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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

E mily stared at her notes. John Cunningham was a state trooper, but it was evident from talking to the list of donors from the 2021 campaign that all the contributions made on July 3 rd at Senator Martin's gala were received by him.

Wade lifted the notepad from in front of her and studied it. “We need to go further back. Let’s check donations from previous years. Call Senator Martin’s office and find out when her gala was held in 2019 and 2020. We might need to go back further, but let’s start there. I’m going to let my lieutenant know where this investigation is leading, so he’ll be prepared if we need to check out John.”

“I hope it isn’t him.”

“Me too. He saved me from a bullet yesterday.”

“What!?”

“That drug raid I mentioned. A guy got the drop on me. If it wasn’t for Cunningham’s quick trigger finger, I would’ve taken one in the vest.”

“At least you were wearing your vest.”

“Always.” He handed her notepad back to her. “It’s a shame the guy died. We weren’t able to question him about Parsons’ whereabouts.”

“Do you think Parsons is involved in the murders?”

“It’s hard to tell. Jamie disappeared after he was released. That makes him look guilty.”

“But it could be someone trying to set him up to take the fall.”

“Yes. It could.” He frowned. “Let’s keep following the Cunningham angle and see where it leads us.”

She gave him a mock salute.

A crack of thunder sounded in the distance. Emily squirmed in her seat and forced herself to concentrate. She read over what she’d found so far, and a familiar name kept rising to the surface. The shrill ring of her cell startled her, so she answered the call before it could ring a second time. “What’s up, Austin?”

“Dispatch called 911, but I knew you’d want to know.”

“Know what?” She knew deep down in her gut why he was calling but pushed away her suspicions as she waited for his response.

“Is Wade with you?”

Her gaze darted in his direction. “He is.”

“Hikers found Sergeant Strauss’ body.” She held a trembling hand to her stomach as bile rose into her throat.

Emily instinctively reached for Wade’s hand. “We’ll be right there.” She disconnected the call.

Wade’s eyes searched hers, questions burning in their depths. “They found Jamie?”

Emily nodded.

“At the park?”

A shiver ran down her spine. “Yes.”

“Let’s go.” He stood and stalked toward the door when Sandra appeared in the doorway.

“I’ll drive,” Sandra said.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re emotionally distraught. Let me take you there,” Sandra said.

He snatched his keys off the table and tossed them to her. “Yes ma’am.”

Emily replayed the last eight days in her mind. What could they have done differently?

The skies opened and rain came down in sheets as Wade opened the truck door for her. She scooted over into the center seat so he could climb in beside her.

Sandra adjusted the seat and the rear-view mirror. “Boulder Field?”

“Yes.” Emily put a hand to her racing heart.

Ten minutes later they stood at the edge of the crime scene. Austin walked over, and Emily shifted into work mode. “Let’s check out all the game cameras we placed around the area after Lorraine Moore’s body was found. Hopefully they captured something.”

“Already on it. Pete took the memory cards down to the office to check.” A trooper motioned for Austin to join him, and he hurried over to him.

Emily’s gaze slammed into Wade’s. He understood the implications of Austin’s matter-of-fact report. They suspected Trooper Cunningham might be involved and now Pete had his hands on evidence that could be used to implicate his cousin. “You should go. See if you can intercept him before he has time to erase anything.”

“On it.” Wade ran back to his truck and left before Sandra could object to him driving himself.

Emily shot up a prayer for his safety and success in collecting the evidence from Pete. It wasn’t as if she didn’t trust him with it, but the urge to protect family could be overpowering. Despite how much Pete annoyed her with his chauvinist attitude, she didn’t wish the ethical dilemma on him.

Sandra squeezed her shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“I didn’t know her long, but I liked her. We could’ve grown to be good friends.”

“Do you think Wade will be okay?”

“It’ll hit him later, and he’ll be devastated, but he won’t let anyone witness his breakdown.”

“You two have history, huh?”

“We do.” She nodded. “And, hopefully, a future.”

A ghost of a smile touched Sandra’s lips. “I hope so.”

