Who Killed the Ice Cream Lady

By W.H. Beswick

Abby Anderson the sheriff of Digger's Cove is looking forward to a good weekend. Things are quiet in town. She is going to spend time with her girlfriend Merry Jo. They have decided to officially move in together. She is up for re-election but Abby is not really worried about that. Then Earl Hicks up and gets himself killed. Someone leaves a box filled with puppies on her doorstep. So much for a quiet weekend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. H. Beswick
• Release date: Mar 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005358815

W.H. Beswick

Lives in Corvallis Oregon

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Earl Hicks could count the number of really good days in his life on two hands. Really good days when he was happy to be alive and thought tomorrow would be more of the same. Still, Earl was fifty-one; that wasn't something to brag about. As he sat in the same recliner his father had sat in, the small-town repair shop owner pondered his life. He was one of those people who thought God had dealt him a lousy hand.

Born in Digger's Cove - one of the smallest towns in the country. A small town that seemed to be cut off from the rest of the world. Almost everyone in town liked it that way. Driving around town in their vintage cars that should have been in a car show. He was driving a 1955 Ford Pickup that he had gotten from his father, who had inherited it from his father. People pointed out that the white paint job was fading, and the tires were getting slightly bald. The car was starting to get so bad. People were complaining. Car maintenance was very important in Digger's Cove. So was keeping your house and yard up. His pickup ran good because Earl could work on it. It did need a paint job and tires. 

All Earl owned everything in the world, including the town repair shop he had inherited. Business has been declining in the last few years. People were getting rid of their old T.V.s and buying these new flat screens, which Earl had no idea how to fix if they broke. The real problem for Earl, even if he knew how to fix those T.V.s, computers, printers, and Blu-Ray players, was it cheaper to buy a new one. The fact was, the days of the repair shop were coming to an end.  His cash cow was vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. However, the kids had been bringing their parents' record players. Vinyl records were making something of a comeback.

Earl had never married. He was a shy sort of man who stood just under five feet. It didn't help that he started going bald in high school. His love of fried food, pizza, and beer had given him a roundish body with long arms, big hands, and short legs. 

Well, you get the idea. The ladies weren't lining up.

Most of the girls in his graduating class had left town for college or just to see what the world had to offer. Earl had the grades to get into college but needed more money. Very few came back, but people had started moving back in the last couple of years. The odds were they had a family home that was paid for and would inherit. Quite a few people wanted to live in Digger's Cove. The problem was very few houses ever came up for sale. There were two small apartment complexes on the edge of town. They had only gotten built because the guy bent backward to give the two buildings a fifties look. Red brick with white trim. 

This made Earl think of Jolene. She was known as the town's heartbreaker. The tall redhead did have the face and body for it. It did appear she liked messing with other people's relationships. She was also the only realtor in town. Earl needed to figure out how she made a living since very few houses came up for sale. Which is why she was running for mayor.  Jolene really didn't want to be mayor. She wanted to build condos. The mayor and city council didn't think condos would fit in with the small town's image. 

Jolene thought she hit the jackpot for a while, but the houses, property, and anything else of value were tied up in court. It was a question of how her cousin came to have so many valuable things. With the cousin dead, Jolene had expected to inherit. 

It looked like she wasn’t going to.

Back to running for mayor and building condos. She did stop using the French accent.

Earl was half-watching the T.V.—not one of the flat screens, but one of the old ones that weighed a ton. Vanna looked a little green and blurred. They didn't give her as many close-ups as they used to.

Like him, Vanna was getting old.

Earl tried to decide if this had been a good or bad week. It was definitely a life-changing day. He had been nervous every day. There were empty cans of beer on the side table. He rarely drank more than one. The pepperoni pizza was barely eaten and had gotten cold. Earl could eat a whole pizza in one sitting, barely letting the thing get cool. 

Now, he just sat there. He had heard about people who had his kind of luck. Most times, it ended very badly. He glanced back at the hallway. He should tell her about his plan.

No.

She was still at work. Earl was desperate not to screw this up. It was supposed to be settled today, but he ended up falling asleep. He had heard depression did that to you.

Right now, his whole life was spinning around like a top. He had just had two life-changing experiences. Earl nodded and decided that everything would be settled this time tomorrow. Then he could have some more good days.

Earl got up and went into the kitchen to get another beer. He had just cracked it open and swallowed half of it when someone knocked on the back door. He knew who it was.

Trouble.

