Bay Hideaway (13 page)

“I don’t need the program for a personality profile,” Nathan answered, trying to hold back a smile. “This is much more serious than that.”

“Then what? More statehouse stuff, amateur sleuthing to save the commonwealth of Pennsylvania?”

“In a sense,” Nathan answered, knowing if he waited long enough, Jeff’s curiosity would be drowned out once he started talking computer programming. “I need a software application that can read, decipher, and compare handwriting.” He thought for a second. “It would have to be able to tell the difference between handwriting samples that were meant to look alike.”

“That’s a big order,” he remarked without sounding the least bit perturbed. “So you want professional software like the police department uses to identify forgeries, but available to the public?”

“Right! Do you have it or know where I could get it?”

“It’s possible,” he answered somewhat distractedly, and Nathan could hear the computer keys tapping in quick succession in the background. “The question to be asked is whether a graphology program could interpret the data like a professional. Software of this caliber is usually operated in conjunction with someone skilled in the area.”

“I was afraid of that.”

“Don’t give up so easily,” his brother encouraged, the sound of keyboard movement still evident. “Do you know anyone on the Harrisburg or Lancaster police force who would be willing to help?”

“No.” Nathan sighed. He had plenty of contacts, but no one he could involve without jeopardizing the situation. The words “accessory after the fact” came to mind. How would the district attorney or public feel about him not immediately reporting the fraud once he’d discovered Judi’s new life? Would they consider him an accessory to this charade? “Do you know of anyone?”

“I might,” he returned, his tone suggesting his mind was preoccupied with the computer. “Our sister, Laurie, might be the one to help you.” The keyboard sounded furiously again. “Remember that detective story she did in Pittsburgh about a murder suspect they convicted by using handwriting analysis? If I could just find it…” His voice dropped off. “There it is!” he almost shouted.

Nathan tried to recall the story and couldn’t. “Did this detective do handwriting analysis?”

“That’s what I’m trying to find out.” There was a pause. “First I have to sign up for a free trial subscription to the online archives of the newspaper. Just give me a minute.” Another pause. “Let me read the story… yada yada yada—here it is. Yes, I think you’re in luck.”

“You found it?”

“Yep,” he answered. “I can talk with Laurie about it if you want. I have to call her, anyway.”

“Please!” Nathan exclaimed, excited that God had opened at least one avenue. “If she thinks this detective will do her a favor, I’d really be grateful. All I need is to match a short letter with the handwriting on a check.”

“Can do!”

“Have her call me on my cell phone and I can fill her in.”

Something in Nathan’s urgent tone must have triggered Jeff’s next question. “Are you all right?”

“I’m not sure,” he answered honestly. “I’ll be better if Laurie can help me out.”

“All right, big brother,” he responded affectionately. “I’ll see what we can do.”

When Nathan closed the phone, he again thanked God. He wanted to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt to Judi that he was not the author of these notes and possibly, possibly… find the identity of the person responsible. He would need to scan the letter and obtain an electronic copy of a few old checks he’d written. Buoyed by the possibility of help from Laurie, he placed the glasses back on his nose and turned back to the laptop. Quickly, he accessed his banking records and flipped through several secured Web pages until he reached the copies of his old checks. It would be best to go back to the time when the notes were written to make all things equal.

There were the checks! Gas bill, credit card payment, mortgage—he supposed it didn’t matter. Then he saw a check written to Judi’s father for five hundred dollars. He frowned. What he’d meant as a gift to help his father-in-law pay medical bills was met with scorn—but it didn’t prevent the old man from cashing the check, Nathan thought wryly. Mr. Porter told him in no uncertain terms he didn’t need any handouts. Thankfully, Judi never knew of the fiasco. Nathan had let it go and never mentioned it.

Why he’d kept it secret he couldn’t remember. His goodwill gesture flopped, but he hadn’t shirked his duty. Maybe it was time Judi realized he wasn’t as unfeeling as she believed. This check was as good as any to print and use for analysis. Nathan saved a copy of the check and two others in the computer. These he would send as one file.

