Sea Scope

by Debbie De Louise

  “I understand,” Ms. Brewster said. “This was so unexpected. Michael was happy. He was very enthusiastic about his research.”

  “Julie, I told you before not to say anything yet. They need to read you your Miranda rights first.”

  “This isn't an interrogation, Mr. Brewster,” Donald pointed out, but I'll be sure to read you all your rights when we talk back at the inn.” He wondered, for a moment, if Mr. Brewster was afraid of what his sister might say.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Sea Scope: Present day

  I didn't see how the day could return to being normal after all the hidden accusations and animosity shared in the kitchen, but Aunt Julie, efficient as ever, instructed Wanda to reheat the breakfast while she went upstairs to call Detective Marshall if she could find his number.

  Even though I'd thought I'd lost my appetite, I found myself hungry again and welcomed the food. Sitting next to Mother, I saw that she hardly touched a bite. Carolyn ate heartily, but Russell, at her side, only drank his coffee. Wanda didn't eat either.

  “I'd like to see the rest of the garden,” Carolyn said, buttering her toast and breaking the silence. “Would you mind showing it to me later, Russell?”

  Putting down his coffee cup, he replied, “I'd be happy to do that, and I know you wanted to see the lighthouse, as well. It's a beautiful day, and I think we should take advantage by being out of this house.” He looked across at me. “Would you like to join us, Sarah?”

  I nearly choked on the piece of egg I'd bitten off my fork. Should I accept? I didn't think Carolyn would be happy sharing me with the only male guest at Sea Scope and one she'd zeroed in on, but I felt a need to escape the confines of the inn. “That would be nice. Thank you.”

  A shadow briefly passed over Carolyn's eyes, but then she smiled and said, “That's great. It'll be good to have two guides to show me around.”

  “I don't think you'll be able to get into the lighthouse,” Wanda spoke from next to Carolyn. “The gate is locked. Tours are only given by appointment now.”

  I knew that policy had been enforced after Michael's death.

  “We can still see it from the outside,” Carolyn said. “It looked beautiful from the porch, but I'd love to see it up close.”

  Mother stood and emptied her plate. “I think I'll go back to my room now. I have more unpacking to do.” I watched as she left the room. She was more composed, but I was sure she was still troubled by the note that was found in her closet. Not only would it have brought back memories of what happened to Michael and, shortly after, my father; but more recently, her own son's death.

  Aunt Julie came back to the kitchen a short time after mother left. She looked brighter to me. A slight smile played at the corner of her lips as she announced, “I got through to Detective Marshall. He's still in Cape Bretton and even accepted an invitation to dinner here tonight. I thought that would be a good way to talk to him about our situation. I usually don't serve dinner to guests, but you're all family and friends, so I'm making an exception tonight.”

  “Do you need any groceries?” Wanda asked, offering to help with the preparations.

  “I may,” Aunt Julie replied. “I could use your help planning the menu. I assume you all don't have any food allergies or dietary restrictions?” She looked around the table.

  Russell and I shook our heads, and Carolyn joked, “I wish I did. I eat everything, unfortunately.” She smiled at Russell as he stood up from his seat.

  “This might be a good time to continue our tour,” he said. “Are you ladies ready?”

  Carolyn and I nodded and followed him to the patio door leaving Aunt Julie and Wanda conferring over dinner as if this was a typical day at the inn.

  From the Notes of Michael Gamboski

  (Statue of Liberty and Montauk Lighthouse – Wikimedia Commons)

  There are many interesting historical facts about lighthouses. Here are a few:

  While most people don't realize the Statue of Liberty is also a lighthouse, it is also the first U.S. lighthouse to use electricity.

  The Montauk Point Lighthouse on Long Island was the first built in New York State and was visited by both the slave ship “Amistad” and a pirate.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Long Island: Nineteen years ago

  Sarah and her family had only been in the new house in Smithtown for a few months. Their mother had rushed their father into finding something not far from where she'd lived with her own parents before they all moved to South Carolina when she was accepted to Cape Bretton University. Jennifer's parents had relocated to a retirement complex in Florida. The same one, in fact, that her husband's parents had moved to a few years later.

