Sail With Me (9 page)

With a sarcastic tone he replied, “I believe it’s called a sailboat.
 
And it took me three hours and probably five years off my life towing it down here.
 
Crossing the Walt Whitman Bridge in morning rush hour traffic was a nightmare.”

“You live in Philly and own a sailboat?” was the next thing that came out of her mouth.

 
“I rent warehouse space to keep it.
 
I don’t get it out much but when I do I love it.”
 
He then turned and reached for her hand.
 
“Aren’t you going to ask me what I plan to do with my sailboat?”

Holding her breath, all she said was, “What?”

Stepping closer and taking her other hand he said, “Delaney, come sail with me.”

Chapter Fourteen

Jake looked kind of silly with his long legs scrunched up in her Mini Cooper.
 
She pulled up the long driveway and parked.
 
Looking over, she announced to Jake this was the place and when he opened the door he all but fell out.
 
She chuckled at the sight and grabbed her bag.
 
Together they walked up the porch steps and rang the door bell.
 
Susan had a surprised look when she opened the door and Delaney quickly introduced Jake and apologized for not making her aware an FBI agent would be coming with her.
 
Thankfully she didn’t mind at all and seemed quite pleased to have someone of federal status working on the case.
 
She led them through the foyer and into a formal room which sat off from the kitchen.
 
The furniture felt like it hadn’t been sat on in years.
 
There was an oblong-shaped coffee table with a closed box sitting on top.
 
Susan offered iced tea and in unison Delaney and Jake both accepted.
 
When she left the room they both looked at each and knew what the other was thinking.
 
What was in the box?
 
She returned a few minutes later with the cold beverages and placed them on matching coasters.

Jake broke the ice and got right to the point.
 
“What new information do you have that you think will help?”
 
Susan straightened up and told them before she offered what she had she wanted to tell them a little on Caroline’s history.
 
Delaney told her that was fine, that she had a lot of questions and this would be very helpful.
 
She reached for her bag and placed a recorder on the coffee table.
 
Susan gave a nod of approval and then started talking.
 

“Caroline has always been a great kid.
 
She never gave us any problems.
 
She attended undergraduate school on a full academic scholarship.
 
Going right to graduate school just seemed like a natural progression.
 
The summer in between, Phillip, her father, had a massive heart attack and died in his sleep.
 
I became depressed and made Caroline feel guilty for returning to school so quickly.
 
In hindsight, it was the best thing for her.
 
Eventually I saw the doctor and he prescribed Lexapro, which I’ve been taking regularly for depression.
 
When Caroline came home to visit during Christmas break she told me she wouldn’t be returning to school.
 
I assumed she was having difficulty with the passing of her dad, and told her I would help her work through it.
 
By the end of the week I knew she was pregnant.”

Delaney interrupted, “How did you know she was pregnant?”

Susan cleared her throat and then asked, “Do you have children?”

“No, not yet.” Delaney surprised herself with her answer and quickly shut up.

“Well, Caroline may be my only child but I know the telltale signs of pregnancy.
 
At first I thought her excessive sleeping was a sign of being depressed, but I heard her every morning in the bathroom having dry heaves.
 
When she would finally come out I would offer her some dry toast and seltzer water.
 
She would take one look at it and directly return to the bathroom.
 
I suspected she was pregnant but provided her with the opportunity to come to me first.
 
It was only a week later when she told me about the baby.”

“When she finally told you how did you respond?” Jake asked.
 

“I’m sure most mothers would be initially devastated having their young unwed daughter dropping out of graduate school because she’s pregnant.
 
But I was ecstatic.
 
After going through the loss of my husband, I welcomed the idea of a brand new life.
 
I loved Andrew before I even saw him and I know Caroline did too.”

“What do you mean before you ever saw him?
 
I didn’t think any family members saw him, only your daughter?” Jake asked with a heightened curiosity in his voice.

“Oh no, Agent Thrasher.
 
I was in the room when Andrew was born.
 
I almost missed it because I had to park so far away and then I got lost.
 
University Hospital has eight floors in the main tower alone.
 
I had no idea where to go.
 
When I finally found the room, Caroline had just began pushing.”

Delaney spoke up, “Did you notice anything unusual in the room or any person who seemed out of place?”

“I was so focused on seeing the birth of my grandson that I didn’t notice.
 
Plus I was fidgeting around with the new camera.
 
That’s actually why I called you.”

“You have pictures of who was in the room?” Jake asked.

“I’m not sure what I have.
 
You see, Caroline and I went out and bought a fancy camera just for this occasion.
 
Problem was we could never figure out how to use it.
 
I swear the thing had a mind of its own.”

