I had wanted a cabin by water since I can remember. As a child,
my parents took us to a cabin in the summer for two weeks. We would fish off
the wharf and if lucky have the catch for dinner. My brother always seemed to
get a couple, my Dad too. Sister Jen and I hardly ever caught any but if we
did, a big fuss was made of our catch.
I had just signed the papers to a small place at Copper
Cove delighted as I had not taken a holiday for five years and saved every
penny I could. The first to phone was my brother Mike, he promised to visit and
if the place needed any repairs, I could count on him to help. Jen was happy
for me but having two small babies she had no plans this summer to come see it.
Up before the sun I headed out, my car loaded, driving
for two hours. I turned down the dirt road that led to the cabin. Finally
arrived, jumping out of my car hollering, “It’s all mine.” It had wiped all my
savings. I did not care, I owned it full out. Unpacking the trunk and backseat
setting all of it on the porch, rifled my bag for the keys. Performing a little
dance of triumph before unlocking my door.
The owner, a woman who had lost her husband last summer
to a boating accident had left the place spotless, even a vase filled with
flowers and herbs with a note of welcome, hoping I would have as many good
times here as her family had done.
Finally settled, with all put away I took to the porch
with a glass of wine, crackers and cheese. My stomach let me know the hurried coffee
and toast had disappeared quite sometime ago.
I could see a boat coming towards the wharf, a man waved
and slowed as he passed. Looking at the thermometer attached to the porch. I
was surprised to see it was over 75 degrees. It was getting close to four in
the afternoon.
I headed down to my wharf with a chair. The water calm a dark
azure, with a slight breeze as I immersed my feet in the water. Looking out
across the lake, I could see three cabins nestled in between trees to give them
all privacy. I was the only place for a quarter of a mile on this side, glad
not to have people right beside me. Tall trees clustered behind and on each
side of the cabin for a cooling effect, but none in front to shade the cabin. A
fusion of wild flowers covered the ground. The previous owner had said they
would come here in the fall and not have to use the fireplace until late
October.
Being up so early plus the fresh air, I must have dozed
off in my chair. I awoke to a male’s voice saying, “Hello.” I bolted from my
chair just about landing in the lake as two strong hands caught me pulling me
down on the wooden planks. His dark eyes pierced
through me, his smile showed a broken tooth, a slim build
hovered over me, until I scrambled to my feet feeling foolish.
He introduced himself as Jake who was new to the area,
and was looking for a place to park his camper in the area for a few days
fishing. He just wanted to know if it were possible to park at the side of my
property, he would be no problem and I would not even know he was here, as he
would back into the trees. He had a small boat, was a good fisherman and would
share his catch and was willing to pay for the space.
Hesitating, I was not sure if I wanted anyone close to my
property but knew I did not own the space beside me. “I understand if you do
not want a stranger around.” His smile looked so sincere I relented telling him
I like my privacy if he kept to himself it would be fine for a few days. “Thank
you I won’t bother you.”
Heading up to the cabin, I could hear his truck start up
coming slowly down he nestled the camper into the trees. Then I heard another engine
and saw Jake had taken his boat out on the lake, slowly doing a circle looking
at all the cabins. Arriving back, he had a camera with a large lens around his
neck. Thinking to myself, maybe he is a photographer.
Puttering around changing some furniture around it was
dark when I looked out, no lights just the full moon shining on the water. I
could see a figure coming out of the water drying off on the wharf, guess that
was his way of a shower. I stood in the darkness of the cabin watching as he
sat, now drinking from a bottle in his hand.
Locked the doors, I headed off to bed, leaving the cabin
in darkness. The stillness with only a swaying of the trees lulled me into a
deep sleep. When I first woke I was somewhat disoriented hearing birds singing
I lay back and smiled, my first night in my own place. Jumping up I wanted the
day to start quickly as I only had three weeks to enjoy my new found freedom.
Coffee made I sat on the porch to enjoy the songbirds,
the lake was serene, not a ripple this morning. A green tinge mixed with the
azure tone, the sun already shining, it was warm already. Munching a peach, I
pondered the thought if I sold my condominium in the city. I think I could live
here all year, if I could find something to supplement my income.
Looking out on the water, I could see a small boat headed
towards the wharf, a wave from Jake's fishing pole. He only had shorts on, his
muscled body showed he was in good shape as he tied the boat bringing up what
looked like a successful catch. “Good morning, here is your share of the
bounty.” Laughing he kept on going towards his camper. No, idle conversation
just a wave as he disappeared into the bushes. He was keeping his word of not
bothering me.
Taking the fish to the frig I notice he had cleaned them.
