Buried Truth

  From the TV in the corner of the room, a reporter droned on about Yvonne Ames, a young woman who had gone missing nearly forty-eight hours earlier after leaving the motel in Eugene where she worked as a desk clerk. A picture of a pretty brunette flashed on the screen. Lifting the remote from the top of the dresser, Leah turned off the TV and debated going down to see what had caused the thump.

  Damn Ryan for planting crazy suspicions in my head.

  She wouldn’t be able to sleep until she made doubly sure the house was secure. Squaring her shoulders, she turned to head downstairs. With a moan, the dog jumped down and followed her. The stairs creaked as she descended.

  Oh, my God, get a grip, Leah. It’s an old house.

  Thoroughly annoyed with her case of nerves, she crossed the dark entry to the front door and flipped on the porch light to peer through the small window. Outside, fog shrouded the rattan furniture and hung like a curtain, obscuring the yard.

  Not the wind, then. Maybe she’d imagined the thump, or the noise had come from the TV. Probably her own damn heart beating overtime as she pictured bogeymen in every closet. If someone was sneaking around the house, wouldn’t Barney be barking—or at least running to greet them—not sitting on his butt, scratching furiously behind one ear?

  Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to check the lock on the kitchen door. Surely she’d flipped the dead bolt once her dog came inside after his nightly stroll. Latching the doggy door didn’t mean she was a coward, did it? Just smart.

  Smart would have been going home with Nina or Paige.

  She bit down on her lip as she turned toward the kitchen, where she’d at least had the sense to leave on a light. When a soft rattle sounded, she nearly peed herself. Pressing a hand to her chest, she stopped beside the table and stared across the room at the doorknob. Had it jiggled slightly?

  Barney brushed past her and ran toward the door, barking to wake the dead. When the knob turned, Leah let out a whimper and debated flight or fight for the two seconds it took to grab the cast-iron skillet she’d left on the stove. Raising it over her head, she took aim as the door opened—and just missed braining Ryan when Barney jumped against him. The pan hit his arm instead and knocked him off balance.

  “Oh, my God.” The skillet slid from her fingers to hit the tile with a thud.

  “Down, boy.” Ryan pushed the dog away then reached for her. “Are you okay?”

  Leah nodded and pressed her face against his shoulder. She didn’t even try to stop the tears. “You scared me to death. Did I hurt you?”

  He flexed his arm. “I expect I’ll have a bruise. You swung that thing like you were aiming for the fence.”

  “Sorry.” She sniffed hard. “Really, really sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s my fault. When the only light I saw was in the kitchen, I thought maybe you’d gone up to bed. I hunted for the spare key you leave under the mat so I wouldn’t wake you.” He stroked her hair. “By the way, didn’t I suggest you find a better hiding spot?”

  “I meant to . . .” She let out a shaking breath. “I’m just happy you don’t have brain damage.”

  Keeping one arm around her, he pushed the door shut and locked it, then reached down to rub Barney’s ears. “I can thank your dog for saving me from head trauma.” Turning, he cupped her chin and wiped the tears off her cheeks. “Hey, don’t cry. The bruise I’ll have tomorrow is nothing compared to some of the ones I’ve gotten rock climbing.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better. Honestly, I don’t know how much longer I can stand this. Afraid in my own home. Jumping at shadows.”

  “Better to be wary than a victim. If the person coming through that door had been a threat, you would have clobbered him.” Ryan hugged her tight. “You’re a strong, resourceful woman. I admire the hell out of you.”

  “Great, but being Wonder Woman is exhausting.”

  He smiled. “Then we’ll go to bed.”

  “I want to hear what that detective had to say first. Since I have to work tomorrow, we won’t have time to discuss it in the morning.”

  “Stannard intends to check out the people who had access to the time capsule. He’ll also research missing persons cases in the surrounding area that occurred over the past couple of decades to see if there’s a pattern.” Wrapping an arm around her, Ryan guided her across the room. “That was the gist of our conversation. He promised to let me know what he uncovers.”

