So she left the house after four that afternoon? David said after a moment.
Sam nodded.
Danny Zigler saw her at five at OHaras Pub. In the police reports, Jamie OHara said that he served her a pint of Guinness, and that she was nervous. She smiled at him, and told him to wish her luck, stayed until around seven-and then she left, and no one saw her alive again, David said.
Youve seen the police reports? Sam asked, curious and surprised.
My cousin is working it as a cold case, David said.
Sam pointed a finger at him. I remember something. Your cousin, Liam, was one of the people who saw her at OHaras.
At least ten people saw her at OHaras that night, David pointed out.
The question is, which of those ten people werent seen in the bar after? Or, oh, hell, that would be the point here, huh? No one knows who saw her once she left that pub. Somewhere, in the next hour, someone found her and killed her. Thats nothing new, not really. Im sure the police must have narrowed down the timeline when it happened. And, of course, the problem around here isnt that there was no one on the streets. There were hundreds of people on the streets. And it was a long, long time ago now, Sam said. He hesitated. She wasnt raped. So its not as if they can suddenly find a miraculous match with honed DNA science.
No, David agreed.
This time, Sam let out a long sigh. They figured it was some kind of psycho who lived here and then moved on. Hell, he could have driven north that night, or taken a puddle jumper up the state. But you dont think that a whacko killed my sister?
I dont know anything. I just dont think it was a psycho. I think it was someone who knew the area and had an agenda.
Like what?
Thats what I need to find out.
I still dont understand. I mean, obviously, I really wish we knew what happened-who killed my baby sister. But, whats different now? The cops swore they chased down every lead, no matter how small. Whats different now? How do you think you can solve anything?
David stared at him and smiled tightly. Im different now. Im not a kid. And I dont intend to stop, or be stopped by anyone. I know that I had nothing to do with her death, and I know that someone did. Someone got away with murder, and I believe that we do know the person who killed her. The truth exists. And I want it.
Hey! Where are you? Katie asked her brother. Far away still, I take it. Its great to hear from you.
We talked a week ago on Skype, he reminded her.
Skype is great-when you have a sibling halfway across the world.
Im in Hawaii now. Im coming home for a while, kid.
Thats wonderful! It will be like old-home week.
I know, Sean said.
She frowned. How do you know?
David Beckett left me a message about going back.
He left you a message?
E-mail, Sean explained.
But I thought-
I didnt have access for a few days, but the filming project finished up. Im in Hawaii, and I head back to California the day after tomorrow. Then Miami the following morning-
Ill come pick you up.
No, no, Im going to rent a car. Ill be there sometime on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thats wonderful, Sean! Oh, watch the traffic. The first events for Fantasy Fest are starting soon.
Yeah, yeah, I know the traffic. It will just be aggravating. I could hop a puddle jumper in Miami, but I kind of want to drive down. Even with the tourists clogging the road.
Okay. Thats super, Sean!
He was quiet. She thought that she had lost the connection. Katie? he said then.
What?
Dont go telling anyone thatthat you see things.
It was her turn to be quiet. Sean had been amused the first time she had seen a ghost. She had been six, in first grade, and theyd been playing at the church. The ghost she had seen had been a nun. Sean had taken it all as a joke. Her feelings had been terribly hurt, but she had quickly realized that he had been trying to defend her. The other kids meant to torment her and laugh at her-which they did, until Sean turned it all around, laughing at them for falling for the joke.
Later, Katie had been alone at the playground. The nun had come to her, and spoken gently, assuring her that she had a gift, and that she must guard it carefully.
But when her grandfather had died, her mothers tears had shaken her. She had seen her grandfather, trying to comfort her mother. She told her mother. Her mother believed she was just trying to comfort her-until she told her mother where Grandpa had left his old gold pocket watch, and that he wanted Katies father to have it.
Her mother had been looking everywhere for the pocket watch.
Katie was careful then. She didnt tell anybody about the sailors, servicemen and pirates who roamed the docks.
She avoided eye contact with the ghosts. It hadnt worked with Bartholomew.
She had thought that her brother had forgotten about her ghosts, because she never mentioned a ghost again. Sometimes, though, she had information or could tell him things because a ghost had pointed something out. She would remain stubbornly silent when he asked her how she knew something.
Katie?
What?
Dont go saying anything, anything at all-especially not to David. I know why hes in town. If God himself comes down to speak to you, dont say anything-do you understand?
