Hey, Christmas murder fans, this is Katie a Cardo. Listen in while
I tell you the story of the Evergreen Murders. A McKenzie Monroe Christmas Mystery,
Part three the murder. The next morning, Mackenzie woke up early and
did her pilates routine on the exercise matt that she had brought. After inquiring
at the front desk about a place to get coffee, she was told the
only place to get at this early was at the diner. With a sigh,
Mackenzie trudged the two blocks to the diner, where she found Diane again,
who was wearing a new Christmas vest covered in snowmen, along with giant
plastic snowflake earrings. Mackenzie thanked Diana. She took her coffee to go and
wobbled on her heels toward the downtown area where the crew had set up for
filming. After introducing herself to the director, saying hello to Jess the intern,
and requesting a small chair on which to sit to watch the filming,
Mackenzie settled back to observe. Around eight a m. She heard a commotion
and looked up to find Nick running toward the director At full speed. He
was wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans, heavy duty work boots, and his
hair looked disheveled. He appeared as if he had just awakened from a deep
sleep. Nick ran up to the director, who shook his hand and then
ripped off his headphones. Nick leaned in close to the director and whispered something
in his ear. Mackenzie leaned forward to hear better, but with all the
noises of the production around her, that was next to hopeless. A look
of shock registered on the director's face, and he hurriedly yelled cut as he
waved his hands above his head. Everyone stopped what they were doing and waited
in suspense. As the director made his way over to talk to the actors,
Mackenzie slipped through the light coating of snow on the ground to stand next
to Nick Hey. She confronted him, placing her hand on his shoulder.
What the hell is going on? You look like you've seen a ghost or
something, mac Hey, Um, let's go over here to talk. Nick
grabbed her upper arm and pulled her away out of earshot from the crew.
Oh you're hurting me, Mackenzie cried, what's the big deal? Nick?
Led them to a spot on the sidewalk away from the crowd, and looked
into her eyes. There's been an accident, a horrible accident, he started,
Is everyone okay, Mackenzie asked, no, not at all. Nick
answered, well then what you're starting to kind of scare me now. It's
Denver, the mayor. They found him in the barn, in one of
the cabins on the forest property. He was hit on the head and stabbed
in the back with one of the village's star Christmas tree toppers. But is
he, Mackenzie stammered, He's dead, Mac. They think he was murdered.
Murdered, Mackenzie repeated, dazed, But how can that be. We
just saw him last night. He was totally fine. I know. I
really don't get it either. Denver was such a great guy. I just
can't believe. Mackenzie could see Nick's eyes well up with tears, and in
that split second, she decided to do something she very rarely did. She
reached out and pulled him in for a hug. She could feel his arms
around her titan and could hear his sigh in her ear. Embarrassed, she
pulled away quickly. Mackenzie wasn't used to showing emotion, especially with almost complete
strangers, but with Nick she felt differently. She felt a kind of hole
towards him, even if he was annoying and corny and nothing more than a
glorified country lawyer. The next minute, Cameron jogged over to join McKenzie and
Nick. He was carrying his phone in his hand. Oh my god,
did you hear the news? Cameron asked out of breath, placing his hands
on his knees and doubling over. Yeah, we just heard it. McKenzie
replied. I'm on the phone with Sandra right now. Cameron continued. She
wants to talk to you. Oh great, mackenzie said, grabbing the phone
from Cameron and tucking her hair behind her ear. She held the phone up
in front of her so she could face time with her boss. Hello,
Sandra, how are darling? What is this I hear about a murder and
production of the movie being shut down? Well, yes, there was a
murder and production of the movie has been shut down. This just will not
do, This will not do at all. Sandra continued. I'm afraid that
we will have to get production up and running again as soon as possible.
We are on a very tight schedule with Cameron. He is due to start
filming the Michael Bay movie right after the New Year. There simply can be
no delays. But the mayor was murdered. Mackenzie started again. I said,
no delays, Sandra Hollard, puffing on her vay pen, not even
for a minor hiccup. I'm not sure i'd call this a minor hiccup,
but I guess. So what would you like me to do about it?
Sandra? We'll solve the murder, dear, Obviously find the perpetrator so we
can continue on with the production action. You want me to solve a murder?
Mackenzie swallowed hard in disbelief. Out of the many crazy things her boss
had asked her to do, this was the most insane by far. Yes,
dare, how hard can it be? Really? Sandra scoffed into the
phone. I will need the production back up and running in three days time.
