Seagrass Pier

by Colleen Coble

  “Don’t be stupid.”

  She crossed her legs and glanced around for Ruby, who had been gone longer than she expected. “So I’ll look for that box this afternoon. Anything you want from inside the house?” Maybe she could burn it down once she found that pouch.

  “Just that pouch! I can’t believe you let that old bat get the best of you.”

  The tension in his voice told her she’d pushed him as far as she should. “I’d better go check on that old lady. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”

  “Okay, I’ll call you tonight around nine. Thanks for doing this, Kalianne. You won’t regret it. You’ll be a Cambodian princess when this is all over.”

  The comment made her smile. “You’d better come through for me. I’m already sick of being buried out here. I’m not too keen on the thought of having to work here for even another day.”

  “Then find that pouch and that box and you can get out of there.” A male voice shouted something indistinguishable in the distance. “Listen, I have to go. Keep me posted.”

  “I will.” She ended the call. “Ruby?” Walking toward the side of the house, she wanted to scream with frustration. If there was one thing she hated, it was not knowing fully what was going on. She’d bet money her brother had only told her half the truth of all of this.

  She rounded the corner. No Ruby. The hose lay uncoiled in the dirt with water running out the end. She shut off the faucet, then went to the front of the house calling her name. Elin was still gone, so she wouldn’t have distracted Ruby. Kalianne looked over the landscape. A movement at the top of the cliff caught her eye.

  Ruby stood at the very edge looking down into the waves crashing on the rocks below. She swayed as she stood. Kalianne’s voice caught in her throat. She didn’t dare shout for fear Ruby would be so startled she’d fall. She ran for the path and climbed the rocks. When she reached the top, she saw the old woman still standing at the edge. Taking care to move as noiselessly as possible, she hurried toward Ruby and grabbed her arm.

  Ruby tried to pull her arm free to go back to the edge. “Owen is calling for me. I want to go to him.”

  “Elin and Josie need you. Let’s go find them.” When the woman continued to struggle, Kalianne slipped her hand into her pocket and grabbed a syringe. She uncapped it and plunged the needle into Ruby’s arm, then pressed the plunger.

  That should keep her under control for a while.

  Elin pushed her windswept hair out of her eyes and crossed her legs. The Hope Beach sheriff’s office was quiet, but then it was dinnertime. She jiggled her leg and looked out the window. Across the street Abby helped Josie with her ice-cream cone. Marc had picked them up in Kill Devil Hills on their way back from Virginia Beach.

  “Nervous?” Marc went to the coffee service on a table along one wall. “I think this is probably coffee from yesterday.” He felt the pot. “Yep, it’s cold.”

  “I don’t want any, thanks.” She spared a peek at him.

  Dressed in jeans and a pale-yellow shirt, he looked all male. His hair curled a bit at the collar, and his eyes were shadowed. His presence in her house had grown more disturbing with every passing day. She didn’t want to feel this pull toward him.

  The sheriff breezed in. Tom Bourne seemed to fill the room with his presence. He went to his desk and wasted no time in pleasantries. “I heard from the Virginia Beach police. I told them what you said about Josh Holman, and they’re looking into his whereabouts during the time of the murder.”

  Elin gasped. “Josh? He couldn’t be involved. He’s a Coastie.”

  Both men stared at her. “Any profession has a few bad apples, Elin,” Marc said.

  She had to convince them. “You can’t seriously be suspicious of him. He’s a great guy. Just ask Sara.”

  “Sara is a little biased. I’m surprised to see you taking up for him though. You don’t even know him that well.”

  “I know him through Sara. She’s a good judge of people. If she loves him, he’s worth it.” She glanced at the sheriff. “What else did they say? Did they find any forensic evidence?”

  He shrugged. “They found hair samples, but those might belong to you or Lacy. They’re checking out everything, but it’s too soon to tell. And since you brought up forensics, I heard back from the state boys about the arrow. It was clean. They are heading this way to question Josh though. I’m supposed to have him here in a couple of hours.”