  Leah turned off the kitchen light and leaned against him as they headed toward the stairs with Barney following. “Two decades . . . I can’t even think about the possibility without feeling sick to my stomach.”

  “I know. I hope he doesn’t find anything to connect other missing women to Merry Bright. I hope whatever ugliness happened on that night twenty years ago was an isolated incident.”

  When they reached her room, Leah climbed into bed while Ryan used the bathroom. He joined her a few minutes later and clicked off the lamp. Darkness settled around them as she cuddled close and rested her cheek on his chest.

  “Ryan?”

  “Hmm.”

  “I don’t want to lose what we have together.”

  He tightened his arms around her. “I don’t, either.”

  “But you live in Sisters, which is a good three-hour drive. That’s quite a commute.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

  She pressed her eyelids tightly closed and fought tears. “I don’t know, either. I’m not sure why I brought up the subject now.” Her throat ached. “I’m scared . . . of the psycho who wants the pictures, of what those awful images represent.” The truth tumbled out. “I’m afraid our relationship will fizzle when you go home.”

  “It won’t. I can stay with you as often as we want. I get plenty of work done while you’re teaching.”

  “Probably because there isn’t any rock climbing in the area. Tell me you don’t miss it.”

  “I won’t because I do miss climbing.” He touched her cheek with his thumb and wiped away the dampness. “I’d miss you more.”

  The tears came faster. “One problem—”

  “Not tonight.” His voice was firm. “You’re tired and stressed and frightened. So am I. We’ll finish this discussion later and talk about our options when we’re both thinking more rationally.”

  She nodded, and her hair caught on the rough stubble covering his chin. “Can I say one more thing?”

  He pressed a kiss to her hair. “I’m not trying to muzzle you.”

  “Good, since I’d probably bite you if you did.” She smiled and let herself relax. “I love you.”

  He held her tight. “I love you, too.”

  Maybe nothing had been resolved between them. Maybe a dangerous psychopath was still out there somewhere in the night. But for the moment, Leah pushed her troubles away. She would lie in Ryan’s arms and simply be thankful . . .

  * * *

  Light streamed through the window when Leah woke the next morning. Squinting against the brightness, she stretched and smiled when her foot brushed against a hairy leg. Nestling closer, she pressed her nose against one hard pec and breathed in the intoxicating scent of male in the morning.

  Ryan ran a big hand down her back to cup her butt beneath the oversized T-shirt. “Time to get up?” His lips grazed her ear.

  She smiled and wiggled against him. “Feels like you already are.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Rolling her over, he slid between her legs and kissed her.

  Lost in a haze of need, Leah blinked then focused on the numbers displayed on the digital clock. Her eyes widened, and she shoved hard. “Oh, my God!”

  “What?” He drew in a breath as she scrambled out from under him. “What’s wrong?”

  “The time! Holy hell. I’m going to be late for work.” She yanked off the shirt she’d slept in and ran toward the closet. “I forgot to turn on the alarm last night.”

  “Oh.” He propped up the pillows and leaned back against them.

  When she
turned, holding a long paisley skirt, his eyes glazed as he stared at her bare breasts.

  “Leah?”

  “What?” She snatched a lacy bra from the open dresser drawer and slid her arms through the straps.

  “Naked and frantic is a good look on you. I can’t begin to tell you how hot you are right now.”

  His sultry blue eyes gave her pause . . . but only for a moment. “We can’t. The kids will be lining up at the classroom door in exactly fifteen minutes.” She shimmied into purple panties before yanking a black shirt over her head.

  “Fine, but I’m going to walk around all day with a hard-on, just thinking about how you look when you roll out of bed in the morning.”

  Leah fastened the waistband of her skirt and shoved her feet into ankle boots without bothering with socks. “I sympathize.” Her gaze dropped to the sheet tented over his lap. “But I’m still leaving.” She hustled into the bathroom, swirled mouthwash and spit, then attacked her hair with a brush. “Okay, I’m out of here.”

