As she concluded her conversation, promising to talk to Matt again sometime the following week, Lin realized that Neal was standing in the doorway to the office. He had obviously heard the last part of her conversation, and he didn’t look happy.
Lin felt a bit annoyed to think that Neal disapproved of what she was doing. After all, it was her choice. It was her decision. She rose from her seat fully expecting Neal to object to her plans.
Even though his concern and disapproval was clearly evident in his demeanor, Neal said nothing. Instead, he came over and put his arms around her drawing her to him in a warm embrace.
“Promise me you’ll be careful,” he murmured, “don’t forget, if Dorrie Johnson didn’t kill Liz Frazier, there could be a murderer out there still; one who has escaped notice for more than ten years.”
Chapter 7
Thanksgiving Day dawned chilly but with clear blue skies and only a slight wind. Lin slept later than usual, tired from the previous day’s activities. When she awoke, she saw that it was after nine and Neal was already up. She slipped into her robe and slippers and followed the enticing smell of coffee and sizzling bacon down to the kitchen. Neal met her at the door with a tall mug of steaming coffee and a quick kiss.
“Good morning, my sleepy-headed princess,” he grinned. “I’m glad to see you finally decided to join the land of the living.” His somewhat somber mood of the previous evening seemed to have lifted completely. “Make yourself comfortable on the porch. Breakfast will be ready shortly. The newspaper is on the table.”
Lin took the paper and her coffee out to the porch opting for the glassed in room, as there was still a nip in the air. She started to read but was soon distracted by a Great Blue Heron fishing along the shoreline near the dock. A line of brown pelicans skimmed the still waters of the sound. There were a few small sailboats out on the water but otherwise all was quiet.
A perfect day for Thanksgiving and I have much to be thankful for Lin thought to herself. She decided to call her kids hoping to catch them before they departed for their holiday visits to in-laws.
“What’s going on?” Neal asked as she came back into the house.
“Just grabbing my phone,” Lin replied, “thought I’d wish the kids a happy Thanksgiving.”
“You have fifteen minutes,” Neal replied, “after that your eggs may get cold.”
Lin retrieved her cell phone from upstairs and returned to the porch to make her calls. Fortunately, she reached both families. They chatted briefly, each expressing how much they were looking forward to being together soon for Christmas.
“ How’s Neal?” Lucy asked her Mom.
“ Just fine, in fact he is cooking breakfast as we speak,” Lin reported.
“ Tell him I’m impressed,” Lucy laughed, “he sounds like a keeper, Mom.”
Lin felt herself blushing, fortunately there was no one present, “We’ll have to wait and see on that one,” she responded, “it’s a bit too soon for that, don’t you think?”
“I’m not so sure,” Lucy teased, “Ben and Brian both said they were going to ask him if his intentions were honorable.”
“They’d best not!” Lin retorted, “Tell them I said so,” she added laughing.
Just as she ended the conversation, Neal appeared with their breakfast on a tray, “What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Nothing, really,” Lin responded. “It seems the guys, Ben and Brian, plan to ask you if you have honorable intentions where I’m concerned.”
Neal grinned, “ Not if I can avoid it,” he teased. “I think you know what my intentions are.” He gave her a wicked grin as he grabbed for the sash on her robe.
“Watch it,” Lin slapped at his hands playfully, snatching the sash from his grip. “Besides, you said yourself we shouldn’t let breakfast get cold.”
“Indeed, I did,” Neal responded, pulling out her chair so she could be seated, “We can discuss my intentions later.”
He had prepared a huge breakfast of bacon and scrambled eggs. There were croissants and jam to go with them. They lingered over their meal, enjoying the sights along the edge of the marsh. The mood was relaxed. Lin felt good that Neal seemed to have put aside his concerns of the previous evening.
