Myself, Id say gossip is more interesting. Anna appeared, setting a mug of coffee in front of Kate without being asked. But theres nothing like the newspaper for seeing whos got what for sale. My boy Luke just got a perfectly good harrow from someone who was going to pay to have it hauled away as junk.
Kate looked startled at the servers entering the discussion, as well she might. He suspected Laurel Ridge had a few surprises in store for her.
Anna, this is Kate Beaumont. Shes visiting Laurel Ridge for a bit.
Ach, gut. Annas round face beamed. Wilkom. Ill be seeing you in the Buttercup, then, aint so?
I guess so. Im staying right across the street.
Mrs. Andersons. She nodded. I guessed as much. Will you be having some lunch? The chicken pot pie, maybe?
Just a salad, please. To take out.
Im sure youre busy getting settled in, Mom said, wiping Jamies hands and face despite his protests. Weve delayed you long enough, and I must get this boy back to school.
Do I have to... Jamie began, but he subsided at a look from his grandmother. Sliding from his chair, he gave Mac a throttling hug and turned to Kate. See you again soon, okay?
Kate smiled, her expression softening. It was nice to meet you, Jamie.
I hope well have a chance to get better acquainted while youre here, Mom said, touching Kates shoulder lightly. I know Grace Anderson will make you comfortable. Her rooms are lovely.
Im sure they are. Im actually renting the cottage, and its...charming.
Did he really hear an infinitesimal pause before the final word? It seemed to him it was far from charming for her to be living in the very rooms where her brother had spent his last days.
He waved to Jamie, whod paused at the door for a last look, and then turned back to Kate.
Your little boy is a sweetheart, she said quickly, maybe to forestall any criticism from him.
My little nephew, he corrected. Jamie is my brother Nicks boy. Im not married.
I see. She seemed to be readjusting her thoughts.
It wouldnt be any of his business where she stayed, if it werent for his instinct that she was hiding something. He couldnt shake his conviction that a big-city reporter wouldnt be spending time in Laurel Ridge without an agenda. Bluntness was probably the only way hed get an answer.
Why are you living in the cottage? What are you after in Laurel Ridge?
Kate flared up at that, as hed expected. Im not after anything. Besides, wouldnt you do the same, if it was your brother?
What exactly was the passion that flamed in her eyes and made her skin flush? Not grief, he thought. Or at least, not only grief. Something more.
He took a moment, and then tried to respond honestly. If I lost Nick all of a sudden, I dont know what Id do. It would be like losing part of myself.
Their eyes met. Held. She looked stunned, vulnerable, and that very vulnerability had the power to draw him in. To make him want to touch her, comfort her.
But he couldnt. Not when he didnt know what she was going to bring to his town.
Deliberately he went on. But Im pretty sure I wouldnt try to retrace his final steps. Not unless I was looking for something. What are you looking for, Kate?
Watching her face then was like watching ice form on the river. She stared at him as if hed just crawled out from under a rock. Not bothering to deny it, she rose, slung her bag strap over her shoulder and headed for the counter, probably to wait for her order.
He gazed at her for a long moment. No good trying to get anything more from her now. The rigid line of her back told him that much.
Maybe it was just as well that hed said something to infuriate her again, because when shed looked at him with vulnerability in those golden-brown eyes, hed have had a tough time holding on to his own good judgment.
* * *
BY THE TIME Kate entered Blackburn House that afternoon, shed tried a dozen times to dismiss Mac Whiting from her thoughts. Unfortunately, he wouldnt stay gone. She had no doubt hed be an obstacle in her path if she let him.
She wouldnt. Shed already dealt with one hardheaded cop in her life, and she could deal with Whiting. Anybody whod been raised by a difficult man like Tom Reilley had developed a tough shell. Except Jason, of course. Maybe if he had, his life wouldnt have ended the way it had.
The important thing was to get on with her plans, and that meant starting at the place where Jason had worked. Hed spent every day there, and judging by what shed been able to decipher of his video diary, hed had a lot of opinions about the place.
Preoccupied, she headed for the stairs, passing an Amish woman standing in the doorway of the quilt shop. The woman smiled and nodded as if Kate were known to her. The power of the grapevine in a small town? Maybe so. At least she seemed friendly.
