Tangled Lies (18 page)

He leaned against a piling, arms crossed. “The girl got sick eating the sandwich you brought.”

“I know. I brought it down from the house earlier and put it in the little fridge in the marina office.”

“Anyone could have gone back there and tampered with it.”

“Or maybe the mayo went bad. Or maybe she just got seasick.”

“I’d buy that if you hadn’t just gotten a threatening letter.”

Sasha tucked her hands into the pockets of her cargo shorts.

“Yeah, me, too.” She huffed out a breath and paced the length of the dock. When she came back, she stopped in front of Jesse. “Why would someone be that adamant that I stop looking? I get that the town wants to forget it happened. But this is taking things too far. The only reason that makes any sense is that Tony didn’t drown. Or maybe he did, but somebody knows how, or why, or . . . something.”

“You going to call the chief?” He kept his tone casual, but Sasha heard the concern in it.

“I need to let him know, at least. Though I’m sure he’ll pass it off as someone not wanting me to bring up the past.”

Jesse studied her face long enough to make her squirm. “It’s more than that.”

She nodded. “This search has folks running scared, and that makes me wonder why.”

Jesse nodded and gave her a quick hug. “Go get some sleep. Lock all the doors. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Sasha went up to the house and peeked in on Mama, who slept in her recliner in the living room. Bella raised her head when Sasha entered the room. Her tail thumped once, then she settled down and went back to sleep.

Sasha checked all the doors and windows and went to bed, but she knew she wouldn’t sleep. An hour later she gave up and went outside to sit on the porch, wrapped in an afghan Mama had crocheted years ago.

Had Katie simply gotten seasick? Or had someone tampered with her sandwich?

Sasha wanted to howl in frustration. How had this simple—though nigh impossible—search for answers turned dangerous? She wasn’t worried about her own safety—she was more than capable of taking care of herself. Whoever was behind this had threatened her family, which meant they knew what mattered to her. Memories of the car crash that killed her biological family made goose bumps pop out on her skin. She pulled the afghan tighter.

She couldn’t let something like that happen again. Not if she was alive to prevent it.

All the questions boiled down to one: What happened to Tony? Everything hinged on that.

She rocked for a while, head back, watching the moon play across the slight waves, listening to water lap against the pilings. She must have dozed for a while, because when she looked up again, the moon floated higher and slid in and out of view behind some clouds.

She heard a low hum and realized that was what woke her. A pickup approached the boat ramp, pulling an empty trailer. His lights were off, but maybe he didn’t want to wake her parents. Still, not even running lights glowed in the darkness.

The moon shifted behind a cloud, and Sasha strained to see who was loading a boat in the middle of the night. It wasn’t that uncommon, but the way this person behaved seemed stealthy. Like they had something to hide.

She stayed where she was, eyes trained on the water, but the angle of the dock kept her from seeing the approaching boat. She heard the boat motor shut off, then splashes as the truck slowly pulled the boat from the water and stopped in the shadows. Long minutes passed as she watched.

When the truck finally drove past, she strained to see, but all she could make out of the boat was a dark, formless shape, which meant someone had covered it before they left. She tried to determine the type of truck or catch a glimpse of the driver, but couldn’t.

As the engine noise faded, she sat up straight. Wait a minute. Had someone stolen a boat? Maybe Jesse’s
Painted Lady
? Not on her watch. She tossed off the afghan, tiptoed off the porch, and ran full out to the marina. But when she got to Jesse’s slip,
The Painted Lady
rocked gently right where she was supposed to.

Just in case, she walked up and down the dock, checking every slip. Every boat was accounted for.

She stopped, tried to slow her racing heart. She had to get a grip or her imagination would make her nuts. Nobody had stolen a boat. It was probably just a local fisherman with an expensive boat he wanted protected on the ride home.

Except, you had to rinse salt water off a boat and especially out of the motor, or it would corrode in a hurry. Nobody covered a boat that hadn’t been washed down.

Unless they had something to hide.

“Could be someone just doesn’t want anyone digging around in the past,” the chief said when he arrived at the marina the next morning. “Folks don’t like to remember tragedy.”

Sasha shot Jesse a triumphant look. He simply raised his eyebrows.

“What if that’s not it, Chief?” Sasha asked.

Chief Monroe looked up from studying the threatening message and frowned. “What do you mean? That someone in this town actually had something to do with that little boy’s disappearance? And then they poisoned your sandwich?” He threw his head back and laughed, long and loud. “Sasha, honey, if you believe that, then you’ve been gone longer than I thought. People round here don’t do things like that. Leastways they sure didn’t back then. Don’t forget, my daddy was nearly chief then, and I’d just joined the force straight from the police academy. Got high marks in all my classes, too.” He rocked back on his heels and dared them to contradict him.

