The Last Sister

by Elliot, Kendra

  She’s lying. He waited.

  “We were high,” she finally said. “I wanted to believe it was a dream.”

  “You and who?”

  Fierce eyes met his. “My friend doesn’t remember anything. And Harlan never saw her, so he doesn’t know she was there. I didn’t bring her into it back then, and I won’t now.” She swallowed hard. “From what I can put together, my friend and I had returned to my house in the middle of the night. I’m not sure why. Somehow she drove us there and back, both of us high as kites.”

  “You’re lucky you didn’t kill anyone.”

  Guilt flashed.

  “You didn’t kill anyone,” Zander told her, understanding she felt partially responsible for her parents’ deaths in some twisted way.

  She didn’t appear convinced. “I think we’d come to the house to sneak in and get some more pot from my room.”

  “You kept pot in your bedroom?” Emily was right. Tara was there that night.

  “I was a teenager.” She frowned. “With very snoopy sisters, I knew how to hide things. I don’t think either one ever found it.”

  “What did you see outside?”

  Tara took a deep breath. “I don’t remember seeing my father, but I think I remember several men outside the house and having an overwhelming need to hide from them. I don’t know why—it was just a feeling. Something evil hovered. I remember telling my friend to run and that we needed to leave. I can still feel my hands pushing branches out of the way and smell the smoke.” A haunted look entered her eyes. “I didn’t see a fire. I don’t remember leaving or riding back to my friend’s home. The next morning I convinced myself it was just a dream. Then the police came before I asked my friend about it. Her reaction to the police was pure shock, so I knew she didn’t remember.”

  “Was your mother outside that night?”

  Tara frowned. “I never saw her. I heard she was asleep until Emily woke everyone.”

  “But Harlan saw you that night.”

  “He did. I didn’t know until he came to me two days later. By then I’d convinced myself I hadn’t been there, and I had a hard time believing his accusation.”

  “You’re lucky you’re alive. He has a habit of killing the people he believes can cause trouble for him.”

  Her face reddened, and she dropped her gaze.

  Oh shit.

  “You were involved with him,” he said flatly, his stomach churning at the thought. “He’s got to be twenty years older than you—and you were a kid.”

  “I was eighteen,” she snapped. “People looked at me as an adult—especially men. Do you know how many men had propositioned me by the time I was sixteen? Married men. Men old enough to be my grandfather.”

  “I’m sorry—”

  “Not your fault. But it made me view myself differently, you know? I believed they wanted me because I was special. The attention felt good. After a while I sought it out. At least Harlan wasn’t married.”

  “Harlan told you he saw you in the woods the night of your father’s death. Then what?”

  “He told me to leave town and never return, or he’d kill my sisters and mother.” Her gaze was steady, her voice monotone.

  That sounds like the Harlan I know.

  “You got a free pass because of your relationship.”

  “My life has not been a free pass.” Fire shone in her eyes. “Do you know what it’s like to believe the man you slept with murdered your father? And I fully believed he killed my mother until Emily told me otherwise—it still hasn’t sunk in that she committed suicide. Back then her death was the proof that he was serious. My sisters would be his next targets. As I got older, I knew my husband and my daughter could be targets.”

  “I find it hard to believe you simply packed up and left Bartonville.”

  One eyebrow rose. “That’s exactly what I did. When I told people I was leaving, no one seemed too surprised.” She forced a laugh. “I had a reputation as a wild child. A slut. My parents were at their wits’ end with me. People were happy to see me go.”

  “Your sisters weren’t happy. Neither were your aunts.”

  “Doesn’t matter now.” Her voice cracked and pain flashed.

  “Are you going to leave again?”

  “No,” she said firmly. “For the first time in twenty years, I feel like I can breathe. I no longer have to look over my shoulder or fear that my daughter will be killed.” She tipped her head, wonder in her eyes. “You have no idea how different the world looks to me today. I don’t know what to do with myself because I’m not focused on hiding. Two decades of ingrained thought patterns suddenly have no purpose. On one hand I feel free . . . on the other I’ve lost the impetus that drove my every action for years.”

