Vendetta

by Lisa Harris

She hadn’t told Ryan where she was going or that she’d planned to spend the day with Tyler. Not that he expected her to tell him everything. It was one of the things she disliked about the awkward first stages of dating, when they were still getting to know each other. Explaining her relationship with Tyler would just . . . complicate things.

  “I saw it on the news this morning,” Ryan said. “Any good leads?”

  “A few, but nothing substantial yet, unfortunately.”

  “I won’t keep you then. I just wanted to tell you that I had a really good time last night.”

  She smiled. He’d taken her to dinner, then to the Nashville symphony, something she hadn’t been to in years. The night had been romantic, even magical. But finding a way to balance her personal life with her professional life had never been easy. Somehow both sides had a way of tangling themselves together at the most inopportune times. She found that out with the last guy she’d gone out with. Ryan, though, was . . . different. He’d somehow managed to get her to actually consider the possibility of a relationship with him.

  She gnawed at the inside of her lip and felt the flutter of butterflies in her stomach. “I had a good time too.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, because I’d like to do it again. Soon.”

  She paused again. Yes, she enjoyed spending time with him and even knew he was someone she wanted to get to know better. Then why the hesitation? She was being silly. It wasn’t as if she were leading him on. There was nothing wrong with getting to know the man better. They were simply two people with similar interests who enjoyed spending time together.

  Then why did she feel as if something was missing? That certain unexplainable spark she’d seen in her parents’ marriage. The same spark she was looking for in her relationships. She rubbed the back of her neck. Today was not the day to make any significant decisions. Once this case was behind her she knew she’d regret not giving him another chance.

  “Nikki?”

  “Sorry . . . I’d like that too. What did you have in mind?”

  “I thought we could do something different this time. You mentioned how much you liked climbing. I’ve got a friend who owns an indoor rock climbing gym, if you’re up for it.”

  She started walking across the parking lot—empty except for a scattering of law enforcement vehicles—needing to stretch her muscles. The visitor center was already closed, and all the volunteers had gone home for the day. Normally, she’d jump at the chance at hanging on the side of a cliff, man-made or not. After today’s accident, though, she wasn’t exactly clamoring to get up there again. But neither did she want to put him off.

  “I do love climbing, but listen, can I get back to you about it when I get back to Nashville? I’m not sure when I’ll finish up this case, or even when I’ll be back in town, for that matter.”

  She wasn’t ready to tell him that this case had become personal. That she was staying because she was going to find this guy.

  “Not a problem,” Ryan said. “Just give me a call when you’re back and are free, and we’ll make a plan.”

  No pressure? No trying to persuade her? Maybe he was perfect.

  “Thanks, Ryan. I’ll do that.”

  “Before I let you go, though, I did want to say that I . . . I hope you feel what I’m feeling. Like there’s this connection between us. And no, you don’t have to answer.”

  Nikki pressed her cell phone against her ear. Maybe she’d spoken too soon.

  “Especially not over the phone,” he continued. “It’s just that I haven’t met a woman like you in a long time. Too many of the women I meet seem to be on this fast track to becoming—I don’t know—some sort of trophy wife, but you . . . you’re different. I’ve seen the compassion you put into your work and your determination to ensure justice wins. I guess the bottom line is that I want you to know that I’m enjoying getting to know you.”

  Nikki felt the emotions of the day tug on her. Juggling her past with current responsibilities and family and then somehow trying to find a way to add someone like Ryan to the mix . . . Sometimes she simply didn’t know how to do it.

  “Nikki? You still there?”

  “Yeah. I’m still here.” Nikki smiled. “Thanks, Ryan. I appreciate the compliment. I’ll be in touch once I’m back in Nashville.”