She really didn’t have any qualms about inquiring as to Dorrie’s activities during her brief visit. Liz Frazier’s murder happened so long ago it was hard to think anyone would connect her questions to that old story. Besides, it seemed that there was general agreement that Dorrie was the killer. Now that case was considered officially closed. If there was anyone around with possible connections to the case, they certainly had nothing to fear from law enforcement nor from a few simple questions asked on behalf of grieving parents who were simply trying to form a picture of their dead daughter’s last days.
Lin was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn’t realize Neal had gathered their dishes and the remains of their breakfast and headed to the kitchen. She joined him in making quick work of the clean up. Deciding to take Sparky for a walk around the neighborhood, she went upstairs to change into jeans and a light sweater.
Neal came in as she finished dressing. “I’d hoped you might be interested in exploring my intentions toward you further,” he gave her a wicked grin, “but, alas, I see that you have other plans.”
Lin planted a quick kiss on his cheek, “ We’ll have ample time for that later,” she replied with a grin, “besides, Sparky needs a walk, and you said you wanted to get some work done before we went to Eloise’s for dinner.”
“So I did,” Neal admitted, “I need to finish an article I started before I left. We’ve been so busy that I haven’t done any work since I arrived. You and Sparky have your walk and I’ll bury myself in the office with my computer, but…” he drew her into his arms, “I think we should have a serious conversation soon—about my intentions, and yours.”
Lin realized that Neal wasn’t really joking any more. “I suppose you’re right,” she admitted. “We’ll have to talk seriously at some point soon, but right now I’m enjoying having you here with me. It’s what I’m most thankful for this day,” Lin responded.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he replied, drawing her into a close embrace.
Lin grabbed her fleece jacket. “Sparky and I may be gone for awhile,” she said, “Don’t worry, we won’t go too far afield.”
“Stay safe,” Neal admonished, “I’ll be right here working when you return.”
Sparky was, once again, waiting by the kitchen door eagerly his tail wagging rapidly. Lin hooked his leash to his collar and they were off.
It was growing warmer as midday approached, but there was still a nip in the air. Lin was glad she’d added her fleece over her sweater. It was a beautiful day to be outside. She led Sparky through several streets in the neighborhood. Some houses appeared to be crowded with guests with several cars parked in driveways and on the street; others seemed deserted, their occupants having gone elsewhere for the holiday. Lin knew from what Kate had told her that this was mostly a year-round neighborhood with just a few of the homes used only as vacation destinations.
Soon they had reached the gate at the entrance to the development, and Lin decided to head down the road toward the main highway. She knew that it led past the Wright Memorial. It was probably a mile and a half distance, but Sparky was still energetic and she welcomed the opportunity to simply relax and clear her mind.
The exercise and clear air gave Lin renewed energy. Exercise was one thing she’d been neglecting recently. She could tell that her shoulder was not as flexible as it should be, as it had been before she came to the coast. She promised herself that the first of next week she would locate some sort of gym facility where she could continue some of the exercises she’d been doing earlier in the fall. Sparky saw to it that she had enough walking, but that was no substitute for what her newly healed shoulder needed.
As she walked, Lin mapped out a strategy for trying to learn more about Dorrie’s
activities. She had learned from Matt Johnson that Dorrie had stayed at the Holiday Inn up in Southern Shores, several miles north. She might start there. Dorrie’s room would’ve been emptied and cleaned, of course, but she might have talked to someone or someone might have seen her with another person. It was a place to start, anyway. Lin also thought she might try to talk to Ken Parker, the local Kill Devil Hills cop, again. He’d seemed quite understanding when she met him earlier. Perhaps he could supply some answers regarding the medical report on Dorrie’s remains. Maybe he knew what inquiries might have been made already. She realized that the Sheriff’s office was taking the lead here, but Dorrie’s body had been found here in the local police jurisdiction, and they might have an interest. Pete Midgett had also mentioned that Liz spent a lot of time at a local bar and grill belonging to someone named Tim. He spoke as if it were still a going concern. He’d also mentioned something about a pawnshop here near the beach. The owner was named Billy Thornton, she recalled. It seemed reasonable to assume that Dorrie had been acquainted with these people also. She might have talked to them. Maybe she could locate someone from Liz’s family. That was another possibility.
