Dead Women Tell No Lies (41 page)
Read Dead Women Tell No Lies Online
Authors: Nora LeDuc
“I’ll guess she was against abortion. Adoption?”
“They must have ruled the option out. All I know is the mention of their move brought up bad memories for Gram, and she never spoke of Ledgeview. I’ve found nothing on our true father, but I’m not looking for him. At least, I’m not today.”
“You could never be a Drown.” He held out the paper coffee cup he was carrying. “For you.”
She blinked in surprise and took the cup. The sweet aroma of spiced coffee teased her nose. “You know what they say about men bearing gifts.”
“Call nine-one-one?”
“Not quite.” She gulped her drink in her nervousness before she spoke again. “I wish Dahlia had gone the blood test route before she ran off to The Ledges to meet Dean, but it’s too late for her.” Rose’s chest tightened with regret. “I see you had time for a shave and haircut.”
“I was celebrating the end of the investigation with shorter hair. On a personal front, the Medical Examiner ruled my father’s death undetermined with the theory the death may have been staged. His case is officially reopened and the mayor has appointed a team to investigate. The new results spurred my mom to book a flight home for a visit. Everything is changing.”
“Luke, I’m so happy for you and your mom.” She fought the urge to wrap her arms around him. How long would these cravings for him last? How long would he stay and she have to pretend she didn’t miss him, ache for him?
“How are you doing?” He fixed those blue eyes on her.
“Dahlia’s at peace, and she and I are in… harmony. She doesn’t visit much anymore. I don’t have nightmares of her from the river.” Rose glanced at the butterfly flitting across the grass to avoid his stare. “I think she wanted me to forgive her too.” She shrugged, feeling uncomfortable. “I’ve forgiven myself.”
“You weren’t guilty, Rose. You’re one of the most loyal people I know.”
“Next you’ll be calling me a saint.” She dipped her head, but felt her face flush with pleasure. Keep the conversation casual and friendly. Soon he’d leave. He had to.
He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. “I saw Dahlia up at The Ledges the day Dean kidnapped you. She ran in front of my car and stopped me in the mud.”
“Dahlia was there? You never told me.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m slow at digesting some information. Sorry, I know for sure it was her. I went looking for her in the woods and found you. I’m sorry for doubting your story about her.”
“My sister was always there for me.” Rose fiddled with her butterfly necklace and tried to keep her tone neutral while she asked the big question. “Thanks for telling me. What else brings you here?” She stiffened, prepared for an emotional blow. “Did they find Dean’s body or is evidence missing in your investigation?” She slid her gaze to his face.
“A hiker found Dean on the riverbank a few miles from The Ledges. He was identified and buried. My team is still digging into Buddy and A.J.’s participation in their crimes.”
“I’m relieved, but it must be hard for you to deal with Buddy. I never understood why he texted you or brought Frank to The Ledges.”
“Loyalty was Buddy’s redeeming strength and weakness. He wanted to remain loyal to me, yet he couldn’t break away from Dean, the man who’d been his father. He was caught in his family dynamics, good and bad.”
“I’m sorry about Buddy; though I’m glad he won’t be stalking any more women or helping his father in his plans. How are you dealing?”
“Conroy handles his case. I wish the final arrest had ended differently. I can’t lie.”
She relaxed her shoulders, and the tautness in her neck eased. “I was afraid you wanted me to identify Dean’s knife or came to explain a snag in an upcoming trial. I wouldn’t have been able to get away if you needed me in Ledgeview. I’m scheduled up this month with talks at the area schools. I’ve arranged a series of art scholarships for elementary kids at the Community Center. So many people in town sent me donations to support the search for Dahlia. I wanted the money to go to good use.”
She was babbling. Get control.
“Good to hear you’re back on your committees, and don’t be surprised by the support. People care about you.”
They strolled across the grass and onto the gravel road. To anyone passing, they must seem like a couple without a care. If only their appearance was true, a few more feet and he’d be at his vehicle. “You still haven’t told me why you’re in town and why you’re at a cemetery. Are you tracing a suspect? Don’t tell me Bike Boy’s in Brattleboro.”
“Funny you should bring him up. No more graffiti has sprouted up since he’s been missing. His aunt called the station last week and wanted the uniforms to remove him from her house where he’d crashed and helped himself to her credit card. He’s in jail until he can make bail. Your old neighbor won’t be bothering anyone for a while.”
Anyway, I was on my way to your apartment when I drove past and recognized your car.”