  “You will find new things to strive for. Your sisters, your aunts, a new world for your daughter.”

  “I will, but it will take some getting used to. Bella deserves to know her family and vice versa, so we’ll spend lots of time here on the coast in the future. I’ve missed it.” Her face softened. “There’s nothing like the smell of the ocean. I’ve avoided the entire coast since I left.”

  “Your family will be glad to have you back.”

  “Emily and I have talked, and we have a lot of catching up to do. I’ve missed so much. When I thought Harlan was about to kill me on that overlook, I was angry. Angry that he’d made me lose my mother and father and then twenty years with the family I had left.”

  “Did Emily tell you she refused to search for you all that time?”

  “No.” Surprise registered in her eyes.

  “She was worried you were involved with your father’s death. She saw you outside that night, and then you left town. She was afraid to discover the truth of why you left.”

  Tara was silent.

  “Madison looked for you when she got older. She’d argue with Emily because she refused to help, but Emily never told Madison of her suspicions about your involvement.”

  “That’s a heavy burden to carry for two decades,” Tara whispered.

  “In a twisted bit of logic, she was trying to protect you.”

  Tara sniffed and wiped her eyes.

  “Both Madison and Emily are overjoyed to have you in their lives again. Bella too.”

  “They’re good sisters,” Tara said. Her gaze turned curious. “And what about you? Will you be around too?”

  He blinked. “I work in Portland.”

  She shot him a withering glance. “I’m asking about Emily. The air crackles whenever you two are in the same room.”

  He grinned. Apparently Tara spoke her mind like Emily did. “That’s up to her.”

  “Maybe you should persuade her.”

  “I’m working on it.”

  “Are you staying for tea?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  39

  “I hired two waitresses. I think they’ll work out,” Madison told Emily as they waited at the table for the aunts to finish up whatever surprise they were making in the kitchen for tea. Emily looked almost back to normal. She had crutches to keep the weight off her injured calf, and the bandage in her hair was gone. They’d shaved part of her scalp when they stitched up the cut from her accident, but her hair covered almost all of it.

  Madison had almost lost another sister. Twice.

  By the grace of God, she now had both.

  With Emily out of commission for the last two days, Madison had stepped up at the diner. She knew how to manage the restaurant, but this was the first time she’d relished the responsibility.

  An odd feeling.

  “The aunties said I only should hire one—a girl to take Lindsay’s shifts—because they’d cover the floor until you were back.” Madison smirked as she rolled her eyes, and Emily laughed.

  “Absolutely not,” agreed Emily. “They’re fine to fill in for a few hours here and there, but if they did it full-time, we’d be broke. They give away too much free food.”

  It was true. The aunts didn
’t like to charge families for all the kids’ meals or collect payment from friends they knew were struggling financially. “It’s just a little food. We can spare it,” they’d guiltily tell Madison when she caught them. The restaurant could spare food but not half of the day’s receipts.

  Madison relaxed in her chair and realized this was the first time in forever that a cloud of tension no longer hung between her and Emily. “You know, Em,” Madison began, but she stopped. Her throat had constricted as long-forgotten emotions started to flow. She licked her lips and pushed on. “I was scared to death when I saw you struggling on the edge with Harlan and Tara. It felt like the time I’d seen you slide down it when we were kids. All I could do that day was scream. I was helpless.”

  Emily listened, her full attention on Madison.

  “But this time I could do something, and I didn’t hesitate. Zander had told me to go meet the deputies coming up the road, but something told me to follow him instead. I’m glad I did.”

  “I was a split second from letting him fall,” admitted Emily. “I’m glad you were there.”

  The sisters studied each other, uncertain how to handle the fresh emotion between the two of them.

  Madison took a deep breath. “I was always so jealous of you.” Madison hadn’t realized she had something to say. Her words had come from nowhere.

