Secrets at Spawning Run

by Sally Roseveare

  “Yes, that’s Sam.”

  “Who’s the couple in the photograph on the kitchen counter?”

  “My parents. Both died within the last three months.”

  “I’m sorry. What was your dad’s name?”

  “Jack Anderson. Mother’s name was Margaret. Why do you ask? Did you know them?”

  Luke dried his hands on the kitchen towel and stepped into the living room. He dropped down onto the chair across from Aurora and stared into her eyes. “I met your dad once.”

  “You knew him?”

  “Not exactly.” He swallowed. “I’m the diver who recovered his body.”

  Aurora gasped. Luke moved over to the sofa beside her and put his arm around her shoulder.

  “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have told you.” He stroked her hair.

  “No, I’m glad you were the one who found him. He would have liked you, Luke.”

  Pulling a tissue from her pocket, she dabbed at her eyes and looked at him. “What do you think happened to Dad? Do you think he killed himself?”

  “Is that what the authorities said?”

  “At first, yes. Then they said ‘accidental death by drowning’ when they couldn’t conclusively prove suicide. I’m positive he didn’t kill himself. It took a while, but a few days ago I finally accepted that Dad’s death was accidental. I had a hard time coming to that decision because Dad was always so careful in a boat. What do you think?”

  Luke frowned. How could he explain to this still-grieving lady the feelings he had when he saw her dad’s body suspended from the anchor rope? Would it do her any good to hear that he thought Jack’s death was neither a suicide nor an accident?

  “Aurora, I don’t know what to think. I’ve got to go. Please think hard about what could have caused this morning’s attack. Keep your doors locked and King with you. I’ll report the incident to the cops. Call me if you need me. I’ve gotta go, Aurora.”

  “But you must have noticed—”

  Luke smiled and waved goodbye as he hurried down the path to the dock.

  A few minutes later Aurora heard his boat start as he motored out of the cove. Wonder what his girl looks like? Probably a real knock-out.

  King whined at the kitchen door. “Okay, boy, go on out. I need to relax, too. I’ll join you in a minute.”

  Aurora put on a black two-piece bathing suit and picked up a big green beach towel. Don’t know why I keep taking a towel to the dock. Dad drowned in the lake. There’s no way I’m going swimming in that water. She tossed the towel on the bed and walked out on the deck. When she saw King swimming near the boathouse, she smiled. Bet he’s trying to catch the fish we saw earlier this morning, just like he did when he was a puppy.

  After navigating the path to the dock, she unlocked the storage shed and pulled out a life jacket and paddle. An hour in the canoe is just what I need to unwind. And maybe this time I’ll be lucky and find the grebes’ nest.

  Aurora stepped carefully into the canoe, tossed the life jacket on the floor, and shoved off with the paddle.

  “Darn, I forgot my camera,” she said aloud. She looked up at the house and groaned. “Well, I’m not trudging back up that hill. If I find the grebes, I’ll come back and get the camera.”

  “King, want to go for a canoe ride?” King turned his head to look at her, then resumed dog-paddling near the shore. “Guess that’s a no. I’ll be back in a little while. Don’t get into trouble.”

  Aurora dug her paddle deep in the water and pulled hard. Her spirits rose as she skimmed across the blue-green water. There’s nothing in this lake to be afraid of. Dad’s death was accidental; the lake didn’t kill him. She swerved to avoid a floating log. Whew, that was close. I’d hate to hit a log that big with a canoe. I’d capsize for sure, and the water is still too cold for a swim. I need to pay more attention to my surroundings. She slowed down, shortened her strokes.

  Something white bobbed in the water ahead of her. She paddled up beside it and pulled up a large piece of Styrofoam. An empty plastic bottle floated near the shoreline and she scooped that up, too. Picking up litter when she could, Aurora continued paddling close to shore in hopes of spotting the grebes’ nest. After forty-five minutes, a dented plastic cooler, three McDonald’s drink cups, cigarette wrappers, more plastic bottles, short pieces of lumber, and a couple of small logs littered the floor of the canoe.

