Legacy of Fear Read online

  “IHIT?” Emily said.

  “Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. They’re made up of RCMP and police officers from other departments on the mainland. They’ll lead the investigation.”

  Emily’s mind whirled. What had started as a normal run on the beach had turned into a nightmare, and an innocent person had lost his life.

  “Who was he? The man who was killed?”

  “A tourist,” Ted said. “He and his wife were visiting Clear Point. He decided to take a walk on the beach after dinner.”

  “Oh God.” Images filled Emily’s mind of a wife pacing the floor, worrying about her husband, crying when she received a visit from a grim-faced police officer. She would be devastated.

  “Why? I don’t understand why someone would attack me and kill someone else. There’s no reason.”

  “It’s probably some crazy person. He didn’t even know you,” Francie said. “No one around here would do something like that.”

  Emily silently agreed. Violence didn’t exist in Clear Point. The sole explanation that made sense was that a mentally-unbalanced tourist, or a vagrant passing through the town, had gone berserk.

  “Do you remember anything? Can you tell me what happened?” Ted broke into her thoughts.

  “I…it’s all so blurry in my mind. I ran through the passageway, and I saw a movement. Nothing clear, just something from the corner of my eye.” The fingers of her right hand fluttered across her throat. “Then someone tackled me from the side.”

  Emily looked at the concerned faces of Ted and Francie.

  “I have a vague recollection of pain…and then…nothing. Did I lose consciousness right away? Why can’t I remember more?”

  “You took a blow to the head. You may have passed out almost immediately,” Ted agreed.

  Emily could see the disappointment in his eyes. She wanted to give him more, but she had nothing else to offer.

  “Was there anyone else around who saw what happened?” she said.

  “Shortly after, someone found the two of you, but it was too late to save your rescuer, and the perpetrator had escaped,” Ted said.

  “How will you find him? The man who did this?”

  “We’ll do everything we can, I promise.”

  A wave of dizziness washed over Emily. She laid her head back against the pillow and stared at the ceiling. Francie squeezed her hand.

  “Do you think you have a chance of catching him?” she said, grasping for a kernel of hope.

  “I don’t know,” the police chief said. “I don’t want to make you any promises, but we’re going to do our best, and IHIT is made up of professionals. They see this kind of thing every day.”

  A movement came from the direction of the nurses’ station and drew their attention. A few seconds later, a tall, strongly-built man appeared at the door. His blue eyes were frantic, and his cap sat askew on top of a mop of light brown hair.

  “Em, I got here as fast as I could. I was out on the boat. Are you all right?”

  “Oh, Trevor,” she said, as his arms closed around her in a strong hug. A single sob escaped her lips as she clung to him.

  Through her own distress, Emily felt Trevor’s body tremble, and she sensed his rage. Her friend was the quintessential hippie, Zen to the max. She had never seen him so upset, and the sight increased her own anguish.

  “We’ll find this guy,” he said, as he pulled back to look at her, his hands clutching her upper arms. Emily gave him a watery nod and took a few deep breaths.

  Ted cleared his throat. “It’s a police matter, Trevor. We’ll take care of finding him.”

  “We can help,” Trevor’s fists were clenched by his side. “There’s got to be something we can do.”

  “The more information that can be found and given to the police, the better, but I don’t want any vigilante hijinks going on.” He shook his finger at Emily’s friend, like a schoolmaster admonishing his students.

  “I’m not going to organize a posse, Ted, but you can be sure we won’t sit back and let someone get away with this,” Trevor said.

  “I understand that, and I understand all of you are worried about Emily. So am I, but please let us do our jobs.”

  “It had to be a random act of violence,” Emily said. “The guy is most likely long gone.”

  “You were almost killed, for God’s sake!” Trevor turned to her, his eyes wide.

  “I know. I don’t understand it,” Emily said. “And…and that man…I hate to imagine what he went through.” She lifted shaking fingers to her face and pressed on her eyes. Sobs shook her body.

  “I’m afraid you’re going to have to leave,” the nurse said, wedging herself in front of Trevor. “She can’t be upset like this. She needs to rest.”

  The woman snapped up the side-rail of the stretcher as Emily watched her grim-faced friends sidle out of the room. Ted appeared at her side, his face resembling a basset hound as he bent over her.

  “Emily, I’m going to step out. I’ve got some calls to make, but there are going to be more questions, from me and IHIT. You can count on that.”

  “I don’t know what else I can tell you. I don’t remember anything,” she said.

  “I know, but they’re still going to investigate, and you’re going to be called upon.”

  The nurse cleared her throat and shot Ted a pointed look. He nodded and gave Emily’s shoulder a squeeze before he left to join the others.

  While the nurse attached the blood pressure band to her arm, Emily heard loud whispers from the other side of the doorway.

  “She can’t be left alone. What if he comes back?” Trevor said.

  Emily’s hand jerked involuntarily. She hadn’t thought of that. She had focused on the idea that it was a random act of violence, but the thought of going home to an empty house didn’t appeal to her.

