The Cabin by the Sea: The Audrey Murders - Book Two Page 9

  “Constable Bromley” he introduced himself “Do you happen to know where Gavin Jenkins is? I see his car is missing.”

  “Oh, I am so sorry Constable but I cannot help you. This morning I noticed his car gone and while he was out I decided to do his garden. Don’t like to disturb the tenants, you see. And I noticed the curtains were not drawn and it looked as though his personal belongings were gone. I used my key to check inside and sure enough the wardrobe was empty and so were the dresser drawers. He had already paid a month’s rent in advance so I have no cause to complain.” Audrey rambled on happily.

  He didn’t leave any message as to where he has gone, or why? He asked looking frustrated.

  “No, but you are most welcome to look inside the cabin” she offered. “Maybe you will find something I missed.”

  Audrey accompanied the constable over to the cabin and unlocked the door “I have placed an ad on Trade Me” she said. “I didn’t expect to be advertising it again so soon”.

  “Nice place” said Bromley “I hear the fishing is good around here”.

  “It’s great. I’ll leave you to it. You know where to find me” she said and returned to the cottage.”

  Bromley paced up and down the small cabin. “Damn! Where can he have gone?” he said. “I will put out a trace on his car and bring him in for questioning. He has some explaining to do.

  He walked over to the cottage and found Audrey sitting on a lounge chair staring out into the bay. “Sorry to disturb you again” he said. “I’ll be on my way”.

  “Oh, please, it is no problem. I am happy to help in any way,” said. “You don’t think Gavin had anything to do with the girl’s disappearance?” she asked.

  “She is no longer missing,” said Bromley. “Her body was found just an hour ago down by Berghams Point. Well it hasn’t been officially identified as Suzy Cunningham but we are pretty sure it is she. Please call me if Jenkins returns,” he said handing her his card “It is very urgent that I speak with him.”

  “Of course” she replied.

  Audrey watched him get into his car and drive away. She sighed as a sweet calmness washed over her. The body of Suzy Cunningham couldn’t have surfaced at a more opportune time. It wouldn’t be too long before they found his car and the deceased Gavin. She liked it when all the loose ends came together so perfectly.

  It must be time for a glass of champagne. She looked at the time – it was two thirty. She should eat some cheese and biscuits as well. “Better not get too tipsy in the middle of the day.”

  C H A P T E R 4 9

  Paul Jamieson had just arrived in Mangonui and had booked a room in a quaint hotel on the waterfront. He chose it because it looked deserted. There was an Indian Restaurant next door but noticed a “Closed for the Winter” sign on the door. It didn’t matter to him. He had not come for the food but to get away from the city and, more importantly, from a job he hated. His boss had accused him of embezzling funds from the company and he had a choice to either resign or be subject to a police interrogation. He chose the former and was looking forward to six months solitude and a chance to try his hand at writing a book. His Mother’s death had resulted in a small inheritance providing funds for his much needed getaway.

  He promised himself no women, no getting wasted, no weed and no socializing until the book was finished. An occasional beer would be ok. In fact he felt like one right now. He walked down the waterfront and saw an old pub. The bar was deserted except for couple of old guys who looked like regulars. He nodded to them and they nodded back.

  “How’s it going?” one asked him.

  “Great” he replied. “And you?”

  “Can’t complain” the man answered back.

  The guys went back to their conversation. Paul could hear them as he sat at the bar only a few feet away.

  “Can’t believe they found her in the bay. Only sixteen she was. Real pretty girl. Shame.”

  Paul wondered what they were talking about. Sounded like a murder. Surely not in this small, quiet town. Then he remembered hearing something on the news about a missing redhead.

  “Excuse me,” he said. “Are you talking about the missing girl who was on the news? Have they found her?”

  “Must be her,” said one of the guys “I guess they have to identify the body but who else would it be?”

  “Real shame” said Paul

  They all agreed.

  Paul asked if they knew of any place around he could rent that was nice and quiet.

  The guys said they didn’t. He finished his beer and decided to take a walk around the small village before heading back to his room. He needed to find a place soon. Somewhere out of the way. I’ll check on Trade Me when I get back, he thought. It is winter and there should be somewhere local at a good price”.

  He thought about the girl found in the bay. “Could be just the story I am looking for. A real life murder mystery.” He hurried back to his hotel room to do some online research. What luck, he thought. I just happened to arrive in a town when a girl is pulled out of the bay.

  C H A P T E R 5 0

  By the time Bromley had returned to the station the news was spreading fast. Social media was taking the place of newspapers and television now. It was more immediate and often more accurate. Police even used twitter to break news. Sometimes Bromley wished they could go back to when you had to wait until the six o’clock news or the morning newspaper to keep up with the news. Now it was instant. A news app on your mobile phone gave you instant access. Updates every second.

  Detective Sergeant Burt had taken the girl’s parents to identify the body. It was confirmed. It was Suzy. They released the news to the media. Bromley knew the Cunningham’s would be devastated. He just couldn’t bring himself to tell them what Suzy was doing at the Taipa Shopping Center that night. How could he? They already had to deal with the death of their beautiful daughter. Finding out she was prostituting herself would be just too much to handle. He wondered if he was holding off telling them because he felt guilty. Why didn’t he know what his daughter was up to? She was with Suzy. Of course they would blame him. They had to blame someone.

