Footprints in the Sand (13 page)
Read Footprints in the Sand Online
Authors: Mary Jane Clark
I
t was the last thing in the world he had expected. A fabulous piece of luck. But was it too good to be true?
Would Levi actually do it? Would he really take the rap for Shelley’s murder? Or would he crack under the pressures he was surely going to face? Between the police, prison, and possibly death row, would the kid recant and reveal the truth?
From what he knew of Levi and the way he’d been raised, the odds were the kid would try to keep his word. The fact that Levi was petrified of having something happen to his sister made it even more unlikely that he would tell the authorities what he knew. Chances were decent that Levi wasn’t going to betray him.
At the very least, for now, the responsibility Levi was taking bought time. But he was getting ahead of himself. First he had to deal with the waitress. Unlike Levi, blackmailers couldn’t be trusted.
W
hen Piper went back inside the inn, her parents were still in the lobby.
“Did you pay him?” asked Vin.
“He wouldn’t let me,” said Piper. “I tried, but he wouldn’t take it. I’m going to wait a little while and then drive over to Fisher’s. If Levi won’t take the money, I’ll give it to Miriam or his parents.”
“Good idea,” said Terri as she looked again at the hex sign, considering the bold, clear pattern. “He does beautiful work. When you see him, ask Levi if he would be interested in doing something appropriate for The Icing on the Cupcake. There’s a perfect spot for it on the wall right inside the front door.”
“That’s going to be a tall order to get home, Terri,” said Vin.
Terri gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. “I know you’ll find a way, dear,” she said.
Piper was used to her mother coming up with ideas and her father’s protests as he was expected to implement them. But after his initial complaints, Vin always did as asked. He was proud and supportive of her and of what she had accomplished, with their children, with their home, and with the bakery business. After three decades of marriage and surviving a quarter century with the New York City Police Department and a ringside seat at truly disastrous events, Vin considered himself a very lucky man.
“I wonder if it would fit in the overhead compartment of the plane. No, it’s too big for that,” said Vin, answering his own question.
As her father speculated about shipping costs, Piper’s mind was on Levi and their brief conversation in the parking lot. What had Levi meant when he said the hex sign wasn’t just for Kathy and Dan?
W
e’ll start with the ankimo and tuna tataki,” said Isaac. “Then my friend will have the cod misoyaki and I’ll have the shogayaki.” He closed the menu and handed it to the waiter.
“I don’t know why we even bother to look at the menu,” said Elliott. “We come here so often.”
“It’s my favorite Japanese restaurant in Sarasota. Not that there are many of them,” said Isaac. “I wish we could get some more exotic food down here.”
“Me, too.” Elliott smiled and reached out to hold his partner’s hand. Isaac stiffened in his seat and pulled his hand away.
“Come on, El. You know I don’t go for PDAs.”
“Yeah, but I like to keep believing you’ll come around.”
“Not going to happen, kiddo. Even if I were straight, I wouldn’t make public displays of affection. You can take the boy away from the Amish, but you can’t take the Amish out of the boy. Showing emotion is not my thing.”
Elliott shrugged and unwrapped his chopsticks as the appetizers were served. They shared the monkfish-liver pâté and the finely chopped tuna and scallions with ginger sauce.
“Remember the time we had puffer fish at that restaurant in New York?” Isaac asked as he tasted the monkfish.
Elliott slowly shook his head as he answered. “How can I forget? I was scared to death. Every time I have liver, no matter where it comes from, the puffer-fish liver crosses my mind. I sat there praying that the chef knew what he was doing when he cut out the poison part.”
“You didn’t
seem
scared,” said Isaac.
“That’s because I didn’t want you to think I was unadventurous. We had just met then. I was trying to impress you.”
“Well, you did,” said Isaac. “I’d been in town for only a few months, and I thought you were such a sophisticated New Yorker. I was trying not to seem like a rube.”
“You know,” said Elliott, “I read that Japanese fish farmers are mass-producing poison-free puffer fish.”
