Knot on Your Life

by Betty Hechtman

  “I’m fine. There was an accident on the beach.”

  “Glad to hear you’re okay,” he said as his eyes rested on the bloody shirt. He glanced up at Dane as if he was trying to figure out why I had a police escort.

  “One of the perks of living in a town like Cadbury,” I offered with a smile. “The cops assist more than they arrest.”

  I felt Dane move a little faster and now he was pulling me toward the door on the other side of the Lodge instead of holding me in front of him.

  “Who’s he?” he demanded as soon as we got outside.

  “Don’t go all alpha male on me. He’s not even my type,” I said. “He’s just a guest I met this morning. He comes here every year on this weekend to meet with a client. I think he’s an accountant. Probably a geeky accountant,” I added.

  He lightened up. “Sorry for overreacting,” Dane said. I waited to see if he was going to say anything else. This was one of the reasons I held back on our relationship. I had to be free to deal with men without worrying about Dane getting all possessive.

  We got to my place without encountering anyone else. I was particularly relieved we didn’t pass any of the birthday group. It would have been awkward to say the least.

  “Okay, no one can hear now. Are you going to tell me what you left out telling the lieutenant?” Dane said as we walked in my kitchen door.

  “What makes you think there’s anything else?” I asked, trying to bat my eyes in a bad attempt at looking innocent.

  He rolled his eyes. “You don’t really think I’m going to fall for that?”

  “I was hoping for comic relief.” I batted my eyes a few more times with a smile.

  “And to change the subject. Now I’m sure you didn’t tell him everything.”

  We had stopped inside my kitchen. The noise had awakened Julius from an early evening nap and he sauntered in. He looked at me and then focused on Dane before letting out a plaintive meow. I didn’t know cat language but I bet there was something in that meow about a dog staying in the vicinity.

  “I’ve got this,” Dane said to me before turning to the cat. “I know what you want.” He went to the refrigerator and took out the stink fish. He held the can out toward me as he unwrapped it from all its layers of coverings. “Tell me or I might just accidentally wave the can in front of your nose.”

  I put up my hands in capitulation, gagging at the thought of confronting the smell. “Fine, but I was just thinking of you. I wouldn’t want you to be in an awkward situation with Lieutenant B. because you knew something he didn’t.”

  I explained that I did know the victim a little more than I’d let on and told him about the deal I’d made with Elex. “Tim didn’t seem in favor of it,” I said. I also explained why I didn’t want the lieutenant to know.

  Dane seemed disappointed. “That’s all? It’s hardly what I’d call a relationship. Though I get why you wouldn’t want the lieutenant to know. There’s no way he wouldn’t say something to Kevin St. John about it.” He took another look at me and shook his head. “You might want to do something about that.” He waved toward my clothes and I looked down.

  I hadn’t realized how bad it was. My beige fleece jacket had come out unscathed, but the cream-colored turtleneck I had on underneath was splotched with blood. My hands were a mess too.

  “You could probably use a shot of something,” he said. I was pretty much a nondrinker and Dane was for sure since he’d spent too much time dealing with his alcoholic mother, so he suggested a cup of coffee.

  “I am feeling a little weak in the knees,” I said. His head shot up in surprise.

  “Did you really just say that? Did you really just admit that you’re not an iron woman who can deal with anything and not be affected?”

  “You got me,” I said. “But you know I’m already better. I don’t need the coffee. Just a shower and a change of clothes.”

  I could smell the coffee beginning to brew as I went into the bathroom. I’d left the jacket in the kitchen. I stripped off the turtleneck and threw it in the trash. The only way to get the blood out completely was by using bleach and it would ruin the shirt, plus it would be a reminder of finding Tim.

  When I returned to the kitchen showered and dressed in fresh clothes, the coffee was brewed and there was a note on the table saying he’d gotten a call and had to go and that he’d see me later. He’d signed it with a heart. “Why can’t I do stuff like that?” I said out loud.

