Margin of Error (Fog Lake Suspense Book 2)

by Christy Barritt

  Or maybe it wasn’t Boone that had caused the reaction. Maybe it was the situation. Maybe it was the fact that this breakfast almost felt like more than Boone just doing his job—it felt like she’d been taken into his family.

  Her cheeks flushed at the absurd thought. This was clearly a professional arrangement, and that was all.

  The fruit salad and peanut butter toast were tasty. And Brynlee enjoyed the lighthearted conversation between Boone and his sister-in-law. She learned that Harper worked doing marketing for the town. That at one time she’d been a journalist.

  When they finished eating, Boone turned toward her, his arms crossed against his muscular chest and an amused expression on his face. “So, what today, Boss?”

  Brynlee licked her lips, unsure how to even ask what she needed to ask him.

  “You’re still on the clock then?” she started.

  “Until you fire me.”

  She decided to launch into her request and be direct instead of beating around the bush. “Great. Because I need you to take me to Dead Man’s Bluff.”

  Boone blinked, certain he hadn’t heard Brynlee correctly. “Come again?”

  She shrugged as if her request had been as simple as asking him to make a pot of coffee. “No one knows the mountain better than you. I need to make it to the top.”

  He shook his head, his head dipping toward the table at the absurdity of her statement. “No, I think that’s a terrible idea.”

  Behind him, Boone saw Harper slip out of the way. No doubt, she sensed the conversation would get heated. She knew him well enough to know that.

  “I need to go up there,” Brynlee continued. “It’s the whole reason I came into town.”

  Boone raised his hands with frustration. “There’s a killer out there. What’s so important that you would want to go up there still?”

  Brynlee raised her chin. “Sheriff Wilder thinks he has that man in custody.”

  “You don’t even believe that. You said so yourself last night. I mean, I’m all for being optimistic but . . . there’s a fine line between optimistic and stupid.”

  “I am a skeptic, and I know this arrest seems too good to be true. But . . .”

  “And what if it is too good to be true?” Boone stared at her, watching her reaction.

  Brynlee shrugged and looked off into the distance, as if trying to find the right words. “The bear they think was behind the attacks is in custody and so is the man who was throwing axes at us while we were in the house. Between the two of them, I think we should feel more confident that the danger has been extinguished.”

  He let out a quick laugh and ran a hand over his face. He didn’t want to be disrespectful but . . . Brynlee had no idea how dangerous that mountain was, even when a killer wasn’t on the loose. “I doubt that.”

  She drew in a long breath and nodded as if her mind was made up. “Okay. I knew this might be your reaction, and that’s fine. You don’t have to take me up there. I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

  She didn’t sound offended, only determined.

  Oh, no. Boone knew exactly what she was doing. “You’re going to go up there without me, aren’t you?”

  “I’m going up that mountain, yes. It’s why I came here. I don’t have all the time in the world. I have clients I have appointments with next week. My life is waiting for me back in Pennsylvania.”

  That’s right. Brynlee would leave here soon. She wasn’t a permanent fixture around here. Boone would be wise to remember that—to remember not to get too close to someone who wasn’t sticking around.

  “It’s like a death wish,” he finally said.

  “I don’t know what to say.” She shrugged again. “I can do the trip in a day. It might not be easy, but it’s doable.”

  More irritation climbed up his spine. “And if you get hurt?”

  “I call for help.”

  “Cell phone service is spotty.”

  Her determined gaze didn’t waver. “Then I’ll wait for another hiker.”

  “No one wants to hike that area right now—no one but you.” Brynlee was being way too naïve about this.

  “Then I’ll figure something out.” She stared back at him, equally as stubborn as he was.

  Boone raked a hand through his hair. She was serious. Dead serious. “I’m just speechless.”

  “Actually, you’re not. You keep talking.” Brynlee took a step back and gave him a pointed look. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to start preparing.”

  He grabbed her arm before she got too far away. He had to talk some sense into her. “This is a terrible idea, Brynlee.”

  “Life is full of terrible ideas.”

  This woman . . . she was impossible. Stubborn. Determined. And she ignited something in him that no one had touched in years. Boone wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

  As he stared at her and wrestled with thoughts, he felt his muscles bristle. He was just as determined and stubborn as any Wilder might be, but he also couldn’t ignore his protective side.

  “Fine,” he finally said. “I’ll go.”

  He already regretted the words, and they’d just left his lips.

  Brynlee observed him a moment. He couldn’t read her expression. She didn’t exactly look satisfied but maybe relieved.

  “No pressure,” she told him. “I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

  He let out a skeptical grunt. “But we’re not going today.”

  “Why not?”

  “Several reasons. The weather is iffy today. Plus, we should have already started, and it will take at least two or three hours to properly pack for the trip. We don’t want to hike in the dark. We should go tomorrow and use today to prepare.” And to wait for any updates, he thought to himself.

  Brynlee observed him a moment before nodding. “Okay, it’s a deal.”

  At least he’d won that battle.

  24

  Brynlee glanced out the window as she rode down the street in Boone’s truck. Her thoughts swirled with everything that was going on.

