Beyond a Doubt

by Colleen Coble

  “Coffee?” Kade went to the coffeepot along the wall and poured Mason a cup. He handed it to the sheriff, who gave a sigh of gratitude before sinking onto a wooden chair.

  “I won’t keep you long,” Kade said with an apology in his voice. “I just wondered if Quentin said why he’s been stalking Bree, and why he set fire to her house and broke into Anu’s.”

  Mason gave a heavy sigh. “He’s not talking about that. Claims he didn’t set fire to the lighthouse. All he’s admitting to is shooting at the wedding reception and stalking Bree and Anu. Once he demanded his lawyer, he zipped his lips and just glared at us. He’s going to be a tough nut to crack. But at least he’s off the streets. We’ll all rest easier tonight.”

  The way Mason spoke made Kade think there was something that was going to keep the sheriff up. “What aren’t you telling me?” he demanded.

  Mason raised his brows at Kade’s tone. “It’s personal, Kade. Nothing to do with the investigation.” An unutterable weariness and sorrow seemed to permeate the sheriff’s words.

  “I’m a good listener,” Kade said, pulling up a chair beside Mason.

  Mason looked away and blinked rapidly. Kade put his hand on the sheriff’s shoulder. “What’s wrong, Mason?”

  “You know Hilary might lose the baby,” the sheriff said, his shoulders slumping. “I’m afraid if she does, she’ll leave me. All the difficulty we’ve had getting this far—it’s my fault, not hers. If she’d married someone else, she’d have those kids she longs for.”

  Kade didn’t know what to say. His fingers tightened on the sheriff’s shoulder. “I’m sorry,” he said huskily. “I’m sure Hilary doesn’t blame you. This is in God’s hands, not yours.”

  Mason rubbed his eyes. “Thanks. God’s intervention is the only thing that will help. I just worry about Hilary and her mental health. She’s been so happy since we heard the news. That baby means everything to her—to me too, but I’m not sure Hilary is ready to accept God’s sovereignty when it comes to this. I may lose everything.”

  At times like this, Kade wished he had the wisdom of Solomon. Though he knew the Scriptures, no pat recitation of verses could help. “Let me pray with you, Mason, right now. We’ll ask God to keep that baby safe.”

  A tired smile of gratitude lifted Mason’s face.

  They bowed their heads, and Kade prayed for God to be very close to Mason and Hilary, asking him to protect the life that was growing in Hilary’s body.

  Mason’s eyes held a sheen of moisture when he lifted his head and gripped Kade’s hand. “Thanks, my friend. I’d better get home to her. I’m sure Anu is hovering over her, but I should be there too.”

  Kade stood and yawned. “Bed sounds mighty good to me too.”

  Mason flipped off the lights. His bulk was outlined in the window from the streetlight. Even in the dark, Kade could see his dejection. If only there was some way to fix it. He slapped Mason on the back, and the two of them went out into the darkness.

  Bree knocked on the door of the O’Reilly home. She was still exhausted from the events of the night before. Samson whined behind her through the open window of the Jeep. “I won’t be but a minute, Samson,” she told him.

  Naomi opened the door. “Hey, girlfriend. What’s up?” Donovan stood behind her, his jacket on as if he’d just arrived or was just leaving.

  “Lauri called and wanted to talk to us both. She sounded pretty upset, so I told her I’d track you down and see if you had time to go out with me. She’s not expecting us for an hour, but I thought maybe we could get out there sooner and get back so Anu doesn’t have to keep Davy very long. She’s going to pick him up from his counseling session when he’s done and take him with her to Hilary’s, but I want to get back as soon as I can.”

  Naomi glanced up at Donovan with an appeal in her eyes. “You mind?”

  “You go ahead. I’m on my way to the store anyway.” He kissed her on her nose and winked. “Later, sweetheart,” he said in his Humphrey Bogart imitation.

  Naomi grinned and kissed him quickly. “I’ll call you later,” she promised.

  She followed Bree to the Jeep. “Hey, Samson,” she said. She petted the dog, who thrust his head into the front seat, then settled back against the seat. “How’s Davy’s counseling going?”

