She Waits Part 13

"Who do you suppose this woman is?" Teri asked, still scowling at Mac.

"I don't know, but I'd bet big bucks she's not trying to harm Maggie. I just get that feeling," I said, looking at Maggie.

Maggie nodded. "I have to admit when I saw her I was shocked, but I wasn't afraid. I wanted to know who she was."

Teri had that look on her face as if she knew something but didn't want to say.

Maggie apparently saw it, too. "If you think of something, please go ahead and share. As Kate said, this is an unusual situation. So please, don't hold back."

"What did this woman look like and what exactly was she wearing?" Teri asked.

Maggie started, "Well, from what I could see, she had long brown hair and wore a white dress, but with the trees in my way, I didn't see much."

I had to agree. "She was standing there looking at us, but not in a malicious way, just looking. Like she was waiting for us to do something. I don't know. The minute we started in her direction, she turned and faded into the woods-somewhat like last night when I saw whoever or whatever at the edge of the woods. Maybe that's who I saw last night." I turned to Maggie. "Did you ever see her before? Think-at any time, did you or Hannah ever see her?"

"No, dear. I have to say I've never seen anyone like that," Hannah said and looked to Maggie.

"Not before today, though I don't venture to woods too often," Maggie said.

"Okay, let's move along. Chance, who seems to be doing all the leg work here, finds the jewelry-Miranda's wedding ring, watch and a locket that has Maggie's picture in it, but also has her uncle's picture as well." I looked at Maggie and Hannah and asked, "Why would Miranda have Nathan's picture in her locket?"

Maggie shook her head and stared at the fire. "I have no idea." She looked at Hannah.

I figured this was as good a time as any. "Hannah, what do you know about the locket? Please tell me, if you know anything or even if you think of anything," I pleaded.

Hannah looked at her gla.s.s. "Kate, it is all speculation. I knew Miranda and Nathan were close. As I said, back in those days we were all close to Miranda, because Jonathan was always gone. She was in this big house alone for most of the time. I discussed it with Nathan and Walt. None of us liked to see her all alone. I was with Miranda constantly after Maggie was born. I haven't thought about it in years."

I looked at Maggie. "There's a connection between your mother's murder, your father's death and what's been happening to you. It doesn't take much too see that." I looked around at the tired and confused faces. "Let's take a break, shall we? This is a lot to absorb right now. Hannah, how's dinner?"

"Should be ready in half an hour," Hannah announced.

Teri got up and grabbed Mac's hand. "Well, I think Mac and I will unpack." They went upstairs.

I stood looking at the fire. Chance was lying at my feet and I sat down on the hearth and ruffled her ears.

"Well, I'm stumped pooch. I can feel I'm close but..." I grunted and rubbed the back of my neck. I was exhausted. I went out to the back porch. It had turned very cool, and as I turned to get my sweater, Maggie came out and handed it to me.

"Thanks," I said. I looked up into night sky. There were a few stars; the moon would be up in a while. I smiled wistfully, thinking how much I loved being in the outdoors. The scenery here was beautiful.

Maggie interrupted my thoughts. "It's getting chilly. How are your shoulder and your head? I feel responsible for this," she said with regret as she looked out at the woods.

"Don't be silly. I'm a little accident-p.r.o.ne. You should see me when I'm working. I can't tell you how many times I've tripped, fallen-you name it. I think I have a scar for every state of the union. Teri and Mac wince every time I pick up my camera."

"I'd probably worry, too, if you came back all banged up after an a.s.signment. Maybe you should get a nice, safe desk job," she said and I laughed at the idea.

"Wouldn't matter. I'd staple myself to something," I said.

"So, I take it you and a letter opener would not be great friends?" Maggie asked through her laughter.

Once again, her contagious laughter pulled me right in as I let out a good laugh and nodded in complete agreement.

During all this, I looked down to see my hand covering hers. Maggie noticed it as well.

"This is a good feeling," Maggie said as she moved her fingers through mine.

"Y-Yes, laughter is a good relief mechanism. I-It releases stress and, and helps, um..."

Maggie chuckled and shook her head.

"C'mon, it's getting chilly. Let's get back inside."

I tried to get ready for dinner in peace. That was not going to happen. There was a soft knock at my door and Teri poked her head in.

"I wanted to see your room. Ours is huge. It's like being at a hotel. Do you have your own bathroom?"

"Yep," I said and motioned to the door.

Teri was looking out the window. "So, what do you think is happening?" She looked back to me.

"Ter, I don't know. For some reason, someone is trying to scare the h.e.l.l out of Maggie or maybe even kill her. Whoever it is, they're sure doing a good job of scaring me. You should have seen that saddle. If Maggie had been riding any faster, she'd have broken her neck." I rubbed my neck and yawned wildly. "I need to sleep."

"You're right," Teri said. She went back to the window and looked out. "Who is the woman in the woods, Kate?"

"I wish I knew. It spooks me. I was petrified when I saw her in my rear view mirror this afternoon. It was definitely the same woman. She looked content, you know, not scary or dangerous. I don't know."

"Well, I was going to ask this earlier, but I don't want them to think I'm a psychic nut or something, but I'd love to see what Maggie's mother looked like. I have a feeling, Kate." She shivered and walked over to me.

I could feel my eyebrows getting lost in my hairline. "You think the woman is Maggie's mother?" I wished I would quit shivering.

