The Sandcastle Murders Read online

  Raheem put his arm around Charles and the three of them continued walking toward the reception desk as Raheem explained. “Charles and Saori found a body this morning. So, he was involved in that way. Hence, the statement he is kindly providing.”

  Magda took Saori from Charles as they walked. “Do they know who it was? What happened? When it happened?”

  “No. No idea yet, but we’re doing our best to ID the body. We’re canvassing the building now. Listen, do you mind finding Charles a glass of water while we finish up here?” He looked sideways at Magda, guarding his words. He didn’t want to brush her off but realized she was in full-on journalist mode, and that could be problematic given their relationship.

  As a fledgling journalist cutting her teeth at the small-town Stey Cove Sentinel, Magda gained a bit of notoriety in the community, and internationally, for her work on the hit and run that occurred the previous fall. Although it may have propelled her career and choice of home location to the next level and a larger audience, she chose to stay for the time being. Raheem was a big part of that choice.

  Her brow furled, but she placed Saori gently onto Charles’ lap. “Absolutely. I’ll be right back.” Her eyes narrowed at Raheem as she darted off to find the nearest glass of water.

  Raheem watched her walk away until she was out of earshot, and continued. “Are you feeling better?” Charles nodded. “So, you didn’t see anyone around. Did you recognize the victim?”

  “No. I wasn’t even sure it was a person for a minute. I am still not certain if it was a man or a woman.”

  They heard the rapid click of boots on the slate tile as another officer entered the reception area. The officer glanced around and with a determined stride, made his way to Raheem and Charles. “We have an ID. Medic Alert bracelet.” She handed Raheem a piece of paper.

  “So, she was a resident?”

  The officer nodded, “From the eighth floor. Right above where the body was found. I’m headed up there now.”

  Raheem’s gaze caught Magda coming back with a glass of water, husky Sergeant Webb close on her heels. He turned to Charles. “Do you mind waiting here for me? I want to touch base with Sergeant Webb. I see Magda headed in this direction, so I’m asking you not discuss anything with her.” Charles nodded and Raheem quick-stepped toward his boss, cutting Sergeant Webb off before he reached Charles. For that, Charles was grateful.

  Raheem’s sergeant was similar to Raheem in that he was a massive man. He was, however, the more intimidating of the two, and Charles was appreciative that it was Raheem, rather than Sergeant Webb, who arrived at the scene first. Sergeant Webb made Charles feel as though he needed to give a response quickly, accurately, and without embellishment. But Charles often embellished explanations with anecdotes – knowledge acquired from years of quiet solitude where he read everything he could get his hands on.

  “I’ll wait with you.” Magda piped up loud enough for Raheem to hear.

  Charles caught the look on Raheem’s face. It was a solitary glance, directed at Magda, and spoke volumes. She was known to cross the line when it came to researching news stories. It was likely that Officer Khan did not want Magda prying before the police investigated the incident.

  But Charles, for one of the few times in his life, wanted the company. “Yes, please Magda. I would appreciate it.”

  Even from a distance the sound of Raheem clapping his notebook shut made Charles and Magda jump. His voice was firm and loud as he spoke from across the room. “Magda.” Anyone listening would understand the message implied by that word – and it was a firm one.

  She smirked back at him as he turned to Sergeant Webb. “Charles, I just heard the water cooler gossip. It was Sonja Bearns. The name is familiar to me. Do you know her?”

  His shoulders sagged and his mouth fell open. Saori perked up in his lap, nudging his cheek before tickling his face with her rough pink tongue. “Yes. I do know her. But Donna knows her better. I met her a few times last month when Donna begged me to be a fourth at bridge. Sonja and Donna play weekly with Alice and Dave Connor, but lately Alice has not been feeling up to it so Donna begged me to stand-in. Donna will be devastated.” Saori nestled back down into Charles’ lap, content her pal was at least talking and therefore less likely to fall into a stupor.

  Raheem reappeared beside them and smiled at the apparent silence between Charles and Magda.

  “Well Charles, you’re free to leave. And if we need to speak with you again, we’ll drop by. Are you alright to get home?” His concern for the older man was genuine.

  “Yes. Yes, I am fine. Just going to head home for the day, and rest. Not sure why I am so exhausted.”

  Magda and Raheem watched as the older gentleman shuffled out of the resort and Magda whispered, “I’ll check on him a little later. I can’t imagine the shock he must feel right now.”

  Raheem’s eyes lowered toward hers and he shook his head, his voice low. “I think the entire community will be in for a shock when they hear about this.”

  Chapter Four

  Magda’s car crept through the Muirfield Lanes subdivision, past Charles’ condo, on the way to Donna Beaumont’s unit. The two lived a few doors apart and had grown closer since last fall.

  Donna was one of the sexiest, most gregarious, and energetic people over the age of seventy Magda had ever known. Not that she had befriended many seniors in her three short decades. Magda’s friendship with Donna blossomed out of a common need. Magda needed a well-connected community member who was willing to share information, and Donna needed to share information, otherwise known as gossip.

