Dead Days of Summer Page 18

  “…thrilled that the contessa asked me to see you. Actually, she required it of me and you know how imperious she can be.” A trill of laughter. “I promised faithfully to bring her note of introduction immediately and that explains my rush to see you the moment I arrived on your glorious island. Although I am always hesitant to look up a friend of a friend—my dear, that can sometimes be simply excruciatingly difficult—I can tell that we are simpatico. I will certainly be able to fulfil my promise to return laden with pictures of you and your family and full to the brim”—a graceful hand swept toward the ceiling, a huge aquamarine stone sparkling in a shaft of light from a west window—“of the most intimate details of your lives these past few years since you and Joyce parted. And I—” The oversize glasses were lifted, Nordic blue eyes widened in surprise as they surveyed the archway. “Ah, we have a guest.” The husky voice evinced anticipation and delight.

  Annie knew that face, knew that voice, knew that gesture, knew those wide blue eyes. She was torn between panic and fury. Laurel here. Laurel’s talent for outrageous behavior had often afforded Max and Annie amusement, sometimes compounded by fear. This time she was risking the careful plan Annie had devised. But Annie understood her mother-in-law’s decision. Annie had made the same decision. Vanessa Taylor’s life had been circumscribed by the Whitman house. The seeds of her death would either be discovered here or not at all. Annie felt frozen until her gaze locked with Laurel’s and in her dark blue eyes she saw warning and encouragement and a mother’s desperate determination to rescue her child.

  Using all the guile at her command, Annie contrived to look bewildered as though uncertain who might be her hostess.

  Lillian Dodd rose, came across the terra-cotta floor. She smiled at the maid, said, “Thank you, Cora,” and turned to Annie. “Hello, Georgia. I’m Lillian Dodd. You’ve had a long drive. Did you have any trouble finding us?”

  Annie looked earnest. “I got directions at a Gas ’N’ Go right after I got off the ferry. I wrote them down”—indeed she had and they were lying in the front seat of the Toyota next to the MapQuest printout—“and they were perfect. I didn’t know it was all going to be so beautiful. And your house—Vanessa said everything was gorgeous but she didn’t tell me how tall the trees are. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such tall trees.”

  “This house is truly a gem in an ornate setting.” Laurel’s husky voice lifted in enthusiasm.

  Lillian looked toward her turbaned guest. There was intelligence and cool appraisal in Lillian’s dark brown eyes. “How gracious of you, Lady Hamilton—”

  Lady Hamilton? Annie was no authority on mistresses but she had a vague memory that Lady Hamilton knew Lord Nelson better than well.

  Lady Hamilton rose with a quick smile. “Oh, please. I am Maisie to everyone from the scullery maid to the Prime Minister. After all, I am American born and that, of course, is what drew the contessa to me, since she grew up”—a lilting smile at Lillian—“as Joyce Bain-bridge in Fort Worth. When she knew I was coming to the island, she was ecstatic to be able to direct me to her dear childhood friend Lillian Jennings. What great good fortune that the lovely home next door was available to be leased! I scarcely expected to be so near. We’ve made a good start this afternoon on catching up with all the wonderful adventures of the years since you and Joyce were together. But now I must leave you to your guest.” She looked kindly at Annie. “Lillian has been telling me of the great sadness that brings you here. I have commended her for her generosity in inviting you.”

  Lillian made an impatient gesture. “We are very glad to have Vanessa’s old friend stay here. If there is anything we can do to help Georgia bring comfort to Vanessa’s sister, of course we are happy to do so.”

  Laurel was fluttering toward the archway. She paused to look back. “I know this invitation comes at short notice.” A beaming smile. “But time is of the essence, since you plan to leave on Saturday—”

  Annie looked at her mother-in-law with respect. She’d obviously both ingratiated herself as Lady Hamilton and gleaned information.

  “—I hope you and your husband and daughter and her young man and Miss Lance will come to my house for dinner. Shall we say seven?”

  Annie knew Laurel was capable, but leasing a house, moving in, and planning a dinner party all in the same day was amazing even for her.

  “Lady Hamilton, that is very gracious of you, but I’m sure Miss Lance is weary from her drive. We’ll have a quiet evening here. Another time perhaps.” Lillian’s voice was pleasant but her expression distant.

