Charmed

by Leona Karr

  Ashley decided that privacy wasn’t much better for the phone in the foyer. It sat on a corner table with a lady’s chair beside it, and anyone in the hall or the adjoining rooms could easily monitor any phone conversation. Ashley decided if she needed privacy, she’d use the public phone in the café.

  She called the hospital and was told Lorrie had spent a restful night. They were still keeping her lightly sedated, but she could have visitors later in the day.

  Ashley had just hung up when Ellen appeared beside the table, smiling and asking, “How’s your sister? Can she have visitors?”

  “Only family,” Ashley replied.

  They walked together down the hall to a small eating room where breakfast had been set out on a buffet. Ellen told her Jonathan and Fontaine had had an early breakfast, and Clayton was having his usual tray in his room.

  “He has a night nurse who stays with him until after breakfast,” Ellen told her.

  Ashley selected French toast, a slice of melon and coffee. Ellen decided to have a second cup of coffee and keep her company.

  “Did Officer Taylor have any news last night? One of the maids told me he was here,” she added in a slightly peevish tone. “I guess he only wanted to see you.”

  Ashley decided she might as well tell her about Sloane. Ellen was bound to hear from someone that Brad had interrogated him as a possible suspect.

  “My goodness,” Ellen exclaimed. “Your sister never said anything to me about any of the locals giving her a hard time.” She acted as if her feelings were somehow hurt that Lorrie hadn’t confided in her.

  “I expect she didn’t want to worry you, Ellen,” Ashley said in appeasement.

  “Well, Officer Taylor will get to the bottom of all of this. We’re lucky to have someone like him on the island.”

  “Have you known him a long time?” Ashley asked casually, sipping her coffee.

  “Goodness, yes. His parents had the mercantile store until they retired and moved inland. Of course, he was never in Pamela’s crowd of young people. He went to high school in Portland and then joined the state police force. Came back to the island a couple of years ago as its police officer when Old Man Whitcomb finally retired from the job. We were all glad to see a young, capable policeman take over. Brad Taylor is a fine-looking man.” Ellen raised a questioning eyebrow. “Don’t you think so?”

  Ashley smiled at the obvious attempt to get her to make some personal comment. “I suspect Brad Taylor doesn’t lack for female attention.”

  “I’d say not, especially from the local gals. Someone said they saw him in Portland a few times with different dates. Apparently, he hasn’t found anyone who wants to settle year-round on a cold, windy island.”

  “Maybe he’s not the marrying kind.”

  “Everyone’s the marrying kind when they find the right person,” Ellen offered philosophically.

  “Maybe so,” Ashley replied. She wasn’t sure why she’d never made it to the altar in her long-time relationship with a man who’d suddenly married someone else. For several years, Owen Prentice had been more of a comfortable steady date than anything else. She’d always refused to move in with him and now she sincerely hoped he’d be happy with his new bride.

  After breakfast, she excused herself and made her way back upstairs to the room where Lorrie had been working before she disappeared. Ashley was astonished at the collection of vintage clothing that had come from the wardrobes of Langdon women. Some of the gowns dated from the early nineteenth century. Many had designer labels like Vionnet, Poiret and Schiaparelli. Considering modern-day prices, Ashley knew there was a fortune in these ball gowns made of silk, taffeta, satin, lace and chiffon. Many of them were embroidered with pearls and crystal beads. Her hands trembled slightly as she handled them.

  She checked Lorrie’s inventory, and carefully placed every garment her sister had already recorded in a long narrow packing box, ready for transport. As far as Ashley could tell, Lorrie’s clothing entries tallied perfectly. Her sister had taken pictures of beaded purses, delicate scarves, silk flowers and hair trimmings. The ornate jewelry was mostly costume: cameos, brooches, pins and necklaces. No precious stones. As she checked each item off the list and placed it in an individual box, she discovered she was one item short. Lorrie had listed a gold locket on a narrow chain and had taken a photo of it.

