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CHAPTER FIVE

T amping down his anger, Max stepped out to intercept Becca. He wanted to wring her neck. She had no business in this cave. It was off limits to everyone. He was going to have to tell her the rules.

She shrieked and beat at his face. He grabbed her by the shoulders. She fought like the Valkyrie he’d thought her when they first met and almost succeeded in breaking free of his grasp.

“It’s just me,” he growled.

She stomped her foot down on the instep of his foot with a man’s strength.

“Ouch,” he snapped, his grip loosening. “Are you nuts? I’m not going to hurt you.”

She stiffened and pulled away. “Max? What are you doing here?” She squinted up at him as though unable to believe it was really him.

He bent over, rubbing his foot. “I decided I needed a break as well. I was walking along the beach and heard a rockfall then saw your soda can by the water. I was worried you’d been caught by the rocks. I’ll know better than to think you need rescuing next time.”

“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

He scowled at her helping hand, and she quickly withdrew it. “I’m just fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “What are you doing here?”

“Exploring,” she said.

“Exploring.” He didn’t bother to hide his disgust. “It’s not safe to wander off by yourselves in these caves.”

“I know that. I turned around, obviously.”

Narrowing her eyes, she stared at him with what he could have sworn was suspicion. What did she have to be suspicious about?

She took another step away from him and put her hands on her hips. “Did you just try to squash me with that big boulder?”

Had she hit her head? He glanced at her forehead, but the cave was too dim to see well. “Are you nuts? I just hired you to help me.” Was the woman some kind of neurotic? That might explain why she was willing to come here to this remote island.

To his amazement, she smiled, the amusement stretching to her eyes.

“What’s so funny?” He’d never understand women. Laura had been just as perplexing.

“I guess you wouldn’t want to get rid of me yet. I haven’t even messed anything up yet.”

“Are you planning to?”

“No, of course not.” Her smile vanished, and she took a deep breath. “I was just scared. I’m fine now.” Becca brushed the dirt from her jeans and started to clamber down to the sand.

“About as fine as a nor’easter about to blow,” he muttered.

“Very funny,” she snapped. She turned her back on him and scurried to the cave opening. Sitting on the edge of the opening, she half-slid, half-fell onto the boulder imbedded in the sand. Easing off the rock into the shale, she started down the slope to the sand.

“Wait for me,” Max called. “I’ll help you down.” He’d never met such an accident-prone woman.

She ignored him. Typical. His scowl deepened as he followed her out into the sunlight. Slipping and sliding, he made his way down the face of the rock to find her watching the waves roll in. She stood with her hands on her arms as though she was cold.

He eyed the massive boulder sitting at the base of the rock rise. “There hasn’t been a rock that size fall around here since I’ve lived here,” he said.

“I saw someone up there. He tried to hit me with it.”

“And I’m the Pope,” he said. “Get real. You haven’t been here long enough to make any enemies. Unless someone followed you from the mainland.” He saw her pale. “Are you here hiding out? Is that it?”

She flushed and looked away. “I don’t have any enemies.”

His suspicions rose. Why would a beautiful young woman—and she was the loveliest girl he’d seen in years—sequester herself clear out here? There was more to her story than she’d told him.

“No enemies, huh?” He grabbed her hand “Come on, let’s go take a look.” She came with him unresistingly.

Max stooped to look at a depression in the rocks. “Here’s where it set.” He pointed to a rounded depression amid other smaller rocks and boulders. He went down on one knee and examined the area around the hole. What he saw nearly left him speechless.

He ran his fingers over scratches on a rock. “Looks like someone pried on the boulder. Look.”

His suspicions rose even more when he looked at her face and saw the fear there. “Who do you think is after you?”

“No one.” She shook her head violently. “It surely had to be a man to move something that big.”

He shook his head. “Even a child can move a boulder if you’ve got the right fulcrum point on it.” He glanced down the hill then turned back to her. “You said it was a murder attempt. You didn’t just pull that out of a hat. Who is after you?”

She shook her head slowly. “I have no idea.”

From the stubborn look on her face, he knew he wouldn’t get any information out of her. “I have work to do,” he said, taking her arm. “We’d better get to it.”

