The Final Flashpoint Read online

  Table of Contents

  Excerpt

  Praise for Iona Morrison

  The Final Flashpoint

  Copyright

  Dedication

  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

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  A word about the author…

  Thank you for purchasing

  Also available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc. and other major retailers

  Jessie rolled onto her side and drifted off to sleep. A swirling mist drew her to the edge of the woods. She couldn’t see anything through the dense fog, only a narrow pathway twisting around the trees. Enticing, the foggy haze seduced her to move one step closer. Jessie paused. She didn’t want to go in alone. Panicking, she started to turn back before it was too late.

  “Jess,” Matt’s faint voice called out to her. He sounded wheezy and breathless, and she could hear the pain in his voice. Where was he? She glanced around, hoping to see his familiar face.

  “Jess…” The call came again. She shivered. Matt was in the darkness, and death had come to play. The faces of those tortured young men danced in the mist before her. Her feet refused to move. She was paralyzed with fear. The silence around her was deafening.

  “Jess,” he screamed out her name once more, trusting her to aid him. Tears filled her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. This time there was no way she could help…

  Praise for Iona Morrison

  “Morrison's Blue Cove mystery novels are quite simply a joy to read. The town is filled with great characters and Jesse and Matt have that 'X' factor. The stories are well put together highlighting important issues for all of us. The books are a great read with plenty of 'edge of your seat' moments. I have no hesitation in recommending the books to all my friends.”

  ~Brian Mulholland (Ireland)

  “I am a devoted fan of her stories…I find her characters to be like family to me now and the setting, Blue Cove, is where I would like to live, which I do in her stories. I hope she keeps writing because I can't get enough!”

  ~Vickie Atencio

  The Final Flashpoint

  by

  Iona Morrison

  A Blue Cove Mystery, Book 6

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

  The Final Flashpoint

  COPYRIGHT © 2018 by Iona Morrison

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art by Debbie Taylor

  The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History

  First Fantasy Rose Edition, 2018

  Print ISBN 978-1-5092-2196-7

  Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2197-4

  A Blue Cove Mystery, Book 6

  Published in the United States of America

  Dedication

  Dedicated to the memory of Dorothy Gates, my aunt. Married for 72 years she left a legacy of love to all who knew her.

  Chapter 1

  “Why? God, why? My life can’t end like this.” His anguished cries flooded her mind. Jessie lifted her head, tossing aside the book she was reading. Where was he?

  “Please help me find him,” she uttered, glancing at the noisy surf. The normally calm cove looked like a cauldron of churning water. Dark clouds were gathering out at sea. The wind was blowing stronger than when she had first arrived; an afternoon storm was in the early stages. The angry ocean thrust wave after wave onto the beach, spilling its contents on the sand.

  His tormented cries intensified. The scene that played in her thoughts propelled her out of the chair and onto her feet. She scanned the coastline. The beach was empty except for a few joggers. Yet, the sobbing persisted. Pushing her glasses on top of her head, she walked closer to the water’s edge. Warm, humid air swirled around her in the wind. Shivers danced down one arm and then the other. The water seemed fixed on thrusting something caught in its grasp closer to the shoreline. Driftwood perhaps. It was getting closer, whatever it was. And then she saw someone sitting alone on the rock jutting out into the water as the incoming tide inched closer to him. “Are you all right?” she asked, taking an unguarded step toward him. He lifted his head, stared out to sea, and then his eyes locked on her face. It was happening again! In one intense moment, she knew it was this man’s body inching closer to land.

  Frozen in place, she shielded her eyes from the sun’s glare and together they watched the waves move his body, pushing him, tumbling ever closer until the moment the ocean spit him ashore near her feet. Shock rippled through her, and a vivid scene flashed in her mind.

  “Move, don’t just stand there,” she hissed. Reaching for the phone in her purse, she snapped a picture and made the call, trying to steady her shaking hand. “Matt,” her words tumbled out, “his body landed at my feet. He’s dead. Hurry!” Tears spilled down her cheeks.

  “Slow down, Jess. Who’s dead?”

  She took a deep breath. “Some man,” she stammered, “the waves pushed his body ashore. I’ll send you a picture.” She walked away from the prone form, but not from his piercing eyes. “He’s a young male. And just between us,” she gasped, “his ghost is watching me at this very moment.”

  “Damn, Jess. Where are you?” Matt asked. She could imagine the look on his face. He was every bit the cop planning his next moves.

  “I’m at my favorite spot down from the Inn.” She shuddered when she looked at the motionless body. “Please hurry, the guests from the Inn will make their way here soon. I’m not feeling comfortable being alone with him, either.”

