Cherished Secrets

by C. B. Clark

  Chapter 31

  Carrie Ann wiped tears from her eyes.

  Leland crossed his legs and smoked his pipe. A smug smile played across his lined face.

  Declan was in a jail cell charged with murder and kidnapping. If she didn’t do something, he’d go to prison for the rest of his life. Leland was right. No one would listen to her. He was a respected judge, and who was she? A woman who’d had a child with the accused. Somehow she had to make the sheriff believe her.

  “No.” Vivian’s single, shouted word reverberated in the tension-filled room.

  The old woman stood on shaky legs, her hands gripping the back of her chair. The pallor on her gaunt face showed how much effort it cost her to stand, but her eyes blazed.

  “I won’t do it, Leland. I won’t lie for you. Not anymore.”

  He chuckled. “No one will believe you. You’re a sick, old woman. Your cancer has affected your mind.”

  “They’ll believe me when I show them the piece of Skye Lawrence’s scarf you have hidden in your secret drawer in the desk in your den.”

  “She’s right.” A deep voice spoke from the doorway.

  Carrie Ann spun around. “Declan!” She jumped to her feet and ran to him. He opened his arms, and she slid into his embrace. “You’re out of jail.”

  “Thanks to Caruthers. He found a used syringe in your uncle’s car. Turns out, the needle still contained remnants of the drug used to inject Bonnie.”

  He smelled so good; felt even better. She burrowed deeper. “Leland—” Where could she even begin?

  “I know.” Declan caressed her hair with the palm of his hand. “We were in the hall. We heard everything.”

  Jessup Caruthers stepped into the room, followed by Sheriff Atkins and Deputy Beau. Jessup nodded. “Everything.”

  The sheriff, his face grim, strode over to Leland. “Leland Winters, you’re under arrest for the murder of Skye Lawrence and the kidnapping of Bonnie McAllister.” He removed a set of handcuffs from his belt.

  Leland set his pipe in the ashtray. “I knew this day would come.” He heaved himself to his feet. “You won’t need those cuffs, Sam. I’ll come with you.”

  The sheriff hesitated, but he nodded. “Let’s go, then.”

  “Wait.” Carrie Ann stopped them. “I have to know, Leland, why did you keep those pieces of Skye’s scarf all these years?”

  “I wanted something to remember her. The scarf was the last gift I gave her. She loved that scarf.” He bowed his head. “I loved her.”

  Declan snorted.

  “Why did you put a piece of scarf in the barn for Declan to find?” Carrie Ann figured she’d take advantage of her uncle’s willingness to explain. She needed to know the truth…all of it.

  “I thought if McAllister showed up with a piece of Skye’s scarf, the sheriff would have to charge him with her murder, and you’d leave.”

  “What about the piece you put in my car? The one with Guilty written on it.”

  “I wanted you to think McAllister put the cloth in your car.” He snickered. “My plan worked better than I hoped. When you gave the cloth to him, and the sheriff’s man found it in McAllister’s pocket, I knew it was only a matter of time before he was arrested.”

  “It’s time, Leland.” Sheriff Atkins gestured. “Let’s go.”

  “One more thing.” Carrie Ann would never have peace until she knew the whole, terrible truth. “Why Rankin’s Farm? Why did everything revolve around the old farm?”

  “The farm was special. Skye and I used to meet there so no one would see us together.” He shrugged. “I thought it a fitting place for her to spend eternity. She liked it there.”

  Carrie Ann shivered at the madness in his eyes.

  Declan lunged at Leland, grabbed his collar, and lifted him off his feet. “You fucking bastard,” he spat in the old man’s face. “You killed her, and then you left her there.”

  “She was the love of my life.” Leland said it as if that explained everything.

  Declan’s knuckles whitened, the muscles in his arms bulging as he twisted Leland’s shirt tighter.

  Leland’s face turned red, his mouth opening and closing as he fought for air.

  “Declan, no!” Carrie Ann tried to intervene. “Let him go. He’s not worth the trouble.”

  Declan ignored her. “You killed her, you son of a bitch.”

  Sheriff Atkins and his deputy lunged forward, each man grabbing one of Declan’s arms, fighting to ease his grip.