  “Me?”

  “You were always so perfect. You looked out for everybody, especially me.” Now that she’d started, Madison couldn’t stop the eruption. “I pushed everyone away.”

  Emily dropped her gaze. “It hurts that you didn’t notice how your indifference affected me or the aunts,” she said softly. “It felt as if we weren’t worth caring about.”

  A wave of regret hit Madison. By protecting her heart, she’d hurt the people in her life. “I didn’t want my heart to be destroyed again,” she whispered. “First Dad, then Mom, and then Tara. It ripped me up inside. I thought it would be better if I wasn’t close to anyone again. Especially family. That way I’d never feel like my world was being devastated again.”

  Emily’s eyes were wet. “You were so young when they died. I can see why you felt that way.”

  “You were only three years older . . . but you handled it like an adult. I didn’t know how to do that.”

  “I had no choice but to stand up,” Emily said. “Everyone was gone. I had to protect you.”

  The women were silent for a long moment, holding each other’s gazes.

  The enormity of the years she’d lost hit Madison. Tara isn’t the only one who sacrificed her family.

  She hated the thought of being vulnerable. But to regain what she’d lost with her sisters, she would have to do just that and take the risk.

  I’ve got nothing to lose. And everything to gain.

  Madison smiled. “I’ve enjoyed being the boss at the diner. You should let me do it more often.”

  Indecision flashed in Emily’s eyes, and Madison bit her tongue to hold in her laughter. Her sister had always struggled to relinquish control. “Let me prove it.”

  Emily hesitated. “I can agree to that. Let’s see how it goes until I’m back on my feet.”

  “Did Tara say how long she was staying?” Madison asked, changing the subject before Emily could change her mind.

  “A few more days. It’s been nice to get to know Bella. And Wendy.”

  “Bella loves the mansion,” Madison told her. “She made me show her every inch.”

  “It’s like a castle to a little girl. But their home in Beaverton is very nice.” Emily gave a small frown. “Tara has been nagging me to spend a few weeks with them. Has she done that to you?”

  “She did,” Madison lied. “I can’t wait.” Tara had extended an open invitation to visit, but Madison noticed Tara had focused her energy on getting Emily to commit.

  Madison suspected she knew why.

  Emily looked past Madison, her face lighting up. Madison turned in her chair and saw Zander helping Tara into the room. She smirked.

  He is the reason Tara is striving to get Emily closer to Portland.

  The aunts swarmed the dining room at the same time, talking nonstop, their hands full with the tea things and plates of colorful cookies.

  “Macarons!” Madison’s mouth watered at the sight of the delicate French cookies. “Where did you get them?”

  “Simon,” Dory announced, her smile nearly as wide as her face.

  Zander helped Tara into a chair by Madison and then took the seat by Emily. They exchanged a pleased glance, and he leaned closer to ask a question, frustrating Madison as the aunts’ chatter kept her from eavesdropping.

  She started to shoot an annoyed look at her aunts but froze at the sight of the happy women’s smiles. I’m lucky to have aunts who chatter.

  She looked from Tara to Emily, her pride growing. And two sisters.

  There would be no more keeping everyone at arm’s length.

  They are worth it.

  “How are you feeling?” Zander asked Emily. Her blood warmed at the sound of his voice as his gaze held hers.

  “Better every day.”

  “We need to talk.”

  Her heart stuttered. Has he changed his mind? But there was no regret or concern on his face. He looked more relaxed than she’d ever seen him, his gray eyes serene and patient.

  Did my toes just curl?

  “Are you saying that the Fitch case is over?” she asked, curving her lips, remembering his promise to her in his SUV.

  “I am.” Satisfaction colored his words.

  “So now what?” Worry sparked. She had thought long and hard about whether she wanted a long-distance relationship, and the answer had eluded her. Driving back and forth for hours would wear on both of them.

  Is it worth trying?

  Tara.

