Unexpected Guest: A Riverton Crossing Novel - Book Three

by Savannah Maris

  “No, I just don’t like the way it looks when they’re coming out of a back room together. You know how people talk around this town.”

  “I’m not at liberty to speak with you about an ongoing investigation, but Officer Cox is the only officer, other than myself, with the experience this case needs. I will speak with Officer Cox and emphasize the importance of propriety in this matter.”

  “Please do so, Chief. I’d hate for there to be a problem with him being so new to the area. I trust he knows to keep his hands to himself,” Mr. Harper said with his voice full of contempt.

  “Yessir. Have a good day.”

  Evan rubbed his hands down his face as he contemplated what Nathan could’ve done. He didn’t mess with married women, and Evan knew he’d stressed that she was married. Just as he moved to use the intercom, a tap sounded on his door. Evan took a deep breath again to switch mental gears. “Come in.”

  When the door opened, Nathan was standing in the doorway. “Got a minute?”

  “Yes, I was just going to have Rita send you in here when you came in. Have a seat,” Evan said as he pointed to one of the chairs across his desk. “What’s up?”

  Nathan gave Evan the two pictures he and Vanessa found last week. “Since this is the first time I’ve seen you, I wanted to show you these.”

  Evan looked at both pictures. One was a woman, and the other was the back of a man. “What are these?”

  “The library only keeps four weeks’ worth of video on site. They should have the rest today or tomorrow. These were the only two photos of people Vane…um, Mrs. Harper saw of people she doesn’t know or doesn’t think she knows.”

  “We can rule out the woman because Ginger saw the man, and I spoke to him on the phone.”

  “Unless he’s got an accomplice.”

  “True. Let’s hold on to the female to see if she shows up again. What about the man? I can’t see his face.”

  “You said you saw a man across the river a few weeks back. This guy didn’t look up at all walking through the library, so he knew to avoid the cameras. I was thinking about his build. Is his body the same build as the guy you saw? The guy Ginger saw in North Carolina?”

  Evan studied the picture for a few minutes. “Damn, maybe. I’d say build-wise they’re close if not the same guy. I’d have to ask Ginger about the man she saw.”

  Nathan nodded. “I want to take that with me when I go back to view the rest of the discs to see if I can match him in there more than once.”

  “Yeah, about that. I received a phone call this morning from Charles Harper.” Evan leaned back in his chair as he looked at Nathan.

  “For what?”

  “He asked me why I wasn’t sending someone else to look at the video. Basically, he doesn’t like you around his wife.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  Evan shook his head. “I wish I was. You didn’t touch her, flirt with her, did you?”

  “I shook her damn hand. I was polite. She’s terrified around men, and I think I know why.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When we walked out of the back room, Mr. Harper was giving her a look that spelled trouble. When he spoke, she flinched, and no one had touched her while he was shooting daggers at me with his eyes.” Nathan ran his hand through his blond waves. “The whole exchange was intense. You could’ve cut the tension with a knife. I didn’t have a good feeling, so I waited for them to leave. The way he gripped her arm when they walked out of the library… I’ll bet you a bottle of Jack she’s got bruises.”

  “Dammit.” Evan’s gut clenched as he closed his eyes. “Nathan, unless she says something to you, there’s blood, or you see something, keep your distance for now. I know you, man. Harper is the school board superintendent, and he has the Mayor’s ear. We’ll figure out a reason for you to keep watch on her. For right now, you’re the epitome of manners, got it?”

  Nathan rubbed his hands down his face and entwined his fingers at the back of his neck. “She’s so fucking tiny, Evan. She can’t weigh more than a hundred pounds soaking wet. I’d be scared to touch her because I might break her.”

  “Nathan…”

  Nathan held up his hands. “Yeah, I got it, I got it,” he sighed. Just as he was rising out of the chair, his phone rang. “Speak of the devil.” He held up his phone. “Nathan Cox,” he said.

  Evan watched as he spoke with Vanessa Harper. As Nathan listened to whatever she was saying, his eyes softened. Evan knew that look. Nathan liked Vanessa, and he was going to crush Charles Harper. Fucking hell!

