Return to Pelican Inn (Love by Design) (18 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

T
HEY
STARED
AT
each other until Rosa made for the door.

“Where are you going?” Pike demanded.

“I saw bolt cutters in the shed. I’m cutting off the padlock and getting him out.”

“Rosa...”

She rounded on him so quickly her hair splattered water across his face. “Pike, don’t you dare tell me we’re going to wait for Rocky or call Bitsy to ask for permission. Baggy is in there and he’s scared. I know he’s weird and ugly and not what people think a dog should be, but I love him.” She forced the words through a clog in her throat. “I’m not going to let him be terrified and alone, wondering why I’m not coming for him, why I’m not taking care of him.” She was shouting now. “Do you know what that feels like to wonder why someone isn’t coming back? Well, I do, and it’s the worst feeling ever.”

Pike raised his hands in a placating gesture, but she was beyond soothing. The past rose up sharp and clear, as it always had, as she knew it always would. Her father’s departure had etched an insecurity inside that would remain. Perhaps it was even the reason why she protected herself from Pike, despite the thrilling feelings he encouraged deep inside. Past was past, but none of it would be silenced now that Baggy was suffering in the dark, all alone.

She sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t care what you think, because I’m going in that room even if it’s filled with bees and snakes and trunks of body parts because I’m. Getting. My. Dog!” She finished with a shriek. “Do you understand me?”

He smiled. “I was going to say I would get the bolt cutters so you could stay here and try to calm him down.”

She sniffed, swiping at her runny nose with her sleeve. “Oh.”

He reached out two fingers and gently lifted her chin, wiping away a trail of tears that she hadn’t realized were still falling. “Rosa Franco, you are a better woman than you realize.” When the tears were dried, he kissed her tenderly on her forehead and went to retrieve the bolt cutters.

She stood in the empty room, scared, elated, grieving and everything in between.
Was
she a better woman than she realized? Or that same abandoned girl who would never be able to recover from her past?

Pike returned in a few moments, still wearing a grin. They hurried through the hallway to Captain’s Nest.

“Trunks full of body parts?” he said over his shoulder as he maneuvered the bolt cutters at the door.

“My imagination might have run a little wild.” She called to Baggy, reassuring him that they were coming. “Can’t you hurry?”

“It’s a good padlock and I’m sentimental about my fingers.” With a snap, the bolt cutters snapped shut and the lock gave way. Pike pushed the door, which opened with a chilling squeal. Cold air, heavy with the odor of mold, struck at them. A swath of dim light played over boxes and objects draped with sheets. Pike groped the wall for a switch. He finally located one and flipped it on, activating an ugly overhead lamp that put out a surprising amount of light for something so hideous.

She blinked as her eyes adjusted. “Baggy?”

Something wriggled out from underneath a sheet and Baggy bulleted into her arms. The little creature licked her all over and she cried again, rocking him. “You’re safe now, sweetie.” His heart beat like machine-gun fire as his whines subsided in volume. She pressed her face to Baggy’s ill-proportioned head, kissing his dusty fur. “I was scared, Baggy. You, too? Maybe digging through the wall wasn’t such a good idea. I’m sorry I left you for so long.”

The dog still shuddered, but his panic seemed to be on the wane. Rosa pattered on for a while until she realized Pike had not commented since before he’d broken through the lock.

She shifted Baggy to a more comfortable position and joined him. Pike was fixated on the sheet from under which Baggy had emerged. Slowly, he pulled the cloth away from the object it covered.

It was a map—an old map, Cy would no doubt concur—with proper fold lines and other authentic features.

She moved closer, certain she was mistaken.

“Pike?”

“Yes, Rosa?”

“This is the map that was stolen from the bakery years ago.”

“I see.” He went to another sheet-draped object and pulled away the shroud. “And this looks to be the antique portrait of Harold Herzberg that was stolen from the Tumbledown Bank, don’t you think?”

“Yes.” She did a slow circle, taking in the numerous portraits and antique maps that crowded the room. “There are a half dozen maps here, along with the portrait. How did these things get into Captain’s Nest?”

Pike exhaled, long and low. “Years ago, back when I was a kid, I heard my mom and dad talking about Uncle Leo. They stopped when I came into the room, but I heard enough to know that Leo had been in trouble, way back when. Gone to jail, even.”

“For what?”

“A word I didn’t understand at the time. I kind of forgot about it, actually, until this moment.”