She nodded. "I do."

"Maggie's mother," I repeated, making sure I understood her. "Maggie's dead, murdered, mother," I said again.

"Yes, I do."

I found a chair and eased myself into it. "c.r.a.p."

Chapter Twelve.

Dinner was wonderful; we ate like kings and queens. Hannah beamed when she saw all the empty plates.

Mac sat back. "Hannah that was delicious."

Teri nodded in agreement. "I can't remember when I've had such a good meal."

Maggie got up and cleared the dishes. "I'll get the coffee."

Teri offered her help and followed her into the kitchen.

The rest of us went back to the living room and Mac got the fire going again. I sat in the huge chair by the fireplace and put my head back.

"Kate you need to sleep tonight, you haven't slept at all," Hannah said, giving me a worried look.

"I will tonight, thanks Hannah."

Teri and Maggie came in with the coffee. Maggie handed me a cup and sat down by the fire. She looked tired and drawn. I looked at my watch. It was eight-thirty. Once again, it felt like midnight.

"So, Kate, are you sure the intruder was a woman?" Mac asked.

"She wasn't strong enough to be a man and she was wearing perfume. Do you know any men who wear women's perfume?" I looked at Mac.

"Nope, do you?"

"No," I said.

He looked at Maggie, who shook her head. "I don't know many men at all," she said and I had to laugh out loud.

"Well, I knew a young boy who liked to wear his mother's hats," Hannah said absently.

We all stopped laughing and Maggie hung her head. "Aunt Hannah, please don't tell that story."

Teri and I were intrigued. "Go ahead, tell us," Teri begged. We leaned toward Hannah.

"Well, Eddy Walsh lived on our block. Walt, Tom, Nathan and I would go over to his house and there he'd be walking around in his mother's hats." She started to laugh, so did Teri and I, although we had no clue why.

Teri said, "And?"

She gave us a confused looked. "And what, dear?"

"And what did he do then?" I asked.

"Nothing, he just wore his mother's hats," Hannah said.

Teri and I sat there with our mouths open. Then we looked at each other and sat back. I looked at Maggie and she gave me an "I told you so," look.

Hannah stood and stretched. "I'll get the apple pie ready. Mac, my darling, can I bribe you for some a.s.sistance?"

Mac followed her into the kitchen. "Hannah, for pie I'd follow you anywhere."

"Don't speak too soon, Mac. You haven't tasted my pie. I could be a murder suspect."

Teri and I stared at the kitchen door and I blinked a couple of times.

"Well, that's Aunt Hannah," Maggie said.

"She is adorable. You're very lucky," Teri said.

"Yes, she has been a G.o.dsend. That's for sure," Maggie agreed as she played with the ring on her finger.

"Do you have any idea who's doing this?" Teri asked.

"Teri, I wish I did. I've been racking my brain," Maggie said.

I got up and started pacing. I saw Teri lean over to Maggie, "She's in her thinking mode. Pretty soon she'll-"

"Run her fingers through her hair and rub her forehead," Maggie interrupted her.

Teri nodded. "She's already done that, I take it."

Maggie nodded with a wink and I could feel her watching me.

Mac and Hannah came out of the kitchen with dessert and Hannah fixed everyone a plate while we talked.

In the middle of our conversation, Hannah walked to the French doors.

"What's wrong?" I asked and followed her look.

"I don't know, I thought I saw a light down at the stable. My imagination, I guess."

Now my curiosity was piqued. I got up and went to the door. Then I saw it too. It was a faint light coming from the stable.

Mac was standing behind me. "What is that?" he asked.

"s.h.i.t! The stable's on fire!" I turned to Hannah. "Call the fire department."

When we got to the stable, the huge door was ajar. As I opened the door, smoke billowed out. The hay had caught fire. I quickly searched for something to put it out.

Mac and Teri grabbed a couple of horse blankets from the ledge and tried to smother the flames. There was smoke everywhere. I heard the horses and realized I needed to get them out.

Maggie and I ran to the stalls and opened them, then went in and opened the back door so they could run free. The last stall was Thunder. He stomped and reared as I approached. I looked through the smoke and saw something heaped in the corner of his stall. I tried desperately to get past Thunder. I couldn't see a thing. I got closer and Thunder reared again and, as his hoofs came down, I jumped out of the way.

It was then I realized the heap in the corner was Bedford. I needed to get Thunder out of that stall and out of my way so I could get to Bedford.

Maggie apparently realized this as well, and ran around to open the outer stall door. She grabbed Thunder's bridle and pulled him out of the stable so he could run free.

Maggie and I struggled to pull Bedford out of the stall. I looked up to see Mac and Teri, who were completely disoriented. The fire was out of control. If we didn't move fast, we'd all go up in flames. "Mac, forget it! Take Teri and get out!"

Maggie and I pulled Bedford safely away from the burning stable, but I couldn't see Mac or Teri. "Stay with him," I yelled to Maggie and headed back into the stable.

Just as I got into the stall, a heavy beam collapsed in front of me, blocking my way. I jumped back, knowing I couldn't get in. The smoke engulfed the stable and the flames seemed to be everywhere at once.

I ran around the front of the stable and was shocked to see the doors closed and a shovel jammed through the handles. I yanked the shovel free and pulled the doors open.