Throbbing like a sore tooth, Cassaundra Reynolds pulled off highway ___ onto Meander Road

by Susan Shay

  His bark of laughter rang through the small café. “No way. Not one of our people. They might be getting old and crotchety, but none of them are hateful enough to kill someone. Not even Miss Marcie.”

  She swallowed hard. “Maybe it’s not someone who’s supposed to be in our building. It could be a vagrant who’s sleeping outside or who finds one of the outer buildings open.”

  His voice dropped to what sounded like a deep growl. “I told you, I check every night.”

  “Well, maybe it’s someone who’s spending the night...”

  “You think either Mack or Vern could have a lover who’s a serial killer on the side?” With a smirk, he shook his head.

  “No. But it could be...”

  His face blanched as he caught the direction of her words. “Miriam? You think she could be sleeping with a killer? A murderer?”

  Concern for him kept her from answering right away. Instead, she picked up a piece of toast and took a bite. It tasted like sawdust, but at least she couldn’t speak for a few moments.

  She knew the instant the next thought hit him, causing his eyes to flash. His mouth dropped open, then he sucked in a rush of air. Releasing his cup with a clatter, he reached for her across the table, then clenched his fists rather than touch her—regrettable proof that he’d started to believe in her gift. “Or are you thinking...it could...be Miriam?”

  Wishing she could reverse her gift and show him what was in her mind, she covered his hard fists with her hands. “In my heart, I know Miriam could never do anything like that. But my heart is easily swayed by my feelings. All I can tell you for certain is that I’m still having the dream. And I don’t know what it means.”

  He shook off her hands, his face a mask of fury. “Then what the hell good is it?”

  “What?” Her voice squeaked in surprise.

  “What good is a gift that lets you see the worst of what life has in store, but doesn’t tell you what it means, who it is or how to stop it?” He yanked out his wallet and tossed several bills on the table. More than enough for their meals and a healthy tip. Balling his napkin and throwing it like a projectile into the next booth, he shoved off the bench and stalked to the door, where he waited for her. He held the door, then immediately strode past her to the car.

  Determined not to run to catch up, she followed, hoping that he would calm a bit as he waited. But no matter how calm he became, she knew what he was going to say. She’d heard it for years from her family. And even if he’d been raised not to say ugly, hurtful things, without a doubt they were darting through his mind like a room full of angry bats. You’re an embarrassment. It’s humiliating to be around you when you pull this kind of thing. To watch you make a show of yourself like this is too much. All you want is attention, for people to look at you. Why don’t you stop? Why don’t you at least try to quit the nonsense?

  When she reached the car, she fitted her hand around the door’s handle. Concentrating on the smooth coolness against her palm rather than what she knew she was going to hear, or at least feel from him, she took a breath and opened it.

  He was silent as she slid into the seat and buckled her seatbelt. He didn’t speak as they drove to the paper office, then parked in back as they had the night before. And he didn’t say a word as they waited for Pete to arrive.

  In the next moment, the older man pulled in, got out of his small red truck, jogged up the steps to the tiny dock, unlocked the door, then waved for them to come inside.

  With a sigh she released her seatbelt and turned to get out, but just after she slammed the door, her heart heard Keegan whisper brokenly, “Dear God, please not Miriam.”

  Wishing she hadn’t heard, she closed her eyes, then steadied herself against the car’s hood. If only she could make him feel better by assuring him it wasn’t Miriam. But she couldn’t.

  All she really knew was that something was causing the nightmare to come several times each night.

  But the pair who’d been kidnapped together were already dead. This time the vision couldn’t be a prediction. It had to be a memory, an echo, maybe even a ricochet, coming from the murderer.

  But the most chilling part, especially for Keegan, the only person in the world for whom he cared enough to take responsibility might know the bastard well enough to sleep with him.

  And he had no way of knowing who it was. He had to feel helpless, useless, and powerless. At least she did.

