Sea Star Legacy

by Carolyn Forrest

  Once on the shadowy walkway, Sandra saw a strangely shaped object hanging from the door. Not another note, she thought. No, it wasn’t paper. There was, however, something there. It was large and dense and . . . shaped like a wilted star.

  Mounting the last step, Sandra stopped and stared, not believing what she saw. A lifeless starfish hung crucified by a large nail which had been hammered into the wood between the glass panes of the door. She could see wet streaks where its body had flailed against the glass. Below the pitiful creature, someone had written out a message in what looked like dark finger paint, Go home, Okie, while you still can.

  Sandra let out an involuntary gasp. Luke grabbed her arms and tugged her stricken body against him, hiding her face from the door.

  “The poor animal,” she yelped. “How could anyone? Why would anyone?” Her chest was tight. She couldn’t breathe.

  “I don’t know Sandra,” Luke replied in a stiff voice. “Listen to me. Go over to the restaurant. Call Mac and get him over here.” He reached out and tried the knob. It turned easily and the door opened with a slight creaking noise.

  Sandra’s knees began to weaken as she stepped forward and grabbed Luke by the arm. “I know I locked it before we left. Don’t go in there.”

  “I’ll be fine. Go call Mac,” he commanded in a deep tone of voice which left no room for argument.

  She managed to exhale a small breath which seemed to vibrate like her nerves as it escaped her chest. “All right. Please, be careful.”

  “Go.”

  Without any further objections, she turned and headed towards the lights of the Trader’s Cove. She wasn’t sure whether or not the restaurant would still be open, but Bernice’s quarters were right behind it. She’d try there or Elizabeth’s efficiency apartment if Bernice wasn’t there.

  The shells from the parking lot stabbed at her bare feet. Bending down to put her shoes on, she kept her eyes trained on the entrance to the Trader’s Cove. A dull light shown from inside the restaurant. No other lights were visible. She crossed the lot and tried the door. It was open. Her arm shook as she pulled back on the handle and put one foot inside.

  “Bernice? Are you here?” She stood motionless awaiting a reply. Nothing. Then she heard the sound of brisk running water coming from the kitchen. Sandra rushed through the swinging doors certain she would find Bernice.

  She took two steps towards the sink and stopped. There was blood, dark vicious blood, covering the side of the white enamel sink and a pair of latex gloves draped over it. Her gaze followed the maroon colored trail onto the floor where it met with white sand. At that instant, the water stopped. She realized the running water hadn’t been from the kitchen sink but rather the bathroom down the hall. Someone was coming. She could hear footsteps. She stood still, waiting. Her heart heard a door to her left open. Where could she hide? Sandra stared in the direction of the advancing sound. Then her field of vision was filled with the sight of Bernice’s familiar pumps.

  “Sandra? Are you alright?”

  “You,” Sandra cried out at her, “I thought you were my friend. I trusted you. How could you do this to me? Did you want my father’s business that bad or do you simply hate me?”

  “What are you talking about?” Bernice’s eyebrows crunched together and her eyes narrowed. She moved towards Sandra.

  “Stay away from me. Do you hear?”

  “Honey, I wouldn’t hurt you for anything. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Bernice’s gaze traveled over to the institution size sink. “My God, what is going on? Has someone been hurt?”

  “Not yet.” Sandra heard the echo of heavy boot heels on the tile floor. They were coming from the hallway leading out of the kitchen to the public dining area. Turning back to Bernice, Sandra tilted her head to the side with unspoken confusion.

  “Do you have company?” she asked in an acidic tone.

  “Not that I’m aware of. Several of my employees, however, have a key to the place.”

  They both feel silent as the footsteps neared the kitchen. Sandra thought she saw a twinge of fear on the older woman’s face as they both listened silently. A dark figure emerged from the hall into the overhead florescent lighting. Sandra stared into the startled face of Eustice Emenacker. He wore green khaki pants and a matching work shirt and smelled of fish bait. His oversized boots were caked with white sand.

  “Well now, I wasn’t expecting you two.” Eustice grinned nervously, exposing his gold capped tooth.

