by Rita Herron
Cora struggled to nod, but the darkness was pulling her under.
Faye jerked the top off the pen, raised it and quickly jabbed it into Cora’s thigh.
Nina cradled Cora’s hand in hers. “Is she gonna be all right?” Nina whispered.
Faye soothed Cora by rubbing her hand along Cora’s back. “Come on, breathe, Cora. You’re going to be fine.”
Slowly the ache in her chest receded. Her throat felt as if it was contracting, the swelling lessening. Perspiration trickled down her face as she clutched Faye’s hand.
“Mama?”
Nina sounded frightened. Cora had to assuage the little girl’s fears. She blinked, inhaling and exhaling slowly to steady her breathing. Finally the dizziness faded. The world stopped moving. Slipped back into focus.
She stared into Faye’s eyes, then Nina’s. Both looked frightened.
“I’ll get an ambulance,” Faye said.
Cora shook her head. “No... I’m okay...thanks...”
Relief flooded Faye’s face, then Nina leaned over and gave her a hug. “You scared me, Ms. Reeves.”
“I... I’m sorry, honey,” Cora whispered.
“Can you sit up?” Faye asked.
Cora wasn’t sure. Her body felt weak. Languid. Her limbs heavy.
But another look at the terror on Nina’s face, and she nodded.
“Come on, I’ll help you.” Faye slid her arm beneath Cora’s shoulders and helped her to stand. Nina clutched her arm and leaned on Faye.
They helped her to the sofa and she sank onto it, leaned back and continued to breathe in and out. Footsteps again, then Faye returned with a wet washcloth and dabbed Cora’s forehead with it.
The cool cloth helped to lift the fog. “Thank you, Faye. You saved my life.”
A blush stained Faye’s cheeks. “I’m just relieved you’re okay. I didn’t know you had an allergy.”
“Peanuts,” Cora said. “The brownies in the basket you sent must have contained peanut oil.”
“I’m allergic to peanuts, too,” Nina said. “I gots a pen just like you.”
Cora’s heart pounded. “You do?”
“Uh-huh,” Nina said. “I hate that shot. Mama had to give it to me twice.”
A strange sensation engulfed Cora. She and Nina shared the same food sensitivity. A coincidence, or could it mean more?
She silently chided herself. Peanut allergies were on the rise these days. For heaven’s sake, the school had issued letters to parents, making the school a peanut-free zone because the allergy was so common.
A contrite expression flashed across Faye’s face. “I forgot to tell one of the mothers when Nina was invited for a playdate, and she gave Nina a muffin containing peanut oil.”
“It happens to everyone at some time,” Cora said sympathetically. Her mind raced. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“Nina begged to stop by.” Faye wrinkled her nose. “But what did you mean, about the gift basket from me?”
Cora straightened slightly and gestured toward the table. “The basket,” she said. “It had your name on the card.”
Faye crossed the room and examined the basket and card. A frown tugged at the corners of her eyes. “I didn’t send the basket, Cora.”
If Faye hadn’t sent it, who had?
Someone who knew about her allergy and wanted her to die?
* * *
JACOB HANDED THE items he’d collected from Evie Hanson’s house to Liam. He had broken into the house with no warrant, so it might not be admissible, but right now all he wanted was answers and a lead. And he might have just found one.
Besides, maybe he could justify probable cause. “I thought you could run these for DNA through your lab,” he said. “I’m sure you can get results faster than I can through the county.”
“Sure.” Liam examined the bag with the pink toothbrush, the sock and drawing pad. “You think this little girl Twyla might be Alice Reeves Westbrook?”
Jacob lifted his shoulders slightly. “It’s worth exploring. She is adopted. The neighbor said Evie was protective of her daughter and they kept to themselves.”
“Being protective of your child is not a crime,” Liam pointed out. “In this day and age, parents should be cautious.”
Agreed. “But the way she suddenly packed up and moved seems suspicious. The neighbor also claimed Evie was on the verge of adopting a baby boy, but something happened. Maybe she obtained Twyla illegally and planned to do the same again, but got frightened and decided to run.”
“You could be jumping to conclusions,” Liam said. “But we’ll follow up.”
“I texted Martin to see if he can dig up more info on Evie, who she rented from, how she paid. I’d like a crime team to search for prints in the house. Maybe Evie’s job in the pediatric unit is a front for kidnapping babies.”
“That’s a stretch,” Liam said. “But considering I’m investigating an illegal kidnapping/adoption ring, it’s worth considering.”
A good working theory.
“Let me start a search for her.” Liam clicked some keys on his computer. “And I’ll handle the prints.”
“Thanks.” Jacob shifted. “Any more on the kidnapping/adoption ring?”
“Not yet. Hopefully soon.”
Jacob’s phone buzzed on his hip. He checked the caller ID. Cora.
“Let me take this. Call me if you get a lead on Evie.”
He stepped into the hall and answered the phone. “Cora?”
“Jacob, I...need to talk to you.”
Her voice sounded strange. Weak. Something had happened...
“What’s wrong?”
“I think someone just tried to poison me,” she said in a raspy whisper.