  When they reached the office, she sat on the couch. Obviously unwilling to be near her, he took the farthest chair, opened the file folder, and handed the older man the sheets of paper.

  Pete pushed his glasses up his nose, tipped back in his chair and read through the bifocals. After several moments, he glanced at Keegan. “You’ve come a long way from the days when you swept the office for me. Excellent job. There’s not enough here to start a panic, but plenty to make the women in town cautious.”

  “Thanks.” Hunching forward, Keegan made a double fist between his knees. “I’ll have the articles about the women who died ready next week, if you’d like.”

  Easygoing Pete looked deadly serious. “Write it any way you’d like, but I’m going to run the articles on the women one a week. If the authorities aren’t going to catch this killer right away, I want the people of Stone Hill to keep reading about it until they do.”

  “I’ll have it ready.” Keegan glanced at his watch. “We’d better go. It’s almost time to open the bookstore. When does the rest of your help come in?”

  “They’ll start straggling in any time now. They all work so late most nights, I’m not much of a stickler for strict opening and closing hours. As long as we get the paper out, and there are relatively few typos, I’m happy. So I let them set their own hours.”

  “Sounds like a good policy to me.” Keegan stood and shook Pete’s hand. “Unfortunately, most retail businesses can’t run that way, so Cassie and I had better get on to work. If Miriam happens to get there by opening time, she won’t be able to run it by herself. Way too much to do in that place.”

  Before Pete released Keegan, he placed his left hand over Keegan’s right one. “What’s she going to do now that she and Steve are divorced?”

  “I don’t know, Pete,” Keegan answered, his voice husky with suppressed emotion.

  Cassie sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, then pressed her teeth into it to keep her tears at bay. As a man whose one goal in life was to take good care of his sister, that admission had to tear his heart to pieces.

  It did hers.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Three days before Christmas, and still Cassie hadn’t bought any gifts. Normally she’d have had her shopping done weeks ago, but with everything going on in her life, she’d been unwilling to take the time. Now she would be spending Sunday, her only day off before Christmas, to do it.

  After pulling her hair back into a large clip, she picked up her purse, then locked the apartment door as she went out. At the bottom of the stairs, she knocked on Miriam’s door. When no one answered, she pulled a notepad from her purse. I’ve gone into Austin to shop. Will be back in a few hours. C.

  Tearing off the sheet, she looked for a place to leave it so Keegan would know where she’d gone. Thinking to tuck the note into the crack between the door and the frame, she rested her left palm against the wooden panel. Light flashed in her mind, then sparkled brilliantly. Keegan. Her breath caught in her throat, sending her heart running away.

  Yanking her hand from the spot as if it were blazing hot, she waited for a moment as her thundering heart slowed. Had he passed there recently, putting his hand precisely where hers had been? Her thoughts decelerated to half-speed, as if swimming to her through a heavy current.

  Had he been thinking of his feelings for her?

  Unwilling to touch the door again for fear of picking up other emotions, she tucked the note as far under as she could, then left after double-checking the foyer’s lock.

  As she stepped into the cool winter air, she
took a deep breath. The days finally stopped smelling of dying leaves, thank God. Now, if there was an occasional whiff of smoke in the air, it was more likely from a cookout than a fireplace, and little else.

  As she walked, she dug through her bag for her sunglasses, which she finally found at the very bottom among the gum wrappers and ink pens. Slipping them from the case, she put them on, then unlocked the car.

  When she swung open the door, everything blanked out as someone touched her shoulder. Turning, she found Mack standing beside her, his smile pleasant.

  “Good morning, Cassie. Where are you off to this morning? Church?” Mack rocked onto his toes, a habit she’d seen in her own high school principal.

  “Last minute Christmas shopping,” she answered. “I hate waiting this late, but we’ve been so busy down at the store, and with Miriam gone as much as she has been...”

  He nodded, his eyes serious behind his glasses. “Even I’ve noticed she’s not around much these days. That new fella must be keeping her pretty busy.”

