“I know.” I patted his arm, knowing he’d be forced by his own guilt to admit what we’d done to Jake, who would not take it well. “It’s a good cause.”
I was careful not to disturb anything as I moved through the room, uncertain how OCD my uncle might be, and unwilling to take the chance he’d notice anything was disturbed. A bedroom and bathroom were the only other rooms in the small cabin and my best chance to find something personal.
A framed picture on the nightstand caught my eye and I walked closer. A gorgeous woman smiled back at me from the photo, dark red hair tangled around her as she posed by the railing of a deck, the lake spread out behind her.
“Is that?” Connor’s whispered question startled me since I hadn’t realized he’d followed me.
“Yes,’ I instinctively whispered back, because talking normally was impossible when breaking and entering.
“Who keeps a picture for twenty years?” He meant for the question to be rhetorical, because obviously Duke did, but there was more to it.
“Someone who feels guilty.”
“Damn, I thought you were going to say love.” Connor shivered, glancing back at the picture. “Guilt doesn’t sound as nice.”
“No, it doesn’t,” I replied thoughtfully. I hated to think Carly was right and my uncle wasn’t the man I wanted him to be. My father had proven a disappointment, but I’d hoped for more from this mysterious uncle of mine.
“Maybe he felt guilty about her death.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better, Connor.”
“I meant, he wanted to protect her but couldn’t. Any guy would feel guilty in that instance.”
“Maybe so.”
Connor rested a hand on my shoulder. “What’s your gut say, Addie?”
“That he only wants the truth. Like us.”
“Then that’s what we work from.”
I covered his hand with mine, giving him an appreciative smile. He might not always like the situations I got him into, but he was the first to follow me into trouble.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t call the cops?” An angry voice demanded and I instinctively answered the question.
“Because he’s a cop.”
“Addie,” Connor sighed, dropping his forehead onto the top of my head. “Wrong answer.”
Chapter Ten
Three hours later, we were finally released from the tiny town jail where we’d spent an uncomfortable few hours hedging the truth.
“We’re not done,” Jake growled to Connor, his arm tighter than normal as he looked down at me. “And you, what were you thinking?”
I shrugged sheepishly, not wanting to admit the truth with my uncle standing there.
“I think she was trying to suss out my motives for being here,” Duke answered for me, his gaze almost respectful. “You know you can ask me anything.” He paused and smiled. “I mean, you can have someone ask me anything.” His eyes narrowed on me when I glanced away. “Unless you think I know a way around your questions. I can’t fault you for your suspicions." He sighed and tucked his hands into his pockets. “I’d like a chance to get to know you, Addie.” He glanced around and added, “Outside of the police department that is.”
I flushed and Connor scuffed his foot on the ground. It turned out we’d been at the right cabin, but the wrong time. The owner had come over to fix a leaky pipe and didn’t believe us for a second when we’d tried to claim we were old friends of Duke’s visiting him. The owner had swiftly told us Duke had been coming up alone for years and called the cops.
Apparently, it wasn’t a crime ridden area and the local cops jumped on any opportunity to turn the flashing lights on. It didn’t hurt the call involved a guy once accused of murder. They’d hustled us down to the station in the back of their only police cruiser. It was my first ride in the back of one and I had to say being cuffed and staring at the wrong side of bars was not something I cared to repeat.
My one call went to Jake and once he got past the disbelief that I was, yes, actually at the local jail and under arrest, he’d come quickly. Along with Jules, Carly and Wade.
Connor had forgone his phone call since he had no desire to call Jules and admit what he’d done. I argued that I was completely to blame but he’d only scoffed at me and said, “And who do you think will believe that shit?”
It hadn’t taken them long to discover Connor was a police officer and a quick call to the captain insured Connor and, no doubt, Jake would get a tongue lashing on their return. I hoped to smooth that over, but I wasn’t holding my breath. Even the captain’s assurance that we were innocent and it was a misunderstanding wouldn’t compel them to release us. They demanded Duke be contacted to confirm our stories.
