“Stevie said that man in the woods worked for Leonard. Maybe he brought them back. I really don’t know.”
“That could explain why he was in the vicinity when I crashed.”
Barbie’s face lit up. “That has to be it. The Hulk has some kind of connection, some kind of role in all of this. Are you going to tell the Sheriff?”
“I’m not convinced the man in the woods had anything to do with what happened. I think he’s a recluse with a medical condition. He couldn’t speak, but he was able to write on a chalkboard. Leonard was a kind soul to take care of him.”
“If you do tell the Sheriff, he’ll want to question him. How’s he gonna find him? Katz, Leonard owns—I mean owned—hundreds of acres. It would take a lot of cops to search that area. It would be like findin’ a needle in a haystack. Katz, I’m very good at keepin’ secrets,” Barbie said, shifting the conversation. “I haven’t told anyone else, except for Stevie, about the Hulk, because I’m tired of people thinkin’ I’m nuts. You gotta admit it. It’s a crazy story.”
Katherine agreed. “You think people would think you’re nuts, how about me? I told the police Leonard’s body was in the backyard. When they didn’t find the body, they looked at me like I had three heads.”
Barbie laughed, which relieved some of the tension.
Katherine smiled, then said, “Thank you, Barbie. I don’t plan on telling anyone about what you’ve told me. I’ve told Jake my story, but I don’t think he’s fully convinced there was/is such a person. As soon as I can, I’m going back to the cabin and try to find him.”
“You’re going back there? Are you crazy? Why?” Barbie asked with disbelief.
“He’s an unsolved mystery. I want to find out who he is. Does he have any family who could help him? I want to help him.”
“If I were you, I’d wait until the cops clear the area. Or worst-case scenario, you’d go out there and get arrested for trespassing. Talk to Leonard’s son, Roger. He inherited the place.”
“Wow, Barbie, how do you know this stuff?”
“I went to the funeral a few days ago. I talked to his son, who was in my class in high school. He lives in Erie. I’m sure he’d rent the cabin to you. He’d probably sell it to you. He gave me the idea he didn’t want anything to do with his dad’s property.”
“I’m not sure I’m staying at the cabin. Jake and I are driving out there for the day—soon, I hope.”
“For a second there, I thought you were goin’ to ask me to go. I’d rather die before I went back to that place,” Barbie said, getting up. “Katz, tell me where the carrier is so I can take my babies home.”
“Cokey’s working in the basement. I’ll text him and ask him to help you carry them out.”
“No need. I’m getting around pretty good in my soft boot.”
Katherine thought, If that’s the case, why did you wait so long to pick them up? She bit her tongue and didn’t say it.
“Their carrier is in the parlor. I’d get it for you, but I can’t lift things yet.”
Barbie went into the parlor and picked up the carrier. “Dewey! Crowie! Come to mommy,” she said, setting it down.
The kittens bounded down the steps.
Katherine got up, “I want to say good-bye.” She picked them up and kissed each one of them on the back of their necks. “I’ll miss you, you little monkeys.” Iris slinked in the room and yowled softly. “Iris will miss you, too.”
Barbie reached down and put the kittens in the carrier.
“Oh, Barbie, before I forget. Dr. Sonny has the kittens on a special diet so they’ll gain weight. He said they were too small for their age.”
“Yeah, I guess I kinda suspected that. Leonard was making their food, too.”
Katherine thought, Why is this woman so gullible? Katherine walked to the marble-top curio and grabbed a tub of prescription canned cat food. “Directions are on the can. He said you should take them in to be reweighed in two weeks.”
“Thanks, Katz, for everything. I’ll be in touch soon.” Barbie put the tub on top of the carrier, reached down, and picked up the cage.
Katherine moved over to the door and opened it for her. “Take care now. I hope to see you soon. Next time you’re in town, bring the kittens over for playtime,” Katherine said, closing the door.
