She prayed they could make it that far without any surprises. Their hike so far today had been quiet and peaceful. Was that just a façade for the danger lurking around them?
Boone’s muscles seemed to tense at whatever Luke was telling him.
Brynlee braced herself for more bad news. More facts about this madman terrorizing the town . . . terrorizing her.
As Luke ended his call, he turned toward Brynlee, a new look in his eyes. Was that accusation? Her muscles tightened.
“Brynlee, do you know a man named Stephen Royce?”
She sucked in a deep breath at hearing his name. “Why? Did something happen?”
“That’s the name of the man who was found dead yesterday morning. Your card was in his pocket.”
* * *
Boone continued to process what Luke had just told him. He stared at Brynlee, watching her expression. Why did she look so regretful right now? What wasn’t she telling him?
The answers were on the edge of his reason, but maybe he didn’t want to face the truth.
“I can explain, Boone . . .”
So there was more to her story. He should have known. This had never just been just about spreading her father’s ashes. There was another reason she was interested in Dead Man’s Bluff.
The truth slammed into his mind.
“You’re the one who wants to develop the area, aren’t you?” The words left a sour taste in his mouth. He desperately wanted her to deny them, to tell him he was wrong. Her dad was a businessman who liked this area . . . he was the owner of Brinkley and Sons, wasn’t he?
“It’s not like you think it is.” Her voice came out rushed, frantic.
“Then what is it like?” He let go of her hand and stepped back.
She frowned and pushed her hair behind her ear. “Developing this mountain was my dad’s idea. This is my family’s land.”
“Your dad was Tom Brinkley . . .”
Her gaze pleaded with him to understand. “That’s right. Like I said, I only got to know him in the year or so before he died.”
“That’s how you knew to find that cabin, isn’t it?” He let out a puff of air, feeling stupid. More than stupid. Feeling used.
“He did tell me about the old family cabin,” Brynlee said. “That it wasn’t far from the waterfall. I’d never been there before. But he did tell me that the deed to the land had been left there. I knew I’d eventually need to find it.”
Boone’s mind continued to race. “Your dad tried to develop this mountain ten years ago or so but was unsuccessful.”
“He told me. He told me about the opposition. Told me what to expect.”
“But you wanted to do it anyway?” He should have seen the writing on the wall. How could he have been so stupid? Was any of this real? He was beginning to doubt it.
“It’s more complicated than that. My dad really did want me to spread his ashes here. But he also told me about this crazy dream he had to share this area with others.”
Boone started back down the path, his back rigid with tension. “Developing it isn’t the way to do it.”
“I realize that.” Brynlee scrambled behind him. “I actually have another idea—”
“Save it.”
“But, Boone, please. Listen to me.”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to hear it, Brynlee. You’ve been dishonest with me from the moment we met. I suppose the moments we shared together weren’t anything but a show either, were they?” He glanced over his shoulder, throwing a scowl at her.
“That’s not true. All of that was real. I wanted to tell you, Boone—”
He stopped and turned toward her again. “Then why didn’t you?”
Brynlee nibbled on her bottom lip a moment, her eyes filling with moisture. “Because I was afraid of this.”
“You had good reason to be.”
“Come on, Boone. You and I both know that you wouldn’t have given me the time of day if you’d known who I really was.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t have. But I don’t want anyone here throwing around their money and destroying this area so they can make a few more bucks.”
“It’s not like that.” She crossed her arms.
He stared at her another moment. She looked so beautiful. Yet she was deceitful. She was trouble. Boone should have listened to his gut reaction about her. “So you hired that surveyor, didn’t you?”
She pressed her eyes closed and her voice sounded somber as she said, “I did. I had to in order to continue.”
“He’s dead.”
She blanched at his words. “I told him not to go into these woods. I told him to use a drone. That it wasn’t safe. He must not have listened. Boone, I just wish you’d hear me out—”
“There’s nothing more to hear. I’m done with this. I’m done acting as security for you. You can keep your money. I don’t want it.” Boone sliced his hand through the air.
“But—”
“There’s nothing you can say that will change my mind.” He turned and continued walking.
Brynlee started to speak again, but before she could try and convince him, voices sounded in the distance.
The rescue team had arrived.
Perfect. Brynlee would be out of his hands.
Now Boone could devote all his energy into fighting for this mountain and this town . . . and getting Brynlee Parker out of his system.
40
The next few hours were a blur for Brynlee.
She and Boone had been rescued. Gone back down to the trailhead. The sheriff had driven her to the station, where she’d given a statement about Stephen Royce.
Even Luke was acting colder now that he’d realized the truth. Still professional but definitely frosty.
Boone wouldn’t even look at her.
Everyone in town was going to hate Brynlee now.
She knew she had no more reason to stay here in Fog Lake. She’d come here and found a life she didn’t even know she wanted. And just as Brynlee had realized that, she also realized that people here would never accept her.
