Smoky Mountain Investigation

by Annslee Urban

  “If you’re going to have someone stay with you, you might as well stay here.”

  Still a little unnerved about everything that had happened over the past few weeks, she almost considered it. But one look into Nick’s pleading eyes and her heart was a goner.

  Staying would only prolong the agony already building in her chest.

  “I’ve been enough of a burden. I’m ready to leave.” Before she could betray any other emotion, she picked up her smallest bag.

  He stood there a moment, hands stuffed awkwardly in his pockets. She knew that look. Insistent. Persuasive. She didn’t blink. She wasn’t going to budge.

  “Okay.” He finally nodded. “But know you’re always welcome here. Don’t hesitate to call me if something comes up.” He didn’t look completely happy, but neither was she.

  * * *

  Nick paused a moment and then walked toward her, holding out his hand. “Let me help you with your bags.”

  He wasn’t about to beg her to stay. Not easily persuaded, she’d need proof. And he’d get her that proof.

  Ten minutes later, he slammed the trunk of her car. “Is there anything else you need me to get from the house?”

  She shook her head. “I have everything. And I want to thank you for all you’ve done. Words can’t express my gratitude.”

  He held up a hand. “Don’t be too thankful yet. Let’s make sure this thing is really over.”

  “Nick.” She averted her gaze.

  “I’m not trying to be a spoiler. I’m just not convinced.”

  Instead of expressing annoyance, she smiled. “With Steven coming home soon, where will you go from here?”

  Subject changed. He let it go. Maybe they did need to shift gears.

  He gave it a few seconds, then answered, “I still have some things to finish around here.” Nick leaned against her car and crossed his arms, frustrated that she couldn’t seem to understand.

  “Again, Nick, thanks for everything. I better get going.” She gestured to the driver’s-side door that he rested against.

  Nick straightened and opened the door for her.

  He was tempted to hug her, but stopped himself. Apparently Kylie felt the same way, because she breezed by him and climbed into the car.

  Another awkward moment with Kylie Harper and he took full blame.

  Kylie blinked up at him through the open door. “If I don’t happen to see you again before you leave, I hope your plans turn out well.”

  This was a small town. He was still investigating the murders. She’d see him again.

  And he was okay with that.

  Before Kylie could pull the door shut, he leaned in. “It’s been a tough few weeks, but aside from that, I enjoyed seeing you again.”

  Kylie blinked, then a hint of a smile touched her lips. She didn’t respond, but the sudden glint in her eyes gave him pause.

  “I mean every word,” he said as he captured her fingers. Bringing her hand to his lips, he brushed a kiss across her knuckles.

  * * *

  Kylie cried nearly all the way home.

  How dare Nick mess with her emotions like that? He had no intention of pursuing anything with her, yet the mixed signals she was getting from him had her heart ready to burst.

  She didn’t blame Nick. The culprit was her delusional thoughts.

  A mind was a funny thing. From the get-go Nick had let her know his plans, none of which included her. Yet her heart continued to override logic. He loves me, he loves me not swung in her head like a possessed pendulum. Delusional.

  Gritting her teeth, Kylie gripped the steering wheel and maneuvered down the dirt road that led to her house.

  She’d had enough. Her heart was bruised and battered. With a sniffle, she vowed to push past this season in her life. Once and for all she’d forget about Nick.

  Not because she didn’t love him, but because she could never have him.

  Rejection was a terrible thing. Even after ten years it didn’t get better. In fact, it was worse.

  Sighing, she parked in the driveway, not bothering to pull into the garage. She only needed to drop off her bags.

  On her way out the door, she paused in the foyer. She inhaled and pulled in the lingering scent of aged wood, fresh paint and vanilla potpourri. Home.

  She felt better.

  When she arrived at the newspaper office, the buzz of excitement about the capture and subsequent death of the serial killer flitted around her. Max, on the other hand, she was told by one of her colleagues, was a little down in the mouth.

  Poor thing. His fast track to stardom was now a bust.

