Footprints in the Sand (3 page)

Chapter 6

W
henever he had something weighing on his mind, Dan Clemens stole away from his office and went to the turtle tank to spend some time with Hang Tough. The green sea turtle had come to the Mote Marine Lab with a serious head wound and a fishing hook in one eye. Though blinded, the giant turtle thrived now in a floor-to-ceiling viewing tank, fed daily with squid, lettuce, and other vegetables. Officials determined that Hang Tough would be better off living at Mote than being returned to the wild. Meanwhile visitors were given the opportunity to learn about the issues that sea turtles faced.

As Dan watched the turtle glide though the water, he marveled, as he always did. Hang Tough had been in the tank for two decades. For years and years, he floated and dove and climbed and swam, seemingly at peace. He didn’t have to search for food or worry about predators, animal or human. He appeared to be utterly content. But who could really know what went on in Hang Tough’s mind?

“Ouch!” Dan winced as the turtle bumped into the hard wall, his nose bouncing against the side of the tank. “Careful there, big fella.”

Hang Tough turned and swam on, apparently undisturbed. Dan ran his hand through his sun-streaked hair and wished he could take setbacks and bumps in the road of life the way that turtle could.

Dan already had the world’s best job. Working as a marine biologist at Mote was something he’d always dreamed of doing. Growing up in Sarasota, Dan had a permanent tan, and his ash-blond hair was brightened by the sun. He’d been passionate about the Gulf of Mexico and its wildlife and ecosystems since he was a young boy. He had completed the necessary courses in chemistry, zoology, biology, physics, and mathematics and had interned at Mote when he was in college. After graduate school he’d obtained the position he now held.

Mote had also led him to the woman he loved. He met Kathy when she signed up as one of the hundreds of volunteers who patrolled Sarasota’s thirty-five miles of beaches during the sea turtles’ nesting season in May through October. Soon he would marry her.

Dan didn’t want anything to mar the happiness of his wedding day, especially not Shelley Hart’s disappearance. Kathy had been nonchalant at first. Shelley could be a little forgetful about a lunch or dinner date, and she might neglect to call if she was going to be late for work. But by the second day, Kathy had become concerned when repeated phone calls went unanswered. After driving over to Shelley’s condo several times and finding no one there, Kathy was now downright afraid.

Dan didn’t want her to worry about anything this close to the big day. At the same time, if Shelley wasn’t able to be in the wedding party, that was all right with him. He’d always felt funny about the prospect anyway. There was something uncomfortable about having a former girlfriend stand at the altar as you promised to love, honor, and cherish someone else.

Chapter 7

T
he sound of her cell phone woke Piper from her nap. She glanced at the screen. It was her mother.

“Aunt Nora wants us at her place at six,” said Terri. “We’ll meet you in the parking lot a few minutes before that.”

“Why are we driving? It’s close enough to just walk up the beach,” said Piper as she stretched out on the soft sheets.

“I know,” said Terri. “But I have some things I want to take over, and I’m not trudging through the sand like a bedouin.”

Piper glanced at the clock and calculated how long she needed to take a shower, wash her hair, and get ready.

“You guys go ahead,” she said. “I’ll be right behind you.”

“All right,” said Terri. “But please, Piper, don’t start the trip by being late for dinner. It’s disrespectful.”

“Mom. I’m twenty-seven years old.”

Willing herself to get out of bed, Piper was glad to be going to the dinner party. She just wished it were going to be later. She would have loved to grab some more sleep. Feeling tired and not particularly perky, she was determined to rally. This was Kathy’s time, and the last thing Piper wanted to be was a drag.

After a shower and shampoo, she rummaged through her duffel bag and selected a short black skirt and a silk scoop-necked blouse in a blue-and-black paisley print. She pulled her wet hair into a ponytail and put on a pair of dangling silver earrings. After applying a little lip gloss and some mascara, she slipped on a pair of ballet flats. Piper went out the door and down the hall, sliding her cell phone into her pocket.

After she walked through the reception area and out to the patio, she had a decision to make. Turn one way to the sidewalk that would lead down the road to Aunt Nora’s town house or turn the other way and stroll up the beach. Practicality versus beauty. Beauty won. The ballet flats came off.

