Piper hung back to ride with Kathy and Dan. While the bride and groom discussed something with the wedding planner, Piper chatted with Dr. and Mrs. Robbins. She tried to ignore the fact that Brad O’Hara was planted on his seat on the pontoon. Piper could feel him watching her.
Finally Kathy looked over and smiled. “Piper, would you mind if we stopped at the tiki hut? Isaac wants to show us how the tables will be arranged for the rehearsal dinner Friday night.”
“Sure. I’d like to see it.” Piper got up, unmindful of the water that had pooled on the deck when the bucket of Gulf creatures had been hoisted aboard. She took a few steps and slipped. She tumbled forward, her leg smashing down on the tip of a metal docking cleat.
Piper cried out as the stabbing pain shot through her body. She looked at her leg and saw bright red blood spreading over her skin. Her eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, no!” cried Kathy, rushing to her cousin and kneeling next to her. Immediately Piper was surrounded by a circle of the passengers still on the boat.
“Let me see,” said Dr. Robbins. He bent over to examine Piper’s leg, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the damage. “When was your last tetanus shot?”
Piper shook her head. “I really can’t remember.”
Dr. Robbins looked up at Dan. “There must be a first-aid kit on board, right?”
“Of course,” answered Dan. “I’ll get it.”
The doctor wiped away the blood and applied disinfectant to the cut. “You’re lucky, Piper. You may not need stitches. We can probably close this up with some Dermabond. But for sure let’s go to my office for a tetanus shot.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Brad. “I want to help.”
Before Piper or anyone else could respond, Brad swept her up in his arms and carried her off the boat.
As Piper was buckling her belt in the front seat of Brad’s car, Kathy ran up to her window.
“I’ll go with you, Piper. Dan and I will drive you over and take you home later.”
Piper didn’t want to go with Brad. She also appreciated that Kathy was volunteering to drop everything in order take care of her. But Piper didn’t want to make a big deal out of a relatively small accident. Her cousin had already had way too much stress leading up to her wedding day.
“It’s all right, Kathy.” She managed a smile. “You and Dan go ahead and check out the preps at the tiki hut. I’m fine. Really.”
“You sure?” asked Kathy. She made an almost imperceptible nod toward Brad, signaling that she knew Piper was uncomfortable with him.
“Really, Kath. I’m sure. I’ll see you later.”
When they reached the medical building, Brad parked the car and ran around to open Piper’s door. He leaned in, his arms outstretched.
“No thanks,” said Piper. “I can walk.”
Within seconds Dr. Robbins and his wife pulled into the lot and parked beside them. As they strode across the macadam, Piper noticed a well-dressed man waiting in front of the office.
“Oh, no,” said Umiko. “Doesn’t he realize you don’t have office hours this afternoon?”
“I’m sure he doesn’t really care, sweetheart,” said Cryder. “When people think they need a doctor, they don’t care if it’s his time off. In fact, they resent it.”
“What should we tell him?” asked Umiko.
“We’re here now. No sense turning him away. I’ll see him after Piper.”
As Dr. Robbins inserted his key into the office door, Piper noticed Brad and the waiting man exchanging looks. Though neither man spoke, she sensed they definitely recognized each other.
All done,” said Cryder as he capped the tube of medical glue and surveyed his work. “You’ll hardly be able to see it when it heals.”
“Great,” said Piper, looking down at her leg. “I appreciate it, Dr. Robbins.”
“Cryder, Piper. You can call me Cryder. It’s going to hurt for a while, and you’ll probably be pretty sore tonight from the fall. Come into my office. I want to write you a prescription for pain.”
“Do you really think I’ll need it?” asked Piper as she followed him. “Can’t I just take Tylenol or something?”
Cryder frowned as he picked up the prescription pad from his desk. “Damn. This is the last sheet. Again.”
“See?” said Piper. “You’re meant to save it for that other patient.”
“All right,” Cryder said uncertainly. “If you think you can get by with some acetaminophen, fine. But if it really starts to bother you, I’m just down the road. Your aunt has my home number.”
Piper glanced down at the desk, noticing the line of precisely arranged carved figurines. “Oh, these are great!” she exclaimed.
Cryder smiled with pleasure. “They’re called netsuke. They were used as toggles and fasteners on kimonos. They evolved over time from being strictly utilitarian into objects of great artistry and craftsmanship.”
“May I?” asked Piper.
“Sure, go ahead.”
She picked up an inch-tall fisherman, complete with pole and tiny fish. “I can even see the look of satisfaction on his face. Amazing!”
“I started collecting them when I was stationed in Japan when I was in the navy. They’ve become a passion of mine. I’ve got quite a collection now, here and at home.”
Piper returned the netsuke to its place on the desk. “Is that where you and your wife met?” she asked.
“Yes,” said Cryder. “She was working on the base. I fell in love with her the instant I saw her.”
“That’s so romantic,” said Piper. “I love hearing a story like that.”
