by Nora LeDuc
“You don’t expect me to go inside, do you? I’m not eighteen anymore.”
“If the spirit moves you—”
“No chance, McAllister. At least there was a roof the last time.”
Target rose, waiting for her to move. Liam opened his door, and the dog sprang over him and charged across the light covering of snow. He scooped up a snout full with his nose and tossed the icy mixture in the air.
“Target approves.” She slid out and stood, searching the property. Trees and overgrown brush surrounded the hilltop.
She leaned against the truck, where Liam joined her. “The woods grew a lot. The place used to have a great view of the mountains.”
He folded his arms across his chest and scanned the area.
“Not much is left of the castle except for the walls and the first floor,” she continued. “I’m glad the owner isn’t alive to witness the end of his dream. The relatives must be sad. Imagine living in such a gorgeous home and feeling like you could see forever.”
“Don’t worry about the family. The descendants inherited lots of cash from the golden age of the railroad when their great-great-grandfather made his money.” Liam picked up a stick and threw it for Target, who bounded after his new toy. “I’ve heard teens still come up here.”
“Kids these days. They’re curious like we were.” She inhaled a deep breath of the cool, dry air. “It’s quiet and peaceful.”
He tracked Target across the grounds and spotted the view. “There. I found Mount Washington.” He pointed toward the north. “C’mon.” Taking their time over the icy spots, he led her near the edge. “Look between the two pine trees to your left.” He peered through the slice of open sky. The mountain’s towering white peak soared upward and kissed the clouds floating in the sky. “Amazing. When you live in Barley, you forget to appreciate the surrounding beauty.”
She sidestepped, and her eyes glowed with wonder. “It’s a gem. I hope the conservation committee can save the land.”
The emotion in her voice told him the detour had been worth the extra minutes. He wished they could linger longer over their shared memories— and make more.
“Thanks for bringing me here. I feel like I’ve taken a break from my life.”
He slipped his arm around her waist and held her against his hip. She leaned into him. Her simple action sent quivers jumping through him. He didn’t move, barely breathed. For so many years, he’d dreamed of holding her, sharing a moment. The fresh scent of her flowery shampoo filled his senses. The heat of her body blended into his. He wanted to seize the second and slow down time. He tried to read her inscrutable expression, judge the invisible line between them and if he should cross it. His pulse quickened.
The dog burst past them, kicking up clumps of ice and dirt on them.
“Target!” Lucy shouted, brushing off her hair and jacket.
He skidded to a halt, lowered his head toward the brush, and the fur on his back rose. Growling, he stared at something in the bushes.
She broke away from Liam and headed for the dog. “What is it, boy?”
“Luce, stop.” He reached under his jacket for the .357 Magnum he’d brought along, just in case.
A squirrel burst into the open, ran up the pine tree, paused, and scolded Target before leaping to another branch.
She faced him. “Target’s on the trail of Rocky the Squirrel.” Her gaze traveled to his hand beneath his jacket and narrowed in speculation.
He moved away from her. “We’re never alone with Mother Nature around us.” His joke didn’t lessen her stress.
“Are you carrying that gun, McAllister?”
“The Magnum’s unloaded. As you must remember, I’m not into killing Bambi’s mother. My friend told me you scare a lot of people when you wave the sucker in the air.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
His moment with Lucy was over, and he’d landed in the reality of death, stalking, and abductions. Damn. “We’d better head to the Moose.”
The supper crowd had arrived by the time they pulled into Liam’s parking spot. She grabbed his arm as Liam pushed down on the truck’s door handle.
“Before you go in, I’ve been thinking.”
“Is that unusual?”
“You almost had a good joke, McAllister. I remember how slow a keyboarder you were. If you can use help with online promotions for the Moose, I’ve plenty of time.”
“What about the inventory?”
“I’ll do both.”
“Mm, you’ll have to pass my test.”
“O-kay.”
“Do you tweet and Facebook?”
“Yes.”
“Great. I accept your offer.”
She raised one brow. “That’s all you know about social media, isn’t it?”
“You got it, Luce. We’ll discuss the benefits later.”
Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. “It’s Sullivan.” She hopped out of the truck and pressed her cell to her ear. Listening, she went to the corner.
Liam debated leaving her alone for privacy, but decided not to wander too far. He stopped by the Moose’s entrance and looked in the front window. Sadie’s sister Sammie was waitressing. She hovered over four women seated at the table. She waved a hand around in the air and shook her head. The customers were glued to whatever she was saying. Were the specials that spectacular? None of them noticed him.
“Liam.” Lucy walked toward him, clenching her phone.
“Did he find Ryan’s truck?”
“No.” Her voice came out low and tense. “Ali Smith’s parents reported her missing thirty minutes ago. Today the school released students at noon. Ali never showed for cheerleading practice after classes.”
Chapter 23
March 25
“Ali disappeared?” Liam asked Lucy.
“Ali told a friend she left her change of clothes in her car and would be back in a few minutes. She set off to the parking lot and never returned. The police are trying to determine if she met a classmate, or she was abducted. I guess she’s not answering her phone either.” Lucy heard her voice sounding tense and unnatural.
