***
Charity opened her eyes with a start. Just like the previous morning when she’d awoken in the woods, she knew something wasn’t right, wasn’t familiar.
She blinked as the living room came into focus. Her hand was flung across . . . Joshua’s chest?
They’d fallen asleep together on the couch!
She quickly sat up, at once feeling foolish.
Joshua shifted and ran a hand over his face, looking far more awake than she did. “You fell asleep last night,” he murmured. “I couldn’t bear to wake you up. I just didn’t expect to fall asleep also.”
“The two of you were resting so peacefully, I decided not to bother either of you,” Daleigh said from the breakfast bar. She smiled mischievously before taking a sip of her coffee. How long had she been there?
Despite how self-conscious Charity felt at the moment, she had to admit that she’d slept better last night than she had in a long time. She hadn’t had her normal nightmares or night sweats or paranoia.
She stood up, already missing Joshua’s warmth. “I should get ready for today.”
“You have plans?” Joshua asked.
She let out a feeble laugh. “Not really. Of course, I didn’t have plans to fall asleep in your arms last night, either.”
He pushed himself to his feet and stretched. “I need to get into work. I’ve got a long day ahead of me. I’ll try to check in when I can, okay?”
Charity felt her cheeks flush. His voice sounded husky, personal; its tone made it clear they were more than friends.
She was setting herself up for heartbreak, wasn’t she?
“Be safe today, okay?” she said.
He nodded and kissed her forehead. “I will. You too.”
He waved to Daleigh before leaving.
As soon as he was gone, Charity pulled her gaze up to Daleigh. Her friend’s eyes danced with delight. “I was going to ask how things were going between the two of you. I take it they’re going well.”
She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. “I’m not sure why either of us are exploring something that won’t work. But when I’m around Joshua, it just feels right.”
Daleigh smiled again, almost as if she knew something Charity didn’t. “I pray that you’ll find some of those answers, Charity. And soon. But I have to say that I know the real thing when I see it. What you and Joshua have—there’s no denying the two of you are great together.”
Charity couldn’t bring herself to nod. Instead, she pressed her lips together in contemplation.
No job, no house, no money.
Not to mention Joshua lived in a town where most of the residents hated her. Why would Charity ever want to come back to a place that had treated her so badly? That had made so many judgments of her?
She knew the answer: she wouldn’t. Ever.
***
After going home to shower and change, Joshua took off to Nags Head to talk to Heidi Johansson. He knew Austin was already back in school, since teachers went back earlier than students. But Joshua needed some answers from Heidi anyway, and he didn’t want to give her too much warning.
He pulled up to her place at 10:00 a.m. and knocked at the door. She answered a moment later, a toddler on her hip and clothed in sweatpants and a T-shirt. She obviously hadn’t been expecting company.
“Can I help you?” she asked, staring suspiciously.
“I’m Officer Haven from the Hertford PD. We met last week when I was here talking to your husband.”
Her gaze flashed with recognition before turning cold again. “Well, Austin’s not here right now, so I’m sorry you wasted a trip out this way.”
“I actually wanted to talk to you.”
She stared, her gaze pensive and her muscles tight. “I’m not sure I have anything to say.”
“It’s just a few questions about Andrea Whitaker’s disappearance.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Her abductor has been captured. I saw it on the news.”
“Could we talk?”
She finally pushed the door open. He stepped into her house—a small place littered with toys. She didn’t offer him a seat or the opportunity to go any farther than the entryway. “What can I do for you?”
“Mrs. Johansson, how long have you been married to Austin?”
“Four years. Why?”
“How long did you date?”
“On and off for six years before that.”
Joshua nodded. What she said confirmed his initial thoughts. “I understand you didn’t care for Andrea Whitaker. Is that true?”
“Go play, Gavin.” Once the boy scrambled away, she crossed her arms. “Now why would you say that?”
“Rumor has it you were intimidated by your husband’s relationship with his student.”
She broke eye contact and looked away for several seconds, as if gathering her thoughts. “Yes, that’s true. At first, it really bothered me. I thought he might have an inappropriate relationship with Andrea. But he explained everything to me later.”
“Explained what?”
She sighed and crossed her arms. “Andrea had discovered her dad had a girlfriend. She didn’t know who to talk to about it. Not her mom or brothers. She feared her whole family was going to fall apart. So she talked to my husband and got his advice.”
“What did he tell her?”
“To stay out of it. It was an adult matter, and she wouldn’t be helping anything by getting involved. Apparently, Ron found out about their conversation, and the two of them nearly got into a fistfight. Ron told Austin to mind his own business and to stay away from his daughter.”
So that was the fight Sarah Reynolds had mentioned to Charity.
“I also have a feeling that was one of the reasons Austin was never formally a suspect,” Heidi continued. “Ron knew if he pressed charges or made too big a deal of things, Austin could bring up the affair.”
That was why someone shouldn’t have a broken moral compass and be an officer of the law: there were too many ways people could leverage their indiscretions against them. Ron Whitaker was a case in point.
