“I can’t imagine the client wouldn’t be pleased,” Kevin said, leaning in toward the mask. He kept his hands clasped behind his back to resist the urge to touch it.
“Feathers won’t be suitable for this mask. I’m thinking of some sort of coral or pen shell. Something in a fan shape to set into the sides. They would give it a winged appearance.”
“What’s a pen shell?”
“It’s a large, single layer shell which resembles the quill of a pen. Their interior side is iridescent. They are also extremely fragile. It’s hard to find ones that are unbroken. I’ll see what the vendors have. If they come up empty, I’ll head to the beach when I get back to Sanibel.”
“You’re going back? To stay?” Why was where she went so important to him? The island had become his second home, but he didn’t live there.
“I haven’t made up my mind what I’m doing, but if I return here permanently, I still need to go back to clear out the unit in order to rent it out.” She gave him a timid smile.
Her fragrance lingered after she’d exited the room. He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent, imprinting it on his memory. Kevin had no business making decisions for her. He didn’t like her being alone—and she was alone and isolated in more ways than he’d first realized. Her Aunt Amy didn’t strike Kevin as the warm and fuzzy type and appeared to leave River to her own life. With Dan gone, who did she have here? On Sanibel, she’d have his friends. Friends that would eventually draw her out of her self-imposed isolation. She’d also have them to call on, should she need help.
It wasn’t his decision, but it wasn’t going to stop him from making the argument.
34
They stopped to grab some bar-b-que at a local eatery, then finished the ninety-minute drive to the Blue Ridge Lodge. Located on the edge of the Pisgah National Forest, Dan’s son, Jacob, had arranged to have the service held there. According to River, the lodge had a room large enough to accommodate Dan’s friend’s, former co-workers and family, but also housed his favorite bar. It would be packed after the service—everyone raising toasts to the man.
They were early, still the parking lot was full when they arrived. Kevin pulled the SUV into an overflow area. The lobby was full of people who weren’t ready to take their seats. A man standing near the door to the assembly room, waved at River. Kevin immediately saw the resemblance to the picture of Dan that River kept in her office.
Kevin followed as River weaved her way through the crowd, keeping his eye out for anyone who might be particularly focused on her. When she reached Jacob Thompson, the two hugged tightly. He wasn’t surprised when River repeated ‘I’m sorry’ over and over again. It was all the confirmation Kevin needed to know she still blamed herself for her friend’s death. To Jacob’s credit, he continually assured her it wasn’t her fault.
River’s voice was a bit shaky as she introduced the two men. Jacob was tall with an average build. His handshake was firm. Kevin guessed him to be a few years older than River.
“I’ve reserved a seat for the two of you up front,” he said after the introductions.
“I’d like to say a few words about your dad.”
“I expected you would,” Jacob said. “He loved you, River. If he never said it, you need to know it.”
“He wasn’t big on touchy-feely words, but I knew it. Thank you for sharing him with me. Some kids would have been jealous of his attention.”
“And dad would have been madder than hell if we had been. No, he stepped in where he was needed. We all understood.”
“Why did he have to go to the cabin?” she muttered.
“He once told me that every time he was out there, he felt like he’d missed something. It was the investigator in him, I guess. Maybe something finally clicked because he’d just been out there the day before.”
“Did he give you any idea what drew him back there?” Kevin asked.
“Are you looking into his murder?”
“Unofficially,” Kevin answered. “Some of my friends are investigators. We might see something looking at it from a different angle.”
“He didn’t tell me he was going back. I didn’t know he had until I got the call, they’d found him,” Jacob said. “Damn it, I wish I could help more.”
“I can’t help thinking if he hadn’t been out there…” River started.
“Stop it. You didn’t kill him. Dad wouldn’t want you to take on that mantle of guilt,” Jacob said, glancing over his shoulder at the room filling with more people. “Look, I’ve got to see to the other guests. You’ll always be part of our family, River. Don’t be a stranger.”
