by Nora LeDuc
No way did Target belong with Clarissa or her latest man. Lucy grasped for an excuse. “He sheds on everything.” She pointed to the white hairs on her fleece jacket. “Imagine what he’d do to your furniture.”
“I have a white couch and a girl who vacuums for me. I’m driving out of town to my gym. Drop him off at my place and I’ll take care of him.”
The squeal of brakes drew their attention to the curb, where a red convertible pulled in to park. A teenager swung out of the sporty car. She wore a pink sweater and matching sneakers. Her ponytail bobbed up and down as she skipped up to the walk. A blonde middle-aged woman opened the passenger door, got out, and straightened her ivory blouse over her black pants. The resemblance between the two females suggested they were mother and daughter.
Red sports car? Was it the one she’d seen at the funeral?
The teen paused by Target. “Nice dog.”
The woman passed by them and stopped at the station entrance. “Ali, we’re late for our appointment.”
Ali’s brows drew together. “Is that Mr. Watson’s dog? Target?”
The animal’s ears picked up. He barked and wagged his tail.
“You knew my brother?” She was right. This had to be the car at the funeral.
“Brother?” The girl frowned as though she didn’t understand the word.
“Target’s my pet,” Clarissa pushed between Lucy and the teenager. “I was married to your teacher.”
“Oh, yeah, then sorry for your loss,” the teen said, inching a foot away from Clarissa.
Lucy studied the girl. Her blonde looks reminded her of Clarissa. This girl was Ryan’s type. A sinking feeling gnawed at Lucy’s stomach.
The woman by the station’s entrance sighed. “Ali, we’re late.”
Lucy’s mind backtracked to Ryan’s funeral, searching for the sports car in her memory. She’d been standing by his casket. The red convertible slowed, and a hand held a phone out the window.
As the sporty vehicle zipped past, Lucy caught a flash of pink on the driver’s side. Yes, this was the driver. “You snapped the picture of Ryan’s coffin.”
“I’m sor-ry.” Her voice broke. “A lot of us kids wanted to attend, but his ceremony was private. I didn’t post his coffin online. Someone hacked my phone. Really.” Her lower lip trembled, and she focused on the ground. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.” Her gaze shifted upward, and pain glittered in her eyes.
“Ali!” the woman shouted.
“I gotta go.” The teen bowed her head, whirled around on her heel, and the two women entered the station.
Lucy’s memory bounced to Art Smith yelling at her. Your brother was having sex with my teenage daughter.
“She’s the one,” Lucy murmured aloud before she could stop herself.
“You mean the teenager Ryan had sex with?” Clarissa’s mouth gaped open.
“You heard?”
“Everyone did,” Clarissa sneered. “Ryan was sick. I’m getting out of here.” Her heels tapped on the pavement as she hurried down the sidewalk. “Drop the animal at my house,” she said over her shoulder.
Target yipped and rubbed his eyes with his paws.
Lucy shoved away her disappointment and anger. “Don’t worry, boy. You’re staying with me. Ryan would haunt me forever if I left you with Clarissa.”
She glanced at the door where Ali had disappeared. She didn’t seem much like a killer, but who could tell after just a few minutes?
The chief’s black SUV drove up and parked beside the sports car. Sullivan eased out of his vehicle and tipped his head at her. “Miss Watson. I thought that was you.” He gestured at Target. “Did you find your brother’s missing pet?”
“The Conway animal control called me a few hours ago. They picked him up as a stray and used the email I sent to ID him. The officer will send you a report.”
“Any ideas why the dog ended up thirty miles south of us?” He scratched his chin.
“I was hoping you had a guess. He’s in good shape for spending time wandering the streets or woods. Maybe the person who shot Ryan lives in Conway.”
The chief bent and turned over Target’s paw. “He might be evidence or a witness.”
“He hasn’t mastered the ‘speak’ command yet.”
“I’m aware he’s an animal, Miss Watson,” Sullivan said, vexation in his tone.
