When she left, Ruby asked the question again. “Why would someone drug you?”
“I’ve been asking myself that same question,” he said.
“Cashel, do you think this had something to do with whatever you were doing at the courthouse?” Jane asked.
He nodded. “My research suggests that this beautiful island has a lot to hide.”
“But how would someone know that quickly that you were on to them?” Cora said.
“I was there for a few hours, in their archives, on the Internet, and so on. Someone at the courthouse knew I was there and made the connection that I’m Adrian’s lawyer,” he said. “It’s simple.”
“Where did you go for your drink?” Ruby asked.
“I went to the same place Cora and Adrian were last night, the Drunken Mermaid,” he said. “I had a spot of lunch and a beer. One beer.”
“You looked absolutely drunk,” Cora said. “I had no idea you’d been drugged. I’d have never left you if I’d known.”
“I know that,” Cashel said. “But I knew . . . I knew something was wrong.”
“I’m going to kick someone’s ass,” Ruby muttered.
“Cashel, do you think someone was trying to hurt you?” Jane asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe,” he said. “Maybe someone was trying to kill me.” His eyes swept to his mother. “But they didn’t succeed, did they? We’ll find out soon from the blood tests what exactly they gave me.”
“Why would anyone want to kill you?” Cora said. “What is going on here?”
“Let’s talk about that later, shall we?” he said with a lowered voice.
“How are you feeling now?” Ruby said, her hand to his face.
“I’m fine, Mom,” he said. “I feel a little weak. But nothing a bloody steak can’t rectify.”
“When will they let you leave?” Cora said.
“In about an hour or so, I imagine, with strict orders to rest up,” he said. “Which I plan to do. I’m going to do the rest of my research from the resort.”
Cora saw the lines of worry gather at the edges of his blue eyes. Someone might have tried to kill him. Because he was Adrian’s lawyer. Someone wanted Adrian to take the hit for this murder case. Why?
Why Adrian?
Cora had assumed it was a matter of convenience. He happened to be on the island. He happened to have been Marcy’s ex-lover. He happened to have texted her before her death. But was there more evidence that she knew nothing about?
“Cashel, what does this have to do with Adrian?” she asked.
“Someone wants to make sure he takes the rap for the murder of Marcy Grimm,” Cashel said with a low voice. “And I can tell you now he had nothing to do with it.”
“Then why him?”
“You don’t know?” Cashel said with a smirk.
“Know what?”
“Your boyfriend stands to inherit a lot of money,” he said. “Money that many islanders feel should stay on this island with Marcy’s family.”
Cora’s jaw clenched. Adrian! Why didn’t he tell her?
Because he’s Adrian!
Ruby tsked.
Jane grunted. “Typical of him, isn’t it?”
“I sure am getting to know Adrian,” Cora said. But other thoughts were occurring to her. She took comfort in knowing his whereabouts were being traced by the local law enforcement. If he was inheriting a large sum of money, he might be in even more danger than she had imagined.
Chapter 32
Ruby decided to stay at the hospital with Cashel, while Jane and Cora felt they should head back to the retreat. As they waited for their cab, Jane fought off the urge to take off running through the sand. It was so beautiful, with the sun lowering against the horizon, and the waters were calmer and reflecting the coloring sky.
“I don’t want to go back,” Cora said.
“Funny, I was kind of thinking the same thing,” Jane said. It was like that with them a lot. Sometimes she thought they were like an old married couple.
“Something is rotten in Denmark,” Cora said.
“And on Sea Glass Island, as it turns out,” Jane said.
“Such a famous retreat,” Cora muttered.
“It’s about to be even more famous,” Jane said.
A cab pulled up. Both women slid inside.
“Where to?” the cabbie said.
Jane noted that Cora was raising an eyebrow at her. “The Drunken Mermaid, please,” Cora said.
“Mathilde is not going to be happy with us,” Jane said, grinning.