Austin returned. “Sorry about that. He had a question about setting up a tent to keep the evidence protected. A storm is expected.”

“There is no way they’ll be able to secure a tent in Boulder Field.”

“He said something about sandbags and tying them off to trees. Don’t worry, they don’t plan to try to move any of the boulders.”

She tugged on her ponytail to tighten it. “Good.”

“Did you want to check out the crime scene?”

“Has the medical examiner arrived?”

“He’s with the body now.”

“I’ll look at the scene after he removes Jamie’s body. I don’t want to see her like that. I’d rather remember her in her wedding dress headed off to her honeymoon.” Her voice cracked, and Austin pulled her in for a hug.

“I’m sorry. I was insensitive. I forgot you’d gotten to know her.” He released her and pushed his hair off his forehead. “This must be a lot to take in so soon after them finding your sister.”

She nodded and looked away. If she talked about it, the emotion might overwhelm her. Compassion tended to release the dam, and she couldn’t afford to lose control.

When they arrived back at the house, it was past ten and the sky was dark. Emily was surprised to see Gavin when he opened the door. Wade didn’t blink an eye, so he must’ve known his friend would be waiting for them.

“Hoagies are on the kitchen table,” Gavin said.

“I’m not hungry,” Wade said.

“Eat something anyway. You need your strength to get this guy.”

“Maybe Mac should assign someone else to this case. I can admit when I failed.”

“Jamie’s death isn’t your fault,” Gavin said.

“It sure feels like it is.”

“Eat a few bites of your hoagie, and then spend some time with God.”

“I’m not in the mood.”

“Is that the youth pastor speaking? Or the reprobate you once were?”

“What do you want from me?”

“It’s not what I want; it’s what you need.” Gavin turned to her and Sandra. “Let’s eat our food while Wade enjoys his pity party.”

Emily placed a hand on Wade’s bicep, but he shrugged her off. Her gut clenched as she pictured Wade grabbing his friend by the throat, but he didn’t respond to the criticism. He left the room without another glance at any of them.

Wade grabbed his keys. “I’m going to drive over and see Ty. I should’ve been the one to tell him, but I can at least be there to grieve with him.” He left without a goodbye.

She followed Gavin into the kitchen and forced down half an Italian hoagie. It tasted dry as cardboard, and she struggled to swallow. She knew there wasn’t a thing wrong with the food. It was her.

“Why were you so hard on Wade?” She brushed the crumbs off her hands and took a drink of water.

“It’s the only way to get through to him when he gets in a funk.”

“His friend was the victim of a brutal death at the hands of a serial killer. He’s entitled to get in a funk over it.”

“True.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Trust me. I know him well enough to know my criticism will have energized him. It’ll give him the strength to continue.”

“If you say so.”

Emily stayed the night, despite her desire to return to Samantha’s house. Wade and Gavin both agreed she was safer here. It struck her as odd since a few days earlier they’d agreed she was safer at Sam’s place.

She descended the stairs cautiously, unsure of what news would greet her when she made it to the kitchen. Ruger stood near the bottom of the steps and nudged her hand with his head when she reached him. She stopped to pet him, and he rolled over to give her access to his belly. Once she gave him a quick rub, she moved into the kitchen. Wade had his head bowed when she entered, so she backed out of the room to give him privacy. He lifted his head and motioned for her to join him.

She filled a mug with coffee and sat beside him at the table.

Wade shut his Bible and glanced at his cell before looking at her. “Gavin is going to cover for me at church this morning. I’m headed to the station.”

“Where do you want me?”

“Somewhere safe. Stay with Gavin and Sandra.”

“Why not with you?”

“Mac is meeting me there, and he wouldn’t approve of me bringing you into the investigation.”

“In that case, I’ll go to church.”

“Gavin will look out for you.”

“So will Sandra.”

“I have no doubt.” He reached across the table to take her hand in his. “I asked Gavin to come back because of Jamie’s death. More security is a good thing. I trust Sandra, but I trusted Jamie to take care of herself and look how that ended.”

