Love Inspired Suspense December 2013 Bundle: Christmas Cover-UpForce of NatureYuletide JeopardyWilderness Peril

by Lynette Eason

  Grace patted his hand and smiled. “Don’t think about that now, Dad. You go with Mother, and I’ll see the two of you later.”

  She and Alex watched as her mother turned the van around and drove back toward the gate. When the van turned onto the road leading toward the city, Alex looked at her and shook his head. “I still can’t believe how much your father has changed. He’s not the same man I knew.”

  “I know. That’s what happens when God takes over in someone’s life. He becomes a new person.”

  “I’ve heard that, but I never thought it possible. Now I’ve seen it with my own eyes. It makes me wish I could be more like your father.”

  She smiled up at him. “You can, Alex. All you have to do is open up your heart to God.”

  He shrugged. “I’ll think about it.” He glanced past her and frowned. “Here comes the cameraman. It’s not too late to change your mind.”

  She turned to smile at Derek, but her mouth opened in surprise at the sight of Julie Colter walking with him. They came to a stop beside her, and she glanced from one to the other. “Julie, what a surprise. I didn’t expect to see you.”

  Julie bit down on her lip and glanced up at Derek. “Well, you see…” She hesitated and turned to Derek.

  Derek shifted the camera he was carrying in his arms and smiled at Julie “She’s going to do your interview.”

  Grace’s eyes grew wide. “Wh-what?”

  Derek nodded. “Julie’s been talking to me at the station, and she’s not cut out for what management has her doing. They told her she’d get a chance to prove herself with some public interest stories. So far they haven’t followed through on their promise. How about it, Grace? Let’s give her a chance.”

  Grace blinked and searched her mind for something to say. Did she really want klutzy Julie to do this interview? Since the girl had arrived at the station, she’d made so many mistakes the station manager was about to fire her.

  Before she could reply to Derek’s question, Julie lifted her chin and took a deep breath. “I know I’ve made some mistakes, Miss Kincaid, but nobody has ever really given me any guidance. I’ve tried to do what I thought the manager wanted, but I haven’t seemed to please him. I have a degree in journalism, and I worked at my college’s TV station as a reporter. In fact, I won some awards, but he won’t give me an assignment. Derek is trying to help me out. I’d be forever grateful if you would, too.”

  Grace cast a helpless glance at Alex who shrugged and then to Derek before she locked gazes with Julie. “But this is a live feed into the news which is in progress right now. There’ll be no do-overs, and we can’t correct any mistakes we make. Do you understand?”

  Julie nodded, and the plea that sparkled in her eyes reminded Grace of her own hunger for a first chance to do an on-camera interview. She’d been fortunate, though. There were many people who’d helped her, including Richard Champion. Without their support she wouldn’t be a news anchor today.

  Had she paid their support forward and helped another wannabe reporter? The answer made her cringe. She couldn’t recall one single person she’d helped. Instead of thanking God for all the blessings He’d showered on her, she’d spent years dwelling on the bad things that had happened in her life—her breakup with Alex, Richard’s unfaithfulness and her father’s attack. It was time for a change in her life.

  Some things like her misguided infatuation with Richard and her father’s injuries couldn’t be changed, and she and Alex might never recapture their childhood friendship, but she could still be happy. She could start right now by helping a young reporter get her first story.

  She smiled at Julie. “I think Derek had a good idea, Julie. Let’s do an interview that will get you noticed.”

  Julie glanced at Derek, and the look that passed between them reminded her of the way she and Alex used to look at each other. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Alex watching them also. A smile crooked his mouth, and tears filled her eyes. It was the same way he’d smiled at her when they were children and he approved of something she’d done. But they weren’t children anymore.

  She took a deep breath and motioned for Derek and Julie to follow her into the house.

  *

  Alex stood inside the Kincaids’ den near the door and watched Julie discussing the upcoming interview with Grace. He remembered the day he’d gone to the TV station and how Grace had complained about the girl’s incompetence. Minutes ago she’d agreed to let Julie interview her on a live feed.

  He smiled and let his gaze travel over Grace who had always held everyone, herself included, to the highest standards when reporting the news. Why would she allow an unproven reporter to interview her on a breaking story? The answer came to him almost before the question had flashed in his mind. It was because of the path Grace’s life had taken in her new relationship with God. Like her parents, her eyes had been opened to the needs in others, and she was different in many ways than she’d been before. He couldn’t deny he liked the new Grace much better than the one he’d known all his life.

  In an effort to bring his thoughts back to the matter at hand, he turned his attention to Julie who was bustling about the room like a director getting ready to stage a play. Her commanding professional attitude indicated she hadn’t wasted her time at the station. She’d been watching, and she’d been learning. He hoped she could please Grace, who at the moment appeared to be following Julie’s instructions to stand in the middle of the broken ornaments littering the floor from the fallen Christmas tree.

  Julie turned to Derek for their last sound check. When they’d finished, he held up three fingers and mouthed the countdown to her. Julie looked into the camera with a no-nonsense expression on her face.

