by Amy M. Reade
“Where was Stephan?”
“Stephan? Oh, I suppose he was in New York working. I called him that evening after the police had left and he told me he would be here the next day. I remember that he got here in the morning.”
“Anyone else?”
“Not that I can remember.”
I was exasperated.
“Alex, can you think of any reason anyone would have had to be angry with Forrest?”
She put her hand on her forehead in a fluttering motion.
“No. No. I just can’t remember anything like that.” She turned to me and I could see tears glistening in her eyes. “Everyone loved Forrest. He was kind and generous and good. He didn’t deserve to die that way.” Her voice caught on her last words. I put my hand gently on her arm.
“I should have been with him,” she added softly.
“You couldn’t have prevented what happened. If you had been there, whoever pushed him would simply have waited for another opportunity. You couldn’t protect him all the time.”
“I know.” She sighed. “I just can’t help thinking that he died that day because of me.”
“Well, that’s not the case,” I assured her again. I hesitated a moment before broaching the next subject.
“I know you don’t want to drag Pete into this, but it’s time he found out about that note. It’s only fair that he knows. Plus, he might be able to give us some insight or might remember something from that period that you may have forgotten.”
“Poor Pete. The last thing he needs is to have to worry about me.”
“I’m afraid you’re not giving him his due. He has a genuine and deep respect and admiration for you, and I know he feels very protective of you. I think he would appreciate the chance to be able to help.”
Alex continued walking and was silent for several minutes.
“Maybe you’re right. I love Pete like a member of my own family, but in my zeal to protect his privacy, perhaps I’ve overlooked his feelings.”
I grinned at her. “I’ll go talk to him right after we finish our walk.”
“I suspect he won’t be sorry to see you,” she said with a wink. I blushed.
We finished our walk and Alex asked me to stay with her for lunch. The outer door to her office remained locked, and we spent lunch discussing different tasks that had to be completed before the move to Pine Island. Our conversation enabled Alex to keep her mind off her troubles for a brief time. Stephan joined Alex in her office after lunch and I went in search of Pete. I didn’t have far to look. I found him on his knees examining one of the large picture windows along the side of Summerplace. He looked up as I approached and smiled broadly.
“Looking for me?”
“Yes, in fact, I was.”
“Then it’s my lucky day.”
I blushed again, to my great embarrassment, and rolled my eyes.
“Pete, I need to talk to you about something. Could we go for a walk away from the house for a little while?”
He stood up, wiping his hands on his jeans. “This sounds serious.”
“I’m afraid it is.”
“Then let’s go down to the boathouse. I need some caulk and a couple of small tools to repair this window, so I have to head that way.”
He led the way around the porch to the front of Summerplace, where Brandt and Giselle were coming up the stone steps. They were holding hands and, as usual, Giselle looked well put together in dress pants and a tight silk top.
They stopped and exchanged small talk with us. They were popping in to see Alex, they said; then they would check in on Vali and Leland.
When we had left them, we walked slowly through the trees down to the boathouse while I related the events that had transpired since I had seen Pete last. He was shocked.
“We could really use your insight,” I concluded.
“I’ll do anything I can,” he replied emphatically.
“I knew you would.”
“Where do you think we should start?”
“First I’d like you to take me over to the police station in Cape Cartier. They have to be told about the note. Then we need to figure out exactly what happened on the day Forrest died. Alex doesn’t seem to remember anything about that day other than what she has already told me. And she can’t recall any reason that anyone would have had to be angry with Forrest.”
“Run up to the house and get a warmer coat on, then I’ll take you over to the police station. The picture window can wait until later. I’ll just leave these tools on the porch.”
“Thanks.” I smiled. We walked close to each other in silence through the trees. We could see Summerplace through the trees when Pete took my hand in his and turned to me.
“It sounds like you’ve decided to stay.”
“I have, at least until Alex gets everything straightened out.”
“I’m glad,” he replied, and bent to kiss my lips lightly. I felt that same quivery feeling in my stomach and squeezed his hand gently.
“Me too. I’ll be right back.”
I met Brandt and Giselle leaving Summerplace as I walked in the front door.
“Leaving so soon?” I asked them.
Giselle let her breath out loudly. “I just got a call. I have to go into work to cover a story in Cape Cartier. Aunt Vali could use my help, but it will have to wait.” She looked up at Brandt. “Honey, why don’t you come with me?” she suggested.
“I told Alex I’d stay here to help Pete. He’s got a lot to do and Leland isn’t here to help because he took a load of stuff over to Pine Island.”
“Please?” she asked plaintively.
“I can’t, Giselle. I’ll be back soon. I promise.”
“Well, okay.” She gave him a dark look, clearly not happy with his answer.
“Pete’ll give me a ride back to Cape Cartier. I won’t be too long.”
“Make sure you’re not, sweetheart,” Giselle answered, her dark look disappearing. She glanced my way and then stood on her tiptoes to give Brandt a long, lingering kiss before turning and running lightly in the direction of the dock.
