Deep Harbor

by Fern Michaels

  “Sure. I may have to remove the color. That will cost a little extra.” The woman was all business.

  “Whatever it takes! Thank you so much! I’ll be over in a jiffy!” Delighted, CJ picked up the dog and gave her a kiss on the head. “You know, maybe you’ll be my lucky charm! And you’re quite lucky! Aha! That will be your name! At least for now. Or is that more of a boy’s name? Whatever . . .”

  CJ dialed Donna and told her she was running over to the Cut and Curl and could she come over and walk the dog? Donna was concerned about someone’s recognizing the dog, but CJ reminded her that the dog had been wearing a hideous outfit and was soaking wet. Donna agreed and reminded CJ to lay as low as possible. She gave her strict instructions: If the conversation at the salon went to the rescue from the day before, she had to pretend she hadn’t heard anything about it. “Act dumb.”

  “Thanks. You’re a pal!”

  CJ pulled on a pair of Capri pants, a tunic, a sun hat, and sunglasses and headed out the door.

  When she arrived at the salon, she thought she must have stepped into a time warp. Maybe it was supposed to look like a 1950s beauty parlor, or maybe it simply hadn’t been redecorated in fifty years. In either case, CJ was relieved that no one seemed to recognize her, and the morning went by without a mention of the previous rescue. Edith, the matronly owner, was quite adept at hair color and produced a new, very blond CJ. She gave Edith a good tip, thanked her profusely for taking her on such short notice, and dashed out the door. Mission accomplished. She then headed to Mona’s to pick out a few more items for her wardrobe, hoping she wouldn’t have to relocate to the desert.

  Earlier that morning, she phoned the gallery and told them she had a conference call with her professor and wouldn’t be able to make it in that afternoon. Steve had been so impressed with her accuracy and speed that he had no problem with her missing the few hours she promised to make up at the end of the week.

  When she stopped in Mona’s, she felt the urge to find out more information about Jennifer, Derek’s ex. But how? A new shirt! Mona carried a few items for men, particularly shirts. The male tourist clientele never seemed to pack enough, and they gladly paid full price.

  “Hey, Carolyn. Nice to see you again!” Mona walked over briskly and extended her hand. “What are you in the mood for today?”

  “Well. I have to share something if you promise not to tell?” CJ was being coy.

  Mona leaned in conspiratorially to hear. “Do tell!”

  “The other day, at the parade of schooners, I overestimated my safe consumption level. You see, I had one more Windjammer thing than I should have.”

  “Happens a lot,” Mona offered in sympathy.

  “Yes, but do the drinks end up on someone’s shirt? After they’ve been ingested?”

  CJ kept a straight face.

  “Oh my goodness! You mean . . . ?”

  “Yes. Projectile. I was mortified.”

  Mona tried to keep from laughing. “Who was the lucky recipient?”

  “Derek Wellington.” CJ waited a beat.

  “Derek? Oh no! What did he do?”

  “Got me a few napkins, went home, changed, and came back,” CJ said matter-of-factly.

  “How did you meet Derek?” Now Mona was the inquisitive one.

  “Maggie. I met her at the gallery, and she was kind enough to invite me to join her family for the parade. I bet she had second thoughts after my bad behavior.”

  “Nah. They’re a good bunch. Probably the nicest people in town. Really.”

  “They have been lovely. So, I wanted to make it up to Derek. I certainly hope he tossed the shirt!”

  “I have a few button-downs and some polo shirts. What are you interested in?”

  CJ thought a moment. “You know him better than I do. What do you recommend?” She was hoping for some kind of gossip.

  Mona tilted her head and whispered, “His ex-girlfriend used to work here, you know. She would buy him polo shirts with her employee discount.”

  “Then maybe I should get him a button-down?” CJ gave Mona a devious smile.

  “Good idea. That ex was a nightmare.” Mona seemed almost gleeful in her recounting of life with Jennifer. “I think the only reason she showed up to pretend to work was so she could get her discount! I felt bad for Derek, but he is so much better off without her.”

  “How long ago was this?” CJ pretended she didn’t know much about it.

