The Cadence Caper: The Sarah McDougall Series, #2

By J.M. Griffin

Life has been quiet for Sarah McDougall, that is, until she envisions an elderly woman's abduction. Confused over the unwelcome and distressing images of a woman she's never met, Sarah soon gets a plea for help from her friend and lover, Raven DeVille. His aunt has been kidnapped by treasure hunters.

When there's no ransom demand for the return of Raven's aunt, Sarah experiences more psychic episodes in which she sees and is seen while she ghost-walks into danger. While Sarah struggles with her newfound ghost-walking ability, she puts her own life on the line while trying to survive long enough to rescue Raven's aunt without being trapped by her own powers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanne Paglio
• Release date: May 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497702295

J.M. Griffin

With her books sold worldwide, J.M. Griffin is one of today's popular women sleuths authors. J.M. is known best for her Vinnie Esposito series. The series, set in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the USA, is brought to life by a colorful cast of characters. Every novel has a blend of humor, mystery, and romance. J.M.'s latest novel in the series, Cold Moon Dead, is the fourth in the Esposito series. Her latest, The Deadly Bread Series, takes place in Rhode Island, features a Scot, a bread maker, and lots of interesting characters who help figure out who-done-it. Stepping away from Rhode Island's scenery, J.M. set Faerie Cake Dead on the coast of Maine. Filled with humor, faeries, sweet cupcakes, murder and a yummy hero, the villain is someone you’ll least expect. J.M.'s release, Murder on Spyglass Lane, takes place on the west coast of Florida in the Sarasota area. This cozy mystery has a unique and hilarious blend of characters, a sexy hero, and a psychic heroine. Tangled to Death was a mystery inspired by J.M.’s favorite art style, Zentangle. She set the story in New Hampshire with an unexpected corpse in the first scene. Wit and fun fill the pages of this novel. J.M., her husband, and two mysterious cats reside in a countryside village in western Rhode Island, where life is anything but mundane.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The delicate kiss of a soft breeze cooled Sparky and me as we sunned on the patio of the Ringling Art Museum facing the Gulf of Mexico. Thoughts of my latest art assignment drifted in and out of my mind while I lazily basked in Florida’s balmy weather. Sparky, my Bassett Hound, lounged at my feet. Marionette-like, I bolted upright on the chaise lounge.

My eyesight clouded. A sheen of sweat prickled my skin, while my heart pounded hard beneath my ribs. Oh no, not now, not here. I sucked in a breath of sweetly scented air and waited for the images to define themselves. They flickered like a video out of control. An elderly woman—hair frazzled, skin wrinkled, and clothes awry—raised her arms to fight off her assailant. Roughly grasped by her shoulders, the elderly woman was shaken and dragged from her chair. The images faded as quickly as they had appeared.

I released my white-knuckled grip on the arms of the chaise. With a sideway glance, it seemed the other sun worshipers hadn’t noticed my discomfort. I caught dribbles of sweat as they dripped off my chin. I murmured to Sparky that it was time to leave. After a light tug on his leash, Sparky reluctantly rose from the sunny patio, a look of disappointment on his face. But then, he always looked that way to me.

My Volkswagen Beetle huddled in the shade of a group of stumpy palm trees. I unlocked the door, scooped Sparky off the ground and settled him on the passenger seat. Once I’d buckled us both in, I started the car, backed out of the lot, and headed home.

Why I ever thought my life would be carefree was something of a quandary. I’d helped solve a murder some months before using my unwanted psychic abilities so I guess it wasn’t in the cards to believe I could lead a normal life like other people did.

I’m Sarah McDougall, a graphic artist and illustrator. Sparky and I have relocated from a quaint New England town to the west coast of Florida, just outside Sarasota, but my escape to the Sunshine State has been for naught. I’ve been trying to outrun my psychic talent, a talent I abhor.

The cul-de-sac where Sparky and I reside borders the thirteenth hole of a golf course. It’s a quiet neighborhood... for the most part, anyway. My immediate neighbors to the left have moved out. They were an unlikely couple, supposedly married—FBI undercover agents who spied on the neighborhood comings and goings. Once their case was solved, they were shipped back to God-knows where, leaving me thankful for it. The empty house has a For Sale sign, with no takers in sight.

Raven DeVille, a 1700’s swashbuckling pirate-look-alike snack, lives across the street. Decidedly more than friends after surviving the golf course murder, we date often and hang out on a regular basis. I noticed his car on the concrete pad in front of his garage as Sparky and I parked on our own. It was but a few minutes after we entered our house when the doorbell sounded.

