Surf, Sand and Skeletons Page 7

  After her conversation with her sister, Connie had a light supper, then made the guacamole and salsa that she promised her friends.

  When she arrived at Stephanie's bungalow, Elyse's car was already in the driveway. Stephanie led Connie through the house and out to the lanai, where Elyse was sipping white wine and making herself at home on one of the wicker chairs. Stephanie set out snacks on the coffee table and poured Connie a glass of Chardonnay, which had been chilling in an ice bucket. Potted plants of various sizes, including Bismarck and Bamboo palms, Cordyline and other tropical vegetation, dressed up the lanai, and a warm breeze carried the scent of saltwater.

  "So, what's all this panic about?" Elyse asked Connie, cutting right to the chase. "You said you're ahead of schedule with the store."

  "I know. I was there today, and I'm really in good shape. I think it's a combination of everything - the grand opening, wanting the store to be a success after leaving everything behind, and my date with Zach tomorrow. When I woke up this morning, it all came at me at once, and I felt completely overwhelmed."

  "I remember when I quit my job in Ohio to move to Sapphire Beach," Stephanie said. "I didn't even have a job lined up yet, but I knew I needed a change. So, I just left everything and stayed with my mother while I got on my feet. It was terrifying at first, but it turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Once I got a job and knew I wanted to stay, I bought this little gem," she said, referring to her bungalow.

  "With a little help from your ace realtor," Elyse added, pretending to be insulted at the omission.

  "Of course," Stephanie said, gently elbowing Elyse.

  Her friends' friendly banter brought a smile to Connie's face. Their friendship made the transition so much easier. "I know you guys are right. I'm not having second thoughts. It's just nerves. I'm happy to be with you both tonight. Sometimes you just need to know there are people around who are cheering you on."

  "As far as Zach goes, he's a great guy," Elyse said. "The two of you will have a great time parasailing tomorrow. The worst that could happen is you'll make a good friend."

  Connie had to smile. "That's true. I do like him. It's just that I haven't dated that much over the years. There was this one guy, Jeremy, when I was younger. He was my first love, and we dated during college. We even talked about marriage down the line. He was supportive of my desire to go to Africa and promised he'd wait for me, but when I returned, let's just say he didn't wait. After Jeremy, I always figured that I was better off without the constraints of a relationship, so that I could follow my dreams without worrying about my heart getting broken. Besides, I was so busy at Feeding the Hungry that there really wasn't time."

  "Are you sure there wasn't time, or were you just scared?" Elyse asked.

  Connie chuckled at Elyse's insight. "Let's just say I was less afraid when I went hiking in the Kakamega Forest in Kenya at night," Connie said.

  Stephanie laughed. "I'm with Connie. We don't all meet the love of our life in high school, you know."

  "You guys are so dramatic," Elyse said, rolling her eyes and laughing. "I just don't want to see Connie miss out on a great guy."

  Connie looked at Elyse. "It seems that you're always pushing me to take chances. It was you who put the idea of opening a jewelry shop back into my mind to begin with in January." Connie would always remember that wonderful day when Elyse had taken her paddleboarding, then to look at a vacant shop where she pitched the idea of a jewelry shop. Elyse's instincts had been right that time, so what was she so worried about now?

  "You're welcome," Elyse said, with a satisfied grin.

  After enjoying the evening air a little longer, they encouraged Connie to get to bed early for her big day.

  "Let me know how parasailing is," Stephanie said. "I'm thinking of giving it a try."

  "Will do," Connie said as she left. "Thanks again for a great night."

  Chapter 12

  The 11:00 Sunday Mass was jam-packed with tourists and snowbirds, still lingering in Sapphire Beach, but Connie spotted Zach right away, seated toward the back. He turned around as if he had been looking for her. When they made eye contact, he smiled and motioned that he had been saving a seat.

  They didn't have a chance to say much, since Mass was beginning, but Zach handed her a copy of the bulletin, which he had opened to Connie's ad for the grand opening.

