Descent (A Stone Mountain Mystery Book 1)

by Kristina Stanley

  Kalin reached the darkest part of the path, halfway between her house and the resort, when she heard a snowmobile approaching from behind. Wanting to make sure the driver saw her, she turned and faced the machine. The snowmobile’s headlamp grew larger until the machine whipped past her, inches from her side. Her first thought was the driver hadn’t seen her.

  The realization that McKenzie’s murderer was still on the loose slammed into her. Why hadn’t she listened to Ben and Miller and been more careful? She never should have come out alone in the dark. She stood erect, facing the direction the snowmobile had driven, dropped her mitt, slipped her hand into her pocket and wrapped her fingers around her bear spray.

  The powerful machine looped around and skidded to a stop. The driver revved the engine a couple of times, jerking toward her in small movements. After several terrifying seconds, the snowmobile leapt forward and drove straight at her. She jumped backward, landing on her back in a snow bank at the side of the path.

  She struggled to stand, but each time she pressed her hand to push herself up, she sunk deeper. The snowmobile slowed, turned and picked up speed again. She rolled to her side, shoving herself against the base of a tree. She grabbed a branch and pulled herself upright.

  The snowmobile slid to a stop a couple of feet in front of her.

  A man wearing a black jacket and black helmet pressed his gloved hand on the throttle, revving the engine. She stared at him, knowing she couldn’t outrun him, and waited. Her heart pounded, and her eyes stung with tears.

  The driver of the snowmobile ceased revving the engine and removed his helmet. “I want to talk to you,” Jeff Morley said.

  The evidence pointed to Jeff being the killer. He’d proven himself to be violent. McKenzie had paralyzed his brother and stolen his girlfriend. She should have seen this coming. Fear pressed inside her, underneath her breastbone. “Did you follow me?”

  “No. But now that you’re here, I’ve a few things to say.”

  Kalin didn’t believe him. He must have waited for her to leave her house. She’d told Donny and Nora she couldn’t go out after the movie because she was working early. Donny could have mentioned it to Jeff. He’d timed his outing on the snowmobile so he’d catch her in the middle of the path, farthest from any help. She’d been stupid, and she hated being stupid. Anger bubbled up her throat, and she exhaled a violent breath. “I’m not talking to you here. Meet me in my office at a decent hour.”

  Jeff laughed an ugly laugh. “What I have to say is private.”

  If she could knock him off the snowmobile, she could use it to get away. Even wearing snowshoes, she could drive the sled.

  “What were you doing hanging around my family last night?”

  Kalin held her bear spray at her side. “I’ve been friends with Nora all summer. You know that. We decided to go to a movie, and she asked Donny. What’s the big deal?” Kalin dropped her other mitt, slipped her left hand into her ski jacket pocket and found her cell.

  “It’s more than that. You’ve glued yourself to my aunt.”

  “I bought a painting from Lisa. Then I met her by accident at Nora’s. I didn’t know she was going to be there.”

  “You’re lying. I know you met her at the pub too. You’re trying to figure out who killed McKenzie, and you’re going after Donny.”

  Kalin hadn’t meant to lie. She’d forgotten the drinks with Lisa. “I think you’re misunderstanding the situation.”

  “What do you have against Donny? You accused Amber of starting the flood just to get at him.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “How the fuck do I know? I just know you’re going at him from all directions. My dad had a fit finding you in the garage with him.” Jeff stared off into the forest and after a moment shrugged. “I won’t let anyone hurt him, you know.”

  Icicles of fear cracked along Kalin’s skin as if she stood naked in the winter air. “What does that mean?”

  “There’s nothing I won’t do for him. I want you to stay away from all three of them.”

  Inside her pocket, Kalin oriented her phone, finding the top end. She slid her phone out of her pocket and glanced at the display. She tapped the phone icon, then recent calls. It was all she dared for now. “What do I tell Nora?”

  “Figure something out.”

  “You know Nora better. If you want me to dump her, tell me what to say. Help me with this.” She risked another glance at her phone and tapped Ben’s number. The second she thought the call connected, she whipped the phone to her mouth. “I’m with Jeff Morley.”

