I dont know. But for now
For now, its off, she said flatly.
Yes. Forgive me, please. I am unworthy, but forgive me.
She smiled, running her fingers through the tangle of her hair. She knew that Liam was really sorry, that he had wanted to see the museum opened. I forgive you. On one condition. As long as hes here, you help me. Quietly. Maybe hell see that Im for real, and that Oh, please! Why would the same thing happen again? Tanya was probably a random victim, and if someone had a grudge against the Becketts, well, David doesnt have an ex-fiancée here anymore. You have to help me. We wait. But you are on my side, right?
I am. I love the old museum. I just dont want to work it, manage it or maintain it. I thought you were perfect as a buyer. So well see, huh?
He said goodbye and hung up.
David Beckett walked into the police station and was surprised to be hailed by a number of his old classmates and not just his cousin, Liam. They seemed honestly glad to see him, though he would surely be a topic of conversation at their evening meals. He was back.
He greeted old friends warmly, and thanked those who commented on his camerawork for wildlife publications in the past few years. He was surprised that they knew what he did-still photographers rarely received much of the applause. He told friends who asked that there were safe places to photograph wild animals. You just had to develop a skill for knowing those places. Just like anything, he said, heading off to find not Liam, but Pete Dryer, the man who had been a fledgling patrolman when he had taken the fateful tour all those years ago.
David! Pete was behind a desk now. A lieutenant in the criminal investigation unit, he delved into the streets when serious crime had been committed. Key West had a low murder rate, statistically two persons a year. But Key West was vulnerable to drug runners, and in the past few years, the department had made firm headway against the narcotics invasion. Most of what was really bad in the Keys was related to drugs; big money was at stake, and many of the deaths that had been reported were associated with gangs or drugs.
David had been away, but hed kept up. Unconsciously, hed waited to hear about another bizarre murder-or that someone had finally solved what happened to Tanya.
Pete had gained weight. He was stout now, and his blond hair was turning white. He had a smile for David, and a warm embrace, indicating the chair in front of his desk.
David took it.
Wow. Youre really back here, Pete said. Any chance youre here to stay?
David shook his head. No, Im afraid not. But I havent accepted any projects for the immediate future, so Ill be around for a while.
David shook his head. No, Im afraid not. But I havent accepted any projects for the immediate future, so Ill be around for a while.
Thats great. Were damned glad to have you here, for whatever time you stay. This is your home, you know.
Yeah, its my home. I havent settled anywhere yet. Pete, I dont think I can settle anywhere. You know, my grandfathers death got me thinking about Tanya.
Pete shook his head sadly and looked down. David, I wish to God I could give you some kind of closure. We pursued everything we could.
Right. The police pursued me, David said.
Not fair, David. Your alibi stood up. Craig Beckett was never any kind of a liar, so we all know you were with him-
After the museum closed, David said dryly.
I believe the coroner-and the dozens of people who said you would not have possibly had the time to leave the museum between your tours. We know Tanya wasnt killed at the museum, and we all know too that you just werent capable of doing that to anyone. Thing is, we just had nowhere to go. I wasnt in charge, but I remember. We went house-to-house. No one saw anyone go in. There wasnt a break-in. There was no clue as to where he strangled that girl. Now, if there had been blood, we might have been able to trace something somewhere- He paused, staring at David. Well, hell, now I didnt mean that I wanted that poor girl cut up or tortured, butstrangulation. He left no clues.
Pete, I want you to help me. I want to go back over everything.
Pete stared at him. He groaned. It was all ten years ago, David.
Look, Liam is a cop, a detective now-with the criminal investigation unit. Let him have the paperwork. Assign him to the murder as a cold-case file. Pete, give me something, David said. Hell, Ive made a name for myself in the world. Im moving on fine. But this haunts me still, every damned day of my life, Pete.
David heard a noise behind him. He turned and Liam was there. His cousin was two years his junior, his hair was a lighter shade of brown but his eyes were the same color and he knew that most people realized quickly that they were related. David had never known his parents; theyd died together in an automobile accident when he was a year old. Hed lived with his grandparents, but Liams mother and father had treated him like their own.
I can handle it, Liam said. Come on, Pete. You know I can take time to reopen the investigation. I can handle my cases, and I can handle an added-on cold case, as well. Ill keep it low profile.
I dont Ah, its a waste of manpower! Pete said.
No. I wont fail in any way on anything else, and if I do, you pull it back. Pete, what the hell can it hurt? Liam demanded.
