Keeping Guard (11 page)

K
ylie squelched a scream as the man approached. Was this it, the way everything would play out? Was this what had happened to Suzy last night? Had Kylie's stalker found her here? Her heart seemed to pound out of her chest as fear paralyzed the rest of her.

“Go inside, Kylie.” Nate's tone left no room for argument.

Kylie's eyes remained glued to the figure approaching them. She held her breath, waiting to see who it was, yet not wanting to see.

“Now, Kylie.” Nate's voice was close to a growl. He never took his eyes off the man, and his whole body seemed tight with adrenaline.

Her eyes still on the man, she fumbled with the doorknob. Her heart pounded an erratic rhythm. Finally, she got enough traction to open the door and back inside.

She vaguely had the thought to call the police, yet she couldn't seem to leave the door, to stop watching whatever would unfold. The man continued to approach Nate, who had bristled like an angry dog. His hands went to his hips and his legs were planted like unmovable trees.

“What do you want?” Nate asked, and Kylie could easily imagine him on duty with the Coast Guard, taking charge of
whatever life-or-death situation he faced. She could see where others would bow to his stance and demeanor.

The man took another step forward, his figure a bit hunched and slow. A light from the parking lot caught half of his face.

It couldn't be…

It was Frank Watters, town bum. Kylie closed her eyes, feeling both relief and irritation.

Nate retained his stance. “Frank? What are you doing?”

The man shrugged. “Looking for something to eat. Knocked down those trash cans by accident. Have any leftovers you can share?”

Nate shook his head, clearly irritated. “Frank, you shouldn't be creeping around here at this hour. You should head home before I call the police. This is my property and you're trespassing.”

Frank laughed, a pathetic sound that showed a variety of missing teeth. “No one appreciates me snooping through their trash cans during the day either, you see.”

“Were you out here last night also, Frank?” Nate asked. “Were you here when Suzy left and started toward her car?”

Kylie knew what he was getting at with the question. Had he seen Suzy? Worse yet, had he done something to Suzy? Kylie didn't know enough about the man to know if he was unstable, unlucky or both. At this moment, she wasn't sure she wanted to find out. In fact, she preferred that Nate would just come in and get away from the man also. Frank's eyes had a wild look about them, one that made Kylie nervous.

“I don't remember last night. I barely remember today. What is it? Wednesday?” The man let out a cackling laugh. “And who's Suzy?”

He was drunk, Kylie realized.

From where Kylie stood, she could see Nate's jaw muscle flex and his eyes narrow. “Frank, go home. Now.”

Frank held his hands in the air, his battered jacket dwarfing his thin body. “I'm not bothering anyone. And you throw out so much good food.”

“If you need something to eat, you can just ask me, Frank. You don't have to go through the trash.”

Frank straightened. “Okay then, I need something to eat.”

Kylie watched Nate, waiting for his response. Don't let the man inside here, she begged silently. Don't let him in.

Nate paused a moment before nodding toward the restaurant. “Come inside. I'll fix you something.” He opened the door and stepped in.

Kylie grabbed his arm before Frank could enter and lowered her voice. “Nate, I don't think this is a good idea. What if he…?”

“Feeding him can't hurt anything,” he whispered. “Why don't you go upstairs to your room. Lock your door. I'll be okay, but I'd feel better if you stayed away from Frank right now. He's never any fun when he's drunk.”

“I don't like this, Nate. I'm not going to be able to sleep knowing you're down here with him. What about Suzy?”

“I'll see if I can find anything out, okay? Now don't worry about me.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead.

Kylie's cheeks flushed. The action had seemed so natural, like he'd done it a million times before.

Nate grasped the sides of her arms and bent down to look her square in the eye. “Go ahead upstairs.”

Kylie nodded and started up the stairs, just as she heard Frank step into the building and mutter a string of expletives.

 

Nate hadn't intended to kiss Kylie's forehead, but her concern over his safety had gotten the best of him. What surprised him even more was how easily the action had come and how much he wanted to do it more often.

When he'd thought she might be in danger, he'd felt a rush of protection…and affection.

He put Kylie and his unexpected kiss out of his mind for the moment. Right now, he had to feed Frank and send him home. Certainly if the man was hungry, he had no problem offering him food. As a Christian, it was the least he could do. In fact, he was commanded to do it. There was a line between being compassionate and being cautious, however. He'd never encourage Kylie to let the man into her apartment alone, but Nate knew he could handle himself.

Frank followed him into the kitchen, smelling like he hadn't taken a bath in weeks.

“What are you in the mood for, Frank? A sandwich maybe?”

“One of those corned beef ones you guys serve would be nice.”

“One Cornwallis Corned Beef coming up.” Nate began pulling out everything he needed while Frank made himself comfortable at the small table set up in the back for employees.

