Storm of Secrets Read online

  Aha!

  “Can’t. I’ve got something to take care of.”

  “What?”

  “Just some stuff. I’ll probably stay with Kev tonight.”

  “Why? You tired of me?” Jokey but somewhat desperate.

  “It’s not that.”

  “Then what?”

  “Can you just leave it?”

  “Sure. No sweat. I’m cool.”

  “Here you go.” The waitress plopped a large brown bag down on my table, thus ending my eavesdropping session.

  * * *

  When I got to The Bluffs, I found Laura and Whistler waiting for me on the porch.

  “Did you forget where you’re living now?” I leaned down to give Whistler a head rub. “Or did you just miss me?”

  “Of course we missed you,” Laura said.

  “Hungry?” I held up the bag, now spreading with grease. “It’s not Liam’s, but I stopped at Cap’t Cass for clams.”

  “Just as delish,” she said, following me inside. “Looks like you have enough for an army.”

  “I was starving.” I set out the fixings of a traditional fried clam dinner; coleslaw, French fries, biscuits, and plenty of tartar sauce. “What’s the scoop, Scoop?”

  “Ha! But don’t call me that in front of Jason. He’s paranoid enough as it is.”

  “Did Brooks give you a statement?”

  “He postponed due to an emergency.” She pushed out her lower lip.

  I was guessing the emergency had something to do with Helene Kleister.

  “I’m going to pay for this,” she said, filling her plate. “I never had heartburn until I got pregnant. And no, I haven’t had a chance to tell Jason yet.”

  “How’s your article coming?”

  “Making progress,” she said. “How about your day—were you able to find Sister B?”

  After hearing what happened, she shook her head. “This is one slippery nun we’re dealing with.”

  “No kidding. I’m exhausted from chasing after her.” I crammed three fries into my mouth and mumbled, “My hope is that she’ll return to Wellfleet for her car.”

  “Have you spoken with Father Sebastian?”

  I swallowed before answering, “Left him a message to get in touch if she comes back and to please not let her leave until I see her.”

  Just as we’d finished scarfing down our fat-laden meal, my phone’s ship’s bell signal chimed.

  “Brooks is good with the lineup out at The Bluffs tomorrow afternoon,” Daniel told me. “As unorthodox as it might be.”

  “Great. I’ll go tidy up a bit out there.” I wondered now if the lineup was the “stuff” Zach Renner had been referring to.

  “No, don’t do that,” he said, then added, “Just the opposite would be better.”

  “What do you mean? Make a mess?”

  “Or at least find some work that can be done. We need an excuse for bringing a couple of the workers out to add to the unofficial lineup.”

  “I’ll find something.”

  “Keep it on the down low,” Daniel cautioned.

  “Will do. By the way, Laura popped out to have dinner with me.”

  As Laura was waving crossed hands and mouthing, “Don’t say anything,” Daniel was saying, “Especially not her.”

  “Got it,” I told him. “Will you be eating in town?”

  “Johnny just brought us some pizzas.” After the call ended, I told Laura, “I have some things to take care of out in the barn.”

  “Let me help.”

  “Not with that boot,” I said, hoping she’d decide to shuffle off.

  “At least let Whistler and me keep you company. Jason is working late tonight, so I might as well hang out here.” She hesitated briefly as we passed the carriage house, turned and opened her mouth as if to say something, until she saw my warning look. I did not want her bothering Christopher Savage.

  I flipped on the barn lights and began looking for projects, moving boxes down from the shelves. To fend off questions, I told her about seeing Robyn at Land’s End earlier.

  “Are you going to tell Brooks?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. It could be nothing.” Though Robyn had been acting suspicious. “Did you know that she was dating Wes Creed?”

  “Really?” Laura made a distasteful face. “I never saw him at Land’s End. In fact, I’ve never seen them together at all.”

  “Maybe it’s a secret fling?”

  Laura began inspecting some of the unfinished canvases stacked in the back of the barn.

