Highway to Homicide Page 6

  “I was up early. I figured I’d get a jump on things.” She glanced passed Cookie and smiled at a couple making their way into breakfast. “You remember Henry and Mary, right? They were here in the spring and checked in earlier this week.”

  Cookie turned and spotted the older couple who’d been scammed into buying a non-existent timeshare. They’d come to the island earlier in the year to check it out, only to find out that Keith, the manager of the local gym, had fabricated the existence of the timeshares and stolen from not just them, but seniors down in Florida too. Cookie and Dylan had managed to help them get their money back, but their dreams of waterfront property had been broken. “Hey!” Cookie said. “What brings you back to the island so soon?”

  Mary took a seat across from Scarlett and poured herself and her husband coffee from the silver carafe. “We loved the island so much when we were here, we decided we needed to come back. We were thinking about looking for a small house that we could buy and rent out when we can’t be here. But now we hear there are some condos going in. What’s that about?”

  Cookie quickly filled them in on the condo controversy, the barge explosion, and Rain’s predicament in the town jail.

  “Oh my!” Mary turned to her husband. “Did you hear that? Poor Rain. I know she’s a little eccentric, but even I know she’d never blow anything up. We have to go see her today.” She turned back to Cookie, her eyes wide. “They allow visitors, right?”

  “Yes. I’m sure Rain would love to see you both.” Cookie filled her plate with pancakes and a couple of strips of bacon and turned her attention to Scarlett. Her friend was wearing a pretty sundress, her hair was pulled up into a sleek ponytail, and her makeup was light, giving her almost a fresh Cover Girl look. But what was most striking was the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at Cade.

  And he looked just as smitten as she did. Each time his gaze landed on her, his lips curved into a sexy smile that spoke of intimacy and secrets. Something was definitely happening with them. Or had happened.

  Cookie was dying to get the details. She didn’t waste any time shoveling her pancakes down, and the moment she swallowed the last bite of her bacon, she stood up and said, “Scarlett, got a minute?”

  Her friend glanced up at her. “Sure. What do you need?”

  Cookie jerked her head toward the kitchen. “Just a word or two before Dylan and I head out.”

  “All right.” Scarlett gathered the dirty plates from the table and followed Cookie through the swinging door into the kitchen. Scarlett took Cookie’s plate from her and started to rinse the dishes.

  “Scar,” Cookie said, placing a hand on her friend’s arm, stopping her. “Those can wait! You have to tell me what’s going on with Cade. I’m dying here.”

  Scarlett laughed and shut the water off. “Oh? Is your curiosity killing you?”

  “Yes!” Cookie said in a loud whisper. “We saw you two last night having a romantic dinner. And judging by the way the two of you are looking at each other this morning, I’d say it went really well.”

  “You think so, huh? Just how long were you spying on us?” Scarlett teased.

  “I wasn’t spying—” Cookie started.

  “Oh no? Don’t think I didn’t notice you and Dylan sneaking past us with your dinner. And taking your sweet time when Cade kissed me. Did you enjoy the show?”

  Cookie winced even though she knew Scarlett was just torturing her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. You two were just so… romantic.” She pressed her hand to her heart and let out a sigh. “I just want you to be happy.”

  “You just want the details,” Scarlett said, her eyes dancing with amusement.

  “Yes, yes I do.” Cookie crossed her arms over her chest and studied her friend. “It’s obvious the dinner went well. The question is, did the date end there? Or did you two have a sleepover?”

  Scarlett blinked and then shook her head as she tsked. “Geez, Cookie. What kind of girl do you think I am?”

  “One that is very much into that hot man out there,” Cookie said without a beat. “Come on, admit it. The sparks flying between you two are bright enough to blind a girl.”

  “Well then. There’s your answer.” Scarlett grabbed a scone from the open container and took a bite, obviously enjoying torturing her friend with her cryptic information.

  “Scarlett,” Cookie said, exasperated. “Do I have to go out there and interrogate Cade instead?”

  The other woman didn’t say anything as she focused on the scone.

