Buried Truth

by Jannine Gallant

  The rain from earlier in the day had stopped, but low-hanging fog swirled in the air. The thick dampness covered him like a blanket as he hurried down the sidewalk toward the bar. Giving himself a mental shake, he pulled open the door and glanced around. A few familiar faces stood out. Pete Brewster and George Dorsey sat at a table near the windows with a blond man whose back was to him. When he turned to signal the cocktail waitress, Ryan sucked in a breath.

  What the hell is Leah’s ex doing back in town?

  Ryan’s gaze locked with Brock Hooker’s. Blue eyes widened before he said something to his companions. Both their former classmates turned his way. Pete made a comment, and the other two burst out laughing.

  “Ryan.”

  He jerked his attention away from the trio when a hand touched his arm. Glancing over his shoulder, he smiled at Nina. “Hey, I didn’t expect to see you in here.”

  “I’m meeting someone, but I’m a little early. Want to sit with me while I wait?”

  “Better than joining that group.” He angled his head toward the three by the window.

  “Oh, God. I wonder if Leah knows Brock is in town.”

  “I’m pretty sure she doesn’t. At least she didn’t mention it earlier.” Taking Nina’s arm, he led her through the crowded room toward a table some distance from their old classmates, and nodded at Dr. Carlton and his wife as they passed. “Who’re you meeting?”

  “A guy named Clayton Smith. You wouldn’t know him.”

  He pulled out her chair. “I was kind of surprised you didn’t bring a date to the reunion.” He studied Nina’s classic beauty combined with modern chic as he took the seat opposite her. “Unless the men around here are all blind or something.”

  “I don’t date much, but seeing you and Leah together. . .” She hunched a shoulder. “You both looked really happy. I figured I’d try again. So, when Clay asked me out, I agreed.” She glanced up as the cocktail server approached. “Hey, Janice. How’s it going?”

  “Just great.” Fine lines crinkled around hazel eyes as she smiled. “What can I get you?”

  “For now, I’ll have tonic water with lime. I need to pace myself.”

  Ryan laughed. “Keep your wits about you?”

  Expressive green eyes darkened. “It pays to be cautious.”

  “Without a doubt.” He turned to their server. “I’ll take whatever import you have on draft.”

  She nodded. “Be right back.”

  He eyed Nina as she toyed with the strap on her purse. “You look nervous. I hope that isn’t my fault.”

  She glanced up swiftly. “God, no. I’d much rather hang out with you all evening than go on this date.”

  “Then why’d you tell the guy you would?”

  “Because it’s been nearly five years, and I need to have a life again.”

  His chest tightened at the pain in her voice, but he forced himself to ask, “Five years since what?”

  “Since my fiancé died. Keith was killed in Afghanistan.”

  His breath left him in a rush. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

  “Me, too.” She seemed to shake off the aura of sadness and squared her shoulders. “Leah told me about the break-in at her house when she picked up the time capsule this morning. I can’t believe something like that happened in Siren Cove. We don’t have much vandalism here, or any real crime, for that matter.”

  “I talked to her when she got home from work.” He frowned. “The ordeal definitely disturbed her, but I helped her clean up the mess, and she seems to be bouncing back.”

  “Smart man. The way to Leah’s heart is definitely through her vacuum cleaner—as long as she doesn’t have to use it.”

  “Aren’t you funny?” He paused when the cocktail waitress returned with their drinks. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Janice set his beer in front of him. “Let me know if you need anything else.” With a quick smile, she hurried off.

  Nina sipped her drink. “Yeah, I’m a riot. Seriously, though, how are you and Leah getting along?”

  “Pretty well. We seem to have picked up right where we left off, but I’m not exactly sure where we’re headed.”

  She patted his arm. “You know Leah. Sometimes it takes her a while to recognize her feelings. She doesn’t make quick judgments the way you and I tend to do.” Nina drew back her hand. “At least that’s how you used to be.”

