"Did an engineer from the train find him?"
"No. The guy felt a bump and knew they'd hit something, but he didn't stop the train. Apparently there are quite a few deer that roam out that way, and he figured that's what they'd hit. Wasn't the first time, I guess. He forgot all about it. Some guy going to work at the donut shop down the street saw the body and called it in. That was about five-thirty A.M."
"What time does it look like he died?"
"We don't really have to fix the time of death, because we know the train schedule. It's like clockwork at one A.M. every night."
"I heard the train myself around eight P.M.," said Darby. "I guess that was an earlier run."
"Impossible. That train goes once a day."
Darby heard voices in the background and the chief's barked command to someone. He cleared his throat. "The lab report on Lucy's chocolates came back, too. You were right-they were laced with heroin. The case against Soames Pemberton is still shaky at this point, but I think it's safe to say your friend Lucy Trimble is in the clear."
Darby breathed a sigh of relief, thanked the chief, and hung up.
Hoping that she was already awake, she dialed Tina Ames' number with trembling hands.
A stunned Tina listened as Darby relayed the information. "Who would have thought Soames would do that? Toss himself in front of a train?" She shuddered. "You think he was afraid of going back to prison?"
"You knew him better than I did, Tina. He didn't seem suicidal when he was chasing us around the warehouse, I know that."
"No" Tina paused. "On the one hand, I'm not sorry that he's gone. Me and a whole lot of other people can breathe a big sigh of relief. The guy was unhinged and getting worse all the time. He was obviously lying his head off in that warehouse. Said he never went near the Powderkeg ... Still, I'm going to remember the few good times we had together and say a little prayer for his soul." She sighed and Darby imagined her cocking her head to one side as she had done so many times before.
"So then it's over?" Tina asked. "Soames is dead, Lucy is in the clear, and Peyton's going to get her dream house after all."
"I don't know about that," Darby said. "I'm headed over to the office as soon as I take a shower. We haven't seen an amended purchase and sale from Peyton or her lawyer, so it's going to be tough to have a closing today."
"I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm on my way to the office now in case you need me to do anything special."
"I'll see you in a half an hour then." Darby was about to hang up when she posed one more question. "Last night, after we escaped from the warehouse, did you hear a train go by?"
"A train? Hell no. The only thing I could hear was my heart pounding away, reminding me I was lucky to be alive."
Darby made a pot of coffee before calling Miles Porter at the cottage. His phone rang several times, but Miles did not pick up. Probably taking a shower, Darby thought, her cheeks growing hot as she began to picture his muscular body. He'd asked to visit her in Mission Beach. Maybe then we'll finally move beyond the little pecks on the cheek, she thought. She imagined his reaction to her little bungalow and smiled. He'd like the beach, and the little restaurants they could walk to together. Who knows, maybe he'll like California enough to relocate ...
She poured a cup of coffee and the strong taste snapped her out of her reverie. Enough daydreaming, she told herself sternly. I've got work to do.
Darby drove straight to Near & Farr, where Tina was waiting with an envelope in hand and a triumphant smile on her face. "A courier delivered it," she explained. "It's from Peyton's lawyer. Do you think it's the contract for Fairview?"
Quickly Darby tore open the envelope and surveyed the contents. Sure enough, it was an offer to purchase Fairview at the original price, with a closing date of Saturday. Planning board approval of zoning was to be handled by the buyer once she owned the property. Darby smiled and nodded.
"Hallelujah!" shouted Tina. "That's a good way to start a Thursday, or any day, for that matter."
"You're not kidding. I'm off to get Mark and Lucy to sign this. Do you think they know about Soames' death?"
"It's the top story on the news, so I don't know how you'd miss it. That and a big storm headed up the coast tomorrow. I hope Helen Near doesn't have any problems with her flight."
Darby headed out the office door and noticed her denim jacket hanging on a hook.
"Where'd that come from?"
"You left it in the truck yesterday," Tina said. "I think your phone might be in one of the pockets."
