Love Inspired Suspense June 2015 #1

by Margaret Daley

She needed a new cell. Using Jewel’s phone, she’d made some calls to find Jennifer’s number and finally left a voice mail for the marshal. Tracy hadn’t heard back, which frustrated her beyond words. But what had she expected? The woman had a job to do and other witnesses to protect. Tracy had passed up her chance, and her indecision had to be driving the woman crazy, as well. Too much was happening. Tracy was too frazzled to think straight.

  While the guests talked about their experiences so far and what was on their agendas for the day, Tracy served. Jewel mostly stayed in the kitchen, busy with food preparation. When Tracy poured more coffee into the new man’s cup, she felt his dark eyes on her. She blinked up then back to her task when she realized she was missing the cup, pouring hot coffee on the table.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.” She quickly wiped up the liquid from around his plate.

  The man replied in an understanding tone, but she didn’t register his words.

  She went into the kitchen and came out with more muffins. Through her peripheral vision she could see him watching. Again.

  “Are you finished? Can I get your plates?” she asked the twentysomething couple at the end of the table, clearly caught up in a world of their own.

  They were in love. Anyone could see that. They simply nodded to Tracy. She scraped the plates away then dropped one of them on the tiled floor. It shattered.

  Silence hung in the air.

  Jewel quickly moved to her side and helped clean up the mess. Together, they carried the pieces of shattered glass along with the dishes Tracy hadn’t broken to the kitchen and dumped them in the sink with a clank. Fortunately, the conversation in the dining room revived.

  But now they had moved to discussing the killer. Someone brought up the car fire last night. It had happened where the B and B drive met the road, so she wasn’t surprised they already knew. Or maybe they’d heard her talking with Jewel. Either way, news traveled fast.

  Tracy stared at her shaking hands.

  Taking Tracy’s hand, Jewel pulled her to the far corner of the kitchen where no one else could see or hear. “What’s the matter? Other than what we already know, of course.”

  “That man…the new guy,” Tracy whispered. “What’s his name?”

  Jewel straightened. “Clarence Mercado. Why?”

  “I don’t know if it’s anything, but… He was…watching me.”

  Jewel pursed her lips. “Do you think he’s the one?”

  Tracy covered her face. “I don’t know. That sounds crazy.”

  Dropping her hands, she looked at Jewel’s pale face. “Forget it. It can’t be.” Tracy had to sound crazy. She was being paranoid to think Jewel’s new guest was after her.

  “He’s had this reservation for weeks now but, still, we should call the police.” Jewel put her hand on the mounted wall phone. “Or better yet, I’ll march out to the cruiser outside. Tell the officer we need him in here.”

  “No.” Tracy pressed her hand over Jewel’s. “I’ve caused you enough trouble. You’ll never hear the end of this if this guy is just a guest and nothing more. Let’s wait.”

  The thing was, most members in Santino’s gang were covered with tattoos, including their faces—at least in the pictures Derrick had shown her. But not the guy sitting at the dining table. Yet Jay hadn’t mentioned more than the one tattoo he’d seen on the wrist of the guy who had pushed him. She really was losing it.

  “Wait?” Jewel lifted a brow. “For what?”

  “Give me a few minutes.” Tracy took a few calming breaths. “There’s one way for me to know.”

  Jewel frowned, tilted her head. “How?”

  “The tattoo. I need to see if it’s there.” Tracy kept her voice low.

  Crossing her arms, Jewel leaned against the counter. “Could it be that the tattoo guy is onto the fact that you know to look for tattoos and he sent someone else to do his dirty work?”

  Now, that made Tracy grin. “You’ve been reading too many mystery novels.”

  But the levity didn’t last long, especially when Jewel eyed her. “This isn’t a game.”

  “I know that.” Better than Jewel did.

  “Where is the tattoo and how do you intend to look for it? Tell me that, and I might give you two minutes before I call for help.”

  “I’m making it up as I go.”

