by Cindy Bell
“Some things can't be avoided,” he agreed. “At least you haven't plastered the fireplaces with plasma televisions or cut out skylights to appease the tourists.”
Suzie laughed at the idea. “That would be a little absurd wouldn't it?”
“You'd be surprised,” he said as they paused outside the room that he was staying in. “I once stayed in a bed and breakfast that boasted it was built in the civil war era. They had a spa bath, a television that hung from the ceiling and was nearly as wide as the bed, and heated floors. I'm not sure what any of that had to do with the civil war.”
“Me neither,” Suzie laughed again. She was enjoying her talk with Warren. It wasn't often that she had the chance to pick the mind of a history buff. She opened the door to the room for him. She had chosen it specifically for him. It was the room she had designed to be an 'antique' room. Everything used to decorate the room was purchased locally from antique shops, estate sales, and roadside stands.
“How beautiful,” he said with a secretive smile as if he knew that she had chosen it just for him. Suzie walked over to the curtains and drew them apart, revealing an uninterrupted view of the sea.
“Amazing,” he breathed as he walked towards the window. Suzie thought he was talking about the view, but his eyes were locked on the intricate wall hanging beside the window. Suzie smiled to herself. Warren Blasser was certainly proof that beauty was in the eye of the beholder.
“There's a balcony,” she explained. “Just make sure you lock the door when you turn in for the night.”
“I will,” he said. He seemed to be enthralled by a small statue he had picked up off one of the shelves. Suzie was glad that he was enjoying the room.
“I hope you enjoy your stay,” Suzie said. “The telephone will dial the desk if you need anything.”
“Uh huh, thank you,” he nodded, obviously distracted. She stepped out of the room and headed back down the stairs to the first floor. She had some birthday planning to catch up on. Now that she had confirmed the flights for Benjamin and Catherine, Mary's son and daughter, she had to make sure the caterer was going to show and that the bakery was working on the cake. Suzie wanted everything to be just perfect for Mary. She only hoped that the gesture would show her just how special she was to Suzie. She had just finished the last of her phone calls when she heard a sound outside the door. She wondered if it might be another unexpected guest. When she checked the clock she saw that it was a little after seven. She walked over to the door just as it was swinging open. She felt a little fearful as she wasn't expecting anyone to just walk in. But when she saw Mary step through the door, her fear melted into sympathy.
“Mary, what are you doing home so early?” Suzie asked as she walked up to her friend. Mary closed the door firmly.
“He got a phone call,” she said in a tight voice. “He said it was an emergency and sent me home in a taxi before we had even gotten our order.”
“Oh Mary, I'm sorry,” Suzie said and hugged her. “Maybe it was an emergency, maybe it was work,” she suggested.
“No, it wasn't,” Mary said with certainty. “He was smiling, Suzie. I can't believe I let myself be so foolish as to believe that he would really want to be with me. I can tell you this much, I'm not going to be somebody's pet that they pick up when they feel like it. As far as I'm concerned Wes can go find someone else to send home in a taxi,” she spat out each word. Suzie had never seen Mary so angry, unless it was after a fight with Kent. Her heart broke for her friend that she was experiencing this kind of frustration again.
“Maybe…” Suzie started to say.
“No,” Mary said sternly. “Sorry, Suzie, but I don't want to talk about it anymore. I just want to go to bed,” she sighed and marched off to her room.
Suzie watched her go. Her blood began to boil as she thought of Wes. She had been wary of him from the start, but then he had seemed to reveal himself as a decent and thoughtful man. Now she felt differently. She wondered if all of the kindness was a smokescreen he had thrown up just to draw Mary in. Suzie was beside herself with anger. She wanted to protect her friend.
