Hidden Hideaways Read Online Free Page B

lightly.
     
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    With Trent gone there wasn't much to do at Dune House. Suzie occupied herself with catching up on a novel she had been meaning to read. Mary was busy talking with her daughter on the telephone about the new semester of college classes she was lining up. As Suzie tried to concentrate on her book, her mind kept drifting back to Paul, and to Trent. She was a little more worried than usual about Paul being out on the water. By the evening she became a little more relaxed. She found Mary sitting out on the section of porch that overlooked the water. The sun was just beginning to set.
    “Did you have a nice chat?” she asked as she sat down beside Mary.
    “Oh yes,” Mary said happily. “She's really passionate about school this year.”
    “I'm glad,” Suzie smiled. She knew that Mary worried about her children, but both seemed to be off to a fantastic start as adults. “Would you like to take a walk?” Suzie offered.
    “Yes, need to work out these knees,” Mary agreed as she stood up. Mary's knees gave her some trouble from time to time, she called it getting older, Suzie called it having too much weight on her shoulders for too many years. As they stepped down into the sand Suzie sighed contentedly. She was really starting to settle into life at Dune House and the quaint beachside town of Garber.
    “I wonder how far out they are?” she muttered casually as she looked out over the water.
    “Isn't it strange to think there are so many people out on the water while we're walking on the sand?” Mary mused. “Sometimes the ocean seems like an eternity.”
    “It sure does,” Suzie agreed with a touch of worry.
    “Are you still concerned about Paul and Trent getting along?” Mary asked.
    “A little,” Suzie admitted.
    “Men have a different way of getting along,” Mary said softly. “I can't say I understand it.”
    “I'm not sure I would care to,” Suzie laughed, but her laughter faded as she heard sirens wailing in the distance.
    “What do you think is going on?” Mary asked when she saw a police boat zip across the water. It was from the next town over, with Parish clearly marked on the side of the boat.
    “I don't know,” Suzie said with a frown. “But at least it's not happening in Garber.”
    They had walked almost a mile along the beach when they finally turned back. The sun was disappearing and the sky was becoming littered with stars.
    “I couldn't imagine a better way to spend an evening,” Mary said as she kept pace with Suzie. “Do you ever miss the adventure of your old career?” she asked.
    “Probably about as much as you miss the adventure of the teenage years,” Suzie grinned. When they reached Dune House again, Jason was waiting for them on the porch. His partner was not with him.
    “Hi Jason,” Suzie said cheerfully, but her jovial attitude faded when she saw his grim expression.
    “Is something wrong?” Mary asked.
    “I don't know how to tell you this, Suzie, but there's been an incident,” he cleared his throat.
    “Is that what the police boat was about?” she asked.
    “Yes, it's not my jurisdiction, but I wanted to tell you myself,” he frowned and gestured to one of the benches on the porch. “Maybe you should sit down.”
    “It's not Paul is it?” Suzie gasped. “If it is, just tell me, Jason!”
    “It's not Paul exactly,” Jason said. “Trent's body was found in Parish, it looks like it was washed ashore.”
    “What?” Mary muttered in shock. “His body? Do you mean that he is dead?”
    Suzie was so stunned that she couldn't bring herself to speak. She finally forced some words past her lips. “Did the boat sink?” she asked.
    “The coast guard has no reports of a boat in trouble,” Jason explained. “All we know right now is that Trent's body was found on shore. He didn't drown, Suzie,” he drew a shaky breath. “He was beat up pretty bad, and I heard that he might have been stabbed.”
    Suzie sat down on the