  “I haven’t changed much.” He took a long pull on his beer. “Apparently Leah hasn’t, either.”

  “Don’t push too hard. I honestly think you’d be great for her, but she might need a little time to figure that out. Especially when she has so much on her mind.”

  “I guess we’ll see what happens.” He squirmed a little under Nina’s steady regard, feeling like his emotions had been laid bare. He ran a finger down the side of his sweating glass and changed the subject. “Leah mentioned her class enjoyed checking out our time capsule.”

  “I bet. They probably thought the CDs and VHS tapes were antiques. All kids do now is download entertainment to their phones.” She leaned back in her chair. “Hey, tell Leah I want to see those pictures once she gets the film we found in the box developed. I assume the photos are shots taken of our class.”

  “I will, but she misplaced the roll. She’ll have to find it again before she can get the film—” He broke off as Pete, George, and Brock stopped at their table. If their slightly glazed eyes were any indication, the threesome had been drinking for quite some time, despite the early hour.

  Brock stared at Ryan as he brought his hand down on the back of Nina’s chair. His lips tightened when he leaned in close. “If you’re into Leah’s castoffs, babe, I wouldn’t mind getting in line.”

  Nina shifted to avoid his touch. “Don’t be an ass, Brock. Does Leah know you’re in town?”

  Pete crossed his arms over his chest and swayed a little. “Not yet, she doesn’t.”

  Brock nodded. “I might head out to the house to see what she’s up to later.”

  Blue eyes glittered beneath shaggy blond hair that gave him the same California surfer look Ryan remembered from high school. Based on the biceps pressing against the sleeves of his T-shirt, Leah’s ex spent the majority of his time in a gym.

  His gut tightened. “Don’t waste your time. She’s having dinner with me tonight.”

  Brock snorted. “Figures she’d take up with you again now that you’re such a big freaking success with Crossroads. Someone has to pay the bills, right?”

  “God, you’re a jerk. I don’t know how Leah put up with you for as long as she did.” Nina didn’t raise her voice, but her tone sliced through the sudden stillness.

  “Dude, maybe we should take off.” George nudged his pal, apparently the most sober of the three.

  “Glad to.” Brock eyed Nina up and down. “You may be hot, but you’re still the same bitch who talked my wife into leaving me. Let’s get out of here.”

  Ryan relaxed his clenched fist as the three men walked away. Letting out a slow breath, he met Nina’s troubled gaze. “I should have punched him.”

  “No, you shouldn’t. He’d probably have you arrested.”

  “Did you really convince Leah to divorce him?”

  She shook her head. “No, of course not, but Brock is the kind of guy who has to blame someone for his problems. He doesn’t own them.” She glanced past him and frowned. “Damn, Clayton just walked in. I was going to call Leah to give her a heads-up, but—”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll do it when I see her.”

  “Thanks.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “Uh, can you tell Janice to transfer my drink tab—”

  “I’ve got it.” He rose to his feet. “It was good talking to you, Nina.”

  “Likewise.” She smiled. “You and Leah have a nice evening.”

  “You, too. Give this guy a chance. You deserve happiness.”

  Her eyes darkened, but she only nodded before striding away. Ryan finished his beer and signal
ed Janice for the bill, paid, and left the bar. He’d gone into Castaways to relax. An epic fail since seeing Brock had strung his nerves tighter than any noose. The man had implied Leah was only interested in him for his money.

  Total bullshit.

  He should have punched the asshole in his smug face. And damn the consequences.

  * * *

  He cruised along the dark highway, headed back toward town, headlights barely penetrating the thick fog, his cell clutched tight in his fist. “What do you mean she never sent the film off to be developed?”

  “Exactly what I said.” The voice on the other end of the connection radiated irritation. “A reliable source overheard Ryan Alexander talking to Nina Hutton in Castaways. He mentioned Leah Grayson—who has become a real pain in our ass—misplaced it.”

  “Well, the film roll sure as hell wasn’t anywhere inside her house. I took that place apart looking for it.”

