Sledding Away with Murder (Sweetfern Harbor Mystery Book 21) Read online

  Mac ran his fingers through his hair. As he did so, he felt grateful he still retained the thick mass. Brenda told him that morning that he could be mistaken for Robert Redford in the actor’s younger days. Her comment made his day. He had returned the compliment of how beautiful his wife was. In their late forties, neither had aged with any significance. Mac shook his head. He would bask in her compliment later after this crime was solved.

  Bryce knocked on his office door and announced that the couple had been taken to the first interrogation room. “They are stubborn. I asked them if they had known Travis Asher. The woman started to speak, but her husband stopped her. I think they did know him.”

  “I’m assuming you asked for their driver’s license and insurance proof,” Mac said.

  “We did. They are from Eureka, California. Their names are Madelyn and Robert Edwards, a.k.a. Maddie and Rocky. That’s what they call one another.”

  “Join me in Room One,” Mac said.

  The couple appeared athletic. Both sported tans. Both had blond hair and blue eyes. Mac told them they were before him for not complying with the officer who detained them. “We have had a murder in town and are stopping everyone who leaves Sweetfern Harbor. Why are you in our town?”

  “We come every year for the Winter Carnival,” Rocky said. “Is that a crime?”

  “No, but murder is. Do you have relatives along the eastern coast?”

  “We both grew up in Vermont,” Maddie said. “We like to leave sunny California every year and get a taste of winter again.”

  “Did you know Travis Asher? He was from California, too.”

  Maddie and Rocky glanced at one another. “I’ve heard of him. He is—rather, was—well-known for his work in plastic surgery,” Maddie said. “I have several friends who had surgery done on them by Dr. Asher.”

  “Did either of you participate in the sledding contest?”

  “We didn’t enter,” Rocky said. “We enjoyed the crafts and shops during the race.”

  Mac made a mental note that their hands were smooth with no marks or injuries. He had no legal reason to hold them. “We are releasing you, but the next time an officer of the law stops and asks for identification, cooperating would serve your best interests. Are you headed back to California now?”

  “We’re on our way to visit relatives in Stowe, Vermont. We won’t return to California until two weeks from now.” Maddie’s eyes grew startlingly blue in the sunrays that permeated the room through the small window. Neither smiled nor said anything when they were dismissed.

  After they left the precinct, Bryce asked Mac if he thought they were telling the truth. Mac nodded. “I know Travis had a good reputation in his work out there. I’m not surprised he is well-known in those circles.” Mac paused. “Keep their information for now, but I don’t believe we’ll have to use it. I think the killer is staying at the Sheffield Bed and Breakfast, but I can’t pinpoint which guest it is.”

  Bryce stated he would get back out to help interview as many people attending the carnival as possible. Brenda greeted him on her way in. Miranda Asher walked behind her, prepared with her assessment of who killed her husband.

  “We’ll talk here in my office,” Mac said. He hoped the less stark environment would encourage Miranda to talk more. He didn’t miss the half smile on her face when she thanked him.

  Brenda offered something to drink, and Miranda accepted a Coke. A cup of lukewarm coffee sitting on Mac’s desk prompted Brenda to offer to refresh it. Mac waved his hand briefly and stated he was fine. They all sat down and waited for Mac to begin.

  “By now, you’ve had more time to think about who you think killed your husband. I’d like for you to share your ideas with us.”

  “I’m at a loss as much as you are, Detective. Harry and I were in the race, but we didn’t see Travis along the way. He could have been hiding in the wooded area, I suppose. We did notice a couple who swirled around and stopped. It was the Yoders. We wondered later why they did that when they were making gains in the race.”

  Mac frowned and pressed her for more specifics. Miranda shrugged her shoulders and said that was all she had to offer on the matter. “They may have had trouble with their sled. It’s the only plausible explanation.”

  Brenda felt they wouldn’t get any further with Miranda. She was certain Miranda had opted to spin a tale that would divert suspicion from her or from Harry by implicating Joanna and Ethan.

