Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery

by Sharon Canipe

  They’d been so exhausted that they’d fallen asleep almost immediately. For Lin the fatigue was both mental and physical. She realized her weekend ordeal had taken quite a toll, and she’d found that having to repeat her tale to law officers and others added to that. All she really wanted to do was forget all this and move forward to the holidays with her family, but she realized it wasn’t going away yet.

  She got up and went into the bathroom. It sounded as if Neal were talking to the Sheriff, reporting the incident of the previous night. He was stretched out against the pillows, and Lin could see the outline of his long, sexy body beneath the sheets. She felt that familiar warmth growing inside. Stripping off her gown she announced that she was heading for the shower, just as Neal was concluding his conversation.

  “Not just yet you’re not,” he said, flipping the sheets back and indicating that she should join him, “ we never finished our celebration last night. We were interrupted…” Leaving her gown where she’d dropped it, she moved quickly and slipped into his warm embrace.

  ***

  Later they decided to take advantage of the hotel’s continental breakfast. Neal stopped at the desk and asked them to hold their room for another night’s stay. “Just in case,” he said, “hopefully, we’ll be calling you to cancel later.”

  They arrived back at the house to find that one of the officers was still there. “I decided to take one more look around after daylight, see if there was any evidence we might’ve missed last night, and I did find some shoe prints near the house in back and some others in the mud at the edge of the marsh. I’ve called someone to come make some casts, hopefully before the tide comes in. At least those near the house will be good no matter what. All that rain over the weekend was a help, made the ground really soft.”

  They thanked the young man. “I’ll be back tonight unless this whole mess is cleared up earlier,” he said. “As of now though, I’m off duty and heading home to get some shut-eye.”

  Neal leashed up Sparky for a nice walk around the neighborhood while Lin went inside to make calls about her credit cards and bankcard. She’d intended to do so last night, but the prowler had interrupted that plan.

  “When I get back, we’ll go into Manteo so you can get your driver’s license replaced and pick up your car. Pete said it was ready when he called this morning and…he want’s us to go by the station to talk about what happened last night,” Neal seemed to realize how Lin would feel about that.

  She dreaded the thought of yet another conversation with law enforcement but realized it was necessary. Even though the Kill Devil Hills police were investigating their intruder, these events certainly had implications for the Sheriff’s case as well. When will all this end, she asked herself, hoping it would be soon.

  It was shortly after ten when they arrived at the Sheriff’s office. Fortunately, there hadn’t been a long line at the DMV, and getting Lin’s duplicate license had proved to be a quick errand. Hopefully, she’d get her car when they’d finished here. Her keys were missing of course; they’d been in her purse, but hopefully the valet key was still in the glove box. She’d need to order a duplicate set from a dealer eventually. That reminded her of another problem. She’d been carrying both her own house keys and Kate’s. That meant getting a locksmith out to Kate’s and calling the manager of her HOA to take care of locks at her condo. This is unending she thought, already growing weary with the hassle.

  Pete Midgett handed her the valet key for her car as they entered his office, “You can pick it up from the garage when you leave here.”

  “Did you find anything? You mentioned earlier that there were no prints,” Neal asked.

  “Well, as a matter of fact,” Midgett drawled, “We did manage to find a few fibers on the driver’s seat. We’re trying to match them, hopefully to Mike Clark’s clothing. Ken Parker thinks he’s the one who drove your car, most likely, after you were locked up in the cabin cruiser.”

  “Hopefully, those fibers aren’t black wool,” Lin said, “I was wearing a black wool pea coat when I drove the car.”

  “We did find some of those,” the Sheriff smiled, “but there were others there as well. Has anyone else driven your car? ”

  “I have,” Neal explained, “but I’ve been wearing the jacket I have on right now when I did so, it’s really the only warm jacket I brought here.”

  “If you don’t mind. I’ll have someone take a few fibers while you’re here, for comparisons,” Midgett asked as he opened his now-familiar notebook.

  It was quick work to relate the story of the previous evenings events. Lin and Neal were more than familiar with the drill by now.

  When they’d finished their story Neal asked, “Any luck tracing Mark Simon? He’s obviously still trying to shut Lin up it seems to me. How many connections does this guy have?” His frustration was apparent.

  “Probably more than any of us know,” the Sheriff sighed. “He’s lived here most of his life. Been in business for a long time. I’d say he’s one of the more prominent citizens of Manteo, and he has more than adequate funds to buy whatever help he wants. Times have been tough around here, fishing has fallen off, the recession has hurt tourist jobs—there’re a lot of folks who might be willing to do someone’s dirty work for a fast dollar. Sooner or later we’ll find him.”

  “Meanwhile, we’re facing crazy threats. Can’t even feel safe to sleep in the house,” Neal barked. Lin placed her hand on his knee, seeking to calm him.

