by Roxy Wilson
Almost as if his thoughts were a compass, he was drawn to the ravine where Miles’s body was found. He crept through the bushes until he reached it. There was a police tape around the place. He didn’t see the purpose of it. The animals would wander in anyway and besides, not many people came to these parts. It was redundant to put it there, but then they had to follow police procedures. As he surveyed the place, Reece tried to piece together the puzzle of what might have happened to Miles. The poor man probably didn’t have a chance once the murderer decided he needed to be out of the picture.
Did he have any inkling his end was near?
Was he worried? Scared?
Or did he go quickly?
Perhaps if he could understand what happened, he might be able to work out who the murderer was. Or maybe this was an exercise in futility. Was he wasting his time here?
His sense of scent alerted him to the presence of a human. He could leave, but he was curious to know what she was doing here. When Nya came into view, his gaze followed her as she headed for the edge of the ravine. For a moment, he thought she might walk down, but she simply stood and stared at the spot where the body was found.
What was she thinking?
Why was she here?
She sighed, stretched, and looked around.
He was certain she couldn’t see him, and since she didn’t have the keen sense of smell that wolves had, she wouldn’t even know he watched her. Suddenly, he saw her gaze dart to the bushes where he was hiding. She curled her upper lip and then walked away. At the tree line, she looked back right at him.
She knows I’m there!
Of course, not. She couldn’t possibly have a clue. Reece followed her far behind as she wound her way through the forest. He trotted behind her, out of sight, until she reached her car. From the safety of the forest, he watched until she got into it. It wasn’t the same one that was involved in the accident. Probably, she borrowed it while her car was out of action. Once she sped away, he headed back home.
With each passing day, the mystery of the strange murder was getting murkier. It appeared that both he and Nya were drawn to finding the identity of the killer, and he didn’t know where it would lead them.
Everything, as he knew it, was changing and now, it remained to be seen how things would end.
Chapter Five
Someone followed her home.
While Nya didn’t have any evidence to back her suspicions, she was a hundred perfect certain her instincts weren’t off. She felt the gaze on her as she headed out of the forest. While she should have been scared, she wasn’t.
Strange didn’t begin to describe the things she was experiencing ever since she found the corpse. She met Reece, and he appeared to have turned her life upside down. Wherever she turned, he was right there, and she was getting quite sick of it. Was he the one in the forest? The one whose eyes were trained on her?
It could be so.
He kept going back there, and she didn’t understand why.
Only the murderer would be interested in revisiting the scene of the crime. There was no other explanation that made sense. Of course, she was also going there, but that was an entirely different thing. Since she was the one who found the body, Nya was haunted by the image of it. It bothered her to know that someone could be so causal about murder, and that they would have the temerity to hide the body in the forest.
Was the murderer familiar with the forest or did he just choose a random location?
She had to admit that the place used as the final resting space for the body was good. If it wasn’t for the unexpected rains, Miles may never have been found. The forest rangers never went down in the ravine, and neither did the hikers. It was sheer luck Nya stumbled onto the body. If she didn’t have that encounter with the bear…
If that wolf didn’t save her…
If she didn’t fall backwards…
There were too many coincidences, and yet they made her feel she was the one who was meant to find Miles, and somehow it was her responsibility to make sure he got justice. If Reece was the one who committed the crime, she wouldn’t be sad if he was locked behind bars.
Her heart told her he couldn’t possibly be the murderer. He wasn’t the type. She couldn’t imagine him skulking around in the forest as he lugged a body. If he had an issue with a person, he would deal with it face to face. The man sure had integrity. He oozed of it. It just didn’t make sense he would deal with a problem in such a horrendous manner.
After she went back home, Nya changed and ate her dinner in front of the TV. Her mind still grappled with the various ideas that occurred to her. Maybe it was time to call the police and see if they had any leads. Rather than change her mind, she dialed the number of Rosa, a police officer. She was related to Nya, and they used to play together as kids. “Hey, Rosa.”
“Nya?” Rosa laughed. “Good to hear your voice. How have you been?”
She could hear Rosa’s kids crying in the background. Two years ago, she had twin boys, and since then she was too busy to hang out. But their bond was strong, and if they needed each other, the other one was there.
“Good, and you?”
“Busy.” Rosa sighed. “Hey, Lucas. Stop trying to throttle your sister.”
Nya laughed. “The terrible twos, right?”
“Don’t ask me. I’m going insane. With the job, and these two, and the housework…some days I wonder how I manage to get through the day.”
“You have some help, don’t you?”
“Yeah, Bruno helps out a lot, and we have a nanny when its work time, but it’s exhausting nonetheless.” Rosa sighed again.
Nya felt guilty. Of course, she should have offered to help. “I’ll come down on the weekend and watch those two while you rest, Rosa. I’m sorry I’ve been very busy and—”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Rosa interrupted. “I just like to vent. We’re doing fine, but you’re most welcome to drop by on the weekend. I’ll let them play in the pool while we have a cup of coffee together and catch up. It’s been a while since I’ve heard what you’re up to.”
