Murder At Tropical Cove Marina (Cozy Mystery) (Sea Cozy Mysteries Book 1) (5 page)

As I strolled into the office the next morning, I felt pretty content with life except for a few achy muscles. It’s hard to believe all I did yesterday was sit in the boat and look at a few crabs.  I felt like I had been working out at the gym for a week.
“I must really get back in shape soon,
” I thought to myself. However, as I pulled open the door of the marina office, my demeanor quickly changed. The atmosphere inside was somewhat tense and solemn with groups of people huddled together whispering and gossiping amongst themselves like they were at a jury trial during recess.

“Hey Maddie, just the person I need to see. Some really, really bad news. I hate to have to tell you this but we just arrested Carol and we are taking her into custody,” Ethan said with a concerned tone.

My father added, “The police got a search warrant and searched her boat earlier this morning. They found an empty bottle of teak oil on the floor under the galley table. Strange, their boat had lots of stone crab claws rottin’ in the anchor locker at the bow of the boat. Not sure why though.”

“Maddie, we sent the bottle to the lab for a quick trace of fingerprints. Unfortunately, Carol’s fingerprints were all over it. The fingerprints that they found on the other bottles from the garbage matched Robert’s. So, uh, those other bottles from the trash were the ones that Robert and Ms. Johnson were using when they were staining the boat. We believe all things point in Carol’s direction. She had a motive to kill Robert. We believe she became more jealous over the years of Robert and Ms. Johnson’s relationship. So…”

My father jumped in again, “You forgot to mention the financial statements and such.”

“Oh yes that’s right.” Ethan continued, “We obtained several of their bank statements and credit reports. It showed that they were in debt way over their head and their money was dwindling away. So we believe that she killed Robert because she was jealous and in doing so she could receive the half of million from the life insurance policy. We think she had it planned out for a while.”

“Madilyn Autumn.”

When my father used my full name, I knew something was up. “What, Dad?”

“Carol wants to talk with you before she is taken in. She’s in the day room.” He motioned with his hands and had a serious look on his face.

“Five minutes. That’s all, Maddie,” Eric looked at me with a serious expression.

As I pushed open the door to the boater’s day room, Carol’s head was bowed and she was praying and I said “Hey, Carol, How’re you holding up?”

Carol looked up with tears in her eyes. “For the Love of God, Maddie. I did not murder my husband. You have to believe me. I know I was slightly jealous of Ms. Johnson’s looks, but who wouldn’t be? I am not a murderer.” She reached out and grabbed my hands as she started to pray again
,
“I beg you Dear Jesus, that you help Maddie understand that I did not do this and help her to understand that I was not the one to kill my husband.” She looked up and let go of my hand. “Maddie, God is telling me that we need to find out who did this!”

“Carol, I empathize with you, but my hands are tied. I can’t stop a police investigation and them arresting you. I can only listen and share what you tell me with the police. I hope you do understand that.”

“Yes, I do, Maddie.”

“Oh, one last thing before I go, they found something odd on your boat.  Some rotting crab claws. Do you know anything about that?”

“The only thing Robert said was that he was into something risky. Nothin’ like gamblin’ and nothin’ I should worry about.” Then she wiped her eyes and continued, “But somethin’ that would bring in a little extra money. Something about catchin’ blue,… no, stone, …no, blue crabs. Not sure which.”

“If you don’t mind Carol, I will let Ethan know all about what you told me and about the crabbin’ Robert was involved in. Maybe he can find out something more that could help your case.”

Ethan opened the door of the day room and stuck his head in, “Times up Maddie, Sorry.”

“Maddie, God Bless you,” Ethan led Carol out with her hands behind her back while her head slumped down in shame. I had a weird feeling that the killer was still on the loose.

I arrived late for the afternoon Seafood Jamboree meeting that was being held at the Crab House Restaurant. “
You think I could make it on time, it’s only across the street,”
I thought to myself. But lots of boaters from the marina stopped and ask detailed questions about Carol’s arrest. Question after question.
Are we safe? Could the murderer still be on the loose? Why did Carol murder Robert?
The list of questions would never end. I was about to explode, like a balloon being filled up with too much water. My head was spinning and hurting from all the commotion and excitement over the last several days. I was kind of glad I could get away from the marina for a while even if it was going to a meeting. I pictured myself sitting, relaxing and clearing my head somewhere quiet. Like on a nice, sunny deserted island surrounded by trickling waterfalls and calm, crystal-clear blue waters. As I opened the door to the Crab House, I took several deep breaths to relax myself.

