Avalanche (17 page)

“You think it’s strange that he didn’t stand at the window
and look around?” Pamela clarified.

“Yes. Think about it. This guy is obsessed with you, with
everything about you. Yet he doesn’t take the opportunity to see where you
live, to study your environment. It seems odd, that’s all.”

“Maybe he did turn on the lights before. Maybe he’s been
here during the day, when I was staying with Sharon. Who knows? I agree that
it’s odd, but we could be reading something into nothing.”

“You’re right,” Red smiled, not wanting to worry her any
further. “It probably doesn’t mean anything.”

“Pull him up again. Now that he’s by the door, can’t we at
least tell how tall he is? Or how heavy?”

“Not really. JB made a good point tonight. They guy could be
wearing heels, and bulky sweaters. But we could tell if his appearance is
different from before. That would give us a clue as to whether or not he’s
altering his height and weight.”

“Good, that’s good. Try that.” Pamela perched beside Red,
eagerly watching the screen.

“Okay, here’s the image from tonight,” Red froze the image
of the figure, poised in the doorway. Splitting the screen, he pulled up the
image of the man inside Pam’s house, when he dropped off the eyeball present.

“He doesn’t look as fat in this one,” Pamela squinted,
pointing to the image on the right. “And he looks taller there, too.”

“You’re right, he does look taller in the first picture. I
daresay he’s not shrinking, so he must be altering his height to throw us off.”

“His weight, too. Look at him inside the house, he’s very
bulky. In the image outside, he’s still bulky, but not as much.”

“It’s actually a pretty smart maneuver,” Red nodded. “These
images could be of two different people, at least a good defense attorney could
make it seem so.”

“Exactly. Who starts building a defense, before they’re even
arrested for a crime?” Pamela wondered aloud.

“A very careful perp, that’s who,” Red told her. “You said
the gift was a voodoo doll. Does that have any significance to you?”

“No, not at all. I only recognize it from my trip to New
Orleans, a few years ago. They sell them to tourists like candy down there.”

“Did anything happen then, in New Orleans? Maybe he’s trying
to remind you of something.”

“No, not that I remember. I was only there for a day, it was
a very quick trip. I met with a potential client, signed him, then came back to
LA.”

“Who was the client?” Red asked, opening a search engine on
his laptop.

“Beau Halloren, the guy who plays on that vampire show. But
the stalker’s not him, Red. He’s a really nice guy.”

“I’m sure that he is. People thought Ted Bundy was a nice
guy, too,” Red said, searching for Halloren. “There sure are a lot of images of
this dude. The paparazzi love him.”

“Yes, and so do several hundred thousand teenage girls. Beau
is very popular. You’re wasting your time, Red, it’s not him.”

“You’re right, it’s not him. Here he is at some club opening
in Miami, on the same night we captured the first image of the stalker.”

“Told you,” Pam said smugly. “I doubt the doll has any
significance, other than it was easy to break, scary looking, and small enough
to fit in that box.”

“You could be right, but keep thinking of your time in New
Orleans, will you? Something might come back to you.”

“Of course.” Pamela closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead,
a sure sign that she’d developed a headache.

“You know, I almost came with you on that trip,” Red said,
switching the laptop screen back to the camera feeds.

“I remember, but I didn’t know if you did,” Pamela said
softly. “You were so busy, spending night and day at the firehouse, or in the
sky, that I didn’t think you’d remember something so trivial.”

“Trivial? I wouldn’t exactly call it trivial, Pam. We
planned to spend a few extra days in New Orleans, see the sights, take a ghost
tour or two,” Red grinned, relaxing into the sofa. “I hated having to cancel on
you.”

“Couldn’t be helped,” Pamela’s lips tilted up, but the smile
didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“You were always good about understanding my work, and the
fact that I was forced to cancel too many of our plans.”

“It wasn’t as if you did it on purpose, I knew that.
Fighting fires was more than just a job to you, it was your life. I may not
have liked it all of the time, but I understood it. And I was very proud of
you,” she added, almost as an afterthought.

