“Well, no, not really,” he said. “It is sort of a humorous story though. Ned, a neighbor of mine, was out hunting with his coon dog not too long ago. He likes to brag he is this great hunter, but we all know better and let on we don’t care. Well, he was out with Rex, his dog, for hours off the road that winds down the mountain from Highlands into Franklin, and all of a sudden, Rex starts barking off in the distance, going crazy like.” The auctioneer chuckled.
“Ned, he gets all excited and runs like hell, trying to catch up, thinking Rex has scored big time. Boy, was he surprised at what he found when he got there! Old Rex was scratching at a laptop behind a fallen tree, half hidden in the leaves. He wanted to smack that stupid old dog right there on the spot. He said to Rex, ‘Now, what am I supposed to do with this stupid thing? Take it home, stuff it and mount on my wall?’ ”
The auctioneer sat upright, tapping his head with his finger. “That’s when Ned remembered me and the auction. Why not make up for his losses of the day? It had some dirt on it, but maybe it might be worth something. The auction was that night, so he made a hasty retreat down to town. He came in about four hours before the auction started. Yeah, word spread around. Ned had bagged a big one all right.” Pete laughed heartily.
He leaned toward me. “Me and my boys tried to start that thing up, but the battery was dead. We tried looking for a name or identification on it, just some small scratches, dirt and marks, nothing special. We weren’t sure if we saw initials or not. So, I called Jim, our local police chief here in Franklin and asked if there were any reports of missing laptops around here recently and he checked and said none at all. Well, I’m not stupid. I did my job checking. We cleaned that baby up real good and put it on the preview table, hoping to get some interest for that evening.”
“Did anyone show any?” I asked, hopefully.
Pete smiled broadly. “Yeah, lots of people; an older woman, some guys, young and old. I guess they knew quality when they saw it. I had a disclaimer on it, saying I didn’t know if it worked or not, but that didn’t stop anybody from showing real interest. I thought for sure I had a winner there, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, with all those distractions that night, with the fire and the lights going out, I guess it was too attractive to last that long on that table. Somebody took advantage of all that chaos and yelling and just skipped off with it. I can tell you, I was mighty upset.”
“But what about the person standing watch over those tables? Didn’t he see anybody, or anything at all?”
Pete gave a disgusted shrug. “Who, that idiot? I fired his ass right on the spot. I should have never hired him in the first place. And those two old biddies, highly recommending him! I should have known better then to be taken in like that.”
I liked where this was going. “What two old biddies? Did you know them? Where were they from?” I had already done the math and those two were odds on favorites.
“Whoa, there, with the questions, young lady. I’ll get to it. They walked in that afternoon of the auction and said they were in town and saw my sign in the window, looking for some help that night with the auction. They said they had a nephew who needed a part time job to make ends meet. They pleaded, saying he was so trustworthy.” Pete shook his head.
“They drew me in good. I asked if he had any experience, and they said of course, and being desperate because of all the lots that I had to sell, I gave in and told them to make sure he was there in two hours, so I could show him what to do.”
“Where were they from? Do you remember their names?” I asked, trying not to laugh. I could just picture what took place.
“Let me see. Oh yeah. They were from the same town as you, Highlands. Not right sure of their names though. Betsy…Betsy…Betsy… and maybe …Hannah? Just can’t remember. Like I said. I should have known better. I was like a babe in the woods with those two old pros. I can tell you, but I’ll be damned if I’d admit that to anyone I know. Anything else I can help you with? I have to get back to work.” Pete got out of his chair, which to me was a signal our little talk was over.
“One more thing,” I asked. “Approximately where would you say Ned found this laptop?”
“I think he said about twenty-five feet in off the Franklin road, near Bridal Veil Falls, you know, where the locals go and drive under to wash off their cars?”
“I think I may have heard of it.”
I knew exactly where it was.
He edged toward the door. “Well, is that it? Anything more?”
“No. I can’t think of anything else,” I replied, then shook his hand. “Thank you very much for your time. I hope I haven’t disrupted your schedule too much.”
“No, not at all. I sure hope you have better luck finding and hanging on to that laptop than I did. Don’t forget, we’re having other auctions. Mighty nice stuff, too.”
“No. I won’t forget, and thank you again for your time,” I replied, smiling.
“Sure thing. Anytime at all.”
Outside, I slowly walked to the car, thinking about all the possibilities. My facts so far were unsubstantiated and proved nothing, but had a lot of connections. I felt like I was traveling in circles, always ending back where I started from. There was one thing that bothered me more than anything else.
Could it be that I was being taken for a ride? And if so, why?
Chapter 35
Let Me See For Myself
On my return trip up the mountain road back to Highlands, I figured it wasn’t much of a stretch connecting Betty and Hazel with the clever heist of the laptop, but who was this so-called nephew? It was most likely someone they knew and paid off to steal the laptop. I heard people stole anything if the price was right. So, I could probably cross him off my list. But what possessed them? Those two women looked and acted so moral and proper.
