Suddenly One Summer

by Barbara Freethy

  “Oh, and I invited Mark to dinner,” Rachel said. “Do you think you could barbecue some steaks?”

  “So you’re spending the night?” Joe asked.

  “I thought I might check out the rest of town tomorrow,” Mark replied. “I booked a room at the Seagull Inn. Nice place, a lot of atmosphere. I love small towns.”

  “Angel’s Bay has nothing but atmosphere,” Rachel said as the doorbell rang. “That’s Kara. We should go.” She waved Mark through the living room door, then poked her head back out to give Joe a smile. “Isn’t this great? You get what you want and I get what I want. We’re both happy.”

  She gave him an airy wave and walked into the house. He heard her introduce Mark to Kara, and then the door shut behind them. It was quiet again—too quiet, with the sound of their laughter still lingering in his mind. He couldn’t help wondering if what Rachel wanted wasn’t just a real estate deal, but also Mark Devlin.

  TWENTY-ONE

  “According to the phone records Stan was able to procure,” Pete told Reid, “Kelly Winters called a man by the name of Rodney Harris three weeks before she was killed.”

  “Who is Rodney Harris?” Reid switched his cell phone to his other ear so he could jot down some notes.

  “Who was Rodney Harris is a better question. He was robbed outside of his apartment and killed, a day after she called him.”

  Reid’s pulse began to pick up. “You should have started with that.”

  “I like to save the best for last. Harris was a small-town insurance agent in North Carolina. His adult sister died about a decade ago, drowned in the backyard swimming pool. Harris thought her husband did it, but the man had an airtight alibi, and she had a high blood alcohol level. Her death was ruled an accidental drowning.”

  “What’s the connection to Kelly Winters?”

  “The husband’s name was Steve Dunsmore. He vanished about a year after his wife’s death, and I do mean vanished: no use of credit cards, no employment history, no bank accounts, nothing. But we did manage to locate an old photograph. And guess what?”

  “Steve Dunsmore is Brad Winters,” Reid said, putting the pieces together. “So he did this before. He killed his first wife and his second wife.” His pulse began to race at the implications.

  “I’m guessing that Rodney Harris told Kelly Winters that her husband wasn’t who she thought he was.”

  “And Brad figured she was on to him, so he got rid of her. But the police who investigated Kelly’s death must have known about Mr. Harris. The fact that Harris died after meeting with Kelly Winters should have alerted them to investigate further.” Unless someone had stonewalled the investigation, or buried the connection between Harris and Kelly.

  “I’m emailing you the photo of Steve Dunsmore now. If you want to catch this guy, you might have to move fast. His house is for sale, and this morning Stan did a drive-by and saw him loading up some boxes. He’s going to run.”

  Judging by past history, Brad knew how to start fresh with a new identity. But in the past, he hadn’t had a daughter. Would he want to disappear with Lexie? Or would he be more interested in saving himself? Brad had to know that with Lexie out there somewhere, and Jenna unaccounted for, they both posed a threat to him. The real question was, how far would Brad go to get rid of that threat?

  “So, where’s my angel story?” Pete asked.

  “You’ll have it by tonight. I’m just waiting on a photo. My story has a new twist.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You’ll find out when you read it,” Reid said, as he ended the call. He got up from the chair, grabbed his camera and jacket, and headed to Jenna’s house.

  Jenna ran her fingers over the piano keys, feeling a desperate need to play through her emotions. Since she’d left Reid at the church, she’d been going over and over her options. Running seemed the best idea, but the how and when eluded her. Lexie and Kimmy were happily ensconced in a game of dress-up in Lexie’s bedroom, and their easy, happy laughter tormented her.

  How could she rip Lexie’s life apart again by taking her away from her new best friend, from a place she’d begun to think of as home? Yet how could she stay and take the risk that Brad would find her, or that the local cops would arrest her and send Lexie back to her father? Running seemed like the best plan. But while that might take her away from the local scrutiny, being alone on the road didn’t mean she’d be safe from Brad.

