Murder at the Lakeside Library

by Holly Danvers

  “Who else could it be? Unless your grandfather Luis was one heck of a lady’s man,” Julia said sarcastically and then covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, I say inappropriate things when I’m nervous.” She slapped herself on each cheek as an act of self-punishment. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I just meant Margaret must be Maggie. Right?” she added sheepishly. “Who else could it be?”

  “If I’m gonna break this kind of news to our coworker and friend, I’m gonna have to be absolutely positive that I’m right. I’ll need complete verification first by asking what her maiden name is. I don’t want to upset Marge for no good reason, you know.” Rain scratched her head and then readjusted her ponytail, squeezing the band tight. “I mean, can you imagine? This will break her heart knowing that her sister’s baby did survive. And that he was living right here, in Lofty Pines? A mere few miles away from her?” Rain snapped her fingers. “Maybe Thornton was trying to find his birth mother? Or better yet, maybe he was looking for Marge! But Marge just returned from Florida, maybe that’s why they haven’t connected yet.”

  “Wow. I never thought about that.” Julia twirled her hot pink hair between her fingers nervously. “This is getting pretty juicy. But we’ll never truly know what Thornton was up to, the poor man’s dead! How will we ever find out?”

  “Hang on a second.” Rain tapped her finger to her lips. “Thornton had a copy of Always You near his body.”

  “Yeah, so?” Julia nodded. “Go on.” She rolled her hand in the air for Rain to continue.

  “What if my mother already knew the truth. What if my mother lent the book to Thornton so he could learn more about his father and his parents’ love story before talking to Marge? It makes sense, no? That could fit.” Rain began to pace nervously back and forth across the antient floorboards that held so many secrets.

  “Yeah, but wouldn’t Willow tell you? I mean something that big, I don’t think your mother would hide that kind of stuff from you, would she? And why wouldn’t she have introduced him to Marge—his own blood relative?”

  “Maybe it’s a timing issue. My relationship with my mother has been on a bit of shaky ground lately. I don’t want to get into it right now, but our communication has been strained to say the least. Maybe she just wanted to tell me face to face. Just like Marge waited to tell me face to face today, to unload her secret. My mother wouldn’t dump that kind of thing over the phone, I don’t think. And maybe Thornton wasn’t ready to meet his aunt. Maybe he told my mother to wait. My mother probably already knows what happened to Maggie. Maybe she was the one to tell Thornton his mother didn’t survive his birth.”

  “True,” Julia replied, and she was happy her friend didn’t push the issue regarding the rift between her and her mother.

  Rain knew when the time was right, she could share, and she loved that about Julia. Her friend knew just how far to push and when to hold back.

  “So many details just seem to beg more questions.”

  “Yeah, I know. This is a lot to take in,” Rain said, folding the birth certificate and placing it on the bookshelf for a moment to think.

  “I wish you could get in touch with Willow. That would surely connect a lot of dots for us now, wouldn’t it?”

  “If only.” Rain rolled her eyes. “Good luck trying to locate her in that faraway place. It feels like she’s on the other end of the planet. I tried to reach her via email, hoping that she’d at least pick up the message on her phone. But I’m guessing there’s no internet connection where she’s located because if there is, she definitely would’ve responded by now. Anyhow, with things the way they are with my parents, she might not have shared this information with my dad either.”

  “What now?”

  “Great question. I’m at a loss. What are your thoughts? Where do we go from here?” Rain asked.

  “You’re not going to like my suggestion, but maybe we should call Jace. I know you don’t want to tell him or anyone else. But to be fair, this information might help him with the investigation. Because maybe Thornton’s identity will have an impact on this case. We’re borderline hampering if we don’t tell him. Right?” Julia frowned and slipped a hand on one hip.

  Rain blew up her mouth like a blowfish and slowly exhaled.

  Julia must’ve understood where she stood with her hesitation because she added, “Think on it tonight, and we’ll talk about it in the morning? Fair?”

  “Fair enough.” Rain nodded.

