The Secret of Smuggler's Inn: Madison Steele Mystery

By Audrey Hanagan

Maddie and her friends must solve the secret of Smuggler's Inn in this second book of the Madison Steele Mysteries series.

 

Madison is headed to Vancouver Island with her friends, Kris and Sheryl. Swearing off detective work, Maddie vows she's only going to watch her cousin's wedding. Excited to spend a quiet week at the Smuggler's Inn, she becomes intrigued by stories about the Innkeeper's pirate ancestor and his long-lost treasure.

 

After losing their bags to the resident ghost, finding a mysterious cave, and getting caught in a suspicious rockslide, Maddie is forced to admit she's stumbled into the middle of yet another mystery. When it threatens to interfere with her cousin's wedding, Maddie and her friends race against time to solve the mystery, before it's too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Audrey Hanagan
• Release date: Dec 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781778296734

Audrey Hanagan

Growing up in a small mid-western town, Audrey spent her summers playing solitaire and riding her bike to the library to find stories that would capture her imagination. Those books inspired her to join the army, go to college, run a marathon, hike the Grand Canyon, jump out of perfectly good airplanes, and travel the world. Audrey currently lives in Vancouver, Canada with her partner of 30 years and their two adopted shelter dogs, Sadie and Athena. Her latest goal is to visit U.S. National Parks to complete her stamp collection.

Book preview

Audrey Hanagan

The Secret of Smuggler’s Inn

Copyright © 2022 by Audrey Hanagan

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First edition

ISBN: 978-1-7782967-3-4

Cover art by Laura Boyle Design

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

Find out more at reedsy.com

For Eileen, for patiently indulging my many hobbies and passion for books, and encouraging me to put it all to good use by writing this series.

Contents

Chapter 1: Turning Over a New Leaf

Chapter 2: Welcome to Smuggler’s Inn

Chapter 3: Whatever Happened to Uncle Johnny?

Chapter 4: I’m Going to Need a Better Flashlight

Chapter 5: The Black Sheep of the Family

Chapter 6: Who Wants to See a Ghost?

Chapter 7: A Win-Win Scenario

Chapter 8: Dying with Curiosity

Chapter 9: It Runs in My Family

Chapter 10: Missing Luggage

Chapter 11: Searching for Hidden Treasure

Chapter 12: A Great Way to See the City

Chapter 13: Look What We Found!

Chapter 14: Only Thinking of Nick

Chapter 15: Chasing a Thief

Chapter 16: I Didn’t Ask

Chapter 17: What Else Do We Know?

Chapter 18: To Catch a Thief

Chapter 19: Calculated Risks

Chapter 20: A Really Great Team

Synopsis

About the Author

Also by Audrey Hanagan

Chapter 1: Turning Over a New Leaf

Maddie stood on the deck, shivering as she watched the ferry set sail. Her best friend, Kris, thought she was insane for standing outside in the cold, but Maddie got a thrill out of hearing the ferry blow its horn to mark the start of their journey. It was the same feeling she got on a plane during take-off, or when a train pulled away from the station. It signalled the start of a new adventure!

During the two-hour crossing, Maddie liked to walk around the deck. Quite often, the ferry would pass fishing boats and pleasure yachts. Occasionally she would see an adventuresome kayaker braving the ocean waves. Once she had even seen a pair of orcas breaching the water off the port side of the ferry. Maddie knew that wasn’t an option tonight.

When the lights of the ferry terminal finally receded into the distance, Maddie turned and headed inside to warm up. Pulling off her hat and gloves, Maddie glanced at a map to check her location. The ferry she was on was part of a fleet that connected Vancouver Canada with Vancouver Island. Large enough to carry 2000 passengers and 300 cars, it had a lower deck tall enough to accommodate semi trucks.

While Maddie always headed for the deck to watch their departure, Kris liked to make a bee line for the food. Sure enough, Maddie spotted her best friend at a table in the café with her aunt, happily munching on an order of poutine. Maddie had once asked Kris how she managed to stay thin despite her atrocious eating habits. Kris had laughed her off. Chalking it up to a high metabolism, she constantly complained of being hungry. Playing sports year-round, she said she had trouble eating enough to replace the calories she burned in her daily work outs.

Sighing with jealousy, Maddie plunked down into an empty seat next to her friend. Eyeing Kris’ plate, Maddie’s stomach grumbled loudly. Unable to resist, Maddie scooped up a French Fry smothered in gravy and cheese curds and popped it into her mouth before Kris could object. Hey! Those are mine. Stand in line and get your own food, Kris grumbled around a mouthful of food, pulling her plate a little closer.

