A House to Die For (A Darby Farr Mystery) (32 page)

Darby hesitated for a moment but then swung a leg over the
side and hopped nimbly onto the deck. Laura smiled and indicated a boat cushion and Darby sat down.

"I was just about to have another cup of coffee," Laura said.
"Would you join me in a cup?"

Darby agreed and Laura emerged with two plastic cups full of
coffee. "Cream? Sugar?" asked Laura.

"Black is fine," Darby said, catching the rich aroma of the coffee.

"To Lucy's freedom," Laura said, raising her coffee cup.

"To Lucy's freedom," echoed Darby. She took a sip. "So you've
heard the news?"

"By now the whole island has. I'm praying that Soames didn't
suffer." She took a sip of her coffee and looked out over the harbor.
"What a sad and troubled soul. At last he's at peace." She sighed.
"Is Tina okay? I know they had some history..."

"She seems to be. At least for now."

"Good" Laura set down her plastic mug and gave Darby a
small smile. "So what brings you over here? Were you looking for
Mark?"

"Yes. Any idea when he went out?"

"He sailed in early this morning and left about an hour ago."

Darby tried to hide her irritation.

"What is it?" asked Laura. "Something wrong?"

"Yes. I have a hard time with the fact that his sister's been a
murder suspect, and he takes off on his sloop for a few days."

Laura gave a gentle grin. "Darby, we can't judge what others
may do under stress. This whole thing has affected Mark in ways
we can't even imagine. Going off for a sail may have been exactly
what Mark needs to do."

"Time alone to sort things out," Darby said.

Laura smiled again. "I didn't say he was alone." She took another sip of coffee. "He has a new friend, a man named Ryan
Oakes. He introduced me to him this morning. He works with an
island preservation group. The two of them went out yesterday,
I think." She took a look at the sky. "Good thing they came back
today. Tomorrow we're going to get some weather."

Darby nodded. "So I hear." She took the last sip of her coffee.
"I don't want to bother you on your time off, but is there anything
else I need to do for Jane's service?"

"I think we're in good shape," Laura said. "But my notes are at
the office. Can we go over the last-minute details this afternoon?
Then I can get the program together in the morning and have the
church secretary print it in the afternoon."

"Okay," Darby agreed. "I'll call you or come by today." She
paused. "If you do see Mark, will you ask him to call me?"

"Sure"

Darby jumped from What's in a Name to the dock, noting that
her legs remained remarkably steady. I'm making progress. She
waved goodbye to Laura, still seated in the stern, and contemplated calling Miles on her cell. Dead as a door nail, she thought,
using one of Aunt Jane's expressions and tossing the phone on the
seat. I need to charge it back at the office.

Darby drove to Lucy's studio, wondering if she would still be
there or setting up for the art show. She was relieved to see Lucy's
old sedan in the driveway, the trunk open and waiting for more
paintings.

Darby jogged up the rutted pathway and knocked on the door.
Lucy opened it with a smile.

"Hey! I was hoping I'd see you. Did you hear about the chocolates? You were right."

"Chief Dupont told me. You must be so relieved."
"

I am. I don't like the fact that heroin was in my system again,
but at least I know that I didn't ingest it myself, and that's a huge
relief." She frowned. "Too bad about Soames. I wish I could have
helped him." She indicated the little kitchen table. "Want to sit
down?"

"Sure, just for a minute. I know you're busy with the art show."

"Yeah, but I have to say, I feel so free. The burden of knowing
there were people who thought I might have killed someone..."

"Very few people thought that, Lucy."

"Thanks. So what's up? I know my friend Darby Farr. You're on
a social call, but with an agenda."

"You got me there. I just received a new offer from Peyton. She
still wants to buy Fairview, at the same price, and close on Saturday. I haven't seen your brother yet, but what do you think?"

"Terrific. What about those restrictions?"

"She and her lawyer are going to worry about it once they've
purchased the property. My guess is they've already been assured
that they can be changed."

"Wow. Mark will be thrilled. Where do I sign?"

Once Lucy had looked over the agreement and signed it, Darby
helped her carry a few canvasses to the car. "I'm off to find your
brother now," she said.

"He may actually be at Fairview," Lucy said. "I can't make myself go over there, but he said he was going to check that everything was okay."

Darby drove Thelma over to Fairview, wishing as she was driving
the winding roads that she was out for a run. She looked uneasily at the woods in which her dream had taken place. It had given
her the creeps to see Soames' face like that, especially now that she
knew he was dead.

She wound her way down the driveway and came around the
bend to see the grand old house in all its glory. Mark Trimble's
car was parked in front, along with a small compact car bearing a
bumper sticker for the "Maine Island Association."

She slowed to a walk at the front door, hearing voices.

"Hello?" she called out.

"Hey, we're in here," yelled Mark Trimble. He was talking animatedly to someone and sounded very cheerful. A moment later
he greeted her at the door.

