Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery (2 page)

Pete nodded
soberly, “Was Liz alone here, sometimes she had boarders?”

Mike spoke up,
“I think she was mostly alone these days.
 
I saw her earlier today, and she was complaining that her latest
boarder, Dorrie Johnson, had been gone for a couple of days.
 
Said she hoped Dorrie would be back soon;
she owed her some rent money it seems.”

When the last
of the flames were extinguished, the remaining fire crew began to load up their
equipment.
 
“We’ll leave one man
here to watch for awhile, make sure it doesn’t flare up again.
 
We’ll be back in the morning to start
our investigation.”

“Can we look
inside, at least,” Pete wanted to see for himself if there was a body there.

“Sure,” Dick
responded, “come with me.”
 
He
grabbed a large flashlight and led Pete around to the back of the house.
 
Waves of heat were still rolling from
the ruins and steam rose from puddles of black water.

“We think this
is where the bedroom was,” Dick shined his light through the downed timbers
into the smoky interior.

Pete leaned in
as close as he dared and saw what he was dreading.
 
A charred figured, grotesquely twisted,
lay near what must have been the entrance to the room.
 
A twisted charred timber from the roof
lay across the remains.
 
There was
no way to identify the victim—too burned—but Pete saw something
there that caused him to do a double take.
  
Something was sticking up out of
the remains.
 
It was certainly
charred but it still retained the familiar shape.
 
Pete was fairly certain that what he was
looking at was the end of a large knife.
 
If this was Liz, as they thought, then perhaps she was already dead when
the fire began with no way to get out to safety.

Pete looked at
Dick Taylor.
 
He had seen the knife
also.
 
“It was too hot to get this
close earlier,” Dick said, “but this looks like the fire was no accident.
 
This looks like murder!”

***

October,
2011

The phone was
ringing as Lin Hanna entered her condo laden with groceries.
 
She hastily dashed to the kitchen to put
down her load, and tried to grab the phone on the kitchen desk but she was too
late—voice mail had already clicked in and she realized that the caller
was her good friend Kate Jarman.
 
Fortunately, Lin was able to grab the phone before Kate finished
recording.

“Hi there Kate,
what’s happening?” Lin was delighted to hear from her former graduate school
buddy.
 
The two of them had spent
many long nights studying and reading each other’s papers.
 
Their friendship had continued through
the years when they worked as school administrators, seeing each other at
association meetings and sometimes traveling together to conferences.
 
They had the kind of friendship that
picks up where it left off even after long absences.

“I’m glad I
caught you,” Kate responded.
 
“It’s
good to have you back in North Carolina.
 
I saw Lucy in Raleigh last week.
 
She said you had quite the adventure out west.
 
How is the shoulder?”

“Much better,”
Lin responded, wondering what her daughter had told Kate. “I’m still doing
exercises but I’m almost one hundred percent back to normal now.”
 
Lin’s volunteer stint at Wupatki
National Monument in Arizona had proved far more adventuresome than anticipated.

“Well, I want
to hear all about it and I’m coming to UNC-Charlotte day after tomorrow for a
one day meeting and hoped we could get together, maybe for lunch or coffee?”

“You are
definitely on,” Lin was eager to see her friend, “Not only that but I know you
are planning to stay overnight somewhere and it’d better be here with
me—two nights actually—I know Charlotte is at least an eight hour
drive from the Outer Banks.”
 

Kate protested
that staying overnight would be too much trouble and she already had hotel
reservations near the university, but Lin would hear nothing of that.
 
She insisted that her friend plan to
stay with her in Davidson near Lake Norman, still less than half an hour from
her meeting on campus.

 
The plans made, Kate ended the
conversation with a subtle hint, “From what Lucy told me there is a new
gentleman in your life.
 
I plan to
learn all about your handsome professor!”
 
She hung up the phone before Lin could respond to that.