  Sarah's mother hadn't wanted to live Down South anymore. She hated the heat and humidity that lasted all year. She prompted her husband to contact Suffolk County real estate agents in search of a home and to look for work in one of the island's construction companies. He found both rather quickly. After the accident, she'd wanted nothing more than to leave Sea Scope. Sarah's father was reluctant to hand the inn over to his sister, even though he knew she was more than competent to run it. Wanda had given her resignation less than a week after Michael's death. She and her daughter moved to a small apartment in town while Wanda applied for jobs at other inns and bed and breakfasts in the area. Sarah's aunt had been understanding and provided excellent references for the housekeeper as well as a hefty bonus check to get Wanda started.

  Sarah noticed her father was very quiet at breakfast that Tuesday morning. Her mother, pouring him coffee, said, “It's hard to believe it's been a year already.”

  “A year since when?” Glen asked, scooping a spoonful of Cap'n Crunch cereal from his bowl.

  Mr. Brewster looked up from his paper. “Your mother was considerate enough to remind us that this was the day of Michael's accident.”

  Sarah's father insisted on referring to what happened to Michael as an accident and not the suicide the authorities labeled it after the investigation ended. The truth was nothing conclusive had been proven, and it wouldn't have been easy for Michael to have fallen, yet there were no signs of a struggle. The guardrails were high and had been checked for safety by the town the month before. Although Michael's parents denied that he was ever prone to depression, his mother, crying and clenching the gold cross at her throat, insisted he would never take his life because he was a devout Catholic.

  Sarah's mother glared at her father. “Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, Martin. I know how close you and Michael were.” The last was said through clenched teeth as she turned and left the room.

  “Why is Mom mad?” Sarah asked. She didn't understand what her mother meant about her father being close to Michael. She thought Mr. Donovan was close to Michael because they shared an interest in lighthouses and South Carolina history.

  Her father didn't reply. Instead, he pushed his coffee mug aside and asked, “Do you two kids have any plans today?”

  “Mother said she would take us to the beach,” Glen said, “but I wanted to go to Brookhaven Labs. They have cool kid's science programs in the summer.”

  “She won't drive out there,” Sarah said. “She promised we could all go on a weekend if Dad's not working.” Most of their father's jobs were on the weekends, although he did work during the week, too.

  “But Dad's off today,” Glen pointed out. “Right, Dad?”

  His father nodded. Sarah still saw the anger brewing behind his eyes and something else she couldn't identify.

  “Yes, I'm off, but I have paperwork to take care of in my office. It also looks like rain, so I think the beach is off for you guys.”

  “What about after you're done with the paperwork?” Glen insisted. “The lab's activities are all inside.”

  “I'll think about it. Maybe you want to straighten your rooms or call friends for a playdate.”

  “We haven't made any friends yet,” Sarah said. They'd arrived at the end of the school year and wouldn't meet m
any kids their own age until they started classes in the fall. Sarah would be going into Smithtown Middle School while Glen would be attending fourth grade at the local elementary school.

  “Then go watch TV.” Her father seemed to want to be rid of them. “I'll let you know about the lab later.” He got up and headed toward his workroom in the garage that he'd converted to an office when Mother insisted on having her own bedroom and a separate playroom for Sarah and Glen.

  “When will you tell us?” Glen asked, following his father to the door.

  “Ask me after lunch,” was the reply.

  “Can I help you with your paperwork?” Sarah knew her brother was asking because he was hoping it would speed up his father's decision and also sway it in his direction.

  “No. It'll be quicker if I do this alone.” Their father's voice sounded strange, but Sarah understood that Glen would be in the way.

  “Come on, Glen. Bill Nye, the Science Guy is on,” Sarah said, helping her father make his getaway.

