Footprints in the Sand (19 page)

Chapter 96

I
t meant driving up Interstate 75 over an hour to Tampa, but Jack had bought his ticket with frequent-flier miles on an airline that didn’t fly into Sarasota. A three-car accident stalled traffic for almost forty minutes. Piper gripped the steering wheel of the rental car, willing the vehicles in front of her to move. She wanted to be there waiting as soon as Jack arrived.

When she finally got to the terminal, Jack was already waiting outside the baggage-claim area. Her heart beat faster as she saw him, tall and handsome in khaki slacks, with the blue sweater she’d given him tied over his broad shoulders. Piper pulled the car to the curb, got out, and hurried to him.

“Hey, you. I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said, hugging him. “Traffic.”

“No problemo,” he said. “Just as long as you weren’t standing me up.”

“Actually, I was thinking about it, but the thought of you all alone at the airport made me misty. I didn’t want you to feel that nobody cared.”

Jack smiled, fine lines crinkling at the sides of his brown eyes. “That’s you, Pipe. All heart.”

He hung up his suit bag and threw a small carry-on bag on the backseat.

“I’ll drive,” he offered.

“Better not,” said Piper. “It’s a rental with only my father’s and my names on it. If we had an accident with you driving, my father would freak.”

“Fine,” said Jack. “I’m absolutely okay with being chauffeured.”

The highway going south was wide open. As they drove along with the windows ajar, Piper filled Jack in on the plans for tonight and tomorrow.

“I’m thinking about giving the hex sign to Kathy and Dan at dinner tonight. I’m supposed to say something to the group anyway, and I thought it might be nice to talk about the symbols on the sign and what they mean.”

“Sounds good,” said Jack, reaching over and stroking her blond hair.

“You don’t think it will be ghoulish or something, since Levi created the sign?” Piper asked.

“Well, it’ll be bittersweet—that’s for sure. But if you do it right, I think it should be touching. And that’s what those toasts are supposed to be. Besides, the kid is dead and everybody knows it. Not acknowledging him or what’s happened would seem strange.”

Piper took her right hand off the steering wheel and reached up to take hold of Jack’s hand. “I wish you’d met him, Jack. I’d have loved to know what you thought of him. He just seemed like the nicest kid. I can’t believe he would kill anyone.”

“Believe it, baby,” said Jack. “While I was waiting for you, I called my contact. Levi’s uncle turned in a suicide note today. Levi took full responsibility for Shelley Hart’s death.”

“No!”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, but that doesn’t make sense, Jack. What reason could he possibly have had to kill Shelley? And what about the waitress who was killed, with the newspaper article about Shelley and the last place she was seen in the car visor?”

“From what I hear, the cops aren’t sure about the timing on that murder and Levi’s suicide. They appear to have occurred very close to each other. Levi might or might not have killed the waitress and then killed himself.”

“Then why didn’t he take responsibility in his suicide note for the waitress’s murder, too?” asked Piper, her voice rising. “And what about Roz Golubock being run off the road? Levi couldn’t have been responsible for that. He didn’t even drive.”

“I don’t know, Piper,” said Jack. “But I wish you’d just stay out it. That or go for some formal investigative training at Quantico. Amateurs shouldn’t get involved in something like this.”

W
hen they arrived at the inn, Piper and Jack walked outside to look at the soft white sand and the Gulf of Mexico. The beach was deserted. The water was calm and seemed to go on forever. The sun was beginning its descent to the horizon.

“What do you think?” asked Piper. “Not bad, huh?”

“Well, it certainly doesn’t suck,” said Jack. “What an incredible spot!”

“Great place for a wedding, right?”

“Is that a hint?” asked Jack.

Piper blushed. “I meant Kathy and Dan’s wedding.”

“Uh-huh.” Jack grinned. “Of course you did.”

They turned to go inside and were surprised to see Walter Engel standing behind them. Piper made the introductions.

“Nice to meet you, Jack,” said Walter. “I look forward to spending some time with you tonight.”

“Beautiful place you’ve got here, Walter,” remarked Jack as he withdrew from their handshake.

“Thanks,” said Walter. “I’ve got big plans for the place.”

Jack glanced back at the beach. “Hard to imagine that it could be any better than it is now,” he said. “It’s difficult to improve on perfection.”

