Unlocking Darkness (Keys to Love Series, Book Five)

by Kennedy Layne

  Allie refused to allow any guilt to overshadow tonight’s agenda. She and Mitch had talked at length about his family and their involvement with this case. It was better they didn’t know the depth of her participation, and that included Gwen.

  “I can definitely say the same thing about her—she’s a doll,” Allie replied with a smile, ignoring the second statement entirely. She feigned a concerned look Jack’s way. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to crash into you so hard.”

  “Oh, it’s nothing. I pulled a rib muscle on the construction site last week.”

  “It actually bruised to the bone, can you believe that?” Beth Ann rubbed a hand up and down Jack’s arm in comfort. “It’s finally turned yellow as of this morning, so at least we know it’s healing and he didn’t break anything.”

  Allie had the information she needed, and Beth Ann had unknowingly just crossed Jack Stewart off the suspect list. If she’d seen his ribcage, then she’d seen the rest of his body. Everyone in Blyth Lake had heard about Gwen discharging her weapon and grazing the suspect’s arm. Beth Ann didn’t strike Allie as the type of woman to cover for a man who was capable of murdering over eighteen young girls and women.

  “I should get back to the table,” Allie replied with another apologetic smile. “You two enjoy your evening. Oh, and congratulations!”

  She had maneuver around a few other people before she was able to walk a clear path to where Mitch was waiting for her. Lance and Noah were deep in conversation, while Jace and Shae must have arrived when Allie had been in the restroom.

  “Allie, I stowed your belongings behind the bar,” Lance said before sliding a cold bottle of beer her way. She was carrying, which meant she’d have no more than a couple of sips to have the others believe she was joining in the fun. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  “Thank you.” Allie used the rung of the tall stool to hoist herself up into the seat, leaning against Mitch when he casually rested his arm on the back of her chair. She’d done so almost too naturally, but this had been the show they’d agreed to put on for the locals. Once everyone had gone back to their discussions, she leaned in so that only Mitch could hear her news. “Jack isn’t our boy.”

  Mitch most likely would have questioned how she’d come by that intel, but Allie didn’t want to go into a deep explanation with everyone around. Besides, it would also open up a can of worms regarding the issue of Reese knowing too much about Allie’s role in the investigation.

  The rest of the evening had been spent talking and laughing about everything but the case, which was a feat in and of itself. Allie kept a close eye on Billy, but there were a few other men at the bar who garnered her interest. Some were older than what her profile stated, but that had been known to happen. Maturity was a state of mind…not age.

  Maybe Allie needed to be a little more vocal about her past.

  “I’ll grab the next round,” Allie offered, hopping off the stool with a smile and hoping that no one noticed she was still nursing her first.

  “There’s no need for that,” Mitch countered, his blue eyes not missing a thing. “Lance was about to—”

  “I left my cell phone in my purse, and I really should check to see if I’ve got any messages.” Allie wasn’t going to delay the inevitable. She and Mitch had talked at length about what needed to take place. “I’ll be right back.”

  Allie maneuvered through the crowd, stopping only long enough to say hello to those she personally met over the last four days. She spoke to Rose and Tiny the longest, giving her time to lay some more groundwork. Anyone overhearing them would know a little more about her upbringing.

  “Allie, do you have any money left in that checking account of yours?” Gus asked with a knowing smile once Allie had slipped behind the bar. It was an odd angle to view everyone, but it showed her that Brynn or whoever was bartending could monitor just about every table in the joint. Interesting. “Word has it that Reese took you into the boutique.”

  “That she did,” Allie laughed, leaning back enough so that she could see underneath the bar. Brynn’s bartender, Kristen, was setting down two draft beers in front of Miles and another gentleman to his right. “And it wasn’t just Reese’s fault that my credit card almost caught on fire, but also Brynn, Shae, and Gwen. Those women are trouble with a capital T.”

