“Yep, the nest is awe inspiring. You should see the size of it now! It’s so incredibly huge. Nick and I call it the eagle condo complex.” Julia chuckled. “I’ve been trying to get a good photo of one, but they keep flying away every time I attempt it. We’ll have to boat over there one of these days so you can see the nest. It’s very impressive.”
“I’d like that,” Rain said as the two watched the bird’s giant wings extend as it soared from the tree and grazed across the water, picking up a bellied-up fish in his talons, before rising again and gliding away.
“You know they mate for life?” Julia asked.
“I do. I think I remember my grandfather, Luis, telling me that.” Rain said. And she couldn’t help but think of her parents and wonder if they were no longer sharing the same nest.
Chapter Eleven
Rain stood patiently waiting as the hardware store owner checked his work, one last time, by slipping the key into the new lock, before turning the set of keys over to Rain.
“That should do it,” Hank said confidently. He then placed his tool bag by his feet when Rain handed him a bottle of water.
“Sorry I don’t have any lemonade or anything, I still need to head to the market.”
“This is perfect.” Hank nodded as he rose the water bottle up in a “cheers” motion as if she’d given him a large mug of beer. “Thank you,” he added as he uncapped the bottle and took a welcome sip.
“How much do I owe you?”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll have Vivian send you a bill. My wife handles all that, and your folks usually have an ongoing tab back at the shop. I hope it’s okay to handle it that way?” His peppered eyebrows came together in a frown.
“Sounds perfect,” Rain said as she watched Hank pick up his tool bag and toss the capped water bottle into the bag. She then followed him outside. Life was so different up north. Back in Milwaukee, she’d have to pay a bill in advance to even get a handyman to show up at her house. It was one of the things she could grow to like about life back in Lofty Pines.
“Make sure and tell your father hello for me, I was expecting to see him pop in or out while I was working,” he said over his shoulder as he ambled along. “But don’t tell him I ruined the surprise.”
Rain took in a slow breath and smiled. She didn’t know how to respond. Clearly, the hardware store owner was adamant about who he’d witnessed walking out of The Brewin’ Time. But she couldn’t help but think maybe Hank had been right, maybe her dad had the jacket and the missing key in his possession. She just wasn’t sure of it yet.
Hank halted his stride and nodded in the direction of the police tape still glaringly draped in front of the outhouse and flapping from an upswing of breeze off the water. “Man, what a darn shame, eh? Nothing like that ever happens in these parts.” He hung his head and shook it sullenly.
Rain sighed and held a hand to her heart. “I know. It’s a horrible tragedy.” After a slight hesitation Rain asked, “Had you met Thornton? He wasn’t considered a Laker, right?”
Hank chuckled. “No, he wasn’t at all a Laker.” He scratched the side of his head and smoothed his beard with one hand. “Although I think he wanted to be …”
“What do you mean by that?” Rain was relieved his answer didn’t seem to cast any reference in her mother or father’s direction.
“Thornton was renting a place across Pine Lake.” Hank turned and flung his hand in the direction of the rolling water, but Rain couldn’t gauge which direction he was pointing. “I think he was trying to get the owners to sell it to him.”
“An Airbnb? Or what?”
“Nah, he was in a longer-term rental, over at the Browns’ estate. You know it?”
Rain had been familiar with the Brown family growing up but wasn’t exactly sure which house they owned across the lake. She remembered one of the older Brown boys had been on the waterski team a year or so before she’d joined. “Oh? How long had he been renting there? Do you know?”
Hank squinted his eyes and looked to the sky as if to recall a memory from the Rolodex of his mind. “I wanna say a little less than a year? He’s been around for quite a few months now. I’d seen him in town on more than one occasion,” Hank said as he turned away from the lake and resumed the walk toward his car.
Rain began calculating the timing in her head. How long have my mother and Thornton …? Was it going on all while I was mourning Max? Rain shuddered at the thought. As the horrible image crossed her mind yet again.