But that's the day before Christmas Eve. Mackenzie said, how am I
supposed to I don't know, dear, but I'm counting on you better hop
to it. Sandra sing songed into the phone. Got to go, and
with that she signed off Mackenzie stared at the phone in disbelief. How the
hell was she going to solve a murder? She wondered. She was lost
in her own world until she heard snapping fingers in front of her face.
Mac Earth to Mac. It was Nick peering at her and shaking her arm.
Where did you go just now? Mackenzie rubbed her hand over her forehead
and side. I'm sorry. That was Sandra, my boss on the phone.
The production has been halted for a few days because of the murder,
and she wants me to solve it. Solve what, Cameron asked, the
murder? She literally said. Cameron did his best imitation of Sandra's voice,
Dear, I want you to solve this horrific murder, even though you're a
Hollywood agent. Pretty much, I mean, yeah, that's what she said
verbatim. Wow, Cameron responded, Has everyone lost their minds around here?
Or what this town is? Bananas? Well, I'm heading over to the
crime scene right now, Nick said, I am. Well. Was Denver's
attorney, so the sheriff asked if I could go down to the forest to
discuss some things. He jangled a set of keys in his hand and started
off at a brisk clip away from the set. After a few strides,
he stopped and looked back. Well, are you coming or what me?
McKenzie pointed to her chest. I guess, I mean, I guess I
could. Do you think I should? Cameron pushed her towards Nick. Yes,
obviously, Nancy Drew, You've got a murder to solve. He then
leaned down to whisper in her ear. Sexy Frank Hardy is waiting for you.
Mackenzie shoved him hard. But you're going to have to get some better
shoes than that, and a better coat, Nick said. Mackenzie glanced down
at her high heels and light peacoat. But I don't have anything, she
started to say, but just then Cameron appeared at her side, holding the
ugliest pair of waterproof snow boots and a hideous, long, red looking puffy
coat. Here, put these on and give me your shoes. These are
from the costume trailer. Since we aren't filming anymore, no one is going
to miss them. Don't see how anyone would miss them, ever, Mackenzie
muttered. Or buy them, Oh, don't be a snob. Just put
them on, Cameron said, shaking the jacket at her and thrusting the pair
of shoes into her hands. Nick was tapping his watch, so McKenzie threw
on the boots and shrugged into the huge coat. Okay, here goes nothing,
she said, running to catch up with Nick. I'm parked right over
here, he said. Rounding the corner, McKenzie looked for his massive truck,
but didn't see any cars on this side of the street. She did,
however, see a blue snowmobile parked about twenty feet away. Wait a
minute, is yours? Yeah, this is my snowmobile. How else did
you think we were getting through the forest. I can't drive my truck through
the trees. You scared? Mac mackenzie pulled down her jacket and tried not
to look scared. Truth was, she was kind of terrified. She had
never been on a snowmobile before, but she had seen them in movies and
they did not seem like her cup of tea. But she couldn't let Nick
know that. She wanted to seem fearless. No way, I'm not scared,
she retorted, flinging one leg up over the seat and accepting a black
helmet from Nick. Let's go, as I sped along first through the town
and then through the back roads towards Evergreen Forest. Mackenzie had to admit that
it was quite a thrill to speed along with the wind rushing at her and
the snowmobile slicing through the slush. She took in the sights the evergreen trees
high above them, towering over the land, the squirrels that scampered next to
them. She even caught a quick glance at a herd of deer way off
in the forest before they bounded away. She squeezed her arms a little tighter
around Nick's broad back. About fifteen minutes later, Nick parked the snowmobile in
a clearing in the middle of the woods, next to a small log cabin.
The cabin's door was open, and through it McKenzie could see people milling
around inside, where yellow police tape was strung up. Nick took off his
helmet and steered her toward the entrance to the cabin. This is the cabin
that used to belong to Denver's great grandfather. It's been on the property for
years, he said. Denver used to come here to be alone sometimes,
or just to be out in the woods by himself. Is this where the
Evergreen Forest Christmas Eve party is held, Mackenzie asked, looking around at the
tiny house. Oh no, that's in the barn at the edge of the
property. It's much bigger. As soon as Nick walked into the cabin,
a man in a sheriff's uniform, a wide brimmed hat and the biggest beer
belly McKenzie had ever seen, clumped up to Nick and stuck out his hand.