Never.
Luke told her she was free to leave town. He’d also made a point of letting her know that Harper was at the house if she wanted to pick up her things. Deputy Cruise drove her there.
As they pulled away from the station, Brynlee glanced back in time to see Boone step outside. His eyes met hers, but instead of the warmth and acceptance she craved, he glared at her. She was clearly the enemy now.
If only he’d given her a chance to explain.
Then again, Brynlee should have been the one to tell him the truth.
In that regard, she couldn’t even blame Boone for his anger. She’d brought this on herself. She’d just never expected to develop these kinds of feelings or connections so fast. So deeply. So strongly.
And now it was all ruined. She had no one to blame but herself.
Deputy Cruise dropped her off at Luke and Harper’s. Brynlee’s feet felt like they had lead weights attached as she walked up the front steps. Before she could even knock, Harper opened the door.
Brynlee halfway expected Harper to leave her stuff on the porch. Instead, she ushered her inside, a subdued look on her face.
“I’m just going to get my things.” Brynlee pointed to the hallway where her room was.
Harper nodded, her actions clearly showing her disappointment.
Brynlee grabbed her bag, took one last glance around the space that had felt so homey only a day before, and then stepped back toward Harper.
She frowned at her hostess, wondering exactly what she should say. There was nothing that would make things better. She knew that without a doubt.
Brynlee settled for, “I’m really sorry. But thank you for your hospitality.”
Brynlee stepped outside, not waiting for Harper to force a response. There was nothing to say.
“Wait,” Harper said.
Brynlee paused on the porch and looked back at her. “Yes?”
“Look, I know everyone in town is mad at you. No one here wants to see that mountain developed. This land is precious to the town.”
“I understand that,” Brynlee said. “I never wanted to upset people. Of course, when I came here, I didn’t understand how these mountains were the heartbeat of this town. And now that I know . . . well, I feel differently.”
“What do you mean?” Harper tilted her head, no judgment in her tone.
“I mean that I came here with the idea to build a resort on that mountaintop, just like my dad had wanted. But when I finally visited Dead Man’s Bluff, I had a different idea.” Brynlee shared her new plan with her.
Harper nodded as she listened. She remained silent a moment before saying, “I actually like that.”
Her words brought a temporary relief. But the truth still remained. “But it doesn’t matter now. It’s too late. Everyone hates me.”
“Hate is a strong word.” Harper’s voice sounded gentle. “We just wish you’d told us why you were really here.”
“If I had, none of you would have befriended me. So, I guess I just had to pick my poison. For a few minutes, I really felt like I fit in. Like I’d found a home. That’s really all I’ve ever wanted.” Brynlee let out a self-conscious laugh. She hadn’t intended on sharing all of that. “But it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen Boone look at a woman like he looks at you. I just assumed he’d be a bachelor for the rest of his life.”
Brynlee wanted to delight in her words. But it didn’t matter anymore. She’d blown it. “It’s too late.”
“Give him time.”
Brynlee tried to smile but couldn’t. These few days here had changed her in ways she hadn’t expected. She was no longer sure what her future would look like. “I think that ship has sailed. Anyway, thanks again for everything, Harper. Maybe now that I’m gone, whoever is behind these attacks will disappear again. I’m sorry for the trouble I brought.”
And with those words, she went to her car. It was time to get out of town.
She just had one thing to do first.
* * *
Boone could still feel the anger bubbling inside him. He couldn’t believe the nerve Brynlee had.
Couldn’t believe he’d fallen for her act.
Couldn’t believe that beneath her sweet exterior, she’d been a money-hungry developer.
When Boone had told himself he was better off alone, he’d been right. He should have stuck to his guns. If he had, he would have saved himself a lot of heartache.
He shoved the drawer to his cash register shut with a little more force than necessary. He hadn’t had anything better to do, so he’d come into work.
“Boss, you okay?” Chigger stared at him from a distance, as if he knew not to get too close.
Boone crossed his arms, unable to shake his mood. “I’m fine.”
“I know this is a bad time to bring this up, but Todd stopped by again yesterday while you were gone. Reminded us that we were running out of time.”
Boone scowled. “I might as well just close down this store. There’s no way I’m going to have the money to make the improvements he says I need.”
Chigger stared at him. “Really? That doesn’t even sound like you.”
“Sometimes I just get tired of fighting, Chigger. It seems a needless battle when decisions have already been made.”
“You talking about the store or something else?”
Boone scowled again. “The store, of course.”
Chigger raised his hands in surrender.
“Okay, okay. Just asking.” Silence stretched for a moment before Chigger continued. “So . . . is it true that thing chased you last night?”
Boone jerked his head toward his employee. “How did you hear that?”
“You know the way people here in town like to talk.” Chigger shrugged, like it wasn’t a big deal.
“Who exactly talked to you?”
