Murder in Jamaica: An Anna Winters Cozy Mystery (Murder in Paradise Book 3) (6 page)

Anna looked at Harvey, who was sitting down across the table from her. His head was bandaged after the paramedics treated the head wound Pauline caused with the baseball bat. Anna knew her relationship was strained with Pauline, but when push came to shove, she was comforted in knowing her friend would still be there to watch over her.

“Harvey,” Anna began. “You know why you are here, don’t you?”

“Because I assaulted you.” Harvey snapped. “Even though you shot that man in the banquet hall.”

“The gun fell and it misfired, killing him.” Anna shook her head. “You almost killed me. You assaulted Mica before that and you assaulted your wife. You also lied about a break in and robbery in your room. You are the one who caused all that damage. You even cut your hand on the mirror when you hit it.”

“So, you got me.” Harvey laughed. “Go ahead and file your assault charges against me. I’ll get a good lawyer and be out before you know it.”

“You committed murder.” Anna snapped. “You killed three people. Assault is the least of your charges.”

“Oh?” Harvey asked. “Who did I kill? Where is your proof?”

“You know.” Anna replied. “You killed Quentin, Heath, and Courtney. There’s no point in denying it. We have proof you were the one who committed the murders. Mica already exposed you. She told us about how you were jealous of the two men having an affair with your wife.”

“If that was my motive, why is Courtney dead?” Harvey smirked.

“Because you didn’t realize it was Courtney at the time.” Anna continued. “When you found her in the spa, you likely just glanced and assumed it was her. Mica and Courtney were almost identical. The only way I was able to tell them apart was their eye color. Plus, Courtney had put on the rare perfume Mica wears. So everything fit together and it led you to believe you were killing Mica.”

“She died of a drug overdose.” Harvey scoffed. “The police found a syringe in her arm.”

“No, we didn’t.” Detective Mueller replied. “She had track marks, but we didn’t find a syringe.”

“That’s not possible.” Harvey sneered. “I left it in her arm.”

Slowly the color drained from Harvey’s face. It dawned on him that he had just incriminated himself.

Detective Mueller looked at Anna, confused. She knew she had to think fast and not get herself in trouble like Harvey did.

“When I turned her around, she fell from the chair.” Anna began. "It’s possible the syringe came out when she fell.”

“Makes sense to me.” Detective Mueller nodded. “Hank. Can you go see if the syringe is in the spa still? It’s not a big deal if it isn’t, but if it is, it will help our case.”

An officer nodded and left the room. Anna returned her attention to Harvey and looked at him. He had a defeated look on his face now.

“So, now that you have admitted to killing Courtney, let’s talk.” Anna smiled. “Give me the rundown of the murders.”

“Courtney was supposed to be Mica.” Harvey began. “I should have known it was too easy. She was lounging and I told her to open her mouth, I had a treat for her, she obeyed. I gave her the ackee and she chewed and savored it. Then she started twisting and jerking around and died. I noticed she had a syringe of something with her. So, I shoved it in her arm and left the needle. I had hoped the police would write it off as an overdose.”

“But you thought it was Mica?” Anna replied.

“I did.” Harvey nodded. “I assumed she had picked up the drugs for Courtney and planned to give it them her. I took it as an opportunistic moment. So I killed her. Later, when I ran into Mica, I was shocked to see her. That was when I realized it hadn’t been her I had killed. It was Courtney. I felt bad she had died, I really did. Mica was getting too close and I knew she sensed I was responsible for the other deaths. I couldn’t take a chance she would expose me.”

“Why did you kill Heath and Quentin?” Anna continued.

“You know why they are dead.” Harvey sighed. “They were sleeping with my wife. She has an illness. I know that now. But, at the time, I didn’t know. I hated the thought of them being intimate with her and it made my blood boil. I decided I needed to do something about it. I was fortunate to find out they would be seated next to each other when the meal was served. I made sure their ackee was poisoned, then I just had to wait and watch. I probably would have gotten away with the crime, too, if Nancy Drew wasn’t over here snooping into our business all the time. She isn’t even a real cop.”

“She was smart enough to do the work of a cop.” Detective Mueller replied. “By all accounts, I would be more than happy to hire her as a detective. She took down a scumbag like you.”

Harvey glared at the detective and Anna just smiled. She was happy the crime had finally been solved and everything could get back to normal.

“I think we’re done here.” Anna replied. “You have the killer and I have a spa appointment to keep.”

Detective Mueller surprised her by giving her a warm hug.

“Thank you again, Anna.” Detective Mueller smiled. “I really am sorry we got off on the wrong foot to begin with.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Anna hugged him again. “This was a new experience for both of us.”

