Out of the Depths Page 11

  “Mostly okay,” her friend said. “It comes and goes. I can be fine one minute and woozy the next.”

  “Then sit down and let me make the coffee,” Trudy Lynn said. “I wanted to get you alone, anyway.”

  “Uh-oh. Sounds serious. More trouble?”

  “I hope not.” She busied herself with the coffeemaker while she organized her thoughts. “I’m really starting to like your brother.”

  “That’s bad?”

  “It could be. We hardly know each other.”

  “How does he feel about it?”

  Trudy Lynn’s eyes widened. “I don’t know. I don’t want to know. We’re both on the rebound. It’s way too soon for either of us to be having any serious ideas.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I haven’t been leading him on. At least I don’t think I have. But on the way over here he said I was pretty.”

  “How awful. I’ll have Logan tell him to mind his manners.”

  “Stop teasing. It’s hard to remember exactly what Cody said and how he said it.”

  “Try.” Becky leaned her elbows on the table, rested her chin in her hands and grinned knowingly.

  “And stop staring at me like that. I happen to like the man. I never said I was falling in love or anything.”

  “Perish the thought. Go on. Protest as much as you want if you think it’ll help. I’m a pastor’s wife. You’d be amazed at the secrets people tell me.”

  Trudy Lynn was adamant. “There’s no secret. Nothing. I’m probably imagining things. Cody and I were talking about how you and Logan sometimes go get ice cream after evening services. Cody said he was hungry and offered to pay if I’d stop for ice cream for us.”

  “So far, so good. That all made sense.”

  “I know. But then, he said you should get your own ice cream because he only treats one pretty lady at a time. I know he was just kidding around. I suppose I shouldn’t take it so seriously.”

  Becky laughed softly. “Well, well. He stuck his foot in it that time, didn’t he?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Reason it out, honey. I’m not only married, I’m his sister, so that leaves only one pretty, available lady. You.”

  “We’re not on a date,” Trudy Lynn insisted. “Nothing like it. We’ve been driving around looking for Jim that’s all.” She sobered and sighed. “I suppose I might as well tell you. You’ll hear the gossip soon enough. Jim’s been embezzling from me. When I confronted him, he promised to come to the office and talk. Instead, he took a canoe and disappeared downriver.”

  Becky whistled. “Wow. What’re you going to do now?”

  “Cody’s getting Logan’s advice, for starters. Then, I guess we’ll have to call the sheriff.”

  “I should hope so. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “No. Thanks anyway.” Trudy Lynn began frowning. “Except maybe tell me why your coffeemaker isn’t starting to drip. I filled it with fresh water.”

  Laughing, her friend stood and reached across the counter. She held the end of a brown cord in front of her face and wiggled it as she said, “I think it works better if you plug it in. Always has for me.”

  If Trudy Lynn had envisioned the turmoil and confusion that would descend upon her formerly peaceful camp as a result of Jim’s vanishing act, she might have considered writing off the monetary loss after all.

  The local police had been the only ones involved in the search to begin with. After they’d located a bloody life vest and splintered paddle, however, they’d called in a state investigative team which had come equipped with its own mobile command center and full staff. That team’s activation caught the attention of the Arkansas newspapers, followed by wider distribution on the newswires. Soon, a number of reporters from nearby towns began to set up camp in Serenity.

  Trudy Lynn didn’t mind the extra business for her store and cabins. What disturbed her was the cancellations from her regular customers. She was just hanging up the receiver after another disappointing conversation when Cody entered the office.

  “Hi. Any news?”

  Trudy Lynn shook her head and gestured toward the phone. “Not anything good. That was the Millers. They’ve had reservations since they were here last summer. Suddenly they’ve changed their minds. Lots of my usual campers aren’t coming this year.”

  “Because of what happened to Jim?”

  “Yes. Everybody’s positive he’s been murdered or come to some equally horrible end.” She scowled and pursed her lips. “If you ask me, he faked his disappearance. Anything to get out of being held responsible for his crimes.”

