Bailey Scott was pretty, all right. Just his type with all that long dark hair and dark eyes. Her figure had looked sweet as well in that sundress she’d been wearing.
Late husband.
She was a widow. She seemed so young but that didn’t mean she couldn’t have lost a husband. Maybe in the war.
“So is she?” Josh prompted.
Chase pulled his head out of his ass. He was daydreaming and it was a bad habit.
“Is she what?
“Pretty. Is she pretty?”
Josh was looking at him like he was stupid, which he had to admit might be the case.
Chase took a big bite of pizza, the flavors exploding on his tongue. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t know how to get a hold of her.”
“So she is nice looking,” Josh stated with a grin.
She was but Chase would never see her again. It was just as well because the last thing he needed in his life was to think about Gwen.
Josh was right. It had happened years ago and he needed to stop thinking about it.
Let that poor girl rest in peace.
Bailey’s phone was ringing when she stepped into her hotel room. Williamsburg was popular with tourists so she’d had plenty of choice when it came to lodging and food. Pressing a button, she had Willow on the line.
“How’s it going?” the other woman asked. “By the way, Peyton’s here with me too.”
“Hey,” Peyton’s sing-song voice emanated from the speaker. “So, did you go to the summer camp? What was it like? Did you see anything?”
“It went south quickly,” Bailey groaned as she slid onto the bed, her head hitting a down pillow. “I got my ass royally kicked. The land owner was there and he escorted me off his property before I could see anything. Though before he did he said that he knew Gwen but he wouldn’t say anything else. What do I do now? I went there with no plan, no cover story. I should have prepared better.”
“Tell him the truth,” Peyton urged. “Maybe he’ll be sympathetic.”
“I can’t go back there,” Bailey snorted. “Orange is not my color.”
“How did he even know you were there?” Willow asked. “I thought the place was deserted.”
“Apparently he has nosy neighbors. He said there are no secrets around there.”
“What’s Plan B then?”
Right now, Bailey didn’t know what to say. She’d wanted to come here to see if there was any connection between Gwen Baxter’s death and Frank’s but she didn’t have a clue as to what she was doing. She was no amateur detective. This was not her skill set and she’d dragged Willow and Peyton in to her harebrained scheme. At least she hadn’t brought them with her.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I don’t have a Plan B. I don’t know what I’m doing here or even how to go about this.”
Willow and Peyton were uncharacteristically quiet.
“None of us knows,” Willow pointed out after a bit of silence. “We’ll figure this out together. This isn’t all your responsibility, you know. I want answers, Bailey. A few days ago, I thought I knew everything about Alex and his death. Now I’m not so sure. Like you, I need to know if his death is in any way connected to Gwen’s.”
Frustrated, Bailey shook her head, forgetting her friends couldn’t see her. “I don’t know how to find that out. I came here thinking there would be answers but I wasn’t being realistic. They’re not going to just fly out of the ground or the trees when I walk by.”
“Thank goodness, that would be scary,” Peyton giggled. “Bailey, it’s okay. I didn’t think you had some super secret decoder ring that was going to tell us what to do. It would have been cool but I figured we’d have to find our way.”
“I don’t know what to do next,” Bailey admitted, feeling suddenly tired and more than a little helpless.
“I do,” Willow declared, certainty in her tone. “You have to go back to that summer camp. You need to talk to that property owner. He said he knew Gwen. Maybe he knew our husbands as well.”
“The answers aren’t at the camp. We know that. I doubt I’ll see anything that will tell us what happened.”
“But if you go back, the neighbors will tell on you again and you’ll get another visit from the owner. Talk to him. Throw yourself on his mercy. Give him the sob story of the century. But for heaven’s sake, get him to talk. If he knew Gwen, he’s our first clue.”
“He might throw me out on my ear.”
Willow laughed. “I’m not above offering him money for his information. Find out his price and I’ll have a check to him in the overnight mail.”
Bailey had a feeling that Chase was the kind of man that couldn’t be bought. He had that air about him. Alpha, in charge, and unconquerable. Bossy and annoying. Just the kind of man that she avoided. Men like that were always throwing their weight around and trying to tell her what to do.
“I’ll go back right after dinner,” Bailey sighed in resignation. “If I get caught again I guess I can say I wanted to see the sunset over the James River.”
Bailey wasn’t so sure about this scheme. This plan of theirs had more holes in it than a miniature golf course but it was the best they could do. She really did want to see the scene of the crime although she knew it wouldn’t help them find the connection. She didn’t know why it was important to her but it was. Maybe she thought she might see something there that reminded her of Frank? Not likely.
“He doesn’t look like a stupid man,” Bailey said wryly. “I think he probably does expect me to try again. He might be on the lookout.”
“What does he look like?” Peyton asked. “You have a strange tone in your voice when you talk about him.”