  “I can’t wait for you to paint a portrait of us after the baby comes.” Whistler let out a very loud sigh, causing Laura to laugh. “Do you think he knows he’s about to have some competition?”

  “I wouldn’t doubt it. He’s the smartest dog I know.”

  “What are you doing, anyhow?” she asked, indicating the mess I’d created.

  “Looking for something,” I fibbed, wiping the dust from my hands. “But not very successfully. I’ll come back out tomorrow.”

  As we walked back to the house, Daniel’s Land Rover pulled up, and Whistler trotted over to greet him.

  “Ladies,” Daniel greeted us before bending down to pet Whistler. “And gentleman.”

  “Have you by chance seen Jason?” Laura asked. “I think he’s avoiding me.”

  “I doubt that.” Daniel smiled at her. “But no, our paths haven’t crossed today. It’s a good thing your husband is young, with all the hours he’s been putting in.”

  “I’ll be glad when Whale Rock returns to the nice peaceful place we love.”

  “Here’s a little happiness for you,” Daniel told us. “I saw Matthew Kleister with Lucas and the twins. Everyone looked healthy and happy. They were jumping around like it was Christmas.”

  “Poor Matthew, though,” Laura lamented. “Returning home to find his wife in the hospital.”

  Daniel sent me a swift look and I responded with a subtle headshake.

  “How did you learn that?” he asked.

  “It’s out there.” She was not about to reveal her source, and Daniel didn’t look pleased.

  After Daniel took himself off to shower, I warned my friend. “I’d try not to let on how much in the know you really are. You can tell Daniel and me anything, but when it concerns information related to a case? Tread carefully. Especially if you want to protect Jason’s career.”

  “What about my career?” she pouted.

  “Look.” I sighed. “There’s so much conflict of interest between your work at the Times and Jason’s job at the Whale Rock PD. One of you is going to have to give. But that’s for you and Jason to work out, sooner rather than later.”

  She looked down at her feet. “I guess you’re right.”

  I changed the subject. “What happened to the novel you were so excited about writing?”

  She lifted her shoulders. “Between writing for the paper and helping Edgar with his research, there’s not much time left over.”

  “If it’s truly something you want to do, make the time.”

  “I’ll have plenty of time for writing after the baby comes.”

  Don’t count on it. I left that thought unspoken, for who was I to know what was involved in caring for an infant? I wondered if I’d ever have the chance to find out.

  30

  Cassandra

  I woke up the next morning with gloomy thoughts, not helped by a displeasing aroma that came and went in waves. Fortunately, a diversion presented itself by way of a call from Zoe.

  “I’m checking on you since you didn’t return my calls yesterday.”

  I checked my phone quickly and saw two missed calls. “Oops. I must have silenced it by mistake.”

  “I understand little Lucas was found.” Her voice had a chill to it, which meant I was in hot water for not updating her.

  “Yes. An unbelievable story.”

  “So I heard from Brooks.” Hmm? Brooks again? The mind reader on the other end of the call said, �
��There’s nothing to it, Cassandra. End of story.”

  “It shouldn’t be.”

  “Shouldn’t be what?”

  “The end of your story with Brooks. There’s so much more to write.”

  “Sometimes it’s hard to separate out the bad parts of your history, no matter how much you really want to.” She sighed dramatically. “You’d never be able to understand.”

  I initially bristled at her insinuation that my own personal history wasn’t littered with regrets and difficulties I’d like to forget.

  “Maybe I would if given the chance. I’m here to listen, should you decide to share that history with me.”

  “Not today.”

  “Fine.” The heat and humidity had drained me of the will to press further. Besides, I’d know soon enough if those mysterious parts of Zoe’s history with Brooks would be revealed in Mama’s journal.

  “What’s that banging noise?” Zoe asked.

  “I’m cooking.” I’d decided to take a meal to the Kleisters and was checking my meager stores to see what I might make. I’d finally decided on lasagna and brownies, since they were the only two dishes for which I had the ingredients.

