“What do you mean you want me to stay home?” Zoe stared at Chase. She couldn’t have been more stunned than if he’d grown antlers and a shiny red nose.
She tucked her feet beneath her, the leather of the couch in the Rawlston’s living room creaked with the movement. Chase sat opposite her in an arm chair with his hands on his knees and his intense gaze pinning her in place.
The fact that he was echoing the thought she’d had when the police chief had called with the news about using the church community room for the reunion didn’t make hearing the words coming from Chase’s mouth any easier to absorb.
Chase winced. “I know it’s not ideal. But after what happened at the town hall, I think it would be best if you didn’t attend the reunion.”
“You think it would be best,” she repeated with a dull ache pounding beneath her breastbone. It was one thing for her to decide not to go and a completely different issue for him to say she shouldn’t go.
Because he thought it would be best.
How many times had Garrett made a decree, claiming he knew better than her? Too many to count. She hadn’t recognized his chauvinism until long after they’d married. She’d mistaken his need to be in control and to make the decisions as his way of caring for her. Was she making that same mistake with Chase?
“I’m just saying...” Chase held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “If you were the target of the bombing, and we have to assume you were, then maybe it would be better if you didn’t go. Safer for everyone. Especially you and Kylie. You are my only concern.”
Irritation and guilt swamped her. He was nothing like Garrett. He’d proven that over and over. He was a man of honor and integrity. A protector and a gentleman. Her shoulders slumped. “You’re right, of course. I’m being silly. I shouldn’t attend.”
“Not silly,” he countered. “The reunion is your project. I hate that you’ll have to miss it. If I could be in two places at once, I’d go with you and keep you safe.”
And he would. She didn’t doubt it for a moment. But it was more important for him to stop the serial killer terrorizing the town than for her be at the reunion. “I can coordinate with Sadie as much as possible so that she’s not left with all the responsibility.”
“That’s perfect.” Chase’s voice was filled with relief. “I’m sure she would appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“At least somebody does,” Zoe groused and immediately regretted her words.
She knew it wasn’t fair to be taking her upset out on Chase. He was only trying to protect her. That’s what he did. Protected people. Her heart rate ticked up at the thought of what his job might cost him. When she’d come out of the town hall building, she’d seen Chase running through the park and had sent up prayers that he would be safe, more than a little concerned for him.
It was hardly fair for her to begrudge him the same concern.
She needed to trust that God had all of them in his hands.
But that wouldn’t stop her from worrying about Chase.
She sent up a silent prayer for God to suppress her growing affection for the man. But that was becoming harder with every passing moment. Especially since she knew he was going to continue with his plan to impersonate Trevor Gage and hopefully lure the Rocky Mountain Killer into a trap. It was dangerous.
Chase was putting his life on the line for them all.
“I’m sorry. You don’t deserve my snark,” she said, contrition making her wince. “I’m just frustrated.”
“As long as you’re safe, I’ll take any snark you want to throw my way. I can handle it,” he replied in a husky voice that sent a ribbon of affection and admiration through her.
He wasn’t the type of man to take offense or be too sensitive of criticism. She really liked that about him.
Her staying home, safe with Meadow and Officer Steve standing guard, would help Chase stay focused on what he needed to do.
She sent up a silent prayer that Chase would come through this unscathed and the Rocky Mountain Killer would be caught.
Chase left his house wearing his Mountain Country K-9 Unit uniform of light gray jacket and slacks, secure in the knowledge that between Meadow, her K-9 partner Grace, and Officer Steve, Zoe and Kylie would be well protected. His dad was also staying home, too, since he had not graduated from Elk Valley High School, having moved to Elk Valley in his mid-twenties for a job with the fire department.
Chase carried a duffel bag containing Trevor’s silver Stetson and one of his company logo jackets to his Mountain Country K-9 Unit vehicle. He opened the back compartment for Dash to jump in.
Earlier in the day, he’d parked Trevor’s truck at the church and walked away wearing his Trevor disguise. So now when he reached the church parking lot, he brought the vehicle to a halt next to Trevor’s truck.
Leaving Dash comfortable and safe in his compartment, Chase entered through the main entrance. He stopped by the welcome table to grab his and Trevor’s name tags. Peeling off the back of the stickered name tag, he placed his own name on the breast pocket of his uniform while tucking Trevor’s name tag into his pocket.
Moving farther into the church’s community room, located below the sanctuary, he scanned the space. Tables had been set up all around with donated and borrowed tableware. There wasn’t much in the way of decorations since everything Zoe and her committee had used to decorate the town hall ballroom had been destroyed. He noted the gathering was rather small, consisting mostly of first responders, who were local to Elk Valley and a few old-timers like Mr. Kimmer from the ice cream parlor and his wife.
Rocco approached. He’d left his K-9 partner at home as well.
“Not a big turnout,” Chase commented.
“Honestly, I think most people are skittish about attending, seeing as the last venue was blown up and all,” Rocco said, with a wry twist of his lips.
Sadie joined them, linking her arm through Rocco’s. “This will be a dry run. We’ll do another reunion, maybe next year.”