Isaac shrugged. “Kinda takes the mystique away, doesn’t it? I mean, where’s the thrill? Where’s the risk? You might as well be eating tuna.”
The waiter cleared away their empty plates and brought the entrées. They swapped small portions of the cod and pork dishes so each could try the other.
“It’s funny,” said Isaac as he picked up a piece of tenderloin with his chopsticks. “On the bay cruise today, they cast out a bucket and pulled in a puffer fish.”
“How’d the cruise go anyway?” asked Elliott. “Did everyone have a good time?”
“They seemed to. I have to give it to the bride and groom. They carried on despite all that’s been happening around them. I’ll be glad when this wedding is over, El. There’s bad karma smothering it. And now I’m worried about something else.”
“What?”
“The bride’s cousin, Piper. I’m almost positive she heard me talking on the phone with you this morning.”
Elliott looked puzzled as he tried to recall the conversation. “What’s the big deal? I don’t think you said anything bad.”
“Remember? I was telling you about Shelley and how I was glad she was out of the way?”
“Oh, yeah. All right, you said it. But that’s not a crime. It’s just how you felt. Lots of people despise their boss.”
“You’re right, I guess,” said Isaac. “But I still don’t like that she heard me say so.”
As soon as they finished their entrées, Isaac motioned to the waiter for a check.
“No dessert?” asked Elliott with disappointment.
“Sorry, El. But I’ve got to go back to the inn. I have work to catch up on tonight.”
T
he Donovans ate a light supper together in the café. Afterward Piper took the car keys from her father.
“We’re going to walk down to Nora’s and go with her to the condo owners’ meeting,” said Terri. “Why don’t you stop there when you get back? It’s at the Robbinses’, right next door to hers.”
“I’ll try,” said Piper. “I’ll see how my leg feels.”
On her way through the lobby, she noticed Walter Engel. He was sitting bent forward in a club chair, studying oversize papers spread out in front of him on a coffee table. Piper walked over.
“Hi,” she said. “Working late?”
Walter looked up. “Always,” he said, his startled expression changing into an uncomfortable smile. “I had to get out of my office for a while, though. I keep thinking about Shelley when I’m there. We spent so much time together in that room. She was my right hand.”
“I’m so sorry,” said Piper. “I really am.”
Walter pointed at the papers. “These are the architect’s latest renderings of the new building. Shelley had been working so hard to make my dream a reality. Now she’ll never see the dream realized. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.”
Piper nodded in sympathy. “Can I see them?” she asked, hoping to get Walter’s mind on something happier.
He sat back while Piper looked at the drawings. As she adjusted to the scale, she could see how much larger the new Whispering Sands Inn was going to be. The proposed building seemed to spread way down the beach.
“What are these little boxes over here?” she asked, realizing that they were situated where her aunt’s condo now stood.
“Those are separate guest cottages,” said Walter, his face brightening. “Each one will have two bedrooms, two baths, a living room, and a kitchen, along with its own lanai facing the water. Guests will have the experience of staying in their own private beach house, complete with cable television, Internet access, Jacuzzi, Frette linens, and the world’s most beautiful sunsets every evening.”
“Sounds pretty out of control to me!” said Piper.
“It will be,” said Walter.
“So Aunt Nora and all the others have agreed to sell their condos?” asked Piper.
Walter’s expression grew somber. “Not yet. But I hope they will when they realize it’s really in their economic best interest. I’m going over there tonight to talk with all of them.”
A
s Piper drove the rental car toward North Bridge, she marveled at the confidence Walter exuded. She supposed that’s what somebody
had
to have in order to be successful in business. Piper just hoped that if Aunt Nora decided to sell her place to him, it would be because it really
was
in her best interest.
It crossed Piper’s mind that Walter could be wooing her aunt merely in an attempt to get the real estate he wanted. The thought was a deeply troubling one. Aunt Nora clearly cared about Walter, so much so that she was contemplating what it would be like to spend her life with him. After years alone she was finally putting herself out there with Walter. Piper couldn’t bear to think that her aunt might be hurt.
