CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
DANI
Dani headed to the work site at the Meadows. But halfway there she stopped, turned around and headed to the Collister’s farm. Something Melanie had said about them being one of her first clients bothered her. That and the talk of many visitors.
When she arrived at the farmhouse, she was pleasantly surprised to find Mary Lou sitting on the porch. It being a weekday, it was slower at the vegetable stand, but still, Mary Lou never seemed to take the time to sit.
Dani got out of her car and walked up to the porch. “Hi Mary Lou. Can we talk?”
Mary Lou smiled. “Sure, honey. Come on up. I’m taking a break.”
Dani took a seat in the rocking chair beside Mary Lou. “My sisters and I are trying to figure out the story behind the ghost theory at the cottage, and I need to ask you a couple of questions.”
“Ask me about a ghost?” Mary Lou’s lips spread into a smile. Then, seeing Dani’s seriousness, she grew somber. “I’m sorry. What do you want to know?”
“You told me about a nephew of yours visiting you after you first bought the farm. You called him Alex. Was his last name Thomas?”
“Yes, why?”
“What is his full name?” Dani asked without answering her.
His full name was Richard Alexander Thomas. The Richard was for my father. The Alexander because it was my sister’s favorite name.” A look of sadness crossed Mary Lou’s face.
“Did Alex ever date someone that summer he was here?” asked Dani, certain she was on to something.
Mary Lou shook her head. “Not to my knowledge. Of course, I was busy with four children, and he was a good kid who had his private time off in the evenings. But I never heard him talk about a girlfriend that summer or see him with one. Why?”
“If my theory is right, I believe he was dating Carol Maynard.” Dani took a deep breath. “We found an envelope with the name R.A. Thomas on it. I think she was writing a letter to him. And then she left town. I believe she went to him in New York. Can you ask your sister if she knows anything about this?”
Mary Lou shook her head. “I wish I could, but my sister died of cancer a few years ago. Another tragedy. She was only a couple of years older than I.”
“Can you think of anything Alex said to you that would help me discover what happened.”
“I talked to him only once before he was … killed. I asked him how things were going with his new job. He said he loved it, loved living in the city, and that good things were happening to him. That’s all. No mention of Carolyn or any other woman.”
“Okay,” said Dani. “You’ve been a big help. Sometime I’ll fill you in on the entire story. Now I have to get to my sisters.” She stood and kissed Mary Lou on the cheek. “Thanks for talking with me.”
“Anytime, honey. Simply ask,” said Mary Lou. She rose and gave Dani a strong hug. “Nice to see you.”
After giving Mary Lou a little wave, Dani hurried down the steps, got into her car, and called her sisters.
###
Bursting with triumph, Dani entered the house and called for her sisters. They hurried into the living room to greet her.
“What’s going on?” asked Whitney.
“I’ve got it. I know more of the story behind the ghost,” said Dani so pleased with herself she could hardly get the words out.
“Come into the kitchen, sit down, and tell us calmly,” said Taylor. “You’re all but dancing.”
Dani followed her sisters into the kitchen and sat at the table facing them. “I’ve figured out who R.A. Thomas is. Remember the story I told you about Brad’s cousin who came to Lilac Lake to help his parents and then died in the September 11th attacks? They called his cousin Alex, but his full name was Richard Alexander Thomas. Ring a bell?”
“Oh, R. A. Thomas. So, you’re implying that he and Carol dated?”
“Mary Lou couldn’t confirm it, but neither could she deny it,” said Dani.
“Okay, now we can figure out the rest,” said Taylor. “It’s all tied to the box we found in the garage and the certificates.”
“Agreed,” said Dani. “It all makes sense now.”
“Let’s call Summer,” said Whitney. “Time for us to meet with Carol again.”