Thrill Squeaker

by Christy Barritt

  Hesitantly, I stepped back. “It’s your call, not mine.”

  “Perfect. I appreciate you doing this. I owe you all big time.”

  Nate opened the gate, and the news crew flooded inside. Before I could even say anything, a curly haired reporter shoved a microphone in my face.

  “Are you Gabby St. Claire? The Gabby St. Claire.”

  I blinked, taken back by her focus on me. “That’s correct.”

  “Is it true you’re like a modern-day Sherlock Holmes?”

  I nearly snorted. “Modern-day Sherlock Holmes? Who in the world said that?”

  “We heard that’s the rumor.”

  “I’m the only one who thinks that. Sherlock was a master. I mean, a fictional master, but still.” I shook my head, praying she wasn’t catching all of this on camera.

  “Is it true that you’re a real-life forensic investigator who’s looking into Bigfoot?” the other reporter, a woman in her forties, asked.

  “What? Who told you that?” Where had these people gotten their information? It had to be from someone here on the property. I had one guess as to whom that might be.

  Nate.

  I gave him a dirty look, but he shrugged.

  “Is it true?” the brunette continued.

  I threw Nate another dirty look, wondering exactly what they’d been told. “I’m not here specifically to research Bigfoot.”

  “But you are researching him? In fact, you saw him here on this property?”

  I shook my head. “I saw something that appeared to be a hairy bi-pod. It’s unconfirmed what exactly he was. Scientists must be opened-minded.” Except when it came to God. Then most scientists rejected the idea in favor of the rational and provable.

  At one time, that had been me. Now, I didn’t know what I would do without God in my life. My faith had sustained me through some tough times. I didn’t suppose the reporter wanted to talk about that, though.

  “So you’re open to that idea?” the curly haired reporter continued.

  I wanted to say, “Not really.” But I decided to say something more reasonable instead. “I’m looking at all of the evidence.”

  “You have evidence?”

  I cringed, wishing I hadn’t let that slip. “I have a cast of the footprint.”

  “And?”

  I cringed again. “And I’m looking into it.”

  Wait—had I just admitted that I was looking into Bigfoot? How had that happened?

  “What are your initial thoughts? Folks here at WTRO want to hear it first.”

  I shifted, deciding to just embrace this moment instead of fighting it. “My initial thoughts are that the footprints weren’t deep enough to be caused by a Bigfoot. Though the prints were large, the depth wasn’t what I would expect from a mammal of Bigfoot’s size and weight.”

  “Couldn’t that be explained by the dry weather we’ve had here lately?”

  “Normally, I’d said yes. But I was by a stream where the ground was moister than in other places. These are all things that are taken into consideration when doing forensics.”

  The brunette thrust her microphone toward me, obviously not wanting to be outdone by her competition. “Is it true that you solved the Mercer family murder up near Cincinnati?”

  I almost asked how she knew about that, but I knew it was of no use. She hadn’t answered me yet, and I asked twice. Chad must have told Nate, who’d sent out a press release. Or had this been Clarice’s idea? “Yes, that’s true.”

  “And you also solved the murder of the senator’s wife a few years back?”

  “Gloria Cunningham? She was actually the daughter of a senator, and her husband was running for office.” Hers had been one of my first cases. Just the mention of her name brought back so many memories. I’d met Riley then also. I’d had ashes on my face, smoke saturated my hair, and crime-scene goo had stained my clothing. It wasn’t my best moment.

  I’d had many more moments like that since we’d met.

  “So, yes?” Ms. Curly Locks waited expectantly.

  I cringed. “Yes, that’s also true.”

  The brunette shoved herself in front of Curls. “So you are like Sherlock Holmes.”

  “I think this interview is over.” As I took a step away, she turned her attention on Nate.

  I shot Nate and Chad one more dirty look before hurrying toward my car. I needed to get out of here.

  “I’m going with you,” Riley added, catching up with me.

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “You keep saying that, but the truth is, I kind of do. Everyone needs someone to watch out for them, Gabby.”

  My cheeks warmed. “Then I choose you.”

  He feathered a kiss across my lips. “No words could make me happier . . . Sherlock.”

  * * *

  It took three hours to get to Blacksburg, but my friend Augustine at The Lab had assured me when I called him earlier that he would be waiting. The Lab was a privately owned forensic lab facility. Sometimes police stations used their services when the state crime lab was too backed up. Evidence could be double-checked independently there for court cases, as well.

  I’d met Augustine through my job with Grayson Technologies. The Lab utilized our products, and I had paid a visit to them several times in the past. Augustine had been one of my points of contact. We’d hit it off in a nerdy, “I love microscopes” kind of way.

  It felt so good to get away from Mythical Falls. Every time I closed my eyes I saw Caleb’s dead body, Bigfoot, or that clown coming to life.

  I was going to need therapy after this.

  “What’s your next step?” Riley asked after we left.

  I let him drive my car. I loved my new vehicle. It was neat and clean. I’d been driving around in an old van filled with hazardous materials for so long that even this basic sedan without any upgrades seemed luxurious. Plus, it felt good to have Riley beside me, like we were really grownups.