Now, for the threatening note. With a few cable connections to the computer, he set up the portable scanner-printer and within minutes printed out the perfect copy of the note he planned to have compared. This he also saved into a file.

That was the first step. When he met with Judi for lunch, they would plan step two and try to figure a way to keep Tilly Storm from scavenging information at dinner that evening. It wouldn’t be easy, but imperative. The world would rain fire down on their heads if the situation wasn’t handled just right. Their lives depended on it!

Judi sluggishly dropped her purse into the desk drawer and locked it. She felt depleted and knew her appearance let it show. Without purpose she sank down into the chair and plucked her hairbrush from the top drawer, running it through the out-of-control curls that looked more like a twirl of pink cotton candy on a paper stick than her usual soft, smooth waves. She’d taken a shower soon after Nathan left the night before, but was too tired for the usual blow-dry and curling iron routine. Then after a night of fitful turning in her sleep, the damp hair had turned into the Bride-of-Frankenstein beehive by morning. Wetting it down with copious amounts of gel and trying to finalize the disaster with hair spray didn’t improve matters.

She gave a sour grimace at her reflection in the small mirror on her desk, sticking out a rebellious tongue at the less than flattering result. “Who cares what you think!” she demanded of the object.

Just as she figured, the mirror didn’t seem to care.

Suddenly, she heard the church office door pop open and caught a glimpse of Larry Newkirk strolling in with a smile. Quickly, she dropped the brush back into the drawer and shoved it closed.

“Good morning,” he cheerfully greeted as she turned toward the counter. He was dressed in his customary crisp police uniform, evidently pulling another double shift from evenings to days. The poor guy worked all the time.

“Morning,” she mumbled back with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. She noticed a momentary break in his concentration when he took in her appearance, but thankfully he said nothing of it.

“Did you have a nice afternoon yesterday?” he asked politely, checking the small wooden mailbox slots in the outer office.

Judi managed a slow smile. “Yes, thank you.”

“I saw your cousin coming back to the Stantons’ cabin last night,” Larry went on, sounding nonchalant while he opened an envelope retrieved from the mail slot. “That is where he’s staying, isn’t it?”

Larry was on a fishing expedition and she knew it. “No,” she finally said. “I believe he’s staying at the rental next to the Stantons’. The old McGreevy place.”

He moved toward the counter and set the letter down. “You’re sure everything’s all right? You seemed a little uncomfortable yesterday.”

“Just a little surprised, that’s all.” That was an understatement.

He gave a grim nod. “You know if you ever need help, Becky and I are only a phone call away.”

“I know,” she said, her smile widening. “I appreciate knowing there are good friends to rely on when needed.”

The office door immediately pushed open again and Becky burst in, her face bright with excitement.

“Did you hear the latest?” Becky asked, her long black hair swishing lightly from side to side as she looked between Judi and Larry. When they shook their heads, Becky clapped her hands together in delight. “Jason and Lauren Levitte are expecting twins. Isn’t that marvelous?”

“Twins!” Judi repeated in pleased astonishment. Now here was a couple God had managed to bring back together in what seemed like an impossible situation. After five years of separation, Lauren came back to the island to set right the accusations Jason had made that caused her to leave the island in the first place. Although Judi wasn’t around to witness the breakup several years ago, she was there in time to see the reunion. The entire island talked about it for weeks. Finally, they married and were now expecting twins. If God could heal their botched love and hurts, maybe there was hope for Nathan and her after all.

“It’s true!” Becky bobbed her head, continuing with vigor. “Won’t the residents be surprised in the spring? It will be like a population explosion. I’m not sure the island has ever had three babies at one time.”

“Three?” Judi asked, immediately noticing the bright shade of red creeping up Larry’s neck. Becky was looking aghast and subconsciously planted a hand over her abdomen. Then Judi knew. “You’re expecting, too?”

“Oops!” Becky’s hand instantly flew to her mouth in chagrin.

Larry gave a lopsided, almost shy grin. “We weren’t going to tell anyone yet, at least not until we had talked with our parents.”

“My lips are sealed.” Judi laughed, mimicking the pull of a zipper across her mouth. “But please accept my early congratulations.”

