What-what about the fellow from Ohio she fell in love with? Katie asked. Did they ever question him?
Mike Sanderson. He was in Ohio, or on the road to Ohio, David said. Hed left several days earlier. Tanya had actually stayed behind to get herself organized. She also told people that shed wanted to see me again-without Mike around. She was a party girl, but a very decent human being. As far as I remember. And thats painful. I remember her dead far better than I remember her alive.
So, the new guy was out of state Katie murmured.
Its easy to see why I appeared to be the perfect suspect, David said. Especially because, at times, I was alone in the museum that night. Between tours. We didnt find her until the following morning, and I thank God for the coroner. He insisted that she had been killed before nine the night before, and there were a number of people who swore that I couldnt possibly have left the museum with enough time to kill her.
Because she wasnt killed at the museum?
He nodded. She had been killed and lain somewhere long enough for lividity to set in-and the way her blood had settled, shed been on her side for a while after she was killed. He winced. Youre thinking that I shouldnt be able to talk about her this way?
She looked at him. No! Actually, I wasnt thinking that at all, she said. I was just wondering how on earth you could begin to go back to find out what did happen.
He stood. Well, its quite a challenge. I may fail. I have to try.
She stood, as well. It was obvious that he was leaving.
What if you find out the truth? she asked him.
He frowned. What do you mean?
Say you manage to lay all your ghosts to rest. Will you leave again?
Probably.
Then, if all was solved, you just might feel differently about the museum.
She shouldnt have spoken; she saw a spark of anger in his eyes. I see where your sympathy for my plight lies, Miss OHara, he said, his words pleasant enough.
I didnt mean-
Yes, actually, yes, you did.
If thats how you wish to feel, fine. Theres little I can do, she said with a shrug.
He started toward the door but stopped and turned back. Thank you for the coffee. He hesitated. Do you manage to suck everyone in like this-then irritate them beyond measure?
I-I, no! I wasnt sucking you in. I was listening. And I would dearly love to see the murder solved. It was an injustice all the way around. A killer got away with murder. Lives were ruined. I-and surely everyone else-would like to see that rectified. In fact, and seriously, with no side benefit, Im more than willing to help you in any way. I just cant begin to see how.
He walked back to her. He loomed tall, and she felt a slight tremor touch her, but it wasnt fear. He was simply a charismatic man, whether talking thoughtfully, or staring at her the way he was now.
Even wagging a finger at her.
Dont! No, I mean, dont! Dont help me, dont look into this, dont be involved in any way. Please, and I mean it. Do you understand me-dont help, dont ask questions-just dont!
Hey! All right! Katie flared. What-do you have this problem with everyone who attempts to be nice to you?
He let out a breath. His eyes were an intense blue as he stared at her, and yet they seemed to spark with a different emotion, as well.
No, I just dont want anyone involved in any way, all right?
She lifted her hands. Hey, youre on your own. I wont darken your door, I wont even speak on your behalf!
He nodded, turned and headed to the door. Once more, he turned back. Seriously, thanks for the coffee. He lingered for a moment. She was surprised to see something of a nostalgic smile on his face.
What?
I dont know. Remembering timesbefore, I guess. He looked at her a long moment. You dont remember. I came here one day to see your brother and you were mad at him. You opened the door for me, and then slammed it in my face.
I did not!
You did.
She flushed. Hey, he was quite a bit older, and very superior at times.
Its all right. I knocked again, and Sean came down. He threatened to lock you in your dollhouse.
I never had a dollhouse.
Then he must not have been all that mad.
He stepped outside, the door closed and he was gone.
Well, Bartholomew exclaimed. Well, well-well. How touching.
Dont be-a jerk, Katie said.
Excuse me, Bartholomew said indignantly. I wasnt being a jerk. I meant it. How touching. I think I do like this fellow after all.
Katie was thoughtful. If he is able to find out the truth
Stop right there, Bartholomew said.
What do you mean?
Did you hear him? He doesnt want you involved. And, hey-its never been proved that he was guilty, but its never been proved that he was innocent.
Katie looked solidly at Bartholomew. I dont intend to do anything, seriously. Im going to hope for the best for him. But if he does find out the truth, he may change his mind, and I may get the museum.
Bartholomew appeared to shudder. Katie, if hes right, the situation is dangerous. Oh, yes, theres so much more that can be discovered these days than when I was walking the shoreline. DNA, RNA, whichever is which and what. Skin cells, even fingerprints, footprintsgenetic markers. Whatever. The thing is, the killer was never caught. David Beckett thinks that it wasnt a random act or the act of a psycho who moved on. If hes trying to discover the truth and it was someone from around here who still lives here, that person isnt going to want anyone knowing the truth.
