by Lynn Cahoon
She moved into the kitchen dressed in leggings and an oversized flannel shirt that I was guessing was Blake’s. What would have made me look like I’d spent too many winter nights alone reading, had her looking like she’d planned the outfit for a NYC shopping trip. “Jill, tell them that this happens all the time. I need some female solidarity here.”
“Actually, that hasn’t ever happened to me.” I walked over and refilled my cup. “And there’s more that you need to hear. This is serious.”
Kathi sipped her coffee, frowning at me. “You’re kidding me, right? Men have to hit on you all the time.”
“Not if they know what’s good for them. There’s advantages to being the police detective’s girlfriend.” Greg pulled me into a hug. “But we’re not talking about Jill. Kathi, several women matching your description have disappeared in this general area over the last five years.”
“Caleb?” Kathi’s one word sounded like a condemnation.
“Probably not Caleb, but we can’t rule him out as a suspect. The point is, you need to be careful. I’d like you to stay with one of us at all times. Someone from South Cove, not here. It’s not that I don’t trust them, but I know I trust all of you.” Greg watched as Kathi digested the information. When she picked up a donut and broke it in half, he continued. “So can we count on you keeping yourself safe?”
“I’m not stupid.” Fire flashed in Kathi’s eyes but then she sighed. “Sorry, I just hate having to be watched just because someone is an idiot.”
“Someone is a kidnapper and a killer. Not just an idiot.” Blake reminded her. He glanced at Greg. “Well, since we’re all up to speed, what do you say we go riding?”
“Sounds good to me. Then we can come back and make lunch. We’ll grill hamburgers.” Greg looked at me. “If you want something before that, you better pack a snack.”
“I’ve stashed some trail bars in the backpack and I ate cereal this morning. I should be good.” I looked at Kathi. “What about you, do you want to eat before we go?”
“Typically, I don’t eat breakfast. I’ve just been so stressed, I been eating everything in sight. Getting out of the cabin will do me good.”
Blake grabbed a second side by side from the garage and we got ready to go. As I climbed into the vehicle, I glanced over my shoulder and into the woods. I saw something move. I felt Greg lean in to me.
“What are you looking at?” He kept his voice low.
I nodded toward the now empty spot. “Over there, to the right of the deck. Someone was watching us.”
“A deer maybe?”
I turned toward him. “Please, do you really believe a deer was that close to the cabin?”
As if to prove me wrong, a buck and a doe ran across the trail in front of us.
I put my helmet on. “Okay, fine, I stand corrected.”
Greg started the engine, but kept watching over by the cabin. “I’m not saying you’re wrong. And I think the deer just proved your point.”
“What are you talking about?” I glanced back at the spot where I’d seen something move. Something that looked like someone dressed in a flannel shirt and jeans. “Was someone really there?”
“Maybe. It would explain who spooked the deer out of their hiding spot.” He turned toward the left where Blake and Kathi now sat, watching us.
“Everything okay?” Blake called out.
“Just wondering if you locked the cabin.” Greg lied. And he did it so calmly. I was beginning to see a new side of my boyfriend. I wasn’t sure I liked it.
Kathi patted her fluffy down vest. “I locked it and the keys are zipped in my pocket.”
Blake pointed to the trail. “Meet you at the beach.”
Greg nodded and we watched them take off down the dirt road. He turned to me. “I didn’t want to freak her out more than she already is.”
“You’re a good man.” I wanted to ask him how he’d learned to lie so smoothly, but I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know.
When we got down to the beach, we weren’t alone. Several members of the Devil Riders were stopped near Blake and Kathi. I glanced at the drivers, but Russell, who had caused the trouble last night, wasn’t there. Denny stood outside Blake’s door and was talking to him. Greg parked and quickly got out to go join them.
I stayed in the side-by-side and listened.
“Hey, I was just telling your buddy you missed a great bonfire last night. I hope Russell’s crazy act doesn’t keep you away from tonight’s events.” Denny leaned on the roll cage and watched Greg.
