Murder on the Mountain: A Marshall Brothers Novel

by Carolyn LaRoche

  Emma looked down at their joined hands. “I’m not sure if I’m supposed to feel this way or not, but I’ve really missed you.”

  “I’ve really missed you too, Emma.” The intensity of his stare as he looked into her eyes sent a warm flush to her cheeks.

  The food in the frying pan started popping and snapping, ending the moment.

  Emma laughed, pulling her hand from his hold. “You going to finish that omelet before I starve to death?”

  Adam chuckled as he picked up a spatula. “We don’t want that happening after you already defied death twice today. One omelet à la Marshall coming right up.”

  He caught the hint of a blush that colored Emma’s cheeks as he turned her omelet over. His hand still held a slight tingle where it had made contact with hers. So many years had passed and yet it seemed like barely a moment in time had separated them. No one had affected him the way Emma always had.

  Sprinkling some cheese on top of the omelet, he scooped it up with a spatula and put it on a plate. “Dinner is served, m’lady.” Adam set the plate on the small kitchen table with a deep bow.

  “Why, thank you, kind sir,” Emma responded with a curtsey and waited as Adam pulled her seat out from the table for her. She spooned some salsa, then some sour cream onto the steaming food. “That smells absolutely divine.”

  “Just give me two minutes to whip up another one and I’ll join you.” He stepped back to the stove and cracked four eggs into the pan, scrambling them up with a fork. When the eggs started to show signs of cooking through, he added sausage, onions, and cheese before flipping half the eggs over the top of it all. Piling some cheddar jack cheese on top, he waited a moment for it to melt before putting his food on a plate and joining Emma at the table.

  Just as he sat, she rose. “I’m going to get us some orange juice.”

  Adam nodded as he shoveled a forkful of the eggs into his mouth, promptly spitting them out on his plate. “Holy moly, those are hot!”

  Emma laughed as she poured two glasses of juice. “You are the one that just took them out of the pan.”

  “I know.” Adam waved a hand in front of his mouth to cool it. “I’m just so darn hungry that I guess I forgot.”

  She placed a glass on the table in front of him. “Here. This will help the burn. Use the sour cream to cool the eggs down.”

  Adam took a long swallow of the icy-cold orange juice, then spooned two large dollops of salsa on his eggs followed by a scoop of sour cream.

  “How long will your parents be gone?” he asked around a much cooler bite of food.

  “Six months. Maybe longer,” Emma replied. “Like I said, it’s their trip of a lifetime.”

  “That’s quite an excursion.”

  “Mom waited thirty-five years for Dad to retire, and they plan to make the most of it. That’s what she told me when she asked me to drop my entire life and move back home.” Emma took another bite of her eggs. “These really are delicious. Thanks for cooking.”

  “Remember the story of my five brothers and survival of the fittest?”

  Emma nodded.

  “Learning to cook was necessity rather than preference. If you missed dinner, that’s it. Leftovers never happened in our house.”

  “So, you cooked or starved?”

  “Exactly.” Adam shoved another forkful of eggs in his mouth.

  Emma took a drink of juice. “Mom had dinner on the table every night at six. Dad got home at five thirty. You could have set a clock by our routine. It’s one of the things I couldn’t wait to escape. Routine is so mundane.”

  “So you ran off to the big city to live the life of an investigative reporter.” It wasn’t a question. Everyone in Staunton knew she’d left without looking back.

  Emma shrugged. “I had to get away. Go somewhere that everyone didn’t know my family.”

  “Richmond isn’t that far away,” Adam said.

  “No. But it gave me enough distance to be who I am, not who everyone thought I should be.”

  And got her far away from him and all the memories. Miranda’s death. Their failed relationship. Any chance of him ever winning over her heart….

  “Now you’re back in town and on a major cartel hit list. Exciting enough for you here yet?”

  He meant it as a joke but the words just sort of fell flat on the table between them.

