Caramel Cream & Murder_An Oceanside Cozy Mystery Book 31 Read online

  “Just that this is going to be big fun,” said Josie.

  “Big,” Heather repeated to herself. She addressed the group. “I’m sorry. Amy and I are going to have to run soon. I just realized something important about the case that we’ll have to follow up on.”

  “What is it?” asked Amy.

  “Ellie thought that Cici was a woman,” Heather explained. “But maybe it’s not. What if it’s Chief Chet’s brother? Big CC?”

  Brothers

  “Don’t you get tired of these meetings?” Big CC asked the four investigators across the table from him in the interrogation room. “Nothing ever comes of it except that we get annoyed with one another.”

  He smiled broadly at everyone. He began cracking his knuckles, showing off the tattoos on his hands. There was a large “C” on both of them.

  “Maybe this time you could just tell us what we want to know?” Amy suggested.

  “I hate talking in the interrogation room,” Big CC continued. “I like it better when we talk, and there’s food. That taco stand was good. And I always appreciate the donuts.”

  “There won’t be any donuts today,” Ryan said.

  Unfortunately, what he said was undermined by Chief Chet’s entrance into the room. He was carrying a box of Caramel Cream Donuts and offered one to his brother.

  “Clarence,” he began.

  “It’s Big CC now.”

  “You know I’m not going to call you that,” said Chief Chet. “Now, what are you doing here today?”

  “I’d like to know the same thing,” Big CC said, glaring at the investigators. Then he gestured toward Peters to show his familiarity. “Even Miguel is acting serious today.”

  “I should be serious,” Peters replied. “We’re investigating a murder.”

  Big CC brushed this off. “You’re always investigating a murder. Nothing but work, work, work in this town for you.”

  “Some people keep us busier than others,” Heather replied.

  “Now, Clarence,” Chief Chet continued. “If they asked you to come in, then you must know something about the case they’re working on.”

  “Maybe they just missed seeing my face,” Big CC joked.

  “I’m glad I’m not eating right now,” Amy retorted. “That might have made me gag.”

  “Everyone,” Chief Chet said, addressing the room. He calmly picked up a donut. “Why don’t we all get along?”

  “Because I’m being harassed,” said Big CC stubbornly. “They have it in their heads that I’m up to no good and they won’t let it go.”

  “Well, you are up to something,” Chief Chet said.

  Big CC opened his mouth in shock after his brother’s proclamation. “How can you say that?”

  “I don’t think you’re involved in this murder business,” Chief Chet said quickly. “But there had to be a reason that you didn’t come over for dinner when you said you would.”

  “That was the night that Chris Henderson was killed,” Heather pointed out.

  “And we have a witness who heard the victim talk about CC prior to his death,” said Ryan.

  Big CC turned to his brother. “I didn’t come over because I wasn’t feeling well.”

  “If that were true, you would have said so at the time,” Chief Chet replied. “And we would have brought you soup. You love it when I do that.”

  “Fine,” said Big CC. “I had a date, and I didn’t think you’d like the girl, so I didn’t tell you.”

  “I knew it!” Chief Chet said, seeming completely satisfied with the answer.

  “What was your date’s name?” Heather asked.

  Big CC paused too long before finally saying, “Amy?”

  “She has the same name as me?”

  “You can see why I didn’t want to tell anybody,” Big CC retorted.

  “Oh, Clarence, you’re lying to me. Why are you doing that?” Chief Chet asked, taking the box of donuts back.

  “Fine,” Big CC said. “I was really at a boxing match. And I didn’t tell you that because there were some unsavory characters there. Some people who might be accused of running gambling rings. And I didn’t want you to think that I usually associated with them. I didn’t have anything to do with this guy’s death.”

  “Then what were you talking to him about?” asked Ryan.

  “If he was talking about me, maybe he was talking about how I didn’t want to get involved his with business.”

  “What sort of business is that?” asked Peters.

  “Drugs.”

  “But why on earth would he think that you would have been interested in selling drugs?” asked Chief Chet. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I ever heard.”

  “I know,” said Big CC.

  “But he did try to involve you,” Heather pressed.

  “He was under the mistaken impression that I was involved with some other crimes on the island and wanted to see if I would join in his enterprise. But I told him no. I didn’t want to deal with drugs. There are too many kids on the island. I don’t like the idea of them slipping into the wrong hands.”

  “How noble,” Amy said sarcastically.

  “Well, that’s the only reason Chris would be talking about me. He was annoyed that I wouldn’t help him. He asked me quite a few times, and I always said no. I have my standards.”

  “Even if you weren’t involved, you might still know something helpful,” said Heather. “Did he tell you anything about his business when he tried to recruit you?”

  “He said it was lucrative.”

  “Must be,” said Amy. “This is where Chris Henderson made the money that his girlfriend thought was more than a waiter should make.”

  “And he told me a name once,” Big CC admitted. “But I don’t like being a snitch.”

  “This person isn’t only involved in selling drugs in town,” Heather said. “He might also be a murderer. Who knows who else he could hurt?”

  “Fine,” Big CC said. “He went by one name. It was Partridge.”

