Coming Home (Norris Lake Series) (27 page)

“He’s quite an interesting guy, your husband.”

“He’s an asshole at times.” 

“Yes I could see that.  He’s clearly an asshole and even more clearly loves you.”

“I don’t believe you.  Dominic is totally absorbed in Dominic and I am just a means to an end.  He only loves himself.  It will always be that way.  He can’t change.  What you are hearing is the used car salesman selling you a story.  It would be in my best interest to stay away from him.  Going back would be the second worst mistake of my life.” 

“What was the first?”

“Marrying him,” she said as she walked away.

They’d just finished a homemade fried apple pie each when Caitlyn, Jesse and Stephen saw a familiar face in the crowd.  A redhead in a uniform strode towards them.  “Well seeing you three together is a surprise.  A professor, a writer and an entrepreneur. It’s scary to think what you three have in common?”

“We don’t know yet but we are going to keep on looking to find out what it is.” Jesse said.  “I can assure you on a day like today, we’re not into law breaking, just sunshine and fried pies.” 

Ben smiled. “Jesse, can you and Stephen give Caitlyn and me a minute?”

Jesse nodded.  “Hey handsome why don’t you buy me an apple cider?” She took Stephen’s elbow in her hand and tugged him away.

“Caitlyn, how are you and your dad?”  Ben inquired as they took a seat on a wooden bench.

“We’re doing fine.  I haven’t seen you around much.  Is there something I should know?”

“Caitlyn, I just wanted to clear the air between us.  That night we shared  was beautiful; something I’d dreamt of but it can’t work between us right now.  We’re friends and I treasure that but we need distance until we resolve these problems.  I am too close and can’t see what’s important.  We should let the rest lie for the moment. Life’s too complicated to take it anywhere else at the moment for you and for me both.  I do care about you and want to keep you safe.  I don’t trust this Stephen.  You shouldn’t either.”

“I know you have my best interests at heart.  I love you for that.”  She held his hand.  “You are my friend.  I treasure that too.  Don’t worry about Stephen.  I am getting to know him.  You’ve heard the old adage “keep your friends close and your enemies closer”?  At least with him here in my sight, I know what he’s up to.”

“Cat, I have some more news that will be hard to take,” Ben paused. “We found some of Michael’s clothing and his watch at Jenny’s murder scene.  We don’t have enough to press charges, but have started proceedings for a warrant for his DNA. If they match our evidence…well, you may find this hard to believe, but he may be our killer.”

“Ben, that’s impossible. It can’t be Michael.  I just know it.” 

She stood, pulling him to his feet.  They watched Jesse and Stephen coming back towards them. 

“What is it about them?” Ben asked. “Why do they seem so familiar to me?” he mused out loud?

“You know I was just thinking the same thing.  They look like they belong together.” Caitlyn said.

“It’s not the looks but rather the way they carry themselves and bend together to look at the pottery in that booth.  It’s just another puzzle these days.” Caitlyn and Ben  walked over to Stephen and Jesse.

“So, y’all.  I have to be going,” Stephen said.  “Caitlyn, you take care of my girl.”  He squeeze Jesse’s hand and walked away.

“I’ll go with you,” Ben chimed.  “There’s something I want ask you.  Ladies,” he bowed, “have a pleasant afternoon and try not to get into any trouble.”

Stephen and Ben walked toward Ben’s squad car deep in conversation.

“You have a nice young man there”.  Jesse said 

“Ben or Stephen?” Caitlyn inquired.

“Stephen.”

“He’s not mine. He seems to be yours. In fact, now that I think about it, you favor one another.  Did you have any children?”

“Oh, child. I wish. Come, let’s sit for a moment.  My feet are tired already and this topic makes me teary,” pulling Caitlyn towards a bench; they sat and Jesse leaned towards her as if taking her into a confidence.  “I had a child a life time ago.  It must have been at least 30 years hence.  He’d be about your age now.  I was but a child when I had him, barely old enough to bear a young one, just twelve.  I was a child with a child. I was sent away to live with relatives in another state so I didn’t bring shame on my parents. They were very proud and very religious. No one in my hometown even knew that I was pregnant.”

She looked off in the distance for a moment and paused. “ I never saw the baby even when it was born. My parents took the child from the midwife that day and raised it with the story that the baby was theirs.  If the child had stayed with me, it would have been a bastard.  With them it was their legitimate child.  I never saw my parents again.”  My father disowned me for getting pregnant and made sure I knew that I wasn’t welcome back. 

“That’s awful. But what about hospital records?”