  “Hey, off topic, but Nick and I were invited to a bonfire by one of the Lakers tonight. Maybe you should do something to take your mind off all this? Come and have a cocktail by the fire? Why don’t you join us?”

  “Nah,” Rain waved a hand of dismissal. “I don’t want to crash.”

  “Are you sure? It’s over at Kim’s place. Remember Kim from ski club? You wouldn’t be crashing, she’d love to have you, I’m sure of it.”

  “Red hair? Freckles, kinda short?” Rain asked.

  “Yeah, but she’s grown up, too. A little bit more mature from the Pippi Longstocking look of her youth.” Julia chuckled. “Her freckles have faded, and dare I add she’s a bit of a stunner like yourself.” Julia flicked a finger toward her. “I’d settle a trade for either one of your faces over this one,” she added encircling her face with her finger.

  The comment made Rain smile. “Next time? I’m kinda tired.” She stifled a yawn.

  “No kidding, I can see why after sleeping here on the floor instead of on a comfy bed where you belong. No wonder you’re tired. You’re lucky one of these flies didn’t buzz around your head all night,” Julia teased. “I hope you’re planning to use a real bed tonight.”

  “Let’s just finish up here so you can get going, I don’t want you to miss the bonfire.”

  Julia swept up the dead bugs from the floor into her hand. “This is so gross!” she said as she headed for the door to dump them outside.

  “We have a dustpan for that, you know!”

  “I’ve cleaned up worse from my students.” Julia threw her head back in laughter and continued out the door. “Believe me!”

  The two worked in the library well into the evening in companionable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Rain’s mind kept whirling back to the death of her uncle. Did either of her parents know? Or had the hollowed-out book with hidden family secrets been locked away from all of them? Did Thornton even know? Did he have a copy of the birth certificate, which led him here? Or had the adoption records been sealed? Was he waiting for the right time to reveal his identity?

  Rain returned to the open bookshelf and began to re-hide the birth certificate, back inside its envelope. She tucked the envelope safely inside her grandfather’s hidden compartment novel, and then returned it back inside the log for safe keeping. She smoothed her hand over the log once set in place, and noticed that only a small part of the chinking was missing—the part where the bugs had come in. She wasn’t sure if anyone would’ve even found the time capsule if not for the bugs burrowing a nest. With the chinking intact, it wouldn’t be so obvious that there was something hidden inside that part of the log wall. It looked as if her grandfather had sealed the hollowed book into the wall, and only he would be able to remember its location. She couldn’t help but wonder then if her mother really did have access to the truth. After kissing her fingers and touching them upon the sealed log, she replaced the books back on the shelf, hiding it completely once again.

  Julia tapped Rain on the shoulder, interrupting her reverie and she jumped, throwing her hands to her chest.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you.” Julia put her arm around her shoulder and gave a squeeze before releasing her. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Rain nodded. “Sorry, Julia, I’m just lost in my own head again.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider and come with us? You look like you could use a cocktail. And Kim’s family would love to meet you, I’m sure. Did you know she has a set of twins now? They�
��re three already! Cutest little buggers,” Julia added in a baby talk voice. “Every time I see them, I just want to pinch their cherub cheeks. I’m not sure if they’ll be tucked in for the night, though. Sometimes Kim does that so she can sit by the fire without worry. I can’t half blame her.”

  “Nah, I’ll pass for tonight. But thanks for the offer. Tell Kim to stop by the library when we open, I’d love to see her and the kiddos. Don’t worry, we have all summer long to get together. Maybe I’ll host another barbeque and invite a bunch of Lakers so we can all reconnect. Wouldn’t that be nice? What do you think?”

  Julia grinned. “I think that’s marvelous that you’re wanting to come out of your tortoise shell! Absolutely! And I can help you plan. Okay then, if you’re sure …” she said after her eyes darted to the clock. “I’m off. If you need anything, just text me. I’ll have my phone with me if anything should pop up.”

  “You know what? I take that back. I’m coming with you,” Rain said with a new resolve.

  Just as Julia was hitting the threshold, she stopped short and turned, “was it something I said?”

