“Just a second.” A voice he didn’t recognize cut him off.
He drew in a deep breath and then took the long hike around the side of the building to the parking lot where his truck sat.
“Hello. This is Trish.”
He opened his door and slid his sore body behind the wheel. “Can you search the database for a name? See if you can get me an address or a landline in Lynnville? I’ve tried the usual routes, but it must be unlisted.” He slammed his truck door and started the engine. “Sam, or Samantha, Brooks.”
While he waited for Trish to retrieve the information, his thoughts wandered.
Nothing new had popped up on the missing travel agent. And the bizarre way she disappeared worried him. Were these people low enough to kill a young, innocent mother to keep her silent? His gut tightened, his past experiences torturing his sanity.
She was only being held somewhere until they made it out of the country. Yeah, that worked. They’d let her go afterward.
At least the damn lie helped lessen the sting of the truth.
Chapter Twenty-Two
A few hours later, they pulled up to the lake house, and Joanna felt her body actually relax at the mere sight of the oversize, wooded lot next to the water. The house’s main structure looked the same with its massive windows still intact for the breathtaking views, but the entire lot itself looked like something from a magazine. Large decks and an oversize double boat house were the grandest additions.
Sam’s parents’ home sat mere feet from the water. Lake Lynnville, one of the state’s largest man-made lakes, had numerous hiking trails through the forest, which they’d explored thoroughly as kids. The house itself perched at the top of one of the few hills complete with an unexpected small, but steep, cliff on one side that had only enhanced their adventures and imagination. Nature at its best.
The memories made her smile, but she frowned at the lingering fog of disorientation and turmoil in her mind. She swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth. Keith was a big part of those memories.
The tightness in her throat grew so strong it threatened to cut off her air supply. Never in a million years would she have believed her friend capable of such evil if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes. Not only did Keith have a sick obsession with her, he’d somehow blamed her father for his mother’s death. Wanted to ruin the company by stealing the formula her father worked long and hard on over the past ten years.
She stared out the window trying to put the awful truth out of her head.
“The place looks wonderful, Sam. I can’t wait to see the inside.”
“I’ve got a room all set up for you. All beach-a-fied, with a great view of the water just like you love. I added French doors and soon there will be an amazing private deck for my guests to enjoy.” She gave her a wink.
Joanna opened her door and slowly eased her weary body out of the car. A soft breeze rustled the pine needles of the trees, the peaceful sound a welcome distraction. The days were already cooler, the promise of an upcoming cold front and less humidity just around the corner.
Sam hurried to her side. “Here. Lean into me.”
With Sam’s help, except for the little bump into the Christmas topiary on the front porch, they made it inside and into the living room.
“I love your holiday decorations,” Joanna said, her gaze stopping on the lone strand of white Christmas lights wrapped around the pillar in the kitchen.
“Hey, don’t give me a hard time. I’m just getting started.” Sam nudged her farther inside with a chuckle. “Besides, I’ve been helping this needy friend out in all my spare time.”
Joanna wrinkled her nose in response. “Be nice.” She put a hand to her head. “I’m exhausted. I’d love a long, warm shower.”
Sam laughed softly, “That we can arrange. Follow me. And watch your step.”
Joanna eased herself down the awkwardly placed steps in the hallway, bracing both hands against the walls for added support. “Those aren’t safe. Someone could really hurt themselves if they didn’t know they were there.”
Sam waved her hand over her head. “That’s why I warned you, silly. I thought about having them removed in the remodel, but I like the character they bring to this old house. Not to mention all the memories we’ve shared in this very spot.”
Joanna’s skin chilled. Keith was included in that we. “Please tell me you were as clueless as I was.”
“I didn’t see it coming at all.” Sam’s usually straight and proper posture sagged a bit as she walked. “Honestly, he always threw me. Such a flirt. But I thought he was just goofing off. You know how guys are.” She paused and leaned her long torso against the last doorframe.
