Free Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery by Sharon Canipe

I’m going to unpack my things and get settled.   Then I think I’ll be ready to call it a
day.”
    “I’m going down
to finish cleaning up in the kitchen,” Lin answered, “ Then I’ll be up.   We have a busy day
tomorrow.”
    “Oh, yes.” Neal
turned to her, “I’d almost forgotten about our date with the local sheriff
tomorrow morning.”
    “And I have a
few other things to show you, when we go to Manteo.” Lin smiled as she headed
downstairs.

 
    ***
    Later, as she
lay in Neal’s arms drifting somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, Lin
thought about her conversation with the Johnsons and her promise to talk to
them about what she learned when she talked to Sheriff Midgett.   She had not yet mentioned this promise
to Neal and she wasn’t sure how he’d react to her agreeing to do this.   From their earlier conversation she had
picked up on the fact that he didn’t relish the thought of her becoming more
deeply involved in this incident.
    Well, she had
no intention of becoming deeply involved in anything.   After all, Dorrie’s death had already
been determined to be an unfortunate accident, and the murder of Liz Frazier
happened more than ten years ago.   Maybe Dorrie had been involved in some way.   In any event it was probably too late to
learn much new information about what happened.   She did understand how Matt and Sara Johnson
felt.   They couldn’t reconcile
themselves to what they’d been told about the earlier crime.   Perhaps when they learned more, they
could better accept what might have happened.   I’ll simply give Matt Johnson a call and
tell him what the Sheriff says—then it will be over.   I can put the entire episode behind me
and get on with planning for a wonderful holiday.   We can discuss all this over breakfast,
Lin thought as she drifted off to a pleasant sleep snuggled next to Neal.

Chapter 5

 
    Sheriff Midgett
was waiting when Lin and Neal arrived at the coffee shop the next morning.   It was sunny but a bit cool for sitting
outside so they chose a table by the windows that overlooked the harbor
area.   The water was a deep blue,
and the sky was clear.   A variety of
watercraft bobbed lazily at the adjacent pier.   There were only a few customers in the
shop as it was already mid-morning.
    “I hope that I’m
able to answer some of your questions and concerns Ms. Hanna,” the Sheriff
pointed to a fairly thick folder he had placed on the table. “This is the
information we have on the Frazier killing.   I’m sure that finding Dorrie Johnson’s
body was a shocking experience for you, and I hope learning more about this
story will help you to find some sense of closure.”   Midgett turned to Neal, “I don’t believe
I’ve had the pleasure.”   He extended
his hand.
    “Neal Smith,
I’m a close friend of Lin, I’m here for the holidays and thought I would come
along this morning.   This is a beautiful
spot,” Neal shook hands with the Sheriff and they seated themselves.
    “Indeed, it
is,” Sheriff Midgett agreed.   He was a big man, more than six feet
tall and likely close to 300 pounds.   He probably played football in high school, Lin thought.   He began to arrange the papers from the
folder on the table as the waiter brought steaming mugs of coffee.    “How ‘bout some of those good
pastries, Jerry?   Breakfast was early
for me today,” the Sheriff turned to Lin and Neal, “They’re home made
here—delicious,” he offered, “Will you join me?”
    “Not me,” Lin
replied, “I just finished a huge omelet.   We had breakfast before leaving the beach.”
    Neal declined
more food also.   Lin felt that his
mood was a bit cool and standoffish.   At breakfast she’d told him of her promise to share information with
Matt Johnson.   While Neal didn’t say
anything about that, didn’t try to talk her out of it, she sensed that he wasn’t
fully convinced it was a good idea.   Now he sat back, sipping his coffee and