by Leena Clover
“What does Adam say about this?” Heather asked.
“I haven’t talked to him about it,” Jenny admitted.
The girls chatted for a while. Jenny walked home after that, lost in thought. Star and Jimmy Parsons were waiting for her at home. Star had cooked a roast for dinner but Jenny barely tasted it. She went to her room and collapsed on the bed. Her mind was teeming with all the information she had found online.
An hour later, Jenny abandoned any thoughts of an early night. She splashed water on her face and stepped outside. Star and Jimmy were sitting on the porch, reminiscing about the summer of 1994.
Jenny didn’t stop to smell the roses at Seaview. She walked away from the cottage at a grueling pace, secretly hoping to run into Adam. She found him sitting in the sand a few minutes later, Tank by his side. She flopped down next to him.
“Something wrong?” she asked him.
It was Adam’s wedding anniversary. He realized he hadn’t thought about his dead wife in a while. Had he moved on?
Adam felt a surge of affection when he looked at Jenny, followed by guilt. He shook his head and stared out at the sea.
“Do you know the demographics of Pelican Cove?” she asked him.
“There’s a shortage of women,” Adam teased. “Especially beautiful women like you.”
Jenny felt her cheeks burn.
“I was thinking more on the lines of racial makeup.”
“We don’t have a lot of diversity here, Jenny. You must have observed that by now.”
“That’s an understatement,” Jenny stressed. “Did you know there’s only one Jewish family in town other than the Cohens?”
Adam cleared his throat.
“Actually, I thought the Cohens were the only one.”
“What if Asher paid a price for that?”
“How so?” Adam asked, sitting up straighter.
“What if he was targeted because he was a Jew?”
“You are saying this was a hate crime?” Adam asked skeptically. “That’s a big leap, Jenny.”
“Not really,” she mumbled. “It’s a strong motive.”
“There are plenty of other strong motives,” Adam argued. “Greed? Hatred? Revenge?”
“I talked to almost everyone connected to Asher,” Jenny said. “I don’t think any of these motives apply.”
“I disagree,” Adam said. “You’ll see.”
“What does that mean?” Jenny asked. “Are you planning to make an arrest?”
“I can’t tell you that. But you’re way off base with that hate crime theory.”
Jenny discussed her theory with Star later that night. Jimmy had just bid them goodnight. He was looking like a different person these days.
“Don’t you agree with me?” Jenny asked her aunt after she told her about her theory.
“You need more information about this,” Star said thoughtfully. “And for that, you need to talk to more people. I think I may have something for you. I need to check something with Jimmy first though.”
“Are you and Jimmy an item now?” Jenny asked slyly. “He’s spending a lot of time here.”
“Jimmy’s a friend,” Star said simply. “I’m just being there for him. I don’t think he needs any more complications now. Trying to kick the habit is hard enough.”
“You’re a gem of a person, Aunt!” Jenny said, hugging her impulsively.
Star hurried up the steps of the Boardwalk Café the next morning. She was wearing her signature paint splattered smock. A few dirty paint brushes were peeping out of the front pocket.
The Magnolias were already seated on the deck, busy gossiping about the tourists.
“Got a minute, Jenny?” Star said as she accepted a glass of iced coffee.
“Sure. What’s up?”
“You remember Jimmy has a few cottages on the island?”
“How can I forget?” Jenny rolled her eyes. “I took him for a beach bum and turns out he’s quite the entrepreneur. I have never felt more foolish in my life.”
“Jimmy didn’t lift a finger to earn them,” Betty Sue said, her hands poised over her knitting needles. “The Parsons have owned them for generations.”
“Hush, Betty Sue!” Star snapped.
She looked at Jenny, trying to recapture her attention.
“There’s a fellow renting one of those cottages. He’s a professor in some college. He’s here to study birds.”
“And?” Jenny prompted.
“I think you want to talk to him.”
Jenny caught on after a minute.
“Oh? That sounds great. Where do I find this person?”
“He takes a boat out in the marshes on most days,” Star said. “Jimmy convinced him to come here for lunch today.”
“I’ll be waiting for him,” Jenny said seriously.
“Who is this man?” Betty Sue demanded. “Why don’t you tell us more?”
“Uh … why don’t you let me talk to him first, Betty Sue?” Jenny asked. “I’ll give everyone a full report tomorrow.”
A short, thin man walked into the café at 1 PM. He wore a vest and a cap and held a pipe in his hand.
“No smoking in here,” Petunia warned.
“Don’t worry, this is not lit,” he told her.
He walked over to the counter and looked around furtively.
“I’m here for my free lunch,” he said. “Jimmy Parsons sent me.”
Jenny caught on immediately.
“Welcome to the Boardwalk Café. What can I get you today?”
Jenny led the man to a cozy table near a window. She was back with his crab salad sandwich and sweet tea a few minutes later.
“Here you are,” she said. “I’m Jenny King.”
“Ira Brown,” he introduced himself. “I’ve heard a lot about the food here.”
“Have you been here before?” Jenny asked.
“Oh no! I pack my own lunch. I don’t believe in unnecessary expenses.”