Delaney looked at the box on the coffee table and opened it.
 
On the side was written
Nikon D90 SLR digital camera with VR 55-125 lens.
Delaney had taken a photography class at the community college just as a hobby.
 
She immediately knew it was a high-end camera and could understand why a novice would have difficulty learning how to use it.
 
It’s nothing like a point and shoot.
 
“Mrs. O’Sullivan, did you take any pictures?”

“Did I ever.
 
Every time I touched the button it fired off.
 
I had no idea how to control it. Like I said, it has a mind of its own.”

Delaney reached for the box and asked, “Do you mind if I take a look at it?
 
I know a little about photography and SLR cameras.”

Eagerly, Susan said, “Yes, go ahead.
 
Do you think you’ll see anything on it that will help find out what happened?”

“I’m not sure.
 
If it’s okay with you I’d like to take it with me.
 
Do you know if the SD card is still inside?”
 
Delaney turned the camera on its side and opened the slot.
 
The card was right where it was supposed to be.
 
Next she powered it on and saw on the display screen Susan had snapped over five hundred pictures.
 
Thinking to herself, she recalled that this model was capable of taking up to four frames per second, a lot of pictures in rapid succession if it’s programmed on the continuous shoot mode.
 
She checked the control dial and there it was, the arrow indicator pointing directly at the continuous fast mode.
 
Now it made sense.
 
Delaney could imagine the woman in the delivery room, a high emotion situation and a camera that she didn’t understand.

“Did you use the camera anywhere else?” Delaney asked.

“From what I recall I did take some pictures in the hall when Andrew was being transferred to the NICU.
 
But I’m certain nothing after that, I never saw him again,” and her eyes shifted downward now as she searched for a tissue in her pocket.

Jake leaned forward and placed his hand on Susan’s shoulder. “Mrs. O’Sullivan, have you ever looked at those pictures?”

Looking up now and shaking her head no, Susan choked up. “No.
 
I’ve thought about it but I just haven’t felt up to it yet.
 
I know eventually I will but that time hasn’t come.
 
I’m not sure if Caroline even knows about the pictures.
 
She was in so much pain and so focused that she never realized I was even in the room until after the birth.
 
After everything that has happened, I’ve never even told her about the pictures.
 
She spends so much time at the cemetery. I miss my daughter.”

Jake stood, “Mrs. O’Sullivan, you’ve been a great help.
 
I can’t thank you enough for calling Detective Davenport with this information.
 
I hope we can offer you and your daughter closure and you can find some peace.”
 
Then he turned and picked up the box with the camera and Delaney followed him to the foyer.

Turning, she asked, “Susan, who was Andrew’s father?”

Susan’s shoulders slumped forward and her mouth tightened.
 
Silence filled the room before she finally answered, “I have no idea.
 
Caroline refused to tell me.”

Chapter Fifteen

At the end of the day Jake followed Delaney to the boat ramp with sailboat in tow.
 
He backed the trailer down the ramp and into the water.
 
The tide was coming in and there was a strong breeze, perfect for an evening of sailing.
 
He pulled the emergency brake and started the power wench, watching the boat slowly entering the cool bay water.
 
Delaney went home to quickly change and grab Fetch.
 
Heading toward the bay, she pulled into the liquor store, purchasing an inexpensive bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers.
 
Getting back into the car, she plugged her iPod into the adapter and listened to Bono sing “It’s a beautiful day.”
 
Driving toward the water and seeing the sun on the horizon, she had to agree it was indeed a beautiful day.

Jake was already on board and had hoisted the sail when he spotted Delaney walking toward the floating dock.
 
She was stunning.
 
It was the first time he had seen her with her hair down.
 
He hadn’t realized how long it was as the dark curls gently draped her shoulders and bounced with her every step.
 
The tight white tank top and short white cotton skirt accentuated her tanned figure and firm body.
 
Her legs went on forever, and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.
 
He waved and called her over.
 
Fetch was right behind, happily wagging her tail.
 
Jake took the wine and food and then reached for her hand.
 
As he helped her climb aboard he noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra.
 
He could just make out the firm buds pointing through her shirt.
 
He was instantly hard.

This was the first time she had been on a sailboat.
 
She had been on regular motor boats before but never a boat like this.
 
She was accustomed to the sound of an engine and now she was being moved by nature.
 
The sound of the vessel slicing through the water was new to her and she was amazed at how relaxed she started to feel.
 
She laid on the bow of the boat letting the wind blow her hair wildly around as Jake steered them out to the ocean.
 
Fetch stood at the helm, as if leading the way.
 
Occasionally she would turn and look at Jake, admiring his strong arms at the controls.