Murder at the Lakeside Library

by Holly Danvers

  The man took her cue and said, “I certainly will, have a good day,” before turning on his heel.

  Rain closed the door, but the man’s comment lingered.

  Was it someone Thornton knew? Someone in whom he’d once placed his trust?

  The thought hit her then that the horrible incident must’ve taken place on her property. Otherwise, wouldn’t blood be evident on other parts of his body? Wouldn’t there be defensive wounds? If there was a sharp blow to the back of the head, and he was rendered unconscious, he wouldn’t have been able to react as he wouldn’t have seen his assailant coming. He couldn’t have been dumped there. Wouldn’t there be scuff marks where he’d been dragged? Or blood splatter or drips in other areas? The evidence seemed to point that the incident had taken place exactly where the victim had been found.

  Didn’t it?

  This new realization sent a shiver down her spine. Because it meant someone had committed this heinous act close to home. But she hadn’t heard a scream. Nor had Julia. Had she been in the shower when it happened? Wouldn’t Julia have heard something? Unless the poor man hadn’t seen it coming. As the indications suggested, he must’ve sustained blunt force trauma to the back of his head. He might not have seen his attacker. What a cowardly move that would be, hitting a man from behind. She thought about this as she made her way back into the kitchen.

  But why here? On her family’s property?

  Why now?

  Clearly, these thoughts would consume Rain’s mind again today. She decided she had no other choice than to dig deeper into issues that were bound to prove uncomfortable. Things that Julia had inferred that she alone couldn’t help but think, could provide a potential motive. She’d much rather live in a place of bliss, where her parents’ issues didn’t exist. And now she’d have no other choice than to confront all of them, including that uncomfortable issue, head on. She longed to hide in that childlike fantasyland where parents didn’t have issues or, whatever issues they did have, were hidden far from view. She’d been mostly sheltered, up until this point. No doubt about it.

  Now that she was confronted with the fact that Willow’s so-called “lover” had been literally murdered within a few hundred yards of the cabin, what choice did Rain have but to seek out the truth? Had their relationship prompted this heinous act? Rain was so relieved her father was away in Japan on business. At least his trip far from Lofty Pines provided ample relief that he wouldn’t be privy to all the upcoming town gossip that was sure to ensue when word of the murder broke loose. News would travel through the Lakers faster than a flame in a dry field. The thought of this sent bile to rise in her throat. How could she think about her mother ever doing such a thing with another man? Her father would be so devastated. And so would she.

  Rain reached for the mug beneath the Keurig machine and topped the coffee off with the leftover creamer from Milwaukee, forever grateful that she hadn’t tossed away the bottle. She instantly breathed in the heady scent of caffeinated goodness and took her first sip. She then set the mug aside and flipped through every cabinet door until she came upon the medicine basket where her mother kept all the outdated antibiotic lotions, allergy salves, and pills. Rain sighed with relief when she noticed the bottle of ibuprofen was not yet expired—but close. After popping two, she washed them down with hot coffee which burned the back of her throat then reached for a tall glass of water to soothe the burn. Inwardly chastising herself, knowing it would take a few days for her throat to recover.

  What was Thornton’s body doing here of all places? Why was he found by the outhouse?

  The answer hit so hard and swift, it almost knocked her off her feet. She reached for the counter to steady herself.

  Rain’s family kept a spare house key hidden inside the outhouse. What if her mother had shared that information with the victim? What if Thornton was searching for the key so that he could enter the cabin? Perhaps to return the precious book either inside the cabin or back to the safety of the library? He’d have to enter the cabin in order to retrieve the library key if that was indeed his mission.

  Suddenly Rain had to know the answer to this question. She took another sip of coffee so the mug wouldn’t be too full to carry back to the bedroom.

  Clothes from the opened suitcase were tossed in the air like confetti until she found an army green tank top and a pair of sweat shorts that could match. She quickly dressed and took another sip of coffee before slipping her feet into a pair of flip-flops. Using her hands instead of a brush or comb, she swept her hair up into a ponytail and tied it with the elastic she’d left on her wrist from the previous day. She took another sip of coffee before abandoning it on the kitchen island and heading out the back door into the humid morning air.