  Then she remembered what day it was. “What are you doing hanging out in your jogging suit this morning? I thought you usually went to church.”

  He expelled a loud puff of air. “Normally, I do. But our minister is obsessed with the theft of that cross he built last Easter, and preaches about it every Sunday. You’d think it was the Sistine Chapel. So I thought I’d take Miss Marcie’s advice and do a foot patrol around the place.”

  She got into the car. “Guess I’d better get going so I can get my shopping finished.”

  “Good idea. There’s not much time left.” He closed her door, then stepped away.

  As she drove from her parking space, she waved at him. Such a nice old man. Why hadn’t some woman snatched him up long ago? Of course, some men were so devoted to their wives, even after their deaths, they couldn’t imagine marrying anyone else. It seemed he fit in that category.

  After the long drive into the city, she was unwilling to go to a crowded mall where intense emotions were uppermost on so many people’s minds, especially at this time of year, so she drove to a strip center in an older part of the city. More than happy to get out of the small car, she glanced at the shops along the sidewalk, choosing the first one that interested her. Sweet Trips.

  As she entered the plate glass door, the smell of chocolate warmed the air. To the left, roped off to limit access, was a large kitchen filled with old copper pans, industrial stoves, and large work spaces. There, dressed in white aprons and large, mushroom shaped chef’s hats, were a retirement-aged couple who could easily have passed for Santa and his wife.

  The woman worked at the stove, constantly stirring something in a pot that looked as if the side had been kicked in and beaten back out again.

  The man was busy near a brick wall oven. After pouring water into one pan in the oven that stood beneath another, he closed the door. Next he uncovered a large bowl, emptied dough onto a floured board, then started kneading.

  Away from the constant worry, Cassie was finally able to relax. As she moved into the shop, she could hear Shirley Temple singing on the piped in music. Very soon a woman, whose weight verified the fact she enjoyed getting into her work, approached with a tray in hand. “Hello. Welcome to Sweet Trips. Is this your first time here?”

  Cassie nodded. “Yes, and I love the name of your store.”

  The woman chuckled. “My daughter’s idea. Her favorite song used to be “On The Good Ship Lollipop.” Rather than check into the legalities of naming a business after a song, I used the next line. ‘It’s a sweet trip to the candy shop.’ “

  Chuckling, Cassie looked at the tray. “What have you got there?”

  “These are samples of our turtles, made right here in our kitchen from Swiss chocolate poured over homemade caramel and Texas-grown pecans. We make three kinds. White chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate.” Dramatically, she swooped the cover off the tray. “Take your choice.”

  Catching the holiday spirit almost tangible in the store, Cassie grinned. “You mean I have to choose just one?”

  The woman winked conspiratorially. “Of course not. Take two or three, and decide which you like best. I’ll be back around later in case you need more.”

  Helping herself to three small portions of the candies, Cassie placed them on a napkin. “Thank you.”

  As the woman moved on to share her goodies with another customer, Cassie wandered toward a sparkling display. On the wall was the silhouette of a Christmas tree. Crystal, displayed on shelves, gave the outline substance. Crystal tree ornaments glittered, scattered throughout the offerings.

  Backlit, the entire display glimmered, drawing Cassie closer. Next to each piece was a small sign. Swarovski crystal—Janneth’s favorite. And at the top was the perfect gift for her. A candy dish that couldn’t hold much and was too costly to use on a regular basis would thrill her.

  Cassie approached the slender girl at the register. “Do you ship the crystal?”

  “Yes, we do. What can I help you with?”

  After explaining what she wanted, then filling out a shipping form, Cassie spotted a rack of T-shirts nearby and knew she’d found Howard’s gift. The front said, Life is short. Eat dessert first. He would hate it. “If you have one of those in a men’s large, I’d like to add it to the shipment.”

  “All right.” When the girl smiled, she looked amazingly like the woman with the tray. “Anything else to be shipped?”

