“I’m getting a towel and a blanket, and when I get back, you can tell me why you were on your way to see me. It must be important.” She shrugged free and headed for the bathroom, where she grabbed a towel and a wool blanket from a closet. Terra needed time to think through what had happened tonight and how to explain it. Repeating the words in her head—someone followed me and I hid and let them get away—almost made her wonder if any of it had really happened.
Mom would be so proud.
She forced an exhale. Dispatch had already recorded her message, and it was out there. No going back.
Terra returned and handed Jack the towel first. He’d hung his jacket over a chair.
“Thanks.” He took it and dried his hair. “I don’t need a blanket. I’m not cold.”
“Too bad.” With a soft smile, she wrapped the blanket around his broad shoulders for good measure, amused that he even allowed her to do so. When she was done, she looked into his face—his deep green eyes penetrating. She was much too close when she hadn’t meant to be. At his nearness, her heart thrummed.
Move. Step away. Something.
Jack peered down at her, a wry grin twisting his lips.
Terra forced her feet to move. “Have you eaten?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
“Coffee then?”
“Your grandfather’s special roasted blend?”
The way he asked the question made her laugh. “I have the plain old store-bought variety too, if you prefer.”
“Sure. I’ll make the coffee while you finish eating.”
“Deal.” Terra could talk while she ate the leftover salad. “So, why are you here?”
“I was already over halfway here when I learned you’d made a call for assistance, and then another call that you didn’t need assistance. So, I’m here. If you’re not ready to talk about what happened, then I’ll go first.” He saw right through her. Knew her too well and knew that she would talk when she was ready.
“I’m listening.”
“I think we might have discovered the murder weapon.” Jack poured the coffee before it had finished brewing and explained about the deputy coroner’s initial findings, along with his visit to the museum. He pulled out a chair, and she pushed her empty plate forward.
He reached across the table and took her hand. His action sent a familiar charge up her arm. She slipped her hand free, ignoring the realization of just how strong her lingering feelings for this man were. How much had remained. She didn’t want those emotions and would do her best to ignore them. This was a man who had loved her, she was sure of it, and had been able to walk away with merely a note. That wasn’t something anyone could easily forget, even though she thought she understood why he did it. They were Jack’s reasons, and not necessarily good ones.
Okay. No going down melancholy lane. Terra straightened and downed a cup of coffee. She had to push away the exhaustion or else the day would get to her. And her emotional side, her heart, was already trying to take over.
“Now it’s your turn. Tell me what’s going on. You said someone followed you.”
Terra gave a brief summary of the events, and just like how they played out in her head, she felt ridiculous. “I didn’t feel comfortable facing off with whoever was pursuing me on a lonely mountain road without some sort of backup, so I got away from them. My plan was to follow them and get the license plate.”
Jack crossed his arms.
“Now the whole thing seems ridiculous. Maybe I got it all wrong. They turned when I turned and accelerated when I accelerated, and it was all a coincidence.”
“Where’s Owen and Robert?”
She shrugged. “They’re in Idaho meeting with horse people. Gramps is helping Owen get going with equestrian therapy for veterans.”
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t like that you’re here alone tonight.”
“My grandfather has a state-of-the-art alarm system. I’ll be fine. I have a weapon too, and I know how to use it.” She fisted her hands, wishing she could have gotten them on the person who had trailed her tonight.
“Why do you think someone would follow you?”
“That’s the billion-dollar question, isn’t it? If I was even actually followed.”
“You’re trained, Terra. If you thought you were being followed, then you were. I suggest you stay at your apartment in town tonight.”
“Thanks for your suggestion. If they know about the ranch, they know about my apartment.”
“Maybe you’re being followed because of one of the cases you’re working on.”
She shook her head. “Timber theft. A meth lab. That kind of stuff. I’m not close enough to any of it for someone to trail me.”
“Past cases?”
Terra considered his question and shook her head.
“Why’d you come back?” Jack asked. “Did something happen in your previous job?”
“No. Nothing from my past job could be related to someone following me. What’s with the interrogation?”
He chuckled. “Just doing my job, ma’am.” That smile again. “But even if I weren’t, I’m just trying to make sure an old friend is okay and going to stay that way.”
Clutching her mug, she nodded, appreciating his concern. “Thanks for that. Now, let’s talk more about the murder investigation. I’d like to talk to the curator at the museum too, but let’s wait on any further communication with anyone there.”
“This is a murder investigation.”
“That’s linked to an artifact cache. The curator or his staff might not be connected to either crime, but then again, someone might be. But I want to know more before we question them. I wish you hadn’t gone to him about the knife without me. When I learn more about the things Jim kept, I can use that information while questioning the curator or those working for him. Working very closely on this is the best way to get what we want. To find Jim’s killer.”
Jack nodded. “The man’s been informed he shouldn’t leave town in case we have more questions.”
“What about the interns and volunteers, other employees?”
