Sabrina Carlson Cozy Mystery Anthology Read online

  Rick was a muscular forty-two-year old man who spent a great deal of time in the gym. He had a handsome oval face and short brown hair.

  Meanwhile, Steven was younger and paunchier than his fellow deputy. He had a square face, scruffy black hair, and a mustache.

  The moment I spotted the deputies, I decided to push the paperwork aside. At least for a few more minutes.

  I greeted Rick and Steven with a smile. “Good morning.”

  “It’s morning, all right. But I wouldn’t necessarily call it a good one,” Rick said.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. “What’s the matter?”

  “Let’s just say that I could use a vacation right now,” Rick replied.

  Steven chuckled. “You and me both.”

  “Do either of you have a vacation scheduled?” I asked.

  “I wish,” Steven said.

  Rick grimaced. “Yeah. A vacation isn’t really in the cards for me right now.”

  “That’s a shame,” I said.

  “That’s just the way life goes sometimes,” Rick said.

  I bit the corner of my lip and then replied, “I’ll tell you what. Your coffee is on the house today.”

  Rick’s eyes widened. “Really.”

  I nodded. “You both look like you could use a break.”

  “Thanks, Sabrina,” Rick said.

  “Yeah. That’s really nice of you,” Steven said.

  “No problem. It’s always a pleasure to help out the boys in blue,” I said. “I know how rough it can get out there on the streets.”

  “It sure can,” Steven said.

  “And it’s safe to say things have been pretty hectic lately,” Rick remarked. His nose then scrunched. “Speaking of police work, where is your husband?”

  “He’s already at the station,” I said.

  Steven’s eyebrows rose. “Wow. Getting an early start, huh?”

  “You know how it goes sometimes,” I said.

  “I sure do,” Peterson said.

  “Why do you think we need such strong coffee?” Wilson joked.

  I laughed. “You two stay safe out there, all right?”

  “Will do,” Rick said.

  Chapter Five

  When Rick and Steven left for the police station, I finally got around to doing that paperwork in the back office. Unfortunately, the next few hours were a grind. Then again, that wasn’t much of a surprise. Paperwork was always a pain.

  At the same time, keeping busy distracted my mind from how much I missed my daughter. Unfortunately, the moment I completed my work, my thoughts drifted back to Jessica again.

  It wasn’t just that I was worried about her. It also felt so odd, having her so far away. I was used to coming home from Daley Buzz in the afternoon and seeing her smiling face. That wouldn’t be the case anymore. Instead, when I returned home that day, the only one there was my dog, Sebastian.

  Thankfully, Jessica had promised to video chat with me later that night when she finished up with all of her classes. I had a feeling that would be the highlight of my entire day.

  ***

  That evening, as I opened up my laptop and began video chatting with Jessica, I was filled with excitement.

  “It’s so good to see you,” I said.

  “You too,” Jessica said. “So, how are things back home?”

  “You just moved three hours away and finished your first day at the police academy, but you’re asking how things are here in Treasure Cove?” I said.

  Jessica nodded. “Uh-huh. So, how are they?”

  “Honestly, it’s not the same without you here. Just ask Sebastian.”

  “Is he still at the door?”

  “No. But he’s on the sofa in the living room with a perfect view of the door. He’s on the lookout for you, that’s for sure.”

  “That photo you sent me of Sebastian sitting in the entryway was so cute.”

  “Speaking of, I have an idea.” I got up from my chair, grabbed my laptop, and brought it over to Sebastian.

  When I pointed at the laptop, Sebastian looked at the screen and saw Jessica. He immediately put his paw out.

  “Oh, Sebastian. I love you,” Jessica said.

  Sebastian barked.

  I gave Sebastian a few pats. “It’s okay.”

  “How about dad?” Jessica asked. “How is he doing?”

  “He’s turning your old bedroom into a workout room as we speak,” I deadpanned.

  She didn’t catch the sarcastic tone in my voice. “Are you serious?”

  “Of course not. He misses you dearly. We both do,” I said.

  “I miss you guys, too,” Jessica said.

  “Enough about your father and I, though. I’m dying to know. How are things with you?” I asked.

  “Fine,” she said.

  Uh-oh. I expected her to reply with far more enthusiasm. So, when she didn’t, I couldn’t help but wonder if something had happened to her.

  I looked deep into her eyes. As expected, I could see that something was off with her. She was trying her best to keep her emotions under wraps, but she wasn’t fooling me.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Nothing,” she said.

  I didn’t believe her. To start, if her facial expression wasn’t telling enough, her brevity gave her true feelings away. After all, my daughter was rarely at a shortage for words. One-word answers were almost unheard of.

  “Jessica, I know something happened. So, tell me, what’s going on?”

  She exhaled. “It has just been a long day.”

  “How so?” I asked.

  “What can I say? Being here is just a big adjustment for me. I’m in a new city. I don’t have any friends here. There’s only one other woman in my entire class. And if that isn’t enough to wrestle with, my instructor started out our first class by trying to get people to quit.”

