Larkin's Landing_A Tombora Springs Mystery Read online

  The drive to the cemetery was when it truly hit me hard. This was final, the end of life as I knew it. Nothing after this would ever be the same. I found it hard to draw breath. Rich guided my feet, and I clung to him for dear life—I felt like I was helplessly drowning and he was the only safe harbor to be found.

  “Come on, Fee. Straighten up, that’s my girl, we’re almost through it. Everyone is watching us.” Rich sounded like we needed to put on some sort of show for the crowd. I looked around and he was correct, they all seemed to be watching us. I closed my eyes and tried to close them and the whole world out.

  Chapter Four

  Tara

  It was nearly eleven when I woke, still in my work clothes. I had been so tired when I finished downstairs, and I had no energy left to shower and change for bed. I stumbled into the bathroom and stripped off my dirty clothes and climbed into the shower. The warm water began to get my heart pumping once again.

  Bonnie did not show up for work last night, and even though Vince tried time and time again to call her, she didn’t answer her phone. He finally went to her cabin down the road. He said he knocked loudly, but only managed to piss off her neighbors who came and yelled at Vince to stop. Her neighbor told Vince that Bonnie had not been seen since she left for work the day before.

  Without Bonnie’s help, I was extremely busy. The snowmobile trails were still open, and groups of people poured in all night long. By the time I finished for the night, I barely made it back up the stairs. I decided to go into town for coffee instead of making a pot. First, I wanted to check at Bonnie’s place and if there still wasn’t any sign of her, I was going to go to the sheriff’s department. Tombora Springs was a very small little berg in the Northern part of Wisconsin. We did not have any police department and just a volunteer fire department. The sheriff’s deputy used a two-room storefront on one of the side streets in town. Usually it was only by chance or appointment that someone would actually be working in the office. I hoped since it was Friday there would be someone there today.

  After I stopped in at the beauty shop to make sure that no one had called for any appointments, I went over to Bonnie’s. It didn’t look like anyone was home, and though I knew where she kept a key, I felt uneasy about going inside. I wanted someone with me when I did.

  The woman next door was watching me from her window and I motioned for her to come to the door so I could talk to her. She told me the same thing her husband told Vince the night before, “I haven’t seen her since noontime on Wednesday. I usually hear her come in at night, but I didn’t hear her come home and she wasn’t around at all yesterday which is very unusual.”

  “Thank you for the information. I’m going to call the sheriff’s department. I know she would never miss work without letting someone know and I’m very worried about her.” I had a sinking feeling in my gut. Something was wrong—very wrong.

  I called the deputy and fortunately, he was in the office with nothing better to do, at least that’s what he made it sound like. I already didn’t like him since he was treating my concern for Bonnie like I was wasting county resources. To keep busy while I waited for him, I swept the snow off Bonnie’s front deck. I noticed that she hadn’t taken her mail in but left all that for the deputy to go sort out. I instinctively felt like I should treat this as a crime scene, having watched way too much CSI and NCIS.

  When he pulled up, I was surprised by how young he was. I didn’t think he was thirty yet and he had a very athletic build, which was a lot like Raine only broader and taller. Where Raine had dark, wavy hair and chocolate colored eyes, Mr. Deputy had light brown hair and greenish-blue eyes. He was definitely a well-put-together man and had an arrogant demeanor, like he knew just how delicious he looked and wasn’t afraid to take full advantage of it.

  “Hi, my name is Tara, and I work with Bonnie. I know she keeps a key in the pot over there, but I didn’t feel comfortable going inside by myself.” I showed him the flowerpot, and he quickly glanced over the property. The neighbor lady decided it was time to move some snow on her sidewalk at the same time and she smiled up at him.

  “Okay, Tara. I’m Deputy Wagner.” The neighbor conveniently stopped her shoveling right next to the deputy. “Who are you? Do you live next door?” He smiled at the woman and I noticed his wonderful deep dimples. His smile was so charming it could easily melt the snow around us.

