Camera Never Lies (6 page)

My spirits dipped even lower when Mom gave her name. I had to keep reminding myself that she wasn’t guilty. But why did I have to work so hard to believe it? Ranger Jennings nodded when he finished and told us he’d be in contact soon.

He left us sitting in silence. I stared at my plate until Rene’s sniffles became too urgent to ignore. I looked up and was stunned to find her staring at me, her expression cross.

“This whole time you’ve known this was a murder, haven’t you? Why weren’t you up-front with me?” Rene tossed her napkin to the table and ran from the room.

Conrad scooted his chair back and called after her. “Rene…” He looked at me as he stood. “Well, this is just great.” He left in pursuit.

Why was everyone blaming me? I looked from Spencer to Mom, expecting an answer to my unspoken question. Though they’d not voiced an opinion, I assumed we’d all agreed to shelter Rene from the truth for as long as possible.

Mom stood. “Polly, sorry, dear, but my head is killing me.” She gathered her purse. I don’t think she noticed her unintended pun. I watched her until she disappeared through the exit, leaving me.…

Alone with Spencer.

The waiter brought our desserts and discovered that more than half the table had gone.

“If you don’t mind, we’ll eat our dessert, and you can return the others. Sorry, chap.” Spencer gave me his half-dimpled smile.

My heart rate kicked up a notch. On the edge of my mind, I could sense my anxiety rising. Without my camera, I had no hope of controlling it. Migraines were like that. Somewhere in my head I would feel the smallest of throbs, and I knew if I didn’t control it soon with an analgesic, it would take over. But I had no drug for what troubled me now. I tried to conjure Murphy in his tuxedo again to relax but couldn’t even remember what he looked like. Did he have a dark patch on one eye or both?

“I’m not sure I can eat now. Everything is just so…awful.” I stared at the Black Tuxedo Cheesecake on my plate. In my peripheral vision, I could see the rangers approaching tables to share the news. What made me think I could discover the killer on my own?

“On the contrary, Polly. I’ve never known you to turn down cheesecake, and I believe the occasion warrants indulgence.”

Spencer’s cell rang to the hip-hop tune of “I’ve Got the Power.” The song surprised me because it was a little brazen for his tastes, not to mention the fact he actually had cell service—something I’d not managed to achieve since arriving.

He answered then shoved it at me. “For you.”

I mouthed “me?” and took it from him. “This is Polly.”

“You’re going to have to talk some sense into her,” Conrad said. I moved the phone from my ear, feeling as if his growl would include a bite or at least a nip.

After bringing it close again, I answered. “Okay…um, I’ll be right there.”

Spencer stabbed a fork into a piece of his strawberry cake, looking like he’d accepted his fate on a sinking
Titanic
.

I scooted from the table. Rene and Conrad’s troubles were one thing, but Mom would become a person of interest if the rangers discovered her relationship with Alec and her outburst at the Terrace Café. As I looked at the man from my past sitting across from me, I considered that I might not come through this unscathed—I, too, had a relationship with Alec Gordon. Would the authorities discover my hidden ill will toward him?

I could only manage a wan smile as I bade Spencer good evening.

“But Polly, how can you believe we should continue forward with our wedding plans? Even if we did, even if it weren’t a bad omen, how could I ever forget this…this horrible weekend?” Rene broke into tears, her sob-speak tumbling out. “Our wedding should be the memory of a lifetime.”

I put my arms around my friend and soothed her with words of encouragement, much like Mom had done earlier today for me. Rene was right, of course. If they’d been allowed to go about their lives, forgetting about Alec Gordon, then maybe the wedding wouldn’t become soiled with the murder. I wanted to say that if I loved a man like she loved Conrad, I wouldn’t allow anything to get in the way of marrying him. But I knew that comment would draw a sympathetic look from Rene, since she’d always believed Spencer and I were meant to be together.

Instead I said, “I don’t have the answers. But I do know that if we pray about this and earnestly seek God’s leading, we’ll have our answer.”