  “This is Julie Colter coming to you live from the home of WKIZ news anchor Grace Kincaid. As much as I wish this was a social visit, I’m here tonight with Grace to discuss the vandalism of her beautiful home.” She paused as the camera swept the room. “As you can see, some unknown person or persons entered the home while the family was away and left a trail of destruction throughout the entire house. Police are on the scene as we speak, and one of my sources tells me evidence has been recovered that may lead to an arrest.” She paused and faced Grace. “This must have been a terrible shock when you arrived home tonight. What was your reaction when you walked in to find your home had been invaded?”

  Alex couldn’t take his eyes off Grace as she proceeded to relate the shock of walking in to find nearly everything in the house destroyed. With sympathy flickering in her eyes, Julie hung on every word Grace spoke.

  Grace paused and then addressed the camera. “I’m sure anyone who has come home to find their home burglarized knows how violated I’m feeling right now. We read about these things happening or we see it on the news, but somehow we never think we’ll be the victim of a crime. Yet it happens all the time.”

  Julie nodded. “You’re right. According to statistics, a burglary happens every fourteen seconds, and the number is rising every year. We all are potential victims.” She turned back to Grace. “One of the deterrents to home invasion is a security system. Does your home have one?”

  “Yes, but unfortunately it wasn’t working. Either my parents forgot to turn it on when they left or the burglar disabled it. If my parents did forget, we’ll have to make sure they don’t again.”

  “And speaking of your parents,” Julie continued, “I know they aren’t here right now. How are they holding up? Your father especially. We were all saddened when he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting earlier this year.”

  “They’re doing all right. My father is strong, and he’ll get through this. Whoever shot him may have taken the use of his legs away, but it’s made a stronger man out of him. I’m very proud of him.”

  “That’s good to hear. Grace, we only have a minute left, and I understand you’d like to make a statement to our viewers.”

  Grace smiled. “I would. As many of you know, a few days ago I reported the dea
th of Timothy Mitchell, who jumped from the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge. He was the father of one of my high school friends who was thought to have committed suicide twelve years ago. Thanks to the help of Detective Alex Crowne, I have been able to investigate Mr. Mitchell’s belief that his son was murdered. Our findings suggest he may have been right. In pursuing this case, however, I’ve been shot at, poisoned by a cyanide-laced note and now my home has been vandalized.”

  “Excuse me, Grace,” Julie interrupted. “Are you saying you believe Landon Mitchell was indeed murdered and his killer is responsible for the acts of violence you’ve suffered since you broke the story of his father’s plunge from the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge?”

  “I am. In fact, I’m convinced of it.” Grace glanced over at him, and Alex smiled. Then she continued. “So, I want to take this opportunity to let the murderer, who thinks he can intimidate me, know his attempts to stop the search for the truth haven’t worked. The police are on this case and before too long I expect they’ll have the answer to who murdered Landon Mitchell and at least four other people. You can’t stay hidden forever.”

  Julie frowned and leaned closer to Grace. “Those are brave words, Grace, and I’m sure our viewers wish you well in your search. Is there anything the public can do to help?”

  “Yes, there is.” She paused and took a breath. “One of you viewing this report may have information about the deaths of Landon Mitchell or Sam Jefferson, or about a secret high school club whose members were tattooed with a wolf. If you do, get in touch with me. You can leave a message on my voice mail at the station or you can email me at my address on the station’s website.”

  Julie turned and looked at Derek as he zoomed in on her for a close-up. “Grace needs your help. If you have information, get in touch with her. In the meantime, keep watching this station for the latest developments in the investigation. This is Julie Colter for WKIZ news, live at the home of Grace Kincaid.”

  Derek signaled that the camera was off, and Julie let out a long breath. Grace smiled and patted her on the back. “Great job, Julie. I think you’re right. Your talents are wasted working as a glorified gopher. When I come back to work, I’ll talk to the manager about making you my assistant. Would you like that?”

  Julie’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, Miss Kincaid, it would be like a dream come true.”

  “Then that’s what I’ll do. Now I think I’d better check with Detective Crowne and see if I need to stay here any longer.”

  Derek nodded and grasped Julie’s arm. “We’ll get out of your way, Grace. I hope to see you back at work soon.”

  “I’ll be back after Christmas.”

  Alex straightened from leaning against the wall as Grace walked toward him and smiled. “Good job on the interview. If our guy saw it, he’s probably trying to decide what he can do next to make our lives miserable.” He let his gaze drift over her face. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  “I don’t either, but we can’t let him control us much longer.” She propped her hands on hips and glanced around the room. “Do you think Clay could have had time to drive from Nashville and do this?”

  “I don’t know, but I doubt it. He looked more scared than angry, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be involved. He could have made a quick telephone call and set this in motion.” He sighed and rubbed his hand over his eyes. “Every way I turn with this case new questions pop up, and I have this thought niggling in my head that I’ve forgotten something.”

  “But you can’t figure out what it is?”

  He shook his head. “It’s like it’s just out of reach of my memory, and I know it’s something important. I’m missing something, but I don’t know what.”

  She yawned. “Don’t worry. You’ll remember.”

