The Lake House Secret, A Romantic Suspense Novel (A Jenessa Jones Mystery)

by Debra Burroughs

  “I so appreciate your time today, Lauren. You are an absolute wealth of information about flowers and gardening. Beauty and brains—it’s no wonder Grey Alexander snapped you up.”

  Lauren offered a demure smile. “Why, thank you, Miss Jones, you are too kind. It’s been my pleasure. I mean, what good is knowledge if we don’t share it?”

  And there was her segue. Jenessa couldn’t have scripted it better herself. “Lauren, I couldn’t agree more.” Jenessa gathered her things, pretending to be getting ready to leave. “Actually, before I go, I wonder if I could ask you about something else.”

  “What would that be?” Lauren’s voice turned suspicious.

  “Did you happen to know Lucy St. John?”

  A slight frown formed on Lauren’s brow, like she was going through a mental Rolodex. “The name sounds familiar.”

  “Her remains were found in a shallow grave near your lake house.”

  Lauren’s hand flew to her chest in a dramatic gesture of concern that didn’t seem to quite reach her eyes. “Oh my. That’s where I’ve heard the name—in the news. Horrible. Simply horrible.” She shook her head and lowered her gaze momentarily before resuming her poised appearance. “Why do you ask?”

  The reaction seemed a little over the top. And she didn’t really answer the question. Jenessa played along. “I’m covering the story for the city paper—you know, building a back story—I’m trying to talk to anyone who might have known her.”

  “Her death was a long time ago, wasn’t it?”

  “Eleven or twelve years ago, I believe.”

  “Why would you think I knew her?”

  Another evasive question.

  “I have reason to believe she was acquainted with your husband. So she could have known you as well. No?”

  “I guess it’s possible, but I don’t recall.”

  The woman was not going to give anything up. Time to be direct.

  “I don’t mean to sound indelicate, Lauren, but I’ve heard talk that when your husband was married to the first Mrs. Alexander, he had a reputation for sleeping with women who weren’t his wife.”

  “What exactly are you implying, Miss Jones?”

  “Lucy St. John was one of those women.”

  Lauren Alexander’s blue eyes widened and her soft, lovely features stiffened into a glaring frown. She shot up off the sofa. “I think you’d better leave.”

  Should Jenessa dare tell Lauren about her husband’s illegitimate daughter? Or was it possible she already knew about Ramey? Her senses were tingling, telling her this woman definitely knew something, and she didn’t want to talk about it.

  Jenessa rose from her chair, slowly, deliberately. “I will say, if I was able to find out about your husband’s affair with Lucy St. John, you can be sure the police will too. So, if you know anything…”

  “Please go.” Lauren, whose face was now pinched into a scowl, flung her arm out and pointed a well-manicured finger in the direction of the foyer.

  Jenessa dropped a business card on the gleaming glass coffee table. “If you think of anything at all, please call me. I’ll keep your name out of my story, of course.”

  “Go!”

  ~*~

  Jenessa approached the barrier surrounding the car track at the county fair just as Jake went whizzing by in a tiny motorized car. Well, maybe not exactly whizzing by, but the gleeful expression on his face as he putted by during one of his laps said he felt like he was racing.

  “Daddy, Daddy! Look at me!”

  She waved to Jake as he went around again.

  “Hey, you found us,” Michael greeted from where he stood watching his son.

  “You gave me good directions.” Jenessa had phoned him after her interview, before going home to change into jeans and a white t-shirt.

  Jake finished his laps, hopped out of the miniature car, and ran to his waiting father. “Did you see that, Daddy? I think I came in first.”

  “Uh, yeah, I think you did.” Michael cast Jenessa a sideways glance that said I don’t think it was a race. “How about we get some corndogs, big guy?”

  “Okay, but I gotta go potty.” Jake crossed his legs with a distressed look on his face.

