Eighth Witness Read online

  Eighth Witness

  A Writers’ Retreat Mystery

  by

  Kathi Daley

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

  Copyright © 2019 by Katherine Daley

  Version 1.0

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  I want to thank the very talented Jessica Fischer for the cover art.

  I so appreciate Bruce Curran, who is always ready and willing to answer my cyber questions; Jayme Maness for helping out with the book clubs; and Peggy Hyndman for helping sleuth out those pesky typos.

  And, of course, thanks to the readers and bloggers in my life, who make doing what I do possible.

  Thank you to Randy Ladenheim-Gil for the editing.

  And finally, I want to thank my husband Ken for allowing me time to write by taking care of everything else.

  Books by Kathi Daley

  Come for the murder, stay for the romance.

  Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery:

  Halloween Hijinks

  The Trouble With Turkeys

  Christmas Crazy

  Cupid’s Curse

  Big Bunny Bump-off

  Beach Blanket Barbie

  Maui Madness

  Derby Divas

  Haunted Hamlet

  Turkeys, Tuxes, and Tabbies

  Christmas Cozy

  Alaskan Alliance

  Matrimony Meltdown

  Soul Surrender

  Heavenly Honeymoon

  Hopscotch Homicide

  Ghostly Graveyard

  Santa Sleuth

  Shamrock Shenanigans

  Kitten Kaboodle

  Costume Catastrophe

  Candy Cane Caper

  Holiday Hangover

  Easter Escapade

  Camp Carter

  Trick or Treason

  Reindeer Roundup

  Hippity Hoppity Homicide

  Firework Fiasco

  Henderson House

  Holiday Hostage

  Lunacy Lake – Summer 2019

  Zimmerman Academy The New Normal

  Zimmerman Academy New Beginnings

  Ashton Falls Cozy Cookbook

  Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries by Henery Press:

  Pumpkins in Paradise

  Snowmen in Paradise

  Bikinis in Paradise

  Christmas in Paradise

  Puppies in Paradise

  Halloween in Paradise

  Treasure in Paradise

  Fireworks in Paradise

  Beaches in Paradise

  Thanksgiving in Paradise – Fall 2019

  Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery:

  Romeow and Juliet

  The Mad Catter

  Grimm’s Furry Tail

  Much Ado About Felines

  Legend of Tabby Hollow

  Cat of Christmas Past

  A Tale of Two Tabbies

  The Great Catsby

  Count Catula

  The Cat of Christmas Present

  A Winter’s Tail

  The Taming of the Tabby

  Frankencat

  The Cat of Christmas Future

  Farewell to Felines

  A Whisker in Time

  The Catsgiving Feast

  A Whale of a Tail – Spring 2019

  Writers’ Retreat Southern Seashore Mystery:

  First Case

  Second Look

  Third Strike

  Fourth Victim

  Fifth Night

  Sixth Cabin

  Seventh Chapter

  Eighth Witness

  Rescue Alaska Paranormal Mystery:

  Finding Justice

  Finding Answers

  Finding Courage

  Finding Christmas

  Finding Motive – Spring 2019

  A Tess and Tilly Mystery:

  The Christmas Letter

  The Valentine Mystery

  The Mother’s Day Mishap

  The Halloween House

  The Thanksgiving Trip

  The Saint Paddy’s Promise – March 2019

  The Inn at Holiday Bay:

  Boxes in the Basement

  Letters in the Library – February 2019

  Message in the Mantel – Spring 2019

  Family Ties:

  The Hathaway Sisters:

  Harper – Spring 2019

  Haunting by the Sea:

  Homecoming by the Sea

  Secrets by the Sea

  Missing by the Sea

  Deception by the Sea – Spring 2019

  Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery:

  Murder at Dolphin Bay

  Murder at Sunrise Beach

  Murder at the Witching Hour

  Murder at Christmas

  Murder at Turtle Cove

  Murder at Water’s Edge

  Murder at Midnight

  Seacliff High Mystery:

  The Secret

  The Curse

  The Relic

  The Conspiracy

  The Grudge

  The Shadow

  The Haunting

  Road to Christmas Romance:

  Road to Christmas Past

  Table of Contents

  The Gull Island Cast

  The Eighth Witness Cast

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Next from Kathi Daley Books

  Preview:

  The Gull Island Cast

  Jillian (Jill) Hanford

  Jillian is a dark-haired, dark-eyed, never-married thirty-nine-year-old newspaper reporter who moved to Gull Island after her much-older brother, Garrett Hanford, had a stroke and was no longer able to run the resort he’d inherited. Jillian had suffered a personal setback and needed a change in lifestyle, so she decided to run the resort as a writers’ retreat. She is currently working at the local newspaper and living with her boyfriend, Jackson Jones.