  “Fine. You’ve left me no other options.” Cookie whirled around and headed for the door. “I’m sure Dylan will be more than happy to help me question his friend.”

  “Dang it, Cookie. No!” Scarlett darted forward and blocked Cookie’s exit, dramatically putting her arms across the door opening. “Fine. I’ll tell you. But keep it to yourself, okay? I don’t want to seem like a giggling high school girl who thinks she’s bagged the quarterback just because he shared an ice cream with her.”

  “That was awfully specific,” Cookie said, narrowing her eyes. “Did that actually happen once?”

  Scarlett waved a hand. “Never mind. You know what I mean.” She grabbed Cookie’s hand and hauled her back over to the stools positioned near the butcher block island. “Sit.”

  Cookie did as she was told, grabbed a chocolate scone for herself, and waited.

  “Okay, there are definitely sparks. Tons of sparks. More than the fireworks display over the bay during Fourth of July,” she said.

  “That’s pretty obvious. I think the temperature rose about ten degrees just from the way you two were looking at each other,” Cookie said. “I gotta say, it sure was nice to see, especially after the Hunter thing fizzled out.”

  “Hunter,” she said with a sigh. “Yeah, about that—”

  “What about that? You’re not still pining for him, are you? He’s a good enough guy, but you need someone who is head-over-heels for you. Someone who appreciates just how wonderful you are. Not someone who’s married to his job. Twenty bucks says he’s dating someone new by the time I talk to him again.”

  “Hunter? Gads no,” Scarlett said, shaking her head. “Besides, I don’t pine.”

  That was true enough… usually. Though Cookie did think her friend had temporarily lost some of her sparkle since the relationship had fizzled out. Not depressed exactly, more like just a little sad. “Okay, so what about him then?”

  “It’s not so much about Hunter. It’s what happened to the relationship. It ended because he’s in Philly and I’m here. Long distance rarely works out. I don’t want to end up falling for someone who’s just going to walk out of my life in a few weeks.”

  “I get it,” Cookie said with a nod. “It’s weird being out here on the edge of the world, isn’t it? It’s hard to attract new blood to small towns that aren’t exactly growing.”

  “Right,” Scarlett agreed. “I’m here because I love it and you and Rain. If I wasn’t financially secure from my law firm, living here would be out of the question. There’s no way I could make a decent living as a personal lawyer here. I’d have to at least set up a practice in Hancock, and even then, I’d likely just be shuffling paperwork for minor things such as writing wills and other small contracts. What is there to entice someone like Cade? He isn’t a fisherman, and Dylan’s already cornered the market as the island’s contractor.”

  “You’re here,” Cookie said. “So is Dylan.”

  “That’s hardly enough,” she said, staring at the container of scones.

  “It’s enough for me.” Cookie reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand. “Listen. It’s a little early to be worrying about what might happen, isn’t it? I understand not wanting to get your heart bruised, but if you don’t give it a chance, how will you ever know?”

  She shrugged. “I won’t. Which is why I want to keep this casual. If I don’t have any expectations, then I’m less likely to get my heart stomped on.”

  “So you’re s
aying you’re up for a fling?” Cookie raised her eyebrows. Casual relationships weren’t usually Scarlett’s thing. Or at least they hadn’t been in the past. She was fun, but she was also a little too intense for that sort of arrangement.

  “Maybe. It could be fun. Last night certainly was.” She pumped her eyebrows in a suggestive manor.

  “Oh?” Cookie leaned in and lowered her voice, once again asking the question she’d been dying to know. “Did you two have a sleepover?”

  Scarlett threw her head back and laughed. “Sleepover? What are you, twelve?”

  “Laugh it up, Scar,” Cookie said, trying and failing to act annoyed. The grin she’d been holding back spread across her face as she sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. “You know what I mean. Did you wake up next to him or not?”

  Scarlett sobered and shook her head. “Not. But don’t think I didn’t consider inviting him up. If we’d kissed any longer, I’m certain my resolve would’ve failed miserably. He’s a damn fine kisser.” A dreamy look materialized in her eyes as she stared off into space. She brought her fingertips up to her lips as if she could still feel his lips on hers. “He gets an A plus in the make-out department.”

