Mystery at the Book Festival

By Connie Cockrell

Life in Greyson has settled down to a comfortable quiet once again. For Jean Hays, that means volunteering at the library, visiting with friends, chatting over iced teas and enjoying a generally murder-free retirement.
All that changes once again when another dead body shakes this small Arizona town to its foundation, and this time Jean herself is bound for some scrutiny. Corrupt men in power are scheming her downfall, and when Police Chief Nick White tries to stand up for her, he finds himself in the crosshairs too.
Now locked in a race against time, Jean must solve this murder to prove her own innocence to those with more power than sense. With the help of her close allies, Jean might just be able to untangle this web in time to clear her name and save Nick’s job. But the truth, as ever, has no intention of being found...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Connie Cockrell
• Release date: Jun 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370930333

Connie Cockrell

A 20-year Air Force career, time as a manager at a computer operations company, wife, mother, sister and volunteer, provides a rich background for Connie Cockrell’s story-telling.Cockrell grew up in upstate NY, just outside of Gloversville, NY before she joined the military at age 18. Having lived in Europe, Great Britain, and several places around the United States, she now lives in Payson, AZ with her husband: hiking, gardening, and playing bunko. She writes about whatever comes into her head so her books could be in any genre. She's published fourteen books so far, has been included in five different anthologies and been published on EveryDayStories.com. Connie's always on the lookout for a good story idea. Beware, you may be the next one.She can be found at www.conniesrandomthoughts.com or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ConniesRandomThoughts or on Twitter at: @ConnieCockrell

Book preview

Book 3

By Connie Cockrell

Published by Four Carat Press at Smashwords

Copyright © 2017 by Connie Cockrell

Cover by BoBooks

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 9781370930333

Dedication

To the fans who love Jean Hays.

Acknowledgements

To my husband who says: You’re not writing!

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.

Chapter One

Jean Hays and Karen Carver arrived at the Grayson Community College courtyard at seven-thirty. They'd driven over together, as instructed by the volunteer manager for the book festival committee, to conserve parking places for attendees. The early July morning was already hot, the sun well into the cloudless blue sky. Volunteers were bustling around the courtyard, moving into and out of the classrooms where the soon-to-arrive authors would have their tables. Jean caught the volunteer manager's eye. Lynn, what would you like us to do?

Lynn waved them over to the table she was standing behind as she talked to another volunteer. They heard her say, Tape these labels to each door. Here's a map. Every room will be different so consult the map. She handed the volunteer a folder and a sheet of paper. You good?

Yep. I'll let you know when I finish. The volunteer, a woman Jean didn't know, walked off, head high and with full strides. She looks like she knows what she's doing. Jean smiled at Lynn as she turned to them. Welcome to the festival. Thanks for volunteering.

Glad to help. As volunteers at the library, it seemed a logical thing to Jean to volunteer for the festival. Lynn was an acquaintance of Karen's and it had been Karen's idea to work the day of the festival. It was only until noon, and then they'd be there to see the authors and buy some books.

I've put you two down as gofers, if that's all right. So many of my volunteers are elderly, I need some people who can fetch and carry.

Sounds good to me. Jean grinned. That way we'll get to explore the whole thing before we get off at noon.

We're happy to help, Lynn. What do you need right now? Karen asked.

Would you go to the unloading area and help the authors bring their books up to their rooms? I have hand carts down there to help move things around. She pointed off to her left past the front of the admin building where there was a small parking lot for the college dean and staff. They are supposed to pull in, unload, come here to register, and go to their space to drop off their stuff. Then go move their cars to the far back parking lot before coming back and setting up their tables.

Sounds simple enough. Jean looked at the little lot. Two cars were already pulling in. Looks like we have business already.

We'll go get started. Karen nodded to Lynn.

Thanks Karen and Jean. We really appreciate the help.

Jean waved and followed Karen to the parking lot. An elderly woman was getting out of one car. A young man was getting out of the second one. I'll take the woman, Jean said.

I'll go talk to the guy. Don't work too hard, Karen said with a grin.

I'll do my best.

By nine o'clock Jean was sweaty and thirsty but all of the authors were at their tables and the first attendees were already coming through the courtyard. She and Karen went to the registration desk where Lynn was helping hand out programs to people.

Hi, Karen, Jean. Want to take a quick break? Go into the door at the end of the table. We have a hospitality room set up for volunteers and the authors. Get some water, a donut, whatever. Then I'd like you to go to the storeroom and bring out chairs and put them up around the courtyard for people to sit down and rest.

We can do it now if you're in a hurry, Karen offered.

No, get some water. You two look flushed. It can wait for you to take a break.

I'll take it. Jean could just feel that bottle of ice cold water filling her parched mouth. We'll get to the chairs right after a water break.

Thanks, ladies.

