The Sometime Sister by Katherine Nichols (e novels for free .TXT) 📗

The possibility Stella had stayed with Ben to protect our family had never occurred to me. But according to her calls to Mom, she was coming home. Either she hadn’t been that worried about his threats, or something more powerful had moved her. If I could discover which one it was, I might be closer to finding out how she ended up dead on the beach.

“Before she died, Stella booked a flight to the States. Why would she do that if she was afraid Ben would hurt us?”

He looked away before answering. “I had not seen her for over five months. I tried to reach her, but it was as if she had disappeared. She meant everything to me, but I cannot say what was in her heart. That we will never understand.”

We sat in the garden watching the iridescent blur of a dozen or more tiny hummingbirds as they fluttered above the fragrant blossoms. The creatures filled the air with their jeweled colors—jade, emerald, amethyst, ruby. A soft chirping melody accompanied their frantic movements, and the low buzz of their wings in motion was a hypnotic backbeat. Their flickering dance reminded me of the fireflies we chased as children.

Before we left the garden, I turned to my sister’s lover. His heavily lashed eyes were downcast, giving him the look of a much younger man despite his thick, gray-streaked beard. Adelmo’s interlaced fingers dangled in front of him. I imagined them on Stella’s body and trembled.

“I should return you now, I suppose.” Once again, he reached for my hand. I hesitated, fearful he might feel me trembling and read my mind. But the moment passed. His touch brought nothing but sadness for our mutual loss.

On our walk to the beach, I told him about Stella’s stolen letters and my laptop and how much I wanted them back. He promised to check in with his contacts in Guayaquil but offered scant hope.

“I’m sure the thief was after your computer and grabbed the letters without thought. Most likely he disposed of them as soon as he discovered they were of no value.”

When we reached the beachside table, Prez was waiting for us. The men exchanged greetings and excused themselves to talk while I sat gazing at the sea. I was surprised to see how low the sun had sunk. It was after three, later than I thought. A lone booby approached me with a hopeful look.

“Sorry, little guy, but I’m not supposed to feed you.” He flipped his tail feathers before waddling off, leaving me to wonder if Stella had seen the same bird. I watched him join a larger group of birds. Seeing that he wasn’t alone on such a beautiful afternoon brought me a glimmer of happiness.

I flinched when Adelmo touched my shoulder.

“I didn’t mean to startle you. I can stay no longer, but I promise to let you know what I discover.” He gave me a card with his contact information. “Please go now with Prez to see Eva. But be very careful about discussing your sister with anyone else. And stay away from Wilcott. Also, do not believe everything you hear while you are with us in Montañita. It is a place of lies and deception.” He raised my hand to his lips and kissed my palm, lingering before releasing it. “But there is one truth you may count on, Grace Burnette. I will find out why our Stella did not come home to her family, and I will set things right.”

His eyes no longer blazed with intensity. Instead, they were cold. Cold enough to make me shiver in the warm sunlight.

Chapter 23

Prez and I stayed until Adelmo disappeared inside the restaurant. Then we proceeded to the jeep, where he explained Eva’s was on the way back to the hotel.

My companion wasn’t his chatty self, leaving me to wonder what they had discussed while I had been conversing with the booby.

As we cruised along, I replayed my conversation with Adelmo. Other than confirming he and Stella were lovers, the only surprise was Stella’s five-month absence. I couldn’t understand why they had spent the time apart. But why would he lie? Had he given me a clue when he warned me not to believe all I heard in Montañita?

Prez proved true to his word, and in about ten minutes we turned onto a one-lane gravel road that dead-ended in a clearing. Chickens scratched around the front yard of the square house set on cement blocks. When we pulled up, they scattered. A few roosted on the thatched roof, clucking angrily as we passed. A bear-like creature charged from underneath the steps.

As he closed in on us, I backed up and bumped into Prez, who seemed unconcerned about the beast.

“Hey, there Bruno, my man.” He held out his arms, and the dog leaped into them.

“Bruno!” Someone called from the doorway. “No, no! Perro malo!”

“No problemo, Señora Eva.” He pushed him aside. “It’s okay. You’re a big baby. Aren’t you, boy?” Bruno ambled alongside us as we proceeded on the smooth dirt path.

A woman with skin the color of creamed coffee stepped out. She was shorter than me, maybe five three or four. Her long, dark hair, parted in the middle, accentuated her slender face. Gold-rimmed glasses gave her a scholarly demeanor. She wore a simple peasant blouse and a bright red and yellow, ankle-length skirt.

“Buenos dias,” she said. “This must be Grace.” She held out her hand, and I took it. “I am Eva. So pleased to meet Stella’s beautiful sister.” Smiling, she led us to her doorway. Prez stopped at the bottom of the steps.

“I’ll wait out here, so you can have some privacy.”

The air in the front room was cool and almond-scented. Floral curtains were closed, and it was several seconds before my eyes adjusted. When they did, the first thing I saw was an intricately patterned tapestry, separating the room into two spaces. Interwoven shades of blue and green reminded