Merlot and Murder: A Happy Camper Mystery by Peke M. S

Author:Peke, M. S.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Frost Free Media
Published: 2023-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

18

After Winnie finished with the sheriff, she stood off to the side while they opened the car. It was locked, and they couldn’t find the keys, so someone wedged an air bladder into the slot between the door and the frame, then used a hand pump to inflate the bladder. As it expanded, it pulled the door away from the frame enough that they could insert a metal rod and press the unlock button on the driver’s door. Winnie was amazed that the entire process took less than two minutes. She had no idea it was that easy to break into a car and leave no signs.

The car was cleaned out. Definitely not a typical college kid’s car. From the lack of dust, it looked like someone took the time to wipe the doors, dash, steering wheel, and other items. The trunk was empty, too. No backpack, phone, keys. Nothing. The lack of keys was interesting. How did the car get there without keys, unless someone took them? Another sign that foul play was involved.

Winnie raised her phone and pretended to check her email while she took a few photos without being noticed, then started to walk back to her car. She’d reached the trail when the sheriff caught up to her.

“Ms. Hackleshack, I’d like to give you a ride back to your car.”

“Thanks, but I’d prefer to walk. It will help clear my head.” She turned, but the officer stepped in and blocked her path.

“Ms. Hackleshack, I must insist.”

“Why?”

“Completeness. I’d like to look at your car, just so I can be thorough in my report. I also need to go there, anyway, to see if I can find anyone that may have been out.”

“And if I refuse to let you search my car?”

“A death has occurred, most likely a murder. You’re the only one around, and you’ve admitted a prior relationship with the deceased, however tangent that relationship may be. I don’t think you’re involved, but I need to investigate every possibility. Of course, I can’t force you to allow me to search your car without a warrant, but I think I could get one if I needed to. Even if I couldn’t, I could keep you at the police station all day. Let’s save us both the trouble and play along.”

Winnie rolled her eyes. “You don’t win many awards for a charming personality, do you?”

“Nope.”

“Fine. But I ride up front or I meet you there.” Winnie shuddered at the last time she was in the back of a police car—in handcuffs.

“Fair enough.” He smiled. “See, I can be reasonable.”

“Uh, huh. I think we’re past that. Let’s go.”

Winnie followed the sheriff to his car. He moved papers and a radio from the passenger’s seat, and she got in. Just as he turned to pull out of the lot, another sheriff’s car blocked the path. That one was from Napa County.

The sheriff next to Winnie blasted his horn and let off a string of expletives. She was pretty sure she’d never heard that many in one sentence before, and a couple she’d have to look up.

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