  “The discs are supposed to be delivered by ten o’clock. She’s agreed to work with me, so we’ll probably work through lunch. Are there any restaurants that’ll deliver around here?”

  “Nathan, for the love of God, don’t do anything that’s going to cause her to get hurt.”

  “I’ll keep my hands to myself and suggest we leave the door open.” Nathan leaned with both hands planted on Evan’s desk. “She’s a nice lady and doesn’t deserve to be treated that way. If she asks for help, I will help her get away from that prick. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “If she asks for help, I’ve got your back,” Evan said.

  Nathan nodded as he walked out the door.

  It was after ten when Nathan walked into the library.

  “Mrs. Harper?”

  Vanessa finished what she was writing before she lifted her head toward Nathan. “Good morning, Officer Cox.” She pointed to the cardboard box full of smaller boxes labeled with dates. “I don’t think we’ll get through all of these in one day. As soon as Ms. Jane comes back from putting her things away, we can get started. All I ask is that we quit at four so I have time to get the end of day processes done before five.”

  “I don’t think that’ll be a problem. I’m sure our eyes will have had enough by then anyway,” Nathan said. His gut was telling him that she wanted him gone before her husband showed up.

  As soon as the older lady that Nathan now knew as Ms. Jane walked up, Vanessa told her where they’d be. She reached for the box, and her shirt sleeve rode up enough that Nathan saw the edge of a bruise that was healing. He clenched his jaw.

  “I’ll take that. You lead the way.”

  They walked to the locked room as before and flipped on the lights as the door closed behind them. Nathan set the box down and pushed the short sleeve of Vanessa’s blouse up her arm. Now that they were closer, he saw the mark on her cheek she’d tried to cover with makeup, too.

  Vanessa pushed his hand away. “Please don’t,” she said.

  “Mrs. Harper, do you need help?”

  “No.” She gently touched her cheek. “I was clumsy this weekend and fell. I hit the coffee table. I feel so stupid.”

  “That may explain the cheek, but that doesn’t explain the bruises on your arm in the shape of fingertips,” Nathan said softly.

  “Please Officer Cox…” Vanessa said.

  They stared at each other for a few moments before Nathan relented. He didn’t want her scared of him, too. “Since we’re going to be working so closely together the next couple of days, call me Nathan.”

  “Only in here,” she mumbled.

  “Why don’t we open the door so the air can circulate and no one can suspect anything?” Nathan suggested.

  “Like my husband?”

  “Yes, since he called my chief this morning.”

  Vanessa’s hand flew up to her mouth. “Oh God. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s all right. I assured Chief Riverton nothing happened between us.”

  “Thank you,” she said barely above a whisper.

  They had watched several weeks’ worth of discs when Jane tapped on the door. “Officer Cox, your lunch order has arrived. Where would you like it?”

  “Take what you like, Ms. Jane, and then the rest can come back here for Mrs. Harper and me.”

  Jane smiled and left to do Nathan’s bidding. A few minutes later she brought a pizza minus two
slices and most of a huge salad back to them along with paper plates, napkins, and forks.

  “Thank you for this, but I need to eat the lunch I brought from home,” Vanessa said.

  “Can’t you save that for tomorrow?”

  Vanessa looked at the floor. “That’s too many calories. I can’t have that because I’ll gain weight.”

  Nathan’s mouth fell open. What the fuck? “Surely one piece of pizza won’t hurt you. Are you entering some kind of competition or something?”

  Vanessa shook her head. “I’ll eat some salad,” she said with a small smile.

  God, she was beautiful. He could see glimpses of the woman she was, and would give anything to see her smile more.

  They settled back into their chairs to watch more video. Nathan only had four days to find who sent the emails. Four days to gain Vanessa’s trust. Four days to get her to let him help her.

  Four days.

  28

  The week was ticking by quickly.

  Kayla and Ginger watched as people showed up to prepare the spot for their wedding. A platform was built where the couples would exchange vows, chairs were set out so there were two short aisles, and walkways built so the heels of their shoes didn’t sink into the ground.

