Digging Up Daisy, page 22
After a karate kick to the screen, Kinsley flung herself through the open hole and fell from the window, thankful for once that she hadn’t planted the red rosebushes beneath it that she’d originally planned. She rolled from the fall and then caught her stride.
She must’ve hurt her leg in the fall, but the adrenaline pumping through her veins worked like Novocain and she was able to keep going. Kinsley ran as fast as her injured leg would carry her. Instead of heading for the inn and bringing the trouble to Tilly’s doorstep, she ran for the cliff walk. The sound of footsteps running behind her kept her moving. The flagstone steps were lit by the moon and Kinsley was thankful for it.
“Get back here!” Roy hissed.
This made Kinsley take the flagstone steps even faster. She expertly sprang across the cliff walk. A sharp pain ripped through her leg, causing her to fall to her knees. She quickly picked herself back up and limped across the rocks to escape to her hidden fortress. A quick peek over her shoulder revealed Roy in hot pursuit, blood running down the side of his face as he crossed the cliff walk.
After reaching her destination, Kinsley ducked into her hideout, held her breath, and waited. Roy followed her across the rocks, stood above her, looked out to the Atlantic, and called her name.
“Kinsley . . . Clark . . . You know I’m going to find you! You may as well give up, sweetheart,” he sang out.
“Don’t call me sweetheart!” Kinsley cried as she reached up for her assailant’s leg and gave a hard tug to disarm him. Instead, this caused Roy to lose his balance and slip atop the rocks. Kinsley looked on in horror as his fall sent him tumbling into the depths of the sea. And then a wave came and swallowed him.
* * *
• • •
Kinsley shook violently as she held tight to her knees and watched as the Atlantic grew more and more forceful. The wind had picked up, and the roar of the waves filled her ears thunderously. She tried to steady her breath in its cadence.
“Kinsley!”
The sound of her name caused her head to turn. Becca and Rachel joined her atop the rocks and came immediately to her side. “Are you okay?” Becca sat beside her and gathered Kinsley into her arms and held her close.
Kinsley continued to shiver, but not from the cold.
Rachel took a seat on her other side, so Kinsley was sandwiched protectively between them.
“We saw the broken window,” Rachel explained.
“And I called Rachel right away because you said you needed a lifesaver. The water wings, I finally understood what you’d meant . . . I never heard you so desperate!” Becca cried, tucking her face into Kinsley’s arm. “You had me worried sick!”
Kinsley pointed a shaky finger out toward the Atlantic. “Roy—”
“Roy?” Rachel asked.
“The reporter . . . from channel four news. He . . . killed her,” Kinsley stammered.
“What?” Becca gasped. “What about Denny?”
“No, it wasn’t him,” Kinsley confirmed with a vigorous shake of her head.
Rachel followed Kinsley’s pointed finger and stood atop the rock to look over the cliff. She immediately called the precinct to send an ambulance.
“He’s down there?” Kinsley gulped, surprised. She’d assumed Roy’s body had been washed out to sea.
“He’s caught up on the rocks. I need to go and see if he’s alive,” Rachel said.
“No!” Kinsley said in horror. “No! It’s not safe!” She reached out a hand to hold her back.
“It’s my job, Kins,” Rachel said, meaning to comfort, but it made Kinsley tremble more.
Kinsley laid her head on her knees and rocked back and forth to stop the trembling that had overtaken her body. But it did little to help.
“Take her back to the house,” Rachel ordered Becca. “I’ve got it from here.” She turned her focus back on Kinsley. “And don’t worry, Kins, backup is on the way.”
Becca scrambled to her feet and obediently reached out a hand to help Kinsley to her feet. Kinsley winced when they finally reached a standing position.
“You okay to walk?” Becca asked.
Kinsley threw her arm around her friend’s shoulder. “Only if I have my water wings with me,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.
“Come on, let’s get you out of here,” Becca said as they slowly made their way back to the safety of the inn.
Chapter 34
The sun shone brightly on the Salty Breeze Inn, as if encouraging the residence to show off its grandeur. The morning of the Walk Inns event had finally arrived, and the picture-perfect summer day was the ideal backdrop for the individuals who would be lucky enough to pass through its welcoming doors.
Kinsley wanted to be sure her aunt Tilly didn’t dote on her and instead focused her attention on the many guests that were sure to enjoy a tour of the property. Becca had resurrected a set of crutches from when she’d sprained her ankle during a volleyball game back in her high school days. And Kinsley willingly accepted the crutches, to make everyone around her happy. The ER nurse had cleared her the previous night and said she’d only strained a muscle. Nothing was torn, thankfully. Her body would heal in time. Regardless, Becca had spent the night at the caretaker’s cottage, not leaving her sight for a millisecond.
“I hope you get a chance to mingle today. Maybe you’ll find a few new clients out of this event,” Kinsley said, encouraging her friend. “You never know who might cross your path.”
“Honestly, I couldn’t care less about that. I just want to be sure you’re okay,” Becca said as they slowly made their way from the caretaker’s cottage to the wide porch of the inn. “You’ve been through quite an ordeal.”
