She Waits Part 19

With Mac and Teri, settling in, I started as Maggie rejoined us and took a seat. "Given what we already know, I think we can safely presume that Maggie is the catalyst for all that is happening. Now, hear me out, please. I think the common thread in this whole mess is the secrets that surround this family. I'm tired of having unanswered questions. Like: What brought Miranda to the lake that night? We should a.s.sume it was at night because one of you would have seen her and missed her, if it were during the day. What was her relationship with Nathan? Why was his picture in her locket and not her husband's? After all these years, why is it that my dog finds the evidence that re-opens an unsolved, brutal murder? And while we're on that train, let's look at all the violence. I don't know how Alexander Winfield died, but Jonathon was the victim of a hit-and-run with no driver ever found. His wife, Miranda, was brutally stabbed in the woods, right across the lake. Bedford, the victim of arson. Somebody wedged a shovel through the handles of the stable door. Their intent was clear: To keep Bedford inside the burning stable. Why? Because he knew something. Another family secret. Something about Alexander and Sarah. I know this because I overheard it."

I looked at Doc, who had gone a little pale. Tom was frowning, seemingly confused. However, no one said a word as I continued.

"And we all know what has been happening to Maggie in the last few months."

Tom spoke. "It seems that all this started once your dog dug up all the evidence. Smart dog."

I noticed Teri. I don't think she was buying Chance's superior intellect.

"No Tom, I'm afraid I don't have Chance the Wonder Dog. Are you all telling me that there are no other dogs in this community? No animals in the woods that would dig?" I remembered Chance yesterday morning, doing the scary dog thing. I looked at Teri and she looked me right in the eye. My blood ran cold as she nodded slowly. I knew she was thinking the same thing. "Who is protecting the woods?"

Well, if that didn't scare the h.e.l.l out of everybody...

We all sat in silence for a moment, to digest what I had put forth. Suddenly, a cold shiver ran through me. I looked at Teri again. "Please tell me somebody else can smell that."

Everyone looked at each other. "What is that?" Doc asked. Tom sniffed the air.

"I don't know," he said.

"I smell it, Kate," Teri said.

"What is that? It smells so familiar," Maggie said as she sniffed the air.

With that, the library door opened and Sarah walked in.

Is it my imagination, or had the fragrance dissipated? I got the creeps.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. Doc, Nathan wanted me to tell you he was just paged. Apparently an emergency surgery in Dubuque. He'll call you in the morning."

Glancing at Tom and Doc, they seemed almost relieved. "Thanks, Sarah. I know the patient. Nathan asked my opinion the other day," Doc said.

Sarah smiled thinly. "Well, I'm sorry I interrupted. Please continue with your meeting." She gently closed the door as she left.

There was an awkward silence. "Well, I have one question," Maggie said. I noticed the stubborn look and held my breath. "Does anyone else but me think Uncle Nathan and my mother had an affair?"

Even though the question was long overdue, it took courage for Maggie to ask. I looked around the room at the dumbfounded expressions and nearly laughed. Teri and Mac said nothing. What could they say?

"I, for one, think it took great courage to ask that question. I think it deserves an answer," I said. Still no one said a word.

With that, Maggie stood. "It does deserve an answer, Kate. I suppose I'll find out for myself."

With a steady gait, she walked out of the library, pa.s.sing Hannah on her way.

"Heavens, what's going on in here? Tom, Lily is looking all over for you and Steve. You all better continue this later."

We all left the conversation hanging, rejoined the party and mingled around the buffet table. As I was talking to Teri and Maggie, I caught the scent of the familiar perfume. I quickly looked around as the scent faded.

"Kate, what is it?" Maggie asked.

"Dammit. I smelled it again."

"You mean from the library?" Teri asked.

"No, the perfume the woman who tossed me through the French doors was wearing," I said and frantically continued looking.

The room was crowded with both men and women. Allison, Sarah, and Hannah were all standing in the same small circle of women, chattering away. It was impossible to figure out who it was.

"s.h.i.t," I cursed and turned back to the buffet table.

I noticed Allison standing by Maggie. "Well, where have you been? It's a beautiful night, c'mon, let's take a walk."

I didn't like her leaving with Allison, but I could say nothing. They went out on the deck and into the yard. As I watched them, that d.a.m.ned fragrance hit me again. I turned to see Sarah standing and looking at me with a half smile on her face.

"Mrs. Winfield, good evening. Are you enjoying yourself?" I asked politely, hoping she didn't see the look of sheer panic on my face. Swallowing right then was impossible.

"Yes, Miss Ryan, Hannah knows how to throw a party. How are you feeling? I understand quite a bit has happened in the last few days." She looked at me with her dark, almost-black, eyes.

"Oh, I'm fine. It's awful about Bedford, though. Who would want to kill him?" I asked looking at her while regaining my composure.

"Who? I thought he was unfortunately caught in the stable fire. It was a horrible accident," she said thoughtfully as she gazed at the fire. She was silent for an instant, but then said, "So this is good news. Tom can open the case again, and find Miranda's murderer. Maggie must be very happy." She stared at the flames as if in a trance. "Well, I think I'll go see if Hannah needs any help. Have a good time, Miss Ryan." With that, she walked away.

"Whatever," I said and turned to see Mac and Teri approaching. They watched Sarah's retreating figure.

"Man, she gave me the w.i.l.l.i.e.s," Teri said.

I agreed. "Doesn't she look like Mrs. Danvers from the movie Rebecca? Oh, and she knew about Tom re-opening Miranda's case."

"You told her?"

"Nope."

Teri frowned. "Then how did she..." she stopped.

