Deadly Secrets

by Margaret Daley

  Within ten minutes, Sarah strolled up the sidewalk, but before she could ring the bell, the front door opened. A young woman, who reminded Sarah of herself when she was in college, unlocked the glass storm door and stepped away to allow her inside.

  “Chief Scott called to let me know you were coming to talk about what occurred when I left the library a month ago.”

  Sarah nodded, still a little taken back by the similarity. Donna wore her long blond hair loose like Sarah had back in her college days and possessed the same petite frame Sarah still had. What unnerved her even more was the large dark brown eyes that could have been hers. Also with brown eyes, Terri had short blond hair. Alicia and she had similarities, too. But seeing Donna confirmed the killer probably was targeting women who looked like Sarah. Chances were the man who raped her was back and going a step further.

  “Thank you for agreeing to talk to me. I’m Sarah St. John with the FBI.” She showed Donna her identification card and badge then entered the house and followed her into the living room.

  “Do you want something to drink?”

  “No. I’m fine, but thank you”

  Donna gestured toward the chair across from the couch. “Have a seat. Chief Scott said there would be two of you.”

  “My partner is staying in the car. I thought it was best if you only talked with me. I’ve dealt with victims who have been raped. I know you weren’t, but the whole experience you went through makes you feel vulnerable and afraid. I’ve been in a similar situation.”

  Tears glistened in Donna’s brown eyes. “I’m having a hard time going to my classes. I dropped my night course. Do you think what happened to me has anything to do with Terri and Alicia?”

  “Maybe. Do you know them?”

  “I didn’t know Terri, but I’ve been reading about her. I’m in one class with Alicia, and I usually sit near her. It was Dr. Allen’s sociology class.”

  Sarah’s breath caught at the mention of her niece and Carey Allen, Emily’s husband. When Alicia had visited her, she’d been like a big sister to David. Even at a young age, Alicia had been included in the very small circle in Cimarron City who knew about David. While Rebecca had been included in the secret about what occurred at Nana’s encouragement, her niece was never told how David was conceived, but Alicia always kept the secret that Sarah had a child. Before she got lost in the memories, Sarah wrenched her thoughts away and turned her attention back to Donna.

  Fear stared back at Sarah. “Do you think the same thing will happen to Alicia?”

  “Not if we can help it. That’s why I’m here. Can you remember anything about the man by the tree?”

  Donna slowly shook her head. “Everything was spinning by that time, and it was really dark.”

  “But it wasn’t when you went into the library?”

  “Right. My car was parked under a pole where the security light was. I’ve always tried to park close to one. I even carry pepper spray.”

  “You were given a roofie according to your blood tests. Was there any time someone could have slipped it in the drink you had with you at the library?”

  “Other than when I went to the restroom while I was studying, no. It was a soft drink I bought in the vending machine when I arrived at the library.”

  “Where were you studying?”

  “The top floor back in the stacks on the west side of the building. There are two tables and a cubicle, but I was the only one studying there that night. Dr. Carter had assigned us a paper due the next week.”

  Noah Carter, Ben’s friend she’d met at the church the day of the wedding. “For what class?”

  “World Religions.”

  “Did you see anyone in the library who gave you an uncomfortable feeling?”

  “No, but I wasn’t paying close attention.” For a few seconds, Donna stared at the floor. “I did see Dr. Carter when I came in. He was leaving though. He gave me a suggestion of where I could start my research.”

  “Did you interact with anyone else?”

  Donna dropped her head and pressed her fingertips into her temples. “I think Terri was there with a couple of other students. I’m not sure.”

  Could the library be the place where the killer stalked his victims? “Have you ever seen Alicia at the library?”

  “Sure. I hope y’all find her before…” Donna swallowed hard. Her eyes teared up again.

  Sarah moved to the couch, sat next to Donna, and hugged her. The young woman cried against Sarah’s shoulder.

  She remembered all the tears she’d shed, especially that first year. She patted Donna’s back as Nana had hers. “You aren’t alone. Join a support group. Take precautions, but don’t let this man win.”

  “I’m scared to go outside. I’m scared to be alone but also frightened to be with people.”

  “Focus on the two men who came to your rescue. They got you the help you needed.”

  Donna leaned back. “I know. God was with me that night, or I might have ended up like…” More tears coursed down her cheeks. “He’ll help me get through this.” She swiped away the wet tracks with her forefinger.

  “Do you know the names of the men who helped you?”

  “I had an economics class with one of them. His name is Alex.”

  “Do you know his last name?”

  Donna closed her eyes for a few seconds, her head down. “I think it’s Peters—no, Peterson. I’ve seen him come out of the Sooner Dorm. That might be where he lives.”

  “Thanks. He might have seen something you didn’t.”

  “Oh, and one more thing. When I went to get my car at the library the next day, one of the tires was flat. I don’t know when that happened.”

  That could be a way the man used to approach the women. Possibly he would offer to change the tire. “I’ll see if I can figure out when.”

  “If I think of anything else to help you, I’ll call.”

