Murder on the Mountain: A Marshall Brothers Novel

by Carolyn LaRoche

  His buddy, Marco, kicked the can one more time and then went over and got into the driver seat. The engine roared to life as Marco turned the truck around and headed back down the mountain.

  “I wonder what he was looking for?” Adam said.

  Emma looked over at him. “I think I know.”

  “How?” Her admission surprised him.

  “Because I think I found it first.”

  He looked down to see Emma holding out her phone. A picture of her sleeve-covered palm holding a gold ring with a black stone. “How do you know this is his?”

  She scrolled to the next photo and pointed to an inscription. “Because it has a heart and the name Tara inscribed on the back.”

  “Where did you find that? Better yet, where is it now?”

  “I found it in the cabinet over the stove. I think that might be the drop place. There wasn’t any dust in there. Like, at all.”

  “Well, he obviously didn’t find it. Can you show me where it’s at?”

  Emma nodded and led the way back to the cabin. When they stepped inside, she pointed to the cabinet. “There. I found it way in the back corner.”

  Adam stepped up onto the step stool and pulled a flashlight from his pocket that he shone inside the cupboard. “You’re right. There’s definitely not much dust in here, except on the old cans of food. It looks like someone dragged something though, leaving some scratch marks in the wood.” He reached in a pocket and grabbed a plastic baggie. Using the bag like a glove he picked up the ring and wrapped the bag around it before tucking it in his shirt pocket.

  Adam stepped down off the chair and returned the flashlight to his pocket. “I think you might be right. This has to be the drop spot.”

  “So, what do we do now?” Emma asked.

  “I’m going to call it in so that the scene can be secured and the techs can check for more evidence. Now that I know there’s actually been a crime committed here, we need to follow procedure.”

  “If you do that, you’ll never make your case. They won’t come here anymore.”

  “Let me call the lieutenant and see what he thinks.” Adam stepped away to place his call. While it rang, he watched Emma’s expression run through a full gamut of emotion, wondering about the secrets he had really begun to suspect she carried around with her.

  When he explained the situation to Lieutenant Waters, his boss agreed with not turning it into an official scene yet. He’d send someone up to watch it, out of sight, until a sting could be set up. Adam just had to take plenty of photos and bring back a sample of the bloodstain. Easy enough to accomplish by pulling a couple of splinters out of the floorboards.

  Putting his phone in his pocket, he walked back to the front of the cabin. “I just have to take a few photos and then we can head out.”

  Emma frowned. “Lockdown time.”

  Adam’s stomach made a loud growling sound. “We get lunch first though. I’m starving, and you promised me a burger and hot, salty fries.”

  She laughed. “Fine. But then what?”

  Adam rested a hand at the small of Emma’s back and led her toward the porch. He wondered for a moment if the touch was too intimate, but Emma showed no discomfort, and if he were being honest, it just felt right. “I’ll get you settled at the cabin, then head back to the station to set up surveillance on this place. We need to catch them in the act.”

  “How?” she asked as they crossed the clearing.

  “I’m part of a joint operation with the FBI and ATF. We’ve long suspected they had a drop spot in the area, and you have cracked that part of the case for us. We still need to catch them in the act though and you were right, if we tape off the cabin and bring crime scene in here, we lose all the ground we’ve gained. There’s a lot of man hours invested in this. I’m going to work out a rotation for each agency, make sure the cabin is being watched twenty-four-seven until we get what we need.”

  “And I get to stay locked up in the middle of nowhere, missing all the fun.” Adam took his photos and collected the splinters before exiting the cabin.

  Emma stayed quiet as they followed the path down the mountain. Adam gave her some space to work through the emotions she had to be feeling about everything that had happened. When they made it to the spot where they had both left their cars, Emma went straight to hers without speaking to him.

  “Emma?” he called after her.

  “I know. It’s time for me to go to prison.” She didn’t even look back at him. “I’ll follow you to the station so we can park my car.”

  Eleven

  Emma was frustrated, and he didn’t blame her one bit. The whole situation had so many ifs, ands, and buts—too much uncertainty for his type A brain to accept. The one thing he did know though, was that he had to get Emma to safety so he could concentrate on finding the people running drugs through that cabin and the person who wanted Emma dead. Not to mention, he really needed to locate the murder victim Emma had seen the day before. Until they did, no body meant no victim, and in the eyes of the court, it would be hard to prove a crime.

  But first, they needed food.

  Adam walked over to her car and tapped on the glass. Emma put the window down. “What?”

  “When we get back to the station, I need to put the cuff link and the blood samples in the evidence room. We can also leave your car in the secure lot again. Then, of course, we’ll eat.”

  Emma rolled her eyes and motioned to the car. “I doubt anyone is gonna try and steal this hot mess.”

  “It’s not that bad,” Adam said.

  “Whatever you say. I’ll follow you to the station.”

  “Sounds good.” Adam got into his own vehicle and pulled out of the lot.

  The drive to the station passed uneventfully. Emma followed him into the lot and parked her car in the back corner. She didn’t say much as they walked inside.

  Adam pointed to a sofa in the lobby. “If you want to wait here, I’ll only be a minute.”

