Murder in Partway Cove, page 1
Murder in Partway Cove
Sonsie Meadows
Published by Sonsie Meadows, 2025.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
MURDER IN PARTWAY COVE
First edition. October 1, 2025.
Copyright © 2025 Sonsie Meadows.
ISBN: 979-8232614287
Written by Sonsie Meadows.
Also by Sonsie Meadows
Molly Fraser Mysteries
Buried Truths
Meddle No More
Malice Afoot
Standalone
Unwelcome Guest
Murder in Partway Cove (Coming Soon)
Watch for more at Sonsie Meadows’s site.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Also By Sonsie Meadows
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
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Further Reading: Buried Truths
Also By Sonsie Meadows
About the Author
About the Publisher
This story is dedicated to all the rescue animals who have filled my life—dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, birds and a goat.
And to my advance readers: Mary Clark, Christine Pohlkamp, and Paul Huynh, who read the first draft and provided valuable advice and suggestions. Thank you!
Lastly, to everyone who enjoyed my Molly Fraser Mysteries, I hope they will enjoy this new protagonist as much.
Chapter 1
"When will you be home?"
"I've got a golf game after work, and I'll grab something at the clubhouse. Won't be home until 10 or later. Don't wait up."
But she did wait—10 o'clock came and went, so did 11 o'clock. She went to bed angry and mourning the death of her younger self's hopes and love.
Glen came home in the early hours. Kate feigned sleep, but not until she noted the time—2:25.
She slipped out of the house at 5:30 and walked. The mornings were fresh now, and she walked steadily on. She walked through the sleeping suburban streets, past proudly kept gardens awash with colour, past others with lawns like golf greens and little else except a few shrubs, past family gardens with children's swings and slides. And still she walked, regaining a sense of freedom she hadn't felt in a long time.
When she got back to the house, Glen was dressed and ready to leave for work.
"Sorry I was late last night," he said. "It was nearly midnight when I got home, and I didn't want to wake you."
"Liar."
"What?"
"You're lying. It was nearly 2:30 when you came home. Do you think I'm an utter fool? Do you really think I don't know why you're away so much?"
Glen tried to speak, but Kate raised her voice. "I know you're seeing someone else. I wish you'd just stop lying."
She went to the bedroom and shut the door. He followed. She said quietly, "Get out. Leave me alone. Go to work and leave me alone."
He didn't move from the doorway. Kate ignored him and started pulling clothes from the closet and drawers.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going away. I need to think... and maybe you should, too."
"Kate, don't go."
She sighed. "I'm going away for a while. What's the big deal?" She looked at him. "And why do you care? We both know that you've been cheating on me all summer... don't lie anymore. I need some time to think."
He didn't answer, but just looked at her. A look that would have melted her resolve before, but no more.
"Glen, leave me alone. I'll be away for a week. I don't want you to try to get in touch. I don't want any more lies. I don't want any more false promises. I will be back in a week—then we can talk."
He flushed. She recognised the signs of his rising anger. One time that would have caused her to give way. Not today. She picked up her suitcases and walked out to her car.
He stood in the doorway and watched her back out of the driveway. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, and releasing a huge sigh, she realised she didn't care.
Chapter 2
Kate left Toronto with no destination in mind. She didn't want to see friends. She didn't want to run for refuge to anyone.
She stopped at a service centre for gas and went into the food court. She carried her coffee and doughnut to an empty table by the window and spread out her paper map. The GPS in her car showed a limited scope of area that didn't give her enough perspective. She wanted to see all possible routes in relation to where she was. I'd like to spend some time by a sea, any sea. The closest are Maine and New Hampshire, but I'd rather stay in Canada. I'll head for Nova Scotia.
Back on the highway, she drove east toward Kingston and beyond that Montreal. I'll drive until I'm tired, then find a place to sleep.
She felt an increasing sense of freedom as she drove. I'm leaving my problems behind... for now. I'll face them later. I'm leaving behind the guesses, the unconfirmed suspicions that went on for months, the lies he told me, the acts he put on, my hurt pride, the sense of betrayal, and the damned suburban lifestyle which I never wanted. I'm mending my 'broken heart', which I now realise is not broken, only bruised.
I won't think about him anymore. The day is sunny and fresh, and I'm heading out. Feels good. For the first time in a long time, I am just being me, responsible to no-one. I'll call the office tomorrow and tell them I will be away for a 'family emergency'.
Kate groped in the glove compartment for a CD — Bob Seger's 'Against the Wind'. Perfect road trip music. She turned the volume up.
"A Gypsy wind is blowing warm tonight; the sky is starlit, and the time is right," sang Bob... and Kate.
TWO DAYS OF DRIVING brought her to a small town in Gaspé and a family restaurant serving homey meals. Kate asked the waitress for the nearest motel.
