Memories Can Be Deadly (Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Book 8) Read online

  “Walt.” Jo knocked his ankle with the tip of her boot.

  “What?” Walt frowned. “It was quite clever.”

  “That’s our friends you’re talking about him murdering, you know?”

  “But they’re fine, right?” He smiled at Samantha and Eddy.

  “Thanks to the two of you.” Eddy pulled his hat back on his head. “Jo’s right, no more flying solo for any of us.”

  “Agreed.” Samantha nodded.

  “I’m going to head to the police station. I want to fill Chris in on what happened.”

  “I of course, need to shower.” Walt brushed off the sleeves of his dress shirt. “I have to say tackling is a bit more fun than I expected, but the filth that comes with it is intolerable.” He shuddered.

  “Don’t worry, Walt, it washes off.” Jo brushed a bit of dust from the collar of his shirt.

  “I hope so. I will probably have to burn this shirt though.” He muttered as he walked away. Samantha laughed as she watched him go.

  “Just when I think he’s loosened up a little bit.”

  “Maybe Walt is just fine the way he is.” Jo tilted her head to the side. “I used to think his quirks were more than a little irritating, but the more I get to know him the more I understand his rituals. Maybe they don’t make sense to us, but they sure do to him.”

  “Hey, that’s all that matters, right?” Samantha patted her back. “Thanks for being there, Jo. I thought we were done for.”

  “Don’t worry, Samantha, like you told me before, I’ve always got your back.” She waved to her as she headed off towards her villa. Samantha started to walk towards hers, when she caught sight of a familiar face near May’s memorial. Without a second thought she walked over to Owen and placed her hand on his shoulder.

  “It’s over now, Owen.”

  “Is it?” He looked over at her. “I just keep thinking, if I had arrived just a little earlier, maybe I could have stopped all of this.”

  “Owen, there was no chance. May’s death would have happened anyway. If you had interrupted it, it just would have happened at another time.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean Reynold knew he was going to kill her from the moment he knew she was a threat to his new life. When she found that article, he already knew he was going to kill her. She wanted to give him the chance to explain, and when he knew what she’d figured out he had no choice but to kill her.”

  “At least you didn’t let her murderer get away with it,” Owen said.

  Samantha stared at the collection of flowers and knew in that moment that there was one more thing she wasn’t going to let someone get away with. As she walked back to her villa she dialed Daniel’s number.

  “What do you want?”

  “Have you heard from the police?”

  “Yes, I have. So now you know, I didn’t murder my sister.”

  “Maybe you didn’t do the crime, Daniel, but I think it’s time you treat her with some kindness.”

  “Why should I do that?”

  “Because you’re her brother and it’s time for you to be her family. You’re the only one who can be.”

  The silence on the other end of the phone made Samantha doubt that Daniel even listened to what she had to say. However, after a few seconds passed he cleared his throat.

  “All right, I’ll give her a proper funeral. I suppose, I can do that.”

  “Thank you, Daniel. If you need any help, I am at your disposal.”

  “You never really felt a connection with me, Samantha, did you?”

  “I’m sorry, Daniel, no I didn’t.”

  “That’s all right, I didn’t either, it was just another con. One of these days I’m going to have to find a way to be honest. Maybe that will be part of my new life.”

  “Maybe it will.” Samantha hung up the phone and opened the door to her villa. As much as she grieved for May’s loss, and in some ways grieved for a man, John Reynold Smith, that she’d never even met, she was relieved that the crime was solved, and May would have the send-off that she deserved.

  The End

  From the Author

  Thank you very much for reading ‘Memories Can Be Deadly’, the eighth book in the Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Series. If you enjoyed the book and would like to be updated when I release a new book you can sign up for email updates at http://www.cindybellbooks.com. I will never share your email.

  You can connect with me at my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/cindybellauthor.

  About the Author

  Cindy Bell is the author of the cozy mystery series Dune House, Sage Gardens, Chocolate Centered, Bekki the Beautician, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.

  Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.

  You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of her latest releases at http://www.cindybellbooks.com.

  Also by Cindy Bell

  Sage Gardens Cozy Mysteries

  Birthdays Can Be Deadly

  Money Can Be Deadly

  Trust Can Be Deadly

  Ties Can Be Deadly

  Rocks Can Be Deadly

  Jewelry Can Be Deadly

  Numbers Can Be Deadly

  Chocolate Centered Cozy Mysteries

  The Sweet Smell of Murder

  A Deadly Delicious Delivery

  A Bitter Sweet Murder

  A Treacherous Tasty Trail

  Luscious Pastry at a Lethal Party

  Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries

  Matrimony, Money and Murder

  Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes

  Knives and Nuptials

  Mice, Marriage and Murder

  Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries

  Hairspray and Homicide

  A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body

  Mascara and Murder

  Pageant and Poison

  Conditioner and a Corpse

  Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder

  Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide

  Blush, a Bride and a Body

  Shampoo and a Stiff

  Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer

  Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless

  Camping, Concealer and Criminals

  Treated and Dyed

  Dune House Cozy Mysteries

  Seaside Secrets

  Boats and Bad Guys

  Treasured History

  Hidden Hideaways

  Dodgy Dealings

  Suspects and Surprises

  Ruffled Feathers

  A Fishy Discovery

  Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries

  Murdering the Roses

  Dead in the Daisies

  Killing the Carnations

  Drowning the Daffodils

  Suffocating the Sunflowers

  Books, Bullets and Blooms

  A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest

  A Bridal Bouquet and a Body