Secrets Among the Cedars (Intertwined Book 2) (13 page)

Phil laughed. “Okay, we’ll go there now. We can poke around and see if anything looks disturbed.”

Kathryn would dance the rest of the way to the SUV, but why celebrate prematurely?

The entrance of the cemetery wasn’t at all what Kathryn had expected. Two nice concrete columns marked the entrance, one with a plaque with the name of the cemetery etched in it. She’d assumed it would be a neglected and overgrown parcel of land. “What’s that walkway there?” Kathryn pointed to a wooden walkway that led out into the water.

“That’s the boardwalk. A lot of people fish out there. I’ve gotten a whopper or two out of that backwater myself on occasion. We can walk it once we’ve checked out the cemetery, if you want to.”

“Okay, sure.” If they found the gun, she’d skip down the boardwalk.

Phil pulled his SUV over to the side of the path. “Let’s get out and walk. It will be easier to spot if something has been tampered with. Do you want some mosquito repellant?”

“Yes, thanks.”

They exited the vehicle, sprayed themselves with repellant, and started on the first loop around the graves. Shaded by two-hundred-year-old oaks and cedars, the graves were covered in moss and dark stains. Some had iron fences around them, some had elaborate headstones on them. Others had small plain headstones, and others had nothing but a jagged rock placed at the head of the body to represent the loved one who’d passed so long ago.

“I’m surprised these graves have survived the harsh ocean winds and the flooding that comes with hurricanes.”

“I know. When I first found this place, I remember being surprised that they would have sited a cemetery so close to the water. But I suppose in the 1800s, they didn’t think about things like that.”

“Maybe not. Do you see anything yet?”

“Not yet. Let’s keep walking. Back here in the back there are some unmarked graves. Maybe the gun is buried in or around one of them.”

Kathryn shivered. “I hate cemeteries. They are so creepy. Especially with the Spanish moss dripping from the oak trees and the cedars shadowing the graves.”

“Yeah, it’s eerie back in here. Oh, I forgot to tell you to watch out for copperheads.”

Kathryn squealed and jumped like she’d stepped on a snake. “Phil! Don’t scare me like that.”

He laughed. “Sorry. But you do have to watch out for snakes around here. They definitely can be up in these leaves.”

“Gross. I’ll just stay here on the pavement. You go fish around for the gun.”

“So you’d let me risk my life for your murder weapon?” He stabbed himself in the heart with his fists and pretended to fall back.

“Yep!” Kathryn shooed him to commence his hunt for the gun.

Kathryn and Phil walked around every loop in the cemetery and turned up nothing. Not one single hint of a disturbed or freshly dug grave.

“I’m sorry we didn’t find anything. I told you it was a longshot, but I didn’t want it to go unchecked.” Phil squeezed Kathryn’s shoulder.

“It’s not your fault they didn’t bury it here.”

“You ready to walk the boardwalk?”

Kathryn pouted. “No, can we just go to the restaurant? I’m so bummed. I just want to stuff my face with shrimp.”

Phil threw his arm over Kathryn’s shoulder and led the way to the SUV. “Anything you want, ma’am. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

Chapter Thirteen

Phil escorted Kathryn up the steps to the Tropical Winds restaurant near the city park where they'd run into each other on Saturday. He acted like a skittish deer, looking past people, jumping whenever a baritone voice rang out. They were at a table together, but Phil’s mind was somewhere else.

Who was Kathryn to interfere with his thoughts though? She'd been lost in plenty of her own over the last few days. She'd obsessed over solving this case, one that she no longer had any obligation to solve. She'd rehearsed over and over in her mind what she'd say to Daddy when she got home, how she'd tell him she no longer wanted to pursue his dream.

She’d also practiced her speech to Maria if Phil pursued her once she left Cedar Key, how she'd explain their meeting and their instant attraction to each other although they were on opposite sides of this case.

Kathryn shook her head. Her imagination was like a wayward runaway child. She couldn't assume Phil would want to see her once she left this island refuge. She’d do herself a favor if she forgot about these wild ideas. "Phil? You okay?"

He cleared his throat and scratched his whiskered chin. "Yeah, I'm sorry."

"What's up? You were so quiet in the car on the way over here."

“Me quiet? You were quiet too.”

Kathryn acknowledged with a nod. “Guilty as charged.”

"I'm upset that I haven’t been able to help you find the gun.”

“That’s not your fault. It’s either already been found, or it’s been removed by forces beyond our control.”

“Or it’s out there waiting for us.”

“You know that’s what I’m hoping for. What else is bothering you? You’re antsy.”

“I’m on the lookout for Drew and Barney. Barney went clamming today with the locals. Since he’s a big eater and this is the best restaurant in town, he could appear at any moment."

“Then why did we come in here?”

“I’m beginning to wonder that myself.”

Kathryn chewed on her thumbnail. "So he's not just here for business then?"

