She leaned in and embraced him tightly, then planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Gregory closed his eyes, reveling in the comfort of her affection.
“Why don’t you give me a call when you wake up?” he asked. “Let me know how you’re doing.”
“I will.”
“Be safe.”
As Gregory walked out the door, he realized just how hard it was to leave Samantha. And it wasn’t just because of his desire to look after her.
“You’re slipping, man,” he told himself after dumping the garbage in a trash can, then heading to his car.
But as he glanced back at Samantha, who was standing in the doorway watching him leave, he couldn’t help but question whether he’d already fallen.
Chapter Six
Samantha walked into Hannah’s Coffee Shop and approached the counter.
“Hey, good morning, Sam!” Hannah called out over the loud hissing of the espresso machine. “What can I get for you?”
“Good morning. I’ll have a medium caramel mocha, please.”
“Coming right up.”
Samantha eyed the shelves behind the cash register, which were filled with bags of coffee grounds.
“You know what? I’ll also take two bags of your medium-roast house-ground coffee, too.”
“You got it.”
Samantha smiled as she reached inside her handbag and pulled out her wallet. Detective Harris would be pleasantly surprised to see that she’d picked up a bag of coffee for him when he came to her place for dinner.
After several moments, a beaming Hannah slid her coffee across the counter.
“Here’s your caramel mocha, and here’re your two packs of medium-roast house grounds.”
“Thank you so much. What do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
“What do you mean, nothing?”
“Just what I said. Nothing,” Hannah reiterated, her wide-set eyes narrowing mischievously as a deep shade of red crept across her chubby cheeks.
Samantha tilted her head to the side curiously. “Hannah, what in the world are you up to?”
“Oh, nothing. Just showing a little appreciation toward my hometown hero.”
“Hometown hero... Are you actually referring to me?” Samantha asked, pointing at her chest.
“Yes. You. I’ve been keeping up with Someone Knows Something. And let’s just say I am absolutely loving the work you’re doing on Jacob’s cold case. Sam, that man was one of my best customers. I knew him better than anyone and cared for him like a son. There’s no way he overdosed on drugs. No way. He just wasn’t that type of person.”
“I know, Hannah. That’s why I’m doing all that I can to shed some light on his case in hopes that Gattenburg’s law enforcement will reopen it. But I’m sure you can imagine how hard that would be. Because, you know...”
Hannah snatched a towel from underneath the counter and began rigorously wiping it down. “Yeah, I do know,” she spewed. “But the people of this town aren’t stupid. We all know that Collin had something to do with Jacob’s death. We just don’t know the reasoning behind it. And hey,” she said, lowering her voice, “you may not realize this, but practically the entire town is following that blog of yours.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Really. Most of us are remaining pretty quiet about it, though, because as you already know, the Wentworth family is pretty powerful around here.”
“I do know that.” Samantha sighed. “All too well.”
“Just keep fighting the good fight, though, sis. You’ve got our support, even if it doesn’t seem obvious.”
“I appreciate you saying that, Hannah,” Samantha said, reaching across the counter and squeezing her hand. “And thank you for the coffee.”
“Don’t mention it. Oh, and I hope that new friend of yours is helping you out with your investigation. What’s his name? Detective Howard? Hardwick? Henderson?” she asked with a sly wink.
“Harris,” Samantha giggled. “And stop trying to be slick. You know exactly who Detective Harris is. He comes in here for coffee almost every day.”
“Yeah, and looking for you...”
“What do you mean—” Samantha began just as someone call out her name. She turned toward the door and saw Ava walk in.
“Hey, girl! How are you?”
“Oh, I’m hanging in there,” Ava said. “How are you?”
“Same. Hanging in there. Do you have a minute to chat?”
“I do. I don’t have to be at work for another twenty minutes,” she replied, running her perfectly manicured hand through her spiked pixie haircut.
“Cool. I’ll go grab us a table in the back.”
“All right. I’ll be there as soon as I order my—”
“Large Americano with a dash of almond milk steamed in?” Hannah asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” Ava said.
“I’ll get that started for you right now. Go ahead and have a seat. I’ll bring it over to the table.”
“You’re the best, Hannah. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Samantha led the way as she and Ava walked toward the back of the quaint, rustic coffee shop and took seats at an empty table near the window.
“I’m so glad I ran into you,” Ava said. “I’ve been meaning to call you, but things have been so busy at the advertising firm. Plus my husband threw his back out last week after insisting he could install our new refrigerator by himself.”
“Oh no! Why are men so insistent on doing things they know they can’t accomplish?”
“Girl, I don’t know. But when you find out, please inform me,” Ava quipped before she and Samantha broke out into a fit of giggles. “But anyway, on top of all that, the kids are running me ragged with their football practices and dance lessons and tutoring sessions. I can barely keep up!”
“I can only imagine,” Samantha muttered, unable to stave off the twinge of jealousy stabbing at her chest. The hope for a family was never too far from her mind. And while she was able to find satisfaction in other areas of her life, nothing could fulfill her desire to have a family of her own.