“Zoe will be happy to hear that,” Chase said.
“It was her idea.”
Chase wasn’t surprised. The woman was always thinking ahead. One of the many reasons he admired and respected her. She was a strong and capable woman who was also thoughtful and kind. He didn’t like being here without her.
Stay on task, he silently reminded himself.
“I hear that Trevor has made an appearance,” Sadie said loudly. “Someone said he wasn’t feeling well and is in the bathroom.”
Chase appreciated Sadie’s help. He scanned the room again. Ashley and her husband, Cade McNeal, along with Cade’s younger sister, Melissa, stood talking with Jessie Baldwin from the Rusty Spoke.
“I’ll go check on Trevor,” Chase said and strode away.
He stopped to say hello to Ashley and her family. Raising his voice to ensure he was overheard by the other attendees, he said, “I was going to check on Trevor in the restroom. Sounds like he might have a little bit of food poisoning.”
“Oh, that’s horrible,” Ashley said. “Let us know if we can help.”
After making a show of checking the bathroom, Chase returned to say loudly, “Trevor went out the side door and is headed back to his rental. He’s pretty sick.”
Ashley and Cade helped spread the word around the reunion space. With a nod of appreciation to Ashley, Chase walked out of the church into the parking lot.
Careful to stay out of the overhead lights, he stepped between Trevor’s truck and his vehicle. After opening the truck’s passenger door, he used the remote for his K-9 unit vehicle to release Dash. The dog quickly made the transition from the K-9 unit to the truck.
“Floor,” Chase murmured to Dash. The dog settled on the floorboard, his head resting on the bench seat.
Placing Trevor’s Stetson on his head, Chase closed the door and walked around the back end of the truck.
The sensation of being watched had the fine hairs on the back of his neck quivering.
He sent up a quick prayer that Dash hadn’t been seen.
Marveling at how easy praying was once again becoming, Chase started Trevor’s truck and backed out of the parking spot. He pulled down the visor, hoping to help shield his face from view. Driving down Main Street slowly so anyone watching would think Trevor was at the wheel, Chase kept an eye on his rearview mirror for a tail while also scanning the alleys of the business he passed, searching for any signs of a threat.
His cell phone dinged.
He waited until he was out of town before fishing the cell phone out of his front jeans pocket. Checking for signs of another vehicle and seeing none, he pulled to the edge of the road to read the text. The number was blocked. Adrenaline spiked through his veins.
Poor Trevor! Food poisoning will be the least of his worries when I’m done with him. Sorry, you won’t reach him in time even if you leave the reunion now.
With a growl, Chase tossed the phone onto the bench seat. Aloud he said, “Bring it on.”
Dash made a noise in his throat as if in agreement.
Pulling the truck back onto the road, Chase sped to the rental house. The two-lane road was quiet and dark. No headlights behind him but that didn’t mean a vehicle wasn’t back there, staying in the shadows. Foreboding gripped his gut. The houses on this side of town were spaced out with long driveways. He turned down the one for the rental house.
The ranch-style house with its low-pitched roof and large windows stood dark at the end of the lane. Even though Chase knew two of his task force members were inside, there were no signs of life. He hit the garage remote and waited while the door opened. He pulled the truck into the empty garage and hit the remote again to close the door.
Grabbing his phone, he climbed from the vehicle and released Dash.
Dash hopped out and sniffed around but didn’t alert.
Chase opened the door leading from the garage to the kitchen and said to Dash, “Quiet. Search.”
Dash slipped inside without a sound and disappeared into the body of the house to do his job of searching for any sort of explosives.
Chase entered the house, awareness sliding over his skin.
“Hey, boss,” Bennett’s voice came at Chase through the darkness.
“Everything good here?” Chase asked, closing the garage door behind him, and letting his eyes adjust to the darkened interior.
Bennett sat at the kitchen counter, a darker shape against the inkiness of the unlit house. “We’re good.”
Off to the left, sitting at the table deep in the shadows of the dining room were Kyle and Ian.
“Any problems?” Kyle asked in a low tone.
“Maybe. I can’t say I was followed but you know that feeling when you’re sure someone is...?”
“Oh, yes,” Ian said. “Know it well.”
“I received another text from the RMK,” he told them. “Another threat against Trevor. He knows Trevor left the reunion not feeling well.”
“We’ll be ready when he comes,” Bennett said in a hard tone.
Dash returned and sat at Chase’s feet. Though it was a good sign the house wasn’t rigged with explosives, the grip of dread didn’t let up. Chase motioned for Dash to lay down near the back door. Since Trevor didn’t have a dog, he couldn’t let Dash be seen.
“I’m going to step out front and grab the newspaper I saw lying on the porch,” Chase said. “If I was followed, I want the person to see Trevor and think he’s unaware.”
Bennett slipped off the stool and moved to stand next to Chase. “We have your back.”
