The Truth Seeker

by Dee Henderson

  His thumb rubbed against her jaw line. “I’m glad you asked me to join you for your walk,” he answered simply. “It will make it easier to get back to sleep.” He tucked her back under his arm and resumed their walk.

  “How’d we end up like this for the weekend? Friends? Paired off?”

  “Does there have to be a reason? I can’t just enjoy your company?”

  “I don’t understand why.”

  “Are you asking something I’m too dense to figure out? It is kind of late, you know. Why do I like you?”

  She shrugged.

  “What’s not to like?”

  “I work with dead people.”

  He laughed. “Your job? Lizzy, I don’t mind it. Although I think you do at times. That’s why you didn’t protest to Kevin; you just walked away hurt. Part of you thinks he’s right.”

  “I’m getting analyzed at 2 A.M.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it a while.”

  “Really?”

  “Don’t sound so insulted. Figuring you out has been a many years puzzle.”

  “Am I harder to figure out than Jennifer or Kate?”

  “I don’t compare.”

  “The mark of a wise man.”

  “You’re an O’Malley. I’ve learned the basics.” He tipped up her chin. “I’m glad you phoned me, although I admit I’m a little surprised.”

  “Why?”

  “Kate’s next door to you. I figured you would have woken her up instead.”

  “Kate? You’ve got to be kidding. I’d rather wake up a grizzly bear.”

  “She’s that bad?”

  “Dave doesn’t know what he’s getting into.”

  “What about you? Are you a bear of a morning?”

  “Why do you want to know?”

  “Curiosity.”

  “You’ll have to come up with a better reason than that.”

  “Prickly. It must be bad.”

  “I’ve been accused of talking in my sleep.”

  “Really?”

  “Don’t sound so amused.”

  “Well, Lizzy, it all depends on what you say.”

  “You’ll forget I said that.”

  “I think it’s kind of cute.”

  “It’s embarrassing.”

  “Tell me about the dream.”

  He caught her off guard. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “None of your business.”

  “Lizzy, your hair’s damp. I don’t think that was a shower.”

  “I keep my room warm versus icy like yours.”

  “Try again,” he said gently.

  “So it’s a bad dream. Talking about it just makes it worse.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Very.”

  “You’re not exactly relaxing.”

  “Sometimes it takes a long walk. You don’t have to stay.”

  He ignored that suggestion. “So what do you want to talk about?”

  “We don’t have to talk, you know. Silence is pretty nice.”

  “I know. But I like to hear your voice. You’re starting to get just a touch of Montana drawl in your speech.”

  “You’re serious?”

  He laughed at her alarm. “It sounds good, Lizzy.”

  “No offense, but everyone who meets you will remember your drawl for years. It’s kind of nice on a guy, but a lady . . . ”

  “You mimic people you listen to. Don’t be so bothered by something that’s very unique to you.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t have told me.”

  He tightened his arm around her. “Actually, your voice is one of the things I like the most about you. I wish you’d call me more often just so we could talk.”

  She blinked. “You do?”

  “Yes.”

  This was embarrassing. “I don’t have anything to say.”

  “So call me and tell me to come up with questions. I can probably keep us talking for a few hours.”

  “Maybe someday.” When she had a lot more courage than she did tonight. They walked around the garden in silence for a time. “I would have called you even if the other O’Malleys were still awake.”

  His thumb slipped into the belt loop of her jeans. “Would you?” She saw his smile. She’d pleased him with that answer.

  “I’m ready to go back.”

  “We have to?”

  “We’ve got to be up again in a few hours,” she pointed out.

  “Want to share breakfast?”

  “I was planning to inhale a cup of coffee on the way to church. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to get you up before the last minute. You need the sleep even worse than I do.”

  “Be kind. I’m not that old.”

  “Your bones are creaking in the night air.”

  “Now you’re pushing it, Lizzy.”

  She laughed softly; it felt good to tease him.

  He turned them back toward the hotel.

  The lobby and hallways were empty of guests.

  “Thanks for the walk,” she said when Quinn stopped at the door to her room.

  “It was my pleasure.” He smiled. “I’m tapping on your door in exactly five hours. I want breakfast.”

  She pushed him toward his room. “Good night again, Quinn.”

  The maid of honor was not supposed to cry. Lisa tried to blink back the tears, feeling her smile quiver. Jennifer, walking down the aisle on Marcus’s arm toward the front of the church, looked absolutely beautiful.

  Lisa accepted the wedding bouquet from Jennifer so her sister could turn and hold hands with Tom; Lisa passed the bouquet over to Rachel.

  It had been an emotional day, church had been . . . uncomfortable, and now this—Lisa tried to sneak her hand up to wipe her eyes and caught a smile from Jack across from her. The day couldn’t be more perfect.

  They had timed the wedding to be twenty minutes. Jennifer was radiant, all the fatigue of the last week’s activities pushed aside for this moment. Lisa listened to the song and then the minister begin to speak while she watched Jennifer for any sign of a sway, ready to steady her if needed. It was harder for Jennifer simply to stand than it was to walk, for nerves around her spine would pinch and suddenly flare as shooting pain.

