Tidewater Inn

  “We won’t say a word, will we, Nicole?” Libby managed a smile. “I like you, Horace. Don’t do something you’ll never be able to live with.”

  His eyes filled with confusion, then he stepped back. “We both know you’re just trying to save yourself. The minute you got home, you’d be calling Tom. I’m sorry. I really liked your father, you know. I’m glad he’s not alive to know about this.”

  “He’s watching from heaven,” Libby said. “You think you’re doing this in secret? The Bible says we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. And God sees everything.”

  Horace swallowed. “Don’t you understand? I have no choice.”

  “There is always a choice to do right.”

  “Not this time. I’m boxed into a corner.” He turned back to his task and began to whack at the wall again.

  “Wait! You’ll destroy all this treasure!”

  He paused and turned back toward her again. “I got out what I could, but what’s left is nothing compared to my family. And if you hadn’t been snooping, I would have had time to transfer all of it to my basement. All but the cannons. So you have no one to blame but yourself.” He lifted the sledgehammer again.

  Thwack! Thwack! Two strikes from his sledgehammer and the wall began to crumble. He continued to pound until the hole was about three feet in diameter.

  “I made it as large as I could so the end is quicker,” he said. He dropped the sledgehammer. “Do you want the candles extinguished, or do you want to watch the water pour in? I want this to be as easy for you both as possible.”

  “Leave them lit, please,” Libby said, trying to keep the panic from her voice.

  Nicole began to struggle. “Please don’t leave us here!”

  Regret showed in Horace’s eyes. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “If I had any other option, I’d take it. God forgive me.” He plunged through the door that led to the lighthouse cellar. Moments later the door shuddered and a deadbolt slammed home.

  Though her ankles were bound, Libby began to struggle again and finally managed to get to her feet. “We’ve got to find a way to cut these ropes!” She jumped her way to the wall of artifacts. Surely there was a knife here somewhere. Or an ax. “Help me, Nicole!”

  Nicole was crying, but she got on all fours, then managed to get upright. “We can’t die here. I don’t want to drown!”

  “Stay calm,” Libby said. “And pray.” With her wrists tied together, all she could manage was an awkward sorting through of the artifacts. Bowls, cups, nothing sharp. “There’s nothing here,” she said.

  She glanced toward the door. But no, she’d heard it lock. “Maybe we can hop out through the cave.”

  “We won’t be able to swim.”

  “Alec will come looking for us. I know he’ll look there.”

  As they moved toward the passage, water began to rush through the opening, faster and faster until the water was swirling around their ankles.

  “Libby!” Nicole screamed.

  FORTY-ONE

  His lungs burning from his run, Alec stopped to catch his breath. He saw Bree and Kade still down the beach a ways. Brent was with them too. “Bree!” He broke into a run again.

  She leaped to her feet when she saw him coming. “What’s wrong? Where are the girls?”

  “Missing.” His breath heaving, Alec told her and Kade what he’d found. “Can we take Samson back to search?”

  She snapped her fingers for the dog. “Right away.” She glanced at Kade with an appeal on her face.

  “Go, hon, I’ve got the kids. I’ll be praying.”

  Relief flooded Bree’s face. “You’re the best. I’ll grab Samson’s vest from the SUV.” She rushed up the hill to the drive.

  “Bring flashlights,” Kade called after her.

  Brent’s eyes were shadowed. “Libby’s all right, isn’t she?”

  “I hope so.”

  Brent turned and looked out to sea, then back at Alec. “I need to tell you something. I wasn’t sure before, but remember that diver who tried to drown Libby?”

  “Yes.”

  “I saw what looked like a bite on Horace’s arm the other day. I saw him out at the lighthouse yesterday too. He was in his diving gear. I watched him through the binoculars, but I couldn’t tell what he was doing. But he disappeared for a while under the rocks. I think there’s a cave there.”

  Alec couldn’t imagine that the jolly, absentminded attorney could be dangerous. “Maybe it just looked like a bite. Horace wouldn’t hurt Libby or Nicole. I know about the cave, but I looked in there too.”

