“And that describes Darren to a tee,” Brian said grimly. “We’re going to have to put out a notice on the state police band to see if they stumble across him, too. I don’t know that we’ll luck out, but we have to try.”
Jack accepted the burger container Brian handed him and motioned for Amy to sit down. She looked to be lost in her own little world but acquiesced. She wordlessly took the container Brian handed her but didn’t open it.
“Did Darren ever say anything to you when he was in the bar?” Jack asked. “I mean … did he try to get personal information from you?”
“No more than anyone else,” Amy replied. “Most of the guys who came in flirted with me. I figured that was part of the job, though. Drunk guys think they’re so adorable that no one could ever turn them down.
“I ignored almost all of them and just smiled and served another drink when they asked,” she continued. “The only one I paid attention to was Max … and that was because he was different.”
“Different how?”
“He didn’t spend all his time staring at my butt and boobs. I mean … I’m sure he checked them out once or twice. When we were talking, though, he was always focused on my face. He actually listened, although I made a point not to tell him anything.”
“I’m betting Darren tried to follow you from the bar more than once,” Jack said. “He probably even tried to figure out who you were staying with. Did you tell anyone who you were associated with in town?”
“No. Only Max, and that was a good week and a half after we started dating. It kind of slipped out. I warned him not to tell anyone, although I lied and said it was because I didn’t want guys from the bar following me home and hitting on me. He seemed to understand.”
“That sounds like Max,” Jack agreed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Basically, I think Darren delivered the photos to Jeff and told him where to start looking for you. He might’ve even been aware that you were going camping with Max. Did that information come out at work?”
Amy nodded, thoughtful. “I had to ask my boss for the weekend off. He didn’t give me any grief about it. A lot of the regulars teased me for going on a weekend trip with Max, though. Everyone there knew … although I’m not sure how they figured out what campground we were going to.”
“That wouldn’t have been hard to suss out,” Brian said. “Ivy and Jack weren’t keeping it a secret. I knew … Michael and Luna knew … half the people in town knew. Heck, Ava knew because she kept trying to talk Jack out of going camping.”
Now it was Ivy’s turn to make a face. “And why is that?”
“Because she wanted him to warm her sleeping bag instead of yours,” Brian replied, not missing a beat. “Get over it. She throws herself at Jack on a regular basis. He, however, is devoted to you and doesn’t give her the time of day.”
“I’m a good fiancé,” Jack agreed, smirking as he shoved a fry in Ivy’s mouth to make sure she didn’t go off on a tangent. “That’s not important now, though. Brian is right. Finding out which campground we were going to wouldn’t have been difficult. The question is: Why would Jeff bother going there? I mean … did he think you would have JJ with you? If so, he might’ve thought he had a chance to grab the kid and run when no one was looking.”
“There was no JJ, though,” Ivy pointed out. “He wasn’t there. Why stick around? Why kill Stacy and Becky?”
“I’m still on the fence whether or not he realized that Stacy wasn’t Amy,” Jack admitted. “The hair was similar enough that it convinced us she was the victim even though we didn’t see a face. He could’ve killed her in a fit of rage because he thought she was Amy … or he could’ve killed her as a message to Amy.”
“Which do you think?” Brian asked.
“I don’t know.” Amy’s voice cracked. “I feel he knew it wasn’t me, but I don’t know that it matters. Either way, she’s dead because of me. The other girl, too. I caused all of this.”
“You didn’t.” Jack was firm. “This is not your fault. Jeff is the sicko. This is his fault. He’s the reason all of this happened.”
“I can’t help thinking that I’m to blame.” Amy’s lower lip trembled. “Those women would still be alive if Jeff wasn’t searching for me.”
“You didn’t kill them, though.” Jack refused to back down. “You were a victim in all of this. You can’t blame yourself. All we can do is move forward, and that’s exactly what we plan to do. We’re not going to stop until he’s in custody and you’re safe. You have my word.”
