Lake Effect

by K C Gillis

  When Jordan left the restroom, she came back out on the walkway right behind Derek. “Hey,” she called out.

  He turned his head, saw Jordan, and stopped. “Hey there. I thought you were at the bar?”

  “After a few hours in the car, my bladder needed a break.”

  The pair followed the walkway to the bar’s patio together. “I guess you got the fish to your friend without a problem?”

  “Yep. Unlike my first try. I’ll tell you all what my friend Charlie told me.”

  “Sounds like you learned something important.”

  “Let’s just say you were right. By the way, did you have a chance to look for my sandals?”

  “I looked this morning but didn’t see them. Maybe I looked in the wrong place. I’ll check when I get back.”

  Jordan was a bit surprised. They should have been right by the end of the driveway. “All right. Just let me know if they turn up.”

  Rachel, Travis, and Kasey were all at the table when Jordan and Derek got there. They pulled up another chair so they all could sit.

  “All right, Jordan, tell us what you learned,” Rachel said.

  “Yeah, stop dragging this out,” Travis added.

  “I’m sorry you all had to spend your day here at this beautiful place while I hauled my ass to Vermont and back so I could watch a fish get cut apart.”

  “We’re just kidding, sis.”

  “The headline is that the fish, at least this one, didn’t die of natural causes. It got exposed to a large amount of some kind of growth hormone. So much that the size of the fish was almost double what it should have been for its age.”

  “Wait, how old was the fish that you brought there?” Derek said.

  “My friend Charlie said it was about a month old.”

  “Damn. The fish all looked full grown.”

  “They might have looked that way, but they weren’t adults.”

  “Did Charlie say what kind of growth hormone?”

  “No. He said the effects were really strong, not what he would expect. He thinks it could be some new artificial growth hormone.”

  “Something man-made?” Derek asked.

  “That’s what he thinks. He’s getting the fish tested, so with a little luck, we’ll learn exactly what it got exposed to. We could have the results back tomorrow.”

  “So let me make sure my unscientific mind understands,” Travis said. “Somehow, a few hundred fish in this huge lake got exposed to a lot of a growth hormone, and all died in the same area of the lake? Is that possible?”

  “Probably not. Charlie thinks the exposure happened somewhere else and then the fish were dumped in the lake after they died.”

  “If that’s true, there must be a reason why, right?” Rachel asked.

  “Probably money. These fish grew big really fast. If you could do this in a controlled way, you could sell them at a much younger age, meaning you could make money faster.”

  “I bet if it works for fish, it could work for other animals as well,” Derek said. “You know, cows and chickens.”

  “You’re probably right,” Travis said. “There must be some kind of fish farm nearby that’s doing this kind of stuff. Do any of you know of a place around here that could be a fish or animal testing site?”

  Derek looked quizzically at Kasey. “I can’t think of any place like that,” she said.

  “Same here,” Derek said.

  “Well, there’s no way enough growth hormone could get into a lake this size to be able to affect the fish,” Jordan said. “There must be a site somewhere nearby. We need to find it.”

  “I’m not sure where to look,” Derek said. “And I know the area as good as anyone.”

  “What about that place I told you about?” Jordan said. “The one with the large gate and intercom?”

  “I’ve got no idea what’s there. I’m pretty sure that land is all owned by the state.”

  “When was the last time you were there?”

  “Now that you mention it, I haven’t been on that road in a while. I’m tied up at the marina most of the summer, and the rest of the year, I’m at college. Maybe there’s something there I haven’t seen.”

  “Same with me,” Kasey said. “Between the marina and college, I don’t do much else. Someone could have built a castle in the woods, and I wouldn’t know about it.”

  “Derek,” Rachel said. “You mentioned that a lot of the land is state land. Do you know how much is state owned versus privately owned? There must be town records we could access somewhere.”

  “I don’t know all the state-owned land, just some of it. But there’s a municipal office with records. Why?”

  Jordan remembered something. “I overheard something about a local family that sold their land. They just up and moved. Apparently, they told almost no one. It makes me think there’s more going on.”

  “I don’t know what else may be going on,” Derek said. “But it shouldn’t be a problem to look at property records.”

  “That gives us two things to investigate. But tomorrow. I need food.”

  “I’m with you,” Rachel said.

  Jordan looked across the bar. The man from earlier was still there. And still watching her.

  27

  Francis Emberly sat at a table close to the bar, observing the comings and goings of those around him. The evening was busy, the dining patio nearly full and the bar with only a few seats available. He fully expected that whoever was trying to buy the marina would have eyes on the place, especially since the owner was intent on not selling. After all, Francis was here for basically the same reason.

  The problem for Francis was that he had no idea who he was looking for. He had only been to the marina a handful of times and didn’t know who may be new or who didn’t seem to belong. His approach was to eavesdrop and hear something that would give away the identity of the potential buyer.

  Francis raised his glass to take a drink. A voice from behind interrupted him.

  “What the hell are you doing here?”

  He turned around to see Alice Banfield glowering at him, her arms crossed.

  “Alice. What a nice surprise. Why don’t you have a seat?”

