Storm of Doubt
Page 6
No, the truth was that life could be incredibly hard at times.
She was so thankful that her college roommate had started bringing her to church during freshman year. The experience had forever changed Juliette’s life and perspective.
They both finished their meals, and Jack shifted as he pulled out his wallet. “You’re looking tired. I should let you rest.”
Now that he mentioned it, Juliette was rather tired.
“Ready to go back to your place?”
Stay at her house again? A cold tremor of fear raked up her spine. It was the last thing Juliette wanted to do right now. But what other choice did she have?
None.
Because she was alone.
Jack pulled up to Juliette’s rental house.
The place was beautiful—two stories with a wraparound porch. Amazing views of the water stretched behind it. It had privacy galore—making it the perfect place to retreat to.
Unless a stalker found you.
He sensed Juliette tensing beside him at the sight of it. No doubt memories had filled her mind. Memories of the horrific attack that had happened here.
There was nothing Jack could do to stop the fear Juliette felt. Only time would work that out, and to say otherwise would be foolish.
His part in her trauma was minimal. Despite that, a flashback flooded his mind. A memory of finding Juliette. Seeing that man hovering over her. Realizing the horror of the situation.
A person didn’t easily move past that.
They sat a moment without speaking, and Jack gave her space. As the seconds ticked past, his mind drifted to their earlier conversation. The woman had depth to her. Their chat during brunch had shown that. And he could see the hurt, the secrets lingering in her gaze, and he wanted to know more. Wanted to know what made her tick. What had led her to being so alone right now.
The woman seemed to have everything going for her. She was beautiful. Kind. Successful.
So why was she alone?
“You’re sure it’s okay if I go inside?” Juliette looked up at the house that was meant to be her haven. She lifted a hand to her neck, and Jack saw the tremble there.
“I double-checked with Cassidy, and, yes, it’s fine.”
Juliette glanced at him, her eyes wide and full of fear. “Would you go with me?”
A surge of protectiveness rose in him at the vulnerability in her words. “Of course.”
She nodded quickly—probably too quickly. It showed exactly how anxious she was right now.
Jack waited until Juliette released her breath to indicate she was ready. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“I just need to get this over with.”
As she opened her door, Jack followed her lead and met her in front of the car. She seemed to wobble as she stared at the front door. He took her elbow to steady her, ignoring the flash of . . . something . . . he felt at Juliette’s touch.
The realization took his breath away. Sure, the woman was beautiful. But was he actually feeling a flash of attraction to her?
It was too soon. And it was too unlikely. A bad idea all around.
Yet, it wasn’t an idea. In truth, the feeling defied all logic, as if Jack’s heart had taken on a mind of its own. Maybe it was Juliette’s vulnerability. The fact she needed someone. He couldn’t explain it.
“You’ve got this,” he told her.
Juliette offered a weak but grateful smile. “Thanks.”
They climbed the steps to the front door together. Juliette punched in a code and the lock clicked open.
Jack stepped in front of her, something internal urging him to use every precaution possible. “You mind?”
He’d feel better if he went inside first. Not that he expected to find anything or anyone. But, just in case he did, he wanted to pad the impact it might have on Juliette.
Juliette stepped back and nodded half-heartedly. “Be my guest.”
Jack twisted the handle and stepped into the foyer. As soon as he glanced around the living room, he knew something was wrong.
Someone had been here.
Had turned this place upside down.
Had made a statement.
Before he could warn Juliette, he heard a gasp behind him.
Juliette.
She’d followed him inside.
He turned toward her, trying to block the scene from her view. But her pale skin and wide eyes showed that she’d already seen too much.
He slipped an arm around her shoulders, realizing the horror she must be feeling.
It was obvious that this guy was not only on a mission but that he was angry.
Chapter Ten
Juliette stared at the words that had been spray painted in red on the formerly soothing sky blue wall in front of her. It was the perfect location for a greeting she wouldn’t miss.
You’ll always be mine.
The shiver that raked through her went deeper than her skin. Deeper than her bones.
It seemed to capture her very soul.
“Juliette?”
She looked up and saw Jack standing beside her and staring at her with worry in his gaze.
“We should go wait in my car,” he said. “We don’t want to mess up any evidence. I’ll call Cassidy—Chief Chambers.”
Juliette thought she nodded, but she couldn’t be sure. Everything felt like a blur. Either way, Jack tugged her arm.
She dragged her eyes away from the words that had been crudely painted between the picture of a lighthouse and some cheerful wooden fish that had been strung along the wall.
She didn’t have to see the message to remember its impact.
And that was exactly what this guy wanted, wasn’t it? To continue making Juliette live in fear.
The next thing she knew, she was in Jack’s car with the heat blazing. He was on the phone beside her, speaking in quiet tones.
