“Billy?” Noah repeated.
“Her little boy. I was quite fond of him myself. I started looking after him for her in exchange for tutoring. Kate was working two jobs and attending classes so she could hardly afford to pay anyone to babysit.”
“So she was a single mother?” Noah’s voice sounded low but firm, and Spider resented the fact he was asking the questions she wanted to ask. She also hated that he was standing somewhere behind her. It made her uncomfortable. On edge.
“Yes. She never talked about Billy’s father, but I know he abandoned her when he found out she was pregnant.”
“What happened to Billy?” Spider asked, inserting a question before Noah had the chance.
“I always wondered that.” Sipping from her cup, her expression became pensive. “I was so fond of him, I considered trying to adopt him myself, but … well, I was young and not confident enough to be a single mother. I’d seen how hard it was for Kate. I can only hope he found a good home.”
Spider leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “Do you remember anything suspicious from the night she disappeared? Anything about what might have happened to her?”
Platinum-blonde curls bounced around her shoulders as she shook her head. “No. She was worried about catching the bus in the rain, so she left to try to catch it early before the storm rolled in. She usually got a ride home from one of her co-workers, but when she didn’t get home at her usual time, I called and found out she had never showed up for work. That wasn’t like her.”
“Did she have any enemies?” Noah asked.
“No, I can’t think of anyone.”
“What about other friends?” he asked at the same time Spider questioned, “Did you know her boyfriend?”
Gritting her teeth, Spider repeated her question.
Mrs. Abercrombie leaned back and frowned. “She wasn’t seeing anyone. She got asked out, yes, but Billy was her priority. She always said there’d be time for dating later.” Her eyes darted toward the wall as she frowned. “Except for this one guy. He was pushy, so she did go out with him once. But he ended up being married, so she put an end to it real fast.”
“Do you remember his name?” Spider asked.
“I’m sorry. I don’t.”
The creak of a door was followed by a deep voice calling, “Honey?” A dark-haired man appeared in the doorway. He was sharply dressed in a navy suit and tie and carried a briefcase. Undoing his tie, his gaze caught and held Spider’s before moving past her. “You have visitors?”
“Yes, dear. These are investigators looking into Kate’s disappearance.”
“Kate?” He frowned and looked at Spider again. “After all this time?”
“Did you know Kate, too?” Noah asked, and he came around the settee, settling a hand on the top cushion just behind Spider’s head.
“Barely. Jennifer and I started dating a few weeks before she disappeared.”
Mrs. Abercrombie’s eyes crinkled beneath a wry smile. “My husband asked her out first, but she turned him down. My good luck. I caught his attention instead.”
Jerking his tie from around his neck, her husband wrapped it around one arm. “I hope you find her, or find out what happened to her.” Looking at his wife, he added, “We have that dinner in an hour, remember? I need to go take a shower. Can I have a word in private real quick?”
He turned and left the room, and straightening, his wife excused herself to follow.
“Interesting,” Noah whispered, and Spider glanced up to see him glaring toward where the couple had exited.
Biting her tongue, she refrained from launching into a scathing argument with the infuriating man. Her muscles still quivered from the restraint it took to hold herself in check. Think about Kate and what you’ve learned instead. Her mind sorted through the information and kept going back to Kate’s fanaticism of Elton John.
What was the song he always sang in her dream? Did it have any significance?
She struggled to recall the lyrics and found herself singing them softly in an attempt to remember more clearly. She’d have to do an Internet search to see if it returned any matches.
“There was green alligators and long-necked geese, some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees. Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you’re born, the loveliest of all was the unicorn.”
Mrs. Abercrombie had re-entered the room and stopped, staring wide-eyed at Spider. Lifting a hand to her neck, she frowned. “I haven’t heard that song in years.”
Spider’s pulse sped up. She hadn’t realized she’d been singing out loud. “You recognize it? Wait. Does Elton John sing a song like that?”