  “Last summer. Such. A. Bitch. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say.” Mona gestured for CJ to follow her over to the corner where she kept the menswear. “So how long will you be in town?”

  “Only until the end of the summer. That’s when the grant funds expire.” CJ was beginning to believe her made-up story.

  “Oh, too bad. Boothbay Harbor is such a great place the entire year. Most people only think of us as the ‘Boating Capital of New England,’ but there is so much more to do here.”

  “Yes. Maggie is a great ambassador. She clued me in about the holidays. Sounds lovely.”

  “Well, maybe you’ll come back and visit.” Mona pulled a few Ralph Lauren shirts from the shelf. “I think he’s a large, if I remember. Big shoulders.”

  “He can always exchange it, right?” CJ asked absentmindedly as her mind was engaged in imagining him bare chested.

  “Of course. Do you want me to wrap it?”

  “Just tissue and a shopping bag. I have to get a few things for myself, so I’m going to browse a little.” CJ floated toward the maxi dresses with her head in the clouds.

  “Just let me know if you need anything,” Mona called out.

  CJ found two beautiful pastel dresses and held each one up to her as she gazed into the mirror. Mona sidled up and made her recommendation: “Buy both. I’m not saying that because I want the sale. They’re both very pretty and feminine.”

  “I’m so used to wearing conservative clothes”—CJ immediately caught herself—“working in academia.” That was a close call, she thought. Better pay attention and stop daydreaming.

  “These will look great on you. And if you change your mind after you get home, you can bring them back. How’s that?” Mona was encouraging without being pushy.

  “Deal!” CJ was still in a wistful mood but aware she needed to be cautious. She headed toward the accessory table and picked a pair of earrings and a bracelet to go with her new purchases. She considered another pair of sandals and a handbag, but she wasn’t accustomed to spending money on clothes, let alone on herself.

  Mona packed the two dresses in one bag and the shirt for Derek in another.

  “I think you’ll both like your purchases. Hope to see you again soon.”

  “Thanks, Mona!” CJ gave her a wave and strolled out the door and back to the triplex. She was feeling almost giddy, as if she had “the world on a string,” to borrow a line from one of her Frank Sinatra all-time favorites.

  When CJ got back to the triplex, Donna was waiting with sandwiches for them and dog biscuits for Lucky.

  “Wow! Well, look at you, all blond and everything. Oh, and two shopping bags from Mona’s! My goodness. Aren’t you fancy?”

  CJ started to giggle. “I had to see if I could get any more info about Jennifer, so I told Mona about spewing on Derek and wanting to buy him a new shirt. Boy, that woman was not well liked.”

  “You bought Derek a shirt?” Donna seemed amused.

  “Well, yeah. I would imagine he would have thrown out the other one, and besides, I had to dish a little to get a little.” CJ was proud of her approach.

  “You obviously worked in DC. Your schmoozing skills are highly developed, aren’t they?” Donna eyed her warily.

  “Don’t worry. I emphasized my work in academia. At least one of my skills from working in ‘the swamp’ is useful.” She used air quotes as emphasis.

  Donna went on, “I spoke to the home office. The investigation has been going on for almost two years. If the taxpayers knew how much money it was costing them to find
out their representatives were profiting through illegal means, we’d be on the verge of a revolution.”

  “Oh please, don’t get me started on government corruption. I swear, I think that learning about it is a good way of dieting. You get so sick to your stomach with stuff you hear that you have no appetite. At least that seems to have worked for me.” CJ was recalling the abundance of rumors and gossip, a lot which was the truth.

  “You may be out of here sooner than expected.” Donna waited for a reaction. CJ was struck at how the news was both good and bad. Her charade would be over soon, but that would mean leaving a lovely place where she was actually enjoying herself. Enjoying herself for the first time in years.

  “Oh,” was all she could muster as she tossed the bags on the table and slumped into a chair.

  “Listen, I know you’ve been through the mill, and Boothbay Harbor has been a port in a storm, so to speak, but you’ll be able to get back to your own life.” Donna was throwing all the logic she could at her newfound friend.