Joanna stopped, too, looking up into her friend’s face. “I thought he was happy. He always seemed so happy. I know losing his mother like that had to affect him, but I thought he’d trudged through—came out stronger like me. I thought our similar losses strengthened our friendship.” She paused to reflect over the years before entering the beautiful guest room. “I took his advances as innocent joking around. We’d shared too much to become intimate like that. You know what I mean?”
“I do. Wherever we went, he was just there. Like an annoying little brother, and he seemed happy to play the part. I guess there might have been some jealousy toward some of the guys you dated. I know he was the reason a few of the losers backed off. But I thought he was just being a good friend. You know, getting rid of the riffraff. Shoot, I never saw any signs of anything abnormal.”
Why hadn’t Sam told her this before? She had no idea he’d run anyone off.
“Well, enough.” Joanna gave her head a good shake to clear the gloomy thoughts. “It’s over and I’m exhausted. I want to shower, sleep, and forget.”
Sam laughed softly, “Can I ask you one quick question first?”
Joanna didn’t like the look in her friend’s eyes. “I guess.”
“So what’s going on between you and Ryker?” Sam placed both hands on her waist, daring her to lie. Her friend knew there was more, a lot more that happened between her and Ryker, and it was clear she planned to get to the bottom of it.
“It doesn’t matter. It was a mistake.” Keith’s manipulation had really done a number on her emotional stability, and Ryker’s insistence she remain in the hospital rubbed that already sensitive nerve raw. Throw in his change in attitude after their last conversation, and she was thinking more and more that it might be best to put some distance between them. To take time for her wounds to heal and figure out how to function on her own without someone else telling her what she should or shouldn’t do.
“Why? Who says that? You?”
“Does it matter, Sam?”
“Hell yes, it does. It matters a whole lot, Jo Jo. You have to quit sabotaging your life. Just because your mom and dad had problems and couldn’t make it work doesn’t mean you’re doomed to follow in their disastrous path. I can only imagine how Keith’s mind games have affected you. Good grief, I’m still freaked out about how clever and controlling he was, even with me. But you’re stronger than that. Let go of the past, girl, before it swallows you up completely.”
Tears burned the backs of her eyelids. Sam was right. Damn her.
“You’re falling in love with him, aren’t you?”
She shook her head in denial. “I don’t know what love is. Not that kind of love.”
“Oh, yes, you do. And it comes all wrapped up in a neat, hunky package, wearing tight blue jeans and a badge.”
“Fine. Let’s drop it, okay?”
“Sure.” By the way Sam bit at her bottom lip, there was something else she wanted to say. Instead, her friend sighed. “Let me know if you need extra towels. And there should be a fresh toothbrush and paste in the drawer.”
“Thought of everything, did you?” She felt relieved to be let off the hook.
“Of course! Only the best for my guest.” Sam straightened and hugged her. “You get cleaned up and rest, lightweight. Oh, and
don’t use the French doors. They’re still working on the decking out there. The view will be spectacular from this side of the house when it’s finished. But right now, it’s not safe.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not leaving this room.”
“We’ll talk soon. I’m going to find Andrew. He’s probably in the boat house drooling over the damn boat. Boys and their toys.” Sam laughed and then left Joanna to her thoughts.
She closed the door and leaned her back against the cool wood for support. Facing her true feelings about Ryker was plain wicked. She wasn’t imagining the passion that passed between them during those intense, familiar kisses. The emotions, the touching, the desires were definitely real.
Knowing now that everything Keith had ever told her about him was a lie was a nasty taste to swallow. Ryker was a good guy. His actions over the past week threatened to crack her shell. Every ounce of her being wanted to believe underneath his bad-boy persona resided the knight in shining armor she’d dreamed about, but the way he’d pushed her away made her wonder if he had other skeletons in his closet. She frowned, her head spinning.
“Have to face him sooner or later to tie up the loose ends on the case.” Not to mention face her own demons. Heaven help her.