  “Thank you for helping,” Chief Chet said, offering the donut box back to his brother.

  “Don’t mind it at all,” said Big CC, selecting another snack. “Any more questions?”

  “Well,” Amy said. “On a completely different topic. What do you think is an acceptable amount of time to wait until proposing to a girl?”

  “Well,” Big CC said, pondering it. “It depends on the girl. And whether you need to marry her so she can’t testify against you.”

  He laughed, and Chief Chet joined in, shaking his head.

  “Isn’t he a rascal?”

  Back to the Interrogation Room

  Tracking down Partridge took longer than Heather expected. She made time to check on Donut Delights and see that the Caramel Cream Donuts were selling quickly and to make a reservation at the spa.

  Heather and Amy sat at a table at the donut shop, waiting for news that Partridge had been found.

  “Maybe they can’t find him because he doesn’t exist,” said Amy. “Maybe Big CC is messing with us.”

  “It’s possible,” said Heather. “But his brother wouldn’t be too happy with him if he led us on a wild goose chase when we’re supposed to be finding a killer.”

  “What does his brother’s unhappiness really mean?’ Amy countered. “He has to wait a few extra minutes before he’s allowed to have donuts again?”

  “I see your point. But I think Big CC really does care what his family thinks about him. He doesn’t admit his involvement with crimes not only because he doesn’t want to be arrested, but also because he doesn’t want Chief Chet to be disappointed.”

  “I’m afraid Josh is going to be disappointed,” Amy said with a sigh.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that there’s a good possibility that Josie is going to say no to his proposal. Yes, they seem to be in love. But it’s still such a jump to decide to get married. I’m afraid Josie will have to say no and that they’ll break up because of it.
Josh will be heartbroken, and Jamie will have to comfort him. It’s going to be a mess.”

  “She might say yes,” said Heather. “She seems to be very enthusiastic about everything and to care a lot about Josh.”

  Amy shrugged. “It’s still a big decision. And this could end up being a terrible experience for both Josh and Jamie.’

  Heather looked at her friend. “Is that something that’s bothering you too? That if Josh’s proposal goes wrong, then Jamie would be less likely to propose to you?”

  Amy frowned. “I hadn’t thought of it like that. But maybe that’s something that’s been bothering me subconsciously.”

  “As you’ve been pointing out in other ways, Jamie and your relationship is completely different from the one that Josh has with his girlfriend. Nothing is going to ruin things with you and Jamie. I know you’re meant to be together.”

  “Thanks,” said Amy. “That’s nice to hear. And when you lay out the concerns I’ve been unable to voice, they do sound silly. But I don’t think the fear that Jamie won’t propose to me is my only motivation. I really am concerned that Josie will say no and Josh will be upset.”

  Before Heather could give any more words of advice, Ryan called and told them that they were bringing Partridge into the station. The women hurried up from their table. They had a new suspect to question.

  Partridge sat in the same seat that Big CC had been in earlier in the day. However, he didn’t look as at ease as the chief’s brother had.

  “What am I doing here? You don’t have anything on me,” the hook-nosed man said.

  “We do have something on you,” Ryan responded. “We had a witness tell us that you and Chris Henderson were involved with dealing drugs, and when we came to talk to you, we caught you in the act.”

  “No,” Partridge said. “No. You’re misinterpreting what you saw. I wasn’t selling drugs to anyone. My friend and I just happened to find that bag, and we were debating what to do with it when you pulled up. We were leaning toward telling the police, but we were afraid that they’d think we were involved. Like you’re thinking now.”

  “Great cover story,” Amy said, rolling her eyes.

  “What we’re more interested in right now is who killed Chris Henderson,” said Heather.

  “And I don’t know the answer to that,” Partridge replied.

  “That’s fine,” Amy said. “You don’t have to talk. We have proof that you were selling drugs with the victim, and it’s already obvious that you killed him too.”

  “I didn’t kill anyone,” Partridge protested.

  “But you knew Chris Henderson,” Heather prompted.

  “Yes. I did,” he said, looking down at his hands. “And maybe I did work with him. Maybe we were involved with something together. But I didn’t kill him. Why would I?”

  “A dispute over money?” Heather suggested.

  “No. Business was doing fine, and Chris was on the level with me. I had no reason to want him dead. Losing him made things harder for me, and his being dead is what led you to finding me. I didn’t want that.”

  “It could have been a crime of opportunity,” Peters said. “Maybe you weren’t thinking clearly.”

  “I didn’t kill him,” Partridge repeated.

  “Was your meeting spot with Chris behind the bistro?” Heather asked.

  Partridge nodded. “We figured it was a good place to meet. He worked there, so it wasn’t weird for him to be seen waiting there.”

  “And he was waiting for you the night he was killed?” Heather continued.

  “But I had nothing to do with that,” he said again. “I was on my way to meet him, but I got delayed. By the time I got to the bistro, it was already roped off as a crime scene.”

  “And where were you delayed?” Ryan asked.

  “I was stuck in a hotel elevator,” Partridge said. “I was visiting a friend and left to go meet Chris. But the elevator froze. It took them close to forty-five minutes to figure out what was wrong and get me out of there.”

