Sunset Over Misty Lake

by Margaret Standafer

  Trixie wanted no part of it. If it were possible for a dog to turn up its nose, Karen was certain that was exactly what Trixie did while watching Rigi and Jagger splash in and out of the lake, shake their long, thick coats, then jump back in for more. The Lhasa Apso instead wandered the beach, nose close to the sand, in search of the next intriguing scent.

  Eventually, both boy and dogs tired of the fetching game and dropped to the sand to start digging. Trixie deemed this an acceptable form of entertainment and joined Dylan and the big dogs. Based on the amount of giggling and tail wagging, the entire group was having fun.

  The lake was beautiful with the morning’s bright sun and the slightest breeze turning it into a sea of glittering ripples. Susan kept up the conversation with stories about the latest happenings at the inn. Sam did the same with stories of her camp kids’ accomplishments in woodworking. And while the twins slept in their stroller, Dylan and Claire were busy enough to keep them all on their toes.

  Still, Karen couldn’t quite keep her mind from wandering and wondering.

  “What do you think they’re doing?” She finally asked when she couldn’t keep that wondering inside any longer.

  Sam let out her breath as if she’d been holding it for hours. “I don’t know. Do you think they’re still talking? I haven’t wanted to say anything, but I thought we would have heard from them by now.”

  Susan got to her feet and took a turn corralling Claire when she crawled too close to the water. “It’s killing me not picking up my phone and calling Riley. It’s so hard being here waiting instead of there doing.”

  “Joe said he’d call after their meeting,” Karen said.

  “So did Riley.”

  “So did Jake.”

  “What about you, Karen? Do you wish you were there?” Susan asked. “If you could have gone without worrying about the kids, would you have wanted to?”

  Karen had given that question a lot of thought, but still didn’t have a good answer.

  “Part of me wants to be there. Really, really, wants to be there. Everyone who is there, is there because of me. It doesn’t seem right that I’m here. But another part of me wants to stay as far away as possible. I wasn’t thinking clearly when I went for the conference. Then, my only focus was fixing what was so very wrong. I didn’t think past fixing it. I didn’t think about what it would feel like if I saw him, or even about what I’d do if I saw him. At the time, I thought I had it all figured out, that I had this grand plan, but I didn’t. It must have been some sort of self-preservation mode kicking into gear that got me on the plane and to Las Vegas. Something telling me to do this, and then do that, and then do this…one step at a time and if I kept to the plan, it would all work out. Now that I’ve had time to think about it and to talk to all of you about it, I don’t know how I made it through the first trip and I certainly don’t know how I’d make it through another. To answer your question, I’m just not sure.” Karen pinched the bridge of her nose and squinted into the sun as she turned her eyes toward the lake.

  “You shouldn’t feel like you have to be there,” Sam said. “No one else feels that way. But do you know what I think?”

  Karen turned back to face Sam who paused to dig crackers out of her bag and give some to Claire who was getting restless and to Dylan who didn’t want to be left out.

  “I think you’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. No, I know you’re a lot stronger. If you went back to Vegas, you’d handle it just like you handle everything else. Like a champion. Not wanting to go back is very different than thinking you couldn’t go back.”

  “Thanks. Both of you. Thanks for having faith in me when I’m not sure I deserve it.”

  “Don’t deserve it? Are you kidding? Karen, you’ve never given us any reason to doubt you before, why would we doubt you now? We’ve seen you in action countless times. You don’t back down. Heck, a couple of weeks ago you faced down the Terrible Twosome and not only lived to tell about it, but from all accounts, came out on top. You’re invincible,” Susan said.

  Karen chuckled. “Kate and Rose aren’t terrible, they’re just spirited.”

  “Spirited. Isn’t that the term parents use when their kids are out of control?” Susan asked.

  Before Karen could respond, the phone she’d been clutching vibrated in her hand. Though she’d convinced herself there wouldn’t be much new information this soon, her heart thumped in her chest nonetheless.

  “It’s Joe.” Karen jumped to her feet and answered the call. “Hi, Joe.”

  Karen waved her hand between Dylan and the stroller while arching her eyebrows at Sam and Susan. When they both nodded, Karen started walking.