…
Ryker almost swerved off the road at the sound of the manic ringtone he’d set for Trish on his cell, reminding himself he needed to change it. “Shit,” he said, grabbing the phone off the seat. “Trish, is that you?”
“No, it’s not.” The female voice sounded familiar, her tone tinged with curiosity. “Who’s Trish?”
“Who’s this?” Ryker gripped the steering wheel tighter, pushing the button to switch the call to hands free mode.
“Sam. We spoke briefly at the hospital.”
“Jo Jo’s friend. Right, I remember. Look. I’m glad you called. I need to talk to Jo Jo. Fast.”
“Well, it’s your lucky day, handsome. That’s why I’m calling.”
“Is she okay?” Alarm whipped through his body.
“Easy there, hot stuff. She’s fine. Exhausted, but resting peacefully now.”
“Where is she?”
“Not so fast. You said you were looking for her. I need to know why.”
He sighed heavily, not wanting to relay the information over the phone. “I need to talk to her about the case. There’s been a new development. Just tell me where she is, and I’ll meet her there. It’s important.”
“We’re at my lake house in Lynnville,” she said, and then started rambling. “Actually, that’s why I was calling. I was hoping you might be able to come up tomorrow. See, I need to take Andrew to work in the morning so I can pick up my car, drop by Jo Jo’s house for a few things she needs, and I don’t want to leave her up here by herself.”
He couldn’t get a word in. “I need you to—” He started to warn her, tell her to stay inside, not let Jo Jo out of her sight and keep the doors locked until he got there, but another call buzzed in interrupting his words.
“Busy man. I’ll text you the address.”
“No, wait!” But it was too late. She’d already hung up.
Irritated, he switched to the other line. “Ryker.”
“Ryker, this is Trish. We got serious trouble over at the Holiday Inn on Interstate 10. The one right outside Bram.”
“What is it? Tell me they found Keith.”
“No, afraid not. Sheriff’s there now. Says it’s a real mess. One dead, one gagged, tied up, and unconscious. Lots of unanswered questions. You better get over there now. He thinks it’s the missing travel agent. I thought you’d want to know.”
“Son of a bitch,” he said before thinking. “On my way.”
“Be careful, Kane. And watch Wade’s back for me. He ain’t used to these big-city crimes.”
“Will do.” Ryker ended the call, wondering what the hell Sheriff Wade was doing on the scene to begin with, and took the next exit so he could circle back toward I-10. His chest constricted at the thought the young travel agent might be dead.
He tried Sam’s number again and got a busy signal. The text she sent with her lake house address had come in, but this new development put a kink in his plan to head that way tonight. He’d be lucky to make it out there before tomorrow morning, and his gut didn’t sit well with that time frame. He typed out a quick text, alerting Sam of the danger and telling her to stay inside and keep Jo Jo close, then called the local authorities in Lynnville and had them send out a patrol to the house to be on the safe side.
Fifteen minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of the Holiday Inn more frustrated than ever and pounded the wheel. Sam must have turned her phone off. He’d tried her number three more times, and the calls went directly to voicemail.
He snatched his phone off the seat and exited the truck toward the large crowd lingering in front of the hotel. Several HPD cruisers had one of the entrances off the feeder blocked off, while two sheriff’s vehicles sat nearer the building, their lights still flashing. He inhaled a deep breath, bracing himself for the crime scene. No matter how many times he’d seen the gore and destruction inflicted on one human being by another, it never got easier.
“Deputy Kane, what are you doing here?” Sheriff Wade noticed him instantly and left the group of HPD officers he’d been conversing with. “You’re still on leave, right?”
“Yes, sir. But I can’t let this go. You know what I mean.”
“I do, son. Let him through,” the sheriff said to the officer standing guard by the crime scene tape.
“What happened?” Ryker ducked under the tape and matched his steps to Sheriff Wade’s as they made their way over to an ambulance at the far side of the lot.
