Beyond a Doubt

  The whole thing unsettled Bree. She had to figure this out. She didn’t want Abe showing up and upsetting Anu and Hilary, especially since Hilary was so vulnerable right now. She had to figure out what he was planning.

  “There must have been some money in smuggling,” she remarked.

  Beulah shrugged. “Peter was always looking for some way to make money.”

  “You said he had a lot of money to throw around in the months before he died. From smuggling?”

  “I don’t know.” Beulah thrust out her chin.

  Bree went another direction. “What about the rest of them?”

  Beulah took a sip of her iced tea. “Max was first to go. Med school. He’d come back now and then. Peter and Abe stayed here. After those two disappeared Gary went off to college and then to train for the park. They were always looking for ways to turn a buck. Nothing ever amounted to much though. A few hundred dollars here and there. Their big score—” She broke off.

  Bree could tell she wished she hadn’t said anything. “Their big score? What was that?”

  Beulah bit her lip. “They had high hopes for scavenging the wrecks, especially Seawind, but when Peter went missing, I knew that was just a pie-in-the-sky too.”

  The shipwreck again. What had been on that ship? “Do you have any idea what they were looking for?”

  Beulah didn’t answer. “Want some more tea?”

  “Maybe they found something. Is that where you got the capital to start your business?”

  Beulah looked as if she’d been slapped. “I was never messed up in their stuff,” she snapped.

  “Then how did you get started? I heard you sold something Peter left you.”

  “Who told you that?”

  Bree decided to tell her. Maybe jealousy would loosen the woman’s tongue. “Odetta Syers.”

  Beulah froze. “Where did you find her? That tart would say anything to hurt me. It’s not enough that she tried to steal my husband. Besides, this is none of your business.”

  Bree leaned forward. “Strange things have been happening to me and my family, so I would say that it is. Think of Anu Nicholls, Beulah. She said the two of you were good friends.”

  Beulah’s eyes softened. “Anu is a special lady,” she said.

  “Then won’t you help me for her sake?”

  Beulah looked down at her hands. “I have nothing to say.”

  “Odetta showed Bree some jewels. Diamonds,” Naomi put in.

  Beulah’s mouth tightened. “I have nothing to say,” she repeated.

  “She said I should ask how you started your nursery business.” Bree touched the petal of an orchid standing next to the sofa.

  “I think it’s time you left.” Beulah got up and went to the door.

  Diamonds, that had to be it. Those might be worth enough for someone to kill for.

  Lauri drove along the rutted track, her car going airborne when she hit the potholes the spring thaw had left. What was she going to do? She glanced down and became aware of her fingers splayed over her abdomen in a protective gesture. She snatched her hand away. What was she thinking? She wasn’t ready to become a mother.

  Her thoughts drifted to Naomi, and with a sudden decisive movement she turned the car and headed to the O’Reilly house. Just looking at the house gave her warm, fuzzy feelings. Her baby could be happy growing up here with Timmy and Emily for brothers and sisters.

  Nausea rose in her as if she’d just gone two rounds on the Demon Drop at Cedar Point Amusement Park. She rang the doorbell anyway. She rubbed slick palms against her jeans.

  “Lauri, what a nice surprise! You just missed Bree.” Naomi stood back from the door to allow Lauri in. “I’ve been baking some turtle bars. They’re still hot. You want some?”

  Lauri followed Naomi into the kitchen. The room was warm and fragrant with the smell of chocolate and caramel. She sniffed appreciatively. “Yum, that smells great. I could eat a horse. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I have to have something all the time.”

  “You’re eating for two.” Naomi slid a paper plate with three turtle bars on it across the table to her. “One for you and two for the baby.”

  Lauri grinned. “This kid will weigh a ton.”

  “I’ve got soda. It’s even your favorite: Dr. Pepper.” Naomi went to the refrigerator.

  Lauri ran a finger in the gooey mixture of chocolate and caramel that had oozed from the turtle bar. “I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here.”

