Scene of the Crime: Black Creek Read online

  For the next few minutes they sat and ate without talking. Several other couples joined them in the shady park, taking up tables nearby.

  Mick’s thoughts were jumbled with possibilities, none that he could twist around to make any sense. He couldn’t believe this was the work of the killer that they sought.

  It certainly hadn’t been an effective way to kill anybody. It didn’t fit the pattern of the previous murders. From Mick’s experience, serial killers rarely changed their patterns.

  No, this definitely felt more like a teenager’s attempt to sabotage the family business. Jimbo hadn’t exactly hidden his displeasure about working at the spa.

  Still, he couldn’t discount the fact that the back door had been unlocked, allowing anyone to walk into the ladies’ dressing room. That meant anyone off the street could have sneaked into the dressing room and tinkered with the settings on the sauna. That same somebody could have put their body weight against the sauna door, making it impossible for Cassie to push open.

  According to what she’d said it hadn’t taken too many attempts before she felt too weak and had given up. Is that when whoever had held the door had left the building via the back door?

  One thing was certain, the original name of the town was the right one, for Mick sensed a darkness surrounding them unlike any he’d ever sensed before.

  * * *

  “SHALL WE TALK ABOUT the obvious?” Cassie asked as she grabbed another chip from the bag.

  “What’s the obvious?” Mick asked.

  Cassie’s heart banged hard against her ribs as she held his gaze. “The obvious would be that I haven’t played my role right and that the killer has already figured out we’re decoys and that the rules of the game have all changed.”

  All she could think about was how many times Mick had told her to relax, how often he’d had to remind her to look the part of a newlywed. He’d warned her that the killer could be watching them at any time. Had she already screwed up the assignment?

  “I think it’s a bit early to jump to that kind of conclusion,” Mick replied, his tone surprisingly gentle.

  “But it’s possible,” she said miserably. Failure. She felt as if she’d allowed her personal limitations to make this assignment a complete failure.

  “And doubtful,” he said firmly. He reached across the table and grabbed her hand in his. His thumb rubbed her skin in a soothing rhythm. “Don’t beat yourself up, Cassie. All we know right now is that somebody screwed around with the sauna. Whoever it was had to have known that I’d get impatient and go looking for you. I don’t think it was our guy. I doubt we’ve been here long enough or been visible enough to have even caught his attention yet.” He gave her hand a squeeze and then released it.

  “Thanks. I needed to hear that.” She was surprised to feel the burn of tears at her eyes. She got up and threw her wrappers in a nearby trash can and then returned to the picnic table, her control regained. “I promise you from now on I’ll do better.”

  Before he could reply, Sheriff Lambert and two of his deputies entered the small park, greeting people at the other tables and then approaching where Cassie and Mick sat.

  “Afternoon, folks,” Ed greeted them. “I see you two found a nice shady spot to enjoy lunch.” He gestured to the two men on either side of him. “I thought I’d introduce you to two of my right-hand men.” He laid a hand on the shoulder of the young, attractive deputy on his left. “This is Deputy Alex Perry,” he said and then gestured to the man on his right. “And this is Deputy Ralph Gaines.”

  They all said their hellos and made a little small talk, and then the three men moved on to another table to chat with the tourists.

  “Nice touch, having the local law friendly and accessible,” Mick said. “How much you want to bet the mayor is behind the ‘howdy folks’ moments?”

  “No bet, because I’m sure you’re right,” Cassie replied as the two of them got up from the table. “Unfortunately, if they’re here schmoozing in the park, they aren’t out actively working on the murder cases.”

  “True,” Mick replied. “You want to head back to the room and rest a bit?” Mick’s green eyes held a touch of concern.

  “No way,” she replied. “I’m fine, Mick, really. I think we should meander down the block and check out Derrick Black and his organization.”

  She was pleased when the concern in his eyes transformed to a hint of pride. She grabbed his arm and smiled up at him. “Come on, husband, let’s take a little walk.”

  She was determined that she wouldn’t be the cause of a failed operation. No matter how it affected her on a personal level, she would cuddle and snuggle up to Mick whenever they were out in public. She would be the perfect newlywed woman, hot and crazy for the man she’d married.

  “Hmm, I could get used to this,” Mick said softly as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her tighter against his side.

  “Public displays of affection only,” she said lightly.

  “Then I guess I’ll just have to take advantage whenever we’re in public,” he replied with the charming smile that heated her from tip to toe.

  She was determined that from here on she’d play her role to a T and hoped that what she feared wasn’t true, that she hadn’t already screwed things up.

  Within minutes they had reached the Stop the Madness headquarters. The door was open and they walked inside to see two dark-haired men and a young woman. The woman was on the telephone, one of the men was copying what appeared to be more flyers, and the other man greeted them and introduced himself as Derrick Black.

  “This isn’t really an establishment for tourists,” he said. He was a tall, well-groomed man who had a deep voice that would naturally command attention. “This is about town business.”

  “We saw some of your flyers and were just curious,” Mick replied.

  A big man with arms the size of tree trunks appeared in the back doorway, his blond hair buzz-cut and his nose looking as if it had met more than one fist in its lifetime.

