Lighthouse Reef (A Pelican Pointe Novel Book 4)
Page 30
There were twelve instead of ten, two Logan didn’t recognize.
His breath hitched when his eyes landed on the image of his sister just as she had been in life at the age of seventeen. Megan Donnelly’s long chestnut hair was as thick as he remembered. He’d forgotten her green eyes and their fiery gold flecks that turned greener when she lost her temper. Just like his did. She looked exactly the same as she had the morning he’d left with his grandfather for Yosemite.
“You have to make them go away!” Knudsen screamed into Logan’s ear. “Make them leave me the hell alone and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. Now!”
Logan swallowed hard, took his eyes off Megan long enough to glance at Scott. He noted the stubborn set of Scott’s jaw, the anger simmering in his eyes.
But the moment, Logan saw Scott nod his head, something moved inside him. He fired back, “Knudsen, they’ll only rest when you tell me where you buried them. Where are they? We have Carly, she was special. She was your first. Now tell me where you put the rest.”
Knudsen started mumbling to himself. “My idea. Kent wanted to dump them in the ocean. But I said my way…my way, it’s got to be my way. I wanted to keep them close. Mark wanted to put them with Carly, but I said no…no way…not a good idea. Are you nuts? Put all of them in that root cellar for someone to stumble on her? No way. Someone might come along and want to buy the property one day. Then where would we be? Up shit creek, that’s where. Nope…not a good idea to put them with Carly, that’s for sure. And look what happened, Logan Donnelly came back, took you twenty years to do it, but you finally came back here. You bought the place. Didn’t think you’d find Carly though, did you?” He shook his head. “No, didn’t think you’d find Carly,” Knudsen repeated.
“When did you add the wall?”
“Kent and Mark did that one weekend. They got scared after we did the fourth girl. Or was it number five? I get them mixed up sometimes. Kent and Mark were always panicking about something, not reliable at all. Should’ve gotten rid of them both a long time before I actually did. Both were next to useless.”
“What do you mean? Kent’s gone, he took off?” Logan prompted.
Knudsen started laughing. “Shit. Kent took off all right. That rat-bastard spilled his guts to that slut of a girlfriend, that Sissy Carr. Can you believe Springer told her our secret? Leave it to him to break just because they’d decided to get out of town. But I got the rat bastard back, didn’t I? Weeks before they left Sissy came to see me, wanted twenty-five grand to keep her mouth shut. That’s why I was waiting on the Easy Money that night. I got wind of their plans from Sissy herself. Woman always did have a big mouth. Stupid bitch. I killed them both right there on the deck, took out Kent first with a blow to the head. Sissy started clawing at me right off the bat. I strangled her then and there. Then I headed the boat out to sea.”
Ethan passed Logan a piece of paper. Logan skimmed the questions written there and read them off to Knudsen. “How did you get back? What did you do with the money? How is it Sissy’s body was found but not Kent’s? What happened to Easy Money?”
Knudsen looked annoyed at the list of questions for several seconds, and then as if something or someone rattled him again, he picked up the story. “Sunk the damned thing by turning off the bilge pumps, took out the drain plug. Used my gun to put a few more holes in the bottom, but I had to wait damn near all night for it to finally go under. I’d already lowered the dinghy, loaded it up with the bag of money, and headed back inland around four in the morning. I knew I’d have myself a trip in that little boat since I get seasick. But it was worth every minute I spent puking. Only thing I can figure out is that somewhere Sissy’s body somehow slipped into the water, maybe before I ever got out of the bay. Bitch must’ve floated away in the tide. If Harold and Drake Boedecker hadn’t gone out fishing that day, you never would’ve found her. And you’ll never find Springer. I guarantee that. He’s at the bottom of the ocean. Fish food.”
Logan spared a glance at Ethan to see if he was satisfied with the man’s story because he needed to get Knudsen back to the girls, specifically his sister. Through gritted teeth, Logan demanded, “Quit stalling. Tell me what happened to Megan. How’d you get access to the car she was driving that night? My grandmother always kept that car in the garage.”
Knudsen began rocking back and forth. He dropped the receiver and the guard had to step to the counter to pick it up. When Knudsen finally took it in his fist again, he mumbled, “I remember her. She was so damn pretty, long chestnut hair, big green eyes. Truth be known, I’d had my eye on that girl for a couple of summers back. But that June and July there was something…special about her. I’d been watching, waiting. For months, she’d been running around meeting her boyfriend behind everyone’s back. Tried to keep track of them both but they were sneaky. Finally made my move that night though when she stopped at the store, saw my opportunity. Murphy’s hadn’t been opened all that long back then. She couldn’t have been inside the store for longer than five minutes because all she came back with was a couple of soft drinks. Anyway, I had to hurry and the lot wasn’t that well lit. I remember she was driving her grandmother’s blue Chrysler. I opened the hood, took off the oil cap, dumped in the sand. Piece of cake really if you know what you’re doing. Car didn’t go any farther than three blocks before it started sputtering and stopped right there on Beach Street.”
