Free Bernadine Fagan - Nora Lassiter 01 - Murder by the Old Maine Stream by Bernadine Fagan Page A

tells you about it in the letter. I hope so. Ninety-one should be a time of peace. Clearly it wasn’t peaceful for her, at least where you and your brother and your parents were concerned.”
    Okay, now I was definitely uneasy. I figured it had something to do with Dad and the move to New York. Perhaps I would finally find out what had happened all those years ago.
    As I signed more papers, he promised to help with any details he could.
    I drove back to Ida’s place, thinking about how much my life had changed in four days. Not only had I taken on a “job” for Mary Fran, but I’d inherited a large tract of land, fifty acres. With the loss of my city job, my life had been in the toilet financially. Now, I had land I could sell.
    Unbidden, Whatshisname flashed through my thoughts, and I felt a sharp stab of grief. As much as I wanted to be rid of him, he still invaded my head. I wished I could press a mental eject button, especially of that last crushing scene when he had been naked in my shower with that woman.
    Ida was watching Crime Stoppers when I arrived back at the house, so I gave her a quick kiss and went up to my room. With great care, I opened the letter. It was written in the same flowing script as the names on the envelope: Howard and Nora.
    I quickly read to the end, then sat there with my mouth open. Stunned, I read it again, more slowly this time.
     
    EIGHT
     
    Dear Nora and Howie,
    I’ve seen lots in my time. Some good, some bad. One of the bad was your father leaving Silver Stream. It was my fault.
    Maybe we should have come together more as a family and backed him. The offender should have been brought to justice like he wanted originally. I begged him not to pursue the matter. I had visions of the family name being dragged through the mud. I shouldn’t have meddled. I should have let him handle it any way he chose, being that his wife was the affronted party.
    Although your dad did what I wanted, he thought we were choosing to sweep it all under the rug. That wasn’t so. Sexual harassment is wrong. Plain and simple.
    Back then, we thought since your mother was okay, the matter should be put behind us. After much ado, your father finally agreed and I thought that was the end of it. But of course, it wasn’t.
    I won’t go into the details. By now, you know them. The matter is long over and should remain so. I just want you to know that I’m sorry I meddled. I, for one, didn’t think he was guilty of anything, although some did, but I may have been the cause of the tragic consequences. I’m sorry I didn’t understand how upset your father was before it was too late.
    Afterwards, he was in such a hurry to get away that he sold his house and property to JT for much less than it was worth.
    I’ve been saving to pay back some of what he lost. Since he died before me, I can’t do that. I want to give you what I did manage to put away. I know your mother won’t take it, or anything else from me. She’ll never speak to me again. Can’t say as I blame her.
    You’ll notice I included a map. Follow it to the box that I buried out back beyond the creek.
    I wish it could be more. No one in the family knows about this. I’d prefer you keep it quiet, but the decision about telling is yours. My meddling days are over.
    No logging’s been done on the property for years, so if you stay maybe you could look into it. That will help you keep the place going. If you let it, the land will draw you and you will grow to love it.
    I love you, sweet Nora and Howie.
    Your Grandma Evie
    * * *
    Sexual harassment.
    My jaw had dropped at the mention of my mother, and it was still open when I finished reading. What did Grandma Evie mean that she didn’t think dad was guilty? Of what? What had happened? Who was involved? Why hadn’t Dad ever told me about this? Told me the truth when I asked? Or Mom? Neither had said a word.
    I closed my mouth. My parents had never discussed sex with me, ever, so I guessed it wasn’t