  Nikki hung up the call and stared out across the darkened parking lot, wondering if she’d made the right decision. Or if she was simply leading Ryan on. Marriage and family were definitely something she wanted. Someday. Not that Ryan was probing for a commitment. Not yet. But she’d seen how he looked at her, and read between the lines of some of the things he’d said. He wasn’t just looking for a casual relationship. He was thirty-six and ready to settle down with the right woman. And at the moment, it was beginning to look like he believed that woman was her.

  Tyler walked up to her carrying two containers of Chinese takeout, pulling her away from her thoughts. “I wondered where you’d gone. Gwen told me you hadn’t eaten yet, so I decided to grab some before it was gone.”

  “Why does that not surprise me?” Nikki laughed, dropping her phone into her back pocket. “I told her you’d make sure I ate.”

  “Someone’s got to keep you in line.” He led her over to an empty wooden bench in front of the entrance of the visitor center. “Chicken cashew or crispy beef?”

  “Switch halfway?” she asked, reaching for the chicken cashew and a pair of chopsticks.

  “You bet.”

  Chinese takeout was Tyler and Liam’s Friday night dinner of choice. Nikki couldn’t remember how many times she’d brought their favorites from the Chinese Garden, then ended up staying to watch a movie or play Wii with Liam.

  “You’re smiling,” Tyler said, digging into his beef. “Good news?”

  “No news.” Nikki bit the inside of her lip and searched for a piece of chicken with her chopsticks. “Just a phone call, then Kyle wants to speak with us. He has some ideas on working with the media.”

  “Then that’s not why you’re smiling.” Tyler sat back and looked at her. “I know. Mr. Perfect called.”

  Nikki stared down at the patch of stones beneath the bench and felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. “Why would you say that?”

  “You bite the inside of your lip when you’re nervous. Couple that with the grin on your face, I put two and two together. Am I right?”

  Nikki stabbed at a piece of chicken. “You’re impossible. I’m not nervous talking with him. Especially considering the fact that at this point, he’s just a . . . friend.”

  Tyler took another bite. “If you say so.”

  “I do say so.”

  “But you’re telling me you don’t like him.”

  “Fine.” She looked up at him. “Maybe just a little.”

  “Why?”

  “Why do I like him? He’s . . .”

  “Perfect?”

  “Stop. No.” Nikki set the box in her lap. “He’s not perfect. Sort of, but I don’t know. Maybe that’s the problem.”

  “I don’t see why it’s a problem. He makes you smile.”

  Nikki let out an exasperated breath. Why did Tyler—why did anyone—care about her dating life? “It’s just been awhile since I’ve received compliments . . . besides you, of course.”

  “Then tell me how Mr. Perfect is a problem.”

  “His name is Ryan, and no one is perfect.” Was that really the core of the issue? Fear she was going to find out he wasn’t perfect? “He has to have at least one bad habit. One annoying characteristic that drives me crazy. But he doesn’t. Or at least I haven’t found it yet. I like being with him. He makes me laugh. He compliments me enough, but not too much for it to seem fake. I like him.”

  “And that’s a problem, why?”

  “It’s not a problem, though it does up the chances that he’s . . . I don’t know . . . a serial killer or a bank robber or something.”

  “A serial killer.” Tyler chuckled. “Yeah, that makes sense, because that describes
most serial killers and bank robbers.”

  “You’re making fun of me.”

  “Never.”

  She shook her head but couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m serious. Dating is just . . . complicated.”

  “Why is it complicated? Why can’t a guy just be nice? Why can’t he have good manners, open the car door for you, pay for your dinner, and tell you how beautiful you are without worrying you’re going to take it wrong?”

  “Because every guy I’ve dated for the past couple of years has ended up having some annoying habit that I couldn’t overlook. At first they seem perfect, or at least almost perfect. You know, during those first moments when they want to impress me. And then after a couple of dates—if it even lasts that long—they forget and start talking too much about themselves or their ex-girlfriends, or they agree with everything I say, which is annoying.”

  “And so when you do find Mr. Perfect, it what? Scares you off. You’re just waiting for Dr. Jekyll to turn into Mr. Hyde.”

