Gunpowder Chowder (17 page)

Hannah wondered how long the coffee had been sitting in the pot, but if it was warm, at least it would take the chill out of her hands. “Yes please.”

Chase took two Styrofoam cups from the cupboard and poured the coffee. “I hope black is okay,” he said as he handed Hannah a cup. “I just ran out of cream and sugar.”

“Well, black it is then.” She smiled and waited for Chase to sit down too.

He sipped his coffee. “This is awful. You won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t drink it.” He set his cup on his desk and studied Hannah. “You brought quite the drama to our little town. Just like Caroline, always a whirlwind surrounding her.”

“You know, I barely knew her.”

“Really? You are the spitting image of a younger Caroline. The similarities are, well, a bit unnerving. And it certainly is odd that she would leave that valuable property to someone she barely knew.” His eyes burned into Hannah.

She stared right back. “I would say it’s odd that you don’t have an alibi for the morning Vern was shot. Why were you so keen to get that property?”

Chase laughed. “I didn’t want Vern to have it.” Chase sat back and laced his fingers together across his chest. “I appreciate the beauty of the beach, but Vern’s plan was to tear down the small rustic cottages and build an eyesore of a motel or some other hideous structure. Your new friend Jack didn’t want that either. And, like I told you yesterday, Cal’s sister wants to get rid of the cottages, too, but at least she didn’t have plans to rebuild anything.”

“Who do you think killed Vern?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know and I don’t care. He’s dead and his plans are done, unless there’s some loophole in the contract and his wife can get the property away from you. You’d better watch out for Kelley. If there’s a way to make the contract stick, she’ll figure it out.”

“Cal said you had some information about Noah and Tasha.” Hannah wanted to get the information and leave. Something about Chase made her squirm.

“I seem to be bailing Cal out every time I turn around. He’s going to owe me big time.” Chase leaned forward. “I think those two kids stayed in one of the boats that are stored for the winter. I noticed the tarp was loose so I took a look inside and found some empty soda cans and an empty Simply Sweets bag.”

“Maybe the owner never cleaned up the boat and left that stuff inside.”

“I doubt it. The guy is a neat freak.” Chase shrugged. “I told Cal I would let him know if I noticed anything and I’m a man of my word, so make sure you relay my message.” He stood up. “And I’ll give you some free advice—watch your back and be careful who you trust.”

“Including you?”

Chase smirked. “Including me.”

Chapter 20

Hannah closed the office door behind her, happy to leave and be out of Chase’s view. The guy oozed less than warm and friendly, more like if you turn your back he could freeze you with his stare.

As she headed back toward her cottage, she was surprised to see Monica riding down the edge of the road on her wheelchair and veer off onto the path that led to the back entrance to her cottages. She was moving that wheelchair along at a pretty good clip. What was
she
up to?

Hannah slowed down, parking in front of Jack’s house instead of her own. It was time to find out more about Monica. Like Pam had said, who would suspect someone in a wheelchair of being able to get to the cottage and shoot Vern? And, Hannah decided Jack needed to know about his grandson, even if Cal wanted to keep him out of the loop.

Jack opened the door as soon as Hannah knocked and motioned for her to come inside as he talked to someone on his phone. All she heard was Jake saying he’d stop on his way to the Clam Chowder Cook Off.

“Come in. Come in,” Jack said enthusiastically. “I don’t have much time. I’m meeting my friend in,” he checked his watch, “thirty minutes.”

Hannah left her jacket on and followed Jack into his living room. “I had an interesting chat with Chase Fuller.”

“Oh?” Jack said with a significant amount of surprise in his voice. “Did he show up to harass you about selling your land?”

“No. I went to the marina. He had some information about Noah and Tasha.”

Jack’s face went blank. His hand reached out to rest on the back of the couch for support. “And?” A new crease formed in his forehead.

“Chase thinks they snuck into one of the boats that is stored for the winter. Someone left soda cans and an empty Simply Sweets bag.”

