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  Who Killed the Neanderthal

  A Sadie Sunshine Cozy Mystery

  Book 3

  Cheryl Zelenka

  Who Killed the Neanderthal

  A Sadie Sunshine Cozy Mystery

  Book 3

  ©2016 by Cheryl Zelenka

  FacingTrials.com

  All rights reserved.

  This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author or publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

  Cover Design: Jonna Feavel

  40daygraphics.com

  Illustrations: Ben Gerhards

  Interior Layout: Daniel Mawhinney

  40daypublishing.com

  Also available in eBook publication

  The following is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, to factual events or to businesses is coincidental and unintentional.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Also by Cheryl Zelenka

  Divine Interruptions:

  A Bible Study through the Book of Job

  Facing Trials

  Facing Storms

  Facing Adversity

  The Sadie Sunshine Cozy Mysteries

  School Lunch is Murder

  Belly Up in the Koi Pond

  Who Killed the Neanderthal

  Trespassers Will Be Composted

  (coming soon)

  DEDICATION

  To my father, Jerry Zelenka:

  the real Pop and Sadie’s first love

  CONTENTS

  Also by Cheryl Zelenka

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER ONE: Cavemen

  CHAPTER TWO: Snow Cones and a Dead Body

  CHAPTER THREE: Big Knife

  CHAPTER FOUR: Possible Suspects

  CHAPTER FIVE: A Bloody Mess and some Warm Milk

  CHAPTER SIX: Breakfast Interview

  CHAPTER SEVEN: Not So Nice After All

  CHAPTER EIGHT: Awkward Interview

  CHAPTER NINE: Otterhounds and Otter Suspects

  CHAPTER TEN: A Gut Feeling

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: Bite Me!

  CHAPTER TWELVE: Car Wreck

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Everyone Loves a Parade, Right?

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN: The Chase

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Enough Time for Three Cancer Sticks

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN: A Note, A Letter, And A Telling Phone Call

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Lies

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Need a Drink

  CHAPTER NINETEEN: The Helpful Jogger

  CHAPTER TWENTY: Found!

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: River Dance

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: Athena’s Clash of Cymbals

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: First Kiss

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Courthouse On a Sunday?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: Ice Cream Sundaes

  RECIPES TO ENJOY

  Sadie’s Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Zucchini Bread

  Sadie’s Strawberry-Tarragon Jam

  Lemon-Thyme Sunshine Cake

  Please enjoy this excerpt from ‘Trespassers Will be Composted’, Book 4 of the Sadie Sunshine Cozy Mystery Series

  Author Bio

  CHAPTER ONE: Cavemen

  Sadie Sunshine grabbed the last box of fresh Mint from the back seat of her car and announced, “It’s about time a caveman was the Grand Marshall of our Memorial Day parade. Oregon cavemen have played a big part in Rogue Valley history.”

  She was speaking to Detective Dora Flores, Mandy Golden, and Lilly Pierce. Lilly and Mandy were teachers at Fort Follyfield and Sadie, now retired from teaching, was the first person they’d call when a substitute was needed.

  Doing her best to balance a ridiculous number of boxed herbal teas, Lilly barely managed a feeble, “That’s true.”

  Sadie used her knee to close the car door and locked it using her remote, “Bleep, bleep!” Together, the ladies walked through the muggy parking lot, loaded down with merchandise for their vendor booth. A dozen rosemary plants housed on top of the boxed Mint Sadie was transporting swayed precariously with every step. She could hardly see her size nine feet, not to mention the trees ahead.

  “Yeah, but I wish those seven businessmen from 1922 hadn’t made Rogue Valley’s mascot a caveman. Sure, the statue and men’s business club helped to put our city on the map, but half the tourists stopping by the Chamber of Commerce think our caveman is Big Foot.” Mandy rolled her eyes and pressed onward.

  “Hmm, Mandy. I don’t know. I rather like our mascot. I appreciate his protective stance and the giant club he wields.” Sadie enjoyed playing the devil’s advocate.