  He strolled out into the hall wearing nothing but his jeans. He hadn’t bothered to button them, and the fact that he didn’t have anything on underneath was evident. She gripped the doorframe and swallowed hard.

  His eyes sparkled. “No time for coffee?”

  “Afraid not.” She dragged her gaze upward and ran down the stairs. Sprinting into the living room, she picked up the folder full of vocabulary tests and stuck them in the top of the bag she’d left on the end of the couch.

  Ryan grabbed her as she dashed past on the way to the front door and dropped a kiss on her lips. “Have a good day. I’ll see you this afternoon.” He held up her car keys.

  “Thanks. You, too.”

  Flinging open the front door, she took two steps and stopped. The big planter that held petunias during the summer was tipped on its side. Dirt was scattered across the porch.

  “That was the thump I heard last night.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Did you trip over the planter before going around to the back door?”

  Ryan stopped beside her and frowned. “No, I went straight through the carport to the kitchen entrance.”

  “If you didn’t knock it over . . .” She gripped his arm. “I wasn’t imagining a bogeyman last night. Someone was out here in the fog, sneaking around my house.”

  He slammed a hand down on the porch railing. “That means whoever wants those pictures hasn’t given up.”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Ryan wiped off the counter, hung up the rag, then glanced at his watch. School would be letting out shortly. Picking up his phone, he texted Leah. Are you going straight home?

  “What’s in the pot? It smells good in here.”

  He looked up when his mom strolled into the kitchen. “I made vegetarian chili.”

  “Hmm, Leah must be converting you.”

  When his phone dinged, Ryan glanced at the display. An unfamiliar number, so he let it go to voice mail. “Or, I just like making her happy.” When his cell chimed a second time, he smiled.

  Homework to correct. Home in thirty.

  He unlocked his phone and tapped a response. Come to my mom’s. Veggie chili.

  Yum. Barney first. Be there soon.

  He set the phone back on the table then glanced over at his mom. “Leah’s coming here for dinner.”

  “Excellent. I’m going outside to finish cutting back my roses.” She tapped her cast. “A slow job with one good arm.”

  “I can help you.”

  “No need. It’s a beautiful day, and I’ll enjoy the fresh air.”

  “In that case, maybe I’ll walk Leah’s dog for her. Can you give the chili a stir every now and then?”

  “Of course. Have a good time.”

  After she left the room, he checked the unknown number on his cell and listened to the message.

  “This is Bill Stannard with the Coos Bay Police Department. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience.”

  Had the man uncovered new information already? Crossing his fingers, Ryan tapped his screen to respond. “Detective Stannard, this is Ryan Alexander returning your call.”

  “Thanks for getting back to me. You said you have other copies of those photos?”

  “We have three more similar to the ones I gave you, along with the negatives. Why?”

  There was a pause before the detective cleared his throat. “Someone broke into my desk drawer last night and took the pictures you left.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “I wish. Under the circumstances, I have to assume it was a fellow cop. Either that or someone on the janitorial staff who has access to my office. We’re investigating, but I wanted to make sure the other photos were someplace safe.”

  “They are.” Ryan stared out the window over the kitchen sink as his mom appeared in the yard carrying gloves, a pair of clippers, and a flat basket. The folder with the photos was locked up in his Jeep. “An intruder may have been sneaking around Leah Grayson’s yard last night shortly before I got back. Possibly he was looking for a way into the house.”

  “Was her property damaged?”

  “Just a tipped-over planter. I must have scared him away when I pulled into the driveway. The timing was right.”

  “Damn.” Stannard let out a harsh breath. “Do you want to bring those pictures down here so you won’t be a target?”

  “Not really. I’m busy right now, and—”

  “You don’t intend to turn them over to your local police force?”