“Oh. Sounds like Noah’s favorite drink, just like we found in cottage number four. I’d better let Pam know so she can keep an eye on the marina in case they go back.”

“Wait.” Hannah touched Jack’s arm. “If the police are there, won’t that spook the kids away? How about asking Cal?”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Jack pulled his jacket off the back of the couch. “Let’s go ask him.”

“Before we go to my place, there’s something else I want to ask you.”

Jack slipped his arm into his jacket sleeve.

“On my way here, I saw Monica rushing down the street to the path to my cottages. She looked to be on a mission. What’s her story? She wants my property, too?”

“Monica? What the devil would she do with
your
place?”

“Tear it down?”

“That sounds like poppycock. Who told you that rubbish?”

Hannah waved her hand dismissively. “Doesn’t matter. But what about her accident? What happened?”

“I already told you. Vern ran the red light, t-boning her car on the driver side. She’s lucky to be alive but she doesn’t see it that way. He walked away with barely a scratch. She can’t get past how the accident changed her life, and Cal’s since he left medical school to help her.”

“But she got a big financial settlement?”

“That’s rubbish, although she got some money which is only fair. I don’t know the exact details, but the settlement helped to pay for converting her house to be wheelchair accessible and it supplements her income. I’ve always suspected Chase Fuller to be behind the rumor that she got millions. I know that’s what everyone says about her and, Monica being Monica, she never comments on the rumors. But believe me, she has to work like everyone else.” Jack headed to his door, holding it open for Hannah. “Do you think Monica murdered Vern?” he asked.

“It
is
possible. Your daughter was the first one to say it. She has a huge motive, no alibi, and easy access to the murder scene. What do you think?”

“Possible for sure but I wouldn’t be telling Cal your idea. He and Monica are like this.” Jack held up his hand with his middle finger wrapped tightly around his index finger.

As they got closer to Hannah’s cottage, Nellie dashed over to greet them. She danced around their legs until Hannah reached down to pat her.

Jack chuckled. “Go ahead, you can tell me I was right about you needing a dog.”

Hannah tried to scowl and pretend Jack had it all wrong but her mouth betrayed her and broke into a big grin instead. “Yeah, you were right. I am happy to have her for company, especially after Vern was murdered. Between the two of us, we should hear any intruders.”

Jack elbowed Hannah. “Speaking of intruders. When you saw Monica on the road earlier, she must have been hightailing it over to find Cal.”

Cal and Monica were outside Hannah’s cottage. Cal’s head was bowed like he was getting a tongue lashing from Monica. The breeze carried the sound of their voices but the words were muffled until Hannah was only a car length away.

“If you don’t do something about it, I will,” Hannah heard Monica say before Cal glanced over her head and saw Hannah and Jack approaching.

The tension in Cal’s face faded away as he smiled at Hannah “Monica has some news I think you’ll be interested in hearing.”

Monica turned her head and scowled when her eyes met Hannah’s. “I’m just leaving.” She turned her wheelchair and headed back to the path through the bushes.

“She saw Jack’s grandson sneaking through the bushes to cottage number four early this morning.”

“Was he alone?” Jack asked.

“She only saw one person.”

Jack began to walk to the cottage. “I’ll check if he’s still there.”

Cal held Hannah’s arm, preventing her from following Jack. “The other thing is, Monica saw Noah running away from the cottage the morning Vern was killed. She thinks Noah is the murderer. She knows he used the cottage on a regular basis to meet up with Vern’s stepdaughter.”

“Really? Why hasn’t she told that to the police?” Hannah said with skepticism filling her words. She left plenty unsaid—what was Monica doing spying on the cottage?

“Monica doesn’t have any faith in Pam investigating her own son. She’s afraid Pam thinks
she
shot Vern.”

“So, now, several days later, she points the finger at someone else?” Hannah shook her head. “I’m no expert, but this sounds fishy to me. I know about the accident she had and that she never forgave Vern. Your sister had a strong motive, access to the cottage and the gun, and no alibi. Actually, with what you’ve just told me, it sounds like she admits she was near the cottage.”

