Captain Dead Man (Sweetfern Harbor Mystery Book 3) Read online

  “I agree it either took one very hearty person, or two, to move the body that far from the deck.” The Chief looked again at the photos. “But that gets us no closer to figuring out who it was. Do you see anything new this morning, Brenda?”

  She leaned forward to shuffle through the enlarged photos and examine the details. “It all looks the same as we saw it when we discovered the body. There just wasn’t anything left behind that was obvious. I think interviews will be the best way to crack this case. The throng of people who were here won’t make it very easy.” She leaned back and looked at Mac and the Chief. “I think it was someone right here in Sweetfern Harbor. Statistically, it’s more likely to be someone who knew him well, right? He’s lived here his whole life. The only thing that would change my mind is if someone from the outside held a grudge against Captain Eddy. If so, it would have been something very significant. Also, the dock where the racing boats were moored is practically in the center of town. There’s not a lot of places to hide. So, whoever boarded Eddy’s boat didn’t cause any suspicion around the harbor.” The Chief grimaced when she said this. They were all thinking the same thing – it seemed like all evidence was pointing towards the other captains.

  Brenda pulled out her phone. She said the names out loud as she typed them in a short list. Captain Eddy’s two competitors came first. Then she put in Bryce Jones’ name and David Williams. She knew they had no evidence to pin the crime on any of them, but they were the closest ones associated with the boat race and the death. Then she put in Wally Doyle’s name, remembering his friendly relationship with the captains at the seafood dinner in town a few nights before.

  “There’s a lot of work to do on this case,” said Mac. “Scully and Pratt called the county coroner and said they want his body released so they can have him cremated and his ashes returned to the sea. That can’t happen until we find his next of kin, who may have other ideas.”

  “Or until we find a will,” Brenda pointed out. “It may tell us who stood to inherit anything of value he may have owned...other than the sunken boat, of course.”

  “I have officers already out there questioning anyone they can find. We have to know if anyone saw something suspicious around the boats the night before or morning before the race.” Mac slapped the new folder on his desk. “We’ll get to the bottom of this no matter what. By tomorrow I want to start questioning everyone on that list.” He looked at Brenda with a question in his eyes. She nodded yes and agreed she would help out.

  “Good,” said the Chief. “Tonight, as crazy as it seems, the closing firework display for the boat race will go on as planned. The spectators will be there in throngs. Keep your eyes and ears open. My men will be watching but we should keep our eyes and ears peeled.”

  Brenda left the police station turning this all over in her mind. She flashed back to prior investigations that she had helped Mac with, where the deceased person had many enemies, but this one just didn’t seem to make sense. What enemies did a kindly, quiet old racing boat captain have? Just as she got to her car, she heard a familiar voice.

  “How about going to the fireworks with me tonight, Brenda?” Bryce Jones leaned against his rental car with his legs crossed, waiting for her answer. “I’d love to be seen with Sweetfern Harbor’s own attractive female sleuth on my arm.” He gave her one of his trademark brilliant smiles and she struggled not to roll her eyes a little.

  “I don’t think so, Bryce. Mac and I will be going together, I’m sure. I know he plans to go and we do things together…”

  Bryce’s expression soured a little bit as he stood up straighter, his charming poise gone for the moment. “I’m sure you think you are the only one in Mac’s eyes. As a matter of fact, he has dated many beautiful women. You aren’t the first one since his wife’s death ten years ago and I doubt you’ll be the last.” He gave her a half-smile as he watched her unlock her door. “Consider this a fair warning. He hops from girl to girl faster than the waves on the ocean in a storm.”

  “Thanks for the advice, but I know you are wrong in this case.” She got into her car and drove off before he had time to answer. She willed her hands to stop shaking on the steering wheel. If only he wasn’t staying in her bed and breakfast, this would be so much easier, Brenda thought.