“Good to know, Chief. I mainly just wanted to make you aware. The hospital says Katie Habersham is fine.”

“I stopped by there on my way over. The little girl is being released. Doc says the culprit was most likely bad mayo.”

He pushed his Stetson lower on his head, signaling the meeting was over. “I’ll keep a closer eye than usual on all the comings and goings out here, and you all do the same. To my way of thinking, if you stop this search, Sasha, this will all blow over.”

Sasha almost said she had no intention of stopping the search, but some little voice inside stopped her just in time. They bid the chief good-bye, and she glanced at Jesse.

“Told you that’s what he’d say.”

Jess muttered a curse and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, you did. That is one arrogant son of a gun. If I remember right, he’s just like his daddy.”

“Do you think I should quit?” She searched his eyes, watched emotions chase each other. She’d always relied on her own instincts, but in this case, she didn’t want to miss something obvious.

He spun away from her to pace. “I want to send you to Tahiti, because I don’t want you—or your family—to get hurt by someone who’s lost a few screws along the way.”

She smiled. “Probably not a realistic option.”

He shot her a scowl. “You’re in tough spot. Mama Rosa wants answers. Sal wants peace. They’re mutually exclusive. And now we have a local who’s gotten really nervous.”

“That’s the part that tells me to keep looking. If there was nothing to find, someone wouldn’t be trying so hard to get me to quit. If I get to the bottom of this, if I find answers, then both Mama and Pop will get what they want. Eventually.”

He studied her face, then nodded. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

His casual acceptance of her ability to handle this situation bolstered her strength in ways she’d never experienced. She had no idea how to put that in words, so all she said was, “I will.”

Her fancy phone chirped, and she saw the email icon. Eve must have set that up, too. She opened it, read the message, and felt temptation whisper in her ear.

Dear Captain Petrov,

We’d like to have you join our racing team. We’re in need of a backup captain, and your experience and recommendations indicate you may be a good fit for our team. If you are interested, please call us at the above number so we can discuss this further. You would need to start work at our racing facility in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, within sixty days.

She read the info several times while she let the possibilities sift through her head. The job wouldn’t start for another couple of months. She could finish up here, get Mama the answers she needed, and then . . . go. New adventures. No responsibilities but the boat under her feet. No chance of disappointing her loved ones.

“Good news? You’re grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.”

Sasha looked up, and her smile faded. Jesse. Her other temptation. “Ah, possible job offer. Wouldn’t start for a while yet, though.”

“You’re planning to leave.” He tried to hide it, but she caught the flash of hurt.

She couldn’t stay, not even for him. “This was never supposed to be permanent. You know that.”

“I hoped . . . never mind.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I need to get busy on
The Painted Lady
. Taking her out later. You in?”

“Definitely,” she said. Nothing cleared her head like flying across the water. And maybe, she could find a way to explain.

As she greeted customers at the shop the rest of the morning, several questions played in her mind: What did someone know about Tony’s disappearance? How could she find them?

What had she seen last night? Was it possible it had anything to do with her search? The idea seemed ludicrous, but two days ago she would have said that about a possible poisoning, too.

None of it made sense. But someone in Safe Harbor had secrets they would go to great lengths to hide.

Her stomach churned. The bigger question was, how far would they go?

Chapter 12

Blaze stepped in front of Sasha as she went into the house. “I could do it without you, but it would be easier if you helped me with my psychology project.”

Sasha hid a smile. “OK, what is this project I could help make easier?”

“I have to watch this stupid television show and then ask someone to answer questions about it.”

“I think I could manage that. When is it?”

“Tonight at seven.”

Sasha saw how much asking for help grated on the teen, so she smiled and acted like it was no big deal.

“Sure thing, kiddo. I’ll be here. You’re not going to make me run on a hamster wheel and then watch me puke or anything, are you?”

This got an eye roll. “Just the stupid show.”

“Sounds fascinating. See you later.”

“Don’t forget.”

“I won’t forget. You taking care of Mama today?”

Blaze nodded. “Pop said he’d be back from the marina in a little while, but he hasn’t shown up yet. I have homework to do.”

“I’ll go down and see if I can relieve him and send him up here.”

“You haven’t found anything new about Tony, have you?”

Sasha sighed. “No, not really. I’ve told you everything I know about that.” She decided not to mention the threat. For now.

Blaze nodded and left the room. Sasha walked off the porch and down to the marina, Bella running off to sniff and pee before returning to her side. When she reached the marina store, she was surprised to find it empty.

“Pop? You in here?”