Cal’s mouth fell open. “You’re just like everyone else in this town. No one likes Monica. Sure, they all feel sorry for her, but it’s easy to suspect someone you don’t like.” Cal got in his truck, slammed the door and spun his tires on the way out.

Okay, Hannah thought to herself. Maybe that could have been handled better. Now she had a half finished cottage and no carpenter to finish the job. Maybe that was part of Monica’s plan—to force Cal to quit to force Hannah to move away. Who knew what Monica’s motive was?

Jack was walking back toward Hannah with Noah at his side. The poor kid, at least a half foot taller than his grandfather, was dragging his feet and his whole body slumped like he carried the weight of the world.

“You’ve got to hear Noah’s story. Let’s go inside.” Jack looked around. “Where’s Cal?”

“He left in a huff because I questioned something Monica said.”

They walked inside. Cal had actually gotten quite a bit done already. The new stove, fridge, and counter were all installed. The sink was in place but no faucet, so the plumbing wasn’t finished. Jack opened Hannah’s fridge. Empty.

Hannah turned the knob for one of the stove burners and a red light came on. “The stove works. Anyone want some tea?” Jack wrinkled his nose and Noah shook his head. Hannah got out one cup for herself. “The only other option is water. She rummaged in a cardboard box that held a few items from the store. “Okay, the choices are trail mix,” she held up her left hand, “or peanut butter crackers,” she held up her right hand. “I didn’t want to buy much food until Cal finished up in here.”

Jack pointed to the trail mix. “Noah told me that Chase found them in the boat and told them to get out before he called Pam. Tasha went home and Noah hid out in your cabin again.”

Hannah poured her tea and joined them at the table. “Noah. Why are you trying to hide from everyone? Are you in trouble?”

He sat with his head down and his hands hanging between his knees. “I don’t want to rat on Tasha, but I don’t think she cares about me anymore.”

With a soft voice, Hannah gently asked, “What haven’t you told anyone about Tasha? Was she at the cottage when Vern was killed?”

“I woke up when Mom left for work and I knew Tasha would be mad that I overslept.” Noah took a deep breath. “When I got here, I heard the gunshot and saw Tasha running away from the cottage. She ran in front of your cottage so she didn’t know I had come to meet her. That’s where she lost her gold chain. The one you found was hers, not mine.”

Hannah said, “I saw Tasha with her medallion after yours was found in the sand.”

“I gave her mine so her mother wouldn’t be suspicious.”

Hannah nodded. “Did you see anyone else?”

“Uh huh. I almost ran into Monica. She was coming down the path in her wheelchair when I turned to run away.”

Hannah leaned toward Noah. “This is important. Was Monica on her way
to
the cottage or was she leaving it?”

Noah finally looked up. “She wasn’t at the cottage. Tasha was.”

Jack stood up. “Come on Noah. I’m taking you home. You need to tell this to your mother. She’s half out of her mind, maybe completely out of her mind by now, with worry.

Noah walked out first and Hannah held Jack back for a minute. “I’m not sure if Cal will forgive me and come back to finish the job.”

“What happened?”

“I more or less accused Monica of being the murderer. I should have listened to what you told me about the two of them. And now her story is the same as Noah’s except Noah saw Tasha run the other way and Monica didn’t say anything about that. Monica was pointing the blame at Noah.”

Jack patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Cal will cool down. Believe me, he’ll be back. Meet me at the Clam Chowder Cook Off. Everyone’s in for a big surprise.”

With those words, Hannah noticed a twinkle in Jack’s eyes. What was
that
about?

Chapter 21

Hannah took Nellie for a brisk walk on the beach before showering and changing. She wasn’t even sure what a Clam Chowder Cook Off was, but with no place to make herself anything to eat, clam chowder sounded like the best option. Besides, maybe Ruby managed to uncover some more good information while she listened to the goings on at the Inn. Especially if Missy or Kelley had their mouths flapping.