"I wouldn't say that. He's either trying to make money somehow, or he didn't really go clamming. He may have taken a boat out to where the weapon is hidden."

"Did Drew say where Barney went specifically?"

Phil’s gaze darted around the restaurant. Sweat beaded on his upper lip. "No, but he did say Barney was staying here until you leave. They're going to keep watching you, which means they'll figure out we know each other."

Kathryn shook her head. "Not good."

"No, not good.”

“Which means, Phil, it was a mistake to come out in public together.”

“We probably shouldn’t do this again. They know you're tenacious and won't give up."

"My reputation follows me everywhere, doesn't it?"

"Indeed. Drew even called you a rabid fox."

Kathryn threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, he has done his homework, hasn't he?"

"I'm afraid he knows too much about you. Too much for my liking, anyway. So we'd better stay out of public for the rest of the time you're here."

"I agree. But we've got to find that gun."

Phil nodded and gulped down his water.

The waitress took their order then Kathryn continued, "I've been thinking about what Mr. Ballew said." With her finger, she traced the border of the paper placemat on the table, a map of Cedar Key, and outlined invisible circles around the islands which surrounded this quaint place.

"What's that?"

She tapped her index finger on the table. "If the gun was hidden here because the killer, your uncle, had connections to Cedar Key, it stands to reason that you're the connection."

"You're saying I know where the weapon is?" Phil stiffened his neck and cracked his knuckles.

"No, sorry." She erased her words with her hands. "I mean that you're connected to the family, so maybe they hid the weapon on one of the family properties you now own."

Phil puckered his lips and raised his eyebrows. "You may have a point."

"How many properties do you have?"

"Five. Including my own home."

"Do any of them have a hideaway? A cellar? A fort? Are any of them on the canal where there could be crab traps or some other connection to the water?"

"They're all on the canal or the bayou including the one you're in over by the airstrip."

Kathryn nodded and straightened in her seat. "We need to check each place off the list until we eliminate them or find that gun. Time is running out. I've got to go back home, and the trial is coming up."

"Okay, we'll start first thing in the morning. I told Drew I'd call Uncle Louie, although I doubt they'll let him talk on the phone. He suggested that I convince you to forget about the case. I'm going to tell him I found out you're off the case. Maybe they'll drop their quest and go home."

"They won't go anywhere until they secure the weapon."

"Which means we're bound to have a run in with them at some point."

"I was afraid you were going to say that."

#

They returned to the house, and Kathryn accepted Sadie's greeting by kneeling down to ruffle her ears then poured a glass of water. She drank a little and cleared her throat. Her meal must have been saltier than she'd realized while eating it.

Phil unlocked the storage closet beside the laundry room and pulled a gallon of paint, two poles, two rollers, a drop cloth, and a paint tray out into the hall. "You sure you don't mind helping me paint?"

Kathryn cleared her throat again. She must have gotten a flake of pepper lodged in the back of her throat. "Not at all. As long as we can take a break and watch the sunset."

"Definitely!"

"Let me go change into something that I don't care if it gets paint on it. Because it will if I'm doing the painting." Kathryn smiled.

Phil raised his right eyebrow, obviously puzzled by her throat tickle. "I didn't consider the fact that you might not have any casual clothes with you."

"No, I do. I've got some ratty old T-shirts I like to lounge around in."

"Okay, good."

Kathryn coughed. "Excuse me. I don't know why I'm having a problem here."

"Was the food too spicy?"

"Maybe. I'm not sure." Kathryn grabbed her suitcase handle and wheeled it to the master bedroom at the end of the hall. It had a private balcony overlooking the bayou. She imagined the captivating view of the sunsets from it. She cleared her throat again. Why did it feel as if she'd swallowed a feather?

Phil hollered from the kitchen, "You're trying to get out of painting, aren't you?"

Kathryn laughed, but a cough interrupted. She changed clothes in the master bathroom, the giant Jacuzzi calling her name, and hung up the clothes that would wrinkle.

By the time she returned to the living room, Phil had opened a can of light terra cotta paint and stirred it with a paint stirrer. "What do you think of—" He looked up into Kathryn's face. "Whoa! You'd better sit down." He abandoned the stirrer and dashed over to her side. "Are you allergic to seafood?"

Kathryn cleared the tickle again and plopped on to the tan leather sofa. "I don't think so. Why?"

"Your face is swollen. Did you not notice when you were in the bathroom?"

"No. I didn't even look in the mirror." This must be a strange reaction to the shrimp because not looking in the mirror to check her appearance when in the presence of a man was out of character for her.

Phil squatted beside her. "Do you feel okay?"

Kathryn blew out a puff of air. "Not really. I kind of feel spacey."

"I'm calling 9-1-1."

"No. I don't want to go to—" Her tongue felt like it was the size of a t-bone steak wedged in her mouth.

"You’re probably right anyway. The closest place is thirty minutes away. We don’t have time for that. I'll call Mrs. Barnes down the road. She's a retired nurse. Just sit tight."

