The Resort Mysteries. Uncle Jack Book 2

Chapter 1

No, I won’t tell you where he is, Cazzie, the usually gently spoken Herb Stott said firmly. She was his boss but he was determined to protect Jimmy.

You’re a very clever private detective, Herb. I know you know where he is. I just want to tell him that the police have found Pete’s killer. He should be told straight away since he was one of the suspects.

I’ve told him. He knows. His response was cool. He paused and looked at her. Leave Jimmy alone, Cazzie. Leave him in peace. It took a lot for him to leave you. He was in pain. You know how much he loved you but you didn’t want him. That’s painful, Cazzie. He’s gone away now, please, leave him in peace.

Herb, he’s been my best friend for such a long time. I can’t just let him go. He said he’d always be my friend. And, Herb, I do love him.

As a friend. You love him as a friend Cazzie, and that’s not enough for him right now. One day it might be, but for now, let him be. Let him find his feet. Let him make a new life. Let him find someone to love him the way he needs to be loved.

No, Herbie! You don’t understand. I realise now. I really do love him.

You need to be very, very sure before you say that to him. Don’t hurt him any more, Cazzie. If you love him, let him go now.

I need him, Herb. I need my friend. The whole Resort isn’t the same without him here. And he was such a good Manager for me. The Resort ran so well and I didn’t have to worry. I need to tell him those things. I need to talk to my friend.

Then write to him if you must. You’re a writer; that’s what you do. Write to him. I’m not going to give you his address, but give me the letter and I’ll get it to him.

Jimmy, my lovely best friend, Jimmy.

I’m sorry I hurt you. I will always be your friend—your best friend I hope. I want to be there for you, the way you have been for me for so long. Please, let me be your friend. You are away on your own now. You will need a friend. Talk to me please.

I would come to see you, but Herb won’t tell me where you are. He says I must leave you in peace. I guess he’s right. It was your choice to go away.

I just want you to know that The Resort is not the same without you just as I am not the same without you. I miss you so much. We have secrets Jimmy, you and I. I will go regularly to our cellar below and think of you until you come back. This is your home, Jimmy. Regardless of what happens between us or in our private lives in the future, this will always be your home. Please come back.

I will never give your Manager’s job or your house to anyone else, Jimmy. Never, ever! They are yours, and only yours. They will be there for you for as long as it takes for you to realise that you belong here.

The Resort goes on . . . I am doing the management role myself. You’ll understand that’s not easy for me. Rick offered to do it but I said no. I don’t want my brother having any more responsibility than he has now, and that job is yours and always will be.

Naomi, you remember Naomi, my friend from Sydney? She’s the one who so well took care of renting out the house I left behind when Uncle Jack left me The Resort in his Will. Well Naomi is coming tomorrow. She says it is time for her to make some changes in her life, so she’s coming to try out life in Queensland at The Resort, and she will give me a hand of course. She’s a very capable woman, and a good friend.

Herb and Patrick are still helping the police in the case of Pete’s murder. I’m proud of them, Jimmy. Usually the police don’t invite interference from private detectives, but Inspector Sutton respects Herb, and young Patrick has been quickly accepted as his assistant. Herb says he’s told you about the evidence they have now. They are not far off making an arrest and that will put the town at rest. So many people here have been suspects; they’ll be relieved to hear that the murderer wasn’t anyone from the Shore Haven area. And then maybe the town and The Resort can return to normal. Herb and Patrick are also about to start again on trying to find out what happened to Uncle Jack. You understand me so well, Jimmy, and you know that I can’t rest until I find out the whole truth about my uncle’s disappearance. He has been so good to me, I owe it to him. And I owe it to the whole town to find out the truth of what happened to him. I’m planning my new novel around the story, and I want to show that a declaration of death after so many years is not enough. It gives no explanation; it provides no peace for those left behind. I need to know it all and I need to know why he left me The Resort, especially since I hardly knew him.

I wish you were around to help me with this. I’m sure you want to know the answers to the mystery as much as I do. But you’re not here. So I will write, if that’s all right with you. I’ll keep in touch and keep you up with it.

I miss you very much, Jimmy. Take care and be kind to yourself.