  “I suspect there’s more there than you know. He was in there a long time and came out carrying a bag of something.”

  Bree returned with the flashlights and Samson’s vest. “Ready?”

  Alec took the flashlights. “Let’s go. Thanks for the information, Brent. Tell Tom what you know. Come on, Bree. We’ll take the boat.” He turned and ran for the dinghy bobbing at the dock. He told himself Libby and Nicole were probably fine, but he didn’t really believe his own reassurances. Something was wrong. Libby wouldn’t worry them intentionally.

  When they finally reached the ruins, he pointed to the cave. “There. The entrance to the cave is there.” The boat scraped bottom. He leaped over the side and dragged it onto the sand, then handed Bree one of the flashlights. “Will Samson go in a cave?”

  “Sure.” She snapped her fingers. “He can sniff their clothes.” Kneeling, she pointed to the pile of clothing without touching it. His tail wagging, Samson sniffed the clothing. “Search, boy!”

  Samson whined, then his nose went up. He crisscrossed the beach, then barked and splashed into the water toward the rocks. “He’s got a scent,” Bree said.

  Alec ran after him. “I had a feeling they were in there. But I called and they didn’t answer.” His gut clenched. What if someone had killed and dumped them? He pushed away the unspeakable thought.

  The dog had reached the cave opening but seemed unsure about how to enter. Alec ducked down, then clambered onto the ledge. He was dripping wet and realized he’d lost his flip-flops. “Come on, boy. Here, Samson.”

  Whining, Samson looked back toward Bree. “I’m going too,” she told him. She splashed through the opening, then joined Alec on the ledge. “Come on, Samson.”

  The dog barked, then ducked his head and was inside. Bree helped the dog onto the ledge. Alec switched on the flashlight. The beam pushed back the shadows. “Libby, Nicole!” His shout rebounded off the walls and back at him. The cave floor was cold under his bare feet.

  “Search, boy,” Bree urged. She flipped on her flashlight as well and joined Alec. After a few minutes of walking, Samson’s tail drooped. “Samson seems to have lost the scent,” she said.

  Alec pointed with his light down the passage. “The cellar is that way, but I checked the cellar.”

  “Let’s check again anyway.”

  “Okay, this way.” He illuminated their path with the light and led her toward the cellar. A few minutes later, they stood at the door. “Nothing,” he said.

  “I noticed what looked like a narrow passageway deeper into the rock a ways back. Let’s check it out,” Bree said.

  “I didn’t see it.” He followed her back until she stopped and shone her light.

  “There,” she said. “It’s narrow, but I think we can get through.”

  The passage seemed more a crack in the rock. He’d be able to get through, but just barely. “Would they have gone down there? They had no light.”

  “They might have seen it anyway.”

  He nodded. “I’ll go first.” He squeezed through the opening and found that the passageway widened to an even bigger space than the path that led to the cellar. “It’s okay!”

  Bree came through with Samson on her heels. “Search, Samson.”

  The dog wagged his tail and trotted forward, but it was clear that he hadn’t picked up the scent again. Alec was beginning to feel discouraged. “This is leading through the rock
to the ocean on the other side. I doubt we can go much farther.” He tipped his head. “Hear that?”

  Bree listened too. “Sounds like rushing water. You’re probably right. We’re going to find an opening into the sea up ahead. We might as well go back.” She half turned, then Samson barked. He shot forward. “He’s got a scent!”

  Alec jerked forward into a run. The dog disappeared around the corner. Alec caught up with him in front of a locked door. There was a padlock on it, and water was pouring from under it. He pounded on it. “Libby!”

  Samson’s barking was frenzied. “She’s close,” Bree said. “Libby! Nicole!”

  The roar of the water that they had heard was beyond this door. He had to get it open. There was nothing to use to bust off the lock. He heard a woman scream and he tensed. “Libby!” He jerked on the lock, but though it was rusty, it held. He didn’t even have a shoe to help.

