The Inn at Holiday Bay: Clue in the Clam, Kathi Daley [early reader chapter books TXT] 📗

“I agree. I really want to thank you for all your help. You’ve had a lot of great ideas.”

“Just part of the Lonnie Parker Construction package.” He smiled.

Lonnie headed over to join Tanner at the grill, and I headed inside to see what Georgia and Lacy were doing. I was sorry Colt was going to miss the event. He would have enjoyed getting together with friends.

“Oh good, you’re back,” Lacy said when I walked into the kitchen. “Georgia has been filling me in on Holiday Bay’s murder spree.”

“You hadn’t heard?” I asked.

“I heard that Oliver Halifax was found dead. I heard that most folks figured that his death had something to do with the proposed development and his involvement with the developer and the town council. I heard that Henry Goodman was found dead the following day. He’s also involved with the proposed development, so I figured the two deaths were linked to that. But I’ve been knee-deep in sick kids and hadn’t heard about Stan Fairfield’s death or the whole thing with the men’s party week. I can’t believe three men are dead, nor can I believe that seven men from our church went on this wicked week event while pretending to be away at a men’s wealth and power retreat.”

“I don’t think Travis, Don, Lance, and Kurt knew what they were getting into before they arrived,” I said. “I know Stan recruited everyone, so he knew what was really going on, and it seemed that Oliver and Henry might have known as well.”

“Henry is single. He can do whatever he wants, and there’s no one who’s going to care about it. Why would he bother with a week like that? Henry has cash. If he wanted to let loose, why wouldn’t he just head to Atlantic City for the week?” Lacy asked.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Stan is a married man and a respected dentist in the community. If he wanted to spend a few days with hot and cold running women, I could see how he might get lured into something like that. And Oliver clearly has a gambling problem, yet he invests other people’s money. I can see why Oliver might not want news of his addiction getting around. But I’m not sure how Henry fits into all this, and I’m not sure how this retreat led to the deaths of three men, but that is the way it’s looking.”

Lacy wrinkled her nose. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Even after Georgia shared news of the wild weeklong retreat put on by Evagrius Industries with me, I still think the motive behind the deaths might be the proposed development. People who live in the area, especially those who have lived here for a long time, have strong opinions on both sides of the conflict. Lines are being drawn. Neighbors who used to have cookouts together are no longer speaking. My hairdresser told me that she and her sister got into a huge fight over it, and they are seriously on the outs. I know you’re relatively new to the area, so you might not be picking up on the level of tension the way I am.”

“Okay. Say that’s true. Let’s say that the proposed development is at the heart of the murders. Who would want to stop the development bad enough that they’d kill three people over it, and how do the notes in the clams fit into it?”

“It does seem that whoever is behind this knew about the wild week even if it wasn’t the motive for murder.” Lacy pursed her lips. “You said Travis Kubel, Don Perry, Lance Rivers, and Kurt Steadman went to the retreat with the three murder victims.”

I nodded.

“Travis has been very outspoken about his opposition to the proposed development. He even led a protest outside the town hall during the last town council meeting. I think Travis might be angry enough over what he refers to as the murder of our small town to have killed three men, but he doesn’t strike me as the sort who would actually become violent. He actually seems like a pretty nice guy. I would probably go so far as to say that he might have even imagined doing something violent to save the town he loves, but I would be shocked if he methodically killed three men.”

I had to agree with Lacy. I hadn’t picked up the killer vibe when we spoke to Travis, and he seemed genuinely concerned that he might be a target. I supposed that might have been an act, but his fear seemed genuine. “And the others?” I asked.

“Don Perry is not a physically strong man. He opposes the new development, but he doesn’t seem to be as wrapped up in it as Travis is. Based on what I’ve been told, it sounds like the killer got up close to these men, stabbed them with a hypodermic needle, and then moved them to the site where they were found after they died. I don’t think Don could have physically moved these men. At least, not without help. And if he did have help, who helped him?”

“And Lance?” I asked.

“Lance favors the project. I think he figures there will be a lot of construction work available if a project such as the proposed development is approved. I can’t see him as having a motive to kill the men who all clearly supported the approval of the development. As for Kurt…” She paused before continuing. “I’m not sure. Kurt is a hothead, especially when he drinks. I can totally see him getting mad over something and becoming violent. I’m not sure how he felt about the proposed project, but he does have deep-rooted anger issues. The thing is, his anger seems to be explosive. I just can’t see him