  Without waiting for Jewel’s reply, Tracy shoved through the swinging door connecting the two rooms. She didn’t have a plan and she had to hurry.

  God, please, let this guy just be ogling me because he’s a creep, not because he’s come to kill me or to hurt these people or to burn down this house.

  When she put her prayer like that, she could see why Jewel wanted to call the police immediately. But it could be nothing.

  Taking in a breath to steady her nerves, she approached the man. “More coffee?”

  “Please,” he said. He never took his eyes off her. If he wasn’t a killer, he was downright rude. A jerk. And even if he was the guy sent to taunt her and kill her, why would he be so blatant about staring? Why didn’t he just get on with the reason he was here?

  Tracy decided she might enjoy this too much. She answered his stare with one of her own, feeling the flames from her past flashing in her eyes as she deliberately missed the coffee cup and poured hot coffee on his sleeve. “Do I know you, sir?”

  He yelped and jerked out of the chair so fast, Tracy fell against the wall as she gasped.

  Jewel broke through the kitchen door. “What’s going on in here?”

  Clarence Mercado released a string of what had to be profanity in Spanish, then glared at Tracy. She could swear he was about to take a step toward her, but everyone in the room had stopped to watch. This incident wouldn’t look good in the online reviews of Jewel of the Mountain Bed and Breakfast.

  The room was quiet as everyone watched and waited for something more to happen.

  A fork clinked.

  Clarence grabbed a napkin and wiped his arm off.

  And Tracy held her breath.

  The tattoo… She could see it on his wrist, just under the cuff of his sleeve. Her pulse rocketed.

  Breathe. Just breathe.

  She dared to look him in the eyes. In his dark gaze, she saw the thrill of his game. He knew she’d seen his tattoo.

  FOURTEEN

  David floored the gas pedal of the truck he’d borrowed from Cade. The truck rocked and bounced along the drive to the Jewel of the Mountain until the house came into view. He hadn’t expected to see this many police vehicles lining the path.

  David slammed the brakes.

  The truck skidded, leaving marks in the grass, he was sure. But he didn’t care. He jumped out and banged the door closed behind him. Running to the house, he hopped up the steps to the porch and barreled through the door.

  “Tracy!”

  Jewel appeared in the foyer. “She’s upstairs.”

  He pressed by her.

  She grabbed his arm. “Just calm down. She’s fine. The police are here, as you can see. They’re searching the woods.”

  David inhaled a long breath. Then another. Tracy didn’t need to see him this upset. “You’re sure she’s okay?”

  “Yes. She’s on the phone…I think.”

  David’s spirits sank. Jewel had been the one to call him, not Tracy herself. But what did he expect? “What happened?”

  “He was here. The killer. Right here in my house. He was here at breakfast. Kept looking at Tracy.” Jewel’s voice clogged with tears. “She’s a bold one, that girl. She poured hot coffee on his arm to see if he had the tattoo.”

  David ground his molars. “That was a dangerous move. What about the other guests? Who was on duty to watch the house today? Why didn’t you just call him or the police, Jewel?”

  If David hadn’t been at home nursing his concussion, he would have insisted on staying to guard the house himself.

  “I wanted to get help, but what she said made sense. We had to know if the guy had the tattoo. He was wear
ing a long-sleeved shirt.”

  Wanting to go up to question Tracy himself, he glanced at the stairs, but thought better of it. “Then what happened?”

  “He spouted off a few choice words in Spanish, and then a couple of the guys who’d left earlier in the morning came back for some gear. They were more burly than the other guests still at breakfast. I don’t know if he would have done something different had they not showed up, but as soon as he saw them, he ran. He was out the door before we could stop him. Tracy…” Jewel shook her head. “I thought she’d collapse right there. We went into the kitchen and called the police. Then I went outside to find the officer in the cruiser and told him everything. He’d been instructed to watch for intruders. Not guests already staying.”

  Jewel pressed her face in her hands. Then, finally, she looked at David. “I’m so sorry this happened.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known or suspected your guest.” But they were all to blame for this fiasco.