  The flashlight! It was metal. “Hold your light on it,” he ordered Bree. She shined the light onto the lock. He battered it with the flashlight that was in his hand, but the lock didn’t budge. Moments later, his flashlight was in pieces.

  Someone pounded on the other side of the door. Libby cried out, “We’re here, Alec! The room is flooding. We’re going to drown!”

  “There’s a lock on the door. I can’t get it off. Hang on!” He turned around, looking for a rock, angry with himself that he hadn’t thought of that before now.

  Bree grabbed his hand. “There’s no time! Look!” She pointed and he realized water was seeping out the sides of the door.

  He clenched his hands. How was he going to save her?

  Water was pouring through the opening Horace had made. It was now up to Libby’s calves. She pounded on the door. “Help us, Alec!” Panic threatened to steal her power to reason. Breathe. She took a deep breath, then another. There had to be a way out of here.

  Nicole had hopped along the cave floor to join Libby at the door. Her face was grim in the light of the flickering candle. The water was only a few inches from where the candle sat on a chest. When it was gone, Libby wouldn’t be able to see Nicole’s face.

  “Lord, help us,” she prayed.

  “Are we going to die?” Nicole whispered. “I’m not like you. I never go to church. I haven’t given God a thought through most of my life. I’m not ready to die, especially not with all I’ve done.”

  Peace seeped into Libby’s soul. Whatever happened, God saw them. He held them close in his arms. “All you have to do is ask him to forgive you, Nicole. He’s here with us. No matter what happens.”

  Nicole was sobbing. “I can’t. I don’t know how.” She leaned against Libby.

  The weight of her friend’s body pressed against her, and Libby lurched to the side. When she did, she heard something splash into the water. Horace’s sledgehammer. Had he left it behind? It could knock loose the lock. Would it fit under the door?

  She pressed her lips to the crack in the door. “Alec, are you there?”

  “I’m here. We’re looking for a rock.”

  “I’m going to try to slide a sledgehammer under the door. Hang on.” She knelt and grabbed the tool with her bound hands. The water was to her neck. She tried to slip it under the door. It stuck. “It won’t fit!”

  “Try turning it the other way,” Nicole said. “Or slide it to a different spot. The bottom of the door isn’t even.”

  Libby did as Nicole suggested. The water was rising fast. It was to her lips and the salt burned the cracks in her skin. She had to submerge to get enough leverage to push the tool. The sledgehammer moved under the door’s edge. Almost there. She jiggled it and slid it a few inches the other way. She felt a tug, then Alec pulled it away.

  Gasping, she surfaced and sucked in air, but she had to float on her back to get it. The water was above her nose if she stayed on her knees. How could she regain her feet?

  “Got it!” Alec yelled. “Step away from the door.”

  Libby tried to struggle back, but she was only able to move a few inches at a time with the water swirling around her bound hands and feet. “Move away, Nicole,” she said as the door shuddered and rebounded with pounding on the other side.

  The water was to Nicole’s chest. She hopped away, managing to stay on her feet. Hanging on to Nicole’s leg, Libby tried to get to her feet but couldn’t. The candles sputtered and went out. The darkness wasn’t quite complete because a little light came in from the hole where the water poured through. She released Nicole’s leg and tried to float. The water seemed to be roaring into the cave now. The sound filled her ears, blocking out all thought. It was like floating in eternity, and she suspected she was about to die. She felt no fear though.

  She reached her bound arms over her head, and her fingers touched Nicole’s arm. Feeling her way to her friend’s hand, she realized the water was nearly to Nicole’s neck. The end would be soon. “Please make it painless for Nicole, Lord,” she whispered. “Receive us into your arms. Pray, Nicole.”

  She inhaled what she thought would be her last air, then a strong hand grabbed her around the waist. Alec’s lips were against her ear.

  “I’ve got you,” he said.

  “Nicole!”

  “Bree has her. Let’s get out of here.” He propelled her through the water. “Hold your breath,” he said. “We have to dive.”

  The roof of the cave was just above her. She sucked in as much air as she could manage, then nodded. With his arm around her waist, they dived. She opened her eyes, ignoring the stinging saltiness of the water. The dim light from the opening was just ahead. She saw Bree go through it with Nicole. Thank you, God.