  “Seriously?” Mandy stopped so her friend could catch up. The constant, “think-thunk, think-thunk” of Sadie’s flip-flops seemed to keep beat with all the chirping birds. As Sadie passed her, Mandy called out, “You do know several sightings of Sasquatch have been reported near the Oregon Caves.” Sadie smiled but didn’t slow her pace.

  Feeling like she was getting the brush off, Mandy quickened her step until she was beside her friend. “Quacks, Sadie! Silly wackos are invading our cozy city! That ten-foot caveman isn’t just bringing businessmen and tourists to Rogue Valley. Nope, Big Foot hounds are already here. They’ve been setting up motion lights and cameras to catch an image of that elusive creature for years. Eventually, mocked-up images are going to find their way to publication and fanatics will think the evidence is undeniable, not recognizing the charade. People from all over the world will then swarm to Rogue Valley hoping to communicate with the timid species. It’s bound to happen and when it does, Rogue Valley will become the next Roswell. New Mexico has aliens and bizarre folk, but we’ll have Big Foot and an even zanier mix.”

  Dora was within earshot of the conversation and wanted to get in on the action. “Come on Mandy! A ten-foot Neanderthal is a perfect mascot for Rogue Valley. I think those 22 businessmen were brilliant. Besides, a swarm of freaks and wackos is still a swarm. Local businesses will flourish if those wackos come. Everyone has to eat and most of us want a bed and a hot shower at the end of the day.”

  Sadie gave her best friend a grin. “Did you know that Larry Phibbs and I went to grade school together? During recess, he’d pretend he was a caveman and chase me all over the playground. When I was finally cornered, he’d say, ‘Get back to the cave. I want my dinner!’”

  Sadie had a natural way of using humor to ease the tension in any circumstance, even when she had created the tension. Lilly, Mandy, and Dora all chuckled as they visualized a youthful Larry chasing after their friend.

  “And now he gets to dress in a fur toga and wave a club around during our wonderful Memorial Day parade,” Dora tried a few marching steps but was quickly overcome by the heavy shelf she was carrying.

  Mandy decided she was tired of mascots and mythical creatures, so she moved closer to Lilly, allowing Sadie and Dora to continue their conversation connecting cavemen to Big Foot.

  Having reached the curb of the parking lot, the friends made their way to a steep grassy slope inside Riverside Park. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Lilly’s face darkened. “Rumor has it that Larry doesn’t get along with his brother, Robert. I wish I knew the cause of our mayor’s family rift.”

  “It could be a bunch of things, Lilly. Maybe it’s just sibling rivalry but really, it isn’t our business. We shouldn’t speculate. He’s still an important member of our Rogue Valley community.” Dora hoped her mild rebuff wouldn’t hurt her friend’s feelings. She didn’t like gossip and Lilly’s bad habit often got on her nerves.

  Wh
ile Sadie climbed the hill she thought about the considerable crowds soon to gather in Rogue Valley. I sure hope we sell a lot of herbal teas, baked goods, and fresh herbs. Fort Follyfield needs an art curriculum and school budget cuts were so fierce this year. Lilly’s incredibly upset over the program getting cut. Hopefully, we can earn enough money to make the program a reality for next year. After all, who’s to say math and science are more valuable to a child’s education than music and art? Thank goodness people still appreciate old-time fun. I love our little parade and the fireworks we shoot off every year over the Rogue River. And who doesn’t like corn dogs, carnival rides, Indian fry bread, or pie-eating contests? Heck, I know the hydroplanes and jet boat races are noisy, but they’re certainly entertaining. Visitors really do experience a huge slice of Americana when they visit us over Memorial Day.

  “Wasn’t Larry Phibbs a Middle School principal a while back?” Dora’s question drew Sadie back into Riverside Park.

  “Yes, Dora, but over ten years ago.”

  “And now he’s a member of the school board.”

  “Uh, huh.”

  Sadie felt a sudden spark ignite her skull and move to her face. Maybe it’s just the climb up this steep slope that’s making me feel like a cat on a hot tin roof.