  “Earlier you said Harry could have done it,” she said. “I pointed out that if you were both sledding, how could he have done it. Now you are implicating the Yoders. What is the truth here, Miranda?”

  Miranda rubbed her fingers on the moist can. Mac put his elbows on the edge of his desk and spread out his hands. “Did you kill your husband?”

  “Of course not. It may have been Harry. I still had a crush on him, and he was almost as jealous as Travis was.”

  Brenda became impatient. “The logistics of Harry killing Travis is what? You had to have been there at the scene if Harry killed him. You didn’t finish the race alone on the sled.”

  Miranda blew out a sigh. “Fine. Harry told me before the race that we had to get rid of Travis if we expected to resume a relationship. I admit that we did stop along the route when we saw Travis waiting for us to come along. Harry shouted to me to stop when he saw him. We pulled over and pretended to have something wrong with our sled until the others passed us.”

  “Where was Travis when this happened?” Mac said.

  “He was hiding in the tree line watching us. I don’t think he knew we had seen him. I told Harry not to hurt him. I wanted to confront him, but Harry said it was time to get rid of him.”

  “What happened next?” Brenda said.

  “I refused to be a part of it and begged Harry to come back to the sled. I would deal with Travis. It wasn’t beyond me to just ask for a divorce, though I doubted he would agree to one. I looked too good on his arm when he needed me in front of his friends.”

  Mac asked her what weapon was used to kill Travis. Miranda gave a slight shudder and told him Harry had bought an old baseball bat at the vintage store downtown and brought it with him.

  “I had no idea he’d put it in the sled. He turned to the sled and I was sure he was going to do as I had asked. Instead, he grabbed the bat. Travis revealed himself and he and I started talking. His back was to Harry. Before I knew what was happening, Harry swung the bat and knocked Travis down. He hit him again. I knew then that he meant to really kill him.”

  As difficult as it was, Miranda mustered up moist eyes. Mac asked her why she hadn’t come forward earlier. He explained she was now an accessory to a crime. Real tears surfaced at the news. Brenda figured they were the result of the news Mac gave her.

  The detective summoned Officer Natalie Sims to take Miranda to a holding cell. He called another officer to find Harry Brooks and arrest him for murder. When this was done, he told Brenda it looked as if they’d found the killer.

  “I’m not so sure, Mac. It’s her word against his. We don’t have proof yet, do we? She’s not exactly someone who tells the truth. And why would Harry have brought a bat on the sled race? He couldn’t have known they’d run into Travis on the route.”

  “I agree regarding no proof yet. I don’t know why Harry brought a bat, but would Miranda have made that up? The amount of detail she gave tells me she is probably telling the truth.”

  Brenda didn’t argue, but she wasn’t so sure. Why would Miranda throw Harry under the bus if she loved him so much? And why did she insert the Yoders into the scene along the route? If they did indeed swirl around and stop. Was she muddying everything to throw suspicion off herself?

  “I’ll see you later, Mac. I have some more thinking to do.” She was out the door before the detective could ask her where she was going.

  When Brenda returned to her bed and breakfast, she saw several guests in the Gathering Room chatting before dinner was served. Brenda was thankful she didn’t
pick up a conversation about the murder. So far, she doubted anyone in the inn knew of the two arrests. She prepared herself with answers for when she was asked during dinner where Miranda and Harry were. This group of guests were more prone to look after one another than the usual patrons who came and went.

  Brenda stopped to ask Allie how the day had gone. “It’s been uneventful since most guests have been downtown. Joanna Yoder spent most of the day in the Gathering Room with a book. I think Ethan walked down to the ocean for a while. They both seemed preoccupied. They plan to check out tomorrow but will finish their vacation in and out of Sweetfern Harbor.” Allie stopped talking. Brenda asked if she had more to say. “I’m just remembering how Mac told everyone not to check out unless he knew about it. Do you think he’ll be okay with them leaving?”

  “I’ll ask him to make sure. Mac and I will go over the guest list together tonight and let you know who is free to go tomorrow. Right now, you should be getting home. You’ve had a busy weekend. Thank you for always taking good care of our guests, Allie.”

