A deputy standing at the edge of the lake doubled over and vomited on the rocky shore. Then all hell broke loose. One guy made it a few feet before he retched, another guy ran and a trail of bile followed until he collapsed in a copse of trees.
In the end, all had thrown up except for the coroner and Cody.
“Jesus,” Cody muttered under his breath.
Cody waited until the barf fest had concluded. The stench of decomposing bodies had been bad enough, but now they had to add eau-de-vomit to the equation.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Heads swiveled in Cody’s direction. He waited until he could see the whites of their eyes before he continued. “I want each one of you to don a pair of rubber gloves.”
Everyone stared at him.
“Now!” Cody shook his head. Someone had to take control of this clusterfuck.
People jumped into action. Cody strode over to the coroner’s van and snagged a pair himself. As he slipped on the second glove, Jilly appeared, looking sheepish and deathly pale. She wiped her mouth on her sleeve.
“You okay?” he asked.
She stared at him a moment before answering. “I . . .” She cleared her throat. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” She put on a brave front, but Cody wasn’t fooled. Her hand flew up to her nose. “What the hell?”
“A few of the boys lost their lunch. Good thing you have a strong stomach.” He struggled to keep his expression neutral.
“Why don’t you grab a pair of gloves? We were just going to assist the fine doctor here with getting our girl into the body bag.” Cody pointed to George Hornbeck, the ME, a distinguished-looking man in his sixties. His gray eyes twinkled back at them.
Jilly looked toward the body, then back at Cody. The horror on her face said it all.
“One. Two. Wait for it,” Cody said watching her. Then off like a flash, she sprinted toward the forest again. “Three.” He didn’t hide his laughter this time.
“That was mean,” George said.
“Not really. I think it’s better she miss this part.” He and the doctor walked over to the victim. Cody flattened the black zippered bag on the ground next to the corpse, then yelled, “Okay. I want everyone around her, and I mean everyone.”
He waited until all eight men surrounded the body. “We’re going to roll her gently into the bag on the count of three.
“Ready?” Cody stared at each one until they nodded. “One, two, three. Go!”
This time the body made it into the open bag. George stepped over to where the divers had left the foot and flaps of skin. He bagged and labeled each piece while Cody zipped the bag closed.
Two men loaded her into the back of a hearse they’d borrowed to help transport the bodies. Cody motioned to the driver, who nodded back before he engaged the ignition. The vehicles left the scene, one after the other, a gruesome convoy.
Jilly climbed out of the forest, looking a little worse for wear. Cody felt sorry for her. “Better?” he asked softly. She simply nodded and headed toward her SUV.
He followed.
She opened the door, grabbed her water bottle and swished some around in her mouth before she spit it out. Then she rooted around for something and came out holding a tissue. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose before shoving it into her pocket. Lastly, she put a piece of gum in her mouth and chewed vigorously.
“Why don’t we go into town and get you some soup to settle your stomach?” Cody offered.
Jilly glared up at him.
“Coffee?” he suggested.
She remained mute.
“Herbal tea?”
Her eyes softened. “Okay,” she whispered.
He reached over and pulled a pine needle out of her hair.
He continued to remove bits and pieces of forest stuck to her head. “Why don’t we just leave these here.” Her eyes grew huge and her hands flew up and slapped his away.
“I can do that,” she shrieked.
“I was just trying to help.” He bit back a smile.
He watched as she removed the elastic band that had almost slipped off completely. Then she feverishly ran her fingers through her hair and shook her head.
When she’d finished, her hair was standing out all over. She started to get in the cab, but he grabbed her arm gently. “How about you letting me drive?”
Her mouth dropped open. “You don’t think I’m capable?” Her hands landed on her hips where they stayed. “I’ll have you know this morning’s fender bender is the first accident I’ve ever gotten into in my life. I am a fine driver, thank you very much.”
Cody waited a few seconds to make sure she’d finished her little tirade. When he thought the coast was clear, he tried again. “I wasn’t referring to the accident this morning. But since you’ve reminded me, I now have two reasons to think I should drive.”
“Oh, really? And what is reason number one?” she huffed.
“I was referring to how weak you must be feeling. Retching once will give your stomach a good workout, but twice? Honey, you look like death warmed over.” He pulled what looked like part of a pinecone out of her hair and showed it to her. She slapped it out of his hand.
“Would you just stop picking at me like you’re grooming a damn monkey?” she blurted.
He put his hands up in surrender.
“I’m driving,” she said defiantly and climbed up behind the wheel.
“As you wish, princess.” Cody strode over to the passenger’s side and slid in. The moment he slammed his door, she started in again.
“I am not a princess nor am I your honey. Got it?” She started the motor.
“Yes, ma’am.” Cody secured his seat belt.
“And I’m too young to be a ma’am.”
“If you say so.”
Jilly faced him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. If you’re going to drive, then why don’t you get to it already? I’m starving.”
“Don’t rush me.” Jilly pulled down the visor and glimpsed her reflection in the mirror. A groan escaped. She picked a couple more pine needles from her hair, rolled down the window and tossed them out.