I think God is busy, Sean. The world is a mess, if you havent noticed. I dont think that hes coming down to talk to me, she said.
Katie, please. I know youthink you see things, Sean said. Im just
Sean, you think that whoever killed Tanya Barnard is still around? Its been ten years.
David has come home to find the killer, Katie. Im willing to bet that hes making that pretty clear. And if hes right, the killer is going to be afraid. Please, Katielisten to me?
Love you to death, big brother, she said. And Im listening. I dont know what youre talking about. I dont see things.
Thats what I need to hear, kid, Sean said. He was quiet for a minute. And be careful.
Of what?
He was silent, but it was as if she could hear a single name in the silence between them.
David.
Big brother, you either believe hes guilty, or you dont.
I dont.
Then? she asked.
Its-sad, sometimes
You believe in a person or you dont.
I do, he said.
Then?
All right, lets say I believe in him. Belief isnt all black-and-white. And not only that, but what if someone had been after him? What if that person is still around? Just watch out for yourself. Careful on getting too friendly.
Im thrilled Im going to get to see you, she said, ignoring the warning.
Yeah. See you soon! And behave until then, huh?
Im just a regular angel, Sean.
His snort was loud and clear. Love you, Katie. And behave, I mean it.
Oh! Were going in circles here, dear boy! I thought David was your friend, Sean.
He was. He is, I assume, Sean said. But
Oh, my God! You are such a liar. You suspected him, too!
No. I never did. All right, thats a lie. I dont want to believe that David could have been guilty. I mean, I dont think he could have been guilty. But the thing is, no matter how mature a man he might have been trying to be, Tanya did hurt him. I understand that people think that she might have found him that night, that he might have been angry. I dont believe it, its justshe is dead. David was a big strong kid from the time he was ten. But he was always-sane. Craig taught him to be respectful at all times. He didnt have a maniacal or crazy temper. So, I really believe he was innocent. Except, inside me somewhere, I suppose, I couldnt help but let some of the theories and rumors get to me.
But now-you dont believe it was David? Or you dont want to believe it was David?
Sean was quiet a moment. Yes.
To which?
To both.
Okay, Im saying that it wasnt David. Then who?
I dont know, Katie.
The police questioned you. I read it in a book.
They questioned everyone. I had been hanging at Uncle Jamies place that night-OHaras. I saw Tanya there. I told them the truth.
Do you remember who left the bar? Katie asked.
If I do, kid, Im not telling you.
What?
Stay out of it, do you hear me?
Love you, big bro. Losing the connection, Katie said. See you when you get here.
She cut off the conversation before her brother could give her more instructions.
She looked back to her paper. Her brothers name was the last thing she had written down. She scratched through his name. Sean certainly never hurt anyone. And neither did her uncle. She scratched through his name, as well. She looked at the list, shaking her head. It couldnt have been Liam, or Pete Dryer, or
Lord! No wonder the police had never discovered the truth. No matter what they thought, the murderer had to have been a passerby in the Keys. Had to have been!
She heard a soft sound at the door and looked up. Bartholomew was back; he hadnt opened and closed the door, but he did make a strange noise as he came through it.
Where have you been? she asked him.
Eavesdropping, he said.
On who?
He pulled out his pocket watch, which couldnt possibly work, but it seemed to, at least for Bartholomew. Youd better get going. Youre going to be late for work. Not to mention that your uncle owns the place and you should be keeping an eye on it.
She frowned and jumped up, realizing the time. She swore softly, gathered her purse and her keys and headed out. She closed the door; Bartholomew stepped through.
Where were you eavesdropping? she demanded.
The police station, Bartholomew informed her.
Oh?
Maybe I shouldnt tell you, Bartholomew said slowly.
You wretched pirate-
Privateer!
Im going to call for an exorcist and send you downward with your scalawag friends! she threatened.
He laughed, but then saw her eyes. All right, all right. I was at the police station, and the officers have been warned to keep an eye on David Beckett, he told her. See, I shouldnt have said anything. They werent sure what had happened because there was no evidence. Theres some discussion about the fact that David is still obsessed with Tanya and her murder. Evidence! Like that mattered in my day. They just hanged us right and left, right and left!
She paused, looking at him. So you were hanged? You never told me that you were hanged!
In his astral form, he puffed up, shoulders back, head high. I was a victim of false arrest, Miss OHara. And my end was untimely and unjust! He appeared to let out his breath. But that doesnt matter now, Katie. What does matter is that you seem to be getting chummy with a murderer.