T
here were several empty spaces in Fisher’s lot. Piper parked the car, took the envelope marked with Levi’s name from her purse, and hurried over to the gift shop. The door was already locked. She decided to try the restaurant. When she entered the building, a woman wearing an Amish cap greeted her.
“I’m sorry, but we’re closing in a few minutes.”
“I know,” said Piper, holding up the envelope. “I only wanted to give this to Levi Fisher.”
“You just missed him,” said the woman. “He left a few minutes ago.”
“Oh,” said Piper. She thought quickly. Maybe it was for the best. If he had a chance to turn the money down again, Levi would likely do it.
“Can I give it to you to give to him?” she asked the woman.
“Yes. I will see that he gets it when he comes in tomorrow.”
When Piper returned to her car, it occurred to her that perhaps she should have gotten the woman’s name. But if you couldn’t trust an Amish person, who
could
you trust?
L
evi knew the perfect spot. The place where he’d spent so many hours in peace before his life had been turned upside down.
Pinecraft Park was within easy walking distance of the restaurant. Levi couldn’t begin to count the times he’d played volleyball and basketball there or the long, peaceful stretches he’d spent on the shore of Phillippi Creek, bird-watching and fishing. The park had been the source of such pleasure all through the years he grew up. Levi was comfortable there.
As he walked to the park, Levi came to the small, squat cinder-block building that served as the world’s only Amish-operated post office. He checked out the bulletin board affixed to the outside wall. It acted as a communications hub and was covered with handwritten job postings, announcements of benefit events, and general news to be passed around the community. Levi recognized Miriam’s handwriting on one of the index cards, offering to do housecleaning and ironing.
He continued ahead. He could see through the windows of some of the tiny houses where he knew many of the inhabitants. He wondered what they would think tomorrow when the news spread.
Spanish moss dripped from the trees that lined the park. Even in the darkness, Levi could see the shadows of the moss swaying in the gentle breeze. Though the effect was eerie, it was also strangely soothing.
He went by the shuffleboard courts and the picnic area and headed toward the creek. He walked down the concrete boat ramp and traveled a few yards along the water’s edge. When he got to the familiar old oak tree, Levi uncoiled the length of thick rope. His hands didn’t even shake as he fashioned the noose. He was certain he was doing the right thing.
W
hen Piper arrived at the Robbinses’ town house, the meeting of the condominium association hadn’t yet begun. Chatting residents were gathered in the living room, enjoying pie and coffee. Walter Engel stood somewhat apart from the rest of the group. He stared at the floor, seemingly engrossed in thought.
“Oh, Piper,” said Umiko when she saw her. “Welcome. How is your leg feeling?”
“Not too bad,” said Piper. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Your husband promised me there won’t be a scar.”
Umiko smiled. “That’s wonderful,” she said. “Now, come have some pecan pie. I got the recipe when we lived in Georgia. It isn’t low-calorie, and it’s loaded with carbohydrates, but it is so good that I make it once in a while anyway.”
Piper helped herself to a piece, wishing that Umiko’s caveat hadn’t spoiled the possibility of complete enjoyment. As she turned from the buffet table, Piper spotted her parents and Aunt Nora out on the lanai. She went to join them.
“Did you get the money to Levi?” asked Terri as soon as she saw Piper.
“He wasn’t there. I had to leave it with someone at the restaurant to give to him,” said Piper, looking for a place to sit. But before she could take a seat, Cryder appeared at the open sliding door.
“We’re getting started,” he said.
They followed their host inside. Piper saw Walter standing at the top of the steps that led from the dining area to the living room. He began to speak to the assembled audience.
“First I want to thank you all for coming this evening.” He turned to the hosts, who were leaning against a wall. “And thank you, Umiko and Cryder, for opening your home to us.”
Cryder nodded, and Umiko bent forward slightly as Walter continued.
