by J C Fuller
Hattie blinked up at him, hearing his voice above her. With some effort, she focused on his face and gave him a big cheery smile.
“Phil!” She reached up and patted his hand. “Good to see you. Sit a spell and take a load off.”
She waved him towards the picnic table inviting him to sit down. Philip obeyed, cautiously glancing at the front door before taking the seat.
“How are you, Miss Hattie?”
“Well… I’m upright and on the right side of the dirt,” Hattie said, with a denture smile. She then leaned towards him and whispered. “How’s your noggin’?”
“Sore, but thick as ever,” Philip winced, a little embarrassed. “How’s Harry?”
“Oh, he’s fine. Other than he looks like a racoon.” She leaned back into her chair with a bemused smile. “Looks mighty funny.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Hattie.”
“You should be. Picking on my grandson like that.” She shook her head, “Though, I’ve been told Harry had it comin’.”
Philip smiled, mentally agreeing.
“Harry says our lady sheriff is moving out to your Uncle Chuck’s cottage.” Hattie rocked in her chair, sleepily closing her eyes. “She like the place?”
“She hasn’t seen it yet. Probably will show it to her tomorrow.”
“Oh! Think she’ll like living there?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“Have you told her about—” Hattie leaned forward, her eyes blinking open.
“No. It’s not come up yet.”
“You should tell her.” Hattie leaned back with a smile and closed her eyes sleepily again. “Some people might be opposed—"
“Don’t worry, I will. She’s got to decide if she likes the place first. No point telling her if she’s not going to stay there,” Philip said, stiffly.
“Fine, fine.” Hattie opened her eyes and gave Philip a wink. She rocked her chair a few more times and then said, “I heard about the fall in the park.” She stopped rocking. “The girl should have known better.”
“Should have known better?” Philip asked, confused by her statement.
“Sure. Silly to put herself in that kind of danger.” Hattie shook her head in annoyance and started rocking again. Philip realized she’d meant the mountain goats.
“Oh, I don’t think she was in any real danger. The goats up there will usually leave you alone if you discourage them with a few thrown rocks,” Philip said lightly, and then looked up at Amy, who was signaling she’d put the change in his grocery bag. He waved his thanks. “She was safe enough. That reminds me though. I heard Janie visited with you here the other day.”
“No…no, I don’t think so.” Hattie pulled a tissue from under her wristwatch band and dabbed her runny blue eyes.
“When she came in to buy some groceries? Right before Labor Day weekend?” Philip prompted, trying to joggle the old woman’s memory.
“Danie visited the week before Labor Day,” Hattie said firmly, shaking her head, her white brows knitted together.
Philip smiled slowly, looking at Hattie affectionately.
“Miss Hattie, you’ve got the girls confused. You were visiting with Janie. Danie died last year. She drowned, remember?” Philip took a fleeting glance towards the door and the empty parking spaces up front. He decided he better get a move on.
Hattie’s cherub face scrunched up into an annoyed grimace and she tucked her tissue back under her wristband. “Danie…Janie…same girl.”
Philip sighed heavily and decided not to correct her. With turning a hundred and three in a month, Hattie was bound to be muddled in her memory, and the girls were easy to confuse. Instead, Philip lightly slapped his thighs as he stood up from the picnic table and walked over, giving Hattie a light peck on her rosy wrinkled cheek.
“I better get going. You have a nice night, Miss Hattie.”
Hattie’s brow cleared, and she beamed up at him, nodding her head good-bye.
“I’ll tell Harry you asked about him.”
Chapter 19
“How close to the coast is your uncle’s place again?” Lane was watching the sea and shore through the trees as Philip drove them to Sue Carter’s house. They’d taken his truck this time, after he complained she always did all the driving.
“It’s close to North Point,” Philip answered, slowing down to let a hurried killdeer cross the road on its little stilted legs.
“Oooooo… on the fancy part of the island.” Lane smiled, tilting her head side to side in a la de da fashion.
“Well, as fancy as we get. Sue lives just down the road from his place.” Philip sped up. We’ve got time to stop and see the cottage before our meeting. Or we can see her first and then the place, if you want?”