Darby reached in and pulled out her cell phone. The battery was dead but she was relieved nonetheless. "I'm glad to have that off my mind. Thanks, Tina."
"Don't mention it. Hey, Donny called this morning with some interesting news. Looks like Peyton's left the island and her boyfriend, the Italian guy? He's gone missing."
"What do you mean?"
"Donny had to go to the inn last night to fix something in their room. He said it looked like Peyton left the hotel in a hurry with most of her things, but Emilio just plain left. All his clothes are still in the room, but no sign of him."
"Strange. This offer from Peyton is dated yesterday, so she must have been available to her lawyer when he drew it up." She thought a moment more. "I'll try giving Peyton Mayerson a call, just to let her know we're on track for Saturday. In the meantime, keep me posted."
Darby drove Thelma over to the dock where the Lucy T was tied up. With the new Fairview offer in hand, she knocked on the side of the boat, listening for Mark Trimble. Hearing nothing, she climbed aboard and looked below deck. The cockpit was closed and the vessel seemed empty.
"Dammit," she swore softly. A blonde head poked from the neighboring vessel and looked around curiously.
"Darby? I thought that sounded like you." Laura Gefferelli emerged from the bottom of What's in a Name with a broad smile. "It's nice to see you down here. Please, come aboard and see my little piece of heaven."
Darby hesitated for a moment but then swung a leg over the side and hopped nimbly onto the deck. Laura smiled and indicated a boat cushion and Darby sat down.
"I was just about to have another cup of coffee," Laura said. "Would you join me in a cup?"
Darby agreed and Laura emerged with two plastic cups full of coffee. "Cream? Sugar?" asked Laura.
"Black is fine," Darby said, catching the rich aroma of the coffee.
"To Lucy's freedom," Laura said, raising her coffee cup.
"To Lucy's freedom," echoed Darby. She took a sip. "So you've heard the news?"
"By now the whole island has. I'm praying that Soames didn't suffer." She took a sip of her coffee and looked out over the harbor. "What a sad and troubled soul. At last he's at peace." She sighed. "Is Tina okay? I know they had some history..."
"She seems to be. At least for now."
"Good" Laura set down her plastic mug and gave Darby a small smile. "So what brings you over here? Were you looking for Mark?"
"Yes. Any idea when he went out?"
"He sailed in early this morning and left about an hour ago."
Darby tried to hide her irritation.
"What is it?" asked Laura. "Something wrong?"
"Yes. I have a hard time with the fact that his sister's been a murder suspect, and he takes off on his sloop for a few days."
Laura gave a gentle grin. "Darby, we can't judge what others may do under stress. This whole thing has affected Mark in ways we can't even imagine. Going off for a sail may have been exactly what Mark needs to do."
"Time alone to sort things out," Darby said.
Laura smiled again. "I didn't say he was alone." She took another sip of coffee. "He has a new friend, a man named Ryan Oakes. He introduced me to him this morning. He works with an island preservation group. The two of them went out yesterday, I think." She took a look at the sky. "Good thing they came back today. Tomorrow we're going to get some weather."
Darby nodded. "So I hear." She took the last sip of her coff
ee. "I don't want to bother you on your time off, but is there anything else I need to do for Jane's service?"
"I think we're in good shape," Laura said. "But my notes are at the office. Can we go over the last-minute details this afternoon? Then I can get the program together in the morning and have the church secretary print it in the afternoon."
"Okay," Darby agreed. "I'll call you or come by today." She paused. "If you do see Mark, will you ask him to call me?"
"Sure"
Darby jumped from What's in a Name to the dock, noting that her legs remained remarkably steady. I'm making progress. She waved goodbye to Laura, still seated in the stern, and contemplated calling Miles on her cell. Dead as a door nail, she thought, using one of Aunt Jane's expressions and tossing the phone on the seat. I need to charge it back at the office.
Darby drove to Lucy's studio, wondering if she would still be there or setting up for the art show. She was relieved to see Lucy's old sedan in the driveway, the trunk open and waiting for more paintings.