Hurrying along beside Max, Becca didn’t trust him. His appearing seemed too coincidental. Her legs still felt shaky, but she managed to keep up with him as they moved toward the house. She wanted nothing more than a hot cup of tea and a chance to sit and reflect over what had just happened.

Mrs. Jeffries met them at the front door. “Mrs. Baxter telephoned. She’s moved her arrival up a couple of days. She’ll be here in three days.”

Becca’s legs went even weaker. How did she avoid her grandmother until she could see her in person? Her stomach roiled in distress, and she licked dry lips.

“Good,” Max told Mrs. Jeffries. “Would you fix a pot of tea? I think Becca could use one.”

His perception pierced Becca’s desperation, and she glanced up at him.

“You’re pale,” he said. “I think you should take the rest of the day off and rest.”

Just what she needed. Maybe she could talk to the other residents and see what they all remembered of the night her parents’ boat exploded. “Thank you,” she said. “I am pretty rattled.”

Nick Adams was just stepping through the doorway and heard her final comment. “What’s Max done now? He’s always driving people away, but you have to remember he’s a softie at heart.”

His stepbrother sent him a quelling look. “I’ve done nothing to my assistant, and she’s not going anywhere.” His fingers pressed against Becca’s elbow and he moved her toward the chair by the window in the living room. “Mrs. Jeffries will bring you some tea. Have a seat, and I’ll see you at dinner. You need some rest.” His meaningful look failed to impact his brother who followed them toward the seating area.

Becca nodded and sank onto the overstuffed chair. The events of the past two days made her feel she was caught in the maelstrom of a whirlpool. She hardly knew where to start her search.

Nick lounged on a nearby chair with one leg thrown over the arm. Max glanced at him. “Keep an eye on her while I try to get some work done.”

“That’s an cushy job. She’s easy on the eyes.” Nick’s grin made Becca’s face heat.

Nick’s grin was wide and infectious, and Becca found herself smiling back at him. “Your brother can be a bit gruff,” she said.

“A bit? That’s like saying Lake Superior is a bit cold.” He leaned over and grabbed the TV remote and flipped on the television.

“The two of you seem to get along well.”

Nick grinned. “He’s a great brother. A bit too anxious to run my life sometimes, but there’s never any doubt it’s because he cares.”

“You’re the youngest?”

Nick nodded. “Our mother left him and his father for my dad. To give Max credit, he could have resented me for that, but he never has even when I disappoint him.”

That explained a lot of Max’s prickly manner. She couldn’t help the niggle of sympathy for him. “How old was he when she left?”

“Five.” Nick smiled. “Let’s not talk about my brother. When are you going to go out to dinner with me?”

“Whenever you like.” Getting out of the house and hearing what the townspeople had to say about the accident might be a good idea.

“How about Friday night? There’s not much happening in town, but we can get a change of scenery.”

“Sounds good.” She began to relax. Mrs. Jeffries brought in the tea. Sipping the strong brew, Becca felt her buoyancy return. She could do this. She had to find her parents’ killer.

“About seven?”

“Okay.”

His grin widened, and he turned on a ballgame and was soon engrossed in it. Swallowing the last of her tea, Becca stood. Nick was so caught up in the game, he didn’t notice her leave the room. Becca wandered down the hall and out the back door where she heard voices in the garden.

Tate and Shayna were arguing on the terrace. Tate stood with his fists clenched at his side, his red face thrust forward like an angry rooster.

“You have no concept of money, Shayna!” He stepped back and ran his hand through his hair. “It doesn’t grow on trees. You’ve got to watch what you spend.”

“What else is there to do on this crappy island but shop? It’s not like Wilson’s carries anything but staples. I didn’t get anything I didn’t need.” She stood and ran her hand along her husband’s arm. “Don’t be mad, Tate. It wasn’t that much.”

“Maybe today’s wasn’t, but what about the camera you bought on Ebay last week? It all adds up, Shayna.”

Becca took a step back and looked for a place to escape. She twisted the doorknob behind her, but the door had locked.

Tate continued to rage. “It was nearly a thousand dollars. A thousand dollars we don’t have, I might add.” He turned and saw Becca standing by the door. His face flushed a dull red, and he gave a shaky laugh. “Uh, hello Becca. I didn’t see you there.”