Jacob’s blood ran cold. “Where are you?”
“Home.”
He hurried down the hall to leave the building. “Hang on, I’ll be right there.”
* * *
CORA’S MIND REELED as she studied Faye. She’d settled Nina at the table to color while they talked.
Faye seemed confused, and had adamantly denied sending the basket.
“Could someone from your real estate office have ordered it on your behalf?” Cora asked.
“I don’t think so,” Faye said. “We typically send gifts to potential clients. You haven’t talked to anyone about putting your place on the market, have you?”
Cora shook her head. “No.”
Faye rubbed her temple. “I don’t understand, then.”
“Did you mention me to anyone?” Cora asked. “Maybe your agency is sending out feelers to find out if anyone is interested in selling?”
Faye pursed her lips. “I haven’t talked about you to anyone, Cora.”
Now her tone sounded defensive.
“I’m sorry for asking so many questions,” Cora said, lowering her voice so Nina wouldn’t hear. “But I think whoever sent this knew about my allergy and just tried to kill me.”
Shock widened Faye’s eyes. “What? Oh my God. You don’t think I would do that?”
Cora glanced at Nina. How could she doubt Faye with her daughter in Cora’s living room? When Faye had saved her life?
If she’d wanted to kill Cora, she wouldn’t have brought Nina to her house to witness it.
“No, I don’t,” Cora said quietly.
Faye paced the room, then found two glasses in Cora’s kitchen, filled them with water then brought one to Cora. Her hand shook as she sipped from the other glass and sank into the chair facing Cora.
She leaned forward, angling her face away from Nina. “Why would you think someone wants to hurt you, Cora?”
Cora debated on how much to tell Faye. But Faye had confided about her ex, so she decided to reciprocate and explained about Kurt’s murder and her car crash.
“
You think the same person who murdered that private investigator tried to poison you today?” Faye asked. “If he didn’t share information with you, why come after you?”
“I don’t know,” Cora said. “Unless whoever took Alice believes I might be close to finding her.”
Faye’s lips parted in a surprised expression. “But trying to kill you would only draw suspicion.”
“True,” Cora said. “But whoever it is must be desperate.”
A knock sounded at the door, jarring them both. Cora pushed forward to get up, but Faye threw up a hand. “I’ll get it. You should rest.”
Cora still felt a little light-headed, so she leaned back against the sofa. Jacob’s voice echoed from across the room, and Faye introduced herself, then led him inside.
A muscle ticked in Jacob’s jaw as his dark gaze met hers.
Faye paused beside Nina and patted her shoulder. “Come on, sweetie, we need to go.”
Nina ran over and threw her arms around Cora. “Are you gonna be okay, Ms. Reeves?”
Cora hugged her tightly, savoring the sweetness of the little girl. “I’m fine, honey.” She cupped Nina’s face between her hands and gave her a smile. “Thanks to you and your quick thinking.”
Nina’s big eyes brightened. “You want us to come back and check on you?”
She did. But Faye seemed agitated and ready to go, so she didn’t want to push it.
Jacob saved her from having to respond. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Ms. Reeves is okay.”
“Good,” Nina said with a toothy grin. “’Cause she’s the bestest teacher in the world.”
“I’m sorry I scared you, honey,” Cora said softly. “You were very brave today, Nina.”
Nina hugged her again, and Cora fought tears.
Faye set her water glass on the table beside Cora’s, then clasped Nina’s hand. “Come on, sweetheart. Cora needs rest.”
Cora offered Faye a smile of gratitude. “Thank you so much, Faye.”
Faye nodded. “I’m just glad we got here when we did.”
Cora remembered seeing them in town. “Did you stop by for a reason?”
Faye gave a sheepish shrug. “We saw you leaving the park and just wanted to say hi. Call me if you need anything.”
Nina waved, and she and Faye left. Seeing them and Julie today made Cora realize how much she’d shut herself off from others.
Maybe she and Faye could be friends.
But she turned to Jacob and reality intruded. He was here because someone wanted her dead.
And today they’d almost succeeded.
Chapter Sixteen
Jacob crossed the room to Cora, anger mingling with worry. “Do you need a doctor?”
“No, I’m all right,” Cora said. “Faye gave me my EpiPen.”
Jacob lowered himself beside her. Her complexion looked pale, her eyes slightly glazed, and perspiration dotted her forehead. “What allergy?” he said, all business.
“Peanuts,” she said. “I know what foods to avoid, but when I found the gift basket I saw the brownies and didn’t think about them having peanut oil in them. But they must have. I was fine until I ate one.”
He narrowed his eyes, then he seemed to scan the room for the basket.
Cora pointed toward the table. “That was on the front porch when I arrived home. The card said it was from Faye and her real estate agency, but she denies sending it.”
Jacob chewed the inside of his cheek. “Did she know about your allergy?”
Cora took a sip of water. “I don’t see how she could have. We only just met.”
“Who knew about your allergy?” Jacob asked.
Cora ran her fingers through her hair. “Some of the teachers at school. Of course Drew and all my former friends.”
He folded his arms. “Isn’t Faye the woman who complained to your principal?”