  Ryan scowled. “Not when you suspect a cop took the other two. I don’t know who I can trust anymore.”

  “Point taken. I have commitments the rest of the day, but I’ll try to drive up to Siren Cove first thing tomorrow morning. I’m concerned about your safety while you have those photos in your possession.”

  “I know you weren’t prowling around Leah’s house last night. Since I can’t say that about anyone else, I’m fine with handing them over to you.”

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  Ryan disconnected and shoved his phone in his pocket. At the rate he was going, he’d barely get to Leah’s place before she did. And the last thing he wanted was for her to walk into an empty house. Or worse, one that wasn’t empty at all.

  * * *

  Leah drove straight through town and left behind what little traffic there was as she headed down the empty stretch of road toward home. Despite the worry that had eaten at her all day, a smile formed. Maybe she and Ryan had plenty to work out between them, but he’d certainly been a rock when she needed one. That was reason enough to love the man.

  A road construction vehicle parked along the edge of the highway pulled out behind her and accelerated with a roar of exhaust. Her brows shot up in surprise. Rock slides usually only happened during bad weather, and it hadn’t rained recently.

  Her thoughts returned to Ryan. He cooked. Reason number two to be crazy about him. He also looked extremely hot lying against rumpled sheets first thing in the morning . . .

  A blur of movement in her rearview mirror caught her attention just before a jolting impact sent her car careening across the road toward the cliff. Flung forward against the steering wheel, a scream wrenched from her throat as she struggled to correct the skid. A second hard slam pushed her into the guardrail with a shriek of metal on metal. Before she could react—or even think—the barrier gave way, and her car nosedived over the edge of the cliff. It pitched downward at a steep angle and smashed into a boulder at the base with a tremendous crunch.

  At some point, her airbag had deployed. Leah coughed and choked as white dust settled over her. Her ears rang, and her head ached. Something damp ran down the side of her face. She lifted a shaking hand to touch her hair, winced, and stared at the blood on her fingers.

  Her teeth chattered as she shoved against the door, but it only budged a few inches. When the passenger side opened a minute later, she nearly cried in relief. A fluorescent yellow vest filled her field of vision.

  “
Thank heavens. I’m stuck.” Her voice sounded wobbly, even to her own ears.

  “Shit. You’re like the freaking Energizer Bunny. Nothing stops you. Where the fuck are those pictures?”

  Leah cringed back against the seat. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t force words past the knot of fear lodged in her throat.

  A hand in a leather work glove grabbed her purse off the floor on the passenger side and upended it onto the seat. Half the contents slid out of the car and clattered onto the rocks below. “They aren’t in here. Where the hell are they?”

  “Leah!” The faint shout, along with deep barks, carried on the breeze from far down the beach.

  The yellow vest disappeared, and boots smacked against the rocks. A running figure was just visible through the windshield, fractured like a giant spiderweb in front of her face.

  Fighting off panic, she tried to shout out a response, but her voice broke. “Help. Help!”

  Footsteps slapped the sand, growing closer. Whining sounded as nails scratched against rocks before a furry face thrust through the door opening.

  “Barney.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “I’m okay, baby.” She stroked his head as he licked her chin.

  “Leah.” Breathing hard, Ryan pushed the dog away and crouched down to look in at her. “How badly are you hurt?”

  “I don’t know. I cut my head, but it isn’t bleeding too horribly. My legs are jammed against the dash, but nothing hurts.” She shifted and winced. “Not much, anyway. My door won’t open.”

  He reached over to release her seat belt. “Let’s see if I can pull you out.” His worried gaze met hers. “Can you feel everything? Both your legs will move?”

  “Yeah. I’m just kind of wedged in.”

  “Okay, then I’ll try a little gentle force.” He grasped her under the arms and tugged until she sprawled halfway across the passenger seat.

  “I think my skirt’s caught.”

  He took hold of the material and ripped. “There. I got it loose.” Holding tight around her middle, he pulled steadily.