Small-Town Secrets

by Debra Webb

  The sound of another car approaching sent adrenaline searing through her limbs, initiating the fight-or-flight response. The headlights cut across her and pierced the darkness in front of her. She kept walking. Didn’t look back.

  By the time the vehicle was next to her, she was certain her heart was going to burst from her chest. She refused to look. Kept her attention straight ahead.

  The sound of a power window lowering hummed in her ears.

  “Dana, what’re you doing?”

  Spence.

  Thank God.

  He braked hard. “Get in the car.”

  She started to say no. But what was the point?

  What was she doing?

  The tears came from nowhere. Flooded her vision then streamed down her cheeks. She tried to pull herself together, to be strong. But that wasn’t happening.

  A door slammed. Footsteps echoed on the pavement. And then she was in Spence’s arms.

  He held her tighter than anyone had in a very long time.

  Dana sagged against his chest. She cried so hard that her whole body shuddered with the effort.

  She was so lost.

  What did she do now?

  What did it even matter?

  SPENCE WATCHED DANA SLEEP. She’d cried for a solid hour. There had been nothing he could do but hold her. Nothing he could say except to make the same promise. He would find the truth.

  He crossed the room, pushed back the generic drapes and peered out at the night. A deputy’s cruiser sat in the parking lot across the street. Chief Gerard had made it clear that he wasn’t tolerating any more trouble out of Spence or Dana.

  If Spence or Dana went anywhere near Joanna Cassidy’s parents, legal action would be taken. Since Sherry Sanford’s family had moved to Denver, they were beyond the chief’s jurisdiction. However, he warned Spence that he had already called the Sanfords and urged them not to take calls from Spence or Dana.

  A stalemate.

  The chief was fighting him every step of the way.

  Why?

  And this whole business about the fire being related to the home’s incoming electrical supply was ludicrous. The exterior service panels were in the off position, had been for nearly sixteen years. It was true that the meter was still in place and that the electrical service was still active to the service panel, but the fire had started on an exterior wall beneath that service panel. A service panel that was off.

  Spence was no master electrician, so he couldn’t say for certain that the chief’s suggestion was impossible. When considered with the vandalism to the first-floor bedroom in the house as well as his car and the reaction of a number of citizens to Dana’s presence, foul play should be suspected.

  And investigated.

  That wasn’t going to happen because the chief wanted Spence and Dana out of here today. An arson investigation would only give them reasonable cause to prolong their stay in Brighton.

  Spence had already considered consulting Victoria about bringing the FBI into this. There was a major cover up going on here, and Spence wasn’t at all sure he could handle this alone.

  He knew how the law worked, no question.

  Without tangible physical evidence, he didn’t have a leg to stand on. All he had was an overwhelming gut instinct that the chief was hiding the truth.

  How could anyone not see that?

  Had the parents of the victims been so devastated that they couldn’t dredge up the wherewithal to induce the chief to do his job?

  Were the citizens of this town so convinced that Dana was guilty that they refused to see anything else?

  Evidently.

  Spence closed the drapes, checked the lock on the door and sat down on the bed. He needed sleep. Later today they had only one avenue available. Attempt to interview Patty Shepard and Ginger Ellis. The chief hadn’t cautioned him to stay away from those two in particular.

  If that didn’t give him something more to go on, he would have no choice but to call Victoria.

  Spence didn’t want to fail the Colby Agency.

  But more than that, he didn’t want to fail Dana.

  As if his thoughts had summoned her, her eyes opened. She blinked, stared at him a moment, likely mentally replaying the night’s events, then pressed her hand to her mouth.

  “We’re going to start early,” he said, in an effort to give her hope. “We’ll go to Ginger Ellis first, then to Patty Shepard. We’re not giving up.” Not yet.

  She rolled onto her back, swiped at her eyes. “My entire life I’ve been the one who didn’t bother anyone, didn’t speak out of turn. I was always quiet and obedient. How can this be real?” Her gaze met and held his. “How could I have killed three people and not remember? How could all these people believe I’m pure evil?”

  Spence traced a tear she’d missed that trickled down her cheek. “There are a lot of unanswered questions. And we’re not settling on a conclusion until we have the answers. When we have the truth, we’ll deal with it. Whatever it is.”

  “But how?” She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. “How am I supposed to deal with it?”

  “We will deal with it,” he reiterated. “You don’t have to do anything alone.”

  He had sworn he would never again get personally involved on this level. And here he was, involved all the way to his heart. But he couldn’t let her do this alone. No way.

  He kept seeing that little thirteen-year-old girl all alone in the woods with her sister’s body. The invisible little girl that everyone made fun of and blamed any and all trouble on.

  The throwaway kid.

  There were far too many in this world.

  Even sixteen years later, as an adult, Dana Hall was still treated as utterly dispensable.

  She blinked back the renewed shine of tears, swiped at her nose. “After all you’ve been told, why would you want to help me? I know you’re a smart guy, but it seems like a dumb decision.”

  He laughed softly. “I guess I’ve always been a sucker for the underdog.”

