Unlocking Fear

by Kennedy Layne

  “God knows I could use it,” Harlan mumbled, turning over the white porcelain coffee cup in front of him. “Practically every town and city in Ohio has seen an uptick in real estate recently. You’d think the same could be said for Blyth Lake, but that just isn’t the case.”

  “That’s because everyone is packing up and taking jobs in the cities. The service industry is all that’s left. Look at Cassie. That’s what she did all those years ago. The only reason she’s back is to take care of her mother’s business. As for all these other younger folks? Hell, they wouldn’t know how to change the oil in their own car if their lives depended on it. God help them if they needed to change a tire without roadside service.” Calvin nodded to Molly when she hovered the pot of coffee over his mug after having filled Harlan’s. “I have brand new tool sets that are collecting dust in the back of my store because no one wants to get their hands dirty anymore.”

  “The usual, Harlan?” Molly set the glass carafe back on the burner before pulling out an order pad from her apron. “With or without gravy today?”

  Reese continued to observe the two men quietly as they picked up their conversation after Harlan had agreed to the extra brown gravy over his meatloaf. She realized that he never truly answered Calvin’s question regarding the possibility of a new client. Harlan was right about the real estate around here, though. The older properties were definitely a harder sell to the younger set.

  She’d been waiting for the right time to speak with Calvin, but the diner had been too quiet. Anyone here would have been able to hear their entire conversation. She would have to come up with a reason to stop by the hardware store this week. Maybe she could pick up a roadside emergency kit. She could just imagine the look on his face if she did that. Her father had long since taught her how to change a tire, do an oil change, and set the points properly on a dwell meter.

  Calvin was in his early sixties with greying hair, but seemed like a nice enough guy. He’d been one of the counselors at the camp Sophia and Emma had attended twelve years ago. It was possible that he remembered something back then that would shed light on why two girls from the same summer camp went missing exactly twelve months of apart from one another.

  Reese wasn’t kidding herself that she would find either one of them alive and well. It was more of a personal goal to prove to her family that Sophia hadn’t run away like everyone seemed to think. Even Aunt Lydia had finally yielded to the pressure regarding that theory, which was why Sophia’s room remained intact. Aunt Lydia still held out hope that Sophia would eventually return home someday like she’d just forgotten where they lived or something.

  “You okay, darlin’?”

  Reese glanced up to find Molly looking at her with concern.

  “I’m still trying to figure out where I’m going to fit this,” Reese said without missing a beat. She used the side of the fork prongs to cut off another bite of pie.

  “You could use a pound or two, if you ask me.” Molly smiled down at her as she rested one hand on her hip, looking as if she planned to stay awhile. “You never did say why you chose Blyth Lake to take your summer vacation. Seems to me that you might find more to do in the city.”

  Some of the conversations taking place around the diner slowed down or stopped altogether. Reese was very familiar with how small towns worked, and the gossip mill was waiting on more grist for the stone to churn out another fresh story to the other gossipmongers among them. It was why she’d been very careful on how she worded her questions about Sophia.

  It was only natural that the townsfolk were curious about her, but she hadn’t wanted to reveal the real reason she was here. Blyth Lake’s residents were protective of one another, rightfully so, just as they were in Heartland. What she wanted to find out was if a werewolf might be lurking around seeking out the defenseless lambs among the gentle sheep.

  Yes, that sounded dramatic, but it was true nonetheless.

  It looked as if she would have to come clean though, because she wouldn’t lie to these good people either. She had just parted her lips to share her story when the bell above the door chimed again.

  The diner erupted in loud greetings and even some heartfelt applause.

  Reese watched as the two men, who were at the old Yoder farm, entered the diner, the younger one taking the attention in stride with a bit of a flush. He greeted every patron as if they were family, even suffering through the quick embraces and pecks on the cheek from some of the older ladies.

  Who was this man and why was everyone treating him like a rock star?

  “If it isn’t Noah Kendall,” Cassie sang loudly as she came through the swinging doors. Her entrance had been timed perfectly. Noah had just finished greeting everyone right when the middle-aged woman stepped into his path, wrapping her arms around his neck. She’d quite obviously taken him by surprise. Reese had thought of Cassie as a downhome country girl who chose to spend her money on fashion. Now? A cougar had emerged, with shiny fangs and all. “Well, don’t you look as handsome as ever, darlin’.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. More worse for wear, I’d say.”

  Noah had one of those rich voices that sent shivers down a girl’s back. He’d shifted a bit to escape the woman’s forward embrace. It was then that his startling blue eyes met hers and held them for just that singular moment, just enough time to spark a fire in her soul.

  Reese hadn’t meant to draw attention to herself, but his sudden wink had her fumbling the fork in her hand.

  “Can I finally share the news, Gus?” Harlan had turned on his stool, respectfully waiting his turn. He held out his hand to Noah in welcome. “Good to see you, Noah.”

  “Likewise,” Noah greeted, finally allowing Reese to breathe a little as he diverted his attention to the real estate agent. There was something about him that stole all the oxygen from the room. “And yes, Dad and I just came back from looking over the old Yoder farmhouse.”