  “I think it’s ridiculous. Whoever killed Lacy murdered Laura too. That couldn’t have been Josh.”

  “He was onboard that ship too, Elin. And he dated Laura in high school.”

  At Marc’s words, Elin sank back in her chair. Was it possible the killer could be Josh? She shook her head. “I have those memories, Marc. He doesn’t have that signet ring. His build is all wrong too. Don’t waste time looking at him. I’d be frightened of Josh if he were the killer.”

  “You don’t know that for sure,” Marc said. “Those memories might not be as accurate as we think. You might be experiencing emotions about him because of hearing Sara talk about him. There are lots of reasons why he might not cause alarm bells to go off for you. It could have been anyone on that ship, Elin.”

  She was getting nowhere with him. Maybe she would have to figure this out by herself. No one seemed to be listening. “Is that all?”

  Tom nodded. “Not much to go on at the moment. The Virginia Beach police would like to talk to you again after they speak with Josh. You’ll be around?”

  She nodded. “I’ve told them all I know though. We didn’t see anything that might tell them who did this.”

  “I’ll send them your way.” Tom rose and went around to open the door for them. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

  Elin strode down the hall, her heels clicking on the tile floor. She wanted to get far away from Marc. He was supposed to be helping her find the killer, not derailing law enforcement onto a useless rabbit trail.

  “Wait up, Elin.” Marc’s steps sounded behind her.

  She ignored his call and increased her steps until she burst through the exit door and out into the sunshine where she could breathe. His hand on her arm brought her up short. She jerked out of his grip and turned to face him.

  “Don’t shoot the messenger. We have to examine every possibility.”

  She pointed her finger at him. “No, we need to hone in on the real killer. Your obsession with Josh is going to get me murdered.” She broke off, her voice choked.

  “I’m going to protect you.”

  “Don’t delude yourself. A determined killer can get to me unless we find him first. And it’s not Josh.”

  He blinked at her vehemence. “You seem to feel strongly about this.”

  She put her hand to her heart. “I know it here, Marc. Josh isn’t a killer. That murderer may be watching us even now, toying with us and waiting for his chance. We can’t afford to get sidetracked.”

  His hazel eyes narrowed. “Okay. I’ll look at the rest of the passenger manifest.”

  “What about that Theo guy? You didn’t have a good feeling about him. I’d like to hear his voice myself and see if I have any reaction to it.”

  “Barbara cleared him. Or don’t you believe her?”

  “I’d rather doubt her word than suspect Josh.” The tightness in her chest loosened. He was listening.

  He finally nodded. “We’ll see who else we can find. But there’s something else I want to talk to you about.”

  She didn’t like his somber expression. “What’s wrong?”

  “My parents are coming tomorrow to meet Josie. We need to tell her tonight who I am.”

  She bit her lip. She’d told him she was nearly ready, but now that the moment was here, she wasn’t sure. “It’s too soon, Marc. She needs time to get to know you.”

  “She already loves me, Elin. You know it as well as I do. We have to tell her.”

  She wanted to object again, but he was right. She glanced across the street at he
r daughter, happily licking her Superman cone. “Let me think about how to do it.”

  A homeless man shuffled by with his shopping cart piled high. He looked at them as if he knew no one would help him. Marc pulled a twenty out of his pocket. “Would you like some dinner?”

  The man blinked, and a bit of hope crept into his eyes. His dirty fingers closed around the bill Marc offered. “Thank you, sir. I haven’t eaten in two days. You have a good heart.” He turned toward the hot dog stand.

  Elin gazed up at him. How many men noticed the homeless? “Why’d you do that?”

  “I saw the way he looked at Josie’s ice cream. He was hungry.”

  She couldn’t look away from his earnest expression.

  “What? You’re looking at me funny.”

  “You’re not all macho man, are you? You have a lovely soul, Marc.”

  A hint of color came to his face. “I’m nothing special that way, Elin.”

