective Rivers would like to speak with you at the precinct. I’ll be
going down there and you can ride with me or follow me in your car if you want to drive down.”

  “I’ll be ready in ten minutes and will follow you.”

  Mac told Officer Natalie Sims to escort Miranda to Interrogation Room 1. He and Brenda spoke briefly before sitting across from the singer. Her demeanor was calm. Brenda noted she looked refreshed and had touched up her makeup.

  “What was your marriage to Travis like?” Mac said.

  “It was as I told Brenda, solid though we had some problems during it.” Mac asked her to elaborate. Miranda told him of Travis’s jealousy and his reasons for it. “I never understood that. I only sing at The Gypsy Rose. I’m not there to pick up men.”

  “I understand you had an affair at one time with Harry Brooks.” Mac leaned back but kept his eyes on Miranda. “Were you aware that he planned to visit here the same weekend you and Travis planned to be here?”

  “I had no idea. What are the odds that all of us came from California out to the East Coast at the same time?”

  “Do you still love Harry?” Brenda asked.

  Miranda produced a short laugh. “I’m not sure we were ever in love, per se. I mean, I was attracted to him. It was strong enough to last eight months.”

  “Were you married to Travis during the affair?”

  “Travis had proposed, but we hadn’t married at that point.”

  Brenda stared at her. “You received a marriage proposal and yet went on with an affair?”

  “It’s not unheard of.”

  “What are your feelings about the murder of your husband?” Mac said.

  This time, Miranda seemed to force a few tears that weren’t enough to trickle down her cheeks. “I hate that his life ended that way. It’s a terrible thing.”

  “What are your feelings about Harry today?”

  “Brenda, I have to admit when I saw him, I felt that same attraction again. I guess you could call it a crush. I didn’t expect those feelings to surface again.”

  “Did the crush lead you to kill your husband?” Mac said.