by E. C. Marsh
“Okay, okay. We know we stumbled onto some sort of experiment. Whatever it really was, it's what killed Marty. We'll probably never know for sure what happened. Ralph and Sandy, that's totally different. Ralph got shot and then the wound got infected.
He looked at me.
“Chris, you told me while we were still on the river that you expected him to have problems. And Sandy also talked about an infection. So, let's just assume that Ralph's cause of death is the infection. Sandy, now, that's different.” He took a sip of his coffee and I drummed faster.
“I talked with Sandy's sister this evening. Didn't really tell her who I was, just a friend calling and asking about the funeral arrangements. She said the pickup ran off the road and into a ravine just west of Holsum. The Highway Patrol had told them that she must have driven too fast, maybe fallen asleep, who knows. Either way, there were no markings on the pavement showing that she used the brakes. They did notice some fluid spots, just ahead of the curve, which could be brake fluid, but its a well traveled road. She also said that Sandy was buckled in wrong, and that they found her handbag, undamaged, outside the vehicle. That's how they knew who she was.”
I was stunned! I didn't know these details. The paper didn't say anything about being buckled in wrong or about the bag.
Tom went on. “I think there was foul play involved. But I cannot figure out who is behind it.” He paused and looked at us.
“What about the military?” I asked. “The SOBs shot Ralph, why not also do a number on Sandy?”
Sam shook his head.
“No, I don't think so. They saw us. They know we saw them, and they have too much to lose to come after us. No, they will maintain a very low profile. I think Ralph getting shot was pure coincidence, the result of Sandy's behavior. It was wrong, but still I think that's the way it happened.”
“You heard what Ginny and Doc Humphrey said about that corporation down there doing testing and all that. What if they are behind it?”
“I hadn't given that angle any thought.”
“Try. It's just too much. They are testing something that is supposed to make crops mature faster, and what happened with Marty was a natural process, only in fast forward.”
Tom started to sound angry.
“And besides, what does all this mean for us? Have you noticed any strange henchmen hanging around?”
He stood up and peeked into the living room to check on the kids.
“I haven't, but if there was foul play with Sandy, I doubt that she would have noticed.”
We were quiet for a moment, waiting to hear what he had to say.
“I guess what I'm trying to say is that we won't know if there's someone after us until it's too late. We can't control this situation at all. We have nothing to work with. I just think we ought to quit panicking over something we can't control and get on with our lives. I doubt they even know who we are and, if we maintain a low profile, they never will.”
There was silence. I wasn't all that convinced. Usually Tom is right, but…?
“I need to take care of Marty,” said Sam. “I need closure. This is all like a bad dream to me, and it's hard to keep up a facade for the kids. They think she's visiting some friends and at some sort of beauty seminar. Some of her customers are calling the house and asking about her. I can't keep that up too much longer.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Like we talked about the other night. We'll go out on the lake and then report her missing. I'm not looking forward to it, but I really need the closure. It'll be rough on the kids.” Sam closed his eyes.
“Did you have a particular weekend in mind?”
“No, just the sooner the better.”
I looked at the wall calendar.
“I have to work this weekend, and I'm in enough hot water the way it is. So you guys might want to go without me.”
“We'll need the kids along.”
“I can't do this.” Tom shook his head. “I can't just sit here and plot how we will let Marty disappear. It feels like killing her. I know we did nothing wrong, but it still bothers me.”
Sam and I just looked at Tom. Sometimes he is really hard to figure out. Most of the time I agree with him, but not this time.
“Come on, honey,” I said. “Look at everything that's gone wrong in the last couple of days. It's been horrible. The three of us are the only ones left of the six friends who started out. We are in this together and, if we are going to survive this, we need to stick together. That means planning things together. I can appreciate you feeling uneasy, but we need to talk about this. I need to talk about it.”
“So, what's your theory?”
“Mine? I think we were in the middle of that big experiment. But I think something went wrong and they need to get rid of anyone who could cause them problems. Somehow they identified Ralph and Sandy, or they just waited until someone with a gunshot injury showed up in the ER. Then they somehow killed them both. I have no idea if they know of us or not. Anything's possible. But I do think, that since Sandy's sister didn't know any of us well enough to call us, we should be ok. There is no way to trace us to that damned river, is there?”
“Well, we did leave vehicles and our canoes in the brush down there. I know ours is registered with it's serial number. That can be traced.”
Sam shook his head. “I really doubt that we'll have any problems. The area is just so remote, and we were not at a regular river access, just off an old gravel road the local farmers use to get to their fields. I doubt that it's even on any maps. We could go back down there in the morning and get the canoes.”
The idea sent chills down my spine. I shook my head.
“Oh no, we don't!”
“I'd just as soon leave well enough alone, at least for now.” I was glad to hear Tom agree with me.
