Chase answered with a smile. Pressing his hand to the small of her back, he followed her out the front door. “Do you have your key?”
Sierra checked her pocket, trying unsuccessfully to ignore the warmth and gentle pressure of his fingers. “Got it.”
He nodded and shut the door behind them, double checking to make sure the lock caught. His lingering smile faded, and his features tensed as he scanned the area and fell into step close beside her. “Keep the key accessible in case we need to get inside quickly.”
The sun had set, leaving shadows stretching far into corners and crevices. The darkness, along with Chase’s sudden mood change, made her uneasy. “You’re making me nervous. Do you really think Kevin could be close by?”
“Eason’s not in Seattle.” A muscle bunched in Chase’s jaw, and his lips formed a tight line as he continued to look around. “He could be anywhere.”
Immobilizing fear caused her steps to falter. “How do you know?” Frantic, she looked around. Shadows created haunting images everywhere. She watched cars as they passed, trying to catch glimpses of the drivers.
Chase wrapped an encouraging arm around her waist, keeping her moving. “I’m a detective. I know things.”
“Right. Kevin knows things, too. That’s what worries me.” After checking for oncoming traffic, they stepped off the curb and onto Market Street. “He always seemed to know more than he should, about me…personally.”
“He kept tabs on you from the beginning.”
“You talk as if all this is common knowledge.” Sierra drew her brows together.
“I’ve been watching him as much as possible, keeping track of his moves.”
As they approached Carl’s diner Sierra stopped him with a hand on his arm. “So, you’ve known about me since the beginning of my relationship with Kevin?”
“Yes. The first time I saw you was when Eason took you to see
The Phantom Of The Opera
.”
“That was our first date, last fall.”
“It was October fourteenth.”
“You remember the exact day?”
“I keep detailed records.”
“Oh.” Sierra wondered what else Chase knew about her.
“I wanted to warn you about Eason, but without evidence to back up my claims—”
“I wouldn’t have believed you. At least not at first. In the beginning Kevin had charmed me and treated me so well I even ignored my family’s concerns. My sister saw through his masquerade long before I did, and if my parents were still alive, they probably would’ve too.”
Chase glanced around, keeping an eye on their surroundings as they talked. “Loved ones often pick up on odd behavior before the victim does.” He paused. “But not always.”
Sierra suspected a deeper meaning lay beneath his comment, but she didn’t press him. “I’d rather see a person for who they really are, faults and all, rather than to fall prey to idyllic hopes and false dreams. I won’t be a victim again, even if it means never having another relationship.”
“That would be a shame.” Chase’s voice dropped an octave, and his gaze flitted over her.
Although the temperature had cooled, heat crept up Sierra’s face. Chase looked like he saw something beautiful in her, leaving her breathless.
A moment passed in silence before Chase cleared his throat. “I know he hurt you, Sierra. But I hope you don’t let one man’s actions keep you from the life you’re meant to have.”
“Right now, I’m just praying I’ll have the chance to find out.”
11
Chase wanted nothing more than to promise Sierra she had a future to look forward to, but he couldn’t. Not with Eason still on the loose—which reminded him how vulnerable they were standing out in the open. He steeled his resolve and opened the diner’s door. “Head to the end booth, and leave the seat facing the door for me.”
“Is it the cop in you that makes you so edgy, or do you really think Kevin could be out there?”
“Both. I’ve always wanted to serve and protect, and yes, chances are good Eason could be close.” He nodded for her to enter and then followed.
Scents of grilled hamburgers and sizzling fries filled the air and made his stomach rumble as he scanned the narrow restaurant, taking inventory. Two waitresses, one cook, and three groups of customers occupied the building. The restrooms were located near the back, along with an emergency fire exit. Grateful for an escape route, Chase touched his fingers to Sierra’s lower back, guiding her toward the last booth as if they were a couple out on a casual date.
After they settled in, a waitress dressed from head to toe in pale yellow shuffled over and set down two menus and silverware. Gray roots peeked out from beneath dark hair, and sags under her eyes spoke of a long, hard life. “Specials tonight are clam chowder with biscuits, country fried steak with a side order of okra or green beans. But, we’re out of jelly for the biscuits, and the dinner rush took nearly all the okra we had in stock. What’ll it be?”