As Harvey was pulled out of the room, Lucy pounded on him, screaming. She clung to him and the officers let her have a few minutes with her new groom as the tears fell down her face.

“I love you.” Her words were broken by sobs. “You didn’t have to kill them. I love you and I wouldn’t have ever let anything bad happen to you. I wouldn’t have left you, I would have gotten my addiction under control.”

“It doesn’t matter now, Lucy.” Harvey replied, shoving her back. “You won’t have to worry about ever seeing me again. Oh, I also took the liberty of making sure none of the money is left to you. I cut you from the will as soon as I found out you cheated on me. Before I attacked Mica, I moved all my stocks and funds to a Swiss bank account that will pay out to a charity. So, you get nothing.”

“I’ll wait for you. I love you.” Lucy sobbed and slumped to the floor. “I don’t care about the money. I only care about you.”

Harvey jerked at the officers and they took him away. Lucy lay sprawled on the floor, broken. Anna felt bad for her. Again, this was a case where addiction had destroyed someone’s life. Part of her felt bad and wished there was something she could do to help the woman.

Instead, Lucy picked herself up and looked at Anna with an icy glare.

“You did this.” Her words were harsh.

“I didn’t do anything.” Anna replied. “I helped find a killer and bring him to justice. That’s all.”

“I’ll never forgive you.” Lucy snapped. “You destroyed a family and a home. Why are you such a jealous person? I get that you are frumpy and you are somewhat annoying, but you couldn’t let me have happiness. Instead, you made sure the police would take away my husband. You are a monster, Anna Winters. I hate you.”

With that, Lucy turned to go. Anna stood there alone. Walking into the lobby, she saw Pierre and Cassandra having a conversation. Cassandra was touching him constantly and he wasn’t pulling away.

“I guess she wins in the end.” Anna sighed.

“What exactly has she won.” a voice came from behind her.

Anna turned and saw Pauline standing there.

“Pierre isn't good for enough for you.” Pauline remarked. "I always thought that."

“Everything is cool between us?” Anna asked.

“No.” Pauline replied. “But it will get better. You look like you could use a drink.”

“What are we having?” Anna asked.

“Something strong,” Pauline smiled. “Something strong enough that we can forget people are dying and so we can finally relax and enjoy some time to ourselves.”

“We can hit the spa after this.” Anna replied.

“I’d like that.” Pauline nodded. “I could use a little pampering myself. I don’t like fighting with you. It is too hard on me.”

“I’m not fond of it, either.” Anna agreed. “We need to work things out and we will in time. Let’s just go and enjoy some time in the spa together and enjoy our drinks.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Pauline said.

With that, the women headed over to the bar and motioned for the bartender to come over.

“Two of your finest Bourbons.” Anna replied.

“They are on the house, too.” a voice came from behind them.

Anna turned to see Mr. Puccio. He walked up to her with a smile on her face.

“Mr. Puccio, that is very kind of you.” Anna replied.

“You saved the name of the hotel.” Mr. Puccio replied. “I am just glad we have you on our side. But I need you in Barbados by Tuesday to start setting up the wedding there.” Mr. Puccio grinned. “So, I hope you ladies are up for another wedding venture.”

“We’ll be more than happy to do it for you.” Anna replied.

“Very well.” Mr. Puccio smiled. “I’ll leave you to your drinks. Enjoy them!”

“I hope everything goes smoothly in Barbados.” Anna whispered to Pauline. “I can’t handle another body.”

“Something tells me there will be.” Pauline sighed. “But as long as you are on the case, the killer won’t escape.”

“I should have asked him how he got the poison in the food.” Anna suddenly realized.

“What do you mean?” Pauline asked.

“How did Harvey get the poison into the food and precisely the right plates?” Anna asked.

“There wasn’t any way for him to have known.” Pauline replied. “We anticipated that something might happen, so we mixed up the food three times, just to be safe.”

“So, it would have had to be someone on the inside who pulled this.” Anna cried. “But who could it have been?”

“I keep telling you, I think it’s Cassandra.” Pauline replied. “I know you don’t like to hear it and you think there is an ulterior motive, but the truth is, I really suspect she is helping people to commit murder.”

“How would she be doing it?” Anna asked. “I mean, it doesn’t make sense. We should have spotted her.”

“We need to watch her in Barbados and keep a close eye on her.” Pauline whispered. “If anything happens and she handles the food, we’ll know it is her.”

Anna nodded solemnly. She knew that something had to be done to keep things from getting out of hand. If someone else died, she would have to concede there was an inside mole who was helping people commit murder. But could it actually be Cassandra?

Looking over at Pauline, she realized that Pauline had been pushing Cassandra so hard that it could easily be a front to cover her own wicked ways. Pierre was also acting suspicious right now. He wasn’t the same person he was when she first met him.

