by Jeulia Hesse
Setting her coffee down, she rose from her seat. “You know, Jim,” she said as she headed indoors, holding the door open, “we could look online and see what we can do to correct the situation ourselves. Come with me.”
He chuckled, spitting into the day lilies by the porch steps and following her through the doorway and into her office. Together, they sat at the computer console and reviewed the camera specifications and locations. There were four cameras. The first was positioned at the base of the mountain, not far off from the trail leading over the ridge. Originally, they had thought that this camera would take most of the pictures that would capture the animal activity in the area. It was located at a known deer run, and people from town often walked their dogs on this portion of the trail leading away from the inn. Any animal moving in the direction of the inn would likely be captured here.
Really, any animal in that general vicinity of the inn would likely be photographed by the first camera. Jim had disagreed with its placement, under the assumption that it would catch anything – even something that wasn’t really headed in the direction of his gardens.
Christina had insisted on placing the camera there, because in her mind, this was a natural path she’d taken to the inn many times. It was a good place to leave a car and walk through the woods to the inn. She and Annie had done it so many times to meet up with their friends – either by having them sneak up to them through the woods, or by sneaking out themselves to meet them. Christina felt that any animal would find that a natural path as well. It was a less obstructed way, although not truly a trail. It was perfect for illicit teenage activities.
Camera two was positioned on the outskirts of a meadow further up the mountain. This camera was what Jim referred to as the ‘money maker.’ His previous camera was in the same position and had captured photos of many animals over time. Deer were the main celebrities, but he’d also seen foxes, bobcats, and an infrequent bear. Once he caught a photo of a moose standing close to the camera. It was quite a shot, and a print still hung in the caretaker’s cabin.
The remaining two cameras were closer to the inn. Each was positioned nearby ‘scenes of the crime,’ where Jim had claimed ‘the beast’ had done material damage to the plantings and stone walls in the inn’s extensive gardens.
Christina logged into the camera’s remote connections and attempted to trouble shoot and reconnect the cameras. Each of the devices came back online easily. The challenge was to reposition the sites for the cameras. As they came back online, they found that each of the cameras had been turned upward or directly downward, resulting in views of tree bark or leaf covered ground. With Christina guiding the technical aspects, Jim gave her feedback to correctly position the view finders remotely in order to engage the picture he was looking for. His expertise guided her to the best possible viewpoint for each camera to capture any activity.
The process was drawn out, as they had to wait for the camera to reboot and reconnect to the cellular network. Then they remotely repositioned the camera into a good viewing position. As they worked through the repositioning, Jim created a hand drawn map of the cameras and the positions that the cameras were facing. The lulls while the cameras reconnected allowed for discussion.
“Boy, these gizmos really are buggy!” Jim exclaimed. “They all slipped from their mounts around the same time. Must be loose set ups or something. That boy set these up with you?” he asked, referring to Kevin.
Jim had known them both since they were young, but he liked to tease Christina. She smiled and nodded as Jim commented, “Huh... not sure that boy knows much about these things...”
At the mention of Kevin, Christina’s mind once again returned to the activities of the previous night. She was certain she was blushing as she tried to pay attention to what Jim was saying.
“Just seems off to me,” he stated, shaking his head with evident disdain for the technology. “More features seem to always mean more trouble.”
She had missed what Jim had been saying because she was thinking about Kevin. But his comments were ringing a distant bell for her, though she was not in the frame of mind to identify what it was. “Sorry, not sure what you mean...” she said.
Undeterred by her distraction, Jim continued, “I don’t know. It just seems like these things should work without all this trouble.”
She brushed away his concerns. “Oh, maybe it was a strong breeze or a loose screw... they probably just needed some adjustments...”
Jim shook his head. “Not on all of them at once!” he exclaimed.
The door from the kitchen banged open, interrupting their conversation before Christina could identify what was disturbing her about his comments. “Hi Jim!” Gina exclaimed, carrying plates of sandwiches. “Are you hungry?”
Jim’s attention shifted to Gina and her plates of delicious food. Not to mention, the beautiful woman bearing the offerings.
Christina finished the final adjustments for the last camera setting, directed by Jim in between bites of his sandwich. Everyone always seemed to drop everything for Gina’s meals and snacks. It was if she put a magic potion in the food.
Before diving into her own sandwich, Christina noticed that the website for the game cameras indicated that there was an app available for download that offered to automatically send captured images via text. On impulse, she downloaded the app to her smart phone and closed her computer before diving into her own sandwich.
Gina took a seat on the corner of Christina’s desk. “So, what have you been up to lately?” she asked, her question pointed directly at Christina with insinuation that she already had an idea of what Christina had been doing last night. “You look a little tired,” she continued, smiling slyly at the other woman.
“Oh, I’m all right,” answered Jim, causing both women to giggle together in surprise that he’d answered the question pointed at Christina. “You got any of that pie left?”
Christina laughed with her two friends, feeling happiness in her heart, and in this house, that had not been felt for a long time. An awfully long time.
