He looked back at his aunt. “You said all the right things, all the things I can’t seem to figure out how to say.”
“You just have to listen, Drake.” She tapped his chest. “Listen with your heart. They’ve lost their whole world.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Now I want to know exactly what you know. What really happened to Heath and Melissa?”
He glanced around the hotel lobby teeming with people checking in and out. “Let’s go up to our suite, and I’ll tell you everything.”
* * *
The engagement ring sparkled on Claire’s left hand, and she still wasn’t used to the heavy weight of it. She picked her way over the large rocks along the shore toward Sunset Bay where Luke’s boat was due to dock in about an hour. A tern uttered a sharp kee-arr overhead, and she paused when she saw a pair of puffins in the sea cliff above her.
She’d have to tell Kate. Today would be a great day to be up in her plane, but its engine was being worked on, and she’d be unable to fly for another week or so.
She shaded her eyes and looked down the curve of water to the bay. A Coast Guard cutter could be seen in the distance, so Luke would be here soon. Picking up her pace, she edged so close to the water that the splash from a cold wave hit her sandal, but the terrain was less rocky here. She reached a large, flat rock that protruded into the ocean. She clambered over it, then stopped when she saw what appeared to be a pile of black-and-red rags covered in seaweed and caught in a tide pool.
She gasped. A face was hidden in a tangle of hair.
Claire’s pulse kicked as she leaped the last few feet and reached the woman’s side. She knelt and touched the woman’s shoulder, but before Claire could speak, the sensation of cold, stiff flesh penetrated her consciousness. She stifled a scream and scrabbled back, landing on her rear end in the surf. The cold water instantly soaked through to her skin.
Claire couldn’t look away, and her chest compressed until she couldn’t draw a breath. In an instant she was remembering finding Jenny Bennett’s dead body in that cave. Her hand flew to her throat, and she tried to pull in air. The choking sensation intensified, and she did thirty seconds of belly breathing as her counselor had told her, and the tightness in her lungs began to ebb.
She stumbled to her feet and dug her cell phone out of her pocket. It was a little damp but the screen lit up, so she called 911 and told the dispatcher about the body she’d found.
“I’ll stay here until the sheriff arrives.” Her voice shook. “Please hurry. Sh-should I pull the body farther onto the beach so the tide doesn’t take her out? I think she’s moved a few inches.”
“Game Warden O’Connor is near your location. He’ll likely arrive first, but I’ll get the sheriff on his way too,” the woman said. “I think it’s best if you don’t touch the body. Do you want me to stay on the line with you?”
Claire saw Luke’s boat offshore and waved. “No, that’s fine. My fiancé is nearly here, and he’ll wait with me for Kevin’s arrival.”
“It shouldn’t be long,” the dispatcher assured her.
Claire ended the call and went to stand near the woman’s body. Poor thing. She looked to be in her early twenties with her whole life ahead of her. Seaweed mixed with her long blonde hair, and her jeans and a lacy top lay carefully draped to cover her nude body.
The scene looked staged to her. What if a killer was stalking their area? She swallowed hard and took a step back. She and Kate had watched too many Criminal Minds episodes.
She lifted her head at the crunch of shoes on rocks, then turned and saw Luke heading her way. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she launched herself against his chest. His arms came around her, and he held her close enough that she could hear his heartbeat under her ear.
“What’s wrong, Claire?” He kissed the top of her hair. “You’re trembling.”
“A-a woman. Over there. She’s dead.” She lifted her head and gulped. “I called the dispatcher, and Kevin will be here any minute. I-I was just remembering finding Jenny’s decomposing body in that cave.”
Admitting her feelings made the trembling intensify. She prided herself on being strong and resourceful, but there was something so hateful about a crime like this that made any woman quake in her shoes.
She pushed herself away from Luke and curled her hands into fists. “I want some kind of weapon. Bear spray, a gun, something.”
