Rear-View Murder: A Gemma Stone Cozy Mystery (2 page)

Nick reached inside and popped the hood. Gemma peered over his shoulder, absolutely clueless as to what they were looking at...or for. But Nick nodded appreciatively and pulled out a long metal stick that looked like it was covered with oil. He wiped the excess oil off the stick and rubbed it between his fingers.

"Well at least the head gasket isn't seeping," he said.

"Now, I only sold you ONE car with a seeping head gasket!" Buddy told Nick. "And even after I married your sister to try to make things right you still won't let me forget it."

Nick rolled his eyes again. Gemma walked slowly around the vehicle. She wondered if she should kick a tire or something. Her parents had helped her buy a car while she was in school, but her dad had made the decision on that one. Besides, she didn’t want to scuff up her pretty new shoes, so she decided against kicking the tires. However, if Buddy didn’t soon shut up, she thought she might kick him.

Just as that satisfying thought flitted through her mind, she heard a melodic beeping sound and looked up to see Buddy with a small meter of sorts in his hand.

“I’m a diabetic,” he explained when he saw her looking. “My insulin pump is reminding me that it is time to refill it”.”

Gemma started to ask Buddy a question about diabetes and insulin. It was something she knew little about. That’s when she spotted a small, bright blue car parked around the side of the brick building almost out of sight. The metallic paint glittered in the sunshine. Gemma started toward it.

“Gemma,” Nick said.

Feeling strangely drawn to the little car sitting all by itself, Gemma circled it, touched the hood and circled it again. “What’s wrong with this car?” she asked looking up at the surprised faces of Buddy and Nick, who had followed her.

“Nothing,” Buddy answered. “We got it at the same auction as the Sonata. It’s a repo, too, but...”

“I like this one,” Gemma said quietly.

“But it’s not really ready to sell,” Buddy began. “It has to be cleaned up and I’m not even sure of the warranty information or...”

“I like this one,” she repeated. “Can I drive it?”

Nick nudged Buddy in the side with his elbow. “Get the keys. Let her drive it.”

“Okay, but...” Buddy’s voice trailed off as he went after the keys.

“You like this one?” Nick said quietly as he walked slowly around the car.

“I feel sort of drawn to it,” Gemma said, frowning as she tried to explain her feelings. “I think it needs me.”

Before Nick could respond, Buddy returned. “This is against my better judgment, but here you go,” he announced and unlocked the car door.

The first thing that hit Gemma was a wave of heat from inside the vehicle. Then she made a face as another smell filled her nose. It smelled musty and kind of weird, like an old basement.

“What’s that smell?” Nick asked. “Has this car been in a flood?”

“No, we won’t buy a car that’s been in a flood,” Buddy assured them. “It’s been sitting a while, though,” he explained. “I think it just needs to be aired out.”

“Can I drive it now?” Gemma asked, holding out her hand.

“Sure,” Buddy said, handing over the keys.

The engine started with only a little reluctance and Gemma put down all four windows to let air flow through the hot vehicle. It really did smell bad, but it looked pretty clean. The driver’s seat was positioned so far back she could just barely touch the pedals with her toes. After adjusting for that, she pulled a Kleenex out of her purse and wiped off the steering wheel and gearshift knob. She pulled the driver's door closed and shifted it into drive.

Smooth as silk.

Nick gave her thumbs up sign and she nodded. This was a good start.

“Want me to go with you?” he asked, stepping closer to the car.

“No, thanks,” Gemma said. “I want to experience it by myself.”

“Okay,” he said with a little smile, patted the side of the car and stepped back. “Be careful.”

Gemma put the car in reverse and backed up. Again, she shifted into drive and the transmission operated smoothly. Once out on the street, she picked up a little bit of speed and then she changed lanes and took the exit onto the interstate that made a loop around town. She fiddled with the radio and found it working perfectly. The air conditioning was blowing cold and the engine hummed along, almost purring. The little car actually seemed to be happy to be zipping down the highway. And that smell seemed to be dissipating.

Gemma caught a glance of herself in the rear view mirror. She was smiling. At that moment, she decided this was the car she was going to buy. Once off the interstate, she went back through town and returned to the car lot. Both Buddy and Nick were waiting for her.

