days.”
“Really? Like how?” I wanted to know.
“It’s complicated … and I have some place I have to be soon.”
That was definitely not an adequate answer.
I decided it was time to give him one of my, yeah right, looks. “Hmm … well I guess it’s better to be out during the day anyway, with a killer running our streets and all. The good news is … we are very near to closing in on him.”
It was a total bluff, but I wanted to get his reaction.
“That’s good. It will be good for Haven’s business without all these killings to put people off.”
That wasn’t exactly the reaction I’d been looking for, but I didn’t have a lot of time to sit around and try to push his buttons. I could hear the horn announcing the ferry’s arrival.
“Hey Charlie … do you think you could give me a go cup for my coffee. I have to catch the ferry,” I told him.
“Sure thing,” he said, grabbing a Styrofoam cup from beneath the counter.
I dumped the rest of my coffee in the cup and waved to Olsen and Charlie. “I’ll see you later,” I said, purposely fixing my eyes on Olsen.
Olsen gave me brusque nod.
“See you Miss Cooper,” Charley said, returning my wave. “Hope you do catch this guy soon. The situation is really killing business.”
“We’ll do our best,” I called over my shoulder.
As I ran down the docks to board the ferry, I noticed the fog was already coming in. I’d been tempted to bring my car with me to the mainland so I could also do some shopping, but Aunt Mandy had insisted on picking me up at the landing in Charleston Harbor.
Maybe it was a good thing. If the fog was as thick on the mainland as it was on the island, driving could be treacherous.
I handed my prepaid ticket to the attendant and found a nice place at the rails to watch as the ferry made its way east. The entire trip would take about forty-five minutes, and I intended to make the most of it and get some relaxation in.
About twenty minutes into the trip, the fog was completely gone. The sky was clear, and it was at least twenty degrees warmer.
I remembered what Aaron had said about the fog, and how it seemed to be concentrated around Mystique Island.
It was strange, but then again, the sea was strange and unpredictable.
At four thirty on the dot, the ferry pulled into Charleston Harbor. Mandy was waiting for me, just like she’d promised.
I could see her standing at the landing as we docked.
Aunt Mandy was easy to spot. She was wearing white Capri pants and a red and white striped shirt. Although her kids were grown and she was now a widow, Mandy still dressed like a soccer mom. I really needed to have a talk with her about that. If she were ever going to find another guy, she had to stop looking like she was on her way to a church picnic.
With Mandy being my father’s only sibling, she and my cousins were all the family I had left on the paternal side. I wasn’t close to my cousins, but I really loved my auntie. While growing up, Annabelle and I had often stayed with her during the summer.
You’re looking good,” I said, giving Mandy a hug.
“But you look tired,” she pointed out.
“I am. It was a long week.”
“Well you’ll get to cut loose tonight. We rented the banquet room at the Silver Palace. They’re catering dinner, plus we hired a band for dancing.”
“Sounds fun. I hope you’re not wearing your soccer mom clothes tonight,” I said, narrowing my eyes.
“Of course not. I bought me a new dress. It’s blue silk …you’ll love it.”
“Good. I can’t wait to see it.”
“I invited Annabelle, but I guess your sister is busy. She sent a gift with a note saying she wouldn’t be able to make it.” Mandy informed me, obviously feeling a little dejected.
“I know. I’m sure Annabelle would have loved to be here, but she has been really busy. She’s expanding her business and opening a bar at the new resort,” I explained, a little resentful that I was always defending
“Really? Like how?” I wanted to know.
“It’s complicated … and I have some place I have to be soon.”
That was definitely not an adequate answer.
I decided it was time to give him one of my, yeah right, looks. “Hmm … well I guess it’s better to be out during the day anyway, with a killer running our streets and all. The good news is … we are very near to closing in on him.”
It was a total bluff, but I wanted to get his reaction.
“That’s good. It will be good for Haven’s business without all these killings to put people off.”
That wasn’t exactly the reaction I’d been looking for, but I didn’t have a lot of time to sit around and try to push his buttons. I could hear the horn announcing the ferry’s arrival.
“Hey Charlie … do you think you could give me a go cup for my coffee. I have to catch the ferry,” I told him.
“Sure thing,” he said, grabbing a Styrofoam cup from beneath the counter.
I dumped the rest of my coffee in the cup and waved to Olsen and Charlie. “I’ll see you later,” I said, purposely fixing my eyes on Olsen.
Olsen gave me brusque nod.
“See you Miss Cooper,” Charley said, returning my wave. “Hope you do catch this guy soon. The situation is really killing business.”
“We’ll do our best,” I called over my shoulder.
As I ran down the docks to board the ferry, I noticed the fog was already coming in. I’d been tempted to bring my car with me to the mainland so I could also do some shopping, but Aunt Mandy had insisted on picking me up at the landing in Charleston Harbor.
Maybe it was a good thing. If the fog was as thick on the mainland as it was on the island, driving could be treacherous.
I handed my prepaid ticket to the attendant and found a nice place at the rails to watch as the ferry made its way east. The entire trip would take about forty-five minutes, and I intended to make the most of it and get some relaxation in.
About twenty minutes into the trip, the fog was completely gone. The sky was clear, and it was at least twenty degrees warmer.
I remembered what Aaron had said about the fog, and how it seemed to be concentrated around Mystique Island.
It was strange, but then again, the sea was strange and unpredictable.
At four thirty on the dot, the ferry pulled into Charleston Harbor. Mandy was waiting for me, just like she’d promised.
I could see her standing at the landing as we docked.
Aunt Mandy was easy to spot. She was wearing white Capri pants and a red and white striped shirt. Although her kids were grown and she was now a widow, Mandy still dressed like a soccer mom. I really needed to have a talk with her about that. If she were ever going to find another guy, she had to stop looking like she was on her way to a church picnic.
With Mandy being my father’s only sibling, she and my cousins were all the family I had left on the paternal side. I wasn’t close to my cousins, but I really loved my auntie. While growing up, Annabelle and I had often stayed with her during the summer.
You’re looking good,” I said, giving Mandy a hug.
“But you look tired,” she pointed out.
“I am. It was a long week.”
“Well you’ll get to cut loose tonight. We rented the banquet room at the Silver Palace. They’re catering dinner, plus we hired a band for dancing.”
“Sounds fun. I hope you’re not wearing your soccer mom clothes tonight,” I said, narrowing my eyes.
“Of course not. I bought me a new dress. It’s blue silk …you’ll love it.”
“Good. I can’t wait to see it.”
“I invited Annabelle, but I guess your sister is busy. She sent a gift with a note saying she wouldn’t be able to make it.” Mandy informed me, obviously feeling a little dejected.
“I know. I’m sure Annabelle would have loved to be here, but she has been really busy. She’s expanding her business and opening a bar at the new resort,” I explained, a little resentful that I was always defending
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