“I already have more security than Jamie. I’m trained law enforcement. Sandra is here. If I go anywhere, it is with you or Sam, and you’re both law enforcement. How much security is too much, Wade?”

"I can’t lose you, too.” His eyes filled, and she forced herself to breathe evenly. She knew in that second Wade loved her and would do anything to keep her safe.

“I’ll stay with Gavin and Sandra. Don’t worry about me.”

“Thank you.” He stood. “I’d better be going.”

She blocked his way and held out her arms, he tucked her into his chest and held her for a lingering moment before releasing her. He paused at the door to glance back, and she tried to smile. She feared it was more of a grimace, but she hoped he understood the sentiment. She wanted to assure him she’d be fine and would be waiting for him when he returned.

Emily sat beside Sandra throughout church service. They sang along with the old hymns and greeted the other churchgoers when called upon to do so. She was surprised when Jerry approached her with an outstretched hand. She’d thought he was going to her church, but now he was at Wade’s church. Was there a reason? Could he be following her?

She shook his hand. “Good to see you, Jerry. What brings you here?”

“Your friend Sam said you’d been coming here when I asked why you hadn’t been in church. If you switched to this church, it must be a good one, so I decided to give it a try.”

She silently berated Sam for giving away too much information. “Yes, I’ve been attending here for a short time. They have sound doctrine, and I’m comfortable with the people.”

“May I ask why you left your old church?”

“I didn’t leave. I’m still a member. I’m visiting here.”

“That’s a long time to visit a neighboring church.” His eyebrows pinched together in concentration. “You’re not one of those church-hoppers, are you?”

“I assure you I’m not.”

Sandra took her by the arm.

“Sorry, Jerry. My friend wants to be seated.” She followed Sandra back to the pew where they were sitting. “Thanks for the rescue.”

“I couldn’t help overhearing. I’m surprised Samantha would give information about your church attendance to a co-worker knowing we’re trying to keep you safe.”

“Me too.”

“Maybe we can use it to our advantage. If we have any security agents who are free, we might be able to get someone to tail him and see where he goes. He could be a viable suspect.”

“He works with me at the park.”

“I know.”

“I forget sometimes how much information you and Gavin have about me and my life.”

“It helps us do our job.”

“I understand that, but it doesn’t make it any less disconcerting.”

“What do you think?” She narrowed her eyes. “Do you think Jerry could be our guy?”

“I honestly don’t know. I would’ve said yes back in July, but now I’m not so sure. He’s weird. I’ll grant you that, but I don’t think he’s a mastermind criminal.”

“They’re never the ones you expect.”

“True.”

“We did a background check on Jerry, and he came up clean. He probably has a crush on you, but we can’t be too careful. On the other hand, I overheard Wade telling Gavin they were going to look into your neighbor.”

“Bob?”

“Uh huh.”

“He doesn’t have anything to do with this.”

Sandra barked out a laugh. “Sometimes the person we suspect the least is the one hiding the most.”

They hushed as the preacher took his spot at the podium.

Emily and Sandra were ushered into the fellowship hall for brunch. She’d forgotten all about it and hadn’t prepared a dish of her own, but the preacher and his wife insisted they stay. So, they stood in line with the rest of the congregation, and she could feel Jerry breathing down her neck as she filled her plate with a few of her favorite things, including a cinnamon bun and some fresh fruit. It was a bountiful harvest, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to eat much. Her stomach was still in knots from yesterday’s news.

When they found seats, Sandra engaged her in conversation. She noticed Gavin was pacing in front of the windows while speaking quietly into his cell phone.

“What do you think that’s about?” she asked Sandra.

The other woman lowered her voice to a whisper. “I texted him during service. He’s probably looking for someone to check out your friend Jerry.”

As she said his name, Jerry slid into the seat beside Emily. “Did I hear my name?”

Emily smiled. “I’ll never tell.”

“I think I know why you switched churches now. There is enough food here to feed a village.”

“My church has meals, too.”

He grinned. “I know. I went to the meal you invited me to, but you weren’t there. It was a disappointment. The food was good, but it wasn’t nearly as plenteous as this.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“What have you been up to? Are you dating that Brunner guy?”