  Back at the bed and breakfast, Brenda walked in to hear guests and staff alike buzzing with excitement. Everyone was moving to the terrace where Chef Morgan had set out a light lunch for the guests. All talked of the upcoming fireworks finale to the unusual annual boat race later that night. A few minutes later, Bryce Jones came in. He smiled at Brenda as several guests crowded around him to talk about his ordeal on the water. She steeled herself not to react to his presence.

  “It’s a wonder you didn’t go down with the boat,” said one guest.

  “I’m an expert swimmer,” he said, “but I have to admit, it was a scary few minutes. A sinking boat can pull you down in its wake very easily. When I saw the rescue boat coming out and Captain Scully turn around, I knew I’d make it out alive. I didn’t even know Pratt kept going until later. I don’t hold that against the man. He knew I was in good hands with Scully and someone had to keep going to win it.”

  Brenda could not listen to another word and instead retreated to the kitchen to consult with her chef. She closed the kitchen door to the voices that relived the earlier events. She knew she would have to interrogate Bryce Jones one-on-one, and probably before the fireworks that night. Despite her promise to help Mac, she wondered if it was a good idea to be interrogating one of her own guests. Not to mention that she did not look forward to Mac and Bryce airing any more of their jealous disagreements.

  Lunch finished and everyone moved inside to the sitting room for dessert. Brenda joined them again. She felt Bryce’s eyes on her several times during dessert but chose to ignore him. Instead, she concentrated on the young couple seated to her right. The baby sat on her father’s lap while he balanced a brownie in his other hand. Everyone voiced how good the child had been. She appeared happy all the time and provided added entertainment for guests. Talk of the fireworks display was the foremost topic of conversation. Bryce interjected some of the history of boat race events and Phyllis and a few other staff members chimed in.

  Brenda realized that perhaps she could avoid Mac’s uncomfortable interview session with Bryce at the police station if she simply sat down with him at the bed and breakfast. Brenda ran several questions through her mind that she intended to ask Bryce when he finished his last bite of chocolate cake.

  He excused himself, along with several others, and Brenda followed him to the foyer. “I want to ask you about some details about the race yesterday.” He seemed much more relaxed after chatting with the other guests and turned his charm on her full force. She smiled back a little bit, hoping they could forget about the earlier incident in the parking lot.

  “Of course, Brenda. I wondered why you seemed so distracted over dessert. I’ll be glad to be interrogated by one of the best. Shall we?”

  They went into the small library down the hall and Brenda brought her phone out. She started with the first inquiry on her list.

  “Where were you the morning of the race?”

  Bryce grew serious. “I was at Morning Sun Coffee with the captains, I listened to Wally describe how he built the boats. I was fascinated. I just wanted to get a tour, but who knew I’d be the captain of one of those boats a few hours later.”

  “Did you hear anyone say anything that might make sense of the crime now?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve gone over those very things in my own mind. There was nothing out of the ordinary. The two captains jabbed at one another the way they had been doing every time they had an audience.” His eyes grew fond as he recalled the moment, then he seemed distant. He sat up straighter and snapped his fingers. “Wait. Captain Pratt mentioned Eddy more than once. He kept wondering where Eddy was. Scully gave him a couple of icy stares, but I figured Pratt was getting on his nerves.
Maybe Pratt was trying to build up an alibi, maybe not. Maybe Scully knew something, maybe not. But if it were my case, I’d definitely put that one in my file for future reference.”

  “We’re all very glad you weren’t hurt in the accident. Since the boat sank, there isn’t much to go on except the photos and the autopsy report. We already checked the harbor and there were definitely no rocks near the race course. But did you hear any unusual sounds before the boat started taking on water?”

  “Not really. The wind is pretty loud when you’re racing out on the water, but I think I would have noticed if I’d hit something. I noticed a little water and at first didn’t realize the boat was leaking. I thought maybe a wave had just come over the side. But then the water came in faster as if a hole widened. That’s when I raced to the front to radio for help.” Brenda thought she saw a fleeting fear cross his face. “If you want suspects, I’d look at Wally Doyle. The captains knew everything about sailing, but he knows everything about building boats.”

