by Lyndsey Cole
“Right. That’s why Samantha insists on keeping her eyes on Nate. She’s obsessed with this guy and since he told her he didn’t kill Al, I guess she doesn’t think she’s in any danger.”
“Samantha gets blinded by her own enthusiasm. According to Pam, she has an eyewitness who saw Nate at the marina the night Al was killed.”
Hannah stopped dead in her tracks. “She told you that?”
Jack nodded.
“So, is she about to arrest him?”
“She doesn’t have any evidence he was on Cal’s boat, but she’s pulling him in for questioning.”
“Nate told Samantha he knows who killed Al. I thought it was just talk, but if he was at the marina there could be some truth to it.”
“Or,” Jack said, “Nate killed Al.”
Fifteen
Ruby, wrapped only in a towel, had Petunia, her potbelly pig, by her halter when Jack and Hannah walked into her house.
“Olivia? This is not acceptable!” Ruby yelled as she attempted to pull Petunia away from Maisy’s dog food.
“How—” Hannah began but her laughter drowned her words. She started again. “How did Petunia get in the house?”
Two daggers met Hannah’s eyes when Ruby turned in her direction. “Olivia felt sorry for her being out back in her pen by herself so when I was in the shower, she let her inside. She used dog food to make a trail right into the back door.”
“Clever,” Jack said.
Hannah took Petunia’s halter before anything embarrassing, like a dropped towel, had a chance to further ruin Ruby’s day.
As Ruby started up the stairs, she said, “Olivia thought it was important for Petunia to get used to being inside, you know, to train her for when she’s a therapy pig.”
“That daughter of yours sure is smart.” Jack chuckled. “And she’s only six? Watch out world!”
Ruby mumbled as she climbed the stairs, “I hope I make it through her teenage years.”
Hannah bribed Petunia with a handful of cold popcorn she found in the kitchen. “Come on, you trouble-maker. Back outside before Ruby sends you to live with me. That didn’t work when you first arrived and I really don’t want to try it again.”
Petunia head-butted Hannah’s hand, trying to get the popcorn. “Oh no you don’t. Not until you’re back inside your pen.”
Samantha came in when Hannah and Petunia went out. She didn’t make any comment, but her eyebrows were raised under her flower-covered hat. By the time Hannah returned, after safely enclosing Petunia in her backyard pen, Jack had Samantha nearly rolling on the floor laughing so hard she had to clamp her legs tight together.
“You’re killing me Jack. I’m taking my bag of clothes and changing in the bathroom before you think of any more stories to share.”
“What was that all about? I know Samantha can be a drama queen, but . . . what’s so funny?” Hannah watched Samantha stumble down the hallway to the bathroom.
“I told her about Petunia in the house . . . I might have exaggerated a tiny bit since Samantha is such a receptive audience.” Jack smirked and held up his thumb and finger about an inch apart. “Just a little.”
“Petunia does like to give Samantha a run for being the center of attention sometimes.” Jack walked toward Ruby’s kitchen. “Do you think Ruby will mind if I make some coffee?”
“Thanks for asking, Jack, be my guest,” Ruby said from half-way down the stairs. “Is Petunia out of the house?”
“She is and Samantha’s in your bathroom changing. She needs to borrow your car.” Hannah got mugs out of the cupboard.
“My car?” Ruby asked. “I have a bunch of errands. I need my car. You can’t just go and tell someone they can use my car, Hannah.”
Hannah turned around and looked at her sister. “Calm down. You get Samantha’s Mini Cooper for the rest of the day. Who gets the better part of that deal?”
“Oh, okay.” All the hysteria was out of Ruby’s voice. “This is beginning to feel like Grand Central Station. Why so much craziness this morning?” Ruby fluffed her wet hair with her fingers.
Samantha, with her round tortoise shell glasses, red I-heart-Maine cap, baggy pants, and fleece-lined flannel shirt walked into Ruby’s living room.
Ruby screamed. “Who are you?” She looked at Hannah and Jack, obviously expecting them to also be shocked.
