That Summer in Silver Lake: Silver Lake Cozy Mysteries, #3

By Sophia Watson

This is the 3rd book in the Silver Lake Cozy Mystery Series. A gambler and child-abuser joins the police force in Silver Lake. He is hunted by Asia Reynolds' superior ability to do research. Our sleuths tear their hair trying to figure out why he is so mean in such a fine, little town. 

On top of all the commotion around Officer Thomas, Asia's niece comes to stay with her and has "country-itis" -- a profound dislike for farm animals and the rural setting of Silver Lake. 

That is, until she falls in love with the diabolical Officer Thomas's son, Bert.

Who will win in this struggle to regain the peace? Meanwhile, Asia finds love...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cozy Mystery Publishing
• Release date: Oct 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386039112

Sophia Watson

Sophia Watson hails from Chicago, Illinois, thus very familiar with the setting of Silver Lake. She has lived in Missouri as well and has explored a few caves in the Ozarks. Her knowledge of these areas is first hand. Although she writes in the cozy genre, her coziness is more along the lines of a "soft" mystery, more intrigue than blood and guts.  She is a graduate of Boston University (magna cum laude) and attended Harvard for graduate school.She now lives in n. Maine with her gray-striped cat, Oscar. She also writes under the pseudonym of Zara Brooks-Watson and her own name of Cathy Smith. Enjoy!

Book preview

Other Books by this Author

THE BONAVENTURA COZY Mysteries as Zara Brooks-Watson

Jitterbug (The Fifties) Book 1

Tie Dye (The Sixties) Book 2

The Silver Lake Cozy Mysteries as Sophia Watson

It All Comes Out in The Wash (Book 1)

Snow Angels (Book 2)

That Summer in Silver Lake (Book3)

Solstice (Book 4)

Poetry, Short Stories and Children's Books as Cathy Smith

Waiting for the Sunrise – The Collected Poetry of Cathy Smith

Hidden Treasures: A Book of Short Stories

The Tree People (Children's Book, Ages 6-10)

Available paperbacks on Amazon. See silverlakecozies.wixsite.com/sophia-watson  for updates & sales links.

Table of Contents

Other Books by this Author

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Epilogue

About the Author

Chapter One

Asia Reynolds ran her fingers through her short, curly dark hair in consternation. She had just spoken to her dad and found out that he had told his son, Asia's divorced, younger half-brother, that he could send his fifteen-year-old daughter Sylvia to stay with Asia for the summer. By way of an apology he had said to Asia, weakly, Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you.

Forgot to ask me too, thought Asia, disturbed.

Asia and her father, until now, had never had any serious disagreements. It was actually not that she disagreed with her father, but sometimes he got so busy with his business, he just assumed too much. She also understood that Sylvia's mother was not interested in having her daughter around when she was in a new relationship, which she was. That was a very touchy subject with Sylvia.

Asia's half-brother, Nelson, had actually made other arrangements at first. He was going to let Sylvie stay with a close friend from their hometown. Nelson was leaving to work construction in Abu Dhabi for the summer and pleaded with his father to take his daughter when their original plans had fallen through. Reynolds felt he had no choice, so he agreed to let his grand-daughter stay with him.

He was also a building contractor and had recently (and unexpectedly) gotten a large contract to erect a fifty unit apartment building locally and felt he could not care for his grand-daughter properly because this job would require long hours on the site and extensive planning time at home where he could not have loud teenagers around while he was drafting. Nelson, Sylvia and Pop lived within walking distance of each other.

Sylvie was a typical teenager and liked her music a little too loud, computer war games and tended to like laughing and inviting her friends over to the house for pizza and whatever. Not a sin, but not something Asia's dad could deal with right now. She had been at his home for about a week. He liked her company and did not mind any of her habits or friends ordinarily, but not when he had to work at home. She liked it there, too, because she could spend all the time with her high school friends that she wanted to, and Pop Reynolds was good about giving her money to go out with and letting her stay out later as long as she called him and let him know she was okay. He was also good about picking her up and driving her around, too.

He knew she drank a few beers once in a while, but nothing over the top. She also knew it was illegal, so he let her know that he would help her, but she was on her own with this and getting busted could be grim. She would laugh and agree with him. She was a sweet girl and easy to get along with. It didn't hurt that she liked to cook for Pop Reynolds and that she was a rather good cook.

