Murder on the Hoof: A Mystery (Colleen McCabe Series) (11 page)

She’s got to be kidding, Colleen thought.

“It wouldn’t be for long. I know you’re busy. I’d just like to get a sense of what you do here.”

“I’m sorry,” Colleen said, really not wanting to spend any time with Bill’s ex. “Why, exactly, do you want to do that?”

“It’s for the film.”

“Yes, I got that. Are you playing a firefighter?”

Hayley giggled. The rest of the room joined the soap star. Colleen raised her brow. “What’s so funny about that?”

Hayley collected herself. “I apologize. It’s just that, well, nobody would ever consider me for such a role.”

The guys muttered agreement. Colleen felt her ears getting hot.

“And why is that?” she asked, an edge in her tone.

“I meant no offense. I’d love to play a firefighter, but the scripts my agent gets are for divas and seductive ex-wives.”

“Which one are you?”

“What?”

“Which one are you playing? Diva or ex?” She felt her pulse quicken and realized she was doing a lousy job of hiding her emotions. The air filled with tension. Her guys looked around, nervous.

“Fugitive witness,” Hayley said with a smile.

“So why do you need to follow me?” Colleen asked, now more confused than angry.

“Because my character becomes involved with one of the firefighters and later gets pulled into an arson investigation. Oh, I know it’s probably unnecessary for most actors, but I’m a little obsessive when it comes to research. I think it would help me to understand the world of my romantic interest. So … what time should I have Jason drop me off?”

As much as Colleen hated the idea of spending time with Bill’s ex, she couldn’t think of a good reason why she shouldn’t help the actress, and she was too tired to think up a good excuse. “How does eight-thirty work for you?”

“Wow. You start early around here.”

Take that time or leave it, she thought. She wasn’t going to adjust her schedule, no matter how famous the actress was.

“Eight-thirty it is,” Hayley said with a nod. “Well, I won’t take up any more of your time. Have a good evening, everyone.”

And with that, Hayley was gone as quickly as she had come. The room was instantly humming with comments about how great Hayley looked, how funny it had been that Colleen thought she’d be offered a firefighter role, and how if Colleen wanted any help showing Hayley around, they’d all be more than happy to oblige. She resisted the urge to scream and instead grabbed the keys for the official chief’s vehicle from a hook on the wall and left the men talking among themselves. The station door closed behind her. A second later, the door opened again and Jimmy was at her side.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine. It’s been a long day,” she said, reaching the vehicle and unlocking the door. “But thanks for asking.” She slid into the vehicle, slammed the door shut, and started the engine.

“See you in the morning,” he said.

“Eight-thirty,” she said with a little salute, and pulled from the station’s lot.

Chapter 9

“The wind of heaven
is that which blows between a horse’s ears,” Hayley said while gazing at a harem of wild horses from the passenger seat of Colleen’s SUV.

Colleen steered the vehicle around a water-filled pool in the middle of the undeveloped road and stole a puzzled glance at her companion.

“It’s an Arabian proverb,” Hayley said by way of explanation.

With pretty comments like that, the actress was certainly making it hard to dislike her and making Colleen’s mission more difficult. When Hayley had reported to the station, Colleen had decided to make the experience as unpleasant as possible so that today would be her first and last day of shadowing. A trip through the rough terrain of the Carova area was just the ticket. But as soon as they had entered the northernmost beach community, Hayley had spotted a stallion with his harem, manes blowing softly in the breeze, and was charmed.

Hayley had wanted to leave the SUV to see the horses and Colleen had been forced to explain how the horses were truly wild and that it was against the law to feed or be within fifty feet of them. Their wildness captivated the actress, and the trip had only succeeded in making her want to see more. It was then that Colleen had decided to really give Hayley a ride she wouldn’t forget and had headed into rougher terrain. They had been driving up, over, down, and around the Carova dunes now for almost an hour.

“So why are we up in this area again?” Hayley asked, clutching the handle above the passenger window and trying her best to keep from bouncing around the front seat as the vehicle rocked back and forth.

“I promised the Carova chief I’d do a pass through while he’s gone this week.”