When he ended the call, he turned toward her. “Cassidy is on her way. Let’s just sit tight until then.”
Juliette nodded. But her thoughts were a long way from this moment.
Her stalker had been here again. In her house. Looking through her things.
He wouldn’t stop, would he? Not until he got what he wanted.
And what he wanted was either for Juliette to love him—which would never happen—or for her to die.
A small cry escaped from her.
She felt a hand on her shoulder. She swiveled her head until Jack came into sight beside her in the vehicle. He looked at her with compassion in his gaze.
“I’m sorry, Juliette.”
“He’s going to kill me,” she muttered. “And no one can stop him.”
“Don’t think like that. We’re not going to let that happen.”
“You don’t understand. This man . . . he’s messed up. And determined. And sick. Really sick.”
“We’re going to watch out for you.”
“We?” Juliette questioned. She had no friends here. Why would anyone in Lantern Beach have her back? She welcomed the idea. She just wasn’t sure she believed it was true.
“There’s a good group of people here. We watch out for each other.”
Juliette crossed her arms and looked away, reminded again of her loneliness. “That’s the problem, though, isn’t it? I’m not one of you. I’m an outsider.”
Before Jack could respond, a police cruiser pulled up. A moment later, Chief Chambers stepped out.
“Will she be upset with me for leaving the clinic?” Juliette asked.
“No, I talked to her and told her I’d stay with you.”
Cassidy glanced at the house before walking toward Jack’s car. Jack put down the window for her, and Cassidy leaned inside, her gaze going to Juliette.
“You hanging in?” Cassidy asked.
“As well as I can.” Juliette’s voice lacked conviction.
Cassidy’s lips drew in a tight line, and she glanced back at the house again. “We checked the place out last night,
and it was clear. Your stalker must have come back sometime this morning.”
“He’s fearless.”
Cassidy frowned. “We’re going to figure this out, Juliette. It’s going to take a while for us to make a record of all the potential evidence here. Why don’t you go to Hope House, and I’ll catch up with you there?”
“What’s Hope House?” Juliette asked, leaning into the heat.
“It’s a retreat center my husband and I are starting for veterans. We’re officially opening after Christmas, but we have plenty of rooms there. You’ll be safe until we can figure things out.”
“Plus, her husband is a former Navy SEAL,” Jack said. “He’s the guy you want to have around when things go south.”
Juliette swallowed hard. Was this too good to be true. “You really wouldn’t mind?”
Cassidy smiled. “No one stands alone. That’s what I always say. Right, Pastor Jack?”
“Advice to live by.”
“Then . . . thank you. I’d really appreciate that.” Relief nearly melted Juliette’s bones. The offer was an answer to a prayer she hadn’t even prayed yet.
“Great. We’d love to have you.” Cassidy turned back to Jack. “Jack, if you don’t mind, stay with her until I get there, okay? We’ll get your statement then.”
“I’m fine with that,” Jack said.
Juliette opened her mouth, about to object. But how could she? These people . . . they were amazing.
“Are you sure?” Juliette said.
“I’m positive,” Cassidy said. “You’re not putting me out. And I know Jack well enough to know he’s not going to leave. Not with this going on.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of this. Thank you. You’re restoring my hope in humanity.” Her throat burned as the words left her throat.
Cassidy nodded and tapped the side of the vehicle. “Okay, how about if I grab a few of your things upstairs? I’m sure you’re anxious to have some of your personal effects.”
“I’d love some clothes, my Bible, . . . my laptop . . . my phone.”
“I’ll gather some things and then you can go. You look like you need some rest. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Jack parked in the driveway at Hope House and grabbed Juliette’s luggage from the back. Before he could open Juliette’s door for her, she met him near the trunk.
“What a beautiful location. I imagine it’s especially so in the summer.”
“Yes, but it’s a little chilly here at this time of year,” Jack said. “The wind coming over the ocean cools things down considerably.”
She glanced around and shivered as a breeze washed over them. “Yes, it does.”
Jack touched her back, directing her toward the stairway in the distance. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”
But Juliette froze by the car. As Jack realized what she was looking at, a feeling of dread settled in his stomach.
“What’s this?” She pointed to the words carved into his door—words he’d tried to buff out. Mac had come by to take photos first, of course.
“It’s nothing.”
She shook her head. “John Doting did this, didn’t he?”
Jack couldn’t lie to her. “I can only assume. It was there when I woke up this morning.”
She shook her head and let out a quick breath. “I can’t believe this . . .”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“It is a big deal. You’re involved with this now. I’ve pulled you into it, and that was never my intention.”
“I could have said no.”
“But . . .”
“Juliette, it’s okay. I’m a big boy. I can handle this.”
“I don’t want anything to happen to you—or anyone else—because of me.”
“It won’t be because of you. It will be because of this John Doting guy. Now, come on. Let’s get you inside. It’s cold out here.”
