Dead of Summer

by Sherry Knowlton

  “Wow.” Cheryl looked at a big kettle on the counter. That’s a lot of food. How many people are coming? We got here yesterday, and there were a lot of cars on the road.”

  “I heard that a lot more people are coming than the organizers expected.”

  “What’s a commune?” Willow peered into a kettle on the ground.

  Another woman dressed in a tie-dyed halter and bell-bottoms placed another huge pot on the table. “Well, little one, a commune is a family―a family we choose to join. We live together; we love together; we plant together; and we harvest together.”

  “Far out.” Willow’s eyes were wide. “I wanted to be a groupie, but maybe I should join a commune. My mother would never miss me.”

  “Give it a few years, honey. You can’t be much more than thirteen?”

  “Fourteen.”

  “Spend a few more years in school, then come to New Mexico. Ask anyone. They know how to find the Hog Farm.”

  As they walked away, Nina asked Willow, “Kid, do you know what a groupie is?”

  “Sure. Groupies are pretty girls who travel with bands. They dance to the music and hang out with the guys in the band.”

  “Honey, there’s a little more involved than that . . .”

  “Like what?”

  Sukie let Nina handle this on her own. After all, she’d started the conversation.”

  “Like sex.”

  Willow looked at the ground and didn’t respond.

  Sukie thought the tips of the girl’s ears looked a little pink.

  Nina plowed ahead. “Do you know what sex is?”

  After a few more seconds of silence, Willow finally replied. “Yeah, I know about sex. My mother spends most of her time balling some guy or another.” Her voice trailed to a whisper, “But I’ve never . . .”

  Cheryl jumped in like a mother hen. “I would hope not. Fourteen is entirely too young to be going all the way with a guy. Honey, you should save it at least until you’re in college.”

  “So maybe I should wait to be a groupie until I’m older,” Willow offered.

  “Or stick with the commune idea,” Cheryl counseled.

  Willow hugged Cheryl around the waist and skipped a few steps ahead.

  Sukie snorted. “As if that wouldn’t involve sex? Aren’t communes about free love and all that?”

  Willow was racing across the meadow toward a small pond by that point, so she never heard Sukie’s question.

  Chapter Sixteen

  ENJOYING THE COOL EVENING on one of her deck chairs, Alexa listened to the chorus of peepers from the nearby pond—one of her favorite signs of early summer. She looked up in surprise at the sound of gravel crunching on the lane. Scout managed a single woof at the unfamiliar car but didn’t leave her side.

  Trooper Taylor pulled up in front of her cabin and climbed out, leaving his sport coat in the unmarked police cruiser. He trudged up the steps to join Alexa on the deck, pausing to scratch Scout’s head.

  “Hey, guy. It’s been awhile. You’re such a good dog. Yes, you are.”

  The lanky trooper asked Alexa, “Has he gotten bigger? This dog is enormous.”

  “I think he’s finished growing. It’s just been awhile since you’ve seen Scout.”

  “And awhile since I’ve been out here. I’d forgotten how peaceful these woods are. How old is this place?” The trooper gestured toward the rustic log cabin.

  “The original cabin is about one hundred years old. The bedroom wing over there was built as an addition.” Alexa pointed to the raised section of the house. “You know this belongs to my parents, right? I’m thinking about asking them if I can buy it instead of renting, but I’m not sure they’ll give it up.”

  The trooper flashed a smile. “Sorry I didn’t call ahead. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

  “Sure. Do you want a Coke or something? Are soft drinks permitted on the job?”

  “Technically, I’m off duty. But a Coke would be great.”

  “Have you eaten? I was just about to put a burger on the grill.”

  “You are a wonderful woman, Alexa Williams. Offering a weary man caffeine and food. I would love a burger.”

  Over dinner at the table on the deck, the trooper plunged into the purpose of his visit. “I was hoping you could help me with background on all these social service agencies and Cecily Townes’ local relationships.”

  “You realize I never knew Cecily, right?”