Returning the
phone to its cradle on the desk, Lin turned to put away her purchases.
 
She guessed the story of her months in
Arizona was getting out among her friends.
 
She’d only been back home for three weeks, but Kate had obviously heard
all about it.
 
Who else had her kids
talked to?

Lin had
certainly not planned for her stint as a national park volunteer to lead her
into a murder investigation, but that was exactly what had happened. The latter
part of her stay had been more peaceful though and quite enjoyable.
 
Lin found herself thinking somewhat
wistfully about Neal Smith, the handsome archeology professor who had become
more than just a friend.
 
Only three
weeks back at home and Lin already missed Neal more than she cared to
admit.
 
Fortunately, they were
already making plans for him to come east for the holiday season.
 
She hoped he was looking forward to the
trip as much as she was.

Shaking off her
feeling of loneliness, Lin finished putting up the groceries and turned to the
condo itself. It was in need of a little sprucing up. If Kate was coming
tomorrow evening she needed to wash some linens and get her guest room ready
for company.

***

“You shouldn’t
have gone to the trouble of cooking,” Kate admonished Lin, “I had planned to
take you out to dinner—but that stew was certainly delicious.”

“We can go out
tomorrow evening,” Lin responded, “I thought you’d be tired after your long
drive from the coast, and I wanted to try that green chile stew recipe
anyway.
 
Danielle, the law
enforcement ranger at Wupatki, made it for my farewell dinner.”

“It was great,”
Kate
said, “just perfect for a cool fall evening.”

Lin poured
coffees for the two of them and they moved into her living room.
 
The reflection of the sunset in the lake
waters gave an orange/pink glow to the view beyond the glass doors that led to
her spacious balcony.
 
Lin loved
this view of the tranquil lake. It was what sold her on this particular condo
at purchase time.

“I need to talk
to you,” Kate was more serious now, “I need your help Lin and I have a plan so
please hear me out.”

Lin wondered
what was coming next, but she was ready to help Kate in any way that she
could.
 
After all, that was what
friends were for, she thought to herself.

“I
want…actually I need you to agree to come to Kill Devil Hills for the holidays—Thanksgiving
and Christmas,” Kate raised her hand to silence the objection Lin was about to
offer, “just listen first,” she begged.

Briefly, Kate
outlined her need.
 
Her part time
job as a supervisor of student teachers at East Carolina University had led to
an invitation to accompany a small group of the students on an international
student teaching experience in England.
 
The students were to spend four weeks in English schools working with
English teachers followed by spending about three weeks of their holiday break
as tourists before returning to campus for their spring semester.
 
It was a wonderful opportunity for them and
for Kate who would serve both as their teaching supervisor and chaperone.
 

“It’s the
perfect chance for me to travel and have it paid for—plus earning my
supervisor’s pay in addition.”
 
Kate’s enthusiasm was infectious. “The only problem is that I need
someone to look after my house—and Sparky, of course.”
 
Lin remembered that Sparky was Kate’s
lively and loveable “chowbrador”—a lab, chow mix who was great
company.
 
“My neighbor offered to
care for Sparky, but she really isn’t able to keep up with him and I don’t want
to have to ship him to a kennel for seven plus weeks.
 
I thought if you might enjoy spending
the holidays at the beach we could make a plan,” Kate smiled hopefully.

“Oh, Kate.
 
It does sound like fun but…” Lin started
to protest.

“I already
mentioned this to Lucy and she was most enthusiastic about coming to the coast
for Christmas.
 
She thought Ben, Jr.
would enjoy it also.
 
The kids would
love it, I’m sure.”
 
Kate had done
her homework.

“I’m sure
that’s true,” Lin said, “but I’ve invited Neal to come spend the holidays with
me also; that would be eight of us descending on your home and…”

Kate cut her
off again, “…that would be fine.
 
I
have plenty of room and I know everyone would have a great time.”

