Shallow End

by Brenda Chapman

  “He could have met someone in the bar or run into someone else he knew in the hotel. A fake ID giving his age as nineteen was found in his wallet. He drank beer and smoked some pot somewhere.”

  “I think we should pay Mitchell a visit to find out if he asked Bruster to hire his son.”

  “We can be at his office around two if traffic is good.”

  “Let’s do it.” She leaned against the headrest and closed her eyes. “I’ve been having trouble sleeping,” she said. She opened her eyes and turned her face to look at him. “I hear Fiona is going on a teaching gig for four months.”

  “Yeah, I took her to the Ottawa airport last night. She’ll be back for a week and then gone for the duration.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  He was surprised that she was asking since they’d both steered away from discussing his marriage. How do I feel about Fiona leaving? “She thinks that given enough time and counselling, we’ll become a couple again. She’s having trouble accepting the truth.”

  He glanced over. Stonechild’s dark, unfathomable eyes were watching him. “And what is the truth?” she asked in a voice as soft as a cotton sheet falling onto the floor.

  “The truth is that our marriage is over.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Adam was working late getting his track team ready for the next day and Naomi was supposed to watch his kids after school. She phoned to let Ben know that she’d be on her way as soon as she finished supervising detention. After she disconnected her phone, she looked up at Liam, who was standing next to her desk.

  “Okay, I have twenty minutes. I can meet you for a coffee, but we can’t be seen together.”

  Liam agreed and she watched him leave. She imagined his muscles flexing and relaxing under his loose black slacks. His butt was as tight as the soccer balls he kicked around the field and she was weak at the knees thinking about his muscular thighs on top of her. She stood and got her spinning hormones under control before following him at a discreet distance to the parking lot.

  As she crossed the parking lot, she caught sight of Adam standing near the field talking to kids in running gear. He was wearing his Jays ball cap and blue Columbia jacket over jeans, always perfectly turned out for any occasion. She hesitated before getting into her car, knowing full well that she was about to cross a line by meeting Liam off school property. Then she reminded herself of the photos Adam had on his computer that he’d taken of Jane. The shock of finding them was as sharp now as it had been when she’d seen the first photo of Jane standing at the bus stop.

  Two nights earlier, she’d asked Adam if he’d seen Jane since her release from prison, other than the time he’d met to tell her that she wouldn’t be seeing the kids until Devon’s murder was solved. He’d gone a bit ballistic, asking if she trusted him, wanting to know what even made her ask … going on and on. After he’d left for his nightly workout at the gym, Naomi realized he’d never answered her question.

  She unlocked her car and got in. Since that awful day when she’d almost been caught spying in Adam’s den, she’d begun watching him more closely. He was going to the gym more often — or so he said — and the part of him that she’d found to be mysterious and so attractive initially was becoming increasingly suspicious. He also seemed to be tracking her own whereabouts more closely and she was beginning to feel on edge.

  Liam was waiting for her at a corner table in Sipps coffee shop on Brock Street, out of the way enough that they shouldn’t run into anyone from the school. To be honest, the idea of getting caught together was part of the excitement. Maybe not wise, but defin-

  itely a turn-on. Two cups of coffee and a slice of tin roof cheesecake were already on the table. Liam handed her a fork and they both dug into the luscious chocolate cheesecake, loaded with chocolate-covered peanuts and capped with tiny marshmallows.

  “I love this place,” said Naomi. “Limestone and brick walls, good coffee, and desserts to die for.” She watched Liam as she ran the tip of her tongue back and forth across her chocolate-covered fork. She smiled when his pupils enlarged as he followed the last flick of her tongue with his eyes.

  “Still set for tomorrow after school?” he asked.

  “Are you sure you’re up for it?” she teased. “Your voice sounded a little hoarse just now. Perhaps you’re coming down with a terrible disease.”

  “And maybe you’ve got the cure for what ails me.”

  “There you go again with the love poetry.” She smiled, scooped up another forkful of cake and waved it in the space between them. “I’ll set it up with Adam’s kids tonight.” Believe me, just as soon as I get home. Ben was aching for more independence and she’d play on that, telling him and Olivia that this would be a test and one that they should keep to themselves since Adam worried more than was good for him.

  On the drive home, Naomi pondered her options. She was disenchanted with her current living arrangements and could see the day when sex with Adam wouldn’t be enough to keep her there. The problem was that they worked in the same school and he had this possessive streak that might be tough to get out from under. He’d gotten jealous a few times and the memory of his anger followed by a round of intense lovemaking sent a shiver up her back, whether lust or fear, she had no way of separating.

  Ben and Olivia were sitting together on the couch in the family room when she breezed into the kitchen through the back door. They were watching The Lion King for the ten millionth time, or she should say that Olivia was watching while Ben worked on his homework next to her. They really weren’t such bad kids. Naomi called him over to the kitchen and they each took a stool on the same side of the island.

  “Did you have a good day?” she asked.

  “Yeah, went okay.”

  They both started to speak at the same time and stopped together. Naomi laughed. “How about I go first? I’ve got an appointment after work tomorrow and was wondering what you thought about watching Olivia after school? Your dad will be at the track meet. I would pay you for the hour of kidsitting.” She noticed the flash of delight that crossed Ben’s face before he dropped his eyes and nodded.

