Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery (14 page)

Lin picked up
on his lighter mood.
 
“That sounds
good to me,” she smiled.
 
“I think I
know where the stand is; it would be nice to put the tree in front of that big
window so it’ll be seen from the street.”

Neal groaned
when he saw that placing the tree there involved completely rearranging the
living room furniture, but he agreed, and together they made quick work of it.

After placing
the tree in the perfect spot and making sure it’s best side faced the room,
Neal decided that the lights should go on. “That’s always the hard part,” he
asserted, “we’ll be glad tomorrow that it’s done.”

Lin located the
box that held Kate’s lights.
 
Fortunately, she had packed them carefully, and Neal’s height made it
easier to place them near the top so this proved to be a fairly easy job.

“All done,” Lin
said, as the last light went into place and they were shining brightly.
 
No more decorating tonight.
 
I’m ready for a drink.

As Lin poured
herself a glass of wine and pulled together a plate of crackers and cheese,
Neal opened a beer and announced that he was going to make chili for dinner.
 

“I’ll put
together a salad, and I think we still have some of that good whole grain
bread,” Lin was glad to have Neal assume the cooking duties.

He soon had the
chili simmering on the stove.
 
The
salad was made and stowed in the refrigerator.

“Let’s take our
drinks to the porch,” Neal suggested.
 
He lit the gas fire while Lin brought out their drinks and snacks.
 
It was actually quite chilly as the day
had been colder than usual.

“Come over
here,” Neal said, sitting on the sofa near the fireplace, “ It’ll be warm soon,
meanwhile we can enjoy being close.”
 
He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close to him.
 
They sat in silence for a time, enjoying
the fire as it began to warm the room.
 
The sound was calm and the moonlight made a dappled path across the
water.
 
There were stars visible in
the dark skies.
 
Lin snuggled closer
to Neal.
  
It can’t get much
better than this Lin thought to herself.
 
Neal had obviously shed his earlier mood of concern over the
conversation with Connie.
 
He seemed
to have regained his earlier holiday spirit.
 
At that particular moment Lin wondered
what it would feel like to have this contented feeling all the time.
 
Would the two of them be happy in a more
permanent relationship?
 
At present
that seemed likely to her.
 
Maybe
she shouldn’t be so cautious moving forward.

They sat
comfortably in silence for a long time, enjoying their drinks and taking in the
beautiful view.
 
A bell sounding in
the kitchen interrupted the peaceful setting.

“That’s the
timer for the chili,” Neal said, “I’d better go check it.
 
Sorry, to break this mood,” He kissed
her lightly as he got up.

 
“It’s ready,” he called from the kitchen.
 
Lin got up and put the salad on the
table.
 
The aroma of the spicy chili
made her realize how hungry she was.
 
They had had only snacks since breakfast, and it was already past eight.

After dinner
they shared the clean up chores. Lin volunteered to take Sparky outside for a
quick walk around the yard.
 
When
she came back in, Neal was in the living room opening boxes of ornaments.

“I’m just
looking,” he said when he noticed Lin seemed surprised. “Kate has a lot of
beautiful things here.
 
I’m really
enjoying preparing for a real family Christmas,” he had a warm smile on his
face.
 
Lin realized that he had,
perhaps, spent a lot of holidays alone in recent years and felt glad that he
was here with her.

She went into
the kitchen and poured herself another half glass of wine then went back to the
living room where Neal was still surveying the scene.
 
Boxes were scattered about; some
decorative items were sitting out on tables and shelves.
 
It would all be better tomorrow when
they finished decorating and put all the boxes away.

This scene made
Lin smile as she sipped her wine. “It’s been a long day.
 
Are you ready for bed?”

“That sounds
like an invitation to me,” Neal gave her a wink, “one that I certainly can’t
refuse.
 
You go on up. I’ll check
all the doors and be up shortly.”

Lin felt a
familiar warm tinge of excitement as she went upstairs.
 