  “Hey, why don’t I go get the corndogs?” Jenessa offered. “You boys head for the bathrooms and I’ll get in line.” She glanced in the direction of the food court and caught sight of the Pronto Pup stand. “Looks like a long one.”

  Michael took Jake by the hand. “Okay. Thanks. Be right back.”

  They trotted off to take care of business as Jenessa took her place in line for the corndogs. It moved surprisingly fast and when she was only a few people back, someone tapped her on the shoulder.

  “That was quick.” She spun around with a smile on her face, assuming it would be Michael and Jake, but it was Logan that she found standing behind her.

  “Fancy meeting you here,” he said, peering down at her with a smile.

  Chapter 22

  Logan snaked a finger down Jenessa’s arm. “You always did like the fair.”

  She was stuck in line—Jake would be expecting a corndog—she would have to talk with Logan. But she didn’t have to let him touch her, especially when Michael could walk up at any moment. She took a little step away. “Yes, I did like the fair, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been here.”

  “I always liked it too, particularly the fair food,” he said. “What about you?”

  Nervousness at Michael seeing them together caused her smile to fade, but there was a new comfort with Logan that she couldn’t deny. “I liked that the week of the fair always signaled summer was almost over and we’d meet up with friends we hadn’t seen since school let out. Remember?”

  “Yeah, fun times.” Logan grinned. “Speaking of fun times, I’m going up to the lake tomorrow, taking my boat out. How about you come with me?”

  Jenessa’s heart leapt into her throat. Was Logan serious? The lake?

  “We could pack a picnic lunch and—”

  “Next!” the corndog vendor called out.

  She turned back to the young man taking orders, grateful he had saved her from having to answer. “I’ll take three corndogs.”

  Logan chuckled. “You must be hungry.”

  She shot a glance over her shoulder. “They’re not all for me.”

  As the man set the paper bag of corndogs on the small metal counter, Michael and Jake stepped up alongside Jenessa.

  “Six dollars,” the vendor said. “Mustard packets are in the bag.”

  Michael reached in his pocket and paid the guy before Jenessa could get her wallet from her purse.

  “Hello, Michael,” Logan said.

  Michael scooped up the food and gave him a fleeting glance. “Logan.”

  Tension filled the air. The two had not been friends in high school, traveling in difference circles, and Michael had told her they’d only had a passing acquaintance the last few years.

  But now, since Jenessa had been back in town, they had been thrown into close proximity several times. She watched as the two men seemed to size each other up, deciding she’d better step between them.

  “The corndogs are going to get cold while you two stand here jawing.” She tugged on Michael’s arm. “Nice to see you again, Logan.” She led Michael a few steps away from the line with Jake following close behind.

  Michael seemed to switch gears then, looking down at Jake. “Okay, guys, where shall we eat?”

  Jenessa glanced back. Logan was watching them, looking none too pleased. “Let’s walk and eat.” She waved a good-bye as they strolled away.

  They walked down the rows of games and prizes, Jake between the two of them, as they slathered mustard on their corndogs. When the food was gone, they gave several of the games a try.

  After a few hours of trying to win prizes, checking out the 4-H farm animals, and riding the Ferris wheel, the Tilt-a-Whirl, and the bumper cars, the five-year-old was tuckered out. Michael picked Jake up and carried him
out to the car, the boy’s head resting on his dad’s broad shoulder.

  Michael tucked his son in the back seat and strapped him in, then stood, looking at Jenessa across the roof of the car. “Would you like to come over tonight? We could watch a movie or something. I’m sure Jake is down for the count.”

  She rounded the car and stepped near him. “Sounds wonderful, but I have to work on my Flower Show story and get it in tonight. Can I have a rain check?”

  “Sure…but you never mentioned how your interview went with Lauren Alexander. Were you able to sneak in a few questions about Lucy St. John?”

  Jenessa breathed a laugh. “I did, and she all but ran me out of her house.”

  “I’d like to have seen that. Think she’s hiding something?”

  “Hard to tell, she puts up such a thick façade. Maybe George can get somewhere with her.”