  “Yes, but you know the connections between a lot of these agencies and people. And I know that your friend Melissa was pretty tight with Ms. Townes.”

  “You can’t possibly think that Melissa had anything to do with Cecily’s death?”

  “No,” the trooper smiled. “Being in jail in our nation’s capital at the time of the murder is a pretty airtight alibi.”

  “Did Melissa tell you about the conversation she had with Cecily on that day at the demonstration?”

  “Yes. We’re still in the midst of our investigation, but that conversation has added some fuel to a lead we’re pursuing. One of the national agencies provided us with information about two Thai citizens who entered the country about a week before Ms. Townes was killed. The men have been identified as suspected kingpins in a human trafficking operation based in Bangkok.”

  “The type of people Cecily and RESIST were trying to stop.”

  “Exactly. We’ve asked Melissa to give us a file with all those pictures of Thailand. Apparently, the burglars didn’t get her back-up photo files when they broke into her studio and home. So we’ll see if we can establish a connection between those two foreign nationals and Cecily’s last trip to Thailand.

  “Of course, we are also looking at Cecily’s life in this country. That’s where I could use your help with an overview of these organizations and the local people who are involved in these types of causes.”

  “Trooper, I think you may be stereotyping a bit.” Alexa raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying that only the country-club set gets involved in social causes? In fact, all types of people become passionate about causes: the environment, women’s rights, dog rescue.”

  The trooper looked a bit abashed. “I thought we had gotten to John and Alexa by now? I don’t mean to stereotype, but I need your insight into that social set here in Carlisle. Admit it. You’re part of it. A lawyer whose father is also an attorney and whose mother was a county commissioner. I’m not making value judgments here. Just recognizing that I don’t have a good feel for these types of people.

  “Plus, I didn’t grow up in Carlisle. I’ve only been stationed here for a few years. My family owns a small farm up near State College. They stick pretty close to home. Heck, I was the first Taylor to go to college.” He curled his mouth into a self-deprecating smile. “So I need some technical assistance.”

  “I’m not sure I can help, John, but I’ll give it a try.”

  For the next half hour, Alexa tried her best to answer John’s questions. By the time she ran out of information, the sun had slipped behind the grove of huge pines in front of the cabin. The spring peepers celebrated nightfall with a boisterous refrain.

  “It’s getting cold. Let’s go inside.” She spotted her mastiff, half asleep in the small yard. “Scout, come.”

  John helped Alexa load the dishwasher and wandered into the living room while she fed Scout. When Alexa joined him, she asked, “Do you think those breakins at Melissa’s could be connected to Cecily’s death? Maybe those two Thai men were looking for the picture that Cecily called disturbing. Maybe she unknowingly took a compromising picture of those guys while she was with Cecily.”

  “We don’t know at this point. Your theory could be right, but it’s much too early to tell if this connection with the two Thai men will amount to anything. We have no evidence that identifies the perpetrators of the burglaries at either Melissa’s studio or her home. They could be connected to Ms. Townes’ murder. Or the burglar could simply be some local punk who read about Melissa’s exhibit and figur
ed that she’d have some valuable equipment. As we say, it’s still under investigation.” He got up and began to pace the rug.

  “John, have you been working too hard? I'd swear that baby face of yours has aged.”

  “Damn, I’ll never get away from the fact that I look so young. My mom says it’s a family trait. You know I’m thirty-two, right?”

  “Most people would be happy to look younger. Me included.”

  “Well, this face can be a real liability when I’m on the job. Or when I want a woman my age to take me seriously.” When John sat back on the couch and gazed soulfully into Alexa’s eyes, she blushed.

  Sidestepping John’s advance, Alexa persisted, “Are you as tired as you look?”

  “Maybe more. Corporal Branche is still on special assignment. So Cannon and I are up to our ears. We’re working a lot more

  than just this Townes case. We’re investigating several women who have gone missing over the last few months. To top it all off, someone is killing dogs and hanging them from trees all over the county.”

