Gone by Dark (Carolina Moon Book 2)

by Christy Barritt

Joshua dropped Charity off with his truck in case she needed to do any errands. Then he went back to the station to work on some paperwork. Before he started on that, he needed to talk to Chief Rollins. He started toward her office but paused when he heard her talking.

  “I understand that, Ron, and I appreciate your consideration. You know I’ve always thought a lot of you.”

  Joshua bristled. Was she talking to Ron Whitaker?

  The chief had never worked with the man, but she had to inevitably know the man from living in town. She wouldn’t be feeding him information about the case, would she?

  “Some things were just never meant to come to the surface. You and I both know that. Anyone in our shoes would.”

  Pause.

  “Of course I’ll keep you updated. You can always count on me.”

  Something didn’t sit right in his gut. He knocked at the door, and the inside of her office went quiet. A moment later, he heard a “Come in” from the other side.

  Chief Rollins looked up at him, phone back on its cradle, and no evidence of her conversation visible.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  She smiled a little too brightly. “Everything’s just fine. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m going to head over and talk to the fire chief. Someone set that fire last night at Charity White’s house. As far as I’m concerned, it was attempted murder. Her doors were nailed shut.”

  “That’s horrible. Death by fire is a terrible way to go. Any suspects?”

  “Women’s footprints were found outside.”

  “Charity’s?”

  He shook his head. “Her feet are too small.”

  “Charity have any idea if there are any other women in town who might want to hurt her?”

  “Not that she knows of.”

  “It sounds like we have another investigation on our hands. Things certainly have been stirred up since that woman came back into town.”

  He tried not to take offense at her use of “that woman.” “I’m wondering if someone lured her back here for some reason. Maybe to get revenge? Maybe Charity was the real target all along? I’m not sure.”

  “Interesting theory. See what you can find out. I’d be interested in having some answers to all of this, also.”

  But why wasn’t she more interested? Some police officers would have called in the FBI by now. They would have reopened the case and put everyone in the department on it.

  Chief Rollins seemed content to sit back and watch things play out.

  As he stepped away, he glanced down.

  He’d never noticed it before, but the chief had rather large feet. Size eleven? He wasn’t sure. But it was worth keeping in mind.

  ***

  Charity had run around town for the rest of the day, going to the bank to get a temporary debit card, stopping by the store to pick up a few items, and buying a cheap new track phone that would last at least until she left here.

  When Charity got back to Daleigh’s place, she found her sitting on the couch with her guitar in hand. A single string reverberated in the room as Daleigh paused. Then her earthy voice rang through the room in an almost haunting melody.

  “To the girl who’s fatherless, to the woman who’s lost her one true love

  God weeps

  To the one who feels alone, to the one who longs for a warm safe hug

  God weeps.”

  Daleigh opened her eyes and saw Charity standing there. She paused. “Charity, I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have let you know I was here. Your song just captivated me.”

  “It’s a new one I’m working on.” She put her guitar back on the stand.

  “You really believe those words?”

  “That God weeps for us?” Daleigh asked. “Absolutely. He loves us and hates to see us hurt.”

  “Most of the time I think God doesn’t care.”

  “I know it’s easy to think that. God doesn’t always change our circumstances, but He can change our hearts and our perceptions. I had to learn that the hard way, Charity. Life is full of pain and disappointment. God never promises it will be otherwise. But He promises He’ll be there with us for every step of the journey.”

  Charity smiled. “I like that.” She’d have to dwell on it a little longer, though. It contradicted the impression she’d had of God for so long.

  “How’d it go today, by the way?” Daleigh asked.

  “I’m getting things back in order the best I can.”

  “That’s great. Listen, I wondered if you wanted to take a walk?”

  “A walk?” Charity repeated.

  Daleigh grinned. “It’s such a beautiful day outside. Ryan is working. I imagine Joshua is too—”

  “Although, that wouldn’t make a difference, because we’re only friends in a professional sense.”

  Daleigh stared a moment before nodding. “Right. Yes. I mean, of course. Anyhow, I just love strolling through town on days like today. Maybe we could get an ice cream cone at the pharmacy and then go sit by the water?”

  Charity nodded. “You know what? That sounds nice. It beats what I was going to do.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Sit down and worry.” Charity offered an impish frown.

  “I reckon it does. We definitely need to get you out so you don’t give in to that temptation.”

  They headed out the door, strolling at a leisurely pace. Though it was late August, the day was balmy and a nice breeze skimmed over the water. The sky was bright blue and brilliant, and it somehow made the whole town seem more cheerful.

  Charity cleared her throat. “So, why are you here in Hertford instead of Nashville, Daleigh? I just assumed—”

  “—that’s where all of country music’s finest live?” Daleigh completed with a smile.

  Charity smiled. “Yes, I suppose so.”

  “I’ve heard that before.” She chuckled, but the sound quickly faded. “To be truthful, I was becoming swallowed by that world, Charity. It’s nice to be here, to be a part of a small hometown and away from all the craziness. There’s always a concert, a promotion, a new album, a new tour. I needed a break.”