He didn’t give you anything for pain?” asked Brad incredulously as he drove Piper back to Siesta Key. “I hate it when docs are stingy with the pain meds.”
“He wanted to,” said Piper, “but I said I didn’t think I’d need it.”
“I bet that’s a first for him,” said Brad.
“What do you mean?”
“Who doesn’t take a prescription for pain when they can get one? Not anybody I know.”
“Well, now you know somebody,” said Piper.
He steered the car off the highway.
“What are you doing?” asked Piper.
“I’m going into the CVS and get you extra-strength Tylenol and some ice packs. At least you should have those in case it hurts during the night.”
“All right,” said Piper, reaching for her purse. “I guess that’s a good idea.”
She withdrew her wallet, but Brad was already out of the car. Piper watched as he strode into the pharmacy. It was sweet, really, that he was concerned about her well-being. Brad had been very protective as he’d carried her to the car after she fell and cut herself. Now he was being thoughtful and solicitous.
Maybe Dan was right. A prison stretch gave a person time to think and take stock. Perhaps Brad was really trying to lead an honest life now. Piper wondered if she should give him another chance.
Chapter 55
Piper’s parents were sitting in the lobby when Brad dropped her off at the inn. Levi Fisher was also waiting. There was a very big box at his feet. Piper smiled with pleasure when she saw it.
“Piper, are you all right?” asked Terri as she got up and went to her daughter. “Kathy called and told us what happened.”
“I’m fine, Mom. It’s no big deal.”
Vin eyed the bandage. “You got a tetanus shot, didn’t you?”
“Yes,
Dad.” She tried to keep the impatience from her voice. But when she saw the strain and worry in both her parents’ faces, Paper softened. “You’ve taught me well, Dad. I know that you can’t be too careful.”
She turned to Levi.
“You finished the hex sign?” she asked.
“Yes,” answered Levi. “It is done.”
“Can we see it?”
“Of course.” Levi leaned over and opened the cardboard box. He carefully lifted the large wooden disk and held it out toward Piper.
“Oh, Levi. It’s perfect!” Piper exclaimed. “You are so talented.” She turned to her parents. “Isn’t this amazing?”
The Donovans enthusiastically began deciphering the meanings of the colorful symbols on the hex sign.
“Look at the little green turtles in the middle,” Terri said with delight. “They must stand for the sea turtle season that brought Kathy and Dan together.”
“And it’s obvious why you painted the heart on there,” said Vin. He looked at Levi. “But why those teardrops?”
Before Levi could answer, Piper chimed in. “It goes with the birds, Dad. The tears signify sadness, and the chirping birds signify happiness. Perfect for a married couple who will experience both during their lives together. Isn’t that right, Levi?”
“That’s at least one way of looking at it,” Levi said.
“What about the scallop shell?” asked Piper.
“To the Amish it represents ocean waves, smooth sailing in life,” answered Levi.
Piper studied the young man’s face. It was pale and expressionless, yet there were beads of perspiration on his forehead. It reminded Piper of the descriptions regarding somebody in shock.
“Is everything all right, Levi?” she asked.
“Yes. But I have to get going. My parents need me at the restaurant.”
“All right,” Piper said uncertainly as she opened her purse. “How much do I owe you for your beautiful work?”
“I do not want anything,” said Levi. “It is for Kathy and Dan, and they have been very good to me and my family.”
“Absolutely not,” Piper protested. “That’s really sweet of you, Levi, but I asked you to make it as my gift. I insist on paying you.”
Before she could get her wallet out of her bag, Levi hurried away.
Chapter 56
Good thing he couldn’t see how she was shaking. Jo-Jo struggled to keep her voice from cracking as she spoke into the phone.
“I served you that night at the bar when you were with Shelley Hart,” she said. “I have the credit-card receipt with your name on it. You should have paid in cash.”
The man was silent for what seemed to Jo-Jo a long time. She couldn’t believe she was actually doing this. Never in her life would she have thought that she would resort to blackmail. But three kids, an empty bank account, and relentless calls from bill collectors changed things.
Finally the man spoke. “What do you want?” he asked.
“Guess,” said Jo-Jo.
“How much?”
She almost choked as she spit out the words. “Fifty thousand dollars. I think my silence is well worth that, don’t you?”
“You think I can just put my hands on that kind of money?” he asked.
“I don’t know, but I’m hoping so,” said Jo-Jo. “I take you for a generous sort of person. That was a very nice tip you gave me the other night.”
“No good deed goes unpunished,” said the man.
“Sorry about that,” said Jo-Jo. “I really am. But I got to do what I got to do.”
“All right. I could get it to you tonight. Can you come to Siesta Key?”
“I have to work, but I’ll see if one of the other girls can cover the end of my shift. Is eleven o’clock too late?”
“Not at all,” said the man. “Want to meet at the Beach 7 entrance?”
“No way,” said Jo-Jo. “It’ll be way too deserted at that time of night. Since the last woman who met you ended up dead, a crowded place would be better. Let’s meet at the parking lot in front of the Siesta Market. I’ll be driving a beat-up green Impala with an American flag on the antenna. You won’t be able to miss it.”