  “I’ve never been so terrified, David. He could have burned down my house.” She grabbed David’s arm. “But what am I saying? It’s just a house. You could have died last night. Others would have died today. This old house can be rebuilt.”

  David understood what she’d meant. He’d lost his truck last night, but he could have lost his life. Or the killer could have chosen to target the B and B instead of David and his truck. Tracy, Jewel and all the other guests could have been killed.

  “I appreciate you calling me to let me know.”

  Her concerned expression eased into a smile. “I knew you’d want to know. You should go up and see her.”

  Boots clomped on the front porch. Had they found the killer? David stiffened. Winters pushed through the screen door and into the foyer. He nodded to Jewel, his eyes lingering.

  “Tell me,” David said.

  Winters frowned at David. Then his gaze traveled to the stairs, where Tracy took the last step down. “Chief Winters. What’s going on? Did you get him?”

  “Not yet. But we’re closing in on him. He won’t get away this time.”

  “Are you sure?” David asked. “Do you need more help in the search?”

  “He’s on foot. He can’t go far. And he won’t be leaving Mountain Cove by any other route. But just in case he decides to backtrack and come for you, I want you out of here.” Winters’s gaze flicked to Jewel and warmed. “You, too. Just for the rest of the day. I see this thing ending over the next few hours.”

  David didn’t want to tell the man he was being far too hopeful, but maybe David would do better to cling to hope himself. He kept wondering about Tracy’s phone call. Had she called the marshal? Was she going to leave Mountain Cove after all? Leave David?

  Inside, his gut twisted. She wasn’t his and he didn’t deserve her or anyone. Didn’t deserve a second chance. He couldn’t protect himself, much less Tracy.

  It was time to go. He shouldn’t have come. He should let the police handle things.

  “Well, then, it all sounds like things might get back to normal.” David nodded at Jewel and turned to leave. He eyed Tracy, but she looked at the floor.

  “Warren,” Winters said. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  David hesitated at the door and turned. “What can I do for you?”

  “Can you please escort these ladies to town? Keep them under your watchful eye? This isn’t over yet. I don’t have enough officers to search the region and guard Tracy, too.”

  “Of course.” David should have offered, and he would have, but he was too busy protecting his own hide. His heart. Cad. But he wouldn’t waste more time calling himself names. He turned to Jewel and Tracy. “Is there anything you want to grab before we leave?”

  “Oh, no,” Jewel said. “I can’t leave yet. I need to keep the house open in case any of my guests return. Chief Winters, you can stay with me, can’t you? And, Tracy, you gather what you need for the day and go with David.”

  Tracy hesitated. “I can’t leave, either. I need to take Solomon out of the room for some fresh air.”

  “Oh, piffle. Let Solomon out of the room now. With this new development, he’s free to wander the house.” She winked at Tracy. “I’ll take an allergy pill and then I can take him outside myself, or Chief Winters can help me. He’s no problem.”

  Tracy didn’t look convinced. “Are…you sure?”

  “Of course. Solomon will be fine here with me. I can’t leave, and there are too many police vehicles sitting outside. I doubt he’ll come back.”

  “She’s right.” Winters maintained a serious demeanor but David didn’t miss the twinkle in his eye.

  “What about you, David?” Tracy asked. “You were set to leave. Am I keeping you from something?”

  Funny they were both acting distant when just last night she’d run into his arms. And before that, they’d even shared a kiss. Then again, Tracy had her reasons for pushing him away, and he had his own, so he knew to keep his distance.

  Still, he took a few steps closer and held out his hand. “Nothing that can’t wait.”

  He bit back the urge to tell her the truth—that there was nothing he wanted to do more than be with her now. Slowly, as if measuring him, she placed her hand in his. He wanted to bring it to his lips and kiss it. But he resisted. She didn’t need that from him, and he didn’t deserve it.

  *

  David squeezed her hand and she felt the strength and warmth there. Took the reassurance that he offered.