  I shrugged. “I guess to work on the cabins in Area 51.”

  “No, I mean in this investigation. Where do you go from here?”

  I nodded slowly. “Oh, that. Well, Augustine said he could probably have the results back to me tomorrow—if I’m able to receive his phone call, of course. Tomorrow evening I’m supposed to meet with Marion, and I’m hoping to pick her brain as well. There’s one more person I’d like to talk with.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “Henry—the man who died twenty years ago—had a girlfriend. That girlfriend is now married to Junior—Scotty Stephens’ son. I want to talk to her and hear her perspective on all of this.”

  “You think she’ll talk.”

  “I have no idea.” I cast a glance his way, noting how the moonlight hit his face in swatches between trees as we traveled down the dark mountain road. The area was practically deserted—there was only one car behind us, and we hadn’t passed anyone in at least ten minutes.

  “What if she’s guilty?”

  “I have no reason to think she is. Should I?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. The question would be: did she have any connection with Caleb Kidwell? Once we find a connection between those two people, we’ll have a lead.”

  “You said ‘we’ll.’”

  He flashed a smile. “We are a team, aren’t we?”

  I nodded slowly. “Yeah. We are. I’m really glad you came, Riley.”

  And I was. Despite all of my irrational fears, I still knew that I loved Riley. I was just so entirely afraid of ruining things.

  “Anything to spend more time with you.”

  Guilt flashed through me again. When would I get real with him? When would I feel like I could speak my deepest fears? I wasn’t sure still, but I didn’t like not knowing. If I kept my fears secret, maybe they’d never come into the light—maybe they’d never become reality.

  “Last year at this time, I saw no hope on the horizon,” Riley started.

  “You were in rehab. You really had to simply focus on
getting better.”

  “I know. But I was probably depressed, truth be told. And that’s not unusual in situations like mine. But I didn’t think you would ever love me again. I thought I would be a burden to you. As a result, I almost ruined things for good.”

  I squeezed his hand. It felt strong in mine, like it belonged there. “But look at us now. Back together and stronger than ever.”

  He stole a glance at me. “But are we? I keep feeling like you’re holding back.”

  “I’ve had a lot on my mind. I’m sorry.”

  “Did I do something?” His voice sounded quiet, tinged with hurt.

  I quickly shook my head. The last thing I wanted was for him to feel hurt. He meant too much to me. “No, you didn’t. I’m working through issues.”

  “I want us to be able to work through things together.”

  “I know. And I appreciate that. Deeply appreciate that. But—”

  Before I could answer, something rammed into the back of my car. Our vehicle went careening off the side of the road—and right toward the side of a mountain.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  I reached for the dashboard as the car shifted and tilted and jerked. We slid close to the guardrail. On the other side of the wooden barrier was a cliff that cascaded down to a rushing river a good 30 feet below.

  The car behind us zoomed past. I only got a glimpse of black before riveting my gaze back on the cliff in front of us.

  Riley jerked the wheel, but it was too late. We were already out of control.

  The car began to fishtail.

  My life flashed in front of my eyes. The good, the bad, and the ugly times.

  I wasn’t ready for it to end yet.

  I held my breath as we finally came to a stop. The front of my car dangled over the edge of the cliff. But we’d stopped. We hadn’t gone over.

  My heart pounded in my ears as I realized just how close we’d come.

  I glanced at Riley. “Are you okay?”

  He touched his forehead. A slight trickle of blood had started there, but he otherwise appeared fine. “Yes, I’m okay. That was unexpected.”

  “Someone was trying to kill us,” I whispered as reality set in.

  Riley stared straight ahead, his breathing still labored. “They almost succeeded.”

  As he said the words, our car teetered like a seesaw on the playground in elementary school.

  I froze. “We’re not safe yet.”

  “We need to get out of this car. Carefully.”

  I started to nod but then thought twice of it. No movement other than what was absolutely necessary, I told myself. Absolutely necessary.

  “I’m going to open my door and slide out,” Riley said. “You’re going to hold my hand the whole time.”

  I knew what he was getting at. He didn’t want to shift the car’s weight when he got out and leave me inside to topple to my death. “Got it.”

  “Come closer to me. Slowly.”

  The car rocked again, and I held my breath.

  This wasn’t good. It wasn’t good at all. Of all the ways I’d envisioned dying, this wasn’t one of them. And I’d envisioned death a lot of ways. Way more than the average person.

  As Riley stood, the car wobbled again.

  I froze, only moving my eyes as I glanced up at Riley.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he murmured.

  He still gripped my hand, and that was my only comfort at the moment.

  “We don’t have time to waste here, Gabby,” Riley urged. As he spoke, the car rocked again.

  I gasped as the jostle strengthened.

  “Now!” Riley shouted.

  As he said the words, he jerked my arm. I darted out of the car, diving onto the rocky ground on the other side.

  Just as stones and pebbles dug into my flesh, I heard a groan. I turned around in time to see my car fall to the cliff below. A horrific crash sounded. My precious car that I saved so long and hard to buy was gone. Thank goodness, we weren’t inside.

  I sucked in a long breath.