  Their gazes held as emotions stirred hotter, deeper inside him. He couldn’t leave her to the wolves…he had to stand up for her. No matter that she appeared weak and confused. He could only imagine the strength it took to continue living with this burden day in and day out. It would have been so much easier to end all the pain and guilt. The way her father had. But she’d stood strong and waited for the day that her courage was solid enough to come back here and find the truth.

  As weepy and confused and uncertain as she seemed, the determination and bravery required to come this far made him ache to know more of her.

  To heal that injured woman so long neglected.

  A faint smile trembled across her lips. “You know, the last time a man looked at me like that he kissed me. But that was a long, long time ago.”

  Anticipation had him leaning closer. “Then you’re way overdue.”

  He lowered his lips until they touched hers. Her breath caught at the rush of sensations. His heart thumped hard. He’d never wanted to kiss any woman as much as he wanted to kiss Dana.

  It was forbidden, unprofessional.

  It was dangerous, if half of what he’d been told was true.

  It was the only way he would survive this moment.

  He pressed his mouth firmly over hers and kissed her the way a man should kiss a woman. With utter respect and tenderness and mind-blowing desire.

  She made the sweetest sound. Her fingers threaded into his hair and pulled him closer still.

  The kiss went on and on. Deeper and deeper, then slower and sweeter.

  He would have given most anything to make love to her. But she was vulnerable right now. He wouldn’t take advantage of that. Instead, he lay down beside her and held her close. Let her feel how much he wanted her. Let her know that he was there for her.

  Whatever the cost, he was in for the duration.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chicago, Illinois

  Half past two. Victoria
stood at the door of the guest room where Jamie slept so peacefully. She’d scarcely made it through the afternoon briefing. Spence had checked in. Things were moving slowly in Brighton. Victoria would simply have to leave the worries of the day-to-day operations up to Mildred and Simon. She had to focus solely on protecting Jamie.

  The school hadn’t been able to explain the fire alarm. But Nicole, Elaine and Brad had ensured Jamie’s safety during the ordeal.

  They had no leads. Nothing. It was as if this threat had come from thin air. And yet, it was there, expanding with each passing moment.

  Victoria’s heart ached with the pressure and fatigue of the past seventy-two hours. She wished Lucas were home. She questioned her decision not to attempt to reach Jim and Tasha at least a dozen times a day.

  Victoria closed her eyes. Please, God, protect this child. Let them do what they will to me, but please, please, keep this child safe.

  For the first time in her life, Victoria wondered if she could do this. She’d had to be strong for so long. She was tired. Tired of…

  No. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin in defiance of her own emotions. She was blessed in many ways. She had no right to feel sorry for herself. Weakness was not allowed.

  She would keep her grandchild safe while she tracked down these bastards. And then she would make sure they never threatened her family again.

  Or she would die trying.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Brighton, Indiana

  At 7:30 a.m. Ginger Ellis wasn’t at the diner. According to her coworker, she was scheduled to come in from eight to three, but she’d called in sick. The coworker had also pointed out that Ginger’s last name was Larson now.

  A quick check of the local telephone book had given Dana her address. Ginger had married high-school football hero Derek Larson.

  The photos in her school yearbook, which was the only item from her past Dana now possessed, had reminded her who Derek Larson was. Why didn’t photos of Lorie or Sherry or Joanna help her remember more?

  Dana stared at the modest brick home down the street from where Spence had parked. Ginger shared the home with her husband. She had a real life, a relationship. Dana wasn’t sure she would ever have those things.

  “You ready?” Spence asked.

  Dana held her breath, braced to say yes, but a large yellow school bus pulled to the curb in front of Ginger’s house. “Wait.” She watched as Ginger waved to a small boy dashing toward the waiting doors of the bus.

  Ginger apparently had a child, too.

  Envy stirred in Dana’s heart. She didn’t mean to be envious, but she couldn’t help herself. All she needed was the truth…then maybe she could move on and have those things.

  Spence got out of the car and came around to Dana’s side. She opened the door and joined him.

  She could do this. It was the only way. Chief Gerard just wasn’t cooperating in any capacity. Dana needed answers. Someone had to start telling her more than what a bad person she’d been. That part was clear, even if Dana had no memory of executing all those heinous deeds.

  Strange. Why wouldn’t she remember incidents that happened well before her sister’s murder?

  She glanced left then right. No sign of any official vehicles. Spence had spent twenty minutes losing the deputy assigned to watch their every move.

  Chief Gerard wouldn’t be happy.

  Too bad. Dana had a right to know what happened sixteen years ago.

  That could very well be where her rights ended.

  She shivered.

  “You’re sure you’re up to this?”

  It was nice having someone worry about her. She’d lived alone and on her own for so long. Not allowing anyone close had taken its toll. Maintaining a meager, too-busy-to-visit relationship with her only remaining relative, her mother, hadn’t been easy either. But it was for the best. Her mother refused to talk about Donna’s death. She refused to discuss their life in Brighton at all. Small doses of contact were necessary.

