by Patricia Fry
She stopped him. "It's okay. No worries. So what do you think you'll do, Arthur?"
"About what?" he asked.
"About your life," Craig explained. "Will you keep living for your mother or will you tell the authorities the truth and take your life back?"
He peered at Craig through his dark sunglasses. "Do you have a cell phone?"
Craig nodded.
"Mother lets me have one, too. Can I have your number in case I want to talk to you sometime?"
"Sure." Craig recited his number as Arthur typed it into his phone.
The boy then walked to the door, turned, and said, "Thank you for being so nice." And he disappeared into the night.
After several minutes of silence, Rob spoke. "Wow!"
"Yes, wow!" Margaret said. "Craig, do you think he'll call you?"
"I hope so, Maggie. I hope so." He took a quick breath and faced Savannah and Michael. "So what are your plans? When are you heading home?"
"Tomorrow," Michael said, glancing at Savannah for her input.
"Yes, the sooner we get this Houdini home, the better," she said, petting Rags, who had jumped up on a side table next to her. "I'm ready to hold my baby," she added.
Craig flipped the light switch on. "I may stay a couple of days. I want to do more sleuthing. Maybe there's a way I can help Arthur."
"That would be great," Savannah said. "Keep us posted on what you find out, will you?"
"Sure will. But it's gonna be up to Arthur. He's the one who knows the truth. It has to begin and end with him. He has to decide if he wants to remain loyal to a mother who would sacrifice her son for a glamorous lifestyle."
"If she's innocent of Karen's murder, she would have a glamorous lifestyle with or without Charles," Margaret said. "It seems it's the man she doesn't want to lose."
"Boy, is she hard up," Max said. "I mean, if he's guilty of murdering her daughter and maiming her son, how could she even be in the same room with him?"
Cheryl dabbed her eyes with a tissue. "Yeah, and how can she watch her only child suffer like that?"
Craig yawned widely. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm exhausted."
"It's been quite a night," Michael said. "Let's head back to the motel and get some sleep. Thanks, Rob and Cheryl, for your hospitality."
****
It was eleven fifteen the following morning when Savannah's cell phone rang. "Are you up?" Craig asked.
"Not really," she said.
"You sound croaky—kinda froggy."
"Sorry, that's my morning voice. What's up? And what are you doing up so early? Did you even go to bed? What time is it, anyway?"
"It's nearly lunchtime. I've been up for hours." He hesitated before saying, "Arthur called."
Savannah sat straight up. "Arthur called? What did he say?"
Michael heard Savannah's side of the conversation and he propped himself up on one elbow.
"He wants to make things right," Craig said.
"You mean, expose the killer?"
"Yes. I'm meeting with him this afternoon. His parents aren't due home until Thursday."
"Wow! That's big, Craig. Do you know what your MO will be? How will you proceed?"
"I guess I need to hear his story first; then decide." He paused. "Uh, Savannah, I have a favor to ask."
"What?"
"I'd like you to be with me when I meet Arthur."
"Me? Why?"
"He seemed to like you and... well, I think I need a woman's touch with him. I understand your eagerness to get home. If Michael and the Sheridans want to go on home, I'll make sure you get home as soon as... "
"As soon as what?" she asked.
"Well, as soon as we've done what we can to help Arthur." He let out a sigh. "I'd also like to talk to Ruth, the gal who has access to him. I need to know if she's on his side or Henrietta's. You could help me with that."
"Oh gosh, Craig, I don't know. Let me talk to Michael, okay?"
Once she'd ended the call, she dropped the phone into her lap and looked at Michael.
"Uh-oh, I get the feeling you're going to spring something on me that I'm not going to like one bit."
Savannah grinned sheepishly.
"Okay, out with it. What is it?" he asked. "Are you and Craig running off to Mexico together?"
Savannah laughed a little. "No, Michael."
He took her hand. "Tell me, hon."
"Arthur called. He wants Craig's help. Says he wants to take his life back and he obviously has reason to fear for his life if he makes this bold move."