“Have officers checked the school cameras?” Liam’s brows creased with worry.
“She parked in the overflow across the street, no cameras. Ali’s parents are frantic.” Lucy’s fingers cramped from clutching her own cell. Stuffing it in her jacket pocket, her mind whirled with explanations for the cheerleader’s absence. She ran away with a boy. She decided to go shopping. She was mad at the cheering squad and blew them off. None of them seemed logical. A disturbing answer hit her. Matt had taken her. Lucy’s stomach clenched.
Liam touched her hand, drawing her attention to him. “How did her parents find out she was missing?”
“The cheerleaders’ advisor contacted them when she didn’t show for practice. The principal and teachers searched the building. Her mother called Ali’s friends to ask if they’d seen her. No sighting since school ended. The police are releasing information to the media at any moment. Liam, what if Matt took her, and it’s because of me? He followed me to Barley.”
“Hold on. You’re not her kidnaper. A guilt trip won’t help Ali. Now, why did the chief call you?”
“Ali kept talking about how badly she felt about taking the picture at the funeral. She mentioned several times to friends that she wanted to apologize again. Sullivan called on the slight chance we met after school. To be honest, I could tell he was shaken and was grasping at any possibility.”
“Maybe the school video will show someone lurking around her.”
“Let’s hope. Liam, Ali could be dead.” Lucy’s hands shook as terrible images flashed in her head. The image of an uneasy Ali by the police station offering a heartfelt apology popped up in her mind. The girl was young and inexperienced in life. Like most teens, she trusted too easily or took chances that made her easy prey. Was she now in a place similar to Matt and Seth’s secret chamber of torture where girls were electrocuted, su
ffocated, and died a slow, painful death?
Lucy closed her eyes. Oh, my God, I’m so sorry, Ali.
Liam took her hands and forced her to meet his gaze. “We’ll find her.”
“Boss?”
Sadie’s sister Sammie was standing in the open doorway. Concern pulled her brows together. “Excuse me, I was talking to the customers when I saw you out the window. Are you guys okay?”
Liam released Lucy and turned to the server. “Ali Smith’s parents reported her missing. She disappeared after school today. The media will release the details on the afternoon news.”
“She might still show up, right?” Sammie glanced from Lucy to Liam.
“We’ll be praying she does,” he said. “Have Hank turn to the local channel.”
“People will want to help,” Sammie said and shook her head. “What’s happening to Barley? Life in this town has changed into a Stephen King movie.”
“If Ali doesn’t appear soon, we’ll contact the police about joining a search,” Liam said to them.
“I’ll tell Hank to put on the channel right away.” Sammie scooted through the entryway.
While they walked inside, Lucy’s thoughts returned to Matt. They had to find him before he tortured the girl to death. Where would he take her? Lucy searched her memory for a place she might have mentioned to him.
Where would he hide? Their talks had never centered on the sights in Barley. She’d no idea where the devil, Matt, was hiding.
* * *
The Moose had already opened when Liam knocked on Lucy’s door the next day. Yesterday, the local evening news repeated that Ali Smith was missing and asked anyone with information to contact their local police.
Now Liam wanted to check on Lucy. She stepped aside for him to enter the apartment.
“I wanted to see how you were doing. I know you took Ali’s disappearance hard yesterday.” He turned and scanned her face.
“Matt kidnaped her. It makes sense. He loves young girls and he’s in Barley.”
Her voice sounded strong. In reality, she was falling apart or plain old going crazy. Matt was in her head, in her every thought, and refused to leave. She needed to concentrate on Ryan. Yet Matt was in Barley because of her. Rubbing her forehead, she sank down into the chair.
“Did you talk to Teagan yet?”
“I’m not ready. Teagan and Lisa went through hell because of Matt. Both of them have had to deal with the emotional repercussions of Lisa’s abduction.”
Liam took her hand. The restaurant’s pine-scented freshener lingered on his clothes.
She drank in his warm touch, his look of concern, and the tenderness in his eyes. “Thank you, Liam, for your help.” She dipped her gaze and drew in a steadying breath.
He tightened his grip.
On impulse, she brushed her fingers across his cheek and felt the scrape of his whiskers. “I was wrong to judge you when I’ve done things that I don’t like to talk about, but I have to be strong and face my wrongs.”
He bent his head and kissed the inside of her wrist.
Her skin tingled, and she fought the urge to slip her arms around him and seek the emotional shelter she desperately needed. “I don’t want to make another mistake.” Whenever her life took a disastrous turn, she’d used a man to try to escape, which ended with dreadful results.
“We’re older and can deal better with our lives.”
Was he suggesting something?
“I’m always going to love you, Luce. No matter what happens. That’s how it works.”
She inhaled a quick, sharp breath. All these years later, he still cared— or did he? Be careful. Don’t repeat your mistakes because he says what you wanted him to say. Other men had whispered similar words to her. They lied.
Yes, telling people what they hoped to hear was easy. She tapped her fingertips on her thigh, fighting to listen to the voice in her head. “My life is messed up right now, Liam. I’m sure you noticed.”