I wanted to check the area so headed out with my sketchpad,
following the path from the lake. I had gone about a mile when I came on a
barking dog a woman’s voice “Oh be quiet, Blackie.” The brightest dyed red hair
I had ever seen appeared from behind an azalea bush, dressed in baggy jeans a
bright orange shirt with gardening gloves that she was removing as I came
closer. “You must be the new owner from down the lake.” Her name was Greta and
she lived here all year round.
“What a shame about Harold last summer he was a strong
swimmer too.” Asking, if she meant the previous owner of my place? She then
went into all the details of Harold’s demise. He had been out fishing early one
morning, his boat had been found, him dead in the water a mile away with a
large gash on his head. The coroner ruled he had fallen knocking himself out. The
investigation was still open. Asked if I would like a cup of tea, I told her I
was exploring the area to do some sketching. She called after me to come any
time.
The warmth of the sun on my face reminded me to remember
to put on sunscreen before heading out again. I wandered for a time, finally
came across a grassy area with a view of a cliff with birds perched up high
with babies squawking to be fed. Sitting down I sketched until my stomach told
me to put some nourishment in it
After lunch, I decided it was time to try out my new
bathing suit, plunging into the cool water, cold but refreshing and swam out
half way to the other side. Music came from one of the places across the way
someone was into opera. Noise travels over water I was reminded.
Swimming back Jake was standing on the wharf, he asked if
I would like to join him for dinner as he was cooking the fish on an open fire
tonight. Accepting I told him, I would bring a bottle of wine. “Seven would be
perfect.” as he walked away.
The same boat arrived at my wharf, a man appeared on the
porch as I was sipping a glass of wine. He was Allen from across the lake, he
wanted to welcome me to the area. Asking him if he would like a glass of wine,
he accepted sitting down. He had been coming here for twenty years, knew the
area and all the people. He asked about the man in the camper beside my
property, “Is he a friend or relative,” he asked.
I explained what had happened the day I arrived and only
expected him to stay for a few days. Jake was watching us from the tree line
hidden behind a tree. When he saw me looking his way he backed up behind his
camper, he did not want to be noticed. My first thought was he was just being nosy or he might just want to make sure this man was not bothering me.
Allen stayed for a second glass of wine. Bringing Jake
back into the conversation “Did I know where he was from or what he did for a
living?”
“I think he is just passing through and wanted to fish
for a few days.” Allen then invited me over to meet the other neighbors
tomorrow afternoon for happy hour. He saw Jake's boat saying he was welcome also
or he would come over and pick me up. “Maybe it would be better if you came and
got me.”
“How about three then?” and he was off.
I wandered over to the camper at seven, the smell of
garlic and lemon permeated the small barbecue that was set up with a couple of
chairs with a fold out table between them. He opened the wine he had a beer
already started, asking right off who was the fellow, did I know him from
across the lake. Jake had watched him come and leave, my privacy gone was the
first thought that came to mind.
During dinner, I asked when he was planning to move on,
his tone changed, “Am I bothering you.”
“No but you said you had plans for only a few days.” His
demeanour altered, clearing the plates away, I asked if he wanted help, his
reply a short “No.” I thanked him for dinner “It’s been a long day so I am
going to have an early night.” leaving with a weird feeling, he was not happy.
Sitting outside in my pajamas, in the darkness, I heard
his camper door close if it had not been a still night I would have missed it.
Listening I heard his footsteps on the wooden planks of the wharf. Then the
oars cutting into the water, he did not start his engine. The shadow of the
boat from the moon as it headed across the lake, where was he going this late?
About half an hour later he arrived back, I sat back in
the shadow, not moving as he passed going quietly to his camper. Locking the
doors, I looked out later to see flames across the water a cabin was on fire. I
could hear yelling the fire lit up silhouettes of people running around with
fire extinguishers and a hose, then only lights from the other cabins.
Waking to another gorgeous morning, I heard Blackie
before Greta arrived on my porch, inviting her for coffee she told me the cabin
that burned belonged to Allen, luckily only the front of the place had damage
and he was fine. They did not know how the fire started.
Allen was at a
loss, as he had no fire going. He brought me a fish this morning and we chatted
over tea. That was his second fire, one a few years back. He was fortunate that
the insurance covered the rebuild.
Greta asked who belonged to the camper. Then her voice
became a whisper, “Why is a man watching us from the trees?” Looking over, Jake
saw me turn and came over. Smiling he introduced himself to Greta. Blackie gave
a loud bark “Be quiet dog.” Was all Greta had to say? Blackie sat at her
feet?
Greta asked if I had seen a boat last night, she had seen
one passing her place before the fire, “It was strange as no motor, just the oars
through the water. I will certainly mention it to the sheriff this afternoon
when we all meet for drinks at Mandy and Jim’s place instead of Allen's for
drinks this afternoon.“
“I went to bed fairly early last night.” replying looking
over to Jake asking if he had heard or seen anything strange last night. My
stomach had tensed, turned back and smiled to Greta to cover my anxiety. Jake
replied, “I had an early night too.”
