Secret is in the Bones (Paynes Creek Thriller Book 3)

by Heather Sunseri

  Faith stayed quiet, letting me continue.

  “Also, they discovered a card left at the scene.”

  “Like what was left at my home today?”

  “No, and what I’m sharing now hasn’t been shared outside of the investigation.”

  “Luke, I know how investigations work.”

  “I know you do,” I said. I stared at our hands before meeting her hard stare again. “Investigators discovered calling cards the size of a playing card at the scenes of two of the murders.”

  “Which murders?”

  “Steven’s and Paula Shepherd’s.”

  “What was on these cards?”

  “A skull and crossbones.”

  Faith drew back. “Like what was carved into Darren’s chest?” When I nodded, she stood and paced while wringing her hands. When she was facing me again, she stopped. “So, you think your prison gang case, Darren’s murder, and Miss Shepherd’s murder are all connected?”

  “Maybe. We also might be looking at a spree killer.”

  “A spree killer,” she repeated. “Someone who kills two or more people without a cooling-off period.” Faith sounded like she was reciting a definition from a textbook.

  “The SAC is convening a task force across different agencies, and now two different states, to pool our resources.”

  “What’s the common link between the victims?” Even as she asked the question, I could see in her eyes that she already knew the truth. “It’s me,” she said. “I’m the commonality. Someone is killing people who are linked to me.” She continued to pace around the kitchen. Oliver’s eyes followed her as he gnawed on one of the spider legs made for teething babies. “Except the warden’s wife.”

  “Correct. That one can be loosely tied to the others, but it doesn’t seem as personal in nature.”

  “And not directly related to me.”

  I rubbed Oliver’s head, then stood and approached Faith. “I’m going to—”

  “If you tell me you’re going to protect me, I’ll scream.” Her fingers stretched wide, then closed into fists at her side.

  “I was going to say I’m going to find out who’s doing this, but yes, I’m going to do my level best to protect you, as well.”

  A hysterical laugh escaped as tears escaped and fell down her face. She swiped at them, growling in frustration.

  I placed my hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look straight at me. “Stop for just a minute and listen to me.” I moved a strand of hair and hooked it behind her ear. “We’ve got a team of our best investigators and agents working every aspect of this case.”

  She pulled back. “I just want to know why? Why Darren? Why Steven? Hell, why would someone kill Miss Shepherd because of me?”

  “We’ll know more when the DNA tests come back. Because we have an active killer, the lab will run these tests as quickly as they can. In the meantime, I’m going to continue working different angles of the case. And we wait.”

  “I’ve grown up around law enforcement, and I studied forensics. The waiting is the worst part. How can I possibly wait while someone is out there targeting people because of me?” Her eyes pleaded with me. “How do you do it?”

  “By staying busy. By reworking facts during working hours, hoping something new will shake out. And by continuing to live outside of work. Which is what you’re going to do. You’re going to keep living, and I’m going to help.” I didn’t bother to explain to her that the case is never far from my mind. She already knew that.

  The front door opened. The sound of it made Faith jump, and I went on high alert.

  “I’m back,” Leah sang, and we both relaxed while Faith rubbed any remaining evidence of anger and tears off of her face. “Where’s my Olly?” Leah entered the kitchen and walked over to where Oliver still sat in his highchair gnawing on a spider leg like it was a Thanksgiving drumstick. “There’s my boy. Were Luke and Faith good to you?”

  Faith rolled her eyes. “Of course, we were. He’s the best.” She did a perfect job of pretending everything was fine. An act she’d clearly perfected over the years.

  “Yes, he is,” Leah spoke in her special baby voice she reserved only for Oliver. Then she stood and looked at us. “Did the two of you find something to eat? There’s leftover pot roast in the refrigerator.”

  “No, but we’re fine,” Faith said. Neither of us had even considered eating.

  “I’m going to take Faith to get a late-night bite at Boone’s.” I put my arm around Faith, which brought a smile to Leah’s face.

