I’ve taken a couple power naps during the night, mentally gone over security at Norah’s cabin and made plans to strengthen a couple things that can give her more protection. She became restless a couple hours ago. I spooned her against me again and she calmed, settling back to sleep.
I lay awake memorizing everywhere we touch, how soft she is, how her trust fills me with something I’ve never allowed myself. I come to realize how want and need can trigger hope for something that can never be. I don’t deserve someone this good.
Waking, she slowly turns and looks up at me. “Did you sleep at all?”
“I don’t need a lot. A few power naps and I’m good. I’ll build the fire back up, do a perimeter check. Then go over to check the generator and your tire. I’d like you to lock the door behind me.”
“I want to go to Twila’s cabin with you. I forgot a couple things.”
“I’m not sure that’s smart. Can’t I just get them for you?”
“If I could remember where I put them. I swear the loss of power fried my brain.”
“Alright, I’ll make breakfast while you get ready. But I want us to be a little quick. We need to run into Love Beach today.”
“I promise.”
After breakfast, I show her what to look for and how to tell if someone has tried to enter the cabin. I have her follow as I lead the way back to Twila’s. There I have her search for the trip wire I left and she finds it. Inside everything appears as we left it. I leave her to collect what she needs and go to check the generator. The cover is loose. It takes a few minutes, but I find where one of the wires has been cut. I take pictures and send them to both themain office and Love Beach. The propane tank itself seems okay, but I contact the vendor and set up an appointment to have them come out and inspect. I’ll also pick up a metal cage to protect the gauges and tank near the cabin, so this doesn’t happen again. Next, I check the water pump and supply. Twila has a locked cover, but I make note of what I need to make it even more secure from tampering.
Next, I inspect Norah’s car. She has a donut, but no jack. My truck jack isn’t going to work. As I’m checking under the engine, my phone vibrates.
It’s Patch from the Love Beach office. “Yo.”
“The break lines were perforated. Like someone stabbed them with a knife tip or ice pick. Slower leak but the same ultimate effect. We’ve talked to the state police. Johnson is a small town so no street cameras. She was silently active on protecting the natural reserves of the state and providing financing. She did not want her name publicly mentioned. The lady had money and clout but never flaunted it. Most people never knew.
“However, Twila was well known and liked by state representatives and in the capitol. They are calling for a state investigation.
“Last, but perhaps most important, a week before she died, she had her will redone. The day she died she went to the lawyer and signed the new will, removing her daughter and son-in-law. The short of it is everything now goes to Norah.
“If Norah died under suspicious circumstances, everything then went to a named third party only to be disclosed if the situation warranted. The lawyer was authorized to tell us it was not her daughter or son-in-law. Next, she went to the bank and put everything in Norah’s name.”
“She knew. She knew someone was coming for her.”
“Yeah. The lawyer felt so, too. He tried to talk to her, but....”
“She was a stubborn old gal, and she wanted to handle it herself,” I cut in.
“Yeah, pretty much what she said to the lawyer.”
I explain to Patch what I found with the generator and my suspicions on Norah’s car. He agrees to have one of the guys come and get the vehicle so we can have a full inspection done and to let our contact with the state police know our concerns.
We sign off. Norah is waiting for me on the front porch. “Sorry. I was talking to the office.”
“It was about Nana, wasn’t it? You were right, it wasn’t an accident.”
“No. It wasn’t. They found evidence that her brakes were tampered with. But we have to wait for them to build their case.”
She nods.
“I suspect your generator has been tampered with, too. We’ll get parts in town and a protective cage. I called the propane company, and they can meet me here tomorrow to inspect everything. You’re gonna need to stay with me a little longer.”
Smiling, she nods. “That’s okay with me. You make me feel safe.”
“Let’s head out to Love Beach.”
“Yeah. I’m not much of a drinker or partier, but I love the board walk, and there’s a beach bar I love to go to called...”
“Sandy Sipper” we both say together. “Are you even old enough to go there?”