  “That’s highly possible,” Cody said. “But if he intended to hide, he sure went about it the wrong way. With all these people looking for him, one of them is bound to turn up a clue. It’s only a matter of time.” He approached and reached for Trudy Lynn’s hand before he went on. “Unless Jim really has met with foul play. There is that possibility. The sheriff tells me some of your cousin’s friends have bad reputations.”

  Head bowed, she stared at the gentle way Cody was holding her hand and stroking his thumb over her knuckles. It was the kind of unspoken comfort she’d craved and never received after her mother’s death. Even later, when she’d begun to seriously consider spending the rest of her life with Ned, he’d never touched her with quiet compassion the way Cody had.

  “I wish I’d never hired Jim,” she said softly. “Earlene convinced me to give him a chance. She’s Jim’s maternal grandmother. She’s been a better parent to him than his mom ever thought of being.”

  “What about his father?”

  “Long gone.”

  “Too bad. I know what it’s like to grow up in a one-parent home. Dad did his best for me but it still wasn’t as good as it could have been with a mother in the house, especially when I was younger.”

  “I know what you mean.” Trudy Lynn felt instantly bereft when Cody released her hand and stepped back.

  “Tell you what,” he said. “Let’s check all the landings again and do our own snooping. It’ll be better than sitting here stewing over the lack of progress the professionals are making.”

  “Great idea. We can take a canoe. The weather’s perfect for it. And I need a break. You can hardly hear yourself think in the store or on the porch with all the police activity.”

  Although she’d started toward the outer door, Cody hadn’t budged. She looked back. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “I’ll take a rain check.”

  “Why? This was your idea.”

  “I meant we could drive.”

  “What’s the difference?” She saw him glance down at his knee. “Don’t worry. You’ll be able to get into a canoe. I’ll be there if you need help.”

  “No, thanks.”

  Puzzled, she tried to read his closed expression. If she didn’t know how daring he’d been before, she might suspect he was afraid. That was impossible of course. Cody was used to taking chances. A little canoe ride on a peacefully flowing river wouldn’t scare him one bit. Therefore, the only possible conclusion was that he didn’t want her company. So much for the silly notion the man was growing fond of her.

  Pride came to her rescue. She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “Okay. Have it your way. I should relieve Anna for her afternoon break instead of going on a wild-goose chase, anyway. I may not have a business left when all this is over, but we’re sure raking in the money right now. Better make the most of it.”

  “Right. Guess I’ll take Sailor for a swim. It beats bathing him in the bathtub.”

  “And it’s easier on the plumbing,” Trudy Lynn said. “I’ve had clogged sinks in two of the cabins since the reporters showed up. I suspect they forget we don’t have garbage disposals so they dump food scraps down the drain.”

  “I’ll mention it to them for you.”

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  “It’s no bother. Glad to do it.”

  Trudy Lynn’s hands fiste
d on her hips. “I said, it won’t be necessary. I’ve already handled it.”

  “Who put the burr under your saddle, lady?”

  “Nobody. I appreciate your offer, but…”

  “But?”

  “I was running this place all by myself before you came to Serenity. Nothing has changed. I can still do it.”

  “I never said you couldn’t. While I was delivering my speech about the cabin sinks, I thought I’d try to get the reporters talking, maybe piece together some clues.”

  “Good idea. I’ll do that as soon as Anna gets back from her break. Now, if you’ll excuse me?”

  The dumbfounded expression on Cody’s face reminded Trudy Lynn of the time she’d stood up to him at Becky’s. Back then, he’d been the grumpy one. This time, it was she who had set the strident tone of their exchange. She was already penitent. How could she hope to influence Cody for the good if she didn’t treat him with civility? Moreover, the example she was setting of loving Christian behavior was sorely lacking.

  She knew she should apologize. The trick was deciding what to say. In this case, blurting out the plain truth would be embarrassing to all concerned. She could just picture Cody’s astonishment if she told him, “I was short-tempered because I apparently have a crush on you and you hurt my feelings when you wouldn’t go for a canoe ride with me.” Talk about a lame excuse for being uppity! Explained that way, her reaction was on a par with the temper tantrum of a spoiled brat. That comparison made her shudder.