“I was trying for a little…humor.” Why was she joking with the police? She and Sullivan would never be friends. The heat of embarrassment rose in her cheeks. Change the subject, quick. “Speaking of witnesses, Ali Smith went inside the station a few seconds ago. I assume Mr. Smith met with you the other day after Liam and I left.”
“He did.”
“Well, she stopped to talk and admitted she snapped the picture at the funeral. Of course, she claimed someone hacked into her phone, and she had nothing to do with posting the image.”
“I have a few questions for the girl about the picture. In the meantime, Miss Smith’s agreed to take a polygraph. She’s insisting her father’s accusations about a relationship with your brother are untrue.” Sullivan sidled toward the entry. “I’ll contact the person who picked up the dog.” He stopped at the door. “Oh, one more thing. The lab got a partial print from a coin stuck to your brother’s door.”
At last, Sullivan had found a clue. “Can you make an arrest?”
“Afraid we don’t have enough for a match. Maybe Miss Smith will lead us to someone.”
Once Ali took the polygraph, they might get to the truth. “Chief. I have one last question. Any sightings of Matt Hastings?”
“None. I’ll update you if the situation changes. I gotta go.” The chief walked inside.
She released a breath and relaxed her shoulders, which were cramping. “Let’s buy your food, Target.”
As she approached the truck, a car roared toward her. Adrenaline pumped through her. She jumped up on the sidewalk, pulling the dog with her.
Shaking, she spotted the car zooming away down the road. Around her, the daily traffic bounced over the frost heaves and kept on going. Had she imagined the auto headed for her? She rubbed her eyes.
Target looked up at her and whined.
“Let’s go, boy.”
She was safe, she told herself, walking to the truck. The driver hadn’t tried to run her down. Get it together.
She grabbed the door handle and paused. When would the feeling of someone lurking nearby disappear? One thing was certain. She couldn’t let Matt into her head.
Chapter 15
March 23
Two days later, Liam headed to Ryan’s house to pick up Target’s food. Luce always appreciated the little gestures in life. When he returned to the Moose, the glass company replaced his truck window, and by late afternoon, he squeezed out an hour to work on installing the new spotlight below the Moose’s roofline. Let Hastings try to use the shadows to hide now.
He surveyed his handiwork while holding onto the rung of the ladder. Pride filled him. He owned his own business, and he’d bought the place without his parents’ help. His gaze traveled from the light and lingered on the sign that said “Mad Moose Bar & Grill.” The years of working at the bank had paid off. He should thank his father for that, but then, the old man would lecture him about getting a nine-to-five job rather than working the hours of a bar owner.
But right now, a speech from his father would be an almost welcome change from dealing with Ryan’s death and keeping up with the bills. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around the accusation that Ryan was sleeping with his student. The idea seemed preposterous, even for risk-taking Ryan.
Liam would have to wait for Lucy to learn the results of Ali’s polygraph. When she had told him the girl had agreed to the test, he’d recognized the flicker of hope in her eyes.
The sound of a window sliding up interrupted his musings. Lucy leaned out to him. “I was about to pass you a flashlight. It’s getting dark.”
“I’m finished. People will whip on t
heir sunglasses when they walk by the Moose.”
“I hope Gage appreciates your lighting up the street. Tonight’s a big evening for you, McAllister. Trivia Night.”
“You bet. A couple of Sadie’s sisters have volunteered their boyfriends, who’ll work for beer, to do security. We’re ready. How about celebrating with me?”
“I might drop by, but I have a lot of straws and napkins to count.”
She’d insisted on starting her inventory duties when they’d returned from Conway. The inventory duties he’d made up as an excuse for staying up to chase her fears were keeping her away from him. That would teach him to lie.
She held his gaze. “Thanks for believing I didn’t imagine the man in the snow watching my window.”
“Don’t forget to call me next time, Luce.” No one was hurting her under his guard. “You’re important to me.”
Her face flushed. “I appreciate it. Don’t fall.” She shut the window before he could answer.
He climbed down and stashed the ladder and tools in the shed. Wishing he were with Lucy, he headed into the bar. The next few hours passed quickly with the supper and after-work crowd gathering at the Moose. Liam played host and waiter while checking in with the cooking crew.
