Marriage and Murder (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 4) (8 page)

Kelly had just finished putting the
dishes in the dishwasher and was getting ready to join Mike and watch one of
their favorite television shows when her cell phone rang.

She looked at the monitor,
and saw that it was Julia. “Hi, darling. Appreciated the message from you last
night that you and Cash made it back safely, and that you were able to get him
to the airport in plenty of time to catch his flight. Actually, I was going to
call you later on and thank you for coming up here and for all your help with
the wedding. I do have some bad news. Remember Jesse Allen, the man who
provided all the wine for the reception? The sad thing is he was shot and killed
yesterday in his shop. Mike and I were the ones who discovered him. Mike has no
idea who did it, so that’s kind of overshadowed our post-wedding plans. We only
had a honeymoon for about half a day.”

“Oh, Mom, I’m so sorry. He
seemed like such a nice man. Was he married or did he have any children?”

“No, he’s divorced, and to
my knowledge he never had any children. I know his mother and sister. They both
live here in Cedar Bay. His father passed away about a year ago. He was one of
the regulars at the coffee shop, and towards the end I used to take his
favorite foods to him at home a couple of times a week. I feel sorry for his
mother. She’s a nice woman, and she said something to me when I told her about
Jesse that’s so sad. She said no mother was supposed to outlive her children.
You just never think you’ll outlive your children.”

“Please give her my
condolences if you see her. I assume you’ll be going to the funeral.”

“I don’t think so. I heard
today she’d decided not to have one. She’s going to have him cremated.
Evidently she felt she couldn’t go through another funeral. Her daughter,
Celia, moved in with her after her divorce, so at least she’s not alone. I
think she and Jesse were pretty close. My heart really goes out to her, but
enough of that. How are things in San Francisco?”

“Things are good. I wanted
to talk to you a little more about Brad and his daughters. I have a huge favor
to ask of Mike. Do you think there’s any chance he could have a DNA test run on
Brad and his daughters? I was able to get strands of hair from all three of
them without any of them finding out, and I was hoping Mike could use them for
a DNA test. I really don’t want Brad to know about this in case it turns out
badly.”

“Mike and I talked briefly
about it. He’s concerned about what would happen if it turns out that Brad’s
not the father of the girls.”

“He’ll never know. I’ve
decided not to tell him anything about this. If it’s good news, of course I’ll
share it with him, and he’ll be ecstatic, but if it’s bad news, I’ll keep it to
myself.”

“Julia, that’s a big
secret to keep all to yourself, and starting a marriage off with a big secret
like that could present some problems down the road. Marriage is all wine and
roses in the beginning, but as time goes by there will be some bumps in the
road. I don’t know of any marriage that’s been one hundred percent wine and
roses, and if someone says theirs is, it’s been my experience they’re not being
honest, or their head is stuck in the sand.”

“I know what you’re saying,
Mom, and I understand why you’re saying it, but if Mike can’t or won’t do it,
I’ll find someone in San Francisco to do it. I see ads for that kind of thing
all the time. I even saw one recently where if you sent a sample of your dog’s
hair in to them, their lab could tell you what kind of breed the dog was. I do
have to admit it sounded kind of far-fetched, but maybe it’s legit. Anyway, do
you think Mike would do it for me?”

“I don’t know. I’ll talk
to him a little more about it.”

“Actually, Mom, I sent the
hair samples off to you by FedEx this afternoon. You should have it tomorrow
morning. How long do you think it will take?”

“I have no idea. I know
Mike is pretty reluctant about getting involved in this. I’ve heard that there
can be a long wait to get the results, but if Mike’s willing, he might be able
to have it done on a priority basis. Let me see what he says, and I’ll call you
tomorrow.”

“Mom, I really appreciate
it, and don’t worry. I have a feeling everything’s going to work out fine.”

“All right, if you say so,
and you’re the one who knows Brad. I don’t. I’m just telling you what I think,
but the ultimate decision is yours, and it sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”

“I’ve got to go. I have to
help Brad give the girls their nightly bath. Talk to you tomorrow or the day
after.”

“Bye, love.”

Mike looked at her when
she walked into the room where he was watching television. “Everything okay?”
he asked.

“Yes and no. I just hope
Julia knows what she’s doing. We’ll be getting test samples of Brad’s and the
girls’ hair tomorrow by FedEx.”

“So she decided to go
ahead with the DNA test, right?”