Hannah laughed. “Your transformation works, Sam. If Ruby didn’t recognize you after I told her you were changing in the bathroom, I suppose you’ll be safe around Nate.”
Samantha beamed. She lifted up one boot. “I even have lifts in my shoes to make me taller. I hope I don’t fall over with these clunky things on.” She dropped her bag with her regular clothes on the corner of Ruby’s couch. “Am I good to go with Ruby’s minivan?”
Ruby still stood frozen on the bottom step. Her mouth open.
“Yeah. As soon as she’s over the shock of seeing a strange ‘man’ in her house.” Hannah laughed.
“Great. Here are my keys for the Mini Cooper.” Samantha handed the keys to Ruby.
“I’ll have to get the car seat out. I hope you aren’t doing anything illegal.” Ruby frowned. “Why are you dressed like that, anyway?”
Samantha looked down at her outfit. “Well, I want to eavesdrop on a conversation without being recognized. You know, that mystery guy, Nate? We’re trying to find out what he’s up to.”
Ruby handed her keys to Samantha. “Here. I don’t even want to know more. I’ve got enough of my own problems trying to keep Petunia out of my house. I certainly don’t need some stranger’s drama, too. Just put the car seat in my garage.”
“Okay. I had to leave my car in Hannah’s parking lot and I’ll wait in your driveway until Nate drives past.”
“Whatever. I’m going shopping. I’ll walk over and get your car.” Ruby turned and hollered up the stairs. “Olivia? Ready to go?”
A rush of dogs and one little girl came down the stairs like a tidal wave. “Can we bring Petunia? She’d love to go in the grocery store.”
“No. Petunia stays here. She isn’t a therapy pig yet and I don’t think a grocery store will ever be a good place for her.”
Hannah covered a laugh. Jack had to turn around to hide his laughter from Ruby.
“I’ll help Samantha with the car seat,” Hannah said. “By the time you get outside, we can walk together to get the Mini Cooper.”
Jack was busy giving Samantha advice about how to listen to Nate if she managed to get a seat near him. “Keep your back to him. Bring a newspaper or something to read. Can you record the conversation?”
Samantha patted the pocket of her jacket. “I’ve got a great little recorder right here. With luck, there won’t be too much background noise to spoil the actual conversation.”
Hannah held the car seat and offered to carry it to the Mini Cooper for Ruby. Samantha slid into the minivan and closed the driver side door. She turned the van around and parked at the edge of the driveway, ready to pull out when Nate went by.
Olivia ran up to Jack and slipped her hand inside his. “Are you coming with us?”
“As far as my house. You can stop by later if you want to.”
“Okay.” Olivia skipped along with Jack’s strides. Nellie and Maisy kept pace with her. Patches plodded behind.
Ruby and Hannah walked far enough in the back of the pack so they could talk without Olivia overhearing.
“Is Samantha going senile?” Ruby asked.
“No, but she is overenthusiastic about her alter ego, Sam Stone. I don’t think she’ll get in any trouble as long as she only eavesdrops on this conversation and doesn’t decide to follow Nate to some remote spot. That’s what I worry about.”
“Ruby?” Jack asked. “Olivia wants to know if it’s okay if she and Maisy stay with me instead of going with you to the grocery store.”
“Of course, if it’s okay with you, Jack. I don’t want her to be any trouble.”
“No trouble. I’ll make her some hot c
hocolate and we’ll play a game. Don’t rush.” Jack opened his door and waited for Olivia to jump across the threshold with Maisy copying her maneuver.
Ruby stared at the closed door. “Wow. How great is it to have Jack living between us? Olivia loves him unconditionally and he always seems to jump in with help at the perfect moment.”
“So true. He was the first person I met the day I arrived and my first impression was a grumpy old man that I wanted nothing to do with.”
“But?”
“But he gave Nellie to me—just what I needed at that moment. And he made me breakfast, a little burnt, but the most delicious coffee I’ve ever had. He’s one-of-a-kind for sure.”
“I’ll get some ice cream from the store as a treat for them. I think Jack will enjoy it just as much as Olivia.”
“You won’t need this now, will you?” Hannah dropped the car seat on Jack’s front step.