  Emily’s gaze shot to her sister in conversation with Aunt Thea, a suspicion forming. “Tara wants me to spend a few weeks with her. Or more. She’s been very persistent about it.”

  Zander tipped his head. “You don’t say.”

  “Faking innocence doesn’t suit you.”

  “Getting you closer to Portland for a while was her idea. You’ll get to know her and Bella, and we can spend time together without me being on the clock.” He studied her face. “Will you do it?”

  “Yes.” Absolutely. She couldn’t stop her smile.

  “Good . . . and I found something you might be interested in.” He handed her a small, narrow box. “Madison told me how much it meant to you and your sisters. And Simon Rhoads helped me find it. You’re right . . . he’ll do anything for Dory—or you.”

  Emily took the box in apprehension. “You didn’t need to—”

  “It’s nothing.”

  His gaze was on the box, avoiding her eyes. It’s something.

  “I know the original was lost in the fire, but this one is close,” he said.

  She barely knew Zander Wells. She didn’t know where he had grown up, how he liked his steak, or what kind of music he enjoyed. But she knew him. She knew his character; he had integrity and honor and intelligence.

  He was a good man.

  She lifted the lid off the small white box and lost her breath. “Where did you find it?”

  “Like I said, Simon did most of the work. I asked him about it, and it became a mission for him.” He leaned closer.

  The bracelet of buttons in the box started to blur. She picked it up, examining each button. Someone had invested a lot of time and effort to make a very special bracelet.

  Damn, how I loved the original.

  This bracelet was so similar. But that wasn’t the important aspect. What was important was that Zander had listened and cared.

  She blinked away tears and studied him. A fresh vulnerability shone in his eyes.

  How did this happen so fast?

  “I need a date for a wedding this summer,” he finally said, holding her gaze.

  “Ava’s?” Emily had hoped to see the agent again.


  “Will you go with me? She’d be thrilled to see you.”

  “Is that what you want?” she asked, an undertone in her question, her heart in her throat.

  “Absolutely.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thank you to Colleen Lindsay and Anh Schluep, who helped me brainstorm the skeleton of this story, and to Charlotte Herscher, who supervised the addition of the flesh.

  My readers have begged for a book for Zander Wells since his first appearance in my Callahan & McLane series, and I’m excited that I found a way to make that happen.

  Thank you to all the usual suspects on my Montlake team. I count my blessings every day that I work with the most innovative publishing house in the world.

  Thank you so much to my partner in crime Melinda Leigh, who patiently listens to me moan and groan when the words won’t come and always suggests I blow something up when my plot gets stuck.

  WANT TO LEARN HOW ZANDER, MASON, AND AVA MET? READ THE FIRST CHAPTER OF VANISHED, THE FIRST BOOK IN THE CALLAHAN & MCLANE SERIES

  Mason Callahan hadn’t seen Josie in three months.

  The leanness of her face and the indentations above her collarbones told him she’d lost weight. In a bad way.

  Time hadn’t been kind to her, and the scabbed sores on her cheeks hinted that meth was probably the new love of her life.

  There’d been a time when he’d fought a bit of an attraction to the woman.

  She’d been sweet and eager to please, a pretty woman in a wholesome-country-song sort of way.

  She and Mason shared a rural background and a similar taste in music that’d made her more enjoyable than his other confidential informants.

  But now she’d never work with him again.

  His fingers tightened on the brim of the cowboy hat in his hand, and he swallowed hard at the sight of her contorted body on the floor of the bathroom in her cramped apartment.

  Anger abruptly blurred his vision. Someone had taken a baseball bat to her skull. The murder weapon was dumped in the shower, blood and hair sticking to the bat.

  “Holy mother of God,” muttered his partner, Ray Lusco.

  The two detectives had spent several years responding to brutal crimes as part of the Oregon State Police’s Major Crimes Unit. But this was the first time they’d both known the victim. Josie’s murder wouldn’t be their case.