A Flicker of Doubt - Tim Myers [2]
“Harrison,” Markum yelled from the shore. “You have to get moving.”
I ignored him.
Poor Becka. What had led her to this? I hadn’t seen her in nearly a month, but I still felt as though she were a part of my life. We’d gone from dating to animosity to friendship, and I was going to miss not having her around. She had become a presence in my life, and her death was going to leave a hole that might never be filled. In my mind, I could suddenly hear the essence of her laughter and feel the soft tenderness in her touch as I stared down at her.
I did my best to choke back my emotions. I couldn’t grieve yet. I had a job to do. Trying not to think about what I was doing, I tied the tope around Becka’s chest I nearly fell in as I pushed the rope under her shoulder blades, but I managed to steady myself at the last second.
It was miserable towing her back to the steps, but somehow I managed it. I didn’t even realize I was crying until I tried to speak to Markum.
“It’s Becka,” I managed between sobs as I climbed out of the kayak and slumped onto the lowest exposed step just above the waterline. Becka’s body was tugging insistently against my boat in the current, and I had to hold onto the kayak to keep everything from drifting downriver. I knew I should pull Becka in, but I didn’t have the heart to touch her.
Markum patted my shoulder and said, “Harrison, I’m sorry.” He hesitated, then added, “Millie came out while you were paddling in. She called the police, so they should be on their way.” Millie Nelson, a plus- sized woman with brown hair and soft gray eyes, ran The Crocked Pot Cafe, a place where I took most of my meals.
True to the promise, I heard sirens in the distance. I started tugging on the rope to pull Becka out of the water when Markum said, “You’d better leave her there and let the police handle it.”
I nodded numbly, and he started to stand when I grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t go. Please.”
Markum settled back down beside me on the step. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,”
Sheriff Morton, a tall man with a ruddy complexion and a mop of brown hair, came rushing down the steps toward us a minute later. “What happened?’
Markum said softly, “She was in the water. It’s Becka Lane. Harrison used to date her, so take it easy on him.”
Morton’s face softened. “I know. Sony, I didn’t know who it was.” Two of his men arrived just behind him, and they carefully pulled the body out of the water and onto the bottom step. What happened after that was lost to me. I felt the sheriff grab one arm and Markum the other as they pulled me to my feet I didn’t care if the kayak drifted away. The way I felt at the moment, I was never going out on the water again.
The sheriff shouted to one of his men to pull the kayak up onto the steps as Markum led me to Millie’s place.
Morton released my arm and asked, “Are you all right?”
I managed to nod, but I couldn’t bring myself to make eye contact. It must have satisfied him, though, because he left me to rejoin his deputies.
Millie stepped in as she wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Come on, Harrison, let’s get you upstairs.”
Markum took a step back, deferring to her.
“Could I have some coffee first?” I asked. “I need something strong.” The truth was that I didn’t want to be alone, but the coffee would be welcome as well.
“Of course,” she said, “Come into the cafe I’ll fix you right up.”
I walked inside, nearly stumbling as I crossed the threshold. I was surprised by Millie’s strength in righting me. She led me to a table near the back, and Markum joined me. Millie returned in a minute with three cups of coffee and I felt the liquid burn as I gulped it down. We sat in silence, each of my friends giving me space, but staying close by in case I needed either one of them.
After a while, Markum looked outside toward the river and said, “It looks like they’re finally, finished out there. Are you ready to go upstairs now?”
“I’m feeling better” I said as I stared into the