The sand was powdery and cool beneath her bare feet, and she remembered that Sarasota’s white sands were quartz-based. Even on a blistering day, the sand didn’t get too hot. When Piper reached the water’s edge, she stuck her toes in, then quickly pulled them out again.

“Cold, isn’t it?”

Startled, she spun in the direction of the voice. A tall, athletic-looking guy with dark curly hair was standing behind her. He was wearing a black wet suit and balancing a red kayak on his shoulder. She noticed part of a tattoo peeking out from the cuff of the wet suit. Piper saw his eyes sweep over her body.

“Are you actually going in?” she asked.

“Yeah, I want to squeeze in some exercise before it gets dark.”

Piper watched as the man lowered the kayak onto the sand, his leg and arm muscles rippling beneath the tight-fitting rubber. “I’ve never ridden in a kayak,” she said. “It looks like fun.”

“You should try it sometime,” said the man. “It’s easier and safer than a canoe. And it’s a great way to tour the area. There’s some pretty spectacular scenery and wildlife around here, free for everybody. You’d like it.”

“Maybe I will while I’m here,” said Piper.

“I run the kayak and paddleboard rental place over there,” he said, nodding in the direction of a wooden pavilion farther up the beach. “Stop by and I’ll give you a lesson. You’re vacationing, right?”

“Actually, I’m here for a wedding. I’ve been coming down here for years, though. My aunt lives in one of those condos.” She pointed.

“Oh, yeah? Who’s your aunt?”

“Nora Leeds,” said Piper.

“You’re kidding me.”

Piper smiled. “So that would mean you know her, right?”

“Actually, I know her daughter, Kathy. She’s marrying a good friend of mine, Dan Clemens. In fact, I’m his best man.”

Piper’s eyes widened. “And I’m Kathy’s maid of honor!”

“Whoa! That’s amazing.” The man offered his hand. “I’m Brad. Brad O’Hara.”

“Piper Donovan,” she said. “I guess we’ll be spending some time together this week.”

“All of a sudden, this wedding looks like it’s going to be a lot more fun.” Brad grinned.

Or was it a leer? Though her first inclination was to like a friend of Kathy’s fiancé, Piper felt vaguely uncomfortable as this guy looked at her.

“I suppose you’re on your way to the dinner party,” Brad continued. “I was going to blow it off, but maybe I’ll be able to stop by after all.”

A
s she drew close to the waterfront town house, Piper could see that a crowd was already gathered on the lanai. Cocktails in hand, they were enjoying a breathtaking bright orange sun as it lowered over the horizon. Piper snapped a picture of it with her iPhone.

“There she is,” called Vin. “And not that late after all.”

Piper smiled and kissed everyone she knew on the cheek. She stopped at the florid-faced, middle-aged man standing near the sliding glass door. His hair was cut close to his head, in an effort, Piper suspected, to make him appear more youthful and camouflage the fact that his hairline had receded. He wore obviously expensive clothes, and Piper caught the scent of what she recognized as Obsession as she shook his hand.

“Piper, I want you to meet Walter, my friend,” said Nora. Piper’s aunt wore a brightly flowered caftan and bejeweled high-heeled sandals, and as she said this, she moved closer to the man at her right. She was beaming as she spoke. “Walter recently bought the inn where you and your parents are staying.”

“Nora tells me you’re an actress, Piper. What would I have seen you in?” asked Walter as he held the handshake a little too long.

“I don’t know if you watch soap operas, but I had a recurring role in
A Little Rain Must Fall.
”

“I’m afraid I didn’t catch that.”

Piper thought she heard some condescension in the man’s tone. Or maybe she was just looking for it. It had become a natural reflex to brace herself when she talked about her acting career. Most people were eager to inquire about it, but very few understood what the industry was really like. Even after five years of actively pursuing her career, Piper constantly found herself confronted by the realities of a life in show business. She had decided that most people fell into one of two categories: those who thought acting was wonderful and applauded her for her efforts and those who thought she should get a real job. To the latter group, acting, unless at the highest-paying, household-name levels, wasn’t a legitimate way to make a living.

