Mountain Peril

by Sandra Robbins

  She started to push past him, but he propped his hand on the wall to block her way. “It’s good to see you, Danielle.”

  After a moment she sighed. “Much as I hate to admit it, it’s good to see you, too.”

  Relief surged through him at her unexpected answer, and he stepped back. “I’m glad to hear that. Especially after last night. You seemed so angry.”

  Her face turned crimson, and she glanced down. “I wasn’t very nice, was I?”

  “You were fine. You were probably just reacting to how I acted the day I searched Tricia’s room.”

  She stared at him. “Maybe we both were a bit childish. But don’t worry. I’ll be civil to you from now on when I see you.” She glanced at her watch with tired eyes. He wondered if she was having as much trouble sleeping as he was. She turned to leave. “I need to talk to food services about our fundraiser event.”

  He reached for her arm to stop her. “Danielle, wait.”

  Her gaze went to his hand and up to his eyes. “What is it, Jack?”

  He knew the wise thing for him to do was walk away from her, but he couldn’t. She had gotten under his skin, and there was no use ignoring it. “Did you find out who sent you the rose?”

  She arched an eyebrow. “I still have no idea.” She stared at him with the self-assured expression he’d seen the first day they met. Then suddenly, it disappeared, and she sagged against the wall. Her eyes clouded, and he saw fear flicker in them.

  He frowned. “What’s the matter?”

  She glanced up and down the hall before she motioned for him to enter her office. Inside she walked to her desk and pointed at the rose beside the computer. His eyebrows arched as he looked back at her. “Was there another note?”

  Danielle nodded, opened the top drawer and pulled the envelope out. “They were here when I came in this morning.”

  Jack slipped the card out and read the words written in the same ornate script. Did Danielle have an admirer, or was this something more sinister? The guy sounded crazy—maybe crazy in love and then again maybe just crazy. He clenched his jaw and hoped she didn’t see how this latest development had shaken him. “Sounds like this guy’s really fallen for you.”

  Her mouth gaped open, and she blinked her eyes. “Fallen for me? Jack, you’re a policeman. Don’t you think these words are strange?” A look of fear crossed her face. “And there’s something else…”

  “What?”

  “Somebody left me a rose the morning after Jennifer was killed. Nobody has since. Not until Tricia’s murder, and now I’ve had two.”

  His heart thudded. “You never told me that.”

  “I didn’t think it had anything to do with Tricia’s murder. At the time I thought someone was trying to cheer me up about Jennifer.”

  There might be a connection, but there was no need to alarm her. The thought that Danielle might be in danger, too, made his heart race.

  Trying not to convey his sudden concern, he shrugged. “Maybe Nathan left them. Are you involved with him?”

  She blinked and looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “No. Why would you ask that?”

  He swallowed. “You were with him last night, and the two of you seemed awfully chummy in our meeting. I think he really cares about you.”

  Danielle leaned against her desk and crossed her arms. “Of course he cares about me. He’s been my friend for years. But there’s no romance between us.”

  Her words were what he wanted to hear, but he didn’t have time to think about that now. He glanced back at the rose. “That still doesn’t answer the question of who sent you the roses.”

  She shivered and pulled her arms tighter. “I don’t mind telling you, this has spooked me. I don’t like the thought of someone in my office when I’m not here, and I certainly don’t like anonymous gifts.”

  He nodded. “I don’t blame you.”

  She shot him a relieved look. “Really? I was beginning to think I was paranoid.”

  The roses left after Jennifer’s death and now Tricia’s could be a coincidence, but his years in law enforcement told him differently. They now knew that the killer had used a Webster computer. That meant he was familiar with the campus. What if he’d decided Danielle was his next victim?

  He couldn’t abandon her if that was the case. His first responsibility was to see that she remained safe even if her presence invaded his comfort zone. “I told you I don’t make friends easily, but with you it’s been different. I want us to be friends, but right now more than anything I want to catch the person who murdered Tricia and determine if it’s connected to Jennifer’s death.”

  “I want that, too.”

  “Then maybe you can help me.”

  Her eyes didn’t blink as she stared at him. “How?”

  “You were here ten years ago. There may be things you’ve forgotten that would help the case. Like the roses you received after both murders. I need you to help me.”

  Danielle’s eyes narrowed as she pondered his words. “Do you really think I might be able to remember things that would help solve the case?”

  “Yes, but we’d probably have to spend some time together. Would you consider that?” He hoped his face didn’t reveal his fear for her safety.

  She nodded. “I think I would. Anything to find the killer. What do we do first?”

  “I want you to remember everything you can about the events surrounding Jennifer’s death. Why don’t we have dinner tonight and discuss it?”

  She hesitated for a moment before she replied. “All right.”

  “Good. I’ll pick you up about seven.”

  Her lips pursed. “No, I have a better idea. Since it may take us a while, why don’t we eat at my house? I’ll cook.”

  It was one thing to be with her in a crowded restaurant and quite another to be alone. He started to refuse but he couldn’t. “Okay. What time?”

  “Seven.”

