Murder on the Fly: Trapper Lakes, #2

By Aliyah Burke

A dead tourist, fighting amongst the locals, and more secrets revealed.

Tourist season has gotten underway and there's no shortage of visitors to the typically quiet town. Trying to understand her new "normal" life, that plan is thrown off the rails when Jynx discovers a dead body in the eating area near the vendors. During the investigation, threats, attacks, and more Jynx tries to navigate it all even as her father has a setback. As usual, she finds herself in the middle of this even when she tried not to be and her fledgling relationship with Deputy Thayer may be finished even before it can be cast.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sensual Romance Publishing
• Release date: Jan 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393383352

Aliyah Burke

USA Today bestselling author Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She is happily married to a career military man. They are owned by six Borzoi. She spends her days at the day job, writing, and working with her dogs.

Book preview

Chapter One

The hot Georgia sun shone down on those gathered, sparkling off the water as people swam, canoed, played on jet skis and more. Some fished, off on another part of the large lake. There was laughter, music blaring, dogs barking and so much more.

Jynx rubbed the back of her neck before picking up the three cases of honey she’d been sent to retrieve.

If this is any indication of how this year is going to go, it’s going to be a busy time in Trapper Lakes.

She navigated her way through the crowds, all the booths that were set up either selling items or offering fun and games to everyone there.

Hi Jynx!

Afternoon, Sheriff, she called back as she spun, wincing at the slight twinge in her leg, to avoid the small twins dashing through the crowd. Hot on their heels, she guessed were their parents.

Tommy, Timmy, get back here right now.

She laughed as they barreled on, not a single intention of stopping or even slowing. Getting out of the hot sun slightly, she got to the booths which had prime real estate, still in the main view but with the trees overhead, there was some nice shade offered. Some of the food stands were here as well as picnic tables for visitors to get off their feet while they enjoyed some Trapper Lakes fare.

Here you go, Ms. Pollon.

The woman smiled at her, her thin face softening as it completely changed her appearance. Thank you, sweetie. I didn’t want to leave my stand. She cut her gaze to the right where Mr. Chambers continued to shoot glares in her direction.

Jynx didn’t ask what was going on, it wasn’t a secret in the slightest. Mr. Donald Chambers, owner and operator of Chambers Creamery had always been extremely vocal about the location he’d been given for this year. Even though the spots were selected by a random draw, the man never seemed to be content with what he ended up with.

Just as the man had always been vocal about how much he hated her bees. They were next door neighbors and he tended to call the cops for her bees, being on his property, harassing him. Personally, she wasn’t sure how he knew they were her bees or not, but again, not an issue she was going to get into.

Look at me minding my own business and not putting my nose in someone elses. Some people should be so proud.

She wasn’t going to think about the ones who should be proud because her mind got all muddled when she thought about Jimmy.

Jynx helped her unload the cases, refilling her supply and waved over at Mr. Chambers who was doing a bang up job of scowling between his numerous customers. Regardless of his attitude toward Ms. Pollon, they had some of the best ice cream she’d ever tasted.

You’ll be back later?

Yes ma’am. I just have to run back to work, grab a few things and lock up there for Mr. Rosett. Then I’ll be back to man the stand for you. Shouldn’t take me much more than an hour.

Ms. Pollon grabbed her hand and squeezed, her hands strong. Thank you for helping out. I was so pleased when your father said you’d be more than happy to be here with me today. I have to tell you, I was surprised. I thought you would have been helping Tippi.

She’d been surprised too, to say the least. As was Tippi. Making sure her smile didn’t slip for it wasn’t Ms. Pollon’s fault her father was offering up her time to other people, she shrugged. I helped Tippi out earlier this morning. She’s swapping with some of her employees so they have the stand here and she can run back and forth to make sure they have enough things to sell.

That’s right, the store is closed today, everyone is down here.

As tended to be the case on the first weekend of their tourist season.

Let me get going and I’ll be back just as soon as I can.

You’re such a dear. I’m saving some honey aside for you. She waved. See you soon.

Jynx left the empty cases there because she knew if there were any jars left she would be carrying them back later tonight. She took a deep breath and set off again through the crowd of people.

Shouldn’t you be handing out dead fish or something like that?

I knew my day couldn’t be all nice. That saccharine sweet voice cut through the crowd like a samurai sword. Angling her head to the right, she sneered as she looked at Charlotte Ellsworth, mayor of Trapper Lakes. The woman wore a sun dress with large orange flowers on it.

Shouldn’t you be out sucking the life of the party? Oh wait, here you are.