Chase nodded to Sierra and she glanced at the menu. “I’m a little hungrier than I thought I would be. I’ll take a grilled cheese with a dill pickle spear, fries and a glass of water.”
Chase asked for a classic hamburger platter and a soda. The waitress grunted her approval, scribbled the order and shuffled away.
Sierra hugged her arms around her middle and shivered, making Chase want to slide in next to her and dispel her fears. Instead of succumbing to his impulse, he offered, “You’ll feel better once you eat.”
“I doubt it. The hairs on my neck are standing on end.” She peered out the window. “Kevin could be watching right now.”
Chase glanced outside, looking for trouble, but darkness swallowed all but twin shafts of light from a nearby streetlamp. “If you’re uncomfortable, we can get our food to go.”
Sierra turned weary eyes toward him. “No. We’re already here. I’m just so tired of running, of being scared. I’m ready for all this to be over. Maybe I should call Kevin and dare him to come and get me.”
“Something tells me you don’t really mean that.” Chase sat back as the waitress delivered their drinks and left. Agitated Sierra would even make such a foolhardy suggestion he tapped his fingers on the table, and then picked up a straw and spun it between two fingers.
Sierra glanced at his movements. “Looks like you could use one of those smooth rocks Kevin carries around with him. He always said rubbing it helped to relieve stress.”
Chase dropped the straw and leaned forward, heart pounding and stomach twisting into a hard, unyielding knot. “Smooth rock? What did it look like?”
Sierra’s eyes widened, and she lifted her hand to her throat. “He called it a worry stone. It was kind of orange with swirled patterns in it.”
“Did it have a marking that looked like a cat’s eye?”
“Yes. Kevin pointed out that feature specifically.”
“I knew he had it.” Chase pounded a fist on the table, rattling silverware and condiment bottles. Heads turned in their direction, but he didn’t care. “That rock belonged to my sister. It’s been missing since she died.”
Sierra sucked in a breath. “Can you use it as evidence? If it was Amber’s—”
“No. It won’t prove anything. Although she never would have given it away, Eason could claim she had given it to him at any time.”
“How do you know she didn’t?”
“Because it belonged to me, too. We passed it back and forth through the years. I gave it to her to hold on to the day she started high school, and she gave it back the day I joined the Seattle Police Department. Each time something significant happened in our lives, we’d let the other take it for a while. When I had it, I always kept it in my pocket. When Amber had it…she always kept it in her purse. Eason hated the fact we were so close. He must have taken it when he killed her.”
“You mean like a memento, or a trophy?”
“Exactly like a trophy.”
“Kevin used to get this smug look on his face when he held the stone. I never understood why…until now. It makes me sick.”
“Men like him have no remorse.”
Sierra glanced out the window again. “I wonder why he picked your sister? I worked in the same office as Kevin, so I can see why he chose me, but what about Amber? How did they meet?”
Chase shrugged. “By chance. Amber needed legal advice about a lease she was thinking about signing, and gave Eason’s firm a call. Eason happened to have the first available time slot.” Chase took a long swig of carbonated soda, letting the bubbles soothe his dry throat. “That man took the spark out of her eyes long before he took her life. He deserves to be locked away.”
The waitress brought their plates and extra napkins. “Anything else you need, just holler.”
Chase nodded his thanks, and the waitress scooted away. He picked up the ketchup bottle and added a generous amount to his burger. He took two bites before glancing at Sierra as she trailed her fingers over the fading bruises on her neck. Tension knotted his muscles, and he forced down the food.
Sierra cleared her throat. “How long did Amber date Kevin?”
“About two years.”
“Two years? I can’t imagine staying with him so long.”
Chase ate a steaming french fry and swiped a napkin across his lips. “You have to remember, by the time Eason met you, he’d had experience tormenting women. Or, at least one woman. He’d gotten away with it, so it probably didn’t take as long for his true self to come out with you.”
“I still should’ve recognized the signs earlier.”
“Regardless, we have to deal with the present.”
“Speaking of which, I’d like to hear your grand plan of how you’re going to keep me safe and catch Kevin at the same time.”
