by K. E. Warner
Magda watched as he hustled down the boardwalk toward the resort.
Chapter EIGHT
Today marked their six-month anniversary. Magda liked to refer to their meeting as a ‘meet-cute’, Raheem called it fortuitous. The truth was more dangerous. Their mutual attraction evolved during a series of murders and disappearances they investigated, separately and together, as part of their jobs.
They had several things in common to fuel the attraction. Both grew up in eastern Canada, Magda in Toronto, Raheem in Ottawa. Both attended university in the west; Raheem went to the University of Alberta to study sciences, and Magda completed a master's program in journalism at the University of British Columbia. Both were career-oriented, and both chose to move as far from their parents' protection as possible.
Their differences made them an interesting pair and they enjoyed exploring those differences. Raheem’s family was originally from India, his father a diplomat who spoke several languages, his mother an aide in the Canadian government. Magda’s parents were special education teachers who traced their family roots through Canadian soil for generations.
Raheem’s large muscular frame was agile as a cat’s, and skiing was a passion. It was what motivated him to head for Alberta to attend school before being assigned to the detachment on Vancouver Island. His preference for mountains made that assignment a pleasure.
Magda was slight, preferred a best-selling book to sporting events, and disdained skiing, having spent a winter in a cast after her first lesson.
One difference was a significant rub in their relationship. Raheem understood the need to keep information close to his chest; a necessary precaution for his work as an RCMP officer. Magda felt it a duty and responsibility to bring all information forward to the public.
Their difference of opinion on the last point created a source of tension for the couple. To forestall disagreements they agreed, mostly, to keep the businesses of policing and reporting off-limits when they were together. Magda hoped tonight would be an exception to their rule.
She glanced in the hall mirror, adjusting her chignon so scattered tendrils fell to her shoulders, before opening the door. The look on Raheem’s face seemed a just reward for her state of readiness.
“Striking.” He took her in from head to toe. “Is that the choker you got in Tofino?”
Her hand flew to the gold necklace. Catching his eye immediately meant she’d made a perfect choice with the off the shoulder cocktail dress.
“Excellent eye officer, yes. I like it with the dress – I almost thought I’d forgotten how to wear a dress, it’s been so long.”
“Well, if the dress is a benefit of taking you out for an anniversary dinner, we’ll be going to the Aqua Blue Angus more often.”
She pulled on a pair of gold high-heels. They were chosen by Donna when the two went to Nanaimo on a shopping spree. While Donna had impeccable taste in shoes, Magda’s wallet squealed when she bought them. But the restaurant was one of the island’s best steak and seafood experiences, and the excuse of a six-month anniversary was the perfect occasion for the shoes.
She ran her eyes from his shoes to the top of his head, knowing he would blush. “You look so handsome. I’m glad I agreed to this.” She pulled the door closed behind them and took his hand. ”Let’s go so I can show you off.”
Raheem’s grin was ear to ear as they made the short walk down the street to the restaurant. His brown eyes sparkled like smoky chocolate quartz. Magda smiled at the flash of his perfect white teeth, then admired his clothes; dark grey dress slacks and a butter yellow shirt. The shirt showed off his summer tan.
“Nice look,” she whispered.
“Yes, well, I’m underdressed by comparison.” He dug his free hand in his pocket and fidgeted with the spare key to his home. After six months, he hoped to signal his future intentions to Magda. The key would be the symbol of those intentions.
“You won’t get out of a dinner date that easily. Or are you just fishing for more compliments?” Magda smiled and looked up at him.
“I don’t fish.” His sly comment a running joke between them. Sport-fishing was the only sport he didn’t enjoy. She often threatened to take it up.
He pulled open the doors to the resort and they entered the lobby. Magda shivered as she recalled seeing Charles at the resort, distraught at finding Sonja Bearns. It took energy for her to dismiss the thought, and she tried not to tense. Raheem would pick up on her body language.
They reached the entrance, their welcome muted by the pleasant din of restaurant patrons and the familiar greeting of the hostess. Raheem was well known in Stey Cove.
Raheem replied, “Reservation for two. Khan.” He made his reservation weeks earlier. The Ocean Castles complex, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a large patio overlooking the bay, was the perfect location. It was a favourite of both condo residents and resort guests, and reservations were a must in the summer months. There were plenty of excellent restaurants in town, just none that served steak and seafood with an ocean view like Aqua Blue Angus.
The hostess grinned back at him like a love-struck schoolgirl. He had that effect on some people, but ignored it as inconsequential. He lifted his arm to Magda’s waist and held her closer as the woman picked up two hefty leather-bound menus and nodded at the couple to follow.
The hostess pulled out a chair from the table for Magda. “Will this table be satisfactory, Officer Khan?” The question was redundant. It was unlikely they could exchange their seating for an alternate table as the restaurant appeared full.
