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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

E mily felt like she was in a trance during church service. Wade was at work trying to figure out who’d kidnapped his friend. Thoughts of what would happen if they didn’t find Jamie in time crashed over her, and she pressed a hand to her stomach to stop it from roiling. The past months had been the most difficult ones she’d gone through since Nora’s disappearance, and her faith was taking a beating. She was struggling to find purpose in the pain.

As the pastor quoted Romans 8:28, she wondered how any of it could work together for their good. How could the kidnapping of a newlywed woman be good for anyone? The notion seemed ludicrous, but it was a promise she knew she could count on. All things worked together for the good of those who loved God. Jamie didn’t know God, but Wade did, and he loved her like a sister.

How was this going to bring about good in his life? Would they find her in time to prevent another tragic death? She sucked in a deep breath and forced herself to listen to the remainder of the sermon, occasionally glancing over at Gavin who seemed to be focused intently on the message. She knew he was alert to everything around him and if she were to scoot out of the pew, he’d be right behind her.

When Emily trudged down the stairs Monday morning after another sleepless night, she found Wade sipping a cup of coffee with his Bible open in front of him. He didn’t glance up at her approach. “Good morning.”

“Hey.”

“Still nothing new?”

“I have a strong lead I’m certain is the key to solving this case, but I can’t get a judge to give me a warrant for the information I need to proceed. In the meantime, one of my best friends is fighting for her life, and I don’t even know where to begin looking for her.”

“I feel responsible for Jamie’s abduction.”

“That’s insane. The only person responsible is the madman who took her.”

“He wanted to take me. I’ve been under constant watch, so he went for an easier target.”

“I guarantee Jamie didn’t go easily.”

“I’m sure she didn’t.” Emily poured her coffee and sat beside him. “Can you tell me about the lead?”

“No.” His lips turned up in a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I wish I could, but it’s better if I keep this information in-house.”

“You showed me the murder board.”

“I was trying to make you see how serious the danger to you could be.”

“If I didn’t see it before, I do now.”

Wade stood. “I need to get back to work.”

“You won’t do Jamie any good if you don’t find time to sleep.”

“I tried to sleep, but the images in my mind won’t let me rest.”

“I’ll be praying.”

He picked up his keys, and Ruger sat up and barked. “I didn’t take him on his run. If you’re going, would you mind taking him along.”

“I’d be glad for his company.”

“And Gavin’s. Don’t leave the house without him, okay?”

At the sound of his name, Gavin appeared in the doorway dressed in gym shorts and a sleeveless shirt. “I see you made it home,” Gavin said.

“I did, but I’m leaving now.”

Gavin nodded, and Wade turned to leave. Once he was gone, Gavin slid into the seat he’d vacated. “Are you all right?”

“I’ve been better.”

“He’s not purposely shutting you out.”

“I think you’re wrong.”

“Trust me. I’m not.”

“He’s choosing to withhold information pertinent to the case. That’s intentional.”

“That’s his job.”

She sighed. “Do you feel like running? You’re dressed for it.”

“A morning run would be great.”

She grabbed Ruger’s leash and slipped it onto his collar. He wagged his appreciation, and the three of them headed out the door, but not before Gavin checked to make sure the house was secure.

Five o’clock Tuesday evening, Emily rode silently beside Gavin as she fretted over Jamie’s disappearance and Wade’s absence. Her mind wandered back to Nora and the parallel between her disappearance and Jamie’s. Wade’s behavior was nearly identical to her own eleven years earlier, with the sole difference being his role in the investigation. She hadn’t been privy to the detectives’ files when Nora went missing, but she did everything she could to find her sister. She couldn’t fault him for doing whatever it took to bring Jamie back safely. In the meantime, she needed a distraction.

“Gavin, would you mind if I went out tonight to meet my friend Sam for dinner?”

“Not at all. Give me an hour to get another pair of eyes on you.”