Suzie hesitantly walked up to Mary's room. She listened for a moment. She could hear Mary crying quietly. It was a terrible sound for Suzie to hear. It made her furious. She wanted to open the door and hold her friend tightly in her arms, but she knew better. Mary often liked to be left alone when she was upset. If she wanted company she would ask. Suzie frowned and walked away from her room. She went so far as to pick up her phone and dial Wes’ number. It went to voicemail right away as if he had turned off his phone. “Aargh,” Suzie growled in frustration and hung up the phone.
“Everything okay?” a voice asked from behind her. She spun around quickly to discover Warren standing behind her. She blushed, embarrassed that he had seen her so angry.
“I'm so sorry,” she said. “I didn't know you were there.”
“No need to apologize,” he said with a small smile. “We all have those moments. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Suzie smiled at him. She thought his offer was very sweet. “Thank you, but it involves matters of the heart, you know how that goes,” she laughed a little.
“Not really,” he admitted. “I've never been terribly interested in them.”
Suzie raised an eyebrow. “Well, lucky for you,” she said with genuine admiration. “They are very murky waters.”
“Indeed,” he nodded. “I was just going to take a walk along the beach. Would you like to join me?”
Suzie stared at him for a moment. The invitation was unexpected. She couldn't tell if he was just being friendly, or if he wanted something more from her. She wondered if she had done anything to give him the impression that she would be interested. She didn't think Paul would appreciate her taking an evening walk on the beach with a man she barely knew. Of course, she was a free woman.
“I'm sorry I have some other things I have to do right now,” Suzie said quickly.
“No problem,” he nodded. “I just thought it might help you calm down if you got some fresh air.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I think I'll just find my tea and try to relax. You should walk to the north, there are some flat rocks that you could sit on and see the stars.”
“Thanks for the tip,” he said. He offered her a quick nod and then headed off down the hallway. Suzie was about to try calling Wes again when her phone began ringing in her hand. She saw that it was Paul. Despite the fact that she had declined the invite to go on the walk she still felt a little guilty as she answered the phone.
“Hey sweetie,” she said softly.
“Hello beautiful,” he replied. She grinned. She had always teased her friends about the cutesy names they would use with their boyfriends or husbands, but now she understood how it could make you smile no matter how silly it was.
“How are you doing?” she asked as she leaned back against the wall and sighed.
“I'd be better if I was with you,” he replied in a sultry tone.
“Well, that can be arranged, can't it?” Suzie said with a soft laugh.
“Do you have guests?” he asked.
“I do, but they are settled. I can spend a few minutes on the porch with you,” she assured him.
“Perfect,” he said swiftly. “I can be there in about ten minutes.”
“I'll be waiting for you,” Suzie replied happily. As she hung up the phone she felt a familiar excitement that was only triggered when Paul was on his way to see her. She headed out to the front porch to wait for him. She looked up at the sky which was filled with stars. As she leaned against the railing of the front porch she gazed up at the rising moon. Sometimes in the bustle of life she forgot just how breathtaking the view from Dune House could be. She had been to many beautiful places, but there was something special about Garber, and the small stretch of beach that it claimed. Maybe it was the lack of tourist traps, or maybe it was the surprising quiet in the evenings, all she knew for sure was that she had never fe
lt more at peace.
When Suzie heard the rumble of an engine she turned back to the parking lot, expecting it to be Paul pulling in. However, the car that slowly rolled past was not one that she recognized. It was a dusty mustard color. It moved so slowly that it left her unsettled. Then she watched as it nestled itself in the thick brush on the side of the parking lot. Suzie was sure that the driver hadn't seen her. She hadn't turned on the porch light as she didn't want to disturb either of her guests. But obviously the driver was up to something suspicious. She was halfway down the driveway when she saw another pair of headlights pulling in. This time it was Paul. He pulled up beside her and rolled down the window.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked as she continued to walk past him.
“Did you see that car when you pulled in?” she asked, distracted.
“What car?” he frowned and parked the car. Suzie was still walking to the end of the driveway when Paul caught up with her. “Where are you going?” he asked. He was obviously confused.
“There was a car that just pulled in. It's hidden in the brush,” she said and pointed to the subtle glow of the taillights.