"And... " Michael prompted.
"Craig wants me to stay for a few days to help him with Arthur."
"Why you?" he asked, frowning.
"I don't exactly know. He says he needs a woman's touch."
Michael thought about it. "Yeah, Craig is kind of gruff sometimes and the boy is probably fragile. I can see where you could be an asset in the situation, but... "
She interrupted. "I'd like to do what I can for the boy, if it's only to find him an ally. Craig can bring me home when we finish here. Or, you can stay. We can send Margaret and Max home in our car and you and I can fly home, or both of us can ride home with Craig."
Michael looked at his wife. "And do what with your cat?"
"Oh, that is a concern, isn't it?"
Michael took Savannah's hand. "I'd like to get him home and settled back in his routine. I'm sure your aunt and Max are eager to be home, too. And your mom is probably ready to go back to her life. You stay, if you want. I know you're in good hands with Craig. I'll take the cat home and relieve your mom."
"Or she might want to stay with Lily while you go back to work," Savannah said.
"That's a good idea, if she can." He stood and ran one hand through his hair. "What's she going to say when I arrive home without you? She won't be happy to learn that you're playing detective in San Francisco."
"Thank you, Michael," Savannah said, quietly.
"For what?"
"For trusting me. And for letting me follow my passion."
"So your passion is sleuthing now?" he asked, a playful grin on his handsome face.
"You know I have a fascination for puzzles—people-puzzles—mysteries. And you've said before, I'm pretty good at solving them."
"Yeah, you have instincts—at least for finding your cat." He glanced around the room. "Where is he now?"
"In the cage. No more roaming free in Frisco for Rags."
****
After lunch and goodbyes, Michael, the Sheridans, and Rags left for home.
"What time's our appointment with Arthur?" Savannah asked Craig.
"Three."
"Where?"
"At the mansion."
"How will we get past all the staff without being seen? Doesn't he usually become visible only after everyone has retired for the night?"
"Yes. He said to come up to the second-floor room. We'll meet in there. Easier to slip past any suspicious servants."
"Then I have time to... "
"To what?" Craig asked.
"Either do some laundry or buy a new outfit. I've worn the same clothes for four days. Most of my outfits are dirty or too fancy for day wear."
"Sure; want to go to the shopping district? We could probably find a mall."
"Just take me to the thrift store where we went with Iris. I can find something there."
He winked at her. "Learning from the expert, huh?"
"Yes, Iris does have things to teach about how to dress fantastically on a budget."
It was two thirty by the time Savannah had chosen a pair of slacks and two blouses. She also tossed in a lightweight jacket, saying, "Mine doesn't match these new duds."
"Good enough reason to spend, I guess," Craig said. Thirty minutes later, he suggested, "We'll park at Rob's bungalow and go in the front door of the mansion."
"How will we get past that main maid?" Savannah asked.
/>
He rang the doorbell, saying, "Watch and learn." Within seconds, a plump, middle-aged maid answered the door. "Hello," he said, "you may remember, I'm Craig Sledge and this is Savannah Ivey. We're with Rob, the director of the film that premiered Saturday night."
"Yes, Mr. Sledge." She nodded at Craig and smiled at Savannah.
"Rob is quite sure that he left a piece of equipment in the cat room upstairs when he filmed Savannah's cat for a follow-up segment."
"There will be more movies of Rags? Some of us got to see the film. I love that cat!"
Craig nodded. "Yes, the original was so popular that Rob plans a sequel. He got some great shots of Rags in the cat playroom."
The woman clasped her hands together under her chin. "Oh, I can't wait." She stepped aside and started to usher the couple toward the staircase.
"You don't have to accompany us," Craig said, smiling. "I'm sure you have things to do."
"As a matter of fact," she said, leaning in as if confiding in the guests, "I was dusting books in the study so I can watch an animal segment on the TV in there."
Craig smiled broadly. "Well, that's more important than our tripod. You go enjoy yourself. We know our way."
