Edisto Tidings by C. Hope Clark

Author:C. Hope Clark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Published: 2021-04-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

CALLIE TRAIPSED across the sand to the porch that wrapped around what used to be Finn’s—that used to be a half dozen other names in the last ten years. The venue had been through a cadre of entrepreneurs, each adding their spin, each succumbing to the seasonal fluctuations of a beach town.

Following the wooden walkway toward the water, she made her way upstairs to the pier, the wind gently tousling her hair as she rounded the corner. Sophie had propped a window open, allowing the ocean noises to enter the old bar and enhance the mood, and Callie eased to the opening to peer inside.

Sophie’s calming voice slid through the room, telling everyone to relax. “Surrender to the gravity. Welcome the act of nondoing. Breathe.” Callie’d taken the class enough to recognize Child’s Pose. Good. The class was about over.

Glancing through the window, Callie tried to catch the yogi’s attention. Sophie sat cross-legged up front, studying her students, a dozen large candles flickering across tables. She gave Callie a wink in acknowledgement and reclosed her eyes.

Here they were on Christmas Eve and Sophie still attracted ten students. An off day, because Callie’d seen her spill a class of two dozen out onto the pier or even the beach. A decent, cash business.

Moving to the end of the short pier, Callie sat at one of the picnic tables. Still in her civilian clothes from last night at Sarah’s, she hoped she’d be disregarded as the class streamed out.

One woman, however, waved and hollered. “Hey, Callie!”

She forgot how much this particular council woman loved yoga. Callie waved back with a smile, praying the lady kept walking with her buddies, but with a touch on one of them, she said her goodbye and detoured toward Callie.

Callie pretended gulls caught her attention and twisted toward the water.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” the councilwoman said, taking the opposite bench.

Temps weren’t frigid, but the wind made it nippy. Hopefully Ms. Frank had sweated enough to feel it and would cut this greeting short.

“Thought you’d be investigating with all we’ve got going on,” she said, a hint of judgment in her words.

Callie tried to keep a grin. “Glad to see you, too.”

“Oh, sorry.” The woman tugged her light jacket tighter. “Where are my manners? Merry Christmas, Chief.”

Callie nodded, not wanting to fuel the conversation.

The woman mashed her yoga bag to her middle, squishing into herself for warmth. “What’s going on about Ben Rosewood?”

“Still an ongoing investigation,” Callie said. “Can’t really say.”

With an expression of consternation, the councilwoman seemed to rethink her approach. “How’s Sarah taking it?”

“Okay, I believe.”

Patricia waited, as if expecting more. “Well, I must drop in on her.”

“I’m sure she’d appreciate that,” Callie said, thinking the complete opposite. Then she crossed her arms. “It’s getting nippy.”

“Isn’t it?” she said. “I really have to go shower. Why are you out here?”

With her best covert look around, she whispered, “Had plans to meet someone who really didn’t want to be seen.”

“Oh.” The councilwoman glanced around. “Oh! Then I better go before I mess something up.

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