Chase steered his truck onto the grass as directed. “I knew there’d be a lot of people here, but I had no idea. We’re going to burst the building’s seams tonight.”
“I’ve never heard of this group, but they must be pretty popular.” Caitlin waited for the car next to her to roll to a stop before she reached for the door handle.
Chase stopped her. “Here, I’ll get that.”
For a moment Caitlin almost let him. It had been a long time since a man opened a car door for her.
Then she came to her senses. This was not a date. He had no business pampering her. She jerked open the door and jumped to the ground as he rounded the front of the truck.
Chase’s eyebrows arched. “An independent woman, I see.”
A blush threatened to heat her cheeks. She fought it down with sheer willpower. “Something like that.”
His chuckle sent a thrill through her.
Stop it! Three hundred sixty-five days. That’s what I said, and I meant it.
Chase guided her toward the building with that light touch on her back, which, she was pleased, did not send a tingle through her this time. But his hand felt comfortably warm.
“I hope we aren’t too late to get a seat,” he said.
“Maybe your mother will save us a place.”
“She won’t be here tonight.”
Caitlin shot him a surprised look. “Why not?”
His gaze slid sideways. “Apparently she didn’t want to intrude.”
“Oh.” Caitlin stepped ahead, away from his warm, guiding hand. Great. She wanted us to be alone.
But if that was Mrs. Hollister’s intention, she would be disappointed. The place was packed. They joined a stream of people entering the building. As they stepped into the crowded narthex, Chase grabbed her hand and grinned down at her. “Don’t want to lose you in the crowd.”
Oh, Lord, this is not helping.
They found an empty spot halfway up the sanctuary in the center of a pew and crab-walked past the other occupants. Caitlin viewed the small space and flashed an apologetic smile at the African-American woman next to her.
“Why, Chase Hollister, who’s this pretty girl you brought with you tonight?” The woman beamed up at her.
Chase performed the introductions. “Maude Jackson, I’d like you to meet Caitlin Saylor. She’s visiting for a few days from Kentucky.” Chase lowered himself to the pew and scooted over as far as he could to make room for her.
“Don’t be shy, honey.” The woman’s voice boomed as she patted the narrow, cushioned space between them. “You just sit right down here by Maude. I hope you’re a gospel lover.”
“Yes, ma’am, I am.” Caitlin wedged in between Maude and Chase, trying to condense herself into the smallest possible space, but there was no avoiding the press of Chase’s thigh against hers.
Maude nodded approvingly. “We’re gonna hear us some good music tonight, praise God.” She leaned sideways and whispered in a voice easily overheard by everyone in the vicinity. “My girl, she’s in the back somewhere with my grandson on account of she’s embarrassed of her momma. But I don’t care. Don’t see how a body can keep still when a good gospel group starts singing praises to the Lord.”
Her wide smile was infectious. Caitlin’s nerves, tightened by Chase’s proximity, relaxed as she returned it.
When the Twyman brothers stepped up on the platform at the front of the sanctuary, Maude straightened to alert attention. The quartet crooned song after melodious song, while Maude clapped and moved every inch of her full-size figure to the beat. Caitlin soon gave up trying to avoid Maude’s energetic elbows. The music was good, and Maude’s enthusiasm as contagious as her smile. Before long Caitlin was clapping and singing along.
The concert ended with a powerful country gospel arrangement of “Amazing Grace” that had the whole congregation on their feet. As the last notes faded away, Maude caught Caitlin in a smothering hug and spoke to Chase over her shoulder. “You bring her back to worship with us again, you hear me?”
Caitlin avoided looking at Chase as she returned the hug, and then followed Maude out into the crowded center aisle, Chase close behind her. When they exited the church, Maude swept away toward the parking lot with a final wave, while Chase guided Caitlin to the grassy lot where his truck was parked.
