Uncovering Secrets
Barbara Hinske
Copyright © 2015 Barbara Hinske
All rights reserved.
This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the author, with the exception of brief quotations within book reviews or articles. This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or places or events is coincidental.
Also by Barbara Hinske:
Coming to Rosemont, the first book in the Rosemont series
Weaving the Strands, the second book in the Rosemont series
The Night Train
Available at Amazon and for Kindle.
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ISBN-13: 978-0-9962747-0-8
Library of Congress Control Number: 2015907676
Casa del Northern Publishing
Phoenix, Arizona
Dedication
To Helen Curl, Jeffrie Story, and my Brian—you are the wind beneath my wings.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Thank You
Acknowledgements
Book Club Questions
About the Author
Other Books in the Rosemont Series
Connect with the Author Online
Chapter 1
Maggie Martin snapped her laptop shut and set it on the coffee table. She’d been reviewing spreadsheets for hours. The formidable financial problems facing Westbury would still be there tomorrow. It was New Year’s Day, after all, and Westbury’s hard-working mayor deserved some time off. She’d worked every day since she’d taken office last spring. She stretched and slid over on the sofa to snuggle her fiancé of almost twenty-four hours, John Allen.
John put his arm around her and hugged her, his eyes glued to the college bowl game on television. “Only two minutes left,” he mumbled. “Then we can …”
Maggie interrupted him. “And there’s another game right after this one. Enjoy. I know you’re reliving your glory days on the gridiron. I’m going to let the dogs out and call Susan and Mike. I have big news, you know.”
John smiled and patted her arm.
Maggie summoned Eve and Roman, tucked her chestnut bob into the collar of her down jacket, and wound a scarf around her neck. She picked up her cell phone and headed to the back garden. The dogs raced ahead of her as she sought protection from the icy wind under a pine tree on the lawn and tightened the scarf around her neck. She’d lived in Southern California most of her adult life, and these Midwestern winters were not easy to get used to.
She turned to study the edifice of Rosemont. The warm tones of its stone walls and the symmetry of the mullioned windows elicited the same visceral response in her as the first time she saw it. Rosemont embodied stability, order, and security—exactly what she was looking for when she moved here to restart her life after her husband Paul’s sudden death. And not at all what she’d found. Never in a million years would she have imagined she’d be elected to public office as a write-in candidate.
Just yesterday, she’d been prepared to hand in her resignation as mayor. The constant criticism of the local press and a vocal segment of the community were demoralizing, and a lucrative assignment offered by her once trusted colleague, Professor Lyndon Upton, seemed too good to turn down. Uncovering collusion between Upton and local town councilman Frank Haynes had changed everything. They weren’t going to get rid of her that easily. She would stand her ground and do everything in her power to restore the town’s financial footing. She’d make sure those responsible for the fraud and embezzlement that left the general fund and the town workers’ pension plan on the brink of bankruptcy were brought to justice. So much had changed in the last day. She pulled her phone out of her jacket pocket and dialed Susan’s number.
“Hey, Mom, Happy New Year!” Susan sounded cheery, as she almost always did these days now that Aaron Scanlon had come into her life.
“Same to you. How did you two ring in the New Year?”
“We went to dinner at this swanky hotel that had a ten-piece orchestra, and dancing afterward, like out of an old movie—so glamorous.”
Maggie smiled. “What did you wear?”
“That long, slinky midnight-blue dress with the slit. Remember? We found it on clearance, and you insisted I buy it. You promised I’d have a chance to wear it. You were right, Mom.”
“What was that again? You’re breaking up—I can’t quite hear you.”
“You heard me, Mom. But if you want to hear it again—you were so right.”
Maggie laughed. “The words every mother loves to hear.”
“How about you? Did you and John do anything special?”
“It was quite a day.”
“Did you turn in your resignation?”
“Turned it in and went back and tore it up.”
Maggie heard Susan take a sharp breath.
“So you’re not going to take the expert witness gig that Professor Upton offered you? You won’t be traveling to California all the time and coming to visit us?” Maggie could hear the disappointment in her daughter’s voice.
“No, honey, I’m sorry. It’s a long story. I suspect Frank Haynes and Don Upton have been working together to convince me to resign.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I saw a text message from Don on Frank’s phone—congratulating him on my resignation.”
“How?”
“I ran into Frank—literally—on the steps of Town Hall after I turned in my resignation yesterday. I slipped on the ice, and my purse went flying down the steps. When Frank helped me pick everything up, I grabbed his phone by mistake.”
