Kitabı oku: «Cold Case Christmas», sayfa 3
But they didn’t have proof that Marilyn’s car in the lake was intentional. And he was only speculating again. “If the car wreck was an accident, then all we’re doing is meddling in people’s lives to give you some comfort.” A lot of damage could be done. “Is that fair?”
Nora jutted her chin toward him and glared. “What if it was your mother?”
He didn’t know. Before his dad falsely accused a man of soliciting a prostitute, which ended up causing the man to commit suicide, he’d have said yes. But now? Now he wasn’t so sure he’d go around prying.
“We have to question Ward, Rush. Evidence or not. What’s he got to lose now?” Nora asked.
“If your mom’s death wasn’t an accident, then a lot.”
THREE
The winter storm had slacked off, leaving a foot of fresh powdered snow and temperatures in the low twenties. But it wasn’t keeping tourists and locals away from Main Street. Carolers dressed in Victorian clothing wassailed along singing inside the shops that were lit with candles and twinkling lights. Nora loved the candle store best with its cranberry, pine and cinnamon scents that wafted through the air. She’d be buying one of the candles when they got there. Small stations were set up for tourists to relax and revel with mulled cider or cocoa. With red noses and wrapped head to toe like mummies in winter garb and bags loading them down, people were having a ball.
Road crews had done a good job of clearing the roads and sidewalks. Nora and Hailey walked with Dalton, his lips coated in chocolate and whipped cream. Nora had missed so much of his growing up by only visiting once a year. She’d forgotten how much she loved these pre-Christmas festivities. They’d bumped into several people Nora had grown up with, and there had been no narrowed eyes or questions about Mom, but Nora couldn’t help but feel gawked at. Rush had been called away due to shoplifters, and being here in public, Nora didn’t think anyone would try something. She hoped anyway. She had her sister and Dalton with her.
“Nora, do you think you should push this?” Making a motion with her chin toward Dalton, Hailey let Nora know to talk in code so young ears didn’t hear.
“Don’t you want answers?”
“Yes, but not enough to bring on the extra trouble, if you know what I mean. Maybe we should move on. I don’t care to know about every single indiscretion, and quite frankly, I believe there were many.”
“But why? What was so bad in the marriage that would cause that?”
Hailey sighed and watched as Dalton jetted ahead, gawking in the taffy store. “People grow apart, Nora. They live in the same house, share the bills and running errands and after-school activities, but the spark dies.”
“I’m sorry about you and Nate.”
Hailey squeezed her hand but said nothing.
Nora had seen marriages that lasted. Burned bright all through the years. Rush’s parents for one. And her grandparents on Dad’s side. Mom had no family. No pictures. They’d burned in a house fire when Mom was young.
Hair rose on her neck and she scanned the area.
“So how are things with you and Rush?” Hailey asked.
Nora shook off the feeling of being watched again. “Fine. Good.” He was helping her look into a case. That’s it. Although sitting in his home, drinking coffee and reminiscing over old photos had shifted the place where she kept her feelings for him confined. “To be honest, I wish he’d be more aggressive on this investigation. He acts like he can’t question anyone until he has proof, but he can’t get proof without asking questions. It’s like people who need their first job but can’t get one without experience. How do you gain experience if you can’t get a job?”
Hailey snorted. “You’re babbling.”
“I suppose I am.” Rush frustrated her with his tippy-toeing around. She was beginning to think he was pacifying her with his promises to look into the past. He hadn’t done much of anything.
They stopped inside the candle shop and Nora bought an orange-cranberry candle. Outside, Nora spotted Candace Fick. “Hey, didn’t she and Mom have lunches every Thursday afternoon?”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean she knows any more than we do.”
Carolers crooned, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
“You never know. I’m gonna hop over and see if we can have a lunch of our own. I’ll be right back.”
Blue lights flashed in the distance. Looked like Rush’s Bronco inching its way up the road. Butterflies swam in her stomach. Oh, no. No. No. She was not going to let herself swoon over him. For many reasons. One, she wasn’t even staying in Splendor Pines. She was moving to Florida—hopefully.
Two, he’d cheated on Ainsley, and if he’d cheat on her what was to say he wouldn’t cheat on Nora someday? There was no guarantee. And worst-case scenario, what if the rumors about her mother were true? What if Nora had her genes? Because if she were being honest she’d have to admit that even if she had known Rush was dating Ainsley, it wouldn’t have stopped her from spending time with him, holding his hand, embracing him, cuddling on the couch or even kissing him.