"Yep. The toady, Allison," I said. "Sarah wasn't there this afternoon. Allison must have told her. That's why she ran over to Sarah earlier this evening. I bet my log cabin on it. Sarah knows something too. They all do. Somebody's covering up for somebody, and her conversation with Bedford yesterday at the stable is nagging at me. Alexander Winfield..."

I looked around for Maggie. She was nowhere in sight and I got a little worried.

Charlie came out with his date and they sat down to eat. He seemed to sense my concern when he said, "Where's Maggie?" He looked out into the woods.

"She went for a walk with Allison," I said as I looked up to see him frowning.

"And you let her?" he asked.

I gave him a curious look. "Let her? Since when does anyone let your cousin do anything? Why shouldn't she go for a walk?"

He said nothing.

"Charlie, what in the h.e.l.l are you doing? You're being way too evasive, what's going on?" I was getting angry. Too many people knew too many things and no one was talking. I felt myself close to the edge.

"I saw Allison this morning; I went riding with her and a couple of friends. She broke a nail and blamed it on her riding gloves-which she had lost." He looked at us.

Panic set in as we all looked around. Maggie was nowhere in sight.

Chapter Seventeen.

I'm going to look by the lake," I said quickly.

"We'll check the front," Mac said and then was gone.

Charlie and I split up and I went down the path that led to the lake. The moonlight easily led my way and, when I got to the lake, I heard Maggie and Allison talking. I stood still and could hear my heart pounding in my ears.

"Why don't you listen to your aunt, Mags? She knows what she's talking about, and you know it, too. All this happened right after she came here. She knocked you off your horse for Christ's sake. How do you know she hasn't been doing these things all along? Did you see an intruder? No. Did Hannah? No. Now, miraculously she finds your mother's jewelry. C'mon Mags, use your head. You don't even know her or where she comes from, or who she knows."

As I listened, I had to admit it was a compelling scenario. Looking at it objectively, I could see where someone would believe her.

"Allison, I care a great deal for you, but unfortunately you're a liar. You've lied to me continuously for the past two years and I don't trust you. You lied to me about Charlie, Allison."

"You're making a big mistake, Mags," she said angrily. "Okay, I admit about Charlie, but this is different. I believe your aunt."

"I'm sorry you do. This discussion is over, Al," Maggie said, ending the conversation.

"No, it's not. I can't let you be taken in like this!" Allison said. It sounded threatening to me.

"Don't Allison, don't make it worse."

As I walked down the path, they came into view. Allison was close to Maggie and I wondered how I'd get in between them.

"There you are. Hannah's looking for you, Maggie," I said as I walked toward them.

Allison held her ground, not letting Maggie by.

This could get nasty. It's been a while since I've been in a good cat fight.

"I might as well let you know, I don't trust you, Miss Ryan. I think you are a big part of the problem. You may have turned Maggie's head, but I know what you're doing," Allison said with an air of confidence.

"Well, thank you for letting me know," I said evenly then looked at Maggie. "Ready?"

Unfortunately, Allison was not.

"You think you're smart, don't you? You don't know the situation as well as you think you do," Allison said, angrily.

"That's possible," I agreed simply, looking right at her.

"And you certainly don't know Mags as well as you think."

"Oh, now that's quite possible," I agreed emphatically on that point and sported a wide grin. That did it.

Allison was fuming as she stormed pa.s.sed Maggie. We watched her make an angry retreat.

"What does Aunt Hannah want?" Maggie asked as she started to walk away.

I grabbed her arm to stop her. "Hannah doesn't need you," I said, heatedly. I was angry because she'd scared the daylights out of me. "What's the big idea of coming out here alone in the woods with that woman?"

"What in the world...?"

"After telling me that none of us were to go anywhere alone anymore, you go off with her and don't tell anyone." I was steaming and my heart was pounding.

Mac, Teri and Charlie had come down the path. I barely knew they were there.

I continued angrily, "Are you crazy? Do you want to get killed?"

"Look, don't yell at me. It would have seemed pretty unusual if I didn't go with her."

"Did you have to go into the woods, for Christ's sake? Don't ever do that again," I said vehemently. "I can't figure this out and watch out for you, too."

"Well, who the h.e.l.l asked you to watch out for me? I can take care of myself," she said.

"Oh, really, is this how you show it? Going into the woods, with her? c.r.a.p!"

"Stop yelling, the whole town will hear you, for G.o.d's sake!" She put her hand to her forehead and sat on the bench.

I turned to see the three others standing there gaping at us.

"I found her," I declared sarcastically and started back to the house. Teri stopped me.

"Kate, go back there. You can't leave her sitting on a bench."

"Watch me," I said childishly.

"Katie..."

I looked at Mac; he gave me that disapproving look I just loved to ignore. I took a deep breath and Charlie put his hands on my shoulders.

"We'll meet you back at the house," he said, turning me around and giving me a gentle push.

Dammit, she was crying. I put my hands in my pockets and stood next to her, my detached loop screaming for me. I coughed nervously and she sat up and dried her eyes.

"Boy, that hanky is getting a workout," I said stupidly. What an idiot. I cleared my throat and cautiously sat next to her. "Look, I was scared when we couldn't find you. I thought all sorts of horrible things. I-I'm sorry I yelled at you. You just scared the bejesus out of me," I said truthfully and continued, "and, after this weekend, I'm not sure how much bejesus I have left."

She sniffed and dried her eyes. "I'm sorry too. You were right. I made a point of telling you not to go anywhere alone and then I did it." She put her head back and stared at the sky.

We said nothing while watching the moon. It was gorgeous -full and yellow-a beautiful harvest moon.