“It’ll take Sam longer than that to get here.” She texted Sam to see if she could get away. The response came back quickly.

Sam: I’ve been wondering when I’d hear from you. I’m desperate for an update on the case. I’ll meet you at 7:00 p.m. at O’Brian’s Mug.

Emily: Perfect. I’ll see you there.

She felt bad that Sam would have to drive so far, but she’d return the favor the first chance she had.

An hour and a half later, she sat across from her friend in their favorite booth. Gavin found a seat nearby where he could discreetly keep an eye on her without drawing attention to his presence. He’d mentioned another bodyguard would be there, but she hadn’t been able to identify who it might be.

“I saw on the news about that cop. Didn’t you attend her wedding a few weeks ago?”

“Yes. She and Wade are good friends. He thinks she invited me as a date for him.”

“Meddling, but sweet.”

“Exactly.” She sighed. “I’ve barely seen him since she disappeared. I want to be there for him, but I’m not sure how.”

“Hmmm.”

“I know. I’m feeling like he probably did when Nora disappeared.”

“I wasn’t going to say that.”

“No, but you were thinking it.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about the past. Be open to a future. A future that might include Wade.”

“I’m trying. I’m afraid of being hurt, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“That’s a change from the last time we spoke.”

“He bought me a ring.”

“What!?”

“Not recently. Before. When we were kids.”

“Oh.”

“He showed it to me. All this time, he’s kept it with him.”

“Sounds like the man couldn’t let you go.”

“I love him.”

“Don’t tell me. Tell him.” Sam pointed toward the entrance, where Wade appeared with a willowy blonde in tow. “Who is that with him?”

Emily twisted around in her seat, and her eyes met Wade’s. She watched the emotions flash across his face, and her world flipped upside down once more. Looking back at Sam, she frowned. “Do you mind if I stay with you for a few days?”

“Of course not. You’re welcome, but don’t you think you should give him a chance to explain?”

“Not this time. No.” She stood and threw a twenty on the table. “I’ll wait for you outside.” As she took her first step, she noticed a pretty young woman stand and nod at Gavin. She’d never have suspected she was her bodyguard if the woman hadn’t followed her out the front door.

Wade was right on their heels. “Emily, can we talk?”

“Not now.” She turned away from him, knowing she’d believe any lie he told if she met his eyes.

“It’s not what you think.”

“I don’t care what it is.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ll be at Sam’s.”

“That may be for the best.”

Pain sliced through her heart at his words, but she didn’t respond. Sam hurried to her side and shook her head at Wade before pulling Emily toward her car. When they were buckled in and she’d started the ignition, she faced her. “Are you all right?”

“I will be.”

When they’d driven a few miles out of town, Sam grasped her hand. “I don’t want to freak you out, but I’ve made two turns and it seems like we might have a tail.”

“I know.”

“Then why aren’t you freaking out?”

“Stop the car. I’ll introduce you to my bodyguard Gavin.”

“You have a bodyguard?” She pulled over and narrowed her eyes. “We’re both park rangers. Trained law enforcement. Why do we have a bodyguard following us?”

“I’ll fill you in, but let me introduce you first, so we can get back on the road.”

After introductions were made and Sam gave Gavin her address in case they were separated, Emily went into the list of reasons Wade believed she needed protection even though she believed she was more than capable of taking care of herself.

“I’m surprised you accepted help from Wade.” Sam tapped on the steering wheel. A nervous habit that drove Emily batty.

“He showed me the murder board they’d created. From the looks of it and the teddy bear I received, I may have been the next victim, and nobody can be on guard twenty-four hours a day. I needed to be able to shower and sleep, so I let him provide extra protection.”

“I knew he thought you were being targeted when he sent you to stay at my place the last time, but you never said why.”

“I received a teddy bear with a charm bracelet on it.”

“And?”

“It’s the guy’s signature move. He sends his next victim a stuffed animal with jewelry he took from the previous victim.”

“The bracelet belonged to Lorraine Moore?”