“Just one more question.”
“What’s that?”
“What size shoe do you wear?”
“Ten and a half. Why?”
“Just wondering.”
She stared at him. “I didn’t have anything to do with this. There’s something else you should know, though. Despite the fact that my husband and I haven’t been on the best terms lately, I have been worried about him.”
“Why’s that?”
“He acted strangely after you and Charity stopped by. Kind of moody. But two days ago, he decided he needed to take off for a while. Right before he left, he was kind of freaking out. I haven’t heard from him since.”
CHAPTER 38
“Joshua, I need to see you in my office,” Chief Rollins said as soon as he arrived back.
“Yes, ma’am.” He followed her through the door, closing it behind him, and sat across from her. “What’s going on?”
She laced her fingers together on her desk and locked gazes with Joshua. “There are a couple of things I need to tell you. The first is about Ron Whitaker.”
“What about him?”
“I know you think something suspicious has been going on between us, and I can finally set the record straight. I’ve been speaking to Ron because he’s friends with the former police chief down in Wilmington.”
“That’s where your son lives, right? Is he okay?”
“Jason is fine. He’s more than fine, actually. He and his wife are having a baby.”
Joshua’s eyes widened. “That’s great. Congratulations.”
“Although I’m way too young to be a grandmother, I’m very excited. So excited that I’m taking a new position down in Wilmington so I can be closer.”
“What?” Certainly Joshua hadn’t heard correctly.
The chief nodded. “I’m leaving. Ron helped me meet with the right people, and he put in a good wo
rd for me. That’s what all the secrecy has been about lately. I couldn’t say anything until I knew for sure.”
“I don’t know what to say. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” She nodded. “I want you to know that I put in a good word for you with the mayor. I think you’d make an excellent chief. You’re more than qualified. You don’t back down to people, and I think you’d actually be good for this town.”
“Thank you, Chief. That means a lot.”
Her smile fell. “But there’s something else we need to discuss. Charity White.”
His muscles tensed. “What about Charity?”
“We actually got word back from the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation. We sent them the shoe prints from the fire at Ms. White’s house. Lab analysis indicates that the person outside Charity’s window was wearing shoes that were too large for them.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m saying that someone was trying to throw us off her trail. The shoe impression wasn’t even, indicating the tips of the shoes were empty. All the weight was in the center, for lack of a better scientific term.”
“I see. But what does this have to do with Charity?”
She frowned, the lines on her face deepening. “I had Isaac go through her trash can today.”
A moment of outrage flashed through him. “You got a warrant?”
She shook her head. “It’s trash day, so the can was on the street. It’s fair game. Anyway, we found these inside.” She reached under her desk and pulled out a pair of tennis shoes.
When she turned them over, Joshua saw that the markings on the bottom matched the prints found at the scene. He also saw the “Size 11” on the sole.
But why were they in Charity’s trash can?
There was no way she was involved in this . . . was there?
“Let me talk to her.”
“Are you sure you can be objective?”
“Yes. You have my word.”
The chief nodded. “I expect nothing less.”
***
Charity felt that familiar delight when she saw Joshua at her door. But when she stepped out to greet him, she immediately noticed he seemed stiff, professional.
“Can I come in a moment?”
Any joy she’d felt disappeared. Something was wrong. “Of course. Come on in. Daleigh’s practicing some songs in the back.”
He sat on the couch, but not beside her. He purposely waited until she sat down, and he sat across from her. More unease sloshed inside her.
“Charity, I have to ask you something. It’s going to be uncomfortable.”
“You can ask me anything, Joshua. I’m not keeping anything from you.” Despite that, a touch of perspiration trickled down her back.
He shifted, obviously uncomfortable. “Charity, the chief found some shoes in your trash can today. They were size eleven, and they match the ones from the arson.”
“Okay . . .” She shook her head, trying to shake out the fact and shake away the confusion. “I don’t wear a size eleven.” She held up her feet.
He swallowed hard. “No, but we have evidence that proves whoever wore the shoes outside your house didn’t fit into these shoes. She wore them to mask the true size of her feet.”
“What? Why would someone do that—?” Her face fell as reality hit her. “Oh. Someone wanted to make it look like Andrea.”
“That’s correct.”
“But who—?” Realization hit a second time. “You think I did that?”
Joshua shook his head and reached for her hand. “No, Charity. I didn’t say—”
She pulled away from his touch. “You didn’t have to say it. I think it’s pretty clear.”
“Charity, listen. It’s my job to follow every lead. I didn’t want someone else to come here and tell you this.”
She stood, all her emotions rising to the surface in one volcano-like explosion. “To tell me that I’m guilty?”
“I don’t think you’re guilty.” He said the words a little too calmly, almost like he wanted to placate her.
“Why was someone looking in my trash in the first place?” Her hands went to her hips. She knew it would be an understatement to say she was feeling defensive.
