The Tainted Course

by Diane Weiner

“Mila, answer the doctor. He’s trying to help you.”

  “I wanted to stay with my Daddy. I didn’t want him to go away like Mommy did.”

  “Doctor, I’m sorry we wasted your time.”

  “Absolutely no problem. She’s going through a lot. You all are. With her medical history, you were smart to bring her in.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it. It’s scary suddenly being a full time father again.”

  “I know. You always wonder if you’re doing the right thing or if there’s a better way. I’ve got a daughter. She’s friends with Ava as a matter of fact.”

  “Maddy Fox. Now I put it together. She kind of looks like you.”

  Henry didn’t bother explaining she wasn’t his biological child. Instead, he just smiled. “Call if she feels worse, but I’m going to prescribe sipping soup and watching TV all afternoon with her Daddy. The nurse will be in shortly with paperwork.”

  Henry went out to the nurse’s station to write up his notes and return a few phone calls. Trent, the man who’d injured his hand with the saw, was wheeled by on his way to radiology. He asked the orderly to stop for a moment.

  “Doc, this is already starting to hurt. Should I take some Aleve?”

  “I’ll write you a prescription for something a little stronger.” He took out his prescription pad. As he wrote it out, Dave Maguire and Mila passed them.

  “Thanks again, Dr. Fox.”

  Trent, who was facing away waiting for the prescription, turned his head. “Doc, that’s the guy.”

  “What guy?”

  “My tenant. The one who was only there for a month. I figured he’d left town by now.”

  “Are you sure? His wife was killed. I’m sure you saw it on the news. He got into town last week to take care of his daughters.”

  “No, I’m sure it’s him. He’s a Braves fan. From Atlanta, right?”

  He was wearing a Braves shirt under his coat. Henry couldn’t make sense of it. Dave Maguire flew in the night the Southeast had that terrible blizzard. He couldn’t have been renting Trent’s cabin for the past month, could he?

  Chapter 18

  Henry rolled over and looked at the clock by his bed. 5 a.m. He couldn’t sleep thinking about Maddy writing to a prisoner and to a lesser extent, Dave Maguire lying about when he got to town. He felt Emily tossing and turning all night as well.

  “Em, are you awake?” He whispered in her ear.

  She rolled over, hugging the quilt. “Yeah. I didn’t sleep at all. I keep picturing Maddy visiting her father in prison. What if she wants to meet him?” She omitted her worry over the test results she was expecting. “I’m going to try to reach Jessica before she leaves for work.”

  “Can you imagine finding out your father is a felon? I’m sure Fiona thought the sperm donor was a good Samaritan trying to help a couple have a baby. What an egomaniac, fathering all those kids. Not to mention the horrible breech of professional ethics.”

  “Poor Fiona must be rolling over in her grave. I almost wish Jessica never found out about him.”

  “I suppose the medical history might prove useful someday.”

  “I think when you use a sperm donor you get that information, but I could be wrong.”

  “Speaking of fathers, what do you make of Dave Maguire lying about when he got to town?”

  “Are you sure that patient of yours wasn’t mistaken?” Then she remembered her conversation with Kurt yesterday morning. “Although, Kurt told me he lent his toolbox to a friend who had found a short term renter.”

  “Trent? Was that the friend? Lives across the lake?”

  “As a matter of fact, it was.”

  “Let’s examine this logically. Whether or not it’s true, Faith Maguire accuses Dave of abusing the girls. She gets the court to give her full custody, so now she can move out of state and accept a high-paying job as a school superintendent.”

  “Maybe he did abuse them. What about those seizures Mila gets?”

  “Dave claims he’s never witnessed one. If I were in his shoes, I’d have tried to keep in touch with my daughter. I can’t imagine if you took Maddy away somewhere and I couldn’t see her. I’d go to any length.”

  “So he sneaks into Sugarbury Falls and rents a cabin from Kurt’s friend. After Faith dies, he moves into the house with Tilly and the girls. Did he plan to murder Faith all along, or did she figure out he was in town?”