Anna realized she didn’t trust any of the people around her. All she knew is that if one of them was working against her and they would be a step ahead of her, trying to make it impossible to outwit them. That thought sent a shiver down her spine and she hoped more than anything that nothing would happen when they arrived in Barbados.

Anna Winters stayed at the back of the banquet room and felt her body tense as her team began serving food to the wedding guests at the Grand Palatial. Her heart pounded and her breath grew shorter as she waited for someone in the room to die.

Her fears weren’t unwarranted, considering that in the last three receptions she oversaw, members of the wedding party were poisoned after eating food served by her staff. In each occurrence, the same type of poison was used and put in a dish that the hotel had served. On two different occasions, two of the victims weren’t the intended targets.

With every bite the guests took, Anna waited to see if one of them collapsed, foaming at the mouth as they quickly died in front of everyone else in the room.

Then there was the matter of her social life dying in front of her. Pauline was still distant when they spoke and the friendship seemed like it was on its last legs. Anna needed that friendship desperately and the knowledge it could possibly be over for good broke her heart. There was also Cassandra. The young woman she had taken under her wing so many years ago, who had turned her back on Anna and chased after Pierre, whom Anna had deep feelings for. Anna was beginning to think Pauline had been right about her all along.

At this point, she was in a room with three people she was once close to. It seemed strange to her. Turning her blue eyes out the window, she looked at the golf course. She liked the idea of the golf themed wedding the couple had come up with and the cous cous with steamed flying fish cut into the shape of golf balls had been a novel idea that blended in a staple dish in Barbados.

Anna watched as the trio handed out the dishes that were being set down on the tables. Pauline Baker was handling the left side of the room and Anna smiled. Her friend's limp seemed to be doing better here. It was also nice to see her short-cropped hair getting some length now and before long, it would become a new style for her. The longer hair and her smoky green eyes would be a killer combination that would hopefully help her find someone to love. This was something Anna desperately wanted for her.

Pierre was handling the center of the room. He had his trademark toothy grin as he greeted guests and brushed the brown hair away from his equally brown eyes. For a moment, Anna got lost looking at him, wishing things had been different between them. They were a perfect couple in her mind and Anna desperately wished they could have shared something special.

On the right hand side of the room, Cassandra Wilson scowled as she plopped down each dish in front of the guests. Her icy eyes seemed empty and soulless and her black hair appeared to be in a state of disarray. For a moment, she looked at Anna and her glare felt like fire. Turning her head from Cassandra, Anna didn’t want to focus on the young woman any longer. She felt that Cassandra may have overstayed her welcome and she knew Pauline was in agreement on it. But letting Cassandra go now would be a little bit too much. In all likelihood, she’d let her go when they got back to Britain so she could find a replacement. That would make sense. Perhaps with the central problem gone, things between her and Pauline, and even Pierre, would improve. All they had to do was get through the events here in Barbados and, finally, Aruba. Then they were due back in London, where the team would have a few weeks to themselves so they could finally relax and just enjoy life again.

Turning her head back to the room of people, she watched as the bride and the groom were looking at each other. Anna did feel a sense of relief that the couple had made it to the main course without any surprises. They shared a kiss and then looked at the plates of food in front of them. The two shared a tender moment and laughed, though Anna couldn’t tell what they said. Then taking a bite, both closed their eyes and seemed to savor the food for a moment.

Without warning, the bride stood up and violently clawed at her throat. Blood trickled down her neck and fell on her once perfect gown. Her eyes met Anna’s for a moment before they rolled back in her head and her body dropped to the floor with a thud.

Anna felt the room around her spin and the guests' screams seemed like they were a thousand miles away. Reaching into her pocket, Anna grabbed her anxiety medication and tried to control her breathing. Desperately, she hoped she would wake up and this would be a nightmare. Instead, as she opened her eyes, she watched as people tried to help the bride, her lifeless body sprawled on the floor.

Within a few minutes, emergency services were surrounding the bride, trying to resuscitate her. Anna prayed they would be successful and that the woman had simply choked on a fish bone. Sure, the lawsuit would be a problem, but at least it would mean she wasn’t a victim of poisoning. But as the paramedics shook their heads, she knew murder was once again on the menu and she would have to see who placed the order.

From the back of the room, she could see the groom with a look of pure hatred on his face. Knowing she would eventually be asked by Mr. Puccio to start an investigation, Anna lowered her head and walked up to the man.

“You’re marked with death.” Gordon Segal hissed.

“I’m very sorry for your loss.” Anna replied genuinely. “I was praying that because you made it to the main course, nothing would happen.”