Darby jogged up the rutted pathway and knocked on the door. Lucy opened it with a smile.
"Hey! I was hoping I'd see you. Did you hear about the chocolates? You were right."
"Chief Dupont told me. You must be so relieved." "
I am. I don't like the fact that heroin was in my system again, but at least I know that I didn't ingest it myself, and that's a huge relief." She frowned. "Too bad about Soames. I wish I could have helped him." She indicated the little kitchen table. "Want to sit down?"
"Sure, just for a minute. I know you're busy with the art show."
"Yeah, but I have to say, I feel so free. The burden of knowing there were people who thought I might have killed someone..."
"Very few people thought that, Lucy."
"Thanks. So what's up? I know my friend Darby Farr. You're on a social call, but with an agenda."
"You got me there. I just received a new offer from Peyton. She still wants to buy Fairview, at the same price, and close on Saturday. I haven't seen your brother yet, but what do you think?"
"Terrific. What about those restrictions?"
"She and her lawyer are going to worry about it once they've purchased the property. My guess is they've already been assured that they can be changed."
"Wow. Mark will be thrilled. Where do I sign?"
Once Lucy had looked over the agreement and signed it, Darby helped her carry a few canvasses to the car. "I'm off to find your brother now," she said.
"He may actually be at Fairview," Lucy said. "I can't make myself go over there, but he said he was going to check that everything was okay."
Darby drove Thelma over to Fairview, wishing as she was driving the winding roads that she was out for a run. She looked uneasily at the woods in which her dream had taken place. It had given her the creeps to see Soames' face like that, especially now that she knew he was dead.
She wound her way down the driveway and came around the bend to see the grand old house in all its glory. Mark Trimble's car was parked in front, along with a small compact car bearing a bumper sticker for the "Maine Island Association."
She slowed to a walk at the front door, hearing voices.
"Hello?" she called out.
"Hey, we're in here," yelled Mark Trimble. He was talking animatedly to someone and sounded very cheerful. A moment later he greeted her at the door.
"Darby! You're up bright and early! I was just going to call you. You heard the news about Soames? Lucy's totally in the clear. It's great." Grinning, he pulled her from the hallway into the living room of his old home. "There's somebody I'd like you to meet. This is Ryan-Ryan Oakes. He's the head of the Island Association. Have you heard of them? They work to keep islands like ours from becoming too Disney-fied, right Ryan?"
Ryan Oakes smiled and shook Darby's hand.
"Actually, we try to help keep what is special about working islands functioning," he said. "I'm pleased to meet you, Darby. Mark has told me so much about you. I know he's very grateful for what you've done for his sister." Ryan looked at Mark who shook his head emphatically.
"Absolutely. She's off the hook. Soames Pemberton killed Phipps and now the radio's reporting that he's killed himself to boot." He clasped his hands together, reminding Darby of a little boy with too much energy.
"So, thanks to you, Darby, Lucy's back to her normal life on Hurricane Harbor. I've got to say, there was a little too much action for a small place like this."
Darby wanted to question Mark concerning his role with providing Soames Pemberton with the deed, but knew that now was not the time. Instead she said, "I have some news about the sale of Fairview, Mark. Can we talk?"
Mark looked at Ryan and then back at Darby. "I told Ryan all about it, so shoot. What's up?"
"A courier delivered an offer from Peyton and her partners this morning. Same terms with a closing on Saturday. I've just come from Lucy's studio; she reviewed the offer and signed it. I've brought it along for you to take a look at and sign as well." She added, "I'm sure you and your sister will be happy to see this chapter close."
Mark Trimble squirmed and again Darby was reminded of a child.
"Umm ... yeah. So Peyton is definitely buying the house? On Saturday?"
"That's the plan. Why?"
Mark gestured toward Ryan. "I've been thinking this would be a great headquarters for Ryan's organization," he said. "You know, a place for them to have meetings, retreats, and entertain rich donors." He laughed. "People like me, right?"