  “Yes, I bet you didn’t expect to see me for a long time.” Sandra balled her hands into fists in her rage.

  “Eustice?” Bernice’s voice quivered. “Why are you here?”

  “I did a little personal fishing out in the bay. I brought my catch over to cleanup.” He sunk his head down and looked up at Bernice imploringly like a small boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “You did,” Bernice stated in clear irritation. “How did you get in here?”

  “Oh that? The other day when you lent me the key to deliver the shrimp for the regatta, I had a duplicate made. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

  Sandra stared at Bernice in dismay. She really didn’t have any idea of what was going on, she thought. Relief spread through her like a calming breeze. It had been painful for her to believe that the kindhearted older woman whom she called friend could commit such a hurtful act. Then the danger of the situation became clear to Sandra.

  “Bernice, Eustice, I’m dreadfully sorry I interrupted your little surprise. I uh . . . saw the light and thought Bernice might . . . have an extra pair of wine glasses. Luke and I were going to celebrate.” She tried to make her voice sound casual and her lie convincing.

  Eustice narrowed his eyes into mere slits and stepped towards Sandra. He grasped her arm nonchalantly, but with a bit too much force. Don’t be silly. You come on in the storehouse with me. I’ll find you some wine glasses.

  “Eustice.” The sharp tone of Bernice’s voice made the older man drop his grip on Sandra’s arm. He stared blankly back at her. “There aren’t any glasses back there. I don’t stock wine glasses.”

  “Let’s go look anyway, Sandra. I’m sure I saw some there. Didn’t I, Bernice?” Eustice shot her a steel eyed glare. Bernice stared back in defiance.

  “Bernice, why don’t you go make sure there aren’t any wine glasses stashed away somewhere in your apartment,” Sandra suggested dryly with a nod.

  “Very well, I have two or three sets in my cupboard. I’ll be right back.” As she left Bernice turned and sent Sandra a questioning look. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Don’t hurry, we’ll be fine,” Sandra shot back as she tried to stare a hole through Eustice. If he thought he was going to intimidate her, he had better think again. She had to admit her heart still pound in double time, but she wasn’t about to run home over a little blood put on her door by a crusty old sailor.

  The side door slammed shut. Eustice’s normally gentle expression took on a sardonic gleam as he grinned at her. “Well my dear, what have you been up to tonight? Planning any more fishing net raids?”

  “Is that why you’re doing this?” Sandra asked. The words seemed to slide out of her mouth before she thought about the implications.

  “Doing what? Cleaning fish?” He laughed heartily at his own words. The nefarious sound sent prickles down Sandra’s spine. She took in a deep breath and willed her hands to relax from their clenched position.

  “There sure is a lot of blood on the sink for a few fish.”

  “I’ve been working hard, missy. Cleaned more than fish, you know.”

  “Oh?” She tried to make her voice sound calm and reassured.

  “It was a good haul. I got me several octopuses and wouldn’t you know even the prettiest starfish I’ve seen in these parts. Your father rather liked the looks of starfish, now didn’t he? He grinned wickedly at her and drew closer. He was always giving Hank an extra hand catching stars when he needed a f
ew more for his aquarium exhibits. Wonder if he’d liked this one?”

  “I’m sure he would have loved to have seen it. Where is it?” Come on, Sandra, she coached herself, keep a grip on yourself. You’re smarter than he is. Get him to admit it. Then talk your way out of here. Luke knows where you went. He’ll come looking for you when you don’t come right back. “Can I see the starfish?”

  “I think you’ve already seen it. Haven’t you?”

  “If you mean the atrocity nailed to my front door which was crucified alive, yes I have.”

  “When will you be leaving then?”

  “I won’t but you will be.” Sandra was startled by the sudden boldness and anger in her voice. “Eustice Emenacker, I’m going to make sure they nail your hide the same way you nailed that poor creature to my door.”

  “Who do you think is gonna believe you, sweetie? I’ve known old sheriff Mac all my life. I’m a respectable community member. You,” he began as he flipped his wrist as though her life was so minuscule it could be swept away with a whispered breath. “You are a stranger here. A woman who thinks she can run a man’s business. It’s the likes of you who’ve ruined the fishing for all of us.”

