What Lies Below, page 12
Willow called after him, “Y-you’re going back to your own room?”
He kept plodding toward the exit, his gaze straight ahead, willing himself not to turn around. “We both need to get some sleep. We’ll attack this tomorrow.”
“Heath, what about...what about what happened between us?”
He pressed down on the handle of the door and yanked it open. “I think that was a mistake.”
* * *
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Willow stood in front of the mirror brushing her teeth. She’d screwed up big-time last night. She’d seen that deed with Heath’s name and lost it. If only she’d taken a breather before shining a spotlight in his face to wake him up like the grand inquisitor.
What he’d said made sense. If he was already aware that he held the mineral rights to the property, he wouldn’t be digging little holes in the ground. He would use the map and do a proper survey.
Of course, he could’ve known about the nickel deposits and be searching for his mother. She spit in the sink and rinsed her mouth. Even after making love with him last night, she still had her doubts. What he’d said on his way out the door was right. Having sex with Heath had been a big mistake.
From here on out, they’d better keep their relationship in the business zone. At least he still felt comfortable including her in his search for answers. His answers could turn out to be her answers. Someone had searched her place, burned it down and taken a shot at her. That couldn’t be because Heath owned the mineral rights to her property, but she felt the two were somehow connected.
Her cell phone rang in the main room, and she jumped. When Heath left last night, he promised they’d attack this together but hadn’t mentioned who would call whom. Her heart dropped when she spun the phone around to face her and saw her insurance company calling her back.
While she finished relaying the details of the fire to her insurance agent, someone tapped on her door. She wrapped up the call and peeked through the hole. She eased out a long breath when she saw Heath on the other side.
She flung open the door. “It’s safe.”
He gave her a tight smile and held up a white bag and a cardboard tray containing two cups. “Bagels and coffee—chai tea for you, if you drink it.”
“I do, thanks.” She ushered him into the room, relieved she’d taken the time to straighten the bedcovers after their roll in the hay last night. They didn’t need that awkwardness between them right now.
He set the bag on the table and took one of the cups. “I did a little research last night when I got back to my room.”
So while she’d been tossing and turning, alternately reliving and anguishing over their moments together, he’d been...researching. “I’ll bet you did,” she murmured under her breath.
Raising his eyebrows, he said, “Sorry?”
She coughed. “That’s good. What did you discover?”
“I found out that we can research mineral rights on the Mineral and Land Records System website. You can also get the same information faster if you go to the county records office.”
“Faster? Our county records office is on San Juan, isn’t it?” She popped the lid from her tea and inhaled its spicy aroma before taking a sip.
“Literally a fifteen-minute flight from Dead Falls Island.”
“I know you haven’t lived here for a while, but San Juan Airlines doesn’t make that trip every hour, or even every day.”
“I’ve already arranged the flight.” He snapped his fingers. “Private pilot is taking us over in about an hour. Will you be ready?”
She glanced down at her jeans, still smudged with soot from yesterday. “I was hoping to buy a few clothes this morning in case mine are burned to a crisp or waterlogged.”
“We can stop somewhere on the way to the airport.” He opened the white bag and shook out a little container of cream cheese and some packets of butter. “That’s why I brought breakfast with me, so we could get going.”
“Are they expecting us at the county office?” She flattened a paper napkin on the table and hooked her finger around a poppy seed bagel from the bag.
“I arranged that, too.” He claimed the remaining bagel and dug a plastic knife into the cream cheese. “I just need to bring my ID and a legal description of the property, which you should have from Jason Hart, right?”
“I’ll bring my whole set of documents from Jason if that’s what it takes.” She smeared some cream cheese on one half of her bagel and scraped off some poppy seeds with her fingernail. “I’m sorry about last night—not the first part. I’m sorry about the second part...later. When I saw your name on that mineral deed, I don’t know. I kinda saw red.”
“You jumped to the worst conclusion...about someone you just slept with.” He took a big bite of his bagel, and the cream cheese squished out the sides. He had to lick it off with his tongue—damn him.
She closed her eyes to block out the sight of his tongue and the sensations it stirred up in her belly...and below. “I think that’s why I went there.”
“You normally interrogate men in your bed?” His tongue darted from his mouth, catching a crumb in the corner of it.
He was just torturing her now, and she deserved it.
“No. I guess my first thought was that you’d taken advantage of me, that you’d kept this secret from me.”
He dropped his bagel. “You think I took advantage of you last night?”
“Not at all.” She’d meant to apologize, and she’d made the situation worse. Her awkwardness with boys...men...had never left her. “I have an issue with feeling that love and affection are always given in exchange for something else. It’s my go-to in relationships, which explains my single status.”
The lines bracketing his mouth softened. “I get it. Are you going to eat that bagel or dismantle it?”
“Eat it.”
They finished their breakfasts, and Willow grabbed her purse, shoving the documents inside. They took Heath’s truck to the airport and stopped on the way at a vintage clothing store.