“One dead in the room. This one’s been unresponsive since we got here.”
Images flashed through Ryker’s mind. Denise? The travel agent? Or another victim?
Wade tapped a medic on the shoulder. “This man might be able to identify the woman.” He then stepped to the side.
It took Ryker one second to know it wasn’t Denise on the gurney. The young woman’s face was badly beaten, her mouth raw where the gag had been, but her short bob and pale skin would never pass as the woman he’d been chasing for months. “Not McNamee’s girlfriend.”
“That we know. Denise is inside. Well, what’s left of her.”
Both brows rose. “She’s dead?”
“Oh, hell yes. She’s dead, all right.” Sheriff wade wiped his mouth with the handkerchief in his hand. “I’m here as a favor to Clint McNamee. Never saw anything like it in my life.”
Ryker didn’t like the sound of that. “You think this woman might be the travel agent, then?” He motioned toward the woman on the gurney.
“I do. She took a real beating. Doesn’t look much like her missing person photo. We’ll know more when she wakes up again, or when the husband meets us at the hospital.”
Nodding toward the hotel, Ryker said, “You mind if I take a look inside?”
“Knock your socks off.” Sheriff Wade turned to walk away but stopped. “I suggest you take a barf bag though,” he said. After drilling him with an unreadable look, he disappeared into the sea of policemen.
“Thanks.” The older man appeared deeply disturbed. Ryker shrugged it off and focused on the crime scene. A quick survey of the parking lot and he gritted his teeth, disappointed to find no security cameras on the premises. If this was Keith’s handy work, it would help to know if he’d worked alone. Although, with the injuries he must have sustained from the fire, working alone wasn’t likely. He’d bet both Denise and Frank had their hands full nursing his wounds.
Detective Turow met Ryker on his way out of the hotel room.
“Ryker, you were my next call.” The man, looking a bit on the pale side, took out a stick of gum and offered him one. “It’ll help settle the stomach.
“No thanks. That bad, huh?”
“Pretty gruesome. Killer definitely had a point to make.” He put a hand to his stomach and grimace
d. “At least the bastard left the face untouched for identification.”
Ryker balked at the implication and swallowed hard. “I see. Did you find the murder weapon?”
“Nope. Can’t really say what would do damage like that.”
“Shit.”
“I know. I’ll wait for you out here.” Turow leaned against the outside wall of the hotel, his breathing labored.
Ryker straightened, his entire body tense as he slipped inside the room. It smelled musty, old, with traces of an antiseptic odor. Flashes from the crime scene photographer’s camera lit up the blood splattered on the white walls and ceiling. The blades of the ceiling fan over the bed eerily flicked the light around the room as it spun. He covered his mouth with his hand as his gaze fell upon the pieces of what used to be Denise. His stomach lurched. His soul shocked to the core.
Whirling around, he bolted for the door and fresh air.
“Told, ya, tough guy,” Turow said as Ryker exited.
Ryker couldn’t speak. He worked to get the images out of his head and hung over the metal railing, trying like hell to keep the bile down.
The detective, calm and controlled now, adjusted his collar and walked to his side, offering him the stick of gum again. “It’s peppermint,” he said. This time Ryker took it. Peeling the paper off with shaky fingers, he popped it into his mouth and chewed hard.
“I’ve been on this guy’s trail for months. Petty theft, arson, minor stuff in the big scheme of things. But the crimes kept escalating. Enough to warrant an investigation, but we never could obtain the evidence needed to stick. This isn’t the usual M.O or progression. Fuck. It looks like a special effects crew from a Friday the Thirteenth remake had a field day in there. Any idea why Keith Coleman would do something like this?”
Ryker shook his head, thankful the gum was indeed doing what Turow said it would.
“Me, either. I’d say the man’s crossed some kind of line here.”
“You think?” He couldn’t hide the sarcasm.
“I’m sure you’ve figured out by now he’s my main objective.”
Sinful Secrets Page 23
