COZY MYSTERY: Trail Mix Murder: A Cozy Mystery in the Mountains (Book 2) (5 page)

Pondering over LeeLee’s words the next day, Victoria thought that the case seemed nearly impossible. The sequence of events seemed so unlikely somehow. Almost like something that would happen in a glitzy Hollywood movie. A glamorous woman with no identity, a party that seemed far too lavish for the small town of Larch, a murder on a hidden hiking trail… If she concentrated hard enough, maybe she could...

“Why?”

Victoria blinked, and saw Corporal Jager sitting in front of her, a menu open in front of him.

“Sorry?”

“Why?” Corporal Jager asked, staring at her.

“Why what?” Victoria asked back, giving a little nervous laughter.

“Why are you so interested, for one?” Corporal Jager said. “You have two active children, duties as a maid of honor, a busy restaurant to run, and a home that must need a lot of cleaning. You’ve got more on your plate than the average CEO, really, what with all the decisions you must have to make every day. So why is it that you’re determined to solve this murder?”

“I’m… what gave you the idea I’m determined to solve this murder?” Victoria asked.

“Because I saw you with that abstract look on your face once before.” Corporal Jager said. “That was when Boyd was murdered. I have to admit, even though it rankles me, you were the one to solve that case. I was completely clueless.”

“I’m sure you would have cracked it too,” Victoria said.

“I don’t care much,” Jager said. “It’s not a competition for me, who solves the case and who doesn’t.  But it does interest me that you take time out of your very busy day to try and figure out motives and find clues.”

“You make me sound like Miss Marple.” Victoria laughed. “I promise you, I’m not a brilliant detective.”

“No? Maybe not. But you are a natural at connecting seemingly disconnected things together.” Jager said. “Aren’t you?”

Victoria shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“You’re also good at dodging questions,” Jager said. “Why haven’t you answered mine?”

“It’s curiosity, that’s all,” Victoria said. “I’m curious about who did it, I’m curious about why a woman wearing a fancy Italian overcoat would hike with no shoes and then throw herself, or be thrown, over the ledge.”

“You don’t believe she’s a spy,” Jager said. “Do you?”

“Not really,” Victoria said.

“Why not?”

“If she were a spy, I think that whoever killed her would make sure it looked very much like an accidental tourist death,” Victoria said. “As it stands, I believe this is an amateur’s murder. A local has done it.”

“Well, you can’t be sure,” Jager said. “Alright, so maybe it wasn’t a trained spy who killed our Jane Doe. Perhaps she was a spy herself, and blackmailing a man at LeeLee’s party. What then? Couldn’t he have killed her in a fit of passion?”

“There are a lot of cliffs in the area,” Victoria said. “A lot of places for a man to throw a woman off if he wants to.”

“...or she, we’re not sure our murderer is a male yet, or even that there’s been a murder at all.” Jager clarified.

“Alright, in any case, there are plenty of cliffs in the area. If Jane Doe was to be killed by a guest from LeeLee’s who doesn’t live here, why would he take her up that very specific trail? It’s a tough trail that only locals hike. The trailhead is so well hidden that even though Amanda and I had been told exactly where it was, we couldn’t find it. No, whoever murdered her is definitely a local, and loves to hike.”

“Well, even if this story is true, and mind you, there’s every possibility it isn’t, every single local I know loves to hike,” Randolf said. “So you’ve eliminated the guests at LeeLee’s party, but left a pretty wide pool of suspects open.”

Victoria nodded. “I agree. Still, elimination of superfluous stuff eventually leads us to the truth, doesn’t it?”

“That sounds like something a new age guru would say,” Randolf smiled. “But yes, that’s true. By the way, you still haven’t answered my original question. Why are you so interested?”

“Do you think I’m a suspect, then?” Victoria asked.

Jager leaned his head back and gave a short, sharp laugh. “No.” He said, recovering. “No, I don’t suspect you. I’m just asking because I’m curious.”

“Why?” Victoria asked.

It was Jager’s turn to look surprised. “Why am I curious?”