“What the hell were you doing out there anyway? Rolling around on the ground?” Cody couldn’t hold his laughter any longer.
“Shut up.” She glared at him. “Just shut up for five minutes, will ya?”
She opened the console between the seats and produced a brush. Cody watched as she dragged it through her snarled hair, then pulled it back into a neat ponytail again. Lastly, she smoothed out her bangs and put the brush away. Now she looked like she was ready for anything. She backed up. Crunch!
She’d hit a tree.
“Crap basket,” she yelled.
“That’s it. I’m driving.” Cody jumped out and stomped to her side of the vehicle. He yanked open the door and offered her his hand.
She stared at it, then at him. “I’m fine.”
“Maybe, but you just injured a poor defenseless oak.” He pointed to the tree. “Now get out of the cab before I carry you out.”
Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t.”
“Is that a dare?”
“No,” she said with less certainty.
“Then get your ass off the seat. This is not a debate.” Cody used the tone he reserved for hardened criminals. He felt a muscle in his jaw twitch.
She glowered at him a second. “Whatever.” She hopped out and marched around the front of the SUV. Cody heard her muttering the entire way. Before long, her door closed and she fastened her seat belt. Her mouth was set in a thin white line as she stewed.
By the time he pulled in at the Lumberjack Cafe, she was dozing, her mouth slack. Soft snores filled the cab. Cody simply watched her sleep; he was loathe to wake her.
She’d had a pretty rough day.
When he opened the door, she stirred.
“Hey, sunshine. Feel like getting something in your stomach?”
She looked at him with sleepy eyes. Some c
olor had returned to her cheeks, but she still had a long way to go before everything was right in her world. Cody wiped the spittle from her chin with his thumb.
Her hand flew up and covered her face. “Oh, God, just kill me now.”
He brushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “Hey, give yourself a break.”
“Right,” she said, sarcastically. Then she felt her mouth for drool and vacated the vehicle.
He quietly followed her into the restaurant. They stood there a moment, scanning the room for a place to sit. An attractive waitress hurried over.
Her light blonde hair was tied at the nape of her neck, her lips were bright red and glossy. The uniform fit snugly over her ample bosom and was cinched tight at the waist. Cody recognized her immediately. They’d been high school sweethearts.
“Hi, Cody. I didn’t know you were in town.” Her voice had a singsong quality.
“Hey, Delilah. I just got in this morning. How are you?”
“Can’t complain. No one would listen anyway.” She giggled. “Sit over here.” Delilah latched onto his arm and led the way to a booth by the window.
She stared at Jilly as she slid in and frowned. “Oh. I didn’t know you two were together.”
“We are not together,” Jilly grumbled.
Cody smiled across the table. “Jilly ran into me this morning and we thought we’d do a little catching up.”
Jilly glared back. “Cute.”
“Really?” Delilah tilted her head to the side. “I didn’t realize you two knew each other.”
“Besides being a small town, we had a few classes together in high school,” Cody said.
“Right, of course.” Delilah smoothed her hair, then put her hands into the pockets of her apron. “So, Cody, how long will you be in town?”
“I’d planned on just a week.” Cody glanced at Jilly, then back at Delilah. “But I might be extending it a bit. I’ll have to see how things go.”
“Oh?” Delilah stared at Jilly and seemed to be mulling over his answer.
Cody looked at Jilly as well. She didn’t seem too happy about his response. Tough. Whether she’d admit it or not, she needed his help with this case.
“What can I get you two to drink?” Delilah plastered a smile on her face.
“Coffee for me. Jilly?”
“I’ll have a cup of tea, Delilah. Thanks.”
“You got it. Be right back,” Delilah answered cheerily before she left the table.
“So, what happened between you and Delilah anyway?”
“What do you mean?” Cody asked.
“Oh, come on. Football Captain, head cheerleader? Everyone thought you two would marry and have a bunch of kids. That’s what she said anyway.”
Cody felt extremely uncomfortable with the way the conversation had turned. Delilah did not take the breakup well. At all. “Different priorities, I guess.”
“Here you go. One coffee for Special Agent Cody Thomas.” The waitress’s 100-watt smile beamed down on him as she set a mug on the table. She put a little pot of tea in front of Jilly, then pulled a pad and pen from her pocket.
She gazed at Cody. “So, what’s your pleasure?” Her eyes twinkled.
He ignored the double entendre. “Ladies first.” He nodded toward Jilly. The attention Delilah directed toward him made Cody squirm in his seat.
She winked. “You always were the perfect gentleman.” She turned to Jilly. “Okay, what would you like?”
“What kind of soup do you have today?” Jilly asked in a weak voice. She’d obviously hurt her vocal cords with all the retching.
“Well, it’s Friday, so we have clam chowder and vegetable.”
“I’ll have the vegetable with soda crackers. Thanks.”
“And you, stud muffin?”
Cody cringed.
He’d always hated when she used her little nickname for him. “I’ll have biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and bacon, crisp.”
“You always did have a healthy appetite.” Delilah wiggled her brows before she scribbled on her pad. “I bet you miss your grandmother’s cooking. Do you see her much?”
