“Alright. Then I won’t worry too much about you,” Birch answered. “Did you put your stuff in the other bedroom? You even have your own bathroom to lounge around in.”
“I saw that,” Gramps answered, rubbing his hands together in apparent anticipation. “You don’t see too many cabins that have jetted tubs.”
Birch laughed.
“By the way,” Birch said as he made his way along the road fifteen minutes later with Gramps sitting beside him in the truck. “How did you really find out what my cabin number was? They’re not supposed to be giving out that kind of information, you know.”
“Oh, I have my ways of persuasion,” Gramps answered, grinning. “If you worked at it a little harder, you’ve always had the same capabilities that I have, you know.”
“No, thanks,” Birch answered, strangely not as emphatically as he normally would. He sensed that whatever he was here for would involve a great deal of the persuasive powers that he’d purposely tamped down on, so as not to take advantage of people.
Although when he’d been questioning some of the nasty tough guys he sometimes got stuck with, he admitted he’d used some of his invasive mind reading powers to get a handle on their guilt so he could get the ball rolling while trying to close the case.
Gramps enjoyed his lunch at the Tap, as did Birch. He’d eaten here quite a bit since arriving in town, and he’d never once eaten anything he hadn’t liked. And he also appreciated a few evenings out every once in a while since the Crystal Rock Tap offered weekend entertainment featuring several local and occasionally famous bands.
“Are you sure you want me to drop you off here in town?” Birch asked, another hour later.
“Yes. I can catch the bus back to the cabin. I feel like stopping off at a couple of places,” Gramps muttered, waving his hand. “That bar over there across the street for one.”
“That’s the fishermen’s hangout,” Birch admitted. “If there’s anywhere you’d belong, it would be there.”
Gramps had a way of making friends everywhere he went.
“Okay,” Birch said, giving Gramps a side glance as he pulled up near the bar. “You’ve got your cell phone?”
“I do. I’ll give you a call if I miss the bus.”
“I’ll be around,” Birch answered as his grandfather stepped out from the truck, walking toward the corner bar.
Birch smiled as someone strolled out from inside the bar and held open the door for Gramps.
“Now I need to figure out why I wanted to be alone,” he murmured, driving along the street. “I feel like I need to survey the land surrounding the island.”
So that’s what Birch did.
Returning to the marina where he kept his cruiser on standby, he drove through the lake, cutting through choppy water toward the island. Birch had become suddenly uneasy and had an urge to study the proximity of other properties surrounding the island to determine any potential threats.
The island was still in limbo, which he wasn’t surprised to see, although he could sense that soon it would change.
There was a vast difference in the island’s proximity to the mainland north and west as opposed to east. The channel opened south to Crystal Rock Lake, so the only method of transportation to the island would have to be managed from the east.
Birch drove the cruiser east, surveying each property along with the beautiful homes overlooking the lake.
That’s when something strange caught his attention.
One moment, he was looking at a section of woods which included a park-like area located near the lake.
And the next moment, he was gazing at a quaint old-fashioned log cabin, surrounded by birch and pines. A wide wooden boathouse jutted out near the shore while below, an angled graveled landing led into the lake.
Suddenly, there was a lot of activity taking place at the property as a pontoon was steered into the boat landing and tied to the pier.
So that was apparently the plan. The property along the shore had been cloaked along with the island. It’s strange that Birch had been unable to sense its presence. But then again, he’d only discovered the island yesterday.
Suddenly troubled, Birch continued along the lakefront’s edge, studying each property as he drove by. He shifted into neutral when he discovered a gloomy narrow channel, where he sensed danger was lurking if he decided to enter.
Not just because there were tree roots and brush which could become entangled in the cruiser’s propellor and leave Birch stranded.
Although he was being drawn into the channel, he would play it safe by not traveling any further in the cruiser. Tomorrow, he would get an early start, and drive his truck through the area to determine if the danger he sensed was originating from here.
Swinging around, he drove back by the cabin and boathouse, watching as a couple of men began loading some suitcases onto the deck.
Just for the heck of it, Birch pulled out the keyring and took a look at the quartz.
Nothing.
Birch heaved a sigh. He was impatient, but soon they would meet.
Tomorrow.
* * *
Birch picked up a few groceries while he was in town, thinking about the sleek modern kitchen in the cabin and how much Gramps liked to cook. Eggs, bacon and hash browns were what he would want, Birch decided as he walked through the aisles of the store.
Maybe he should pick up some fast food for dinner while he was at it along with some deli food from here in the store.
When Birch arrived back at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn cabins about an hour later, he was surprised to discover that his grandfather was entertaining a couple of lady friends at the kitchen table.
Birch hesitated, before walking into the kitchen.
Gramps stood, grabbing one of the bags of groceries from his arms and resting it on the counter. “I can’t believe this Birch, but I ran into a couple of old friends while I was wandering around town.”
Sure. Birch believed that as much as he believed he had a hole in his head.
Gramps introduced him to the ladies. “I’d like you to meet Gwen Cappella and her sister Serena.”
The ladies were smiling at Birch rather strangely.
“Nice to meet you, ladies,” Birch murmured, offering them a smile.
Gwen’s sister Serena elbowed Gwen in the ribs.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Birch,” they both chimed in.
Birch glanced at Gramps, who was giving the ladies an approving smile.
What was Gramps up to? Birch wondered.
“So, how about some fried chicken, everyone? I picked up a bucket while I was in town.”
“Sure,” Gramps and the ladies chimed in.
“I’ve got one more bag of groceries in the truck along with the chicken,” Birch answered, glancing over his shoulder. “I remembered to buy some coffee too, Gramps.”
Fifteen minutes later, Birch was in his bedroom changing clothes, while Gramps continued entertaining the ladies in the kitchen.
The best way to get the scoop was to eavesdrop, he decided, so Birch cracked the door into the hallway, attempting to listen to their conversation.
Birch had never told his grandfather about his super sensory hearing power, which had kept him out of trouble for most of his life.
“Your grandson is so handsome, Benjamin. You must be proud,” Serena said.