  “Yeah. You know what? I think you’re right. I think it’s time I get outta my tortoise shell even further. Give me a few minutes to get ready, I’d love to join you guys.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Rain, Julia, and Nick followed the smell of smoldering embers like a train of cars to the backside of the property, until the licking flames were visible. A crowd of people already peppered Kim’s lakeside property, the bonfire evidently in full swing. Outdoor lights hung from the open pergola, attached to the house, sending a shimmering reflection to the lake. And tiki torches lined the way all the way to the pier. The lights made everything sparkle, resembling the ambiance of a seaside resort.

  Rain leaning into Julia and whispered, “it’s my fault we’re late, sorry it took me so long to get ready.” She’d already felt a slight hesitation when the car had pulled up alongside Kim’s place. She secretly wondered if she’d made the right choice to join them, suddenly getting cold feet when she heard the buzz of conversations and laughter bubbling up from around the firepit. How she would’ve preferred to be snuggled deep into her sleeping bag, with eyes deep in a library book right about now. What am I thinking coming here?

  Julia bushed her off with a wave of her hand. “No worries, we’re not late. People come and go at these things. There’s no set time,” she said as a petite red-haired woman approached them. Pale freckles, covered in makeup, glittered across her lovely face.

  “You brought Rainy!”

  “Kim?” Rain said, taking an awkward step backward and then reaching in to greet her with a hug and a smile. The woman standing before her looked almost nothing like what she remembered from her youth. The gangly Pippy Longstocking lookalike of their formative years, now long gone.

  “Yes, Rainy, it’s me.” Kim held her at arm’s length. “Look at you! Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes! It’s so good to see you again. Gosh, it’s been decades!” she said, the light of the bonfire reflecting in her excited green eyes.

  “Likewise,” Rain said with a smile. “It’s really good to see you, too. You look amazing, Kim,” she added and meant it.

  “I guess I’ve found my footing! And it’s no longer on the pyramid, I prefer solid ground now.” Kim demonstrated with a little dance in front of them, causing collective laughter within the group.

  “She’s being bashful,” Julia said. “Kim can still kill it on skis.” Julia’s focus turned directly to Kim. “I see you out there behind the boat, first thing in the morning, sometimes.”

  “Exactly. First thing, while there’s not too much boat traffic and the water is still calm. You won’t see me dodging waves in the afternoons when all those crazies are out there on the lake. I’m too old for that kinda stuff now,” Kim laughed.

  Nick interrupted the fun by saying, “You ladies want anything? I’m going for a beer.” After he’d waited for an answer, and was greeted with a few head shakes, he strolled away from them toward the drinks.

  Kim pointed out a few large coolers by the pergola, in the direction where Nick was heading. “Please, ladies, help yourselves. There are wine coolers, too, if beer’s not your thing. Seth has the coolers well stocked.” She shifted her weight and turned to wave across the fire at another newcomer. “I think he bought seltzer, too, so if you go thirsty, it’s your own fault!”

  Julia pipped up, “I knew he’d have them well stocked. Rain, wait until you meet Kim’s husband, Seth, he’s an absolute doll.” She elbowed Rain and smiled.

  Kim returned the smile and then summoned her husband from across the backyard. Seth in turn held up a hand for her to wait, as he was deep in conversation with another man holding a beer. “I’m sure you’ll get a chance to meet him sometime this evening,” she said finally.

  Rain looked up at the chocolate brown chalet and the twinkling pergola, taking it all in. “Congratulations, it looks like you, too, have inherited your parent’s property. It’s beautiful out here.”

  “Once a Laker, always a Laker,” Kim laughed. “Yeah, my folks wanted to winter down in Florida, so we bought them out a couple years ago. They bought a small place here in Lofty Pines, but not directly on the lake. They come over here from time to time when they want a boat ride, or just want to sit on the pier and watch the skiers go by. They still have the best of both worlds—minus the maintenance.”

  “Oh, that’s so nice! Good for them,” Rain said.

  “Yeah, it sure is nice having them close. And besides, this would be too much for them to give up completely,” Kim agreed. “A lot of history here.”

