Who Killed Peggy Recker? A Collin Carter Mystery

By Kathleen Steed

Peggy Recker, a famous romance writer, drops into Private Detective Collin Carter’s office with an unusual request. She wants to hire him to investigate her death. He agrees thinking he’ll never hear from her again.

Poor Peggy is found dead from an apparent accidental overdose of sleeping medicine combined with too much wine. Is that what really happened? Collin promised her he would figure it out.

The motives for murder are everywhere. The FBI and CIA are involved. Collin winds his way through twists and turns to unravel the truth about who killed Peggy Recker.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kathleen Steed
• Release date: Oct 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310933608

Kathleen Steed

I was born on September 12, 1953. I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Medical Technology. I worked in various laboratories for twenty-nine years then changed jobs to regulating laboratories. I am a member of the United Methodist Church and was Lay Speaker from 2007 to 2013. I live in Maryland with my husband and a Jack Russell Terrier named Spanky.

Book preview

Who Killed

Peggy Recker

?

a Collin Carter Mystery

By Kathleen Steed

Copyright © 2013

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Book cover illustrated by: Dawn Smith at: http://www.darkdawncreations.com

Chapter One

What is that book you are reading Lily?

Lily and Collin Carter were at their friend’s house in Deep Creek, Maryland relaxing in some chairs on the back porch. It was Tuesday and they were soon going to be getting ready to drive home to Rockville where they live.

It is a romance novel I found at the Herndon safe house. It’s by Peggy Recker.

I think I’ve heard that name before.

She is well known for writing romance novels about the old west. You know when men were men.

And women were women? Isn’t that kind of silly?

Hmm. Sometimes. But I like to read them now and then.

That wasn’t why Collin recognized the name. Someone by that name had called him at his private detective office a couple of weeks ago. She was going to hire him to investigate her husband and then changed her mind.

Are you ready to go home and back to work?

Yes. I need to see the house since you said it was ransacked.

I fixed it pretty good.

We’ll see.

Collin ran up against some rather un-nice people investigating his last case. One of them ransacked their home looking for some photographs. Collin put everything back as best he could.

Too bad the hospital wouldn’t give you the whole week off.

We are too short staffed with nurses on the obstetrics ward for me to be gone longer than I already have. Besides my friend Janet got all upset when you called looking for me. She wants me back to make sure I’m okay

Sorry.

No harm done. It has been a beautiful few days.

The time had come. Collin went to get the rental car ready. Lily straightened up a little then they locked up and left for home. Their friends wouldn’t be coming back until Friday evening. The ride was pleasant and uneventful. Collin drove. Lily read. It was nearly dinner time when they got to Rockville. Lily looked toward their townhome as they entered their street. Everything looked fine from the outside.

Collin? How did they get into our home? The door doesn’t seem to be broken.

They had your purse, Lily.

Of course.

By the way, Sweetie, they gave it to me to prove that they had kidnapped you. It is sitting on the dining room table.

Lily hadn’t opened her car door yet. Collin was waiting for her.

Are you ready, Lily?

Yes, it just feels creepy, but I’m ready.

She opened the door and Collin exited the car also. They walked to the townhome and Collin unlocked the door. Lily took Collin’s hand and they entered together. Lily looked around. Everything seemed as before. All the furniture was in the same places.

Did they break anything?

The flower vase your mom gave us.

My mother’s vase? Well now that just makes me mad!

Collin smiled and stood there looking at her for a minute.

I did do some extra cleaning in the baby’s room.

The what? I’m not pregnant yet Collin. Did you really clean?

Lily ran to the second bedroom door, paused, then opened it. The room was where Collin kept a photography darkroom and a lot of supplies. His private investigator office in another part of Rockville was a one man operation. It had been a very tight fit but he had moved the darkroom and all of his supplies to his office. The room was spotless. Collin had painted with a primer and washed the carpet. It looked new and inviting.

Oh. Collin! Thank you. What color should we paint the walls?

I don’t know. Why don’t we wait until – you know – until we have a positive test. Then you’ll pick something. For now, um…, do you think you’ll be able to get us some dinner?

Dinner? All right.

Lily closed the door to the room and entered the kitchen. She loved to cook and as trim and fit as Collin was he still liked to eat - especially if Lily cooked it. She had not been home to shop but there were enough supplies and she shooed Collin out.

Go on, go find something to do. I’ll let you know when it is ready.

Collin sat in the living room and turned on the television with the remote then put it back on the end table where Lily had left her book. He picked it up and looked at the back cover. There was a picture of the author Peggy Recker and a short biography. It said she lived in Vermont with her husband. Granted the book was a few years old but Rockville is a long way from Vermont. It must be a different woman than the Peggy Recker that called him. Collin watched the news as Lily made dinner. Not much was happening in the world. Lily finished in the kitchen and came and sat with Collin. They watched television until the timer on the stove chimed letting them know dinner was ready. They ate dinner, took a small walk and then went to bed early.

In the morning Lily let Collin sleep as she prepared to go in early. Her car was still in Washington D.C. so she had arranged with hospital security to send a car to pick her up. She quietly came and gave him a kiss before she left. Collin woke up.

Hello, Sweetie.

Hello, Collin. The driver is here. I’m leaving now. Love you. See you later.

Collin watched her leave the bedroom and heard the front door open and close. He was going to have to return the rental car today as well as retrieve Lily’s car from Water Street in the District. He was about to be between cases again. He hoped it would be a shorter break this time before he found work. He got up, showered, dressed, ate some oatmeal for breakfast and headed out the door. He drove the rental car back to the airport, caught a cab at the airport and picked up Lily’s car in the District. He drove Lily’s car home and switched in the parking lot to his own.

His car was old and just an ordinary four door sedan. But he didn’t want a flashy car that people would notice. He arrived at the professional complex where his office was located and parked in his designated space. All of the businesses at the complex were allowed at least one space. Some of them paid for more. The exercise gym had a whole row of designated spaces. Collin walked into Joseph Feldstein’s deli to pick up a sandwich. The deli owner was watching a small television on the counter.

Hello, Mister Carter, he said to Collin.

Hi, Joe.

Do you want your usual?

Yes. You make the best chicken salad, Joe.

My other sandwiches are also good.

I’m sure they are, Joe. But I like chicken salad.

You should try other things.

Are you out of chicken salad, Joe?

No. I just think people get into habits and miss out on life.

Joe turned to make Collin’s sandwich. Collin selected a bag of chips and a soda to go with his sandwich. Joe handed Collin his sandwich and turned back to the television. Collin took his selections to the register.

Good morning, Abigail. What’s up with your father?

Some of my parent’s old friends are moving to Israel. Since we found out, Dad has been talking a lot about how people miss out on the important things in life.

After he left the deli Collin took his lunch to his office. He was turning his computer on when the telephone rang.

Carter Detective Agency.

Hello. Is Mister Carter there? It was a woman. She was not whispering but was keeping her voice low.

Yes. This is Collin Carter. How can I help you?

"I called once before. You said you