“Oh, child.  They didn’t have formal hospital records in those days. There were midwives not doctors.  A hospital was a luxury not a requirement.  There were no social security numbers.  You had a baby not a statistic.  If you were lucky the church made a notation of the birth and that was it. The sad thing is that I can’t say I loved my child.  I never knew him or her, but I know that child grew up in these parts many years ago.  Maybe someday I will get lucky and find him.”

“You know, I heard once that Stephen was adopted.  I don’t know the details but we could talk to the townsfolk.  I barely knew Stephen growing up. You can’t tell how hard it was on him. He has changed his looks over the years, but originally he was blonde and had beautiful light eyes.  The kids used to tease him for it and call him a freak. He wore hearing aids.  They were bulky back then.  Now you can’t even tell he has them on.” 

“Oh, Caitlyn, if it could be that easy.  He’s a beautiful young man.  There’s no chance that he’s mine.  I would feel it when I saw him and know it in my heart.  I will just have to keep looking. Maybe I’ll make that a part of my research.  But, let’s not let my emotions spoil our day.  Come one honey, I am still hungry for one of those deep fried apple pies.”

Across the park, Ben leaned into his cruiser and pulled out a brown file folder.  Flipping it open, he read out loud.  “Stephen Kane, adopted by John and Marie Kane.  One sister, Beth, and one brother, Jeremy.  No current warrants, but a long juvenile history of misdemeanors, felonies and jail time.  You spent 2 years in Lakeshore Mental Hospital after a suicide attempt.  Stop me if I get any of this wrong,” Ben said staring sternly at Stephen.

“No go ahead.  This is most interesting.” Stephen tapped out a thin brown cigar and lit it, blowing smoke in Ben’s direction.

“Let’s see, possession with intent to distribute, breaking and entering, car theft, and burglary.  Five years inside and parole for three years.  Straightened up after a year in a halfway house and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Vanderbilt on a scholarship.  Worked part-time throughout school at a law firm where one of the partners took an interest in you and helped you with a law degree.  Now you are an entrepreneur, an investment banker, and a philanthropist, when it suits your needs.  Owner of Kane Enterprises, net worth in the millions, but lots of contacts in low places.  You are the number two suspect in my book for the attack on Caitlyn and her father.  If I find you were involved, I will bury you.”   Ben climbed into the cruiser and started the engine.  Stephen leaned one hand on the roof of the vehicle his other hand cocked arrogantly on one hip.

“You’ve missed some pieces in there but it’s mostly correct. Your point is, Mr. Lawman?”

“
Nowhere in this folder is an answer to why you returned to Norris right now and what your interest is in Caitlyn.”

“Caitlyn and I are renewing a connection we made at UT long ago. She’s a sweet piece and I intend on taking another taste.  Even if you have an interest in her, you’d do best by stepping aside.  She wants me.  You’ve seen that.  She left her husband for me. Even if you had a chance, she deserves better than the poverty of a small town sheriff.”

Ben’s blood boiled beneath the surface, a volcano threatening to erupt. “I differ.  You are interested in Caitlyn to get her to sell or use her in some way to get back at her father and brother.  You are just using her.  I can’t stop her from doing what she wants but I can warn you that I will protect her any way I see fit.”

“Mr. Lawman, you have certain lines you can’t step over and I have enough money to blur any lines that stand in my way.”

“That’s true, I have boundaries, but don’t try me. I am not as limited as you might think and if I find out you are the one threatening Caitlyn, they won’t find your body and I should know because I am the law.  Just to let you know…you just made it in my list as suspect number one.”

Chapter 27

The next morning in the lake house, sunlight streamed over the bedcovers painting a beautiful design of light and shadow across the sleeping figures.  As the sun crept up over the tree tops and into the clear blue sky, one of the figures awoke.  She rolled on to her back stretching all four legs straight up in the air for a moment and then scrambled up on her feet.  She jumped up onto the other form and shoved her head between the woman’s chin and shoulder licking her master’s face furiously. 

"Patty.  No.  Go back to sleep." Caitlyn moaned trying to fight off the little dog’s persistent tongue.  Pattycake redoubled her efforts, barking and licking Caitlyn until she could ignore it no more. 

"Oh, okay.  I’m up.  I’m up,” she said swinging her legs over the side of the bed and setting her feet on the hardwood floor.  "Oh man the floor is cold". She rubbed her eyes and started to pull on the sweat suit that she had set out the night before.  She had promised herself that this morning she would begin her running routine.  It had been a while since she had exercised but knew that it was important if she were going to be able to stay in a size 7 pair of jeans.  That and it always made her feel better if she started the day with some time outside.  Pulling the sweat pants up over her hips she grimaced and looked in the full length mirror on the closet door. 