He seemed embarrassed. “Bye,” he said quickly.
“Love you!” she called over her shoulder.
“Sorry about that,” he murmured in my direction.
“No, I’m sorry. I should have left you alone,” I apologized.
“I’ll go find Pete,” he said, then walked around the corner of the porch.
I went upstairs and put on a warm coat, then went to join Pete on the porch. He had given Brandt instructions for fixing the window, so the repairs were in capable hands.
A few minutes later Pete and I were in the boat heading for Cape Cartier. When we docked, he accompanied me to the police station, where he let me do the talking. I spoke to a young policeman who had heard of Alex Hallstead but had not been present at the time of Forrest’s death. My conversation with the police officer was thoroughly frustrating. He assured me that he would have a look at the file, but he doubted that the accidental death rulings by the police and coroner would change.
In his opinion, the note was a joke. If Forrest’s death had come close on the heels of Diana’s drowning there might be cause for concern, he informed us; but as his death had been seven years after hers, it was highly unlikely that the two were related.
I left the police station in a foul mood. I was sure the note was real, and I was angry that the police officer had shrugged it off. Pete and I talked about it all the way back to the island.
“It looks like we’re not going to get much help from the police,” Pete concluded. I nodded grimly. “We’ll just have to figure it out ourselves.”
Back on the island, Pete accompanied me back to the house. I went to see if Alex was ready to work on some of her exercises. She was, and we talked as we worked. I recounted my conversation with the officer and Alex was understandably disappointed in his reaction to the note.
“What are we supposed to do if the police won’t help?” she asked
.
“We’ll get through it ourselves,” I told her simply.
We had to cut her session short because she had a great deal of work to do. Before she went back into her office, she remarked, “Macy, I’ve been thinking about starting to paint again. I need something to keep my mind and my hands busy when I’m not working, or I’ll go crazy with worry. Would you mind going up to the turret and starting to pack my painting supplies? Don’t pack any of the supplies you might use; we can pack those later.”
“Of course!” I beamed, delighted that Alex was again showing some interest in her art. “I’ll get started right away!”
While Vali kept Alex company, I went up to the turret and spent the next two hours sorting through books, canvases, paints, chemicals, drawing supplies, and countless other implements Alex had up there. Since I didn’t have any boxes handy, I grouped media supplies together in piles around the turret.
I wanted to go out for a walk before it started getting dark outside, so I hurried down to my room, threw a coat over my shoulders, and a couple of minutes later was treading along the path to the leaning tree.
I was surprised to find Brandt there. He didn’t see me or seem to hear me at first, and I watched as he stared into the water lapping below the branches of the tree. His face somber, he slowly scanned the river in both directions.
I made a slight movement so that he would know I was nearby. He looked back, scanning the trees, then smiled as I emerged and walked closer.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” I told him.
“You didn’t disturb me. I come here once in a while because it’s a good place to think. I like to remember Diana and Forrest.”
I nodded. I was thinking. Maybe it was time to tell Brandt about my relationship to Diana. He seemed to be in a reflective mood, and the fact that I had found him alone at the leaning tree seemed a good omen. But I didn’t know how to begin. Fortunately, he gave me an opening.
“It’s too bad you didn’t know my wife, Macy. I think you would have liked her. Diana was fun loving and charismatic. It’s a funny thing—your eyes are a lot like hers. She had big violet eyes too.”
“Well, it turns out there’s a good reason for that.” I took a deep breath to brace myself, and he looked at me, puzzled.
“Diana was my mother. I just found out myself a few days ago.”
I could see immediately that I had given him a shock. He stared at me, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly. He didn’t say anything for several moments.
“Are you sure?” he asked dumbly.
I smiled ruefully. “Yes. Diana gave birth to me when she was only fifteen years old, and the family felt they would be disgraced if their baby was raising a baby of her own.”
He nodded slowly. “I didn’t meet Diana until several years after that. I wonder why she never mentioned this,” he said thoughtfully.
I had no answer for him.
He went on. “You know, we tried to have a baby after we were married, but we never could. We were just starting to see doctors about it when she drowned, so I never followed up.” He shook his head again. “This is all so incredible.”
“Believe me, I know,” I said. “I still haven’t come to grips with it myself.”
“How did you find out?”
“Alex told me. She and Stephan have kept tabs on me for all these years.”
“How does that make you feel?”
I drew in another deep breath. “There isn’t really a short answer to that. I’ve felt waves of lots of different emotions over the past few days. Anger, confusion, exhaustion. I’ve wondered what to do about my position here.”
“Are you going to stay?”
“For now,” I answered noncommittally.
Brandt walked over to me and took my hands in his. “Macy, thank you for telling me these things. You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’m sorry about everything you’ve gone through and I’m sorry I didn’t know you when you were growing up. Our lives would both have been so different if Diana had decided not to give you up. She would have been proud of the person you’ve become.”
“Thank you, Brandt.”
“I’m going to see if Pete is ready to take me back to Cape Cartier.”
“Before you go, could I ask you a favor? I’d like to keep this between us for now.”
