Page 60 of Shadow of Deceit
He spun from facing his workbench, a wrench in his hand. His silver glasses slid down a large nose, and a sprinkling of gray whiskers covered his narrow chin.
“Mia. Hi.” He smiled, his full lips turning up. “Wondered if you might stop by.”
“Good to see you, Nico.” She looked at the cluttered bench in front of him. He’d mounted an outboard motor for one of their rental boats on the side of the bench.
He dropped the wrench and grabbed a rag to wipe his grease-covered hands. “Stupid motor keeps quitting on me, and we don’t want to buy a new one. Every penny counts, right?”
“Right,” she said.
He pointed at a teakettle in the corner. “Can I make you a cup of tea?”
A rush of guilt swamped her. Here she was planning to interrogate him, and he was offering her tea. “Thanks, but I won’t be long.”
“Uh-oh, sounds like you got something serious on your mind.” He leaned back against the counter, but his expression remained sharp.
She would come right to the point. “I heard you and Uncle Wally had a disagreement.”
“You could call it that.” He dropped the rag and shoved his hands in a thick apron he wore over a denim shirt and worn jeans. “He promised to build me a little cabin on the property so I could retire. Never did it. When I asked, he said he just forgot. But then he still didn’t do it.”
He shook his head. “These old bones can’t keep up with the full-time work anymore. Told Wally I would help whoever he hired to replace me and wouldn’t expect to get paid. I want to keep busy, just not this busy.” He waved his hand over the bench.
“Do you have any witnesses to this promise?” she asked, hating to do so.
He frowned. “Nah. Just between us, but you know me, Mia. Most of your life. I live my faith, and I’m a man of my word.”
“I do know that, but it’s not like Uncle Wally to promise something then not follow through. Makes me wonder what he was thinking.”
“Agreed, and I can’t explain it. But if you could see your way clear to building a little place, I’d help with the work. Put in as much sweat equity as you would want from me.”
She might be mad in his situation, but he was his usual calm, laidback self. “You don’t sound angry about it.”
“Angry, nah. Hurt that Wally didn’t follow through, yeah.”
“So not angry enough to shoot up the lodge or send me threatening messages?”
“No way.” He pushed off the bench. “You gotta believe me, kiddo. I’d never do that to anyone, and I hope whoeverisdoing it is caught and pays.”
He sounded very sincere, and Mia believed him. “Have you seen anything unusual happening around here?”
“Unusual?” He tilted his head. “Not really.” He didn’t sound sure.
She had to press him. “Not really? Or no?”
“I mean, Verna’s been kind of a bear lately, but she’s been dealing with a lot at home with her daughter being sick. Wally told her to take all the time she needs, and he’s still paying her full-time. But maybe she’s worried about the change with you taking over.”
Sounded possible. “You worried about that too?”
He shrugged, his hands going back into those large apron pockets.
She didn’t like seeing him uncomfortable. “I should probably get the staff together to tell you all that I don’t plan on making any changes this year.”
“Yeah, that would be good to know. And I guess if you decide to sell when your year is up, my cabin might not matter.”
“I don’t know what I plan to do, but I will for sure think about what you told me.”
“That’s all a fella can ask for. Thank you.” A genuine smile spread across his face.
“I’ll check in again, once the person issuing these threats is arrested.” She started for the door.