“Cottage first,” Lane said, with no hesitation. “Will your uncle be there?”
“No. He’s already moved out.”
“No one is watching the cottage?” Lane looked away from the window and over at Philip.
“People tend to steer clear of the place.” Philip cleared his throat. Lane frowned at his words and what she took to be a nervous gesture.
“Why?” she asked curiously, twisting in her seat.
Instead of answering, Philip turned down a nicely paved road leading up a steady incline, which quickly turned into a lane.
“So, what do you think?” Philip nodded towards the windshield.
At the end of the lane, against a beautiful backdrop of ocean and a miniature Seattle in the distance, stood a white cottage surrounded by trees and tall grasses bordering a well-manicured lawn. It had a red metal roof, which stood out bright against its white exterior and ivy-covered windows.
“It’s…. it’s….” Lane was a little lost for words. “It’s adorable!” She quickly looked over at him. “What’s the catch?”
“There’s no catch.” Philip stopped the truck a few feet away from the back door.
“Oh, yes there is. You’re acting funny. This place is gorgeous AND dirt cheap.” Lane gave him an analyzing stare. “What are you hiding?”
Philip opened his door and started to climb out. “Would you like to look around or should we just skip it?”
Lane pursed her lips together and opened her door, jumping out as well.
Together they walked to the backdoor, where Philip grabbed a blue hatted gnome from the flower garden next to the stairs and picked up the house key lying underneath it.
“Top notch security, I see,” Lane teased, reaching down to straighten the toppled gnome he’d sloppily put back.
“Small town honesty,” Philip countered. “And a built-in security system.”
Turning the dead bolt, he opened the top section of the white dutch door and leaned in, punching a code into a small box mounted inside by the door jamb. There was a loud beep and Philip pushed open the bottom part of the door inward, gesturing for Lane to go in first. They walked into a warm and cozy, yet modernized kitchen.
“It’s been recently updated with all new appliances,” Philip pointed out, as Lane took a quick peek into the refrigerator. “Keep going. There’s more.” He shut the refrigerator door on Lane and prompted her forward. “It’s also partially furnished. What you don’t like, he’ll put in storage.”
“Wow,” Lane said, more to herself than Philip, stepping into the small dining room.
A round table adorned with a pretty lace tablecloth was placed in the middle of the room shadowed by a large hutch standing up against the wall. They could see past the small dining room straight into the main living room.
“I told you it was nice.” Philip smiled, pointing at a large stone fireplace, sandwiched by two large windows. Lane pulled a white sheet off the chair facing the fireplace and sat herself down.
“This place is more than nice, Phil.” She put her booted foot up on the sheet covered ottoman and snuggled back into the leather chair. “Where is the bedroom?”
“There’s one downstairs and the other is upstairs.”
“There�
�s an upstairs?” She sat up, springing from the chair.
“Yeah, and what they call a sun room. Here, I’ll show you.”
Lane quickly followed, noticing there was a small entry way leading to the windowed front door and screened porch, with the upstairs directly behind them. At the base of the front door was a small doggy door. She guessed Philip’s uncle must have had a cat or small dog and she suddenly warmed to the idea herself.
It might be nice to have a cat. One that could come and go as it pleased. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about feeling guilty if she worked late at night, yet would have a little company when she was home.
Lane walked past the door and popped her head into the open room at the base of the stairs, finding a stark bedroom. Its windows were covered with white lace draping’s, so the view was only lightly obscured. Light and airy, it had a decent closet. Not a walk in…but she couldn’t have everything. All in all, it was a heck of a lot bigger than the broom closet she’d been living with.
“Up here.” He was already halfway up the stairs and had stopped, waiting for Lane to join him. She grabbed the wooden banister, running her hand along the polished wood, slowly making her way up. She was day dreaming of possible names for her maybe future cat.
Reaching the top, there was a low ceiling guest bedroom on the right side of the stairwell. On the left side, taking up the rest of the floor was the sun room. “This is my favorite part of the house.” Philip walked into the room and took a deep breath. “Look at this view.” The sun room, aptly named because the walls were all windows, provided them with a glorious view of the island and the sea ahead.