  “I see.”

  “I realize your experience has been different than mine, but I think Hertford is a fine town,” Daleigh said. “When it really matters, everyone comes together and reaches out with some of that Southern country goodness we’re known for.”

  “That Southern sweetness can turn bitter in the blink of an eye.”

  “Well, I can’t deny that. But I’ve got to believe that in the end good always wins. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the story of life itself. God created man. Man messed up. Man is broken. But God redeems us. Good wins. Hope wins. Love wins.”

  Charity smiled. “I like that. I can’t say I’ve felt it in my life, but I like it.”

  “The thing about our core beliefs is that they shouldn’t be about feeling. They’re a choice that we cling to.”

  As they neared the pharmacy, Charity slowed her steps. Something unseen made her bristle. She glanced around, looking for the source.

  A man wearing a baseball cap leaned against a tree in the distance. He was staring right at them. At least, Charity felt certain he was. His sunglasses concealed his eyes.

  Had she ever seen that man before? She couldn’t be sure.

  Of course, the man probably wasn’t staring at her. He was watching Daleigh. Of course. Charity nearly let out a laugh.

  Charity nudged Daleigh. “I think you’ve got an admirer.”

  Daleigh looked up and shrugged. “Never seen him before.”

  Despite everything Charity told herself about the man being harmless, she still felt an unusual measure of relief when she slipped inside the pharmacy.

  The fact that someone had tried to kill her last night probably had something to do with her unease.

  Because an even bigger question remained in her mind: Would this person try a second time to finish the ta
sk that had failed last night?

  CHAPTER 13

  The next morning, Joshua pulled up in his police cruiser. He’d called the night before and asked if Charity wanted to have breakfast with him and discuss the case. Charity had said yes before she had a chance to second-guess herself.

  He came to the door, gave her a look of approval, and then walked her to his truck, which was already at the house, since he’d let Charity borrow it yesterday.

  They didn’t really speak other than chitchat until they reached the Have a Nice Day Café. The place had ruffled yellow curtains on the windows and randomly placed shelves with smiley face knickknacks. There were about twenty or so tables and booths, most with black vinyl seats. The scent of bacon and coffee saturated the air.

  “This is on me, so order whatever you’d like,” Joshua said, sitting down at a window booth.

  “Thank you.”

  A waitress named Mildred appeared and automatically poured coffee for them, as well as offered a rundown on today’s weather: sunny and hot. Charity ordered eggs, bacon, and toast, and Joshua got the pancake breakfast.

  “This is the place you come for a true taste of Hertford,” Joshua started. “Mildred is a town fixture.”

  “This place wasn’t here when I was in high school,” Charity said. “Several restaurants tried to make a go of it here, but none succeeded.”

  Joshua shifted, the polite chitchat fading along with the lighthearted look in his gaze. “I can’t stop thinking about the fire, Charity. You said you have no idea who those footprints might belong to?”

  Charity nearly dropped her coffee. She caught it before it toppled, but hot liquid still spilled over the edges. “I’m such a klutz.”

  He handed her a napkin. “It’s no problem.”

  With shaky hands, she cleaned up the mess she’d made, hoping she’d avoided his question.

  “What are you thinking, Charity?” He leaned closer, his gaze intense on hers.

  She should have known it wouldn’t be that easy. She rubbed the side of the ceramic coffee mug again, wishing her soul felt as cheery as the smiling yellow cup. “You’ll think I’m crazy.”

  “Try me.”

  “Let it be known that I tried to warn you.”

  “Of course.”

  Her gaze flicked up to his. “I thought I saw Andrea the other day.”

  “Andrea Whitaker?” He blinked as if he hadn’t heard her correctly.

  She nodded. “I know how it sounds. But I don’t have any explanations for it.”

  “Where did you see her?”

  The memory flashed back in her mind, and Charity felt like she was there again. “I was on my back deck. I looked into the woods, and I saw her there. I stepped closer, but . . .”

  “But what?” Joshua leaned closer.

  “She ran away.” She sighed and leaned back, knowing good and well how her story sounded.

  “No one has seen her in ten years.”

  Charity nodded. “I know. But I talked to my old friend Sarah Reynolds the other day. She said she thought she saw Andrea not long ago. She was driving from Hertford to Edenton and saw a woman who looked like Andrea walking down the road.”

  The corner of Joshua’s eye twitched. “Charity, do you really think she could still be alive?”

  At least he hadn’t totally written off what she said, nor had he laughed in her face. “I have no idea. I would love some answers. I don’t think I can truly ever live with myself until I know what happened to her. It’s been a decade, and it hasn’t gotten any easier yet.”

  “I understand that people blamed you.”

  Her throat tightened. “That’s correct. There had just been another case up in Virginia that was all over the news. Two girls killed their best friend, buried her body, and claimed someone else had taken her. Meanwhile, the girls had plotted to murder their friend and cover up the crime. It was horrible and senseless and . . . sad. Andrea’s dad thought I’d gotten the idea from those girls and done the same thing.”

  She watched his expression, waiting to see judgment or fear. She saw neither. He remained focused.