You may be causing a truckload of trouble down here, you know, he said.
Why? David asked flatly. Were looking for truth. Why would the truth disturb anyone?
Thing is, this fellow is probably long gone, Pete said. David, nothing else has happened. Nothing remotely similar has happened since.
How can it hurt? Look, let Liam reopen it as a cold case, and hell only use his spare time. Well keep it quiet. No other officers need to be involved.
Ah, hell, fellows, as long as its your time you intend to waste. Pete wagged a finger at Liam. Dont you dare neglect a thing, you hear me?
Loud and clear, Liam said.
And you-dont you go doing anything illegal! Pete charged David.
Never, David said, and smiled.
Ill see about the files, Liam said, and left.
Thanks, Pete, David told him.
He rose and left the office. Hed intended on getting to the truth, one way or the other. But it was better having the blessing of the local cops.
Heading out, he ran into Liam. His cousin started to speak, but David shook his head slightly and indicated the door.
Outside the station, Liam frowned handing David the files. What was that all about?
I dont care to talk in front of anyone else, David told him.
Why? If youre on a hunt to solve a murder from the past, youre going to need lots of help, and well be questioning lots of people.
Liam, youre the cop, yeah, and Im grateful. I want to keep it low profile. No big announcements that were opening up the case again.
Okaybut actually reopening the case. Hell, you didnt even tell me that you were thinking of doing this-didnt warn me. I would have helped you talk to Pete. Youre a civilian. You know he couldnt have given you any files.
Yeah, I know, which makes it good that youre a cop-in the right division.
Liam nodded and looked away. I know you. You want to investigate on your own. Its a wild-goose chase, and youre worried about bringing in our cops. Why?
Because someone from this city killed Tanya, Im sure of it. Cops down here, they all think that they know everyone, and theyll be blinded to what they should be seeing. And Im not sure that any of the members of the old-boy network will be happy to discover that Im coming after one of their own.
Katie walked down the stairs, trying to swallow down her disappointment.
Shed dreamed about owning the place for years. Shed been sad for a while after talking to Liam but now she was ready to go to battle again.
As she came down the stairs, she was surprised to smell coffee. The timer hadnt been set to go off for another few minutes.
Bartholomew met her at the foot of the stairs. He looked grave, but as if he was trying not to smile, as well.
Im sorry, Katie. I heard you talking. And the bank is off-really, we both knew that it would be-and Im sorry. But
But what?
I did it! he told her proudly. I did it!
What did you do?
Cant you smell it? Coffee! I-I-managed to push the button on the coffeemaker. Katie, I moved something. Something tangible.
She wanted to be happy for him.
It was the start button on a coffeemaker!
But it was a start.
Thats wonderful. Truly wonderful. And thank you. Coffee is excellent right now, and-
I think a good grog would have suited me better, but for you-yes, coffee. And its ready.
She continued to congratulate him as she walked to the large kitchen in back. Once it had been a bedroom and the kitchen had been the apartment in back. But now, it was all a kitchen, and a very nice one, state-of-the-art. Her mother had loved to cook.
She caught her reflection in the back of one of the pans hanging from an old ships rack above the counter.
Ugh.
She was wearing an old Disney nightshirt tee and her abundant hair was in tangles all about her. Thank God Bartholomew never commented on her morning appearance.
Next, we need to work on me stepping out for the newspaper, he said somberly. Give the neighbors a terrible fright!
Hey! And I was just thinking how kind you were, and how much of a gentleman you were proving to be-for a pirate.
Privateer!
Whatever, Katie said sweetly.
She opened the front door, coffee cup in hand, and stepped outside. She saw the paper on the little patch of ground to her right and headed to it.
But as she stooped down to retrieve it, she saw a hand ahead of hers.
Allow me.
She looked up and stood quickly, staring at the man in her yard. The sudden bane of her existence.
David Beckett.
David Beckett.
She stared at him, not sure if she was feeling ill, angry or simply surprised. Hed just ruined her life. Well, that was an exaggeration, but he had destroyed her future plans and the dream shed harbored for years. And he was in her yard.
Can I help you? she said at last.
Your paper, he told her.
Yes, I see that.
Dont worry. I was just walking. I got in last night, and Im seeing what hasnt changed and what has. Your house is the same, exactly the same, as I remember it.
Im so glad to give you something familiar, and happy to make you feel right at home, she said flatly.