As they walked up to the entrance of Second Hand Sadie, Heath eyed the beaded cocktail dress in the window. “Are you sure about this?”
“I’ve shopped here before, and I know they have some jeans and tops I can scoop up.” She waved to Sadie at the counter. “Hi, Sadie. I need an outfit that I can wear out of the store.”
Sadie came around the counter and gave Willow a hug scented with patchouli. “I heard about your cabin. First Toby and now you. What’s going on out there?”
“Have you heard anything more about Toby’s death?” Willow glanced at Heath. Had West been holding out on them?
“Just through the grapevine. You know everyone around here likes drama. Apparently, someone from that greedy development corps, Bradford and Sons, is out here, nosing around for land, and he murdered Toby to get his hands on it.”
Willow covered her smile as Heath raised a hand. “That would be me.”
“Sadie, this is Heath Bradford, and he’s not all that greedy.”
Sadie turned pink up to the roots of her pink hair. “Foot in mouth. I’m sorry, but you know how locals are.”
“I know, and it’s okay. We are nosing around for land—but we don’t murder people.”
Willow laughed. “Okay, let’s forget about this greedy bastard for a few minutes and find me some clothes to wear.”
Fifteen minutes later, dressed in a pair of bell-bottom jeans and a blouse with geometric shapes on it, Willow emerged from the dressing room. “I’ll take this and throw in the denim trucker jacket in case this glorious sun goes away.”
“It’s Dead Falls Island—guaranteed to go away at some point today.” Sadie patted a stack of clothes on the counter. “These, too?”
“Might as well. I’m not sure when I’m going to go back to my place and what my wardrobe’s going to look like.”
“And to prove I’m not a greedy bastard, I’ll pay for Willow’s stuff.” Heath reached for his wallet and pulled out several bills.
“You don’t have to do that. Sadie doesn’t think you’re greedy. Do you, Sadie?”
“No, but if a hot guy wants to buy you some clothes, girl, you let him.” Sadie snatched the money from Heath’s fingers and gave him change.
As they walked back to his truck, a plastic bag from the store swinging from his fingertips, Heath said, “Wow, this is a tough crowd. How do they feel about the Samish developing their land?”
“Most aren’t happy about it, some are, and some believe the Samish can do whatever they want with their land, including building a casino. There are some Samish who disagree, too. Toby was obviously one of them. So no matter what Lee says, he doesn’t speak for the entire Samish nation on this island.”
They settled in the truck, and Heath punched on the ignition. “I wish the medical examiner would announce a manner of death for Toby. If the DFSD announces Toby’s death was an accident, it will quell some of the suspicion.”
“Including ours, but someone still searched my place and set fire to it. Those incidents have to be related to Toby’s death, accident or not.”
“His death could’ve definitely precipitated those actions. Maybe someone already knew Toby’s land was going to you, and when he died, you became the focus of the intimidation.”
“Lucky me.”
They drove past the harbor to the small airport on the island. Several private planes, and some for hire, sat on the tarmac, ready to puddle jump to other islands and even to Seattle.
As Heath parked his truck, he pointed to a Cessna with red stripes. “That’s ours.”
“Fifteen minutes, huh?” Willow eyed the small plane and the man under the wing.
“Up and down. No time for complimentary drink service.”
Five minutes later, they approached the plane. The person who’d been tinkering with it turned and wiped his hands on his overalls. “Heath Bradford?”
“Yeah. Thanks for taking us on short notice.” Heath shook hands with the pilot. “Willow, this is Captain Mark Santos. He’s flying us to San Juan today.”
“Captain.” Willow gingerly took his still-oily hand.
“Sorry about that.” Mark glanced at his palms. “There are some wipes in the plane, and you can call me Mark. I’m just finishing my preflight. You can go on board.”
They climbed onto the plane and took two of the four available seats. Must’ve cost Heath a bunch of cash to charter this plane to San Juan, but if the nickel in the rocks beneath that property really was worth millions, and he owned the rights, he could afford it.
As they settled into their seats and secured their seat belts, Heath handed her a headset. “Can get noisy in these things.”
Nodding, Willow took the headset with a smile that masked her anxiety, but the plane took off smoothly, with just a few bumps and dips. Willow eased back in her seat as the emerald jewel of Dead Falls Island receded and other islets dotting Discovery Bay emerged through the mist.
The landing proved to be a tad rougher, and she didn’t uncurl her fingers from the armrest until the pilot rolled to a stop.
Heath squeezed her hand. “Not so bad, huh?”
She licked her lips and unhitched the seat belt. “How far to the county seat?”
“Far enough to take an app car.”
They clambered out of the plane, thanking Mark, and Heath pulled out his phone to find them a ride. Fifteen minutes later, they were on the way to the county courthouse.
Heath approached the counter with authority, or at least as someone who had an appointment. When a clerk at another window called him, Heath tugged on Willow’s sleeve. “Come with me.”
The woman behind the glass smiled, her eyes crinkling at the edges. “After your call, Mr. Bradford, I was able to look up the records.”