  “No problem.”

  “The thing is …” She waited for him to look at her. “Your dad doesn’t think you’re old enough for this responsibility and on that point, we disagree. I think you’re plenty old enough.”

  Ben’s forehead wrinkled in worry. “He doesn’t have to know, does he? Olivia won’t say anything if I tell her not to.”

  She pretended to think it over. “Weeellll, I guess we could keep this between us. As long as you promise that you and your sister won’t get into any trouble for the hour that I’m at the appointment.”

  “I promise. You can count on me, Naomi.”

  “I know I can.” She patted his knee before standing. “That’s settled then.” She stopped and turned back. “What was it you wanted to tell me?”

  He looked as if he was searching for an answer. He shrugged. “I forget. It was nothing.”

  “Well, if you remember, I’m right here. Now go back and get your homework done while I whip up your favourite macaroni and cheese for supper.”

  “Thanks, Naomi.”

  “You’re more than welcome.”

  “There’s his car.” Stonechild pointed to a slate grey Jaguar. “I bet you money.”

  “One of the sweet perks of owning your own business.” Gundersund wheeled his Mustang into the empty spot next to it and they both got out. “How do you want to play this?” he asked, looking at her over the roof of his car.

  “You ask the questions. I get the feeling Mitchell will respond better to another male.”

  Gundersund held up two crossed fingers. “Like this.”

  Stonechild rolled her eyes. “Happily, I don’t see you and Mitchell Eton as blood brothers.”

  Gundersund didn’t know whether to be r
elieved or disappointed that she’d chosen to ignore his news about Fiona and the dissolution of his marriage. She hadn’t seemed convinced. He wondered if she’d got a wager going in the office pool and was waiting for him to cave. Maybe she was hoping to win the pot, which he heard was up around a thousand bucks. He was well aware that his weakness for Fiona was legendary around the water cooler.

  An attractive young woman directed them to Mitchell Eton’s corner office at the end of a short hallway. Black and white lithographs of machines through the ages lined the pale green walls. They found Mitchell working on his laptop in a sunny corner of his large office. He frowned when he saw them standing in the doorway but recovered quickly, leading them into a small meeting room with two large windows and a view of the woods. “Have you arrested her?” he asked as he sat down.

  “We’re still following up on leads,” said Gundersund. “I’m sure you understand that we need enough evidence for a conviction before we take the case to the prosecutor.”

  “And I’m sure you can appreciate how frustrated my wife and I are by the pace. However, I agree that you need to ensure the Thompson woman spends the rest of her life in prison. She must never be allowed to corrupt another boy like she corrupted Devon.” He ran a hand across his eyes. “What brings you here today then?”

  “Some new information about Devon. We’ve learned that he visited the Limestone Spa Hotel after school on the day he died. According to Ivan Bruster, he met with Devon to discuss a summer job in his company. Did you know about this?”

  Mitchell’s eyes darted back and forth between them, seeming to look for validation that what Gundersund said was true. His voice came out frosty, the words forced through tight lips. “No. I would have told you if I’d known. Have you spoken with Ivan?”

  “Yes. Devon was keeping the job interview a surprise for you, apparently. Ivan let Devon know that he had the job before he left the interview.”

  Conflicting emotions battled across Mitchell’s face. “This brings it all back, you know? My son had such a bright future ahead of him and this makes it real. I’m glad that he at least died knowing he’d gotten the job.”

  Bruster had said much the same. “Ivan told us that Devon left before six but didn’t say where he was going.”

  “So you’ve accounted for what, an hour more of his day? That doesn’t seem to be nailing down the killer.”

  “It’s one more piece of the puzzle.”

  Stonechild asked, “How are your wife and Sophie doing?”

  Mitchell’s eyes shifted over to her. “Not great but better, thanks for asking. I’m leaving after you finish to pick up Sophie from school. It’s her first day back.”

  “We understand you’re having a celebration of Devon’s life on Friday.”

  “We’ve decided against it for now. We’ll keep the burial a private service with only our family. Sophie and my wife are not up to anything public at the moment. I intend to start a football scholarship in Devon’s name. Perhaps we’ll have a celebration of his life at a later date, once we’ve had some time to grieve privately. Once this business with Jane Thompson is completed.”

  Kala ate a late supper of scrambled eggs and toast standing at the kitchen counter looking at the black line of trees at the edge of the lake. Taiku had greeted her arrival and immediately gone to lie down on the couch in the living room. She’d had to coax him to go for a walk. He hadn’t eaten any of his supper. She was considering whether or not to take him to the vet in the morning when her cellphone rang on the table where she’d left it after calling Rouleau.

  “So sorry to take all this time to get back to you.” Caroline Russell’s voice was loud but friendly in her ear. “I wanted to find out how it really went with Dawn, and don’t worry, I’m not expecting it went smoothly. The trust with you will take some time to renew.”

  “She didn’t say much.” Kala was hesitant to put her own trust on the line with Caroline Russell. She was too used to having her words used against her.