  Connie felt a surge of pride at the half-page ad, prominently placed, containing a collage of photos of the storefront and a selection of jewelry pieces, along with text noting that Connie was a parishioner and briefly describing the concept for Just Jewelry. Ready or not, the grand opening was happening in less than a week.

  After Mass, Zach walked Connie to her car, and they arranged to meet at Connie's condo in a half-hour. They each needed to go home to pick up their bathing suits for their lunch and parasailing date.

  Zach arrived right on time, and they headed straight to a restaurant on the beach, close to Sapphire Beach Boat Rentals, where Zach had made reservations for parasailing, and got a table on the deck outside. The temperature had climbed into the mid-eighties, with the sun strong in the sky, so they requested a table in the shade and ordered two lemonades.

  After they placed their order, Connie caught Zach up on her first two weeks as a resident of Sapphire Beach.

  "Sounds like you're keeping busy. Even with settling into your new home, preparing for the grand opening, and purchasing a paddleboard, I hear you've still had time to ask around about Natasha's disappearance," Zach said. "You just can't stay away from a good mystery, can you?"

  She was relieved that his tone was more playful than accusing. A stern lecture would not be the best way to start a first date.

  "I can't help but feel a sense of connection with Natasha. We both had a dream that led us to the same shop," Connie said.

  "That's an interesting way of looking at it. I suppose I should discourage you, but I doubt you'd listen. Besides, your attitude is refreshing. Most people don't want to get involved in other people's business. You know, 'I'm not my brother's keeper' and all."

  "I never thought of it that way," Connie said.

  "That's one of the things I admire about you." His gaze was intense, as if he was studying her. "It's probably what drew you into humanitarian work. You take others' concerns upon yourself as if they are your own."

  Connie chuckled. He had her number.

  "Some call it concern for neighbor," she said, "and others call it meddling."

  He laughed. "I guess it's a matter of perspective. But I admire that you spent time volunteering after college, and that you were so moved by what you saw that you dedicated your life to serving others."

  Connie had forgotten that she had shared so much with him when they had taken a walk together back in January. Elyse had been encouraging her to consider opening a jewelry shop, but Connie was torn, because, as much as she loved Sapphire Beach, she wasn't sure she was ready to leave her work with Feeding the Hungry. Connie was pleasantly surprised that he had been paying such close attention.

  "When we talked a few months ago," Zach said, "I was hoping you would end up staying in Sapphire Beach, but I respected your commitment to your work."

  Connie took another sip of lemonade. "I prayed and thought a lot about it, and when the idea of selling Fair Trade jewelry came to me, I was so excited. I just knew it was the right thing. I'm hoping that, as time goes on, I can dedicate more and more of the store to Fair Trade. While I still need to make a living, inheriting my aunt Concetta's condo put me in a position to fulfill this dream. In that sense, it's as much her shop as mine. Both the store and the condo are a constant reminder of her love for me."

  "I'm sure you will do her proud," he said, holding her gaze. "I, for one, will purchase gifts at Just Jewelry for my female relatives and encourage my friends to do the same," he said, as the server arrived with their food.

  Zach had ordered a grouper sandwich with fries, but Connie was afraid to eat anything heavy befor
e parasailing, so she kept it light with grilled chicken Caesar salad.

  Zach reached across the table and took her hand while they said a quick blessing before they dug into their meals.

  "I understand your dilemma about which way to follow your heart," Zach said. "Before I became a cop, I considered becoming a priest. My uncle is a priest, and he spent a lot of time with our family while I was growing up. I was really torn for a while."

  Connie almost choked on her salad at his revelation. "Wow! What changed your mind?" she asked.

  "Well, kind of like you, I prayed and thought about it. The way I saw it, they were both ways to serve God, but I couldn't do both, so I just had to discern which way He was calling me. In hindsight, I know I made the right choice."

  "I haven't known you for long," Connie said, "but being a detective seems like the perfect fit. You have a lot of insight into what makes people tick and a strong desire to see justice served."

