Page 15 of The Catcher (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #5)

T he investigation was in its usual state of limbo.

Noah liked to call it the calm before the storm, except the storm had already swept through the town, leaving a trail of broken hearts and questions. But with no update on the whereabouts of the Matthews girl, every passing hour was excruciating.

While waiting on the results of Nicholas’ alibi and video canvassing, they’d moved into conducting interviews with the parents and friends of both teens to get a better picture of the days leading up to their disappearance.

By all accounts, they were like any other high school seniors.

Pete Landry was the high school quarterback with his eyes set on getting a scholarship that would let him pursue his dream of one day joining the NFL.

Hailey Matthews, his on-and-off girlfriend, had been seeing him since they were freshmen.

Like most kids their age, they had a core group that surrounded them and parties they attended occasionally.

Besides the typical end-of-the-world troubles that seemed to plague teenagers and form the basis for posts seeking help on advice forums, nothing stood out as peculiar.

Neither one of them had any run-ins with the law.

Their record was clean. Neither was suffering from depression.

Their parents were notable people in town, middle-class, hard-working, and more than willing to take polygraph tests.

Their home life was as stable as anyone would hope to find in an American suburban family.

Experience, though, painted a different picture from the smiling faces that adorned most framed photos in homes.

Hidden journals, secret meetups, murmured rumors at lunchtime, and even anonymous scrawling in bathroom stalls often revealed the truth.

Penetrating the culture of teens was very much an art.

Adults, as well-meaning as they could be, were seen as the harbingers of doom to those walking the line between kid and grown-up.

As he prepared to go out that evening, Noah knocked on Mia’s door.

“You decent?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, come in, or yes, you’re decent?”

“Dad, just come in.”

He ducked his head inside; a smirk danced on Mia’s face.

He scanned the room, a routine habit to make sure no boy had just exited a window.

He sniffed the air to ensure she hadn’t masked the smell of weed with perfume, a common trick in every teenager’s arsenal.

“I’m heading out for dinner this evening, so I left twenty bucks on the counter for you to buy pizza. ”

“Anywhere nice?” Mia asked.

“A friend’s home.”

“Would this friend be female?” She grinned.

“Maybe.” He smiled back.

“Callie?”

“No.”

“Mrs. Peterson?”

“Who?”

“You know, the brunette behind the counter at the café. I’ve seen the way she eyes you.”

Noah laughed. “That’s because she has a wonky eye.”

Mia chuckled. Noah strolled over to the window and peered out. “I’m sorry about being late yesterday.”

“You showed. That’s all that matters.”

He noticed a couple of law books on her desk. He scooped one up and thumbed through it. “Already?”

“I’m getting a head start. The more I know, the better my studies will be later.”

“I’m proud of you. I know I gave you a bit of a hard time when you first told me about pursuing it, but that’s only because I wanted to save you the heartache of the job. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be, Mia.”

“I know. You were once a glorified pen pusher.”

He laughed. “Who told you that?”

“Callie. She said it. At least that’s how she refers to herself now that she’s back on patrol.”

“Sounds about right. Have you been speaking with her?”

“A female deputy? Of course. You always said it’s good to have role models. ”

His lip curled. “It is. Just don’t place her too high on that pedestal. We tend to let people down in the profession.”

He turned to walk out.

“Was that it?” Mia asked.

“What?”

“You just came in to tell me about supper tonight?”

“Oh, no. Um, Pete Landry and Hailey Matthews. You know much about them and their friends?”

She set her book down. “Ah, you’re looking for the inside scoop.”

“Something like that.”

“I know of them. I mean, everyone does. They’re that rowdy group you see at lunchtime, the ones who take up an entire long table even though they don’t need it all.

The ones who stroll down the hallway, parting everyone like the Red Sea, shoving a few into lockers and jeering like they’re some gladiators.

Those invited into the fold are either spat out the other side worse off, or they become mirror versions of them. Either way, it’s creepy.”

“You ever chatted with them?”

“Hell, no! I avoided them like the plague — like most people. Besides, they tended to hang out at football games, after-school practice, and whatever. You know, go Dragons!” she said, calling out the name of the school mascot.

Mia scrolled through her phone and showed him a few snapshots from a past game.