  But it became much more than that for Magda. Donna was a generous, kind, and engaging spirit. She was a pleasure to be around, and though known to be a gossip, she had as much charm and passion in her small finger as most people had in their entire being. Most entertaining to Magda was Donna’s pursuit of Charles Brotter for years – Donna and Charles were opposites at best.

  Where Donna was most often found in skin-tight leopard print pants and a colourful sweater, Charles preferred the professorial-style attire of dress pants, a crisp formal shirt, and a casual tweed jacket. Where Donna wore stilettos in any colour or print imaginable – the more obscure the better – Charles would be found in brown loafers. And where Donna flitted from neighbour to neighbour, checking in for the latest community news, events, or gossip, Charles was firmly ensconced in his own home, reading periodicals or literary masterpieces, with Saori.

  Magda enjoyed them both and found the imperfect relationship between the couple entertaining. Despite Charles’ emphatic protests, she was certain that someday the two would declare themselves an item. Later today she’d stop and check on him. First, she needed to share the news with Donna.

  She parked in front of Donna’s garage, looked for signs of life around the complex, and exited her car just as she heard a shrill voice.

  “Magda! You’re here. What a wonderful surprise. C’mon in with me. I was just down the street at the Connor’s place. Did you know someone was hurt over at the Ocean Castles Resort? I can’t imagine. Such a wonderful place. And such a safe beach – simply can’t fathom someone getting hurt there.”

  Donna was in the habit of sharing gossip and would frequently attach a ‘did you know’ question to her greetings. They were a more a statement than a question – she wanted to be able to share news, good or bad, first. It was a quirk that made Magda cautious of giving her friend too much information, aware that Donna seemed to have no filters when it came to sensitive news.

  “I do Donna. I came over here to tell you.” Magda’s face remained solemn but Donna seemed unaware as she took the young woman’s arm and pulled her toward the door.

  “Oh, how exciting. Do tell.” Pure joy permeated every word she said. It sounded like a song.

  Magda was quiet as they walked to the door. She stalled her response, waiting to get inside the house before she shared the information with her friend. Once inside, she led Donna to the couch.
“I’ll make tea for us Donna. You just sit there.”

  As Magda went through the story of Charles discovering the body of Sonja Bearns earlier in the day, Donna’s form disappeared into the couch bit by bit. Her face, normally a beam of radiant light, took on a greyish hue, her eyes sagged, her lower lip quivered.

  When she finally spoke, her words bubbled out in pained scratches. “Oh, it’s my fault. I knew it. We were working on the White Night Dinner together and I wasn’t giving her enough help. Was it a heart attack? A stroke? Did she faint and fall? Oh, I told her she was too busy.” Tears filled her eyes and crept down her cheeks.

  Magda placed a teacup on the table beside her and took her hands. “No Donna, it’s not your fault. I didn’t know Sonja, but I know you, and you’re one of the most helpful, kind, considerate, and lovely people I know. If some illness caused her to fall off the balcony, it had nothing to do with you.”

  “So, they aren’t sure what happened? Oh my gosh, poor Charles, and poor wee Saori, witnessing that. I must go and comfort them.” Donna’s sobs took on a new dimension at the thought of Charles and she tried to stand, but fell back into the folds of the couch.

  From Magda’s perspective, going to comfort Charles was not a good idea. Especially since Donna appeared to be an inconsolable ball of jelly. “Maybe we can wait a bit for that, Donna. He was at the beach early this morning and I think he’d like to spend the day resting.” She opened her purse and handed Donna a tissue. “Oh, the White Night Dinner. That was why I knew her name. Charles mentioned you also played bridge with her. You knew her quite well, I guess.”

  “Oh. The Connors. They play bridge with her too. We should go tell them before they hear from someone else. They’ll be devasted.”

  There was no stopping her this time. Magda gave up trying to quarantine her friend and followed Donna to the door.

  Chapter Five

  Raheem drove back to the detachment stunned by the morning’s investigation. The location of Sonja Bearns’ body made him doubt the cause of death was a simple fall. The forensics team confirmed his suspicion. Someone had thrown, not pushed – thrown – Sonja Bearns off the balcony.

  A heart attack, while standing at the railing, would cause her to drop, either on her balcony or across the railing. It was unlikely she would have fallen over the railing unless she had been leaning over it. But the body did not land directly below the balconies. It landed on the opposite side of the chain-link fence separating the condos and resort from the adjacent field.

  For moments he considered the possibility of suicide. It was an unlikely scenario given all he knew about Sonja Bearns; he couldn’t picture her perched precariously on the railing and leaping to her doom.

  No, this wasn’t a simple fall or even a leap. This was an act of aggression using strength that few people would have the ability to muster. Someone threw her off the balcony with violent force. This was murder.

  He parked and strode into the office considering how long they could wait before telling Magda, and therefore the public.

  ◆◆◆

  The Connor's excitement at having Donna visit them twice in one day was short-lived.

