Murder in Partway Cove, page 5
"Perhaps I will. I have hesitated because I was told the local people would not be interested in foreign food."
"Make it sound less foreign then. Call it Noodles with Shrimp, and have a Cha Gio to accompany it, but call that a Fried Meat Roll. Once people taste them, they'll want more, I'm sure."
"I will consider that," he said and smiled.
An open red sports car approached and stopped.
"Hello, Danh." The driver was a man, perhaps in his early fifties, with a tanned face and grey hair.
"Hello, Martin. How are you?"
"I'm fine. And who's this young lady?"
"Miss Kate Williams, this is Mr. Martin Johnson."
"So formal," the man laughed. He looked at Kate and said, "Just Marty will do. Hello Kate. Just visiting? Late in the season for tourists."
"I'm not really a tourist. I just wanted a change of scene for a while, and I found Partway Cove."
"Staying a while?"
"Yes. Not sure how long."
"Well, enjoy it. Danh, I was just going along to the diner for one of your fine burgers. Can I give you a lift?"
"Thank you. I should get back." Danh turned to Kate. "I will think about your suggestion. Enjoy the rest of your walk. It is a fine afternoon."
He got into the passenger seat. Marty waved to Kate and zoomed off.
Well, that's someone with money. Sports car. A tan, I'm betting from golfing...
She continued along the road, further than she had walked this route before. It was not too long before she came alongside a golf course. Ah, she thought, of course, it's Saturday. People taking advantage of the nice weather to get some more games in before the winter. Probably this is where Marty was coming from.
She stopped to watch a foursome of two couples tee off close by the road. There was much laughing and teasing as they took their turns. They waved to Kate as they left the tee. A twosome took their place, and it looked as though the man was giving the woman golfing lessons. He was tall, tanned and handsome; she was slim, blond and pretty. An attractive couple. The woman saw Kate watching and glared. Startled, Kate left, feeling her face flush. I suppose it was rude of me to watch them, but the others didn't mind. It rankled, and she felt awkward. The encounter had spoiled her walk, and she decided to turn back, averting her face from the couple on the tee.
HER WALK HAD BEEN A long one, and except for the incident at the golf tee, she was enjoying the exercise and the pleasant weather. The same red sports car passed her, heading the other way, and the driver waved.
A while later, as she neared the village, she heard a car engine behind her, and moved over to the safety of the edge. It was the same man and car, but now there was a passenger. As they passed her, she saw the woman was blond, but couldn't see her face. I wonder if that's the same woman who gave me that nasty look? Shrugging it off, she continued home, to be greeted by plaintive cries of starvation from Percy.
"Nonsense, cat. You have plenty of kibble in your bowl!"
Percy clearly didn't think much of that. Kate went to the cupboard and selected a can of chicken chunks, while Percy weaved between her legs, purring with anticipation.
"There you go, you poor starving pussycat."
Leaving Percy to enjoy his food, she carried a cup of tea into the sitting room and settled in the armchair by the window. She gazed out, watching the birds flit about. She would have loved to set up a bird feeder, but Percy was a hunter and she had no intention of attracting victims for him.
She picked up one of the library books from the side table — Gaudy Night, by Dorothy L. Sayers. She had written many books featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, but this was the third in a trilogy which featured the emerging relationship between him and Harriet Vane, as well as the requisite mystery. Kate had read them all years before, but was enjoying revisiting that long ago world.
Her phone sounded, jerking her back to the present. She looked at the caller id. Ah, her friend Susan.
"Hi there!" she said.
Susan replied, "Hi. Kate, I thought you should know that Glen's still asking if anyone knows where you are. He's being very persistent."
"Oh, what a jerk! Has he been bothering you much?"
"Me and a few others. We keep telling him we don't know where you are, but he doesn't believe us. And the reason I'm calling is that he said something about trying to trace your phone. Is that possible?"
Kate froze. Would Glen never leave her be?
"I'm sure it can be done. Damn him! Let me think about this. I'll call you back tomorrow, okay?"