  Caroline spoke with care after a brief silence. “I’m worried about Dawn. She’s been skipping school again and won’t say where she’s spending her time.”

  “Can’t the foster parents ensure she makes it to class?”

  “They haven’t developed a relationship with her. This is part of the problem.”

  Kala remained silent. What could she say except I told you so?

  Caroline didn’t let the dead air last as long this time. “Look, to be candid, I’m not in agreement with Tamara Jones about removing Dawn from your care. However, I’m only babysitting the file until she comes back off leave.”

  “Could you transfer Dawn back to live with me?”

  “I can recommend this, but it’s not my decision. I feel, however, that if you develop a relationship with her again, this could go a long way toward a positive outcome.”

  “So no promises.”

  A sigh. “I wish I could tell you differently.”

  Kala thought it over. “When can I see Dawn again?”

  “I could arrange something for the weekend.”

  “I’m not sure of my schedule but set it up and I’ll try to make it.”

  After the call ended, Kala put on her jacket and called for Taiku. She took him across the lawn and down to the rocky strip of beach. The air was cold, but the wind was down and the waves were gentle swells rolling into the bay. The moon had grown to almost a quarter, and stars dotted the black dome of a sky. She found a flat rock and sat with Taiku taking up the space near her feet. She absent-mindedly rubbed his ears while thinking over the situation with Dawn and what she should do next. It wasn’t too late to back out completely before she gave Dawn another chance to reject her — but that was a coward’s way out. She had to stand firm and allow Dawn to work this through. She owed her that. Gundersund would agree, she knew.

  She didn’t know quite what to make of Gundersund’s announcement that his marriage was over. She knew he believed what he said at this moment, but he’d been down the same road before and Fiona was still his wife. Kala couldn’t see her going away easily. Kala wouldn’t let herself think about him being single until the deed was done.

  On the way back to the house with Taiku loping alongside, she replayed the last part of her workday. She’d spent a few hours watching Jane’s apartment after she told Gundersund she’d be heading home. Jane had been inside and appeared restless, walking back and forth in front of the bedroom window. Kala had found herself wondering what Jane was planning, and not for the first time. Once, Jane had stopped and stared out the window, her eyes probing into the darkness of the backyard, and Kala had thought for sure that she’d be seen, but Jane had given no sign. She’d reminded Kala of a tiger pacing in its cage, waiting for the right moment to pounce on the gatekeeper to make its escape.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  “Will you hurry up and get down here? You’re going to be late for school … again!” Roslyn Hanson walked past the mirror hanging in the hallway and grimaced at her tired-looking face and bedraggled hair. If only she had the money for a trip to the salon. She licked her fingers and rubbed a bit of egg yolk from the side of her mouth before going into the kitchen to get her purse. She waved her arms in the air as she passed Charlie sitting at the table slouched over a bowl of puffed cereal. He looked at her from under the brim of his ball cap.

  “What did I tell you about wearing your hat to the table?” she asked, not expecting an answer. “Your sister is going to be the death of me. Can you please make sure she gets out the door? I have to get to work.”

  “Sure.”

  “You’re a pet.” She blew him a kiss as she opened the door and stepped outside. “Not raining for once,” she said before slamming the door behind her.

  Charlie shoved his bowl of cereal across the table. He picked up his cellphone and checked for messages as he got up and headed into the hallway and up the
stairs. He stopped at Tiffany’s door and banged on it with his fist. “Hey, you decent?” he yelled.

  The door jerked open and Tiffany batted her eyes. “More like indecent.” She turned her back on him and returned to stand in front of the full-length mirror, picking up her eyeliner pencil and continuing to draw it around her eyes.

  Charlie crossed the floor and sprawled on her bed. He pulled her sweater out from under him and held it up before tossing it toward the foot of the bed. “Do you own anything besides black clothes? Mom says to make sure you get to school on time today.”

  “Yeah, like that’s news.” She finished with the eyeliner and picked up a lipstick. She applied it thickly and stepped back to admire the slash of red on her lips that contrasted like a bloodstain with her blackened eyes and pale powdered skin. She walked over to the bed and picked up her sweater. “I like black clothes,” she said, putting her arm into the sleeve. She looked at him. “How are things going?”

  “Fine.”

  “You can tell me, Charlie.”

  “I just feel bad.”

  “I know, but it’s better this way. Devon deserved what he got.”

  “It’s weird not having him around, though.”

  “I know, but you’ll get used to it.”

  Charlie swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Some of the kids in my class think I killed him.”

  Tiffany was afraid this was going to happen. She was going to have to be tough enough for both of them. She made her voice sound unconcerned. “They can think whatever they like. They have no proof.”

  “Have you talked to Sophie yet?”

  “Nah. She’s been impossible to get near. I heard she’s back in school, so I’m going to try to get to her today.”

  “Well, she could blow it for all of us.”

  Tiffany found herself losing patience. Fighting her brother’s battles was one thing. Having to listen to him whine was something else. “I’ll look after it.” She stared at Charlie again. He was wearing a shirt that said “Just Give ’Er” and his bony arms were sticking out like toothpicks. She thought about what a sad little wanker he’d been his entire life.