Murder at Pawprint Creek Read online

  Murder at Pawprint Creek

  A Wagging Tail Cozy Mystery

  Cindy Bell

  Copyright © 2018 Cindy Bell

  All rights reserved.

  Cover Design by Annie Moril

  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.

  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

  Also by Cindy Bell

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Nikki Green gazed through the windshield as she headed down an unfamiliar road. With her windows rolled down the light, summer breeze fluttered through her long, brown hair. She peered through the morning light for the sign of the street she needed to turn down. When she had difficulty seeing past the glare, she slid a pair of dark sunglasses over her light green eyes and looked again.

  Pawprint Creek looked quite different to her hometown of Dahlia. Instead of a bay that stretched out into the horizon, she was greeted by rolling farms that seemed to go on forever. The houses were further apart and there weren’t many buildings to mar the view of the mostly green landscape, and the bright blue summer sky. She noticed that some of the grass was beginning to brown, likely due to the strong summer sun, and the drought that her friend Hannah had mentioned. When she’d called a few days ago, Nikki had been thrilled to hear from her. They’d gone to summer camp together several times as kids, and had continued their friendship into adulthood.

  Hannah moved to Pawprint Creek about a year ago, and Nikki hadn’t had the chance to visit her. When Hannah had recommended Nikki’s dog sitting skills to a friend of hers who needed to travel at the last minute, he’d jumped at the opportunity. After a quick phone call with Hannah, Nikki had agreed to spend a week in Pawprint Creek looking after two precious pugs, and spending as much time as she could with her friend. She was quite well-known in Dahlia for her love of animals, and her ability to get dogs of different breeds and temperaments to walk together. She’d passed off her usual charges to another dog walker in the area that she knew well, and made the four hour drive to Pawprint Creek.

  The GPS on her phone finally came alive with a warning about the turn she needed to make. Unfortunately, she was almost passed it when it did. Luckily, there were no other cars on the road. She backed the car up, and made the correct turn. It was always exciting for her to be in a new place. She loved to meet new people, and to explore new areas. Most of all she couldn’t wait to see Hannah. After a few more turns she was on a long, country road that ran along several smaller farms. She noticed again that there were some signs of the toll that the drought had been taking on the crops. When the GPS announced she had arrived, she turned down a thin, dirt driveway that led to a white farmhouse. The house itself looked quite old, but was well-kept, and had a beautiful front porch with two rocking chairs that framed the front door.

  It looked like the perfect getaway for her. She could already imagine spending a relaxing summer evening with Hannah in those rocking chairs. As she parked she saw the front door pop open. A man who appeared to be in his thirties waved to her from the doorway.

  “Nikki?”

  “Yes, I’m here.” She grinned as she tossed her bag over her shoulder and approached the porch.

  “Jackson Nule.” He smiled as he offered her his hand.

  Jackson was a rotund man, only a few inches taller than her. He had striking eyes beneath thick, black eyebrows, and a shock of dark hair on the top of his head that seemed to go in every direction.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Jackson.” Nikki shook his hand, then followed him into the house. The interior was an assortment of styles ranging from classic to eccentric. She guessed that he just gathered whatever he liked, and that made her instantly like him. Her own taste was very eclectic, not just in interior decorating, but life in general. As she moved into the living room, two pugs hurried up to greet her. For a moment she was lost in just how cute they were, and let them know it.

  “Oh, they’re gorgeous!” Nikki sighed as she crouched down to pat them and let them give her cheeks a few licks. Their cute, curly tails wagging.

  “Sunny and Stormy.” Jackson beamed as he gazed down at them. “They are my babies. I adore them.”

  “I’m sure you do.” Nikki gave each dog several strokes along their backs, then straightened up. “I promise I will take fantastic care of them.”

  “That’s what Hannah said.” He rubbed his chin for a moment as he looked her over. “She and I have become good friends since she moved here. She’s a very smart, young woman, and if she says that you are trustworthy I believe her. But I can’t stress enough that these dogs are more than just pets to me, they are my family. So please, keep that in mind.”

  “I absolutely will.” She met his eyes. “You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

  “Great, because I have to run. Your room is there.” Jackson pointed to a door in the corner. She presumed it was the guest room. He glanced around the living room. “Sorry about the mess. If you need anything just speak with Hannah. You might see some farm workers around tending to the crops. I’ve been over most of the important points on the phone. There are a few lists in the kitchen and a detailed set of instructions. There is plenty of food to last the length of my trip, but if something somehow happens, do not, and I can’t stress this enough, do not give them a different brand. They have sensitive stomachs, and you will not want to deal with the consequences of that.”

  “I’ll be very careful.” Nikki smiled, then watched as he grabbed a small carry-on bag from beside the front door.

