Shattered Identity

by Sandra Robbins

  Scott tilted his head and stared at her. “Are you all right with us knowing where you are all the time?”

  “Of course I am.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I wouldn’t want you to think we were spying on you, especially if you were out on a date.”

  Brock glanced from one to the other. “Date? Have I missed something?”

  “I believe you were the one, Deputy Michaels, who said we were friends. I’m glad to have friends who would go to such lengths for my protection.” She pulled her cell phone from her purse. “Tell me how to download this app to my phone, Brock.”

  Within minutes they’d downloaded the app to each phone and added each other as friends. Brock slipped his phone in his pocket and closed the equipment bag. “I wish I could give the ring to you, Lisa, but it’s evidence right now. Maybe it won’t be too long before you have it back.”

  “That’s all right. Now, you go get some rest.”

  Brock ran his hand across the five-o’clock shadow on his face and grinned. “Yeah, but I’ll be back later.”

  Scott shook his head. “Don’t be in a hurry. Let me stay later tonight to give you more time at home.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Enjoy spending some time with your wife.”

  Brock slapped Scott on the shoulder. “Thanks, buddy. I’ll see you later.”

  Lisa crossed her arms and looked at Scott when the door closed behind Brock. “Why don’t you go get some lunch before Jason gets back?”

  He glanced at his watch. “I think I will. Now that I can track you I feel better about leaving you alone. I’ll be back in about thirty minutes.”

  She dropped in her chair and directed her attention back to the computer. When the door closed behind him, she looked up and leaned back in her chair. Scott might have been beside her all morning, but he’d seemed like he was in a different world. His usual attentiveness was gone, and in its place there was a cold aloofness.

  A tear rolled down her cheek at the thought they wouldn’t share any more moments like the one on the beach the night of Treasury’s birthday. Scott had assumed his shutdown mode, and she didn’t know how to bring back the man she’d come to love.

  Scott clenched his fists and marched down the street to the Sandwich Shop. He had no idea what had happened between Lisa and him this morning. His main reason for going to her room earlier had been to apologize for his reaction to her assumption that Ean Thornton might be her father, but he had also wanted to tell her about the talk he and Betsy had the night before. Then everything had changed.

  From the time she opened the door, he could see she was in a bad mood and could care less about anything he could tell her. She seemed to enjoy throwing her date in his face and then telling him they’d been seeing too much of each other. Instead of mending fences as Betsy had suggested, the encounter with Lisa had widened the gulf between them.

  When he’d told her about Jeff’s death, he’d thought for a moment she might turn to him for comfort. Instead it was Treasury who’d offered solace. Later at the beach he could tell she was upset when she identified Jeff’s body, but she’d still kept her distance from him. It wasn’t hard to figure out the message she’d sent. She had no interest in seeing where their relationship might go.

  Then when Brock had suggested the app for the phone, he’d almost been glad. At least he had a valid excuse for not being with her. He could still track her whereabouts, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to do that. He didn’t want to know if she was out with Travis Fleming. Angry at himself for his conflicting feelings, he stomped up the steps to the deck outside the Sandwich Shop.

  It wasn’t until he’d ordered that he remembered he hadn’t asked her if she wanted anything. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket but hesitated before he punched in her number. With a groan he slipped the phone back in his pocket. No need to call her. He didn’t want to hear the icy tone of her voice again. It hurt too much.

  Lisa tried to concentrate on the traffic tickets Scott and Brock had given out over the past few days, but it was no use. She might as well have been a hundred miles away instead of staring into an open filing cabinet. Her mind kept returning to the question she’d asked herself after the conversation with Grady. Could Ean Thornton really be her father?

  She had to admit that Scott’s warnings contained some truth. She’d known Mr. Thornton all her life and had never liked him. His son Mike had terrorized motorists on the island in the fast cars his doting father had bought him and had been kicked out of some of the best schools in the state. Mike’s belief that he was untouchable had imploded when Kate had arrested him for murder.

  Lisa pressed her hands to her face at the thought of her friends Kate and Betsy. What would they think if Ean turned out to be her father? Would they turn their backs on her or be happy for her finding out the truth? She didn’t have to ask about Scott. He seemed to already have made his decision.

  She slammed the door of the filing cabinet shut and shook her head. It didn’t matter what anyone thought. She had to find the answer.

  The front door opened, and she glanced around at Jason entering the office. “Sorry, I’m late. Is Scott here?”

  “No, he’s at lunch.”

  He grinned and dropped a sack on the desk he’d used for the past few days. “I picked up something for myself. Why don’t you go eat? I’ll cover for you until Scott gets back.”

  She started to say she wasn’t hungry, but an idea popped into her head. The residents of the island knew each other well and were aware of each other’s habits. All the successful businessmen ate lunch every day at the Red Snapper down the street. If she went there to get something to eat, she just might run into Ean Thornton.

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.” Lisa grabbed her purse and headed for the door. “I won’t be gone long.”

  He held up his sandwich. “They have a special over at The Coffee Cup. Where are you going?”