  He smiled thoughtfully and thanked her for the compliment.

  As they finished their meal, the conversation drifted back toward the case.

  "I keep going down false paths," Connie said. "I even kind of suspected poor Gallagher the other night."

  "Gallagher McKeon, the restaurant owner?" he asked with a smirk.

  "Yes. It turns out that Gallagher and Natasha were old friends, from before Sapphire Beach." She didn't mention how she discovered that, unsure of whether she should admit to snapping pictures of the diary.

  "That's right. They were both tangled up in Jordan Sugrue's cult up in the Panhandle. I went up to interview him after Natasha's disappearance. That place gives me the creeps."

  "Do you think he's involved in Natasha’s disappearance?" Then she realized he couldn't directly discuss the case. "Sorry, I forgot," she said.

  "Let's just say I can see why Natasha and Gallagher wanted to get out of there."

  Connie's heart broke for Victoria. That little girl was one of the main reasons Connie couldn't believe Natasha would have run away. She would never have fought so hard to leave, only to do something that would cause Victoria to have to return to her father. The words of the diary came back to her: I named my daughter Victoria to symbolize that my child would be victorious over the past.

  While their server was getting the check, Connie pointed up at the parasailers. "I can't wait," she said.

  When they finished their lemonades, they headed to a nearby public restroom to change into bathing suits. Then they walked across the sugar-white sand to Sapphire Beach Boat Rentals, where Connie received a warm greeting from Ashley and Travis, who were ready for them, since Zach had called ahead for reservations.

  There were eight other people coming out with them - two groups of three friends and another couple. Parasailers had the option of going up alone or in groups of two or three.

  When everyone had arrived, they hopped into the speedboat, and Travis motored them about fifteen hundred feet away from the shore. Connie and Zach volunteered to go up first, so after a quick tutorial, he fitted them each with a safety harness, and they waited side by side in a seated position, as the sail gently lifted them up off the boat until they were floating high above the Gulf of Mexico.

  Once they reached what Zach jokingly called cruising altitude, a group of seagulls flew beneath them.

  Connie looked over at Zach, who was wearing a broad smile. "This is amazing," she said, leaning back into the blue sky.

  Zach nodded and pointed to a dolphin gliding across the waters below.

  After a few minutes, Travis skillfully brought them low enough for their feet to dip into the water, then they rose back up, and the world below became small once again as tiny sunbathers and umbrellas colorfully dotted the coastline.

  As the boat motored along, Connie's gaze drifted off into the distance. From her unique vantage point, she could see all of Sapphire Beach - Palm Paradise, the pier, the downtown shops. She even thought she spotted Stephanie's bungalow.

  Connie looked further into the distance toward Sapphire Beach State Park. The grass, palm trees, and areas of wild vegetation overlooking little inlets of seawater was truly breathtaking, reminding her that she hadn't taken a walk through the park since she returned.

  Suddenly, her eyes were drawn to a specific spot in the park, as if something in her subconscious had pulled her attention there, and an entry in Natasha's diary flashed into Connie's mind.

  Natasha wrote that her favorite spot, the one where, according to Penelope, she had gone to think the night she disappeared, consisted of a bench on the grass under a palm tree where she had a view of the water. The first time Connie read that passage, she imagined it could be anywhere in southwest Florida, but as she looked down at the park with her unique bird's eye view, something clicked. Natasha's thinking spot had to be in the state park.

  Connie's heart raced at the realization. Could she be right? There was nothing she could do five hundred feet above the Gulf of Mexico. Besides, she didn't want to ruin Zach's experience, so there was no point in mentioning it until they were on solid ground.

  She tried to put the idea out of her mind until she landed, but it was a struggle. She spent the last few minutes in the air willing herself to enjoy the scenery and the company. Finally, their time in the sky neared its end, and the tiny boat below that looked like a toy floating on a vast ocean, grew larger as they slowly descended toward the water. Connie had her doubts as to whether Travis would be able to guide them onto the landing deck of the boat, but sure enough, they touched down in the same seated position as when they took off, all limbs intact.