  “Then maybe she dropped the damn thing in her car.”

  He forced himself to think. “Or it could be in that giant bag she hauls around everywhere she goes, even though she didn’t have it with her at the reunion.”

  “You’d think the woman would have looked in her own purse.”

  “Maybe, but I’ve been close enough to see the thing is full of crap. She could have missed seeing it when she searched through the clutter.”

  “Then get ahold of her bag. Search her car. Do whatever’s necessary to get that damn film roll back. Got it?” The voice lashed out, striking a nerve.

  The vein in his temple throbbed. “I’m getting a little tired of your attitude.”

  “Then do something proactive for a change. Even I won’t be able to stop the shit storm if those photos come to light. And while we’re on the subject of brainless idiots, I hear your son has been working his magic a little too close to home lately. Aren’t you the one who harps about going further afield to choose our sacrifices so no one will come poking around? You’d think your innate caution would have rubbed off on your kid when it comes to his little side business, but no.”

  “His little side business, as you put it, filled our coffers when we were running low on funds, so don’t shout at me.” He let out a slow breath. “However, I’ll speak to him about discretion.”

  “See that you do. In the meantime, I’ll try to cover his ass.”

  “Your efforts are in all our best interests.”

  A grunt answered him.

  He loosened his grip on the cell as his temper abated. “Has this year’s Samhain sacrifice been secured yet?”

  “Apparently, the sure thing our brother promised fell through. I’m surrounded by imbeciles. I’ll try to get a lead on another one.”

  “I’ll keep my eyes open, too. You never know when the perfect victim will present herself.”

  “You do that, but your top priority is the damn roll of film.”

  He stared into the dark night as his mind clicked over, sorting and rejecting scenarios. How hard could it be to get ahold of her bag? He gritted his teeth. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it . . . and her.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dim lighting, enticing aromas, and low conversation created the seemingly perfect romantic atmosphere for date night at the Poseidon Grill. Leah picked at her tofu stir-fry. Across from her, Ryan savored a steak that oozed blood each time he cut into it. She shuddered.

  Finally, he laid down his fork. “What’s wrong?”

  She tried to smile. “Nothing. I’m just not very hungry.”

  “I should have waited until after dinner to tell you Brock was in town.” He laid a hand over her closed fist resting on the tablecloth. “My mistake, but don’t let it ruin your evening.”

  “I’m doing my best, which isn’t very good, I’m afraid.”

  He tightened his grip. “You have every right to feel anger or irritation or anxiety, whatever emotion is turning your knuckles white. I just hate to see you upset.”

  She relaxed the hand beneath his, certain she didn’t deserve his consideration. “Sorry. I shouldn’t let the man affect me, but he does. He’ll stop by the house at some point, ostensibly to visit Barney, and issue some derogatory comment that raises my blood pressure and makes me wonder why I ever married the jackass in the first place. Then I’ll spend the next few days trying to remember the good parts of our relationship so I won’t feel like such an idiot for falling for him. It’s a vicious cycle.”

  “Sounds like it. A restraining order might solve your problem.”

  Finally, she smiled. “God, I’d love to see his face if I had him served with one of those. But he hasn’t done anything to warrant it, except make a few rude remarks. A judge would laugh me out of court.”

  “I’m glad he isn’t physically threatening.”

  She grimaced. “Only to my ego.”

  Ryan turned her hand over to thread his fingers through hers. “Do you still have feelings for him? Is that why he upsets you?”

  “No!” The word came out louder than she’d planned, and a few heads turned as nearby diners glanced their way. She lowered her voice. “His cheating killed any love I had left for him, well before our divorce was final.”

  “Then don’t let the jerk get to you. I’ll hang around to supervise any dog custody visits, and you don’t even have to talk to him.”

  Some of the tension filling her chest eased. “You’d do that?”

  “Sure. He doesn’t intimidate me, despite all those bulging muscles.”

