Watching Whitney

by Jerri Drennen

  “A single mother from Idaho. That seems to be the link. The coroner confirmed that the woman I found in the lake had a child. That and physical traits of these women.”

  “Which are?”

  “Dark hair. Green eyes.”

  Bryan wrote in his pad. “You said that a local woman has these same attributes and that someone broke into her house. Are you thinking she’s the killer’s next intended victim?”

  Steve nodded. “She’s inside Fry’s with Flint. She has a three-year-old, same as the woman from Idaho. I’m assuming that the woman in the lake also had a child around that age. I’ve talked to Chief Gable over in Carbondale. He’s running through missing persons. I’m hoping he comes across something soon.”

  “What about the child of the dead woman from Idaho? Could she tell the authorities anything?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Does Flint have the information on who conducted that investigation? I think I should call them and see if they have anything that wasn’t in the initial file.”

  “I believe he does.”

  “Good. I think I’ll start there. You’ve been in town for a few days now. Any hunches on if it could be a local?”

  “I just talk to a guy named Schaefer. Something’s not right with him.”

  “You have a first name? I could see what I could dig up.”

  “Dennis.”

  “Anything else you think I should know?”

  “The coroner told me he found a light brown hair twisted in the sweater the woman in the lake was wearing. That might help narrow our search a little.”

  Bryan wrote into his notebook again.

  “Bryan,” Flint called from the doorway of Fry’s.

  “Flint Morgan. You old sight for sore eyes.” The man walked over and shook Flint’s hand. “Steve just filled me in on the case. I have a lot of calls to make. If you could point me in the direction of the nearest motel, I’d like to check in and get started.”

  “That could be a problem.”

  “How so.”

  “The nearest motel is some thirty miles east of here.”

  “So, where will I be staying?”

  Flint pointed toward the storefront. “With the Frys.”

  “Inside the antique shop?”

  “No. They have a home here in town and an extra room. Mrs. Fry is at home right now expecting you.”

  “Are they sure?” His brows knotted together.

  “They’re excited to have you. Come on inside the store and meet Mr. Fry and then you can follow us out to their house.”

  • • •

  Steve jumped out of his vehicle and came around to open the door for Whitney. He hoped that Bryan had been able to find out a few things since they’d shown him to the Frys earlier. Talking to him wouldn’t be an easy feat when Bill and Patsy had no idea why Bryan had really come to Marble. Steve would’ve liked to confide in Bill but that would only make him have to keep secrets — he didn’t want to put him in that situation.

  Kylie and Flint exited the back seat and the little girl immediately clutched Steve’s hand. The gesture made his heart tighten. He had started to think she might be growing fond of him. She’d be hurt when he left. He would never intentionally do that to her. She was innocent and fragile, and he knew he needed to solve this murder before she became even more attached to him.

  Whitney rang the doorbell and smiled at him. She was so beautiful and sexy.

  Get a grip, Morgan.

  Patsy Fry answered the door with a bright smile on her face. “Come on in. Bill and Bryan are in the living room having a cold one.”

  In the room, Bryan and Bill rose when they entered. Patsy took Whitney’s hand and led her and Kylie toward the door to the right. The moment she was gone, Steve felt a tinge of loneliness. He immediately shook the thought. He might as well get used to her not being around because when he went back to Denver, he’d probably never see her again. It wasn’t like she’d come to town to see him. She’d made it pretty clear how much Marble meant to her.

  “How about a beer?” Bill pointed to a cooler off to his right.

  “Sure,” Flint said going over to help himself.

  Steve waved his hand. “I’ll pass. I’m driving.”

  He glanced at Bryan who seemed content in his chair, drinking a beer. Flint took a seat next to his friend. Steve was left to sit with Bill on the sofa. “I asked you here tonight to find out what’s going on.” Bill’s gaze focused on Steve.

  “What do you mean?” Had Bryan said something he shouldn’t have?

  “Ben and Mason have been acting strangely since you arrived in town. I have a feeling they know something that I don’t. And, whatever it is, you’re at the center of it all.”

  Steve wasn’t sure what to say. Bill was a good man and he could probably use another pair of ears and eyes, but could telling him somehow jeopardize the investigation?

  Steve looked at both Flint and Bryan who both shrugged. They were going to leave the decision completely up to him.

  Damn it. Maybe he didn’t want to make the choice.

  “Did it have something to do with the emergency vehicles dispatched to the area a few days ago?”

  “How did you know about that?”

  “I was coming back from Carbondale and they flew past me. Care to tell me why they were called?”

  “I’m going to tell you what’s going on, Bill, but I’ll have to have your word that you keep it to yourself. Mason, Ben, and Whitney are the only ones besides us that know.”

  “Of course, I won’t tell a soul.”

  “While I was out fishing at the lake, my line snagged something. It was a dead woman.”

  Bill’s eyes widened. “Do you know who she was?”

  Steve shook his head. “I still don’t. Sheriff Gable is working on finding that out. She resembled Whitney. We think the person who broke into her house killed the woman in the lake, not to mention one from Idaho nine years ago.”