“I went into the diner this morning for breakfast, and people were buzzing about it. A whole bunch of people were there.”
“Was Todd one of them?”
“Todd was there. So was Lonny. Abe. I don’t know. What does it matter?”
“It matters because no one knew about it until this morning around eight o’clock. I told Luke.” How had word leaked? What if the person responsible had spread the story? His spine went rigid.
Chigger grunted. “Good point. Are you saying . . .?”
“I’m asking, do you remember who started that conversation? It’s important, Chigger.”
He thought about it a moment before shrugging again. “Nah, man. I came in during the middle of it. You’ll have to ask someone else.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll do that.” In fact, maybe he’d do that now. He grabbed his phone, knowing he had no time to waste.
“Oh, one more thing,” Chigger continued. “Guess who else came in here yesterday?”
“Who?” Boone hoped this was relevant because he was anxious to find answers.
“A man named Mason Brinkley.”
Boone froze as he heard the name. Was that . . . Brynlee’s half-brother? “What did he want?”
“He was asking about Dead Man’s Bluff. Said his father had wanted to develop it. Said it would be a shame to see it destroyed, that this area was too beautiful to see that happen.”
“Wait—did he make it sound like he’d been here before?” He tried to make sense of the man’s appearance.
Chigger shrugged. “Yeah, I guess, man. In fact, I think I’ve seen him here in town before.”
But the bad feeling continued to brew in Boone’s gut. This was far from over, and Brynlee was still in danger.
41
Now was the time. Brynlee couldn’t leave. He wasn’t finished with her yet.
He would have gotten her last night. But he had to get back into town. He couldn’t risk being out too late. People would have noticed. Asked questions.
It had been Brynlee’s lucky evening, but he wanted nothing more than to finish her.
The same this morning.
He would have been out there. At the cabin. Waiting.
But it would have been too obvious. He had a life here in town. He had to keep his identity secret—even though he’d slipped up at breakfast. What had happened wasn’t public yet. It wasn’t like him to make a mistake like that. But he had to keep the rumors eating away at the town.
Yet the hunger kept growing.
He knew he didn’t have much time before he had to act.
He had to find the right opportunity. He had to find Brynlee before she left.
His ancestors were counting on him.
Just like her family had been counting on her.
Unfortunately, she was going to disappoint them.
But would anyone really mourn her when she died?
He didn’t think so.
A smile spread across his face at the thought.
It was time to end this.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
42
Brynlee had to do one more thing before she headed out of town. Any other business she had to do here could be handled via phone, text, fax, or email.
She wanted to get out of town as quickly as she could.
She wasn’t sure if she was imagining it or not, but she felt like everyone she passed gave her dirty looks as she drove through town. Had word really spread that quickly?
She wasn’t sure about small-town dynamics, but she imagined that could be the case.
Brynlee found a parking space in the downtown area, climbed out, and headed down the sidewalk. She gripped her purse, praying this would go well.
What she really wanted was to see Boone herself. To talk to him. To explain.
In a perfect world, he’d listen and understand and forgive.
But this world was hardly perfect. She’d learned that at a young age.
“You . . .” someone said beside her.
She t
urned and saw Witherford Johnson standing there.
She started to keep walking, but she changed her mind and paused instead. She could face whatever was coming to her. Shame was something you didn’t forgive yourself for and you wore it like ashes on your face. Those were the lyrics to one of her mom’s songs.
“I’m surprised you’re still showing your face around here.” His nostrils flared. “I had no idea you were behind the permit.”
“It’s actually my father’s company who would be financing it. I was just acting as a contact person and project manager.”
“And here I thought you were an interior designer,” he scoffed.
She shrugged. “I am.”
“You’re never going to win this. We’ve already formed protests and found loopholes.”
“I would like to revise my application.”
He raised a wiry eyebrow. “I don’t know what that means. But you’re going to have to come down to the office again and fill out paperwork. Lots of paperwork.”
“I will. Just give me some time.”
Before he could say anything else, Brynlee kept walking until she reached Abe’s Outfitters. Abe looked up from cleaning some kayaks and did what everyone else in town was doing—scowled.
“What are you doing here?” He averted his gaze back to the kayaks and continued to spray water.
The overspray dampened her jeans, but Brynlee ignored it.
“I’d like for you to give this to Boone.” She held out her hand.
Abe lowered the hose and stared at the paper there. “What’s that?”
“It’s a check.”
“For what?”
“It’s the amount I owe Boone for helping me out.”
His gaze darkened again. “I doubt he wants your money.”
“But I want him to have it. He needs it for his store.”
Abe still said nothing, only stared at her.
“Please,” Brynlee said.
Finally, he took it and jammed the check into his back pocket. “I’ll see what he says.”
“Thank you.” She turned to walk away, job done, when Abe called to her.
Margin of Error: Fog Lake Suspense, Book 2 Page 18