  “This won’t help, McAllister,” Sheriff Atkins said. “You gotta let him go.”

  With an explosion of air, Declan shoved Leland away.

  Leland reeled, his hand at his throat, gasping for air.

  The sheriff grabbed his arm. “Let’s go, Leland.”

  Leland yanked free and stumbled over to Vivian.

  The old woman stood as if carved from stone, her face white, her eyes haunted.

  “I apologize, Vivian. I’m afraid I’ve made quite a mess of this. It wasn’t supposed to end this way.”

  She flinched, but held his gaze. “I hope you rot in hell for what you did.”

  His face fell, and he turned to Carrie Ann. “Take care of her.” He straightened his shirt, tucking the tail into his pants, sucked in his stomach, and walked with a heavy tread out of the room.

  Deputy Beau hurried after him.

  The sheriff started to follow, but halted when Carrie Ann called to him.

  “Sheriff Atkins, what’s going to happen to him?”

  “He’ll be officially charged and held in the county jail.” His mouth twisted. “I doubt he’ll spend much time in custody. His lawyer will have him released on bail by the end of the day. I imagine they’ll try for a diminished capacity defense.” His brow furrowed. “If his legal team is any good, they’ll have him plead down to a lesser charge. He could get away with a minor conviction, and be out in a year, two at the most.” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe he confessed to murder and kidnapping. We’ve been friends for years. I never suspected a thing.” He turned to Declan. His lips pressed together as if he were trying to staunch his next words. “I guess I owe you an apology.”

  Declan was silent.

  The sheriff shifted from one foot to the other, twisting his felt hat in his big hands. “I was sure you did it.” He shrugged. “I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

  Declan’s mouth tightened. His hands at his sides clenched and unclenched. Sparks flashed from his dark eyes.

  Carrie Ann tensed, waiting for him to show the sheriff how furious he was after the years of suspicion and hostility he’d faced because of this man’s certainty he’d committed a crime.

  Declan walked toward him, his eyes never leaving the sheriff’s.

  The sheriff’s face paled, and he stumbled back a step.

  Carrie Ann held her breath.

  The two men faced each other.

  Seconds ticked into minutes. Finally, Declan released a long breath. “You were just doing what you had to. Leland did a pretty good job framing me.”

  The sheriff’s relief was palpable. “I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge. Again, I’m sorry. I’ll make sure word gets out you’re cleared of all suspicion in the Lawrence murder and Bonnie’s kidnapping.”

  “Your help would be appreciated.”

  The sheriff nodded and left the room. His footsteps echoed on the wooden floor in the hall followed by a low rumble of voices. The front door opened and closed.

  A grin wreathed Jessup’s blunt face. “Well, Declan, your name’s cleared once and for all. I’m happy for you.” He held out his ham of a hand.

  Declan shook his hand. “Thanks for your help. If you hadn’t found the syringe Leland used to sedate Bonnie hidden in his car, I’d still be sitting in the Cooper’s Ridge County Jail.”

  “We’d have figured out something else.”

  “How did you know to come here?” Carrie Ann was amazed at their timing.

  “Sheldon told us,” Declan s
aid. “He was worried about you confronting Leland. With the syringe Jessup found and Sheldon’s statement that he’d helped Leland cover up his crimes all these years, the sheriff had to release me.”

  Jessup nodded. “We convinced him to come with us and arrived just in time to hear Winters’ confession.”

  “I’m glad it’s over.” She still couldn’t believe it.

  “I know what you mean,” Declan said.

  Jessup’s usual intimidating scowl transformed into a grin. His gaze settled on Carrie Ann. “Take care of him. He’s a good man.”

  A rush of warmth filled her. “I know.”

  “I’ll send you the bill for my services.” Jessup gave a final nod to Vivian, then left the room.

  “The nightmare’s finally over.” Carrie Ann couldn’t suppress a joyous grin. “It’s going to take some time for me to accept that.”

  “With Sheldon’s testimony and Leland’s confession, his conviction should be a slam dunk,” said Declan.

  “How could Leland have committed all those terrible crimes?”