  “What a good idea. You two, go. Have fun. You deserve to unwind after the dreadful week we’ve had to endure.” She leaned in and gave Faith a hug and a kiss to the cheek. “Thank you for watching Oliver. I’m so happy you’re here.”

  “Me too,” Faith said before we said our goodbyes and left.

  I walked Faith to her truck, then said, “I’m going to follow you to my place, then I’ll drive us to get something to eat.”

  “Why? I’m not staying with you tonight. I can’t.”

  “Yes, you are. We already talked about this.”

  “No, you talked about it.”

  Before she could argue further, I gave her a choice. “I can make sure an agent is sitting on you 24-7, or you can sleep at my place, and we’ll give the agents on you a break.”

  “We’ve been here before, Luke. I don’t want to move in with you. I don’t want your 24-7 protection.”

  “Well, since I didn’t ask you to move in with me, then we’re on the same page.” In my mind, I added the words “for now.” “What I’m proposing is that we keep you well under wraps while we learn more about who has violently murdered three people, two right here in Paynes Creek. Once we’ve solved that, we can negotiate your living conditions.”

  She thought about it. “I know you’re right. And I’m grateful to have someone watching over me, but this thing between us—”

  I pulled her to me and cut off her words. “Is staying with me all that bad?”

  She sighed into the crook of my neck. “Our relationship is so weird. There’s nothing normal about it.”

  I kissed the side of her head. “Normal is way overrated.”

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  FAITH

  When Luke led me into Boone’s Taphouse, the tavern was bustling, tables full of animated patrons—mostly women—taking full advantage of “Half-Priced Winesday.” From experience, I knew that a lot of ladies used half-priced wine Wednesdays as an excuse to cut loose with their female friends and to break up the monotony of the work week.

  Servers passed by carrying trays of steaming, pub-style appetizers that smelled of baked cheese and deep-fried goodness.

  Penelope and I had enjoyed many a Wednesday at Boone’s in the past. Steven was always off on Wednesday, making it an excellent night for girls’ night out.

  I had checked on Penelope while Luke drove us from Coop’s farm to the brew pub. Her mother said she had gone to bed early, thanks to exhaustion finally taking over after several successive sleepless nights, and that Danny was curled up with his grandfather watching a cartoon.

  I knew they would be okay eventually, and that their family and friends would get them through this, but Penelope would have a long road ahead of her.

  Spotting a group of women laughing at one of the high-top tables, I grabbed Luke’s arm to stop him. “Maybe this was a bad idea.” I pleaded with him. “I’m not up for a night of laughing and drinking. It just doesn’t seem right.”

  He followed my gaze, then looked at me. “It’s going to be fine. We’re not sitting out here.”

  Before he explained further, I heard Caine’s voice. “Hey, honey.” He leaned in and hugged me. His French-Canadian boyfriend, Bastien, sidled up beside him. He, too, wrapped me in a hug. Caine looked at Luke. An unspoken message passed between them.

  “What is it?” I asked, studying their faces.

  Caine began walking toward the back. “I’ve got a table set up for us in the back.�
��

  “Why the back? Who’s ‘us’?” I asked.

  He smiled back at me. “We thought you deserved time with friends tonight.”

  “Who thought that?” I looked from him to Luke, who only shrugged. “And what friends?” I didn’t really have friends besides Penelope and Myra.

  Caine reserved the back room for special parties and meetings for the community. He often decorated the room so that local businesses could host Christmas parties for their employees or so that women could throw baby or wedding showers for their friends.

  Stepping into the room, I saw Coop and Lil were seated at a table set for six. Caine turned to me. “Luke and I thought a ‘welcome home dinner’ might be fun.” He tilted his head side to side. “We wanted to show you that you have friends here in Paynes Creek.”

  I studied each of their faces. “Thank you, but this wasn’t necessary.”

  “Of course it was,” Caine said. “I know it took a lot for you to come back home, and I also know you did it more for Leah and Oliver than you did for anyone else, including yourself. But you have more here than just them. Now, let’s not overthink it. Let’s just eat, drink and be merry.” He side-hugged Bastien, “My amazing chef has cooked us up an incredible menu of culinary delights.”

