“I just thought about it. It was around the time Brandon and I decided not to get married. Maybe Derek wasn’t happy with Brandon backing out of the engagement. I tried to tell Derek I was perfectly fine with the decision. I think Brandon and I were friends who decided to date so we wouldn’t be so lonely.”
“Have you come up with anyone?” Colin asked J.T., feeling more and more out of his element. He wasn’t a detective, and yet something drove him to help Emma, as though they were in a race and the loser could possibly die, too.
“I’ve been looking into his partner. Money is often the cause of murder.”
“But the partnership doesn’t go to Marcus. I inherit my brother’s shares of the company.”
“Yeah, I know, but something doesn’t add up with the company. Marcus has a few friends who are…unsavory.”
Emma jerked forward. “What do you mean?”
“Madison’s checking around.”
“Do you think my brother was involved in something illegal?”
The astonishment in Emma’s voice mirrored his own. The developing picture of her brother wasn’t of a nice, kind man, but Colin hadn’t thought of Derek as being crooked. In fact, her brother had seemed like a man trying to put his life in order, to make something worthwhile of it.
J.T. frowned. “I don’t know. Just a few anomalies that we’re checking out.”
Emma sank back on the couch again, rubbing the place where a small bandage still covered her wound. Exhaustion carved deep lines into her face. This had been a long, emotion-filled day.
Colin slipped his hand over hers on the cushion. “Please keep us informed, J.T.”
“Will do. Have you remembered anything else, Emma?”
“Not much. I think one of the men was about six feet tall and thin. I’m not even sure that’s right.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” J.T. stood. “We’re checking out any strangers in the area, but that description will fit a lot of men.”
Colin chuckled. “Good luck. Isn’t the fishing derby starting in a few days?”
“Yup, which hasn’t made the task an easy one. Emma, if you remember anything at all, please call me day or night. You never know what might be important.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Colin followed J.T. from the den.
“How’s she really doing?” J.T. asked at the front door.
Colin lowered his voice, aware at how attuned Emma was becoming to sounds. “As to be expected, she’s hurting and trying to deal with it, herself.”
“She’s lucky that she has you looking out for her. You haven’t seen anything suspicious, have you?”
“You’ll be the first to know. I will tell you that she felt someone was watching her today at the cabin.”
“I’ll have one of my deputies check it out. But it’s probably nothing. I can’t see the murderers returning to that cabin. They either got what they came for or there was nothing there in the first place.”
“Yeah, it was a mess. I’m kind of glad Emma didn’t have to see that.”
J.T. opened the front door. “Take care. See you tomorrow at church.”
After the sheriff left, Colin stood for a moment in his aunt’s foyer. Seeing that cabin today brought back memories of another time in his life, a time he had wanted to forget. He stared down at his hands. They shook. He could remember killing with them and the torment that had plagued him as though a piece of his soul had been ripped from him.
Lord, I can’t be pulled back into the past. It nearly destroyed me once. I feel You want me to help Emma, but the price may be too high.
EIGHT
Drained both physically and emotionally, Emma laid her head on the back cushion of the couch in the den and stared up at the ceiling, not caring at the moment that all she saw was darkness. How could her brother have so many enemies? It was as though their father had infected him with his ruthlessness. For the first time she really appreciated the fact that she had been raised by her mother.
“Are you all right?” Colin asked, his deep, reassuring voice penetrating her thoughts.
Emma straightened on the couch. “I’m fi—” she stopped, deciding she couldn’t pretend she was okay. “No, I’m not all right. It isn’t every day a person discovers what her brother was really like.”
Colin sat next to her, taking her hand within his. “No one is perfect. Your brother had his strengths and weaknesses as we all do. What you’ve discovered these past few days doesn’t change that he loved you very much and was good to you and for you. That can’t be taken away.”
“But look at the lives he ruined. Jerry’s wife tried to commit suicide because of Derek.”
“I suspect there’s more to that story. Usually one incident doesn’t drive a person to suicide. There are other circumstances involved. Probably ones your brother had nothing to do with.”
“Still, the glimpses I’ve seen of Derek don’t fit my picture of him.”
“And you want that picture back?”
“Yes. Desperately.”
His hand about hers tightened. “Focus on Derek’s good. He obviously didn’t like what was happening to him or he wouldn’t have quit working for your father.”
“But there could be irregularities at the company he started with Marcus?”
“We don’t know that for sure. And even if there are, did your brother know about them? What if his partner is crooked?”
“What if Derek found out?”
“That could be a motive for murder.”
Emma trembled. Another person who could have wanted her brother dead. The list just gets longer and I don’t even know if we have everyone on it. “What time is it? I heard Grace go upstairs a while ago.”
“You did? You’re getting quite good at hearing things most of us tune out. It’s ten-thirty. I’d better call it a night. Got a long day tomorrow.”
Emma wasn’t sure she would be able to sleep, but she wouldn’t keep Colin up. She rose, stretching her cramped muscles from sitting so long on the couch. “Will you walk me to my room?”