  “Nancy. Nancy Hughes and yes, I live right here next door.” She smiled flirtatiously at the deputy, but then her husband yelled from their front porch. “Nancy! Get in here!”

  “And that’s my husband, Russ. If you need us for anything, we live right there, next door.” She smiled once more and slowly sauntered back up to her porch. I noticed Russ grabbed her arm as soon as she reached the top stair, pulled her inside, and slammed the door.

  Deputy Delicious went over and got the key, unlocked the door, and looked back at me. “Wait here while I check everything out inside.” I stood on the porch and waited for awhile but decided that was silly—Bonnie had obviously not come back to the house since she left work Wednesday night, the door was still locked so there certainly couldn’t be any danger inside. Not only that, but I had been standing outside in the cold for over a half hour already and that was enough for me.

  The screen door squeaked when I opened it, but I stepped inside just as the deputy came out of the kitchen. “Hmm . . . guess you didn’t understand the part about waiting outside while I make sure it’s safe.”

  “Sorry, but I couldn’t imagine that it would be unsafe, and it is quite cold out. Did you find anything? Everything looks undisturbed. I mean . . . this is how it usually looked when I’ve been here before.” Bonnie wasn’t the best housekeeper in the world and the cabin reflected that. She had little furniture and what she did own was old and worn.

  “Can I ask you to not touch anything? You understand what I’m asking?” His condescending tone was loud and clear.

  “Yes, I understand. Again, I’m sorry I didn’t wait for your signal. Did you check her messages? I noticed that she had mail out in her box.” I probably shouldn’t have implied that he didn’t know his job, but he was really pissing me off. The look he gave me proved he now felt the same about me. Whoops.

  Once Deputy Wagner deemed it safe, he asked me to sit down and started to ask questions about the last time I saw Bonnie. I recalled she had gone into Vince’s study and had not come back out, but I didn’t give out that information. Vince seemed obviously concerned the day before when Bonnie didn’t show up for work, so I didn’t think he had anything to do with her disappearance. Besides, I really didn’t want to smear her name by giving out information that was unnecessary to the investigation.

  After my interview was over, he asked what her usual route was when coming home from work. I had walked with her a few times when there was fighting in the campground and knew the route. I asked Deputy Wagner if he would like to walk it with me and he gave me a curious look before his more usual smirk and chuckle, which was grating on my nerves.

  “I just wanted to be of some help, Deputy Wagner. She is my friend and coworker. I would do anything to help her.” The last came out as a whisper as the situation became ever more clear and my worry was turning into full-blown fear.

  “Why don’t you drive over there and wait for me? I’ll inspect the route, and I may have more questions for you and your boss when I get to the resort.” He must have noticed my fear, as he now spoke in a calm, reasonable tone.

  “Of course, Depu—“

  “Cal—just call me Cal. Now go on, I’ll lock up here.” He escorted me to the door and turned off the lights as we left the cabin. Instead of putting the key back inside the pot, he had a little baggie in his pocket that he put it into and wrote something on the bag. It was like an evidence bag on CSI.

  Once I got back inside my car and started back toward the resort, I could breathe a great sigh of relief. I was still concerned about Bonnie’s fate but now felt that we wouldn’t have lo
ng the wait to find out where she was. Cal would find something. Calvin Wagner—I suddenly remembered him from high school. He was three years ahead of me, the same year as my brother, Mel, though they ran in different circles.

  Our high school was a combination of students from Tombora Springs and the neighboring town of Hilltop. Hilltop was about twice the size of Tombora Springs, and the school name reflected that as it is called Hilltop High. Calvin was actually from Hilltop and I remember his family had money—I think his father was in real estate. I remember seeing ‘for sale’ signs with the name Wagner Realty on them when I was growing up, but I don’t recall what happened to the company. They probably got bought out by one of the real estate chains.

  My memory of Cal was that he was very popular with everyone, especially the girls. I remember Mel had always hated him, probably because Mel had such a hard time making and keeping good friends. He likely blamed Calvin for his lack of girlfriends though I’m sure Cal had little to do with it.