“Yes. You probably heard
my end of the conversation. I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

“Well Mom, I’ve never had
children, but I’ve often heard that at some point in time a child has to cut
the apron strings. Seems like she’s snipped yours. I know this probably isn’t
going to make either one of you happy, but after thinking about it, I just don’t
want to get involved. It could be a disaster for all of us. I’ll call Julia in
a day or so and tell her why I’ve made that decision, so you don’t have to get
involved.”

“I can’t say I’m happy
about your decision, but I understand why. No matter what you tell her I’m
still going to be in the middle of it. I’ll just have to make the most of it. I
wish she’d never asked. You know, when I was a young girl, I remember thinking when
I grew up I’d be able to control everything in my life once I was an adult. I thought
I would be able to do whatever I wanted to do. I’ve certainly found that not to
be true. Here I am with a friend murdered, and I don’t know who did it, and my
daughter is sending her fiancé’s DNA evidence to us in hopes a lab will confirm
that he’s the father of the girls he calls his daughters. No, I’m definitely
not in control. Seems like the outside forces are winning!”

“Why don’t you stick to
just worrying about Julia and let me worry about the murder?”

“Okay. It probably would
make my life easier.”

“Wrong, sweetheart, I think
you have it backwards. I think it would make my life easier!”

“Mornin’ Madison. How are you?” Kelly
asked as she walked up to the door of the coffee shop.

“I’m enjoying this week with
no classes. It’s nice to have a little time when I don’t have to study every spare
minute of the day.”

“I’ll bet. I understand the
cosmetology course like the one you’re taking is quite time consuming and
difficult. Are you learning anything from working part-time at Wanda’s Beauty
Salon?”

“A lot. It really helps to
see in person what I’m reading about in the books. I’m so glad I could go to
cosmetology school. I just love it, and I have you to thank for it.”

“My pleasure. I’m just pleased
I was able to help you with the financial part. As I told you before, pay me back
when you can. I’m happy that you’re still able to work here, although I know
it’s just a matter of time before I lose you permanently.”

“I’ll be here a few more
months.”

“Good. The customers
really like you, and I know they’re going to miss you.”

“Well, everybody needs
their hair cut, men and women, so they can come to Wanda’s and see me,” Madison
said, smiling.

“To change the subject,
how’s your dad doing?”

“Great. It’s been almost
eight months now since he stopped drinking. We’ve really developed a close
father-daughter relationship.”

“That’s wonderful. I know
he consulted with Doc about his addiction to alcohol, but did he go to AA
meetings or do anything else special?” Kelly asked.

“Yes, he’s really active in
AA, and I think it’s good for him. He goes to a couple of meetings a week.
Matter of fact, his favorite one is today at lunch time. They meet at the bank.
Guess there’s a room there the bank uses for staff meetings, and they let the
AA group meet there once a week. Why?”

“I’d like to talk to your
dad. Is he at home this morning?”

“Yes, it was too foggy this
morning to take the boat out in the bay and fish. This talk of AA worries me,
Kelly. You’re not having a problem, are you?”

“No, honey. I just need a
little information about the process for someone else, not for me. Would it be
all right if I called your dad later this morning?”

“Of course. When it’s
foggy like this he usually goes back to bed, but he’ll be up around 7:00. Any
time after that would be fine.”

A few hours later, Kelly
said, “Roxie, I need to make a call. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Hi Dave, this is Kelly Reynolds,
formerly Kelly Conner. I’m the one who owns Kelly’s Koffee Shop where Madison
works.”

“Of course, Kelly. I know who
you are. By the way, I don’t think I’ve ever properly thanked you for getting
Doc to help me with my drinking problem. You know, I’ve been sober eight months
now, and I feel the best I can ever remember. Believe it or not, the fish seem
to know, and I’m catching a lot more of them than I ever did before. Life’s
pretty good, thanks to you!”

“I’m glad I was able to
help. I’ve got a little favor to ask of you. I understand there’s a man who
attends AA meetings in the area who feels very strongly about people who own
wine shops or liquor stores. I’ve heard that he says they’re doing the devil’s
work. I’d like to know who he is, but I also know there’s a code of anonymity
among the people who attend the meetings.”

“That’s pretty much the
main thing, Kelly. I don’t know any of their last names. I do know the man
you’re talking about, and he rants constantly about liquor store owners, and
how something should be done about them. Tell you what. I pretty much owe my
life to you, so I feel like I owe you a favor. The guy will probably be at the
AA meeting at the bank at noon today. We meet from 12:00 to 1:00 and I’m going
to the meeting. Why don’t you be on the sidewalk a few minutes before 1:00, and
when we come out, I can gesture or whisper to you what the guy’s wearing or
something like that. Strictly speaking, that’s not giving his name or identity away.
Whatever you decide to do after that is your business.”