“Why, it would be my pleasure.”
She settled her hand on his arm right above his elbow. “Lead the way. If I did, I’m so tired that I’d probably run us into a wall.”
“How’s getting around the house going?” Colin guided her around the coffee table then toward the door that led to the hallway.
“Good thing I can’t see my legs. They have to be black-and-blue. But today I only ran into one piece of furniture. Much better than yesterday.”
At the door to her bedroom, Colin paused. “I like your attitude.”
“I finally decided self-pity wouldn’t help me. Besides, Grace wouldn’t let me feel sorry for myself. She’s quite a woman.”
“Yeah, we’re lucky to have her as part of our family.”
“Thank you, Colin.” She reached up to cup his cheek.
“What for?”
“For being here for me.” She placed her free hand along the other cheek, touching the roughened texture of a day’s growth of beard.
“You’re welcome.”
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do. I want to figure out what you look like. Do you mind if I feel your face?”
“No.”
His husky reply sent a shiver skittering down her spine. She ran her fingers along his strong, angular jaw-line, then across his forehead, smooth, crease-free. The slope of his nose indicated a well-proportioned one for his face. With fingertips tingling in anticipation, she saved his full lips, curved slightly upward, for last.
“Well, what is the verdict?”
“Pleasing. When I regain my eyesight, I would love to photograph you.”
“It’s a date.”
The very word “date” heightened her awareness of the man before her. She knew his distinctive fresh scent, like the woods around the cabin, the deep, rich sound of his voice with a hint of a Southern drawl, the gentle touch of his hands. But still she didn’t have a visual picture of him i
n her mind. It had bothered her initially, but lately it hadn’t been as important to her, a woman who had lived by her camera.
“Good night, Emma.”
Colin brushed his lips across hers, taking possession of her mouth with a kiss that curled her toes and gave her goose bumps. When he left, quivering, she sank back against the door, listening to his footfalls as he headed for the foyer. Already she missed him.
Twisting around, she pushed open her bedroom door and entered. She was in serious trouble that had nothing to do with her brother’s murder. Her heart was involved with Colin, and she was going to end up deeply hurt if she didn’t stop herself from falling in love with him. Too much in her life was unsettled. Not to mention, she and Colin were from different worlds.
Making her way to her bed, she sat and turned on the CD player. She knew sleep would elude her. Her body was willing but her mind was in turmoil. She leaned back and began to listen to the words of the Gospel According to Mark.
Sitting in the front pew between Grace and Amber, Emma listened to Colin’s strong voice as he gave a sermon on forgiveness, especially God’s forgiveness. She had no reference point to a loving Father freely forgiving a child for a transgression. The idea that the Lord did astonished her. The last of Colin’s words from 1 John stayed with her throughout the rest of the service. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Even a sinner like me, Lord?
Yes, the answer seeped deep into her heart.
Her breath caught. While people were singing around her, Emma stood silent, overwhelmed with a sense of peace she’d never felt in her life, safe, as if no one wanted to hurt her. As though she had finally come home.
“We congregate in the rec hall after the service for snacks and coffee.” Grace sidled toward the center aisle.
“I’m not very hungry after that big breakfast you prepared. I usually never eat first thing in the morning. But I wouldn’t have missed those blueberry pancakes for anything.”
“Doesn’t Aunt Grace make the best?”
Amber’s question behind her caused Emma to turn to the teenager. “I haven’t eaten anything that wasn’t wonderful at Grace’s. I could use some lessons.”
Colin’s aunt paused at the end of the pew. “Tomorrow I have to make some cookies for a meeting of the Sunday school teachers Monday evening. We can begin your lessons then.”
“Excuse me, Grace, but that might be a little hard. I can’t see.”
“You can still help me. Earn your keep.” Grace started forward, with Emma’s hand at her elbow.
“You’re a hard taskmaster,” Emma said with a laugh.
“You’re just finding that out?” Amber took up a position on the other side of Emma.
Flanked between Amber and Grace, Emma felt prepared to meet the other parishioners. When she entered the rec hall, the noise level inundated her. There must be a mob of people who stayed after the service for coffee and companionship. The thought made her hesitate, not sure she was ready to meet everyone. Her vulnerability at her situation resurfaced. All her insecurities leadened her steps, and she hung back.
“What’s wrong, Emma?” Grace asked, pausing, too.
“There are so many people,” was all she could say to explain the feelings she experienced.
“All eager to meet you and offer their condolences. They’ve been praying for your recovery.”
“They don’t know me.”
“That doesn’t stop them from caring and praying for you.”
Emma fought to keep her mouth from falling open in surprise. She’d never had someone praying for her in her whole life. The concept was humbling. She began moving forward at Grace’s side. A few seconds later, Grace introduced her to one couple, who were followed by a family of four, then another husband and wife.
When twenty minutes had passed, Emma felt loved and overwhelmed with all the names of people who cared enough to pray for her and her family. Her hand had been patted and shaken more than she could ever remember. Her arm even ached from it, but that didn’t matter.