  “Better. Ever since we went to the cemetery last week and he admitted he’s mad at me, he’s been almost his old self. I think he just had to get it out. We’ve talked about it some more at bedtime, and Anu has been talking to him about how Rob’s death wasn’t his fault either. I guess that’s been part of it. He’s been transferring his anger about being helpless to save his dad to me. That’s what Dr. Walton says too.”

  “That’s understandable. Kind of like when kids go through their parents’ divorce—they feel it’s somehow their fault. I know Emily does.”

  “How’s it going at home? You liking married life in spite of the blended-family challenges?”

  “I love it! Donovan is wonderful, and the kids are beginning to accept me.”

  Naomi smiled, but Bree thought it didn’t seem quite genuine. “So what’s wrong?”

  “Wrong? Nothing’s wrong.”

  “Come on, I know you. You’re worried about something.”

  “Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just silly.” Naomi shrugged. “Donovan got a letter from Marika today. She wants to see the kids.”

  “That’s good, isn’t it? Emily especially has been feeling abandoned by her mother. Where’s she been all this time?”

  “She didn’t say. But that’s not what I’m worried about.” She looked down at her hands in her lap. “What if Donovan still has feelings for her?”

  “You’ve got to be kidding! I saw the way he looked at you just now. That’s a man in love if I ever saw one.”

  Naomi’s smile was feeble. “I’m being stupid, aren’t I? It just feels too good to be true, like I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

  “You listen to me, Naomi Hen—er—O’Reilly! Donovan isn’t stupid. You’re a dream come true for him. Any idiot can see he adores you too. Don’t go stressing about things that aren’t there.”

  Naomi leaned over and squeezed Bree’s arm. “You’re really smart, you know that? I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “Good. Now that we have that settled, hand me some pistachios out of the glove box.”

  No one answered the door at the Matthews cabin, but Lauri’s car was out front. Bree let Samson out, and he ran to sniff noses with Zorro. The place had a stillness about it that was usually restricted to empty houses. The only sound was the chattering of a squirrel on the roof. The squirrel peeked over the edge of the porch, then jumped to a low-hanging tree limb. The corrals for orphaned wildlife were empty, any inhabitants transferred to the new center.

  Bree tried the doorknob. It turned easily in her hand, and she opened the door. “Lauri, it’s Bree.” Stepping inside the cabin, she listened for the teenager.

  “You’re sure she said to come here?” Naomi followed her inside. She wandered toward the kitchen and looked out the back window.

  “Positive.”

  Zorro barked, and Bree turned to see Lauri trudging down the slope from Lake Superior. Her face was tear-streaked. When she caught sight of Bree and Naomi, her face crumpled even more. She sat on the grass and wailed like a child.

  Naomi rushed to put her arms around her. “Lauri, what’s wrong?”

  “I’m pregnant,” Lauri burst out.

  Bree knew her face registered her shock. “Oh, Lauri,” she said. “Does Kade know?”

  “He hates me.” Lauri’s face crumpled. “I’m tired of hurting,” she whispered. “And I can’t deal with the guilt anymore. He’s trying to be nice, but I can see the disappointment in his eyes. When I woke up this morning, it all came crashing in on me. I’m just glad my mom isn’t here to see what I’ve done with my life.”

  “Sweetheart, God can take that guilt away,” Bree began.

  Lauri pulle
d away with an angry jerk. “You sound like Kade!” Her rebellious expression faded. “I can’t tell God I’m sorry. This is too big.”

  Even as Bree comforted the girl and tried to tell her God would forgive anything, she realized she’d been having the same struggle. It was easy to see how God would forgive Lauri, but hard to believe he would forget her own mistakes. Did God shake his head at her obstinacy the way she mentally shook her head at Lauri’s?

  Bree mused it over. She’d been clinging to her guilt the way a chocolate addict hoarded truffles, feeding on it in her secret heart of hearts. It was a sin to doubt what God had done in her life. She had to let it go, for her sake and for Davy’s. From now on when the old shame raised its head, she would remind herself that those sins were gone, beyond a doubt.

  The dogs scampering around their feet, they went back to the cabin. Bree prayed for guidance as she thought of how to reach Lauri. Leaving the dogs outside, they went into the living room. Lauri, her face white with exhaustion, collapsed on the couch. Her posture of dejection broke Bree’s heart.