“You were? You never told me that.”

“I didn’t? Shame on me,” Pamela really grinned this time. “I
was always proud of you, Red. Even when you made me angry enough to spit
nails.”

“Why is it that we always seem to know exactly which buttons
to push to get the other one riled up?” Red shook his head. “I never understood
how two people could love each other so much, yet fight like bitter enemies.”

“Loving you was never the problem,” Pamela said softly. “I
often wondered the same thing. We even do it now, after the relationship is
over. I wish I understood it, too.”

“Maybe we should have tried counseling.” Red surprised them
both with his statement.

“Wow, I never thought you would go for that.”

“I never really thought about it, until now.”

“It might have helped, I guess we’ll never know.”

“I guess not.”

They sat together in silence, each contemplating lost
possibilities.

The house phone rang, startling them into action.

“It’s late for a phone call.” Pamela reached over to grab
the phone.

“Wait,” Red stopped her. “It’s probably him. Let me get it.”

“Okay,” Pamela hesitated, but raised her hand from the
receiver.

Red picked it up.

“Hello?”

“
You must have a death wish, Sheriff
.” The low,
gravelly voice seemed muffled. Red was sure it was a disguise.

“At least I’m not a coward,” Red answered smoothly. “Why
don’t you show your face, stalker-boy, instead of hiding in the shadows?”

A deep, rumbling chuckle filled the phone line. Red shivered
involuntarily.

“
Who says I’m hiding, Red?
Tell Pamela that I hope
she liked my gift. I’ll see you both soon.”

The line went dead, leaving Red fuming with frustration.
What the hell did he mean, he’s not hiding?

“What did he say?” Pamela knew by the look on Red’s face
that he was furious.

“More of the same,” Red responded, still hearing the voice
in his mind.

“What did he say, Red?” Pamela demanded, knowing that Red
wasn’t telling her everything. “What did he say when you called him out?”

“He said, “Who says I’m hiding,” then he called me Red. He’s
always referred to me as ‘Sheriff’ before. Why is it Red now?” Red was thinking
aloud.

“Why is he getting so familiar, you mean? I don’t know. Is
he trying to tell us that we know him? What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. This makes the second call in two days, plus
the texts, and the gift. He’s escalating.”

“I know that’s not a good thing.”

“No, it isn’t. But it could mean that he’s getting ready to
make a move, finally.”

“Red?”

“Yes?”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me, too, Pammie.” Red smiled to reassure her, but inside,
he was becoming more and more worried. Why did the stalker seem so confident?
Was it part of his game, or did he have an unknown ace that could work to his
advantage?

Not hiding. What did that mean? Could the stalker be someone
from Starsdale?

As strange as it seemed, Red knew the stalker could be
anyone. The voice was obviously faked, probably with a machine, so the stalker
could be male, or female. Maybe they’d been looking in the wrong place all
along. Maybe the stalker was someone from Pam’s past, not her current life in
LA.

“What are you thinking?” Pamela asked, breaking into Red’s
thoughts.

“I’m thinking that we need to go back in time. Consider
people from Starsdale who may have some sort of grudge against you.”

“Here? No way, Red. I don’t have enemies in Starsdale. I was
only a kid when I left.”

“Teenagers can be volatile.” Red stood and stretched. “Do
you mind if I make some coffee? It’s going to be a long night.”

“Red and Pamela seemed to be in a better place last night,”
Jade mentioned as she and Justin prepared breakfast.

“It was nice to see them getting along,” Justin agreed. “Red
is really worried about her, though. The situation is not good.”

“I can’t imagine that having someone stalk you is ever
good,” Jade frowned. “Are you saying that Red thinks the guy is really
dangerous?”

“Yes. So much so that Red is taking vacation time, just so
he can be there for Pamela, twenty-four-seven.”

“Pamela didn’t say anything about that last night,” Jade
handed Justin a bowl of fruit.

“She doesn’t know,” Justin frowned, not wanting to betray
Red’s confidence, but he didn’t like keeping things from Jade.