Now thoroughly upset, unable to go back to reading, Kate paced the tiny living room. She had worked in the tech industry long enough to know that it would be possible for Glen to trace her phone to whichever telecom company was dealing with her calls here. And her emails from the library could be traced, too. She hoped he wouldn't go to those lengths, hoped that what he had said was merely idle talk. What was strange was that he wanted to find her... why? He didn't love her anymore, witness his string of affairs, then why? Hurt pride? A jolt to his male ego?
She decided that on Monday, she would cancel her mobile provider, sign on with a new one and get a new phone number. Tomorrow, she would find out what she needed to do. Once that was done, she would create a new email address and delete her current one. What a pain! And for what? Damn him anyway.
BY MONDAY, KATE HAD a new phone number with a different service provider. She went to the library with her laptop and logged on. She downloaded her contacts from her email account, checked new messages, and dealt with the few that needed a reply. Then she deleted that account and set up a new one. It was a damned nuisance, and she would have to update her contact information with the on-line services she used, like her bank. But it felt like it was the only solution. It didn't mean that Glen couldn't trace her to Partway Cove, or at the least, Nova Scotia, through her previous calls and internet usage, but she would leave no more trails for him to follow.
In a way, annoying as it was, it was also surprisingly freeing. It felt like a completely new start. She now would only reconnect with those people and businesses that she chose.
"Thanks, Miss McColl," she said after she had logged off. The younger sister was on duty at the reception desk.
"Please call me Daisy. And may I call you Kate? My sister and I feel we're getting to know you quite well. You're one of our best patrons these days, you know."
"Of course you can. I'm grateful I can borrow books and use the internet here. There is not much sense getting it myself, since I still don't know how long I will be here."
Daisy McColl smiled. "Borrow as many as you like. Some of those old mysteries have been here for years with no one taking them out. We're happy you're enjoying them."
Kate went on her way, warmed by their exchange. Daisy McColl. That has a nice ring to it. I wonder why the sisters never married. I certainly don't think that's the ideal for every woman, but in those days, it was the norm.
The weather was getting noticeably cooler. October was moving on, and one could feel the shadow of winter approaching. But this day was sunny and fine for walking. Kate decided to drop by Grayson's Rooms and see how Rose was doing. She had been in such a turmoil on Friday evening.
Chapter 11
Kate knocked on Rose's door. No longer a boarder there, she didn't feel it right to just walk in. Rose answered the door, resplendent in all blue today.
"Hi Kate. Come on in. You don't need to knock!"
Rose's mother appeared at the kitchen door.
"Come, Mom, and meet my friend Kate. Kate, my mom is going to be living with me over the winter."
Kate hoped she managed to conceal her surprise.
"Hello. Nice to meet you." Kate realised she had no idea of Rose's mother's name.
"Oops. Silly of me. Mom's name is Pearl Grady."
"Hello, Kate. You can just call me Pearl."
"Mom, would you put the kettle on for tea, please? Kate, let's go into the sitting room." She whisked Kate through the doorway, and said in a low voice, "Now, before you ask, this is for the winter only. As soon as the tourist season starts, Mom has agreed to move back to her own home. I told her I will need the room then for my guests."
"I must admit I'm a bit surprised, but good for you for doing it."
"It's the right thing to do. I felt guilty and thought about the situation all weekend. Finally, I went to Mom and suggested this. We'll see how it goes. Captain doesn't know yet - he's away in Halifax, back tomorrow. I hope they get along."
"Hasn't she met him before?"
"Oh yes, but just in passing, like. Living in the same house will be something else. But mom knows he's a paying guest, and she has to mind her tongue." Rose sighed. "We'll see. I'm going to hope for the best."
"I think it's lovely of you, considering how worried you were."
"Still am. As I said, we'll see how it goes. I'll just fetch the tea. Sit down and make yourself comfortable."
Rose bustled back in with the tea tray. "So, how are you doing?"
Kate told her about Susan's call and what she had done to make it difficult for Glen to find her.
"Are you afraid of him? I mean, did he abuse you?"