Was that the real reason we avoided each other while I’ve been in mourning? Rain had always through it was because of the rift between them, but this new revelation made her think otherwise.
“Still hard to believe,” Hank said, interrupting her thoughts.
“I heard he had some interest in the campground,” Rain suggested. “You know anything about that?”
Hank didn’t answer and shut down the conversation by opening the rear car door and shoving his tools inside. “Well, I best be getting back to the store. Ted will be wanting to take a lunch break, I’m sure.” He opened the driver’s side and slid into the seat.
Rain wasn’t sure if Hank hadn’t heard her or he just wanted to end the conversation.
“Wow, is it lunchtime already?” Rain said, leaning into the car.
“Sure is.” Hank eyed the clock on his dashboard. “Looks to be twelve fifteen. If you need anything else, just holler.” He tipped his head before Rain took the cue and closed the driver’s side door for him. She then held up a hand in a friendly wave.
Rain gazed out beyond the driveway and noted the police cars were now gone. She wished Jace would return before supper, as the crime scene tape was still flapping and making noise in the breeze which didn’t allow a vacation from the thoughts that had completely barraged her mind in the last twenty-four hours. She turned away from the tape and instead turned her attention to the sound of lapping waves rolling subtly along the shore. It was a welcome sound that replaced the feeling of dread with a little peace. She watched as the water curled onto the shoreline.
Since they’d had such a hearty breakfast, Rain decided to phone Julia and ask if they could meet later for lunch than they’d originally planned. She wanted to head to the grocery store before the barbeque, so she could marinate the meat with pesto, and have something besides water and crackers to serve her guests. She retreated inside the cabin and began the hunt for her cell phone. After a few minutes of panic, she remembered leaving it on the bed in the master bedroom. She sighed heavily as she entered the room again, the truth now settling in her bones, that her parent’s relationship was in deeper trouble than she’d initially thought. She’d believed that the summer with some time apart might do them both some good. But seeing all the changes firsthand was all too real. She plucked her phone from the bed and noticed a missed call from her dad. Immediately she hit the voicemail:
“Hey, Rain, sorry I missed ya. I’m not really in a good area to talk. I’ve got a meeting coming up, but I noticed you called. Hope everything is okay. Talk to you soon, love.”
Rain decided to believe her father was indeed heading into a meeting, despite the missing jacket. She had to. For her own sanity, she had no other choice than to believe it.
After phoning Julia, Rain walked over to her SUV to do one final sweep before going to the market. She’d emptied the remaining remnants of her life in Milwaukee into the cabin while Hank had changed the locks. It hadn’t taken very much time at all, and her life’s worth basically filled only one corner of the living room. She was still unsure if she’d unpack anything or leave it all in boxes and store it away in the shed until making more lasting decisions. Currently, life decisions evaded her. Rain had also scanned every closet inside the cabin in search of the illusive jacket. If the Cubs jacket was somewhere in the cabin, it was definitely well hidden. She thought about this as she drove to the Lofty Pines Market, the one and only grocery store for many miles.
The parking lot was bustling with
pedestrians and carts wheeling in and out of the grocery store. Rain found a spot far from the entrance but didn’t mind the extra walk as she felt she needed the exercise. Her muscles had tensed from the recent stress, and her limbs were stiff and awkward as she stepped from the vehicle.
An outdoor garden center was attached to the market, and colorful hanging baskets of every color of the rainbow seemed to scream “pick me!” and Rain decided she’d bring one back to spruce up the deck. She immediately spotted Marge attempting to place an oversized garden pot into her own cart and rushed over to greet her.
“Hey, do you need some help with that?” Rain asked, stretching out a hand.
“Well, fancy meeting you here.” Marge looked up at her and smiled. “Good to see you again.”
At closer look, the flowerpot spilled hues of oranges and purples and cascaded over a plastic terracotta pot. “Looks like you picked a beauty,” Rain said as she helped place it into the cart.
