“Last time I did this trail, I ran into Jeff.”
That surprised him. “Jeff was hiking? That’s interesting.”
“I thought so, too. He doesn’t seem the type.”
“The type?”
“You know. I wouldn’t think he’d be the outdoors type. He seems like a jock to me.”
“That would describe him.” He didn’t want to talk about Jeff right now either, so he pointed toward the trail. “Are you ready to head back?”
It pleased him she didn’t hesitate to climb out of the canyon with him. They stuffed their trash into their packs and hiked in step together up the trail. An easy silence ensued, not that there weren’t plenty of unanswered questions. Hiking with Chris felt comfortable and right. Maybe she sensed the easy camaraderie, too. He didn’t want to ruin the harmony the shared interest created between them.
He could understand if his presence made her uncomfortable, but right now, she appeared as relaxed as he’d ever seen her.
Could he ask her what she’d seen in her vision? Would it push her into another episode? And what if she revealed more than he wanted to know? He wanted her to share the memory, but held his question back, reluctant to push too hard after his enlightening conversation with Sheriff Parker.
Although he was tempted to do so, he hesitated to show her Carol’s picture or her rings, afraid of her reaction. He didn’t want to lose her now that he had found her.
Chapter Six
Steve wanted pizza, so he located the nearest buffet and piled his plate. Before he swallowed the first bite, Brian Parker appeared in front of him as if by magic. The slice of pepperoni stalled in mid-air.
“Can I join you?”
Steve waited a minute before nodding.
Parker slid into the opposite chair and plopped his loaded plate on the table in front of him. It appeared they were in competition to see who could down the most slices. Neither of them mentioned Chris while they ate. The conversation remained light, both of them talking in fits and starts due the awkwardness that lay between them.
“I want to ride the train before I leave.”
Parker nodded. “Fall is a good time. It’s gorgeous along the route this time of year.” He expounded on the local excursion railroad and its history awhile. “I wanted to work for the railroad when I was younger.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, you know, sometimes life doesn’t happen the way you expect. I never planned on going into law enforcement. It just kind of worked out that way.” Parker fell silent for a few minutes and stared out the window. “It’ll snow any day now. Sometimes we have the first snow as early as the middle of September.”
“The lift owners are hoping for a long season this year.”
“The lift owners always expect a long season. Some of them get on their knees and beg God for a long season.” Parker picked up a crust and studied it before stuffing it into his mouth and chewing. He swallowed hard and gulped an ounce or two of soda. “Maybe the new parking area will help with some of the congestion around the summit. We have trams that go up there, but there always seems to be more traffic than the area can manage.” He laid his napkin on the table, signaling the end of his splurging. “I’m full.”
“Did you come looking for me this morning?”
Parker waved to a woman across the room and then turned to face Steve again. “No. I was hungry.”
He nodded acceptance of Parker’s explanation. “Pretty lady.”
Parker glanced once more at the redhead who had captured his attention. “Peyton. My angel of mercy.”
“Angel of mercy?”
“A few years ago, there was a wildfire on Missionary Ridge near the reservoir. I ate smoke and broke my leg. Peyton was the nurse in the triage tent. I tell her she saved my life and call her my angel of mercy. She acts like she doesn’t like it, but she does.” Parker wiped pizza sauce off his chin with a flimsy paper napkin. “I’ve been thinking a lot about Carol.” Steve closed his eyes. Parker lowered his voice. “I think what bothers me the most. Why would the Sheriff’s Office in Norfolk insist the dead woman was your wife when she wasn’t pregnant?”
He opened his eyes and shoved his plate back, his appetite suddenly gone. “The sheriff insisted I was wrong about the pregnancy. He was sure either Carol lied to me about it or she lost the child and didn’t tell me. I don’t think he even discussed it with the coroner. Pendley seemed surprised when I told him about it.”
“Didn’t she have regular doctor’s visits? Wouldn’t her medical records show she was pregnant?”