  “The girls must have known he was here, don’t you think?”

  “Maybe not. I’m not sure I’d trust a seven-year-old not to let that sort of information leak to Mommy.”

  “Then what’s the point of moving here if he wasn’t visiting with the girls?”

  “Being close by, watching…better than being all the way in Georgia.”

  Emily checked her phone both for the time and the weather report. Convinced it was warm enough to brave the outdoors at this hour, she got up and pulled on leggings and a long-sleeved running top.

  “Going for a run? I thought you wanted to catch Jessica before she left for work.”

  “I was hoping I might run into her again outside. Besides, it’s still too early to call her.” She stretched her auburn hair into a barely-there ponytail. “I won’t be long.”

  A sky full of stars and a full moon broke up the blackness of the late winter sky. The crisp air stung her cheeks. She pulled down her ski cap, fastened on her runner’s headlamp, and turned on her music before heading out. She did her best thinking when she ran. Being it was earlier than when she normally ran, the path was deserted.

  When she reached the lake, she felt the ground vibrate. Taking out her ear buds, she heard the sound of a motor…no, a motorcycle. By the time she turned around, it whizzed right past her. Her heart skipped a beat. After she recovered her breath, she chastised herself for leaving her phone on the nightstand. She listened. She looked in all directions. Confident the danger had passed; she began jogging once again.

  Even with her earbuds in place, she heard it before she saw it. Sounded like a lawn mower. Then the headlights. Blinding. The motorcycle had done an about face and headed straight at her! Fight or flight. She felt the hormones surge. Fighting a speeding motorcycle? Not a feasible option. At the last second, she jumped aside, narrowly dodging it––for a moment.

  It once again circled back, headlights like evil eyes burning through her. In the moonlight, she could only see the driver wore a black, leather jacket and helmet with a tinted face shield. There was no telling who it was, even if it was a man or a woman. Even with the piercing headlights.

  Like an angry bee, it buzzed toward her again, determined to sting its target. Her mind raced through the choices. Stand and get run over. Run, and make it a little tougher for the driver, then get run over. Or… The lake. Not a first choice, but a desperate one. She jumped, feet first into the icy water.

  Freezing cold water rushed up her nose as she plunged beneath the surface. Her ear buds popped out and the water fled into her ears. When she emerged, she heard the muffled sound of a waning motorcycle.

  The sun was just beginning to show itself as she swam to the shore, shivering. Exhausted but fueled by adrenaline, she clawed her way up the river bank. Now what? She gave herself a moment to get her breathing under control, then made her way to the path.

  Barking, yipping…Prancer! He dragged Kurt behind him as he ran to her.

  “Emily! What happened?”

  “It was...” Her teeth chattered as she spoke. “A motorcycle chased me. I had no choice. I jumped into the lake.” She rubbed her ear trying to clear the pressure and stop her voice from echoing inside her head.

  Kurt took off his thin, nylon jacket and put it around her. “On purpose?”

  “Of course. It circled back when it missed the first time.”

  “Did you see who it was?”

  “No. Couldn’t even tell whether it was a man or a woman. You didn’t hear a motorcycle?”

  “No.”

  “Then it came from the other di
rection. Away from our cabins. Toward the exit from town.”

  “Does this have to do with a mystery you’re chasing? Faith Maguire’s murder, perhaps?”

  “Possibly.”

  “Let’s get you home. Henry must be worried by now.” He put his arm around her and walked her home. He was right. Henry had been worried.

  “Emily, what happened? You’re soaking wet!”

  “I was chased into the lake by a motorcycle. Prancer found me and Kurt helped me home. I’m freezing.”

  “Thanks, Kurt.” He scratched Prancer between the ears, “You too, buddy.”

  “I’m going to take a hot shower and put on dry clothes. Where’s Maddy?”

  “She already left for school.” He followed her up the ladder to their loft and talked to her through the shower door. “Someone doesn’t want you to find Faith’s murderer.”