Nya laughed. “You know me, it’s all work, work, and work.”
“So…no man?”
Her mind zeroed in on Reece, but she shook away the thought. He wasn’t her man, and he could never be. She couldn’t even afford to think like that. “No, dear. I don’t have anyone.”
“Damn it.” Rosa chuckled. “I was kind of looking forward to hearing all about your love life. After all, Haywood and I are barely doing it. Nothing kills romance like two active toddlers who’re hell bent on destroying the house.”
Nya couldn’t help but laugh at her cousin’s words. “Oh well, we’ll have to think of something else to discuss when we meet up. Rosa, in the meantime, I wonder if you could update me on what’s going on about that murder investigation.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot you were the one who found the body. All I can tell you is that Officer Peterson is on the case, and he’s a determined one. I heard he got some leads, and he’s hot on one of them. Let’s see how fast he closes it,” she said in a chirpy voice. “We’ll talk more when you get here. My son is adamantly beating his sister with his rubber ducky. Take care.”
Nya set the phone down. While she was glad to talk to her cousin, there wasn’t much she gleaned about the investigation.
What was the lead Officer Peterson chased?
Was it important?
Did it have anything to do with Reece?
She would have to find out with the rest of the crowd. Sooner or later, the murderer would be found and they’d all be able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Nya slept fitfully that night. The next day, she went to work and later went to the grocery store. Much to her astonishment, she saw Reece at the store. He waved at her, and she was forced to wave back. Nya went about her business. As she went home, she saw his car behind hers, but then he veered away.
Her pulse raced. Her body tensed.
Was he following her
?
If so, why was he hounding her?
Did he think it would make her change her mind about helping him?
Sure, she felt a little responsible she’d landed him in that mess, but that was just her job, and he should understand it wasn’t anything personal. Nya got home, had a quick dinner, and went to bed.
The next day, she worked non-stop, not even sparing a few minutes to grab some lunch. At five in the evening, she gathered her belongings together in preparation of leaving the office for the day. As she sauntered out the office, she decided at the last moment to make a brief stop. She knocked on the Chief’s office door.
He was at his desk.
Nya waved the report she held in her hand. “Hi, Chief. I wanted to drop this by.”
“Good. I was about to come in and see if it was ready.”
“It’s done. I’ve checked it twice, and everything seems to be in order.”
The Chief wasn’t old, or at least he didn’t seem to be until now. While he was over the age of fifty, he always acted young and carefree, but now she could see new lines of worry around his eyes. Nya remembered he was in the midst of a divorce. She’d heard the rumors although he never discussed it with her. Someone told her he was trying to work it out with his wife. For his sake, she hoped he would reconcile with her because they were a great couple.
“I’ve never found a problem with anything you’ve submitted, so I’m sure this is up to your usual high standards.”
Nya smiled. “Thank you, Chief. I should go. Take care.”
“Nya, wait.” He picked up the report and opened the file. “Did you hear anything from the police? Do they have a suspect?”
“They’re chasing leads, from what I last heard.”
“Good. I hope they hurry the process,” he said. “The sooner we can make the forest safe for hikers, the better it is. The place is already seeing a loss in tourists, and we really can’t afford that to continue for long.”
“Yes, Chief. I’m sure they’ll do so.” After she left, Nya pondered over his words. He was right; they couldn’t afford for people to not come to the town. As it was, they were struggling to keep the place alive despite the employment that Reece’s factory was providing. What if he was the murderer? If he went to jail, would they close the factory? If so, the town would be dealt a double blow.
Shit! She didn’t want to think such dark thoughts.
Reece simply couldn’t be the murderer.
He wasn’t.
Nya drove her rented car. It would take another day for her own vehicle to be fixed. She would be glad to have it back. No one came forward to take responsibility for the accident, and while she’d lodged a complaint with the police, they didn’t think there would be any progress as she didn’t even remember the color of the car. It could have been white, beige, cream, or even light green. She just wasn’t sure. As she drove along, Nya paid attention to her surroundings. She didn’t want to be in another accident. As she turned a curve, her gaze was drawn to the black Mercedes that landed behind her.
Damn that man.
Was he going to follow her around town?
She drove slowly and watched as he lagged behind. Surely, he knew she’d seen him. What was this new game, and why was he playing it? Finally, she stopped the car and much to her astonishment, he parked a little distance behind.
There. I’ve had it.
Nya was going to sort out this mess now and forever. She got out of the car and he did the same. He walked towards the nearby field, and it was her turn to march behind. Did he think she would turn back just because he was heading away from the car?
No way.
“Hey,” she called out.
He turned back and faced her. “Yes?”
Nya pushed up her sunglasses as she glared at him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
For a moment, he stared at her nonplussed.
