The Rescue Quilt Page 4

  Chapter 6

  It was an exceptionally cold December morning as Sarah looked out the window at Barney who was making a quick trip to his spot at the back of the yard. She was glad they didn’t have plans today. It’s a perfect day to stay in and sew, she thought.

  When the phone rang, she dried her hands on the kitchen towel and picked it up. “Sophie, slow down. What’s happened?” When Sophie was excited her words came out in gusts making them hard to understand.

  “It’s Emma. She’s gone.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Kelly called this morning to tell me that Emma never came back in after she let her out last night. She’s been gone all night. I’m so worried, Sarah. What do you think happened to her? I never should have left her…”

  “Sophie, you had no choice. You were doing your job. Do you suppose she’s trying to get back to the cabin?”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. You may be right…”

  “Do you want us to pick you up and drive out there just to see?”

  “Yes, Sarah. Let’s do it. Now that you mention it, I think that’s exactly where she went.”

  Sarah sighed as she went into the sewing room and turned off the machine and the lights. “So much for sewing,” she muttered.

  “What?” Charles called from his den next door.

  Sarah told him about Sophie’s call and what they planned.

  “I’d like to go with you if it’s okay with you girls.”

  “We were counting on it,” Sarah responded. “By the way, did you reach Officer Reilly this morning?”

  “He wasn’t in but I went ahead and called the medical examiner directly. I spoke with her assistant, and he told me the cause of death has been officially determined to be from natural causes.”

  “Natural causes?” Sarah responded looking baffled

  “They found evidence of cardiac arrest. He had a massive heart attack.”

  “What about the blood?”

  “He explained that the head injury occurred when he hit the floor.

  “Does this mean they won’t be investigating?”

  “They’ll write up their reports and close the case,” Charles responded frowning.

  “You don’t look pleased.”

  “I’m pleased for Sophie. I know she’s been worried, although she really didn’t have anything to worry about. They weren’t seriously considering her. My concern is simply that the poor guy isn’t getting a fair shake.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Charles sighed. “I don’t really know what I mean. It’s just that I haven’t felt right about this case from the minute we walked into that cabin and were told it wasn’t a crime scene. It didn’t feel right then and it doesn’t feel right now. Something more is going on here. I just think the case deserves a closer look.”

  “You think he was murdered?” Sarah asked.

  “I think he might have been, but we’ll never know. And if he was, the killer will go scot-free.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  Charles was quiet as he contemplated his alternatives. “I think I want to look around. I don’t know what I’m looking for and maybe nothing but I won’t rest until I take a look.”

  “Then you have to follow those instincts, Charles. It’s who you are.”

  Charles pulled her to his chest and held her close. “Thank you for understanding.”

  Gently pulling away, Sarah looked up at her husband with a twinkle in her eyes and said excitedly, “So, since we’ll be out there anyway, how about we do some snooping on our own today?”

  “My thoughts exactly. I’ll grab my coat,” Charles responded turning off his computer. Something out there had bothered him that night. He wasn’t sure what, but he had a feeling that something was being missed. He knew the local cops didn’t want to waste time on something they felt was not a crime. Yet Charles had continued to wonder.

  “I’ll warm up the car,” Charles said pulling on his heavy jacket.

  “I’ll call Sophie and tell her we’re on our way.”

  Sophie had little to say when she got into the car. She was clearly worried about Emma. “Do you think she’ll be out there? It’s so far and in this weather…” Her voice cracked as she tried to hide her apprehension.

  “We’ll find her,” Sarah assured her friend. “In the meantime, we have some good news for you, Sophie,” Sarah began, reaching back and taking her friend’s hand. “They’ve determined the old man’s death to be from natural causes.”

  “Does that mean they’re stopping the investigation?”

  Charles spoke up saying, “They’ll close the case and that’ll be the end of it.”

  “Do you suppose that man Reilly will call and apologize?” Sophie asked.

  “I wouldn’t hold my breath,” Charles responded. “But it’s over. You can relax.”

  “And I can leave town?”

  “You’re planning to leave town?” Sarah responded with surprise.

  “No, I just don’t like being told I can’t.” Sophie settled back into her seat with a long sigh and appeared to be lost in her own thoughts for the rest of the trip.

  Charles was also quiet as he drove toward the cabin. He thought it was unlikely that the dog would be there, but he was glad for an opportunity to look around. He felt there was more to this case than met the eye. He had even wondered if there could be a connection between the Hawkins case and the case on the east side where he’d been questioning the neighbors. That case also involved an elderly man. Of course, in that case there was no question the man was murdered, and brutally so.

  As they were approaching the cabin, Sarah broke his concentration by saying, “You’re very quiet today.” She reached over and touched the deep furrows between his brows as he drove. “What’s bothering you?”

  “Sorry. I was just thinking about work. Now, remind me where to turn,” he said smiling and changing the subject.

  You can’t fool me, she thought, but decided not to pursue it. She knew he would tell her in his own time.

  “Turn right here,” Sarah said, pointing to the gravel road that led up the wooded ridge.

  “I didn’t notice those other log cabins when we were here before,” Sophie comments from the back seat.