“Yes. I tried to point that out. I even showed the sheriff medical records from her obstetrician. My wife was pregnant. There was no mistake.”
Parker scratched behind his ear. “Then why was he so sure the dead woman was your wife?”
“Her teeth matched Carol Stone’s dental records from North Carolina. She had an arrest on her sheet for driving under the influence. The fingerprints matched. And she looked a lot like my wife.” He stared at his hands to hide his surging emotions. “The likeness was startling. It was kind of creepy.”
“There’s a huge inconsistency in the identification process. He should have gone beyond the obvious.” An edge of disgust defined Parker’s observation.
“The DNA matched. An exact match. The odds of there being another exact match in the population are near impossible.” Steve tossed the DNA out there because he knew the question loomed on the horizon. “The coroner told me the only way the DNA between two women could possibly be an exact match is if they were identical twins.”
“Well, then—”
“I know that sounds pretty conclusive. But it doesn’t explain the discrepancy over the pregnancy.” He leaned forward. “I think the sheriff must have ignored the autopsy report. He wanted the case closed.”
“Did Carol have a twin?”
“She never mentioned a twin or any brothers or sisters.”
“Did the sheriff in Norfolk check into the possibility of her having a twin?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
Parker pulled his chair closer to the table, the chair legs screeching on the vinyl flooring. “I can’t believe he left such an important question unanswered.”
“He implied I should have gotten to know my wife better before we married.” He grunted his opinion of that. “Maybe I should have. I really didn’t know much about her, but I thought we had a lifetime to learn.”
“I’d like to look into Carol’s death.”
Somehow that didn’t surprise him. “Okay.”
“Where was Carol from?”
“Texas. Near Austin.”
“What about family?”
“No close relatives back home. Said she had nothing left in Texas.”
“So there was no one in Texas to contact if she died?”
“She said I was all the family she had. I hired a private investigator to check into her background. I thought maybe someone in her past had taken her, but he found nothing. It was as if she didn’t exist. Why couldn’t the man I hired find any trace of her in Texas?” He rubbed the back of his neck where his muscles tensed. “I know I should have demanded more answers. Once they discovered her…the dead woman…the FBI backed out. The sheriff closed the case as quick as he could, and the investigator I hired hit a roadblock. What more could I do? I look for her everywhere I go. That’s why I don’t stay home much.” He averted his eyes. He couldn’t bear for Parker to see the depth of his grief.
Silence fell across the table like a heavy blanket.
Full disclosure might be the best policy with this cop who obviously had more invested in Chris Smith than just his professional duty. “I saw her the other day.”
Parker’s brows drew together across his nose. “Oh? Where?”
“After you and I talked, I needed to…I couldn’t concentrate. I had to get out. So I took the trail down to the railroad track.”
“Chris was on the trail?” Parker leaned back in his s
eat, a note of disapproval in his tone.
Steve grinned. “She said you don’t like her hiking alone.”
“I don’t.”
“She called herself stubborn.”
“She is.”
“She told me about the wreck.”
“She did?”
It pleased him that he had surprised the cop. “She said you just happened to be at the right place at the right time, or she would have died.”
“Really? She told you about the accident? Whenever the subject comes up, she usually gets this really blank, zoned-out expression on her face and it’s hard to get her to come back from wherever it is she goes in her head.”
“Are you going tell her about Carol?”
Parker frowned. “I don’t know. There has to be a gentle way to break it to her. I talked to her psychiatrist. Dr. Greene doesn’t think she’ll recall anything without a strong stimulus. And if the recollection is too rough… She could have a complete breakdown.”
“She needs to know.”
Parker’s shoulders tensed. “I’m afraid for her mental stability if she’s slammed with the truth too hard or too quick. On the other hand, it might not get through the mental barrier and spark any recollections for her.” Parker shook his head. “Either way, if we don’t do it right, it could damage her. I’m not inclined to tell her anything just yet. Not until I know more.”
