The Doctor and the Dead Man's Chest by Robin Hathaway Page A

acres, and setting up a fishing camp, but I never could put the cash together.” He paused, contemplating his lost dream. “Well, one night I decided to go to the old wharf for a little late fishin’. They usually bite pretty good around dusk. And I saw this fellow sittin’ on the wharf. He had a flashlight, though it wasn’t dark yet. When he saw me comin’, he lowered himself into a dinghy and took off—rowing hell-bent for leather.”
    â€œDid you see his face?”
    â€œNo. And I didn’t think too much about it. Thought he just didn’t want to get caught trespassin’. We get a lot of fishermen in the spring and summer. And in the fall they’re the muskrat trappers. Muskrats are big down here. Mrs. Ashley lets the trappers use her place in season. So I didn’t think much of it. I did wonder though. I thought he must be a stranger, because people around these parts give that place a wide berth.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œIt’s s‘posed to be haunted. Old Nathan Ashley died there, and before he died this black dog showed up. He never owned a dog in his life. It crouched on the bottom of his bed snappin’ and growlin’. Wouldn’t let any of his kin near him. Finally, Old Nathan reared up and roared, ‘Leave him alone. He’ll go when I go.’ And the funny thing is, he did. Vanished into thin air.”
    Fenimore thanked Jenks and went in search of Jennifer. He found her behind the tea tent dusting her hands. She had just loaded the last carton of books into Miss Cunningham’s van.
    â€œLearn anything?” she asked, as they made their way to the entrance of the tent.
    â€œNot much.” He had dismissed the black dog as pure folklore.
    They found Mrs. Ashley getting ready for the late-afternoon tea party. She looked as fresh as when she had first greeted them. Where did she get her energy? As soon as she saw them, she came over.
    â€œMy dears, you are staying for tea?”

    â€œI’m sorry, Lydia. I’m on call tonight, and I have to get Jennifer home.”
    â€œOh, I’m so sorry.” She sounded genuinely disappointed. “Was it a successful day, Andrew?”
    â€œIn a way,” he said. “Lydia, I beg you and Susan to come back to town until we clear up this matter.”
    â€œBut, Andrew, we always spend the summer here.”
    â€œLet the Jenkses look after things.” He took her hand. “I mean it,” he said earnestly.
    She looked to Jennifer for support.
    But Jennifer said, “It really isn’t safe, Mrs. Ashley.”
    â€œWell, I …”
    â€œGood. That’s settled,” Fenimore said. “We’ll be off then. And thanks for a beautiful day.” He was sincere. With a few exceptions, he had enjoyed himself immensely.
    â€œIt was lovely.” Jennifer started to shake hands, but Lydia kissed her impulsively on the cheek.
    â€œCome again soon,” she said. “Both of you.” She glanced at the teddy bear. “All of you.” She turned back to her chores with renewed vigor. It wasn’t until they reached the car that Fenimore realized the import of Lydia’s last remarks. She had absolutely no intention of coming back to town.
    As they drove off into the sunset, the last thing they saw was the girl who had sold them the strawberries by the roadside. She was running across the field from the river—pigtails flying. It was a picturesque sight.

    CHAPTER 16
    W hen they found the road to the expressway, Fenimore settled back and said, “Now I’m going to test your powers of detection.”
    â€œOh, goodie,” Jennifer said.
    â€œLet’s look at our suspects one by one, and you tell me what you think of each of them. We’ll start with Tom Winston.”
    â€œOh, he’s too disagreeable.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIf he were trying to pull off some evil scheme, he’d disguise it by