  Something was nagging at him. Ever since he had left Audrey’s place he could feel it. Then he realized what it was. Why did Audrey place an ad on Trade Me to find a new tenant for the cabin? Jenkins had paid a month in advance. He might have just gone away for a few nights and packed up his things. He didn’t have to tell his landlady where he was going. Did she know something he didn’t? Did she know he wasn’t coming back? How would she know? Had Jenkins told her he was leaving for good. Was he trying to evade the police and was she helping him?

  He had put a trace on his car. He knew all the police in the surrounding areas were keeping an eye out for it. They would find him. He was sure of it.

  As he was sitting at his desk the coroner called to give him the results of the girl’s autopsy. She had been choked to death. The red blood vessels in the eyes indicated she had been smothered to death a few days ago. Most probably about the time she went missing. She had not drowned, as there was no sign of water in the lungs and had already been dead about twenty-four hours before she was dumped in the bay. Forensics was working on identifying any DNA that might be found in the girl’s body. The results should be in a day or so.

  Bromley knew now he definitely had a homicide on his hands. And he was pretty sure he knew who did it. Proving it was going to be another thing.

  C H A P T E R 5 1

  Audrey was feeling pretty intoxicated when the phone rang. She hated answering the phone almost as much as she hated surprises and she cursed that her telephone didn’t have caller ID. She considered letting it go to answerphone but changed her mind.

  “Hello” she answered evasively.

  “Hi” said a man’s voice. “You have an ad on Trade Me. Is the cabin still available? If so, I would like to come and have a look at it.”

  Audrey liked his voice; so cultured, so refined. “Is it just for yo
u?” she asked

  “Yes. I am looking for a quiet place to write for a few months”. The man offered.

  “As I mention in the ad I require a six month’s minimum commitment,” she said. “How long are you looking at?”

  “Oh six months is fine,” he said. “I am just in Mangonui. Would it be OK to pop around now?”

  Audrey gave him the directions and made a dash for the bathroom. She was not really looking her best. She brushed her unkempt hair and twirled it into a knot on the top of her head. She could make up her face in seconds… moisturizer, powder, blush, eye shadows, eyeliner, and mascara with red lipstick and gloss finish.

  “There” she said admiring her quick fix. She changed into black stretch pants and her favorite v -neck black stretch top. After wrapping a black and white soft scarf around her neck she checked the result in her full-length mirror.

  “It’ll have to do,” she said as she ran over to the cabin to turn on the lights and light a vanilla candle to freshen the air.

  It was only a few minutes before she heard him coming up the drive. She walked outside the cabin and waved at him and pointed to the parking area. He was driving a black Range Rover. As he stepped out she felt her heart race and her knees weaken.

  He was gorgeous! Dark, blonde hair, slight stubble, lean, strong, sexy body. He walked towards her smiling.

  “You must be Audrey,” he said.

  Audrey wasn’t usually lost for words. Communication was something she excelled at. She felt like a silly schoolgirl as she ushered him inside the brightly lit cabin.

  “This is great!” the man said. Oh, by the way I am Paul Jamieson. I would really like to take it.” Getting no response he continued on “I have references. I am quite reputable.”

  “Oh I’m sure you are” Audrey said while thinking, and you have beautiful hazel eyes.

  “Can I take it?” he asked.

  “When do you want to move in?”

  “Tomorrow, if that is alright.” He replied I will email you my references when I get back to the hotel”.

  Audrey was surprised at her instant attraction for this man. It had been many, many years since a man made her feel like this. In fact she could only think of one time and that was over thirty years ago. But that was another time. This was now and her life was different now.

  “That would be fine,” she said. What time do you think you will be moving in?”

  “About ten if that’s OK.”

  “Feel free to have a wander around the property,” she said. “Just follow the sign to the road that leads to the beach. It is a great fishing spot”. There is also a path along the ridge in front of the cottage to the other beach. I will see you at ten.” And she left him to explore.

  When Audrey returned to the cottage she was literally quivering. He had everything she ever wanted in a man; elegance, sexuality, strength, great body, intelligence, wonderful voice; she could go on. She felt wonderful.

  C H A P T E R 5 2

  Bruce Bromley answered the phone.

  “Hey Jimmy,” he said, “I wondered when you would call”.

  “Just wanted to touch base and say thanks for all your help today. There is no doubt it is Suzy

  Cunningham and it would appear to be a homicide,” said his nephew.

  “Was she drowned?” Bruce asked

  “No, she was dead before going into the bay. She was asphyxiated. Seems too coincidental that you found both the backpack and the body close to the Hihi peninsula” said Bromley.

  “I have been thinking the same thing,” said Bruce. “You think it is that Jenkins guy don’t you?’

  “If it smells like a rat it usually is a rat? The policeman responded. I went to talk with him this afternoon and he has already checked out - gone. Must have known we were on to him.

  “Gone? When did he leave? Asked Bruce

  “Audrey said he was gone when she got up this morning. She has already advertised the place for a new tenant.”

