by Blue,Marina
Hey kitten,
Hope you slept ok. I have some things to do today, and wanted to get a jump on them so I’d be done by tonight. Remember, you still have a job at Rick’s, and don’t tell me you won’t be showing up, we both know how Pearl would feel about that. Besides, I may have a surprise for you as well. Oh, and just so you know, I took the painting of The Foundering Grouse to be repaired, that way when Pearl comes back everything will be as she left it. Love you!
Knox
Melody stared at the note. Love you! Knox wrote love you… What did that mean? Was he being literal, or just signing off in that casual way people do? Melody didn’t know which one she’d prefer. She knew that she was in love with Knox, the way a woman’s always in love with her first, but actual love love? She’d just gotten out of a relationship. There was no reason to rush back into one. But Knox wasn’t William. He was Knox… Still though, they hadn’t even slept together! And all of this nonsense with Sparrow, and Pearl in the hospital, it had emotions swirling around Melody’s head. She couldn’t sort them out, there were so many in-
“Knock knock!” came a call from outside Melody's front door.
She walked from the kitchen, across the living room, and opened it.
Standing there was Tara from The Perfect Sundae. She was in an impossibly pink dress, and held a cake with both hands.
Melody stood looking at her. “Hi, Tara. What can I do for you?”
Tara looked at the cake. “I heard about what happened to Pearl, and I felt bad. I wanted to stop by and bring you a little something.”
Melody glanced at the shotgun in the corner. Then at Tara. And decided not to shoot her. “Come on in,” Melody said, and stood aside.
Tara entered, put the cake on the table, and then studied the room. “This doesn’t look so bad. I thought there was a break-in?”
“There was. But someone cleaned up when I was at the hospital.”
“That’s odd,” Tara said. “Are you going to officially report it?”
“I am.”
“I don’t know if that’ll help. Besides, I think Jerry already knows it’s a crime.”
Melody was shocked. “What?”
Tara sighed deeply. “He’s been keeping the crimes that happen off the books.”
Melody's jaw dropped. “Why?”
Tara walked over to the fireplace. “It’s pretty straightforward. Every time a crime gets reported to the police they need to record it. Those records are publically accessible. They go to the state capitol. So if they were accurate, and reflected everything that’s been happening the past few months, then everyone would know we’re dealing with an upsurge in crime, and that wouldn’t help business at all. In fact, I myself had a break-in a few weeks back.”
“Did you report it?”
“I did. But Jerry explained it to me as I’m telling you now. I mean, police work, it’s not like in the movies or the TV. It’s not like they can run a bunch of DNA or shoe scuffs and get a hit. Finding the guy is unlikely. But if my report went on the books it would’ve become public knowledge. So I let it go. For the town’s sake.”
“Right…” Melody said. “It wouldn’t have helped us catch the creep, and only would’ve been one more reminder of why not to spend your time or money vacationing in Craving Cove.”
“Exactly.”
“Is that even legal?” Melody said.
“I doubt it. But he’s not in any danger. Everybody knows what he’s doing, and why he’s doing it. Now, let me ask you, I heard a rumor that you were attacked by one of the guys?”
“Yeah,” Melody said. “Twice.”
Tara’s eyes got wider. “So you can describe him?”
“Of course. I already gave Jerry the details.”
Tara clapped her hands together. “That’s great! If we know what this kid looks like then we can pass out some posters, and maybe we can spot him before he causes any more trouble, and maybe salvage the season.”
“And hopefully save some businesses, like the Coeur de Mer?” Melody said, and motioned to the interior.
Tara’s enthusiasm dwindled. “Exactly. We’re all aware that Pearl's having some money problems. We’d offer some cash to help, but I doubt it’ll be enough.”
“Five thousand,” Melody said.
Tara covered her mouth. “Oh my. That’s more than I thought. What’ll you do?”
“No idea. I have another day before I have to officially make payment.”