Asia felt sorry for Sylvie. She went through something like that when her father had divorced her mother and re-married. She said, Yes that she would meet her niece at the train in St. Louis and drive her to Silver Lake this coming weekend. Sylvie liked the train and looking out the window at the passing scenery.

Damn, Asia thought, irritably, I can't just abandon this poor girl. However distant Nelson has been, Sylvie is my relative. I can't punish her for the way he behaves.

Asia went out to her barn – her refuge. She now had a new (actually not so new) pretty, brown and tan donkey, Pumpkin (recently nick-named Punkin by an insistent Frankie), and had adopted two new rescued goats, Thelma and Louise, from that same neighbor, Frankie Franklin. Punkin was in love with the two little goats. Deep love. The donkey's old companion, a red, long-haired Chihuahua named Fuzzy Bud, was not miffed in the least. Fuzzy was agreeable, it seemed, to anything Punkin liked. He just moved into his bed and stayed out from under foot and the girls (Thelma and Louise) were just as careful to step around him.

Asia felt solace in her barnyard friends. Thelma and Louise were especially comforting as they had not yet grown horns and liked to have their heads scratched and rubbed. They were babyish, small and affectionate. Fuzzy Bud, as much as she was attached to Punkin, crawled into Asia's lap often seeking a little extra lovin', although she still refused to leave Punkin's side and rode in the pony cart whenever Asia took the donkey out for exercise, which was almost every day. The cart had had wheels added.

It seemed Punkin loved her new life. She had not tried to run away even once since she had showed up at Asia's house last winter. If a donkey could crawl into your lap, Asia's Punkin would have done so. Of course, Zucchini (adopted and raised from a puppy when Asia had quit smoking and become a vegetarian – named after a favorite vegetable) got along well with all of them. Zookie was famous for her amiability.

__________

Asia awoke that Saturday morning to an early, bright sun. She felt good. Just fine, grand, in fact. A finch outside her window sang loudly. The new chartreuse leaves gave fullness to the tree underneath her bedroom window. The cherry tree below it was filled with fragrant blossoms, a promise of an abundant cherry crop and more yellow songbirds. It felt like the beginning of the movie Oklahoma when Gordon MacRae, singing in the middle of a cornfield on horseback croons, There's a bright golden haze in the meadow...The sounds of the earth are like music... and so on from the song: O What a Beautiful Morning.

A flurry of falling cherry blossoms blew upwards past her awakening eyes. Asia rolled over again and shut her eyes. Then she remembered that she needed to be in St. Louis by ten am to pick up Sylvie, her niece.

Oh, god... she groaned, not wanting anything but two more hours of sleep, which would make her late. Very late. She still couldn't move, but somehow she shuffled into her bathroom and ran the water for a shower, got out a plaid cotton short-sleeved blouse and jeans. The shower was the only thing that really woke her up. That and her Husky-German Shepard Zucchini barking at the shower water, which was one of Zookie's few bad habits. Asia's eyes were now wide open.

Her memory of Sylvie was foggy, so she got out some of the early pictures that she had taken of the girl many years ago. Asia was a professional photographer, as well as a documentary film maker and sold many of her portraits and nature photos around Silver Lake—especially to the tourists in the summer. Her portraits of Sylvia were lovely.

She framed two of the best ones to put downstairs to help welcome the girl to her home. Now she remembered her. The beautiful curly blonde hair and wiry little girl body. She had been a tomboy when she was little—always climbing trees and loving to explore the forest around Asia's house. She had been especially fond of Zucchini and usually took her along on her adventures. Asia remembered Sylvie as a sweet, pretty little girl with an easy laugh, good sense of humor and submissive nature—ready to please. She sort of looked forward to seeing her again.

Sylvie was good in school, too, close to an A student her entire first year of high school. She was also a popular girl and was leaving behind a boyfriend she had since grammar school. She would not be happy about that.

__________

And, indeed, she wasn't. Asia was a few minutes late. The ten o'clock train from Chicago had already disembarked. Asia had no problem finding Sylvie. She was sitting on her suitcase in the middle of the lobby smoking a cigarette. Asia was a little shocked but tried not to show it. Nelson, her brother, and Pop had not told her that her 15 year old niece was a smoker. Asia bit her lips.

Sylvie looked up at her, frowning and dropping ashes on the train station floor.

