Murder at Jade Cove (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 2) Read online

  Murder at Jade Cove

  By

  Dianne Harman

  (A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series - Book 2)

  Copyright © 2014 Dianne Harman

  www.dianneharman.com

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form without written permission except for the use of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Website, Interior & Cover design by Vivek Rajan Vivek

  Paperback ISBN: 978-1505333701

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  To all of my readers who made this series so popular, I thank you for buying my books, reading my books, and sharing them with others. To Vivek for his constant support and wise guidance, I thank you. And to my husband, Tom, for his unwavering support. You’ve made all of this possible! Plus you’ve gotten to be a good cook in the process. Thanks!!!

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  Recipes!

  ABOUT DIANNE

  CHAPTER 1

  “Mike, I’ve got to deliver this cake to Jeff Black,” Kelly said, opening the refrigerator and taking out her special chocolate cake.

  “Well, I hope you made another one for me. You know it’s my favorite and I don’t think anyone can resist a cake that rich. I just hope you put a lot of that killer icing on it.”

  “Sorry, sweetheart, I only had time to make one. Jeff Black is very particular when it comes to food and he told me that’s the only chocolate cake he’ll eat. Everyone knows he doesn’t give out many compliments, since he’s not the nicest person in the world to deal with, so it really means something coming from him. You know, tomorrow’s the big day for him. Seems hard to believe he’s going to have the ranch house demolished and begin building a hotel and spa on his property. He told me Marcy was going to Portland to spend some time with her sister while he stays here to oversee the construction.”

  “Yeah, I know. That project’s really controversial and has nearly torn the town apart,” Mike replied. “For the last few months it’s almost been armed warfare in our sleepy little town. I didn’t know when I took the job of county sheriff I’d be trying to keep peace in a town because some Las Vegas style hotel and spa was going to be built just a few miles outside of town. Some people are really for it and others hate it. Even though I’m not in favor of it, I’m glad a decision was finally made by the County Supervisors, although a lot of people aren’t happy with the results. I have to give Jeff credit for sticking with his dream of building a hotel and spa right there on the cliff overlooking Jade Cove and going through all the hoops to get it approved. It’s going to really change this area. I sure hope it’s for the better, but I still have misgivings.”

  “Well, I’m as happy as you are it’s over. With Amber’s murder a few months ago and now this, Cedar Bay has had more than enough to deal with. Anyway, Rebel and I will be back in an hour or so. Jeff asked me to deliver it tonight so he could have it for the construction workers tomorrow. He wants to get off on the right foot with them and figures a piece of chocolate cake will be a good way to start.”

  “Smart move on his part. I’m glad you’re taking Rebel with you and make sure you have your cell phone turned on. Jeff’s house is a little remote and I worry about you being alone out there. Kelly, don’t raise your eyebrows at me when I’m looking after your safety. Please indulge me. Even though his property is fenced and pretty secure, I’ll feel better knowing that dog is with you for protection.”

  “Mike, you know Rebel doesn’t let me go anywhere without him. See, he’s already standing by the door.” She looked over at the big boxer waiting patiently for her to open the door and take him with her. She’d gotten the beautiful dog several years earlier from the family of a drug agent who was killed while he was on duty. They decided to move and she’d never regretted buying the dog from them. Rebel had been trained to attack and detect drugs. He was a natural born guard dog and from the moment Kelly had taken him home with her, his main goal in life was to make sure Kelly was safe. He always kept her in sight except for the rare occasions when she couldn’t take him with her.

  Mike was a big man and he filled the doorway while he waved goodbye to them. An easy grin, a receding hairline, and about ten extra pounds made him seem like everybody’s friend, however, there was no denying the mantle of power the man easily wore. Everyone agreed he was a man you didn’t want to cross, but just the kind of person you wanted as your county sheriff.

  She doesn’t understand why I worry about her, Mike thought as he walked over to the large chair he loved to sit in and watch the sun begin to set over the bay. But what man wouldn’t? She’s beautiful, has an incredibly voluptuous figure, her complexion’s like fine porcelain, and that thick, lustrous black hair she always wears in a ponytail or swept up in her signature tortoiseshell clip – yeah, it’s nice to be engaged to a woman like her. Every time I see her I feel like I’ve won the lottery.

  *****

  I don’t think this location could be any more beautiful, Kelly thought fifteen minutes later, as she drove up the long driveway to Jeff Black’s ranch house. Even though I’m not in favor of the hotel and spa, I can sure see why Jeff and some of the others thought this would be a perfect location. Towering cedar trees framed the circular driveway that led to the large ranch house perched on the cliff overlooking Jade Cove and the ocean beyond. The cove was horseshoe shaped, about two hundred yards wide and no more than a quarter of a mile in length. Jeff owned the land on the south side of the horseshoe along with the land in the center which was where the ranch house was located. The Bureau of Land Management owned the property on the north side of the horseshoe.