“What did you think?” Nick asked.

“I want it,” Gemma said. “How much?”

“We haven’t even had it long enough to price it or get it cleaned up,” Buddy told her.

“Figure out a price, get it cleaned up and I’ll come back tomorrow to get it,” Gemma said. “Do I need to leave a down payment or something?”

“Do you have something you want to trade?” Buddy asked.

“No,” Gemma and Nick said at the same time. As infatuated as she was with this little blue car, she wasn’t ready to give up the Subaru. And for once, it seemed, Nick was in agreement.

W
hen they returned the next morning, Gemma’s new car was sitting out in front of the office, polished to a brilliant blue shine. The transaction went smoothly and she was able to negotiate a lower price simply because she paid cash.

Nick gave her a quick hug when they stepped back outside. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Gemma said, clutching the keys in her right hand. “I think I’m going to name her Gum Drop.”

“You name your cars?” Buddy asked.

“Of course. The Subaru’s name is Rosie,” Gemma said with a little laugh. “Doesn’t everyone name their cars? Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, Gum Drop and I are going grocery shopping.”

Nick and Buddy both laughed at that and Gemma happily left them behind.

Her first stop was the home Holly shared with her parents. Her boyfriend, up and coming hot shot local attorney, Mitch Ward, was there looking as elegant as ever, even in casual clothes. They were sitting in the swing on the front porch poring over some sort of papers when she got out of the car and waved at them.

“Hey, look who has a new car,” Holly said, hurrying down the steps and meeting Gemma about halfway up the walk.

“What are you guys doing?” Gemma asked.

Holly and Mitch exchanged glances.

“Looking at apartments,” Holly said and reached for Mitch’s hand. “We’re thinking of moving in together.”

Gemma wasn’t surprised. The two met while they were juniors in college and had been dating steadily since. When Mitch moved to Gypsy Hill, Gemma was pretty sure he was the one for Holly. “Wow! That’s exciting news.”

“Yes it is,” Mitch said, giving Holly’s hand a squeeze.

The look they shared made Gemma sad and happy at the same time. Of course, she was happy for her best friend. But even as young girls they had talked about having a double wedding. Unless something changed drastically, Gemma wouldn’t be getting married any time soon. And it sure looked like that was where Holly and Mitch were headed.

“Let’s see the car,” Holly said, changing the subject as if she sensed Gemma’s feelings.

Mitch looked it over, but not quite as closely as Nick had. He asked about the warranty and a few other vague questions that Gemma was able to answer to his satisfaction.

“It kind of stinks,” Holly said, climbing out of the driver’s seat. She looked into the back seat and wrinkled her nose.

“It’s been sitting a while,” Gemma explained. “I’m going to take it for another spin on the interstate with all the windows down and then run a few errands. That should take care of it. Maybe I’ll buy an air freshener while I’m at it.”

“Want me to come with you?” Holly asked.

“No, you finish your apartment hunting with Mitch. That’s way more important than helping me get a feel for this car,” Gemma said, getting back into the driver’s seat.

“Okay,” Holly said, as Mitch put his arm around her waist.

Gemma thought they looked like the perfect couple.

“Oh, you haven’t signed any contracts or agreements relating to the kiosk at the mall have you?”

“No, I would never sign anything without you,” Gemma promised, thankful that Holly had warmed to the idea about the kiosk at the mall quickly.

“Good. Mitch wants to go over them with us. Just to be on the safe side,” she explained.

“Good idea,” Gemma said. “I’m glad we’ve got him looking out for us.”

“And all of the paperwork making HealthGems a legal business is just about ready,” Mitch told them. “I’ll want to go over all of that with you as well.”

“Can you believe he’s making us take life insurance policies out on each other?” Holly whispered.

Gemma laughed. “He’s just taking care of you.”

“Of us,” Holly reminded her.

“HealthGems,” Gemma said. “I like the sound of it.”

“Owner and Funder,” Holly added. “I like the sound of that.”

“And CEO,” Gemma reminded her. “We’re on our way.”

The two friends shared another smile and then Gemma shifted into drive and pulled away from the curb. She was still a little surprised to be driving a vehicle that responded so easily, obeyed her commands quickly and efficiently. Out on the interstate she picked up speed and wondered why she had resisted buying a new car for so long. Oh, she still broke out in hives at the thought of getting rid of her mother’s car, but she decided she liked this little car.