“This one’s on the house,” Jenny assured him. “I was hoping to ask you a few questions, Mr. Brown.”
“I’m not ready to talk about my book yet,” Ira Brown said uncertainly. “The Delmarva is home to some rare birds. You can read about them in my book.”
“It’s not about birds,” Jenny hastened to explain. “It’s about your culture.”
Ira looked intrigued.
“I’m American, same as you are, I presume.”
Jenny felt uncomfortable.
“Jimmy thought you were Jewish. I guess he was wrong.”
Ira held up a hand while he chewed on his sandwich.
“I do come from a Jewish family. Or as you put it, I’m Jewish. What about it?”
“I recently read about the discrimination your people face in their everyday lives. Some accounts even mentioned abuse.”
“My people don’t have it easy,” Ira said philosophically.
“How far would someone go to inflict harm?”
“You have heard of the Holocaust?” Ira asked.
He was warming up to the subject. Jenny detected a note of sarcasm in his question.
“Of course I have,” she said quickly. “I was referring to current times.”
“There is no limit to the hatred someone might feel. Neither is there a limit to the harm they can inflict.”
“Could a person be killed for it?”
Ira answered simply.
“Yes.”
Jenny felt her heart beat louder. Her instinct told her she was on the right track. She placed a piece of chocolate cake in front of Ira Brown and thanked him for his time.
Jenny wanted to sound her idea off someone. Adam had already told her what he thought of it. She decided to go see Jason. She walked to his office after the café closed, eager to learn his opinion of her theory.
Jason was rushing out when she reached his office.
“I have to go,” he apologized. “Linda has just been arrested.”
“I’m coming with you,” Jenny state
d, rushing after him.
Chapter 15
“Get out of here, Jenny,” Adam snapped as soon as he saw her enter the police station. “This is none of your business.”
“You know I’m helping Linda,” she said, her hands on her hips. “I’m here to take care of her.”
“Only her lawyer can do that,” Adam warned. “Don’t interfere.”
“I’m her lawyer,” Jason reminded him. “Can I go see her?”
Adam stepped aside reluctantly.
Linda Cohen was sitting in Adam’s office. Jason hugged her and sat down beside her. That’s when he noticed the wheelchair.
“Where’s your wheelchair?” he exclaimed.
He whirled around and gave Adam a glare.
“What’s going on, Sheriff? Have you stooped to harassing disabled people?”
Adam looked at Linda and quirked an eyebrow.
“Do you want to tell them, or should I?”
Linda’s face barely showed any emotion.
“I don’t need the wheelchair,” she told them. “You know Asher hired a new therapist from Sweden? She worked wonders for me. I have been able to get up and get around on my own for a while now.”
“What?” Jason’s eyes popped out of their sockets. “Then why hide it?”
“That’s what we want to know.” Adam stood with his arms folded and feet apart in an aggressive stance.
“It was supposed to be a surprise,” Linda explained. “Asher and I were going to cut his birthday cake together. I was going to stand right next to him in front of all our kids and guests.”
“Linda didn’t need an alibi because we all thought she couldn’t get out of that wheelchair,” Adam stated. “But this changes everything.”
“How so?” Jenny demanded.
She had sneaked in behind Jason and had been listening to the drama unfold.
“She was right in front of me all the time during the parade.”
“We know where Asher was during the parade,” Adam dismissed. “He wasn’t around when they were giving out the prizes. Neither was Linda.”
Linda looked defiant but she said nothing.
“Do you deny it?” Adam asked her.
She shook her head.
“Can you tell us where you were?”
“It’s private. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Jason stroked Linda’s back and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
“You don’t have a choice.”
“I don’t care if you arrest me,” Linda said stoically. “Some things are supposed to be a secret.”
“You need to talk to your client,” Adam told Jason. “You know how these things work.”
Adam stepped out of his own cabin, giving Jason some time with his client.
“Who are you protecting, Linda?” Jenny asked. “Don’t you realize how serious this is?”
Linda’s eyes filled up with tears. Jason looked at her in alarm.
“What’s the matter? Is it one of the kids?”
“I was with Asher,” Linda blubbered. “In his car.”
“What were you doing there?” Jason asked, aghast.
He looked at Jenny. This meant Linda was present at the scene of the crime. It didn’t bode well for her.
Linda looked ashamed. Her eyes had a faraway look in them. She gave them a watery smile.
“I don’t know how to say this.”
“I’m your lawyer, Linda,” Jason said patiently. “I need to know everything if I am to defend you. Jenny doesn’t need to be here though.”
He tipped his head at her. Jenny got the message and started to leave.
“No,” Linda called out. “Stay.”
She hesitated before turning red.
“Asher and I … we were making out.”
No one said a word.
“It was his birthday,” Linda explained. “I owed him a kiss.”
“What happened after you, err, kissed?” Jason asked.
“I walked back to the awards function,” Linda said. “Asher was going to park the truck and follow me.”
“Why don’t you tell this to Adam?” Jason pleaded. “It will make things easier.”
“Don’t you see?” Linda argued. “It was a private moment. The last thing I shared with my beloved Asher before he was taken from me.”