  “I heard that,” Brynn said good-naturedly as she walked back behind the bar. She whispered something to Kristen before kneeling to the floor. She stood back up with a smile, handing Allie her purse. “Is this what you’re looking for?”

  “Thanks, Brynn.” Allie quickly checked her phone for messages, noting only one of significance. Jay had sent a text informing her that the hospital might have been too quick in releasing Shelby Tilmadge. There was no other explanation. “Is it okay if I still leave my purse back here? I’ll take my cell phone with me.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Brynn was damned quick with her hands. She’d helped out Kristen by taking care of the patrons on this end of the bar. It was then that Allie realized Jeremy Bell wasn’t in his usual spot.

  Neither was Calvin, for that matter.

  Mitch had mentioned something about a neighborhood watch at breakfast her first day in town. Were those two out and about on this cold night? Allie was now worried about them, considering their health was on the opposite side of vigorous.

  “Brynn, do you know—”

  “Giving up your fed job to be a small-town bartender?” Billy Stanton’s question prevented Allie from asking Brynn about the whereabouts of her two usual patrons. Allie didn’t miss the way Gus’ fingers tightened on his beer mug. “Brynn, could we get another round of shots?”

  “Sure thing, Billy.”

  Brynn gracefully reached for a handful of clean shot glasses lined up on the back shelf.

  “I’d never make it as a bartender,” Allie answered Billy’s first question with a half-smile. He was one of those attention grabbers, but she’d found out the other day that he wasn’t so keen on being on the receiving end of those jabs. She played it safe this time, hoping that he’d let his guard down just enough that she could take a peek underneath the surface. “I have a hard time keeping my opinions to myself.”

  Billy didn’t banter back, which told her that he agreed with her deduction. Gus and Miles had a good chuckle at Billy’s expense, though. Brynn muttered something good-natured under her breath that said she was opinionated herself, and that hadn’t stop her from owning The Cavern.

  It really was too bad that Allie wasn’t on the other side of the bar. She’d already excluded Jack Stewart as the unsub, and she was hell bent on doing the same—or the opposite—with Billy Stanton.

  “Allie, we have to go.”

  Mitch had suddenly appeared behind his father, his stern expression telling her that her plans might have to be put on hold. She didn’t once question his reasoning, though, especially considering that he held her jacket in his hands. Whatever needed his attention was of a serious nature.

  “Let me grab my things.”

  “Has something happened?” Gus asked with concern as Miles and the others all turned on their stools to hear Mitch’s reply.

  “Nothing that anyone needs to worry about tonight, Dad.” Mitch had answered his father in the gentlest manner, but it was clear that something had taken place that needed the sheriff’s immediate attention. “Are we meeting for breakfast in the morning?”

  “Usual time, usual place,” Gus replied, his lips thinning out as he then quietly looked on as Allie finished gathering her bags. She really had spent quite a bit of change today. “Be careful out there, son.”

  Allie gave Brynn and the other bartender an apologetic smile as she carefully maneuvered herself out from behind the bar. Mitch met her halfway, though that took her farther away from her target. There was no elegant manner in which she could accidentally bump into Billy Stanton without alerting him and others to her intent.

  She’d have to wait for another opport
unity to present itself.

  Allie remained silent as Mitch led her through the crowded bar of those waiting for the live entertainment to begin their first music set. It wasn’t until they were outside of the establishment that he motioned for her to put the bags down on the sidewalk so that he could help her into her jacket.

  “The body of a female was recovered on the side of the road around ten miles outside of town.” Mitch leaned down and grabbed her shopping bags only after she’d buttoned her dress coat. He didn’t waste time crossing the street nor giving her the specific detail that had captured his attention. “The victim had red hair, Allie. Our plan may have very well backfired and gotten Charlene Winston killed.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “I don’t believe the hit and run has anything to do with our case.”

  “I agree with you, but that still leaves us with no leads to pursue,” Mitch countered as he poured himself a fresh cup of coffee. Monday wasn’t shaping up to have the best morning. “Speaking of the hit and run, have the state police made any progress on an ID?”