The older woman chuckled and waved her hand. “Oh, no, dear. He doesn’t sing that song.”
Shoot. It had been a nice theory.
“It’s odd, because I haven’t heard that song since … since she went missing. Kate used to play and sing it to Billy. I wish I could remember the name of the band that made it famous. ‘The Unicorn Song’. That’s the name of the song.”
Say what?
Spider wasn’t sure what surprised her more: that the unfamiliar-to-her song was supposedly famous or that Kate had sang it to her son.
Do do do do do do do do. The theme song from “The Twilight Zone” whizzed through Spider’s brain and sent shivers up and down her spine. This situation just got real.
***
Noah had to give Emma credit. She didn’t explode on him after the Abercrombies showed them the door, and she didn’t go ballistic while walking back to her car.
She sped up her steps to get away from him though.
“Emma—”
“You dirty scoundrel!” She rounded on him so quickly that he jerked back defensively, anticipating a slap or worse. Instead, she poked him hard in the chest. “You followed me!”
Guilty as charged.
In his defence, it had been a crime of opportunity, and one he’d do again if the chance occurred. He’d been returning home from doing his own research at the library when he’d spied her big ole Buick pulling out of the driveway. He hadn’t been certain where she was going, but he’d assumed it involved Kate Levine.
“Don’t get too angry, sweetheart. I tried playing fair, but you shut me down. Remember?”
“Fair? Ha! You have no idea how much self-control it’s taking me not to kick you in the balls right now. Don’t push your luck.” Spinning around, she grappled with her keys, dropping them with a ting at her feet. She snatched them up in a huff and marched onward to her car. Noah couldn’t help but grin as he followed from a distance. She sure was cute when she was in a tiff.
“Can we call a truce please?” He held out his hands. “I’m going to keep following you until you say yes.”
That stopped her in her tracks. Turning, she wrinkled her nose at him. “Stalker, much?”
Uncomfortable with that accusation, he scrubbed his face with his hands. “Look, Emma. I have a feeling there are pieces of this puzzle that only you can solve, just as there are pieces only I can solve. If we work together, we can find what happened to Kate Levine and let her have some peace. Can’t we put our differences aside long enough to do that?”
She muttered something beneath her breath and opened her car door. Turning, she looked him up and down. “How can I possibly trust you?”
He had no idea, but he’d like the opportunity to try and earn it. Whatever it took. Mow her grass. Walk those dogs. Grovel at her feet. He’d try anything.
Feeling a bit foolish at his thoughts – since when did he ever grovel? – he stiffened his spine. “All I’m asking is that you give me a chance to prove you can trust me.”
“I’ll think about it, but don’t hold your breath.” Ducking into her car, she eyed him warily. “If you follow me again, I’m calling the police.” She pulled her door shut, pointed at him, and mouthed “stalker” through the window.
He watched her drive away, wondering if she meant it. Hell. Probably. Pacing back to where he’d park
ed, he glanced toward the grandiose estate they’d just left. Mr. Abercrombie – Noah needed to find out his first name, do some digging into his background, and figure out his involvement in this – stood in one of the upper windows, watching him.
Noah climbed into his car and replayed the conversation in his head.
Billy.
William was Noah’s first name, but no one had ever really called him by it. He swore beneath his breath. All he had was a colourful story spun by his older brother. No corroborating paperwork. No supporting statement from his mother. Never mind that John wasn’t the type to play cruel tricks or pranks – not like this. His father, on the other hand…
The memory of being shoved into a small, dark closet as a child flitted through his brain. Anytime he’d misbehaved by his father’s standards, he’d been forced into the closet.
Sweat trickled down the back of his neck and his heart galloped around his chest just thinking about it.
If he had been adopted, Noah couldn’t help but wonder what his life would have been like if someone like Jennifer Abercrombie had adopted him instead. Would he be more worthy of someone like Emma if he’d been raised differently?
Stop it. You don’t even know for a fact that you’re Kate Levine’s son.