Ryan Oakes smiled. "As I've already explained to Mark, we don't have the funds for our own building, much less one like Fairview. Our current office is in Manatuck, over the Natural Foods store. Someday, though, a place like this would be ideal. It's certainly fun to dream about."
Darby nodded. "It's a lovely spot." She fixed her attention back on Mark. He needed to understand that he had a deal with Peyton Mayerson. She didn't like his thinking he could switch gears now and dangle Fairview in front of some brand-new friend who couldn't afford a rundown ranch, never mind an estate. Unfortunately, Mark was far too adept at changing buyers. Not this time, she vowed.
"Let's take a look at this together." She pulled the offer from the envelope and moved closer to Mark.
He glanced at it quickly. "She let go of the old deed restrictions?"
Darby nodded, not trusting herself to say more. She was still angry over Soames' revelation that Mark had known all about it, but wasn't going to bring it up in front of Ryan Oakes.
"Same money she was originally offering?"
"That's right."
Mark reached in his pocket for a pen and scribbled his signature on the last page. "Hard to believe it's really going to happen this time."
"I know."
Darby extended her arm toward Ryan Oakes and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you. Good luck with the Island Association."
"Thank you," he said.
Mark gave Darby a wave. "See you," he said breezily.
Mark's dismissive goodbye couldn't dampen Darby's spirits. She felt the surge of adrenalin she always experienced when she put a real estate deal together. It's going to happen, Aunt Jane, she said silently. Even if I have to stay here until next week.
She drove back to Near & Farr and called Miles with the news of Soames' death.
"The dragon has been slain and the village is safe," he said. "Not exactly slain, but close enough"
"There are certainly people who will sleep a little easier knowing he can't darken their door again," Darby agreed. "Tina Ames, for one." Darby looked out the window to the street where Tina was emerging with a coffee and a Diet Coke. "I had a strange dream last night."
"Was it about me?" Miles teased.
No.
"Then I don't know if I want to hear about it. Well, all right, you may tell me."
Darby laughed. "No, I think you're right. It isn't worth retelling. Instead, I'm going to ask you to a meal for once. How about lunch with me today?"
The
re was a pause from Miles. "I'm afraid I must decline, Darby. I've been summoned to Boston, on business, and am leaving in a few minutes. I'll be back late tomorrow night or very early Saturday for your aunt's service."
"Oh," Darby said lightly, as a wave of disappointment washed over her. Get a grip, she told herself sternly. You've got work to do. She made an effort to keep her tone as light as possible. "See you Saturday, then, Miles. Drive safely."
THIRTEEN
AFTER HANGING UP WITH Miles, Darby checked her watch and decided it was a good time to call ET in California. It was just after eleven A.M. in Maine, so with the three-hour time difference, her able assistant would be up and working, most likely in his silk bathrobe and slippers.
The phone rang only once before she recognized his melodic voice on the other end.
"Darby! I was hoping it was you ... have you sold the lovely Fairview yet?"
Quickly Darby filled him in on the events of the past few days, concluding with the good news she'd received via courier that morning.
"We're scheduled to close on Saturday afternoon," she said, "with Aunt Jane's service in the morning. I'm changing my flights to Monday. I didn't plan on staying here so long, ET, but I've got to see this through."
ET made a sympathetic noise. "I understand completely. How about the sister of Mark Trimble-Lucy?-is she cleared of murder charges?"
"Yes, thank goodness." Darby sighed. "She's free, and the man who killed Emerson Phipps is no longer a threat to anyone. Last night he committed suicide."
"Quite a lot happening on such a small island. The service for your aunt can now proceed without the shadow of an unsolved murder, correct?"
"I hadn't thought about it that way, but you're right. I guess it is finally time to put the murder at Fairview in the past and focus on my final duty here." She paused. "Enough about Maine. What's going on at the office?"
ET told Darby that several of her listings were seeing increased activity, and that he expected an offer on at least one home by the weekend. "I have signed up a new client, a couple from London, and they are scheduled to meet with you next week. And now are you ready? I've saved the best piece of news for last," he teased.
A House to Die For (A Darby Farr Mystery) Page 20