  As they headed to the den where the large TV was kept, Sarah thought she heard crying from upstairs. The den was directly below her mother's bedroom. But before she could identify the sound for sure, Glen had turned on the TV full volume to listen to his favorite show.

  They were in the middle of watching Bill do an experiment. Glen was transfixed, sitting Indian-style in front of the set next to Sarah. Suddenly, the concoction Bill was mixing exploded. At the same time, a loud bang echoed from the garage. Glen jumped up. “Did you hear that, Sarah? It sounded like something blew up.”

  “We should go check on Dad,” Sarah said.

  As they ran through the den door, their mother called from upstairs. “Sarah, can you come up here?”

  Sarah hesitated.

  “You go see what Mom wants,” Glen told her. “I'll see if Dad is okay. I wanted to ask him if he's decided about the lab today, anyway.”

  Sarah nodded and headed upstairs as Glen raced outside to the garage.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Sea Scope: Present day

  As the three of us walked to the lighthouse, Russell said, “When we get back, I need to apologize to your aunt for my outburst. It wasn't called for.”

  “But was it true? Was your father intending to marry Aunt Julie?”

  “Yes. Dad was even shopping for the ring. He told me he was going to give it to her for her birthday in August. He'd even checked with me to ask if it was okay.” He chuckled at the memory. “I guess he was worried I would be upset with him for replacing my mother. The truth was I really liked your aunt, and I loved Sea Scope. I imagined living in it with you, Glen, and Wendy. It made me feel like I had a family instead of just a father.”

  “That's sad,” Carolyn said from Russell's other side. “It looks like Julie didn't last long with this detective we're meeting tonight. She gave your dad up for him, but they never married.”

  “Aunt Julie had many chances to marry,” I explained. “I don't really know what held her back. I used to think it was her brother's marriage. Even before we moved to Sea Scope, my parents never had a good one.”

  “I wonder why,” Carolyn said. “It always surprises me how people are so in love on their wedding day and then break up easily when the smallest things go wrong.”

  I wondered if Carolyn was talking about me. We'd approached the rocks fronting the gate that opened to the lighthouse. The gate was now padlocked with a large sign saying, “No Entry Without Appointment.”

  “It's a shame we can't go inside,” Carolyn said, frowning in disappointment. Suddenly, her phone buzzed. “Who could that be? I hope it's not Jack or Samantha.” Samantha was our agent.

  Carolyn walked to the side by one of the bushes while Russell and I sat on one of the rocks to wait for her. It was coincidental that it was the same rock where he'd given me my first kiss twenty years ago. I wondered if he remembered. I debated asking him, but before I could, Carolyn came back holding out her phone to me. “Sarah, it's for you. It's Derek.”

  I got off the rock and took the phone with a shaky hand. I hardly noticed Carolyn taking my place next to Russell as I walked a few paces away from them. I faced the lighthouse as I spoke into Carolyn's phone. “Hi, Derek. Is everything okay?”

  Derek's nervous voice came though the cell's speaker. “It's fine now, but I was so worried. I tried calling you and kept getting voice mail. Rather than bother your aunt, I figured I should try Carolyn's phone.”

  I hesitated to tell him my phone had likely been taken by Wanda's mentally disturbed daughter. “I'm sorry I had it off,” I said instead. “How are your classes going?” I figured it was safer to change the subject.

  Derek paused. “I wanted to keep it a surprise, but you know I don't like keeping anything from you.”

  No, I thought, only your affair, but his next words were unexpected.

  “I gave Jerry the rest of my sessions and am driving down there. If I make good time, I should be there by Sunday morning.”

  I didn't know what to say. Should I tell him what was going on?

  “Sarah, are you still there?”

  “Yes. Sorry. I'm a little surprised.”

  “I thought you'd be pleased. I've really missed you, honey. Oh, and don't worry about Rosy. I arranged for my mother to come by to feed her. You know she loves cats.” When I didn't reply, he continued. “I think this will be like a second honeymoon for us even if it's a few weeks short of our anniversary.”