  “I appreciate it. I have one of my cards in my purse with my cell phone number on it. Call even if you just need to talk.” Sarah crossed to her bag, retrieved what she needed, and laid it on the coffee table.

  Donna nodded.

  When Sarah left the house, she fixed her gaze on Hunter who reclined against the side of his car with his arms and legs crossed. The sight of him sent her heart beating fast. Her life could have been so different if she hadn’t gone to the lake party with her girlfriends.

  For a few seconds, she imagined herself married to Hunter with two or three children. He’d reminded her about how much she’d wanted to work with kids. Instead, she’d immersed herself into a world where she faced evil all the time—where she tried to get into the heads of murderers.

  Hunter opened the passenger door. “How did it go?”

  “Good.” When he slipped behind the steering wheel and started his SUV, Sarah gave him a rundown of the conversation. “We need to get any security tapes from the library.”

  “While you were in the house, I called Chief Scott about sending us footage from that night. The campus police did look at it. Chief Scott mentioned that their investigation into Donna’s allegation showed there wasn’t a camera near where Donna studied.”

  “I’m more interested in who came and went while she was there. The guy had to be inside while she was there to spike her drink.”

  “Then we need to start with the cameras on the entrances.”

  “When we get back to the command post, call Chief Scott and see if there’s video footage on the parking lot. When did her tire go flat? Was it tampered with?”

  “That may be a longshot.” One side of his mouth lifted. “But no more than some of our other clues.”

  “Donna was one lucky lady, because I think our killer targeted her first. She, Terri, Alicia, and I all have similarities—petite, with blond hair and brown eyes. Terri may be a little taller, but she’s still short and each woman had a different length of hair but it was blond.” A shiver snaked down her spine. The man who changed her whole life was living in Cim
arron City and still going after women. “Until the man is caught, Donna should have a police officer with her. It’s possible the killer will come after her again.”

  “I’ll talk with Mark and get that set up when we get back to the house.”

  Ten minutes later, Hunter pulled around the back of the house and parked because five cars were out front. “It looks like quite a few people are here. I bet some of the ladies at the church have brought food for Mark and Rebecca.”

  “I’m glad. Rebecca needs to be kept busy. The waiting and not knowing what’s going on is devastating for the family and friends.” Sarah exited the car.

  “I think the Mercedes in front belongs to Terri’s father, Richard Bennett. I wonder if Mark called them to come over.” Hunter rounded the rear of his SUV and joined Sarah on the brick walkway to the lower level back door.

  “Maybe.” As they neared the entrance, Sarah caught sight of multi-colored flowers in a glass vase sitting off to the side by a group of bushes. “Did someone send flowers and the delivery person left them here?” She quickly closed the space between her and the bouquet.

  “That’s strange. Don’t pick them up.”

  She heard Hunter’s words, but what riveted her full attention was the diamond solitaire ring tied to a red rose. Her engagement ring—the one the rapist must have taken from her finger that night at the lake.

  Chapter Seven

  Sarah started to pluck the ring and attached note from the flowers, but she paused and put on latex gloves. Her hands shook as she opened the small card. The words, “you are the one,” taunted her. The paper slipped from her fingers and fell at her feet. She stared at the ring stolen from her fifteen years ago.

  The sound of Hunter snapping on latex gloves yanked her from her trance. He stooped, carefully picked up the note, read the message aloud, then looked up at Sarah. “He took your engagement ring?”

  She nodded. “I didn’t even realize it at first.”

  Hunter slid the card and ring into an evidence bag then put it in his suit coat pocket. When he stood, he placed his finger under her chin and lifted her head.

  Thrust back to the morning she’d realized what happened to her, she couldn’t hold back the tears she’d kept bottled up inside her. They ran down her cheeks as he cradled her face, their gazes locked in an embrace.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her against his chest. “I’m so sorry you went through that. We’re going to find this man. I won’t rest until I do.” The lethal tone of his voice reinforced what he declared. “He won’t win.”

  “He has Alicia. She’s expendable and a pawn to him. He really wants me.”

  “Leaving these flowers here could have led to his capture. He’s become bold. That’ll bring his downfall. When he gets cocky, he’ll make mistakes, and I’ll be there to get him.”

  In time to save Alicia—if she was still alive? She shuddered and nestled closer to Hunter.

  “Let’s take the vase inside. There may be evidence on it we can use.”

  She hoped so. She stepped away to allow Hunter to pick up the flowers while she unlocked the back door. After entering, she waited for Hunter to come inside then turned the bolt in place. Any police officer would have to knock from now on.

  At the entrance into the rec room, Hunter glanced over his shoulder. “I need to make sure the whole house is locked down. A lot of people are going in and out. Not good right now. I’ll check with the neighbors who have outside cameras to see if there’s any tapes showing someone coming into the backyard.”

  “There probably won’t be anything. The backyard is open to the park. Easy to get in and out that way.” As he set the vase on the pool table, Sarah continued, “I’m going upstairs and see if Rebecca and Nana are doing all right and suggest keeping the flow of guests down to a trickle.”