  “Mac and the Chief are pulling in everyone they feel has some input at the moment. I’m sure you’ll be called back.” For the first time, Brenda realized the handsome detective could be professional when called for.

  “That’s to be expected. I’m sticking around for a few extra days or as long as needed.” Just as suddenly as the sober, professional detective had appeared, Bryce switched back to being a flirt. “Too bad you aren’t going with me tonight. I could show you a good time in Sweetfern Harbor. I know every nook and cranny around here.” He smiled as he tried to tempt her, and she couldn’t help but smile back, even though she was a little exasperated by his relentless flirting. Brenda felt relief he didn’t mention Mac’s past girlfriends again. For the moment, all she knew was that Bryce Jones was someone she could easily dismiss. She thanked him for the interview and left to call Mac from the privacy of her apartment.

  “Your voice is music to my ears and came at the right time. This case is frustrating,” said Mac. He relayed that the officers who had fanned out all over town interviewing tourists had not turned up anything useful so far. Meanwhile, Eddy had no next of kin except some distant cousins who were willing to go along with Pratt and Scully’s plans for the body, and no large assets had turned up in their searches. That eliminated one line of investigation: no one had killed him for his money. His boat had been his only real asset and the boat insurance policy, while generous, was surely not enough to tempt someone to murder.

  After she had told him everything else from her discussion with Bryce, she knew there was one last thing she had to bring up. She took a big breath. “Mac, there’s one more thing. It’s a personal thing.” She paused and then continued when she did not get a response. “He tells me you are prone to go from one girlfriend to another with no warning. I can’t help but wonder...how many other women have you asked to marry you?”

  Mac chuckled. “Bryce loves to needle me. You shouldn’t take him too seriously. Although it’s true, I have dated others since my wife passed away. I can’t deny that. But I don’t get serious with them and then just throw them to the wind. Most were dates that didn’t go beyond two or three times out together. I didn’t feel any of them would be compatible with me. I’m sure they felt the same way since none came looking for me later – these were mutual partings. Until you came along, I had never found anyone as good as my wife. I love you, Brenda Sheffield, and you only. You have nothing to worry about. I am committed to you.”

  As expected, his voice soothed her heart and he once again proved to be the thoughtful, caring person she knew him to be. When they hung up, she looked forward to their time together later that night. Not just fireworks and revelry, but time with Mac, the man of her dreams.

  Later that afternoon, Mac called to ask Brenda if she could come down to the station before the evening festivities for some casework. “Captain Pratt is on his way down here. I’d like to get your take on what he has to say, if you have time?”

  Brenda was more than happy to get the case moving along. She arrived at the police station just as Pratt pulled in. He appeared distraught as he approached the door to the building and she could see that the horrible reality of his friend’s murder had sunk in.

  “I know how upset you must be, Captain Pratt. I’m so sorry you have to go through losing such a good friend.” He nodded and thanked her numbly. Opening the door, he allowed Brenda to precede him. She went directly to Mac’s office and Pratt sat down as instructed by the clerk at the front desk.

  “Captain Pratt is out there now. He seems upset. I hope he can shed some light on this mystery.” Mac agreed with her and buzzed the clerk to escort Pratt into the first interrogation room. Brenda and Mac then joined him and expressed their condolences for the loss of his friend. Both were surprised at the first words that came from his mouth.

  “I am sick with regret, Detective Rivers. I regret that I didn’t help Bryce Jones when the boat was struggling.”

  At first the other two said nothing. Pratt sat calmly but deeply sad in his chair across the table. Brenda couldn’t think of appropriate words to reply. Apparently, Mac was in the same position until he recovered.

  “You won the race,” said Mac. “I would think you would be happy with all that money. You knew the race officials had a rescue boat ready just in case, too. But no one can deny that fifty thousand dollars is quite a prize.”