  “I think I’ll go to the Red Snapper. I haven’t eaten there in a while.”

  Jason frowned. “But that place is so busy at lunch, you may not be able to get a table.”

  “Then I’ll wait.” She patted her purse. “I have my cell phone if you or Scott need to reach me.”

  She rushed out the door and down the sidewalk. She needed to get out of there before Scott returned. He would be upset if he guessed the real reason she wanted to go to the Red Snapper. Grady had given her the first clue that might lead her to the identity of her father, and she needed to pursue it.

  She had no idea what she would do if Ean Thornton really was there. You couldn’t just walk up to a man in a public place and ask him if he was your father. There had to be some way she could approach him. Nothing came to mind. If he was there and she had a chance to speak to him, she’d have to wing it.

  Customers jammed the dining room of the Red Snapper when she entered. Clutching several menus in her hand, the hostess hurried toward her. “Hi, Lisa. You haven’t been here in a while. It’s good to see you.”

  Lisa smiled at the petite brunette who’d been in her class at the island school. “Hi, Amber. I’m usually so busy around lunchtime I grab a bite at my desk, but today I thought I needed a treat. This was the first place I thought of.”

  Amber beamed her approval and glanced over Lisa’s shoulder. “Anybody joining you?”

  “No. Table for one.”

  Amber frowned and scanned the dining room. “The only thing I have is near the kitchen. Is that okay?”

  Lisa glanced at the table across the room. It sat in the perfect spot for her to observe everything around her. “That’s fine.”

  Moments later, Lisa lowered the menu and stared over the top. There were some tourists in the establishment, but most of the people eating today were friends or acquaintances. She didn
’t see Ean Thornton among them.

  As the minutes ticked by, the crowd began to thin out. Lunchtime appeared to be ending for the island businessmen. As she chewed the last bites of her salad, disappointment roiled in her stomach. Her idea of running into Ean Thornton hadn’t materialized. Or maybe he’d come and gone before she arrived.

  With a sigh, she picked up the check her waitress had left and opened her purse. Laughter caught her attention, and she glanced up to see Amber leading Ean to a table a few feet away from her. And he was alone. She tried to still her beating heart, but it was no use.

  He dropped into his chair, pulled on a pair of reading glasses and began to study the menu. She searched his features to see if she saw any resemblance to her own, but she didn’t. Taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage and rose from her chair.

  As she approached his table, she slowed until she came to a stop beside him. “Mr. Thornton, how are you today?”

  A surprised look flashed on his face, and he glanced up. “I’m okay.” He leaned back in his chair. “I was sorry to hear about your house and about your cousin’s death. You’ve had a lot of problems lately.”

  She nodded. “Yes, I have. I wondered if you might have time to talk to me a minute.”

  He glanced at his watch. “I’m in a hurry today. I told Amber I needed fast service.”

  Her throat ached, and she swallowed to relieve the parched feeling. “I don’t want to detain you, but I need to speak with you. It’s about my mother.”

  He cleared his throat. “Roxanne?” He hesitated a moment before he sighed and motioned her to sit. “How can I help you?”

  She settled in the seat and clasped her hands in her lap. “I’ve been told you were friends with my mother. In fact, you were one of her best friends at the Sailors’ Catch Pub where she used to go.”

  He leaned forward, laced his fingers together on the tabletop and frowned. “What are you getting at, Lisa?”

  “I want to know more about my mother. I have reason to believe you were very close to her.”

  He furrowed his forehead. “Oh, I get it now. I read in the paper about the journal. You’ve been reading it, and you want to find out all her secrets. Well, you’ve come to the wrong person.” His voice turned to steel. “That was a long time ago. Before I was married, in fact. I liked your mother, but she was a married woman. We were friends. I enjoyed spending time with her. End of story.”

  Lisa struggled to hold back the tears. “But there has to be more.”

  “There isn’t anything more,” he growled. “I’ve answered your question. Now you need to go.”

  “I was told you had feelings for her. Maybe she had some for you, too. Can’t you tell me if that’s true?”

  His face turned red. “That was nearly thirty years ago. What difference does it make what happened back then?”

  “It makes a difference because I have to know if you’re my father.” Unable to believe what she’d just said, she clamped her hand over her mouth and cringed.

  Ean’s fist struck the table with such force she thought it might collapse. “How dare you come in here, interrupt my lunch and make such an accusation,” he snarled. “It wouldn’t surprise me if your good friends Kate and Brock Gentry put you up to this. They’d do anything to cause me trouble.”

  The wild anger in his eyes terrified her, and she shrank back in her chair. “No, please believe me. They had nothing to do with this.”

  He leaned forward and gritted his teeth. “Now, you pay attention to what I’m about to say. I want you to stay as far away from me as you can. If you ever come near me again, you’ll be sorry. Have I made myself clear?”

  “Y-yes.”

  He glanced at the check in her hand and jerked it free. “Tell you what, I’ll pay for your lunch today. It’s compliments of a man who thought a lot of your mother. Too bad her daughter didn’t inherit some of her good sense.”

