Really, Truly Dead

by Maggie Toussaint

  Get a grip, woman. Think. Shrimp boats didn’t travel very fast. If I was offshore, it likely took hours to get here. I didn’t think I could swim to shore. Not this far out. My best chance for survival was to find a flotation device. If Thomas had thrown that old foam mattress overboard, I could use it. I prayed he had tossed it, and that I’d convinced him it wasn’t safe for him to keep it.

  The mattress would be somewhere between me and the departing boat. I swam until I tired. My heart pounded a mile a minute. I couldn’t stay afloat if I exhausted myself with swimming. Some people survived a few days adrift in the ocean, but I had to keep my head above water. If I kept calm, I could float for hours, maybe longer. But would that be long enough for me to survive?

  Out of the corner of my eye, something pale glowed in the moonlight. The mattress! I sent up a prayer of thanks and swam for all I was worth.

  I was exhausted by the time I reached the mattress, but it didn’t matter. I hooked my arms around it. The mattress would keep me afloat until help came. Or so I hoped.

  Did my brother float like this in the sea? Did he have anything to support him? Was he even sober when he went overboard? There was so much we didn’t know about Colin’s death at sea. But I wasn’t my brother. I wouldn’t quit. No matter how hungry, thirsty, and tired I was. I would not give up.

  Dawn came and went in a rosy glow. My hope of rescue faded as the sun inched higher. I was so thirsty. Water surrounded me, yet I couldn’t drink a drop of it. The sun scorched my ears, neck, and arms.

  Exhaustion fuzzed my thoughts. It would be easy to let go and slip under the waves. I could drift into the hereafter and wouldn’t feel a thing. It was tempting.

  But Thomas would get away with murder, and Daddy would go to prison. Thomas would shoot my dog. I had to make sure Thomas paid for his crimes, and Daddy went free. I clung to the mattress with renewed determination. My life mattered.

  I drowsed until a sound awakened me. The chop-chop-chop of a helicopter. I hollered. I kicked in the water, but the chopper flew away.

  They hadn’t seen me on this pass, but someone was searching. Tears welled in my eyes. I had to believe they would come back.

  The sun was heading toward afternoon when the chopper returned. My cramping feet barely churned through the water. Even so, the helicopter banked toward me and hovered directly overhead. The words “U.S. Coast Guard” on the cherry red helicopter were the sweetest I’d ever read.

  A man splashed down beside me. “My name’s Michael. You must be Lindsey.”

  Relieved, I could only nod. He secured a life jacket and a harness around me.

  “If you release the foam pad,” he said, “you’ll fit in the basket.”

  “Can’t,” I croaked. “It’s evidence.”

  He made a hand signal to the chopper and then pried my fingers open. “I won’t leave it behind.”

  Dizzying moments later, I sat in the chopper wrapped in a blanket. A small bottle of water appeared in my hand. As I drank greedily, Michael returned with the soggy mattress.

  He closed the chopper door, and the pilot headed for shore. Michael took my vitals and started an IV drip to hydrate me. Though we flew on a level heading, I felt as if I were still bobbing in the ocean. “Thank you for rescuing me. You’re my guardian angel.”

  “It’s what we do, ma’am.” Michael massaged cool ointment onto my neck. “The Morrison County Sheriff is waiting your arrival at Coast Guard Station Savannah in relation to a murder case.”

  I smiled but my sunburned face had no stretch. “Thanks. Did you catch Thomas Mattingly?”

  “We seized him and the Pamela Sue this morning.”

  It was over. I had survived, and Thomas was in jail. I’d done it. Daddy would be cleared. Relieved, I let my eyes drift shut and dozed fitfully until we landed.

  Coast Guard personnel wheeled my gurney into the station. Once inside I saw a familiar face. Ike Harper galloped toward me. “I’m all wet,” I protested, “and sunburned.” He still managed a loose hug.

  “But you’re the best thing I’ve ever seen,” Ike said. “Thank God you’re safe.”

  As I took his outstretched hand, his warmth flooded through me like a heat lamp. I felt grateful for his solidness. Despite my time in the sun, I was shivering. Perhaps the shock of all that had happened was catching up to me. Ike’s fingers gripped mine lightly, but they felt like they would never let me go.

