Summer Camp Murder Read online

  Summer Camp Murder

  18K Small Town Estate Series

  Christian Cozy Mystery

  Book 5

  By

  S.F. Nightingale

  Copyright © 2019

  All Rights Reserved

  Perfect 10 Publications

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters, or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

  Any questions, comments, or media inquiries please email: [email protected]

  “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the company of fools will suffer harm.” - Proverbs 13:20

  Foreword

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  This Series Continues With….

  Download All Books by S.F. Nightingale

  Who is S.F. Nightingale?

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  Some of My Favorite Bible Verses

  Special Thanks

  Foreword

  Before You Go Any Further, Get This Limited Free Gift!

  Firstly, I’d like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to consider reading my book.

  I’ve put my heart and soul into it, fueling from my passion for writing Christian Cozy Mystery Books.

  I specialize in writing clean, wholesome cozy mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end so if you’re a fan of the genre, I’m sure you’ll really enjoy what lays in the pages ahead…

  To start our relationship off on the right foot, I want to gift you a free book called “The General’s Secret”. It’s the exciting prequel to the bestselling “18K Small Town Estate Series”.

  Get your free copy here:

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  Thank you and look forward to taking you on a wonderful journey soon,

  Chapter One

  Having just walked through downtown Kingsvale on the first truly warm day of spring, Reverend Devin Grant, who was dressed for the occasion, wore khaki shorts and a golf shirt as he strode into his church-office located on the ground floor of the parsonage. Summer was ahead of Devin, and he looked forward to the light work-load ahead. Many parishioners left town for summer vacation on Cape Cod or other lovely spots with a seashore. Problems seemed to melt away with the snowpack. He had a few weddings on his agenda but little else that needed his attention. Services were always on the schedule, but since Patty had become more a co-minister than a junior or associate reverend, Devin was able to rotate himself out from behind the pulpit and have some free time.

  “You’re looking carefree as most of the residents of Kingsvale. Schools are out, and so are the Phlox. It smelled heavenly walking to work today,” Patty said. She wore a blue sundress and sandals.

  “I found myself whistling as I walked down Main Street. Hey,” Devin remarked. “Thought you’d be driving to Boston to meet Reverend Sawyer's flight. I know he's coming in from Wisconsin today. It's wonderful of him to lead the Christian Youth Fellowship at camp this summer. Lake Winnipesaukee is a favorite getaway for many of Kingsvale’s youngsters,” Devin said. He was making it sound like a dream job when in reality he had passed on heading to the lake this summer.

  “He’s no longer coming.”

  “Oh, why?”

  “Family emergency.”

  “Do we have a replacement?” Devin asked

  “Yes, but not a whole replacement.”

  “Who’s the half?”

  Patty replied after looking down at a slip of paper. “Her name is Natalie Steele. She’s from Ashland, Massachusetts. You haven’t crossed paths with her – I don’t think. She comes highly recommended.”

  “Sounds like she’ll have someone with her to share in the duties. Who is that person?” Devin asked.

  “You, Devin," Patty said as she squinted her eyes, awaiting Devin’s reaction.

  Devin looked at her dumbfounded.

  Once he had regained his breath, he said, “Let me get this straight, okay. The kids bussed over to Lake Winnipesaukee yesterday. We already knew Reverend Sawyer was arriving late only to find out he’s not coming at all. And now, I’m expected to take over with such short notice and come up with a program for the summer?”

  At her nod, Devin said a quick prayer for God’s guidance and a minor miracle.

  Patty waved a thumb drive in the air. “I got this from Reverend Williams this morning. He handled the Christian Fellowship last year, and you can use it as your guide. The counselors can hold down the fort until you and Natalie arrive this evening.”

  “This evening?” God, make me an instrument of your peace. Devin was already showing a bit of bronze, and it was only June. He was relaxed and had only recently recovered from the turbulent time he had in Glaxton, Ontario. Being charged with guiding vulnerable young minds was an important part of ministering in a small town. He could see that the decision had been made and it was time to embrace it.

  ***

  “It looks as if we’re a mile out from Lake Winnipesaukee. Too late to turn back now,” Devin joked. Neither he nor Natalie had planned on working at a youth camp in the summer. Devin was easy-going, but it was a major change in his plans and would push the limits of his patience. He was human, after all.

  “I find that the unplanned produces unexpected benefits. Who knows, we may find the experience enriching and even fun,” Natalie said as she swung her long blonde ponytail.

  “With that attitude, we’ll be all right.” Devin smiled but soon became frustrated. Traffic was beginning to slow which was odd for this remote section of road. “I hope there’s not an accident.” There went the little patience he had.

  Natalie bowed her head and said a prayer while Devin bristled. They drove Devin’s 4x4 slowly towards the camp entrance. They were passed by numerous police vehicles and ambulances. Devin pulled up next to someone he knew from Kingsvale. Mrs. Katz had a teenage daughter who was likely enrolled in Kingsvale Christian Summer Camp. Devin rolled down his window. “Mrs. Katz, what’s going on?”