Jean and Karen found the door and went in. It was the administration building's conference room. Three volunteers were putting together baskets for a silent raffle at one end of the room. They had a huge stack of books that the authors had donated on the table in front of them along with other small items like bottles of wine, boxes of candy, knick-knacks and other things to put in the baskets. The other end of the table had a bin of water bottles on ice, tubs of cut up fruit, a tray of pastries and small paper plates, napkins and plasticware.

How nice! Hello, ladies. Jean nodded to them as she pulled a bottle of water from the ice, cracked it open and drank. She immediately put her hand to her head. Oh, brain freeze! She winced.

Karen laughed along with the others. You should know better. She opened a bottle and sipped. Take a mouthful, swish it around in your mouth to warm it up, then swallow.

I know. Jean pressed the heel of her hand to her temple. I know. But I am so thirsty! She sipped her water and followed Karen's suggestion. That's better. She put the water down and put some of the fruit—melon, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple—on a small plate. This should help hydrate me without the spike through my head.

While Karen picked out a pastry, Jean sat down in a chair along the wall. I'm not kidding. This is really nice. Water, snacks, a cool, quiet place to sit. Classy. She speared a piece of pineapple and ate it.

I know. Karen brought her water and plate to the chair next to Jean. They’ve done this every year for the last five years. I heard there's quite a following for it.

From the early crowd, I would say so. She stabbed a couple of blueberries and chewed.

I've always thought about volunteering. I'm glad I did this year. Those carne asada smells are wonderful. I'm going to have to buy one for lunch.

Mmm, Jean mumbled around her bottle of water. That sounds good. I see the ice cream guy is setting up, too.

Karen nodded. I'm going to get one of those, too.

Jean laughed. Do you ever turn down ice cream?

Karen shook her head. Not if I can help it.

They finished their snacks and water and went back outside. Where's the storeroom?

Down here I think. Karen led the way along the admin building under the roofed breezeway, past several tables for the college, the library, the historical society and the literacy group, and to the back of the next building. She stopped at the last door. I hope it's open. Otherwise we're going to have to find Lynn for a key. She tried the door and grinned. Hey, it's open. Lucky day.

She opened the door, Jean behind her, and reached for the light switch. Jean saw the light go on, and then Karen shrieked and backed into Jean so hard the two of them ended up against the end wall of the next building. The rough brick dug into Jean's back.

Karen! What's wrong? Jean slid out from behind her friend, who was still trying to back up. Karen's eyes were wide and her face so pale Jean thought her friend might be having a heart attack.

Karen pointed and stammered. B-b-b-body.

Jean whirled around. Oh no. This cannot be happening. She hurried to the door, taking care not to touch the door or the door jamb. Inside the room was a carrier with chairs stacked on it in a neat row. Draped over the top of it was an older man, gray-haired, white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms, tan slacks, and blood dripping from his chest, down the chairs, and pooling on the cement floor. A knife handle was sticking up out of his chest. Holy crap.

She backed out of the door and pulled her cell from her back pocket. I'm dialing 911.

Karen, still against the wall, nodded.

Jean spoke into the phone. This is Jean Hays. I'm at the Community College. We've just found a body.

Chapter Two

Jean left Karen outside the now closed storage room door. Don't let anyone in there. Are you okay to do this?

Karen, now beside the storeroom door, swallowed and nodded. Yeah. I just… I just panicked. Sorry.

Jean patted her friend on the shoulder. You did better than I did when I found poor Ina Grange in the cargo container at the fair. I'll bring you a chair and a bottle of water after I tell Lynn.

Karen nodded and Jean hurried off. She found Lynn at the registration table, watching three volunteers hand out programs and talk to festivalgoers as she sipped from a bottle of water. Lynn, Jean whispered and looked around to make sure she couldn't be overheard. I need you to come with me. Right now.

Lynn's water bottle stopped halfway to her mouth. What is it? she whispered back.

Trouble. Come on.

Jean led Lynn to the store room. Now away from the crowds, she explained. Lynn looked from Karen to Jean and back again. A dead body.

Karen nodded. With blood dripping all over.

And a knife sticking out of his chest, Jean offered.

Lynn ran her hand through her short black hair. The gray focused at the temples and scattered attractively through the rest. The police are coming?

Yep. I thought someone should know. Jean stuck her hands in the pockets of her khaki shorts.

Yeah. I'll go tell Carlos. He's not going to like it. Lynn took a deep breath. You're staying here till the cops come?

Jean nodded.

Fine. I'll go tell Carlos. She hurried away.

Let me go get a chair and some water. I'll be right back. Jean hurried off and was back within three minutes. I took a chair from one of the author rooms. Here. She unfolded the bare metal chair and put it beside the door. Karen sank onto it. Jean handed her the bottle, still wet from the ice she'd pulled it from. While Karen unscrewed the top, Jean leaned against the opposite wall.

What do you think Nick is going to say? This was the third body she'd found in less than a year. She didn't think he was going to be very happy.

Karen recapped the bottle and wiped her wet hand on her skirt. "I think he's going to say that it wasn't your fault. You didn't kill the guy. And technically, I found the body this time."

