Murder in Aruba: An Anna Winters Cozy Mystery (Murder in Paradise Book 5) (6 page)

Snow fell on the streets of London as Anna and Pauline walked along the crowded street. Anna couldn't believe how great it was to be back in the city, away from the tropical nightmares that she had faced too many times.

"The leg is almost healed," Anna noted. "The doc said about two more weeks and I can get rid of these stupid crutches."

"I can't believe it has already been three months." Pauline shook her head. "Everything has changed so much. So many people have died."

"We're both fortunate to be alive,” Anna nodded. "I almost didn't make it through surgery and they took forever to drop the charges against you. But look at us now. We're back home in London!"

"The greatest city in the world," Pauline laughed. "No tropical ocean waters. No wedding receptions."

"Are you sad we don't work for the Grand Palatial anymore?" Anna asked. "I find myself upset about it from time to time."

"Well, no one works for the Grand Palatial anymore," Pauline laughed. "They are now Hilton's, Sheratons and what not. The judge agreed on the final sales. The money is going to the families of all the victims."

"At least they have that to help them," Anna smiled. "I just wish no one had to die. It seems sad."

"That's because it is sad," Pauline sighed. "So, did you hear from Anstice today?"

"I did." Anna perked up. "She was so sweet to pay all my medical expenses in Aruba too. She deposited the money into my bank account today."

"$100,000." Pauline whistled. "That is a pretty chunk of money. It will help us get things up and running."

"About that…” Anna paused.

"It's too late to back out now," Pauline warned sternly. "Don't you dare leave me high and dry, Anna Winters."

"No," Anna howled. "It wasn't anything like that at all. I was going to say that Anstice put $1,000,000 into our bank account. That was part of her settlement from the sale of the hotels. She said Adonis would have wanted it that way since we were the ones who solved the murders."

"That is an absolute blessing," Pauline whispered, hardly daring to believe what she heard. "I didn't think anyone would think of us."

"It looks like Baker & Winters: International Investigators is going to be one of the greatest agencies in the world," Anna laughed. "I can't believe it - from catering to private eyes."

"I knew you could do it, baby," Detective Will Jensen laughed and wrapped his arms around Anna, kissing her. "I've never been to London before. I kind of like it."

"Well, maybe we can talk about you spending more time up here one day," Anna winked. "Did you already tell her we're engaged?"

"What?" Pauline asked.

"We've been together for three months." Anna laughed. "But everything seems to be falling into place."

"I love her," Will shrugged. "What can I say?"

"It just seems like yesterday that you were flirting with Pierre," Pauline sighed. "Why didn't you two ever work out?"

"Pierre never left Aruba for one," Anna laughed. "He met a nice woman there. Secondly, we each wanted something different. He wanted to have a casual relationship with me and I wanted more. Yes, I still think of him fondly. Maybe if he were more grown up, it would have worked out. But I am in the here and now with Detective Jensen. I couldn't imagine my life without him."

"Pauline!" An older gentleman waived at the three of them.

Anna admired the man. His hair was black with streaks of silver in it. His face clean-shaven and he had emerald green eyes.

"This is Jack," Pauline smiled. "We've been seeing each other for the last six weeks."

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Anna greeted warmly.

"Hey, buddy." Will shook Jack's hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Take good care of Pauline. She's very important to me and my fiancé. "

"I promise I will," Jack vowed.

The four walked the snowy pavements of London. The Christmas lights were already going up and Anna marveled at just how beautiful the city looked in winter. The trees were decked out in an assortment of colors that twinkled with warmth.

It was a magical place she was glad was a major part of her life. In fact, her adventures on tropical beaches and traveling the world had taught her it was important to be thankful for the place you came from. This will always be a part of her and she would have a chance to get used to it again.

There was still plenty of mystery left to solve in the world. More importantly, her name was well known and respected now. Thanks in part to a number of talk show appearances and news opportunities.

Part of this was thanks to Cassandra. Oddly, she had more on her than the few bodies in the hotels. She had a string of killings in several different overseas locations besides those. Anna was shocked to learn this and as her last potential victim, the media hovered over Anna and wanted the inside scoop into the mad woman.

"I am hungry. What about you three?" Jack asked. We could try this new Greek place. I hear they have killer food."

"Too soon!" Pauline howled. "But I am hungry. Maybe we could snatch a slice or two of pizza?"

"Oh!" Anna perked up. "I could go for some pizza. How about you, baby?"

"I think I would like a slice myself," Will nodded.

