Marc’s eyes widened, and he took a sip of water.
“Maybe,” she said, still whispering, “they were afraid that tourists and residents would start digging up the streets to find the tunnels.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he said, placing his glass on the table. “Surely it would be a historical find that would put them on every tourist map, and you’d think they’d want just that to boost the economy. Dig them out and do tours and stuff, you know, make it part of the ghost walk for Founder’s Day weekend celebrations. It brings in lots of tourism money.”
“A ghost walk? Is that the mysterious date you have in mind?”
He bit his lower lip. “Maybe.”
“Well then,” she said, “I’ll need a big, strong escort. Do you know anyone who fits that bill? Jerry, perhaps?” She gave him a cocky wink. Marc’s face flushed, and Addie laughed, glancing at the man across from them. His sideways gaze quickly diverted back to his meal. She sat back, and then leaned forward, whispering from behind her raised water glass. “Maybe there’s more to it than just tunnels?” She looked fleetingly at the man, who now appeared to be inclined toward them but staring straight ahead.
Marc glanced sideways and dropped his voice. “Like what? Buried treasure?”
She shielded her mouth and whispered, “I don’t know. I’ll take a look at what she discovered later tonight and let you know what I find out, but there has to be more to it.”
Marc leaned forward on his elbows, his voice barely audible. “There was an archeological find made back in the late eighteen hundreds. At least, I think that’s when it was.”
She leaned closer to hear him.
“A group of kids playing down on the rocks at the base of the cliff, just down the hill from here, actually, found a large cave and began exploring. Apparently it didn’t lead anywhere though, no tunnels or anything, but the back wall did look like it had been blasted, because they found cannonball artifacts in there. It was considered a major discovery at the time, because it also contained some old daggers, swords, and a few other pirate-type relics.”
“Interesting. Is it still there?”
“Not really. Access was blocked years ago. It had become too dangerous. There were a series of minor collapses, so officials closed it.”
“Makes sense—if it was blasted, it would have become geologically unsound. The article about the Greyborne-Davenport feud said the British had imprisoned Henry Davenport, so they probably blew up the cave to lessen the chances of any future smuggling operations, and that would have weakened its physical integrity.”
“But what does this have to do with June’s book?”
“Maybe nothing, but it is worth us looking into, isn’t it? She was killed for a reason, and—”
“Wait right there. The autopsy report isn’t in yet, so we still don’t know if she was pushed or just had an unfortunate accident.”
“You’re right, but maybe she was onto something or had some information someone wanted, and that’s why she was in the utility shed to begin with.”
“Is that the reason you asked about other accesses to the utility tunnels and about any signs of digging through the back wall when we were down there? You knew about her research and you didn’t tell me then?”
“I didn’t even know about June’s book when we were down there—it was just a wild guess. Tunnels always lead somewhere and I just wondered where that one led and what was at the end of it. Now, after reading her book and doing some research, my question makes even more sense. Doesn’t it?”
“It’s just that how many times do I have to tell you that I’m the cop here, and you have to tell me any and all information that is relevant to an ongoing case?” He sucked in a deep breath. “I just worry so much about you getting in over your head, and there is some information I do need to know first.”
“But you are the first to know. I haven’t told anyone about any of this. I swear.” She crossed her heart.
“I know, I know. Just promise me that you won’t go off exploring on your own, not at the cave site, or following some clues or a map you find of June’s or—”
The waiter appeared at their table and flashed her a sizzling smile. Serena would love a smile from this pirate. She glanced at another server not far away. Actually, from any of these pirates. She chuckled inwardly, mentally noting to bring her friend here one evening. He placed their platters on the table, poured them each glass of wine, bowed, clicked his heels, and left.
She raised her glass to meet Marc’s in a toast and glanced to the table beside them. The man was gone, his meal barely touched.
Chapter Ten
Addie settled on the antique sofa in her living room, flipped her laptop open, and dug in to the archives of the Boston Public Library. It didn’t take long to pull up the map June had referred to in her research papers. It depicted a footprint of the village back in the early eighteen hundreds. Since she was still a newcomer and not familiar with the local landmarks, her brow knit in concentration as she tried to make sense of it. She did manage to make out the shoreline and a scribble that looked like a rough opening to a cave. Her eyes followed the faint dotted line leading from that spot to what she supposed was the current site of the Smuggler’s Den restaurant, but from there she was lost.
She jumped at a knock at the door and eyed the grandfather clock ticking softly. Nine. She glanced out the large lead-paned window before she opened the door.
“Serena, what a nice surprise.”
Serena gave her a hug, a box wedged between them.
“What’s this? You come bearing gifts.” Taking the silver box from Serena’s outstretched hand, she fingered the blue, silk ribbon that tied it closed.
“No, it’s not from me. I found it sitting on your doorstep.”
Addie looked at the box and frowned. “I haven’t been home long, and I’m certain it wasn’t there when I got home. But please come in. It’s great to see you.” She stood aside and let Serena enter the foyer, setting the gift box on the marble side table.
