The Sierra Files Box Set: Books 1-3: Plus a bonus Christmas novella!

by Christy Barritt

  “Don’t jump to conclusions. He didn’t necessarily use that to dump his wife’s dead body.”

  “I’m not doing any jumping. I’m just pointing out facts. There’s a difference.” I made sure we detoured past the equipment on our way to the front door. I paused behind the shed and got a better look.

  Chad pointed to a dark brown stain on the blue tarp. “You’re right. The police might want to check this out.”

  I cringed when I saw it. Dried blood? I couldn’t be sure, but certainly the police had tests to determine what it was. The splotches were definitely too big for a nosebleed.

  This man was getting creepier and creepier by the minute.

  I hurried past the enormous deck and around the side of the house and charged up to the front door. I reminded myself to look compassionate and not like someone who was out for blood—which seemed to be the extent of my relationship with Mr. Lennox so far.

  I rang the bell before Chad even caught up with me.

  Mr. Lennox answered, still wearing the same outfit from earlier. He narrowed his eyes when he saw me. “You. What do you want this time? Did you bring the police again? Report I had a boo-boo on my knee and demand an investigation?”

  Nice, Sierra. Be nice, even in the face of mean, spiteful people.

  “I just saw your dog running through the woods behind my parents’ house. I wanted to make sure he was okay.”

  He grunted, his beady eyes not showing an ounce of compassion. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

  He started to shut the door.

  “Wait!” I cried.

  He paused and tapped his foot.

  I had to think quickly. “I just don’t want to see anything happen to Big Boy.”

  “Who’s Big Boy?” He spit out the words, looking at me like I’d lost my mind.

  “I mean . . . I mean, your dog, who just happens to be a big boy. Anyway, stray dogs often end up in shelters, if not worse. I’d hate for the dogcatcher to come.”

  He sighed and leaned against the door. “Do you have a point? I’m a very busy man with much better things to do than have this conversation.”

  I shook my head. “Only that dogs shouldn’t roam free. It’s better for them and for society if they have boundaries. It’s a safety issue.”

  If in doubt, don’t spout viewpoints. Stick to the facts.

  He leaned against the doorframe like I’d exhausted him. “Look, I don’t know how he got out. But I’ll keep a better eye on him. Will that make you feel better?” His words dripped with derision.

  “Aren’t you going to go look for him?”

  “He’ll come back. He always does.”

  “So this is a common problem?” My voice rose in judgment, my defenses crumbling. Some people should not be allowed to have animal companions. That was all there was to it.

  “Look—” He stepped closer, his face hardening.

  Chad pulled me back before either Mr. Lennox or I could get the best of each other. “Thank you for your time,” Chad mumbled. “We’ll be going.”

  Chad took my hand and pulled me down the steps. I cast one last incredulous look at Mr. Lennox before deciding I had given him too much time already.

  “Why’d you do that for?” I mumbled.

  “Because I don’t want you to be arrested.”

  “But—”

  “Come on, Sierra. Let’s go back to your parents’ house. They want you there for their rehearsal dinner, remember? Besides, the police are looking into this. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

  Easy for him to say.

  We were leaving one worry and entering into another, I realized. I wondered if Chad realized that I was leading him into the lion’s den.

  Chapter Six

  When I reached my parents’ house, the sun had already begun to set, casting a lovely orange glow over the landscape. Guests chatted as if the bone was long forgotten. In the background, a harpist doled out a delicate melody. The scene seemed so serene and peaceful.

  “You’re wearing that?” My mom gawked as I walked into the backyard.

  I looked down and saw that I had mud caked up the sides of my jeans. I probably smelled like the woods, too, and Chad hadn’t fared much better. We might as well have been working in a pigpen for the day.

  “I can go change.”

  She grabbed my arm. “No, if you get cleaned up, you’ll miss the whole thing. It’s noble that you want to help the police, but sometimes other priorities come first. Now, find your place card and sit. The pork is getting cold.”

