Shattered Haven

by Carol J. Post

  A young woman moved toward them pushing a stroller, her face lit with a contagious smile.

  “Hey, girlfriend.” She gave Allison a hug, then backed away. “I think we’re having our best turnout ever. Mom’s sold tons of her crocheted stuff.”

  Before Allison could respond, the stranger turned eager eyes on him. “And you must be Blake.” She extended her hand and gave his an enthusiastic shake. “Darci Tucker.”

  “Darci owns the gift shop downtown,” Allison explained. “She’s also a very good friend of mine.”

  Blake nodded and turned his gaze back to Darci. The two women were as opposite as could be. Darci was shorter by probably a good six inches, and her hair, currently pulled up into a high ponytail that swished back and forth as she talked, was almost jet-black. And it wasn’t just their looks. Where Allison was quiet and reserved, her friend projected exuberance. There likely wasn’t a shy bone in her body.

  Allison stepped away to squat down in front of the stroller. A chubby-cheeked little boy reclined in the shade of its cover. Blue eyes an almost exact replica of his mother’s shifted to Allison, and a soft smile climbed up his cheeks.

  “How’s my little Jayden?”

  She commenced with several sentences in baby talk. Finally, she straightened. “I can’t believe he’s almost a year old already.”

  “I know. I keep waiting to hear mommy, but it hasn’t happened yet. Of course, I was a late talker, too, although you’d never guess it now. He’s probably just waiting until he can do it right.” She bent and ruffled his blond hair. “Aren’t you, buddy?”

  “I bet he’s going to surprise us all, and his first words will be Auntie Allison.”

  Darci crinkled her nose. “That would be so unfair.” She glanced down at Brinks. Although Blake held the leash, the dog was pressed up against Allison’s leg. Dogs weren’t normally allowed in the park, but the Cedar Key Seafood Festival seemed to be an exception.

  “So who does the Doberman belong to?”

  He reached down to scratch the dog behind the ears. “He’s mine. But as you can see, he’s gotten kind of attached to her.”

  That was all he would say. If she wanted Darci to know more, it would be up to her to tell her. The line moved, and he stepped forward to fill in the gap. When the two ladies had done the same, Allison glanced around her and addressed Darci, her tone hushed. “You’ve lived here all your life. How well did you know my cousin?”

  “We weren’t best buds or anything, but I knew her. Why?”

  Allison lowered her voice even further. But with the hundreds of people talking all at once and the volume of the Southern rock coming from the band in the pavilion, she wasn’t likely to be overheard.

  “I told you about my house and boat being ransacked. Well, earlier this week, someone came in while I was sleeping and demanded that paper.”

  So she had told Darci everything. Maybe she trusted her enough to know that whatever the outcome, it wouldn’t make a difference in their friendship. Or maybe she had taken his advice.

  Darci drew in a shocked breath, and a dainty hand flew to her mouth. “How scary.”

  “I need to find out who’s after that paper, and I think my cousin might know something.”

  “Well, if anyone would know what your cousin is up to, it would be Jasmine Porter. They used to do everything together.”

  “Jasmine Porter? Any relation to Vera?”

  “Daughter. She’s actually here today. The last I saw her, she was helping her mom man her booth.”

  The line moved again, and Darci took the opportunity to bid them farewell.

  Blake smiled over at Allison. “Once we get these crab cakes, I’d say it’s time to head back to the craft section.”

  They had spent a couple hours there that morning, checking out the dozens of booths that lined both sides of Second Street. If he remembered right, Allison had introduced him to Vera Porter, along with a couple dozen other people whose names he would never keep straight.

  When they moved away from the crowd a few minutes later, they each held a paper tray, four crab cakes in one and a generous serving of seafood sauce in the other.

  Blake dipped a crab cake into the sauce and took a bite. Oh, yeah. Definitely worth the wait. People in Cedar Key really knew how to cook. “So I take it you haven’t had any luck getting a hold of your cousin.”

  Allison shook her head. “I got my aunt’s home number from my dad and left her a message. But she travels a lot, so who knows when she’ll get it.”

  When they reached Vera’s booth, a younger woman he hadn’t seen before sat on a stool inside. Vera hurried around the table to clasp Allison’s hand.

  “I’m so glad you stopped back by. I’d like you to meet my daughter, Jasmine.”

  After introductions were made, Vera rested a hand on Jasmine’s shoulder. “Jasmine moved to Gainesville several years ago. I’m afraid Cedar Key is too small for her.”

  Allison smiled. “I did the opposite, moved from the big city to Cedar Key.” She cast a glance back at him. “And Blake did, too.”

  Of course, his move was temporary. At the thought, a hollow emptiness settled in his chest. He wasn’t ready for his time in Cedar Key to end. But eventually he would have to do more with his life than hang out on his boat and stock shelves in a small-town grocery store.

  “Allison is Sandra’s cousin.” Vera’s words cut across his thoughts. “She’s even living in the old house.”

  Jasmine’s face lit up. “Oh, cool. I have a lot of good memories of that house. Sandy and I used to be best friends.”

