"Greg is coming to the island too?"
"Mm. Dad wants him there. He takes care of all our legal affairs. You remember him, don't you?"
"I don't think so."
"He was best man at Bill's and my wedding. He's very nice. I dated him a couple of times before I met Bill. Richard was always bringing his friends home to meet me. I liked him, but I think I was a little too wild for him. He was extremely shy then. Poor man, I must have embarrassed him to death."
"Is he married?"
"He was. He married about the same time Bill and I did. They divorced a few years later. Now I think he's married to his career. Megan and Dad have both suggested that Greg and I get together. I've considered it, but I really don't think he's interested." Claire's smile as she recounted the story made Helen wonder if Claire might have deeper feelings for Greg than she was letting on. She was no psychologist but had often heard stories of women who went from one superficial relationship to another in order to avoid true love because of the pain it might bring.
Helen tossed the thoughts aside. This wasn't the time or the place. Her mind spun with bits and pieces of information needing to be assembled. The attempts on Paddy's life, if indeed that's what they were, Fabian's disappearance. The thefts. "Claire, is there any chance your father paid Fabian off?"
Her eyes widened. "Absolutely not." Air rushed out of her lungs as she spoke. "Okay. I admit the possibility crossed my mind. Dad may have had something to do with his disappearance. Maybe he did pay him to leave. I just can't believe Fabian would take the money. And why would Dad lie to me? Maybe they argued and Dad didn't want to tell me." She dissolved in tears again.
Claire hid her face in her hands. "Oh, Helen. It hurts so much. I hope and pray he'll come back. Or that I'll at least know the truth. I should have called the police. I see that now."
Helen wrapped her arms around her cousin, patting and stroking her back. What was the truth? The idea that Paddy had paid Fabian off stuck in her mind. Had the same thing happened with the other men in Claire's life? Had Paddy wanted to protect Claire from her fortune-seeking suitors? Then why not stop them before she married them? Somehow it didn't seem like something Paddy would do.
She already had one problem on her hands with the possible attempts on Paddy's life. Now she had two. On the other hand, they might well be related. Suppose Fabian was the fortune hunter Paddy seemed to think he was. Might Fabian have pretended to leave, then planned to do away with Paddy, knowing Claire would inherit part of her father's fortune? One thing for certain, someone needed to let the police know what was going on.
"Maybe I can help," Helen said finally.
"Oh, I was hoping you would."
"I'll call Jason and have him do some checking on Fabian's background."
Claire pulled back. "No! I don't want him arrested. No police, please. I know I said I should have, but I can't."
"It may not come to an arrest unless you or Paddy press charges or there's an outstanding warrant. You said you wanted to know. Perhaps Jason can discover if he's done this sort of thing before."
She chewed on her lower lip. "I think Dad already had him investigated."
Helen frowned. "What do you mean?"
"He's done it before. He doesn't think I know, but Richard told me about the investigations on my first two husbands after Bill. He hasn't said anything since, but I've come to expect it."
"I'll ask him. In the meantime, I still think we should call Jason. You did say you wanted to know," Helen went on, "and we can trust Jason to be discreet."
"I-I'm not sure."
"Claire, you said yourself that if he didn't steal the money, something may have happened to him. He may be in danger. The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be to trace him."
"All right." Claire grasped Helen's hand as if holding to a life-line. "I know you're right. I should have done this before. I just couldn't bear to think he'd take advantage of me."
"Well, maybe he didn't." Helen didn't hold much hope of Fabian's coming up clean, but she didn't share her doubts with Claire. "The important thing is that we learn the truth. We'll call Jason right now. I'll need all the information you have on Fabian. His picture, social security number, a driver's license and anything else that will help us find him. We'll also need the license number on your car."
"Claire perked up then and made her way down the hall to a guest bedroom that contained a desk and computer. Within half an hour they had e-mailed Jason all the data Claire could find on Fabian, along with the photo on the dresser. Jason promised to get back to them as soon as he learned anything. Fifteen minutes later he called back. Claire had gone to her room to change and finish packing, so Helen took the call.