  Jackson (Jack) Jones

  Jack is a dark-haired, blue-eyed, never-married forty-three-year-old nationally acclaimed author of hard-core mysteries and thrillers, who is as famous for his good looks and boyish charm as he is for the stories he pens. Despite his success as a novelist, he’d always dreamed of writing for a newspaper, so he gave up his penthouse apartment and bought the failing Gull Island News. He lives in an oceanfront home he built with his girlfriend, Jill, and their dog, Kizzy.

  Garrett Hanford

  Garrett isn’t a writer, but he owns the resort and is considered to be one of the gang. He has lived on Gull Island his entire life and has a lot to offer the Mystery Mastermind Group. He currently lives in the main house with Clara and her cat, as well as his best friend, a feisty parrot named Blackbeard.

  George Baxter

  George is a sixty-nine-year-old writer of traditional whodunit mysteries. He’d been a friend of Garrett Hanford’s since they were boys and spent many winters at the resort penning his novels. George is a distinguished-looking man with gray hair, dark green eyes, and a certain sense of old-fashioned style that many admire. He is currently dating museum volunteer Meg Collins.

  Clara Kline

  Clara is a sixty-three-year-old, self-proclaimed psychic who writes fantasy and paran
ormal mysteries. Clara’s vision that she would find her soul mate living within the walls of the house on Gull Island came true when she met Jill’s brother, Garrett Hanford.

  Alex Cole

  Alex is a twenty-nine-year-old, fun and flirty millennial who made his first million writing science fiction when he was just twenty-two. He’s the lighthearted jokester of the group who uses his blond-haired, blue-eyed good looks to participate in serial dating. He has the means to live anywhere, but the thought of a writers’ retreat seemed quaint and retro, so he decided to expand his base of experience and moved in.

  Brit Baxter

  Brit is George Baxter’s twenty-seven-year-old niece. A petite blond pixie, she decided to make the trip east with her uncle after quitting her job to pursue her dream of writing. She has just published her first chick lit novel.

  Victoria Vance

  Victoria is a thirty-eight-year-old romance author who lived the life she writes about in her steamy novels but has now settled down with her live-in boyfriend, Deputy Rick Savage. Her raven-black hair accentuates her pale skin and bright green eyes.

  Deputy Rick Savage

  Rick is not only the island’s main source of law enforcement, he’s a volunteer force unto himself. He cares about the island and its inhabitants and is willing to do what needs to be done to protect that which he loves. He’s a man in his thirties who is currently in a relationship with Victoria Vance.

  Mayor Betty Sue Bell

  Betty Sue is a homegrown Southern lady who owns a beauty parlor called Betty Boop’s Beauty Salon. She can be flirty and sassy, but when her town or its citizens are in trouble, she turns into a barracuda. She has a Southern flare that will leave you laughing, but when there’s a battle to fight she’s the one you most want in your corner.

  Gertie Newsome

  Gertie Newsome is the owner of Gertie’s on the Wharf. Southern born and bred, she believes in the magic of the South and the passion of its people. She shares her home with a ghost named Mortie who has been a regular part of her life for over thirty years. She’s friendly, gregarious, and outspoken, unafraid to take on anyone or anything she needs to protect those she loves.

  Meg Collins

  Meg is a sixty-seven-year-old volunteer at the island museum and the organizer of the turtle rescue squad. Some feel the island and its wildlife are her life, but Meg has a soft spot for island residents like Jill and the writers who live with her.

  Brooke Johnson

  Brooke is a teacher and mother who works hard in her spare time as volunteer coordinator for the community.

  Pastor Branderman

  Pastor at the Gull Island Community Church.

  The Eighth Witness Cast

  Gina Portland

  The victim: her body was found in the marsh south of Gull Island on January 12, 2016

  Ryan Spalding

  The convicted killer, and Gina’s ex-boyfriend

  Hannah Spalding

  Gina and Ryan’s daughter

  Nolan Girard

  The homicide detective assigned to the case

  Donald Drummond

  The first witness and a neighbor of Gina’s; it was his testimony that led to Spalding’s arrest

  Tina Fairchild

  The fifth witness and Gina’s friend

  Andy Fallon

  The eighth witness and Gina’s boss

  Jeremiah Groverson

  Saved a bunch of people during a flood and the subject of the first newspaper community-interest piece

  Gracie Hartwell

  Jeremiah’s daughter

  Harvey and Celeste Willoby

  Jeremiah’s ex-employer and his wife, who Jeremiah was convicted of killing

  Toby Wells

  The only witness to the murder of Celeste Willoby

  Davis Jagger

  One of three men who came across Jeremiah – he recognized him as having worked for Willoby

  Malcolm Carlton

  Man who died during a home burglary

  Barbara Kent

  Realtor handling Carlton’s open house

  Chapter 1

  Monday, January 7

  It was Monday, and therefore it was Mystery Mastermind night. Alex Cole, a blond-haired, blue-eyed, fun and flirty millennial who made his millions writing science fiction, stood at the front of the room with an easel and a stack of photos, which it appeared he’d blown up just for this meeting. I picked up a stack of old magazines bearing my name, Jillian Hanford, and set them aside so that the table in front of me would be free for my notepad. I had a feeling that tonight’s mystery was going to be complex given the amount of paperwork Alex had brought with him.