She was hoping that Walter Engel wasn’t going to be a member of the second group. Piper wanted to like the man her aunt seemed so happy about. Nora
had
been alone for a long time, and Piper thought it would be great for her to have somebody to love.

She tried again. “Actually, I just shot a dog-food commercial that will start airing next month.”

“Great,” said Walter. “I’m going to watch for that.”

He seemed genuine enough this time, but Piper desperately wanted to change the subject to something other than herself.

“Anyway, I love my room at your inn,” she said. “That little private garden with the pool is awesome.”

“You like that, do you?” asked Walter. “I hope we can keep it.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re going to be expanding, and since that room and garden is at the very end of the building, it might have to be knocked out so we can build on from there. Right now I’m waiting to see the architect’s plans.”

“Oh, no, you can’t do that!” Piper protested. “It’s so great the way it is.”

She felt an arm wrap around her shoulder. It was her cousin.

“Hey, Pipe, you aren’t telling my boss what to do, are you? Enough, now,” said Kathy, smiling. “I want you to meet Dr. Robbins and his wife, Umiko. Dr. Robbins took good care of Daddy before he died. They have become such good friends of our family. And I want to introduce you to Isaac Goode, our wedding planner.”

As Piper let her cousin steal her away, she heard the doorbell ring. She looked up to see Brad O’Hara standing at the door. He had obviously decided to skip his kayak ride.

Chapter 8

M
iriam took the tray of cheese puffs out of the oven and slid a glass casserole dish into its place. With a spatula she transferred the canapés to the silver serving piece she had polished for Mrs. Leeds the day before. With the wedding fast approaching, Mrs. Leeds had several hours of work for her to do every day. Miriam was glad to juggle her schedule to accommodate her favorite employer.

Before going out to the living room to pass the hors d’oeuvres, Miriam measured out the appropriate amount of water to cook the rice and set it to boil. As she put the lid on the pot, she sensed somebody else in the kitchen.

“Hello, Miriam.”

Immediately recognizing the voice, she didn’t turn around.

“You’re looking well,” he said. “I was watching inside as you served everyone. You do a very nice job. If you ever need work, just give me a call. I can always use somebody like you.”

Miriam adjusted her apron as she tried to ignore Isaac.

He reached out and gently took hold of her forearm. “Come on, Miriam,” he pleaded. “This is ridiculous. Your brother understands. Why can’t you?”

She pulled her arm away and twisted around to face him. “I know that Levi sees you, Isaac, even though he should not. I do not say a word, but I cannot have anything to do with you, and you know it. You made your decision, and now you have to live with the consequences.”

Isaac took a step back, stung by the vehemence in her voice. He let out a long, deep sigh as his facial expression grew dark. Then, as he stood there, he felt a sense of growing rage.

“That’s just crazy, Miriam,” he whispered angrily, his clenched fist coming down firmly on the counter. “I’m your uncle, your flesh and blood. We have the same color hair, the same dark eyes, the same dimples, and the same crooked bottom teeth. We were raised with the same Amish values. The only thing I did was follow my own conscience. For that I have to be punished for the rest of my life?”

“You know the rules, Uncle Isaac.”

“The rules are antiquated and inhumane.”

“You see it as you will. But just because Levi has taken pity on you, do not look for that from me. Levi is too soft for his own good.” She picked up the serving platter and walked right past him and out of the kitchen.

Isaac stood there, staring after her. “I know he is,” he said quietly. “I know he is.”

Chapter 9

D
uring the buffet dinner of sweet-and-sour chicken, saffron rice, and asparagus, the conversation was upbeat. Talk centered on wedding plans and festivities. Tomorrow Kathy and Piper were going downtown for dress fittings, and Nora had theater tickets. Wednesday there would be a cruise and a picnic on Sarasota Bay. Thursday a trip to Jungle Gardens was scheduled, and Terri and Piper would bake the wedding cake. The decorating would be done on Friday. Dan’s parents were hosting a rehearsal dinner that evening, the night before the wedding.

“Although Isaac would have you think otherwise, there isn’t much to rehearse,” said Dan. “We simply want to stand on the beach Saturday morning near the turtle nests at the hour we first met and say our vows to each other.” He took his fiancée’s hand and brought it to his lips.

