Read Online A Special Delivery To Die For (A Rockcrest Cove Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Emily Page - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Emily Page
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This way we can run it all by Eleanor and see what we can come up with.”
Chapter Eight
Bailey turned around in the small cabin. She was trying to pace, but it wasn’t very effective considering the room was only large enough to allow for three or four steps before she had to turn again. She liked to pace when she was in deep thought, but this was proving impossible. She plopped down on the bed instead.
“Ok, what have we learned about Ana?” Maddie started.
“We learned that we were lucky to have never met her,” Bailey said. “I’ve never seen someone with so many enemies.”
Maddie gave a slight chuckle. “You’re absolutely right, but let’s review the details anyway, shall we?”
“Sure, good idea,” Eleanor’s voice came over the speaker on the laptop Bailey had brought with her.
“All right, let’s see,” Bailey started, “she’s the owner of the most exclusive travel agency in town.”
The other two agreed. “What about competition?”
“She has no competition—it’s the only travel agency in town.”
“But has she made it impossible to start a new one?”
Maddie sat upright in her seated position. “That’s an angle we’ve never considered.”
“What’s that?”
“Thomas. He’s certainly capable of opening up his own agency and yet he chose to be in a lesser position and work for Ana. That always felt wrong to me.”
“Do you think Thomas had to get rid of Ana in order to take over the agency?”
“Well, he certainly had his finger on the numbers of everyone who hated Ana. He didn’t have to look very far to find out what we needed. Maybe it’s something he’s been planning all along.”
“That’s true,” Eleanor agreed. “It was almost as if he was expecting someone to come investigate.”
“He certainly did seem prepared,” Bailey added, “and this cruise. It’s hard to believe he could pull something like this together in just a matter of a few days.”
“But it still doesn’t quite feel right. He just doesn’t strike me as the murdering type.”
“Well, let’s put him aside for the moment. Who else do we have?” came from the computer.
“We have Michael Hale,” Bailey put in.
“Who’s that?”
“He’s the one that lost thousands of dollars on two failed archaeological trips. Ana wouldn’t give him a refund,” Bailey contributed.
“That could prove to be a strong motive,” Eleanor said pensively.
“Yes, but those trips were years ago. Why would he wait until now?” Maddie asked. “Besides, Eleanor, if you could see him you’d know $20,000 is nothing to this man. He’d hardly notice it missing.”
“Still, he’s worth considering. He’s still angry enough to come on this cruise and vent his feelings about Ana,” Eleanor added. “Once you’ve been burned, it can sometimes be hard to forget. I know I’ve seen plenty of people kill for far less than that.”
“All right,” Maddie complied, “that’s suspect number two. What did you find on your end?”
“Well, you two have found tons of Ana’s enemies, but I’ve found just the opposite. She has loads of people that absolutely adore her, including the mayor and his wife.”
“Really?” Both Madeline and Bailey seemed surprised.
“From your perspective it may seem like everyone in the world hates the woman, but I can assure you that’s not the case. As a matter of fact, it was the mayor’s wife that pressured Chief Connors to start the investigation of her murder.”
“That’s it!” Maddie exclaimed. “I knew the old crank wasn’t smart enough to figure this out on his own. Someone had to be behind him starting the investigation.”
“Well, you’re certainly right on that account,” Eleanor agreed, “and there’s another thing you were right about. While she has plenty of friends that are willing to step up to the plate and
Chapter Eight
Bailey turned around in the small cabin. She was trying to pace, but it wasn’t very effective considering the room was only large enough to allow for three or four steps before she had to turn again. She liked to pace when she was in deep thought, but this was proving impossible. She plopped down on the bed instead.
“Ok, what have we learned about Ana?” Maddie started.
“We learned that we were lucky to have never met her,” Bailey said. “I’ve never seen someone with so many enemies.”
Maddie gave a slight chuckle. “You’re absolutely right, but let’s review the details anyway, shall we?”
“Sure, good idea,” Eleanor’s voice came over the speaker on the laptop Bailey had brought with her.
“All right, let’s see,” Bailey started, “she’s the owner of the most exclusive travel agency in town.”
The other two agreed. “What about competition?”
“She has no competition—it’s the only travel agency in town.”
“But has she made it impossible to start a new one?”
Maddie sat upright in her seated position. “That’s an angle we’ve never considered.”
“What’s that?”
“Thomas. He’s certainly capable of opening up his own agency and yet he chose to be in a lesser position and work for Ana. That always felt wrong to me.”
“Do you think Thomas had to get rid of Ana in order to take over the agency?”
“Well, he certainly had his finger on the numbers of everyone who hated Ana. He didn’t have to look very far to find out what we needed. Maybe it’s something he’s been planning all along.”
“That’s true,” Eleanor agreed. “It was almost as if he was expecting someone to come investigate.”
“He certainly did seem prepared,” Bailey added, “and this cruise. It’s hard to believe he could pull something like this together in just a matter of a few days.”
“But it still doesn’t quite feel right. He just doesn’t strike me as the murdering type.”
“Well, let’s put him aside for the moment. Who else do we have?” came from the computer.
“We have Michael Hale,” Bailey put in.
“Who’s that?”
“He’s the one that lost thousands of dollars on two failed archaeological trips. Ana wouldn’t give him a refund,” Bailey contributed.
“That could prove to be a strong motive,” Eleanor said pensively.
“Yes, but those trips were years ago. Why would he wait until now?” Maddie asked. “Besides, Eleanor, if you could see him you’d know $20,000 is nothing to this man. He’d hardly notice it missing.”
“Still, he’s worth considering. He’s still angry enough to come on this cruise and vent his feelings about Ana,” Eleanor added. “Once you’ve been burned, it can sometimes be hard to forget. I know I’ve seen plenty of people kill for far less than that.”
“All right,” Maddie complied, “that’s suspect number two. What did you find on your end?”
“Well, you two have found tons of Ana’s enemies, but I’ve found just the opposite. She has loads of people that absolutely adore her, including the mayor and his wife.”
“Really?” Both Madeline and Bailey seemed surprised.
“From your perspective it may seem like everyone in the world hates the woman, but I can assure you that’s not the case. As a matter of fact, it was the mayor’s wife that pressured Chief Connors to start the investigation of her murder.”
“That’s it!” Maddie exclaimed. “I knew the old crank wasn’t smart enough to figure this out on his own. Someone had to be behind him starting the investigation.”
“Well, you’re certainly right on that account,” Eleanor agreed, “and there’s another thing you were right about. While she has plenty of friends that are willing to step up to the plate and
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