  Three hours into her day and she still hadn’t seen her boss. Busy in his office or sulking? It didn’t matter. Her life was getting back to normal.

  “Kylie, there’s a call for you on line four,” the sports editor hollered from across the room.

  Kylie punched four and picked up the phone.

  It was Max. She fought not to cringe.

  “I’d like to meet with you in my office in thirty minutes.”

  Kylie peered at her watch. She should have taken her break earlier. So much for lunch. “All right. See you in thirty.”

  When Kylie arrived at Max’s office, he was waiting.

  “Take a seat, Kylie.” He gestured to one of the chairs on the opposite side of his desk.

  Kylie settled into the blue armchair and crossed her legs. She had no idea why Max had asked her there and he didn’t seem to be in a hurry to tell her.

  She lifted her gaze to him. He had his palms pressed together, his index fingers resting against his lips. Deep in thought. This didn’t look good.

  A moment later Dave walked in. He took the seat next to her.

  She glanced between the two men. If bad news was brewing, she hoped it didn’t involve her. But with the vibes she was getting, fat chance.

  Dave spoke up first. “Kylie, I have a few concerns about the investigation. I asked Max to be here because of the incident that took place in the building. I’d like to keep him in the loop so he can keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”

  “Wait a minute.” Kylie scooted forward in her seat, now perched on the edge. “You told me yesterday that the case had been closed. That evidence concluded Todd Pruitt was the stalker and responsible for the two recent homicides. Maybe even Conrad’s murder.”

  Dave gave a slow nod. “Both of those facts are correct. But now we’re looking into a possible accomplice.”

  “Well, how about that,” Max said, a slow grin cracking his lips.

  Kylie plopped back in the chair. She had a sinking feeling. Maybe they had closed the case too soon. Nick was right. “What changed, Dave?”

  “Pruitt got out of prison earlier this year after serving four years for breaking and entering and assault with a deadly weapon.”

  “Sounds like the perfect candidate for the crime.”

  “Except some of the pictures and articles in his possession were from the time he was in prison.”

  “Oh.” She sank back in the chair.

  “We’ve just started our investigation,” Dave continued. “Are you aware that Nick is digging around for information on his own?”

  A shrug from Kylie. “I know he has some of the same concerns as you. He didn’t mention an accomplice, but he has reservations about Todd. He doesn’t think he fits the serial-killer profile.”

  “What is this guy, a criminal psychiatrist, too?” Max butted in.

  Kylie raised a hand. “Nick’s had significant training as a Delta Force officer, including criminal psychology.”

  “He’s a trained killer with a razor-sharp mind, that’s what he is.”

  That comment brought Kylie’s eyes back to Dave. “What are you getting at?”

  He gave her a chilly look and inclined his head. “Nick is correct about one thing—Todd doesn’t fit the profile. He wasn’t that smart, but Nick Bentley is.”

  That brought Kylie to her feet. “That’s absurd. Why would he
be digging around for evidence on himself?”

  Dave didn’t hesitate. “To cover his tracks. Maybe Pruitt died sooner than he planned.”

  Kylie planted her hands on her hips. “Or maybe Pruitt wasn’t the killer at all. Maybe he was another victim and the evidence was planted.”

  Dave stared after her for a long moment and then stood. “Nick’s theory, I’m sure. You can believe whatever you like, Kylie. But either way, be careful. Your life is still in danger.”

  Your life is still in danger. The words reached inside her like a fist clenching her heart and sent cold chills twining through her.

  Kylie pressed a hand to her chest, working to stay calm. She’d had enough looking over her shoulder. Enough living in the past.

  With a heavy sigh, she lifted a prayer. Father, God, please protect me. And give me the wisdom I need to get through this.

  Her next breath brought a morsel of calm.

  “I’ll be careful,” she said, her gaze trailing back to Dave. “But I’d like you to rethink your theory on Nick. The four years Pruitt was in prison, Nick was fighting in the Middle East.”