  The hit and run on the female that had taken place on Saturday night had been outside of town and in the jurisdiction of the state police. The tragic accident had nothing to do with the serial killer investigation, but the woman’s death still mattered to her loved ones left behind.

  In the end, the outcome of the hit and run meant that there was a slim chance Charlene Winston could still be alive.

  Mitch and Allie had decided to drive home instead of returning to The Cavern. She’d gone into detail about her accidental run-ins with some of the male individuals on the suspect list, but she revealed she hadn’t been able to do the same with Billy.

  Was Billy Stanton their unsub?

  “I haven’t heard from the state investigator this morning, but the woman’s clothes revealed what color paint was on the vehicle. That might help them in solving the case.” Thorne tossed down one of the many manila folders that were now scattered across the table. He rested his head back against the chair and closed his eyes. It just went to show that hardly any of them were getting the rest they needed. “It’s nearly been a week since Charlene Winston was taken from the inn.”

  “Time is running out for her, if it hasn’t already.” Mitch didn’t bother to go back into his office. Byron was patrolling the neighborhoods and taking the calls that needed immediate attention from the sheriff’s department. Deputy Foster had been scheduled for second shift. The new hire would be on thirds for quite a few months before Mitch would rotate him out with Foster. “We may have to face the fact that we played this entire situation wrong.”

  Mitch’s opinion garnered Thorne’s attention. The agent sat up in his seat and took a good look around the station. The only one who could possibly overhear them at the moment was Patty, but she was busy reassuring one of the locals that Raymond Dixon was well aware there was a hole in the fence on the east side of his property.

  “We didn’t play this wrong, Mitch.” Thorne went searching for a particular file. Once it was in his hand, he then tossed it across the table. “Agent Stringer agreed with Allie’s assessment of the unsub. Her presence in town will capture this son of a bitch’s attention. He’s a smart one, and I don’t believe he’s going to act on impulse. It’s just a matter of when he decides to act, and you’re not going to like what I have to say.”

  “Allie has already gone around town to almost every shop, spreading her story of an unhappy childhood in her wake. There isn’t anything else she could do besides hold up a sign with a red bullseye.”

  Mitch didn’t have the stomach for his second cup of coffee. The first one he’d shared with Allie while they sat on the porch and watched the sun rise. He was getting used to having her there to talk to every day, and that would eventually become a problem. Hell, it already was a problem.

  “What if there was a way we could—”

  “Mitch, Byron just radioed in. He’s over with Lester Feen, who’s been complaining about Raymond Dixon’s fence line having holes on the east side.” Patty was tapping a pencil against her hand, and she only ever did that when something was more wrong than usual. “Byron’s requesting both you and Agent Thorne head out that way to have a look at these so-called holes in the ground. Something odd is going on.”

  Mitch didn’t hesitate. He pushed back the chair, stood before taking his keys out of the front pocket of his jeans, and then started for the front door. Thorne followed closely behind him after having grabbed his suit jacket.

  “I’ll drive.”

  Mitch had left his lightweight jacket in the sheriff’s vehicle. He knew exactly where the east side of Dixon’s farm was located, and it was a bit of a hike.

  “You want to tell me who the hell Raymond Dixon is and why he’d have multiple holes dug on his property?” Thorne snapped his fingers as he reached for the handle on the passenger side door. “Wait. Dixon. I came across that surname when I was looking into the Emma Irwin’s files.”

  “Raymond Dixon is the son of Stanley and Birdie. Stanley died a very long time ago, but Birdie was the woman who ran the camp that Emma Irwin and Sophia Morton attended the summer before Emma went missing.” Mitch yanked on the driver’s side door handle. Raymond technically fit the profile, if age wasn’t a factor. Had lady luck finally made an appearance? “Thorne, we might just have the break we’ve been looking for.”

