Lorna leaned against the kitchen counter and sipped her coffee. From the moment she woke up this morning she’d tried to focus on how to move forward. This wasn’t like solving the mystery of the two women back at her house on the ocean. For them, a hundred years had already passed and a little more time didn’t matter. It all mattered for Alida, every single second, and she didn’t want to waste one more. “Do you think Grant would have a problem if we looked around their house?”
Thea tipped her head from side to side for a second, her lips pressed together, then said, “I don’t think so.”
A user’s manual for this psychic thing would be so helpful. But she didn’t have one and was forced to navigate her preternatural skills all by herself. Being in Alida’s space, touching her things—well, it could spark something. “I honestly have no idea if it’ll make a damn bit of difference, but maybe something will speak to me, if you catch my drift.”
Thea nodded. “I do, and I think it’s a pretty good idea.”
A decided lack of enthusiasm sounded in Thea’s voice, yet it was the best idea she could come up with. “You don’t sound convinced.”
Thea had her arms wrapped around her body. “It’s not that. I really do think it’s worth a shot. I just don’t think Grant had anything to do with this. He might have trouble keeping his zipper up, and I hate that about him. I don’t hate him though, and I don’t believe he hurt Alida. Does that make sense?”
Grant’s feelings didn’t matter. Lorna had never thought Grant was a bad guy either, and despite his moral failings, from everything Thea had told her so far, he sounded as though he was in genuine despair over Alida’s disappearance. Maybe he was and maybe he wasn’t. It remained to be seen, and she was more than willing to hurt his feelings if it would help bring her friend home. It was by far the best idea she had right now and she wanted to act on it.
“It does, and I get your hesitation. I’m not trying to poke into Grant’s head. I’m trying to get a handle on what to do with the psychic thingy that seems like a bad rash I can’t cure. I don’t know how it works or how to make it work, so I’m trying everything. Maybe something at the house will speak to me.”
Thea picked up a coffee mug and turned it around and around between her hands. “I see where you’re going.” She met Lorna’s eyes. “I’m sure Grant will be fine with it.”
“Wanna give him a call?” She didn’t want to waste any time because time was working against them.
Thea nodded and, for the first time since the conversation started, looked and sounded all in. “Let’s do this.”
She made the call, and five minutes later they were in the car heading toward Long Lake. Lorna had a strong feeling this was the right thing to do and that something out there would help them find Alida.
*
“So, what do you think, Kyle? What do I have on my hands?” Katie asked after she’d spent at least five minutes describing Alida’s disappearance.
“You do realize you’re asking me for a professional opinion without seeing any case history, files, or interviews?”
She could picture him at his desk with his red hair slightly disheveled and one hand tapping a pen. “Blah, blah, blah. You love a great puzzler, and this, my dear brother, is definitely a puzzler.”
He sighed loudly, and she actually heard the plop of the pen as it dropped to the desktop. “All right, you’ve piqued my interest, but you knew you would the second you made the call.”
Of course she knew. Kyle was a sucker for anything mystery related. The mystery of the human psyche was one of the things that drew him to his profession. Darned helpful for her too on more than one occasion. She was really hoping this would be one of those instances where he could provide assistance that would draw her closer to a resolution. “I am a deputy sheriff, after all. I’ve got skills. Seriously, though, Kyle. What do you think? Any bits of insight would really help. So far I’ve got nothing and the clock is ticking.”
She could almost see the wheels turning in his head as the phone grew silent. Others might interpret his silence as rude, but she knew he was running everything she told him through the computer that was his brain. He was processing and all she had to do was wait. “Is she the only woman who’s gone missing?”
She’d thought of that too and already checked her records. “The only one in my county.”
“Not what I asked. Broaden your horizons, sister. What about in the city? How about Stevens County or Kootenai County? Might as well cross state lines. Killers do.”
He might live halfway across the country, but he still knew his hometown geography. She was part of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department, and her jurisdiction was the county, not the city. She’d need to check with some of her pals at the Spokane Police Department. Same thing with Stevens County law enforcement. Since southern Stevens County was close enough to be a bedroom community to Spokane, it often felt like it was part of Spokane County. Kootenai County was in Idaho but just a skip and a jump from the Spokane Valley. As she knew he would, Kyle made some good points, and she was a little embarrassed she hadn’t checked on those earlier.
“I’ll jump on that as soon as we’re done here.” In fact, she was already clicking away at her keyboard while she held the phone between her ear and shoulder.
“Think about it, Katie. Your missing person might not be his only victim.”
His reference was subtle, but she knew him well enough to catch it. It also echoed her own thoughts. “You don’t think she’s alive.” She wasn’t asking him a question.
“As much as I hate to say it, I don’t. Anything’s possible, and she could certainly still be, but I wonder if this was his one and only. Feels like he’s done this before, although in all fairness, sis, I’d need to look at your files. It’s hard to give you much of an expert opinion without the facts. This is all supposition.”