  “You’re welcome, Brenda. I love what I do here, but I can’t go home yet. My mom needs help tonight at Sweet Treats. We have a lot of baking to do for a large order tomorrow once she closes shop.”

  Brenda told her goodnight. She made a quick call to Mac, who told her he would be home in ten minutes. “I’ll get there in time for dinner, Brenda.”

  She told him she was sure guests would wonder where Harry and Miranda were. Mac decided to tell them the truth. “We’ll emphasize that they are there for more questioning rather than lead them to believe they are the murderers.”

  Brenda didn’t comment. She was fine with Mac carrying out his own plan on the matter.

  Once all were settled at the table, Jillian was the first to mention the absences. Mac explained as planned. Brenda observed each face as they received the news.

  “I can’t believe either of them would murder someone,” Wanda said. Jillian shook her head. “Why would either of them kill Travis?”

  “They haven’t been arrested for murder. They have more details than they gave us before. That means they are there so we can get to the bottom of it all. They could have been witnesses.” Mac spread his napkin on his lap and began delving into his clam chowder.

  No one added to the news. Brenda took advantage of the break and asked about the events they attended. Everyone agreed it had been quite an enjoyable weekend. Brenda turned to Joanna, who sat to her right. Ethan sat across from Joanna.

  “I hope you have enjoyed the festivities, Joanna. I did notice you are an avid reader.”

  Wanda was sitting next to Joanna. “We’re both avid readers. It’s been hard to decide whether to read a book or to get out to the activities and enjoy ourselves there.”

  “It has been a hard choice,” Joanna agreed. “Today seemed perfect to just be cozy curled up with a book.”

  Ethan glanced several times at his wife during the meal. Brenda knew what her next move had to be, but she decided to wait until breakfast the next day.

  Mac had determined the Yoders shouldn’t check out too early. He made it a blanket announcement by telling everyone he would appreciate it if no one left before ten o’clock.

  None of the guests objected. Brenda kept her eyes on Joanna and Ethan until forced to divert her attention. She felt uneasy when they looked in her direction.

  8

  Jillian and Wanda sat in the enclosed veranda off the dining area. Joanna and Ethan joined them.

  “I’ll have to go on a diet once I’m back home,” Jillian said. “The food around here is hard to resist.” The others agreed with her.

  Wanda wanted to discuss the matter of murder. “I think they arrested Miranda and Harry for the murder, don’t you?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “Why would they lock them up for more questioning? Is that even legal?”

  “I don’t know how the law works in such matters,” Ethan said, “but I presume Mac knows what he is doing.”

  “Do you think Harry or Miranda could have done it?” Wanda was persistent.

  “Didn’t you notice how they looked at one another at every gathering?” Jillian said. “They are in love. That’s enough reason to get rid of Travis.”

  “But murder? Surely, Miranda would ask for a divorce before killing the guy to get rid of him,” Wanda said.

  Joanna and Ethan began to fidget. Finally, Joanna stated she was tired. “All that reading I did, and the big dinner, is putting me to sleep.” Ethan said he would join her. They told Jillian and Wanda goodnight. They knew the conversation about Travis’s untimely death would go on with or without them.

  Ethan slipped the card into the lock and stepped back to let his wife go into their room first. He closed the door and turned the lock. Ethan worried about Joanna. She didn’t eat as much as she pretended to in front of Wanda and Jillian. She paled every time the subject of the crime came up. He put his arm around her shoulders. Ethan pulled her down on the bed and they sat there in silence.

  “What are we going to do, Ethan?”

  “I’ll figure out what to do. Get a good night’s sleep, Joanna. Everything will be better in the morning.”

  When he heard his wife’s even breathing two hours later, he walked to the window and looked out. How could such a peaceful place mar their own inner peace? In the Amish community, members were not allowed to comment or offer clues to crimes committed in the outside world even when those crimes may have been done against their own people. But this was different, he thought. He and Joanna now belonged to that outside world. Did they have obligations to get involved? He thought they did. He heard footsteps in the hallway and soft voices. Then the door next to theirs closed, telling him that Jillian was in for the night. Across the hall, another one closed. The inn grew quiet.

