Free ShadowsintheMist by Maureen McMahon

least have the courtesy to move into the Dirkston penthouse
in Chicago. Such an arrangement would certainly be more practical. Not only
would he be closer to the company offices during this critical time but it
would also help to ease the embarrassment of our situation.
    My little red Mazda zipped down the drive and I turned north
at the main road. I felt relieved to be away from the tense atmosphere at
Beacon. It would be nice to keep on driving and never look back. I thought of
Kong and the easy assurance with which he rejected everyone. I wished I had the
confidence and audacity to do the same.
    The drive to Manistee took only fifteen minutes. It was a
relatively small town, about the same size as Ludington, with its own small
commercial port but fewer curiosity shops for tourists and more supermarkets
and chain stores for locals. Quaint, attractive restaurants dotted the harborside
and main streets, while a number of old centennial homes, refurbished as
bed-and-breakfasts, displayed a unique blend of austere Puritan lines set off
by frivolous rococo ornamentation.
    Despite its prime location, Manistee didn’t seem to rely on
sun worshipers and sports enthusiasts as did many of the other coastal towns.
It thrived on its commercial enterprises and kept to itself as much as
possible. I decided to take Leo’s will to a law firm there, where I’d be less
likely to run into anyone directly associated with Beacon.
    I certainly wasn’t going to trust Grant’s word on the
futility of contesting it. For all I knew, Grant arranged this whole ridiculous
affair just to get his hands on Leo’s money and the corporate assets. It was
quite clear to me that he would stand to gain the most from this marriage,
acquiring the power to influence the running of Dirkston Enterprises, as well
as virtual control of Leo’s private fortunes. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to
find he was the one who suggested the idea to Leo in the first place.
    It didn’t take long to present my questions to the attorney.
If he was surprised at the demands set down in the will, he didn’t show it. In
the end, he merely agreed to study the document at length and call me as soon
as possible. I thanked him, feeling no more comforted than when I arrived and
returned to my car to begin the return journey.
    The sun broke through a scattering of gauzy cirrus clouds
and dropped warmth across the tree-lined pavement. I guided the car
absentmindedly, enjoying the peace and quiet. I passed Beacon’s shadowed drive
and continued on toward Ludington.
    It was minutes later that I saw him. I don’t know where he
came from but suddenly, in the middle of the road was a man. He didn’t move,
merely stood as though waiting for the car to reach him. His face was
indistinguishable, his clothing dappled by the rapidly moving clouds overhead.
He seemed to shimmer like a mirage and I blinked, half-expecting him to
disappear.
    His appearance was so unexpected I gasped and slammed my
foot on the brake. The tires squealed plaintively and the automobile veered to
the right and onto the shoulder of the road. My heart pounded furiously and I
threw open the door to confront him. But when I looked, he was gone.
    I stood by the side of the car and scanned the shrubs and
forest on either side. Shadows danced through the woodland recesses and a brisk
wind whipped my hair. There was no sign of anyone. Climbing back into the car,
I locked the doors and sat for a while, waiting for my hands to steady. The
road stretched ahead, a gray ribbon that cut the forest in half.
    I began to wonder if I’d seen anything after all or merely
conjured the image in my mind. I couldn’t have described the figure that had
loomed so suddenly. I couldn’t even be sure now if it was a man or a woman.
Perhaps a deer? It was highly unlikely. Deer were often seen along this stretch
of highway but very rarely at midday.
    I put the car in gear and with one last furtive glance
around, continued on my way. I was