Page 17 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

“Did Damain Stone say why he believed he was a descendent of the Willow family?” I asked.

“He told me it was known in his family, something passed down through generations that their origin was with the Willow family who had founded a town in Pennsylvania. But as I said, he has no proof, no documents, no DNA to prove it. There is a book, The History of Willow Lake, the Willow Lake Historical Society had published that might offer some insight.”

“I have it and it is somewhat helpful,” I said. “One more quick thing, Reverend and we will leave you to your duties. “Would you know if there is a secret passageway in the mausoleum?”

The reverend chuckled. “I have been asked that question more than I’d like to remember. I don’t know. I suppose anything is possible, but I have no knowledge if there is or isn’t one. However, I do believe the documents you will review include the original drawing for the mausoleum.”

CHAPTER 5

“The deck is going to look great, Pep,” Ian said, finishing his tea as he looked out the French doors the next morning and waved to the workers who just arrived for the day.

“I am glad I had the winter to discuss the design with you and make changes. The outside kitchen area with a covered overhang and sitting area will work much better for entertaining. We can have a summer party when it’s completed.”

He walked over to me and gave me a quick kiss. “Sounds like fun. I have a full morning of business meetings and an afternoon of photo shoots.”

“I’m going to the garden center to?—”

The front door flew open. “Do you know what your mother did now?”

My dad glared at both of us, though his frustration wasn’t directed at us.

“Coffee, Dad?” I asked and glanced at the coffeemaker.

“Yeah, sure,” he grumbled, then called out, “Morning, Ian.”

“Good morning, sir,” Ian said and turned to me and whispered, “I need to get to work.”

“Coward,” I whispered.

“Wiseman,” he whispered back.

Even Mo followed him to the door. “Is it all right if he comes with me?” Ian asked.

“He would only open the door and take the path to the lodge if I didn’t let him go with you. I swear the days he goes with you are the days he can smell his favorite breakfast foods cooking at the lodge.”

“Bacon,” Ian said with glee, and I could have sworn Mo smiled as well.

“Sorry to disturb you, Pepper,” my dad said when I joined him at the counter after pouring myself another cup of oolong tea.

“You never disturb me, Dad, though a knock announcing your arrival would be nice, even a blast on your siren would do,” I said with a chuckle.

“Funny,” my dad said, and I was glad I could make him smile.

“So, what’s Mom done now?” I asked.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “She wants to beautify the police station.”

“How do you beautify a police station?” I asked and had the answer before my dad could say anything. “Plants, flowers, a refreshment area.”

“You know your mother well. The police station shouldn’t be a welcoming place. It is a place you don’t ever want to have to go to. Next thing you know she’ll be putting blankets and pillows in the jail cells.”

I kept myself from laughing since he was right.

“Talk to her for me, will you?” he all but begged. “I don’t want to fight with her about this. Her mayoral campaign is putting enough stress on me. She tells me that she’s going to debate Mayor Barrett and to prepare, she wants me to attend a lecture at the community college on reading people.”

“Like a book,” I added.

“Yeah, that’s it. Like I don’t’ already have experience with that after all my years on the force.”

---