Murder at Jade Cove (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 2) (10 page)

Saturday morning Kelly luxuriated in
bed, finally getting up at 7:30 a.m., much later than her usual time of 5:30
a.m.
I am so glad the coffee shop is closed on the weekends. I feel
absolutely decadent getting up at this time of day,
she thought. She put on
a robe and walked out to the kitchen where Mike was sitting at the table,
drinking coffee and reading his book.

“Mornin’, love,” she said.
“Tell you what. I’ll fix breakfast for us before I leave for Portland. I’ve got
some of that salmon gravlax you like so much that’s been curing in the
refrigerator for a couple of days. It should be ready. I’ll slice it ultra-thin
and we can put it on some bagels I got at Marsha’s bakery yesterday. Sound okay
to you?”

“You know it’s one of my
favorites. Could I have some cream cheese on mine? How about adding a little
chopped red onion and chopped hardboiled egg to it? Do you have any mustard and
dill? A few capers would really finish it off.”

“You’re a lucky man to be
living with a woman who owns a coffee shop. You know I don’t like to leave
things in the coffee shop that we can eat here at home on the weekends, so I’ve
got all of them. Give me a couple of minutes.”

“Take your time. Matter of
fact, I probably won’t be doing anything all day but reading. King’s got me
hooked for sure this time.” Rebel put his paw on Mike and looked up at him.
“Actually, I think I’ll get dressed and take Rebel for a run later on.” He
looked down at Rebel who was wagging his tail.

I knew it. It’s just a
matter of time. First he starts secretly giving Rebel treats, and then he runs
with him. Rebel’s loyalty is definitely shifting away from me. Anyway, I’m glad
Rebel has accepted him. It would make it pretty difficult if that ninety pound
dog decided he didn’t like Mike. Can’t decide whether the new puppy should be a
Christmas present from me to me or a wedding present from me to me.

An hour later, she walked
over to where Mike was sitting, totally engrossed in his book. “I’m leaving
now. It takes about two hours to get to Portland. I’ve got a few shops I really
like there. I’ll see what I can find. I’m planning on being back here about
five this evening. I really don’t like driving on highways in the dark and
anyway, shopping for just the right thing is always tiring. Wish me luck. Sure
would like to find the perfect dress at the first place I go, but that probably
isn’t realistic.”

When she got in the
minivan she turned on the radio, listening to soft jazz as she drove. The drive
was beautiful, hilly and green, with many trees, creeks, and rivers dotting the
landscape. Two hours later she pulled into a parking garage in downtown
Portland.
Okay, I can do this
, she thought as she got out of the
minivan.
I’m going to trust in the god of wedding dresses for second
marriages. With luck, I can be finished in a couple of hours.

She started at
Nordstrom’s, looking through rack after rack. No dress spoke to her and asked her
to try it on and take it home. She continued her search at two more department
stores. Again, nothing. She stopped at her favorite restaurant for an early
lunch and had a craft beer and a Reuben sandwich. Refreshed, she was walking
down 4
^th
Street when a sign in a boutique bridal shop caught her
eye. “Sample Sale – One Day Only.” She opened the door of the small shop and
realized today was obviously the day of the sale. The store was packed with
women, brides-to-be, mothers-of-the-brides, sisters, friends, and anyone else
who wanted to help the bride shop for a dress for her big day.

She caught the eye of a
frazzled looking sales clerk. “It looks like you’re really busy, but I was
wondering if you have anything that would be appropriate for a woman my age
getting married for the second time. I’m thinking of a cocktail dress or
something like that.”

The sales clerk looked
closely at Kelly, mentally gauging what size she would wear. “You know I do
have something I think would work well with your hair and skin coloring. If
you’ll give me a minute to finish up with the woman standing at the counter,
I’ll get it for you. Just have a seat and I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Kelly
sat down and began leafing through a bridal magazine that was one of many on
the coffee table.