Also, by this time, it was anybody’s guess who might have that laptop. Getting a charger to match it would be a snap. In no time, if they were lucky, and if it still functioned, it might turn on. But I knew for a fact that, even then, Stephen had all kinds of encrypted codes installed. He was always a protection freak with layers of security imbedded in it to help soothe his paranoia.
Could the log the hunter had found it under possibly have protected it from the elements? How far was it found under the log? I was still amazed by stories of people throwing their computers in the trash or dumping them, only to discover later that unscrupulous persons had salvaged them and retrieved an assortment of personal information, including banking, credit and various other important data. So maybe there was a chance it was still viable.
In the wrong hands, I would never get that opportunity to find out. But I was getting ahead of myself because I had no idea what was on it and what information it was being pursued for. What could Stephen have possibly stored on the computer that had everyone in such a frenzy? Who was involved? Why were they chasing the laptop? I slammed on my brakes.
I just passed Bridal Veil Falls.
A gut instinct rushed through me and then ebbed away, as though this place was the moon, pulling me against my better judgment. I slowly backed the car up and parked off to the side of the road. The falls noisily splashed in the background. I hesitated, then got out of the car and started my trek through the woods. I had my fingers crossed, hoping that I would somehow get lucky and find some sort of clue–anything that might lead me to understand who had left Stephen’s laptop there–and why.
I tried to keep sight of my car and veered left and right, and then ventured farther into the woods. I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, except maybe a fallen tree of a pretty good size. After about fifteen minutes of wandering, I finally spotted the low stump of a split tree whose upper half had long since fallen and still remained nearby, starting to decay.
I walked around it gingerly and spotted where it appeared as though a dog or person had scratched out a clearing. It had a slightly flattened area where a la
ptop could have rested. I squatted down, touched it, and then stood to get my bearings. Where was my car? To my relief, I could see it from here–it was at a slight angle, on the side of the road, slightly above the copse where I stood.
Within moments, I realized the ramification of what I was staring at.
I already knew the answer even before it flew from my lips. “He threw the laptop from his car window, because he was probably being followed that night by someone who wanted his information.” Breathless, I waited for my conclusion to change, but like an obnoxious guest, it refused to leave and pressed down on my chest disturbingly. It was definitely a clear shot to where I was standing, and Stephen was strong enough to throw it.
I was located at the section of the mountain, where the road had not a continuous steep mountainous downward slope. It was a somewhat level area. Maybe whoever had killed him had tampered with his brakes beforehand, and that had probably allowed him to keep going for some distance until they finally gave out at the place where the police found the burning wreckage. Toward the end, he probably fought to keep control of his car. After that mental visual, I promptly shook my head, willing myself back from that nightmarish scenario.
I never would have guessed this alternative in a million years on my own. Whoever currently possessed the laptop may have had to remove the hard drive in order to recover the information. I couldn’t believe they would let it out of their sight, so they might try to bring someone in from the outside. That could possibly take a while, allowing me breathing room and some time to figure out who stole it and who was responsible for Stephen’s death. Then again, maybe they already knew what was on the laptop and just wanted it back to prevent anyone else from finding out.
I slowly headed back toward my car. I tried to picture how altered my life had become and how I was no longer pursuing life, but my life was being pursued. Stephen’s death had reshaped my way of life in such a way that it was no longer familiar. Before, I was swept under his spell of overbearing personality, only to learn too late that if he didn’t see me, I didn’t exist. If I didn’t exist, he didn’t have to feel guilt or much else for me.
This truth triggered a bitter aftertaste, finally erasing the debatable image I once had of our marriage. I got in my car and took off. I was no longer fighting for his redemption. I was fighting for my liberation and no longer prepared to consider any possibility of failure. Why did he put both of our lives in jeopardy? A rush of anger washed over me and continued to linger for the rest of the way home. I stubbornly refused to give up, roll over and play dead.
Chapter 36
Shadow Dancing
I was bone tired and wired simultaneously, but fearful of stopping, even for a minute. My computer, although jammed and bulging with information, was useless because it wasn’t coughing up any answers. The screen silently glared back at me as the edges of my mind buzzed from caffeine. I had already done a load of wash, folded it and put it away: thinking the mindless repetitive task of this chore might help. I sat back down at my desk and paid all my bills on line. Still, no inspirations were forthcoming. I was about to read over some notes again when my phone rang. Relieved by the distraction and thankful for an excuse to get up, I crossed the room. I wasn’t making progress sitting there anyway.
“Hello,” I said.
“Sam, it’s me, Martha. We need to talk right away,” she said curtly.
“Sure. When? Where? You name it,” I said, concerned by her unexpected late night call.
This was totally out of character for her.
“Do you mind meeting me at the shop? I know it’s late, but…”
Well, of course she wouldn’t be able to drive out to see me: I had her car. “It’s all right, Martha. I’ll be right there. Just give me a few minutes to drive into town. You know, I could meet you at your apartment,” I suggested. “It might be easier for you. Then you wouldn’t have to walk in the dark.”
