by Sarah Fox
“Speaking of Michael,” Ray said, “I had a chat with him before I came over here. He thinks Daryl is still out of town and he suspects Tina was planning to join him soon. He let me have a look in Daryl and Tina’s room. She had a bag packed and ready to go.”
I absorbed that information. “So Daryl skipped town when things were heating up, leaving his van behind for Tina, and she planned to follow him after getting rid of me.”
“It looks like that could be the case. We’ll need more evidence, but I plan on having a talk with Tina as soon as she’s well enough.” Ray got to his feet. “In the meantime, all the authorities on the peninsula are keeping an eye out for Daryl, and I put a word in with the folks in King County, too. Hopefully we can get this all wrapped up soon.”
“Oh,” I said. “There’s something I meant to show you.”
Leaving Flapjack on the couch, I hurried upstairs and retrieved the damp green feather from the pocket of my rain-soaked jeans. Back on the main floor, I handed the bedraggled feather to Ray.
“I found this near Jimmy’s body the day he died. I think it’s from a scarf owned by Ida Winkler. When I first made the connection I thought maybe it was a clue tying Ida to the murder, but now I’m guessing it’s not so important. Still, I thought I should give it to you anyway.”
Ray thanked me and pocketed the feather before saying he’d be on his way. “You take care, Marley. Give me a call if you have any concerns.”
“Thank you.”
I returned to the couch and picked up Flapjack while Brett exchanged a few words with his uncle. Maybe this was the end of the chaos, externally at least. My mind and heart were still unsettled from all my recent and upcoming decisions, but for the moment I decided to try to focus on only one thing at a time. The celebration of Jimmy’s life would take place the next day. After that, I’d find a way to cope with my return to Seattle and everything I’d be leaving behind in Wildwood Cove.
Chapter 26
When Brett rejoined me on the couch, I wasn’t sure what to say to him. I couldn’t forget the electricity that had hummed between us before Ray’s arrival, but I knew it wouldn’t be good to allow our feelings for each other to grow any stronger. I didn’t want to part the same way as we had the day before, though. My heart couldn’t handle that.
Fortunately, he was the first to speak, saving me from having to come up with something to say.
“If you don’t want to stay here alone tonight, you’re welcome to stay with me and Chloe.”
I ran my hand along Flapjack’s back. “Thanks, but I’ll be okay here. With Daryl out of town and Tina in the hospital, I shouldn’t have anything to worry about.” I rested my hand on Flapjack’s head. “Oh, but Chloe…”
“It’s all right,” Brett said. “I phoned her while you were in the shower and filled her in.”
I relaxed against the couch, exhaustion seeping more deeply into my bones.
“You should get some sleep.”
My eyes snapped open at Brett’s words. Until then, I hadn’t even realized that they’d closed.
He stood up and I followed suit, holding Flapjack in my arms. We walked to the foyer without saying a word and I stood there silently, still hugging Flapjack, as Brett shrugged into his jacket. I didn’t want him to leave, but I knew it was probably for the best.
I was about to unlock the front door when somebody knocked on it. I jumped again, still on edge, but at least this time I didn’t have any hot tea to spill. Flapjack wasn’t pleased, however, and squirmed to get free of my arms. I set him down on the floor and opened the door, wondering if Ray had returned with further news.
I stared at the petite woman on the porch, completely taken by surprise. “Mom!”
“Hi, sweetie.” She set down her suitcase and wrapped me in a hug.
Still shocked, I returned the hug, clinging to her tightly as all the emotions from the past several days resurfaced. I blinked back tears before releasing her.
“What are you doing here? I didn’t think you’d be here until morning.”
“You didn’t get my text? I decided last minute to catch the final ferry of the day instead of waiting until tomorrow.”
I realized I hadn’t looked at my phone for hours. “I haven’t checked my messages, but it doesn’t matter. I’m glad you’re here. What about Grant, though? He’s not with you?”
“He had to be back at work in the morning, but he sends his love.”
As the last of my surprise wore off, I remembered that Brett was still with us. “Mom, this is Brett Collins. Brett, my mom, Lydia Daniels.”
Brett smiled and shook my mom’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same here. Are you Frank and Elaine’s son?”
“That’s right.” He stepped toward the still-open door. “I’ll let you two catch up. I’ll see you at the memorial tomorrow. Good night.”
“Good night,” I called after him as he stepped out onto the porch.
I watched him descend the stairs before shutting and locking the door. I was glad to know he’d be at the gathering the next day, that I’d have at least one more chance to see him before I left town.
“I see we really do have some catching up to do.” My mom nodded at the closed door. “He’s very handsome.”
“He is,” I agreed, but I didn’t want to go down that path. “It’s been a crazy evening. I have so much to tell you.”
“Give me a few minutes to get settled and then we’ll have a chat.”
That sounded good to me. Although I was still tired, my mom’s arrival had given me a second wind and I couldn’t wait to fill her in on everything that had happened recently. While she took her suitcase upstairs, I made her a cup of tea and heated up my own drink. Soon we’d settled in at the kitchen table, Flapjack taking up his perch on the windowsill behind the sink. I told her about the circumstances surrounding Jimmy’s death, the break-ins, and my terrifying run-in with Tina. I also confessed my doubts and confusion over my decision to return to Seattle. The only thing I left out was the role Brett played in my turmoil, but I suspected she was reading between the lines.