“Yes. Why are you curious about me when you have a very puzzling, potentially unsolvable case on your hands?”

The Corporal shrugged. “I wish I could tell you.” He said.

For a moment, neither spoke. The air between them seemed to slowly heat itself. Averting her eyes, Nora poured him a coffee and tried to pay attention to her other customers. Unfortunately, this being two in the afternoon, there was no crowd.

“I’m curious about you,” Randolf said finally. “And I’m now curious about why I’m curious about you. I’m also curious about why you haven’t answered my original question yet. So far, you’ve just been deflecting me.”

“I counted four “curious”es in your little speech.” Victoria laughed. “How’s the coffee?”

“It’s great, can I get some answers with it?”

“You just don’t give up, do you?” Victoria asked, exasperated.

“I wish I could. But I don’t think I’d be a very good policeman if I did.”

“I’m…” Victoria was at a loss for words. “Look, Randolf, it's nothing. I’m bored, I suppose. I love my life very much, but I suppose this is a grand challenge for me. That’s all.”

“It’s not just a challenge,” Randolf said. “You were emotionally affected by this. People don’t just offer to pay for a stranger’s funeral every day.”

“I suppose I felt some responsibility for her since I discovered her,” Victoria said.

“Amanda was there too. I didn’t notice Amanda feel responsible.” He said.

Victoria shrugged. “I think you’re reading too much into this, Randolf, I honestly do.”

The door clanged, and Annie came running in, with Ida following closely behind. Behind the girls, Victoria’s Labrador Vanilla was panting and waving her thick tail about.

“Mom! We did such a cool project in school today! We built a volcano in class!” Annie was laughing and jumping about. “Also, we’re going to have a musical next trimester and I think I want to do tryouts. It’s the Lion King. Ida wants to do tryouts too, but she can’t sing.”

“I can sing!” Ida said, stung. She proceeded to prove this by singing “The Circle of Life” in as loud a voice as possible, shaking her hands about to add drama. Vanilla, excited by all the noise, began barking and jumping about, her tongue hanging out.

Randolf sipped his coffee and watched, coolly amused, as Victoria made both the girls slip into a booth and gave them each a glass of milk and a ham and cheese sandwich.

“I like mine with the crusts cut off.” Ida was saying, and Annie nodding along.

“Mom used to cut mine off,” Annie said.

“I think my mom used to cut them off for me too,” Ida said, looking a bit sad. “But I have no memories of her, really, and Dad never likes to talk about it. There’s only one thing I remember. One time she was putting on some makeup. I wanted it too so she placed me on her dressing table and put red lipstick on me. It was beautiful. Bright red.”

The door clanged again, and Byron poked his head in. “Mom, I’m going over to Trick’s house tonight. Don’t wait up for me, alright? I might just stay with him. His dad said we can use their garage for band practice.”

“You be back home by 11:00 p.m.,” Victoria said.

“Mom, come on. I’m not 12. Please?” Byron rolled his eyes. Spotting Corporal Jager, his smile widened a little and he said, “Hey there Corporal.”

“Hey, there young Lord Byron.” The Corporal said.

“Like I don’t hear that every day in first period English,” Byron said. “What say, mom? Can I? Please?”

“You were supposed to do the hedges this week, weren’t you?” Victoria said.

“Pleaseeeee. I’ll do all the laundry tomorrow. I’ll even iron.”

“Deal,” Victoria said. She tossed him a foil wrapped sandwich. “A little snack for the road.” She smiled.

Byron sniffed it suspiciously. “Oh great, Mozzarella and Basil. I love that. Thanks, mom!”

The door clanged again as he left, and Randolf smiled at Victoria.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing.” He said. “Both your kids are really sweet.”

“They’re decent enough.” Victoria said then, her face breaking into a grin, “They’re only the best kids in the world.”

“But they’re growing up fast.” Randolf said, “They’re growing away fast too.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Nothing,” Randolf said. “But maybe it gives me a clue. A clue about you.”

Almost as soon as Corporal Jager left, a very sore looking Hanson walked into the café.

