Chapter 5
Olivia must have kept herself busy with the food preparations because I didn't see her the rest of the day. Will, too, left me to my own devices and I wiled away the hours watching others have fun. Sometimes it was nice to watch the world enjoy itself, and in that enjoyment find some pleasure yourself. I soaked up the warm sun and in an hour later my head started to nod.
Before I knew it I'd fallen asleep, and didn't wake up until sunset. The crowds were gone and the laughter faded. The smells of extinguished camp and barbecue fires wafted past my nose and mothers called their children inside. I heeded the call of my inner mother and went inside for a bite to eat. Outside the darkness of night stretched across the lake and surrounded my cabin. A soft chill crept inside and I opted to light a fire inside the chimney. It took me half an hour to get a spark out of the kindling, and another hour to get a good blaze.
Snug as I was inside the cabin with the warm glow and crackling sounds from the fire, I found I wasn't sleepy. My afternoon nap kept me from going to bed, so I opted to shut off the lights inside the cabin and settled down in front of the fire to read one of the books I'd brought with me. It was a volume of ghost stories. I settled in for a long read with plenty of firewood to keep my light burning, and the hours ticked away.
It wasn't until midnight that I heard a noise outside. I looked up from my book and strained my ears. There it was again. Footsteps along planks. The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight. Maybe it was a ghost out to get me. I closed my book. That was enough ghost stories for me.
However, closing the book didn't stop the noise. I stood and walked to the rear of the cabin. A bright moon shone over the lake and illuminated much of the ground. My dock was empty and I couldn't see any astral figure on the rear porch, so I stepped outside and up to the railing.
I heard a splash of water and glanced to my right to see Will's boat slip out toward the middle of the lake. There were two shadows in the boat, I guessed they were Will and his manservant If Will hadn't given me such a look-over earlier that day I would have thought they were a couple. One man rowed while the other sat at the bow and faced forward. They reached the center of the lake and the man at the front turned and bent down. He picked up a large bundle of something and lifted it over the side to slide it quietly into the lake. In a moment the package slipped below the surface to a watery grave.
The boat turned around and sailed back to the dock. I ducked down and peeked through the railing bars. The pair stepped onto the dock, but the one at the bow paused. I swore their head moved so their eyes settled on the porch. I stiffened and held my breath. It felt like an eternity before the other shadow took the arm of the one staring at me and led him up the path to their cabin.
The moment their door clattered shut I rushed inside my cabin and locked the door behind me. I leaned my back against the door and clutched my rapidly beating heart. My imagination ran away from me as thoughts of two murderers next door and dead bodies in cloth bags surfaced in my mind. I shook them out. No, it couldn't possibly be what I thought I saw. I'm sure they were just dumping their trash or doing some other illegal-but-definitely-not-murder act. Tomorrow somebody would find it floating with the wind current and there will be a few complaints, but nothing deadly serious.
Telling myself those lies was what kept me from calling the police. I made sure all the doors were locked and windows were locked, and tucked myself tightly into my bed still wearing my clothes. If anything happened I didn't want to streak out of the cabin in only my pajama top. After an hour an end to my adrenaline and the late hour allowed me to get some sleep.
I woke up with the same sunny greeting as the morning before. My clock read seven again, and I pondered whether I could chuck the machine clear across the room. That wouldn't have changed the time, however, nor the knock on my door. I sat up and swung my feet over the side. Maybe they would go away.
It didn't work. There was another knock.
I groaned, slid off the bed and glanced down at myself. My clothes were wrinkled, but otherwise presentable. I hurried to the door and opened it after the third knock. The color drained from my face when I saw Dimitri Vuk standing on the porch with a small, strange smile on his face. His eyes flitted over my attire, but he didn't lose his regal posture or smile.
Vuk bowed his head to me and spoke in a thick accent I could only place as kind of Russian. "Good morning, miss. I hope I am not disturbing you."
"O-oh, no. I was-um, I was trying to-um-" I glanced down at myself "-trying to iron my clothes."