  “You heard him.” Vivian spoke for the first time since Leland had left the room. “He thought he was doing what was best for you.” She shook her head. “I blame myself.” She sank onto her chair.

  “You didn’t know what he’d done.” Carrie Ann’s eyes narrowed. “Did you?”

  “I knew he and Skye Lawrence were lovers. I followed him out to the old farm one day, and I saw them together.”

  Carrie Ann stiffened. “You saw them? Why didn’t you call the police? Skye was just a child.”

  “Life was different back then. Leland was a respected man. I couldn’t turn him over to the police. If anyone had found out, his career would have been over, and his life would have been ruined.” She turned pleading eyes on Carrie Ann. “Yours too.”

  “He murdered her. Why didn’t you go to the police then?”

  “I didn’t know he killed her. Everyone blamed Declan. I thought he was guilty.”

  “What about when you found the piece of Skye’s scarf in his desk? Why didn’t you come forward?”

  She shook her head. “I wasn’t sure it belonged to Skye. I didn’t know until the first piece showed up, and Declan had it. I guess I hoped I was wrong and Leland hadn’t murdered the poor girl.”

  “So you let Declan take the fall.” Carrie Ann’s stomach churned.

  “It wasn’t like that.” Vivian closed her eyes and laid her head against the back of the chair, as if it were too much effort to support her head. “Declan was wrong for you. You were my only niece. I couldn’t let you ruin your life.” She coughed, a long rasping hack, thick with phlegm. She wiped her mouth with a tissue and met Declan’s gaze. “I’m sorry.” She wheezed. “You didn’t deserve to be blamed all these years for a crime you didn’t commit.” Sweat beaded her forehead as she fought for breath. “Can you ever forgive me?”

  Declan watched her for a long, drawn-out minute. He nodded, the simple gesture saying more than words.

  “Thank you.” Vivian turned to Carrie Ann. “What about you? Do you forgive me?”

  A lump rose in Carrie Ann’s throat. She kneeled on the floor before Vivian and clasped her heavily veined hand. “You were doing what you thought was best.”

  Vivian’s lips tightened. “So was Leland.”

  “There’s a big difference. You didn’t kill anyone.”

  “I didn’t shoot anyone, but I as good as loaded the gun and pointed the barrel.” Her eyes drifted closed again. Tears leaked from her eyes and streamed down her weathered cheeks.

  Declan crouched beside Carrie Ann. “Vivian, you were right. I wasn’t good enough for Carrie Ann, not back then. I was too filled with anger to truly love anyone.”

  Vivian struggled to open her eyes. “You’ve grown into a good, decent man.” She drew a shaky breath. “Look after my girls.” She collapsed in the chair, her pale face turning gray as she fought for breath.

  “Call an ambulance,” Carrie Ann yelled.

  Vivian’s hand gripped hers with surprising strength. “No,” she panted. “I don’t want an ambulance. Let me go.” Her gaze bored into Carrie Ann’s, her meaning clear.

  Carrie Ann shook her head. “I can’t. The doctors―”

  Vivian cut in, her voice surprisingly calm. “The doctors can’t help me. Not anymore. Let…me…go…” Her voice faded on the last word, and she collapsed back onto the chair, her lips blue.

  “The ambulance is on the way,” said Declan.

  Carrie Ann studied her aunt’s still form. Her skin was waxen, the corners of her mouth lifted in a small smile as if she’d finally found peace. “She’s gone.”

  ****

  Declan regarded Carrie Ann. Lines of strain from the past few days’ events were written across her face. First she’d had Vivian’s funeral to arrange, and then the unending questioning by the sheriff’s investigators as they made their case against Leland. Sheriff Atkins’ prediction that Leland would be released on bail hadn’t panned out. Not yet. Leland Winters continued to occupy a cell in the county jail.

  Sheldon had been charged with obstructing justice, as well as a dozen other charges. He’d asked to see Declan, but so far he had refused. He didn’t know if he’d ever speak to his so-called friend again. Not only was Declan angry for the way Sheldon’s actions had ruined his life; he was furious at how the man’s cowardice had affected Carrie Ann.