Chapter 26
He stubbed his toe on the tree root, cursing to himself. The damn woods really bothered him, and he hated sneaking around in the dark like a common criminal.
This is what she had reduced him to. Lurking in the woods at night, trying to find what he was looking for. There was a treasure in the walls. If he could just find it, then all his problems would be solved.
It was his, all his. What a genius, to have kept it in his family home.
He’d find it again, eventually. Things had been moved around, he had forgotten the exact location.
They were all distracted anyway, except for that damn dog. He knew he would not get close to her if that mangy mutt was around.
He’d make plans for him.
No. Murdering animals wasn’t his thing. He just wanted the money.
But so did the boss. He shuddered. He knew what he was in for. That bitch had locked him out and now someone was watching him. All his contacts had been silenced.
He needed the money, and he’d find it.
Chapter 27
He knew he was early, likely too early to be wandering around inside the quiet building. Kevin wasn’t surprised to find Shawn already in the kitchen. Since Shawn had been welcome here for so long – his presence was never questioned, day after day. It was his absence that drew attention. “Good morning,” Kevin said. “Looks like Layla has kept up with Maude’s tradition.” Maude had grown to expect Shawn, brewing extra coffee, and setting a plate for him with baked goods or other breakfast item day after day.
Shawn nodded to him as he helped himself to a large cup of coffee. He looked a little bleary eyed this morning. “Late night?” Kevin asked.
Shawn scratched his beard and shook his head in a disgusted manner. “Oh yeah.”
At first, when Annie had gone missing, it was natural for them all to convene and support Ada in her time of dire need. As time wore on and the waitin
g extended, everyone had moved on to their own lives, but Shawn had kept this one connection. Kevin was sure Ada had appreciated his dependable visits and the security that Shawn had brought once he began wearing the uniform of his chosen career. He was grateful that he had continued his visits through the years, especially after finding Ada that early morning laying at the base of the stairs. Maude and Jim had been away visiting family; if Shawn hadn’t come in when he did, no one would have found her for days. It didn’t change the outcome, but at least Ada didn’t die alone, laying on the floor of her home.
It puzzled him sometimes, the draw that the inn had for Shawn. He was compelled to visit here nearly daily for the past seven years. They had all learned to not expect Annie, to know that likely, they would never see her again as the weeks, months and years passed. It was a challenging thing to get used to. In the early days, there was the constant hope of a phone call. The sound of a car pulling in the drive or a footfall on the steps elicited optimism, but they had to learn not to expect her.
She had been Shawn’s first love. Their relationship embodied the powerful love of teenage years with raging hormones and labile emotions. Kevin knew from confidences with Shawn that he felt Annie had made him be a better man. He was a mess growing up. He’d always been the one getting in trouble and the one that got caught. Shawn was the daredevil and the bad boy of the group. Kevin knew from their long friendship that Shawn had always felt he needed to prove himself as tough and strong. Through all those times, she had loved him and made him want to be a better person. Their relationship had made Shawn want a better life than the destiny he was designing for himself.
They had just broken up when she went missing. Kevin had been unsure of the details at the time, but their relationship had been tumultuous all along, with many break-ups and reconciliations happening because of something stupid Shawn had done. But the last time it had been Shawn that called it off.
Through all of the police interviews Shawn had revealed that Annie had wanted to get serious and plan for their future. He had shared that he was not ready to move forward in that way. Kevin knew at that time, although Shawn had been somewhat reformed, he still had no plan for his own life. He was unlike others in the group that were graduating from college and starting out their careers. Shawn had felt that he needed to figure things out before he could include a partner. Everyone had assumed that they would eventually make up and get back together as they always had. But then she was gone.
Shawn had been the prime suspect for her disappearance since he was the recent ex-boyfriend. His involvement in the case ended up nurturing his interest in law enforcement. Even though Shawn had been initially suspected to have a role, it had not deterred his curiosity in the law. Additionally, an interested state trooper took him under her wing and led him to his career today.
“Boy, I just couldn’t sleep last night,” Shawn said, continuing to rub his beard. “I just kept thinking about the construction workers up here. No idea why.” He took a deep sip of coffee.
“Yeah, they are here already. Seemed like they started really early.” Kevin chuckled. “Bet the ladies sure don’t like that.”
They could hear the backhoe in the side yard with its loud motor and the sound of grinding rocks and dirt as the articulating arm dug in the dirt and rock. The construction equipment filled the driveway. Kevin had noted the name on the equipment, he was not surprised to see Jeremy’s car parked alongside it. Likely, Jeremy felt the need to supervise his father periodically on jobs. It especially made sense that he’d monitor this one, given his involvement with the inn.
The forecast was for a sweltering day as the last few had been, so he didn’t blame them for starting so early. Both men entered the dining area through the swinging kitchen door to check out the construction area. It would give them an unobstructed view of the action on the patio. Kevin was surprised to see a quiet figure gazing out the window.