  “The Noah Kendall place now,” Harlan announced to everyone, puffing out his chest as he broadcasted one of his latest sales. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you, Harlan.”

  The older man standing behind Noah had to be his father. They were almost the same height, shared the same handsome features, and there was a proudness in the way his gaze rested on Noah that only a parent could own.

  Reese did her best to blend in with the booth as she continued to watch what appeared to be some kind of traditional homecoming. She took another bite of her apple pie, observing and listening to what was going on around her.

  Kendall. She recalled seeing the Kendall surname on her list of people who had attended the camp with Sophia, but the first name had been Lance. Maybe they were brothers?

  “You think that was a greeting?” Gus muttered as he claimed the booth in front of Reese. His back was to her, which meant Noah was now facing her. Reese averted her gaze down to what was left of her apple pie. She didn’t want to get caught eavesdropping. “You just wait until we hit Tiny’s Cavern tonight. Your old crowd still hangs out there every Thursday night.”

  “I want to stop by Calvin’s hardware store to pick up some wood for the windows before hitting Tiny’s. I don’t like leaving the house exposed like that. It’s about time I put the town’s teenagers on notice that the place isn’t open season any longer for their tags. Douchebag Manor is closed for business.”

  Reese wanted to join in their conversation and tell Noah Kendall that he should probably just flip the property rather than sink too much money into the place. Harlan was still at the counter waiting on his meatloaf. There wasn’t anything wrong with admitting mistakes, and in her opinion, Noah had made a huge one.

  There was something very dark about that farmhouse at the end of the road.

  The two men continued to talk about what work needed to be done on the house first before turning to family matters. It didn’t surprise her to find out that Noah was returning home after serving twelve years in the Marines. His entire demeanor, the
way he carried himself, and the way his gaze had taken in every patron in the place had told her he was a warrior—either military, law enforcement, or both.

  Noah’s black hair was cut in a traditional high and tight, similar to the way her uncle had kept his styled for years after he retired from the Army. Uncle Theo also had some pretty high standards to live up to, which had always been a point of contention between him and his children. Tanner had eventually fallen into line, but Sophia had rebelled with her whole heart.

  “You never did get around to saying why you chose Blyth Lake as the place for your summer vacation.” Molly really needed to scrape the soles of her shoes or something. This was the second time she’d snuck up on Reese. The cheerful, yet prying, waitress slid the check on the table while she waited for Reese to answer. “You have relatives around these parts?”

  “Um, no, not really,” Reese replied, delaying the inevitable as she used the white napkin to wipe away the nonexistent crumbs on her lips. She wasn’t sure why she looked in Noah’s direction, but she couldn’t say she was surprised he was waiting for her answer with the rest of the diner. Here went nothing. “I actually grew up in Heartland, around thirty miles from here. I’m in town because of—”

  “Well, if it ain’t my favorite nephew.”

  Reese was once again saved from answering Molly’s question when a man’s voice echoed throughout the diner. Reese hadn’t heard the bell chime as she had been fortifying herself for what could very well turn out to be animosity in attempting to dig up the past. She was here for the summer, so she’d been taking it slow in bringing up Emma Irwin’s disappearance while seeking the answers she sought. It appeared she’d been given a little more time.

  “Uncle Jimmy.” Noah slid out from the booth and offered his hand to a male who wasn’t quite as tall and didn’t resemble the Kendall men in any way. Reese wondered if maybe Jimmy wasn’t the brother of Noah’s mother rather than his dad. It would explain the lighter hair and more hawkish features. “It’s been a while.”

  “Three years, near as I can figure.” Jimmy didn’t so much as look in Gus’ direction. Tension had settled over the diner, and it was obvious there was some bad blood between these family members. Noah didn’t seem at all bothered by it, though. “I hear you’re back home for good.”

  “I am,” Noah replied, shifting out of the way so that Cassie could set their drink order down on the table. It was unusual to see her waiting on tables, but it appeared she made exceptions every now and then. “It’s good to be back. I’m ready to settle in.”

  Maybe Reese had spent too much time in the city, but everyone listening in on Noah’s future plans had her a tad bit uncomfortable. The townsfolk were the same in Heartland, but this was different. It was as if the customers were well aware of the Kendall clan’s family issues and were just waiting for the wrong thing to be said. She didn’t like it, and she certainly didn’t want to be here when the bomb dropped.

  “Here you go,” Reese whispered, handing Molly a twenty-dollar bill. Her meal and dessert had only come to fifteen dollars, but she always tried to tip well. She’d been a waitress once back in college and understood what a thankless job it could be. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I gotta get going while I still got some light.”

  Calvin had chosen that moment to stand up from the counter, giving Reese the perfect opportunity to talk to him as they both left the diner. There was only one problem. She had to get past Noah and Jimmy to reach the door.

  “Excuse me,” Reese said softly, having every intention of going around them. Unfortunately, Jimmy backed up with the objective of giving her space. It did no such thing. Instead, she was forced to turn her body as she slipped between the two men. “Sorry.”

  “It’s no trouble at all.”