  “I’m on my way, sweetheart. Hang in there. I know you’ll have more to tell me when I get there. I can hear it in your voice. Stand guard over the body and don’t let anyone near the area. It’s a crime scene now.”

  “I’ll do my best,” she told him.

  “Phone Katie for me, will you? Let her know we’re closing the beach for a while, my orders. Tell her to send her guests to the marina.”

  “I’ll call her.” Jessie could see the ghost standing over his body. What must he be thinking, or did they think? �
�See you soon…the sooner, the better.” She pressed her hand to her throat.

  “I’ll hurry.”

  She sat on the edge of the chair and made her next call. “Katie, you have to keep your guests away from the beach area today. A body has washed ashore, and the police are on their way. The beach is closed as of now, Matt’s orders.”

  “Are you kidding me? Of course, you’re not. Why do I even bother to ask?” Katie grumbled. “What should I tell my guests?”

  “Tell them what I told you. The police have closed the beach. Encourage your guests to go to town or the marina for the day. I’ll let you know when the beach reopens again for them to use.”

  “All right, but I’m not happy about a body on the beach. You’ll need to keep this quiet. No one will come back to the Inn if they find out. Geez, a dead body on my beach. Just a minute.” She heard Katie tell a guest the beach was closed. “I’m back. Tell the guys they can eat dinner here tonight when they’re finished. It’s the least I can do for the police working in the area. I’ll want details as soon as you have some you can tell me.” Jessie heard her take a deep breath. “Dylan, how I love the man, is tight-lipped when it comes to cases. Kind of like you in that regard.”

  “I tell you what I can and so does he, I’m sure. I’ll let the guys know about dinner.”

  “Perfect, then they can answer any questions my guests might have about why the beach was closed, instead of me. Hopefully, without talking about a body.”

  “A good plan; talk to you later.” Jessie jumped to her feet.

  “Okay, you can always come early to help.” Katie disconnected the call.

  “I wish you could tell me your story.” Jessie glanced at the spirit following her. “We’ll figure this out in time, but it would be nice if you could talk,” she whispered. “Or maybe not. I’m sorry. It must be hard to be displaced from your body in such a horrific way.” She turned her head away from his constant presence.

  A sudden chill wrapped around her as a swirling cold mist. He was near. Jessie straightened; her shoulders tensed. Yet─there was something else─a new presence, as warm as his was cold.

  She didn’t want to look, but couldn’t seem to stop herself. Her feet had a mind of their own. The closer she got to him, the faster her heart raced. “What are these strange burns all over you?” She scowled, bending closer to get a better glimpse of the strange round marks. “You suffered,” she said under her breath. “The question is who would do this to you and why?” Squatting there beside him, a warmth enveloped her. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes aware of another presence she couldn’t see.

  “Are you all right, sweetheart?” Matt called down to her.

  “Yes.” Jessie shot to her feet. She was happy to see him appear at the top of the stairs with Dylan and a few others.

  “Let’s take a look at what you found.” Matt grabbed her hand when he reached the bottom stair. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seemed lost for a few moments.”

  “I’m fine now that you’re here. It was strange being alone with his body.” She added under her breath, “Well, not quite alone.” Did the young man know she could see him? She had no idea.

  ****

  Matt slipped on his gloves and squatted down. “Is this where he came ashore?” he asked her, pointing at the victim.

  She nodded.”He hasn’t been moved or touched.”

  “I’ll take over. You can relax now.” The victim was stripped to his boxers. No place for an ID. He hadn’t thought there would be. It would have made notifying the family easier, but then again, it was never easy. A quick look at the victim’s face might reveal more. “Marcy, you can snap your pictures now.” Matt motioned to her. The man’s hands were tied behind his back with some kind of electrical wire. The wire had rubbed open wounds on his wrists. A few snaps of the camera later, Matt rolled the body over enough to see the young man’s face. He took note of the tape across his mouth. Depending on how long this body was in the water, some of the evidence was already gone. He couldn’t tell from the victim’s swollen face how old he was or how long he had been dead. From the wrinkled condition of his skin, he must have been in the water at least thirty minutes.

  The strange marks all over the body stumped him. Each one was small and circular like the tip of cigarette, only larger. Someone had tortured him. Why? Dave would be needed to figure out an estimated time of death and the weapon which made all the marks on his body. Otherwise, there weren’t any gunshot wounds or other visible signs of trauma. He stood beside Jessie. “Tell me what happened.”

  “At first, I couldn’t see anyone, and then I caught sight of the waves pushing what I thought was a large piece of driftwood. The young man, or ghost, I should say, on the rock over there”—she pointed to where he sat—“let me know it was him. The body washed up, and I saw for a brief moment what had happened to him. If what I saw is real, he was tortured before he was killed.”

  “What did you see?” Matt took out his notepad.