“It did.”

“I can see why he’d be concerned, but it doesn’t fit the guy’s timeline for him to take someone else now.”

“I know. When I received the stuffed bear, Wade figured the killer was escalating, and now that he’s taken Jamie, it’s more than a theory.”

“What happened with the guy they arrested?”

“They arrested him on unrelated charges. Wade was never convinced he was the killer, but he sounds like a shady character, and he has ties to a couple of the victims and the park.”

Gavin was kind enough to drive her back to Wade’s house the next morning, and she was pleased to see he’d already left the house when she arrived. She dressed quickly in her uniform and then packed her belongings. Her phone alerted her she had an incoming call. When she glanced at the screen and saw Wade’s name, she hit ignore. She had no desire to talk to him. She certainly couldn’t remain under the same roof as him.

His behavior made no sense. What was the point in making her think he cared? It wasn’t like he was trying to get her into bed. He’d been the one to show self-restraint. Why toy with her emotions?

She’d been prepared to give him another chance until he’d walked into O’Brian’s Mug with a gorgeous woman on his arm. The woman was a solid ten. Tall. Curvy. Gorgeous. Emily was none of those things. She couldn’t compete with the blonde bombshell.

She was surprised he would be out with a woman instead of searching for Jamie, but she’d never claimed to understand men.

With her bag slung over her shoulder and Ruger whimpering behind her, she trudged out the door, giving the dog one last pat before Gavin locked up behind her.

Life was strange. A week ago, she’d have been thrilled to be leaving Wade’s house. Her chest constricted, and she refused to identify the emotion causing the painful sensation. Work would keep her mind off Wade. Her phone rang again, and she pushed the power button to silence it.

Gavin glanced over at her as she buckled her seatbelt. “Are you sure you don’t want to give him a chance to explain?”

The look she shot him had him raising his hands in surrender. “Forget I said anything.”

“Would you mind swinging by my place this morning so I can get my car since we have a few extra minutes.”

“Wouldn’t mind a bit.”

If Emily didn’t get some sleep soon, she wouldn’t be able to function. It was a good thing it was her day off.

Gavin joined her at the kitchen table. “You’re getting a new bodyguard today. Her name is Sandra. She’s been with Garrison Security for two years. I trust her.”

“The woman you had working with you at O’Brian’s Mug?”

“That’s her.”

“Are you getting back to your real life?”

He nodded. “I wish I didn’t have to leave, but I have some urgent business that needs my attention.”

Sam was in uniform when she made her way to the kitchen.

“I guess I’m on my own today,” Emily said.

“As on your own as you can be with your bodyguard sitting beside you.”

“Gavin’s assigning me a new bodyguard today.”

Sam grinned. “Is he single?”

“Her name is Sandra.”

“That’s disappointing.” Sam frowned.

“Gavin is single.”

He grinned. “I am, and if I didn’t have somewhere to be, I’d love to spend time getting to know you better, Samantha.”

“Oh boy.” Emily giggled.

Once Sandra arrived and the introductions were made, Sandra slipped out onto the deck and left Emily alone with Sam.

“It looks like you have two love interests now: Gavin and Austin.”

“Neither one of them is a love interest.”

“You might want to tell them that. I think they’re both interested.”

Sam shook her head. “I’m going to see if Sandra would like some coffee.”

Emily stuffed a pod in the Keurig. “I’ll take her some. You probably have to get to work.”

“I do.” She pushed her bangs off her forehead. “I wish I had the day off.”

“Me too.”

“Come by at noon. We’ll have lunch together, but you’ll have to bring something. I didn’t have time to pack my lunch.”

Emily smiled. “Meet me at Adams Falls?”

“Perfect.” Sam grabbed her keys from the hook where she kept them and waved as she opened the front door. “See you later.”

Emily took out a second coffee pod and brewed another cup then carried them both out on the deck to sit with Sandra. “I brought cream and sugar since I wasn’t sure what you took in your coffee.”