  She clamped her lips shut. She was liking everything about him these days. This was dangerous ground she treaded.

  He crossed the street to join Abby and Josie, and she stared after him. She pressed her hand against her breastbone. Maybe she should lie down. Her lonely heart was yearning for him way too much.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Elin put the glasses of lemonade on the coffee table and smiled as she watched Marc frolic on the floor with Josie on his back. She loved horsey rides, and she clung to his shirt with both hands as she shrieked with delight. Max ran around them barking frantically. The little Yorkie had already become part of the family.

  Josie kicked her small bare heels into Marc’s ribs. “Again!”

  He groaned and rolled over, snatching her off his back as he did. He cradled his daughter to his chest and breathed heavily. “You’re making an old man out of me, kiddo.”

  Josie lay in his embrace for a few moments before she struggled to sit up. She straddled his chest, then bounced up and down, grinning when he let out a moan with every thump.

  He finally sat up and ran his hand through his wild hair. “Your mommy and I want to talk to you.” He thumbed a mint out of the roll in his hand.

  Elin’s smile vanished. Her pulse throbbed in her throat. How on earth did she explain something like this to a four-year-old? She needed to take the lead, though, or Marc would. And this should come from her. What did he know about small children?

  She cleared her throat. “Sit up here by Mommy a minute, Josie. I have something very exciting to tell you.”

  Josie scrambled to her feet. “Are we going to the zoo?”

  “No, it’s even better than the zoo.”

  Josie climbed onto the sofa beside her. “Nothing is better than the zoo. Unless I’m getting a baby brother. Is that the special news?”

  Elin couldn’t meet Marc’s amused gaze. “No, it’s not a baby either. This is even better.”

  Josie frowned as if the very idea of something better than a baby was silly. “Did you buy me something?”

  “No, it’s not that. Just listen to me for a minute, honey.” She glanced around for a prop. She spied Josie’s picture on the end table and scooped it up. In the photo, Tim had her on his lap. They were both smiling into the camera. “This was you when you were one. See your dark hair?”

  Josie touched her brown curls. “It’s still dark. Not red like yours.” Her tone indicated she was very displeased by that.

  “No, it’s not red like mine. It’s not blond either. It’s a beautiful shade of brown, the prettiest color there is. And your eyes are such a pretty color, part green and part gold. You look exactly like yourself, and I love everything about you.”

  Josie smiled and leaned in for a hug. “I love everything about you too, Mommy.”

  Elin held her close and pressed a kiss onto her daughter’s soft hair, smelling of sunshine and coconut shampoo. This wasn’t going to be easy. “Sometimes a little girl is lucky enough to have two daddies.”

  Josie pulled away and her brow furrowed. “Two daddies?”

  “Uh-huh. One daddy brings her home and loves her, and the other daddy is where she gets her hair and eyes. He loves her too.” Elin felt mired in topics too complex to explain to a small child. “You like Mr. Marc, don’t you?”

  Josie looked over at Marc. “I don’t want him to ever go away.”

  His mouth softened into a smile. “I’m not planning on ever leaving you, Josie. I will always be around to help you.”

  Pain squeezed Elin’s chest as she watched the two exchange a tender glance of devotion. What had she done? No wonder Marc had been enraged. If ever a man was meant to be a father, he was. The attachment between them could almost be touched.

  Elin managed a smile. “Well, there is something special about Mr. Marc. He’s the kind of daddy who gives a little girl her dark hair and pretty eyes. In fact, he’s your daddy.”

  Josie had no reaction at first except to stare at him. Then she slid off the sofa and went to where he still sat on the floor. She fingered his hair, then ran a finger over his eyelid. “My hair is like yours. Your eyes have yellow spots in them too.”

  “That’s right. I’m your daddy. I would have been with you before now, but I didn’t know about you.”

  Elin tried not to feel hurt at his remark. Marc wouldn’t try to turn Josie against her. At least she didn’t think he would. She’d always thought him an honorable man. “There’s another surprise, honey. Your daddy has a mommy and daddy too. They are your grandma and grandpa.”