Chapter 57
Piper hobbled after Levi, catching up with him in the parking area as he got on his bicycle.
“Hey!” she called. “Levi, listen. If I don’t pay you for the hex sign, it’s a wedding present from you, not from me.”
Levi took his feet off the pedals and put them down on the macadam. He looked at the ground and shook his head slowly. His wide-brimmed hat shaded his face, but Piper could still see the anguish on it.
“It does not feel right for me to take money for it,” he said softly.
“Why?” asked Piper. “I totally get that you care about Kathy and Dan, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get paid for something I asked you to make for them.”
“It is not just for them,” murmured Levi.
“What do you mean?” asked Piper. “Who else would it be for?”
Levi raised his head and looked directly at Piper. “Never mind. I just cannot take your money for it.”
Before Piper could press the wad of cash into his hand, Levi pedaled away.
Chapter 58
Since the police had kept his cell phone, Levi had to find another way to contact the man who’d threatened his sister’s life. It wasn’t easy to find a pay phone anymore, but Levi seemed to remember that there was one outside the 7-Eleven in Siesta Village. He rode his bike there and parked it out in front.
A girl wearing shorts and a bikini top walked out of the convenience store, sipping on a Slurpee. She winked at him as she passed. Levi felt his face grow hot.
His heart pounded as he inserted the coins and punched the numbers on the keypad. But as the seconds ticked by before he heard the voice of Shelley’s killer, Levi began to feel weirdly detached. He was watching the whole thing, not really a part of it anymore. Since he had come up with his plan, the ache in his head and the tightness in his chest had abated. Now he felt strange, as if he were on autopilot.
“I just wanted you to know that the police think I did it,” Levi said in a flat tone. “And it is best for everyone if they continue to think that. I am going to take responsibility for it. You are safe, and there is nothing to worry about. I just want you to promise me that you will not hurt Miriam.”
“You’d do that?” asked the voice. “I can’t believe you’d actually take responsibility for a crime you didn’t commit, something that would send you to prison for a very long time—or worse.”
“I do not care about prison. I care about my sister.”
“Florida has the death penalty, you know.”
“I know that,” said Levi.
Chapter 59
It was the last thing in the world he had expected. A fabulous piece of luck. But was it too good to be true?
Would Levi actually do it? Would he really take the rap for Shelley’s murder? Or would he crack under the pressures he was surely going to face? Between the police, prison, and possibly death row, would the kid recant and reveal the truth?
From what he knew of Levi and the way he’d been raised, the odds were the kid would try to keep his word. The fact that Levi was petrified of having something happen to his sister made it even more unlikely that he would tell the authorities what he knew. Chances were decent that Levi wasn’t going to betray him.
At the very least, for now, the responsibility Levi was taking bought time. But he was getting ahead of himself. First he had to deal with the waitress. Unlike Levi, blackmailers couldn’t be trusted.
Chapter 60
When Piper went back inside the inn, her parents were still in the lobby.
“Did you pay him?” asked Vin.
“He wouldn’t let me,” said Piper. “I tried, but he
wouldn’t take it. I’m going to wait a little while and then drive over to Fisher’s. If Levi won’t take the money, I’ll give it to Miriam or his parents.”
“Good idea,” said Terri as she looked again at the hex sign, considering the bold, clear pattern. “He does beautiful work. When you see him, ask Levi if he would be interested in doing something appropriate for The Icing on the Cupcake. There’s a perfect spot for it on the wall right inside the front door.”
“That’s going to be a tall order to get home, Terri,” said Vin.
Terri gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. “I know you’ll find a way, dear,” she said.
Piper was used to her mother coming up with ideas and her father’s protests as he was expected to implement them. But after his initial complaints, Vin always did as asked. He was proud and supportive of her and of what she had accomplished, with their children, with their home, and with the bakery business. After three decades of marriage and surviving a quarter century with the New York City Police Department and a ringside seat at truly disastrous events, Vin considered himself a very lucky man.
“I wonder if it would fit in the overhead compartment of the plane. No, it’s too big for that,” said Vin, answering his own question.
As her father speculated about shipping costs, Piper’s mind was on Levi and their brief conversation in the parking lot. What had Levi meant when he said the hex sign wasn’t just for Kathy and Dan?
Chapter 61
We’ll start with the ankimo and tuna tataki,” said Isaac. “Then my friend will have the cod misoyaki and I’ll have the shogayaki.” He closed the menu and handed it to the waiter.
“I don’t know why we even bother to look at the menu,” said Elliott. “We come here so often.”
“It’s my favorite Japanese restaurant in Sarasota. Not that there are many of them,” said Isaac. “I wish we could get some more exotic food down here.”
“Me, too.” Elliott smiled and reached out to hold his partner’s hand. Isaac stiffened in his seat and pulled his hand away.
Footprints in the Sand Page 11