Once they'd arrived at the green door at the end of the hall, Craig knocked lightly. The door opened almost immediately.
"Thank you for coming," Arthur said, moving aside and allowing the couple to enter. "Nice to see you, again, Ms. Savannah."
"Oh, you brought some cats up with you," Savannah said, noticing two Siamese cats lolling on a sofa.
Arthur walked over and petted one of the cats. "This is Karen—named for my sister, of course—and her littermate, Clem."
"They're beautiful."
"Sit down," he offered, motioning toward an attractive arrangement of furniture.
Savannah sat in one of a pair of wingback chairs and Craig took the other. Arthur eased down next to the cats, picking up Karen and placing her in his lap.
"So you've decided to gain your freedom?" Craig asked.
Arthur nodded. "Yes, and the price doesn't matter to me anymore. It's my turn to live. I don't believe that my life was spared so I could live like a prisoner."
"I'm sure not," Craig said. He leaned toward the boy. "Tell me, Arthur, who can you trust? Is Ruth on your side or your mother's?"
Arthur pondered the question. "I think that when she finds out the truth, she will be on my side. She is loyal to my mother, but I believe she'll honor me once she knows the whole truth."
"You need an ally here at the estate. How do you feel about including her in this discussion today?"
Arthur thought about it and said, "I'm willing to take the chance. Yes, I do need someone on the inside or I'll never get out. I'll call her at once."
Within a few moments, Ruth appeared in the room. She looked shocked to see strangers with Arthur and immediately rushed to him as he stood to greet her. "Are you all right Artie?" she asked, staring suspiciously at Craig and Savannah.
"Yes," he said. He let the cat go, then led Ruth to the loveseat and invited her to sit down with him. "Ruthie, I have something to tell you. Mr. Sledge and Ms Savannah are here to help me."
She looked confused. "Help you? I don't understand."
"Ruthie, I know now that I don't have to stay hidden away here. The only reason I've lived like this is because my mother has a dirty secret and I'm part of that secret."
"Well, yes, Artie, that's true, but... "
"It's time for the secret to come out. I need to know that you're on the side of truth and that you will support and help me."
She gasped.
"I can't do it without you, Ruthie. I need you more now than ever."
She looked from one to the other of those in the room. "What are your intentions? What do you plan to do?"
"Tell the truth," he said. "It's as simple and as complicated as that." He chuckled. "To cite an old prophecy, 'The truth will set me free.'"
"But your stepfather... " she said, "... your mother... how will you function in society with those scars?"
"Ever hear of plastic surgery?" he asked a bit sarcastically.
"But your mother said... "
"Mother lied. Ruthie, do you see any reason why I would not be a candidate for plastic surgery?"
Ruth cocked her head. "I guess not. It's just that your mother said... "
"My mother also told everyone that I'm dead... everyone but you... "
"Yes, to protect you."
"Don't you see, there's another way to protect me... let me tell the truth about what happened to Karen and to me."
Ruth thought for a moment, her eyes darting from Arthur to the strangers. "Oh my. Everything will change, won't it?"
"I suppose it will," Arthur said. "It's either all or nothing, Ruthie, and I'm just plain fed up with having nothing while the killers and liars have it all." He looked into Ruth's face. "Are you with me?"
She nodded. "How can I not be on your side, Artie? You're like my own son." She took a breath and looked anxiously at Craig and Savannah. "What can we do?"
Craig responded. "Tell the whole story into this recorder." He looked at Arthur. "When you're ready to leave, let me know and I'll take you to a safe place. Then, and only then, will I turn the recording over to a friend of mine who is on the San Francisco Police Force."
"No!" Arthur shouted. "Charles Peyton can pay them off. We can't trust them."
Craig spoke more quietly and slowly. "We have to trust them, Arthur, and we can. I give you my word. My friend is the chief now and he is honorable. I guarantee it. I promise, Arthur. I won't let you down and neither will he."
"Then what?" the boy asked.