  She stood up and carried her plate to the sink, where she rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher. “I was never looking for excitement, Adam. I just needed space to breathe. And no, I had no intention of witnessing a murder today. I just wanted to write a story about a drug drop.”

  “I’m sorry, Emma. I didn’t mean it how it sounded.” Adam shoved the last bit of his eggs into his mouth.

  She shook her head, leaning against the counter and crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m sorry too. My nerves are totally shot. It’s making me extra touchy, I guess.”

  Adam walked over to the sink and rinsed his plate, setting it in the dishwasher with Emma’s. “It’s been a long day. I think we’re both a little on edge.”

  The dogs started barking. Emma walked toward the back door. “I better let the dogs in.”

  A loud bang sounded against the back door, followed by crazy dog barking. Emma’s face turned pale. “Did you hear that?”

  Adam held a finger to his lips and nodded.

  The dogs barked, louder and crazier.

  Emma made a move to go to the door, but Adam put a hand on her arm. “Wait here,” he whispered, reaching for the gun on his hip and grabbing a flashlight off a wall charger in the corner of the kitchen.

  Six

  Adam pulled his gun from the holster as he moved quietly down the hallway toward the family room where the back door was located. The barking didn’t let up as he approached the door, gun drawn in front of him.

  Another loud bang sounded, but this time it seemed further away. The dogs quieted down some.

  “That one was the back gate,” Emma whispered behind him. “Sometimes the wind catches it, and that’s the sound it makes.”

  Adam nodded. “Didn’t I tell you to wait in the other room?”

  “You actually meant it?” She looked surprised.

  “Well, yeah.”

  Emma chuckled quietly. “That’s so cute.”

  “At least stay behind me.” He should have known she’d never listen to him. Adam turned so that his body mostly blocked hers as they moved slowly through the family room.

  Emma did as he asked and followed close on his heels as they made it to the door. Adam used the barrel of his weapon to move the blinds enough that he could see out into the yard.

  “Do you see anything?” Emma whispered behind him, her breath warm on his neck.

  “No,” he replied.

  One of the dogs let out a little yip that made them both jump. “That’s just Ricky. He’s a yipper.”

  Adam nodded, his hand on the doorknob. “Stay down and out of sight, okay?”

  “Fine.” Emma moved over behind the sofa that faced the door and ducked down.

  Stepping to the side of the door, he yanked it open and held his breath, waiting for gunfire. The only thing that came through that door were two balls of fur, scampering and barking as they passed through the room.

  “Ricky! Lucy!” Emma scooped the two pups up in her arms and hugged them close. They covered her face with licks as she giggled. “You scared us so much.”

  “Keep the dogs in here with you,” Adam said. “I’m going to close the door when I go outside to look around.”

  “Okay. Be careful. Please.”

  Gun out in front of him, Adam leaned over and peered into the backyard. Everything appeared quiet. Stepping through the door, he shone the flashlight all around. The large fenced-in area looked empty. Moving cautiously, he checked the side of the house and then the gate. The latch hung from the gate by one sc
rew, and the door moved slightly in the breeze. Adam shone his light on the ground around the entryway, stopping when he caught sight of a perfectly formed shoeprint in the soft dirt.

  By the size and the smooth, slightly pointed impression, it appeared to be a man’s dress shoe, but he’d need to get the crime scene tech out to the yard to examine it to know for sure.

  Pulling out his cell phone, he first snapped a few pictures of it, then sent them with a text to the tech on call, asking her to come and check it out. She responded immediately, letting him know she was on her way. He sent the same photo and a text to his lieutenant to keep him in the loop.

  Adam headed back into the house. When he made it to the patio at the door, he caught sight of a paper bag full of something on the cement. Using the flashlight, he looked into the open top of the bag and spotted a rock and a piece of paper.

  “Hey, Emma? Do you have any gloves in the first aid kit?”

  Emma stuck her head out the door. “You need gloves? For what?”

