“That’s all you talk about! Jack this, Jack that,” Sandra lashed out. “Things must really be going well. Well, if he’s so wonderful, why isn’t he doing those baby exercises with you? I guess things aren’t as perfect as you pretend!”
Heedless of their remote surroundings or of anything except her annoyance at Sandra’s attack, Casey stopped to face her. “Nobody’s pretending anything. Why don’t you get over yourself? You’re so eaten up with envy you can’t see straight, but the only person responsible for what’s happened to you is yourself!”
“I never said it wasn’t!”
“Did you listen to what you just said? My relationship with my husband is none of your business. Once upon a time, I would have told you everything, but you chose to push me away,” Casey shot back.
“You’re the one who left!” Sandra snapped. “You dumped me with those druggies.”
“I dumped you?” She couldn’t believe this self-serving version of the truth. “You made it clear I’d better shape up or ship out, so I shipped out. And now you’re mad because you’re suffering and I’m not down there in the pit with you! What would make you happy, Sandra? If my life was a miserable as yours?”
“My life isn’t miserable!” Tears spilled over. “Oh, yes, it is. You’ve got everything I wanted.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do, and the worst part is, you deserve it,” Sandra admitted. “And I hate the fact that you deserve it! And I hate the fact that I hate you!”
“You hate me?”
“Sort of,” her friend said. “I hate the idea of you. And I hate being away from you. I hate seeing that nurse helping you when your best friend ought to be there. I hate that you had a baby shower and you didn’t even know I was in town so you could invite me.”
Casey couldn’t figure out whether to laugh or get mad. “You don’t sound like you know what you want.”
“I want us to be exactly like we used to be, and we can’t. It’s awful. I miss you.”
She threw her arms around Casey and ran smack into the bulge. They both started to giggle.
“I got fat,” Casey joked.
“It’s a good kind of fat.” Sandra sniffled. “I’m sorry. I’ve been running you down to my parents, and I wish I hadn’t. I’m a coward. I couldn’t bear having my father look at me as a failure, so I tried to pin the blame on you.”
“We can start over,” she offered. “That’s why you came home, isn’t it? To make a new beginning?”
“I guess so.”
The two of them stood for a while talking. Casey saw her old friend regaining a little of her old animation, and hoped Sandra had turned a corner today.
Remembering her friend’s concern about leaving the property unguarded, she nearly blurted out that they had plans. What restrained her was the fact that Sandra’s father remained one of Jack’s primary suspects.
She’d admitted making Casey out to be the villain of her story. No wonder Al held a grudge. And Sandra knew it.
Maybe she was so interested in the prowler because she feared it might be her father. Obviously she didn’t want any harm to come to Casey, or she wouldn’t have bothered warning her to be careful.
But when push came to shove, as Jack had pointed out, families closed ranks. Surely Sandra would do her best to protect her father, which meant she’d warn him if she learned a trap was being set at the Pine Woods.
Even if Al stayed away tonight, that didn’t mean the attacks would stop. And next time, there’d be no Jack around to protect her. Although she hated holding such suspicions about Sandra’s father, she didn’t dare trust her.
“It’s turning chilly,” Casey said. “We’d better get going.” The forecast called for another storm to move in tomorrow.
Sandra accompanied her down the lower stretch of path. “I’m thrilled about your baby. Envious, but happy for you. It’s not as if I can’t have another child someday.”
“I hope you will.” Noting the time, Casey added, “I’d like to swing down and pick up my mail.” The post generally arrived between two and three.
“I can use the exercise.” Sandra stumped alongside her. “Besides, you shouldn’t be wandering around unaccompanied.”
“I’m not a china doll!”
“You’re a pigheaded pregnant woman who doesn’t know when to take it easy,” her friend replied with a grin.
They connected with the driveway and followed it toward the street. Rita, returning with a small package, greeted them enthusiastically.