A few minutes later the
sales clerk tapped her on the shoulder. “Come with me. I’ve put the dress I had
in mind in a dressing room for you.” Kelly followed her down the hall. When she
walked into the dressing room she audibly gasped. The most beautiful dress she
had ever seen was hanging in front of her. “I definitely want to try it on,”
she said to the sales clerk. “Thank you for helping me. I’ll be out in a couple
of minutes.”

Kelly pulled the dress
over her head. It seemed like the designer had Kelly in mind when he’d designed
it. The high-necked long-sleeved sheath was made of champagne colored satin and
lace. It fit perfectly. She examined herself from every angle.
I can’t think
of one reason not to buy it. It’s perfect. The only reason may be the price. I
probably better see what it costs before I get too attached to it.

She walked out of the
dressing room and over to the sales clerk. “Could you tell me what the price is
for this dress?” Kelly asked. Several women in the shop smiled at her. One of
them said, “That dress was made for you. You look beautiful.” Kelly thanked her
and turned to the sales clerk who glanced at the tag on the side of the dress
and then pulled a book out from under the counter. She examined it closely,
turned several pages, and then looked up at Kelly.

“I think you’ll be very
happy with the price. The designer is discontinuing this particular line and
this dress is the last one. It’s on sale and priced at $475.00. I’m sure you’ll
agree that’s a steal.”

“I’ll take it. Do you have
shoes in a size seven that would go with it? I don’t want satin dyed shoes. I’d
just like something that would work with it, but I could also wear with other
things.”

“Let me see what I have in
the back room. I’ll meet you in a few minutes in the dressing room.” A few
minutes later there was a knock on the door. “I think these would look good
with the dress,” the sales clerk said, handing Kelly a shoe box containing a
pair of very light tan leather high-heeled sandals. Kelly slipped them on and smiled
at her.

“This must be my lucky
day. They fit like a glove. I’ll take them.”

“I think this definitely
is your lucky day. Those shoes are part of the sale as well. Is there anything
else I can help you with?”

“No. This will do it.”

Five minutes later Kelly
walked out of the shop feeling a huge sense of relief that she didn’t need to
worry anymore about an important part of the wedding. She was walking by the
Hilton Hotel when she saw a silver-colored car that looked exactly like the car
she had seen the day before at Marcy’s. She noticed the bumper sticker, “Oregon
Needs Lumber,” and remembered that there had been a similar bumper sticker on
the car that had been parked in Marcy’s driveway.
That must be the same car
,
she thought.
It’s too much of a coincidence not to be the same car
.

She was standing a short
distance away from the car when Marcy and Gabe Lewis walked out of the hotel.
The doorman opened the car door for Marcy then quickly put two small overnight
bags in the trunk while Gabe walked around to the driver’s side and got in the
car. They pulled out of the hotel driveway and merged into the street traffic.

Kelly walked over to the
doorman. “Excuse me. I’m sure I recognize that couple that just left, but I
can’t think of their names. Do you know who they are?”

“Oh sure. They’re here a
lot. I don’t know what her name is, but his name is Luke Wilson. He’s a real
good tipper,” the tall pock-marked young man in the ill-fitting grey uniform
said.

“Thanks. Now that you said
it, I remember that’s his name. I don’t know why I couldn’t remember it. Guess
I was having a senior moment,” she said, walking away from him and heading
toward the garage where she’d parked her minivan.

Wow! Everything I’ve heard
must be true. It was Gabe and Marcy and he’s using some phony assumed name
while he’s staying at the hotel with Marcy. That’s got to be who was at her
house when I was there yesterday. I guess they were too involved with one
another and having a little afternoon delight to answer the door when I knocked.
Interesting. Wonder if she knows about his financial problems. Maybe I should
go out there again and talk to her. I could just be very up front and say I was
in Portland and happened to see them.

*****

Kelly thought of the events of the
past few days as she drove back to Cedar Bay. It was as if there was a loop of
thoughts in her mind that began with finding Jeff’s dead body and ended with
seeing Gabe and Marcy outside the hotel. As soon as the loop reached seeing
Gabe and Marcy, it started over again.