"Ma chere, just a few miles up the road, you will see it. Tell them Celeste-Marie sent you and they will give a good rate."
Once settled into a small but clean room, she pulled a bottle of wine from her suitcase. She found a glass in the bathroom and poured the wine slowly, watching the dark red fill the glass.
Her memories were insistent, as much as she tried to suppress them. Their marriage hadn’t been happy for some time, but everything started to crumble in March. The summer dragged on, with Glen’s frequent late nights and lame excuses, culminating in this overwhelming desire to just get away.
Sighing, she piled the pillows against the headboard, turned on the television, and leaned back. It was showing a local program in French, but Kate didn't care. It was just white noise to keep her demons at bay. It didn't help.
Kate stared down at her empty glass. She poured more wine and reached for the TV remote, flipping through the channels until she found an old movie to preoccupy her until sleep finally came.
Early the next morning, she looked ruefully at the wine bottle, now only a quarter full. I drank too much. That's no answer. Time to grab a coffee and something to eat, and get back on the road.
KATE CONTINUED TO DRIVE eastwards, putting distance between herself and Toronto. She left Gaspé and passed into New Brunswick, stopping only for gas and food.
By late afternoon, she crossed into Nova Scotia and kept driving.
Hell. Where had she gone wrong? Where was she? She'd been driving for some time with no road signs, no signs of life. Her GPS wasn't receiving a signal. Kate pulled over to the side of the road and got out of the car. Everywhere she looked, there were trees. Nothing but trees: beautiful trees sparkling in the sun, but still... only trees. Nothing else in sight.
She reached into the back seat for the map. There aren't that many roads in this part of Nova Scotia — how can I be lost?
She seemed to be on the right road, and it was definitely more than just a track. Just keep on, I guess.
She started the car again, and soon the road ran alongside a small river. She braked hard. Just ahead, on a bare branch above the road's edge, was a bald eagle, not more than 15 or 20 feet from her. Holding her breath, she reached for her phone. Slowly, oh so slowly, she opened the door and eased herself out. The eagle looked at her, then looked away. She focused and took the first shot. At the click of the phone camera, the eagle looked directly at her. She took another, and he ruffled his neck feathers; one more and he took flight.
He didn't fly far—just down to the river and perched on a log caught in the stream. She took a couple more photos and breathed again. A raven flew to the log and landed on it. She took another photo. The eagle turned its head and looked, merely looked, at the raven. The raven lifted off. The eagle settled again and looked at Kate.
"Thank you," she told him. "You've made my day."
She watched him for a few minutes until he flew away. Still, she stood in awe. She'd never been close to a bald eagle before. In some way, he seemed a good omen.
She stood and breathed in the country air. It smelled of pine and running water, and something else. A sweet, musky scent. The undergrowth perhaps?
She got back into the car and headed down the road again. She didn't care that she might be lost, didn't care that she might be lost for a while longer—she was glad of it. She put the Bob Seger CD in again "... I could go east; I could go west. It was all up to me to decide. Just then I saw a young hawk flyin' and my soul began to rise...". Right on, Bob!
Chapter 3
Partway Cove was not a large town. It was, in fact, no more than a village. She walked into Barney's Diner and took a table by the window. It wasn't full - only a few tables were occupied. The aroma of good cooking augured well. A waitress with a blond ponytail and a wonderful smile handed Kate the menu. "Special tonight is meatloaf with mashed potatoes and veg. Can I get you a drink?"
"Do you have wine?"
"Sure. Not much choice. We've got red or white."
"Red, please, and I'll have the special."
It was late enough now that she didn't want to drive further. She liked the look of the village and the friendliness of the waitress. When she came to collect the dishes, Kate asked her name.
"Rhonda, that's me."
"I'm Kate. Do you have a minute to talk?" Rhonda nodded.
"I'd like to find a place to stay tonight, maybe for a few days. Is there a motel nearby or a B&B?"
"There's a motel further up the road, but it's not very nice. You'd be better at Miz Grayson's B&B, and she has nice clean rooms. Shall I call her to see?"
"Please. That sounds perfect."
Rhonda hurried back, beaming. "Miz Grayson says she has room. It'll be $35 for the night. Is that okay?"
"That's wonderful, thank you. How do I find it?"
"Keep going to the next corner, turn right, second house on the right. She has a sign out front. Says Grayson's Rooms on it. You can't miss it."
Kate left a good tip, thanked Rhonda for her help and found her way to Grayson's Rooms. It was a large, roomy house, bright yellow with a navy-blue door and window frames. White lace curtains framed every window. It looked comfy and welcoming.
KATE WAS GREETED AT the open door by a blond woman, dressed head to toe in Kelly green, including her shoes. Kate blinked. The woman laughed. "I know. People think I'm mad, but it's fun to be different, don't you think? Rhonda told me about you coming. Fetch your suitcase and come on in, my dear. It's getting cool out."