Katherine suddenly felt very sad. She had gotten very attached to the kittens, and now they were gone. She wondered if she’d ever see them again. She sensed that her friendship with Barbie was waning. Barbie seemed to know more than what she was telling. Katherine didn’t trust her anymore.
Iris walked over with her head down and her tail between her legs. She threw herself against Katherine. “Yowl,” she cried.
Katherine picked her up and held the seal-point against her chest. “I understand, sweetheart. I’ll miss them, too. And I’m sorry Barbie was too busy to hold you.”
Iris reached up and affectionately bit Katherine on the ear.
“Thanks, I appreciate the love bite, too.”
Chapter Eighteen
It was movie night at the mansion. Jake and Katherine sat on the faux-leather sofa in the living room. Jake had his foot up on the ottoman. It was Katherine’s turn to pick the movie, but she decided to let Scout and Abra make the final selection. In a shallow cardboard box she placed three DVDs: Birdman of Alcatraz, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, and The Village.
Scout looked in the box and then at Katherine; she hiked up her tail and left the room, muttering a barrage of Siamese. Abra tipped the box over and began a game of hockey with the three movies. Finally, she stood on top of The Village.
Katherine asked, “Is this your final answer?”
Abra cried, “Raw.”
“Good girl,” Jake praised. “Let’s see which one you picked.” He got up, grabbed the DVD, and then sat back down. “And the winner is M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village.”
“Have you seen it?” Katherine asked, giving Abra a curious look. The Siamese hopped onto the credenza and stood in a regal pose, next to the fifty-inch flat screen. She crossed her eyes, lifted her back leg, and began to clean her toes.
Jake said to Abra, “Catfish fishing in Erie County doesn’t appeal to you?” He laughed, then asked Katherine, “What’s The Village about?”
“It’s about a tightly knit community living in secret, surrounded by woods.”
“Should I hum a few bars of The Twilight Zone? It’s strange Abra would pick a movie that’s reminiscent of your experience at the cabin—only in your case, it was a man living in secret in the woods.”
“Jake, can we skip the movie? There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Sure. What’s up?” A wave of concern rushed over his face.
“Can you keep a secret?”
“Yes, what’s this about?”
“Will you promise to keep what I tell you in the strictest of confidence?”
“You mistake me for a lawyer. But of course.”
There was an uncomfortable silence between them.
“Okay, tell me, Katz,” Jake prodded.
“I didn’t pull myself out of the wreckage and crawl back to the cabin.”
“Katz, we’ve been over this. There were bruises on the palms of your hands. Your knees were black-and-blue from crawling. The ER doctor said you probably suffered a concussion and were having difficulty remembering exactly what happened.”
“I remember being pulled out of the wreck by a man. He took me to the cabin and took care of me. He gave me a drug to help my pain. During the storm, he carried me down to the crawlspace.”
Jake grabbed her hand and held it. He began slowly, “Katz, you said that when you left the cabin, you placed the cat’s carrier on the cargo area of the Subaru. Then you said after you saw the shooting, you ran to your vehicle and the cat carrier was gone. Yet when I arrived at the cabin, the carrier was on the front porch and the cats were with you. How do you explain that?”
“I can’t. Maybe I did leave the
cats at the cabin when I left, but I most certainly wouldn’t have left them outside, in their crate. They would have been inside. I probably was going to drop off the key and go back for them. I must have hit my head on something when I crashed, which explains why my memory is so foggy. But I do remember the man pulling me out of the wreckage and how I hurt like hell. Is it possible he took the cats out of my vehicle when I went into Leonard’s to return the key?”
Jake shook his head. “I don’t think so, Katz.”
“I remember the crawlspace. The lantern and the knife —”
Jake interrupted, “What knife?”
“The one he gave me. He threw it down to me in the crawlspace before he closed the trap door.”
“Interesting,” Jake said. “Do you think it’s possible the knife is still there?”
