“Not nosy. Just curious.”
“Still single,” he said. “Tell me about you? Jackie is an unexpected surprise.” His glance slid to the young girl sitting there all ears. “She’s a beauty. Seems you have a talent for having beautiful daughters.”
She laughed. “Surprised us, too. She’s a change of life baby. And she sure changed ours.”
“Handful, is she?”
Jackie returned his smile. As an adult he’d never interacted with kids. Now he found himself enjoying the heck out of this one. Was it because she reminded him so much of Lynn at that age? Or was it her smile? Whatever it was, he liked her.
“Jackie’s a good kid. But we’re getting off the subject. Did you know Lynn won the election by a landslide? Other than that and the surprise of a baby at my age, nothing of interest has happened around here until now.” Her face turned sober. “Things like this don’t happen in Lobster Cove. It’s unnerving to say the least. I hope to God you and Lynn find the killer soon.”
Which was why he was here, but did he want to frighten Lynn’s mom and sister?
Mrs. Lawton jumped up. I have a tray of lasagna in the oven. I don’t want it to burn.”
“Smells wonderful.”
“Why don’t you stay? I’ll have it ready in no time.”
“Mom!” Lynn said with alarm. “Mackenzie’s busy. He doesn’t have time.”
“He has to eat,” Lynn’s mom reminded her as she disappeared into the kitchen.
“Really, Sis. I’d like Mr. Mackenzie to stay. I’d like to hear about you when you were a kid.”
“Call me Jake,” he said with a smile. He really did like this kid. “Have I got stories for you.”
He took Jackie’s arm as they moved into the kitchen.
“Can I help?”
He couldn’t suppress a chuckle when he looked back over his shoulder to see if Lynn was coming. Her glare was priceless.
But there was something in her eyes he couldn’t discern.
At one time in their lives he could read her and her emotions clearly.
Times had changed.
It was almost as if she was afraid.
Of him?
Chapter Eleven
Lynn could barely breathe. Damn him anyway. He shouldn’t be here.
She watched Mackenzie carefully as he pulled Jackie’s chair out. The girl ate up the attention. Who could blame her? Since Dad died she’d had no male around to give her the attention a young girl craved.
But did she have to be so happy about it?
Mom said a quick blessing. Mackenzie dug in as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks.
“I remember you always were a good cook,” he said around mouthfuls of lasagna. “If you tell me you have blackberry cobbler for dessert, I’m going to die right here at your table.”
“Should I call 911 now?” Jackie laughed.
His fork stilled. “You’re kidding?”
Jackie shook her head. “I made it. It’s my favorite.”
“And mine.” They gave each other a knuckle punch.
Lynn hadn’t remembered that. She should. He’d made a big deal over Mom’s cobbler every time he had any.
But she hadn’t, and wondered what other characteristics her daughter had that mirrored her dad’s.
“You’re not eating,” her mom reminded her.
“Not hungry.” She couldn’t eat. She wanted to grab Jackie and run as far away as she could. Mom had told Lynn over fifteen years ago she was making a big mistake. That she should tell Mackenzie. But she couldn’t. He’d left her. Broken her heart. Sure, he’d called. At first she’d tried to keep up at least a friendship. She couldn’t. Not without telling him the truth. Besides, she couldn’t—and wouldn’t—ruin his chances at fulfilling his dream.
When she didn’t take his calls, he wrote letters. By then she was settled in college. Pregnant and alone except for Julie. At first the letters were full of his love. How he missed her. Then they dwindled to how are you and hope you’re all right. Finally, they stopped.
She did her best to get over him. By the time Jackie made her entrance into the world, Lynn thought she had.
But over the years, she wondered. Her faith in the opposite sex had dwindled to zero. She seldom dated. And never again fully trusted words of love and devotion. They’d disappeared from her vocabulary. She threw herself whole-heartedly into her studies. Her baby was safely with her mom who had volunteered to claim pregnancy herself so she could raise the child as her own. It had taken her dad a while, but he’d finally agreed to their plan.
