In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

“Hell, Samantha, perhaps you should write a murder mystery, just about your life story. No wonder you have so many pent-up emotions screaming for the light of day.” He stood and gently pulled her up into his arms. Do you stay in touch with your step-dad?”

“No, they were divorced after a few months. I was told that he found another woman soon after that and they moved away. My mom and I lived alone until she was killed. I hardly remember him.” She ducked down and picked up the blanket. “You need to know this, Dick. The real reason I’m worried. An officer from the sheriff’s department came by to see me this morning. The man who killed my mother spent twenty-five years in prison. He served his term, was released three days ago and hasn’t reported in to authorities as required. That’s why I’m concerned. There’s no way of knowing how this thing will play out.”

He stood there watching her shake sand from the blanket and turn back toward the cottage without looking at him. “Wait, Samantha. Why are you turning your back on me?”

She waited while he held the door for her. “It’s just bad timing for you and I. Wouldn’t you prefer to let things work their way out before you become involved with someone you only recently met, burdened with something this horrible?” She turned to face him. “Actually, having the police express concern is what has me on edge. I’m puzzled why anyone would have a problem with me unless it’s connected to my mother’s murder. I was only a child at the time.”

He sat down, and stretched his legs out. “It’s been a long time since I felt this way about anyone, Samantha. I believe we have a chance at something wonderful. You can’t evaluate or underestimate this threat until you have more information. We will face the problem together.” He patted the cushion next to him, indicating she should sit down. “I’m willing to share the peril but believe we have to resolve that other small problem while we’re together.”

She puzzled for a moment, then realized what he meant. “Of course, you mean my relationship with Steven. That is the elephant in the room, Dick. I’m sorry for that.” She moved away slightly and looked up at him. “Honestly, that will work its way out, in time. I don’t want to hurt him. He’s my mentor and employer as well as my part-time lover. If that’s a problem for you, I don’t know what to say. The relationship is rather complicated.”

“I understand that,” he said. “Just tell me you are in love with the man and I’ll walk away. My own principles would not allow me to interfere in something that serious.”

She touched his knee. “Maybe we should take that walk on the beach, before cocktail hour. The water’s unusually warm right now, we may enjoy wading in the surf.”

He placed his hand on top of hers. “Why not? We know where we stand, at the moment. Let’s not ruin a perfectly good evening because of a few ugly facts.”

Dick laughed as a wave broke over their heads. “It didn’t take us long to get wet and start playing in the waves, did it? The tide’s taken us some distance down the beach. Are you OK with that?”

“I’m alright if you are,” she said.

He held her tight against his body, enjoying each moment. He let the swell lift them off the bottom, hold them briefly, and move on.

She whispered softly into his ear, “Forgive me, Dick, I didn’t want things to move so fast. Please don’t think I’m leading you on.” She flinched suddenly, and pushed away. “Dick! Someone’s in the water with us. I’m frightened. Something brushed against my behind. I saw what looked like a woman with long hair.” She pointed. “The tide carried her farther down the beach.”

“I see something in the water. We’d better check it out.”

He saw a dark shape in the surf, grabbed what looked like long hair and lifted it out of the water enough to see the face of a young woman, unresponsive. “She’s dead,” he called out. “Grab hold of the other arm. Let’s get her on shore and call the authorities.”

Chapter 7

The middle-aged man checked into the St. Catherine Hotel in Avalon. A few minutes later, he pulled out a map of the small island community. He feared his late-night walks around the small-town community might cause someone to report him as suspicious if detected. He wanted to avoid undue complications by floating beneath the radar of the sheriff’s department, if possible. All or most of the late evening activity appeared to take place along the popular waterfront promenade. He would be moving away from there after the crowds receded back into their hotel rooms or yachts in the harbor, to sleep off the remnants of a good time. He hoped to accomplish his goal and leave without anyone realizing he’d even been on the island. The man knew his action would be suspicious to any who might be watching, but felt the risk worth taking. He intended to keep coming back until he had what he wanted.

A week later he was back again. He’d considered approaching the young woman, decided that a bad idea, and decided on his other option. He saw the big man was there for the time being and decided time was on his side. He would be back. He returned to his hotel and stretched out in bed to think about his objective. He knew the best laid plans were only as good as the planner’s ability to adjust while in play.

Twenty-five years ago, he’d been a successful business man. Today, he was just another ex-convict, unusual only because he was a wealthy man. He’d lost twenty-five years of his life,