Deadly Secrets on Mackinac Island Page 11

  “Me neither.”

  He slipped around the table and sat next to her. As he placed an arm around her shoulders, she sank into his side. For the first time in a long time, she let someone else be strong for her.

  Would he prove worthy of that trust?

  As she felt him wrap his other arm around her, she prayed he would.

  15

  Saturday passed in a flood of tourists and long hours, made even longer by the late police visit the prior night. When the chief had finally left, Alanna got the distinct impression he didn’t like her. “You sure there wasn’t a trap in the shed.”

  Alanna had nodded. “Daddy never trapped or hunted.”

  “Hmmm. It didn’t just crawl in that shed.” He studied her as if searching for more.

  “I’ve never seen it before.”

  “I’ll take it back with me.” He looked at the trap with the enthusiasm of a condemned man. “Means a trip off the island in the morning.” He heaved a sigh. “All for something that will have your daddy’s prints on it.”

  Alanna had wanted to argue, but fatigue won. Now Saturday passed in a collage of images, none distinct, yet all tied together. The image of tourists morphed into customers that melded with the paintings. When her stomach growled a rousing chorus, she locked up and headed for Main Street. The island would have to endure a closed studio long enough for her to find food.

  Fifteen minutes later, she waited in line at the deli. A flock of tourists made slow decisions in front of her. She’d have to remember to call ahead. After waiting awhile, Alanna spun and collided with the person behind her.

  “I am so sorry.” Heat flashed up her cheeks as she took in the

  perfectly groomed woman. Short black hair stood in gelled spikes that gave the woman a funky edge when combined with her artsy earrings and large necklace.

  “Alanna Stone. Some things never change. Still head in the clouds.”

  Alanna took a step back and tried to smile. “Ginger?”

  Ginger Hoffmeister studied her as if waiting for another breakdown. “When I heard you were back, I couldn’t believe it. After all this time? Are things that bad for your dad?”

  “It’s still touch and go.” She cocked her head as she studied Ginger. “You’ve changed your look.”

  “My daughter dared me to be different. The things a mom will do to make her child happy. I think I let her talk me into something a bit edgier than I should have.” Ginger brushed the hair at the nape of her neck. “Auburn to black. Shoulder length to spikes. What do you think? Should I refuse the next time Kaitlyn talks me into mother-daughter bonding?”

  Alanna considered her old friend another minute. “I like it. Reminds me of the girl who wanted a dragon tattoo in high school.”

  “Yeah, I guess. I’m glad my parents threatened the convent over that one. Can you imagine a tail wrapped around my neck?” Ginger mock shuddered.

  “Probably wouldn’t have liked it long.”

  Ginger quirked an eyebrow. “You never did anything like that? Even in college?”

  “No. Remember I couldn’t even get my ears pierced? I’m such a chicken.”

  “I’ll never forget how green you turned simply walking by that store in Cheboygan.”

  “So how are you?”

  “Single and one kid.” Ginger’s eyes softened with the pride of a mama. “Kaitlyn is my life. We live in St. Ignace, but I’m here most days for work. Will your dad be okay?”

  “We don’t know yet. Day by day.” The line moved forward. Alanna placed a quick order then turned her attention back to Ginger. “Where do you work?”

  “The police department. I heard you had some excitement last night.”

  Alanna grimaced. “I’m sure the chief is telling all kinds of stories.”

  “Don’t worry. He’s investigating.”

  “Who knows if he can find anything.” A thought struck her. Could Ginger help Alanna review Grady’s file? “How hard is it to get access to old police files?”

  “For a case?”

  “Yes.”

  Lines appeared around Ginger’s eyes as she studied Alanna. “Why would you want that?”

  “No particular reason.”

  Ginger thought a moment. “The chief doesn’t hand out files willy-nilly.”

  “Aren’t there freedom of information requirements?”

  “Sure, but do you want to wait that long?”

  “No. I just wanted to review Grady’s file.”