“Hanson.” Victoria’s mouth flattened into a grim line. “What may I do for you?”

“Nothing,” Hanson said. “My dear nephew made me come here and apologize for being rude to you the night of LeeLee’s party. So fine. I’m sorry. Please don’t hold it against me.”

“With a charming apology like that, how could I?” Victoria asked. “What do you actually want, Hanson?”

“A coffee.” He said. “I hate to say it, but much as I hate you, I’m addicted to your coffees.”

“It’s a special blend from Sri Lanka,” Victoria said. “One of the finest coffees in the world and only half as expensive as the regular brands.”

“Well, pour it straight down my throat.” Hanson joked.

“You’re having it in a cup like civilized people,” Victoria said. “Hanson, you’re a good guy when you aren’t pouring booze down your throat. I wish you’d realize you have a lot to lose if you keep acting the way you do.”

“Why would you care?” Hanson asked. “No one in town does.”

“Randolf does,” Victoria said. “Your nephew cares very much about you, no matter what you may think.”

“My nephew put me in jail overnight once,” Hanson said. “Don’t think I haven’t forgotten that.”

“He’s desperately hoping you’ll change,” Victoria said. “He loves his uncle. But I guess change can only happen from the inside.”

Hanson slapped a few quarters on the table. “There’s your change.” He said. “The only kind of change I believe in, really.”

“You left the party with Randolf that day,” Victoria said. “But who did you come in with?”

“That girl?” Hanson sighed. “She was at Marley’s bar the night before. I’d gone there an hour or two before going to LeeLee’s. She picked up a conversation with me and the next thing I knew I was inviting her to be my date to LeeLee’s.” Hanson sighed. “I should have known she was trouble. Women that beautiful are either troubled or have trouble chasing them.”

Victoria frowned. “She met you at a bar?” she asked.

“Yes. She was very interested in my new ski-resort.” Hanson puffed. “I don’t fool myself that I’m the best looking man in the world but being powerful and rich always helps attract ladies, really.”

“Then you wonder why all the women you meet are trouble.” Victoria scoffed. “Power and money are nice, but you have to meet a woman who likes you for yourself.”

“That’s all a bunch of...”

“On the other hand, with your personality, maybe Power and Money are all you have left,” Victoria said, cutting him off.

“Mom!” Annie and Ida came out of the booth, Vanilla behind them.

“Where are you off to now, dears?”

“Ida has a new video game at home that I really want to try out,” Annie said. “Can I? Can I sleep over at her place tonight?”

Victoria frowned. “I don’t know...”

“Please, mom! It’s Saturday tomorrow.”

“Well… I don’t want to inconvenience her Dad.” Victoria said.

“Actually, it was their idea,” Ida said. “They also asked me to ask you to come over for dinner tonight. Amanda will be there to help make dinner and they’ve got a lot of stuff to discuss with you.”

“You’re Steve Boonsbury’s daughter, are you?” Hanson asked, staring at Ida.

“Yes, sir,” Ida said.

“What’s it like, living with a famous artist as a father?” Hanson asked. “I always thought famous artists are half-crazy. Steve seems alright.”

“It’s because he was a doctor,” Ida said. “He says being a doctor knocks all artistic ego out of you because you’re seeing people meet the ultimate creator all the time.”

Hanson scoffed.

“It’s why he doesn’t like fame or publicity either,” Ida said. “He says there are people who deserve it far more than him.”

“Oh yes, he’s quite funny,” Hanson said. “I tried to convince him to pose for a brochure I was making. With his fame, it’d be great to have him do some PR for my ski resort. He refused.”

“He was pretty angry when you did it anyway,” Ida said. “He told me that once he finishes the mural, he’s never working for you again.”

“It’s a small town.” Hanson laughed. “Your daddy’s going to be forced to work with me again.”

“He’s actually thinking of retiring once he and Aunt Amanda marry,” Ida said. “He’s made enough money to put me through college anyway, and that’s all he cared about apart from his art.”

