“I turned up the heat in the room and put the bag on the luggage bench. You have a baseboard electric heater in there, so it shouldn’t take long to warm up. If you want to come over to my place, I’ll get you something to eat.”
On cue, her stomach grumbled again.
“Just a sandwich will be fine. I don’t want you to go to any trouble.”
“It’s no trouble, honest. After the way I made a fool of myself, I didn’t have much of an appetite at supper either. Tomato soup will hit the spot—you like tomato soup?”
Michelle laughed, and felt the tension drain away. “I love tomato soup. It’s my favorite.”
“Wait until you taste mine.”
“What can you possibly do to canned tomato soup to make it different?”
“I heat it up with love.” His voice was husky, and he looked away as if his words had caught him off-guard too.
She looked at him, but she couldn’t think of anything to say. Drowning in those gorgeous eyes would be a pleasure.
Without another word, he led the way back outside, locked the cottage door, and handed her the key.
“I’m over here in the tree house.” His words were hurried. “They call it that because the tree is practically part of the structure. Since we needed a common work area, it seemed to be the best solution. Aaron and Lissa were in the log cabin over there. Lindsay and Jackson had the two-bedroom cottage next to yours. Lissa’s moved in the suite with Aaron’s parents. She’s sleeping on the couch. She needs to be there. She and Aaron were going to be married in the spring. His parents have taken over Lindsay’s room. The staff cleaned it out for them. The police went through her stuff, but there wasn’t anything to explain how she got in that lake. I understand everything has been taken to the police lab.”
Well, at least they’ve done one thing right.
Michelle heard the sadness in his voice. This tragedy had devastated him. Her gut told her he couldn’t possibly have been involved in the deaths. Her gut was close to her heart, right? Aaron didn’t believe he was involved either, but Ron was sure of it. She remembered his confidence earlier. What did he know that she didn’t?
The quaint two-story house was painted white. The door opened into a screened-in porch with an excellent view of the lake. Michelle stopped as the moon came out from behind a cloud and revealed the water before her. Tony was speaking, but other than the sound of his voice, her mind registered nothing. She stood there transfixed by the lake she’d seen countless times before. The Lake of the Mountain was the lake in her nightmares.
This was where she’d lived. They’d made love in the trees up there on the right—in their secret bower. She’d come out of the marsh over there near where the village was the night she’d gone to meet him. She looked at the center of the lake and knew she’d entered the water there. That’s where I plunged over the cliff. She saw the lake as it had been, before the signs of modern man had obliterated some of its natural beauty. Her world tilted on its axis and then straightened itself once more.
Audra was right. She’d said Michelle would know what the sisters wanted when the time was right. That time was now. Aaron had remembered deadly toxins. Someone was killing not only people, but the lake itself, and it was her job—no their job, her and her mate, whichever man that was—to stop them.
“Michelle? Are you okay? You seemed light years away.”
Michelle chuckled at his accuracy. “I was. It’s an incredible view. The lake looks alive, shimmering and rolling like that. It almost makes you want to believe the legends, doesn’t it?”
He didn’t answer her question. He stared at the lake, blinked, and then turned away.
“Come inside, and I’ll get us some food. We can talk while we eat.”
“This is where you were when you saw her, the woman you thought was me, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
He looked back at her and the lake beyond her, and the yearning on his face made her heart ache. He turned away once more and opened the inner door to the house.
“I’m sorry about attacking you like that this afternoon. I hope I didn’t spoil the rest of your day. I think I wanted you to be the woman. I needed her to be real.”
“I don’t understand.” Her voice was barely a whisper. His agony seared her soul.
“The woman I’ve been seeing isn’t real. Joseph tells me she’s a ghost, the one in the legend I mentioned earlier. Never mind. Mayor Ron is right. I’m losing my mind. I’m a scientist. I deal in facts, data, things I can prove. Ghosts don’t exist in my reality. It’s hard for me to admit I may have seen one on more than one occasion.”
