“Sometime after I get back from Orcas. I figure it’s a good idea to give us both a day or two to mull things over. But if you see him let him know I want to talk.”
Tilda stood and smiled. “I will.”
The two women hugged. “Thank you for listening and for the advice,” Adele said. “It really did help me to see things more clearly.”
“I’m sure you’ll get it all worked out soon. Be careful driving in this rain. Stop by later for some evening wine if you have time. I’ll let Fin know you’re coming.”
Adele stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “How’s Lucas doing?”
“Oh,” Tilda exclaimed. “I can’t believe I forgot to tell you. He was already gone by the time I got up, so I assume he’s doing much better. As for Fin, he’s still in his room sleeping the morning away. He doesn’t appear to be the early to rise kind. For now, he’s the only guest I have in the entire hotel. Won’t be that way in a couple more months. I figure I should enjoy the slow time while I still can. Soon it’ll be wall-to-wall visitors around here.”
“I hear that. See you tonight.”
The howling wind nearly yanked the hotel door from Adele’s grasp. She had to use both hands to push it shut. The trees on the hill behind the resort were bent sideways as their branches whipped about like the arms and legs of a panicked army in retreat.
Adele heard the thump of a car door closing behind her and turned around. A black sedan idled on the other side of the nearly empty parking lot. Its windshield was covered by rain and its wipers were off, so it was impossible to clearly see who was behind the wheel. A gust of wind blew Adele against the side of the Mini. She grimaced, put her head down, and began walking toward the other car.
The sedan’s motor revved once, twice, and then a third time. Adele stopped halfway between her car and the other.
Who the hell is it?
She took another step toward the vehicle. “Hello? Can I help you?”
The sedan’s motor revved again.
The hair on the back of Adele’s neck stood up.
Get in your car. Get in your car now.
Adele walked slowly backwards so she could keep her eyes on the sedan. One careful step, then another, and then another, until finally her hand brushed the Mini’s door handle.
The other car crept forward. Adele dropped into the driver seat and locked the doors. She turned her head to look out the window when the sedan’s rear tires spun on the wet pavement as it suddenly lunged toward the Mini.
Adele cried out, jammed the key into the ignition, slammed the shifter into gear, and popped the clutch. The Mini shot forward, pushing her back into her seat. She glanced into the rearview mirror and saw the sedan skidding through the space she had been parked in just a second earlier. Adele turned the wheel hard. The other driver did the same until both vehicles sat facing each other with no more than forty yards between them.
The sedan’s engine roared as it catapulted across the parking lot. Adele gripped the wheel tightly and waited.
You want to do this? Fine. Here I am.
The car came within a few feet of Adele’s bumper and then lurched to the right, missing the Mini’s by inches. The rainwater hissed under its tires as it sped past. Adele still couldn’t see for certain who was driving. She thought she saw a flash of blonde hair but wasn’t sure.
Is it Liya?
The sedan spun around and then took off onto the road leading away from Roche Harbor. Adele considered going after it but then decided against it, thinking that might be exactly what the driver of the other car wanted.
B97684W
It was the sedan’s license plate number. Adele would drive into Friday Harbor, stop at the sheriff’s office, and give it to Lucas for him to look up. That would have to do.
For now.
11.
L ucas was still sick which made Adele felt guilty about burdening him with what happened to her in the Roche Harbor parking lot. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes glazed, and the cough sounded even worse than the night before.
“You need to get out from behind that desk and go to the doctor,” she said. “Have one of your deputies cover for you.”
“As you well know, this is a three-person department and a county with nearly a dozen major islands,” Lucas replied. “They’re busy. I’m here. And despite how I look I assure you I’m still doing my job. I’ll run the plate numbers and see what comes back. Is there anything else you can tell me about the driver? Something you might have forgotten when you first told me?”
“No, I couldn’t see inside the car. I thought it might be Liya for a second, but then again she’s already in my head since Yuri’s visit yesterday so I might have been seeing something that wasn’t actually there.”
“Do you feel they intended to hurt you?”
“I don’t think so. This was more an attempt at intimidation rather than a direct confrontation.”
“You sure about that?”
Adele nodded. “Unfortunately, and as you know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to deal with something like this. Whoever it was I’m almost positive they were trying to scare me.”
Lucas looked down at his computer screen. “Huh.”
“What is it?”
“That license plate number you gave me—it’s local.”
“Really? Who does it belong to?”
Lucas wrote something down on a stickie note, tore it off, then got up. “You’re not coming with me.”
“I didn’t say I was. I have work to do, but I’d like to know who the owner of the car is.”
Lucas pressed his lips together. “I mean it. I can’t have you turning this into one of your personal mysteries to solve. I need to be allowed the time to question her properly without any interruption or influence from you.”
“It’s a woman?”
“Yes.”
“C’mon, Lucas, tell me who it is and then I’ll step back and let you do your job while I go to the newspaper office and do mine.”
“I’ll tell you after I’m done questioning her. Do we have a deal?”
“Sure, but eventually I’d like to talk to her myself.”