  “I need to bring Mark in on your tie to this case. There’s no doubt now that the guy who raped you is our killer.”

  “I want to be here when you talk to Mark. I’ll say something to him after I check on my sister and grandmother.”

  “What about your dad? It’ll be hard to keep this from him. He’s been helping Mark.”

  “I don’t want to deal with Dad right now on top of everything else. My focus has to be on getting Alicia back.”

  “But your dad was police chief at that time. I wasn’t on the force. What if there were other rapes back then after you left?”

  “Mark will know since he was on the force at that time. I don’t want Dad involved.” His disappointment and anger at her choice years ago would totally destroy their fragile relationship. At least they were talking, and her sister didn’t need any more stress.

  She left the rec room while Hunter made a call to the police station to come pick up the evidence that needed to be processed.

  As she mounted the stairs to the ground floor, Sarah’s hands still trembled. She’d never wanted anyone but Rebecca and Nana to know about the rape. She’d gone over that night so many times, trying to figure out what she’d done wrong besides going to the lake party in the first place. Why had the guy picked her?

  When she entered the living room, she discovered all the chairs and seats on the couch were taken, and a few guests along with her father were standing. A couple guests were neighbors. Some she didn’t know, and Emily Allen and her husband, Carey, were there, and Ben and his mother sat next to Mark.

  Sarah came up to Nana, who sat in a wingback, squatted next to her and whispered, “Where’s Rebecca?”

  “She’s in the kitchen on a pretense she needed to make more coffee.”

  “How are you doing?”

  Nana turned to her and whispered into her ear, “Ready for everyone to leave, so I can take a nap.”

  “I’ll check on Rebecca. Then I’ll be back.”

  Sarah hurried to the kitchen and found Rebecca standing at the counter, staring at the coffeepot while it percolated, the brew’s aroma scenting the air. She crossed to her sister. “I can take care of this if you want.”

  Rebecca gasped. She twisted around, her eyes widening, her hand on her chest. “Oh, you scared me. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Sorry about that. I tend to walk softly. How long have all these people been here?”

  “It’s been a steady stream for the past few hours. You just missed our pastor and our new neighbors across the street who live next door to Dad.”

  “Who are they?”

  “The Overstreets. Very nice couple. Mary and Gerald.”

  Although she remembered Hunter talking about the Overstreets’ broken security camera, she didn’t realize they were new neighbors. “When did they move here?”

  “Three months ago. I’ve enjoyed getting to know them. They used to live here years ago and are so happy to be back in Cimarron City. Good neighbors.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “Numb. I feel like I’m living someone else’s life, that Alicia will come through the door any second.” Rebecca’s shoulder sagged. “But she isn’t going to.”

  “I have a suggestion. Politely ask your guests to leave. Then don’t answer the door for the rest of the day. I need Mark to come downstairs.”

  Rebecca straightened. “You have a lead.”

  “Yes and no. You can come too, but not Dad.”

  “Why not?”

  Sarah moved in closer, lowered her voice, and told her what they’d found on the patio.

  Rebecca’s pale cheeks lost even more color. “I’ll have the guests leave while y’all talk with Mark. I’ll send Dad on an errand.”

  “Thanks.”

  Sarah returned to the entrance into the living room and signaled for Mark to join her while Rebecca came in and stood next to Nana’s chair.

  As Rebecca told her guests how much she appreciated their support, Mark moved into the hallway.

  “What’s up?”

  “Hunter needs to talk to you downstairs.”

  Mark made his way to the rec room while the guest
s began to leave.

  Before she could escape, Emily stepped into the foyer. “Sarah, I wish you were here under different circumstances. I have no idea why you left Hunter at the altar and disappeared from Cimarron City. I missed you. Your sister would never tell me where you were. Did something happen? Is there any way I can help you?”

  “I have one question. Why did you leave me at the party? My car was still there.”

  Emily’s eyes widened. “What happened?”

  “I was your ride home. You didn’t think to look for me or tell me you were leaving?”

  “I couldn’t find you. The last time I saw you was when you were sitting on the ground leaning back against a tree trunk.”

  The urge to tell Emily her secret flooded Sarah, but she couldn’t get the words out. They lodged in her throat. “I wasn’t feeling well.”

  “I’m sorry. Later, someone told me you’d left the party.”

  “Who?”

  Emily stared at a spot on the wall behind Sarah, her brow knitted. Her friend returned her gaze to Sarah. “I can’t remember.”

  Sarah spied Emily’s husband heading toward them. “We’ll talk later. I have to get back downstairs.” Before her friend could stop her, Sarah swung around and hurried down the steps.

  She’d almost told Emily everything, but she he couldn’t. She wasn’t ready to do that, but it was nice to hear Emily hadn’t left her on purpose.

  When she entered the rec room, Hunter wrapped up, telling Mark what was going on with the flowers.

  Mark bridged the distance between them and gave her hug. “Does my wife know?”

  Her throat tightened. She nodded and swallowed several times. “I made her promise not to tell anyone, especially our father.”