  “Yes. That sounds great,” I said, but I knew he could tell I wasn't excited about it.

  “Sarah, what's wrong?”

  “Nothing. I wasn't expecting you to come here so soon.”

  “Neither was I.” He paused. “I know things haven't been the best between us lately, but I want to change that. There's something I want to tell you, but I'm saving it for when we're face to face.”

  My heartbeat began to quicken. Was he ready to ask me for a divorce? If that was the case, why was he acting as if he really missed me and even mentioned a second honeymoon? More importantly, where was his young fling? Had she tossed him aside, so he could come running back to his wife?

  “Let me go, so I can get on the road, Sarah. I can't wait to see you. I love you. Bye.”

  I was glad he hung up before I could reply. Walking back to the rock, I handed Carolyn her phone.

  “What was that all about? I saw your face change a few times. You looked puzzled at one point.”

  “He's coming to Sea Scope,” I said. “He's planning to make it by Sunday.”

  “That's great.” I could tell Carolyn was truly pleased as she crept closer to Russell on the rock.

  “Did you tell him about what's happening here?” Russell asked.

  “No. It was hard to talk about it on the phone.”

  “Wonderful news,” Carolyn said, getting up. “I'm going to walk around a bit and check the lighthouse from different angles. I wish I could draw like you, Sarah. I would be sketching it right now.”

  I noticed she wasn't upset with giving up her seat next to Russell. She strutted away, flinging her scarf back over her shoulder.

  “Have a seat,” Russell said, patting the area on the rock Carolyn had vacated.

  I did as he asked but kept my attention on the lighthouse and Carolyn circling the area around it.

  “It's funny how our pasts affect our present,” he said, when I'd joined him. “So many things come back to me now that I'm at Sea Scope again. For instance, I remember my first kiss with you on this very rock.” He laughed lightly. “I was so curious about girls back then.”

  “What about Wendy?” I asked. “Why didn't you use her for your first kissing experiment?” I realized how that sounded and apologized. “Sorry. I mean, maybe she was your second. I wouldn't know.”

  He laughed. “That's certainly okay and, no, I never thought about kissing her. I had a bit of a crush on you then. I wonder what would've happened had my father really married your aunt. If Michael hadn't died that summer, we
might even be married today.”

  I'd never considered that, but he had a point. “It's possible, I guess, but people take different paths.”

  “Yes, they do.” He took a twig by the side of the rock and snapped it. “I'm glad you brought Carolyn along. I think she's smitten with me and, to tell the truth, I found her attractive from the moment you two arrived. I've had my share of girlfriends but no one serious. I'd like to change that. I think she and I have some things in common.”

  I hesitated on whether I should mention that Carolyn, like my aunt, wasn't the marrying type, but I knew meddling in peoples' relationships wasn't a good thing to do.

  “I'm glad you two hit it off.”

  Russell smiled. “Tell me about your husband. How did you meet him? Are you planning to have kids? I know you always talked about having a family when the four of us played together. You were a great mother to us.”

  I turned away, afraid for him to see the pain that must show on my face. “Derek's a professor at a college on Long Island where my parents and I moved after we left Sea Scope. I was one of his students.” I wasn't sure how much more I should tell him. Did he hear the slight cracking of my voice? I was about to add that we planned to have children, but Carolyn was calling to us from the far side of the hill that sloped down near the water.

  We both jumped up and headed toward her. Russ got there first. When I arrived, he was standing next to Carolyn examining the item she held in her hand.

  I edged closer. “What did you find, Carolyn?”

  “I took a stumble over there.” She indicated a broken log that was partially hidden under some leaves. “When I got up, I found this under the log.”

  The object she displayed was covered with dirt and hardly recognizable, but Russell and I knew what it was.

  “Wendy's corn-husk doll,” I said.

  “Yes,” Russell agreed. “What's it doing here?”

  From the Notes of Michael Gamboski