28 Days: a romantic suspense (5 page)

He’d struggled to keep his hands to himself, but as long as he was married there wasn’t anything else that he could have done...and then, that last night that they’d met before she’d headed back to college, he did what he’d promised not to. He’d made love to her, over and over again.

Saige’s hands on his body, her lips against his, her breasts soft against his chest. It had all been too much for him, for her. They first came together in a frenzied haze of sexual need. The second and subsequent times that night had been slow and long, until they knew they had to part. Then it had been fast and hard.

His now ex-wife had known that he’d fallen for Saige. How could she not when he’d wake in the middle of the night, lying beside her, his head full of the sexual dream he’d had and his mouth full of her name…
Saige.

He hated his ex, Jocelyn. She’d been unfaithful to him since the day he’d put a ring on her finger. The bitch had constantly lied and cheated, although he hadn’t known at the time. Two weeks before he’d met Saige, he’d spoken to a lawyer about getting a divorce, except before anything could be done, he’d found himself arrested for murder, and attempted murder. Jocelyn had lied through her teeth about him and their relationship. She’d gained a lot of money from her interviews, and she talked to everyone and anyone who paid the booking fee. The only good thing to come of that was when she’d divorced him. He’d jumped for joy knowing she no longer had a hold over him. Not that it did him any good considering his new living arrangements.

Saige had been his lifeline until it was ripped away. He’d lived on memories of her from the minute he’d been incarcerated. He’d gone crazy not being able to see her. He’d had no idea how she was, or if she’d be all right.

Nothing.

His brother, Alex, told him what he’d discovered, which hadn’t been much. Saige hadn’t been raped, but it still hadn’t calmed the rage he’d felt toward the bastard who’d taken her. He’d done enough damage to her, but knowing that Saige was safe calmed Quinten down. He just wished that Alex hadn’t grown to hate her because he hadn’t been able too. He’d tried once the trial was under way and he’d discovered that she’d identified him from a photograph, much to his confusion. Her father had looked at him with hatred.

His heart still held strong though and refused to be hardened against her. He loved her too much.

When he felt more down than usual, he’d have his doubts, but then he’d remember how she’d been with him.

Nothing about her had been a lie.

So why did she accuse him of being the one?

His eyes stung with tears as her image appeared in his mind.

It was a warm day, not a cloud in the sky, and she’d been walking her father to his car. Saige had turned and met his gaze. The smile she’d given him had filled her eyes, and her whole damn body had practically shimmered.

He remembered it like it happened yesterday.

Alex had laughed and commented, “You’ve both got it as bad as you can, bro.” Quinten had turned to Alex with a grin on his face. It had soon disappeared when he’d spotted Christina Lockwood standing behind his brother. She’d heard every word, and if looks could kill, he’d have died that day.

Tears fell down his face at the overwhelming longing to see Saige, touch her, and confess his love, even after all this time, washed over him.

Just one last time.

That’s all he wanted.

Just to see her once more.

5
:45am

S
aige heard
Tamsyn clambering around in the kitchen before she left for her shift at the diner. Normally, she would be getting up to head out with her, but not today. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted to go back and chances were she’d be fired for not showing up. She’d already missed two days. Lou wouldn’t be happy, even though Saige had worked for her for a few years without taking any time off sick.

At least her stepmom would be happy.

Shaking that miserable thought from her mind, Saige quickly threw on a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt.

She’d make some coffee and hopefully get some time with Tamsyn before she left. Last night, when she got home, Saige hardly said two words to her friend. Her head had been full of what Alex had told her. He left her with more unanswered questions, especially about his brother and her relationship with him.

She noticed that while Alex had answered her questions about knowing him and his brother, he hadn’t expanded either.

What hadn’t he told her?

Her heart pounded when she thought about Alex and his brother. The feeling of familiarity that she knew him had been strong while she sat talking to him. She hadn’t felt threatened by him and just hoped he hadn’t given her a false sense of security.

Saige wanted her memory back and to help Quinten Peterson if he turned out to be innocent. Alex just wanted his brother free and she had a feeling that he’d do and say anything to make that happen.

“Saige,” Tamsyn whispered.

She’d been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she’d made her way to the kitchen without really thinking about it.

Saige smiled softly at Tamsyn, muttering a distracted greeting.

Tamsyn stepped toward her. “How are you holding up? Headache gone?”

“It’s not that bad.” Saige watched while Tamsyn grabbed two large mugs and poured them both a cup of fresh coffee.

Tamsyn knew the basics of Saige’s past for about a year now, but Saige had never sat her down and explained further. Her friend had stumbled upon Saige’s picture online, so all that she knew was what was available to the public.

Saige added, “I really don’t remember anything from before, Tamsyn. I think the other day at work I was more surprised at seeing the man on the television and not feeling anything like I thought I would. It’s frustrating not being able to remember anything.”