“Let me see what I can do,” Jason consoled her.
“I may have a lead,” Jenny told Linda. “I’m going to try and get to the bottom of this, Linda. Don’t worry.”
Adam was talking to Nora, one of the clerks.
“You are wrong about Linda,” Jenny told him. “What’s her motive?”
“The spouse is always the most obvious suspect,” Adam told her. “You know that.”
“There’s something else going on in this case.”
“I know what your theory is,” Adam told her. “It’s too farfetched, Jenny. Surely you see that?”
“I think it’s worth looking into,” Jenny said stoutly before she stomped out.
Jenny walked to the seafood market, remembering she was supposed to get some fish for dinner. Chris greeted her.
“You seem preoccupied,” he said. “Something wrong?”
Jenny shook her head and asked for her usual order.
“Did you like the soft shell crabs?” Chris asked her.
“Nick loved them,” Jenny told him. “I’m going to grill them with barbecue sauce this time.”
“Sounds yum,” Chris laughed. “Anything you cook is tasty, Jenny. You have a gift.”
“Say, Chris, do you know Dawn, Asher’s youngest daughter?”
“Not very well. Why?”
“Was she in school with you?”
“She was a few years ahead of us. Didn’t Heather tell you that?”
“Who did she hang out with? Do you know?”
Chris shrugged.
“Like I said, she was older than us. I have no idea.”
Jenny had anticipated Jimmy would join them for dinner. She was right. Jimmy was displaying many interesting aspects of his personality now that he had stopped drinking.
“Did you meet that professor chap?” Jimmy asked her. “He’s weird alright.”
Jenny was stepping out for her walk when a luxury sedan pulled up outside Star’s cottage. Jason Stone stepped out, looking exhausted. He undid the top button of his shirt and loosened his tie as he exhaled loudly.
“Have you had dinner?” Jenny asked him.
He shook his head.
Jenny went in and fixed a plate for Jason. She brought it out and handed it over to him.
“What happened?”
“They let her go,” he said. “Linda wouldn’t budge. Adam tried hard. But they didn’t have enough to hold her there.”
“How is she doing?”
“Linda’s fine,” Jason sighed. “She’s a strong woman. She’s sad though.”
Jenny sat down next to Jason, lost in thought.
“How is it no one knows anything about Asher’s life before he got here?”
“Some people block out bad memories,” Jason said.
“He must have known other people in Germany.”
Jason pursed his lips.
“Chances are, none of them made it here. His family didn’t, as far as we know.”
“He must have come in contact with other people? How about his time in Switzerland? Did he not meet anyone there? Or what about the ship that brought him here?”
“There might be records somewhere,” Jason mused. “But they will be hard to find, Jenny. I’d say, impossible even.”
“Do you know that for a fact?”
“Not really.”
“I’m going to do some research,” Jenny proclaimed.
“Research is always a good idea,” Jason said. “I’m calling it a day now. I’m exhausted.”
Jenny stifled a yawn and started walking on the beach. She needed the exercise, she told herself. She walked longer than usual without running into Adam. Reluctantl
y, she turned back and trudged home.
“What’s this I hear about Linda Cohen?” Betty Sue asked the next day, twirling red wool over her needles. “Is it true, Jenny?”
“They let her go,” Jenny replied.
“Have you followed the money trail?” Heather asked her. “What happens to the Asher estate? And who gets the business?”
“I forgot all about that,” Jenny nodded. “All I know is everyone stands to gain something.”
“Even the older kids?” Star asked.
“Yes, even Walter and Heidi.”
“What about Luke Stone?” Betty Sue asked.
“Luke Stone gets to run the business for as long as he wants,” Jenny explained. “He just has to follow some conditions.”
“I bet they have to do with that no-good grandson,” Betty Sue huffed.
Jenny didn’t get a chance to work on her computer until later that day. She ran several different searches about the Holocaust. She was looking for support groups or societies where survivors might meet or come together.
She found message boards with discussions on various topics and got sidetracked. Finally, she started making a list of organizations in the area. She hoped someone there knew Asher personally or had at least heard about him.
“How about another trip to the city?” she asked Heather on the phone. “We haven’t gone anywhere in a while.”
“Is this for fun?” Heather asked cagily. “Or are you planning to squeeze in some sleuthing?”
“A bit of both?”
“Talk to Molly,” Heather said. “I’m in.”
“What are you hoping to find at these places?” Molly asked her.
“I don’t know,” Jenny admitted. “Think of it as a history lesson.”
Linda was sitting in a wingback chair, looking out at the ocean when Jenny visited her.
“I got rid of the wheelchair,” she told Jenny. “The kids are thrilled.”
“Do you like to swim?” Jenny asked. “You have a lovely pool.”
“Aquatics was part of my therapy,” Linda told her. “I can’t swim laps yet, but one day soon.”
“You and Asher belonged to different faiths,” Jenny began. “How did you handle that?”
Linda shrugged.
“Asher didn’t believe in God. After all the atrocities he witnessed, he refused to believe there was one.”
“This same God helped him get away,” Jenny pointed out.
“That’s one point of view,” Linda agreed. “But Asher didn’t think that.”