  “Where’s Chris? Why are you here and not him?”

  “He’s in Boston. Meeting with some local interest groups.” Francis hoped Alice didn’t actually know that Chris was at his family home in the Berkshires.

  “Bullshit. I know he’s at home. Don’t lie for him.”

  “Look, Alice, he wasn’t free to come up right now. He might come up for the Fourth.”

  “With Sherry, no doubt.”

  “She is his wife, and it is a holiday. So, yes, she might come as well. Please sit down.”

  Alice looked down at her feet, appearing to consider the request. After a moment, she agreed and sat down opposite Francis.

  “Why are you here?” Alice said.

  “I came to see if I could learn anything about who is trying to buy the marina. It’s a bit of a shot in the dark, but we need to find out.”

  “Well, good luck with that. I tried to ask Mike about it, but he said I was way off base. That no one was trying to buy the marina. So I don’t know anything that can help.”

  “I see. And you don’t know anything about the guy who met with Mike?”

  “No. I saw him but didn’t get his name or anything.”

  “Did you look in Mike’s office? Maybe the guy left a business card or something?”

  Alice’s face brightened. “Actually, I never checked. With all the chaos here the last few days, I didn’t think about it.”

  Francis realized he may have gotten lucky after all. “Would you be able to check? Today?”

  Alice looked directly at Francis, holding his gaze. “I might. But you need to do something for me.”

  “What would that be?” Francis knew he wouldn’t like the answer.

  “Call Chris. Tell him I want him to come up here.”

  “And what should I
tell him is the reason?”

  “That I want to see him, that’s why. Don’t be stupid, Francis.”

  “Fine, I’ll tell him. But don’t expect him to come just because I ask him. Can you check Mike’s office now?”

  “I’ll see. Hang around here.”

  “I’m not planning on going anywhere else.”

  Jordan, Rachel, and Travis finished their dinner while Derek hung out at the bar with Kasey. Jordan felt good having concrete actions to take, even though she was worried it was a needle-in-a-haystack situation. If the place with the large gate had nothing to do with animal testing or growth hormones, she’d be back to square one.

  Fortunately, she had her search expert with her. If there was anything to find, Travis could do it. He was already looking into any evidence of a company in the Copper Lake area that worked with growth hormones. He was also accessing aerial photography of the area so they could look for any signs of a company hiding in plain sight. Any sort of facility that managed hundreds of fish wouldn’t be small. It might be visible from above.

  While Jordan enjoyed the relative peace and quiet, she noticed Alice talking to a man at a table near the bar. Jordan didn’t recognize him, but Alice’s body language said they knew each other. She looked upset. Yet another person whose identity it made sense to learn.

  Considering Alice’s acquaintance reminded Jordan of the man she had seen earlier. The one who stared at her like he knew her. Where he had been sitting was empty, but a half-finished beer said he might not have left.

  Now might be the time to learn who he is.

  Jordan headed to the bar and stood beside Derek. “Hey, Kasey,” Jordan said. “I have a question for you.”

  “Go ahead,” Kasey said as she moved closer to Jordan.

  “Do you know the guy who has been sitting over there for the last hour or so?” Jordan pointed toward the opposite side of the bar where the man had been sitting.

  “I remember him but don’t know his name. Why?”

  “He looked at me earlier like he knew me. It was strange. Is there any chance you could get his name?”

  “I’m sure I could just ask him.”

  “Did he open a tab?”

  “No. He paid as he went. With cash. I almost never see that.”

  “Interesting. Well, let me know if you get his name.”

  “Sure,” Kasey said.

  “Is everything a clue to you reporters?” Derek said. “Maybe the guy just doesn’t like to use credit cards.”

  “Maybe.”

  As if on cue, Jordan spotted the man coming back. He must have gone to the restroom. An idea came to her that didn’t require Kasey asking for his name. She went around to the other side of the bar and leaned over next to him. “Excuse me,” she said. “Could I ask you a favor?”

  The man looked at her, appearing mildly surprised. “Maybe. What do you need?”

  “I’m visiting the lake for a few days and would like a picture with some friends. Could you take one for us?”

  “Why not?”

  “Great.” Jordan waved to Derek and Kasey. “Guys, come on over. I found someone to take a picture of us.”

  Jordan passed the man her phone while the three posed. The man snapped three pics and handed the phone back to Jordan. Derek and Kasey returned to where they had been before.

  “Thanks a lot,” Jordan said. “My name is Jordan Reed.” She extended her hand.

  The man took her hand in a very firm handshake. “I’m Nicky.”

  Jordan had used both her first and last name, hoping that Nicky would do the same. “No last name?”

  Nicky smiled. “Yes. But everyone calls me Nicky. Only my mom uses my whole name. But only when I’ve pissed her off.”

  Not sharing his last name didn’t automatically mean anything, but in a friendly vacation setting, it was off not to be more open. There must be something else she could learn.

  “So, Nicky who doesn’t need a last name, are you a regular at the marina?”

  “Nope. Just here to relax for a few days.”

  No reciprocal question for Jordan. Definitely not the talkative type. “So where are you from?”