  The view from the Black’s ranch house was spectacular. Waves crashed against the cliffs and created tide pools that teemed with all kinds of sea life. An occasional ship could be seen in the distance beyond the mouth of the cove, silhouetted against the blue-green ocean. In the winter, seals clung to the rocks while eagles soared above. Mother Nature provided a non-stop show from dawn to dusk at Jade Cove.

  Wonder how many people have found a piece of jade on this beach? I used to bring Julia and Cash out here when they were young and they loved it. Not sure there’s anything more exciting than finding a piece of jade that’s washed up on the shore. The people who come to the spa and hotel will love it.

  She heard the roar of the waves and smelled the crisp salt air when she opened the door of her minivan. “Let’s go, Rebel,” she said as she let him out of the van and walked up to the front door of the ranch house which overlooked the cove. She put the cake down on the porch and rapped the door knocker three times. Lights were on in the house, but no one answered the door.

  “Jeff’s probably out in the old mining shack he converted into his office. He told me once he spends a l
ot of time out there. Follow me, boy. It’s not far.”

  Kelly picked up the cake and started walking towards the small ramshackle building located near the edge of the cliff. She could just make out the silhouette of the old building in the deepening twilight. I was right. Jeff must be there. I can see some light coming from it. She followed the narrow rocky path that led to the shack and when she got there she put the cake down and knocked on the door of the old weathered shack. She waited and when there was no response, she knocked again. Jeff’s one of those people who concentrates so completely on whatever he’s doing sometimes he doesn’t notice anything else. He probably doesn’t even hear me knocking. She turned the doorknob, opened the door a few inches, and called out, “Hello, Jeff. Are you here? It’s Kelly and I’ve brought you that special chocolate cake you wanted.” There was no response. She walked into the shack and looked around. Papers were scattered all over his desk, but there was no sign of Jeff.

  Rebel began growling, moved away from her, and started to walk out the door. She looked down at him. The guard hairs along his spine were raised, creating a wide swath of black. “What’s wrong, boy?” she asked, reaching down and patting him. He growled again and pushed against her legs, indicating she should follow him. He went around to the far side of the shack and she walked behind him. He stopped suddenly and backed up against her legs, all the time growling in a deep guttural tone. She looked in the direction he was facing and saw a body lying on the ground. It was Jeff. The dirt around him was covered with a bright red pool of blood. Kelly stared at his body in disbelief. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. He’s dead, and it looks like he was murdered. I can see a large bullet hole in his chest that’s soaked in blood. I’ve got to call Mike. “Rebel, come.”

  He followed her as she ran back to the minivan. When she got to it, she opened the door, reached into her purse with a shaking hand and pressed Mike’s number on her cell phone. A few seconds later, he answered.

  “Hey, sweetheart, expected to see you, not hear from you,” he said. In a tearful voice, she told him what she’d discovered. “You and Rebel stay in the van. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Kelly, do not get out of the van and make sure your doors are locked. The killer could still be in the area.” He ended the call.

  She pressed the door lock button and put her arm around Rebel. He sensed something was wrong and pushed against her. She wasn’t the only one shaking.

  CHAPTER 2

  Fifteen minutes later she heard the sound of sirens. Kelly lowered her tense shoulders and let out a deep sigh of relief when she saw the flashing blue and red lights on Mike’s car coming up the driveway.

  She opened the door of the minivan as soon as Mike pulled up next to her and ran into his arms. Seconds later Mike’s deputy sheriff pulled his patrol car up next to Mike’s. “Oh Mike, it was awful. Rebel found him. Jeff’s dead. He’s on the far side of his office, the old shack out by the cliff. You can see the lights coming from it when you walk down the path.”

  “Kelly, Rebel, you stay here and get back in the van. We still don’t know if the killer is around. I’ve called the county coroner and some other crime scene investigators and they’ll be here in a few minutes. Now, do as I say and get back in the van. Turning to his deputy he said, “Rich, let’s go.” The two of them walked along the path that led to the shack located at the far end of the Jeff’s beachfront property, guns drawn.

  Kelly remembered Jeff telling her that the old shack had been used by the jade miners who had taken jade out of the side of the cliffs for many years until it no longer became profitable. The shack had been there before Jeff had been born. When he’d inherited the property from his parents, he’d converted it into an office. His wife, Marcy, didn’t want to give up one of the rooms in the ranch house in order to provide an office for him.

  A few minutes later the county coroner arrived with two of his assistants and they rolled a gurney out of their van. Kelly opened her window and pointed to the shack in the distance. “Jeff’s body is next to that building. Mike and Rich are out there now. He told us to stay in my van.”

  “I think that’s good advice. Have you seen anything that makes you think the killer is still around?” the coroner asked, his hangdog jowls wobbling as he spoke. Everyone knew how much he liked to eat and Kelly imagined he was probably enjoying his dinner when he got the call from Mike.

