[Recently I traveled to Wilmington, North Carolina, the primary setting for my new, soon-to-be released novel “East Light.” While I was there I had the privilege of having supper with the two main characters in the novel, Magnus Thorsen and Dot Stipling. In fact, the two allowed me to interview them and share that interview with my readers. I must say that, though they both conducted themselves in a manner entirely businesslike and professional, I had the distinct feeling that there was something unspoken between them. That may come through in what I recorded. Just to give you a little background, Magnus (whose comments are preceded by the initials MT) is a well-known portrait artist in the coastal Carolina area). Dot (DS in the interview) is the Chief of Detectives for Aberdeen County, North Carolina. They came to know one another when Magnus reported discovering a young coed who had been attacked and left for dead at his favorite oceanfront location, Scotch Bonnet Beach. Oh, my own comments and questions are initialed LB. —Lazarus M. Barnhill]
LB: Thanks so much to both of you for agreeing to speak with me. I was just curious, Magnus, as to how the young woman you found on the beach is doing.
MT: Lisa Faucet is her name. She’s got quite an extensive time of recovery ahead of her, what with rehab and all. But before that she’ll have to have surgery—
DS: I’m sure Mr. Magnus doesn’t want to divulge any personal information about the victim.
LB: Oh. Is that because of the ongoing investigation?
MT: The investigation is over. Lt. Stipling always has to play things close to the vest. I suppose she’s right, though. There is no need to violate Lisa’s privacy.
LB: You call her “Lisa.” Is it true you saved her life and that the two of you have become close?
DS: Go ahead, Magnus. You should answer that one. Talk about me playing things close to the vest. Ask him about the portrait he painted, Laz.
MT: You mean the portrait I painted of Lisa—or the portrait I painted of someone else.
DS: You know exactly what I mean!
LB: Say, I feel almost as if I walked into a lover’s quarrel here. Sounds as if you two have a fair bit of unfinished—
MT: No.
DS: No, we don’t actually.
LB: . . . Okay. Uh, so this story that’s about to be published by Second Wind—
DS: East Light.
LB: Right. East Light.
DS: So ask Magnus what that means.
MT: What the hell is it with you? Look, Laz, let me tell you the whole story in a nutshell. I was walking along the beach one day, minding my own business, when I heard somebody call to me. It turned out to be a young woman in very bad condition. I phoned the paramedics and the police. When they got there—and for several days afterward—I did everything I could to help them, because I knew that helping them was helping Lisa.
LB: Well something must’ve broken down somewhere, because you and the chief of detectives here have more than a little friction going on.
DS: So is it my turn, Laz? This is pretty characteristic of mister “let me tell you whole story.” He’s right, though. His story is full of holes. Here’s one thing he left out: when he found the girl on the beach, he covered her with his jacket. So ask him what was in the pocket of his jacket.
MT: Now there’s something that always makes me hot for you, Dot. You love humiliating people for their own good.
DS: I’ll do whatever I have to do to save a life.
LB: Save a life? You mean Lisa, or do you mean Magnus?
DS: [standing up from the lunch table] Excuse me. I have to get back to work. Magnus has the answers to all your questions, although you may find him rather evasive. [walking out of restaurant]
MT: Sorry if you didn’t get what you needed, man. [standing up and dropping cash on the table] I’ve had it with her walking away from me. [hurrying after Dot]
