She Waits (12 page)

I watched him as he mounted his horse and easily rode down the trail in into the woods. I looked over at Hannah who was watching as well. She looked tired and worried.

"So, you're knocking this poor kid off her horse right and left, huh Kate?" Mac said proudly.

Hannah laughed heartily. "I like him."

"Want him?" Teri asked.

We seemed to relax for a moment, as we laughed at poor Mac's blushing face.

"Hannah, you just met Mac and already you have him blushing. Good girl!" I said.

"How is Maggie?" Teri asked.

I could tell by her look that she wanted to talk to me alone. She looked a lot like our mother, who had a way of looking at you so you knew exactly what she was thinking.

"She's resting. She'll be fine," I said. "She seems to have a hard head."

Hannah got up. "Well, I will leave you alone. I want to check up on Margaret."

Mac, Teri and I sat for a second staring at each other then Teri and I both started talking at the same time.

"God, you'll never believe what happened!" I said.

"Was I spooked when we drove up!" Teri said.

We both stopped and laughed. Mac rested his chin in his hand. "God, the Ryan sisters." He poured himself more coffee and sat back like a kid at the circus.

"When did you get here?" I looked at my watch: one o'clock.

"About forty minutes ago. Kate, as I said, I got the creeps when we pulled up here. Didn't I, Mac?"

"Yes, you did," he said.

"Why?" I asked.

"I looked out into the woods and you know me, I got that feeling of a presence, something was there. I just felt it," she said and Mac and I fell silent. "Well, that's what usually happens when I bring up the supernatural with
you
two. So, what's been going on around here? Hannah--and we have to call her Hannah--started to tell us but then you came back. What the hell happened?"

I explained everything that had happened since I talked to them last night--as well as everything I'd figured out about before.

"Good grief, are you all right? How many stitches, Katie?" she asked, sounding very much like our mother. It was truly scary.

"I'm fine." I said. "Now, more importantly, on our ride today, before Maggie got bounced around, my brain caught up with me and I finally figured out the intruder was a woman. She was wearing perfume."

Teri was amazed. "A woman? Do you think it was the same woman in the woods? Tell me about her."

"It was kind of eerie. She was there, and then she wasn't. I got the same feeling last night, when I thought I saw someone at the edge of the woods. Whatever it was, was there, then gone. Whaddya think?" I asked.

"Well, I don't know. If and when she turns up again, it'll be interesting," Teri said.

"To say the least. Man, I'm glad you two are here." It struck me then, how lucky I was to have them. Teri was 48. She was sophisticated but also down to earth. She was about five foot six, an adorably full-figured redhead with beautiful blue eyes and a great sense of humor. Being married to an ex-Marine like Mac, she needed it quite often.

"Maggie and you both saw the same person?" Teri asked.

"Yes, but I saw her clearly. Maggie said she couldn't get a good look. You know what I'm thinking? All the time I had Maggie on the horse, I felt like someone was watching us. Then, boom, the uncle shows up. What are the odds?"

"Well, it's his property, he might easily have just been out for a ride," Teri said.

"True. I guess I'm getting paranoid, here. That woman spooked me."

The vision of the woman in the woods stuck with me. What was she doing there?

Mac was playing with the plastic bag. "So, this is what Chance found?"

"Yep. Chance dug it all up. I don't exactly know where, but I know it was on the other side of the lake. It was very spooky how it happened." I explained Chance's odd behavior from last night and then this morning.

"And she came back with everything?" Teri asked.

"Yep. She had the burlap and the jewelry. It was freaky."

"Why did she bolt around the lake?" Mac asked and looked at Teri.

"I think Chance knew where to go. You say Chance sat there and stared across the lake?" she asked and I nodded.

"It was as if--" I stopped dead and without finishing my sentence, Teri understood.

"As if what?" Mac asked, looking at both of us.

"As if she saw someone or something. Mac you know perfectly well, dogs have that sense."

"No,
you
have that sense, Teri," I chimed in. It was true.

Teri has that sixth sense that scares the hell out of me. She downplays it, but never denies it. Some call it intuition, but those who know Teri, know it's much more.