  “Or to pursue Rona Smyth’s past.” The steam filled her lungs and the warmth soothed her body.

  “Why don’t you heed the warning and find another story. There are tons of crimes out there to write about.”

  “Ah, but if someone is chasing me away, it means I’m on to a juicy one.”

  “After your shower, let’s go to the station and report this. You have a family to think of. You can’t make selfish decisions.”

  “Selfish? You’re kidding, right?”

  “You know what I mean. Is a story worth leaving Maddy without a mother? Again?”

  She ran her soapy hand over her breast and remembered how worried she was about that very issue.

  “You’re right. I’m not going to do anything foolish.”

  “Good.”

  “I have an idea. After we go to the station, let’s do something fun together. We could have a late lunch, maybe a picnic by the water.”

  “It’s too cold for a picnic.”

  “Not if we take blankets. I can make a Thermos full of hot chocolate and we can get soup to go from Coralee.”

  “If we stop at the inn, you’ll be gabbing with Coralee and it’ll be hard to break away.”

  “How about from Smyth Haven?”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “It’s on the way out of town. We can take our lunch over to the covered bridge. Remember how we took the Hibachi over there and had dinner. Before Maddy came to live with us.”

  “And we got eaten by mosquitos so we took off our clothes and jumped into the river for a swim? Yeah, I remember, but it was the middle of July.”

  “The fireflies. Remember the fireflies?”

  Henry smiled. “Of course. And then we ate the brownies. Go make the hot chocolate.”

  With a picnic basket full of sandwiches, hot cocoa, and a bag of baked potato chips in the back of the Jeep, they stopped at the police station. Megan greeted them at the counter.

  “You said on the phone that you heard a motorcycle but couldn’t identify the rider, correct?”

  “It was dark and he wore black.”

  “I sent an officer to the scene. He took an impression of motorcycle tracks leading away from the path and toward the river. He spoke to the owner of the nearest cabin, but he’d been asleep at the time and didn’t see anything. Are you sure no one else was out there? An early morning speed walker? The newspaper delivery boy?”

  “No, it was deserted except for the two of us. Did you see if Rona Smyth had an alibi?”

  “You mentioned her on the phone. We’ll check the security footage. Meanwhile, be careful. Use the treadmill for now.”

  Henry and Emily got back in the jeep. Henry said, “Next stop Smyth Haven. Are you sure it’s the soup you want?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re not going to try to question Rona Smyth after what Megan just said.”

  “Of course not. I just want soup to bring on our picnic.”

  “I was thinking we should be honest with Maddy about the letters you found. I’ll explain how dangerous it could be to get into a corresponding relationship with a nut job.”

  “The nut job is her father.”

  “I’m her father.”

  “Of course you are. I meant, she may be overly sensitive because she shares half her genes with this man. What if she’s worried she’s inherited his criminal gene?”

  “I can show her all sorts of research saying nurture rules over nature.”

  “What if she says she wants to meet him?”

  “We’re her parents. The answer is no. When she becomes a legal adult she can do as she pleases, but at the moment she has to play by our rules.”

  “That sounds reasonable. I’ll try to enlist Jessica’s help in dissuading her.”

  They pulled in front of Smyth Haven. “They need better parking,” said Henry. “The lot is full.”

  “You can park around the back.”

  They walked into Smyth Haven through the back door and caught Rona hugging a young man. Emily whispered, “He must be half her age!”

  Before she turned around, Rona said to the young man, “I love you. See you tonight. Thanks for having my back.” She jumped when she noticed Henry and Emily in the doorway.

  “Can I help you?”

  Emily said, “I was here the other day and the pastry was delicious. We’re going on a picnic and I wanted to grab some soup to go. Is it possible?”

  Rona smiled. “Of course. We just started lunch service. I made a big batch of clam chowder.”

  Emily said, “I’m vegetarian. Any other choices?”

  “I have tomato soup in the fridge from last night. I’ll heat it up for you.”

  “Great.”

  While they waited for the soup, Emily said, “I wonder how long she’s been involved with the jail bait. Maybe he helped her murder her parents or poison the cheesecake.”