Kate continued
to provide all the reasons why a coastal vacation would be the perfect family
holiday and soon Lin found herself agreeing to at least talk to Neal and her
kids the next day and give Kate an answer when she returned from her meeting
that evening.

“Good, do that
and then we’ll decide,” Kate seemed more than confident that Lin would
eventually agree to her plan. “Now it’s time for you to tell me all about your
time in Arizona, including ALL the details about Dr. Neal Smith!”

It was well
after ten o’clock when the two friends reluctantly ended their conversation and
headed for bed.
 
Lin had forgotten
how good it felt to have such a good friend to share everything with.
 
Kate was indeed that sort of
friend.
 
As Lin turned out her lamp
and nestled under her soft downy comforter, her thoughts began to focus on just
how much fun it might be to have the whole family together for the upcoming
holidays—at the beach!

November 16, 2011

Lin hit the
button to lower the car window as she crossed the Baum Bridge from Roanoke
Island onto the Outer Banks.
 
It was
a warm November day, and the air felt good as it ruffled her still “mostly”
light brown hair.
 
She had to admit
that an increasing amount of gray was part of the mix, but she had, thus far,
refused to color her hair.
 
After
all, she was a fifty-eight year old grandmother, and her friends often
complemented her on the color.

Enjoying the
warm November breeze, Lin watched the sunlight glint on the calm waters of the
sound.
 
Gulls were perched along the
railing waiting for their lunch, and a line of brown pelicans glided close
by.
 
This was such a beautiful
place.

 
Remembering her initial reluctance toward
Kate’s plan for house sitting, Lin was glad that she had agreed to come.
 
She knew that her own kids were eager to
bring their families down for Christmas.
 
She had stopped in Raleigh overnight with Lucy and her husband
Brian.
 
Lucy’s son Sam was already
excited about coming to the coast and Brian was already talking about
fishing.
 
Ben, Jr. and his family
had joined them for dinner and expressed equal enthusiasm over the planned
holiday. Both families planned on Thanksgiving with in-laws.
 
They would arrive on the Banks shortly
before Christmas hopefully to stay through New Years.

As she arrived
at Whalebone Junction and turned up highway 158 heading north, Lin’s thoughts
turned to her other guest, Neal Smith.
 
Their relationship had gotten off to a rocky start last spring when Lin
was volunteering at Wupatki but he had been a real support during her recovery
from injuries she received at the hands of a ruthless killer and their
relationship had grown more serious as the summer progressed.

Lin felt
herself almost blushing as she recalled the long weekend they spent at Grand
Canyon shortly before she left to return home.
 
Anyone who thought romance was only for
the young had certainly never met her handsome professor!
 

She tried to
refocus on her driving while looking for the upcoming turn toward Kate’s
home.
 
She would have to shove
thoughts of Neal and his upcoming visit to the back of her mind for the next few
days.
 
Kate would be leaving for
England on Saturday and wanted Lin to come down early so she could acquaint her
with her home and the area.
  
Thoughts of her “affair” with Neal could come later. Smiling slightly,
reluctantly, Lin admitted to
herself
, “I guess I am
indeed having an affair!
 
Who would’ve
thought….
”

Leaving the
main highway and turning down past the Wright Brothers Memorial, Lin made her
way through the wooded residential area toward Kate’s sound side home.
 
As she turned into the driveway she took
a deep breath.
 
This was a beautiful
spot.
 
The tall house stood on piers
raised about fifteen feet above the level of the sound to protect against
flooding during storms.
 
The actual
front of the house faced the water and the marsh that bordered it.
 
A wooden pier extended over the wetlands
and into the shallow water.
 
The beautiful
home actually extended two full stories above the lower level that housed a
generous laundry room and an open air shower and sink for cleaning up after
beach trips.

“I’ll bet you
have a great view of the sunset from here.
 
What a beautiful home you have,” Lin called as she spotted Kate standing
on the landing near the entry.