As Kate entered the broad hallway, she immediately felt comfortable. Warmth and the scent of flowers in the hall gave the house a homey ambiance. Mrs. Grayson led the way, talking all the time. "Now, you make yourself at home here. That's the sitting room there, which you can use anytime. Now up these stairs are the bedrooms... I've got a nice cozy one for you. There!" She flung open the door. "Now go right on in and make yourself comfy. I'll put on the kettle. Would you like a cup of tea? Well, of course you would, after travelling. Up here, dear, or in the sitting room?"
Slightly overwhelmed, Kate said, "The sitting room, please."
"Right you are. It'll be ready in 10 minutes. Come down when you like." She bustled away, but immediately came back. "Oh, and the bathroom is just down the hall."
The room was periwinkle blue and white, calming and fresh-looking. Kate put her suitcase on a small table in the corner and looked around. Sea view prints on the walls, a blue-and-grey carpet beside the bed over a polished wood floor, periwinkle-flowered bedspread and matching curtains—it was all very pleasing. She walked to the window. It was twilight now, a faint residual glow over the sea, and everything between Kate and the sea was in silhouette.
She opened the window, and immediately the tang of salt air wafted in. Perfect.
She picked up her toiletry bag from the suitcase and went in search of the bathroom. Her landlady seemed to favour monotone themes. The bathroom was a sunny yellow, from the towels and bathmat to the shower curtain to the yellow frames around some prints of nautical knots. A quick tidy of herself, fresh lipstick, and she was ready.
SHE FOUND MRS. GRAYSON waiting in the sitting room. "I'll join you for tea, if you don't mind, and we can get to know each other," she said with evident curiosity. Kate didn't mind. She found it amusing and warmed to the friendliness in the landlady's voice.
"I'd like that," she replied, sinking into a cushy armchair. She gazed around the room. It seemed here, Mrs. Grayson had abandoned the monotone for the eclectic. The carpet and drapes were multicoloured in autumn tones, and there were figurines, model boats, animal ornaments and other collectibles on every surface.
Mrs. Grayson noticed her expression. "Yes, it's a bit much at first, isn't it?" She laughed. "You see, originally, I had just a few things around, but then visitors noticed and often would bring me some souvenir from their travels around here. And now it's at the point where I have to put some away to make room for new ones. That's difficult because often people come back another time and they like to see their little gift on display." She poured the tea and handed the cup to Kate. "Promise me you won't add to it! Help yourself to milk and sugar, or I've got lemon if you'd rather?"
"Milk and sugar are fine, thanks." She sank back into the cushions. "Mmm, this is nice."
"Now, I know I'm nosy, so don't mind me. I like to know about people, but if you don't want to talk, that's fine, too."
Deftly, Kate turned the tables. "First, tell me about yourself and Partway Cove. Were you born here?"
"Yes, and left after school, like we all did. I got a job in Halifax, met my husband there, and it was fine until he died. No, no, it's alright; it was many years ago. Tom was in a boating accident." She paused, sipping her tea. "I fell to pieces for a while. Couldn't face staying where we had been happy and came home. Thought I would just visit my parents for a bit until I was ready to go back. I never did. I came to appreciate village life. As a teenager, I found it boring, but when I came back, it was comforting."
She poured out more tea for Kate. "There was insurance money, so I was okay for a while. After a time, I decided to stay. I bought this big old house cheap. It was sound enough, but badly needed decorating and some maintenance. I figured that visitors to this area might prefer B&Bs to motels, and that's how I started. First, it was just one room that was ready, then another, and now I have five. You're the only guest now, except for my permanent boarder. A couple have booked for next week. It's quieter now. In the summer, it's all go. Never an empty room for more than a day, and people coming and going all the time."
"You must get tired."
"Well yes, but I love it, really. The summer visitors pay enough to see me over the winter, so it all works out." She smiled. "Now, you."
Kate smiled back. "Not too much to tell. I work in Toronto, live in the suburbs, and just needed a break from it all. Got in the car with no plans and drove on for three days until I stopped for dinner at Barney's. Rhonda was really nice and told me about your place, and here I am." Her voice told her landlady that she would hear no more.
"How long do you want to stay?"
"Hmm. I haven't thought about it, really." Kate paused. She liked Mrs. Grayson and her B&B. "Can we say two nights for now?"
"Fine. I'll bring the guest book for you to sign. Call me Rose, by the way. Everyone does."
"And I'm Kate."
ROSE HANDED THE GUEST book to Kate and bustled away. Kate paused for a moment and then gave herself a mental shake. She wrote Kate Williams, her maiden name. For the address, she just put Toronto, Ontario and left it at that.
