Cocktails & Casualties: Crooked Cove Mysteries, #1

By Carly Wayne

Teddy Aarons is a nomad, using her bartending skills as an excuse to move to a new luxury resort with each change of the season. But when she finds herself stuck on the remote island of Mahina Cay, she finds refuge in the quirky little Township of Crooked Cove.

The population of Crooked Cove is full of expats from various countries, and the people are welcoming, but she only intends to stay long enough to make the money to get off the island and back to her real life.. However, when one of the village's most distinguished citizens turns up dead, it's up to her to either solve the case or become a permanent resident of the slammer!

With her new friend Jasmine at her side, Teddy will do whatever it takes to shake out the truth and stir up the real killer to clear her name.  Will she manage to keep herself out of lockup, or will she end up under the influence of the Mahina Cay Prison?

• Language: English
• Publisher: MoonShine Caravan
• Release date: Jul 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223318644

Book preview

COCKTAILS & CASUALTIES

Carly Wayne

Copyright © 2023 Carly Wayne and MoonShine Caravan

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 979-8-398-23453-4

Table of Contents

Welcome to the Jungle

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Workin for a Livin

Burnin Down the House

The Day the Music Died

I Fought the Law

One Way or Another

Free Fallin

Distant Early Warning

Every Breath You Take

Go Your Own Way

Another One Bites the Dust

Would I Lie to You

Free Bird

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Chapter One

Welcome to the Jungle

Well done, Teddy. Just splendid, Teddy Aarons chided herself. She sat morosely on a flat rock, her foot digging into the dirt beside the tire of a four-wheeler she had rented for the day. Sticky heat and humidity clung to her as if it was an extension of her skin, and sweat mixed with grime caused thick tendrils of hair to stick to her neck and cheeks.

She pulled out her cell phone, again — hoping against all odds that service bars would miraculously greet her from within the impenetrable canopy of jungle foliage. What did she think? That the WiFi Fairy would somehow send a cloud of cellular reception her way? But no. Her luck had abandoned her. It never fails, she moaned.

She knelt on the hard earth, eyeing the motor of the broken-down vehicle. She knew a bit about mechanics and had worked on her own motorcycle before, but this was different. Without tools, there was no way to take it apart or diagnose the problem. It had simply died, leaving Teddy stranded in a wild place.

The lush jungle was like a painting; broad-leaved trees soared above her to form a canopy of green, while vines weaved through the trunks and branches. In patches where sunlight shone through, giant palmettos stretched out their sharp fronds and exotic orchids bloomed in every color. Nature's music filled the air. Frogs croaked behind her, birds sang overhead, and monkeys called from afar. But despite all its beauty, Teddy couldn’t help feeling a chill of unease. She loved nature but was nervous being so deep in the rainforest, so far away from any kind of help if something happened.  Snake venom raced through her mind; snakes made no sound, gave no warning. Despite loving nature and its beauty, she dreaded what slithering creatures might hide in its shadows. 

She checked her cell phone again, but now she just wanted to know the time. The cruise director had been explicit — if anyone didn’t report back to the ship by five p.m., the boat was leaving without them, no exceptions. Her phone read five-fifteen. She sighed. It was going to be getting dark soon, so she needed a plan.

Mahina Cay was a small island-nation in the south Caribbean. The island was twice the size of Hawaii and mostly untouched by humans. Most of the land, including its indigenous inhabitants, was protected by government laws from any sort of development. The northern part of the island was bustling with activity due to its popularity as a tourist destination, thanks to its deep harbor in Šipo Ripoza City.

Šipo Ripoza, Mahina Cay was the third port-of-call on her fourteen-day cruise, a present she gave to herself after she finished her last job. She had looked forward to it, people catering to her for a change. A time for rest and relaxation before her next job on Martha’s Vineyard, bartending for the summer crowd.