  It was already time to begin my shift by the time I got back to the resort. We had two extra girls to help wait and bus tables on Friday and Saturday nights, so I wouldn’t be quite as bombarded as the night before. Vince even thought ahead to get some extra help at the bar. One look at Vince and I realized that he was truly upset that Bonnie was missing. I took him aside right away and told him about the deputy coming over to talk.

  “I wish you would have talked to me before getting the law involved, Tara. She could wander back in at any moment and that will make us look down-right stupid.” Vince seemed angry and I couldn’t figure out why. It would be wonderful if that was the case and we did look stupid, at least Bonnie would be safe.

  “Vince, she didn’t even call in yesterday. Something is wrong, and we need to find out as soon as possible. We can’t wait around in case she needs help. Just be honest with the guy and tell him whatever you know. We need to find her.” My desperation must have gotten through to him.

  “You’re right. I just keep hoping she’ll walk in and say, ‘Oh sorry, was yesterday my day to work?’ I want to believe that she was sure she told me she couldn’t make it and I just forgot because I was too drunk or something.” Vince looked almost grief stricken. I had never considered that he might feel more than just lust for Bonnie. I decided to change the subject.

  “Who’s the new guy behind the bar helping Alan?” I had noticed him right away. He was very good-looking, though in a dangerous sort of way. I’m used to the bad boy type, Raine was certainly considered that, but this guy was a whole different level of danger. His dark glance toward me sent shivers down my spine and not in a good way.

  “That’s Logan, he came in earlier looking for part-time work. He has a house on the lake and is between jobs. He has experience running both a bar and kitchen. We were very lucky I could reel him in.”

  “Humph, what a coincidence. Do you trust him? If he has a house on the lake, he certainly doesn’t need the money from working here. It doesn’t feel right to me.” I looked over and caught his steely gaze on me once more. No, I didn’t trust the man at all. Most of the homes around scenic Lake Franklin were valued at over a half-million dollars.

  “I don’t think he’s doing it for the money. It sounded like he was bored. His wife took a management position at the hospital and works long hours. I think he just wants something to do. He has already given me some sound advice and creative ideas. Here’s the deputy. I’ll take him back to my office. Can you bring us some coffee? I doubt he’s open to having a shot of whiskey with me.”

  “Sure, I’ll be right in.” I had to walk around Cal to get back to the kitchen. He gave me one of his way too sexy smirks as I passed. I would need to talk to Raine once I finished work. My body must be desperate for a man’s attention to become so hot from this man’s casual leering glance.

  Once I grabbed some cups and a carafe of fresh coffee, I quickly went to the office. I didn’t want to miss any information that Cal might have discovered so far. With all this in hand, I couldn’t seem to get Vince’s door open. I tried moving the cups over to my other hand and decided the last one would have to go under my chin, but just as I freed my hand, the door swung open and there stood Cal, amusement dancing in his deep blue eyes. I had thought earlier that they were greener, but away from the sun, I could determine they were definitely blue.

  “Here, let me help you before you spill the whole works.” Cal chuckled under his breath. He must think my waitress skills were lacking. I don’t know why I didn’t think about using a tray.

  “What did you find out?” Even before I set the coffee supplies down questions began pouring out. “Did you see any sign of where she went? Could you see her footprints?”

  “Yikes! I thought you would at least pour us some coffee before you started your interrogation.” Once again Cal’s amusement was apparent. This was serious business. But I did take the time to stop my questions and pour us each a cup of coffee. With a heavy sigh, I plopped down in the only vacant chair.

  “Okay, then,” Cal began. “I walked through the path that Bonnie would have taken and I saw no obvious signs that she had used it recently. I did see some footprints, but they were mostly compromised by other foot traffic and at least one snowmobile that used the same path. The only footprints identifiable were a larger-sized boot, most certainly a man’s.” Cal took a couple of sips and glanced between Vince and me.

  “Are there no other side paths that she may have taken? Did you check down all the paths?” I was sure that he must have missed some obvious signs.