“I don’t understand. You could have called.”
He fished in his pocket and held out a white, square box. “I brought you a present.”
A rush of pleasure warmed her as she took his gift. “I’m afraid what’s next. I hope you’re not preparing me for bad news.” She set her cup on the ground and removed the box’s lid. Inside laid the silver butterfly with the ruby jeweled wings. “Dahlia’s necklace,” she whispered and held the chain against her heart. “Thank you, Luke. Dahlia’s creation means everything to me.”
He stepped closer, too close. She recognized each angle of his imperfect features, the ones that continued to invade her dreams once her guard was down. She could see the hint of whiskers on his angular jaw, the dark blue specks in his eyes, and his wide mouth that had kissed her with heat. The familiar, breathless rush returned. She tightened her lips together, afraid of what would leak through them. If only he’d mailed the necklace instead of delivering it in person. Now his presence brought on the familiar pain of losing him all over again.
“Let me.” He slipped the necklace around her neck. His fingers brushed against her skin as he secured the fastener.
Quivers of pleasure danced over her. When he finished, she stepped away as fast as possible. “I was going to bury her necklace by her stone, but maybe the two butterflies should be together.” She touched the pendant, still not quite believing it was found.
“I need to talk to you, Rose.”
She nodded, unable to speak past the lump lodged in her throat. Was A.J. getting off, moving to Vermont?
“I haven’t done well in relationships. That’s not news. My ex complained I never talked to her. She was right. I was all talked-out from work and asking questions. When I went home that part of me shut off, and I’d stopped listening and feeling. When my dad died, I didn’t understand why he left me, what I’d done. I couldn’t get involved with anyone after the divorce and my father’s death. The pain was too much. Another part of me cut off the possibilities in my life.”
“I understand.” Where was he headed with his confession?
He angled in front of her, forcing her to meet his blue eyes. “I should have listened when you voiced your fears about Bud. I should have explained the plan to follow you to the Audi the night of Dean’s party and not sprung the trap on you.”
He’d come to apologize because he felt guilty. She’d deal with him, and then, he’d leave and end her torture. “You were doing your job the night of Dean’s party. I understand now, and Buddy is in custody. As for your father, you’ll find who took his life.” There, she’d tied it up for him. All over except for the final good bye. She fisted her hands.
“Today is about you. I don’t have the exact words, so I’ll just say what I think. I was wrong not to believe you, and if you forgive me, I promise I won’t keep any secrets because I trust you and you’re more important than anything in my life, including my job.”
Did he say she was more important than being a detective? How could that be? Her heart skipped a beat. “You think we should stay in closer touch? I guess we could email daily.” She bit her lip and considered the possibilities of contact with him.
He shook his head. “No, Rose. Let me explain.” He took a step toward her and grasped her forearm. Despite the pressure of his fingers, she was held by his intense stare and the other emotion in his eyes that made her heart flutter.
“When you first showed up in Ledgeview, I asked myself, who is this woman? Now I know. You’re my heart. I can’t let you go.”
A light headedness hit her. She was having a dream, a hallucination.
“I love you, Rose. If you let me, I’ll prove it to you every day. I want us to be together. I haven’t figured out who does what or where, but we’ll tackle one problem at a time, together.”
Tears burned her eyes.
His fingers wove through hers, linking them together. “Will you give us a chance?”
She inched away from him and swallowed the lump in her throat. For the first time since she’d left Ledgeview, she felt the dizzy feeling of hope. “First, I have to say something.”
“What you’re going to say can’t be that bad. Is it?” Doubt tinged his voice, and he lifted one brow.
“I love you, Luke.” Tears spilled down her cheeks, but she had to finish. “I’m not an expert myself on the girlfriend role, but…” Her throat tightened. She couldn’t speak. She could only show him what was in her heart. She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the passion she could muster, willing him to understand the words she wanted to say. Finally she broke off the kiss. “I don’t want us to be apart either.”
He gave her a broad smile, keeping a firm grip on her. “I’m taking that as a yes to my question.”
Rose’s pulse increased and she slipped her arms around his waist. “A Blue woman finally chose the right man.”
The butterfly circled above their heads and disappeared on the breeze.
THE END
A word about the author...
Dead Women Tell No Lies
is Nora LeDuc’s tenth published book. She is hard at work on her next one in her New England home. She lives with her husband, cat, and dog, who inspire her to write.
She would love to hear from you.
And be sure to check Nora’s website:
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Table of Contents