She had thought it was a great idea, renting an ATV for the day so she could tour the island by herself. And tour the island she did. She explored the unspoiled beaches on the north-eastern shore, and then travelled deep into the gorgeous rain forest that covered most of the interior. There was a highway, of sorts, an unmaintained two lane stretch of asphalt, which ran from the capitol city of Šipo Ripoza, all the way to the southern tip of the island to a village called Crooked Cove. She had been making her way back to the highway and ultimately to the ship when she broke down. Consulting the map that had come with the ATV rental, it looked to her like she was much closer to the southern tip of the island than the north, but it would still be several hours’ walk to the village of Crooked Cove, not including the trek back to the main road. If she walked west, she knew she’d find the road eventually, so she donned her backpack and started walking toward the late afternoon sun, swinging her helmet.

It took forty-five minutes to reach the road, and the sun had already dipped behind the tall mountains on the western side of the island, leaving everything in their towering shadow. It was growing dark, and she didn’t have a flashlight. 

She began to whistle, just to keep herself company and her mind occupied as she walked down the seemingly endless road, the woods closing in on both sides. Suddenly, her own shadow stretched out in front of her as bright lights were pulling up from behind. A car was approaching. She moved to the side of the road and turned to look, sticking out her thumb in the international language of hitchhikers. 

It was a Volkswagen camper van from the 1960’s, the exterior painted with psychedelic colors and peace signs.

Honey, what on earth are you doing by yourself in the middle of the jungle this late in the day? Do you need some help? a woman in the passenger seat rolled down her window. She looked to be in her late sixties, with short dark grey hair and large pink glasses dominating her tiny face.

Hi, Teddy started. Yeah, I could use a lift. My ATV broke down back there and I was trying to get back to Šipo Ripoza.

Oh, you poor thing! the woman leaned out the window. You’re going in the wrong direction for Šipo Ripoza. It is about seventy-five miles back the other way!

Seventy-five? I had no idea I had travelled that far! Teddy looked back as if she could see the capital city from where she stood.

Well, we can give you a lift to Crooked Cove, if you want. There really isn’t anything else between here and there. the woman twisted her whole body to look back down the road.

You mean there isn’t like a gas station or something a few miles down the road?

The woman laughed. Oh no, honey. That gas station closed up, what, Bodhi, around fifteen years ago? she looked at the man in the driver’s seat for confirmation.

Yeah, at least, he replied. The closest place to stay around here is back in Maradiaga, that’s about forty miles north.

Teddy’s mind whirled. She really couldn’t expect these people to turn around and drive her forty miles back to civilization, and she couldn’t stay out in the jungle by herself. It would take her a week to walk that distance, and she had no more water and no food. In other words, she didn’t really have a choice.

Is it okay, then, if I catch a ride with you to Crooked Cove? she asked.

You bet! It’s no trouble at all, the woman jumped out of the van, and opened the side door for Teddy to climb in. My name is Clover, and that is my husband, Bodhi, she indicated the driver.

We’d be happy to give you a ride into town, Bodhi leaned forward and smiled. He looked to be the same age as his companion. He wore an American flag bandanna tied around his forehead, and round, wire-framed glasses reminiscent of John Lennon. The pair looked a little kooky, but probably harmless.

Pleased to meet you. I’m Teddy, Teddy shook Clover’s hand, and climbed in.

The hippie motif from the outside continued into the van. Teddy felt like she was stepping into a time capsule. The fragrant scent of patchouli incense and marijuana smoke lingered in the air. Blue shag carpet covered the floor and wall to wall seating was upholstered in blue velour. In the back, a two-burner stove and small sink were next to a dining table that dropped down from the side wall. A pull-out bed was tucked away on the wall opposite the dining area, with a nightstand supporting a bright pink lava lamp that glowed softly.

Wow, this is really nice inside, she told Clover. I’ve never been in a VW camper before.

Thank you, Clover replied. Penny is our pride and joy. We bought her way back in ’69 right after Woodstock. Believe it or not, she looked a lot worse then than she does now.

Yep. Bought it off Rain Williams for two hundred dollars and a bag of my best weed, Bodhi remembered.

Teddy couldn’t stifle a laugh. You mean you’ve been driving this for over fifty years?

Shoot, we practically lived in it for close to thirty! Bodhi proclaimed.

Teddy found that hard to believe, but she prided herself on her knack for reading people, and Clover and Bodhi seemed like honest folk. She began to relax a little, slipping into her bartender persona, relying on small-talk and friendly comments to create the impression of an affable stranger. I’m really glad you happened by. I was starting to get a little worried sitting on the road like that.