  “How’s it going?”

  “Good, fine. How are you doing? And how are the kids?”

  “We’re fine. We’re at Sam’s right now. She and Susan came and met me at the park and brought me here. They said they didn’t want me to be alone while I waited to hear from you. So…”

  “That was nice of them. Thank them for me, will you? It sounds like you’re outside. Must be a nice day. It’s so hot here, I feel like—”

  “What don’t you want to tell me?”

  “Nothing. There’s nothing I don’t want to tell you, I just want to make sure you’re doing all right.”

  “I’m fine. The kids are fine. Tell me what’s going on. Please.”

  Joe gave her a rundown of the highlights from their breakfast meeting and told her about the plans to pay Joshua a visit that afternoon.

  “And you? Are you going?”

  “No, at least not right away. Everyone seemed to agree it would be best if I stayed away for now.”

  “Were you included in that everyone?”

  “Sort of. I mean, yes, I was. I get where they’re coming from. It will be hard to see him, to put a face to the facts. It can wait. For now.”

  Karen heard the frustration in his voice. “I think that’s a good idea. Thank you.” She switched gears. “What do you think it means that Joshua was married before? What exactly did Cort say about his wife, or wives, dying mysteriously?”

  “Just that. Just that there was some suspicion surrounding their deaths. He didn’t have specifics, but Jake will take that information to the police and hopefully it will help in figuring out Joshua’s real identity and give them more information to work with.”

  “And you said Jake’s meeting with Bud this afternoon, right?”

  “Yes. He has his notes organized and will go into the meeting more than prepared to convince Bud this is something that warrants an investigation. Jake feels confident he has ample evidence.”

  “You don’t sound convinced.”

  “I am. Hearing everything outlined this morning, and hearing the additional information Cort got from Dave, I don’t know how the police could put off an investigation.”

  “Then what is it? What’s bothering you?”

  Karen heard him sigh through the phone and could picture him rubbing a hand over his face. She could also tell he was pacing. There was something he wanted to avoid. It took a few moments, but he finally answered. The words came out on one long breath.

  “Cort told us that Opal got a job working at the same casino where Joshua’s working so she can keep an eye on him and see what she can learn in order to help.”

  “Nooooo.” Karen shook her head and repeated, “No.”

  She’d made her way out onto the dock and now dropped into another of Sam’s expertly crafted Adirondack chairs, extending her legs and letting her head drop back. The sun warmed her face and legs, but she felt chilled to the bone.

  “She can’t do that. She can’t put herself in the middle of this and risk him finding out what she’s doing. He’s even more dangerous than we thought. It’s not safe. You have to get her out of there.”

  “I said all those things this morning. Cort and Jake were going to try to meet with her before Jake meets with the police. Maybe they’ll be able to change her mind.”

&n
bsp; “You don’t sound like you believe that.”

  Another pause. Another sigh. “I don’t think it’s likely.”

  “What did Jake think? Didn’t he have something to say about another person getting involved? He told all of you that it was a matter for the police.”

  “He didn’t like the idea. At least at first. I think he wants to talk to Opal before he makes up his mind. Right now, I think he’s imagining scenarios where she hurts the investigation, but also those where she helps it. Let’s wait and see what he learns when he talks with her.”

  It was Karen’s turn to sigh. “More and more people are getting involved, more and more people are putting themselves in danger. I didn’t want that. I never wanted that.”

  “Everyone knows that. They’re getting involved because they want to, not because they have to.”

  Cries interrupted their conversation. Karen pushed herself up from her chair and looked from the dock to the yard where Sam paced with Julia and Susan bounced Evan on her lap. But Karen knew those cries. Her babies were hungry, and they weren’t going to be placated for long. She started walking.

  “I have to go feed the twins. Will you promise me you’ll do what you can to convince Opal to stay away from Joshua? I still have her number so I’m going to text her, but please tell Jake and Cort to try to talk some sense into her.”

  “I’ll do what I can. Give the kids kisses for me. I love all of you.”

  “Love you too.”

  By the time she disconnected, Karen was back to the yard and reaching for Julia who was currently out-screaming her brother.