She decided to wear the silky blue gown
she’d bought before Neal arrived.
 
She slipped between the sheets, turned out the overhead light, and
waited for him to join her.

Afterward, as
she lay quietly listening to Neal breathe and waiting for sleep to overtake
her, she thought, a perfect ending for an almost perfect day.
 
Only the conversation with Connie left
any concerns, but she would think about that tomorrow.

Their holiday
mood continued throughout the day on Sunday.
 
Both Neal and Lin enjoyed decorating
Kate’s lovely home.
 
Seeing things
come together gave them a good boost of holiday spirit.
 
When all that remained in the boxes were
strings of colorful outdoor lights, they decided to put them on the small pier
that led across the marshy fringe and out into the sound.
 
Lin made two wreaths from the holly Neal
cut and adorned them with red velvet bows.
 
One graced the front door and the other was placed above the fireplace
in the glassed porch area.
 
That
provided a festive touch to that warm, cozy room where they planned for Sam and
Emma to sleep when they arrived.

It was late
afternoon when the decorating was completed, and neither of them was in the
mood to cook so they decided to go out.
 
“Let’s try Kelly’s,” Lin suggested, “I’ve heard great things about the
food and the atmosphere.
 
I know
Eloise says its one of her favorites.”

“Isn’t that where
Connie Frazier works?” Neal seemed to be trying to avoid sounding concerned.

“I think so,”
Lin tried to reassure Neal, “but we’ve already talked and I don’t think there
is anything more to be said on that front.”

Kelly’s didn’t
disappoint.
  
They had a good
wine and then ordered a seafood appetizer.
 
The restaurant was quite busy, and it took a long time for their drinks
and appetizer to arrive.

The waitress,
an attractive brunette, apologized. “I’m sorry for the delay, we’re
understaffed tonight.
 
One of our
best waitresses, Connie, didn’t show up for work this evening.”

Lin couldn’t
resist, “Do you mean Connie Frazier?”

“Yes, do you
know her?” the waitress responded.

“We’ve met,”
Lin replied, “but I don’t know her well, did she call in sick?”

“That’s the
thing, she didn’t, and the manager has been trying to reach her but no one
seems to know where she is.
 
That’s
not at all like Connie,” the young woman seemed troubled, “I’m really a little
worried about her.”

Another
customer signaled the waitress; she excused herself and headed for that table.

Lin played with
her food, puzzled about this news. “What do you think could have happened,
Neal?”

“Oh, she
probably just didn’t feel well.
  
Maybe she fell asleep or something and just forgot to call in—it
happens.
 
Sometimes folks aren’t
always as reliable as you think they are.
 
Anyway, it’s her own responsibility—nothing you need to concern
yourself with.”

“I know,” Lin
replied, “but she was rather upset when we talked.
 
Maybe, I should try to call her.”

Neal looked as
if he was going to object, but he didn’t say anything.
 
Lin didn’t press the issue. “ Maybe,
later,” she said. “Let’s look at this menu.”

Their dinner
was delicious and Neal kept up a steady conversation discussing plans he wanted
them to make for the upcoming holiday.
 
He had ideas for the party Eloise wanted to throw as well as a wish list
of activities he planned to pursue with Lin’s son and son-in-law.
 
He mentioned a possible deep sea fishing
trip, maybe a day trip down to Ocracoke Island, taking the kids on a ride to
visit the resident herd of wild horses—the list went on.
 
Lin tried to stay focused on all of
these plans, but she found it increasingly difficult to do so.
 
She couldn’t stop thinking about Connie
Frazier and what might have happened.

As they left
the restaurant she put her arm through Neal’s. “I’m sorry I wasn’t good company
tonight.
 
I really do hope that you’re
able to do some of the things you’re planning.
 
You might not have time for everything,
but I know the kids will enjoy whatever you can arrange.
 
Why don’t you call Ben this week and see
what would be at the top of his list.
 