She was pulled from the souring thought. Literally.
A meaty hand yanked her by the collar behind the shops, thrusting her up against the brick, her face scraping against the rough exterior. “I told you to back off!” he hissed, and cut off her scream with his thick gloved hand. She flailed and elbowed him in the chest, but his heavy coat must have taken most of the blow. It barely slowed him down. Adrenaline coursed through her veins; blood swooshed in her temples.
He yanked a strand of lights from the trim of the building and wound them around her throat, tightening them. She couldn’t breathe! She grabbed at them, the twinkling rainbow hot around her neck and flashing in her eyes. In the distance, carolers sang, “O Christmas Tree.” A serenade to her—Nora the human Christmas tree.
Help! Someone!
The cord dug into her neck, stinging. Her eyes watered and her throat swelled. Blood heated in her cheeks.
Using her foot, she back kicked him. She missed his groin and knocked his upper thigh. He cursed and thrust her to the ground, never releasing his grip on her throat with the lights.
Spots formed in front of her eyes.
The snow burned cold on her cheek.
He practically sat on her back as if he was roping a calf. She felt along the snow and found her bag with the candle.
“Nora?”
Rush!
The attacker released his grip enough for her to gulp a breath of air and wiggle around to use the candle as a weapon. She held the handles of the plastic bag and swung it like a bat against the side of his face; he groaned and jumped off her.
Rush moved in on him, but he scrambled and found his footing, racing ahead into the crowd. Rush radioed their location as he gave chase. She coughed and unwound the Christmas lights from her neck, breathing in the cold, fresh winter air.
Jogging, Rush came back to her and knelt. “Are you okay?”
No. But she had to show a sign of strength. “Just need to catch my breath.”
He tipped her chin, searched her eyes. “Nora, be honest.” Concern pulsed in his. “Talk to me.”
“I’m fine.” She hid her shaking hands. “How’d you find me?”
Rush blew a heavy sigh. “Hailey said you went to talk to Candace Fick, but Candace said she never saw you. I got a gut feeling. Went looking for you from point A to B.”
Nora rubbed the tender area on her neck. “Anyone tell you that you ought to be in law enforcement? Private Eye? Detective? Human Metal Detector?”
“I’m glad you can find the funny in this.”
Nothing about this was funny, but she didn’t want to admit she might have bitten off more than she could chew. Because she couldn’t back down regardless.
“That’s me. The funny girl.”
Rush pulled Nora to her feet. He brushed a gloved thumb across her cheek. “Nora, this is getting out of hand and I’m worried.”
Join the club. “I’ll be okay. I’ve got you around.” She tried to play it off lightheartedly but it fell flat.
“I’m not always around, though. If I hadn’t been just down the street...”
She’d be dead right now. With no answers. She didn’t want to think about it. “Candace might know where Mom was going that night or who had been with her. They were friends.”
“Why hasn’t she come forward, then?” Rush asked.
“I don’t know.” Nora picked up the bag with the candle inside, brushed snow from it.
Rush pointed to the sleigh rides. “Why don’t we take a break and hitch a ride back to the lodge.”
“Isn’t your Bronco still here?”
“Don’t want to go ‘dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh’ with me?” Rush winked and slung his arm around Nora’s shoulders.
“As long as we don’t have to laugh all the way. My ribs won’t take it.” She ignored her heart’s warning to abandon his protective arms and charm and she leaned into him. Rumors were sure to abound.
Snuggled under a quilt with Nora on the sleigh ride had brought back so many memories. Rush had been smitten with her since he made fun of her pink sparkly tennis shoes in third grade and she shoved him down the hill on the playground. She’d been full of spunk and spice and still was. Normally, he’d appreciate that but it was fueling her need to keep pushing into the past. She didn’t trust him to do his job, and coupled with refusing to let her feelings out, it was utterly disappointing. Didn’t she see they were in this together?
Nora’s father stood on the steps of the chalet as the sleigh ride came to its end. Rush had texted him ten minutes earlier and filled him in on the newest attack.
He met Nora as she stepped out and drew her into his arms. “Nora, how many times am I going to have to beg you to stop this? It’s going to get you killed.”
She didn’t respond but pulled from his embrace.