“Since your brother’s murder—”
“It’s not just Ryan’s death.” She swallowed, and her face heated. Nerves ate at her stomach.
She walked to the window and yanked it open. The cold air chilled her warm skin. Her eyes burned with lack of sleep. She turned to him.
His gaze fastened on her face. “You’ve admitted your mistakes and worked on amends. If we didn’t get second chances, no one would change. Don’t beat yourself up.”
“I don’t want pity, Liam.”
“I won’t give you any.”
She stared down at her fingers, which she was twisting together, and forced herself to drop her arms to her sides. If only she could trust her feelings for him and his for her. “You’re not impartial.” She stood motionless, afraid to breathe because then her resolve would disappear.
He moved away, and disappointment rippled through her.
“I have an idea. No more questions or doubts. We’ll look out for each other. No pressure.”
His speech stirred feelings and memories of the old Liam, the one she’d loved, and she wondered if he’d missed her. She’d second-guessed her decision to leave Barley years ago many times. “You can’t relive the past.”
“Really? Because having you here has made me understand even more how much I wished you’d come home sooner.”
It was the Liam she knew in front of her, challenging and teasing her. She shook her head. “You’re such a sweet talker, McAllister.”
“Lucy—”
A knock on her door interrupted him.
“Hello, Lucy? It’s Flo. I’m here for my picture.”
“Picture?” His lips parted in surprise. “Are you going into a new business or having your hair done?”
“Coming, Flo.” She crossed the floor while explaining. “I’m taking pictures for the website. Today is trivia. When we have the drink competition, I’ll do the same. I sent Flo a message last night when I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t expect her to rush right over to the Moose this morning.”
Lucy let their neighbor, the town hairdresser, inside.
She was dressed in a pink flowing dress, and her beehive hairdo seemed higher than ever. She’d finished her appearance with dark eyeliner and red lipstick. “Hi, Liam, how ya doing? I can’t wait to see your new website.”
“You and me both, Flo.” He lifted his brows in amusement.
“Lucy, my team is on their way. We named ourselves the Five Shades of Gray since there are five of us, and we’re the oldest. Get it?”
“I do. Ah, Liam, do you have a camera I can borrow? If not, I’ll use my phone.”
“One camera coming up.” He strode out of the room.
“This is great, but I apologize, Flo. I didn’t mean you had to hurry to the Moose.”
“No problem. I was free at this time, and so were the others. Three of them are retired and are more flexible.”
“I’m happy you’re up for the idea. I wonder where Liam went.”
“He’ll be in the picture with us, right?”
“I’m sure he’d be honored.”
“That man is such a hottie. If I were younger, I’d love to give him a spin.”
Lucy stared at Flo. Maybe their team name had another meaning.
The hairdresser winked. “You understand. You two used to go out.”
“I do.” She understood too well.
Chapter 24
Matt huddled closer to the fire he’d built on the dirt road. His new home, an abandoned trailer, sat a few feet away from the lane, with the added feature of feral cats living underneath the RV. The felines’ fights and shrieks during the nights brought up memories from his childhood of stifled cries while hiding in dark closets with his mother, praying her latest boyfriend wouldn’t find them— and her screams when he did.
He didn’t remember the men’s names. She’d exchanged them often, and they were all the same. How well he remembered his mother’s sobs and pleading. One of her men ordered Matt to be a man and watch the torture of his mother or end
ure a beating with a metal pipe.
As he grew older, he’d learned to steal to survive. Another of his mother’s boyfriends showed him how to hack into online accounts. His computer talents increased, but when he stole another person’s life and lived it, that was his finest moment.
The pop of the bonfire snapped Matt out of his reverie. He swiped up a handful of twigs and fed them to the blaze. Once the flames increased in size and heat, he’d be ready to bring her out from under the covering in the rear of the truck.
He visualized himself fastening his present around the girl’s slender neck. The look of fear would glimmer in her eyes, and muffled sobs would escape from her taped mouth. Her desperate struggle and then her helplessness when she couldn’t break the zip ties securing her wrists and ankles.
The wind whistled and howled. Nobody in this tiny town would venture out to hunt for the girl in the dark and cold. In the nighttime, the activity stopped, except in the Barley Center. Fools.
He picked up the dog-training collar and admired the name etched on it: Ali.
Chapter 25
March 27
Lucy worked in Liam’s office. The Moose was quiet when she finished uploading pictures on the bar’s website. Before yesterday had ended, the other six trivia teams had shown up for their photos. Each group suggested new poses, hoping to be more outrageous than the last, until she reminded them the site was G-rated. Liam dropped in during each session. He joked with all of them while asking about their families and work.
She clicked through the pictures until she came to the one she’d loaded last, the selfie of herself and Liam. He was pretending to serve her. She paused to study their expressions captured by the lens. She leaned toward him, her head tilted back, and stared into his eyes. The light in his made her pulse leap.
She hit Delete and glanced down at the suspects’ names on the piece of paper on the desk.
At the knock on the office door, she jumped in her seat. Geesh, get it together. She gathered her thoughts. Liam? No, he’d just enter. She turned off the computer and drew in a steadying breath. “Come in.”