By the time she reached the Wright Memorial, Lin was beginning to formulate a good list of places to visit and questions to ask. She took a short cut entering the monument grounds from the side street near the hill that was crowned by the tall memorial. It rose above the surrounding landscape like a beacon. The park was open and there were a few visitors wandering the grounds. Lin didn’t want to leave Sparky tied up so she opted not to go to the visitor center; she would save that for another day. Instead, she reined in Sparky’s leash a bit and they walked the paths surrounding the hill and the restored buildings that recreated the camp the Wright brothers lived in during the times they worked here. The distances of their early flights were marked for visitors to see. It was amazing to consider that the vast world of modern aviation had a simple, but significant, beginning on the sandy hills of the Outer Banks.
Lin noticed that Sparky had slowed his pace a bit; perhaps he was ready to go home. They still had at least a two-mile walk back to the house. Lin was glad she had thought to bring Sparky’s portable water dish. She located a fountain near the entrance to the visitor center where she filled the dish and gave her thirsty friend a drink. Then they headed back, this time at a slower pace.
It was almost one when they arrived home. Lin gave Sparky a treat and some more water. She noticed that he immediately flopped on his dog bed in the kitchen. Guess, he got enough exercise today Lin thought—a good thing since they were heading next door for the holiday meal later. She could hear Neal’s voice drifting down from above. Apparently, he was on the phone. When she went upstairs Lin could hear that he seemed to be talking to someone from the university, but she couldn’t really determine what they were talking about.
She went into the bedroom and began shedding her clothes. She didn’t really think she wanted any lunch, having had a big breakfast and knowing that Eloise would have something special going for Thanksgiving dinner later. Lin selected a pair of casual slacks and a lightweight sweater to wear and then got in the shower. She took her time, enjoying the warmth of the water on her back and her shoulder. She lifted and rotated her arm, duplicating some of the exercises she knew she needed to do more of.
When she finished her bath she donned her robe and went back into the bedroom. Neal had finished his conversation and was sitting in the easy chair by the glass door that led to the balcony overlooking the sound. He had a fresh cup of coffee in hand.
“I found the coffee pot in the office and made some, can I get you a mug?” he asked.
“By all means,” Lin replied as she reached for her clothes, “Let me put something on here and we can sit on the balcony; it has warmed up nicely.”
Neal went back to the office, returning with a huge mug of steaming coffee for Lin and a small plate of the croissants leftover from their breakfast.
“I didn’t think you’d want lunch,” he said, “but maybe a snack would be good.”
Smiling at his thoughtfulness. Lin opened the door for him and they went outside to enjoy their view of salt marsh and sound as they drank their coffee.
“Who called while I was out?” Lin asked. She wasn’t shy about satisfying her curiosity, and the office door had been opened so he knew she had overheard at least part of the conversation.
“ It was Chris Dawkins, my department chair at Northern Arizona,” Neal replied as he settled into one of the comfortable rocking chairs.
Lin placed her cup on the table and took one of the buttery croissants as she sat down, “What was he doing? Working on a holiday?”
“Not really,” Neal replied, “he was calling from home to wish me a happy Thanksgiving, actually, but he also reminded me that I have an important decision to make, and I have to make it soon.”
“I guess that falls into the category of ‘intentions’ you mentioned earlier,” Lin replied. She knew that Neal had a decision to make about returning to the university after his leave or taking retirement.
“ Yes, it does,” Neal was relaxed but serious, “ Chris reminded me that the spring term begins on January fifteenth for students and faculty must report by the eighth. Actually, I have to let him know what I plan to do before Christmas. He gave me a deadline. I know he’ll have to reassign the classes I’m scheduled for and maybe my grad students also if I decide to retire fully. Right now they’re working with other members of their respective committees, but if I leave, they’ll need new chairs.”
“Then you have some thinking to do, unless you’ve already made a decision,” Lin responded.