Awed emotions jammed her throat, making it impossible to say anything when Colin and Tiffany finally joined her.
“Would you like something to drink or eat?” Colin asked, taking her hand to guide her toward the refreshment table.
Emma nodded.
“Coffee?”
“Yes, please,” she finally managed to say around the lump still lodged in her throat.
“A cookie?”
She shook her head.
Colin placed a mug in her hand. “Black with one scoop of sugar, just the way you like it.”
She turned away, fighting the tears that now shone in her eyes. Something as simple as someone knowing how she took her coffee threatened to send her over the edge.
Colin took her arm. “Let me show you something in the kitchen.”
He whisked her out of the rec hall so quickly she spilled some of her drink. “Slow down! Remember the coffee,” she said as a tear slipped from her eye and rolled down her cheek.
“Oh, sorry.” He plucked the mug from her hand and must have set it on a counter from the sound it made. “Are you burned?”
“I’ll survive. Why are we in the kitchen?” she asked with a sniffle.
“I thought you might need some time to compose yourself.”
Again Colin had demonstrated how attuned he was to her, which continued to amaze her. “Your congregation is wonderful. I feel like I’ve met a hundred new friends today.”
“You have. They’ll rejoice right along beside you when you regain your eyesight.”
She rubbed away evidence of her tears. “I’ve always prided myself on not crying at the drop of a hat. But I seem to be making up for all those years I didn’t.”
“A lot has happened to you. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with a good cry. Cleanses the soul.”
“Well, mine must be sparklingly clean, then.”
Colin chuckled. “Ready to go back out there?”
“Yes, Amber wanted me to meet one of her friends.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I think it’s a guy she’s quite taken with. She mentioned him to me. Are you prepared for that?”
“I’ve taken a crash course in it with Tiffany’s frequent boyfriends. I think she has a different one every month.”
With Colin leading the way, Emma started for the door into the rec hall. “Not Amber?”
“No, this would be her first one. Who is it?”
“Neil Logan.”
“Ah, the sheriff’s son. He’s a nice kid. I didn’t know Amber was interested in him.”
“She hasn’t come right out and said that, but she mentions him a lot when we talk.”
Just inside the rec hall, the noise level more sedate than before, Colin leaned close and said, “I’ve noticed Amber goes over to Grace’s every afternoon to see you.”
“Yeah, she’s been helping me find my way around the house and honing my other senses. I think it began because she wanted to do something for me because of the computer. Now we end up talking more than anything.”
“I’m glad. She’s never done many activities after school like Tiffany.”
“I think she’s going to help Grace and me with baking cookies tomorrow. My first cooking lesson. That should be interesting. Even with my eyesight, I never was very good in the kitchen.”
“Here comes Amber with Neil and J.T.”
His whispered words tickled Emma’s neck and she smiled. “How do they look together?”
“You’re asking me, the father?” Colin said in mocked panic, pulling away a few inches.
“Emma, I want you to meet Neil Logan,” Amber said.
She held out her hand and felt a large one close about hers. “It’s nice to meet you, Neil.”
“I’m so glad you’re all right. I was in the car when the reverend hit—”
The teenager’s voice came to an abrupt halt. Emma widened her s
mile, saying, “I appreciate your concern. I understand you’re one of the leaders of the youth group.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Relief flowed through Neil’s voice.
Amber and Neil stayed for a few minutes longer discussing some of the projects the youth group were going to do in the coming months.
When they left, Emma asked J.T., “Any news?”
“Nothing new. So far, no strangers have turned up in the area who are suspicious.”
“So they might not be hanging around?”
“Yeah. But I’m still having a patrol car come by every hour. Doesn’t hurt to be cautious.”
She felt Colin’s arm brush up against hers as though he had moved in closer. “Colin and I are going back to Derek’s apartment this afternoon. I need to start thinking about closing the place up.”
“That’s never easy. I’ll keep you two informed if I learn anything.”
“Thanks, J.T.,” Colin said, entwining his fingers through hers. After the sheriff walked away, he asked in a tough-sounding Humphrey Bogart voice, “Are you ready to blow this joint? The highway’s calling.”
Emma laughed. “Don’t tell me you were a frustrated actor in high school.”
“And you were probably the drama critic.”
The light tone begun in the rec hall carried through the hour drive to Derek’s apartment building. On the elevator ride to the top floor Emma remained surprisingly calm while Colin entertained her with a few impressions of his favorite actors.
“You are a multitalented man,” Emma said as she left the elevator and turned right toward her brother’s apartment. She passed the key to Colin.
“Why thank you, ma’am. I aim to please.” He inserted the key into the lock and pushed the door open.
Emma started into the apartment. Colin grabbed her by the shoulders to halt her progress, tension conveyed in his grasp. “What’s wrong?”
“The place has been searched—like the cabin.”
She brought her hand up to her mouth, smothering her gasp. “They came here, too,” she whispered, chilled to the bone at the invasion. She should have realized this would happen, even with the tight security in the building. It emphasized the lengths these people would go to for whatever they were looking for.
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