Beneath Winter Sand

by Vickie McKeehan

  Hannah pressed her lips to his. “Look, why don’t you come to the bar tonight and I’ll buy you dinner. I know chicken wings is a poor substitute for steak but it’s the best I can do.”

  “Maybe I will…later. I think for now I’ll head home and get cleaned up.”

  “Okay, but text me if you change your mind.”

  Nine

  The Shipwreck on a week night was far less crowded than on the weekends. But stalwart regulars still showed up for happy hour. In addition to the permanent cast of characters that walked in the door, Hannah waited on a group of grad students—three guys and two girls—who were in town from UC Santa Cruz. They’d spent all day touring the Chumash Museum for their evolutionary biology class and were ready to party.

  “I’m gonna need to see IDs all around,” Hannah stated after they ordered beers and wings.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” one of the fresh-faced young men began. “How about you and me going out to my car for a quickie? Did I mention it’s an Audi?”

  Hannah rolled her eyes. “As silver-tongued as you think you are, I’m still gonna need to see your ID.”

  “Problem?” Durke called out from behind the bar.

  Hannah stared the young man down. “Is there a problem here or should I just bring sodas all around for everybody with the wings?”

  “I’m twenty-three,” one of the man proclaimed, proving it by lifting his butt off his chair and taking out his wallet. He held up his driver’s license. The other three members of the party followed suit, producing photo IDs proving they were over twenty-one.

  “Four beers and a soda then,” Hannah concluded, still glaring at the asshole with the attitude.

  “Wait. Okay. Fine,” the stubborn man said, finally slipping the ID out of his wallet. Instead of handing it to her though, he tossed it on the table.

  After confirming it was a genuine California license that showed a birthdate making him twenty-six, only then did Hannah take her time and head over to the bar to get the draft beers.

  She gave Kirby the wings order and greeted members of the Santa Cruz County forensic team who had decided to spend their first evening in Pelican Pointe checking out the drink specials. Hannah supplied them with gin and tonics, a couple of mojitos, and whiskey sours until they finally ordered what had become the bar’s specialty…the wings.

  She tried to linger around the crime scene techs hoping to pick up on what they’d found so far, maybe learn something scientific. But all she heard was a string of excuses that explained the reason for happy hour. She got the impression that the scene at Bradford House had prompted tonight’s alcohol consumption. It seemed most were looking to drown out what they’d seen with a steady dose of hard liquor.

  Hannah couldn’t blame them. She wasn’t certain a bottle of rum was the answer, but it couldn’t hurt sipping an Irish coffee in front of a roaring fire. She wished she was home now—eating steaks, sitting with Caleb and commiserating about their lousy day.

  A bit disappointed that he hadn’t sent her a text and it was almost ten-thirty, she considered sending him one.

  But when the pigheaded, twenty-four-year grad student signaled he needed a refill, Hannah lost her train of thought. The man had been flirting with her all evening. Each time she got near his table, his hands tried to grab and feel her ass. She took most of the behavior in stride as part waitressing in a bar. It wasn’t the first time a man had gotten fresh with her while trying to do her job. But when this guy started getting seriously drunk and surly, she turned to Durke for help.

  “See that asshole over there. Do you think it might be time to cut him off? For several hours he’s been getting more and more rude with each draft.”

  “I’ll talk to him.”

  “And say what?” Hannah wanted to know. “Keep your hands to yourself. I tried that about an hour ago. I’ve been avoiding him. If Darla or Geniece were here I would’ve simply switched tables. Me solo. Won’t happen.”

  “Hey, gorgeous redhead,” the grad student yelled, waving his empty mug in the air. “Over here. ’Nother beer. Move it now, bitch!”

  “See what I mean.”

  Before Durke could round the bar and boot the man out the door, Caleb walked in and heard the derogative comment. Even now, he headed toward the drunk.

  Sensing an ugly scene, Hannah dashed that way but Caleb beat her to the man’s table.

  He stood behind the sloshed guy gripping the drunk’s shoulders hard, his fingers digging in for emphasis. Those fingers that did routine manual labor held the man in place and got his attention.

