“Did he seem agitated or upset?” I asked, frowning. I was a little concerned about his state of mind but I wasn't sure what 'unfinished business' he would have. That phrase worried me though for some reason.
“Not really,” he chuckled. “Well not anymore agitated than Jace usually is. He just seemed kind of focused. He had a duffel bag strapped to the top of his bike like he was heading out of town.”
“When did he leave did you say?” I was growing concerned and I felt like I was missing something. Something that was nagging at me, willing me to figure it out.
“Ah, yesterday morning, maybe around eight or so,” Dave said, scratching his belly. “It was early, I had been here about an hour or so when he came by.”
“Thanks Dave, I appreciate it. And thanks for coming to Bobby's service. Sorry I didn't get to talk to you.” I walked over and shook his hand, clapping him on the shoulder with my other hand.
“No problem. I'm so sorry about Bobby. He was a good kid. I think he just got mixed up along the way.”
I was driving with the window down, the warm morning air flowing through the car. I felt like maybe the rush of wind might clear the cobwebs from my mind. The ones that were keeping me from figuring out where Jace had gone.
I had been on the road for about half an hour when it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was on a curvy, hilly stretch of road. The hills were still dry from the summer heat, the endless sea of yellow grasses had made me start to zone out and it was then that I realized where Jace had gone. I pulled my car sharply to the right onto a dirt lane heading up a small hill, a cloud of dust swarmed the car as I slammed on my brakes. The truck that had been following a little too close the last few miles blasted his horn.
I had to stop driving a minute to focus on what I knew. Everything that had happened the last few days kept stirring around.
One moment emerged from the fog I was in. 'You give her that ring you'll regret it.' The phrase keep running through my brain, bouncing around and giving me a headache.
I hadn't said anymore to Jace since our fight. Even at the funeral it had been a handshake and a hug but no words were exchanged. He had left quickly after Bobby's service and didn't show up at my parents home afterward. He couldn't know that I had talked to Cyan, could he? Even so, he wouldn't do anything would he?
It didn't take more than a second to make up my mind. I had to go back to Pacific Grove and check on Cyan. I just had to make sure everything was okay. I had driven by her parents home a few times, as discreetly as possible, over the last couple days. I kept trying to talk myself into stopping to see her, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Her Jeep had been there the first two times, but yesterday afternoon it was gone. I had a feeling she had already left.
It was a little after two by the time I pulled back into Pacific Grove. The air was quite a bit cooler than it had been at the lake. Low sixties I guessed and I rolled up my window. I could see the trees blowing and felt the wind pushing against the car as I came to the top of an incline, the view of the ocean was sweeping and welcoming. This was my favorite point of the drive back into Pacific Grove. Curiously over the last couple weeks it had started to feel like home. The beautiful scenery and the fact that the woman I loved lived here may have a little to do with that.
I didn't check in at a hotel because frankly I didn't know if I was staying. Cyan could be home safe and sound. Perfectly happy to have been rid of me. She could take one look at me, her eyes full of pity and tell me in her gentle, sweet way that I needed to take a hike, she never wanted to see me again. I just had no idea what to expect.
I drove by her apartment first. I didn't see the Jeep and I hesitated a second thinking maybe she hadn't even come home yet. I don't know why I hadn't tried to call her before I drove all this way. I guess I just figured she wouldn't answer.
No, that wasn't quite right. It was more like I just knew she had come here and I shouldn't waste time getting here. That felt like such a weird thought, but right at the same time.
Heading toward town I drove straight to the gallery. It was early afternoon on a Wednesday so I didn't expect it to be very busy. I couldn't believe it had been just over two weeks since I had spent the afternoon here with Cyan after running in the rain. So much had happened in those two short weeks.
Cyan's Jeep wasn't parked in the small parking lot beside the gallery but this time I thought I would check and see if Lynn was working. Maybe she could let me know whether Cyan was even in town.
I hadn't met Lynn yet but I was pretty sure Cyan had told her about me. I remembered the 'Prince Charming' comment and wondered what the story was behind that. My stomach fluttered a little as I walked through the door. I didn't know exactly what I was nervous about, but something was making me really uneasy.
The bells jingled as I opened the door looking around. The smell of the cookie candles, the low lights and soft music all brought me back to that afternoon with Cyan.
I hadn't realized how much I truly missed her until this moment. I mean, I knew that I missed her and I was upset about how things had been left between us, but thinking about her and all our talks left an ache in my heart. I missed having her to talk to. I had cut myself off from getting close to anyone for so long, having opened up to Cyan had left me raw and exposed and I needed her to soothe the pain.
“Lynn?” I asked, recalling the woman I had seen leave the gallery. It had been overcast the night I saw her leaving with Cyan and I didn't want to assume the petite blond standing by the window was Lynn.
“Yes?” she said turning from a shelf she was rearranging. “Oh! Ryder right?” She asked, a small smile creeping onto her face. She was a little older than me, pretty, with a confident air. Not in a negative way, just she seemed to be sure of herself. It was such an odd thing to pick up on. I guess it was something I lacked and felt drawn to.