“I sure did. It’s my favorite time of year, finally seeing some life come out of this frozen tundra,” Marge said proudly and then leaned in closer and touched a hand to her arm. Her hand was ice, despite the warm weather. “Speaking of life … how you doing? You okay, dear?” she whispered.
“Never mind me, I’m actually more concerned about you?” Rain said as she gripped the woman’s colder hands and attempted to warm them in her own.
“Oh, I’m fine. I know it was a shock, it’s true. But life has a way of taking us all when we least expect it. None of us know the time nor day,” Marge said, wagging a finger after she let go of Rain’s hands and then gripped the cart tight. “It’s a horrible way to go, though. Indeed, Thornton didn’t get the best exit from this life.”
Rain agreed with a sad shake of her head, her eyes downcast. She noticed Marge’s feet shuffle a few steps ahead, and she asked, “Can I help you to your car and load this inside?” Just as the words fell from her lips, a grocery store clerk was at Marge’s side.
“Oh, thank you, dear, but I’ve got it covered.” Marge said with a smile. “Although, my trunk is still full of books. I’ll just set this in the back seat on a blanket.”
“Julia and I will be working at the library this week. If you’re up for it, we’d love to have you join us.”
“Today?”
“More like tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there.” Marge nodded firmly. “You take care, Rain, you hear?” Marge patted her arm before setting her attention back to the grocery store clerk.
“Sorry to interrupt, one more thing before I let you go.” Rain’s eyes journeyed from the clerk back to Marge. “Join us tonight for dinner? I’m hosting a barbeque, and I’d love for you to join us at say five thirty?”
Marge’s eyes brightened. “Why, I’d love to come! Rex, too?”
“Rex, too,” Rain smiled.
“I’ll see you tonight then.” Marge turned back to the clerk, and Rain watched as the two chatted amiably and moved away from her, out into the parking lot.
Rain made a mental note to add dog treats to her grocery list. She turned and walked into the store, grabbing a small cart along the way. While in the produce section, deciding whether she wanted a red onion or white, she overheard two women talking in low voices about the murder. It was not hard to hear Thornton’s name being uttered. She swallowed hard, hoping neither of them knew that the incident had taken place on her property. Rain moved in closer and examined the fruit section, hoping to overhear a hint of their chatter.
“I know! He didn’t have the right to accuse Frankie. He’s not even a Laker! Who does he think he is anyway?”
“He certainly won’t be a Laker now, will he? And Frankie can finally move on with his life,” one of the women said as she tossed an orange into her hand and caught it expertly.
The other looked up and curiously studied Rain.
It was then Rain understood the women knew something about Frankie.
Move on with his life? From what?
What had Thornton accused Frankie of? Whatever it was, was it a motive for murder?
Chapter Twelve
The warm breeze brushed her skin as Rain stepped out onto the pier. She readjusted the beach bag on her shoulder, filled with suntan lotion, a towel, and a pair of bejeweled slides to wear inside Portside Bar and Grill. She was wearing a lime green casual sundress that she’d stolen from her mother’s closet, atop her black bikini, just in case Julia wanted to sunbathe on the boat after their lunch meeting. The ankle length skirt fluttered in the breeze and tickled her ankles as she walked. The pier felt hot on her bare feet, and she danced her way closer to the pontoon boat, relieved to feel the carpet beneath her upon boarding.
“Hey, thanks for lowering the boatlift,” Rain said.
Julia had her nose in a book, and her eyes lifted from the page. “No problem, I figured you’d want to pull the pontoon out as soon as you got down here.” She lowered the book, closed it, and rested the novel on the seat beside her. “Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous out here? I love when the humidity lifts.” Julia removed her large-brimmed hat and tucked it alongside her canvas bag so it wouldn’t blow away when Rain pulled away from the pier.
“It really is,” Rain agreed. “How are your allergies?”
“Better. The pill kicked in, thank God.” Julia smiled. “I couldn’t stay inside and miss this, now could I?” She said, rising from the seat. “I did pack a box of Kleenex, just in case.” Julia pointed to her bag before leaning in for a quick hug to greet her. “You look terrific.”