  “No, should I? I thought you just stopped by to see me.” Naomi put the soda in front of Lauri and slid into a chair across the table from her. “So much for my ego.” She smiled.

  Lauri managed a laugh, then blurted, “I was wondering what your plans are for the future.” Gosh, that sounded terrible. How did she go about asking if Naomi was too old to have a baby?

  Naomi raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’m going to be the best wife and mother I can be. Charley and I are going to continue to improve in our training. I’m going to be a friend to you and Bree. Have I left out anything?”

  “Mother to Timmy and Emily? What about kids of your own?”

  Naomi smiled. “It’s a little early for that.”

  “Can you, I mean, are you planning to have some of your own?” Lauri nibbled on her turtle bar.

  Naomi looked at Lauri with compassion in her eyes. “What’s this all about, Lauri?”

  “I want you to take my baby.” There. She’d done it.

  Naomi blinked and audibly exhaled. “I see. Have you talked to Kade about this?”

  “Not really. He isn’t sure about adoption. I think he wants me to keep it. But I’m not ready to be a mother!”

  “Well, this isn’t something to decide in a hurry,” Naomi said. “I hadn’t really thought about adopting a baby. But I’m not opposed to the idea. I could talk to Donovan and Kade if you’re sure about this.”

  “I’m sure.” She hoped she sounded stronger than she felt.

  “Then we’ll pray about it,” Naomi said. “I don’t want to do anything unless this is God’s will for all of us.”

  “I’m sure it’s God’s will,” Lauri said, her confidence rising. Who was she to be saying what the Lord’s will was? On the other hand, the idea was too perfect not to be just that.

  30

  The men were waiting for him. He parked under an old maple tree and walked toward the picnic area. This clearing was so remote, most people never stumbled across it, which was just fine with him. He dreaded what he had to do today, but she hadn’t left him any choice. Sad, really. The future could have been so different.

  “I have a rush job for you,” he said, laying his briefcase on the table. “But it has to be done right. No screwups.”

  Lempi scowled. “Are you saying we screwed up the last job? We did just what you told us. I think your information is wrong.”

  “Look, I have to retrieve my possession. I’d hoped no one else would be hurt, but I’m taking off the kid gloves now. I want you to force Anu to tell where it is. If you have to use her daughter-in-law or her grandson to scare her into telling the truth, then do it.”

  “Count me out.” Vern said. “I ain’t going to jail for you. Getting rid of Ben turned my stomach. No more hurting people.”

  The man didn’t try to argue. “Fine. If you don’t have the guts for it, I don’t want you. How about you?” he asked Lempi. “Are you in?”

  “For a price.” Lempi stretched out his legs and patted his pocket for his cigarettes.

  “Five thousand dollars.”

  “A hundred,” Lempi countered.

  The man gasped. “Are you nuts? I’m not paying that kind of money!”

  Lempi shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

  “Never mind. I’ll take care of it myself.” The man picked up his suitcase and walked toward his car. Anu would tell him the truth. She’d do anything to protect Bree and Davy. He allowed himself a pang of regret for what he’d have to do.

  The morning sun da
nced on the sprigs of green breaking through the mulch of dead leaves. Bree dropped the Jeep into gear. “Now we tackle Gary Landorf. I hope Mason can find out something about this Neville person today. He was really upset to hear that Abe might be hanging around here. We’re not sure how long we can keep this from Anu.”

  “You still think it’s diamonds the Do-Wrongs were after?”

  Bree nodded. “If they’re from the smuggling operation, Beulah might be afraid she’ll have to return the money.”

  “What do you think Gary Landorf will tell us? It was a long time ago.”

  “Maybe more about the smuggling ring.”

  “You think he’ll actually admit to it?”

  Naomi had a point. Considering recent events, he had all the reason in the world to lie. “Maybe I can trick him into telling the truth,” she said slowly.

  “How?”

  “I don’t know. Let me think about it. Hand me some pistachios. I always think better with something to eat.”

  Naomi sighed. “They’d give me indigestion.” She pulled a small bag of nuts from the glove box and gave them to Bree.

