Chapter Nineteen

I wish you would have called me, sooner," Steve said as we sat around the kitchen table, which was getting a workout. "I'm glad neither of you went outside. I don't need another unsolved murder in Cedar Lake."

I could hear the defeated tone in his voice.

"So the door was unlatched from the inside when you two checked it and you locked it?" Steve asked.

I nodded. "Someone had unlocked it, or maybe it's always been opened."

"Nope. I checked that door myself the other night, after your lady intruder showed up. It was bolted and locked tight," he said firmly.

"Then someone had to unlock it. Who's been in the cellar since Friday morning?" I asked and looked at Maggie.

"Well, I was down there with Allison, but we got some bottles of wine and came right back up. She wasn't down there alone," Maggie said.

"I didn't see anyone go down there, but with all the people here, honestly, who would be watching the cellar?" I asked. "Anyone could have gone down there at anytime and opened it."

"Well, Doc and Sarah checked the cellar this evening when we were looking for the jewelry and glove," Steve said. "Tomorrow morning, I'll ask them if they noticed the door was unlocked," he said as he stood. "It's late, why don't you all get some sleep? I'll have my deputy patrol the house...again."

Just as I lay down, I heard a soft knock at my door. Maggie stood there in her robe sporting a smug grin.

"Are you lost, young lady?" I asked with a wide yawn.

"Have you misplaced something?"

"You found my wayward dog I take it?"

I followed her into her bedroom. There lay Chance, on Maggie's bed, sound asleep.

"She looks comfy," I said with a touch of envy.

"She can stay here if you like," Maggie said and shivered a bit as she pulled her robe closer.

"If you like I can get a fire going for you. It is a little chilly in here," I said and looked at her small fireplace.

"Well, it's late," she whispered and shivered again.

"I can get one going in a minute and you'll be nice and toasty."

The small fire crackled as I stood gazing at the dancing flames. I looked over at Maggie. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, looking like a lost and frightened little girl.

"Okay, into bed," I ordered.

She smirked and crawled under the covers. "I am not a child, you know. You keep referring to me as if I were. It's rather annoying."

I stopped and thought about it. "I apologize. I don't mean to be insulting. You just look so young. Perhaps I'm just too old," I said, as I looked down at her.

She pulled the covers up her neck. "Too old for what?" she asked, in a soft voice.

Chance stirred then crawled up next to Maggie, put her head on her stomach, and closed her eyes.

"Well, she's yours for the night," I laughed, ignoring her question.

"You can sit by the fire for a while if you want. It's probably chilly in your room, too."

I looked at the huge chair. It did look inviting. "Well, maybe for a minute."

My body ached horribly. I sat down and a feeling of comfort engulfed me. I put my feet up on the ottoman and was in heaven. I stared at the fire, trying not to think about anything, but wound up thinking about everything.

"Kate, you need to stop thinking for a while and sleep."

"I will. Go to sleep. I'll sit here for a while," I yawned and lay my head back.

"That was pretty unusual wasn't it? I mean the hyacinth, but I wasn't scared, though," she said, sounding amazed at the idea.

"You weren't? Well I have to admit I was petrified. Teri is much better dealing with the supernatural than I am," I said, and closed my eyes.

"Well, you certainly don't show it. How do you remain so calm?" she asked, sleepily.

"Years of emotional detachment," I joked, amusing myself as usual. Sad to say, I'm my best audience.

"You know, I can't tell if you're joking or if you're being serious," she said while yawning.

"I'm at my most serious when I joke," I said quietly. "Go to sleep."

She let out an exasperated groan. "Good night, Kate."

"Good night, Maggie," I yawned and fell sound asleep.

I woke at six o'clock to the sounds of a peacefully snoring duet. I looked over at them. They both looked so comfortable. Maggie was on her back, with the covers all over the place, and Chance lay stretched out at her side with her head on Maggie's leg. As I got up, Chance raised her head. I gave her a stern, "Sshh!" and she yawned and closed her eyes, the lazy cur. I gently covered Maggie and slipped out of her room.