  “It’s all so confusing.” Cassie released a light laugh and wondered if the big blond was a bodyguard. “I mean, I don’t know whether to tell people we had our honeymoon in Honeymoon Haven or in Black Creek.”

  Derrick’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Black Creek, that’s still the official name of the town and it will continue to be Black Creek if I have anything to do about it. My great-great-grandfather founded this town. Up until a couple of years ago it was a great place to live where people cared about each other and the crime rate was next to nothing.”

  It was obvious Derrick was on a roll, his eyes lit like those of a religious zealot, and his voice rose in volume with each word he said. The blond man stepped closer to where they stood.

  “Since Mayor Jamison took office and came up with this brilliant idea of his, our crime rate has quadrupled, the business owners are at each other’s throats vying for the almighty dollar and everyone has forgotten what a wonderful place this used to be to raise kids and live a peace life.”

  “How many people belong to your organization?” Mick asked.

  “We keep that information private.” Derrick swiped a hand down his jaw. “We’re just working to make sure we regain some of the integrity of our town.”

  A deep frown tore across his forehead. “Look, this doesn’t have anything to do with the two of you. This is a fight among the locals. Greed has turned people’s heads and made them forget who they are, but that’s our problem, not yours.”

  “From the looks of things you have a big battle ahead of you,” Mick replied.

  “It’s a fight we’re determined to win,” the blond man said.

  “Go and enjoy your stay here,” Derrick said in an obvious dismissal.

  “Well, good luck with your fight,” Cassie said as she once again grabbed Mick’s arm. “Come on, honey, you promised that you’d take me to that cute little dress shop.”

  “There’s something just a little bit scary about him,” she
said once they were out on the sidewalk.

  “He’s definitely on my list of potential suspects in this whole mess,” Mick agreed. “He and whoever is working for him.”

  “Did you see the size of that guy who appeared as soon as Derrick started talking to us? ‘It’s a fight we’re determined to win,’” she said in a deep voice. “He was the second scary guy in the room.”

  “Yeah, I’d like to know if he’s hired help or one of the local boys. He definitely didn’t look like he does much paperwork. Why don’t we head back to the room? I want to make a few calls and we can clean up and change clothes for dinner tonight.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” she agreed.

  “But first, we’re going to head into a little dress shop and I’m going to buy you a pretty newlywed dress to wear to dinner tonight.”

  “That’s not necessary,” she protested and tried to decide if she should be offended that he didn’t think anything she had in her suitcase was appropriate attire.

  “But it is,” he replied smoothly. “It’s something both of our murdered couples did while they were here. Besides, it’s something I want to do. It will remind me of home. My sisters are always dragging me shopping with them. They tell me I have a good eye for what looks great on a woman.”

  An hour later, as they headed back to the cottage with a new dress hanging in a bag, Cassie had to admit that his sisters were right. Mick had surprisingly good taste.

  When they reached the cottage he sat on the love seat and pulled out his cell phone. He made a call to Rick Burgess. “Burgess, it’s McCane. I wanted to see if you had done any investigation into the Stop the Madness organization and specifically Derrick Black.”

  As he listened to whatever the investigating agent had to tell him, Cassie went into the bathroom to get ready for dinner, certain that Mick would relay to her whatever he learned.

  It was obvious the maid had been in. There were clean towels ready for use and she’d noticed a new fruit-and-muffin basket in the center of the coffee table.

  As she took off her shorts and blouse, she realized it felt as if it had been months since she’d been in Director Forbes’s office to learn her new assignment rather than just two days ago.

  It was difficult to believe that in the last twenty-four hours alone she’d slept with Mick, shared a kiss, might have died and had a new dress that she never would have picked out for herself.

  But she had no idea if they’d accomplished what they needed to. Had the killer homed in on them? Was it possible they’d already met him?

  Was Jimbo angry enough at his father, at this town, to commit murder, or had the sauna episode simply been the work of a sullen teenager getting back at his father in a passive-aggressive fashion?

  Was it possible Derrick Black would kill to keep the legacy of his great-great-grandfather? It was impossible to speculate on who the killer might be after less than two days of time in the town. To truly investigate they needed to talk to more of the locals, to get to know the players in the little drama that might be the motive for murder.

  Shoving aside thoughts of killers, for the next few minutes she focused on getting into the royal-blue cotton sundress Mick had picked out for her. With its ruffled bodice, fitted waist and flared skirt, it was the most feminine piece of clothing Cassie had ever owned.

  She touched up her makeup, brushed through her shoulder-length hair and stepped into a pair of gold-trimmed sandals she’d brought from home. Finally, she spritzed on some of her favorite perfume and then left the bathroom.

  Mick whistled appreciatively at the sight of her. “I knew that dress was made just for you. You look…stunning…beautiful.”

  Beneath the warmth of his gaze, she felt like a woman who had specifically dressed to please her man and had accomplished just that. It was a strange, wonderful kind of feeling that she’d never experienced before.

