Buried by the Beach by Ellen Jacobson

Author:Ellen Jacobson [Ellen Jacobson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ellen Jacobson
Published: 2022-07-12T00:00:00+00:00

4

“X” Marks the Spot

Later that evening, I was in the marina office, killing time while I waited for Ben to arrive. We had made plans to rendezvous after his band rehearsal so that we could try to figure out Cora’s mystery.

While I looked at the books on display, I reflected on the clues we had found so far. First, there were the three pieces of paper in the envelope Cora had addressed to me—a math problem, a photo of the treasure map from the historical museum, and a letter fragment. At the museum, we had discovered two additional clues—a different math problem written in pencil on the original treasure map and an old key hidden in an envelope on the back of the map.

Just thinking about the math problems gave me a headache, so I pushed that to one side of my brain and concentrated on the letter. The line that said, “I hoped things would die down in a few years and you could return to Coconut Cove,” made me think that it had been written to Cora. She had fled town after the jewelry theft. Did the writer think that Cora would no longer be under suspicion in a few years? And if that was the case, who had written the letter? Who believed her name would have been cleared?

Nancy’s shrill voice interrupted my thoughts. “Are you just going to stand there all day or are you going to buy something?”

“I’m just browsing.”

“We don’t browse in here, dear.”

“Well, you can’t expect me to buy something without checking it out first.” I picked up a book about sailing in the Bahamas and started leafing through it. “Just give me a few moments so I can see if this will meet our needs.”

She leaned against the counter while I examined the book. “Did you hear about Everett Hazelton and Cora Goodwin?”

“I was right there next to you when it happened.”

She frowned. “No, not at the waterfront park. Later this afternoon at the hospital.”

I looked up from the book. “What happened?”

“Everett stormed into her room, demanding to know what she did with the jewelry. When she didn’t answer he held up a pillow and threatened to smother her with it.”

I put my hand to my chest. “She must have been terrified.”

“She was. She started screaming, and one of the nurses ran into the room. They called the police and hauled Everett out of there, but Cora was still so upset that they eventually had to sedate her.” Then, her gossip session finished, she pointed at the book in my hand. “Time’s up. Are you buying the book or not?”

“I’m not sure. Scooter has been talking about sailing to the Bahamas one of these days.” I flipped through the pages, then tapped my finger on one of the nautical charts at the back. “I think Mrs. Moto might enjoy going to this island given its feline name.”

“Let me see that.” Nancy grabbed the book, adjusted her reading glasses, and peered at the map.

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