  “But that’s the problem. I had no life. And with Snapper gone, I don’t even have working for him to go back to.” CJ was clearly stricken. “I was actually enjoying this pretend life. I pretended I was a graduate student. Pretended I had friends. Pretended I had a date. This news sucks.”

  “Well, you do have friends, real ones, and you do have a date, a real one.”

  “What’s the point? Just more things that will be taken away from me.” CJ was on the verge of tears.

  “Tell me about Washington. What did you do for a social life?”

  “Nothing; I had none. After Kick died, I really threw myself into my work. Twelve-hour days sometimes. Friends? You can’t trust anyone inside the Beltway. The only person I hung out with was Colin. As far as men? Another list of people you can’t trust. Damn. Damn it all to hell.” CJ buried her face in her hands.

  “Take it easy.” Donna put her hand on CJ’s shoulder. “Maybe you can figure out a way to stay through the summer. We can’t fund you, but from what I heard you and Colin discuss, I understand you are, essentially, independently wealthy. That means you can still stay here as long as you pay the rent. You could even keep the gallery job. Steve needs the help. And if you find you hate it here, then you can go back to DC. Give it some thought. Meanwhile, let’s see what you have in those bags, eat some lunch, and get you ready for your big date.”

  CJ heaved a sigh. Maybe staying on wasn’t a bad idea. She had nowhere else to go and no one to go to. She was sure Colin and Matt would be on their way into a solid relationship, so she couldn’t depend on him for her sole entertainment anymore.

  “Besides, we haven’t heard anything about the pooch, so you have a doggy to think about!” Donna tossed Lucky a treat.

  CJ bent over, picked up the dog, and gave her a big hug. “I guess you’re my family now, Lucky.”

  “Attagirl. Let’s have some lunch!”

  * * *

  After his morning routine, Derek headed to the small office they kept near the dock. He could see the pub where the dog rescue had occurred yesterday and wondered again what was so familiar about the woman in the photo. He went online to see if he could find any more information about the rescue, but all the photos were similar except for one where the woman’s ear was slightly exposed. It had a little peak to it—not quite elfin, but definitely an unusual characteristic. Where have I seen that before? He tried to shake his curiosity, but he kept mulling it over in his head when it hit him. Carolyn? A disturbing feeling came over him. He sat back in his chair and recalled their dinner. She had very little to offer as far as her background. He had done most of the talking. Replaying the evening, he tried to ferret out some detail—some information. He came up empty. Who is Carolyn Johnson? He promised himself he would find out. He had been played once, and even though Jennifer’s deserting him was the best thing to happen to him since he had gotten involved with her, he wasn’t going to let himself be played again.

  * * *

  As the evening drew near, CJ and Donna were all atwitter as CJ was getting ready for her date. Donna poured them each a glass of wine. “To steady your nerves.”

  CJ replied with, “As if I need a reason!” Both laughed, and Lucky chimed in with a woof. “Do you really think I could stay here? At least until the end of the summer? I need time to sort out my life, and this place gives me the space to think.”

  “We’ll figure it out.”

  “What do I tell Derek?”

  “You say you have to go out of town for a few days. Family stuff. Period.”

  “So am I going to be Carolyn Johnson forever? Will I ever have a backstory?”

  “Yes. You’ll be able to tell them who you are but not why you were here. We’ll blend in your real life with this one. I’ll coach you. Stop fretting and put on your prettiest face. You have a date with a very handsome and charming man!”

  “But what about Snapper? Will I be able to tell them I worked for him?” CJ wasn’t letting it go.

  “Yes, but not anything further. Now stop interrogating me and get dressed!”

  Donna was half kidding as she gave CJ a slight shove.

  “Okay. Okay. You can be so bossy. Someone would think you are a US marshal, or something.” CJ laughed and began her transformation into the stunning woman she had been hiding beneath the bland clothes. While she was putting on her makeup, CJ recounted the day she had gone to the salon in Washington to start her new look. “I was trying to hit my personal reset button after Snapper died. You know, new hairdo, new attitude. But then some asshole tried to kill me, and here I am.”