He can talk to Brian, and I’ll speak with Lucy about plans for us girls
and for the children.
 
We can make
more specific arrangements after we talk to them.”

As they sat in
the car, Neal turned to her. “Thanks for trying Lin, but I know what’s really
on your mind.
 
You’re worried about
Connie Frazier, and you want to talk to her Mom.
 
I know you.
 
This whole thing has gotten inside you,
and you’ll not let go until you learn more.” He slapped the steering wheel,
more in frustration than anger,
 
“
What is it with you, anyway?
 
Why
are you always the one who has to help someone out?
 
Frankly, I think you’re taking a big
risk, poking around trying to find out more about what that dead girl was
doing—and what good will it do?
 
I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound angry, I’m not, but I’m at a loss to
understand you when it comes to stuff like this.”
 
He reached for her hand and pulled her
close.

Lin was silent
for a while.
 
She was trying to find
a way to explain herself and realized that she couldn’t do that
adequately.
 
Either Neal could
understand or he couldn’t.
 
She
wasn’t sure why she responded as she did to situations such as this, but she did
know that it was part of who she was, and she knew she couldn’t change that, at
least not easily.
 
She wasn’t at all
sure she would want to change.

Before she
could say anything, Neal spoke again.
 
He seemed to have read her thoughts. “I know this is who you are
Lin.
 
I doubt you could change, even
if you wanted to, and I’m not sure you should even try.
 
It’s just that you have become so
important to me.
 
I couldn’t stand
it if anything happened to you, and I have an uneasy feeling about this
situation with Dorrie.
 
I don’t
think it’s as simple as it might have appeared at first.
 
The more you learn the more entwined
this whole thing becomes with the death of Connie’s sister, and as I said
earlier, if Dorrie didn’t kill Liz then someone else did.
 
Someone who’s still at large.”
 
He paused and took a deep breath.
 
Lin realized that he was fighting back
tears.
 

Neal lifted her
face toward his and kissed her, deeply and with urgency. “I love you, Lin
Hanna.
 
I love you.”
 
It was the first time he had spoken those
words.

“ And I love
you too,” Lin responded, “You’re right about me.
 
I seem to be drawn to situations where
it seems someone needs help.
 
I
doubt I’ll ever stop being that way.
 
It is, indeed, part of who I am.”

“And,
ironically, that’s a big part of what I love about you,” Neal managed a small
laugh, “…among other things…”

“I have an
idea,” Lin offered, “one I think you’ll like and I like it too.
 
I won’t try to call Connie’s Mom, but I
will call Ken Parker tomorrow and ask if he could check on her whereabouts.
 
Who knows, she may have turned up by
then anyway.
 
I had planned to talk
to Ken about the medical report on Dorrie, whether he could help her parents
get a copy; I’ll just add my concern about Connie.”
 
Earlier, Lin had explained to Neal that the
young local officer had seemed to be very caring and concerned.
 
She felt he’d be willing and able to
help.

“ Sound’s like
a plan to me,” Neal smiled. “I’ll try to curb my ‘protective’ instincts, but
you’ll have to forgive me if I worry sometimes—that’s just me caring
about someone I love dearly.
 
Someone who just said she loved me too, if I recall,” he teased.

“ Yes, she
did,” Lin smiled as Neal started the car. “She’s not yet sure where all this is
heading, but she does love you.”

“I’m not sure
where it’ll lead either,” Neal replied, “but I do plan to enjoy the
journey.
 
Now let’s go home.”

As they rounded
the corner of Kate’s street and headed toward the house, they could tell
immediately that something was wrong.
 
All of the lights were on and they could hear Sparky barking from the
screened porch.
 
A black and white
police car was pulled up in the driveway. The lights were all on At Eloise’s
house too, and they could see the older lady standing on her porch in her robe
and slippers.
 
She waved at them as
they pulled into the driveway.