  The dew from the grass stuck to Rain’s feet, and she tried not to lose her footing as she rushed quickly toward the outhouse. Yellow police tape still blocked the entire area, and she hesitated a moment before lifting the tape aside and stepping beneath it.

  “Hey! Stop!”

  Rain put her hands above her head like a hardened criminal before slowly turning around to see Jace Lowe galloping with athletic ease in her direction.

  She dropped her hands by her sides and stood sheepishly waiting for him.

  “What are you doing? This is a crime scene, Rain! You can’t just go behind the tape. What’s so important that you couldn’t wait? Or at the very least call me?”

  “I … I …” Rain stuttered, stunned by the hostile tone in Jace’s voice. She couldn’t remember a time she’d ever seen his face so red, or his voice so disturbingly angry. Of course, this was long before she knew him as officer Lowe.

  When Jace noticed her body go rigid, he softened. “Rain, I know this is all very hard for you, but you can’t be here.” He summoned her with one hand. “You can’t step behind the crime scene tape. We’ll have it down soon enough, I promise, and you can get back to some sort of normalcy.”

  When Rain didn’t move a muscle, and her legs remained planted to their spot, Jace lifted the tape to join her and then placed a comforting hand on her shoulder to extend a peace offering.

  Rain wasn’t sure what to say but attempted to explain, “I wasn’t trying to disturb anything.” She held her hands out in defense. “I really wasn’t … it wasn’t my intention at all … I’m sorry.”

  “I know, I’m sorry if it felt like I was overreacting. But you have to understand it’s imperative you don’t touch anything and contaminate the scene. Do you understand the magnitude of the situation? We can’t get the person who did this, and convict, without hard evidence. And not muddied evidence,” he added with a frustrated tone, readjusting his police cap upon his head.

  Rain hung her head sullenly.

  “Something wrong with the indoor plumbing today? Do I need to call a plumber for you?” Jace lifted her chin so their eyes could meet. His eyebrow rose and he cracked a smile, easing the growing tension between them.

  Rain returned his gaze with a wry smile and shook her head vigorously. “No, Jace, no. There’s no problem with the indoor plumbing.”

  “Then what, may I ask, are you doing out here?” Jace laced his hands across his broad chest and his smile widened as he stood stoically. One eyebrow lifted as he patiently waited.

  “Actually, you make a good point. What are you doing out here already today?” Rain smirked, flicking a finger in his direction, attempting to turn the tables on him. “I haven’t even finished a full cup of coffee yet,” she added amused. “I’d say you’re at it pretty early.”

  Jace uncrossed his arms and gripped his hands firmly to his hips. “My job. The sooner we get to the bottom of this, the sooner I can remove this tape and you can go on about your life. I think we can both agree about that. No?”

  “I don’t see how that’s going to happen anytime soon. I mean, the going on about my life part.” Rain blew a breath of frustration and Jace nodded with understanding.

  “Honestly? Do you really want to know what I�
��m doing out here?” Rain studied the outhouse, noticing for the first time it could use a fresh coat of paint, and then turned her attention back to Jace.

  “Yep, I’m still waiting.” He said rocking back and forth on his heels, his arms laced across his chest.

  “My parents keep a spare key inside the outhouse and, with everything going on, I thought it is best to remove it and keep it safely inside the house with me until things settle down out here.”

  It wasn’t entirely true, but Rain thought, as she watched the light flicker in Jace’s eyes, that he, too, thought it was an acceptable answer. She wasn’t at all ready to peck at him about the town gossip swirling about the victim and her mother. No. She wasn’t in the mood to discuss it. Especially when she hadn’t yet made peace about it in her own mind. She didn’t even know if it was valid, but things weren’t exactly leaning in her mother’s favor. During the last visit with her psychologist, the doctor had noted her inability to trust. Now it was blaringly obvious that the professional had been right. She immediately thought the worst of people—including those closest to her.