The woman’s eyes lit with gratitude. “Thank you. You’re a godsend.”

“I don’t know about that, but I’m glad to be of service. You are stuck here because of me.”

“Just doing my job.”

The morning dragged on as Emily considered all the possibilities of where Jamie could be. It was supposed to be her. The thought made her shudder. When eleven o’clock rolled around, she prepared some tuna fish sandwiches and took a couple of bottles of water from Sam’s fridge.

When she arrived at the parking area, a familiar truck caught her eye. She backed her car in next to it, gritting her teeth as she did. She’d been setup. Sam was a traitor.

Emily’s eyes scanned the area until she spotted him leaning against a tree near the path down to Adams Falls. She made her way over to him. “What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk, and you won’t take my calls.” Wade scrubbed his large hand over his face.

“Do you blame me?”

“Yes, Emily. I do.” He blew out a frustrated breath and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Who was the gorgeous blonde?”

“A cold case detective.” He modulated his tone. “She’s working on that Virginia case where they found the body in the wall.”

Emily deflated. “Why didn’t you tell me that on Tuesday night?”

“You wouldn’t let me.”

“You could’ve texted.”

“It’s not something you put in a text.”

He slid his arm around her shoulders and guided her over to a nearby bench. She sank down onto it. “It was Nora?”

He lowered himself onto the bench beside her and pulled her close. “They did. I asked to be the one to tell you and your parents. I didn’t want you to hear it from a stranger.”

It felt like she was suffocating. She needed air. She jumped up and paced. The pain in her chest felt like daggers. Sobs wracked her body, and she dropped to the ground hugging her knees to her chest.

Wade didn’t try to placate her with meaningless sentiments. Nor did he tell her Nora was in a better place and quote Romans 8:28. He knew it wasn’t what she needed. Not in that particular moment. She needed to grieve.

Long minutes passed before she swiped her palms over her eyes. Wade held out his hand to help her up off the ground, and then he held her. She melted into the strength of his embrace.

She’d been expecting the news for years, but, somehow, it still came as a shock. She hadn’t realized how much she’d been hoping Nora was alive somewhere. Now all hope was gone. Dried up like a potsherd.

She swiped away her tears and looked Wade in the eyes. “How did you connect with the detective?”

“Back in July when I saw the request for her dental records, I contacted her department. Detective McKenna returned my call. They don’t consider cold cases to be a rush, so they’re just getting around to confirming that it was Nora they found. The detective was in the area on an unrelated case and offered to meet face to face. I figured we could grab dinner before I headed home. It wasn’t a date. Just food.”

Emily covered her face with her hands. “I feel like such an idiot. You were trying to help me and my family, and I jumped to conclusions. Even if it was a date, I don’t have any claim on you.”

“You do have a claim on me. Always have.” He said the words so quietly she wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly. “I probably should’ve been keeping you updated. I didn’t want to exhume the past until we knew for sure it was her.”

“I behaved like a child.”

“I’m glad you care enough about me to get jealous.”

She pushed him. “I was not jealous.”

He grinned. “Were too.”

“Do they know how she wound up in Virginia?”

“From what they can piece together a trucker who went by the alias of Mark Williams was renting the house back then. He’s been connected with other missing girls, but they haven’t been able to prove his responsibility yet. Maybe this case will be the one to do it. The assumption is that he picked her up on one of his trips to New York and back. Whether she went willingly or not is unknown. I’m sure Detective McKenna will interview family and friends to see if any of us recognize Williams. I checked the photo she had and he didn’t look familiar.”

She felt the blood drain from her face. “I need to go home. My parents don’t know.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“You have to stay here. Jamie’s missing, and you might have the key to finding her in your files.”

“Then wait for me. After Jamie is home, we’ll go together.”

“This isn’t the kind of thing that can wait, Wade. What if a reporter finds out first?”

“You’re right, but I don’t want you to go alone.”