Mayor Jones greeted me. “Hi Maddie, Thanks for joining us we are about to get started. Oh, by the way, I understand they found out who murdered Robert.” He paused before continuing, “His wife. That is just so tragic.”

Guz jumped in, “
Hola
!
Señor
ita Maddie, Well at least they found the murderer. We don’t have to a worry ourselves anymore, right Mad-die?”

I thought to myself, “
The only way I am going to get away from all of this talk and such is to take a week long vacation to that private island I was dreaming about early, for some peace and quiet”
I gave a little laugh to myself, “
That ain’t going to happen anytime soon,”
I said to myself. Then I snapped back out of it. “That’s for sure, Guz. That’s for sure.”

Mayor Jones continued on, “So Maddie, vendors will have booths set up on your property at the marina?”

“Yes, that is right, Mayor.” Vendors selling items such as handmade jewelry and art, nature exhibit vendors, even the Coast Guard will have a booth. There will be fishing and crabbing demonstrations. This year, we are also offering free kayaking, sailing, and paddle-board demonstrations right off the marina’s day dock. In addition, I might be able to get a couple of the dragon boat teams to come down and have races. Not sure yet, I am still in the process of contacting the groups.”

The mayor nodded in appreciation. “Wow, Maddie, that sounds like some great attractions to bring our community together.”

“Oh, also forgot. Since we are trying to keep the theme of the festival fishy and such, I ordered a moonbounce that is in the shape of a whale. Its really cool, the kids slide down its mouth and jump inside tummy. Also, I’m in the process of booking a clown to do balloon twisting. ”

“That sounds nice, Maddie. Great way to attract families with kids. Wow, I don’t know what to say, you’re an amazing lady, Maddie.”

I smiled. The best way to put me in a good mood is through flattery. “Thanks, Mayor. This is one of my favorite festivals and I am glad that our marina can take part in it again this year.”

Mayor Jones turned to Guz. “So what will the Crab House be doing this year at the festival?”

“I will be having seafood vendors from, the ah, local community selling outside my, ah, restaurant. And will be having samples of seafood. Ah, shrimp, crab legs, clams and wine tasting,” he said in his gruff voice.

As Guz was talking, I began to get antsy and a little distracted.  I stared confusingly out the window for no apparent reason.

“Maddie, What’s a wrong?” Guz said

“Yeah, Maddie, you seem to be a bit distracted,” Mayor Jones agreed.”

“Oh, nothing really.” “
I need to snap out of it,
” I thought to myself.

Guz got the meeting back on track. “I will be donating ten percent of my profits to, ah, the Free Health Clinic.”

“Always doing the right thing for the community, Guz. Wow, it looks like things are coming along nicely,” Mayor Jones commented.

Guz got up out of his seat and headed to the kitchen “Would you like to try samples of shrimp, crab, clams? I had the, ah, chef make up a few.”

“That’s another way to get on my good side. Feed me great food.”
“Sure.  Sounds great, but first I must excuse myself to use the ladies’ room.”

“Right around the corner, Maddie,” Guz gestured.

Once in the bathroom I was able to calm my nerves and relax. It seemed so surreal. It was like being at the beach. The walls were painted a light glossy yellow with several pictures of sunsets and beaches scattered on them. The vanity mirror covered most of the wall where the elegant sinks, shaped like shells, were located. The white globe lights were so bright all around the vanity mirror it was like you were a star of a show or outside at the beach on a warm summer day. There was soap in the shape of shells and dolphins. The garbage was an old crab pot, and mints were being served on a half of a clamshell. There were also hand-painted sand dollars scattered here and there amongst the pictures. As I gazed around at the beautiful decorations, I glanced over at the interesting crab pot garbage can and thought, “
I need to make one of those for my condo.
” I was investigating its construction when I noticed something shiny under some of the used paper towels. I got curious and as I got closer, it looked to be an empty bottle of some sort. Looking around to make sure there was no one to witness my trash-diving, I grabbed a paper towel from the rack and scavenged through the trash and pulled out an empty bottle of teak oil. “
That’s odd. Why would there be an empty bottle of this in the ladies trash?
” I thought to myself. I pulled it out and wrapped it up in some paper towels and stuck it in my purse. Once I finished sampling the food, I would call Ethan and let him know about my find. “
Maybe he can dust for some prints,
” I thought to myself as I gave my hair a quick fluff and touched up my makeup. 