Lucas wagged his finger. “See, that’s what I’m worried about—interference. At this point we have a name of the car’s owner. That doesn’t mean she was the one driving it this morning.”
“It also doesn’t mean she wasn’t.”
“Adele, give me your word you’ll let me handle this.”
“I won’t get in your way. I promise.”
“Good. Thank you.”
“I do expect to get an update as soon as you’re done interviewing her though.”
Lucas coughed, cleared his throat, and nodded. “That’s fair.” He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.
“One other thing,” Adele said. “If you’re still this sick after tomorrow I’m taking you in to see the doctor. That’s not open to negotiation.”
Lucas straightened to his full height and gave Adele a tired smile. “Lucky for me I’m already feeling better. I’ll turn in early tonight and be right as rain by morning.”
“I never cared for that saying. There’s nothing right about rain. And I’m not kidding. If you’re not better, I’ll tie you to my bumper and drag you to the clinic if that’s what’s required to make you take better care of yourself.”
Lucas patted Adele on the head as he stepped by her. “You’re so cute when you try to act tough. I’ll be in touch.” He opened the door and then turned around. “You still going out to Orcas tomorrow with that Fin fella?”
“Yeah. Have you looked into him yet like you said you would?”
“Yup. Already left a message with someone from Interpol. I don’t expect to hear back from them any time soon though. Inquiries from a county sheriff like me are likely to be on the very bottom of their priority list.”
“You contacted Interpol? For Fin? Don’t you think that’s a bit excessive?”
“His name didn’t come u
p in our system, so I figured I had to throw a wider net given he comes from Ireland.”
“Yeah, Fin Kearns, international man of mystery. Geez, Lucas.”
“It’s my job, Adele. Some guy shows up out of the blue, claims to be the son of Delroy Hicks, and now has you running around with him in search of healers and crystals?”
“He’s a nice guy. I also think he’s a little lonely. And he’s Delroy’s son. I owe his father a lot, which in a way means I owe Fin as well.”
“Nice or not, I’m gonna make sure he checks out. You ever stop to consider what happened to you at Roche this morning could be related to Mr. Kearns showing up here?”
“No, because it’s far more likely to have something to do with Liya Vasa and we both know who’s to blame for that mess.”
Lucas cocked his head. “What do you mean? The only one who’s to blame for Liya is Liya.”
“Never mind. Go do your interview.”
“Wait, are you upset with Roland? You think it’s his fault?”
“I think any time Yuri Popov shows up to these islands Roland is at least partly to blame, yes.”
Lucas shut the door. “Hold on a second, Adele. Look, I don’t recall ever being the one to jump in first to defend Roland Soros, but you can’t drop Liya Vasa at his feet. That’s not fair. I know what happened to us at Rosario, what happened to you, it was a horrible thing, but we got through it. We survived. Did you two argue about this last night?”
Adele realized her close friendship with Lucas made her sometimes forget something important—he was a cop with a knack for noticing things quicker than most. “I don’t want to talk about Roland right now,” she said.
“Yeah, I see that. The fight you two had must have been a doozy. I also know you and I have had our share of disagreements as well, but we always manage to patch things up eventually. That’s what friends do. You and Roland are no different.”
Well, besides the fact I slept with Roland and never slept with you.
Lucas checked his watch. “I really should get going.”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
“And you’re off to work on the paper?”
“No, I’m going to secretly follow you, so you’ll lead me to the owner of the car.”
“Very funny.”
Adele wasn’t joking. That was exactly what she intended to do. She smiled. “I guess we both better get going. I’ll be waiting to hear what you find out.”
“And I’ll be sure to tell you first thing.”
The two left the sheriff station together. Adele got into her car and waited as the rain continued to fall. She watched Lucas walk up to his vehicle, cough, and then get behind the wheel. When he drove off, Adele paused to make sure he would be at least half a block ahead and then she pulled onto the street and followed. It was just three blocks later when Lucas parked in front of Roland’s bank and went inside.
Adele stopped on the side of the road behind a pickup truck and waited. Her eyes widened as she gripped the steering wheel tightly. The same black sedan that had been in Roche Harbor pulled into the spot next to Lucas’s SUV. The driver got out.
“What the hell?” Adele whispered to herself.
It was Sandra Penny, Roland’s vice president of operations. Adele had spoken with her last year inside of her second-floor office. Sandra appeared exactly as Adele remembered: tall, thin, and blonde. She also recalled her being as intelligent as she was attractive.
Lucas met Sandra just outside the entrance. The two stood under the roof’s overhang talking. Lucas motioned toward the sedan. Sandra shook her head. Lucas went to the back of the car and took a picture of the license plate. Sandra opened the driver door and then Lucas leaned down and looked inside. The rain had almost stopped. Lucas spoke with Sandra briefly then walked her to the bank entrance and opened the door for her. After she was inside, he turned around and stared at the black sedan for a few seconds before getting into his vehicle.
Adele continued to watch and wait. Her phone rang. She glanced quickly at the number, not wanting to take her eyes off the bank.
It was Lucas. She took the call. “You get all that?” he asked.
Adele grimaced as she kept the phone to her ear.