  “You can’t tell? I’m a Jersey guy.”

  “Shouldn’t you be at the Shore for the holiday? I thought that was the thing to do in Jersey.”

  “You’re right. Most years that’s where I spend the Fourth. This year, I thought I’d try something else.”

  “Are you here with friends or family?”

  “I’ve got some friends around.” Nicky finished the last of his beer. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to make a call. Nice to meet you.”

  Before Jordan could ask another question, Nicky got up and walked away, leaving a ten-dollar bill on the bar.

  Jordan rejoined Rachel and Travis at their table and fell into her seat, deflated from her failed attempt to get Nicky’s last name. She couldn’t do much with just a first name.

  “I saw your little trick at the bar,” Travis said. “Did you get that guy’s name?”

  “Only his first name. Nicky. He had no intention of telling me more than that.”

  “And that means something?”

  “Call it instinct. He looked at me earlier like he knew who I was. He’s not a regular here, and he had no interest in telling me anything.”

  “Doesn’t mean he’s part of some conspiracy. Maybe he just wants to be left alone.”

  “Maybe. But I don’t think so.”

  “Why don’t you just ask one of the gate attendants?” Rachel said. “If he’s allowed on the marina grounds, he must be on their list. I know they checked to make sure I was on the list before letting me in.”

  “Of course,” Jordan said. “I’m an idiot. I should have thought of that myself.”

  “Yeah, you probably should have. Maybe I should be the reporter.”

  “Very funny.” Jordan had a thought. “But I’m not the only one who should have thought of that.”

  “What do you mean?” Travis said. “Who else?”

  “Derek. He knew what I was trying to do. He should have suggested right away that I check at the gate. Or at least somewhere else within the marina.”

  “Maybe he just didn’t give a shit,” Travis said. “Not everyone likes a wild-goose chase.”

  “I guess so. But I do need someone to ask the guys at the gate. I’m sure they won’t tell me anything.”

  “Just ask Derek.”

  Jordan went up to Derek, who had parked himself back at the bar. “Hey, Derek.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I need a favor. It’s about the guy who took our picture.”

  “Oh. I don’t know him. What’s the favor?”

  “Well, I think I know him from somewhere, but I can’t remember his name for the life of me. Would you be able to ask the guys at the gate who he is? His first name is Nicky, so that should help find him on the guest list.”

  Derek appeared to mull over the request, just a bit too long for Jordan’s taste. “Sure, I can do that. It’s the least I could do after you got the fish to your CDC friend. Let’s go.”

  28

  “Nicky Carlucci,” Jordan said to Rachel and Travis when she came back to the table. “That’s the guy’s name.”

  “So the guy at the gate was able to help?” Rachel said.

  “Oh yeah. He knew who it was right away.”

  “Did the guy at the gate know anything else?”

  “One thing. He was a recent addition to the guest list. He hasn’t been here before as far as the guy at the gate knew.”

  “I assume you’d like me to do some digging?” Travis said.

  “Of course. We need to know who Nicky Carlucci is.”

  “I’ll get on it after a restroom break and another beer. Be right back.”

  Jordan turned to Rachel. “Are we boring you to death with this shit?”

  “What? No way. It’s actually kind of fun to be a part of this. I would otherwise have just lazed around
our apartment while Jonathan was away this week. This is a thousand times better.”

  “I’m glad you’re here. We haven’t spent much time together since, well, you know, in a while. I like this.”

  Rachel smiled at her little sister. “I know what you mean.”

  Alice finally had a chance to get inside Mike’s office. He had worked much later than normal but emerged from his office at seven. He told Alice he needed to go to Home Depot and would be gone about an hour.

  Mike’s office was what she thought of as an organized mess. It looked cluttered, but there was an inherent organization to it. That might have worked for Mike, but it didn’t make Alice’s task easy. She didn’t know if the man who had made the offer to Mike had actually left anything behind, but it seemed plausible. If he had, would Mike have kept it or tossed it?

  Alice began her search with Mike’s desk, moving piles of paper and brochures around to be able to scan the desk’s whole surface. Then she checked the different holders on the desk, the ones used to store pens, notepaper, and paper clips. One of them even had a place to put business cards. It was empty. Not even any of Mike’s own business cards were there.

  Alice moved on to the desk drawers, starting with the center drawer. Given its shallow depth, it was a catchall for various small odds and ends, mostly pens, staples, rubber bands, and a few chocolate bar wrappers. No business cards.

  Alice went through the rest of the drawers but found no sign of a business card or anything else from the man who offered to buy the marina. She was about to give up when she noticed that the wastebasket was almost full. Mike never let the cleaning staff touch his office, so his wastebasket often filled to overflowing before he emptied it.

  Alice got on the floor and began to pull out the contents. Fortunately, there wasn’t any food inside, just paper and plastic. As she got close to the bottom, she saw a small rectangular piece of cardboard. It was facedown but definitely a business card. She picked it up and flipped it over. In a small, neat font was the name “Alex Koffman.” Below the name, it said “Attorney at Law.” The name meant nothing to Alice, and she knew every lawyer in the area.