  She had to think. She had to be smart.

  The panic inside of her was clouding her judgment. She had to release the tension, so she hit one note and then another. The melody took over. Her fingers knew what to do. She just went along for the ride, hoping that by the end of the song everything would be clear.

  At first she didn’t hear the doorbell. The ring blurred with the music, but her critical ear soon discerned the jarring sound from the beauty of her piece. She lifted her hands and went to answer it. Glancing through the peephole, she saw Reid on the step and her heart jumped in spite of herself. She’d told herself that getting more involved with him was out of the question, but her body hadn’t quite caught up with her brain.

  She opened the door and Reid strode in, purposeful and decisive.

  “I have more information,” he said.

  “One second.” She walked over and closed the door to the hall, not wanting the girls to hear their conversation. Then she took a seat on the couch. “Okay. Go ahead.” As Reid related the facts he’d uncovered about Brad’s true identity, Jenna’s bewilderment grew. “I don’t understand how your detective could figure all this out, but the cops investigating Kelly’s murder couldn’t,” she said after he finished.

  “They never considered Brad a suspect. Or someone covered up the facts. Brad was their friend, their partner; he actually had an exemplary record as a police officer.”

  “But he was a murderous husband of two innocent women. And God knows who else he killed along the way.” She lifted her gaze to Reid’s. “I’m ready to talk to the chief. I just hope we have enough evidence to make our case.”

  “We do, and I’m glad you’ve come to that decision,” Reid said with an approving nod. “Joe is meeting me at the station in thirty minutes so I can photograph the bell. Why don’t you come with me?”

  “Thirty minutes? That seems so soon.” It was one thing to make the decision; another to act on it.

  “The only way to truly be free of Brad is to make sure someone catches him before he catches you. This is the first step.”

  “I’m just scared. I don’t want to mess this up.”

  “You won’t. What about Lexie? Are we taking her with us?”

  “I’ll call Kimmy’s mother and see if she can watch Lexie for an hour. We can drop the girls off on the way.”

  Reid put a hand on her arm as she stood up. “I heard you playing when I came up to the house. I’m glad you’re finding your way back into the music.”

  “It helps calm me down.”

  “Hearing you play has the opposite effect on me. I can see your hands on the keys, and I can see your hands on me.”

  She sucked in a breath at the look in his eyes. “I thought we were keeping things all business.”

  “Yeah, me, too. But I still want to kiss you.”

  “It won’t make it easier to say good-bye.”

  “We’re not saying good-bye.”

  “Not yet,” she whispered. Despite her words, she was the one who leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. She needed him as much as he needed her. Whatever else would be decided later—much later.

  Joe Silveira stared down at the information Reid Tanner had compiled on Brad Winters aka Steve Dunsmore. Jenna’s story was much worse than he’d suspected. He’d believed that she was a battered wife, possibly on the run from an abusive husband who wasn’t as dead as she’d claimed, but things were far more complicated than that.

  He set the papers down and lifted his gaze to meet Jenna’s. Her face was pale, her eyes resolute. Her expres
sion reminded him of when he’d seen her on the docks after she’d jumped into the bay to save Annie Dupont. This was a woman who did what she had to do, even at great personal risk. She was terrified but also determined. He found himself liking her, wanting to help her. He was glad she’d finally decided to trust him. He suspected that he had Reid Tanner to thank for that. It was obvious the reporter had more than a business interest in Jenna. He stood behind Jenna’s chair with one hand on her shoulder, his stance clearly protective.

  Joe turned his focus to Jenna, whose nervousness was palpable, but from what he’d read she had a lot of good reasons to be wary of him. “I can understand your hesitation to involve the police, but I’m glad you came in. I want to help you and Lexie.”