  “Oh, of course I understand. It would have been such a pleasure to have everyone. I’d already spoken to your dear friends the Goldens.” Laurel’s smile was bright. “Joyce enjoyed meeting them here on her last visit. I had a lovely conversation over the phone with Martha just before I came over to see you. She and Sam accepted my invitation. I’m afraid I told them I was sure your family would come if you didn’t have a previous engagement. I had hoped this evening would make it possible for me to bring Joyce up to date on everyone.”

  Lillian was a moment in responding, then she turned both hands over, an oddly endearing gesture. “Please, Lady Hamilton, come and join us this evening. You will be most welcome. I’ll call Martha and invite them.”

  “That is simply dear of you.” Laurel reached the archway, looked toward Annie. “Miss Lance, I wish you the greatest of success in gathering memories of your friend. I’ll look forward to seeing you this evening.”

  Lillian moved to open the front door.

  As it closed behind Laurel, Annie took a step toward her hostess. “Mrs. Dodd, I didn’t realize you were leaving town this weekend. I hope I’m not being a bother.”

  “Not at all.” The response was quick and warm. “We’re glad to be able to help Vanessa’s sister and I’ll be happy to have you stay in the cottage as long as necessary. The staff will be here to help.” Lillian’s face was somber. “It’s all so terrible. I still find it hard to believe that Vanessa is dead.”

  “That’s another reason I came.” Annie’s voice was uneven. “We can’t believe it either. Vanessa never mentioned that man to us, the one who was arrested. We don’t think it makes any sense.”

  Lillian’s brows drew down in a frown. “There doesn’t seem to be any question about his guilt. Anyway”—she forced a smile—“let me show you to your guest cottage. When you’re ready, I’ll introduce you to everyone.” She took a deep breath. “And take you to Vanessa’s cottage.”

  “That would be perfect.” Annie could scarcely contain her eagerness. Her first goal was to gain access to Vanessa’s cottage and make a search for her diary. Judy Denton thought the diary might be hidden. If only Judy were right, if only a diary existed. Annie knew she mustn’t hope for too much. Whether she found a diary or not, she was in the Whitman house and soon would meet those whom Vanessa had known. Annie smiled at Lillian Dodd and followed her down the hallway.

  Billy Cameron glanced at his watch. In ten minutes he had to be downstairs for the second session of the afternoon: Protection for Harbors. He felt a curl of ice in his gut. How many miles of unprotected harbors existed in the United States? Too many. The possibilities of terrorism—a boat loaded with explosives, a kamikaze plane, mines—were infinite. Intelligence was the only answer and that was beyond the scope of a country cop. Of course, he had plenty of friends among the charter boat captains and the fishing-boat captains. He made it a point to check with them, asking them to keep an eye peeled for anything odd, an unfamiliar boat in an unexpected place. That was all he could do.

  His cell rang. He smiled, clicked it on. “Hi, honey. Anything new?”

  Over the crackle of a poor connection, Mavis talked fast. “There have been a couple of calls to Crime Stoppers, but nothing that looks helpful. The circuit solicitor held a news conference and you’d think he caught Max singlehandedly. Most of the media’s left town. Lou went back to Blackbeard Beach. He found a couple of people who saw Max there lat
e Monday afternoon and he was by himself. I guess that doesn’t help.”

  “Shows he was telling the truth about going there. And”—Billy’s face pulled in a frown—“if he was alone there, if we could prove he drove to Dooley’s Mine by himself, that would be a help. That would mean she got there some other way.” Billy felt a tingle of excitement. “Her car was found nearby the marina parking lot. Have Lou keep nosing around. Tell him to try and find someone who saw Max in his car at Blackbeard Beach. Ditto, if he can find someone who saw him arrive at Dooley’s Mine. If Lou can trace Vanessa to a silver car, that would be a hell of a link.”

  “Will do. The conference good?”

  “It’s okay. I’m having trouble concentrating. I keep thinking about that damn silver car. The kids okay?”

  “Kevin woke up with a sore throat. A summer cold. Lily brought her favorite Pooh to kiss him and make him well.”