“ And I haven’t decided, as yet,” Neal seemed as if he wanted to say more, but he didn’t. Instead he reached for Lin’s hand placing his own on top of hers. They sat in silence watching the birds wading in the marsh and sipping their coffee.
Finally, Lin spoke, “Whatever you decide, Neal. You can expect my full support. I want you to be happy with your choice.”
He brought her hand up to his lips and gently kissed her fingers. “ I appreciate that,” he replied, “but I realize that my decision may impact you also, at least I hope it matters to you.”
“I do care,” Lin tried to reassure him, “but that means your own happiness is the most important factor you need to consider. You’ll still be an important part of my life, whatever you decide to do.”
Neal looked as if he wanted to pursue the conversation further but Lin had other ideas. Somehow she didn’t feel ready for a serious conversation regarding ‘intentions’. She knew that they couldn’t postpone this kind of talk forever. At some point they would have to decide on the future course of their relationship because it would impact future directions for them both; but for now, she simply wanted a bit more time to just enjoy Neal’s company, the peace of this season, and the beauty of this place.
“I promise, we’ll have that talk—and soon,” Lin smiled. “Meanwhile, you can sort out your own thoughts about returning to the university, and I’ll focus on our having a good time here.”
Neal smiled and nodded his assent, “That’s fine by me, but I’ll have to let Chris know something within the next two weeks. I’ll give you fair notice when we have to have that conversation.”
“Agreed,” Lin responded as she rose to return their cups and the remains of their snack to the small kitchenette in the office. “Meanwhile, I think I’ll take my book downstairs to the porch and read until time to go to Eloise’s.”
“Good idea,” Neal replied, “and I’ll put the finishing touches on my article before I shower and dress for dinner.”
Lin was glad to escape to the warmth of the glassed-in porch. The sun was beaming in and she found she didn’t need to turn on the gas fireplace. She settled herself on the sofa and opened the new mystery she had just started the evening before. She couldn’t completely put her thoughts about Neal and his decision out of her mind try though she might. She realized th
at their relationship was growing steadily closer and more serious. Right now she was simply enjoying the present, but she knew that the future couldn’t be ignored. She was grateful that Neal seemed willing to wait, at least for a short while, before they had to talk about “intentions” –hers as well as his.
She opened her book and began reading. It was a new offering from one of her favorite authors, and she was soon lost in the story. Sparky decided to join her, coming onto the porch from the open kitchen door. He curled up beside the sofa and soon she heard him snoring softly as he napped. It wasn’t long before Lin felt her own eyelids drooping.
***
She wasn’t sure how long she slept, but she awoke with a start to see Neal leaning over her with a playful grin on his face. “Reading I see,” he teased, “doesn’t look to me as if you’ve made much progress with that book. It’s almost four, we’re due next door in less than fifteen minutes.”
Lin hopped up, “I’m already dressed, just give me a minute to freshen up and comb my hair. How about getting that bottle of Pinot Grigio we’re planning to take out of the frig so we won’t forget it.” She scrambled up the stairs to get ready.
They appeared at Eloise’s door promptly at four and rang the bell. A short, gray-haired fellow with a smudged white apron tied around his waist and a cheerful smile on his face greeted them. “You must be Lin and this, I presume, is Dr. Smith.”
“Call me Neal, please, and you must be Dr. Miller.”
“I’m Tom, I’ve been retired a long time and gave up Dr. Miller when I left East Carolina, please come in. Eloise will be down shortly, and I’m putting some finishing touches on dinner.” He directed Lin and Neal to a beautiful enclosed porch that stretched across the entire width of the house. A table had been set with wine and trays of sumptuous appetizers. As soon as Eloise arrived to join them, Tom went back to the kitchen, refusing their offers of assistance.
“He fancies himself a true chef on occasions such as these,” Eloise said, “let’s leave him to it. Besides, I know everything is almost ready. Let’s open this lovely wine you brought and enjoy ourselves.”
Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery Page 8