Page 28 of Cougar Point

Rebecca says, “The bear is industrious, instinctive, powerful, guardian of the world, a watcher with courage and great strength. The eagle is a divine spirit. It represents sacrifice, a connection to creator, intelligence, renewal, courage, and freedom, and a risk-taker.”

Ronnie smiles at her. “Dad was always going on about these. He commissioned them and had them installed when he boughtthe resort. He said the eagle reminded him of Mom. The bear was like him.”

The bear sounds like me, but he bought it so he can think whatever he wants. Any direction I look, the causeway that separates Semiahmoo Bay from Drayton Harbor reminds me how the Pacific Northwest is beautiful and breathtaking country. It’s home. Even though there is evil present, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

But I have to get my mind back in the game. Roger hadn’t noticed the issue with the security cameras and apparently neither did Missy. There would be no video of the drunk couple leaving the resort, or any of the hallway outside Victoria’s and Rebecca’s rooms.

Rebecca asks, “What did your sheriff tell you about Missy?”

I tell them what Tony had on Melissa Milligan and that he is sending the complete records.

Ronnie says, “I had the feeling when I talked to Roger that he was covering for someone. If he’s close to Missy, maybe she did something he doesn’t want us to know about.”

“Like what?” I ask.

“I don’t know. She has a record for harboring a fugitive and lied to police for him.”

The mean things Missy said about their mom runs through my mind. There is some kind of old grudge there on Missy’s part. Maybe Rebecca’s right and Missy’s problem is with anyone who has more money than her. Roger didn’t seem very upset the room had been cleaned against his orders. I wonder if he has a grudge against the family as well. Roger is a likeable enough guy. A nice guy. But even nice guys lie.

We reach the Marsh house and Rebecca opens the gates. I park under the portico in the front. The house is so magnificent I expect a bellboy to collect our luggage.

The weather turned nasty as we left the resort and the rain challenged the wipers to keep up. Now the rain has let up, the evening sun is out, and the puddles left behind by the storm reflect the sun and sparkle like diamonds.

Rebecca says, “Why don’t you get your things and bring them upstairs. I have your rooms ready.”

I’d need to tell Tony we might be here a while. I brought a small bag with some personal items: toothpaste, brush, mascara, etc. But I always keep a “go bag” packed away in the trunk of my vehicle with a change of clothes, spare ammunition, running shoes and some necessities like Cheetos and Payday candy bars. You never know when you might need those things.

Rebecca shows us up a wide staircase to a long hallway with doors on either side.Other bedrooms. She takes me into a room facing out over Semiahmoo Bay with a view across the Strait of Georgia. There’s a walkout balcony/deck and I can see Point Roberts. It’s a small community that’s a part of Washington State but can only be accessed by traveling through part of Canada.

Rebecca says, “I hope you’ll be comfortable. This is our best room. Ronnie’s room is just down the hall.” She opens the door to my ensuite bath. No expense has been spared but there is no tub, only a glassed-in shower with a number of rain heads mounted on one wall. “You’ll love the shower. Dad just had it put in.”

I lay my go bag on the California King bed and say, “Perfect.”Compared to this room I live like a homeless person.

She smiles. “I’ll just check on sis and we’ll go to the kitchen where we can have coffee and talk.”

“Don’t wait for me,” I say. “I’ll just follow my nose.”

“Then I’ll get the coffee ready and wait in the kitchen.”

My extra blazer isn’t too wrinkled from being folded and crammed into the little overnight bag for the day. I put it underthe mattress to press the worst of the wrinkles from it. It takes only a minute to unpack but it takes more time to pull my gaze from across the strait. Ronnie gave all this up for the life she has now. I’m glad she did but I don’t know if I could have done it.

“I’m in the room next door,” Ronnie says, coming up from behind me. She’s getting to be very stealthy. “Is your room okay?”

I’ll tell you after your father throws us out.“It’s perfect.”

“Mom kept my old room just the way it was when I left so I stay there when I come home. The only thing different is a bookcase full of law books my dad must have added. He never gives up.”

“When was the last time you were home?”

“Six months and I didn’t stay the night. Every time I get the urge to come home, I remember the arguments and the pressure and the guilt. My dad is the king of guilt trips. He doesn’t come right out and say, ‘Look at all the things I’ve given you. All the opportunities that others would die for. You’re wasting your life.’ But his actions say he’s very disappointed in me.”

I wish I had a father who would have berated me and not tried to kill me. But I don’t whine. I’ve got what I need. “He cares about you. How long did you say your family has lived here?”

“This land has always been in the family. My dad will tell anyone who will listen that we can trace our lineage back to his namesake Jack Marsh who settled in Virginia in 1635. The first male child has always been named Jack. My dad had a genealogist trace our history. But I’ve talked to the genealogist and the original Jack Marsh was a blacksmith.”

I’ve gone by so many names. I’m not really sure who I am or who I came from except for my mother who calls herself Courtney now. If she were only a blacksmith and not a lying criminal bitch I would be in heaven. It would be virtually impossible to trace my family history. For me it all startedafter I killed my bio-father. Future generations—if there are any future generations—will look back on me and Hayden and deny knowing us.

“You should be honored,” Ronnie says. “This is Rebecca’s room and she wouldn’t give it up for anyone. But don’t make a fuss about it.”

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