“I think that’s so romantic, isn’t it? If it weren’t for those sea turtles coming up and laying their eggs in the sand, you two might never have connected,” said Piper. “Destiny.”

Her father frowned and shook his head. “I’d call it a coincidence. Totally random.”

“I don’t know about that, Uncle Vin,” said Kathy. “When you think about the fact that the mother sea turtles, after traveling the oceans of the world for twenty or thirty years, return in the middle of the night to lay their eggs on the very beach where they themselves were hatched, you’ve got to believe in some sort of cosmic plan. It’s a miracle that all those years later, the turtles can remember and find those beaches. That’s no coincidence. I like to think that Dan and I were destined to meet, that the turtles were the instruments that brought us together.”

“Exactly.” Piper sighed. “It’s so romantic.”

Vin shrugged, his attention diverted by the pies that the young Amish woman placed on the buffet table.

“Thank you, Miriam,” said Nora. “Come have some pie from Fisher’s, everyone. Except for the key lime pie, Vin.
I
made that one especially for you. I know how much you love it.”

“Yours is the best I’ve ever had, Nora.”

“And it’s the easiest thing to make, too,” said Nora as she sliced into the pie. “I got the recipe years ago from a magazine. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve made it. Walter loves it, too.”

Kathy put her hand up. “None for me.”

Piper had noticed that her cousin hadn’t eaten much of her dinner either. “Do you feel okay, Kath?” she asked.

“I’m fine,” said Kathy softly. “I just wish I knew where Shelley was. I’m so worried about her.”

“I checked with the sheriff’s department again before I came over here,” said Walter. “They said they’ve issued a missing-persons alert for her, but nothing so far. They said that odds are she’ll turn up.”

Vin sat up straighter. “What’s all this about?” he asked, his years as a New York cop kicking into gear.

“Shelley is a friend of Kathy’s,” Piper explained. “Kathy hasn’t been able to reach her for the last few days.”

“And she hasn’t come in to work either,” Walter added. “I’m really feeling it. I depend on her for so much.”

Tears of frustration welled in Kathy’s eyes. “I just don’t think the police are paying enough attention. They don’t seem to take this seriously. I’m really worried about what’s happened to her. Not to mention she’s supposed to be in our wedding in a few days.”

“Was her car gone?” asked Vin. “Were her purse and keys left in her house?”

“Her car, purse, and keys weren’t there,” said Kathy.

“Well,” said Vin, “that could indicate she left of her own volition. Unless there’s evidence of foul play, the cops aren’t going to get too excited. They’ll take the report and maybe put a description of the car in the National Crime Information Center database, but it doesn’t mean they’re going to roll out a team and start interviewing all the neighbors and acquaintances. The report will sit in a file, and you might get a couple of calls asking if she’s come home yet, but that’s about it. They figure an adult is allowed to come and go as she pleases.”

“I don’t care,” said Kathy, pushing back her chair. “I’m calling the sheriff again.”

When her daughter had left the room, Nora spoke in a low voice. “Roz Golubock told me something this afternoon,” she said. “Something I haven’t shared with Kathy, because she’s already so upset.”

The other guests leaned forward.

“What? What did she say?” asked Dan. “Kathy doesn’t need one more thing right now.”

“I know,” said Nora. “But Roz told me she saw a man carrying something into the vegetation at the end of the property a few nights ago.”

“Carrying what?” asked Vin sharply.

“Roz wasn’t absolutely sure, but she thought it could have been a woman’s body.”

No one spoke as the group digested the information.

Finally Dr. Robbins broke the silence. “Forgive me, Nora, but Roz is eighty-seven years old and her eyesight isn’t always the best,” he said. “I’m not saying she didn’t see something. I’m just inclined to take her report with a grain of salt.”

“All the same,” said Vin, “the police should be informed.”

W
hen she returned, Kathy’s face was pale, and she was trembling as she sat down at the table.

“What?” asked Dan, taking hold of her arm. “What did they say?”

“Shelley’s car.” Kathy’s voice cracked. “The police found her car at the Sarasota Square Mall. There was blood on the seat. And they asked about Shelley’s next of kin. All of a sudden, they’re paying attention.”