He pulled to a red light and slammed the palm of his fist against the steering wheel. How the hell was he supposed to prove or disprove who he was?
Finding Kate Levine, or her body, would allow for a DNA test. That was one way. Talking to his mother, the woman who raised him, was another. Reaching for his phone, he dialled his mother and waited for her answer. When she didn’t pick up, he left a voice mail. She and Larry were travelling the Midwest in an RV right now. No telling when she’d get it.
Turning onto his street, he noticed Emma’s car was parked in front of Zach and Hannah’s house. Relief flooded through him that she wasn’t off chasing more clues and getting into trouble.
If Kate Levine was dead, it was likely she’d been murdered by the man he’d been dreaming about. That man could still be out there, still be dangerous and still be killing. The thought of Emma in danger shot a pang of worry so intense through his body, his muscles bunched and stung from the pain.
His mind was made up.
He’d make such a nuisance of himself that Emma would either give up her investigation altogether or let him help her with it. For the next few days, he would seize every opportunity to spend time with her. Win her over. Keep her safe.
Whatever it took.
He would be the ideal man, catering to her every whim.
His mom had always said you could catch more flies with honey than vinegar. He supposed he was about to find out.
Chapter 13
The last two days had been so peaceful that Spider was starting to grow a little bored with her isolation.
Bored if she weren’t so miserable, that is.
Clipping the leashes on the dogs, she peeked out the window, searching for any sign of her tempting neighbour. He’d been showing up everywhere since their confrontation outside the Abercrombie house the other day. She went to check the mail, and wouldn’t you know it, there he was, smiling and whistling and looking sexier than any rogue had a right. He’d sauntered over on both occasions, asked if she’d given any thought to his request to give him a second chance and quietly ambled away without a fuss when she’d informed him that hell hadn’t frozen over yet.
Yesterday afternoon, a florist had delivered stargazer lilies and a stuffed teddy-bear with a single note attached that read Forgive me? Please? – Noah.
Okay, that one had been pretty good. No one had ever sent her flowers before, and the teddy-bear had been snugalicious. The protective shell she’d built to protect herself had started to crumble a little then.
When she’d taken the boys for their nightly walks, Noah had sat on his porch and watched them from a distance, his bare feet crossed over the railing while he sipped at a mug in his hand.
After they’d gone inside, he’d moved back into his house. Had he been watching to make sure they were safe? The silly idea warmed her insides and chipped at the shell some more. Not that she needed someone to watch over her, but the sentiment was nice.
She seriously should have learned her lesson with men though. Obviously, she had terrible instincts when it came to them. Anytime she started to crumble toward Noah, she simply reminded herself of Paul.
Remember your five-year plan. Much easier to obtain if you’re single anyway.
She was swearing off men. Well, except for looking at them with their muscular chests and handsome faces and … wait. Looking was okay, right?
Geez, she was hopeless. Maybe she needed to find another job, working with a bunch of unattractive nerds. Or women. Maybe she should become a nun.
Wait. Were nuns allowed to use computers? Probably not. That was definitely out. It had only been half an hour since she’d checked her email and she was already going crazy, wondering if she’d missed any important ones.
Pulling her laptop close, her breath caught when she saw Noah’s name in the sender field. Clicking on the message, she saw a simple question. “What’s your favourite food?”
Okay. That was random.
How the devil did he have her email address anyway?
Still, she gave it serious thought, finally typing, “Not that it’s any of your business … but I cannot pick only one type of food for my favourite. Who does that? I will, however, narrow it to three things: macaroni and cheese, lasagna, and potato chips. Don’t judge.” She hovered over the Send button before deciding to add, “Why are you asking?” Then she hit SEND.
It didn’t take long for her to complete her work assignments for the day, so Spider returned to the personal investigation she’d been doing in her spare time to help take her mind off Noah, ghosts, and men with muscular chests … like Noah.