"I see. That is good. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dimitri Vuk, miss, and I come on behalf of my employer, Mr. William Campbell. He would be very pleased if you would breakfast with him this morning," Vuk requested.
The terrified little girl inside me screamed and terrifying visions of bad horror movies flashed through my mind. I would play the part of the stupid teenage girl who goes inside the house when the audience is screaming at her not to do it. "That's-um, that's kind of him, but I don't think I could intrude on his hospitality," I argued.
"He would be very disappointed if you would not come," Vuk told me. His tone told me a 'no' wouldn't be an acceptable answer. Then again, what was I worrying about? I'd just seen them doing something in the lake, but I didn't have any proof it was even illegal, much less murderous.
"All right. Let me put on my shoes," I told him. Tennis shoes for a quick escape.
When I was ready Vuk stepped aside and swept his hand in front of him. I passed him and out into the chilly air of the early morning. A faint fog drifted from the lake and onto the lawns. Vuk led me across our joined yards and to the front door of their little cabin. He opened the door and motioned for me to enter first. I swallowed my fear and paranoia, and stepped inside.
The cabin was rustic. There was a main room to my right and a small kitchen and dining room to my left. Ahead was a narrow hall that led to the rear door, and there was a door on either side of the hall. The floor boards were hewn logs polished to a shine and the walls were a thick lay of chink built by several generations of owners. The furniture, a couch, a few chairs, and the dining set, was made of thick pieces of wood, but cushions softened the hard surface and backs. The roof was open rafters and oddities cluttered the walls. There were pairs of old snowshoes, road signs, newspaper clippings, and other such small trinkets that one could look at all day and not see everything.
Will stood by the cloth-covered dining table and strode forward when I entered. He stood in front of me and his eyes swept over me with that intense gaze. "I'm very glad you were willing to come on such short notice," he commented.
I sniffed the air and caught a whiff of eggs, toast, and coffee. "It smells like I chose wisely," I replied.
Will smiled and guided me over to the table. "Vuk is an excellent cook. I haven't found better in my travels," he revealed. I felt like a lady when he pulled out a chair for me near the head of the table, and I felt like a captive when he scooted me close to the table. He seated himself at the head on my right.
"Olivia told me you've seen a lot of places," I told him.
He set his napkin in his lap and raised an eyebrow. "Has she? I hope she didn't exaggerate too much," he joked.
"She only mentioned Africa and Eastern Europe," I answered.
"Ah. Yes, I have been there. The former more than the latter," he replied.
"For cultural studies or just to see the sights?" I wondered.
"Both, actually." Vuk came between us and set a mug in front of each of us. He poured some nice, steaming coffee into the cups. "Thank you, Vuk," Will told him. Vuk bowed his head and returned to the kitchen. He lifted the mug to his lips and took a sip.
"Find anything interesting?" I asked him.
Will paused and his eyes looked over the lip of the mug at me. He pursed his lips and set the mug on the table. "Some interesting things, and others-well, not so interesting, and I acquired some unusual habits," he admitted.
"Unus
ual habits? Like what?" I asked him.
He smiled. "Like taking late-night board rides with Vuk. I believe you caught us in the act last night."
Here it was. The murderer had found me out. "I-I-"
Will shook his head. "There's no need to explain. Rather, it is I who should offer you an explanation. You see, Vuk and I have a habit of feeding the fish in the lake. It's a custom I took up while in the far lakes of the Ukraine," he told me.
I blinked. "They feed the fish in the Ukraine like that?" I wondered.
He chuckled. "In a way. Think of it as chumming, but with the intention of catching the fish later once they are large and well-fed," he suggested.
I cringed. "That's a-well, interesting," I commented. It was strange as heck, and Will could see I thought it was strange as heck.
"I can see why you would think it a little odd, but don't hold my peculiarities against me," he pleaded. His tone was honestly begging me to accept him at face value.
At that moment Vuk came with two plates holding a thankfully normal breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast smothered in butter.