Once they walked away and were out of Walter’s earshot, Jack made an observation. “That guy has one limp handshake.”

“My father said exactly the same thing,” said Piper.

“See? I know your dad and I are going to get along.”

Piper smiled, but her gaze indicated that she was distracted.

“What?” asked Jack. “What are you thinking about?”

“I’m hoping Walter is a good guy and not going to hurt my aunt Nora.”

W
hile Jack showered and changed in his room, Piper went to hers to make notes on what she wanted to say at the rehearsal dinner. Taking a sheet of Whispering Sands stationery from the drawer, she made rough sketches of all the symbols on the hex sign. Next to each she indicated what the symbol represented. She organized her thoughts and scribbled a few key phrases she wanted to include in her toast.

She took the sleeveless cotton sateen shift from the closet and slipped it over her head. The hand-painted rose print in shades of blue brought out the green in her eyes. The fitted bodice and the contoured skirt fit her perfectly. The hem came right to her knees.

Piper admired herself in the full-length mirror, wishing that the gash on her leg didn’t show. But other than that, she was feeling good about her look for the evening. She hoped Jack would, too.

She picked up the sheet of paper with her notes on it, folded it, and put it in the pocket of her dress. Then she went out to meet the others for the beach wedding rehearsal.

Chapter 97

S
tanding with a towel tied around his waist, Jack sprayed shaving cream in his hand and spread it on his face. He slowly and methodically pulled the razor down his cheeks. Then he patted on a bracing aftershave.

He’d been through rigorous FBI training, had trailed terrorists and brought down criminals. He’d endured scathing cross-examinations by top-rate defense attorneys during trials. He had scores of dangerous assignments and hundreds of hours of undercover surveillance under his belt. None of this had rattled him. So why was he nervous about meeting Piper’s parents?

While he dressed, Jack thought about how much he wanted to make a good impression on the people who might become his in-laws. Though he had never broached the subject of marriage with Piper, he was increasingly sure that she was the woman for him.

But he knew that Piper wasn’t anywhere near ready. That idiot Gordon had done a number on her when he’d called off their wedding. Jack could strangle the guy for hurting her. Yet Gordon’s stupidity had proved to be a gigantic bonus for Jack.

He and Piper had met in a karate class. Eventually they became good friends, going out to dinner and sharing bottles of wine while Piper rambled on about life as an actor and her desire to find a love that would last. Though attracted to her from the very start, Jack hadn’t made his move. He was too busy living the life of a young, attractive single man in Manhattan. Then Piper got involved with Gordon, and it was too late.

Now Jack had another chance, and he didn’t want to blow it. In the last two months, their friendship had grown beyond the platonic. Still, at times Piper seemed hesitant. Jack supposed that was understandable.

He was treading carefully. If Piper and he were to go the distance, he wanted to have good relations with her parents. More important, he wanted Piper to be able to trust him completely. He wanted to protect her and keep her from hurt in any way he could. Her concerns were his concerns.

He glanced at the clock and realized that the wedding rehearsal would probably be over soon and Piper would be back to get him to go to the dinner. Jack took out his cell phone and called his office in New York.

“Phil? It’s Jack. Do me a favor, buddy. It’s nothing official, but will you run a check on a guy named Walter Engel?”

Chapter 98

B
lazing bamboo torches lit the way to the tiki hut beside Sarasota Bay at Mote Marine Aquarium. The thatch-roofed pavilion sheltered wooden picnic tables wrapped with raffia skirting and crowned with centerpieces of conch shells filled with sprays of orchids. Potted palms and red hibiscuses had been placed around the perimeter of the outdoor room. The atmosphere was redolent with roasting pork and salt air.

“This is ridic!” exclaimed Piper. “We’re never leaving.”

She scooped a watermelon margarita garnished with a paper umbrella from the tray of a passing server. Jack helped himself to a Captain Morgan on the rocks. “To us,” he said, raising his glass.

Trays of skewered beef teriyaki and sweet-and-sour chicken were passed. A disc jockey kept a steady stream of upbeat songs playing. The dancing started immediately.

Piper leaned close to Jack’s ear to be heard above the music. “After all that’s happened this week, it’s almost as if everyone is relieved to finally have something to celebrate.”

T
he music subsided as the bride and groom stood at the front of the room to address the guests.