  Ginger tapped a perfectly manicured finger against her lips. “Tell you what—I’ll see what I can scrounge up. Not making any promises though. But it’ll have to wait until after the weekend. The fudgies will keep me hopping in dispatch.”

  “Okay.” Alanna grabbed her sack. “Thank you.”

  “What do you think you’ll find?”

  “Maybe nothing, but I want to read it.” Alanna slipped from the store and hurried back to the studio. If Ginger came through with the file, that would be easier than explaining her reasons for seeing the file to the police chief.

  Sunday morning Alanna hurried to reach the island’s community church in time for the service. She’d lingered in bed too long worrying about who’d attend that morning and if any of them had heard about the chief coming to the cottage. Add her eleven-year absence, and it could be an awkward morning filled with people who remembered the old her. After fifteen minutes imagining how they’d treat her, she decided Jonathan was right. She needed to move past Grady’s death and her assumption that people blamed her, too. She hadn’t accepted his challenge and jumped in the water. Neither had she pushed him in and forced him to swim in the bitter water. The thoughts propelled her down the road away from her home.

  Half a block from the church, she slowed to a stop and closed her eyes. This morning wasn’t about her. It was about stepping back and spending time worshipping her Creator and Lord. Father; help me pull my focus from me. Forgive me for being so selfish that I can’t pull my gaze up. I long to worship You wholeheartedly.

  A whisper floated through the trees, a breeze that kissed her cheek. In that moment, her concerns disappeared, and she walked into the small sanctuary with a smile on her face. Her low-heeled sandals clicked against the oak plank flooring. Sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows lining the pews, the mix of soft colors lending an Impressionist light to her white skirt. She settled on a pew in the middle as the pianist played the opening notes to a hymn. Alanna leaned back and let the music wash over, peace floating through her.

  More people filtered in before the pastor took his place at the front and led the small congregation in a few songs. Alanna kept her eyes closed to avoid the distraction of whoever might stand near her. When the sermon started, she opened her Bible and journal, taking notes on the pastor’s comments about finding freedom in the Lord.

  Freedom was certainly something she needed. Freedom from the painful hold of the past. Freedom from the quandary of her mother’s paintings. Freedom from her fears about what others thought of her.

  Most important, the freedom to be the woman God had created her to be.

  As the congregation stood for the benediction, Alanna glanced back. In an instant, her peace evaporated as she glimpsed Piper Cadieux. Piper’s hair was longer and lighter than when she’d watched Grady with the adoring eyes of a girl who thought her older brother could do no wrong.

  Alanna turned forward, a heavy cloak of dread flowing over her. Piper tied her directly to the past. The girl’s middle-school crush on Trevor had led to her spending every spare moment at the Stones until Grady’s death. Alanna would never forget the pained accusations in the girl’s eyes after that.

  How would Piper respond now?

  The service ended, and Alanna sank onto her seat. Maybe if she stayed put until the sanctuary cleared she could avoid Piper. Only cowards acted that way, but she didn’t want a confrontation. Not in church.

  This was ridiculous. What was the worst that could happen? Piper turned her
back on Alanna? After all this time, that shouldn’t matter.

  Alanna stood and stepped into the walkway. “Piper.”

  The petite young woman stood in front of her, shoulders back and feet apart. “Alanna. I assumed you’d never slink back.”

  “Guess everyone did.” Alanna swallowed and clasped her hands in front of her. “How are you?”

  “Fine. Running Mom and Dad’s gift shop while they squeeze in a last vacation. Then I’ll take over the B&B when they return. We’re shorthanded.”

  What could she say to that? “I’m having trouble finding a clerk for the studio.”

  “Tight labor market this year. We’ll manage even if I have to run both places. Hard to imagine this little girl can do all that?” A glint matched her words.

  Alanna nodded. “Guess I pictured you as you were when I left.”

  The sanctuary emptied, and they started toward the door.

  “Want to grab lunch?”