“Our new video!” She waved it happily. “We’ll watch it tonight. No, not tonight. We’re going to be busy, aren’t we?”
Apprehension dimmed Casey’s mood. If Rita said the wrong thing, Sandra would pick up on it at once. “I’ll see you at the Community Center, then.” She quickened her pace toward the mailboxes.
Her tenant didn’t take the hint. “Bo’s very excited. He always wanted to be a policeman and now he is, kind of.”
Casey knew her face must be reddening. Sandra’s mouth tightened into a straight line.
“See you!” With a little skip, Rita moved up the path. Grimly, Casey continued on to collect her post, which consisted of the usual bills plus a baby magazine.
As soon as Rita had passed out of earshot, Sandra’s voice rang with reproach. “You weren’t going to tell me. You think it’s my dad, don’t you? And you’re not leaving the place empty. You’re planning to catch him.”
Since there was no avoiding the confrontation, Casey didn’t try. “No, I wasn’t going to tell you. As for who it is, we don’t know. Jack has a list of possibilities, but we aren’t even sure it includes the real culprit.”
“You say that, but you don’t mean it!” No sign of warmth lingered now. “You’re sure it’s Dad.”
“Whether it is or not, we have to act,” Casey snapped. “I can’t afford to pay someone to patrol this place twenty-four hours a day, and we need to catch this guy before somebody gets seriously hurt.”
“So while I was all emotional about how much I missed you, you were figuring out how to keep me in the dark.” Anger drove the healthy bloom from Sandra’s coloring, leaving her white with rage.
Casey knew she ought to guard her tongue, but she couldn’t. “Why are you getting paranoid again? This isn’t about you! It’s about protecting me and my tenants from whoever’s stalking us! I hope it isn’t your dad, but if you warn him and nobody shows up tonight, that’s going to make him look even guiltier, isn’t it?”
“What’s the difference? As far as you and your husband are concerned, Dad’s already tried and convicted!” Without waiting for a response, Sandra strode up the drive toward the parking lot. By the time Casey puffed her way there, the Rawlins’ car passed her heading for the road.
What a mess, she reflected wearily. Just when their friendship might have had a second chance, circumstances and Sandra’s temper had blown it away.
If Al was the man who’d been targeting her property, his daughter was going to help him escape. Which meant that, indirectly, she’d be making it possible for him to strike again.
* * *
“DON’T DWELL ON IT,” Jack said that evening as he tucked Casey into her car. He’d arrived home from town to find her so upset about Sandra’s visit that she’d messed up a section of her crocheting. “There’s nothing you could have done differently.”
“You and everyone else have put so much work into this.” Her lower lip quivered. “I feel like I let you down.”
He got behind the wheel. They’d decided to leave the rental car behind as bait. It had already inspired one attack, and they’d parked it in a place that would be easy for Larry to keep in his sights. “Has it occurred to you that maybe Al Rawlins isn’t the perpetrator?”
“Even if not, he might tell everyone he knows out of spite.” On the seat beside her, she adjusted the salad she’d fixed for the potluck.
Jack cupped his hand over hers. Although he too wished Sandra hadn’t l
earned of their intentions, it was water under the bridge. “Let’s not worry. Even if the guy we’re seeking hears what’s going on, he might try to pull a stunt just to thumb his nose at us.”
“Great,” Casey muttered. “Something else for me to worry about.”
“Are you going to be like this all evening? Lighten up! We’re supposed to enjoy ourselves.”
“You always hate parties,” she reminded him.
“That’s because I feel out of place,” he said. “Tonight, it’s easier because we have a job to do.”
“What, exactly?”
“Sparkle and look happy,” he told her. “Like we haven’t got a care in the world.”
It wasn’t going to be as difficult as Jack might have expected. Running an operation like this filled him with confidence, not the cockiness of a fool who believes nothing can go wrong but the keenness and quick reflexes of a man preparing to play a game at which he excels. Why shouldn’t he enjoy himself ?