Movement behind the glass door to Whiting and Whiting Cabinetry made her nerves jump irrationally, and she turned her face away as she hurried past, gaining the stairs without incident.
Whatever activity there was in Blackburn House seemed concentrated on the ground floor. Once again there was no one on the steps, and the upper hallway was deserted. A murmur of conversation came from the real estate office, but Laurel Ridge Financial Group was empty, save for the same young receptionist behind the front desk, her head bent over a printer that was spewing out papers.
She looked up at the sound of the door opening, seeming to brighten at the prospect of an interruption. Welcome to Laurel Ridge Financial. Abandoning the printer, she flipped open a pad on the desk. Do you have an appointment?
No, Im afraid not. Kate glanced at the nameplate on the desk. I just dropped in. I hope Im not interrupting you. Are you Nikki?
Thats me. Nikki jerked an impatient nod toward the printer. Just boring routine, even if the office manager does think the printer will jam when somebodys not watching it every minute. Youre new around here, right?
Kate couldnt help smiling. How does everyone I meet know Im a stranger?
Nikki rolled her eyes. Easy to see you dont know what its like in a burg the size of Laurel Ridge. Everybody knows everybody. Boring. She managed to insert a wealth of meaning into the word, which seemed to be one of her favorites.
This kid couldnt be much more than seven or eight years younger than her, but Kate felt aeons older. With that improbably red hair and the matching scarlet nails, Nikki looked like a fifteen-year-old trying for a fake ID. She had a small, sharp-featured face and an obvious disdain for the job she held.
Had she thought Jason boring, too? Or had he been interesting, an urban stranger, someone she hadnt known all her life? Kate didnt think Jason had mentioned Nikki, but he may have. He often didnt bother with names when he talked about people.
Only one way to find out. I wonder if you remember my brother. He worked here for the summer last year.
Jason? Nikkis pointed features seemed to tighten. Jason was your brother?
Thats right. Im Kate. Kate Beaumont. I suppose you got to know him, with you two being the only young people working here. Did he mention me?
He said he had a sister who was a reporter someplace. Nikki pushed a curl out of her face with a scarlet fingertip. Thats you, huh?
He said he had a sister who was a reporter someplace. Nikki pushed a curl out of her face with a scarlet fingertip. Thats you, huh?
Kate nodded, debating with herself about how much she wanted to say to the receptionist. Maybe it was better not to let Nikki think she wanted anything in particular, at least until Kate knew how close shed been to Jason. He seemed to enjoy his job.
Nikki shrugged. Its an okay place to work, if you dont mind routine. And I took him around a little bit. You know, showed him what passes for nightlife in a place like this.
He told me youd been friendly. He hadnt, but let that pass in the interest of establishing a rapport with Nikki. He appreciated it, especially since he didnt know anyone here.
Maybe. But he sure didnt like partying all that much. Nikki didnt seem to realize that a big sister might consider that a good thing. Thats why it was so strange when hewell, you know. She lowered her voice, as if speaking of death required softer tones.
You didnt have any idea hed been into drugs? In Kates experience, someone like Nikki was more likely to recognize the signs than one of the bosses would have been.
I didnt think
One of the doors behind Nikki opened, and her voice cut off immediately.
Nikki, why didnt you tell me there was a client waiting? The man who surged forward, hand extended, had the kind of professional smile usually worn by anyone who had something to sellhis slightly puffy cheeks creasing, eyes crinkling in welcome as if she were a long-lost relative. Im Bart Gordon. He clasped her hand warmly. And you are?
Kate Beaumont. How long would it take for the jovial welcome to wear off once he knew she wasnt a client? Not long, she suspected, but maybe she was being too cynical.
Shes Jason Reilleys sister, Nikki said before Kate could.
Gordon stiffened, his hand releasing hers. I see. The smile became noticeably artificial. What brings you to see us, Ms. Beaumont?
I happened to be in Laurel Ridge and thought Id like to introduce myself to my brothers friends and colleagues here. And to thank you for the beautiful flower arrangement you sent for the services.
The mans tension seemed to ease. The least we could do. Such a sad loss, he murmured.
I see that Mr. Sheldon is no longer active in the firm. I did want to express my thanks to him, as well. And ask him about my brother.