A trickle of unease skittered over her skin. It wasn’t unusual for him to leave the shop, but these weren’t regular days. Anything could happen.

“Pop?” She poked her head into his office, but he wasn’t there. A check of the storage room behind the office yielded the same. She scanned the floor, making sure he hadn’t collapsed again, but there was no sign of him.

She walked around the building and finally spotted him walking along the water’s edge, rubbing a hand over his heart. She automatically sped up, cataloging details as she got closer. His color didn’t look good and he seemed to be panting.

She took off running, Bella loping alongside, thinking this was a new game. She skidded to a stop, Bella prancing at her feet.

“Hey, Pop. How’s it going?” She kept the worry out of her voice.

Was that panic in his eyes? “Pop? How can I help? What’s wrong?” Sasha started a mental checklist of symptoms.

He waved her away. “I’m . . . fine.” But he didn’t sound remotely fine.

“Why don’t you come inside where it’s cooler?” She led him by the arm, easing him inside and into the chair at his desk. Bella sensed something because she started to whine and nudge him. “Bella doesn’t think you’re fine. Is your arm stiff?”

“Not . . . heart . . . attack,” he huffed. “Just need . . . a minute.”

Sasha brought him a glass of water and watched, relieved when his color improved and he stopped panting. After a few more minutes, his breathing returned to normal and so did his color. Bella relaxed, dropping her muzzle on her paws and falling asleep on his feet.

Sasha laughed. “Well, Bella thinks you’re out of danger.”

She expected Pop to laugh, but he didn’t. His dark eyes pierced hers. “I may be. But you’re not.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You have to stop this search, Sasha. For all our sakes.”

She leaped to her feet and paced to the door of the shop and back. She held his eyes as she asked the question. “Is someone threatening you, Pop?”

He looked away. “Why would you say something like that?”

“Because you just said we’re in danger.”

He waved that away. “That isn’t what I meant.” He locked his gaze on her. “But you have to stop this, Sasha. For me. Please.”

“I don’t understand, Pop. Help me see. Don’t you want to know what happened to Tony? How can you not?”

He sighed and seemed to collapse in on himself. He leaned forward, hands clasped between his knees, his posture one of defeat.

“How many times do I have to say it before you understand that it won’t change anything? There are no answers to find. Not after all this time. Digging only gets Mama’s hopes up. And when you find nothing?” He met her eyes, his bleak. “Mama cried for months, Sasha. Months. This cancer treatment is hard enough on her. On us. The stress of this might kill her. All because you’re too stubborn to stop?”

Sasha reared back as though he’d slapped her square in the face. “I’m not trying to hurt her. Or you. I’m trying to bring healing, closure. Why is that wrong?”

He stood so quickly, Sasha stepped back in surprise. “The cost is too high. That is what your young foolishness can’t understand. This can’t be fixed, and you can’t fix it.” He stopped, grabbed her arms. “If you love your mother and if you love me at all, you will stop this. Today. Right now.” He shook her slightly. “Promise me.”

Sasha’s heart shattered into little pieces, though she kept her gaze on his face. How could she promise such a thing, when Mama had asked her to promise the opposite, to keep looking and never give up until she had answers?

“How can I promise that, Pop? You know what Mama asked me.”

“And I’m asking you to stop. For her sake, above all else.”

“You’re putting me in an impossible situation. How can I make you both happy?”

“Do what I tell you, Sasha. In the end, Mama will understand you did it to protect her.”

Sasha swallowed hard. “I can’t,” she whispered.

Pop shook his head and slumped back into the chair. He wouldn’t look at her. “Then God help us all.”

Sasha shook her head and slowly backed out of the shop. When she looked up, she stood on the dock beside
The Painted Lady
. Her heart had automatically led her to Jesse, her anchor. He looked up from the engine and studied her face. “What’s up, Sash?”

She shook her head, not sure how to put what just happened into words.

“I’m about ready to take her out for a test run. Finally got the motor running again. Are you coming?”

“Absolutely.” She needed to get away, clear her head.

As they headed out of the marina, she and Jesse exchanged nothing but small talk while the wind whipped her hair and the waves soothed the ache in her heart. She let her mind wander, figuring it would offer up a solution in its own good time. When Jesse put his arm around her and pulled her close, she let herself sink into the warmth of his embrace. For this brief period, she wouldn’t think, wouldn’t choose—she would just be.

Sal had known deep in his bones that Sasha would never back down. He would have to stop her another way. He stepped up beside her ancient Jeep and casually scanned the interior. Where would she have put that file?

He found her tote bag on the floor on the passenger side and pulled it up onto the seat. He fished around inside, and sure enough, there it was. He pulled out the file and flipped through it, just to be sure. Seeing the details of that day, spelled out in blunt copspeak, cut deeper than he’d expected. He tried to stay detached, to read all of it as though it had happened to someone else, but he couldn’t.

