Missing Witness Read Free Page B

forty acres. A lot of rocks around the shore. Just one house on it, I think—right?”
    â€œExactly. Actually, there’s the main house—and I think there’s a little cabin at the other end of the island, and maybe another little outbuilding.”
    â€œSo, the case is about the island?” Fiona asked.
    Georgia nodded her head but then paused.
    â€œWell, about Stony Island, yes. But it’s much more than that.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Will asked.
    â€œFirst of all, I can’t see into the man’s heart, of course. But for as long as I’ve known Jonathan Joppa, there’s been a real sadness there. His wife died back when he was the assistant pastor at that large church in Charlotte…oh, what was the name…oh, yes. First Evangelical Church of Charlotte. She had had health problems. Then, shortly after that, he left and accepted the pastorate of that small church in Manteo…Safe Harbor Community Church. Here in the Outer Banks. He never remarried.”
    â€œSo, how is the island involved?” Fiona asked.
    â€œWell, part of this is what Jonathan Joppa told me—and the rest is what I read in the newspaper some time ago in some articles when it talked about the case. In fact, I think Bull, before his stroke, had also shared something with me. You know, Hatteras Island is a small place. News travels fast.”
    â€œWhat news?” Will asked.
    â€œWell—I told you that the island has remained in the Joppa family for—oh—just shy of three hundred years. And Randolph Willowby, one of the descendants of the man who originally owned the island, way back when in the 1700s—recently died. And there was a provision in his will that said Jonathan Joppa could take the island if he could clear the tarnished reputation of a distant Joppa relative.”
    â€œWhat do you mean by tarnished? ” Fiona asked, riveted on the conversation and leaning her face into both hands.
    â€œThree hundred years ago, a distant ancestor of Jonathan Joppa’s was charged with a criminal offense—”
    â€œWhat kind?” Will broke in.
    â€œPiracy,” Georgia replied.
    â€œPiracy! ” Fiona blurted out. “Are you serious?”
    â€œAbsolutely, but all of that was a long time ago—you know all the stories about the pirate Blackbeard, Willie, right?”
    Will nodded and chuckled, thinking back to the tour guide.
    â€œSo, as I understand it,” Georgia continued, “if this Pastor Joppa is able to disprove the criminal charges brought against this distant relative of his—then the island goes to him. I’m afraid that’s as much as I know.”
    The three were quiet for a moment, as they listened to the surf roll and crash down below the house. The candles were flickering low. Will offered to do the dishes and, as he rose from the table, he asked one other question.
    â€œIt sounds like an unusual condition to put in a will—to clear the reputation of the family name. But I have a bigger question. Doesn’t this guy already have a lawyer?”
    â€œHe did,” Georgia said. “Boggs Beckford. But he was injured in a car accident. Almost died. So Reverend Joppa is looking for a new lawyer. I’ve recommended you.”
    â€œHow valuable is the island?” Will asked nonchalantly as he was collecting the plates from the table.
    â€œWell, I heard at the beauty shop that there is a real estate development company that’s appraised it at two million dollars. They would like to develop some condominiums on it and would buy the island from Reverend Joppa if he wins.”
    â€œHow long ago was all this?” Will called out from the kitchen.
    â€œHow long ago was what?” Georgia responded.
    â€œThis piracy charge.”
    â€œWell—you know your pirate history—it would have been the early 1700s, I think, right?”
    â€œWhen you’re talking about charges