  Nikki took another bite, trying to figure out how to answer his question. “I’m sure you’re probably right, but I think I’m waiting for the ball to drop. Waiting for that bad habit to appear. The one I decide I can’t live with. Because, let’s face it, I don’t have a great track record when it comes to dating.”

  “Maybe not, but maybe you’re looking for something that isn’t there.” He nudged her with his shoulder. “Take our relationship for example. I’m not a serial killer, or a bank robber for that matter. We know how to be ourselves with each other. And I come in pretty handy when you’re hanging on for dear life off the side of a cliff.”

  “Maybe that’s what I’m looking for,” she said.

  Someone just like Tyler. Nikki shook off the thought before it had a chance to take root, and she grabbed a cashew with her fingers. “Anyway. You make me sound . . . I don’t know. Indecisive.”

  “I’ve never known you to be indecisive. Except perhaps with Mr. Per—Ryan.”

  “Thank you. And I know I’m not making any sense. Katie would have understood.”

  “I’m sure she would have, though she never accused me of being perfect.”

  “Your and Katie’s relationship did seem perfect. At least from the outside. You adored her, and she thought you hung the moon.”

  “Then you’ve forgotten. Because you, more than anyone else, knew we struggled just like any married couple. I’m messy, and she could be stubborn when she wanted to. Switch?” He held out his carton.

  Nikki nodded and handed him her chicken cashew.

  “We had plenty of fights, you know that,” he said. “I can think of a couple of times when she went to see you after some argument we got into.”

  “But you never let any of that ruin your relationship.”

  “Because after a rough beginning, we decided we had to take our marriage seriously. Divorce was never an option.”

  “But that’s just it.” Nikki turned to Tyler, catching his gaze. “I don’t need perfect. I just want someone who looks at me and sees my imperfections and decides to take a chance with me anyway. Someone who will tell me how he feels, love me despite my flaws, and maybe take out the trash while he’s at it.”

  The realness of two people being together, sharing who they were, the good and the bad.

  “Somehow I have a feeling that one of these days Mr. Perfect—or someone close to it—will sweep you off your feet, and at that moment you’ll know he’s the one.”

  “Maybe.”

  Tyler finished up his last bite of food, then dropped his chopsticks into the box. “Your smile’s gone.”

  “I’m just frustrated. And I’m not talking about Mr. Perfect. I need to get back to work, but all we keep hitting are dead ends in this case. I don’t know what else to do.”

  “You once told me if you don’t have a good lead, utilize logic until you’re on the right track again. Can I throw out my two cents?”

  “Of course.”

  “Try looking at things from a different angle. Because it’s like someone is leading this investigation, but it’s not you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Think Hansel and Gretel and a trail of bread crumbs. It’s like everything so far has been too . . . too convenient.”

  She shook her head, not following him. “It’s called following the evidence.”

  “Yes, but things just don’t seem to be adding up. You don’t take a girl after implementing some detailed plan, then leave a trail of crumbs behind you for the police to follow. It doesn’t make sense. And you don’t bring someone you’ve just abducted into the Smoky Mountains Park unless you have a surefire plan of escape. What if you’re following the wrong trail?”

  Nikki grasped the edge of the bench. “What do you mean? You think he’s purposely trying to throw us off?”

  “Think about it. You have her hat in an abandoned car, the phone, and a photograph. But she could be halfway to Alaska by now for all we know.”

  If he hadn’t already killed her.

  “You mentioned earlier whoever brought her here needed to be someone who knows the park,” he said.

  “That’s logical.”

  “So let’s keep looking at it logically. In the park, there are paid rangers, volunteers, tourists, and thru-hikers.”

  Nikki laughed. “That narrows down our search.”

  “I think we can assume that whoever took her, assuming he did bring her here, knows the park. Because I don’t see him making a plan without having an exit strategy.”

  “You heard what Anderson said, though. He wouldn’t necessarily need an exit strategy.”