  “Don’t worry. She won’t be left alone,” Francie said. “Doug and I will see to that.”

  Chapter 3

  Emily learned through an excited orderly that the IHIT team had arrived by helicopter. According to the gossip among the staff, the forensic experts scoured the beach area, while the lead investigators questioned the sole witness to date, the man who had come upon Emily and the dead body.

  Emily knew she would be next on their list of interviewees.

  Ten minutes later, a harried-looking Dr. Gordon entered the hospital room where Emily had been moved and confirmed her suspicions.

  “There are two police officers from Vancouver here, along with Ted,” she said. “They insist on asking you some questions. I’ll give them a limited amount of time. You’ve suffered a trauma, and you have a concussion. I have no choice except to let them talk to you. But don’t worry; I’ll intervene when I see fit and let you get some rest.”

  “I appreciate it. Besides, there isn’t much for me to tell them. I remember very little of what happened.”

  A brisk knock at the door interrupted them. The doctor rolled her eyes before she went to open the door.

  Two strangers entered the room and nodded at the doctor before they focused on Emily. Behind them, Ted shuffled in and sent a quick smile her way. He leaned back against the windowsill and crossed his arms.

  “Hello, Ms. Burton,” the first man said, his expression solemn. He was tall and thin, with sparse medium-brown hair, brown eyes, and coffee-yellowed teeth. Despite the late hour and the fact they had flown to Clear Point by helicopter to face an emergency, his suit was crisp and unrumpled, his tie perfectly adjusted. “My name is Dave Humble. I’m the chief investigator in this case. This is my partner, Rick Wallace.” He gestur
ed to the man beside him. He was also tall and thin, but his smile held a flash of sincerity, and his clothing looked like it had been picked up off the floor and thrown on in a hurry.

  “As I’m sure you’re aware, we have to ask you some questions about the events tonight. The doctor has kindly allowed us some time with you.”

  Inspector Humble didn’t make any attempt to hide the sarcasm in his last remark. Emily’s heart sank as she realized he didn’t intend to make this easier for anyone.

  “If you don’t mind, my partner will record this interview. We don’t want to miss anything.”

  Before she had a chance to offer her opinion on whether she minded or not, a small rectangular device was set on the bed beside her.

  Inspector Humble identified all the people in the room and recited the date and hour. Emily felt like she had morphed into another world, far from the reality of her own. Her brain was fuzzy, and the tiny red blinking light of the recorder mesmerized her.

  “Ms. Burton?” The inspector’s raised voice caught her attention. “I need you to confirm that you live at 67 South Beach Road.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Do you live alone?”

  “Yes.”

  “I want you to start at the beginning and tell me exactly what happened tonight.”

  Emily cleared her throat and tried to focus. “I went for a run on the beach…”

  “Do you often do that?” Humble said.

  “Yes, every day, unless the weather is bad.”

  “Alone?”

  “Usually. Sometimes, my friend Francie comes with me.”

  “Full name, please.”

  “Francie Miller.” Emily watched the other detective scribble notes in a small pad, despite the recording of the interview.

  “Continue,” Inspector Humble said.

  “I always run along the same route, and as I ran through the pass, from the corner of my eye, I saw something move. The next thing I knew, someone pounced on me from the side, and I hit the ground.”

  “Did you struggle? Try to fight the person off?”

  “I remember twisting around…I remember pain…in my head. I was terrified.” She glanced toward Ted. He gave her an encouraging smile.

  “Did you see the attacker’s face?” Humble said.

  “I don’t think so. I can’t remember it.”

  “Hair color? Was he wearing a hat?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you remember anything about his clothing?

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Was he tall, short, fat, skinny?”

  “I’m sorry. I have no idea. It happened so fast, and for some reason, I can’t remember any details,” Emily said. His questions made her realize how little she knew about the incident. How could she not know?

  “Did he speak or shout?”

  “I don’t think so. I don’t remember anything like that.”

  Inspector Humble shot a glance at his partner before he returned his gaze to Emily.

  “Was there anyone else around when you were attacked?”

  “I didn’t see anyone.” Emily was almost certain she had been alone on that stretch of beach.

  “Is the beach normally deserted at that hour?”

  “Often, but not always.”

  “But tonight, it was?”

  “I think so. I don’t remember seeing anyone else.” The pounding between her eyes intensified.

  “Can you think of anyone who may want to harm you?” he said.

  “No, not at all.” Of this, Emily was convinced.

  “You have no enemies?”

  His stare reflected his skepticism. Did she look like the type of person who would have enemies?

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Not that you know of,” he repeated. “Lucky you.”

  Emily narrowed her eyes. This man did not live up to his name. His sarcasm and arrogance were palpable. She glanced at Ted again, who stared at the IHIT inspector with a heavy frown.

  Dr. Gordon’s voice came from behind Emily’s left shoulder.

