Murder at Rowley's Bay

•Then He Was Gone•

Kate's always defending her mom, whether it's because she didn't mean to spill and ruin your 100-year-old tablecloth with that expensive wine you gave her, or even just a simple thing like it's not her fault you thought she was talking about you when obviously that dress is way too short.

The problem with it all, though, is that she doesn't even seem to realize what she's doing. It's like a natural part of her, like she was born with it. But considering how her mom turned out, it's not that surprising.

 I guess you could say that the story started like this, years ago. When our town wasn't corrupted by the evils of the world, or even more specifically, her. Diana Miller.

                                                                                              •••

"Jimmy! Come on! Don't be such a baby. I mean, you're a grown man taking his fiancé on a very romantic date by the bay." I say this sarcastically, half meaning it and half not.

Of course, Jimmy comes right up behind me and proceeds to sweep me off my feet. "I know, honey, but you know how I hate stormy nights like this." He whispers this in my ear, and I feel like he knows what I'm going to do.

"Yeah, but after this we can go back inside and have a wonderful  meal and be nice and warm in the room. After all, you promised that I could take you out here to show you what I was talking about in my painting. You just can't get the full effect without actually being here."

"Yes. I do agree that I promised you. But only for a few minutes. This wind is freezing." He squeezes me a little closer, but I don't know if it's affection or from fright.

We slowly make our way out to the edge of the peer. I barely manage to arrive without being soaked by the water spraying up from the rocks. It's freezing out here, but I don't mind. I know that soon I'll be warm and cozy, if not with Jimmy.  I stop walking and mentally prepare what I'm going to say about my painting, something stupid that someone like Jimmy would fall for.

Just as I pull my arms around myself, he gives me his coat and keeps his hands on my shoulders before I can shrug it off. "So you don't freeze more than you have to, my fragile flower." He says this right into my ear, lovingly, and I almost regret what I am about to do.

"Thanks, hon. Now, this is where I was last week, and I just couldn't believe the colors that flashed before my eyes!  I mean, look at all the intensity, I just couldn't not paint it."

As I say this, I shuffle forward a few steps to the very edge of the peer. "And look at that thing sticking up out of the water, Jimmy! What is it? I still can't figure it out."

Jimmy comes by me and stares out at the nasty waves. "I don't see anything. Where are you pointing again?"

"There! Don't you see? Come on Jimmy, look harder!" I am now shouting into the wind to be heard.

All he does is step the tiniest bit farther out, and that's all I need.