“Yes, nice to meet you,” I said extending my hand. She shook it, her grip surprisingly firm, and we shared an awkward silence. I wasn't sure how much Cyan had told her about me and I really didn't want to get into a long conversation anyway. “Uh, I was wondering if you've seen Cyan,” I said breaking the silence.
She had been eying me. Sizing me up. “She came home yesterday afternoon. She had called me to let me know she was back in town but we didn't talk long. She stopped in this morning to let me know she would be here for her shift tomorrow.”
She didn't elaborate on what they talked about today and I wondered if Cyan had shared with Lynn everything I had confessed. I couldn't read her but she was sure trying to read me.
“Ok, so she's back in town then. You wouldn't happen to know where she's at would you?” I hid my concern but I really hoped Lynn would say she was out with Evelyn somewhere or had another meeting with Roger. Something that meant she was with someone and was safe.
“Sorry, I'm not positive. She did mention wanting to do some thinking and she had her camera bag if that helps.”
“It does. Thanks.” I knew exactly where she was. I turned toward the front of the gallery, anxious to get to her.
“She really likes you. Maybe even loves you.” She said, causing me to stop and turn from the door, dropping my hand from the door knob. I paused looking back at her.
“Go slow, okay? She's been through a lot the last couple years and you're the first man she's ever shown any interest in. I probably shouldn't tell you all this,” she said walking a few steps closer. “But this morning she seemed like she had a lot on her mind and I knew it had to do with you. Just be gentle with her heart, okay?”
Cyan obviously hadn't told Lynn about the ring or I think she would be less inclined to push me and Cyan together. If she hadn't told Lynn she probably hadn't told the police. I hoped.
“I would never intentionally hurt her. That I can promise you.” Well, not more than I already had hurt her. I had told her everything and I never wanted her to hurt again. I figured Lynn was being open with me, I would be the same with her.
“I love h
er. Like crazy in love with her. We just have some things to work out before I can know for sure if she loves me back.”
“She does. Her heart knows for sure, her mind may just need a minute to catch up.” She winked at me and I headed out the door.
The drive from the gallery to the rocky shores of the island was a blur as my mind raced ahead. My anxiety spiked as I pulled my car onto the gravel path, the sandy shores wet with the incoming waves. The short relief I felt at seeing Cyan's red Jeep parked right where I expected was eclipsed by what I saw parked behind it, Jace's motorcycle.
Scrambling out of Cuda I felt a panic in my chest. There was a thundering between my ears. I tried to calm the panic as it kept me from thinking clearly. I was fearing the worst, but there may be an explanation. Jace had obviously followed Cyan home. I had to find out why before something happened that couldn't be taken back.
Sliding down the small incline I stumbled across the shifting sand. It was only three in the afternoon but low clouds had rolled in over the last hour, and the sky was growing dark prematurely. A heavy mist made the air wet, the rocks underfoot slippery.
There were no other cars parked along the turnout or anywhere close by. The wet, mid-week weather meant the island was probably deserted. Cyan was out there alone with Jace. I looked around hoping to see someone out jogging or riding a bike thinking maybe I should alert someone to the possible danger. I spotted a couple fishermen down the beach, their bright yellow slickers standing out against the dark rocks, but they were too far away to call out to. But I had no idea if there was even a problem. No sense in calling the cops until I knew what was going on.
Continuing forward I noticed the water was rising along the channel that connects the beach to the land that becomes an island at high tide. Cyan was cautious about being out here. There's no way she would have gone out just before high tide which meant she had been out here for awhile. I had no idea how quickly Jace went after her or how long they had been out here.
It wasn't high tide yet, if it was I wouldn't have been able to pass. Not with this wind. The waves were already crashing violently against the rocks in the distance and the water was coming in fast and high around the rocks piled along the beach.
The tide was definitely coming in and I was going to get wet going across. I needed to find them both and get them back to the beach. We could work out whatever was on Jace's mind on dry ground, away from the crashing waves.
The water was up to my knees as I waded across and I chose my steps carefully. The rocks underfoot brought me up out of the water a little but they were also slippery. The weight of the water pulled at my jeans and my shoes felt like a ton of bricks strapped to my feet.
I had pulled on a light weight jacket over my sweatshirt, but the cold still bit through making my skin tingle. My nose was cold, the wind was whipping against my cheeks.
I was miserable after just a few minutes out here. I had to get to Cyan. No telling how long Jace had kept her out here.
It had only been a couple weeks since I had been out here with Cyan but it felt like ages ago. So much had happened since then. I missed that sunny, happy day spent with Cyan. Before Bobby had died, before I told Cyan about the ring, before I had lost her.
I followed the same path she had taken me on that day hoping to meet up with them. Hopefully I could talk some sense into Jace, but honestly I don't know why he was here. I don't know what he hoped to accomplish.
The island was made of hills and valleys. The areas at the tops of the hills were covered with sea grasses, waxy leafed plants and little red flowers. The valleys held small and large tide pools, broken shells and little rocks.
I found them across a valley, standing atop a hilly area. I could see Cyan's back was toward the ocean, a wave crashed against the rocks behind her, shooting a spray of water straight in the air, raining down on her and Jace. Both of them looked soaked.
