Meeting Danger (Danger #1)

by Allyson Simonian

  “I’m sure she will be.” Camden gave Autumn’s shoulder a quick squeeze. “I’ll see you later.”

  Beverly watched thoughtfully as he walked away and then turned her attention to Autumn. “He’s worried about you. I could tell when we spoke this afternoon.”

  Autumn’s heart skipped a beat. She looked toward the door, but couldn’t think of a thing to say.

  Smiling gently at her, the woman said, “So, tell me what you know.”

  Forcing thoughts of Camden out of her head, Autumn turned her attention back to Beverly. “I . . . I really don’t know anything.”

  “That keeps it simple. We’ll start at the beginning.” Beverly began sorting through the papers spread across the table.

  “You really think you’ll be able to help me?”

  Beverly found the page she wanted and met Autumn’s gaze with a smile. “I’m sure I will.”

  She set the page down in front of Autumn. “This is a list of phonics. You’re going to see that each letter has a corresponding sound. Some have several sounds.”

  Slowly they went through the list as Beverly explained. “Have you ever heard the alphabet song?” When Autumn shook her head, she said, “The alphabet has twenty-six letters in total; some are consonants that have hard sounds, and some are vowels, that have soft sounds. Five act as vowels. The letter y does too sometimes. There’s at least one vowel in every word.”

  Autumn nodded, wondering how many of the sounds she’d be able to remember. There were dozens.

  But Beverly seemed to read her mind. “Don’t worry. It’s going to help to practice. I’ll be giving you homework.”

  Homework? At her age? Autumn couldn’t help but smile.

  Beverly pulled out a notepad and a pencil to demonstrate how to make the strokes for capital and lowercase letters. “Start each letter from the top. Like this.”

  When they finished practicing writing letters half an hour later, Autumn asked, “How many people do you help each week?”

  “Just a handful. I have a day job, so I only get to volunteer a couple of nights a week.”

  “It’s so nice of you to do this.”

  As she pulled out another list, Beverly smiled. “Here’s the last thing we’ll do tonight. These are the one hundred most common words. Once you recognize these words by sight, reading’s going to be a breeze for you. I guarantee it.”

  They spent the rest of the session going over the list. At several minutes before nine, Beverly handed over a stapled bundle of pages. “Here’s the homework I mentioned. The pictures will show you exactly what you need to do.”

  Autumn blinked hard, unable to believe all they’d accomplished. She already recognized some of the simple words, which amazed her. “Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll see you again on Friday. All right?”

  “All right.” Autumn rose and picked up the packet before saying good-bye. She found Camden seated on a bench by the entrance, checking his watch.

  He quickly stood when she approached. “How did everything go?”

  “Great. I already feel like I learned a lot.” She laughed. “And I’ve even got homework.”

  “That’s great, Autumn.”

  He was studying her as they stood there, and the softness of his expression made her stomach do a flip-flop.

  “She was nice then?” he asked.

  “Really nice.”

  They walked out of the library with Autumn still thinking about the warm look on his face. They’d barely known each other a little over a week, so how was it that he already seemed to care?

  The truth was, she already cared for him, too. They’d formed a sort of bond that night at Butch’s, and the connection had only deepened the more she got to know Camden.

  But as she took another look at him, she chastised herself. Camden wanted to help her; that was all. He was only being kind, it was his nature, and she shouldn’t make any more out of it.

  Getting attached to Camden isn’t the smart thing to do.

  The thought instantly sobered her. She’d been dependent on Butch, but she wasn’t going to become dependent on Camden too. For once, she was going to try to stand on her own two feet.

  CHAPTER 26

  After he’d introduced her to the literacy volunteer, Camden had had to force himself to walk away from Autumn. He’d left the library but he hadn’t gone far. For the past two hours, he’d walked around the parking lot. He’d spoken to his parents on the phone for a while, catching up with them, but most of the time had been spent pacing the cement and thinking of Autumn.

  He shouldn’t have been worried, though. Not surprisingly, she’d done fine. He tore his gaze away from her as he started up the SUV.

  A group of kids was standing in front of the Burger Barn as Camden and Autumn drove through town. As they stopped at a light, he watched one of the teens shout out to a friend across the street. The boy was muscular and tall, his brown hair cropped in a style that reminded Camden of his cell mate, Brian Bailey.

  The memory of Brian’s despondency came to mind, and Camden frowned. As the light changed, he came to a decision. There was probably nothing he could do to help Brian, but he was going to try. Since the investigation into the heroin ring was at a standstill and Butch was still in the wind, he had nothing better to do with his time. Even his search for Autumn’s brother had been hitting nothing but walls. Trying to help Brian would be a productive use of his time, and give him something to think about other than Autumn.

  He began explaining Brian’s situation to Autumn, hoping talking about it might stoke inspiration.

  “Maybe there’s something I can do to help,” he said as he turned into the driveway.

  He parked the car and gazed at her, knowing he owed her an update on her brother too. “By the way, we haven’t been able to find any W-2 statements for Wade.”

  Autumn frowned. “What does that mean? That he’s not working?”