  “We just played bridge last week. She was healthy as ever. What happened?” Dave Connor’s mind jumped to the most logical scenario for the death of a senior citizen in Stey Cove – a health issue.

  Dave and Alice had been friends with Donna for a dozen years. They moved from Alberta immediately after two of the largest snowstorms in the province’s history, and never looked back. To Donna, the Connors were an enthusiastic and energetic couple who kept up with her energy. To the Connors, Donna was an engaging and entertaining soul who kept them in the know on all the community’s intrigues. This news was no exception.

  “I suppose she could have been leaning over and fell, but that seems ridiculous,” said Dave. He glanced at Donna who shrugged, then added, “Maybe the railing? I wonder if the railing broke while she was leaning against it, and she fell through. I think I’ve heard of that happening.”

  None of the women including his wife, Alice, took up the guessing game. This news was outside of their comfort zones and each dealt with it in silence. How could this happen?

  Magda’s cell phone buzzed and the group jumped in unison.

  She read it once, and a then quickly a second time. Could she believe what she was reading?

  “I’m sorry,” she stammered as she stood. “I have to go. An emergency. Donna, we’ll talk later.”

  Chapter Six

  A day later Magda shared her byline story with Donna, moments before the paper went out for distribution. The Stey Cove Sentinel confirmed the unspoken fears of everyone in the community. Sonja Bearn’s death was no accident. The RCMP found suspicious circumstances surrounded her fall. They had opened a homicide case.

  One week after Saori and Charles discovered Sonja Bearns' body, Magda joined an anxious group of neighbours from Muirfield Lanes. They gathered at the beach bandshell.

  The group had three important reasons to venture out. The first was to plant a tree in honour of Sonja. Donna chose a fragrant young Daybreak Magnolia, blossoming in pink petals.

  “It will bloom in her memory every spring, just before Beachfest begins. And when Sonja’s family comes,” her voice dropped to a whisper, “we can celebrate her life with a party, and place a plaque here.”

  Magda struggled to carry the pot a short distance from her car to the pre-dug hole. Each of Donna, Elaine, Charles, Alice, and Dave tossed a handful of loose dirt into the hole along with the magnolia and their silent prayers. They remained with heads bowed, each contemplating a life cut short.

  Donna shook her shoulders as if shrugging off an unseen weight and attempted a verbal quickstep to lighten the mood. “So, we moved the location this year from the field beside city hall to the bandshell, closer to the beach. It provides a little more ambiance, and connectivity to the festival activities. Perhaps better exposure as well if we want to expand from one hundred and fifty guests to two hundred. Also, the surrounding trees provide more shelter from the wind. And the stage here is built-in, so no worrying about bringing in a flat top truck for a stage. I don’t need to remind you that each of you swears secrecy about this location. It must remain a mystery until the night of the event.”

  This was the second reason the small group gathered in front of the bandshell. They were there to support Donna as she scoped out the location for the White Night Dinner. Three weeks barely provided enough time to regroup. Sonja’s death left a horrible vacancy for Donna, as friend and as a co-worker. Though the festival committee offered to take it off her hands, she felt she owed it to Sonja to see it through to the end.

  When the Connors discovered Donna’s intent to go it alone, they recruited Magda, Elaine Drexlar, another neighbour and close friend of Donna’s, and a reluctant, though gallant, Charles Brotter.

  Charles was not interested in being part of an event committee. It was far too much social interaction for his taste. But he was not about to let his friend wander around the town with an unsolved, and from what they could discern, unmotivated, murder hanging over the community.

  While each member of the group nodded, affirming their oath of silence, Elaine was quick to comment. “It’s perfect, Donna. And so close to the park and the ocean and the sandcastles. Also, stunning. It couldn’t be a better location. I should bring a canvas down here and capture it.”

  Elaine, a local artist, took up painting when she retired and moved to the island. With a natural aptitude for capturing the surroundings of Vancouver Island, she displayed landscapes of the island throughout her condo. In January she gifted her painting of The Black Swan, a local British-style pub, to Officer Khan for his work in keeping the community safe. “Is there anything left to do, Donna? It’s sold out, so no more marketing. With vendors and suppliers booked, there’s nothing left to worry about, is there?”

  “Maybe just a wish for blue skies. I simply need reassurance. What am I m
issing? Sonja and I used to bounce ideas off of each other to make sure we hadn’t missed anything. I can’t imagine there could be something other than torrential rain that might send this off the rails. But, I expect the unexpected. Even if it rains, we’ve made provision for three large tents.”

  As she mentioned Sonja, her voice dropped along with her chin. Magda moved closer to her friend and placed an encouraging arm around her shoulder before Donna continued. “Well, now that you’ve seen it, that’s all I need. And if you come up with something that isn’t on the lists I’ve shared, please call me. The most important piece of this venture is raising funds for the Society of Organized Services, and if everyone enjoys themselves, and it all goes off without a hitch, we can raise more than last year. Nothing will honour Sonja’s legacy better than being able to help the SOS provide programs and services to the community.”