Shortly before seven, the trivia regulars arrived. Liam entered the kitchen and stopped. Lucy stood with Chip and Sadie in the middle of the room. When had she come downstairs? From the serious expressions on their faces, he guessed they weren’t sharing jokes.
“What’s up?” He crossed the floor to them.
“Chip was telling us the rumors about Ali,” Lucy said to him.
“Tell the boss,” Sadie said.
Chip shrugged. “She’s into older men since she broke up with her boyfriend, super-jock Tate Johnson, a couple of weeks ago. She kept talking about going out with a man, not a boy, and how cute some of the teachers are.”
Lucy sent Liam a look that said, Bad for Ryan.
Chip continued. “My sister says the cops are all over the school. They’re asking Mr. Watson’s students and their friends if they had sex with him.”
Liam advanced a step. “I told you not to upset Miss Watson.”
Lucy laid her palm on his arm. “Liam, I’m fine. I expected the news. Now I know what’s going on with the police.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Chip, how many girls confessed to a relationship with my brother, according to your source?” Her lower lip trembled, but her eyes were dry.
“Uh, zero.”
Sadie put her hands on her hips. “Wow, Chief Sullivan must be bummed. I bet he thought they had a big lead.”
“Okay, everyone back to work,” Liam said. “Sadie, how are the dinner specials coming?”
“Set, boss.” She ducked behind the heating lamps and began sharpening her knives.
“I hope I didn’t say anything bad to you,” Chip said to Lucy as he went to his station.
“No. I understand you’re repeating what you heard.” She heaved a sigh.
Liam turned to Lucy. “They’re kids, Luce. Stories get bigger each time they repeat them.”
Sallie, Sadie’s sister, entered. “Excuse me, but there’s someone named Teagan at the door. She’s looking for Lucy, but we need an okay before the bouncers let her inside.”
“Teagan is here?” Lucy spun on her heel and fled the kitchen.
“Who’s Teagan?” Sadie asked her sister.
“Don’t know, but I’d guess she’s coming into the bar.”
Liam marched into the restaurant. Customers stood in small groups, chatting or claiming tables for their teams. Hank mixed drinks while Gage held court at the bar. He recycled his jokes each week.
The fire crackled in the fieldstone fireplace. The odor of burning wood, the fragrance of cooking food, and the sound of laughter confirmed that the place hummed with activity.
By the entry, Lucy embraced a dark-haired woman. She’d already let Teagan through the door. A tall man stood near them. Dressed in jeans and a gray shirt, he fit into the crowd, except for his ready-to-spring stance and the hawk-like stare he swept over the gathering. His gaze fell on Liam, and he acknowledged him with a nod.
Liam wound through his customers. He paused to answer questions about the night’s game, about Lucy, and about the murder investigation. By the time he reached the trio, Lucy was in deep conversation with her friend.
“I assume you’re not with the liquor commission?” Liam asked the man, who never budged from the women’s sides.
He held out his hand. “I’m Noah Cassidy from Hawick Falls.”
Liam accepted the handshake, still wondering how the newcomer fit into Lucy’s life. “You guys were friends of Luce’s when she lived in Hawick?”
“We are, and you’re Liam McAllister. I know a lot about you, but not from Lucy. That’s why we came.” Amusement etched his deep, easygoing voice. “We want to make sure you’re on the up-and-up.”
“You’re losing me. You’re checking if I’m a good person?”
“What can you tell me about Matt Hastings?”
“The scumbag who’s stalking Lucy?” What was the man getting at? “Hastings is in Barley. Lucy stays close to the Moose. She’s safe here.” Liam glanced at Lucy. Her face glowed with happiness. These guys were okay.
“Yeah, we thought we’d visit Lucy. When she’s quiet about someone, Teagan worries. And Lucy hardly ever mentions you.”
“Me? Listen, hurting Lucy Watson is the last thing I’d do.” He threw a hand toward his customers. “I’m friends with everyone in here. Hastings isn’t in the room. Our bouncer screens for outsiders at the door. You’re one of them, and unless you explain why you came into my bar and implied I’d hurt Lucy, I’ll ask you to leave.”