“I know how helpful it would be if you had my files in front of you, Kyle, but it’s just not possible right now. I appreciate what you’re giving me, and I realize this isn’t how you do things. I just wanted to get your gut feeling on this. It’s the weirdest case I’ve ever had to investigate.”
“Tell you what, email me what you can and I’ll take a more in-depth look. I’ll call you back with whatever else I might glean. Don’t know if I can help much, but I’m happy to try.”
The fact that he had her back took some weight off her shoulders. Asking Vince or one of the others for help wasn’t out of the question, yet if she could possibly avoid that course, she would. “Thanks. I appreciate the help, and as soon as I can, I’ll email you the info.”
“Can’t promise how fast I can get back to you. Between classes and sessions, I’m pretty well booked today.”
“Whatever works for you. I know what an imposition this is.”
“And that would be different from any other day how exactly?”
“Love you, bro.” She did too. Even when they were young he’d made time for her no matter what else was going on. As adults it was the same. He was always there for her and it made her heart full.
His sigh was exaggerated. “Love you too, you little brat. Now, I’ve got a classroom packed with students eagerly awaiting my lecture on abnormal psych, and you’ve got a missing person to find.”
Chapter Ten
Thea pulled into the driveway and a giant wave of emotion washed over her, nearly dragging her into a new rush of tears. Right on the water, the familiar house on Shore Drive was as beautiful as ever, especially the lush expanse of grass that flowed from the back of the house to the neatly tended beach. How many hours had she and Alida spent stretched out on the beach soaking up sunshine and sipping lemonade? They talked, they shared, and they laughed. Coming here had always filled her with joy until now.
The homes along this stretch of lake rarely came up for sale, and so when this one did, Grant and Alida rushed to pick it up. The housewarming party turned out to be delightful, and she still recalled how happy it made her that nigh
t.
What had happened along the way? She’d give anything to find a soul mate, even as corny as that sounded. She really thought that’s what Grant and Alida found in each other, only that wasn’t the way it appeared to have worked out. They started out with such promise only to veer onto a path littered with lies and betrayal. Now, they were both paying the price.
Grant was standing in the doorway waiting for them. He’d probably been staring out the window since she called. His normally perfect hair didn’t look like it had seen a comb lately, and deep, dark circles ringed his eyes. Despite his indiscretions, she’d be shocked if he was responsible for Alida’s disappearance. He might be a hound dog, but he still loved his wife. For some reason that made her feel better.
“Come in,” he said as he stood back and held the door open for them. When the door was shut, he turned and looked at Lorna. “Thank you for coming.”
Lorna studied him intently. “I’ll try to help any way I can.”
He nodded. “I appreciate that. Alida always loved you.” His eyes filled with tears. “What do you need?”
With a shrug, Lorna said, “I honestly don’t know. Would it be okay if I just wandered around?”
He nodded again, somberly. “Absolutely. Go anywhere. The whole house is open to you.”
Thea looked at Lorna. “We’ll wait for you here. It might be better if you have silence while you do this.”
Lorna slowly walked around the room and then went out the door toward the kitchen. Thea moved to the window and looked out at the lake. All she could think of was how much she’d enjoyed her afternoons on the beach with Alida. How she wished they could be out there now, sitting side by side, talking and laughing.
“Do you think she’ll be able to help?”
Thea turned and studied Grant. Again she was struck by the deep dark circles under his eyes. He was a handsome man who looked as though he’d aged a decade in the last few days. “What happened between you two? Why did you turn away from each other?”
His head dropped and he took several long, deep breaths. When he spoke his words were shaky. “I’ve asked myself that same question for days.”
“And?”
He didn’t look at her. “It was the baby.”
The baby? “What do mean?” She must have heard him wrong. No way in hell would Alida get pregnant and not let her know.
His head came up and he studied her. “She never told you.”
“I don’t understand.” She wasn’t stupid but none of this was making sense.
Softly he explained. “A year ago, Alida was pregnant and she lost the baby.”
“What!” No way. Alida would have confided in her. The idea she wouldn’t didn’t play for her. They were always each other’s number-one confidante.
He closed his eyes and tears slid down his cheeks. “She was high risk and didn’t want to say anything, even to you, until she passed the danger point.” He blew out a long breath. “She didn’t make it, and when she lost the baby she was devastated. I’ve never seen her so distraught, and I couldn’t blame her because so was I. I really wanted that child.”
She thought back, surprised to recall days when Alida had seemed distant. At the time she’d passed it off as the stress of a hectic job. She’d been so entrenched in her own business she didn’t give it much thought. Her heart hurt to think her sister had suffered silently in so much pain and that she, the one person who should have been there for her, had been oblivious. Guilt washed over her as she realized how much her own oblivion had let her down.
Anger edged the guilt as she stared at Grant. “You blamed her for losing the baby.”
Slowly he nodded. “I tried not to and yet it would come out. Intellectually I knew it was just the way things are and no one was to blame. Emotionally I lashed out at her and she at me.”
