The Cabin by the Sea: The Audrey Murders - Book Two Read online

  The Cabin

  by the

  Sea

  The Audrey Murders

  Book Two

  Leonie Mateer

  The Cabin by the Sea

  Copyright © 2013 by Leonie Mateer. All rights reserved

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, and events is entirely coincidental

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law

  __________________________________________

  Published in the United States of America

  ISBN-13 978-0-9908351-1-0

  1. Mystery/Crime/Fiction

  2. Women’s Fiction/Crime

  9.22.14

  Dedication

  For my Mother

  Who wrote every day of her life

  C H A P T E R 1

  Gavin leaned across the table and grabbed the morning paper. He was not computer literate and preferred to find what he wanted in the classified section of the paper. He flicked through the pages until he found ‘Properties for Rent.’ Peering through his cheap reading glasses he started going down the list. Nothing. As usual there was nothing that appealed to him. He noticed his coffee had gone cold and headed off towards the coffee pot for a refill.

  He heard his sister in the next room getting ready for work. Gavin knew he had outstayed his welcome and very soon she would ask him to leave. He dreaded moving out. He had nowhere to go and no one to go to. His future had disappeared into his past. Divorce, retirement and homelessness had unfortunately coincided leaving Gavin at the mercy of his sister’s benevolence.

  “Gavin,” he heard his sister calling, “Gavin, where are you?” He could hear the irritation in her voice. She appeared in the kitchen all pumped up and pompous. Her long, straight blonde hair flowed over her wide shoulders and down her broad back. His sister had eaten her way into a lonely existence. Her once slim physique had drawn men like bees to honey. Gavin thought she was probably a lesbian in denial. She had no children, no pets and in her later years had started hoarding. At first it was little things like newspapers and magazines kept in piles in the spare bedroom. He could tell she wanted him to leave so she didn’t have to hide her frustration at having him in her precious space - spaces that needed to be filled.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “I have been checking online and found the perfect place for you,” she said with sheer glee. “It is quiet, fully furnished and overlooks the ocean. It sounds just what you have been looking for.”

  Gavin thought she had no idea what he was looking for. If he didn’t know, how could she possibly know? His sister produced a sheet of paper with the property details along with a photo of a little cabin surrounded by lawns and trees. “I have already emailed them and arranged time for you to view it,” she said.

  Gavin took the paper and began to read.

  A Cabin by the Sea

  Private, secluded and fully furnished.

  14 acres of native bush * overlooking the ocean

  Suitable for one adult

  $200.00 per week

  No pets, No smoking, No children

  Owner lives on property in separate cottage

  Gavin put the paper in his pocket and filled his empty cup with hot brewed coffee. He may as well check it out. The price was right and the seclusion was what he was looking for. And, better yet, he could get out of here where he wasn’t welcome.

  C H A P T E R 2

  The driveway was lined in the tallest pine trees Audrey had ever seen. They were planted so close together that a few dead ones simply rested on stronger healthier trees. They leaned precariously inward towards the driveway creating a sinister threat to anyone daring to drive the long distance to the cottages.

  It had taken her six months and every penny she had managed to recoup from the sale of her chalets to renovate the dilapidated cabins and release the view from the old gnarly pine trees which had grown like weeds on the hillside and now lay spread eagled on the bush floor.

  A second hand mower took care of the lawns around the two buildings and four sheep took care of the newly exposed acres of freshly sown grass and clover. Audrey still had to take care of the fencing situation as the pro kiwi Nazis had threatened to shoot them on a number of occasions when they had been spotted wandering aimlessly up the steep gravel road in the search of fresher grass and tastier morsels.

  As she pulled up in front of the little white cottage with a bright red awning she took a moment to soak in the beautiful ocean view. Perched high on the hill she could see for miles. Karikari peninsular was in the distance and the red sandy beaches of Cable Bay contrasted with the deep blue shades of a quiet ocean. A lone fisherman was fishing off his kayak not far from the shore. Pleasure boats buzzed in the twinkling water. She reached over for her handbag forcing herself away from the quiet moment knowing she had to face a new reality.

  For weeks now she had made the trip from The Three Suites to her new home. Each time bringing boxes filled with unwanted and long forgotten keepsakes. Everything of value she had owned was now the property of the new owners. All her furniture, books, music, DVDs, pots, pans, rugs and linens were now just memories.

  She forced open the weathered glass door and walked inside. The second hand furniture was a sorry replacement for her previous life of luxury and wealth. She opened up several boxes on the kitchen floor and began to unpack worn linens rescued from The Three Suites so she could make her bed. Tomorrow would be a better day. Audrey had arranged to meet a man who was interested in renting the cabin. A man she was hoping would be just the perfect tenant. And, if so, he might just be her next project.