  “Hold on a minute. You just gave me a lot to process. Let’s start with your instructor. Did you just say that he tried to get you to quit?”

  Jessica nodded. “He began the class by talking about how hard it is to be a police officer. How only the strongest of wills can make it. And how if anyone in the class had even a shred of doubt about being a cop, they would be better off quitting rather than wasting another minute in the police academy.”

  My eyebrows rose. “Wow. You’re right. That isn’t exactly what you want to hear on your first day.”

  Jessica shook her head. “It sure isn’t. But I understand why he did it. I mean, criminals aren’t going to take it easy on us, so why should our instructor?”

  “So, after what happened today, does it mean you’re having second thoughts about becoming a cop?”

  “No,” Jessica said. “Make no mistake. I’m not quitting. Not now. Not ever. It was just a rough first day is all.”

  “All right,” I said. “I just figured I’d ask.”

  “I just think it will take me a little while to adjust to all these new things that have been thrown at me.”

  “I certainly understand that. Leaving home is hard enough. But dealing with three or four life changes at once makes things especially tough.”

  She took a deep breath. “It sure does.”

  I tried to cheer her up. “I have good news for you, though.”

  Jessica’s eyes widened. “What is it?”

  “As hard as this day was, I know that things are going to get better for you.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “I can just feel it in my gut.”

  “Mom, I know you’re just trying to comfort me. But it’s not like your psychic. You can’t predict the future.”

  “True. Although, my instincts are usually pretty spot-on.”

  “I can’t argue with that.”

  “Besides, the first day is always the hardest. Whether it be college. A new job. Or the police academy. Day one is when life throws all sorts of curveballs your way,” I said. “So, think of things like this. You’ve made it thro
ugh day one and you’re still standing. That’s a victory in itself.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “Of course, I’m right. I’m your mother,” I said.

  Chapter Six

  By the time Jessica and I finished video chatting, my daughter was in better spirits. That was good to see. Before I went to bad that evening, I prayed that day two at the police academy would be a lot easier for her than day one had been.

  When I woke up the next morning, I went about my usual routine. I took Sebastian for a walk, made breakfast for David, and then headed off to Daley Buzz. Once I was done with work, I returned home and read a book for a little bit until my husband finished his shift at the police department.

  After clocking out, David swung by the house and picked me up. My parents had invited us over for dinner that night. It took less than ten minutes for David and I to arrive at my parents’ green Victorian-style home on Sycamore Grove Trail.

  The moment my tall pear-shaped stepfather, Luke, opened the front door for my husband and I, my nostrils were treated to the delicious aroma of casserole wafting in the air. That was paired with the wonderful smell of garlic mashed potatoes. There was no doubt in my mind that dinner would be fantastic. Sure, the menu was heavy on comfort food. But at a time like that, I could use the comfort.

  My stepfather led David and I into the kitchen where my slim-figured, jet-black-haired mother, Elizabeth, was looking at a square cardboard box on the counter.

  I had a good feeling about what was inside that box. “Did you buy a cake from Mitchell’s Bakery?”

  My mother turned to me and smiled. “Guilty as charged.”

  I shrugged. “What’s the special occasion?”

  My mom smiled. “Are you kidding? I’m retired. I don’t need a special occasion to buy cake.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” I said.

  My mother walked toward me and gave me a hug. “So, how are you doing?”

  “Well, I talked to Jessica last night, and she had a rough first day at the academy. But I have a feeling that she’ll be fine in a few weeks.”

  “Sabrina, were you even listening to me?” my mom said. “I asked how you were doing. Not your daughter.”

  “I’m hanging in there,” I said.

  Instead of responding to me, my mom looked at David. “Is she?”

  David was taken aback by my mother’s question. I could tell he was confused about why my mom had put him on the spot.

  “Mom, I already answered your question,” I said.

  “True. But were you being truthful with me?” my mom asked.

  I threw my arms out. “Why would I lie to you?”

  My mother put her hand up. “Honey, don’t get all bent out of shape. I’m just concerned about you.”

  “Because?”

  “That’s what mothers do. You’re worried about your daughter and I’m worried about you. Now, tell me the truth. How are you really doing?”

  “It has been a rough couple of days,” I said.

  “That’s what I thought.” My mother gave me another hug. “I’m here for you. After all, I know exactly what you’re going through. I remember what a wreck I was when you went off to college.”

  “Really?” I said.

  My mother nodded. “Ask your father. He’ll tell you.”

  I looked at Luke.

  “It was a difficult time, that’s for sure,” he said.

  My mother scoffed. “It was more than just difficult. Let’s be honest here. I cried like a baby for an entire week.”

  “Are you sure you’re not exaggerating a little?” I asked.

  My mom shook her head. “Absolutely not.” Her forehead wrinkled. “Wait. Haven’t you been crying?”

  I quickly tried to change the subject. “Why don’t we discuss something else?”

