Murder in the Devil's Cauldron (59 page)

"You got them processed!" It was all she
could do not to open the box and see what she had gotten.

"I did." Then Fae held up another box. "And
these are the pictures you took of Fowler."

"Are they going to help at all?" Starr hoped
it had been worth it since they had nearly gotten Charlie
killed.

"I'll say." Fae looked at her oddly. "Didn't
you know you got pictures of him pushing his wife in the
Cauldron?"

Starr's mouth dropped open in shock.
"No."

"Well, your auto winder must have been going
over time because we have it all here. It's almost as good as
having a video camera. Not to mention the pictures you got of him
and his accomplice at the motel."

Starr looked at Charlie and grinned.

As Karen headed towards the Norwegian Room to
check on the Norcrofts, knowing Starr was nowhere near Storm Point
lifted her mood. It had been a relief not having to worry about her
making a sudden appearance when the Norcrofts finally arrived,
drenched and overjoyed to be out of the storm. Karen had picked the
Split Rock room because of the view of Storm Point. If there was
going to be a storm, it would be the perfect place to see
everything.

When they had arrived, Karen told them which
room she had picked, but added, "Unless you'd prefer the
Gooseberry. It wouldn't take but a minute to make the switch."

"Oh, the Split Rock is one of my favorites,"
Marge Norcroft enthused. "I love watching the lake when it's in
full fury."

She had gotten them settled and was mentally
patting herself on the back. So far everything had gone perfectly.
With any luck, it would be hours before Starr returned and she
would have a chance to cement her position here.

But when she reached the entrance to the
Norwegian Room, she saw with dismay that Starr had returned, after
all. Worse, she was sitting with that hippie and cozying up to the
Norcrofts. In that split second, Karen saw her entire life shatter
like a ship getting tossed on the rocks of Storm Point.

Charlie was losing her battle to stay awake
and Fae was perfectly content to do the same. Starr and the
Norcrofts were chatting away like old friends and Fae let the
conversation wash over her as she let herself sink into the soft
cushions of the oversized chair.

She probably would have dozed off into a
blissful nap if she hadn't seen Starr's mother arrive in the
doorway of the Norwegian Room. Her eyes snapped open and all
thoughts of sleep fled. The expression she saw on Karen's face was
camouflaged almost immediately, but for that one second, she
understood a great deal.

Fae struggled out of the chair. The pain
medication she had taken on the ride back to the Lodge hadn't
kicked in yet and getting to her feet was still a challenge. She
had learned a few tricks, though, during her recovery and she was
soon on her feet and crossing the room.

Karen now wore a mask of the pleasant
professional as Fae approached her.

"Could I have a private word," Fae said. It
wasn't a question and while she kept her voice friendly, it was the
voice she used when talking to suspects.

Karen opened her mouth and then closed it
again, tightening her lips imperceptibly. "Of course," she said.
"Would you like to go to my office?"

"I don't think we need anything quite so
formal," Fae said. "Why don't we go to the dining room. I rather
suspect everyone is hanging about in here, so we should have it to
ourselves. A cup of coffee would be most welcome about right
now."

Karen gave her a sharp look, then turned and
led the way.

Once they were seated in the corner furthest
from the door for privacy, Fae filled Karen in on David Fowler's
activities and Starr's role in helping get evidence on him. As she
spoke, she noticed the color drain out of Karen's face. As Fae got
to the part where Starr had saved Charlie's life, Karen put down
her cup carefully.

"It's clear to me that you don't much like
Starr," Fae said once she had finished the story.

"My daughter is none of your business," Karen
said, her voice as tight as the grip she maintained on the handle
of the coffee cup.

"Maybe not," Fae said. "But she's an
extraordinary girl with a lot more courage than most people and I
like her. So I'm going to tell you something because I know she
doesn't want to leave Storm Point."

Karen's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Yes, she told me you were going to send her
away," Fae said evenly. "But if you do, you will lose your
job."

"Oh please," Karen said.

Fae's smile was humorless. "I happen to be
very good friends with the Norcrofts," she told the other woman.
"And because of that, I was privy to their decision when they
interviewed for this position. It came down to two people. The
other candidate didn't have any children. You did. They gave you
the job because of Starr."

"Why?"

"Partly because they wanted another child up
here to keep Charlie company and partly because they like kids."
Fae shrugged. "There's probably more to it than that, but that's
what I know. So I don't think they'd be too happy to find out
you've sent her away."

"And I suppose you'll be sure to keep them
informed on that account, won't you," Karen said, her voice
dripping with venom.

"Actually, yes I will," Fae said with no
small amount of satisfaction. "So keep that in mind. Charlie comes
to visit me quite a lot and will be bringing Starr, so I will stay
very well informed."

"I see." Karen stared at her for a long
moment, then looked down at her hands.

"Good." Fae stood slowly, using the chair for
balance. "Now that we've gotten that straightened out, I'm going to
rejoin the party in the Norwegian Room. I'm sure the Norcrofts will
be delighted to see you. You've done a great job with the storm
party. It'd be a shame to miss it." With that, Fae left the dining
room.

Karen stared at the coffee cup. The coffee
had gone cold, but she didn't feel up to getting a refill. She knew
she needed to make an appearance, but she wasn't ready yet. Her
emotions were still running raw and she had to figure out to handle
what she had just learned.

She turned and stared out the window, the
lake visible now that the storm was passing. She supposed she
shouldn't be too surprised that she was going to be stuck with
Starr longer than she had hoped. That had been the way of it since
the beginning.