“It’s especially
nice from the porch on the other side. Come on in, I’m coming down,” Kate
called.
  
Her dog Sparky
followed, tail wagging enthusiastically.
 
Soon they both appeared in the parking area.

Kate helped Lin
unload her car and soon the two friends were happily ensconced on the sheltered
screened porch that faced the marsh and the sound.
 
Kate produced a plate of sandwiches and
fresh coffee for their lunch.
 
She
was busily chatting away, telling Lin all about the house, Sparky, her
neighbors, and all the things there were to enjoy in the area.

A friendly
voice from below interrupted Kate’s chatter.
  
“Kate, are you two really busy or
can I come up to meet my new neighbor?”

“That’s
Eloise,” Kate waved at her neighbor indicating she should come up and join
them, “She is a wonderful neighbor,” she told Lin. “She offered to look after
things—including Sparky—but I just felt it would be a bit too much
for her since I will be away so long a time.
 
Eloise has offered to take care of
Sparky while you go to Raleigh to get Neal at the airport and she can certainly
step in for a few days whenever you might need her.”
 

By this time
the small gray-haired woman had joined them.
 
Her blue eyes sparkled as she warmly
greeted Lin, “Welcome to the neighborhood.
 
I feel I know you already.
 
Kate has been singing your praises.”

“ I’m happy to
meet you,” Lin said, “ and I really appreciate your being around to help
out.
 
I’ll look forward to our spending
some time together while I am here.”

Kate poured a
cup of coffee for Eloise and passed the plate of sandwiches to her, “Join us
for a bite of lunch.
 
I’m trying to
bring Lin up to speed on things around here.”

“And I just
hope you have all of the important points written down somewhere,” Lin
added.
 
She knew Kate was far too
organized not to have done so.

***

The time before
Kate’s departure passed far too quickly.
 
She spent a lot of time showing Lin the ropes around her home and
acquainting her with the neighboring area.
 
They also spent time driving around the island so that Lin could learn a
bit about the towns.
 
Finally, Kate
had provided Lin with a list of places in the area where she might offer her
services as a volunteer, picking up on some of Kate’s activities in her
absence.
 

Actually, Lin
was happy to learn about those possibilities.
 
There were several national park sites
in the area—the nearby Wright Memorial honored the first airplane flight
and Ft. Raleigh in Manteo marked the spot where the English first attempted a
colony in the new world.
 
Add to
that the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and several National Wildlife refuges
and the Outer Banks became a real treasure of both history and nature.
 
Lin resolved that she would visit some
of these spots and offer her services as a “substitute volunteer” early on
after Kate departed.

It was soon
time for Kate to leave.
 
Lin drove
her over to the East Carolina campus in Greenville on Friday to join the group
departing via university bus for the airport in Raleigh. There they would begin
the first leg of their journey.
 
Arriving back at Kate’s home in the late afternoon, Lin poured herself a
generous glass of Malbec, her favorite red wine, and went out on the porch to
enjoy the sunset over the sound.
 
The lowering light reflected as gold on the gently rippling waters of
the sound; Lin spotted
a Great
Blue Heron fishing for
dinner along the edge of the marsh.
 
This was such a peaceful spot.
 
Lin was now more than happy that she had agreed to come down to house
sit for her friend.
 
Sparky curled
up beside Lin’s chair, apparently happy enough with this arrangement also.
 
As Lin reached down to give Sparky a quick
rub behind the ears she heard the dog breath a deep contented sigh.

“I agree,
Sparky.
 
It’s so relaxing here.
 
We’re going to get along just fine and
when my kids and grandkids come you’ll have lots of folks to play with.
 
Sam and Emma can hardly wait,” Lin took
another sip of the fragrant wine and settled back to enjoy the view.

The next
morning Lin was surprised to find that she had slept later than planned. “ Why
didn’t you wake me up, Sparky?” she admonished the dog. “If you want to have
that long walk I promised, we need to get moving.
 