  Ashley looked over every inch of the worktable, on the floor under and around it, but failed to find the missing locket necklace. She was on her knees, half under the table, when she heard footsteps outside the door. Before she could make it to her feet, the door opened and Jonathan Langdon stood there, looking down his rather prominent nose at her.

  Ashley got to her feet as gracefully as she could and pretended she’d dropped the jewelry photo. She wasn’t about to tell him she couldn’t find one of the jewelry pieces. Lorrie might have set it aside for some reason.

  “Is there some problem, Miss Davis?” he asked as if her manner was less than reassuring.

  “No, not at all,” she replied quickly and pointed to the stack of packed boxes. “I have those ready for transport and will continue to inventory every item as I unpack the remaining trunks.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m impressed, Mr. Langdon, with the condition and quality of the collection.”

  His expression remained composed but there was a hint of emotion in his voice when he said, “Both my late wife, Samantha, and my daughter, Pamela, were fond of wearing period clothing whenever the occasion arose. If you run across any photographs taken at various parties, I don’t want them included in the collection,” he said firmly.

  “No, of course not. You can check the complete inventory before you sign the release.”

  “How long will it take to finish?” He frowned as he looked around the cluttered room.

  “I’m not sure,” she replied honestly. “It depends on the amount of clothing and items to be handled, photographed, logged and packed. You can rest assured I’ll complete the inventory as quickly as possible.”

  He gave a quick nod of his head. “Well, then, I leave you to get on with it. I want to double-check everything before it leaves the house,” he said as he glanced down at the tray of jewelry.

  Ashley stared after him as he left the room. Something in the way he’d glanced at the tray of jewelry made her think he might have viewed it earlier. Had Jonathan Langdon taken the necklace for some reason?

  She worked steadily until noon, then quickly changed her clothes and hurried down to the wharf to catch the one o’clock ferry. She had time to buy a sandwich and drink at the Wharf Café and take it with her to eat on the trip across the bay to the mainland.

  She sat down on one of the side benches on the top deck and had just taken a bite of ham and cheese sandwich when she saw Brad standing at the bow of the ship, talking to one of the ship’s crew. He must have come aboard at the last minute.

  Her reaction at seeing him was a complete surprise. She’d thought herself well past the age of quickening breath and heartbeat when viewing any member of the opposite sex. But as she swallowed the bite of sandwich and brushed a paper napkin across her lips, the joy at seeing him couldn’t be denied. Even as she willed him to turn and look at her, he disappeared into the pilot’s wheelhouse, and she was left with a strange sense of abandonment.

  She waited for him to appear again, ready to move in his direction if necessary to catch his attention, but the ferry docked at the mainland and she made her way off the boat without seeing him again.

  She took a taxi to the hospital and was surprised to find a security guard posted outside Lorrie’s room. Brad hadn’t told her he’d arranged for one. Was her sister still in danger?

  Lorrie smiled weakly when Ashley came in and placed a kiss on her pale cheek. “How ya doing, Sis?”

  Lorrie’s eyes were heavy-lidded, and was obviously being sedated to keep her rested. “Mostly sleeping.”

  “Good. We’ll talk a little and then I’ll sit by the bed and listen to
you snore.”

  She gave a faint chuckle. “I guess I still snort a little.”

  Ashley squeezed her hand. “I’ve started on the inventory. You did a great job, Lorrie.” She paused, debating whether or not to mention the missing necklace. If there was a simple explanation why it wasn’t with the other jewelry pieces, she’d like to know it, but decided against saying anything. She didn’t want her sister worrying about it.

  “What about Sloane?” Lorrie asked, interrupting Ashley’s train of thought.

  Ashley shook her head. “The guy was working on some lobster boat at the time you were assaulted. Officer Taylor interrogated Sloane and checked his alibi. It has to be somebody else.”

  Lorrie closed her eyes and her lower lip trembled. “But who? And why?”

  Ashley didn’t pretend to have an answer.

  “Is this Officer Taylor any good?”

  “He’s been in police work quite a while, working out of Portland until a year or so ago. There’s something about him that makes me think he can be trusted.”