  Again, Sadie was brought back to reality when Lilly continued their conversation about Larry Phibbs. “He’s also a lead actor in the Barnstormers Theatre group. Fred and I saw him in ‘The Sound of Music’ last year. He played the Baron. Fred and I try to support the local community theater, but I live for those Shakespearian plays in Ashland.”

  Upon reaching the summit of the grassy slope, Lilly looked up to admire the cloudless azure sky. Considering the clouds and showers over the past two days, it was refreshing to be outside once again. Gazing down at her three friends below, she noticed a very red-faced and sweaty Sadie. Poor thing, she needs a good soak in the Rogue River.

  Dora and Sadie reached the top of the hill before Mandy. The new mother was out of shape, having tossed aside her daily jog to care for her infant daughter, Beaker Polly. With a little encouragement from her friends, she reached the hilltop, only to stop three feet past the summit. Her friends put their boxes down to give Mandy a chance to catch her breath.

  “Indeed, he’s certainly active,” Mandy puffed. “Teddy directed Larry in, ‘To Catch a Thief.’ Unfortunately, it wasn’t a happy collaboration. I guess Larry wouldn’t listen to any constructive ideas that would have improved his performance. He totally ignored Teddy’s direction. The core actors really don’t like him much, and Teddy vowed he’d never direct another Barnstormers’ production if Larry had even the smallest acting part. He called Larry a prima donna, among other things. But ladies, that’s just between you and me. You know how my husband hates gossip.” The ladies all nodded their heads. Lilly looked a bit guilty.

  Dora snapped her fingers. “Don’t forget Larry’s restaurant, Bite Me! It’s a real success!”

  Mandy was once again herself, so everyone started moving along an uneven path covered in woodchips.

  Sadie pretended every forward step was through three feet of snow. She was getting hotter and hotter by the minute and was trying to stop the inevitable heat wave.

  Dora moved the conversation to her recent visit to the Chamber of Commerce.

  “Tourism is really up, thanks to Larry’s eatery. Bill told me local hotels are reporting a rise in business. Tourists are actually renting rooms in Rogue Valley, instead of driving down to Ashland to sample their restaurants and B&B’s. I guess when they made Larry this year’s Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day parade it was well deserved.”

  Hoping her friends hadn’t noticed the sweat dripping down her brow, she said, “I have yet to eat at Bite Me!, but Mark was raving about the food just last night. He’s promised to take me there next week. I guess the chef ran a five-star restaurant in San Francisco. He said it was a real coup that Chef La Compost left his big city job for life in a small town.”

  “Larry must have promised his chef a hefty salary and some pretty nice perks,” Lilly concluded.

  The three feet of snow wasn’t doing anything to stop the furnace within Sadie. She feared she would spontaneously combust. The original spark that had ignited her scalp suddenly transformed her into a Death Valley sunbather. With no sunscreen, she was certain her red face was severely ravaged and seared.

  About two yards back, her personal Sheol had devoured her neck and slipped into her ribcage. Still charring away, she now felt the firestorm consume her legs and settle into her feet. She imagined sparks flying out from her toes and feared she’d set the woodchip path ablaze. Sweat was running down her back and into the crack of her backside. Spotting a water fountain at the entrance of the food court, she threw the boxes of fresh Mint onto the path, knocking all of the Rosemary plants to the ground. MUST PUT OUT FIRE. MUST NOT COMBUST!

  Dora, Lilly, and Mandy watched as their friend frantically dashed ahead of them at top speed. One of her flip-flops took flight but the missing shoe didn’t slow her down. Sadie embraced the water fountain, wrapping her arms around its base like it was a long-lost friend. They then saw her rest one side of her face in the basin while a forceful spray of water lifted into the air, cascading onto Sadie’s temple. Her friends had already guessed the reason for her sprint.

  “Poor thing, she’s been handed a major case of hormonal discomfort.” Lilly righted the Rosemary plants skewed along the path. Dora and Mandy watched while Sadie took her hand and filled it with water then tossed it down her back and front side.

  Honestly, this needs to stop, Lord. Please, make it stop!