I eyed the food, especially the small mound of bacon on my plate, and glanced up at him with a mischievous glint in my eye. "How could I hold anything against a man who doesn't skimp on the bacon?" I teased.
Will smiled and we dug into our food talking like old friends. It was a pleasant start to an exciting day.
Chapter 6
Breakfast was over in half an hour. I leaned back in my chair and groaned in satisfaction as I patted my full, but happy stomach. "Vuk, would you consider cooking for me every morning?" I asked the manservant as he stood in the kitchen.
Will smiled at me. "Vuk and I would be pleased to have you every morning," he invited.
I grinned. "Be careful what you wish for. I might eat you out of your bacon," I warned him.
He chuckled. "I highly doubt that, but even with your threat the offer still stands."
"Standing might be a problem right now," I commented. I stood and felt like I'd gained ten pounds, and all at the hips and butt. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you two were fattening me up to eat me." I expected at least a smile or a chuckle from Will, but instead I noticed a dark shadow cross his face. Vuk paused in his washing of the dishes and turned to us with a plate suspended in one hand and the rag in the other. I cringed and turned back to Will. "I'm sorry if I said something-"
"You didn't say anything wrong," Will interrupted me. He smiled, set his hand on my back and led me toward the rear door. "And I'm very glad you enjoyed the breakfast. I will be sure to have Vuk prepare the same for you every morning when you visit."
"You don't have to-burp-excuse me. You don't have to go to all this trouble. I can feed myself," I protested. Though at that moment the idea of eating my own meals wasn't appetizing. You just couldn't compare cold cereal to a warm, cooked breakfast, especially if bacon was involved. Bacon was like the Force, it had it's dark meat and its juicy white fat, and nothing beat the Force.
"But I insist. It isn't often Vuk and I are able to speak so openly with another person. We are-well, very confirmed bachelors in our way," he told me.
We stepped out onto the rear porch and admired the beautiful view of the glistening lake. "And you'll let a confirmed old maid like me into your pad?" I teased him.
He smiled and admired my face and form. "Calling yourself an old maid isn't doing you justice," he scolded.
I shrugged. "The world is full of injustice," I replied.
Will turned away from me to look at the lake, and a pensive expression slipped across his face. "Yes, the world and life are full of a very great injustices. One's life is shattered in an instant by a stupid mistake, and they travel the world hoping to fix their error only to find disappointment and despair."
I looked over his face and could detect a hint of that disappointment and despair in his expression. "Speaking from experience?" I guessed.
His voice was a ghost of its normal self. "More than I care to admit," he replied. He shook himself and glanced at me with his smile. Now I wondered if that smile was real. "You must be a witch," he mused.
I blinked. "Beg your pardon?" I asked him.
He chuckled. "You've bewitched me into speaking more about myself than I've done in many years. Not since I met Vuk," he revealed.
"How long ago was that?" I wondered.
"Seven years ago," he told me.
"It's a good thing you're not a woman. That's a long time to be a celibate talker," I teased.
"Yes, but I'm glad to break my celibacy for such a lovely companion," he replied.
I blushed and looked away to my left where stood my cabin. My face fell when my eyes fell on a familiar form hurrying in our direction. "I don't think she sleeps. . ." I murmured.
Will leaned forward and glanced past me. He sighed when he noticed Olivia headed toward us. "Will you blame me greatly if I step back inside?" he asked me.
"Run, run fast," I agreed.
Will clasped my hand in his and planted a gallant kiss on the back of my hand. "Until later," he whispered. I didn't get a chance to reply before he slipped inside, leaving me at the mercy of Olivia. I stepped off the porch onto the grass just as she scurried up to me.
"Good morning, Grace," she warmly greeted me.
"Good morning, Olivia," I returned.
She looked past me at the closed door. "Is William busy?"
"He had something to do," I replied. I didn't mention that it was to hide inside and wait until she was gone.
"Oh, well, I'm sure he's getting ready for the picnic this afternoon," she guessed. "By-the-by, have you two finished setting up the flags?"