Gratitude reared up and gripped Amy by the throat. “Thank you. You’ve gone above and beyond.”
“Not until we catch him we haven’t,” Brian argued. “Once that happens, I think there are a lot of people who will want to get in line to question him. I doubt that Stacy and Becky were his first victims. I’m sure there were more.”
“I think you can count on that,” Jack agreed. “Let’s start digging, shall we?”
IT WAS ALMOST FIVE BEFORE THEY packed up the photos and computer and moved it to the bedroom so prying eyes wouldn’t catch on that there was trouble. Ivy allowed Amy to freshen up in her bathroom and helped Jack scour the room to make sure they hadn’t left any clues out for her parents or brother to find.
“What do you think?” she asked, nervously gnawing on her bottom lip. “Do you think you’ll catch him soon? She can’t go back to that lake house until you do and I don’t think it’s safe to allow Max to wander around without knowing that there’s an enemy ready to move on him.”
Jack made an exaggerated face. “You’re the one who said it was up to Amy to tell Max what was going on.”
“And I stand by that.”
“You just said he needs to know.”
“He does.” Ivy was unflappable. “I’m hoping Amy gets up the gumption to tell him tonight … after she meets my parents and gets run through the gauntlet, of course. The sooner she tells him, the better. She still has to make the decision herself.”
“So … how does that play into what you just said?” Jack pressed. “If you’re worried about Max – and I think you have a right to be because I’m sure Jeff has done his research when it comes to the man sleeping with his wife – then we have to warn him.”
“Or we could just arrange it so they both get really drunk and have to stay in the extra bedroom downstairs.”
Jack’s mouth dropped open. “You cannot be serious.”
“Oh, I’m serious. The best way to keep Max safe is to force him to spend the night here.”
“Only you would think that’s a legitimate possibility.”
“What’s wrong with that idea? I’ll just keep serving him beer all night and Amy can pretend she’s drunk, too. They’ll be under this roof tonight. There’s safety in numbers. You can’t argue with that.”
He was incredulous. “I most certainly can. Your brother has to know the truth. I know you don’t want to push Amy into doing something she’s not ready to do, but this isn’t a normal situation. Your brother could get hurt if he doesn’t understand what he’s up against. I know you don’t want that.”
Ivy definitely didn’t want that. “No, I don’t. It’s just … she’s not ready.”
“I don’t think that matters now.” Jack was matter-of-fact. “This is bigger than any one of us. We’re all involved. Max is going to have to be told the truth whether you like it or not, whether Amy is ready or not.”
Ivy made a protesting sound, but she didn’t get a chance to argue because Amy picked that moment to appear in the room. Her eyes were clear, her blond hair brushed and ordered, and the smile she sent Ivy was small, heartfelt, and resigned.
“He’s right,” she said, her voice strong and clear. “Max has to know. I plan to tell him tonight.”
“You do?” Ivy was relieved despite herself. “I didn’t think you were there yet.”
“I’m not. In fact, it’s the last thing I want to do. I’m afraid that the moment I tell him he’s going to be out the door and runn
ing as fast as he can in the opposite direction. That’s something I don’t want to deal with … but I have to.
“Do you know what’s worse than your brother leaving me?” she continued. “Losing him for another reason. Jeff won’t hesitate to kill him. I’m actually surprised he didn’t try to make a move when you all went off fishing.”
“Why didn’t you tell us then?” Jack asked. “You could’ve warned us and it all would’ve been over in seconds.”
“I was so shocked to see him at the site that I didn’t know what to do. I was terrified … and for more than one reason. I thought he might be armed. I thought you guys wouldn’t believe me because I hadn’t spoken up sooner. That’s one of the things that he drilled into my head. People wouldn’t believe me because I had a chance early on to tell and I never did. Part of me believed that was true. Now that I know you better, I see that I was mistaken. I was too afraid in the moment to do anything, though.”
Ivy took pity on her. “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to figure it out. Are you sure you want to tell Max tonight? I think getting him bombed is an easy solution.”