  “There weren’t any signs of that, but I have requested the dogs from Salecia. I’ll run up there when I’m done here. I will put in my report and see what the sheriff wants me to do. I have a few more interviews to do, also.” Salecia sat about twenty miles north along the Tombora River and was the county seat where the sheriff’s office was, along with the courthouse and other county offices.

  “Have you talked to any of the other neighbors? The Seelys live along her route and then, of course, there’s Russ and Nancy Hughes. I can talk to them tomorrow.” I was mentally thinking about who might possibly have seen her leave the resort or noticed her walk along the way.

  “I have already interviewed the Hughes,’ and the Seely’s weren’t home that night. I realize that you are worried about your friend, but you have to let us do our jobs.” He sounded a little irritated and I guess I could understand why. I was assuming he didn’t know how to manage the investigation and thought I knew more than he did. I have watched all the crime shows and even the reruns, but he was right, it was his job and not mine.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interfere. Speaking of jobs, I better get out there and do mine.” I sucked down the rest of my cup and ungracefully tried to get out of the piece of crap chair I was sitting in. It sat too close to the floor, and the cushions moved with you when you tried to stand. When I got to the door and looked back, I could once again see the wry amusement dancing through Cal’s mesmerizing eyes.

  Cal stayed in Vince’s office for an hour longer. I wondered if Vince confessed his activities to the deputy. I couldn’t imagine what Cal would think about that. The other two waitresses easily handled the tables, so I helped by clearing them and carrying drink orders. Alan seemed to have no problem training Logan where everything was at the bar. Whenever I came up with drink orders, Logan was professional and extremely proficient. I had to admit that he even outshone Alan. When the food orders were backed up, he immediately went back to the kitchen and helped out there as well. The man certainly didn’t lie about his skillset, but he still made me feel uneasy. Him turning up on the heels of Bonnie’s disappearance just didn’t sit too well with me.

  Once the service was complete, Vince called me back into his office. Since Cal left, I had noticed that Vince had downed more than a few whiskey Cokes, though he still seemed lucid.

  “Sit down, Tara. I wanted to tell you everything that I told Deputy Wagner so we don’t contradict each other. W
hen Bonnie left Wednesday night, it was after we had a little fight in here. I know you realize that Bonnie was more to me than just an employee. I thought the world of her, and I even told her that I would leave Marge for her. Bonnie all but laughed at me. She told me that a divorce would ruin both me and the resort. She said I would be crazy to do that. We argued and she slipped out the back, and that’s the last I saw of her. I sat in here and wallowed in self-pity for a while before coming back out to the bar. I know you didn’t tell Deputy Wagner about Bonnie’s visit in here and though I appreciate that, I just want you to know that it’s all out in the open.”

  “What about Marge? Are you going to tell her? What if all this comes out into the open?” I wasn’t too worried about Marge. I was more worried about Raine and what he would think of his father. Not only that, but Raine was always forced to live among the rumors and half-truths surrounding his family. I didn’t want his homecoming marred by tales of his father’s infidelity.

  “If I have to tell her, I will. Not that she would be either surprised or upset. I just don’t want it to go any further. You’ve had a rough few days, why don’t you take the rest of the night off. Let the others clean up tonight. I appreciate your hard work, Tara, and your loyalty. Raine’s a lucky man and I’m going to make sure he knows it.”

  When I got upstairs, I immediately checked my phone in case Bonnie had left a message—she hadn’t. Then I ran a bath while my laptop was powering up. I decided that I needed some time to soak in the tub before trying to contact Raine. I loved him deeply, but I had so many things running through my mind and I didn’t want to burden him with all that. I went through everything I saw and heard since Bonnie disappeared and tried to piece things together. There was way too much still unknown, and unfortunately, the pieces didn’t fit at all. Weaving through all my thoughts was Cal’s sexy smirk and devastatingly blue eyes. Those thoughts caused more than a little twitching in my nether region, and I forced all thoughts of that rogue from my mind and concentrated on my one true love, the man of my dreams—Raine. It was time to see if he was online.