Chapter Four

Devon was drained. His normal rosy cheeks gave way to an ashen color.

The silence as Beth and Devon fastened their seatbelts in the silver
Highlander for their trip back to Cape Bed and Breakfast was
deafening. They always had much to say to one another. But this time
was different. She knew a little about his past. He'd been out for
five years, never wanting to return.

The American government's veil of secrecy was effacing. Scandals in
corporations and government were everywhere. Devon was finally out
and glad of it. He wanted more time with Beth. Time to do something
he had never done. Played.

He pulled the car to the sandy shoulder and opened the door. For a moment he sat silent, the only sound was ding ding ding of the door open chime. Beth reached across and shut off the engine. He looked at her, his eyes wet, his mouth trying to form the words. He bolted from the car up over the dunes to the ocean.


He stood watching the huge waves coming in crashing toward his feet. He reached out his arms in supplication.

"Take me, cleanse me make me whole again."

Beth walked up behind him, sandals in hand, heart in her throat.

Chapter Three

Devon called to Beth, who was standing by the railing, watching a couple of dolphins diving into the sound.

"Hey honey come over here. This gentleman, is going to let us look at his RV!!!!"

Beth scurried over. RV's were a passion of hers. As Devon followed her up the step he
touched the small of her back, to let her know it was okay. The older man spoke to his wife.

"These nice folks would like the grand tour of our palace on wheels!!"

Laughing, she exchanged greetings and offered to show Beth the bedroom in the back. As they walked off toward the rear, the older mans smiling eyes hardened.

"Listen and listen good." he said under his breath.

"You are screwing up O'Leary, you were out. Why didn't you stay that way? You are poking at a hornets nest."

As the ladies returned, the conversation switched to miles per gallon and GPS. Forty minutes later the ferry was ready to dock. Pleasantries were exchanged and Beth and Devon started heading back to their car. The older man took Devon's hand slipping him a small piece of paper.

"Go to the light house, give this to the man in the green jacket."

Confused Beth turned to Devon.

"I...I don't understand. Please help me to. That woman told me to butt out and I haven't a clue what she means," Beth said with tears in her eyes.

"What is she talking about?"

Beth opened her hand revealing half a small piece of paper the woman also slipped into her hand.

"Devon...what?"

Chapter Two

He watched Beth dry her hair. This woman who had stepped into his life so short a time ago but who had...... his reverie was broken by the ringing of his cell phone.


"Why don't you turn that dam thing off," Beth shouted over the roar of the blow dryer.

He stepped out to the deck and closed the door. ..."yeah ?"..."Take the ferry at ten AM" click. He closed the phone.

Devon O'Leary wasn't one for mysteries. He liked things nice and tidy. He also had a love affair with his Verizon cell phone. He liked being connected. He wished he had turned his cell phone off. Just watched her. And...

His face softened as he turned toward Beth. He climbed back in bed. Observing. but he wondered.

Eight thirty two the digital clock read.

"Honey," he said.

"Let's go over to the island this morning. We can catch the ten o'clock ferry. Have lunch at The Back Porch Cafe. It'll be open now."

"You always know what I like. Let me tie my hair up and I will be ready in a bit."

Devon made coffee. A couple of left over biscuits, a combination of Irish shortbread and English biscuits was perfect for them. He with his reddish hair and pink skin tones, she with her small English features and yellow Meditteranean skin. That was another mystery in itself. They liked mixtures. Of any kind.

With no wait on the ferry they were first in line. A large Tiffin recreational vehicle pulled right up behind them. A man in his early seventies popped out. Full of life. His wife remained in the passenger seat, knitting in hand.

"Gorgeous morning, eh?"

"Yes, we've had some amazing weather. Where are you off to?"

"I'm waiting for you. Please, Mr. O'Leary. Step in the RV."

Chapter One

He checked the stubble on his chin. The mirror image, with the sunken
eyes, scarcely resembled the drivers license lying on the bureau, but
no big deal, those pictures seldom did.

April was a good month to be here, very few people on the outer banks,
not like the southern beaches. The people walking on these beaches
were here for the solitude, not to pry or socialize. He sat back in
the dark, staring out at the clouds building over the ocean..The .380
lay across his thigh, his thumb clicked the safety back and forth.

Just then he heard a toilet flush.

Beth walked out of the bathroom. She leaned over to his side of the bed.

"Another weird dream. I may have worked out the opening to the book,"
he said rubbing his eyes.

Beth loved that smile. It always accompanied early morning eye
rubbing. Then a big, loud ahhh. It meant he was up to something.
Fulfilled. She liked that.