Amy let loose one of her patented giggles and rubbed her forehead. “I think it’s time. It’s better he knows now, even if he wants to leave. I know that’s a possibility. Heck, it’s probable he’ll do that. If he doesn’t, though, it will be a nice surprise. At least this way I know Jeff won’t be able to fool him into thinking they’re friends and get at him that way. I can’t allow that to happen.”
“You can’t,” Jack agreed, secretly relieved. “Here’s the thing: I think you should keep it to yourself as long as Luna and Michael are here. They’re going to be all over you as it is, so I think you should just get through dinner. Then we’ll find a way to maneuver them out of the house and leave you and Max to talk in private. We’ll take a walk in the woods or something.”
“I think that sounds like a smart plan,” Ivy said. “My parents are going to be gushing over you, but once the novelty of meeting you fades, they’ll leave without complaint. Once they’re gone, then you’ll have your moment. How does that sound?”
“Terrifying. It’s the right thing to do, though.”
“It really is. I’m glad you’ve come to this decision. I’ll be here to help you after the fact if you need it.”
“I appreciate it. I’ll never be able to repay what you’ve done for me.”
“You don’t have to repay anything. It was the right thing to do. Now, let’s check all the food and make sure that’s ready so we can get dinner on the table promptly. I’m guessing my parents will be early.”
“There’s something to look forward to.”
“You don’t even know the half of it.”
Seventeen
Max was through the door without knocking a full thirty minutes early. Ivy wasn’t surprised to see him. She expected him to come up with a reason for an early arrival … especially when he heard Amy was helping Ivy with the food.
“I brought pie.” He shoved a store-bought pie into Ivy’s hands without looking at her. “It’s blueberry. You like blueberries.”
Ivy cocked an eyebrow. “I do like blueberries,” she confirmed, slapping the pie into Jack’s hands when she noticed Max was starting to track his girlfriend across the room. “Come here.” She snagged him by the back of the shirt and yanked him back before he could escape in Amy’s direction. “Don’t go over there and smother her.”
Max drew his eyebrows together, his agitation obvious. “Is that what she said? Does she think I’m smothering her?”
Despite Max’s annoying tendencies – and at least three were on display now – Ivy felt sorry for him. “She didn’t say anything,” Ivy hissed, keeping her voice low. “She just hung out all afternoon and we cooked and got to know one another. You need to chill out.”
“But … I was sure she was about to break up with me,” Max admitted. “Now she’s here. I’m happy about that, don’t get me wrong, but I want to make sure she’s comfortable. I wasn’t expecting this.”
Ivy was loyal to her brother … sometimes to a fault. She wanted to tell him what was going on because she was certain he would smooth over Amy’s frayed feelings in a matter of seconds. She knew better than that, though. This wasn’t her fight.
“It’s going to be fine.” She rested her hand on his shoulder and stared directly into his eyes. “I promise this is going to be okay. You need to calm down, though. You’re acting weird. With Mom and Dad coming over, that’s the last thing you need.”
He heaved out a sigh. He wanted to push things further. Deep down, though, he knew Ivy was right. “I’ll try to be good.”
“That would be best. Now, go over there and greet her like a normal person. Give her a kiss and a hug but don’t pounce on her as if she’s dessert. You brought a different dessert. Try to remember that.”
“I’m on it.” Max offered her a mock salute and then turned on his heel. He was obviously happy to be free of his sister so he could join the person he really wanted to spend time with.
“This is going to be a long night,” Jack murmured as he moved to her side. “Is it wrong that I’m looking forward to your parents leaving before they even get here?”
“No. That’s basically how I live my life.”
“Good to know.”
BY THE TIME MICHAEL AND LUNA arrived, Amy had managed to wrestle control of her emotions. She wasn’t ready to jump out of her skin every time Max made a move toward her and she actually managed a few smiles that weren’t nervous reactions and nothing more. She kept telling herself that everything was going to be okay … even though she wasn’t entirely sure that was true. She opted to have faith in Ivy. She figured the woman knew Max better than anyone. She wanted to believe things would be okay, so that’s what she told herself.