  “I doubt he’d hazard going over there to question her without more reason than just your curiosity.” Michael raised his eyebrows, looking for her agreement.

  She nodded. “You’re right.”

  He glanced down at his son, asleep in the car. “Jake had a great time, by the way. I’m sure he’ll be talking about it for days.”

  Jenessa moved closer. She raked a hand through her dark tresses and raised her face to him. “How about you? Did you have a good time?”

  “That goes without saying.” He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. “I’d better get him home. We’re really glad you came.”

  A satisfied smile spread across her lips. “It was my pleasure.”

  ~*~

  On the way home from the fair, Jenessa stopped by The Sweet Spot, hoping she could pick up a sandwich for dinner before they closed. The familiar jingle rang out as she entered, giving her reason to smile. Once inside, though, her smile vanished as she came face to face with Grey Alexander, holding a pink pastry box, on his way out.

  “Well, if it isn’t Jenessa Jones. I’d heard you were back in town.”

  She read his expression as reflecting loathing and disdain. She hadn’t seen this man in years, aside from noticing him at her father’s funeral, and yet his dislike for her was as evident as it had been the night he’d received the news that his son had gotten her pregnant. In this moment, now, as a grown woman, there was nothing she would have liked more than to reach up and wipe that smug, self-righteous look off his face.

  So why had her inner strength unexpectedly evaporated, leaving her suddenly feeling like she was seventeen again, cowering under his powerful stare? Hadn’t she just declared that morning that she would no longer be shaken by him?

  “Can we step outside?” he asked. “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

  With me? Jenessa swallowed hard. Her heart rate picked up. As she followed the man out to the sidewalk, she glanced back at Ramey behind the counter, who stood staring at them with a worried expression.

  “My wife called me this morning and she was extremely upset by what you said to her.”

  Jenessa willed her spine to hold her up. “I…I’m doing an investigative story on the remains that were discovered by your lake house last week—Lucy St. John’s remains.”

  “Lucy St. John? The police have confirmed that?”

  “Not exactly.” She took a deep breath. “But I have reason to believe they will shortly.”

  “You think you know better than the police? You’re just a cub reporter with pie-in-the sky aspirations of something more. You couldn’t cut it in the big city and you’ve come back here with your tail between your legs—to work for me, I might add.” He expelled a haughty laugh. “I would expect nothing less of you, Jenessa Jones.”

  “I beg your pardon,” she spat back. Her eyes narrowed as renewed strength flooded her body and fortified her backbone. She straightened her shoulders and stood a little taller. “I was laid off from the paper in Sacramento due to decreasing readership. I was not fired. And I didn’t come running back here with my tail anywhere—my father died, as you well know.” Jenessa spoke between gritted teeth, poking a finger in the man’s face. “I came back here to tend to his funeral and his estate. I’ve decided to stay, so I took a job at the Hidden Valley Herald. But then, you already know that, don’t you. You seem to know everyone’s business.”

  Grey’s eyes widened. “Get that finger out of my face.”

  He obviously was not used to being spoken to like that. Sure, he owned the newspaper where she worked, and she could be jeopardizing her job right now, but the man needed to be stood up to and she needed to be the one to do it.

  “You listen to me, Miss Jones.” His face pinched into a scowl. “You had better be careful who you talk to like that. I could squash you like a bug. If you’re smart, you’ll take this warning seriously and stay away from my wife—or else.” He glared at her for a moment before stomping off to his shiny black Mercedes, parked at the curb.

  Or else what? Her resolve was beginning to wane. Jenessa spun around and darted back into the bakery before he could continue his threats. Once inside, she stopped and gasped for air—she hadn’t taken a breath since he demanded she stay away from his wife.

  “Is everything okay?” Ramey asked from behind the counter. “You look flushed.”

  “That Grey Alexander is a piece of work.” Jenessa glanced around the bakery. Fortunately, the place was empty.

  “I can’t argue with you there. Anything I can do to help?”