  Remembering Alexandra’s love for chocolate, Cassie nodded. “Yes, add a five-pound box of milk chocolate turtles, please.” After filling out three cards for the gifts, she turned her thoughts to the Flynn siblings. Where had they gone this morning?

  Hoping everything was all right, she found Miriam a black and white polka dot backpack with the words Whine and the world whines with you emblazed along the bottom. Trouble was, she wasn’t sure if Miriam would appreciate it. There was so much about her friend that confused her these days.

  Then, wandering around another corner, she discovered a wall full of ceramic dragons, each one uniquely decorated. She instantly spotted the perfect one for Keegan. A striking black and white, the dragon’s wings stretched high and wide, encompassing much of the width of the shelf. A necktie hung loose around his neck while a fedora sat back on his head. There were logos belonging to newspapers from all over the country branded here and there along his length. He had a computer screen dangling from one wing, a keyboard near his feet and ink pens spiking down the line of his back.

  But what sold Cassie on the image found beneath the very last spike where his tail tipped slightly into the air—a tiny red heart. When she saw it, she knew that no matter the cost, she had to have it.

  ****

  Cassie sipped her hot apple cider and set it aside, where she wouldn’t spill it. After smoothing the wrapping paper with her hand, she set the box in the middle and pulled the paper around it. When she’d wrapped both Miriam and Keegan’s gifts, she carefully placed them under the tree, then turned out the room lights to enjoy the rest of her cider by the multi-colored glow.

  A loud knock startled her out of her reverie. Before she could answer, Keegan barked, “Are you in there?”

  After an automatic glance through the peep hole, she opened the door. “Yes, I’m—”

  “Where have you been?” He pushed into the room, his face a mask of anger—or was it concern?

  Surprised, she stepped back from the intense distress emanating from him. “Doing my Christmas shopping.”

  “You go alone?” He followed her into darkened the room.

  At her nod, he moved even closer. “Why didn’t you take someone with you? Or at least tell somebody you were going? Don’t you know it’s dangerous out there? Cassie, women are being kidnapped and murdered at an alarming rate. I was afraid that was what had happened to you when no one knew where you’d gone.”

  “Now wait.” Clamping her jaw, she refused to be backed farther into the room. “I knocked on your d
oor before I left, and when no one answered, I slipped a note under it.”

  “Well, the message must have slipped back out again,” he snapped. “Maybe you should have told someone where you were heading.”

  With him so near she could smell the aftershave he’d used that morning, she had trouble taking a full breath. A bit lightheaded, she swallowed hard. “I did. I saw Mack in the parking lot, and I told him.”

  Keegan frowned at her for a moment, his mouth open. “Mack? I talked to him, but he didn’t say that you... What, exactly, did you tell him?”

  “That I was going Christmas shopping in Austin.” She drew him with her to the stove, poured two cups of cider and handed him one. “Why? What did he say?”

  Accepting the mug, he followed her back to the couch. “That he’d seen you only briefly. Not a word about you leaving or where you were going.” The tree lights colored his face with a cheery glow.

  As she sank to the couch, he sat very near her, making her stomach dip. “Maybe he didn’t think it was any of your business,” she whispered, unable to find her voice.

  With his gaze fixed on her face, it seemed the distance between them disappeared along with the oxygen in the room. “Then he doesn’t know much...does he?” His voice was rough, husky, causing her heart to plunge and land where her belly ought to be.

  Instead of trying to answer, she watched the lights as they touched the crests and hollows of his face. With one side in full shadow, she saw him for what he was—an anomaly. Open, yet with so many secrets. The man wanted to be with her, but could make no commitments. Dedicated to his profession, yet he’d changed job many, many times in the past few years.

  Hoping to get a handle on who he truly was, she slid her fingers along his cheek to cup his jaw line. But rather than illuminating the inner man, a light flashed, then flickered, blinding her. Comforting as a warming campfire, the blaze beckoned her, drawing her nearer until his breath feathered across her cheek.