  Lisa had Tom’s wedding ring slipped onto her middle finger so it wouldn’t slide off until it was time to hand it to Jennifer. It felt heavy on her hand. Jennifer had bought Tom a beautiful, thick gold band. Marcus was holding Jennifer’s wedding ring for Tom. He’d simply slipped the ring box in his pocket, being practical about it.

  When it came time to get the ring off, Lisa found her hands had swelled under the tight grip she’d had on her own bouquet. She had to twist the ring free, feeling like every person in the packed church was looking at her. One of the children giggled and Lisa had to smile. Of course it would get stuck. The ring finally slid free and she very carefully passed it to Jennifer, glad to have her one critical point in the service completed. Quinn was to her right standing behind one of the ushers, helping the guests who needed an extra hand. If she turned slightly she’d be looking at him. She was careful not to turn in that direction, afraid to catch his gaze and find him smiling at her.

  The wedding ended with a song and a long kiss that had Kate and then Rachel starting to softly laugh when Tom didn’t release Jennifer. Seeing the real reason and knowing Jennifer would hate to have it common knowledge, Lisa dropped her bouquet, and the children, who were close enough to the front to see Jennifer’s hand now clenched white, turned instead to look at her as Lisa tried to get her dress to turn so she could bend over and pick up the bouquet. It took clenching her teeth to move that way; she intentionally managed to roll the bouquet over to one of the girls Jennifer privately called her sweetheart. With a giggle Amy leaned over in her wheelchair to help. “You drop things like I do.”

  She said it loud enough some of the adults in the front row had to laugh. Lisa kissed the little girl and set the bouquet in her lap. “Hold it for me, please?” she whispered.
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  “Sure.” Amy was missing one of her front teeth, making her s’s whistle.

  Jennifer slowly turned with her hand tucked under Tom’s hand. Lisa shared a smile with her sister as the minister formally introduced the couple to the congregation.

  The music began, and Lisa stepped aside as Jennifer and Tom moved to greet their special guests, starting with Amy.

  Lisa watched Jennifer and found herself wanting what her sister had. Tom loved her so much. She finally felt it safe to try and wipe her eyes.

  “Lizzy,” Quinn’s hand settled firm and warm against her shoulder, “come with me. It’s safe to slip away and change.”

  Quinn thought it was the dress causing the threatened tears. She didn’t try to correct the assumption. The pain was an ache that flared with each breath.

  “This way.”

  He didn’t try to take them through the crowds now filling the aisles, but instead moved back through the choir doors and into a hallway. “Watch your head.” He ducked under the hanging streamers to slip back into the hallway where classrooms had become dressing rooms. “You want me to get Rachel or Kate?”

  She eased off the wrist corsage. “Rachel.”

  “Two minutes.”

  Rachel joined her a few minutes later, laughing. “Didn’t it turn out wonderful?”

  “Excellent.”

  “Quinn said you’re part of the reception surprise.”

  Lisa smiled. “He’s keeping the plans to himself. I’m just following directions.”

  Rachel helped her out of the dress. Lisa breathed easier for the first time in over an hour.

  “Okay?”

  She nodded at Rachel rather than try to answer. She’d brought over a blue cotton blouse and jeans for the reception. Very casual, but they were doing it intentionally so Jennifer could also be talked into truly relaxing during the reception. If the fatigue she felt was anything like Jennifer’s, her sister had to be exhausted. “Thanks, Rachel. Would you let Quinn know I’ll meet him after I get my shoes on?”

  “Sure.”

  Rachel slipped away. Relieved, Lisa pressed a hand against her ribs. It was definitely time for another painkiller. She swallowed it dry, making a face at the chalky taste.

  “Ready to go over to the reception?” She turned too swiftly and hit the edge of the table with her hip. Quinn steadied her. “Lizzy?”

  “I’m ready.”

  His hands settled on either side of her face and he tipped her head back, frowning. “When we get down to the reception you are sitting down.” He slid his hands down to hold hers. “Between lack of sleep and painkillers, you’re going to give me a headache here.”

  “You?” She rested her head against his chest, feeling the day catching up with her. “I’m really feeling it.”

  “How bad are the ribs?”

  She laughed, then groaned. “Please don’t make me laugh.”

  He carefully folded his arms around her, took her weight. “You did good today, covering for Jennifer.”

  “How many saw?”

  “Marcus, Jack.”

  “Good.”

  “You were as beautiful up there as Jennifer was. The pictures will look lovely.”

  “You’re being kind.”

  “Get me one?”

  “What?”

  “A picture.”

  “You really want one?”

  “Yes. And you’re fishing for more compliments.” He eased back half a step. “Come on, I’ll get you a seat at the reception and some punch and you can orchestrate things from the sidelines.”

  “My favorite job.”

  “Now why did I figure that might be the case?” He laughed at the face she made. “Come on, Lizzy. And you have to behave at the reception or I’m going to disown you.”

  Twenty

  “I wish we had long weekends away like that more often.”

  Lisa dropped her garment bag beside Kate’s couch. “I need a week’s vacation to recover from it. Weddings are exhausting.” She collapsed on the couch, letting the cushions absorb her weight and support her back. Lisa watched the strands of a new cobweb sway by the overhead light and idly thought about getting up to knock it down.

