The Fisherman's Daughter by Sydell I. Voeller

Author:Sydell I. Voeller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, suspense, mystery, detective, daughter, falling in love, facing death, fisherman, books we love, san juans, sydell voeller, lost boat
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.

Chapter Six

“Where's Lowell?” Vanessa asked Ruby breathlessly back at the lodge. Ruby was sitting in one of the two dark green wicker rocking chairs on the front porch, trying to contain a wiggling Toby in her arms.

“He went into town for another load of lumber,” she answered. “He also said he might swing back to the sheriff's department again, then go back to the Coast Guard station. What's the matter?”

Sitting down in the other chair, Vanessa told her about what the young waitress had said, purposefully leaving out her glowing description of Lowell's physical assets. “I need to talk to him, Ruby. See if her story makes any sense to Lowell.”

Ruby chuckled. “Ah, don't pay too much attention to Sally. That girl's got an imagination that won't quit. Why, I hear before she got into waitressing, she tried a stint in Hollywood.” She paused, fiddling with a button on her blouse as she stared off into the distance. “But I am a bit worried about something else.”

“Oh?”

“I think there's something going on at the cabins. I'm picking up strange vibes. Perhaps I should be talking to Lowell also.”

“What do you mean...strange vibes?” Alarm filled Vanessa's voice.

“Last night, after I'd gone back to the property to pick blackberries, I overheard Josh and Dolly bickering by the boathouse. It was only minutes before they met up with all those slick-looking folks you just mentioned, the ones partying on the yacht.”

“And then what happened?” Given her encounter with the anything-but-slick-looking Josh Buckler, Vanessa couldn't imagine his friends being high class.

“I could only hear snatches, but it was enough to worry me,” Ruby went on, lowering her voice. “Josh sounded real threatening and Dolly talked like she was scared out of her wits. Money problems, I think. But then their voices faded, and I couldn't make out the rest. I'm not sure what could be wrong. Every month the rent comes in right on time, and Josh is turning over his part of the consignment we agreed on, so I suppose whatever's going on is none of my business—”

The phone rang inside the office, cutting off Ruby's next words. “I'll get it.” She set the dog down and got to her feet.

Vanessa settled back in her chair. The tightly woven wicker creaked beneath her as mulled over what Ruby had just said. Josh and Dolly certainly weren't the first to argue about money. Her experience in counseling had taught her that.

The sound of Ruby's voice sliced through Vanessa's thoughts. “For you, dear!”

“Okay! I'll be right there!”

Cupping her hand over the receiver before handing it to Vanessa, Ruby murmured, “She says it's long distance. And she sounds very young.”

“Oh, Ms. Paris!” Carmen wailed into the phone a moment later. “It seems like forever since you've been away from the counseling center. All us kids...we're really bummed out about that.” Vanessa had considered giving them her cell phone number, but then decided not to. The lodge phone was good enough.

“I know, Carmen. I know.” She paused, biting her lip.

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