“Kathy and I want to welcome all of you tonight to celebrate with us,” Dan said loudly. “It means a great deal to us to be surrounded by family and dear friends as we are about to make our marriage vows tomorrow morning. To know that so many people are rooting for us and wishing us well is a wonderful gift, and we treasure it. We can feel how much you care about us. Thank you very, very much.

“So everybody eat, drink, dance, and have a good time. Oh, and as a special part of the evening, Mote Marine is keeping the aquarium doors open just for our guests tonight. So feel free to go on in and look around. Enjoy!”

E
verybody, please,” called Isaac. “Come see the unveiling of our dinner.”

The guests followed him from the tiki hut and out toward the water. They gathered around a wide hole dug in the sand. A delicious smell wafted from it.

Isaac supervised as the pit attendants pulled back plastic sheeting, burlap strips, and banana leaves. The escaping steam cleared to reveal a whole roasted pig.

Everybody clapped while Isaac grinned with satisfaction.

B
rad came up to the picnic table where Piper sat with Jack, her parents, her aunt and Walter, and Dr. and Mrs. Robbins.

“Want to dance?” he asked.

Piper turned to Jack. “This is Brad O’Hara,” she said. “Dan’s best man.”

Jack nodded and extended his hand. Piper knew that Jack would be making a preliminary judgment based on the strength of Brad’s grip. She doubted he would find it lacking.

“Nice to meet you,” Brad mumbled automatically. He looked at Piper. “Well?”

Piper hesitated.

“Go ahead, Pipe. Enjoy yourself,” said Jack.

She got up and followed Brad out to the dance floor. Piper wished Brad hadn’t chosen a slow song. As he held her close, she could feel Jack’s eyes following them.

A
fter dinner Kathy and Dan presented Piper and Brad with their gifts for serving as maid of honor and best man.

“Oh, Kathy, they’re gorgeous,” said Piper as she held up the dangling earrings. “Are these amethysts?”

“Yes. I had them made just for you.” She beamed. “The jeweler helped me with the design.”

“I love them. Thank you!” Piper hugged her cousin tightly. “I want you to know how legit honored I feel to be standing up for you tomorrow.”

“I couldn’t have it any other way,” whispered Kathy. “You mean so much to me. Remember when we used to play wedding with our Barbie dolls?”

Piper smiled. “And imagined our future husbands?”

“Yep.” Kathy nodded.

“I’m glad the dream is coming true for you, Kath.”

“It’ll come true for you, too, Piper. You’ll see.”

Piper glanced over at Jack and felt a surge of affection. “It’s got to be right,” she said. “But someday I sure hope so.”

S
poons clinked against the sides of glasses, signaling it was time for the toasts to begin. Brad stumbled through his, making some questionable jokes that didn’t go over too well. Piper wasn’t glad about his performance, but it took the pressure off when it came time for her to speak.

“I know that it isn’t the usual thing for wedding gifts to be given at the rehearsal dinner,” Piper began as she lifted the wrapped hex sign from beneath the table. “But this gift conveys the ideas and hopes that I and everyone else here tonight wish for both of you. So, Kathy and Dan, if you please.”

Together the bride and groomed ripped away the paper. As Kathy looked at the hex sign, tears welled in her eyes. Dan held it up for all to see while Piper continued to speak.

“This hex sign was made by artist Levi Fisher. I’ve been told hex symbols are open to interpretation, but as I see it, the turtle in the middle could only signify the sea-turtle nests that brought you together. Some of the symbols are universal. To the Amish the scallop shell denotes the ocean waves and smooth sailing in life. The heart, of course, embodies love. The tears are the inevitable trials you two will face, but the red-breasted birds remind us that spring and happiness return.

“So, Kathy and Dan, as you are about to take the plunge, please know that we all want the very best for you. A lifetime of happiness.”

Glasses were raised in goodwill as Piper realized she hadn’t even used her notes.

Chapter 99

H
e applauded along with everyone else, but his jaw hung open.

The hex sign told the whole story!

Levi might have taken responsibility for Shelley’s death with the police and the world. But he’d left another message. Obviously Piper had been studying it, committing the symbols to memory. So far it didn’t seem that she’d figured out their true meaning.

Both Piper’s snooping at the bar last night and tonight’s presence of the FBI boyfriend dismayed him, but the hex sign truly threatened him. Neither Piper nor anyone else could be allowed to decipher it.

Not now. Not ever.