Her Silent Spring

by Melinda Woodhall

  Rising from his seat, the Sheriff headed to the door without a backward glance. The dispatcher’s voice cut off as the door closed behind him.

  Veronica stared through the window as Sheriff Holt charged down the sidewalk. Anxious murmurs rose from the tables around them.

  “Code 3 is an emergency,” one elderly man said, loud enough for everyone in the diner to hear.

  The wide-eyed woman next to him nodded.

  “I think Taggert Realty’s at 201 Fullerton,” she added. “But what’s a 10-54 supposed to mean?”

  The old man shrugged as Frankie muttered under his breath.

  “By the way Sheriff Holt ran out of here, I’d say it means the shit’s just hit the fan.”

  Ignoring his remark, Veronica turned to see Beau Sparks open the door and hurry after Holt. The blonde man jogged toward the crosswalk as an ambulance raced past the diner with its siren blaring.

  Several people in the diner got up from their tables and crowded around the window to get a better view. Hunter stood up, looking down at Veronica and Skylar.

  “You all stay here while I go see what’s going on.”

  Veronica shook her head. The reporter in her wasn’t about to sit there and have lunch while Hunter chased down a story only a few blocks away. There was no way she would let him go on his own.

  “Frankie, you stay here with Skylar, we’ll be right back.”

  As she followed Hunter to the door, she noticed that Beau’s two companions were no longer sitting at the corner table.

  I guess everyone in town will want to see what’s happened.

  Once on the street, she and Hunter joined a stream of other onlookers moving toward the ambulance, which had come to a stop in front of a building a few blocks down.

  Sheriff Holt was yelling for everyone to stay back as two uniformed deputies tried to set up a perimeter. Veronica and Hunter arrived just in time to see the ambulance crew unload a gurney and race inside.

  A small hand gripped Veronica’s arm, and she turned to see Skylar standing next to her. Frankie gave an apologetic shrug.

  “Gracie ran after you guys and Skylar followed,” he explained, panting slightly. “They’re younger and faster than I am.”

  The white Lab suddenly barked, and Hunter grabbed at her leash as she began to charge toward the office door.

  “Whoa there, girl,” Hunter soothed, pulling the frantic dog back toward the street. “Come on, Gracie, it’s okay.”

  But the dog seemed intent on getting in the office, and as Hunter pulled her back, he bumped into a bystander, losing hold of the leash.

  Gracie darted forward just as the door opened again, and Skylar lunged after her, reaching out to grip the leash at the last minute.

  Stepping up to take the leash from Skylar’s hand, Frankie passed it to Hunter, and together they managed to lead the distressed dog away from the scene.

  But Skylar had frozen in place. The girl was standing motionless, staring into the realty office with a stricken expression. As Veronica approached, she heard a woman’s hysterical cries from inside.

  “June’s dead, Beau,” the woman sobbed. “She’s dead!”

  Following Skylar’s gaze past the paramedic hovering by the door, Veronica recoiled and gasped in horror.

  A woman’s body was sprawled awkwardly on the floor, her dark curls splayed around her ashen face. Her mouth was open in a silent scream as she stared in their direction with wide, unseeing eyes.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Skylar remained silent during the drive to Sky Lake Regional Airport. After seeing June Taggert’s dead body, the girl had reverted into the quiet, unresponsive state Veronica had come to dread.

  A wave of helpless anger washed over Veronica. She stared out the passenger’s side window of the rental car, too distracted to appreciate the deep shades of orange and red that flooded the sky as the rain clouds dispersed and the sun began to set.

  Only hours ago, she’d been hopeful that her sister was finally on the road to a new beginning. Now she was wondering if Skylar would ever get that chance.

  How can she forget the lifetime of trauma Locke put her through? Could anyone endure that and just go on to live a normal life?

  She sighed, overwhelmed by her dark thoughts, prompting Hunter to reach over and take her hand in his.

  “Are you sure you two will be okay on your own?” His voice was somber. “I can try to switch my flight and go back with you, if you’d feel better having me there.”