Logan did his best to keep his cool although he wanted to peel back the Plexiglas and lock his hands around the man’s throat. Because he didn’t have the answer yet, that piece of the puzzle he wanted, he made an effort to keep his voice level when he asked, “Where is she? What did you do with Megan?”
“Gone. Buried. They all are. Give me some paper and a pen, I’ll draw you a map. But first, you gotta tell all these girls to go away, make ’em go away. Now! Get that damn Scott Phillips out of here first though. That man’s driving me nuts.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
On the last day of August on a bright sunny afternoon, Megan Donnelly’s remains were laid to rest next to the graves of her grandparents, Liam and Charlotte. For two decades Logan had known his sister had died the night she’d disappeared.
Knowing for certain was like a weight had lifted.
At fifteen years old he’d left Megan to rot in a field, that grove of trees north of the lighthouse, without ever doing anything to try to find her. Her burial ground for twenty years had yielded twelve sets of bones, bones that one of the monsters kept revisiting year after year. Yes, Logan should’ve looked for her long before he had. He’d never forgive himself for that, for waiting two decades to do what a brother should have done for his missing sister. Scott had been right about that. He should’ve manned up a long time ago.
But regrets were a frivolous waste of time now and would do him little good. He couldn’t change the past.
As they’d done at Megan’s memorial service earlier, the whole town had crowded into the auditorium of the Community Church. Now those same people sat in white chairs lined up at the gravesite for the final goodbye. Even though most of them had never known Megan, it didn’t keep the sentiment from reaching Logan’s heart.
Flowers in every color and variety adorned the top of Megan’s polished bronze casket. Watching them lower it into the ground, Logan knew he would never again leave his sister. He would make Pelican Pointe his home. He’d made friends here, friends he hadn’t made in all his worldly travels. He hoped to create here, make a life here with the woman sitting next to him. He prayed she felt the same way.
He would need to find out…and soon.
There would be more funerals, other services to sit through yet. Families in Washington and Oregon right here in Pelican Pointe had answers now. They would finally get to bury their daughters with dignity and respect, to have a place to come to, to put flowers atop a marble marker, and weep.
The town would need to heal from the stigma three monsters had left behind. But heal it would.
Now kneeling in the dirt beside the granite stone, Kinsey clutched the remainder of the bouquet of white daisies she held in her hand. When Logan came up behind her, put a hand on her shoulder, she dropped the stems of the daisies she held in the round, metal urn that stood on the base of the headstone. She absently began to arrange the blossoms one at a time. “It’s been a rough month for both of us.”
Logan helped her to stand. “What do you plan on doing with the house on Landings Bay?”
“Aaron wanted me to have it so I’m keeping it. I’m continuing the law practice right where people know where to come if they need legal help.” She slumped against Logan’s chest. “I still can’t believe he left everything he owned to me. Why would he do that, Logan? I don’t understand.”
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and lifted her chin. “Aaron had no family, Kinsey. None. I’m convinced he wanted his practice to go on after he was gone. He knew you were his best shot to see that happen. Are you feeling okay?”
She nodded. “The heat’s getting to me some. I’ll miss Aaron. There’s no way around it. He’s the reason I’m standing right here. Aaron’s the only one who would have given me a chance to become the attorney I’ve always wanted to be. And I feel fine, Logan, more than fine.” Her hand went to her stomach automatically.
Logan pulled her closer, rested a hand over hers on her still-flat belly. He tilted her mouth up for a kiss. “Are you going to stay with me, Kinsey, be with me, here in this town?”
“You’re staying in Pelican Pointe?”
“Why would I leave now? I’ve got a baby on the way. Plus, I’m not leaving Megan again. And I’m damn sure not leaving you. I love you, Kinsey Wyatt, like I’ve loved no one before you.”
She drew in a shaky breath. “I wasn’t sure until this moment. You could have said something before now.”
He took hold of her chin. “I want to hear you say it.”
“I love you, Logan Donnelly with all my heart.”
“That’s all I need to know.”
Epilogue
One month later
Across the street from the Fanning Marine Rescue Center, Logan stood twelve feet off the ground on a scaffold in front of what used to be the old newspaper office. He had his shirt off. The warmth of the September day had the sun beating down on his back. But he couldn’t have been more content.
The previous week the entire town had turned out to help prime the exterior of the building with gray paint to cover over all the graffiti-laden brick.
The mural Logan was in the process of working on was in memory of Megan and all the other young girls. It was taking shape gradually like any work of art that took time and patience. Since he only got to work on it in his spare time in between the lighthouse renovations and his own creative process, he knew it would take a while.
Logan didn’t mind the wait. He wasn’t in a hurry. Not anymore. As long as the weather held, he was pretty sure he could get the mural done by the end of the year.
