Buried [Completed]

Chapter two - Forgotten

In the summer, the favorite after-hours hangout for the locals of Twisted Cedars was the Linger Longer, mostly because the tourists preferred Wally's Wharf. Wally's had a quaint nautical décor, trendy tapas menu and a pretty rooftop patio overlooking the ocean. In contrast, the Linger Longer was a no-frills establishment, selling beer, pizza, burgers, and chicken wings. A small dance floor near the front didn't see much action until after ten, while the pool tables in the back were almost always busy. This Saturday night, Charlotte Hammond, the town's librarian, leaned on the well-worn pine bar while she ordered two draft ales. 

"Sorry about your sister, love." Sean Fitzgerald said, while he filled two tall glasses for her. Dark-haired, charming Sean had been the guy all the girls had a crush on back when Charlotte was in high school. She'd collaborated on a science project with Sean once. She'd done all the legwork, of course. He'd handled the presentation. Even at sixteen he had the confident air of one who'd figured out life and knew how to get what he wanted. At twenty-eight, Charlotte still couldn't say the same for herself. 

"Thanks Sean. Is Mia here tonight?" 

Sean's wife worked almost as many hours as he did. 

"No, she isn't working weekends anymore. Not until we find a new babysitter. We caught the last one making out with her boyfriend on our living room sofa." 

Sean shook his head, disapprovingly. 

"Now Mia only works during the hours when her Mom is free to babysit." 

It didn't seem that long ago that Sean would have been the boy sneaking in to neck with a babysitter. How had the years gone by so quickly? Charlotte smiled vaguely, then headed back to her table. She was expecting Wade any minute. He'd dropped by her house last night to make sure she was okay and to set up the meeting. His consideration was typical of him, and not at all surprising given that, not long ago, she and Wade had been a couple. 

They'd dated for about six months before he'd foolishly proposed to her on the night of Kyle Quinpool and Jamie Lachlan's wedding. The wedding had been in May, little more than six weeks ago. And since then, the shit had certainly hit the fan. Poor Jamie must be wishing she'd taken her brother Dougal's advice and called the whole thing off. Charlotte couldn't blame her for her lack of perception, though. Even she, Daisy's younger sister, had been fooled by Kyle. 

Maybe it was his golden-boy good looks, or his charming smile, but she'd never once suspected him of harming her sister. Let alone killing her— and burying her body behind the family cottage. But it sure looked like that was what had happened. Charlotte took a long drink of her beer, thinking she should have ordered something stronger. She suspected Wade had arranged this meeting so he could bring her up to date with the investigation into Daisy's death. But she wasn't sure she was ready to hear the details. So far, all she knew were the bare facts. 

Dougal Lachlan, true crime writer, and very recently, and surprisingly, Charlotte's lover, had been digging up the old garden behind the Librarian Cottage five miles out of town on Old Forestry Road— which he was currently renting— when he'd come across Daisy's remains, wrapped in a large green tarp. That had been a week ago. Since then, Charlotte had been living in a state of shock. She'd barely registered Dougal's decision to make his move to Twisted Cedars a permanent one. 

Last Friday he'd flown back to New York City to pack up his belongings and his cat. She hadn't heard from him since, though it was possible he'd left her a message on her phone. Charlotte had stopped answering calls on both her home and cell phone. She'd also taken the week off work. So many people, with the kindest of intentions, no doubt, wanted to talk to her about Daisy. The problem was, Charlotte didn't know much more than anyone else. She had nothing to say. But she had plenty of questions.