  Billy smiled. He never thought about Lily without a catch in his heart. His little girl, so kind, so beautiful. “Hug ’em for me. See you tomorrow night.”

  He clicked off the cell and straightened his uniform shirt and turned off the light of the hotel room. He picked up the conference packet, but instead of harbors he thought of a silver car. If Lou connected Vanessa to that car…

  The long hallway was cool. Ceiling fans whirred. When they reached a cross hall, Lillian gestured to her left. “This hallway leads to the kitchen on one side and the dining room on the other. The exit at the kitchen end of the hall is nearest to the cottages. I know it’s confusing at first but think of it this way, this hall goes to the cottages, the hall straight ahead leads to the terrace and pool and the boardwalk to the beach. The Golden house is beyond the cottages, the Spruill house is beyond the garages. Lady Hamilton is staying at the Spruill house. We’ll go by the kitchen on our way out.”

  The cross hall was equally wide and shadowy and cool. Lillian walked swiftly, Annie at her side.

  Archways opened on their left to a long room with a dining room table and china cabinets. Lillian stopped midway up the hall and pushed open a white swinging door. They stepped into a huge, well-kept kitchen. Annie saw two ranges, a freezer, a massive refrigerator. A central island served as a preparation area. Gleaming pans hung from hooks above the island. The marble countertops were immaculate. There was a smell of baking.

  A wiry black woman, head covered with a triangular calico kerchief, looked up. She was pouring a mixture into a blue bowl and beating it with a whisk. Across the room a plump young woman was unloading a dishwasher.

  “Mmm.” Lillian looked toward the bowl. “Something smells wonderful.”

  The whisk continued to beat. “Tonight we’ll be having pear fritters with pear custard sauce.”

  Lillian smiled. “One of my favorite desserts. Georgia, I want you to meet Esther, the world’s greatest cook—”

  The calico kerchief quivered as Esther nodded. Bright dark eyes swept Annie.

  “—and Maybelle, who keeps everything sparkling.”

  The plump young woman at the dishwasher smiled shyly.

  “This is Vanessa’s friend, Georgia Lance. She’s come to take Vanessa’s things home to her sister. Georgia’s staying in Cottage three.”

  The cook looked gravely at Annie. “‘For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.”’

  In the silence that followed, Lillian sighed. “Nothing can bring Vanessa back to us.” Her face was tired and drawn. “Georgia, you are certainly welcome to take all of your meals with the family, although the kitchen in the cottage is stocked. Is there anything you would like to have Maybelle bring you?”

  “Oh, that’s thoughtful of you.” Annie frantically tried to think of something to ask for that would likely not be included in the usual guest provisions. It would be a heaven-sent opportunity to talk to one of the staff. “Why, yes, I’d really appreciate…some celery and carrots.” Almost any kitchen would have celery and carrots. “That’s my favorite snack.” Of the many lies she’d told this day, this surely would have amused Max the most. Oh Max, are you scared? Do you know we’re trying? Someday I will tell you about this and you’ll laugh.

  Esther had resumed whisking. “Maybelle will bring them out in a few minutes.”

  As they left the kitchen, Esther’s voice intoned: “‘There is no peace saith the Lord unto the wicked.”’

  As the door sighed shut, Lillian smiled. “Esther is not only a great cook, she is a good woman. Every conversation is peppered with biblical quotations, but there is nothing sanctimonious about Esther. She’s a good tether to reality when I get too immersed in the here and now and forget that life isn’t a series of committee meetings. This morning at breakfast she placed the last casserole on the sideboard, then turned and announced: ‘ “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein.” ’ I suppose she was referring to the man who killed Vanessa. He definitely is caught in a trap of his own making—”

  Annie forced herself to look inquiring and pleasant.

  “—but I know I don’t want to dwell on him or what happened to Vanessa.” Her voice was somber.

  They reached the end of the hall. Lillian held open the door. As they walked down the steps, heat rolled over them like a heavy wave. A path of crushed oyster shells wound past a long lagoon into a grove of pines.