“What's it doing back there?” Paul said as he craned his neck. “Did it look familiar?”
“No, I've never seen it before, not even around town,” Suzie said.
“Well, let's see if we can find out what's going on,” Paul said and wrapped his arm around her. Just as they were about to get to the car, it suddenly pulled out. It spun around and then slammed on the gas. It tore down the road before Suzie could get a glimpse of the license plate.
“Wow, he's going somewhere in a rush,” Paul said with a growl in his voice.
“I wonder where to?” Suzie shook her head.
“Doesn't matter now,” Paul said. “He's already gone.”
“Don't you think it was odd though?” she asked as she met his eyes.
“Very,” Paul agreed. “But maybe he was just lost and looking at his map or something,” he suggested. As they walked back towards the porch, Paul pulled her a little closer. “Try not to worry about it.”
“How could I worry with you here?” she asked with a slow smile.
“That's a nice thing to say,” he said and helped her up onto the porch.
“It's the truth,” she replied and smiled warmly at him. “I'm glad you're here.”
“Well, that makes two of us,” he said and hugged her.
“I wish you didn't have to go back out so soon,” she admitted.
“I know, but I'll be back in time for the party,” he pointed out and met her eyes. “I think that it is going to be great.”
“I hope so,” Suzie nodded. She was still a little distracted by the car she had seen.
“Don't worry so much, Suzie,” he kissed her cheek gently. “Everything is going to be just fine.”
“Maybe it will,” Suzie said grimly.
“Just relax, it will all be okay,” he gave her a soft kiss before pulling slightly away.
“Thank you, I hope you’re right,” Suzie said and kissed him again.
“I better get going,” Paul sighed. “I have to prepare the boat for shipping out.”
“Thank you for the visit,” Suzie smiled.
“Can we have dinner tomorrow night?” Paul asked. “I know you have guests, but I'd love to see you before I launch.”
“I'm sure Mary will be willing to handle things,” Suzie nodded.
“Great,” Paul smiled. “If you see that car again make sure you call Jason to check it out,” he said sternly. Then he turned and walked away. Suzie watched him go until the headlights of his car pulled out of the parking lot.
“Now, I see why you turned down the walk,” a voice said from behind her.
“Warren,” Suzie said as she turned to face him with a smile.
“Looks like you've got a good man there,” he said with a half-smile.
“The best,” Suzie nodded.
“Well, I'm going to turn in for the night. Nice beach you have here,” he said before he turned and walked back into Dune House. Suzie lingered for a few minutes on the porch. She was waiting to see if the car would drive by again. The street in front of Dune House remained quiet.
Chapter 4
Eventually Suzie went back inside. She wanted to check on Mary. When she paused outside her door she still heard quiet crying. Suzie raised her hand to knock, but then stopped herself. It was hard for Suzie to resist, but she forced herself to walk towards her room. She felt a surge of fury rush through her as she blamed Wes for causing her friend such pain. She was very tempted to get in her car, drive over to his place, and teach him what happens when someone messes with Mary. But Suzie knew that Mary wouldn't want that either. She sighed as she stretched out in her bed. She closed her eyes and tried to distract herself with thoughts of the party, but her mind kept returning to Wes and how hurt Mary was.
She was so concerned and angry that she couldn't get to sleep. She lay awake for hours after she went to bed. As she was tossing and turning, she heard a scream. Suzie bolted up out of bed at the sound. It was followed by a loud thump. Her heart jumped up into her throat. She didn't know what had happened, but she was sure it was bad. She grabbed her phone and opened her door. When Suzie ran out into the hall Mary was already there. Her eyes were wide.
“Did you hear that?” she asked in a hushed voice.
“I did,” Suzie replied.
“I'll check upstairs,” Mary said.
“I'll check outside,” Suzie called back as she ran for the door. The thump had sounded like it came from the side of Dune House. As she ran across the sand, her feet slipped a few times. She was more tired than she had realized. But that sensation of exhaustion disappeared entirely when she came upon a body laying face down in the sand.