What we want isnt always what we get-its time for a murderer to come to justice, Katie said.
Right. Great sentiment, Bartholomew agreed. But this person killed once, very cleverly, so it seems. If hes threatened, hell certainly kill again. Katie, look at me-this guy will kill again. Like Beckett said, young woman, you stay the hell out of it. You wouldnt want to wind up being a tableau in the museum yourself now, would you, Miss Katherine OHara?
4
Danny Zigler seemed the right place to start. He knew Key West like the back of his hand. He had been here then-and hed remained to sometimes tell stories about the night, along with other bits and pieces of Key West myth and legend. He had been something of a friend. He was a legend in his own peculiar way.
At the moment, Danny worked part-time for one of the ghost-tour companies and part-time for an ice-cream parlor on Duval. He had always been a nice guy with an easygoing personality-and not a bit of ambition. Maybe that wasnt a bad thing, David didnt know. Sometimes Danny was unemployed, and that would be fine with Danny until he was dead broke, then hed make the effort to become employed again. He was a fixture in Key West.
It was still early, and not much on or just off Duval Street opened early, except for the chain drugstore, coffee shops and an Internet café. But David knew that the ice-cream shop would be getting ready to open, and it might be the best time to talk to Danny.
When he reached the shop, David could see Danny inside, wiping down one of the milk-shake machines. He rapped on the glass. Danny looked up and over at him, and a broad smile lit up his face. He hurried to the door. David heard the locks being sprung, and then the door opened.
David Beckett! I heard you were headed back into town. Man, how are you! Its so damned cool to see you! Danny declared. His enthusiasm seemed real, and he gave David a hug and stepped back. Damn, man, and you are looking good!
Danny was eternally thin. His brown hair, long and worn in a queue at his nape, was now beginning to show threads of gray. His face was pockmarked from a now preventable childhood illness and his features were lean. His eyes, however, were a warm brown, and he did well with people. He excelled at telling stories, and hed been a wonderful guide years ago, when he had worked at the museum. David wondered if Dannys life hadnt been altered by the events at the museum, as well.
Thanks, Danny, David said. So how are you doing?
Danny shrugged, wiping his hands on the white apron he wore over his jeans and a Metallica tee. I cant complain, cant complain. Theyre getting more and more letters on what a great ghost host I am for the weekend tours and, hey-I can have all the free ice cream I want. I have a sunset every night, and saltwater and sand between my toes. He frowned. Hey, theres a rumor that youre refusing to sell the museum to Katie OHara. Is that true?
David nodded. Im sorry, Danny.
Your museum, your call.
Its not actually my museum. I do have the major interest, but my grandfather left Liam and me in charge of his estate. We have to agree on everything, and I just dont agree with reopening that place.
I understand, man.
Im sorry, Danny. You were the best guide known to man.
No skin off my nose, David. Seriously. I just live, and I get by, and thats what makes me happy, Danny assured him. Katie would have done a good job, though. Shes a great little go-getter, good businesswoman. But you know her, right?
She was a kid when I left.
Hey, we were all kids when you left. So, where have you been? They said you became some kind of a big-shot photographer. A photojournalist.
Im not sure if Im a big shot. I make a decent living, David told him.
Im sorry you missed Craigs funeral, Danny said.
I saw him when he was alive. He was always the mainstay of my life, David told him.
You been to the grave site?
Not yet.
Danny obviously disapproved of that fact, but he didnt say so. He asked, So how long do you plan on staying around?
Im not sure yet. I havent made any commitments for the near future. Well see. Tell me how youve been, Danny.
Me? Im fine. I dont need a lot. Just enough to survive and enjoy myself.
Still never married? Is there a special girl?
Danny laughed. Well, I know several girls who are special. Girls I like, and girls I see. But theyre not the kind you bring home to Mom, you know what I mean? But, hey, I know the scoop around here. Im just looking for fun, and theyre just looking for a few bucks. Its cool, its the way I want it.
Sure.
No commitments, and thats the way I like it. Dont be feeling sorry for me, Im a happy man. Really.
Glad to hear it.
Danny looked at him thoughtfully. So, what are you up to?
Settling affairs.
Of course. Hey, I have one of the ghost tours Saturday night. You should come. Im in rare form, and I really do a good job.
Maybe I will.
Danny hesitated again. He winced. You know, they usually do mention Tanya now in the tours. They say that shes a ghost, and that she haunts the museum house.
And you tell the story, too, right? David asked.