I frowned. "Didn't Will tell you we finished it?"
"Oh no, my dear, I haven't heard a peep from him since I gave you two the flags and the map. I hope it wasn't too hard for you to find your way through that thick brush," she wondered. She must have noticed the confusion in my voice because she put a hand on my shoulder. "Is something wrong, Grace? You look troubled."
"What? Oh, no, just thinking about something. Is there anything else you needed help with before the picnic?" I asked her.
She smiled and shook her head. "No, I'm glad to say there's nothing at all to finish. The food is cooking or prepared to cook, and the fireworks are waiting for the fun." She clasped her hands together and laughed. "What a wonderful picnic this will be! I am sure it will be the best by far, and you shall have a chance to meet with so many friendly people!"
"Yeah, it's going to be great," I replied. My enthusiasm was on par with a limp fish. Fortunately my fluttery friend didn't notice my lack of cheerleader spirit.
"Well, I must be going. There are still friends to see and a few ti-ki torches to put up in the park. Ta-ta!" She waved her fingers at me and hurried off to finish her master plan of fun-making.
She left me with an uneasy feeling. Will told me he'd talked to her about the flagging and our gruesome discovery, but Olivia just unknowingly disputed his statement. I turned and glanced at the closed, and possibly locked, rear door of Will's cabin and the memories of last night resurfaced. Now Will's tally had a lie and a mystery to it, and I had two options. I could confront him about his lying and hear another strange reply, or I could check out the reason for his lying that lay at the top of the cordoned off area.
I wasn't a confrontational person and I had conflicting reports about the flagging rather than anything concrete, so I opted to revisit the scene of my horrible discovery. I hurried around the side of Will's cabin and onto the road where the flags started. The hill loomed above me and I glanced over my shoulder to see if anyone from Will's cabin watched. The curtains were closed as always, and none of them stirred. I started the climb.
I had the flags on the far left to show me the way and in a few gasping minutes I reached the top of the flagged area, only it wasn't the top I knew. Yesterday, because of the dead animal, we placed the flag a couple yards short of the mapped area. There hadn't been any sight
of the logging road at the top, but now I could clearly see a gap in the trees about fifty yards farther up the hill.
I turned and glanced down the line of flags I'd followed. My eyes hadn't seen any sign of the animal anywhere, but it must have been there. I retraced my steps and paused at a strange clump of brush. The leaves were thick and wide, but fresh dirt shone through the gaps in the foliage. I pushed aside the leaves and saw that the ground had been turned over enough times to mimic a tiller, and the lower leaves on the surrounding plants, those that brushed the ground, were missing. I knelt down and dug my fingers into the dirt. The loose brown soil turned over and revealed a few flakes of a dark red, dried liquid. The blood. Someone had come up here, taken what they could of the creature, and hid what couldn't be taken away.
I stood and wiped the blood on my pants. There was no way any wild would, or could, wipe their plate that clean. A human had cleaned up the mess, and I didn't need three guesses to know who. Why Will and Vuk had gone to the trouble was one question my mind couldn't answer, but it might have explained what was in the bag they dumped into the lake last night. They were getting rid of the evidence, but evidence of what? A large predator in the area? Maybe a wolf roaming Wolf Lake?
Was my blossoming boyfriend some sort of wolf nut who didn't want anyone to know about a wild beast in the area? If so, he was doing a poor job of it. The cow on the side of the road told the farmers all they needed to know except where to find the wolf. Maybe Will knew that, too, but I was getting into pure speculation territory with that guess.
Crack.
I froze. That didn't sound like my friendly neighborhood squirrel coming to meet me. It sounded like my not-so-friendly neighborhood bear coming to maul me. I slowly turned toward the source of the noise, a few yards below me, and my eyes fell on nothing. Well, there was the brush and the trees, but other than that there was nothing to catch my suspicion. Seeing nothing didn't give me any comfort. On the contrary, it brought up all kinds of horrible images of cougars laying in wait and the smarter-than-your-average-bear hunkered down prepared to give me the hug of a lifetime.