Curtain Call: Magnolia Steele Mystery #4

by Denise Grover Swank

  “You’re no longer a cop, Owen,” I said. “You turned in your badge yesterday. You have no right to it.”

  Owen rose to his full height, his demeanor changing from concerned, affable friend to police officer on the job. “I’m still going to need to take it to the station.”

  Colt moved closer. “You heard her. Time for you to go, Frasier.”

  For a second, I thought Owen might actually hit Colt, but he turned around to face me. “We’re not done, Magnolia.”

  I held his gaze, wondering what had just happened. “I know.”

  Owen walked out the front door, shoving his shoulder into Colt’s as he passed, but Colt just turned to watch him go out with a cold, hard stare. After he left, he shut and locked the door behind him.

  “Are you okay?”

  I nodded, but I was still shaking.

  “What happened?” Colt asked, pulling me into his arms again.

  “I don’t know. He was fine until that phone call.”

  “So Frasier found the camera, and then you checked out the photos on your laptop?”

  “Not all of them,” I said in a flat voice.

  “How much did you see?”

  “My graduation. Some of the party. Ashley giving Blake a blowjob. Accidental photos of the woods while I was running.” I took a moment, waiting for my heartbeat to slow down. “The basement.”

  Colt’s arms tightened. “Oh God, Mags. They were on there?”

  I nodded as tears filled my eyes. “Like I said, I haven’t seen them all. The ones I saw didn’t show his face, but I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.”

  “Did you keep the card because you want to see the rest? You don’t have to do this,” he said, resting his chin on my head. “Let me look for you.”

  I wrapped my arms around his back and clung to him. “That’s what Owen said,” I whispered, dangerously close to losing it. “I’m sick of men trying to do everything for me.”

  “The key difference is that Owen wants to see what’s on that memory card to serve some purpose of his own, and the only damn thing I care about is you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Oh, Mags. I’ll crush the damn thing and never look at it if that’s what you want.”

  I started to cry, partly because the nightmare was on replay in my head, but partly because I believed him. He really would do that for me.

  He led me to the sofa, and we sat down while I sobbed against him. The horror of that night wasn’t only in my head now. The proof was also in those photos, and I wasn’t sure I could handle other people seeing them. I was half-tempted to let Colt follow through on his offer to crush the card, but I knew I couldn’t. What if Clint Duncan’s face was in one of the photos? The police needed every shred of evidence to make sure any murder charges stuck.

  Colt held me close, kissing the top of my head until I settled down.

  “Did you see yourself in those pictures?” he asked quietly, rubbing slow circles on my back.

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  He held me tighter. “I’m so sorry.” His voice sounded strangled.

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “I know, but it still needs to be said. It kills me to think about you facing the aftermath of this alone back then. But you’re not alone now. You can count on me all the way.”

  “We need to finish looking at those photos,” I said, starting to sit up straight.

  “Not right this minute. We’ll do it when you’re ready, okay?”

  “Thanks.” I pulled loose, then stood and went into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

  “You need a moment alone?” Colt asked as he followed me.

  “Yeah,” I said, amazed that he understood my mixed signals. “Just for a few minutes.”

  “How about I go downstairs and check out the fireplace, then I’ll be right back?”

  “Thanks.”

  “If you need me or someone shows up, let me know.”

  I managed a grin for him, grateful that he was here with me and not Owen. “Go already.”

  He headed for the stairs, pausing to give me a long look before he stepped through the door and disappeared from sight.

  I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, trying to focus on cute, cuddly kittens instead of the photos on my laptop.

  I heard Colt coming up the stairs less than a minute later, and I couldn’t help but smile. He hadn’t been able to keep away for longer than that. Not that I minded. Maybe it meant I was weak, but I couldn’t handle being alone right now.

  “The mess isn’t so bad,” he said, standing in front of the garage door with the hammer and screwdriver in his hand. “He could have smashed it more.”

  “He seemed careful,” I said, still standing at the sink.

  Colt disappeared into the garage, and by the time he returned, I felt slightly more settled. “Why does Owen care what’s on that memory card?”

  I shrugged. “Curiosity? He seemed pretty thrilled to hear they had Clint Duncan in custody.”

  “I’m not sure what’s going on with him, but it seemed personal.” Colt studied me for several seconds. “I think we need to look at the rest of those photos. But I mean it, Mags. I’m willing to do it for you. There’s no reason you have to live through it all again.”

  “No,” I said. “I have to face my demons.”

  Chapter 28

  I walked over to the laptop and opened the lid, then entered my password while I was still standing. My fingers shook so much it took me three times to get it right. Before, I hadn’t quite known what to expect; now, I knew photos of my nightmare lurked on that laptop, just waiting to be brought out into the world.

  “Do you want to sit?” Colt asked softly. “Or move the laptop somewhere else?”

  I wasn’t sure moving would help, and sitting would feel too confining. Maybe it was time to just rip off the Band-Aid. “No.” I clicked the folder and started the slideshow from the beginning, hating that stupid girl in the photos who’d thought she had an entire life of normalcy ahead of her.

