Part 12 (1/2)

”I remember you saying last night there was something that didn't sit well with you. You're sure it was a woman?” He wasn't challenging, just asking.

”Well, in this day of unis.e.x cologne, I can't be completely sure. However, Steve, this was definitely a woman's fragrance. So, if it quacks like a duck...well, you know what I mean. That coupled with the strength, I'm saying it's a woman. Now, onto my next issue. Can you tell me anything about Miranda Winfield's murder?”

He looked at his watch. ”How about a cup of coffee? I can tell you what I know.”

We sat at the same diner where Maggie and I'd had breakfast.

”You look done in, Kate. What's your deal here? How is it that you're in the middle of this?”

I told him, vaguely, about Jan and Barb and their concern for Maggie. ”I never expected to fall into the middle of something like this.”

”You're not trying to play Nancy Drew are you? I care a great deal about that family.”

”That's not the case, I a.s.sure you. Besides, I'm too old for Nancy Drew.” I gave him a rea.s.suring smile.

He slid the old folder he had been carrying across the table. ”It's the police file on Miranda Winfield's death. You can take a look at it today, but I'll need it back tomorrow.”

”Are you sure you should be giving this to me, Steve? I mean, you don't know me,” I said, though I was itching to take the folder and run.

”My father was the sheriff back then, Kate. If he were still sheriff, I think he'd do what I'm doing now and give you the file. He'll be here tomorrow for the Fall Festival, maybe we can talk to him then.”

As we walked out of the diner, we b.u.mped into Allison. It was obvious she noticed the folder. Giving us a curious look, we exchanged h.e.l.los and good-byes and she scurried off.

”I'll make sure I get this back to you as soon as I've read it, Steve. Thanks.”

I wanted to see the lake again, from the other side. I drove the three miles then saw the sign for Cedar Lake and turned right. Surrounded by woods, the road was worn but drivable. I came to a fork in the road and took the road to Cedar Lake. There was a small parking area for no more than three or four cars, and didn't look like anyone had used the lot in quite a while.

Grabbing the file, I walked down a path that led to the lake. It was beautiful. The autumn colors that lined the sh.o.r.e were breathtaking. The path probably led all the way around the lake, so I followed it for about fifty yards.

I saw a makes.h.i.+ft bench close to the sh.o.r.e. Someone had taken a long birch log, about six feet, and planed it flat on one side so you could sit on it.

I leafed through the pages, and then I came to some gruesome photos. When I saw these, I was a little prepared, but shocked nonetheless. I hoped Maggie or Hannah had never seen these.

Miranda's bloated body was completely clothed. She was laying on the lakesh.o.r.e. The upper torso and neck had several stab wounds. I quickly went to another photo. I scratched my head. I looked up and scanned the lake.

The report was short. A young couple that was walking around the lake found the body. It was determined that the body had been in the lake for two days. She was last seen on October 31, 1986. I stared at the date. She died on Halloween. I s.h.i.+vered violently, for the hundredth time this weekend.

Christ, I thought, not that there is a good time to be murdered, but Halloween? I read on.

The coroner, Dr. Walt Jenkins, determined that the cause of death was loss of blood due to the severed carotid arteries. The victim died within minutes. It was also determined that the victim had been killed at the lake.

She had been stabbed with an extremely sharp instrument; however, no murder weapon had been found. Unfortunately, it was impossible to get the exact time of death, due to the weather conditions at the time. An unexpected warm spell and heavy rains marred any exact determination.

Doc Jenkins was the coroner. I guess that wasn't too unheard of. Hannah said he was more or less a brain, and in a small town, you have to wear many hats other than town doctor.

I turned the page and there was the report from Steve's father, Sheriff Tom Caldwell.

The victim was Miranda Margaret Winfield, found on November 2, 1986. She was the victim of an apparent robbery. Her body found in Cedar Lake, by a young couple walking in the area, had multiple stab wounds. Mrs. Winfield had no jewelry, purse or any other belongings on her person, but victim's house and car keys were in her left pants pocket. The crime scene and surrounding area was sealed. The robber was clever enough to leave absolutely no signs, or any evidence.

Sheriff Caldwell's signature was at the bottom on the page. I turned the page over and someone had scribbled-Murderer too careful. If a drifter then why didn't they take keys?

I sat there for a moment or two. Why would a murderer take the time to steal all the jewelry, take her purse and money, but not check her other pocket and notice the keys? Why in the world would you rob and kill someone then leave the evidence all over the woods?

Then I realized they didn't leave it all over the woods. Chance dug it up. The question now was why would someone bury it and not take it with them and then dispose of it, or better yet, sell it if that was their intention, for drug money, or whatever.

Someone was scaring Maggie and causing these accidents. Someone definitely sabotaged that saddle. Who would want her harmed? Who is the woman in the woods and what connection does she have to a twenty-year-old murder?

And why am I sitting at the crime scene by myself?

Chapter Eleven.

I went back to my car, trying to shake off the feeling of being watched, and fumbled to the put the car in gear. Good grief, Ryan, calm down.

I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw her. She was standing right behind me in the same white dress she'd had on earlier. I jumped out of the car, but she had already vanished without a trace.

The woods were totally still. Okay, that's enough. I jumped into the Jeep and sped away, occasionally glancing in the rear view mirror.

When I returned I found Maggie and Hannah in the living room where a repairman was replacing the French doors. They both looked up when I came in.

”Good, you're back,” Hannah said. ”Teri and Mac went for a walk with Chance.”

Maggie ignored me completely for some reason. I looked at Hannah but couldn't tell what in the h.e.l.l was going on by the look on her face.

”Good. Well, I stopped into town and-” I started.

Maggie interrupted me. Good grief, these people! ”Where did you go this afternoon? Allison called. She told me she saw you coming out of the diner with Steve. She mentioned that perhaps I shouldn't trust you. With you sneaking off to Steve and thinking I was lying about the saddle, I'm not so sure she's wrong.” She had that defensive look again.

”Margaret that's enough,” Hannah said.

Maggie stared at me, completely ignoring Hannah.

I was getting a little tired of that look. I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. I was beyond tired and had had enough. ”First of all I don't sneak. I'm trying to find out what's going on and what it has to do with your mother's murder. So trust either your girlfriend or me. Which is it going to be?” I turned away and looked out the door. Christ she was infuriating. I looked at my watch; it was nearly four-thirty. I'd been gone longer than I thought. I turned back to Maggie, who was standing by the fireplace.

She looked tired, lonely and worn and I felt bad for the way I'd reacted. ”Look, this is a very unusual situation, Maggie. Things are beginning to unravel here and I don't want it to get away from me. My fuse is a little short, I apologize,” I said.

She turned to me with tears in her sparkling blue eyes. Now I felt worse. I hated that look. ”No, I apologize,” she said. ”You're right, too much has happened in the last twenty-four hours. My nerves are a little shot, too.”

”Okay, let's forget it. Did you meet Teri and Mac?” I asked.

”Yes, are you sure you want your family in on this?” She gave me a worried look.

”Well, you've met Mac. I may ask you the same question.”

”They're very nice. You have a great family, Kate.”

”They're so disgustingly in love,” I said.