"Patty, can you see this?" Caitlyn said pointing at the mirror.  "My sweats are getting too small.  Boy I sure needed to start some exercise.  I hope it’s not too late."  She stood sideways in the mirror looking at her rounded stomach patted it a few times and pulled her blue sweat shirt down over the area.  She shook her head and pulled on her Nikes. 

"Come on let’s go" she said as she trotted down the steps and out the front door.  "Which way?" she asked the little black dog which pulled on her extendable leash and bounced around at her ankles.  Patty started off towards the trail which ran
alongside the lake connecting all of the houses located in the area. 

"Okay, wait for me," she called and ran off after her dog.  They ran along the trail.  It could hardly be called a trail, in reality.  The path was bordered with railroad ties and filled with pea gravel.  The pathway was surrounded on both sides by huge pines, maples and oaks, with mountain laurel bushes mixed in.  Pine needles and leaves filled the forest floor like a brown carpet.  The trees were spaced so that you could see houses every now and then each built to merge with the surrounding forest.  Many of the houses looked empty, as summer, lake houses often are in the off months. 

A cool breeze blew in from the lake, the clear green blue water lapping quietly against the rocky shore.  There were no sounds except the lapping of the water, the humming of katydids and an occasional bird song.   Along the sides of the trail, every 500 feet or so, were exercise stops with parallel bars or sit up benches.  A sign marked off the distance at mile intervals.  After about two miles at a jog, Caitlyn pulled Pattycake to a halt. 

"We’re going to have to walk, Patty.  I am just too out of shape to go any farther,"  Caitlyn said panting and wiping the sweat from her face with the sleeve of her shirt.   She hadn’t seen anyone yet and felt as if she were the only one alive in the whole world at the moment.  They walked along the path for a while stopping every few minutes to let Patty investigate a new odor or bark at a fleeing squirrel.  The smell of woodsmoke filled the cool crisp air and she looked up through the woods at a smaller log house which had smoke coming from its chimney.  She took a deep breath and smiled.  She loved the sounds and smells of fall. 

"Bark.  Bark.  Bark."  Patty started barking and whining as she pulled at her leash. 

"What is it?  Another Mario Andretti squirrel that you can’t catch?"  Caitlyn said holding fast to the leash.  Patty continued to pull against the leash insisting that they go look at a wooded area close to the water. 

"Okay. This time we’ll look.  But don’t you get mad at me if it is some big blue heron or a Canadian goose that chases you."  Caitlyn leaned down and unsnapped Patty’s leash.  The little dog took off like a streak towards the water with Caitlyn striding after her.  Patty disappeared over the edge of the bank out of site. 

"Patty. Patty.  Come here."  The little dog did not reappear.  "Where did you go?"  Caitlyn said anxiously.  Patty’s barking grew louder and more frantic.  As Caitlyn topped the rise and looked over the bank, she saw Patty barking at the form of a person.  Caitlyn had never seen a body before but had seen enough Mel Gibson movies to realize that the person was dead.

There was a piercing scream.  Only then did she realize that it was her screaming.  Her heart was pounding a mile a minute and she was starting to feel light headed.  “Get a grip on yourself, Caitlyn.  You’re acting like a scared little girl,” she admonished herself.

"Pattycake.  Come here, now!" she shouted sternly.  Patty continued to bark.  "Oh you bad dog.  Don’t make me have to come and get you.  Not this time,"  Caitlyn snarled reluctant to leave her spot and retrieve the dog.  Patty ran around the side of the log where the figure lay wedged and started growling. 

"Oh my God," Caitlyn said shaking her head.  Now she was going to have to get even closer.  She walked up to the half nude body and forced herself to look at the person’s face.  The body lay face down its head turned to one side half of the body was wedged in a tangle of logs and other branches that must have washed up against the shore.  She couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman, but it looked to be a young person.  It also looked as if it had been bitten or torn at.  Probably by turtles or some other big fish, she thought to herself. 

Once she had tied a stringer of blue gill to a dock and forgotten them there overnight.  The next day only a few of the fish were still alive.  Most of them had been eaten from the tail forward, leaving the head still attached to the string.  Her dad had told her that the turtles ate them.  She knew the big snapping turtles in the lake could grow to be over 30 years old and weigh almost 50 pounds. 

She walked around the brush and picked Patty up.  Holding the dog securely she snapped her leash back on and carried her back towards the edge of the bank and set her down.  Looking back at the poor soul, she wondered who it was and knew that she had better go call the police.  Her heart still thumping wildly in her chest, time started moving in slow motion.  Her mind was clear about her next step but that was as far as it went. 