  “What the fuck?” Jeff slapped her hand, and the phone flew off the path into a mound of snow.

  * * *

  In response to light tapping on the front door, Ben rubbed sleep out of his eyes, walked barefoot along the hallway, thinking Kalin must have forgotten something and maybe he’d get another hug out of her. Maybe she’d decided she wouldn’t go to work so early and come back to bed with him.

  He opened the front door, only half surprised to find Vicky standing on the doorstep wearing her ski jacket open over a blood red negligee. The necklace he’d given her for her birthday hung between her breasts, and Ben remembered how he’d played with the pendant. Christ, she could make him feel good. He wiped the thought from his mind, pissed at himself for falling for her tricks.

  Chica pushed her way past Ben, wagging her tail, trying to greet Vicky. Ben grabbed her collar and pulled her into the foyer.

  “Why isn’t she wearing the new collar I bought her?”

  Her perfume entered the foyer before she did. She’d chosen his favorite on purpose, probably just to get at him.

  “Are you crazy coming here?”

  Vicky’s eyes hovered on his bare chest, making it clear what she wanted from him. “Kalin’s not home, so what are you worried about?”

  “It’s seven in the morning. Where else would she be?”

  “I overheard her telling Donny she was going to work at seven today. Seems like a good time for us to talk.”

  “I told you, I don’t want to talk. There’s nothing to say.”

  Vicky fingered her low neckline. “I’m kinda chilly here. Can I come in?”

  Ben watched her breath form clouds in front of her face and forced himself not to worry about her. She could zip up her jacket if she was cold. “You’re not welcome here. This is my home with Kalin.”

  “If you won’t let me in—”

  “Stop this.” Ben started to close the door. He’d had enough of her trying to get between him and Kalin.

  Vicky put her palm on the door and held it open. “I still love you. Can’t you understand that?”

  Ben’s phone rang. Kalin’s name appeared on call display. “I gotta go.” He stepped backward into the hallway, slowed his breathing and debated whether he should answer.

  * * *

  Kalin pressed the nozzle on the bear spray, aiming at Jeff, but the wind took some of the spray in her direction. She held the nozzle until the can emptied. Jeff backed away from her, holding his palms to his eyes.

  Kalin hoped the phone was still connected, but even if it wasn’t, Jeff had no way of knowing. “I’m on the path halfway between work and home. I need help.”

  “You bitch.” Jeff wiped his eyes, and tears dripped over his cheeks. “Stay away from my family.” He shoved his helmet on and took off in the direction of Kalin’s office.

  Kalin didn’t hesitate. Running in snowshoes wasn’t easy. Her eyes burned, and she couldn’t see much through tears that filled them. She ran toward her home, hoping Ben was heading toward her.

  Dawn crept through the trees, improving visibility, and despite her tear filled eyes, she picked up speed. She saw Chica before she saw Ben. Chica galloped toward her, and Kalin suppressed a sob.

  “Ben,” she yelled.

  “I’m here.”

  An instant later, she saw him sprint around a curve in the path. Kalin ran until she thumped into his chest, wrapping her arms around hi
m.

  “Are you okay?” He ran his hands over Kalin, rough and urgent, searching for wounds. “Are you okay?” His voice trembled.

  Kalin pressed her face into his chest. “I need to rinse my eyes.”

  “What happened?”

  “I pepper sprayed Jeff.” Kalin stepped back from Ben. He wore pajama bottoms stuffed into winter boots and his ski jacket open over his bare chest. He hadn’t taken the time to get dressed, and she loved him for it.

  “Let’s get some snow on your eyes. That’ll ease the burning.” Ben sat Kalin down and held cold snow against her eyelids. “What was he doing?”

  “He followed me. He told me to stay away from Nora, Donny and his Aunt Lisa.”

  “If he touched you—”

  “He didn’t. He took off after I sprayed him. I think he believes Donny killed McKenzie and I’m trying to prove it.”

  “We have to call Miller.”