  Alexa shuddered. “What kind of whacko would hang dead dogs from trees?” She hugged Scout, who was sitting by her chair.

  “I don’t think you have to worry about Scout. Whoever is doing this seems to prefer small, manageable breeds. Cannon thinks it’s a gang of teenagers. I’m not so sure.”

  “And what’s this about missing women? I haven’t read anything about that in the paper.”

  “It’s not one of those stories that gets a lot of press because most of these women are ones who live on the margins: homeless women, prostitutes, petty criminals. Hell, most of these women we’re investigating live such transient lives, we’re not totally certain that any of them actually are missing. But enough about my work. I’m off duty. How are you doing, Alexa? I heard that you were having some trouble coping after the incident with Reverend Browne.”

  Alexa couldn’t keep from glancing at the spot on the floor where Jebediah Browne had died. She could see the deranged minister lying there in a widening pool of blood, his wife sobbing at his side.

  “I don’t know, John. I’ve had a hard time dealing with the finality of taking a man’s life. I know that I had no choice. He would have killed me if I hadn’t fired that shotgun. But I just can’t seem to completely shake it. I think I’m getting better every day. What’s the saying? Time heals all wounds.”

  “If you need someone to talk to, just call me. I don’t mean to take advantage of your pain, but I would like to get to know you better.”

  Alexa nodded and the trooper stood. As she ushered John to the door, Scout padded along behind. At the door, John folded Alexa’s hand between his palms and said, “Remember, I’m here if you need me.”

  Alexa stood in the open doorway watching John’s taillights until they faded into the darkness. She thought about the warmth of John’s concern as she settled into bed and managed to sleep an entire night undisturbed by violent dreams.

  “Namaste.” Isabella opened the door of her yoga studio.

  “Namaste. Thanks for setting aside some time with me again.” Alexa sat down in a cross-legged position in front of her teacher.

  “How is your practice progressing?”

  “Much better. I’m not as distracted during meditation. I believe I’m regaining my focus. But I still want to perfect those advanced poses, and I need your help on that tonight.”

  Recognizing that Alexa was struggling emotionally last winter, Isabella had suggested that she devote more time to her yoga practice. Her teacher also suggested some more advanced poses for Alexa to incorporate into her practice, choosing a few difficult poses that both demanded pure concentration and helped alleviate anxiety and depression.

  “Let’s start with the wheel asana.” Tall, lithe Isabella guided Alexa through a vinyasa flow that culminated in the circular backbend known as the Wheel Pose. After a few minutes of rest in savasana, she began a new asana of inverted poses.

  When Alexa unfurled her legs in a vertical line above her head, she held the pose for thirty seconds or so. Then, she lost her focus as her mind wandered. Her legs tottered over that invisible plane integral to maintaining balance, and they came crashing to the floor.

  “Let’s try that again.” Isabella led her through the asana sequence one more time. This time, Isabella helped steady Alexa in the headstand. “Now, lower your legs into Scorpion while I’m here to guide you.”

  Alexa settled into her elbows and arched her back, slowly bringing her feet closer to the floor in front of her. Her body formed the arc that formed the foundation of Scorpion, but Alexa doubted that she’d ever be flexible enough to touch her head with her feet.

  “Just continue to get the feel of it. Your body is already there, Alexa. You just need to center your mind and you’ll be able to hold this pose. Remember, it’s not a contest. When you are able to find the focus that you need, the pose will come.”

  Alexa and Isabella meditated for ten minutes at the end of the session. She floated out of the yoga studio in a sea of calm and home to Scout, waiting for his dinner.

  Chapter Seventeen

  GRAHAM SPRINTED INTO THE courthouse with Alexa trailing a few steps behind. Although struggling to keep up in her high heels, Alexa’s fear of Judge Burns’ judicial wrath far surpassed any fear of a broken ankle.

  “Damn you, Graham. Next time we appear in court together, you get your ass in gear. Burns hates it when counsel is late.”