The forlorn quality in his voice touched her, and she had to force herself not to reach out to him. The truth struck her, and she muffled her gasp. She knew who the woman was he’d seen. He’d been right. It had been her, and yet not her, at least not the flesh and blood woman she was now. How was she ever going to explain this to him? If he saw her spirit, was he her phantom lover? She wished she knew the answer to that. She swallowed the lump of sadness in her throat and followed Tony inside.
The interior of the house was open-concept similar to hers. The white walls were decorated with seasonal photographs of the county. Tony flipped the switch on the corner gas fireplace and turned up the temperature. The dining area had been converted into a lab work station, and Michelle recognized expensive equipment including a GC-MS analyzer. Chromatography–mass spectrometry was used by most modern forensic labs to identify different substances found within a test sample. Among its many uses were its ability to detect drugs and environmental pollutants. A new one like this would detect traces previously thought too compromised to be identified. There were also microscopes, a laptop computer, and printer. A couple of folding card tables had been set up to provide more space for the equipment. There were boxes of sample jars piled under the tables and a couple of field kits.
“I’m afraid we’ll have to eat from TV trays. There isn’t much room over there with the equipment. Can I get you a drink? I have water, milk, orange juice, and beer.”
“I’d love a light beer if you have it.”
“Glass or bottle?”
“Bottle’s fine.”
Tony handed her a bottle of her favorite brand and opened a darker beer for himself. He moved to the kitchen area and took out a pot and a couple of cans of soup.
“Tell me about your research project, Doctor Steele. You’ve got some sophisticated equipment in this room, not what I’d expect at a field site. I know you’re a hydrologist, but what are you actually doing here?”
“Call me Tony. Our project is aimed at finding the source of the lake’s water.”
While he prepared the meal, Tony explained what they were doing and how finding the source of the water had always been a fascination of his. He served the bowls and finished his explanation.
“It sounds intriguing.” She took a spoonful of her soup. “This is fantastic. You weren’t kidding when you said your tomato soup was the best. What did you put in here?”
He smiled, pleased by her comment. “I used milk and added a little parmesan, a dash of oregano, croutons, and some feta. I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it, but you’ve spoiled me. I’ll never be able to eat plain old tomato soup again.”
They made small talk and finished their impromptu supper with single serve containers of chocolate pudding. They were cleaning up when he brought the conversation back to the afternoon’s scene at the restaurant.
“What I said and did this afternoon was unforgiveable. I shouldn’t have interrupted you—that was my first faux pas. Accusing you of being a fraud out to get me—well, that goes without saying. There isn’t enough tomato soup in the world to fix that mistake. Unfortunately, we’ve been caught up in politics even I can’t begin to understand.”
He ran his hand through his hair, and Michelle’s fingers itched to do the same.
“I gather you and Ron don’t get along.”
A look of distaste and another emotion she couldn’t identify crossed Tony’s face.
“That’s an understatement. The mayor and I have been at loggerheads ever since my team and I got here. He’s new to the island, did you know that? Opened the winery about three years ago, and the place was an instant success. He impressed a lot of people—especially the struggling businessmen. What’s good for one rubs off on the other, I guess. He ran on a platform promising economic growth, and from talking to Kara, he seems to be delivering. He was elected after my research permits were obtained, and I get the impression he’d have tried to block them if he could.”
He chuckled and shook his head.
“He might be good at bringing the almighty dollar here, but Ron can’t see the forest for the trees. Researchers have money to spend too—not just tourists. He’s not a fan of scientists and our insatiable curiosity to explain things. He’s part Mohawk, not from the local reserve, but he’s done well luring people to the island with the legends. He wants to leave what he sees as mysteries just as they are, and I guess he sees me as a threat. I can understand that to a certain extent. I’m not trying to deny the existence of ancient gods here—if I prove the water comes from Lake Superior, it won’t change the sacredness of the waters or the mythos about its creation. I’m a scientist, but there are a lot of things I’ll never be able to explain, and God is one of them.”