A young officer
exited the police car as they arrived.
 
Lin didn’t recognize him.
 
He
wasn’t one of the men who had been at the scene when Dorrie was found.

They approached
the young man and introduced themselves.

“Your neighbor,
Ms. James, called us.”
 
He pointed
toward Eloise.
 
“She said she was
watching TV when she heard you’re dog going crazy—barking and carrying on
from the porch.
 
When she looked,
she thought she saw someone prowling around in the bushes near the house so she
called us.
 
I guess the dog must’ve
scared whoever it was away ‘cause there doesn’t seem to be anyone here
now.
 
With your permission though,
I’d like to go ahead and check the place out—make sure whoever it was
didn’t get in or do any damage outside.
 
Maybe you folks could check the interior, but all the doors were still
locked when I arrived. I turned on the outside lights from the switch in the
parking area under the house.”

“We’ll do that,
and we appreciate your help officer,” Neal spoke up.
 
He and Lin went in through the lower
level and proceeded to check each room as they worked their way upstairs.
 
Everything seemed in order, no visible
damage, no signs anyone had been inside at all.
 
As they finished and returned to the
kitchen, the young officer rang the doorbell.
 
Lin let him in and invited him to sit
down.

“I can’t stay,
really.
 
I’ve got another call to
answer,” he responded.
 
“I can tell
you that there are no signs of attempted entry from the outside, but I did find
this little item in the bushes,” With a gloved hand he reached into a large
canvas tote bag and pulled out a heavy crowbar.
 
“I don’t think this is a tool someone
lost while gardening,” he said. “I think your dog here saved you from an actual
break in,” he reached to scratch Sparky behind the ears, “along with your
neighbor who called us.
 
Maybe you
folks need to consider installing an alarm system.”

Lin realized
that she was trembling, partially from the cold, but also from the shock of
what had almost happened. “It’s not our house,” she explained, “we’re house
sitting for a friend during the holidays—but we’ll talk to the owner
about that.”

“Meanwhile,
make sure that dog is on the porch whenever you’re away,” the officer
suggested.

Lin pointed to
the doggie gate in the kitchen door, “He usually sleeps in the kitchen, but he
can go to the porch whenever he wants.
 
That’s probably what happened tonight.
 
Sparky heard something and went out to
investigate,” she gave the dog a hug.

“Well, I’ve got
to go to that other call,” the young officer said, “can you come by the Kill
Devil Hills station tomorrow to complete the report?
 
I’ll send someone over tomorrow morning
to check outside for fingerprints, footprints, etc.
 
Easier to do in daylight and it’s not
going to rain tonight to mess things up.”

“ We’re busy
tomorrow, at least in the morning,” Lin replied.
 
“We could make it right after lunch.”

“That’ll be
fine, we’ll know by then if we have any prints worth anything. I’ll tell Sgt.
Parker you’ll be by about one, maybe?”

Lin was glad
that Ken Parker was apparently in charge of things.
 
It was reassuring for her. “We’ll be
there, at least I know I can be there,” she looked at Neal.

“I’ll be there,
too,” he responded quickly.

When the young
police officer had gone, Neal explained that the gridding he was to work on was
really an ongoing thing.
 
He could
do as much as possible during the morning while Lin was working with the school
group, then he could continue the work later in the week.
 
He could see that Lin was upset, still
shaken by these events.

“
l
’m going to ask Eloise to make us some coffee.
 
Then I’ll check around the outside once
more, just for my own peace of mind.
 
I’ll be careful not to touch anything or step in any obvious places
where they might find footprints.
 
You go over to Eloise’s and I’ll meet you there shortly.” He grabbed a
flashlight and they left the house, making sure the door was locked behind
them.

Eloise was
still on her porch and was only too happy to have them come over.
 
Lin felt herself relaxing somewhat as
she sat in the cheerful kitchen while Eloise made fresh coffee and pulled out a
tin of homemade cookies.