  “There was an old, weathered sign back there that said this is Timberlake Village,” Sarah responded. “It said something under that but I didn’t see it in time.”

  Charles spoke up answering their question. “It said that this is a private lakeside community, but I don’t see a lake and it’s pretty run down. It may have been exclusive in its day, but not now.

  “I wonder if we’re supposed to be driving in without permission,” Sophie asked.

  Charles pointed out that there’d been no barriers or signs limiting visitors. “We’re fine. Besides we have a mission.”

  They turned onto the road that lead up to Earl Hawkins’ cabin and were surprised to see a car parked out front. “Someone’s here,” Sophie exclaimed.

  “Maybe it’s the guy’s family,” Charles responded. “You two wait here. I’ll go up and ask about the dog. Maybe I can find out what’s going on.”

  “Be careful,” Sarah said before thinking.

  Charles looked back at her and shook his head with a look of mild vexation. “I’ve been at this for many years, my dear. I’ll be fine.”

  When a man stepped out on the porch pointing a shotgun, Charles stopped in his tracks and Sarah gasped. Sophie, on the other hand, jerked her door open and got out yelling, “Is that any way to treat guests? What’s the matter with you? Put that gun down,” and she proceeded to march up to the porch still talking to the man as if he were a misbehaving child.

  Fortunately, the man actually lowered the gun, still resting his hand on the stock. “What do you want?” he demanded.

  “That’s more like it.” Sophie introduced herself and went on to explain about the dog that was missing.

  “My grandpa’s dog?”


  “Your grandfather?” she responded with surprise.

  The man said he was Travis Hawkins, the grandson of the cabin’s owner.

  “I’m sorry about your grandfather,” Sophie said and went on to tell him about her relationship to the dog and why she was there.

  “You must be the lady that found grandpa? The police told me about you. Who are those other people out there?”

  “They’re my friends. They were here that night too.” She turned and called to them. “Sarah, Charles, come on up and meet Travis Hawkins.” She didn’t mention that Charles was a retired detective. She didn’t know why, but she felt that fact didn’t need to be shared just now. Besides, she had already defined herself as the heavy in the group.

  “Come on in,” the man said once Charles and Sarah reached the porch. “I’m sorry about the shotgun. I’m from the mountains and I’m used to being cautious of strangers.”

  “Where about?” Charles asked.

  “West Virginia. When they called me about grandpa, I drove on out. Someone needs to take care of his stuff and, I guess, sell the cabin. There’s no other family, so I suppose that’s me.” He walked into the open kitchen and reached for a bottle of whiskey. “You folks want a drink? Grandpa’s got glasses around here somewhere…”

  “No thanks, Charles responded quickly. “How long had your grandfather been living out here?”

  “Not sure. We haven’t been in touch much. Let’s see, I was about ten when he left I think so that’d be around twenty-five years ago. He moved out here with his wife.

  “Your grandmother?”

  “No, Granny died when I was a kid. I’m talking about his second wife, Rita. She was a pretty young thing. She wanted to leave West Virginia and move out here near her family. I heard she ran off or died or something.”

  “Did the police talk to you about how your grandfather died?” Charles asked.

  “Probably old age, they said.” He took a hearty gulp of his whiskey, nearly emptying the glass.

  They sat and talked for a while about the community. It was Travis’ first time there so he couldn’t answer any of their questions. When asked about the lake, he responded, “Yeah, it’s right up the road. In fact, the backside of this property runs right up to it. There’s a couple of boats tied up down there. Looks like a great place for fishin’.” Hawkins added, “I looked around here for a rod, but I guess grandpa wasn’t into that anymore. We used to fish back home when I was a kid.”

  “Your grandfather must have a sizeable lot here…” Charles commented.

  “Yeah, looks like all these lots are ten or more acres, mostly wooded.”

  Charles asked to use the bathroom and Sarah figured he was using the opportunity to look around, although she figured they could see most of the cabin from where they were sitting.

  When Charles returned, Travis poured himself another drink but didn’t sit back down. Charles took the hint and said, “I think we’ll be on our way.” He took a business card from his wallet and handed it to Travis.

  “A cop?” Travis Hawkins said looking surprised.

  “Retired,” Charles replied without explaining why he still had business cards. “Would you give us a call if the dog shows up here?” He then looked at Travis and added, “Unless you’re planning to keep her yourself, of course.”

  “No way,” Hawkins responded emphatically. “I’ve got a pack of dogs back home and sure don’t want any more. I’ll call you if I see it. What’s this dog look like anyway?”

  Sophie spoke up and told Hawkins that the dog was about thirty pounds, mostly white, and a bit straggly looking. “Oh and she has a pretty tail that curls up over her back. She’s just a mutt but with a good scrubbing and a haircut she’d be quite a looker.”

  Hawkins chuckled and shook his head, obviously not accustomed to thinking of dogs that way. “A looker, you say?”

  As they were walking out to the car, Sophie spotted Emma peeking out of the bushes just to the side of the driveway. “Emma,” she said gently stooping down and holding out her arms. “Come here Emma.”

  The dog slowly approached her. “Hello girl. Did you walk all the way here?” The dog was panting and her tongue hung out from thirst.

