Deadly Baggage: Cozy Mystery (Poppy Pepper's Paradise Cove & Mini Golf Book 5) Read online

  The girls shook their heads. “No.”

  One of the women coughed and glanced at their very young step-mother.

  “How dare you,” the woman spat. Gloria swore up and down that she loved their father, and they were out of line.

  Poppy watched the interaction. Something was going on.

  “The three of you will all need to be questioned separately. Who would like to go first?” Poppy waited.

  “I can’t do this right now. Do you have a business card? I’ll call you to set up an appointment,” one of the daughters said, stalling.

  “They’re in my car. Give me a moment to go grab one,” she said, excusing herself. Her heart was lodged in her throat. There was no business card. Walking calmly to her car, she turned the key in her ignition and left. She was playing with fire.

  Just as she was leaving, police were pulling up. She guessed they were about to do their own line of questioning. Grateful to have left in the nick of time, Poppy swallowed hard. She could get in big trouble for impersonating someone, along with interfering with the case. Poppy’s breathing hastened, anxiety slowly laced through her body. She needed to stop getting involved in these things. Playing detective was going to get her in trouble one of these days.

  Poppy drove home and resolved to stay out of the investigation.

  “Call your brother,” Martin said. Poppy’s father was sprawled out on his recliner, watching a news channel without his glasses on. He liked the background noise, but couldn’t read a single headline without his glasses.

  “Is he okay?” she asked.

  “He says he has some information for you.” He shrugged and went back to pretending to watch the television.

  Poppy dialed her brother’s number, curious as to what information he wanted to share. After talking to her brother, she hung up the phone. Gloria had filed a missing person’s report. If she did it, wouldn’t that just draw attention to her? Unless she wanted it to seem like she was worried? Gloria may have been a “gold digger”, but Poppy wasn’t so sure she was a killer.

  Chapter 3

  When Reggie got home from work, something seemed off. Normally, he’d go to the office and visit with Poppy, but the moment he got home he went inside. She hoped he was okay and wasn’t mad at her for some reason.

  Poppy decided to give Reggie space. After a good while had passed, she figured it wouldn’t hurt to check on him. Poppy knocked on his door. It took a few moments, but he finally answered.

  “What’s going on?” Poppy understood what took so long on seeing him. He looked terrible. Even his eyes were jaundiced. “Are you okay? What do you need?”

  Reggie stumbled back to his bed and curled up and groaned. “I’ve got this pain. It hurts standing, sitting, and lying down.”

  “Where’s the pain? What’s happening?”

  “Here,” he pointed, “and my back. I have such bad heartburn, and I’ve been throwing up.” He bent over, scrunched up, hoping to outlast the pain.

  “Do you still have your gall bladder?” Poppy asked.

  “Yes.” He balled up and tried to stop the pain.

  “We better get you to the hospital. You may not have it much longer.” She palpated his chest, back, and abdomen, noting where he grimaced and where he was tender. “Let’s go, I’ll drive.”

  “I’ll be fine. I probably caught a stomach bug…” He begged off like a typical man.

  “Reggie, we need to go now. Trust me,” she said, guiding him to the door.

  He finally nodded and gave in. He didn’t have the strength to fight.

  When they arrived at the hospital, Poppy was grateful it was quiet. The emergency room was able to take Reggie right away. It was a long night, over four hours in total waiting for results, but the ultrasound showed what they needed. Gallbladder surgery was schedule for the next day. Medication took the edge off of the painful contractions that squeezed his body.

  Poppy stood next to Reggie’s hospital bed and held his hand. “I’ll be here tomorrow during your surgery. You won’t be alone.”

  “Thank you, Poppy. If it wasn’t for you, I’d still be wailing in pain. I’m too stubborn for my own good sometimes.” He was grateful she was by his side.

  “Everything will be okay. You need to rest now that you can. Don’t be afraid to ask for more pain relief if you need it. There’s no reason to suffer; don’t be a hero. They said they’re moving you to a room shortly, and surgery will be in the morning. I don’t know anything else. I’m not family.” She shrugged.

