“Mind telling me where I have to turn?” he asked.
She gave him directions, and he soon pulled into the drive of her simple home. She took a moment to enjoy looking at the single-story contemporary house she’d bought the moment she’d saved enough to pay cash for it. It was the ugly duckling on the block, but she’d painted it a nice cool gray color and added minimal landscaping that a professional maintained for her, leaving it always well-manicured. Over the years, she’d remodeled all the rooms, one at a time, and now it fit her family perfectly.
Her family. Her mother, Owen, and her. And now Riley was part of their family. They’d all stayed at his place. Surprisingly, she felt equally comfortable in his little cabin. It had everything a person needed.
It had Riley. Not something she should be thinking.
She opened her bright blue front door and Eryn and Riley followed her into the vaulted foyer.
Riley drew his weapon. “Wait here while I clear the place.”
Leah shot him a look. “You think my stalker could be waiting here?”
“Anything’s possible.” He turned to Eryn, his look professional and intense. “Stay alert.”
She nodded, her hand drifting to her shirt and lifting the hem to reveal a holstered gun. Riley stepped off, heading into Leah’s home.
Leah hadn’t expected this. Not at all. She’d expected to walk him in. Follow her lead and gather only what they needed. She was okay with that, but not this. She always prepped carefully before anyone entered the house. Before a repair person arrived, she scrutinized the place, removing all traces of Owen. The work orders were in her mother’s name. And most importantly, she never stayed around for the workers to see her. She didn’t want to take any chances.
And now Riley was just waltzing through her house, looking at every nook and cranny. She waited, holding her breath until he returned. It whooshed out. Maybe her anxiety was more about his safety than anything.
Maybe, or maybe she had much more work to do on her personal insecurities.
Riley holstered his weapon. “We’re clear.”
“Great.” Eryn let her hand fall away from her gun. “Then let’s get after it.”
Riley held up a hand. “There’s something you should know first.”
“Okay.”
“And I need you to promise to keep anything you see to yourself,” Leah added.
Eryn cocked her head. “You’re scaring me with your serious tone.”
“Sorry,” Leah replied, trying to lighten her tone. “It’s not bad, honest, it’s just that I’m in the public eye, and I have to be careful about what gets out. I haven’t let a stranger in my house in years, and I’m a little rusty at trusting people. I want to trust you, as I think you’re worthy of it, but...”
“You can’t.” Eryn waved a hand. “No worries. I get it. And even if I didn’t, you’re our client and I won’t tell anyone. Not even Trey, if you don’t want me to.”
“You can tell him as the rest of the team will hear about it at breakfast tomorrow.”
“Okay, c’mon.” She wrinkled her nose. “Spill. I’m dying of curiosity.”
Riley bent to the lower shelf of Leah’s small entryway table to grab a frame with Owen’s picture. He handed it to Eryn. “This is my son.”
She took a quick look then her head popped up. “You’re a dad?”
He nodded and smiled at Leah—love, pride, and joy all comingled in the smile. “Owen is our son. I didn’t know about him until yesterday. And before you get upset with Leah, she had a good reason for not telling me. I won’t go into details, but it involves my father who I’m estranged from.”
Eryn looked at the picture again. “He’s your spitting image. I mean like a mini you.”
“I know. Isn’t it great?” Riley beamed with happiness.
Leah’s heart warmed clean through. Man, oh, man. She knew right then—right there standing in the home that had been her only sanctuary for years—that she was a goner, and her life would never be the same again.
Good or bad, she didn’t know, but she’d let Riley Glen get under her skin and into her heart once again.
Riley could see Leah was upset as they got out of Lee’s beat-up truck in front of Carolyn Eubanks’ house, and she had every right to be. The woman had done her wrong. Seriously wrong.
He wished he’d thought to bring Eryn along instead of leaving her at Leah’s house to prepare the computer for transport. Eryn and Leah had gotten past the fangirl moments and seemed to enjoy each other’s company. And Eryn was such a compassionate person, she would be better able to comfort Leah right now. Still, he would do his best to support her.