“Well, lots of folks are behind, and nothing too terrible has happened. Besides, with you singing the way you do, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“You heard about-” Melody stopped short.
Tara was looking at her with a queer smile. “Small towns, darling. Anyway, if there’s another way to help, let me know.” She walked towards the door.
Melody walked her out. “Oh, by the way, I was having dinner at the beach the other night and the owner of the restaurant, Rudy, said something about starting the Ocean Frolic again. What do you think?”
“I think it’s a great idea. But I don’t know if it’ll help. Our reputation’s taken a hit the last few months. Still, if anyone can pull it off it’s you. In fact, if you decide to do something like that, let me know. I can handle food prep. Rudy, he’s always pushing the local fish, but I can get way fancier than that.”
“Thanks, I will.” Melody held open the door.
Tara stepped through it. “But I do think it’s a good idea to keep Jerry in the loop. I’ll tell him you won’t be stopping in to make that report, and just in case I’ll ask him to get ready for a Frolic.”
“But I didn’t say I’d do one.”
Tara winked. “Best to be safe. I know what you’re capable of. So does Jerry. Heck, so does the whole town. And if you decide to go through with it, we’ll need to get stuff ready for parking, traffic, and… well, everything.”
Melody smiled. And then she just had to ask, “Listen, I appreciate the help, but I always thought you hated me.”
Tara rubbed Melody's arm. “Oh dear. I did. I still kind of do. I mean, you’re so beautiful. Compared to you, a girl like me can’t compete. Plus, you were always so popular around town, and even got the sexiest guy. And then, you did what all of us dream of, you left the cove! You spread your wings and moved to the big city. Got a rich husband. I stayed, and I’ve always sort of regretted not seeing if I could be as brave as you.”
“It didn’t work out that well,” Melody said.
“Yeah. And I’ll admit, it is kind of nice to see you hit some bumps.”
Melody looked shocked.
“Hey, I’m not proud of my bad thoughts, but I’m trying to be honest. I don’t wish you ill. I never did. But I never wished you good, either. And I bet you felt the same way about me.”
Melody went to object, but stopped. Her open mouth turned into a small smile.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. But maybe we can change that. I love this town, and so do you, and maybe we can all work together to make it special again.”
Melody nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Good. I’m glad we got that out of the way.” Tara hugged Melody close, and when they released, she said, “I think your singing can only help.”
“I hope it does.” Melody thought about it. “But I don’t know if I can go on after all that’s happened.”
“Is that what Pearl would want?”
Melody thought about what Knox had written. And about what Pearl would say. She realized that both her man and Tara were correct, Pearl wouldn’t approve of Melody hiding in the house. “No. Of course not. She’d want me to do something.”
“Yes she would. And frankly, so do I. I can’t believe I missed the first night, and I know for a fact that the whole town feels the same way. I think everyone will be there. I’ll see you later tonight. Rest those pipes!”
And with that, Tara left Melody alone in the Coeur de Mer.
She looked around. And sighed contentedly. Sheriff Pinter cou
ld be trusted to handle Sparrow, and now she’d turned Tara, a women who’d never been anything but cold to her, into another ally. Maybe, working together, they could somehow salvage the season, and save the cove.
Melody walked over to the window. The sun was rising.
It was a new day.
Chapter 28
“Mr. Waters,” the receptionist said. “It’s the counselor.”
“Excellent.” It was barely eight AM, but Waters already held a glass of blood red wine. “Put him through.”
“Right away, sir.”
A few seconds passed. Then, through the intercom, the counselor said, “Hello, Mr. Waters?”
“Goat! I’m here. Is it done?”
“Last night.”
“Excellent!” Waters took a sip of wine. The earthy feel swirled around his mouth, dancing with currants and a hint of leathered tobacco.
Then the counselor said sheepishly, “Mostly…”
And Waters stopped savoring. He swallowed and turned to the intercom. “That’s a funny way to say yes.”
