Cooper's Deale Part 6

"You two know each other?" the chief asked.

"We met last night at the Happy Harbor, but the agent didn't identify herself." Karen wanted to punch the grin off her face but instead sat in the other chair opposite the desk. "So what's going on, Agent McDonald?"

"Please, call me Liberty. Here's a copy of the reports I have so far." She handed Karen a thick dossier.

"You can read them later, but basically they say top scientists from the EPA have been examining samples from the waters around Deale and have discovered increasing levels of radioactivity. Since there is no known source, we are treating this as a possible terrorist threat. While not yet a danger to humans, it is causing dead fish to wash ash.o.r.e, and we're beginning to see collateral damage to other life forms and the surrounding wetlands."

"Do you have any suspects?" Karen asked.

"Not yet. My only possible lead is from a local newspaper reporter. The guy's name is"-Liberty flipped through a few pages of her notepad-"Scott Vinson."

Karen glanced at her boss, who stared gravely back at her.

"What is it?" Liberty asked.

"Scott Vinson was found dead yesterday morning. The editor of the paper where he worked identified the body."

Surprise flashed across the agent's face and just as quickly faded away. She leaned forward. "What have you got?"

"Not much so far," the chief admitted. "The autopsy showed that it wasn't a blow to the head that caused death, as we suspected at first. Someone impaled the poor b.a.s.t.a.r.d with a sharp branch. It's in the lab for a.n.a.lysis."

"Other evidence?" Liberty wrote as the chief spoke.

"Unfortunately, it rained the night before the body was found. That and the incoming tide washed away any footprints in the area. The body was intact and partially submerged in mud and water, but it hadn't been there long. His editor said he'd talked to him just that morning and Vinson said he was working on a big story. When the editor asked him about it, he only said it had to do with something going on down by the inlet. And that's where we found him."

"Can you show me where you found the body, Officer Kaz, Kazro-?"

"Call me Karen," she snapped. "I a.s.sume you're on your way there already. That is, if you still plan to rent a room from Addy Cooper?"

"The body was found on her property? Interesting." Liberty stroked her chin.

"Not so interesting." Karen didn't want her to jump to the wrong conclusion. "The body was found there, but I think we can safely rule out the Coopers. The woman and her brother aren't the type and have no criminal record."

"Still, I'd like to check them out." Liberty rose from her chair.

"I'll drive you over," Karen said.

"No. I'm operating undercover, so that would only draw suspicion. Besides, the lovely bartender made me a kind offer, remember? I'll be renting a room at the Coopers' after all."

The agent thanked the chief and swaggered out the station door. Karen really didn't like that woman. And the possibility that she might be moving in on Addy didn't appeal to her either.

Addy sat in a lawn chair under the red oak, staring up at the tree house. What should she do? If only she had someone to confide in. She simply couldn't make this decision about her brother alone. Several times she had reached for the phone to call Karen, and then she lost her nerve. The criminal justice system would destroy Tommy. He knew nothing about the real world, let alone prison or a mental inst.i.tution. How she wished Grandma Adelaide was still alive. She had known what to do in every situation. Would Addy ever be as capable and strong as her grandmother?

Suddenly she had an idea and, determined to get at the truth, she climbed the tree.

When he let her in, she sat him down at the little table in his room and poured them both a gla.s.s of water. "Tommy, I need to talk to you. We need to talk about the man you were trying to bury, okay?"

Tommy stared warily at her, but nodded.

"Why did you hit the man with the stick, Tommy? Was he doing something bad to you?"

Tommy slowly shook his head.

"Then why, Tommy? Why did you hit him?"

"It was an accident, Addy. I told you."

"I know, sweetie, but I also know you wouldn't hurt anybody. Have you ever hurt anyone before?"

"No."

"See," Addy said, relieved to hear this wasn't a habit.

"So that's why I wonder why you would do it now. Did he say something you didn't like?"

"No, he was just lying there."

"Lying there?" Addy was confused. "You mean, after you hit him?"

"No, I found him that way. I accidentally dropped the stick on him when I was trying to bury him."

A wave of relief so great washed over her that she began to cry. Tommy hadn't killed the reporter, he'd found him already dead.

"Did I do something wrong, Addy?"

"No, sweetie, no," she said, and hugged him. "No, you're a good boy and you didn't do anything wrong."

He was clearly telling the truth, that he hadn't killed the reporter. But who had? If the police learned Tommy had discovered the body and tried to cover it, they'd never believe him.

Addy heard a car and glimpsed a Ford pickup barreling down the road. As it drew closer, she could see Dee-Dee behind the wheel and someone she couldn't make out in the pa.s.senger seat. When the truck disappeared behind the front of the house, she stepped out onto the decking.

"We'll talk more about this later, Tommy. Don't worry, but we still need to keep this a secret, just between you and me. Remember?"

"I can remember, Addy. No credit, and no talking about the man."

His innocent expression tore at her heart as she climbed down the ladder.

"I'm so glad to see you," Addy called as Dee-Dee walked up the driveway.

"I've brought you another renter," Dee-Dee said, her face practically glowing.

Dee-Dee's companion sauntered casually to the house, and her long legs and dark eyes made Addy's heart dance a jig. She hadn't seen anyone that handsome since, well, since Karen. When the woman's burning gaze met hers, she felt it to her toes.

"Liberty McDonald," she said, extending her hand.

"Liberty. I'm Addy Cooper, and this is my house." She waved an all-encompa.s.sing arm behind her.

"Dee-Dee was right. It certainly is huge. And you have two other renters?"

"Fern Bush and Chauncey Velasquez. I'll introduce them to you, if you like. Come on in."

