Chase walked out of the conference room with his heart in his throat. He’d seen the suspicion in Zoe’s eyes. And the hurt. That same suspicion was clambering within Chase. There was something between Haley Newton and Garrett Watson.
Just what, he didn’t know, yet. A look had passed between them that led Chase to believe they weren’t strangers. Friends? Lovers? Adversaries? Haley’s eyes had definitely widened with recognition and a flash of panic, while Garrett had clearly been spooked to see the woman.
What a strange turn of events. They’d brought Haley in for a completely different reason—her connection to one of the RMK’s first victims—and now Chase was wondering at the connection between Haley and Garrett. And did that connection have anything to do with the end of Zoe’s marriage?
Inside the interrogation room, Haley sat at the table.
Ashley stood quietly near the door.
This was the third time on the same day that Chase had sat across from someone he was questioning. So why did he feel as if he wasn’t making any progress?
He wasn’t any closer to catching the RMK or the person who blew up Zoe’s home.
Haley watched him with wary eyes. She wasn’t dressed in scrubs as she had been when he’d met her at the hospital with Zoe and Kylie. Today Haley wore a gray cardigan over a white blouse and blue jeans. Her blond hair was held back by a clip. Apparently not a workday.
He decided to let the silence stretch.
She fidgeted in her seat. Finally, she asked in a voice laced with irritation, “Well? What am I doing here?”
Deciding to table Haley and Garrett’s possible association and dive into the reason they’d asked her to come to the police station, Chase said, “What was your relationship to Brad Kingsley?”
Haley blanched. Her mouth dropped open. She slammed it shut. “I don’t know what you mean.”
From behind him, Ashley stirred. He turned to look at the rookie and motioned her forward. Chase stood and gestured for Ashley to sit. She gave him a curious look before she sat and turned her gaze on Haley. Chase hoped that because this was Ashley’s intel, maybe she would make more inroads with the other woman.
“We understand that you were engaged to Brad Kingsley.” Ashley’s voice was friendly and gentle.
Apparent shock flashed across Haley’s face then tears welled in her eyes. “Why are you asking me this? Brad died a long time ago.”
“Is it true?” Ashley reached across the table to take the other woman’s hand. “Were you and Brad in love? Planning to get married?”
Haley glanced at Chase and then back at Ashley. She sniffed, then said, “Yes. We were. His snobby parents didn’t approve. They wanted some Ivy League debutante. Brad and I were going to run away after graduation.”
“Why didn’t you tell the police about this after Brad’s murder?” Ashley probed.
Haley jerked her hand away from Ashley. “Because nobody was supposed to know. I didn’t want anyone gossiping about Brad. He was dead.”
“You moved out of town not long after,” Chase interjected.
Keeping her gaze on Ashley, Haley said, “My parents saw how distraught I was. They knew about me and Brad. I became very despondent. They were afraid I’d hurt myself. So we moved far away and I was checked into a—facility. The doctors there helped me through the grieving process. I’ve made a good life for myself since then. I became a nurse to help others.”
“Yet, you came back to Elk Valley,” Chase said. “Why?”
“Because I was once happy here,” Haley told him. She looked at Ashley. “You have to understand. We were young and in love. Returning here, being in Elk Valley, helps me to feel closer to him. I miss him.”
“Where were you the night the three victims were murdered?” Chase asked.
She reared back as if struck. “What? I didn’t have anything to do with the murders.”
“No one is saying you did. We just need to know where you were,” Ashley stated in a gentle tone.
Haley heaved a sigh, clearly relieved by Ashley’s words. “I was at home waiting for Brad to text me. He didn’t. Then the next day...” Her shoulders slumped slightly as sadness crossed her face.
“Did you know where Brad was going that night?” Ashley asked.
“He said he had some business to take care of,” Haley said. “He asked me not to go to bed. That he would come by after. He said he’d text when he was on his way. I waited up all night.”
“Haley, do you have any ideas about who killed Brad and the others?” Ashley asked.
Haley’s face crumbled and she shook her head. “The Rocky Mountain Killer. I wish I knew who it was. I’d tell you. Whoever did it has to pay.”
“Do you know if Brad had any sort of beef with Evan Carr? Or Ryan York?”
Haley stilled. She glanced up. “Why do you ask?”
