Page 14 of Fortune’s Control (Fortune’s Creek #1)

Shane suggested I use his house instead of the garage apartment. I refused to consider the idea then, and now it appeals to me. Shane’s presence made me feel protected; his home might do the same .

“You can keep Emma on the phone the entire time. Stop acting childish.”

I wouldn’t call Jack, preferring an evening alone to one spent in awkward silence with Shane’s best friend. Besides, Diane Jones hinted at his tragic backstory, and I already took the younger sister’s side.

I swung wide onto the long driveway, splaying my legs wide, and dodging from one side of the path to the other. Palm trees and oaks obscured the house until I drew up close and slammed on the brakes.

A dark house and empty driveway greeted me.

Relieved, I dropped my bike and ran to my apartment, locking the door behind me.

I opened my laptop to start a familiar routine.

This time, I started north of Fortune’s Creek and found nothing in Atlanta’s local news or anywhere else in Georgia.

Farther south, I got the same results. No updates on Sandy’s killer, and nothing about another woman in glasses found dead.

It was ridiculous to believe a couple of coincidences meant I knew better than Detective Davis.

I checked the pictures buried deep in my suitcase. They were untouched, still folded in half, as I found them.

I stared at one taken the morning after Sandy’s murder. I wore the same clothes after my time at the police station and spending the night at Emma’s.

My one comfort was knowing they had already found and charged Wilson Skane.

I picked a business card from my wallet and smoothed back the bent tip. Detective Davis wrote his cell phone number for me the same night.

I dialed.

His grizzled voice, with its hint of southern flavor, greeted me. “Detective Davis here.”

“Hi. It’s Lilah. Lilah Mayberry. I’m checking for any recent developments. I know you said the boyfriend did it.” I squeezed my eyes shut and forced myself to ask the dreaded question. Saying it out loud made the danger more real. “Is it possible there’s someone else? Like a partner?”

He paused. “Did you see two attackers that night, Lilah?”

I forced a laugh. “One was bad enough. It’s like he watches me sometimes, that’s all. I’m out of town, and sometimes I think he’s here. If that car hadn’t driven up…”

“We have the right guy, Lilah. I’ve been doing this job for fifteen years, and after all that time, you get a feeling. She had a restraining order against him for a reason.”

“I remember her telling me that. I heard them argue the night before.”

“He was seen leaving her apartment that night, too, and we have physical evidence putting him at the scene. There’s plenty of evidence to put him away for life.

I worry about some cases, but this is not one of them.

” His voice slowed at the end, so each word emerged as a distinct sentence.

“You can sleep easy knowing we caught Wilson Skane before he could hurt another young girl.”

This part always bothered me. He was her ex-boyfriend, so wouldn’t physical evidence be everywhere, no matter the circumstances? Still, my paranoia couldn’t match a police investigation. “But is it possible?”

“If that were the case, I’d still be looking.

That’s a promise. Lilah, if you have further information, you need to share it with me so we can investigate.

” Paper shuffled in the background, and I heard a muffled voice.

“Hold on.” Office Davis came back on after a brief exchange.

“That was my partner. If you recall something new, even if it doesn’t seem important, we will look into it.

I can come to your home if you’re more comfortable there. ”

I was hours away and had no intention of returning to Atlanta. “I’m in Florida, plus I shared everything that night. He threatened me, and I keep looking for him. It happened again today.”

“You aren’t the first witness to tell me the same, and you know what? They’re all safe and secure. Let me give you some more comfort. He’s required to wear an ankle monitor as a condition of his bond, and he’s staying out of sight in his parents’ home.”

Relief flooded me. My overactive imagination created a stalker who didn’t exist. He was hundreds of miles and several hours away. “He acted alone.”

“And you helped us find him, Lilah. Sandy Cooper’s parents are grateful for all your efforts. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight?”

“That’s it. Thank you.”

Tonight wasn’t our first exchange. Detective Davis’s knack for putting me at ease contrasted with his partner’s attitude. If he was the one extracting a confession from Sandy’s ex-boyfriend, it’s no wonder Detective Davis considered the case resolved.

Calm settled over me. He wasn’t in Fortune’s Creek, and the police would know if he appeared. I could go back to Atlanta. All that kept me in Fortune’s Creek was a missing grandmother and Shane. I might never learn her fate, and Shane’s pity wouldn’t lead to wedded bliss.

I put the business card and photos away, deciding not to think about it for the rest of the night. Lainey and I had plans for tomorrow, and Emma was on her way.

Shane offered his home, so I left my apartment and found the hidden key under the mat.

I scratched Pirate’s ears. “Are you ready to come inside, kitty?” I held the door open, but she refused my offer. “You realize we’ll keep this up until you give in, right? I’m determined to turn you into a house cat. It’s safer, and you deserve it. Plus, I never had a pet before.”

Giving up, I went inside, turned on the lights, and opened the front door. I left my bicycle lying on the driveway in my rush for reassurance, and it needed to be moved.

Instead of the expected bike, an unfamiliar gray sedan greeted me.