Cora clenched her jaw. “She is. But we came to an understanding when she told me about her ex.”
“What was she doing here?” Jacob asked in a tone full of distrust.
“She and Nina saw me in town and decided to stop by and say hi.”
“Has she ever done that before?”
Cora shook her head no. “But like I said, we’re just getting to know each other. I think she felt bad about having me fired.”
Jacob mulled over that possibility. Faye had seemed perfectly normal. Friendly, although maybe a little wary. “She was in a hurry to leave when I came in.”
“I think my reaction frightened her and Nina,” Cora admitted.
“Was the child upset?” Jacob asked.
Cora’s expression softened. “Actually Nina was a trouper. She grabbed the EpiPen from my purse. Her quick thinking saved my life.”
Jacob pulled a hand down his chin. “How did she know about the pen?”
Cora searched her memory. The last hour was blurred. “I tried to tell them. And... Nina is allergic to peanuts, too. Maybe she recognized the signs of my reaction because she’s had a similar reaction before.”
Jacob retrieved his phone from his belt. He examined the gift basket, read the card, then punched the florist’s number.
“This is Sheriff Jacob Maverick. I have a question about an order delivered to Cora Reeves. Can you tell me who placed the order?”
He waited while she searched their records. “Actually the order was placed online.”
“The name of the sender?”
“Whistler Mountain Realty.”
“Was there an individual’s name?” Jacob asked.
“No, sir.”
“How was it paid for?”
“Hmm, looks like a PayPal account. Sheriff, is something wrong?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” He’d need a warrant to search the accounts. Unless Liam could gain access...
“Let me know if that account orders anything again.”
“I sure will.”
He ended the call, then phoned the real estate agency, tapping his foot in agitation. Cora was watching him with avid curiosity.
“This is Penny from Whistler Mountain Realty,” a cheery young woman answered.
Jacob identified himself and explained the reason he called. “Did someone from your agency order a gift basket for Cora Reeves?”
“Hang on, and I’ll check.” Jazz music echoed over the line while he was on hold. A second later, she returned. “I’m sorry, sir, but we haven’t ordered anything for Ms. Reeves. Were we supposed to?”
“No, but she received a gift basket with a card with your company name on it.”
“That’s odd,” Penny said. “Why would someone use our name to send a gift?”
“Good question.” And one he intended to find the answer to.
“Ask around the office and see if anyone else might know and call me back if they do.”
She agreed, and Jacob thanked her and hung up.
“Who sent it?” Cora asked.
“I don’t know.” Jacob snapped a photograph of the basket. “But I’m going to have the lab analyze the food and ask Liam to dig deeper into the order to see who placed it.”
* * *
CORA STRUGGLED TO understand what was happening as Jacob phoned his deputy to pick up the basket. His concern heightened her own.
Fatigue from her reaction tugged at her muscles, and she yawned into her hand.
Jacob finished the call, then joined her on the sofa again. “How are you feeling?”
“A little tired,” she said. “But I’ll be fine.”
The look that flashed in his eyes mirrored her own fears. She almost hadn’t been fine.
“Tell me what happened after you left the station,” Jacob said in a quiet but serious tone.
She massaged her forehead, then relayed her movements and explained about her friend Julie.
“When did you last see her?” Jacob asked.
A fresh wave of pain splintered Cora as she recalled the way their friendship had fallen apart. “It’s been over four years,” she said. “This cabin was our vacation home—mine and Drew’s. When Drew and I split, I moved here permanently, and Drew kept the house in Charlotte.” She cringed as her accusations against Julie taunted her. “It was my fault that Julie and I haven’t spoken.”
Jacob stroked her arm. “Cora, none of this was your fault. Any parent who lost a child would have had a difficult time.”
“But I wasn’t a good friend to her,” Cora said. “I thought she called Drew and told him I was crazy, because I followed this woman at the mall one day. I’m sure I seemed like a stalker.”
“You’re not crazy now, and you weren’t then,” Jacob said.
Jacob’s big blunt fingers gently brushed her arm, calming her. “Fear does strange things to people.”
Cora sensed he wasn’t just talking about her now. “I know you suffered and miss your father,” she said. “My parents died when I was in my twenties. But I lost them in a car accident. Your father was killed because someone set fire to the hospital. You must want to know who’s responsible.”
Emotions streaked Jacob’s face. “Not knowing weighs on my mind,” Jacob admitted in a low voice. “My brothers and I made a pact years ago that we’d find the person who set that fire and make him pay.”
Compassion for Jacob and his brothers made her want to reach out to him. “You and your brothers are all admirable men.”
Jacob gave a wry chuckle. “We’re just trying to live up to my father’s reputation.”
“He died a hero.” Cora couldn’t help herself. She lifted her hand and pressed it to his cheek. “You’re a good man, too, Jacob. In spite of your own tragedy, you tried to help me five years ago, and you’re helping me now.”
Emotions blurred as heat simmered between them. Shared pain and the need for answers had driven them both for years.
Jacob and his brothers were the most handsome, honorable men to ever come out of the North Carolina mountains.
She’d wondered why Jacob had never married. Never had a family of his own.