“I appreciate that, but really, I’m fine. Aunt Tilly has worked so hard to prepare for this event, let’s just try and let it go for today, okay?”
“You bet.”
Luke, carrying a bouquet of flowers, had just topped the cliff walk staircase and was headed in their direction across the lawn. When within earshot he said, “Grandmother wanted me to deliver these to your cottage, but I see you’re up and about. Happy to see you’re on your feet!”
“Oh, that’s so kind of Edna.” Kinsley leaned forward on her crutches and took a deep sniff of the pink and orange roses while Luke held the bouquet in his hand. “Can you carry them for me, Becca?”
“You bet.” Becca took the bouquet from Luke and the two waited an awkward moment before Kinsley said, “Look, I think I owe you an apology.”
Luke tilted his head sideways and waited.
“I sort of thought maybe you were involved somehow . . . when I overheard you and Stacey talking out by the cliff walk the other day. Anyhow, I’m sorry. I should’ve never jumped to conclusions about you.”
“Oh, you heard that?” Luke’s face suddenly flushed red.
Kinsley bit her lip. “Yeah, kinda. I wasn’t meaning to eavesdrop, I only meant to deliver the brownies. But I heard what I heard . . .”
“Oh.”
“You mind if I ask you something personal?”
“I guess not?” Luke’s gaze dropped to the ground as if in avoidance.
“Why did you have the telescope pointed at the crime scene up in your grandmother’s turret?” Kinsley asked.
“The police were out there digging around, looking for clues. Guess I’m one of those citizens who are just curious about the investigation.” He shrugged.
Kinsley held her breath, but then went for it. For her own peace of mind, she just had to know. “What was Stacey worried about that might implicate you both with the police?”
“It’s over now, you don’t have to say anything,” Becca defended. And suddenly Kinsley wondered if her bestie really did have eyes for Luke. Or at the very least, she was protecting potential clients that Luke could provide for her real estate business.
Luke paused a minute before lowering his voice. “Daisy was taking drugs. And Stacey was providing them.”
Luke didn’t add anything that would implicate himself in the situation, and they didn’t have a chance to dig further because they were interrupted by the sound of Kinsley’s name being called.
“Kins!”
“Look, I need to run. Catch you both later.” Luke turned quickly on his heel and retreated in the direction of the cliff walk, as if happy for the interruption and a quick escape.
“Kinsley!”
Kinsley turned to see Rachel round the corner and catch them before she hit the bottom step. She then understood why Luke seemed to do a disappearing act.
“Mornin’, Rachel! Coming to check up on me? I promise I’m fine. Everyone needs to stop doting on me,” Kinsley teased after greeting the detective with a half hug. “It’s just a bruise.”
“Well, for one . . . yes, I wanted to check on your physical wounds, but your psychological wounds might take a bit longer,” Rachel admitted. “I needed to pay a visit before I head off to work.” She studied her before asking, “How you holding up?”
“I’m good, really. I appreciate everyone’s concern, but I’ll be fine. I just want to focus on the event today and make sure Aunt Tilly enjoys it. I really think—” Kinsley was about to continue when she stopped, as she was suddenly confused by the wide smile that crept across Rachel’s face.
“What?” Kinsley asked.
“I have a surprise for you back at the car,” Rachel said. “Wait here.”
Kinsley looked down at her crutches and then back at the detective. “No worries, I’m not going very far.” She chuckled.
Rachel jogged back in the direction of the parking lot, and Kinsley and Becca shared a look of confusion.
“A surprise?” Kinsley said. And as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she saw her brother, dressed in his Air Force fatigues, round the corner. She blinked as she thought she might be seeing a mirage. “Kyle?” Her brother’s blunt blond hair was tucked beneath his military cap. And his eyes, the color of blooming blue hydrangea globes, creased in a smile.
Kyle greeted her with a wave of his hand, and Kinsley dropped the crutches to the ground. Despite her injured leg, Kinsley ran into the arms of her brother.
“Hey, sis,” he said, smoothing her hair while she broke down in tears.
“What are you doing here?” Kinsley blubbered into his shoulder. She held her brother tight before holding him at arm’s length. She refused to let him go. Tears flooded down her cheeks, and she couldn’t have cared less.
Kyle wiped her tears with his thumbs. “I needed to see you for myself and make sure you’re okay. The phone conversation just didn’t cut it for me,” he said tenderly. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here, and you had to go through all of this alone.”
“I was never alone. I felt Mom and Dad with me the whole time,” Kinsley admitted. A new wave of tears washed down her cheeks. “I swear, they protected me . . . I’ve been feeling them so close!”
“I’m sure they did. I love you, Kins,” Kyle said, taking her into his arms once again.
“I love you, too.” Suddenly, Kinsley remembered they weren’t standing alone. “My brother’s home!” Kinsley squealed. “I can’t believe it!” she cried.
Becca was just as elated. “Kyle!” She threw her arms out, almost dropping the bouquet of roses to the ground.
Kinsley backed away so her best friend could greet her brother with a hug. And then Rachel lifted the crutches from the ground and made sure Kinsley was resituated with them.
“Thank you for your service,” Becca said. “But it sure is good to have you home.”
