Chapter 3 #3
“I didn’t know Ken, but I have to say, what I’m learning does have my hackles up,” Chloe said, growing serious. “But Tripp, he talked in circles, and his journal doesn’t make much sense.”
“It’s really affecting Fletcher. He’s not sleeping,” Baily admitted. “The nightmares are back. He told me that since the journal surfaced, they’re coming every night.”
“Keaton’s had a few, too.” Trinity stirred the pot one last time and turned off the stove.
“Same with Hayes. He wakes up in a cold sweat, shaking,” Chloe said.
“Dawson flies out of bed sometimes at two in the morning with what sounds like a strangled scream. He can barely breathe,” Audra said. “He calms down pretty quickly, but the first time it happened, it scared the crap out of me. At least they’re all talking about it.”
“It just sucks, because they’re not only reliving what happened to my brother,” Baily said.
“They are reliving their own torture, and I hate that for each of them. And now, I feel like a bitch for being so stubborn about all their generosity. It’s just I had no idea about the fine print on that loan until Fletcher pointed it out.
It stunned me, and my pride has gotten in the way because all I’ve ever wanted was to be able to prove I can do this on my own.
” She wiped away the few tears that fell.
Audra slipped off the stool and wrapped her arms around Baily. “You are doing it,” Audra said. “But there’s no shame in accepting help from those who love you. Especially in what matters—and especially after what happened this morning.”
“I know,” Baily whispered. “I’m not fighting Fletcher…too hard. I need help, but I can’t bury him in debt either.”
The kitchen fell quiet for a beat, then Chloe stood. “Let’s go. The guys are outside, probably ruining a perfectly good fire without us and terrorizing my sister in the process.”
They stepped out onto the back deck, carrying all the food they’d prepared, the scent of burning cedar curling in the air. Fletcher and Keaton stood near the fire pit, beers in hand. Hayes poked at the flames with a long stick, like he was testing fate.
Fedora, Chloe’s half-sister, waved as she walked toward the group, cheeks flushed from laughter. Baily caught Chloe watching her, a soft smile tugging at her mouth.
“How are things going with you and Fedora?” Baily asked softly.
“Not as awkward as I thought they’d be. We’ve settled into a nice relationship.
More friends than sisters, but we have a closeness that can’t be explained.
I like it.” Chloe smiled. It was the kind of smile that softened the heart.
“Fedora’s wedding is coming up fast. Hayes is walking her down the aisle and panicking like she asked him to deliver a eulogy. ”
“Well,” Audra said, flopping into a chair beside the fire. “He did use to date her mom.”
“Oh, that part is not being discussed,” Chloe said with mock horror. “I like Betsy, and I’m not jealous. At least not of her. Or of their past. But they do have a bond, and I have boundaries.”
Everyone laughed.
Fletcher glanced over his shoulder and stepped away from the fire pit, inching closer. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m doing okay,” Baily said. “The morning was a little slow, but Silas, bless his soul, once he heard I had gas, he told everyone. A few boats even turned around, coming to me instead of going to the competition.” She laughed. “I think he told them I was cheaper.”
“Silas has always gotten a bad rap in this town, but he’s a good man.” Fletcher nodded.
“So are you,” she said barely above the crackle of the fire. “I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time earlier. It’s hard for me to accept help. My dad raised me to be independent. Lately…no, ever since he died…I feel like a failure.”
“Baily, you’re the complete opposite.” He wrapped his strong arms around her waist and tugged her gently to his chest.
She didn’t pull away. She’d grown tired of fighting of him. Of fighting this thing between them. Of fighting what had always been between them. She’d loved him since she was a teenager. That love had never died. Not even when she’d blamed him for…everything that had gone wrong in her life.
“Thank you for calling Kirk and arranging for a rush delivery—and for paying it.” She pressed her hand on the center of his chest. “I will pay you back when I get out from under this mess.”
“The only payback I need is for that marina to stay yours.” He pressed his lips against her mouth in a soft, gentle kiss that lasted only a second.
“But I won’t insult or offend you by telling you that you can’t.
Just know I don’t expect it anytime soon.
Other bills are more important. Other things need to be handled first.” He arched a brow.
“And please don’t tell me and the boys we can’t offer assistance anymore.
Things changed the second someone stole five thousand gallons of gas. ”
“I can live with that as long as it’s not more than what I need to stay afloat.”
“Deal.” He smiled.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Do you think maybe it might be a good idea to try Julie again? Possibly ask her questions about Tripp’s entries, without her knowing anything about the journal?” she asked.
“Dawson and I’ve chatted about that.” Fletcher shifted, taking her hand, tugging her toward the fire.