She said, with disdain, "Where were you? Didn't you know my train arrived at ten?"

Asia reached down to hug her, and the girl deflected the gesture with anger.

Oh, I'm so sorry Sylvie, said Asia. I was caught in traffic. It is only ten minutes after...

Her niece answered, getting up and grabbing a suitcase, Well then, the train must have been early. I've been here almost fifteen minutes. Where's your car? She spoke in a demanding way.

Asia was dismayed and said, I brought my Silverado double cab and its out in the parking lot in front of the station.

The girl answered, obviously still angry and put out, Let's go then. I'm tired of waiting around, even though I have to ride like a hick.

Asia bit her tongue and tried to carry one of Sylvie's suitcases for her, but the girl said, in a rude tone of voice, I can carry my own stuff. I don't need your help.

Asia reacted badly to the whole situation and said, intuitively, I'm sorry you didn't get to stay in your neighborhood. There are a lot of nice people in Silver Lake, too. You used to like it there.

"Used to," answered Sylvie, roughly pushing Zucchini over and getting into the back of the double cab.

You don't have to ride with the dog. You can sit up here with me.

Like I don't know that, Aunt Asia. You dog kind of smells, too.

That did it for Asia. She could not pursue this conversation any further. She just looked at her niece and drove the rest of the way to Silver Lake in silence. Tense silence. Her niece was definitely off to a bad start. Insult or cop an attitude with Asia, that was one thing—but insulting her beloved Zucchini, that was intolerable. Zookie was her emotional mainstay and an all-round good dog. And she did not smell, not that Asia could tell at that distance anyway, but she usually could.

After an hour driving in that strained silence, she pulled the pickup behind her home. It looked like Frankie Franklin was there. Good, thought Asia, with relief. I could use some warmth around me right now.

Oh, my gawd! exclaimed Sylvie, irritably.

"Look at that old fool! What the hell is that thing? She pointed at Punkin pulling up with her colorful, artistically repainted pony cart, hauling Frankie and Fuzzy Bud, followed by a pair of very playful, docile goats. Is this Doctor Doolittle, or what?! What stupid shit!!"

Asia swallowed every ounce of ire she truly felt and said, Those are all mine, including the cart. She could not hide her hurt about Sylvie calling her dear friend Frankie an old fool. The older black lady is a family friend of many years, since my childhood. Sylvie, don't you remember Frankie taking you over to her ranch to play with her rescued baby chicks when you were a young child?

Sylvie actually acted a little ashamed of herself, looked at her feet and said, "Uh, yeah, actually I do remember, Aunt Asia. I just didn't recognize her right away. I'm upset because my dad and gramps just shunted me over here and I did not have a choice.

"No, I guess, I have to say that I am sorry. I apologize. I feel rejected. They treated me like a little child. No one wanted me. All of my friends are back in Chicago. We made plans together for this summer months ago. Now that is all ruined. It's not your fault. I felt rejected, like I had nothing to say about my own life. I really felt like they forced me to come here." Sylvie began to cry.

Asia thought sympathetically, Well, I guess she's human after all.

Sylvie hopped out of the truck as Frankie walked over. Asia got out and let Zucchini down and got one of Sylvie's suitcases. Frankie smiled at Sylvie and said, "Oh you! I remember you! You're little Sylvia Reynolds. You used to play at my house. Remember? Ah, you were pretty small back then. Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. You a big girl now—all growed up."

Sylvie smiled in a friendly way for the first time since she had arrived, and actually hugged little Frankie, who was only about five feet tall, maybe even less. Frankie reached up and patted Sylvie on the face—she pushed herself away and looked closely at the young girl. How old are you, honey?

Fifteen, Ms. Franklin.

It's just Frankie to you, darlin'. You been cryin'?

Sylvie looked away and nodded. My dad and grandfather didn't want me around this summer. They're too busy.

Frankie smoothed Sylvie's curly blonde hair and said soothingly, Well, I'm sure glad to see you. You can always talk to me. Need a job this summer?

Sylvie looked up and grinned a little, For farm work?

Like what else would an old animal rescuer like me want, anyway?

Sylvie shuffled her feet in the driveway gravel. She said, Sure, Frankie, I'll help. Asia was amazed and gratified that Sylvie had opened up to someone. Frankie was usually good to lean on.

You ever make ribs or Bar-B-Que?