“Pamela doesn’t know how dangerous the stalker is? Why not?
What is Red hoping to gain by keeping her in the dark?”

“He doesn’t want her to worry, any more than she already is
worrying,” Justin explained.

“That’s sweet. Stupid, but sweet. Why do men always think
they’re protecting women by hiding the truth? Pamela needs to know what she’s
dealing with.”

“What Red’s dealing with, you mean.”

“Okay, what they’re both dealing with.”

“I’m sure Red is handling it the best way he knows how.
After all, he knows Pamela better than anyone.”

“I still think it’s wrong. Pamela has a right to know.”

“Maybe so, but can we agree that it’s not our, your, place
to tell her?” Justin wished he’d never opened his mouth.

“Red told you his concerns in confidence?” she surmised by
the look on Justin’s face.

“Yes.”

“Okay, my lips are sealed.”

“Thank you.”

“Anything for you, Mister Devereaux.”

“Now we’re talking.” Justin pushed his breakfast aside, and
reached for Jade.

~~~

“Pamela is very nice, I like her,” Dana eyed Robert as he
stepped from the shower.

“Yes, I like her too. Red
really
likes her.” Robert
grinned, liking the way his wife was looking at him.

“Who are you kidding? Red’s in love. Full-blown,
over-the-moon, once-in-a-lifetime in love. Did you see the way he looked at
her, when she wasn’t looking? Like she was prime rib, and he was a starving
man.”

“Sort of the way I look at you, all the time, right?” Robert
dropped his towel on the floor and came to stand behind Dana.

“Robert Nelson, don’t you start anything I don’t have time
to finish,” Dana smiled at him in the mirror.

“What is so important that we can’t take a half hour for
ourselves?” Robert asked, running his hands along Dana’s arms.

“For one thing, I have to run Molly’s backpack over to
Brianna’s house, before she leaves for school. For another, you have a meeting
with Mac in an hour, and you still have to eat breakfast. Shall I go on?”

“I can miss breakfast,” Robert kissed the side of her neck.

Dana groaned.

“But I can’t miss taking Molly her backpack. So stop that,
or our daughter will be late,” Dana pushed his hands away, laughing.

“You’re always so reasonable,” Robert growled, dropping one
last kiss on her cheek. “But you’re right.”

“And don’t you forget it,” Dana pinched his backside, on her
way to the closet. “I told Chelsea I would drop by the B&B this morning,
help her start looking for a dress. I should be back around lunchtime.”

“I thought they were having a small wedding,” Robert
followed her into the closet.

“They are, but that doesn’t mean that she’ll wear jeans,”
Dana rolled her eyes at her husband. “And yes, before you ask, you’ll have to
wear a suit, maybe even a tux,” Dana teased.

“Not a problem,” Robert smiled. “I look good in a tux.”

“Yes, you do,” Dana laughed, side-stepping him once again.
“I may drop some pumpkins by for Red and Pamela, while I’m out. She mentioned
last night that she found her mother’s recipe for pumpkin pie.”

“Better call before you go, Red’s got the place on
lockdown.”

“I will. I hate they’re going through this mess. What
possesses someone to stalk a person? How sick do you have to be to make someone
else’s life so difficult, on purpose?”

“Pretty sick, I guess. Or else they have no life of their
own, who knows?”

“I hope they catch him, soon. Red and Pamela need a chance
to relax, reconnect.”

“Don’t go meddling, Dana. Red and Pamela can sort out their
problems without our help. Or not. Their choice.”

“It’s not meddling to want the best for your friends,” Dana
grinned, swatting him as she left the closet. “Hurry up, you can help me make
pancakes.”

~~~

“Did you notice how close Pamela and Red seemed last night?”
Sharon poured JB another cup of coffee. “I think there’s hope for those two,
yet.”

“Maybe. I know Red’s worried about her.” JB flipped open his
laptop to check his email. “Speak of the devil, Red sent me two images to
compare.”

“Images of what?” Sharon asked, coming to stand behind him.