She paused on the curb, staring at the lavish house, anger radiating from every pore. “Take a good look at this place because I paid for it. Hopefully it’ll be sold after Carolyn’s found guilty, and I’ll get a bit of my money back.”
The home was a sprawling two story painted crisp white with black shutters and roof. Gray stones wrapped columns and the garage corners while wrought iron railings ran the length of a long walkway leading up to the front door. Extravagant landscaping covered the front yard, including an elaborate bubbling fountain with huge dolphins and mermaids leaping in the spray.
“Okay, let’s do this,” she said her voice hard, her shoulders raised.
He walked next to her up the stone paver walkway and knocked on the door with wrought iron trim. It swung in, and Riley noticed the lock had been pried open.
“What in the world?” Leah asked.
“Someone broke in. We need to get you back to the car and call 911.”
Leah didn’t budge. “What if Carolyn’s hurt? We need to check, don’t we?”
How did she have the heart to check on someone who’d wounded/betrayed her so badly? But she was right. If Carolyn was injured, immediate assistance could mean the difference between life or death.
He drew his weapon. His patrol days came back to him, and he went on autopilot.
“You carrying?” he asked her.
She jiggled her purse. “Yes.”
“Get out your gun and stay in the foyer while I check on Carolyn. Yell if you see anyone or anything odd happens. Meanwhile, call 911. Got that?”
“Yes. I won’t move.” She dug out her gun and phone, and he had to admit there was something exciting about a woman with a gun.
He didn’t like leaving her behind, but he had to. He stepped around the corner into a large living room, decorated to perfection like it came straight from a designer magazine. More of Leah’s money went into that, he supposed.
Anger mixed with his unease, and he started for the back of the house. He rounded another corner. A familiar smell hit him in the face, thick and putrid. It felt like he slammed into a thick wall of odor.
He flinched and covered his mouth and nose with his hand as he backed out. He couldn’t see Carolyn, but he didn’t need to. He couldn’t help her.
She was dead—and had been for some time.
The smell of decomposition was unique, and he knew without looking that somewhere in the back of the house, Carolyn had died, and with the broken door, he also knew it wasn’t an accident.
Leah had called 911 and now she waited. Hand clasped around her gun, her hands shaking and her palms moist. Fat lot of good the shooting range did her. She’d always been so proud of her prowess there, but her hands weren’t shaking, and she wasn’t afraid like she was now. If someone came at her, she had no idea if she could even fire, much less hit them.
Footsteps sounded on the wood floor from the direction Riley had gone, and they were moving fast. Had he found something? Was someone chasing him?
She lifted her gun. Planted her feet. Focused. Prepared.
He charged around the corner. Alone.
“You scared me,” she said as she lowered her weapon.
“C’mon.” He took her arm and propelled her out the front door. “Let’s go to the truck.”
“Did you find Carolyn?”
/> “Sort of.”
“What do you mean sort of?”
“As I got closer to the back of the house, I noticed a unique smell, so I didn’t go any further and risk contaminating a crime scene.”
“Smell. What smell?”
He looked at her then, long and hard. “A body decomposing.”
“Oh my word, are you kidding? Carolyn’s dead?”
“No doubt in my mind, but I didn’t go in far enough to confirm.” He opened the truck door, and she was glad to sit, as her legs were wobbly, and she feared she would drop to the ground.
Carolyn was dead.
Another person Leah had quarreled with was dead. Her house lock broken. She was likely murdered, too.
Murdered. Another person. Unbelievable. Totally unbelievable.
Leah’s pulse raced.
Who would’ve killed Carolyn? Maybe someone else whose money she’d stolen. Leah had once been mad enough to murder her over that very thing. She’d never do such a thing, but would the police think it was her? She had no idea when bodies started to smell, but it had to be a day or two. Leah had been in Rugged Point for the last two days, but if Carolyn had died three days ago, Leah may or may not have an alibi for time of death.