In fact, he’d had a double dose of adrenaline today, coordinating with Nicos and Paul on the phone about the Greek conference and meeting with Roundtree in town. The chief had seemed eager to see action and rueful that he was no longer physically able to take on any rough stuff. He’d also been complimentary about Jack’s work with Larry.
“The guy’s got a whole new attitude,” Roundtree had said as the two of them inspected the entrances and exits at the community center. “I always liked him but I didn’t see his full potential until now. Maybe I should have agreed to expand our service area when I had the chance.”
Jack hadn’t commented. He’d focused on familiarizing himself with the layout for tonight’s event, reminding himself that the operation of the town’s police department was none of his business.
However, he suspected that if the chief really wanted to, he’d find a way to put the young officer on full-time duty. That would not only be good for him, it would benefit the community.
The place was growing, he noted now as he and Casey passed the housing development under construction. The chief had also mentioned a shopping center planned south of town.
Noticing how long his wife had been silent, he said, “Are you okay?”
“I just had another Braxton Hicks contraction,” she admitted.
“You’re sure that’s all it is?”
“I absolutely refuse to go into labor tonight and spoil everything!” she shot back.
“It’s not the sort of thing you can control.”
“I am not in labor.” She folded her arms.
If anybody could rule the forces of nature, it would be his wife, Jack thought in amusement. Whatever happened, he planned to take it in stride. New mothers didn’t deliver instantaneously, Casey had informed him earlier, so even if labor was starting, they’d still have a few hours to catch their guy.
And he had a good feeling about the operation, no matter how Al Rawlins reacted to his daughter’s news.
* * *
DESPITE HER MISGIVINGS, Casey’s spirits rose when they entered the community center. The organizers had festooned it with silk blossoms and paper greenery, and the scents of home-cooked food from the buffet table stirred her appetite.
But what excited her most was seeing so many old friends, including farmers who didn’t often come into town. Chatter filled the air as people greeted each other, showed off their fast-growing children and swapped news. Affairs like this reminded her that, even though TV and the Internet tempted people to stay home for their entertainment, there was no substitute for a community gathering.
Plus, it was for a good cause. In addition to the inexpensive admission tickets, a silent auction and crafts sale would likely net hundreds of dollars for the library. Casey had donated an autographed copy of a Munch Mancini mystery by Barbara Seranella that she’d bought in L.A.
As they walked through the large activities room, she enjoyed the way others came over to be introduced to Jack or greeted him with genuine liking. His calm assurance made people respect him immediately, she could tell. Even those who’d had reservations about her absentee husband seemed eager to talk to him tonight.
She didn’t know exactly what had changed in the past few days. Maybe it was the by-now well-known story of how he’d saved Enid from the fire. More likely, it was the natural charisma that Jack didn’t seem to realize he possessed.
She loved him so much. She knew this feeling must show in her face, and didn’t care.
He, too, seemed different. Although she realized he might simply be playing a role as they’d arranged, his selfassured smile made him almost irresistible.
With an inward sigh, Casey forced her attention away from her husband. If she hung on too tightly, everyone would speculate later about the reason. Instead, she surveyed the room until she spotted Gail and Enid.
They must have arrived early. Although the two women didn’t normally socialize together, they were doing their best to stay close, she could see.
The pairing seemed to work well. Former students and their parents made a beeline for Enid, leaving Gail free to watch the crowd. Between them, they should be able to identify who was present and who was missing.
She’d already spotted Royce, who would probably be calling square dances later on. If he decided to slip out, they’d have no problem detecting his absence.
She’d never believed her old boyfriend wanted to harm anyone. Furthermore, the prowling had started before Jack returned, at a time when Royce might still have hoped to win Casey back if he’d really felt possessive.
Nevertheless, her opinion wavered as she caught a less-than-friendly glance he slanted toward Jack. When he noticed Casey staring, Royce shrugged and turned away, nearly colliding with Mimi Godwin. His lips formed a silent whistle as he took in her appearance in a new, figure-hugging dress.