  “My main concern is Lexie’s safety and that she and I stay together,” Jenna said quickly. “Lexie has been through a terrible trauma, and if she were to be taken from me now, I don’t know how she could cope. There’s no way she can go back to her father. I hope you’re not considering that as an option.”

  Joe suspected that if he gave Jenna the wrong answer, she’d take Lexie and bolt before he had time to get social services on the phone. “I understand your concern. Let’s take this one step at a time.”

  “The police department where Brad works could have discovered this information if they’d only looked,” Jenna said. “Or perhaps they did look and chose to cover it up because he’s their fellow police officer.”

  “That’s a serious charge.”

  “And not one I’m making lightly,” she said forcefully. “If you call Brad’s department, someone will tell him where I am, where his daughter is. He’ll come after us. I’m sure of that.” She hesitated, giving Reid a quick look before she continued. “There’s a good possibility that Lexie saw her father murder her mother. I think that’s the reason why Brad didn’t tell anyone that Lexie was in the house, why no one is looking for her. He doesn’t want her to identify him as her mother’s murderer.”

  Joe had already checked the missing persons’ database to ensure that Lexie/Caroline Winters wasn’t on it. There had been no report filed indicating that Lexie was missing or in jeopardy. So far Jenna seemed to be telling the truth, which gave him a little breathing room. The fact that Brad Winters had not reported his daughter missing was an unusual choice for a man whose wife had been murdered. It was certainly one that warranted investigation.

  “Brad told the detectives that Lexie was with a relative,” Jenna added. “So, technically that’s true. She’s with me. And the fact that I have her isn’t a crime, right? If Brad wanted her back, he’d have told people to look for her.”

  Jenna was skating on thin ice, but for the moment he would go along with it, at least until he had more information. “I will handle this with the utmost discretion,” he assured her.

  “But you can’t make me any promises.”

  “The issue of custody is not one I can decide.”

  “Lexie’s father is a murderer.”

  “That hasn’t been proven.”

  “So you would send Lexie back to him in the meantime?” she asked in horror.

  “I didn’t say that.”

  She jerked to her feet. “Look, I promised my sister that I would protect Lexie. She can’t go back to Brad, not for a second. And aside from my father, I’m Lexie’s closest blood relative. She loves me, and I love her. We belong together. I would give up my life for her.”

  He saw the desperation in her eyes, and he wanted to reassure her, if for no other reason than to prevent her from taking immediate flight. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure Lexie is protected and that she stays with you until I’m legally obligated to place her somewhere else.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that. This was a mistake.”

  “Jenna—” Reid cut in, grabbing her by the arm as she turned toward the door.

  She shook him off. “You heard him. Lexie might have to go back to Brad.”

  “That’s not what he said, and we won’t let that happen,” Reid said. “Will we, Chief?”

  Joe stood up, meeting Reid’s gaze. “Certainly not without a thorough investigation.” He turned to Jenna. “Give me a chance to sort through this information, and then we’ll see where we’re at. I have no intention of placing Lexie into any situation that could be harmful to her, and that includes her father’s custody. You have my word on that. In the meantime, I’m going to have my officers keep an eye on your house.”

  “Do you really believe us?” Jenna asked. “You’re not just playing along, are you?”

  “No. I don’t think you would have come to me if you were guilty of anything. And I have no tolerance for a police officer who uses his position and his power to get away with any crime, much less murder. I have no allegiance to this man or to anyone who might be helping him cover up a crime. I don’t care if they’re wearing a uniform or not.”

  She gave him a long searching look, then let out a sigh. “I guess I have to trust you. I hope I’m not wrong.”

  “You’re not. What I would like to do is meet tomorrow, first thing in the morning.”

  “Lexie has summer school. I can come in after I drop her off at nine.”

  “Perfect.”

  “I suppose that officer who’s going to be watching my house is probably also going to be watching me, isn’t he?” she asked.