Something in her eyes had Chase leaning forward. He didn’t like her answering a question with a question. In his experience, that usually meant the person was stalling as they tried to come up with an answer, usually a lie.
“Answer the question, Haley,” Chase said.
“I know there was bad blood between all of them. Some things happened. The guys laughed and joked about the pranks they pulled.”
“Pranks? Like the one they pulled on Naomi Carr?”
“Yeah,” Haley grimaced. “Seth, Brad and Aaron Anderson thought it would be great fun to target Naomi. I don’t know why they didn’t like her. But they were so mean to her at the Valentine’s Day dance. They’d convinced her Trevor Gage had only asked her to the dance as a joke. They threw spitballs at her and made fun of her. She ran out in tears.” Haley shuddered. “I remember thinking that I hope they never turn on me.”
“Did they turn on Shelly York?” Chase asked.
Haley’s gaze dropped to the table. “Poor Shelly. She didn’t deserve what happened to her.”
“Do you mean the breakup with Seth Jenkins?” Ashley asked.
“Yes. Seth was so nasty. He only went out with her to try to get her to sleep with him. When she wouldn’t, he broke up with her in front of the guys. Said horrible things to her and about her. The guys laughed about it for weeks,” Haley said softly. “I told Brad it was cruel.”
“And yet you kept his secret and stayed with him,” Chase commented.
Haley’s gaze snapped to his. “I was young and in love. What was I supposed to do? Blab and get my boyfriend in trouble?”
“If you’d told someone about the bullying, things might have ended differently for Shelly.” Chase couldn’t keep the anger from his tone. And Ryan York wouldn’t be one of their prime suspects. The more Chase learned about Ryan and his beef with Seth and his friends, the more guilty Ryan appeared.
“Maybe.” Haley spread her hands. “There’s nothing I can do about the past now. I can only move forward. And try to be the best version of myself I can be. That’s why I went into healthcare. To give back. Pay some kind of penitence for not protecting Naomi or Shelly.”
“Those weren’t the only pranks, though, were they?” Chase persisted. No way would they have not been up to more shenanigans. “What other things did the guys do that were funny to them?”
Haley shrugged. “There was something to do with the caves in the mountains.”
This was interesting. And the first time anyone had mentioned caves. There were multiple caves and caverns in the mountains of Wyoming to explore. Most were open to the public. Some were not. “Which caves and which mountains are we talking about?”
“The guys never said,” Haley replied. “I assume the Laramie Mountains. They are the closest.”
Frustrated with the lack of information, he pressed. “Who was involved? What happened during these cave incidents?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I don’t know anything that’s going to help you. Can I go now?”
He wasn’t sure she was telling him everything, but he decided it was time to change directions. “What’s your relationship to Garrett Watson?”
“Garrett?” Haley’s eyes darted between Chase and Ashley. “You can’t suspect him? I mean, no way is he the Rocky Mountain Killer.”
He supposed it made sense she’d jump straight to the RMK considering the topic of their earlier conversation. But the way she protested on Garrett’s behalf was odd. “Just answer the question,” Chase insisted.
“He worked on my car,” she said. “Is that a crime?”
There was a hint of belligerence in her tone. “You seemed pretty shaken when you saw him in the conference room today.”
“Did I?” Haley shook her head. “I didn’t even realize he was in the room. I saw Zoe and her baby.”
Chase wasn’t buying it. He remembered how at the hospital, Haley had asked Zoe if she’d informed Garrett of the bombing. Was that how Garrett had learned of the explosion that had destroyed his ex-wife’s home? Playing a hunch, Chase said, “Garrett had a bit more to say about your relationship.”
Panic entered Haley’s eyes. Then she blinked several times, seeming to settle herself. “Whatever. So we had a fling when I first moved to town. I didn’t know then that he was married to Zoe. I broke it off as soon as I found out. If he says anything different, he’s lying.”
Though she confirmed what Chase suspected, it didn’t make hearing of the affair any easier. His heart ached for Zoe. “We may have more questions for you down the road. But for now, don’t leave Elk Valley.”
“I’m free to go?” Surprise laced her tone.
“You are,” Chase said as he moved to the door. “Ashley will see you home.”
