Rocks Can Be Deadly (Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Book 5) Read online

  Rocks Can Be Deadly

  A Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery

  Cindy Bell

  Copyright © 2015 Cindy Bell

  All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

  All trademarks and brands referred to in this book are for illustrative purposes only, are the property of their respective owners and not affiliated with this publication in any way. Any trademarks are being used without permission, and the publication of the trademark is not authorized by, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  From the Author

  About the Author

  More Books by Cindy Bell

  Chapter One

  Samantha waved the cloud of smoke away from the top of the pan and cringed at the burnt creation in it.

  “That’s what I get for watching television while making breakfast.” She shook her head and grabbed a potholder. Once she had a grip on the pan she eased it into the sink and added some water to cool it off. The sizzle was loud enough that she didn’t hear the knock the first time. She turned off the water and heard the second set of knocks. Briefly she considered whether there was enough smoke for a neighbor to have called the fire department. That wouldn’t be so bad, a few strapping young men in uniform. When she opened the door she found Jo. She tried not to look too disappointed as she looked at her slender friend dressed from head to toe in black.

  “Wow! What did you burn?” Jo cringed as she was hit with the smell of the burnt breakfast.

  “Bacon.” Samantha sighed. “I can’t say I’m a culinary whiz.”

  “Hm. Why don’t you come to breakfast with me? There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

  “Okay. Let me grab my purse.” Samantha ducked back into the kitchen long enough to get her purse and make sure that the stove was turned off. Jo waited for her outside. Samantha walked through the living room and opened the windows. As she stepped out of the villa she smiled at Jo.

  “Hopefully it’ll be aired out by the time I get back.”

  “Burnt bacon should be a crime.” Jo winked at her. “But look at the bright side, now we get to try out the new café they opened.”

  “Good point.” Samantha nodded. “It’s nice that management allowed it to be opened.”

  “Yes, I have to say, I moved into Sage Gardens for the quiet location, but all of the activities and amenities they offer has been nice.”

  As they walked down to the main office where the new café was, Samantha nodded and smiled to a few of the other residents of Sage Gardens. Jo however did not. In fact, most of the people that passed by didn’t even offer her a second look. Jo was not the making friends type. Once they were settled at the café and placed their orders, Jo slid a brochure across the table.

  “There is this amazing flower show that I am going to attend. I bought two tickets already, hoping that you would go with me.”

  “Really?” Samantha smiled. “That’s so nice of you, Jo.”

  “Well, I might have had an ulterior motive.” Jo grinned. “I am going there by train and I got a discount on the train tickets and flower show tickets because I bought tickets for two people together. See the package?” She pointed it out to Samantha. “But I would really like you to go with me. I know gardening isn’t exactly your thing, but there are so many interesting plants to see at the show, I think you’ll enjoy it.”

  “I’m sure I will.” Samantha skimmed over the brochure. “I haven’t been on a train in years. This will be so much fun.”

  “The food and drinks on the train can be really pricey and the train is quite old. But the scenery is gorgeous.”

  “You’ve been before?”

  “Once, in my younger years. It’ll be a bit of a walk down memory lane for me.”

  “How nice.” Samantha met her friend’s eyes. Despite the fact that they spent a good amount of time together, Samantha still didn’t know Jo very well. Then again, she doubted that anyone knew Jo very well. Her nature was secretive.

  “There’s a fast train, but it’s much more expensive and I thought overnight on the train would be fun to do again,” Jo said.

  “Sounds like it.” Samantha smiled. “How long are we away for?”

  “We leave in the afternoon, sleep on the train overnight and then go to the show and head back that night. So two nights,” Jo explained. “Is that okay with you?”

  “Sure, sounds like fun,” Samantha said as she looked at the brochure. “Too bad we can’t do this one.” Samantha tapped another section of the brochure. “It comes with free food and drinks.”

  “Yes, that one requires four train tickets though.” She lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “I only had one person to invite.”

  “Thanks for inviting me.” Samantha smiled as her bacon and eggs arrived.

  “Well, thanks for saying yes,” Jo said happily and took a bite of her breakfast.

  “I’m already looking forward to it. I haven’t gotten to travel in a long time. I used to travel all the time.”

  “I know what you mean. I don’t think I’ve left the state all year. That’s so strange for me. It used to be an occupational perk.” Jo smiled sheepishly. “It was once my goal to visit as many foreign countries as possible. Now, it’s my goal just to go on a train ride.”

  “It’s your goal right now. But who knows. First a train ride, then a plane ride, then maybe we’ll even reach the moon.”

  “The moon?” Jo laughed.

  “Well, you never know. You can go into space now. Could you imagine?”

  “No thanks, I’ve got enough to deal with on earth.” Jo shook her head.

  “Good point.” Samantha raised her cup of coffee. “Maybe we’ll just stick to trains.”