“I saw you following me,” Lucas continued. “At least you kept your distance. I suppose that means you kept your promise so thanks for that.”
“The vehicle belongs to Sandra Penny?”
“Correct. She was late to work today because she said she was having car trouble.”
“Or she was the one at Roche.”
“Far too early to be jumping to that conclusion, Adele. I’m investigating. I’ll ask you again to stay out of it and allow me do my job.”
“Or I could march into her office now and demand that she tell me what’s going on.”
“Don’t you dare. I mean it.”
“No worries, Sheriff. I’ll give you a little more time.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Did Sandra mention if Roland was at the bank?”
“Sorry, it didn’t come up.”
“Did she seem nervous?”
“I’m not going to discuss the case with you. Here’s my advice, not that you would ever take it. Go work on your paper. Then enjoy the trip to Orcas tomorrow. When you get back, we’ll sit down and have another talk about what happened in Roche. I should know far more by then and I promise I’ll keep you in the loop. Until then, stay away from Sandra Penny.”
“Should I be concerned?”
Lucas didn’t reply right away.
“Lucas?”
“I’m looking into it, Adele. At this point I really don’t know what’s going on. It’s like I said. I’ll have more to share when you get back from Orcas. The weather is supposed to improve. Should make for a nice trip.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I’m back.” Adele watched Lucas roll his window down, stick his hand out, and give her a thumbs up.
“Good,” he replied. “I’ll be waiting.”
Lucas drove away while Adele remained parked across from the bank. She again wondered if Roland was inside and had to fight the urge to go in and find out. Instead, she attempted to text him again, but the message was blocked the same as last time. It was getting late and there was newspaper work to be done. After one last look at the black sedan, Adele started the Mini and sped off.
12.
“G et over here, you!”
Suze Blatt, the 60-year-old owner of Island Books, spread her arms wide as she walked out from behind the counter to greet Adele.
“I was wondering when I’d see you again. It’s been much too long.”
“I know,” Adele replied. “Things just keep coming up.”
“Well, here you are now and not a moment too soon. I was actually thinking of closing early. It’s been so slow. In the summer I’m always saying how much I look forward to the off season and then in the off season I’m complaining about the lack of business. I guess that makes me hard to please. Is this a newspaper or a pleasure visit?”
Adele breathed in the scent of aged paper that always permeated the old bookstore. Unlike a phone or computer screen, each book that lined the shelves had character, personality, a story waiting to be told. “Both,” she said.
“Ah, business and pleasure. Say no more. That means it’s coffee time.”
Suze scurried off into the hallway behind the counter and then returned a few minutes later. “It’ll be ready in a jiffy. So, what brings you by?”
“I’m going to Orcas Island tomorrow to learn more about the rumors of a magnetic field there that’s supposed to heal people, or give power to crystals, or something like that. I’m not exactly sure what yet. I was hoping you could help enlighten me.”
Suze pushed her glasses further up onto her nose. “Are you talking about the hippie commune stuff from the 1970s?”
“Perhaps. I have no idea what you’re talking about but I’m here to learn.”
“And what has you chasing
this information? Is it for a story?”
“Partly, yes. It’s also for a visitor to the islands who’s come here seeking the same information.”
“Really? Sounds mysterious. Who’s the visitor?”
“It’s really kind of remarkable.”
Suze propped her elbows onto the counter and leaned forward. “Okay, you have my full attention, young lady. Who is it?”
“His name is Fin Kearns.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know who that is.”
“He’s the son of Delroy Hicks.”
Suze’s mouth fell open. “What?”
Adele chuckled. “I know, right? I had pretty much the same reaction as you just did. But it’s true. As soon as I heard him speak, it was Delroy’s voice, his tone, his mannerisms. Fin is his son.”
“But Delroy, he was—”
“Gay, I know. Well, apparently, he was more of an equal opportunity dabbler than we knew. Especially as a younger man.”
“My goodness. Old Delroy is long gone but he’s still managing to surprise us. Well, with that bit of unexpected information out there, what does this have to do with a visit to Orcas Island in search of healers, crystals, and magnets?”
“Not magnets. A magnetic field. Fin said he’d read about it and wanted to find out if it was true. That got me thinking about it and now I think I might be as intrigued as he is. So, here I am hoping to learn more before heading out tomorrow.”
“With this Fin Kearns?”
“That’s right. I’m taking him there on my Chris Craft.”
Suze held up a finger. “Hold on. Coffee is ready. Be right back.” She returned with two cups on saucers and gave one to Adele. “Okay, let’s see. Orcas Island. Magnetic field. Healing power. Crystals. Let’s try the local history section first.”
Suze looked up and started to silently mouth the titles of the books on the shelves. She stopped to take a sip of coffee and then continued. This process was repeated several times until she stopped and shook her head.
“I’m certain we have something on that very subject. I just know it. Think Suze, think. Ah! That’s it—right over here. And how ironic.”
Suze moved to a different row and pointed to the top shelf. “There, on the left side. Four textbooks with a name very familiar to you, providing information you likely won’t find on the Internet.”
Roche Harbor Rogue Page 8