A Timely Vision by Joyce and Jim Lavene Read Free Book Online

say anything else about it. I didn’t want to push him. “Thanks for your help. I’m glad you were there with me.” I didn’t even try to stop the tears from coursing down my cheeks. I was a wreck, covered with sand and salt, my hair plastered to my head and eyes red from crying. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
    His eyes narrowed on my face. “You knew it was her.”
    “I did. I was looking for the watch.” I nodded toward her arm. “It really belongs to her sister. I was helping her find it.”
    I couldn’t explain it any better at the moment. I didn’t have time, as it turned out. Chief Michaels and his officers swept through the door. He was followed by the Dare County sheriff and an EMS team. I didn’t want to be there to see anything they might do to Miss Elizabeth, but I couldn’t quite follow Nancy’s lead and run out of the office.
    “I think I noticed the coffee shop was still open when we walked past,” Kevin said. “I don’t know about you, but I could use something hot to drink.”
    It was a lifeline and I took it. I felt guilty doing so, as though as the mayor, maybe I should stay where I was, with the chief and the EMTs, but I convinced myself that I would only be in the way. I’d done as much as I could to help Miss Elizabeth. At least for now.
    By the time Kevin and I left town hall, the storm had abated somewhat, as storms always do. They come up fast and change everything, then the sun shines and people try to figure out what to do next.
    I soon found myself sitting across from a man I barely knew, drinking a hot mocha with shaking hands while I dripped all over the floor. I waved at Phil, the owner of the Coffee House and Bookstore. I couldn’t summon a return smile even though that’s what the mayor is supposed to do.
    “You’ve never found a dead body before,” Kevin guessed.
    He knows about me. Gramps must have told him. “No. I find lost things , not people . I’m sure it was the watch. It led me to her.”
    “That could be a valuable service to anyone in law enforcement.” He sipped his double-shot latte. “Have you ever done that kind of work?”
    “ No! I do what I can for friends and neighbors when they lose their car keys or their rings. I don’t hire out, if that’s what you mean.”
    He nodded. “Sorry. I was wondering. Your grandfather mentioned it when I met him. I’m missing a key for a room upstairs at the inn. He said you might be able to find it.”
    “That explains it.”
    “Explains what?”
    “Why you were looking at me so funny when we met. Why you waited for me to look for Miss Elizabeth.”
    “I suppose so. You seemed like the most likely person to find her since you find lost things. I’m sorry it happened that way.”
    “At least we found her.” I dared a glance at him. “What do you think happened to her?”
    “I’m not sure.”
    “I guess it’s my turn. Chief Michaels spoke very highly of you, but you aren’t from Duck. You didn’t freak out when we found Miss Elizabeth. Were you a police officer in D.C.?”
    “FBI. For twelve years. I think someone hit her in the head with an edged weapon, maybe a shovel. Then they buried her. It might’ve been a perfect crime except that someone asked you to find that watch.”
    I took a deep breath, fighting back a sudden wave of nausea. “I’m glad this doesn’t usually happen to me. I like finding things for people, but I’d have to give it up if the things I found came attached to dead people all the time. Is that why you gave up the FBI? Too much death?”
    I could tell I’d crossed an invisible line. His face became shuttered, and he sat back in his chair, engrossed in drinking his coffee. It was one of those too-early-in-the-friendship kind of things. He obviously wasn’t ready to talk about it yet.
    “Anyway,” I continued when he didn’t respond, “I’d be glad to help you find the key you’re looking for. I only have a couple of rules I work with.”
    “Such