  We all took our seats as Bastien explained that he’d been working on a new menu of dinner options that he wanted us all to try.

  “So, this isn’t for us,” Coop said. “You’re just using us as guinea pigs to find out if your new dishes are up to snuff?” Then he shrugged, glanced at Lil, and said, “That sounds like a fair trade to me.”

  Everyone but Bastien and I laughed. But then he whined with one stomp of his foot, “This is serious!”

  That’s when I attempted—unsuccessfully—to stifle a laugh, which led to even more laughter from everyone around the table.

  “It’s okay, honey,” Caine said, patting his arm. “They’ll take it seriously.”

  “Don’t you patronize me, Caine.” He slapped at his boyfriend.

  Luke pulled a chair out for me to sit next to Lil. Smiling at Caine and Bastien, I sat as Bastien turned and announced that he was going after the first course. He was clearly enjoying this.

  Lil placed an arm around me and brought me in for a squeeze. “I’m glad you and Luke came out. He said you were watching Oliver tonight.”

  “I was,” I said. “Leah is trying to do so much. I just want to do what I can to help.”

  “I’ve met Oliver a couple of times. Leah brought him over to play in the pool at Grammy’s over the summer. He’s a really happy baby.”

  I smiled at Lil. “He is.” Oliver didn’t deserve the hand he was dealt, but Leah and I would do everything in our power to give him a life of happiness and security.

  Lil smiled, and as if reading my mind, she said, “You and Leah are already making sure he’s loved. That’s the best thing you both can do for him.”

  “Thanks,” I said. I didn’t elaborate, but I was thanking her for what she’d just said, but also for the kindness she’d shown me, both yesterday at the visitation and now.

  Lil had had her own difficulties growing up with a mother who suffered from mental health issues and substance abuse. She’d been fortunate enough to have a grandmother who gave her the love her mother was often incapable of showing.

  We started the meal with a round of wine—hand-chosen by Bastien to accompany each of the courses. He had a server bring out a pair of appetizers. The first one, a smoked salmon and caper dip with crostini, paired well with the dry chardonnay he’d chosen. And the other, a beef Wellington appetizer, was paired with an Oregon pinot noir.

  The main courses consisted of a Cajun seafood pasta, a traditional Kentucky hot brown, shrimp and grits, and blackened mahi-mahi over garlic mashed potatoes.

  We all sampled each of the dishes, along with whatever new wine Bastien decided to serve with the dish. Each offering was a home run, whether food or drink.

  “Bastien, you’ve outdone yourself,” I announced, lifting a glass containing what was left of a cabernet sauvignon. “This new menu is going to be a hit in our little town.”

  Lil turned to me, swirling what was left in her own glass while she peered at me over the wine. “Did I just hear you call Paynes Creek our town?”

  Luke placed an arm around me and gave my shoulder a light squeeze.

  I thought about Lil’s question. “I guess I did. Since I’m considering rebuilding my childhood home on the farm, I suppose I should start considering this town my home again.”

  She drew back, and I felt Luke shift on the other side of me. “You are?” Lil asked, and when I nodded, she threw her arms around me. “That’s amazing. That land has been begging to be restored with a family home.”

  Coop lifted his glass in the air. “I’d like to propose a toast. To our friends and neighbors who have lost people they loved. To Caine and Bastien and this tasty new menu. And to friends who found their way home.” Coop nodded to me.

  Everyone clinked glasses before taking a drink and returning to small talk.

  Luke leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, then whispered next to my ear, “When were you going to tell me you were planning to build?”

  I turned my head and smiled at him. “Honestly, I’m not sure I’d actually decided until the words just spilled from my mouth.”

  He brushed a kiss across my lips. When he drew back, there was a look in his eyes I’d recognized before. One that told me that he was in a much different place in our relationship than I was. “When can we leave?” he asked. “I’m ready to get you back into my bed.”

