Twilight at Blueberry Barrens

by Colleen Coble

  He turned out the light and started for the hall when he heard something. It almost sounded like someone shouting his name. He went to the window and peered through the darkness to see Kate running toward the cottage in the moonlight.

  His pulse kicked, and he flipped open the dead bolt on the door and ran outside. He leaped down the steps and headed toward her, then put on a burst of speed as she stumbled and her knees began to buckle. “Kate!” He caught her up against his chest before she hit the ground.

  She felt nearly limp in his arms, and he eased her to the damp grass. Her face was white, but her eyes were open and staring. “Are you hurt? You’re soaking wet.” He thought about yanking off his shirt, but it was a thin T-shirt and wouldn’t do much good.

  “No, no, I’m okay.” She inhaled and swallowed. “M-my uncle. He was waiting outside for me.” She started to get up, then sank back onto the blueberry field. “You have to call the sheriff before he gets away.”

  Kevin had been right—she was turning him in as soon as she saw him. Drake brushed dirt from her face, then realized she was covered in it. “Did he throw you down in the mud?”

  She shuddered and shook her head. “Let’s get inside in case he comes back. We have to call for help. He’ll get away.”

  He pulled out his phone and called 911 to report it, then helped her up. “The sheriff is on his way.”

  She limped a little as he assisted her toward the cottage. She kept glancing back as if she expected her uncle to break out of the trees at any minute and shoot them down. The way she trembled made him hurry toward the house. The guy could be circling around to the back, and Drake wanted to make sure the girls were all right. He got her up the steps and into the house.

  As soon as she crossed the threshold, Kate threw the dead bolt. “Make sure the back door is locked.”

  “It is. I locked it a little while ago. Let’s get you warm and dry.” He grabbed a throw from the back of the sofa and draped it around her. She looked like she’d been swimming in her clothes.

  “Thanks.” She clutched it around her.

  He told her about the raccoon incident earlier in the evening. “I saw your light was on awfully late, but I didn’t see you outside. What’s happened? I can see you’re upset.”

  “I couldn’t sleep and warmed some milk that I took to the back porch. Uncle Paul grabbed me and made me go to the woods with him.”

  “Come in the kitchen, and I’ll make you some toast and coffee.”

  She limped as she trailed after him to the small kitchen. “I’m filthy from the cave.”

  He paused with the coffee tin in his hands. “What cave?”

  “My uncle had a fake passport and money stashed in a cave in the woods. It was too small of a space for him to get into, so he made me retrieve it. He said if I tried to run he’d torch Claire’s house with Luke and her in it.” She sank onto a chair at the table. “Could I have a wet paper towel?”

  His mind raced as he wet a piece of paper towel. “If he wanted his passport and money, he’s likely heading out of the country.” He handed it to her and went back to making coffee.

  She wiped the mud from her arms, then bent over to clean her feet. “No telling what path though or what name he’s using. I didn’t get a chance to look at the passport. As soon as I got out of the cave, I ran. I was pretty sure he’d kill me and stuff me back in that cave if I didn’t get away.”

  He turned as her face crumpled and tears tracked down her muddy face. “I’m sorry, Kate. That must hurt since he’s family. Maybe he wouldn’t have hurt you.”

  She shook her head and mopped at her face, then grimaced when she saw the mud on the paper towel. “You didn’t see his face. There was no love there, probably because I helped track him down when he took Claire.”

  He tore off another piece of paper towel and wet it. “Let me.” He knelt in front of her and wiped the dirt from her face. This close to her, he could see a small dusting of freckles she must usually keep covered with makeup. She was even more beautiful up close. He finished the job and quickly stepped away.

  “Thanks.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I must look awful.”

  He wasn’t about to tell her what he really thought. Backing away, he turned to pop bread into the toaster. The coffee aroma began to fill the room. “Coffee’s almost done.”

  “I need it. I’ll never sleep anyway.”

  “It’s only two. You should try to get some rest. You can have my bed and I’ll take the sofa.”