“I wouldn’t think so. It seems the police would have thoroughly searched the area. But it’s worth a try to go back and see for ourselves.”
“I’m game.”
“If I find it, will you believe me then?” Katherine asked with a hopeful look.
Jake leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s not that I doubt you, it’s that I’m just trying to analyze the facts.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“On second thought, do you think it’s wise to go back to the scene of one of your worst nightmares?”
“One thing I learned from my grief counseling: The best way of recovering from a traumatic event is to go back and face it head-on.”
“When do you want to go?”
“Actually, I’d like to go tomorrow.”
Scout joined Abra on the credenza, “Ma-waugh.”
Katherine answered, “No, you two are not going this time.”
Jake said, “It’s going to be a nice day. Want to take the Jeep, or Sue-bee Two?”
“The Jeep’s fine.”
* * *
Katherine used an app on her phone to find Leonard Townsend’s son’s phone number and tapped the number. Roger answered, “Erie Hardware.”
“I’m sorry. I must have rang the wrong number.”
“Who ya lookin’ for?”
“Roger Townsend.”
“Well, that would be me. I had my house phone forwarded here because I’m working late. How can I help you?”
“My name is Katherine Kendall. I’m sorry about your father.”
“Your name rings a bell. Are you the woman who rented the cabin and then had a terrible car crash by my dad’s house?”
“Yes, that’s me. I hate to bother you, but I left a vintage brooch at the cabin,” she lied. “It’s not worth anything, but it has sentimental value. My mom gave it to me. I was wondering if I could drive out to the cabin and look for it?”
“I see no problem with that, but you’ll have to come to the hardware store to get the key. I open tomorrow at nine.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll be there first thing.”
“Okay, but before I hang up, be careful out there, especially when you go past my dad’s house. I had it bulldozed, and there’s lots of debris around,” Roger said, hanging up.
Katherine started to say good-bye, but realized Roger had ended the call.
* * *
The next morning, Jake picked Katherine up and drove her to Erie Hardware to get the key. He sat in the Jeep while Katherine went inside. Roger was behind the front counter, and Katherine introduced herself.
Roger said, “You know, I asked my wife if she knew who you were, and she said you’re that millionaire who lives in the pink mansion.”
Katherine was uncomfortable with the millionaire reference, and wondered where the conversation was heading.
“I’ve got a little business proposition,” he continued. “I’ll sell you the cabin and the surrounding land as soon as the estate is in a position to sell.”
Katherine startled. “I hadn’t really considered it. Can I take it under advisement?”
“Sure. After I have a real estate appraisal done, I’ll give you a call.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Roger handed her the key.
“What time are you closing, so I make sure I get the key back.”
“Four o’clock.”
“My ride’s outside,” Katherine said. “I better get going. Nice meeting you.”
“Likewise,” Roger said.
The bell over the door jingled lightly, and a customer came in.
* * *
“Look familiar?” Jake asked, as he turned the Jeep into the late Leonard Townsend’s lane. The road was full of deep ruts, so Jake put the vehicle into four-wheel drive, and tried to avoid hitting them.
“Not really,” Katherine said, looking out her window. “It was raining when I arrived.”
“How far down is Townsend’s?”
“Not far.”
They came to a clearing in the woods where Leonard’s house had been. Now ugly piles of lumber and roofing material were stacked in rough rows. The sheds in back had been bulldozed, too.
“Pull up here,” Katherine said, looking at the site. “That’s where the house was. It was a quaint Eastlake farmhouse. It had a lot of potential. Margie would have loved to get her hands on it.”
Jake stopped. “The woods are beautiful, but this place is a mess. I wonder if Roger will rebuild on it.”
“I got the impression he wanted to sell it as soon as Leonard’s estate is closed.”
Jake noted, “It’s bound to be worth a lot of money.”
“Okay, I’ve seen enough,” she announced abruptly.