  “Our visitor may have left us a gift.” He pointed at the brown bag. “I want to check it out but not touch it in case there are fingerprints.”

  “Okay. Be right back.”

  Adam continued to survey the area, finding a mark in the trim around the door where the rock probably had hit. That would have definitely set the dogs barking. Thankfully, they were so distracted by the bag, they didn’t notice the open back gate. He’d have to remember to tell Emma the latch was broken before she let them out again.

  Emma reappeared in the doorway and handed Adam some blue gloves. “What do you think is in the bag?”

  Adam handed the flashlight to Emma and pulled on the gloves, one at a time. The porch light provided enough illumination for him to see the bag’s contents. “Let’s find out.”

  He leaned over and pulled the top of the bag as open as he could and reached in, pulling out the rock that sat at the bottom. A white piece of paper had been wrapped around it and held in place with a rubber band. Removing the rubber band, he peeled the paper away and turned it over. A small photograph of Adam and Emma sitting in the kitchen eating their omelets fell from the folded paper.

  Emma leaned over to pick it up, but Adam stopped her. “Don’t. Let me. It could have prints on it, remember?”

  “Oh, right. Sorry.” She stood back up.

  Adam picked up the photo instead, resting it on the rock in his hand. “How did he manage this?”

  “I know how,” Emma said. “There’s a new gadget that you can use to print digital pictures from your cell phone. It’s kind of like a Polaroid camera—instant gratification. What I don’t understand is why he’d watch us eat, take a picture, then throw it at us. Why not just shoot me through the window?”

  “He’s sending a message. Letting us know he’s in charge. That he can get to you anytime he wants and is enjoying the little game of cat and mouse that has developed.”

  “He’s taunting me?”

  Adam nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

  Emma rubbed her hands over her face. “What do we do now?”

  Adam returned the rock and the note to the paper bag. “We need to figure out a safe place for you to go.”

  “I can’t leave the dogs.”

  “I know,” Adam replied. “Once crime scene gets here, I’ll come inside, and we can figure it out together. I have to stay out here until Vonda arrives.”

  Emma rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “It sure did get cold. I’ll go start a pot of coffee.”

  “Perfect. Thanks. Just stay away from uncovered windows, okay?”

  As Emma disappeared back into the house, Adam pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed the station.

  “Staunton police. Non-emergency line. How can I help you?”

  “Hey, Simmons. It’s Marshall. I’m going to give you an address. Can you send a car over to sit on the place tonight? Someone is stalking the resident and I’m pretty sure the person will try to come back here.”

  “Sure thing, Detective. As soon as you give me the address, I’ll send a car on over.”

  “Thanks.” He gave Simmons the address and disconnected the call.

  This thing with Emma had gotten too serious too quickly. Whoever it was she’d seen killed, they must have been mixed up with some really bad people.

  A flash of light, accompanied by the sound of an engine, caught Adam’s attention. A car door slammed. He drew his gun and moved to the side of the house where he could see over the fence.

  “Hello?” a voice called. “Detective Marshall?”

  “Back here, Vonda! Follow the fence around until you find a gate. The latch is busted. You might want to check it for fingerprints. There’s a footprint that I marked over there too.”

  “Always the thorough one,” Vonda replied, stepping through the gate, flashlight in one hand and toolbox in the other. “There’s a good-sized scuff mark just below the handle on the outside. I’m guessing your perp kicked this sucker open.”

  Adam frowned as he studied the mark. “Those dogs were so loud, we never heard it.”

  Vonda shrugged. “They probably heard him coming and tried to tell you. What else you got?”

  “Over by the back door.” He pointed to the house. “There’s a brown paper bag with a rock and a photograph inside.”

  “So, the perp kicked open the gate Pulp Fiction-style, then tossed you a note and took off?” Vonda walked across the yard, using her flashlight to check the ground as she walked.

  “That’s what I’m thinking. And before you ask, I’ve got Emma in protective custody for the night. We are not on a date or anything.”