  “Go ahead and get started,” I said once everyone was settled around the fire someone had built to chase the chill from the room. It was a blustery evening in early January and the room felt cozy and welcoming.

  Alex put the first photo on the easel and pointed toward the man with dark hair and dark eyes who looked to be in his mid- to late-twenties. “This is Ryan Spalding,” he said in a loud, strong voice that seemed to command everyone’s attention. “Ryan is currently serving a life sentence for killing this woman.” Alex placed a photo of a woman with dark hair and green eyes who also looked to be in her twenties on the easel.

  “That’s Gina Portland,” said Garrett Hanford, my brother, a gray-haired man in his early sixties, the owner of the Gull Island Writers’ Retreat. He’d lived on the island his entire life and so was more likely than the others to know all the players.

  Alex nodded. “That’s right. Gina’s body was found in the marsh just to the south of Gull Island on January 12, 2016. Before her death, Gina was a resident of Gull Island, as was Ryan. The two were no longer a couple at the time of Gina’s death, but they shared a child, Hannah, who was just six months old when her mother was murdered.” Alex held up a photo of an adorable infant, who must be three by now, with chubby cheeks and curly brown hair.

  I put a hand to my chest as my eyes froze on the angelic face of the child. I already knew that this case was going to be a heartbreaker however things turned out.

  “I remember that case,” Garrett said. “The popular opinion of those living on the island at the time was that the murder was going to go unsolved due to a lack of evidence. I remember that the homicide detective in charge was getting nowhere until an eyewitness came forward after several months and provided a statement that led to the arrest of the baby’s father, who, if I remember correctly, had maintained physical custody of the child since her birth.”

  “That is correct.”

  “So why did the dad have custody of the baby?” asked Brit Baxter, a twentysomething, blond-haired pixie, and the newly published author of an immensely popular chick lit novel.

  “According to what I have been able to learn through interviews with those involved in the case,” Alex answered, “when Gina found out she was pregnant, she planned to have an abortion. Ryan managed to convince her to see the pregnancy through by promising not only to take care of all Gina’s medical and personal expenses while she was pregnant but to raise the baby on his own. When Hannah was born, Ryan assumed physical custody of Hannah but, according to what Ryan told me in the interview I conducted with him at the prison, she never actually gave up legal custody.”

  “Okay, go on,” Brit said.

  “After Gina gave birth to Hannah, she entered into a new relationship. I’m still digging through the facts, but according to Ryan, Gina’s new man thought that raising a child would be a hoot and convinced Gina to take back physical custody of Hannah. Ryan was, of course, upset after having raised Hannah since she was born.”

  “So he killed her to keep the baby,” Brit said.

  “That is what a jury determined. As I mentioned before, however, Ryan has maintained his innocence since the day he was arrested.”

  “What happened to the baby?” asked Victoria Vance, a raven-haired beauty, my best friend, and a writer of steamy romances.

  “
Hannah is currently living with Gina’s parents. When I spoke to Ryan, he explained that he was desperate to get Hannah away from Mr. and Mrs. Portland. According to Ryan, the Portlands are a harsh couple who come down hard on the side of ‘spare the rod, spoil the child.’ Ryan told me that during his time with Gina, she shared horror stories of discipline bordering on abuse, and he does not want his daughter raised in such an environment. As Hannah’s surviving parent, he has tried to transfer custody of Hannah to his sister, Vivian, but as the man convicted of killing the mother of his baby, he doesn’t have any say in what becomes of her.”

  “Are you bringing this case to us because you want us to prove Ryan’s innocence, or are you bringing it to us so that we can find dirt on Gina’s parents that would allow Hannah to go to Ryan’s sister?” Brit asked.

  “I think ultimately I would like to see Gina’s real killer found so that Ryan can get his life back and Hannah can be raised by a father who loves her. Ryan would, of course, like for that to happen as well, but at this moment his primary concern is to get Hannah away from Mr. and Mrs. Portland.”

  “Have you been able to confirm Ryan’s claim that Gina’s parents are unfit to raise Hannah?” Brit asked.

  “No,” Alex admitted. “At this point I just have Ryan’s word on that.”

  “Is it possible he is just using Hannah to tug at your heartstrings so that you will help him get out of prison?” Brit added.

  “Yes, I suppose it is possible, but that isn’t what I think is happening,” Alex answered. “When I spoke to Ryan, I found a man who was deeply afraid of what might become of his child. I found a man who naturally would like to be set free but seemed more concerned that Hannah be raised in a household in which she can grow and flourish and not be disciplined into submission.”

  I frowned. “When you say disciplined into submission, do you mean physically disciplined?”