“So, do you hang out around here a lot at night, Frank?” Nate sliced another piece of corned beef.

“Depends on what I'm in the mood to eat. People are so wasteful.”

Nate sliced the rustic bread and slathered on some sauce. “You don't have to eat trash, Frank. I know there are plenty of people who would feed you.”

He shrugged. “Don't want to be a bother.”

Nate closed the bread together, put it on a plate and placed the sandwich in front of Frank. His eyes lit up and he grabbed the food.

“It's not a bother, Frank,” Nate said. “What can I get you to drink?”

He asked for a soda, and as Nate went to grab a cup, he pondered how to find out more information about whether or
not Frank had seen Suzy. If the man were sober, he'd be much easier to talk to.

He brought the still fizzing drink over to Frank and, as he sat down at the table, pushed the cup toward him. “Did you see Suzy last night, Frank?”

He paused from eating only long enough to say, “I told you. I don't know a Suzy.”

“Certainly you remember Suzy, Frank. She's young, pretty. Has short dark hair on the bottom, bright red hair on top. Very friendly. You've always had an eye for pretty girls.”

Frank nodded toward the back door, a glob of sauce at the corner of his lip that he either didn't notice or didn't care about. “That new girl you have working here is easy on the eyes.”

Nate's hackles rose at the mention of Kylie.
Remain calm and keep cool
. “Yes, she is. She's a great help around here.”

“She goes pale mighty easily, though.” He nodded with certainty, like he'd seen it happen many times.

“What do you mean?”

“She's jumpy.”

“How do you know that, Frank?”

“I like to sit on the beach and watch people. You know that.” Again, he nodded toward the stairway. “That girl you hired always looks scared, like she's worried someone's following her.”

If Nate wasn't certain that Frank had been in Virginia for the past several weeks and had no means of transportation, he would worry that he might be Kylie's stalker. But that just wasn't possible. Still, he'd stay on guard, just to be on the safe side. Most of the time, Frank wasn't a menace; he simply hung around town at inopportune times. Tourists had even complained about him. But still, no one could truly help Frank until he was ready to help himself. A hand of guidance had been offered to him many times before, but he'd refused it.

Frank very easily could be the town's best resource on
what's going on and where, if he didn't drink and if he could remember things a little better. Frank always seemed to be watching and observing, even trying once to blackmail someone and serving a six-month sentence for extortion as a result.

But certainly if he could remember that Kylie went pale and looked frightened, he would remember Suzy.

“Don't tell me you can remember that about one of my new employees but not remember Suzy at all. That doesn't add up, Frank.”

“I dunno anything about that girl! I told you already!” The man's voice rose until he began coughing. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief to cover his mouth.

Nate paused halfway to the sink and stared at it.

It was the same purple handkerchief that Suzy had worn around her head yesterday before she disappeared.

Nate closed his eyes. Dear Lord, what had Frank done to Suzy?

K
ylie tried to sleep, but finally gave up. Her mind played out several scenarios of what might be going on downstairs, none of them ending well. One involved Frank pulling out a hidden gun. Certainly she'd hear gunfire if that happened. Another image was of Frank pulling a knife on Nate as he fixed a meal for the man.

Was Nate okay? Was Frank truly harmless or was he a predator?

Kylie threw the covers off of her and began pacing the length of her apartment. She'd promised Nate she'd stay up here. But when the restaurant's back door opened and voices carried up the stairs, her curiosity peaked. She hurried to the window and spotted a sheriff's car outside.

Alarms sounded in her head. The sheriff? What was going on?

She yanked a sweatshirt over her head, gripped the door handle and charged into the stairwell.

By the back door, the sheriff argued with Frank. Beyond them, Nate stood with his arms crossed, scowling. His expression softened when he spotted her. He dropped his arms to the side as he took the stairs two by two to reach her.

Thank you, Lord, that he's okay.

“What's going on?” She stuffed her hands into her pockets, searching Nate's face for any sign that he was hurt.

Nate stepped close and lowered his voice. “Frank has Suzy's handkerchief. He claims he didn't see her last night, but…”

“Then how did he get her handkerchief?” Kylie's voice rose in pitch.

“That's what the sheriff is trying to figure out. He's going to take him down to the station for questioning. Why don't you go back into the apartment and I'll let you know when they're gone? Okay?”

Kylie nodded, not wanting to be around Frank right now anyway, especially when she thought about what the man might have done to Suzy. She squeezed Nate's hand and then slipped back inside the apartment and locked the door. She heard Nate running down the steps again and the sound of voices, though she couldn't make out the words.

She leaned against the door, her heart racing. What could Frank have done with Suzy? Was she okay? Being held captive somewhere? Or had Frank done something worse? She shuddered.

She prayed it wasn't too late, that Suzy was okay and safe and just waiting to be found.