  C H A P T E R 3

  Audrey peeked through the cream linen curtain at the car coming up the gravel driveway. She had heard him stop at the gate and hoped he had closed the gate behind him so the sheep would not escape again. Audrey had never met her neighbors and she didn’t care to. She just knew she had pissed them off by her sheep constantly absconding. There were only a handful of residents on the peninsula and they were all neatly tucked away down long driveways with bolted wooden gates like her own.

  Her bruised self-esteem had taken a severe beating since she had sold The Three Suites at a terrible loss. But she had managed to scrape through the past year with just enough money to renovate the two old cabins on Tiromoano; her family’s fourteen acre neglected property. She hoped this was a suitable tenant for the cabin pulling up to her recently graveled parking area.

  Audrey tucked a loose strand of bleached blonde hair under a hairpin and made her way up the path to greet her new guest.

  “You must be Gavin. Welcome to Tiromoana. I hope you had a pleasant drive here”. She looked with interest at the tall lean man in his late fifties. He reached out his hand in anticipation of a formal welcome.

  “Nice to meet you” he said as Audrey grabbed his hand in an enthusiastic squeeze. “Found it no trouble. Good directions. You have a great view here. Just what I am looking for.” He said enthusiastically.

  Audrey led the way to the cabin and through the open door and watched as the man’s eyes wandered over the freshly painted interior with light timber beams and snap-together fake wood panel flooring. The furniture was fresh and cozy and she had decorated the walls with original paintings of sea
side landscapes. Audrey was proud of the results. Second hand kitchen cupboards and furniture was all she could afford but she had managed to create respectable accommodation for any discerning tenant.

  This was her fourth applicant for the cabin. She had quickly rejected the other three on line. She didn’t want anyone with a family or small children. The cabin was really only suitable for one adult and the right tenant had to be as reclusive as her. Since her financial ruin she hated to socialize. Making small talk and pretending life was wonderful only made her feel more alienated from the world. She just wished she didn’t need to share her isolation with someone else. But, it would not be for long. It had been far too long since her last “project.”

  Her thoughts were interrupted by the man’s question. “Is there good fishing here?

  “Yes, she said. We have a private road to the rocky beach which is great for fishing“.

  Two hundred dollars per week you are asking?” he said.

  “Yes, paid monthly in advance with a one month’s deposit” Audrey replied. “Why don’t I leave you to look around? I will be in the cottage next door,” Audrey suggested as she made her way across the short distance between the two buildings.

  C H A P T E R 4

  Gavin sat at the small square wood table and looked around the one -roomed cabin. The queen bed sat at one end with a small blue painted side table. He thought the big blue lazy boy chair looked quite comfortable and admired the new LCD flat screen television perched atop an old chest of drawers. He opened the door to the small bathroom and was disappointed there were only a shower and not a bath. But the room looked clean and well organized. The kitchen was fully stocked. There was everything he would need, an oven, microwave, washing machine, kitchen pots and pans, crockery, cutlery. He pulled back the curtains and exposed a large wardrobe. He grimaced as he remembered how little he actually owned. A couple of pairs of jeans, a winter jacket, rain gear, some sweatshirts and a few pairs of boots were thrown in the back of his car along with a fishing rod, crayfish pot and an old tin box.

  He walked outside to the wood stained deck. A couple of wood benches and a green plastic table sat on the far end of the deck. Big potted plants sat either side of the sliding door. The view from the cabin was more rural. Freshly mowed lawns, fruit trees, tall pine trees and random fences marked the boundary around the two buildings. The ocean view was further across the property towards the front of the cottage. He wondered if he would be allowed to use the table and chairs overlooking the ocean or if they were out of bounds to the cabin tenant. He must ask the owner. He wandered over to the little white cottage and found her sitting outside.

  “I’ll take it,” he said. “How soon can I move in?”

  “As soon as you like.” said Audrey

  “Is now OK?” He asked presumptuously. “I have a four hour drive back to my sister’s house where I have been staying and I would much prefer just to settle in today.”

  “I am rather reclusive.” Audrey said eyeing him up and down. “I am looking for someone who also prefers to live in peace and quiet. Do you know the area up here?”

  “Can’t say I do” he replied. “I am just looking for a quiet place to live and do some fishing. I can pay you in cash for the deposit and the first month’s rent. Would that be acceptable?”

  Audrey knew she would not find a more suitable tenant. She said she would organize the lease agreement while he moved his belongings into the cabin. After all, Audrey needed the money and he obviously needed somewhere to live immediately. She made her way inside to find a blank rental agreement. Her bright green eyes watched curiously as the man made his way over to his parked car. He was not an unattractive man but she could tell he was on hard times. His gaunt appearance and disheveled clothing could not hide his obvious good upbringing. He spoke with an educated voice and his manner seemed pleasant and respectful.