The vehicle swayed right and left as she expertly navigated through the dunes. A four-wheel-drive vehicle was the only way to access this community situated north of Corolla and adjacent to the North Carolina–Virginia line, and that’s just the way the residents liked it. The year-round inhabitants were a mix of artists, sportsmen, misfits, lifelong islanders, recluses, survivalists, and eccentrics. The residents numbered a couple hundred during the off-season, but the population swelled to well over three thousand in the summer months. The people who lived here shared the land with Corolla’s wild horses, sea turtles, the endangered piping plover, duck hunters, and fisherman—at times, not so happily.

Truth be told, Colleen didn’t have to make the rounds today. She had actually planned on swinging through the community later in the week, but if Hayley wanted a taste of the Outer Banks, Carova would do nicely. She slowed to allow one of the privately run oversized safari-type horse-tour vehicles to pass. Sparky pushed his head through the back window to catch a whiff of their scent. She waved at the guide and imagined Myrtle frowning with disapproval. The Lighthouse Wild Horse Preservation Society also offered tours, but with a patrol specialist or herd manager, and was the only official authority on the horses. Myrtle and Nellie sometimes took issue with what they perceived to be inaccurate information given by the private tour guides. Plus, unlike with the other tours, all money paid for the society’s tours went toward the preservation of the horses and their habitat.

“So, how are you liking Corolla?” Colleen asked, and tilted the vehicle sideways around a pool of water between two dunes.

“It’s nice,” Hayley said, adjusting the air-conditioning so that it blew on her face.

“You ever been here before?”

“No.”

“Really,” Colleen said. “I heard you had friends down here.”

She felt Hayley’s eyes on her but kept her face blank and her eyes fixed straight ahead.

“Did Billy tell you that?” the actress asked.

“Billy?”

“Bill Dorman. The sheriff. Once upon a time, we were engaged.”

Colleen steered the vehicle over a divot, and Hayley let out a small cry as she bumped against the door. Sparky thumped on the backseat. “Sorry,” she said. “These roads are pretty inhospitable if you’re not used to them.”

“So are the people,” Hayley said quietly.

There it was—out in the open—confirmation that not only had Bill been in a relationship with Hayley but at one point in time he had wanted to marry her. She felt sick to her stomach and, even though she knew it was unkind, couldn’t help but take comfort in seeing that Hayley, too, seemed to be feeling queasy. The unimproved back roads of Carova were known to do that, especially to people who had a tendency to be motion-sick.

They drove in silence, and Colleen soon lost track of exactly where she was going. Her mind was too busy thinking about Bill and Hayley—engaged. How long ago was this? Did they live together? Who had ended it … and why?

“Chief McCabe,” Hayley said in a weak tone. “I think I need to stop and get some fresh air.”

The actress was pale and sweat dotted her forehead. Colleen peeked in the rearview mirror and saw Sparky let out several yawns, a telltale sign that he, too, was feeling nauseous. She felt a wave of guilt wash over her. “There’s a house over this dune where one of my guys lives. We can stop there.”

Hayley breathed in deeply and closed her eyes. Colleen prayed neither Sparky nor the actress would get sick in her vehicle. It would serve you right if they did, she thought. She crested the dune, steered the vehicle into the sandy driveway of a modest wooden beach house, and threw the gear into park. Hayley leaped from the vehicle and inhaled a deep breath of fresh ocean air. Sparky wiggled to the front seat and out the open passenger door. Shame on you, Colleen scolded herself, and exited the SUV.

“One of my guys lives here with his girlfriend,” she said, joining Hayley and Sparky. “Let’s see if we can’t get you two some cold water.”

“I’d be most grateful,” Hayley said with sincerity.

She hadn’t been to Chip’s home since he had started dating Fawn, and as the three made their way to the house, she noted several new additions to his yard decor. Statues of deer, rabbits, and several chipmunks had been carefully arranged in the sand lining the drive. Each animal’s head wore a wreath of brightly colored fake flowers. Sea glass wind chimes tinkled brightly in the breeze. They climbed the stairs, and Colleen detected the faint fragrance of jasmine. Sparky’s nostrils flared, also picking up the scent.

The group reached the top of the stairs and approached the door. “Hello,” Colleen called in through the screen, not wanting to startle Fawn.