I’m glad we found you. It could be days before another car comes this way, Clover guessed. Honey, I’m glad we decided to ride over to La Perdita today. That poor girl could’ve been stranded. Clover turned around to look at Teddy, There are predators out in the jungle, you know.

Teddy suppressed a shiver. I was a little worried about that.

Well, Crooked Cove is about an hour down this road, and it is the only town you’ll find on the King’s Highway after you get out of Maradiaga, Clover explained.

Is it a big town?

It’s what you’d call sprawling, Bodhi bobbed his head. It’s nothing like the towns up north, but it’s the prettiest place on Mahina Cay, if you ask me.

We’ve got a little farm down there, Clover’s pride was palatable. It’s a friendly place, a small-town community.

It sounds nice, Teddy said, being polite, I’m glad I’m going to get a chance to see it.

Honey you must be thirsty. Open up that fridge and get yourself a water. You can pass one up to me, too, if you don’t mind, Clover pointed to the small refrigerator hidden under a wooden counter along the driver’s side of the van.

Teddy was thirsty. She had run out of water hours ago. She helped herself to a bottle of Agua de Pipa, which she found out was coconut water bottled in Panama.

Crooked Cove is about seventy-five miles off the coast of Panama. You know, where the big canal is? We get a lot of imports from them. Of course, the Agua de Pipa tastes a lot better when you get it fresh off the tree... Clover continued her babble, and Teddy nodded to indicate she was listening. 

They continued down the dark road for close to an hour, a ribbon of asphalt winding its way through the heart of the jungle. There was no shoulder to the road, nor any streetlights, just trees crowding and in most parts, hanging over the road.

Eventually, the van’s headlights landed on a large, painted sign at the foot of a wooden bridge. The sign read Welcome to Crooked Cove and in smaller writing it proclaimed, Elevation 25 feet, Population 1332. Someone had taken white paint and crossed out the 1332 and next to it painted 1327.

Welcome to Crooked Cove, Teddy! Clover echoed the verbiage on the sign. "Once you go over the bridge, King’s Highway becomes known as King’s Lane. This is our Main Street.

Teddy held her breath as they crossed the wooden bridge, because it didn’t look as though it could handle the weight of the van. Once safely on the other side, King’s Lane was lined with several small-town shops on both sides. The main thoroughfare was a two-lane street about three miles long, with a few gentle curves and two cross-streets.

What an adorable little town, Teddy’s eyes took in the quaint shops and their creative names along the two-lane cobbled-stone street.

We do love it here, Clover was exuberant. We’ve been livin’ in Broken Bend for twenty years now. What you’re looking at is basically the town center. You got your barber shop, your dry cleaners, a drugstore, and there’s my shop right there.

This bud’s for you? Teddy read the name over the door.

Clover swelled with pride. I’m a florist. Isn’t the name funny?

Teddy chuckled. A flower shop. Yes, it’s really clever.

The street dead-ended into a roundabout, with driveways for the small parking lot of a convenience store, and the large parking lot of a building three stories tall. It looked like it could be some sort of dwelling, in the island-plantation style. Each floor was a little smaller than the one below it, giving it a layered look, and making them appear as if they were stacked on top of one another.  The building was white, but weathered, with wide wraparound porches on each floor, and overhung roofs on each story of the building that were slightly slanted. On the very top, the roof was pyramid and thatched with large dark brown leaves. The overall effect was charming, welcoming in an unpretentious kind of way, and Teddy fell in love with it instantly. Her eyes were drawn to a large wooden sign next to the steps leading to the first-floor porch. It was etched so that the blue letters stood out, displaying the name The Seven Stars Inn and Tavern.

What a gorgeous house! She couldn’t help but exclaim.

Clover agreed as she opened her passenger side door. Hawk’s place is sort of the heartbeat of the town. He’ll be able to straighten out a room for you, for sure. And we can get something to eat. I’m famished. She climbed down from the van and opened the large sliding door for Teddy. She was starving, too. The pangs in her stomach had been growing more and more insistent over the past hour.