  “All right, I have to get going or I’m going to miss my flight. Bye, pups.” He crouched down to give them each kisses. “Be good while Daddy is gone. I’ll bring you something special.” He kissed each one on the top of the head. “Oh, I hate to leave them.”

  “Don’t worry, they’re going to be just fine.” Nikki sat down on the living room floor to draw the dogs’ attention to her. They walked up to her and she admired their cute, wrinkly faces. As they snuggled up to her, Jackson headed out the door. A few seconds later she heard his car speed down the driveway. She wondered just how late he was for his flight. She had arrived a few minutes early, but it seemed as if he needed to leave in a hurry. She glanced around the strewn clothes, and personal items laying around the living room, indicating that he had to pack in a hurry as well. She busied herself tidying up a bit for him. Shortly after she started, her cell phone rang. The instant she saw Hannah’s name on the screen a smile spread across her face.

  “Hi there! I’m here!” Nikki laughed as a squeal from Hannah greeted her.

  “Can you meet me at the town square? There’s a dog park there. I’ll brin
g Daisy, and the dogs can play while we catch up. Does that sound good to you?”

  “Yes, sure thing. Just give me a little time to let the dogs get familiar with the car and I’ll be right there.”

  “Oh, don’t worry, the moment you say park to those two they’re going to be so happy, they’d board a plane just to get there. See you soon!”

  “Can’t wait.” Nikki hung up the phone and turned her attention to the dogs. “All right, guys, how about a trip to the park?”

  Instantly, the two dogs began to bark and bounce, then they began to chase each other around in circles.

  “Oh boy.” Nikki laughed as she gathered some supplies for them. “I guess that’s a yes.”

  Nikki loaded them into her car, then headed for the town square she had driven through on her way in. She hadn’t noticed the dog park then, but guessed it wouldn’t be too hard to find now that she was looking for it. The quaint setting of Pawprint Creek reminded her of a neighborhood from a different era, from its pristine houses to its well-manicured outdoor spaces. However, as she turned the corner to enter the town square she found it painted in red and blue lights. The splash of illumination against the freshly painted buildings gave them an eerie glow. There were several police cars lined up along the street, as well as an ambulance, and a firetruck. Stunned, she wondered what could be happening that warranted such a strong response. When she pulled into the parking lot of the dog park she noticed that it was empty. She guessed that whatever incident had occurred had driven people off. Concerned and curious, she kept the dogs on their leashes as she guided them out of the car.

  Moments later she spotted Hannah as she walked up with her dog, Daisy.

  “Hannah.” Nikki smiled as she opened her arms to her.

  “It’s so good to see you!” Hannah tossed her arms around her and gave her a tight squeeze. The dogs gave each other an excited greeting at their feet. “But what is going on around here?” She looked over her shoulder in the direction of the police cars.

  “I have no idea. They were here when I got here.” Nikki frowned as she turned to look as well. “It must be something pretty serious, though.”

  “Very.” A woman with two long, gray braids draped over the front of her shoulders walked up to them. She looked to be in her fifties, but she could have been older. Her slender frame appeared quite strong.

  “Jean, what happened?” Hannah looked over at her, then glanced back at Nikki. “Nikki, this is Jackson’s neighbor, Jean. Jean, this is my friend, Nikki. She’s here to dog sit for Jackson.”

  “Dog sit?” Jean blinked as she looked at Nikki. “Why would he need a dog sitter?”

  “He left this morning for a trip.” Hannah craned her neck in an attempt to see where the police had gathered. “Are they behind the farmers market?”

  “A trip.” Jean’s eyes widened as she stared straight at Nikki. “I didn’t know he was going on any trip.”

  “Jean, do you know what’s going on?” Hannah looked back at her as she crossed her arms. “This is so strange.”

  “Yes, unfortunately I do.” Jean grimaced, looked towards the police cars, then back at Nikki and Hannah. “They found a body behind the farmers market.”

  “A body?” Hannah gasped. “Of a person?”

  “Yes.” Jean frowned.

  “I’m sorry.” Hannah blushed as she looked between them. “It’s just so shocking. I’ve been here for a little over a year and there’s not been so much as a carjacking.”

  “Yes, this is the first murder in at least twenty years.” Jean shook her head slowly from side to side. “It is shocking, and it should be.”

  “Murder?” Nikki’s eyes widened as the two pugs at her feet played with Hannah’s Jack Russel Terrier. Their tails wagging with excitement. “It wasn’t some kind of accident?”

  “No, it certainly wasn’t. He was strangled.” Jean reached up and touched the curve of her own neck.

  “How terrible.” Nikki shivered.

  “Oh no!” Hannah clasped her hand over her mouth, then slowly lowered it. “Do you know who it was?”

  “Rocky Carters.” Jean’s expression shifted from shock to disgust as she muttered the name.

  “Rocky?” Hannah grimaced. “Wow! I would never expect a murder to happen here, but it doesn’t surprise me that he is the one who was killed.”