Though it broke Lynn’s heart, she knew it was best for Jackie, and for herself. At least she saw her daughter when she came home. Her dad had died a few years after she’d graduated and made deputy.
Though she liked to think she and Jackie were close, she wondered. Jackie would rebel if Lynn told her she couldn’t go to a certain party or movie, always turning to her mom for the final answer.
Lynn hated it.
Hated that her precious baby didn’t know who her real mother was. If she did, would she hate Lynn for giving her up? Would she hound Lynn about her dad? Who he was? Where he was? Of course she would.
It hurt to hear Jackie call her grandmother Mom. But it was too late to change anything. Lynn had missed out on raising her daughter.
Jake Mackenzie didn’t know he had one.
Chapter Twelve
While regaling Jackie with Lynn’s exploits as a teen, Jake saw that Lynn wasn’t participating, nor did she appreciate a word he’d said. She sat there, not eating, not smiling. Only listening.
He tried to figure out what was bothering her.
They’d split as kids, but that had been her choice. True, he hadn’t fought her on it. In retrospect, realized he should have. But what did he know? Though a couple of years older, he was still a kid. A dumb kid who had no idea what he’d given up.
Watching her now, he could see how she’d changed. Not just in maturity, but in other, more mysterious ways. There had never been a mystery about the younger Lynn. Now he saw how her nerves were getting to her. She rocked her foot back and forth, wadded her napkin in her lap, refused to make eye contact.
Was she jealous of her sister?
That didn’t make sense. The Lynn he’d known didn’t have a jealous bone in her body. He didn’t think that was it. It was something else.
By the time the cobbler was gone and he grabbed Jackie’s hand to tell her to call an ambulance, they were both bent over laughing.
Lynn remained silent.
“Wonderful,” he said, catching his breath. “Every bit as good as your mom’s.”
“I’m a good teacher.” Mrs. Lawton chuckled as she stood to clear the table.
“I’ll do it,” Lynn offered. Jumping out of her chair she grabbed dishes off the table and fled to the kitchen.
The next thing Jake knew he was back on the sofa, Jackie beside him, Mrs. Lawton in a chair directly across, and Lynn banging away in the kitchen. “I owe you,” he said, rubbing his stomach.
“Come again,” Jackie begged. “We don’t have a lot of visitors.”
He leaned over and whispered conspiratorially, “You mean to tell me your beautiful sister doesn’t bring beaus over?”
Jackie grimaced. “She almost never dates. You’d think she was gay or something.”
“Jackie!” Mrs. Lawton exclaimed. “Stop that. You know better.”
“How do I know better?” She turned to Jake. “Did you and Lynn have a relationship when you were young? You know…were you sweet on each other or something?”
Jake almost choked. How could he tell Lynn’s sister how much in love they were? How the night of Lynn’s senior prom, they’d gone further than either intended? How he’d wanted to take her with him when he went to the Academy and knew he couldn’t.
Mrs. Lawton intervened. “I’m going to send you to your room, young lady. You’re asking personal questions.”
Jake managed a smile. “No. Really. I
t’s all right. He turned his attention back to Jackie. “We were like most kids our age. We hung out together every chance we had. We liked each other. A lot.” He shook his head. “You’re sister’s not gay, honey. She’s just selective.”
“Which you’ll be as well,” Mrs. Lawton reminded her younger daughter.
“Jackie, your finals are next week, don’t you have to study?” Lynn asked from the doorway.
Jake wondered what she’d heard.
Jackie looked to her mom, but Mrs. Lawton agreed with Lynn. So Jackie went over to give her mom a goodnight kiss, glowered at Lynn, and left the room.
“I’m tired, so I’ll get out of your hair. It was good to see you again, Jake. Don’t be a stranger while you’re in town.”
And Mrs. Lawton made her exit.