  “I don’t recognize you, so I’ll cut you some slack because you’re a stranger in town. But in these parts, we don’t talk to women like that. Understand?”

  Because the guy nodded and seemed agreeable to changing his attitude, Caleb let go. But the drunk wasn’t going to stop without a fight. He came up out of the chair, swinging at Caleb.

  Caleb ducked and clocked the guy with one punch, right in the nose. The inebriated man swayed and fell back where he stood.

  The drunk’s friends gathered over him and tried to help him to his feet.

  Caleb looked up to see Eastlyn swagger over to where he stood. She patted her brother-in-law’s shoulder. “Hey there, slugger, how’s it going?”

  “No fair,” the drunk grunted, holding his nose. “You guys know each other.”

  “True,” Eastlyn stated. “But the owner isn’t my brother-in-law and he says you’ve been harassing the wait staff all night. That would be the redhead you’ve been hitting on for most of the evening.”

  Hannah appeared at Eastlyn’s elbow. “He’s been a pest every time I get near the table, trying to put his hands on me, using inappropriate language, and won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

  Eastlyn let one hand rest on her weapon just to make sure the drunk understood he shouldn’t take this lightly. “Ah. Now see, you’re not allowed to do that, not here, not in Santa Cruz, not anywhere, bub.”

  “But the local tough guy is allowed to break my fucking nose? Is that it?”

  “I’ll call the doc and let him take a look at that bloody mess you call a nose. It’s obviously broken. But before you go making a fuss, think twice. I could arrest you for drunk and disorderly and you’d spend the night in jail. But because you’re bleeding like a stuck pig, I’m letting you off the hook for the public drunkenness. That is, as long as your friends get you of here now, and drive you back to wherever you came from…tonight. Got that?”

  The man finally nodded.

  “Great. I’ll call the doctor and your friends can see to it that you get over to the clinic without a problem. But if I ever see you in town again, I’ll lock you up on sight. Take my advice. Learn some manners before you get your nose smashed again, otherwise you won’t have such a pretty face for long.”

  Hannah took Caleb’s hand. “Thanks for showing up when you did.”

  He slid his arm around her waist. “No problem. That guy was ramping up, ready to get nasty in a heartbeat.”

  “I sensed that. It made me uneasy. I’d been the brunt of his raunchy attitude for most of the night.”

  “You don’t have to take this crap, Hannah. There are other jobs in town.”

  She slid her hand across his chest. “It’s one incident, Caleb. Besides, I’m already talking to Isabella about running the co-op in town on a permanent basis. Maybe even growing a few grapes one day.”

  “Now you’re talking. Since Eastlyn’s here, why don’t we see if she can confirm the rumor about the blanket.”

  “Great idea. But see those guys sitting at that table in the corner? That group is part of the forensic team. I don’t think Eastlyn will answer any questions as long as we ask her here.”

  “Good point. Then let’s question her outside.”

  “I could take my break now. Hold on. Let me tell Durke.” Hannah scooted around the end of the bar and whispered something to her boss. A few minutes later she came running back, following Eastlyn out
into the parking lot.

  When she’d caught up with the cop, Hannah blurted out, “Mind if we ask you something?”

  “Go ahead. Doesn’t mean I’ll answer it though.”

  “The thing is…we heard, Caleb heard this afternoon, the forensic people found a pink blanket with the rest of the bones.”

  Eastlyn lifted her head skyward. “Don’t believe everything you hear. That’s just plain wrong information.”

  “I see. Someone told Caleb there was a pink blanket found at the site. So, it isn’t true?”

  Eastlyn huffed out a breath. “They found tattered pieces of a blanket. The only pink I know about was the faded blood spots on the shredded pieces.”

  Hannah was a little unsteady on her feet. “Oh. So, I guess that means Micah is still very much a possibility for a match.”

  “’Fraid so.”