The four dove into a restored diner that smelled of baking dough and melted cheese. Will went to the counter to order a pizza for the group while Anna, Pauline and Jack sat at a table. Anna admired the classic photographs on the wall and the checkered tablecloths on tables in the booths.

"Are you excited about getting married?" Pauline asked.

"I am a little excited." Anna smiled. "I never dreamed I would find the man of my dreams on an island. But I am glad I did."

"Where do you think you'll have your wedding?" Pauline asked. "I bet you'll go somewhere exotic and have a true extravaganza. Oh! Maybe Paris? Or London?"

"No, I think I am done with the big weddings and the killer receptions," Anna laughed. "We are going to have just a simple wedding with a few close friends and family. I'll make all the food myself and help serve it. The last thing I need to have happen is to have a death at my own wedding."

Pauline let out a loud snort and hard laugh. Anna realized it was the first time in a long time that she had heard her friend laugh hysterically and joined in. Jack looked at both women as if they had lost their minds, but ultimately joined in their cheerful laughter.

Looking up, Anna saw Will looking at her from across the room with a smile on his face. It was genuinely warm and full of joy. He mouthed the words, "I love you."

She returned the gesture and mouthed them back. He was her rock, her soul, her other half. The one person she knew she could call on when the chips were down. Love like theirs was legendary and sacred. She couldn't wait until the day they would be wed.

In a way, Anna thought perhaps life does give you everything you need when the time is right. She had to go through so many different trials and make so many sacrifices. But eventually, happiness did come. She realized that even if she could, she wouldn't have changed the journey she had taken to this point. Instead, she cherished the thought that she went through everything to finally make it to the place where she belonged. A place that she could call home with a man she could call her husband.

Anna realized that since the incident on the roof she stopped having her attacks of anxiety as well. Overcoming that ordeal made her realize that she was stonger than she thought she was and she stopped reliving in her mind the abuse that her father put her through. She had accepted her past which allowed her to move on.

Will returned and sat the pizza down in front of everyone. Pauline and Jack each took a slice and started eating, smiles crossed both their faces.

"This is so good," Pauline said.

"Really good pizza," Jack agreed.

"Have a slice, sweetheart," Will urged and kissed Anna on the lips.

"I suppose one slice isn't going to hurt anyone," Anna consented.

They each took a slice of pizza and savored the first bite. Anna was impressed with the freshness of the dough, the zest of the tomato sauce and the savory melting cheese that topped it. Even the pepperoni on it was incredible.

Looking outside, Anna thought how interesting it was that everything seemed better now than it had in months. Perhaps she had been miserable for quite some time. In a way, it made sense. Mr. Puccio and Cassandra had gone out of their way to make her life a living hell. Now, she was free of them and the life they were attached to. This was the first day as Anna Winters, Private Investigator. A new start with a new man and a friend that was near and dear to her heart.

"Let's go see a play! I hear there is a good one that still has a few tickets in the box office," Will exclaimed.

“Alright," Anna agreed.

"I'm in!" Pauline nodded.

"Sounds boring." Jack sighed. "But if it makes Pauline happy…well, then it makes me happy too."

Everyone let out a laugh. The group finished their pizza and took off for the west end. As Will wrapped his arms around her, Anna closed her eyes for a moment and thanked God for the blessings in her life. It was the first time in a very long time that she truly felt loved.

On a beautiful summer morning, at the far southwest corner of Graham Island, Mrs. Maureen Bennett tended her exquisitely maintained gardens and patios at The Last Chance Inn. The Tudor-style house cuddled against the flank of a rocky hill, and the grounds expanded for several acres of beautiful scenery, a golf course, and two private cottages behind the house. Maureen and her husband Daniel welcomed dozens of visitors every year. They enjoyed their retirement running the inn, and often said a quiet prayer of thanks to Maureen's Uncle George for leaving it to her when he passed ten years ago.

* * *

In the summer season, Maureen rose with the sun. That particular morning, after pruning the central topiary in the front garden, she knelt near the front door and transplanted some blooming pansies in festive colors on either side of the entrance. A shrill scream from the house startled her, and she dropped her trowel, threw off her gloves and ran into the house. For a woman in her 60's, Maureen kept herself in good shape, and she ran through the guest lounge, up the stairs, and around the corner to Agatha Thompson's room and hardly lost a breath.

"Agatha!" Maureen rapped on the door's heavy wooden panels. "Agatha! Are you all right in there? Answer me." She knocked louder. "Agatha!"

The door opened a crack, and Agatha peeked out, clutching her robe around her. "Maureen. Hi." She smiled.