"I'm afraid the news isn't good, Mom," Jason told her.
"That doesn't surprise me. What did you find?"
"There's a warrant out for his arrest in San Juan County. The Canadians are looking for him, as well, but there's no warrant on the Canadian side. they just want him for questioning in connection with a theft."
"The Canadians?" She'd no sooner asked the question than she remembered that the border between the U.S. and Canada sliced Paradise Island in half. Paddy must have contacted them after all.
"Anything else?" Helen twisted the cord around her finger, eyeing the doorway.
"Not yet. He doesn't seem to have a previous record."
"Who filed the charges?'' she asked, though she already suspected what the answer would be.
He hesitated. "I don't have that information yet. The original warrant was issued by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department last Monday. Sheriff’s name is Stone."
"Monday. That's the day Fabian disappeared. Paddy must have reported the theft before he called Claire. I wonder why he let her believe he hadn't."
"Probably didn't want to upset her."
"Yes, but Paddy is her father. He's always prided himself on being honest. I can't see him keeping something like this from her."
"I don't know. Maybe it was Megan or Richard. Like I said, I should hear more this afternoon. You might want to give the sheriff’s office up there a call as well. See if they're willing to share any particulars."
"I will. Thanks."
"Give my love to Paddy and the others. Oh, and Mom, be careful, okay? I don't like the sound of things."
Helen assured him she'd be fine. Eager to talk to Paddy and hear his side of the story, she hurried into the bedroom to help Claire finish packing.
Chapter Five
Have you ever been to Paradise Island, Helen?" Claire asked loud enough to be heard over the wind. Convertibles and freeways didn't lend themselves to talking, which was why they hadn't done much of it since leaving Seattle.
"No. I've been meaning to visit, but you know how that goes. I've heard wonderful things about it. Paddy owns the entire island, doesn't he?"
"All twenty acres of it." She gave Helen a wide, boastful smile. "You're in for a treat."
"I'm surprised he didn't retire in the South. The tourist business up here practically comes to a standstill in the wintertime."
"Hmm. I know. But I don't think that will be a problem for him. Actually, if the resort in Norway is any indication, we'll probably have more guests in the winter than in the summer." Claire reached up and put the sun visor down.
"How many guests can he take at once?"
"Right now only about twenty. He'll be opening more rooms next year. He already has a waiting list."
Helen glanced at her cousin. "I'm anxious to see it."
"It's the most intriguing of Paddy's resorts. The only one with a castle and a ghost. I can see why he would choose to retire there."
Helen tossed her a skeptical look. "A ghost? I've heard rumors, but to be honest, I’m not swallowing that story."
"You don't believe me?" Claire teased.
"Should I?”
"Mary Werner. That's the ghost's name. She was the wife of a shipping magnate, Douglas Werner. He built huge sailing ves
sels in England in the late 1800s. On his first voyage to Victoria on Vancouver Island, he fell in love with the San Juan and Gulf Islands. A business associate and friend, Robert Dunsmuir, was building a castle on Vancouver Island in Victoria to entice his wife into joining him there."
"The Craigdarroch Castle. I've been there. Spectacular place."
"It is, but wait until you see Werner Castle. Not to be outdone, Douglas laid claim to a twenty-acre island just a few miles east of Vancouver Island and called it Paradise. He set about building his castle there and even hired the same architects."
"I can't wait to see it. Must have been quite an undertaking."
"Douglas Werner had the money and the means to make just about anything happen. Besides the shipbuilding, he was into railroads, gold mining, and real estate. Everything he invested in became a huge success."
"Sounds impressive."
"He was. Still, he died a broken man. Despite all his success, he had one devastating failure."
"Which was?" Helen eyed the road sign directing them to Anacortes and took the exit off the interstate, then headed west.