  Doing the hike tomorrow might be a better idea all around. Brynlee still had people to talk to and some business to attend to. She couldn’t forget about those things. Her reason for coming here was anything but simple. Promises rarely were.

  But it would be harder and harder to keep her secret as she filed more permits and did more research. And Brynlee knew now with even more clarity that her ideas probably wouldn’t be welcome here. These people who had let her into their lives—people like Boone, Luke, and Harper—were sure to be disappointed in her. Maybe even feel betrayed.

  Yet, if she didn’t do this, she’d be going against her father’s wishes.

  Pressure built inside her at the thought. Maybe she should tell Boone the whole truth.

  She just had to wait for the right opportunity. Her nerves built up inside her until she felt shaky.

  Why was she being such a wimp?

  She knew why.

  Because when she told him, it would change everything.

  As they pulled into downtown Fog Lake, Brynlee’s eyes widened. A scurry of activity flourished in town as people set up tents and tables along Main Street. A banner had strung above the town square. She’d even seen some selfie stations on street corners—wooden cutouts where people could place their faces and make it look like they were in the mountains.

  “What’s going on here?” Brynlee asked.

  “It’s something Harper had a hand in starting called First Fridays. On the first Friday of every month, people come from all over the county and set up food trucks. We have live music in the town square. Games for the kids. Vendors sell their crafts. It’s just a good way to make this town more of a community.”

  “That sounds great,” Brynlee said realizing yet again just how perfect this little town was. Maybe it shouldn’t be touched or changed. “People really love this community, don’t they?”

  “They do. No
ne of the locals want this to turn into another tourist trap. I mean, we love our visitors, don’t get me wrong. But we’re against over-development. We don’t want big box stores or chain restaurants or fancy resorts. Part of this town’s charm is found in its smallness.”

  Brynlee swallowed hard as she processed his words. “That makes sense. But more development would mean more people and, by default, more income, right? More jobs. More security.”

  “Life isn’t always about bringing in more income. There’s a lot to be said for being content with what you have.”

  Maybe this was when Brynlee should tell him. Should convince him that not all change was bad. She swallowed hard before saying, “Don’t get me wrong. I think this town has a lot of charm. It’s just that . . . sometimes, if we’re afraid of change, then we’ll eventually start to die. Life is about adapting.”

  “I don’t believe that’s true here. I think people crave the simplicity of places like Fog Lake. I don’t think that will ever die.” Boone put his truck in Park. “And that’s even more reason we can’t let Dead Man’s Bluff be developed.”

  Her throat tightened, and the words she wanted to say died in her throat. Instead, she said, “You feel really adamant about that, don’t you?”

  “I do. I plan on doing everything I can to stop it from happening.”

  His words hung in the air.

  There was no way she could tell him now.

  He let out a breath and glanced at her, his shoulders softening. “Anyway, before we get sidetracked, I want to talk to Luke down at the station, and I’ve got to pick up some gear from Abe. We need to do those things before our hike. Sound okay?”

  “Do you mind if I go with you to talk to Luke? I’d like to hear any updates also.”

  “We’re doing this on your dime, so it’s your call.”

  “Let’s go then.” But a new round of nerves fluttered inside her.

  There was so much riding on Brynlee being here. She was either going to let down her father or let down Boone.

  Both options made her heart squeeze with regret.

  Boone paused as soon as he stepped into the Fog Lake Sheriff’s Office. Voices in the background drifted out into the lobby. Was that Lonny? It sure sounded like it.

  Maybe the man had some updates.

  With Brynlee beside him, Boone walked toward Luke’s office and paused in the doorway.

  “Unfortunately, it’s inconclusive,” Lonny said, pointing to a paper on Luke’s desk. “As much as I would like to match these claw prints, there are too many variables that make it impossible.”

  “I thought claw marks were like fingerprints,” Luke said. “That each is unique.”

  “Unfortunately, it’s not that simple,” Lonny said. “There are a lot of variables when it comes to claw marks. And claw marks on flesh? It’s very difficult to ascertain everything we need from that. We’re mostly testing DNA, but it will take a few days to get back.”

  “And if the DNA of this bear matches that at the crime scene?” Luke asked.

  “Then the bear will have to be euthanized.”

  Luke crossed his arms, listening intently to what Lonny said. “But what are the chances that there are two different bears behind this?”

  Lonny released a breath and rubbed his chin. As he did, Boone noticed the cut on his forearm. It looked deep and long. His shirt had concealed it, but his sleeve had crept up.

  As quickly as it happened, Lonny lowered his arm and tugged his sleeve down.

  He didn’t want anyone to see it. Interesting, Boone thought.

  “I agree that the chances aren’t likely that there are two different bears here,” Lonny said. “However, male bears will generally only wander about fifteen miles from their habitat. The chance that a bear left the Dead Man’s Bluff area and traveled down to Fog Lake, tracking someone? I’ve never heard of anything like that happening. It’s highly unlikely, especially considering it was probably twenty miles, at least.”

  “What do you think about Big Ben?” Luke asked, obviously not bothered by Boone and Brynlee’s presence. “About the evidence we found at his place?”