  “We’ll be checking on this,” Ryan said.

  “Please do. Then you’ll see that I didn’t kill him.”

  Heather looked at the other investigators. They had received some answers from this suspect, but also more questions. He finally explained why Chris Henderson was at the bistro so late that night. Now they knew why he was there, but they still didn’t know who killed him.

  The Dolphin Tour

  The next morning, Heather stood on the deck of the dolphin tour boat, staring out at the water. Josh and Josie were cuddling together, and they looked for signs of dolphins in the water. Amy and Jamie were also sitting together and laughing about something.

  Heather was a bit apart from the group. It wasn’t so much that she felt like a fifth wheel, she just couldn’t stop thinking about the case. She felt a little guilty that she was looking for aquatic animals while Ryan and Peters were still at work, but Ryan had insisted that she spend some time with Josie.

  Heather had to admit that she liked the woman. She was sweet and enthusiastic. She loved visiting the island and meeting Josh’s friends. She also loved Heather’s donuts.

  Amy and Jamie rose from their seats and joined Heather.

  “What’s bothering you? Is it case related or about…?” Amy gestured with her head towards the other couple.

  “Case related,” said Heather.

  “I’m nervous about,” Jamie said with the same head gesture towards the other pair. “I want it to be the perfect proposal for my best friend.”

  Amy didn’t say anything.

  “Are all the preparations in place?” Heather asked.

  Jamie nodded. “When you’re finished at the spa, you’ll head over to the beach, and we’ll have everything set.”

  “But what’s bothering you about the case?” Amy asked, eager to change the subject.

  “I guess it’s that I’m not sure where we should turn next,” said Heather. “We know why Chris Henderson was at the bistro that late at night, but we don’t know why the killer was. And all the evidence at the crime scene doesn’t seem to be related to the murder.”

  “You mean those hundred cigarette butts that Peters found?” Jamie asked.

  “I told you,” said Amy. “It was only ninety-eight.”

  “That’s still a lot of them.”

  “And it is taking a while for them all to be processed,” said Heather. “But so far, they all appear to belong to Bruno. They match what we found on the cigarette at his house. But that could be from his smoke breaks at work, and not because he was waiting there to kill Chris.”

  “His family gives him an alibi too,” said Amy.

  “So does Mr. Oldsway’s family,” said Heather. “Tanya and James don’t have strong alibis. Even with her video call to her friend, Tanya still had time to commit the murder. And James said he was home alone. However, the coworkers don’t seem to have a motive if the reason for the location of the crime was because Chris was waiting for Partridge.”

  “What about the girlfriend?” asked Amy.

  “She has an alibi too,” Heather said. “At the spa that we’re going to. And that rules the barrette found at the scene out as a source for finding the killer. Ryan found out the results this morning. The hair on the barrette was Ellie Kay’s. But it was most likely there because Chris was holding onto it. He probably meant to give it back to her.”

  “Who else does that leave?” Amy asked. “Besides Big CC? Because as much as he annoys me, I don’t think he’s the killer.”

  Heather shook her head. “That’s why I feel so stuck. It wasn’t Partridge either so that rules out all the suspects we know. It needs to be someone we haven’t discovered yet. Probably related to the drug deals.”

  “How do we investigate that?” asked Amy. “Should we set up a sting operation? Go undercover?”

  “Right now, Ryan and Peters are trying to track down people that Chris might have sold to. I guess we’ll wait and hear what they have to say.”<
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  “Amy! Jamie! Heather!” Josie called. “Look, there are dolphins!”

  They hurried over to their friends and saw the dolphins joyfully leaping out of the water.

  “They’re showing off,” Amy joked.

  Heather couldn’t help smiling as she watched the creatures play in the ocean. She was glad that this trip with Josh and Josie had been a success. Because while they were able to see dolphins, Heather felt like she just couldn’t see the answer to the case.

  Beachcomber Bistro

  After showing Josie around to a few more sites on the island, including the Southernmost Point and the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, the group decided to split up. Jamie needed to make some rounds with his mobile pet grooming business, and Heather and Amy wanted to do some more sleuthing. Josh and Josie decided to check out some lighthouses on the island, while the P.I.s headed back to the scene of the crime.

  In the light of day, Heather wanted to look behind the lawn and gardening supply store again. However, besides seeing some lovely azaleas, there wasn’t much else to find. Footprints couldn’t have been left on the hard ground, and there weren’t any pieces of evidence that the detectives missed. The bricks that had come apart from the small wall surrounding the plants were lying haphazardly around the area. Anyone walking by could have grabbed one.

  Heather sighed. “Well, it was worth double-checking.”

  They headed around toward the front of the shop and started walking down the street. They stopped as they neared the Beachcomber Bistro.

  “Looks like it’s open again,” said Amy.

  “Maybe we better pop inside,” suggested Heather.

  They walked in and saw that there were very few customers for the lunchtime rush. News of the dead waiter found out back must have been discouraging patrons from dining there.

  Mr. Oldsway saw them and greeted them with a sweaty handshake. “It’s nice to see you two. Would you like something to eat?”

  “Maybe something to go,” said Heather. “We just wanted to check in and see how things were going.”