  She was visibly shaken. "I was driving home from dropping Christy at camp when I heard a police bulletin. There was a possible drowning at camp. I turned around immediately and found this traffic jam. All I could do was listen to the report as it was updated and pray. My prayers were answered when they said the incident concerned a male. Not saying it's any less tragic, but you understand."

  “I understand and so does God. If I see Christy before you do, I’ll tell her that you’re thinking of her. God Bless, Mrs. Katz.” Devin looked at Natalie. "I've got my running gear in the back, so I think I’ll lace up and avoid this traffic. I might be able to lend a hand with the campers while the police sort things out. I hope you don’t mind taking the wheel.” It was Devin’s chance to release steam.

  “Not at all. Run Devin, run. I’d join you, but someone has to drive,” Natalie said.

  Devin pulled on his race t-shirt from the Kingvale 5-k Bloom Run and a pair of shorts. He was going to a camp that swimming was an important part of, so he had a saint Adjutor medal that he threw around h
is neck. He planned to get there quicker than any car could, and it was a good way of getting in his workout. Devin jammed in his earbuds and clicked on his music. A bit of funk and some pop got his blood pumping. Making good time, he arrived in just a few short minutes.

  When he passed under the gate of the camp, Devin approached the nearest officer who happened to be Gil Marist from Kingvale.

  “Reverend Grant; you have a way of showing up when the community needs you. Unfortunately, this isn’t about a celebration. Max Gamble is dead. He drowned.”

  “Oh, Dear God. Has his family been notified? Was he alone?”

  “Yes, Polly and Jake Gamble are on their way, and no, he wasn’t alone. I’m sure you have more questions, but I have to go help process the scene.”

  Devin needed more information before he could act. He thought there were always lifeguards on duty and the water on Lake Winnipesaukee was like glass.

  After Uncle Ebenezer and the situation in Glaxton, Devin was looking for peace. The premature death of a young person was not how he wanted his summer to begin.

  Chapter Two

  A dead camper so early in the season. Something didn’t seem right.

  Where were the young man’s grief-stricken friends? Devin knew from his time in the Army that seeing someone die was excruciatingly traumatic.

  "Thanks for driving Natalie, I'm sure you've heard the news by now. Your cabin is marked with your name and mine is right next door. We share a porch," Devin said. After the way, their summer began it would be good to have each other's support. "Your Kingsvale Christian Summer Camp t-shirt should be on your bed. It identifies you as a reverend, and I'm sure your counsel will be necessary in light of the tragedy." Devin felt responsible for Natalie because she was younger and doing this was a favor. She hadn't anticipated the drama.

  “I’ll wear it proudly. The kids won’t be gathering in the event dining-tent until 5. One of us should lead the prayer before dinner, and the other one say the prayer for the opening of camp. There are sure to be many questions."

  "You can handle grace before the meal if that works for you. I'm going to find out what the heck happened to Max Gamble and see if I can locate his parents." Devin's cross around his neck was tangled between his dog tags and his Saint Adjutor medal. He pulled them apart, kissed his cross and went on his way.

  Devin had been to the camp on a number of occasions and there was always a positive and joyful vibe emanating from the cabins. The banks of Lake Winnipesaukee were quiet and dreary this time. It was Reverend Grant’s goal to live up the campers with the official opening of camp. The teen years were a time of self and spiritual exploration; a time Devin was not going to allow the youth of Kingsvale to miss out on.

  “Reverend Grant, I heard you were here, and I was hoping I could find you. I’m Kyle Landon, the lifeguard on duty when Max Gamble drowned.” Kyle broke down in tears after the words escaped his mouth. “It’s my fault, Reverend Grant. Lifeguard – drowning, who else could be at fault? I thought I had my eyes peeled, but I must have looked away. For the rest of my life, I'm going to see Max's face as I administered CPR. He was blue, and there was nothing I could do. I saw four boys hanging out at the water’s edge, but nothing after that.”

  “Four, you said?” Devin asked.

  “Yup – must have counted wrong.”

  “Accidents happen, Kyle. God knows all humans are not perfect and he doesn’t blame you for one unintentional error. The area inside the buoys is large; was it an area you weren’t used to?” Devin asked. Good, he thought, he sounded more like a Reverend and less like a interrogator. The run helped.

  “No, that wasn’t the case because I trained for weeks right at this exact spot. I helped install the buoy-chain. The only hazard out there is depth,” Kyle said. Devin knew that some of the blame would be placed on Kyle and Devin doubted he could handle it. “Reverend Grant, will you walk over to the administration tent with me?”

  “Of course; what’s going on over there?

  “Mr. Gamble is meeting with local police, me and the boys who were with Max when he went under. I don’t think I can go through it without you. My faith is all I have right now, and it’s wobbly.”

  “Hold on Kyle because I’m with you and God hasn’t left your side for a minute," Devin said as they walked towards the tent. Devin might have to call his cousin Sam because Max's death was beginning to look like an investigation was going to be required.

  “Reverend Grant.” Mr. Gamble fell into Devin’s arms. “I don’t know how Polly and I are going to find a way out of our grief. The worst part is that it was preventable if safety standards were followed. Polly is beside herself. She’s at home in Kingsvale with family while I try to make sense of this.”