  “So, separate bedrooms, huh?” Cookie asked. “What did you do, make out on the couch?”

  Scarlett’s face turned a bright shade of red, something that didn’t happen often. Cookie’s friend was rarely embarrassed. “Things might have gotten a little carried away. But in my defense, it was late, and everyone had gone to bed. It wasn’t like we had an audience.”

  Cookie just smile at her friend like a fool. “Watch out, Scar. By the time the week is over, you might just find that you have yourself a boyfriend.”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Cookie. It was just one dinner.”

  “And an epic make-out session,” Cookie added.

  “I never said epic.” Scarlett smirked.

  “You didn’t have to.” Cookie stood. “I’d love to stay and watch what happens next, but Dylan and I need to figure out how to spring Rain. Fill me in later?”

  “Of course.” Scarlett ran a hand over her hair, smoothing her ponytail, and then straightened her dress before Cookie snickered and led her back into the dining room.

  On their way out, Cookie asked Cade to join her and Dylan on the porch. Once they were safely away from the inn’s guests, Cookie asked, “Any news from the Coast Guard?”

  Cade nodded. “I’ve got the names of the two men on the tugboat.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper with the names John Butcher and Willy Thamos scrawled across the top. “Both are just regular mariners as far as anyone knows. No other bodies found. They suspect the finger woman was obliterated. It’s unlikely they’ll find anything else.”

  It wasn’t much, but it was something. “Thanks, Cade. If you hear anything more—”

  “I’ll let you know.” With a nod, he turned and hurried back into the inn.

  Cookie whipped out her phone and called Hunter. She’d kind of hoped to hear from him already and frowned when she got his voicemail. After leaving the two men’s names and asking for a background check, she told him to call as soon as he could. After tucking her phone away, she slipped her hand into Dylan’s and said, “Let’s do this.”

  Chapter 12

  The centuries-old building gleamed in the morning sunlight as Dylan and Cookie made their way up the stone steps. The historical society building was the oldest on the island and the most beautiful. Cookie admired the sunflower wreath hanging on the old wooden door as she pushed it open and strode in, Dylan right behind her.

  Their footsteps echoed on the stone floors, alerting their presence to the Jackie Kennedy lookalike sitting at an old banker’s desk at the back of the room.

  “Cookie James. I was wondering when you’d show up,” Julie Taylor said, standing and smoothing her pink pencil skirt. Her silk blouse was tucked in, and a wide white belt completed her classic look.

  Cookie stared at her poofed-up hair and mentally calculated how many cans of hairspray Julie went through each month.

  “Hello, Julie,” Dylan said, shaking her hand. “It’s nice to see you again. How’s business at the historical society these days?”

  “It’d be a heck of a lot better if that condo building wasn’t being built. Can you believe the city approved the plans behind closed doors like that?” She let out a huff. “Something’s not right. Something shady is going down, and I can’t believe the only other people on the island who care about this are Rain and her Pussycat Posse. Pussycat Posse!” she scoffed. “I mean, seriously. What is wrong with everyone? Don’t they realize this means terrible things for the island?” Julie was working a pen so hard between her fingers Cookie thought it might snap. “Traffic, higher taxes, environmental issues, view obstruction. The list goes on and on. It’s a disgrace.”

  “So, I’m guessing you still oppose the building construction?” Cookie asked, barely able to keep a straight face. The woman was so worked up, Cookie was surprised she hadn’t popped a blood vessel during her tirade.

  “Still oppose it, you ask?” Her eyes were wide, and her lips twisted in disgust. “Of course I do. I’m the one who brought the lawsuit, remember?”

  Cookie nodded. “I do. It’s a shame it was thrown out.”

