Smokey Eyes

by Barbara Silkstone

  “I’d think that would bring out packs of ghost hunters.” It seemed like there had to be an upside to a haunting. Folks are always dying to see ghosts.

  “It did, but in the meantime almost all of my staff quit. Just walked off. It didn’t help that I owed them back pay. I couldn’t handle the visitors without staff. I had to turn them away. I just can’t win.”

  A tear trekked down her cheek. “Besides freaking me out, that darn ghost was the final nail in my coffin. The Chamber of Commerce dumped me. Without their backing I can’t get recommendations. I might as well be the Bates Motel.”

  “Is there anyway your brother can assist? He must have a financial interest in the hotel?”

  “Sonny came to help me but there’s not much he can do. I’m the sole owner of The Billows. Dad refused to speak to my brother since—”

  “Hey there!” It was Lizzy’s voice.

  Heather ran smack into me hugging me around the waist. “Auntie Olive! I’m so excited to swim with you.”

  WonderDog came at me in full gallop mode. He threw himself on me, paws on my shoulders. I stumbled backward and fell into the pool. My swimming lessons had begun.

  Chapter 13

  Gasping like a fish out of water or a panicky non-swimmer in water, I grabbed for the side of the pool. My lashes bent into my eyes and hurt like the dickens.

  WonderDog stood at the edge of the pool barking instructions. He raised one bushy black and white brow quizzically. He’d seen Lizzy swim and probably wondered what was wrong with me.

  Lizzy and Kathy helped me get out. I grabbed for my towel draped over my beach bag and blotted frantically at my face. This was so not cool.

  Heather stood hands on hips. “I thought you knew how to swim!” Her disappointment was thinly veiled. “We were gonna play water games together!”

  “We’ll play in a bit. WonderDog just caught me by surprise.” The less the chatty child knew, the better I’d feel.

  “I have to get back to the office and charm my creditors,” Kathy said. “There’s towels in the cabana. Let me know if you need anything else.”

  After an hour of listening to “You can do it” and “It’s only water” I begged Lizzy for a break. Why was it I could jump out of an airplane—okay one time—but I couldn’t get my face wet?

  Heather paddled enthusiastically around Lizzy and me, wearing a set of hot orange water wings. Whenever she splashed my face, I stopped breathing. It was a reflex.

  Lizzy and I climbed out and sat on the edge of the pool near the slide. Heather climbed the stairs and hit the water sending a slosh over us. I gasped and reached for my towel.

  “You really do panic, don’t you? We have to find someone to perform a past life regression. I’d love to know the source of your fear.” Lizzy shook her head in bewilderment.

  “I’m gonna beat this phobia. You stay here while I swim from that four-feet marker to the grotto. Don’t help me unless I look like I’m really in trouble.” It was the narrow end of the pool. I had to do this for my own self-respect.

  Lizzy gave me a thumbs up. “You can do it. Your towel will be waiting here for you.”

  Heather was still engaged in climbing and sliding. WonderDog was snoozing under a patio table. The two possible creatures who might grab me and cause me to panic were otherwise occupied.

  I slipped into the water huffing and puffing and dunked my head. The chlorine stung like fire as it went up my nose, but I ignored it. I was going to make it to the grotto even if I couldn’t breathe or see. I chugged across the width of the pool. The memories of the Olympic coach who gave up on me flashed before my burning eyes. I was determined to prove him wrong.

  The grotto was within touching distance! I flung my arms out in one last burst and grabbed the rocky surface. Holding on for dear life I turned to Lizzy and waved.

  She raised her hands in a silent cheer.

  My eyes smarted. I needed to get out of the sun. Passing hand over hand along the edge of pool, I eased my way into the deepest, darkest part of the grotto. I put my back against the wall, and closed my eyes to savor my success. I did it. I wouldn’t want to do it for a living, but I did do it!

  The next thing I knew a hand clamped on my head and pushed down forcing me under the water. The back of my neck scraped against the wall. I reached over my shoulders trying to claw at my attacker while holding my breath.