Walking toward the window, she glanced outside again and saw the sheriff leading a belligerent Frank into the squad car. She hoped the sheriff truly would get to the bottom of this.

Nate watched the scene from the stoop outside. His hands were planted on his hips and he shook his head as if weary and frustrated. A moment later, he came inside and Kylie heard him climbing the stairs. She went to the door and unlocked it. When she pulled it open, he stood on the other side.

She extended her arm behind her, inviting him in. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and try to relieve some of his weariness. She didn't, though.

“Want some tea?” she offered instead.

He shook his head and sat at the dinette. “No, thanks.”

Kylie sat across from him, lacing her fingers together on the table. “What happened? Do they know where Suzy is?”

“Frank still won't admit that he even saw her. I'm hoping the sheriff will be able to get more information from him.”

“Is Frank dangerous?”

“He's mostly just a nuisance. I hate to say it that way, but it's true. He won't help himself. Instead, he just makes everyone else miserable. But I really can't see him being violent.”

“But Suzy's scarf…”

He rubbed his hands over his face. “I know. Believe me, I know.”

“Did you find out anything else?”

He slid his hands down his face and dropped them to his side as he leaned back in the chair. “No, I didn't. I wish I had.”

“You did well, Nate. That was really nice of you to offer him some food.”

“I should probably do it more often, but when I close the restaurant, I'm usually exhausted. Plus, the idea of Frank hanging around doesn't do much for business. So don't take me for a saint. I struggle just as much as anyone with caring for the ‘least of these.'”

“Isn't that what the Christian walk is about? Giving our best. All of us are far from perfect. Thank goodness for the grace of God. I'd be nowhere without it, that's for sure.”

“Why do you say it with such a heavy heart?”

Kylie shrugged. “I don't know. Just being in the situation I've been in for the past few months, I guess. I cling to God when times are tough, but when times are good, I seem to think I can do it on my own. It's a lesson I've been constantly trying to conquer for my whole life.”

“I think a lot of us are like that.”

Her mind drifted back to her teen years. She closed her eyes. “I've never felt closer to God than when I had lymphoma. I felt like I knew God intimately. Then I went into remission. I'm not really sure what happened. My church attendance stopped being what it should. I thought I could
love God without immersing myself in His word or gathering with other believers. I thought just believing was enough. But I'm tired of living like this.”

“It sounds like you've had some good realizations, Kylie. It all goes back to that grace thing you were talking about earlier.”

She nodded. “You're right. Absolutely right.”

“How about we pray for Suzy together? Would that be okay?”

“That would be more than okay.”

Nate reached across the table and took her hand. Together they bowed their heads and lifted prayers for Suzy's safety, for peace for her family, for justice to whoever had done this to her.

After saying amen, she reluctantly pulled her hands away from Nate's. Kylie felt a special connection with Nate. Praying with others always seemed to do that.

He cleared his throat and glanced at his watch. “I should try to get a few hours of rest.”

“Me, too.”

Nate's warm eyes settled on hers. “Good night, Kylie.”

“Good night, Nate.” Kylie smiled, her heart racing more than it probably should. When she'd met Nate in the parking lot on that stormy night, she would never have thought that in such a short time he'd leave her smiling like a lovesick teenager, but that's exactly what she was doing. She leaned against the door another moment and remembered the feeling of Nate's hand in hers. She was still smiling as she slipped into bed for the evening.

 

Seven o'clock came too soon for Kylie. Despite the hectic pace of last evening, she must have fallen into a deep sleep, because when she woke up she immediately heard voices and machinery outside the building.

She walked to the window facing the river. Water spurted
like a fountain from the asphalt and filled the street below. At that moment, crews paused from their noise-making activities to stare at the mess.

Kylie threw on some clothes and hurried downstairs. She rushed through the kitchen and found Nate standing in the dining room, watching everything outside the picture windows. He turned when she walked in.

“What's going on?” She stood beside him.

“Water-main break. I woke up an hour ago and saw the street was flooded. Called the city and now they're staring at the problem, trying to figure out what to do.”

Kylie shoved her hands into her jean pockets and absorbed the information. “What does that mean for business today?”

“It means we have no business today. I'm not about to let customers in through the kitchen, and there's no way they're wading through the water to get to the front door. Plus, we have no water.” He wrinkled his lips and glanced her way. “I guess that's a blessing and a curse.”

“Maybe there's some other stuff we can do in the kitchen to get ready for opening again on Monday.”

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the men outside. “Maybe.”

Kylie paused to stare at the city work crew outside for another moment. Finally she turned to Nate, ready to ask the questions that were most on her mind. “Any word on Suzy? Frank?”

He shook his head. “I haven't called yet. I will once I get into my office.”

A few minutes later Nate disappeared into his cubbyhole and Kylie busied herself by cleaning shelves, rearranging plates and throwing away old food from the refrigerator.