Joshua’s nostrils flared, but underneath the anger was fear. Fear for his daughter. “I’ve given the family staying next to you an upgraded chalet. Rush, you take that one until you don’t need it anymore. I understand appearances.” He peered into Nora’s eyes. “But if you won’t come back to the main house and let me take care of you, then I’ll feel better knowing Rush is six feet away. But again, I wish you’d come up to the house and let Rush look into the attacks. If you stop digging, they might stop.”
Rush thought the same thing, but the killer may believe Nora found the incriminating photo. If so, he would be coming to silence her for it. Rush too.
Nora looked at her dad and then at Rush. “If the results come back that there is no foul play involved, I’ll consider it. But something bad happened that night. I know it.”
Rush believed it too. He didn’t think Nora would consider letting it go. He shook Joshua’s hand. “I appreciate the chalet. I’ll get my things later.”
They stood quietly, a bit awkward, then Joshua tightened his scarf. “I’ve got some work to do.” He left them on Nora’s porch.
“What now?” Nora asked.
“We compile a list of names we heard rumors about and quietly investigate to see if they were true. Then we add their wives to that list. You know the phrase about women scorned.”
“They buy Ben & Jerry’s?” A slender eyebrow twitched north, giving Nora a sly, flirty look.
Heat swarmed Rush’s gut. “Something like that.”
Nora unlocked the chalet and they stepped into the warmth. She hung her coat on the hook by the front door and dropped her purse, hat and gloves on the kitchen counter, then lit the candle she’d wielded as a weapon earlier. Didn’t take long for the chalet to become enveloped in orange and cranberry with a hint of cinnamon.
“We should make a list of the people who were there when the car was taken from the lake too,” she said. “I always stay at the guest chalet. Someone knew it, knew I was home and that I was coming after them. Had to be someone who was there.”
“Not necessarily. Anyone could have picked up the phone to gossip and shared it with the wrong—or right—person. I’ll work on the men with rumored affairs and their wives.” He’d spare her that dreaded deed. “After I build a fire.”
“I’ll make coffee.”
They went to work on their tasks, then sat on opposite ends of the sofa, notebooks in hand, stopping every once in a while to pour more coffee. Nora pulled a box of ginger snaps from the cupboard that had been stocked. Rush was thankful for them; he hadn’t eaten dinner.
“I only have about ten people on my list, and I know more were at the lake that night.” Nora tapped her lead pencil on the notebook and scowled. He’d always loved her perturbed look. It made her nose perkier and her full lips poutier.
He tried to ignore his attraction and focus on the work. “Read off the names and let’s see if any of them match mine, then we’ll circle them and put them at the top of our suspect list.”
Nora smirked. “You got it, Matlock.”
Rush chuckled and Nora read her list. He circled the names she called out that he had on his list of rumored affairs: Ward McKay, Len Franklin and Harvey Langston. He still had three more names on his list. Martin Hassleback, Kent Sammons and Rodney Jones.
“Let’s start with the first three we matched and then move on with the other three. Ward, Harvey, Len and Martin are divorced so they rank even higher as the chances of the rumors being true are greater,” Rush said.
Nora rolled her pencil along her bottom lip. He cleared his throat. “I’m only speculating. Don’t take it as the gospel truth.”
“Why do you keep prefacing your speculations or putting that addendum on there? Cops speculate, Rush. It’s not like you’re accusing anyone of anything...yet.” Nora laid her notepad and pencil on the coffee table, stretched and yawned.
“I don’t want to falsely accuse anyone of something. It could wreck them.” And himself.
“Fine, but we have to process our ideas. I’m not going to go out there and tell the world these things.”
No, just the men whose names are on the list. And if they didn’t have an affair, it might circulate once again and marriages could fall apart and worse. Rush’s cell phone rang. Gary Plenk. “It’s the coroner.”
“Put him on speaker,” Nora said.
“Hey, Gary, what’s up? You’re on speaker with myself and Nora Livingstone.”
There was a pause on the line. Gary had bad news. Rush glanced at Nora and she nodded. “It’s okay, Gary, you can say what you need to say.”
“I’m so sorry, Nora. The DNA was conclusive.”
“I was prepared for that. Thank you,” Nora said but her voice choked up and she stared at the floor.
“Uh... Rush, could we talk a minute?” Gary asked.
Nora held up her hand and shook her head. Words wouldn’t come. Right now, he wanted to tell Gary to call back later, take Nora into his arms and comfort her, but he doubted she’d let him. She may have been prepared for this call, but the reality was Marilyn was gone. Forever. It was official.