“But first, we’d have to get her to answer the phone, and she hasn’t, not for any of us.
And second, we’d need to find a way to formulate those questions in a manner that would elicit meaningful responses.
The problem with that is we don’t know what we’re looking for outside of what Ken knew about the loan, if anything.
Why the bad investment advice? And why was it so important for you to sell, because Ken just wanting you not to have to deal with it because he all of a sudden decided it was no place for a woman, well, that doesn’t track. ”
“Not to mention, would she even be honest about any of it?” she said.
“And there’s that, too.”
The distant hum of an outboard motor cut through the chatter. All heads turned toward the water as Silas guided his skiff toward the dock, his expression tight. He waved his hand wildly over his head. “Hey,” he called.
“Wonder what he wants,” Fletcher murmured, already moving toward the edge of the dock. “He’s been edgy, moody, or really quiet lately.”
Silas climbed out, his gaze scanning the group. “Sorry to crash your night. Just needed to talk.”
“You okay?” Baily asked. She’d known Silas her entire life. He’d been like this grumpy old favorite uncle. Quirky, a little left of normal, but he came in with smiles, hugs, and the best campfire stories.
Silas nodded slowly. “Yeah. Thanks for asking. Just—Dewey being the Ring Finger Killer…it’s still so hard to believe. He came to my wife’s birthday party last year. It’s just... I don’t know. I can’t… I should’ve known.”
“We all feel that way, Silas,” Dawson said as he leaned against the post. “He was the last person on an interesting list of possible suspects. Kind of made me look like an idiot.”
“You are no fool,” Silas said. “Outside of Tripp, you’re the best cop this town has ever seen.”
“Means a lot coming from you.” Dawson gave Silas a nod.
No one said anything for a moment. The crackle of the fire filled the silence. Calusa Cove had a way of taking quiet, contemplative moments like these and stretching them out for as long as possible, prompting people to ponder what was truly important in life.
Silas ran a hand through his hair. “That’s not why I came, though. I was down by the Crab Shack. Saw Decker Brown walking around like he owned the place. Measuring distances, taking notes. Looked like he was surveying it.”
Fletcher’s jaw tightened. “Damn it. I knew that man was up to no good.”
“I don’t trust him as far as I can spit,” Silas said. “I know you boys are planning on putting in a bid when it goes up for auction. I think that would be good for the town. You’re all good for this place. You…just fit.”
“Was he alone?” Fletcher asked.
“He was,” Silas said.
Baily’s stomach churned. Decker had been hanging around for months.
At first, she hadn’t had the same disdain for the man as everyone else, though his profession did give her pause.
Developers were not welcome in Calusa Cove.
Their town might be a little dated. A little run down.
A little backward and old-fashioned. However, the people were solid.
They enjoyed their life. While they knew change was necessary, a facelift here and there, they didn’t want to redesign the fabric of their world.
“Perhaps we should take a walk and see what he’s up to,” Dawson said. “We can even bring him a beer.” He chuckled.
Baily didn’t see the humor in it, but Dawson sometimes liked poking the bear. She supposed it came with the job.
“Didn’t you speak with him earlier about what happened at the marina this morning?” Baily asked.
“I did.” Dawson shifted his gaze, catching Baily’s and holding it. “He appeared shocked. Rattled even. Said he was in the cabin all night. I checked my security cameras, and his fancy Range Rover never left the parking lot.”
“Doesn’t mean he didn’t have a hand in it,” Fletcher said with a clenched jaw.
“You believe he stole Baily’s gas?” Silas asked with his arms at his side, fists clenched. “Why, I have half a mind to go back down there and shoot—”
“Silas,” Dawson said with a low growl. “Don’t be saying things like that in front of me. That’s a threat. And as an officer of the law, you know I have to take that seriously if you finish that statement.”
“But we’re talking about Baily. She’s like a daughter to me. And someone threatened her.” Silas ran a hand across his scruffy face.
“I know. And I’m dealing with it. Now, let me handle Decker.” Dawson waved his finger. “Go home to your wife. Have a nice glass of whiskey. Watch a show. I promise I’ll fill you in on what happened.”
“Thanks.” Silas climbed back in his boat. “I’d sure hate it if you boys didn’t win that bid.” He fired up his engine and idled down the canal.
Keaton sighed. “Well, there goes our quiet night.”
Chloe crossed her arms, her eyes lit up with something that Baily couldn’t quite understand. “Might not be quiet, but it could be fun.”
Baily wasn’t sure how eight people confronting Decker regarding the Crab Shack could be seen as enjoyable, but she’d follow their lead…quietly and in the background.