  Bree split a nut and popped it into her mouth. She settled against the back of the seat for the drive out to the rangers’ station.

  The CD played softly in the background. Elvis was singing “All Shook Up.” Bree chewed on another nut. What if she shook up Gary—made him think she knew more than she really did? It was worth a try.

  “You thinking about Kade?” Naomi asked. “You’ve got a funny look on your face.”

  “Elvis,” Bree said. They both laughed.

  Then Naomi chewed on her lip. “Lauri wants me and Donovan to adopt her baby.”

  “You’re kidding! What did you say?”

  “That I’d talk to Donovan and Kade and pray about it.”

  “What was Donovan’s reaction?”

  “He’s not opposed to the idea. I’m just not sure yet. I might want to try for a baby of our own. Not that there wouldn’t be room for Lauri’s baby too, if that’s what God wanted. But it’s hard to know what to do.”

  “Well, we already know you’re a great mother! Has Lauri said anything to Kade yet?”

  “Not yet. And now that we have the subject back to Kade, we can talk about how you’re about to blow it. Have you explained about the fireman guy?”

  Bree shot Naomi her best withering look. “There’s nothing to explain. I haven’t really talked with Kade since we found Gretchen.” She sighed. “He’s probably still mad at me after meeting Nick Fletcher at the house.” Naomi was quiet, and Bree glanced at her. “Your disapproval speaks louder than words,” she said.

  “You’re going to mess up a good thing with Kade. The fireman is cute, but he’s not right for you. Kade is.”

  “Davy really likes Nick.” Bree couldn’t help the defensive note in her voice.

  “Davy isn’t the one who would have to live with him forever. Don’t ever pick out a husband because of someone else’s opinion. If I’d listened to my mom, she would have had me marry Sam Carter around the corner, and I would have been bored in six months.”

  “I don’t understand why Davy has never bonded with Kade. Kade tries so hard with him too. Nick doesn’t even have to try—it’s just there.”

  “You are the mother, Bree. Don’t make the mistake of letting Davy run your home.”

  “He isn’t.” Bree’s defensiveness moved up a notch. “But he’s been through a lot, and I don’t want to rock the boat too much.”

  “Taking charge of your home is not the same as rocking the boat,” Naomi pointed out. “Kids find security in having someone in control.”

  “Since when did you become such an expert?” Bree laughed, mostly to hide her irritation.

  “You need to decide what you want. If Kade were mean to Davy or something like that, it would be different. But you know he loves your boy. And he loves you. Most importantly, he loves God.”

  “He’s never really said he loves me,” Bree said after a moment. “Maybe that’s the problem.”

  Bree parked the Jeep at the national park headquarters and blinked rapidly at the sting in her eyes. “I suppose you’re right. I don’t want to lose him.” She had hurt Kade. Hurt was all over his face when he’d come in and seen Nick with her and Davy.

  Still, Davy liked the fireman. Naomi didn’t understand what it was like to watch her son blossom in a man’s company. She didn’t know Bree’s need to see his smile glow. It was hard to know what to do.

  “Just pray about it.”

  Bree smiled gratefully and pulled the key from the ignition. “You’re a good friend, Naomi.”

  “I know,” Naomi said smugly. “But I expect a swift kick from you when I need it too.”

  “Stay,” Bree told Samson. The women got out of the Jeep and walked inside the park headquarters. Bree’s gaze wandered around the large room. Bree stopped to admire an intricate bark basket in the Ojibwa Native American display. There was no sign of Kade, and Bree was surprised by the degree of disappointment she felt. This might have been a good opportunity to mend fences. She also needed to talk to him about Lauri.

  A uniformed woman was behind the information counter. Bree approached and asked to speak with Gary Landorf. The woman pointed out his office, and Bree and Naomi walked down the hall. The door was open.

  Bree could see why the man reminded Kade of a ferret. He had the same long, sinewy muscle structure. She rapped her knuckles against the open door.

  He looked up from his perusal of the papers on his desk. “Yes?”