  “You’re my family. I’ll make sure they know. I guess we’ll need to make that official when I get out of here,” he said.

  Poppy blushed. “That’s not necessary. You know I’ll stand by your side either way, Reggie.”

  “Wow, did you just turn down a man in pain? That’s harsh.” He had more courage now that the medication ran through his veins.

  “He didn’t ask me anything in particular,” she said with a smile.

  “Poppy Pepper, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife when I get out of here?” He grinned, having asked a very specific question this time.

  “I think the pain meds are getting to you,” she said. Leaning in close, she whispered in his ear. “The very moment you’re out of here and doing better, I’m all yours.”

  A nurse walked into the room to check Reggie’s vitals. “Would you please add to my chart, that my fiancée, Ms. Pepper is allowed access to any information regarding my stay here?”

  “Sure, we can do that.” She jotted a note down, and then took his blood pressure.

  Once Reggie drifted off to sleep, Poppy slipped out. She’d be back before his surgery. A few hours of rest would help the long day ahead. She needed to look at hiring somebody part-time. While her father was there, she was less and less confident leaving him in charge. Or maybe she should stop trying to investigate crimes and spend time at her actual business.

  She filled her father in on the news when she got home, and then had a couple of bites for dinner. She intended to turn in early. She wanted to get back to the hospital before Reggie’s surgery, which was scheduled for first thing in the morning.

  Tossing and turning, sleep didn’t come easy. He’d asked her to marry him. Would he have done it if he weren’t in the emergency room at the time? She knew he was probably frightened and wouldn’t hold him to the request he made.

  Thankfully, she was able to get a couple hours of sleep. Once morning rolled around, she climbed out of bed and went to take a shower. The faucet sprang to life. She was hoping the hot water would do the same for her. Cleaning up, she quickly got dressed and dried her hair. It was still dark out when she left the house, but she needed time to stop for a bagel and a warm beverage before settling into the surgical procedures waiting room. A fresh bagel with cream cheese sounded better than vending machine food.

  At the hospital, Poppy sat and fidgeted in the waiting room. She tried to page through a magazine, but she couldn’t concentrate. She’d feel better when Reggie was out of surgery.

  A nurse came out to let her know that things went smoothly and he’d just been wheeled into the recovery room. He’d be transferred to a room in a little while, and then Poppy could visit. He’d mostly be groggy for a bit and on pain medication. Once she was allowed to see Reggie, she went in with a smile.

  He was happy to see her and whispered, “I meant what I said.”

  “Shh, they’ll be time to talk later. You should rest.” Poppy sat in the chair beside his bed.

  Chapter 4

  Poppy called a temp agency to see if they had somebody that could fill in for a few days. She wanted to stay at the hospital, and there were still a few details she was hoping to figure out regarding Gary Portersmith.

  They sent a younger woman, late twenties, snapping gum, and wearing bright red lipstick. Her name was Lacy. What if her father had married somebody like that after her mother died? How would she have felt? She couldn’t stop thinking about her old paramedic instruct
or.

  Poppy gave the temporary employee the run down, and while her father would handle most things, Poppy instructed the woman to answer phone calls. Her father was less than thrilled that another person was in their space, and felt he was more than capable of handling things on his own.

  “I just wanted to help you out, a bit. I’ll be out a lot this week. Let Lacy answer the phones.” Poppy reassured her father that she knew he’d be fine on his own, but it was more about giving him extra help and company.

  He knew it was a load of bull, but accepted it just the same. He hated answering the phone anyway.

  Poppy took another look at Lacy, showed her what to do with incoming calls, and then headed to visit Reggie. He’d be coming home the following day. This modern age surgery had people in and out, no big scars, and on their feet faster than you could shake a stick.

  When she’d lost her gall bladder years before, she was left with a long four inch scar across the right side her abdomen and they kept her for days. Times had changed.