  Lonny released a long breath, obviously taking this conversation very seriously. “I do think it’s possible to train bears. I’ve seen it happen before. If a bear starts to depend on a human to feed it, then . . . it’s amazing what creatures will do for food. Of course, Big Ben isn’t talking. He’s the only one who really knows the truth. There were no cages at his house, correct? No signs that he was keeping any animals in captivity?”

  “No, no cages,” Luke said. “But it did look like he’s let the animals into his house. There was hair on his couch and carpet. No sign of violence, however.”

  Boone stepped more fully into the room, interested in seeing how Lonny reacted to his next statement. “I know how this all looks—I mean, I was there last night. I felt that axe whiz by me. A few inches to the right, and I might not be standing here right now. But I’ve never thought of Big Ben as being a violent man. He just likes to keep to himself. Why do this now?”

  “Fact is, you never know who people are behind closed doors,” Luke said. “You and I both know that.”

  Images of Luke’s last major case flooded Boone’s mind. A serial killer had haunted this area, and the man had taken everyone by surprise. Luke was right. Sometimes, the bad guy masqueraded as the person you least expected.

  “There was bark stripped from some of the trees around his house,” Luke continued. “Does that mean anything?”

  “Doesn’t Big Ben make crafts using wood?” Lonny asked. “Baskets, I believe.”

  “That could explain it,” Luke conceded.

  “The idea of a man and a wild animal being responsible does make sense,” Boone added, inserting himself into the conversation again, whether or not his opinion was welcome. “I mean, maybe it was a wild animal that killed those men—one that had been manipulated by a human.”

  Luke sighed and leaned back. “Apparently, people have been canceling reservations here in town.”

  “What?” Boone asked.

  “That’s what I heard this morning. Word of what happened has spread, and hikers don’t want to venture out into these woods until they know they’re safe. Plus, the park service is talking about closing the trails until we know something for sure. We just can’t take the risk. I’m inclined to agree with them.”

  “But you have the bear in custody,” Boone said. “I’m not convinced that the bear was behind the first incident at Brynlee’s place, but I do think there’s evidence a wild animal has played a part in this. How long will it take to confirm the animal was behind the attacks?”

  “Longer than you’d think,” Lonny said. “Obviously, if we did an autopsy on the creature, we’d know sooner. But we don’t want to harm the bear. So we have to wait for the bear to empty the contents of his stomach.”

  Boone held back a frown. Nothing was ever fast when it came to these investigations, was it?

  25

  Brynlee chewed on everything she’d just heard from Lonny. Basically, it all meant that they still didn’t have any answers. That didn’t come as a surprise.

  But she had hoped for more clarity. If she was going to take this hike, it would be nice to know the danger was mostly behind them. But maybe the danger wouldn’t leave her—not while she was here in Fog Lake.

  She resisted a sigh as she watched Lonny depart, leaving just the three of them in the office.

  Boone lowered himself into a chair across from his brother. “What about Todd?”

  “What about him?” Luke raised his brow and stared back at his brother.

  “Did you find out if he was behind the incident at the store yesterday?” Boone tapped his foot, nearly looking impatient.

  “You don’t think Big Ben is behind it?” Luke asked, studying his brother’s face without apology.

  “No, I think my store was the target of that incident—that it was separate from the rest of this. I mean, the m
ethods don’t fit, do they? There were no claw marks left on my walls or doors. No one heard any roars. No, it was nothing except a scare tactic.”

  “I just don’t think Todd would do something like that. I know he doesn’t like you, but I don’t think he has it in him to knock Chigger out and try something like that.” Luke shrugged as if he wished his opinion was different.

  “He’s the only person who makes sense, though.” Boone’s voice hardened. “For that matter, maybe he’s working with Nancy and her family . . .”

  Luke’s expression softened with compassion. “I know they don’t like you. I know they’d love nothing more than to see you ruined. But they’re more likely to use legal means to do so, don’t you think?”

  Brynlee watched Boone’s reaction closely, trying to get a read on the situation. It was obviously multi-layered and complex. The toll it had taken on Boone was clearly hard. Devastating, for that matter.

  His jaw flexed, and he looked way. “I don’t know. All I know is that I don’t like what’s going on here in this town.”

  “Just be patient,” Luke said. “We’ll find answers, all in good time.”

  Boone nodded and stood with a sigh. “Let me know if you hear anything else.”

  They walked outside into the temperate day, strolling down the sidewalk. To anyone watching, they might look as if they didn’t have a care in the world. The sun warmed their shoulders, though the breeze was still chilly. In the background, the muted sounds of a band warming up filled the air and the smell of fried dough—funnel cakes maybe—wafted with the wind.

  Brynlee’s thoughts churned as she processed everything she’d just learned while talking to Luke. Not just those facts, she supposed. She was thinking about everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours.

  “You said your dad was sheriff before Luke, didn’t you?” she asked, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket.

  “That’s right. He loved his job.”

  She hesitated just a moment before continuing. “So was he in charge of the investigation when . . .”