  My mother knew I didn’t eat meat. Maybe she was just stressed and had forgotten. That was what I’d blame her outburst on.

  I wandered through the crowd until I found a table with my name on it. Fortunately, Chad’s placard was beside mine. Unfortunately, Greg was sitting on the other side.

  My ex smiled brightly as I sat down. “Sierra. So lovely to see you here.”

  I nodded, wishing Chad hadn’t detoured inside to use the bathroom. “Greg.”

  A waitress came and set a plate down in front of me. I frowned when I saw the slab of meat there. If only meat eaters knew what those poor animals went through before making it on the plate.

  Greg leaned closer, wiping his mouth with a linen napkin. “I don’t eat meat, either. That was all due to your influence, by the way.”

  “Aw, and I just thought you’d done it to impress me.” I’d fully expected him to revert to his natural carnivorous state when we broke up. That had been the case with most of my exes. I hadn’t even tried to convert Chad. If he wanted to change, it would be his decision.

  “I’ve grown up a lot since we dated, Sierra.”

  I’d thought he was pretty grown up when we were dating. He wasn’t exactly the kick-his-shoes-off, throw-his-feet-up, and let-loose kind of guy. I’d always known he’d make a responsible husband, father, and employee. I just didn’t want to live that kind of cookie-cutter life. I’d thought he’d realized that, too.

  I tried to crane my neck and see if Chad was on his way, without appearing too rude. I didn’t see him anywhere. I cleared my throat. “Looks like you’re doing well for yourself. I mean, it looks like you’re doing well for yourself.” My mom’s voice nagged me silently.

  Greg nodded, delicately stabbing a green bean. “I like to think so. I joined a practice two months ago. I just purchased a nice starter home on the outskirts of town.”

  “Starter home, huh?” I couldn’t imagine him in a starter home, but maybe even young doctors right out of med school had their share of financial limitations. I lived in a little two-bedroom apartment in a house that was older than my aunt Yori, and there were months when paying the bills was difficult.

  He nodded. “That’s right. It’s only around six thousand square feet, but in a few years I’ll purchase a real place.”

  I gulped. “Only six thousand, huh? That’s barely enough room for one person.”

  His eyes showed no sign that he picked up on the humor in my words. “I know, but this is all a part of my plan. I just take things one step at a time. Honestly, I have everything I want for this phase of my life.” He glanced at me, something warm flickering in his gaze. “Well, nearly everything.”

  I offered a weak smile, knowing just where he was going with this conversation, and I made sure to continue chasing a cherry tomato around my salad plate. “I’m really happy for you, Greg.”

  “I have to ask. This fellow you brought with you . . . ?”

  My stomach churned because I really didn’t want to have this conversation. “Chad.”

  He nodded. “Yes, Chad. Are you two—?”

  Just then, someone peeked over the fence. I’d recognize that red bouffant anywhere. It was the neighbor, Mrs. Jericho! “Excuse me, Greg. I’ll be right back.”

  I threw my linen napkin onto my chair and hurried toward her. I stepped through the gate onto the other side of the fence and saw the neighbor hunched down, her face pressed against the fence right by a slit that would give her
a view of the party. She startled when she spotted me.

  “Dear me, child. You scared me to death.” Somehow, she made it sound like I was the one doing something wrong when she was the one both trespassing and spying.

  “Can I help you?”

  “I just noticed a lot of commotion on the street today. I wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

  I pondered how much to say and finally settled with “My parents are renewing their vows. This is the rehearsal dinner.”

  She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Of course. My invitation must have gotten lost.” Disdain trickled from each word.

  “However, if you were talking about the police cars and not the festivities, then you should know that there have been some questionable activities going on in the neighborhood lately.”

  “Oh? What do you mean?”

  I had to choose my words carefully. “I’ve heard about the copper thefts in this area. Some people think that’s a gateway crime that will only lead to bigger problems. You notice anything strange going on around here lately?”

