Aspen Allegations - A Sutton Massachusetts Mystery

Chapter 27

Richard rubbed his hands together, and spoke to the group. "My family is having a small get-together at my house on the eighth, for the holidays," he stated in a low voice. "Nothing special, just some drinks and appetizers. Seven p.m. I would love to have you all come."

Sam and Charles looked up to meet his eyes, and then both nodded, cautious smiles warming their faces. Sam spoke up first. "I should be free."

"As will I," agreed Charles. "Should we bring anything?"

Richard shook his head; there was an easing to his shoulders. "Just yourselves," he offered. "It has been too long."

As one, the three men turned and headed back up the path. Jason took my hand in his and we followed them back up the slope. Something had changed in the way the men walked. They were no longer held aloof from one another; there was a familiarity in the way they moved together.

We reached the cars as the sky glimmered into sunset. Each man came forward to give me a gentle hug before returning to his vehicle and driving off. At last it was just me and Jason standing at the quiet entrance.

His eyes stared down the long road, considering. "I suppose I honestly believe it was an accidental drowning. They seem to be, at long last, healing and moving on," he murmured.

"I would have to agree." I sighed. "But where does that leave us with John's murder?"

He gave his head a shake. "Maybe it's really not related. Maybe this has been a wild goose chase the entire time. Maybe it has to do with his current investments, or a love triangle at the senior center, and whoever was involved only deleted the story to throw suspicion in another direction."

I gave a wry smile. "It certainly worked."

His cell chirruped, and he looked down at it. "It's work, they need some final details sorted out for that event we're hosting tomorrow at the Asa Waters Mansion in Millbury," he explained. "See you at home later?"

"Of course," I agreed. "I just want a few more minutes here alone."

His eyes shadowed, but he nodded. "Keep your phone on you, and call me when you head out," he murmured. He drew me into a warm hug before climbing into his truck. It rolled down the path toward Boston Road. A turn to the right, and then it was gone.

I walked back down the path toward the lake. Something had been tickling at the back of my mind; it had been hard to get a handle on with the others present. I hoped with just me and the wind that I could draw it into focus.

As I came down toward the beach I stopped in surprise. A man was standing there, his tan coat held tightly against the wind, his lean face staring out toward the slate-blue depths.

"Adam?" I asked in surprise.

He started, turning, then relaxed when he saw who it was. "Howdy, Morgan."

"Why didn't you join us?"

He gave a soft shrug. "It looked like Sam and the others wanted a private ceremony," he explained. "I had come out of duty to John. I knew this day was special to him. But I am only a stand-in for him, of course. I wanted to allow those three men their own private time, to spend as they wished. They were, after all, the ones who were there with her."

"They were indeed," I agreed, my voice low.

I stared out at the waves for a few minutes. At last I broke the silence again. "It seems so peaceful," I stated. "As if nothing could have happened on its surface. It just doesn't seem real."

His voice was hesitant. "I was going to ... no, never mind."

I glanced over in curiosity. "Going to what?"

He looked down. "Tomorrow is supposed to be warm and gentle. I was fixin' to take my rowboat out and lay flowers out on the water, at the center of the pond. To commemorate her passing." He glanced back up toward the parking lot. "I was going to do it today, but Jeff told me that the other three were planning on coming out for their own ceremony. I thought it might disturb them to see a rowboat in the water while they were reliving their memories."

"That was very thoughtful of you," I murmured.

"Maybe you would get a sense of closure if you could see the actual spot?"

I nodded. "I think I would like that a lot," I agreed. "Something is nagging at me about this. Maybe it's because I keep seeing everything from the shore. Maybe seeing it from the water is exactly what I need."

"All right, then – how about four? Just like today?"

"That sounds great."

We walked up the path together, skirting the edge of the gate. I looked around. "Where is your car?"

"I parked it around the corner," he explained. "That way it wouldn't upset the others. I didn't want them to think I was intruding." He offered a thin hand. "So, tomorrow at four? Over at the boat ramp on the Millbury side?"

"I will see you then."