“Dave, I really appreciate
it. See you a few minutes before 1:00. Thanks.”

She walked over to the cash
register. “Roxie, I have an errand I have to do today. I need to leave about
12:45. It starts to slow down about that time anyway, and Madison’s here to
help. Okay with you if I take off then? I’m not sure if I’ll be back.”

“Sure, Kelly. Everything
okay? You’ve never done this before.”

“Yes. Everything’s fine. I
just need to check on something. Here’s a spare key. If I’m not back, please
lock up. Thanks.”

Roxie took a long look at
her. “Kelly, don’t know what you’re up to, but somehow I don’t think Mike would
be happy about it. Be careful, you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am. I promise I
will.” At 12:45 that afternoon, Kelly said, “Come on, Lady, let’s go.” They’d
never before left the coffee shop prior to closing time. Lady sensed that
something was definitely going on, and she wanted to be a part of it. She
dutifully followed Kelly down the pier to the parking lot where they got in her
minivan, Lady alert and ready for what she was sure would be a new adventure.

*****

Promptly at 1:00, Kelly stood a few
feet down the sidewalk from the door of the bank. When several people started
coming out at the same time, she was certain the AA meeting had ended. A deeply
tanned tall, rangy man with blond sun-bleached hair walked over to her and
said, “Kelly, it’s good to see you again.”

“Hi, Dave! You look
absolutely great. I almost wouldn’t have recognized you. I can see that the
last eight months have definitely treated you well.”

“They have indeed, thanks
to you. Kelly, I think the person you’re interested in is the man wearing the
blue sweater who is just walking out now. And I probably should tell you he
said at today’s meeting it was about time someone took care of Jesse Allen, the
owner of The Crush. I know he was the one who was recently murdered. Be
careful.”

“Don’t worry, I will, and
thanks, Dave.” She turned away from him and crossed the street, watching the
man in the blue sweater out of the corner of her eye. He walked to his car
which was parked not too far from her minivan where Lady was patiently waiting
for her. He started his car and drove to the highway that led out of town.
Kelly followed at a discreet distance, staying three cars behind him. Her
minivan was grey, and Mike always teased her that she’d never be given a ticket,
because it was a thoroughly unmemorable car and cops look for more memorable
cars.
Hope he’s right
, she thought.
Hope the guy doesn’t spot me.

The man drove north from
Cedar Bay for several miles then turned away from the ocean, driving up a
gravel road. She saw a mailbox where the gravel road met the highway and read
the name on it, “Richard Larson.” She took out her phone and made a note on it
with his name.

“Lady, think we’ll go home
early today. Need to do a little research on the computer, and it’s probably
better if Mike’s not home when I do it.”

She made a U-turn and
headed back towards Cedar Bay.

*****

“Okay, Lady, time for me to get to work,”
Kelly said, heading down the hall to her home office where her computer was
located, her footsteps clicking on the wooden floor. She knew she had a little
time before Mike would be home, and she wanted to see what she could find out
about Richard Larson. She booted up her computer and Googled Richard Larson.
She quickly scanned the three pages where his name was mentioned and then went
back to the beginning.

An hour later and after
printing out several articles about him, she felt she had a pretty good sense
of the man. He was forty-five years old, divorced, and a former insurance
executive who had moved to the area from Seattle. Evidently the insurance
company where he worked had let him go. He’d been arrested several times for
driving under the influence and had even spent some time in jail. One article
said that he’d had a revelation while he was in jail that alcohol was the root
of all evil, and he’d vowed to wage a campaign to eliminate all liquor and wine
stores in the State of Oregon. He traveled throughout the state, speaking to
groups about the evils of alcohol. He was presently working for an insurance
agent in Sunset Bay, but all of Beaver County was his territory. He’d been
interviewed multiple times by members of the press regarding his attempts to
have alcohol banned in Oregon. One of his interviewers had described him by
using the terms “rabid” and “fanatical.”

Kelly pushed herself away
from the desk.
It’s kind of like finding the .38 caliber gun and not being
able to find out who pulled the trigger. This guy could have all the motives in
the world for killing Jesse, and it looks like he does, but was he the one at
the scene of the crime who fired the .38 that killed Jesse? That’s the question
that needs to be answered.

She heard Mike open the
door and went to greet him.
Don’t want to have to tell him any more fibs
than necessary,
she thought
, and if he looked over my shoulder while I’m
sitting in front of the computer, he’d probably want to know who the guy is,
and this information about Richard Larson isn’t quite ready for a prime time fireside
chat just yet.