  “I’ll send you all of the details.” Jo smiled.

  “Great. I can’t wait.”

  “I’m really looking forward to it, too.” Jo finished her coffee.

  “Before we go, though, you’ll have to give me a crash course in flowers so that I don’t call a daisy a daffodil.”

  “Come over a bit later to my garden and we’ll go through it together.” Jo stood up. “Thanks Samantha.” She met her friend’s eyes. Samantha returned the gaze with a gentle smile. Jo was still getting used to the idea of having a friend, and though Samantha had friends over the years, she had never really had a best friend. Most women she knew couldn’t understand her desire to be in dangerous situations for the sake of journalism. She didn’t have to worry about that with Jo, who had the unusual history of being a cat burglar. Maybe they had danger in common, but Samantha didn’t share her love of ga
rdening. She made sure she was coated in bug spray before she headed over to Jo’s garden.

  ***

  After getting a basic overview of gardening from Jo, Samantha returned to her villa. As she walked towards the door she heard footsteps behind her. Out of habit she spun around, ready to defend herself.

  “Easy there, tiger. I’m friendly.” Eddy laughed. He adjusted his hat and met her eyes. “A little jumpy are you?”

  “Well, you shouldn’t be sneaking up on people.” Samantha grinned. “You never know how I might react.”

  “I was hoping with an offer of lunch.” Eddy angled his head to the side. “If you let me live that is.”

  “All right, I guess you can keep breathing.” Samantha laughed. “So, you came over for lunch, hmm?”

  “To offer to take you out to lunch.” Eddy cleared his throat.

  “That might be safer considering what I did to my kitchen this morning.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “It will be once it airs out.”

  “All right.” He smiled. “I’ll leave it at that.”

  “I’m going to be away for a few days.”

  “You are? Where are you going?” Eddy picked up her paper and handed it to her.

  “I’m going on a train ride to a flower show. Thank you.” She took the paper from him and tossed it down on the table inside the door. Normally, she couldn’t wait to tear into the paper and read the latest columns, but at the moment there was more on her mind than just whether the current crime journalist made a good effort.

  “You are going to a flower show?” Eddy raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you kill a cactus once?”

  “Never mind that. Jo invited me, and I can’t wait to go.”

  “Well, that should be nice for you both.” Eddy shook his head. “I can’t say it would be my idea of a fun time.”

  “Oh!” Samantha’s eyes widened. “What a good idea!”

  “Huh?” Eddy glanced over his shoulder to see if someone stood behind him. “What idea?”

  “You and Walt can go with us! There’s a special package if you buy four tickets. If you and Walt come along, we can all enjoy free drinks and food on the train. This is perfect! Wait until Jo finds out. Oh no, wait, we’ll surprise her. How long do you need to pack?”

  “Wait just a minute.” Eddy held up his hands and took a step back. “Who said I was going? And you haven’t even asked Walt.”

  “Oh, sure you will go. Don’t you want the chance to get to know Jo better?” Samantha offered her most charming smile, complete with wide eyes and a plucky wink. “We’re going to have so much fun.”

  “Samantha, you’re getting ahead of yourself. I don’t know if this is such a good idea. Jo is a private person.” Eddy frowned. “I don’t want to invade her trip. Plus, I doubt Walt would go for it.”

  “He would if you do.” Samantha crossed her arms. “You know that.”

  “Maybe, but again, Jo invited you, not me or Walt. Do you really think it’s a good idea?”

  “I think Jo needs to know that she has more than one friend.” Samantha frowned. “You are her friend, aren’t you?”

  “That’s not fair, Samantha. Jo and I may have our differences, but you know that she is my friend. She and Walt have been spending a lot of time together, too.”

  “So, it’s a good idea.” Samantha smiled.

  “Just because Jo and I are friends that doesn’t mean she wants us to tag along.”

  “Relax Eddy. I think I know women better than you. Do you want to go on the trip or not?”

  He looked thoughtful. “Maybe.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  “What about lunch?” Eddy stepped into the villa and sniffed the air. “Oh wow, you did do a number in here didn’t you?”

  “Okay, Eddy I’ll make you a deal. I will take you out to lunch, my treat, if you talk to Walt about going on the trip.”

  “Your treat?” Eddy stroked his fingers along his chin. “I could go for that.”

  “Only if you promise to talk to Walt.” Samantha playfully poked her finger towards him.

  “I promise, let’s eat.” Eddy sighed in defeat. “Why don’t we go to the café in the courtyard?”

  “I was just there for breakfast.” Samantha laughed. “Why don’t we just hit the sandwich shop on the corner?”

  “Sounds good, they have fantastic soup.” He held the door for Samantha as they stepped outside. “Samantha, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

  “Yes?” She glanced over at him as they walked to Eddy’s car.

