Larkin's Landing_A Tombora Springs Mystery

by SK Wee

  “I never considered protection, myself, which is something that never has happened to me before. For some reason, it totally slipped my mind when I was with you, but if you’re happy with the outcome then so am I. I would very much want to be a part of your life and a big part of our baby’s life, if that’s okay with you. Many of the agents have spouses and children, it’s not an easy life but we can make it work if you want to try.”

  “Let’s just take it one step at a time. Right now, I’m getting very hungry and there isn’t a cook coming in for hours. Want to help me throw some lunch together?” I remembered that he used to be a great help in the kitchen and to me, that was a very romantic quality to have in a man. Hopefully, I could keep my hands off him until we finished making lunch but I wasn’t counting on it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tara

  Though I should have been happy for Fee and Logan, I found my feelings weren’t that easy to define. I felt somewhat scared and maybe a little jealous. Fee had become my whole life over the last few months. Fee and our baby, yes I had come to think of the little bundle of joy as partly mine, and I already would have done anything for either of them. Enter Logan Tate, and my whole world was now in jeopardy. He might take them away from the Landing. I could tell Fee was more deeply entrenched than she would admit to. Now, I was afraid that I might lose everything that remained of my life.

  Since Raine was murdered and my brother sent to prison—hopefully, for the rest of his miserable life—I felt like I lost everything. Even Vince was dead and Marge had left for good. Fee was the only person left to me and I didn’t want to lose her. Cal hung around the place quite often, but I knew he was there for Fee’s sake. Though Fee would say they were just friends, I didn’t think Cal thought the same way. Why else would he suddenly make the Landing his second home? I could tell how much he cared for her and looked out for her.

  Most of the campground people would be leaving for the winter. I came to know quite a few of the ladies quite well. Many of them would spend their mornings in the salon where we had formed a sort of coffee clutch. There were between six and ten who would join me in the salon daily. Most days they didn’t have any work done, but found it enjoyable to sit and chat over coffee. Fee would join us many mornings until she went to help in the kitchen for lunch hour. The ladies would always leave about eleven in the morning, just in time for me to start waiting on tables. It was a great system that worked well throughout the summer months, but now the kitchen was closed for lunch except for weekends, and many of the ladies had already closed their campers up for the winter and left for warmer climes.

  So it was, I was becoming more depressed and worried now that Logan returned and we discovered he wasn’t married. I truly hoped Fee would not leave with him, but I couldn’t blame her if she did. When we left her apartment, I asked Cal to stop by mine. I was breaking in new shoes and already had a blister. While he sat down in my living/dining/kitchen room, I went to the bedroom to find some old shoes. I stopped by the bathroom and grabbed some band-aids and sat down opposite him.

  “So,” I felt irritated with Cal, realizing how much he hadn’t told me all these months. “You knew all about Logan. Did he know about Mel’s involvement? Did you know? I would think if someone was suspicious of Mel, he could have been stopped before he killed Raine.”

  “Nobody knew he was in town until Logan ran into Fee and she mentioned it. That was the morning after we found Raine dead. I’m sorry, but I don’t know how we could have known ahead of time.”

  “Well, you must be just as upset as I am about Fee and Logan.” Though Cal seemed to be concerned about my feelings, I believed he must be hurting knowing the two of them were just down the hall—together. “I hope she doesn’t leave with him, she’s all I got left. I know you have some feelings for her, as well.”

  “Huh?” He seemed surprised and looked confused. “Fee and I are just good friends. I’m happy she has found someone, though I can’t see Fee pulling up stakes here to follow some agent around the country.”

  “Come on, now.” I couldn’t believe he wouldn’t admit to his true feelings for Fee. “I know you’ve been coming around here much too often to say you’re just friends. You are constantly checking on her.” And driving me to distraction. The man oozed charm and sex appeal. His dimpled grins made me want a cold shower.

  “I have been worried about Fee and I did want to make sure she fit in here. But that was a small part of what kept me coming back here.” Cal’s gaze turned intense. “She’s not the only woman here.”

  “Really? You mean me?” He lowered his eyes, suddenly more timid than I have ever seen him.

  “I . . . look, I know it has been one hellish year for you, but when you think you’re ready, I would like to ask you on a date.” He actually looked scared—scared and vulnerable.

  “A date? With me? Like dinner or a movie kind of date?” That must have put him over the edge because he got up from the chair and started toward the door.

  He turned when he reached the door. “Like I said, whenever you’re ready.”

  “Wait just a minute.” There was no way I was going to allow this man to leave just yet. “I’ll need to investigate further, if you don’t mind.” Still shoeless, I stepped up onto his shoes and angled for a kiss. It was soft and sweet. I felt butterflies in my belly.

  When I opened my eyes, I could see the fear he felt earlier change into hope. “Is that all you got? I mean, it’s not bad but . . .” Cal took hold of my waist and the kiss he gave me lost all the softness, but sweet it was. I tried to pull him closer by grabbing his tight butt, but he stood firm. My hand then came around and I felt his hardness, and he moaned into my mouth. I felt that was a very good sign.