Noah’s shoulders relaxed. “Glad to see she’s out of harm’s way. I worked Lucy’s case when Hastings ran her down. She’s also a close friend of Teagan’s.”
Ah, that was how they were connected. Liam caught Lucy’s eyes. “Hey, Luce?”
She stepped back to include him. “Liam, this is Teagan.” She nodded at Cassidy. “You’ve met Noah. They’re my best friends from Hawick Falls and just like family.”
If these peeps put her in high spirits, then Liam would try harder to like them. “Thanks for visiting, Teagan. Drinks for you and Detective Cassidy are on the house. Excuse me, I have a game to run.”
Noah caught his arm as Liam passed. “Keep up your guard. Matt Hastings is a serial killer. Take my card. Call me if he shows his face. I’ll come.”
“If I find him first, we’ll be having a little together time before anyone gets there.” Liam pocketed the number. “Nothing is happening to Lucy. She’s home now.”
Liam wove through the tables to stand by the hearth. While he announced reminders of the trivia rules, he shot glances at Lucy. Guilt reminded him of the holy card at the B&B, the man in the snow staring up at her window, and his truck with the picture of the beheaded saint. Maybe he did need Cassidy. No, she was protected at the Moose. He was sticking close to her, and she had Target to sound an alert.
Moments later, Liam spotted them leaving. They must be headed to her apartment. He watched how closely she walked beside her friends and the way she swept her dark hair from her face with energy and animation. She held the door for them to exit and raised her head in his direction. Their gazes locked, and he wanted with all his soul to follow her up the stairs. She waved and left the room.
“We’re ready for the first question,” Hank yelled to him from the bar.
Lucy was out of harm’s way. He’d catch up with her later. If only he could shake the urge to go after her, send her visitors away, and spend the night showing her how he felt.
Chapter 16
Matt Hastings headed down the windy road. Soon, he’d show Lucy Watson how he felt about her. Their separation had changed little. She displayed a sweetness to rival a cherub, but like Lucifer, she had proved she could be the worst kind of angel. She’d betrayed him.
His mind flashe
d to the day she’d returned to him. She’d begged to see him one more time in Hawick Falls, and he, a fool, had agreed.
But it wasn’t love she wanted to discuss with him. No. She told him of her intention to confess their affair and to receive absolution. She couldn’t deal with the guilt.
Then what would happen? Once she did her penance, it would be easier to tell another person and another. She would lower what they’d shared into an unforgivable sin. Ruin his life. He’d worked hard to give himself an identity where no one would guess or suspect he was a young girl’s nightmare.
Some would say he’d stolen his existence, but that wasn’t true. The first Matthew Hastings was dead and buried. He didn’t need his name. The Matt Hastings he’d become had been perfect, a holy man like the kind in movies and books. The boy who was the son of a criminal, who had grown up without a conscience, now counseled and blessed others.
No, Lucy Watson’s confession would have destroyed the life he created. She refused to grasp that only God possessed the ability to forgive her of the sin of sleeping with him. He’d acknowledged his transgression and made his amends. He had regained his state of grace, he’d argued with her.
But Lucy had rejected his beliefs. She’d turned away from him, her advisor and her lover.
Lucy Watson had shattered his image as the good Father Matt Hastings when she admitted all to the police in the Hawick Falls Hospital.
His life was over. He’d vowed to make her pay for the damage she’d done to him. He clenched the steering wheel. Many would say he sought vengeance, but they didn’t understand. His quest to find her was justified.
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
“Too late for prayers, Lucy. Your journey is finished.” But first, he had to take a couple of detours and then he’d enjoy Lucy Watson’s deliverance to the life beyond. He headed down the dirt drive.
Chapter 17
Lucy woke to a scratching noise. She squinted into the darkness. Ryan!
He lay in a glass coffin, clawing at the lid to get out. Then she saw herself. She was throwing shovels of dirt into his grave. The soil thudded against the cover and the sound mixed with his screams.