She looked at the clock
just above the car radio.
Hmm, it’s only 3:00. I told Mike I’d be home about
5:00. I know I’m tense from everything that’s happened and I’ve been promising
myself for months I’d go take a yoga class at the retreat center. I think I’ll
drive out there and see if they have one I can take. If not, I’ll still
probably feel better just going out there. It’s one of the most peaceful places
I’ve ever been.

Kelly turned up the lane
that led up to the center, noticing how well tended the vineyard that
surrounded the buildings was maintained. She saw a number of cars in the
parking lot and noticed a lot of people walking into the large white wooden
building. Originally the mansion of a lumber baron, she thought once again that
Scott had certainly picked the right name for it. Big puffy white clouds seemed
drawn to the top of the hill where the mansion was and at times it looked like
a white cake with white frosting on top of it. Next to the main entrance was a
sign that read, “White Cloud Retreat Center – All Are Welcome.”

Scott sure has done this
tastefully. He told me once how strongly he felt that although he was a Zen
Buddhist, the center should be open to all faiths and beliefs. That sign
certainly says it all. It’s one of the most inviting buildings I’ve ever seen.

She remembered that she
had a small bag in the trunk of the minivan with a yoga mat and some yoga
clothes in it. It had been there, unused, for nearly a year. She took it out
and joined the people filtering into the building. Once she was inside, she saw
a large sign with the class schedules on it. Fortunately a yoga and stress
reduction class was beginning in fifteen minutes. She changed into a pair of
yoga pants and a T-shirt in the restroom and walked down the hall towards the room
where the yoga class was going to be taught. She walked into the room and put
$15 in a donation jar located near the entrance to the room.         Around
fifty people filled the large, airy room. Orchids, a small fountain, and
lighted candles were tastefully arranged in the front of the room, creating a
backdrop for the large man who sat facing the class on a yoga mat. As she was
placing her mat on the floor at the back of the room, she heard a booming voice
behind her say, “Kelly, you weren’t kidding when you said you wanted to come
out for a class. It’s good to see you here and I know you’ll be in good hands
with my brother. Luke’s leading the class today. Remember, I told you he had
come here to live with me,” Scott said, kneeling down next to her. He smiled at
her and waved to a number of other students in the room. “Enjoy the class. I
was just walking to my office when I looked in the room and saw you. Better go.
Luke’s giving me a nod that he wants to start the class.” Scott walked out of
the room, softly closing the door behind him.

Even though it had been
almost a year since Kelly had taken a yoga class, it felt like it was only
yesterday. The familiar music, the incense, and the different poses Luke led
the class through completely relaxed her mind and body. The class concluded
with Luke guiding the students in a breathing meditation for fifteen minutes,
and then he lightly rang a small hand-held bell, indicating the end of class.
The students opened their eyes and stood up, preparing to leave.

I feel 100% better. Why do
I always forget how good I feel when I leave here? What
I probably need to do
is put a weekly yoga class in red on my schedule and simply make time for it.

She walked out of the old
mansion and paused for a moment, admiring the sweeping ocean view.
The
lumber baron who original built this mansion sure made a wise choice when he
picked this spot for his home
, she thought. She walked to her car, feeling
the peace and tranquility that a visit to the always left her with.

When Kelly returned home, she
carefully hung her wedding dress in the back of her closet. She knew it was an
old wives’ tale, but she wasn’t going to risk losing Mike because he’d seen her
wedding dress before the wedding. She knew she’d be looking in the closet from
time to time just to admire it. Having the wedding dress made her pending
marriage to Mike seem all so real.

She told Mike about the
wedding dress she’d bought, Marcy and Gabe in Portland, and taking a yoga class
at the retreat center, then she decided to do nothing for the rest of the
evening except catch up on some of the food magazines she subscribed to, but
never had time to read. At ten that night, she stood up and said, “Mike, I
can’t make it any longer. I’m tired and I’m off to bed. You’re on your own.
Even though it doesn’t sound like I did much today, it was a tiring day for me.
Night.”