Chase didn’t relish telling Zoe that her ex-husband had had an affair with her colleague at the hospital. But he knew he couldn’t keep this from her. Eventually, it would come to light, and she would only be hurt and angry at him if she learned he’d kept the information from her. He hoped he could comfort her without it affecting him. Against his better judgment, he was already finding himself caring deeply for the mother and child.
Zoe pushed the stroller for the umpteenth time in a lap around the conference table. At least she was getting in some steps. Kylie finally conked out and slept. A glance at the clock confirmed Chase had been gone for over an hour interviewing Haley in an interrogation room. What were they discussing? What was Haley and Garrett’s connection?
She tried to think back over the past to see if she remembered Garrett or Haley ever meeting. But nothing came to mind. Garrett had never mentioned Haley, and other than recently at the hospital when Haley asked if Garrett had been informed about the explosion, Haley had never mentioned Garrett. Yet they both had reacted peculiarly when they’d seen each other.
Zoe paused mid-lap to grab the water bottle Liam had brought her and took a long swig.
The door to the conference room opened and Chase stepped inside.
Glad to see him and anxious for answers, Zoe pushed the stroller with a sleeping Kylie to meet him at the head of the table.
“What can you tell me?” she asked softly, knowing he wouldn’t divulge anything regarding the Rocky Mountain Killer investigation.
But he would divulge information regarding the explosion at her home, wouldn’t he?
Chase gestured to a chair. “Please, have a seat.”
Trepidation spread through Zoe as she maneuvered the stroller around so that she could sit and keep an eye on Kylie at the same time.
Once they were seated, their chairs facing each other and their knees nearly touching, Chase said quietly, “What I have to tell you is going to be hard to hear.”
Her stomach dropped. That suspicion she’d had earlier raised to the forefront of her mind. “Are Haley and Garrett involved?”
He grimaced. Clearly uncomfortable. “Apparently, Haley didn’t realize Garrett was married when she first arrived back in town,” Chase said carefully. “Once she realized he was your husband she broke off the relationship.”
Zoe couldn’t assess how she felt about this revelation. Her husband had had an affair. She calculated back to when Haley had first come on board as a nurse at the Elk Valley Community Hospital. Three years ago. Around the time Garrett had taken over Watson Motors from his father, who’d retired and moved to Arizona.
Garrett had poured himself and their savings into the business. Bringing the auto-body shop into the twenty-first century, he’d claimed. At the time, Zoe had tried to be supportive even if she’d been lonely because Garrett spent so little time at home. Now she understood why.
Zoe should be shocked. But all she felt was numb. Her husband had had an affair. Long before he abandoned her and their child. She couldn’t even claim his desertion on another woman.
Chase gathered her hands in his. His were warm and comforting against the flood of ice in her veins. She curled her fingers over his. Wanting, no needing, his strength and steady presence, even though relying on him wasn’t a smart move. “I’d been so gullible. I mean, I suspected at times that he might be...” She swallowed back the recriminations that laid shame and blame on her doorstep. She would not own his bad behavior. His betrayal. “He told me I was being paranoid.”
“Are you okay?”
Chase’s soft voice grabbed her focus. The concern and compassion on his face made her want to fling herself into his arms. She squeezed his fingers. “I will be. It’s a lot to process.”
She needed time on her own to sort through the quagmire of her emotions. She couldn’t do that with Chase so close and the temptation to lean on him for comfort and support so strong. She tugged her hands from his and stood. She had to get out of there. She needed to go someplace where she could think and pray and rage.
Chase rose to his full height, eating up the distance between them.
There was nowhere for her to go. Literally and figuratively. Her home had been blown up. Her parents lived far away. She was trapped by her isolation. And by the chair behind her, the stroller on one side and the table on the other.
And Chase stood in front of her. A handsome warrior, yet a gentle man.
Her heart battered against her rib cage. A yearning swelled within her. She met his gaze and saw the same yearning in his eyes.
His hand came up to cup her cheek, and she didn’t flinch or shy away, despite her earlier need to escape. Her feet felt glued to the floor and her heart calmed. His touch was tender and light against her skin, melting the ice in her veins.
“You deserve so much better,” he said, in a near whisper.
Was he talking about Garrett? Or himself?
Either way, she would decide what she deserved. Never again would she let someone else dictate her life.