  When the photos changed to the basement, I took a step back. Colt shot me a worried look but didn’t reach for me. I would have shoved him off, and he clearly sensed that. It felt like the walls were closing in, trapping me with the laptop, but I told myself I could do this. I could see this through.

  Colt held on to the back of the chair beside me, his knuckles white, and he let out a low sound like a growl when the sequence of photos showing the killer slicing my leg flashed across the screen. Roy had made sure to get plenty of photos of that, which made me think Colt might have been right about him too. Something was very wrong with my brother.

  We’d reached the point where I’d stopped the slideshow earlier. The killer was standing with his back to the camera, the bloody knife in his hand. In the photo, my head was drooped forward and blood was running down my leg.

  The next photos were of the killer moving toward Melanie, but his back mercifully blocked what he was doing.

  I gasped aloud when I saw the next photo. The killer had turned around to face the camera dead-on, but his hood and the shadows hid his face. There were two more photos like this, with the killer getting closer and closer.

  The next photo was totally black, but the next one was an image of my bloody and muddy clothes. The photo after it showed another set of clothes—hospital scrubs, bloody on the shoulder and the front.

  “I bet those belonged to Melanie,” I said. “She was a nurse.”

  Colt didn’t say anything.

  The image changed and it showed the basement, which was now empty except for the blood-stained floor. There were multiple photos like this, then some more with the bloody clothes.

  “Why would he bring those there?” I asked in a whisper.

  “Because he’s twisted.”

  I turned around, but Colt continued to face the computer screen. A few seconds later, he leaned over and pressed a few buttons and then closed the laptop. He headed out the back door to
the deck, bracing his hands on the railing and leaning his head forward.

  I watched him, wondering what he was thinking. Wondering why he’d walked away from me. I followed him and stopped in the open doorway.

  “Colt,” I said tentatively.

  He turned to face me, his face contorted with anger and pain. “Clint Duncan’s lucky the police have him in custody. I’d like to kill him.”

  I shook my head. “No.” Maybe I should have given the memory card to Owen after all. Or Brady or Detective Martinez. I shouldn’t have let Colt see it.

  “I can’t even imagine . . .” His voice broke, and he took a step toward me before stopping. “I want to hold you, but I’m scared to touch you. What do you want, Mags? What can I do to make this better?”

  Tears stung my eyes. “I need you, Colt.”

  He was there in seconds, tugging me into his arms and holding me close, as if he never wanted to let go. “Please let me take you somewhere else. Anywhere. We’ll give the memory card to the police, and we’ll come back if they need us for anything.” When I didn’t answer, he tilted my head back so I was looking up at him. “I’m begging you, Maggie. You need a break from all of this.”

  Part of me knew I should stay, but I was exhausted and emotionally frazzled. And, truth be told, I wanted to get the hell out of Dodge. If only for a little while.

  “Tilly . . .”

  “Will give us her blessing. She already told me to take you away. Please, Maggie.”

  “Okay.”

  He kissed me hard, holding me so tight I could barely breathe. “We can’t let your father know.”

  “Agreed.” But that shouldn’t be an issue. I had no plans to see him, and it was clear he and Colt weren’t on good terms. With any luck, the police would bring him in next. “Where do you want to go?”

  “Vietnam seems too extreme, but let’s keep with the beach theme and go to Hawaii or the Caribbean.”

  I smiled. “Sounds good. You pick.”

  But if we were leaving town, there was one more loose thread I needed to tie up. I went upstairs to figure out my clothes situation and called Belinda. When she didn’t answer, I left a message.

  “Belinda, it’s Magnolia. The police have caught the killer, so Colt and I are leaving town for a short break.” I paused. “Momma loved you like a second daughter, and she wants you to be happy. I want to make us right before I go. I love you. Call me back.”

  I couldn’t bear to leave things as they stood with Belinda, and after seeing those photos, I was really worried about her. Roy was sick and becoming increasingly dangerous. I couldn’t leave her without trying to get through to her one more time.

  I hung up and pulled my suitcase out of my closet. Most of my clothes were dirty, but I tossed them in anyway and then went to the bathroom to grab my toiletries. After adding the bag to my suitcase, I checked my phone, relieved to see that Belinda had sent me a text.

  I need to talk to you in person, but not with Colt. After Delilah . . . I think it’s best we talk alone.

  Colt would never go for that, but it was ultimately my decision—and I wanted to see Belinda. When? Where?

  I still have clients back to back until six. After that? I can come to you or meet you somewhere.

  She waited about ten seconds before sending: If you’re leaving town, you can meet me here at the office at six before you go. Leave Colt outside. I need to tell you my side.

  I knew Colt would pitch a fit, but I was more than willing to take a chance on Belinda. Okay.

  As I’d suspected, Colt was not on board with my plan. “She can cancel an appointment to see you.”

  “She has clients, Colt.”

  He scowled; then his expression softened. “If this is what you want, Maggie. I don’t want you leaving with any regrets.”

  His wording gave me pause. “You make it sound like we’re never coming back.”

  He shook his head with a frown. “I only meant that I don’t want you spending our beach time wishing you’d worked things out with Belinda. I want your undivided attention.” He leaned over and gave me a kiss. “I’ll book our flights for later tonight.”