Darlene stopped by, as she did every morning, but this time without desserts. “That's quite the mess outside.”

Kylie sat back on her ankles, grateful for a break. “We're closed for business.”

“That's what I figured. I'm sorry to hear that. I know it's bad for business.”

“Speaking of business, how are things at the bed-and-breakfast?”

Darlene's face lit with a smile. “I can't complain. I've had one guest who came Thursday and plans to stay for a week. I told him to come try the restaurant, but he seems preoccupied with some business he's attending to. I also have two couples on weekend getaways and four sisters who decided to explore some American heritage.”

Kylie smiled. “That's great.”

Kylie knew Darlene and Harvey worried about business, like many people in their position did. Kylie was glad to hear things were going well for them. Before Kylie could ask any more questions, Nate appeared from out of his office. The lines around his eyes looked deeper as he approached. Kylie and Darlene both paused and waited for him to share whatever was on his mind.

“I'm not sure if you heard yet or not, but Frank was in the restaurant last night, and he had the scarf Suzy was wearing when she disappeared. The police have him in custody, but he still claims he knows nothing. He said he found that scarf on the ground the night Suzy disappeared.” Nate shook his head. “And there's still no word on Suzy. No one seems to know or to have seen anything. Her parents are beside themselves.”

“Is there anything we can do?” Darlene asked.

He shook his head. “The police are still asking questions so they can know where to start looking, even. The best we can do right now is pray.”

Kylie nodded. “I've been doing that and will definitely continue.”

“Everyone in town has been praying,” Darlene added. “We'll find her. I just know we will.” She patted Nate's arm and then hugged Kylie. “Let me know if I can do anything.
I'm sorry the restaurant will be closed today. I have lots of guests I was hoping to send over here.”

When Darlene left, Nate shifted his eyes to the crew in front of the store. He stared at them for a moment before running a hand down his face as if to wipe away exhaustion. Then he turned to Kylie. “What do you say we forget about work and go for a walk?”

Kylie put down the silverware she was rolling. “A walk? But what about the restaurant?”

“It can wait.” He stretched out his hand. “What do you say?”

Kylie looked at him a moment before smiling. “I say let's do it.” She grabbed his hand and he pulled her to her feet.

As she glanced out the window, she saw the fog still hung heavily outside. “I thought this would have rolled out by now.”

“Nah, the fog likes to settle here in Yorktown for some reason. Being right here on the water helps. I always say it gives the place atmosphere.”

They stepped outside into the damp day. Beyond the building, the sound of crews working on the street filled the air. Kylie pulled her sweatshirt more tightly around her to ward off some of the heavy moisture in the air.

“Weather too bad for you?”

She shook her head. “Are you kidding? It feels great to get outside.”

“I thought we could walk over to the National Battlefield. It's pretty interesting there, whether you're a history buff or not.”

“Let's go.”

As they moved away from the restaurant, walking between historic buildings where treaties were signed and history took place, the sound of the fife and drum drifted through the air. Soon enough, a group of teenagers dressed in Colonial garb
appeared, walking in formation. The music lent a magic feel to the surroundings.

Kylie sucked in a breath, cool air filling her lungs. It felt so good to stretch her legs and to be outside. She didn't realize how much she loved being in nature until she was stuck inside all day.

“For a Saturday, this place is pretty dead.” Nate glanced around at the barren streets. “We usually have tourist groups throughout the year.”

“Maybe you're not losing a lot of business today after all.”

He offered a half smile. “Are you always such an optimist?”

Kylie stuffed her hands into her pockets. “No, not always. But I do find it helps me when I can think positively.”

They reached a clearing and before them stretched Surrender Field, the place where the war for this country had been won. They wandered the gentle hills and looked at the historic cannons that marked the battlefield.

In the distance stood a cemetery. They walked quietly toward it, side by side, dew glistening on the tops of their shoes and dampening the edges of their pants. Fog still hung heavy around them, making the historic marker feel even more haunted.

In the cemetery, Kylie reflected on the names she read, names of people who had died fighting for this country during the Revolutionary War. She thanked God for the sacrifices made in order to give her freedom. She thanked Him for the ultimate sacrifice that His son made on the cross in order to give her life.

Greater love has no man than this, that he would give up his life for another.

The verse flittered through her mind. Nate's image flashed into her mind. He was the kind of man who'd give up his life
to save someone else. He was a good man. Honorable. Men like him were few and far between.

“I love coming here to reflect on life.” Nate leaned against a fence at the edge of the cemetery, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket.

“Cemeteries are a great place to put life into perspective, that's for sure.”

Kylie averted her gaze to the left at a movement she saw there. Another tourist? She searched the area, but saw no one, just an old house and some headstones and towering trees.