“Indeed. There was a bit of a snafu, but I believe it will work to our advantage.”
“Go on.”
“As per your instructions, I had one of our agents, the one who failed last time, Sparrow, attack Melody directly.”
“So she’s incapacitated?”
“No, actually. She beat him rather badly.”
“What? How?” Waters put his arm on the desk, and in one stroke cleared it off. The pens, trinkets, and even the computer fell to the carpet with a loud crash. “Explain yourself immediately!”
“I wasn’t there, but Sparrow said she managed to fight him off by gashing his face open with a shard of glass.”
Waters seethed at the news. His chest expanded and shrunk as he breathed raggedly. “So she escaped unscathed?”
“To some extent, sir. As you know, you’ve empowered me to take certain actions on behalf of the company if I see fit, and I extended this to Sparrow.”
Waters’ breathing slowed. He composed himself. “What did your agent do?”
“He bandaged his face up, then went to pay Melody a visit in her home to finish the job. She wasn’t there, so he ransacked the place to send a message.”
“And?”
“Well, apparently the owner was there, and she was so shaken by the invasion that she had a stroke. Melody was the one who found her body, and had her brought to the hospital where the doctor on duty put her into a coma, where she currently is.”
Now a smile slithered across Waters’ face. “So Melody’s aunt, the woman who raised her, has been put in the hospital. That’s even better than harming her directly. This is perfect, well done.”
“Thank you, sir. Furthermore, while they were there, Sparrow returned to the home, and cleaned the place up. I think he wanted to remove any evidence of him being there for the authorities to find.”
“That’s surprisingly thorough for him.”
“Yes. I believe it was at the behest of his uncle. But overall, I’m very pleased. I can’t imagine that Melody will be sticking around long. If I were her, I’d be gone by now.”
The second line on Waters’ phone blinked. He said, “Wait a moment, Goat. I have another call.”
Waters pressed the button. The voice on the other end was familiar. He was happy to hear it. Until it gave him a report. With each word Sinton heard he grew angrier and angrier. Then he hung up, and resumed his discussion with the counselor. “You idiot!” he yelled. “You did nothing!”
The counselor said, “What do you mean?”
“What I mean is, your incompetence is legendary. As we speak, Ms. Song is digging into her position. My agent was just informed that she’s not leaving at all. She’s making plans with other women to revive the town.”
“How can you know that, sir? I only just now-”
“Shut up, Goat. Your spy isn’t the only pair of eyes Coldwater has in Craving Cove. And I’m certain that Melody Song will be more likely than ever to be a problem.”
“Possibly, sir. But I can assure you-”
“Quiet. I need a new plan to remove her permanently. Now allow me to think…” Silence settled over the two men and choked the line between them. Waters stared out the window and thought. How could he dislodge this woman? How to get her to leave her home? He knew she was passionate. Strong. And stubborn. Dangerous combinations. Add that to the courage and intelligence, and she was a truly worthy foe.
Fortunately, she was unaware of her own strengths. Like so many women, this Melody Song couldn't see the power that lay within her. And that was something Waters knew he could use. That, and her relationship with Pearl, who had not the courtesy to die like a decent woman.
Bah. Women! Was there one that wasn’t headstrong?
But the thing about women is that while they have so many strengths, an intelligent man can use them as weaknesses. And Waters was a man who had found many a weakness in the women he faced.
This one would be no different.
Even as that thought crossed his mind, a strategy formed. Waters sipped more wine. The red liquid filled his mouth, and washed thick over his tongue. By the time he swallowed he knew that Melody Brooding-turned-Song had to disappear. And nobody could know about it. It had to be as if she just up and vanished. The way she did fifteen years prior. Waters’ mind raced. So fast, in fact, that it was only a few seconds until he knew exactly what to do.
“Counselor,” he said. “She’s cut off from any funds, correct? And aware that she’s facing possible bankruptcy?”
“Of course.”
“And her legal representation was alerted to this, and has abandoned her, yes?”