  The richness of Noah’s tone practically danced over her skin. Their eyes met once more. Was it even possible for a man to have eyes as pretty as he did?

  Reese was finally able to breathe somewhat easier when she pushed open the glass door of the diner and stepped out into the sunshine. The humidity of the late afternoon air hadn’t diminished in any way, but it was somehow cooler than being in Noah’s direct presence.

  She would do well to stay away from him, especially considering he was related to Lance Kendall. It wasn’t that she thought that any of the teens who had attended the summer camp with Sophia and Emma were involved in their disappearances. After all, twelve months separated their cases.

  But ever since Reese had seen the two of them smiling together in that picture she’d found in Sophia’s room, she hadn’t been able to shake that what happened to the both of them was somehow related. It would be really nice to give her family some closure, if it was at all possible.

  “Oh, excuse me,” Calvin Arlo said after opening the door behind Reese. She hadn’t moved far enough out of the way for him to step out onto the sidewalk. “I didn’t see you there.”

  “I should be the one apologizing,” Reese said with a smile, shifting so that he could close the door behind him. He regarded her rather suspiciously as he slipped his John Deere cap over his greying hair. “Actually, do you mind if I walk with you? I was hoping to stop by your store for a…”

  Reese continued talking about the weather and how buying some fans to alleviate the heat was her best option since the place she was renting didn’t have central air. Calvin went over her options with the items he had in stock, but it was when they finally reached his storefront that he surprised her by calling her bluff.

  It appeared she hadn’t been as indiscreet with her questioning as she’d thought.

  “You know you don’t have to buy a fan to get me to talk about Emma,” Calvin said rather dryly as he unlocked the door to his hardware store. He then lifted the bill of his cap to get a better look at her. “So tell me, why are you going around town and digging up old memories best left lost and forgotten?”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Noah pulled his truck to a stop alongside the curb in front of a familiar vacant storefront. He smiled when he caught sight of the Sold sign propped up in the window. The last time he spoke with Gwen, she mentioned she’d signed the papers to buy space next to the First National Bank. It was a premium location for any financial advisor.

  The entirety of Gwen’s clientele had already been made aware of her intent to relocate to the Midwest. The majority were maintaining their accounts due to her success with making them even more money above and beyond due to her expertise in spotting a specific company that had the capability to become a thriving success.

  The data collection side of the business wouldn’t be affected by location, nor was her ability to affect timely trades with modern communications equipment. His sister had been able to negotiate a three-way deal between the bank, the town’s local Internet Service Provider, and the software providers of her financial business to share access to the only T3 Data/Voice service connection in town.

  Noah was looking forward to having his sister come home to stay, and she was certainly in for a surprise just like he’d gotten. Their dad made no mention of which other houses had been acquired. Unfortunately, there were a lot of abandoned properties due to the local economy.

  He leaned over the passenger seat to see if there was an overhead sign still hanging to give any indication as to what had most recently gone out of business, thus enabling his sister to acquire the building.

  Nothing remained behind.

  Noah barely recalled the Farmer’s Cooperative being one of the building’s original owners back when he was a kid. Mr. Haney had always given them candy from the dish he kept on his desk. Those Werther’s Original Caramel hard candies had been his favorite.

  A quick glance over his shoulder at the bakery and the meat market had him remembering a video store also being there last time he was here on leave. Even Blyth Lake had caught up with technology. With improved access to the world of commerce, more new businesses would come to town to revive Main Street. The community would have a plac
e to gather once again, allowing the people the ability to breathe just a bit easier and gain some hope for the future.

  Speaking of which, he’d have to spend tomorrow morning on the phone getting the basic electrical service and other utilities started up at the old place. It shouldn’t be that hard to do considering the electric service panel was still in decent shape. Nearly everything after that point would have to be rewired.

  In fact, he was thinking of upgrading the service to one hundred and fifty amps rather than the standard one-hundred amp service to give him the framework to outfit the house to modern specifications. He’d even like to add a panel in the barn.

  If he had to strip the place down to the studs, he might as well install network cabling and wiring to support built-in sound systems. Just about every home these days had a network of some sort and internet access. He had the knowledge to do most of the work himself.

  The geneses of his building excitement at what the next few months held in regards to his future had him reaching for the handle on the door. He didn’t bother to use the running board as he stepped out of his truck.

  “Noah Kendall,” a female voice called out. “Is that really you in the flesh?”

  He suppressed a groan of annoyance at his incredibly bad luck. Whitney Bell had been quite popular back in their high school days, but she’d followed in her father’s footsteps when it came to manipulating the people in her life. Jeremy Bell had been nothing but a third-rate grifter. He still was, as a matter of fact.

  “Whitney, it’s good to see you.” Noah bent the truth a bit, but she didn’t have to know that. He walked around the front of his truck so she didn’t have to come out into the street to greet him. She hadn’t been on the sidewalk when he opened his door, so she had to have been using the ATM inside the bank. The lobby closed at five-thirty, but the cash machine in the foyer was always accessible. “I was just talking with your dad over at Tiny’s. He mentioned you were back in town.”