“Seems they had a visitor last night, while they were at
dinner. The guy didn’t come inside, but he left a box at the back door. Red
wants me to see if I can glean anything new from the second one.”

“Oh, my God, how scary! He just came right up to the door?
Where was Kendra?”

“I don’t know, in her room, maybe?” JB dropped the photos
into a separate program to scan the differences.

“It’s a good thing she wasn’t downstairs, can you imagine?
Suddenly seeing someone at the door? Gives me the creeps.”

“I think that’s the point,” JB muttered, noting the different
measurements on the screen.

“I’m sure that it is.” Sharon peered at the enlarged image.
“I can’t tell anything, can you?”

“Nope. The person in the photo taken last night is slightly
shorter than the first image, but I think it’s the same guy. Look at the shape
of his face,” JB created two headshots, side-by-side. Both were completely
covered in a tight, black mask, but the shape was the same.

“You should send that to Red, maybe it will trigger
something for Pamela.”

“I will.”

“I’ll give them a call later, check in.”

“I’m sure they’ll appreciate that. Are you working lunch
today?”

“Yes, but you can drop by, if you like. We can eat together
at my desk.”

“An offer I can’t refuse,” JB looked up, giving her a warm
smile. “I hate to say it, but I’m so glad that you’re not the one in danger
this time.”

“That makes two of us, but I hate it for Pamela and Red.”

“I know, me too.” JB stopped to watch Sharon collect her
things. “Drive safe, please.”

“Always do,” Sharon came over, kissed him goodbye. “Can you
make sure the monsters have enough water outside?” Sharon glanced out of the
window, affection for Hershey and Cocoa thick in her voice. “If it gets any
colder, make them come in, please.”

“Yes, Ma’am, will do,” JB saluted, then laughed. “Did you
see they’re calling for snow this weekend?”

“Snow? Already? No way.”

“Yes way. Of course, the forecast could change ten times
between now and then.”

“But snow! It’s too soon! That means we have to line up a
snow plow for the mountain, otherwise a lot of people will be disappointed.
We’re booked solid for next week.”

“Better make a few phone calls,” JB waved, smiling as Sharon
talked to herself, all the way out the door.

~~~

“What do you think about Pamela and Red?” Chelsea asked Mac
over breakfast.

 “What do you mean?” Mac asked, reaching for Chelsea’s
bacon.

“I mean, what do you think of them as a couple? Jade said
they were constantly sniping at each other, when they had dinner with her and
Justin. But last night, they got along really well. They must be making
progress.”

“So it would seem,” Mac frowned, remember how much Red was
keeping from Pamela.

“Why are you frowning? What did Red say?”

“Nothing, just that he’s worried.” Mac didn’t lie, but he
didn’t tell the whole truth, either. If Chelsea knew everything, she would feel
obligated to tell Pamela. It wasn’t their place to get involved in the way Red
chose to handle police business. Or personal business, for that matter.

“I’m sure that he is, it’s obvious how much he cares for
Pamela. He’s probably going crazy, knowing that someone is targeting her.”

“You’re right, he definitely cares for her. And Pamela seems
to care for him, but I don’t know if that’s enough to overcome whatever tore
them apart. But to answer your question, I like them as a couple. Red deserves
to be happy.”

“Yes, he does. But I don’t think either of them can focus on
their relationship until the stalker is no longer a threat.”

“I know you want everyone to be as happy as we are,” Mac
grinned. “But let’s let Red and Pamela work this out for themselves, okay?”

“Are you telling me to keep my nose out of their business?”
Chelsea asked, smiling at her fiancé.

“I’m reminding you that Red and Pamela are adults, they
don’t need our input.”

“If you say so. But I hope she stays in town. There’s no way
they can work anything out, when she’s not around.”

~~~

“I couldn’t drink another cup if I tried.” Smiling up at
Kendra, Red put his hand over the mug. “Thanks anyway.”

“I can’t believe you two stayed up all night,” Kendra poured
herself a cup of coffee, then sat at the table with Red. “And I can’t believe
that guy was here, while I slept.” Kendra shook her head. “Too creepy!”