Kathryn swallowed hard and massaged the front of her neck. "Who's Mrs. Barnes?"

"She's a neighbor a few doors down. Real sweet. She goes to the church." Phil searched his phone for her number, hit dial, and waited. He joined Kathryn on the sofa, and Sadie rested her chin on Kathryn's knee.

Was she having an allergic reaction? She'd had shellfish before and had never experienced anything like this.

"Mrs. Barnes, it's Phil. Hi, yes, I'm doing well, except I have a friend over here at the rental on Airport Road, and I think she's having a reaction to the seafood she ate earlier." Phil listened and took Kathryn's hand in his.

Phil explained that Kathryn didn't want to call the paramedics or go to the hospital. She tried to cough, but her throat felt like someone had a hold of it. She swallowed again, and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. "Phil?" She squeezed his hand, and pleaded with her eyes for him to get help fast.

"Can you hurry over here?" Phil studied Kathryn's face. "Thank you." He ended the call. "She'll be here in two minutes. She's going to give you liquid antihistamine. If that doesn't work, we're calling an ambulance."

"I'm sorry." Kathryn whispered.

"About what? You didn't know this would happen. I don't care about anything but making you better."

“Do you think someone poisoned me?” Kathryn squeezed his hand.

"No. No one would’ve done that. Your eyes are swelling, Kathryn. I'm worried."

Kathryn nodded. She leaned her head back on the sofa and shut her eyes.

"Don't go to sleep on me now. I need you to focus on breathing."

"Okay." Sadie jumped on to the couch and put her paws in Kathryn's lap. Kathryn stroked her head.

A knock sounded at the door, and Phil jumped up and bolted to answer it. He opened the door and pointed to Kathryn, and with an elevated tone in his voice, he explained to Mrs. Barnes the latest on Kathryn's condition.

She kneeled at Kathryn's feet. "Well, honey, you're a sight. Can you breathe?"

Kathryn nodded.

Phil took Sadie by the collar and pulled her off Kathryn's lap. Sadie whined. "Not now, Sadie. Kathryn needs help."

Mrs. Barnes measured out a dose of antihistamine in the plastic cup that came with the bottle and offered it to Kathryn. "Here drink this."

Kathryn sat up and took the cup. She sipped the cherry flavored thick and grainy liquid, forcing it down her throat.

"Can you swallow?"

"Yes, ma’am. I think so." Kathryn's eyes burned and her tongue itched. How could her tongue itch? What if—what if she died?

"Drink it down now. We'll wait a few minutes and see if you need more. Let me check your pulse."

While Mrs. Barnes checked her pulse, Phil paced from the front door to the back. He opened the door to the deck and went outside. He paced in front of the door and then returned. Had he come to care for her in these few days of knowing each other? If she died today, at least she'd have someone with her who showed concern for her well-being.

"Your pulse is normal. Let me look in your mouth." Kathryn rolled her head back onto the sofa and opened her mouth. Mrs. Barnes held up a mini-flashlight and pointed the beam of light down Kathryn's throat. "Everything looks okay. There's some swelling, but your throat is open. Do you have an epi pen?"

"No. I've never—" Kathryn swallowed and shook her head. "I've never had a reaction like this before."

"Okay. Let's take one more tablespoon. It's probably going to knock you out, but it'll most likely take care of the reaction." She poured the liquid into the plastic cup and handed it to Kathryn.

Kathryn groaned, and Phil came back to her side. "Drink it or you're going to have to go to the hospital by ambulance."

She sighed. "Okay."

"Phil, will you be able to stay here with her? She shouldn't be left alone."

"Absolutely."

Kathryn shook her head. "I'll. Be. Okay." Her words came out like a slow drip from the faucet. The medicine was kicking in; her tongue wasn't stuck to the roof of her mouth anymore, and her throat felt looser.

"You're a funny girl. I wouldn't leave you alone if a hurricane was pounding Cedar Key right now. I'll be here all night."

Mrs. Barnes put the cap back on the antihistamine bottle and placed it on the coffee table. "I'll leave this here with you. She might need some more later. The swelling around her eyes should go down here in about thirty minutes or so. If not, give her one more tablespoon. She may need to see a doctor tomorrow though."

"Thank you, Mrs. Barnes." Phil walked her to the door.

"You call me if you need me."

Kathryn closed her eyes while Phil whispered with Mrs. Barnes at the door. His voice lulled her into a tranquil state. Sadie jumped into her lap, and Kathryn draped her hand over her back. She didn't have the energy to stroke her. She'd rest here for a few minutes and then help Phil paint.

#

After an hour of watching for signs of emergency in Kathryn, Phil returned to his house to get his laptop, a change of clothes, and other items he'd need while standing guard for the night. He returned to the rental, making sure neither Drew nor Barney had followed him, and parked behind the shed around the back of the house, where he'd also moved Kathryn's car earlier.