  Emma nodded and sat as he walked down a hall toward the property and evidence room. Her new round of silence worried him.

  “Hey, Marshall.” One of the patrol officers, John Parrish, stood at a table filling out an evidence form for a shotgun and some heroin.

  “Busy day?” Adam motioned to the items as he grabbed a blank form and an envelope.

  “Nothing out of the ordinary.” Parrish used a zip tie to attach a tag to the shotgun.

  “I remember a day when guns and drugs weren’t part of the daily life in Staunton.”

  Parrish elbowed him in the side. “Old Man Marshall talkin’ about the good ole days.”

  “Watch who you’re calling old.” Adam dropped the ring in the envelope, sealed it, and put secure evidence tape over the flap.

  “Did you see the hottie that was in here this morning?” Parrish opened one of the gun lockers in the evidence room and placed the shotgun inside.

  “What hottie?” He better not have been referring to Emma.

  “Brunette with a killer body. Lieutenant says she’s in protective custody. I wonder who the lucky guy is that gets to protect her. I’d be willing to protect her all day long. All night too.”

  Adam narrowed his eyes and gave Parrish a glare. “Don’t talk about women like they’re objects. How would you feel if someone talked about your sister or your mama that way?”

  Parrish raised his hands in mock surrender. “Whoa, old man. I’m just saying she was fine.”

  “You’re right. She is fine. She has a mind of her own, a quick wit, and she’s smarter than you and me put together.”

  “You dating her or something?” Parrish placed the bag of marijuana in a paper evidence bag with secure tape holding it closed. The other man meant it as a joke but Adam took it as anything but.

  “We’re old friends. And I’d appreciate it if you showed her and all women a little more respect.”

 
Parrish laughed. “Oh, Marshall, you really are an old man.”

  Adam filed his forms and locked up the envelopes in the evidence room. “If showing respect to other humans makes me old, then so be it, but I don’t know when thirty-two classified as old.” He slammed the drawer to the file cabinet. “Be safe out there.”

  As he walked away, he could feel Parrish’s eyes on him. Maybe he had gotten a little worked up, but so many of the new kids joining the force seemed to lack basic compassion and manners. Or he really was just getting old.

  Emma still sat on the same little couch when he returned to the lobby. “You ready to eat?”

  She nodded and stood up. “Is this like a death row prisoner getting their last meal?”

  Adam laughed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I’m about to be locked away for an indefinite amount of time.” Emma pushed the door open and walked out of the station.

  He stopped walking. “And you think I won’t feed you?”

  She looked back at him. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

  Adam started walking again, catching up with her. “I gotta admit, Emma, I’m sensing a lot of hostility and I have absolutely no idea why.”

  She sighed heavily. “I know. I’m sorry. This whole thing, not being able to go where I want and do what I want, is hard. I’ve been on my own for a really long time, coming and going as I please. Now, we’re talking about locking me away for who knows how long.”

  Adam unlocked his truck and opened the passenger door for Emma. “It’s not like you’re going to prison.”

  “Might as well be.” Emma climbed up into the cab of the truck. “Don’t worry. I’ll get over it. I’m just complaining.”

  He stepped into the space between the truck and the door, standing so close to Emma he could feel her warmth. Reaching up, he ran the tips of his fingers along the line of her jaw.

  “I have to keep you safe, Emma. This is the only way I know how.”

  Emma wrapped her fingers around his wrist, moving his hand to her lips. She pressed a kiss to his knuckles. “I’m not Leslie. You can’t bring her back by obsessing over this.”

  Her words cut straight through his soul, releasing all the pain and memories he’d carefully stored away. He swallowed hard against the emotions. “It’s not about Leslie. Or, even Miranda, if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s about keeping you alive. I’ve lost enough people I care about.”

  She pressed a palm to his cheek. Her touch sent his heart racing in his chest. “I know. First Miranda and then Leslie. I’m sorry I dumped all of this on you.”

  Adam shook his head. “You didn’t dump anything on me.” His stomach let out a loud complaint. It had been much too long since his last meal. “How about we get that lunch and have a long talk about everything later? I think we both have things we need to discuss.”

  Emma gave him an odd look but nodded and pulled her seat belt over her shoulder.

  “About the case, I mean,” Adam said quickly, closing the truck door. He jogged around the back of the truck, taking a moment to get his emotions in check.

  Emma was right about one thing, and he definitely didn’t want to admit it, even to himself. He had been reliving Leslie’s last few minutes over and over since Emma had shown up in his office. He couldn’t have done anything to prevent Leslie’s—or Miranda’s—death but he could prevent Emma’s. If only she’d stop fighting him at every turn. He climbed into the truck and shut the door.

  “I was thinking we’d hit up Pop’s Diner for lunch. He’s got the best fries in Staunton.” Adam turned the key and the engine roared to life.

  “Sounds like a plan.” Emma gripped the door handle as the truck moved. “I haven’t seen my uncle in a while.”

  Adam pointed to her hand and laughed. “I’m not that bad of a driver.”

  “It’s habit. Sorry.” Emma moved her hand to her lap.