❀ ❦ ❀

The heavy, carved teak double doors were open wide, and they walked into a large alcove. On the left side of the room were the restrooms and a grand staircase leading to the upper levels. The archway on the right was festooned with two bushy palm trees that framed an entrance into a bright and airy restaurant. The exterior walls of the dining room had been replaced by French glass doors and windows that were wide open, letting in the balmy ocean breeze to course through the space. Scanning around, she spotted a long bar running almost the entire length of the room to her left, and behind it was a solid white wall adorned with liquor bottles, glasses, and souvenirs. It wasn't as upscale as what she was accustomed to working in, but it was cozy and welcoming - just what someone would anticipate from a tropical island.

Her eyes were drawn through the room to the scene outside the glass walls, directly opposite the entrance. Past the covered back patio, the land sloped gently downwards to a wide sandy beach dotted with palm trees. A long dock extended from the porch to fifty yards into the sea, and there were a few boats tied to it. Waves crashed onto the shore, throwing white foam into the air. An almost full moon hung low in the sky, and millions of stars twinkled so close she thought she could almost touch them. This was truly paradise.

Teddy estimated about thirty people seated in the restaurant and along the bar, and with her experienced eye she judged the place could hold at least a hundred and fifty before the fire department complained. If there even was a fire department.

Bodhi and Clover were immediately greeted with several shouts of welcome and gestures waving them over to empty chairs at various tables. They returned the greetings with equally warm waves and smiles but took their seats at an empty table closest to the beach. Teddy could smell the salt water on the breeze along with a subtle floral scent from tropical flowers that she assumed bloomed in abundance on the island.

This place feels empty for a Friday night, Clover sat down with her back to the wall.

Well, Javier had to go off island today, so Gloria’s cooking tonight, a beautiful woman leaned against the table wearing faded jeans and a plum-colored T-shirt advertising the bar. She had an order pad in her hand and a pencil tucked behind her ear, so Teddy assumed she was the waitress. Her long, dark hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, revealing a large tattoo on the side of her olive-toned neck that disappeared under her collar towards her shoulder. It looked like it might be some kind of bird, but Teddy couldn’t be sure. The woman also had multiple piercings in her ears, as many as five in each, and a small diamond on the side of her nose. The overall effect made her appear to be tough, but feminine as well. Teddy guessed the woman’s age to be close to her own early thirties.

Oh Jasmine! I was hoping you’d be at work tonight! Here, give me a hug! Clover lifted her arms so that the newcomer could bend down and hug her. The woman obliged. Teddy, this is our daughter, Jasmine.

Your daughter? she tried to keep the surprise out of her voice. She could find no family resemblance. Hi, nice to meet you.

Hello. You can call me Jazz, the woman replied.

Jasmine, this is Teddy... Clover completed the introduction.

We picked her up on the highway, Bodhi interjected.

Jasmine’s eyebrows went up.

Jesus, Bodhi, you make it sound tawdry...She was stranded, dear. Her go cart broke down in the jungle, Clover tried to explain.

Go cart? Jasmine’ brow wrinkled, and she looked at Teddy.

I had rented an ATV for the day, back in Šipo Ripoza. It broke down and I was walking down the highway when your parents rode by and were kind enough to bring me here.

Ooh, it’s a good thing they came along! I wouldn’t want to be stranded out there overnight, she shivered to make her point. Well, hello then, and welcome to Crooked Cove! She smiled. Can I get you all anything to eat?

I am starving, Clover put a finger to her chin dramatically as she decided on an entree. I’ll have the garden salad with grilled chicken on top, and glass of white wine.

I’m hungry, too. I’ll have the double cheeseburger with extra everything, chili-fries, and a large strawberry milkshake, Bodhi told her.

Jasmine rolled her eyes. Daddy, you know what the doctor said. I’ll bring you the grilled mahi with mango and peas. Sparkling water to drink, she scribbled on her notepad.

Bodhi’s face crumpled at the thought of fish rather than a greasy hamburger. He crossed his arms and sat back against the bench.

And Teddy? Jasmine looked at her expectantly.

Teddy swallowed a little pity for Bodhi. The mahi sounds good, I’ll have that, too, she decided in a show of support, she actually thought the cheeseburger sounded better.

Wait! I’m sorry. I forgot you’ve never been here. I can bring you a menu if you’d like to look it over.