  In answer to Spence’s question, she nodded. “This is our only option.” They were quickly running out of leads to follow.

  Before they’d taken another step toward the Larson home, the front door opened. Ginger hurried out, her purse draped over her shoulder. Dana’s nerves jangled. Ginger climbed into her SUV and backed out of the drive. Thankfully headed in the opposite direction from where they’d parked.

  Dana’s relief was short-lived. Now they wouldn’t be able to talk to her. Every step forward and they got shoved back three.

  “Get back in the car.”

  The stern order startled her into action. She hustled back to the car.

  “We’re going to follow her?” Dana dragged her seat belt over her lap.

  “We’re going to do,” he said as he eased away from the curb, “whatever is necessary.”

  Emotion crowded into Dana’s throat. He was going above and beyond for her. She’d heard the Colby Agency was the best in the business. Now she could see why.

  She’d waited a long time for someone with the courage to help her see this through.

  Whatever the truth turned out to be, she was ready to face it.

  GINGER ELLIS LARSON DROVE to a community park on the west side of Brighton. Spence pulled to the side of the street half a block away.

  “What is she doing?” Dana leaned forward to watch the woman walk toward the center of the park.

  Another woman waved and Ginger veered in that direction. “She’s meeting someone. See the lady at the swings.”

  “That’s…” Dana unsnapped her seat belt and moved forward a few more inches. “That’s Lorie Hamilton—I mean Venable.”

  Lorie hugged Ginger before giving one of the swings another push. A small blond girl squealed with glee as she swayed back and forth.

  “It’s possible this could be a coincidence. A weekly activity between two old school buddies,” Spence suggested, but his instincts weren’t buying it.

  “Look.” Dana pointed to another woman striding toward Ginger and Lorie. “That’s Patty Shepard or whatever.”

  This got better and better. They could interview all three at the same time. The chief wouldn’t be happy, especially since he’d warned Spence to stay away from Lorie. But this was a public park. A dozen or so mothers and twice that many kids were scattered about.

  While Spence and Dana watched, Lorie plucked the little girl, presumably her daughter, from the swing and the three women moved to a sandbox where other children played. Lorie settled the child there then ushered her friends to a bench a few feet away.

  “They’re talking about me, aren’t they?” Dana’s gaze collided with his. The fear that had been notably missing this morning was back.

  “Probably.” He placed his hand on hers and gave it a squeeze. “But that just makes our job easier.”

  Dana chewed her lower lip and shifted her attention back to the three ladies in question.

  “We’ll watch a couple of minutes, then we’ll join the party.” The chief would be called, but Spence could get in a number of questions in the seven or eight minutes it would take the man to get here.

  Those two minutes ticked by like an eternity. Dana remained on the edge of her seat as if she could somehow hear the discussion if she watched closely enough.

  Ginger was the demonstrative one. She used a lot of body language. Lorie paced, splitting her attention between the discussion and her daughter in the sandbox. Patty was the still one. Her arms were hugged around her waist. Her ankles crossed.

  “Okay.” Spence pulled the keys from the ignition. “Let’s crash this tea party.”

  Spence kept to the sidewalk in hopes of not attracting attention until they were closer to the threesome. Dana stayed close behind him. He’d gotten within twenty feet of the bench when Ginger noticed his approach.

  “Good morning, ladies.”

  Patty and Ginger were on their feet instantly. Lorie looked torn between running for her daughter and standing her gr
ound with the others.

  Dana fell back a step when the women’s attention shifted to her.

  “I was hoping to speak to each of you,” Spence announced as he took a position well within conversation range. “It must be my lucky day to catch all three of you together.”

  Lorie lifted her hands, waved them back and forth. “Chief Gerard already warned you not to bother me.” If the panic in her eyes was any indication, she was figuratively caught in the act.

  “Not to worry.” Spence held up his hands in stop-sign fashion to negate her response. “We’re not here to cause trouble. We just have a few questions that any or all of you should be happy to answer.”

  Ginger glared at Spence. “I’m not answering anything.” She turned that fierce glare on Dana. “You shouldn’t have come back here.”

  Patty looked more terrified than panicked or angry. She was the weak link. Thirty seconds and Spence had already learned an important detail.

  “I don’t know why you keep saying that,” Dana countered, her words directed at Ginger. “I grew up here, went to school with all of you. Why won’t you help me? I need to know what happened.”

  “They’re dead,” Lorie blurted. “What do you hope to accomplish stirring all this up again?”

  Dana hugged her arms around her waist. “Because I need to know.” She gestured to the sandbox where the little girl played. “You went on with your lives. Have husbands. Children.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t do that. Because I can’t stop trying to remember what happened. I can’t…live with this any longer. Don’t you understand that?”

  Ginger went toe-to-toe with Dana. “You killed your own sister. You don’t deserve to have a life.”

  Before Spence could push between the two women, Patty made the move. “That’s enough.” She stared a long moment at Ginger. The fear was gone, replaced by something like fury. “No one knows for sure what happened. We weren’t there.” She turned to Dana. “If you were guilty, you would’ve been arrested.”