  “Are you going to schedule an appointment with that specialist?”

  “Probably.”

  “What do you mean, probably? If it was me, I’d be doing everything in my power to ensure I’d be able to carry a pregnancy to term.”

  “It’s been a little crazy around here, Zo-Zo, and less than two days since you sent the information.”

  “Well, time is a precious commodity,” she snapped.

  “You okay?”

  “Sorry. It’s just …” A sniffle escaped. “I can’t help thinking how different my life would have been had I been able to benefit from this new research.”

  Certainly, the process of going through a divorce wasn’t helping her state of mind. If the young floozy that broke up her marriage ended up pregnant by Oliver, it might just send Zoe over the edge.

  “I don’t want you and Daniel to suffer the same disappointments that we did.”

  My doubts about Daniel’s desire to start a family was not a topic to bring up today with Zoe. Maybe not ever.

  “I’ll call soon. I promise,” I told her. “But I want a promise from you too.”

  “What’s that?”

  “If I do have a child, you’ll have to come to Whale Rock to be a part of his or her life.”

  There was a long pause before she said, “I’ll try.”

  * * *

  I tried Father Sebastian again before I buzzed into town to drop off the food to the Kleisters. No answer.

  “Hi there,” I said as Matthew greeted me at the door. He looked at me searchingly, so I reminded him. “Cassie Mitchell. We met the day of the storm.”

  “Of course.” He picked up one of the twins, who pulled his glasses off, giggling at the prank while the other twin hugged Matthew’s legs.

  “We were all so happy to hear the news,” I told him.

  “Thank you. The whole town has been great.” He finally noticed I was holding a basket. “Come on in.”

  “I put together a pan of lasagna,” I told him, then whispered, “and a batch of brownies.”

  I was surprised to see Helene curled up on the sofa with Lucas.

  “Is she sleeping?” I whispered.

  Matthew shook his head and took the basket into the kitchen, followed by the curious toddler twins, both chiming, “What’s that, Daddy?”

  “Hey there,” I said to Helene, keeping my voice low. “What a miracle, huh?”

  “He’s been through a lot.” She smiled sadly, dark shadows circling her eyes. “I guess we all have.”

  “Where’s Nicholas?” I asked.

  “Matthew’s parents took him to play miniature golf. He needed a little fun.”

  “Bwownies!” squealed the twins from the kitchen.

  “I guess the secret’s out of the bag.” I grinned at Helene.

  “Thank you for being so kind,” she said.

  “It’s just lasagna.” I waved her thanks away.

  “I mean the other day.”

  “I can’t imagine having four incredibly active little ones. You still have my number?”

  She nodded, her eyes filling.

  “Call anytime.” I took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze.

  She nodded again.

  When I popped into the kitchen to say goodbye to Matthew, I checked to make sure my number was still on the whiteboard. It was, and I pointed to it and said, “That’s mine if you need anything.”

  “Appreciate it.” He then asked, “Christopher Savage is staying out at your place, right?”

  “Temporarily, while his cottage is being repaired.”

  “Thanks,” he said, but didn’t offer an explanation for why he wanted to know.

  * * *

  Walking back to my parking spot, I passed All the Basics just as Robyn was coming out.

  She smiled when she saw me, then pointed in the direction of Stella Kruk’s store and held up two filled, cloth grocery bags. “I’ll probably have to mortgage Land’s End now.”

  Stella’s prices were a standing joke in town.

  “Plus, she had the nerve to ask me about my love life. What business is it of hers?”

  “Well, you know Stella,” I said, though it was exactly what I’d intended to ask if the topic came up again.

  “Speaking of which”—Robyn motioned for me to follow her around the corner—“you’ve lived here all your life. What do you know about Wes Creed?”

  “Is that the new friend you were telling me about the other day?” I ventured, hoping not to come across like scandalmonger Stella.

  She nodded. “Do you know him?”

  “He was a few years ahead of me in high school, so mostly by reputation.”