“What word?”

“Kleptomania.”

Her mouth dropped open and Baggy wriggled, wondering if there was cause for alarm. “You’re saying Uncle Leo stole all these things and hid them up here?”

“I think Bitsy had a hand in the hiding part.”

The truth rained down on Rosa. “She knew all these things were up here. That’s why she wanted to keep us out all these years, so we wouldn’t find out Leo was a thief.” Rosa sat heavily on the edge of a crate, stroking Baggy absently. “What are we going to do?”

Pike didn’t appear to be listening. He’d picked up a clear plastic bag. In it was a packet of photos, partially obscured by the dusty plastic. “Odd that this would be here. Not something worth stealing,” he said as he extracted the photo packet.

“Put that down, Pike,” came a voice from the door.

Bitsy stood there, her ankle hidden in a bulky cast, supporting herself with crutches. Cy’s hand rested on her shoulder. Rocky stood next to her, chewing his lower lip.

“She got sprung early,” Cy said, eyes roving the mess. “Why’d you come in here?”

Rosa raised her chin. “Baggy clawed through the wall. We had no choice.”

Bitsy nodded. “I was getting up a good head of steam as we climbed the stairs, but I know you had to have a good reason for violating my privacy.”

“We did.” Rosa snuggled Baggy. “I apologize, but he was trapped. I am truly sorry, Bitsy. I would never want to disrespect your wishes.”

Her aunt’s face puckered. “I never wanted you to know.”

“About Leo?” Rosa said gently.

“And other things.”

“I am sorry.” Rosa took her hand. “We’ve caused you pain by coming in here.”

“Skeletons can’t stay in the closet forever. I’m relieved, actually. Now there’s no reason to keep the room off-limits.” She held out a palm. “Give me those pictures, Pike, and let’s go downstairs so we can talk this out.”

Pike stared at the photo packet and then shifted his gaze to Bitsy.

“Give them to me, Pike. There’s nothing there for you.”

Pike appeared to consider the statement with all the seriousness of a legal brief. He handed them over and Rosa wondered at his odd, calculating look.

Bitsy looked him over. “You’re all wet. What happened?”

He shrugged. “Long story.”

She put the photos in the pocket of her jacket and the silent five made their way downstairs, where Manny was standing, hands on hips. “Oh. You’re all here. Hey, Bits. Back on your feet again? That’s my girl.” He kissed her cheek.

She gave him a weary smile. “Barely. Let’s have some cocoa and sit at the table. First off, I want to hear why my nephew and Rosa look like they’ve been swimming with their clothes on.”

Rosa explained as tactfully as she could while she fixed the cocoa. Manny’s expression was incredulous. “Pike Matthews got me off the roof? I can’t believe that.”

Pike didn’t respond, which worried Rosa. She could practically see the thoughts barreling through his mind like thunderclouds, but she did not understand what worried him.

“Anyway, it’s true, Dad, and you should thank Pike. He ruined his suit getting you down from there.”

Manny harrumphed, arms folded. “I’m sure he’s got plenty of them.” Still, she noticed her dad kept sneaking looks at Pike. Perhaps he, too, was wondering why Pike remained mute.

Bitsy sipped her cocoa, drumming the fingers of her free hand on the kitchen table. “I need you all to know that Leo was a good man. He had a compulsion, a sickness, to take things.”

“Kleptomania?” Rosa suggested.

“No, that’s not it. He did have a compulsion to steal, but he was very deliberate about it. He took things he felt belonged to this house and the Herzberg legacy. He never sold them or did anything for personal gain. He just felt those things belonged here and it was a thrill for him, a game, really, to figure out how to steal the things and return them to the Pelican. He could break any lock or combination. It was a source of endless fascination. I begged him not to, I pleaded with him and he tried to stop, he really did.” Her cheeks blushed crimson. “I never wanted anyone to know, to have his name besmirched because he had a disorder.”

Manny took her hand. “We all have something.”

“You knew.” Rosa goggled. “Dad, you knew Leo stole those things, didn’t you?”

“Only the portrait. I happened to see it one time when I was here visiting. Got lost on my way to the attic and ended up in the Captain’s Nest. The door was unlocked and I couldn’t resist the temptation.”

Rosa could not understand. “But you didn’t tell anyone. Why not? You were an insurance investigator.”