His brown eyes held pity as he looked from the woman back to Claire. “Let’s not overreact, sweetheart. The sheriff may find this woman’s killer right off. But I’ll make sure you have some bear spray on you. And I’ll stay close until we know what’s going on.”
At least he realized what had happened to this woman. A small-craft motor echoed over the waves, then grew louder until she could see the warden-service insignia on the side. Kevin docked and strode across the rocks to meet them.
His gaze went straight to the dead woman, and he winced. “You okay, Claire?”
How did she answer that? Finding this kind of crime in her seemingly safe little town was like finding a poisonous spider in a banana. She might never feel safe again. No woman would until this killer was found.
When she didn’t answer, he stooped to touch the woman’s neck. “Rigor mortis has set in.”
She shuddered when she remembered the stiff, cold flesh. “I noticed.”
He stood and looked around. It was going to be difficult to find footprints since this area was covered with rocks. Claire stood in the shelter of Luke’s embrace as Kevin swept the area for clues. In the distance came the wail of an ambulance, but it was too late for this poor woman. Much too late.
SEVEN
The hotel suite, lavishly decorated in pinks and golds, looked out on the blue waters of Sunset Cove. Drake strolled the suite with his aunt on his heels. Two bedrooms, one on each side of the large living area, had their own bathrooms. The girls would like their massive jetted tub and the gleaming stainless-steel fixtures.
Aunt Dixie grunted as they returned to the living room with its overstuffed leather furniture. “You made of money, boy? One night here would cost me a week’s income.”
He grinned. “I’m doing all right. People like my drones.” His smile faded and he stared at his aunt. “What do people here say about Heath’s and Melissa’s deaths?”
Her gaze narrowed, and she adjusted the pencil holding her salt-and-pepper hair in its bun. “That Heath killed her, then killed himself.”
He pressed his lips together and looked out the huge window to the water. “I don’t believe it.”
She sank onto the sofa. “You know something. I can see it. What have you found out?”
“Heath’s office was handling the defense of Chen Wang, a Chinese crime lord the FBI has been after for over ten years. Heath received threats from the organization that if Wang went to jail for murder, Heath and his family would be dead the next day.”
“But the trial hasn’t happened yet, right?”
He shook his head. “It’s not for another three months. But I think it’s related somehow.”
“But why would Wang kill the man who was defending him?”
“Maybe he thought Heath was mishandling the trial, and he’d punish him, then get a new attorney. Or maybe it’s not Wang at all. Maybe a rival drug lord ordered it. If Wang went to jail, he’d be out of the way.” Drake ran his hand through his hair. “I’m just trying to look at all the angles.”
He went to sit on the sofa opposite his aunt. “Someone broke into my house and rifled through my office. Whoever got in knew how to turn off the alarm. So I threw the girls’ things in a suitcase, turned my business over to the plant manager, and came here to investigate on my own.”
A frown settled between Dixie’s eyes. “Good heavens, boy, what makes you think you’re any safer here? At least in the city, a police car is minutes away.”
On the surface his decision didn’t make much sense, but he knew in his gut that his brother’s death would go unsolved if he didn’t i
nvestigate it himself. The sheriff believed it was a murder/ suicide, and Drake had no real proof other than instinct. Instinct had served him well all his life, and he wasn’t going to discount it now.
Dixie eyed his face when he didn’t answer. “I see your mind is made up. You be extra careful with those children there. Bring them to me when you go on your wild-goose chase.”
“You’re still working at the post office. I’m looking to hire a nanny. I’ll make sure they are safe before I go sleuthing. Know of a good nanny in the area?”
She huffed and pressed her thin lips together. “I’ll think on it, but this makes me spleeny, Drake. Some high schooler won’t be able to handle those girls. They need someone with depth and discipline.”
“So find me one. They need to be kept busy and happy while I investigate. I don’t want some starched librarian who raps them on their heads with a ruler if they don’t mind.”