"There will be an investigation. Whoever is guilty will be arrested and punished—and I have to tell you that might include your mother. If it is proven that she obstructed justice, she will have to pay."
Arthur thought about that and said, "Three for one—is that fair?"
"What do you mean?" Craig asked.
"Three people will have to go down in order to free one—me. Is it worth that many lives?"
"What would Karen do?" Savannah asked, quietly. "What would she want you to do?"
"Huh?" When no else spoke, Arthur said, "Thank you. I'd almost lost my focus. I'm doing this for Karen and for myself. To have those responsible punished is bound to free her soul, as it will allow me to live."
"The people who did this to you and to Karen have no right to live free, Arthur," Savannah said.
Ruth stood and walked across the room. "I have felt that for such a long time. Watching my Artie live alone here like a caged animal has broken my heart. Seeing him liberated and those responsible punished will mend my heart." She eased into a chair and dabbed at her eyes with her apron.
The four of them sat silent for an eerily long time. Finally Arthur said, almost mechanically, "It was Charles Peyton's mother—Mrs. Peyton-Smith."
Stunned, Savannah and Craig looked at one another. Craig turned on the recorder he'd carried in his pocket, and placed it in front of Arthur on a coffee table. "His mother?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes. She let Karen drown. She left her next to the inlet." He stared off into space as if he were reliving what had happened that awful day seven years earlier. "She knew Karen couldn't swim, and the tide was coming in. Waves of water rushed into the inlet and splashed over the banks near where Karen sat. Mrs. Smith told her to sit in that spot and stay there until she got back. A large wave swept her into the raging waters and she disappeared. I ran to her. I laid on the bank and reached for her, calling for her to grab my hand. But she had been washed away from the bank—too far away. Then I remembered I had my fishing pole. I ran to get it and held it out for her to grasp. I leaned so far out that I fell in." Tears streamed down Arthur's scarred face. "I struggled in the churning water and finally reached Karen, but her body was limp and I couldn't pull her to safety. I could barely swim m
yself in the strong surges." He was crying harder now. "I tried and tried to swim to the side with her, but a wave hit us hard and I lost my grip." He sat quietly for a moment. "I never saw her again."
"Did someone pull you out, Arthur?" Craig asked quietly.
The boy looked up. "No. I had given up. I thought I would drown, too. Then I brushed against something. I saw that it was a tree root. I grabbed it and pulled myself to the bank, where I was able to use the trunk of a small tree to climb to safety."
"Did Mrs. Smith ever come back?"
"Yes. I guess I had collapsed on the grass. I don't know how much later it was, but I opened my eyes and she was standing over me, just staring down at me."
"Did she ask about Karen?"
"No. She just stared down at me." He shook his head in disbelief. "The only thing she said to me was, 'Arthur, we'd better go report this and then we'll have supper.'" He looked at Craig and then Savannah. "That's how cold-hearted she is. She killed my little sister, I'm sure of it. If not by her hands, by her deliberate negligence."
Savannah choked up a little. "She didn't even ask about Karen or try to look for her?"
Arthur shook his head. "They didn't find her body for three days. I was in the burn ward when they told me."
"My God," Craig said, "the fire happened while your sister was still missing?"
Arthur nodded, then dropped his chin to his chest.
Ruth could see that he was struggling with his emotions and she walked over and sat down next to him again. He raised his head and continued. "My mother and her husband were too distraught to deal with me, when they learned Karen was—presumably drowned, so they left me with Mr. Peyton's mother for a few more days." He spoke softly. "They said it would just be a few more days." He looked Craig square in the eyes. "I hated that woman. She drank too much and treated us badly. I remember her saying that we had ruined her son's life and that we didn't deserve to live." Through clenched teeth, he continued, "I am convinced that she meant for Karen to die that day. She planned for my sister to drown while she was nowhere around, so no one could blame her. She probably thought I'd drown, too, trying to save my little sister." He winced. "You should have seen the act she put on when there were people around—boo-hooing like she really meant it—like she had lost a child she dearly loved. All a damn act," he spat.