  “So, do I pass inspection?” His voice sounded husky with desire.

  “Oh, we’ve just begun the process, my delicious deputy.” I kept moving my hands around his hips, but he maintained control though I felt his grip along my waist tighten. “I require a complete demonstration to make sure all parts are in working order.” My voice sounded foreign to my ears—full of lust and need.

  Cal sighed heavily. “All this for a date? Okay, I will give you indisputable evidence that all parts are up and in excellent working order.”

  About an hour later, I heard someone tap on my apartment door. When I opened the door, I found two take-out containers that smelled awfully good. Neither Cal nor I were properly dressed yet, so I was happy that Fee had just left them at the door.

  “Lunch has been delivered. I’m going to jump into the shower and then we can eat.”

  “I’ll help you.” Well, who was I to turn down an offer like that? When we were cleaned and then cleaned once again, we dressed and sat down to a nice lunch, which was now cold, but I was starving. As I watched Cal dig into his lunch, I think he had worked up quite an appetite also.

  “Well, that was a pleasant time.” It had been so much more than pleasant, but I didn’t want to feed his ego too much. “So, in answer to your question earlier, yes, I would love to go out on a date with you. You’ve certainly passed all the minimum requirements and exceeded all expectations.” Cal nearly choked on a piece of toast as he chuckled.

  “I’m certainly happy I passed inspection.” He blessed me with his dimpled grin. “We have a Halloween Ball up in Ashland in a couple of weeks, and I would love to bring you along. Most people wear some sort of costume, but it’s not required.”

  “Hmm . . . I’d love to go. But I certainly think we should have a costume. Let me take care of that part, okay?” My mind was already imagining Cal in all sorts of sexy costumes.

  “Mmm . . . I’m not sure I should let you, but what the heck? Go for it! Just remember that I’ve worked hard to earn the respect of my fellow deputies and I would hate to lose that.” Cal’s phone went off just before I was going to tell him not to worry—too much. He looked concerned while talking on the phone and I assumed it was work-related.

  “I’ve gotta run for
now, sweetheart.”

  “Sure you won’t need my help, big boy?” He seemed conflicted and I thought I could lighten the mood.

  “Mmm . . . not this time, lover.” There was a quick grin, but soon he was back to all business. “I’ll call you later and tell Fee to stay close. She may be needed.”

  “I can’t tell her that with nothing to add. She’ll go nuts thinking something is wrong with someone in her family.” Then I realized he was actually saying just that. “It is someone in her family, isn’t it? Oh no!”

  “Listen, Tara, I need to go investigate. Stay near your phone and I’ll let you know as soon as I can. Please?”

  “Sure, go! Go! Hurry!” As soon as Cal left, I banged on Fee’s door wanting to speak with her. When I told her what was going on, she decided to call her folks to see if they knew anything. I sat alongside Logan, who was now completely dressed, and waited to see if she found out anything.

  “I can’t figure it out.” Fee said as she plopped down on the chair. “When I spoke to my mother, she didn’t seem upset about anything. I couldn’t very well ask her if something bad has happened without some idea of what it could be. Didn’t Cal mention anything at all?”

  “No, just that you should stay close and that you may be needed. What about your sister? You know, the snooty one. What’s her name, Marsha?”

  “She would have called my mother if anything was wrong. No, I think we’ll have to wait. Hey, what about you, Logan? Can you find out anything?” We both looked to Logan. Working with the Feds, he should be privy to all sorts of news.

  “I’m supposed to be on medical leave. I doubt if they will answer any questions that I may have. I could send out a text to Nessa, though. She may be able to find out what’s going on. Just don’t count on anything. Now I can see why Cal had such a hard time keeping you off the case, Tara. Both of you are damn impatient.”

  “That’s not fair, Logan,” Fee exclaimed. “If someone needs me, I would like to know.”

  “I sent the text, we’ll have to wait for an answer. I don’t even know what she’s doing this week. I thought she was going to hang out in DC though.” Logan leaned back in the chair. He was the only one who seemed at ease.

  When I glanced over at Fee wringing her hands with impatience, I realized she needed something to do. “In case you need to run into town, you should get dressed. I don’t think that old robe is suitable for town.” Fee looked down at her robe and smiled.

  “I guess not, I won’t be long.” She ran into her bedroom to dress. Before she came back, Logan got an answer to his text.

  “Nessa is looking through the county news feed.” He was reading and relating whatever Nessa was texting. I sat and waited for more news, I felt certain that she would find something. “Travis Thorton, Thorton’s Feed Mill, found mutilated. Deputies are on the scene.” I heard a gasp behind me and noticed Fee was standing there.

  “Who is Travis?” I asked, realizing the name must have meant something to her. It sounded familiar to me, but I couldn’t place it.

  “My brother-in-law, Marsha’s husband. Oh no! I have to go to her. We never really got along well, but their baby is due next month. I know for sure Mother hadn’t heard yet. If Cal calls, tell him I’m going to Marsha’s.” Fee looked over at Logan. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “I’ll go with you. I can drop you off at your sister’s and then join Cal. Another set of eyes can’t hurt, right?”