Chase would be glad to share his ideas with her, but so far, nothing had gone according to plan. He hadn’t intended to have personal contact with Sierra to begin with, and now he sat eating dinner with her and wanting to ease the concerns lingering in her eyes. “Right now, you need to eat.” He nodded toward the plate she hadn’t touched.
“What about tomorrow and the day after that?” She propped an elbow on the table and planted her chin in her hand.
Chase kept an eye on the door as a customer walked inside and sat at a stool. The aging man posed no threat. “I suppose we’ll eat then, too.”
“Very funny. Give me something tangible to focus on. I can’t take much more of the unexpected.”
“You can handle a lot more than you think.”
“You’re right. God’s grace is sufficient to help me through anything.” Sierra took in a deep breath, as if to steady shaken nerves. “It’s hard to remember I’m not alone in this, when everything is so scary.”
“God doesn’t want you to be afraid.”
She took a sip of water and carefully set down the glass. “I thought you didn’t talk to God anymore.”
For some reason, Sierra’s statement struck a nerve and guilt prodded him. “I don’t. That doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten He’s there.”
“So, you do still have faith?” Sierra straightened, looking intrigued.
“I know God exists, if that’s what you mean.”
“So how can you just ignore Him?”
“Let’s just say we have an understanding. I stay out of His way, and He stays out of mine.”
“That makes for a lonely existence, doesn’t it? I mean, without God, what’s the point?”
Suddenly uncomfortable, Chase shifted. “How did we get on this subject?”
Sierra crossed her arms and leaned forward, her blue eyes intent. “If you’re serious about staying by my side, we need to get one thing straight. You can pretend He’s not there, but don’t expect me to.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Besides, I’m not pretending He’s not there, I’m just...” How could he explain he was angry at God for Amber’s death? He knew God wasn’t to blame, but the feelings remained. Chase shook his head—there was no easy explanation. “You’re not keeping your part of the bargain. Eat.” He looked pointedly to her untouched plate.
Sierra picked up her sandwich. “For what it’s worth, I do feel safer with you around.”
Chase liked being with Sierra and having her look at him as if he was some kind of hero did some crazy things to his insides. But, he couldn’t afford to lose sight of what was most important, and that meant keeping a diligent watch over Sierra, not wondering what it would be like to kiss her.
After giving her time to finish eating, Chase signaled the waitress for the bill. The sooner he checked himself into a room, the sooner he would be able to think his way through this.
****
Chase escorted Sierra outside. The brisk night air swept around them, and a sliver of moon peeked over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Insects and tree frogs created harmonic sounds, reminding Sierra of nature’s peaceful symphony. She wished she could internalize some of that peace. It never would’ve crossed her mind the worry stone Kevin carried around with him would be connected to Chase and Amber. The thought of Kevin keeping a trophy like a serial killer made prickles of fear crawl up her spine. She could only imagine how Chase had felt. But, after his initial reaction, he’d reigned in his emotions effectively. Too bad she couldn’t do the same.
Sierra took in a deep breath and paused on the sidewalk. “I wish I were here under different circumstances.”
Chase stepped beside her, scanning their surroundings. As if satisfied they were momentarily safe, his gaze landed on hers and held. “I do, too.”
Something shifted between them—something subtle, but very real—sending electrical pulses through her veins. Aware of every slight move Chase made, Sierra studied him closely. The diner’s outside lighting illuminated his eyes and showcased dark flecks within the emerald depths, reminding her of precious gemstones dug from the earth. She wondered what other treasures lay in wait beneath his surface.
He lifted a finger and traced the line of faded bruises on her neck. “I wish I could’ve prevented the pain you’ve been through. I despise what that man did to you. I should’ve—”
“You are not responsible for Kevin’s actions.”
Chase continued looking at her as if he had been the one who’d inflicted the bruises.
Pain and regret flashed in his eyes and on impulse, Sierra stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. A slight hint of aftershave lingered on his skin, and she breathed in the soothing scent. His heart beat fast, strong and steady against her cheek. After a moment, she backed away, lightheaded and off kilter. Touching Chase had awakened a dormant need for human contact, and Sierra struggled to keep from diving straight back into his arms.