“Your uncle only wants five hundred a month for this place? He could get ten times that for this cottage…and that…” She pointed out the window… “That view.”
“Already told you. He doesn’t need the money. He’s loaded.”
“Why don’t you take it then?” Lane’s smile widened, watching a ferry trek across the waves of the sound. She looked back at him. “You know? I’ve never even been to your house.”
Philip shrugged his shoulders. “I like my place and you need one. I’m fine where I’m at.”
“What’s the catch?”
Philip looked down at her with a confused and guilty smile. “What?”
“Don’t you WHAT me, Ranger. There’s a catch. What’s wrong with this place?”
“Absolutely nothing.” Philip turned around and headed for the stairs.
“It’s haunted,” Lane said firmly, and then added, “Is it haunted? Please tell me it’s not haunted.”
Philip laughed, turning around with a large smile. “Don’t tell me you believe in ghosts!”
“I didn’t say that! I just…Is it haunted?”
“Lane, if you don’t like the place, my uncle can find someone else.” Philip started down the stairs, hiding his amusement.
“No! I’ll take it! Just tell me it’s not haunted.” Lane quickly followed after him, taking another quick look at the view before following him down.
“It’s not haunted.” Philip shook his head, chuckling as he ran his hand down the banister.
“I just don’t think you’re telling me everything.”
“You’re paranoid.”
Lane stopped mid-way down the stairs. “Phil, would your uncle be okay if I got a cat?”
Reaching the bottom of the steps, he turned and gave Lane a pleased smile. “You thinking about getting a cat now?”
“Thinking about it. Do you think he’d allow it?”
Philip’s smile got even wider, but he didn’t seem to hear her question. Instead he said, “You can move in as soon as you like.”
“I’ll do it this weekend. Wanna help me move?” Lane gave him a hopeful smile.
“What time is it?” Philip dodged the question.
She glanced at her watch. “Five til eight.”
“Let’s get going then.” He tossed her the house key and smiled. “You told Sue eight sharp, remember?”
Chapter 20
“Here, Sheriff. Why don’t you sit here?” Sue led them through an elegant hallway into a vast living room, motioning for Lane to take the wingback chair facing the Chesterfield leather couch. Her little Pekinese, Sweetums, followed closely behind. Continuously barking at their heels.
“Thank you, Mrs. Carter,” Lane said, taking her appointed chair and giving the little dog a light pat on the head once seated, “I appreciate you talking with me today. I’d like to once again, extend my condolences.”
“That’s kind of you, Sheriff,” Sue said over her shoulder, walking to a side table, picking up a large antique silver platter loaded with small morning pastries and dainty teacups.
It was easy to see, Sue was in the habit of keeping all the good pieces from her antique shop for herself, as the house was filled with beautiful furniture, rich artwork, and expensive trinkets.
Setting the silver platter down on the coffee table next to a beautiful teapot, Sue glanced at Philip. He’d stationed himself by the fireplace, admiring the large painting hanging above it.
“Phil, come have some tea.” Sue sat down on the leather couch and smiled welcomingly. “I saved you a seat.”
Philip, turning from the painting, found Sue tenderly patting the cushion next to her.
“Are those cream cheese danishes?” Philip spotted the silver platter and eagerly made his way over, taking the reserved seat by their host.
“How are you holding up, Mrs. Carter?” Lane took the offered cup and saucer, making sure to set them down carefully on the table, as not to spill over the edge.
“Sheriff, please,” Sue tsked, handing Lane a napkin, before passing a small plate topped with a miniature poppy seed muffin. “You can call me Sue. Everyone does.”
“Thank you, Sue.” Lane’s smile warmed, gently placing the small plate beside her teacup. “You seem to be doing well?”
“Ohhh, depends on the time of day.” Sue smiled weakly, taking a delicate sip from her own tiny cup. “One moment I’m fine. The next, I’m a wreck.” She put the cup down and looped her arm through Philip’s. “It’s so hard going through something like this alone.” She looked up at him, sighing heavily, leaning up against his arm. “Makes me miss my Henry so much.”