  Empathy for the woman had Eastlyn leaning against her car. “I shouldn’t be discussing this with you two at all. But this afternoon, I sensed that Brent cut you some slack so I will, as well. I can confirm there was fabric discovered at the scene believed to be what was left of a blanket. It wasn’t intact. The faded blood made it look pinkish in color. Keep in mind, that thing’s been in the ground for almost two decades. But those forensic guys tested it and confirmed it was human blood on the material.”

  The news caused Hannah to wince. “Blood is a serious indication that baby suffered a catastrophic event. Caleb and I thought that if the blanket was pink it might rule out Micah.”

  Eastlyn shook her head. “No such luck I’m afraid. Your little brother is still the best lead we have in IDing those remains.”

  “I was hoping for a different answer.”

  “Sorry. I wish I could’ve provided one. Look, I gotta go and follow up with that jerk at the clinic, make sure he hightails it out of town with his friends.” Eastlyn opened the door to her squad car. “For what it’s worth, my advice is to get your mind off the results. I’m serious. You have a week to wait. Don’t spend the next seven days stressing out about it. Stressing out won’t change a thing.”

  With that, Hannah and Caleb watched her zoom out of the parking lot.

  Hannah crossed her arms over her chest. “How exactly do I not stress out about it?”

  “Eastlyn has a typical cop mentality about most everything, all business. And she’s probably right. Worrying yourself silly won’t help the outcome.”

  Hannah blew out a breath that lingered in the chilly air like fog. “This is turning out to be a really crappy January. I lost one of my major clients today. I certainly won’t be cleaning the Bradford House any time soon. When they say a week, you watch, count on it taking two.”

  “Yeah, I had a hunch that might be the case. Quentin’s yard makeover is on hold, which leaves me with a huge gap in revenue.”

  “Great way to start out the new year, huh? I could drop by the nursery tomorrow, throw a little business your way, and pick up a lemon tree. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at growing one.”

  He put his arm around her shoulder. “Thanks. I can rest easy now, stop worrying about January sales, and send in that pesky mortgage payment.”

  The simple sarcasm had her leaning into his body. “Thank goodness I still have the job at the B&B. How about some of those wings I promised you?”

  “I guess I could choke down a couple with a beer.”

  She stuck her arm through his. “Good. I like being able to glance across the bar and see you sitting there.”

  “Why didn’t you say that earlier?”

  “Because you already have the advantage.”

  “I do? Mind pointing it out to me.”

  “You already know I plan to sleep with you.”

  After her shift ended, he followed her home in his truck.

  “You can’t come in.”

  “But you said…”

  “I know what I said…earlier. It’s just that I have a long day tomorrow at the B&B and if you come in we’ll stay up all night making love. I need to be sharp because after I finish at Promise Cove I plan to do some…research.”

  “What kind of research? Ah. You plan to go behind Brent’s back and still hunt down information? Great. I want in on that.”

  “Be sure because I’ll likely piss off the police chief. I’m not from here, but you are.”

  “It’s a light day at the nursery tomorrow. I’ll take the afternoon off and come with you. Besides, I want to make sure I reserve that making-love-all-night thing. I’m not letting you off the hook.”

  “I don’t want off the hook. But I think I know what will happen once we get together. I feel there’s something building between us. Seriously building. Don’t you feel it, too?”

  For an answer, he yanked her against him and covered her mouth. The air sizzled between them.

  “Is that what you had in mind?”

  “Yeah. Do me a favor. Promise you’ll dedicate an entire night to that right there.”

  Ten

  As in most small towns when something out of the ordinary happened it didn’t take long for the news to make the rounds.

  There’d been a flurry of buzzing rumors since the discovery, and it seemed, Hannah was the target. She’d heard whispers behind her back from her first stop at the diner to get coffee that morning to her next stop at the bank. The long stare from the teller had surprised her. She’d dropped in to deposit the check Kinsey Donnelly had given her yesterday for the weekly cleaning job and was amazed that so many customers there had become gawkers. Rubbernecking at an accident was one thing, but downright staring reminded her too much of the day she’d lost her parents.