  As I struggled to breathe, I was able to bring my face above the water for a minute. Between my soggy eyelashes I could make out the silhouette of a wolf. The creature growled and then lunged at whoever held me. It was WonderDog to my rescue!

  With one final shove I was pushed below the water but not before I heard someone softly curse at Lizzy’s wonderful hound. Then whoever held me released my head. I sputtered to the surface in time to hear the sound of running footsteps accompanied by WonderDog’s snarling bark.

  Dog and assailant were gone. I clung to the side of pool gasping for air and then worked my way out of the grotto and into the sunshine.

  “Lizzy!” I screamed rasping my throat and gagging on regurgitated water.

  Chapter 14

  “An attempt was made on my life,” I glared at Kal. “It’s your fault.” I pulled my towel around me and studied the worried faces of Kathy, Lizzy, Heather, and WonderDog. The caring canine returned to slobber on my hand. He’d saved my life. I patted his wiry head and tickled him under his whiskered chin.

  “Delaying your eyeball lineup a few days gave the killer or someone else time to get at me. It’s no big secret that I may have seen the murderer’s eyes. The whole town knows. Let’s get the darn lineup over with before I’m too dead to testify.”

  Kal crossed his arms over his chest, his body posture turned rigid. “I’ll make sure we contact everyone who was near the marina on Sunday. They’ll be in our station tomorrow morning if I have to drag them. Ten a.m. sharp.”

  The lineup should have been done on Sunday night or at the latest yesterday. If Kal didn’t pull it off tomorrow morning I was going to have to put on my Sherlock deerstalker and solve Brent’s murder myself.

  Someone lurked in the grotto watching me spit and sputter across the pool and then put his murderous hand on my noggin. I aimed to see my attacker behind bars.

  Heather tugged at Lizzy’s beach wrap. “What’s an eyeball line up? It sounds icky.”

  “Are you certain you didn’t see the assailant? Maybe have a sense of whether it was a man or woman?” Kal asked.

  “I was too busy fighting for my life to see my opponent. There’s a chance I scratched the assassin’s hands when I clawed the hand that held me.”

  Kal jotted in his notebook and then turned to Lizzy. “Do you think WonderDog could identify the attacker?”

  “Of course he can. He probably bit a chunk out of the killer. We could floss Wonder’s teeth for DNA.”

  “That won’t be necessary. But WonderDog should take part in the eyeball lineup. We’ll do it subtly. Only the attacker will know why the dog is in the witness room.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” I interrupted. “Now if you all don’t mind, I just want to get home and get this chlorine out of my hair and some ice on my neck.”

  “Is there too much chlorine in the pool? I’m sorry. I don’t have the hang of maintaining the amount of chemicals yet.” Kathy said.

  “There’s just enough chlorine.” I reassured the worrywart. “Do you stay here at night? I’m not sure that’s safe after what happened to me.”

  She nodded. “My brother Sonny has a room next door to mine. We’ll be fine. We can’t leave the hotel unguarded—besides there’s always the chance of a wayward guest wandering in.”

  By the tone of her voice I doubted she felt secure. The hotel was way too big for two people. Anything could happen. No one would know. I turned to Kal. “What do you think?”

  “The situation is worrisome. Kathy, if you’re going to continue to stay here. I’ll come by in our marked car during the night as often as I can. �
��Don’t be frightened if you see a spotlight playing over the building.”

  Kathy squinted holding back tears. “I wish a single thing would go right. For once.”

  “Tell your brother no heroics if a prowler shows up. I don’t suppose you have security cameras or video monitoring?”

  “We don’t even have internet.” Kathy said, holding her palms up and out.

  The attacker might be watching us right now.” Lizzy said.

  Five heads swiveled, surveying the old building, the pool, and the beach. Nobody around aside from some tourist-types strolling the shoreline.

  “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take myself home.” I reached for my beach dress.

  “I’ll follow you,” Kal said. “I want to check your condo to be sure the killer’s not lying in wait.”