"No, to both. I just don't want a confrontation. Our marriage just wasn't working for either of us. I thought that marriage was a partnership, that compromises had to be made, and I did that willingly. But then I realized that all the compromises were on my part. I found out he was having another of his affairs, after promising me there would be no more. It was the final thing that made me leave. I just had enough. I cannot fathom why he wants to find me."
She sipped her tea. "By the way, I met Danh on my walk on Saturday. I told him how much you enjoyed his Vietnamese meal, and that you think he should put it on the menu. He's going to consider it."
"I hope he does."
"While we were talking, a man in a red sports car came along and Danh introduced us. His name is Martin Johnson. Do you know him?"
"Marty? Sure. He grew up here, left after high school and we lost track of him for some years. We heard he had become very successful. Some computer business. But about, oh, ten years ago, maybe, he and his wife bought a cottage along the sea. They just used it on weekends. Their home was in Halifax."
"Was?"
"Yes, about three years ago, his wife died. Cancer, I think. Of course, his home is still in there, where his business is. But he married again. Last year." Rose made a face.
"Oh?"
"Marty is a down-to-earth guy. Not stuck up at all, even though he's made it rich. But his new wife is about twenty years younger than him and makes it clear she thinks everyone on Partway Cove is beneath her. I don't like her."
Kate laughed. "I can tell! Is she blond? Because I saw him pass me later on with a blond in the car."
"That's her. Kelli, spelled with an 'i'. Silly."
IT SEEMED THAT HAVING once met Marty, Kate was going to keep seeing him in the village. Rose had said his business and home were in Halifax, but this was a weekday, and she had seen his car parked outside the diner that morning. Now he zoomed past as she walked to the library, with a quick toot of his horn and a wave. Perhaps he was having a week off to golf while the weather held.
She turned in her books at the desk to the Elder Miss McColl.
"My sister tells me we may call you Kate. Please call me Vi."
"Thank you, Vi. I want you to know how much I love your library. The evenings pass nicely with a good book to read."
"No television in Nellie's house?"
"Oh, yes... there's a set, but I'm not much of a TV watcher. I turn it on occasionally for the news, and one or two programs. Most of what's available doesn't interest me."
"Wise woman. Of course, Daisy and I watch the gardening shows, and I like some of the sports, especially hockey."
"A true Canadian," Kate laughed. "I've never paid much attention to it, which appalls some of my friends."
She went to the Mystery Room to select another couple of books, and then into the room where the travel books were. She had read the previous two avidly, wondering where she might go next, and found that Europe, especially Italy was calling her the most. Now she wanted a book specifically on Italy.
She left the library with her books and was walking home when Marty's car pulled up beside her.
"Hi there, Kate. Can I give you a lift?"
"Hello Marty. No thank you. I'm just a couple of blocks down this street. I thought you'd be golfing on such a nice day."
"Already did, early this morning. Now my wife is having her golf lesson with the pro, and I'm at loose ends until she calls me to pick her up. Would you join me for a coffee, perhaps?"
Kate hesitated. Marty said, "No ulterior motive, I assure you. Just a coffee, yes?"
"Okay." She opened the passenger door and slid in. "This is a lovely car."
"She's my mid-life crisis, I call her. A cliche. Like a lot of older men, we yearn for a sports car."
Kate laughed. "Well, so do young men! They just can't always afford them."
"True enough. I sure couldn't. Here we are at Barney's."
He jumped out and hurried round to open the car door for Kate, and then the door to the diner.
Nice manners, Kate thought.
Rhonda greeted them. "Hi Marty, I see you've met Kate."
"Yes, and she took pity on me and agreed to come for coffee."
Rhonda winked at Kate and said, "Whatever table you like. Just coffee? We have some nice muffins."
Marty looked at Kate. She shook her head. "Not for me, thanks."
"What kind do you have?" Marty asked.
"Blueberry, banana raisin, cranberry and chocolate nut."
"Chocolate, of course."
Rhonda hurried away.