After a nice long shower, I put on my work clothes, as I called them, and got my camera equipment. I left the heavy equipment behind and took the smaller camera and a few extra rolls of film.

In a half-hour, it would be light. Hopefully, taking a few photos would help me think. As the coffee brewed, I went out on the deck.

The last of the evening stars were barely visible. The sky was clear and it was almost sunrise. I loved that time of day...just before sunrise, when the moonbeams still had their grasp on the sleepy world and the warm rays of the sun started a claim of their own. It was the beginning and the end all at once. I smiled and took a deep contented breath. I would die if I couldn't be outside. I didn't care what the weather.

However, there was a definite chill in the air so I guess I did care. I got my jacket and found a small thermos mug in the cabinet. I was ready for an adventure.

Usually Chance was with me, but the lazy thing looked too comfortable sleeping next to Maggie and I couldn't blame her. If I were sleeping all over Maggie, I'd... I stopped in mid thought. Forget that thought entirely, Ryan. I left a note telling them where I'd be. Hell, they would still be asleep when I got back.

I walked into the morning air. There was a light fog hovering over the grounds. I crossed the yard and took the path that led into the woods and the lake. The sun was almost up and the wildlife had already begun sending out its wake-up call.

As I got to the lake, I saw a small gaggle of geese, which seemed to have forgotten which direction was south. They left a rippling wake as they lazily swam by. I continued to walk around the lake and came up to the sign as I did the day before. I took the rugged path that led to the Wildlife Refuge. It was about a quarter mile from the house, maybe a little less.

The refuge was on the other side of the lake. As I looked across now, I could barely see Maggie's house.

There was a five-foot shoreline, mostly rocks and boulders, and a path that continued around the lake, which I took. I tried to remember where I'd seen Miranda yesterday morning. I looked back across the lake and figured I was close. Then I saw the huge tree about thirty feet in front of me. I remembered when I took the picture, that tree was directly behind her. I walked over to it and looked around. I shivered, not sure if it was from the morning chill or something more menacing.

I walked around the area and noticed a very large hole in the ground, right behind the tree. I went up to it and it dawned on me...this was where Chance had been digging. I looked around the area for more signs. Then I saw it, a small swatch of burlap, and then another larger piece. I picked them up and put them in my camera case. I knelt and glanced around. I was right; my little mutt had been digging here, right where I saw Miranda. It was almost as if she was showing me where to look. Me? As I thought of Chance doing the scary dog thing, I realized Miranda was showing both of us. God, don't go there, Kate, you're spooked enough as it is. I heard something rustle in the woods. I got nervous and just knelt there, not moving.

"Are you praying?"

I jumped up and saw Maggie with Chance bounding along beside her.

"Jesus!" I exclaimed, "Don't do that!" With my hand covering my heart, I showed them what I'd found. "Maybe there's more around."

We combed the area pretty well. Although even Chance had her nose to the ground intent on her task, we found nothing further.

"Well, I'm not sure what I was looking for, anyway," I said. "There is so much crap going on here with your family, Maggie."

"I know. I'm not sure of anything," she said sadly, as she continued, "I take that back, I'm sure of one thing. I'm sure Uncle Nathan and mother had an affair and no one wants to come out and say it."

"I agree, completely, I'm afraid," I said, noticing the sad look in her eyes. "I'm afraid there's a great many secrets, Maggie, as Bedford said before he died."

"I only wish I knew what he was talking about," Maggie said, lightly kicking the ground. "It appears there is more buried than my mother's jewelry."

"Bedford is a puzzlement to me," I said and leaned against the tree. "I keep going back to what I overheard at the stable. He mentioned your grandfather, Alexander Winfield and Sarah sounded angry. If Bedford kept family secrets..." I stopped as I tried to keep up with my mind...not an easy thing for me to do.