  Driving back to the hospital, she thought about Lacy. How would she have reacted? How would she have handled the news that her father had chosen a twenty-something woman to be his bride? And what if he changed his will? Their family business, the one that she’d put so much time into, what if he left it to his new wife? Her mind shifted to Gary Portersmith’s children.

  There was always Gloria to think of. A young bridge some thirty years younger than her husband; what drew them together? How long had they been married? She’d asked her father’s opinion earlier that morning. ‘Why would a man marry someone that much younger?’, but her father’s answer ‘because he can’ didn’t help matters.

  Poppy parked her car in the hospital’s parking lot and started inside. Was that… “Panda,” she called out.

  “Oh hey, Poppers,” he teased.

  “What are you doing parking over on this side?” Usually he parked in staff parking.

  “Just here to visit a friend,” he said. “How’s he feeling?”

  “That’s sweet of you. He’ll be happy. He doesn’t have family.”

  “Sure he does, what do you think we are?” Panda patted his sister on the back.

  “He wants to get married,” she whispered, as if saying it aloud would change things.

  Panda turned to her. “Wow, that’s great.”

  “You think? You don’t think it’s rushing things?” She wasn’t sure what she thought. She loved Reggie, but they hadn’t been a couple long.

  “Poppy, you’ve been an item longer than either of you would admit.” It was like he could read her mind. “The two of you connected a long time ago.”

  Poppy nodded. He was right. What was she afraid of? Together, the pair went to pay Reggie a visit. After leaving the hospital, since she had someone helping her father for a while longer at the resort, Poppy made her way back to Gary Portersmith’s house. This time, only one car was there. She suspected it was Gloria’s. From what she heard through the grapevine, there hadn’t been any arrests yet, though she was certain his family was in the running as their top suspects at this point. She pulled away.

  Poppy decided to stop back at the coffee shop she’d visited the previous day. The bagel was good, but there were some muffins that looked amazing that she wanted to pick up. She figured she’d get a couple to bring home. Besides a sweet treat might soften her father after having to spend the day with the gum snapping girl who was filling in.

  The bells on the door jingled as she walked in. It wasn’t a large shop, but there were a couple of small tables against one wall, while the counter with goodies and coffee was on the other. She expected the amazing smell that hit her when she walked in. What she didn’t expect was to see Gloria Portersmith sitting at a table with a man. A man other than her husband, and they looked like they knew each other pretty well, based on how close they sat.

  Something caught her eye. The leather briefcase, the one by the man’s side was of the same brand she’d seen before. It was a Pranston’s Limited. She still wasn’t sure if the company was in business or not. She should check into that. Could the leather bag in the trunk belong to the man at the table? It wasn’t a common brand to see these days.

  Poppy tried not to stare, but it wasn’t as if they were hiding anything. They were oblivious to anybody else. The man stroked Gloria’s hand softly and then leaned in to tuck her hair behind her ear. A soft kiss on her forehead topped it off.

  Well, there you go. Who was the man? What were they doing together so soon after the death of her husband? Shouldn’t she still be in mourning? Unless a new lover was incentive enough to push her over the edge, she could have had a motive right there. Poppy had two choices, quietly walk away or go over to them.

  Just as Poppy had paid for her order and was about to turn and leave, Gloria stood up. “Hey, aren’t you that woman from the insurance agency? You look familiar.”

  The coffee shop owner joined in. “No, she owns the resort called-”

  Poppy cut her off. “You must have the wrong person.” She started to leave.

  “No, I’m certain it was you,” the woman said. She followed Poppy as she headed for the door.

  Poppy shrugged. “I think you’re mistaken.” Her heart raced; if she was found out to be a fraud she could get in real trouble.

  “Gloria,” the man called out to her. “We aren’t finished here.”

  Gloria’s head snapped back in his direction. “I’m sorry, you’re right.” She turned and went back to the man, who stood and opened his arms for her.

  Before leaving, Gloria asked the coffee shop owner what resort it was that she’d been about to mention.

  “Paradise Cove and Mini Golf, you know the camper one.” The woman wiped the counter as she spoke.