Her family tree was really taking shape, and as she spent a few hours inputting the details she’d found from searching obituaries, she couldn’t help but have a surreal oh-my-gosh-that’s-amazing moment. Melinda Carpenter was her father’s great aunt. She totally was related to the woman who’d haunted Noah’s house!
Was that weird, or what?
She went over to the curtains and looked at the home across the street, feeling a new attachment to the place. Her ancestor had lived there. Spider wondered what other items had been left behind, things that belonged to her family. If she’d been on better terms with Noah, she might have asked him if she could do a little exploring, but no. No way could she risk asking him for a favour. He might expect one in return.
She put on a movie, watched a little bit of it, and opened her email again.
He hadn’t responded in the past five hours. Not that she’d been checking. Much.
“Come on, boys.” Gathering Costello and Charlie close, Spider opened the front door, doing a double take when she spied the box sitting on the doorstep. Glancing around, she saw no one. No delivery truck. No Noah.
She met Costello’s gaze. “Not even one little bark to let me know someone was out here? That’s your job.”
Costello opened his mouth, stuck out his tongue and grinned.
Pushing the curious dogs back inside, she considered ignoring the box, but she did need to move it so she could take the boys out for their walk. So she brought it inside. Abbott sprang onto the back of the sofa and stared at the present with lustful eyes.
“What do you think it is?”
The cat jumped onto the box, frolicked about, and spread his plump body on top of it in an obvious display of possession. Charlie had his front paws on the sofa, sniffing around the edges. Costello sniffed the bottom.
“Is it a bomb?”
Charlie began pawing, trying to get into the box.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Take it easy. If it were a bomb, we’d all be dead, thank you. Bunch of geniuses. Geez.” She brushed them all away.
Opening it, she stole a look inside, warily. The aroma of somethin
g delicious and Italian triggered her mouth to start watering. Setting aside a bag of potato chips – yum – she pulled out a Tupperware container, peeled back the lid and almost had a foodgasm right then and there. Lasagna. Mmmm. It smelled delicious. Another container held macaroni and cheese. Had she died and gone to heaven? A card sat in the bottom beneath it all. She ripped it out of its envelope, eager to see the message this time. It was short and to the point. How am I doing so far? This is me begging. – Noah.
She chuckled at that. Allowing Abbott to have the box, to his purring kitty delight, she grabbed rawhide treats for the dogs, fetched a plate for herself, and pulled her laptop over to the breakfast bar so she could email Noah while she devoured this latest gift.
“I hope this isn’t poisoned because I’ll be dead in minutes. It’s delicious, by the way. Homemade?” She clicked SEND.
A few minutes later, a click signaled a response. “No poison. I slaved over a hot stove for you. Surely that’s worth something? Tell me. What are you wearing?”
She almost spit out her food. Typing, a chuckle escaped her. “Why, sir! Email sex. Really? So tacky, even for you.” Send.
Click.
“Ah. Thank you for giving me an understanding of where your mind is. Shame on you. I simply enjoy your t-shirts. What does this one say?”
She glanced down. Her simple black babydoll t-shirt stated, “I see dead pixels” in a pixilated font. She shrugged and conveyed the message.
His response was fast. “Where do you find these things?”
“Duh. Internet. Sometimes the mall, although the mall scares me. Too many people. People in crowds scare me.” Send.
Click.
“About this email sex…Does this mean I’m forgiven? If so, yes, please. Would love some email sex.”
Rolling her eyes, she smiled, thrilled by the suggestion, absurd as it sounded. “In your dreams. Jerk.”
She waited a beat before typing another message. “Closer to forgiven though. I have to take the dogs for a walk now. Thanks for the meal. Since you’re in the mood, I could use a new car.”
After hitting SEND, she wondered if she should’ve invited him over. He’d made dinner for her. She supposed he deserved to be invited over to eat it with her. She scrunched her face. On the other hand, she hadn’t asked him to make her food, and it was mostly gone now.
Spirited Away Page 14