“We were just beat from yesterday’s festivities. Have to say, you don’t find a mummy every day.” Greg leaned on the back of the roll cage.
Kathi turned to me, her face white. I made a patting motion with my hand and hoped she understood the message, calm down. When she nodded, I smiled and focused on the conversation with the men. There were no women riding shotgun in the Devil Rider’s rigs. Maybe the women in their lives stayed home or went on their own trips when the guys went to ride. Or maybe the guys didn’t have women in their lives. Either way, it was a little intimidating.
“Well, that’s good to hear. After you didn’t show up, I told Russell that he’d scared you all away.” Denny grinned but even I could see that there was no humor in the reaction. “So you’ll stop by tonight? We don’t usually get going until after it gets dark.”
“We’ll think about it, right Blake?” Greg slapped Blake on the shoulder. “We could go for a while and be friendly.”
“Sounds like a good time.” Blake added. Kathi was still looking at me and she rolled her eyes. I choked down a chuckle. No need to call attention to either of us.
Denny pulled himself upright and headed to his vehicle. “We’ll see you then. Time for some grub. We’re just coming off the dunes. It’s a great ride this morning.”
“Good to know.” Greg stayed where he was and watched Denny get into the driver’s seat and gun the engine before leaving. All the others followed him in the direction of their camp. When they were out of sight, I climbed out of the side by side and went to join Greg.
“What was that all about? Why did you say we’re going to the bonfire?” I stepped next to him and Greg put his arm around me.
Blake met Greg’s gaze, then sighed. “Because we are.”
“That’s crazy,” Kathi protested.
“No, it’s smart. We need to know the enemy.” Greg squeezed me. “Ready to play detective tonight?”
“Not sure we have a choice, but do you think it’s smart to bring Kathi?”
“I’m not staying alone in the cabin. There’s strength in numbers and I’m not going to be alone until we’re back in South Cove. This is just a little too freaky for even me.” Kathi flipped her hair back. “And with my history, nothing should faze me.”
The girl had spunk, I’d give her that. Kathi had come to South Cove to start a new life, but her old one had followed her. She’d had to stand up to family to stay in California and not be dragged back to Texas.
“Then we’ll have our own game of spy craft tonight.” I glanced at Greg, thinking about what I’d seen at the cabin. “Did anyone else think it was weird that Russell wasn’t with them?”
“Maybe Denny has him in time out or locked in a padded room somewhere.” Kathi shivered. “Either way, I was glad not to have to deal with his crazy this morning. Especially after what you all told me earlier.”
“Are we going to sit here and chat all day or are we going to ride?” Blake glanced toward the retreating Devil Riders. “Especially now that we know they’re off the dunes. Man, those guys give me the creeps.”
“Let’s ride.” Greg slapped the roof of Blake’s vehicle and we walked over to ours.
As I was buckling in my seatbelt, I asked, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“I’m guessing you’re not talking about th
e ride.” He put on his helmet and adjusted his seat belt, not looking at me. “I’m going with a gut feeling with this. I know there’s something off with that group. I don’t know if it has anything to do with Dania’s death, but I believe it’s better to know who you’re camping near. We have more visitors coming up this week and if it’s going to be an issue, I’d rather cut this vacation short and get out of here.”
I shivered, thinking about my aunt and Harrold. At least they weren’t the killer’s type, but you never knew what someone would do, especially if their secret was ready to be exposed. Greg’s hand covered mine and I looked up into his eyes.
“I won’t let anything happen to you or to Kathi at this bonfire. If it starts to go south, or you feel uncomfortable, we’ll leave.” He squeezed my hand. “Promise.”
I smiled, but didn’t tell him I felt uncomfortable now. And we hadn’t even started to go to the bonfire. In for a penny, I thought. But honestly, I liked my version of internet investigation tactics much better than what Greg was proposing.