What kind of an excuse was he planning to come up with this time? She wasn’t going to listen to any of his random tales.
“What do you mean?”
Heat flushed through her entire body. So, he was intent on playing the innocent fool? She wasn’t buying his act. Nya pointed a finger at him. “I’ve had enough of you skulking around me. Quit following me, or else I’ll file a complaint with the police. I don’t think they’ll let you off the hook so easily this time around.”
He rubbed a hand on his forehead. “What makes your think I’m following you around?”
“Oh, please. I saw your car near my house yesterday. Then you were at the grocery store that day, and now this…I get out of office and you’re right behind me. This is called stalking, and there are laws against it.”
Amusement flickered in his eyes. “As much as I would love to stalk you, I assure you that I’m not doing it.”
She snorted. “Oh, please.”
The smile that lit his face made her rethink her decision to confront him.
“For the record, I cross that road near your house often enough if I take that particular route from my factory. The grocery store is the only place where we get relatively fresh fruits and vegetables, so I hit that at least twice a week and today, I wasn’t following you. I was coming here.”
She spread her arms. “Here? You came here for what? To look at nature from this particular spot?”
He turned and pointed towards the men who were gathered under a tree. “Actually, we’re doing a survey of this land. I’m planning to open another factory here, and we need to figure out if this is the right location.”
Nya looked over at the three men.
They were all watching them. It was a good thing they were far behind and couldn’t hear the conversation.
She was embarrassed enough anyway. “You’re—working here?”
“I assure you that I am, and if you have doubts about it, you can come with me and talk to these gentlemen. They’ll tell you I called them here, so we can survey the land and discuss the possibility of building another factory.”
Nya ignored his smug tone. She doubted him for no reason. Maybe she was becoming more and more paranoid with each passing day. Damn it. “I guess I owe you an apology.”
His lips twitched, but he controlled the smile. “I guess you do.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s all right,” he said.
“I should go.” She swiveled around and stomped away.
“Wait, Nya.”
She whipped around, and was startled when she almost bumped into him. When did he come up so close without her realizing it? “What?”
He took a step forward. “Would you like to go out to dinner with me?”
Nya didn’t know what to say. She really shouldn’t. When he asked her before, it was easy for her to say no, but now she was in a different situation. She actually accosted the man and accused him of following her, and it turned out that she was the wrong one. Sure, her boss told her to stay away from him, but Reece seemed like an honorable guy. From the depths of her heart, she believed he couldn’t possibly be the murderer.
Still, he was the prime suspect.
And yes, she wanted to get to know him.
It wasn’t the best of decisions. “Yes,” she said before her mind could stumble through all the reasons she should say no.
A smile lit his face. “That’s great. Tomorrow? Six o’clock? Oleander?”
It was an Italian restaurant that was a little out of town. A bit fancy, but she could imagine him going there on a regular basis. While he looked warm and easygoing, she couldn’t afford to forget that he was loaded and was on another level. This date would probably turn out to be a dud. They didn’t have anything in common. “Sure. I’ll meet you there.”
“Wonderful.”
Before he had a chance to say anything, she turned on her heels and strode towards her rented car. Nya had mixed feelings about her easy acquiescence. The man was intriguing, and he was handsome. Yes, she wanted to know more about him, but this move could lead t
o a lot of trouble. She shook her head. Oh well, she would have to deal with that when the time came. Right now, she could look forward to a good meal at a nice place with a man who fascinated her.
The rest would take care of itself.
Or…so she hoped.
Chapter Six
Dating was never a problem. He’d done it many times, and there were never any nerves or tension. This time, things were different. As he drove the car to the restaurant, Reece was filled with trepidation.
This was definitely not one of his better moves.
He shouldn’t have asked her out again, but she looked so cute and disgruntled when she discovered he was in fact not following her that he wanted to do something to bring a smile to her face. His offer to take her out had her narrowing her eyes. He was rather amused by it. When she said yes, he was elated, but now he wasn’t so sure.
He could have cancelled the date, but Reece didn’t consider himself to be a coward. While he was looking forward to it, he was also a little on guard.
It could all go horribly wrong.
What if she hated him?
No, he wasn’t that repulsive.
Reece cursed the negative thoughts that crashed through his mind. He didn’t want to be insecure and hesitant. This man, who questioned each move, wasn’t him. He wasn’t ever like this, and he was determined to not portray this image to her. All he could do was be himself and let fate take control of this situation.
After he parked the car, Reece walked towards the door. She zoomed in and he paused to watch. When she emerged out of the car, he was stunned. Always before, he saw her dressed in jeans or causal trousers, but the dress she wore now clung to every inch of her body. It was hunter green in color and highlighted her eyes. His gaze traveled from the tip of her toes that peeked out from the russet colored shoes, up to the curves that made him salivate, and on to her beautiful, brown eyes. The way her lips curved, he could tell she noticed the way he ogled her.
So yes, he was a little embarrassed.