  “No. It’s been quiet from the moment we got here. Since Rebel isn’t growling or barking, I imagine that whoever did it is long gone.”

  “Probably so, but I agree with Mike. I think you should stay where you are.”

  Several more sheriff patrol cars arrived. The occupants took cameras and evidence kits out of their cars, preparing to gather DNA evidence, fingerprints, and anything else that might help determine who killed Jeff Black.

  Well, it’s not as if no one wanted him dead. He had enemies. There were a lot of people who didn’t want to see this land turned into a commercial hotel and spa. Finding suspects won’t be hard to do, but finding out who killed him will be. No one would ever nominate Jeff for the “Most Popular Citizen Award.” This is going to be a nightmare for Mike. I wonder how I can help him. As if he could read her mind, Rebel barked, indicating he wanted to help Mike too.

  Just as she was considering what she could do to help Mike, he rapped on her window. “Kelly, you can get out of the van now. I think whoever did it is long gone, plus I need to get a statement from you. Tell me everything you saw and did from the moment you left our house to the moment I got here.” He turned to Rich, “Come on over here. I’d like you to hear what Kelly has to say, and then I need to ask her a few more questions.”

  When Kelly finished, Mike said, “Kelly, did you notice anything about the Black’s property, the ranch house, or the shack that seemed unusual to you?”

  “No. As I told you, I rapped the knocker on the ranch house door and no one answered. The lights were on, but when no one answered, I assumed Jeff had left them on while he was out at the shack.”

  “Did you touch anything?”

  “I touched the knocker on the ranch house door and the doorknob at the shack. I think those are the only things I touched.”

  “So your fingerprints would be on both of those. Is there anything else you can think of?”

  “No, I went into the shack, but I didn’t touch anything. Oh, Mike, I just remembered that I left the cake next to the front door of the shack.”

  “That’s not a problem. Imagine some of these people investigating the crime wouldn’t mind having a piece of that cake. I need to fingerprint you so we can eliminate your prints. Once that’s done you and Rebel can go home. I don’t know when I’ll be there so don’t wait up for me. Go to bed. You need to get some rest so you’ll be fresh in the morning. When people find out what’s happened out here at Jade Cove, they’ll be going to the coffee shop to gossip and see if anyone knows more than they do. Jeff’s wife, Marcy, and his son, Brandon, need to be notified. Do you know where they are?”

  “When I talked to him about delivering the cake, Jeff said something about Marcy going to Portland and spending a few days with her sister. I don’t know her sister’s name, but I would think it would be on the contact list on Jeff’s computer or his cell phone. There might even be an address book in the ranch house. As for Brandon, I haven’t seen him since he started classes at Oregon State.”

  “All right. I’ll make some calls and see if I can find out where both of them are. You know as well as I do that word of Jeff’s death will be all over the county in a matter of hours. The rumor mill in these parts is about as fast as the Internet.”

  “Are you going to have someone here in the morning?” Kelly asked. “I’m thinking all of those construction people are going to show up to start bulldozing the house and getting ready to build the hotel and spa project. With Jeff’s death, I wouldn’t think it could be started.”

  “I’ll go through the files I saw on his desk in the shack. From a quick glance
at the papers, it looked like they dealt with the project. I’m sure the name of the general contractor will be in the files. I’ll call him and you’re right, the project can’t be started since the house and all the surrounding area is now involved in an active crime scene investigation and off limits to everyone, including the contractors. I don’t know what’s going to happen. This is a real mess.”

  “I was thinking the same thing, Mike. I wonder if Marcy will continue with the hotel and spa project. I remember you found out that Jeff was the sole owner of the property when you were doing research about the property before you arrested him for growing marijuana. You and I were both sort of surprised that Marcy’s name wasn’t on the title to the property. I wonder what’s in his will. She may not even be the new owner of the property. This is going to be very interesting.”

  “I have no idea. If everything hadn’t burned down in the fire at the back of the property, he’d probably still be alive, but of course he’d be in prison.”

  Kelly looked up at him. “You know, it’s kind of ironic that after the fire, the District Attorney wouldn’t prosecute him. He said he couldn’t prove that Jeff was growing marijuana because it all burned up. Instead, several months later, Jeff’s murdered on the property where he was going to build a hotel and spa that was opposed by many people in the community. In prison or dead? I’m not sure that’s much of a choice, but it looks like it wasn’t his choice to make.”

  Mike kissed Kelly on the cheek and opened the door of her van for her. As she and Rebel drove back to town one question after another came to her mind. Who did it? Why did they do it? Why now? Wonder if Marcy will get the property? What about Brandon? Wonder if the hotel and spa will ever be built? Her mind felt like it was permanently on fast forward and wouldn’t stop.

  Kelly had a hard time going to sleep that night and when she finally did, it was a fitful and restless sleep. When her alarm buzzed the next morning, she reached her hand out for Mike. His side of the bed was empty. Her night had been long, but his must have been much longer.