by Alexa Verde
Fear pooled in the pit of her stomach. She steered to avoid a pothole again, but the car jumped on one of the many bumps in the rough surface instead. The shortcut was a bad idea.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her frazzled nerves. Maybe it was just a coincidence?
The dark sedan looked familiar. She’d seen it parked across the street from her house several times before, but then she’d thought her neighbors had guests. A similar car had been parked across from her office yesterday. Julia did her best to dismiss the warning inside. The nonprofit where she worked was located in downtown Rios Azules. Parking lots were always full of different cars, including similar makes and models to the one behind her now. Considering that the climate in south Texas was warm in winter and hot in summer, plenty of vehicles had tinted windows.
Julia took a turn to the right, and minutes later, the black sedan turned to the right, as well. A shiver ran down her spine. But why would anybody stalk her?
There was enough space on the road and no oncoming traffic, so whoever was tailgating her car could easily pass her. Julia pressed on the brakes. The black sedan slowed down.
Her palms grew clammy with sweat. She considered calling Ivan, but he hadn’t spoken to her since the day Seth died. She didn’t want to call Mari or Lydia because she didn’t want to put them in danger.
Julia was on her own.
No, she wasn’t.
God was with her.
She said a prayer and felt stronger.
Julia took a turn to the left, and sure enough, the dark sedan turned to the left, too. She sped up, but whoever was behind her kept up with her. Trees lined the road, so she didn’t risk going off to the side.
Swallowing hard, she gave herself a talking-to. Somebody was just taking a shortcut, like she was. That was all. She was scared over nothing. But her heart didn’t believe this logic.
She needed Ivan, his strength, his protectiveness, his reassurance. She needed him badly.
Dear Lord, please save me from harm. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen.
After the next turn, there was a deep ravine on the right. She pressed on the gas pedal again. But the sedan grew large fast in the rearview mirror, speeding. Did the driver know about the ravine?
Julia wrapped her fingers around the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles whitened.
Her heart rate seemed to decrease after the prayer, and she could think clearly. She tapped on the brakes, in no hurry to get to the ravine, and wasn’t surprised to see the vehicle behind her slow down, as well.
She dialed 911 on the hands-free phone.
“What’s your emergency?” a female voice asked.
“Somebody is following me.” Julia frowned, realizing she sounded paranoid. But she’d rather sound paranoid than get hurt. “I believe I’m in danger,” she added and gave her coordinates. An image of Seth covered in blood appeared in front of her eyes. Were the events somehow connected?
“We’ll send an officer to check it out.” The line went silent.
But would that officer find her in time?
Julia tapped on the brakes and put on a turn signal. Then she slammed the gas pedal with force and braced herself for a sudden jump ahead. The motor growled unhappily.
She prayed again.
She decided to drive straight to avoid going near the ravine. But then, a bridge over a river was a short distance ahead of her.
Having grown up in Rios Azules, she knew the places around town well. But her follower seemed to know them well, too. Would the driver of the black sedan attempt to push her off the bridge?
Chills snaked down her back. She pressed on the gas pedal again.
The car behind her was closing in.
Julia gripped the steering wheel even tighter and glanced in the rearview mirror, hoping to catch the license plate. Before she made it out, she had to transfer her attention to the road as she was crossing the bridge.
The black sedan moved into the lane for oncoming traffic.
Right next to her.
Her stomach clenched.
Julia shivered violently, bracing herself for the hit. Terror filled every cell in her body. Was this the way people felt before they were going to die?
Chapter Two
Ivan turned on the siren and floored the gas pedal. As the closest cop to the location Julia Morrison had given the 911 dispatcher, he didn’t hesitate to respond to the call for help. But different emotions—suspicion and compassion—toward her fought inside him since Seth’s death. Ivan turned sharply onto the farm road.
