Valley of Shadows and Stranger in the Shadows: Valley of ShadowsStranger in the Shadows

by Shirlee McCoy

  “Sorry, pup, you’re going to have to move.” She stood, setting Abel down on the ground and moving to her bedroom. The puppy scampered after her, waddling into the closet when she opened the door, pawing at the box she pulled out.

  “This is mine, Abel. Tomorrow we’ll get you some fun toys to play with.”

  Abel tilted his head to one side as if he were actually listening. Chloe smiled. “It’s good to know I won’t be talking to myself anymore. Come on. We’ve got work to do.”

  She grabbed her laptop from the box and carried it to the kitchen. Her hands were shaking as she set it up on the tiny table there. It wasn’t fear that made them tremble. Excitement, anticipation, the drive to succeed—all the things that had made her good at computer forensics—those were what had her hands shaking and her heart racing.

  Her elbow hit the Bible she’d set on the edge of the table and she shoved it away, then paused, pulling it back toward her, the yearning she’d felt since she’d come to Lakeview as real and as tangible as anything she might find stored on the computer.

  After Adam’s betrayal, she’d prayed for understanding, prayed that she could accept what had happened and move on. In those dark moments, she’d felt sure that God was listening, that He understood and cried with her. Then Adam had been killed and that certainty had been ripped away, a gaping hole all that remained of her fragile faith.

  But maybe faith couldn’t disappear or fade away. Maybe it couldn’t be ripped from a life. Maybe, like the information she pulled from computer systems, it was only hidden from sight, waiting for a little effort, a little attention, to bring it back into view again.

  She pushed the laptop toward the center of the table, opened her Bible to the first chapter of John and started reading.

  * * *

  “You’ve caught the biggest fish again, friend.” Ben eyed Jake’s cooler full of fish and his own empty one.

  “Again? If I remember correctly, you’ve brought in the biggest catch three times running.”

  “You may be right, but that doesn’t make my loss this time any less painful.” He stepped out onto the dock, tied the boat. “I guess I’ll be heading to the grocery store before I cook dinner for Chloe. Preparing store-bought fish after a fishing trip isn’t a very manly thing to do, but I’ll swallow my pride and do it.”

  “Your pitiful act is falling on deaf ears.”

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re coldhearted?”

  “Not coldhearted. Practical. The way I see it, if you want a couple of my fish, you’ll have to trade for them.”

  “A trade or a trip to the grocery store? I don’t even need time to think about it. What do you want?”

  “A babysitter. Tiffany’s birthday is next week and I want to take her out. Unfortunately, her parents are going out of town and she doesn’t trust just anyone to watch the kids.”

  “And you think she’ll let me do it?”

  “I know she will. I asked.”

  “You’ve got to be pretty desperate to be asking me, Jake. You do know I haven’t changed a diaper in years? I’ll probably end up putting it on backward or upside down.”

  “Desperation has nothing to do with it. You’re the closest thing to a brother I’ve ever had. I trust you. Besides, Isaac is four weeks old. He won’t care what way his diaper goes on.”

  “Since you put it that way, I guess I’ll do it. No fish necessary.”

  “Thanks.” Jake slapped him on the back and handed over the cooler filled with fish. “And just so we’re clear, I would have given you these anyway.”

  “You say that after I’ve already committed to hours of diaper duty and baby-doll play.” Which he had to admit he’d probably enjoy. If Isaac and his sister, Honor, didn’t spend the entire time crying for their parents.

  “Amazing how that worked out, isn’t it?” Jake grinned and started toward his car. “Is six-thirty Friday okay with you?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Great. And now we’d both better get moving. I don’t want to miss Honor’s bath and I’m sure you don’t want to be late for your date.”

  “Whoa! Hold up there. I’m cooking dinner for Chloe. That’s not the same as a date.”

  “Then what is it the same as?”

  “Cooking dinner for you and Tiffany or for my sister and Shane.”

  “Really? Because the way I see it, when you cook dinner for me and Tiffany or Raven and Shane, you’re cooking for family. Chloe isn’t family. So you cooking dinner for her doesn’t seem like the same thing at all.”

  “She needs a friend. I’m being one.”

  “You just keep telling yourself that.” Jake grinned and got into his car, his face sobering as he ran a hand over his hair. “I hate to even ask, but did you ask Chloe about the suicide attempt?”

  “She denied it.”

  “Do you believe her?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “Then so do I. Which means we’re dealing with a second murder attempt. We just have to find a way to prove it.”

  “Did the police in D.C. collect evidence?”

  “It seemed like a cut-and-dry suicide attempt. They weren’t looking for evidence of murder. When they went back in afterward, the place had been cleaned by some friends who were getting it ready for her return from the hospital.”

  “Convenient for the murderer. Do we know who those friends were?”

  “You’ll have to ask Chloe when you’re there tonight. Or I’ll give her a ring tomorrow.”

  “I’ll ask.”

  “And I’ll keep searching for answers. If Chloe’s in danger, I plan to figure out where it’s coming from.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  “You just be careful, friend. I’m a cop. You’re not.”