  Jace’s body language changed from teasing, to instantly serious as he asked, “where’s the key kept?” He removed rubber gloves from his police belt and quickly slid his long fingers into them.

  “There’s a roll of toilet paper hanging on a nail on the inside wall. It’s usually hidden behind there,” Rain said with a pointed finger. “Can you grab it for me?”

  Jace turned to her before opening the outhouse door and shook his head in dismay. “Seriously, this is where your family hides a house key? I’ve heard of under the flowerpot, or out under a fake rock somewhere … but … this is a new one … even for me.” He grinned.

  Rain shrugged her shoulders in defense of her family. From the time she was a child, it was common knowledge to her immediate family members that they’d always hidden a spare key inside the outhouse.

  Jace opened the door wider and turned his head to the right wall after looking back to verify where Rain’s extended hand was directing him. He removed a roll of toilet paper and tossed it to her.

  “Nothing here.” Jace confirmed as he craned his neck for a closer look. “Are you sure your parents left it out here? Perhaps one of them took it out and left it inside the cabin?”

  An uncomfortable feeling washed over Rain. “We always keep a key in there. Just in case …” Her eyes traveled around his shoulder, looking to verify with her own two eyes. When she couldn’t, she stepped back and gripped the toilet paper roll to her heart.

  A silence fell between them. And then Jace removed the roll of toilet paper from her death grip and replaced it back where he’d found it.

  It was a long shot, but Rain had to ask. “By any chance did Thornton have anything in his pockets?” She was hoping, despite the key being under strict orders never to be removed from the outhouse, maybe the victim had snatched it before he was bludgeoned to death, with plans to put it back when he was finished. She really hoped not, though, because if he’d had it in his possession, it would only solidify a serious relationship. The location of the key was private to immediate family members only. The family had a very strict rule about that.

  The strained look on Jace’s face did not bring comfort. “I’m sorry, Rain. There was nothing found inside the victim’s pockets. No cell phone, no personal identification. And certainly not a key, if that’s what you were hoping for.”

  Rain’s heart sank as she let the implication of the missing key sink deep within her.

  Chapter Seven

  Who on earth had the missing key?

  Rain recalled that soon after she’d arrived in Lofty Pines, Julia had mentioned removing the outdoor furniture and assembling it atop the wraparound deck to ready for the library meeting, and that Willow had given her a key. However, that key was to the shed—not to the cabin. Besides, the key to the shed was kept in the boathouse, in an entirely different location.

  Had her mother given Julia the key to the log cabin as well? Rain highly doubted it, but she had to find out. “Maybe your sister has the key to the cabin.” Rain finally unloaded what was on her mind as she glanced over at Jace who seemed to take in all this new information like a sponge. His eyes then darted to the ground as if searching for something he’d missed prior. Or the key would miraculously be found beneath them, hidden in the dirt.

  “It’s the only viable explanation.” Rain shrugged.

  Jace then cocked his head in confusion. “Why would Julia have the key? If she did, wouldn’t she have mentioned it yesterday, especially under the circumstances? I mean we were literally standing right here. In this very spot. I kinda think she would’ve mentioned that important fact, knowing I’m conducting a full-blown investigation.” Jace removed his right glove and rubbed his jawline hard. His hand then traveled to the back of his neck. “That doesn’t really fit, she knows how this works.”

  Rain supposed he was right. But it still wouldn’t hurt to ask.

  The two moved outside the protection of the yellow police tape, while still considering an answer to where the cabin key could possibly be located.

  “Well, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to ask Julia, but if it isn’t in her possession, I think you should call a locksmith, or better yet, head to the hardware store immediately and see if Hank’s working today. You’re gonna need to have your locks changed. Like, right now. Do you understand, young lady?” Jace’s tone grew more and more concerned with each passing statement, sending a trickle of unease down Rain’s spine.

