I was by there earlier to get her statement and that mastic gum, so be forewarned she might be leery of another cop snooping around. He patted his belly. So far the stuff she gave me seems to be working. My stomach doesnt hurt nearly as bad.
Andreis lips twitched. The woman knew her stuff and she knew her mind. Shed given as good as she got when hed held her against her will by the cliff. She sure as hell wouldnt make it easy on him if he came around asking more questions. Hed have to come up with some way of making her want to help him. Make it sound like her idea. Hed have to turn on the Lagios killer charm.
The captain turned toward the door, stopped and glanced back. While youre at it, check out her mother.
Andrei glanced up from plotting the strategy hed use on the lovely Jocelyne, suddenly anxious to get started. Isnt she the one everyone thinks is a witch?
Yeah. The captains eyes narrowed. She might just be crazy enough to be in cahoots with the killer.
Chapter Three
A restless nights sleep did nothing to refresh Jocelynes mind or body. Her dreams had been full of the overwhelming sense of fear. Dark clouds churned the sky and some unknown hand stirred the sea into a slate-gray froth of swells, the waves slapping against the rocky shoreline.
In the relative safety of her childhood home, a dark stranger lurked in the shadows of the Cliffside Inn, waiting to strangle her and toss her into the sea. Shed been wearing the white skirt shed worn yesterday, almost like the one the dead girl in the water had been wearing. Two times in the middle of the night, shed awoken drenched in sweat as if shed been running. The baby kicked in protest, recognizing its mothers distress. Exhausted and dispirited from lack of sleep, Jocelyne gave up near dawn and climbed out of bed. She went to her computer, answering e-mails and responding to orders for her herbal remedies.
A couple hours later, the smell of bacon, eggs and homemade biscuits drifted through to her upstairs bedroom, reminding her of her need to nourish the growing child in her belly. Despite her intent to remain aloof from other boarders and guests of the inn, Jocelyne couldnt resist the breakfast call and descended to the bottom floor.
In the kitchen, with an apron tied around her gently rounded figure, her long, fading red hair neatly twisted into a knot on top of her head, Hazel Baker scrambled eggs in a large skillet. Oh, good, youre awake. Could you hand me that bowl on the counter over there?
Jocelyne settled into the routine shed grown up with, helping her mother cater to the guests that made living in the huge old mansion possible. What can I do to help?
Mr. Gibson likes toast instead of biscuits. Would you pop two slices in the toaster?
Yes, maam.
Her mother scraped the eggs off the bottom of the pan and flipped them, careful not to brown the pale yellow. You look tired, dear. Are you not feeling well?
I couldnt sleep. Jocelyne slid two slices of bread into the toaster and prayed her mother wouldnt question her too much on her dreams.
Hazels hands paused in stirring the eggs. Im not sure now was a good time for you to come home, honey.
A lump settled in the empty cavity of Jocelynes belly. What do you mean? After all these years, shed come home to mend fences and wash away all the built-up resentment of her childhood. And now her mother was trying to get rid of her?
What with the curse and all, its just not safe for you and my grandbaby. Her mother stared across the hardwood floors of the kitchen at Jocelyne, her gaze dropping to her daughters midsection before she turned back to the eggs. Maybe you should go back to New Jersey.
Her words hit with the force of a baseball bat to Jocelynes chest. I cant, Mom. I dont have a home to go to. I gave up the lease on my apartment and I have my entire inventory here. I dont have any other home. Ravens Cliff is the only home I have left.
Dont you have a friend you can stay with until after the baby is born? Maybe by then Ill have come up with a cure for the curse.
Jocelyne pulled the slices from the toaster and carefully laid them on a plate. Then she dusted the crumbs from her fingers and walked across the kitchen to where her mother scraped the eggs into a large serving tray. When she set the pan in the sink, Jocelyne stood in front of her. What curse are you talking about?
Captain Ravens curse, of course.
The one about Beacon Lighthouse? I thought that was an old fish story.
Her mothers eyes widened. Oh, no, my dear. Captain Raven left strict instructions that the lighthouse was to be lit and pointed to the exact position where his ship went down. He lost his entire family in that wreck, all those years ago.
So where does the curse come in?
The Sterling family kept the promise to shine the light on that day until five years ago. Young Nicholas Sterling the Thirdforgot. Her mothers voice softened, her eyes became sadder.
Despite her determination not to let her mothers superstitions affect her, Jocelyne couldnt stop the goose bumps rising across her arms.
When his grandfather saw that the light wasnt lit, he climbed the steps himself, but it was too late. In his attempt to light the flame, he started a fire that destroyed the lighthouse. Nicholas tried to rescue his grandfather from the inferno, but he fell into the sea. It was all so horrible and his body was never recovered. Her mother buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking.
The older woman had bought into the curse with all her heart. Jocelyne pulled her mother into her arms and held her, rubbing her back until the sobs diminished. When Hazel raised her head, tears trembled on faded red lashes, her pale skin splotchy and wet, emphasizing the crows feet at the corners of her eyes and the worry lines on her forehead. I missed you, sweetie, but Im so afraid for you.
Dont worry about me, Mom. I can take care of myself. Why dont you go lie down and let me finish getting the breakfast out on the table?
Oh, no, youre the one whos pregnant. You should go put your feet up. Ill be all right. She wiped the tears from her face with the corner of her apron.
Im pregnant, not crippled. Im in better physical shape than Ive ever been. Jocelyne gently pried the spatula from her mothers hand. Let me help. Its the least I can do to repay you for giving me a home to come to.
Youre always welcome, dear. This will always be your home. I just wish it was safe for you and your baby. Her mother wiped her hands down the front of her apron and stared around the kitchen. The biscuits will need to come out of the oven in a few minutes. Dont forget the pancakes in the warmer.
I can find things, go lie down. Jocelyne steered her mother toward the dining room.
Leah Toler was busy setting out napkin-wrapped silverware at each place setting. Morning, Jocelyne.
My mother is going to lie down for a few minutes. Ill be handling the kitchen duties. She gave her mother a stern stare. Well do just fine. Now go.
Im not used to letting someone else handle the kitchen.
Then get used to having a little more help around here. Jocelyne smiled at Leah to let her know her comment wasnt meant to belittle Leahs work. Shed been a godsend to her mother.