Although her hair was straighter and darker than mine, we had the same gray eyes, and I could see in hers that she knew what I wasn’t saying as much as what I was. It was nice to be understood, to not need to explain the most difficult things.
We remained in the kitchen, talking until well past midnight. Only when my yawns outnumbered my words did my mom encourage me to head up to bed. I gave her a long hug before saying good night, feeling better about everything now that she was there. When I climbed into bed and rested my head on the pillow, my eyes closed with a sense of immense relief, and within seconds I slipped into a deep sleep.
—
I’d hoped the next day would dawn clear and bright, but it wasn’t to be. The rain had stopped overnight, but dark clouds hung low overhead and a stiff breeze blew damp air into my face when I stepped out onto the back porch after breakfast. Maybe the weather wasn’t such a big deal, though. While I wanted to remember Jimmy’s life rather than his death, to hold a celebration rather than a somber event, he’d loved everything about this seaside town, including the changeable weather, and sunshine wasn’t necessary for the occasion.
“Ready to go, sweetie?” my mom called from inside the French doors.
I took in a deep breath of ocean air before responding in the affirmative.
We drove into town in my mom’s car, stopping at the florist’s to pick up several bouquets of bright flowers. From there we drove to the pancake house, which was closed to the public for the day. Ivan was already inside when my mom and I arrived, preparing the last of the food that would be served during the memorial. For this occasion, Ivan had moved beyond his usual breakfast fare, filling platters with tea sandwiches and mini desserts, all of which looked and smelled delicious.
Leigh arrived a short time later and helped us shift tables and chairs so there would be room to mingle by the food tables and to sit an
d listen to the speakers. Soon more people began to arrive and before long, The Flip Side was packed and buzzing with dozens of conversations.
When I had a spare moment, I scanned the crowd, noting many familiar faces. Patricia Murray was there, as were Ed and Gary, and many other Flip Side regulars. Fortunately, Goldie hadn’t yet made an appearance, and I hoped that would hold true.
As I stationed myself at one end of the room, next to a table where pictures of Jimmy were on display, I drew in a deep breath and smoothed the skirt of my navy-and-white vintage dress. From across the room, Brett caught my eye and gave me an encouraging smile. I sent a grateful one back his way.
I asked for everyone’s attention, and the noise level tapered off. Once the room was quiet, I addressed the crowd.
“Thank you all for being here to remember Jimmy. He would have loved having so many of his friends gathered together, especially here in the restaurant he put his heart and soul into for so many years. Wildwood Cove and The Flip Side won’t be the same without him, but his spirit will live on here at the pancake house and in our hearts.
“The summers I spent in Wildwood Cove with Jimmy and his wife, Grace, were the best ones of my life. Jimmy was a fun-loving man, always determined to live life to its fullest. He was also kind-hearted and generous. I’ll miss Cousin Jimmy, but I know I won’t forget him or all the great memories I have of him. I think that’s probably true of everyone here.”
I thanked the crowd again and then stepped aside to let others say a few words, including my mom, Gary Thornbrook, and Hugh Ogilvie. Afterward, I made my way through the crowd, talking to people individually and accepting condolences.
“Have you decided what will happen to The Flip Side?” Ed asked when my mom and I stopped to speak with him.
“I’m not selling it, but since I’ll be in Seattle I’ll probably hire a manager,” I replied.
“We’ll miss you around here. Make sure you stop by now and then to say hello.”
“I will.”
When Ed had turned away, my mom put an arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. “I know this isn’t the happiest of occasions, but you look like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
I let out a sigh, feeling that weight pressing down on me. “I’ve made up my mind about where I’m going to live, so why do I still feel so confused?”
“You’ve had to make a lot of decisions in a short amount of time. It’s not surprising that you’ve found it overwhelming.”
I voiced the question that worried me the most. “What if I’ve made a mistake?”
“Nothing’s written in stone. You can always change your mind in the future.”
About some things, perhaps, but other opportunities might slip away in the meantime. I caught sight of Brett across the room but forced my gaze away from him.
“What do you think I should do?”
My mom put a hand to my cheek and smiled. “I think you should follow your heart.”
I wished I could see which way my heart was heading. Maybe deep down I already knew, but I had so many jumbled thoughts swirling around inside my head, keeping me trapped in a cloud of confusion.
Suddenly overwhelmed, I slipped away from the crowd, down the hall to the office where I’d left my tote bag and cardigan. Pulling on my sweater, I quietly left the pancake house by the back door, wanting a few minutes alone to clear my head, to breathe.
Chilled by the damp air despite my sweater, I decided to go for a short walk. Striking off across the parking lot, I made my way down the street, breathing deeply and hoping for some clarity. Minutes later, I slowed my steps, realizing I’d reached the turnoff to the picnic area on Myler’s Point. I hesitated, but only for a second. Following a dirt road between two clusters of fir trees, I soon reached the grassy area with its two wooden picnic tables.