“No. I’ll meet you at the shop,” she said, firmly.
“…If you insist. Sure thing. No problem.”
“…Oh, Sam? Park out back, behind the shop.”
I didn’t like that. “Why?”
“I don’t want anyone to see us. I have to talk to you.”
Twenty minutes later, I parked in the back, and got out of the car. Martha materialized out of nowhere, startling me. I grabbed the car door to steady myself. “Is everything all right?”
“There’s something I think you should know.”
“How about we go inside. It’s a little chilly out here in the dark. I’ll make us some coffee.”
“No. Let’s talk here. I don’t want to attract any attention with the shop lights glaring, especially at this time of night.”
“Okay, go ahead.” I nervously looked around the parking lot. For what, I didn’t quite know. She had unnerved me by her guarded behavior.
“My conscience has been bothering me,” she said quickly. “I wasn’t so forthcoming before and just had to speak to you personally and not with any customers around and certainly not on the phone. You see, I clearly saw you leave the bookstore the other day with something tucked under your coat.”
I tried to make light of it. “And I thought I was being inconspicuous.”
“You made a terrible thief, Samantha. Why, it was written all over your face. Panic-stricken was a description that came to my mind. I sure hope you’re not thinking of changing your line of work. She paused. “…Want to tell me what it was all about?”
“I can’t, Martha,” I answered, as I tried to gauge where this line of questioning was headed. Maybe I could dance around this and still sound somewhat rational.
“And why not? It couldn’t be that bad. Could it?”
“Yes it could. Trust me on this. You don’t want to get involved.”
“Did your heist have anything to do with your shop being broken into?” she probed.
“It might,” I suggested, uneasily. She was putting two and two together too quickly and getting four. But that might not be what was going on here. Maybe she was fishing too.
Was it for herself, or for someone else?
I almost let my guard down, spilling everything, but quickly changed my mind. Maybe I should see what I could catch for a change.
“Look,” I admitted. “If you really must know, I found an open box containing some old letters that Stephen had written to Jenny awhile ago. I saw the box on an old desk out back when I was having tea with Betty and Hazel. I know I shouldn’t have stolen them, but I wanted to see what Stephen had to say. I thought I might have been mentioned in them.”
“Now, why would you worry about that?” she asked, suspiciously.
I was stumped for something to tell her. “…It’s personal.”
She was riveted, refusing to budge, physically or verbally. “You know, Samantha, I could go to Betty and Hazel and ask them myself,” she dared.
“But you won’t,” I tossed back brazenly, bracing myself for her next response.
She shook her head in the shadow of the dim streetlight. “No, but I sure hope you know what you are doing and getting yourself into. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt. Stranger things have happened around here and I don’t like it one bit.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t want to scare you.”
Well, that was pretty scary enough.
At that moment, I probably should have asked her what those strange things were, but I was trying to convince myself she believed me, and I didn’t want to open up another can of worms just yet. “Can I ask you something, Martha?”
“Sure, of course,” she said.
“Are those two women at the book shop all that trustworthy?”
“Who, those two old gossips? I guess as trustworthy as two alley cats looking for mischief.”
I shook my head. “That’s what I was afraid of.”
“Now, don’t you get yourself mixed up in anything you’re going to be sorry for. This town is infamous for its hearsay, scan
dals and rumors: some of which may be true mind you, but you better be careful what you say and who you say it to. I‘ve been around here a long time and some things are best left alone. You understand?”
“That’s what I am trying to do, Martha: understand what’s out there.” I had to know. “Tell me. What strange things have happened around here?”
“I…”
From somewhere in close proximity to us, a subtle crack of a branch interrupted our conversation. Could someone have followed Martha or me here? Is that why Martha was so secretive about our meeting arrangement? Was someone following her too? I whipped around to have a look. My heart skipping a beat, but I didn’t see anything at all.
“I guess it was a stray animal,” I whispered tentatively. I turned back to Martha, but she was no longer there. It was as though she had evaporated into thin air, leaving me isolated in the muted afterglow of the streetlamp’s shadow.
Chapter 37
Playing Jack
“Thanks for seeing me on such short notice, Jack,” I said, as I sat in his handsomely decorated home office. His preference for working in the midst of leather, rustic wood furniture and wildlife prints on the walls reflected his personality. He had successfully created a man’s sanctuary that was not only warm, but also inviting.
“No trouble at all,” he replied. “I always make time for you, Samantha. Are you having any problems at the house or shop?”
“No, not at all, but could I please ask you a few more questions regarding Stephen? I know, I must seem like a pest, but you’re the only one I know who would have some of the more specific answers I’m looking for.”
A muscle tightened in his jaw, but he recovered smoothly. “Sure. I’ll try and be as helpful as I can. Go ahead. I’m all yours.” He methodically rocked in his leather desk chair, watching me intently.
“I don’t know how else to put this, Jack. Did you notice irregularities or differences in Stephen regarding you or any particular aspect of your business relationship?”
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