I headed back out to the dining room but Mayor Jones was already gone. “
Darn it,”
I said to myself. I wanted to say bye and chat with him a little about our upcoming project at our marina.  My father and I wanted to install a mooring field with 20 balls but the county is giving us a hard time about it.  The county only wants to give us a permit for 10 balls. I thought Mayor Jones could help persuade the officials that we could use some extra spots for boaters.  During the tourist season, our 50 boat slips can get easily filled up. The extra 10 balls would help greatly with our overflow of mariners. The boaters moored in the field can make use of the dinghy dock at our marina, which in turn could help generate revenues for many of the businesses in town.  

Guz walked out of the kitchen. He was carrying a platter of food. “Ah,
Cómo estás
, Mad-die?”

“Voy tirando.” Which I hoped meant, ‘Getting by’ in Spanish.

“Ah, Mayor Jones is sorry he had to go, his wife called and, ah, said she was not feeling well.” Guz bit into a piece of crab.

“Hope it is not anything too serious, like the flu. I heard it was bad this year. Luckily, I have not caught it. Yet. Knock on wood.”

Guz chuckled. “I, ah, got my flu shot already.” He placed the decorative glass platter of hors d'oeuvres in front of me. “Would you like to try samples?”

“
Sí
!” As I laid my purse down, the empty bottle fell out of my purse and clattered to the floor.

“Ah, what is that?” Guz reached to pick it up.

I grabbed it first and said, “Oh, nothin. I just dropped my…”

“It looks to be a bottle of, ah…teak oil.” Guz paused. “What are you doin with that, Mad-die?”

“Oh, it’s from the marina. I forgot to give it to Ethan today when he was at my office. So, um, I…decided to bring it with me and drop it off after the meeting was over.”

              “You can give it to me. I will be meeting with, ah, police to talk about security for the festival tonight.”

“
That’s odd, Ethan didn’t mention anything to me about a meeting with Guz tonight,
” I thought to myself.

“Uh, Nooo. That’s okay. I’ll just hold onto it.” I put the bottle back into my purse.

Guz gaze lingered on my purse for a moment before he smiled and said, “Well then. That’s fine. Why don’t you taste some of my shrimp scampi, Mad-die?”

“Ok, but first I need to make a quick call.” I fumbled for my phone in my pocket.

“You can put your phone down. Try out my, ah, shrimp,” he said as he was moving a spoon with a piece of shrimp on it towards my mouth.

As I lay my phone down to take the spoon from him, I saw his eyes flick toward my phone. Suddenly, his hand shot out, reaching for my phone. I was shocked, but my reflexes caused me to quickly intercept the phone before he grabbed it. Then, I walked quickly around the stainless steel island in the middle of the kitchen, putting something between us. He moved toward me, walking fast and muttering something in Spanish. I had no clue what it meant, and I didn’t want to know. My adrenaline started to kick in as I picked up my walking pace and dashed to the back of the room. I was breathing heavy and thought to myself, “
Darnit, I left my purse on the table but luckily I stuck my phone in my pocket.
” The look on his face was a mixture of anger and something else—desperation? I retreated from him, until I got backed in the corner, next to the stainless steel walk-in freezer. I had nowhere to go. I was trapped.

He grabbed my arm, squeezing hard enough to leave bruises, and opened the freezer. “Maddie, Lo siento!” He shoved me in the freezer and latched the door behind him.

I tried the freezer door just to see if I could get lucky but I was definitely locked in. My hands were shaking and my heart was racing as I frantically pulled out my phone from my pocket. I guess during all the commotion in the kitchen, I must have bumped my hip against something. My phone showed I accidentally called Ethan’s number that I saved in speed dial. I tried the number again but it was showing no bars, apparently the stainless steel insulated freezer was blocking my phone reception. “Just my luck
,”
I whispered. I could see the breath coming out of my mouth and my fingers started to go numb.