The sound of breaking limbs spun me around. My throat closed up. Charles found me. But no, before me on the path stood a deer, with a coat the color of ripened wheat and antlers branching upward like a great tree. The buck turned his head to look at me and our gazes locked. His eyes were dark as a sky without stars. His nostrils flared as he breathed in my scent.
Drawn by a force I could not understand, I moved toward him. The deer stood still, his flanks heaving. “Hello there.”
The buck’s eyes rolled, showing a rim of white around brown irises. I knew this creature could slash me with his hooves or spear me with his antlers. Yet I felt no fear.
He was a part of these mountains—a natural force that belonged in these woods. Unlike Charles and his gun.
Unlike me. I clutched my upper arms with both hands and backed away. There is still wonder in these mountains, I thought, staring into those fathomless dark eyes. They still echo with magic and mysteries and wild power, despite everything humans have done to tame them.
The buck snorted and tossed his heavy head before leaping off the trail. I spied only the white flash of his tail as he disappeared amid the trees.
I heard it then—the sounds that had undoubtedly frightened the deer. Human voices, calling my name.
“Over here!” I shouted, pulling the tiny flashlight from my pocket. I waved it over my head. “I’m here!”
“So you are,” said a voice off to my left. I turned to face Charles, and the gun.
“There are people looking for me. Sheriff’s deputies, as well as my friends.” I lowered the flashlight and forced the tremor from my voice. “You can’t shoot me and get away.”
“Can’t I?” Charles’s eyes reminded me of something. Yes, the stare of the buck—terrified and threatening at the same time.
I backed away. “They will catch you, no matter where you run. You’ve overplayed your hand, Charles. But there’s still one chance, if you allow me to live. Let me go and I’ll stall them. I’ll take them straight to Trish and say I never saw you once we left that cave.”
Charles gripped the revolver with both hands. “I’m afraid I don’t trust you, Amy.”
I’d fought for my life against my cousin and her gun and triumphed despite a night spent in a dank, silt-filled well. I’d lived after facing off with a man who would’ve happily shot me over a painting he thought was worth millions. I could survive this too. I met Charles’s wild glare without faltering. “You have no other choice.”
“Maybe. And maybe I just want to kill you and don’t care if I’m caught.” Charles aimed the revolver at my heart. “You always were more trouble than you were worth.”
“I know what I’m worth,” I said. “And it’s more than you ever deserved. And I also know,” I added, as the hard ground vibrated beneath the thin soles of my loafers, “that you’d do anything to escape justice.” I pointed toward the trail. “Feel that? That’s hard-soled boots, pounding the earth as my rescuers run toward us.”
Charles swore and fired just as I yelled, “Over here!” and dropped to the ground. The bullet whistled over my head. Before Charles could fire again, I rolled into a ball, hoping he’d only be able to hit my arms or legs.
There was no second shot, only the rumble of boots on the path and a loud crackle of underbrush being trampled underfoot. I lifted my head to meet the concerned gaze of Chief Deputy Brad Tucker. I mutely pointed toward the woods, and Brad nodded.
“He won’t get far,” Brad said as he helped me to my feet. “My deputies are only seconds behind him, and I’ve sent out others to set up a perimeter. Now”—he looked me over—“the important question is, are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I said, brushing the dust and leaf meal from my clothes. “But Trish Alexander isn’t. Charles shot her. Only in the shoulder, so I think she’ll be okay, but she needs help.”
“Hold on, let me get the EMTs in on this; then you can show me the way.”
“Not sure I can remember. But it’s a cavern, in the middle of an old rock fall. Can’t be too far away.” I rubbed at my temples. “It’s somewhere off the trail that leads to Delbert Frye’s property.”
“We’ll find it,” Brad said, before barking something into a walkie-talkie. “No cell service up here,” he said when he finished alerting emergency services. “Have to go old school.”
“Whatever works.” I heard someone else call my name and looked down the trail to see Richard running toward us.