  “I can’t imagine who you’ve been riding with.” Adam pulled out of the lot and onto the main street of town. His stomach growled loudly, again.

  Emma nodded toward Adam. “Time to feed the monster?”

  “No better place than Pop’s.” He pulled the truck to a stop at a red light. Down the block, he caught sight of a familiar vehicle. Black with darkly tinted windows. He pointed through the windshield. “I think someone’s looking for us.”

  Emma let out a long breath. “Can’t we even get some food without someone trying to kill me? What do we do now?”

  “Hold on. I have an idea.” Adam flipped a U-turn in the middle of the street and headed back to the precinct. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before.”

  “Think of what?”

  “The killer knows my truck. He knows your car. But if I take one of the marked cars, he won’t recognize us. At least not right away.”

  Emma nodded. “Good idea.” Her stomach let out a growl almost as loud as his had. “Because I think I really need to eat soon.”

  Adam pulled the truck up to the gate and punched in the code. As it slid to the side, he drove into the lot and parked beside a SUV with the city markings on it. “Hang out here while I run inside and grab the keys.” He pushed open the door and jumped out of the cab.

  Emma gave him a mock salute. “Yes, sir, officer, sir.”

  He paused. “Sorry. I guess I slipped into cop mode for a minute there.”

  She smiled at him. “It’s okay. I couldn’t resist the tease, that’s all.”

  Adam winked at her and closed the door, his stomach rumbling once more. As he walked into the police station, he took one last quick look over his shoulder. Emma sat in the front seat, looking at her phone, her silky hair falling around her face. The sun caught some of the natural golden highlights, forming a halo-like aura around her head. His heart rate kicked up a notch once more as he imagined pushing that hair behind her ear and pressing a kiss to the sensitive spot on the side of her neck.

  He shook his head to clear the image. They had to solve this case before anything more could happen. Not that he was entirely sure anything more would happen. He and Emma had a considerable amount of water under their bridge, and he had no idea if she was willing to wade through it with him or not.

  Emma pulled out her phone, opened her email, and scanned the new messages. The feeling like she was being watched gave her a run of goose bumps on her arms. As she glanced up, she caught Adam looking at her. The intensity in his stare warmed her cheeks, and she looked away quickly. Seeing him again, spending so much time together under such crazy circumstances, had her head and her heart all confused. Adam had been her first crush. She’d just never told anyone, and she’d wanted him to kiss her that night, despite knowing her best friend’s intentions.

  Emma turned her focus back to her phone. There were several unread emails that needed her attention, and right now was not the time to get distracted by old feelings.

  There was a message from her parents. She opened that one to see several pictures of them on a beach in Fiji. Her mom had the biggest smile Emma had ever seen. Their trip was definitely the right way for her hardworking parents to spend their retirement. A third email came from an unknown sender. Emma got a lot of spam email and letters from readers. Most of those were comments and questions on the articles she wrote. A few were from angry readers and the occasional wannabe stalker. She almost deleted it but at the last second changed her mind and opened it.

  Miss Thomas,

  We know where you live. We know everything about you. You can run but you can’t hide.

  There was no signature, and the email address gave her no information about the sender.

  Adam walked out of the building. Emma grabbed her purse and phone and climbed down out of the truck before Adam could do something like help her down again.

  His smile faded when he got to where she stood. “Are you okay?”

  “I am. But I have to show y
ou something.” She opened the email and handed her phone to Adam so he could read it.

  He frowned, two little creases forming at the bridge of his nose. For the briefest second, Emma wanted to reach up and touch those lines, but she didn’t.

  “When did you get this?” he asked.

  Emma shrugged. “Sometime since we left the house this morning. Timestamp says nine thirty.”

  “Please forward it to me so I can get someone to try and track it.” Adam handed her a business card with his work email address on it.

  Emma tapped out the address and hit Send. Adam’s phone pinged a moment later.

  “Let’s get you something to eat and then out to the cabin. I’ll feel better when you’re out of harm’s way. Then I can find this creep and put a stop to all this.” Adam pulled open the door to the police SUV. His expression had turned serious, determination darkening his eyes. The smile she’d been enjoying so much that morning had been replaced by lips set in a straight line.

  Emma climbed into the SUV and waited while Adam put her overnight bag and computer case in the back. When he got in the truck beside her, he inserted the key and started the engine before speaking again. “How do you feel about a drive-through rather than sitting down at the diner?”

  “Nope. I want a meal. If it’s going to be my last, it needs to have more flavor than fryer oil and dehydrated onions.” Emma crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a look that said she wasn’t budging on that.

  Adam sighed. “Fine. We’ll go to the diner but stay away from doors and windows while we’re in there.”

  She reached over and touched his arm lightly, hoping she didn’t react visibly when the spark of energy bounced between them at the simple contact. “Thank you, Adam.”

  “It’s just lunch.” He reached up and placed his hand on top of hers.

  “I’m not talking just about lunch, and I’m pretty sure you know that.”

  “Yeah. I do. I’d do anything for you. I think you know that—have always known that.”

  Emma moved her hand away and turned to look out the window. They both stayed quiet for the rest of the drive.