The two men exchanged phone numbers. “I’m glad River has someone to watch out for her.”
“She can handle herself, but I’m happy to be here as backup. Call me if you think of anything, and again, my condolences on your loss.”
“Thank you.” Jacob offered his hand to Kevin, gripping it tightly. I hope you’ll stay afterwards and join us in a toast to my dad.” Jacob waded his way through a group of people gathered in the lobby.
“He seems like a decent man,” Kevin commented.
“We spent some time together when we were young, but I hadn’t seen much of him in recent years. He’s turned out much like his dad,” she said.
Her lips trembled. God, he hated to see her hurting, but all he could do for this pain was to be here for her. “Do you want to take a seat or are there people here you’d like to see?”
“Honestly, I don’t know many of Dan’s friends. They probably know about me and what he did for me, but I didn’t meet many of them.” She paused. “Except for that one.”
“Who?”
She pointed to a heavyset man, who had just entered the door. “He was Dan’s boss when my family was killed,” she said, heading toward the newcomer. Kevin followed in her wake. He wasn’t letting her out of her sight in this crowd.
River introduced Kevin to Ralph Pugliesi after the two had finished a long, tight hug.
“My you’ve grown into a beautiful young lady. Dan and I kept in touch. He was proud of the woman you’ve become.”
Kevin handed her another tissue. He’d stuffed his pockets, anticipating the need.
“Did I ever tell you how much I admired your strength?” Pugliesi started. “I don’t think we would have gotten the bastards without your help and testimony. Nothing shook you off your goal. You were amazing then. I’m sure you’re just as amazing now. Dan told me about the harassment you’ve been through recently. I understand they haven’t resolved the case. I’ve been wondering if Dan’s death is connected. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities.”
Kevin’s jaw tightened. He didn’t think Pugliesi meant any harm by the comment, but it had to cut at River. She’d been blaming herself just minutes before. She didn’t need someone else reinforcing her belief. Kevin acknowledged the man with a nod then steered River away from him.
The door to the lodge continually opened and closed. Each time, Kevin glanced in its direction. A man almost a head taller than the others in the room entered. Colt had arrived. They had no plans to connect. Colt was here to get a feel of the room. He was the best at reading tell signs. If anyone sent off signals that were out of the norm for the situation, his former commander would pick up on them.
Kevin took a seat next to River in the front row. Two sprays of flowers flanked the large photo of Dan Thompson in his uniform. A podium had been set up on the left. River had told Kevin that Dan’s wishes had been to be cremated and his ashes spread throughout the parks he once worked. It was against all policies, but she was convinced his friends would see that it happened. He’d do the same for his friends, so he understood.
The service was traditional. A minister had a few words to say while a slideshow displayed pictures of Dan throughout his life. There was one with River when she graduated high school. Jacob took the podium after the preacher and eulogized his dad, relating heartfelt moments and telling stories which brought laughter to t
he gathering. Kevin’s phone vibrated while Jacob was still speaking. Hoping he didn’t attract too much attention, he pulled the cell from his pocket. He had a text from Colt. Meet me in the back.
“I’ll be right back,” he whispered in River’s ear.
No one paid attention as he made his way toward the exit to meet Colt. Kevin spotted River’s Aunt Amy on the other side of the room, sitting in the back row. She’d probably arrived late and didn’t want to disturb anyone.
Colt was waiting for him at the door.
“Roxbury has left his farm and is headed toward River’s cabin,” Colt said as Kevin closed the gap between them.
“That doesn’t mean it’s his destination.” But the hairs on the back of Kevin’s neck rose.
“No, it doesn’t, but my instinct tells me it is. Troy’s on his tail. I need to leave now if I want to get to the cabin when they do.”
“Do you need me?” Kevin glanced at the front of the room. He didn’t want to leave River alone right now. As strong as she was, this was going to be tough on her.