He smiled and reached for her hand. Sparks ran through her body, filling her with desire and need, and she gulped. Tony must have felt something too because a strange look crossed his face, but he didn’t let go. If anything, his hold tightened slightly.
“Ron refuses to listen to anything I say, and I’m afraid his stubbornness may cause irreparable damage to the island. I’m sure he’s told you he thinks I’m responsible for the deaths.”
“He mentioned your research hasn’t gone the way you hoped, and you’d had unexpected problems. He thought you might have sent the students out for samples the night of the storm.” She watched the color slowly drain from his face. “He said you think the lake might be polluted.”
Tony’s face went from shock to fury in the blink of an eye. “Polluted!” He let go of her hand and moved away from her. The small kitchen area was suddenly claustrophobic. Anger radiated from every pore of his body. His hands were fisted at his side. He looked like a man capable of murder, and Michelle shivered.
“The pea-brained, son of a bitch claims I said the lake’s polluted? I gave him a copy of our toxicology reports. The lake’s not being polluted, it’s being poisoned! Given its location, unless something is done, it could poison the Saint Lawrence River system. Do you have any idea how many people get their drinking water from that system?”
Michelle stared at the irate man in front of her, visions of his earlier behavior playing through her mind. The doctor seemed to have a hair-trigger temper. Could he have caused his students’ deaths? Aaron had been so sure he hadn’t, but without memories would he even know? She swallowed her fear.
“Aren’t you exaggerating? The amount of toxins necessary to poison the river system would be incredible. I didn’t see any industries on the island other than farming and the wineries, and I know of no deadly toxins produced by either of them.” She didn’t want to fuel his anger, but she needed him to volunteer this information.
“You don’t need factories to create toxins in this day and age. A good cook can create them in the front seat of his damn car. I told Ron exactly what was causing the damage, and he refused to even consider the idea. Someone’s opened a meth lab on the island, and they’re dumping the chemical waste into the water. According to Jackson, my other researcher, Aaron and Lindsay were going to get some shore samples that night. My students didn’t drown, doctor, they were murdered. You tell that boyfriend of yours to get his head out of his ass. This isn’t pollution, and ignoring it is tantamount to murder.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” She spat the words, unable to control the anger suddenly gripping her.
Tony’s ire had risen, and the accusing way he’d thrown the last barb insulted Michelle. How dare he make assumptions like that? The fact she herself suspected the deaths were murders just added to her annoyance. If he kept shooting his mouth off this way, he’d compromise the investigation. The minute someone got wind of the fact she’d declared the drownings suspicious, people would try to cover up evidence. It was the last thing she needed.
“You’re making a great many assumptions. As a forensic pathologist, I can’t just throw out theories. I’ll reserve judgment on cause of death until I have proof. I’m sure once Ron has independent confirmation of your findings, he’ll understand the severity of the situation. He’s a smart man, an astute entrepreneur; you’ve said so yourself. He’s assured me he’ll do everything in his power to help.”
She bit her lower lip trying to decide how much to share with him. Maybe if he knew she was looking at the possibility of murder, he’d leave it be, and let her do her job. Tony’s eyes were focused on her mouth, and she saw desire flame in them, but it was quickly hidden. It disconcerted her.
“After I left Ron at the town hall, I went to the morgue. I’ve separated the bodies and done a full external autopsy on Lindsay. I’ll start the internal one Monday. This has to stay between us for now, but I don’t believe Lindsay drowned. I’ll know more once I conduct the internal autopsy, but I believe she was dead when she was thrown into the water, and Aaron was close to being dead too. I agree with you. These deaths were suspicious. Whatever they were doing on or around the lake that night got them killed.”