  “What’s wrong with people? Don’t they care about the lake or the wildlife around here?” she said when she saw a plastic six-pack soft drink holder, its holes still intact. “A bird could get stuck in that. Some people make me so mad!”

  Aurora jerked her head up when she heard a squawk from the bank. Standing on one leg, a great blue heron watched her. Aurora smiled. “Hey, there. I think you agree with me.” The heron flapped his wings. “I’ll go. Sorry to disturb you.”

  Aurora paddled across the cove to her dock. “King, where are you?” King answered with a high-pitched bark.

  “King?” She paddled around to the other side of the boathouse. King swam near the shore, his back to her.

  “King, come!” The Lab barked, but refused to obey.

  “I don’t know what you’ve found, but leave it. Come! Now!” King ignored her.

  “If you’re eating another dead fish, you’re going to be in big trouble!”

  Aurora was puzzled. It wasn’t like King to ignore a command from her. She maneuvered the canoe closer to him. On the shore, branches, logs and other debris were piled on top of each other for several feet up the bank. Tangled clumps of pine and cedar branches dangled in the lake.

  A lot of this mess probably washed up during heavy rains. I think Carole said the lake’s had more rainfall than usual this year.

  She watched as King continued to tug on something in the water. Aurora couldn’t see what interested him, but since he wanted it so badly…. She leaned over as far as she dared. Sticking one arm through the brush and into the water, she grabbed hold of King’s prize and pulled. The canoe rocked wildly.

  “What in the world have you found? It feels like….”

  The great blue heron wading the shallow water across the cove flapped his huge wings and took flight as a high-pitched scream from Aurora shattered the stillness. The canoe capsized and she screamed again.

  Is this how Dad died? Will I die, too?

  Fighting to the water’s surface, she struggled to free herself from the human body floating face up inches from her face. The nostril-searing stench enveloped her as she tried to shove it away.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “Ms. Hathaway, Mr. Beale’s on his way up. That okay with you? He says it’s urgent.”

  Jill adjusted the cuffs of her butter-colored silk blouse and smoothed down her straight, knee-length navy skirt. “That’s fine, Nan. Tell Louis to come on in when he arrives.” Picking up the papers she’d been working on, she tapped the ends on the desktop to straighten them and laid the stack aside.

  Closing the door softly behind him, Louis Beale entered the office. “Good morning, Ms. Hathaway. How are you today?”

  “Hi, Louis. I’m well, thank you. Hope you are, too. Please sit down. I was planning to phone you later today. There’s a rumor circulating that funds are missing. Is it true?”

  He sat down in one of the tapestry-covered antique chairs and pulled a thick folder from his black leather briefcase. “I’m afraid so. These records show that someone’s been embezzling funds for several years, Ms. Hathaway. The person was quite clever, but the proof’s here. Hate to report it now when Mr. Lampwerth’s missing and all, but couldn’t sit on it any longer.”

  Jill studied the young accountant while he showed her the records. At first glance he looked like an average recent college graduate. Black wavy hair barely tickled his shirt collar, silver wire-framed glasses sat just a little too low on his nose, and his khaki suit bagged fashionably away from his lean, hard body. Passion shone in his violet-blue, intelligent eyes. Elizabeth Taylor eyes, she thought, as she sat ac
ross the desk from him. Shame to waste them on a man.

  She’d hired him seven months ago after old Mr. Tinsley, who came on board way back when Mr. Lampwerth started the company, had a fatal heart attack. Louis graduated from Harvard just four years ago and had already earned a sterling reputation. Lampwerth International was lucky to get him. Jill hoped he’d stay. She knew that most of the young, single female employees, and even some of the married ones, hoped he’d stay, too.

  If I were ten years younger….

  “In fact, I discussed it with him last Thursday.”

  Jill snapped back to the present. “You talked with him when?”

  “On Thursday evening, last week, oh, I’d say around six-thirty. Let me tell you, he was not thrilled with what I had to say. Turned red in the face, and his eyes got that cold-steel look that makes most people around here tremble. But not I. I was sure of myself; had the facts right there in front of me.”

  “So what happened?”