“Neither is Adrian,” Cora said. “I texted him and told him about Cashel. He doesn’t need to be aware of my whereabouts at all times.”
“Why do you think he didn’t tell you about his inheritance?” Jane asked.
“I have no idea. He’s so reticent,” Cora said, her fingers balling up a piece of her pink granny skirt.
“But then again, I have to wonder if Cashel is being forthright,” Jane said.
“Why wouldn’t he be?” Cora said.
“I don’t know. It’s just a feeling,” Jane said. “He might like you and maybe isn’t being as helpful as he could be.”
“That’s ridiculous. We’re friends,” Cora said. “His mother works for me. We’ve discussed this.”
The cab pulled up to the Drunken Mermaid.
“Isn’t this where you and Adrian got into the fight?” Jane asked.
“Yes, and it’s also where Cashel was drugged or poisoned or whatever. First order of business. We need to check this place out more thoroughly,” Cora said, and handed the cabbie his money. “Keep the change,” she said.
“Is this a good restaurant?” Jane asked the cabbie.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve never been.”
“Really?” Cora said.
“Are you a native?” Jane asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “I don’t like what goes on in this place.”
“What do you mean?” Jane asked.
He frowned. “Drugs mostly, any kind, you name it. But you didn’t hear that from me.”
Jane’s heart lurched. “Why are we going here again?”
The man laughed. “You’ll be fine. Just don’t stay after, say, ten P.M.”
“Thank you,” Cora said.
“We’ll be back before six. I need to check in on my daughter,” Jane said. “Wasn’t this place recommended by Mathilde?” Jane asked.
“I don’t remember,” Cora said. “Maybe.”
“Well, we sort of found out what we came here to find out,” Jane said as they stood outside the Drunken Mermaid.
“There’s more to this place than meets the eye,” Cora said. “Now we’re aware. But what we don’t know is why someone here would drug Cashel.”
“How would we find that out?”
“I’m not sure,” Cora said. “But let’s go inside, get a drink, and snoop around. Maybe we’ll figure it out.”
They walked in the place and Cora stopped.
“Are you okay?” Jane said.
“It’s just that this is where Adrian got hit and I kind of, um, lost it. It’s weird for me,” she said.
“Well, let’s go in, have a drink, and leave,” Jane said. “We don’t need to stay long. I’ve no idea what we’re searching for, do you?”
“Something out of place or someone suspicious,” Cora said.
They walked in the Drunken Mermaid and were seated right away. It was the same hostess who had seated her when she and Adrian came. She held a gleam in her eye when she saw Cora. Cora knew she recognized her. Her red hair identified her—most of the time.
“I’ll have a glass of merlot,” Jane said to the server.
“That sounds good,” Cora said.
“Two merlots coming right up,” said the server. She wasn’t the woman who had served them last time.
“Have you heard back from Adrian?” Jane asked.
“Yeah, he’s researching in his room,” Cora said. “I wonder w
hat Cashel found.”
“He certainly wasn’t telling us anything.”
The server brought their drinks.
Cora picked up a menu. “This is different from the dinner menu,” she said to the waitress.
She nodded. “Yes, we’ve three different menus. If you turn it over, there’s the story of the restaurant. It’s kind of interesting actually.”
“Have you worked here long?” Jane asked.
“No, only a few months,” she said. “Grateful for the job. You two here for the retreat?” She placed her hands on her hips.
“Yes,” Cora said. “How did you know?”
“Most of the strangers who come in on weekends are from the retreat. I’d love to go someday, but it’s outrageously expensive.”
Jane felt a pang of embarrassment. It was true—this retreat was one of the more expensive ones, and she couldn’t see the cause for the expense.
“If you like to craft, you should come to our retreat,” Cora said, and handed her a card. “In fact, if you can get away, please come and be my guest.”
The woman’s face fell. “What? You mean . . .”