Michelle watched Tony’s face as he stopped pacing and absorbed what she’d said. He smiled. His face lit up and desire punched her in the gut.
“I knew it! They found something. Whoever has that meth lab is to blame. Let’s go to the police right now. They’ll start an investigation.”
“It doesn’t work that way.”
Michelle hated to burst his bubble, but her needs and frustration made her as short tempered as he was. She wanted to touch him, soothe the lines on his face, and have him kiss her. The fact she wanted these things was slowly eating at her emotional control. Her time with Ron had been pleasant, but he hadn’t affected her this way. She forced her mind back to the discussion.
“We need proof she was dead before entering the water. When I have it, which I’m sure I will when I look at her internal organs on Monday, you’ll be the first to know. Where are your samples of the water with the toxins?” She looked around the room.
“I’m going to call for an evidence pick-up—Aaron’s car and whatever else I might find on the beach. I’ll send your samples to the police lab in Belleville. Once they have them and corroborate your evidence, we’ll be able to call in the drug squad, and they can put this island under a microscope.”
He slammed his fist on the table, and the unexpected violence of the gesture made her jump.
“That’s the problem. Everything is gone. It disappeared from Jackson and Lindsay’s cottage that night. Jackson thought Lindsay, Aaron, or I had taken it, but I didn’t, and I seriously doubt either one of them did. The only things we have left are our data and Jackson’s micro samples used in the GC-MS. When I met with Mayor Ron yesterday, it was as if he knew I didn’t have them anymore. I think it’s damn convenient, don’t you? I don’t believe in coincidence.”
Tony was warming to his topic, and Michelle wasn’t comfortable with where his thoughts were going.
“Ron said he didn’t believe they’d ever existed. We had a break-in a few weeks ago and a lot of the sample bottles were destroyed. This time, things just went missing, and I have no way to prove any of it. How would he know they were gone? Because he had them taken, that’s why. He’s involved in this right up to his neck.”
“Now, you’re being paranoid. How can all the samples be gone—you’re talking conspiracy theories here. You have absolutely no justification for your allegations. Ron’s not involved. He’s a good man, truly concer
ned for his constituents.”
“In the words of the Immortal Bard, methinks the lady doth protest too much. The guy’s dirty. I know it in my gut. If you didn’t have the hots for him, you’d see it too.”
Michelle’s temper flared. She felt heat rise in her face, and had to put her hands behind her back to keep from slapping him and wiping that self-righteous look off his face.
“How dare you! I don’t have the hots as you call them. I’m just doing my job—keeping an open mind and following the evidence instead of jumping to conclusions and seeing boogeymen everywhere.”
“I dare because it’s true. I saw you two fawning over one another at lunch. If you hadn’t told me you’d gone to the lab, I’d have continued to think you’d burned up the sheets somewhere. The only thing he’s concerned about is his bottom line. He doesn’t give a damn about that lake or its legends. He wants this put away quickly, so he doesn’t lose any more money. He likes his fancy bling. Did you see his ring, that Rolex he wears? He didn’t pay for them on a mayor’s salary. Dead bodies are bad for business. With you in his pocket, it’ll be easy.”
“You’re wrong. I am not, nor have I ever been, in anyone’s pocket.” Her voice was low, and she was angrier than she’d ever been. Her hands were fisted so tightly, she felt her nails cutting into her palms. Her control was slipping. She needed to get out of here before she did something she’d regret. Tony Steele was a self-centered, egotistical demi-god who thought everyone was out to get him—paranoid? Hell yes!
“Your accusations are insulting, professor. You’ve sunk even lower than you did this afternoon. I wouldn’t have thought it possible.”
She looked at the clock on the microwave, and then turned back to glare at him. It was as if someone had let the air out of a balloon. Tony seemed to deflate before her eyes. Her temper evaporated as quickly. Embarrassed, she searched for a way out. She needed to salvage some of her pride and dignity.
Echoes of the Past Page 15