Caitlyn ran down the trail towards the last house
that she had passed.  Pounding up the drive, she noticed a patrol car parked next to a sporty red Camaro.  She was in luck, she thought to herself as she knocked on the back door.  Someone from the sheriff’s department must already live here.

"Don’t wander away Patty," she called to the little dog ‘come here".  As she leaned down to pick up the dog, the door opened.  A pair of bare feet greeted her.  She followed the feet up past a pair of hairy legs to a
well-muscled chest covered in curly red hair.  Her face flushed as she recognized the man’s face, her gaze returning to his midriff, where a cheap white towel barely covered his privates. 

"You need something? he grumbled obviously cranky at  being awakened so early in the morning. 

"Yes," she choked out the words "I found a body down by the water."  In that moment she saw the something hard in his eyes. “What’s going on, Ben?” 

“You tell me.  I had a talk with your friend Stephen yesterday. You two seem to have something going there.  Well you’re not the only one who has found another lover.  I am busy here.”

"Hey baby, you coming back to bed?" a female voice called from inside the house.  "Right there, Deann" he answered.  

“What are you talking about?”  What nonsense has that asshole Stephen been saying to you?

“He’s why you moved back here.  You left your husband for him.  He told me all about it.”

“Yes.  That’s right.”  She stopped cold.  A flood of anger washed over her.

"So are you going to call it in?" 

"Yeah, I’ll do it,” he said "Anything else?" 

"Yes," she replied "Once you have yourself together come and talk to me."  A woman appeared at his side beautiful blonde hair cut in a stylish inverted bob.  She clasped her arm around his naked waist in a familiar gesture.

"Baby, I’m cold," she purred throwing a cutting glance toward Caitlyn.  With a feline grace she rubbed her sheet wrapped body against his back enticing him away from the door. 

"Are you going to check it out or should I give someone else a call? Caitlyn asked. 

"I told you. I’ll take care of it," he replied slamming the door in her face. 

She turned rage swelling through her veins to where she thought she would burst. “What the hell did I do to deserve that?”  She whispered to herself.  Patty in her arms, she ran down the trail back towards the lake house.  Her breath coming gasps, Caitlyn finally stopped and set Patty down.  The little dog sat heavily on the ground staring up at her master as if she had lost her mind. 

"Oh I know… it was a stupid thing to do.  I feel like a moron and I’m going to give Stephen a piece of my mind…or maybe a lot more…" she panted trying to catch her breath.  The sight of the deputy filled her mind as she walked the rest of the way home.  

A black man in his late forties dressed in dark jeans, a blue button down shirt with sleeves rolled up stooped down to examine the body that had just been pulled out of the water and lay partially in a black plastic bag on the ground on the lake’s moss covered bank. It was a cleared area about thirty-foot wide with a natural trail used by fishermen. Looking in each direction left and right the trees and brush came down to the water allowing minimal access. Two uniformed officers stood in hipwaders and removed their rubber gloves dropping them into a flat bottom metal boat. The body had been in water shallow enough for retrieval but deep enough to warrant an additional look along the bank. 

“You two take the boat up and down the bank about 500 yards in each direction,” Ben said pointing north to his two deputies.

“What are we looking for sheriff?” one of the deputies asked.

“Anything that looks suspicious, now get going and stay together just in case.”

They looked at one another, climbed into the skiff and used the trolling motor to move up to the bank.  He and the coroner watched them move away and then turned back to the task at hand.

“Do you recognize this guy, Brian?” Sheriff O’Donnell asked the coroner. 

“No.  He’s no one I know, but I am relatively new to the area.”

Brian, his hands enclosed in plastic gloves, rolled the body to its side with one hand and dug into the back pocket of the body’s jean pocket.  “Here’s a wallet.”  Flipping it open, he looked at the license.  “The id says Michael Tarlington. The address is local.  It says he’s from Norris, Tennessee.”

“I know him and that’s not Michael.  I am just guessing but I was reading through a file recently on the death or disappearance of Beth Kane.  I think this might be one of the kids on the house boat that night.  Can you tell me a time or cause of death?”

“I would say he’s been in the water at about 24 hours. That’s all I will commit to right now. You’ll have to wait until I get him back to the lab before I give you any more details.  But, I’ll get on it right away.” Brian zipped the bag shut and then stood peeling off his gloves and tucking them into his hip pocket. He crossed his arms and stared a moment at the body bag.  “Sheriff, you have quite a crime wave going on here.  First the disappearances, then a fire, a car chase, and now a dead body.  I left the city for the peace and quiet of country life.  I’ll tell you what. This ain’t it.”

“I would have to agree with you, Brian.  Come on, take an end. Let’s get this guy back to your lab, so you can get me some help in stopping the crime wave before it turns into a tsunami.”