  “No, we’ll be fine once we get home,” Veronica insisted. “And Gracie will look after us.”

  Looking back at the white Lab sitting next to Skylar, Veronica had to admit Gracie’s frantic reaction to June Taggert’s dead body was hardly reassuring.

  The dog had been through considerable trauma of her own after training in the Middle East as a cadaver dog with the U.S. military, and she could be unpredictable in stressful situations.

  But her quiet presence helped calm Skylar’s nerves, and Veronica was grateful that Reggie Horn had given her sister an ESA prescription. It allowed Skylar to take an emotional support animal with her in public places and when flying.

  “Besides, you and Frankie need to find out what really happened to June Taggert,” she added, keeping her voice low. “Summer’s best friend died just after you guys were in there asking her what she knew about Summer’s disappearance. That is quite a coincidence.”

  “I’m definitely eager to hear her cause of death,” Hunter agreed. “Charlie Day is trying to find a flight now, so she should be here fairly soon. Once she talks to Holt we’ll know more.”

  Veronica refrained from rolling her eyes. She knew they were lucky the FBI agent was rushing down to the little town. Especially if the local Sheriff’s behavior at the scene was any indication of how cooperative he’d be.

  “Sheriff Holt certainly seemed rattled by the whole situation,” she said, recalling the big man’s flushed face. “I’m guessing they haven’t had many homicides in Sky Lake.”

  “He did seem pretty shocked,” Hunter agreed. “And it didn’t help that half the town came to watch the show.”

  Thinking back to the scene, Veronica frowned.

  “Did you see Tom Locke there? He left the diner, but I didn’t see him in the crowd outside Taggert Realty.”

  “No, I didn’t see Tom, come to think of it,” Hunter said. “Although Beau Sparks sure looked upset.”

  He steered the car off the exit ramp leading to the airport, as Veronica tried to stifle a pang of regret that she couldn’t stay and help Hunter and Frankie investigate.

  She wanted to know what had really happened all those years ago.

  Somehow Summer Fairfax disappeared from her idyllic life in Sky Lake and turned up on Locke’s ranch in Montana. Her life had tragically ended in Locke’s barn, but her story didn’t end there. It lived on in Skylar.

  Veronica felt as if Summer Fairfax and the other women buried on Locke’s ranch were calling out for their stories to be told. She wanted Skylar and the other families to know what had happened to their loved ones. She wanted them to find closure.

  But for now, Skylar’s safety and well-being had to be Veronica’s top priority. She couldn’t risk her sister suffering any more trauma.

  She needed to get Skylar home where she would be safe.

  After she’d said good-bye to Hunter at the gate, and guided Skylar and Gracie onto the small airplane, Veronica allowed herself to take a long, deep breath.

  “We’ll be back in Willow Bay, soon,” Veronica whispered to Skylar. “We’ll be safe there.”

  Hearing the flight attendant’s announcement that they were ready for takeoff, Veronica dug in her purse for her phone and switched it to airplane mode.

  As she scrolled through her missed calls and text messages, she noted with dismay that Misty Bradshaw still hadn’t returned her call.

  Tomorrow I’ll check on Misty and make sure she’s okay. No matter what else happens, I’ve got to see
her tomorrow.

  She dropped her phone in her purse and settled back in her seat, then picked up Skylar’s small hand and held it as the plane taxied down the runway and lifted smoothly into the sky.

  Looking out the window, Veronica watched as the lights of the small town below receded into the dark.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Nessa waited until Cole and Cooper had stepped onto the school bus before closing the front door and heading back to the kitchen. She filled her thermos with water, grabbed a banana out of the fruit bowl, and slung her work bag over her shoulder.

  “You weren’t planning on leaving without saying good-bye, were you?” Jerry asked from the doorway. “I feel like we haven’t seen each other all week.”

  “Of course not.”

  Nessa crossed the room and lifted her face for a kiss, but Jerry just stared down at her without moving.

  “Okay, what’s going on?” he asked, putting both hands on her shoulders. “You’re not telling me something. What is it?”

  Shrugging out of his grip, Nessa stepped back.