The sun had long since dipped below the horizon and was now no more than a dim glow in the west as the truck sped down the road toward the hotel. An awkward silence settled in the cab. Caitlin searched for a way to bring up the topic of the police officer naturally, but failed. Finally, she decided the direct approach was the best.
She turned in the seat to face him. “What did that police officer want with you this afternoon?”
His lips tightened. She thought at first he might not answer, but then his chest rose with a slow breath before he spoke.
“I don’t know if you’ve heard a news broadcast today, but a man was killed last night in the park not far from here.”
Caitlin watched him closely. The light of the instrument panel reflected off of a tight jaw, and his hands clenched around the steering wheel. Strong hands. She went cold. Is he a killer? Am I in danger?
In the next instant, she dismissed the thought. Chase wasn’t a killer. True, she’d just met him, but she’d watched him during that concert. His faith shone in his eyes as he sang along with the gospel songs. She couldn’t believe someone with a heart for worship could also be a killer. Whatever was bothering him, it certainly wasn’t guilt over having murdered someone.
“I heard your mom mention a body this afternoon.”
He jerked a nod. “Well, I discovered it.”
Caitlin drew in a noisy breath. “Oh, Chase! That must have been awful.”
His lips twisted. “It was. The detective you saw was coming to tell me they’d identified the dead man, to see if I knew him.”
“And did you?”
“No, but …” Caitlin stayed silent and waited for him to go on. After a long moment, he did. “Last year my best friend was killed in the same park. Same place, even. They’re sure the person who killed this man is the same one who killed Kevin.”
He took his eyes off the road to look at her for an instant. A battle raged in those depths. Compassion flooded Caitlin. Losing a close friend was bad enough. But to find a second victim must have opened up all the wounds that had begun to heal since that first tragedy. If pain like that ever healed.
“I’m so sorry.” Useless words, but what else could she say?
“Thanks.” His smile was full of sadness. “It gets worse. Turns out my friend was using drugs when he was killed. And today they found a bunch of heroin in the new victim’s apartment.” He shook his head slowly. “Apparently, my best friend was mixed up in some sort of drug ring, and I never knew. If I had paid more attention to him, maybe I could have helped him.”
Caitlin studied his profile for a moment. Her heart twisted with the pain she saw beneath the handsome surface. This man didn’t need a date. He needed a friend.
And that didn’t violate the dateless year.
She put a hand on his arm, hoping to offer some comfort. “I’ll pray for you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” His head jerked toward her to flash a quick smile. “So.” His voice held an unspoken plea to change the subject. “What do you have planned tomorrow?”
Caitlin settled back against the seat, willing to let the matter drop if that’s what he needed. “I’ve been sent on a mission.” His eyebrows rose, and she laughed. “A shopping mission. I’m supposed to be spying out the best places to take my friends this weekend.”
“You’ve got your work cut out for you. If there’s one thing Little Nashville has more of than country music bands, it’s shops.”
“Yes, I saw that today.” She adjusted the air vent so it didn’t blow in her face. “Oh, I meant to tell you. You’ll never guess who I met today. The wife and daughter of the owner of the Candle Corner.”
; “No kidding?” He navigated a wide curve in the road with both hands on the steering wheel. “Where did you meet Ed Graham’s family?”
“I went into the store to see if they really did sell those terrible-smelling candles.” They exchanged a smile. “Janie and Nicky were in there, and it turns out Nicky is playing a flute solo in her band concert tomorrow night. Since I’m a flute teacher, one thing led to another.” She shrugged. “I went over to her house this afternoon and gave her a quick lesson.”
He took his eyes off the road a moment to turn a surprised glance her way. “You gave a kid you don’t even know a lesson on your vacation?”
Caitlin looked away from his stare, embarrassed. “Well, she was nervous. I remember my first flute solo and how scared I was. I wanted to help her. I even promised I’d go to the concert tomorrow night at the middle school.”
“I played the drums in middle school.” A little-boy grin twitched at his lips. “Mom didn’t approve. I think she worried I’d run off to join a rock-and-roll band.”