  “What can we do to help?” Bree asked.

  “Nothing. Kade says I have to face the consequences. I told him I would.” Lauri closed her eyes, and tears slid down her pale cheeks.

  “We all do,” Naomi said. “It’s never fun. The best thing is to just own up to God and to those we’ve hurt and ask for forgiveness. Then take it when it’s given.”

  But what if the one you hurt wasn’t around anymore? Bree’s heart constricted.

  “Own up about everything?” Lauri looked away. “There’s a lot. Besides, every time I think I’ve done that, I still feel guilty.”

  “Sometimes asking for forgiveness can be a daily thing,” Naomi said. “We know we don’t deserve it, and we still try to whack ourselves on the head for our stupidity. So we keep turning our guilt over to God until we can finally believe he means what he says about it—that it’s gone.”

  Bree had never heard anyone admit it was sometimes hard to forgive yourself. She had thought she was the only one who struggled with that.

  Lauri thrust out her chin. “Well, I didn’t mean to dump on you. That’s not why I called.”

  “What else is wrong?”

  “I found the cabin where the stuff is now. I can take you there.”

  The small cabin was on a bluff overlooking Lake Superior. It appeared deserted.

  “I hope he’s not around.” Lauri gnawed on a thumbnail.

  “Who?” Bree asked.

  “The guys call him Neville, but I don’t think that’s his real name. Come on.” She shoved her door open and got out.

  Bree and Naomi followed her with Samson close on their heels. Lauri approached the front door and twisted the doorknob.

  “It’s locked,” she said. She slammed her palm against the door. “We have to find a way in.” Lauri darted around the side of the house.

  Bree followed her and found her struggling to push up a window. “Lauri, don’t! Let’s call Mason. I should have done that right from the beginning.” Lauri was already halfway through the window. Bree made a grab for her ankle to haul her back outside but missed.

  Lauri landed on the other side with a muffled groan. “I’ll meet you at the front door.”

  “We have to get her out of there,” Bree told Naomi. “This is all wrong.” They went to the porch. Bree glanced around uneasily. The door opened, and Lauri grabbed her hand.

  “Hurry! He could come back anytime!” Lauri dragged her inside and Naomi followed.

  “Guard, Samson!” Bree commanded. Her dog began to prowl back and forth across the porch.

  “It’s in here,” Lauri called impatiently.

  The cabin was empty, but Bree was still nervous. The sooner they found what Lauri had to show them, the sooner they could get out of here.

  Bree entered the bedroom to find Lauri tossing items from a cedar chest. Her questions died in her throat as she glanced down at the picture Lauri thrust into her hands. A picture of Bree, Anu, and Davy. Davy’s face was circled in red. She put a hand to her throat.

  “There’s more. Look.” Lauri pulled out old pictures of Rob, Anu, and Hilary.

  “Who is this Neville? What does he look like?” Naomi demanded.

  “This is him.” Lauri put another picture in Bree’s hand. “But he looks older now.”

  Bree stared down into a face she’d seen before. She swallowed past the constriction in her throat. There had to be some mistake. “You’re sure this is Neville?”

  “Yes, he’s got that funny widow’s-peak hairline,” Lauri said.

  “Who is it?” Naomi asked. “I can tell you recognize him.”

  Bree couldn’t breathe. “It’s Abraham, Rob’s father,” she whispered.

  “You’re kidding!” Naomi leaned over her shoulder and stared at the picture.

  “What can you tell me about this man? How do your friends know him? What’s he doing here?”

  Lauri bit her lip and looked away.

  “Spill it, Lauri. We have to know all of it.”

  Lauri sighed. “Brian’s friends have been smuggling some stuff from Canada. Nothing that bad,” she added hastily when the two women gasped. “Just cigarettes and beer. It’s stupid, really. Just small stuff for the thrill of it and to have a little spending money. But they seem to be planning something bigger, something they didn’t want me to know about.”

  “And this Neville is involved in the smuggling?”

  Lauri nodded. “The guys are afraid of him.” She gulped. “Sheesh, I’m afraid of him. He’s a scary sort of guy.”