  “Should I have?”

  “I’m not sure. What can you tell me about the Lennoxes?” I put the bait out there, hoping I’d feel a tug on the line. Instantly, guilt pounded at me because I’d merely thought in terms of a fishing analogy. What was happening to me?

  “I never even see them home at the same time. It’s almost like they’re living two separate lives.”

  “Reggie seems like he has a temper.”

  She snorted. “To say the least. For the last couple of months, both of them have been so busy yelling at each other that no one wants to be around them. Apparently not even the dog. Finally, they got a dog walker to give the poor pooch some attention.”

  “For Big Boy?”

  She raised a thin eyebrow. “Who?”

  “I mean, they hired someone to walk their dog? He’s precious.”

  “I’m not sure if Reggie thinks so. Lately, he’s always grumbling as he’s throwing him outside. I don’t even know why they have a dog. They don’t seem like the types.”

  “Why would they have a dog, then?”

  She shrugged. “Status? To prove a point? To attempt to live the American dream?”

  What did she mean by that? Maybe the woman was just trying to start trouble.

  “Well, I guess I should be getting back to dinner before anyone realizes I’m gone.”

  “I guess you should. Ta-ta.” She tinkled her fingers in the air.

  “Ta-ta.” Did people actually say that? No one in my circles did, not unless they were making fun of people who did. What I wouldn’t give to have Gabby here right now to crack one of her jokes.

  I slipped back into the backyard and noticed the catering crew had started cleaning up. Most of my family had gone into the house, except for a few stragglers who were shooting the breeze. The sun was nearly gone now. It was still cold outside, but since I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, I couldn’t feel the frigid temperatures as much.

  “Sierra?” a familiar voice said.

  My heartbeat softened when I spotted Chad walking toward me.

  “I’ve been looking for you.”

  “Long story. Did you eat yet?”

  “I grabbed a roll and added some barbecue to it. Your aunt Yori grabbed me and talked my ear off about all things anime. Who would have ever thought? Your sister’s husband, Mark, rescued me. Nice guy.”

  I nodded. “He’s an anesthesiologist.”

  “Is everyone in your family in medicine?”

  “Essentially.” I took his arm. “Let’s sit down. Just for a minute.”

  I just wanted a moment to feel like myself. I wasn’t ready to go inside and put up pretenses yet. It exhausted me too much.

  “You’re never going to forget this visit here, are you?” I cuddled beside him on the swing overlooking the small, kidney-shaped swimming pool.

  We were just out of sight of the remaining guests. I could still hear the catering crew clanging dishes and silverware together. Occasionally, Ms. Blankenship’s voice rose above the noise as she doled out directions.

  “Not in a million years.” He squeezed my hand and smiled down on me in a way that still made my stomach do flip-flops.

  I put my head on his chest. “Thanks for coming.”

  “You know I wouldn’t miss it. Your family is . . . different than mine.”

  “I warned you.”

  “I don’t think anything you could have told me would fully prepare me for the force known at the Nakamuras.”

  I chuckled. “You’re probably right.”

  Just then I heard a bark on the other side of the fence. Chad and I looked at each other. I stood and opened the gate. As soon as I did, Big Boy charged inside and licked my face, nearly knocking me to the ground in the process. I tried to forget about where that mouth had been—mostly, the dead body part—and I couldn’t help but giggle at his kisses. Before anyone else saw him, I led him behind the guesthouse and away from any witnesses.

  “What are you doing back here?” I asked him, as if he’d answer. He panted and licked my cheeks with enough force to rock me back.

  “He must have gotten away from the police.”

  Chad pulled the dog off me, just enough that I could regain my balance.

  “You think?” I rubbed the dog’s ears.

  “I don’t know why else he would be here. Unless he’s stalking you.”

  “Dogs don’t stalk. They hunt. I prefer to think Big Boy is admiring me, speaking to me, pleading for my help.” My brain started whirling a million miles a minute. “I need to put him somewhere safe until the police come to get him.”

