by Nora LeDuc
When the chief scowled at him, Noah added, “I overheard a few community members mention the fact.” Everyone he met. The fling had been the talk of Hawick Falls during the long, boring winter. Townspeople rotated the names of different women for the scarlet-letter role. A rumor flew that the police had arrested a bagboy at Muffy’s for running a betting ring on the woman’s identity.
“We don’t investigate sins,” the chief growled. “Otherwise, we’d have to double the force. So, bring those girls home, restore faith in our department and prove your worth.”
“Glad you don’t expect much.”
“Save the jokes. Get going.”
Noah’s adrenaline revved up. He savored challenges. He stuck the folder under his arm and crossed the wooden floor to the exit. What was the quickest way? Hawick Falls was nestled between the White Mountains with their breathtaking peaks and the sparkling, clear waters of the Lakes Region. Noah loved the place, but not the crowds of tourists the landscape and outlets at the north end of the city attracted. The visitors flocked to stores at the noon hour.
He’d take the Falls Back Road. Being a townie, he always drove the shortcuts or less traveled routes. The road ran parallel to the winding river and ended near the cascade in the village. Sister Mountains to the northwest overlooked the valley.
“Cassidy, I have one more thing.”
The edge in the chief’s tone warned him his boss had saved the slap on the wrist for last.
“Buy a new shirt. We’re not the Rag Squad.”
You look handsome in your gray shirt, June whispered from the past. The hitch of pride in her voice swirled in his memory until pain bit into him. He rubbed a hand over his face. “Yes, sir.”
Noah shoved the scene out of his thoughts. He headed out of the office, keeping his thoughts focused on the case. Now what items would a teenage girl grab when she left her house? She’d grab her phone. If only the rest of the case came together as easily.
He exited into the sunlight. The warning echoed in his mind. Restore faith and prove your worth. Noah’s family had been destroyed in the boating accident, but he was determined not to let life break him and end up like his father.
Chapter 4
Teagan raced across the tiled entryway when the bell chimed. All she wanted was to show the police the threat she received this afternoon. Maybe it was an important clue that would lead to Lisa, and to the arrest of the person who’d sent the holy card.
Caution slowed Teagan at the last moment, and she cracked open the door. “Chief Banks, I—”
She’d met the Chief of Police and this wasn’t him. At five feet tall, she was often the smallest individual in the room, but this male must stand about six four and could make an average sized adult feel short. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his gray-button-down shirt, which seemed to emphasize the mass of his arms. In his hand, he held a manila folder.
He raised a brow and removed the sunglasses over his light blue eyes. “Miss Raynes? Chief had an emergency.”
She tilted her head and looked closer.
“I’m—”
“—Noah Cassidy.” The name hurtled past her worries and fears. She opened the door wider. “You worked as a counselor at Camp Mighty Joe.” She’d had a wicked crush on him. Whenever she heard an oldie love song from that summer, she thought of him.
A forgotten memory popped into her consciousness. They were camped on the mountaintop. A canopy of twinkling stars stretching forever above them, but she barely noticed or breathed. Noah Cassidy sat less than a foot from her.
Now he moved impatiently, and she stuffed the scene back into her teenage memories. Although he seemed calm, his gaze roamed over her neighborhood as though he was taking in everything around him or ready to take down a suspect. He tapped his index finger against his thigh.
Yes. Noah Cassidy was a man of action. She would have chosen him from a lineup to search for Lisa. At Mighty Joe, his sense of humor and ability to push his campers to do their best while having fun made him a favorite counselor.
“Mighty Joe was a popular camp.” He stared at her like he was searching through faces and names in his minds.
Of course, he wouldn’t recognize her. She’d attended Mighty Joe fifteen years ago. She was eleven. Aunt Sophia thought weeks spent in the outdoors would be character building. Teagan did her best to win the camper of the month award and not disappoint her.
“You might know me by my camp nickname, Munchkin.” She wrinkled her nose over the moniker.