  * * *

  “Kalin, wait,” Nora called between breaths.

  Kalin wanted to ignore her and almost kept walking. It was one thirty, and Fred said he had a meeting at two. She was heading to his office in the lower village to talk about Jeff Morley. Her shoulders dropped in acceptance that she had to face Nora, and she might as well get it over with and let Nora defend Jeff. She slowed her pace so Nora could catch up. Forcing a pregnant woman to chase her along the street seemed petty.

  Nora reached for Kalin’s arm and held her elbow. “I’m really sorry. I don’t know what Jeff was thinking.”

  Taken aback, Kalin wondered why Nora was sorry. She hadn’t done anything.

  “I just talked to Jeff. Constable Miller dragged him in and spent half the morning interviewing him. I think it was pretty intense.”

  “What did Jeff say?”

  “He said he’d been really, really dumb. He got all worked up thinking you were going after Donny. He didn’t think it through. You’re not going to press charges, are you?”

  They reached the top of the metal stairs connecting the upper and lower village. From there, Kalin could see the river, mostly frozen, on the other side of the lower village. The ice looked peaceful on top, but the river raged below. Maybe that’s what Donny was like. Maybe one big chunk of ice let go, freed his rage, and he’d gone after McKenzie. Maybe Jeff believed that too. “For what? He just talked to me.”

  “You’re being understanding. I’ve seen Jeff when he’s mad, and he can be scary. It’s like he’s a different person.”

  “Like his father?” Kalin remembered the anger she’d picked up from Mr. Morley when she’d met him in the garage. Donny had laughed it off, but Kalin had seen the mean streak.

  “Oh no. Never like that. His dad’s awful. Have you met him?”

  “Once. He wasn’t what I’d call friendly.”

  “I hope he doesn’t find out about this morning. He’ll kill Jeff.”

  Kalin stopped at the bottom of the stairs and faced Nora. “Are you seriously worried or was that a figure of speech?”

  “I don’t mean he’d kill him, but his temper is so bad. I think, sometimes…”

  “Sometimes what?” Kalin asked softly.

  “I think he might hit Jeff. I’m not sure. Donny and Jeff have never said anything, but I get a vibe.”

  Once in a while Nora sounded younger than her age. “Have you talked about this with Lisa?”

  Nora shook her head. “Lisa has enough to deal with without worrying about the guys. They can take care of themselves.”

  Kalin checked the time on her watch. “I gotta go. I have a meeting.”

  Ian Reed strolled toward them. He looked as if he had something to say. When he was within a few feet of them, he smiled at Nora, said, “Hi,” and kept moving.

  “What’s that about?” Kalin asked.

  “I don’t know. Why?”

  “It doesn’t look like he’s trying to avoid you anymore. Have you guys worked things out?”

  “Not that I know of,” Nora said. “One more thing?”

  “Sure.”

  “If Jeff called to apologize, would you talk to him?”

  “Is that what he wants?”

  Nora leaned forward and hugged Kalin. “It is.”

  Kalin hugged Nora back. What the heck? For Nora, she could manage a conversation with Jeff. “Sure. Does he have my cell? Forget that. I lost it this morning. Tell him to call my office.”

  * * *

  Ben loitered in the parking lot beside Jeff Morley’s truck, his anger growing with each passing moment. The Holden training session had ended at four, and Ben had been waiting for Jeff since then. The bastard had frightened Kalin. Ben couldn’t control her actions, but he could protect her. He watched Jeff approach and saw his back go rigid when he recognized Ben.

  Jeff raised his hands in submission. “Dude, I’m sorry.”

  Ben pushed himself off the truck and blocked Jeff’s way. “You think that’s good enough?”

  Jeff walked around him and opened the tailgate. He shoved his skis and boots inside. “I didn’t mean anything.”

  “Are you crazy? You chased Kalin in the dark on your snowmobile. Do you have any idea what that made her feel like?”

  “I said I was sorry.”

  “I don’t fucking care how sorry you are. I want you to stay away from her.”

