Deep Waters (40 page)

Elias unscrewed the flashlight base. “Maybe she's decided that what with the pending bankruptcy and Leighton's arrest there's nothing left for her here.”

Charity smiled cheerfully as she slipped the receipt into a paper sack together with a new novel by Stella Cameron. “You're going to enjoy that one, Mrs. Fisher. I just finished reading it myself.”

“She writes such exciting stories, doesn't she?” Mrs. Fisher said with enthusiasm. “Real page-turners.”

“That they are,” Charity agreed.

Mrs. Fisher hurried off with her package.

“Almost time to close,” Newlin said as he walked out of the back room with an armload of books.

Charity raised her brows. “You seem anxious to get out of here today. Got something planned?”

“Arlene wants to go out to Delter's Nursery to see about ordering some nice flowers for the wedding.”

“Great. How did things go during your first session with Elias this morning?”

Newlin's face lit up. “Really interesting, y'know? He told me the name of that special belt he wears. He says he and I are probably the only two people left in the whole world who know exactly what Tal Kek Chara means. Weird, huh?”

“I thought it meant the Way of Water or something.”

“Not quite. It's a lot more complicated.”

“Well? What exactly does it mean?

Newlin opened his mouth and then closed it. “Uh, no offense, but I'm not sure I'm supposed to tell you. Maybe you better ask Elias, yourself.”

“Ah, it's one of those secret guy things.”

“It's not that. At least I don't think—” Newlin broke off in relief when Yappy skidded to a halt in the doorway. “Hey, Yap. What's up?”

“Trouble,” Yappy said loudly.

Charity glanced at him. “What's wrong?”

“It's Winters.” Yappy drew a deep breath and prepared to rush off down the pier. “Looks like he's got another problem on his hands. Some dude in a suit just drove up in a Jaguar, got out, and demanded to know where Elias Winters's shop was. Bea pointed it out, and the guy went charging over to Charms & Virtues. Bea said it looked like he was gonna clobber Elias.”

“Not again.” Charity locked the register with a twist of her key and scurried around the edge of the counter. “How on earth did Elias collect so many enemies? This sort of thing has simply got to stop.”

18
 
 

To understand the waterfall, one must view the world from behind it

—“On the Way of Water,” from the journal of Hayden Stone

Elias studied the tall, grim-faced man who had planted himself on the opposite side of the sales counter. Davis Truitt's expensive, summer-weight silk-and-linen sport coat looked as if it had been made for him, which was probably the case. The same was true of the pale gray shirt and the slacks he wore with it. He had the height and the patrician features that characterized his sister, Meredith. He looked ready to do serious damage.

“If you're thinking about taking a swing at me, you might want to reconsider,” Elias said mildly. “Charity tends to get upset when people assault me, and we both know she's supposed to avoid stressful situations.”

“Damn it, Winters, don't give me lectures on my stepsister's health.” Davis narrowed his eyes. “I know a lot more about the subject than you do. What the hell are you up to?”

“I was just about to straighten out that counter back there.” Elias gestured briefly toward the table piled high with plastic burgers, fake ice cubes, and other assorted items. “Something about it doesn't look quite right.”

“This whole damn situation doesn't look right. I know about you, Winters. I've done some research. It wasn't easy digging up the information. I couldn't get all the details I wanted.”

Elias nodded. “I'm glad to hear that.”

“But I got enough to be certain that whatever you've got in the works here in Whispering Waters Cove, it probably involves a lot of cash and an offshore client.”

“I hate to tell you this, Truitt, but your information is out of date. Take my advice and don't rely too heavily on it.”

Davis jerked at his dark gray silk tie, loosening it. “Don't try to bullshit me. According to Meredith, you've seduced Charity. I want to know what you're doing here on this pier, and I want to know why you've dragged my stepsister into it.”

Otis stalked back and forth on his perch and hissed softly.

Elias absently stretched out a hand to scratch the bird's head. “It's not complicated, Truitt. I inherited the pier and this shop. I retired from the active pursuit of my former career and came here to learn the fine art of running a small business.”

“You don't do anything small, from what I can tell. Not unless it's part of a much bigger scheme.” Davis
scowled. “Look, we're both businessmen. I don't give a damn what you've got going on here in the cove. But I don't want you using Charity to accomplish your goals. Is that clear?”

“My relationship with Charity has nothing to do with business.”

“You think I believe that?” Davis took a menacing step closer to the counter. “You've got a reputation, Winters. And nothing in that reputation makes me think that you'd chuck everything you've built up as the owner of Far Seas to come up here to run a junky little curio shop.”

Otis grumbled loudly.

“Better not call it a junky little shop,” Elias advised. “Otis tends to take that kind of remark personally.”

“Who the hell is Otis?”

“This is Otis.” Elias stroked the bird. “And he's temperamental. Just ask Charity. She's the one who nursed him through a fit of depression. He's over it now, but he's still inclined to be surly when he's irritated.”

“Forget the damn bird.” Davis shoved aside the wings of his coat, spread his legs aggressively, and planted his fists on his hips. “I want answers. And I want them now.”

“Davis.”
Charity raced through the door of the shop. Newlin, Yappy, and Ted followed close on her heels.

Elias surveyed the rescue team with satisfaction. “What took you so long?”

Charity ignored him. “Davis, what on earth are you doing here? Don't you dare hit Elias. Do you hear me? I swear I'll never forgive you if you so much as touch him.”

Elias smiled faintly. “See what I mean? She's very protective.”

Davis scowled furiously and turned to confront Charity. “I'm not going to hit him. At least, not yet. I'm here to find out what he's up to.”