  “That’s a leap. Besides, I thought the point of this afternoon was to relax and forget our problems.”

  “Of course, you’re right. Coralee’s place feels, I don’t know, happier.”

  “Rona should have chosen a brighter wall paper or used white trim. It’s too dark in here.”

  “Shh. Here comes Rona.”

  Henry handed Rona his credit card while Emily took the Styrofoam container from Rona.

  “Enjoy. Come back for dinner one night. After you taste the soup, you’ll be back for more.”

  “Finally on our way,” said Henry. He opened the passenger door for Emily.

  “Henry, look! It’s a motorcycle leaving the parking lot!”

  “Rona couldn’t have run out here without us seeing her.”

  “Do you think it was her boyfriend?”

  “Maybe. He’d have no reason to come after you.”

  “Of course he has a reason. Rona told him I’m getting nosy and he’s protecting her!”

  “You know what? We were planning a nice, romantic lunch weren’t we?”

  “You’re right. The sleuthing can wait. I’ll call Megan after we get home.”

  Henry drove out to the river by the covered bridge. The sky was the color of a Robin’s egg, clear with just a few swirls of clouds. “This is our spot, right?”

  “Yep. We ate under that big oak tree. Looks different without its leaves, but that’s it all right. Come on.”

  Henry took the basket; Emily bundled up the blankets. “We can lay out the blanket here. Put down the basket and give me a hand.”

  They smoothed out the blanket, then wrapped another around them. Emily opened the Thermos and poured hot cocoa into two thick cups. “Want egg salad, or cheese?”

  “Either is fine.” He opened the lid of the soup. “This smells terrific.” He took a sip. “I hate to say it, but Rona gives Coralee a run for her money in the soup department.”

  Emily cuddled next to Henry. After all these years, she tingled when they touched. His hands felt muscular, yet soft when he held hers. His soft eyes with the crinkles around them when he smiled made her melt like they did the first time they met.

  “More soup?”

  “S
ure. It’s so peaceful out here. In the summer there are visitors all over that bridge.”

  “Are you cold?”

  “Nope. You should suggest this place to Pat. It’d be a memorable place to pop the question.”

  “I’ll suggest it. Are you happy we moved here when we inherited the cabin? Do you ever miss New York?”

  “I haven’t once doubted we made the right move. I don’t miss being called to crime scenes at all hours of the night, or you working holidays. How about you?”

  “Not at all. I’m glad I decided to help out the hospital part time. I feel, I don’t know, needed I guess is the word.”

  “And teaching a few classes and writing my books? I have time to run and make healthy meals. It’s the perfect balance.”

  Henry pulled her closer and she felt his soft lips on hers. “I love you more every day.”

  “Stop talking.” He continued kissing her, making her feel like they were a teenage couple at Lover’s Lane. She felt peaceful and loved. And lucky. Very lucky.

  Chapter 19

  “Come on, Maddy. We don’t want to be late,” said Emily. “Parking in that small lot with all those parents will be a bear if we don’t hurry.”

  Maddy screamed, “I’m coming!” She slammed the door to her room.

  When she’d changed from an ogre back into to a princess, Henry said, “You look beautiful. Blue’s a good color for you. It matches your science board, right?”

  Maddy’s face softened. “Since when are bean plants blue?”

  “They might be, if your hypothesis wasn’t supported. If you feed bean plants coffee grinds, then they won’t turn blue. No wonder you’re a finalist!”

  “Very funny, Dad. Just don’t say stuff like that around my teachers or my friends…or my friends’ parents, okay?”

  “When shouldn’t I say it? Before or after I reveal my Father of a Scientist t-shirt? I’m wearing it under my sweater.” He tugged at the collar of his undershirt.

  Emily, feeling too stressed about getting there on time to be amused, said, “Have you got everything? We have to go.”

  “I’ve got my notecards and my purse. I’m set.” She took one last look in the mirror and stuck her phone back in her purse.