  “I can handle myself.” He might have left the military years ago, but he hadn’t forgotten what he learned there.

  Jake nodded, but the concern in his eyes didn’t fade. “There’s something going on here I don’t like. Chloe’s brought trouble into town. Big trouble. The fact that you’re involved with her—”

  “I’m not involved with anyone.”

  “You’re cooking her dinner. You went and picked out puppies with her. You’re involved, Ben, and that makes things all the more complicated.” He scowled. “Like I said, be careful.”

  The car door shut before Ben could respond. That was probably for the best. There wasn’t much left to say. Denying that he was involved with Chloe wouldn’t convince Jake. The truth was, Ben wasn’t all that convinced, either. Much as he might tell himself he wasn’t interested in Chloe beyond wanting to help her adjust to her life in Lakeview, the truth seemed much more complex. He was intrigued, compelled, drawn into the sadness he saw in her eyes, the laughter that must have come much more frequently before the tragedy.

  Despite what she’d been through, she was strong, determined and dedicated to creating a better life for herself. Ben understood that. He’d lived it. Even her struggles with faith and trust were familiar to him. He understood Chloe and that wasn’t something he could say about many of the women he’d met.

  Whether or not that meant anything, whether or not he wanted it to mean anything remained to be seen. For right now, he’d enjoy spending a few hours with an interesting woman and not worry about what would come next. God had everything under control.

  Ben just wasn’t sure he did.

  He sighed, hefted the cooler containing the fish and strode toward his car. Like Jake, he had a bad feeling about Chloe’s situation. Her story was like a puzzle with missing pieces. Until the last one was found the picture would remain unclear. And until it was clear Ben wouldn’t rest easy. Danger lurked around Chloe. He felt it every time he was near her. He couldn’t see it and didn
’t know what direction it was coming from, but he knew it was there and that if they weren’t careful it would destroy Chloe and anyone who stood in the way.

  Fortunately, Ben planned to be careful. Really careful. He might not know what role Chloe was going to play in his life, but he knew exactly what role he planned to play in hers. He was going to keep her safe. A little caution and a lot of prayer would go a long way toward that. Dinner and puppy choosing were extra.

  Speaking of which, he had some trout to cook and a dog to walk.

  And a very attractive woman to spend the evening with.

  Despite his concerns, Ben couldn’t help smiling as he got in his car and headed home.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Abel’s soft whine commanded Chloe’s attention and she glanced up from the file she was searching through. The puppy sat by the door, his head cocked to one side, his ears perked.

  “You want to go out?”

  Abel barked and scratched a paw against the door, his pint-size body vibrating with excitement.

  “Sorry, buddy, you’re going to have to wait. I took you out a half-hour ago and I don’t plan to do the stairs again for a while.”

  Abel barked again. Chloe ignored him, choosing instead to stand and stretch tight, tense muscles. Her leg throbbed, her neck ached and she was sure she’d soon regret so many hours spent in one position, but right now all she felt was relief. She’d managed to search through sixteen files. All of them were cases that she’d been working on before the accident. Of those, four had caught and held her attention. Two were high-profile divorces, one involved tracing laundered funds and the last had required searching for evidence against a teacher who’d been accused of having a relationship with one of his students. In each case, Chloe’d been asked to retrieve information from the suspects’ computers. Deleted e-mails, deleted files, things that most people assumed were gone could often still be found if one knew how to look. And Chloe definitely knew how to look.

  She downed some cold coffee and limped back to her seat. Of the sixteen cases she’d been investigating, the ones that intrigued her were those she’d done the least amount of work on before the accident. Each of the four suspects had a lot to lose. A politician, a doctor, a respected business owner, a teacher with a wife and children. Any of them might have been desperate to keep his secrets hidden, but had one been desperate enough to commit murder? And if he had, what would cause him to keep coming after Chloe even after she’d dropped her investigation?

  She didn’t have answers to the questions, but at least she finally had questions. Until now, she’d been sliding closer and closer to believing she really was going crazy. Hopefully asking questions and seeking answers was the beginning of healing.

  Abel barked again, jumping up against the door in what seemed like a desperate bid for escape.

  “Am I that bad of company?”

  A soft tap sounded on the wood and Abel tumbled backward, barking furiously and running for cover behind Chloe’s legs.

  “Some watchdog you are.” Chloe scooped him up and strode toward the door. “Who’s there?”

  “Ben.”

  Ben? He wasn’t supposed to be over until six. She glanced at the clock, realized that it was six and pulled open the door.

  He looked as good as he had the night before, his sandy hair curling near his collar, his eyes blazing against his deeply tanned face. When he smiled, Chloe’s heart melted into a puddle of yearning that she absolutely refused to acknowledge.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself.” He stepped into the living room, a cooler and brown paper bag in his arms, Cain nipping at the leash and tumbling along behind.

  Ben glanced around the room, his gaze settling on the coffee table and the computer that sat there. Chloe had a notebook and pen lying next to it. A few crumbled sheets of paper were scattered on the table. One or two had dropped onto the floor. “Looks like you were working. Want to reschedule for another time?”