She hated him at this moment, probably because it was easier to feel hate than the hurt that wanted to wrap around her. Alida had shut her out and that made her incredibly sad. “You should have been there for her.”
Grant sank to the arm of the sofa and ran his hands over his face as if to rub away the deep fatigue. “Yes, I should have. We should have supported each other, but we couldn’t seem to. Each of us was so wrapped up in our own pain we turned away. We both did things we weren’t proud of.”
“That’s what prompted the affairs.”
He nodded again. “We both turned to others trying to find a way to ease the pain. I’m ashamed of my behavior, and I know she was too.” He took Thea’s hands in his. “You have to understand. We were hurt and lost, but in the end we found our way back to each other. We were healing and we were moving forward. Then this…”
*
Lorna appreciated that Thea and Grant left her alone. Grant was a bit of a surprise. She’d only met him once, at Alida’s wedding. Since then, the few times she’d seen Alida, he hadn’t been there to dampen the free speech of three old friends.
Today she wasn’t worried about censorship, though she expected it from Grant. It was his house, after all, and his wife who was missing. If he wanted to follow her around she wouldn’t have objected, even if she didn’t like it. This way was easier for her. She didn’t know what she was looking for or what would be important. She was fishing, and it was easier to concentrate without the distraction of Thea or Grant.
After half an hour of wandering through the main floor, nothing gave her so much as a tingle. It was a tidy, comfortable space that reminded her of Alida. Though elegant, expensive homes flanked it on either side, her house was warm and inviting, like her friend. No pretense or showmanship.
Disappointed that now, of all times, her so-called psychic powers appeared to be abandoning her, she climbed the staircase to the second level. It was lovely and welcoming here as well. Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an open loft area that Alida used as a studio. How was it possible she’d managed to forget Alida was a painter? No matter where they went or what they were doing back when they were kids, Alida always had her sketchpad and charcoal pencils. Her talent was evident even in grade school, and Lorna was still jealous of her natural artistry. She’d kill for even a tenth of that ability, but she couldn’t even draw a decent stickman.
On the easel by the big picture window sat a partially completed landscape. The colors were rich and deep, just as the sunsets here often were. Obviously her skill as an artist had grown over the years. Even partially completed the painting was gorgeous. As she stood staring at it, tears gathered in her eyes.
“Where are you, Alida? Where are you?” Her whispered questions hung in the air, and for a long moment she held her breath, waiting. But nothing happened and no voice came to her.
With a trembling hand, she reached out to touch the unfinished canvas.
The light in the studio was bright, the sun outside high and intense. Alida stood before the canvas, a paintbrush in one hand, staring at the barely started picture. Twice she dipped the brush in the paint and moved the color across the canvas. Then she stopped and closed her eyes.
“You can’t be here,” she said without turning or opening her eyes.
No one else was in the room, and then a voice came from the open door. “I had to see you.”
“Don’t.”
“I can’t give you up.”
“I told you never to step foot in this room, and I meant it.”
Still no face appeared in the doorway, just a soft male voice from the hallway beyond.
“I love you.”
Her laugh was harsh. “No, you don’t love anyone but yourself. You just want to possess me. Now go. I won’t have you here in my home.”
For a moment nothing happened, and then the whisper of retreating footsteps wafted through the air. Alida didn’t move for a long time. Finally she dipped the brush into the paint once again and, as she sobbed, slashed dark-red strokes from side to side.
Lorna let her hand drop from the canvas and stood staring for a long time at the painting. The sunset that ha
d seemed so beautiful when she first walked into the room now appeared ominous. While she’d missed it at first glance, now she could detect the strength of emotion that hijacked a soothing picture and morphed it into a scream of pain. She hadn’t seen the face of the man who came to Alida that day, but something about the voice was familiar. Not one she recognized, although she might have heard it somewhere before. Even if she’d never heard it before, she would recognize it if she ever heard it again.
*
Every time Katie tried to take ten minutes and follow up on what Kyle had posited, somebody came up with a case that needed her immediate attention or a question on procedure or help with a report. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she completely forgot she was scheduled to be in court right after lunch as a prosecution witness. That was a giant pain in the ass because right now she didn’t want to be bothered. Couldn’t afford the time away from the Canwell case.
But not showing up wasn’t an option if she wanted to keep her job, and she did. So, right after lunch she put on her jacket and headed up to her assigned courtroom. With any luck, it would go quickly and she could get back to work.
Of course it didn’t. Painfully slow was an apt description, and it was almost four thirty before she got back to her desk. The case in court went well, but if she’d ever wondered how many ways the same question could be asked, her curiosity was satisfied several times over during the course of the marathon hearing. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to repeat that adventure soon, and definitely not in front of that judge. Not her favorite.
Back at her desk at long last, she listened to the messages on her phone, disappointed that not one of them was from Thea. One from Vince, one from a Spokane Police Department detective, and three from Brandon. The latter made her groan. His puppy crush was getting old. Her chin resting on her palm, she stared at the phone. Why did the absence of that one call make her feel so discouraged?
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