“That’s Landry, number 55.” Noah watched as a group of players rushed onto the field in grey and green, with green smoke furling up into the air.

“And his closest pals? ”

“Besides his girlfriend, there’s Colt Banning, Mischa Redka, Addison Sterling, and Tyler Ashford.”

“Ashford? The Ashfords, as in Luther Ashford?”

She nodded. “Uh-huh. That’s his grandfather.”

Noah considered the implications. There were always implications when it came to the Ashfords. Having a powerful family in your back pocket to sweep away wrongdoing was advantageous in more ways than one. For a family member, that was like having an all-access card to everything.

Natalie Ashford’s property was everything he had come to expect from her family. It was grandeur on another level — extravagant and impressive. Some might have even called it eye candy. But in Bono’s words, a house didn’t make a home.

Located on Brewster Point off the Peninsular Road, it backed onto the southernmost area of High Peaks Lake.

On the outside, it resembled an Adirondack grand lodge, a structure that might have been best suited for a campground that would house handfuls of teens over the summer months, not a single woman.

But that was the Ashfords to a tee.

They wanted people to know they were wealthy, especially since they had their hands in the real estate market. And what better way to draw in clients than by living in one of their properties and being the talk of the town ?

Noah’s Bronco rumbled along the winding road leading to the lodge home on High Peaks Lake. As he approached the entrance gate, its imposing presence hinted at the luxury that awaited within. The gates swung open effortlessly before he could even reach for the button.

Driving through, Noah’s gaze swept over the manicured grounds, illuminated by soft lights that dotted the landscape.

To his left, he caught a glimpse of tennis courts bathed in a gentle glow, starkly contrasting with the natural darkness surrounding them.

The property exuded an air of tranquility, nestled within the serene beauty of the trees.

Parking his Bronco in the circular driveway, Noah took a moment to admire the architectural masterpiece before him. The two-story lodge boasted a harmonious blend of logs and stone.

Stepping out of his vehicle, Noah was greeted by Natalie herself, who stood at the entrance, casual in her bohemian attire. Her long, dark hair cascaded around her shoulders, a stark departure from the businesslike demeanor.

“Glad to see you made it,” Natalie greeted him with a warm smile.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Noah quipped, returning her grin as he approached.

Natalie gestured with a wave of the hand, inviting him inside.

As Noah stepped into the foyer, he was immediately struck by its sheer grandeur. The interior exuded warmth and sophistication, a testament to the unsurpassed craftsmanship that had gone into its creation.

A massive stone fireplace adorned the wall, its flickering flames casting dancing shadows across the expanse of the room. The specialty custom log work, meticulously crafted, added an element of rustic charm that perfectly complemented the lodge’s majestic surroundings.

Natalie led him through the great room, its soaring two-story ceiling creating an inviting, airy ambiance. The room was bathed in the soft glow of ambient lighting, highlighting the intricate details of the furnishings and decor.

As they passed through the family room, Noah couldn’t help but admire the seamless blend of luxury. With its state-of-the-art appliances and gleaming countertops, the chef’s kitchen beckoned with the promise of culinary delights.

They made their way to the adjoining screened dining porch, where the crisp evening air mingled with the tantalizing aroma of a prepared meal. From here, Noah could catch glimpses of the expansive grounds beyond, where the in-ground pool shimmered invitingly in the moonlight.

Beyond that, he could see the lake.

“I didn’t realize you were on the same lake as me.”

“Hard to pass up views like this,” she said, sidling beside him. Noah caught the aroma of her perfume. She saw him glance at her.

He cleared his throat. “It’s a little big for one person, don’t you think?”

“Maybe. Though I like the space. ”

“It’s nice.”

Natalie smiled at his compliment. “I’m glad you like it,” she replied. “There’s so much more to see. I’ll give you a tour. You want a drink?” she asked, wandering into the kitchen. “I’ve got beer, bourbon, and non-alcoholic beverages.” She paused as if she knew his background.

“A beer is fine.”

One wouldn’t harm anyone; besides, it would take the edge off.

She returned, holding two. She twisted the cap off and gave him a bottle.

“Follow me,” she said.

And with that, she led him deeper into the heart of her extraordinary home, where secrets lurked behind every door, waiting to be uncovered.