  “Why would you say that, Hannah?” Nikki stared at her friend with disbelief. Hannah was one of the sweetest people she’d ever met.

  “Because he’s a terrible man. What goes around, comes around.” Jean crossed her arms, stared hard at the police activity, then nodded to both women. “I should be on my way. Stay safe, ladies.”

  Nikki watched the woman walk towards an old, beat-up pickup truck. Its color, once a deep green, was covered in dust and grime. She climbed in and started it up. The engine came to life after a few coughs and a sputter.

  “Why would she say such an awful thing like that?” Nikki turned her attention back to Hannah. “The man is dead.”

  “It sounded awful, I know. But she’s not wrong.” Hannah pursed her lips, then tipped her head towards the dog park. “Let’s let these dogs run off some steam, and I’ll explain everything.”

  “Okay.” Nikki followed after her, but she didn’t think there was anything that Hannah could say that would convince her that murdering a man could be justified in any way.

  Chapter 2

  Once Nikki and Hannah set the dogs off to run loose in the fenced-in area, they sat down on a small bench near the entrance of the dog park.

  “I’m sorry all of this is happening when you’ve just arrived.” Hannah frowned as she glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the farmers market. “Honestly, Pawprint Creek is usually such a peaceful place. I was really looking forward to showing it off to you.”

  “I can see how beautiful it is.” Nikki gazed out at the trees, the leaves of which were painted with the flashing colors of police lights. “I imagine it’s normally a very quiet place.”

  “Yes, it is.” Hannah sighed. “It didn’t take me long to get to know everyone around here. When I started selling my natural pesticides and cleaning products at the farmers market I made quite a stir.” She laughed some and sat back against the bench. “It took a few weeks of convincing, but soon these people became some of my greatest supporters, and I got to know so many of the farmers around here. I felt really welcomed, to be honest.”

  “By everyone but Rocky?” Nikki glanced over at her friend. She knew that if Hannah had a problem with him he had to be a pretty rotten person. She had such a forgiving and accepting nature.

  “Actually, Rocky was one of the first people to welcome me, and show support for my products. He bought my cleaning product line to use in his restaurant, and some of my natural pesticides for the small farm he owns. His property is on the other side of Jackson’s. He’s a pretty well-known chef around here, and owns a restaurant in town called Rocky’s Farm Kitchen. I should say owned.” She winced and stared down at her hands. “It is terrible you know, even if he wasn’t a great person?”

  “I know.” Nikki slipped her hand into Hannah’s and gave it a light squeeze. “If you two were friends, what happened?”

  “We weren’t exactly friends, more like two natural thinkers marooned in a town that was very stuck in the past. But Rocky’s upmarket farm-to-table restaurant drew in a lot of traffic that this town never had before, so people began to accept him. However, Rocky is, was—” She cleared her throat. “Was the kind of person that looked out only for himself. Everything he did had an angle to promote himself and his restaurant. That was tolerable, until the drought hit.”

  “I noticed some brown grass on my way in.” Nikki frowned and rubbed her hands along her knees. “I’m guessing there’s no rain in sight?”

  “No, and the summer days are getting hotter and hotter. Everyone’s farm has been suffering from the drought. But Rocky decided he couldn’t lose the vegetable garden he maintained on his p
roperty for the restaurant. The creek runs the length of some of the small farms. Each one draws their water supply from it, for watering their crops, and household use. Rocky decided he needed more water, and took it upon himself to build a dam that caused the water to collect in his section of the creek, which of course caused his neighbors to have a lot less.” Hannah rolled her eyes, then gazed up at the sky. “I tried talking to him about it, but he wouldn’t listen to me. He just said it was his right, it was his property.”

  “I don’t understand.” Nikki shifted on the bench and turned towards her friend. “How could that be legal?”

  “I’m not sure if it is or not, but Rocky hired a high-powered lawyer, and no one around here could compete with that. Everyone is just scraping by. Rocky had tons of money, because he’s opened these restaurants in quite a few small towns.” Hannah crossed her arms and closed her eyes. “I begged him to think of what he was doing to the other farmers, and he told me that they should have thought of it first.” When Hannah opened her eyes and Nikki looked into them she could see the despair. “So you see, he wasn’t very well-liked around here.”

  “I imagine not.” Nikki shook her head. “I can’t imagine someone stealing water from his neighbors.”

  “That was Rocky. He did whatever was best for him, and if people were hurt in the process, he didn’t feel that had anything to do with him. I can tell you though, there were a lot of people angry at him.”

  “Angry enough to kill?” Nikki raised an eyebrow as she studied her friend.

  “I can’t say that for sure.” Hannah pressed her hand against her chest and gazed out at the dogs playing in the park. “I’d hate to think that about anyone here. But I do believe that it’s possible. If this drought goes on much longer a lot of people around here are going to lose everything.”