  Standing on shaky legs I tugged on my dress, picked up my towel and bag, and slipped on my flip-flops.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow at the shop.” I said to Lizzy then corrected myself. “I mean at the police station.”

  Lizzy made a fist, extending her thumb and pinky in a call-me motion.

  Flip-flopping to my car, I wondered if the killer would make another try for me. I grabbed the handle of my bag prepared to swing it if needed.

  Once I settled behind the wheel of my Prius, I felt more in control. Funny how gripping the steering wheel of your car can almost set you right with the world. I pulled out of The Billows parking lot and headed up Starfish Boulevard.

  The more I thought about what had happened the madder I became. I’m a Peroni. I’m connected. Myron once told me I was a made woman. I seriously doubted his tap on my head gave me mob protection, but I wasn’t above checking. He was due in town any day. He needed my counseling. I might need his.

  Kal followed too close for comfort. He parked next to me in the lot under the building. Before I could gather my things, he had my car door open.

  “Let’s take the stairs,” he said. “Move quickly!”

  His manner made me edgy.

  I fumbled for the keys as we stood on my welcome mat. What law of nature demands that whatever I’m looking for falls to the bottom of my purse? After much groping I pulled out the keys and opened the door.

  Puff skittered to greet us. She rubbed my ankles and then turned her loving to Kal.

  He locked the door behind us. “Stay here while I check out all the rooms.” The kitten scrambled after him.

  I leaned over and grabbed a bronze sculpture of Sophia Napoli from the foyer table. The arty figure was part of Nonna’s tribute to the actress who came from her village in Italy. I had recently moved the heavy piece near the door thinking it made a dandy defense weapon against intruders.

  As I waited for Kal to complete his inspection of the two bedrooms, two baths, and tiny office, I resolved to get Myron’s advice on my situation. I wasn’t about to live in fear. Even if I picked out the killer’s eyeballs in a lineup, that person would be on the loose until they were convicted. I needed to be proactive without letting Kal know.

  “It’s all clear.” He returned clutching Puff to his chest. “How’s your neck?”

  “It hurts. I have an ice pack in the freezer.”

  “Go sit on the sofa. I’ll get the ice and make some tea.”

  I did a double take. Kal was offering to serve me in my own home. Hmm.

  He chuckled. “The Starfish Cove Police Department at your service. Lemon or cream?”

  Being cared for is a comforting thing. Kal helped me adjust the icepack on the achiest part of my neck and then returned to the kitchen. He rattled around semi-familiar with my set up.

  I closed my eyes, the better to concentrate. Had I witnessed anything besides the eyes? Who did I suspect? Somebody thought I knew more than I did.

  My thoughts arranged themselves like jumbo jets taxiing on a busy runway. Nancy and the victim were like oil and water, but did she have a more powerful reason than lack of chemistry?

  Chip most likely was Brent’s heir. Jaimie’s husband didn’t seem like the greedy type. He was so laid back he’d fall over if she wasn’t standing behind him. Jaimie had fought with what sounded like Brent, but did she have a motive?

  Grayson’s interests were unknown. He was the joker in the deck.

  Puff hopped into my lap and nestled under my arm. Her purring soothed me. Was I overlooking a suspect? Sonny, Dave, Antoine, and of course, Tillie were there.

  Try as I might I couldn’t imagine my aunt boarding a sailboat in the fog to commit murder or attacking me in the grotto. And what was her motive? I couldn’t add her to my list.

  Sonny was here to help his sister with the hotel. No clear connection to Brent.

  Dave lost his temper when Brent tried to swamp Nancy’s boat. That was hardly a reason to stab the guy.

  Antoine was a conman, not a killer. His interest was in Tillie and what he could syphon from her.

  Every busboy and waiter at the club could be a suspect. They all had means and access. But what about motive? Maybe Brent was a cheap tipper?

  Lizzy’s father, Nelson Dingler was nasty enough. That old codger was now Commodore of the Starfish Cove Yacht Club. His monstrous ego was a good match for Brent Toast’s. But Dingler wasn’t on the docks before or after the murder—at least not that I saw.