I took a few stumbling steps in his direction before he reached me and swept me into his arms.
“Thank God. Thank God,” he repeated, holding me close. “You’re okay?”
I leaned my head against his chest. “Now I am.”
Brad looked over at us with a smile. “Couldn’t keep him from volunteering for the search party.”
“He tried,” Richard said.
“Glad you’re here,” I said. “You too,” I added, with a swift glance at Brad.
“When you didn’t show up for your appointment at the sheriff’s department, I thought maybe you’d forgotten,” Brad said. “But then Lydia called looking for you, and when Sunny told us about you leaving the library in the afternoon … well, we knew something was up.”
“Sunny also mentioned your visit with Bartos, and how you said you might go back,” Richard gently pushed me back while still keeping his hands on my shoulders. “A foolish idea, but enough to send a portion of the search in this direction.”
Brad nodded. “And Chris Garver was concerned over Trish Alexander taking off for parts unknown in his car. He and Hope Hodgson also suggested checking the trail. Something about those gold coins you mentioned to me once, Amy.”
“Yeah, Chris and his boyfriend Ethan Payne were searching for them. Maybe they thought Trish was too.” I plucked a few bits of crumpled leaves from my hair. “Did you guys see the lights? Charles almost caught me, but then these balls of what looked like white fire distracted him.”
Brad and Richard shared a glance. “Yes, we saw them. Bouncing over the trees. Gone now.” Brad pushed his hat back from his forehead. “Never thought I’d see that in my lifetime. Thought it was just a story.”
“Well, I don’t know what they are,” I said. “But I’m sure glad they’re real.”
“Me too,” Richard said, pulling me to him again as Brad turned aside to answer a call on his walkie-talkie. “Maybe it was the fae, protecting one of their own,” he whispered in my ear.
I snorted. “I’m no fairy creature.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I think there’s a touch of magic about you.” Richard kissed my temple and tightened his arms around me. “You’ve certainly bewitched me.”
I hid my smile in the folds of his sweatshirt. “Always the romantic.”
“Always,” he said, before kissing the top of my head.
Brad looked over at us. “We’ll need Amy to make a full report, of course. She’ll have to share all the details about what happened tonight.” Brad lifted the walkie-talkie. “Fortunately, some of my men have found Trisha Alexander, and they say she’ll live. She’s on her way to the hospital now. Which is where you need to take Amy.” Brad added, pointing at Richard.
Richard groaned. “Not the hospital again.”
“More waiting.” I patted his chest. “But you should be used to that by now.”
“I’ll never get used to it,” he replied, loosening his hold on me but keeping one arm around my shoulder. “Okay, first the hospital and then what? The sheriff’s office?”
“Yes. After that you can take her home.” Brad tapped the walkie-talkie against his other palm. “You were very lucky tonight, Amy. You really need to stop getting involved in such dangerous matters.”
“I don’t mean to,” I said. “It just happens. I start researching and questioning things and trying to dig up the truth …”
“Hmmmm …” Brad looked me up and down. “Maybe you’re in the wrong line of work. If you insist on sticking your nose into such things, pe
rhaps you should join the force. At least then you’d have the proper training.”
“I don’t know,” Richard said. “She seems to do pretty well without it.”
“Luck.” Brad pulled his hat back down over his forehead. “That’s just luck.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in luck,” I said.
“I don’t. Which is why I worry about you.”
“You too?” Richard asked with a grin, just as Brad answered another call.
“They got him,” he said, lowering the walkie-talkie. “Bartos is now on his way to jail.”
Richard’s grin faded. “That’s good, although I was really hoping for one moment alone with him before he was arrested.”
“Why do you think I kept you talking here?” Brad raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t want to have to arrest you too.”
“Would’ve been worth it,” Richard muttered.
I patted his arm. “It’s okay. Wait until I testify against him. We’ll get our revenge then, for sure.”
A slow smile spread over Richard’s face.