  “Thomas Mattingly isn’t going anywhere. I got him.” There was satisfaction in Ike’s voice.

  “How’d you find me?”

  He squeezed my hand. “I’ll start at the beginning. Your flower samples tested positive for the judge’s DNA. Seminal fluid.”

  “Seminal fluid?” I shook my head. “That must have been his special tonic. Gross. Trish told me she’d seen him paint the flower bushes with fluid from a Mason jar. Why would he do that?”

  “Because he was a pervert. Everyone knows he rubbed those flowers on women’s faces. He was laughing inside as he marked his territory all over town. Once I knew about Trish’s missing money, it was a matter of finding out who spent the ten grand. Mattingly was the only person who fit the bill, so I went to have a talk with him, but his boat was out. Then I saw your purse, abandoned on the dock. Your car was still at the Gazette. With Bailey hiding under it. She was shaking and upset. The only thing that made sense was that Thomas had taken you, so I notified the Coast Guard.”

  “Enough about the judge. How’s my dog? Is she okay?”

  “Bailey is fine. The vet checked her out. She’s at my house with Trent.”

  Thank goodness. “And Daddy?”

  “I offered him a ride here, but he wouldn’t come. Said his heart couldn’t take the strain. He’s pretty shaken up.”

  “Poor Daddy.”

  “You should be saying Poor Ike. I’ve been living a nightmare ever since I found your abandoned purse. You’re lucky Mattingly didn’t stab you before he threw you overboard.”

  I shivered. “Don’t I know it.”

  “Why were you on his boat? Why didn’t you come to me first?”

  “After I learned that the judge had an affair with Ellen, I figured Thomas had a strong motive. But I needed to bring you proof. So I snooped around on his boat and found the judge’s missing Rolex.”

  “I warned you about investigating. I was worried you’d get into trouble,” Ike said, but there was no anger in his voice. Only concern.

  “I was coming to get you when Thomas clobbered me.” I paused. “You seem to have all the loose ends wrapped up.”

  “We monitored the ship-to-shore radio and heard Thomas talking on one of the channels. The Coast Guard got a fix on his location, sent a cutter to intercept him, and took him into custody. Thomas denied you were ever onboard, but he couldn’t explain the missing mattress, the Rolex, or the explicit pictures of Alan and Ellen hidden in his boat registration papers. Thanks for bringing the mattress back with you by the way. During interrogation, Thomas confessed that he threw you overboard. He used the photos to try to blackmail the judge.”

  “But why would the judge care? Ellen is a divorced woman.”

  “Because Alan Sterling was in the process of deeding the motel to Angie. He’d made a promise years ago, and he knew if Trish found out, there’d be trouble.”

  That made sense. Trish Sterling had put up with a lot over the years. Losing a valuable piece of property might have been the last straw. If she’d taken her philandering husband to divorce court, she might have won more than her freedom.

  Ike continued, “After Alan Sterling handed Thomas the ten grand, the judge’s ego got the best of him. He made the mistake of bragging to Thomas about shagging Ellen. Thomas went nuts and stabbed him. He’d stolen your father’s knife and taken it with him just in case. He claims he didn’t expect to use it, but…he did. The Coast Guard Search and Rescue Team found you, and the rest is history.”

  He gave me a long searching look. “Next time, leave the investigating to me.�
��

  Next time. I liked the sound of that. Because of Ike I had a future. If he hadn’t kept following leads, no one would’ve looked for me until too late. “Thanks for saving my life. All I want now is to go home. No hospitals. I’m refusing treatment. Can you make that happen?”

  “I can, after you’re medically cleared.”

  Chapter 14

  The morning sunlight filtered into my room. I opened my eyes, relieved the horizon had stopped moving as it had when I was in the ocean. My dresser, crowded closet, and cluttered bedside table had never looked so wonderful. I was glad to be home, although I’d had to fast-talk the ER doc out of hospitalizing me for exposure yesterday.

  Every muscle in my body ached, my skin felt like it had been shrink-wrapped, but I was blissfully alive.