  “I’m just worried about going out on maternity leave,” she said, deciding a half-truth would have to do for now. “I’m not sure if Jankowski is up for the challenge of taking over as acting chief, or if I should ask Ramirez. And I don’t even know if he’s willing to take on the responsibility.”

  “Sounds like you have two good options,” Jerry said. “You should consider yourself lucky. Either one will do a good job.”

  Jerry’s tone had lightened, and Nessa felt a guilty surge of relief that he hadn’t pried further. She wasn’t ready to worry him over her high blood pressure reading. Not yet.

  It was probably just a fluke anyway. I’m sure it’s fine.

  Once she was in her Charger and on the road, Nessa realized she had never gotten that kiss from Jerry.

  We’ll make up for it tonight. I’ll add it to the top of my to-do list.

  The thought of all the things she needed to do prompted a grimace, and she began running through the plan of her busy day as she navigated the Dodge through the early morning traffic.

  Her phone began to buzz as she approached the East Willow Bridge, and she activated her hands-free headset.

  “Agent Day, I was wondering when you’d get around to calling me back,” Nessa said, mentally checking an item off her list. “Where are you calling from today?”

  “I just landed in Sky Lake,” Charlie said, her normally crisp voice sounding a little wilted. “I’m investigating a homicide with a possible connection to Locke.”

  Nessa was instantly alert.

  “Is it another cold case?”

  “No, it’s actually a very hot case. The victim was killed yesterday.”

  The agent’s words sent a shock through Nessa, and it took her a minute to formulate her next question.

  “How the heck is the homicide connected to Locke, then?”

  It was Charlie’s turn to hesitate.

  “We believe Locke had an accomplice in Sky Lake who might be trying to silence any remaining witnesses.”

  Nessa had a sinking suspicion she knew why Charlie had called.

  “You weren’t just returning my call, were you?” she fumed, suddenly angry. “You’re calling to tell me that someone in Willow Bay is involved, or is in danger, aren’t you? You’ve kept me in the dark, and now you’re calling to tell me people are getting killed.”

  Charlie sighed, but she didn’t argue.

  “The investigation into Locke’s activities is still ongoing,” she said, unruffled by Nessa’s outburst. “We’re still unraveling Locke’s web of crimes and contacts.”

  Shaking her head in frustration, Nessa forced herself to take a deep breath. Getting overly upset wouldn’t help her blood pressure.

  “So, who is this accomplice?” she asked in a calmer voice. “And who in Willow Bay may be his next target?”

  “We’re not sure who the accomplice is, yet” Charlie admitted. “And we don’t know for sure he will go after anyone in Willow Bay.”

  Nessa waited for the blow to fall.

  “But Veronica Lee and her…her family have a connection to Locke, so any accomplice of his might pose a threat to them.”

  “Okay, that makes sense,” Nessa said. “But what aren’t you telling me? What else is going on?”

  Clearing her throat, Charlie hesitated. When she spoke, she chose her words carefully.

  “There’s something else you need to know about Veronica and her connection to Locke, but it isn’t my place to tell you.”

  Before Nessa could protest, Charlie continued.

  “Talk to Veronica, let her know she can trust you,” she advised. “She and certain members of her family could be in danger.”

  Nessa started to ask another question, but Charlie stopped her.

  “I’ve got to get to a meeting with the Sky Lake sheriff now,” she said. “Then I’ll interview Hunter Hadley and Frankie Dawson to-”

  Startled to hear the two men were in Sky Lake, Nessa interrupted.

  “Hunter and Frankie are up in Sky Lake?”

  “Yes,” Charlie confirmed. “And they were near the scene when the homicide victim was discovered.”

  Head spinning, Nessa tried to make sense of what she was hearing.

  “What were they doing up there in the first place?” she sputtered.

  “They’re investigating a missing person’s case,” Charlie replied, sounding rushed. “Look, I’ve got to go, but please, speak with Veronica Lee as soon as possible. She can explain more.”

  The connection dropped, and Nessa found herself steering the Dodge left onto Bay Street. She would stop by Channel Ten News before going into the station.

