Murder in Parksville: Confusion in Tofino

By Jennifer Lafortune

Murder in Parksville is a classic mystery
Back home in Tofino, only hours after having supper with her `new’ fiancé and her parents in Parksville, Leann is woken by police. She returns to Parksville to identify the bodies of her parents, the apparent victims of a fatal car crash. Appearances aren’t everything, though. After some surprising twists and turns down some fruitless trails, local detectives unmask her parents’ murderer. This is an engaging mystery, set in the lovely but remote towns of Tofino and Parksville on Vancouver Island.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamond River Books
• Release date: Oct 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9780986659812

Jennifer Lafortune

Jennifer Lafortune was born and raised in Sooke on Vancouver Island. She’s an avid writer, a habit formed in high school. She was educated in College as a legal secretary, although she’s now a busy mother and an esthetician. She lives in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island with her husband and child. One of her greatest difficulties is finding the time to write.

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Murder in Parksville

Confusion in Tofino

By

Jennifer Lafortune

Smashwords Edition

Copyright ©2011 Jennifer Lafortune

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

The author and the publisher make no representation, expressed or implied, with regard to the accuracy of the information contained in this book. The material is provided for entertainment purposes and the references are intended to be supportive to the intent of the story. The author and the publisher are not responsible for any action taken based on the information provided in this book.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

Murder in Parksville : Confusion in Tofino by Jennifer Lafortune.

E book ISBN 978-0-9866598-8-1

Publisher and Distibutor Diamond River Books

#41-2785 Wallbank Road

Shawnigan Lake.

British Columbia. Canada. V0R 2W2

www.DiamondRiver.ca

To Mom

Thank you for taking me to Long Beach, Tofino and for giving me the inspiration to finish this book.

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Chapter 1

I’d been thinking of Rick ever since he moved to Tofino and now we were going to Long Beach in Tofino for a holiday. I wondered whether I’d see him. I stuffed the last of my things into a bag and went downstairs.

Do you think I’ll see Rick? I asked my Mom.

Who is Rick, honey?

You remember Rick. He lived down the street. His parents drove that really ugly station wagon.

Oh that’s right. They moved, didn’t they?

Yeah. They moved to Tofino so his parents didn’t have to drive so far for work. Do you think I’ll see him while we’re there?

I guess you might. We’ll see. Is that your bag?

Yeah.

Good. Well I think that is the last of it then.

Ben, my Dad, called from the car. Is everyone ready?

We’re coming dear, called Mom.

We all loaded into the car and were on our way. It took three hours to get to the beach, I was surprised to see how it was so packed, but I did see some especially good looking, muscular guys wearing Speedo bathing suits. I stripped out of my clothes down to my bikini.

I am going to go look around Mom, okay? I asked.

Sure, Leeann. Just don’t be too long, she replied.

I headed down to the beach to scope the place out. I saw a tall, muscular, handsome dream guy and was about to walk over and say, Hi, when another girl beat me to it. She even kissed him.

I was fazed and wondered how to get that guy to notice me but just then another hunk came over. I must have looked troubled because he asked if everything was alright.

I looked up and was blinded by the sun. I shielded my eyes and was surprised and delighted to see Rick. He looked really good. He was definitely more muscular than I remembered.

Hi Leeann. What are you doing here?

My parents and I are here on vacation. Are you still living here?

Yeah, just down the beach a bit. My parents left me their cabin when they moved. I am living there while I go to school, he answered.

Are you seeing anyone?

Actually, no. Surprised?

Yeah. I thought with your good looks you’d be taken.

Are you seeing anybody?

"No. I am just here for the vacation with my parents.

You want to go for a walk down the beach?

Sure.

—o0o—

As we ambled along the beach, Rick told me he was taking electrical training at the local school. I nervously said to him. You know when you were living next door; I had a crush on you.

Really? I had a bit of crush on you to. Rick looked directly at me. Do you still have a crush on me?

Maybe. I coyly hinted.

Finally, I said that I should get back to my parent’s cabin. Why don’t you stay the night with me so we can catch up?

Sure, if it is okay with Mom and Dad.

When I got back to my parent’s cabin, my Mom said, I saw you ran into Rick. How is he doing?

Good. His parents have moved again, but he has the cabin. I am having a great time. I have fun when we hang out together. He wants me to spend the night at his cabin so we can catch up on old times.