Cyan's long brown hair hung flat against her head. She was wearing a light jacket but she had on long shorts and hiking boots. She was definitely not dressed for the dropping temperatures and icy spray from the ocean.
She had her hands up in front of her in a defensive stance. It looked like she was trying to make Jace understand something. Jace wasn't advancing on her but he was standing about ten feet from Cyan talking with his hands and he looked agitated.
I don't know how we had got to this point. The world seemed to be spinning under my feet. An out of control Merry-go-round that I couldn't get off of.
Sliding down the steep incline I scrambled across the valley and started climbing up the other side, coming up behind Jace. I didn't have to worry about any noise I was making because the wind and crashing waves made a tremendous racket. I planned to sneak up over the side of the stack of rocks, step close to Jace and tackle him, giving Cyan a chance to get away from the edge, to move to safer ground.
Cyan saw me though and there was a look of both surprise and relief. Jace caught her gaze and followed it. I had lost the element of surprise and Jace backed away a few steps before advancing toward me.
Chapter 32 - Cyan
The weather had turned cold and the sky darker over the last couple hours. Life had followed suit. One minute I was feeling a warmth running through me and the future looked bright. In a matter of a few hours all that had gone away.
I knew I only had an hour or so out here before I had to head back across to the main land. That was three hours ago and with how high the waves were hitting the rocks I suspected the tide had come up quite a bit.
After stopping to see Lynn at the gallery I had headed over to the island to hike and think. I filled Lynn in on Bobby and the funeral and that I had visited Ian's grave, but still I didn't mention Ryder's involvement in all this. I'm not sure why I was hesitating to tell anyone about his connection to Ian's death. It was like talking about it made it real. In my mind I was able to carefully categorize Ian's death and everything surrounding it. Ryder was categorized separately before this and trying to add him to the mix just wasn't working for me.
Lynn knew that there was something bothering me though and she knew that it involved Ryder. She had said as much. I loved that she could be straight forward with me, but she didn't press the issue knowing I would talk when I was ready.
The sky was still blue and sunny when I had first arrived. But, the wind had been picking up and the clouds were already starting to roll in. My trek across the island had been peaceful. I took a few pictures before putting my camera in my backpack to protect it from the misty weather.
It wasn't cold when I was first exploring, the mist had felt cleansing as I had thought about Ryder and Ian and everything that had happened in Pinecrest. Climbing and physically exerting myself helped clear my mind and I found myself on the back side of the island, further from shore than I should have allowed myself to get.
When I heard the whistle I thought it was the wind. But just for a second. Then I knew. It was the same little irritating tune that had caught Ian and I's attention two years ago. I knew that Ian's killer had found me. Sad part was I didn't know I was being hunted. Detective Willow and my parents had warned me numerous times to be careful. But here I was all alone out in the middle of a rock surrounded by crashing waves.
He stepped out from behind a large rock formation just a few feet from me. We just stood gazing at one another for a full minute before he spoke.
“I'm not here to hurt you. I came here to talk to you and I want the ring,” he said. His voice was deep and even. I heard him, but barely, his voice was carried past me on the wind. Lost amidst the thundering of the waves.
“Why do you want the ring? What good is it to you?” I shouted back, trying to yell over the pounding waves.
I knew exactly who he was although we had never formally met. I wasn't going to pretend otherwise. I had watched him at Bobby's funeral. Maybe seeing him so recently in a vulnerable situation, in his grief, had diffused any fear of him I may have held.
He stepped c
loser, but I wasn't afraid of him. I believed him when he said he wasn't here to hurt me. Seeing him this close brought back memories of the night Ian died. I should have been angry, screaming at him, but I wasn't. In this moment I just wanted to hear what he had to say. And I was determined to stand my ground.
He was here grasping for straws. He didn't need the ring. The cops hadn't been able to pin anything on him before and I didn't plan to go to the police with what Ryder had told me. I had already made my mind up. I didn't want to reopen the case and I really didn't think there was enough proof, without a confession, to send Jace to prison.
From what little Ryder had said about his brother, along with what had been said at the trial, and what I had seen when Ian was killed, Jace struck me as a confused man. I didn't understand this tough exterior of his. You would think that all I would see was a crazy, angry man but somehow I saw past that. I saw past his exterior.
He was a couple inches shorter and a little older than Ryder, but he had the same striking features. His eyes were a very dark blue and held a coldness I had never seen in Ryder's eyes. He was definitely handsome.
I'm sure he played up the bad boy image, it probably served him well under different circumstances. His hair was dark with the wet mist and clung to his head, hanging in his eyes. He wore a black leather jacket and I could see the outlines of his tattoos through the white t-shirt plastered against his chest.
“That ring is my connection to that night. I need to make it disappear. For good this time,” he said. I noticed that he admitted that he was connected to the night Ian was killed. There was never proof and never a confession. I basically got one now. And I wanted to know more.
“What happened that night? I mean I was there obviously, I know what you did, but I want to know why. Why did you kill Ian?” My hands were in fists at my sides, I was controlling my anger, trying to get answers without this confrontation escalating. I needed to hear from him. I stepped closer anticipating his answer.
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