  Okay, so she wasn’t perfect. At least she kept trying to be kinder and more understanding. Later, when she’d cooled off and was thinking clearly, she’d seek out Cody and tell him she was sorry she’d snapped at him. Given the tense atmosphere in the camp, he’d probably be able to accept that excuse for her being on edge. As long as he didn’t insist she explain further, she’d be satisfied.

  The afternoon passed in a blur. Trudy Lynn had long ago lost count of how many soft drinks, candy bars and bags of ice she’d sold. Doing an inventory and ordering another truckload of supplies midweek was going to be a top priority.

  First, however, she was going to do herself a favor and escape. Her urge to grab a canoe and get away from the chaos in camp had been building ever since she’d suggested the trip to Cody. Just because he didn’t want to accompany her didn’t mean she had to sit there and go quietly nuts while the nosy reporters and concerned searchers looked at her askance, as if she might hold the answers to what had become of Jim.

  The only person she confided in was Will. Trudy Lynn slipped down to the dock and took the old man aside. “I’m going downriver. If anybody asks, just tell them I stepped out for a few minutes.”

  “I don’t know if this is such a good idea,” Will said as he helped her launch a red canoe. “Jim might be out there, waitin’ for somebody to drift by alone so’s he can steal their boat or something.”

  “He’d have to catch me, first. You know I’m a wiz with a paddle.”

  Will started to mutter under his breath. She couldn’t help teasing him. “One word about women being weak and I’ll bean you with my purse. A blow like that could be fatal.”

  “That’s ’cause it’s full of all that heavy money you’ve been takin’ in. Never knew you to carry a purse on the river, though, so I’ll take my chances. Just see you don’t take any.”

  “I won’t. I plan to drift awhile, calm down and try to get my head on straight. This whole experience with Jim has made me way too irritable.”

  “You ought to take that Cody fella with you.”

  “I invited him. He turned me down.”

  The old man shrugged. “Okay. You’re the boss. Where do you want me to send the van?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t decided how far I’ll go yet.” She patted her pocket. “I have my cell phone. I’ll call after I land and tell you where to pick me up.

  “Before nightfall?”

  Chuckling, she nodded. “Yes, Papa. Before the sun goes down. I promise.” A person in a familiar, bright blue jacket caught her eye. “Uh-oh. One of those stubborn reporters I’ve been avoiding is headed this way. Gotta go. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. And don’t let anybody follow me.” She pointed. “Especially not her.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Pushing off, Trudy Lynn paddled furiously. She hadn’t believed there was any limit to her capacity for hospitality until recently. Now, she knew otherwise. All she wanted was for everybody to pack up and go home. Well, almost everybody. She wouldn’t mind if Cody Keringhoven stayed a while longer.

  Cody again, she mused. Always Cody.

  As her paddle slid silently into the water with hardly a ripple she realized that Cody had slipped into her mind, into her heart, as effortlessly as that smooth paddle bisected the clear, cold water. He was already an integral part of her thoughts. And, like the river that flowed into the emptiness left by the retreating paddle and obliterated all sign of its passing, she couldn’t look back and see how it had happened.

  Cody finished turning the tables on the reporters, in spite of Trudy Lynn’s admonition against it, and headed for the little store to report what he’d learned. By the time he’d worked his way through the crowd to talk to Anna, he was positive Trudy Lynn wasn’t in the building. Widget was raising the roof in the back room.

  He greeted the teen with a smile. “Hi. Boss lady gone?”

  “Yup.”

  “You wouldn’t happen to know where I’d find her, would you?”

  “No. Sorry.”

  Cody leaned closer. “Want to give me a hint?”

  The girl giggled. “You might ask Will. He knows everything.”

  “Thanks. I’ll do that. Where would he be?”