“I know, but at least he didn’t try to come inside. We think
he knew that we left, either he watched us leave, or noticed my car was gone.
In any event, he was only at the door for a few seconds.”

“Still, he was here.” Kendra shuddered. “What were you guys
doing all night? Did you get another lead?”

“Not sure, we’re just checking all the angles, you know?”
Red didn’t feel comfortable telling Kendra they’d spent the night analyzing
friends and acquaintances from Starsdale. It felt a little like a betrayal, but
he would do it again, if it helped Pam. Unfortunately, they came up empty.

“Sure, okay.” Kendra wanted more details, but Red wasn’t
offering any. “You should probably try and get a few hours of sleep this
morning. You and Pamela both should.”

“Maybe. I’m waiting for an email from a friend. Hopefully he
can isolate something about the perp that will help us.”

“Did you get a better picture?” Kendra asked, surprised.

“Not really. We have a different picture. He’s trying to
disguise his appearance, change his height and weight. I’m hoping JB can find
similarities that isolate characteristics of our stalker. At this point, anything
will help.”

“I hope JB comes through for you,” Kendra said earnestly.
“This is really taking a toll on Pamela.”

“Yes, it is. Thanks, Kendra. You’ve been a good friend to
her.”

“Of course.”

Pamela’s phone beeped, letting Red know that she’d received
another text.

“Here we go again,” he growled, picking it up.

“Afraid to go to sleep, Red? I’ll be there, when you do.”

“Son-of-a-bitch!” Red cursed, deleting the message. “How did
he know we stayed up all night?”

“Maybe he saw the lights on,” Kendra answered, knowing that
she shouldn’t ask about the message.

“Which means that he was out there, watching us.” Red stood,
shoving the chair backwards. “Dammit!” Pacing around the room, Red ignored Kendra
completely. His patience was at an end, he wanted his hands around the
stalker’s neck.

“What is it, what’s happened?” Pamela ran down the stairs,
feeling Red’s frustration from across the room.

“Another text,” Kendra answered, watching as Red tried to
compose himself.

“He knows we were up all night, which means that he was
outside, watching, the entire time.” Red took a deep breath, mentally calming
his reactions.

Pamela, her hair still wet from the shower, stopped at the
base of the stairs.

“What did the message say?”

“He asked if I was afraid to go to sleep,” Red answered,
heading to the kitchen for more coffee.  No matter how he felt, he had to stay
awake, or leave Pamela vulnerable.

“You’re not, I hope,” Pamela said, following him. “I’ll tell
you what you’ve been telling me, he’s trying to get inside your head. Don’t let
him.” Pamela reached for Red’s coffee mug, covering his hand with hers. “You
and I both must get some sleep, Red. We can’t stay up, round the clock.”

“I can’t close my eyes, knowing he’s waiting to make a
move.”

“And how exactly will he know that you’re closing your
eyes?” Pamela asked. “It’s daytime, no need for lights. He has no way of
knowing what’s going on inside this house. If you stay awake, keep watch,
you’re playing into his hands, Red. He wants to wear you down, just like he’s
been trying to wear me down these past months. It’s a game to him, don’t play
into it.”

“You make a good point, Pam.” Red let go of the mug, then
leaned against the counter. “We do need to sleep, but I’ll feel better if we do
it together.”

“What? Sleep together?”

“Yes, in the downstairs bedroom. This way, if anything
happens, we’ll be close enough to react.” Red looked at Pamela’s surprised
face. “Don’t worry, I’m only suggesting that we sleep together, nothing else. I
won’t touch you, I promise.”

“I wasn’t worried about that,” Pamela lied, trying to cover
her true feelings. Her first thought was how nice it would be to feel Red’s
arms around her, as she slept. But she should have known better than to think
he was offering anything more than protection.

“Good. So what do you say, do you agree?”

“Yes. I’d sleep better too, if you were close by.”

“Good. I’m going to jump in the shower before I hit the
sheets. Join me soon, okay?”