“Sam should have some time off coming to her. I’ll ask her to go with me.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d feel better if you took Austin. Or, better yet, Gavin.”

“I can’t bring Gavin. He had urgent business to attend to and even if he was available, my parents don’t need the added stress of knowing the only child they have left needs a bodyguard to protect her from a serial killer. They’ve at least heard of Austin before, so they’ll trust he’s there as a friend.”

“Then take him with you. If he isn’t able to join you, you’re stuck with me.” He made eye contact. “Gavin left you?”

She glanced over her shoulder. “He had something to take care of, so Sandra took over my case.”

“I’ve heard good things about her. You’re in good hands.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “Bring her with you tomorrow.”

She shook her head. “It’s not necessary. Nobody is going to follow me to Havertown. I’ll be fine.”

“I wish I had your confidence.”

Emily fidgeted with the locket around her neck while Austin drove. “I’d be less nervous if I had something to do. Like drive.”

“You have too much on your mind to be operating a motor vehicle.”

“How am I going to tell them?”

He reached over and squeezed her hand. “It isn’t something you have to plan out ahead of time. Just be in the moment and tell them everything you know.”

“Easier said than done.”

“I don’t doubt that.” He sighed. “I don’t envy you the task, but I’m here for you.”

“Thanks, Austin.” She gave him a genuine smile. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”

When they reached the first sign for the Havertown exit off of I476, Austin pulled into the turn lane.

“It’s a couple of miles farther.”

“Then what’s with the turn lane?”

“Sometimes it gets backed up, so they start it early.”

“Huh.”

Finally, the lane veered off the highway and split. “Stay to the left, but not all the way to the left.”

He quirked an eyebrow.

“Trust me.”

“I do.” He made the left and stayed in his lane avoiding the turn lane to the left of him.

She directed him the remainder of the way to the two story colonial in the Chatham Park section of Haverford Township where she’d spent her childhood years. Austin pulled into the driveway, and she examined her cuticles.

“Are we going to get out of the car?”

“I suppose.” She frowned.

He opened his door and came around to her side of the car. Once she’d exited, he put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a side hug. “I know you can do this. You’re the bravest woman I know.”

“Not counting Sam?”

“She might have you beat by a smidgen.”

“What do you think of her?”

“She’s great, but you’re changing the subject. We aren’t here to talk about your best friend.”

“I wish we were.”

She trudged onward until she reached the front door and rang the bell.

“You don’t have a key to your parents’ house?”

“I do, but it feels intrusive to simply walk in.”

“Fair enough.” He laughed. “I walk into my parents’ house all the time.”

“I’m sure you do.” She tried to smile but couldn’t bring herself to do so. She’d come to complete a morbid task, and it was best to get it over with.

Her father opened the door and frowned down at her. “What are you doing here on a weekday?”

“Didn’t Mom tell you I was coming?”

“It must’ve slipped her mind. Come on in.”

Her dad shouted up the stairs. “Caroline, Emily is here.” He turned back to face them. “I have a tee time. We can catch up when I return.”

“Dad, you need to be here for this conversation.”

Her father smiled at Austin. “Oh? Are you two getting married?”

“Austin is just a friend.”

“Then what is so important it can’t wait until after golf?”

Her mother appeared looking as put-together as ever in black slacks and a pale pink blouse. “Would you like some iced tea?”

“Maybe later.” She gave her mother a stiff hug.

“I’ll be out at the car if you need me,” Austin said.

“You don’t have to go.”

“It’s best if I do,” he said.

She gave him a tiny nod, and he went out the way they’d come in.

“Why is your friend running off?”

“This is family business, and he didn’t want to interfere.”

Her mother pierced her with a cold stare. “Did they find her?”

She nodded.

“Alive?” Her father asked softly.

She shook her head and watched as her mother crumpled in front of her. Her father wrapped his wife in his arms and held her quaking body. Tears streamed down Emily’s face. Her parents were overwrought by their own grief and didn’t notice hers.