Winking at Magda’s smile, he thanked the hostess and seated himself. Magda glanced out at the ocean, took Raheem’s hand from across the table, and whispered, “Thank you.” The restaurant was pricey compared to others in the area, but it was always memorable.
They opened their menus and studied as if there’d be a test. Magda focused on the mussels, scallops, tuna, salmon, and shrimp. Raheem preferred the New York strip, tenderloin, rib, and Porterhouse steaks. Their respective inclinations for a meal choice remained an additional difference, however, not insurmountable.
“I’m always happy to see the Ocean Wise symbol on the seafood at local restaurants.”
She looked at Raheem for agreement but saw only a puzzled expression.
“It’s a sustainable seafood program created by the Vancouver Aquarium. Good choices are identified on the menu by that little symbol.” She reached across the table and tapped his menu above the small blue circle where the words Ocean Wise appeared above a fish.
“Nice. I guess I don’t get out much – I haven’t heard of it. Is it just in British Columbia?”
“It’s across Canada. They use the most current scientific information and update restaurants, suppliers, and marketers, so they’re able to decisions that are good for the health of the oceans, and pass those options on to their clients.”
“Impressive. But I’m always happy to see Angus beef on the menu.” Raheem grinned as Magda rolled her eyes.
They ordered wine with their meal, Magda choosing a seafood red Thai curry, and Raheem, a rib steak, medium-rare. They agreed on a local pinot noir, a red that grew with success on the island, and sipped while waiting for their meals.
Magda chose this relaxed atmosphere to test Raheem’s resolve, hoping he would take her up on the conversation.
“I met an interesting man the other night on the boardwalk.”
“Interesting? How interesting?” Raheem enjoyed teasing her. Although not the jealous type, he felt a certain sense of protectiveness about their relationship.
She laughed, “No, I mean he interested me because of who he was and what he said. He was an older man, has a condo in this building as a matter of fact.” She looked at Raheem over the top of her wineglass, hoping he’d take the bait.
Raheem lowered his glass to the table, focused on what she would day next. “Oh? And that is interesting because…?”
“Because he lives across the hall from Sonja Bearn
s’ apartment.”
“No. No, we aren’t having this conversation. Not tonight. Preferably not unless it’s within the context of my sharing information professionally.”
“Except that he told me something you might not have heard.”
“Magda, I’m serious. No. We cannot discuss this. Not now.”
“I know. We don’t have to discuss, but I need to tell you a theory I have.”
He’d heard her theories before. He’d also been at the wrong end of her anger when he dismissed those theories. She was often correct, not in specific ways, but the gist of her ideas. He admired her intuition.
“Magda let’s just have a nice, quiet dinner, and tomorrow you can come down to the detachment and I will sit and listen to your theory.”
“Okay. But I think you’re making a mistake since I think one of your witnesses believes he is harbouring a murderer.” He couldn’t ignore her now.
“Which witness? Charles? And is he harbouring Saori?” They both laughed. He because of the absurdity of his statement, she because he was hooked.
“Henri Ducharme, the man who lives across the hall from Sonja Bearns. I met him in the park the other night. He thinks he had something to do with the murder. He told me his son came home the night of Sonja’s murder.” She waited for a response, but none came. “Henri wasn’t expecting him.”
“You are confusing me. He thinks he had something to do with the murder because his son came home unexpectedly?”
“Yes. He didn’t say it in so many words, but he thinks Chris may have killed Sonja.”
Raheem chortled and tried to hide the laugh with a cough. “Magda, someone coming home unexpectedly doesn’t make them a murderer. It’s a coincidence but not an indictable offence.” His voice lowered, and every word came out well-enunciated. “Maybe you should know that Henri Ducharme struggles with memory loss and confusion. He has early signs of dementia. He likely knew his son was coming home. In fact, he may have come home before Henri went to bed. It makes no sense that someone who had never even met Sonja Bearns would enter her apartment, toss her over the balcony, and go back to his bed across the hall.”
Raheem tucked his hand into his pocket again, pressing the teeth of the key into the pad of his thumb as he saw her jaw clench. This wouldn’t be the night he gave Magda the key to his home. His face flushed and his shoulders sagged as he wiggled his jaw from side to side.
Magda snapped back. “Are you sure? He seemed lucid to me. Maybe a bit of a daydreamer, but he knew what he said.” Her shoulders pulled toward her chest as her lips pinched together.
“Positive. Now, can we drop the subject and have dinner?”
Their food arrived within minutes, and they finished their meals in silence.
Chapter nine
Dave sat in the family room gripping his third cup of coffee as he listened to Alice’s heavy footsteps thud down the hall. He glanced up at the clock, surprised to see he’d been up for two hours. But he usually slept well, and always got up with the birds. Alice, on the other hand, struggled to get a good night’s sleep and often spent the morning in bed to catch up on missed hours.
“Alice, good morning. Coffee? How did you sleep?” He stood and reached for his wife’s mug.