Jake pulled forward and continued while Katherine gave him directions. Finally, they came to the cabin. Jake parked and got out. Katherine did the same. The cicadas began whining their deafening song, then fell quiet. The sun shone brightly, not a cloud in the sky. The cabin and the pond looked like a scene on a postcard.
“It’s really nice out here,” Jake admired. “The cabin looks brand-new. I guess I lost the bet. I don’t see an old car jacked up on blocks.”
“Wait until you see the inside,” she said, stepping up on the porch and opening the door. She showed Jake throughout the cabin, and then into the closet where the trap door was. “I’d lift this up,” she said, “but my ribs are sore from the drive here. Can you do it?”
“Sure,” Jake said, leaning down. He grabbed the handle and removed the trap door. “Katz, let me go down first so I can help you.” Jake climbed down and held his hand out for Katherine.
Once on the dirt floor, she looked around. It was dimly lit. Jake went back upstairs to turn on the light, but it didn’t work.
“The bulb’s broken,” Katherine noted. She got down on her hands and knees and began looking in the area where the blanket was. “There was a blanket here,” she explained. “That’s where the man put me down.”
Jake took out a pocket flashlight and shone the light on the area.
In the vicinity of where the blanket was, Katherine began digging the loose dirt with her hands. She dug for several minutes, then said, frustrated, “I’m sorry I brought you out here. I can’t find it.”
Before Jake had time to answer, Katherine said excitedly, “Wait a minute! What’s this?” She felt a cold object and lifted it up.
“Wow, you did find it. Let’s go back upstairs and clean it up.”
Heading to the kitchen, Katherine dampened a washrag and began cleaning the knife. It was heavily soiled. After she finished washing it, she dried it with a towel.
Jake reached over and took it, “Let me see. This is a serrated hunter’s fold-back knife. Here’s the manufacturer’s mark,” he said, pointing it out to Katherine. “And here’s where a person usually had it engraved.”
“You’re kidding me. People engrave their knives? Do you see anything?” Katherine asked hopefully.
“I can’t. Let’s take it out into the sunlight where the light’s better.”
They both left the cabin and sat on the front step. “Yes, I see—”
“Is ther
e a name?”
“No, just initials,” Jake said eagerly. “E. H.”
Katherine face dropped. “That doesn’t mean anything. That could be anyone.”
“Yeah, anyone with those initials.”
“Okay, so we don’t know who the knife belongs to, but we have the initials.”
“Use the phone directory app on your cell to look up everyone in Peace Lake whose last name begins with an ‘H,’” Jake suggested.
Katherine extracted her cell from her back pocket and tapped the app icon. “There’s not that many Hs, and none of the first names starts with E. I mean, what kind of name begins with E?” she asked, exasperated.
“Elmer. Edward. Elias. Ethan.”
Katherine added, “Edmond. Ebenezer.”
Jake joked, “Ebenezer? I’d hate to have that name in school.”
A large, familiar black crow soared overhead, cawing loudly. Katherine instinctively looked at the woods and hoped the man would appear. She said, “The man in the woods has a pet crow. That’s his crow. Now do you believe me?”
Jake looked undecidedly. “How can you tell the difference between one crow from another?”
“Maybe we should have brought Scout and Abra. They would have recognized him.” She sat silent for a moment, then said, “Let’s drive into Peace Lake and see if there’s a store open that sells stationery. I want to write the man in the woods a letter. We can come back later and I’ll tape it to the door.”
Jake said, “I’m getting really hungry. Want to see if there’s a diner open?”
The crow flew back and landed on the hood of the Jeep. Katherine joked, “I think he wants to go, too.”
Jake laughed. When he did, the bird flew away into the woods.
* * *
Driving into Peace Lake, they found a restaurant appropriately named Peace Lake Diner. Few cars were parked outside.
Jake pulled into a parking spot in front, and helped Katherine get out of the Jeep. Katherine glanced down the street at the row of antique stores and flea markets. They didn’t appear to be open. Jake held the door for her and she walked inside.
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