When she paused, Tamsyn offered her a small smile of encouragement to continue, which she did, “I’m going to find out what happened, which is why I’m not going back to the diner. I can’t work my shifts and spend my time trying to read everything that I find. This is something I have to do. I’ll probably have to head home for a short while as well.”

“Oh wow.” Tamsyn sat beside her. “But I understand what you’re saying. I’m not sure I’d want to remember what happened if it was me, but I can’t imagine not having my memories...and, are you sure you can put up with your stepmom if you have to go home?”

“She won’t say anything about the job.” Saige sighed as she stared into her coffee mug. “When she discovers what I’m doing, she’ll go nuts. My dad won’t be too impressed either, once he knows that I lied to him about leaving it in the past.”

Tamsyn raised a brow. “You talked to your dad about it the other night at dinner?”

“Yeah. I asked him about the trial and Quinten Peterson. He wasn’t happy that I wanted to drag it all out into the open again, and he asked me to leave it alone.” Sighing, she added firmly, “I can’t do that.”

Sipping her coffee, Saige wondered again about Quinten Peterson and his brother. She knew the work that Alex had told her they’d done because it was beautiful and had always been admired when guests came to the house for the first time. Their carved design didn’t only go up the banister; they’d created the same design into molds that went around the light in the foyer of her father’s home. Each time Saige walked down the stairs, her fingers would trace along the delicate work, and for years she hadn’t had one memory of the Peterson brothers.

“Whatever you do,” Tamsyn started, “just be careful.” Her friend wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I know I haven’t been around these past couple of days for you, but if you need me, you call, okay? Don’t do this alone.”

“I’m not alone,” Saige blurted out before she could stop herself. She winced as Tamsyn’s attention focused on her completely.

She’d planned on keeping Alex to herself for now because she knew others would warn her about helping him. After all, he was Quinten’s brother. They didn’t look like brothers though. He was broader in the shoulders than Quinten had looked on the TV, and Alex’s light hair was a stark contrast to Quinten’s deep red.

“I’m waiting for you to explain.” Tamsyn moved away and slipped her feet into her shoes. “I need to go so be quick. Who’s helping you?”

“Alex Peterson came looking for me.”

She frowned. “Should I know who that is?”

“He’s Quinten Peterson’s brother. We talked last night over coffee.”

Her eyes widened. “Wow...that’s, um, strange.” She picked up her purse and shoved the strap over her shoulder. “Why would he come looking for you?”

“He thinks I lied.” Saige turned to look out of the apartment window to the city below that gradually started to wake for the day. “Apparently,” she whispered, “I gave a statement, which implicated his brother.” Tamsyn moved to stand beside her, so Saige continued, “I also selected his brother from a lineup of photographs. I don’t remember any of that, Tamsyn.” She shut her eyes at the revelation. If she’d done that, what was the reason why? Was it that he was guilty or had she lied and forgotten?

Guilt filled her as she continued, “So today, Alex is meeting me at his brother’s defense attorney’s office. I figure it’s the quickest way to get the information I need. My father isn’t going to be forthcoming and I just need to know.”

“Oh, honey.” Tamsyn pulled her close before letting her go. “Try not to be too disappointed if everything turns out to be true.” She paused and looked hesitantly toward the door, as though she was debating calling in sick. “I don’t want to leave. If you’re not going in, then I really need to be on time.”

Saige smiled and tried to make it reach her eyes. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Tamsyn stared at her for another minute before she must have decided everything really was okay because she turned, waved, and disappeared out the door.

Saige stared at where Tamsyn had stood. Wrapping her arms around herself, she was more nervous than she wanted to admit about what secrets the day would unveil.

5
:50am

D
etective Coulter Robinson
pulled his truck in beside the medical examiner’s van. He hoped to beat Amber McGregor, ME, to the scene of the crime but as usual, she was on the ball. Half the time he wondered if she ever slept.

Teenagers had been camping close to the river when they woke early and discovered human bones—a leg and a foot.

He hated cases when the body had been there for years, which was the length of time Amber had estimated. The chances of any evidence being found were practically next to none. The area he’d been directed to was popular with the locals and tourists alike.

Clearing his head, he climbed out of his truck and opened the back to grab his hiking boots. He quickly made the change, locked his truck and followed one of Amber’s assistants through the foliage.

His tall frame meant twigs constantly scraped against the top of his head, leaving the odd leaf in his unruly hair.

Annoying things.

“About time you got here, Detective,” Amber commented.

Although he ignored her comment, he hadn’t missed the quick once over that she’d given him before she’d blushed and turned back to the newly discovered remains.

“What do you know, Amber?”

“Without having her in the morgue, I’m not sure how long, but I’m guessing somewhere between seven to ten years.”

Her?

Coulter raised his brow at that.

“The size of the bones indicates that she was female. Plus, these were found on the remains.” Amber held out three evidence bags. “I removed these because they’d have fallen off when we started to remove the bones.”