  Tonight was the rehearsal. Cat had taken off work and was having coffee with Kayla and Ginger as they watched the happenings of the morning.

  “Can I tell y’all something? I mean, please don’t tell Evan. I don’t want him thinking anything of this, but I want to tell y’all just in case it’s true,” Ginger said nervously.

  Kayla locked eyes with Ginger and furrowed her eyebrows. “Are you all right? Ginger, if something’s wrong, you’ve got to tell Evan.”

  “Nothing’s wrong,” Ginger replied a little nervously.

  “Ooo, you have my attention,” Cat said with a mischievous grin.

  “I had a dream. It happened the night we went through their parents’ room, and I can’t get it out of my mind,” Ginger said as she looked at Kayla.

  “What kind of dream?” Kayla cautiously asked.

  Ginger shrugged. “It was odd. I was in a house, not this one, but one with a lot of boxes everywhere. It was kinda messy.” Ginger waved her hand in the air. “Oh, never mind, I’m being silly,” she said as she shook her head.

  “Oh, no, you’re not getting off that easily. Spill, my friend.” Cat was looking at Ginger over her mug before she blew into her hot cup of coffee and sipped.

  “I was standing at the start of a hallway, I guess, when two snakes came out of a room. There was a pink one and a blue one. The blue one chased the pink one into another room. When I found them, the blue one had killed the pink one. I don’t know what to think of it. Do you think…” Ginger’s words trailed off as she looked apprehensively at Kayla and Cat.

  “Yes!” Cat yelled.

  Kayla turned toward Ginger. “You think it’s your subconscious telling you that you’re having a boy?”

  “Yeah, kinda. I don’t know. It’s silly, right?” Ginger played with her napkin as she looked between her friends.

  “No, it’s not. I’ve heard mothers say they knew way before any tests were done. Some had dreams, some just had gut feelings. Is this the first time anything like this has happened?” Cat excitedly asked.

  “Yes, but maybe it was something I ate,” Ginger quietly said.

  “We haven’t eaten anything spicy, and you’ve stayed away from the foods that make you sick, so maybe Cat’s right,” Kayla said.

  “In case no one believes me when the baby is born, I wanted to tell y’all. You’re my witnesses, but please don’t tell Evan. I don’t want to give him false hope,” Ginger begged.

  “Deal,” Kayla and Cat said in unison.

  “What time are you parents getting here?” Kayla asked.

  “They said lunchtime.”

  “Cat, the dress you picked is beautiful. Thomas is going to flip when he sees you in it,” Kayla said.

  “Hmm, maybe,” Cat said.

  “Whoa. What’s that supposed to mean?” Ginger asked.

  “Our schedules have been crazy since I took this new position. We just haven’t seen each other that much,” Cat said with a sad smile.

  “You’ll figure it out,” Ginger said encouragingly.

  “I hope so,” Cat replied.

  Before anyone could say anything else, the doorbell rang. Kayla excused herself to answer it. “Your parents wouldn’t come to the front door, would they?” Kayla asked Ginger.

  “I wouldn’t think so. They didn’t last time.” Ginger stood to follow Kayla just in case, but Ginger’s phone rang just as Kayla reached the door, so she didn’t make it out of the kitchen.

  Kayla opened the door then said, “Ginger, this guy says you have a package that only you can sign for.”

  Ginger walked toward the door. “It’s a delivery guy, Evan. I have to sign for a package. I’m sure it’s just a wedding gift.” Ginger pinned the phone between her shoulder and neck as she signed the clipboard for the guy. “Thank you,” she said as she took the envelope he stretched out for her.

  Ginger closed the door and said into her phone, “It’s an envelope. I wasn’t expecting anything. There’s only a street address.” When Ginger pulled out the contents, she froze. There was a copy of the wedding announcement from the blog, a picture of her, and a note.

  “What is it?” Kayla asked.

  Ginger heard Evan yelling through the phone, but she was in shock. Kayla took the phone from Ginger. “Evan, you need to get home. Mitch is in the barn, I’ll call him now.” Kayla disconnected that call, then made one to Mitchell.