  “I hope so.” He sighed and glanced over his shoulder. “There’s no need for us to stay here any longer. The officers can take it from here. Let’s get you down to the Peabody, and then I’ll go home and get some sleep. Maybe tomorrow will bring some new leads in the case.”

  “I sure hope so. I’ll get my bag and be back in a minute.”

  He stood still and watched as she left the room. It had been a long day, and he was ready to get some rest. He hoped he could sleep. If only he could get this thought out of his mind that he knew something that could bring this case to a close right now. It was something someone had said. Not recently, but a long time ago. Something he should have remembered. But what was it?

  After a minute, he exhaled and shook his head. There was no use racking his brain tonight. Maybe tomorrow he could remember what he needed to know.

  ELEVEN

  Grace swallowed the last bite of her omelet and picked up her coffee cup. Breakfast had always been one of her favorite meals, and nothing could be better than being served in the dining room of the Peabody Hotel. Her parents were having a quiet morning with room service, but she’d wanted to mingle with other guests and enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations that had turned the hotel into a wonderland.

  She’d attended many private parties at the Peabody and had dined here several times with friends, but this was the first time she’d ever spent the night in the elegant hotel. The visit would have been very exciting if it weren’t for the reason she and her parents had become guests. Her forehead wrinkled as she recalled the events of the night before. When she’d checked on her parents earlier, her father had mentioned they needed to contact their insurance company, and she needed to take care of that right away.

  She pulled her cell phone from her purse and was about to dial the number when she looked up and spied Alex walking in the door. Her pulse quickened at the sight of him. She’d always thought him handsome, but somehow this morning his presence set her heart to beating faster.

  He stopped at the table and dropped into the chair across from her. “Sorry to be so late. I took advantage of it being Saturday. Since I didn’t have to go to work, I slept in longer than usual.”

  “Do you want something to eat?”

  He shook his head. “I ate before I left home, but I could use some coffee.”

  As if she’d heard the request, a waitress stopped beside the table. “Coffee, sir?”

  He smiled. “Yes, please.”

  Grace waited until the woman had poured the coffee before she leaned closer. “How’s the case you’re helping Seth with coming along?”

  “We’re at a standstill, but it’s a case that goes back a lot further that Landon’s. We may never get the answer to that one.”

  Grace closed her eyes and shuddered. “It’s horrible for families not to have answers. I hope we can find some about all the deaths of our classmates.”

  “Me, too.” He looked down at the cell phone she still held. “Have you checked to see if anyone left you an email or a voice mail?”

  “No, I was about to call the insurance company, but I think I’ll check voice mail first.”

  Grace punched in the number and drummed her fingers on the table as she listened to the messages. From time to time she knit her eyebrows and shook her head. Every crazy in Memphis must have left a message for her, and they all claimed to know the killer’s name.

  She was about to give up when she clasped the phone tighter and sat up in her chair. “Hello, Grace, this is Sharon Warren,” a woman’s voice said. “I was Sharon Ashley when we attended school together, and I married Billy Warren. I’m in Memphis visiting my family for Christmas, and I saw your interview on television last night. I think we need to get together. I know some things that might help you with your case. You can reach me at 555-2721.”

  Alex set his cup down and frowned. “What is it?”

  “I had a message from Billy Warren’s widow. She wants to meet with me. She says she knows something that may help the case.”

  An excited look flashed on Alex’s face. “When?”

  “I have to call her.” Grace punched in the number and waited for someone to answer.

  A woman’s voice answered
. “Hello.”

  “This is Grace Kincaid calling for Sharon Warren.”

  “Grace, this is Sharon. Thank you for returning my call.”

  “No, it’s I who need to thank you. I’m very much interested in talking with you. When can we meet?”

  Sharon hesitated a moment. “I’m at my parents’ home, and we’re leaving to take my daughter to Disneyworld this afternoon. It’s her Christmas present. Would it be possible for us to meet now?”

  “Yes, I can do that. Tell me where.”

  “Why don’t you come here? My parents have taken my daughter to the mall to get some last-minute items for the trip and won’t be back for a while.”

  “We can do that.” She pulled the phone away from her ear and whispered to Alex. “Do you have time to meet with Sharon?” He nodded, and she spoke into the phone. “Alex Crowne with the Memphis Police will be with me. It’s been a long time since I was at your parents’ home. What’s the address?”

  Alex pulled a pen and a small notepad from his shirt pocket and slid them across the table to her. Grace mouthed a thank-you and wrote down the address as Sharon recited it to her. “And one more thing, Grace,” Sharon said, “don’t tell anyone else I’m in town. I still don’t feel safe when I come back to Memphis.”

  “Okay. We’ll keep this to ourselves, and we’ll leave right now. We should be there in about thirty minutes.”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  Grace ended the call and placed the phone in her purse. “Sharon doesn’t want anyone to know she’s in town. She sounded scared. Maybe this is the tip we’ve been looking for.”

  “I hope so.”

  Thirty minutes later they pulled to a stop in front of the address Sharon had given her. Grace stared at the rambling house with the circle driveway and remembered high school parties she’d attended here. “I haven’t been to this house since we graduated.”