According to last night’s weather report
it’s supposed to rain this afternoon.”

Lin put on some
coffee and then stepped into the large well-appointed shower in the master
bathroom.
 
The second floor of
Kate’s home housed a spacious master suite that included an office/sitting area
across a connecting hallway from a huge bedroom with a balcony above the porch
that also overlooked the sound.
 
The
office area was equipped with a small kitchenette.
 
Lin smiled to herself as she
contemplated the privacy that this upstairs suite would afford her and Neal
when her kids and their families occupied the downstairs.
 
She had to admit that she could hardly
wait until he arrived.
 
On Monday
afternoon she was to meet him at the airport in Raleigh.
  
Neal had called with his flight
information just before she left home to drive to the coast. He insisted that
she pack an overnight bag for the trip to Raleigh as his flight didn’t arrive
until almost five and that was far too late to begin the four-hour drive to
Kate’s house in Kill Devil Hills.

“Besides,” he’d
said, “I’ve already made dinner reservations and reserved a room at the Airport
Marriot for Monday night, and…” he added mischievously, “ I can hardly wait to
get you alone, all to myself!”

“Neal!” she had
tried scolding him, but her heart wasn’t in it. She was also eager for their
reunion.

Now Lin sang
softly as she patted herself dry after her shower.
 
Arrangements had been made for Eloise to
tend to Sparky while Lin was gone.
 
In less than three days Neal would be here and they would have four
whole weeks together before the others came for Christmas.
 
Excited as she was, Lin was also a
little apprehensive.
 
This would be
the first time she and Neal had spent so much time together—practically
living together, at least for a time.
 
It could mark a turning point in their relationship and Lin was not
entirely certain where this might lead.
 
She pushed more serious thoughts to back of her mind.
 
For now the important thing was that she
and Neal would have time together.
 
Time to enjoy each other’s company and time to explore their growing
attraction and affection for each other.
 
Lin smiled to herself as she thought about her handsome, sexy professor
stretched out on the king-sized bed in Kate’s master suite.
 
Once again memories of their last weekend
together at Grand Canyon sent a warm sensation throughout her body.

Lin was well
aware that Neal also had some serious thinking to do.
 
He was still on administrative leave
from the university following his involvement in the events of last spring, but
soon he would have to decide whether or not to return in January for the spring
term or take retirement and pursue other interests.
 
Lin was grateful that they would have
this extended period of time together during the holidays.
 
This time together could be important
for them both.

Sparky was
running back and forth from the bedroom doorway to the stairs.
 
He was apparently more than ready for
that walk.
 
Lin grabbed a cup of
coffee to sip while she finished dressing.
 
Perhaps she would grab breakfast somewhere after she walked the
dog.
 
She grabbed Sparky’s leash and
headed downstairs with the dog running ahead of her to the car.
 
Kate had left the keys to her SUV
hanging by the doorway, insisting that Lin make use of the vehicle while she
was away.
 
There was room in the
back for Sparky to ride and the Jeep Cherokee was well suited for some of the
island’s sandy roads.

Today they were
only driving to Nags Head Woods, a nature preserve with several good walking
trails that traversed wooden boardwalks through swampy areas as well as hilly
paths over old dunes now covered with maritime forest.
 
The area was located only a couple of
miles away from Kate’s house.
 
As
she pulled into the parking area, Lin noticed the house across the way where
the owner was already busy stringing Christmas lights.
 
An array of yard displays was already in
place.
 
There were even lighted
arches over the street! Lin made a mental note to make sure to bring Sam and
Emma out to see the lights when they came.

Lin hooked
Sparky to his leash.
 
The eager dog
bounded from the car ready to go.
 
Kate had said that he generally walked
well off-leash, but Lin wanted to make sure he stayed with her until she was
certain he had become used to her and to listening to her commands.
 
Together they set off through the
maritime forest.