Philip politely patted her hand, which was tightly wrapped around his bi-cep, and went back to eating his danish.
“I can imagine,” Lane hesitated, feeling guilty. “I don’t mean to add to your sorrow, Sue. However, I need to inform you the sheriff’s office is investigating Janie’s death as a homicide,” she paused, waiting for Sue to finish picking up her cup before looking the older woman in the eye. “We don’t think it was an accidental fall after all. We believe she was pushed.”
Sue’s cup clattered shakily against the saucer as she lowered it back down to the coffee table. “She…she was pushed?”
“Yes. There’s no indication she jumped or slipped off the cliff.”
“But that’s…that’s terrible. Pushed? Why would…” Sue’s voice trailed off as she fought her emotions, blinking back tears. Philip quickly licked sticky danish off his fingers and put a reassuring arm around Sue’s shoulder, pulling her close to his side in a hug.
“I know it must be a shock.” Lane leaned forward, awkwardly patting Sue’s knee in an offer of comfort and rushed to ask her next question. “Can you think of anyone who would want to harm Janie?”
Sue looked up at Philip, giving him a polite smile and a light tap on the knee, silently asking him to release her. “No. I mean, mad at her? Sure. Didn’t like her? A few people. Hated her enough to kill? I can’t think of a soul.” Sue shook her head in disbelief.
“I always thought both girls were very popular?” Philip asked conversationally, picking up another pastry from the platter. Sue’s Pekinese promptly settled himself by his feet, hopeful for a crumb or two to fall.
“Oh, they were! It was mostly petty jealousies. It’s sort of a family curse.” Sue attempted to look bashful a
nd continued, “The girls were very pretty. And Janie, well. She was a lot like me. More comfortable amongst the men than the women,” Sue picked up her teacup, the shock having passed. “The local girls were always gossiping, saying Janie was trying to take their boyfriends. And in all fairness, she may have once or twice. But when she went home in the fall, the couples would always get back together. It was just harmless flirting.”
“Do you know who may still have held a grudge?” Lane didn’t think a small summertime fling was serious enough to toss someone over a cliff, but she needed to follow every lead.
“Stacy Jensen and her were rivals each summer.” Sue shook her head sadly. “But well, Stacy couldn’t have done it.” She took another quick sip and then frowned in consideration. “Last year, she and Angie Bennett bumped heads a bit over Kevin Givens. Though I know for a fact Janie wasn’t interested in Kevin. She was always serious about Brent Allister.”
“Wait, Janie and Brent dated?” Lane asked surprised, taking out her notepad in a hurry. That was important information Brent, possibly at the advice of his grandfather, had failed to mention. “How long were they together?” Lane started scribbling on the paper, idly trying to get her pen to work.
“Oh, I’d say the last two or three years? Once Janie turned twenty-one, they’d matured to a couple and found themselves in a long-distance relationship. Up till last summer, she was bouncing back and forth from Pennsylvania and here. In fact, he’s why she took an apartment over in Seattle, so she’d have a place to stay when she came to visit.”
“Seattle? Why didn’t she stay with you on the island?” Lane asked, now furiously trying to get her pen to work.
“Really, Sheriff.” Sue gave Lane a condescending look. “I’m sure they wanted to be…. alone.”
“Oh. Well, then how did Janie afford an apartment and the airline tickets to come back and forth?”
Philip reached over and took a pen out of his shirt pocket, lightly tossing it to Lane. She was still struggling to get hers to write.
“Both girls had a trust fund and came into their money at the age of twenty-one. Their parents were well off, not to mention, my Henry left them a nice sum when he passed. Bless his heart. They were my nieces, not his. But we never had children and we always felt like the girls were ours.” Sue looked over at a photo frame sitting on the fireplace mantle. It held a picture of a handsome, silver haired man, who Lane surmised was Henry. Sue’s eyes watered again and she quickly blinked them dry, giving Philip’s knee a squeeze.