  Ethan lifted one of the windows a few inches. The soothing sounds of the ocean helped him relax before he closed the window again and got into bed next to Joanna.

  The next morning, guests trickled down to the dining room. Several were at the buffet loading up plates with omelets, scrambled eggs, sweet rolls, or toast and all the trimmings.

  “This salt air has given me an unending appetite,” a guest told Chef Pierre. “You are an excellent chef.” He smiled and thanked her.

  Joanna and Ethan poured hot tea for themselves and sat down. “Is that all you’re having for breakfast?” Wanda asked.

  Ethan smiled. “It’s just the beginning. We’ll drink this and then get a plate of food.”

  “I’ve heard starting with hot tea is a good thing,” Wanda said.

  A few spoke of hating to leave such a beautiful bed and breakfast. The guest who complimented Chef Pierre stated she could stay there forever. Joanna got up to fill her plate. Her appetite had vanished, but she felt obligated to eat a little for the sake of good manners. Ethan followed her. They sat back down just as Brenda entered the dining room. She noticed the Yoders moving their food around with their forks without taking bites.

  “I hope you are enjoying your breakfast,” Brenda said as she sat next to Ethan.

  “The food here is more than delicious, Brenda. Our visit has been exceptional.”

  “The bagels and sweet rolls are freshly baked by Sweet Treats. Did you get a chance to go in and sample some of Hope’s goodies?”

  “Ethan and I were in there the first day,” Joanna said. “Hope told us she is Allie’s mother. I love how much everyone in Sweetfern Harbor is so close. It’s much like one big family here.”

  “That’s what I discovered when I first moved here from Michigan. Everyone was very accepting of newcomers. It didn’t take long for me to feel I was part of the family here.”

  Brenda was happy to see the Yoders eat a little food. She continued to distract them with conversations until they finished their meal. Wanda exchanged glances with Brenda and nodded. She had noticed they lacked interest in breakfast earlier.

  Brenda waited until Joanna and Ethan left the dining room, and then fol
lowed them. At the bottom of the staircase, she asked if she could speak with them in twenty minutes. “I’d like to chat with you again before you leave today.”

  “We plan to check out before noon but are in no hurry, Brenda,” Ethan said. “We plan to tour a few more towns along the coast. I’m sure we’ll be in and out of Sweetfern Harbor until late in the week. Then it’s back to work.”

  Brenda suggested they meet in her office. She pointed to where Allie spoke to future guests on her phone who were making reservations. “My office is behind Allie.”

  Back in their room, Joanna waited for her husband to speak. She had no doubt he had made up his mind about how to handle his words. He told her they no longer held the convictions of their former community.

  “It is time we do what we must do,” Ethan said.

  Joanna agreed. “I can’t live like this.”

  Brenda had her recorder ready when the couple arrived at her office. She explained its purpose. “I don’t want to get distracted and miss something you say.”

  “We have no objections, Brenda,” Ethan said.

  She turned it on. “Do you wish to have a lawyer present before I begin?”

  The couple looked at one another. “Do we need someone to speak for us?” Joanna asked.

  “A lawyer can be present for purposes of guiding you in what to say or not to say. It is a legal way to make sure you are protected.”

  “What do we need protection from?” Ethan said. “I thought the people suspected of murder have been arrested?”

  “They have been, but we’re not sure if they are the ones who committed the crime yet. A lawyer may or may not be present with you. It is your choice.”

  Ethan recalled an incident in their Amish community when an Englisher harassed an Amish neighbor. He was asked that same question. Eli’s answer had been that he had no secrets and didn’t need a lawyer.

  “We have no secrets in this matter,” Ethan said. “We don’t need a lawyer.”

  Brenda smiled. “Did you enter the sledding race during the carnival?” Joanna and Ethan affirmed it. “Did you have any trouble with your sled during the race?”