  “I’ll take her. It’s time to eat. Susan, will you give Evan his pacifier? It should keep him content until I’m done feeding Julia.”

  “Sure. What did Joe have to say?”

  Karen touched on the highlights. She should have known Sam and Susan would demand details. She answered those questions she could on everything from the timing of the visits to watch Joshua at work to what was meant by the suspicious circumstances surrounding his former wives.

  “I understand why you’re worried about Opal,” Sam said, “but as long as she’s careful, don’t you think it could be valuable to have someone on the inside, so to speak? She can keep them updated on Joshua’s schedule and let them know if she sees anything suspicious in his behavior.”

  “But what if he notices he’s being watched? I don’t think it’s worth the risk. I’m going to text her and tell her exactly that as soon as I have a minute.”

  “She’s a mother and a grandmother, and based on what you told us about her, good at both those jobs. That tells me she knows how to handle herself and how to handle anyone around her. I’m not suggesting I want her to put herself in danger, but I don’t think she will. When Jake talks with her, he’ll tell her what she should, and more importantly, shouldn’t do. Try not to worry. If Jake thinks she shouldn’t get involved, he’ll tell her. She’ll be okay.”

  Karen stood, handed Julia to Sam and took Evan from Susan. To give herself time to think, she fussed and fiddled and made the process of getting herself and Evan settled into the chair much longer than it needed to be.

  “I know you’re right,” Karen finally said to Sam, “but that doesn’t stop me from worrying. About Opal and about everyone else.”

  Now that Susan’s hands were free, she used one to hold her phone and to tap it impatiently into the palm of the other.

  “Joe had time to call you. Riley should have had time to call me.”

  “He’s probably talking to Shauna and working out plans for their recon mission this afternoon.” Karen’s stomach pitched with her words.

  “Maybe, but—” Susan’s frown turned to a sort of half smile when her phone vibrated. “Speak of the devil.”

  “Ask him if he knows any more about Opal’s involvement,” Karen said to Susan’s back as Susan retraced Karen’s footsteps toward the dock. Susan acknowledged with a wave over her shoulder.

  “Jake hasn’t called. Are you as annoyed as she is?” Karen asked with a nod in Susan’s direction.

  Sam laughed. “No. I think it’s harder for Suze because she really wanted to be there. Not that I didn’t want to try to do my part, but I guess since I’m not there, this all seems a little like another day at the office for Jake.” Sam shook her head. “And that sounded better in my head. What I’m trying to say is that I’m used to Jake being wrapped up in his work and I’m used to not being involved with, and not hearing a lot about, that work. Susan’s not used to it.”

  “I guess. Of all the things I thought I had to worry about, causing tension between a husband and a wife wasn’t one of them.”

  “Tension? Between Susan and Riley? Oh, sweetie, you really aren’t yourself, are you? You’re talking like you don’t even know the two of them. It’s not tension, it’s just them. You’ve known Riley a long time, so you know how he is, always needling, always teasing, always wanting to be right. I’ve known Susan forever, so I know how she is. Do you know what my first thought was when I met Riley? I thought, now here’s the perfect guy for Susan.” Sam shook her head. “No, it’s not tension, it’s their way. I don’t know many couples who are happier or more in love than those two. Whatever they’re doing works for them so that’s one thing you can cross off your list of worries.”

  Karen smiled at Sam’s analysis. Spot on. Deep down Karen knew Sam was right, but it appeared she was primed to worry about anything and everything.

  “Again, you’re right. I need to stop searching out things to worry about, don’t I?”

  Sam nodded. “Yeah, but I get it. It’s impossible not to worry.”

  “Did you stay behind to keep me sane?”

  “Argh!” They both turned to see Susan holding her phone in front of her and yelling at it. She then jammed it into her pocket and stomped across the yard, muttering to herself the entire way.

  “If that’s my job, then hers is comic relief,” Sam said.

  “Riley is such a dork. Most of our conversation was him telling me his ideas for all the spy gear he thinks he should buy before he and Shauna pay a visit to Joshua.” Susan threw her hands up in the air and sneered. “I’m sure. Who does he think he is? Inspector Gadget? I told him to be careful. He told me he’s thinking x-ray glasses and a dart gun umbrella. Such a dork.”