  A rumble of voices filtered into my bedroom. I needed a shower before I faced anyone. Fresh water pounded the salt from my pores and washed the baked-in seawater from my hair. Afterwards, I rubbed aloe everywhere, slipped on a tee and yoga pants, and headed for the noisy kitchen. “What’s going on?”

  Aunt Fay gave me a gentle hug and handed me a painkiller with a glass of water. “Saints be praised. You’re safe and sound.”

  “I’m okay.” I gladly took the pills and drank the water. It would take a while to get over this horrible sunburn.

  “I’m not,” she said, dabbing her eyes.

  “My turn.” Cousin Janey wedged between us. “You scared us.”

  “I was pretty scared myself.”

  “Of course you were,” said Aunt Fay. “Sit down, and I’ll pour your coffee.”

  “Where’s Daddy?” I asked.

  “Oh, he’ll be out directly.” Janey cleared her throat. “We want details. How did you solve the case?”

  “I wasn’t certain it was Thomas until it was too late.” I recounted how his new shrimp nets had started me wondering about where he was getting his money. “He owed Ellen back money for child support, so it didn’t make sense that he had plenty to spend.”

  Janey cracked eggs in a bowl. “How did Thomas get the money?”

  “Blackmail. Thomas knew the judge’s secret.” My mouth watered as bacon sizzled. “Sterling paid Thomas ten thousand dollars, but Thomas killed the judge anyway.”

  “Back to the blackmail part,” Janey said. “What did Thomas have on the judge? Alan Sterling didn’t care who he slept with or who knew it.”

  “Except that when the judge started sleeping with Ellen, Thomas snapped photos. For all we know he might also have taken photos of the judge and his other conquests.”

  Aunt Fay frowned. “I wonder why Thomas left a photo of a rose by the judge’s body, instead of a picture of the judge and one of his lovers.”

  “Because the judge was a pervert,” I said. “What did he care about most?”

  Janey stared at me over the island stovetop. “His Inverness Pinks?”

  I nodded and munched a piece of bacon. Heavenly. “You remember he rubbed roses across women’s faces?”

  Aunt Fay sat beside me. “Oh! This is going to be juicy. Tell us.”

  I blotted my greasy fingers on a napkin. “Seems the judge brushed a special elixir on his roses. Bailey seemed more interested in some rose bushes than others, so I asked Ike to test three roses from those bushes.”

  They hung on my every word. “And?” Janey spooned the scrambled eggs on a platter and joined us at the table.

  I heaped my plate with food. “And the roses bore the judge’s DNA.”

  Janey’s face scrunched in confusion. “He spit on the flowers?”

  I swallowed some eggs. “He made other biological deposits on the roses.”

  My cousin danced out of her seat, her ponytail bobbing wildly. “Yuck. Ick. Omigod. That’s horrible.”

  Aunt Fay howled with laughter. “He marked every woman in town with those roses. What a field day the bridge club will have with this.”

  “Good thing he’s already dead,” Janey said.

  “This is the best meal I’ve ever eaten,” I said, as I dug into my eggs with abandon.

  Janey grabbed my arm. “How did Thomas learn about the judge’s secret juice?”

  “A few months ago, Ellen had an affair with Alan. Thomas was livid. He followed the judge and photographed the whole process. Ike said they found intimate pictures on the boat.”

  “What a story,” Aunt Fay said. “But you’re safe, and the charges against George were dropped. Congratulations, Lindsey.”

  My father wandered into the dining area. Deep creases lined his pale face, and his silvered hair stood on end. “Welcome home.”

  “Daddy!”

  He looked me up and down. Taking care not to touch my burned skin, he put his arms around me.

  I could feel him trembling as he whispered in my hair, “I thought I lost you. It’s a miracle you survived.”

  “The whole time I was out there, I kept thinking this couldn’t be the end,” I said. “Surely fate wouldn’t do this twice to our family.”

  “Fate had nothing to do with it. Sheriff Harper put it together. I’m ashamed to say I’d had too much to drink and didn’t know you were missing.” Daddy’s arms fell to his sides. “I’m making changes in my life, Lindsey girl. Will you keep the paper on course while I get help?”

  “Are you returning to the Gazette?” I asked. I loved my dad, but I wouldn’t work for him.