  She needed to talk to Veronica. It was time she found out what exactly was going on.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Nessa spotted Veronica Lee’s slim figure and long dark hair beside a white Channel Ten News van before she’d even turned into the station’s parking lot.

  The reporter was talking to a young black man Nessa recognized as Finn Jordan, cameraman and co-owner of the news station.

  As Nessa pulled the Dodge into the space next to the van, she saw Finn’s white Labrador retriever staring out from the van’s passenger’s side window, as if waiting to go out on assignment.

  “Looks like I got here just in time,” Nessa called, climbing out of the Charger. “I need to speak to you, Veronica. This can’t wait.”

  “I need to speak to you, too, Chief Ainsley.”

  Veronica’s tone was just as impatient as Nessa’s had been.

  “How about I give you two a few minutes to speak in private,” Finn said, backing toward the van with raised eyebrows. “Gracie and I will wait in the van and make sure the equipment’s ready.”

  Once Finn had disappeared into the van, Veronica turned to Nessa.

  “Misty Bradshaw isn’t responding to my calls anymore, and I’m getting really worried about her.”

  Veronica’s words sounded like an accusation, but Nessa didn’t take offense. She was also worried, and she feared Amber Sloan may have had something to do with Misty’s lack of communication.

  Nessa had never fully trusted Amber, and she suspected the immunity agreement had been a terrible mistake. But it was too late for second guessing now. She’d just have to try and fix it somehow.

  “I’ve assigned Detective Bell and Detective Vanzinger to check in with Misty, but they haven’t been able to make contact yet,” she admitted. “But they’ll keep trying until they confirm she’s okay.”

  Giving Nessa a miserable nod, Veronica didn’t appear optimistic.

  “Now I need to know what’s going on with you,” Nessa said, pulling her jacket over her bump. “Agent Charlie Day called me this morning from Sky Lake.”

  She studied Veronica’s expression, hoping for a reaction, but Veronica didn’t seem surprised.

  “She says there’s been a suspected homicide up there that may be connected to Donov
an Locke.”

  Holding Veronica’s gaze, Nessa saw a flash of anxiety in the reporter’s green eyes as she continued.

  “Agent Day thinks whoever killed the victim up there, may pose some kind of threat to you and your family down here.”

  “Sounds like Agent Day had a lot to say,” Veronica replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

  Nessa nodded.

  “Yep, and she also said I needed to talk to you to find out more.”

  The words hung in the air for a long beat as the two women stared at each other. Without warning Veronica dropped her head into her hands and let out a long, ragged sigh.

  When she lifted her face to Nessa, it was tight with emotion.

  “You know that Donovan Locke was my father,” she said. “But he also had another daughter. A girl they found at his ranch.”

  Nessa kept her face still, masking her surprise.

  “Once Deputy Santino confirmed through DNA that Locke was her father, he told us and…well, she’s been living with me and my mother ever since.”

  “Okay,” Nessa said slowly. “So, this girl…”

  “Her name’s Skylar,” Veronica said. “And for now, she’s using our last name, since she didn’t want to use Locke.”

  The anxiety in Veronica’s voice had faded, and she looked almost relieved as Nessa tried to absorb the information.

  “So, Skylar’s your half-sister?”

  “She’s my sister,” Veronica said defensively. “Half or whole isn’t important. She has no one else, and she’s been staying with me and my mother.”

  Nessa held up her hands in surrender.

  “I didn’t mean to minimize your connection,” she said. “And I’m sure she’s glad to have a family. But why keep it a secret?”

  Veronica’s face hardened.

  “Skylar’s a victim and a survivor. She has a right to privacy. She also has the right to tell her own story if and when she feels ready.”

  “Okay, I get it, but why’d you hire Barker and Dawson Investigations? What are they looking for up in Sky Lake?”

  “Hunter and I asked them to help us find out who Skylar’s mother was,” Veronica said. “We knew she was one of Locke’s victims, and he’d already admitted to killing her. We wanted Skylar to know who her mother was.”