  “I already have Grandma Ruby. And Grandma and Grandpa Summerall.”

  Though Josie hadn’t seen Tim’s parents much, she looked at their picture often and asked about them. They lived in California, and she’d only seen them twice in her lifetime. “I know, but you’re a lucky little girl because Mr. Marc’s parents are really nice. They don’t live very far away, and they are going to come here tomorrow.”

  Josie absorbed the information. “They’re nice?” She looked to Marc for confirmation.

  “They are very nice.”

  “Should I still call you Mr. Marc? I’d rather call you Daddy.”

  Marc swallowed and his throat clicked. “I would like it very much if you wanted to call me Daddy.”

  “Okay. Can I go find Grandma Ruby and tell her?”

  “She’s napping,” Elin said quickly. This news needed to come from her. She’d hoped to tell her mother when she got back from town, but Mom had been strangely sleepy all day and hadn’t woken from her nap. “I’ll go see if she’s ready to wake up.”

  Heaven only knew how her mother would take this news. Or even if she could totally comprehend it.

  Tuesday morning dawned with overcast skies. Rain showers should arrive by lunch. Marc threw a ball to little Max and kept an eye on the pier. His parents should be arriving anytime, hopefully ahead of the storm. Elin had been unable to rouse her mother last night, so Ruby still didn’t know she would have to share Josie with another set of grandparents.

  He gulped at the thought of telling his parents this news. He should have told them on the phone about Josie, but he wanted to break it to them in person. How would they react? They’d always been so proud of him, often telling their friends what a good Christian he was. Oh, he was a moral, upstanding citizen, all right. He hated disappointing them, but he’d wrestled his guilt to the ground with God, and that was all that really mattered. His parents would get over it.

  The putter of a motor came to his ears. He tossed the ball one last time, then went down to the harbor dock to meet them. They thought they were just coming for a nice week at the island. He lifted a hand in greeting as the boat neared.

  His father wore his old fishing hat, stained and floppy from many years of use. Lures circled the crown. No one would guess he’d been a well-known attorney with clients from all over the world. His grin appeared, and he rose to toss a line to Marc.

  His mother waved gaily. She wore a pink sundress that strained a bit at the seams. She’d refused to go up the on
e size necessary since she’d hit menopause. Christine and Frank Everton had met in high school and married at nineteen. They were still the most loving couple Marc had ever seen. He’d always wanted to have a marriage like theirs someday, but that seemed a more and more unlikely dream.

  Marc tied off the boat, then helped his mother step onto the dock. They looked younger than their early sixties. They’d stayed active over the years with golf and tennis. His father had recently retired from his law practice, and they both kept busy with charities and friends.

  He hugged his mother and inhaled the familiar scent of her perfume, Chanel No. 5. “Glad you could come.”

  His father clapped a hand on his shoulder and squinted toward the house. “Nice place here, son. Where’s Elin? We’re looking forward to seeing her. And she has a little girl. Your mom will be in her glory spoiling her.”

  Marc managed a grin. “Yeah, well, I have something to tell you before we go find the others.”

  His mother hugged him. “You’re getting married. I knew it.” She released him and patted his arm. “You don’t need to worry, son. We’ll be happy to welcome any woman you choose into the family. You have good judgment.”

  Marc’s neck heated, and he shook his head. “It’s not that, Mom.” He cleared his throat. “I shouldn’t throw this at you so fast, but I didn’t want to drop a bombshell on the phone.” He gestured to the fishing pier to his right. “Let’s sit down a minute.” He led them along the shore to the pier, then sat on the edge of the boards and dangled his legs over the side. His mother joined him quickly, but it took his dad a minute to maneuver down with his bad knee.

  “What’s this all about, Marc?” His dad frowned. The frown that said, “Get to the point and make it quick.” His attorney face.

  “It’s about Josie.”

  “Is something wrong with her? Oh, that poor little baby. Where is she?” His mother started to get up.