“No. I’ll get it when I come back.”
They continued walking toward Hannah’s parking lot. “Do you think Samantha is putting herself in danger?” Ruby asked as they reached the blue Mini Cooper which was parked next to Nate’s dark blue Ford.
“All I can say to that is, Samantha didn’t reach the ripe old age of eighty-three by taking stupid risks.”
“Eighty-three? When did you uncover that detail?”
Hannah grinned. “Samantha isn’t the only one who can unearth information.”
Ruby nudged her sister. “So how did you find out?”
“I looked at her driver’s license.”
Ruby laughed. She opened the door of Mini May and slipped into the driver seat. “Well, I hope she’s careful. She does get wrapped up in the moment sometimes.”
“Yes, she does.”
“Come over for ice cream later if you want to.” Ruby closed the door and drove off.
That was when Hannah noticed another vehicle parked well off to one side. A dark green Toyota pickup—shiny and without any dings or scrapes. It looked familiar.
She patted her side and put her hand on Nellie’s head. Patches looked up at her.
Mack Lowe slid from the driver seat and walked toward Hannah. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure, Mack. Is everything okay?” Her mind raced with possible reasons for Mack to show up where she lived and she didn’t like any of the explanations. As far as she remembered, he’d never set foot on her property, at least since she’d moved in. Was Cal hurt? Did something happen to Joey? Was he going to confess to knowing where all the money was?
“It’s about Rochelle.”
Hannah waited for Mack to continue.
“Last night she got a phone call . . . I don’t think she slept at all. She wouldn’t tell me who called but with her nervous pacing, I’m convinced it can’t be good.”
Hannah glanced at the dark blue sedan. “You should leave. I’ll visit Cal at the farm later and we can talk then.” She put her hand on his shoulder and attempted to push him back toward his truck.
He didn’t want to budge. “Do you think that whoever murdered Al is after Rochelle now?” Dread filled Mack’s voice.
“Is that what you think, Mack? Because if it is, you should go to the police. I can’t help you.”
The truth was, Hannah was worried too, and the last thing she wanted was to get dragged further into this old deadly feud. But as the hours ticked by, it looked more and more likely that she wouldn’t be able to avoid it.
Sixteen
Hannah hoped to make it to her cottage without more interruptions after she managed to convince Mack to leave. She thought she’d dodged a bullet as she kept one eye peeled for Nate heading to his car.
“It looks like it’s you and me.” Nate’s voice caught Hannah by surprise as she stepped on to her porch.
Her body jerked in surprise. “And my dogs.” Hannah instinctively reached one hand toward Nellie and the other toward Patches as they both crowded around her legs. Her voice sounded strong and clear to her own ears even though her insides had lurched into a knot when Nate stood and approached her.
Nate held a dog bone out for each dog and they eagerly accepted them. So much for the two dogs being guardians.
“Sit down for a minute.” Nate held out a hand toward one of Hannah’s Adirondack chairs as if he was the host instead of the other way around. He gave her a half-grin. “Or stand, if you prefer.”
Hannah chose to lean against the railing while Nate sat again. The additional height made her feel more in control of a situation that was quickly spiraling in a direction she didn’t like. “What’s your game, Nate?”
“I told you. I want what’s rightfully mine—the money Al got away with.”
She crossed her arms. “I don’t have any idea where it is or if it even exists.”
Nate stared, then looked beyond Hannah at the ocean view. “This is a nice place you’ve got. You know, I was supposed to be at a Thanksgiving dinner at the Lowes’ farm ten years ago. Do you know why I didn’t make it?”
Hannah didn’t answer, puzzled by his odd comment.
“I’ll tell you. Rochelle’s slimy cousin left me to take the rap for what he called a no-fail plan. ‘Take the jewels,’ he told me, ‘I’ll carry the money.’”
“Why are you telling me this? Go to the police.”
Nate laughed. A laugh filled with disgust. “I told all this to the police, and you know what happened?”
Hannah knew but she clamped her jaw tight.