“When did you see the text?”
“Why would Councilman Haynes and Professor Upton conspire against you? It doesn’t make sense.”
“I agree. I don’t know, but there’s something more between the two of them.”
“So what did you do?”
“John and I sat in the lobby of the movie theater and talked it out. The more we talked, the madder I got. One thing is certain: I am not going to let them orchestrate my resignation.”
“What does John think about all this?”
“He’s in total agreement. He drove me to Town Hall, so I could take back my resignation letter. We burned it in the fireplace at Rosemont.”
Susan was silent.
“What are you thinking, honey?”
“You did the only thing you could do, Mom. It all sounds very fishy. I’m disappointed you won’t be here on a regular basis, but I’m behind you one hundred percent, and Mike will be as well.”
“Thank you, honey. I’m really sorry I won’t be seeing you guys more often. Plus the money would have been nice.”
“You’ve got enough money, Mom. Sounds like your New Year’s Eve sucked. I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t all bad …” Maggie paused, unsure how her daughter would take the news of her engagement. Both of her children got along famously with John, but changing status from boyfriend to husband might be another matter entirely. “John proposed. And I accepted.”
Susan squealed. “Mom! That’s fantastic news! Mike and I were both hoping the two of you would get married. I was devastated when you broke up last year. You belong together.”
“Thank you, honey. Your blessing means the world to us.”
“Mike will be thrilled.” Susan drew a deep breath. “We need to get going on the wedding.”
“We haven’t made any firm plans yet. It’ll be a small affair, here at Rosemont. I’d like to get married in the garden,” Maggie said, looking over the now empty flowerbeds. “Maybe June? We wanted to check with you and Mike to see when it would be convenient for you.”
“I’ve got a trial that ends in April, so June is fine with me. The whole town will want to be there, with you being mayor and John a hometown boy and the local vet.”
“That’s why we’re going to keep this really quiet. We don’t want a massive affair.”
“It would be lovely …”
“You can have a big wedding at Rosemont or anywhere you choose. John and I don’t want that.”
“Come on, Mom. You love to throw a party. You and Dad got married at the courthouse, and you didn’t even have a new dress. This has to be a grand affair. The back garden would be lovely, but outdoor weddings can be tricky. Why not get married inside Rosemont? The place looks like a movie set from an English period drama. A gorgeous stone manor home—it’s a perfect wedding venue. You could be in front of the fireplace in the library, or in the living room. We could all sweep down that staircase.” Susan sighed. “And you have to wear a wedding gown.”
“Honey, I’m too old for a wedding gown, don’t you think? Won’t I look ridiculous? I was thinking of getting a really nice evening suit. Then I could wear it again.”
Susan snorted. “Get yourself an evening suit if you want one, but you’re not getting married in it.
“I’m logging into Pinterest right now. I’ll create boards for your dress, the food, and the flowers. What does your ring look like?”
“He didn’t give me a ring.”
“What? You’ve got to have a ring, Mom. You love jewelry. I’m starting a board for your ring, too.”
Maggie laughed. “Slow down, princess. All in good time.”
“Check my Pinterest page tonight—I’ll have gobs of pins by then.”
“I will. And I’m grateful for your enthusiasm. You get busy with Pinterest. I’m standing outside and am frozen stiff. I need to round up the dogs and head inside.”
“Give John a big hug from me. Love you both.”
Maggie opened the back door, and Eve darted inside to her warm basket in the corner of the kitchen.
“Where’s Roman?” Maggie asked as her beloved terrier mix nestled into her blanket. Maggie leaned out the back door and whistled, pausing to listen for the familiar sound of Roman’s tags jingling on his collar as he ran up the hill. The only sound was the wind rustling through the branches.
Roman must have found a dead bird or some other treasure at the bottom of the vast lawn; she’d have to go back into the blustery afternoon and bring him inside. She trudged down the hill, alternatively whistling and calling Roman’s name, becoming more concerned with each step. She’d never known John’s Golden Retriever to disobey a command. By the time she reached the thin strip of woods at the bottom of the hill, Maggie knew he was gone. She raced up the hill and burst into the library of Rosemont.
She bent over, thoroughly winded, and gulped air. “Roman got out. He’s not in the garden.”
John leapt to his feet. “It’s not like him to run away,” he said, rushing past her to the back door, not stopping for his coat. Maggie followed in his wake.