As I wandered toward the edge of the cliff, I shivered, and not because of the strengthening wind blowing my hair about my face or the large raindrops that had started splatting down on me. Although I wanted to focus on Jimmy’s life, it was impossible to forget about the cruel way it had ended, the way he’d been mercilessly tossed over the cliff.
I drew in a steadying breath. At least I could find a small amount of comfort in knowing that Tina was off the streets. I hoped that would soon be true of Daryl as well.
Wrapping my arms around myself to ward off the cold bite of the wind, I listened to the waves crashing against the rocks below the cliff. Spray from the stormy ocean shot up into the air in a mesmerizing dance, holding my gaze. Despite the rain, I remained there on the point, alone with the roaring ocean and my thoughts.
I was in such a trance-like state that I nearly jumped a mile when something buzzed against my arm. My heart racing, I realized it was my phone. I’d tucked it in the pocket of my sweater before leaving The Flip Side.
Pulling the device from my pocket, I did my best to shield it from the rain as I checked the screen. Brett had sent me a text.
Where are you? Are you okay?
I was about to tap out a reply when another message came through.
Just heard from Ray. Someone out walking their dog found Daryl’s body in the woods behind Michael’s property. It’s been there several days.
I stared at the message as I absorbed its words.
Daryl was dead.
Maybe I should have felt relieved, but instead a sense of unease thrummed through my bones. Why?
Something wasn’t right, didn’t quite make sense. But what?
In a flash, the dots connected in my head.
If Daryl had been dead for several days, he couldn’t have texted Michael to say he was out of town, and Tina likely wasn’t planning to meet up with him after kidnapping me. Had Tina sent a text message to Michael, pretending to be Daryl? Or had Michael lied?
My stomach sank like an anchor heading for the sea floor. Memories rushed to the forefront of my mind.
The exact words Tina’s friend had used when saying who the bracelet was from.
Michael’s intense focus on the community newspaper.
Michael asking me about the investigation and lying to me about the prowler at Jimmy’s place.
A prowler who probably didn’t exist.
I spun around, intending to run back to The Flip Side.
“Not the nicest day for a picnic.”
I froze, staring at Michael. He stood between me and the dirt road, the only way off the point that didn’t involve climbing down the rain-slick rocks to the stormy water below. He smiled, but there was no warmth to the expression.
“I’m glad I found you here, though,” he continued. “Saves me the trouble of hauling you off somewhere to get rid of your body.”
His casual words cut through me like ice.
“Are you planning to throw me over the cliff like you did to Jimmy?” I asked as I tried to hide my phone in the folds of my dress. The steadiness of my voice surprised me, considering the fear coursing through my bloodstream.
“I am.” He took a step toward me. “That didn’t quite work as planned last time. I meant for Jimmy to land in the water, but he landed on the rocks instead.” He smirked at me. “You’ll be easier to toss over the edge. Plus, the tide’s higher. In fact, these are perfect conditions, if you ask me.” He gestured vaguely at our surroundings.
Still frozen to the spot, I glanced toward The Flip Side and the rest of the town. The rain was pouring down in drenching sheets now and the daylight was steadily fading. I could barely see the pancake house. No one would be able to see me and Michael from inside the restaurant, and the likelihood of anyone strolling out onto the promenade in this weather wasn’t great.
I tried to surreptitiously tap out a text to Brett on my phone, but my gaze jerked back to Michael as he reached a hand inside his jacket. He withdrew a knife, the blade long and sharp. I wanted to step back, to run away, but I had nowhere to go.
“Why do you want to kill me?” I asked, hoping to stall him.
<
br /> “Why do you think? You’ve been causing too much trouble.”
“Trouble?” The word came out tense and strained. “How have I caused trouble?”
“All those questions you were asking, poking your nose where it doesn’t belong. And I heard you yesterday, saying you’d tell the sheriff who killed Jimmy.”
It took a second for me to realize what he meant. He must have been in the back room of the antiques shop when I was on the phone with my mom.
“That’s why I sent Tina to snatch you. So I could get you out of the picture. That didn’t work out so well, but it turns out you must have guessed wrong since the sheriff showed up asking about Daryl and Tina instead of arresting me. But you’ve been asking too many questions anyway. I figured it was only a matter of time before you put two and two together.”
If only I’d connected the dots a few minutes earlier.
He took another step toward me. I shifted to the side, trying to keep the nearest table between us. He smirked, unconcerned by the tactic.
Wiping rainwater from my face with my free hand, I kept my eyes fixed on the knife as I tapped random spots on my phone, hoping to at least send gibberish to Brett, a signal that something wasn’t right. “So Tina was planning to skip town with you. Did Daryl know?”
“What does it matter?”
Bits of information dropped into order in my head. Tina’s involvement explained the glitter I’d seen on Jimmy’s shirt, and the fact that Ida sometimes rode in her nephew’s truck explained how the green feather had ended up at Myler’s Point. But something else made sense to me now too.
“Daryl was on to you, wasn’t he? Not about your relationship with Tina—well, maybe that too—but the burglaries. That’s why I found him hanging around Jimmy’s workshop.”