“No. Until the cabin is secure, you stay with River. Do you have your weapon?”
Colt had a sense for things and if he was asking about Kevin’s sidearm, it meant all his Spidey senses were flaring. “It’s in the vehicle.”
“Hang out here with River as long as you can. One of us will text you with an update,” Colt said then silently slipped from the room.
River was getting to her feet when Kevin returned to his chair. She gave him a timid smile when she reached the podium. She had a couple of false starts, then gathered herself and began to speak. His heart hurt for her as she recalled how Dan had stepped in when she lost her parents. The picture she painted was of a man who already had a family and still found room in his heart for a sad and angry teen. She stood straight, undeterred and didn’t shed a tear. He was proud as hell of her.
As the mourners filed out of the room, some headed toward the exit while others made their way to the lounge to continue to celebrate Dan’s life.
“I want to go back to the cabin,” River told Kevin. “I’m not in the mood to mingle.”
“We should go in for a while. I’d like to raise a glass to Dan.”
“I’m tired,” she said. “Please?”
She didn’t have to tell him she was wasted. It was written all over her face. She’d managed to honor Dan without breaking down, but the effort had taken its toll. She was easy to gage. Her ice blue eyes reflected pain, sorrow and weariness.
“We can’t, River. We can’t leave yet.”
35
“What’s going on?” River asked. She was tired, but it didn’t make her stupid. Something had happened when Kevin had excused himself.
He guided her to a relatively quiet corner. The lobby was still full of family and friends either getting ready to leave or move on to the bar. “What’s going on?” she asked, again. Kevin hesitated, which scared the hell out of her.
“Colt just left. He’s headed to your place and wants us to wait here until he can check it out.”
“What was he doing here? Why is he going to my place?”
“I’ll tell you in a minute,” Kevin said as he glanced over her shoulder. “Your aunt is headed this way.”
River nodded. A few steps, and she and her aunt were hugging the stuffing out of each other. River needed to absorb some of her strength. She’d always been there when River needed her. Now wasn’t any different.
“You doing okay, honey? You did great up there. It was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man.”
“Thank you,” River answered softly. “Eulogizing him isn’t enough. I feel like I need to do something more.”
“You already have,” her aunt said. “You made him proud.”
“I want his killer.” River was surprised at the anger and vehemence of her statement. Apparently, her aunt was taken aback by her stark tone. The dark-haired woman’s eyebrows rose to meet her widow’s peak and her eyes rounded.
“I’m sorry, but I’m sick and tired of the creatures who belong under rocks taking away the people I love. What if you’re next? I want the asshole.”
“Honey, don’t get yourself all riled up. The police will get to the bottom of this.”
“If they don’t, I’m hiring someone who can,” River threatened.
Aunt Amy gazed at Kevin. “Is he helping with that?”
“I’m just a friend here to support River,” Kevin said, placing his hand on her shoulder and giving it a squeeze.
The gesture appeared supportive, but the strength of his grip told River not to go down that road. Resting a hand on his, she signaled she understood the message. She didn’t know why he was hesitant to discuss what he and his friends were up to, but there had to be a reason.
“Be happy he’s here,” River smiled at her aunt. “Otherwise, I’d be hanging around you and crying my eyes out while you tried to work.” Kevin’s grip relaxed but stayed anchored on her shoulder.
“Do you want to stop by tonight?” Aunt Amy asked.
River was glad for the change of subject as she sensed a lowering of tensions in both her aunt and Kevin. She was also anxious for the chatter to end. She wanted to get back to the conversation that had been interrupted by her aunt’s appearance.
“We’d love to,” River answered, “but I’m tired. Can we get together one night for dinner? Call me and let me know what night works best for you. I’m working on a project, but I can always use a break.”
“How long are you staying?”
“I haven’t made up my mind.”
Her aunt hesitated. “I’ll call you,” she said, giving River a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“You’re not staying for a drink?” Kevin asked.