Becca wanted to sink through the floor. “Hi Tate. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“We’re done,” Shayna said. “Tate has work to do.”

“I sure do,” Tate muttered, the anger in his face rearing again. “I have some calls to make.” He went to the door, frowning when it wouldn’t open. “Stupid latch is always doing that.” He disappeared around the side of the house.

“Sorry you had to see that,” Shayna said. She stretched like the giant cat she put Becca in mind of with her red mane of hair and lithe limbs. The little girl lost expression in her face was at odds with the sophisticated woman Becca had first thought her.

“So what’s to do around here?” Becca asked, sitting in the chair opposite Shayna.

“We can play croquet. Or go to town and browse through the fishing store. That’s about it. I’m glad there’s another woman here. We could play cards or a board game.”

Neither sounded appealing to Becca, but Becca wasn’t about to turn down the unexpected offer of friendship. She decided to tell Shayna what happened. “I think someone tried to kill me today,” she said.

Shayna’s cup of tea paused halfway to her mouth. “You’re joking, right?” She put her cup back on the table.

“I wish I were. I was exploring the shoreline, and someone launched a boulder at me. If there hadn’t been a cave to duck into, it would have gotten me.”

“We get rockfalls here all the time. I’m sure it was an accident.”

From the way Shayna was looking at her, Becca could tell the young woman thought her a bit neurotic. “Max showed up and looked at where the boulder came from. He said someone had pried on the boulder. He didn’t think it was a natural rockfall. It was a much larger boulder than usual, he said.”

“Pooh, Max sees the dark in every bright cloud. I don’t believe it for a minute. Maybe Max wanted to play the hero. You’re an attractive woman.”

Becca’s own certainty began to crumble. Maybe she’d seen a flash of a bird or something. “I saw something at the top of the cliff before the boulder came crashing down.”

Mrs. Jeffries came through the door with a tray of cookies as Becca spoke. Her eyes narrowed to slits. “It was the Windigo,” she whispered. “I’ve heard him howling in the night. You must be careful. He is not to be toyed with.”

Becca gave an involuntary shiver. “It’s just a legend, Mrs. Jeffries.”

“Most legends have their basis in fact,” the housekeeper said. “Mind what I tell you, Miss. Stay close to the house and don’t go out at night.” She plopped the cookies on the table and backed away, still looking frightened then turned and bolted for the house.

Becca rubbed her arms. “I haven’t heard that old legend in a long time.”

“I’m surprised you’ve heard it at all.” Shayna shuddered.

“The Windigo was supposed to be a huge creature with a giant head and big teeth, wasn’t it? A demon who ate human flesh?”

Shayna nodded. “Sometimes he is said to wear a headdress and other times to have long, flowing hair. He is supposed to be half human and half beast.”

Becca shuddered. “I’m glad it’s just a legend.”

Shayna grimaced. “Let’s talk about something else. Supposedly cannibalistic creatures remind me of this island anyway. It’s eaten all the good times I used to have.” She looked suddenly tired and defeated.

“We know it wasn’t a Windigo who attacked me,” Becca said.

“I say it was Max.” Shayna said. Her green eyes sharpened like a cat eying a mouse. “Maybe he wanted to be the rescuer. He’s been lonely since Laura died. You’re the first eligible woman who’s been here. All the women in the village are over fifty. The young ones take off for the mainland as soon as they can.”

Could that be true? Becca hadn’t seen any admiration in Max’s eyes, but it could explain what had happened. And Max was there. “Maybe,” she said doubtfully. She thought back to the argument she’d overheard between Max and Tate. “Are you good friends with Max?”

Shayna grimaced. “You’ve been listening to my husband.” She stretched again. “I won’t deny I think he’s one of the most attractive men I’ve ever met. But I am married. And he’s very conscious of the fact even though I might be persuaded to ignore that little incidental.”

So Tate had reason to be jealous of Max. But was Shayna hiding their real relationship? Her eyes seemed guileless, and Becca longed to trust her. She needed a confidante.

“Put it all out of your mind,” Shayna advised. “I’m sure it was an accident.”

“There seem to be a lot of accidents around here,” Becca said. “I heard about a boat explosion a few weeks ago just offshore. Were you here then?”