  Lorrie raised a sleepy eyelid. “I never thought I’d hear you mention a man and trust in the same sentence ever again. What’s going on, Sis?”

  “Nothing’s going on. I just happen to think Brad knows what he’s doing. He comes across as dedicated, reliable and is—”

  “Physically attractive as hell,” Lorrie finished.

  “Well, yes,” Ashley admitted, hoping the heat rising in her neck didn’t show. “More importantly, I believe he’s determined to uncover the truth, no matter what.”

  “If only I could remember…”

  “We’ll find the bastard, Lorrie,” she said, squeezing her hand. “Right now, you just concentrate on getting well. I know Ted and Amy would love to have you spend some time with them in L.A. when you’re ready to leave the hospital.”

  “I hate to put you out like this.”

  “I can handle it, but I’ll admit living with the Langdons is a bit of a challenge,” Ashley admitted. “By the way, the family lawyer, Paul Fontaine, asked about you. He said you’d spent a little time together.”

  “He was at the dinner table a couple of times, that’s all,” she said tiredly. “Seems nice enough.”

  Ashley patted her hand. “Enough talk.”

  Lorrie closed her eyes and Ashley stayed by her bedside for another hour while she slept. Before she left the hospital, Ashley found a public telephone and made a couple of long distance calls. She checked in with Kate Delawney and was assured that inventory was adequate to fill new orders for Hollywood Boutique coming in every day. Ashley hung up relieved, and thankful she had someone capable like Kate to take over for her.

  Her second call to Ted and Amy, who had been friends of the family since Ashley and Lorrie were children, was equally successful. They would be delighted to have Lorrie stay with them while she recovered from her ordeal.

  “You come, too,” Amy invited. “This can’t be easy for you, Ashley. I’m appalled that such a horrible thing could happen. Please, be careful, Ashley. I think you should get off that island as soon as you can.”

  “I agree,” Ashley answered and promised to keep her informed.

  After leaving the hospital, she took a cab to a business district near the wharf and shopped while she waited for the late afternoon ferry. Her purchases included a couple of sweaters, a lined jacket, and two pairs of warm slacks. She found a pair of walking ankle boots that she liked and added them to her list. She decided she could always use the warm clothes if she spent any vacation time in places like Lake Tahoe.

  She was just boarding the ferry with her arms full of purchases when she heard a familiar deep voice behind her.

  “Did you leave anything in the stores?”

  She turned around to see Brad grinning at her. Her foolish heart quickened, but she masked her pleasure. “What are you doing riding the ferry? I saw you on the way over.”

  “You did?” He looked surprised.

  “Yes, you looked—busy.”

  “I was, but I’m not now.” He guided her to one of the benches.

  “Why aren’t you using the police cruiser?” she asked as they settled themselves.

  “Deputy Bill needed it to check with people on some of the nearby islands. I’m hoping there might have been someone in the area when Lorrie was assaulted and perhaps noticed something that would help. I’ve been busy checking with crews of registered boats coming and going to the outlying islands.”

  “Any luck?” She knew from the tightening of his chin what his answer was going to be.

  “Not a damn bit.” He shook his head. “There’s got to be something we’re missing.”

  “Lorrie feels badly that she can’t be more help.” Ashley told him about her arrangements to send her sister to California as soon as she was released.

  “Good idea. The sooner we get her away from here the better.” He turned to face her. “You, too, Ashley. I’d rather have you leave now, this afternoon.”

  “I can’t. I have to finish the inventory.”

  “Why?”

  “Lorrie’s future assignments may depend upon it. I won’t let her down.”

  “I don’t suppose it would do any good to try and reason with you. You obviously have a stubborn streak a mile wide.”

  “So I’ve been told,” she admitted with a wry smile.

  “Until I get a handle on this investigation, you’d be better off anywhere but here,” he argued. “We don’t know what triggered the attack on your sister. You could stumble into the same kind of jeopardy without even realizing it. I don’t want to chance it. Leave now, Ashley.” He glared at her. “That’s an order.”

  She suppressed a smile at his official demeanor. If he thought she was the least bit intimidated by his brisk, police manner, he was way off base.