  Devin pulled back. “There’s no sense to make out of losing a child. We can only move forward and trust that Max is in the arms of God. We suffer on earth, but in heaven, there is no suffering."

  Jake Gamble pointed his shaky finger at Kyle. “You will pay. Todd and Javon were with Max, and they say you were nowhere to be seen. No whistle sounded, and you met the boys on the shore when it was too late for Max. There’s a special place in hell for people like you.”

  The officer was standing back and had obviously never expected such a scene. He had planned to get everyone's statement in an orderly fashion, but emotions were running too high for that. Todd Fox and Javon Lattimer sat silently while Mr. Gamble threw his tirade. The boys appeared shell-shocked like a lot of the men in Afghanistan looked after seeing action.

  Devin approached Todd, whom he knew from Kingsvale. “You’ve been through a lot today. Are your parents coming?”

  “They’re at the Cape and will be back tomorrow. I think I’m better off here, so I don’t mind staying.” Todd scratched his neck and showed the medal he wore around his neck.

  “Patron Saint of Swimming – Adjutor. I wear one as well; brought it with me before I came to Lake Winnipesaukee. Are you much of a swimmer?”

  Todd shook his head. "I came in second in the State Championship race for the 100-meter breaststroke."

  "Quite impressive, Todd. Why don't you and Javon join me for dinner? The adults need time to cool off. Run ahead because our new summer youth pastor is saying grace. Oh, one more thing, Kyle mentioned he saw four of you. Was that the case?” Devin asked.

  “Nope, just three.”

  Devin left the local officer to take Kyle’s statement after he convinced Mr. Gamble to return to Kingsvale. His wife, Polly, needed him, and there wasn’t much he could do. Devin’s biggest concern was that the local police were not staffed to handle a potential negligent homicide or manslaughter II case. He couldn’t believe there was a possibility that Kyle would be charged with either; something about Max Gamble’s drowning was not making sense. Devin pulled out his phone. “Detective Samantha Vance, please. It’s Reverend Devin Grant.”

  “Hey, what’s up. Enjoying the lovely weather, we’re having?”

  “No. I’m at Kingsvale Christian Summer Camp for six weeks.”

  “What happened to footloose and fancy-free for the summer?”

  “There was a last-minute change of plans. I complained at first, but this is where I was called to do God’s work. Reverend Natalie Steele and I are going to make a good team, and it’s beautiful out here. Except for the drowning – have you heard?”

  “It came across my desk as we’ve been talking. Do you think I’m needed out there? It sounds like accusations are flying; you wouldn’t call otherwise.”

  “Yes, Sam. Have them page me when you get here,” Devin said.

  Devin headed to dinner. He knew the campers needed to be reminded of God’s presence.

  Chapter Three

  Devin scanned the crowd at dinner. Was anyone acting out of the ordinary? He hadn’t seen Sam yet and had to collect any and all information on the mysterious drowning of Max Gamble.

  “I can see the kids are devouring dinner, so I must have missed grace, which I’m sure was upl
ifting.” Devin loaded the fixings on his burger while he spoke to Natalie. Devin saw Todd and Javon out of the corner of his eye. They shared a secret and then a high-five.

  “Were you able to meet with the Gambles?” Natalie asked

  “I spoke with Jake Gamble, but Polly was back in Kingsvale with family making arrangements for the funeral, I assume. Kyle Landon was the lifeguard-on-duty, and all the blame is being thrown his way, which I don’t think is warranted. I understand that Mr. Gamble is striking out at the nearest target, but it’s bordering on harassment.”

  “I’ll be of help in any way I can. This isn’t what I expected when I agreed to come to Lake Winnipesaukee, but it’s obviously not going to be boring. My six-weeks here are going to fly by, and this is going to be quite a story to share with Caleb when I get home.”

  Devin felt an unfamiliar, queasy sensation in his gut when Natalie revealed there was a man in her life. As lovely as Natalie was inside and out, having a crush on his co-camp counselor was out of the question. Devin didn’t have the emotional energy to go down that path. It would remain a feeling Devin would have to resist throughout the summer. Still, he couldn’t squelch his curiosity. “Who’s Caleb? Your husband?”

  "Oh no. Caleb is my four-year-old son. His father died in Afghanistan before he was even born. He's with my parents this summer, but they plan on renting a cottage nearby for a couple of weeks; you'll meet him. I'm partial, but Caleb is perfect," Natalie said and giggled.

  Devin’s stomach calmed when he learned Caleb was Natalie’s son. “You and I both know that all God’s children are perfect, but I’m sure Caleb is especially so. It’s tradition to have burgers on the first official night of camp. Made by the Chef Tommy on the grill. I can’t get enough of them, but I’m on the verge of gluttony. Have you noticed I’ve eaten two and was going for a third before I checked myself.”

  “Go easy on yourself. You deserve it after your unscheduled run to camp.” Natalie said. “Only a few slow eaters have yet to bus their trays; it’s almost showtime.”