Page 17 of Shadowed Witness (The Secrets of Kincaid #2)

Eric followed Allye to Kincaid Lake. She had refused his offer of a ride.

Though she didn’t say it, he suspected it had less to do with wanting to drive and more to do with not wanting to leave her car at her brother’s and incite a round of teasing.

He’d played dumb to Corina’s not-so-subtle matchmaking attempt, but he hadn’t missed it.

Allye signaled before turning at the park’s entrance. While she’d pushed the speed limit a bit on the way over, nothing about her driving was erratic. No sign she was drowsy or in any way impaired.

That was a relief. He hadn’t been sure allowing her to drive was a good decision, but it hadn’t been his choice. Still, something was obviously going on with her. But what?

He backed into a parking space next to her and exited his vehicle first. When her door opened, he offered his hand.

“I can stand.”

“I know.” He didn’t withdraw his offer. And she took it, resignation on her face.

The vehicles on either side left little space between them as he pulled her to her feet for the second time in two days.

A hint of jasmine and mango tantalized his senses.

He’d noticed the scent on her before, and he liked it.

It fit her well. Or at least, it fit her usual fun-loving and caring personality well.

But her current pallor and hesitancy worried him. “It’s okay to accept help, you know.”

“But it isn’t easy.” Her words were barely a whisper.

The tremor that went through her worried him.

He gave her hand a light squeeze, then shifted it so she could lean on his arm instead.

“Let’s find your card so you can get home and rest. Do you have any idea where you lost it?

” He led her from between the cars and scanned the area.

Despite the beautiful weather, only a handful of people were around.

She sucked in a breath. “Probably when my purse dumped ... while I was hiding by the trail.”

“We’ll check there first, then.”

They made their way to Spicebush Trail. The temperature dropped a few degrees as they entered the shaded path.

A little way in, Eric helped her over a fallen branch, then broke the silence between them. “I’ve been wanting to ask you. How did you get my number the other night?”

Her face flushed. “I, uh, just knew it.”

“How did you ‘just know it’?”

“I might have memorized it in high school.”

High school? “That was over a decade ago. How did you know it hadn’t changed?” The red in her cheeks deepened. She was adorable when she was embarrassed. He straightened at that thought. Where had that come from?

She attempted a nonchalant shrug. “I happened to see it pop up on Bryce’s phone a while back.”

“I didn’t realize you were so good with numbers.”

She shrugged again but didn’t offer a response, and they lapsed back into silence. A few minutes later, she pointed. “I think it was over there.”

They approached the bush she indicated, and he let her pull away from him but stayed close behind her as she departed from the trail and knelt down to search.

The area behind the bush did show signs of her presence the day before.

Nothing too obvious—especially from the trail, which would explain why he hadn’t seen it Friday—but subtle depressions in the flora and a still-shiny safety pin caught his eye.

He crouched beside her and picked up the pin to dispose of later.

If it was Allye’s, he doubted she would want it back after it had lain in the dirt for two days.

“Anything?”

“No.” Her worry was clear. “If it’s not here, I don’t know where to look.”

He sifted through some of the nearby leaves, then moved a few steps away. “This yours?” He held up a tube of Chap Stick.

She took it and examined it. “Yes.”

“So your card could have rolled farther than the area you’re looking in.”

“True.” She felt under the base of the bush, then moved to his left. They searched together for a couple more minutes before she released a triumphant cry. “Found it!”

“Is it okay?”

She popped the case open and felt the memory card. “Looks okay and feels dry.”

“Great.” He stood and held out his hand. She took it without hesitation this time and allowed him to pull her up. They returned to the trail, and he looked back the way they came. “I think we’re about halfway through. Do you want to complete the circuit or turn around?”

“Forward is fine. I wish I had my camera though. I didn’t continue on Friday because...”

Because her attacker had gone that way. Or at least, that’s what she’d thought happened. No need to get into all that right now. Instead, he nodded understanding and guided her down the trail.

“It’s so pretty out here,” Allye breathed as they walked.

It was a beautiful area, he couldn’t deny that. He didn’t often take time to enjoy nature. Most of his free time was spent either fixing up his house or helping with the teens at church. Perhaps he should consider an occasional walk out here to clear his mind.

They rounded a bend in the trail, and Allye pulled him to a stop.

“What is it?”

“That would make an excellent print.”

He followed the direction of her gaze, but although it was as pretty as the rest of the trail, he didn’t see what was so exceptional about it.

“Come on.” She tugged at his arm.

“You don’t have your camera.”

“I can use my phone. It might not be print quality, but it’s not bad. I’d still like to get a few shots.”

“As long as you feel up to it.”

She mumbled something, but he didn’t quite catch it as she led him off the trail. She released his arm, pulled her phone from her pocket, and began taking photos.

He stood back, watching but trying to stay out of her way. She was smiling, but he doubted she realized it—she seemed totally immersed in the world of photography. No doubt she loved what she did.

After what had to have been fifty photos, she slowed and leaned against a tree.

“Doing all right?”

“Sorry. Just need a breather.”

He closed the distance between them. “Take however long you need.”

The smile she gave him was tired but genuine. “I could spend all day out here with my camera. At least when I’m feeling—” Her mouth snapped shut.

“When you’re feeling what?”

She shook her head. “Never mind.” She scanned the wooded area, avoiding his gaze.

What had she been about to say? He bit down on the question. They might be friends, but they weren’t close friends. And this wasn’t a case. He didn’t have a right to the facts or her thoughts. But he did wish he could make sure she was okay.

“What’s that?” Allye pointed off to the right.

He snapped his head in the direction she indicated. A dark lump protruded from behind a tree about five yards away. He should have noticed it before now, but he’d been so focused on Allye, he hadn’t been paying much attention to their surroundings.

“Stay here.” He moved cautiously toward the foreign object.

As he drew near, he could see it was a bedroll—a dark gray sleeping bag rolled tightly around a black pillow.

He didn’t touch anything, but he noted the location to report to the park service.

Kincaid Lake provided camping spots, but this wasn’t one of them.

The items didn’t appear to be brand-new, but neither did they look like they’d been out in the weather very long.

Someone had either hiked off trail and dropped them, or they were camping here illegally.

Based on the compressed vegetation, he’d guess the latter.

He snapped a photo and made his way back to Allye. “Sleeping bag,” he said in answer to her silent question. “Looks like someone’s camping out here.”

She shivered. “Isn’t it a little late in the year for that?”

“You’d think.” Nighttime temps this time of year often dropped to the low fifties or into the forties.

Avid campers in the area still enjoyed the overall moderate weather, but they usually had access to a campfire.

There’d been no makeshift fire pit or other sign of illicit burning near the bedroll.

Whoever was staying out here was apparently smart enough not to risk detection or a forest fire in an attempt to stay warm, but Eric imagined the nights were less than comfortable.

Of course, if the person stayed high or drunk, they might be oblivious to the cold—putting them in more danger.

Nothing he could do though. Allye was his primary responsibility at the moment, and Kincaid Lake wasn’t within his jurisdiction. He’d pass off their findings to the park service and see that Allye got home safely. He’d prefer to do both before their illegal camper returned.

He extended his hand toward the trail. “Ready?”

“I suppose.” She cast one last look at the campsite before leading the way back. Eric stayed close, ready to catch her if she stumbled, but they made it to the trail without incident and continued on their way.

As they neared the final bend before the trailhead, crunching leaves signaled a newcomer’s approach. They drifted to the right to make room, and a lanky teen with a backpack and ball cap soon rounded the bend. He kept his head down as he passed them, but Eric caught a look at his face.

“Dion?”

The teen immediately broke into a run.