  Dave shrugged, his stare unflinching. “Nick lives in an undercover world. He can get his hands on whatever information he wants.”

  For a fleeting moment, scenarios whipped through Kylie’s mind like a tornado. As quickly, she pushed through the confusion clouding her heart. It couldn’t be Nick.

  “Wait a minute.” Max held up a hand. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t someone shooting at Bentley in this very building? Dave, do you think it was Pruitt?”

  “We haven’t gotten that far. No one saw a shooter. For all we know it could have been Nick in there alone.” A little sharpness crept into Dave’s voice.

  “Wow. This is some newsworthy stuff.” Max’s face brightened.

  “No,” Dave snapped. “As far as the public is concerned, this case is closed until we have some solid evidence.”

  Max jumped to his feet. “Detective, come on. If you have information suggesting that there’s still a killer out there, it’s our duty to let the public know. Not just because it’s newsworthy information, but because the citizens of Asheville have a right to protect themselves.”

  Kylie ran her fingers through her hair, letting Max plead and lecture another moment before she interrupted. “Max, just an FYI. The only evidence Detective Michelson has on Nick at the moment is a gut feeling. Isn’t that right, Dave?”

  Dave’s face lost all color. He cleared his voice. “Like I said, we’re still investigating.”

  Until they had something conclusive, she didn’t want to hear about his speculations. If she had to trust anybody’s gut feeling, it would be Nick’s.

  “Kylie, understand something.” Dave’s voice fell into a less professional beat. “I’m not trying to pin anything on Nick. I’m just being proactive.”

  She nodded. Dave had a job to do, she understood that. “I understand, Dave. I don’t want anyone falsely accused. But if the killer is still out there, I’d like you to find him.”

  “And don’t forget we have first dibs on the story,” Max interjected.

  Dave pulled a disgusted face. He crossed the room in three long strides and walked out the door.

  Rubbing his head, Max sank into his leather desk chair, looking deflated. He zeroed in his languid gaze on Kylie. “You don’t buy the detective’s theory about Nick?”

  Kylie hesitated. Took a breath. “No.”

  “Too bad. It sounded like a good one. A story that would sell papers.”

  Without commenting, Kylie shook her head and followed in Dave’s footsteps, out the door and back to her desk.

  SEVENTEEN

  “Take it easy, Steven. Don’t try to move too quickly.” Nick kept a protective hand on his brother’s back as he maneuvered his walker over the wooden threshold going into the kitchen.

  “I think I like the crutches better,” Steven groaned. “Bearing weight on this leg is killing me.”

  “No pain, no gain, bro,” Nick said, pulling a chair from the table and positioning it behind his brother. “Ease down into this.”

  Steven loosened his iron-man grip on the walker and dropped into the wooden chair. Right then and there Nick knew he wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

  “Just getting around the house was a lot harder than I expected.” Steven propped his foot on an adjacent chair.

  “Sorry. I guess I don’t have the Nurse Nadine touch.” Nick smiled and set a glass of tea on the table for Steven.

  “Thanks.” Steven picked up the glass. “By the way, my private nurse will be stopping by in a little while.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  “Was that a not-so-subtle hint for me to take a hike when she shows up?” Nick settled in a chair at the table.

  “Uh, yeah.” Steven smiled and took a swig.

  Nick laughed. “I guess it’s back to the apartment for me.”

  Steven shrugged. He swirled his glass, the ice clinking. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you check in with Kylie? I haven’t heard you talk about her the last few days.”

  Why don’t you mind your own business? Nick breathed deep. “Actually, I haven’t seen or talked to her since she left last week.”

  “Ouch. Not going well, huh?”

  Nick crossed his arms. “I haven’t had a reason to contact her. Dave hasn’t been as forthcoming with information about Pruitt, and I’ve been hitting brick walls trying to dig around on my own. And she must not have gotten any phone calls from her stalker, because she hasn’t contacted me, either.”

  “Why do you need a reason? Just call her up for a date.”

  “It’s not like that. We’re only friends. I’m just trying to help her out.”