  “What did people think your motive was?”

  Charity let out a small sigh. “Andrea was everything I wasn’t. She was outgoing, popular, fearless. The police thought I was jealous. Mix my family life into that, and I seemed like a sure bet.”

  “You mentioned you had a rough childhood”

  She pressed her lips together for a moment. “My mom was messed up. I guess people thought the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

  His gaze remained on her. “That must have been hard on you.”

  “To say the least. But I survived.”

  “Living with guilt every day—unnecessary guilt—is just barely surviving.”

  “Well, you do what you have to do to make it through. I’m still breathing, right?”

  He eased up on his intense stance and finally leaned back in his seat, letting out a breath of air. “It must have taken a lot of courage for you to come back here.”

  “I don’t know what’s worse: other people’s judgments of me or my own.”

  Just then, their food arrived. Joshua closed his eyes in what must have been a prayer. Out of courtesy, Charity also paused, waiting until he finished before raising her fork. It must be nice to believe in a God who had everything under control, who had a plan for people’s lives.

  To believe like Daleigh believed.

  Did God really weep? Did He really care that much?

  Charity wasn’t sure if that would make her experience easier or harder to accept. If God were in control, that meant He’d let all of this happen, which made Him seem cruel and heartless—loveless. But it also meant that somewhere in this mess, there was hope that good could come from bad.

  “Let’s assume for a minute that the person you saw, the person who left the hat, who sent the text, isn’t Andrea. Who else could it be?”

  Suddenly, Charity’s appetite started to vanish. She forced herself to swallow the bite of toast in her mouth. “I’ve asked myself that before. Many times. I wish I had a great answer. Maybe it’s the person who actually abducted Andrea.”

  “Why risk being discovered by reappearing now? This person has gotten away with the crime for so long.”

  “You’re a cop. You know how it is. Some people like to hurt others for the attention it gets them. They don’t want to get away with it.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “True.”

  “As I told you earlier, I work as a victim advocate in Tennessee. Maybe I thought that if I helped other victims reclaim their lives, I could find a little peace in my own.” She shrugged, uncertain why she’d shared that. “Anyway, I know that there’s a lot of evil out there, a lot of people who destroy just for the sake of destroying.”

  “If not the person who abducted Andrea, is there anyone else who’d want to play mind games with you?”

  She shuddered. “We’ve already established that there are a lot of people in this town who don’t like me. I’d say maybe one of them was trying to prove a point, make me pay. But then I have to ask myself where they got Andrea’s hat.”

  “There are no easy answers here.”

  “I wasn’t privy to all the information on the case. Of course, Andrea’s dad knew everything that had been discovered because he was the police chief at the time. But the former chief—Chief Owens—he might know something.” Chief Owens had taken over the investigation when it became apparent Ron Whitaker couldn’t handle it. He’d been chief before Ron and had acted as lead on the case until the FBI stepped in.

  “Today’s my day off. I say we go pay him a visit.”

  She pointed to herself, certain she hadn’t heard Joshua correctly. “You want me to come?”

  “I want to see how he reacts to you. Does that make you uncomfortable?”

  “Everything makes me uncomfortable, Joshua. But I’ll do it.”

  ***

  Joshua wasn’t sure this was the bes
t idea, but he’d already thrown it out. He wanted to pursue more of this case. Chief Rollins had left the investigation in his hands when he’d been assigned to investigate the hat left on Charity’s porch. So he was just pursuing answers about whoever had left that clue. Normally, he’d never, ever take either a victim or a suspect with him. But he did honestly want to see how both the chief and Charity reacted to each other.

  There had been a moment—and just a moment—this morning while Joshua and Charity were eating breakfast when he’d thought Charity was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. He’d seen the pictures of her in high school. She was pretty back then, but had still looked awkward. Her hair had been short and unruly, her gaze had looked uncertain, and her clothing hadn’t quite fit correctly.

  Today, her hair was long. Almost too long. It was still unruly, but in a way that made her seem free and uninhibited. Her gaze still remained uncertain, but now more mysterious. Her clothes were comfortable, but showed off her pleasant figure.

  The fact that Joshua was attracted to her scared him. He hadn’t been attracted to anyone since Justina. Even the thought of his ex-wife made his heart tight with tension.

  Love made people weak. That was all there was to it. All his friends had tried to warn him, but he wouldn’t listen. Justina had seemed perfectly suited for him, like everything he’d ever wanted.

  How wrong he’d been. Part of him had stopped believing relationships were worth it. He’d be wise to remember his past.

  He turned his thoughts back to the case as they cruised down the road.

  “Did you keep up with very many people in town after you moved away?” he asked.

  “No, not really. I only visited with my mom when I would come home. She died of cancer a few years ago.”

  She paused in thought before slowly starting again. “I suppose I did keep up with Mr. Johansson also.”

  “Who is Mr. Johansson?”

  “Our drama teacher. I think he was the only one who believed I was innocent and encouraged me to keep my chin up.”

  “How often did you correspond with him?”

  “Maybe once or twice a year? Hard to say. He would email to check in on me.”