"What Kate?" Maggie asked and watched me intently.

"Let's say during his time with your family, Bedford, overheard, oversaw, and watched as he did his job. I'm sure he'd seen plenty. He obviously saw too much. Now, if he had all this knowledge, what did he do with it?" I asked and Maggie's eyes widened.

"You think Bedford may have been blackmailing a member of my family?"

"I don't think so. If I was gonna blackmail someone and they're stinking, filthy rich..."

"Thank you."

"Sorry. If I'm blackmailing, I'm certainly not going to live on top of a garage for thirty years shoveling horse dung, washing cars and mowing the lawn," I said. "Nope. I think Bedford knew the family secrets but for some reason, kept them to himself."

"Why? Why would he do that?"

"Why not? He was alone, bored and your family, I'm sorry to say, seems to have a lot of material for Bedford to play with. The fact that, as he was dying, he told you there were so many secrets, told us right there, Maggie. Bedford knew something about someone and my gut says it was Sarah and Nathan."

"It's hard to believe that Bedford knew all this while he lived in a small garage apartment," Maggie said and shook her head.

The idea struck me. Why didn't I think of this sooner? "God, I'm an idiot. Maggie, do you have keys to Bedford's apartment?"

Maggie blinked in astonishment, but nodded slowly.

I looked around for Chance. She was on the other side of the lake running around like the insane dog she was. "Well, she's got the right idea, let's get back."

As we started back, we heard a noise in the woods and turned around to see a beautiful fawn coming out of the woods, toward the water. Ever so slowly, I reached into my bag and took out my camera. We were still behind the huge tree, hidden by the thick brush. I knelt on one knee to get a good angle and snapped off four or five shots. The little creature looked up right at us and stood perfectly still, its little brown-speckled body trembling. Her ear twitched and I snapped a few more. Then she scooted back into the woods.

"These woods are beautiful. How many people do you think come to this side of the lake?

"Since the murder, my guess is probably no one. These woods are pretty primitive. I can't remember every seeing anyone on this side."

"I think that's why he buried Miranda's jewelry here."

I heard the woods moving again. I whispered to Maggie in excitement, "It's probably another deer."

We slowly backed up into the brush and hid behind a huge boulder. I winked at her and put my fingers to my lips. She smiled and knelt. I knelt on one knee and steadied the camera. The brush was moving and rustling.

"It might be more than one," she whispered right in my ear and I shivered.

If I were a deer, my ear would be twitching. My heart raced and I could feel my face flush as I felt the lingering, soft breath. I glanced at Maggie who gave me an innocent look.

"Sorry," she whispered, with a smug grin as I narrowed my eyes.

"I don't think so," I challenged in a low whisper.

For some absurd reason, I was staring at her lips. I raised my gaze to those blue eyes that held a questioning, nervous gleam. Now I offered the smug grin.

Maggie now shivered. "Y-you'll miss your chance."

"I don't think so," I said, still holding her gaze. I gave my attention to my camera. "This could be a great shot," I whispered and looked through the lens.

I went cold and Maggie caught her breath.

It was Sarah coming out of the woods. She was alone and looked like hell. The early-morning fog lingered around her feet and her hair, usually pulled back and neat as a pin, was completely disheveled. I crept further behind the boulder, pulling Maggie with me.

Sarah was frantically looking at the ground, searching for something. I was petrified. I stupidly remembered two years ago when I was nearly in the same predicament in Wyoming, but back then there had been a wolf standing in Sarah's place. While I got a great shot, the wolf almost got me. This could be the same thing.

She was about thirty feet from us. God, please don't let her come this way.

She stood running both hands through her hair as if she was trying to pull it out. She looked like she was retracing her steps. She moved to the edge of the woods, walking closer to us.

