I wont even touch why open, airy, and simple are perfect for me, Sam said. But in spite of Izzys description, its nice. Spacious, a room I can use for a studio. Skylights. And a deck big enough for all of us to watch the sunset with a Ben Endicott martini in hand. Ill let you know when Izzy says Im settled. Right now a couple of Adirondack chairs and a mattress mark the spot.
Theres Ben, Birdie said, breaking in. She pointed toward the staircase and frowned. And hes not alone.
Nell peered over the tops of heads to the deck steps. Whos with him?
The world. Hes carrying it on his shoulders.
Nell stood and saw then what Birdie saw: the lean to Bens broad shoulders, the slow stride, and the incline of his head. He looked weary. Shopworn, as Birdie would say.
Over here,
Nell said silently.
And as if shed shouted the words across the sea, Ben spotted her and made his way around a milling group of people, thinning now as some folks headed to their cars or bicycles, making their way back home.
Ben still wore a jacket and tie, signs of his late-afternoon meeting. He sat down and shrugged out of the jacket, slipping it over the back of the chair. He tugged on his tie until the knot loosened, then looked around the table, offering a tired smile. Its been a day, he said.
Sam pushed a scotch and water in front of him. Looks like this might suit you better. You okay, Ben?
Ben nodded. Sure, Sam, thanks. Life is never simple, you know? Even in death.
Your meeting was about Aidan?
Yes. I had asked the police about a will because Aidan had asked me the other night to meet him to go over it. They found one at his place, and the chief wanted to talk to me about it. Its a murder case, even though we dont want to think about that part of it. But wills are important in investigations.
And? Nell searched Bens still-handsome face. The shadow of a day-old beard darkened his chin and his chestnut brown eyes held concern, though Nell couldnt intuit the source, not like she sometimes could.
Its not a secret, Ben said. A reporter got ahold of it, too. Youll read about it in the paper soon, Im sure.
Sam leaned forward, his arms resting on the table. Aidan owned the gallery, Sam said. But I never got the feeling there was much more.
The land is worth a lot, Sam, as well as the two buildings. And Aidan was frugal. I dont think he ever spent a dime except on his beloved Hinckley. He was a smart investor, too. Theres a sizable estate.
But that isnt whats causing the furrow in your forehead. Nell looked at Ben in a way she had that prevented him from looking away.
He wrapped an arm around the back of her chair, his hand dropping to her shoulder and his thumb gently rubbing the back of her neck. No, he said. Frankly, Im not sure how worried to be.
Whom did Aidan leave it to? Izzy asked. Hes had lots of relationships, so I dont think thered be an inheritance heading in that direction.
Maybe the Arts Foundation? Cass wrapped her hands around a frosty mug of beer. I could see him doing that. He loved this place and the Foundation does good things.
Or Father Northcutts causes, Birdie suggested.
Ben shook his head. No, none of the above.
He shifted in his chair and took a long swallow of scotch, then set the squat glass down in front of him and stared at it as if it were a crystal ball.
Heres the scoop, he said, lifting his eyes to his circle of friends. Aidan Peabody left every last dimehis studio, his gallery, his sailboat, his art collection. The cove land, and that noisy old Jeep he drove around town. He left every inch of it to Izzys trespasser, to our houseguest. He left it all to Willow Adams.
Chapter 9
W
illow!
The single word rose up into the warm evening sky, propelled by an orchestra of voices. It was followed almost immediately by a barrage of questions, most of which Ben had no answer for, especially the biggest question of all
Why Willow
?
We arent sure why, and we called around, but didnt find Willow, so we couldnt get any clarification from her. She told someone she was going running with Brendan, so I drove along the beach, but its pitch-black tonight, and I couldnt see much of anything. Its hot enough to fry eggs on the sand, so I presumed they gave up and went off to drink beer or something.
Did you check the guesthouse? Nell asked quietly. Willow surely wouldnt leave, not without a good-bye. But suddenly the ominous thought caused Nells heart to skip a beat.
We think alike, mlove. Her things are still here.
Nell breathed normally again. There is probably an easy explanation for this, a mistake, most likely. Willow didnt even know Aidan. She said as much when I suggested she come with us tonight. Why should I celebrate the life of a stranger? were her words. Im sure its a mistake.
Maybe. Ben swallowed the rest of the scotch and water in a single gulp and set the glass down on the table. The ice clanked against the sides. Maybe not.
They all knew that Bens friend Chief Jerry Thompson was anxious to put an end to this investigation. And the whole force was hungry for a solid lead. They would jump on this, surely.
Well, theres an explanation, Birdie said. There always is. Willow will fill us in, Im sure.
When we find her, Ben said.
She isnt lost, Ben. She went running, thats all. And then, just as you said, they probably got a drink or a sandwich.
Nells words were slightly clipped. The tone in Bens voice bothered her, as if Willow had done something wrong by being the recipient of someones will. Why is there any concern, supposing this inheritance is legitimate? Aidan always has supported new artists, just like you two do. She looked over at Jane and Ham. Maybe he saw Willows work and liked itAidan did random things all the time.
Youre right, Ham said. Aidan has helped other young people. But . . .
Izzy jumped in. This could be a wonderful thing for Willow.
Yes, one could think that, Ben said.
But,
Izzy said. Uncle Ben, I can read you like a book. Theres a huge
but
at the end of that sentence. And I dont like it a single bit.