  It would probably be for the best. Send Ben and his puppy on their way. Spend a few more hours doing research. Heat up a frozen meal and spend the rest of the evening alone. Those were safe and reasonable things to do. Unfortunately, Chloe didn’t feel like being safe or reasonable. She felt like enjoying a couple of hours in the company of a man who demanded nothing more from her than conversation. “And miss out on a home-cooked meal? I don’t think so.”

  “You don’t usually do home cooked?”

  “Only if heating things up in the microwave counts as home cooking.”

  Ben shook his head and smiled. “Not quite.”

  “I didn’t think so. Opal says I’m culinary challenged. The fact is, I’m lazy. It seems like too much effort to cook a fancy meal for one.”

  “I’m with you on that. Cooking is much more fun when you’re doing it for someone other than yourself.” He stepped toward the kitchen, his tall, broad frame filling the room and stealing Chloe’s breath.

  She didn’t understand it, didn’t like it and was absolutely sure it could only mean trouble, but there was definitely something about Ben that drew her to him. His steadiness, his confidence, his faith, they were like blazing lights in what had become an ever-darkening world. When he was around, Chloe’s anxiety and fear seemed to melt away; when he spoke, she could almost believe that everything was going to be okay.

  It had been a long time since Chloe had felt that way around someone. Even before the accident she’d been self-reliant, depending on herself for the stability she craved. As much as she’d loved Adam, being with him had been more exciting than comforting, more stormy ocean than placid lake. They’d brought out the best in each other only when they weren’t bringing out each others’ worst. After he’d confessed to seeing another woman, Chloe finally acknowledged what she’d known all along—marrying him would send her right back into the chaotic life she’d worked so hard to escape.

  “Are you okay?” Ben had moved back across the room and was standing in front of her, solid and warm. More real than nightmares or memories. More steady than Chloe’s own rioting emotions.

  “Fine. Just…” Confused? Scared? Guilty? All fit, but she wouldn’t give them voice. “Sluggish. Sitting in front of the computer for too long does that to me.”

  He didn’t believe her and she was sure he’d ask more questions, push for answers she wasn’t sure she could give. Instead, he brushed her hair back from her face, hooking it behind her ears, his hands lingering on her shoulders, his thumbs resting against her collarbone. “I guess we’ll have to do something about that.”

  To Chloe’s horror an image flashed through her mind. Ben leaning close, his breath warm against her lips just before…

  She shoved the thought away, her pulse accelerating, her cheeks heating as she stepped back. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Nothing so horrible. Just a walk by the lake. I think the boys would enjoy it. I know I would.”

  A walk. She could do that. And she could do it without letting her mind wander back to very dangerous territory. “That sounds good. I’ve been cooped up inside most of the day. Besides quick trips outside for Abel, I’ve pretty much stayed put.”

  “Good. That’s what Jake and I both want you to do.”

  “Did you two enjoy your fishing trip today?” Did you talk about me? Does Jake think I’m as crazy as the D.C. police seem to think I am? Those were the questions she wanted to ask, but didn’t.

  “It could have been better.” Ben strode back into the kitchen, pulled open the drawer beneath Chloe’s oven and grabbed a large frying pan.

  “How so?”

  “I could have caught a few edible fish.” He pulled several plastic containers from the bag he’d carried in.

  “You had to buy our dinner?”

  “Worse.” He
opened the cooler and pulled out two large fish. “I had to trade for it.”

  “Trade?”

  “Yeah. My babysitting services for Jake’s fish.”

  “Babysitting for Jake’s kids. Doesn’t he have a baby and a toddler?” She was sure that was what Tiffany had said, but couldn’t imagine Ben doing diaper duty.

  “Yep. And unless Honor has been potty trained sometime in the past two days, they’re both still in diapers.” He pulled open a drawer, frowned, pulled open another one. “Knives?”

  “To your right.”

  “Thanks. Here’s the problem. I’m good at a few things. Cooking. Martial arts. Rock climbing. I’m even pretty decent at corralling teenagers. I’m not so good at others things. Like burping and changing babies, or playing baby doll with a two-year-old. I’m pretty confident I can handle one of the kids at a time, but double-duty might be beyond me.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”

  “I’m sure I’d do even better if I had another adult there with me.”

  “Very subtle, Ben.”

  “Subtlety is my middle name.” He grinned, finished prepping the first fish and started on the second.

  “And caution is mine. I might be willing to offer my help if I knew anything at all about kids, but I don’t. Besides babysitting when I was a teenager, I haven’t had much contact with the younger crowd.”

  “No little brothers or sisters in your life?”

  “I was my mother’s first and only mistake.” The words slipped out and heat rose in Chloe’s cheeks. Again.

  “Sounds like your mother and mine were a lot alike.”

  “You said you had a sister.”

  “I do. My mother was too caught up in drugs and alcohol to keep her first mistake from repeating itself. Raven is younger than me. She and her husband live outside of town.”

  “I’ve always wanted a sister.” Someone to share the aloneness with. Someone who would be the family connection Chloe had craved as a child and still sometimes yearned for.