  “Thanks for being so understanding, Colt.”

  He gave me a long leisurely kiss. “Belinda and I may not see eye to eye, but she’s important to you.”

  “We still need to figure out how to get the memory card to the police.”

  “Why don’t you call Brady and let him come get it?” Colt asked. “Maybe it’ll help him out with the department.”

  “Even though he hid the whole thing about his cousin?”

  He hesitated. “It’s your call, Mags, but he always seemed to have your safety in mind.”

  “While trying to protect his cousin.” But in the end, I called him, if for no other reason than I didn’t want to see Martinez, and I had no desire to ever step foot in the police station again.

  An hour later, Brady showed up at the front door. Colt let him in, then gave me a reassuring look before he headed upstairs to give me some privacy.

  I was sitting on the sofa, and Brady stood behind the chair opposite me, looking less confident than I had ever seen him.

  I gave him a hesitant smile. “I heard about your cousin.”

  “Yeah . . .”

  “I’m sure this didn’t work out the way you’d hoped.”

  His eyes pleaded with mine. “I was trying to make it right, Maggie. I had hoped it wasn’t him.”

  I couldn’t help but say, “He killed several more people while you were trying to make it right.”

  “I know. You have no idea how sorry I am.”

  “Is that why you were with me? Did you only like me because you worried he might be after me?”

  “No,” he said, his eyes turning warm. “I wanted you for you, Maggie. You’re a beautiful, amazing, intriguing woman. I liked you before I knew who you were, and that hasn’t changed.”

  I gave him a sad smile. “Believe it or not, that makes me feel better.”

  “Clint hasn’t confessed yet, but the evidence is stacking up against him.”

  “Have they figured out that you’re related to him?”

  “Not yet. After I give them the memory card, I plan to confess my part in this . . . although they’re putting some of it together already.”

  “Last week, you told me that you knew where I was because people in the police department knew I was living with you. But Martinez was surprised to hear there was any kind of personal connection between us. If your own partner didn’t know, I can’t believe that many people in the department knew to watch me.” I looked him in the eye. “So how did you know where I was?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Remember when I told you that word had gotten around downtown that I liked you? I have a lot of friends downtown, and they all wanted to help set me up with you. You’re not exactly the type to blend into the crowd.”

  “Then why didn’t you tell me that?” I asked. “Why lie?”

  Dropping his hand to his side, he lifted his shoulder into a small shrug. “Because I knew it would weird you out.”

  “Thinking the police were watching me freaked me out more.”

  “I can see that . . .”

  “I’m leaving town with Colt for a few days, so I won’t be able to take you out to the house until after I get back.”

  His gaze shifted out the back windows into the woods. “It can wait. There’s no urgency now.” He turned his attention back to me. “Where are you going?”

  I shook my head. “We don’t even know yet. I just know I need to get away.”

  “That’s probably a good idea, but I suspect you’ll need to give more statements when you get back next week.”

  “Okay.” I paused, surprised my next question was so hard to get out. “Are the police looking for my dad?”

  “Yeah,” he said, perking up. “We are. Have you heard from him since last night?”

  I shook my head. “No. And I’d like to keep it that way.
He has some crazy idea that I’m going with him when he leaves.”

  “All the more reason to leave town until things die down,” Brady said, and sadness filled his eyes. “I’m still here if you need me. That hasn’t changed either.”

  “I plan on living a nice, quiet life from here on out.”

  He chuckled. “You seem incapable of that, Magnolia Steele.”

  I grinned. “Maybe so, but I’d like to give it a try.”

  * * *

  Several hours later, Colt and I left the house and headed downtown. Our flight to Cancun was in the morning, so we’d decided to drive to Atlanta that night.

  But first I had to try to make things right with my sister-in-law.

  Colt parked on a side street, and we walked to Belinda’s office together. She’d texted that she’d gotten held up in a late meeting and couldn’t see me until after seven. To his credit, Colt hadn’t said a word of protest. Since it was later than we’d planned, the sun had begun to set, and he was nervous.

  “They caught the serial killer, Colt,” I said, thankful that it was true.

  “But they haven’t caught your father. I’ve done his dirty work for three years. I know how devious he is. He’ll do everything and anything he can to get what he wants, Mags, and he wants you to leave with him. I’ll feel a helluva lot safer when we’re far away from him.”

  Me too. “Then I’ll make this as quick as possible so we can leave.”

  Colt opened the door to Belinda’s office and gestured for me to walk in.

  She was waiting for me in her front reception area, her hands clasped in front of her. She and Colt exchanged a long look; then Colt kissed my forehead. “I’ll be sitting on the bench outside.”

  Then it was just me and Belinda, and I suddenly felt nervous. It didn’t help that my nerves hadn’t recovered from seeing the photos Roy had taken that night.

  But Belinda looked nervous too.

  “They caught the serial killer,” I said. “It was Clint Duncan.”

  She pressed her fingertips to the base of her throat. “Thank goodness! You must feel so relieved.”

  “You have no idea. But that’s not why I’m here.”