  “Don’t think about leaving town,” Joe said. “It’s not the answer. You need help, and right now I’m your best chance.”

  She nodded with reluctant acceptance. “I’m not sure I could leave Angel’s Bay even if I tried. This town seems to have a grip on us.”

  He smiled. “I know what you mean. I’ve only been here a few weeks longer than you, but it feels like I’ve been here forever. There’s something about Angel’s Bay that gets under your skin.”

  “Speaking of Angel’s Bay,” Reid interjected. “I still need to get a few photos of that bell before we take off.”

  “Right. I’d almost forgotten.” Joe opened the locked cabinet behind his desk and placed the bell on his desk. Reid and Jenna both leaned in for a closer look.

  “Wow, this is amazing,” Jenna said, as her fingers traced the engraved letters. “I can’t believe it’s been lost all these years and then it’s suddenly found.”

  “Unless someone put it on the beach to be discovered,” Joe said, unable to keep the cynicism out of his voice.

  “Someone wanting to drum up more tourist business?” Reid asked as he snapped photos.

  “Could be,” Joe replied. “I find the timing interesting, with the sudden influx of angel sightings.”

  “Maybe the angels really did bring it to the surface,” Jenna suggested.

  “You believe in the angels?” he asked her.

  “Well, right now I really need to believe in something hopeful—so why not angels?”

  “I’m sure there are a lot of people who will feel the same way you do,” he replied. “Unfortunately, I think this bell will bring more than angel fanatics to town. I’m betting we’ll soon see fortune hunters and who knows who else.”

  “Who knows,” Jenna muttered, exchanging a quick look with Reid as she took his hand.

  Their joined hands reminded Joe that he had a woman waiting at home for him, too. Unfortunately, she was with another man.

  After their trip to the police station, Reid saw Jenna home and then returned to the hotel to finish his angel article. It was difficult to concentrate—his mind kept replaying their meeting with the chief. He believed that Joe would help them end Jenna’s nightmare, but he didn’t know what the cost would be. It was possible that Jenna might still lose Lexie to foster care, and he couldn’t imagine either one of them being able to handle such a split. But as Joe had said, first things first…

  He uploaded the photographs of the ship’s bell to his computer, and attached them to the file he was about to send. He knew Pete would love this twist, tying the angels into an old shipwreck and a missing fortune. No doubt h
e’d want a follow-up story, but Reid wouldn’t be the one to write it. Once he sent in the article, his assignment in Angel’s Bay would be officially over. He would have no reason to stay in town except for Jenna.

  He’d told her he would stay until Brad was captured, until she and Lexie were safe. He couldn’t possibly walk away from her while she was in danger. Walking away afterward—that was another story.

  He had to go. He knew he had to go.

  But Jenna wasn’t an easy woman to leave. She was more than just a good time, more than a casual lover. She was his friend. She understood him in a way that no one ever had, which scared the shit out of him. He’d never done love, but Lord, he was tempted. Jenna was beautiful, sexy, wonderful, kind—and she also had some very heavy baggage in the form of one energetic seven-year-old. Jenna and Lexie needed a man who could be a husband, a father, and he didn’t know how to do either. He’d let them down. He knew he would.

  Shaking his head, he hit the send button on his email. Then he shut down his computer and walked over to the window. The moon had risen high in the sky. Another day had come and gone. Tomorrow would do the same. He could continue counting off the days, the way he’d been doing since Allison’s death, or he could start making the days count.

  But he didn’t know how to do that.

  Didn’t he? A voice in his head countered. All he had to do was call her, or better yet, go over to her house and see her, care about her, love her.

  His stomach clenched.

  Then his cell phone rang. He’d given Jenna his number earlier. He knew it was her before he opened the phone.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, not bothering to say hello.

  “Nothing. Everything’s fine,” Jenna said. “Well, as close to fine as it can be, under the circumstances. It’s been a crazy day.”

  “Yeah, I know. You did the right thing.”