The Missing Couple: A Carl Barnes Mystery

By Jo Ann Taylor

A young loving couple sets out to make their mark in life through a blog enterprise, while at the same time finding adventure as they tour historical sites and national points of interest in their recreational vehicle.

Ride with them as their once happy relationship sours and mistrust, deceit, and jealousy dominates their lives and leads to murder. Trace the steps of this tragic situation and the ultimate resolution in the wilds of the Grand Canyon.

Detective Carl Barnes is once again called upon to lend his expertise to unravel this heartrending and complicated mystery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662487675

Book preview

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The Missing Couple

A Carl Barnes Mystery

Jo Ann Taylor

Copyright © 2022 Jo Ann Taylor

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-6624-8762-0 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-8767-5 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

About the Author

Chapter 1

Detective Carl Barnes scurried up the boat dock to purchase a ticket on the Catalina Express bound for Los Angeles. He looked back toward the beautiful harbor and reflected on his recent investigation.

His stay here was certainly different than his joyful visits as a kid to the island. His investigative assignment here was filled with sorrow and brought him too close to the brutality inflicted upon a beautiful woman, a friend to many, and seemingly a loving mother.

He had been involved in many ruthless murder cases but this seemed so senseless.

In the late thirties, his young uncle was working in Avalon for the summer months at a popular café just off the main boat ramp. All the tourists would exit the Great White Steamer and quickly head for the welcoming café. A merciful chance to recover from the swaying and bouncy trip they had just experienced. Almost everyone got seasick from the two-hour voyage and sought the welcoming dock to help them get back to normal. They prayed some food might ease their upset and complaining stomachs.

The trip over to the island could be so rough at times that people had to visit the nurses' station below for orange juice and medication. If you stayed above, out in the fresh air, you could possibly make the trip without getting seasick.

His grandmother was always so anxious about Perry being so far away during the summer break from high school that she would take any opportunity to purchase a round-trip ticket for herself, for Carl, and one for his small cousin, Sylvia.

She ‘had' to check up on her youngest child and make sure he was behaving himself! In her view, life could have too many distractions and temptations for a young maturing teenager. She thought it best to check up on the state of things rather than be sorry.

Generally, Catalina Island was a very safe place for young people to visit or work during the summer school break. The islanders sought of kept their eyes out for the safety of the young crowd, and the youngsters respected and pretty well followed the rules of behavior. The islanders needed the summer help and the students appreciated the money and summer fun.

Most of the tourists were out for a summer adventure and the chance to visit the famous island, regularly visited by Hollywood movie stars.

If they were lucky enough to be able to stay for the night, they could attend one of the popular dance events in the Avalon Ballroom. It wasn't unusual for very well-known dance bands to be booked for weekend engagements in the glorious ballroom.

Oh, Carl reflected on those days again, a safe and exciting place where boaters found a peaceful haven and tourists found the excitement of an ocean voyage not too far away and the possible kinship with the movie world.

Carl thought out loud about his investigative assignment, Why do people always have to destroy beautiful things? Why would two famous people, with all their talent and luxuries, fall victim to jealousy, rage, and revenge? He could only shake his head in disbelief.

Now at last, seeing the Catalina Express just coming out of the horizon, Carl picked up his gear and readied himself for the quick trip across the channel to the mainland. The Catalina Express trip was certainly not like the old rough trip on the Great White Steamer. He certainly could count on a shorter more comfortable experience.

He was so looking forward to landing and then boarding his plane flight back to his home in Wyoming. He smiled to himself at the thought of his comfortable cabin and inviting fireplace.

It wasn't a long flight home, but when you added in the layovers, it took several hours to reach his final destination.

He was welcomed by the sight of his faithful car awaiting him; he could hardly wait to be back with some peace and quiet and his favorite lounge chair. He couldn't get there fast enough. This investigation had taken a toll on him; he was feeling his age.

His cabin was a welcomed sight for his weary body. He rushed to take his gear in, hang up his coat, and get back to the comfort of his home.

He stacked several large pieces of pine wood in the fireplace, wadded up several pieces of newspaper, and placed small starter pieces alongside the bigger wood logs. Finally, a small blaze poked its head from under the wood. With the hope of a roaring flame, he poured himself a stiff drink of whiskey and settled down in his favorite overstuffed chair to enjoy the warmth and coziness before eating some dinner.

Thinking back, he had to admit to himself his last case was very fatiguing. His inviting but small cabin was a far cry from the historic hotel on