Steve couldn’t argue with the cop’s logic. But then he had no right to.
Chapter Seven
Chris drove north toward the ski area to deliver yet another food order to the work crew at the lifts at Durango Mountain Resort. As she passed the Purgatory trailhead, she smiled to herself.
Steve really seems like a nice man. I wish things were different. I wish…
She refused to finish the thought.
Passing the access road to the lifts, she drove to the spot where her Jeep crashed and plunged into the gorge five years ago. Rainwater had flooded Cascade Creek the day of the accident or the vehicle would not have traveled as far as it did down the mountain and into the forest. Not very wide or deep in its normal state, the creek roared like a rushing mountain stream. On one side of the curve in the road, it crashed down a cascading waterfall. On the other side, it continued on its journey down a rock path toward the Animas River.
She stood on the edge of the cliff, listening to the muted sounds as the creek gushed and strained against the confining rocks below in its tireless effort to reach the sea. As she turned to leave, she spied Steve West running up the road, wearing a pair of navy blue jogging shorts and a white T-shirt, breathing rhythmically in full stride. She admired the rippling muscles in his thighs as he placed one foot in front of the other.
“This is getting to be a habit of yours,” she called to him as he drew closer.
“What’s that?” He came alongside her and bent over, placing one hand on each thigh.
“Following me.” She kept her expression blank, hoping he wouldn’t hear the kettle drum in her chest. Suddenly, flirting with him appealed to her. Would he return the favor?
“I wasn’t following you. I’m running. I do it every day for my health.” He grimaced and removed the towel from around his neck to wipe his sweat-soaked face.
She calculated the mileage he must have ran up the road. The distance on the uphill grade impressed her. “Kind of an uphill run from the lifts.” She quirked an eyebrow at him.
“I know that look. I’m used to running in the mountains.”
“Uh-huh.” She allowed him nothing.
“Really.”
“Where are you from?”
“Virginia. Near the Richmond area. I moved there a few years ago. After my wife disappeared.” His quiet words radiated so much sorrow. He stared down at the ground, probably to keep her from seeing the full extent of his pain. When he glanced up at her again, the open expression on his face caused her to go weak in the knees.
She blinked at him, straining to hold back the sympathy his transparency generated in her. “Is that near the Blue Ridge Parkway?” A burble of longing rose up from the depths of her soul. This man made her feel things, made her feel more than she was willing to feel.
“Yes. You know the area?” Enthusiasm twinkled in his eyes.
His question clutched at her insides. No, she didn’t know the area. At least, she didn’t remember if she did. Since the wreck she hadn’t left Colorado, afraid to venture very far from Brian’s protection.
The fresh anxiety sparked the threat of a panic attack, muscles tightened in her throat, a feeling of impending doom gathered in her chest. She closed her eyes and opened them again.
Dismay registered on his handsome face. “I’m sorry. I forgot about your memory loss for a moment. Please forgive me.”
She smiled in acceptance of his apology. The tension relaxed in her chest. She drew in one replenishing breath. “I’ve got your order.”
“Well, maybe you better get it to those guys before they have my foreman for lunch.” He laughed. Obviously, just as relieved as she was that the intense moment had passed.
She liked his laugh, full-bodied and unaffected, but suppressed her reaction before she gave her pleasure away. Maybe, just maybe, she would pull the memory out later and play with it. “I’m not sure I wouldn’t mind if they did.”
His expression turned serious. “Oh? You have something against Jeff?”
She was unwilling to admit her shaky reasoning. “Are you through with your run?” She raised her eyebrow in a nonverbal challenge.
“I was going to run a little farther, but I could be convinced to change my mind.”
Was he hinting? Did he want to ride back to the lifts with her? She nodded toward her car. “Hop in.”
He smiled and slid into the passenger seat, placing his towel under his backside. She appreciated his obvious attempt to protect her upholstery from his sweat.