“Sure. I never go anywhere. Terrible thing. It was the old lady’s long lost son and daughter-in-law. They’d been estranged for years and had just reconciled.”

“What was the estrangement about? From what I’ve heard of Mrs. Baxter, she is a sweet lady.”

“Oh she is. But she has a backbone of steel. I never heard what the initial spat was about, but she welcomed them with open arms when they arrived. She was devastated at their deaths. That’s why she went to Europe. But it sounds like even Paris couldn’t comfort her. It would sure comfort me.”

Gram hadn’t been upset enough to attend the funeral. Becca felt the familiar pang of hurt. “What caused the boat to explode?”

Shayna shrugged. “I heard it was a leaky motor. I was right here on the terrace when the boat went off like a rocket. A spectacular sight, almost like the fourth of July fireworks.”

Becca tried not to flinch, but she was sure her face had to betray some emotion. She glanced away. “You say it was Mrs. Baxter’s son and daughter-in-law? That would make the man Tate’s uncle?”

Shayna nodded. “He hadn’t seen them in years though. And I think he was a little miffed they showed up now because Gram started talking about changing her will. Mason was her only living child, and there would have been no money for any of the rest of us. Luckily, they died before she did it. The money is the only reason we hang around here all the time. Someday all this will belong to Tate.”

Hearing it stated so baldly made Becca wince. Could Tate or Shayna have killed her parents? They stood to gain from the elimination of competition for the money. “Not Molly, too?”

“Oh she’ll get something, but Gram will want Tate to have the house and the lion’s share.” Shayna laughed. “Don’t be so shocked. Why else would someone stay on this god-forsaken island with nothing to do? And Gram knows it.”

“What about Max? Is that why he’s here?”

“He could write anywhere. But as long as he makes sure Molly is close to Gram, he can be sure she’ll get a share of the estate. And it’s a big estate, I can tell you that.”

Big enough to kill for? Becca snatched the words back before they left her lips. She couldn’t believe that of Tate. He might drink too much, but he wasn’t a killer.

Mrs. Jeffries came to the door. “Becca, you have a phone call.”

“Coming.” The only people who knew she was here were her siblings. She jogged to the door and took the portable phone the housekeeper handed her.

Shayna wagged her fingers at her and went inside. Carrying the phone, Becca went to the table and sat where she could see if anyone approached. She didn’t want to be overheard.

“Hello,” she said.

“How are things going?” Jake’s deep voice came over the line.

Tears stung Becca’s eyes at the sound of her brother’s voice. She felt so alone here, isolated and vulnerable.

“Okay,” she whispered.

“You don’t sound okay,” he said sharply. “What’s wrong?”

She hesitated. If she told him what had happened this morning, he’d be on the first plane back to the States. “Nothing,” she said finally. “I’m just emotional at being here where Mom and Dad died.”

“Finding anything yet?”

“Just that practically everyone has a motive. Max wants his daughter Molly to inherit Gram’s estate, Tate is hanging around to make sure he gets his share, and Mrs. Jeffries hates everyone.”

“Sounds like a wonderful bunch of relatives,” Jake said with obvious disgust. “I think you should pack up and head home.”

“Gram is coming back in a few days. She’ll take one look at me and know who I am.”

“So you won’t have any choice. You can’t stay there if everyone knows you’re in line to inherit. Not if your theory is correct. I can’t lose you too.”

“I’m hoping to talk to Gram alone and get her to go along with me for now.”

“Fat chance of that from what I remember of her. She was a real stickler for telling the truth.”

“But she won’t have to lie, just keep quiet.”

“Good luck. I don’t see her going along with it.”

Becca didn’t want to talk about it anymore. It made her heart flutter in her chest. “How’s the dig?”

“Great. We should be wrapping it up soon. I’ll join you there once it’s finished.”

“Don’t do that! You’ll spoil everything. How would we explain you?”

“I could pretend to be your boyfriend or something.”

“Ick. I don’t think so.”

There was a long pause. “Good point. I could just be your brother coming for a visit.”

“Yeah, I guess that would work. We’ll see how it goes. Have you heard from Wynne?”

“She called this morning. She’s got a flight into Detroit in three weeks. We may both end up on your doorstep by this time next month.”

Becca groaned. “I’d better work fast.”