“Thanks for the reminder, but I’ll stick with Miss Raynes, and I remember you.” He flashed his badge. “But I’m not a counselor anymore. I’m a detective on the Hawick Falls Police Force.”
She must be very memorable by the way he changed the subject, but her conscience reminded her he was here to find Lisa and that was important.
“Please, call me Teagan or I’ll feel like I’m in the classroom.”
“All right, Teagan. I’m following up on the threat you received.”
“Two officers came earlier about it. Is the chief sending everyone and anyone? I mean, we need consistency. Lisa is missing, and I get a warning in the mail. We’re not trying to get a cat out of the tree.”
“Everyone who works the investigation shares information. Don’t worry. We’re a team, pulling to bring Lisa home and keep you safe.”
Lisa home. She averted her face while struggling with a lump in her throat. After a second, she swallowed and regained control. “If you could wait a few minutes for Father Matt, I’d appreciate it. He’s like a member of my family.” She swept a gaze up and down the block lined with maple trees and orange daylilies. Nowhere did she spot Matt’s ten-year-old Suburban rattling on the road. “I guess he’s running late. He had to meet with an engaged couple before they went to work.”
Detective Cassidy crowded closer, and set off Teagan’s alertness to him.
“Mind if I come inside instead of talking on your front porch?” He inclined his head toward the hall.
“Sure.” She was rambling about Matt, but if he didn’t arrive soon, she’d have to face the death threat discussion without his support. She shuffled back a step as Noah entered the hallway.
“Is the bow on the tree for Lisa?”
“Yes. I wanted to share a reminder that she’s still missing.”
A meow brought Teagan’s attention to her pet. The black cat sat at the detective’s feet.
“Is your pet okay?”
“That’s Jogger. She was a stray and lost part of her ears to frostbite. That’s why she appears a little strange. She used to wander out of an abandoned building and join me when I jogged.”
“Got it. Does she cry all the time?” He stepped back and frowned as though the meowing bothered him.
“Say hello and she’ll stop.”
“Hello…cat.” He frowned and patted the air above her head. The animal rubbed against his legs and ceased crying.
Jogger dogged Teagan’s heels as she led the detective into the living room. He stopped in the middle of the floor and scanned the interior. She shot a fleeting glimpse at the coffee table with her stash of aspirin, tissues, and eye drops, sitting on the tabletop and then focused back on the detective.
He was taking in Aunt Sophia’s mismatched furniture like a prospective homebuyer. Her aunt never threw away a furnishing if it was usable and she’d have dusted and vacuumed before she let him inside. Teagan sucked in a deep breath. At least Aunt Sophia wasn’t around for Teagan’s temporary lapse in cleaning. “Is something wrong?”
He shrugged. “Old habit. The place looks fine to me.” He gestured to the bookcase on the wall above the sofa. “You’ve got a lot of books.”
“What?” Teagan pivoted around. The shelves contained an eclectic collection of dictionaries, classics, how to books, and biographies. “I’ve read most of them. When I was growing up, my aunt insisted we have our library hour before I watched TV.”
“My father owned tons of books.”
“Don’t tell me.” She held up her palm. “He was a teacher or librarian.”
“Mechanic.”
So much for guessing a stereotype or that she possessed psychic abilities. She shoved the footstool in front of the red rocker, and Jogger settled on it for a nap.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“I dropped out of teaching summer classes.” That was off track. She wet her lips and started again. “I’m surviving. People I’ve never met have posted hundreds of flyers throughout the city, and we’re planning a vigil.” She tapped the ends of her fingertips together. “My mind imagines terrible things happening to Lisa. I don’t know how to turn it off.”
“Each person has a different strategy. Many talk with a therapist.”
“Everyone has been open to talking to me.”
“Not quite what I meant.”
“Good, because it’s been awful and I don’t recommend it. So far, I’ve learned zero about where Lisa went, but I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about girls who never came home.” The jangle of her bracelets reminded her to stop her nervous habit of waving her hands around. She dropped her arms to her sides. The detective looked cool and unaffected by the heat or her wandering speech. At least he was looking at her, not the room decor.
