Cutler 01 - Dawn

from the door, my arms folded under may breasts. If I didn't agree, they might never open the door, I thought.
    "Just do this little compromise, and you'll bring peace and tranquillity back. We're right in the middle of the season, and the hotel is full, and—"
    "Why did you give her my letter to Ormand Longchamp?" I snapped.
    "She still has that letter?"
    "No," I said. "I have it. She returned it and forbid me to have anything to do with him. She likes to forbid things," I said.
    "Oh, I'm sorry, I . . . I thought she was going to get the letter delivered. We had discussed it, and although she wasn't happy about it, she said she would get the police chief of Cutler's Cove to take care of it. I guess she got so upset, she—"
    "She was never going to have the letter delivered," I said. "Why couldn't you do it yourself?"
    "Oh, I guess I could. It's just that Mother and the police chief are good friends, and I thought . . . I'm sorry," he said. "I'll tell you what," he said quickly. "If you agree to wear the nameplate, I'll take the letter to the chief myself and see to it that it's delivered. How's that? Is it a deal? I'll even make sure there's a receipt so you can see that it was delivered."
    For a moment I was caught in a storm of confusion raging through my mind and heart. The kidnapping had put an ugly stain on Momma and Daddy. I could never forgive them for what they had done, but deep inside I still clung to the hope that there was some explanation. I had to have Daddy tell me his side of it.
    Now I had to pay a price to have any contact with him. One way or another Grandmother Cutler got her way at Cutler's Cove, I thought. But this time I was going to get something, too.
    "If I agree, will you find out what has happened to Jimmy and Fern?"
    "Jimmy and Fern? You mean the Longchamps' real children?"
    "Yes."
    "I'll try. I promise, I'll try," he said, but I recalled what Mother had said about his promises and how easily he made them and then forgot them.
    "Will you really try?" I asked.
    "Sure."
    "All right," I said. "But people who want to can call me Dawn."
    "Sure," he said.
    "Will you open the door?"
    "Where's the letter?" he replied.
    "Why?"
    "Slip it under the door."
    "What? Why won't you open the door?"
    "I don't have the key," he said. "I'll go get it and tell Mother about our agreement."
    I slipped the letter under, and he took it quickly. Then I heard him walk of leaving me feeling as though I had just made a deal with the devil.
    I sat down on the bed to wait, but suddenly I heard the turning of the key in the lock. The door opened and I faced Philip.
    "How come your door's locked?"
    "Grandmother did it. She thinks I stole a necklace."
    He shook his head.
    "You better get out of here. Grandmother doesn't want us to be alone together. Clara Sue told her stories and—"
    "I know," he said, "but I can't help it this time. You must come with me."
    "Come with you? Where? Why?"
    "Just trust me," he said in a loud whisper. "Hurry."
    "But—"
    "Please, Dawn," he pleaded.
    "How come you had the key to my room?" I demanded.
    "Had the key?" He shook his head. "It was in the door."
    "It was? But . . ."
    Where had my father gone? Why did he lie about the key? Did he have to get permission before opening the door to let his own daughter out?
    Philip seized my hand and pulled me out of the room. He started down the corridor to the side exit. "Philip!"
    "Quiet," he ordered. We rushed out and around the building. When I saw he was leading me to the little cement stairway, I stopped.
    "Philip, no."
    "Just come, will you. Before someone sees us." "Why?" I demanded, but he tugged me forward. "Philip, why are we going in there?" I demanded. Instead of answering, he opened the door and dragged me into the darkness with him. I was about to shout angrily when he reached up and pulled the light cord.
    The contrast between pitch darkness and blazing brightness hurt my eyes. I closed them and then opened them.
    And there, standing before us, was Jimmy.

 
    13
A PIECE OF THE PAST
     
    "Jimmy! What are you doing here?" I asked, half in shock, half in delight. I had never been so happy to see anyone as I was to see him. He stared at me, his dark eyes twinkling impishly. I could see just how happy he was to set his eyes on me, too, and that warmed my heart.
    "Hi, Dawn," he finally said.
    We both faced each other awkwardly for a moment, and then I embraced him. Philip watched us with a half smile on his face.
    "You're drenched to the