Part 19 (1/2)

With Mac and Teri, settling in, I started as Maggie rejoined us and took a seat. ”Given what we already know, I think we can safely presume that Maggie is the catalyst for all that is happening. Now, hear me out, please. I think the common thread in this whole mess is the secrets that surround this family. I'm tired of having unanswered questions. Like: What brought Miranda to the lake that night? We should a.s.sume it was at night because one of you would have seen her and missed her, if it were during the day. What was her relations.h.i.+p with Nathan? Why was his picture in her locket and not her husband's? After all these years, why is it that my dog finds the evidence that re-opens an unsolved, brutal murder? And while we're on that train, let's look at all the violence. I don't know how Alexander Winfield died, but Jonathon was the victim of a hit-and-run with no driver ever found. His wife, Miranda, was brutally stabbed in the woods, right across the lake. Bedford, the victim of arson. Somebody wedged a shovel through the handles of the stable door. Their intent was clear: To keep Bedford inside the burning stable. Why? Because he knew something. Another family secret. Something about Alexander and Sarah. I know this because I overheard it.”

I looked at Doc, who had gone a little pale. Tom was frowning, seemingly confused. However, no one said a word as I continued.

”And we all know what has been happening to Maggie in the last few months.”

Tom spoke. ”It seems that all this started once your dog dug up all the evidence. Smart dog.”

I noticed Teri. I don't think she was buying Chance's superior intellect.

”No Tom, I'm afraid I don't have Chance the Wonder Dog. Are you all telling me that there are no other dogs in this community? No animals in the woods that would dig?” I remembered Chance yesterday morning, doing the scary dog thing. I looked at Teri and she looked me right in the eye. My blood ran cold as she nodded slowly. I knew she was thinking the same thing. ”Who is protecting the woods?”

Well, if that didn't scare the h.e.l.l out of everybody...

We all sat in silence for a moment, to digest what I had put forth. Suddenly, a cold s.h.i.+ver ran through me. I looked at Teri again. ”Please tell me somebody else can smell that.”

Everyone looked at each other. ”What is that?” Doc asked. Tom sniffed the air.

”I don't know,” he said.

”I smell it, Kate,” Teri said.

”What is that? It smells so familiar,” Maggie said as she sniffed the air.

With that, the library door opened and Sarah walked in.

Is it my imagination, or had the fragrance dissipated? I got the creeps.

”I'm sorry to interrupt. Doc, Nathan wanted me to tell you he was just paged. Apparently an emergency surgery in Dubuque. He'll call you in the morning.”

Glancing at Tom and Doc, they seemed almost relieved. ”Thanks, Sarah. I know the patient. Nathan asked my opinion the other day,” Doc said.

Sarah smiled thinly. ”Well, I'm sorry I interrupted. Please continue with your meeting.” She gently closed the door as she left.

There was an awkward silence. ”Well, I have one question,” Maggie said. I noticed the stubborn look and held my breath. ”Does anyone else but me think Uncle Nathan and my mother had an affair?”

Even though the question was long overdue, it took courage for Maggie to ask. I looked around the room at the dumbfounded expressions and nearly laughed. Teri and Mac said nothing. What could they say?

”I, for one, think it took great courage to ask that question. I think it deserves an answer,” I said. Still no one said a word.

With that, Maggie stood. ”It does deserve an answer, Kate. I suppose I'll find out for myself.”

With a steady gait, she walked out of the library, pa.s.sing Hannah on her way.

”Heavens, what's going on in here? Tom, Lily is looking all over for you and Steve. You all better continue this later.”

We all left the conversation hanging, rejoined the party and mingled around the buffet table. As I was talking to Teri and Maggie, I caught the scent of the familiar perfume. I quickly looked around as the scent faded.

”Kate, what is it?” Maggie asked.

”Dammit. I smelled it again.”

”You mean from the library?” Teri asked.

”No, the perfume the woman who tossed me through the French doors was wearing,” I said and frantically continued looking.

The room was crowded with both men and women. Allison, Sarah, and Hannah were all standing in the same small circle of women, chattering away. It was impossible to figure out who it was.

”s.h.i.+t,” I cursed and turned back to the buffet table.

I noticed Allison standing by Maggie. ”Well, where have you been? It's a beautiful night, c'mon, let's take a walk.”

I didn't like her leaving with Allison, but I could say nothing. They went out on the deck and into the yard. As I watched them, that d.a.m.ned fragrance hit me again. I turned to see Sarah standing and looking at me with a half smile on her face.

”Mrs. Winfield, good evening. Are you enjoying yourself?” I asked politely, hoping she didn't see the look of sheer panic on my face. Swallowing right then was impossible.

”Yes, Miss Ryan, Hannah knows how to throw a party. How are you feeling? I understand quite a bit has happened in the last few days.” She looked at me with her dark, almost-black, eyes.

”Oh, I'm fine. It's awful about Bedford, though. Who would want to kill him?” I asked looking at her while regaining my composure.

”Who? I thought he was unfortunately caught in the stable fire. It was a horrible accident,” she said thoughtfully as she gazed at the fire. She was silent for an instant, but then said, ”So this is good news. Tom can open the case again, and find Miranda's murderer. Maggie must be very happy.” She stared at the flames as if in a trance. ”Well, I think I'll go see if Hannah needs any help. Have a good time, Miss Ryan.” With that, she walked away.

”Whatever,” I said and turned to see Mac and Teri approaching. They watched Sarah's retreating figure.

”Man, she gave me the w.i.l.l.i.e.s,” Teri said.

I agreed. ”Doesn't she look like Mrs. Danvers from the movie Rebecca? Oh, and she knew about Tom re-opening Miranda's case.”

”You told her?”

”Nope.”

Teri frowned. ”Then how did she...” she stopped.

”Yep. The toady, Allison,” I said. ”Sarah wasn't there this afternoon. Allison must have told her. That's why she ran over to Sarah earlier this evening. I bet my log cabin on it. Sarah knows something too. They all do. Somebody's covering up for somebody, and her conversation with Bedford yesterday at the stable is nagging at me. Alexander Winfield...”

I looked around for Maggie. She was nowhere in sight and I got a little worried.

Charlie came out with his date and they sat down to eat. He seemed to sense my concern when he said, ”Where's Maggie?” He looked out into the woods.

”She went for a walk with Allison,” I said as I looked up to see him frowning.

”And you let her?” he asked.

I gave him a curious look. ”Let her? Since when does anyone let your cousin do anything? Why shouldn't she go for a walk?”

He said nothing.