"Werner was one of the men who lobbied to stop the launching of the Titanic. He knew the builder had cut corners and didn't feel at all confident in its seaworthiness. He was incensed about the lack of lifesaving equipment and the emphasis on luxury over safety. Unfortunately, he and his colleagues were ignored. Bruce Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line as well as the ship's designer, had convinced people that the Titanic was an invincible, unsinkable ship."
"How tragic.” Helen said. “Think of all the lives that could have been saved if Werner had accomplished his task."
"Hmm. Speaking of the Titanic, did you see the latest movie?"
"Yes, although the special effects were a bit too realistic for my taste. I did enjoy the theme song. I bought the CD." Helen smiled. "Can't get enough of it Celine Dion."
"Me too. Fabian and I saw the movie five times. I just wish we didn't have to endure the gruesome details."
Helen agreed and steered Claire back to the history of Paddy's castle. "Tell me more about this ghost."
"Well, after the Titanic went down, Douglas became severely depressed. He felt that if he had campaigned harder he may have been able to sway the authorities. But the powers that be put too much pressure on him to keep out of it. Someone even threatened harm to his family if he didn't back off.
"A month or so after the Titanic sank, he took one of his small sailboats out in a storm. Both the boat and his body washed ashore on one of the other islands a few days later. He was wearing a life vest and had died of hypothermia. Mary's diary suggests he killed himself out of remorse."
"How sad."
"It devastated the family. Mary took over the business until her son, Robert, was old enough. Unfortunately, he wasn't a good business manager, and the family's fortune dwindled. She died there in the castle twenty years later, nearly penniless and still pining for her lost love."
"Interesting story."
"She still walks about her room and out onto the balcony at night and plays a song she and Douglas used to listen to. Many a guest has awakened to the haunting refrains of 'Erin's Theme.'"
"And people actually have actually heard this song?"
"Oh yes. She plays it on the old gramophone in her suite."
"I see. Has anyone seen this ghost?"
"You can't often see ghosts. Hillary says she can feel her presence. I have too, at least I think I have. Dad is having a grand time with it, but I don't think he really believes she exists."
"How did Paddy end up with the castle?"
"It sat empty for years. About fifteen years ago, the owner, Douglas Werner's great-great-grandson tried to refurbish it, but the cost was too great. Like so many of the elaborate homes built in that era, it became a white elephant, similar to those huge summer homes in Newport Beach. They either become tourist attractions or are remodeled into apartments. They're usually too expensive for most families to maintain. He sold the castle to Dad for half a million with ghosts included. Dad renovated it and embellished the ghost story, making it enormously appealing to his guests."
"Do you really believe it's haunted?"
Claire gave her an odd smile. "I have always believed in the supernatural. How can I not? God is supernatural, isn't He? If there is a Holy Ghost, why wouldn't there be ordinary ghosts? We are, after all, created in God's image. Body, mind, and spirit."
"Yes, but according to what I've read, human spirits are either bound for heaven or hell." Helen didn't particularly want to debate theology or the paranormal. It wasn't something she gave much thought to.
"There are a lot of things we don't know about the supernatural. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Most definitely, but some things are best left alone." She worried now about Claire's involvement in this ghost business. "It sounds as though you've spent a lot of time thinking about it."
"Not all that much. I resisted the idea at first. I thought Paddy was creating a spooky illusion. Now, after staying at the castle, I'm not so sure. I'll let you judge for yourself."
"I'm not much for ghosts, so it would take a lot to convince me."
"The castle is steeped in history. It's difficult to tell what is real and what is myth. Rumor has it that the island, like many of the Gulf and San Juan Islands, was used to smuggle contraband from foreign ports into the U.S. Many a sailor lost his life in the treacherous waters. With Paradise being in both countries with no border patrol, it was one of the favorite hangouts."