An inward pang, spiritual in nature, caused me to squeeze my eyes shut. Once again I was dishing out advice that I struggled to follow myself. When I opened my eyes, Rene had closed hers, believing I’d been in prayer. I bowed my head and focused my heart on God, knowing that words spoken out loud affected nothing if they weren’t from the heart.

“Lord, I pray for your direction and guidance in this situation.” I continued for a while, praying for Rene, Conrad, Mom, and the whole murder investigation then paused to allow Rene her words. When our prayers were spent, a gentle, holy peace settled upon me. I looked at Rene and saw she felt it, too. We wiped the tears and hugged.

“I must look a mess,” she said, looking intently at me.

“By the expression on your face, I’m guessing that I’m the one who looks a mess.”

Rene giggled. “Do you remember the time you were putting together that huge casserole for a potluck?”

I stared at the ceiling as if the memory would replay itself like a movie on the white surface.

“Don’t you remember? Conrad and Spence had arrived early to escort us to the bash. You turned just as Conrad came up on you from behind.”

An image of Conrad covered with tomato sauce and noodles appeared in my mind. “The look on his face.”

Rene’s laugh was contagious, and I joined in, relieved, believing she’d overcome all her misgivings.

“Priceless.” We said the word together and laughed hysterically like two young girls who’d become slaphappy over rum punch.

When the laughter died, we were wiping tears of joy.

“I’ve come to a decision,” Rene said.

I could hope, pray, and lead a woman to a wedding, but I couldn’t make her say vows. I held my breath.

“My wedding can still be a wonderful, memorable occasion, despite all these nasty interruptions. Besides, I want to begin making memories with Conrad…as his wife.”

I screamed, and we both jumped up and down. She’d finally come to terms with what had kept her from marrying Conrad—the postponements, the cancellations for trivial reasons—and she would marry the man. I knew it was true. And I knew she couldn’t wait to tell Conrad the news.

The clock revealed it was after midnight. “I can’t believe we’ve been talking for so long. I’d better let you get some sleep.”

Rene smiled. “Thank you, Polly. Conrad didn’t understand how much I needed you. But I think he will now.”

I thought he would, too, and maybe he would even thank me. “Well, what about Conrad? Will you tell him tonight?”

Rene looked at the clock again then the phone. “I’ll call him—keep a little tension and romance in the relationship.”

I left Rene to her phone call and returned to my concern for Mom. But there wasn’t any way I’d disturb her at this late hour and risk waking her. She’d probably taken another sleeping pill. I was wide awake, my mind filled with thoughts of how to discover Alec’s killer.

Though I knew I should return to my room, I headed for the lobby. I’d always wondered about the giant fireplace there. Caldera Lake Lodge rested at over eight thousand feet above sea level, so even the summer nights were cold. Did they keep the flames stoked during the night or allow the fire to die down? My detour would only take a few minutes.

The lobby was quiet except for the crackle of flames. The ambience created by the gentle fire warming and dimly lighting the room caused imaginings of a different life to bubble up. Pleasant feelings engulfed me, and I allowed myself, if only for a moment, to think about what life might have been like had my husband stayed home on that fateful day. Or what life might have been like had Spencer… I jammed my hands into my pockets, killing that thought.

It was one thing for Rene and Conrad to continue with wedding plans, but it was quite another for me to entertain romantic notions about a man who, as far as I was concerned, had spurned me years before.

I had to get serious about my investigation into Alec’s death. With that thought, it occurred to me how careless I’d been. Someone had murdered Alec Gordon, and here I was, meandering around in the middle of the night by myself. It wasn’t smart or safe. But the rangers hadn’t issued any warnings or closed down the hotel, so perhaps they believed only Alec Gordon had been the target. I chose to take the high road of thinking the rest of us were safe. For now.

The cozy, overstuffed chairs, soaked in firelight, called to me. I strolled toward one of them. Two tall chairs faced the fire at an angle, and I approached from behind. A hand unexpectedly dropped from the arm of the chair.