  “No.” He held my gaze. “I’d rather enjoy my golden years.”

  “Then I want the editor-in-chief job.”

  “It’s yours, sweetheart. I’m officially retired.”

  “I thought about everything,” I said. “I had a lot of time out there, bobbing around in the ocean.”

  “And?” Aunt Fay asked.

  “Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz was right. There’s no place like home. Danville is where I want to be.”

  “Another answered prayer.” Aunt Fay clasped her hands together theatrically.

  “Amen,” said my father as he caught Aunt Fay’s eye. “Let me know when you want to leave, Fay.”

  “You’re leaving already? Why?” I blinked in surprise.

  Daddy gripped a kitchen chair. “Fay has had a recovery place on speed dial. She’s offered to drive me there tomorrow. I’ll be gone for a while.”

  “I’m stunned. But…that’s great, Daddy. Really it is.”

  “Say you’ll take care of everything.”

  “You know I will.” It was a solemn promise, and he could tell I meant it.

  There was a knock on the door, and Trish Sterling entered carrying her terrier under one arm. She gave me a happy smile. “I’m so glad to see you, Lindsey. Thank you for catching my husband’s murderer. When I heard what Thomas did, I could’ve spit nails.”

  “I wasn’t too happy with him either,” I said.

  Trish turned and smiled at Daddy. “Which reminds me, my sink is dripping. George, would you look at it?”

  “This isn’t a good time.” Daddy sent me a panicked look. It only lasted a second, but I read his mind. He needed to settle things with Trish, and he couldn’t do that in front of us.

  “Don’t worry about me,” I said. “I’ve got plenty of company.”

  He managed a wry smile. “All right then. Now’s a great time.”

  After they left, I beamed at Janey and Aunt Fay. “Between Daddy being cleared, my almost murder, and Thomas being caught, we’ll have to work hard to get everything on the newspaper pages.”

  Ellen and her three little girls arrived. “I’m so happy you’re safe,” my co-worker said, while her oldest handed me a basket of my favorite junk foods.

  I couldn’t say much with the little girls there, so I thanked them politely. My cousin took the hint and invited the kids outside to play on the swings with her.

  As soon as we were alone, Ellen’s face quivered. “How could I live with Thomas for years and not know he was capable of murder?”

  “No one blames you,” I said, and I meant it. “Thomas will be held
accountable for his actions.”

  “I put you in danger.” Ellen blinked back tears. “I shouldn’t have asked you to find out about those nets. You’ll have my resignation letter today.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” I wiped away the moisture on her cheeks. “We’re a darned good team, and I’m going to need your help.”

  Ellen tried to smile. “You’re staying?”

  I nodded. The sunburned skin on the back of my neck pulled, and I swallowed a grimace. “I’m the new editor-in-chief. Speaking of the paper, who’s there now?”

  “My mother is holding down the fort until I return.”

  Another car arrived, and I heard a distinctive bark. The front door opened, and my dog bowled into me. Despite her delirious wiggles of joy, I checked Bailey for injuries and found none.

  Rising, I smiled at Ike and his son. “Thank you both. Bailey means the world to me.”

  “Me too,” said Trent. “Dad says I can get a dog like Bailey.”

  I ruffled the boy’s hair. “That’s great. Meanwhile, you can visit Bailey any time you like.”

  “You’re staying?” Trent asked. At my nod, he pumped his fist in the air. “Awesome.”

  “Would you step into the front yard with me?” Ike murmured in my ear.

  “Sure.” I owed him my life. I bent over to Trent’s level. “Would you and Bailey like to join the other kids out back?”

  “Yeah,” he said, tapping the side of his leg. “Come on, Bailey.”

  Ike opened the door and led me under the canopy of a large live oak. I’d played childhood games under this tree, but what Ike wanted from me was no game. He’d been very direct about his interest over the last few weeks.

  “You owe me a date.” He held my gaze. “I’ve got big plans for us. Be forewarned. Crazy and naked are on the menu.”

  Liquid fire singed my insides. No longer would I deny my attraction for him. I slid my arms around his neck. “Crazy and naked suits me fine.”

  His arms wound around my waist, and I lost myself in his kiss.

  --The End--

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