  “That sounds like a yes to me,” my mother said.

  “Now, you’re the one who wasn’t listening to me,” I said. “I’d prefer to talk about something else. Anything else, really.”

  “Sabrina, you don’t have to be embarrassed. There’s nothing wrong with a good cry. Especially during an emotional time like this,” my mother said.

  I held my hand up. “Let’s get back to you for a second. You said you were a wreck for an entire week after I left for college.”

  “Uh-huh,” my mom said.

  “How about the second week?” I asked. “What happened then?”

  My mother took a deep breath before responding, “Well, slowly but surely things started getting back to normal.”

  “Just like that?” I asked.

  My mom shook her head. “Not quite. Chocolate played a part in my recovery.”

  Luke held his pointer finger up. “A big part.”

  “You’re right,” my mother said. She then looked at me again. “In all honesty, those first few weeks that you were gone was when I perfected my chocolate chip muffin recipe. And with good reason. I probably made six dozen muffins during that time.”

  I scratched my chin. “So, that’s the real reason you sent me that care package consisting of nothing but chocolate chip muffins. You had more muffins than you knew what to do with.”

  My mother nodded. “I sure did. But I have to admit, all that chocolate therapy helped.”

  “Are you saying I should go chocolate crazy then?” I asked.

  “It’s better than going completely crazy,” my mom joked.

  I laughed. “True.”

  Before I got another sentence out, David put his hand up.

  “Can I stop you ladies for a minute?” David asked.

  I shrugged. “Why? We’re on a roll.”

  “I can see that. It’s just that if you keep mentioning chocolate, I’ll want to skip dinner and go straight to dessert,” David said.

  I laughed.

  My mom then turned her focus to the oven. “Speaking of dinner, let’s eat.”

  I rubbed my tummy. “Sounds good to me.”

  Chapter Seven

  As expected, the meal was delicious. In addition, the dessert was absolutely incredible. All in all, it was a fun night.

  After such a pleasant evening, I was ready to head home and get some sleep. Unfortunately, life had different plans for David and I.

  I was in the master bedroom changing into my pajamas when David got a call over his police radio.

  “Uh-oh,” I said. “A call at this hour?”

  David reached for his radio. “Here’s hoping it’s nothing to serious.”

  My husband walked into the living room to take the call in private.

  Meanwhile, I stayed in the bedroom and prayed for the best.

  ***

  A few minutes later, David rushed into the room with a look of shock in his eyes.

  “Get dressed,” he said.

  My eyes widened. “Why? What happened?”

  “There has been a fire,” David said.

  “Where?”

  “Rick Peterson’s house.”

  My heart sank. “Is Rick okay?”

  David shrugged. “I don’t know. The fire department is at his house right now, trying to put out the blaze.”

  “Do they think he’s inside?” I asked.

  “I don’t have an answer for you,” David said. “But I can tell you this. A number of people at the station have called Rick’s cell phone and he hadn’t picked up.”

  My face went pale. “That’s not a good sign.”

  “It sure isn’t. Anyway, we need to get over to his house, right away.”

  I quickly changed out of my pajamas and darted out to the car. David fired up the ignition and floored it over to Lassen Drive.

  ***

  Rick owned a blue Victorian-style home. At least, he used to. As David’s car approached the house, the entire place was engulfed in flames. A fire engine was on the scene. As was an ambulance. A dozen firefighters were doing their best to douse the flames, but the fire was putting up a serious fight.

  David and I go
t out of the car and watched the firemen battle the blaze. I felt so helpless, standing off to the side, knowing there was nothing I could do.

  It was a difficult thing to watch. After all, everything that Rick owned was inside that house. The longer the fire burned, the more likely it was that Rick would lose everything. That was sad to think about.

  So much so that I had to look away. As I tried to find something else to focus on, I caught sight of another disturbing scene. This one was taking place beside the ambulance that was parked on the street.

  Two paramedics were looking at what appeared to be a body. I approached them to get a better look. When David saw me leave his side, he followed me.

  When we reached the paramedics, we were horrified by what we saw. A dead body was on the ground in front of them, all right. But the corpse had been burned so badly that it was impossible to identify the victim.

  David spoke with the paramedics and got all the details that he could. Apparently, when the firefighters first arrived on the scene, they went into the house looking for survivors. This body was all they found. Unfortunately, the victim was already dead when the firefighters carried the body out of the house. Considering the fact that Rick Peterson lived alone, there was every reason to believe that he was the deceased.

  Chapter Eight

  The firefighters were able to put out the flames a few minutes later. But the damage had already been done. Both physically and emotionally. It had all happened so suddenly. Not to mention, it was a complete surprise. There had been no warning signs whatsoever.

  I was completely devastated by the discovery of the body. As bad as things were for me, however, they were infinitely worse for David. My husband was a complete wreck.

  He began to tear up.

  I reached into my purse and grabbed a tissue for him.

  Soon it became clear that one tissue wouldn’t be enough.