  “Audrey said he was gone this morning? That’s strange. I saw her going over to the cabin all dolled up with a bottle of wine about nine-ish last night. They must have had a lovers tiff”.

  “You were spying on them?”

  “Well, yes. I was curious. I suspected Jenkins and just went over for a look to see what he was up to. He seemed pretty pleased to see her. But I couldn’t get too close so I don’t know what they were talking about. I left shortly after she went inside the cabin.”

  “I wonder why Audrey never mentioned their little evening get together.”

  “You don’t think she could be involved do you? Asked Bruce

  “No, never. She doesn’t seem that calculating. Pretty much an open book. Maybe you misread her intentions. She could have just been neighborly. But, as you seem to be finding every piece of evidence, let me know if you see Jenkins car anywhere will you?

  “Absolutely. I’ll pass the word around. But I would think he would be long gone by now.”

  As soon as he hung the phone Bruce called out to Marge “Hey Marge, you haven’t seen Jenkins’ silver Toyota since last night have you?

  Bruce had filled Marge in of the latest details and she was intrigued to say the least. She had been full of questions and had been on the phone with her friends most of the morning relaying the latest news.

  The whole area was shocked. Finding the missing girl in the bay. Now they know it is Suzy Cunningham’s body and she was murdered the police will be swarming the area searching for Jenkins.

  Marge walked inside wearing gardening gloves. “Is it the Cunningham girl?” she enquired. “Do they know yet?”

  “Yes, it is. And it looks like murder. I can’t believe it may have happened right here in Hihi. I think I will ring the boys up the road and see if they have seen Jenkins’ car anywhere. In fact I will take a drive up the peninsula and have a look around. Although I can’t imagine that he would still be around here. He must be south of Auckland by now.”

  Marge agreed and went back to spraying copper on their fruit trees. Marge loved to garden and her fruit trees were her pride and joy. Plum chutney, plum jam, peach jam, peach preserves; she sold them at the Taipa Market.

  C H A P T E R 5 3

  Every television in Northland was tuned to the six o’clock news.

  “The missing girl, Suzy Cunningham’s body was found this morning in Doubtless Bay close to Berghans point only a one or two kilometers from where her back pack was found yesterday. It has been confirmed by the police, working on the case, the cause of death was asphyxiation. Indicating she was dead before entering the bay. The police are considering the death a homicide and are requesting any information the public may have in the case to contact the Mangonui Police Station. They are also looking for a person of interest, Gavin Jenkins, and his car a silver Toyota Celica license number AZQ1459 if anyone knows the whereabouts of Mr. Jenkins or his car please contact the Police with the information.”

  They showed shots from the helicopter circling Berghams Point where they discovered the body. A picture of the pretty redhead was on the screen. A photo of Jenkins silver Toyota was also shown.

  The Cunninghams were seated on their sofa surrounded by family. Mark and Betty were inconsolable. Their grief was profound. Betty kept moaning over and over again. “My little girl, my little girl, why? why? Who would murder my sweet girl?” Constable Bromley had called on them earlier to tell them the news that they were considering it a homicide.

  Mark asked the family if they knew this guy, Jenkins? He couldn’t understand why the police were looking for a man in his fifties in relation to the murder. Constable Bromley had said they were interested in talking to him again because he had been seen near the Taipa Shopping Center where Suzy went missing. Mark had understood that they had already searched Jenkins’ cabin and they found nothing. Now the constable had told him Jenkins had gone missing. Checked out of the cabin with no explanation or forwarding address. The police found this suspicious. Was he responsible for his dau
ghter’s murder?

  C H A P T E R 5 4

  It was just after the six o’clock news when a woman called and left a message for Constable Bromley saying she was Gavin Jenkins’ sister. Bromley returned the call as soon as he received the message.

  “Constable Bromley here from the Mangonui Police. You left me a message?”

  “Yes. My name is Diane Jenkins. I am Gavin Jenkins’ sister. I understand my brother is missing.”

  “That is correct. He was staying at a cabin in Hihi and we talked to him yesterday. However, today when we went by to ask him to come to the station for some further questioning he had checked out of the cabin and left no forwarding address. Is he with you? Have you heard from him?

  “No. I knew nothing about this until I heard it on the news. He is not with me. I can’t imagine where he is. I am worried about him. It is not like him to just take off. Why are you questioning him about the murdered girl? His sister asked.

  “He was just helping us with our enquiries,” said Bromley. “He was seen near where the girl went missing”.

  “If he is missing there is something terribly wrong,” she said. “He is a kind, gentle man. He would not hurt a fly”. I have tried calling him on his cell but it just goes to voice mail”. I am coming up. I should be there in about four hours. I will book myself into the Mangonui hotel. I’ll call you in the morning.

  “Can you give me his cell phone number” said Bromley

  Diane gave him the number and agreed to notify the police if she heard from him. She was distraught. Bromley was surprised by her reaction. Maybe his disappearance is suspect. Did he commit the crime and drive his car off a cliff somewhere. He notified the police crews to look for a possible suicide. You never know and it pays to cover all the bases.