  “What have I ever done to you, Eustice?”

  “Your father was a damn dingy sailor and you’re no better. Running through fishing lines and cutting ‘em like they were grass under your feet to start with, and every year the catch goes farther and farther out to sea, making it harder and harder for a honest man to earn a living.”

  “I’ve never cut a fishing line in my life and pleasure sailors are not the only ones responsible for pushing the fish farther out to sea.”

  “They damn well might as well be,” he yelled and grabbed both of her arms ferociously. “Enough talk. Are you going to get the hell out of Fort Walton or is this thing going to start getting out of hand?”

  “Please,” she shrunk back as his wide fingers pressed hard into the flesh of her arm. “You’re hurting me.”

  “Your arm isn’t all I’m going to hurt if you don’t start packing your bags tonight.”

  “It’s not going to be Sandra who has anything to worry about,” a familiar voice boomed as the doors swung open.

  “You can’t prove a thing, Caldwell.”

  “Yeah? I think three testimonies of your confession should hold up in court.”

  “You and her, testifying against me? They’ll think you’re in it together to run me out of business. Everyone knows you two have a thing going on for each another.”

  “They won’t have any trouble believing the testimony of the sheriff,” Mac McPherson said stepping from the shadows in the hall. “That’s right, Eustice, I heard it all.”

  Eustice jerked his head around. His face grew pale and his jaw dropped. “Mac, come on,” the old man pleaded. “You’re not really going to arrest me on this trumped up charge. You know as well as I do, this woman is nothing but trouble around here.

  “I know nothing of the sort,” Mac growled and took the older man by the arm. “Now let go of her. It’s time you and I went down to the courthouse and did some paperwork.

  Eustice released his grip on Sandra’s now numb arm. Rubbing the muscles, she watched Mac put handcuffs on Eustice. How would Bernice take the news? she wondered.

  As Mac nudged Eustice towards the door, the sound of pumps on the tile floor caught Sandra’s attention. To her surprise, Bernice didn’t even hesitate at the sight of Eustice being led away. Instead, she rushed straight to Sandra with a hug.

  “Are you okay, Sandra, honey? I’m so sorry. I had no idea he could do something like this or I’d never had anything to do with that man.”

  “I know Bernice.” Sandra patted the woman’s arm in reassurance. “I shouldn’t have ever suspected you.”

  Sandra smiled at Luke who was still standing in the doorway, then turned her attention back to Bernice. “I knew it couldn’t be you, Bernice. I shouldn’t have blamed you.”

  Knowingly, the older woman pulled away from Sandra. “Things aren’t always as logical as they should be, are they?” Her face beamed with the pride of a scholar when his dim witted pupil finally caught on.

  “No, they aren’t,” Sandra replied, watching Luke and Bernice exchange glances.

  Sheriff MacPherson cleared his throat to get their attention. “I’m going to take Eustice down to the station. You all will need to come down and file a report in the morning. We can hold onto him with my statement until then.”

  “Mac?” Sandra began.

  “Yes.” He turned towards Sandra, halting his exit.

  “Thanks. It means a lot.”

  “Just doing my job, ma’am.”

  “Call me Sandy.”

  “Very well. Good night, Sandy. I’ll see you in the morning. Around ten o’clock? You all don’t need to get up with the crows to put this one behind bars.”

  “Ten will be fine,” Sandra replied and turned to the surprised look on Luke’s face.

  “I thought you didn’t want anyone to call you Sandy.”

  “I didn’t. Somehow it just sounds right now.”

  Luke approached Bernice and Sandra and embraced them in a large hug. “I was so scared for you two. When I figured out it was Eustice, I knew I’d sent you right over to him.”

  “How’d you know?”

  “Well, while I was looking under all your furniture for the mystery person, I started thinking. Whoever was doing this always knew where you were. That cut the suspect down to myself, Bernice and Chris. I could account for myself, felt pretty sure about Bernice and all this started before Chris went to work for you. Then it dawned on me, Eustice hadn’t been at the regatta all day. It fit.”

  “You don’t think Chris had anything to do with it, do you?”