Caitlin relaxed against the seat back. “Yet you became a candle man instead.”
He cocked his head toward her and confessed, “I wasn’t a very good drummer.” He slowed down, then steered the truck into the hotel parking lot. “You know, I haven’t been to a band concert in years.”
Was he hinting for an invitation to come with her? She dug in her purse for the hotel key card. Lord, this is so not funny. How many guys were willing to suffer through band concerts? And why couldn’t she have come across this one next year? “Middle school bands are notoriously bad.”
“Except I hear there’s going to be an awesome flute soloist.” He grinned. “We could grab some dinner first. Let’s say around si—”
She cut him off with a gasp as her gaze strayed beyond his face. “Oh, no.”
“What?” He whipped around in his seat.
Caitlin grabbed at the door handle, jerked it open, and leaped out of the truck. She ran toward her car, nausea stirring in her stomach. Her shoes crunched on glass.
The passenger window of her car had been shattered.
NINE
“I can’t believe this.” Caitlin’s voice choked as she stood near the front bumper of Chase’s truck, arms hugging her stomach. The red-and-blue lights from two police cruisers flashed on the splintered glass that still protruded from the bottom edge of the window frame. Tears slipped from her eyes to roll down her cheeks, and she dashed them away. “Just look at my car!”
Chase stood beside her, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. “Don’t worry, Caitlin. It’s just a window. Those are easy to fix.”
Caitlin sniffed. “But it’s my car.” She glanced sideways at him. He probably thought her foolish for being upset about the shattered window of her ten-year-old Geo. But she’d bought that car brand new, her first, and she loved it. Besides, it got terrific gas mileage, and these days that counted for a lot. And the body was in great shape, too.
Except, of course, for the busted-out passenger window.
But her feelings of discomfort went far beyond the damage to her beloved car. Someone had violated her, rifled through her possessions. The shopping bags she’d left on the passenger seat were scattered about, the items they’d contained thrown to the floor. The glove compartment was open. Had the person who did this opened the door and sat in her car as he pawed through her things? A shudder rippled through her.
“Listen,” Chase said, “I know a guy with a body shop who can fix that window. I’ll give him a call first thing in the morning if you want.”
She drew a shuddering breath. She had to get herself under control. Forget this obsessive imagining. Focus instead on getting the car fixed and moving forward.
She forced a smile and turned toward Chase. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
A police officer approached, a clipboard and pen in his hand. “We found a couple of partial prints on the door handle, but nothing clear enough to run an identification scan.” He squinted as he peered into Caitlin’s face. “You’re sure nothing is missing?”
She swallowed. “I don’t think so. I didn’t buy much today, just a few odds and ends. A couple of embroidered hand towels, a coffee mug for my dad. My most expensive purchase of the day was a handbag from that quilt shop downtown. Those things are all still there.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand what the thief was after if he didn’t take any of those things.”
The officer made a note on his form as he answered. “Probably saw the shopping bags on the seat and decided to look for something he could sell.” He gave her a stern look over the top of his glasses. “You really shouldn’t leave things visible inside a car. It’s an invitation for a break-in.”
He thought the break-in was her fault? Caitlin stiffened. “I shouldn’t have to worry when I lock things in my own car. People ought to have more respect for other people’s property.”
“They ought to, but I’m afraid many of them don’t.” Chase glanced around the parking lot. “I don’t see any security cameras.”
The police officer shook his head. “There aren’t any external cameras, and the hotel staff didn’t see a thing. This part of the parking lot isn’t in visual range of the lobby.”
“Any other witnesses?” Chase scanned the windows in the two-story building. Caitlin followed his gaze. The curtains were shut in every one, the outlines illuminated by indoor lights in only a couple.
“We’re going to leave a note in the lobby for anyone who saw anything suspicious to give us a call.” The officer’s tone told Caitlin he didn’t expect much of a response.