“But one thing I have been doing,” Ava continued, “is keeping up with Someone Knows Something. And Sam, let me tell you, you are doing an excellent job with Jacob’s case. I am so glad I reached out and asked you to cover it. My phone and email inbox have been blowing up with people celebrating the fact that new light is being shed on his murder.”
“That’s so great to hear. And I’m happy to help. Hannah was just telling me how everyone in town is excited about the possibility of the case being reopened. But of course they’re not going to say much about it publicly.”
“Of course not.”
Samantha took a long sip of her coffee. She glanced out the window at all the happy people strolling down the street, appearing as though they didn’t have a care in the world.
“I haven’t told you the latest about what’s happened to me,” she said in a hushed tone.
Samantha was interrupted when Hannah walked over.
“Here you go, hon,” she said, placing Ava’s coffee in front of her.
“Thanks, Hannah.”
As soon as she was out of earshot, Ava focused her attention back on Samantha.
“So what’s going on?”
“My house was vandalized last night.”
“Are you serious?” Ava shrieked before looking around the coffee shop self-consciously. “Sorry,” she uttered to a nearby couple who were staring at her through bulging eyes. She turned back to Samantha and leaned into the table. “What happened?”
“Someone busted out my living room windows. I woke up to glass everywhere, broken lamps, shattered vases... It was a complete mess.”
“Oh, Sam, I am so sorry.”
“You know what thi
s means, don’t you? I’ve struck a nerve in someone. I’m getting closer to the truth, and somebody out there doesn’t like it. So they’re trying to shut me up. But that’s not gonna happen.”
“Listen, Sam. I appreciate your passion. But I don’t want you to get hurt. We’re obviously dealing with a killer here. We see the lengths this criminal will go to in order to get away with his crimes.” Ava paused, propping her hand underneath her chin while staring at Samantha through teary eyes. “I miss Jacob,” she continued quietly.
“I know, hon. I do, too.”
“Remember all those nights the three of us would spend hanging out in our basement, singing and dancing and rapping our hearts out?”
“How could I forget?” Samantha laughed. “When I think back on our high school years, those memories immediately come to mind. We were a mess. We just knew we were gonna get signed by somebody’s record label.”
“Yeah we did. With our talentless selves.”
“Hey, speak for yourself! I was definitely the star of the group. But no, seriously, Jacob was the one. He could sing, dance, act... I thought he’d pack up and move to Hollywood one day to try and make it out there.”
“I did, too,” Ava said. “But instead he got caught up in Gattenburg’s mayhem. And look where it got him.” She picked up her spoon and slowly stirred her coffee. “Do you think you should back off the investigation? At least for the time being?”
“I’m positive I shouldn’t back down. Jacob deserves better than that. I have the platform to help bring his killer to justice, and just like I told Detective Harris, I intend on doing just that.”
“Wait, did you just say Detective Harris?” Ava asked, her tone filled with skepticism. “Meaning the law enforcement officer who reports directly to Chief Wentworth?”
“Yes. He’s actually been helping me out a lot.”
Ava rolled her eyes and dropped her head in her hand. “Sam, why would you pull him into this?”
“Why wouldn’t I? If he’s willing to help us, then I’m going to take him up on it. Think about it. We have someone on the inside assisting in this investigation. That’s huge.”
“But how do you know his intentions are good? That man’s loyalty is to his brothers in blue, not some woman he barely knows who’s incriminating the chief’s son!”
Samantha leaned back and tapped her fingernails against the table. “You’re wrong, Ava. Detective Harris is one of the good guys. I can admit that he was a bit hesitant to get involved in this case in the beginning. But over time, he’s realized that we’re on to something here. And he’s legitimately trying to help me.”
“Oh really,” Ava snarked, propping her hand underneath her chin. “How so?”
“Well, for starters, he and I went to the crime scene together. He agreed that Jacob probably wasn’t high on drugs and didn’t collapse into that tiny little space in between the two dumpsters alone. He also came to my house at three in the morning and boarded up the windows after the attack, processed the crime scene and promised to handle the investigation properly since the officers who showed up didn’t do so.”
“Humph,” Ava huffed, her eyes shifting around the coffee shop sheepishly. “That, uh...that was nice of him.”
“Yes, it was.”
The twosome sat silently for several seconds before Ava spoke up.
“Well, if you think Detective Harris is on our side and legitimately trying to help with this investigation, then I’m cool with it. And I apologize for what I said about him. I shouldn’t have made that assumption. He does sound like a good guy.”
“No worries. I understand your concern. But trust me, he’s definitely on our side.”
“Good. We need all the allies we can get.” Ava glanced down at her watch, then grabbed her coffee and briefcase. “And on that note, I need to get to the office. I’ve got an important meeting with a client this morning, and I wanna make sure my assistant has everything set to go.”
“Okay. Thanks for the impromptu chat. I’ll keep you posted as things continue to progress.”
“Please do. Oh, and by the way, have you heard from Kenzie? I tried reaching out to her earlier this week to ask how things went after you two met, but I never heard back.”