Emily breathed out a sigh. “Yes.”

“Oh. Is it serious?”

She didn’t think she should have to give Jerry her life history, but maybe if she was upfront, he’d leave her alone. “It is.”

“Already?”

“We have a history.”

“I didn’t realize that.”

“Now you know.”

“I won’t stand in the way.” He smiled again. “So, you switched churches to be near your boyfriend.”

“Something like that.”

“I hope he knows how lucky he is.”

“He’d say he’s blessed.” But would he? After losing Jamie to the serial killer, would he still think himself blessed? Emily knew she was blessed to have found Wade again after so many wasted years, but she knew those years weren’t truly a waste. God had been preparing them both. If they’d stayed together after high school, they might’ve split up by now. Neither of them had been ready. They hadn’t understood what commitment truly meant. She glanced up at Jerry as he stuffed another forkful of food in his mouth.

“I’d better get going. Pete asked me to help him put up more game cameras.”

“He did?”

“Yeppers. I’m headed to the park to meet him now.”

She frowned. “We already surrounded Boulder Field with them.”

“He wanted some at the ranger station.”

She sighed. “Interesting.”

She waved to Jerry as he headed to the door, and Gavin followed him. Gavin rejoined them a few minutes later and approached their table. “Thanks for the heads up, Sandra. I assigned Clint to stick with Jerry.”

“Sounds good.”

“Shall we go?”

“I’m ready when you ladies are.”

Emily glanced at the food she’d barely touched. “I’m ready.”

“Shouldn’t you eat something?” he asked.

“I ate a little.”

That night when the youth group went outside to burn off some energy, Emily stayed on the red team with Sandra. Gavin joined the blue team, and the game of kickball was underway. She hadn’t expected to be joining the youth group when Wade was off following leads, but when Gavin asked them to join him, she saw no reason to refuse.

Spending time with the young people had given her mood an instant boost, and she was actually enjoying herself. She kicked the red ball toward Sandra, but one of the blue team boys intercepted it. He shot it toward their goal, and their goalie tried to block it, but it sailed in and scored.

The blue team beat them ten to two, but she had a blast playing.

A few of the older women were in the kitchen dishing up ice cream for the youth when they made their way in for snacks after a game of kickball. One of the women handed her a bowl. “Thanks, but it’s for the kids.”

“Oh no. We get to eat it, too.” She pointed to the head table. “Sit. Eat. I’ll join you after I finish handing out bowls.”

Emily grinned. “Who am I to argue?”

A few minutes later the white-haired woman settled in across from her and Sandra. “I’m glad to see someone finally attracted the attention of Pastor Brunner. He’s an excellent youth pastor, yet he always seemed a bit lonely to me.”

Emily met her gaze. “What makes you think I have his attention?”

“It’s obvious by the way he looks at you.” The woman’s smile took up her whole face. “I predict a spring wedding.”

“My friend Samantha made a similar prediction.”

“Sounds like you have a wise friend.” The woman, whose name escaped her, patted her knee. Gavin joined them at the table.

“Mrs. McSally, you’d better behave yourself. I can see you have Ms. Davis all flustered.” He grinned at the older woman.

That was the name: Mary McSally.

Gavin stood and went to the doorway. “Everyone ready? Let’s head back to the classroom, so you can review your Bible verses before we dismiss you.”

Commotion ensued as the kids all tossed their disposable bowls and spoons and made their way to the door where Gavin waited. Once the line of kids left the room, she and Sandra both stood to follow and said their goodbyes to Mrs. McSally.

The widow grinned. “I told you so.”

“What?” She looked in the direction where the other woman was staring, and her gaze slammed into Wade’s. Her heart raced as she crossed the room. “What are you doing here?”

“Can’t a guy come pick up his girl without getting the third degree?”

“Of course, he can.” She smiled up at him, and he took her hand and led her toward the classroom.

“I’m going to stick my head in there a minute to say hi to the kids, but then I’ll drive you home. Gavin can drive Sandra. I want a few minutes alone with you.”

She swallowed a lump in her throat. What did he want to share with her? Alone.