“Terribly, again.” She placed her palm behind her neck and massaged the tendons. “My neck and shoulder. They’re killing me. It feels like a giant knot.” Alice grimaced at her husband and he rubbed her arms.
Dave stepped over to the coffeemaker and poured her coffee, then fixed his gaze out the window. They had this conversation far too often. He sighed before offering advice.
“Would a massage therapist help? I’ve heard some people find it helpful, or acupuncture maybe?” He stopped and his eyes narrowed as he turned to face her. “You aren’t taking…”
He didn’t finish the sentence. Her response came out in loud, angry stutters. “No. I’m not taking anything. Dr. Barry won’t give me a prescription refill. I tried. He refuses, although he’s more discreet about saying no. I don’t know how anyone can say whether I am or am not in pain except me. I am in pain. End of story.”
Dave’s arms circled her shoulders and he hugged his wife as she sobbed. The comfort he offered was short-lived. He felt a cold rebuff when she pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me. I’m aching everywhere. It hurts when you touch me.”
She slammed down the coffee mug and stormed into the bedroom, closing the door with force.
Chapter ten
Magda pulled into Donna’s driveway just as Alice’s car tore around the corner. The blue RAV4 disappeared in a blur and though Magda waved, she couldn’t see if Alice waved back.
Magda stared after the blue blur for a minute before Donna opened the screen door and called to her.
“Magda, you’re just in time. Coffee’s hot and chocolate chip muffins are fresh out of the oven.”
“Is Alice okay, Donna? She raced from here as if her hair was on fire.”
“I’m not sure. She missed our bridge game again last night. Dave mentioned a cough, or sniffles, for the tenth time in two months. You just reminded me, he left his sweater here last night. We’ll run it over before we see Henri.”
Magda was certain her early morning call to Donna would inspire the older woman. She laughed to herself thinking how curious Donna would be about the request to visit Henri. Since the day they met, Donna was gracious and eager to introduce Magda to community members and friends. Magda requesting such an introduction always piqued Donna’s curiosity.
“I called Henri right after hanging up from you and offered to bring a new friend - and muffins. He is very happy to meet you, and eager for the muffins. So, tell me why you want to talk to him. He isn’t quite well, you know.” A side-eye glimpse from Magda caught her attention. “No, he’s well. What I mean to say is he struggles sometimes.”
“I’ve heard he can be forgetful if that’s what you mean. But I can be forgetful, and I hope you don’t tell people I struggle. I’m interested in meeting his son – Chris. He returned to town a short while ago and I thought I should meet him. Make him feel welcome in our town.”
Magda watched Donna scrutinize her face. Magda didn’t take an action without a motive, and a plan. She was aware the idea she wanted to welcome home a man she never met rang false for her friend, but she wasn’t prepared for Donna’s next question.
“How’s Raheem? I haven’t seen him in a while, but I assume you still see him.”
“Raheem’s annoying me right now. He’s being dodgy on information around Sonja Bearn’s death, and I don’t appreciate it. He better hope I don’t solve this murder before he does.” Donna proved to be a formidable sleuth with her direct question. Magda bit into a warm chocolate studded muffin with undeserved ferocity and looked out the window into the forest.
“Aha! I knew it – you’re going to the resort to see if you can find more information. Well, I doubt either Chris or Henri can help you.”
Magda’s eye twitched. She was holding out on her friend. She didn’t expect Chris to be of help. If he took part in Sonja’s death, he wouldn’t be forthcoming. Magda based her assessment of people on her own observations, and she needed to assess Chris for herself.
Donna didn’t hear any argument from Magda, so began boxing the muffins as she continued her explanation. “Chris hasn’t been around here for years. Sonja arrived long after he left town. They never met, so it’s unlikely he can give you information.” She turned to face Magda and presented her friend with a fierce assessment. “Chris was a stubborn adolescent, of no help to his father, and he made it obvious that nothing was important if it wasn’t about him. That was what I saw of him, and unless he’s changed, it remains my opinion.”
“Why did he leave?”
“I can only speculate that it had to do with his mother’s death. He was a lost soul for years. I pitied him when she died, but he connected with the wrong crowd and turned into a delinquent - selling pot, breaking and entering,
drunk driving. Henri didn’t have any idea how to handle him. All of Henri’s friends breathed a sigh of relief when Chris just up and left. Henri was devastated, but we rallied around him and he kept busy. He heard from Chris on occasion, but he never shared much about his life with his dad.”
“That’s sad, Donna. Poor kid. Well, do you think Henri will tell us his thoughts on Sonja’s death.”
“To be honest, Henri won’t be much help. He’s more than forgetful. The other night Charles and I ran into him on the boardwalk and he fawned over Charles. The two never met, but Henri thought Charles was someone else, Alex something or other – a Russian name. He swore that Charles was a person he knew from years ago.” She sealed the box of muffins and plopped it in front of Magda.