They traveled to the construction site in silence, the same sort of comfortable quiet they shared on their hike up the Purgatory trail. She allowed a happy mood to seep up from her soul and plant a sappy smile on her face.
When they arrived at the trailer, Steve grabbed the box of food and headed into the building. Without considering her actions, she followed him into the office. Jeff was there poring over schematics of the site. He glanced up from his papers with an obnoxious smirk on his face, a large question dancing in his sharp eyes. Arrogant, unconcealed disrespect glowed from his countenance. Was Jeff’s attitude hurled at her or at his boss?
Something icy crawled across her skin. She rubbed the flesh of her forearm, hoping the friction would burn away the sudden chill. Her previous comment to Steve regarding Jeff rang in her ears, so she turned to leave, afraid she might reveal her intense distaste for the man.
“I’ve heard there’s a trailhead near Telluride that goes out to Bear Creek Falls. Have you ever done it?” Steve’s question stopped her in her tracks. Was there a note of hopeful anticipation in his voice? Yes, there was. Hiking was their one tenuous point of connection. What was he suggesting? Whatever it was, she didn’t want to discuss future interaction in front of Jeff. His obvious antipathy unnerved her.
“No. I haven’t.” Her tone fell flat, offering no encouragement.
“Maybe we could do it together one day soon.”
Jeff scowled. The thought that Jeff disapproved caused her blood to run slow and cold. She tried to answer, but the words stuck in her throat. “I…uh…don’t know. Maybe.” She turned away from Steve and left the conversation unfinished.
****
Just as Chris left Main Mall in Durango, Brian called her name from across the street. Before she could return his greeting, one of the Durango & Silverton steam engines fractured the peaceful quiet of the morning with its unique bell and distinctive whistle. He jogged across the street and caught up with her. “How’s my favorite lady today?” His question didn’t carry its usual carefree ring.
She blinked. “Pretty good.”
&
nbsp; He glanced at his watch. “Have you eaten yet?”
“No.”
“Would you join me for lunch?”
His invitation sounded so formal. When did this uneasiness enter their relationship? Since the arrival of Steve West. She hesitated. “Sure.”
“Francisco’s?”
The restaurant was just a few paces away. She nodded, but without enthusiasm.
Once seated, she ordered enchiladas smothered in a spicy hot, red chili sauce. Brian ordered skirt steak. The hustle and bustle of the restaurant garnered his attention for a time. He waved at several people and then stared across the room. She couldn’t turn to see who had his attention without being obvious. “Who are you staring at?”
“Jeff Osborne.”
Maybe he was with Steve West. She twisted in her seat to catch a glimpse of Jeff, but the man was eating alone. Her heart sank a bit. She shuddered and returned her attention to Brian. “Jeff gives me the creeps. He’s always staring at me. I told John I didn’t want to deliver food out there anymore. I think he’s—” She clamped her mouth shut.
“Chris—”
“Oh please, don’t say it. I don’t think he’s admiring me. He acts like he’s angry with me or something.”
Brian’s eyes never strayed from the far corner of the room. She cleared her throat to regain his straying attention.
“Did you say something?”
He sawed off a bite of beef before stabbing it with his fork and shoving it into his mouth and chewing with a blank expression on his face.
“Brian, what’s the matter with you today?”
“Huh?”
“You’ve got something on your mind.”
“It’s nothing.” He glanced at her with his fork in mid-air. “How have you been feeling lately?”
She gagged and reached for her water glass, the heat from her enchiladas catching up with her. He probably thought the question caused the reaction. Yes, there was that knowing gleam in his amber eyes. She hated that look and she could read his mind. He was trying to mosey up to the subject of how Steve West’s presence in Colorado was affecting her.
“I’m not avoiding Steve, but I’m not going out of my way to run into him either. You know he’s convinced I’m his wife.” She managed very little inflection in her comments and allowed the blank mask to descend across her face.
Purgatory (Colorado series) Page 4