  Chapter 9

  The dinner bell was ringing as I went back across the street. Meals came with the rooms at Vista Del Mar and were served in the Sea Foam dining hall. Using a bell to call people to meals was a leftover from when it had been a camp. Since Aileen had been to Vista Del Mar before and she’d been the one to make the arrangements, I assumed she’d told the rest of them about how the meals were served and what they were like. The menu was heavy on comfort foods like meat loaf and macaroni and cheese, heavy being the important word there. It was delicious but not exactly gourmet.

  I was less concerned about the menu for dinner than what I should tell my group about what had happened to Tim. And the big question was would there be any news about his condition. I was pretty sure I’d felt a pulse, but beyond that I had no idea.

  I breezed through the grounds with ease since I knew them by heart after all this time, but Vista del Mar was very dark at night. The outdoor lighting was limited to small low-watt lamps along the paths. The lack of bright outdoor lighting added to the rustic feeling of the grounds and made the buildings seem like cozy outposts.

  The Sea Foam dining hall was located a short distance from the Lodge. The name of that building was simply Lodge, but it just seemed odd not to put a the before it. The dining hall was built in the same Arts and Crafts style as the other buildings, which meant lots of wood and stone. The building itself blended in with the darkness and only the tall windows showed, spilling light onto the ground outside.

  A staff member was stationed at the host stand just inside the door checking meal tickets and giving them a punch. He smiled at me and waved me on without asking me for a meal ticket.

  A fire glowed in the huge stone fireplace, which made the high-ceilinged room seem more inviting. Round wood tables were scattered around the interior. Seating was not assigned, but the groups seemed to always sit together, and once they’d chosen a table they stuck with it for the weekend. Food was served cafeteria-style with an entrance to the line at the back of the room.

  Everything seemed very ordinary, which led me to believe that no one knew about Tim’s accident. But then the ambulance and police cars had been on the street and not on Vista Del Mar property.

  While I was checking for my group I saw Elex and the other three in black clothes come in with Sky hovering around them. Sky turned in my direction and then they were all looking at me. What should I say to them? Before I could make a decision, Elex crossed the room and came up to me.

  “Sky said that you were the one who found Tim,” he said. “What happened? How bad was he hurt?”

  All I could do was tell him the truth and repeat my story of how I’d found him. “Have you heard how he is?” I asked.

  Elex shrugged. “Sky told us that the manager is at the hospital with him. How bad could it be? You said you think he fell.”

  “I didn’t see him fall, but I assume that’s what happened,” I said.

  “I don’t know what he was thinking—walking on the rocks. He’s not that well-coordinated to begin with and he insists on wearing those ankle boots with the leather soles.”

  “He must have lost his balance and fallen backward,” I said. “He wasn’t conscious when I saw him.” I let it sink in for a beat. “I’m sure you’re all upset by what happened. Do you still want the workshop this evening?”

  Elex nodded. “Yes, this accident just made us all the more tense. I’m sure Tim would want things to go on normally.”

  I said I’d be in the meeting room at our appointed time and sugg
ested he get some dinner. I watched him take a deep breath and then close his eyes momentarily, as if he was trying to calm himself before he went back to his associates. I did a quick survey of the area, looking for anyone from my retreat group.

  I recognized Madison-the-birthday-girl at a table by the window. It was hard to miss the crocheted flower lei that Crystal had given her. Deani was next to her. Her hairstyle with the tiny ponytail gave her a stark look. My eye went to the floor and her tote bag wondering if Fifi was hidden in there. My gaze moved away quickly. I didn’t want to know. The last person at the table was a complete surprise. Lucinda Thornkill was holding a pitcher of iced tea and hanging by the table. She owned the Blue Door restaurant, which made her my boss since I made their desserts, but she was also my best friend. She’d come to all the retreats that I’d put on except this one since it was really a private party.

  “What are you doing here?” I said when I joined her at the table. She hugged me with her free hand.