  “You want to keep him here?” Chad raised an eyebrow.

  I nodded, knowing he couldn’t really be all that surprised. I had a reputation for going above and beyond for animals. Protesting whaling. Sending nasty letters to fast food chains. Breaking into farms and freeing the livestock before they became someone’s next meal.

  “You’re going to be harboring a fugitive.”

  “Aren’t you overspeaking? I mean, really? Big Boy? A fugitive?”

  Chad shrugged, a mischievous glint in his gaze. “Have it your way. But when I go to bail you out, everyone will find out we’re secretly married because you’ll have to give your real name.”

  Chapter Seven

  Chad had a point, but I had to think about the bigger picture here. “Can he stay with you tonight in the guesthouse?”

  His eyebrows drew back in surprise. “Me? Why me?”

  “Because I can’t sneak him into the house. Everyone would know. I’ll go inside and tell everyone you had a headache and went to bed early. They won’t think anything of it. They might even appreciate having me to themselves.”

  “Or they’ll severely dislike me when they figure out what I’m really doing.” Chad pressed his lips together and stared at me.

  Then I did something I only reserved for emergencies. I gave Chad my puppy-dog eyes. They were my last resort, my act of final desperation. I’d hate myself later for this girlie-girl warfare tactic. “Please, Chad.”

  “Not that look.” He raised a hand to shield himself, blinking as if a blinding light glared in his eyes.

  I batted my eyelashes again. “Please?”

  “You know I can’t resist.” He looked away before I could flutter my eyes again, and he let out a long sigh as he glanced at the guesthouse. “What am I going to do if someone finds the dog out here? What do I say?”

  “That I put you up to it. You can totally throw me under the bus. I’m okay with it.”

  He turned back toward me and slowly nodded. “Okay. But I’m only doing this for you.”

  I let out a soft squeal and threw my arms around him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  Big Boy joined the festivities by barking as well. I quickly shushed him before anyone else could hear and be alerted.

  A touch of doubt remained in Chad’s eyes. “Are you sure we shouldn
’t call the police? I’m thinking we should. I don’t want this to turn out badly.”

  “I’ll call them in the morning. In the meantime, we’ll monitor Big Boy. Any evidence, however stinky, will be handed over immediately.”

  “Any sweet romantic thoughts I had just disappeared.”

  “Sorry.”

  He stared at me a moment, warmth emanating from his gaze. “You should get inside.”

  I kissed him before pulling away. “Thanks again.”

  “You can make it up to me later.”

  “Where’s Chad?” my mom asked when I joined the family—and Greg—in the living room.

  “He turned in early for the evening. I think he’s really tired.”

  My mother stared at me suspiciously before raising her chin and letting out a stern grunt. “I see. Have a seat and tell us about your life. Your once-every-two-months phone call doesn’t paint a complete picture.”

  My hands were sweating by the time I sat down in the very formal—and did I mention white?—living room. “Nothing too exciting. I was named executive director for Paws and Furballs.”

  My mother let out another “proper” grunt. I wasn’t aware that people were capable of making a grunt sound so formal. “Interesting name for your organization.”

  “One of the first things I plan on doing next year is changing it. We’re still debating the possibilities.”

  “Have you staged any of those protests lately?” my father asked.

  “We were instrumental in exposing the use of deceased whales in the development and production of that new lipstick. We also—”

  “Animals were put here on earth for us to use and enjoy, Sierra,” my mom interrupted. “I don’t understand your obsession. You’d rather humans suffer than beasts?”

  My pulse spiked. “No, but I feel there’s a balance. I draw the line at cruelty.”

  “There was so much you could have done with your life, Sierr—” my mother started, her voice laced with disappointment.

  “I think it’s great that you’re working to better the welfare of animals,” Greg added, leaning on his knees toward me, his pupils way too big for my comfort. “It’s wonderful that you can find something you’re passionate about and make a living at it.”