Chapter Eighteen The Turning Point #4
“This is how it went down,” Burton explained.
“Several months ago, shortly after Kirby passed, a letter was sent to our zoning board suggesting the property could be deemed a spot blight and recommended for eminent domain.
Evidently there was a developer interested in purchasing the property from the borough should the borough seize the land.
The letter came from someone in Trenton, but the paperwork went into the pile of similar notices and queries.
This was before anyone was made aware that Kirby left the property to you and your brother.
“Once it became known that the property was part of his estate, the person of interest engaged Dennis Farrell to find the deed before any further action could take place.
“Even though it was illegal, the developer would have enough time to build his luxury enclave before any of it went to court.”
Madison interrupted him. “What about permits?”
Burton continued, “If he had the deed, then he could apply for permits. He had given Dennis fifty thousand dollars to find the paperwork.”
“Do you think he killed Dennis?” Madison asked.
“A young teen brought a video. He’s a nature lover and had cameras set up to record wildlife.”
Burton pressed some keys on the laptop and then turned it around so Madison and Viggo could see the screen.
“Here you see Dennis arguing with a man. The man pushes Dennis. Dennis hits his head. The man gets in his vehicle and backs over a rock. So, you were right on target with the paint on the rock.”
A shiver ran up Madison’s spine.
“The other rock was stained with blood, which was identified as Dennis Farrell’s.”
As the video continued, Burton said, “Here you can see Dennis stagger to the kayak, where he tried to paddle, but he falls overboard. We believe he was unconscious at that point and ultimately drowned. The kayak got caught on the reeds, and Dennis’s body was carried out to the marina with the tide. ”
Madison was shaking her head and blinking in disbelief. Disbelief that they put the pieces together.
“Arlo confessed to stealing the map and trespassing on Pauline’s property,” Burton informed her.
“Yes, he stopped at our house this morning and returned the map.”
“He also confessed to assaulting Crusty and told us another Dennis-the-Menace story.”
Burton told them about the houseboat and the overdue rent on the slip.
Arlo had told her about this, too, but Madison was still thinking about the altercation between the man and Dennis that she’d just witnessed on the video.
“According to Arlo, Mikey is going to put the property up for sale.”
“What will they do?” Madison asked.
“I have no idea. The important thing is we’ve gotta nail this thing shut. Madison, do you recognize this man?” He pointed to the photo.
Madison repeated who she believed it was.
“Great. We’ve got a hit on the license plate, thanks to Arlo. The car is registered to Geoffrey Wilson, the photo puts him at the scene, and the paint matches the vehicle.”
Burton looked at Viggo and then at Madison. “Okay, you two kids can go now. Thanks for all your detective work.” He winked at both of them.
After the two of them left, Burton phoned Mikey and told him to call the mystery man, aka Geoffrey Wilson—although Burton did not mention his name to Mikey.
“Tell him you have the information he’s been looking for and to meet you at the shop. As soon as you know what time he’ll be arriving, you let us know, and we will be on site, but out of sight. Got it?”
Mikey was nervous but thrilled that this nightmare was going to end. Maybe not all of it, but the life-threatening part of it.
Viggo and Madison got into Viggo’s car. “Should I drop you at your house?”
“My car is at yours,” Madison said with some relief. She was pumped on adrenaline, but she also wanted to continue the lovely evening they had been sharing earlier.
Viggo, too, was relieved. He wanted to spend more time with Madison. There was still a lot to learn about each other.
Diogo was waiting patiently at the front door. It was as if he knew intuitively that his human parent was nearby. Most animals do.
Viggo suggested an after-dinner digestif. Madison was all for it. Her stomach was fluttery, but not from the fantastic dinner. It was from … well … from everything.
Viggo stopped in front of the stereo and put on another one of his cool jazz favorites, an up-and-coming saxophone musician named Eric Darius. Then he poured a shot of Aquavit into two cordial glasses and handed one to Madison.
“It’s Norwegian.”
“Of course it is.” Madison smiled, moved over, and lightly patted the sofa, inviting Viggo to sit next to her. He was happy to oblige. When they finished their drinks, Madison instinctively curled up next to him and rested her head on his shoulder.
Viggo gently lifted her chin and kissed her softly. Madison responded eagerly, and Viggo deepened the kiss. Madison shuddered involuntarily.
Viggo pulled back, unsure of her response. “Are you okay?”
Madison smiled. “More than okay.”
“Good. I don’t want to move too fast or scare you away.”
“Too fast?” Madison laughed. “Haven’t we been putting this off long enough?” It was a forward thing to say, but she felt brave. She felt bold. “And I’m absolutely not going away. There’s no place I’d rather be than Smuggler’s Cove.”
Madison felt a happiness she hadn’t experienced in a long time … maybe ever. It was everything she had longed for, and if she had her way, it would be a main part of the next chapter of her life.
The End
Or not …