I want to talk to her, thats all. Before . . . well, soon.
Before what, Ben?
Before the police do. Im all for Willow inheriting money. She looks like she doesnt have much. But when an unexpected person inherits this much money, people wonder. Especially the police. We all have to face it. Someone killed Aidan Peabody.
Ben paused and looked around the table at each of them, and then he went on. The suspicion and rumors percolating over this murder are bad for every aspect of life in Sea Harborbusiness and beach living, and most certainly selling art in Canary Cove. This all means the police are very anxious to find out who killed Aidan so the town can be relieved of this burden and move on. And whether you like it or not, whether you agree with the police or not, inheriting every last dime Aidan Peabody had is certainly a motive for murder that they cant ignore.
The group fell silent. From the corners of the deck, large industrial fans hummed into the silence and pushed warm air across the grim faces. In the distance, waves lapped languorously against the rocks and the sound of late-night vessels pierced through the hot, muggy air.
Nell peeled her knit top from her damp skin. So the police think Willow killed Aidan Peabody? Nell said. Her voice was flat. Thats what youre saying.
They think its a possibility, and theyre anxious to talk to her, Ben said.
Well, good. Hopefully theyll talk to Willow, realize she had no earthly reason for killing a man she didnt know, that the will was some kind of a mistake, and that shes here to talk about yarn art. And that will be that.
Jane started to speak up. I think Willow knew him, she began.
But the blinking of lights brought their attention away from the conversation, and they looked up to see Hank waving at them from behind the deck bar, a dishrag in his hands. Sorry, folks. Time for this body to close up shop and hit the hay.
Thanks, Hank. Ben, Ham, and Sam pulled bills from their pockets and stuck them under the salt and pepper shakers as the others pushed out chairs and picked up purses. Sam gathered the remaining glasses and carried them over to the bar.
No problem, Hank said. You folks are my favorites, and Id let the whole bunch of you stay till breakfast if you were enjoying yourselves. But Merry is nudging me from inside. And when the wife is anxious to head home, well, you know how it is.
Nell laughed. You go on home, Hank. Were as good as gone. We didnt realize we were closing the place down.
Sounds like you were having a heated discussion?
Anything would seem heated tonight, Nell said, sidestepping Hanks question.
But as they said their good-byes in the parking lot and went off into the night, it wasnt the heat that pressed down on the group of friends. It was the plethora of questions about a young woman barely large enough to shoulder them.
Chapter 10
N
ell found sleep difficult.
Beside her, Ben tossed and turned until the white sheets became tangled around both their limbs and the night air dampened their bodies and bedsheets. Finally, when Bens breathing slowed, Nell slipped out of bed and down the back stairs to the kitchen.
Warm milk never soothed her during restless nights like this, but a cup of lemon balm tea and a few minutes on the deck often brought the sleep that was just beyond her grasp.
An unexpected northern breeze whistled softly through the pine trees and Nell looked up, watching the slow-motion movement of the heavy branches. Thursday would not be so hot, Nell thought. And that was a good thing. But the day was sure to bring things more difficult to deal with than weather. She slipped down onto a chaise and sipped the tea, willing her mind to settle down.
There was nothing more to say or do tonight, as Birdie had wisely reminded them. It was late, tomorrow was another day, and by the time the morrow ended, Willow might have straightened out the whole thing.
Or not.
The disjointed thoughtsnone of which had resolutionbecame jumbled in Nells mind and she willed them to stop. She wanted to sleep. After all, she barely knew this young woman. But they had all somehow
connected
to Willow in a visceral kind of way. Birdie, Izzy, and Cass had felt it, too. And with a certainty that defied reason, Nell knew that Willow had not murdered their friend.
She looked down through the trees at the quiet cottage. The lights were out, the blinds pulled. Willow was probably asleep. Nell hoped she had known to push the windows up to cool the small bedroom.
It was odd. She didnt know where Willow came from or even why she had hitchhiked to Cape Ann, other than to visit the Seaside Knitting Studio to talk about her art. And now that seemed a frivolous reasonone that wouldnt bear the weight of what had happened since she arrived.
All she knew was that Willow was an artista talented oneand that she had enormous eyes that looked carefully into your own when you talked to her. That was it. And yet the protective instinct had grabbed all four knitters, and Nell suspected Willow would not walk out of their lives quite as quietly as she had come inasleep in a storefront window.
The lemon tea slid down her throat easily, and the stillness of the night seeped into her body, easing away the turmoil of the day. In the near distance, waves lapped against the smooth shore of Sandpiper Beach.
Night sounds run deepest,
she thought, sinking into the blackness around her.
A sudden sound startled Nell from her musings, and she pressed against the back of the chair, peering into the darkness. A twig, probably, broken by the breeze. Or, more likely, some broken branches that she and Ben had yet to clean out had fallen from the giant pines.
Nell took a sip of tea and settled back into the chair. One thing Nell rarely felt in Sea Harbor was fear. She might be anxious if Izzy had a problem with the store, or worried before Ben went in for a doctors appointment. Shed be concerned if a neighbor or friend was having personal problems, and she experienced joy and delight and happiness of some sort most of the time. But she was almost never afraid.
Again, the crackling of branches stirred the night air, cutting through the silence. And then the murmur of a voice, and Nell realized that a figure was walking slowly down the flagstone pathway to the guest cottage at the back of the Endicott backyard.