  Pipers words surprised Alanna. Maybe Piper remained the friendly person she’d been when not shadowed by a shocking death. Maybe an agenda lurked beneath her words. Either way, Alanna couldn’t walk away.

  “I think I’d like that.”

  Piper led the way down the street to one of the island’s many restaurants, only the sound of horses’ hooves clomping against the road filling the space between them. Alanna tried to think of something to say, but everything felt forced like she wanted to try too hard.

  As the hostess seated them at a table, Piper picked the seat across from Alanna. “Are you settled?”

  “As much as I can be when I’ll only be here a bit.”

  “Not staying?”

  “No, just helping Mom and Dad.”

  Piper nodded. “You always had such a great relationship. So much better than the happy little home I had.”

  “It wasn’t perfect.”

  “From all I saw, it looked that way. I loved spending time at your home. Your mom always treated me so well.” Sadness lingered in Piper’s eyes. “After Grady died, it just got worse. Only this time it was quiet. Like Mom and Dad retreated into their pain.”

  “It must have been awful.”

  Piper shrugged. “Proof life doesn’t happen like we expect.”

  The waitress took their orders, and Piper talked about former classmates. As she rattled on, Alanna imagined the yearbook sitting on the table, Piper telling what each person had done since she graduated. When the waitress returned with salads for the girls, Piper took a breath. “That’s everybody. I talk. . .a lot. . .when I’m nervous.”

  “Nervous? Why?”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. Why didn’t you come back earlier?”

  “Guess I worried about what everyone would say.”

  “And now?”

  “It isn’t what I imagined. It’s almost like that day has disappeared from our history. I’m surprised nobody talks about Grady.”

  Piper nodded. “It’s like they’ve forgotten.”

  “Or moved on.”

  “When he died, everything changed.”

  Alanna nodded. “In unexpected ways. Coming back makes it like it just happened.”

  “Maybe. The island is frozen in time to me. To the week Grady died.” Piper rolled her napkin into a tight roll.

  Alanna reached toward her then pulled back. “I’m so sorry he died.”

  “That makes two of us. I dream, and he’s still here. Sometimes the college basketball star he imagined. Other times he’s stocking shelves at some big store. Then I wake up.”

  “Do you blame anyone?” Alanna studied Piper as she asked the question, looking for any sign that contradicted the young woman’s strong words.

  “No. Grady didn’t have a lot of common sense. He’d take any dare, no matter how foolish. Anybody who grew up here knows swimming to the lighthouse that early in the season is a recipe for disaster.” Piper sighed, and then her hazel gaze locked on Alanna’s. “I’ve grieved. Do you think you still question because you ran?”

  “Not with the way people blamed Trevor for the race. If I’d heard one more time he’s the one who should have died since he took Grady on. . .”

  Piper nodded. “A lot of people said that, didn’t they? I’m glad two boys didn’t die.”

  Alanna paused, something Piper said catching her attention.

  “Two?”

  “Yes.” She tilted her chin and stared at Alanna. “You know. You were there.”

  Alanna shook her head. “There were more than two people in, the water. At least Brendan went in, too.”

  “No.” Piper pushed against the table. “I’d remember.”

  “You weren’t there. Not then. There were at least three, and at one point four, in the water.” Alanna couldn’t be wrong. More than Grady and Trevor jumped in the water. If she’d been wrong all this time, it changed everything.

  That’s why she’d left.

  Why she’d abandoned her life on the island, her friends, her families. People had targeted Trevor, and she couldn’t watch. Not when others joined in the race.

  16

  After lunch Alanna hurried to the studio. If she’d hoped for her swirling thoughts to calm when surrounded by her mother’s art, reality disappointed her.

  Instead of peace, the longer she looked at the paintings, the more the belief her mom couldn’t have painted them confronted her. One more piece of the truth she’d built that threatened to crumble at a touch. If she probed too hard, she didn’t know what she’d find.

  Life was supposed to be something she controlled. That’s why she’d left. But as each day passed, God stripped another layer of the protective veneer she’d applied so carefully. Every illusion she’d created that coming to the island was risky but could be a break disappeared with the idea she had been wrong.