  She grinned. “Once Sheriff Colton gets here, he’ll have me traipsing all over the crime scene while he takes notes. There will be no sleep for hours.” She yawned. “But I’ll still watch the girls. They will help keep my mind off it.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll take them to my aunt tomorrow. You’ll probably need to go to the sheriff’s office and fill out a statement.” He poured them both a cup of coffee and handed one to her. The toaster popped. “Butter, peanut butter, or jelly? Maybe all three?”

  “Just butter.”

  Conscious of her gaze on him, he slathered the toast with butter and put it on a plate. “Here you go.”

  Her fingers closed around the plate. “Thanks.” She continued to look up at him. “You saved my life, Drake. If you hadn’t come out when you did, he would have caught me. He ran when he saw you were up. Why weren’t you in bed?”

  He turned to grab his coffee, then joined her at the table. “Just mulling over my brother’s death and who is behind it. I have a lot of work ahead of me to figure this out.”

  “I’ll help in any way I can.”

  “You have enough to worry about with your own situation.” Maybe he should let her go. He could concentrate on Heath’s death without getting pulled into her problems.

  But the thought of seeing disappointment in those beautiful eyes made him hold his tongue.

  * * *

  The intruder, likely female from the scream, was finally gone. He released the handle of his knife and flipped on his flashlight as soon as the sound of the paddle faded. Leaving his hidey-hole, he crawled around the corner. The cave was empty and he exhaled. Relief nearly left him light-headed. For a moment his chest tightened as he considered the idea that he’d been followed. But surely not. It had been dark, and no one knew about this place.

  At least not many could know. He crawled to the exit, then stepped out onto the ledge and made his way out from under the waterfall. A flashlight beam bobbed on the shore, and he heard a man calling a woman’s name. His eyes widened.

  Kate. Had his Kate been in here? Surely he would have sensed her presence.

  He squinted in the moonlight and let his gaze sweep the shore as he clung to the rocks. A movement under a fir tree caught his attention, and he saw Kate’s pale face.

  She had been the one in the cave. Did she follow him? Maybe she wanted to be with him. But no. That man was chasing her. The tone of his angry voice made it clear he’d forced her. He clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes. Paul Mason was supposed to be in prison. He had no business out here terrorizing Kate.

  He moved faster than ever before on the slippery ledge until he was standing on the wet grass beside the lake. Paul had to be stopped. He had time to take care of business though. No one suspected him, and he was too smart for them anyway. They’d never know what he’d done. He hurried through the barrens toward where he’d parked his truck.

  Once he was safely in his vehicle, he pulled onto the road with the lights off. Newham’s lights were on as the truck rolled past. Newham leaned over Kate, who sat at the kitchen table. Heat shot up his face, and he clenched the steering wheel. That man needed to be gone. This wasn’t his place, and Kate wasn’t his girl.

  Something had to be done about Newham.

  He drove to his house and parked in the drive. As he got out he stuck his hand in his Windbreaker for the pouch. His eyes widened when he felt only lint. Maybe it had fallen out in the truck. The dome light illuminated the truck’s interio
r, but no matter how hard he looked, he found only an empty gum wrapper and a partially eaten bag of peanut M&M’s. His gut clenched as he mentally retraced his steps.

  It had to have fallen out on the way to his truck. He’d go back at first light and see if he could find it. It wouldn’t do for anyone else to see his treasures.

  EIGHTEEN

  Birds chirping in the trees beside the house added to Claire’s sense of contentment. She put the key in the lock and smiled up at Luke. “Home sweet home, husband of mine.” She pushed open the door and started to enter, but Luke scooped her up in his arms before she could react.

  “Not so fast. My beautiful bride needs to be carried over the threshold.” He smiled down at her.

  She clasped her hands around his neck. “You already did this at the condo in Hawaii.” Seven luxurious days enjoying the sun and life with Luke. It couldn’t have been a more perfect honeymoon.