"Okay, don't tell me: You're traveling through another dimension..." Mac started.

"Next stop: The Twilight Zone," I said in my best Rod Serling imitation.

Teri glared at both of us. "Very funny, children."

Chapter Ten

Being the gracious hostess, Hannah made sure we'd have dinner then she joined us on the deck.

"Kate, Teri was telling me about the woman in the woods. Who could she have been?" Hannah asked.

"I don't know. It was a little unnerving." I ran my fingers through my hair.

"So now what, Sherlock?" Mac asked.

"I need to know more about Miranda's murder. Last night the sheriff--Steve, I think his name was--seemed like an affable guy. I think I'll take a skip into town, maybe he can shed some light on this."

"It was twenty years ago, do you think he knows anything?" Teri asked.

"I don't know," I said.

"Want us to come with?" Mac asked.

"Would you mind if I went alone? I'll only be an hour."

"Okay, Mac and I will stay with Hannah," Teri said.

"Can I borrow the Jeep?"

Mac and Teri laughed. "It's not funny. I have no idea where my car is," I said as Mac tossed me the keys.

I walked into the small police station and noticed Steve in his office. He waved me in.

"Hi. How're ya feeling?" he asked. His thick, sandy hair flopped forward, making him look like he just woke up. His short-and-stocky build also made me think of a high-school football player.

"I'm fine, thanks. Can I bother you for a few minutes? I have two issues. One, I remembered something about last night's break in." I told him all about my realization of the intruder being a woman, and how Chance found all that jewelry.

"I remember you saying last night there was something that didn't sit well with you. You're sure it was a woman?" He wasn't challenging, just asking.

"Well, in this day of unisex cologne, I can't be completely sure. However, Steve, this was definitely a woman's fragrance. So, if it quacks like a duck...well, you know what I mean. That coupled with the strength, I'm saying it's a woman. Now, onto my next issue. Can you tell me anything about Miranda Winfield's murder?"

He looked at his watch. "How 'bout a cup of coffee? I can tell you what I know."

We sat at the same diner where Maggie and I'd had breakfast.

"You look done in, Kate. What's your deal here? How is it that you're in the middle of this?"

I told him, vaguely, about Jan and Barb and their concern for Maggie. "I never expected to fall into the middle of something like this."

"You're not trying to play Nancy Drew are you? I care a great deal about that family."

"That's not the case, I assure you. Besides, I'm too old for Nancy Drew." I gave him a reassuring smile.

He slid the old folder he had been carrying across the table. "It's the police file on Miranda Winfield's death. You can take a look at it today, but I'll need it back tomorrow."

"Are you sure you should be giving this to me, Steve? I mean, you don't know me," I said, though I was itching to take the folder and run.

"My father was the sheriff back then, Kate. If he were still sheriff, I think he'd do what I'm doing now and give you the file. He'll be here tomorrow for the Fall Festival, maybe we can talk to him then."

As we walked out of the diner, we bumped into Allison. It was obvious she noticed the folder. Giving us a curious look, we exchanged hellos and good-byes and she scurried off.

"I'll make sure I get this back to you as soon as I've read it, Steve. Thanks."

I wanted to see the lake again, from the other side. I drove the three miles then saw the sign for Cedar Lake and turned right. Surrounded by woods, the road was worn but drivable. I came to a fork in the road and took the road to Cedar Lake. There was a small parking area for no more than three or four cars, and didn't look like anyone had used the lot in quite a while.

Grabbing the file, I walked down a path that led to the lake. It was beautiful. The autumn colors that lined the shore were breathtaking. The path probably led all the way around the lake, so I followed it for about fifty yards.

I saw a makeshift bench close to the shore. Someone had taken a long birch log, about six feet, and planed it flat on one side so you could sit on it.

I leafed through the pages, and then I came to some gruesome photos. When I saw these, I was a little prepared, but shocked nonetheless. I hoped Maggie or Hannah had never seen these.