  “This has been hard on you.” He searched for the right words. “I shouldn’t have run away all those years ago. I should have stayed and fought back; fought to prove my innocence; fought for you, for us. Then none of this mess would have happened.”

  “We both should have done things differently.” Tears gleamed in her eyes. She cleared her throat. “I shouldn’t have kept Bonnie from you. I should have told you the truth long ago.”

  “You did what you thought was best at the time.” He narrowed the distance between them until he felt her warmth, smelled the floral fragrance of her hair. Their bodies brushed. An electric current sizzled through him. He caressed the back of her neck.

  She edged closer. Her breasts grazed his chest, her hips pressing against his; yet, they were still not close enough.

  He skimmed his lips over hers, and then he deepened the kiss, tasting her sweetness.

  Her hot breath slid across his cheek. She took his earlobe between her teeth.

  He moaned, low and deep and with trembling hands, cupped the soft mounds of her breasts. Then he did the hardest thing he’d ever done. He stepped away from her. Eying her passion-glazed eyes, he cursed under his breath. Digging deep for strength, he said, “Not here, not now.”

  She opened her mouth to protest.

  He placed two gentle fingers over her lips and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I can’t do what I want to do to you here. I don’t only want sex, Carrie Ann. I want to explore every inch of you, body and soul.” He lifted his head and met her gaze. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Her eyes glowed.

  Cat’s eyes.

  She licked her lips, rosy from his kiss.

  He dug his nails into his palms, fighting for control. “I love you, Carrie Ann Hetherington. I want you and Bonnie in my life. I want us to be a family.” His heart thudded so loudly he feared he wouldn’t hear her answer. He feared he would.

  Her gaze searched his.

  He couldn’t breathe. What would he do if she rejected him? The silence lengthened, and something inside him shriveled. His shoulders slumped. He pasted a smile on his stiff lips and backed away. “It’s okay. I get it. No problem.” He searched for an escape route. He had to bolt before he lost all control.

  “Declan?”

  He shook his head. “No, it’s okay, really. Look, I have to go.” He spun on his heel and started moving away from her, each step drilling another painful shard into his heart.

  “Where are you going?” She called after him.

  He focused on the open door and escape.

&n
bsp; “You always run away, don’t you? That’s what you do. You don’t stay and fight for what’s important.”

  Her words burned through his pain. He stopped and turned back, frowning.

  Tears gleamed in her eyes turning the amber irises golden. “I thought you wanted to be a family.”

  “I do.”

  She smiled and held out her hand. “Well, then, come on. Let’s go and tell our daughter the good news.”

  “Good news?”

  “Didn’t you just ask me to marry you?”

  The suffocating weight in his chest eased. He opened his mouth, but closed it again, not wanting to say anything to change her mind. He nodded and kept nodding as a grin started to form.

  She walked toward him, her gaze never leaving his. “I love you, Declan McAllister. I always have. I always will.”

  I love you, Declan McAllister. Her words sang through him like an aria. In the next second she was in his arms.

  ****

  He stood by the open door, watching as Carrie Ann woke Bonnie. His heart thudded in his chest. He couldn’t hear what she said, but Bonnie sat up and regarded him with her dark brown eyes.

  He gulped.

  She smiled, her dimples dancing. “Hey, Declan.”

  He nodded.

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  He gulped again. His feet felt stuck to the floor.

  “Aren’t you going to come in?” A smile wreathed Carrie Ann’s face.

  He nodded again and ordered his feet to move. The distance to the bed from the door took forever to cross, but then he was beside the bed looking down at his daughter. He shoved his hands in his pockets to hide their shaking.

  “Do you play crib?” Bonnie pointed to a wooden cribbage board on the table beside the bed.

  He nodded. Say something. She’s going to think her father’s an idiot.

  “Good,” she chirped. “Do you want to play a game?”

  He turned to Carrie Ann.

  “Go ahead. I warn you, she’s good.” His wife-to-be dragged a chair closer to the bed and motioned for him to sit.

  He smiled at Bonnie. “Thanks.”

  She grinned back. “You won’t be thanking me for long. I’m going to kick your butt.”