Secret Keepers and Skinny Shadows: Lee and Miranda by Mary A Russell

years ago. Being the self-centered man he was, he handed them back, telling her he was too busy for such nonsense. Cringing at his own words he sat shaking his head in disgust as those thoughts stung his conscience, and how his words must have hurt Joan.
    He made a vow that day, if it took the rest of his life he would investigate and solve the murder of Joan’s uncle. He also vowed to be there for others who might reach out to him, to help solve the unsolvable, and in some way in his guilt ridden mind he would also be making it up to Joan.
    Maybe then the haunting and sleepless nights would leave him. He never thought of himself as a particularly brave man, but he would do what he had to do. Somewhere deep inside he would find the courage to face the threat of death, if that was what it took.
    The scent of pine drifting in from the mountains traveled through the screen door, the roaring of boats moving in and out of the bay, mournful sounds of an occasional tug boat horn moaning in the distance, all reminding him why he loved this place so much. Joan had a fondness for this spot on the docks. She said it centered her.
    Lee now wished he could go back into the past redoing that one thing if nothing else. And as it happens, destiny had put the letters in his hands for a second time. Now he’ll have the opportunity to wash his conscience clean.
    He reached for his cell to call Miranda.
    “Hi, Kid, how are you?”
    “Scrappy as ever, Lee. When are you going to get off the Kid thing? I’m a little too old for that now. So are you coming soon?”
    “I read the newspaper clippings and the letters. It all sounds interesting. Are you sure there’s enough room?”
    “I’ll make room for you. This place is big enough for both of us.”
    “Thanks . . . Kid. I have loose ends to tie up here before I can leave, so it’ll be a couple of weeks.”
    “Okay Lee. I’ll look for you then. Bye.”
    He made a trip to the bank to transfer money out of his savings and in his checking account to use as traveling money.
    He couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something wasn’t right.
    After reading the newspaper accounts and the letters again he was hooked on investigating this murder. He decided he would let Miranda tell him about Lillian.
    One of his goals was to change his opinion about Miranda and forget the past. He’d work to see only the best side of her.
    He never enjoyed the legwork that came with research. He only enjoyed putting the pieces together. Sally did most of the work, and without her computer skills he would have been fired long before this. Sure he traveled to dig out the hard to find information, but the bulk of the work was done by Sally on the computer.
    He couldn’t figure out why he had the feeling someone was watching him.
                 

                                       
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
                        CHAPTER 9
    Present Day
     
    R obert had them turn the new laser satellites in Lee and Miranda’s direction. He gave orders to the techs. “I want to know everything they say and what they’re up to. I want eyes and ears on them all the time.”
    The lead tech looked up at Robert. “Don’t worry, boss. We won’t miss a thing. We have everything were it should be.”
    Robert loved new technology and now because of it he was sure what he had waited for all these years was finally within his grasp.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
                                  CHAPTER 10
                        Bridgetown, New York, March 1962
     
    T he moaning wind whistled in the eaves, slamming rusted pieces of loose aluminum siding into the sides of the house, sending them screeching all the way to the ground.
    Lillian was halfway down the third page when George’s big hand slammed down on the desktop, ripping the papers from under her fingers. The violent force sent her