  “No. I doubt he has any idea at all what his father’s been up to.”

  “Are you going to fire him?” Bernice asked in soft concern.

  Sandra thought for a moment and then shook her head. “No. I like Chris and he’ll need all the support we can give him while he goes through this with Eustice.” She shrugged. “He may quit anyway. He might not be able to work for the woman who’s putting his father in jail.”

  “He’ll take it fine,” Luke said, squeezing her shoulder lightly. “You ladies sure handled yourselves well.”

  Sandra looked up at him with a faint smile. “I was scared stiff.”

  “You couldn’t tell it. You stood right up to him,” Luke told her.

  “I better retire now,” Bernice said in a tired voice. “I have a few things to sort through.”

  “I’m sorry, Bernice,” Luke said, his eyes sad with her loss. “I didn’t mean to sound so callous.”

  “I know Luke. It’ll take some getting used to. I’m usually a pretty good judge of character when it comes to people. Guess, I’ve been a bit lonely since I lost Ben. Otherwise, I’d have seen what was going on.

  “You saw quick enough.” Luke shot Bernice a steadying nod of approval. “Bernice is the one who called Mac and got him over here,” he told Sandra.

  “How did you and Mac meet up then?” Sandra asked, confused.

  “I was in the parking lot getting ready to come in when Mac stopped me. We heard your voices in here and he decided it would be best if he went around to the side.”

  “There’ll be plenty of time to talk about this tomorrow, kids. For now, I’m getting to bed. It’s been a hellacious day. I suggest the two of you do the same,” Bernice said with a wink at Sandra. Sandra’s cheeks flushed as she remembered what she’d been doing before all this happened.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The soft curve of Sandra’s hip whispered against Luke’s thigh as they walked arm-in-arm across the small expanse of sand between the Trader’s Cove and the Sea Breeze. Luke delighted in how good it felt to have her beside him. Though, he’d known her only two months, Luke couldn’t imagine his life without Sandy. He didn’t know what he would have done if something had happened to her.

&
nbsp; As they neared the shop, Sandra tensed and slowed her pace. “We don’t have to go back to your place,” he told her, not wanting her to have to see the horrid mess on her door again.

  Sandra stopped and peered up at him through thick lashes. An unmistakable gleam of mischief shone in her eyes, not unlike the twinkle of the stars above them, he thought.

  “Can you sail a Catalina 30 with a little help?” she asked.

  “Sure. What do you have in mind?” Luke already liked the turn the conversation was taking.

  “The Sally Anne was chartered to sail this afternoon but the people canceled at the last minute. Chris had her stocked with provisions. She’s already to sail.” Sandra dangled each tidbit out enticingly in a soft voice. “Why don’t we take her out for the night?”

  “You little minx,” Luke challenged with a pleased grin. “Let’s go.”

  Without any further discussion, he steered her shoulders towards the dock, avoiding the macabre scene on her front door. He knew the boat Sandra had in mind. He’d taken the Sally Anne out quite a few times with Ben.

  Once they were out of the bay and the main sail had been hoisted, Luke settled in behind the boat’s wheel with Sandra next to him.

  “I’ve never been sailing at night before,” she told him, gazing down upon the black churning water.

  “Where are we going?” she asked out of curiosity more than concern. It felt good to be leaving the evening’s events behind if only for a few hours.

  “I thought we’d anchor at a small island about five miles from here.”

  “An island?”

  “I told you tonight was special,” he stated with a suggestive grin.

  Sandra felt her heart swell.

  Silently, she watched Luke steer the Sally Anne. His eyes scanned first the many gauges and then the darkness. Snuggling deeper into his embrace, she indulged her senses to their fullest. The motion of the boat, the fragrance of the air in her lungs, the subtle swaying of the running lights against the blackness, the crisp breeze on her face and the warmth of the man sitting beside her, made her heart want to sing with joy. Why had she ever fought her attraction to Luke? Anything you wanted badly enough you could usually figure out a way to get it. Why should a relationship be any different? He’d been right. They didn’t have to be enemies. It wouldn’t be easy, but they could manage. Love would help them manage.