The magnolia blossom she always had with her, tapping against her cheek continued.

I thought you would be back to San Diego by now, Jynx.

She moved closer to her childhood nemesis. There were people watching them, her and Charlotte’s volatile relationship not at all a secret in town. However, they both knew this and could square off all the while looking like they were having a decent conversation.

Sorry, Charlie. I’m home now. Just going to have to get used to that and don’t forget, election is coming up this fall.

Her blue eyes narrowed. Do not think to try and become mayor.

Who said it was me. The Vice Mayor may want to move up. I think he would be a good fit.

"That man is barely fit to be working at your job."

She cocked her eyebrow at the level of hostility she heard there. I’m not fighting with you, not today, Charlie. I have things to do. Bait to bring back and hopefully, I don’t trip and spill any on you.

You wouldn’t.

Jynx shrugged without the slightest bit of concern. Accidents happen.

Charlie opened her mouth to no doubt lambaste her with yet another dressing down but a loud confrontation behind Jynx drew both their attention. Ms. Pollon and Mr. Chambers were at it again.

Together she and Charlie hurried over to where the adults were acting more like schoolkids and arguing, fingers pointing at one another.

This is your fault. You always have to bring your bees out and they are just ruining this day. I could get stung!

I sell honey, Mr. Chambers, not bees and therefore have no need to bring them with me here. There are bees around your stall because you don’t keep it clean. Without your daughter to do all your cleanup work, your area is a pigsty, I’m shocked there are people actually stopping by for that stuff you sell. Personally, I wouldn’t touch it unless your daughter was the one serving.

Jynx cut her gaze to Charlie to see if the Mayor was going to step in and handle this. Not a chance and she should have known better. The expression on her face was one from school where she was a lookie-loo and just waiting for the rest of the drama.

Fighting back the need to roll her eyes, she pushed between the two vendors, back to Charlie. Let’s not do this here, she said.

Both started talking at once and Jynx sighed.

You have people from out of town here, and we want to make sure they have the right opinion of Trapper Lakes. It wouldn’t do for two of our best vendors to be arguing with one another, especially on the first weekend of tourist season.

Causing problems, Ms. Nix?

That was a voice she knew well. Deputy Jimmy Thayer, or as Tippi affectionately referred to him, Deputy Ginger McHottie. Then again, there was also the familiar Deputy McHottie Ginger.

Before she could respond and turn to face Jimmy, Charlie entered the conversation.

We’ve talked about this before. You two have to get along for the sake of the town.

Charlie droned on and Jimmy walked around so he could see her face and caught her mocking the mayor. Flattening her lips, she raised her eyebrows, daring him to say anything about what he saw. His green eyes twinkled and she gave him a smile of thanks.

Jynx held up a hand and turned so she could see everyone as she stood beside Jimmy. Thank goodness the mayor showed up finally to tell you not to act this way. It’s almost like, she stood by and watched the entire thing escalate, but, what do I know? Ms. Pollon, I’ll be back as soon as I can.

You should run along, Jynx. The law is here.

Actually, Madam Mayor, I see you have everything perfectly under control. I’ll be leaving with Ms. Nix here. Mr. Chambers. Ms. Pollon.

She allowed him to encourage her along with a hand against the small of her back. Neither spoke until they were out of earshot from the bickering duo and the mayor.

I didn’t think you worked today. She walked easily beside him, heading for the edge of the insanity. Although, to be fair, the entire town would be hopping all summer.

Jimmy didn’t speak for a moment, at least not to her, he called out greetings to townsfolk as they walked by, troubling grins on their faces. She wasn’t sure what was going on.

I switched shifts with Danny.

I see.

His radio crackled and he answered with a tip of his hat to her and jogged off to handle whatever needed his attention. Allowing herself a single moment to do something for herself, she watched him move away, power and poise the same as he’d been on the football field. At her truck, she waved at Mr. Domon, grateful at least he wasn’t hollering about her lack of babies at the moment. However, with him being as he was, she didn’t tarry to give him a chance to say anything. Just hopped in her truck and headed to work.

I’m back, Mr. Rosett, she called out as she walked in the shop, grateful to be out of the hot sun. Sure San Diego had sun but they didn’t have the humidity like Georgia did.

In the back. Nelson called in a few more orders, he wants to get a jump on fishing tomorrow morning. There should be a quartet coming back in, they are wanting to get their fishing licenses.

Nelson Glisi loved to fish, most days he could be found out on the lake in his canoe with a single line in the water and a cooler full of beer beside him.