Craziness. She was thinking about finding an alibi. For murder no less. She didn’t even know what city she was in three days ago. Tours were so hectic that days ran together and mixed and mingled in her head. She could figure it out but would wait until they had an official time of death and the police insisted on knowing.
Listen to her. Thinking official time of death like it was an everyday thought. Seriously, what had her life become?
Riley got behind the wheel and dialed his phone.
Leah faced him and heard his cell ringing. “Do you think Carolyn was murdered?”
He looked at her. “Did she have any serious health issues?”
She shook her head.
“Then it’s likely she was murdered.” He paused for a long moment. “Or because of the upcoming trial she took her own life.”
“Suicide? Really? But it seems like you think murder is more likely.”
He nodded. “I have nothing to base it on except the jimmied door, but I do. I’m calling Blake.”
“The sheriff? But why?”
“My gut says this is connected to Jill’s murder.”
She could hardly wrap her mind around that and didn’t know what to say.
“You need to prepare yourself for the PPB detective to interview you. And when we head home, Blake will want to interview you, as well.”
What? “But why? I didn’t even go into the house.”
“If we assume this is related to Jill, who was killed at your concert, then it has a connection to you. And you have motive to want to kill Carolyn. So like it or not, your status as a potential suspect has just gone up.”
12
Dinnertime was fast approaching, and Riley stood baffled in his kitchen. Leah was still in shock from Carolyn’s death and the ensuing trauma brought on by the PPB detective’s pointed questions. Riley hated seeing her like that and had encouraged her to rest while he took care of Owen. Where that offer came from, he didn’t know. Her mother had given him a knowing smile and retreated to her room, too. He knew she was giving him time alone with Owen, but Riley didn’t know what to do with a four-year-old boy. Didn’t know what to do with a child at all. So many things were a mystery to him.
Did kids this age eat regular food? Were they potty-trained? He thought so, but he had like zero experience with kids and didn’t know for sure. Did they brush their own teeth? Dress themselves? Riley’s list of questions went on and on, but food was the priority.
He settled Owen on a barstool, hoping he could provide answers. “What do you want to eat for dinner?”
He shrugged.
Right. Big help. Riley thought back to his childhood. He’d have eaten a burger every day if his mother had let him, but she’d insisted on developing his dining palette. What did a preschooler know about palettes?
Riley always kept patties in the freezer. “How about a burger?”
“Yes, please. Can I play now?”
Riley nodded and helped Owen down. He ran to the coffee table where he’d stacked his Duplos and started building. Riley would quickly get dinner going and then go play with his son. His son. He would never tire of those words.
Riley found the burger and buns and put the meat in the microwave to thaw.
“I have to go outside to light the grill to warm it up,” he called across the room.
Owen looked up with an eager expression on his face. “Can I help?”
Riley could let him push the ignitor button, but the grill wasn’t a toy, so he shook his head. “When it’s ready you can help me carry the burgers, okay?”
“K.” Owen went back to building.
Riley was so proud of himself. He averted the first major hurdle that could’ve caused tears. Mentally patting himself on the back, he fired up the gas grill and returned to stare into the refrigerator.
Thanks to Hannah insisting he go grocery shopping with her instead of living off frozen meals, he had fresh fruits and veggies. He selected a head of lettuce and other salad fixings along with apples that he would slice. Feeling totally domestic, he prepared the items then put them in the refrigerator to stay fresh. Finally, he plopped down on the floor by Owen. Riley picked up a few blocks and connected them.
“No.” Shaking his head, a stubborn look on his face, Owen took the blocks from Riley’s hands. “I don’t want those like that.”
He continued to stare at Riley, his expression exasperated. The boy might resemble Riley, but his look, especially this one, was all Leah. He was a combination of both of them. A good reminder that Owen needed them both in his life. Of that, Riley was sure. He just didn’t know how to practically implement it.
The timer rang, and he got up. “Time to put the burgers on the grill. Do you still want to carry them for me?”