Marty looked at Kate. "I shouldn't, but I can never resist chocolate. My wife would disapprove."
"But you're going for it anyway," Kate smiled.
"So, tell me all about yourself."
She stopped smiling.
"Oops," he said. "I didn't mean to pry. Just making conversation."
"It's okay. I just wanted a complete change and left my job in Toronto. I'm not sure how long I'll be here... just playing it day by day for now."
"I respect your privacy and will ask nothing else," he promised.
"But you could tell me about yourself," Kate suggested.
"Ha! Turning the tables on me, I see."
Rhonda arrived with the coffees and a huge muffin. "There you go. Just shout if you want anything else. Marty, you make sure you behave yourself."
"As if I wouldn't!" He looked at Kate as Rhonda walked away. "Rhonda and I knew each other as kids. She's a bit younger, but we were in the same school, grades apart."
"Rhonda is a lovely person. When I first arrived, she was very kind and helpful."
"That's Rhonda. She would make someone a great wife, but she never married."
Kate added cream and sugar to her coffee and stirred, but said nothing.
Marty continued. "Lucy was my first wife. We were married for twenty-six years. She died three years ago."
"You must have married young."
"She was twenty and I was twenty-one. Too young probably, but it worked out well for us."
"Any children?"
"Two boys. They both have their own families now."
She watched his face. He looked a little sad. "But you see them?"
"Of course, but they all have busy lives and I didn't see them as much as I would like. I was quite lonely until I met Kelli."
"Your current wife?"
"Yeah. We married last year. My sons didn't approve, but we've managed to patch things up." He looked up. "Hey, you're too easy to talk to!"
Kate smiled. "I'm harmless. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who's not involved, right?"
His phone sounded. "Ah, Kelli's ready for me to pick her up. I'll settle with Rhonda. Thanks for the company."
As the door closed behind him, Rhonda came to clear the table.
"What do you think of our Marty?"
"He seems a nice man. What do you think?"
"I think he's a damned fool."
"Whoa!"
"Sorry. He is a nice man, but he married a little gold-digger, in my opinion. Hey, don't repeat that. Sometimes I should keep my mouth shut."
"I won't tell anyone," Kate assured her as she got to her feet. "It's none of my business, anyway."
Rhonda smiled. "You're a good person, Kate. When are you coming to dinner again? Danh wants to know."
"How about tomorrow at 6?"
"Right. I'll tell him. Any requests?"
"No, whatever he feels like making. Just make sure there's some cold white wine available."
"Will do."
As Kate walked home, she thought about Rhonda's vehemence. Perhaps she had a personal interest in Marty?
A WEEK PASSED. KATE'S life assumed a pattern. It might seem boring to some, but it was exactly what she needed. Mornings consisted of a cup of tea on rising, a brief walk, then back home for breakfast. Some days she would start a bread dough, for she had rediscovered the satisfaction of baking her own bread. The rest of the morning was usually devoted to painting. She would take photos on her walks and then interpret them onto the canvas. She was pleased with her efforts, amateur though they were. The more she tried different techniques, the better she was becoming.
If she was making bread that day, it would be ready for the oven by then. Most days, she would make soup for lunch. That was her fall and winter go-to. Spring and summer lunches were salads. Her soups never followed a recipe, but were created to accommodate whatever vegetables and protein were on hand. Fresh bread and homemade soup were all she needed for a satisfying lunch.
In the afternoon, she would go for a long walk, finishing up with any shopping she needed to do, or an exchange of books at the library. Some days she walked on the beach, other times along the coast road. On that route, she sometimes met Danh as they passed on their individual walks—he heading back into the village as she was leaving it. They'd stop and exchange a few words. Kate was becoming more curious about him. He seemed such a private and alone man, unfailingly polite and somewhat formal. She could not imagine what his life had been like before he came to Nova Scotia. She had not known much about the plights of the Vietnamese Boat People, as history named them. She researched on Wikipedia, and was horrified by her own ignorance. They had endured much, and if Danh was one of them, his life had not been an easy one.