  Lisa jumped up from the table and ran from the restaurant. Tears streamed down her face. She didn’t know where she was going. All she wanted was to get away from the anger in Ean Thornton’s face.

  She stopped about halfway between the restaurant and the police station and sat down on a bench in front of a souvenir shop to catch her breath. Noisy tourists filled the sidewalks and drifted in and out of the shops. She watched the families on vacation and brushed away the tears on her cheeks.

  A chime from her cell phone signaled an arriving text message. It was probably Scott wondering why she was late to work. With a groan, she pulled the phone from her purse and opened the message. A gasp tore from her throat, and she jammed her fist in her mouth at the words she read. I have the journal, and I know your secret. You’d better keep your mouth shut, or you’ll wind up like your mother.

  Terrified, she jumped to her feet. This message couldn’t be from Jeff. Could it be from Ean Thornton? Or was there someone else she didn’t know about?

  Brock and Scott had been right. Somebody besides Jeff wanted to harm her, and now it looked as though he would stop at nothing to keep her from finding out the truth about her mother’s death.

  Without knowing where she was headed, she ran across the street, around the corner and onto the next street. She ran until her legs threatened to collapse. When she stopped, she realized she was in front of the church she’d attended on Sunday with Scott and his sisters. Panting for breath, she eased up the steps and pushed on the front door. To her surprise it opened.

  Light filtered through the windows and spread a peaceful glow across the quiet surroundings. She sank into a pew at the back, crossed her arms on the bench in front of her and bent her head to rest on top of them.

  Her breathing slowed, and her body relaxed. It was as if someone sat beside her and wrapped arms of love around her. Was this what Scott had talked about? Could she be experiencing God’s love?

  She straightened and stared at the cross hanging on the wall behind the pulpit. The words she’d read in Treasury’s Bible trickled through her mind like bubbling water in a stream. She closed her eyes and lifted her face toward heaven. Her blood warmed her veins, and she basked in the glow of an unseen presence.

  “Jesus, are You here?” As if in answer, her heartbeat quickened, and her stomach fluttered. She knew she wasn’t alone. “Jesus,” she whispered. “I believe. Help me.”

  In that moment, she knew her life had changed forever. A soothing peace flowed through her and with it came an assurance she would never be alone again. She might never know her father, and Scott might never return the love she felt for him. But that wasn’t as important as it had seemed earlier. Now God walked with her, and she would never be alone again.

  “Lisa.” Scott’s voice surprised her, and she jumped at the sound. He stood in the aisle and stared at her. “What are you doing here?”

  She smiled and rose to her feet. “Getting things straight in my life.” She wiped her eyes. “How did you know where I was?”

  He held up his cell phone. “I tracked you. I was worried because you hadn’t gotten back to the office.”

  She glanced at the cross again and then turned to him. “Thank you for bringing me here Sunday. Now I feel like I can face anything that’s thrown at me because I know God is with me.”

  His eyes raked her face. “I’m glad to hear that. You want to tell me about it?”

  She took a deep breath. “Not now. We need to go to work. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

  But she knew she wouldn’t tell him about the text message. He would be frightened for her and would insist on staying close, as before. She didn’t want him to protect her out of a sense of duty. When and if he wanted a relationship with her, he had to want it because he loved her as much as she did him.

  She only hoped it would happen before she came face-to-face with a ki
ller who knew the answers to the mystery in her mother’s journal.

  FIFTEEN

  Lisa dreaded going home from work this evening. Usually she had left work by now. Not tonight. She’d stayed because she wanted to talk to Scott about her experience at the church this afternoon. He had pulled extra duty to give Brock some more time at home and had gotten tied up with the near-drowning of a teenager at the beach. With him still at the health center and Jason’s departure on the last ferry, she was all alone in the station.

  She glanced at her watch again and wondered if Treasury had saved her any supper. It was nearly seven o’clock, and she had started to get hungry. There was no telling how long Scott would be at the health center. She could talk to him in the morning.

  As she did every night, she forwarded the incoming local calls to Brock’s cell phone and notified the mainland terminal she was leaving. They would relay all emergency calls from the island to the appropriate responders. She scribbled a quick note to Scott telling him she’d gone home and would see him in the morning.

  She’d just finished writing the note when her cell phone rang.

  “Hello.”

  “Lisa, it’s Travis. I’ve been in closed-door meetings all day and just heard about Jeff. How are you holding up?”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m okay, but it’s been a rough day. How did you find out?”

  “I ran over to the Sandwich Shop to get something to eat, and Grady was in there telling everybody about it.”

  “I should have known the answer before I asked.”

  Travis hesitated a moment. “That wasn’t all he said.”

  The pulse in her neck throbbed. “What else did he say?”

  “He, uh, he said one of the waitresses at the Red Snapper said you had a confrontation in there with Ean Thornton today. He said you accused Ean of being your father. Is that true?”

  She closed her eyes and bit down on her bottom lip. “Oh, no,” she moaned, “I can’t believe someone heard that.”