“Indeed, sir.”
“And her aunt’s home is still in receivership?”
“Yes, sir. What are you thinking?”
Waters’ lips were red from the wine, and he smiled with them. “Listen carefully, Goat. Contact your agent in Craving Cove. I have a new plan…”
Chapter 29
Knox had the painting from Pearl’s living room strapped to the back of his bike. It had taken so much of his willpower to pull it off the wall, and leave Melody there. He didn’t want to leave her alone. But Melody was one amazing woman. Most men, at least Knox’s friends, would say that all women were amazing. It was true. But there were still standouts. Women that could get under your skin, inspire you, drive you. Women who could handle anything that life threw their way. And Knox knew that Melody was exactly like that, even if she didn’t.
Why? Knox couldn’t say. He’d met hundreds of women in his life. Thousands. But not a one could hold a candle to his Melody Song. She made the air smell sweeter. The sea, brighter. And when she sang… Knox sighed as he pulled his motorcycle into the small shop that sat on a side street off Ocean Way. As he walked into it, a bell as old as the first American colony rang as the door smacked it, and an older, black man with thick glasses and a green apron was sitting behind the counter, working on an old-timey radio. He looked up from his work, and said, “Knox. Good to see you.”
“Hi, Mr. Roosevelt. How have you been?” Knox walked across the room with the painting in one hand, and the other extended.
Mr. Roosevelt shook it, and said, “Puttering this way and that. And you? I hear there’s a new love in your life. Or perhaps, it’s more like the original love?”
Knox laughed and shook his head. “This town…”
“Gossip, like everything else, is best enjoyed with others. Now, what do you have for me today?”
Knox placed the painting on the counter. “It’s Pearl's. I’d like to have it repaired before she gets home.”
Mr. Roosevelt looked up at the large man. “I’m praying that happens.” The he looked at the picture. And laughed. “You and The Foundering Grouse… Like a dog with a bone.”
“Indeed. She’s out there, somewhere, just waiting to be claimed.”
“I like your confidence, son. But be careful it doesn’t turn to recklessne
ss. The ocean is like a woman’s heart: tumultuous. And neither gives up its secrets unless it wants to.”
“Patience,” Knox said. “A little patience and you can have both.”
“Maybe. But I wouldn’t know. Both treasure hunting and woman chasing are games that should only be played by young men.”
“Really?” Now it was Knox’s turn to laugh. “From what I hear you’ve been playing one of those games with a certain Mrs. Welling, and it wasn’t treasure hunting. Over there twice last week? That’s a lot for a man who doesn’t make house calls.”
Mr. Roosevelt looked serious. Almost severe. But then he shook his head and smiled. “This town… Listen to your elders, son, chasing woman, even if they want to be caught, is a young man’s game.” The smile on his lips turned sweeter. “But I never said that old men couldn’t still play it.”
Again, Knox laughed. “That’s good to know. But the painting, can you repair it?”
“Let’s take a look.” Mr. Roosevelt pulled down his glasses, and studied the artwork. He got close to the rip itself. And tsked. “It’s a bad tear for certain, but this should pose no significant issue. I think I can have it ready by tomorrow afternoon by the latest.”
“That’s great to hear. I’ll let Melody know.” Knox turned to leave.
But before he got halfway out of the door, Mr. Roosevelt said, “I don’t believe it…”
Knox paused, and turned around. “What is it?”
“Close the door, son. And come back inside.” There was an expression of blank shock in Mr. Roosevelt. “There’s something you should see.”
#
The news that Mr. Roosevelt shared with Knox had his heart hammering at unsafe speeds, which was exactly as fast as his motorcycle was traveling as it rocketed towards the Coeur de Mer. When he got there, he clamped down on the brakes like a tenacious pit bull, and the bike slid to a stop. A second later his kickstand was down, and he was charging into the B and B. “Melody!”
Melody leaned out of the kitchen. “Knox? Is that you?”