  “This will be over soon,” he said. “You’re going to be okay.”

  The words reminded her of their reassurances to Jay when he was hanging on to his life on the ridge. Was this David’s training talking, trying to keep her calm, or did he really believe what he’d said? She studied him, searching the depths behind his forest green eyes, wanting his words to mean more to him. But even if they did, Tracy had been the one to close that door.

  Dark shadows outlined his eyes. That had to be from his close call last night. But his haggard look didn’t detract from his strong, handsome features. Myriad emotions swelled in her chest, and Tracy wanted to run to him, to pull him to her, much as she’d done last night when he’d nearly died. She wanted to rest her head against his chest and hear the steady beat of his strong heart inside. Her own heart grateful for his survival.

  God, thank You for saving him.

  The outcome could have been much different. How could he stand there and offer his help when she’d brought so much trouble to this town? And to David personally?

  “Let me just grab my pack.” She bounded up the stairs to her room and hugged Solomon, offering reassurance that she would return. When she opened the door to let him out, he just sat there and stared at her.

  Tracy threw a few items into her backpack. No telling how this day would play out. She might need an extra set of clothes. She wasn’t as certain as Winters they would catch the killer today, but she wholeheartedly agreed she shouldn’t stay here.

  Solomon’s sad brown eyes tugged at her heartstrings. She rubbed him behind the ears. “Look, I don’t know what today will bring, so I can’t take you. But I promise to come back, okay?”

  At least she’d put in another call to Jennifer a few minutes ago, after the incident at breakfast, and explained everything that had happened last night and today.

  On voice mail.

  If she was in serious trouble, well, then, Tracy certainly couldn’t count on any immediate help from the marshals. But she reminded herself that she’d been the one to venture out on her own. And she had the support of this whole amazing town behind her.

  Tracy led Solomon out of the room and down the stairs, where she told him to be good. In the foyer, Tracy caught David leaning against the wall. Though he was waiting for Tracy, he was watching Jewel and Chief Winters deep in conversation. Tracy smiled to herself. Was there something going on between those two? Jewel deserved a good man, if she wanted one.

  David turned his attention to Tracy,
his eyes lighting up. “You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  Once they sat inside the truck, David started it up but he didn’t go anywhere. He turned to face Tracy. “Are you okay?”

  She blew out a breath. “I’m still frazzled. To think I was that close to the killer. The man who hurt Jay and killed Veronica, who set your truck on fire last night and tried to kill you.”

  “But to pour coffee on him like that, Tracy…”

  “Ah, so Jewel told you about that.” Her cheeks warmed. That had been a bold move on her part.

  “I don’t think you should have done it. You could have gotten yourself killed. Jewel, too, and her guests.”

  “I slept in the same house with him last night, David. He made it through our guard. We didn’t even think to pay such close attention to the new guest. And then he stared at me through breakfast, like it was all some sick game to him. He was here to toy with me. Hurt people as a way to torture me. I didn’t think I was pushing it to find out the truth.” She put the window down and sucked in fresh air. “Can we just go now?”

  “I don’t know if you feel up to this, but I thought we’d go see Jay today.”

  “In Juneau?”

  “Sure. Why not? We’ll be far away from here.”

  “You mean where I should have been days ago. Far away.”

  “No, that’s not what I mean. We want you to stay, Tracy. The town, we stand behind you.”

  “Can you really speak for the town?” And what about you? Do you stand behind me? But she knew the answer.

  “Yes, I think I can. People have gone out of their way to tell me.”

  “And why not me?”

  “You’re isolated up here. People have more access to me.”

  She had to admit, she felt more welcome here than she’d ever felt in her hometown in Missouri. She wasn’t sure the town where she grew up would be this supportive. But that was all the more reason to feel guilt over putting all these people in danger.

  Should she leave again? “I called her, David.”

  “Marshal Hanes?”

  “Yes.”

  David blew out a breath. “What are you going to do?”

  “I got voice mail. Told her there was a manhunt for the killer. He could be caught today.”