  “The condo is not home.” He pushed the door open a little farther with his foot, then carried her into the foyer.

  His lips came down on hers in a sweet promise of forever. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she clung to him and kissed him back. How was it possible life was this wonderful after such a hard year?

  She opened her eyes when he pulled away. “Put me down and I’ll fix coffee. I missed our Captain Davy’s Coffee Roaster coffee.”

  “Me too.” He gently set her on her feet and steadied her. “How about steaks for dinner? I’ll get some out and grill them.”

  “I like this married thing better and better.” She cupped his cheek, then headed for the kitchen where she ground fresh beans and put the coffee on to brew in their brand-new Cuisinart, a gift from Kate.

  “I’m dying to see Kate,” she called to Luke, who was rummaging through the freezer in the utility room. Her smile died as he came through the door frowning. “What’s wrong?”

  “Someone stole everything in the freezer.”

  “You’re kidding! We had half a cow in there.” She followed him back to the utility room and peered into the big chest freezer. Nothing was inside but two freezer packs. Every package of beef, pork, and chicken was gone. She whirled around. “Let’s check the house.”

  The back door was unlocked. She and Luke traipsed through the entire house peering in closets and checking possessions. When they came to the spare room where they’d left quite a few unopened packages, she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. When Luke pushed open the door, her fears were confirmed. Wrapping paper lay strewn around like a frenzied whirlwind had blown through the window.

  She felt a breeze, too, and pointed out the open window to Luke. “He got in that way.”

  “And went out the back door with our things.” Luke pressed his lips in a grim line. “I’ll call Danny.” He exited the room to get his cell phone.

  Claire’s eyes burned as she stared at the devastation. There was no way to even tell insurance what had been lost until she contacted all the wedding guests and found what they’d given. She stooped over and searched for discarded cards. A particularly large pile of paper lay crumpled on the guest bed. As she moved it out of the way, her hand touched something hard, and she instinctively snatched it back. Thrusting the paper out of the way, she uncovered the box that had once held the new Cuisinart coffeemaker down in the kitchen. When she lifted the box, it rattled. She frowned and opened the top to peer inside.

  A crossbow bolt lay inside with a note. She started to reach for it, then snatched her hand back. “Luke!”

  He was still on the phone with the sheriff, and his voice got louder as he ascended the stairs. He ended the call as he reached the doorway to the bedroom. “What’s wrong? Are you all right?”

  Her throat was too tight to speak, so she pointed to the box. He frowned and came closer to the bed. “What is it?”

  She swallowed and found her voice. “Look inside.”

  He went to the side of the bed and looked into the box. “Paul.” He spat the word out as if it tasted bad.

  “There’s a note, but we shouldn’t touch this until Danny has a look at everything. He might have left a fingerprint.” Her hand shook as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I don’t understand why he hates me so much. I never did anything to him. I was a little girl when all this happened. He brought on his own punishment.”

  “I think he feels you took Kate away from him and his sister.” Luke approached her and pulled her against his chest. “The sheriff will catch him. I don’t think we should stay here right now. The place will be crawling with deputies. Let’s go to the Tourmaline for the night. We can eat dinner there, too, and try to forget this mess.”

  “I don’t think I’ll forget it.” She didn’t feel safe here right now, so a bit of the darkness lifted as Luke turned her toward the door. “At least our things are all packed. I’ll have to call Kate and let her know where we are.”

  “I wonder if she’s seen Paul.”

  “I don’t think Paul would hurt her.”

  “I’m not so sure.” He took her hand, and they went down the steps to the door. “I’ll call Danny and tell him we’re leaving for now. We weren’t here for any of this, so he shouldn’t need us.”

  At the door she rotated for one final look at her beautiful home. All remodeled and perfect, yet she didn’t get even one night to enjoy being Mrs. Luke Rocco in it. Her eyes burned as she turned her back and went with Luke to their SUV.