  “Used to be?” Allison asked. “Did you have a falling-out?”

  “No, nothing like that. Once she left Cedar Key, we just sort of lost touch.”

  “Any idea why she left?”

  “Who knows?” Jasmine shrugged, but her gaze dipped to the table and swept across the pieces of handmade jewelry lying there. She obviously knew more than she was willing to share.

  Allison leaned toward her. “I’d love to get in touch with her.”

  “Sorry, I can’t help you there. I’ve only talked to her a handful of times since she left, and the last was probably six years ago.”

  Blake frowned. Unless he had totally lost his ability to read people, she was telling the truth. They really had lost touch. But Sandra left for a reason. And this might be their only chance to learn why.

  “Can we talk to you privately for a few minutes?” He wasn’t concerned about Vera. But several other people milled around, looking at the items displayed on the table.

  Jasmine hesitated, then shrugged and stepped out of the booth. After slipping between two of the ten-by-ten tents to the sidewalk behind, he glanced around. The area was relatively quiet. All the crowds seemed to be in the roadway. Catty-corner from where they stood was the bright yellow building that housed the Salty Needle Quilt Shop and The Gathering Place eatery. Under a picket-lined porch, several people were seated at two wooden tables having a late lunch, well out of hearing range. He kept his tone low anyway.

  “Allison has had some scary things happening at her place. Her house and boat have been ransacked, and earlier this week, someone broke in during the night and held a knife to her throat. We’re hoping you can help us.”

  Jasmine’s eyes widened, worry flickering in their depths. “I’m not sure what I can do.”

  “Tell us what you know. Even if it seems insignificant. Sandra Morris had a house given to her. All she had to do was keep up the taxes. But she walked away and let it go for a fraction of what it was worth. Why did she leave Cedar Key? Did she learn something? Was there some family secret that she just couldn’t handle?”

  Jasmine snickered and gave him a rueful smile. “It wasn’t anything as intriguing as that. I’m afraid it was all over a guy.”

&n
bsp; “A guy?”

  “Yeah, she got hooked up with this creep of a boyfriend. He was fifteen years older than her, a total con guy. And she fell head over heels.”

  Blake continued to press. “You say he was a creep?”

  “Through and through. I never liked him, right from the start. He made me really uneasy. He was just... I don’t know, scary. But I didn’t know why until it was too late.”

  Allison tensed beside him. “What happened? What did he do?”

  “Sandy had about twenty thousand in savings and another twenty in stocks, money she had inherited from her grandparents. Bear talked her into letting him manage her assets, said he was really good with investing.” She gave an unladylike snort. “He managed them, all right. Took off with all her money six months later and left her broke. Then he got himself arrested.”

  “Did she report any of this to the police?”

  “No. She didn’t want anyone to know. I think she was too ashamed. She told me, but I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone. I’m only telling you because you’ve gotten tangled up in this mess. All that stuff you mentioned probably has something to do with Bear.”

  “Bear?”

  “I don’t know his real name. I wish I did. Sandy became a different person when he came into her life. He even got her using drugs. That’s something I wouldn’t have imagined in a thousand years.”

  Yeah, he knew all about it. He had seen too many good kids go bad because of the acquaintances they kept.

  Jasmine sighed, then continued. “After he dumped her, she hung around for another six or eight months. But she was never the same. One day she just up and left. We had contact a couple more times. Then she changed her number, and I never heard from her again.”

  “Do you know what he was arrested for?”

  “No. Sandy just told me that he had gotten himself arrested.”

  “If there’s anything else you remember that might help us figure out who this guy is or how we can get a hold of Sandra, can you let us know?”

  “Will do.” She pulled out her phone. “I’ll program in both of your numbers.”

  As soon as they left Jasmine, Allison looked over at him, her eyes shining with respect. “Good job. I can’t believe you got all that out of her.”

  Pride swelled in his chest, but he brushed aside her compliment. “It was just a matter of asking the right questions.”

  “I didn’t know to ask the questions. How could you tell she wasn’t leveling with us?” She flashed him a quick grin before he could respond. “Oh, yeah, it’s your job to notice things.”

  They continued down the sidewalk, headed away from the park. “How is your leg holding up?”

  “I’m doing all right.” But after almost five hours on his feet, his pain levels had shot way past the usual dull ache several hours ago.

  “What do you say we call it a day? My feet are hurting, so your knee has to be killing you.”

  She was right. He would give out long before she would. That wasn’t what she meant, but he couldn’t deny the truth.

  He shook off the negative thoughts. “So do you think this Bear is the one who hid the paper in the newel post?”

  “Possibly. But why is he just now coming after it?”

  “Maybe he’s been in prison all this time and just got out.”

  She nodded. “I wish we had more to go on than a nickname. Hopefully I’ll get to talk to my cousin.”

  As they turned onto First Street, he focused on trying not to limp. Allison’s house was a few doors down. He had ridden his bike over that morning, and they had walked together to the festival. Now he wished she had met him at the park instead. With the marina a short block or two away, he would be back on his boat now, leg propped up. Even Brinks seemed to be wearing down.