A moment later, Fawn appeared, wearing a diaphanous yellow-and-blue maxidress. “Chief McCabe,” she said, and opened the screen door. “If you’re looking for Chip, he’s already at the station.”

“Yes, I know. I was wondering if we might trouble you for a glass of water. Ms. Thorpe and Sparky aren’t feeling well.”

Fawn noticed Hayley, and her eyes widened in awe. Here we go again, Colleen thought.

“Hayley Thorpe. I can’t believe it’s you. At my house. On my porch,” Fawn bubbled.

Hayley flashed her a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you. What’s your name?”

“Fawn Harkins. Oh, Ms. Thorpe, I grew up with you. You’re why I’m acting.”

“That’s sweet of you to say,” Hayley said, causing Fawn’s eyes to well with tears of joy.

Colleen had to hand it to Hayley: She was amazingly gracious with her fans. The actress had a way of interacting with people that made them feel special and mutually adored. If there was a gene for that, Colleen knew she didn’t have it.

“Would you mind getting Ms. Thorpe some water?” she asked. “She’s not feeling well after riding through the dunes.”

“I’d be honored,” Fawn said, and held open the screen door.

“And a bowl for Sparky would be great, too,” she added, entering behind Fawn and Hayley.

Fawn scurried to the kitchen. “I have specially filtered water, Ms. Thorpe.”

“Don’t trouble yourself. Tap will be fine.” Colleen caught Hayley’s eye and shook her head, warning her off the tap water. “On second thought, filtered water sounds delightful.”

Fawn busied herself finding glasses and pouring the water. “Would you like me to add some grapefruit oil?” she asked.

“Plain water will be perfect.”

Fawn handed the glass to Hayley and watched her take a nice gulp.

“Lovely,” Hayley said. Fawn beamed.

“I’ll take some to Sparky, if that’s okay,” Colleen said.

Fawn retrieved a bowl and filled it with water.

She left Hayley with her fan, exited the house, and set the bowl down for Sparky. He eagerly lapped up the cool water and blinked a kiss up at her by way of saying thank you. “You’re welcome,” she said, and rubbed his ears, glad that he was feeling better. She could hear Fawn happily chatting with Hayley and wondered if the young woman would end up reading the star’s aura or asking her for a hug. The celebrity would undoubtedly take that, too, in stride.

The sound of angry voices in the distance caught her attention. She moved to the side of the house and strained to see who or where it was coming from. She detected two male voices and searched the nearby homes. The sound of glass breaking focused her attention and she eyed a structure tucked low in the nearby dunes. She tiptoed past the front door and down the steps. Sparky followed. “Stay,” she said, and he flumped in the shade under Fawn’s house.

She crept down the driveway, careful to keep her head below the top of the dune. She jogged along the sand road until she reached the entrance to the house she had spotted from Fawn’s deck. The voices were louder now and it was clear to her that two men were having a heated argument. In her experience, the only things that got men this angry were women, sports, and occasionally politics. She ducked behind a pickup parked in the front of the house, checked to be sure the coast was clear, and then hurried to the side of the house.

“I don’t know how many times I can say it, but I wasn’t having an affair with your wife,” said a man from inside the house.

That answers the question about what they’re arguing about, she thought, and leaned closer.

“She wouldn’t have threatened to leave me unless she’d found some other fella.”

“I promise you, that fella wasn’t me.”

Colleen concentrated on the voices. They sounded familiar. She studied the pickup and the SUV under the house, then searched for a sign indicating the name of the owners of the house, but she couldn’t find anything that revealed the identity of the men inside.

“Look, Marvin, I know it’s difficult losing Doris, but she wasn’t having an affair with anyone in the group. Her only love was theater … and you.”

The fight was about Doris Jenkins and her participation in the theater production. Marvin must have thought his wife had been having an affair with a fellow member of the company. That would explain why he was so angry when Bill broke the news to him about her death.

“Sam? Is everything okay now?” It was a woman’s voice.

“Everything’s fine, Rita. It was just a misunderstanding.”

Colleen raised her brows. She wondered what Rita thought of Sam’s being accused of an affair.

“Sorry, Rita, Sam. It’s … well…” Marvin said.

“We understand,” Rita said. “Doris’s passing was quite a shock.”