  She whispered behind her cupped hand. “He was supposed to help Farley work on the dock this afternoon.”

  “Got it. Thanks.”

  When he ducked out the door he noticed a few reporters gathering like turkey vultures circling fresh roadkill. Little wonder Trudy Lynn had felt the need to make herself scarce. If she’d given him any choice besides going by water, he’d have gladly joined her.

  The Spring River was nothing like the Tuolumne, he reasoned, hoping to come to grips with his uneasiness. He’d never been hesitant to grab a boat and try to navigate any watercourse, no matter how dangerous, so what was stopping him now? What, indeed?

  It wasn’t fear. Not the way he’d felt it before. Only a fool would deny being afraid during a whitewater trip. That was what heightened the excitement, made the adrenaline flow. It was a familiar part of the exhilaration.

  These current emotions were different. Unlike anything else he’d experienced. It was as if he loathed the water so much he didn’t even want to look at it, let alone trust himself to enter it. Where before he’d seen beauty and power, he now saw ugliness and malice. His injured knee wasn’t the only thing keeping him on dry land, was it? Part of his heart and soul had also died when his client had drowned so tragically, so needlessly.

  Cody was grim from retrospection when he reached the dock where Will and Farley were nailing down replacement planks. He waited on shore till one of the men looked up.

  “Anna sent me to see you, Will.”

  “Come on out, son.”

  “That’s okay. Looks like you’re almost done. I don’t mind waiting.”

  The old man rose stiffly to his feet. “I see my cane worked for ya.”

  “Very well, thanks. It’s been a pleasure to get rid of those crutches.”

  “Glad to help.” Will walked closer, inspecting their work, board by board, as he came. “So, what can I do for ya this time? You ready to paddle your own canoe?” He cackled at the stale joke.

  “No. Thanks anyway. I can’t seem to find your boss. Anna told me you might know where she’s hiding.”

  “I might.”

  “Well?”

  “Miz Brown told me not to say.” Drawing his fingers and thumb slowly down his cheeks to meet at the point of his chin, Will looked Cody up and
down. “She didn’t want no reporters buggin’ her. But since she asked you to go along, I reckon it’d be okay to tell ya.”

  Icy needles of fear prickled along Cody’s nerves. “She didn’t take a canoe?”

  “She sure did. ’Bout ten minutes ago. Say, you okay, son? You look kinda pale.”

  “I’m fine,” Cody lied. His heart was pounding, his mouth so dry he could hardly swallow, let alone sound casual when he spoke. “Did she go alone?”

  “Yep. I tried to talk her out of it but she’s one stubborn lady. There’s not a lot of traffic on the river this late in the day, especially not till the time changes to daylight saving next month. She promised me she’d go ashore and call for the van before dark.”

  Concerned, Cody shaded his eyes and squinted at the setting sun. “How long does she have?”

  “An hour and a half. Maybe two. Depends on the lay of the land.”

  Something inside Cody kept insisting he had to act, even though the thought almost made him gag. He pointed to an empty canoe. “How hard is it to man one of those?”

  “Not hard at all,” Will said. “It might be a little tough to balance or kneel to paddle with that stiff leg of yours but I wouldn’t worry. Compared to them rapids you’re used to, this river’s easy as pie. Want me to set you up?”

  “Yes,” Cody said. He gritted his teeth. “Give me the works, life vest and all. If I turn the thing over I don’t want to have to try to tread water.”

  “Might do you good,” the old man offered. “I hear swimmin’ is good fer bad joints.”

  “In warm water,” Cody replied. “Trudy Lynn told me this comes from an underground spring about thirty miles north. She says it’s so cold when it hits the surface they built a trout hatchery at the headwaters.”

  “True enough. Them trout love it. The colder the water the better.”

  “I’ll take your word for it,” Cody said flatly.

  Shrugging into the bright orange life vest he slipped a map of the river into his pocket, then cautiously climbed into the waiting canoe while Farley and Will steadied it. Thankfully, there was enough room to stretch his sore leg as far as he needed for comfort.