“You are just adorable,” Luna announced as she crossed Ivy’s living room – ignoring her daughter and Jack in the process – and lasered in on the diminutive blonde. “I can see why Max tripped over himself to get to you. You’re so cute I want to put you into my pocket.”
Ivy furrowed her brow as Amy worked her jaw. “Mom, I don’t think that’s a normal thing to say to a person you’ve just met. You want to put her in your pocket? What does that even mean?”
“That’s a very good question,” Max drawled, shaking his head. “I want to know what that means, too.”
“It means that she’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Luna snapped, fixing her offspring with quelling looks in turn. “Now, if you will excuse me, I’m talking to Amy. How do you feel about my son?”
Amy looked like a deer caught in headlights as she worked her jaw. “Oh, um … .”
“Geez, Mom,” Ivy complained. “Why don’t you ask her what her favorite color is first or something. You know, ease into it.”
Luna made an exaggerated face. “I’m talking to Amy. Why don’t you mind your own business, huh? Don’t you have a fiancé who is in desperate need of some attention?”
“Definitely.” Jack bobbed his head without hesitation and slipped a finger through the belt loop on Ivy’s capris. “In fact, we’re going to be over here so she can give me a lot of attention.”
“That sounds like a great idea.”
Ivy fought the effort, but Jack was firm as he dragged her away. “We have to help Amy,” Ivy hissed.
“No, we don’t.” Jack shook his head and tapped the end of her nose to keep her eyes on him. “Amy is a big girl. She’s dealt with worse than this. She’ll be fine.”
“Don’t you think she’s already dealing with enough?”
“Yes, which is why it’s good for your parents to distract her.” Jack refused to back down, instead tugging Ivy into his arms so he could hug her and sway back and forth. “Now … just pipe down. I want to spend a bit of time with you before I’m forced to run out, because you know that’s happening.”
Ivy tilted her head to stare into his eyes. Brian left not long before Max arrived. He didn’t want to
explain his presence even though he’d been invited for dinner. He promised to call Jack the second they had a lead on Jeff. Everyone was on pins and needles waiting for word.
Nothing had come through yet.
“I guess I could spend some time with you.” Ivy planted her chin on his chest. “Thank you for being so helpful today,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
His eyebrows migrated up his forehead. “Did you expect me to abandon you? I’m not sure what that says about my reputation if you did.”
“I didn’t expect that,” she said hurriedly. “It’s just … you could’ve yelled. You could’ve flapped your arms and did that bird thing you do because she didn’t call the police sooner. I could tell you kind of wanted to do that.”
His lips curved. “I don’t flap my arms and do a bird thing.”
“You do when you’re annoyed. Trust me. I’ve seen it.”
“Because you annoy me?”
“Every chance I get.” Ivy’s grin was impish. “I like to annoy you because then we can make up more often.”
“Making up is grand,” he agreed, resting his forehead on hers. “How about we set a special date to make up once this is all over with? I’ll even haul all the camping stuff into the woods and we can spend a night under the stars near your fairy ring.”
Ivy’s eyes widened. “You would seriously do that?”
“Of course I would. It sounds more fun than driving two hours to camp. That’s your favorite place. The odds of us finding anything other than a ghost witch out there are slim. I think it’s a fabulous idea.”
“Oh, that’s sweet.” She threw her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek to his. “I think that’s a great idea to solve our camping conundrum. We can do it … but only for a night and close to home.”
He moved his hands up and down her slim back and chuckled. “That sounds like the perfect evening to me.” He rested his cheek against the top of her head and shifted his eyes to the living room, to where Max, Amy, Luna, and Michael were all standing … and staring. “What?” Instinctively he glanced around. “Is something wrong?”
Ivy Morgan Mystery Box Set 5 Page 36