Although it was cold, I was sweating profusely. I heard her mumbling; that scared me. People who mumble to themselves always bothered me. I know I talk to my dog, but I don't mumble. What in the hell was she doing?

As she came closer, Maggie had her hand on my shoulder, her nails digging into my flesh.

We heard Sarah say in a furiously low raspy voice, "Goddamned little bastard. Where is it?"

There was a rustling in the woods; it had to be a squirrel or chipmunk.

"Who's there?" she hissed in a low guttural voice.

I couldn't move even if I wanted to, I was so petrified. Sarah started walking our way until she was almost directly in front of us. The sweat was pouring down my back and I prayed to every saint that came to mind. Maggie held my arm in a vice grip.

Sarah looked around. "You don't scare me. You never did," she said defiantly, as though she was talking to the woods themselves.

Maggie and I looked at each other. Who in the hell was she talking to? A shiver ran down my spine as I realized who it was. We heard the rustling of the leaves and I slowly peeked out from behind the boulder.

Sarah took off like a bat out of hell and ran down the rugged path that led to her house. Oddly, the commercial Coo-Coo for Cocoa Puffs ran through my mind. I watched Sarah in stunned amazement, as she ran down the path and out of sight.

"You want to tell me what the hell that was?" Maggie asked.

I stared at the path. "I have no idea, but let's get the hell out of here."

As we started walking around the lake, I looked back every now and then. Maggie stumbled on the path and I grabbed her elbow. We continued, not talking but walking faster and faster. We got to the clearing and saw Maggie's house.

"Sanctuary," I said and we broke into a dead run, petrified to look back as we ran up to the porch, completely out of breath.

Mac and Teri were in the kitchen; both jumped when we made our entrance. I couldn't talk I was breathing so hard.

"What in the hell!" Teri ran over to me. "What happened to you two?"

I opened my mouth but nothing but a deep wheeze came out. I sounded like I had swallowed a harmonica.

"Come into the kitchen," Teri said frantically.

My legs were burning from running as I sat down. Teri took my camera case. Maggie sat across from me. She was in far better shape than I. She could talk. She took a deep breath and explained. Mac sat there amazed, looking from me to Maggie.

"You two are freezing," Teri said and put two cups of coffee down.

"Sarah?" Mac questioned. I nodded.

Hannah came into the kitchen. "Well, good morn..." she stopped abruptly as she looked from me to Maggie. "What in the world happened now?" she exclaimed.

I repeated the whole story. Hannah looked shocked but not as much as I thought she should, given the fact her sister-in-law had been running around as mad as a March hare. I looked at Teri. I could tell she agreed. I glanced at Maggie, who was had a curious look on her face as well.

"Christ, Kate, what the hell does this mean?" Teri asked.

It means Aunt Sarah's done a loop the loop. She's flying without a net and gone 'round the bend. In short, she's nuts! That's what it means. However, I graciously kept this to myself.

Maggie started again. "Well, it appeared she was looking for something."

"Okay, let's look at this logically," I said.

"After what we saw? Logic? Please," Maggie said sarcastically.

"I would have to say your aunt was looking for something that was not found by Chance. I think she knew what was buried out there." I finished and got up to get another cup of coffee.

Hannah and Maggie watched me. I looked at Teri, who gave me a sad kind of acknowledgment.

I hated what I was about to say, but I took a deep breath and continued slowly, "I think your Aunt Sarah knows something and is somehow, however obscurely, involved in this mess." I couldn't look at either Hannah or Maggie.

Hannah shifted uncomfortably in her chair. I didn't say anything about it, but Teri apparently noticed it, too.

"Given what I believe happened between Uncle Nathan and my mother I can see where her involvement would be logical," Maggie said.

"Well, she totally interrupted what Maggie and I started to do," I said and explained our conversation about Bedford and looking at his apartment.

Hannah shook her head. "What is happening to our family?" she asked sadly, as Maggie put her arm around her.

The Winfield family was unraveling before our eyes.