There’s a ton of food here. There’s no way you’re going to miss a few fries, Maddie smirked, as Kris slapped her hand away when she tried to steal another bite.

Laughing at their antics, Aunt Dee greeted her young ward and asked, Madison, how was it out on the deck? The weather forecast warned we might see a storm blow through tonight.

Aunt Dee was really Kris’s aunt, but she was also best friends with Maddie’s mother. A short, gray-haired woman, Aunt Dee had often stepped in to help Maddie’s mother when she found it hard to juggle a demanding career and being a single mother.

Maddie smiled at her aunt while trying to grab another fry. It was a bit cold and windy on top, Maddie admitted with a shrug. The storm front hasn’t shown up yet. I would have stayed out longer, but got hungry.

While she didn’t share Madison’s passion for travelling, Dee was used to her niece’s obsessions. She had humored Madison’s need to watch their departure countless times over the years as they made this trip to the island. Elizabeth didn’t get home in time to make dinner before I picked you up, did she? Aunt Dee said, shaking her head, knowing the answer before she asked the question. How you two manage to feed yourselves is beyond me. I keep telling you, you need to learn how to cook something more than toast.

Unwilling to either argue with her aunt or defend her non-existent cooking skills, Maddie merely shrugged and absently glanced at the café grill. Sighing, Aunt Dee pulled out her credit card and said, Why don’t you go stand in line and get something to eat? We’ve got plenty of time. Take Kris with you. Based on the way she just inhaled her food, I’m sure she’s still hungry.

Without waiting for Maddie to respond, Kris grabbed her aunt’s credit card and jumped to her feet, You’re the best Aunt Dee! Come on, Maddie, I’m in the mood for a cheeseburger.

Laughing as Kris bolted from their table, Maddie gratefully smiled at her aunt, Thanks, Aunt Dee. I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t looking out for me.

Your mother means well, Aunt Dee shook her head. You know she gets laser focused when she’s working on a case and loses track of time. I was hoping to compare schedules so we could coordinate our holiday plans before we left. Something must have come up to keep her in the office.

That’s the problem. There’s always something important that she needs to take care of at work, Maddie grumbled. Holding up her hand to prevent her aunt from interrupting, Maddie added, I know. She’s got a big job, and that a lot of people depend on her. I just wish she would put me first once in a while. Without waiting to hear her aunt’s reply, Maddie gave her aunt a weak smile and headed off to join Kris, despite having lost her appetite.

Maddie found Kris as she reached the head of the line. Quickly scanning her options, Maddie decided to skip the grill and head for the display of pre-packaged sandwiches. While she wasn’t hungry, it would be a few hours before they landed in Swartz Bay. By the time they drove to Victoria it would be late, so the chances of getting anything to eat at the Inn would be slim.

Sensing her friend’s dark mood, Kris left her alone until they met up at the check-out lane. Bumping her shoulder in greeting, Maddie had to laugh when she saw her friend’s tray piled high with food. In addition to the cheeseburger, she had picked up a couple of bags of chips, an apple, a slice of chocolate cake, a side salad and what looked like a thick chocolate milkshake. Pointing at the salad, Maddie had to ask, I thought you were allergic to vegetables. Since when do you eat salads?

Grinning, Kris replied, It’s for Aunt Dee. She sent me a text me while I was standing in line. Pausing, she searched her friend’s face before asking, Are you okay? You’ve been pretty quiet. Did you have another fight with your mom?

Touched by her friend’s concern, Maddie replied, "It’s okay. Things have been a little tense since the dog show. Mom wasn’t happy when I finally confessed what REALLY happened that last day."

Trouble does have a way of finding you when you’re working on a case . . . Kris said carefully. Brightening, she added, "But hey, she agreed to let you come to my cousin’s wedding, so she can’t be too upset! Besides, what kind of trouble can you get into at a wedding other than catching the bridal bouquet?" Kris smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

Before Maddie could reply, someone bumped into her, making her stumble forward, nearly dropping her tray. Hey! Watch where you’re going! Maddie heard Kris call out sharply. Finding her footing, Maddie turned just in time to see a couple of boys in baggy jeans and dark hoodies shove their way through the line, laughing loudly as they stole fries off a few trays.

Shaking her head, Maddie decided it wasn’t worth chasing them down to give them a piece of her mind. After paying for their food, Maddie followed Kris back to their aunt, carefully balancing her tray as they wove through the maze of tables.