And at this moment, she wanted, needed, the affirmation that she would be okay. That she was a beautiful woman who could attract a man like Chase.
She swayed toward him, the distance between them reduced to a millimeter. Questions and curiosity shone brightly in his eyes for a moment before he dipped his head and captured her lips.
The kiss was soft, probing and so welcome.
She entwined her arms around his neck, going up on tiptoe to better match him. All the hurt crowding her chest was pushed aside by a flood of warmth and affection for this man.
The soft snick of the door opening and the clearing of a throat jerked them apart.
Zoe stumbled, nearly falling back into the chair but managing to push it out of the way with the back of her knees. She skirted around the edge of the stroller and gripped the handle before she lifted her gaze to the person standing at the conference room entrance.
A woman she’d never seen before smiled hesitantly. A blonde with bright blue eyes. She wore a jacket with the MCK9 logo on the front.
Desperate to escape as embarrassment flushed through her system, Zoe asked Chase, “Your father? Where is he?”
“The break room,” Chase said, his voice husky. “Down the hall to your right. You can’t miss it.”
Without looking at him, she gave a quick nod then pushed the stroller past the woman standing in the doorway and headed in the direction Chase had mentioned. Her cheeks flamed. What was she doing? How could she let that kiss happen?
Oh no, her conscience chided. You made this happen.
And as much as she should regret kissing Chase, and probably would tomorrow, right now, she didn’t regret it. At all.
Chase stood frozen in place. His whole body felt on fire. He slowly turned to see who had interrupted the moment of insanity.
CSI Ophelia Clarke.
The embarrassment crowding his chest reflected in her pretty face. Man, was he losing it to kiss Zoe in the police station. Had the parallels to his wife’s death made him more invested in this case than he should have been? And now that he’d come to know and care for Zoe, he was getting in too deep. Allowing such unprofessional behavior wasn’t like him. He needed to do better at keeping his emotions in check.
“Sorry,” Ophelia said. “I didn’t realize until I’d already—”
He held up a hand. “Not your fault. Just keep this between us, shall we?”
“Mum’s the word,” Ophelia said, coming all the way into the room. “I thought you’d want to know right away that the remnants of the bomb used to blow up Zoe Jenkins’s home was homemade. Rudimentary.”
He blew out an aggravated breath. “So basically, anyone with the understanding of engineering...?”
Ophelia made a face. “Anyone with access to the internet can watch videos of how to build an explosive device like the one used,” she said.
Acid bore a hole through his gut. “We’re back to square one. We still don’t know who could have planted the bomb.”
Ophelia raised a piece of paper he hadn’t noticed she held. “I made a list of the ingredients and supplies needed. They can be purchased at any hardware-type store.”
“Give that to Ian and Meadow,” he said. “They can check with the local stores. Can you and Kyle make a wider search?”
“Of course, we can.”
“Thank you,” Chase said. “I need to call the team together and let them know what I’ve learned from Haley Newton.”
Ophelia stuck a hand in the pocket of her jacket and pulled out her cell phone. “I can text everyone if you’d like.”
Running a hand down his face in an attempt to steady his breathing, Chase said, “I’d appreciate it. Also, can you check on the BOLO on Dr. Webb’s stolen car? If they find it, I want you to process it for any evidence.”
“Glad to do it,” she said.
Meeting her gaze, Chase swallowed at the understanding and speculation in her eyes. Keeping his expression carefully neutral, he strode out of the conference room confident Ophelia would assemble the team while he went in search of Zoe and Kylie. His chest warmed at the thought of Zoe. Stop. He was protecting a vulnerable woman and child. Nothing more.
Then why did you kiss her?
He had no explanation and didn’t want to examine his actions too closely.
The break room where he’d expected to find his father, Kylie, Dash and Zoe was empty.
He hustled out the exit in time to see Zoe flanked by his dad, who held Dash’s leash, and Officer Steve, quickly making their way down the sidewalk. Confident that the men and his dog would keep Zoe and Kylie safe, Chase went to the men’s room and splashed water on his face. “Brilliant move, Rawlston,” he said to his reflection.
He’d have to do damage control with Zoe when he got home tonight. He didn’t want her to be hurt or to be thinking there was something more to their relationship than there was. More than he could allow.
But right now, he had a plan to set in motion.