"Are you all right?" Maureen asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I almost had a heart attack when I heard you scream." Maureen's hand went to her throat, still concerned for her guest.

"It wasn't me. I didn't hear anything, sorry
,
” Agatha, still smiling, said, "Thanks for your concern, though," she added and quietly closed her door.

Maureen walked back downstairs muttering to herself. "Ten years in the business, and I still haven't seen it all." She chortled to herself. "I know my house, and I know she screamed. If she wants to keep it to herself, then that's her business."

Outside, Maureen looked at her watch then looked down the long drive to the front gate. She shrugged and picked up her gloves and tools.

* * *

Daniel kicked gently against the back door. Maureen put down her dish scrubber and opened the door for him.

"You bought out half the farmers market, didn't you?" She smiled and reached into the crate Daniel dropped onto the counter.

"Only a quarter of it today, dear." He leaned over and gave his missus a peck on the cheek. "How was your morning?"

"Well, aside from Agatha screaming, it was fine."

"Agatha Thompson? In the Pine Room?" Daniel put a bag of onions in the pantry. "Was she okay?"

"She says she didn't do it," Maureen said, and handed over a bunch of kale leaves. "Scared me to death. I ran all that way, and she says she didn't do it. Didn't even know what I was talking about."

"Well, maybe we're getting to that age…"

"Hush your mouth, Mr. Bennett!" Maureen elbowed her husband affectionately in the ribs. "I'm healthy as a horse—" she knocked on the wooden tabletop, “—and I plan to stay that way."

Daniel put his arms around his wife. "I'm sorry she scared you. If you think there's a problem, I can ask her to leave."

"No, it was probably just something private for her, and we need the business."

Daniel held his wife closer. "When we make it through this season, and get the golf course finished, we can look into that Mexico trip."

"From your mouth to God's ears," Maureen said, and they put away the rest of the day's groceries.

* * *

Even an idyllic town like South Bay has its fair share of rainy days, and the next morning cast a shadow over the town with a cool fog. Susan Heaney let herself into the house and peeled her thick, woolen coat from her ample and sturdy frame. She liked to arrive a little early and enjoy a cup of tea before setting about, cleaning the inn.

Maureen and Daniel came down to the kitchen to prepare their world-class country breakfast for themselves and their guests.

"Good morning, Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Bennett. How many rooms need attention this morning?" Susan stood at attention.

"Good morning, Susan," Maureen said. She handed the housekeeper a clipboard with a list of current guests and places in the inn that needed a little extra attention. "We've only two guests today. One checked out yesterday, so that's three rooms. There's also a bit of dust and dirt near the front door. I'm afraid I tracked some in after working in the garden. I'm sorry to put it on you, but —"

"—No problem at all, Mrs. Bennett. And if I may say, the grounds are absolutely lovely."

"Thank you. Daniel? Will you bring the eggs from the cooler?"

"Yes, dear."

* * *

Clipboard in hand, Susan checked off all the supplies she needed and put them in a bucket.

"Paper towels are out again," Susan shook her head and muttered. "I'll have to let Mr. Bennett know. Poor man barely keeps anything stocked up anymore."

She consulted the guest list. "I'll do the Pine Room first. The guest should be up by now."

Like a drill sergeant mustering her troops, Susan marched up the stairs and rounded the corner. She raised a hand to knock on the door and saw that it was partially open.

"Housekeeping," she said, and knocked. "I'm here to clean and see if you need anything." She pushed, and the door opened a little more. "Hello?" Satisfied that she had performed at least the minimum effort to make sure no one was sleeping, she pushed the door open and stepped into the room.

A suitcase lay open on the luggage rack, the bed was in disarray, and personal items lay on the dresser. "Such a trusting soul to leave the door open with things laying about like that."

Susan tugged at the blankets and sheets on the bed and gathered them up. She rounded the bed with the bucket in hand, ready to scour and clean the bathroom. Two steps around and her foot caught on something on the floor. She recognized immediately what it was, but for once her steel resolve wavered, and she stepped back and sat on the bed. She bent over and touched a cold hand.

"Oh, dear God." She put her hand to her mouth and ran down the stairs.

The vision of Agatha Thompson's body remained vivid in Susan's mind. She was quite sure that the woman was dead; Agatha's head lay in a puddle of blood, and her skin was repulsively cold.

Susan shivered and shouted to the kitchen, "Mr. Bennett! Mrs. Bennett! Call the police! Mrs. Thompson is dead!"

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