“Wanted to protect Bitsy. She didn’t deserve any shame.”

“Yet,” Pike said, each syllable clipped and taut, “you had no qualms at all about going after my father. Leo deserved protection, but Bitsy’s brother did not. Why is that, Manny?”

He rolled his head, neck cracking. “I don’t have to answer to you.”

“You don’t have to answer because I already know.” Pike stood, his chair legs squeaking against the wood floor. “It’s because you love her, you always have, and you wanted to protect her reputation. But that love didn’t extend as far as her brother.”

Manny glared. “You run your mouth a lot.”

Pike ignored the barb. “But it’s true. Everyone sitting here can see it on both your faces. You were in love and you still are.”

Rosa could not believe she hadn’t seen the truth before. As much as she didn’t want to credit Pike’s accusation, she knew he was right. It was written in the silent conversation that flowed between Manny and Bitsy. What she’d mistaken for fondness was actually much deeper.

“Stop it, Pike.” Cy rapped his knuckles on the table once, his eyes glittering. “I don’t like your innuendo. My dad was faithful to Mom.”

“Was he?”

Now Cy was on his feet, his chair toppled over. “Shut up, Pike.”

Bitsy cried out. “Both of you, stop. Manny and I have loved each other for years, but we never acted on it, not for one moment. He had Katy and I had Leo, and that was that. We are both people of integrity, Pike, but that doesn’t mean our emotions don’t do their own thing sometimes.”

“And your brother knew it, didn’t he?” Pike’s cheeks were streaked with color.

“Yes.” Her eyes blazed. “And rather than trust in me, he did everything he could to discredit the Francos, spreading rumors, talking about Katy’s drinking. Your father started a campaign to drive them out of town.”

“Which is why, when I was given the chance to investigate the sinking of the boat, I jumped at it.” Manny’s brows knitted. “I’m only sorry I didn’t prove both of you guilty.”

Pike’s laugh was harsh. “Then you could have sent my dad to jail and done whatever you wanted with Bitsy. Leo was out of town a lot, wasn’t he? Who would know?”

It was too much for Cy. He launched himself forward and shot a fist into the side of Pike’s face. Pike reeled, but did not topple, grabbing Cy in a chokehold. They fell to the floor, arms and legs flying.

“Stop,” Bitsy screamed. “Oh, stop it!”

Manny headed for the melee. He would be crushed between the two enraged fighters. Rosa had to act fast. She plopped Baggy down onto Bitsy’s lap and went for the nearest weapon she could find. Snatching up the can of nonstick cooking spray she sprayed the stuff in the faces of the brawlers.

They immediately let go of each other and covered their eyes.

“What is that?” Cy sputtered.

“Nonstick spray.” She held the can at the ready. “Do you need another squirt?”

“No,” they said in unison, rubbing at their eyes.

“Then get up. But I warn you, I will not hesitate to spray you again.”

“Sheesh, sis, you probably blinded both of us with that stuff. Do you know what kind of chemicals are in that?”

Manny helped Cy up. He had a scratch on his chin, but seemed otherwise unharmed. Pike climbed to his feet, a red mark darkening his cheekbone. Fury shone in his eyes.

“So holier-than-thou, aren’t you, Manny? Looking to destroy my family name when it was you who lusted after a married woman. My father was guiltless and you wanted him defamed so you could go after Bitsy.”

Cy let out a grunt and took a step forward, but Manny held him back. “Look, kid. I love your aunt, and I had a grudge against your dad, true enough, but you aren’t seeing things clearly and you never have.”

“Let’s stop this,” Rosa pleaded. Whatever box had been opened, it had unleashed the darkest memories of sins best left forgotten. The anger in the air felt like acid.

“It’s too late,” Pike said. “We’re all together here in this place for a reason. Now the truth is out about what you are, Manny.”

“No one is without guilt,” Bitsy said, her voice harder than Rosa had ever heard it before. “No one, young man.”

Pike stopped and looked at his aunt. “Is there something you need to tell me?”

She shook her head. “You’ve always been very black-and-white about things, like Ben was. It can blind you.”

“I think I’m seeing things clearly right now, all right.”

“No, Pike,” she said with a plaintive sigh. “You’re not, honey.”

Pike stared, his gaze wandering to the bulge in Bitsy’s pocket where she’d stowed the photos. “Those were Manny’s photos in Captain’s Nest, weren’t they?”