“The hotel needs to fire you.” Gordon shook his head angrily. “You’ve destroyed the lives of so many happy couples over the last few months. Do the world a favor and get lost.”

“Mr. Segal.” Anna whispered. “I understand you are upset right now.”

“I’m beyond upset.” Gordon snapped. “I told Laura that the Grand Palatial wasn’t the best choice. You have a reputation for death and you’ve lived up to that. I can’t look at you right now.”

“We can find out who killed your wife.” Anna interrupted. “Laura deserves justice. Each time, it has been someone who was close to the victim. Was there anyone who was upset with your wife?”

Gordon looked at Anna with rage showing clearly in his eyes. “Who could ever hate Laura? She was one of the sweetest women to have ever lived. She was forgiving and she went out of her way to smooth things over with the people in her life when there was a problem.”

“So there wasn’t a jealous lover in her past or on the side?” Anna asked.

Gordon’s face grew a deeper shade of red. “She would never cheat on me. At least, I don't believe she would. There was one man, Stuart Perkins. They were close friends for most of their lives and I always had the feeling they were romantically close, though I never had any actual proof of it. I suspected they could have been doing something more. You might check with him. Please, if you find out that she was unfaithful to me, don’t tell me. Although I suspect it, I would definitely suffer a broken heart if I found out she indeed was having an affair behind my back, especially if it was with him.”

“I will do my best to shield you from such information if I find it to be true.” Anna nodded.

With that, Gordon turned and left her side.

“Stay out of it, Anna.” a familiar voice warned her.

Turning, Anna was surprised to see Pauline standing there.

“I need to solve the murder.” Anna replied.

“You need to leave it alone.” Pauline coldly whispered. “If you butt in again, it is going to make you look guilty.”

“Everyone knows I had nothing to do with it.” Anna said. “You even know that. I wasn’t near the food at all. So anyone thinking I was responsible would have to be crazy.”

“But Cassandra was there.” Pauline pleaded. “She is evil Anna. For the love of everything good, please tell me that you at least see that.”

“I am certain that someone on staff is helping these people commit murder.” Anna agreed. “It is too obvious at this point but I can’t say beyond a shadow of a doubt the killer is Cassandra. If I could do that, I would approach the authorities.”

“But you are certain it isn’t me, right?” Pauline snarled.

“I can’t rule you out.” Anna replied. “It would break my heart if it was you. But if I rule you out and you are the killer, I would look like a fool.”

“This is the fourth murder under your watch.” Pauline hissed. “You already look like a fool. You should have gotten rid of Cassandra from day one. You are an idiot because you are blind to what Cassandra is and you are haphazardly going through the motions as you try to solve a murder that could have been avoided. But you are so stupid, Anna. You really are. I can’t even look at you right now. Not until you wake up and see what is right under your nose.”

Anna looked at her friend, threw up her hands, and walked away. She didn’t need the additional drama and felt dread fill her soul as she bumped into Pierre.

“Oh, Anna.” He smiled sheepishly. “What are you doing here?”

“Someone died.” Anna replied coldly. “I am going to figure out who did it.”

“You’ll figure it out.” Pierre smiled as Cassandra walked up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist.

“What’s going on?” Cassandra asked. “Everyone seems to be so upset. Was it the fish? I told the chef it would be a killer dish.”

“Do you really think that is appropriate, considering everything going on?” Anna snapped.

“Someone died.” Pierre whispered.

“Oh, I thought she fainted.” Cassandra smirked.

“Why are you being so morbid right now?” Anna demanded. “Someone has been murdered. This isn’t a time for sick jokes or humor. You should be feeling the pain and sorrow her family is feeling. On what should have been a special day, Laura Segal died.”

“But it is like every other day.” Cassandra shrugged. “Look. It is their wedding, not mine and Pierre’s wedding, so it doesn't mean anything to me.”

“I can’t deal with you right now.” Anna sighed. “You two need to sit down and have a serious conversation, Pierre. Your girlfriend shouldn’t be talking like this and you both should be showing respect to the victim and her family during this stressful time.”

“Anna, please.” Pierre called out. “Look what you did, Cass. Why do you have to be so cold to her?”

Turning to go, Anna tried to forget how Pierre didn’t jump as Cassandra touched him. Right now, the last thing Anna needed was to get lost in the jealousy flowing in her veins. Pierre had said he didn’t want a relationship and now he was in a relationship with Cassandra. The thought brought tears to her eyes, but Anna didn’t want to be a victim this time. Instead, she turned her head and forced the emotions to the back of her mind. She needed to be strong. There was a killer on the loose and she needed to find out who it was before someone else ended up dead and she would have to deal with further consequences.

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