Gemma drove a little further than necessary, actually all the way to the big city of Harrisonburg. There she got off the highway and then circled back on, heading for Gypsy Hill. As she drove along, she gazed at the rolling countryside that was getting greener every day. Cows and horses dotted the landscape and big barns and farmhouses reminded her just how rural the area was.

Back in town, she sniffed deeply and smiled. That musty smell was almost gone.

Gemma’s last stop was a new grocery store that had just opened in town. It was cool and comfortable inside and their selection of produce was amazing. She pushed the cart up and down each aisle, carefully selecting purchases. Her mom had done most of the grocery shopping while her dad cooked. The memory of him standing in the kitchen wearing one of her mother’s aprons came to mind, making her grin at the cantaloupe she was holding in her hand.

Back outside, she found herself looking for the gray Subaru she was used to driving and then remembered she was driving the little blue car. Laughing at herself, she found it quickly and pushed her cart in that direction. When she tried to insert the key in the trunk, it wouldn’t go all the way in and refused to turn. So far, this was the only flaw she’d found with the vehicle. Hopefully, that would probably prove to be a minor fix. Maybe there was even a separate key for the trunk that Buddy had forgotten to give her.

Gemma opened the driver’s side door and reached down to pull the lever to pop the trunk open. The lever moved easily but the trunk didn’t open. “Okay, Gum Drop, we’re going to have to have a talk about this,” Gemma said to the car as she loaded her groceries into the back seat.

After pushing the empty cart to the cart return, she came back to her car. Before getting in, she inspected the trunk lock closely. There were some scratches and scrapes and what looked like small dents all around it. Gemma stood there looking at it for a moment, wondering if maybe at some point her little car had been broken into. The damage was minimal, but it was obvious something had definitely happened to it in the past.

She tried the keys again and then tugged at the trunk without any results. “Okay, Gum Drop, you need to give up your secrets.”

Glad that she was wearing sneakers instead of her usual high heeled shoes, Gemma stepped back and planted one good, solid kick right above the lock.

And to her surprise, the lock released and the trunk popped open just a small crack.

“Good girl,” Gemma said and approached the back of the car slowly, as if someone might jump out at her.

When nothing happened after a few minutes, she hooked her fingers under the trunk lid and lifted upward slowly. The musty, dank smell hit her full force but she held her breath and opened the trunk all the way. Peering inside, all she could see was what looked like a pile of old, wrinkled, moldy, rotting blankets.

“Yuck,” Gemma muttered. “No wonder you were so stinky, little girl. Let’s get this cleaned out.”

She pushed the trunk almost closed and climbed behind the wheel. There were probably dumpsters out back where she could rid of the contents of that trunk and then maybe take it through the car wash.

Feeling pretty proud of herself, Gemma drove around to the back of the store and, just like she’d predicted, there were several large dumpsters. She backed up to the one that was short enough for her to reach and walked around to the back of the car.

“Don’t worry, we’re gonna get rid of this nasty cargo and you’ll be good as new,” Gemma said to the car as she opened the trunk wide and held her breath. “This is so gross.”

Reaching in, Gemma caught the edge of what looked like a dark green blanket. It turned out to be a hoodie, covered with mold. Holding it with two fingers of one hand, she tossed it into the dumpster and turned back to the car. The next item was a heavier jacket but it was just as smelly and moldy. It went into the dumpster followed by what appeared to be piece of a blanket.

The stench was horrible now and Gemma held her nose with one hand. When she reached in again, something bright skittered across the fabric. Gemma squealed and jumped back.

Bugs. She hated bugs.

She inched back up to the trunk with one hand over her mouth. But she saw what she had originally thought was a bug. Partially hidden in the folds of fabric was what looked like...a ring? She fished it out with one finger, not wanting to touch the garment that held it in place any more than she had to.

The ring that circled the tip of her finger was beautiful. It sparkled in the sunshine, the tiny diamonds winking and glittering as Gemma examined it closely. “Jade,” she said aloud when she focused on the pale green stone nestled in a delicate heart shaped setting.