“No problem, it’s my pleasure,” Kyle answered. “What a good day to be home on leave!” he said, looking toward the sun shining over the Atlantic. He raised his hands in gratitude.
“The sun sure is shining on us today,” Kinsley said with a wide grin. “I can’t believe you’re here in the flesh!” She shook her head in disbelief.
After the four of them shared a few more pleasantries, Rachel said, “Kins, I know you have a few questions for me before I head back to my shift. Now’s your chance. I have to go soon, so fire away.”
Kinsley gulped. “Is he . . . alive?” She wasn’t sure if she could live with herself if someone had died by her own hand. She wondered how her brother and Rachel had joined the Air Force, knowing one day they might have to take matters into their own hands in order to serve and protect. “Can I just say, I have so much respect for what you two do for a living. I wanna thank you both for the services you selflessly do each and every day.” Kinsley’s eyes bounced from her brother to Rachel and back again. “I just don’t know how—”
“Roy’s going to make it,” Rachel confirmed.
Kinsley heaved a huge sigh of relief. “Ohhh . . . Thank you, Lord.” Kinsley sank deeper into her crutches and let them hold her weight. “As strange as it sounds, that does make me feel so much better.”
Kyle patted his sister on the shoulder approvingly, and she looked up at her brother and beamed.
Kinsley then looked to the Shasta daisies fluttering in the wind and asked, “I need to know for sure. How did the shoe get there, was it really Denny? I know it couldn’t have been Baxter. The reason I say that is because after some thought, I remembered the soil was a different color. And the soil covering the shoe certainly wasn’t native to Maine, so someone buried it there,” Kinsley said.
Becca piped in, “Trust our amateur sleuth here, she knows her soils!” She grinned.
The four of them broke out in laughter.
“Hey!” Kinsley defended. “It’s the truth, a good gardener knows these things,” she added with a grin.
“Yes, our amateur-sleuth-slash-garden-expert is correct!” Rachel said. “Denny finally admitted to burying the shoe. After he knew the murder charges were dropped, the guy’s mouth opened and it all came tumbling out like a waterfall. Unfortunately, because of the hair gel he so freely applies, his hair stuck inside the toe of the shoe. He’s still getting charged on the drug possession, but it’s up to you, Kinsley, how you want to proceed with destruction of property. And we will get him on impeding an ongoing investigation . . . so there’s that, too.”
“So did he also admit to burying the Barbie shoe in front of the taffy shop to scare me?” Kinsley asked.
“Yup.”
Kinsley continued, “How did Denny get the Cinderella shoe in the first place?”
“The dog was running down the road with the shoe in his mouth and Denny attempted to rescue the dog for Edna but instead, the shoe was dropped, and Baxter took off. Denny then decided to make it your problem and not his. His plan was to bring trouble to your doorstep, but you found the shoe before he had perfected his plan.”
“What about Roy’s earring? Did it tie him to the crime?”
“No, but testing was done beneath Daisy’s fingernails. We assume we’re going to find Roy’s DNA there from when she ripped it from his ear. Plus, we found Roy’s makeup smeared on her dress. That was a match, too.”
Kinsley brushed her hands together as if wiping herself free of the investigation. “I’d say Daisy’s murder investigation is officially solved. Now, hopefully, she can rest in peace.”
Chapter 35
Becca helped Kinsley up the wide steps of the inn, and they were met by Jenna and Toby at the top of the stairs. Jenna rushed to greet Kinsley with a hug, while Becca held her crutches.
“Oh, my girl! I heard what happened to you! How are you holdin’ up?” Jenna held her at arm’s length and inspected every inch of her. “Oh, look at your face. Does your cheek hurt?”
“I’m good.” Kinsley smiled. She knew that body slam against the door would bruise, and makeup did little to cover it. “Thanks for coming. I bet Aunt Tilly is thrilled you’re both here. What a beautiful day for the event.” Kinsley tented her eyes with her hand and looked out toward the sparkling sea.
Toby plucked a piece of taffy from his pocket and handed it to Kinsley. “We made a special flavor for the Walk Inns; we’re calling it the Salty Breeze special. It’s got a hint of blueberry to represent the state of Maine, and a bit of other flavors I’m not gonna disclose. You’ll just have to try it and see if you can figure out what I added.” He winked and then reached into his pocket for another and tossed it to Becca, who caught it in one hand.
Kinsley popped the candy into her mouth and tried to discover the flavors. She couldn’t, but it was delicious just the same. “It’s amazing, and surely it’ll be a hit with the tour guests!” she said between chews.
Toby beamed.
“We were just about to set up inside. Your aunt has been gracious enough to lend us a pub table to display our candy and treats. She has such a heart, that Tilly.” Jenna turned her focus to her husband. “But we need to hurry so we can get back to the shop before opening,” she said. “Neither one of us was willing to stay back and miss checking up on you,” she added with a smile.
Kinsley was glad her aunt had taken her idea to heart. Tilly had not only invited Toby’s Taffy, but also extended a hand to several of the local businesses to display their wares. This would encourage those who walked through the doors to explore more of their unique seaside community before leaving Harborside.
