Authors: Lorraine Nelson
“In the meantime, shall we join the rest of the
family for lunch?”
“Sure, Daddy.”
was a trooper. He glanced at her. “Love you, baby girl,” he said without
speaking.
Rena smiled and stood on tiptoe to kiss his
cheek. “Love you too, Daddy.”
****
Michael surprised them with a visit later that
afternoon.
“Hi,
ladies. Just thought I’d drop in and let you know what the autopsy turned up. I’ve
been mulling it over, but it doesn’t make much sense. Of course, murder never
does.”
“What’s the scoop? Don’t leave us hanging in
suspense here,” said
to a seat.
“Well, to start with, the time of death was
reported as two a.m. on the same evening I took your girls to the club.”
“That’s weird,” said Lynne.
“But what killed him?” asked Rena.
“Blunt force trauma. Looks like someone
clobbered him from behind. One sharp blow. And the report verifies your claim
about the knife, Rena. He was already dead when the perp stabbed him.”
“But why bring him here and go to so much
trouble to frame
understand it.”
“Neither do I, Lacey. I’m doing all I can to
prove differently.”
“He was pretty drunk that night. Could he have
fallen and hit his head?” asked Abby.
Michael nodded. “That is a possibility. No one I’ve
spoken to so far saw him after he left the bar that night. In addition to the
stab wound, there was extensive bruising on his ribs and jaw, but the coroner
says those were administered after death. So someone saw him. I have a team
working the area around the bar, but nothing has shown up so far. That blizzard
makes it slow going for them. They have to brush the snow away bit by bit.”
Abby shivered. “It’s too cold to have to work
that slow.”
“They’re used to it. I just hope they find
something to prove he was killed there and not here.”
“Amen to that,” said Lynne.
“Could the bruising have occurred during
transport?” asked
lifting someone that size just to dump the body here.”
Michael shook his head. “The coroner doesn’t
think so. Some of it maybe, but not all. He says it was a vicious attack on the
man. Someone wanted to make sure he was dead.”
“Oh, that poor man,” said Lacey. “How is his
family taking the news?”
“No family that I know of. Walt was a loner.
Didn’t have many friends either.”
“So what’s bothering you the worst about all
this, Michael?” asked
“Walt’s death was senseless, except for the fact
that someone is using it to frame you. His wallet had over seven hundred
dollars in it. So it wasn’t even a mugging gone bad. If it wasn’t for Rena’s
help, we wouldn’t have much to go on.”
“Michael, I have a question,” said Rena. “It’s
possible that I could touch something of Walt’s or the killer’s and see more.
Is that something you could arrange?”
“Are you sure you want to put yourself through
that?” he asked.
“If it’ll help clear Daddy, then yes.”
“Walt’s personal effects are at the station. So
is the evidence we bagged at Luke’s. Do you want to go now?”
Rena shook her head. “Maybe tomorrow. We’re
going on a sleigh ride tonight. I don’t want to spoil it by having one of my
headaches.”
“Fair enough. I haven’t been on a sleigh ride in
years.”
“Then join us,” said Lacey with a smile. “There’s
always room for one more.”
“Thanks. I think I will. My winter gear is in
the car. In this business, you never know when you’re going to need it.”
“Then let’s get ready. It’s time to head over to
Luke’s. Zakia’s not going, but she’ll have a hot meal ready when we return,”
said
“Sounds good. I’ll get my stuff.”
****
Lacey was as excited as the girls as they
boarded the sleigh. This visit was proving to be a lot of fun, despite the
difficulties they’d encountered. Wrapped securely in
strong arms with a blanket covering them, she felt safe and secure. Abby sat on
the other side of
across from them, snuggled against Michael, and Luke sat huddled with his boys
behind the driver. Casey and Cammy insisted on singing “Jingle Bells
,
”
and everyone joined in.
It was a wonderfully clear night with no wind
for a change. Stars twinkling overhead made a fantastic curtain, as if
shielding them from all life’s woes. They were on their way back, everyone’s
delighted chatter sounding in her ears. Everyone except Rena.
Lacey wasn’t sure when she became aware of the
girl’s silent vigilance but sensed she’d had another one of her visions. It
wasn’t like her to be so quiet, especially with a handsome man to flirt with.
She noticed Michael’s arm was around Rena, holding her close. Had he tuned in
to her tension as well? Or was he staking a claim? Lacey almost giggled aloud
at the thought, but held back. Rena was a grown woman now and free to make her
own decisions. Maybe she was content just to enjoy the ride.
Yeah,
and maybe leprechauns really did have pots of gold.
Lacey saw the ranch lights up ahead and knew
they’d be stopping soon. Would Rena join them for dinner or beg off again due
to one of her headaches? She wasn’t cold, but a sudden chill had her burrowing
into
to normal, so they could truly enjoy their time together. This constant cloud
of worry was going to drive her insane. She could just imagine how it was
tearing
When the sled stopped, Lacey kept a close watch
on Rena as Michael helped her down. The two of them walked a little apart from
the group and were deep in conversation. Rena pointed to the other end of the
barn, and Lacey wondered what was down that way. Michael pulled out his phone
and made a call, and then they came back to join the queue heading for the
house.