  “The details are sketchy, but he suffered. They used some sort of an instrument to shock him. It looked like some kind of electric rod. It must have made those unusual marks.” She pointed at the small circles. “There were a few people involved, or at least it appeared that way.”

  “I guess we’ll have to wait until Dave gives us a better idea of the cause of death to know for sure. What you saw is probably spot on. He couldn’t have been dumped too long ago; the body is still in fair condition.” Matt’s brow creased. “How old do you think our victim is? You keep calling him young.”

  “I would say late teens or early twenties at the most.” Jessie glanced to see if the ghost was still there. His tormented cries saddened her. She closed her eyes. “Much too young to die.”

  “Damn, I was afraid you’d tell me that. Dave will let us know for sure once he can ID this guy. For now, we’ll wait to hear.”

  Marcy snapped several more photos. Dave and his assistant did what they could on site. They prepared the body to transport back to the lab. The others combed over the beach searching for any clues which might have washed ashore with him.

  Matt leaned toward Jessie when her face paled. “What is it, Jess?” His hands clenched at his side, waiting for her answer.

  “Unless I miss my guess, another body may soon wash ashore if it hasn’t already somewhere else. My friend has been joined by another ghost. A second young man.”

  “Damn.” His brows rose. “Are you sure?” He pressed his lips together.

  “All I know is there are two of them watching us now as we stand here.” Jessie rubbed her arms and folded them close to her body.

  “Dylan, we’ll need to check the shoreline along the cove. There’s another body somewhere.” Dylan gave him a questioning look. “Trust me, we need to check.” Matt’s phone rang. He walked away from the group to talk. He rejoined them after a few minutes. “Listen up, everyone, we have the location of a second body. A local man found another victim on his morning walk.” Matt shook his head and glanced at Jessie. “It beats me how you get this stuff, but I’m glad you do.” He squeezed her hand. “Dave, you may as well follow us to the next site if you have room to carry another body.”

  “We do. I’ll follow you.” Dylan and Kip prepared to help Dave and his assistant carry the stretcher up the stairs.

  “If you finish before dinner, Katie told me to tell you she’d be happy to feed you all at the Inn.”

  “I’ll be there,” Kip said. “I never turn down a dinner invitation.”

  Gary chimed in, “Me, too.”

  “Tell her to expect me,” Dylan smiled when he said it.

  “Of course, you’ll be there. You always are.” Kip elbowed him in the ribs.

  “I’m sure most of us will be there. It may be late, and we’ll be hungry.” Matt ran his hand through his hair. Two bodies and no idea why.

  A few miles down the road at a private beachfront home, the owner had discovered the second body. Jessie had called it right, a
young male with dark hair was sprawled on the beach. He too had been stripped down to only his briefs, with his hands tied behind his back. The same circular burns could be seen on various parts of his body and tape covered his mouth.

  Murdered somewhere else, they had been dumped unceremoniously at sea by their killers. The difference in weight and the precise moment when they were heaved overboard could make up the difference in distance of where they came ashore. Matt’s mind was already beginning to process what he was seeing. He didn’t like the conclusions his mind was drawing. It was only a theory at the moment, but something to consider about their deaths. Hopefully, he would know more soon.

  ****

  Jessie had placed the last serving bowl with mashed potatoes on the table as Matt and Dylan walked in. “Your timing is impeccable. She smiled at them. Her smile broadened when Dylan went right to Katie and kissed her. Her friend glowed.

  “You were right, the second victim was also a young male,” Matt said quietly as he slipped into the chair beside her. I have a bad feeling about this one, Jess. Let me know if you see or hear anything, will you?”

  “Of course.” She glanced at him. “What are you thinking?”

  “The victims are both young, and torture was involved. I can’t help but think it’s some kind of hate crime or drug related. I’ll know if I’m in the ballpark when Dave gives me his piece of the puzzle.” Matt placed a spoonful of potatoes on his plate.

  “How strange it must have been for the young man to watch his own body come ashore. His sadness was palpable. It hung heavy in the air between us. I can never look at violent acts with indifference again. I’ve seen the toll it takes on the families, but I’ve also seen it with the victims, as well. For me, it changes everything.” She sighed. “Do you think he was shocked to see himself lying there?”

  “I have no idea.” Matt shook his head. “I understand lives are impacted by crimes of violence; families, friends, and acquaintances, but I can’t say I ever thought about the victim being on the scene when I was. My mind never went there until I started working with you.”

  “You’re better off not to go there. I leave this side of my life alone the best I can. It shows up when it wants to and leaves when it’s ready to.” Jessie took a sip of her water.You know that my Gramma Sadie and my great-grandmother had these premonitions. I guess you could say it runs in my family.”