  The Sheriff sat back in his oversized chair, causing it to creak as he shifted his considerable weight. “I do understand how you feel, believe it or not,” he sought to reassure them. “ We’re trying to bring all the pressure we can to bear on this man. In fact, we’re using your lost, or should I say stolen, ring to push the investigation even further. I checked with the goldsmith in Elizabeth City, the one who was sizing the ring for you, this morning. He told us that Simon did indeed pick the ring up on Thursday afternoon. Of course, he didn’t return it to you, and we didn’t find it during our search of the house. I sent someone to the gallery this morning to search there as well, but they came up empty. Now I’m waiting for the judge to extend our warrant to check at the local bank that handles all of Simon’s business. We think he has a safe deposit box there. If nothing else, we may be able to recover your jewelry. That is unless he has it with him.”

  This news brought a smile to Lin’s face. While she realized that the ring, although quite valuable, was insured and was replaceable, she’d loved the unique design and certainly hoped to have it back.

  Midgett continued, “The judge is holding court right now, but he’ll probably tend to our request at his lunch break, and we’ll extend our search this afternoon. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

  Neal’s frustration had subsided just a bit by the time they left. The possibility of recovering the ring helped. He drove Lin to the county garage to pick up her car.

  “I’m going to stop at the Toyota dealership on the highway before I drive back to the house. They should be able to order me a new set of keys,” Lin said.

  “I’m following you there,” Neal insisted. “Please indulge my overprotective nature right now, I don’t want you out of my sight, at least not for awhile.” Lin dropped her intended protest. She had to admit that sometimes it was nice to have someone care that much.

  She’d just finished ordering replacement keys at the dealer’s when her cell rang. She signaled to Neal, who was waiting outside in the jeep, that she was taking a call. It was the hospital calling with the report from her blood tests. She learned that she’d been given an extremely large dose of a strong antidepressant along with a drug generally prescribed for insomnia. “Most of it should already be out of your system, but you could be experiencing a few side effects still. You’re quite lucky,” the nurse reported. “The lab report indicates your dosage could’ve put you into a deep coma.” She didn’t add that it could’ve been even worse, but Lin got the message. No wonder she’d
felt so sleepy and lethargic since her ordeal. She’d kept going, eager to get back to her normal routine, but she’d felt as if she were fighting through a deep sense of fatigue. She went over to Neal and shared the news.

  “Are you sure you feel up to driving?” he asked. “We could leave the car here if you like.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Lin reassured him. “This explains why I’ve felt so tired since coming home, but I’m really feeling OK now.”

  When they arrived at the house, Lin said she was going to take Sparky out while Neal fixed a bite of lunch. Her feet were really feeling much better, and she had to admit she’d missed walking the energetic, friendly canine. They walked a bit more slowly than usual, but spent a good half hour exploring the neighborhood before returning home. Neal had prepared the last of Eloise’s good soup that they ate on the porch with the gas logs burning away the chill from the morning. The warm fire and the warm soup were quite relaxing. So much so that Lin excused herself right after lunch, deciding to take a nap. “Maybe that sleeping potion is still working on me,” she joked. Neal didn’t seem to think it was funny.

  Lin gave him a big hug. “Don’t worry, that nurse said by tomorrow it should all be out of my system completely, if it isn’t already. I really think I’m just plain tired.” Neal smiled and gave her a long, warm kiss. He pulled her close, “I’m just happy to have you back and safe. Sleep all you want. I’m going to make a quick run to the grocery store to pick up some things, and then I’ll probably work some on that article I’m trying to finish.”

  Lin took the fact that he was willing to leave her alone for a short while as a positive sign. She climbed the stairs to the bedroom. Closing the blinds against the afternoon light, she was asleep in short order.

  ***

  Neal had just returned from the store with a couple of bags of much needed grocery items when his cell phone rang. He hastened to put the bags on the counter, but by the time he retrieved his phone from his pocket he’d missed the call. It was the Sheriff so he quickly called back.

  “I was hoping you could meet me over at the Dare County National Bank in a little while. I got my warrant to examine Mark Simon’s bank records and the contents of his safe deposit box. If your ring is there, I’ll need you to identify it. Course, I’ll have to keep it as evidence so you could do it later…”

  “I’ll be over as soon as I can, Lin’s resting, but I can come. At least she’d know if it has been found, she’s been upset about losing it,” Neal responded. “Give me about forty-five minutes, I’ve got some groceries to put up.”

  When he finished putting up his purchases, he went upstairs. Lin was sleeping soundly and he didn’t want to disturb her; he left a note on the dresser as he’d done before. He might even be back before she woke up, and maybe he’d be able to report that her ring had been found.

  ***

  The main office of the Dare County Bank was located a couple of blocks in from the waterfront on the main road through town. The manager was a rotund little man who seemed quite disturbed by having to produce bank records for one of his best clients.

  “I really don’t see why you need these, Sheriff,” he fussed, “our clients depend upon our confidentiality, they have to feel that we won’t disclose their business…”

  “Then they’d best keep their business on the up and up,” Midgett slapped the warrant down on the banker’s desk, “Now go get that safe deposit box and have someone get started collecting those financial records. I’ll want copies of all of them, the entire account history, on my desk by noon tomorrow.” The Sheriff had clearly lost his ‘good old boy’ demeanor.