Her frantic call had mentioned a stalker. Ivan’s heart pounded in his chest. On the deserted road, she’d be an easy target. Worry for her uncoiled inside his stomach. More worry than he’d expect, considering the words of Seth’s suicide note had been forever imprinted in his mind.
Ivan spotted Julia’s little white sedan driving toward him, but no other vehicles. There was nobody around her. Her car looked unharmed, and he heaved a sigh of relief. Then doubt twisted nasty tendrils through his gut. He frowned. Could Julia have lied about a stalker to gain sympathy and get a chance to talk to him?
His patrol car ate up the distance between them.
When he signaled for her to stop, she did, pulling up to an almost nonexistent shoulder. He brought his car to a halt, leaped out, and rushed to her.
His doubt fled at the fear in her eyes. “Julia, what happened?”
“Someone followed me home. I saw the same car parked opposite my house, several times.” She shivered. “It caught up with me at the bridge. But at the sound of the sirens, it slowed down. I sped up and managed to lose it.”
“Come with me. I’ll try to catch him. Give me the description of the car on the way.”
They jumped into his patrol car and were on their way in seconds. Julia whispered something. A prayer of gratitude.
Ivan looked away, wishing he could pray, too. But he’d lost his faith the day his brother died.
She gave him the car’s description, and he passed it on on the radio. It might be difficult to find the vehicle without the license number. There were plenty of black sedans with tinted windows in Rios Azules.
“Ivan, please don’t believe that letter. I didn’t break Seth’s heart. In fact…” Her voice trembled.
Ivan lifted his hand to stop her. “Please don’t.” He concentrated his attention on the road. The black sedan seemed to be long gone.
If it ever existed.
“I hope you don’t think I made up this story to have a chance to talk to you.” Julia seemed to have read his thoughts. But then, she used to understand him like nobody else did.
After driving about ten miles, he gave up on looking for the stalker, fighting his disappointment. He made a U-turn to bring her back to her car. “I want to believe you, Julia. I really do.”
It would be easy to do so. But he wouldn’t let his childhood affection for Julia influence his judgment. He couldn’t betray the memory of his brother by trusting her.
Ivan stopped the patrol car.
“You have doubts.” Her shoulders slumped forward.
She climbed out of his vehicle and into her own, then drove off slowly.
Just to be on the safe side, he followed her home.
Of course, he was simply doing his job. He never minded going the extra mile—or several. But while he followed her car, conflicting thoughts warred inside his head. Had the driver of the black sedan really intended to hurt her? Or was it her hyperactive imagination, triggered by the death of a person close to her? Or had she made it up to make herself look like a victim? He hoped it wasn’t the latter. The Julia he knew was always honest.
But he hadn’t seen her in years. And according to Seth’s note, Julia wasn’t the girl he’d once known. His heart squeezed painfully at the thought.
There was no black sedan waiting for her in her neighborhood, but several vehicles had parked near her house. He recognized some of them as belonging to Julia’s friends and relatives, and
a couple were unfamiliar to him.
Ivan parked at the curb and killed the engine. He lingered to make sure she entered the house safely.
Her face drawn, Julia opened the door and let her guests inside. He had a strange urge to hug her and make things better for her. Unbelievable, considering the current situation.
Still in the patrol car, he watched the people who went through the cottage’s door. Her close friends Lydia and Mari, Mari’s husband, Luke, Julia’s stepsisters and stepbrothers, including Ashley and Ronda, who he knew well, Barbara Smith, a friend of the family.
Julia leaned against the front door, as if for support.
Suppressing the urge to go to her and offer to let her lean on him instead, Ivan started the engine. How could he feel this way after what he’d read in Seth’s note? He owed it to his brother to break all ties with Julia.
Ivan drove closer to the house and lowered his window. “Good-bye, Julia.”
“Wait. Come inside. I need to say something to the people who came to support me after Seth’s funeral. And I want you to hear it, too.” Julia squared her shoulders. “The police shouldn’t have believed the suicide note and closed the case. I have to speak up.”