  The man removed a couple of bags from his car and made his way into the cabin. He returned to remove a fishing line and tackle box and placed them on the wood deck.

  Audrey walked over to meet him. “There is a shop about ten minutes north from here” she said. “I guess you will need to pick up some supplies.”

  “Great” he said. “I will head out there shortly. First, I would like to wander down to the beach and check out the fishing spots”. Audrey gave him directions to their private road to the waterfront and handed him the rental agreement.

  “I have made it out for a six months term, she said. If you want to stay longer that is great. But I need a six months minimum term if that is OK”.

  “Yes, fine.” The man said as he took the paper from her. “Here is the money.” He counted the notes from a large bundle of notes in his hand and took her pen, signed the paper and handed it back to her. Audrey took the money and the agreement and left him to explore the property.

  C H A P T E R 5

  Bruce Bromley was curious about his new neighbor. He made an excuse to his wife who was busy mucking about at the bench in the kitchen. “Just going to check on the traps,” he said as he made his way out the back door towards the bush track.

  `“Don’t be long” called his wife “lunch will be ready in twenty minutes.”

  Bruce had been feeling his age lately. He had just turned sixty-five and wondered if he would ever experience the excitement he felt in the good old days. His forty-year marriage had left him a hollowed and drained man.

  He saw her. Her hair was the color of corn. Her body was strong and straight on a short frame. Dressed all in black. He could feel adrenalin pumping in his veins as he held back the thorny branches of the gorse bush blocking his full view.

  She was bending over arranging boxes in the back of a Rav4. He could see the full, rounded shape of her buttocks. Suddenly she stood upright. He panicked and cursed as the thorns of the gorse ripped into his arm. “Bloody Hell” he muttered.

  He saw her look over at his hiding place as if she knew he was there. He was too far away and well hidden in the brush. He watched as she grabbed a box and headed down the little concrete path towards her cottage and out of his sight.

  Bruce sucked at the newly formed drops of blood and made his way back to the house. He kicked off his gumboots exposing wooly black worn socks. His stature was thick and stumpy. His thick black hair was now a long forgotten memory replaced with a widening bald circle that shone uncomfortably atop his rosy round head. Bruce always wore a mustache. His wife hated it. Said it was like a dead mouse stuck to his upper lip. But then, she didn’t like much about him anyway. She slept in her own bedroom at the other end of the house. Said he snored. But he knew it was because she didn’t want to be touched anymore which left him with a deep longing and an aching sadness. His wife called from the kitchen “Lunch is on the table”. The thought of the lady next door was giving him an appetite. “Coming!” he called.

  C H A P T E R 6

  Gavin called his sister to tell her he was moving into the cabin and to thank her for her help. He could tell she was relieved he was not coming back. He immediately began to unpack his few belongings into the tall chest of drawers. He hung his coat in the wardrobe and made his way outside to explore the beach and check out the fishing. It was not a warm day and a cool wind was blowing off the ocean. He would pick up some bait when he went into town for supplies.

  The road to the beach went along a grassy high ridge. It was gated at both ends to keep the sheep enclosed. He saw two lambs and two grown sheep at the end of the ridge. They were obviously pet sheep and came running towards him expecting some sort of welcome or food. He gave them neither and shooed them away.

  At the end of the ridge the gravel road led down a steep incline towards the ocean. Huge pine trees bordered the road interspersed with manuka (tea tree) and native ferns. He could hear the waves crashing against the rocks, as he got closer to the shore.

  It was a beautiful sight. Black rocks with swirling yellow seaweed and clear turquoise water rising and falling like ocean breaths with t
he incoming tide.

  A huge black rock protruded out into the sea. “The perfect fishing spot” said Gavin. I made a good choice moving here, he thought as he made his way back up the steep windy road back to the cabin. As he approached the cabin he noticed the sky beginning to darken as gray clouds began to form overhead. “Looks like rain” he said.

  C H A P T E R 7

  Constable Bromley was doing his usual morning rounds. A leisurely drive through the main street of Mangonui took all of five minutes. The small historic resort settlement in the far north of New Zealand comprises of a handful of restaurants, a four-square convenience store, which is also the local bank and post-shop, and a couple of touristy shops struggling now in the winter months as the population shrinks to its mere fifteen hundred residents.

  Mangonui means “big shark” derived from the Maori myth of Taniwha who, in the form of a shark, accompanied the canoe Riukaramea into the bay. Tucked in the waters of scenic Doubtless

  Bay it was once a whaling settlement and one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand. Fittingly named, “Doubtless Bay,” when Captain Cook said “Doubtless a bay” after sighting it.

  Today, Mangonui is a middle class town - a little on the upper crust side with comfortably off retirees who play croquet, bridge and bowls at local clubs.

  Constable Bromley didn’t expect today to be any different from any other winter day. The wind was howling across the bay causing waves to crash angrily across the narrow street.