I know you are helping out Ms. Pollon later but if you are okay for another thirty minutes I have to run, he cleared his throat, out but I’ll be right back.

Sure thing. She looked right away to the bed that Pita usually occupied but realized as he’d been left at home today, she missed him. Mr. Rosett didn’t come through the front, but she figured he escaped out the back.

The door opened and more people swarmed in, they took all her focus and attention until he finally showed up and gave her a smile. Jynx returned it even as her gaze landed on some black smudging on his neck. It looked like ink but she wasn’t sure.

You have something on your neck, Mr. Rosett.

Her boss flushed and rubbed it until she handed him a wet wipe. Must be some ink from the boxes I was touching.

She nodded. Must be.

Not even close Mr. Rosett. I’m the one who opened all the boxes today.

See you tomorrow, she called out, waving as she went to the door.

Staring at her truck she waggled a finger at the person seated in her passenger seat. Breaking and entering is against the law.

Anything to get Deputy Ginger McHottie on over here. Are you sure you don’t want me to call it in so he can lead you off in handcuffs? Tippi waggled her eyebrows as she hollered out the window.

Thanks for that, she muttered.

Sure thing.

And the harpy was still yelling.

Why are you yelling? she demanded in a tone rising to match Tippi’s. "Afraid someone doesn’t know you already have the two of us married with a few children running around? Or perhaps there was someone who you don’t think knows we went on one date."

Are you pregnant with the deputy’s baby?

Tippi, she growled.

Her friend held up her hands. "Fine, I’ll stop with the baby talk. And because I’m the bestest most awesomest friend, I’ll let you in on a secret. You may think that you only went on one date but that man will set anyone straight in this town, visitor or not that you’re his woman. And my sources say it’s been more than one date."

Jynx yanked open the truck door, her anger immediately cooling as it dawned on her she had her friend and an entire back seat of pastries.

Tippi laughed. I’m not dumb enough to poke the bear without providing honey to soothe the wayward beast.

She started the engine, glancing over her shoulder before pulling out. I’m not positive but I’m pretty sure you just referenced me as a bear then started talking about honey.

Her soon to be former bestie shrugged. Even as she drove, she struggled to keep her mind drifting happily along the road that had her thinking about Jimmy and her in any fashion. They’d had one date for crying out loud, it wasn’t time to go pick out his and hers towels.

Even dating Luke she didn’t ever think of him in such a capacity.

You got quiet, what are you thinking about?

Parking, Jynx climbed out and opened the back door as Tippi did the same on the other side of the 1979 Ford F-150 Lariat Super Cab 4x4 her father painted turquoise because it was her mother’s favorite color.

Jynx?

Grabbing a few of the containers, she backed out and swung her hip into the door slamming it closed.

Luke.

Tippi didn’t speak until they met at the end of the truck.

As in your ex-boyfriend?

That’s the one. She lifted her items higher and began dodging people as they went to Tippi’s booth. People seemed to know she was bringing in fresh items for they were beginning to draw a crowd.

Why would you be thinking about your ex-boyfriend?

Jynx pulled up and skimmed up the physique of the man before her. Jimmy Thayer. Still in uniform.

She waited for him to ask her about that too, but he didn’t. Instead he reached out for a container from Tippi then her all without a word.

Sorry, Tippi murmured as they followed him.

He placed the items down at the booth, gave them both a nod and walked off without much of anything being said. She bit back her need to reassure him that it wasn’t anything other than comparing the both of them.

Probably a good thing you didn’t say anything to him, Tippi told her after she’d filled her friend in on what had almost happened. They were moving toward Ms. Pollon’s stand. Tippi had help at her booth and was helping to carry things back.

At the booth she sighed and looked around as Tippi hurried to get in line for something from Mr. Chambers. The wind picked up and she blinked her curls out of her eyes and saw a man slumped over on the picnic table.

Not uncommon for people to get dehydrated here because they weren’t paying attention to how hot it actually was. Walking up to him, she cleared her throat.

You okay, sir?

Nothing.

Jynx shifted to the other side of him, so she could approach without the bench in the way.

Sir?

The man was not moving, like he’d passed out. A partially eaten hotdog rested in the red and white checkered container, covered with a fair amount of mustard.

Please not again.

She touched his shoulder and shook him. Still nothing. Dread filled her and she called out for Tippi.

Go get Jimmy.

Tippi grinned but it fell away fast. Ice cream in hand she did just that. As surreptitiously as she could, Jynx checked for a pulse.

And she wasn’t that lucky for a