"Yes. I'd heard that many of the islands were used during the prohibition to transport alcohol, as they are so close to the border and easily accessible by boat. I wouldn't be surprised to see drug trafficking still going on. Since there's no port of entry, moving from one island to the next wouldn't be that difficult."
"So true. Just last month the Mounties confiscated a boatload of heroin that was being smuggled in from China." Claire adjusted her sunglasses. "Fortunately, the authorities keep a close watch on the area these days. During the summer with all the guests coming and going, there's usually someone from Canada or the U.S. keeping tabs on the place every day."
Helen frowned, thinking again about the attempts on Paddy's life. Suppose the motive for those so-called accidents had come from someone outside the family, someone trying to use the island for the purpose of drug smuggling. She'd recently been involved in a case involving drug smugglers at the mouth of the Columbia River. Human life was of little value in light of the millions of dollars dealers stood to make in the black market.
"Of course," Claire went on, "these days we have to add clothing, videos, and even toys to the list of contraband materials. The other day I heard that U.S. border guards had confiscated over a million dollars’ worth of counterfeit Beanie Babies that someone was trying to smuggle into the country."
"Helen chuckled, imagining a boat loaded with miniature stuffed toys making its way from a foreign port to the U.S.
"Can you imagine authorities climbing aboard a vessel they've been tracking? They go into the hold to check for contraband and instead of drugs come up with bags full of toys. Their contact on shore would be waiting in anticipation. 'What have you got?' he'd ask. 'Beanie Babies, sir' would come the reply." Claire giggled. "I can see it now. This serious Drug Enforcement Agent pops up out of the hold with a handful of floppy stuffed animals."
Helen joined her cousin in making fun of the situation, then sobered. "It really isn't a laughing matter, Claire. We should be ashamed of ourselves. Some of those little toys are collector's items fetching thousands of dollars apiece."
"I know. The people who own the rights are losing a lot of money, but you have to admit the scenario does border on the ridiculous."
"Pathetic is more like it." Helen stopped at a light and eyed the marina up ahead. "Which marina is Paddy meeting us at?"
"Neither of the ones in town. He has his own marina south of town. Paddy built a private one that wo
uld offer his guests more protection and privacy. There has been some vandalism and theft of vehicles in the public marinas. Paddy's marina is under tight security. You'll appreciate that, Helen. This isn't the sort of car you'd want to leave in an unsecured parking lot."
That was true enough. Though she had a cover for it and insurance, her classic car would be almost impossible to replace. Following Claire's direction, Helen pulled into the gated drive and signed in with the attendant, an older man in an official guard's uniform.
"Afternoon, Ms. O'Donnell."
"Hi, Mel." Claire introduced Helen and the three exchanged pleasantries for a few moments until the gate opened and Helen was able to drive through. They parked in the numbered space Mel had assigned and took their bags out of the trunk and backseat. After putting the top up and securing the nylon cover over her pride and joy, Helen followed Claire through a second gate that led to a dock where Paddy's Pride, a sixty-foot yacht, was moored. There were two other boats moored there as well. She recognized the larger sailboat as Claire's.
"I know the Celtic Moon is yours, but I don't recognize the smaller one."
The Blue Lagoon is Richard's. He's selling it, if you're interested."
"No, thanks. I inherited a good-sized cabin cruiser when I married J.B. What's his boat doing here? I thought he went out to the island yesterday."
Claire shrugged. "I have no idea. Patrick may have taken him, or he may have hitched a ride with Greg."
"Hmm. I'm curious. With your boat here, why did Paddy come to pick us up? Why not just take yours?"
Claire laughed. "You ask too many questions. Dad was coming in anyway, so it was just as easy to ride with him. Besides, the boats are safer here than at the Paradise pier."
Making their way down the ramp, Helen admired the sixty- foot yacht named Paddy's Pride. They climbed the wooden stairs to the main deck. "Dad?" Claire called. "We're here."
A Haunting Refrain: A Helen Bradley Mystery (Helen Bradley Mysteries Book 4) Page 5