  Behind him, Jack heard footsteps, and he turned to see a young woman holding a stack of file folders entering the room. She stopped in surprise and took a step back. “I’m sorry, Dr. Tyler. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

  Danielle waved her into the room. “It’s okay. Come on in, April. Detective Denton was just leaving.” She turned to Jack. “April is taking over Flynn’s duties until he feels up to returning as my student assistant.”

  Jack nodded toward April. “It’s good to meet you, April.”

  The girl gave him an appraising look that made his face burn as she walked past him to a desk in the corner of the room. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

  Danielle’s mouth twitched. “I’ll see you at seven, Jack.”

  He nodded and walked into the hall. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted movement at the end of the corridor. He jerked his head around in time to see Landon Morse dart around the corner.

  Was he watching Danielle’s office to see when Jack would leave, or was it a coincidence that he was in the hall? Jack started to go after him but then thought better of it. Landon would deny he was spying on them. Jack still hadn’t resolved the matter of Landon’s past, but he thought it was time to do so. Landon was too close to Danielle, and if he was a threat, Jack intended to find out.

  He thought about what he’d said inside Danielle’s office. For a guy who protested that he didn’t want to get involved, he sure didn’t act like it. Go to her home for dinner? Why had he accepted the invitation? Aside from his concern for Danielle’s safety, he knew he hadn’t been this happy in days. He might protest it aloud, but he knew what was in his heart. No doubt about it. Danielle Tyler had him hooked, and it wouldn’t take much to reel him in. For her sake he had to make sure that didn’t happen.

  Danielle was just taking the lasagna from the oven when the doorbell rang. She set the pan on a trivet and hurried toward the door. On the way she paused at the hall mirror to pat her hair into place and check her lipstick. She stared at her reflection and wondered what she was doing. Jack could care less how she looked,
and she’d given up trying to impress a man years ago.

  When she opened the front door, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Jack standing there. He didn’t have the tired look she’d seen in his eyes earlier that day. He smelled of aftershave, and she couldn’t help but smile.

  Holding the door back, she motioned him inside. “Come on in. I’m still working on dinner.”

  He stepped into the living room, closed his eyes and inhaled. “Something smells good.”

  She laughed. “Lasagna. I’m not a great cook, but I have a few recipes that I can pull off every once in a while.”

  “Lasagna sounds great. But then anything beats a frozen dinner.”

  She nodded toward the kitchen. “Come on in while I finish up. You can keep me company.”

  Jack followed her into the kitchen and sat down in the chair she indicated. “So, anything exciting happen at Webster today?”

  “No.” Danielle opened the refrigerator, pulled out a pitcher of iced tea and poured him a glass. She set it in front of him and hurried back to the stove. “Oops, we’re going to have burned rolls if I don’t get these out.”

  He took a drink of his tea and watched as she set the pan of rolls on top of the stove. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Danielle gave a chuckle. “You helping in the kitchen? Somehow I can’t picture that.”

  Jack pushed up from the table. “At least I could set the table.”

  She smiled and pointed to the cabinet. “Okay. Plates are in there. Silverware in the drawer below.”

  He snapped a salute in her direction. “Aye-aye, madam. Just watch how good I am.”

  Danielle turned back to the stove, but she could see, over her shoulder, Jack pulling the dishes from the cabinet. A memory of other times when she and Stan had shared kitchen duties swept over her.

  She waited for the sorrow that usually followed, but for some reason it didn’t. She concentrated on Stan and tried to remember his face, his mannerisms, but something was wrong.

  Stan was fading from her mind. He was beginning to occupy the place in her thoughts that housed past memories. She had no idea when this had happened.

  The cabinet door closed with a click, and she glanced at Jack. She wasn’t alone tonight like so many others before. Was Jack’s presence replacing what she’d held on to for years? She shivered at the thought that this man who guarded his emotions so carefully might become important to her. Jack had given her no indication that their relationship could go any further than friendship, and she was glad. She had to shield her heart carefully. She’d lost too much. She couldn’t run the risk of that happening again.

  Jack took the last bite of his chocolate cake and pushed the dessert plate away. He rubbed his stomach and sighed in pleasure. “That was the best meal I’ve had since coming to Webster Falls.”

  Danielle laughed and stood to clear the table. “And how many years have you been here?”

  Jack calculated the time in his head. “Two years I guess. How about you?”

  “Three for me.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t believe we’ve lived in the same town for two years and haven’t run into each other.”

  She set the dishes in the sink, picked up the coffeepot and poured them each another cup. “My life has revolved around the school and my church since I’ve been here.”

  He took a sip of coffee. “Well, no church for me, but my work has taken up all my time.”

  Danielle sat down. “I’d be happy for you to go with me anytime. You might find you like it.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t think so. Religion just never has been a part of my life.”

  A sad look flashed in her eyes. “Why not?”

  “I don’t think I’d like it. Christians have too many thou-shall-nots in their lives.”

  She laughed. “When I was a little girl, my mother tried to get me to eat green peas. I resisted because I didn’t think I’d like them. One day she laid a few on my mashed potatoes and told me she’d made me a bird’s nest. The peas were the bird’s eggs. I ate them and discovered I really liked them. I’ve been eating green peas ever since.”