  “The woman was murdered?”

  Steve nodded. “That’s why Bryan’s here. He profiles cases like these. We want to investigate as quietly as possible. We don’t want the residents to panic.”

  “So this is why Whitney is staying with you? You think she’s next.”

  “She fits the victim profile.” Steve looked around at the people in the room.

  Steve turned to Bryan. “Were you able to find out anything?”

  “A detective on the Idaho woman’s case told me that the daughter was questioned and that all she could tell them was the man had brown hair and blue eyes. Oh and he has a red car.”

  “What about Schaefer? Anything there?”

  “There are about twenty thousand Schaefers. I need a little more information on him.”

  “Dennis?” Bill said, his jaw slack. “Why are you looking into Schaefer? You don’t think he had something to do with these murders, do you?”

  “He isn’t a lifetime resident. He moved here eight-and-a-half years ago. It could be him.”

  Bill shook his head. “No. I don’t think so. Dennis Schaefer wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s a broken man. With losing his daughter and his wife so fragile, he isn’t capable of such a thing.”

  “You’d be surprised how people can fool you. Look at Ted Bundy. No one who knew him would have ever dreamed he was a serial killer.”

  “As I recall, his girlfriend was suspicious of his activities,” Bill interjected.

  “Not enough to tell anyone until he got caught,” Bryan said. “Serial killers can be some of the most charismatic people. They don’t always stand out as strange or evil looking. The case I just profiled fit into the charming male category. No one that knew this man would have ever guessed he was a killer.”

  “
I still say you’re looking at the wrong person. Dennis isn’t a murderer.”

  “Care to suggest someone else?” Steve asked. “We could use some insight right about now. Who hasn’t lived here forever?”

  “Do you really think it’s a Marble resident? Couldn’t it be someone from a neighboring town?”

  Steve clapped his hand on the man’s shoulder. “I understand why you don’t want it to be someone you know, Bill, but you need to open your eyes to the fact that it could very likely be someone close to you.”

  “Because they’re after Whitney?”

  “Yes. They knew where she lived and her cell phone number.”

  Bill cupped his chin with a hand and shook his head. “I can’t believe we could have a killer among us. It’s just too unbelievable to fathom.”

  Patsy stuck her head out the kitchen door. “Bring your beers and come join us. We’re going to eat on the patio.”

  Steve rose and followed them all to the kitchen. He didn’t know how wise it was to tell Bill about everything, but it was too late for regrets now. Hell, maybe Bill would be able to help them solve the case. Stranger things had happened in his nine years on the force.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Whitney stepped into the shower and allowed the warm water to wash away all the pressures of the day. She’d sensed a change in Bill when the men joined them on the patio that evening and could only assume Steve had filled him in on everything. Whitney trusted the older man completely and knew he wouldn’t tell anyone about what he’d been told.

  She squeezed a small about of the shampoo onto her palm and worked it through her hair, the smell of lilacs instantly filling the shower stall. The scent was her favorite — had been since she’d been small and her mother had the sweet smelling bushes growing next to their bathroom window. The fragrance always brought her back to her youth when she didn’t have a care in the world.

  To only experience that feeling again.

  Once out of the shower, Whitney slipped into her lounge pants and T-shirt and left the bathroom to find Steve propped up on the couch, his eyes closed, a light snoring indicating he was asleep.

  She, Kylie and Steve were alone once again. When Patsy had learned of the sleeping arrangements at the cabin, she’d insisted Flint stay in their son’s room. He hadn’t needed to be asked twice, though he did get the okay from Steve first. Who could blame him? Who’d want to sleep on the floor when there was a soft bed available?

  At her leisure, Whitney studied Steve’s features. Flint and Bryan were great looking guys, but Steve had an air about him that literally took her breath. Making love to him had been magic. If she could have only one wish, it would be that he’d stay in Marble and see where their relationship went.

  Strange, but her first thoughts about him had been that he resembled Wyatt in nature, but she’d been wrong. Steve was kind, considerate of others, and had genuine compassion for the human race. Maybe that’s why he’d chosen to go into law enforcement. He truly wanted to help people. Her for example. He hadn’t known her but for a few brief chance meetings and yet he’d taken her and Kylie into his protective arms and sheltered them. Not many men would have done that for a complete stranger.

  Whitney padded to the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water. She drank half the contents and dumped the rest into the sink. As she turned and started for bed, a movement from the cabin’s window gave her heart a jolt. Someone had been watching her through the glass. Could it be the man who’d broken into her house — maybe the sick bastard who murdered the woman in the lake?

  “Steve,” she whispered, hoping he could catch the peeping Tom before he got away. “Steve,” she said again, this time a little louder.

  His eyes popped open and he looked at her. “What?”

  “Someone’s outside. I saw him from there.” Whitney pointed to the window closest to him.

  Steve jumped up and went for his gun and once he’d taken it out of the holster, he raced to the door and swung it open. “Lock it and don’t let anyone in unless it’s me.”