“I have deputies working on questioning them in the morning. Relax, Terra. You can use the information we gather when you follow up. You can’t be everywhere.”
Terra avoided Jack’s questioning look and scooted her chair back. She moved to the counter and got more coffee, which would probably keep her awake too late tonight. She calmed her frustration. Jack was right.
She slid back into the seat, wrapping her hands around the hot mug. “Why would Jim’s murderer take a knife from a museum to use as a murder weapon and then return it?”
“Maybe he thought it was a way to forever hide the weapon. Who would ever look at the museum’s artifacts?”
“Are you telling me he didn’t notice the knife’s missing tip?”
Jack angled his head. “He might not have noticed it because he was in a hurry or it was dark. Or he still didn’t think the weapon would be discovered. But I see you’re tracking a different way on this.”
She nodded. “I think that if the museum is involved in illegal trafficking along with Jim, that would be the last place the killer would take a weapon from. It leads us right back there.”
He crossed his arms. “Criminals make mistakes, Terra.”
“Or leading us back to the museum wasn’t a mistake at all and could be exactly what the killer wants. He wants to lead us the wrong way. Get us looking at the museum to pull our attention off the right path.” Though that would be going to a lot of trouble. “How sure are you that the knife is the murder weapon?”
“Almost positive.” He whipped out his cell and showed her the images he’d taken, along with the images of the knife tip from the deputy coroner.
“Okay, then. I would be surprised if this wasn’t the knife. But this makes no sense to me. Jim’s killer went to all that trouble to hide his body, then he put the knife back? He would have been better off throwing the knife into the Grayback Ri
ver.”
“I can’t argue with you there.” His deep green eyes bored into her.
She never imagined she would be in this position again. Looking into Jack Tanner’s intense gaze. Emotions weaved with deep-seated memories rushed forward. Good ones up until that final devastating end.
She pushed herself away from the table. “Look, it’s been a long day. I have a big caseload and need to follow up on a couple of them tomorrow.”
“What about this investigation?”
She wanted to complain about her boss, but she offered a small smile instead. “It’s my job, Jack. This case is my priority, but you know how it is. This isn’t my only case. I’ll see you in the morning to oversee the transfer of the artifacts. And if I don’t see you then, I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon and you can catch me up. For starters, send me the museum interviews you’ve gathered.”
Jack scooted his chair back and stood, his gaze moving over her face before settling on her eyes. Her breaths quickened. Had she imagined his eyes had stopped at her lips before moving on?
“Call me, text me, email me with new information.” She couldn’t hold back her smile. “I’m absolutely sure I don’t want you driving all the way out to the ranch to deliver the news, especially if it means you ruin your record of never getting caught in the rain.”
“Oh, that’s already gone. Obliterated.” He sent her a crooked smile.
Terra wanted to touch the corner of his dimple. “Why’d you ruin it?” Just for me?
“You already know. I had to make sure you were okay. Now that I know you are, stay that way. Be safe tonight, Terra.” Jack headed down the hallway. “I’ll let myself out.”
He didn’t know that she’d followed him to turn off the alarm and stood at the door as he ran to his truck in the rain.
Terra closed and locked the door and armed the security system again. She pressed her back against the door and released the breath she’d been holding. Another disaster averted. She was safe for the moment. Safe from the likes of Jack Tanner.
Why had Providence suddenly thrown him back into her life in such a profound way?
EIGHTEEN
Terra plopped down on the sectional with her laptop. She’d made popcorn and hot chocolate and turned on the television so she wouldn’t feel so alone in this big, dark ranch house. She considered several romantic comedies and decided she couldn’t stomach those tonight. Her one and only serious romance so far had been anything but funny. Tragic was the word.
She wouldn’t count the debacle during her time with the NPS as a romance.
Terra continued searching. Nope to crime shows and psychological thrillers. Especially with that old picture of her great-great-great—how many greats again?—grandparents hanging on the wall. Something about the photograph made it look as though the eyes followed her everywhere. She’d never liked it as a kid, and sometimes it had given her nightmares. She paid no attention to it as an adult, but alone in this big house on a stormy night, the same stormy night she thought someone had followed her, she suddenly felt those eyes were watching her again.
They were watching her now. She chuckled at the idea that she was definitely not alone if she counted her great-greats to keep her company. A shudder crawled over her and she rubbed her arms, then found a Disney movie that didn’t involve a princess.
Except, she knew she wouldn’t actually watch the movie. Instead, she opened her laptop. She would work on finding Jim’s murderer by looking for possible connections through online auction houses.
She startled when her cell buzzed. Edginess was becoming a thing with her lately.
When she saw it was just Erin, Terra smiled and answered. “It’s like you have a sixth sense or something.”
“Why?” Erin crunched. Cheetos? “Did you need to talk?”
“Maybe. Lots going on in my head. It helps to have a sounding board. But this is about my investigation, so I shouldn’t talk about it, even if you are a criminal psychologist and could help me figure this out.”
“But that’s not really why you could use a sounding board.”