Layla, the woman who’d been injured on the hiking trail, stood silently at the large windows, overseeing the work. Her slight figure stood still, and she did not acknowledge their presence. After a beat, Kevin cleared his throat gently, so he wouldn’t startle her from her thoughts. She didn’t move and continued her straightforward gaze. Her inattention to him gave him pause. The two men exchanged a puzzled look.
He wondered about her; this woman had been a stranger just a few weeks ago. She had been lucky that he had come along when she was injured on the trail, and it’d been an added bonus that Jeff and Christina stumbled upon them on horseback. She was one lucky girl; she could have bled to death, but her recovery had been quick.
Christina generously offered her a job at the inn, helping Maude with housekeeping duties, which was needed now that Maude was out recovering. But Kevin had his doubts about Layla. There was something about her that was a little off. He had questions about her. Why was she alone on the trail? Something wasn’t right about it. Jeff sure liked her, that was clear. He would ask Shawn to look Layla up with his expansive resources to ensure she was who she said she was. Kevin wanted to make sure she would not bring trouble to his friends.
Layla’s voice startled him when she finally spoke over the drone of the digger outside. “Do you know who that is?” she asked, pointing outside to the construction area where the backhoe was attempting to remove the section of rock wall.
Curious, both men moved to gain her perspective out the window and looked in the direction of her pointed finger. They saw the operator of the machinery and no one else. “That looks to be Jeremy’s father, Daniel. Is that who you mean?” Kevin asked.
“No, no. Not him. The woman standing there,” she continued, her voice a monotone.
Kevin and Shawn both looked harder into the bright light of the morning over the patio, scanning his eyes over the scene in front of him. Silently confirming with each other that neither was seeing what Layla was pointing too. It unnerved Kevin.
Layla continued pointing, her arm unmoving. “She’s calling you. She’s calling to you Shawn.”
They both looked dumbfounded at Layla as she pointed outside. The immediate thought that passed in Kevin’s thoughts was that she had lost her marbles. Shawn stepped closer to the patio doors as if something drew him to look closer.
Shawn opened the French door to the patio and both men stepped outside, scanning the bank where the machinery was digging through the rock. The morning light struck him in the eyes, momentarily blinding him. Kevin ducked his head and closed his eyes against the bright light.
As his vision cleared, he heard her voice, and his blood ran cold. He looked sideways at Shawn, who’s face had gone ashen.
“I’m here,” she spoke. “Right here.”
Annie’s voice roiled in his ears, or maybe it was his mind. He couldn’t tell. Kevin struggled to see with the sun blocking his sight. The operator ground the gears of the machinery as it struggled and lurched with its load of rock and dirt. Then a cloud momentarily passed overhead, and he was able to see clearly. Annie stood feet from Shawn. Her long, flowing, blond hair glowing in the light. She smiled lovingly at Shawn as they watched openmouthed. She seemed happy to see him as she reached her hand out beckoning to Shawn. The charm bracelet Shawn had given her for graduation all those years ago sparkled in the morning sun.
His breath stopped; the world stopped. How could this be happening?
He watched as Shawn dropped to his knees, his coffee cup scattering across the stones of the patio. In the background, the machine shuddered and stalled, lurching as its load fell from the shovel scattering on the lawn and patio where Shawn knelt, debris knocking into his leg. Deafening silence ensued.
She was gone. The apparition of Annie had come and gone.
Kevin stood stock still on the patio watching his friend, he was speechless. Shawn reached down to steady himself as he struggled to his feet. In the background, they could hear swearing coming from the backhoe operator, likely upset with the mechanical malfunction. Shawn’s hand rested on the
debris on the ground. In a daze, Shawn picked up the object at his feet.
He gasped as his brain registered what Shawn held in his hand.
It was a human bone adorned with a rusted, dirt-caked charm bracelet.
Chapter 28
The room was uncomfortably quiet as every person in the inn and outlying cabins sat stunned around the living room. Christina sat in the center of the sofa, wrapped in a blanket. She was shivering, and completely unaffected by the warm July morning. Gina sat on one side of her, coaxing her to take sips of hot coffee. Kevin sat on the opposite side with his arm curled protectively around her shoulders.
She had awakened from her dozing a brief time ago by the sound of pandemonium.
She had been lying in bed, trying to block out the sound of the machinery in the yard and catch some more sleep. As she dozed, her dreams intertwined with the worries of the day; the construction of the addition was underway, which was exciting and terrifying at the same time. The expansion of the dining room into the terrace gardens would bring the additional space they would need to host an expanded restaurant and event space. This new dining area would have an extended view of the valley below and would open onto the enlarged patio and terraced gardens.
Anxiety crept into her thoughts as she considered the construction expense and the ROI of the overall plans. She had the business plan memorized as she ran through the assumptions in her dozing state. Victor had reviewed it and had given her his advice on the work. It should have offered her solace, but the anxiety remained. The events of the past few weeks were a whirlwind, and she questioned her decisions constantly, waiting for the other shoe to drop and a mistake to materialize, putting all the plans into an unrealistic reality.