  “He took all the papers from me, said he’d study them overnight. Told me to leave and not mention this to anyone or—and his eyes narrowed even more when he said it—he’d fire me. I think he would have, too.” He hesitated, then admitted, “Maybe I shouldn’t have done it, but I believe in covering my backside. Before I went to his office, I made copies of everything.” He tapped the folder in his lap. “Got them right here.”

  “Do you think Mr. Lampwerth’s the embezzler?”

  “No, no, not at all. Wasn’t sure who it was when he and I talked. But I can tell you this: it certainly made Mr. Lampwerth angry. Don’t know if it was because he couldn’t believe anyone would steal from his company, or if he thought I was accusing him. Anyway, he told me to leave, then stormed out of his office with all the papers, and that’s the last time I saw him.”

  Beale kept quiet for a minute, weighing the pros and cons of telling her more. Then he said, “I believe the embezzler is Mr. Reeves.”

  “Mr. Reeves is the embezzler?” He nodded. “Then show me what you have, Louis,” she said. She thought she might throw up. I can’t be hearing this. It can’t be true. Not Robert.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Aurora kicked again. Her left foot caught in the tattered shirt. She pushed the bloated body hard with her right hand. The body brushed her leg and she screamed again.

  She struggled in the cold, deep water. Land wasn’t far away, but she was so cold. She wished she’d put the life jacket on instead of tossing it in the canoe. Lord, help me!

  She made it to shore and struggled over riprap. Fighting nausea, Aurora stumbled up the path toward the house. Only when she reached the top of the hill did she pause to catch her breath and turn for one quick look down at the lake.

  “No, King!” she yelled. Still in the water, King towed the body toward the dock.

  “Leave it!” King stopped swimming and looked at her.

  “Come! Now!” He looked once at his treasure, then swam to shore and trotted to Aurora.

  “You’re drenched. I don’t want you in the house, but right now I have no choice. I can’t have you down there with that—that thing.”

  Inside, Aurora grabbed the phone and dialed 911. Lord, I’m so cold. That towel I didn’t expect to need would feel good right now. She wrapped her mother’s afghan around her and shouted into the phone’s mouthpiece.

  “Hurry! There’s a dead body floating in the lake!”

  “Did you say there’s a body in the lake?” asked the dispatcher.

  “Yes! Please send someone immediately.”

  “Is your address 210 Spawning Run Road?”

  “Yes!”

  “Someone from the sheriff’s office will arrive soon. Please stay….”

  “Hurry!” Aurora slammed down the phone.

  She dialed Sam’s office in Augusta as she hurried to the kitchen for a drink. She tried to sip water, but her hand shook. Why doesn’t he answer? Visions of the body sent her running to the bathroom, her hand covering her mouth.

  The nausea over, she brushed her teeth and took off her wet bathing suit. After dressing in gray sweat pants and sweat shirt, she tried Sam again—still no answer. Will I ever be warm again? she wondered as she dialed Carole.

  “Hey, Aurora. I just talked to Luke. He told me about the near boat collision early this morning. Are you….?”

  “Carole, there’s a dead body in the lake! I pulled on something that King found in the water. It was a body! Oh, God! It was horrible! And then the canoe capsized and I fell on top of the body. And my foot got caught in the shirt. It was horrible. I can’t get the sight and smell out of my head!”

  “I’m coming over right now. Have you called the police?”

  “Yes, they’re on their way. Luke doesn’t know about this. Would you call him for me?”

  “Of course.”

  Aurora paced as she waited for the police and Carole to arrive, then remembered she hadn’t checked the answering machine. The machine signaled three new messages.

  Praying Sam had phoned, she pushed the “play” button and heard a dial tone. The caller hadn’t left a message.

  The second message, from Doc Eggleston, asked her to phone him. Little Guy, please be okay. Hoping for good news, she dialed Doc.

  “This is Aurora Harris. I’m returning Doc’s call,” Aurora said when the receptionist answered the phone.

  “Oh, Ms. Harris. Um, yes, Dr. Eggleston’s tried to reach you.”

  “Do you know how Little Guy’s doing?”

  “Um, I’m afraid I really can’t say. You’d have to talk to the doctor.”

  “Well, may I talk to him then?”