“Maybe it was just an act of vandalism. Kids out causing trouble for kicks.” Chase pointed toward the edge of the building, just a few feet beyond his truck. “It would be pretty easy for somebody to slip around the side of the building with a baseball bat or a tire iron, bash in the window, and run.”
“Whoever it was took the time to go through the interior,” the officer pointed out. “But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t kids looking for something valuable to steal. That’d be my guess.”
Caitlin looked at the corner of the building, and the darkness beyond. She nodded. “When they realized all they were going to get was a coffee mug and a couple of towels, they left in disgust.”
The officer finished writing on his clipboard and peeled off a copy of the form. He handed it to Caitlin. “You’ll need this for your insurance company. We’ll give you a call if anything else develops.”
“Thanks.” Caitlin took the form and folded it in half. If she heard anything further from the officer, she’d be surprised.
She stood beside Chase and watched as both cruisers pulled away. The flashing lights went dark as they exited the parking lot.
Chase pulled his hands out of his pockets. “I think I’ve got some cardboard we can use to block that window for the night.”
She followed him to the back of the pickup, where he raised the bed cover and pulled out an empty box with the candle company logo on the side. He rummaged in a toolbox and came up with a roll of duct tape. Caitlin watched as he cut a side panel from the box with his pocketknife and fitted it in place of the missing window.
“I hope your friend can get to my car soon. It won’t be safe to drive home with that in place. I won’t be able to see out the passenger side at all.”
“I’ll give him a call in the morning.” He tore off a strip of tape. “Let me get your cell phone number so I can call you and let you know what he says.”
He applied the tape to the top of the cardboard, and then fitted it over the doorframe while she wrote her phone number on a slip of paper from her purse. She watched him put the final pieces of tape in place, then handed him the paper. Chase pulled out his wallet and slid it inside.
“Are you going to be okay?”
His soft voice sent tears to her eyes. “I’m … I’m a bit rattled.” She drew a breath that, to her dismay, shuddered in her chest.
“Are you afraid to be al
one?” He stepped closer, forcing her to look up at him. “Because my parents have a guest room. You can go grab your things and I’ll take you there right now.”
“No, that’s okay,” she said quickly. No doubt his mother would love that. “I wouldn’t want to impose. Besides, I’m not afraid. It’s just that I’m feeling a bit lonely. I wish my friends had come up with me.”
Now why did she tell him that?
“Hey, come here.” He pulled her into a gentle hug. “I know you don’t know me well, but I’m here. If you feel lonely, you can call me.”
For a moment, Caitlin enjoyed the feeling of his strong arms around her. Her head fit perfectly on his shoulder. Funny, but she’d decided Chase needed a friend not long ago, and it turned out she needed one, too.
“Thanks. I appreciate that a lot.” She lifted her head to look up into his eyes. What she saw there set her pulse flittering. She could get totally lost in those eyes. It would be so easy to fall for this guy.
The dateless year made more sense every minute.
She stepped away and folded her arms across her chest. “Uh, I’d better get inside. Thanks.” She waved toward the cardboard in her car door. “For that, I mean.”
He studied her a moment, then shoved his hands into his pockets. “No problem. So, are we on for dinner tomorrow?”
Oh, how she would love to have dinner with him! But that couldn’t be considered anything except a date. And the way her heart was pounding against her rib cage just from looking into his eyes …
She shook her head. “Thanks, but I don’t think I can make dinner. I’ll probably be helping Nicky get ready.”
Questions filled his eyes. She waited for him to ask why she wouldn’t go with him to dinner, but after a moment he gave a nod.
“Just the concert, then. I’ll pick you up at six forty-five.” He turned and walked toward the hotel’s side entrance before she could come up with a protest.
Caitlin made sure her car door was locked, dubious though that security measure might be with cardboard in place of glass, then followed him. When she slid her card through the reader, he pulled the door open and held it.
Murder in D Minor Boxed Set Page 42