Your best friend

Cazzie

~~~

Naomi was tired when she arrived. It is a long drive from Sydney to Queensland’s Silver Coast. It was over one thousand kilometres and she had only stopped overnight once in the twelve hour journey. Cazzie took her straight to the cottage she had chosen for her.

I hope you like it Nay. I’ve furnished and equipped it for you for now. You can swap it all for your own stuff later if you want to but you should be comfortable for now.

It’s lovely Cazzie. I truly didn’t expect it to be so nice. I knew you were still renewing the old place and I thought it would still be a bit of a mess. I didn’t expect this.

We are still working. There’s still an awful lot of work to do. There are tradesmen of all kinds on site every day. There are still a lot of cottages that haven’t been done up. It was very run down. It had been abandoned for so many years.

Well, you should be proud; you must have done a lot.

We have. But never mind that now; we’ve got plenty of time to talk. How about you freshen up while I pour you a drink, and I’ll take you to Jack’s Place for food, then you can come back and get some sleep.

When the sound of the shower stopped, Cazzie continued, In case you’re wondering, Jack’s Place is the central admin area. There’s a main building next to the pool with restaurants and barbecue area, and there’s a lounge and library and all that. We have called it Jack’s Place in my uncle’s honour. You can meet Mum and Rick there.

How is your mother? Naomi called through the door.

She’s the same. She’s just the same, Nay. Hasn’t changed; her son’s her pride and joy. Rick’s her wonder boy, and I’m just a selfish bitch. You know, just the same. But she’s settled in well, and she’s fine.

And Rick?

I’m afraid he’s about the same too. I worry about him. Can a Leopard change its spots? I don’t think so, but I hope so. There are many good signs. He has his own house here and I pay him to manage the whole Jack’s Place area. He runs Jack’s Place very well. I think he’s in his element there. And he plays his guitar and sings whenever he likes.

Is the restaurant open to the public, then?

No. It’s only for us who live here and our friends. None of the resort is open to the public. I plan to keep it as my own private place for me and my friends. Anyway, I’ll tell you more later. Here, she said as Naomi emerged take this drink with you while you finish dressing, and we’ll go and feed you.

Rick was at his best to greet Naomi. Cazzie was reminded once again of how likeable, even loveable he was. People liked him instantly. He certainly had a way about him. He knew Naomi would be in need of a drink or two and a meal and he was ready. He had arranged for Nancy, his mother to be there, along with Herb and Patrick, and of course, his partner, Jenny. They were all very welcoming.

So, like me, you’ve left your home and everyone you know to come here? Naomi noticed that Nancy couldn’t miss her chance to get one back at her daughter, Cazzie.

Yes, Nancy, I have. A bit dumb maybe, but I felt it was time for a change. I’m not getting any younger, she laughed.

Did Cazzie tell you not to come? Nancy seemed compelled to continue.

No. She encouraged me.

Well, you must be special. More special then her mother! She told me not to come. Said I was stupid. Said Rick was stupid to encourage me to come to live near my children, my only living relatives. That’s what she did to me, my loving daughter.

Cazzie, within earshot, knew Naomi would cope because she knew Nancy. Naomi had told Cazzie often in the past that she thought Nancy was a horrible vindictive old woman. But as usual Cazzie’s mother had the knack of putting people in awkward spots.

Naomi didn’t like the woman, but knew she had to tread carefully now. She had just arrived, and Nancy was Cazzie’s mother after all. Naomi was usually outspoken; she usually didn’t hold back, but she knew now she must try to lean to her diplomatic side.

I’ve known Cazzie for a long time, Nancy, and I believe she has always had your best interests at heart. If she thought you should stay in Sydney in the surroundings you’ve known all your life, I’m sure she meant it for the best for you.

You think so? She just didn’t want her family here. She wanted this place to herself. She didn’t want her brother here either, and when he came she tried to stop me coming. Her son and his family are still in Melbourne, you know, she went on, seemingly Naomi thought, trying to prove Cazzie in the wrong. If she’d wanted a change she should have gone to Melbourne to help them out with their young family. They both work hard; they could do with someone to help them out. I’ve spoken to Michael, he doesn’t think much of her life and her choices.

Everyone was now looking uncomfortable. Naomi felt she wanted to spit on the nasty old bitch, but, in an even tone, she said, "Is that so? Well, Nancy, each to his own opinion! But you’re here now, and from what I see, the daughter you speak so venomously about, has done you proud.