They’d left us in the single tiny cell their jail had, and I’d tried to make use of our minimal privacy. However, a dozen whispered questions between me and Connor revealed nothing, since everything I was being asked pertained to the future. There were too many factors to consider when the future was involved and any answer I might get would likely be wrong.
“If he’s who you think he is, then he’ll go along,” Connor assured me, not even the slightest bit angry with me for getting us into this mess.
“I’m really sorry,” I said for the hundredth time, sniffing back the threat of tears.
“Don’t cry,” Conner panicked. “Please whatever you do, don’t cry. Jake will forgive me for the whole jail thing, but if he knows you cried, all bets are off.”
Connor’s very real panic made me chuckle and my threatened tears disappeared to his relief.
Now, we were free because Duke had come to our rescue and taken it a step further, claiming me as his niece and assuring them I had every right to be there with anyone I wished to bring.
The landlord had looked stunned at this news and I had a feeling the gossips would be in a tizzy before the night was over. The officers were more reluctant to let us go, but with Duke refusing to press any sort of charges they didn’t have a choice. However, I didn’t think they’d be inclined to help us with any questions we had about previous investigations of theirs.
“I’d like to get to know you too, Duke,” I said, belatedly answering his question. “I really appreciate what you did in there.” I waved toward the police station and he shook his head.
“It’s the least I could do. It’s my fault you grew up not knowing me. I should have been there for you…when your father wasn’t.”
I must have looked surprised and I felt Jake tense at Duke’s apparent knowledge of my life. He caught our reactions and raised his hand.
“I have you at a disadvantage, Addie. I know more about you than you do about me. I’d like to rectify that. Over dinner? Everyone?” He offered, looking at our motley crew, the only one missing was Danny, and even my arrest wasn’t enough to persuade him to come near a police station. Jules was yelling at Connor as Wade and Carly stood by awkwardly.
I made a quick decision to accept. It didn’t hurt that it would put off my own lecture from Jake.
“We’d love to. There is one more person though.”
“That’s fine with me,” Duke said agreeably. “My place, two hours?”
“Perfect,” I smiled brightly as the others stared at me in shock. He nodded and walked to his car. Jake turned toward me but before he could say a word his phone started to ring. Oddly, enough so did Connor’s. As they glanced down they both groaned.
“The Captain.”
I ducked my head, making myself as small as possible as they both answered. The angry voice coming over the phone didn’t even need to be put on speaker to be heard and I winced in guilty sympathy.
We all had to cram into Jake’s truck on the way back. Wade, Carly and Jules took the backseat and left me to take the middle seat in the front between Jake and Connor. The Captain’s shouts came through loud and clear as they interjected a “Yes, sir,” periodically.
It had to be one of the most uncomfortable rides I’d ever taken, almost worse than
the one to the station. As soon as Jake parked the others bailed, but I was trapped as they remained in the truck. After several minutes and a few repeated phrases – “What were you thinking?” – topping the list, I tugged the phone from Jake and said, “Captain.”
I was so nervous my voice cracked and he immediately halted his tirade.
“Addie, are you okay?” The Captain’s caring voice had Connor rolling his eyes, but Jake only shook his head as he watched me.
“I’m okay, but it’s all my fault.”
“No, I won’t put the blame for this on you. Connor knew full well the consequences for going….,” he paused to consider his words, “going uninvited into someone’s residence.”
“But...” he interrupted me once again.
“No, I won’t hear it. You want to know more about your uncle and family. There’s nothing wrong with that. Your gift is unique and your curiosity understandable. Connor should have known to stay outside and act as a lookout.”
All of our mouths dropped open at his words and I watched Connor mouth, “What the fuck?”
The Captain sighed as Jake’s wide eyes met mine.