I don’t know if that is a good idea, dear. You haven’t seen him in so long.

That’s why. So we can get to know each other again.

Alright. But make sure you call us when you get there so we know you made it safely.

I will Mom. Love you. I called as I slammed the door.

I ran all the way across the beach and didn’t stop until I got to Rick’s door. I tapped on it softly.

Rick opened the door. Hi.

My parent’s said I could spend the night.

Really. That’s great. We can catch up.

I just have to call my parents and let them know that I am here.

After I called my parents, he asked what they’d said.

Not much. Asked how your parents were doing. They also said that if you need anything with your parents not really here, that they’d help out.

After a few hours of non-stop talk, Rick turned to me and asked, Where do you want to sleep? You can have the bed or the couch.

Whatever you want, I’ll take the other.

He chose the couch and let me have the bed. After a few hours sleep, I woke up in what seemed like the middle of the night, I rolled over to find that he had joined me in bed. I leaned over and kissed him. He kissed me back and then went back to sleep. I rolled back over and fell asleep.

When I woke in the morning, Rick wasn’t beside me so I thought I must have dreamed about him. I got up and went to the kitchen.

When I walked in, Rick asked cheerfully, Why did you kiss me in the middle of the night?

Because you are so darn cute that I couldn’t not kiss you, I said and smiled.

I sat down at the table and he brought over a breakfast of eggs and toast. It tasted great. After breakfast I got dressed and then couldn’t find Rick. I finally found him out on the deck looking at the sky and the crowd on the beach. By 11:00am, we were in our bathing suits and having a good time on the beach.

A little later, I saw my parents reclining in the sun, though couldn’t figure out why my Mom was tanning with a sweater wrapped around her shoulders. I walked over to them.

Morning Mom, I called.

Morning dear. How was your night at Rick’s?

It was fine. We had breakfast and then came down to the beach.

My Father then added, Your Mother and I will be leaving at the end of the week. Will you will be coming with us.

You mean I can stay a little longer? I questioned.

Yes, on one condition, you keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing and you stay at Rick’s. Okay? asked my father.

No problem, I answered then ran off to find Rick.

I caught up with him a few hundred feet down the beach.

Where did you get off to? he inquired.

I found my parents on the beach. They asked me if I wanted to stay a while longer. They also added that they are leaving at the end of the week and the only way I could stay was if it was with you. Do you want me to stay?

Yeah. I would love you to stay. He smiled.

—o0o—

The next few days flew by. My parents enjoyed spending time with Rick and I. It was really great. At the end of the week, my parents pulled me aside.

Honey, whispered my mom, If you decide to stay with Rick, remember though, you can come home anytime you wish. Your father and I are here for you. Okay?

Yes, I know that Mom. I love you. Thank you so much.

I ran off to tell Rick the good news. When I found him, he was sitting by himself on the beach. He looked like he had received some bad news.

What is wrong, Rick? I inquired.

If your parents have changed their mind about letting you stay, then I understand. I will miss you though.

They didn’t change their mind. They just said that if I ever wanted to or needed to go home that I could move back at any time. I can stay with you, if you still want me to.

Rick jumped up. Really, that is great. Of course I still want you to stay.

He wrapped his muscular arms around me and gave me a bear hug. I was so happy. We headed up to his place for something to eat. I phoned my parents. My Dad picked it up. I asked, When are you guys leaving?

Shortly. We just have to finish packing. Are you going to come over and get your things?

Yes. I will be over to get them before you leave and to say good bye.

I hung up. When I turned around, I saw that Rick had lunch ready: really big turkey sandwiches with all the fixings. After lunch I was very full, but it felt good.

I have to go grocery shopping. Did you want to come along? Rick announced.

I have to get my things and say good bye to my parents. I replied.

We can do both. We can swing by and see your parents and then do the shopping. Does that sound okay?

Sure, we can definitely do that.

Rick had to grab a few things so I headed out to the car to wait for him. When he jumped into the car we went over to see my parents. I ran in to say good bye and grab my things.

I love you Mom. I love you Dad. Drive safely. I’ll phone you in a few hours, I cried.

We love you too dear, and we will talk to you soon. Remember if you need anything we are just a phone call away, my Mom called back.

I grabbed my bag of things and headed out the door. When I got back to the car, Rick asked, Is everything alright? Are you going to be okay?

Yeah, I answered. "I will be fine.