  * * *

  The sheriff’s office buzzed with activity. Kate stood out of the way in a corner of the waiting room until Danny called her back to issue a statement. She’d been here since ten and it was already eleven. She had no idea where the sheriff was. Her eyes were dry and bleary from lack of sleep, and every muscle ached from the events of the night. All she wanted to do was get this over with and go home to relax in a hot bath. Drake had been right about her being unable to work today, but he’d been a rock for her, even taking Jackson so she didn’t have to worry about the pup.

  Through the big pane window, she saw Luke and Claire approaching. Claire was pale and her mouth was set. Maybe they’d heard about Paul showing up. Kate leaped for the door and met them outside the jail.

  She reached for her twin sister, and Claire hugged her hard. “I’m fine, but they didn’t find Paul.”

  Claire released her. “Paul went to your house?”

  Kate frowned. “Isn’t that why you’re here?”

  Tears flooded Claire’s eyes.

  “Tell me what’s happened.”

  Luke wore a thunderous frown. “Paul broke into the house and stole everything from the freezer as well as all our wedding gifts.”

  Kate gasped and took a step back. “Are you sure it was Paul?” She shook her head. “Never mind, of course it was Paul. Even with all he’s done, I still can’t seem to see him as he really is.” She told them about her confrontation with him.

  Claire’s blue eyes sparked, and she pressed her lips together. “What is wrong with that man! Why can’t he leave us alone? His actions have harmed all of us so much. Hasn’t he done enough?”

  “I didn’t realize he was so vindictive. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. He’s my uncle, too, but neither one of us can take on any guilt because of his actions.”

  “No, of course not.” But Claire hadn’t grown up with him. She hadn’t gone fishing with him like Kate had. She’d seen her uncle nearly every day of her life until he’d been arrested. Shouldn’t she have been repelled by the evil in him all along? If she’d seen his true nature, maybe none of this would have happened.

  Kate rubbed her forehead where pain pulsed. “Does the sheriff need to talk to you too?”

  Luke nodded and pulled open the glass door. “We want to know what the note said. He left a note with a crossbow bolt in the empty Cuisinart box. We didn’t touch it because we didn’t want to mess up evidence. Danny should have looked it over by now.”

  Kate thought it through and couldn’t make sense of it.
“Isn’t it a little weird that he would steal a freezer full of food when he’s on foot and trying to escape?”

  “Maybe he’s not on foot,” Luke said. “He could have a vehicle stashed somewhere for all we know.”

  Kate followed Claire into the waiting room in time to see Jonas emerge from the hallway and beckon to her.

  He waited for them to join him. “You all might as well come back together. The sheriff wants to talk to you. No telling how all of this might fit together.”

  Kate frowned at the frustration in his voice as the three of them fell into line behind him and went to the sheriff’s office. “I assume you haven’t found Uncle Paul?”

  Danny looked tired and had circles under his eyes. He gestured to some chairs and shut the door. “Nope. Saw that hole he made you go in though. And I called in an expert tracker to see what he could find. So far we’ve got diddly-squat. Paul hardly left a leaf out of place.”

  Jonas perched on a corner of the desk. “I’ve gone hunting with him a time or two over the years, and I’ve never figured out how he does it. The guy’s a phantom.”

  The sheriff nodded. “I called in a dog SAR team, but they lost his scent at the road. I think maybe he’s not on foot.”

  “And he’s probably long gone.” Kate waited for her sister to take a seat, then moved to the one on her left.

  Danny lowered his tall form into his chair, then took an Altoids tin out of his pocket and shook a mint into his hand. “Every entry is posted.”

  Luke shook his head. “He wouldn’t need a formal road to get in. He could drive to an entry point, then slip in through the woods.”

  Danny popped the mint into his mouth and glanced at Claire. “I’m afraid he might not be done with Claire here. He seems to hold a mighty big grudge.”

  Kate’s chest squeezed at Claire’s deer-in-the-headlights expression. She sat on the edge of the chair next to Claire’s. “Why are you saying that? Maybe he just took the food and gifts to scare her. There’s no reason to think he’ll hurt her.”