“I try to get to Arizona a couple of times a year. Sometimes we meet here when the weather permits.”
“How nice.” Delilah stood there, not saying another word, simply staring at him with a stupid grin.
The close scrutiny was getting on his nerves. “It’s really nice seeing you. Catching up and all, but I’m extremely hungry. So if you don’t mind, could you put our order in?”
Her eyes rounded. “Oh, of course!” She scampered away.
He sighed and glanced at Jilly, who grinned from ear-to-ear.
“What?” he said defensively.
“Nothing, stud muffin.” She laughed.
“Oh, for Christ’s sake. Give it a rest, will ya?” He snagged his coffee and took a sip.
“Looks like she’s still carrying a torch for you. Why did you break up again?” Jilly dunked her tea bag in the hot water.
Cody set his mug down. “I was honest with her from the moment she first mentioned marriage. I told her I was going away to college and didn’t know where I’d end up. I knew even then I wanted to join the FBI. I had to focus on my education.
“Then I got a job at the Prince George’s County Police Department in Maryland. That’s where I got my hands-on experience in law enforcement. I spent a couple of years as a homicide detective before I applied to the bureau.”
“You have quite an impressive resume.” Jilly took a sip of tea.
“I wasn’t trying to impress you. I just wanted to explain I’ve been a bit busy.”
“What about now? You’re what, thirty-seven, thirty-eight?”
“I’m thirty-eight,” Cody stated.
“You seem to have settled into your career. Do you ever want to get married?”
Cody shook his head. This was getting way too personal for his taste.
Her brows arched. “Is that a no?”
He let out a sigh. “Not exactly.” He snatched up his coffee and held it in both hands like a lifeline. “I guess it’s not in the cards.” He took a drink. “I’ve had a couple of girlfriends through the years, but either they can’t handle me taking off at a moment’s notice for an indeterminable amount of time.”
He set the mug down and ran his hands through his hair. “Or they can’t stand worrying whether or not I’ll be killed on the job. They’re both valid points. This job isn’t conducive to long-term relationships.”
“So you’re saying you just haven’t met the right woman?”
Cody chuckled. Why couldn’t he have just said that? “Yeah. I guess that’s what I’m saying.”
“Well, it looks like you have a strong candidate right–” Jilly glanced around. “–there,” she finished just above a whisper. The smile fell from her face.
Cody followed her gaze and found his former girlfriend standing just a few feet away.
If looks could kill, he’d be a dead man.
FIVE
Meagan was busy in the kitchen putting the groceries away while Thomas was in the shower after their little nap. She couldn’t wipe the grin from her face; he was such a wonderful lover. She prayed she’d never have to live without him.
But deep down, she knew life was unpredictable. She’d been in love before and it always started out grand. Everything’s great, until it isn’t. This time, she vowed to be smart. She wouldn’t marry him until the honeymoon phase was over.
When she was sure it wouldn’t all go to hell in a handbasket.
Her cell phone rang. Meagan snatched her purse off the counter and rummaged around. She looked at the screen. It was her brother-in-law, Jason.
“Hey, Jace, what’s up?” She continued to empty the bags single-handedly.
“Hey, Meggie, how ya doing?”
“Great. Thomas and I are up at his family’s cabin in Big Bear. Oh, Jace, it’s just fantastic. It has a rustic feel but with first-class amenities and a
wonderful view of the lake. What’s up with you?”
“I was just wondering if you’ve talked to Bridget lately?”
Meagan realized then that she hadn’t talked to her older sister since they’d had lunch last month. She stopped messing with the groceries. “No. Why, is something wrong?”
“She’s gone, Meggie.”
“What do you mean she’s gone?” A sick feeling began in the pit of her stomach.
“She said she was going to stay at your parents’ place for a little time while we worked on our marriage. I’ve been trying to contact her all week, but she wasn’t answering her cell phone. So, I called the house and your mother said she wasn’t there.”
“Jace, let me make a few calls and I’ll get back to you.”
Meagan disconnected the call and phoned her mother immediately. She went around the counter and sat at the table. The phone rang three times before her mother answered.
“Hey, mom, it’s Meagan.”
“Meagan. It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t called, mom. I’ll try to do better. Look, I hate to bother you with this, but Jason just called.”
“Oh,” her mother said.
“So you know what’s going on with Bridge?”
“Well, it seems your sister is having a bit of a, now what did your father call it?”
“Nervous breakdown?”
“No, dear, a. . .midlife crisis. That’s it.”
“I thought she’d been having one of those for the last year when she became a born-again Christian and started trying to convert everyone. You mean it’s gotten worse?”
“Your father says we shouldn’t worry. She’ll just get all this craziness out of her system and come back.”
“Back from where? What the hell’s going on?”
“Now, honey, don’t get so worked up. She’s fine. She’s been calling regularly and she seems very happy. Samuel is a nice man and promises he’ll take good care of her.”
“Who the hell is Samuel?”
“I can’t believe Bridget hasn’t told you any of this. When was the last time you spoke with her?”
NightScream Page 3