Sometimes he painted with an audience of twenty or more of the town’s most curious. They usually stood around the base of the scaffolding watching as the faces of the girls took shape from the additional photographs the families had sent him over the past few weeks. But occasionally, like today, there was only Troy shadowing and jawing at him.
As Logan had learned, the kid liked to talk.
“It’s looking good already,” Troy said as he tilted his head to study Logan’s work. “You’re a much better artist than you are a carpenter.”
Logan chuckled. “Smart ass. How are things going at the site? I know you’re a man short since Derek got arrested for sexual assault.”
Troy lifted one thin shoulder. “Hey, Derek got what he deserved. Like you said, it was only a matter of time before someone filed charges. And once Paul found out what happened to Abby while he was in Afghanistan, Paul didn’t mess around waiting to call Dan Garver. Plus, I think Brent is checking out Lilly’s mom’s death now. The coroner re-opened the case to take another look at how she died.” Troy scratched his head. “I hope it doesn’t turn out that Derek did something to Lilly’s mom.” Troy shifted topics. “By the way, thanks for making me foreman. I won’t let you down.”
“You’ll handle it. You like living out at the farm?”
“Oh yeah. It’s a great little house. Mona and I get a lot more privacy out there whenever she comes for a visit. In fact, we got us a puppy. Mona named him Silas ’cause that’s who gave him to us. How’s Kinsey? She still puking?”
“The morning sickness is tapering off some. At least it isn’t as bad as it was.”
“Do you plan to live in Hartley’s house? How’s Kinsey adjusting without him?”
“I know she misses him. It still freaks her out a little every time she goes into Aaron’s office. But I guess we’ll be there until the keeper’s cottage is finished. The Landings Bay house at least has plenty of room for the baby.”
“Lot of people miss Aaron, will for some time, I guess. Kinsey loses her mom and then loses Aaron. It’s gotta be rough.” Troy lifted a hip, took an envelope out of his back pocket. “Reason I stopped by was because you got a letter left tacked to the door of the keeper’s cottage.”
“A what?”
Troy handed it off to Logan. “A letter, sealed up and everything with your name written across it. Maybe it’s one of those fan letters. Maybe you have a local admirer since there’s no stamp. Kinsey says you get them every now and then from women who land on your website.”
This time Logan laughed. “I think Kinsey sends them to me,” he joked as he ran a paint-stained finger under the flap. He unfolded the paper, read the first line, blinked in shock.
Relish fatherhood, Logan. It’s something I never got to fully enjoy. Every time you hold your son or daughter remember life’s too short and precious. If it’s a girl name her Megan because life goes on no matter what heartbreak you endure or what tragedies transpire. If it’s a boy, go with Liam. It’s a good strong name and will make your grandfather proud. Megan sends her love by the way. In fact, look up. Megan wants to thank you for never giving up, for finding her.
When Logan finished reading the last word his head immediately shot up to look around. His eyes lit on an image. There on the corner of Ocean Street stood Scott. He had his arm wrapped around Megan’s shoulders. They were young, obviously in love. And they both sported wide, goofy grins as they lifted their hands in salute to wave back at him.
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Starlight Dunes
Christmas 2013
Starlight Dunes
Three weeks earlier
Santa Cruz, California
A storm churned out at sea. He could smell the rain on its way in. He
might not possess the same psychic ability as his brother, Ethan, but Brent Cody recognized a good Pacific squall when he saw one forming on the horizon.
He’d grown up around the ocean, not five miles from the spot where he now walked. Except for the fifteen years he’d given to the military, he’d made this coastal town his home. Now as he left work and crossed the dark parking lot to his truck, he stared up at the ugly-looking, purple clouds moving inland. The heavy low-hanging marine layer had blacked out the stars and more than likely meant before nightfall they’d get wind and rain.
His mother’s garden could use it, Brent decided as he climbed into his Dodge Ram pickup to head for home. He placed his briefcase on the passenger side of the bench seat, and started up the engine.
After putting in a fourteen-hour day Brent was more than ready to kick back in front of the flat-screen, heat up the leftover pizza he’d ordered from the night before, grab a cold Steelhead out of the fridge, then catch the last of the hockey game. He was pretty sure the Sharks were on the road tonight in Detroit hitting the ice against the Red Wings. Of course, he’d already missed the first two periods. Good thing, he’d remembered to DVR the game.
His mind on ESPN and sports, he scanned the secure lot out of habit before exiting onto the deserted side street. He hadn’t been a member of law enforcement for the better part of a decade not to key in on his surroundings.
Since the people of Santa Cruz had elected him county sheriff six years earlier, most of his days were like today, long and exhausting. He didn’t like to admit how much time he spent sitting on his butt plopped in front of his laptop, handling paperwork these days. But because of it he did whatever it took to stay in shape.