  When they stepped onto Allison’s porch, a sheet of paper had been folded in thirds and taped to the front door.

  Allison reached for the page. “Someone left me a note.”

  As her eyes scanned the page, her brows drew together.

  Blake’s chest tightened. It was either bad news from someone she cared about, or she had heard from her intruder.

  She angled the sheet toward him, and his gaze dropped to the black print. It was all caps, written with a Sharpie.

  Quit your snooping, or bad things will happen. I’m watching you.

  Allison lifted fear-filled eyes to his. “He was there at the festival. He saw me talking to Jasmine.”

  A vise clamped down on his chest. She was right. When they were standing at Vera’s booth, the creep was probably not even six feet away. Wherever Allison went—on the water, around town—he was there. She was being stalked.

  “Let me stay with you.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

  Allison shook her head. “I’m all right. I’ve got the alarm now. I keep it set all the time.” She gave him a weak smile. “Go back to your boat and get some rest. I’ve got laundry to do. Then I’m going to take it easy myself. But if you want to leave him with me, I won’t object.” Her gaze dipped to Brinks.

  “No problem.” He handed her the leash, then leaned against one of the porch posts, not wanting to leave her. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

  “Church in the morning.”

  Oh, yeah. Tomorrow was Sunday.

  She smiled over at him. “You’re always welcome to come.”

  “No thanks. I don’t need to be sitting inside a church to worship God. I can worship Him right out here, surrounded by nature.” He made a wide sweep of his arm.

  “Uh-huh.” She nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. “And do you?”

  “Do I what?”

  “Worship God out here.”

  She had a point. The excuse sounded good. But no one had ever pinned him down on it before.

  “Okay, you’ve got me. But the point is, I could. One doesn’t have to be in church to talk to God.”

  She smiled up at him. “True.”

  “So what are you doing in the afternoon?”

  “I haven’t decided yet. Why?”

  “I was thinking of coming over and using your internet, checking out arrest records for, what, nine years ago?”

  She paused while she did the math in her head. “Based on when my cousin stopped paying the property taxes, nine is about right.” She turned to face him and rested a hand on his forearm. “Thanks. I’m glad you’re here. God sent you to Cedar Key at just the right time.”

  “I’m glad I’m here, too.” He wasn’t sure God had anything to do with it, but whatever.

  She slid her hand down to give his a squeeze. “See you tomorrow, then.”

  He returned the gesture, then reluctantly released her. The moment she opened the door, an electronic squeal came from inside, followed by four beeps as she punched the code into the alarm panel just inside the foyer. The sounds gave him a small sense of relief. So did the sight of Brinks walking in behind her.

  But he really wanted to be there himself. And if he was being totally honest, he would have to admit his desire to be with her was about more than just her protection. Because no matter how he fought it, this thing between them was developing into something much deeper than mere friendship. At least on his part.

  But what about Allison? Was she starting to feel anything for him? Or was whatever she had been through in the past keeping her heart closed up tight? Was there any chance that she would eventually look at him as more than a friend?

  He swung his bad leg over the bar of the bicycle and winced when he put his weight on that foot. Allison was right. His leg was killing him. He tried hard to hide it, to appear as strong and able as he had ever been. But she could see past it. She knew what he was.

  He needed to face reality. There would never be anythi
ng more than friendship between them. Allison was physically perfect. She could probably outwalk him, outrun him and best him in a lot of areas.

  If she eventually decided to risk getting into another relationship, it wouldn’t be with him. Women didn’t want scarred men who walked with a limp. He’d learned that a year and a half ago when his fiancée couldn’t handle his injury and hooked up with his partner.

  He threw a final glance at the colorful Victorian, then moved down the street, each rotation of the pedals leaving his unrealistic dreams farther behind.

  Yes, it was time to accept the ugly truth. No matter how he hoped otherwise, someone as toned and athletic as Allison would never hook up with someone like him.

  EIGHT

  Rain-scented gusts whipped against the sails and sent whitecapped waves breaking over the bow. Angry black clouds skidded across the sky, rolling ever closer. The sun was up there somewhere. Allison had seen it all morning.

  When they headed out, the weather report promised a beautiful day with a chance of some light evening rain. What was currently barreling down on them wasn’t light. And it wasn’t evening. It was barely 3:00 p.m.

  For the past hour, she had been trying to outrun the squall and get back to the marina. Now she was just hoping to make it to the leeward side of an island for a semiprotected place to drop anchor and wait it out.

  “Is that where we’re headed?” Blake held up a finger, indicating a point off the port bow. He had to shout the words over the howl of the wind. If he was afraid, he wasn’t showing it. Maybe he was too macho to show fear. Or maybe he felt safe in her capable hands.

  “Yeah. I’m coming into the main shipping channel and will bring us as close to Seahorse Key as I can.” Unfortunately, she couldn’t moor in behind it. The curve of the island would give them protection, but it was much too shallow.

  She continued to guide Tranquility through the churning seas. In another twenty minutes, she could be back to the marina. But no way was she going to dock in this. Already the strength of the wind was generating small craft advisories. And it was getting worse.