I turned and swung the door wide. Raven stood on the step, anger in his eyes. What now? I invited him inside. He strode past me with tight muscles in his back and neck, and clenched fists. Trepidation filled my heart as I trailed behind.

What’s happened? I can tell something’s wrong, I blurted.

He swung toward me, his look more intense than before. Can you conjure up one of those psychic things for me?

For an instant I thought this might be a joke. When I weighed the look of him, I realized he was serious. Anger sparked and jetted along my nerves. He should have known by now my visions couldn’t be summoned.

I’m not a freak show, Raven. The visions come when they will. I have no power over them. As a matter of fact, I had one earlier while Sparky and I were out. I was so worried about being seen in the throes of it, we rushed home. I brushed a hand through my short spiked hair and sighed.

Tell me what you saw. Raven’s dark eyes had narrowed. His face held an inquisitive look. The anger had been replaced by curiosity, or maybe just pushed aside for the moment.

An elderly woman struggled with someone I couldn’t see. Then she was hauled from her chair, I answered.

Anything else? Raven asked.

I shook my head. Why?

He paced the kitchen, rubbing his fingertips across his forehead.

I saw you arrive. When I got a call from the senior-living community where my elderly aunt resides, I figured you could help me out. My Aunt Merry is nearly eighty years old. She’s my favorite of my four aunts. Merry’s disappeared... just like that. Raven snapped his fingers.

Doesn’t the staff look after the residents? I wondered aloud. They wouldn’t likely leave her alone, unattended, would they?

It’s not a nursing facility. It’s residential housing where senior citizens who don’t need care live as a community. Each person has their own apartment. There’s a social area where they gather for entertainment, crafts, exercise and the lot, plus they offer dining room meals that would put a top-notch restaurant to shame.

I nodded as he spoke, knowing these senior-living businesses had sprung up all over the country. They were convenient for the elderly who could no longer care for their own homes or were happy to live in a community of like-minded people.

That’s all you saw? Just a woman being taken? Raven wanted to know.

Yes, sorry. The vision came out of nowhere and left me shaken. It’s been some time since I’ve had one, I murmured. Then I asked, How long has she been gone?

He shrugged. The staff has no idea, except she never showed up for lunch. My aunt never misses a meal.  Mealtimes are the most social time of the day for her. She enjoys chatting with the other residents. They often play cards or games after dinner. Raven snickered, Merry plays a wicked game of Texas Hold’em, and she’s usually the winner who takes all.

I smiled. I dreaded the question, but needed to ask it, Do you think she’s been kidnapped?

Raven’s brows drew together, forming a thick black line. I don’t know. She hasn’t any serious money that I know of, and she’s a terrific person. Merry’s got a great sense of humor. She’s quite plucky for her years. Anyone who’s taken her will have their hands full, for sure. Raven smirked a bit.

The woman in my vision appeared frail. She’d raised her arms to fight off her assailant.

That’s Merry, all right. She wouldn’t go without a fight. When she was young, she hunted treasure for a living. Raven smiled and said, She made a damn good profit from it, too. He turned his dark-eyed stare to me once again. If I give you something that belonged to her, do you think it would bring on a vision?

I don’t know, I said with a shrug. It’s worth a try. I haven’t used that method before. Most visions arrive when I least expect them. Let’s give it a go.

He took me by the arm and shuttled me toward the door. What we were up to, I could only guess. A mystery was afoot for certain.

Chapter 2

A ride with Raven at the wheel was similar to racing day at the Daytona 500. We finally halted in one of the few vacant parking spaces at the Cadence Senior Living Community on Wedgewood Drive. This older section of Sarasota had been upgraded to a beautiful scenic location bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Colorful hibiscus surrounded the parking lot, and cut off the view of the building’s side windows.

I glanced at Raven. His determined attitude lent a stern look to his face. There were times when I couldn’t fathom his mood or expressions, but this was definitely not one of them.

I’m surprised we weren’t stopped for speeding. That’s the fastest trip I’ve taken in a while, I commented. I wondered if stock car racing was part of his past history, but didn’t ask.

Yeah, well, here we are, he replied in a clipped tone.