“I thought they knew better. The shenanigans you get yourself into, Addie girl. I depend on those boys to keep you safe, and sometimes that means skirting the letter of the law. You should have never been brought to the station, and I hope next time they do a better job of protecting you. Now, give the phone back to Jake.”
I handed the phone to him wordlessly, still in shock.
“Yes, sir?” Jake’s voice was hesitant, but the Captain’s booming voice was unmistakable.
“I’m not a fool as much as you might like to mistake me for one. I suspected something was up when you decided to vacation at a cabin once belonging to Addie’s father. Connor following you only confirmed it.” Two loud gulps accompanied those words and I hid a smile. “I did some digging of my own and you sure do know how to find a hell of a mess, Addie Michaels. Jake, you have my sympathy with her.” I frowned and it was Jake’s turn to crack a smile. “Summer Keyes was murdered, you three. Violently. And whoever did it was never caught. A whole lot of powerful people went to a lot of trouble to make her death disappear. You need to ask yourselves why. Why did so many people want her gone and her death forgotten?” A black hole opened in my mind as emotions pummeled me. Far away I heard the Captain say, “Be careful. And next time, for God’s sake, call before you find yourselves arrested.”
Shame flickered through me, quickly followed by regret. A burst of embarrassed anger singed my skin before I was engulfed in self-righteous fury. The emotions were gone as quickly as they came and I found myself slumped over in the seat between Connor and Jake as they stared at me in horror.
“What happened?” I asked slowly, their expressions more frightening than all of the feelings I’d just felt combined.
Connor swallowed hard.
“You…” He couldn’t finish his thought and Jake spoke up.
“That wasn’t you.”
“What wasn’t me?”
“Just now.”
“What happened?” My voice rose as I demanded to know what they’d seen when they looked at me.
“It was like you were possessed.” Connor’s words caused my eyes to jerk toward him, and the remnant of fear still on his face made me recoil. He quickly wiped his expression but it was too late. I’d never forget his momentary fear as he gazed at me.
“Hey,” Jake’s soft voice pulled me toward him, but I couldn’t look up, afraid I’d see the same expression on his face. He placed his thumb under my chin and tilted my head to meet his eyes. The complete acceptance on his face made my eyes burn as he told me, “We’re not scared of you.” He must have seen my doubt because his next words were, “Con, a little help.”
Connor’s hands rested on my shoulders and he gave me a little shake.
“Addie, are either of us scared of you?”
Relief swept through me as I felt their utter lack of fear of me, but a niggling worry still remained.
“Ask me the other question,” I stated and Jake’s eyes drifted above my head to meet Connor’s. Years of wordless communication had perfected their ability and Connor cleared his throat behind me.
“Addie, are we concerned about this new aspect of your ability?”
A tiny smile tugged at my lips from his carefully worded question. It didn’t matter how gently he’d phrased the question, I still felt the gut punch of their fear from what they’d witnessed. It didn’t help that I still didn’t know what they’d seen, but it had been enough to terrify these two.
“Tell me what you saw.”
Jake inhaled as he fixed a cautious expression on his face and spoke.
“You displayed several emotions. They all appeared intense.” His careful words told me more than anything and I turned to Connor. He leaned back, his expression hunted as I raised my eyebrow.
“What he said,” he tried to deflect, pointing to Jake. I narrowed my eyes slightly and he broke. “You looked like you had some crazy split personality thing going,” he babbled, shaking his head. “But it wasn’t you. It was like the ghost of other people’s emotions were cycling though you. It was terrifying.”
I sat back, boneless, as silence filled the truck after his admission. Jake’s hand covered mine and he rubbed his thumb on the inside of my wrist. I knew he had to feel the rapid thrumming of my pulse but he didn’t comment.
A knock on the window caused all of us to jerk, and Danny took a step back at our violent reactions. Jake rolled the window down and Danny gazed at us curiously.
“Hey, Jules filled me in. Said we we’re supposed to be having dinner with Addie’s uncle.” He glanced between us and I nodded, confirming. “Well, it’s almost six. Did you want to walk over to the cabin?”