“Something about that is particularly amusing?” I asked.
“I was just picturing the elegant Maestro Bartos in an orange jumpsuit.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, and with all his lovely hair shorn off.”
“Now that”—Richard waved goodbye to Brad before escorting me down the trail—“might be the best revenge of all.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
I spent the rest of the evening in the hospital being checked over by various nurses and doctors in between bouts of questioning by one of Brad’s detectives. Late morning, when I was released, I had to go directly to the sheriff’s office to make a formal statement. Richard, who’d been waiting patiently through all of this, finally took me back to his house after lunch. After I grabbed a shower and changed into some clothes he’d collected from Aunt Lydia, Richard sat me on the sofa and gave me a glass of wine. Loie, meowing loudly, pawed at my legs, demanding my lap.
I had to admit that the warmth of kitten fur under my fingers was almost as soothing as Richard’s arm around my shoulder. As Loie snuggled against my chest, her little paws kneading my flannel shirt, I rested against Richard and exhaled a gusty sigh.
“Feeling better?” he asked, before kissing the top of my head.
“Getting there.”
“Want to catch some z’s?”
“Later. I’m exhausted, but too wired to sleep right now. I’d rather just sit here, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind. How about a little humor to lighten the mood?” He grabbed the remote and turned on the large television monitor hanging on the opposite wall.
We watched some comedy I couldn’t appreciate or follow until the doorbell rang and Richard leapt up to welcome a few visitors. He ushered them in and played host by offering them wine, which they accepted, and snacks, which they did not.
“I just wish I’d had one minute alone with that creep.” Sunny, who sat beside me, sipping her glass of wine, patted my knee.
“You and me both,” Richard said, taking a seat at my other side.
“It’s probably wise that Brad was there to prevent that,” Aunt Lydia said. “Or both of you might be in jail right now, along with Charles.”
I flashed her a smile. “Yeah, I think he’s lucky to have been arrested before Richard found him. Or you,” I added, looking over at the man seated in the other armchair.
Kurt Kendrick placed one finger against his nose. “Ah, but I know people …”
“In jail? Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
He grinned. “I may have a word with someone. But not until we know where Bartos is headed. I confess that most of my contacts are in federal lockup, not the local jail.”
Aunt Lydia rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m sure you wouldn’t mess around with small-time criminals.”
“If you’re implying that I don’t mingle with petty crooks, you’re right.” Kurt leaned back in his chair. “We’ll have to wait and see where they incarcerate Bartos.”
“That might take some time. And I’ll have to testify.” I made a face. “Again.”
“At least you’re safe now,” Sunny said, bouncing off the sofa. “Richard, do you mind if I grab that bottle of wine from the kitchen counter and bring it in here? I think we could all use a refill. I know I could.”
“Bring two,” Richard said.
“But you need to drive home,” I said as Sunny headed for Richard’s kitchen.
“No, she doesn’t,” my aunt said. “She can stay at my place tonight if necessary.”
Sunny cast a grin over her shoulder. “I might take you up on that. Although Mr. Kendrick will have to behave more responsibly. Unless you’re willing to allow him to bunk at your house too.”
“I draw the line at that,” Aunt Lydia said, primly tugging down the sleeves of her lavender silk blouse.
“Don’t trust yourself, eh?” Kurt looked over at me and winked.
When my giggle turned into a snort of laughter, my aunt turned and stared at me with a haughty expression befitting a queen. “I have no inclination in that direction, as you very well know, Kurt. Please don’t give Amy any ideas. Especially when she’s giddy from lack of sleep.”
“I’m fine,” I said, laying one hand on Loie’s back and slumping against Richard.
“Sure you are,” he said, slipping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me close. “I probably should let Lydia take you home and put you to bed, but I’m selfish and don’t want to let go of you yet.”
Aunt Lydia gazed at us speculatively. “I thought you could just keep her here, Richard. Unless you’d rather not.”