  Hawkins strolled toward them and the dog cowered and whined. “That must be grandpa’s dog there,” he said backing away.

  Charles opened the door to the back seat and guided Sophie to her seat. He then turned to the dog and motioned for her to hop in with Sophie. Emma quickly jumped into the backseat and pressed her body against Sophie who wrapped her arm around the dog protectively.

  Once they drove away, Sophie pulled out her cell phone and called Kelly at the farm to let her know Emma had been found. “Kelly, I’m going to take her home with me and talk to the Humane Society tomorrow to see if I can foster her at my house. She’s really frightened and upset. I think she feels safe with me.”

  “Good idea, Sophie. Let me know how it goes.”

  Sophie moved over on the seat giving Emma lots of room. The dog stretched out and rested her head on Sophie’s lap. “This pup has had a very rough week,” she said, gently rubbing Emma’s head as the dog sighed and began to relax.

  Sarah looked back at the two and realized that both Sophie and Emma appeared to be at peace. “She’s pretty dirty, Sophie. Would you like to bring her by the house and give her a bath in our utility tub? I bathe Barney there, and it’s all set up with shampoo and towels.”

  “I’d like that,” Sophie replied. “She needs to go to a groomer eventually, but a bath will be good for now. Maybe a good brushing too when we get home,” she added running her hand through the dog’s tangled fur. “Pull into that fast food place up there so I can get her some water and a hamburger.”

  Sarah and Charles shared a knowing glance and smiled. “I think our Sophie has herself a dog,” Charles said softly.

  * * *

  “I had an interesting talk with the zoning commissioner this morning,” Charles announced as he sat down to lunch a few days later. Sarah had all the ingredients for tacos spread out on the table and had called Sophie to join them.

  “Tell us all about it,” Sophie said as she piled chopped tomatoes, onions, and olives on the meat sauce that she had already scooped into her taco shell. She followed this with a handful of shredded lettuce and asked for a dollop of sour cream. “What’s a dollop anyway,” she asked before Charles could start talking.

  “It’s a small amount,” Sarah responded.

  “Then what I really want are several dollops please.” Once her taco was ready to eat, despite half of it squishing out the sides and falling back on her plate, on her lap, and on the floor, she said, “Okay, tell us about the zoning commissioner.” Barney, moving a little faster than usual, scarfed up what was on the floor beneath Sophie’s chair and looked at what was on her lap with anticipation.

  Sarah joined them at the table and began building her taco, which turned out to be much more manageable than Sophie’s. “Why were you there?” Sarah asked, adding another question to the mix.

  “Let me start from the beginning, and I’ll answer both of your questions,” Charles said, wiping the sauce from his chin. “Remember the last time we went out to Hawkins’ place and we were intrigued by the sign, Timberlake Village? Well, I decided to talk to an acquaintance of mine who works for the county.”

  “Why?” Sarah asked, not following his thinking.

  “I wanted to know more about the development and I’m not sure why – just a hunch, I guess.”

  “Was your friend able to help?”

  “Well, he sent me over to see the zoning commissioner because he said that guy could give me the straight scoop. My contact admitted that most of what he knew was just hearsay.”

  “So what did you learn?” Sarah was getting interested and even Sophie had laid down her taco to listen.

  “A man named Joseph Kirkland has submitted tentative plans for a 1200-acre resort and convention center on that land. He owns 300 acre
s of land adjoining Timberlake and has been buying out the current residents over the past couple of years. He now owns all the lots except the Hawkins place.”

  “Interesting…” Sarah mused. “Do you think…”

  “Wait. Let me finish. The commissioner, his name is Anderson, pulled out the plans and let me look at them. There’s a championship golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, a resort hotel with an upscale restaurant, cabins, a spa, and all the amenities. And then there’s the convention center that will bring in business from all over the country. This is a multi-million dollar project.”

  “Our new acquaintance from West Virginia is about to become a very rich man himself,” Sarah suggested.

  “Oh, that’s not the half of it. The resort hotel will be located on the Hawkins property overlooking the lake, and old man Hawkins was the only holdout.”

  “Do you suppose his grandson knows about this?” Sophie asked.

  “Oh, I have no doubt about that,” Charles replied.

  Chapter 7

  “Where are you two going?” Charles asked, looking at his wife who was bundled up in her long down coat and Barney who was now wearing an argyle sweater and was looking embarrassed.

  “We’ve been invited for coffee and dog treats at Sophie’s. We’re going to introduce the dogs.”

  “That’s right! They haven’t met yet. This should be interesting.”

  “Do you want to come along?”

  “No, I’ll leave this experience to you two. I’ve got reports to type up for the department – never my favorite part of police work. At least now I can do them from home on the computer.”

  Sarah kissed his cheek and she and Barney headed for the door. “Oh, just a minute,” he called out to her. “I have one more question. When do you want to put the tree up? I was thinking about bringing the boxes in from the garage this afternoon.”

  “I‘ve been thinking about that too. Why don’t we wait until the very last minute – like maybe the day of Christmas Eve? That way, the tree will still be fresh for the party on New Year’s Eve.”

  “You want the tree up for the party?”