  “Someone ordered some food from the Blue Door.” She glanced at the noisy dining hall. “I guess they wanted something a little more romantic. They even requested some candles.” She looked toward the two women at the table. “After I dropped off the package at the registration desk, I thought I’d say hi and see how things were going. Cloris pointed me to this table, and when I saw you weren’t here I thought I’d step in and act as host in the meantime. I was just about to make the rounds with the pitcher.”

  She took a sideways glance at the table. “You only have two people for the retreat?”

  “No, there are five of them. The rest of them are either late or in the back getting their food. Thanks for stepping in for me,” I said. “I wonder where the people who ordered the dinner are planning to eat it.”

  “They had me bring paper plates and utensils, so I’m guessing either the beach or in their room.”

  “Was there a name with the order?” I asked, curious who it was.

  “Rogers,” she said. “I think it was Reese Rogers.”

  “Oh,” I said, surprised. “I met him. He said he comes here every year on this same weekend to see a client. I guess he doesn’t like the food.”

  “It was dinner for two,” she said.

  “He’s alone, but I suppose he might have invited his client.”

  “I wonder what kind of client. He wanted to know if we had oysters,” she said with a smile. “By the way, he’s a fan of your desserts. Well, he didn’t mention you exactly, but said he knew we had fabulous desserts and ordered two pieces of the apple pie.”

  “Maybe he’s not such a geeky accountant after all,” I muttered.

  “What?” Lucinda said. I sighed and told her about my encounter with Reese and Dane’s reaction.

  “You make it so hard for him. You can’t blame him for trying to stake out his territory.”

  “I’m not his territory,” I said. “I’m not his anything, except sort of his girlfriend.”

  “Sort of?” she said, making a tsk sound. “I know, you’re just thinking of him and you don’t want to break his heart if and when you abruptly pull up stakes. But you know when you find the right guy . . .” Her voice trailed off, but then she added, “Even if he comes with a few issues.”

  I knew she was talking about herself. But she had to realize her story was more the exception than the rule. I mean, how many people reconnect with their high school sweetheart years and years later when both of them just happen to be single? And end up getting married? The issues she mentioned were all her husband’s, Tag. Apparently, it hadn’t been evident in their high school years, but he bordered on obsessive-compulsive. It drove him crazy if one of the Blue Door’s servers set up a table with the silverware even slightly askew. And it drove her crazy that it drove him crazy. But somehow they managed and she seemed to have no regrets.

  I glanced around the room and was surprised to see Iola was hanging by one of the tables the birders had taken over. With only five of them in my group it was pretty easy to keep track of who was who. I remembered Iola as being the quiet nondescript one. But she was talking to a man now and he offered her a seat next to him. Hmm.

  Aileen was coming across the room with a tray. After a moment she joined the other two as Lucinda and I watched.

  Lucinda turned to me. “Why exactly was Dane leading you through the Lodge? You said he was in uniform.”

  I pulled her a little further from the table. “I haven’t told them yet and I’m going to downplay it, but I can tell you the whole story.” I used my elbow to surreptitiously point out the group in the black clothes. I explained the situation with Tim.

  “Oh, dear, and you found him,” she said, shaking her head at the thought. “At least it wasn’t somebody in your group.” She glanced toward the table just as PJ arrived with her plate of food. “I better do the honors.” She held up the pitcher of iced tea.

  I took the opportunity to introduce her to all of them. “It seems Iola decided to sit with some other people,” I said, nodding in the direction of the birder group.

  “Maybe she’ll have more to say to them,” Aileen said. “She never dumps like the rest of us. Sometimes I think she’s some kind of spy.”

  “Spy?” Madison said with a laugh. “Who would she be spying for?”