Bailey shifted uncomfortably on the mattress thinking about the way he’d looked her up and down. Had he liked what he’d seen? The question shouldn’t even come up because that wasn’t what she was here for. This was about getting the truth. Besides, she was a shambles when it came to men. She’d been married and now a widow and she was still shy and hesitant when it came to the opposite sex. She’d never really understood men and certainly never felt comfortable being herself around them.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Willow sputtered with laughter. “I think you do. But you didn’t answer the question. Is he handsome?”
“He’s not ugly but he’s probably married with six kids and a cocker spaniel.”
“What if he isn’t?” Willow challenged. “Be nice. Invite him for dinner. Maybe he’ll tell you about Gwen Baxter.”
“I don’t need a date,” Bailey denied, feeling the heat suffuse her cheeks. “Least of all some guy who lives a thousand miles from me.”
“Hon, you are more uptight than anyone ought to be allowed,” Willow declared with a chuckle. “You definitely need a date and soon. Have you dated much since…?”
Bailey didn’t even have to answer; she knew the silence said it all. “Have you? What about you, Peyton? Have either of you dated? Because I have a feeling I’m not alone here.”
Willow sighed in defeat. “Okay, I haven’t either. But I’m not nearly as high-strung as you are.”
“I haven’t either,” Peyton offered softly. “But then I haven’t had much luck with men. I think I’m better off without them.”
The three women sat in silence for a moment before Bailey made her excuses and ended the call. She had a few things to do before she could head back to the summer camp. This quest had barely begun. There was so much more to learn.
Chapter Eight
Chase and Josh were sitting out on the front porch enjoying the cool night air when they saw it. He shouldn’t have been surprised. He might have run the lady off of the property earlier in the day but she’d seemed rather determined.
Flashlight.
“Son of a bitch.”
Joshua lifted his feet from the railing where they’d been resting and placed them on the floor, sitting up straight. “Is that a light down there?”
“Yes,” Chase
growled in frustration. He’d been having a nice evening and now he was going to have to deal with that woman again. She seemed pleasant enough – pretty too – but this time he wouldn’t let her get away with that lame-ass story as to why she was here. He wanted the truth. “Dammit, I had a feeling she wouldn’t give up.”
Both Josh and Chase’s homes were built up on a small hill that looked down on the banks of the James River. The sun had just set and from his vantage point, he could easily see the flashlight in the distance.
“You have to admire her determination,” Josh laughed as they hurried over to Chase’s house to grab his gun. He doubted the woman was packing heat but one could never be too careful in the woods at night.
“I don’t have to admire anything. She’s a menace to society.”
“Want me to come with you?”
Chase nodded and the two headed off down the trail that led to the river, trying to keep as quiet as possible. He intended to give the woman a little scare so hopefully she would learn her lesson. He didn’t have the time or patience for this shit.
Well…technically he had the time.
He could hear the crackle of grass under her feet along with the crickets and he paused, raising his hand so Josh would do the same. She might be cute but she also might be crazy. She was muttering to herself and it sounded like a complete back and forth conversation.
“This doesn’t exactly match the picture,” she said at first.
“But it’s been years,” she went on. “Things could have changed.”
A rustling in the grass and then more talking. “I think this is where he pointed. She would have been found right here. Could they hear your screams up at the camp, Gwen? Or had he lured you all the way out here so no one could hear you? Did you know what was happening to you? Were you scared?”
Chase had heard enough. They were all questions he’d pondered in his own mind. Stepping forward, he swept his own flashlight across the small clearing and over her face.
“Actually, you can hear screams from here all the way to the camp. You can also hear them at my house up on the hill. You can see a flashlight too.”
The gorgeous brunette had been quiet so far but she sighed and rubbed the back of her neck, her teeth sinking into her full bottom lip. “I swear I’m really not trying to cause any trouble. I just figured your neighbors would tell you I was out here. I really want to talk to you.”
“Why?”
She looked up at him, her earnest expression illuminated by the flashlight. “I’m here looking for the truth about my late husband. I know you have no reason to believe me but I swear I’m not here to cause trouble. I just want the truth.”
He looked at Bailey for a long time as she stared at her feet before glancing at Josh who had a smile playing on his lips. For once, Chase was going to trust his gut.
“I believe you.”
The brunette’s head jerked up and her eyes widened in surprise. “You do?”
“Is there a reason I shouldn’t? I heard what you were talking about and it does seem like you are truly interested in Gwen’s murder. My question is why. And don’t try and give me any stories or half-truths. What does your late husband have to do with Gwen? It’s time for the truth or I call the cops and you spend the night in jail. Your choice.”
“I’ll tell you but you won’t believe it.”
“Try me.”
The brunette smacked at her arm and hissed. Mosquitos. “Can we go inside somewhere? I’m getting eaten alive.”
Should he trust her inside of his home?
If he and Josh couldn’t handle this little bit of a woman they ought to turn in their man-card. Unless of course she was armed.
“Are you carrying any weapons?”
Bailey groaned and rolled her eyes. “I’m not even carrying any bug spray and I locked my purse in the car. I’m truly defenseless here and I think I’m the one who is being trusting, not the other way around.” Suddenly she frowned and looked him up and down. “Are you carrying any weapons?”