CHAPTER 2

Abby got out of the shower, dried off, and studied her reflection in the mirror. She was looking pretty good. No blemishes. No bags under her eyes. This was going to be a good day; she could feel it. After brushing her hair and deciding against makeup, she dressed in her traditional outfit. Jeans, sneakers that were supposed to be waterproof - important in Oregon – and finally, her Sheriff's uniform shirt. Which was cleaned and pressed, thanks to Merry Jo. After deciding nothing more to be done, she wandered out of the kitchen for her second cup of coffee.

Merry Jo looked up when Abby came into the kitchen. She thought her girlfriend looked cute in the uniform. Her blonde curls hung loose around her freckled face. Someone is in a good mood.

Why did you say that? Abby said, sounding a little needlessly defensive. She looked over at her girlfriend, still amazed this woman loved her. A messy mane of black hair hung around her face, reaching to her slender waist. Everything about her face was perfect. Cheekbones, nose, lips, and those eyes that could look right into your soul. At least, she could with Abby. Light olive skin. The large fluffy bathrobe covered an hourglass-shaped body.

On top of that, M.J. put out a vibe. Everyone felt it, but no one could put their finger on what it was exactly. Aside from being the most beautiful woman in town, Merry Jo was a very successful sculptor. Abby started to make her coffee.

You were singing in the shower, Merry Jo said, sipping her coffee. 

Was not, Abby said, putting sugar and milk into her coffee.

Yes, you were singing that Taylor Swift song. Should I be worried?

Fine. It was SHAKE IT OFF. It has nothing to do with breaking up. Is that cinnamon roll I smell?

Don't get too excited. It's the ones from the tube, M.J. said. The oven dinged. She got up, pulled the rolls out of the oven, and set them on the counter to cool. Don't change the subject. Why the good mood? I like it.

I don't know, Abby said, moving behind Merry Jo and kissing her on the neck. I just woke in a good mood. Last night might have something to do with it.

Yes, last night was fun and exciting, Merry Jo agreed, enjoying the kiss.

So I excite you? Abby said, wrapping her arms around Merry Jo’s waist. 

You are getting me excited now. What time do you have to be at work?

I'm the boss. I go in when I want.

Tempting, but we both have work to do. Aren’t you meeting with the city council?

Spoil sport, Abby said, walking back to her coffee. She watched Merry Jo begin to ice the rolls. Election is coming up. We are supposed to show a unified front. This is why I don't like to run.

Do they actually think Jolene can win? Floyd hasn't got a chance in hell. Are you really going debate him?

It might be fun, Abby said, sitting down. It's another reason for my good mood. It's Friday. It's the weekend."

Crime stops in Digger’s Cove on the weekend?

That's what head deputies are for. We could do something.

There is an art festival over in Cornwall.

Sure, you can explain the art to me.

You agreed to that way too quickly, Merry Jo said, turning around while licking the icing off her fingers. Wait, there is food there. It can't be Chinese or pizza. We have those right here.

Elephant Ears and teriyaki beef on sticks. Plus, I got that new burger joint that has cheese inside the burgers. Cheese into the burgers.

We'll go. It will be fun, Merry said, putting the rolls on a plate and coming over. After sitting down, she smiled. Sweetie, you pretty much live here now.

Is that a problem? Abby asked, sitting up and looking worried.

Calm down. I love having you here.  She patted Abby's hand. Why don't you just move all your stuff in here?

Most of my stuff is already here, Abby said, still not looking happy. Wait. You're not suggesting I sell my house. That house has been in my family...

No, no. I would never suggest that. I'm thinking you could rent it out.

Abby rubbed her face and sighed. That would mean I have to deal with Jolene. I don't want to deal with Jolene.

I could deal with Jolene. If you want?

You are one of the few people in town who is not intimidated by her.

Are you intimidated by her? That surprises me.

I am not intimidated by her. I just don't like her. I definitely don't like the idea of giving her money.

Wait. I can have my money guy handle it.

You have a money guy...of course you do. All rich people have money guys. Could you please handle it for me?

I already said I would. We will get the rest of your stuff out this weekend, and we can put your dad's stuff in storage. On Monday, I will have Connie go in and clean it well.

Don’t forget to call Ernie.

Carpets! Right. So, come Monday, we are officially living together.

Wow, I hadn't thought of it that way, Abby said, picking up a roll and toying with it. This really is turning into a good day.

It is about to get better, Merry Jo said, taking the roll out of Abby's hand and pulling her up. Then, leading her back toward the bedroom. Like you said, you are the Sheriff. They can wait.

CHAPTER 3 

Abby sat at her desk in her small office. A cap with the Sheriff's logo held back her hair in a curly blonde ponytail. The desk, her comfy chair, and the two office chairs in front of the