“I’m glad she came.” Casey spotted Mimi’s mother, Jean, talking with the mayor’s wife, but didn’t see Owen. “I wonder where her dad is.”
“He’s the one that’s suffering memory problems, isn’t he?” Jack said. “Let’s find out. I want everyone accounted for.”
Casey almost broke off their approach when she saw how animatedly Mimi was talking to Royce. She hated to spoil a possible budding friendship, but at this point it would look odd if she suddenly changed direction.
As she’d feared, Royce skittered away. Despite a regretful glance at his retreating back, Mimi didn’t seem perturbed. In answer to Jack’s question, she said, “Dad fell asleep early. We didn’t think it would do any harm to slip out.”
“Will he be all right by himself ?” Casey asked.
“Our neighbor offered to peek in on him,” Mimi said. “Besides, we won’t stay long.”
“I hope you don’t have to hurry too much. Royce seems interested in you,” she said.
“How could he help it?” Jack added diplomatically. “You look great tonight, Mimi.”
She gave them both a broad smile. Casey, who’d never seen her husband act so sociable, nearly fell over.
“He’s a good guy.” Mimi’s gaze shifted to Royce, who was checking the sound system. “I’m hoping it’s finally sunk in that you’re not interested. Once he gets it through his head, maybe he’ll be looking for someone who’s available.”
“He couldn’t find a better partner than you,” Casey said.
“Hold that thought!” Mimi broke off. “Uh-oh. Look who just showed up in a bad mood.”
Across the large room, Casey caught sight of Sandra with her parents. Al wore a scowl dark enough to dim the lights, and his daughter avoided Casey’s gaze.
Neither she nor Jack could say anything with Mimi standing right there. But she suspected they shared the same thought.
Al obviously knew what they were planning tonight. If he was the guy they sought, their efforts had been in vain.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Although Jack could see Casey’s spirits plummeting, he didn’t share her pessimism. Even if the prowler stayed away tonight, his
conspicuous absence would cast extra suspicion on Al Rawlins, potentially narrowing the field for Chief Roundtree in the future.
Besides, the evening wasn’t over until it was over. And that point lay hours ahead.
As soon as he could arrange a private moment, he called the chief and Larry to find out what they’d observed so far. Roundtree said that, as far as he could tell, most of the town had crammed itself into the community center, since parked cars were spilling into adjacent lots. “I don’t think there’s anyone left to keep an eye on,” he joked.
Larry had a different story to tell. “On my way over, I saw an old pickup with out-of-state plates and a camper shell heading west on Pine Woods. Kind of unusual, since there aren’t any homes past Casey’s place. Then a few minutes ago, I observed some lights in the woods just beyond her property. Might be a transient living in his truck.”
Jack remembered noticing a road on that land a few days ago, although he hadn’t seen any signs of habitation. “I don’t see what you can do as long as he stays off Casey’s land.”
“I might go talk to him,” Larry persisted. “If it makes him nervous, well, that’ll tell me something.”
“It’ll tell you he’s scared of cops, but not why. He could just be an oddball.” Although Jack admired the rookie’s enthusiasm, he wasn’t eager to leave the Pine Woods unguarded. “It’s nearly dark, which means our guy’s likely to show up any time. I’d advise sticking around.”
“Okay,” the officer said. “But I’ll have Matt and Bo keep an eye on that side of the property.”
“Sounds good to me.” As he clicked off, Jack wondered whether a transient would be aware of the festivities.
If the guy had a proclivity for spying on people, he might have noticed the signs around town. If not, well, they’d have to hope he chose tonight to act stupid, assuming he was the interloper. But he hoped Larry wasn’t making that assumption.
Laziness and bad police work could lead to focusing on the wrong guy just because he was an outsider. Jack’s teenage run-ins with school authorities had taught him the unfairness of that approach.
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