Cherry Two

Part 33

Chapter 31

Robert put down the receiver and rubbed his chin. "Still no reply from Donna Sanford's room."

"At least the rain has stopped."

He glanced at Calley, perched on the bed, her head down to an open magazine. "I'm going to try the Seattle number they gave me. She's probably not aware we're here already."

Alain stood looking out the balcony window at the ferry dock with his hands thrust into his pant pockets. "What do you think they do for excitement around here? A sign on the main drag said there's a plowing contest," he said moodily.

Calley giggled.

"Hello, yes, could I speak to Terry Wolanchuk please? Bob Nameth. Thanks, I'll hold."

The balcony door slid open. Alain stepped out and inhaled a lungful of moist sea air.

"Hello, Terry, I'm meant to meet your investigator: a Ms. Sanford. Does she know we've arrived? We're at the same hotel." Robert paused to listen. "Okay, fine. You call her cell and we'll wait. I'm anxious to know if we have an agreement. With luck this issue could be all cleared up today. Thanks, Terry." Again the receiver went down.

Calley's head came up. "Am I supposed to believe anything this Joby Benson says?"

Robert narrowed his eyes. "You asked to meet with her. I'm trying my best here, Calley. Your peace of mind is important to me. What more can we do?"

She tossed the magazine aside and got off the bed, frustration apparent in her body language. "She's had a son by the man everyone thinks is dead. Find the son and you'll find him. The man was a killer, a hired killer. He still may be."

"You're saying Joby Benson will lie to protect her son's father?" Robert shook his head. "From what I'm told, she's become some sort of born-again... Evangelic, Catholic... whatever. People like that don't protect known murderers and rapists."

The girl went to Alain and slid her hands around his waist from behind. Water dripped off the roof overhang. Her head rested against his back. "I know what I know. Alain believes me, don't you?"

He covered Calley's hands with his, not turning to look at her. "I believe something is going on. You led me right to Aunt Calley's grave and you couldn't possibly have known where it was. This girl has a gift, Granddad. We can't ignore it."

"Hmm. Well we're not ignoring it; I didn't fly here for a soggy plowing contest." Robert seemed agitated. "Come on, Donna Sanford, make this damn phone ring."

***

After another dry day the sun had begun to set on Castellamare. In orange light Keenan looked over at Sonia as she dozed beside the pool wrapped in a robe. The workdays were long and frustrating; rising at five-thirty in the morning for a slow downtown commute. Returning home to an empty house seemed so quiet and strange.

"Did Alain call today?"

Sonia's eyes fluttered open. "Hmm? Oh, nothing on my phone."

"I'll call him now and make sure everything's okay. If he's talking to your dad I'll ask him to call back." Keenan scooped up the cell phone that lay beside his highball glass and keyed in Alain. He blinked at the immediate readout. "What's this crap?"

Sonia's head turned. "What?"

"Out of state roaming circuits busy? Try again. Carmel was still in California last time I looked." He handed the cell to Sonia.