  “Can I get a turkey on whole wheat to go?”

  “I was just closing up, but for you, anything.” Ramey came out from behind the counter. “I’ll lock up and turn off some of these lights, then we can go in the back and I’ll make you whatever you want.”

  ~*~

  “The afternoon was fun, but the morning, not so much,” Jenessa lamented, eyeing her friend.

  While Ramey made the sandwich, Jenessa shared about her earlier interview with the current Mrs. Alexander and her afternoon at the fair with Michael and Jake.

  “Here you go.” Ramey stuck the wrapped sandwich in a white paper bag and set it on the worktable, in front of where Jenessa had perched on a stool. “Is that interview why you were arguing with the almighty Grey Alexander out front? I saw you guys going at it. What was going on with you two?”

  “He told me to stay away from his wife—or else.” Jenessa swiveled on the stool.

  “He threatened you?”

  “Yes, but it won’t keep me from pursuing the story.”

  “Oh, Jen, you know he could make your life miserable if he sets his mind to it.”

  “I know, but I’ve got to get the story. This could be a big deal for my career if I can help crack this case, not to mention getting justice for your mom.”

  “I appreciate that, but promise me you’ll be careful. Please.”

  “I will, I will.” Jenessa nodded. “Say, besides the photo of Phony Tony, you didn’t happen to find anything else in that old box of your mom’s that might help solve this case, did you?”

  “Like what?”

  “Anything out of the ordinary—questionable photos, old letters, anything suspicious.”

  “Well, I hadn’t been looking for anything else, but I can. I have a bunch of her old boxes in my garage. She was such a packrat.”

  That apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Ramey could benefit from a little downsizing herself, but Jenessa was glad for that particular family trait right now. Maybe something more would come out of it. At least they’d gotten the lead on Tony Hamilton.

  “Mom hated throwing anything away, especially papers. I’ll have a look and let you know.”

  “That’d be great.” Jenessa slipped off the stool and grabbed the bag. “I’d better be getting home. I’ve got a deadline for an article tonight.”

  “You know, Jen, we should all have supper at Aunt Renee’s again sometime. Seems like once the funeral was over, we all went our separate ways.”

  “Sorry, I guess that happens. Besides, my sister can’t seem to be in
the same room with me without picking a fight. I’m sure she still blames me for Mom’s death—she needs to get over that.”

  “It’s more than that, Jen.”

  “What do you mean?” Jenessa climbed back on the stool and set the bag down.

  Ramey leaned close and lowered her voice, even though the place was empty. “You never knew this, but Sara and Logan were dating a number of years back.”

  “What?” Jenessa gasped. The revelation was so surprising that it was a good thing she was already sitting down or she would have fallen on the floor.

  Chapter 23

  Jenessa’s hand flew over her mouth is shock. “Sara and Logan? Oh, Ramey, you’ve got to be kidding.” Blood was pulsing in her head.

  “Nope, not kidding. They were together for about four or five months, I think.”

  Jenessa’s hand slid down to her chest. “Wow. What happened?”

  “Well…for one thing, your folks were not happy about it, as you can probably imagine.”

  “Mom never mentioned it.”

  “She wouldn’t. She didn’t want to hurt you. And they didn’t want Sara with Logan either, not after what happed with you. I think they were afraid she’d turn up pregnant too.”

  “So, who broke it off?”

  “Logan did. He told her the fact that your parents loathed him didn’t bother him that much, but get this—he said he couldn’t be with her because he was still in love with you.”

  “Me? What? No. He couldn’t be.” Jenessa’s head was pounding now.

  “It was before she married Travis, after Logan graduated from college and came back home. I think that’s why she jumped into the relationship with Travis so quickly, to get over Logan. They got married pretty fast, remember?”

  “You think that’s why the marriage didn’t last long? She was still in love with Logan?”

  “Yeah, Sara really loved him—still does. I think she keeps holding out hope they might get back together.”