Rush paused, but the look in Nora’s eye told the tale. She wanted to hear it all—needed to. “Go ahead, Gary.”
Gary cleared his throat. “I’m ruling this an accidental death, but when you look at the report and photos, you’ll see some striations on the...on the skull.”
“Cause?” Rush asked, his stomach roiling over what Nora might be imagining. He should have taken Gary off speakerphone.
“Unfortunately, they’re inconclusive.”
“Meaning there could have been foul play involved?” Nora asked, but her voice cracked. “Have you double-checked?”
“I’m sorry, Nora,” Gary said. “I have. They could have come from the impact of the car hitting the water, causing her to hit her head on the steering wheel or another part of the vehicle, but I can’t be one hundred percent sure.”
“Then it’s possible that something else caused those marks.”
“I don’t believe so, no,” Gary said, this time a bit firmer. “I think what we have here is a terrible tragedy, and I am sorry for your loss and the loss of your family.”
“Thanks, Gary. I appreciate it.” Rush hung up before Nora pressed on.
She stood, then sat. Tears spilled over her cheeks as the harsh reality sank in. Rush tried to hold her, but she pushed him away as expected. Instead of getting upset over the fact that she didn’t want him or his comfort, he quietly sat while she dealt with the death inwardly, and then she hurried to the bathroom, closing herself off even further from him. When she returned, he stood. “I’m so sorry, Nora Beth. Is there anything I can do?”
“No. She really is gone. Dad will want to have a proper burial. I need to work on the arrangements.” She sniffed, wiped her nose on her sleeve and composed herself outwardly. “But I can’t dismiss the fact that the striations are inconclusive. That means it’s not definite and you know it.”
There was no arguing that Gary had been the coroner for over a decade and a doctor for twenty years prior. Nora had latched onto the idea that Marilyn had been hurt that night. Rush massaged the back of his neck, working the tightness out. She had a point, even though it was slight.
“And even if she wasn’t murdered, there’s money involved. What if she was blackmailed for something—or forbid it all, blackmailing someone—Money laundering, payoffs...the list is endless. Rush, you’re a total cop. Tell me you think it’s all coincidence and it should be laid to rest and I’ll believe you.”
He couldn’t give her that, as much as he hated to start tearing up innocent families with accusations. “I can’t say that. And you know it. I also know you, and you have no plans of laying anything to rest anytime soon. You were pacifying your dad earlier.”
“So?”
“So I think it’s a good thing he put me next door.”
FOUR
Sunday morning had come earlier than Nora would have liked. She’d been sleeping in on Sundays for a while now, but she’d agreed to go to church with her family and she had. First Community Fellowship and its congregation hadn’t changed much. Rush had been two rows back with his family—minus Pastor Buchanan—which had been a surprise. Looked like his dad had retired. Nora hadn’t kept up with the town news and Dad and Hailey never spoke of Rush. She was thankful for that.
They’d eaten Sunday dinner and now she was bundled up and at the town square for the annual snowman building competition. She’d promised Dalton she’d build one with him. She could count on both hands the years she’d entered this contest with Rush.
Dalton found a good spot next to a bench. “I want to build here.”
“Perfect.”
“I had a feeling you’d be here today,” Rush said with a measure of pep in his voice. “You ran out with your dad pretty fast after the service.”
The sermon on the Prodigal Son had unsettled her heart. Truth did that sometimes. She wasn’t ready to deal with the messes she’d made trying to be someone she wasn’t. “Had to get ready for this.” Was he here to babysit her? Or... “You building a snowman?”
“No. My sister’s kids are.” He pointed across the square to his younger sister and her two littles.
“Do you wanna build a snowman?” she asked.
“Do you?” His eyebrow slyly arched.
Their gazes held. Memories flooded her mind and trickled all the way down to her tummy. Was he thinking of all their fun in the past? The snowball fights. Hot cocoa and kisses.
“I am.” She motioned to the spot she stood on. “With Dalton. We could use some help.”
“And how will that look when we whip all the competition, including my niece and nephew? They’ll cry for weeks.” He chuckled.
“They’ll thank you for not helping them. You’re terrible at it. Remember the year we built Frosty? You didn’t have carrots.”
“Hey, the celery worked. Frosty with sinus congestion.”
Nora snorted and laughed. “It was gross.”
“What? I put a white hanky in his twig hand.” Rush’s boyish mischief could always melt her like snow on a sunshiny day. “And now I have the urge to build a snowman.”