Owen nodded. Riley headed for the kitchen, and his Mini-Me stepped alongside him, his expression so serious Riley had to smile. He handed the plate to Owen who held it tightly and took careful steps toward the patio door.
Riley loved every step. He could easily imagine teaching Owen tons of things that Leah could never do, and he was thrilled with the chance to try.
On the patio, Riley stepped in front of Owen before he reached the grill. “The grill is very hot. If you touch it, it will burn you, so I need you to stay back. Understand?”
“It’s like the oven. Mommy and Grandma won’t let me touch that.”
“Exactly.” Impressed with his son’s reasoning skills, Riley took the burgers and put them on the grill, the sizzle and instant aroma making his mouth water.
They went back inside and Riley was stunned that Owen offered to help set the table, and he knew exactly how to do it. Leah and her mother were doing a fine job raising him, and Riley was thankful for that.
The entire family settled down to dinner, and despite Leah’s worry and unease over the recent murder, she was upbeat and cheerful through the meal. Riley assumed she was putting aside her emotions for Owen.
After the meal ended, she looked at Riley. “Do you want to give Owen his bath?”
Bath? Another new challenge. “I have no idea how to do it, but sure.”
“I’ll show you, Daddy.” Owen jumped down and ran for the bathroom.
Leah smiled at Riley. “I’ll grab his bath toys and meet you in there.”
Riley soon learned bathing a kid was pretty easy, but staying dry in the process wasn’t easy at all. Nor was helping a tired boy put on his pajamas. But they eventually accomplished the task. It likely took far longer than if Leah had dressed Owen, but Riley was proud of finally having all arms and legs in the places they should go.
He scooped up his freshly bathed son. He smelled like bubblegum soap, and Riley reveled in the scent and memorized it. Overtired, Owen suddenly crashed and was nearly limp
in Riley’s arms, his pudgy body resting solidly on Riley’s chest. Owen’s arms snaked up around Riley’s neck, and his baby-soft skin evoked emotions in Riley that he couldn’t even put words to.
“I love you, Daddy.” Owen’s sleepy voice melted Riley to the core.
“I love you, too, Son,” Riley got out over a big lump in this throat.
He started for the bed and sat on the edge. Owen clung tight, so Riley sat there, simply enjoying the feel of his son in his arms. The scent of his sweet shampoo. The warmth of his little body. The shared love.
It suddenly hit Riley. Being a father was his new calling in life. To be a dad. To raise a child in faith. In God’s Word. To bring him up with the love Riley didn’t always feel growing up. To help Owen become a godly man and father himself one day.
To be there for his son each and every day.
“Need to pray now.” Owen squirmed free and knelt beside his bed.
If Riley thought he couldn’t experience any more joy, the sight of his son kneeling by the bed, hands folded, eyes scrunched closed made his heart overflow.
“God bless Mommy and Daddy and Grandma,” Owen said. “And me, too. Amen.” He started to get up then settled back on his knees. “And God, please don’t let Daddy have to go away again. I want him with me.”
Riley’s heart constricted, and as Owen got up to look at him, his eyes sleepy, Riley made a promise to himself. He wouldn’t leave Owen more than was absolutely necessary for his work. How he would resolve that with Leah he had no idea, but his son had to come first.
Riley tucked Owen into bed and brushed the hair from his forehead to give him a kiss. “Good night, Son.”
“Night, Daddy.”
The tiny voice, thick with sleep, tugged at Riley’s heartstrings, and he wanted to just sit and watch his boy sleep, but Blake was on his way to interview Leah again, and Riley needed to be present for that.
After one last look at Owen from the door, Riley softly closed it and stepped into the living room. He expected to see Leah, but she wasn’t in view. Tentacles of fear squeezed him until he spotted her standing on the back patio looking up at the moon. A shaft of light caressed the side of her face, and her blond hair shimmered in the beam. Her breath came out as white puffs of smoke in the cold air.
Cold Fear Page 13