  Looking down into the smiling face of the young man in the photograph, Bree found it hard to believe he could be a criminal. He had a baby face with a cherubic smile that reminded her so much of Rob. She didn’t want to believe this man could be capable of anything criminal. This was worse than finding out he was dead. Lauri looked out the window. “We need to get out of here. He could come back anytime.” She began to put things back into the chest.

  Two minutes later they were back in the Jeep heading out of the forest. “I need to talk to Mason about this,” Bree said. “And Kade.”

  “Not Kade! He’ll kill me.” Lauri leaned forward from the backseat. “You have to leave me out of this.”

  Bree gave a loud exhale. “Kade isn’t the ogre you make him out to be, Lauri. He won’t kill you.”

  “No, he’ll wear that disapproving look, just like my dad used to with him. It will be worse than being dead.”

  “He loves you, Lauri. You can talk to him.”

  Lauri sat back against her seat. “No way! You don’t know how he gets.”

  “You’re going to have to tell him about this, Lauri. You said you would face your consequences. That’s part of it.”

  “That’s just great,” Lauri muttered. “He’ll be overjoyed.”

  29

  Naomi glanced at her watch. “I hope this doesn’t take long. Donovan was picking the kids up from school, and I don’t want them driving him crazy for too long.”

  “They’re his own kids, girlfriend,” Bree said. She regretted her words when she saw the pain flash across Naomi’s face. “Not that you don’t love them too,” she added hastily. She rapped on Beulah Thorrington’s red front door.

  Beulah opened the door, and her smile of welcome faded to suspicion. “What do you want? I told you everything I know.”

  Bree put a foot in the doorway. “I just had a couple of other questions to ask. Nothing too taxing.” She smiled with all the warmth she could muster, and Beulah reluctantly stepped aside to allow her and Naomi to enter. Bree left Samson on the front porch.

  “I don’t have much time. A client is coming by for some shrubs.” She led the way to the living room. “Have a seat. I’ve got iced tea if you want some.” The offer was made with diffidence, but Bree accepted. She wanted a chance to look around. While the woman went to the kitchen, Bree stood and walked around the room. Potted orchids and hanging spider plants filled
the small sitting room.

  “Look at this,” Naomi whispered, holding out an old photograph. “This was on the mantel. That’s Dr. Parker, and that must be Abe Nicholls, but who are the other two?”

  Bree studied the photo. “Anu mentioned this group to me a few days ago. I think that one might be Kade’s boss, Gary Landorf. I can’t tell for sure though.”

  The clank and clatter of kitchen utensils fell silent in the kitchen, and the women sat down hastily just before Beulah came back in with a tray of iced tea.

  “This is sun tea I brewed myself,” she said gruffly.

  Bree and Naomi each took a glass. “Delicious,” Bree said, putting the glass on a coaster. “Thanks for your time.”

  Beulah’s eyes were secretive. “Like I said, I really don’t know much more than I’ve already told you.”

  Bree picked up the photograph. “Who are these men?”

  “Oh, that’s the Do-Wrong Gang.” Her gruffness fell away for a moment and she smiled at the memory. “Peter always said if there was trouble to be gotten into, they would find it.” She leaned forward. “That’s Peter there. The guy in the Chicago Cubs hat is Gary Landorf. This was the early days when there were four of them. When Max went off to med school, he didn’t have much time for their shenanigans.”

  She hadn’t talked to Gary, Bree realized. Or Dr. Parker, for that matter. “What kind of trouble did they get into?”

  Beulah looked away. “Oh, just kicking-up-your-heels kind of stuff. Drinking too much, playing poker, shooting out windows, mudding in their trucks on the courthouse lawn . . .” She broke off.

  “And?” Bree prodded.

  Beulah shrugged. “A bit of smuggling from Canada, cigarettes, beer, liquor. They just liked to ride the edge, Peter used to say.”

  Bree and Naomi exchanged a look. Smuggling. Kids’ stuff, from the sound of it, but what if there was more to it? Abe was apparently still involved. Either there was a lot of money in Canadian liquor and cigarettes, or something else brought in enough money to kill for.