"Darby! You're up bright and early! I was just going to call you.
You heard the news about Soames? Lucy's totally in the clear. It's
great." Grinning, he pulled her from the hallway into the living
room of his old home. "There's somebody I'd like you to meet.
This is Ryan-Ryan Oakes. He's the head of the Island Association. Have you heard of them? They work to keep islands like ours
from becoming too Disney-fied, right Ryan?"

Ryan Oakes smiled and shook Darby's hand.

"Actually, we try to help keep what is special about working islands functioning," he said. "I'm pleased to meet you, Darby. Mark has told me so much about you. I know he's very grateful for what
you've done for his sister." Ryan looked at Mark who shook his
head emphatically.

"Absolutely. She's off the hook. Soames Pemberton killed Phipps
and now the radio's reporting that he's killed himself to boot." He
clasped his hands together, reminding Darby of a little boy with too
much energy.

"So, thanks to you, Darby, Lucy's back to her normal life on
Hurricane Harbor. I've got to say, there was a little too much action for a small place like this."

Darby wanted to question Mark concerning his role with providing Soames Pemberton with the deed, but knew that now was
not the time. Instead she said, "I have some news about the sale of
Fairview, Mark. Can we talk?"

Mark looked at Ryan and then back at Darby. "I told Ryan all
about it, so shoot. What's up?"

"A courier delivered an offer from Peyton and her partners this
morning. Same terms with a closing on Saturday. I've just come
from Lucy's studio; she reviewed the offer and signed it. I've brought
it along for you to take a look at and sign as well." She added, "I'm
sure you and your sister will be happy to see this chapter close."

Mark Trimble squirmed and again Darby was reminded of a
child.

"Umm ... yeah. So Peyton is definitely buying the house? On
Saturday?"

"That's the plan. Why?"

Mark gestured toward Ryan. "I've been thinking this would be
a great headquarters for Ryan's organization," he said. "You know, a place for them to have meetings, retreats, and entertain rich donors." He laughed. "People like me, right?"

Ryan Oakes smiled. "As I've already explained to Mark, we don't
have the funds for our own building, much less one like Fairview.
Our current office is in Manatuck, over the Natural Foods store.
Someday, though, a place like this would be ideal. It's certainly fun
to dream about."

Darby nodded. "It's a lovely spot." She fixed her attention back
on Mark. He needed to understand that he had a deal with Peyton
Mayerson. She didn't like his thinking he could switch gears now and
dangle Fairview in front of some brand-new friend who couldn't afford a rundown ranch, never mind an estate. Unfortunately, Mark
was far too adept at changing buyers. Not this time, she vowed.

"Let's take a look at this together." She pulled the offer from the
envelope and moved closer to Mark.

He glanced at it quickly. "She let go of the old deed restrictions?"

Darby nodded, not trusting herself to say more. She was still
angry over Soames' revelation that Mark had known all about it, but
wasn't going to bring it up in front of Ryan Oakes.

"Same money she was originally offering?"

"That's right."

Mark reached in his pocket for a pen and scribbled his signature on the last page. "Hard to believe it's really going to happen
this time."

"I know."

Darby extended her arm toward Ryan Oakes and shook his
hand. "Nice to meet you. Good luck with the Island Association."

"Thank you," he said.

Mark gave Darby a wave. "See you," he said breezily.

Mark's dismissive goodbye couldn't dampen Darby's spirits.
She felt the surge of adrenalin she always experienced when she
put a real estate deal together. It's going to happen, Aunt Jane, she
said silently. Even if I have to stay here until next week.

She drove back to Near & Farr and called Miles with the news
of Soames' death.

"The dragon has been slain and the village is safe," he said. "Not
exactly slain, but close enough"

"There are certainly people who will sleep a little easier knowing he can't darken their door again," Darby agreed. "Tina Ames, for
one." Darby looked out the window to the street where Tina was
emerging with a coffee and a Diet Coke. "I had a strange dream last
night."

"Was it about me?" Miles teased.

No.

"Then I don't know if I want to hear about it. Well, all right,
you may tell me."

Darby laughed. "No, I think you're right. It isn't worth retelling. Instead, I'm going to ask you to a meal for once. How about
lunch with me today?"

There was a pause from Miles. "I'm afraid I must decline,
Darby. I've been summoned to Boston, on business, and am leaving in a few minutes. I'll be back late tomorrow night or very early
Saturday for your aunt's service."

"Oh," Darby said lightly, as a wave of disappointment washed
over her. Get a grip, she told herself sternly. You've got work to do.
She made an effort to keep her tone as light as possible. "See you
Saturday, then, Miles. Drive safely."

AFTER HANGING UP WITH Miles, Darby checked her watch and
decided it was a good time to call ET in California. It was just after
eleven A.M. in Maine, so with the three-hour time difference, her
able assistant would be up and working, most likely in his silk
bathrobe and slippers.