“I can’t understand people who don’t care about money,” Hanson said, turning to Victoria. “For me, it’s the most important thing there is. What’s the point of playing the game if you won’t keep score?”

“For the fun of it,” Victoria said. “To some people, the experience matters. You can’t take the money with you when you pass on, you know.”

“The Egyptians used to,” Hanson said. “They had the right idea, you know. I was discussing it with LeeLee the other day, before the altercation I had with Declan. LeeLee was telling me the pharaohs used to try and take their gold with them after they died. I told her I wish I could too.”

“You can try.” Victoria shrugged. “I feel that if money has any use, it’s to help make life better for all of humankind.”

“Oh please. That kind of talk is all good when you’re philosophical, but for people like me and LeeLee, it’s the practical stuff that matters.” There was a note of admiration in his voice, that Victoria suddenly placed.

“You like LeeLee!” she said. “Is that why you deliberately made Declan look like a fool the other day?”

“Me? Like LeeLee? Rubbish! Why would I like a woman five years older than me?”

“Because it’s the first time you’ve met a woman who likes you for your personality.” Victoria laughed. “Oh yes, LeeLee’s a match for you, isn’t she Hanson? Financially, she outstrips you. In terms of fame, she definitely outstrips you and she’s more attractive than you are.”

“Well, why would she ever be attracted to a man like me, then?” Hanson said, sounding suddenly angry. “No, it’s no use my being attracted to her. Not that I am but if I was, it wouldn’t be any use.”

“You’ve been alone since your last wife left you,” Victoria said. “What was she, number three?”

“Number four,” Hanson said, his voice bleak. “Funny thing was, I was quite fond of her.”

“Did it hit you hard? The loss?”

“The loss of my money to fund her alimony is what hit me hardest,” Hanson said. “She spends all her time doing facials and making sure her nails are alright. How on earth I ever married her I don’t know.”

“Well, you change your mind quick,” Victoria said. “Anyway, LeeLee’s ready to marry Declan in three months so I don’t think there’s much hope for you in that arena.”

“Oh please.” Hanson laughed. “Declan’s a fool. LeeLee’s stringing him along, dangling hopes of marriage in front of him so that he’ll be extra nice to her. She has nothing but contempt for him, really. There’s not an ounce of love between them. He’s after her money, and she’s after his youthful looks.”

“Isn’t that a familiar equation for you?” Victoria asked. “Money attracting looks?”

“It’s disgusting,” Hanson said. “A man like that isn’t a real man.”

“A woman like you described doesn’t seem like much of a woman to me,” Victoria said. “I’m sure a woman like that won’t feel like much of one to LeeLee either.”

Hanson gave a big sigh and drained his coffee. “You know, I’ll have another coffee, I think and maybe a piece of that rhubarb pie?”

Victoria plated a slice and added a scoop of ice-cream on top. “There you go.” She said.

“The truth is.” Hanson ate a tiny bite of the pie. “A woman like LeeLee is one in a million. I baited Declan the other day because it felt like such a waste to me that she chooses him out of all the other men she could be with.”

“Men like you?” Victoria asked.

“Maybe.” Hanson mused. “I don’t know. Tell me, Victoria, if I went to her, and made her a business proposition, do you think she’d accept?” Hanson asked. “If we joined my local network and wealth to her global fame and vision, she and I could make magic happen.”

“I think, if you went and told her what you just said, she’d have you thrown out of her house. If on the other hand, you went and told her you liked her, you’d have a much better shot at dating her.” Victoria said. “If that is, you’re right about her not really liking Declan.”

“You really think so?” Hanson brightened. “I mean… not that I will, but I’m just asking.”

“I think that women can’t resist a man who says that he changed for her,” Victoria said. “If you tell a woman like LeeLee that she made you change what you wanted in a woman. That before her, you were only attracted to … well, the kind of women you used to be attracted to, and that after her you can’t be attracted to anyone else. Well, who knows! I think she might just be flattered enough to accept.”

Hanson chewed on another piece of pie. “Maybe,” he said, “Just maybe, I might give it a shot.”