  *

  “I’m surprised you don’t own one of the cottages,” Allie told Brynn as they walked along the sand by the lake. The sky was overcast and the wind was quite cold, both ingredients causing the day to seem quite dreary. The large body of water should have held a peaceful quality, but it had been taken the moment evil had dipped its toe in the gentle wind-driven current. “You bought The Cavern from Tiny and Rose, right?”

  “I did, but Tiny and Rose had grand thoughts about overdue vacations.” Brynn leaned down and picked up a straw wrapper that had somehow been left behind. She stowed the litter in the pocket of her black coat. “Rose was very close to Birdie Dixon back in the day. A lot of the camp’s lake property was sold to Rose after Birdie passed, because Raymond Dixon had no interest in taking over the camp or running that kind of business. Let’s face it, the restaurant and the beach area take a lot of work all by themselves.”

  “But Tiny and Rose were hoping that the off season would allow them to travel,” Allie surmised as she swept her gaze over the small pier. No boats were currently moored to the wooden deck. “I’m sorry this all happened to you.”

  “There’s only one person to blame.” Brynn tucked a blonde lock of hair behind her ear as the wind picked up. “Reese, Shae, and I know what you’re up to, Allie. You really need to be more careful. Truthfully, we’re all surprised that Mitch is allowing you to act as bait for this guy. He’s dangerous, he’s smart, and he’s capable of catching you by surprise.”

  This was one of the reasons Allie had wanted to spend time with Brynn. What had Allie or Mitch done to give themselves away? If the women were aware of Allie’s attempt to lure in the unsub, then it was possible that the unsub was aware, too.

  It was Monday afternoon, which meant Reese and Shae would be at work. Brynn technically should be at the bar getting ready for the evening crowd, but she’d handed over the reins to Kristen after Allie had made the request.

  “Why would you believe I’m offering myself up for bait?”

  Allie saw a bench in the distance, though her attention was still on the parking lot up and over the hill. They were now too far away to see any vehicles coming or going. The sense that someone was watching her had begun earlier this morning when she’d met Gus for breakfast. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to pinpoint the source.

  “Really?” Brynn laughed and shook her head at Allie’s question. “Come on. Tell me the truth. You grew up in some posh suburb on the East Coast with two loving parents, maybe a brother or two in light of how well you handle the Kendall men, and a white picket fence. There is no way you fit t
he profile—no pun intended—of the serial killer who’s been hunting young girls in Blyth Lake. You’re not the type.”

  Allie wished more than anything she could tell Brynn that her fairytale of a childhood was accurate. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The silver lining in all of this was that if the unsub thought it was all a fake story, he could easily pull up some articles online which covered her past since she’d joined the service and then the FBI.

  She’d made the paper a time or two in regard to some high-profile cases, and the military was fond of doing hometown press releases every time someone got promoted, received a commendation, or graduated from a training course. It was amazing the depths a reporter would go to for a compelling story.

  “Brynn, my past isn’t some cover that Mitch and I came up with in order to lure this unsub out of hiding.” They’d made it to the bench, and Allie was the first to take a seat. She might as well get comfortable and explain her history. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have the perfect childhood you and the girls imagined. It’s true that I grew up with an alcoholic father and no mother. It’s also a cold hard fact that I joined the military to escape a dead-end road that I was going to find myself on if I’d stayed at home. In reality, being a Marine saved my life.”

  Brynn studied Allie for a good thirty seconds before replying, most likely to gauge the sincerity of her story.

  “Allie, I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to—”

  “It’s okay.” And it was okay. Allie had made peace with her past a long time ago, though she was beginning to doubt herself in that area. She’d be fine once she made it back to D.C. “I can see how you and the others would think Mitch and I had made up some story to aid the investigation, but my childhood wasn’t the greatest.”

  Allie didn’t allow guilt to wash over her at the fact she’d stretched the truth a little. The unsub had been too quiet since Thorne had released the personal background of Charlene Winston. Had the reporter been killed? Had the unsub taken another life outside of his unspoken code in his attempt at giving his victims peace?