Jean snorted. Yeah. I'll bet that's what everyone is going to say. You know last October people were blaming me for Anson Prentiss. She'd felt every stare and whisper.

Nonsense. The guy was dead for twelve years when we found him. You just moved here. No one with any sense could have thought you did it.

I guess. She shrugged. But she knew what was had been said about her. Jean had hoped that Anson was the last body she'd ever find. You know. Most people go their entire lives without finding a body. This is my third one.

I suppose. Karen uncapped the water and drank again. I'm still shaking.

Shock. I'll make sure the EMTs check you out.

I don't think—

Jean held up her hand. Trust me on this. You've had a shock. Let the EMTs check you out.

They turned at the sound of people approaching. Two officers, in their khaki uniforms were approaching. Lynn was right behind them. Ms. Hays, Ms. Carver.

Jean pushed off the wall. Officer Williams, Tom. Sorry to see you under such circumstances. Call me Jean, please.

The second officer stood back.

What's going on Jean?

Karen stood up. I found a body. She nodded at the door beside her. In there.

Jean saw his eyebrow twitch. She liked Tom. He'd been assigned to protect her after she found Ina Grange's body. She even knew his wife and two kids. I know. But yes. Another body.

I'm going to have to ask you ladies to step back to Officer Colcord, please. He held out his arm and directed them back down the breezeway to his partner. Anyone else in there?

This way, ladies, Officer Colcord waved them to him.

Jean and Karen moved to stand beside Lynn. No. Just the dead guy. They watched as Tom nodded to his partner, then slowly opened the door, hand on his weapon. He stepped inside the room, was out of view for a few moments then came back out. He keyed the mic on his shoulder. Dispatch, this is 3487. I have a 10-39. Send an ambulance and the coroner.

Roger 3487. Ambulance on the way. Chief on the way. We’ll notify the coroner.

Roger Dispatch. 3487 out. He sighed. Either of you two hurt?

Jean shook her head. But Karen should be checked for shock.

Tom nodded. I'll tell the EMTs when they get here. He glanced at his partner, who nodded. This is my partner, Officer Kurt Colcord. He'll stay with you until the EMTs get here. He pulled the chair from the door. Ms. Karen. Have a seat. Between the heat and the shock, I don't want you to fall out on us.

She sat down.

Lynn asked. Do I have to stay? I need to keep the Festival Chair informed.

No ma'am. You can go.

Lynn patted Karen on the shoulder and hurried off.

Tom pulled his notebook from his pocket. All right ladies. I’ll start with Miss Karen. Kurt, would you take Ms. Jean back there, he pointed to the rear of the breezeway, and get her statement?

Kurt nodded and ushered Jean along the building and around the corner. She noticed a path leading in both directions, bushes along the path, but no one was around. It didn’t take long for her to give her statement and she was returning to the storeroom when the EMTs arrived, two guys wheeling a gurney. Jean saw at least a dozen people staring up the breezeway from the courtyard. Her hands went clammy.

Jean? Are you all right? The lead EMT was Mike, who'd treated her at least twice in the last year.

I'm fine, Mike.

Hey, Mike, Officer Williams said. Ms. Karen may be suffering from shock. And I have a dead body in the store room.

Mike nodded and turned to the second EMT. Leo, you take the body. I'll check out Ms. Carver.

Leo nodded. Mike grabbed his bag off the gurney and went to Karen as Leo rolled past to the store room. Officer Williams opened the door for him while Officer Colcord stood between the women and the growing crowd of people at the end of the breezeway.

Jean shifted from foot to foot. Nick would be here soon. She listened as Tom radioed for backup to control the crowd. Why did this keep happening to her? Well, and now Karen. She leaned against the brick wall and folded her arms across her chest. No wonder people talked about her. She was a walking dead person magnet.

The crowd stirred and Jean saw Nick coming through, two officers behind him. They stayed at the end of the breezeway and began telling people to move along, but Nick strode toward them, looking like the wrath of God. He gave her a glance but kept walking to the store room. She could hear them speaking but wasn't able to hear the words. She sighed as she watched Tom point into the storeroom and then at her and Karen as he read from his notes. Nick stood, hands on his duty belt, nodding. Tom closed his notebook and Nick turned and walked back to her and Karen.

Mike. Is Ms. Carver okay?

Yep. Elevated heart rate, skin a little clammy. But she's been sitting, had some water. She'll be fine. I can have the doc prescribe a mild sedative, he looked at Karen, if you'd like.

Karen shook her head. I'll be fine.

The two women looked at Nick.

Thanks, Mike. You can help Leo with the body now.

Mike gave the women a reassuring grin, packed up his bag and nodded to Nick. We'll get you a prelim ASAP. The coroner should be here shortly. He left for the storeroom.

Hands on hips, Nick stared at the two of them. Jean flushed. Again she was being treated like a miscreant child.