  “It doesn’t look like it. He hasn’t filed taxes in years.” The guy was definitely living under the radar. But how was he supporting himself?

  At the look of worry that crossed her face, Camden reached out and gave her arm a squeeze. “I’ll find him. It’s just taking a little longer than I expected.”

  “Thank you.” There was silence for another moment before she added, “And thank you so much for giving me a place to stay.”

  Camden’s gut clenched. “It’s my pleasure. I hope you know that.”

  As she gave him a sweet smile, a powerful and unexpected urge came over him. He wanted nothing more than to lean across the console and kiss her, but the last thing he wanted to do was to take advantage of her vulnerability.

  Instead, he got out of the car and unlocked the house, watching Autumn as she preceded him into the kitchen. He was still fighting the feeling a few minutes later when she gestured toward the counter.

  “I made some cookies earlier if you’re hungry.”

  “I think I’ll just head up to bed.”

  She nodded and turned away. “Good night then.”

  “Good night, Autumn.”

  Once he was inside his bedroom, Camden ran a hand through his hair as he paced the floor. What had that been, that urge to kiss her? Angry with himself, he shook off his confusion. He’d never take advantage of Autumn the way Cobb had. He was always going to put her needs first.

  He rolled his shoulders and sighed. It was natural to be attracted to Autumn. She was sweet and petite and pretty, and with that cute dimple, who wouldn’t be attracted? But what she needed most was someone she could trust, and that was exactly what he was going to be. He wasn’t going to screw this up by acting on the attraction he felt for her.

  Coming upstairs had been the right thing to do. He needed a chance to catch his breath.

  He glanced at the desk that sat beneath the bedroom window. From now on, he’d bring his laptop up here at night. Despite living under the same roof, he and Autumn could still have their own space.
r />   • • •

  Over breakfast the next morning, Camden told Autumn more about Brian’s case. “All he could talk about was his innocence.”

  “You think he’s telling the truth.”

  Camden nodded. “He’s either innocent or an excellent liar.” But his gut was saying it wasn’t the latter.

  “Where will you start?”

  “By speaking with him again to learn more about his case. I just hope I can do something for him.” He shook his head. “Anyway, what are your plans this morning?”

  Grinning, she said, “Homework.”

  “Come get me if you need any help, all right?”

  She nodded as he left the kitchen.

  • • •

  By the end of the hour, Camden was speaking directly with Brian. Even though it was early in the day, not the time inmates were allowed access to the phones, Warden Frake had intervened.

  “You’re a federal agent working undercover?” There was confusion in Brian’s voice.

  “Yes, but I’d appreciate you not mentioning that to anyone.”

  “And you want to help me.”

  “I do.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I believe you.” Camden paced the space around his desk. “Listen, I’m not promising anything, but I’d like to look into your case.”

  “How?”

  “We’ll start with you telling me what you know. Then I’ll get a copy of the transcript from your trial and interview the key witnesses.”

  “Man, to have a cop on my side, looking into things . . .” Brian’s voice cracked. “Thank you.”

  Camden closed his eyes. “It’s a long shot, but I’m going to do my best.” He grabbed a pen and a pad of paper. “If you’re up for it, I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

  Brian cleared his throat. “Yeah, sure.”

  “What was the name of the town you lived in?”

  “Allentown.”

  “And your address?”

  “422 Saw Mill Road.”

  “Who was the victim?”

  “Lee Wells.”

  “Did you know him?”

  “We went to high school together.”

  “You got along?”

  There was a pause. “We had a fight once.”

  “A physical fight?”

  “Yes.”

  “What about?”

  “A girl.”

  “How bad was the fight?”

  “Not too bad. I had a few scrapes. He had a bloody nose.”

  “Were the police called?”

  “No. It was nothing like that.”

  “What happened afterward?”

  “We never really spoke after that. The fight was the only problem we ever had.”

  Camden tapped the pad with his pen. “Who was your attorney?”

  “Bob Rice.”

  It was time for the dirty details. “Tell me exactly what you were doing the night Wells was killed.”

  “I was at home, alone. I had a roommate, but he was traveling.”

  “You told me you’d had a girlfriend. Where was she that night? And what’s her name?”

  “Her name’s Andrea Graham. She was working late. I didn’t get to see her at all that night.”

  Camden scribbled more notes. “I’m going to make a trip out to Allentown. I’ll be in touch with you once I’m there.”

  There was silence on the other end of the line before Brian whispered, “Thank you.”

  Camden hung up and went back into the kitchen. Autumn looked up from her studying.

  “I’m going to need to go to Allentown on Monday for a day or two. Would you mind coming with me? We should be back before your next class. It’s next Friday, right?”

  He breathed a sigh of relief when she nodded and agreed to go with him. He wasn’t about to take any chances with her safety. While it was unlikely that Cobb would find her here, anything was possible.

  “Brian must have been happy to hear from you.”

  “He seemed to be.” Camden looked down at the papers she’d spread out. “How’s it going with your homework?”

  “Fine.”

  “Need any help?”

  “I’m okay.”