“No headache, Rena?” she asked in concern.
“Not this time, Mama. They seem to be coming
easier now. Or at least this one did.”
“Glad to hear it. You’ll have to fill us in
later.”
Rena nodded and stayed by Michael’s side as they
entered Luke’s house. Blake was there along with a perky little blonde who
Lacey assumed was Zakia’s friend Samantha. Introductions were made as they all
settled around the oversized kitchen table, but her girls got up again to help
Zakia bring the plates of food over. She was proud to see them pitching in,
becoming a real part of this wonderful family. Lacey couldn’t help wonder what
their lives would’ve been like had
them sooner. Thunder Creek seemed as if it was a great place to raise a family.
Halfway through dinner, Michael received a call
and excused himself to go outside, but he was back within minutes.
“Luke, just to let you know, I have men scouring
the path that leads from the barn to the creek.”
“What for?” he asked, his expression creased in
concern.
“Evidence. We think your stalker left on foot the
other day and went in that direction.”
Luke nodded in an absent manner, obviously deep
in thought. “That would make sense. To come and go via the driveway, someone
would be bound to spot him. Good call, Michael.”
Michael shared a smile with Rena. “Thanks, Luke.”
“Let us know if your men find anything.”
“Will do.”
****
“This is getting to be like a second home,”
Michael said as they gathered in
room later that evening.
he replied, “You’re more than welcome anytime, Michael. You should know that by
now.”
“Yeah, well, given the circumstances lately, I
wouldn’t blame you if you hated to see my ugly mug at the door.”
“Never that. You have a beautiful mug,” said
Rena, causing Michael to turn several shades of red as everyone chuckled.
recliner by the window. “Now, what’s happened to have you searching the woods?”
“Rena saw a man carrying a backpack through the
woods, but she didn’t know which section of woods until the sleigh stopped in
front of the barn, and we were facing the trail to the creek.”
“Awesome,” said Lynne, duly impressed if her
expression was anything to go by.
“Did it seem kind of eerie…seeing him?” Abby
asked.
“No, just frustrating because I still couldn’t
see his face.”
“Oh. I’d be freaking out big time,” Abby
replied.
“Seeing a dead man did
that
. Everything that’s come since has been rather mild in
comparison.”
“I suppose it would be. So could you see his
hair? What he was wearing?”
“He had on a black parka with the hood pulled
up, so I couldn’t see his hair either.”
“He had to have a vehicle stashed nearby,” said
Michael. “My men are searching for snowmobile tracks or car tracks, although
the plow would have obliterated those, most likely. Who knows? We may get
lucky.”
“Harumph,” said
“Luck doesn’t seem to be playing a part in this for us. So far it’s all on his
side.”
“Don’t get discouraged,
We’ll get him. It’s just taking longer because of the snow.”
frustration. “I know, but it’s hard to take—the fact that someone hates me this
much.”
“Just keep your chin up and keep a smile on. It’ll
make him wonder what you’re up to.”
“He has to be wondering why we haven’t made an
arrest yet. Maybe he’ll get nervous and slip up. If he does, we’ll have him.”
Michael stood and zipped up his jacket. “I’m going to check with my men, see if
they’ve found anything. Lock up and keep in touch.”
“Good night, Michael, and thanks,” said
“All part of the job. Talk to you tomorrow.”
find the women were still excited about the sleigh ride.
“Can we do it again before the snow is gone?”
asked Abby.
“Sure, but there’s another storm forecast for
later this week, so I don’t think we’re in danger of losing the snow too soon.”
“You sure do get a lot of snow around here,”
Lynne said.
have beautiful summers here, too.”
“I hope we’re still here.”
“Me too, Lynne. Okay, my lovelies. Let’s put our
troubles aside and watch a movie. What do you think?”
“Sure! I’ll make the popcorn,” said Rena. “Don’t
start without me.”
She rushed from the room and Lynne stood.
“I’ll go help her. It takes a lot of popcorn to
feed this crew.”
But before she’d taken two steps toward the
door, Rena’s scream pierced the silence.
Lynne took off. Lacey went running, everyone
else on her heels. The
pop, pop, pop
of the corn in the microwave seemed incongruous in the light of Rena’s terror. She
was hunched down on all fours and trembling, hiding behind the dubious
protection of the kitchen cupboards.
“Rena, are you all right? What happened?” Lacey
asked.
“He was here. Looking in the window. The door
rattled and I glanced over. It was him.”
“I’m calling Michael,” said
“Did you see his face?” Abby asked.
“No.” She glanced up at her father. “He wore a
ski mask.”
“Hello, Michael? This is Cameron. Can you come
back over? He’s been here. Rena saw him…Okay.” He hung up the phone. “Michael’s
on his way.”
“How does this guy come and go without anyone
seeing him?” Lynne asked.
“It’s a big property. Anyone who knows the area
can follow one of the trails to get to where he wants to go. He must’ve seen
you in here, Rena. But why would he attempt to open the door and alert you to
his presence?”
handsome face lined with worry.
“At least this will take some of the heat off
you,