  “Give me five minutes and I’ll be ready to go.” He grabbed a shirt and slacks from the closet and disappeared into the bathroom.

  While she waited for him, she sat on the love seat and pulled out the folder that held all the crime-scene photos and reports, along with the notebook where she liked to keep notes.

  She had to believe that the killings and the name change of the town were related. At least it gave a motive for the murders and it was one that made sense.

  Somebody wanted to screw up the Honeymoon Haven image, and how better to do it than killing the loving couples who came to the town to enjoy their honeymoons? It was the only thing they’d stumbled on so far that held any merit as far as motive was concerned.

  It was more like fifteen minutes before Mick came out of the bathroom, clad in a pair of khaki slacks and a white polo shirt. She looked up at him and tried not to notice how nicely the shirt tugged across his broad shoulders, how well the slacks fit the length of his legs. She patted the space next to her. “Come sit and tell me what you found out from Agent Burgess.”

  He sat down next to her and instantly she was aware of his smell, that heady combination of shaving cream and cologne. It elicited all those memories of the night they had shared, memories that were getting more and more difficult for her to keep out of her mind.

  “Burgess told me Derrick Black and the people working at his organization are definitely on their radar. Black was interviewed by Sheriff Lambert but appeared to have alibis for the nights of each of the murders.”

  “What about Mr. Bodybuilder?”

  “Jack Bailey, a homegrown thug. According to Burgess, Bailey is a nasty piece of work. He’s had run-ins with the law since he was a young teenager and did a short stint in prison for battery. What are you doing there?” He gestured toward her notebook.

  “Just writing some thoughts, impressions and facts in order to help me remember things I think are important about the case. I don’t have the computer kind of mind that you do.” She closed the notebook and leaned back. “You know I was just thinking before you came out of the bathroom that if the motive for this crime is to screw up the honeymoon madness, then he hasn’t really been successful.”

  Mick frowned. “I’m not following you. He’s managed to kill two couples and has gotten away with it so far. I’d call that a pretty good success.”

  “Yes, but there’s been no publicity at all about the murders. Sheriff Lambert told us they’d managed to keep everything about the four murders under wraps for now. If you are trying to ruin a town’s image, then wouldn’t you want publicity that would make people think twice about staying here?”

  “You’re right,” he agreed, in obvious surprise. “I hadn’t thought about that. And what that means is we not only have a murderer who has taken out two couples, but we have a killer who must be extremely frustrated.”

  “Which would make him even more dangerous and perhaps ready to strike again at any moment,” she replied. “And that’s good for us.” She released a small laugh. “I never thought I’d say that in my whole career.”

  He smiled. “I’m sure you never thought you’d be on a honeymoon with me in your whole career, either.”

  “That’s definitely true.”

  They remained on the sofa for another half an hour, talking about motives and speculating on whether the murders had something to do with the name change of the town or something altogether different.

  Cassie knew it was still possible that the man or men they sought might be thrill killers, with no real motive in mind except the enjoyment gained by taking somebody else’s life.

  It would be foolish for them to make any kind of an assessment about the killer given what little they knew. They both were too smart to settle on any one theory to the exclusion of any others.

  It had grown dark by the time they left their cottage to head to the Wedded Bliss Buffet and Grill. “Looks like it’s clouding up,” Mick said as they walked down the sidewalk. “I hope that doesn’t screw up the plans for tomorrow.”

  “And what are the plans for tomorrow?” she asked.


  “A canoe ride down Black River, complete with a picnic for two on the banks of an outcropping named Kissing Point.” He stopped walking and looked at her. “What’s wrong?” he asked, obviously having felt the instant anxiety that struck her.

  “I don’t like water.” She worried a hand through her hair. “In fact, I’m terrified of water.” The anxiety grew bigger inside her although she tried to fight against it.

  “All I can tell you is that I’ll try to make sure you don’t even have to touch the water. I’m pretty good at canoeing. Can you swim?”

  “Enough to take a bath, I’m not sure how I’d do in a river.”

  His eyes glittered in the deepening darkness of the night. “We’ll make plans to go, but if you see the canoe and the river and decide you can’t do it, then we won’t.” He took her hand and they started walking again.

  “But it’s something we need to do. The murdered couples both took the ride down the river,” she protested. “That could possibly be the activity that brought them to the killer’s attention.”

  “If we skip one of the activities on the list, the world won’t come to an end,” he replied easily.

  They stopped walking again as they turned to cross the street where the Wedded Bliss Buffet and Grill was located. Cassie pulled her hand from his and gazed up at him. “We aren’t skipping anything. We’ll do the canoe thing and I’ll be fine.”

  She swallowed against the nervousness that wanted to grab her by the throat. Tears of fear burned at her eyes as she thought of being in a little canoe on a big river.

  Without waiting for Mick, she started across the street, wanting just a moment alone to regain some control over her emotions. She didn’t want to be weak. She didn’t want Mick to perceive her as anything but a competent, equal partner.

  She was partway across the street when she heard the squeal of tires against hot pavement. The headlights of a car appeared out of nowhere and raced toward her, and she froze like a deer mesmerized by the high beams.