Cherry Two

Part 31

Chapter 29

At the jetty on Railroad Avenue Donna Sanford placed the phone tighter to her ear. The Victoria ferry, Coho, had just announced her arrival with a loud blast from the air horn. The day had started sunny and warm, but now a dark cloudbank had sailed in off the ocean, accompanied by a cool breeze.

"Yeah, sorry about that, Terry. I guess you heard the fleet's in." The investigator listened then spoke into the cell again as she leaned on the jetty railing. "Only a verbal description, but Ina Benson is here. I can see the parking lot from where I'm standing. If she's meeting someone other than her daughter I'll soon know. The party is tomorrow, but it makes sense Jobyna would arrive a day early to help out. On the other hand if the daughter has been spooked then she won't show at all and I'm wasting my time. We'll have to work it from the Canadian end."

Terry responded then Sanford put her boss's call on hold as the ferryboat began to disgorge a horde of passengers and vehicles that fanned out and went their various ways. The boat had almost emptied when a cube van trundled up in line, ready to board the loading ramp, blocking her view of Ina's car. Sanford moved, but by the time she had gained a fresh vantage point two more people were already inside the old Chevy and the engine had been started.

"Hello, Terry, I'll call you back. Ina has two passengers. Couldn't get a good look at them from here. If they head for the farm it's no problem. I can bide my time. Gotta' go."

Donna Sanford made it to her car as the Chevy compact turned left onto 1st Street East. She caught a red light at Race Street, but felt sure Momma Benson was headed directly home on 101. Even without visual confirmation Sanford had little reason to speed and overtake. Assuming Jobyna Benson and her son were in the mother's car, she could afford to give them some space. Crippled Joseph would cooperate rather than add to his misery by facing a full-blown immigration inquiry. Sanford was under specific instructions to the contrary, of course, but Papa had no way of knowing that.

***

"We're booked on a Southwest flight to Seattle early this afternoon," Robert said as he stepped from the house into his tropical garden. "There's a direct connection to Port Angeles airport via a local carrier. We should be on the peninsular by five at the latest."

Alain let go of Calley and looked up from the swing divan. "What's the latest from your investigators? Is Joby there yet?"

Robert sat opposite and took an early swig of iced Scotch to calm himself down. "No confirmation. The Benson's have two visitors from Victoria; that's about all we know for now. Could be anyone. Calley, are you sure you want to go through with this?"

Alain squeezed her arm. "Of course she does."

Calley didn't make eye contact with either of them.

"Let's hope Joby Benson knows for sure what became of her son's father, then it will bring closure to everyone," Alain urged. "If he is long dead, as the police maintain, then that'll be the end of it."

The girl looked down at her hands and said very softly, "I don't care what she says—he's not dead."

Alain looked at Robert and shrugged.

"Okay," Robert said through a sigh, "then we find out. If that is the situation the police can handle it. There's no statute of limitations for murder."

***

It didn't take Calley long to shake off the serious mood. Still in her flimsy housecoat she started packing an overnight bag as Alain wandered into her bedroom without knocking and reclined on the double bed, intent on watching her every movement. He hadn't changed yet either.