  “I’m not surprised he had one.” She scrunched her freckled nose. “Wes is cute and fun, but I don’t know.”

  I was dying to ask what she’d been doing at her cottage yesterday, but just couldn’t pull the trigger.

  She looked around to make sure nobody was in earshot before asking, “Is Wes in trouble?”

  “What’s this about, Robyn?”

  “I’ve been staying at Wes’s place since the storm, and after that little Kleister boy went missing, his father showed up there looking for him. Then, a couple days later, this other guy slid his business card under the door, with a note saying he was working for the Kleisters.”

  “Probably the investigator they hired.”

  “Investigator?” Robyn’s eyes widened. “That doesn’t sound good.”

  “What did they want to know?”

  “The Kleister guy—Matthew—asked if I was with Wes the day before the storm.”

  “Were you?”

  “No. But I didn’t tell him that. I didn’t know this guy from Adam, and he shows up and begins interrogating me?”

  “Did you tell Wes about it?”

  “Yes, but he didn’t seem bothered, so I didn’t worry about it. Especially now that the little boy has been found safe. But yesterday morning a couple of police officers showed up to take Wes to the station.”

  “Have the police talked to you?”

  “No! Why would they?” She was starting to freak out a little.

  “Just wondering.” I paused a moment, considering the wisdom of my next question. “It’s none of my business, but has Wes borrowed money from you?”

  Her flushing cheeks were answer enough.

  “Look, I like you, Robyn. Unless you’re head over heels for this guy, I’d cut him loose. If you need a place to stay, come out to The Bluffs.”

  “That’s a really sweet offer. I should be okay, though, now that my boat’s back in the harbor.” She lifted the bags. “My provisions. I don’t know how much longer I could have stood being cooped up in Wes’s tiny attic apartment.”

  “When can you go back to Land’s End?” I was fishing for when Christopher’s leas
e was up.

  “September first, assuming the damage gets repaired.” She cringed guiltily. “I went over yesterday. I didn’t think the crime scene tape would still be up since the little boy had been found.”

  At least I had my answer now.

  “The force has been busy with other matters as well,” I told her. “You should tell Chief Kincaid, though.”

  “I sneaked in and out quickly.” She waved it away. “I’m sure I didn’t disturb anything, even though it was a wasted trip. Can you believe they lost my boat keys while it was in dry dock?”

  Keys?

  * * *

  When I got home, Christopher was just leaving to take Gypsy for a walk. I checked the clock, feeling assured he’d be back in time for the staged lineup. It would also give me a bit of quality time with Mama’s journal. After my conversation with Zoe this morning, I was even more curious to see if Mama had documented any of my sister’s teenage angst. As I took the leather diary from the drawer, the study filled with the aroma of burnt sugar, pungent again. Presumably because I was about to delve deep into my mother’s sad past and its connections to the ancestral spirits who still resided within the bones of Battersea Bluffs. No sooner had I started to read when my laptop buzzed to life. I tried to ignore it, but it kept whirring on and then off. Percy and Celeste were at it again.

  I put aside the journal and walked over to the desk. This time, the screen was showing my email. A new email from Brit was in my in-box.

  “What, you’re not savvy enough to actually open the emails?” I mused aloud.

  I clicked on Brit’s email: So glad to hear the good news about that little boy. OMG—what a journey! On that other matter, I mentioned Dr. Zane to Nico, and he says she’s highly esteemed in the field. (Helps that my boyfriend is also a geneticist!) I’m attaching some research papers he says you might want to read before your appointment. Call him if you have any questions. BTW—have you set another date yet?

  Then she’d inserted a gif of Lady and the Tramp sharing a plate of spaghetti.

  I typed out a response: Thank you for the confirmation and the new information. No date set yet. You will be the first to know (after me that is)!

  I didn’t have a chance to return to Mama’s writings because Daniel arrived home to set up the barn for the staged lineup.

  “Brooks had Jason send Laura on an errand,” he told me. “That way she won’t show up, spoiling our plans.”