Cora grinned. “Yes. Certainly. Check us out. We have a retreat coming up all about felt and fiber. We’re planning a Christmas retreat, also, with a focus on embroidery and needlework. Just go online and pick out which one you’d like to come to. My treat.”
“I don’t know what to say,” the waitress said. “Nobody’s ever done anything like that for me.”
“Well, it’s about time,” Cora said.
Cora loved this kind of thing, mused Jane.
“Thank you,” the waitress said, and slipped Cora’s card into her pocket.
“Izzy!” a man called.
“I’ll check on you in a bit,” she told them.
“Sure thing,” Jane said, and took a sip of wine. After Izzy left Jane asked if she was the server when Cora and Adrian were here.
“No,” Cora said. “But the hostess was here that night. I’m sure she recognized me.”
“It was so nice of you to invite Izzy to our retreat,” Jane said. “Did you come into some money or something? We need to make a living, lady.”
Cora sighed. “Yes, I know. But we also need to make some friends.” She winked. “And besides, one freebie every now and then is not going to hurt.”
“I guess not,” Jane said, begrudgingly.
Cora’s eyes scanned over the back of the menu. “Izzy was right; this place has an interesting history. Look at who the owner is.”
She handed Jane the menu.
“Mathilde Mayhue?” Jane said.
“Sshhh,” Cora said. “Good God. Do you want to get us drugged, too?”
Jane blinked. And she blinked again. She felt the blood drain out of her face.
“What’s wrong?” Cora said. “I was kidding. Kind of.”
“You’ll never believe who just walked in the door.”
“Who?” Cora said with her voice lowered.
“Hank,” Jane said. “Mathilde’s ex-assistant.”
Chapter 33
Cora and Jane sat in their booth in the corner and hoped he hadn’t seen them. It was dark, barely lit, so they might remain in the shadows.
“We need to leave,” Cora said.
“But we’ve not finished our drinks,” Jane said.
“Keen sense of the obvious,” Cora said. “As soon as Izzy comes back, let’s settle up.”
“Okay, well, I better drink up,” Jane said, and took a long drink of her wine.
Cora took a drink of hers.
“What do you think of him?” Jane said.
“I hadn’t thought much about him, frankly,” Cora said. “He was Mathilde’s assistant. But they’d been arguing, you realize.”
“Well, yeah,” Jane said. “That’s why he’s no longer her assistant.”
“No, I mean before that,” she said. “I’d overheard them a couple of times.”
“What were they fighting about?” Jane said.
“The first time was the first night we were here and Adrian and I were coming back from the beach. They were fighting about the tiara,” Cora said.
“What about it?” Jane said.
“He’d given it to Marcy as a gift, hoping the publicity would elevate their business, bring more people in, and Mathilde was furious. I got the distinct impression she did not like Marcy—nor her husband,” Cora said. The word husband nearly tripped her up. Husband of one day. A wave of sadness moved though her.
Jane sat back in her seat. “Mmmm. It is an extraordinary piece, but I’m not sure it’s worth arguing like that over.”
“I hear you,” Cora said. “But they were arguing about it again yesterday in the hallway around the corner from the elevators.”
“Well,” Jane said, “it sounds like those two had issues. It’s a good thing they are moving on from one another.”
Izzy sashayed up to the table. “Can I bring you another drink, ladies?”
“No,” Cora said. “We need to leave. Hadn’t noticed the time. Do you have the bill?”
“Sure,” Izzy said, and tore it off her pad with a whoosh.
Cora sat it and a twenty-dollar bill on the table. “Keep the change, Izzy. Maybe we’ll see you again, soon.”
Izzy smiled. “I hope so. And thanks.” She picked up the money and the paper. “Enjoy the retreat and the island, ladies.”
“Thanks,” Cora said, before slipping out the side door.
“Hopefully, he didn’t see us,” Jane said.
“Yeah, he was too busy talking with the bartender,” Cora said. “I don’t think he noticed anything or anybody else.”
Cora’s phone buzzed, alerting her to a text message.