“No. I can use the time to plan menus for events I’ve got coming up. You two try to enjoy yourselves.”
“Okay,” she started in on Kevin as soon as her aunt had exited the building. “What’s this about not going back to the cabin?” His announcement had acted as a shot of adrenaline. Her exhaustion had faded. She imagined it would come slamming back at some point, but right now she was wide awake.
“Colt told me Roxbury was on the move.”
“Is that where you disappeared to? He didn’t stay long. Why was he here?”
“He came to pay his respects…”
“And didn’t ride with us because?”
“This will go a lot faster if you let me finish.”
River crossed her arms over her chest. “Go ahead.”
“Colt received a text from Troy who has been keeping an eye on Roxbury. They also tagged Roxbury’s truck with a GPS device. He took off in the direction of your cabin, although they can’t swear at this point he’s headed there. Colt wanted to get to your place, in case his gut is right. I’ve not known it to ever be wrong. One of them will notify me if it’s safe to go back.”
“I still don’t understand why we can’t head out. Certainly, they’ll both beat us there. We could be halfway home when they give us the all clear.” And if they didn’t, she wanted to be there to kick the shit out of the bastard.
“I don’t know what Colt and Troy have in mind. Their actions will depend on Roxbury’s. We don’t want to stumble into anything.”
River sighed. She wanted to go. Not because she was tired, but because she wanted to do something. Surprisingly, she wanted to hurt somebody. Why now? Why had Dan’s death tripped that switch?
“You okay?”
She unclenched her jaw. “If he’s the one who killed Dan,” she said, “I want to hurt him. I want to get my hands on him.” She gulped for air. “What’s wrong with me? I didn’t wish for the deaths of the people who killed my dad, mom and Billy. Why am I so damn vengeful now?”
“If you’re asking me, I’d say it’s past time.”
River stared at him. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I’m a medic, not a psychologist, River,” he said, steering her toward the bar, “but
you’ve been through hell—from the time you were fourteen until now. You’ve been stoic, strong, and obeying all the rules. My guess is you’re sick and tired of following them.”
She chewed on that while he ordered drinks for the both of them. Besides being a basket case and trying to hold it together after the murder of her family, she wasn’t physically capable of lashing out at the guilty parties. Besides, her aunt was one step away from putting her in a psychiatric center for counseling. To avoid it, she’d seen a counselor, remained calm throughout the trial, and learned to withhold her anger and tamper her grief. He was right. She didn’t want to hold back any longer.
Kevin handed her an Old Fashioned, then clinked his beer against her glass. “To Dan,” he said.
“To Dan. He’d have liked you, you know?” she told him before taking a sip.
“Does that mean I’ve passed some sort of test?” Kevin’s grin was a balm to the soul when she needed it.
“I didn’t need Dan’s approval to date anyone, but he often put on his dad hat when I was dating in high school. Looking back, it was fun to watch the boys squirm, although embarrassing at the time.”
She quickly finished her drink, but Kevin was still nursing his. River wasn’t in the mood to wait. “Can we go? Certainly, we’ll hear from one of your friends on the way back.” She rocked on her feet from heel to toe, her urgency to move was eating at her.
Kevin studied her silently.
“If you are worried I plan on doing physical harm to the bastard, I’m not, even though it would give me a great deal of satisfaction.”
“Okay. Let’s go,” he said, setting his bottle on the bar. “If we haven’t heard from Troy or Colt by the time we reach the cabin, we wait. I’ll contact them, if I can, but we’re not going in blind. Do I have your agreement?”
River nodded. “Agreed.”
Similar to the trip to the lodge, the return journey was also silent. River stared out the window into the darkness. Kevin wasn’t concerned. The woman had her shit together. She was grounded despite all she’d been through. Her fit of temper tonight actually relieved some of his concerns. She had a safety valve and blowing off steam was normal, and in his opinion, a bit past due.
Run, River, Run Page 24