The thing he remembered most was the agonized sound of Rosa’s screams. Hair rose on the back of his neck just thinking about it. It was a sound he hoped never to hear again. He didn’t know if he’d survive it.

He couldn’t think about this now. Maybe never. He closed the folder, turned, and smacked right into Blaze.

He reached out to steady her. “Blaze, honey, I didn’t hear you come outside. Did you need something?”

She scanned the folder he held. “What did you take out of Sasha’s bag?”

“She asked me to get something for her.” He hated lying, especially to this teen who generally saw far more than most people gave her credit for. He steered them back toward the house. “How is Mama? Is she resting?”

“No. That’s why I came to find you. She says she’s hurting.” Those kohl-rimmed eyes filled with pain. “I couldn’t stand it, so I left. I’m sorry.”

He pulled her into a one-armed hug, the most she would ever allow, and said, “I understand. It’s OK. It really is hard to watch.” They climbed the steps to the porch. “Why don’t you take a break while I take care of Mama?”

She stopped, studied him with those wide eyes that made him want to squirm. “Are you OK, Pop? You don’t look so good.”

He smiled. “I’m fine. Just worried is all. Go on, relax. I’ll see you later.”

Once inside, he went to their room. He perched on the side of the bed, noting the extra strain around Rosa’s eyes. Her skin looked so pale, he could see the veins under her eyelids and the bruises below them. It tore at his insides to see her hurt and not be able to change it, not be able to fix it or make it easier. His job was to protect his family. To keep evil and heartache from his door. He had failed miserably once before. He couldn’t do it again.

He plastered a smile on his face, leaned down, and kissed her cheek. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she clasped his hand. He brushed a gentle hand down her cheek. “How are you,
mi amore
? Blaze says today is not a good day.”

“Hurts, Sal. Everything hurts.”

He reached for the pills on the bedside table and helped her wash them down with water. He sat, stroking her hand until she fell asleep again.

Then he went outside to the burn pile, tossed the folder on top, and lit a match. He stood, watching to be sure there was nothing left, before he went to find Blaze.

He would let nothing and no one hurt his Rosa.

Not even his own daughter.

The sea helped Sasha breathe again, finally. Just as it always did. When life closed in and didn’t make sense, being out on the water made everything right again. Here, things followed a pattern. Tides, waves, fishing seasons. There was rhyme and reason, order. True, the sea could be a dangerous mistress, and a gorgeous day could turn deadly in a heartbeat, but there was beauty in that, too. A power and majesty all its own.

Jesse had been content to leave her to her thoughts for most of the afternoon, something else she hadn’t expected. Most people wanted to talk all day long, fill the air with words. He seemed as satisfied as she was to simply enjoy their time on the water.

She studied his profile as he handled the wheel: the strength of his jaw, the way the wind molded his T-shirt to his admittedly impressive chest. Just looking at him made her heart give a funny little twist.

As though sensing her gaze, he turned, eyes hidden behind his sunglasses but his grin unmistakable. “You ready to take the helm? It’s too pretty out here for such deep thoughts. Time to feel, Sash.”

It startled her, the way he read her mind. She smiled back and nudged him out of the way. He let her slip in next to him, but he didn’t back away. Instead he wrapped his arm around her, nuzzling her neck. “This is much nicer, don’t you think?”

She shot him a saucy grin. “Trying to navigate here, Money-boy.”

“So navigate. Don’t let me distract you.”

His lips did something amazing to the sensitive spot behind her ear, and a shiver raced over her skin. She instinctively leaned closer and loosened her grip on the throttle. He chuckled against her neck.

“Why don’t we idle for a while?”

Without consciously agreeing, she lowered their speed until
The Painted Lady
bobbed gently in the late evening twilight. Together they watched the sun sinking lower and lower on the horizon. Jesse continued his tender assault on her neck while his arms pulled her closer. Sasha could barely breathe. She felt surrounded by his nearness, completely enveloped and unsure where he ended and she began. It should have been terrifying. Instead, she felt . . . safe. Cherished.

Jesse turned her in his arms so they faced each other, and she wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him close for the kiss they’d both been waiting for. As the boat rocked gently, their mouths met and clung, their bodies swaying with the boat’s motion. Sensation pooled low in her belly, every nerve in her body came alive, and every thought in her head narrowed to one:
more
.

The kiss went on and on, Jesse’s hands on her back, pulling her ever closer. Sasha heard a low moan and couldn’t tell if it came from her throat or his. She only knew she wanted more. More of this delicious sensation of being loved.