  “Thank you for your concern, Officer,” she answered in a docile tone. “I’ll be happy to leave as soon as I’ve finished.”

  When they reached the island, he offered to drive her up to the Langdon house in his patrol car. She was about to accept when she heard someone calling her name. Turning around, she saw Paul Fontaine coming toward her. Apparently the lawyer had been in the Neptune Bar when the ferry pulled in. He smiled broadly as he waved.

  “You’re just in time to catch a ride up to the house,” he said as he reached her. “I thought you might be returning about now. I’m using one of the Langdon cars.”

  “I guess that will save you a trip,” Ashley said, hoping Brad would object. She was disappointed when he didn’t.

  “I’m glad Ashley had such an official escort from the mainland,” Paul said. “We’re all a little concerned about her wandering around by herself. Have you made any progress in the investigation, Officer? Any possible suspects?” Fontaine prodded.

  Brad’s jaw tightened. Obviously, Fontaine wasn’t high on his list of favorite people, she thought. The negative energy between the two men was as apparent as a lit fuse.

  “There’s no shortage of suspects,” Brad answered curtly.

  The lawyer’s eyes narrowed. “Well, I guess that’s better than coming up empty. We’re all very much concerned that the guilty party be arrested as quickly as possible.” He turned to Ashley and inquired politely, “How did you find your sister?”

  “She’s improving.”

  Brad touched Ashley’s arm. “Take care.”

  Without even a polite nod at the lawyer, Brad strode across the pier and disappeared into the Rockcove Café. Ashley was tempted to ditch Fontaine and join him, but Brad’s departure hadn’t been anything close to an invitation.

  “Abrupt son of a gun, isn’t he?” Fontaine commented as he escorted her to a late model, small, compact car parked nearby. “He doesn’t mix socially, at least not with the summer crowd or families like the Langdons, but I guess he gets along with the islanders all right. You have to wonder why he’d be willing to be stuck on this island year-round.”

  Ashley eased into the front seat of the
car without answering. His criticism of Brad rankled, even though she’d entertained the same kind of skepticism when she’d first met him. All that had changed, and she ignored a warning that it might not be for the better.

  As they drove along the cliff road, the late afternoon sun created moving sculptures as the ocean surf rose and fell. In one of the inlets, a flock of birds dove in the water for their evening meal.

  Fontaine seemed oblivious to the surrounding beauty as he launched into a detailed harangue about the dwindling economy of Maine’s islands. When they reached the Langdon compound, he took a narrow road below the main house where a guest cottage and small garage had been built on a lower slope. A flight of steep steps led upward to a door on one wing of the sprawling mansion.

  “I prefer the cottage to the main house,” he said as he opened the door for her and she slipped out with her packages. “I think I do, too,” Ashley replied honestly.

  A wide veranda on the cottage offered a clear view of the island’s shoreline on the eastern side. As Ashley’s gaze traveled across large bay windows, she glimpsed a woman with blond hair standing there.

  “I’ll see you to the house,” Paul said quickly and put a guiding hand on her arm as they mounted the cement stairs. “The family room is just around the corner of this wing at the ocean side.”

  Ashley didn’t argue. They passed a number of doors which gave few hints as to which part of the house they belonged. It wasn’t until they were on the other side of the house that he stopped and opened one for her. She still didn’t know where she was until they reached a familiar staircase in the hall outside the family room.

  “Thank you, I can find my way from here.”

  “Goodbye, then. I’ll see you at dinner,” he said politely and then quickly made his way back down the hall and out the door. His haste made Ashley wonder who was waiting for him.

  When she reached her bedroom, she found it just as she had left it. She threw her purchases on the bed and glanced at her watch. Yes, she could get in an hour’s work before it was time to go downstairs for dinner.

  When she reached the open door of the workroom, she was aware that someone was moving around inside. She stepped into the room and saw Mrs. Mertz was standing at the worktable, going through inventory sheets and labeled photos. A quick glance around the room verified that many of the packed boxes had been moved and some of the trunks had been opened.