  “When was this? That looks like the drugstore at the bottom of the mountain in North Carolina,” Kayla said as she looked at the picture.

  “It was the day I saw the man, the day I went for the pregnancy tests,” Ginger whispered.

  Ginger no sooner got the words out when Mitchell came barreling through the back door. “What’s wrong? Evan called not five seconds after I hung up with you.”

  “Ginger got a delivery. This time it was addressed to her, not Evan,” Kayla explained.

  “What does this mean?”

  “I don’t know,” Ginger said. “Where’s Evan?”

  “On his way. Hang in there for me,” Mitchell coaxed as he rubbed her arms.

  A few moments later, they heard the sirens and knew it was Evan. Mitchell went to meet him at the door. “Where is she?” was the first thing Ginger heard. As soon as Evan cleared the hallway, she rushed into his arms. He wrapped her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “Where is it?”

  Evan looked at the picture, then the announcement, and finally the note. “No wonder your admirer was worried, darlin’. Your eyes were red and puffy.”

  “Are you defending him?” she asked.

  “No, but did you read the note? It’s another warning,” Evan said. “Is he the reason you looked so upset? I’ve kept you safe before, I’ll do it again.”

  “He’s going to ruin our wedding, isn’t he?” Ginger asked through a sob.

  “No, darlin’. I’ve got extra security. Some off-duty officers from both the town and county as well as officers on duty.” Evan rubbed her back then pulled her away so he could look into her eyes. “Since the reception is a street dance for the town, it’ll be a hard event to cover if we don’t find this guy by then. If I’m not by your side, Nathan or Sam will be. Mitchell and Kayla will have their own things to do, but you will not be left alone for a second. Do you understand me?”

  Ginger nodded, and Evan raised a brow. “I understand,” she whispered.

  “I’ve got you. He will not get to you. I promise,” Evan said with conviction.

  “I know.”

  29

  Evan motioned for Mitchell to follow him as he took the package along with its contents and walked to the office at the opposite end of the house. When they closed the door, Evan slammed the contents on the desk. “What the fuck? Why today?” Evan said
through gritted teeth.

  “Man, you okay?” Mitchell asked.

  “Are you fucking kidding me? Hell no, I’m not okay.” Evan glared at him with his chest heaving.

  “You seemed okay out there,” Mitchell said with a jerk of his head.

  “Because Ginger doesn’t need to see me like this. I swear to all things holy, if this asshole stresses her out and she loses the baby, I’m going to kill him with my own two hands,” Evan said as his voice continually grew softer.

  “What do you want to do?” Mitchell asked.

  Evan grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contacts. “Ben, Ginger received a delivery today.” He listened for a few seconds. “I’m going back to the station for a few hours. Are you coming to the rehearsal tonight? It’s just the wedding party, family, and a few close friends. Nathan and Sam will be here.” A few seconds passed. “I’ll meet you there in an hour.”

  When Evan disconnected the call, he looked at Mitchell. “Did you not see the delivery truck drive up? I mean, I was picking up the phone to check on Ginger when I saw the security feed. We’re going to have to do something to notify us when someone enters or leaves. Maybe put a monitor in Roger’s office at the barn.”

  “I was out back with the herd talking with Roger. I agree. Is there something they can add to the system?”

  “Yeah, we’ll talk to them after the wedding. I don’t think they could come out today,” Evan said looking at his watch.

  “True. Her parents should be here anytime, so that’ll help. I’ve got a few more things to take care of, then I’ll be in here this afternoon. What time are you getting off work?” Mitchell asked.

  “By three. Rehearsal doesn’t start until six.” Evan ran his hands through his hair. “Nathan’s running out of time to find something.” Evan put everything back into the envelope and took a deep breath before he left the office.

  “I’m going to check on her before I leave,” Evan said as they walked down the hall. He heard the girls talking as he stood outside their bedroom door.

  “What if Evan doesn’t find this guy? What if I lose the baby?” Ginger said.