She shook her finger at him. “Discipline didn’t hurt you any.”
She had that right. Their parents were loving, but he and Heath had toed the line. Still, his heart ached at the pain his nieces were experiencing. They just needed to have a good time this summer and try to move on. “I wasn’t planning on getting a high schooler but someone with maturity. Let me know if you think of anyone.”
His cell phone rang, and he looked at the screen. It was a local number he didn’t recognize. “Drake Newham.”
“Hello, Mr. Newham, this is Kate Mason.”
“I didn’t expect to hear from you quite so soon. The cottage isn’t ready now, is it?”
She gave a nervous cough. “Well, no, but I’d like to talk to you about the nanny position. I’m interested in it myself.”
He blinked and raised his brow. She’d seemed nice enough and had paid attention to the girls, but he didn’t know much about her. “I see. Do you have experience with kids?”
“I’m the Sunday school director at our church. I can give you my pastor’s name and number if you’d like to speak with him. I’m good with kids and always have been.”
Her confidence made him smile. Sometimes the best employees were the ones who had the most belief in their own abilities. “Sure, text me his contact information.”
“I’ll do that as soon as we hang up. I’ve lived here my whole life, so just ask around. People know me.”
“How about you meet me here at the hotel for dinner with the kids tonight, and we can discuss it more? I’d like to see you interact with the girls before I make up my mind.”
“That’s fine. What time?”
“Say five? The girls are used to eating early.”
“I’ll be there. The Oyster Bistro? The Sea Room is fancier, and the girls wouldn’t like the food as well as at the Bistro.”
“If that’s where you want to go.”
“It’s to the right of the elevator as you get to the first floor. See you at five.”
He ended the call and glanced at his aunt. “You know Kate Mason?”
She adjusted the pencil in her hair holding up her bun. “Of course. A good girl who’s been through a lot. She had some kind of blood disease and had to have some treatment after chemo. But she’s fine now. She wants to care for the girls?”
He nodded as his cell phone gave a message alert. “I’ll talk to her pastor and see what he says.”
“She goes to my church too. You can’t do much better than Kate.”
So maybe his search was over. He liked what he’d seen from her so far.
* * *
Kate slicked a bit of lip gloss on her lips and surveyed herself in the mirror. Thanks to hair spray and pins, she’d managed to get her short curls into an updo like Claire’s, and she thought it made her look smarter and more sophisticated. But was that the right look for a nanny? She tugged at the hem of her denim skirt, then slipped silver hoops in her ears. It would have to do.
With her car keys in hand, she was heading for the door when her cell phone rang. She frowned when she saw Sheriff Colton’s name on the screen and answered it.
“Sorry to bother you, Kate.” His voice was terse, unlike his normal jovial demeanor.
“What’s wrong, Danny?” She stopped by the door when he released a heavy sigh.
“Don’t quite know how to say it except to spit it out like a watermelon seed. Your uncle Paul escaped from prison last night.”
She gasped and leaned against the doorjamb. “Escaped? You mean they don’t know where he is?”
“That’s right. He knows these woods like I know every surface of my gun, so I’m betting he’ll be headed this way. Let me know if he contacts you.”
“I can’t imagine he would though. Not after what he did.”
He’d murdered Luke’s mother to keep her from telling how she’d seen him burying Kate’s half sister’s body. Everyone in this area knew what he’d done, and someone would turn him in. Coming here would be stupid. Or would it? He could live off the land and hide out for years up here and never be spotted.
“I’m about to call Claire. She needs to be especially vigilant. While Paul was in prison, he talked about making her pay if he got out.”
Claire had unraveled the secrets of that day so long ago, and Paul hated Claire, even if she was his own niece. Should Kate even pursue this job with Drake? Claire might need her around more.
“She’s had enough on her plate today. I hate to add to it,” the sheriff said.