  Pratt threw open his hands in despair. “I don’t care about the money. I don’t even want it any longer. I’m thinking about donating it all to charity or giving it to someone who is sincerely in need of it.”

  Brenda remained speechless. His words struck her as slightly odd. So far, he had not mentioned the recent murder of his good friend or the loss of the boat. Another factor hit her as strange, too. He did not meet her eyes or Mac’s. Brenda wondered if Captain Pratt should be at the top of her list of suspects or if he was simply sunk too deep in mourning to look up at them.

  Mac exchanged a quick glance with Brenda and then resumed the interrogation. “I find it interesting that you sped ahead of the pending disaster to win the prize and now you want to give it all up. Why is that?”

  Pratt’s stricken face finally lifted, though his eyes remained averted. “I did want to win. I can’t deny that. We had all bet with one another that each would win. I knew from the beginning that I was a better captain than the other two were. I’m not saying they weren’t expert. I’m just saying I have always been better.”

  “So why the regret?” Brenda waited for his answer. When he said nothing, she continued. “I’m sure the races would have begun again if all the competitors had stopped until the situation was taken care of. Everyone would have understood that under the circumstances.”

  He shook his head and then leaned forward. His hands wrapped his face. Perspiration emerged on his forehead between rough fingers. He sat up straight again and wiped his brow with a handkerchief. “I have more regrets than you can imagine about the whole incident. I’m relieved that young Bryce was not injured or killed out there. Yes, I wish I had done as you say, but I didn’t. I wanted to win, but not like this. Eddy is gone. And I don’t want the money. I don’t even want the coveted silver cup. Scully should have the cup for his heroic and selfless actions.”

  Brenda silently agreed with that part. Mac asked Pratt if Captain Eddy had any known enemies. The captain stated he knew of no one with a grudge against the man. When pressed again, he repeated his assessment. “I can’t imagine anyone not liking Captain Eddy. He was a good man and a man of honor.”

  He was told he was free to go but to not leave town. He rose wearily and shuffled out of the interrogation room when an officer came to lead him back to the lobby. After the door closed, Mac and Brenda discussed their take on Captain Pratt and his many regrets and few answers.

  “I think he’s grieving for his friend. That could explain some of the strangeness. But then again...” Brenda trailed off. Neither she nor Mac wanted to acknowledge how little they actually
had to go on.

  “I guess we’d better gear up for Scully next,” said Mac.

  6

  More Suspects

  When Captain Scully was ushered in, his eyes were sunken and the former blustery, joking persona had left him. He sat down across from Mac and Brenda and looked directly at each of them in turn.

  “I will never enter another boat race the rest of my life,” he said. Solemnity had replaced his familiar joviality, and it was jarring to see him this way.

  “I am so sorry for the loss of your friend and fellow captain. I know you’ve been racing for a long time together. How many races have you won?” Brenda asked.

  “I’ve won a total of five in the past. Two were won right here on the Sweetfern Harbor waters. That’s enough for me.”

  Brenda recalled Pratt’s quiet boast about his racing prowess, and regretted not asking him the same question to compare to Scully’s wins. Perhaps Pratt wasn’t as good as he thought.

  “I have questions about the incident during the race,” Mac said. “When you reached the Eddy, what did you see first?”

  He explained how he had focused on rescuing Bryce and paid little attention to the boat itself. “The boat was nearly down by the time I got to him. It went down faster than I would have thought possible.” He paused, thinking back. “You’d think it would be easy to figure out a boat, but so many things can go wrong. I wondered later if something came loose that caused it to take on water so quickly. It was one of the finest boats Wally Doyle ever built, in my estimation, and remember he built three identical boats for Pratt and Eddy and myself. But perhaps he got careless with a detail on that boat. I don’t mean he did anything on purpose. I think something was not installed tightly enough...perhaps by mistake.”

  “From what I’ve heard of Wally, he has a stellar reputation as a shipwright. Do you really think he would make such a mistake?” Brenda pressed.