  He took another sip of coffee. “And your point is?”

  “Maybe you need to look at Christianity in a different way. Focus on the good things that happen to you—like faith and strength and knowing you’re never alone.”

  His eyebrows arched. “And you found that out from eating green peas?”

  She picked up her napkin, wadded it into a ball and threw it at him. “No, that was only an illustration. I’m just saying you never know whether or not your preconceived ideas are right about something until you test it for yourself. You’re incorrigible, Jack Denton.”

  He studied her closely. He had to admit there was something about Danielle that was different from anyone else he’d ever known. Even with all she’d experienced she had a peace about her. He envied her that. He hadn’t known peace in years.

  For a moment he wished he was like those college kids he’d seen at Webster earlier today. He wondered what his life would have been if he and Danielle had met when they were younger, before life scarred them. In another place and time, things could have been different.

  No wishing could make that come true. They were a product of their experiences, and nothing was going to change that. He came with too much baggage, and he wouldn’t wish that on any woman. Especially not Danielle.

  NINE

  Danielle carried the tray with the coffeepot into the living room and placed it on the table in front of the couch. Jack set their cups beside the pot and sank down on the sofa. He leaned back and closed his eyes.

  “I could take a nap after that good meal.”

  Danielle hadn’t seen him so at peace in the time she’d known Jack. His trademark frown was gone tonight. At times she’d wondered why his forehead didn’t have permanent lines from the constant scowl. In his relaxed state she had to admit there was something very appealing about Jack Denton.

  For the first time she became more aware of the small cowlick at the crown of his head. An impulse to reach out and smooth the dark hair into place overcame her, and she clutched her hands together. She wondered what he had been like as a young boy. Had he shied away from friendships then? She wished she knew what had molded him into the man he’d become.

  His eyes fluttered open, and surprise flashed across his face. Embarrassed at having been caught studying him so intently, she sat down, grabbed the coffeepot. He cleared his throat and sat up straight.

  “Sorry. I got a little too comfortable.”

  The cup rattled in the saucer as she picked it up. “I’m sorry if you thought I was staring. I thought you might be going to sleep. I knew I was boring, but I must confess I’ve never had that effect on a man before.”

  He set his coffee on the table and smiled. “I’m not bored. Just the opposite. It’s nice being here.”

  She smiled. “And it’s good to have you.” She took a sip from her cup and settled back in the cushions. “Your tech guys examined the computers in my office today. They didn’t tell me anything, but I didn’t expect them to. Have they found the computer where the encore message was sent yet?”

  Jack shook his head. “Not yet. It’s a bigger job than we thought. The school gave us permission to do all the computers that the school owned, but I didn’t think about all the students’ computers having the ISP of the school. We can’t go into dorm rooms and check private property.”

  Danielle set her cup on the coffee table and nodded. “I never thought of that. So what do you think you’ll do?”

  Jack took a drink from his cup. “I think they’ve probably done all they can at this point. It’ll be a stroke of luck if we find that computer.”

  Danielle pulled her feet up underneath her on the couch and crossed her arms. “So that leaves you with nothing.”

  “Not necessarily. I wonder if there’s something you might remember about Jennifer’s murder that could throw some li
ght on this case?”

  As it did every time Jennifer’s name came up, she recalled the sight of Jennifer’s body beside the mountain trail. She closed her eyes, bit down on her lip and willed the fluttering in her chest to stop. When she opened her eyes, Jack was staring at her. She swung her feet to the floor and, after a moment, she looked at him. “What do you want to know about Jennifer’s murder?”

  The frown she’d come to know wrinkled his forehead. “Tell me about Landon Morse.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Landon? Why would you want to know about him?”

  Jack shrugged. “I’m just trying to get a feel for all the people who were around when Jennifer died. He was a student, too. What was your impression of him then?”

  She thought for a moment before she responded. “Landon has always been a loner. He was a music major and seemed more interested in his violin than anything else. Most of the kids who were musicians hung out together, but he never seemed to have time for anything but practicing.”

  Jack nodded. “I guess it paid off. He’s now the head of the music department at Webster.”

  “He went to graduate school in the East, then worked somewhere before he came back. Sorta like me.” She smiled. “I guess he felt this was home.”

  Jack swiveled to look at her. “Did he know Jennifer well?”

  “I don’t think so. Nobody knew Landon well. Of course, we’d speak on campus, and I had a few classes with him. English and history, I think. But on the whole, he seemed to live outside the natural scope of campus life.” She hesitated for a moment. “I do remember, though, that he used to appear at the oddest times. I would be in the library studying, and I’d look up. He’d be across the room staring at me. Sometimes when Jennifer and I went into town, I’d see him in the crowd of shoppers.”

  “Did you ever think he was stalking you?”

  Danielle shrugged. “At the time I just thought it was a coincidence.”

  “Why do you think they hired him at Webster?”

  Danielle pursed her lips. “I asked Jeff that once, and he said Landon had made quite a name for himself in the music world. He’d published some original works for violin and piano, and he’d also conducted a community orchestra where he taught.”