  He smiled. “Then I’ll leave you to it.”

  Camden spent the rest of the morning online. Court transcripts needed to be ordered in person, which he’d do on Monday once he arrived in Allentown. Wanting to learn what he could in the meantime, he punched keywords from the case into Google instead. There were a number of articles that came up about the trial, so he sat back to read them.

  CHAPTER 27

  Allentown, Pennsylvania

  Late Monday morning, Camden set Autumn’s luggage onto her hotel room bed. “I have a couple of places I need to visit, but when I get back we can go out to dinner. At least the room has a desk, so you’ll have a place to study while I’m gone.”

  He’d reached the door connecting their adjoining rooms when Autumn called out, “Camden?”

  “Yes?”

  She gave him a smile. “Good luck with everything.”

  Camden entered his adjoining room, thinking of the drive they’d just had. Mostly they’d talked about the mundane—everything from food to traffic, but the conversation had flowed freely. And Autumn’s intelligence showed in everything she said.

  Over the weekend, as he’d pulled together what information he could get about Brian’s case from the Internet and discussed it with her, she was so quick to pull things together in her head and ask the right questions, it had amazed him.

  He was already looking forward to dinner with her as he set his bag down. Autumn had never been to Allentown, and from what she’d said, she’d never been to a nice restaurant either. Being able to expose her to some of the nicer things in life she’d missed out on excited him, but for now, he had to focus on helping Brian.

  His first stop was the office of Bob Rice, Brian’s defense attorney. The reception area of Rice’s office held a leather sofa and matching club chairs, but there was no one seated at the reception desk when he walked inside.

  A white-haired man stepped out from a back office. “Help you?”

  “Are you Mr. Rice?”

  “Yes.” When Camden introduced himself, Rice walked over. “What can I help you with, Mr. Taylor?”

  “I was on assignment at Edgewater Prison a couple months back and got to know Brian Bailey. I’m going to be looking into his case, so I wanted to see what you thought.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Did you believe in Brian’s innocence?”

  Rice sighed. “Innocence or guilt wasn’t something I really focused on. My job was to give Brian the best defense I could, so that’s what I did. I have to say, though, it wasn’t easy, given all the evidence.”

  “Did it ever seem like that evidence was too convenient?”

  “What are you getting at?” Rice asked with a frown.

  “Brian told me he was framed.”

  Rice nodded. “That’s what he told me too. But in my line of work, I hear that a lot.”

  “I plan to review the transcripts, but I wanted to ask whether anything stood out to you. Whether anything seemed strange.”

  “And if I said no, what then?”

  “Then I’d understand.” Camden shifted on his feet. “Either way, though, I’ll be looking into things.”

  The lawyer sighed. “Sorry. I don’t mean to sound flippant. It’s just that the evidence against Brian was so strong. And nothing seemed out of place to me.”

  “Did you employ an investigator?”

  “No, but I really did do all that I could.”

  Studying the man, Camden guessed the way he probably felt. Overworked and underappreciated. But Brian’s case had clearly stuck with him.

  “Just for the record, Brian had no complaints about legal counsel.”

  The man sighed. “I’ll get you copies of everything. Save you a trip to the courthouse, at least.”

&nbs
p; “I’d appreciate that.”

  • • •

  Late that afternoon, Camden returned to his hotel room armed with the transcripts Rice had given him. He set them down on the desk in his room before knocking on Autumn’s door.

  As she opened the door, he gestured to the papers strewn across her bed. “Getting a lot done?”

  She nodded before giving him a rueful smile. “I was about to give up for the day, though. I think my eyes are going to cross if I try to read any more.”

  “Perfect time for a dinner break then.”

  She nodded. “Is it okay if I get changed first?”

  “Sure. Knock on my door whenever you’re ready.”

  He’d been reading the transcript for fifteen minutes when Autumn knocked. As he opened the door, his heart stuttered. She was wearing the dress they’d bought in town, and it fit her shapely body to a tee. She looked stunning.

  “Hope I didn’t make you wait too long.”

  Camden shook himself back to reality. “You didn’t.”

  As they left the room, he tried hard to get his mind off of the attraction he felt for Autumn. The better he got to know her, the more difficult it became. He put a hand on the small of her back as they headed for the elevator. He couldn’t remember ever having a dinner companion who was so stunning.

  He cleared his throat as they pulled out of the hotel parking lot. “The restaurant we’re going to, Brian used to manage it.”

  “Really? That should be interesting. Maybe someone there will know something that will help you.” When he just nodded, she asked, “Where did you go today?”

  It was surprising how much her interest pleased him. “To see Brian’s attorney. He didn’t notice anything that he considered suspicious. I also drove to Philadelphia, trying to locate Brian’s ex-girlfriend.”

  “Any luck there?”

  “Not yet.” Glancing at her, he said, “You’re working really hard.”

  She shrugged. “I just hope I can pick things up quickly.”

  “I have no doubt you will.”

  Ten minutes later, they entered a dimly lit restaurant.

  “We’d like a table,” Camden said to the hostess. “But I also need to speak with the owner. Is he in tonight?”