“I can tell by your expression that you know something, but I doubt you heard the correct version. Slimy Al did have a no-fail plan—no-fail for him. He tripped me after I knocked the owner of the house unconscious, then the weasel squirmed out the window with the cash. He knew exactly what he was doing, right down to how long it would take the police to respond to the alarm and catch me red-handed.”
“But the police didn’t find the money. Why wasn’t it reported stolen?”
“Another clever part of Al’s plan. He knew exactly who he was stealing from and all that money was illegal gambling winnings that the victim wasn’t going to squeal about. Al laughed all the way to his cousin’s house.”
“Rochelle?”
“Rochelle and her mealy husband, Mack. It had to be them who provided an air-tight alibi and a nice Thanksgiving dinner the next night along with your neighbor and your Great Aunt Caroline. Al thought he could just live life with no concerns. See? That’s where you come in.”
“No. I don’t see at all. I barely know the Lowes.” The hairs on Hannah’s neck tingled at the mention of Great Aunt Caroline, but how could she be part of Nate’s plan?
“You’re going to get to know them better than you ever expected to if you want to keep your secret.”
“I don’t follow.” Hannah shifted slightly on the railing. She could think of one big secret but it couldn’t be possible that Nate knew anything about Great Aunt Caroline’s living status.
“How did you inherit this lovely oceanfront business, Ms. Hannah Holiday?”
Hannah felt her legs go weak. Her hands gripped the railing.
Nate laughed again. It wasn’t a pleasant sound. “That’s right. I happen to know where a little old lady is spending her days, hidden from most prying eyes. But my eyes are not like most.”
Hannah’s hand involuntarily moved to cover her mouth.
“I had a lot of time to read during the past ten years. And every time this cozy town of Hooks Harbor popped up front and center during those long days, I scoured every word.” Nate crossed his legs as if he had all the time in the world. “I wonder what happens to someone who fakes her own death, not to mention, those who helped her.” Nate stood. “So, yes, you are involved. You will help me find that money.”
Nate patted Nellie and Patches on his way off the porch. “Nice dogs you have.”
Hannah remained leaning on the raining, unable to move long after Nate was gone. It wasn’t the serene ocean view she loved so much that caught her attention, instead sh
e watched the cloud of dust drifting behind Nate’s dark blue sedan. This mystery stranger knew too much.
Hannah hoped Samantha was successful with her eavesdropping mission. There was so much more urgency now. What was Nate’s plan with Joey?
Nate had upped the ante and made it all personal when he brought Great Aunt Caroline into the conversation. Somehow he had discovered that Caroline was alive.
Hannah had to keep that secret safe.
Everything about Nate Allen made her feel dirty. She went inside and stood under a blasting stream of hot water but it didn’t begin to wash away the fear. It did help her focus though, and as she toweled herself dry, anger replaced the fear. She was determined to figure out how to beat Nate Allen at his own game.
“When are you going to give Jack his apple raspberry pie?”
Hannah squealed when the words shocked her out of her thoughts. “Jeez, Meg, did you ever hear of giving someone privacy?”
“Sure, but the door was unlocked and you didn’t answer.” She grinned. “I wanted to make sure that mystery stranger didn’t have you tied up against your will or something.”
Hannah forced herself to laugh, knowing Meg meant her comment as a joke but she didn’t know how close to home it had hit. The problem was, her words could become reality if Hannah wasn’t clever enough to outsmart the shrewd Nate Allen.
Hannah put the apple raspberry pie in her wicker basket. “You know, Caroline expects Jack to share this pie with her.”
“Okay, we’ll pick him up and take it over to her cottage.”
“We can’t. Olivia is at Jack’s house.” When Meg’s eyebrow shot up, Hannah realized she spoke too quickly and with too much force.
“So, we wait until Olivia is gone.”
“Do you think it’s a danger to visit too often?” Hannah turned around to avoid Meg’s stare. She closed the lid over the pie and slipped her arm through the handle.
Meg shrugged. “I don’t see that I have a choice. I have to bring Caroline food almost every day to make sure she eats. And, to be honest, to make sure she’s still alive, as silly as that sounds on some level.”