“No,” I answered, a chill running through me unexpectedly. “We don’t walk.”
“We can take the boat or drive,” Danny offered and I gave a jerky nod. He stood there awkwardly, his hands shoved in his pockets, and I could see he wanted to add something, but wasn’t sure how.
“What is it?” I finally burst out, too many emotions filling me to be polite.
He stepped back at my outburst and asked, “Are you getting out of the truck?”
We realized we’d been sitting in the idling truck for quite a while and Jake belatedly cut the ignition. Within seconds the muggy air from the open window filled the truck and Connor shoved his door open. Danny gave us more room as Jake got out and reached for me. I slid into his open arms with no hesitation, needing the comfort more than I could express. He hugged me tight, and kept his arm around me as we walked toward the cabin, Danny and Connor following behind us silently.
I was thankful it was Danny they’d sent out after us. Anyone else would have expressed more curiosity. Wade would have seen the churning emotions under the surface while Carly and Jules would have been busy giving pointed looks as they carefully worded their questions. Danny was curious, but he respected our privacy.
Chapter Eleven
“So you think we’re on the menu for tonight’s dinner?”
“Connor!” Jules squeezed her eyes shut and counted to ten. “The man saved you from spending the night in jail. However, no one is saving you from sleeping on the couch tonight.”
“Honey,” Connor tried for cajoling but she wasn’t having any of it and I finally interrupted.
“We’re having steak for dinner.” I glanced over at Jules and for the hundredth time said, “And it’s not his fault. I broke into the cabin. He was trying to be the voice of reason.”
“Yeah,” Connor snorted. “Apparently, I’m not very good at it.”
“Hey, man, she’s hard to deny,” Danny commiserated, nodding in my direction.
“Yet, you succeeded and I wound up in a jail cell,” Connor answered with a sigh.
“Well, only because the threat of jail is worse than anything Addie can dole out.” He paused and looked my way. “However, I w
ouldn’t have let her go alone either. If she hadn’t turned her sights on to you, it would have been me in the jail cell. Hell, I’d probably still be sitting there.”
“Nah, man, we’d have broken you out.” Connor glanced around the boat as we chugged toward my uncle’s cabin. “One way or another.” We all nodded and the corner of Danny’s mouth lifted as Carly gave her own grudging nod. She was a hard nut to crack but I think we almost had her.
“I’ve got a question,” Wade interjected and I peered around Connor to look at him. “Does he grill a decent steak?”
Laughter broke out, but I nodded, taking the question seriously. “He does.”
“Alright then, guy can’t be that bad.”
“Nice to know we’re judging the bad guys on their grilling ability now,” Carly joked, a sweater on her lap for the ride home.
“He didn’t have to help us out,” Connor admitted, his arm on the seat behind Jules. “He could have left us there. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Or he could be softening us up,” Danny added pragmatically. “Avert suspicion from himself. Give us a reason to trust him. Isn’t that the whole issue?”
“Yeah, it is,” I answered. Danny’s question had not provided any type of reassurance. Even knowing there were three men in her life at the time of her death, two of which I had no doubt threatened her life, I still didn’t know if Duke had been the third man who she’d loved. I knew he loved her, but what if she hadn’t loved him? What if he’d been the man stalking her in the woods?
“Man, if only there were thought bubbles over your head to go with those emotional flares,” Wade drawled, clasping his hands behind his head in a lazy move. “Hell, if you could only answer your own questions. We wouldn’t even need to be here.”
Jake chuckled and glanced at me as he steered the boat toward the dock. “Save some of those questions. We’re about to find out more about Duke Michaels, namely how he knows so much about you and what exactly he knows about what happened all those years ago.”
Everyone grew serious at the thought. We’d filled them in on Duke’s apparent knowledge of my life and my little possessed routine when we’d finally made it into the cabin.
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