She tightened her lips and choked back the
anger that filled her mouth with bitter acid. Well, she'd keep the
kid here for now. But situations had a tendency to come up, and if
she kept her eyes open, one of these days she'd figure out how to
get Starr out of her hair and still keep her job.

It was just a matter of time.

With that pleasant thought, Karen pasted a
smile on her face and went off to join the others.

Fae returned to her chair in the Norwegian
Room, gratefully sinking back into the soft cushion, hoping she
wouldn't have to move again for at least a couple of years.

Zach had brought the hot chocolate while she
was talking to Karen and she helped herself to a cup. Starr had her
hands wrapped around the mug tightly as if she was still cold and
was looking at her over the rim.

Fae flashed her a smile. "I just had a little
chat with your mother."

"You did?"

"I did. I told her what happened and how you
saved Charlie's life, so you don't have to worry about her being
mad at you. Even better, you won't have to leave Storm Point unless
you want to."

Starr's eyes opened wide and she stared at
Fae. She carefully put down her mug and Fae noticed that her hands
were shaking.

"Thank you," Starr said. "Thank you
so
much. You'll never know how much I appreciate that." Her eyes were
shimmering suddenly and Fae handed her a tissue.

"I'm just glad you'll be staying and Charlie
won't lose such a good friend."

Starr looked over at Charlie who had lost her
battle to stay awake and was making little snorting sounds. Starr's
mouth quirked and then she and Fae were laughing.

Fowler drove slowly down Summit Avenue and
let his eyes caress the row of mansions that were now part of his
neighborhood.

He thought about all the traveling he would
do and the cars he could buy and how he would be able to hang out
with the rich and famous and not have to pretend he was loaded.

This had been the most ambitious con he had
ever run and he had earned every damn dime.

He looked over at Viv. She had fallen asleep
after they changed places and was fixing her makeup as he drove up
to the house.

"Have a nice nap?"

She grimaced. "I'll be glad to sleep in a
decent bed tonight. I'm beat."

"Well, there are plenty here," Fowler said.
"You can take your pick."

She looked up at the house. "Oh my god," she
breathed. She opened the door and got out stiffly, unable to take
her eyes off the mansion that had once belonged to one of the great
beer brewers of the 1930's.

"Is this for real?"

He nodded, a real smile blossoming on his
face. "Now you know why I wasn't going to quit until it was
done."

He came around the SUV and took her arm. "Let
me show you around."

They walked up the steps and unlocked the
door.

Fae watched as the door opened and Fowler and
his companion came in, looking up at the central staircase that
soared to the second floor.

She had known that once he thought he was
safe, this was the first place he'd come. Bailey had picked her up
at the Lodge and they'd flown down to the Cities in plenty of time
to get in place before Fowler showed up.

Fae let him have his moment, then made her
way across the room, Bailey and the sheriff right behind.

His smile faltered.

"Who the hell are you?" he demanded.

"David Fowler?" the woman asked.

"Yes."

"Excellent," she said as she stopped in front
of him. "Fae O'Neill, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
You're under arrest for the murder of Diana Marshall and a whole
laundry list of other crimes."

"Murder?" Viv echoed, the color draining out
of her face.

"Yes," O'Neill said pleasantly. "Didn't he
tell you?"

"Don't be stupid," he said. "This is my wife
right here."

"Sorry," she said. "Won't work. We happen to
know that this woman is actually your accomplice, Vivian
Ellis."

"Not possible," Fowler said dismissively.

"We have it on film."

"That's impossible."

"Because you tossed the film in the Devil's
Cauldron, along with your wife?"

"Get out," Fowler ordered. "I don't have to
listen to this garbage."

"Oh, but you do," Fae said, enjoying the
moment. "You see, Starr didn't give you the real film. She gave you
an empty roll. She had already given the real one to me." She
smiled as his mouth literally dropped open. "She's quite a good
photographer, you know."

He started to turn as if to leave. Fae nodded
and the officers who had slipped in quietly behind the two, slipped
the cuffs on both of them before hauling them out of the house.

"Good job," Bailey said.

Fae smiled. "Actually, I think the
congratulations go to Starr. If it hadn't been for her, we wouldn't
be here."

Bailey nodded. "She's certainly something.
Who knows, maybe someday she'll have your job."

"Hah," Fae said. "My guess is that some day
she'll have
your
job."

Bailey laughed. "You could be right."

Starr pushed open the big carved door of
Storm Point Lodge.

The rain had stopped. Lake Superior, a dark
fury just an hour earlier, now glittered serenely. The clouds had
scattered, letting the sun through as the storm made its way
east.

She leaned her back against the door to hold
it open for Mr. Running Bear.

Birds were already chirping and everything
smelled fresh and clean and a lot like someone had just delivered a
fresh load of Christmas trees. Rain hung from the pine needles in
glittering drops and Starr wished she hadn’t had to give her last
roll of film to the killer. Even though everything had turned out
all right, she wasn’t sure how she was going to get any more. But
Starr knew she’d figure something out. Right now she was just happy
Charlie hadn’t been swept into the Devil’s Cauldron. Even better,
she didn't have to leave Storm Point.

Starr felt as if she was a balloon that had
been blown up with too much joy and was about to burst. It was hard
to believe that just this morning she had been about to leave.

Mr. Running Bear appeared in the doorway,
carrying Charlie carefully. She was still sleeping and snorted
slightly as Starr let the door close.

“I’m really sorry about Charlie’s arm,” Starr
said as they started down the path to the cabins.

He glanced at her sideways. “So am I.”

“It’s all my fault.”

“I suppose you could see it that way,” Zach
said.

Starr’s heart sank. He'd never let Charlie be
friends with her again. But his next words lifted her spirits
again.