Samantha grabbed her cell phone and pulled up the latest text message exchange between her and Kenzie.
“You know, it’s funny you mention that,” she said. “I texted Kenzie a few days ago asking for more information on the Westman’s employees who went missing. Detective Harris and I are trying to figure out who reported their disappearances to law enforcement. We’re thinking it was either her or Jacob. But she never responded.”
“Hmm, interesting...” Ava shrugged her shoulders and scooted away from the table. “Oh well. Maybe she’s caught up with that crazy boyfriend of hers. I’m sure she’ll get back to us soon.”
“I hope so. Because that information could be vital.”
“It sure could. Samantha, thanks again for everything you’re doing.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll be in touch.”
“Sounds good. Talk to you soon.”
After Ava left, Samantha pulled out her laptop. Just as she opened it, she caught a glimpse of an unmarked white van creeping past the coffee shop.
As the van came to a complete stop right in front of the window, the driver, who was wearing a baseball cap and dark aviator sunglasses, revved the engine. Samantha’s breath caught in her throat. A chill overcame her.
“What is all that commotion?” Hannah called out from behind the counter, and then headed to the door.
“Hey!” Hannah yelled from the doorway. “Stop revving that engine! You’re disturbing my customers!”
As she turned away, the driver reached inside his jacket and pulled out a gun. He pointed it at Samantha, a sinister grin spreading across his skeletal face.
Samantha jumped out of her chair and crouched down behind the table as her stomach fell and she recoiled in horror.
“Get down!” she yelled at Hannah, who stared at her, openmouthed, then turned back to the front door.
The driver laughed and gave Hannah the finger, his gun now gone.
“Up yours! I will call the police on you, jerk!” she yelled right before the driver revved the engine once again, then sped off.
“Are you all right?” Hannah asked Samantha, going over to her and helping her up. “Looks like that clown was here to send a message.”
“Yes. To me,” Samantha said, half to herself.
“Should I call the police?”
“Oh, no. Please don’t. I guarantee you they will be of no assistance. I’ll reach out to Detective Harris.”
“Good. I’m so glad you’ve got him by your side, looking out for you.”
Samantha held her hand over her heaving chest. “Yeah. Me too.” She waited several seconds before her trembling legs steadied, and then grabbed her cell phone. Her hands shook with fear as she dialed Gregory’s number. When the call went straight to voice mail, she hung up and sent him a text message.
Can you meet me? I’m at Hannah’s and just had a terrifying incident with some maniac driving an unmarked white van.
While she waited for him to respond, Samantha gathered her things.
Seconds later, her phone buzzed with a response from Gregory.
I’m so sorry, Sam. I’m in South Beloit for an all-day search and seizure training course. Can you stay put at Hannah’s until I’m able to get there? I can send a patrol car out to keep an eye on the shop in the meantime.
“Ugh,” Samantha groaned before turning to Hannah. “Gregory’s all the way out in South Beloit, and he’s going to be there all day. He suggested I stay here until he gets back to town.”
“I think that’s a good idea. You can hide out in my office and lock the door. Stay as long as you want.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
“Are you kidding me? Of course I’m sure. Your well-being is my number one concern. I’ll do whatever I can to help protect you. We’ve got a fugitive running around town, and we’re all depending on you to help bring him to justice.”
A seething flash of anger burned behind Samantha’s eyes. “And I will. That much I can promise you.”
“My girl,” Hannah shot back. She raised her hand in the air and gave Samantha a high five. “Follow me. I’ll show you to my office. I’ll also bring you a fresh cup of coffee and a bacon, egg and cheese wrap.”
“I don’t have much of an appetite after what just happened, but maybe that’ll change once I settle down. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Samantha walked behind the counter and trailed Hannah as she led her through a door and down a short hallway.
“By the way, Detective Harris mentioned that he’d have a patrol car come out and keep an eye on the shop just in case whoever was driving that van decides to come back.”
“Oh, good. Please thank him for me.”
She opened a door and showed Samantha inside a small, cluttered office.
“Sorry it’s nothing fancy,” Hannah continued, pushing stacks of paper toward the corners of the desk. “But the Wi-Fi works, my chair is comfy and no one will ever know you’re in here.”
“Please. This is more than enough. Plus, you had me at the Wi-Fi works.”
Samantha gave Hannah a playful wink in an attempt to lighten the mood. She felt guilty dragging her into the mess being caused by her investigation into Jacob’s murder.
“Well, if you’re okay, I’ll leave you to it. Be back soon with that coffee and breakfast wrap. And if you think of anything else you need, just shoot me a text message. Otherwise I’ll jet back here and check on you periodically.”
“You’re the best, Hannah. Thank you.”
As soon as she left the office, Samantha locked the door behind her, then settled in behind the desk.
You will not let Collin deter you, she affirmed in her head.
She pulled out her laptop and opened the most recent Someone Knows Something blog post, where she’d discussed the missing Westman’s employees and act of vandalism on her house. It had over two hundred comments.
Cold Case True Crime Page 7