  “Oh, how lovely,” Gloria said. She made a mental note. It was time to pay somebody a visit. She kissed the man she was with tenderly on the lips, and then made her way out to her car.

  She’d need to make a stop before going home. Gloria pulled out of the parking lot and pointed her car toward Paradise Cove. She and the woman from earlier were about to have a conversation. She didn’t take kindly to somebody impersonating an insurance agent in her time of mourning.

  Gloria recognized the sign. She’d passed it before, but never thought anything of it. They were in tourist territory, and there were hotels and motels everywhere. She turned into the drive and then parked by the office.

  When the door opened, Poppy sighed.

  “We need to talk.” The woman moved closer. “What were you doing?”

  “Your husband was an old friend of mine. When I heard what happened, I don’t know, I guess I figured I’d try to figure out what I could.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry I invaded your privacy.”

  “I didn’t do it.” Gloria looked Poppy squarely in the eyes. “I loved that man.”

  “Do you love the man you were with today, too?” She dared her to look away.

  “Maybe I do, that’s not really your business.” She went in with guns blazing, and now felt like a fool. “If you harass me again, I’ll report you.”

  “Who is the man?” Poppy quizzed, doubting she’d get an answer.

  “It’s Gary’s business investing partner. He didn’t do it either.” She turned to walk away.

  Poppy called out behind her. “It doesn’t look good,” she warned.

  “I don’t care how it looks. I’m innocent. While I’m crushed that my husband was hurt, it doesn’t change the fact that the other man is my lover.” She was a young woman with needs.

  “Maybe he did it.” She watched the woman’s reaction.

  “Maybe it’s time for you to mind your own business,” she snapped. “You come anywhere near me again, and I’ll file a restraining order. Do we understand each other?”

  “Clearly,” Poppy answered.

  When Gloria Portersmith went missing, Poppy was left with more questions than she’d started with.

  Chapter 5
r />   It’s not like she could just go poking around again; somebody might notice. And the fact that Gloria was last seen at the coffee shop and then the resort didn’t help matters. Things were getting ridiculous. None of this was her business. She needed to stay out of it. If Gloria went missing, who was to say Poppy wouldn’t be next for snooping around.

  The big question was who had reported Gloria missing? Who noticed it first? Normally, she’d have Reggie check details of the reports if he had access to them, but Reggie was still in the hospital. He was due to come home soon, but he needed rest and relaxation, not to get tangled up in one of Poppy’s silly ideas.

  When Martin asked if Lacy would be coming back again, Poppy eyed him suspiciously. “Why? Didn’t she annoy you with her gum snapping? Besides, I’ll be around today, well, except to go pick up Reggie at the hospital later.”

  Poppy’s father shrugged. “She was pretty to look at.”

  She groaned on hearing her father’s answer. “Really?”

  “What? It’s not like I see much action these days. I’m still a man,” he grunted.

  “Hey, if looking at pretty girls makes you happy, more power to you,” she said, not sure she meant it. It was weird. He was her father. She didn’t think of him as a man with needs. And yet, he’d been alone for years. After her mother died, he didn’t have any other companionship, other than her and Panda, and that wasn’t the kind to keep you warm at night.

  “Do you think you could bring her back while you’re taking care of Reggie? Help an old man out.” He winked at his daughter.

  “Dad, I just…oh my gosh, I’m not even sure what to say.” She walked away calling back, “We’ll talk about it later.”

  “Come on…” Martin whined. “One more day, she was cute.”

  Poppy got in the shower and sorted her thoughts. If she called into the temp agency for Lacy to come by, it would free up a little time, though the budget didn’t really call for extra help. Though, it would allow her to check out Gary Portersmith’s kids a bit closer. No. She had to stop this. Why did she always feel the need to press ahead? She needed to find out when Reggie would be released. Poppy wanted to be there to help him. He’d be uncomfortable for a few days, so she wanted to make sure he got his pain meds filled, had everything he needed, and things to help him pass the time, maybe a puzzle book or a couple of magazines.