  “It was fun.”

  “I laughed more than I thought possible,” Lisa agreed. “Did you see Jen’s face when she realized the car keys were for her? I never knew someone could cry that much.”

  Kate reappeared crunching on a carrot. “I noticed she gave the keys to Tom.”

  “Best act of love I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I would have given them to my husband. He might get dust on it.”

  “I noticed you and Quinn had a pretty good time together.”

  Lisa was too relaxed to mind the question. “We did.”

  Kate settled on the arm of the couch. “He’s a nice guy.”

  “We haven’t exactly been dating,” Lisa qualified.

  “Who said anything about dating?”

  Lisa tucked her arm behind her head and smiled at her sister. “I know that tone of voice.”

  “Want some advice?”

  “Not really, but I think I’m going to hear it anyway.”

  Kate smiled. “Don’t let him get away. He makes you happy, Lizzy. That’s special.”

  “Yes, it is.” Her smile faded and she pulled over the throw pillow to cover her face, wrapped her arm around it. “Kate, what if we can’t solve what happened to Quinn’s dad? Will he ever want to settle down?”

  “Yes, he will. And work can wait until tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow is coming too soon.”

  “You’re meeting with Lincoln in the morning?”

  Lisa lowered the pillow. “Quinn was going to meet him for dinner tonight.” She made a face. “I want my own bed.”

  “Maybe the analysis of the notes has revealed something.”

  “Notes? There was only one.”

  Kate bit her lip.

  “There was more than one.”

  “Sorry, Lizzy. So much for keeping my mouth shut. They found it tucked in the garage door, apparently left at the same time as the note you found.”

  “What did it say?”

  “Pretty innocuous. Something about pretzels.”

  “So who decided to keep me in the dark?”

  “Lizzy—”

  “Don’t even try to weasel out of answering.”

  “Marcus and Quinn. They would have told you had it changed either how much was known or what should be done.”

  “Sure they would have.”

  “Please don’t get mad at them.”

  “I’m too tired and in too good a mood to get mad.” A beeper started to chirp. Lisa lifted her head. “Is that yours or mine?”

  Kate went to check. “Mine. How did they know I just walked in the door?”

  Lisa smiled. “Spies.”

  Kate called in to the dispatcher. “Where?” She scrawled down an address. “Lizzy, I’ve got to go. You’ve got apartment keys if I end up being gone a while?”

  “I’m set. Want me to call Dave for you?”

  “He’d just worry. But I’ll call him if it looks like it will be a long deal.”

  “Be careful.”

  “Always.” Kate grabbed her phone and the bottle of water she’d just opened. “See you later.”

  Lisa heard the door swing shut and Kate turn the dead bolt. Lisa debated whether to take a nap on the couch before she thought about dinner. She needed to unpack, and she had laundry to do if she was going to be here another week.

  The wedding was over; Quinn’s vacation was up in another week. The thought was depressing. She didn’t want a life that simply revolved around work again.

  She set aside the pillow with a sigh. It was an impossible situation.

  She didn’t want to do laundry. She could fix that by getting more clothes. Her new sod patch in the yard needed drenching. And she desperately wanted to see her pets.

  She looked at her watch.

  She’d go feed her pets. Twe
nty minutes at the house, she’d be back before it was dark.

  She’d even leave a note for Kate.

  Quinn rang the doorbell as he juggled the restaurant carryout sack. Knowing Lisa and Kate, they had found the most convenient thing for dinner, even if that turned out to be ice cream.

  “Lisa, what—” Kate pulled open the door and stopped short. “Quinn.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “She’s gone out,” Kate bit out. “She’s late. And I’m going to kill her.”

  “Where?”

  “I just got back from a page. She left me a note.”

  “Dump this on the counter.” He handed over the sack and read the crumpled piece of paper. “Come on. I’ll drive.”

  “She wanted more clothes. She could have raided my closet.” Kate slammed the door behind them.

  Quinn tried to lighten her tension. “Only if she’s grown several inches in height since I saw her last.” He held the car door for Kate.

  “I can’t believe she left behind my back.”

  “She wanted to see her pets. I should have taken her by earlier.”

  “Was it quiet here while we were gone?”

  “Yes.” He pulled into traffic. “This is not your fault, Kate.”

  She didn’t answer him.

  “How’d the page go?”

  “The guy shot himself before I got there.”

  “I’m sorry, Kate.”

  “Not your fault.”

  “It’s one reason you’re angry.”

  “Drive faster. She said she’d be home no later than six-thirty. It’s already seven.”

  “There could be simple explanations.”

  “And there could be bad ones.”

  He was already breaking the speed limit. He maneuvered through traffic and broke it further.

  They were pulling into Lisa’s subdivision twenty minutes later. “Quinn.”

  “I see it.” There was smoke rising in the air. He could hear the fire engines rolling somewhere ahead of him in the subdivision.

  “No. Oh no!”

  It was Lisa’s house, and there were two fire engines rolling to a stop in front of the house, men pouring off of them.

  Lisa’s car was in the drive. The house was fully engulfed.