They shook solemnly and silently, and then Nick turned to McKenzie. Mackenzie
Monroe, this is Sheriff Cutler. Nice to meet you, ma'am, Sheriff
Cutler said, tipping his hat to her. Mackenzie smiled back. As Nick
and the sheriff continued to talk in hush tones, Mackenzie's eye caught a flash
from a camera. Craning her neck to see around the massive frame of Sheriff
Cutler, she saw a photographer pointing his camera down to the dirt floor below
them, and about ten feet away, she could see the body of Denver
Sebastian. She gasped and her hands flew up to her mouth. He was
wearing jeans and a blue pullover sweater. His sneakers were scuffed and a pair
of glasses had flown off his face and settled a foot away from him on
the ground. The glasses were twisted at an odd angle, as was the
body. A brown stain of blood about ten inches in diameter was visible through
the blue of his sweater, and in the center of the stain was a
large garish, yellow and gold treetopper shaped like a star, sticking out of
his back. The battery powered lights on the star were blinking on and off,
on and off. Mackenzie had never seen a dead body before, and
she suddenly felt dizzy. She groped around behind her until her hand found a
window ledge, and she leaned against the wall for support. From this vantage
point, Mackenzie saw Denver's wife over in the corner, dabbing a kleenex against
her face and speaking to another younger cop. Mackenzie did not wish to speak
to the widow and attempted to make a bee line for the door, but
Miranda caught her eye and came rushing over. Oh great, she muttered under
her breath. She had never been very good with death, grieving widows,
or grieving anyone for that matter, but now Miranda had spied her and Nick
before she knew what was happening. Miranda had thrown her arms around Mackenzie's and
was mumbling incoherently into her jacket. Abruptly, she released Mackenzie and turned to
Nick. Now it was his turn, and soon Miranda was sobbing into him.
I'm so sorry, Miranda, Nick was saying, if there's anything I
can do. Oh, thank you, Miranda stated, dabbing at her eyes
again. I just can't believe he's gone. And what a horrible way to
die. Who could have done this? She broke into a set of fresh
sobs. We don't know that yet, but I promise you we will do
everything in our power to find that son of a bitch who did this and
bring him to justice. Sheriff Cutler very dramatically vowed, taking his hat off
his head and placing it against his chest. You'll have a hell of a
time, Miranda said, sniffling. That man was the nicest, gentlest,
kindest person I've ever known. But he did make a lot of enemies.
A lot of people disagreed with his morals and principles. I know, ma'am,
but I'll do my best, Miranda. I have some work to do
regarding Denver's affairs. But I'll call you tomorrow and we can get everything straightened
out. Nick said, In the meantime, please call if you need anything
at all. Miranda nodded and shook her head side to side. Thank you,
Nick, Denver was lucky to have a friend like you. And with
that, Mackenzie followed Nick out of the cabin. What are we going to
do now, Mackenzie asked, struggling to keep up slashing through the snow and
her boots behind Nick. I'll tell you what we're not going to do.
Nick retorted, We're sure as hell not going to wait around for that lazy
ass to get anything done. Who Sheriff Cutler exactly? That man is worthless,
lazy and worthless. Spends more time eating donuts than he does any sort
of legitimate police work around here. I've had to work with that guy for
years. He's a nightmare. He won't do a damn thing about this.
But he was murdered, McKenzie exclaimed, Surely he'll do something. I mean,
he's the sheriff, yeah, but he's not our elected official. We
had a sheriff, Sheriff Manly a few years back. Great guy, smart,
hard working, he died of a heart attack about a year ago,
and Sheriff Cutler was the next in line, the only in line. Actually,
County hasn't put anybody else in that position since then. So what are
we going to do? McKenzie asked again, We're going to investigate ourselves.
We know Denver had some enemies, right, right, mackenzie said, starting
with Tom from last night. Tom definitely Wanda, his ex wife. And
Rick Matheson, That guy had huge vendetta against him, for sure. Who
is Rick again? Rick Matheson is the big time developer in Columbus from the
firm Matheson and Matheson, the guy who had been trying to buy out Denver
for years and developed the forest. He could be our guy. Let's go
pay him a visit. Shawi, I'm in, Mackenzie stated, a little
too excitedly. She realized she was actually having fun. She felt terrible that
Denver had been murdered, but she also felt helpful. How about we go
back to get my truck and then drive into the big city. You call
Columbus the big city, mackenzie chided, Yes, ma'am, we do.
Nick retorted, sorry, we're not so fancy here. In Ohio. You,
mack have got a lot to learn about small town life. I guess
I do, Mackenzie smiled back. The Evergreen Murders is written, produced,
and performed by me Katie a Cardo. Sound mixing provided by Jack Hire.
Music provided by Jack Hire, Jim Van Rieth, Steve Bain and The Angel
Choir. Tune in next Tuesday for Part four. See you then,