  Wrong.

  The word stuck in her throat.

  Tourists flowed in and out of the shop, but it wasn’t enough to still her roller-coaster thoughts. Each time she convinced herself Piper had it wrong, a wave of doubt assaulted her.

  At five she had to escape. She turned off the lights and locked the front door.

  “Where are you going?”

  She stilled at Jonathan’s voice as her pulse picked up. “I thought you had a picnic. And rehearsal dinner.”

  “I do and did. The bride had the rehearsal early. Wanted it in the same light as tomorrows wedding. And I forgot something important. Dylan needs a kite with the wind like this.” He held up a narrow package.

  “Oh.” She fumbled the keys to hide. He couldn’t know she’d hoped he’d changed his mind and wanted to spend the evening with her. She couldn’t lean on Jonathan. Not when she planned to leave and he had no plans to move. Not when he had Jaclyn and Dylan.

  “Are you okay?”

  She couldn’t face him and his concern. He’d seen too much weakness already. She nodded, eyes on her keys. “Have a great time.”

  Jonathan stood a moment longer then nodded. As he stepped away, she glanced up. He didn’t look back as he hurried toward Fort Mackinac. Why did she want him to so much? She grabbed her bike and pushed through the traffic until she could break free and pedal the rest of the way home.

  The balance of the long weekend passed in a flood of tourists and avoidance. She didn’t see Jonathan but didn’t expect to between his picnic and wedding. Instead, she spent any moments not at the studio alone. After her experience with Piper, she couldn’t stomach trying to find people to ask what they remembered about the accident. Not yet. Besides, all the visitors kept residents busy as they made the island memorable. In the tight economy, everyone needed the tourists to come, stay, and return again and again.

  She pasted on a smile when at the studio and tried to settle into a book when home. By Monday night, she tired of moping. Patience Matthews had told her to check in, so she would. Alanna shuffled through the junk drawer for Mom’s address book. After sifting through discarded keys, enough pens to equip Congress, and a
stack of miscellaneous appliance guides, she finally found the thin spiral-bound book. Slipping to the Ms, she found Patience’s number.

  “Mrs. Matthews?”

  “Yes?”

  “This is Alanna Stone.”

  “Have plans for tonight?”

  Alanna looked at the frozen pizza she’d pulled out. “Not really.”

  “Good. Were getting ready to grill a few burgers and brats. Come on over.”

  “Can I bring anything?”

  “Just yourself.”

  Alanna brushed her teeth then grabbed a gallon of lemonade and hopped on her bike. After zigzagging the island on roads most people would never discover, Alanna worked her way along Mackinac to the Matthews’s cabin. A dilapidated hotel stood next to it, looking like the perfect setting for a horror movie or ghost. She bumped across the grass to the porch. After leaning her bike against the rail, she climbed the two stairs. She and Trevor had spent many summer days playing along the beach in front of the house with the Matthews kids. Now they’d left, and the rocky beach held a few kids who tripped into the water then screamed and ran out. Alanna shook her head. Crazy kids. The lake wouldn’t be warm for at least a month. Even then, warm was a relative term.

  The screen door bounced against the wall. “Alanna Stone.” Alanna turned to see Patience approaching her, arms wide open for a hug. She slid into the older woman’s arms and sighed. She felt safe, protected.

  “It’s about time you got over here.”

  “I’ve only been on Mackinac a week.”

  “That’s an eternity, and you know it. How many days did you spend over here growing up? It’s practically your other home.” Patience pulled back and studied Alanna. “You carry the burdens of the world still.”

  “Something like that.”

  “Well, burgers are coming off the grill, so first we eat.”

  Alanna followed Patience around the house to the backyard where a patio table waited adorned with a bucket of early flowers, platter of corn on the cob, and stacks of buns and condiments. The aroma of cooking meat colliding with early lilacs embraced Alanna. She inhaled and felt her muscles relax.