She showed her around the house while Dee-Dee followed like a puppy. Of all the large bedrooms available, Liberty seemed most drawn to one at the back.

"Well, the view of the water is nice," Addy acknowledged, "but the room is a bit small. I could charge you less-"

"I wouldn't think of it. Besides, all I plan to do in this room is sleep. I spend most of my time outdoors."

"I can tell," Dee-Dee said. "You're in great shape. And all you really need is a full-size bed. Even a twin will do in a pinch."

She sat on the bed and bounced up and down. Addy stared. Something was going on between Dee-Dee and her friend. "So, how long have you known each other?"

"Oh, we just met last night at the bar, but it feels like I've known her forever," Dee-Dee gushed, slipping her hand into the crook of Liberty's arm.

"I see." Addy suppressed a grin. Liberty was about to become another notch in Dee-Dee's bedpost. She wondered why that bothered her.

"Could I check out the grounds?" Liberty asked.

"Oh, uh, sure. Right this way."

Addy led them through the kitchen to the screened-in porch and out into the backyard. The breeze coming off the water brought with it the scent of salt and loam, and Addy inhaled it deeply. The smells recalled her childhood, and a wave of nostalgia enveloped her. While Liberty strolled down to the dock, she glanced up at the tree house.

"Does she know about Tommy?"

"I mentioned him on the way over," Dee-Dee replied. "My G.o.d, she has a great a.s.s, doesn't she?"

"Uh-huh." Addy shook herself from her admiration of the woman's backside. "I mean, she is handsome, in an androgynous sort of way. If you like them that way."

"She looks a lot like Karen," Dee-Dee said, turning to Addy. "I thought you liked them that way."

Addy shook her head. "Not anymore."

As the newcomer stood on the dock and stared out across the water, Addy dared admit to herself that she was indeed attracted to Liberty. But she had enough problems on her hands without inviting that kind of trouble into her life.

"So, you and Addy are best friends?" Liberty asked as Dee-Dee drove them back to town.

"Yes, well, sort of."

"Sort of?" Liberty scanned Dee-Dee's b.r.e.a.s.t.s, wondering how they'd feel in her hands.

"Well, I knew her in high school, but she went off to college six years ago. Addy moved back to town over two weeks ago, after her grandmother got creamed by a dishwasher-sized piece of s.p.a.ce junk. She inherited the house and of course the responsibility of caring for Tommy."

"Of course. He's a nutcase, isn't he?" Liberty wondered how much Dee-Dee knew.

"Tommy? Oh, he's a doll. He just wasn't able to adapt to the loss of his parents when he was a kid, and now he's lost his grandmother. It's been rough on him. That's how he copes with things."

"You don't think he's a danger to himself? Or others?"

Dee-Dee glanced sideways at her. "Tommy? He wouldn't hurt a flea. Besides, he never comes down out of that tree and no one goes up, except one or two people he trusts. If you're worried about him, don't be. He's a good kid once you get to know him."

"I'm sure he is."

Liberty fully intended to get to know him, and his very attractive sister. But in the meantime, Dee-Dee had made it clear that she was expecting a good time. And Liberty planned to give it to her. This country b.u.mpkin would probably appreciate someone with her s.e.xual prowess, and Liberty was definitely in the mood. It had been weeks since she'd had s.e.x.

Dee-Dee's right hand dropped off the steering wheel and landed on Liberty's thigh, her thumb rubbing circles on her leg.

The tingling sensation flooded her body and she leaned back, enjoying the seduction. This would be easier than she had imagined. Dee-Dee was a bartender and, from all appearances, was friendly with the clientele in more ways than one.

Addy was an entirely different animal. She would want to be wooed-wined and dined, and all that. Liberty wondered what kind of decent food and wine she could find out here in the backwoods. But she liked a challenge every now and again.

And Addy was definitely worth the wait. Her slender figure, full b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and chocolate brown hair made for a very enticing package.

Dee-Dee's hand traveled up the inside of Liberty's leg and found the seam at her crotch. Her fingernails teased and scratched, and Liberty's body went on full alert. Oh, yeah, this was going to be a lot of fun.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

Liberty moved in the next day with surprisingly few possessions. Addy wondered exactly what she did for a living, but when Liberty paid the first three months' rent in cash, she figured what Liberty did was none of her business. She prepared a roast for dinner that night so all her tenants could get to know one another, and hoped Liberty would divulge more of her background then. Since it was a warm evening, she lit candles out on the porch to make the occasion more festive.

"Where are you from originally, Liberty?" Fern asked as she served up a mountain of mashed potatoes.

"Johnsonville, in upstate New York, but I travel so much now, I don't really have a place to call home. You?"

Fern jerked her head up, obviously startled. Addy had to hide her smile behind her napkin. Fern wasn't used to being on the receiving end of questions.

"Why, I was born and raised right here. I wouldn't dream of living anywhere else. Why do you travel so much? What do you do for a living that you haven't settled down in one place?"

"Oh, I'm fortunate to work protecting our environment. I'm here doing some studies on the Chesapeake."

"Aha. Well, whatever you need to know, I can help you there." Fern scooped up a forkful of salad and examined it intently.

"I've read quite a bit on the subject, from nutrient pollutants to sedimentation, air, and toxic pollutants. What's happening to our beautiful bay is a disgrace."

"I agree. What about you, Mr. Velasquez?"

Chauncey stopped chewing, his fork frozen in midair.

"Me?"

"Yes. What do you think? You've been a fisherman on these waters. You've probably seen some change-the decline in the blue crab population that Maryland is known for, the effects of pollution on the coastline, and so on."

"Si, yes, that is true."

"And where are you from originally?" Liberty pressed him.