  God must have heard her prayer, because the burning sensation in her face lessened. Rising from the fountain of relief, Sadie discovered curious bystanders surrounded her. Their questioning looks and her soggy appearance called for a quick remark. She smiled at the gawkers and blurted out, “Truth or Dare! I took the dare.” She then pointed to her friends who were still some ways down the path. Laughter rang out amongst the vendors and they went back to work setting up their booths.

  Although wet, Sadie was thrilled she had successfully doused the fire. Her hair and clothes would dry fast enough in the rising heat. Picking up her box of Mint, she traveled with her sympathetic friends to the vendor booth. The ladies took a minute to admire their handiwork. Red, white, and blue fabric was draped around the façade, making it both attractive and eye-catching. Sadie had hung one of her antique quilts on the back of the booth, which helped to showcase the menu of items available for purchase.

  Assessing the booth, Lilly beamed. “Our 5th graders did a sensational job on the merchandise banner.”

  “They certainly did,” Mandy agreed.

  Not wanting to waste any time, Dora suggested, “We better get our products organized and stocked before the carnival officially starts.” She moved the plastic stacking shelf unit she had carried up the slope to the front of the booth and began its assembly.

  Lilly and Mandy returned to Sadie’s parked Kia Sorento to retrieve the ice chest and remaining tea tins in the back seat. Sadie gave them her car keys and stayed with Dora. She wanted to figure out the best way to display their merchandise. While playing with plant arrangements, Sadie queried, “Dora, when are Detective O’Cleary and Detective Pointman arriving? I’m so glad they’re coming down for the Memorial Day celebration.” Sadie was smiling from ear to ear.

  “Actually, Sadie, they’re coming down to help me install a Koi pond,” Dora corrected.

  “I know, I know,” Sadie answered. “They’re helping you build that awful Koi pond, but you can’t work in the dark. I think they’d enjoy tonight’s firework display.”

  Dora took note of Sadie’s suggestion, remembering her friend’s interest in the husky, Irish George Clooney look-alike. Timothy’s partner, Mary and herself were secretly hoping a love connection would ignite during the Memorial Day visit. Sparks had certainly been in the air just a few months ago. Sadie and Dora helped th
e Portland Detectives solve a strange murder case involving a Koi pond exhibit. What was meant to be a fun-filled weekend at the Oregon Yard, Garden, and Patio show had turned into a surprising and unusual murder mystery.

  “Timothy said they’d be at my house around noon, ready to work. They’re both excited about helping me with this landscape project, which you so vehemently object to.”

  “Only because I know stray cats in our neighborhood will eat your fish!” Sadie crossed her arms.

  “Sure, chica, if that’s what you want our neighbors and friends to believe.” Dora put the last shelf in place and stood up. “Go with that story, it’s certainly a whopper. However, you and I both know that’s not the real reason for your objection.”

  Sadie looked at her feet hoping to hide her blush of conviction.

  “Your fish phobia is no secret to me, Sadie Sunshine. Walking up to my front door will soon mean you’ll have to pass by my Koi pond. I don’t think you want to face your silly abhorrence to fish.”

  Sadie had a horrible fear of fish called Ichthyophobia. She gagged when she was near an aquarium and was nauseous every time she walked past fresh fish in the grocery store. She never swam in rivers or oceans because she worried fish would brush up against her legs, or nibble her toes. The thought of eating fish gave her the heebie-jeebies.

  Sadie pulled a face then added Rosemary, Mint, Black Cohosh, Thyme, and Chamomile seedlings to the large display shelf Dora had just assembled.

  Looking at her watch, Dora decided not to pester Sadie any further. “I’ve got less than an hour to help you set things up. I’ll go home while you’re selling our products. Don’t forget to hand out those free samples of chocolate-covered Mint leaves. They will really boost our Mint sales. Oh, and make some Mint tea for customers to sample.” Looking over at their table, Dora didn’t see the hot plate. Trying her best not to scold, she asked, “You packed the hot plate, right? We paid extra for a booth with electricity so we could promote our herbal teas.”