“He's not up to anything.” Charity halted, breathless, in front of Davis. “At least not in the way you imply. If you wanted answers, you should have called me before you barged in here and confronted poor Elias.”

“Poor Elias?” Davis shot Elias a derisive glance. “That's not the way I heard it.”

Elias tried to look harmless.

Newlin scowled at Elias through his small glasses. “You need any help here?”

“No.” Elias nodded at Newlin, Yappy, and Ted. “Everything's under control this time. I don't think Charity will let her brother break my nose. But thanks, anyway. You might as well close up your shops and take off.”

“Okay.” Newlin hesitated. “If you're sure.”

“I'm sure.”

Ted gave him a level man-to-man look. “Holler if you change your mind.”

“I will,” Elias said.

Yappy shrugged and turned to lead the other two out of the shop. He lifted a hand in farewell. “See ya.”

Davis ignored the three departing men. He glared at Charity. “Meredith talked to me after she had lunch with you. She says you're involved with Winters.”

Charity raised her chin in the imperious style that Elias had learned to recognize. “Yes, I am. What about it?”

Davis shoved his fingers through his hair. “Hell, Charity, I told you when you called me about him that the guy was definitely a player. I warned you to be careful. He's got something going out here. Lord only knows what it is, but one thing's for certain.”

“And just what is that one thing?” Charity demanded.

“When it's over, Winters and his client, whoever that is, will be the only ones who come out on top. I don't want you to be used.”

“I can take care of myself,” Charity said.

“A year ago, I would have agreed with you.” Davis stopped abruptly and shot an annoyed look at Elias. Then he lowered his voice. “But after what happened, Meredith and I are concerned. You know you're not supposed to put yourself into highly stressful situations.”

The outrage faded from Charity's eyes. A tremulous smile tugged at her mouth. “Davis, you came all the way out here to protect me, didn't you?”

Davis flushed. “You're family.”

“This is so sweet,” Charity said softly.

Elias groaned. “Don't you hate it when she does that?”

Davis frowned. “Does what?”

“When she calls you sweet.” Elias smiled cheerfully. “Irritates the hell out of me. But, then, I guess it's different when you're her brother.”

Davis began to look confused. He turned back to Charity. “What's he talking about?”

“It's complicated,” Charity said. “Don't worry about it. The important thing is, I am really touched by your concern, Davis. I can't tell you how much it means to me.”

“It's a little more than just concern,” Davis muttered. “Meredith and I are damn worried.”

“I'm okay.” Charity patted his arm reassuringly. “I've been handling stress very well lately. Look, I have an idea.”

“Brace yourself, Truitt,” Elias murmured.

Davis pointedly kept his back to Elias. He fixed his attention on Charity. “What sort of idea?”

“I think the two of you need to get to know each other better,” she said briskly. “What's missing here is basic communication.”

“We're communicating better than you think, Charity,” Elias said. “Your stepbrother wants to smash my face, and I would rather he didn't. Real simple and straightforward stuff.”

She glanced at her watch. “It's after five-thirty. Elias, why don't you lock up Charms & Virtues and take Davis to the coffee shop in town. Neutral territory, so to speak. The two of you can sit down together and have a cup of tea.”

Elias exchanged glances with Davis, who looked distinctly wary now. Elias didn't blame him. He wasn't feeling terribly enthused about the idea, either.

“Tea?” he repeated cautiously.

Charity gave him an approving smile. “You need to sit down together and communicate. I'm sure everything can be cleared up between the two of you. Run along. I'll look after Otis.”

Otis muttered under his breath at the mention of his name.

Davis began to look genuinely alarmed. “Charity, I didn't come here to have tea with Winters. I'm here to make sure he doesn't drag you into one of his Machiavellian schemes.”

Charity widened her eyes. “It would mean a lot to me if you and Elias made an effort to get to know each other, Davis.”

Elias almost felt sorry for Davis. He decided it was time to take charge of the situation. He came out from behind the counter and slapped the other man on the shoulder. “Give it up, Truitt. You can't win this one. Come on, let's go communicate.”

Davis's expression turned mutinous. “I'm not in the mood for a cup of tea, damn it.”

“Neither am I,” Elias said. “I've got a better idea. Let's walk down to the Cove Tavern. I'll buy you a beer.”

Davis hesitated, bemused. “I don't—”

Elias paused in front of Charity and leaned down to brush his mouth lightly, proprietarily across hers. Then he took the steel key ring out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Here. You can lock up.”

“Fine.” Charity beamed. “Thanks, Elias. I really appreciate the effort you're making.”

“Don't,” he warned, “call me sweet.”

She blinked. “Don't you think you're a little overly sensitive on that point?”

“That's me. A real sensitive kind of guy.” Elias gave Davis a small push toward the front door. With a last, frowning look at Charity, Davis reluctantly started down the nearest aisle.

“I'll see you at home,” Charity called after them.

Elias glanced back over his shoulder. “Don't forget Otis when you close up.”

She wrinkled her nose. “As if I could.”

“Heh, heh, heh,” Otis said.

There was no point rushing home, Charity told herself. Elias and Davis were going to be gone a while. She leaned on the pier rail to watch the two walk along the beach toward town. They were soon lost in the gathering fog.

Elias and Davis would have a lot to talk about, she assured herself. With any luck, a couple of beers would facilitate their communication. She hoped she had been right to push them together like this.

Slowly she straightened from the rail and started back toward the door of Charms & Virtues to fetch
Otis. She knew he would likely become anxious if he found himself alone in the shop at the close of day. His old fears of being abandoned might return. Otis was not a lovable bird on his good days. When he got stressed, he was downright insufferable.