We walked toward the front entrance along a decorative brick path that branched off in several directions. Cozy seats encompassed the path and colorful, tropical flower beds were scattered everywhere. The gorgeous exterior was only a preview of the beauty indoors. As with most newly built Florida buildings, aesthetics had been addressed down to the finest detail. I wondered what it cost to live here—a small fortune, surely. Merry’s treasure hunting must have been lucrative or she had a benefactor.

A woman, forty-ish I guessed, stepped forward to greet us when we entered the foyer through glass double doors. She smiled in welcome and asked Raven if he would step into her office. I stood aside and watched her openly ogle him. He nodded, but turned and took my hand.

We’d be happy to join you, Raven answered.

Her eyes flicked toward me for an instant before she led the way down the corridor. Raven’s eyes flew side to side as we walked. He slid me a glance before we entered the office of Ms. Forty-ish, his expression unreadable. I had no doubt the woman was in for a hard time.

Settled into soft, rich, coffee-colored leather chairs, Raven watched Ms. Forty-ish shuffle papers on her desk. I admired several bold baroque-framed paintings which adorned creamy textured walls. Heavily veined Italian marble covered the floor. Dark, chunky furniture filled the room. Not exactly what I considered the Florida look, but lovely all the same.

Raven never flicked a muscle while he waited for the woman’s attention. When she looked up, he offered a full-on smile that worked its magic on her. She smiled in return, her light blue eyes sparkled. Her long blonde-from-a-bottle hair fell forward when she bent her head to open the file on her right.

I’m Cantra St. Marie, the director here at Cadence. Please call me Cantra, Mr. DeVille. It appears your aunt has been having some behavioral issues.

Behavior issues? he snorted and then continued with, I was told she’d disappeared earlier today.

That isn’t exactly what happened. Your aunt hasn’t gone missing.

Raven rose from the chair. Then I’d like to see her.

Cantra smiled gently before she said, She’s not here at the moment. She’s on a tour with other residents today.

Raven stared in silence at Cantra. His figure towered over her desk as he leaned forward. He placed both palms flat on the surface and with cool regard asked, Then why was I informed otherwise?

I have no idea. There must have been a mix-up. Ms. Fare is quite mischievous. You do realize she sometimes goes on excursions alone, don’t you?

His eyebrows hiked a notch as Raven sat next to me again. A grin tickled the corners of his mouth. I guessed Cantra had hit the proverbial nail on the head with her words.

With patience Raven pointed out, She isn’t senile, she’s a retiree. If Merry wants to hitch a ride on the bus and go out for the day, she’s allowed to do so. My aunt isn’t a prisoner, she simply resides here, Cantra.

By this time, I’d risen from my chair, as had Cantra. Unruffled by Raven’s attitude, she appeared calm and serene. At least it looked that way from my viewpoint. It wasn’t until I glanced at her hands that I noticed her white-knuckled grip on her pen. Something was amiss. I knew it in my cells.

Please, Mr. DeVille, let’s not argue. I’m sure we can straighten this out without discord. Cantra took her seat, lifted the phone receiver and punched a button on the keypad. In a second or two she had requested a staff member be sent to her office.

Rebecca will be in shortly. Maybe she can shed some light on your aunt’s situation for us.

Raven remained in relax mode. I knew better than to mistake his actions for anything other than a waiting-to-pounce stance. He’d bide his time until he was sure he’d been led down the wrong avenue. His cat and mouse game made me uncomfortable, but as a by-stander, I kept my feelings to myself.

A soft knock at the door preceded a slight girl in her twenties. Her short brown hair curled in ringlets all over her head. Rich brown eyes, a sweet smile, and a deep tan were her best attributes. She stepped into the room and nodded at the three of us, but looked straight at Cantra when she spoke.

You wanted to see me, ma’am?

Rebecca, did you call Mr. DeVille this morning?

Her brown eyes swung to Raven and returned to Cantra. Rebecca said, Yes, I wanted to let him know his aunt had gone missing. I’ve hunted for her everywhere on the grounds and in the building. She didn’t go out with the others today, either.

Sharp as a knife, Cantra retorted, Why was this not brought to my attention?

I told the department head. I’m sorry. I thought she would notify you. Rebecca turned to Raven. Her eyes pleaded for understanding as she said, Your aunt does go off shopping sometimes. We remind her we need to know if she’s going anywhere. She’s rather good about that. Today she just left without a word.

But she did return, right Rebecca? Cantra’s eyes were cold and calculating as she glared into Rebecca’s worried face.

Rebecca’s nod was slight, her fear evident.

"Thank you. You