“So what do you suggest?” Sam seemed frustrated.
“I think I'll call the police and report the canoe stolen. Other than that, I think we ought to just live as normally as possible. Maintain a low profile and don't draw attention to ourselves. Let time be our friend and take it one day at a time.”
Tom looked at us. Sam nodded and so did I.
“Yes,” said Sam. “I like that. Maintain a very low profile and let's see what comes up. But we still have to deal with Marty. We can't go to the authorities with the real story. There's not enough of a body anymore, and I'll end up in the funny farm.
“The kids and I need closure. I'd like to do the boat thing and do it pretty damned soon. Get it over with. Let's seriously talk about this weekend, guys.”
“I'm out,” I said. “At the most, I could trade and do a double on Saturday and then join you on guys on Sunday.”
“Sounds good.” Tom squeezed my leg under the table.
“What about the kids?”
“They'll be very busy! I have spent a little time thinking about this! You see, there's a water park complete with one of those huge slides and a wave pool and all that. We'll take them there and run them ragged. I will tell mine that their mother will be joining us after work. They know that can be after dark, so it's no big deal. They have only asked me a couple of times so far where Marty is, and I told them she is at some seminar. They're cool with that. Your kid will be there and, with Chris joining us the next morning, it will all seem very normal. What do you think?”
I nodded in agreement, the plan sounded good.
Tom, my reborn smoker, lit a cigarette. “Are you going to make the boat arrangements or do you want me to?”
“I can do it, I have lots of down time at the moment, and it will help me get through this week. Thanks for the offer.”
“So we'll reconnect by Thursday evening and confirm everything?”
“Sounds fine. Hey, would you mind if I call Ginny and ask if she and the Doc would like to join us?”
“Great idea,” I said. I liked Ginny and had hoped we would maintain contact with her. “But, just in case, mind you, let's not go into detail
s on the phone, okay?”
CHAPTER 43
The week flew by. It seemed that either Allen or Tom had a ball game every evening, and I had work. Sam, Tom and I decided not to go to the funeral for Ralph and Sandy. We wanted to, but after some hard thinking we had to admit that we were worried about being identified and decided it would be better to stay away and not be connected with them.
Neither Ralph's or Sandy's families had ever met any of us, and staying away was easy. Ginny did go to the graveside service. She admitted being nosy and promised to tell us all about it, but I was not looking forward to that conversation!
I had to do some serious sucking up to get back on my nurse manager’s good side. By managing to work an extra nightshift and rearranging my schedule for next week, I managed to get scheduled to work seven a.m. to seven p.m. Saturday. That put me back on my boss's good side and worked out well for all of us as it would get me down to the lake by eight p.m.
As we had planned, Tom and Sam and Ginny spent pretty much of the day with the kids at the water park. They stuffed them full of junk food and kept them running until the adults finally ran out of energy. I reconnected with them on the pontoon boat Sam had rented for the weekend. By the time I got there it was almost nine p.m. and the kids were cleaned up and ready for bed. All three greeted me with hugs. Sam's little girl told me that her mommy would be there pretty quick too, that she had to go to a special class to learn how to make people pretty. It tore me up to hear that, and I had to remind myself that there was nothing I could do to change what had happened to Marty.
We motored out toward the center of the big lake and got away from the parties at the shore. Close to midnight, we stopped the engine and sat on the deck, drinking wine coolers and looking at the stars. Had it only been one week since the river? I found that hard to believe. It seemed like a bad dream from a different life. I saw a shooting star and closed my eyes and wished for Marty to come out of the cabin and whine. She didn't. We were on our second wine-cooler when Ginny finally told us about the funeral.
“It was a simple service. Nothing fancy, just family and friends gathered at the graveside. The minister said very little. I got the impression that the two families did not get along very well. Makes me wonder how the kids will do growing up. Right now they are with Sandy's sister. I heard they will stay with her during the school year, because that keeps them from having to change schools.”
“Did anybody ask you who you are?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I was asked that. And Chris, you will not believe who asked.”
“Who?”
“Remember when we went to the hospital in Holsum to get your Blazer? The janitor who came out of the ICU, the one with all the gold and expensive cologne?”
I couldn't remember.
“Come on,” said Ginny, “surely you didn't forget so soon? Good looking fella, early thirties. Wore hospital scrubs with some serious gold on him. I mean bracelet, necklace and that cologne! I still can't remember the name, but it's a three-digit price tag.”
I seemed to vaguely remember something about a janitor, but nothing solid. Ginny gave up on me.