He said, “Great. Is the information clear-cut, or so bogged down in legalese, I’m gonna need my business degree to decipher it?”
“I don’t think you’ll have any problem figuring out that you’re the legal owner of the mineral rights on that property, currently owned by Toby Keel.”
“Not anymore.” Willow clenched her teeth. It was all true. Her father had deeded the mineral rights on her property to Heath, a kid he’d talked to a few times.
“Sorry?” The woman tilted her head like a bird and shoved her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
“Toby Keel passed away. I’m the owner of the surface property.” The corner of Willow’s eye twitched.
“Well, that’s perfect, then.” The chirpy clerk grinned from ear to ear. “A husband-and-wife team.”
Heath had the nerve to chuckle, and Willow felt like elbowing him in the ribs. Easy for him to find humor in the situation. He’d just discovered he owned mineral rights worth a fortune.
“I made you a copy of the documents.” The clerk patted a manila envelope before sliding it beneath the window. “Did you lose the other set?”
“Other set?” Heath paused, the envelope clutched to his chest. “What do you mean? This is the first set I’ve ordered.”
“Hmm, well.” The clerk adjusted her glasses and peered at the computer monitor next to her. “That’s not what I show here.”
“Your records show that Heath Bradford ordered this report before?”
“Not exactly. Not Heath Bradford but Bradford and Son. Yes, it’s right here. Bradford and Son already got a copy of the deed.”
Chapter Twelve
Heath felt like Muhammad Ali just landed a punch to his gut, and it took all his control not to stagger back. He opened his mouth, but he couldn’t form a sentence or utter a word.
Willow cleared her throat. “The corporation Bradford and Son requested these documents? When?”
The clerk’s gaze shifted back to her computer screen. “About six months ago. It was done online, though. Is there a problem? Mineral rights are part of the public record. Anyone with the correct data can look up deeds for any property.”
“Yeah, I know that. No problem.” Heath held up the manila envelope in a surprisingly steady hand and said, “Thanks for your help.”
Willow took his arm as they left the building but kept mum. He appreciated her silence. She could’ve laid into him with an I told you so.
When they reached the sidewalk, Heath took a couple of breaths of salty air. “What the hell just happened in there?”
“You’re the proud owner of a vein of nickel, worth millions, running beneath my property, and there’s not a damned thing I can do to stop you from mining it.” She steered him down the sidewalk. “We might as well have some lunch while we’re here.”
“Don’t play dumb. That part didn’t surprise me. After looking at Toby’s files, I figured they were legit. But how and why was Bradford and Son looking at this stuff six months ago, and why didn’t my father tell me?”
He’d stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, and she pulled him forward.
“Lunch and maybe an adult beverage before I get back on that little death trap again.” She pulled out her phone. “My turn. There are a bunch of restaurants near Friday Harbor.”
Like a sleepwalker, he got into the rideshare and sat in the back seat, his arms folded around the envelope. “Six months. Little Miss Sunshine back there said the docs were ordered six months ago, right?”
“That’s what I heard. What’s the significance of that?”
“Six months ago is when Toby started sending me those cryptic notes, only I didn’t know it was him back then.”
“How did you figure that out? Did he confess?”
Squeezing the back of his neck, Heath said, “I know it sounds crazy, but I recognized his writing.”
“You’re right. It sounds crazy.” Willow rapped on the window. “Yeah, this is good. We’ll find something from here.”
The driver dropped them off at the top of a long street that led to the harbor, lined with tourist shops, bars and restaurants. After perusing a few menu boards outside, they agreed on a place that smelled like fresh fish, with a sunny patio facing the water and the boats.
Once seated with menus and water in front of them, Willow picked up the conversation where they’d left off. “How’d you know it was Toby?”
“My father handed me the files on the two properties—yours and Toby’s—and asked me to start preparing offers. Toby’s file contained a lot of handwritten notes, most of them telling Bradford to go to hell. When I looked at that writing, which is distinctive, and pulled out the anonymous notes I’d been receiving, they were a match.”
“That’s crazy, Heath.” Willow glanced up at the waitress. “I’ll have a mimosa, please, heavy on the champagne, and a caprese salad.”
Heath ordered a bottle of beer and a plate of fish-and-chips. Then he slumped in his seat and downed half the water. “Now I’m wondering if my father knew about those notes.”
“You never told him?”
“Nope.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Did he want me to go digging around for my mother with false hope? What kind of sick SOB puts his son through that?”
“Why wouldn’t your father tell you about the mineral rights? Seems to me that would be a done deal for getting his hands on that property.”
“Maybe because he thinks I wouldn’t go along with exploiting those rights. Maybe because developing the property is more lucrative than decimating it to get to some nickel.” He nodded to the waitress as she set their drinks on the table. “I’m going to find out. My father is conveniently on vacation right now, but I can reach him.”
Willow held up her champagne flute. “I don’t even know what to toast right now.”
“How about our joint ownership of Toby’s property?” He clinked his bottle with her glass. “Nobody does anything to that property without our say-so.”