  Vonda looked at him over her shoulder. “Why would I even care?”

  “The photo inside the bag shows us eating dinner in her kitchen.”

  She set her tool kit down on the patio and turned to face him. “I’m just here for the evidence, Detective. What you do in your off time ain’t none of my business. What I am wondering is why some dude came blasting through here like he’s in the next Die Hard movie to leave you a picture of yourself.”

  “You’re a bit of an action movie buff, aren’t you?”

  “I’m not asking you what you do on your off time, so don’t ask me.” Vonda pulled on a pair of gloves and took out her camera to take a couple pictures of the patio and the bag.

  Adam raised his hands in mock surrender. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend.”

  “You’re good.” She picked up the bag and examined it. Grabbing her camera, she snapped a few pictures of the outside, then pulled out the contents, setting all three items on the patio table. “Nice pic of you, Detective. Perp got your good side.”

  Adam peered over her shoulder. “All you can see is my shoulder and the side of my head.”

  Vonda chuckled. “I know.”

  The door opened, and Emma stepped out carrying two mugs of hot coffee. “Oh! I didn’t realize we had a visitor.”

  “Emma Thomas, this is Vonda Luray, one of our crime scene technicians.”

  Vonda gave Emma a quick glance. “Nice to meet you, miss.”

  Emma handed one of the cups to Adam, then offered the other to Vonda. “Nice to meet you as well. Coffee?” She pointed to the door. “I’ve got cream and sugar inside.”

  “I’m good, honey. Thanks so much.” Vonda went back to her work.

  “What should I do?” Emma asked Adam. “Do you need me out here or can I go inside?”

  Emma had a little hint of something he couldn’t quite decipher in her voice. Her glance kept moving to Vonda and then back to him like she wanted to keep an eye on the other woman. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Emma might be a tiny bit jealous.

  “You can go on inside. No reason for us both to be cold. I’ll be in when Vonda’s done processing the scene.”

  “Won’t be too long,” Vonda said from over by the gate where she dusted for fin
gerprints. “You’ll have your man back all warm and cozy in no time.”

  “Oh, no,” Emma said, her face turning a warm shade of crimson. “Adam’s not my man. “

  Adam laughed, enjoying her embarrassment a bit more than he probably should have. “You don’t have to sound so disgusted by the idea.”

  Emma’s flush deepened. “I didn’t mean—”

  Vonda gave Adam a big grin. “Detective Marshall here’s a fine-lookin’ man. Even if he is a little uptight for my own tastes.”

  “I’m not uptight! I’m just reserved.”

  Vonda made a little clicking noise with her tongue. “Reserved? Is that what they call it now when someone is strung tighter than that tiny string on a violin?”

  “Don’t you have some prints to finish lifting?” Adam asked as Vonda laughed.

  “You can’t hurry art.” She pulled a piece of tape off a large roll. “But don’t worry, I’ll be out of your hair in a minute or two.”

  “I’m just going to feed the dogs and clean up in the kitchen. Thanks for coming out here to do this.” Emma pulled open the door and disappeared inside the house.

  “She’s cute. No wonder you like her,” Vonda said casually as she brushed some more powder on the gate.

  “It’s not like that. We know each other from high school.”

  “I hope you know her well. ‘Cause from where I’m sittin’, it looks like that woman’s got some secrets.”

  Adam shrugged. They all did. “I don’t know about secrets, but she does have the local drug cartel after her.”

  “And so you’ve gone all Romancing the Stone and plan to protect her.”

  “I see you’re still speaking in movie titles.”

  Vonda laughed and motioned around the yard. “This job is just a stepping stone in my career. I want to consult on action movies one day.”

  “And leave all that Staunton has to offer behind?”

  She shrugged. “I just want something more.”

  Almost the same thing Emma had said about leaving Staunton. He loved his hometown and didn’t understand a need to escape it but apparently it really was a thing.