Trust Can Be Deadly (Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Book 3) Read online

  Trust 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

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  From the Author

  About the Author

  More Books by Cindy Bell

  Chapter One

  Morning in Sage Gardens was usually a peaceful time, filled with tweeting birds and cheerful residents waving to one another. In such a beautiful environment it was easy to be eager to greet the day. Although many of the people who lived in Sage Gardens were early risers they took care not to disturb those that weren't. Lawnmowers, radios, and loud noise in general were kept for after a reasonable hour.

  When the blaring siren of a police car shattered the comfortable silence of a community awakening, it was a surprise. It had knocked Eddy right out of his half-asleep half-awake state. Out of habit Eddy launched out of his bed ready to deal with whatever crime was taking place. It was only as he pulled on his shoes and a t-shirt that he recalled he was no longer an active police officer. Still the sirens drew him out the door of his villa and onto the lush, green grass of his front lawn.

  As Eddy reached the walkway a police car blazed right past him. Eddy's heart pounded as he looked in the direction that the car was travelling. Its flashing lights and blaring siren were so out of place amidst the pink flamingos and garden gnomes that decorated the front yards of the villas. He wondered what might have happened. It was clear that whatever it was had to be quite serious.

  With his attention sharpened by the sights and sounds Eddy watched as another police car blew through the entrance of Sage Gardens. Despite his concern for what had happened, he felt a rush of adrenaline flood him. He smiled as every nerve in his body stood on edge, prepared to protect or attack as needed.

  When Eddy was a policeman every single time he went out on a call and got to flip on the lights and the siren, his entire body would react to the urgency of the situation. It wasn't exactly a thrill, as many times the situation that he was racing towards was dire, but it did make his adrenaline pump because he had to be prepared for anything. He still got that feeling, even forty years later.

  Eddy watched as the car raced up the hill to the villas that overlooked the distant highway. He knew a few of the residents that lived in that area. He could see that an ambulance and a police car were already parked on the hill. Eddy presumed that they must have approached earlier from the other side of Sage Gardens as he hadn’t heard their sirens.

  Eddy was thinking about what might have occurred. His thoughts were soon distracted by the sound of wheels against the sidewalk. He turned around with a smile as he knew it would be Abe. Abe was one of the few residents that was both in a wheelchair and yet still active. Some of the wheelchair-bound residents spent more time in their villa and only emerged for trips or transport to a doctor's appointment.

  Abe was one of the 'rollers' who was always out and about, which made it very easy to recognize the sound of his wheelchair. Abe was a younger resident compared to many. His short, brown hair didn't have a trace of gray. His light, brown eyes had yet to gain any wrinkles around them. He normally looked fairly healthy, but Eddy noticed something off about him right away.

  “How are you, Abe?” Eddy squinted at the man who seemed much paler than usual. His expression was grave. “Are you ill?”

  “No, I'm fine. But Joel Westons isn't.” Abe grimaced and looked over his shoulder up at the hill where the police cars had come to a stop.

  “Joel?” Eddy frowned. The name was familiar, as just about everyone knew everyone in Sage Gardens, but he couldn't place a face to it. “Is that what the police and ambulance are here for?”

  “I thought someone would have told you before I had the chance to, news travels so fast around here,” Abe lowered his voice to a conspiratorial tone. “Joel's wife, Anna, found him dead on the living room floor this morning.” His eyes widened as he revealed the news. Eddy's did as well.

  “Dead?” Eddy shook his head with a frown. It wasn't that unusual for residents to suddenly pass from medical conditions. But deaths of that kind, were rarely attended to by several patrol cars full of policemen. “I guess it wasn't natural causes?”

  “Not unless there's a way to naturally get your head bashed in,” Abe replied gruffly. He coughed sharply once, and then shook his head. “Someone did him in with a candlestick.”

  “Must have been a heavy one?” Eddy turned to look as another police car shot by them both. The siren made conversation impossible for a moment.

  “Must have been. I can’t believe he’s dead,” Abe said grimly.

  “Did you know him well?”

  “He and I would get together now and then for lunch. His wife volunteers at the local library, so he's often alone during the day.” Abe sighed and rolled his chair back a few inches to get a better view of the hill. “It's a damn shame that he's gone. He was a decent guy, you know? I hope they figure out who did this.” He lowered his voice with disgust, “In his own home.”

  Eddy's attention was focused on the crime the moment he discovered that it was a murder. He had worked as a homicide detective and had proved himself a vicious interrogator with good instincts over the years. He had worked many homicides and he knew that a bludgeoning death was one of the rarest, especially in home invasions. It was intriguing to him to think of, but that wasn't the only reason that he was interested. Eddy had a strong protective instinct, and any crime that took place in his neighborhood felt like a personal attack.