“Thanks, I stole it from Mom’s closet,” Rain let the words fall out of her mouth before she had a chance to rethink the consequences of her remark.
“Oh! Did you find your dad’s jacket?”
Instead of answering right away, Rain stepped in front of the controls, put the key in the ignition, and started the motor before taking a seat in the captain’s chair. “Still workin’ on it.” She lowered the motor into the water, revved the engine, and backed the pontoon off the lift, before turning the boat in the direction of the restaurant.
The wind whipped at her long dark hair as the boat cut through each wave and splashed along the tubular sides. Rain had the engine going full throttle. She had waited so long for the feeling of freedom when the boat danced across the lake. This is what she loved the most about coming up north—being out on the water. The sun beat down, but the breeze cooled her skin as they traveled toward the center of the lake. She turned against the wind, her hair now flying freely behind her. As they passed an oncoming speedboat, Rain slowed the throttle to accommodate the looming larger waves that the oncoming vessel had created. The pontoon rocked back and forth with each onrushing wave.
Rain turned the boat away from the center of the lake to direct them closer to the shore. They then traveled slowly, hugging the shoreline, admiring each of the various additions or home improvements to the many cottages that dotted the lake as they passed. Rain cut the engine when the restaurant’s dock finally came into view.
A young dockhand was navigating boats as they approached the pier, and Rain tossed him a rope. She watched as he expertly tied them on, and then quickly moved along to help the next approaching boat.
“Thank you!” Rain hollered then turned to Julia and suggested with a pointed finger she tuck her bag beneath the pontoon seat for safe keeping, while they were inside the restaurant.
“Nice service, huh?”
“It’s perfect!” Rain agreed before slipping her feet into her slides. She fished for a clutch purse inside her tote bag, then tucked her beach bag beside Julia’s beneath the seat. “I think we’re all set.”
“I can’t believe that after the big breakfast we had I’m actually admitting this, but I’m starving,” Julia said with a grin.
“Maybe it’s the fresh air making you hungry, although it must be close to two thirty by now.” Rain frowned. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I really needed to get to the market.”
“No worries, it’s all fi
ne,” Julia looped her arm through Rain’s and the two walked from the wide extended pier toward the restaurant.
Rain noted a newer outdoor tiki bar where a bartender was wiping glasses with a towel and stacking them on a shelf behind him. “Is that new? I don’t remember it?”
“Yeah, they just added the outdoor bar last year,” Julia answered as they passed. “Sometimes they have live music, too, out on the lawn at night. It’s really a fun hangout!”
The air-conditioning hit them like a tidal wave as they opened the door. A large sign welcomed them to Portside Bar and Grill, and they ducked beneath it before Rain gazed toward the long wooden bar that overlooked Pine Lake. Sets of multicolored tables littered the center of the room, packed with patrons despite the late lunch hour.
“Maybe we should eat outside,” Rain said as she noticed her arms now rippled with goosebumps. “It’s freezing in here.” Her eyes rose to the back wall that was covered in fish. Various sizes of bass, perch, and walleye, transformed into stuffed taxidermy, watched diners with beady eyes.
“There’re tables outside, too, why don’t you go and check and see if one’s available, I’ll flag the waitress to let her know and meet you out there.”
“Sounds good,” Rain said and retreated out of the restaurant, relieved to be back in the warm sunshine. She immediately found a table for two on the outer deck next to one of the round orange-and-white ring buoys attached to the thick nautical roped railing. The life preservers were wound on with white rope, more for decoration then lifesaving, but could probably be used in a pinch. The wind had calmed, and Rain was thankful for the thatch umbrella overhead that shaded her from the direct sunlight.
“Oh, this is absolutely perfect!” Julia said as she took a seat across from her.
The two picked up the menus located beside the napkin rack to quietly review their selections. “Don’t order anything too big, I have chicken marinating in pesto to throw on the grill for supper,” Rain said setting down her menu. “I think I’ll just get a salad.”
Murder at the Lakeside Library Page 10