  “You’re Gary Landorf?”

  “Last time I checked. Are you reporters?” His gaze glided over Bree’s face, then slid to her left hand as if checking out her marital status. His grin widened.

  “Um, no. I’m Bree Nicholls, and this is Naomi O’Reilly. We’d like to ask you some questions.”

  “Come in, ladies. What can I help you with?” He smiled in what Bree assumed he thought was a winning manner, but it left her cold.

  Bree and Naomi sat in the chairs across from his desk. “We want to talk to you about the Do-Wrongs.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Now there’s a blast from the past. I haven’t heard that term in thirty years. Most of those friends I hung around with are dead or gone from the area. Why are you asking questions?” He snapped his fingers. “Wait a minute—Bree Nicholls. You’re the dog woman, the one in the lighthouse where Peter’s body was found, right?”

  “Yes, and I’m trying to find out what I can about Peter Thorrington.” She smiled and warned herself to go easy. There was plenty of time to spring her big question.

  “Peter and I were great friends. I never did understand it when he just up and disappeared.”

  “Did you ever try to find out what happened to him?”

  Gary shook his head. “I left that up to the authorities. I went off to college shortly afterward.”

  “You were a bit older than the usual college student.” Bree indicated the graduation picture on his desk. He’d already begun to lose his hair.

  “It took awhile to save enough money. My mom raised me by herself, and she couldn’t afford to send me.”

  Another windfall from somewhere? That meant at least two of the group seemed to have acquired money from out of nowhere. “I assume you got the money from the sale of the gems?”

  Gary drew a deep breath, and his eyes widened. “Gems?”

  She’d rattled him. “Beulah told me about the gems and how you’d split them. She said that’s how you got the money for school.”

  “Peter swore he never told her!” He snapped his mouth shut and shot her an angry look. “If you’re lying—”

  Bree ignored him. “Did you smuggle the gems in with Peter’s help?”

  He got up and looked down the hall then shut the door. “Look, I don’t know what you’re fishing for, but you’ve got it all wrong. We didn’t smuggle any gems in.”

  “Just cigarettes and liquor?”

  He sta
red at her, and his left eye twitched. “My, you have been doing some digging, haven’t you? That was kid stuff. We were teenagers.”

  “Was it only you and Peter who found the gems?”

  “Once again, I don’t know about these gems you keep bringing up.”

  “Were the gems onboard the Seawind? The four of you had a legitimate salvage boat. There was no need to hide what you found.” Her eyes widened. “Unless you intended to keep the owner’s share as well.”

  Gary stood and went to the door. “I think I’ve said all I’m going to say.”

  She tried again. “What about Abe and Dr. Parker? Did they know what you’d found?”

  “Either leave or I’ll have to ask the security ranger to show you out.” Gary’s lips were pressed together, and his nostrils flared like a bull about to charge.

  Bree sighed and stood. “Thank you for your time, Ranger Landorf,” she said. “I’ll be in touch.”

  He slammed the door behind them.

  “Wow, you handled that great!” Naomi said. “I was impressed. Did Mason teach you that trick of getting a suspect all shook up so they spill the beans?”

  “Elvis,” Bree said with a cheeky grin. “Let’s go see Dr. Parker.”

  Bree studied Dr. Parker’s certificates on the wall of his office. Graduated from Michigan State, then on to medical school. Next to it, a copy of the Hippocratic oath. Another wall held pictures of his parents. Dr. Wilbur Parker had served Rock Harbor for twenty years before the war. One wing of the hospital had been named for the Parkers, and the family had funded nearly every worthwhile cause in the county.

  “Just the sight I need after a long day’s work,” Dr. Parker said, shutting the door behind him. “Two beautiful ladies and one handsome dog.” He reached out to touch Samson, but the dog jerked his head away and moved to the window to stare longingly at a squirrel perched on the low-lying limb.

  “Spurned for a bushy-tailed friend,” the doctor said with a laugh. “Coffee, ladies?” He went to the coffeepot on the credenza by the door.

  “I could use one,” Bree said.