Her friend was too sharp. “Hey, before I forget to ask, are you going to make it to Owen’s welcome-home party this coming weekend?”
“I’ll be there. We have our memorial visit coming up too, remember?”
“I wouldn’t forget,” Terra said.
“How’s Owen been doing since he got back?”
“Better than I expected.” Except for those dark moments. “He has a new project now, but I don’t want to steal his thunder. I’ll let you hear about it at the party.”
“Any news from Alex?” Erin crunched again.
“I emailed him. He usually answers quickly, but I haven’t heard anything.”
“And that disturbs you.”
“It should disturb you too. Unless you’ve talked to him.”
“No. I definitely need to be more deliberate.”
“He’s always been overprotective, like a brother even. Especially once Owen was gone.” But then Alex left too. “So I’m worried about him.”
Erin yawned. “Maybe he fell in love and that is taking up all his extra time. Wouldn’t that be something?”
“He hasn’t mentioned anyone.”
“Honestly, Terra, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He’ll be in touch.”
“Says the psychologist.” But Terra wouldn’t be at ease until Alex contacted her.
The three of them had been so close before. She had the feeling that time and distance were working against them. Was that just life? Or could they be more deliberate about keeping their friendship, their bond, close? She worked hard to keep what she had left of her family—Gramps and Owen—close. Together. To that end, maybe she should move back in with Gramps permanently.
“So, what else is going on?” Erin asked. “Why do you need a sounding board?”
Should she share the news? Or did she need more time to process?
“Come on, I can tell something’s eating at you. Something beyond an investigation. Oh, and by the way, I was sorry to hear about Jim’s death. Mom told me that he was found in the wilderness. That he jumped off a cliff, but police think it’s foul play.”
“I can’t talk about it.”
“The thought gives me the creeps. Wait . . . you can’t talk about it or you won’t? Because you’re a forest service special agent, so you’re not investigating, which means you can tell me something.”
“It’s complicated. Can we talk about something else?”
“Okay then. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Jack is back.”
Silence met her ears for a few heartbeats, then Erin said, “Wow. By back, you mean he’s back in town?”
“He’s a detective for the county. And what’s more, the murder took place in the national forest and there are other anomalies, other pieces of the investigation that require my expertise. The sheriff deputized me as well.”
“This means you’re working with Jack?”
“Yep.”
“Gosh, Terra. How are you handling that? Did you know he was back before you . . . um . . . ran into him? What did you think when you saw—”
“Erin. Stop with the questions.” Terra laughed. “I was surprised. I had no idea he was back. I was even more surprised that he was working with the county instead of as an FBI special agent.” Oops. She shouldn’t have brought that up.
“Right, because he . . . um . . . he left for the job.”
Terra wasn’t ready to talk to Erin about all of it, just some of it. And sometimes Erin was too analytical. Terra almost missed the woman she’d known before she became a psychologist.
“Look, we’re not kids anymore. I’m over the past and I’ve moved on. We’ve all grown up and have experience under our belt. Jack too.”
Erin said nothing, for which Terra was grateful. Sometimes she knew how to be a true sounding board.
“And Jack, he looks . . .”
“I looked up his pi
cture with the sheriff’s department. He looks good, Terra. Really good.”
“What are you trying to do?”
“Oh, sorry. I’m not trying to influence you.”
“What he looks is hardened. I suspect something happened. Why would he leave the FBI? He claims it’s because his aunt has dementia.”
“And that could be the reason, but you’re not buying it.”
“I’m not sure. I think there’s something more, but you know what? It’s really none of my business.”
“But you want it to be your business, don’t you?”
Did she? No, she didn’t. She couldn’t. “Let’s just leave it alone for now.”
“You know you want to talk about it more.”
“Erin, please.”
“All right. Promise you’ll call me when you’re ready to talk more? I promise I won’t analyze you.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Positive. I don’t bring my job home with me. I don’t bring it into my relationships.”
“Well, whatever. There isn’t anything more to talk about. We’ve both moved on. I needed to talk about it, and you listened, and I’m done.” Liar.
“I’ll refrain from further comment then.” Erin chuckled. “I mainly called to let you know that I’ll be there this weekend. Plus, I wanted to see how you’re doing with all that’s going on.”
“Do you feel reassured now?”
“That you’re doing all right? Not as much as I’d like, but I know you, Terra. You’re made from steel.”
Terra forced a laugh. “Good night, Erin. Sleep tight. I’ll be in touch soon.”
She ended the call.
“You’re made from steel.”
Like her mother. People had always said that Sheridan Connors had been made from steel. Right. Well, Superman, the “Man of Steel,” wouldn’t have been killed by an avalanche. But Terra knew people were referring to more than Sheridan’s physical capabilities.
Before Mom had left for that fatal SAR mission, she and Terra had been arguing. Terra couldn’t even remember what it was about now. But Mom had looked at her and said, “The direction your life takes can often come down to one decision, one moment in time.”
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