I never mentioned to Jake he had been invited for drinks
across the lake, and was thankful that I had not. Had he set fire to Allen’s
place? What reason could he have to do such a thing?
Allen picked me up from my wharf, then headed down to get
Greta, she was nowhere around, I jumped on to her wharf to go find her and
Blackie did not greet me, which I found strange. Calling, her name there was no
response. Her door was wide open and there lay Blackie he looked asleep until I
got closer. He was not sleeping. Greta lay on her kitchen floor blood all over, screaming for Allen. It took
him a couple of minutes to secure his boat he stood looking, shocked, bent to
feel for a pulse shaking his head.
The sheriff arrived with the coroner, she had only been
dead a few hours after leaving my place. Why anyone would hurt this lovely woman
was all Allen could manage to say.
My thoughts went back to when she had asked Jake and me
if we had seen anyone, I was still alive because I had said no. My god, had
Jake killed her and started the fire at Allen’s? My body started to shake
uncontrollably, as I relayed what had happened last night and today. A call
went in to get three men over to the camper right away, “He could be armed and
dangerous,” was the only conversation I heard.
Jake, his camper and boat were gone when they arrived.
Sheriff John asked for a description of Jake, the color of his camper and boat.
He was sure they would find him quickly. Allen insisted I would feel better if
I came over to his place for the night. I just wanted to curl up and try to
sleep, but thanked him.
My little cabin did not seem like paradise as I poured my
self a stiff drink of scotch. I had locked up early even bolted the windows,
surely he was miles away by now. Looked to make sure my cell was charged, I sat
in the dark thinking of Greta who just wanted to work in her garden and enjoy
the last years of her time here.
A wind had swept through an hour earlier, the trees
whistled, the shutters banged against the windows something I should put on my
list of to do things. A summer storm was in the forecast, the rain started to
pelt against the windows. Dark clouds loomed over the lake. Maybe I would keep
my condominium, as the winter may be long and dreary here alone. John had told
me he would send a car passed to check up on me.
Curling up under my comforter, I started a book that I
had wanted to read for sometime, the lights flickered a few times, then
blackness through the cabin. My flashlight was in my car in the glove
compartment, never even thought to bring candles. Too dark to read, I poured
another drink, the wind getting stronger sitting looking out on the lake I
barely could make out the wharf. Movement, I could see a silhouette of a man, he
was not in uniform.
Looking for my phone, I hit my knee on the table, dialing the sheriff’s office, a knock then a banging on the door. It rang then
to voice mail. A voice yelling, “I know you are in there! Open the door before
I break it down.” My God he came back to kill me so no witnesses to connect him
with Greta.
As quiet as possible I slipped on a jacket and shoes. Get
your keys went through my head, I was out the back door and running in the
dark, I could only see a few feet in front of me as I hid beside a tree. Jake
stood beside the front of the cabin door, he stepped down from the porch
looking for something. He picked up a piece of firewood and started to bang at the
door. As his head was turned away from me, I crouched and ran to my car.
Jumping inside locked the doors I started the engine before he realized where I
was.
His camper blocked the road, I swerved into the bush my
tires stuck in the dirt, I gunned it slipped then traction as the wheels caught
and I hit the road fish-tailing then righted myself The headlights flashing
from the camper lit up my mirror blinding me. I put my foot right to the floor
heading to the other side of the lake towards Allen’s place.
Jake had slowed as I got to Allen’s place, running to his
door screaming to call the sheriff, Allen stood with a look of panic. I could
hear Jake's camper coming to a stop, the sheriff’s car with his light flashing
gun pointing at Allen. That is when Allen grabbed me pulled me in front of him
as Jake walked steadily towards us both. Talking calmly, “It is all over, Allen
we know it was you who killed Harold and Greta and burnt your cabin twice for
the insurance. Greta had no idea what you had done, she was just a nice lady. Harold
caught onto you though and that is why you killed him on the lake. I have been
investigating you since Harold came to me with his suspicions. I finally saw
you start the fire the other night then call for help from your neighbors.”
Allen had me by my neck, Jake's body went limp,
telegraphing what to do, I slumped hard against Allen slipping to the ground
and Jake and the sheriff were on top of him.
When Jake came to my cabin, he thought I was in danger
from Allen not knowing what Greta had told me that morning.
Jake worked undercover for the Washington police force,
he decided to take his holidays and spend the next couple of weeks fishing and
getting to know me better.
As long as he caught the fish, I would cook it.
great story teller
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