“Charity, please, sit down.”
“I don’t want to sit down.”
He let out a quick breath. “The chief found out you’re receiving a nice insurance payout from the fire. She thinks you had the most to gain from the arson.”
“But you saw Andrea. What does she think—that I hired someone who looks like my friend and asked her to show up at random times?”
Joshua didn’t say anything.
Charity sank back to the couch and buried her face in her hands. “I can’t believe this.”
Joshua moved closer. “Charity—”
She shook her head. “Save it. I thought you were different.”
“I don’t think you’re guilty, Charity.”
“I don’t know who to believe anymore. This town thought I was guilty ten years ago, and now they’re still trying to think of reasons I might be guilty.” She looked at him, her gaze hot. “Are you taking me into the station?”
Joshua shook his head. “No.”
“Then I think I’m going to lie down.”
Before Joshua could say anything else, she hurried back to her bedroom. Suddenly Monday seemed like a really long time away.
CHAPTER 39
Despite the craziness this week, Joshua felt like he had an obligation to help with the fund-raiser the next day. His heart felt heavy as he replayed his conversation with Charity yesterday. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. The hurt in her eyes had been enough to give him nightmares.
How could Charity think he wasn’t on her side? Hadn’t he proven that? Things had been going so well between them. Couldn’t she see he was trying to look out for her?
Of course he didn’t think she was guilty. She’d been set up. Maybe Buddy had been set up also. By who? Austin Johansson?
There was an APB out for the man, but he hadn’t been spotted yet. Joshua needed to question him; the man had disappeared for a reason. Did it have to do with this case?
Joshua manned the grounds at the car show as Daleigh warmed up onstage. The weather was looking perfect for the day—warm, but not too humid or hot. A good number of people had shown up for the event, so he hoped it would be a good fund-raiser for Ryan's nephew. That’s what this was all about.
As he patrolled the area, he stopped to greet several people. He glanced over at the ticket booth and saw Charity there, smiling at a family at the entrance.
His heart warmed quickly before cooling. His gut twisted when he thought about her leaving, when he thought about their fight.
He’d known from the start that Hertford was only a temporary stop for her; Charity's life was back in Tennessee. Yet a part of him had begun to hope.
If he were honest, he'd admit that he couldn't stop thinking about her. She’d surprised him. The emotions Joshua felt when he was with her surprised him. He didn't think he'd ever feel this way again, not after Justina broke his heart. Yet here he was. Despite the pain in his past, he hoped for love again. At least, he had until yesterday.
Charity caught him watching her and narrowed her eyes at him. She was still upset. Would she ever forgive him?
He sighed and paced around the perimeter of the property, making sure everyone was behaving in an orderly manner. Isaac was here somewhere also, but both had their radios on, just in case something popped up somewhere else in town.
Joshua paused and scanned the area.
Why did a bad feeling churn in his gut? Everything appeared to be going smoothly.
Yet he couldn't help but think that maybe this would be the perfect place for whoever was behind the recent crimes in town to strike again. He wanted to keep an eye on Charity, just in case trouble stirred.
Daleigh began crooning from the stage, her smooth voice quieting the crowds. People began migra
ting toward the stage area with every strum of her guitar. So far, so good.
“How's it going?” Ryan asked.
“Everything is running smoothly.” Almost too perfect. He kept that part to himself.
"Good. That’s how I wanted everything to play out." His friend paused and looked at him. “What are you thinking?”
“What do you mean?” He hadn’t wanted anything to ruin his friend’s day, especially since he was so excited about helping out his nephew.
“I know we've only been friends for a few months, but I can already tell something’s bothering you,” Ryan said.
He glanced over at Charity again. She still stood there at the ticket booth, smiling warmly and looking surprisingly at ease. “I hope no one will use this venue to advance their own agenda. You know what I mean?”
Ryan nodded slowly. "Unfortunately, I do. With everything that's happened, you never know when danger will strike again. I’ll help keep an eye on Charity for you. Does that work?”
“I'd appreciate it.”
“I heard the two of you had your first fight yesterday.”
“You did?”
Ryan shrugged. “I guess Charity was pretty upset. Despite that, I know she cares about you. Just give her some time.”
“Thanks, man.”
Ryan's gaze zeroed in on someone in the distance. “I was kind of hoping he wouldn't show his face around here.”
Joshua followed his gaze. Ron Whitaker. “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. But too many people in this town think the man walks on water. He’s too prideful to hide away from the world.”
As if Ron sensed Joshua was talking about him, he stormed over to them. “I take it your got my files.”
“I did.”
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I want to be in the loop.”
Joshua understood his implications, but knew better than to show his outrage. “Of course we’ll share any information that we can.”
Ron leaned even closer. “If you don’t, I can ensure you won’t make chief. Don’t forget that.”
Joshua tilted his head, certainly he hadn’t heard the man correctly. “Are you threatening me?”
Gone by Dark (Carolina Moon Book 2) Page 22