Yeah, but my dad is usually the one who cooks that. I know how, also, though.

Oh, you do, do you? I guess I could teach you my own secret recipe. I own Franklin's Rib Shack and need a hand from time-to-time, not often – but we get busy on the weekends. Wages start at minimum wage—same as the farm work. I think you'd like it.

That sounds real good Ms....Uh, Frankie. I need something to do here and I can use the money to save for college. Thank you. She smiled at Frankie and hugged her again.

Well, Sylvie, I want you to know me and Asia are both happy to have you and are glad to have some young blood around. Right, Asia?

Asia smiled at Sylvie and said, You are always welcome here, Sylvie. I'm sure your dad and grandpa didn't mean to hurt you.

"I don't think they meant to hurt me, but they did, answered Sylvie, focusing slowly on Asia. I like you Aunt Asia. I always have, but I feel sometimes like I was just shunted over here because my relatives didn't know where else to send me."

Sylvie followed Asia upstairs and surprised her by dumping her things in the middle of the bed in the newly re-decorated guest room and clomping right back downstairs, slamming the back door as she went outside.

Asia was so confused that she called her father, who reassured her that Sylvie was known to re-surface rather quickly from her temper tantrums and moodiness and just as quickly dive back into a bad mood.

Hope she comes out of her mood by dinner, said Asia, shakily. I guess I'll start an early meal by defrosting some meatless spaghetti sauce. Sylvie can have her choice of a sub sandwich or whole wheat spaghetti.

Bet she chooses the sandwich, said her father. Go light on the all-vegetable meals, right now, honey. You don't want to freak her out any more than she already is.

Asia thought, Wouldn't want to do that.

Okay, Pop, she said out loud. She seems to like Frankie well enough. You know I'll give her a chance. After she sent me into a complete tailspin most of this morning, she thought.

She said, I won't tell her that there is no meat in the sauce. My guests can't usually tell the difference.

Well, it's good news that Sylvia still likes Frankie. She's a very sweet girl when she wants to be. She just really looked forward to seeing her friends this summer, especially her boyfriend.

Yeah, daddy, I know. Puberty is hard on everyone. We have a lot of young people coming into town right now for the summer tourist season. They are mostly artisans. She'll probably meet up with someone she likes.

I expect so. Let me know how things are going from time-to-time, okay?

Sure, Pop. I think things will settle down after a while. Like I said, Frankie got a smile from her this morning. That's a start. She is still a little angry, though. It might take a while to work that all out.

Okay. Bye, honey.

Bye for now, Pop.

Asia went downstairs and made an early dinner. Just as she had predicted, Sylvie could not tell that the meal was all vegetarian. It helped that Frankie ate with them. Sylvie went upstairs to unpack and was on Asia's computer all the rest of the evening emailing until she went to bed.

The next morning Asia woke up late, Harold Skylar (aka Harry the Hippie) had come over and let himself in. He was playing his guitar in her dining room which he knew Asia loved.

She had a lovely, new Yamaha baby grand piano and played mostly classical music but could do just about any type of music. Harry was a local university student studying music on scholarship. He usually made his money playing street music for the many tourist crowds in the summer. Street music and begging (panhandling) was legal in Silver Lake and one could purchase a yearly license for $2 at the city hall if you had a driver's license or state ID so they could check your record.

It was like Asia's childhood friend, Sergeant Sheila Rodriguez of the Silver Lake Police Department had been known to say, Why not enjoy the innocent side of life instead of encouraging ill will in people. I like street music. Remember, I'm Mexican – we like our music everywhere – even the trumpets. My rule is – just don't block traffic and be polite. You are free to earn all the money you can.

Harry played like an angel. He was very talented. His first CD Sylar and Sommers: Rocky Mountain Music recorded with his girlfriend Sage Sommers on vocals and keyboard, mixed and produced by her father Antonio had gone viral on the internet in MP3 form and provided Harry with enough money to buy all the food and supplies he needed to get started for the summer season.

He was living in Asia's cabin free of charge and was free to come over to Asia's and make himself something to eat, which he had done that morning. Last summer he had been so hungry, that he had done a few things that his Probation Officer, Sgt. Rodriguez needed to oversee his transition from – such as selling marijuana and getting himself in general hot water. Not this year, though.

Sylvie walked in, coming from the direction of the barn, rubbing her hands