“I know. It feels like ages since we spent time together,” Serena said, hanging her jacket on the coatrack. “Where were you tonight anyway? I’ve been calling for hours, and it kept going directly to voice mail.”
“Really?” Addie retrieved her phone from her pocket, leading the way into the living room. “Sorry, the battery’s dead.” She pointed to the walnut liquor cart. “Want a nightcap?”
“Sounds perfect.” Serena settled on the overstuffed sofa. “Did you do something fun tonight? It must have been such a relief not to have had to go to the stuffy old book club meeting.” She took her drink from Addie, who settled down on the opposite end of the couch.
“I went out for dinner with a friend.”
“A male friend?” Serena’s eyes dropped, and her fingertip circled the rim of her wineglass. “I couldn’t get ahold of Marc either, so I assume . . . ?”
“Never you mind.” Addie playfully swatted at her. “It was only dinner.” She inwardly cursed her warming cheeks.
“Okay, if you insist.”
Addie tried to forget the feeling of his foot against hers and the security she had found in that small gesture. “Yes, I do insist.” Addie took a sip of wine. “So, no outing with Lacey tonight?”
“No, she got into a real mood.”
“What’s up with that?”
“Not sure—I’d just be guessing. But after you talked with Catherine, she suggested that she, Lacey, and me should go out for dinner since the book club was off. Lacey said I should call Marc and have him meet us. I texted him, then she called him twice, I think, but when we couldn’t get ahold of him, she went very quiet.” She looked questioningly at Addie. “Her mood got even worse as we tried to decide where to go. So I feigned a headache and left her and Catherine to figure it out. I wanted to talk to you before—”
“Well, I’m glad you dropped by. I’ve missed you.” Addie clinked her glass against Serena’s.
Serena’s gaz
e traveled to the laptop sitting open on the table. She leaned forward and picked it up. “What are you working on?” She scanned the screen.
“Just some research I was doing on June’s book.” Addie reached out to take the computer from her and paused. “Actually, maybe you are just the perfect person to help me decipher this.”
Serena studied the screen. “It’s an old map of Greyborne Harbor. What do you need this for?”
“Well, I don’t need it. I was trying to understand her book better. You know, for the book club meeting. So I was just looking into the history of the Harbor and found this old map pretty interesting.” Addie glanced sideways at Serena. “After all, it’s my history now, too, I guess.”
“You’re right.” Serena shrugged, glancing back at the map. “What do you want to know?”
Addie shuffled closer to her and pointed to the landmarks named on the map. “These. I don’t know the town that well, and I’m curious as to where they are in relationship to today’s topography.”
Serena squinted and brought the screen closer to her eyes. “Well, this gnarled tree is on the edge of what I assume is the small rock cliff south of town, and it’s where the fork into town leads from Smuggler’s Road.”
“I see.” Addie slid closer, pointing to a sketch of a rock closer inland.
“That boulder used to sit on the site of the current Main Street and Municipal Park, but it was removed about ten years ago to make way for the hospital expansion and the new loading dock.”
“Hmmm.” Addie leaned closer. “And what about this line”—her finger trailed across the screen—“leading to the hill at what looks like might be my street?”
“It ends just before the road up the hill to where your house would be, just there, at the bottom where the playground and park are.” She pointed.
“Okay, I think I get it now. But going back to the boulder, what about these other lines leading here and here?’”
“Umm, not sure. There’s been a lot of development over the years, and it’s hard to say what these are now, but this one . . . yes . . . I’m pretty sure it’s running from the hospital site to where the police station and the library are now and across the street to Fielding’s Department Store. See, they meet up with the line going to your street here.” She stabbed the screen with her finger.
“So this map shows how all the future important buildings in town are connected?”
“Maybe it was a planning map—you know, what the village wanted to do with future development.”
“Yes, that’s probably it.” Addie tapped her fingers on her knee. She wasn’t certain she was ready to share with Serena. Given the distance that had grown between them since Lacey’s homecoming, she suspected the lines might actually represent tunnels. “Want another drink?” She got up and headed to the cart.
“Sure, I’ll have one more, then I have to run. If I get as slammed at the shop tomorrow as I did today, I’ll need my wits about me in the morning.” She chuckled.
“Yes, it was nice to see you so busy today.” Addie poured two more glasses of wine.
“I hope it had a trickle-down effect on your shop.” Serena took her glass from Addie’s fingers.
“Not really. It was pretty quiet today—dead, actually.”
Serena frowned. “I hope it wasn’t because of my reopening.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m sure it was because that gossip columnist suggested I was a suspect in June’s death in this morning’s edition. So don’t worry. It had nothing to do with your reopening.” Addie stared down into her glass. “Although it is funny how that latest gossip article appeared today, and you said Lacey only had the reopening inspiration yesterday.”
“Are you suggesting Lacey had something to do with leaking that information to Miss Newsy? What, so my store would get all the business today?” Serena placed her glass on the table. “Just a coincidence, I’m sure,” she snapped. “I’ve known Lacey most of my life, and she wouldn’t have done that. And if she did do it, then why?” She pinned Addie with a glare.