It felt safer.
Chapter 6
On our way back from the ride, we saw the flashing lights on the road. Blake pointed toward them and we turned on the trail toward Caleb’s house. The sheriff had two cars out front of the cabin and Caleb was standing on the porch. We pulled up on the other side of the cars where Caleb could see us, and before Greg could stop him, Blake jumped out and went to join Caleb on the porch.
“This isn’t good.” Greg took off his helmet. “Do me a favor and go sit with Kathi. I’d rather the two of you sit this one out.”
“That’s a little chauvinistic of you, isn’t it?” I took off my own helmet and surveyed the deputies who all had their hands on their weapon harnesses. It didn’t look like they were here to take Caleb into the station. “On the other hand, Kathi probably needs the support.”
“Thanks.” He climbed out of the vehicle and walked over to the sheriff.
I climbed out and slipped into Blake and Kathi’s side by side, where Kathi was fighting with the helmet. “Calm down and stay here. Greg is getting this under control.”
“They have weapons. You think this is going to end well.” Kathi nodded to the rifle lying on the railing of the post within Caleb’s reach. “He won’t let them take him in.”
“We don’t even know what’s happening.” Right as I said that, another side by side pulled up next to us and Nate and Hilda poured out. I watched as they ran up to stand next to Caleb. “Great, more players.”
Greg nodded to the sheriff and pointed to his men. “What’s going on here?”
“I came up to ask Caleb some follow up questions. When I got here, he had a gun out on the porch.” Sheriff Anderson nodded to the rifle on the porch. “We’re just trying to deescalate the scene.”
“With four deputies? Seriously, is this really an interview?” Greg glanced at the four men now watching the interaction between their sheriff and Greg.
The sheriff smiled and held up his hands. “We weren’t looking for anything but some answers to how that girl wound up mummified and buried in the sand dunes.”
“So it really is Dania?” Caleb’s legs buckled and his father caught him before he sank to the porch floor. “No, no, no. It can’t be. She’s just mad at me. She has to be alive. We were going to get married.”
Blake grabbed a chair and the two of them lowered Caleb into the seat. His sobs echoed in the silence.
“I believe you just made your next of kin notification instead.” Greg pointed to the sobbing man. “Can’t you reinterview him later? When he’s less emotional?”
“You know this isn’t your investigation.” Sheriff Anderson’s eyes went flat and hard. “I’ve been looking for that girl for years and for what it’s worth, only one man had motive and opportunity to kill her. And he’s sitting on that porch.”
“Don’t you say that about my Caleb!” Hilda screamed at the sheriff. “You never believed him. You never looked for the real killer. You just let them get away with killing Dania.”
Blake nodded to Nate who left Caleb’s side and took Hilda’s arm before she went running at the armed sheriff and his deputies.
“Look, I know this isn’t my business, but we really need to get this situation under control. Everyone needs time to calm down. Maybe you could do our interviews down at the cabin now. We were expecting you yesterday.”
I could see the sheriff’s blush. He had a one-track mind on this investigation and that was to prove that Caleb killed Dania. He’d forgotten about telling us about the interviews. Nate was right, the law here was planning on charging Caleb no matter what anyone else said. I got out of the vehicle and walked up to Greg and the sheriff. To his credit, Greg only sighed a little. “So did you find her necklace?”
The sheriff broke his gaze on Caleb and looked at me. “What?”
“Dania’s necklace. The one she always wore.” I glanced toward the porch. “What was it, a Black Hills Gold cross?”
“That’s right.” Hilda nodded. “Dania always wore the cross. It was the last thing her father ever gave her.”
I saw Caleb look up, and cursed myself for putting the hope back in his eyes. “Did you find the necklace?”
The sheriff shook his head. “Maybe she wasn’t wearing it that night.”