  Karen looked at Sam who winked and mouthed, “See?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  JOE WASN’T SURE how it was possible to feel bored in a city ready to cater to a person’s every whim, but he’d managed it. He’d walked the strip and checked out the hotel pool, but neither held his interest for long. He’d spent some time on his lesson plans for the following day as he’d arranged to hold his tutoring sessions via video chat, but the lessons were ready, and he couldn’t think of anything to add. He’d tried reading the book Karen had tucked into his bag, but concentrating had proved impossible.

  He paced around his room, stopping only to stare out the window and drum his fingers on the window sill. Hundreds of people crowded the stretch of sidewalk visible from his window. The distance was too great to make out the expressions on peoples’ faces, but not too great to read their body language. Joe spotted the partiers, shoving, stumbling, and carefree; the businessmen and women, shoulders sagging and precious little spring left in their step; the first-timers, heads on swivels and no clear destination; and the decidedly not first-timers, heads down, and no question as to their destination.

  He supposed people watching in a city as vibrant as Las Vegas could occupy most people for a decent amount of time, but not him, not then. To Joe, it was nothing but an endless, repetitive parade and one that he could see as clearly in his mind as he could looking at it out his window.

  He turned away and his eyes landed on the clock. Shauna and Riley should have had enough time to stop by Mystique, take a look around, and were probably on their way back to the hotel. Cassie and Frank should be heading over in another hour or so. Jake and Cort should have finished thei
r meeting with Opal, Cort having moved on to whatever business he had to attend to and Jake on to his visit with Bud.

  Joe made a quick decision. Grabbing sunglasses, a baseball cap, a bottle of water, and a key card, he ducked out the door and hustled to the elevator. He found himself drumming his fingers again, this time on the wall while he leaned against it, waiting for the elevator. The last thing he wanted was to run into Riley and Shauna.

  The ding announcing the elevator’s arrival was a welcome sound; the empty elevator car a welcome sight. Joe pressed the button for the lobby, then anxiously watched the floor numbers light up as he made his way down all twenty-one of them. When the door opened and a quick scan of the lobby turned up no one he recognized, he donned his glasses and cap and made a bee-line for the doors. He was on the sidewalk and putting distance between himself and the hotel before he allowed himself to consider the ramifications of his hasty decision.

  He’d promised everyone, most importantly, Karen, that he’d stay away from Joshua. He’d meant every word at the time, but being relegated to watching and waiting on the sidelines when he had such a personal stake in the outcome simply wasn’t his style. He’d stroll through the casino, get a feel for the place. Nothing wrong with that. Maybe he’d steal a few glances at whoever happened to be behind the bar, nice and casual-like. Then when he spotted Joshua, because he wouldn’t leave until he did, he’d get a feel for what a despicable person who didn’t give a thought to the damage he was inflicting on innocent victims, looked and acted like.

  Under other circumstances he might be able to blame the unfathomable heat, but Joe knew that wasn’t the reason his blood was beginning to boil. He slowed his pace and forced himself to sip from his water bottle, take a few deep breaths, and tamp down the part of himself that wanted to storm the casino, metaphorical guns blazing. He’d never forgive himself if after all his warnings to everyone else to be careful, to not screw things up and tip off Joshua, he was the one to blow everything.

  His pulse settled and he was fairly certain whatever redness was still evident on his cheeks could be attributed to the heat when he arrived at the entrance to Mystique. Like every place he’d seen so far, lights flashed, and slot machines clanged and dinged over background music. He’d only taken a few steps when a deafening cheer went up to his left. Turning, he spotted a muscled giant who looked as though he spent the fall and winter guarding an NFL quarterback jump up and down like a cheerleader before hugging the guy next to him who looked like he probably stood next to the first guy during the fall and winter. They pounded one another on the back with such force Joe figured it was only years of being hit on a football field that kept them on their feet. Their excitement was contagious. Joe joined the others nearby who stopped to watch as the hugging and back pounding morphed into a touchdown celebration of sorts, complete with choreographed moves that appeared to encompass air guitars, bowling, and driving a race car. The two were laughing so hard by the time they finished, Joe found his nerves eased just by watching.