  It seemed like an eternity as they waited for the three other groups to have their turn. Connie and Zach recounted their favorite parts of the experience, while she relished the feel of the salty air pushing back her hair as the boat motored along the coastline.

  Even though she had been anxious to get back and tell Zach what she had discovered, when the boat returned to the beach, she also hated to see it end.

  "That was amazing, Zach," she said, giving him a slight hug.

  He looked pleased that she had enjoyed herself so much. "It was better than I even imagined. Thanks for sharing it with me," he said. "Would you like to go for a walk along the beach?"

  "Normally I would, but there's something I have to tell you - something I saw up there."

  He gave her a puzzled look. "Okay."

  Connie recapped the description in the diary of Natasha's favorite spot, coming clean about having snapped pictures of it when she found it, and how Penelope said Natasha had gone off to think the night she disappeared. "At first, I thought it could literally be anywhere in the area, but the more I think of it, there aren't a ton of spots that fit her exact description. Since Natasha had described her thinking spot as secluded, we know it couldn't be anywhere along Sapphire Beach Boulevard, which is the only street that runs along the Gulf," she said. "And if she was killed in the park, it would have to be a secluded spot. After floating above the town for fifteen minutes, I think I have an idea where it must be."

  Zach followed Connie's eyes towards the direction of the park. "You think she could be buried somewhere in Sapphire Beach State Park?"

  Connie stared at the ground and let out a sigh. "I hope not. I'd rather her be found alive somewhere, but it's worth taking a ride to check it out."

  After changing out of their bathing suits and meeting back up at Zach's Jeep a few minutes later, they drove through the downtown area and followed the coastline to Sapphire Beach State Park.

  Chapter 13

  Leaving Zach's car at the entrance, they headed on foot toward the path that meandered around the ocean side of the park. It was only a half-mile or so in length, and there were only a handful of spots that matched Natasha's description.

  After several fruitless searches, they came upon one final possibility. Zach went to explore one of the clusters of wild vegetation, while Connie sat on the bench and scanned the area around her.

  She wandered
across the grass over to an area of bushes and followed it to the other side, which was not visible from the main path. She walked around its perimeter, scrutinizing the ground beneath her and looking for any sign that the earth had been disturbed. Zach had assured her that, even ten months later, there would likely be some signs of disturbance.

  On the far side of the shrubs was a tiny mound of dirt, barely perceptible, as if someone had dug a whole and left a remnant of the pile of dirt. Next to it, the dirt was a tiny bit lower than the rest of the ground.

  "Zach, can you check this out?"

  He came over and examined the area closely. "I'm calling this in."

  Within fifteen minutes, Sergeant Donovan and Josh were there. Shortly after they arrived, they called in a team of forensic archaeologists to dig up the area.

  Connie slipped over to a bench a short distance away when the archaeologists arrived. As she looked out at the horizon, she wondered if Natasha's last moments had been in that very spot.

  It was evident why Natasha might have loved it there. A majestic Christmas palm stood like a protective friend a few yards away from the bench, and its branches swayed in the soft sea breeze against a backdrop of endless blue and green.

  If that was indeed the last place that Natasha had been alive, Connie hoped she didn't see anything coming or have the time to realize that her daughter might end up back in the life that she had fought so hard to free her from. Connie prayed that the peace surrounding that spot had enveloped Natasha's soul during the last moments of her life.

  Connie jumped when Zach came up beside her and took a seat. She didn't realize she had been lost in thought.

  "Are you okay?" he asked. "I mean, all things considered."

  Connie shrugged. "Part of me is hoping I was wrong to bring you here, and she is still alive somewhere. But then another part of me feels that there is no way she could possibly be alive, and I'm just hoping that we have finally found her body so she can receive a proper burial."

  Zach draped his arm around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "This is not how I imagined our date would end," he said softly, with a regretful smile. "I wanted everything to go just right."