“Then help us and your niece and nephew, but mostly us.” She winked.
“Deal.”
They began to pack the snow and roll the balls. Rush showed Dalton how to pack it tight and keep it from crumbling as they talked about superheroes and Dalton’s enormous Christmas wish list.
“What do you want for Christmas?” Nora asked Rush.
“Easy. Season tickets to the Vols games next year and worldwide peace. Or I’d settle for you being safe...and at peace.”
Nora packed snow on the base of the snowman. “I will be.” She caught his eye and held it. Then smacked him with a snowball, launching an all-out war.
“Hey, we’re gonna lose if you use up all the snow on each other!” Dalton hollered and broke up the fight. They resumed building.
Nora’s toes were cold and some snow had trickled down her collar. She was smoothing out the snowman’s midsection when she spotted Len Franklin. He was on the list of people rumored to have been involved with Mom. Rush didn’t seem too keen on doing anything but making lists. Nora wanted answers. Fast. Now. “Hey, give me a second,” Nora said and darted across the town square, weaving through snowmen, families, friends, couples and benches until she found Len with a middle-aged woman building a snowman.
“Mr. Franklin, I’m Nora Livingstone. Can I talk to you a second?”
Len raised his sunglasses and peered at Nora, his mouth covered with a scarf. “I know who you are, but I don’t know why you’d want to talk to me.”
She glanced at the woman, who was watching with curiosity. Nora didn’t recognize her. Had Len remarried? “It’s about my mother, Marilyn, and the rumors surrounding her affair with you.”
The woman gasped. “Excuse me,” she said in a shrill voice.
A few participants stopped building and gawked.
“And who are you?” Nora asked.
“I’m his wife. And I think I’d know if he’d had an affair. Furthermore, this isn’t the time or place to discuss such things.”
Nora ignored the woman and felt a hand on her shoulder.
“You’re right. This isn’t the time or place.” Rush had caught her before she had the chance to get answers.
“Was your divorce a result of having an affair with my mother?” Nora asked quieter. “I’m not budging until you tell me the truth.”
Len Franklin glanced around and leaned in. “Your mother was a tramp and that’s putting it mildly. My divorce had nothing to do with her. And I had nothing to do with her either. I knew better.”
The degrading talk stung and Nora’s cheeks heated as people whispered, chuckled and gasped.
“Rush, is this how you investigate these days? Sic a weather girl on innocent folks? Don’t see you gettin’ elected that way.” He harrumphed and consoled his second wife.
Rush nearly dragged Nora through the snow and behind one of the store shops. “Have you lost your mind? You can’t go off half-cocked like that. Len’s wife is from Texas. She never heard the gossip but she’ll want answers now, and she may always wonder if there’s some truth to that rumor. Do you not understand the definition of discreet? You could have done some real damage, Nora!”
“You mad because I was pushing forward or you might lose a vote for sheriff?”
Rush’s jaw dropped, then he narrowed his eyes. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t ask me that. Your dad is with Dalton. I’m taking you home before you accuse the entire town of affairs and foul play.”
She fell into step with him. Rush was right, though she didn’t want to admit it. “I just wanted to get moving on this. We can make lists all day, but until we start asking some questions we’ve got nothing. And since you haven’t said anything, I’m guessing you haven’t talked to your dad since last we discussed it.”
Rush ignored her and opened the door of his Bronco. “Get in.”
She huffed and slid inside.
They didn’t speak until they reached her chalet.
Rush cut the engine. “One of us has a badge and one of us doesn’t. So, it’s my way or I’ll make sure you have zero involvement in this at all. I can make that happen, Nora.” His tone held no tenderness. He had every right to seethe.
She picked at the edge of her scarf and swallowed a measure of pride. “I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean that.”
“Fine.” Didn’t seem the apology was accepted.
They exited the vehicle and Nora stepped inside her chalet. An eerie feeling sent a new wave of chills over her.
“What is it?” Rush asked.
“I don’t know.” She walked into her bedroom.
The closet door was open. Nora was sure she’d closed it. She tiptoed to the nightstand, heart pounding. What if someone was in the closet now? Without looking, she felt for the gun Rush gave her Friday night. Breath shallow, she frantically searched to no avail.
Glancing down, she saw why.
It was missing.
Rush stood over Nora’s nightstand and scanned the bedroom. While it hadn’t been tossed, some things did seem to have been moved. The gun missing was the telltale sign, but the place was clear. “What do you think he wanted?” Rush asked.