  “When you worked as a crime journalist did you ever come across a man by the name of Peter Wilks?”

  “Peter Wilks?” Samantha shook her head. “The name doesn’t bring anyone to mind. But I’ve dealt with hundreds of people over the years, Eddy. Is there a reason you ask?”

  “He’s a friend of mine, just moved into town a few blocks away. I mentioned you during a conversation and he swears that he worked on a story with you.”

  Samantha frowned as they got into the car. “I’m not sure. It’s possible I guess,” she replied once they were seated.

  “He said that you were the most determined woman he ever met.” Eddy cleared his throat. “So, there’s no doubt in my mind that he was talking about you.”

  “Ha!” She grinned at him. “Well, we’ll have to get together sometime. I remember stories better than I remember people, to be honest.”

  “It was something to do with funds disappearing from a charity that supported the families of fallen police officers.”

  “Is Peter a police officer?” Samantha asked. “Wait a minute, I think I do remember him. Oh.” She smiled. “Yes, I’d love to get together with him.”

  Eddy raised an eyebrow as he started the car. “I could invite him to lunch.”

  “Yes, please do,” Samantha said with a dreamy smile on her lips.

  ***

  “Peter said he’d be here in a few minutes,” Eddy explained after hanging up the phone. “Let’s order, I’m starving.” Eddy gestured to the waitress.

  “That’s a little impolite, don’t you think?” Samantha looked out through the front window of the shop. “We should wait for him.”

  “It seems to me that you’re a little excited to see this guy. What’s the story?” Eddy waved the waitress away.

  “No story. He just gave me good information.”

  “Hm.” Eddy nodded. “Well, if I don’t find out from you I’m sure that I will find out from him.”

  “There’s nothing to find out, Eddy.” Samantha rolled her eyes.

  “Here he is.” Eddy stood up to greet his friend. Samantha smiled as Peter walked up to the table. His short, brown hair was combed back from his forehead. He wore the same style she remembered him wearing, jeans and a button down top.

  “Samantha.” He smiled at her as he paused beside the table. “I can’t believe it’s really you, after all these years.”

  “It’s me.” Samantha giggled. Then she tried not to blush. “It’s good to see you, Pete.”

  “You’re still the only one who ever called me that.” He shook his head and sat down beside her.

  “Pete is a good name.” Samantha leaned closer to him. “It’s so nice to see you again. I’m sorry that we lost touch.”

  “Lost touch?” His expression hardened. “Is that what you call not returning my calls or e-mails, losing touch?”

  Eddy sat down on the other side of Peter. Samantha’s eyes widened.

  “I’m sorry, I must have just gotten busy with a story.”

  “Must have.” Peter winked, then he looked over at Eddy. “Are the cheese steaks good here?”

  “Not bad, not the best.” Eddy shrugged.

  Samantha sat back against her chair. Her mind churned as she tried to remember whether she had a falling out with Peter. She recalled they had shared many coffees and a few meals. But she couldn’t remember any arguments. She knew that the investigation
became very intense at the end. Once they ordered their food Samantha decided to find out a little more about how things ended with Peter.

  “What have you been up to since we worked on that case? Did you ever experience any consequences from the investigation?” she asked.

  “Not really. I quit and went to work as a private investigator. I figured I’d rather work for myself than work for crooks.”

  “Now, not all cops are like that.” Eddy narrowed his eyes. “You know that.”

  “Sure I do. You’re the one exception, Eddy.”

  “That’s right.” Eddy laughed and nodded to the waitress as she brought their food.

  “Well, you were one of the most honest police officers I ever worked with, Peter. If it wasn’t for your information we never would have blown that story wide open.”

  “Yeah. We worked well together.” Peter took a bite of his sandwich. Samantha’s phone rang. She glanced down at it to see who it was.

  “Oh, it’s Jo, probably calling about the trip.”

  “You should ask her about Walt and me.” Eddy wiped some crumbs from his hands.

  “No, I want that to be a surprise.” Samantha laughed. “I’ll call her back in a bit.”

  “Are you going on a trip?” Peter finished his sandwich.

  “Just for a couple of days, to a flower show.”

  “Are you kidding?” Peter asked.

  “No.” Samantha narrowed her eyes. “Do you know about my reputation as a plant murderer, too?”

  “No. It’s just that I’m going to the same show. I’m taking the train.”

  “So are we.” Samantha’s lips parted with shock. “What an amazing coincidence.”

  “Well, then maybe we’ll see each other along the way. It was good to see you again, Samantha. Eddy, we’ll have to get together soon.” He nodded to Eddy, then stood up.

  “Glad we had the chance to reconnect, Pete.” Samantha stood up as well. Peter stared at her for a moment. His lips eased into a smile.

  “Me too, Sam, me too. Maybe, we can keep in touch this time.”