  The banker went to his office door and requested that an employee bring the safe deposit box into his office. “And be sure you make a record that the contents are being examined under a warrant from the district court judge,” he added.

  The large-sized box was soon produced. The banker placed it on his desk and carefully opened it, extracting the contents piece by piece and placing them across the desktop. There were the usual important papers, marriage certificate, wills, and deeds for property. Next came a number of stock certificates and bonds. Finally, the box was empty except for a second box. This one was made of wood but it was also locked and there was no key.

  “Open it,” the Sheriff picked up a letter opener and handed it to the banker. “That lock shouldn’t be too difficult to break.”

  The letter opener slid easily into the seam formed by the box lid. The banker seemed to struggle as he tried to pry the lock open. “Let me,” Pete Midgett said, “He applied greater force, using the letter opener as a lever and the box was soon opened. The lid had split, but the contents were accessible.

  The box contained an assortment of small velvet cases and bags, the kind used to store jewelry. One by one, Pete Midgett opened these, placing the contents carefully on the desk. What emerged was an impressive array of what appeared to be quite fine jewelry. There were rings, earrings, necklaces—all studded with exquisite stones, but there was no sign of Lin’s ring. At the bottom of the box was one more jewelry bag. It contained a lovely set of diamond jewelry, a pendant, earrings, and a ring. They were obviously special pieces—in fact all of the pieces that had been retrieved appeared to be quite valuable. The display took Neal’s breath away.

  Sheriff Midgett had a more business-like approach. After it was determined that Lin’s ring was not to be found here, he questioned the banker, “ What do you know about this stuff? Do you have a value for it? Were you even aware it was here? This man deals in estate jewelry, why aren’t these pieces in his shop, for sale?”

  The banker was hesitant but it was clear that the Sheriff was going to get his information sooner or later. He, once again, went to the door and requested that his secretary bring him a file. He placed it on the desk beside the glittering display and pulled out a single sheet of paper. “Here is a list of all the jewelry along with the appraised value of the collection.”

  “ Why do you have that?” Midgett probed, “I’d think it would’ve been in the box, or at his office?”

  “He probably does have a copy at his office, somewhere, or at his home, perhaps. I have it because this collection represents collateral for business loans made to the Simon Gallery over the years. Mark began to expand his business about ten years ago and required funds to do so. He offered some of his best pieces as collateral. Over the years, he’s repaid that first loan and several others. He has added to this collection and continues to use it as collateral when he needs to borrow. It’s kept here to ensure that the loans are adequately backed. None of these items has ever been sold although, at present, he could sell, as he is free of debt. They are more valuable to him as a business asset than they would be sold. This way he can continue to access their value over and over again.”

  Neal felt he had to speak up, “Are you sure none of these pieces is stolen?”

  The banker’s face turned red and he cast angry eyes toward Neal and the Sheriff. “I’m not sure what kind of trouble Mark Simon may be in at the moment, but his dealings with me have always been at the highest level. He is a successful businessman, but he is also honest in all his dealings. These pieces are all from valuable estates; that is the primary basis of business for the Simon Gallery. Now gentleman, if you have no further business here, I need to get started on those financial records.”

  “We’re done, but I’ll require a lock box on loan,” the Sheriff said, “I’m impounding the contents of this box as evidence to prevent it from being moved elsewhere.” The banker looked aghast but he did as he was told.

  When they’d returned to the parking, lot Neal paused to ask a question, “Did you notice that last set, the diamond jewelry in the bag? I think that might fit the description of the jewelry Liz Frazier claimed she found ten years ago.”

  Pete Midgett carefully locked the box in a secure case in his car and scratched his chin, “You might be right; you know none of us law enforcement folks ever saw that jewelry. We�
�ve no record or description of it.”

  “Billy Thornton saw it, or at least he claimed he did, and he’s sitting in jail right now. Tom Miller had an old newspaper article that identified the owners of a yacht that could’ve been the wreck where Liz claimed to find it. I think he gave it to Lin. I’m not sure if she kept it or gave it to Liz’s mother. It’s a long shot, but if you could find any family members, they might know something about it also,” Neal explained. “You do realize that jewelry might be the only real clue as to who killed Liz…”

  “It just might be,” Pete Midgett finally smiled.

  “Sorry your ring wasn’t there,” the Sheriff continued, “I guess Simon has it with him. Maybe he’s going to use it to finance his get away, or thinks he is. I’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen. Well, thanks for coming. You’ve been a big help, even if we didn’t find your missing jewelry. I’d best get going. We’ll talk again soon.”

  Chapter 28

  Neal had just left the bank’s parking lot when his phone rang. He didn’t recognize the number, but he answered. A suave male voice spoke, “Dr. Smith, You may not recall me, but we did some business a few weeks ago. I believe you’ve lost a very valuable diamond ring. Perhaps we can discuss how it can be returned to you.”