  The killer must have struck on impulse. The fog could have cleared at any moment leaving the murderer standing there with his knife stuck in Toast. This was a crime of opportunity—maybe even passion.

  “Here’s your tea.” Kal sat the cup on the end table. “Now let’s talk.”

  Chapter 15

  The tea was warm and soothing going down my sore throat. I must have screamed louder than I realized.

  Puff leapt to the sofa and then into Kal’s lap. He absent-mindedly stroked her.

  “Let me explain the lineup. For your protection you’ll be in a separate room behind one-way glass. I’ll escort you home afterwards. There’s every possibility the eyeball lineup will go south. Just do the best you can.”

  “I’m not going to forget someone who left me to die.”

  “The process is going to take a few hours. I hope you can keep your focus for that long. We’ll bring in our prime suspects first—Jaimie and Chip Toast. Nancy Nemo and Grayson Cod. It could be the person you saw had nothing at all to do with the murder.”

  “I don’t think it was Jaimie. I’m familiar with her eyes. But line her up if you want. It has to be foggy for me to do a proper identification. The fog sort of framed the eyes.”

  “Not to worry. I’ll have it under control.” Puff rolled over and he rubbed her belly.

  “What are you gonna do? Order up fog? Presto! Let there be fog!”

  “Joe Carbone has a small gym right next door to the stationhouse. I’ve already talked to him about using his two-person steam room for a lineup. We just haven’t ironed out all the details but he’s working on it. I’ll set it up for ten tomorrow morning.”

  This was starting to sound like a good idea.

  “We’ll walk the subjects into the steam room one by one. Robbie will be inside the sweatbox with an earphone. You’ll get a chance to view the eyeballs in a foggy mist similar to the one on the boat. They won’t see you, but you’ll see them through a one-way window Joe’s installing today.”

  “Starfish Cove gossip has it that I saw eyeballs on Nancy’s boat. Does it matter if they see me behind the glass?”

  “We just want to be sure you’re not intimidated by anyone.”

  “Me? Intimidated? Never!” It could happen. Someone just tried to drown me.

  “It’s not a system we’ve used before. It may not be perfect—a little rustic—but I’ll be right by your side.”

  “What about WonderDog?”

  “If you identify the eyeballs, we’ll make sure the owner of them bumps into WonderDog. The slightest snarl from the hound will clue us that person is the one who attacked you in The Billows pool. We’ll hold them until we can prove them guilt
y of killing Brent Toast.”

  “I’m impressed. Is there anything else I should know?”

  He wrinkled his forehead and tugged on his bottom lip. “Well…what’s your best guess on this? The remote key fob that starts Brent’s powerboat is missing. It wasn’t on his body or anywhere on The Toast of the Town or the Very Crabby. It’s got to be important but I can’t make the connection.”

  “It fell in the water.”

  “Divers were in the marina all day yesterday looking for the murder weapon and the fob. Using metal detectors, they worked within a hundred yard radius of where the boats were moored. They came up with all sorts of junk, but no murder weapon and no key fob. They did come up with a rather angry tiger shark.”

  “Huh?”

  He chuckled. “Just kidding. We noticed the fob was missing right away. Robbie had each one of the passengers turn out their pockets—looking for the murder weapon and the remote key. If you have any profiler brilliance now’s the time to share it.”

  Unable to shake my head, I mouthed the word no.

  “A thief wouldn’t get far in that obnoxious boat. So why take the key? I have the marina manager keeping an eye on it just in case.”

  “Is the Very Crabby still in quarantine?”

  “There was no evidence to link it to the murder. The forensic team is certain the stabbing took place on Brent’s boat despite no traces of blood.”

  “So the Very Crabby is free to go?”

  “Nancy Nemo caused a hellacious ruckus demanding access to her precious sailboat. The forensic folks had no reason to keep the boat roped off. They removed the crime tape late yesterday.

  “I’ll think about the fob and see if I can conjure a killer in my dreams. A good night’s sleep and I should be ready to identify the beast who left me dangling over certain death.”

  “Speaking of certain death, how did your swimming lessons go?”