“Well, anyway, guys, you will not believe it, but he was at the funeral. Dressed up, in a nice dark suit. Nice, tasteful, understated and expensive! I have never encountered a janitor with that kinda taste and the wallet to support it! He's the one who asked me if I was family or friend? Acted as if he belonged to the family. Even offered me a seat with the family. But he was dressed too classy to fit in with either family. I told him I was just a co-worker of Sandy's and was paying my respects, and didn't need special seating. I didn't stay long after that.”
“Where do you think he fits in? Army?”
“No, definitely not. I really don't know where he belongs. It took me a while to place him. He has this really ordinary face. You can look at him all day long and not remember what he looks like. If it hadn't been for that cologne, I would never have made the connection. I think its Halston.”
“Halston? What is Halston?”
“The cologne, men's perfume whatever. I think its Halston, don't know if it's really a three-digit price tag.”
I didn't care about Halston, or whatever perfume the janitor wore, but I cared that someone who had seen Ginny and me at the hospital in Holsum had shown up at the funeral.
“Did he only ask you, or did he also ask others who they were?”
“I saw him ask several people. Interestingly enough, he only asked people in our age group. Whoever he was, he was fishing for information. I doubt he got anything. Actually, I don't think he recognized me. The day we went to the hospital, I was still in my old grubby farm clothes and I had my hair all up in a ponytail. I got dressed up for the funeral. Gotta do that every once in a while, or sometimes I don't recognize myself when I look in a mirror.”
I wasn't really listening. I couldn't. The wine, the stars and the slow rocking motion of the boat started to make me feel sleepy. I must have dozed off, because all off a sudden I heard Tom softly calling my name over and over. I opened my eyes and he smiled at me.
“Been a long day for you, hasn't it sweetheart. Come let's go to bed.”
I gladly let him lead me to our bed for the night. Morning would come soon enough.
Chapter 44
I awoke to the delicious scent of fresh coffee. The sun was peeking into the cabin, and I had to admit that I felt great. Then I remembered that this is the day Sam would have to report Marty missing. It would be very important that our stories were straight. I didn't have time to contemplate that, though.
When I went after my cup of coffee, Sam was talking to two Water Patrol officers. Their boat was tied up at our side. We were a lot closer to the shore than I remembered, and I certainly didn't wake up when they arrived.
Sam seemed genuinely upset, he was pale and he was pacing.
“What's going on?” I asked of no one in particular. Sam turned to me.
“Marty is missing. She went swimming last night, and I fell asleep in one of
those lounge chairs. When I woke up, she was nowhere to be found. I went in the water
looking for her, and found nothing! So I radioed the Water Patrol.”
I didn't know what to say. I just sat down and held on to my cup of coffee. Slowly, one at a time, the kids appeared and Ginny joined us. The kids were impressed by the officers' uniforms, and the boys were quick to point out the pistol each officer carried. I pulled the kids away from Sam and herded them back into the cabin for breakfast . Let Sam tell his kids what's going on, I thought. Finally the officers left. After making sure each kid wore a life jacket, I turned them loose in the water in front of all the adults and joined the group for my second cup of coffee.
“So far so good.”
Sam looked tense and pale and uncomfortable.
“You heard what I told them. They said they will alert the other boats on the lake and the other officials, and get a search party going in the area where we last saw Marty. They asked us to stay in the vicinity and to check in with their station before we headed home. They will search the lake, and they said they pretty much know where a body will drift to in these waters.
“They were concerned because the spillways were open for a while last night. The body could have ended up in the river below the dam and then she may never be found. Anyway, they will be searching for her. I've already told them we would be leaving here by noon today.”
“Daddy, where is Mommy?”
Sam's little girl had climbed back on board.
“I wanna show her how I swim.”
Sam pulled little Samantha closer and held her tightly. With tears running down his face he whispered. “Mommy went swimming last night and didn't come back.”
“Mommy drownded?”
His voice failed him and he just hugged her closely, rocking back and forth. Samantha is such a little doll, and definitely a Daddy's girl. She has Sam's coloring and personality. I haven't made up my mind yet ab
out her brother.
“You're squashing me.”
“I'm sorry, baby.”
“Daddy, are you crying?”
“Yes, baby, Daddy is very upset.”
“It'll be okay, Daddy. Mommy, will be right back, you'll see.” Samantha put her arms around Sam's neck, hugging him as only Daddy's little girl could.
I felt myself choking and turned away, not wanting to add to the confusion of the children. Allen stood in the background watching. I went to him and held him to me. He may think he's a man, but to me he will always be my baby. No one spoke for quite some time. What was there to say in a situation such as ours? The adults knew what was really happening, and that did not lessen our grief.
We quietly packed up our belongings and returned to the marina. To our surprise, we were bombarded by reporters and others who had heard the missing persons report. One of the reporters asked Sam if he realized that his wife was the twenty-first drowning in the state this summer? And I watched Sam come unglued. He's really getting into this, I thought.