“What do you mean?” Kate hadn’t spoken to her twin since this morning. Claire had called and left a message a couple of hours ago, but Kate hadn’t had time to call her back. She’d planned to do that on the drive to the hotel.
“She discovered a young woman dead on the beach. Choked and raped, at least that’s the preliminary call by the coroner before the autopsy.”
“Oh no!” Kate’s fingers went to her own neck. “Who was it?”
“A tourist.”
“I’ll call Claire right away.”
“Give me fifteen minutes to tell her about Paul.”
“Okay.” It was a good thing the wedding was coming up in a couple of weeks. Luke would take good care of her.
Kate glanced at the time as she put her phone away. If she delayed any longer, she would be late for dinner with Drake, though she was in no mood for this position now when every part of her wanted to be with Claire.
She drove down Highway 1 to Summer Harbor, singing with the radio to calm herself. By the time she parked her Volkswagen in the lot and got to the ferry, fifteen minutes had passed. She found a seat at the front and called her sister.
Claire answered on the first ring. “Kate, did you hear about Paul?” Her voice was choked and upset.
“Yes, Danny called me. Is Luke there with you?”
“Yes, yes, I’m fine. But I’m worried about you out there on that dead-end road alone. You know he’s going to come straight back there. You’re his only real family with our mom in jail too. Where else could he go for help? I think you should come stay with me.”
“I don’t think he’ll show up.” Her confident pronouncement sounded false in her ears. “Besides, the new renter will be right across the road. And I think I’ll be busy with his nieces.” She told Claire about the job interview. “I heard about the woman you found. Danny didn’t say who it was.”
“Her name was Whitney Peece.” Claire’s voice quivered. “She was staying at the hotel for the weekend as part of a bridal party getaway. She went missing last night after going outside a bar in Folly Shoals to get some air. Her friends thought she’d gone back to her room at the hotel because she wasn’t feeling well, and she wasn’t reported missing until this morning when she didn’t come down for breakfast. She was only t-twenty-one.” Claire broke off on a shuddering sob. “It was pretty horrible.”
“Our safe little town isn’t so safe anymore.”
“Danny said there have been some instances of Peeping Toms too. I think he’s worried. Kevin was first at the scene, and he wants Danny to issue a warning
to women not to go out alone at night.”
“I’m going to start carrying my handgun, just in case. And I’ll keep my bear spray with me.”
“Luke got me some, and I have it in my purse. I should get a license like you, but guns have always scared me.”
The ferry was nearly at the dock, and Kate had just enough time to get up the hillside steps to the hotel. “Gotta go. Wish me luck on the job interview.”
“I’ll pray it’s as good as it sounds. Call me on the way home.”
“I will.” Kate ended the call and got in line to disembark. She still wasn’t sure how she wanted it to go tonight. The extra money would be helpful, but there were so many problems cropping up right now, she wasn’t sure she had the focus to deal with children.
EIGHT
Kate swiped damp palms on her skirt under the table as she faced Drake. Lordy, but he was handsome. His dark curly hair just begged to have a woman run her fingers through it, and he had that solid muscular build she’d always found attractive. No studious, wiry type for her. She was drawn to strong good looks, and Drake had them in spades with his bulky arms and square jaw. Peeking at his left hand, she saw no faint tan line where a ring might have been either. But that didn’t mean he didn’t have a fiancée in the wings somewhere.
She blew out a breath and squared her shoulders. If she wanted this job, she had to corral her emotions and quit mooning over him. It was so unlike her, and she couldn’t blame her straying thoughts on chemo brain. She eyed the two girls who were both engrossed in iPads.
Before she stopped to think, she reached over and plucked both tablets out of their hands. “It’s bad manners to use those at the table, girls. Before you know it, you’ll be adults, and you need to have at least some idea of how to carry on a conversation.”
Phoebe’s eyes widened and her lower lip protruded. She looked up at her uncle with beseeching blue eyes. “I want to play Angry Birds.”