  “Okay, let’s go.” Fee turned to me. “You’ll have to hold down the fort. I’ll call you as soon as we know what’s going on.” They left right away, and I locked everything up and went back downstairs. It was nearly time to open the restaurant, though I really didn’t feel like working. What a day it had turned out to be.

  Part Two

  The Trouble With

  Twins

  Chapter Fifteen

  Fee

  The ride into town seemed to last forever. We took Logan’s sports car and he drove much faster than I would have but it still seemed to take a long time. When he pulled up to my sister’s, I only saw her car in the driveway and had a feeling Cal hadn’t yet arrived to speak with her. I asked Logan to wait until I was sure she was home. She must have noted our approach because she stuck her head out the front door not recognizing the vehicle.

  “Fee? What are you doing here?” I sent Logan on his way and nervously went up to the front porch.

  “Hi, Marsha, I just stopped by to talk. Can I come in?” I don’t remember ever paying her a visit just to talk and felt guilty about that.

  “Sure, come in.” I could tell she was a little suspicious. “Who was that in the car? Fee? What’s going on?”

  “That was a friend of mine, his name is Logan. He’ll be back to pick me up later. When’s the last time you saw Travis?” I thought I would start with that and see what she knew, if anything.

  “Travis? Is that what this is about? Well, he didn’t come home last night. It isn’t the first time, but he won’t tell me where he goes or what he’s doing. Do you know? Is that why you’re here? There must be some reason he doesn’t make it home at night. The Feed Mill hasn’t called looking for him so I assumed that he made it to work.” Marsha was huge with-child but still got out her good coffee service and poured us a cup. Ever the perfect hostess.

  “This wasn’t the first time he didn’t come home? How many times does this happen?” I was confused, why would she allow it to continue?

  “Well, I should have stated this was the first time he didn’t come home at all. A few times he came home in the early morning hours. One day last week, I happened to wake up went he crawled into bed and it was four o’clock in the morning. When I asked where he was, he just said that he got up to use the bathroom, but I knew he had just come in the back door. I would imagine he’s found some woman that is thin and beautiful. Look at me, Fee.” Marsha began to sob and I went and held her. I couldn’t tell her that he was dead because I wasn’t supposed to know yet.

  “How are you two getting along?” I had never spent any time trying to get to know Travis and I’m not sure why. “I noticed that he didn’t seem happy at the picnic, but I thought he just didn’t like me.” I thought it was more than that, but I didn’t want to tell her that he didn’t seem too enthused about being with her either.

  “I think we’ll be able to work things out after the baby comes and I get back into shape. I can’t blame him for not wanting to be close to me when I look as I do.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Marsha! Did he actually say that? Most men think their wives are absolutely beautiful when they carry their children. Even as cold as Rich could be, he loved my body as I grew large with Lizzie.”

  “He probably let you believe that, but I seriously doubt that he felt that way. Men only want shapely women. Travis hasn’t said anything but he keeps his distance from me.” I was saved from continuing our argument by the doorbell. I held my breath as she opened the door for Sheriff Drawbert and Cal.

  Though the sheriff didn’t question my being there, Cal gave me a smirk. I was sure that Logan had already made his presence known at the Feed Mill so Cal would know I would be at Marsha’s. I noticed my sister was now stiff with fear. She would know that a visit from the sheriff when her husband was missing could not be a good thing. She graciously invited them in though, ever the accommodating hostess.

  “Please, sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Would you like some coffee? Phoebe and I were just enjoying a cup. What can I do for you, Sheriff?”

  “I’m afraid we have some very bad news for you, Mrs. Thorton.” The sheriff sat down and waited for Marsha to take her seat as well. “Your husband’s body was found earlier at the Feed Mill. He was killed at some time last evening or early morning. We have ordered an autopsy due to the circumstances.”

  “Circumstances? Can I see him? I need to see him!” Marsha started to sound nearly hysterical. I grabbed her hand hoping she could gain some strength from me.

  “She
riff,” I felt some of the tension leave Marsha, and attempted to get some additional information. “Can you tell us how he was found and by whom? You must know something about what could have caused his death.” I had heard the word mutilated earlier from Nessa’s text and didn’t want Marsha to view her husband in such a condition.

  “The death is very suspicious. Though we must wait for the medical examiner to verify the cause of death, I can say that he was not a pretty sight. I strongly recommend that you wait to see his remains.”

  “Marsha,” I squeezed her hand to get her attention. “You must consider the child. You are too close to your due date to be reckless now.”

  “You knew this, didn’t you?” Her accusing tone was directed at me. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? You heard about the news prior to this. How did you know?”

  “I wasn’t sure about anything,” I answered. “Just in case, I wanted you to have someone here for you. That’s all that’s important, that you have my support. Sheriff, I assume his parents already know since he was found at the Feed Mill.”

  “Yes, his father was there when he was discovered, unfortunately. He was very distraught. We really have little else to say at this time. Deputy Wagner is going to be in charge of the investigation and will be in close contact with his family.” The sheriff soon departed and I looked to Cal for direction. I had no idea what to do next.