“She had it on when we had dinner between her shifts. I told you when I filled the missing person report about it. She never took it off. We’d just replaced the chain because the latch wasn’t closing. She didn’t go anywhere without it.” Caleb’s voice was calmer, resigned. Almost like he was drugged, but I could see the hope of her being alive had vanished. He knew the body was Dania.
“The DNA tests confirmed her identity. I don’t see how a necklace being missing could change that.” But now, even the sheriff was having second thoughts. I could see his hesitation in his face.
“Because the killer might have taken it as a keepsake.” Greg’s words shook me. He stepped closer to Sheriff Anderson. “Have you noticed how much Kathi looks like Dania?”
The sheriff’s gaze flicked to Kathi and back to Greg. “Being blonde and beautiful isn’t unusual.”
“But have you also noticed how much they both look like that Idaho girl who disappeared outside of Reedsport a few years before?” Greg added.
I saw the reaction. Anderson’s jaw tightened. He’d known about the other missing girl.
“Doesn’t mean that this one,” he pointed toward Caleb, “isn’t responsible for both.”
“I’d like to talk to you about another suspect. One that I believe you’ve considered as well. And, if you charge Caleb, one that the defense will most definitely bring up. Especially since Kathi has already had a run in with the guy.”
Sheriff Anderson turned toward the other police car. “You all go back to the station. I’ll handle the interviews up here.”
“But Sheriff,” one deputy pointed to the porch. “We have a suspect.”
“Do what I say, John.” The tone in his voice made the other three move toward the vehicle. Finally, the deputy who’d spoken, looking puzzled, climbed inside the car and drove away. Anderson looked to Greg. “I’ll meet you at the cabin. We need to talk.”
As he drove away, Greg looked down on me. “I thought you were going to stay with Kathi?”
“I remembered the necklace. That should help in the investigation, right?” I put my arm around him as we walked up to the cabin.
“Unless it just fell out in the sand.” Greg kissed my head. “I think I can breathe now. You always make things interesting.”
“We’re always in interesting situations. I could be home in South Cove making pies.”
Greg chuckled. “You’d be reading after ordering the pies from Sadie.”
What can I say, the man knew me well. We paused at the bottom step of the porch.
“We’re meet
ing Sheriff Anderson back at the cabin. Do you want to stay here for a while, Blake?” Greg leaned on the railing.
Blake looked at Nate who shook his head. “No, I’ll come with you. That way Caleb and his family can grieve in peace.”
Caleb lifted his head from his hands and stared at me. “You believe me.”
“I do. And the sheriff needed to see another side of the issue.” I let my lips curve into a small and I hoped encouraging smile. “It might not help, but at least he’s listening now.”
“And for that, we’re grateful.” Nate said, his arm around a softly sobbing Hilda. “I’m so sorry your vacation got ruined in the middle of this.”
“Not ruined, we’re only on day two.” I walked back to the side by side and climbed in, strapping on my helmet and seat belts. Greg joined me a few minutes later.
“Don’t think we’re not going to talk about your impulsiveness back there.” He leaned close so that I could hear him.
I just patted the helmet and shrugged. Sometimes it was good not to be able to hear.
At the cabin, the sheriff sat on the porch, a file on his lap. He watched as we walked up. “I’d forgotten about the necklace. It’s right here. Caleb told me and I verified it with Mae. Dania was wearing it when she left the bar that night.”
Greg sat on a rocking chair next to him. “I know it doesn’t prove Caleb’s innocence, but I don’t like loose threads in an investigation.”
“We searched Caleb’s house a day after he reported her missing. Probably overkill, but I was so sure he was our man. The necklace wasn’t there. He could have thrown it away, or had a hidey hole somewhere, but the guy was a wreck. I don’t think he could find his keys by then.” Sheriff Anderson closed the file. “How did you find out about the other missing girl?”
“Researching Dania on the internet.” Greg pulled me closer. “This girl has a bad habit of poking her nose into things that she doesn’t understand. Like how long it would take a body to be mummified.”