  “Well, as they say, ‘You’ve come a long way, baby.’ Even from the first night I met you with that really bad wig! Hard to believe it was just a couple of weeks ago, eh?”

  “I feel like I’ve been on the Wild Mouse ride at an amusement park. You know the kind, like a roller coaster but with big dips and spins? And when you get off, you puke?”

  “At least you got the puking part right.” Donna couldn’t help herself.

  “Very funny. But you know what I mean, right? It’s been a crazy ride, and I’m a little dizzy.”

  “Don’t be too dizzy. You have a big night ahead.” Donna took another sip, and continued, “Derek really is a good guy. I want you both to enjoy yourselves, so forget about the trial, and forget about tomorrow—at least for tonight. Okay?”

  “I will do my utmost, Marshal!” CJ gave Lucky a kiss on the head, grabbed her purse, and walked down to the garden of the triplex. She didn’t want Derek to see the dog, so she would head him off before he could knock on the door.

  Chapter 26

  The breezy evening caught the hem of CJ’s dress, causing the chiffon to billow and flow. She felt like a princess, a princess about to turn into a pumpkin in a couple of weeks. She silently reprimanded herself for thinking too far ahead. Maybe she would stay for a while. Maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay. She hesitated for a moment, resisting the temptation to go to a dark, negative place. “Be Zen. Go with the flow.” She said it out loud.

  After a few moments she spotted a tall, well-built figure approaching the patio area. She could barely catch her breath. Derek was ruggedly handsome. His green eyes sparkled against his tanned skin and sun-streaked hair. It’s not that she hadn’t noticed before, but the first night was filled with booze, vomit, and reticence. She had been on her guard. Tonight was different. She was free to be herself. Well, her Carolyn Johnson self, anyway.

  His stride was confident and smooth. As he grew closer, she thought her legs would buckle under. She could almost smell his masculinity and grabbed onto the picket fence to steady herself. Easy girl. She was so nervous she thought she might have said that out loud, and her face turned a bit red.

  “Good evening.” Derek’s baritone sent a tremor down her bones. She thought she was going to faint.

  “Good evening to you, sir.” She feigned a curtsy, which brought a chuckle from both of them. She was still trying to figur
e out how to wipe the sweat from her palms without being too obvious. Then she remembered the handkerchief. It wasn’t her mother who taught her to always carry one, but her father. And she did. After her parents passed away, she and Kick split their father’s collection, and she always had one in her purse.

  CJ immediately reached for the cloth before she extended her hand to greet her date. Derek gave her a peck on the cheek, which sent her reeling again. She could not remember the last time a man had this kind of effect on her, and she wasn’t sure she was comfortable about it, either.

  “You look lovely,” Derek offered. “I like your hair. It gives you a bit of a halo effect.”

  She was blushing so much that her face was getting redder by the minute. “I promise not to ruin your shirt tonight.” I’m such an idiot, she thought to herself. I couldn’t come up with a better line?

  “I’ll keep an eye on you.” Derek’s double entendre was lost on her. She had no clue about his suspicions. He was perfectly charming, and his follow-up thought of whoever you are was easily hidden amid the playful banter.

  “Oh good. I think I need adult supervision.” CJ’s mood was light in spite of her nerves. She had forgotten the button-down she purchased earlier that day but didn’t want to go back to the apartment to get it. She decided she would deliver it sometime over the next few days. That is, if all went well that evening. If not, she would have someone else deliver it.

  “I don’t know how adult I am, but I am a good supervisor.” Derek motioned for her to put her arm through the crook of his, and she gladly obliged. They strolled into town, chatting about the Windjammer Days and all the festivities. CJ was a good audience, but Derek was determined to solve the puzzle of the mystery woman. “So, tell me, how long have you been in the art world?”

  Caught a little off guard, CJ tried not to stammer. “I guess I’ve been in and out since my undergraduate work. But it’s hard to find a good job that pays enough, so I began teaching and working on art projects when school is out.” She was beginning to get comfortable about embellishing her backstory. “I’m hoping I can do more projects like this one. My goal is to visit different art colonies each summer and get someone else to pay for it!” She said it half jokingly.