Nora gnawed on her thumbnail. “I don’t know. Can’t be the gun. No one would know I had it. I think that was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.”
“The only thing I can think of is the photos. He knows something valuable is in that box and he knows you know.” Good thing they were at Rush’s. “How did he get in?” Rush had searched the chalet and didn’t find a forced point of entry.
“The window in the kitchen was unlocked. I didn’t realize it until after I got wigged out that someone had been in here. I checked. I should have checked Friday night when I arrived.”
No, Rush should have. He’d stayed up late watching the house, making sure she was safe. He’d even spotted the security detail make their thirty-minute cruise by the chalet. With security and Rush being so close, the intruder would have had to have been up in the trees. Watching with binoculars. “I don’t like the idea of you being alone in this cabin. Six feet away in another cabin isn’t going to be good enough. So before you get all freaked out, I’ll stay in the chalet next door. Until midnight. From midnight until seven a.m. I’m bunking on your couch. My car will be next door. No one will think anything untoward is going on, and who’s out here to think anything anyway?”
Nora’s lips pursed. She didn’t love the idea. Rumors were a sore spot, especially if they cast her in a dim light. Nora ran like the wind when trouble came. It was the driving wedge between them. Whether she ran physically or emotionally it was still the same—shutting out Rush. And to say he wasn’t doing his job because he wanted votes? That cut deep.
“Okay, Rush. I’ll agree to it.” She touched his shoulder. “And I really am sorry. I know you’d never ignore your duty. I’m...”
“What?” If she would only open up. What? What would that do besides zero in on his heart and crush it again when she left for Florida?
“Frustrated. That’s all.”
No, it wasn’t. But he didn’t push. He didn’t want to have to press and push. He’d watched Mama do that with Dad for so long. It did no good. They’d lost Dad to the pain and Rush had lost Nora. He needed to get a handle on that and move on. If he was meant to be a bachelor, he’d deal with it. He only wished the loneliness would go away. But better to be alone than in a marriage that felt one-sided. God, Mama needs You to marvelously work on her behalf, and so do I.
“I understand.”
“Can I ask you something off topic? It’s personal.” Nora sucked her lower lip between her teeth. She didn’t have to open up but she wanted him to get personal. He almost laughed, but it was far from funny. She didn’t even wait for his response. “Where was your dad today? Why isn’t he pastoring anymore? How long have you and your family been at First Community Fellowship?”
“That’s three questions.” And this topic was tender for him. Too tender to get into with a woman who wouldn’t reciprocate his feelings. “We’ve been at FCF for about ten years. Since Dad isn’t preaching anymore. He was at home today.”
Nora opened her mouth but clamped it closed. “Gonna snow soon. Sleet later tonight.”
That wasn’t at all what she wanted to say, but relief slid through Rush. He didn’t want to discuss Dad. “I know, and the tourists keep pouring in. They may not be able to get out. Tours in the Smokies have been shut down. Too dangerous out there.”
Hopefully, it wouldn’t slow down business. Tourism was Splendor Pines’ cash cow. Especially during the Christmas season.
“Speaking of dangerous. Do you believe Len Franklin?”
“I don’t know.” What he did know was he hadn’t found any photos that matched a Phantom of the Opera mask with the cuff link. But he had pulled a couple more photos of men in the masks. “I plan to talk to your dad when he gets home. About that money.”
He hadn’t had the time Saturday, and while he hated doing any kind of business on Sunday, it came with the territory.
“I’ll come with you.”
“I know you will. I don’t want to leave you here alone, but once we get to the house, I want to talk to him by myself. If he is withholding information, it might only be from you. Give me the chance to see if he’ll fess up to something to me.”
“I owe you that after what I said.” The next hour they spent drinking coffee and keeping relatively quiet. “Dad’s probably home,” she said, staring out the window.
“All right.”
Nora grabbed her scarf and coat.
They locked up the chalet and drove to the house. Joshua’s car was in the drive. Inside, Joshua sat on the couch watching Dalton put a puzzle together while Hailey was curled up asleep on the love seat. They made small talk, then Rush stood. “Joshua, could we talk privately?”
Joshua set his coffee on the side table and nodded. “My office.”
Nora busied herself with Dalton’s puzzle. At least she was following through with what she said.
Joshua closed the door to his office and perched on the edge of the desk.
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