Our schedule has changed. We’re having a craft-in this evening at 7. You are required to be there.
Thank you, Mathilde.
Jane’s phone went off at the same time. “I guess we need to head back.” She sighed. “This retreat has been a bit of a disappointment. Wouldn’t you say?”
“I’d say,” Cora said. “There doesn’t seem to be any cabs around.”
“I’ll text our cabbie. He gave me his number,” Jane said.
“Mathilde owns the Drunken Mermaid. Which is where Adrian was attacked. And where we think Cashel was drugged,” Cora said, sort of to herself. Jane was texting the cabbie.
“Could she have something to do with Marcy’s and Zooey’s murders?”
“Mathilde Mayhue is no killer,” Jane said.
“No, I can’t imagine,” Cora said. “But then again, you never know about people, do you? I mean, look at what we’ve seen happen over the last few months.”
“Yes, that’s true,” Jane said. “But Mathilde is well off. She seems happy and successful. Why would she kill either one of those women and jeopardize her reputation? There’s no real motive.”
“Here comes our cabbie,” Jane said, waving to him.
“Well, I guess we’re heading back to the resort,” Cora said. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
“Well, feelings have nothing to do with it, unfortunately,” Jane said. “We are obligated.”
Cora nodded.
“That wasn’t long,” the cabbie said.
“No,” Jane replied.
The cabbie drove them along the road and Cora took in the beach sights. The dunes. The sand. The ocean in the distance. She wanted to be at home. And she had been looking forward to this event so much! Disappointment was one thing, but murder was another. As she mulled things over in her mind, she realized they were all in the midst of a deep and twisted story. Adrian’s secrets. Cashel’s drugging. Two murders. A special tiara. A disgruntled employee. And land disputes. It was like something out of a B movie. Any minute, she expected another twist to the story. Or a monster to emerge from the sea. Deus ex machina.
She laughed to herself.
“Are you tickling yourself?” Jane asked.
“Yes, just thinking about this crazy tr
ip and trying to make sense of it all,” Cora said.
“But there’s nothing funny about what’s been going on,” Jane said solemnly.
“No,” Cora agreed. “But with all the strangeness . . . I was thinking I’d not be half surprised to start hearing about monsters coming out of the ocean.”
“Now, that is funny,” Jane said. “But you know what would be even funnier? If we heard about a mermaid sighting.”
They shared a chuckle. But the cabbie cleared his throat. “You may laugh, friends, but I have seen her with my own two eyes.”
“Who?” Cora said.
“The Sea Glass Island Mermaid, of course,” he said.
Cora’s eyebrow went up. “I’ve read about her.”
“There are things . . . things we don’t understand in this world,” he said.
“Where did you see her?” Jane asked.
“Where everybody sees her. It’s always the same place, out beyond the swamps,” he said.
Cora and Jane looked at one another. “Shall we?” Jane asked.
Chapter 34
“Here we are,” said the cabbie, whose name was Roy, as he pulled up to a remote section of the beach.
Wilder, rockier, and with far less people. A couple walked along the edge of the surf. A man sat on a rock and gazed out over the waters. He turned to acknowledge the car and turned back to his view.
“Follow me,” Roy said, as he got out of the car.
“It’s gorgeous here,” Jane said.
“I agree,” Cora replied, wishing they’d brought Adrian with them. He’d love this.
Sea grass bunched in tufts along one part of the shore.
Roy stood and took in the scene before moving them along to a roughed-out path. They moved over small rocks and trees, tree stumps, and patches of dirt and sand.
Cora wondered where they could be headed. It seemed as if they were more in the woods than on the beach, yet she heard the ocean sounds.
They continued moving.
“Is this the part of the island you’re from?” Cora asked.
“Yes,” he said. “I used to play here as a kid. My wife is from the swamps, so I spend a lot of time over there these days.”
They clumped along the path. A crack of a stick breaking. Soft thuds of footfall.
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