  What started off as a chuckle from Steven quickly bumped up to a laugh. “Nick, who are you trying to fool? You love that girl, you always have.”

  “And what do you know about love, little brother? You have a new girl every week.”

  “I know enough to recognize that I’ve never felt the same way about any woman as you feel about Kylie. It is evident by the way you talk about her. The look in your eye, the tone of your voice.”

  Nick rocked back in his chair. He hadn’t expected this. “I’m concerned about her as a friend, that’s all.”

  “You love her, man. Ten years and it’s still there.”

  This from a man who didn’t know how to focus while riding a bike, let alone focus on a long-term relationship. “And when did you take up counseling for a hobby?”

  “It doesn’t take a PhD to figure you out.”

  Nick opened his mouth. Shut it again. Frowned. “We’re just friends. Period. We’ve both changed and moved on in our lives.”

  “Uh, maybe you’ve changed, but moving on, I don’t buy it.”

  Nick just shook his head.

  “Look at you. You haven’t had a serious relationship since you and Kylie broke up,” Steven reminded him. “And why do you think Kylie’s still single? She’s waiting for you, man. Waiting for her soldier in shining armor to come back.”

  Nick rolled his eyes. “I doubt that’s true. I think that’s your brain injury talking.”

  “Nope. Scan came back negative.” Amusement underscored his brother’s words. “No signs of a concussion.” He tapped the side of his head.

  Or a brain. Nick smiled inside.

  “You love her?”

  Nick glanced at his brother, a knowing look in his eye. “Enough questions, okay? Kylie and I are friends.”

  “Friends now, but who knows about the future? Stick around and see if anything transpires. Besides, I wouldn’t mind having a brother around.”

  “Sorry, Asheville isn’t the place for me.”

  “Sure it is. We can use you around here. You can run for police commissioner or be an investigator. You’re finding out the P.D. is undertrained in that area.”

  Nick wagged his head. “I’m not cut out for that.”

  “What are you cut ou
t for, Nick? Running from the past?”

  His chest stung with that comment. But Nick ignored it and leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table. “Even trying to acquire public information about Pruitt is difficult. I might have to enlist help from some buddies of mine.”

  “Smooth, brother.” Steven gestured with his glass. “The way you just switched subjects there. But I’ll let you be for now.”

  “Thank you.” Nick grinned.

  “So what have you found on Pruitt so far?”

  “Let’s see.” Nick linked his hands behind his head. “Besides spending four years in the pen, he’s been in and out of rehab for years. At the time of his death he had an active bench warrant out for two DUIs and over the years he hasn’t held a job longer than seven months.”

  “Model citizen.” Steven moaned a little as he shifted in his chair.

  “And somehow he’s been deemed smart enough to stay hidden from law enforcement while committing gruesome murders.” Nick sat up. “How about an ice pack?”

  “I was going to wait for Nadine, but if you wouldn’t mind.”

  “Not a problem.” Nick went to the refrigerator and filled a ziplock bag with ice. “The more I find out about Pruitt, the more I’m sure he died by the hand of the predator and the killer is still out there.”

  “So how are you going to prove it?”

  “Not sure. There hasn’t been a mumble from the killer since Pruitt’s overdose. And Pruitt is the only suspect in the case. He had the right evidence in his possession, planted or not, and was living in Asheville when the two recent murders occurred. And if Detective Dave is correct, Pruitt was also at Camp Golden Rock with us. Conrad’s case is now being reopened with Pruitt as the main suspect.”

  Nick draped a dish towel around the bag of ice and handed it to Steven.

  “Are you sure Pruitt went to your senior camp? I didn’t think he even graduated high school.” Steven plopped the ice bag on his elevated knee, giving Nick a puzzled glance. “If I remember right, he’d been expelled earlier in the year. Fireworks in one of the toilets in the boys’ bathroom or something like that. It was big news at the time.”

  Vaguely Nick recalled the story. Then it hit him. “Is my yearbook around here somewhere?”