  A second smile slipped out. “He’s obsessed with working out. But, while you’re no slouch when it comes to abs, you have a brain to complement them.”

  His blue eyes glimmered with amusement. “I guess brain before brawn is a good thing.”

  “Definitely.” She pulled her hand away and forced herself to eat. After a few bites, she laid down her fork. “Hey, if bad luck comes in threes, I should be in the clear after this. First Grandma’s con man, then the break-in at my house, and now Brock showing up in town. Karma may be sending me a message, but hopefully her point has been made.”

  He chewed and swallowed. “What point might that be?”

  “That you have to take the bad with the good. No one said life is easy.”

  “And the good would be . . . ?”

  “You, back in my life again.”

  “Is that what you want? I’ve been wondering where our relationship is headed.”

  The caution reflected in his steady gaze set off a warning bell. Had she completely misjudged his feelings? The last thing she needed was for—

  “Leah?”

  “Haven’t we been getting along really well? Is there a problem I don’t know about?”

  He reached for her hand again and held tight when she tried to pull away. “No problem. I’d love to build on what we have and take it to the next level. But I won’t pretend I’m not a little worried you’ll shut me out at some point.”

  Her heart ached. “You don’t trust me?”

  “Let’s just say I’m wary.” He held her gaze for a long moment. “I don’t want to get hurt. I don’t want either of us to get hurt. If our expectations are different—”

  “I expect us to enjoy each other’s company. I expect to take some time to learn more about Ryan the man, who is a whole lot more complex than the boy I knew so well. I don’t want to rush into anything and make another mistake.” Her hand tensed beneath his grip. “God knows I’ve made enough of those in the past. I also don’t want to lose you again.” Her voice cracked. “I care about you. I value our friendship.”

  “Hey, I do, too, and I don’t want to blow this. We’ll . . . date. I’ve never rushed any other relationship without a long test period first. I don’t know why this one should be any different.”

  “Because we have a history. In some ways, it feels like we’ve jumped into the deep end right off the bat instead of wading through the shallows to get used to the water first.”

  “Then I’ll back-paddle until I have both my
feet beneath me.” His smile looked a little forced, but he was obviously trying. “No worries. We both have plenty of reasons to be careful. We’ll take this slow and get it right this time around.”

  “I really hope so.”

  He released her hand. “Let’s finish our meal and get out of here.”

  “Good idea. Tonight was kind of a bust, which means we have nowhere to go but up. Right?”

  “Everyone has an off night, but we still have time to turn the evening around. Let’s not talk about anything serious. Just fun stuff. Surely the fifth-graders in your class did something today to make you laugh.”

  Her morose mood dissolved with a smile. “One of the boys asked if he could put a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the time capsule we plan to bury, as an experiment to see what it would look like in twenty years. Can you imagine?”

  “Now why didn’t I think of that? The kid obviously has a brilliant scientific mind.”

  She snorted then choked on a piece of zucchini. All the awkwardness between them fell away as their conversation became progressively sillier. By the time she’d cleaned her plate, her mood had been restored. “That was the perfect way to destress. How did you know laughter was exactly what I needed?”

  “Because after all these years, I may know a thing or two about you.” His tone was light, and he gave her a quick smile. “Shall we order dessert?”

  “I’m too full, but go ahead.”

  “Then I’ll pass.” He raised a hand to signal their server for a check.

  A minute later, the restaurant’s owner approached to lay the bill on the table. “How was your meal? I hope you both enjoyed it.”

  “Excellent as always, Mr. Dorsey.” Leah smiled at the older man. “You did a superb job with our reunion party. Everyone loved the food.”

  “Great to hear. George told me he and his buddies had a good time.”

  Ryan glanced up as he pulled out his wallet and removed a credit card to place on the tray. “I saw your son a few hours ago at Castaways. I’m afraid I didn’t have a chance to talk to him at the reunion, but I hope his move back to Siren Cove has been successful.”

  “So far so good.” Arnold Dorsey picked up the tray. “I’ll give this to your server. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”