Chase patted the back of his belt where he’d tucked the revolver. “Yes, ma’am. But I don’t intend to use it except for self-defense.”
“I’m harmless. I hope like hell you are too.”
That remained to be seen.
When they returned to Josh’s home, he offered Bailey a slice of pizza, which she declined. Introductions were made all around as she hadn’t formally met Josh yet. He then offered her a beer, which she also declined but she did accept a ginger ale as they settled into his living room. She seemed wary and for good reason. She was in a strange man’s house with one other man and Chase was certain she was questioning the wisdom of being here.
“Do you want to start?”
Bailey took a deep breath and scooted to the edge of the couch cushion, placing her drink on the coffee table. “I guess I will. It all started at a party for charity a few nights ago. I’m from Midnight Blue Beach in Florida. It’s on the Gulf Coast around the Clearwater area and the party was for the local children’s charity. Anyway, there was a kitchen fire…”
Chase listened as Bailey explained, interjecting funny but strange details every now and then. As the story progressed he found himself in disbelief. It was too far-fetched to be true but the woman seemed completely serious. Even Josh, who had flicked a glance or two Chase’s way, was engrossed in the tale. But could it possibly be true? What were the odds? They had to be astronomical.
Bailey looked around the room as she began to wind down her story, her gaze finally resting on Chase. “So I decided to come here. I guess you could say we hadn’t thought it through much, if at all. I– I mean, we just want the truth. It seems to be too much of a coincidence that they all died on the same day. If our husbands’ deaths have a connection to hers, we want to know. I need to know.”
Not sure how to respond, he tried to make sense of what he’d heard. His emotions were all over the place and he didn’t quite know how to deal with them. First, there was some shame that he’d admired the attractiveness of a widow. Sure, she’d been single for five years but he still didn’t think it was a cool thing to do. Second, it was hard to believe that they’d found each other by accident. Bailey had explained about Chaos Theory and the Butterfly Effect but he still had his doubts. Perhaps their meeting had been planned in some way, by a third party? Thirdly, their husbands’ deaths had all been ruled accidents. They were nothing like Gwen’s which made any connection suspect at best.
But he had to admit she had a compelling tale. If he’d been in her shoes, he would have been out there looking for the murder scene too.
Chase cleared his throat and stood, playing for time. Josh was watching him closely and he had a sneaking suspicion he was only quiet because Chase was.
“That is…something,” he finally said, not wanting to appear not to believe them. He did believe them. Her sincerity was clear to anyone but that didn’t mean that the whole situation didn’t fuck with his head.
Josh scraped his fingers through his hair. “What my friend is trying to say is that is the strangest story we’ve ever heard.”
Bailey slapped the arm of the couch with her hand, her lips pressed together. “Are you calling me a liar?”
Shaking his head, Josh smiled. “No, I am not. For some strange reason, I believe you. Or at least, I believe that you believe it. You know we can check your facts, right?”
Bailey stood and walked to the window. “I do and I invite you to do so. We’re telling the truth. Listen, we’re having a difficult time with it ourselves if you must know. The only thing that made it something we could deal with at the time was massive amounts of booze. We handled it by being drunk but I’m stone cold sober now and facing the possibility that everything I thought I knew about my husband just might not be true.” Her dark brown eyes glistened with unshed tears. “How would you feel if that was your reality?”
Something about the anguish in her tone and expression got to Chase in a way he hadn’t experienc
ed in a long time. His chest tightened painfully and he had an overwhelming urge to put his arms around her and tell her everything was going to be okay. What a crock. He had no idea if it would be or not but her plight tugged at what was left of his heart. This woman wanted the truth and if he were honest, that’s what he wanted too. He’d wondered about Gwen’s death for years, never finding any answers. Now he had a life-size clue standing in his living room. There was a chance these women’s husbands were the key to solving Gwen’s murder. He’d be a fool to turn them away.
“I’ll help you,” he said, hearing her gasp with surprise. “I’ll tell you about that night and about Gwen.”
Chapter Nine
Bailey took a few deep breaths to try and slow down her racing heart. She hadn’t realized how much she’d been hoping for Chase to help her. Frankly, she hadn’t known where to turn or what to do and any information that he gave her could put them one step closer to finding the truth.
“My family has owned this summer camp since the 1950s,” Chase began, settling himself into a chair across from Bailey. “As long as I can remember I spent my summers here first with my grandparents and then when I was ten or so, my parents took over.”
He paused and Bailey had to hold her tongue to keep from urging him to continue. He would in his own time and she needed to be patient.
For once in her life.
“I was fifteen the summer Gwen was killed. It was near the end of camp and there was only a few more days left. I helped my parents out quite a bit. Setting up craft classes, and cleaning up sports equipment, stuff like that so I was around her more than the other kids my age. We weren’t friends but she didn’t have her nose in the air all the time like so many of those kids. They all came from wealthy families and they all thought they were better than me. My parents were basically servants to them. But Gwen wasn’t like that. She treated everyone decently.”
“That must have made for a long summer,” Josh observed. “Did you have any friends?”
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