  “I think that’s enough questions for now. Emily has been through a terrible trauma, and she needs her rest. I also should add that it’s quite normal for victims, and particularly concussed victims, to have trouble with their memory immediately after the incident. She needs time.”

  The doctor’s intervention consoled Emily, but her relief was short-lived.

  “I’m almost done,” the inspector said, with the air of someone accustomed to having his way. He turned back to Emily. “Did you know the man who was killed tonight?”

  Emily’s heart sank at the reminder. “I don’t think so. What was his name?”

  “Mario Hart. You didn’t know him?”

  “No. We’d never met,” she said softly. Having a name associated with the tragedy seemed to make it worse.

  “You’re in good physical condition, wouldn’t you say, Ms. Burton? I mean, you exercise. I’m sure you eat well.”

  The sudden change in questioning confused her. “Yes. I’d say so.”

  “Perhaps, you were acquainted with this man? Perhaps, you’d met on the beach at some other time, and you were interested in him. Romantically, I mean. Maybe, he rejected you. Is that possible?”

  Emily’s eyes widened as the implication of what he said sank in. Ted straightened from the windowsill and dropped his arms to his sides.

  “That’s not true. How could you say something so awful?” Emily said. She glanced at the other IHIT inspector, hoping he would admonish his partner. His expression remained bland.

  “As an investigator, it’s something I have to look at. What if you weren’t attacked? What if you were the attacker, and you killed Mr. Hart, and you just happened to get hurt in the process?”

  “That’s enough, Detective,” Dr. Gordon said, her voice hard and brisk. “You’re upsetting the patient, and I insist you leave, all of you.”

  Emily had a vague awareness of the men gathering their things. Ted crossed to the bed, gave her a sympathetic smile, squeezed her shoulder, and followed the other law enforcement officers from the room.

  “What a terrible man. How could he think I’d kill someone?” Emily said, her voice breaking.

  “Not that I’m defending his methods, but I think he’s simply doing his job.” Dr. Gordon wrapped a blood pressure band around Emily’s arm. “They have to study everything, especially in the case of a homicide. Just to let you know, your hands were swabbed for evidence while you were unconscious. Those tests, along with the rest of their investigations, will narrow down the possibilities. You don’t have to worry. But you do have to get some rest. I’m going to adjust the lights in here and leave you alone for a bit. Then, we’ll make arrangements for you to get home.”

  The doctor covered her with another blanket, dimmed the lights, and left the room. Emily closed her eyes. She hoped to shut out the disturbing thoughts that raced through her mind.

  She wondered about the man who had lost his life trying to help her. What was he like? Did he have a large family? Children? What did he do for a living? His loved ones would be crushed. His co-workers would be baffled by the fact that he had left for a vacation and never returned. Would they blame her? It was conceivable. Everyone wanted someone to blame for the bad things that happened to them. The killer was an unknown. She was real.

  An hour later, Francie held Emily’s arm as she guided her out of the hospital and to the waiting car. Dr. Gordon had told Emily to get plenty of rest and to expect dizzy spells an
d headaches. She received instructions to return to the hospital if her symptoms couldn’t be alleviated with over-the-counter medication.

  “You’re a lucky woman,” the doctor said. “But you have to take care of yourself. You’ve suffered a trauma, and your body needs time to heal.”

  Emily smiled faintly at the woman. It seemed like such a tiny price to pay compared to her savior, who had sacrificed his life.

  Several hours after Emily’s fateful run, Francie pulled her car up to Emily’s home. Darkness cloaked the house, and a concerned bark came from inside as Emily climbed the steps, holding onto Francie’s arm. Trevor had come by earlier to let Max outside, but the dog would be worried about his mistress. They were seldom separated.

  “Doug is on his way over,” Francie said as Emily comforted her old dog.

  “I hate to bother you guys like this. I’m sure, by tomorrow night, I’ll be able to stay alone. It’s just that…”

  “Don’t even think about it. You know we don’t mind. We’ll stay with you for as long as you like. Or you can stay with us.”

  “I know how Winnie would feel about Max invading her space,” Emily said, referring to Francie’s less-than-friendly cat.

  “Winnie needs a wake-up call. Anyway, we’ll worry about that another day. For now, you need to get your rest.”

  Emily sank onto the couch, and Max curled up beside her, resting his chin on her lap, his gaze fixed on her face. She flinched when she heard heavy footsteps on the porch and released a sigh of relief when Doug’s familiar face appeared in the doorway. He threw a glance at Francie before focusing on Emily. He crossed over to her, knelt on the floor at her feet, and took her two hands between his much larger ones.

  “I couldn’t believe it when I heard.”

  “I still can’t believe it,” Emily said, her voice choked. With his dark, crew-cut hair and deep brown eyes, Doug had the appearance of a harmless teddy bear. Of medium height, he had a powerful build, rendering the teddy bear-look deceptive. Emily knew he could be fiercely protective of those he loved.