  “I hear you,” she answered. The idea that a deranged lunatic or the murder suspect potentially having the spare key in his or her possession wasn’t exactly sitting well with her either.

  “Yeah.” Jace tapped his long index finger to his leg. “Why don’t you go over and ask my sister. If she has no idea where the key is, then you need to head over to the hardware store right away. You could be in danger, Rain. I’ll hang around here until your locks are changed. I have more canvassing to do anyhow. I’ll be around for another hour or more.” He put a hand up to silence any protestations before she could even begin to utter them. “Trust me, it’s not an imposition. It’s my job.” He removed the other glove that was still on his left hand and tucked them both deep into his uniform pocket.

  She was growing more and more uncomfortable with everything, and Jace could clearly sense that. Since the moment she’d stepped onto the property, it seemed she hadn’t had a moment’s peace. This was not what she’d expected when she’d left Milwaukee. She’d been looking forward to quiet time, to be alone in her own thoughts, to snuggle up with a good book. But now the idea of being alone and isolated didn’t feel nearly as enticing, because her fear was escalating. Rain wasn’t sure she was happy with the idea of staying in the cabin alone anymore. Despite having just arrived in Lofty Pines, it felt like she’d been there forever. As if her life had suddenly taken a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. In fact, she’d also realized it was the longest time she hadn’t thought of Max, which was completely foreign to her.

  “You okay?”

  Jace interrupted her thoughts and Rain reached out and lightly touched the officer on the arm to let him know she was fine before dropping her hands to her sides. “Yeah, thanks. I appreciate you hanging around until the locks are changed.” She smiled faintly.

  “It’s no problem.” Jace jutted a thumb over his shoulder. “I’m headed off to chat with a few of the other neighbors to see if they heard or saw anything. Catch you later?”

  “Okay.” Rain turned and started to walk in the direction of Julia’s house when she spun back to face him. “Hey, Jace?”

  Jace turned around at her call but kept walking backwards.

  “Any news on when I’ll get my grandfather’s book back? I understand you have a job to do, and I’m in no way trying to rush the process, I’m just curious. It’s really an important item to my family.” Rain bit at her thumbnail nervously.

  “A tech was dusting it
for prints this morning. I’m sure you could pick it up at the station later this afternoon. I doubt that there would be any other reason to hold onto it. On second thought, I can drop it by this evening after my shift, if that works for you?”

  “That would be great.” Rain nodded. “I can make dinner, too … if you’d like? I kinda feel like I owe you one after disrupting your crime scene. Let me make it up to you?”

  Was it her? Or did Jace blush a bit at the invite?

  Rain hadn’t issued the invitation as a “date” and quickly recovered by adding, “I had planned on inviting Julia and Nick for a barbeque tonight, and I hoped you could join us, too. The weather is supposed to shift and be a bit cooler, perfect for dining lakeside.” She looked up at the cloudless sky and was happy to notice the humidity was already dropping with a welcome cool breeze off the water.

  “Okay, then.” Jace nodded slowly and then smiled appreciatively. “I’d be happy to join you guys, thanks for the invite.”

  Rain had hoped the invitation would be a chance to dig deeper into the investigation and to see if the police had any leads by day’s end. She had NOT meant it as a date. In fact, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever date again after losing Max. Dating was not at all on her radar—even if Jace did look like a young Brad Pitt.

  “What time can you make it, you think?”

  “I should clock out about five or five thirtyish tonight since I got an early start.” And then reminded her with a wave of his hand that he had additional work to do canvassing or they’d never share dinner.

  Rain turned back in the direction of her neighbor’s house and said over her shoulder, “Sounds good. I’ll go check with Julia and Nick to see if the time works for them, too.”

  Rain decided, instead of trying to maneuver her way through the thick pine trees by the lakeshore, she’d squeeze between the bushes and climb the stacked rock wall dividing the two properties. The wall was short enough, so she didn’t find the climb much of an issue. She removed her dewy wet flip-flops and looped them through her fingers before attempting the ascent.