She seemed to hold her breath, as if afraid he’d leave. The memory of the girl she’d been made him park again and walk inside her house. He hoped he wouldn’t regret it later.
Julia entered her small cottage behind him, locked the door, and turned around, moving her gaze across every person in the room.
“Thank you for coming and for your support. I’m sorry I have to say this. But I can’t keep this inside me any longer. I don’t think Seth killed himself,” she said slowly, as if making sure everybody heard her.
Ashley, Ronda, and Barbara gasped. Tension felt almost solid in the room.
He couldn’t believe this. The investigation was over. Seth’s death had been ruled a suicide. Ivan just wanted the gaping wound to heal. But Julia seemed intent to poke at it.
Ivan struggled to rein in his temper. “Do you really think so? Or is this because of what the note said about you?”
“Seth’s suicide and note didn’t make sense.” She raised her chin, eyes defiant. “I told the chief of police my suspicions. But he didn’t take them seriously. Seth never told me he had feelings for me. We were friends. Only friends. And I was never ruthless to him nor did I humiliate him.”
She sounded so sincere. But Ivan had to rely on facts and not get distracted by the tears in her voice. He shifted from one foot to the other. Should he believe Seth’s letter or Julia’s words?
Mari’s dark eyes narrowed. “I believe you, Julia. We’ve known each other for years. You’d never treat anybody in a ruthless way, much less a friend.”
“Even if somebody killed himself because you didn’t return his feelings, you shouldn’t be blamed for his suicide. You can’t force yourself to love someone,” Ashley said.
Julia’s eyes were tormented. “Thank you.”
Mari rubbed her forehead in thought. “I heard rumors around town about the note, and I don’t like it. Normally, townsfolk here are much more supportive and can see the truth. I think somebody is working to influence public opinion to turn it against Julia.” She looked pointedly at Ivan.
He squared his shoulders. “If you think it’s my family who’s spreading the rumors, you’re wrong. We’re too busy grieving.”
Mari’s eyes softened a fraction. “I understand grief all too well. And I’m sorry for your loss. But I’m not going to allow Julia’s reputation to suffer.”
He caught himself before saying that judging by Julia’s fame as a heartbreaker, it might be a little too late for that. He’d never been a resentful or a petty kind of guy. But he wished Julia and her friends and relatives would let him and his family heal in peace.
“I agree that the note must be fake. Seth’s suicide surprised me,” Lydia said. “I work as a counselor and help at the suicide hotline. I have experience with suicidal people. The majority of people who are about to commit suicide exhibit signs. Like expressing the feeling of hopelessness. Giving away possessions. Being depressed. Even talking about suicide. Was there anything like that in Seth’s case?”
“No,” Julia said firmly, sending a grateful glance Lydia’s way.
Ivan didn’t expect anything less from the Danger Girls. They’d always stood by each other. But in this case, they might be blinded by their loyalty to each other.
“There’s still a lot of people who don’t exhibit the signs,” Ivan said.
Julia winced, as if unable to fight his logic. “But Seth was afraid of something when he called me that day. He said he needed to disappear.”
Barbara came to her and hugged her. “These events must be affecting you deeply.”
Julia leaned into her and seemed to drink in the support of the woman who’d become like a second mother to her in the absence of her own. Despite her busy life as a doctor, Barbara always found time for Julia. Since they’d been children, Ivan had known Julia’s life so well. He’d thought he knew Julia well, too. But did he really?
The person Seth had described in the note sounded like a stranger to Ivan. She could’ve changed over the years, but it was difficult to believe she’d changed this much.
Julia let Barbara go, hesitated a moment, then spoke. “I believe Seth Vargas was murdered. And I intend to find out who did it.” She turned to Ivan. “With your help or without. Your pain affects your way of thinking right now. I understand that…”
What did she know about his pain? Sharp-edged hurt sliced him inside. “I won’t let my loss get in the way of doing my job. Let me know if you come across any proof.” He sounded harsher than he’d intended.