“I can’t sleep or eat without worrying about her.” Teagan’s body shook with the overflow of emotion for Lisa, mixed with memories of her first infatuation. “I’m babbling. Sorry.” She pressed her damp palms against her tan Capri pants to keep them still.
“You should take care of yourself, Teagan. Becoming sick won’t bring Lisa home.”
The genuine concern in his voice surprised her, and she reconsidered Noah Cassidy. Maybe he was still the boy who radiated strength and confidence. A certainty hit her. This man would find Lisa.
“Did you remember something?”
She averted her gaze while she censored her thoughts. “I’ve been asking myself where Lisa would go. I’ve racked my brain for days.” A cramp knotted in her neck, and she relaxed her shoulders. “I’ve ruled out her parents. They don’t live near Hawick Falls, and they’re in and out of jail. She wants nothing to do with them.”
“Any chance your parents or relatives would take her in?”
“My father…” She shrugged. “He left my mom and me when I was a baby. My mother vanished years ago and has been presumed dead. Aunt Sophia was my last living relative as far as I’m aware.” She frowned. “We weren’t the model for the Brady Bunch.”
“Not many of us are.”
“Lisa was so excited about her adoption on her birthday next month that I can’t believe she’d run off.”
“Lisa didn’t feel she was too old to be adopted?”
He had a lot to learn regarding foster kids. “She wanted a family, relatives, and a place to belong. It’s common for children who weren’t released for adoption to embrace the law allowing adults to become part of a home. My aunt adopted me when I was seven.”
His eyes widened with surprise. “In my job, I only find out about the grown-ups using the legal process to cut someone from the will.” He crossed the carpet to the mantle and paused.
Why was he studying Aunt Sophia’s picture? “Do you have a question, Detective?”
“What? Oh, is that your aunt?” He stepped aside and pointed at her photo with her upswept, auburn hair.
“Yes. Next to her is my Uncle Nick, her husband. He died after their third wedding anniversary. Is the photo important? You seem distracted.”
“I’m just getting background information. And this is you with your aunt?” He gestured to her college graduation picture in a smaller frame. Teagan wanted to wince when she looked at her younger self with her hair frizzed out two feet.
“We were at the Keene State College commencement.” After that day, she’d never expected to live in Hawick Falls again because she was off to conquer the world. The surprise was on her.
The detective cleared his throat, drawing her attention to him. “If you don’t mind, we can discuss your threat.”
A pain stabbed above her eyebrow. The afternoon heat had intensified the headache that had started with the holy card. She swiped at her damp forehead and crossed the flowered rug to the bay windows. “I’d like a little fresh air before we talk.” Or she’d pass out. She yanked on the sill’s lock without success. Sweat trickled down her neck, and her head throbbed. “We don’t have AC, and I can’t find the fans.”
“Allow me.” He set the manila folder on the upholstered chair and scooted behind it.
His long fingers grasped the catch, and he flipped the pane upward with the ease of flicking a switch.
Dust flew off the ridge and landed on her white shirt while a breeze rushed inside. She sighed with relief and brushed off the grime. “I’m glad Aunt Sophia’s not here. She’d hate for a visitor to see dirt in her house.” She glanced up to find Noah watching her with unmistakable dark heat in his eyes. She swallowed and awareness filled her every pore, even the air she breathed.
He broke eye contact and stepped away from her. “I’ll never tell anyone. Pinky swear.” For a second, a grin softened the hard lines that had formed in his tan face since his younger days, and the desire disappeared from his eyes.
Had she imagined the expression in his gaze? One thing was certain. He was a good-looking man who oozed coolness. “You’re handy to have around.” She forced lightness into her tone to hide her true thoughts.
“You’ll find a few who disagree,” he said in a sober voice.
What had he meant by his comment?
“We should sit and talk.” He motioned toward the sofa.