  Her head bumped the side of the opening, then Alec maneuvered them both through. The current caught them as they exited into open water. Her lungs began to burn with the need for oxygen. She cast her gaze upward. The top of the waves seemed so far away. She wasn’t sure she could make it. Her panicked glance at Alec caused him to propel them faster.

  Just when she thought she would have to inhale water, her head broke the surface. She dragged in air, then choked when a wave splashed her in the face. Alec still had his arm around her, and they floated in the waves.

  He cupped her face with his hands as they floated. “I thought I’d lost you.” He kissed her.

  She clutched him and kissed him back, relishing the heat that swept through her veins, exulting in the fact that she was very much alive. When he lifted his head, she was even more breathless. “Where are Nicole and Bree?”

  “On shore. I can see them.” He turned her in the water so she could see her friend waving. Bree and Samson were with her. Libby’s limbs went weak.

  “Let me see if I can loosen these ropes.” He tore at the knots, then shook his head. “They’ll have to be cut off. I’ll help you.” With his arm around her, they began to swim toward the shore.

  It was slow going with only one of them able to propel them. She tried to pretend her bound legs were the fin of a mermaid, but it was awkward. Her muscles burned by the time her foot touched sand. Alec lifted her in his arms and staggered to shore with her, where they collapsed in a heap on the beach.

  Samson licked her face and barked. “Good boy,” she crooned. Nicole dropped to her knees beside her and burst into tears. “It’s all right,” Libby said. “We’re safe.”

  FORTY-TWO

  Tidewater Inn was even more beautiful after Libby’s brush with death. It was home already. But what was she going to do about the mansion? She loved it so, but she couldn’t afford to keep it up. As Alec guided the boat to the pier, she soaked in the sight of the lovely old Georgian house. She’d never own something so wonderful again.

  “Libby!” Vanessa waved from the porch and ran down the curving steps.

  Libby nearly fell off the pier when her sister grabbed her and held on as though she’d never let go. “Vanessa?”

  “You’re okay! I was so afraid when I heard you’d disappeared.”

  Libby hugged her back. “We’re both fine.”


  Alec hovered at her side as though he feared letting her out of his sight.

  “I’ll talk to you later,” Bree said. “I need to check on the children.” Smiling, she went toward the house with Samson at her heels.

  Libby followed with Alec close beside her. She wished she dared to reach out and take his hand.

  Vanessa was still smiling. “Everyone is inside. The pastor came over to lead us in prayer for your safety.”

  Libby’s gaze went to the necklace around Vanessa’s neck. Maybe she’d really begun to think about what it meant. “We needed the prayers more than you know.” She told Vanessa what had happened as they walked to the house.

  Vanessa stopped at the base of the steps. “I know I’ve been nasty to you, Libby. I’m ashamed of myself when I remember all the terrible things I said. I’m sorry.”

  “You were in pain,” Libby said. “I understand.”

  Vanessa shook her head. “I don’t deserve for you to let me off the hook so easily. I know we have a long way to go, Libby, but I realized today when I thought you might be dead that I wanted you around. I want to learn what makes you laugh and cry. I want to try to learn to like reggae.”

  Libby smiled. “I’m not promising anything about oysters, but I’ll try.”

  “It’s a deal. You’re not leaving, are you? You’re staying here?”

  Libby’s smile faded. “I think I have to sell this place, Vanessa. There’s no money for repairs.” She gestured to the roof. “Look at the rot going on around the eaves. It’s going to take a lot of money to fix it. But I’ll split the sale price with you and Brent.”

  Alec tensed beside her. She wanted to explain her decision, but there was no way to make him understand.

  Vanessa shook her head. “I realized today that if this place goes, everything will change. Brent argues that it will be change for the better, but I don’t think so. There would be no more long walks on a nearly empty beach. No more pure sound of the waves and wind.” Her voice broke. “There has to be another way. How much would it cost to fix it? I have an inheritance. I’ll help.”