I froze.

Why had I thought I’d be the only one here? Could it be the killer? I took quiet steps until I could see who’d disturbed my own private sitting room.

Spencer!

He’d been part of my imaginings, and there he sat, in the flesh. Something serious had happened, Rene was getting married, and I needed all my faculties about me. Spencer’s presence didn’t suit my purposes. I took one step back, thinking to return to my room before he spotted me.

My, but he was handsome.

A sigh escaped.

Did I do that? Had he heard me?

His head jerked around. “Ah…Polly. You couldn’t sleep either? Or…have you been with Rene all this time?”

I nodded and smiled. “I think the wedding is on again.”

“Yes, but for how long?” He rubbed his chin. Even in the low light, I could see the shadow of stubble.

“You know, I think it’s going to last this time.” I approached the fire to rub my hands. Spencer came to stand beside me. This cozy, romantic atmosphere was probably the worst place for me to be with the man. I had to get a handle on my decade-old feelings for him. He wasn’t the same person I’d known before. I wasn’t the same person.

“I hope you’re right. For our sakes as well,” he said.

We stood side by side, staring at the fire. Once the warmth became too much, I rubbed my neck, thinking I needed to head to bed.

Spencer must have sensed my intentions. He’d always been good at that. “I know it’s late, Polly, but I was hoping we’d have some time to talk.” He motioned for me to sit.

A nervous laugh escaped me. “No time like the present.” I plopped into a chair, feeling tired yet enlivened all the same. I could listen to Spencer’s accent for the rest of the night. Or forever.

Spencer shared delightful tales of his travels to Thailand and other exotic countries. Though I’d not wanted to speak of my past at dinner, his easy ways brought out things long left unsaid. He sounded sincerely sorry when I told him about Brandon’s disappearance. Though sitting with him and reminiscing warmed my heart, at the same time, a sense of dread chased me. All this talk of things gone wrong. I should have learned something by this time.

Spencer pushed deeper into his chair. “Whatever happened to us, Polly?”

I dared to glance at him, afraid my eyes would reveal what I’d not even figured out.
You couldn’t commit to me
. “It was so long ago.”

“Yes, but I’ve missed you. I can’t for the life of me figure out why I let you—”

“Stop… !” I stood and faced him. “There’s no need to go back. We’re here for mutual friends. I hope we can remain on friendly terms as well. It’s been nice discussing the past with you—”

“But?” Spencer raised his left brow.

How could I tell him I didn’t want to get hurt again, that I feared I was already there? I couldn’t form the words, as if my mouth were full of crackers—the white-flour, trans fat kind.

“Before you go, I have a…a confession of sorts.”

Exhaustion began to overwhelm me. Finally. “Is it really necessary? I’m not sure there’s anything you need to confess.” I said the words, yet I sat again and waited.

“The truth is, I arrived here yesterday—a full day before Rene and Conrad.”

What was he trying to say? “Travel to a remote location is hard to manage sometimes. You don’t always arrive when you want to.”

“Polly, that’s not it. I was anxious to see you after all these years. I hoped to catch you before the others arrived.”

Air rushed from my lungs. Probably not the reaction he’d hoped for. I’d spent the day fighting off nuances of romance with him, feeling safe in my belief that we’d both moved on, that he wasn’t interested in me.

But now this.

He’d hurt me.
Hang on to that thought. Remember the pain
.

Spencer scooted to the edge of his chair and rested his elbows on his knees. “I saw you this morning, on the terrace.”

Terrace? Alec Gordon was on the terrace, too. I stiffened.

He shook his head, reading my thoughts again. “I saw you with
him.”

“I can explain.” What was the matter with me? I sounded frightened, like I was guilty.

“I’m afraid I’m the one who needs to explain. I had no right. I know that now. But when I saw the man return to the terrace after your brief encounter with him, I approached him and started a conversation. He told me he was in real estate and gave me his card. I hoped to find out if you were in a relationship with him, or what, if any, was his interest in you.”