  Not sure why at this point in our relationship, but I blushed while studying his expression.

  “Okay,” Caine yelled, preventing me from answering. “Don’t look now, but here come’s dessert. And the reason I’ve gained ten pounds since Bastien rode into town on his big white horse.”

  Still staring at Luke, a smile lifted the corners of my lips, and I let out a small chuckle. “Apparently, there’s dessert first.” Before he pulled away, I kissed him again and whispered, “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For bringing me out tonight. For a brief moment, I truly felt like I could make a home here.”

  “Hold on to that thought,” he whispered.

  As a server set three different deserts on the table and set new utensils next to each of us, a woman rushed into the room and yelled, “You all should be ashamed of yourselves!”

  Rhonda Blake had been at the grocery store the day Paula Shepherd verbally assaulted me. She was still Miss Shepherd’s friend. And tonight, she was angry.

  “Look at you!” she yelled. “Celebrating when people in our town are dying. Being murdered because of her.” She lifted an arm and jabbed an accusing finger directly at me. “Paula was right. Faith Day comes back to town, and people start dying. Thanks to you, this town is cursed yet again.”

  Caine, being closest to Rhonda, stood. As did Coop and Luke. Caine attempted to reason with the irate woman. “Miss Blake, I understand you’re upset about your friend, but it’s not the fault of anyone in this room.”

  “Yes, it is! I witnessed her verbally assault Paula at the visitation yesterday. My sister’s son is on the Paynes Creek PD, and he told me that Faith was a suspect,” she said again through gritted teeth, staring straight at me. “You wanted her dead, and now she is.”

  Luke and Coop practically dragged Rhonda out of the room.

  “Get your hands off of me!” Rhonda screamed. “I should have known you crooked cops would protect her. Just like her uncle and the police chief protected her brother all those years.”

  “You okay?” Lil asked as Rhonda’s voice faded into the distance.

  I tried to smile, but it was impossible. “People think that way,” I said softly. “They think because I’m linked to my brother and his wife, my uncle, and to some extent, my stepbrother—even though he was cleared of all charges—that I am somehow guilty of murder
by association.”

  “No one with even half a brain holds you responsible for anything that has happened. Trust Coop and Luke. They’re going to solve this.”

  I tried to nod, to convince her that I believed her.

  But I didn’t.

  I almost had. I’d almost convinced myself tonight that I could create a normal life here in Paynes Creek.

  I would stay for now, because my aunt needed me. I think I would even go ahead and have plans drawn up to build a perfect modern country house near where my childhood home had once stood. In many ways, I felt I owed that to the good memories I had of my mother and father.

  But to live on that land, knowing that there were people like Rhonda Blank in Paynes Creek who blamed me for so many terrible things? I’d have to spend more time soul-searching for that answer.

  Coop and Luke returned after escorting Rhonda out of the restaurant.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Luke held out a hand to me.

  I hadn’t realized just how exhausted I’d gotten. It had been a long day, and I was supposed to meet with Chief McCracken in the morning about working with PCPD again. I just wanted to go home and forget about all the people who had died and about people like Rhonda Blake who thought I was responsible.

  When I stood, I met his gaze. He must have seen the fresh insecurities in my eyes, because his face softened with pity, which was the last thing I wanted from anyone. “Let’s go.” He slid a hand into mine with a gentle, reassuring squeeze. His fingers were cool yet calloused to the touch.

  I turned and thanked everyone for the night, which had been fun while it lasted.

  “Let’s get together and have lunch soon,” Lil said.

  “I’d like that.” While I meant what I said, it was obvious that Rhonda had sucked every last bit of festivity from the room.

  Luke led me out to his truck and helped me into the passenger seat.

  After he slid into the driver’s seat, I reached across the console and hooked my hands on the back of his neck. “I may regret this tomorrow, but I’d like nothing more than for you to take me to bed and help me forget that someone is stalking me again, and that this town is full of people who think I’m a pariah.” I pressed my lips to his, then whispered against them. “Help me forget, Luke. Even if only for a night.”