  Maybe the frosty treatment at the bank should’ve prepared her for the reception at Promise Cove. But it still surprised her. As soon as she opened the front door, Jordan greeted her with kid-glove treatment. The innkeeper shoved a cup of coffee in her hand and ushered her past the living room, down the hallway, and into the kitchen.

  “The chores can wait for a bit. Come in here and sit down. Tell me everything. Don’t leave anything out. I had no idea your reason for being here was to find your baby brother. How heartbreaking that your long search might end at Bradford House.”

  A little self-conscious, Hannah sat down at the farmhouse-style table in the familiar cozy kitchen and watched Jordan fuss over a pan of gooey cinnamon rolls. The warmth in the room reminded her what it might’ve been like if she’d had an older sister, someone to talk to and share her fears and feelings.

  Hannah realized then she’d have to go over the turn of events again for Jordan’s benefit. “Everyone keeps telling me that I shouldn’t jump to that one basic conclusion. But it’s hard not to believe it’s Micah in that hole.”

  Jordan brought over a serving tray filled with chocolate croissants and sat down across from Hannah. The innkeeper dished out one of the tasty treats and slid it onto a plate. When she caught Hannah staring, she added, “Would you prefer a cinnamon roll? I didn’t even think to ask.”

  Hannah grinned. “Not at all. It’s as if you knew the chocolate croissant fit my mood better than the other. It’s just that you’re such a remarkable woman, so talented in the kitchen. It’s a wonder your guests don’t leave here twenty pounds heavier.”

  “So what if they do? Life should be enjoyed. That includes indulgences now and then. Guests come here to be pampered. It’s one reason I’m good at this job. I believe we ought to treat ourselves at times when life’s just too hard to handle.”

  Hannah took her first bite of the croissant. “This is delicious.”

  “It’s my mother’s recipe. I’ve been making them for almost twenty years. I never get tired of watching someone take that first sample and seeing their reaction. It’s heavenly, isn’t it?”

  “Downright decadent.”

  Jordan picked up her coffee cup and went on with the purpose of the chat. “If it isn’t Micah buried there, who else could it be? What other baby could possibly be left that way in such a prominent location?
You might not be able to tell it from the road but anyone who’s lived here for very long knows that house at one time was the showplace in town. It was where all the Christmas parties were held, elegant costume balls, Fourth of July barbecues, and New Year’s Eve bashes. Douglas had a flair for entertaining. That all slowed down when he retired as mayor. And then he got sick and it all but ended his party days. But you need to understand that for a body to be discovered there, especially that of a child, it’s the biggest news since Carl Knudsen was arrested for serial murder. This story is more than a little mystifying to all the locals.”

  Hannah added cream to her mug and a little sugar. “Ah. I guess that’s why everyone stared at me at the bank as if I intended to make off with the cash.”

  “Oh, no. Did they?”

  “Yeah. Big time. Isn’t the first time people have whispered behind my back. Foster care in a new school was much the same way when I was a kid. My point is, I think I should be cautious about making this a foregone conclusion. Micah might be alive. I feel hope is the only thing I have now. Over the years, there have been other times that I thought I was close to answers, only to get let down and discover I had the wrong person in my sights. Wrong birth date. Wrong description. It stands to reason it might not be Micah at all. I can’t help wondering how could it be this easy? After my long pursuit of the truth, how could Caleb just stumble on the remains like he did? You see why I’m skeptical.”

  “What does Scott say?”

  Hannah almost choked on her coffee. “I can’t exactly conjure him up, Jordan. Maybe you can, but I haven’t seen him since New Year’s Eve or rather New Year’s morning. He must be staying away for a reason.”

  “What do you suppose that means?”

  “It might mean that I’ve found Micah and his work is done. There. He got me here and…” Hannah’s voice trailed off. She dropped her head into her hands. “I don’t know. I’m so confused about it all. One minute I’m sure it’s Micah and the next I’ve changed my mind and it’s not.”

  “But that doesn’t sound much like the way Scott works. He usually finishes what he starts. At least that’s my perspective.” But instead of delving into that arena, Jordan waved off the thought and peppered Hannah with a long list of troubling questions. “Maybe I just need more details.”