“Is that really a question?” Richard asked, tightening his grip on my shoulder. “By the way, has anyone heard anything more about Trish Alexander?”
“I have,” Sunny said, entering the room with a bottle of wine in each hand. She set them on the coffee table. “I brought white and red, just to cover all the bases.”
“What did you hear?” Aunt Lydia asked, holding out her glass. “White, please.”
Sunny refilled my aunt’s glass. “Actually, I just got a call from Brad while I was in the kitchen. Trish is doing well but has to stay in the hospital for a little while longer.”
“Poor child.” Kurt’s blue eyes were shadowed under his white lashes. “I know she must answer for that hit-and-run, even though it was obviously an accident. It’s a pity she lost her head and drove off without getting help or alerting the authorities.” He ran one hand through his thick hair. “Sadly, she’ll probably end up in prison alongside real criminals, like Bartos. Although female, of course.”
“Well, they’ve questioned her but won’t do anything more until she recovers,” Sunny said, pouring red wine into Kurt’s empty glass.
“I’m going to testify for her. As a character witness. I want the authorities to know that she planned to confess before we were attacked by Charles, and that she truly felt remorse.” I shook my head as Sunny pointed at my empty wine glass on the coffee table.
“What? You’re turning down wine?” Richard tilted his head to give me a comical look of shock.
I swatted his arm. “I’m exhausted. Which also means I’m in no mood for your teasing.”
Loie opened her green eyes, looked me dead in the face, and slapped my chin with her paw.
“See—my baby is taking up for me,” Richard lifted Loie off my chest and cradled her in his arms. “Good cat,” he crooned, before placing her gently on the floor.
I stuck my tongue out at him, but he just leaned in and kissed me on the mouth before sitting back, a broad smile on his face.
Sunny chuckled as she settled down beside me with her glass of white wine. “You are a bit giddy, aren’t you, Amy? Anyway, Brad also shared some more positive news—Delbert Frye has been released with the department’s apologies, and Lacey Jacobs has been brought out of her coma. She’s perfectly lucid—there’s apparently no signs of lingering brain d
amage.”
“Thank goodness. She’s been through enough.” Aunt Lydia turned her gaze on me. “You really believe that Charles was carrying on an affair with the girl? From what you said before, he’s refused to admit it.”
“Yeah, it’s so weird. After everything else he told you, why wouldn’t he confess to that indiscretion?” Sunny asked, before taking a sip of her wine.
Kurt stretched out his legs over the rug that anchored the coffee table. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps the idea that he’d betrayed his dead lover with a young student was worse than murder in his mind? Not because he was regretful, of course. But because such a thing might show him in a poor light as well as cost him his job. Men like Bartos,” he added, looking at me, “are more concerned with how they appear to others, and their own financial well-being, than any actual wrongdoing.”
I leaned into Richard. “It seems you’re right. And yes, Aunt Lydia, based on everything I’ve heard and discovered, I do believe Charles was having an affair with Lacey.”
“I guess she’ll be able to tell the authorities the truth. Not only about how she got lost in the first place, but also about her relationship with Charles.” Sunny swirled her wine before taking a long swallow.
Aunt Lydia finished off her own drink and set the glass on the end table next to her chair. “Charles must have wagered that she wouldn’t ever recover and thought he’d never be implicated in the affair. That was a gamble, but I suppose it’s why he refused to confirm the relationship, even when he planned to kill Trish and Amy.”
I shivered. “I guess. Or maybe he hoped that Lacey would keep his secret, despite everything? I suppose, in his arrogance, he could’ve thought she still loved him and wouldn’t betray him.”
“He’s enough of an egotist to believe that.” Richard pulled back his arm and reached down to pick up the kitten, who was climbing up the leg of his jeans. “While he doesn’t actually care about anyone else, he probably thinks people will love him forever no matter what he does.”
“Probably,” I yawned. “Oh, sorry. I don’t mean for you to think you’re boring me or anything.”
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