Julia slid down the wall, as if her strength drained away from her. Dismissing his anger, he wanted to rush to her. But Mari and Lydia pulled her up and helped her to the nearest chair.
“If I can help you in any way, please let me know. I’ll support you one hundred and ten per cent.” As Mari hugged Julia tightly, she glanced over her shoulder at him, her dark eyes throwing daggers.
If looks could kill, he wouldn’t be among the living.
The Danger Girls always protected their own, and the entire town knew they’d take a bullet for each other. Mari had saved her friend River’s life, nearly paying for it with her own.
Compassion dueled with suspicion inside his heart again. Julia Morrison had more inner strength than most of the people he knew, but even strong-willed people had a breaking point. He’d almost reached his when his brother died.
His heart wanted to believe Julia badly.
Ivan headed to the door before he let her persuade him of her sincerity, and he was too close to that point. What if Julia was right and his family and his boss were wrong?
***
Sleep didn’t come easily to Julia.
The lights of a car passing by every hour or so had disturbed her, so she’d rushed to the window several times already. So far, each time she’d been relieved to see a patrol car slowly moving down the street.
At the sound of a motor, Julia jumped from bed and rushed to the window. Holding her breath, she peeped through curtains carefully. She sighed with relief at the sight of a patrol car gliding slowly down the street. Maybe Ivan had asked someone to check up on her, despite his doubts.
She scanned the street. Thankfully, she’d seen no sign of the black sedan lately, and there wasn’t one parked nearby, either. A couple of her neighbors still had Christmas lights on, giving the neighborhood a festive mood.
A longing entered her heart. She wished she could return to the Christmas day when everything was so wonderful.
Julia returned to bed and tossed and turned for hours. Thoughts about Seth whirled in her mind. Who could wish him dead and why? Seth’s mentor and friend, Hank Gallagher, had drowned in a pool five days before Seth’s death. Seth had mentioned he’d found Gallagher’s death suspicious and had been looking into it.
If only she
’d gotten to Seth’s place sooner that day… A bloody image of her late father kept appearing in her mind. She’d been too late then, as well….
If not for her grandparents, Ivan, and the Danger Girls, she wouldn’t have survived that trauma. They’d accepted her the way she was, despite her shyness and her mother’s bad reputation. With Julia’s auburn hair, pale skin, and cheap, unfashionable clothes, she’d always stood out like a sore thumb in Rios Azules. Then Mari, Ivan, and Grandma had taught her that she hadn’t needed to change herself to belong because she already had; she’d belonged with the people who’d cared about her. After becoming part of the Danger Girls, she’d learned not to be afraid of standing out but to own it. Well, for the most part.
Those skills were going to be put to the test now. Rios Azules had a close-knit, caring community, so it was shocking some people believed a piece of paper instead of a person. Mari might be right, and somebody had been skillfully manipulating public opinion. Probably somebody rich, smart, and influential and very interested to throw the blame at Julia.
The killer?
The dull ache in her heart reminded her that she wasn’t going to have Ivan’s support this time.
Julia opened her eyes and stared into the darkness. She’d once hoped for more than his support and friendship, especially when he’d kissed her when they’d been fifteen. They’d dated for several months then. Until Ivan had shared with her his dream to serve in the army and to travel the world. She’d realized he’d be just another person to abandon her. The next evening, Ivan’s father had met Julia on her porch. His words had still rung in her ears.
Who do you think you are? You’re nothing compared to our son. Don’t even dream of being accepted in our family!
Ivan had come from a highly respectable family, his father being a lawyer. Julia had come from a family that townsfolk loved to gossip about and looked down on, with her mother making a living by marrying up and taking as much as she could during a divorce, then repeating the process.
Julia had swallowed her tears then and had guarded her heart ever since, telling Ivan she’d only wanted to be friends, even though she’d wanted so much more.