  “That judge is bought and paid for. I just know it.” She grabbed Dylan’s arm, clutching it close to her body. “And that developer. He’s awful. A real dirtbag. Did you hear he threatened me with cement shoes? Cement shoes! Can you believe that? Who does he think he is, the mob?” Her face had contorted into a sneer that was scary. “If he ever laid a hand on me, I’d break his pinky fingers. Do you know how much that hurts? I’ll teach him to threaten me.”

  Cookie stared at her hands and then touched the pinky on her left hand. The finger was bowed slightly from the time she’d broken it in high school and it had healed improperly. Julie was right. It really did hurt. Not enough to keep a mobster from tossing someone in the ocean, but enough to bring tears to his eyes. Cookie made a note in her notepad. “So, you and the developer have had words.”

  “You bet your biscuit we have. You know, I just have to say I had nothing to do with the barge blowing up, but if it wasn’t for people losing their lives, I wouldn’t say I’m sorry it happened. The more trouble that turdtwattle has getting that building constructed the better.”

  “Turdtwattle,” Cookie said with a nod. “That’s a good name for him.”

  “Right?” Julie asked. “He really chaps my backside. You know,” Julie paused and spoke as if it was hard to say the words, “your mother and I haven’t always gotten along, but I have to admire Rain and her friends for the protest they staged. I can’t believe she was arrested. How is she doing, anyway?”

  Cookie blew out a breath. “She’s doing okay. About as good as a person can do when they are incarcerated, I guess. As long as they don’t transfer her before we catch a break and prove she had nothing to do with the explosion, I think she’ll be all right.”

  “Well, that’s too bad,” Julie said, smoothing her skirt. Then she got a superior look on her face as she added, “But I can’t help but wonder if she really did have the barge blown up. You know how irrational she can be about things. It’s not a huge stretch.”

  So much for Julie being team Rain. “My mother is not irrational,” Cookie said through clenched teeth, trying to control the sudden anger that had flared in her chest. How dare the woman accuse Rain of something so heinous?

  “Oh, dear. I’m sorry. She is your mother.” Julie made an attempt at looking contrite, but since it wasn’t an expression she was used to, it came out looking like her Botox was wearing off in patches. “I probably shouldn’t have said that to you, but since you’re investigating, I figured you should know what the rest of the island is thinking.”

  Dylan put a hand on Cookie’s arm, stopping her from putting the older woman in her place. He cleared his throat. “The entire island thinks that?”
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  She nodded vigorously. “Absolutely. You should hear the gossip. Everyone is already convinced that Rain got carried away, but now that someone has died, she’s trying to cover her butt.”

  Cookie took a deep breath through her nose to keep from showing the woman just how much broken fingers could hurt.

  “Is that why most of the merchants have started putting collection jars on their counters that say Free Rain?” Dylan asked, keeping his voice pleasant.

  “Have they?” Julie pressed a hand to her throat and pursed her lips, making her look like she’d just sucked on a lemon. “Well, maybe they feel badly for her.”

  Dylan shrugged, but the look on his face made it clear he wasn’t buying a penny’s worth of Julie’s information.

  “Ms. Taylor,” Cookie said, swallowing her annoyance. The riff between Julie and Rain wasn’t exactly a secret. She shouldn’t be surprised that the historian was questioning Rain’s actions. But it was time to change the subject to something that wouldn’t keep her blood pressure raised. “Have you had any other interaction with the developer since the hearing?”

  “No.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well.” She let out a sigh. “He did buy himself a restraining order that the crooked judge granted, and all because I’ve been keeping an eye on him. I’ve been ordered to stay fifty feet away from his property at all times.” A smirk claimed her lips. “So I got some high-powered binoculars and have been checking the place out in the mornings from my car.” She nodded knowingly. “If he makes one false move, I’ll know.”

  “Interesting.” Cookie made another note. There was serious bad blood between Julie and the developer, and that was worth remembering. It didn’t mean she’d blown up his barge, but it certainly kept Julie squarely on the suspect list. “And have you seen anything we should know about?”

  Julie shook her head. “No. He rolls in late most days, and as far as I can tell, all he does is chain smoke. But it’s not like I can watch him all day. I have a job to do, you know.”