“Thank you!” both said in blissful unison.

There was another of God’s miracles. Becky was a missionary forced out of the Congo due to political unrest that made it unsafe for Americans. While furloughed on Bay Island, she became involved with the building project of the Thunder Bay Christian Camp and its lead committee member—Larry. They fell in love. It was a wonderful romance, blemished only by Becky’s rich father, who couldn’t accept her life as a missionary or as a wife to a “lowly” police officer. Her parents never even bothered to come to the wedding. Judi had met the father once—and once was enough. He was a tough egg to crack. Yet Becky mentioned how much peace God gave her over the situation, and she believed one day her daddy would come to know Jesus. That was real faith.

Even the cantankerous church elder Van Edwards seemed to find love. Judi hadn’t missed the ogle-eyed looks Mr. Edwards and Tilly Storm had been exchanging the past several months. Ever since Tilly’s heart attack last year, Mr. Edwards thought he was Tilly’s personal trainer. It was heartwarming to see, really. Both were alone and made the perfect couple. Yes, romance and now new life were in the air on Bay Island. She hoped there would be enough romance left for another unlikely couple.

Was it possible? Maybe it was too much to ask. She would have to win Nathan back and clear herself in the bargain. There was also another woman in the picture, one Nathan loved. She’d seen God work in the lives of so many, but none were tackling the love triangle and legal battle she now faced. Was He up to the challenge?

“I need to get back to rounds,” Larry finally announced to the ladies. Giving the counter a light slap with the palm of his hand, he gave Judi a pointed look. “Call if you need us for
anything
!”

“Yes, sir!” Judi gave a mock salute.

Becky laughed and gave her husband, the new daddy-to-be, a kiss on the cheek. “Isn’t he handsome when he’s so commanding?” She smiled back at Judi. “I need to meet the plumbing contractor at the camp, so we both better get going. We’ll see you later, Judi.”

Like a whirlwind that blew in, the two blew right back out, leaving Judi relieved for a quiet moment. She immediately busied herself with the ever-growing stack of paperwork and phone calls. Totally immersing herself in her familiar world of secretarial duties and tasks helped bring back a stabilizing calm to the morning.

One last keystroke completed the Sunday bulletin, and Judi pushed back her chair, critically looking at the screen text for errors. So deep was her absorption, she didn’t notice Nathan enter the office until she looked up to see him standing at the counter watching her. How long he’d been there she didn’t know. Immediately, she felt color rushing into her face.

“Nathan!” Judi swiveled in the chair to fully face him, wishing she could control her blushing reaction. “Is it noon already?” She looked up at the clock in surprise.

“Almost,” he answered. “Are you about ready for lunch?”

“Just give me a minute!” Slightly unsettled, Judi quickly set about saving the files on the computer and rearranging the piles of papers on the desk to be finished that afternoon. She retrieved her purse and knocked on Pastor Taylor’s door.

“I’m off for lunch,” she announced after cracking the door open wide enough to pop her head inside. He gave his blessing with a smile and went right back to work.

“Where would you like to go for lunch?” Nathan asked when they stepped out of the building.

“There’s a great taco place at Levitte’s Landing,” she said after some thought, smiling inside again at the reminder of the news announcing Jason and Lauren Levitte’s twins. Twins! Even Jason’s shopping center masterpiece couldn’t compare to this development.

“That will be fine,” Nathan was saying as he directed her to the golf cart. “Do you mind if we take your
‘coupé de
cart’? I’m beginning to get the hang of this island transportation business. I wasn’t sure at first, but it kind of grows on you.”

Judi gave a light laugh at his pun and handed him the keys. “Be my guest.”

By the time they’d ordered lunch and sat on the pier overlooking the boat dock, Judi was ravenous. Nathan hadn’t even blinked when she ordered three tacos and must have sensed her mounting hunger for he gave a quick prayer for grace.

Judi took a hasty bite, immediately splitting the hard taco shell in two. Half of the meat and cheese contents spilled into the wrapper. The lettuce and tomatoes soon followed. “Sorry,” she apologized with a shrug. “These can be a little messy.”