  “Do they have any suspects in mind?” Eddy's interest was piqued at the idea of a new case to look into. He had begun to settle into his role as resident detective. Most of his neighbors were used to it as well.

  “Not that I know of just yet, I mean he wasn’t found very long ago. But maybe you could find out more than I can.” Abe lifted an eyebrow. Eddy realized that Abe wasn't just being friendly, he wanted information. Eddy understood why. It was hard to discover that a friend had passed, it was harder when the loss was the result of a murder.

  “I'll see what I can find out.” Eddy clapped his hand lightly on Abe's shoulder. �
��I'm sorry for your loss, Abe.”

  “Thanks.” Abe looked up the hill in the direction of Joel's villa. “I don't know what happened, Eddy, but I do know he didn't deserve this. Neither did Anna.”

  “I'm sure that they didn't.” Eddy tightened his lips. Murder was the type of crime that could tear apart not just a family, but an entire community. Though he had become accustomed to it over the years, it was always disturbing to him.

  As Eddy ascended the hill in the direction of the Westons’ villa, he ignored the subtle aches in his hip and lower back. He was determined to stay in shape as he neared seventy, but it was a lot more difficult to accomplish that than it had been when he was twenty. His eating habits didn't exactly help either.

  When he reached the crest of the hill he could see several police cars, as well as the coroner's van. He frowned and began to approach the villa. Before he could get too close, he noticed someone walking towards it from another direction. The woman was moving with a sense of determination that always made Eddy feel just a little tired, as if he was already exhausted by the fight that he expected to have. Her coppery hair was tightly braided as usual, but a few flyaway strands were being bullied by the light breeze. Even from a distance he could see her frowning.

  “Samantha, of course,” he muttered and shook his head. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for the woman. She was as determined as she was intelligent and she always had her nose in any kind of mystery. She also happened to be one of the few good friends he had made since moving to Sage Gardens. She smiled when she spotted him. Her smile transformed her from a force to be reckoned with to a friendly soul.

  “Eddy!” She waved to him and immediately shifted direction to walk towards him. Eddy paused to wait for her.

  “I heard all of the sirens,” Samantha explained as she reached his side. She offered a worried frown. “It's not good news is it?”

  “I'm afraid not.” Eddy looked past her as a stretcher was rolled out of the house with a body bag on it. “Joel Westons from what I understand.”

  “Poor man.” Samantha shook her head with genuine grief in her bright green eyes. “He and Anna were one of the sweetest couples I ever met.”

  “You knew them well?” Eddy asked with some surprise. He had never heard Samantha mention them before.

  “Not especially well. We shared a game of cards now and then with a few others. Not lately though.” She shook her head again as the doors of the coroner's van slammed shut. “I guess I should have checked in on them.”

  “No way anyone could have known, I'm sure. A friend of Joel's, Abe, asked me to see if I can find out anything about it.” He gave a sidelong look in Samantha's direction. “I'm assuming that you're here to do the same?”

  Samantha struggled not to smile. It wasn't appropriate to be smiling at a time of grief, but she couldn't help it. She loved having the chance to work with Eddy on a mystery. It made her feel like it was the old days when she would stock up on junk food and go on stakeouts to get to the bottom of a crime she was writing an article about. Although Eddy was a retired cop, and she was a retired crime journalist, their paths had actually been fairly similar.

  “Maybe.” She managed to reply without breaking out into a smile. “You forgot your hat.”

  He reached up and swept his hand back through his thinning, brown hair. He usually put on his fedora. If anyone asked it was because he was used to wearing it. But the truth was he was a little annoyed with the bald spots that were forming.

  “I rushed out to see what was going on.” He swept his gaze over her simple pants suit which looked perfect. “I guess you were already awake for the day.”

  “Awake? I already had breakfast, fed the ducks, walked by the water and…”

  “Okay, enough.” Eddy felt that exhaustion kick in. Samantha had far too much energy for him.

  Samantha smiled at the weariness in Eddy's dark blue eyes. She had decided not long after they met that it was going to be her duty to teach the far too serious man to lighten up and enjoy life. So far he wasn't the most willing student.

  “I'm sorry. I am very curious about what happened to Joel. I hope they investigate it thoroughly even though Joel was elderly,” she stated.

  “I’m sure they will, Samantha. Police treat every crime with the same respect,” Eddy said sternly. He and Samantha often argued when it came to the role of police in the community and their behavior. While Eddy knew that some cops weren't the most honest, he also knew just how much of their lives they invested in what others considered just a job.