“Absolutely.” He patted my shoulder sympathetically and walked away through the trees.
Now that I was alone, I sat down on the ground at the base of the leaning tree, leaned my head back against the rough bark, and closed my eyes. I needed this respite, this time away from Summerplace, away from the people on Hallstead Island. I needed time to myself to face everything that had been happening. I needed to think about Pete as well, but that would come later. I knew he would wait until I had straightened out the rest of my topsy-turvy life. I smiled at the thought of him.
With my eyes closed, I could focus on the sounds of the river. The wind rustled the trees gently, whistling its peaceful song, and the water slapped quietly against the rocks. I could hear birds passing overhead somewhere nearby. I hoped they were heading south before the cold settled in to stay. I opened my eyes, drinking in the tranquility around me, and I felt that some of my strength had been restored to me. I fancied that Diana and Forrest were both looking out for me, watching me at this tree that had represented both life and death for them. They could rest peacefully if only I could help Alex find out who had taken their lives from them.
I walked slowly back to Summerplace, lost in thought. It was almost time for dinner, and I had just enough time to check on Alex and get out of my jeans and into clean clothes. When I found Alex in her office, she announced that she would be having dinner in the dining room again tonight.
After I changed, I went to get Alex and we walked to the dining room together. We were joined by Will and Stephan a few minutes later, and we all sat down to another of Vali’s delicious meals. I complimented Vali as she brought in dessert. I should have known better; she glowered at me and said nothing.
Over dessert, Alex mentioned that she was feeling well enough to attend church the next morning. I think her trip to the turret had given a boost to her confidence, and I encouraged her, pleased that she was showing an interest in taking on other physical challenges.
“I think that’s a great idea,” I told her.
“I was hoping you would go too, Macy,” she replied. “I belong to a church in Cape Cartier, but if you go I’ll see if Pete will take us to another church here on the river. It’s an enchanting old place on Dark Island.”
“Of course I’ll go,” I answered enthusiastically. I noticed Will looking at me intently, his eyes narrowed, and I met his gaze silently.
“It’s settled, then. As long as Pete can take us.” She addressed Stephan and Will next. “You two gentlemen are welcome to join us.”
“Thank you, Alex, but I need to finish up some of the closing documents. I should probably stay here to do that,” Stephan answered.
“Me too,” added Will, still looking at me.
“All right,” Alex said. “I’ll talk to Pete this evening and see if he can take us, Macy.”
After dinner I walked back to Alex’s sitting room with her. “Would you like me to stay in here tonight?” I asked.
Alex shook her head. “I asked Leland to put chain locks on my sitting room and bedroom doors today,” she explained. “I’ll just lock them tonight and I’ll be fine.”
I was hesitant about Alex locking herself into her rooms at night. If she needed help, how would anyone get in to assist her? I voiced my concerns, but she answered, “I’ll be fine, Macy. I really need to do this.... I need to be able to stay by myself without panicking. Please don’t worry about me.”
So, reluctantly, I bid her good night. She mentioned that Pete was coming up to the house so she could ask him to take us to church, but I didn’t need to stay with her for that.
I went up to my room and built a cheerful fire. As the r
oom warmed, I got into pajamas and settled down in front of the fire to read.
About an hour later, there was a knock at my door. Startled, I went over and asked, “Who is it?”
“Pete,” came the answer.
Relieved, I opened the door and invited him in.
“I guess you weren’t expecting company,” he grinned, nodding at my pajamas.
I laughed. “No, I expected a nice, quiet evening.”
“Alex wanted me to come up to Summerplace so she could ask if I’d take you two over to Dark Island tomorrow. I told her I’d be happy to.”
“I knew she was planning to ask you. I’m glad you can take us.”
“I remembered something that I wanted to tell you. I remembered it when Brandt was here this afternoon. Have you asked Brandt about his relationship with Forrest?”
“No,” I answered, puzzled. “Why?”
“It’s probably nothing, but I remember hearing something about a discussion he had with Forrest not long before Forrest died. Forrest was the one who mentioned it to me. But all he said was that he had broached an ‘unpleasant subject’ with Brandt.”
“He didn’t say what the subject was?”
“No.”
“Well, I’m not sure where that leads us, but it’s a start.”
Pete turned to go. “I left some stuff unfinished above the boathouse. I need to get that done. I’ll see you in the morning.” He leaned forward and I kissed him good night. Smiling, he closed the door and left. I sighed happily as I listened to him descend the stairs.
I made a mental note to ask Brandt about Forrest the next time I saw him. When we had discussed Diana and my adoption earlier, it had never occurred to me to ask him about Forrest.
I fell asleep hoping my rest would be free of nightmares. It was.
CHAPTER 12
The morning dawned bright and crisp. I was looking forward to spending the morning with Alex and Pete, while at the same time harboring some apprehension about going in the boat again. For someone living on an island in the middle of a river, I had been very lucky not to have had to do much boating thus far. I supposed I would eventually learn to get used to it, but I didn’t have to like it.