  That had been close. Too close.

  My head fell to the side, and I spotted Riley lying beside me. He was okay also. Thank goodness.

  I threw my arms around him, so grateful that we were both safe. That was the important thing.

  Riley pulled me close, and I could feel his heart pounding against my ear. “That could have been catastrophic.”

  “Why is someone trying to run us off?” I asked.

  “Usually it’s because you’re getting closer to answers.”

  “That’s true. But I really don’t feel like I’m getting close to anything. I only have theories.”

  “Someone else begs to differ.”

  Whom had I encountered who might be feeling threatened? Junior? Nate? I had no idea.

  “You know the only thing that could make this worse?” I asked.

  “What’s that?”

  “No cell phone service.”

  * * *

  Riley and I had to walk a half a mile down the road before either of our phones picked up one bar. We managed to call the state police and they promised to send someone out. Then we hiked the half-mile back to where my car had gone over the edge.

  We hadn’t passed a single soul since all this had happened. This was why I could never live in the middle of nowhere. My imagination was too big.

  Holding Riley’s hand, I peered over the broken guardrail.

  It was so dark that it was hard to see. But, there, at the bottom of the ravine, I could barely make out the car that I’d worked so hard to buy.

  “I’m sorry, Gabby.” Riley squeezed my hand.

  “It’s like you said. This could have been much worse.”

  “I know how proud you were of that car.”

  “The Bible says to store up treasures in heaven, not on this earth, right? As long as everyone I love is okay, then so am I.”

  He turned toward me, the full moon hitting his face as he brushed my hair away. “Who would have thought three years ago that we’d end up here?”

  I settled in his arms, feeling safer there than on the desolate roadside. “I was just thinking about that earlier.”

  He smiled softly. “I thought you were so beautiful when I saw you in the parking lot that first day.”

  The memories hit me at full force. The arson. My disheveled state. My curiosity about my new neighbor. “I looked awful.”

  “I didn’t think so.”

  My heart fluttered. “You’re incredibly sweet.”

  He kissed my forehead and pulled me into a gentle, sweet hug. Nature sang its song around us, the darkness enveloped us, and solitude, for a moment, felt like a friend.

  Riley pulled back and studied me a moment. “Do you like rollercoasters?”

  I blinked in surprise at his question. I hadn’t been expecting him to say that. “Yeah, I guess I do. Why?”

  “We’ve talked about a lot of things, but we’ve never talked about that. We’ve never even been to an amusement park together.” He rubbed his lips together a moment. “Do you remember the first time you ever rode a rollercoaster?”

  I nodded. I remembered it clearly. My parents had taken me to King’s Dominion, an amusement park near Richmond. My brother had only been four or five at the time. It had been back before my family fell apart. Before my brother had been kidnapped. Before life felt like a burden.

  “It was the Rebel Yell. Did you ever ride it?”

  “You better believe it.”

  I smiled, as I remembered my dad talking me into going on it while my mom stayed with my brother. “I was terrified. I remember going up the first hill for the first time. I was literally beside myself. I couldn’t even talk I was so scared.”

  “And then . . . ?”

  “Then we went down the first hill. I thought I was going to die. I vowed to never speak to my dad again or to believe a word he told me. I literally felt paralyzed. Then we got to the next hill and the next. By the end of it, I loved it.
I wanted to do it again. Why do you ask?”

  Riley’s smile widened. “I was looking at the Vomit Comet, as Chad called it. My first experience was similar to yours. I was terrified, excited, all of those things. I started thinking this week about how life is like that sometimes. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster ride. You have ups and downs. Times on the mountaintop and times in the valley. You never really know what’s around the bend. You just have to be ready to roll with it. Our only assurance is that God will be there with us to face whatever we have to face.”

  “Wise words, counselor.” I swallowed hard, wondering exactly what he was getting at.

  “I know that life has been difficult over the last year, Gabby,” he lowered his voice. “I wish I could promise you a future that was full of certainty. Then I realized that I could. I can give you the certainty that I will always love you.”

  His words seemed to melt my heart. “Riley, there’s been something I’ve wanted to tell you—”

  Before the words could leave my lips, a police cruiser pulled up.

  It looked like we’d have to save this conversation for later.

  Which was good, because then it would give me time to think about his words. Because, when it came to the rest of my life, I didn’t want to live in fear or make promises I couldn’t keep.

  * * *

  “What do you mean someone rammed into you?” Chad repeated after we’d returned to Mythical Falls. The gang was all gathered in the guys’ cabin playing cards and eating popcorn when we arrived.

  Well, not everyone. Not Nate.

  “Someone tried to run us off of the road,” I repeated. “He or she almost succeeded.”

  “How’d you get back here?” Clarice asked, pausing for a moment from painting her nails.

  “The state police showed up,” I told them, recalling the long, chilly wait. “We were informed that it would take special equipment to get my car out of the river it fell into.”

  “I can’t believe it,” Chad said. “You worked so hard to buy that car.”

  “Tell me about it,” I muttered, remembering all the extra jobs I’d taken. At least insurance should pay for this—eventually. I wasn’t sure what I’d do in the meantime.