Searching for a light topic they could chat about while Kris plowed through her mountain of food, Maddie asked, Kris, what did you end up doing with Lucky? I know you were worried about finding a kennel on short notice.

Beaming, Kris mumbled between bites of her burger, Mom’s going to drop both Lucky and Chance off at Aunt Dee’s kennel on their way to the ferry. They were full, but agreed to take Lucky as long as he could stay in the same run as Chance. Lucky was a six-month-old husky, golden retriever mix that Kris had adopted from a shelter about a month ago. Kris had been pleading with her parents to let her get a dog for years. Between Aunt Dee showing up on their doorstep with Chance, a pure-bred border collie, and seeing the shelter puppies up for adoption at a dog show in November, Kris’ parents had finally relented. We’ve only been gone a couple of hours, and I already miss my little buddy, Kris pouted. Who’s gonna run with me tomorrow morning?

Don’t look at me! Maddie quickly exclaimed, shuddering at the thought of working out with her athletic friend.

I, for one, will be glad for a little break, Aunt Dee interjected. "Don’t get me wrong, I love Chance, but he’s a bit of a handful. I’ve started calling him Fitbit because no matter what I do to wear him out, the next day he wakes up recharged and ready to go again." Laughing as Kris and Aunt Dee pulled out their phones to share pictures of their dogs, Maddie sat back, content to drink her tea and listen to them swap stories.

Since she had already heard most of them, before long, Maddie’s attention started to drift. Glancing around, she decided to engage in one of her favorite pastimes: observing the people around her and making up stories to describe who they were or what they might be thinking.

The mother at one table looked like she was ready to tear her hair out as she tried to get her two small children to stop playing with their food and finish their dinners. Maddie sensed trouble in paradise based upon the glares she kept shooting at her spouse who, oblivious to her frustration, kept scrolling through his phone.

Next to them, a business woman was typing away on her laptop, occasionally pausing long enough to take a sip of coffee. Looking pleased, Maddie imagined she was emailing her office to let them know she had just closed another big deal.

Near the wall, Maddie could see a young couple with their heads close together, absorbed in their conversation. With the way the young woman played with the ring on her left hand, Maddie guessed they were newly engaged and deciding how to break the news to their parents over Christmas.

Maddie focused back on her travelling companions when she heard her best friend say, I could use a little exercise to walk off some of that food. Kris let out a small burp while happily patting her belly. Gathering up her trash, she turned to her aunt, I know Maddie will go with me. What about you Aunt Dee? Care to join us?

You two go ahead. It’s too cold out there for me. Aunt Dee said, grabbing the tray from Kris. Besides, I’m almost finished with my latest mystery novel. I’m dying to find out who stole the crown jewels.

The butler did it, Maddie said grinning as she rose from the table. It’s always the butler.

Go away! Aunt Dee shooed them off. Don’t spoil my fun. Agreeing to meet back at the car before the ferry docked, Kris and Maddie headed outside to get a bit of fresh air and check out the night sky, leaving their aunt to find a quiet place to sit and read her book in peace.

Brrr! It’s cold out here! Kris complained, shivering against the gust of cold air that blew past them as she pulled open the door to the outside deck.

You big baby! Maddie teased her friend. It’s not that cold. Come on. If we keep moving, you’ll warm up. Ignoring her friend’s complaints, Maddie pulled her friend along, looking for a sheltered spot to escape the wind. Hey, I forgot to ask. Is Sheryl going to be able to join us this week? Sheryl was Kris’ girlfriend. They had been dating for almost a year and were usually inseparable.

Yes! Her parents finally agreed to let her catch a ride with my parents. Kris shared, beaming happily.

"What was the problem? Why did it take them so long to say yes?"

Sheryl said it was just a scheduling thing. They were worried she wouldn’t get back in time to spend Christmas with their family, Kris told her friend, frowning slightly.

But . . . Maddie encouraged her friend to go on.

Sighing, Kris admitted what had been gnawing at her all week. Don’t get me wrong . . . Sheryl’s parents have been really cool about us dating, especially since they didn’t know she was gay until I showed up for dinner.

And . . .

"I think they secretly hope it’s just a phase and that it’s only a matter of time until we break up and Sheryl goes back to dating boys. I mean, come on! What’s not to like about me? I’m polite, loyal, and help out around the house. I treat Sheryl with respect, not like some of those boys she used to date. What more can