Chapter 2
Maggie and John stepped over the stone wall together and began searching the shallow stretch of woods along the fence, calling to Roman, hoping against hope that he was there distracted by something—or maybe even hurt. John found Roman’s empty collar snagged on a post near a small break in the fence.
John turned to Maggie, silently holding the collar up for her to see. Fear settled on them both like a thick fog. Roman was, indeed, gone.
“Oh, God,” Maggie said. “We’re right next to the road.”
John nodded, looking at the road nearby. “He’s a smart dog, and he’s street savvy. He’ll be all right.”
They hurried back to the house. He couldn’t fool her. She knew John was trying to put a brave face on it, but he was as worried as she was. “Let’s take separate cars to search.”
He nodded. “I’ll turn north out of the driveway and go back to my house. He may be headed home.”
“We’ll find him,” Maggie said, but John was already in his car, starting the engine.
***
Maggie pulled into the berm along the road below Rosemont. She grabbed the flashlight from her glove box to boost the thin late after-noon sunshine. She picked her way through the thick brush to the spot at the edge of the woods where Roman had escaped. She switched on the flashlight and cursed under her breath. She shook it, but it remained dark. “Stupid batteries,” she muttered.
Maggie followed the fence, calling to Roman and searching under bushes and in the ravine. The terrain was uneven and she lost her footing, gashing her thumb and landing on both knees on a rocky outcrop. As she dusted debris off of her jeans, she decided she’d better return to her car before she became a casualty.
Maggie slid behind the wheel and reached for the ignition. He’s here. I can feel it. She leaned her head against the steering wheel. Why didn’t he answer me? He must be hurt. The thought propelled her from the car. The area she had just searched was now engulfed in the long shadows of an early dusk; she didn’t dare retrace her steps in the dark. Maggie cupped her hands around her mouth, and yelled “ROMAN!” until she was hoarse.
Maggie leaned against the driver’s side door and listened. Had she heard a whimper? She turned her head in the direction of the sound and was about to set off in that direction when her phone rang. Her heart leapt into her throat; maybe John had found him. She dove into the car and upended her purse in the passenger seat, answering her phone just before the call went to voice mail.
“Anything?” she asked.
“No. He’s not at my place. I’m going to walk along our favorite routes. Where have you covered?”
“I’m searching the area along the road by the bottom boundary of my property.”
“That’s pretty steep, and it’s getting dark.
You need to get out of there.”
“He’s here, John. I can sense it. I thought I heard him whimper.”
“It’s windy, sweetheart. I don’t think you could hear him whimper.”
Maggie shrugged. “I guess you’re right.”
“If he were there, he’d come to you.”
“Unless he’s hurt.” She hated uttering those words.
John was silent. She knew he agreed but didn’t want to acknowledge the possibility. He cleared his throat. “Why don’t you drive into town, along the square, and over to Westbury Animal Hospital. I haven’t been there yet.”
“On my way. And John—we won’t give up until we find him.”
Maggie got out of her car and called to Roman one last time. She listened carefully but the only answer was the whistling wind. “If you’re out here, Roman, we’re coming back for you. Hang on, help is on the way.”
***
Maggie drove slowly around the town square, windows down, looking for any sign of a dog huddled in a doorway or shivering in an alley. The square was deserted on this cold Sunday night, and all the shops and businesses were closed except for Pete’s Bistro. Maggie angled her car into a spot along the curb.
“Hi, Maggie. What can I get for you?” Pete asked as she pushed through the front door.
“No. I’m not here for food. Roman’s lost, Pete,” she said. “I came by to see if anyone’s reported a stray dog.”
“Oh no! That’s terrible. Nobody’s said a thing. In fact, we’ve been dead all day. As soon as Frank finishes eating, we’re going to close early,” he said, pointing to local business tycoon and town council-member Frank Haynes.
“He escaped through a hole in the back fence at Rosemont. Will you keep an eye out?” Maggie asked.
“Of course. I’ll look for him on my way home. Do you have any flyers? I’ll post one here and take them to the other merchants on the square in the morning.”
“Not yet. We’ve been looking for him since we discovered he was missing. I’ll make up flyers tonight and drop them off first thing.”
“Put on there that I’ll give a free dinner to whoever finds him.”
Maggie squeezed his arm.
“You ought to go tell Frank. He finds strays all the time. And someone might turn him in to Forever Friends. He’ll get all of his employees at the shelter to look for Roman, too.”
Uncovering Secrets: The Third Novel in the Rosemont Series Page 1