Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(45)

“Who he met with, how many people he bought lunch for any of those days, any guests who stayed with him and what their business might be. If we’re lucky, it’s something that is tax deductible.” Kate gave a hearty sigh she hoped would sway the woman.

“Hmm, let me think a moment.” Another pause came over the phone. “Oh yes, I remember now. My sister is a server in the restaurant, and the second night he was here, he gave an engagement ring to a woman. My sister said she’d never seen a diamond that big. Oh wait, that probably won’t help prove his trip here was business, will it?”

“It might. Maybe the woman is a business partner, and that was just part of the evening.” Kate’s pulse blipped. Though she didn’t know what to make of it, it would likely mean something to Drake. “Do you know the woman’s name? Or maybe what she looked like?”

“He called her Melissa.”

Kate fought to keep her tone even. “Was this Melissa there all three days too?”

“I don’t think so. I saw her arrive two different mornings.”

Heath would have noticed if she was gone for three days. “Thank you so much for your help.”

“If it was help. I’m not so sure. We all like Mr. Wang.”

She thanked the woman again and ended the call. Slinging her purse over her shoulder, she disarmed the alarm and let herself out, then armed it again. She started for the cottage with the dog on her heels. Thunderheads built in the sky, and she smelled rain and ozone in the air. A big storm was heading this way, so she’d better hurry.

She rushed through the fields toward Drake’s cottage, brushing aside blueberry bushes with her feet. When she reached the edge of the road, Jackson stopped and barked. He dug under a plant, and she caught a glimpse of a bright spot of yellow. A moment later Jackson had it in his mouth and brought it to her.

“Good boy.” She patted him and relieved him of his find. The small yellow pouch appeared to be the kind of thing women would use to transport jewelry. The contents were still intact, but the jumble of jewelry, watches, and hair ties didn’t tell her anything new. It surely didn’t belong to Uncle Paul. Who had dropped it?

She stared at the woods again. The sheriff and his deputies had been all over that area. There was no need for her to go there, too, but something compelled her to put one sneakered foot in front of the other and enter the shadows. Her heart beat fast in her throat, and she thrust her hand into her purse to close her fingers around the bear spray.

Jackson growled at her side, and she pulled out the can and held her finger on the nozzle. If Paul came out from behind a tree, she’d blast him right in the eyes with it. But she only heard the soughing of the wind in the trees and the chirping of the birds overhead.

She reached the waterfall and glanced around. The area didn’t look nearly as scary in the daylight. The water pouring over the rocks was much lighter now, but with the storm moving in, it would regain its power. She was almost tempted to go into that cave again. A shudder passed over her and she took a step back. Nothing was there for her to see.

There were no answers here, only more questions.

The wind freshened, and a drop of cold rain hit her face. She retraced her steps and began to breathe easier when she and Jackson stepped clear of the shadowy forest. The wind tried to tear her hair from her head as lightning crackled overhead. An open field during a lightning storm was not the safest place to be. She broke into a run and raced for the cottage as the clouds broke open and rain lashed her. By the time she reached the porch, her hair hung in her face and her clothes were soaked.

Under the safety of the porch, she shook off along with her dog, then stepped to the door.





TWENTY-TWO


Kate hadn’t even set foot on the porch when she heard the commotion through the open door. Drake had said not to bother knocking, so she opened the screen door and dropped her purse on the entry table. Jackson raced past her to see the girls.

Emma was on the sofa with both arms crossed, and Phoebe had a pink stuffed bear in a choke hold in her right arm and a purple unicorn in the other. Both girls were red faced and staring sullenly at each other.

Dressed in denim shorts and a Celtics T-shirt, Drake stood with his back to the door. “I’ll get another stuffed bear. We’ll get some ice cream too.”

“But it’s my bear.” Emma clenched her hands into fists. “I got a bear and she got a unicorn.”

“You put it down.” Phoebe hugged the bear tighter. “It was my turn.”

“Just to go to the bathroom! I came right back.” Tears rolled down Emma’s cheeks. “Make her give Pinky back to me, Uncle Drake.”

“You need to share,” Drake said.

Kate wanted to roll her eyes, but she stepped closer so she was in their line of vision. “Phoebe, if you want her bear for a while, give her your unicorn.”

Phoebe clutched both stuffed animals closer. “No! Plum is mine.”

“You don’t get to have both. Give Emma her bear back.”

“Uncle Drake,” Phoebe whined. “She put it down.”

Drake started to open his mouth, but Kate narrowed her eyes at him and gave a slight shake of her head. He pressed his lips together but said nothing. “You heard me, Phoebe. Give Emma the bear. And don’t throw it. Give it to her nicely, and tell her you’re sorry.”