“You all know that it is my desire to improve and expand Whispering Sands Inn. To do that I need more property. Your property. Property for which I am willing to pay handsomely. Some of you have already seen the opportunity and agreed to sell. Others are hesitant.
“I understand your reticence,” Walter continued. “This is a beautiful spot.” He gestured toward the Gulf of Mexico beyond the lanai. “I know I wouldn’t want to leave it either. But sometimes we get too emotionally tied and can’t recognize common sense. The Florida real-estate market continues to be depressed. Who knows when it will recover, if ever? I’m offering you twice what you would get on the open market. With what you’d net from the sale, you could buy another condo on the water, a bigger one than you have now.
“Tonight I’m hoping that you’ll share with me why you’re resisting. I want to address your concerns and help you see that selling to me really is in your best interest. Who wants to start?” Walter ceased talking and looked around the room.
Cryder held up his hand. “I have to say I don’t appreciate your tactics, Walter.”
“Me either,” said Roberta Golubock. “Your assistant called me in New York and tried to get me to talk my mother into selling. It was outrageous. My mother is totally capable of making her own decisions.”
“How
is
your mother?” asked Walter.
Piper watched, fascinated. She wondered if he was really concerned or just asking to ingratiate himself and change the subject. Would Walter really even want Roz to recover? If she didn’t, the condo would most likely be sold and he could be right there to scoop it up.
“She’s about the same, but she’s coming home tomorrow,” said Roberta. “Thanks for asking. But getting back to that assistant of yours: Later she called my mother again with some utterly ridiculous and completely false information about me she claimed she’d found on the Internet. She actually threatened my mother that she was going to spread the falsehoods and ruin my career if my mother didn’t agree to sell.”
“That’s outrageous,” called out a woman Piper didn’t recognize. “Why would any of us ever want to do business with somebody who employs such methods? I for one wouldn’t want to sell to somebody I couldn’t trust.”
The condo owners began to chatter among themselves. Looking ill at ease, Walter held up his hand. “Please, everybody. Shelley might have gone too far. She went off in her own direction on this project. I had no idea she was trying to find ways to force anyone to sell—and I agree, she was wrong to do it. But, tragically, Shelley isn’t with us anymore. Going forward, I want all our dealings to be completely aboveboard. I hope everyone can take a deep breath, cool down, and then look at my offer again.”
W
hile Walter talked, Piper stole glances at her aunt. Nora’s eyes were downcast, and her hands were clasped tightly together in her lap. This had to be so uncomfortable for her. As if she felt someone looking at her, Nora glanced up. Piper smiled at her reassuringly.
After she’d listened to the owners vent their views for a while, Piper felt her attention begin to wander. She looked around the room and admired the Japanese woodcut prints precisely arranged over the sofa. Beautiful silk embroideries were neatly framed and hung on the wall. On the table next to the sliding glass door, there was a display cabinet. It was filled with small carved figurines. Piper realized they were similar to the ones she’d seen in Cryder’s office earlier that day.
As soon as the meeting was adjourned, Piper sprang eagerly from her seat and went over to look at the netsuke. Minute scales were precisely carved into a tiny coiled snake. Every whisker appeared on a sleeping calico. A writhing dragon licked flames with his jagged tongue. But the netsuke that fascinated Piper the most was a monkey perched on a rock as it wrestled and held down the tentacles of a small octopus. The hairs of the monkey and the expression on its face were equally detailed. Even the tiny suction cups on the octopus’s tentacles could be seen.
“That’s one of my favorites.”
Piper looked up to see Cryder standing there.
“In the Japanese legend,” he continued, “the octopus was a physician to the Dragon King of the Sea and prescribed a monkey’s liver to heal the king’s daughter. But the smart little monkey evaded capture.”
Piper listened, amused and amazed by the artistry. “So you identify with the octopus physician?” she asked.
“I guess I should,” said Cryder, “but I’d rather be the triumphant monkey!”
Waiting till Cryder walked away to bid farewell to some of the guests, Piper snapped a picture of the netsuke so she could share it with her Facebook friends.