As for me, I’m glad to be here, and thankful to Cazzie. I’ve only just arrived, but it looks to me as though it will be a very happy place to be—for those who want it to be. She deliberately turned her back on Nancy and went to talk to Herb, who grinned and winked at her.

Well, I never! But Nancy couldn’t be heard above the laughter at some joke shared by the others.

Here, Mum, Rick said, Drink this Gin and Guava and get yourself together. Let the past stay in the past. We’re here to welcome a new resident. Try to find your nice side at least for a little while.

Jenny caught up with him on his way back to the bar. That was nice of you, Rick. Well said, darling. She can be so mean.

Don’t speak about my mother like that, he said sharply. I can say what I like, but you can’t. She’s my mother and you’re only my partner. Remember that Jenny.

Observing, Naomi knew she had witnessed the two faces of the two. Poor Cazzie! What did she do to deserve such a family? I fear there is worse to come for Cazzie.

Chapter 2

As they drove towards Police Headquarters Patrick said, "Let’s hope this is it, Herb, eh? Do you think they’ve made the arrest?

I hope so, but we’ll soon see. You’ll learn in time, young man, not to double guess; not to get your hopes up in advance.

Yes, I get it, shut up Patrick! Well, Naomi seems nice. And how about that thing the other night with Nancy! She’s a mean old dragon sometimes, isn’t she?

That’s one way to describe her, Herb laughed at the younger man’s description.

And what about poor Jenny, eh? I don’t think that relationship will last much longer.

No, I think you’re right. Rick’s a very likeable fellow to those who meet him, but you don’t have to be around him very long to see there’s a darker side, especially with women.

Only with women, I think. I’ve been watching and listening and picking up things about his past. It seems it is only women. He doesn’t treat other men that way. And for mine, that’s a coward. He’s a bully to those who are physically weaker than him.

Very astute!

I don’t like cowards.

Me either. But here we are now. Let’s see what the Inspector has to tell us.

Tom Sutton greeted them warmly. He knew it was unusual for the police to work in with private detectives, but these two were so good at what they did. They had been a great support on this case and they deserved to be the first to be told.

I have good news. We’ve got him. And we’re very sure we have enough evidence to put him away for Pete’s murder. He’s in custody now, but he’s saying nothing and he’s been calling for a solicitor. Simon Campbell’s with him at the moment.

So it was a contract? Someone hired him to do it? Patrick asked.

Yes. We’re sure. Both Herb and I recognised him in the witness identikit.

And we both believe him to be a contract killer. He’s been known as such for years but nobody’s been able to prove it. He’s been arrested a few times but he’s always got off—not enough evidence to hold him, Herb said. His name is John Drake. He remembered him well from another case in the past.

Let’s hope we can nab him this time, the Inspector said. Simon Campbell’s going to act for him and he’s a pretty smart cookie.

What you need is the really guilty one, the one who took out the contract, Herb said, knowing that he was stating the obvious.

Yes, but Drake’s not talking and I’m sure he never will. We’ve got to get the source somehow. Any ideas?

Yes, Herb said slowly, and I’m sure you have too. But finding the evidence to prove it, without the killer’s confession will be something else.

Patrick said, The boat connection! Who was the owner of the houseboat Pete was living on? And the killer knew he was there and arrived and boarded from a boat on the off side. Then he escaped that way. Whose boat was that?

Yes, Pat that’s right, Tom Sutton agreed. And there’s the evidence that Pete was blackmailing someone. Forensics is working on the imprints of the blackmail letters he wrote. There were several and the imprints in the pad are all jumbled on each other. They’re checking his computers as well. He had so many; it’s taking a while. I’m pretty sure who it is. But it will be big and we need to be very sure we’ve got the evidence nailed down.

It’s the mayor, isn’t it?

Pat! Stay professional! We can feel sure, but we mustn’t guess until we can feel safe to say it aloud. The Inspector was gentle in his reprimand. He liked young Patrick and wanted to foster his potential.

Sorry, sir!

We must get out of your hair now, Herb said. "We will be watchful. I’d like to speak to Rick Norton—carefully. He and Pete knew the mayor of Upper Haven from a long time back. I need to speak to him anyway because they brought the mayor’s boat here from Melbourne, and it links with the Uncle Jack mystery. It was at