  “True,” Tyler said. “The park covers over five hundred thousand acres. Bridget wouldn’t be the first person who vanished without a trace inside the park. And if you think about it, his chances of not getting caught are high.”

  Nikki shuddered and zipped up her jacket. “So in other words, instead of being some sort of stupid mistake, the park becomes the perfect place to disappear.”

  “Exactly.” Tyler took her empty takeout box and tossed it in the trash can. “I think this is some sort of game.”

  “Okay.” Nikki looked up at him. “Then I know who might be able to help us.”

  15

  Nikki leaned back against the passenger seat of the car the local PD had loaned them and closed her eyes as Tyler turned left onto a two-lane road just outside of Gatlinburg. She’d managed to finish her dinner under Tyler’s watchful eyes, but only because she knew she needed the energy to combat the heavy fatigue—both physical and emotional—she was fighting. Sleep would come later, but for now she had to keep going. And try not to let memories of Sarah’s abduction completely overwhelm her . . .

  That morning she’d dropped Sarah off at school early. Sarah had worn her favorite I Love New York sweatshirt with jeans and a pair of red sneakers, her long blond hair pulled up in a ponytail. She had been her usual bubbly self as they’d talked about Brice Mitchell on the way.

  “Camy told me that Brice is planning to come to my birthday party.”

  “Didn’t I tell you he liked you?”

  “Yes, but that was only because you’re my sister.”

  “Say what you want,” Nikki said, stopping beside the curb in front of the school, “but I was right.”

  “I’ll see you after school, Nikki.” Sarah paused before shutting the door. “Oh, but before I forget, I need you to convince Dad to buy me that new dress we found last week. He doesn’t think I need another one.”

  Nikki laughed, then promised Sarah she’d do her best. And that she’d be back at three.

  At three fifteen that afternoon, Nikki’s entire world had begun to crumble.

  She fought back the tears. Missing Sarah as much today as the moment she’d realized she was gone.

  Even Ryan’s call had managed to push her in a direction she didn’t want to go. As if adding one more card to the house of cards would bring everything crashing down. She tried to brush aside the n
ew layer of guilt that had begun to form. Ryan hadn’t deserved her curt response, but neither could he begin to understand what she was going through. He seemed to thrive on numbers, end-of-the-month financial reports, and business meetings. In contrast, her work forced her to delve into the world’s darkness. And sometimes, on days like today, that darkness spilled over into her world, threatening to pull her under.

  Which was why she couldn’t allow herself to give in to the fear that would only paralyze her. Not now. Not knowing that Bridget was out there somewhere.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” Tyler said, dragging her from her thoughts.

  She opened her eyes and glanced at him. “I’m just . . . thinking.”

  “About?” Tyler prodded.

  “About Sarah and Bridget, mainly. And hoping Sam can help.”

  “Tell me more about Sam before we get there.”

  Nikki shifted in her seat, her fingers clutching the armrest. “Sam retired from the force about a year after Sarah disappeared, but during his last year, he was the lead investigator working on her case.”

  “And your connection with him?”

  “He realized how determined I was to stay as involved as I could in the investigation. He never tried to put me off. Always managed to find time to answer all my questions. We’ve kept in contact all these years. He became both a friend and a mentor.”

  “Sounds like a good man.”

  “He is a good man. After his retirement, he formed a private investigation agency with a couple of his buddies. They’ve actually solved a number of cold homicide and missing persons cases. And he’s never stopped looking for Sarah.”

  Tyler glanced at the GPS, then pulled into the driveway of a modest, two-story residence just outside the city limits. “Are you sure you’re up to this? You look tired.”

  “I am, but this is important.”

  “We could meet him in the morning after you’ve gotten some sleep.”

  “I’m fine, Tyler.”

  Tyler turned off the engine, apparently realizing there was no use arguing with her. She could see the same fatigue reflected in his eyes as well. Peeling back the layers of an abduction was never easy.