“Okay.”
He chose the chair at the head of the room while she perched on the couch across from the fireplace. He dug a pen out of his shirt pocket and opened the file on his lap. “We can go over a few basics before Father Matt arrives. Tell me about the threat you received today.”
Teagan’s thoughts turned to the holy card she’d place behind the frame on the mantle. She wanted to wait, but who knew when Matt would appear? She linked her fingers and cupped them around her knees to hold herself together. “As I’ve explained to the two officers who arrived earlier, at lunchtime I—”
No sooner had the words left her lips than the doorbell rang.
Chapter 5
The doorbell rang two short rings followed by one long. Jogger sprang from her stool and padded to the hall.
“Aren’t you going to answer?” Noah asked her.
“Father Matt’s here. Aunt Sophia gave him a spare key when she was ill before I returned. He brought her magazines, medicine, and food. I told him to keep the key. He helps out if I can’t be around for a repairman or checks on Jogger. When he knows I’m home, he rings to let me know he’s coming inside.”
The sound of footsteps in the hall announced the priest was in the house.
He appeared in the living room dressed in black pants and shirt. He wore his collar, which meant he’d been working. Jogger paused near the priest to let out a meow and returned to her stool after a pat.
Teagan gave Matt a quick hug. As she stepped away, she caught Detective Cassidy leaning forward, his gaze fixed on them, and his lips twisted downward. What was wrong with him?
“Any news, Teagan?” Matt tilted his silver-haired head and peered into her face. His wide blue eyes communicated hope, and the familiar scent of evergreen mints couldn’t mask the cigarette smoke lingering around him.
“No word from Lisa, but Detective Cassidy is here.” She gestured toward him.
Matt crossed the room to the detective with an outstretched hand. “Sorry, I’m late.” He scanned the detective’s features, but his expression remained stoic.
“Stacey, the church secretary, stopped me with a few questions before I left.” After they exchanged handshakes, Matt settled on the sofa next to Teagan. He removed a white envelope from his pocket and set it on the sofa’s arm. Had he found something about Lisa?
&nb
sp; “You’re joining the search too, detective?” Matt asked.
“Detective Hines and I are partners. I was away until today.”
“Since the introductions are done,” she said with a tight smile. “I’ll explain the reason we’re together.” She glanced at Matt who gave her a nod of reassurance. “As you know, Detective, I received a death threat in today’s mail.” Her stomach did a flip-flop. She wet her dry lips and blurted, “The card was addressed to me and said, ‘You die next’.”
Noah blinked and she guessed what he was thinking. Was Lisa already dead?
Teagan blinked away the tears stinging her eyes and drew in a calming breath. “The sender printed out the words and omitted a signature, of course. Matt encouraged me to report the threat immediately.”
“You discussed it with Father Matt?” A dent formed between the detective’s brows.
Was that strange? Matt was her closest ally now that her best friend Lucy was gone. “Uh, yes, he called me right after I read the note.”
“You just happened to call?” Noah fixed his narrow gaze on Matt.
“I’m helping with the vigil and wanted to discuss a few details. I’ve known Teagan since she was little,” the priest added. “We trust each other.”
Cassidy’s lips formed into a flat line of disapproval. “From now on, relay information only to law enforcement. Detective Hines and I will take care of the threat, not Father Matt.”
She didn’t like Noah Cassidy’s stern reprimand or how he seemed to be hinting she shouldn’t count on Matt. A long-ago memory of a younger Matt handing her a peppermint at the Sharing Kitchen flashed through Teagan’s mind.
Her temper boiled. “Matt is the most reliable person I know.”
Matt rested a hand on her arm. “The detective’s right.”
She bit her lip to stop the protest and folded her hands together. She could be diplomatic, especially since Lisa’s return depended on this man. “In the future, I’ll trust you both.”
All right, she was semi-diplomatic.
Noah frowned at her. “Father, I’d appreciate you letting me handle the matter from this point. It’s for your safety, too.”