Juliette looked like she wanted to argue more, but she went upstairs with him instead.
He ushered her up the steps to the front door. Cassidy’s husband, Ty—as well as his golden retriever—answered with a friendly smile.
“Hey, Cassidy called and said to expect you.” Ty had become a friend since Jack had moved here, even though Jack knew him beforehand. “I have to run out right now—Austin needs a hand with something on one of his job sites. But Cassidy said you were going to stay, Jack?”
“That’s right. I’m in no hurry, so take your time.”
“Sounds good.” He turned to Juliette. “Where are my manners? I’m Ty. Cassidy is my better half.”
“Nice to meet you.” She nodded politely.
“The bedroom on the right at the end of the hall is clean and ready to be used,” Ty continued. “And help yourself to anything in the kitchen.”
“Thank you.” Juliette said with a polite nod that showed polish and manners. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”
“It’s no problem. I’m just sorry I have to run right now.”
With a wave, Ty was gone, and Jack turned to Juliette. “I’ll put your things in your room. Do you need to lie down and get some rest?”
She shivered. “Actually, I can’t stand the thought of being by myself right now. If it’s okay, I’ll grab my computer and come out here. I have some business that I’m behind on.”
Why did part of Jack feel excited to get to spend more time with her? It didn’t make sense. Still, he nodded. “Of course. I’ll make some coffee.”
Ten minutes later, they were both settled in the living room. Juliette sat on the couch, and Jack had picked a chair across from her. The place felt cozy with its seashell decorated Christmas tree, a warm fire, and other scattered holiday decorations. This was what his home used to feel like.
Jack probably needed to check and see if anyone had responded to the emails he’d sent this morning. He also needed to find someone else to check on the shut-ins and to unlock the church building.
He didn’t plan on leaving Juliette until he had to.
Juliette looked at her screen and frowned.
“Everything okay?” He needed to stop asking her that question. Yet things kept going wrong, and he couldn’t stop himself.
“I have the strangest voicemail message from my manager. He said I sent him an email saying I wanted out of my contract with him.”
Jack’s eyebrows rammed together. “I take it you didn’t send that email?”
“No, of course not. I love my manager. It just doesn’t make sense.” She squinted as she stared at her computer screen again.
“I didn’t realize writers had managers,” Jack said.
“Sebastian is a rather new hire. Things felt a little different after my book was made into a movie. Suddenly, there were press opportunities and, well, just details that required more coordination than I wanted to handle. All I really want to do is write, not deal with managing people and schedules and phone calls. So I hired him after I learned another book was being made into a movie. He’s part-time, and he works with other authors and public figures as well.”
“I see.”
“He drives me crazy, though. He’s a micromanager who likes things his way. Apparently, I’m his new favorite client because he gives me a lot more attention than I want. My agent tells me this is a good thing, as does my accountant, who claims I’m having my best year ever financially.”
“It’s good to have people who believe in you.”
Juliette squinted at her computer screen. “And I have a notice here that my credit card has been canceled as well. I had an automatic payment set up to be taken out this morning, but it didn’t go through.”
Jack’s back muscles tightened. He had a good idea about what was going on.
Juliette’s stalker had decided to take things a step further since she’d survived her initial attack. He was trying to ruin her professional and financial life as well.
His disgust toward the man grew.
Chapter Eleven
Then she’d spoken with her manager and explained the situation. Sebastian had basically understood, but Juliette still felt like the false email had put a wedge of some sort in their relationship. Then again, everything Sebastian did had a dramatic, over-the-top flair.
“Henderson Network is still asking about filming an interview with you that they want to air before your Christmas movie,” Sebastian said. “Rio is anxious to get some more publicity before the movie releases.”
Rio was the producer with the Henderson Network, the one who’d originally optioned one of her books—and then her next one, as well. The man was low-key and talented, and he’d earned Juliette’s trust with his quality work. In fact, he’d begun to feel like a friend to her during her previous movie. They’d talked numerous times about various storylines. He’d sought out—and respected—her opinion as he’d breathed life into her book. She couldn’t ask for a better person to make her books into movies.
But publicity? Right now? It seemed like a horrible idea. She was divorced, humiliated, and she’d nearly been killed. She wasn’t the picture of Christmas happiness exactly.
Now she needed to convince her manager of that. “Sebastian, if you saw me right now, you’d know that I’m not in a good place to be interviewed. I was just attacked, and this guy is still after me.”
“I know. And I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I really can’t. But what better way to distract yourself than by doing this interview? The crew even said they would come to you.”
“I’m not planning on going back to my rental house any time soon.”
“Then the crew can go to wherever you want them to go. They’re flexible.”
“I’m sure they are.”
“Just think about it. It would be great for ratings and for your book sales.”
“My book sales are already good.”