  Whitney bolted and chained the door and waited, her heart hammering wildly inside her chest. She wished she could have gotten a look at the guy but it had been too dark and he’d disappeared as quickly as she’d noticed him.

  Whitney leaned against the door and glanced at Kylie, still sleeping soundly on the bed. Good. She didn’t want to frighten her daughter. The child seemed completely oblivious to all that had been happening and she wanted to keep it that way.

  A thump from outside startled her.

  “Whitney,” Steve said from the other side of the door. “You can let me in.”

  With shaky hands, she unbolted the lock and opened the door wide. She fell into Steve’s arms, relieved that he was all right.

  He ushered her into the room and relocked the door before pulling her back into his strong embrace. “Did you see anything?”

  “I wish I had, but as soon as I turned from the sink, the guy moved. I just saw him for a split second. You couldn’t see anything?” she asked him.

  He shook his head. “Nope, but I heard twigs snap in the distance.”

  “Was it close to the cabins?”

  “It was farther away. Probably near the rec center, but I can’t be sure.”

  Whitney squeezed him tight. “I’m just glad you’re here with me.”

  He looked down and brushed his lips across hers for a brief second. “I am too. I think you’d better try to get some sleep.”

  Whitney shook her head. “I don’t want to. What if the guy comes back?”

  “You don’t need to worry about him anymore tonight. I’ll stay up and keep watch. Go on,” he said releasing her. “Get some sleep.”

  Whitney wanted to protest, but from the look on his face, it’d be useless to try.

  She sighed and walked to the bed, drawing back the quilt to get under the covers. She’d laid in bed and listen for any noise. Steve wanted her to sleep but that was easy to say, a lot harder to do.

  • • •

  Steve blew out a breath, relieved Whitney had finally fallen asleep. He really couldn’t blame her for being frightened. This guy had to be dangerous and a little insane for coming so close to the cabin. He had to know Steve carried a gun since he was a cop.

  He walked to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. This night would be long and he’d need caffeine to get through it.

  While the coffee brewed, he stood and looked out the window where Whitney had seen the shadow. What had the guy planned to do? Was he going to break in and snatch her? Steve would have to really watch her from now on and ramp up finding out who this guy was before he did something really crazy.

  Maybe it’d be wise to get her and Kylie out of town — send her off to visit her parents in Florida? Then again, would the killer follow her? How badly did he want her dead?

  No. He couldn’t take that chance. As long as she stayed with him, he could make sure she remained safe.

  Steve poured himself a cup of coffee and sat at the table, thinking about all the residents he’d met in Marble. No one but Dennis Schaefer stood out. Hopefully by morning, Bryan would have more on the guy once he’d given him more information. Bill didn’t think it could be the man, but Steve wasn’t so sure. The time frames of the murders fit. Maybe he hated the fact that these single women had children when his own had died. That was sick, yes, but so were these murders.

  “Who are you?” he asked aloud, hoping an answer would come. He blew out a breath. The victim was found in the lake. Who’d have easy access? The lake stretched for miles, and where he’d found her body bordered the lodge’s land. There were two roads in and out. Everyone familiar with the area had access.

  Steve took a sip of coffee. This whole case drove him mad. Nothing fit. But then, if he didn’t
fit things together, Whitney’s life would be in danger. No way could he leave Marble unless he knew she’d be safe. She meant too much to him.

  Whoa. Where did that come from? Jesus Christ, Steve. You can’t fall in love with her. You live in Denver. She lives here. It’d never work.

  Steve downed his coffee and rose to refill it. He had to get his mind off Whitney and on solving the victim’s murder. He glanced at his watch. Two o’clock. Why wasn’t time moving faster?

  He glanced over at Whitney and watched the slow raise and fall of her chest. If they were alone, he’d go over and wrap her in his arms and hold her all night. With her in his embrace, he’d keep her safe.

  The chirp of his cell phone gave him a start.

  Why would anyone call at this hour?

  He raced for his cell on the table next to the couch and flipped it open.

  “Steve,” Flint said on the other end.

  “Yeah, what’s wrong?”

  “They found another body.”

  “What? Where?”

  “Over in Reed County. Bill heard it on his scanner and woke me. It’s a woman.”

  “Could Bill tell you where they found her? Was she buried?”

  “I guess the state patrol is on the case. Bryan called in a few favors and was able to learn a man stumbled upon her while he’d been out hunting. Leaves and debris covered the body.”

  “How about cause of death?”

  “They couldn’t say. The body was too decomposed to tell.”

  “This is bad, Flint. This guy could have left a string of dead women across this country and they just haven’t linked them together. Maybe no DNA had been found at the scene. We need to run a check on missing women with the same characteristic — women with small children who vanished.”

  “Bryan’s already on it. This is right up his alley. He’s like a kid in a candy store right now. He’s almost scary when he gets like this.”

  “I might as well tell you that Whitney saw someone outside the cabin window a few hours ago. He’s determined to make her his next victim. I’d put her in protective custody if I knew she’d agree. She’s stubborn and I don’t want her to take off on her own. She’d be a sitting duck for this psycho.”