“Oh no!” she shouted as she realized it was Warren.
“Suzie, is he alive?” Mary called down from the balcony of Warren's room. Suzie looked up to see that the railing was swinging free. Nervously she reached down to touch the side of Warren's neck. Her eyes misted with tears as she felt no sign of a pulse. Suzie's stomach clenched with dread as she gave in to what she already knew to be true.
“I don't think so,” Suzie said. “I think he's gone.”
“This is unreal!” Mary called out. “I'll be right down!”
“I better call Jason,” Suzie said more to herself than to Mary.
“Jason, I'm sorry, I know it's late,” Suzie said quickly into the phone. “We have a big problem here, I need the police out here right away. One of our guests is dead.”
“What?” Jason spat back, his voice becoming more alert. “I'll send everybody out, I'll be there in just a few minutes. Are you safe?”
“Yes, I don't know what happened,” Suzie said tearfully. “I don't know what happened,” she repeated, panic starting to rise in her voice.
“Just try to stay calm, I'll be there in a few minutes,” he promised before hanging up the phone. Suzie hung up as well. Mary emerged from the side door of Dune House and rushed over to Suzie. Waves crashed hard against the beach, moistening the air with their spray. Suzie felt a sense of emptiness in the darkness that surrounded her.
“How could this happen?” Mary asked with disbelief as she stared down at the body. “Is that the insurance man?”
“Warren Blasser,” Suzie said softly, her voice trembling. “He was such an interesting person. So nice.”
“What are we going to do, Suzie?” Mary asked as she looked up at the broken railing. “How could the railing have given way? Is this our fault?” she asked with a gasp.
“Someone must have shoved him into it,” Suzie said with a slow shake of her head. “It couldn't have given way on its own. I know it couldn't. We had all of the railings and balconies inspected.”
Sirens screamed through the early morning darkness shattering the silence that filled the space between them. Suzie shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. She wondered how this was going
to be handled.
“Mary, stay close to me,” Suzie said with some urgency in her voice. “The killer may still be in Dune House, or at the very least nearby.”
“I'm not going anywhere,” Mary assured her. She looked warily around at the sprawling stretch of sand. It was empty for the moment, but that didn't mean that somebody hadn't been there only moments before.
Three police cars and an ambulance skidded into the parking lot. One officer, Suzie’s cousin, Jason, climbed out and ran across the sand to reach Suzie's side.
“Are you okay?” he asked breathlessly. The paramedics rushed past him to confirm that Warren was indeed dead.
“I think so, Jason,” Suzie said. “I have no idea what happened. I couldn't sleep, I heard a scream, and then…”
Jason peered up at the railing. “I thought you had those updated?” he asked with an edge to his voice. “I told you to make sure that you did.”
“I did,” Suzie insisted. “We tried to keep the look as authentic as possible, but every balcony was updated and inspected. Someone must have pushed him off. The murderer must still be on the loose and may be nearby. You have to send officers to search the beach.”
Jason frowned and lifted his hat off his red hair. “It doesn't look like a murder, Suzie. It looks like he leaned on the railing and it broke, allowing him to fall.”
“That's not true,” Suzie insisted. “Like I said all of the balconies are solid.”
Jason waved to one of the other officers who was jogging towards the entrance of Dune House. Then he glanced over at Suzie with some concern. “Maybe you missed one,” he said.
“Excuse me?” Suzie asked defensively. “I didn't miss any balconies. When I inherited this house I knew your father had let it get run-down, I had this place inspected from top to bottom and you know that, Jason,” Suzie was really starting to get aggravated.
Jason frowned. “I know,” he said quietly. “I know this is all very upsetting. I'm not trying to make it harder on you. But mistakes can happen, Suzie.”
“It wasn't a mistake,” Suzie insisted with frustration. “The car!” she suddenly announced.