  “He was in surgery a little while ago—an emergency with one of our patients—and I don’t know if he’s finished.”

  “Can you check?”

  “It could be a while. Might be better if the doctor calls you when he gets chance.”

  “Is Little Guy the patient he’s operating on?”

  “I’m sorry. I really can’t say.”

  Aurora felt the fear rising, fear that Little Guy wouldn’t make it. I don’t think I could stand it if he died. In a small voice, she said to the receptionist, “Will you please go see if Doc’s out of surgery? I’ll stay on the line.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Please.”

  “Well, okay, but it could be a few minutes.”

  Three minutes passed. Aurora sat down, then stood back up. She paced the floor and watched the clock. Five minutes now. Why’s it taking so long just to see if Doc’s still in surgery?

  “Aurora.” Doc Eggleston’s voice on the phone caused her to jump. “I’m glad you called. Little Guy’s improving fast, you can pick him up tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Thank goodness!” Relief filled her voice. “That’s great news, Doc.”

  “I thought you’d be happy.” Doc paused, then said, “And guess what I found. He’s such a nice dog, obviously has excellent bloodlines, and someone cared enough to neuter him. So I checked him with my microchip scanner. And voila! There’s a microchip imbedded in his neck. We’re tracking down his owner right now.”

  “Thanks, Doc. I appreciate all you’ve done for him. I’ll pick Little Guy up tomorrow afternoon,” and she hung up the phone.

  Emotions ran through Aurora. Didn’t take me long to get attached. She glanced over at King snoring softly as he slept on the well-worn Oriental rug in front of the fireplace. His legs twitched. Probably dreaming of chasing a rabbit. Or pulling on a body. She felt the nausea rising again and forced herself to think of Little Guy and the people who’d lost him. She knew how distraught she’d be if she lost King.

  She heard tires crunch on the gravel drive. Moments later Carole, stylishly dressed in a tan linen pants suit and lime-green silk sweater, burst into the house. King rushed to greet her.

  “King, down. You’re wet. Don’t jump on Carole.” Aurora grabbed his collar.

  “Are you okay, Aurora?” Carole asked as she leaned over and patted King’s head. “I came as fast as I could.”<
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  “I’m okay, Carole. Thanks for coming.”

  “Are you hungry? I’ll fix us some lunch,” Carole said, hurrying toward the kitchen.

  “You must be joking. Right now I don’t even want to think about food, much less eat anything,” Aurora said. She could feel her stomach churning again.

  “How about a soothing cup of hot tea, then? It’ll settle your stomach and your nerves.”

  “That would be nice, Carole. Thank you. The tea’s in the cabinet over the stove.”

  Outside, brakes squealed as two vehicles overshot the driveway entrance. Aurora peered out the window in time to see a police car back up, then turn into her drive. Two uniformed men stepped onto the front porch as Aurora opened the door.

  “Good morning, ma’am. I’m Field Lieutenant Conner, Ian Conner. This is Sergeant Joe Johnson.”

  “Hey, ma’am. Pleased to meetcha.” Sergeant Johnson tipped his hat.

  “You called a little while ago about a dead body in the lake?” asked Lieutenant Conner.

  Aurora ushered the two deputies inside and, looking at her watch, replied, “Yes, I called ages ago, at least it seems like it. There’s a dead man floating in the water. I fell on top of him.”

  “Have you called the game warden?”

  “No. Should I have?”

  “It depends on whether or not the body is from a boat. Are you familiar with Smith Mountain Lake?”

  “Yes, I lived in this house for years. Before I married and moved away.”

  “Then you’re probably well aware of the unusual law enforcement arrangements here. On the water itself, any one of the three counties’ law enforcement agencies or the game wardens can be involved.”

  “Yes, I heard that years ago, but I forgot about it. I’ve never needed the police before this.”

  “Tell you what, Ms. Harris. Just tell us what happened and we’ll take it from there.”

  “Okay.” She sat on the sofa and, with shaking hand, took a sip of the peppermint tea Carole handed her. She pointed to King. “My dog was trying to get something that was caught under piles of brush at the water’s edge. When I leaned over to help, my canoe capsized.” She swallowed. “I fell on top of a dead body.”