  Just before she entered the courtroom, Alexa noticed a couple standing together down the hall. Tyrell Williams loomed over a teenaged girl, his hands resting on the wall above her head. Alexa hesitated on the threshold, vaguely disturbed by the scene. When the purple-haired girl shook her head at something Tyrell said, he seized her by both shoulders. The teenager began sobbing and slid down the wall until she sat on the floor, her tight skirt sliding up to her hips. She looked like a broken doll: Purple-haired Hooker Barbie.

  Tyrell turned and caught Alexa staring. At the same time Graham whispered urgently, “Lexie. Get in here now. Burns will be coming at any minute.”

  “And whose fault is it that we’re late?” Alexa spluttered. She followed Graham into the courtroom, shrugging off the scene in the corridor to focus on the hearing.

  Taking another sip of her chai tea, Haley looked at Alexa and Melissa. “I lost my balance in Tree Pose thinking about this. Spill. Now.”

  “About what?” Melissa asked with a deadpan face.

  “I’m worried about your lack of concentration,” Alexa replied with mock concern and extended her arms above her head. “For Tree Pose, you must empty your mind.”

  “Will you two stop pulling my chain? Dinner at the Nash mansion.” Haley leaned forward. “Everybody at the Chamber thinks Nash is a real mover and shaker. I’ve heard the house is huge?”

  Alexa finally stopped laughing. “You could say that. It’s probably bigger than the shopping mall.”

  Melissa snickered. “Haley, you would eat the place up, but it was a little too gaudy for my taste.”

  “What? Are you accusing me of bad taste?”

  “No, no. Your house is a ten on the scale of typical Carlisle traditional décor. I just meant that you would get a kick out of the place. A lane bordered with trees that look like Italian cypress. A dining room big enough to feed the entire Carlisle Barracks. And there’s that whole faux Tuscan drama that the Nashes have going.”

  Haley turned to Alexa. “Did she just insult my decorating style?”

  “Don’t get me into the middle of this. But, Haley, you have to admit that your house is a more expensive and tasteful version of practically every home in the county.”

  “I won’t apologize for my taste in homes. I prefer traditional and so does Blair. But I’d love to see the Nash Tuscan Villa.”

  Alexa asked Melissa, “Did you think it was a little creepy, all those kids in uniforms acting as an army of servants?”

  “Not really. Remember that I worked as a waitress
in high school. I figured that the kids were getting valuable experience.”

  “They seemed a bit like Stepford kids to me. Almost no affect. But I bet Vivienne Nash would make anyone who worked in that house toe the line.”

  “I think they must be kids who are living in the Children of Light residential facilities up there. I was told that some of the kids are housed while they are waiting for foster care placement or adoption. Plus, they have a specialized facility for ‘problem’ teens, whatever that means. Why am I the one telling you this? Aren’t you the new board member?”

  “Quinn Hutton briefed me about the board, but I guess I have a lot to learn about the organization.”

  “Quinn Hutton? Is he that gorgeous Dickinson professor I met at Melissa’s opening?” Haley gushed.

  “Yes. We went to dinner on Friday.”

  “Well, I’m glad to hear that you are finally moving on. Reese has been gone since April. It’s time you started dating again.” Melissa patted her arm.

  Haley agreed. “Yes, honey. I know that these past months have been difficult for you. That whole situation with Caleb and his father was totally gruesome. Reese leaving was tough. But spending time with a tall, dark, and handsome college professor could be therapeutic.”

  “We’ll see. I’m pretty sure that we’ll be going out again. But I’m not going to rush into anything.”

  Melissa sighed. “Is this where we’re going to hear about your miserable track record with men?” She looked at Haley, eyebrow raised.

  “Why don’t we save you the trouble since we’ve heard it all so many times before,” Haley chimed in, and her friends launched a tag team assault on Alexa. They’d done it before under the guise of tough love. She knew they meant well, but it never helped.

  “Let’s see.” Haley tilted her head as if trying to remember. “There was Carl Hudson in high school. The brooding rebel without a cause. How long did it take you to discover that he lacked not only a cause but any redeemable qualities?”