Russell Sheldon retired last year. Poor fellowthe work was getting beyond him. Ill be sure to give him your message when I see him. Thanks for stopping by. Gordons fingers brushed her elbow, as if hed usher her out.
Not yet. She ignored the hint. Jasons death was a terrible shock, of course. Especially since hed been so enthusiastic about his internship. Was there some issue at work that might have disturbed or upset him?
Gordons already flushed face reddened alarmingly. Are you trying to blame us for what your brother did? If you think you can hold the firm responsible, youve got another
The door to the other office opened behind him, a woman emerging. Kates wayward imagination presented her with an image of a Bavarian clock, with figures appearing and disappearing through their little doors.
Bart, Im sure youre misunderstanding the situation. She smiled at Kate, extending her hand. Im Lina Oberlin, Mr. Gordons assistant. Did I hear him say that youre poor Jasons sister?
In other words, shed been listening behind the door. Maybe, as Nikki had said, things were so boring that any interruption was welcome.
The female assistant was fair, blonde and fortyish, with hair drawn back from a pale, nearly colorless face. Lina Oberlin had small, even features and a trim figure that could have been appealing in anything other than the plain gray pantsuit she wore. It was as if shed deliberately set out to fade into the woodwork.
Thats right... she began, but Bart Gordons voice ran over hers like a steamroller.
The idea of it. Were the ones with a complaint. Here I was, giving the kid a second chance, and he goes and brings the worst kind of publicity down on the firm.
Her brother was dead, and he was worried about publicity. Kates fingers tightened into fists. Before she could cut loose, she happened to catch a glimpse of the receptionists face. Avid, blatant curiosityan eagerness, even, to see a drama unfolding in front of her.
And more, perhaps? If Nikki was glad to see the apparently forgotten situation raked up, that might mean she knew something.
You dont mean that. Lina Oberlins voice seemed to hold a warning for her volatile boss. Im so sorry. She touched Kates arm lightly. We were all stunned by what happened to your brother. Jason was such a nice boy. Im sure he was happy here. Perhaps you and I could have a quiet talk later? She glanced at Gordon, as if to ensure that he wouldnt burst out again.
Id appreciate that. Kate let herself be led to the door. She couldnt accomplish anything more here now, but she wasnt dissatisfied with this first encounter. Outright anger was more revealing than bland sympathy.
Her presence angered Gordon. Why? And why did Lina Oberlin feel the need to intercede? Mere politeness, or something more?
And what about the receptionist? Shed have to make a point of talking to Nikki away from the office, little though she wanted to satisfy the girls keen curiosity. She didnt doubt that if there was something to tell, Nikki would seize the chance to be involved.
CHAPTER THREE
THE FEW BELONGINGS Kate had brought with her were quickly unpacked and stowed away in the cottage. She slid a suitcase into the back of the bedroom closet to get it out of the way. The rest of her things had gone into storage in Baltimore.
She hadnt taken anything from Tom Reilleys house except for Jasons things. The rest had gone to a sale. The fewer reminders of life there, the better, as far as she was concerned.
Jason had probably felt the same way when hed left his fathers house for the last time. It couldnt have held too many happy memories for him. Although she hoped he might have cherished, as she did, the after-school hours theyd spent at home together.
Kate walked back into the living room. The cottage was small and compact. The living room had just enough space for a television, sofa and chairs in one end and a bookcase and desk at the other, where shed immediately set up her computer. Jason would no doubt have set up in the same place. He couldnt bear to be off-line, and he wanted a laptop for gaming.
If a person liked cottage style, the place was perfectly decorated, with cheerful chintz fabric on the furniture, white end tables and Cape Cod curtains on the windows. There was a small kitchen with a nook for a table and chairs, and a bedroom and bath. The shrubbery and vines shed noted on the outside increased a sense of isolation, especially where they brushed against the windows.
It was quiettoo quiet for her tastes. She was used to the constant noise and movement of the city. This much solitude would take some getting used to.
Jason wouldnt have minded it, she knew. As introverted as hed been, hed have welcomed it. Close contact with other people stressed him almost beyond bearing. College dorm life must have been a nightmare for him. It had taken time and maturity for her to understand that, but Tom never had. Hed always insisted Jason could be like other kids if he just tried harder.