Lynn hadn’t moved from the doorway. “Why are you here? Please don’t lie and tell me it was for the meal.”
He patted the sofa, wanted her to sit beside him. Instead, she took the chair her mom had vacated.
“Tell me again what Ted told you before you left the Underwoods?” Jake said. “Did the warning ring true? Or was it made up to fit the situation?”
He noticed the look of relief sweep across Lynn’s face and wondered at it. But, being Lynn, he knew she was ready to get to the matter at hand.
“When Ted said, do you know you’re in danger? It frightened me. His dark eyes hide too much. I’m sorry I fell apart at the office. One minute I thought he had to be guilty, the next I was feeling sorry for him. Then, I felt fear. It’s not something I’m accustomed to.”
“I’m bringing him in for questioning.”
She looked up in alarm. “The Underwoods will have the best lawyer in the state with him. You’ll get him to say nothing, certainly not the truth. His parents will see to that.”
“How much of what he told you do you think was the truth?”
Lynn was in such distress he wanted to go to her, put his arms around her. He wouldn’t. He had no idea if her discomfort was caused by what Ted had told her or what she might have overheard.
Her head dropped. “I have no idea. I think Ted Underwood has been lying most of his life. I wonder if he even knows the truth himself.”
“Maybe you can convince him you want his help. That’ll bring him in and keep the lawyers out.”
“It might work.”
He stood to leave.
“Is that why you came? To hear again what Ted told me?”
“Not really. I came to see if you were safe. I can tell you are. Would you do me a favor though?
She shrugged as if she’d think about it.
“Before you go to bed, make sure all the windows and doors are locked. Do you have a security system?”
“Dad put one in a long time ago when he had a prisoner who escaped and threatened to make him pay for putting him behind bars. I don’t think it’s been turned on in years.”
“Would you have it checked out and turned on?”
The alarm on her face made him reach out to her. She stepped back.
“I don’t think I’m in danger.”
“Think of your mom and your sister. Would you want them hurt?”
Her face flushed.
“Of course not.” She turned toward the door. “I’ll do it tomorrow. But stop worrying about me. We have three murders to solve, and a killer to find. That’s more than enough to worry about.”
“Besides, you can take care of yourself. Right?”
For the first time tonight she gave him a half-smile. “I’m taking Karate lessons, you know.”
“I didn’t know. But I’ll sure as hell keep it in mind. I don’t want you throwing me on my butt when I least expect it.”
“Good.”
When she shut the door, the half-smile had turned into a full-blown one.
God, she was gorgeous.
Chapter Thirteen
Lynn leaned against the door until her legs stiffened enough to walk. Her knees didn’t seem to want to bend.
Her biggest fear had just unfolded before her eyes.
Thank God neither Jackie nor Mackenzie suspected a thing.
How long would that last if they saw each other often?
They had to solve this case as fast as possible. Then he’d go back to New York and they’d never hear from him again.
After shutting and locking the doors, she checked the windows as Mackenzie had suggested, then she opened Jackie’s door, saw her huddled in the middle of the bed and left.
Lynn went to her mom’s room. She wouldn’t have her making invites for dinner a habit.
Her mother sat propped up with one of her favorite romance books in hand. She shut it when she saw the look on Lynn’s face.
“What?” she asked innocently.
“Don’t act as if you don’t know why I’m angry. It doesn’t suit you.”
Her mother scooted up straighter, her head against the headboard. “I’ve always liked Jake. You know that. You also know I think you made a mistake by not telling him of your pregnancy.”
“And you know how important it is for me to keep that information from him and from Jackie.”
“Why? Jackie should know. She’s old enough. Have you ever thought that you’re doing Jake an injustice?”
Lynn moved closer to sit on the edge of the bed. Her mother stroked her head like she had when she was a child. “Don’t let it upset you so. Maybe it’s time to come clean, get on with your life.”
Lynn jerked her head up. “What do you mean, get on with my life? I’m the sheriff of an entire county. My work keeps me on the go from morning until night. What are you really getting at?”
