The Murder Suite: Book One - The Audrey Murders by Leonie Mateer Read Free Book Online Page A

– so guests could enter easily.    She hoped it wasn’t someone wanting to stay.   She hadn’t quite finished Suite A yet and Suite C still needed fresh flowers, wine and a welcome note.
    She looked up as Constable Driver pulled into the parking spot in front of Suite C.   She watched him get out of the police car.  He looked really agitated. 
    “Good morning,” she called to him. “Can I help you?”    
    Driver walked towards her and she offered him a seat on her patio. 
    “Would you like a cup of tea?” Audrey offered.
    “No thanks,” the constable replied as he placed his hat on the table and kept standing.   Audrey placed the bug spray on the table, removed her gloves and looked at the policeman with interest.  
    “We have had a bit of an accident down in Whangaroa harbor,” said Driver.  “A black Toyota truck has been found floating in the water by the pier.  It belongs to a Doug Blackmore and we are checking all the local motels to see where he might have been staying.” 
    Audrey looked shocked “Doug Blackmore, why he has been staying in Suite C for the past couple of nights.  Nice guy.  Fisherman.  He joined me for dinner last night at the harbor. You were there too.  A bit of a drinker he was.” 
    Driver asked, “When was the last time your saw him?”
    “I offered to drive him home but he said he preferred to walk. It was a nice night and he wanted to get some fresh air.  I think he had a little too much to drink.”  She said. “I didn’t hear him come back - but I presumed he did as his suite was empty this morning and his truck was gone.   Do you want to have a look at the suite?” she asked. 
    “Yes, that would good” Driver replied as he followed her over to the unit.
    The suite looked clean. Bed made. No dishes in the kitchen.  Fresh towels had been placed in the Bathroom. 
    “I changed the linens this morning,” said Audrey. “ I like to get the laundry done early.”  
    Driver walked out onto the deck.  Fresh flowers hung in pots around the deck.  A wooden round table and two chairs sat neatly in the center of the deck.  The hot tub was humming.  Everything looked clean and tidy. 
    “I have a new guest arriving this afternoon,” said Audrey.   “This is a popular unit with the view and the hot tub.” 
    Driver looked at the now familiar, blonde, older woman who was smiling up at him.               
    “Are you sure you wouldn’t like a cup of tea?” she asked again. 
    Driver asked her if she knew why he was staying up north.
    “Fishing,” said Audrey.  “He said that he had come up here to do some fishing”                
    “Do you know what his plans were?” asked Driver.
    “He said he was going to head up towards Cape Reinga and even play some golf. He had prepaid his reservation so there was no need for me to check him out this morning.  I presume he left early.  It is a long drive up there and back.”
    “Why would he be going into Whangaroa so early in the morning?” asked Driver. “It is not on the way to Cape Reinga.”
    “I have no idea,” said Audrey. “Is he alright? Did he get out of the truck before it went in the water?”  
    “We don’t know. We have not found a body and no one has seen him since he was in the restaurant with you last night.” 
    “Oh dear” said Audrey.   “Please let me know if you find out anything.  He seemed like a nice man.” 
    Driver returned to his car and headed off down the driveway.
    She heard him wait until the gates opened. She listened to him speed out and down the street with his siren going.  Audrey returned to Suite C and opened the freezer door.  The fish. She had forgotten to remove the fish.  Quite a nice catch it was.  She removed the plastic bag with the now frozen fillets.  She was going to have quite a treat tonight. 
     
    C H A P T E R   2 2
     
    Something didn’t seem right.  Driver was going through the