No, that’s okay. I’ll have the fish.

Of course! Jasmine scribbled on her order pad.

And a glass of white, Teddy ordered.

We have an oaked Chardonnay that pairs really well with the grilled mahi, Jasmine offered.

Thanks, that sounds perfect.

No problem. Coming right up, Jasmine finished transcribing the order and then put her hand on her father’s shoulder. Cheer up, Daddy. If you eat all the fish, I’ll bring you the milkshake for dessert! She left for the kitchen.

Bodhi you know she’s right, she’s just looking out for ya, Clover patted his hand, and turned to Teddy, Bodhi saw the doctor last week and his cholesterol was over the moon!

Clo! Bodhi groaned.

It’s not a secret, Bodhi! We just want you around for a long time!

Teddy couldn’t help but admire the couple, who were obviously still in love after so many years.

While they were waiting for their dinner, a young man walked in from the beach, he appeared to be in his early twenties. He had a tall, lanky frame, dark skin, and a bright smile with gleaming white teeth. His hair was closely cropped with tight curls forming a halo around his head. His warm, golden-brown eyes sparkled with intelligence and good humor.

Hey, Leo! You been surfing’? Bodhi waved as the man stepped on the porch.

Hi Mr. Guthrie, Mrs. Guthrie, he dipped his head in Clo’s direction as he approached the table. No, I wasn’t surfing, just trying a little shore fishing, but nothing’s biting tonight. I thought maybe with that storm off the coast of Columbia, it might push some fish our way, but I guess not.

Well, maybe wait till the storm gets a little closer this way, Bodhi advised.

Leo, let me introduce you to our new friend Teddy, Clover touched Teddy’s shoulder.

Nice to meet you, ma’am, Leo said with a kind smile.

Teddy liked Leo immediately. His face appeared open and honest.

Nice to meet you, too, Teddy replied.

How’s your sister doing, Leo? Clover asked.

She’s going crazy, all cooped up in the house. She says she’s ready to get back to work, but Doc told her she needs to take at least six more weeks off, so Mom keeps the babies a few nights a week to give her some time to rest and recuperate.

Aww, I’ll drop in on her tomorrow and see if I can do anything to help her, Clover offered.

That’d be real nice, ma’am. I know she’d appreciate the company.

Pull up a chair, Leo, join us for dinner, Bodhi extended his arm toward an empty chair.

Awww, thanks just the same, but I don’t want to intrude. I’m just gonna get an order to go and get back to see if Ma needs any help.

Now I h-hope you good people are not keepin’ my employee out too l-late, another man joined Leo at their table, putting his arm around him. The newcomer spoke with an Italian accent and appeared to be extremely drunk. He was of average height with a round face and a full beard that had grown slightly unkempt. His eyes were bleary and bloodshot, and his movements were slow and unsteady. He wore a stained and rumpled work shirt, unbuttoned at the top to reveal a patch of curly chest hair, and his hair was a shaggy mess, as if he had just woken from a nap. Leo looked uncomfortable. It seemed to Teddy that the man was using Leo to stop himself from falling.

Renzo, you look like you’re having a good time tonight, Bodhi commented in an even voice.

A good time? Naw...just havin' a bite to eat before I head home.

You’re not driving, are you? Clover sounded alarmed.

Well...I don’t know... he started patting his pockets, I can’t seem to find-a my keys. Have you seen-a them? They gotta be here somewhere. He looked around at the tables with glassy eyes.

Don’t worry about it, Renzo. As soon as I pick up my order, I’ll drive you home. Come on with me to the bar so we don’t bother the Guthries. He started leading the drunk man away.

Hey, who was that hot blonde sitting with Clover? I have-a never seen her before... Renzo’s rude comment drifted back to them as he stumbled away.

Bodhi, I’m getting worried about Renzo. His drinkin’ seems to be getting worse, Clover whispered once the two men were far enough away.

Well, he is three sheets to the wind right now, Bodhi agreed. Maybe the separation is hitting him harder than we thought.

Clover turned to Teddy, "Sorry about that, Hon. Renzo wasn’t always like this. His wife ran off a month ago and it looks like he’s spiraling. But Leo has been working for him at the garage for over a year