He took the bags and spread them out on one side of the black sheet that Amber’s assistant had laid out. The first bag he concentrated on held a woman’s ring—silver with a small sapphire surrounded by either cubic zirconia or the real thing. Bag two held another ring, a small gold wedding band that he was sure could have only fitted a woman’s delicate fingers. It was bag three that made him pause and his stomach churn. The dirty silver bangle with charms hanging off caused a memory to flash in front of his eyes. A woman he’d questioned a few times. She’d had a bangle just like the one he now looked at. She would talk with her hands and the damn thing had jangled, annoying the hell out of him.

It had been one of those cases that had plagued his thoughts for a long time afterwards. Something had been off, but he’d never been able to put his finger on what felt wrong.

In his twenty-eight years as a cop, he never had a case like it, where everything was all neat and tidy—too tidy.

“What do you see?” Amber crouched beside him.

He met her frown with one of his own, and tried not to let the young woman see that she got to him. Not in an irritable way, but in a way that made him uncomfortable in his clothing.

Coulter cleared his throat. “I recognize the bangle…or I remember a woman wearing an identical one. The charms I remember are the cowboy boot, the cupid’s arrow, the diamond, and the skull and cross bone. I’m thinking it’s too coincidental for someone to have those exact charms, don’t you think?”

“Hmm. It’s possible, unless it’s a pre-set design?” She shrugged. “But I’d love a place to start with identifying her. Save me time if you’re right.”

He nodded and looked back at the bangle. “Pull whatever records you can find for Jocelyn Peterson.”

Because he watched her closely, he didn’t miss the surprise that crossed her face. “Quinten Peterson’s ex-wife?” She shook her head. “There was an extended news report late last night about the trial, that it’s coming to an end.”

“Hmm.” Coulter straightened to his full height and stretched out the kinks forming in his back.

“What does, ‘Hmm’, mean?” Amber straightened next to him, a bit too close for comfort.

He moved away to give himself space to think because having Amber so damn close caused a lack of concentration. He shook his head and met her beautiful green eyes. “If that is Jocelyn Peterson, then I have no idea where to start. Her ex, who hated her and yes, the feeling was mutual, was already in his new home.”

He ran his hand over his head and down his weary face. “She was certainly alive for a while after the trial ended because she divorced Quinten shortly after it.”

“You really think that’s her?” Amber questioned, and stared at the remains neatly uncovered in the earth.

“It’s a guess at this point.” Coulter glanced at the evidence bag. “I know she wore one of those because I felt like snatching it off her wrist once or twice.”

Amber snickered. “Only once or twice?”

He shook his head. “You have no idea.”

“Okay, then.” Amber cleared her throat. “Let me and Claire finish off here and if we find anything else, I’ll call you.”

“Why would the killer leave her jewelry on her?” he queried to himself, but smiled when Amber took him up on the question.

“Perhaps he wanted her to be found. I also think that he wanted her to be found now, as opposed to years ago or even last week.”

His brows furrowed, and then his eyes widened and his gaze sharpened on the burial site.

He knew the answer but he was still going to ask the question. “She’d been partially unburied when the teenagers found her?”

“Yes. I asked them if they’d moved anything and they were adamant that they hadn’t. They called 911 as soon as they realized what they’d stumbled upon…but, look here.” Amber crouched to where the bones of the victim’s feet were visible and Coulter followed her. “See this? Neither my crew nor I dug around the feet. The boys swore they didn’t touch anything, so maybe the killer came back and decided to unveil her. Either he planned on digging her up and moving her or he wanted her to be found,
now
.
”

Coulter straightened, continuing to stare at Amber. “You think the timing has everything to do with Quinten Peterson. That’s where you’re going, right?”

“If she’s Jocelyn Peterson, then yes, I do.”

“Shit,” he cursed under his breath.

“My thoughts exactly, Detective.”

1
1
:00am

W
ell
, this meeting was going well.

Whatever high hopes Alex had for the meeting with Daniel Sterling had crumbled within ten minutes of them arriving. Daniel had an excellent court record and even with all the evidence toward Quinten, Daniel hadn’t stopped appealing. He fought every step with Quinten and that was why it was so confusing, and annoying, that his brother’s only line of defense was being a total dick toward Saige.

Quinten hadn’t been the only victim in all of this, which was something Alex had begun to realize last night after he walked Saige back to her building.

If she genuinely didn’t remember anything, then he wanted to know more about her statement and, subsequently, the lineup of photographs she’d been given.

Up until now, Alex hadn’t had a problem with Daniel. He’d paid the man enough money over the years to file all the appeals, because Daniel sure as hell hadn’t done it out of the goodness of his heart.

But now, Daniel was acting out of character and was being extremely evasive.

“Enough,” Alex finally shouted, slamming his fist down onto the desk. “We are here to try and save my brother. You”—he pointed to Daniel—“have been paid by me to do just that…save Quinten. After talking to Saige, I want her to read the statement she gave. I also want her to look at the signature on it to see if it’s hers. A lot of things have never added up, and that is one of them. So, instead of wasting time, I suggest you dig into your boxes of files and let her read the damn statement.”