  “Where are the twins? Bed already?” Julia asked.

  “Yeah, they about wore me out today.” Kim huffed. “Somedays, I just don’t know how to settle them down at the end of the day, but finally they went down.” She animatedly wiped pretend sweat from her brow and then smiled.

  “I’d love to meet them,” Rain said. “Maybe come by the library next week and we’ll help set them up—find a few campfire stories or bedtime reads.”

  “I’d like that, I’m sure they would too.” Kim’s eyes scanned the lapping shore, and then back to the fire. “Oh, shoot! I just remembered! Before you gals arrived, I was heading inside to grab the gear for pudgy pies. Seth is begging for one.” Kim then pointed across the fire to a couple seated in lawn chairs rolling marshmallows on large sticks. “We also have smores fixings, out by the fire. Want anything?”

  “No thanks, none for me,” Rain answered.

  “Speak for yourself! I’ll have one!” Julia grinned and then poked Rain teasingly with her elbow when Kim walked away from them. “Hey, is this a party or what? Bring on the sugar and drinks!” she added with a chuckle.

  Rain looped her arm through Julia’s and moved them out of earshot, “I’m so glad Kim didn’t mention anything about the murder on my property. I figured it would be the first thing out of her mouth. To be honest, it kinda surprised me that she didn’t mention anything.”

  “I called ahead and asked her not to. I said it might scare you off.”

  “You did that for me?” Rain held her hand to her heart. “You really are protective of me. Like a sister from another mister.” She shoulder-bumped and teased with a wink.

  “Of course! I called Kim while you were getting ready. Now go mingle and have some fun. I’m gonna go grab a beer.”

  After Julia stepped away, Rain shoved her hands deep in her pockets. When she finally plucked up the courage to look over the crowd, it seemed most were “coupled off” which was exactly what she was afraid of. Mingling without Max had become burdensome, especially in groups of mostly married couples. She didn’t want to be obnoxious and hang on Julia’s shirttails, but the unease was certainly starting to creep in.

  Rain felt a tap on her shoulder and spun around. A stocky man holding a beer stood in front of her. Rain noticed the Harley Davidson tattoo instantly.

  “You a friend of Kim’s?
Or Seth’s? I haven’t seen you at their bonfires before?” He looked at her quizzically and wiped the mop of dark hair out of his eyes.

  “Original Laker.” Rain rocked back and forth on her heels, keeping her hands in her pockets. “My family owns a cabin further down the lake. The name’s Rain.” She flung out a hand, he took it in his, and then gave a firm handshake.

  “I remember you.” He wagged a finger in her direction, his eyes finally placing her. “I’m Brock by the way. We were in ski team together back in the day.”

  “We were?” Nothing about Brock looked familiar to Rain. She was rolling through ski team members in her mind, one by one, and still couldn’t recognize him.

  “I held the base position on the pyramid,” Brock said, shifting his weight to one hip. “You really don’t remember?” He cocked a brow teasingly. “That surprises me.”

  “Ohh, I remember you now!” Rain smiled. “Aren’t you the one who used to drop us from time to time? You almost got kicked off the team, right?” Before she had a chance to hit the rewind button, the words had flown from her mouth. She hoped he couldn’t see the sudden rush of blood she felt to her cheeks and hoped he would think it was just brought on from the fire.

  Brock smiled sheepishly and held up his beer. “You guessed it. Yours truly!” he said with a grin. “I’m surprised I haven’t seen you around the lake in so long. Where’ve you been? Hiding under a rock?” he asked, taking a sip.

  Rain couldn’t half blame Brock for adding a teasing dig after how she’d greeted him. “My husband wasn’t much of a fan of long drives. We hung close to Milwaukee mostly, so only a weekend to the Northwoods here or there …” Rain wasn’t sure how much to share or what to say. Suddenly she felt incredibly awkward. She pointed to his tattoo. “I used to work for Harley. Great company to work for.” She beamed.

  A new toothy grin crossed Brock’s face. “Yeah? No kidding! I wouldn’t take you for a biker chick.” He nodded approvingly. “Nice. What’dya do for them?”