Miranda's bloated body was completely clothed. She was laying on the lakeshore. The upper torso and neck had several stab wounds. I quickly went to another photo. I scratched my head. I looked up and scanned the lake.

The report was short. A young couple that was walking around the lake found the body. It was determined that the body had been in the lake for two days. She was last seen on October 31, 1986. I stared at the date. She died on Halloween. I shivered violently, for the hundredth time this weekend.

Christ, I thought, not that there is a good time to be murdered, but Halloween? I read on.

The coroner, Dr. Walt Jenkins, determined that the cause of death was loss of blood due to the severed carotid arteries. The victim died within minutes. It was also determined that the victim had been killed at the lake.

She had been stabbed with an extremely sharp instrument; however, no murder weapon had been found. Unfortunately, it was impossible to get the exact time of death, due to the weather conditions at the time. An unexpected warm spell and heavy rains marred any exact determination.

Doc Jenkins was the coroner. I guess that wasn't too unheard of. Hannah said he was more or less a brain, and in a small town, you have to wear many hats other than town doctor.

I turned the page and there was the report from Steve's father, Sheriff Tom Caldwell.

The victim was Miranda Margaret Winfield, found on November 2, 1986. She was the victim of an apparent robbery. Her body found in Cedar Lake, by a young couple walking in the area, had multiple stab wounds. Mrs. Winfield had no jewelry, purse or any other belongings on her person, but victim's house and car keys were in her left pants pocket. The crime scene and surrounding area was sealed. The robber was clever enough to leave absolutely no signs, or any evidence.

Sheriff Caldwell's signature was at the bottom on the page. I turned the page over and someone had scribbled--
Murderer too careful. If a drifter then why didn't they take keys?

I sat there for a moment or two. Why would a murderer take the time to steal all the jewelry, take her purse and money, but not check her other pocket and notice the keys? Why in the world would you rob and kill someone then leave the evidence all over the woods?

Then I realized they didn't leave it all over the woods. Chance dug it up. The question now was why would someone bury it and not take it with them and then dispose of it, or better yet, sell it if that was their intention, for drug money, or whatever.

Someone was scaring Maggie and causing these accidents. Someone definitely sabotaged that saddle. Who would want her harmed? Who is the woman in the woods and what connection does she have to a twenty-year-old murder?

And why am I sitting at the crime scene by myself?

Chapter Eleven

I went back to my car, trying to shake off the feeling of being watched, and fumbled to the put the car in gear.
Good grief, Ryan, calm down.

I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw her. She was standing right behind me in the same white dress she'd had on earlier. I jumped out of the car, but she had already vanished without a trace.

The woods were totally still.
Okay, that's enough.
I jumped into the Jeep and sped away, occasionally glancing in the rear view mirror.

When I returned I found Maggie and Hannah in the living room where a repairman was replacing the French doors. They both looked up when I came in.

"Good, you're back," Hannah said. "Teri and Mac went for a walk with Chance."

Maggie ignored me completely for some reason. I looked at Hannah but couldn't tell what in the hell was going on by the look on her face.

"Good. Well, I stopped into town and--" I started.

Maggie interrupted me.
Good grief, these people!
"Where did you go this afternoon? Allison called. She told me she saw you coming out of the diner with Steve. She mentioned that perhaps I shouldn't trust you. With you sneaking off to Steve and thinking I was lying about the saddle, I'm not so sure she's wrong." She had that defensive look again.

"Margaret that's enough," Hannah said.

Maggie stared at me, completely ignoring Hannah.

I was getting a little tired of that look. I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. I was beyond tired and had had enough. "First of all I don't sneak. I'm trying to find out what's going on and what it has to do with your mother's murder. So trust either your girlfriend or me. Which is it going to be?" I turned away and looked out the door. Christ she was infuriating. I looked at my watch; it was nearly four-thirty. I'd been gone longer than I thought. I turned back to Maggie, who was standing by the fireplace.

She looked tired, lonely and worn and I felt bad for the way I'd reacted. "Look, this is a very unusual situation, Maggie. Things are beginning to unravel here and I don't want it to get away from me. My fuse is a little short, I apologize," I said.