  Jeff sneered. “Tell her to stay away from my family.” He opened the front door and grabbed a snow scraper. A thin layer of ice covered the windshield, and he turned his back to Ben as if he were too insignificant to face.

  “She’s doing her job. Leave her alone.”

  “Or what?” Jeff turned and laughed at Ben.

  Ben’s anger burst inside him, and he swung at Jeff. His hand crunched against Jeff’s cheek, landing in the same place Edwin Bucher had pummeled him.

  Jeff grabbed Ben’s wrist and twisted his arm behind his back. He shoved the scraper against Ben’s neck.

  “Stop it,” Kalin screamed.

  Jeff turned in her direction. Ben landed a punch on the side of his shoulder, knocking him to the ground. He kicked Jeff in the ribs, and Jeff rolled into a ball.

  Kalin grabbed Ben’s arm. “Stop it. What’s wrong with you?”

  Ben backed away. “If you go near her again, I’ll kill you.”

  Jeff rolled onto his hands and knees and pushed himself to standing. “Take it easy.”

  “Get out of here,” Kalin said to Jeff.

  Jeff glared at her and then at Ben. He stooped and picked up his scraper. With the driver’s side of the windshield clear, he stepped into the truck and sped away.

  “Are you hurt?” Kalin asked Ben.

  “No. I’m fine.” And he was, but Kalin seemed shaken.

  “What the hell was that?”

  Ben didn’t say anything.

  “You’re going to make things worse by fighting.”

  He stepped away from Kalin. “You’re mad at me? After what he did this morning, someone has to protect you.”

  “I don’t need protection.”

  “Yes, you do. What if he’d hurt you?”

  “He didn’t.”

  “I don’t want to fight with you,” Ben said.

  “Me neither, but what you do reflects on me. I can’t be the director of security if every time something happens, you come to my rescue.”

  “Your safety is more important than what people think.”

  “This job’s important to me. You know that.”

  “I don’t get how you always muddle your way into the center of drama. You’re so bull headed.” Sometimes she infuriated him, but the look of her standing in front of him, with her hands on her hips, defiantly staring at him, filled him with pride. She was courageous. “I love you.”

  She lowered her head and looked at her feet.

  “Are you hiding a smile?” he asked.

  “I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  Kalin leaned into him.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I can’t let that assh
ole get away with what he did. He needs to know I’ll come after him if he goes near you.” Ben fumbled in his pocket. He handed Kalin her phone and her mitts. “I went back for your cell. It’s toast though. You’ll have to order a new one.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Ian accepted the soda water his sister served him. Melanie had done the undoable. She’d dragged herself back from a drug-induced haze and was trying to make something of herself. He could learn from her.

  “What time do you get off work?” He sat at a table in the Mountain Side Restaurant, emitting heat generated during his training session. His times were faster than Morley’s, and Coach Jenkinson had winked at him, telling him he was on his way.

  “Five. I’ve been working all day.”

  “Do you want to eat together?” The restaurant didn’t have many customers, which was usual during pre-season, and he could hold a table as long as needed.

  She flipped her black ponytail off her shoulder. She’d tied her hair so the purple streak didn’t show. She’d transformed her black eye makeup into a light shade of grey. After a slight hesitation, she said, “Sure.”

  Eating together was a start. Dad had made the big move. Leaving Mom must have been hard, but Ian thought he’d made the change for Melanie and for him. The three of them could be a family. Ian slipped off his boots, leaving them askew on the slate tile, and rested his feet on the next chair, stretching his calves. He faced the fireplace and watched the flames.

  While he waited, he reread Melanie’s note for the hundredth time. He’d found it stuffed into his ski jacket pocket the first day she’d returned. She’d apologized without making excuses. The note made him think about his own behavior. He’d hurt people too. Especially women. Melanie had made a big change. Maybe he could too.

  After her shift, they ordered burgers and fries. Both drank soda water. With her addiction problems, he wasn’t going to drink alcohol in front of her.

  “Who’s staying at the house?” Melanie asked.

  “Mom. Dad and I stayed in a motel. He found a place on the hill to rent, and we moved in today. You could move in too.”