“I’m not saying she had anything to do with it. It’s just a funny coincidence, that’s all. Sorry, I was only thinking out loud, I guess.” Addie gulped her wine.
“Come on, Addie.” Serena clasped her hand. “You and Lacey are my two best friends in the world. Once you get to know her, you’ll love her as much as everyone else does. Besides, she was going to be my sister-in-law at one time. Give her a chance, please.”
Addie couldn’t resist her friend’s puppy dog face. “All right, for you, I’ll give her a chance.”
Serena’s brown eyes brightened.
“On one condition though. You tell her to do the same for me. I know she and Marc have a history, but it’s in the past.” Addie rolled her eyes at Serena’s pained look. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Well . . .” Serena’s gaze dropped. “I think Lacey is hoping to relight that flame. That’s what I came over to talk to you about.” She swirled the wine in her glass. “I know Marc told her that he was with you now, but he’s just confused, I think. After all, you’re new in town and exciting. Maybe he was a bit lonely because there really hasn’t been anyone since her. So I’m sure if you made it clear that you and he are just friends, then everything would be okay, and we could all be friends.” Serena stared down at the glass in her hand.
“So,” Addie said as she swung her feet to the floor and stood up, “we’re back in high school, are we?”
“No.” Serena jumped up. “But you have to remember they were in love once. So maybe you’d better just cool things with Marc for a while and let what happens happen.”
“This advice”—Addie tossed her head back, chuckling—“coming from the same woman who just a short time ago was throwing me at her brother, despite my protests and my telling her I wasn’t ready, since it hasn’t even been two years since David died.”
Serena grabbed her arm and spun Addie toward her. “But things have changed since then. Please, I don’t want to have to make a choice between you and Lacey. I want us all to be friends. You both mean so much to me.” Her eyes filled with tears.
Addie’s hand was drawn to her lips where Marc’s kiss still lingered, her eyes narrowed. “I think you’d better check with him before you start playing Cupid anymore, because this isn’t high school. It’s the real world, and he has his own feelings about all this.”
“What are you saying? Has Marc said he doesn’t care about her anymore?” Serena’s usual rosy face paled. “They were so in love. They were going to get married.”
“Look, Serena, I really don’t want to talk about this anymore, and besides, it’s none of my business. Just remember,” she said, placing her hands on Serena’s shoulders, “he’s your brother, and you should want the best for him—no one else, just him.”
Serena nodded and flopped onto the sofa. “You’re right,” she whispered.
Addie took a deep breath and sat down beside her, silence enveloping them until Serena leapt to her feet.
“We forgot all about the box on your porch. Aren’t you curious to see who your secret admirer is?” She giggled and retrieved it from the foyer table.
Addie took it reluctantly from her outstretched hands, fearing it was from Marc, which she knew would set Serena off again. “If you insist, I’ll open it now.” She slowly untied the blue ribbon and lifted the lid.
Serena shrieked and jumped back.
Addie’s breath caught in her throat, and she tossed the box on the floor and jumped up on the sofa. “Who on earth?” she screamed. “A dead rat?”
“Better than a live one, I guess.” Serena edged backward, stretched out her shaking arm, and pointed to the box. “What, what does that piece of paper on the top of it say?”
Addie peeked over the side of the sofa and cringed at the sight of the box’s contents. She squeezed her eyes shut, counted . . . seven . . . eight . . . nine . . . ten, and slowly opened one eye, then the other. BACK OFF OR ELSE. The bold words next to the r
at’s prone body made bile rise in her throat. It sounded too much like a promise.
Chapter Eleven
Marc’s authoritarian stance in the center of Addie’s living room should have comforted her, but Addie found his deadpan face and tone disconcerting. He made no personal comments as he scribbled in his notebook. She hated that she wanted a kind word, a comforting glance, his warm hand on hers. But the only one getting words was Serena, who, from her apparent waspish behavior, wasn’t appreciating her brother’s line of questioning.
Marc tapped his pen on his notebook. “Jerry, please escort Miss Greyborne into the foyer so I can question Miss Chandler.”
Addie tried to hide her surprise, but her body betrayed her with a sudden jerk. She had forgotten that Jerry was even in the room, bagging the evidence and taking his own notes.
“Miss Greyborne, please.” She followed the forgotten officer to the foyer; from there, he led her still farther down the hall and into the dining room.
“Now what?” Addie croaked. “Do you start asking the same questions to see if our stories match up?”
Jerry tapped his pen on the spiral binding of his notebook. “No, ma’am. I don’t have any questions for you. I think the chief covered it all.”
“Then what’s this all about? Why separate us?”
“Just routine.”
Addie blew out a breath and leaned against the wall beside him. “Okay, if you say so.”
They stood in silence except for the continual pinging sound of Jerry’s pen tapping on the metal binding of his notepad. She placed her hand on his pen and shook her head.
He chuckled. “Sorry, not sure what to do now.”
Serena’s shrill voice rang out from the living room, and they both turned to look at the door. Marc’s stern voice overpowered hers, and then all went quiet. Addie looked at Jerry, her brows raised.
“Families, hey?” Jerry shrugged his broad shoulders.
Prologue to Murder Page 7