  “It isn’t as far as it looks.” Lillian walked briskly despite the heat. The shells crackled underfoot. Crows cawed. Wasps buzzed near sweet-scented Japanese honeysuckle. Lillian ducked to avoid a wasp. “The cottages are nestled in the pines on the far side of the lagoon. There’s a lane through the pines. I’ll ask William—he’s Esther’s husband—to bring your car around. He can help with your luggage.”

  They reached the lagoon and followed the path to the far side. They passed two cottages. Annie looked back across the dark water at the house. It was another fifty yards to the third cottage. When they reached it, Lillian pointed to the south. “The garage is on the other side of the house. You can’t see it from here but you are welcome to park there. There is also a place to park here beside the cottage. Vanessa always parked by her cottage. She was in Cottage two.”

  Lillian unlocked the door. She stepped inside, turned on the light, and held the door for Annie.

  Though the decor was as impersonal as a hotel, the living room was cheerful. Bright red and blue cushions were in dramatic contrast to the shining white of the wicker furniture. Seascapes of catamarans and sailboats decorated bamboo walls. A conch shell was centered on a glass coffee table. A light oak coffee bar separated the living room from a small kitchen dining area.

  Annie looked admiringly around the room. “Thank you for letting me stay. The cottage is lovely and being here will make it easy to box up Vanessa’s belongings.” At the last, Annie looked suddenly forlorn. “I still can’t believe she’s gone. It had been so long since I’d talked to her. And now—” She struggled for composure.

  Lillian hesitantly touched Annie’s arm. “I’m sorry.”

  Annie managed a smile. “I’m sorry for you too. After all, she’d been living here for more than a year. Just like one of the family.”

  There was a curious expression on Lillian’s expressive face, a mixture of dismay and chagrin. “Vanessa—” She broke off, shook her head.

  Annie was eager. “Please, won’t you tell me? That’s what I’m hoping for. Memories to take back to Ginny.”

  Lillian once again turned her hands over. Annie saw the gesture as an unconscious revelation of reluctant acquiescence. “I wish I could be more helpful. I never felt I knew Vanessa well. She was cheerful and pleasant. She did a good job for me. She enjoyed shopping and knew quite a bit about fashion. She was always willing to be an extra at a party where there would be single men. She loved to dance and play tennis. But I always felt there was a person beyond the smile that I never knew. And—” abruptly Lillian’s face was grave—“I’m afraid her death is proof of that. She had never mentioned that man to me, the
one who was arrested, and yet she was the kind of woman who attracts men. She—” Lillian broke off.

  Annie wondered if the sudden hardening of Lillian’s face indicated anger. There was some emotion that she quickly hid.

  “Oh well, whatever her faults—”

  Faults? Annie wanted to interrupt, but Georgia’s job was to be pleasant.

  “—she was very young. I always hoped she’d find a young man to date, but she never seemed to have an outside social life but—”

  Annie interrupted. Even if it might seem rude, this was information she must have. “No social life at all?” Her voice rose in disbelief. “But Vanessa loved parties and being with people.”

  “Oh, she certainly had all of that.” Lillian rushed to explain. “She was always part of our activities and that seemed to satisfy her. I wondered why she didn’t date. Now the answer seems clear. She was involved with a married man and had to keep him a secret. But I know this isn’t what you want to tell her sister. I’m sorry.”

  Annie wondered how Lillian would respond if Annie pointed out there were two other married men who knew Vanessa quite well, Lillian’s husband and Sam Golden. Instead, Annie said quietly, “I don’t think Ginny would be surprised. She wants to know the truth. I’m going to try and find out what I can. I guess you can tell me what she was like that last day?”

  “Last day?” Lillian looked puzzled.

  “On Monday. Was she just as usual?” Vanessa had e-mailed Judy Denton that everything was going to be different. Annie watched Lillian carefully.

  Lillian gave no inkling the question mattered to her. Instead, she looked apologetic. “I didn’t see Vanessa Monday. Heather and I spent the weekend in Atlanta and we didn’t drive back until Tuesday. I’d only been home a little while before the policeman came to tell me. I don’t know if it would have made any difference if I’d been here. Jon didn’t realize Vanessa hadn’t come home Monday night. But there’s no reason why he should have checked. When I’m out of town Vanessa’s free—” A deep breath. “She was free to do as she wished.”