  “Isn’t that the thing about spies? They’re supposed to be stealthy so you don’t know who they’re working for,” Deani said. She was looking at her plate of food. Tonight’s offering was meat loaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. I wanted to look away, afraid she might be dropping tidbits to Fifi in her tote bag, but all her attention seemed to be on her eating the food. I chuckled to myself, calling that thing Deani carried a tote bag. It was more like a pale pink mini suitcase. “This is delicious, and the best thing about it is that I didn’t have to do anything with the preparation or delivery.” She explained her food service to Lucinda.

  “Maybe she just has nothing to say,” PJ said. She had rearranged the food on her plate and was taking photos of it. She noticed Lucinda watching her. “I have a vlog about lifestyle hacks. I’m doing travel hints this weekend.” She looked at the plate of food again. “I thought I’d say something about how to watch your diet when you’re on the road.” She moved the plate again and in the process knocked over the glass of iced tea that Lucinda had just filled. Lucinda grabbed a napkin and mopped up a lot of it, but some of the amber liquid had flowed off the table onto PJ. She looked down at her black tunic and leggings.

  “It’s a good thing you aren’t wearing a light color,” Madison said, glancing at her own pale pink linen top.

  “I already used this outfit in a vlog post, but Madison’s comment made me see the outfit in another way. Anything to get some more content.” She stood up and photographed herself in her entirety. “Don’t let a spill ruin your travel day,” she began.

  Aileen rolled her eyes and leaned in close to Lucinda and me as PJ continued taping her narration. “She’s obsessed with that vlog. I bet she sleeps camera-ready. On the ride here, she did a whole post about bathrooms on the road.” PJ heard her and stopped taping.

  “I don’t sleep camera-ready. As for the rest of the time, yes, I’m always in makeup and dressed to look good on a video. And there’s a reason I did the post about restrooms when you travel,” the vlogger said. “The company that makes packets with toilet seat covers and wipes paid me to feature it.”

  “I can’t keep up with you,” Madison said. “Wasn’t there something else you were working on that was going to solve everything?”

  PJ’s expression faded. “There’s been an obstacle.” Then she brightened and turned to Lucinda. “If you have any hacks about anything, I’d be glad to interview you for the vlog.”

  “I thought the point of this weekend was to celebrate Madison’s birthday and get away from it all,” Deani said, giving PJ a pointed look.

  “I can’t get away from it all,” PJ said. “There’s a lot of pressure with the vlog. I have to pump out content to keep
my followers watching, which is bringing me advertisers like the bathroom supplies people.”

  I’d been waiting for an opening to bring up Tim’s accident. I planned to keep the details to a minimum since they didn’t even know him and just to use it as a reminder not to go walking on the rocks. But I quickly realized there was never going to be a lull in their conversation and I was going to have to just jump in. Finally, I put up my hand to stop the conversation. “There will probably be some kind of announcement, but I wanted to give you a heads-up,” I began. “One of the Vista Del Mar guests had an accident. He fell while on a walk . . .”

  Before I could say more, they all started shooting questions at me. Who was he? Where did he fall? How did he fall? How bad was he hurt?

  “As for the who, he’s someone from one of the other retreats here this weekend. You asked where he fell.” I described the rocky section next to the beach. “There are plenty of crevices to catch your foot on and the surface of the rock is extra slippery when it’s wet. What made it even more dangerous is that it was almost high tide and the waves were sloshing over the rocks,” I said. “I’m guessing that he probably tripped.” When it came to his injuries I didn’t know what to say and tried to sound cheerful. “I’m sure he’s getting the best care and he’ll probably be back with his group by tomorrow.” I’m afraid I didn’t sound that convincing about the last part. I gestured toward the group in black and said it was one of them. I heard an intake of breath from the group at the table as it went from the abstract to a real person.

  “I’m surprised they didn’t already make an announcement,” Madison said. “You’d think the management would want everyone to be warned.”

  “I’m sure there will be something like that,” I said. “The manager went to the hospital with him.”

  “You certainly seem to know a lot about it,” Aileen said. I turned to Lucinda and she shrugged and nodded as a way to encourage me to tell them the rest of it.