  “Fine, if that's the case then there should be no need for us to investigate.” Samantha smiled sweetly. Eddy narrowed his eyes. He knew that she had him there. He wasn't about to stand by and wait for an investigation to take place. He wanted to get to the bottom of it just as much as Samantha did. He wanted Sage Gardens to feel safe again.

  “It doesn't hurt to have a few extra pairs of eyes on the situation. I'll see what there is to know. You keep an eye out for anyone acting suspiciously.” He began to walk towards the villa. It was already blocked off with crime tape and cones. He ignored the yellow crime tape and walked right up to the nearest police officer. The officer looked up at him with a hint of recognition, as if he knew Eddy's face, but not his name.

  Eddy still kept in contact with some associates in the police department, and his reputation was well-known.

  “What's the situation?” Eddy’s tone implied that he deserved to know every detail.

  “The situation is that a crime has taken place, and unless you're a police officer I don't have anything to say to you.” The officer narrowed his eyes.

  “There's no need to play tough guy. I'm not asking for your badge, I just want to know what happened here.” Eddy narrowed his eyes right back. “I think if you check with your supervisor she would be fine with you sharing a few details. But then you'd have to explain why you didn't show a retired homicide detective more respect.”

  “Oh, well I…” The officer looked down at his polished shoes for a moment and then back up at Eddy. “All right, but I can only tell you so much.”

  “Whatever you're comfortable with.” Eddy smiled at him charmingly.

  “Looks like someone climbed in through an open window and bludgeoned the victim from behind with a candlestick. According to the medical examiner it looks like it happened between nine-thirty and eleven last night. The wife found him on the floor when she woke up.” He leaned a little closer to Eddy. “It must have been horrific for her to see. It was a vicious murder.”

  Eddy frowned. “How vicious could it have been? She didn't find him until she woke up? Wouldn't the commotion have woken her up?”

  “She said that she is a bit hard of hearing and she didn't hear a thing.” He sighed. “It's possible I guess if the victim was knocked out by the first blow. Or maybe she is a deep sleeper. No one expects their spouse to be murdered while they sleep. Poor thing, she's really shaken up.” He nodded his head towards the woman who was huddled near an ambulance. Anna was a petite woman with delicate features. She looked to be in her fifties, but was likely pushing seventy. Her dark brown hair was cut just below her ears. She reminded Eddy of one of his favorite teachers at school and immediately he felt sympathy for her.

  Anna just seemed too fragile to be dealing with such a difficult situation. Two EMTs were speaking to her. She had a blanket draped over her shoulders. From her ruffled hair it looked as if she had just gotten out of bed. Eddy could see the blood on her hands. She must have tried to revive her husband. Not only had Joel been killed, but he had been dead in his living room for several hours. To Eddy it was a dreadful thought that a death could go unnoticed for so long.

  “Any suspects yet?” Eddy looked back at the officer.

  “Not that I can say.” The officer tightened his lips with determination. “You know I could get in trouble just for telling you this much.”

  “I appreciate the information.” Eddy nodded and patted the
officer on the back. “You're doing a great job here. I’m sure you’ll do a very thorough investigation.”

  “I will, Sir.” The officer turned and walked back towards the villa. Eddy turned towards Samantha just in time to see her walking into the yard of the neighboring villa.

  “What is she up to?” he muttered so as not to draw the attention of the police officers. He was sure that whatever Samantha was doing had something to do with the investigation.

  Chapter Two

  Samantha picked her way carefully across the grass. She knew how hard the gardener worked to keep the grass green and lush and so she did her best to avoid trampling it. But she had spotted someone poking their head out from behind the villa and she wanted a closer look at who it was. As soon as she had begun walking towards it, the person ducked behind the villa. Samantha thought this was very suspicious. She crept closer.

  Samantha noticed the person peering around the corner of the villa. She didn't recognize him right away, but his face did seem familiar. Slowly she crept closer to the villa. She had read enough crime novels to know that a murderer almost always returns to the scene of the crime. This man seemed to be very interested in remaining hidden, while still keeping an eye on what was unfolding next door.

  “Hello there!” Samantha called out. She wanted others to hear her, so that they knew where she was. She wasn't about to become any murderer's victim. She heard footsteps falling behind her. The man who had been peeking around the side of the villa reluctantly stepped out from behind it. He looked annoyed as he greeted Samantha.

  “Hello.”

  Samantha looked over her shoulder in time to see Eddy walking towards her. She knew that he would want to share the details of the case with her.

  “Are you a friend of the Westons?” Samantha asked. Then suddenly she realized who it was. “Tommy, I'm sorry I didn't even recognize you.”