Without turning on the porch light, Chase stepped out of the house. The eerie sensation of being watched triggered another quiver of alarm. But he didn’t pause to scan the area. Better to let whoever was out there think he was oblivious. He bent to retrieve the copy of the Elk Valley Daily Gazette and then stepped back inside the dark house, shutting the door behind him with a soft snick. He reached for the wall switch and turned on the living room overhead light.
“There are NVGs on the recliner,” Kyle told him, referring to night vision goggles, which would come in handy if the power went out.
Chase moved deeper into the room and switched on a table lamp next to the recliner facing the television. The curtains were all drawn. He pushed aside one of the living room curtains and then, keeping the Stetson and jacket on to make himself more of a target, Chase turned off the overhead light and sat in the recliner with his back to the window.
He tucked the NVGs against his side and grabbed the remote for the TV. Whoever was out there would hopefully think Trevor was relaxing and watching television, completely oblivious to the threat against him.
The local news shifted to an older sitcom that didn’t hold any appeal.
Chase removed his phone from his pocket and sent a text to Zoe, asking if everything was okay.
Within seconds, the ding of an incoming text showed her picture popping up.
He read her message with relief.
All good here. About to put Kylie down for the night. How’s it going there?
He was about to answer when his phone rang. The sound was startling in the quiet of the house. The caller ID said it was Isla.
He hit the answer button and put the phone to his ear. “What can I do for you?”
“I just wanted to let you know that, through some clever maneuvering, if I say so myself, I managed to discover the person who hacked Garrett Watson’s computer.”
Chase sat straight up. His heart bumped with anticipation. “Who?”
“Haley Newton.”
Haley Newton? Chase didn’t quite know what to do with that information. Why would Haley hack Garrett’s computer and send vicious posts to the reunion website? What was in it for her? Did she dislike the thought of the reunion so badly but was too afraid to own her opinion that she had to use Garrett to express her opposition? Why go to all that trouble?
“Chase, someone’s outside,” Ian’s voice drew Chase’s attention.
Finally.
“Good work,” he said softly to Isla and hung up.
He would deal with Haley Newton later. Right now, he had the Rocky Mountain Killer to contend with.
Zoe held the phone, staring at the screen in anticipation of Chase’s response. Her fingers tightened around the device when no answering text came through. Was he in trouble? Just not willing to answer the question? Had she overstepped? Worry chomped a hot trail through her, making the muscles of shoulders bunch with dread.
She tossed the phone onto the dresser and picked up Kylie from where she was playing on a learning mat laid out on the floor of the spare bedroom.
“Time for bed, sweetie pie,” she cooed. She carried Kylie to the changing table. “How about bunnies tonight?” She picked up a fuzzy one-piece pajama set and shook it in front of Kylie.
Feeling a nudge at her thigh, Zoe glanced down to find Meadow’s dog, Grace, had followed them into the guestroom and taken a seat next to her. She held up the jammies to the sleek-looking vizsla. “What do you think? Cute, right?”
Grace’s tongue lulled out the side of her mouth and her thin tail thumped against the floor.
Zoe chuckled. “I’m not sure you understand me, Grace, but I am thankful you’re here along with Meadow and Officer Steve.”
Just as she got Kylie changed out of her outfit and into the fuzzy bunny pajamas, a scraping noise on the outside wall of the house grabbed her attention. Grace stood and stared at the window. Her tail stood straight out from her body and her front right paw was up. Her whole body looked like she was pointing at the window.
Zoe’s heart jumped into her throat. She took a calming breath and hugged Kylie to her chest.
Given all that had happened in the past few days, she wasn’t taking any chances. “Come on, Grace,” she coaxed. “Out.”
Grace ran ahead of her and straight to Meadow’s side.
Zoe carried Kylie into the living room where Liam and Meadow were playing a card game. The lights were low, the curtains closed. On television a classic movie played. Officer Steve wasn’t in the room. The kitchen was dark as well.
Meadow glanced up and immediately put down her cards and stood. “What’s wrong?”
Grimacing but not willing to let it go, Zoe said, “I heard a noise outside. I’m being paranoid, I’m sure.”
“Probably Officer Steve doing his rounds,” Meadow said. “But to be on the safe side, I’ll check in with him. Liam, take Zoe and Kylie into the bedroom and lock the door behind you.”
Taking the vizsla with her, Meadow stepped out the front door.
“Okay, let’s get into the guestroom.” Liam hustled Zoe and Kylie out of the living room, careful to keep them away from the windows. They filed down the hall and into the guestroom. Zoe sat on the bed with Kylie snug in her arms. Liam paced a short path from the door to the crib.
After several moments of silence, Zoe said, “Shouldn’t they be back in the house by now?”
The concern on Liam’s face ratcheted up Zoe’s anxiety. Though he didn’t say anything, she could tell he was worried.
What if something happened to Officer Steve or Meadow or Grace?
Please, Lord, keep them safe.
Sudden barking from outside sent shudders of fear sliding across Zoe’s skin. Something was wrong. She jumped from the bed and crossed the room to the dresser where she’d left her phone. “I’m going to text Chase.”
The door to the room burst open. Zoe spun around .
Standing in the doorway with a gun in her hand was Haley Newton.