“I worry about you, honey. You don’t seem to have fun. I remember when you were Jackie’s age and how much you enjoyed being with your friends. You hardly associate with them anymore. Jackie’s right about one thing, you don’t date at all.”
“Who would I date? Most of the men around here are married; those who aren’t turn me off. You know I see Julie almost every day. You know she’s my best friend and confidante. Just because I don’t party is no sign I don’t have friends.”
“Um hum.”
“What does that mean? I’m not a child, Mom. I’m living my life just as I want.”
“Really?”
Lynn put her hands over her ears. Her mom could be the most irritating person in the world. “I like my life and, most of the time I enjoy my job as Sheriff.”
“I think different.”
“What do you know?”
“I know you have lots of acquaintances, maybe even a whole town full. But those you were once close to aren’t in your life anymore. You’re close to no one except Julie.”
“Julie’s special.”
“I agree. But you need more, Lynn. “
There was no point in arguing with her mom. Lynn never won. But when this case was over, she’d make it a point to live a fuller life. “I don’t want Mackenzie here, Mom. I don’t want him to suspect the truth.”
“Why would he? No one else ever has.”
“They have the same smile. Mom! Please.”
“Okay. No more invites.” She shook her head. “It’s a shame though. The man loves to eat.”
Lynn kissed her mom’s cheek and left the room.
It was true her mom had always liked Mackenzie. Secretly, Lynn thought she had seen a wedding in their future.
So had Lynn.
Look how that turned out.
On her way to her room, she looked in on Jackie again. If her daughter knew how many times she was checked on every night, she’d have a hissy fit. But Jackie was still asleep. She must have turned over as she was in a different position on the bed.
Lynn resisted the urge to go in and straighten the covers. If Jackie woke and saw her, she’d yell her displeasure.
Her heart heavy, Lynn went to bed.
She couldn’t sleep. All she could see was Jackie teasing and laughing with her father. What would her reaction be if she knew
the truth?
Lynn didn’t want to go there.
Not now. Not ever.
****
Jake’s eyes shot open. It was early, but the dream woke him. Lynn smiling. She was wearing a wedding dress. Jeez! He wiped the sleep from his eyes and threw on a pair of jeans to go with the T-shirt he wore at night. Why would he have such thoughts? Even in a dream? He was still wondering when he entered the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.
The doorbell rang. He looked at the clock. Six in the morning was early for anyone to be up and about.
He went to the door, looked out. “Jackie?” He frowned as he swung the door open. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?” Images of Lynn being taken by the killer whipped through his head, making his knees weak.
Reason told him if Lynn was in trouble Jackie would call 911, not show up on his doorstep.
He took a closer look at the girl as she swept past him with her backpack over her shoulders, a grim look on her face. Her eyes were red and swollen, her hair in disarray. She looked as if she hadn’t slept. “Sit,” he ordered, as he took her arm and led her to a barstool. “Talk to me. Tell me how you got here.”
“I called a friend. He dropped me off.”
“Does your mom know you’re here?”
Jackie shook her head. “I left a note, told her I had to get to school early.”
“What’s so important you’re missing school?”
She stared blankly into the distance. What now? How did he know what to do with a teen? He went to get a cup of coffee, brought her one with cream and sugar. “Drink,” he ordered.
“I don’t drink coffee.”
“Take a sip. You look as if you need a boost.”
She laughed. Only the laughter was on the hysterical side.
“Either tell me what’s wrong or I call your mom.”
“That’s the thing, Jake. I don’t know who my mom is.” She looked at him closely. “Smile,” she said.
“What?”
“I want to see you smile.”
“Look, Jackie. I’m a pretty patient guy, but you’re sounding a bit weird here.”
“That’s an understatement. I overheard a conversation last night. Okay, I was eavesdropping, but Lynn acted strange the whole time you were there. I wanted to find out why.”
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